January Favorites

I have not done a post about my monthly favorites in too many months... So without further ado, here goes January!

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation: This is the only foundation I have been wearing the last couple months. It was surprisingly not that difficult to have it shipped to me from the UK. Thank you asos.com and your 60% off sales! The color matches me perfectly and the coverage is buildable. I can't imagine going back to other foundations I have tried in the past.

Stila 'In the Moment' Eyeshadow Palette: I must admit this was an impulse purchase when Sephora had this palette for half-off during their Black Friday sale. The only downside was that one of the eyeshadows was broken when I opened it up. The pigmentation is out of this world and the eyeshadows are buttery. I have been wearing the lavender color all over the lid with the darker purple in the crease.

Revlon Photo Ready Cream Blush in 'Flushed': I wasn't the biggest fan of this blush when I first bought it over a year ago but I have been reaching for it quite a bit this month. Beautiful pink that stays on for hours.

Borghese Fango Active Mud Mask: This mask was part of a skincare set by Borghese that I plan to write about in the near future. I have been using this mask twice a week around my nose, on my forehead, and chin. It cleans out my pores when it hardens and has not dried my skin out. First heard about this from Fleur and couldn't pass it by when I saw it at TJ Maxx.

Buxom Dolly's Opening Act Set: I had been wanting one of Buxom's lip polishes and lip creams and this holiday set came with six minis! I love all the colors and all of the creams and polishes have a plumping factor so my lips look big and sassy :*

What have you been loving this month?

Nars // Radiant Creamy Concealer

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer - $29

I think my second year of college was a couple years too late to find a concealer that covers up the evidence that I get barely any sleep. I was never overly concerned about disguising the dark circles under my eyes until I realized how well this particular concealer does the job. I had primarily bought it to cover up spots (which it does!) and now I do not know if I will ever be able to use another concealer. As the name suggests, the concealer is very creamy and this makes it stay in place. I am in the shade 'Vanilla' which I believe is their most sought after shade because the woman who helped me at Sephora was quite doubtful that she would be able to find one last tube of this concealer. The concealer has a stiff doe foot applicator which makes application simple. I have been using this daily and have even stopped wearing foundation because this creamy concealer covers my imperfections and stays in place all day. I am dreading the day I run out! 

Deliplus Haul // Makeup From Spain

This past winter break, my family and I spent a week and a half traveling around the South of Spain. Since one of the majors I am pursuing is Spanish, it was so lovely to use the language on a daily basis and experience the culture firsthand. Of course, I could not leave the country without picking up a few beauty bits native to Spain. 

As I discovered, makeup is not typically sold in pharmacies but in department stores (El Corte Inglés) and shops specific to beauty (Bodybell, Sephora). It was actually quite difficult for me to find brands such as Kiko and Flormar outside of Madrid. Most of the brands that kept reappearing were British. I had done some research before the trip and was determined to find brands that I could not buy on asos.com and that I would cherish as a reminder of my adventures in Spain. It was not until we went grocery shopping at Mercadonas (big supermarket chain) that I stumbled upon their makeup brand, Deliplus. I had read that it was worth trying out and it sure was! Here is a little summary of what I was lucky enough to try out: 

Fruit Fusion Body Cream:

This sells like those little jelly cups that you can buy at Asian supermarkets. However, the true scent is that of gardenias and passion fruit. The smell is overpowering so I do not wear perfume after using this cream. It absorbs well and is quite moisturizing. 

Eyeshadow Sticks:

Very pigmented but they do crease on me if I do not apply a primer. Adore the colors! 

Longitud Xtrem Mascara:

Lengthens the eyelashes a lot! Not big on volume. This version is not waterproof and very black.

Seco & Mojado: 

Again, like the eyeshadow sticks, super pigmented! I wanted all the eyeshadows... I can't wait to wear this golden one on a night out. 

Brush Colorete:

The brushes came highly recommended and I have to say I may like them more than the Real Techniques brushes... They are extremely soft, wash easily, and apply product ideally. I only picked up this one because I needed a new blush brush but all of them are the same amazing quality. 

Mate Lipstick n.16: 

I have finally found a pink that suits me! Lovely formula, stays on for a long time. It has a hint of mauve which makes the color very flattering. 

Stick Corrector: 

I discovered that I am too pale for Spanish foundations and concealers. I got this concealer in the lightest shade and I must admit that it is still a bit too dark for me. If it is blended in well it does get the job done! 

My mom spotted the makeup bag and it is officially my favorite and I cannot leave the house without it. Sorry for the long post I probably should have broken it down into two parts. Hopefully you made it to the end! I recommend Deliplus and love everything I was fortunate enough to try out! 

