Category: Makeup

July Favorites!

11 Comments


It’s that time again! I’m sharing my monthly beauty, fashion and skincare favorites with you for July! These products have been my most frequently reached for all month long, so you can trust that they’re high quality! I’m always interested in knowing your favorite products for the month, so please comment below and let me know! 

Beauty     

      
Urban Decay Naked Skin Complete Coverage Weightless Concealer, “Light Warm”

This is my go-to under eye concealer because it’s lightweight and full coverage, aka the best of both worlds! This product blends out so beautifully and never creases underneath my eyes. I love the shade “light warm” because it is a bright yellow color that acts as a highlight on my medium skin tone. Another amazing aspect is the longevity, this will not fade or break up throughout the day. If you’re looking for a new concealer, I would definitely suggest this for any skin type and any skin tone! I’m always amazed at the intense coverage I get from such a lightweight formula and that is why I always go back to this product time after time! 

    

Buxom Full-On Lip Cream, “White Russian” 

You need this lipgloss. I just don’t know what else to say other than you need it in your life and you’ll love it more than all other glosses. This creamy formula plumps your lips without stinging! It actually feels cooling when you apply it and somehow gives the look of fuller lips (which I’m obsessed with.) The shade “White Russian” is a very light nude shade that looks great on its own, or paired on top of a nude lipstick. Just a warning, this is a very creamy and thick formula, so if you don’t like the feeling of lipgloss on your lips then you will probably dislike this product! The scent is like a vanilla-mint, which I’m personally a huge fan of. Buxom makes a lot of other shades in this range, so if a super nude color isn’t for you, check out some of their others! I’m also obsessed with the “Hot Toddy” shade as well! 

    

Bare Minerals Gen Nude Matte Liquid Lip Color, “XYZ”

Obsessed is an understatement. This is BY FAR the best liquid lipstick formula that I’ve ever tried! It’s so thin and liquidy, so it dries super quickly once applied on your lips! It’s very matte, but not extremely drying. My lips stayed pretty hydrated throughout the wear of this, which is something I’ve never experienced before with a liquid lipstick! I noticed I didn’t have to wear a lip liner with this product because it doesn’t transfer or bleed outside of the area you apply it. The color is amazing as well! XYZ is the perfect nude-brown shade for medium skin tones. This formula lasts for about 5 hours before fading on me, which is amazing! It even stayed put during eating and drinking! Plus it leaves behind a beautiful stained effect, which I love. 

     

Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation, “Medium Neutral” 

This product was a lifesaver during the month of July because it gives a full coverage foundation look, without being heavy at all! During the summer months, I tend to forgo liquid foundation because it’s heavy and tends to look cakey throughout the day, which makes a powder foundation super ideal! Not only does this product cover up all of my flaws, but it feels super light on my skin! I can forget that I’m even wearing makeup whenever I put this product on. My favorite way to apply this is by first putting on a primer all over my face so the powder has something to adhere to. Next, I use a flat top powder brush and buff it onto my skin in small circular motions! I love this because it’s super long lasting and prevents me from getting oily throughout the day, but it also isn’t too matte, making my skin look dull and lifeless. This is my new favorite powder foundation and I would recommend this to anyone who wants a lightweight feel, but a full coverage foundation look!

     

Ardell Demi Wispies Natural Multipack 

I’ve recently been loving these lashes to intensify any makeup look! They define my eyes so beautifully and give me a full lash appearance, without being over-the-top! They give a more voluminous lash look, rather than lengthening, which is my personal preference in a false lash style. I really wanted to share these because they look so gorgeous with dramatic, smokey eye looks and natural eyeshadow looks as well! I love how light the lash band is because they don’t feel uncomfortably heavy on the eyes, which allows me to wear them for hours without any discomfort! I highly recommend trying these out whether you wear false lashes all the time, or have never tried them! These are a great, versatile style and very easy to apply for beginners! 

Fashion 


Madewell, “Women’s Whisper Cotton V-Neck Pocket Tee”

I never knew I could be so obsessed with a t-shirt until I discovered these! They’re so versatile and can be dressed up or worn very casually. What I love most is the style of these shirts, which is kind of baggy/loose, but not unflattering! I’m always finding that plan t-shirts are either weirdly tight to the point they’re uncomfortable in certain areas, or they’re so loose that they look misshapen. These are the perfect in between, which make them so great! I always buy them when they’re on sale, so definitely check them out when you can get a good deal on them! They wash great and do not have piling or random holes, which a lot of other cotton tees tend to do! Love, love, love these!

