mexico! (part 1)

I know, I know...I am so incredibly late in posting this. I finally got around to editing and organizing my thoughts on my Mexico trip I took back in December. It was such a memorable trip! It was my first time staying at an all inclusive resort and there are definitely pros and cons that I will get into during these posts. Overall I would say it is worth it if you pick a good resort and I would definitely do it again. Day 1 of my Mexico trip:

We stayed at the Grand Sunset Princess Resort in Playa del Carmen. I traveled with my two sisters, two cousins and uncle. We arrived around midday and it was...well it was breathtaking to be honest. My little sister, who is a teenager and VERY hard to impress, was even awestruck and dazed by the view.

Free champagne on arrival! The resort itself was very well taken care of; very open and clean. We picked a good time of the year to visit since the weather was warm and sunny.

We saw a lot of wild iguanas and cats if you can believe it. They mostly came out at night though while the iguanas preferred to soak up the midday sunshine. There were multiple pool areas scattered all over so it was never too crowded. I loved the pillar design.

We hit up the beach to make the most of our day. My bathing suit top is from ASOS and my bottoms are from NastyGal if anyone was wondering.

The beach had a bar and food area so that could be hit up if wanted. The food was just nutrition and nothing amazing. They had burgers, tacos, and hot dogs. I ate my weight in pico de gallo (the only decent thing available since it was so fresh!). I could have spent all day here...I love the beach! I didn't get much color though since it was in the afternoon.

Day one was mostly us settling in our rooms and hitting up the beach. Next time I'll talk about our second day where we ziplined through the jungle and visited a natural cenote...

002 book challenge

Time to update my book challenge, where it is more of a challenge for me to "read more" rather than read a certain amount of books in a set period of time. I knocked out 6 books with quite the range in genres if I do say so myself.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver: The concept of this book was so compelling (love is considered a disease) but I felt it didn't really deliver. I think teens would really enjoy this book since it is an easy read and romantic but for me I just thought it felt super cheesy and predictable.

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells: A classic that spawned so much inspiration (the film Hollow Man comes to mind). This was a breeze to read through and quite fun to read due to the old time language. Makes me wonder if anyone really would enjoy the perks of invisibility or go mad.

Choke by Chuck Palahniuk: Spoiler alert I did not like this book. It is my first book by Palahniuk I have read (I have seen the film for Fight Club and loved it but I did not read the book version) and I don't think I will read anything by him for a while since I read somewhere he sticks to the same type of style for each of his books. A lot of text is repeated (part of his style) which annoyed me. I also hated the main character. The "big reveal" that is supposed to shock and and blow your mind at the end of the book was not even shocking and it felt very unrealistic. I finished this book and said out loud, "that's it?!". Very disappointing.

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn: I liked Gone Girl more but this book was also a great read. I would recommend it. It isn't predictable and I loved how it kept reverting back and forth between the two important characters so you get so much perspective on how things happened. How do we feel about Charlize Theron being Libby in the movie version? I think she is too pretty for how I pictured the main character to be in my mind but I love Charlize so I'm sure she will perform well.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows: I really really enjoyed this book. I was so skeptical at first as it reads in letters back in forth the entire time but after you get past the rough beginning to know who is who, the story was really compelling and touching. It helps that I am a sucker for anything dealing with the Holocaust. I loved the main character and so many moments in her narrative had me chuckling out loud.

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides: I really wanted to love this book as so many people raved about it but I just found it to be an okay book. It is a story about a hermaphrodite's family history and journey to self discovery. Some parts were so fascinating (I loved the back history with Lefty and Desdemona in Greece) while other parts felt so boring and unneeded. Eugenides is an excellent writer, his vocabulary really impressed me since he used words that I had no idea what they meant but they fit perfectly in the text once I looked up their meanings. But I found hefty chunks of the book had rambling details that were so unnecessary and unneeded that it made me feel bored. Why do I need to read two pages on the history of how decrepit the church that the main character was baptized in was? I also felt the aftermath of the main character's acceptance of who they were wasn't really put into detail or talked about which is a shame.

currently in rotation

If you have been keeping up to date with my posts, you may have noticed I haven't really featured new makeup. I keep mentioning how I am trying to power through whatever makeup I own already by sticking to a routine with almost the same products for months at a time. With that being said, I have made a few changes to my routine that I have been enjoying and I wanted to share just what I have switched up.

BEAUTY BLENDER CONVERT
I never thought I would be into using a beauty blender sponge type applicator but here I am, months in and fully addicted. Yes it is a pain in the ass to clean and yes it is annoying to have to get up and wet the sponge every time but the results are so damn good that my lazy self has been keeping up with it. I have the Real Techniques version and it has only been a few months yet it is already looking worse for wear. I fully plan to purchase the real deal (black or pink, that is the question!) to see if it lasts longer. I might as well throw in their cleanser as well since I have heard that works like magic. I've tried this application method with all the foundations I own and prefer it best paired with Revlon Colorstay. It makes it look so natural yet I don't lose the staying power. So much win.