Barry M // Touch of Magic Lip Paint

Barry M "Touch of Magic" Lip Paint - $8.00

I'm sure many American beauty bloggers can emphasize when I say that every time I read a post by a UK blogger about the latest 'must-have item' at Space NK or Boots, I turn into a little green-eyed monster. Of course, I am sure that the feeling is mutual the other way around. When I noticed that Urban Outfitters sells some UK brands like Barry M, Lord & Berry, and Bourjois online, I knew this was my chance to try some of the products I have been reading about for so long.

The Barry M "Touch of Magic" Lip Paint possesses the appeal that it is green in the bullet and then changes color based on the pH levels in your skin. I've been having quite a bit of fun tricking my friends with this lipstick. The formulation of the lipstick is quite nice and surprisingly moisturizing. Although there is a significant amount of product in the bullet, the packaging is surprisingly quite small. The picture above does not give the color justice. On me, it turned into a bright pink with plummy undertones that can be worn daily. Be careful though, the lipstick stains and can be difficult to take off. In my opinion, this purchase was a great way of diving into the world of UK makeup.

Makeup Collection

Some of you may have noticed that I have taken a bit of a hiatus from blogging and this is the cause of multiple things: I started my second year at college last month, my birthday weekend just passed by, and I have been having severe writer's block. That being said, I do have quite an exciting post today! I have been collecting makeup for a couple years and only after taking these photos did I realize that I may have an actual problem... After making that realization, I went out and bought more makeup... opps. This post does not include my brushes, skincare, haircare, or perfume collections, just plain 'ol makeup that goes on the face. Let me know if you have any questions about certain products or would want a thorough review on a specific product (maybe that will pull me out of my writer's block)! 

July Favorites

August is finally here which means I will be spending most of my time packing, preparing future posts, and getting ready to go back to school. I hope everyone had an lovely July and here are some things I have been loving during the past month.

NYX 'Terra Cotta': Often compared to NAR's 'Luster', 'Terra Cotta' is a beautiful coral full of shimmer that suits many skin tones. I have been using this on the apples on my cheeks this month and forgoing a highlighter. This is my first NYX blush and will certainly not be my last.

Dr. Brandt Flexitone BB Cream: I received a sample of this BB cream in my Sun Safety Kit and have been using most of the month in place of foundation. It is a little dark for me because I lack a tan, but it does have SPF 30 which is amazing. I'm still not sure if I would purchase a full size of this because it is quite expensive.

NYX 'Emerald City': I got this eyeliner from my friend for my last birthday and I love to use it on my upper lash line to add some color to my make up look. I think the beautiful dark green color brings out my green eyes.

Maybelline 'Orange Attitude': I already mentioned how much I have been loving the Maybelline Color Whispers here, but 'Orange Attitude' is the color I have been throwing in my bag and wearing almost daily. This sheer, orange lip butter is moisturizing and has sucked me into the orange craze.

Clinique Happy. Perfume Spray: When I placed an order with Ulta, I was sent along with my order a sample size of Clinque's 'Happy.' perfume. I am not that big of a perfume girl and tend to store away most perfume samples until I go traveling, but I have actually been spritzing some of this in place of my typical body spray. According to the description on ulta.com, this perfume contains "Ruby Red Grapefruit, Bosenberry Bush Flower and Hawaiian Wedding Flower" notes. I think it is quite unique and not too heavy. I have loved wearing it this July (and will continue to)!

Rimmel // Match Perfection Concealer

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer - $4.97- $5.99

Before this year it never really crossed my mind that not all concealers should be used under the eye. I have used the same cream concealer for the last four years (a trio by Kirkland Borghese) and never stopped to think whether or not it was the best concealer out there. Although my beloved trio hides redness and covers blemishes well, I decided it was time I explored other options to mask the darkness under my eyes. The Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer claims to be a 'two in one' highlighter and concealer that will adapt to your skin tone. Due to the 'highlighting' aspect of the product, I would suggest that you only use it under the eyes because it will make blemishes more noticeable instead of hidden. This concealer is available in 5 different shades and the one I have is  the second lightest shade called 'Fair Light'. I did struggle a bit trying to determine which color would suit me but this does truly seem to adapt to my skin tone. I find the concealer is a tad drying and that it does not stay on for too long if it is not set with powder. I personally lightly pat the product in with my ring finger in place of blending it in with a brush. Overall, it is a fairly decent concealer for the price and I love the brush tip applicator but I think I will try something else when I'm through with this tube. What do you think of this concealer?

