What a rough few days! I've been coming down with these horrid migraines that have pretty much been incapacitating. I haven't been to the gym for a few days, which sucks and I hate it, so headache or not I'm pushing through for an intense workout tonight. C&Js and deadlifts, probably!

On a personal note, I've decided to take the PCATs in the fall, which are the entrance exam for pharmacy school. I had originally wanted to go to medical school, but it seems like less of a realistic and plausible option now than it was when I was 18 and just entering undergrad. So I'm planning lots of review, from the very beginning!

Taking a quick gen chem break today to paint my nails, though...

NARS Koliary via my Instagram

Hopefully I'll be feeling better, gymming more, and will get back to regular posting!

First and foremost, check out these fabulous new lipsticks from Urban Decay's fall launch! Aren't they to die for? I'm already dying for at least one of them. Maybe two. Or ten.

Lovely Photo From Temptalia's UD Fall Reviews...Go Check It Out!

Yesterday was a fab squat day, I hit 135lbsx5! That was a pretty neat achievement, since I remember when I couldn't even squat a plate for one rep. I'd like to hit 155lbs soon!

Today was just cardio...kettlebell swings, lots of hang snatches for reps, some light sumo deadlifts into cleans. Nothing special. Hope everyone is well!

Keep reading for my workout!

Bench PR!

Yesterday was bench press day! Not normally my favorite day, but I've been getting better at it so obviously I've been liking it more now :)

Not the most flattering of pics, but if you follow my Instagram you can check out some lovely makeup shots and hopefully the occasional more attractive photos...

Anywho, bench press! Set a new PR for reps...70lbsx7! I remember when I couldn't do 70lbsx1, so that's super cool. I'm worried that my weights will drop because I'm making my diet a lot stricter and adding cardio to drop some body fat, but I hope not too much. I'm itching for a new 1RM, as always.

Today is squat day! Squat day is the best day.

Friday Fabulousness: Favorite Garish Gold

Fridays are my off days, so I figured I'd do something fun. Every Friday, I'll showcase one of my favorite fabulous beauty products. This week's Friday Fabulousness is...

Favorite Garish Gold

It took me a while to understand that neutrals can be fun and sassy. Urban Decay's Naked palettes are the main culprits behind my love of fabulous neutrals, but occasionally I'll see a bold palette that I just have to pick up. My skin leans neutral, so I can pull off most colors, so when I saw BareMinerals's The Star Treatment palette, one particular shade caught my eye.

I was never a BareMinerals fan, finding most loose products too troublesome and messy. However, I'd read rave reviews about their new Ready Eyeshadow formula, and decided to take the plunge. I was not disappointed! My favorite shade...and the main reason I bought the palette...was this bright, warm, coppery gold called Connoisseur.

BareMinerals READY Eyeshadow 8.0 in The Star Treatment

(Connoisseur is top row, second from left)

Connoisseur (without flash)

Connoisseur (with flash)

Isn't it just fantastic? It's so smooth and pigmented it's almost ridiculous. The whole palette in itself is lovely and gets tons of use (even with all of the neutrals I own), but this shade is one-of-a-kind. Unfortunately, the palette was limited edition and I can't seem to find it anywhere. But if you managed to snag it, lucky you! It's definitely one that I'm glad I purchased on a whim.

Hope everyone had a good holiday, if you celebrated, and had a good few days otherwise if you didn't!

Lovely Lipstick and Workin' it Out Overtime

Happy 4th to all (particularly those of us here in the US, but I hope everyone else has a spectacular day as well)!

Unfortunately, the past few days have been a little rough. Got in part of a workout on Tuesday and didn't go for cardio yesterday, so I had the bright idea of fitting EVERYTHING in today (since Friday is my off day).

Before we get into the nitty gritty stuff, what would a blog called "Lifting in Lipstick" be without showing you the lipstick in which I lifted today? Tragic, that's what. Here's a favorite nude shade...

Tom Ford Lip Color in Blush Nude

Now for the workout...

Cardio for People Who Hate Cardio

I hate cardio. Running sucks. The elliptical sucks less, but still sucks. But my body is not where I want it to be, and unfortunately adding cardio is the best way to remedy that.

So yesterday I did this:

3 sets of the following:

• 10 reps sumo deadlift at 65lbs, directly into 5 full cleans with the same 65lbs

and 5 sets of 20 kettlebell swings at 8kg.

It was better than running, that's for sure. Whenever someone suggests running or elliptical or whatnot for cardio, I would always shrug and just be like, "Can't I just lift weights faster?". So I'm going to start incorporating cardio into my routine, probably only twice a week since I lift 4 days, but that's twice more than I was doing before.

(I did knock myself in the knee with the kettlebell, though, which is now lovely and purple and blue.)

Today is clean and jerk day! My shoulders have been off, so I'm a bit worried, but I'm hoping for the best.

Eyeshadow palette I'm wearing today? Eyeshadow palette I'm wearing today:

Le Metier de Beaute Eye Kaleidoscope in Penelope

Now to pick a lipstick for the gym and off I go!

Chanel Le Blush Creme de Chanel in Fantastic

Chanel released six creme blushes for their Fall 2013 collection, and being the creme blush fiend I am, I had to check them out. Now, I'm very pale but a huge fan of dramatic shades (I love a good bold lip, eye, or cheek!), so I gravitated towards the deepest rose shade: Fantastic.

Daring, right? If I see a shade that I love and am not sure that I could pull it off, that just makes it extra fun for me. I love a challenge!

Fantastic Without Flash, Heavy and Blended 

Fantastic With Flash, Heavy and Blended

Although it looks like two totally different blushes with and without flash, it demonstrates both the lovely rose and fuchsia undertones. Let it be known that even the blended swatch is still quite heavy and can easily be sheered further. I use my fingertips to apply and a stippling brush to blend it in. It's not as creamy as, say, Le Metier de Beaute's Creme Fresh Tints, and more closely resembles YSL's Creme de Blush in texture, particularly in the way it dries.

Right now I have a sheer layer of it topped with Edward Bess Quad Royale in Monte Carlo for a slight peach shimmer, and I think it's perfectly lovely! It's much more wearable than you'd think, even on pale skin such as mine.

Verdict: A deep fuchsia rose that is more wearable than you'd expect!

Fantastic (and all the other shades) retail for $38 and can be found at your local Chanel counter or currently online at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.