{black friday sale!!}

Mark your calendar!  

One day sale on homemadexojules on 11/29/2013

20% 

off your entire purchase

{tissue paper tassel garland}

NOW AVAILABLE ON HOMEMADEXOJULES

hurry and get yours

{review: lime crime lipstick}

Lime Crime's lipstick is known to be bold, colorful, highly opaque, and highly pigmented.  I agree that they are everything they claim to be and worth the purchase.  Because Lime Crime isn't readily available in stores to swatch, I found I relied on blogger photos and search engine photos to determine if the shade is right for me.  With that in mind, I wanted to create this post help with that decision for anyone else.  As a re-cap, I have a neutral beige undertone.  I wear NC25 in MAC, #35 in MUFE, and 240 Medium Beige/320 True Beige mixed together in Revlon Colorstay.  I found Coquette and Babette washed me out when worn alone without any colored gloss.  If I were able to try those two in store, I probably would not have purchased them.  Countessa Flourescent, Centrifuschia, and Retrofuturist on the other hand are gorgeous colors on and I am totally in love with them.  Hope this post helps!

{year long tan}

If you're like me, you like a golden tan no matter what time of the year it is.  I can't even count how many tanning products I've tried, and with that said, I wanted to share my all time favorites with you.  I'm not a said tan guru, however, these products have done me well.  I'm not the type to use tanning beds so this post will have nothing to do of that sort.  Some of the products and colors below are to achieve a medium to dark color.  In MAC terminology, I am a NC 25/NC 30 and in MUFE I am number 35.  I have a neutral beige undertone and I am from an Asian decent. I thought I'd disclose that in case it were to help you decide if these products could be good for you.  I will also list the lighter options in these brands if that is the color you would like to achieve instead.  

one. Million Dollar Tan - Tan Icon Extreme.  ($26)  A sponge brush is included in the shipment and that is what you use to apply the solution.  This is the self tanner I've been using lately.  It gives a gorgeous dark golden tan that is not orange at all and it smells deliciously like a vacation in the tropics (has a coconut smell).  The color of Million Dollar Tan is very comparable to St. Tropez but at a fraction of the cost.  The color lasts about 4-5 days on me and I have not had it streak.  When applying this product you will notice it being brown/green - don't freak out, it's the guide so you can see where you've applied.  It washes off when you shower and you'll be left with a nice golden tan.  It does take time to brush this product on so if you don't have the time or day or patience, I wouldn't recommend this product to you.  I have wondered if the application mitt for St. Tropez Mousse would work with this product to make a faster application but haven't tried it yet.  Have any of you?  Does it work?  Lighter option is the regular Million Dollar Tan - Tan Icon.  

two. St. Tropez Self Tanning Dark Bronzing Mousse.  ($44)  I highly recommend purchasing the application mitt ($6.50) if you want an easy, efficient application.  St. Tropez Dark also gives a beautiful dark golden tan that is not orange.  St. Tropez is faster to apply than Million Dollar Tan and is almost double the cost.  It last about 4-5 days on me and I have not had it streak.  St. Tropez also has a colored guide so you can see where you've applied the product - it will wash off when you shower.  Lighter option is St. Tropez Self Tanning Bronzing Mousse. 

three. Tan Towel Plus ($27 - $74.50 for Full Body Towels, $27 - $40.50 for Half Body Towels)  These towels are SO easy to apply and it has a refreshing lemon smell.  It doesn't leave a sticky feel at all.  After applying it I don't feel like I have any self-tanner on - it's great!  The Plus isn't dark at all compared to St. Tropez Dark and Million Dollar Tan Extreme.  To me it gives the color of a regular self-tanner.  If you're very fair, I would suggest to first try the Classic Tan Towel and see how that color is before moving on to the Plus.  I would recommend Tan Towels if you want a quick, hassle free self-tanner.  I have had this product streak a little bit on me when I did multiple applications but not when I did a single application.  

four.  St. Tropez Wash Off Instant Glow Mousse ($22.50) I use this when I need a tan the day of.  True to St. Tropez's style, it gives a nice golden tan color.  I haven't had the color rub off/transfer on anything.  

five.  bareMinerals Faux Tan All-Over Face Color ($19) I don't tan my face so a powder bronzer, wash-off liquid bronzer, or darker foundation is a must.  I love the instant summer glow this product gives.  You don't need to use too much of it; just apply it to the areas where the sun would naturally hit your face.  

six.  St. Tropez Wash Off Instant Glow Face ($15) Just like it's sister product for the body, it gives an instant warmth to your face.  I apply it after my primer and before my foundation.  This product hasn't made me break out and it is fine on sensitive skin.

What are your tried and true tanning products?