Weekend Ramblings: Hip Hip Hurraw!

I've learned that if there's one thing natural beauty does well, it's lip balm and the awesome line of balms from Hurraw! is a testament to that.With 22 different varieties, recovering childhood Lip Smacker collectors can rejoice because these are essentially a good-for-you replacement.

*Photo via www.thecrueltyfreeshop.co.nz

The Hurraw! balms are filled with certified organic plant oils and other raw ingredients that condition lips long term. Also, some balms are tinted, some use Ayurveda, one has sunscreen, one pays your bills (okay... wishful thinking), etc. They seem to do it all at Hurraw!

My Hurraw! Green Tea Lip Balm alongside some green tea oil blotters from China!

At the moment, I'm using up the last bit of my Hurraw! Green Tea balm, which I've really enjoyed, but I'm going to go for the SPF 15 Sun Balm or the Black Cherry tinted balm next. Given that it's summer, though, I'll probably go for the SPF.

You can never have enough lip balms, if you ask me. Purchase your Hurraw! Lip Balms here. Or if you're living in Lexington, Ky., you can also find some flavors at The Weekly Juicery (along with incredible, fresh juices).

Have you tried any Hurraw! lip balms? What do you think?

I'm 21 Y'all: Your Guide to Beauty on a Night Out

So, now that I am FINALLY 21 (and I say finally because all of my friends have already been 21 for what seems like forever) you know that I've got to share my best going out beauty secrets with you all. Given that I don't go out too often, I've been able to narrow my tips down pretty well. Read on, please and thank you! 

Whether you go out once a month or three times a week, oil blotting papers are something you should definitely have in your bag at all times. There's nothing worse than seeing pictures the morning after a night out and realizing you're the shiniest one in the bunch.

One of my favorite souvenirs from China.

Another essential is mints. Peppermints, mint gum... anything really, as long as they freshen your breath. Chances are you're going to run into old friends (or make new ones) and you don't want them to be able to tell a) what you had for dinner or b) what you're drinking just by smelling your breath. Gross.

Restaurant mints work fine!

Also, keep some redness-relieving eye drops in your bag. Much like shiny foreheads, red eyes only seem to show up in the photos you won't see until the morning after. If you don't want to look like you're exhausted, you should stock up on the drops. You can buy teensy bottles too, so don't worry about not having room for them in your little statement clutch.

Lip gloss, stick, stain or balm is an absolute must whenever you go out, but go with a formula that isn't too sticky. There's nothing worse than walking down the street and then having little strands of hair getting all caught up in your lips.

My favorites: Addie's OxBerry from Bite Beauty Lip Lab and Stainiac by the Balm.

My final tip is a to keep a hair tie handy. This kind of goes with the whole lip gloss thing. If by the end of the night, you find yourself pulling hairs out of your lip gloss or your drink, it's time to pull that hair into a pony. 

As far as hair ties go, choose something that won't snag, like this one.

Now that I've shared my favorite night out beauty tips, it's your turn! Tell me about your going out essentials in the comments!

Quick Thoughts: Black Widow Balm

Trying to squeeze the last little bit of life out of your dark, winter lip options? Look no further than Black Widow Balm. I was browsing Etsy Featured Shops today, as I normally do when I should be doing something else more productive, when I was kind of sucked in by this brand's cool look.

*Photo via Black Widow Balm

I myself have yet to try the whole black-lipstick trend because I'm not that bold, but if you are, I say go for it. Black Widow Balm's Black Magic Lip Balm and Star Dust Galaxy Gloss are great black options, but, if dark lips aren't your thing, check out the Calavera '12 Lip Balm. It's bright pink and perfect for pretending it's warmer outside than it actually is.

What are some new beauty goodies you've discovered this weekend?

Quick Thoughts: EOS Lip Balm in Lemon Drop

I was slow to jump on the EOS Lip Balm train, but I'm so happy I finally did. The unique ball-shaped packaging is adorable and super easy to find when blindly digging around in your school bag. I chose the Lemon Drop flavor because it contains SPF 15 and it also tastes exactly like a lemon square. Yum!

Have you tried the EOS lip balms? What do you think?