June Favorites

April Favorites!

Hey guys, I know I've been pretty absent lately on my blog but I'm going to be making some life update posts soon to fill you in on everything that's been going on!

On another note, it's crazy to think it's already May and we're almost half way through 2013. I thought New Years was yesterday?! But any who, on to what I've been wearing on my face throughout the April since I feel like I give the time flies speech every month ;)

A Very Late November Favorites!

 

 Hey guys, I know I've been lacking in the post department this month but the Holiday season is in full swing and I'm mobbed with work! I'm trying my best to update as much as I can but by the time I get home pretty much the only thing I want to do is sleep for a million hours.

But anyway, I'm showing you my November favorites! I've been trying to pick up products I haven't used in a while this month just to switch up my routine because we all know we can get stuck in a rut using the same makeup over and over again.

October Favorites

So in October I've really been toning down my makeup, going down the more natural route. I've been sticking to matte or at least satin shadows on my eyes, light pink cheeks, and browny-pink lips. I was kinda digging it while this little natural kick lasted, but now I'm so incredibly ready to bust out the glittery eyes and red lips for the holidays!

September Favorites!

Goodbye September, hello October!

This is my favorite month of the year, the weather outside is not too cold and not too hot, the leaves are changing, and I can finally break out my boots and scarves! There's nothing about fall that isn't completely beautiful, I just wish it lasted a little bit longer.

This month I was focusing on trying out some new products and colors to see how they work for since I had been stuck in a little bit of a makeup rut, reaching for the same things every day. I've switched it up and started using a cream bronzer, broke out of my Revlon lip product pattern so another brand could have a try at wow-ing me, and for the first time been rocking something other than neutral colors on my eyes.

August Favorites

August is always that one month that I cannot wait to end. I LOVE the start of September, its always represented the start of new things since its been when I've gone back to school for the past 12 years. But this year is a little bittersweet since I've decided not to attend University right away, so I kind of feel like I'm missing out while all my friends are posting their photos online with their new college buddies.

I'm trying to look at the bright side, I want to really further my blog and create new opportunities for myself in this time off from school! I've invested in my new Nikon D3100 and I hope you've been noticing how much better and clearer the photos have been, I'm obsessed with just snapping pictures all around my room! But enough rambling, on to the makeup I've loved throughout August!

July Favorites!

Is it weird that I'm glad summer is winding down and coming to an end? My birthday is in July, so of course its my favorite month, but I think I'm just ready for boots, scarves, and all the gorgeous jewel toned colors that come with fall! But until then (we still have a way to go before the seasons change), here are the things I've been enjoying in July:

February Favorites

 February was a pretty minimal month in terms of makeup, I was really focusing more on my skin and venturing into contouring/highlighting!

Revlon ColorStay for Combination/Oily Skin in 180 Sand Beige

Ahh, my trusty foundation that I've been using since September! I actually ran out of this in early January and tried using Almay Truly Lasting Color Liquid Makeup in Buff, which was the absolute perfect color match for me, but its such crap. It claims to last 16 hours, but no, it slid off my face in 2. So I hurried my butt back to the drugstore and grabbed what I initially should've gotten in the first place! You know when you use something for a really long time and you just itch to try something else? I think that's what happened with my Revlon ColorStay, but it really made me appreciate how good this actually is. The coverage is great (very buildable without being cake-y) and most importantly is really lasts on my super oily skin, I only need to blot once or twice throughout the day. The only downsides are the color selection (they really need more yellow shades!) and the fact that THERE IS NO FREAKIN' PUMP! Like come on, I don't even mind paying more for the foundation just GIVE ME A PUMP REVLON!