CREAM BASES
I have switched up my bronzer game. Instead of using the luminescent theBalm Betty Lou-Manizer, I have switched it in favor of Soleil Tan de Chanel. This had a moment in the beauty blogging world (which is when I bought it) and while I do enjoy it I don't think it is a MUST TRY (obviously, as it has been sitting in the back of my inventory collecting dust until now...). It is a bit orange and application can be a little patchy so some much needed blending with a Sephora Airbrush #55 brush is required. It does have its merits in that it is matte and helps warm up foundations that don't match perfectly.

I was browsing my Instagram feed and saw someone post their pot of Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer and I had a total "ohmigosh I own that and I haven't used it in light years" moment. That is just one cue that you own too much makeup, folks. Inspired by that picture I pulled mine out and have been using it to cover blemishes. This sucker really covers up spots with the tiniest amount. It is nice to know I have alternatives to my Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage if needed.

IN N'OUT
Per usual I always end up switching up my blush choice on a weekly basis but Milani Rose D'Oro has surprisingly been stuck for about a month now. I am surprised because this was featured in one of my Box of Neglect posts where I deemed it a BOX item (to be donated or given away) but I eventually changed my mind on the color and resurrected it for use. Funny how that works, sometimes items need a third chance with me apparently.

I like to prime my eyes with some sort of base before applying eye shadow and since I used up my beloved MAC Groundwork Paint Pot I thought I should show some love to my other paint pot choices. I chose Painterly, a classic that brings back a lot of Makeup Geek nostalgia for me since I bought it due to her frequent use of the product. I don't love this as much as Groundwork but I do consider it somewhat of a staple as you can't go wrong with these cream-like shades for a base.

014 items used up

Empties time! I feel like I powered through a lot of products this round, a lot of skincare and makeup staples bit the dust and it felt really great to finally throw all the empty bottles in the trash. Operation use up more stuff in my stash is going swimmingly.

CARESS BODY WASHES
If you have been following me for a while you know I am a fan of Caress body washes. They are cheap, smell nice, and don't make my skin feel squeaky clean (a sensation I hate). Passionate Spell and Evenly Gorgeous are my favorite scents.

V05 CONDITIONER
A staple for me, this always shows up in my empties you guys have to be bored of it by now. I use this in place for shaving cream, cheap and it never ever gives me razor burn.

L'OREAL TOAL 5 REPAIR CONDITIONER
I remember a lot of people were raving about these newer L'oreal hair products and I wasn't impressed by them. They were okay but I wouldn't repurchase. I didn't find it particularly nourishing, repairing, or moisturizing.

ONE'N'ONLY CONDITIONER
This stuff was a impulse buy at Sally's. I regret it. It was a bit awful. If you sniff this from the bottle it smells similar to the greatness that is Moroccan Oil, but once applied to the head it all went wrong. I was not a fan and it didn't make my hair feel particularly magnificent either.

I enjoyed all three of these moisturizers. Victoria's Secret True Escape was a nice change from my normal scents that I stick to but I would only get this again if it was on sale. The Bath and Body Works Twisted Peppermint has become a winter staple for me, so much that I buy it in bulk now. It sinks in quickly, makes my skin soft and moisturized, and I love the scent. It also makes my skin tingle after application, a little extra effect I am a fan of. And another tub of The Body Shop Satsuma made it's way out. I have gone through way too many tubs of these.

I polished off three staple items in my skincare; Thayer's Toner, CeraVe Moisturizer, and shu uemura cleansing oil. I love them all, buy them in bulk, and have talked about them so many times here that you could search my blog and get countless hits.

CLARINS LOTUS OIL
The Clarins Lotus Oil I dedicated a full review post on and I feel the same way about it. I would definitely repurchase it and it really opened my eyes to facial oils. I was sad to see it empty! It really reduced my oil production and changed the balance of my skin for the better.

OLE HENRICKSEN ON THE GO CLEANSER
This was a nice cleanser to keep in the shower for my morning face cleanse. I feel pretty neutral about it as it did a good job at cleansing my face but it isn't remarkable enough for me to highly recommend it or repurchase.

FACIAL PADS
I did a battle of the exfoliant pads post featuring both the Peter Thomas Roth and First Aid Beauty versions. I enjoyed both of these pads but I would recommend and pick the First Aid Beauty pads as my favorite of the two. They were gentler and gave me more noticeable effects.

URBAN DECAY PERVERSION
I am not a fan of Urban Decary 24/7 pencils as they just do not last on me. I really wanted to love Perversion, it was such a rich, inky black shade and applied so smoothly. I won't be repurchasing as the lasting power is just mindblowingly short on me.