    
Tory Burch, “Miller Sandal” 

I have been wanting these sandals for the longest time and finally gave in and purchased them in July! I have been wearing these non-stop and find they go with every outfit. They’re also super comfortable, which is what I care about most! If you want to splurge on a fancy shoe for summer, I would really recommend these because you’ll certainly get a lot of wear for your money! 

    

Skincare


Tony Moly, “I’m Real Avocado Sheet Mask” 

Sheet masks are an amazing new skincare innovation! Although they look absolutely terrifying when you put it on your face, it’s amazing how they combine all of the skin benefits you would get from paying for an expensive spa facial! The at-home convenience of just taking a sheet and placing it on your face, makes me keep buying these. I love how easy they are because you don’t have to mix a bunch of different products and see what works together. Instead, these sheets are saturated with the exact combination of skincare ingredients to nourish and hydrate your face. The “I’m Real Avocado” is my favorite of the Tony Moly sheet masks because it plumps and softens my skin, giving me a noticeable glow as soon as I remove the sheet and rinse my face! 

   
Garnier, “Clearly Brighter Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller – Light/Medium” 

I love using this product to instantly de-puff and conceal my dark circles when I wake up! This product is a miracle worker when I’m rushing out the door for work and need to conceal my dark circles, while also hydrating my sensitive under eyes. Although I layer a more full-coverage concealer on top of this product, you could definitely use it on its own for a lighter, more natural effect! The roller ball is so cooling and feels incredible when you need something to help you wake up in the morning!

   
Lush, “Angels On Bare Skin Cleanser”

I am obsessed with this cleanser, ah! I recently bought this product at Lush after reading so many amazing reviews and it is truly a miracle worker! After removing my makeup and cleansing with my Clarisonic, I take this exfoliating product and scrub my face! I notice that it softens my skin since it’s infused with lavender and rose oils, but effectively removes all of my dead skin and rough patches with the ground almonds. I enjoy the fact this is all natural and just as powerful as some of the harsher skincare products I’ve used in the past. It’s amazing to see a product take away my redness and fade my acne scaring so quickly! I highly recommend you try this out because I can see it working great for any skin type! 

Bronze Eyes and Terracota Lips

12 Comments

One of my new favorite lipstick shades to wear are these warm, terracotta, burnt-orange colors. I mentioned in my June Favorites that M.A.C “Del Rio” is my latest obsession. I find this product to be especially flattering in the summertime when I have a tan and wear less eye-makeup than usual. One of my favorite ways to look like I put effort into my makeup look is to wear a bold lip color and spend less time focusing on my eyes and face. I love the way this lipstick defines my smile and gives a whitening effect to my teeth, even though it isn’t a blue-based red color. Since I kept the eyes and face super easy, I think this look is totally wearable for work or any daytime occasion as well. Feel free to wear this anywhere you want!


I began the look by priming my eyes with Urban Decay primer potion in “Eden” to extend the wear time and prevent any creasing of my eyeshadow. For this look, I used ColourPop’s “Sunset Blvd” eyeshadow all over the lid and blended up into the crease. This shade is a gorgeous, golden-bronze shade that compliments the warmth in the lipstick shade. I used my Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer in “Medium” to further define my crease. I used a mixture of “Sunset Blvd” and my bronzer to blend onto my lower lash line too. Next I took the eyeshadow, “Smog” from my Urban Decay Naked Palette and drew a soft winged eyeliner. I like the effect shadow liner gives my eyes whenever I am wearing a bold lip because it defines, while still being subtle and allowing the lips to steal the show. Next, I used my Tarte Inner Rim Brightener eyeliner on my waterline to give myself a “wide-eyed” appearance. The last step on my eyes was just to apply two coats of L’Oreal Telescopic Mascara on my upper and lower lashes.