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in Medium Sand

My beloved MAC Blot Powder in Medium has recently died (sad blog post on that soon!) so I needed something to replace it and picked out an old favorite. I used to think this powder was the bee's knees until I tried the MAC one, now its just hard to use anything else but I'm not quite ready to shell out another $23 for it. Compared to eachother, this isn't as good but gets the job done. The Maybelline Dream Matte is much more cake-y so I have to be careful when putting it on, but it does keep the oil at bay for a good 2 or 3 hours. Not too sure why Maybelline decided to put shimmers in this powder, they don't transfer on your face, but still, I would prefer my face makeup to be completely shimmer free unless I'm deliberately highlighting! all in all, this is a great drugstore alternative to the more expensive oil controlling powders.

theBalm Bahama Mama Bronzer

Now if you know me, I'm not a bronzer person at all. But recently I've been wanting to venture into the world of contouring so I ventured to find the perfect matte bronzer. Initially I didn't like theBalm Bahama Mama because I thought it came across quite muddy in swatches, but when its on your face its a different story! It really works well with my skin tone to just create that "shadowed" look under my cheekbones so I look like I actually have them. It is quite pigmented though, so I have to fight that urge to just swirl my brush in it!

Physicians Formula Powder Palette Mineral Glow Pearls in "Beige Pearl"

 I love when the weather starts getting warmer because that's when I like my skin to look nice and glowy! I'm usually not one for highlighting just because I have acne and my skin gets a lot of shine throughout the day so its just best not to bring attention to that, but I make an exception in the spring and summer. I've tried other liquid type highlighters and they just really don't work for me because I find them harder to control (I end up getting shimmer everywhere...) so having a powder is just so much easier! This one isn't so much glittery, it just gives a really nice sheen to your skin without being like oh did you cruise the glitter section of a craft store? Plus, this compact looks stunning sitting on my vanity ;)

January Favorites

Wet 'n' Wild "Comfort Zone" Eyeshadow Palette

This palette is actually my moms that I've swiped from her makeup drawers (everything is so much more appealing when its not yours)! I've been really loving wearing the first golden butter shade on the inner third of my lid and the shade below that on the outer two thirds with a bit of the dark shimmery brown below that in the crease.

Wet 'n' Wild "I ♥ Matte" Eyeshadow Palette

To be honest, the only reason I wanted this palette was because of the matte white shade! But I've actually been showing the neutral side A TON of love. When my eye looks are supper shimmery I'll mix the white with the cream color below it for a highlight, I often use the peachy-brown color in my crease, and the dark brown/black are often my choice for eyeliner smudged along my upper lashline! I don't think I'll ever get much use out of the colored side, but hey for the matte neutrals, it's completely worth it!

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in "Tutti Frutti"

As you probably know, absolutely everyone in the beauty community has been going gaga over these puppies. I wasn't intending on buying any since I don't typically wear lip products other than lip balm, but I saw this on sale at Kmart towards the beginning of the month so I thought what the heck. Of course I went for the bright orange shade (I'm not sure what this new obsession is with the color orange...) and I'm so in love with it! Its not totally as moisturizing as everyone has been saying, but better than a lipstick and I don't need a mirror to apply it, so it actually gets some use when I pop it in my school bag. Its going to be the perfect color come spring!

COVERGIRL Lash Blast Volume Mascara in "Very Black'

This is probably pretty gross, but I've had this mascara for probably about a year (I never end up throwing anything makeup related out)! I just cracked it back open and have fallen back in love with it! I've been having so many mascara related issues lately (meaning I can't freaking find one that I like...) and instead of buying loads more I thought I'd just shop my stash. I used to hate this mascara, but I've been craving those really volumized looking lashes lately and the COVERGIRL Lash Blast Volume certainly gives me that. The only thing I don't like is the size of the brush, I often end of getting the mascara all over my eyeshadow, and how the formula doesn't hold a curl very well. I really want to try the new Lash Blast 24 Hour, let me know if its any good!

MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer in "NW 20"

My skin has been wonky this month, breaking out left and right, so I needed to break out my heavy duty concealers. I stopped using this for a really long time because I found it looked pretty cakey, but I'll sacrifice looking natural if I can get rid of a huge blemish on my face! I've been having problems with getting new hyperpigmentation on my cheeks which has me in a bit of a tizzy, I never ever break out of my cheeks let alone had discoloration there. But now I've just got to deal with what's on my face and use the MAC Studio Finish Concealer to try and cover it!