MAYBELLINE DARK CIRCLE ERASER
Cheap and effective. I like this and would repurchase. I just have to use up all the other concealers I own first U_U

MAC GROUNDWORK
I can't be without this. It is probably one of my top 5 makeup items in my stash. It does crease on my lids but it's a small price to pay for such a staple product. Plus it is nothing a little UDPP can't fix. Emollient in application and a neutral mid tone brown shade that is universally flattering. Can't go wrong. I already have another pot of this.

REVLON COLORSTAY FOUNDATION
I really like this drugstore option. I can see why this wouldn't be for everyone as it can be quite full in coverage and it has a satin finish, but I love it for daily wear. It lasts all day on me and it makes my skin look so darn good. Especially in photos. For daily wear I sheered this out to make it look more natural, but for nights out it can easily transition to fuller coverage. I just wish it had a pump instead of a gaping open mouth. Can't always get what we want...

NUXE REVE DE MIEL
Another staple product. It smells heavenly and makes my lips soft with lasting results. I also like how it applies matte and not shiny so it could be unisex.

PILE O MASCARA
I am a mascara junkie and go through so many and can't stick to one kind. I recommend L'OREAL Butterfly if you have full lashes and are looking for more length as this product really separates and fans them out. This mascara surprisingly gave me the most compliments when worn, it made my lashes look very long and fluttery. It doesn't do much for volume though so if that is your main concern you won't be impressed by it. I rarely use waterproof mascara but I will pick up a tube every summer from Maybelline Full n Soft as it works the best for beach days. I tried out the L'OREAL Manga and it was okay, I wouldn't repurchase because it wasn't memorable and it clumped quite a bit on me. Lastly I used up a mini Benefit They're Real mascara which I also didn't care for. It did not give enough volume for my taste.

what's in my travel makeup bag

This past weekend I went out of town and I filmed a short video of what I packed inside my makeup bag. I tend to stick to favorites, compact items, and drugstore options when it comes to traveling. I keep a lot of the same things permanently in my travel bag because 1. I'm lazy 2. I have so much makeup that I have other options to use while they chill in the bag for all eternity. I do take out my base products and I will switch up my blush options every now and then (per usual with me, can't ever stick to one blush for long) but almost everything else stays the same. Let me know if you are enjoying me making little quick videos like this, it has been fun making them and interacting this way. Check it out below!

travel makeup bag feb 2015

night time routine

Last December I filmed a little "get unready with me" video that I thought would be fun to share with you all. Most of these products are going to end up in my next empties post as I am almost done with each product and already have new items to replace them.

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Each night when I get home I first start off by removing my eye makeup. I use a Neutrogena Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover that I poured into a Bioderma bottle for easy handling. I follow with Shu Uemura Skin Purifier Cleansing Oil and then double cleanse with La Roche Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cream. After washing up I dry off my face and use the First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads all over my face and down my neck. I then put two drops of Clarin Lotus Oil on my fingers and press the oil into my skin, mostly dispersing the product on my forehead, nose and inner cheeks. I finish off my face with a layer of Puritan's Pride Retinol Cream. The last couple steps are applying some eye drops into my eye balls (I had LASIK back in 2012 and eye dryness comes with the territory) and putting some of the magic blue pot that is Blistex Lip Medex onto my lips.

thoughts of the week

1. Confession, I've never been a fan of Beyonce. I've always thought she was gorgeous and her voice is out of this world, but her entertainment style and song choices never appealed to me. I am, however, a huge fan of Mitch and Scott from Pentatonix and they have their own YouTube channel. My favorite videos they post are the ones of them singing and I have probably watched this video over 25 times. I stubbornly put off listening to the real Beyonce versions since she released them back in November. I finally gave in and watched her visual album on YouTube (she made a music video for every single song on this album) and I have to say, I get the hype. My favorite songs are Rocket, Yonce, Haunted, and the ending bit to Ghost.

image source

2. I am really enjoying my short hair. I cut it back in the beginning of December and was having slight haircut regrets but that has long gone now. Less product to use, less time to waste styling it. My favorite product I have been using to help with some volume and kickass texture is BedHead Queen for a Day. I read on many Into the Gloss interviews that professionals frequently pick this for fashion and runway shows.

3. My coworker convinced me to start the show Once Upon a Time and I am really enjoying it so far. You would think Disney story lines would come off stale as a show but they spin it in a way that works and keeps it interesting. I'm currently starting season 2 so no spoilers!

They said don't go overboard at the salad bar, save your stomach for the meat. Erm right. #texasdebrazil

A photo posted by Kelly (@kellyyes) on Jan 17, 2015 at 4:05pm PST

4. I went to a Brazilian Steakhouse for the first time ever this past weekend and it was such a fun experience. If you have never been to one, there is usually a salad bar that you are able to frequent while the waiters come around with spits of meat that they cut off pieces of your choosing on your plate. Think of that restaurant that makes everyone sick in the movie Bridemaids (lol).

