I promise, more posts to come next week. This week has… again… been hectic.

Makeup by Rita Nguyen & Photo by Brandon Kidd Photography from my wedding!

When I originally started my blog, I intended it to be about Fashion, Food, DIY & Beauty. If you’re a regular reader, you would have noticed that so far, I’ve only gotten as far as Fashion and food 🙂 whoops! Beauty and DIY are definitely things I enjoy and love, but taking photos and time to blog them is another story… Although I do have a beauty post lined up for next week or so, I was so excited when I received the list of questions for this week’s Fashion Beauty Friend Friday post from ModlyChic. It’s the perfect way to get me into the beauty, along with fashion and food of course, groove!

1. What’s your favorite drug store makeup product and your favorite higher-end product?
I’m guilty of only using department store brand products ranging from my Boscia skincare regimen to my collection of MAC shadows, NARS blushes and practically every mascara on the market. I’m aware that many drug store makeup brands are owned by the higher end brands but there’s just something about the luxe packaging and overall quality of the product that, to me, just cannot compare. That being said, I have ventured into drug store brands in the past and am a fan of Revlon Colorstay liquid foundation and their mascaras. Maybe I’ll use them again one day but right now, I really enjoy the quality of the higher end products. My favorite is currently Makeup Forever’s Smoky Lash mascara. It doesn’t seem to smudge on me and makes my perpetually straight boring lashes, slightly curl up and look longer! (That is – when I don’t wear false lashes.)

2. Is there one type of product that is your go-to, can’t live without?
MAC Liquidlast liner in Point Black. It is simply amazing. At first, I loved its glossy sheen and staying power but what really made me fall head over heels for it was our trip to Cabo San Lucas a few years ago. I wore it on the long flight that consisted of me falling asleep and rubbing my face into a blanket (and my then boyfriend, now husband’s shoulder), during high humidity excursions and even during our lazy lounging in the pool days. You heard me right, I said IN the pool as in diving, splashing around in the water, hair soaked and playing mermaid. My eye liner was in tact, never smudged and never transferred onto anything, not a towel or my husband’s dress shirts lol and still amazing the rest of the day. It’s hardcore. So much so that you have you used a serious oil based eye makeup remover to get it off… but nothing can compete. It’s my holy grail.

3. What’s the best hair product you’ve ever used?
I’m a huge fan of Bumble and Bumble products. I love how their Styling Crème gives me great volume when I apply it to my roots and holds my curls or straightening when applied to my strands and ends before I blowdry. I also love their DeFrizz product because it doesn’t feel greasy (even on my hands after!), gives amazing shine and makes my hair feel so soft – plus it rids me of frizz of course, too.

4. Fess up, what’s the worst beauty look you’ve tried to rock and look back at now with a little shame or apprehension that you actually did that?
Red Lipstick. It just does NOT work for me regardless of how little eye makeup I wear – I just end up looking ridiculous! Don’t get me wrong though, I think it looks amazing on other people but maybe it’s my complexion? I don’t know but I just cannot pull it off.

5. When it comes to beauty products, we all use the same basic products. What do you use that helps show off your personal flare and personality?
I’d have to say it’s false eyelashes. I’m always wearing them (except when I’m at my day job because it’s kind of a waste since I just sit in my office and rarely see people). Whether it’s to a fabulous event or just running errands, you’ll more than likely catch me wearing a pair.

Interested in joining in on the fun to? See information about Fashion Beauty Friend Friday here.

Makeup by Rita Nguyen

Brandon Kidd Photography

Xox,
An