The Makeup Edit 001
I always love reading makeup edit type posts. You know, the ones where beauty lovers profess their current beauty favorites that they're reaching for on a day-to-day basis. I mentioned that I have an everyday makeup setup (HERE) where I rotate a few products I'm using in and out of my Muji drawers in front of my mirror where I get ready. I've found myself reaching for the same select products over the last few weeks and I thought I'd share these with you.
THE BASE
From my VIB haul I picked up a new foundation, one that I had been eyeing for a while: The Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. Goodness gracious am I in trouble because this foundation is nothing short of amazing. It gives great coverage without feeling heavy or looking cakey on the skin. I do find that it takes a bit of time to dry down so I like to set it with my Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder. These two products are like a match made in heaven because my skin looks absolutely flawless when I use these two together. I don't find my T-Zone area building up with oil and my pores seem minimal and less prominent for sure. For days when my skin is being fussy (aka when my acne scars decide to linger around for way longer than necessary), I'll reach for my Tarte Aquacealer. I'm still undecided on this one as it is a bit more dry than my favorite NYX HD Concealer. It definitely needs to be worked into the skin more but this one's a great alternative for those days when I don't actually want to wear foundation but want a little extra coverage. To top off my skin I'll add a touch of the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow highlight for a natural glow. It's not as intense as the Becca and Anastasia highlights I've been addicted to in the last few months, and my heart skips a beat every time I open this palette - it just screams luxe.
THE BROWS
I really need to do something about my brows because they are out of control. I have naturally quite bushy eyebrows and let's just say I haven't had them dealt with in the last 5 ish months (lazy). My regular brow gal had a baby earlier this year and that just sprung me into a year of chaos and not so great brows. I got them done a few times by others but let's just say they took off way too much and left them completely uneven. It was a traumatic few experiences that I haven't felt since those over-plucking middle school days. I've been going quite thick with my brows lately and the Anastasia Brow Powder Duo has lasted me quite some
time, and there's the slightest dent in it. This one's going to last me 5-ever.
THE EYES
I'm still on that winged liner train and am probably never getting off of it. I really find that it opens my eyes up and it's something that takes almost no time for me to do in the morning. Practice makes perfect. I've shared my eyeliner tips before, but in case you've never read it here it is. I'll usually line my eyes with a dark brown liner (because black is way too harsh for me). I'll usually bring it to the edge of my eyes and then just go in and add the little cat flick at the end. With dark brown liners there isn't a harsh difference from the pencil liner to the liquid liner. I love using the Smashbox Always Sharp Liner in Sumatra - it has a built in sharpener so you never have to worry about your tip going dull. I (recently) finished it and have reached back into my massive collection of liners and pulled out the Charlotte Tilbury Rock 'n' Kohl Liner in Barbarella Brown - this stuff is seriously pigmented and once its on, it will. not. budge. And speaking of liquid liners, I'm back on the Kat Von D Trooper Liner bandwagon. I repurchased this one back in August when I headed out to Chicago. I was getting ready and what did I forget - my eyeliner of course. So I hopped on over to Sephora and bought another without batting an eyelash. I had mentioned previously that I had gotten a dud and the product came out uneven and faint. I'm glad to say that this one is a solid win because my wings have been looking mighty great lately.
My all-time favorite mascara is the Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes Waterproof Mascara. It lengthens, thickens, and volumizes - it's everything I could hope for. I'm actually kicking myself for not picking up a backup during all the sales at Sephora/Ulta recently, but I suppose I'll just use it sparingly and alternate with some drugstore ones after this one kicks the bucket.
THE MOOD
Mornings have been rather dreadful as it's so extremely cold in the morning. Although I will say that daylight savings has made it a bit easier to get out of bed as there is finally light outside when I open my eyes. Sometimes I like to burn a candle just to set the mood - it's good for the soul. I've been binge-burning a lot lately and have managed to finish up 2 candles that have been lingering for the past year and a half or so. I'm at the point where I buy large candles from Ikea and just burn them for the sake of burning things (inner pyro, hello). My guilty pleasure has got to be my Diptyque Figuier Candle. I bought one of the smaller versions last year and I sparingly used it, but as I've gone a few good months without it I thought it was time to repurchase. I went big and went for the larger size - partially so I can use it as a jar after (#bloggerpriorities). I love that this one fills the room with a scent without being burned, and it just fills the air with a fresh outdoor scent that I love during the Fall/Winter. And to top it all off, I'll usually play my Fall music playlist which is full of mellow moody songs which just make me feel cozy while getting ready.
I've been swapping new products in and out, and have already changed my routine a bit since originally preparing this post. More on those new additions soon!
A lot of things have happened lately and I guess I just started dealing with life. I know everyone always says not to apologize for taking time for yourself, but I'm always so glad to have so many supportive readers / blogging friends. Regarding my last post - the car accident has been resolved. Hurrah! The other driver has accepted full responsibility and my car will be fixed following Thanksgiving break. The whole door will have be to replaced so unfortunately I will have to be without my beloved car for a whole week (I'm dreading it already). I've come out strong from my stomach flu and (fortunately) a few pounds lighter. I mentioned that I had been working out lately and having shed those few extra pounds has really helped me see my results a lot better. However, I'm sure I'll gain those pounds back no problem this week as it's Thanksgiving (aka my favorite holiday - I like to eat. A lot.) But it was nice to see the results in the meantime! This weekend you'll find me binge watching the Gilmore Girls revival once it hits on Friday, so expect me to be MIA. Although I will keep all thoughts to myself as I don't want to spoil it for anyone out there! Annnnd I'm gonna say it, but #TeamLogan.
I just know the rest of this year is going to fly by once Thanksgiving is done with. Out of the rest of the year, I only have one full work week left. I'm getting fidgety with excitement as I have plans for Disneyland, holiday parties, and more planned for next month. It's crazy that this year is coming to an end but it was an interesting one and I can't wait to see what 2017 has in store. I'll be doing a lot of blog prep work over the long weekend so if you have any post suggestions / things you want to see, please share them or feel free to email me :)