Revlon Nail Enamel in "Carbonite"

As we're getting closer to spring, I've been trying to keep my wardrobe toned down a bit because I've been craving bright neon colors even though its still winter. But I've found it easier to satisfy my cravings if I keep most of my outfit in black and grey with one pop of color. So in keeping with this theme, I've been loving Revlon's Carbonite (I actually think this is discontinued, but I got mine at a Big Lots). It's a great neutral color but the gorgeous silver shimmer keeps it from being boring!

September Favorites!

 Stila Smudge Pot in "Kitten"

For some reason I've been REALLY into cream shadows this month (it must be the MAC Posh Paradise collection with the 8 new Paint Pots, I need to get me some of those)! "Kitten" is a super neutral champagne color that is quite shimmery so it completely brightens up the eye area. I've been sweeping this across my lid pretty much every day  in September (or some days using it as a base for the Wet n Wild trio colors since their lasting power isn't strong) with the brown shade in the Wet n Wild "Walking On Eggshells" Trio in the crease. I never get any creasing with this Stila Smudge Pot when I put my Too Faced Shadow Insurance underneath, so its a complete winner in my books!

e.l.f. Studio Blush in "Peachy Keen"

I've been in quite the blush-rut this month, nothing has been striking me fancy lately (which is such a shocker since my blush collection is massive...) so I've been sticking to some lighter, shimmery colors. "Peachy Keen" barely shows up on my skin, but it does give the most gorgeous glow that looks like almost nothing is there! The staying power is not so great, but I will definitely compromise on that for the lovely sheen I get from this color!

Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin in "180 Sand Beige"

This is the first liquid foundation I've tried in a long, long time since I'm usually too afraid I'll get oily throughout the day, but this is a new holy grail item! I'm absolutely in love with how much coverage you can get from this Revlon ColorStay foundation, it covers everything you can imagine but can also be sheered out for those days you don't need full-coverage. As long as I set this with a powder I'm good to go for about 2 hours without the need to blot (that is massively long for me)! This will surely be a favorite for months to come.

Wet n Wild Color Icon Trio in "Walking on Eggshells"

My absolute favorite shade from this trio is the brown, its a dream to blend and is so incredibly pigmented! I've been throwing it in my crease this entire month, while also sometimes using the shimmery white and pink-champagne color on occasions when I want to mix it up. As long as I use a base and primer with these shadows I'm good to go all day. For only $2.99 you really can't go wrong!

TOCCA Eau de Parfum "Stella"

I got this as a sample with an order I made online and it has completely replaced all my Bath & Body Works goodies! Its definitely more of a "mature" smell, nothing fruity, more floral-y and musk-y. I would love to purchase the full-size of this perfume, but everywhere I look its super expensive. If you know of anywhere I can get it for a decent price, let me know!

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm Tin

Just like my recent cream eyeshadow kick, I've been loving lip tins! The Burt's Bees one is great because it has peppermint oil in it which gives your lips that tingly effect that I love! And of course, just like every other Burt's Bees lip product, its incredibly moisturizing which is what I need now that the weather is starting to get colder!

August Favorites

I'm sorry, I could've sworn yesterday it was only June?!

Like every month, this one went by exceptionally fast! August is never fun in my opinion, only because it means I have to start thinking about getting back into school. 

I actually start my senior year tomorrow, and I wish I was more excited! I kind of want it to be May already so I can just graduate and be done, I'm really over highschool. My junior year was the MOST stressful one yet, I swear there was barely time for me to breathe so I kind of feel like I didn't get much of a break between that stress and the new stress of SAT's, applying to college, paying for college...blergh.

But anywho, here are the products I've been loving throughout August! I'm not going to do my usual description for each product about why I've been loving it just because I have a million and one things to do before tomorrow!

