BEAUTY BREAK: Mel's Favorite Hair & Makeup Things

Yep, this has finally materialized. It's something I've been talking about possibly doing for months but after the great feedback I've gotten when I suggested it on Twitter, everything is finally coming together. You'll notice my top link navigation has been altered a little bit to include a new post category for beauty. The majority of what I blog about will be products I like, the vast majority being of the K-Cosmetic type. You can click here now to read my prior posts. However, don't get it twisted -- this will first and foremost be a music blog.

If you ever have any questions or would like an opinion on a product, feel free to ask me on Twitter (@melismaticdiva) or in a comment.

Over the past few months, I have been repeatedly asked for my "favorite" items to recommend so below you'll find the products that I personally use most often and where you can find them for yourselves. Let me know YOUR favorite products in the comment section below!

imPRESS Press-On Manicure Nail Covers (avg. $7, Drugstore.com)
These little babies are the world's best kept secret in nail polish/manicures. Available in solids, shimmers, ombres, prints, you name it and they don't look fake at all! You simply fit them to your natural nail, pull of the tab on the back and press on. No glue, no hassle. They last for about a week (sometimes longer) and you don't have to worry about your mani chipping. They're easy to remove, just hold a cotton ball with nail polish remover around your nail bed for a few seconds and they pop right off. I'm a fan of the "Short Length" because it allows for easy typing and you won't believe how many people assume they are my natural nails or a gel manicure! I was introduced to them by the company itself during ComicCon last year and have yet to be disappointed. I wore them to the CMJ Festival last year and got a million compliments.

Ouidad Botanical Boost Moisture Infusing & Refreshing Spray ($18.99, Ricky's NYC)

It smells powder fresh (but not in a laundry kind of way) and is the only detangling spray I've ever tried that truly works like a charm on my coarse natural curls every time regardless of humidity/weather. It's also really great on "second day" hair. I'd recommend it for any and all curly hair types but I'm sure it works as a great detangler/refresher for any tangle-prone hair.

Miss Jessie's Quick Curls ($34.99, Ricky's NYC)

This is my go-to styling product for everyday. It's a creamy consistency that's a bit thicker than a normal lotion -- kind of sticky. But for as long as I rake it through my hair in sections, it'll leave my curls looking defined and relatively frizz free. I'm a huge fan of the entire Miss Jessie's line -- if you have any type of curly hair (from "wavy" curly to natural, kinky curly), they have something for you and the company has been expanding at a rapid rate. They are now available in Target as well as specialty stores. A little pricey but so worth it -- one big bottle lasts for months and I use it all the time.

Rickycare No-Crease Bow Clips ($5.99 for a pack of three, Ricky's NYC)
I use these in the morning to hold back my bangs while I put on moisturizer and makeup. These clips are easy to clip in/pull out of your hair without messing with your hair style or natural hair texture/curl pattern. They were created with a plastic coating so they don't leave a dent in your hair after viewing makeup artists backstage at fashion shows using tissue paper with bobby pins on their models for the same effect. Plus they are super cute.

Benefit Moisture Prep Toning Lotion ($30, Benefit)

I use this every morning after washing my face (and before my moisturizer) and also use it at night when I take all my makeup off. It helps soothe skin that's prone to redness (like mine is).

Lush Popcorn Lip Scrub ($9.95, Lush)

If you love wearing lipsticks, you need to invest in a great lip scrub -- especially now that winter is on its way out! They exfoliate off all the gross dead skin so that your lips are soft and lipstick application is smooth and even. My fave is this one from Lush. It has Jojoba Oil to keep your lips feeling smooth and a salty/sweet kind of taste to it (and yes, if you end up consuming some -- which happens -- it won't hurt you. It's all natural.). 

Korres Wild Rose 24-Hour Moisturizing & Brightening Cream ($35, Sephora)

My go-to absolute fave moisturizer ever! My skin is a combination of dry and normal but my cheeks and chin tend to get really red naturally without makeup. Rose Extract helps balance skin so it looks less inflamed and this cream not only acts as a moisturizer but primo skincare to relieve the redness. I've tried so many different things -- nothing works like this does!

Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream Bright Fit SPF 30 ($15.90, Kollection K)

I bought it from KollectionK.com and it remains to be my favorite K-Cosmetic purchase EVER. For awhile, I cut out foundation completely and only used this BB Cream. Unlike many of its American competitors, this offers amazing coverage balancing out my redness while still looking natural (and not cakey like many foundations). If you can get a hold of this in your shade, do it.

Benefit Boi-ing Industrial Strength Concealer ($20, Benefit)

The best concealer ever made. Its like you don't even have zits. Also great for undereyes.

Benefit Posietint Cheek Stain ($30, Benefit)

These little bottles are small (and kind of expensive) but they last for a really long time. Less is totally more with this; a pinch for both cheeks gives you a natural flush. Perfect for daywear.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil ($22, Ulta)

If you prefer pencil eyeliner, this one is the best. Smooth application and stays put all day. 

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner by EyeStudio ($7.99, Ulta)

These days, I've forgone pencil eyeliner for liquid eyeliner. My favorite for a long time was the Lorac Front of the Line Pro Liquid Eyeliner (which was $23 but was well worth it in my opinion). It had a tapered marker tip which made drawing a cateye easy-ish (and trust, I was and am quite challenged at this. Practice makes perfect.). I was looking for drugstore dupes so I wouldn't have to spend so much and tried the L'Oreal Infallible. Don't fall for that hype! The marker tip gets junked up easy and is then impossible to clean, so your lines always end up looking grey rather than black. I picked up the new Maybelline Master Precise and it is HEAVEN SENT. It's just like the Lorac one but better, because it's almost a third of the price. Easy to use, vibrant color, stays put all day long.

MALIN + GOETZ Mojito Lip Balm ($12, MALIN + GOETZ)

This thick lip balm smells like a margarita. Not enough of a selling point for you? It's ultra-moisturizing and I wear it to sleep. I wake up to super soft lips.

Revlon ColorBurst Matte Lip Balm (drugstores)

Another recent find that I adore. It's basically a big chubby stick pencil balm but definitely not sheer like a typical lip balm. This is full coverage lipstick-like color in a lightweight balm. My favorite is 'Shameless', a dark plum. I feel like Perrie from Little Mix when I wear it.

NYX Butter Gloss ($4.99, Ulta)

A great day (or night) gloss. The color is subtle but they are very moisturizing and stay put for a long time. Plus they all smell like delicious baked goods.

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick ($22, Ulta)

Still my favorite lipstick I've ever tried, I own three different colors. Great color pay off, full coverage. Stays put a long time without reapplication and there's no need to worry about it migrating all over your face. All of the colors are gorgeous but I'd suggest one of the solids rather than the shimmers.