What I Love Now

1.) Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes Statement Mascara
If you’ve read Wake Up for Makeup long enough, you know how I feel about Benefit’s They’re Real. It’s a real lady boner mascara for sure. But you know what? This new one from Tarte is a pretty. Damn. Close. Second. This brush is unique because it’s flexible and has longer bristles on one side to really grab onto lashes and sweep through. I think this mascara gives the look of They’re Real with a slightly more feathery look, which I love! If you have found that They’re Real can get clumpy or stiff, seriously try this. You won’t sacrifice length, volume or definition. And let’s just take a moment to note I’ve used  the words boner, stiff and length in this post thus far. Good work outta me.

2.) Sigma Beauty F80 Flat Kabuki
This is a brush I’ve heard nothing but raves about for years. I’m not sure what took me so long but I finally got the F80! A flat-top kabuki style brush is one of my very favorite styles for perfect foundation application. I love how you can stipple product on and then quickly buff into the skin for a beautiful, airbrushed finish. If you have large pores like me, (like, is this the surface of the moon or my face?) this type of brush provides more uniform application in my experience. I’ve used several other flat top kabuki brushes, from e.l.f. to Sonia Kashuk to bareminerals. The F80 is by far, the softest,easiest-to-work with one of them all. Oh, and it’s only $18. Sigma is awesome because their brushes are great quality and normal-life prices. The F80’s brush head is the perfect size, the bristles maintain their shape without flaring out as others have done, and the handle is super comfortable to hold. If you want to feel for yourself, you can find Sigma Beauty online and make sure you enter code LJW2013 for 10% off site wide from September 1-30.

3.) Calvin Klein Downtown
When it comes to scents, I’ve been a Chanel woman for years upon years, namely, Chanel Chance, which I adore. However, and very sadly, the Sephora I work at does not sell Chanel,  leaving me to search desperately each day for a suitable alternative. I guess I’m picky as far as scents go because I seem to really dislike most of them and something everyone else loves, I will usually gag at. I tend to prefer less floral scents, slightly masculine even. So when we put Calvin Klein Downtown out, I had no expectations. Well, I may have found my new scent! I knew the first time I smelled this scent I loved it, but wasn’t sure why. Upon further examination, I have found it’s a woodsy floral,  a bit warmer, and has notes similar to the ones I enjoyed in Chance like Pink Peppercorn. I enjoy the description of the scent as well: Urban. Original. Real. One reviewer said it was similar to YSL Manifesto, which makes sense because I also like that. Best of all, my husband loves Calvin Klein Downtown, so hey, it’s a hit with the dudes!

4.) Make Up For Ever Aqua Lip Waterproof Lipliner in 12C
It took me a second to get used to the deep vampy lip shades for fall. Literally, only a second. Then I was like, ok, yeah. I’m into this. This Make Up For Ever lipliner is the perfect deep plum to create a perfectly gothic-chic mouth. Watch Divine Caroline for an upcoming tutorial from me on how to create a fall-approp black cherry lip.