Hey there! Welcome to my little slice of cyber heaven. I’m a 21-year-old beauty junkie who’s just trying to figure out my life as I enter adulthood. I must say upfront that this isn’t going to be your typical beauty blog. I have a love for obvious aesthetic beauty and I have one too many shades of eyeshadow, but my passion is more than skin deep – I ultimately seek the beauty in honesty & self-acceptance, which ironically isn’t always such a pretty sight. My heart gets broken, I make mistakes, hell I do some dumb things (just ask the girls), but I’m living and I’m learning. So now, I’m opening myself up and inviting you to take this journey with me. I hope that in sharing my experiences I’ll be able to help another girl who may be dealing with some of the same issues. Of course, I’ll be sharing some beauty tidbits along the way. Again, I welcome you. Let’s get this thing started!

vanity kane’s Guide to Casual Elegance:

Now, everyone who really knows me knows that while I love, love, LOVE makeup, I don’t like to haphazardly pile layers of it on. Fellow HU ladies please take note: caking on 3 inches of M*A*C Studio Fix just to go to your Intro to Sociology class does not make you more attractive. A fresh, chic look can be achieved with just a few of my all-time favorite products that only take a few minutes to apply:

1) The Lip Scrub by Sara Happ ($20) – I’m a bit fanatical about having soft lips, and I have tried just about every lip scrub, buffer, and polisher on the market but have not been satisfied. This little ditty not only gets the job done right, but it leaves my lips soft, supple, and oh-so-kissable. Plus, it comes in yummy flavors such as cinnamon sugar, almond crème, peppermint, and vanilla bean. http://www.thelipscrub.com

2) Rosebud Salve Lip Balm ($6) – I first found out about 114-year-old wonder balm back in high school and have been addicted to it ever since. This makeup artist staple soothes dry lips and serves as the perfect lip color primer. http://www.sephora.com

3) NARS Lip Lacquer in Butterfield 8 ($23) – A little thicker than lipgloss, this subtle pinky-brown enhances the natural color of my lips for a pretty, neutral vibe. It’s also less sticky than most lacquers out on the market right now. http://www.narscosmetics.com

4) L’Oreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara in Black ($6) – I have naturally curly eyelashes, but I love the sweet yet sexy look that this mascara gives me. Be careful, too many coats will leave you looking like Tammi Faye getting her face devoured by a tarantula. http://www.drugstore.com

5) NARS Powder Blush in Sin ($25) – I’ll admit that for the longest time I wasn’t really big on blush, you know, being colored and all. I decided to test the waters with this berry shade and have been in love ever since. It leaves cheeks looking just pinched without looking overdone. http://www.narscosmetics.com

*Bonus Product* NARS Powder Bronzer in Casino ($28) – This isn’t a product I would say I use on a daily basis, but for days I want to give my face a little extra “oomph”, bronzer is the key to getting that healthy “I really wake up looking this radiant” glow. Just a dusting over my cheeks, forehead, chin, and nose does the trick every time. http://www.narscosmetics.com

;-)