5. I am obsessed with vlogs. This is huge you guys because I was a former vlog hater but I have been converted. I blame Vlogmas. I think you have to enjoy/like/want to know the person that is vlogging for them to be interesting. Who are your favorite vloggers? I am missing thefashioncitizen vlogs tbh, I hope they decided to do more beyond vlogmas.

6. What do we think of the Harry Potter illustrative books coming out? I will probably buy them as I love the series and having artistic illustrations sounds really appealing to me. I love seeing how others visualize the stories.

7. I watched one of the best movies I have ever seen on Netflix recently. It was called The Intouchables. It is in my top movies of all time so I really recommend it. It made me laugh and feel good inside. Bonus that it is based off a true story.

image source

8. Another thing I have been obsessed with is Snapchat. I think I felt too old for the app but my coworker persuaded me to use it and showed me the ropes and now I'm hooked. I update it pretty frequently so if you are interested in seeing the mundane going-ons of my life, feel free to add me; my username is kellyyes. Let me know your username if you have the app!

9. This was the most ridiculous article I have read this week.

10. This Jimmy Fallon interview with Nicole Kidman is hilariously awkward and it made me laugh very much.

2014 favorites: makeup

2014 wasn't a very adventurous year for me makeup wise. I don't think I bought anything new at all besides essentials like mascara and foundation, both which aren't terribly exciting. Nonetheless, here are my makeup favorites for the 2014 year.

MAC Groundwork Paint Pot
I believe I have talked enough about this little pot of goodness on my blog but a breakdown: perfect matte mid-tone brown for a nice wash all over the lid that gives an effortless put together look in a second. Can also be used as a base for smokier looks. My pot is almost gone but I already have another waiting to be used. It is one of my essential makeup items I don't like being without.

Miani Bella Rosa Blush
I pretty much wore this blush exclusively for a good half of the year, especially in the summer time. It packs a punch in the color department but doesn't give clown cheeks if worn right. It is super affordable as well.

Revlon Colorstay Foundation
I bought a couple of bottles of this foundation this year as a throwback since I used to wear it all throughout my high school days and I wanted to see if I still enjoyed it. I do. It is a bit high in coverage for my liking but that just makes the bottle last longer for me as I only use a small amount on a daily basis. It is long lasting, decent at oil control, and it looks really great in photos.

L'Oreal Butterfly Mascara
This came as a surprise as I initially didn't care too much for this mascara. I thought it didn't give enough volume or intensity to my lashes. But like any good L'Oreal mascara, this just needs some aging for its true performance to shine through. I have gotten the most compliments over my lashes with this mascara. It really gives nice, long, fluttery lashes once the formula thickens up a bit from being open.

Smashbox Filter Trio
Mentioned countless times on here. Smashbox makes some good shadows, don't pass over them!

NARS Gilda
This was my second most loved blush this year. If I wasn't wearing Milani Bella Rosa, I was most likely in the mood for a soft color so Gilda was my choice. It isn't the most unique color on the planet but it is still a great color that is universally flattering.

Bonus, my favorite scent of 2014 is actually a men's fragrance: Hermes Terre D'Hermes. It smells strongly of cedar so if woods aren't your thing, stay away. But if cedar gives you life you will love this. I can't get enough of it and I don't even care that it is supposed to be for men. Gender roles are overrated. Happy New Year everyone! I look forward to a fresh start every year so bring on 2015!

2014 favorites: skincare

It's 2014 favorites time! I'm splitting up my favorites into two installments, one skincare and one makeup. It won't be terribly exciting makeup wise because as I explained in my last post, I pretty much used the same makeup for most of the year in order to use things up. Still, I will do a post on it to explain what items made it and why I liked them.

Shu Uemura Skin Purifier Porefinist
I have tried a few different oil cleansers and so far this shu version has been my favorite by far. It has a very watery consistency which makes it very easy to rinse off and it also is very effective at removing all my makeup. Two thumbs up. I'd repurchase for sure. I think once I finish this I will try out a balm cleanser to see if I like balms or oils more.

La Roche Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cream
I bought this months ago and I still have more than half of the cleanser left. It is the gift that keeps on giving. I really enjoyed this cleanser this year for a few reasons: you don't need much product to get a nice lather, it cleans thoroughly, and it doesn't leave my skin overly dry after rinsing off. It also doesn't burn my eyes if I open them which is somewhat of an important aspect of a cleanser to me. This is probably my second favorite foaming cleanser I have tried so far with the Clarins Cottonseed beating it just a bit more due to the better scent and richer lather.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads
These really caught me by surprise. I didn't think these would cause such an impression on me but they have. When I run out of these I plan to repurchase and not even bother trying to find a replacement as these work very well. I notice a difference when I stop using them when I am away for a weekend and don't bring them with me. My only wish for these is that they were more saturated in the formula, but it is a small complaint.