Bath & Body Works Strawberry Lemonade Moisture-Rich Body Lotion

China Glaze "For Audrey"

MAC Paint Pot in "Indianwood"

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in "Medium Sand"

Cargo OneBase Concealer + Foundation in "01"

L'oreal HIP Jelly Balm in "Plush"

July Favorites

Bath & Body Works Fresh Picked Cherries PocketBac

You always have to keep some sort of hand sanitizer in your bag, and I love this one since instead of the plane old alcohol-y smelling sanitizer, this one smells like sweet cherries!

Bath & Body Works Pink Grapefruit Body Splash

I love spritzing this on my clothes and hair because it's such a perfect sweet/tangy mixture that's great for summer so I don't have to mess around with heavy perfumes.

MAC Pressed Blot Powder

There is some sort of heat wave going on around just about EVERYWHERE at the moment, so I've been skipping foundation all together and just putting on some concealer with blot powder on top to avoid a total makeup melt down!

Benefit Benetint

Again, with the heat wave I need makeup that's not going to be sliding around my face, so I've been opting for stains. This Benefit one is particularly great because it gives your cheeks a nice little "oh I just ran around" flush and your lips a lovely "I just ate a popsicle" color!

Seche Vite "Dry Fast Top Coat"

This top coat has been a holy grail item this month, I can't stand waiting around for my nails to dry and with this, you literally put it on and about 10 minutes later you can do just about anything!

C.O. Bigelow Apple Rose Salve

Other than the fact that this smells amazing, I've been loving it for the cute summer-y packaging and the great shine it gives to my lips.

Essie "Turquoise& Caicos"

I've been wearing this color on my hands and toes pretty much all month long. Some other nail polishes that are "turquoise" colors can either lean too blue or too green, but this one by Essie is the perfect true color!

Physicians Formula Powder Palette Multi-Colored Blush in "Blushing Rose"

 This blush comes out as a really nice deep pink color with fine shimmer, but isn't too pigmented so it doesn't take a lot of thought to put on and blend out!

June Favorites!

MAC Studio Fix Powder in "N5"

I love to just dust this on my face when its too hot out to be bothered with any liquid products (which seems to be every day now)! It helps control my oily skin and give me a matte finish so I can go longer without pulling out blot paper.

Physicians Formula Powder Palette Mineral Glow Pearls in "Beige Pearl"

Since I need to keep my face extra matte in the summer, I use this powder to give me a little bit of a glow on top of my cheek bones and down my nose!

Rimmel Lasting Finish Intense Wear Lipstick in "Crush"

I don't usually like to wear heavy lip products in the hotter months, but I'm in love with this color as it just screams "summer" to me! It's a coral-y pink color that's easily built up so you can make it as sheer or opaque as you want, and it's one of the more wearable bright lipsticks I've seen from the drugstore.

Bath & Body Works Pomegranate Citrus Trial Body Lotion

If you didn't already know, Bath & Body Works is coming out with their full Signature Citrus line on July 5th, and I'm sure you can still grab these little trial sizes at your local store or online. I absolutely love love love this one since it's sweet, tangy, and a little bit musky all at the same time! Some of Bath & Body Work's scents can get a little repetitive, but I can't say I've ever smelt anything like this from them before!

Wet N Wild Color Icon Blusher in "Berry Shimmer"

This color is perfect for going out at night in the summer, it looks fantastic with a tan and gives your cheeks a stunning glow! The color always looks so gorgeous in the pan that I end up putting too much on every time, gotta work on that!

Sephora Collection Super Shimmer Lip Gloss in "Desert Gold"

This gloss makes my lips look gold and shimmery, perfect on its own or over any other lipsticks! It gives me a more tanned look and smells like candy, win win!

Physicians Formula Les Botaniques Botanical Bronzer in "Sunny Buddy"

How adorable is this little sunflower bronzer? I can't help but smile when I dust this all over my face to give me a little more shimmer, as it doesn't really have enough pigmentation to really be a bronzer, but gives a lovely glow to the skin!