For my face makeup, I did my usual foundation routine and added highlight, blush and bronzer for additional warmth to compliment this look. I would like to point out that the blush photographed very bright and peach, but was more bronze and subtle in person. I like to keep the face fairly simple when doing a bold lip or eye. I find that when I do intense contouring and bright face colors, it can sometimes distract from the statement lip color and throw off the balance of the look. Let me know if you want to see a blog post of my foundation/concealer routine since the products I am using now have changed in the last month!


Now for the star of the show, the lipstick! I am obsessed with M.A.C lipsticks in general and have not purchased a single shade that I do not like! “Del Rio” is such a unique color and I liked it because I had nothing like it in my collection. I used the Revlon lip liner in “Nude” to outline and define. In my personal opinion, I think using natural colors for lip liner pair better with a bold lip than finding that exact lipstick color in a liner and using them together. Sometimes it can be really harsh and noticeable lining your lips with red and then filling them in with red. Plus, if you make any mistakes or overdraw too crazy, it’s much easier to blend out with a nude shade than a bold one. So after lining and filling in my lips, I applied “Del Rio” all over. This is a satin formula, so it provided a subtle sheen. I personally think the satin formulas are the best from M.A.C because they’re richly pigmented, comfortable to wear and last a long time. This product stayed put through eating and drinking and after hours of wear, it still left a pretty stained effect on my lips. 

  


I got a lot of compliments on this look because it was minimal makeup, but still appeared that I put effort into getting ready. I think a warm lip shade and a bronzy/gold eye are gorgeous for summer, but equally stunning as we transition into fall. If you want to try the dark lip trend, but are too afraid to wear something intense, I would say this lipstick is a great starting point! It isn’t “dark,” but definitely pigmented and bold, so you’re able to make a statement, without feeling like you’re wearing editorial makeup to the grocery store.

       
Let me know if you enjoy reading about the different looks I’m loving at the moment and the products I use to achieve them! I enjoy sharing artistry, but find it’s not always the easiest to write about technique. I have always been interested in creating YouTube tutorials, so if you think I should do that, let me know too! Thank you so much for reading 🙂  

My Favorite Powder Highlight Products! 

8 Comments

One of my favorite makeup products is highlight powder! I am always on the hunt to find the latest and greatest and have acquired quite the collection over the past year! I love “strobing” with these powder products because they emphasize the high points of my face, showing off my favorite features. I also love that I look instantly healthier and more alive by adding some extra radiance to my skin. I think highlight powder can take what would otherwise be considered simple makeup and instantly turn it into a Pinterest-worthy look! The tops of my cheekbones, temples, inner-corners of my eye, tip of my nose and cupid’s bow are my favorite places to highlight. I never skip out on this step of my makeup routine and highly encourage you to try out this popular beauty trend! I wanted to share all of my favorites with you so you can find your best match; whether you want a dewy and natural skin look, or an extremely bright and noticeable glow, I think I’ll have you covered!   

Subtle Glow


Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder Compact, “Highlight 01 – Golden Nude,” $40.

This product truly stands out in my collection because it provides the most beautifully subtle glow. If you want a natural, effortless highlight, you will absolutely love this product. It gives a reflective sheen once applied, which brings a lifted effect to your face. If you have mature skin, I would highly suggest this one because it isn’t glittery and definitely won’t emphasize any fine lines or texture.
   

Too Faced Candlelight Glow Highlighting Powder Duo, “Warm Glow,” $30.

I love the “lit-from-within” glow that this highlight gives my face. Again, it really just provides a radiant looking complexion, rather than an intentional shimmer. My favorite way to apply this product is with a large fluffy brush all over my face, not being specific where I place it. Whenever I do this technique, my skin looks hydrated and gorgeous! I would not recommend this product as a strategic highlight because it doesn’t have enough power in its pigmentation to bring out your cheekbones and other high points of your face. It really works best as an all over dusting powder when you’re finished with your makeup and want to look extra dewy. For me personally, I never apply this product in my t-zone, just because after a couple hours I will look unattractively oily, rather than my desired healthy glow.
    

Makeup Revolution Pro Illuminate, $7.

I mentioned this product as a highlight to pick up in my drugstore starter kit post because it really gives a universally flattering sheen to anyone’s face. Regardless of age or skin type, I find this product beautifully brings attention to the high points of the face, without looking harsh or glittery. I would best describe the overall look of this product to be glossy, which is unique for a typical powder formulation!
     