Puritan's Pride Retinol Cream
Another item I was completely surprised by. My mother gave this to me to try and I took it graciously but promptly ignored it once I got home since I was being a brand snob. My skin was parched one day during the beginnings of winter so I remembered this tub and used it. I was pleasantly surprised to see that this absorbed quickly and didn't leave my face greasy. I woke up with nice, supple skin. I think my skin reacts very positively to retinol as I have noticed blemishes on my face heal quicker when I use this cream.

Clarins Lotus Oil
Another bandwagon I tried this year and happily hopped on. With use of this I noticed severe reduction of oil production during the day. I am almost out of this and have a Dr. Hauschka oil to try after so we will see if all oils are created equal or not.

2014 was a good year of skincare trials. I liked almost everything I painstakingly researched and picked out for myself. I actually made a little video of myself getting ready for bed, or my nighttime routine, using all of these products which I will put in another post probably after the new year. Until next time, where I will talk about my makeup favorites...

my daily 10 minute face

I am not sure if you all have noticed but I haven't been feeling very inspired to do any makeup related posts. This is simply due to me being stuck in a very fixed makeup routine. 2014 is coming to a close and it was very much a year of me trying to use up as much of my makeup collection as possible with very little purchases. That being said, I thought I would show you just what products I have been using for my daily face. It is a quick, simple look that takes less than 10 minutes for me to apply. I stick with a thin base, a matte neutral eye, not much eye liner (shocker, I know), and a sheer lip.

For foundation I have been using Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation, which I am a fan of. It is pricey but it gives a really nice base that gives decent coverage while looking very skin like and natural. It doesn't cover major blemishes on its own though so for that I go in with my trusty Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage which is something I have been using for quite a while now. For under eye brightening I like the ever popular Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer. This tube is on its last legs and once it is out I plan to repurchase as it really does a nice job at such a cheap price point. To set everything in place I have been using Maybelline Dream Matte Powder dutifully. I smashed up all the stuck product on the pan so I can use every last bit.

My current bronzer of choice has been theBalm Betty-Lou Manizer. This has a bit of a sheen to it but it isn't noticeable if applied sheer. The only makeup product that I actively switch up every few weeks is blush (got to spice it up in here) and currently my choices are Mac Vintage Grape and NARS Gilda. If I am feeling fancy and have some extra time, I will also swirl some MAC Lighscapade underneath my eyes and along my cheekbones to help with the brightening effect.

To start out my eye look I curl my lashes with my Kevyn Aucoin lash curlers. I like how this has a big opening so fitting my lashes into the space is a breeze, but I think the Shu Uemura curlers curl better if I am being honest. Next I apply a wash of Mac Groundwork Paint Pot all over my lid and under my lower lash line. From there I use my Smashbox Filter Eye Shadow Trio. This trio is almost finished you guys, I'm almost done with the mid-brown shade and the biggest hurdle that is left to tackle is the darkest brown. I use a mixture of both shades to apply in my crease and under my lower lash line.

Next I take the dual ended Urban Decay 24/7 liners in Zero and Whiskey. Now if you know my liner rep by now, you know I can't stand Urban Decay's 24/7 liners. For some reason they all smudge and never last on me. But as I mentioned at the start of this post, I am on a "use up everything" mindset so I'm dealing with it. I apply Zero on my upper waterline and then I use Whiskey on the outer portion of my upper lash line, which I then smudge in with my finger. Lastly I give my lashes a single coating of mascara, my current choice being L'Oreal Manga Mascara. I like this mascara, but it isn't my favorite L'Oreal offering.

For lips I either smear a dab of Aquaphor and run out the door or I'll apply a dab of Revlon gloss on my lips and work it in with my fingers. I've been trying to use up Pink Pop and Coral Reef so I switch between the two depending on my mood and blush choice.

Full look with all products mentioned. I applied Revlon Pink Pop on my lips and Mac Vintage Grape on my cheeks. I really like the effect of smudging my liner into my lash line, it makes my lashes appear fuller in an inconspicuous way.

This is what my makeup routine has been like for a good portion of this year. A little boring but seeing all the pan and progress makes me very happy. I also love how quick I am able to do this look since I have been doing it over and over again. I can't wait to be done with these products so I can come up with a new routine to get into.

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas! I plan to do a 2014 favorites post before the year's end so look out for that soon.

thoughts of the week

1. My cousin showed me this Reddit feed of horrifying implications in the Harry Potter universe and it kept me entertained for HOURS. My personal favorite discussion is when the relationship of Hagrid's parents comes up. DELETUS FETUS omg.

2. Speaking of HP, I bought the Dumbledore's Office candle from the Frostbeard shop on Etsy as a Christmas gift to my little sister. I wanted to try out more scents (Slytherin and Winterfell look promising) but perhaps another time.

