The Lipstick That Will Change Your Life!

If you know me, you know my lipstick. We go together. We're a pair. Our love affair has been going on for 8 years now, and I see no end in sight! Therefore, I think it is fitting that the first product review I post on this blog be about my lipstick.

I am totally not joking when I say that this lipstick has changed my life. Well, I might be a tad dramatic - but not joking! I have always loved lipstick, and have always hated having to reapply, worrying about it coming off on my clothes, trying to avoid the ring around the lips... this lipstick changes all of that!

The name of my lipstick lover is CoverGirl Outlast Lipcolor - specifically color #545 - Naturalast. Be warned - there are other "Outlast" products, but they are totally different (and may be covered in future posts). The lip color costs about $8, and comes in a box with two tubes - one is the color, the other a gloss. I use it every day and I think it lasts me about 3-4 months.

This is one of the few products out there where the advertisements are totally true. It... Does... Not... Come... Off. Seriously. When I worked in an office, I would apply it at 7:00 am and it would still be on at the end of the workday. I can kiss my babies and not have to wipe their faces. The straw in my Diet Dr. Pepper stays clean and doesn't get nasty lipstick crummies all over it. You get the idea.

Tips & Tricks:
- Lips must be totally clean and dry before applying. Do not apply over chapstick, or other lipstick.
- Put the color on first - you can adjust how dark/light it is by how thick you apply. Don't apply too thick or it will crack and peel.
- Do not obsessively rub your lips together - just hold your lips slightly apart until it dries.
- Only use the gloss provided in the box. ANYTHING oil based is going to take the lipstick off - that includes chapstick and other lipsticks and glosses.
- Remember the above comment when you actually want to take it off - because believe me, it will still be on when you go to bed! Just put on chapstick, wait a minute, and wipe off with a tissue
- Along the same line, learn to eat neatly - greasy and oily food will make it come off faster
- If you use it every day (like I do!) then your lips may get dry. DO NOT skip the overnight moisturizer! I recommend Neutrogena Overnight Lip Balm.
- When picking out a color, remember they all go on a bit brighter than they appear in the package.

I know that many of you out there who are reading this have already fallen in love with this product - if you have testimonials please leave them in the comments!!!

Happy lipstick wearing to you! May you find your lipstick soul mate and live happily ever after.

Deals & Coupons from the Sunday Paper

Let me start off by saying I am not a fan of "Buy 1 Get 1 50% off" sales - in my opinion this is a sucker sale. They get you in the door, and get you to buy twice as much, with small savings. I will only report BOGO 50% sales when they apply to products I love. Give me a true BOGO free or a straight discount - amen?

I just got a chance to peruse the Sunday paper ads and there are some deals going on, so let me get to it: (all of these are advertised specials, no coupons needed - except the P&GbrandSaver list)

CVS:
- Buy 1 Get 1 FREE Cover Girl Lip Products!! Hallelujah! I adore Cover Girl Outlast (specifically #545 Naturalast) - that is (and will be) a separate post.... more to come
- $5 Clairol 'Nice'n easy', 'Root touch up', or 'Gray Solutions'

P&GbrandSAVER: (coupon flier)
- $2 off one box Clairol haircolor
- $2 off one box Clairol Natural Instincts - LOVE this product, temporary wash-out color
- $1 off Cover Girl any product

ULTA:
CHI 1" flat iron on sale for $119

.... but this is better!
Target:
- CHI 1" on sale for $99
- Target also now carries Elnett hairspray for $15 - supposed to be fabulous, don't worry I will be testing and reporting back!

Walgreens:
- Buy 1 Get 1 FREE Neutrogena lip products - I love their overnight balm (it counteracts they drying effect of CoverGirl Outlast)

Happy Bargain Shopping!

Deals at CVS (until May 2nd)

CVS has some BUY 1 GET 1 FREE deals going on right now:

-L'Oreal lip products
-Maybelline Eye products ***I LOVE Maybelline mascara***
-Revlon foundation,powder, blush & concealer

Also L'Oreal Preference hair color is 2/$10.98 which is a good price. I have personally never used this hair color, but have heard good things from those who have.

Remember the trick with CVS is you have to have a little shopper card - if you don't already have one, it only takes a minute and you can do it right there at the register.

What's in a name?

The dear sweet director of women's ministries at my church was giving a talk about inner beauty... How we spend so much time, effort, and money on our outer appearance, whereas the Lord is concerned with our inner beauty. About half way through the talk, she paused and said "But ladies - it never hurts to paint the barn!!!"

So let this initial post be the time that I will say this: The Lord created every woman beautiful!!!! And as my grandmother (who is a true natural beauty) still says "Pretty is as pretty does". There is no true outer beauty without inner beauty.

That being said.... it is darn fun to dress it up now and then!!! Give that barn a fresh coat of red paint, so to speak! The same grandmother mentioned above also puts on lipstick every morning before she leaves her bedroom to have coffee and read the paper with her husband of almost 69 years. As she explains it to me - he is the one she wants to impress, so why not?

Well I have learned well from my mother and my grandmother - and if you know me, you know the gym is about the only place I go without lipstick (and even then, sometimes I just can't help myself!!) Now - I have two small children, and am forever on a beauty budget - does this sound familiar??

Let me be your compass in the land of budget beauty. Let me encourage you to put on your lipstick and color those pesky grays (which we will blame on the kiddos of course!) The mood lifting power is immeasurable!!