The Beauty Battle // Lip Butters

L-R: Color Whispers: 'Orange Attitude' and 'Lust for Blush'; Lip Butters: 'Red Velvet' and 'Strawberry Shortcake'

I must warn you that this might be a bit of a biased and controversial 'battle' because I know that many of you have a strong love for the Revlon 'Lip Butters' but I prefer the Maybelline 'Color Whispers'. On paper they are actually quite similar but I believe that they are very different. I will try not to be too opinionated and let you decided which 'lip butter' is for you!

NYX // Lip Liner Pencils

Ulta is currently offering free shipping with any $25 purchase so, of course, I gave in and bought a couple of bits online. My most exciting purchase will appear in a post soon, but to get the free shipping, I added two NYX lip liners to my basket. The quality of the NYX lip pencils is parallel to their price [$3.50]. They aren't spectacular but they get the job done. I would suggest applying lip balm before using them because they can be drying on their own. I have been seeing so many people rocking an orange lip so that's where 'Pumpkin' came in. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a lipstick until I knew that orange suited me so I opted for a lip liner. 'Pumpkin' is more of an orange-red than the true orange that I had hoped it would be. It also has a metallic sheen that I'm not too keen on. Since Ulta was having a deal on NYX products, I also got 'Rose' for half the price. I plan on using this with Mac's 'Chatterbox' but in the photo above I am just wearing it on its own. What do you think about the NYX lip pencils? What color do you love?

P.S. I wanted to apologize for my lack of posts as of late. I mentioned previously that the camera I tend to use is not available to me at the moment and that has forced me to use a different camera that is lesser in quality. I have been struggling to take photos because I have to take a million more shots and a play with the lighting quite a bit more. This came at a particularly bad time because I had a sudden spur of inspiration and came up with over forty new blog post ideas. Hopefully I'll be back on track soon!

NYX // Mega Shine Lip Glosses

Beige, Tea Rose

As I have mentioned previously, I don't have the best relationship with lipgloss. I feel like someone embedded in my mind long ago that lipgloss = child and lipstick = adult. The point I'm trying to get to is that I have found a rage of lip glosses that I love enough to put aside my adoration for a matte lip. The NYX Lip Glosses with Mega Shine have conquered my heart [or my lips] with their thick consistency, artificial cherry smell, and long staying power. I have been able to eat a whole meal and still look as if I just applied a fresh coat. It must be magic! However, I have heard some rumors that not all of the lip glosses in this range are made with the same formulation so you may have to be careful when purchasing them. So far I haven't faced this dilemma, probably since I'm only two lip glosses in. My favorite out of the two is 'Tea Rose' because it adds a significant amount of color to my lips and my overall complexion. 'Beige' is also beautiful but I fear I'm not the best at pulling off nude pinks. The test to see if I actually love a range of lip products is if I have two or more from the collection. So... it must be true love. Have you tried any lip glosses in this range? In what colors?

Mac // Lipstick Collection

T-B: 'Girl About Town', 'Rebel', 'Chatterbox' 

Unlike many beauty bloggers, I do not have a drawer full of Mac lipsticks. Thus said, I present to you ma petite collection of lipsticks by the legendary Mac Cosmetics. I began my relationship with Mac less than a year ago at at the ripe age of eighteen. 'Rebel' wandered into my possession just in time for autumn. This beautiful deep berry lipstick is definitely my favorite out of the three. 'Girl About Town' joined 'Rebel' a few months later. This bright fucsia can be found on my lips when, you guessed it, I'm about town. This might be silly, but I swear this lipstick transforms me into a party girl and makes me feel more confident. I bought 'Chatterbox' at the end of spring break to wear during the spring and summer. Light pinks typically don't flatter my completion but 'Chatterbox' has a bit of coral in it so it looks pretty damn good [if I do say so myself]. I'm not really looking to buy many more Mac lipsticks because there are so many other brands I would like to try and they aren't exactly cheap. Don't get me wrong, I adore these lipsticks but I have to be frugal sometimes. I would love to add a red to my collection though... What Mac lipstick are you most fond of?