3. This makes for a good conversation with friends. I tested my co-worker and sister and it was interesting to see how much different their opinions were.

4. I'm bringing up Taylor Swift. I bought her newest album and have listened to it so many times I'm not sure what my play count is. It's a fun album, I enjoy her pop sound. My favorite song is Wildest Dreams at the moment.

5. How neat is this moss graffiti tutorial? If I had a brick wall I would definitely try it out.

image source

6. I have always been a firm no-Christmas-anything-until-after-Thanksgiving type of person but for some reason I have gotten the holiday spirit so early this year. My apartment has already been decorated with lights and garland. Christmas music has even been playing. No regrets.

7. Into the Abyss and The Act of Killing are my Netflix films I recommend watching. Into the Abyss takes a look at a death row inmate and his accomplice and the repercussions of their crimes. The Act of Killing follows around the most prominent Indonesian gangsters who explain how they have killed their countless victims. Both documentaries really made question human emotions since the main focus of both films deal with apathetic people and how they deal with their demons.

image source

8. Winter is upon us here in the Midwest which means my poor hands have been zapped of all moisture and painfully dry. Any recommendations for the best unscented, heavy duty hand cremes? I say unscented as I work in a lab environment and no strong scents are allowed. Perhaps something simple from Neutrogena or Eucerin?

9. Pitch Perfect 2 trailer. YES.

10. Dining etiquette around the world.

battle of the exfoliation pads

Toning is something I have really come to love in my skincare routine. If you have kept up with my skincare routines in the past, you know I like having two types of toners on hand: one that is moisturizing in the morning and one that is exfoliating for night time. I had finished up a container of Peter Thomas Roth Max Correction Pads and wanted to try something new so I ended up replacing them with First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads. So how do they compare?

Both are at similar price points with PTR being a bit more expensive than FAB ($30 versus $36). They both contain the same amount of pads (60) which are housed in screw top containers. They also have the same type of pad texturing, with one side being smooth and its reverse having a bumpy pattern.

PETER THOMAS ROTH:
PTR is the stronger of the two as it took about a week for my skin to acclimate to its effect and I have pretty resilient skin. It also has a high alcohol content, with it being the second highest ingredient listed. The Peter Thomas Roth Max Correction Pads have 10% glycolic acid and 1/2% salicylic acid as their exfoliants. The pads have a scent that is sweet and fruity. They are very saturated in that the pads are soaking wet. I felt one pad was a waste and too much for my whole face so I cut them in half and used half a pad for my whole face.

FIRST AID BEAUTY
FAB is very mild but effective. My skin had no reactions and didn't need to adjust. They have a more "green" approach with their formula and do not contain any alcohol. The First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads have lactic and glycolic acid for their exfoliants. The scent is not very nice, it reminds me a bit of not so pleasant liquid multivitamin my mother used to make me ingest as a child. The pads aren't very saturated and are drier than the PTR. I need to use the full pad to cover my whole face, cutting them in half was not an option.

OVERALL:
I like both of these offerings. I think Peter Thomas Roth is focusing more on acne and pore minimizing concerns whereas First Aid Beauty is zoning in on resurfacing the skin to attack scarring and hyperpigmentation. If I had to pick one, I think I would go for First Aid Beauty's take. They are milder yet surprisingly very effective. I noticed a difference with both pads but I felt like the First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads gave me quicker, noticeable results and kept large blemishes away the best. The Peter Thomas Roth Max Correction Pads are a good product; I still saw improvement just at a slower pace. The only things I felt the PTR pads did better FAB were the scent and the saturation of the pads. PTR gave me more bang for my buck as I was able to double the amount I had by cutting the pads in half. I am unable to do this trick with the FAB pads as they have just the right amount of liquid in one pad for your face.

I wouldn't recommend Peter Thomas Roth Max Correction Pads to the sensitive skinned...as the name implies they are at a max state formula wise so some stinging and dryness is expected in the beginning until your skin gets around to its effect. I skipped every other day using them until my skin could handle it. I didn't have to do this for First Aid Beauty's Radiance Pads. These would be better suited for sensitive skin types that still want some exfoliation in their lives.

NOLA 2014

Back in September my sister, cousin and I took an impromptu trip to New Orleans. We all had never been plus we had heard the city had renowned food spots, booze happy streets, and a rich history that the residents took pride in. I mostly took pictures with my iPhone as tugging around a DSLR around became tiresome and there was so much to soak in, but here is what I have to share about my time there.

The place we stayed at was Hotel Villa Convento which I highly recommend. It was within walking distance of a lot of areas we planned to see and the staff was really helpful and accommodating. The room we stayed in was really clean and nice at a really affordable price.