COVERGIRL Eye Enhancers 3-Kit Shadows in "Cafe Au Lait"

I really can't be bothered to spend more than two minutes on my eye makeup when I'd rather be out in the sun, so this trio is amazing since it contains your highlight, lid, and crease color all in one! The shadows aren't very pigmented, but I like that since I don't need to blend them very well.

Bath & Body Works Peach Citrus Trial Body Lotion

Again I think this is one of Bath & Body Work's most unique scents, you get a lovely tangy/sweet combo that is really refreshing after a cool shower. Another plus is that these new fragrances seem to last longer on my skin than some of the other new releases, I can still smell it hours later!

 Swatches:

Left to Right: MAC Studio Fix Powder in "N5", Physicians Formula Powder Palette Mineral Glow Pearls in "Beige Pearl", Sephora Collection Super Shimmer Lip Gloss in "Desert Gold"

Left to Right: Rimmel Lasting Finish Intense Wear Lipstick in "Crush", Physicians Formula Les Botaniques Botanical Bronzer in "Sunny Buddy", Wet N Wild Color Icon Blusher in "Berry Shimmer", COVERGIRL Eye Enhancers 3-Kit Shadows in "Cafe Au Lait"

Wet N Wild Color Icon Blusher in "Berry Shimmer", COVERGIRL Eye Enhancers 3-Kit Shadows in "Cafe Au Lait"

April Favorites

-St.Ives Fresh Skin Invigorating Apricot Scrub

This scrub has been an absolute staple in my skin care routine throughout the month of April, and I find myself using it before bed every other day. Full review!

-Bath & Body Works Butterfly Flower Fragrance Mist

I love the smell of this so much, it SCREAMS Spring time! Its a little alcohol-y at first, but I've been spraying it in my hair and I get the best little floral whiffs throughout the day!

-Bath & Body Works Butterfly Flower Body Lotion

Pairing this with the fragrance mist has been my go-to smell for April! You'll smell like you just stepped out of a garden, perfect for Spring.

-Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller

I have SATs next Saturday, not to mention AP tests are going on the first two weeks of May, so as you can imagine I've been lacking in the sleep department! I've been swiping this from my mom on mornings when I'd rather die than get out of bed (which seems like all of them lately!) and I love the little cooling roller ball, it really soothes the morning puffies!

-Wet N Wild Color Icon Blusher in "Mellow Wine"

I love to wear bright colors in the Spring, so I want my makeup to look pretty natural and I love this blush for doing so! It is very pigmented, but I find it hard to mess up on those half-awake mornings since it has more of a brown tone to it than your typical pink blushes.

-L'oreal HIP Jelly Balm in "Savory"

I love the whole coral lip trend, but I'm not brave enough to step out in full-on orange lips. So instead, I opt to go with my sheer Jelly Balm gloss; I can follow trends and still be in my comfort zone! Full Review!

-Too Faced Shadow Insurance

I was on the fence about how well this actually worked at the beginning of the month, but I've found the right amount that keeps my shadows from creasing all day and I think this is going to be a favorite of mine for a long, long time!

-Softlips Mint With A Hint Of Vanilla SPF 20

Everyone always raves about Softlips, and I'm beginning to know why! Although I'm not a fan of the packaging for this brand, I love the smell and how tingly it makes my lips! Softlips has been the only thing saving my lips from their normal cracked state lately!

-Mac Lipstick in "Creme D'Nude"

I didn't wear this much when I got it back in February, but I've been loving this lately to keep my look balanced when I want to play up my eyes! I'm sad the nude lips trend seems to be fading, but I'll be whipping this baby out come Fall!

-COVERGIRL Lash Blast Volume in "Blackest Black"

Now I completely understand why people consider this a holy grail product! Up until I started using this, I thought all mascaras were just clumpy and would flake no matter what, but I must say COVERGIRL, you've changed my mind completely!