Elizabeth Arden // Eight Hour Cream

Oh no yet another blogger is writing about the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream! Yes, I decided to give this product a go when I finally found it for a significantly reduced sum. I guess I just refuse to pay full price on anything. My primary reaction when I opened the tube was, "this is orange," and "what is that smell?". Perhaps that is not the best reaction but keep in mind that was before I actually tried it. I know that there are 162 ways to use this cream. Okay, that's a slight hyperbole but it really is a multipurpose product. Apparently Elizabeth Arden would apply her magical cream on the legs of her beloved horses. This isn't the first time I've used a beauty product that was used on horses [Mane 'n Tail Conditioner], so I figured if it was good enough for her prized thoroughbreds, it was good enough for me. I personally purchased the 8 Hour Cream to fight a certain dry patch I have on my cheek and to moisturize my elbows. The box itself mentions a few other uses and really summarizes this cream:

" This legendary skincare classic works wonders to moisturize and protect anytime, anyway you choose. Shape brows, revitalize shine, soothe dry hands and smooth cuticles and nails." 

I think it's safe to say that you can pretty much take a bath in a tub of Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream. Oh, if you're curious, I did pinpoint the smell! On my skin it smells exactly like earl grey tea! What do you use the legendary 8 Hour Cream for?

Aveeno // Tinted Moisturizer

Off the bat, I have to confess to a couple of things: I have never used a tinted moisturizer previous to this and I actually stole this off my dear mom. I had been looking for something that would provide some coverage to my still adolescent skin and would be suitable for the warm weather. I researched various BB creams and CC creams and was ready to buy the new Garnier BB cream when I stubbled upon the Aveeno Tinted Moisturizer in my mom's bathroom while looking for a new toothbrush [perhaps too much information]. Turns out that this product actually has a higher SPF than the Garnier BB cream and has a pump on the bottle which I always find handy. Now aside from the convenient packaging, the actual moisturizer evens out my skin tone and freshens up my complexion. Overall, it's great for daytime wear! My mother was nice enough to surrender it over to me since she is not an avid make up wearer. Thanks mom! Have you tried any tinted moisturizers? 

FOTD // 1

Today is a busy day for me because I have to run a thousand errands and pack for my first trip of the summer. I quickly wanted to share what I have on my face today!

Face:
♥ Rimmel Fix & Perfect Primer

♥ Revlon Colorstay Foundation in Ivory 

♥ NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder

♥ Rimmel Powder Blush in "Pink Sorbet"

♥ Benefit High Beam 

Eyes:

♥ Benefit Stay Don't Stray Primer

♥ Maybelline Color Tattoo in "Bad to the Bronze"

♥ Urbay Decay Naked 2 Palette "Busted"

♥ Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

♥ Elf Eyebrow Kit 

Lips:

♥ Mac "Chatterbox" Lipstick 

It seems like a lot when I write it out but a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do to be and feel beautiful!

Covergirl // Clump Crusher

Multiple people in the blogosphere have baptized this mascara as the best mascara of the year. I rarely venture out of my bubble of Maybelline mascaras, but after hearing endless praise, I decided to give the 'Crump Crusher' a go. Spoiler: I was underwhelmed. True, the mascara does not clump but it does not do anything else either! It does not lengthen or add volume to my lashes.   The part that is clumpy is the packaging. Not to mention every time I apply it, I feel like I'm in art class because of the strong oil paint smell. Okay now that I am done bashing the product, I should focus a bit on the upsides of the 'Clump Crusher'. It is a wonderful everyday mascara that would work well with a natural make-up look. What is your opinion on this mascara?

April Favorites

Left to right: NYX 'Tea Rose', Revlon 'Flushed', Revlon 'Pinched

Benefit Stay Don't Stray Primer

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation

In the warmer months, I tend to wear less and less make up. I find myself gravitating towards creme blushes, lighter coverage foundations, and more shimmer! This month I have replaced my Revlon Color Stay foundation with it's dewy cousin, Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation. I am in the shade 'Shell' at the moment. I use my Real Techniques Buffing Brush with this product and the coverage is light but buildable at the same time. For the cheeks, I have been using the Revlon Photoready Cream blushes. Cream blushes are ideal for the summer because they give you a flushed look but are subtle. The two I have in my collection are Flushed, a bright rose pink that looks dangerous in the jar, and Pinched, a light shimmer filled coral. I am not a big lip gloss girl, I usually go for a moisturizing lip balm or a lipstick, but the NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Tea Rose has stolen my heart. It is not sticky, adds color to my lips, and the lip gloss smells like cherries! I'm tempted to lick my lips when I'm wearing it. My final favorite is something I have used for almost a year: Benefit Stay Don't Stray Primer. Benefit recently changed this product's packaging a bit; instead of having a pump to dispense the product, there is now a brush to put the primer on your eyelids. This eyeshadow primer is the only thing that will cover up my icky eyelid veins and keeps the eyeshadow in tact. What have you been loving this month?