We were told we had to try the Hand Grenade drink at Tropical Isle. It apparently is considered a dangerous drink as people will consume a lot of it without noticing it contains a lot of alcohol since it has no lingering after taste. I can vouch for the latter, but we practiced self control and didn't order many.

I loved the old buildings with their intricate wrought iron balconies with bushy greenery to spruce up the scene. And almost all the shutters around were painted in fun colors. Such a nice sight to see.

How could we turn down something listed as The Seafood Tower on a menu? Impossible. We picked that out at Pier 424 Seafood Market which felt a little "chain-like" so it definitely isn't a must try if you are in town. We also tried out Imperial Woodpecker Snoballs which was refreshing and not too shabby to look at. But again, not necessarily a MUST TRY unless you are a huge shaved ice fan.

I definitely recommend checking out Carousel Bar; it revolves as you sit! It was very neat. It spins slowly so you don't really notice it until you've been chatting up for a while and suddenly you are on the other side of the room. We had our first Sazeracs here, wowza that's a strong drink. If you like stiff drinks be sure to try it out. I personally needed to chase every sip with some water.

French Market was a couple streets away from our hotel so we stopped by to check it out. It was fun to see all the different seasonings, sauces, and other fares they had to offer. We walked away with some Cajun spices to take home.

Royal Street had a lot of street entertainment during the day. It also is the location of Cafe Beignet. We had some beignets and a muffaletta for the first time. The beignets were okay, I'm not a huge fan of the massive amount of powdered sugar. I did enjoy the muffaletta, though I have a sneaking suspicion that if you don't like olives (I love olives) you won't enjoy this NOLA sandwich. We didn't bother making it to the infamous Cafe du Monde this trip since we had our fill of fried dough.

So far, New Orleans has had the freshest seafood I have ever tried. The shrimp were always succulent, huge, and sweet. The bottom picture is Mr. B's Barbeque Shrimp at Mr. B's Bistro and it is by far the best shrimp I have ever had the pleasure of eating in my life. I was skeptical as this dish was heavily raved about in my food research but the hype is so real you guys.

A few thoughts on NOLA:

+ The weather is the strangest thing. It is hot and humid but it would also be stormy and rainy randomly for brief periods before clearing up and being sunny like nothing happened. And I thought the Midwest had wonky weather!
+ Everywhere you go there is ice cold AC blasting even if their doors/windows were open. I think they do this to entice you inside their business as the heat was pretty intense.
+ We didn't get to visit a lot of areas that I wanted to make it to. I definitely plan to go back to visit the Garden District, check out some jazz clubs, and to get a tour of the cemeteries.
+ If you are a seafood fan, make sure you plan to visit during NOLA's crawfish season. I didn't even know crawfish season was a thing, but it is and we missed it and were very bummed.
+ Bourbon street was not really our scene at night time. It would have been when I was in college, but I'm a bit of a grandma these days and it felt too "frat like" for my taste. We visited all the Bourbon street places during the day when we had most of the place to ourselves.

thoughts of the week

1. I tried out this tasty quinoa thai chicken recipe recently and have logged it away as something to make again.

2. I recently booked a trip to Mexico for early December. It will be my first time visiting the country and I can't wait. I'll be staying in Playa del Carmen so if you have been, let me know of anything to check out!

3. It has been over 2 months since my sister and I have started Crossfit and we really love it. It somehow makes us feel sore after every class even though the movements don't seem all that intense at first. I give credit to our awesome trainer; he always knows our limits and when we are ready to move up a level while never making us feel intimidated or overwhelmed. I highly recommend it if you are in a workout rut. A little warning though, it can be rough on your body. I currently have callused hands and bruised up thighs from all the gymnastic and bar bell work.

4. Vampire Diaries premiered last week! Finally, I basically wait my whole life for this show to be airing. What did you guys think of the premiere? I loved it and have really high hopes for this season to surpass the disaster that was season 5.

Elena's poor desperation :(

5. How trippy is this cake? I mean who thinks up of this stuff? Geniuses, that's who.

6. Fall is hitting me at full force causing me to pull out some of my favorite fall blushes. NARS Sin and Mounia come to mind. Why did NARS discontinue Mounia? It is such a delightful shade.

7. JK Rowling always knows how to stir up HP fans with her cryptic tweets. I didn't get my hopes up that it had anything to do with HP but it was a nice to dream a little...

8. I kept seeing people talk about the film "What Maisie Knew" which is based off a book. I watched it recently on Netflix and I wasn't really moved by it. Though I do think the character lead was a fantastic little actress. Whoever was the stylist for her in the movie should get an award. All her outfits were so awesome.

9. I'm running low on my Clarins lotus facial oil and PTR exfoliating pads so I thought I'd switch it up by trying out Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Day Oil and First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads. Once I break them open and give them some love, I'll be sure to do comparison posts.