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit, “That Glow,” $40.

I am obsessed with the formula of these highlights! They glide on the face so evenly pigmented, so you never have one area that looks shinier than the rest. This kit is super versatile because it not only comes with four different highlight shades, but it also can be intensified with beauty mists, like M.A.C Fix Plus if you want an intense, almost metallic looking effect! They last beautifully for hours and I am always getting compliments whenever I wear these out!

      

M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinsh, “Soft & Gentle,” $32.

This was one of the first highlight’s I ever owned because I read so many blog posts that recommended it! I was so excited to get it and expected it to be a bright and sparkly highlight, but surprisingly it gave me a super natural, skin-like glow! This product does have shimmers in it, but after blended out, they don’t really show up on your skin. It is a gorgeous champagne color, which is universally brightening on many different skin tones! I enjoy wearing this product on a day-to-day basis because it has the power to compliment any kind of makeup look.

   

     

Beaming from the Heavens


BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed, “Opal,” $38.
I love Becca highlights because they’re creamy, but also have extremely shimmery color payoff. Sometimes the more glitter that’s in a highlight, the more chalky and patchy they apply. With this product, you can guarantee that your highlight will look gorgeous on the skin. I love the shade Opal because it’s a warm, champagne, neutral color that goes great with any makeup look. I love this color as an eyeshadow as well since it’s such an effortless brightening shade for all over the eyelids and the inner corners of the eye! Another amazing aspect of the Becca highlights are their longevity! I can apply this product at 6am and still have it show up when I get home from work at 6pm! I will definitely continue to buy these highlights because I do think they’re the best on the market! 

       

BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed, “Champagne Pop,” $38.

This is my all-time favorite highlight! If you have no idea where to begin with this glowing skin trend, look no further than Champagne Pop! It’s a beautiful peachy-gold shimmer, that brightens and compliments any skin tone! If you’re a fan of peachy or bronze blushes, you will absolutely love this shade to place on the tops of your cheeks! Of course it has the signature Becca creamy formula that is long-wearing and pigmented, so you really can’t go wrong in any aspect!

    

Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator, “Gilded Honey,” $26.

This would definitely be ranked as my second favorite highlight! The best thing about this product is its brightening power! If you’re looking for a shade that will give lift to your face, than you’ll love the way this formula reflects on the high points you place it. It is also absolutely beautiful in the sunlight. Since it’s a true gold, it does compliment my olive-tan skin tone very well, but I also believe its universally flattering too! This is also one of the few powder highlights I own that layers evenly over cream products, which is an extra bonus! 

    

theBalm Highlight, “Mary-Lou Manizer,” $24. 

This was one of the first highlights I ever bought because of its popularity online! I heard so many YouTubers and read so many blog posts about this being the ultimate glowing skin product. It really is amazing! The bright, champagne radiance it brings my skin is so gorgeous and unique! This is a highlight I’ll always have in my collection because it matches any makeup look and is my go-to whenever I want to sparkle from space. This is also an extremely long wearing formula and will last you throughout long days and summer weather! 

         

ColourPop Highlight, “Wisp,” $8. ColourPop Highlight, “Avalon,” $8.

These ColourPop highlights are the best value on the market right now! They are extremely pigmented and have such great color payoff even once you blend them out on your cheeks. With some powder products, the shimmer will fall out once blended, but since these are a unique cream-to-powder consistency, they go own as dewy and evenly pigmented than they look in the pan. I love the shades Wisp and Avalon because they’re different from one another in shade, but both perform exceptionally well. The shade Wisp is a gorgeous golden-champagne color and Avalon is copper shade that acts beautiful as a blush/bronzer topper to give your entire face a shimmery glow! I’m also astounded that these inexpensive highlights last longer than anything else I own! You’ll love these if you’re just starting out and want to build your collection because they’re budget friendly and extremely high quality! 

    

Thank you so much for taking the time to check out my highlight powder collection! I am constantly rotating each of these products into my everyday makeup routine, so they are all being used and well-loved. Although I don’t think you absolutely need every single highlighter I mentioned, I do hope you found a new one to love or discovered some helpful info on the one you’ve been recently eyeing! Happy highlighting!