10. Key and Peele hilariously depict how texts can completely be taken out of context.

013 items used up

This round of items used up features a couple impressive shiny pans and key staples that you can obviously tell I rely on due to the multiples. Documenting empties is always an interesting thing to me; I notice which products have firm places in my routine.

Regis Moisture Shampoo: Hair, always my least favorite topic. I rarely buy the same hair care twice in a row and I prefer huge pump bottles so I don't have to worry about it running out any time soon. I really have no favorites, but this Regis Shampoo is an exception. It smells clean, lathers up well with little product, and is sulfate free. I usually can only find this in Walmart hair salons believe it or not.

V05 Ocean Refresh Conditioner: I use this on no shampoo days as well as for shaving. It is dirt cheap and effective, albeit watery so if you are looking for a rich conditioner this is not it. I don't particularly revere this scent but I couldn't find my favorite one (Tea Therapy Calming Chamomile) so this one had to do.

B&BW Hawaii Passion Fruit Kiss: This was a free item after using some voucher I got in the mail. I have no thoughts on it. It was pleasant enough to use up but I wouldn't rush out and get a full sized bottle.

TBS Satsume Body Butter: I have been using this for years and will always repurchase it. Not greasy, the scent lingers for hours, moisturizes well and sinks in quickly. All I could ask for in a body moisturizer. I've lost count on how many times I have repurchased.

B&BW Berry Vanilla: An old scent that I stocked up on years ago. I think this might be the final bottle. Thank goodness. I enjoyed it initially but it is one of those types of scents that after using countless bottles of it, it became very tiresome.

Caress Passionate Spell: Currently my choice of body wash. If you have followed me for some time, you know that Caress is my usual brand pick for body wash. Inexpensive, doesn't leave my skin squeaky clean (a feeling I hate), and the scents they come out with are interesting.

Shu Uemura Anti-Oxi Refining Oil: I stocked up on cleansing oils from Shu last year during black friday. I ended up picking the pink bottle, Porefinist, and this one to see if they were any different. This is thicker than its pink counterpart, a feature I don't care much for. Shu still makes the best cleansing oils I have tried so far, but I think I will stick with Porefinist from now on.

Boscia Cleansing Oil: A good cleansing oil to try out if you are new to the game. It has more natural ingredients if that is something you are concerned about. It also has a thicker feel to it making it take a few more splashes to the face to completely get off.

Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip: The best non foaming cleanser I have used so far. It is gentle but still felt like it gave added benefits to my skin. It is quite expensive though, which holds me off from immediately purchasing it again.

LUSH Grease Lightening: Some people really love to use this as a spot treatment. I did not like using it this way. I used it on the oiliest spots on my face and it really helped keep the grease away. I would repurchase.

Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover: My favorite eye makeup remover, as you probably could tell. I buy a few bottles at a time and dump them into an empty Bioderma pump bottle. This won't be for everyone as it leaves a slightly oily feel behind, but I double cleanse after so it really makes no difference to me. It is the only remover I have tried so far that completely takes off all the mascara and kohl liner I use.

Blistex Lip Medex: Staple night time lip soother. I should probably stop mentioning it on the blog now as it has made countless appearances...

Giorgio Armani ETK liner: My favorite kohl liner I have ever used, though the most expensive. I would repurchase but I'm determined to use up my current fistful of liners I already own from other brands first.

YSL Teint Resist: A discontinued item which is a damn shame. Every time I used this I felt I had a good makeup day. It had the perfect finish (satin), lasted throughout my day, controlled most of my shine, and gave the perfect coverage for my tastes. Very sad indeed this is gone for good.

MAC MSF Natural: A repeat purchase. I enjoy this powder, it doesn't have the best lasting power but I always enjoyed wearing it.

Stila Bronzer: I have had this bronzer since the dawn of time and I feel SO PROUD that I freaking finished it. I even smashed up the side sticking pieces at the end and used the powder. I liked this but it leans a bit orange so I think a majority of people would want to avoid it. It was matte and easy to apply though so I had no complaints using it up.

Proof of my pan work. Rejoice, ya'll.

current makeup rotation

On top of my makeup storage desk, I keep a little scalloped vanity tray (from Urban Outfitters a while back) full of my daily makeup items. I do this not only for aesthetics, but also so I am able to routinely pluck out a few items from my collection to actually give some love to. I have found this trick has made me use up products much faster and consistently. It also allows me to fully appreciate and have a complete formed opinion on what I'm using on a weekly, sometimes monthly, basis. Here is what I currently have piled inside:

LIPS
I am switching between Revlon Coral Reef and Pink Pop glosses, depending on the type of blush I chose to wear that day. These used to just sit and sit in my makeup drawer untouched. I think I ignored these for so long because I felt the colors were too bright and not appropriate for daily use. I found a way to remedy that though: I apply a dab along the middle of my bottom lip and then use my pointer finger to pat what I placed on my lips all over to dilute the color. It is much more sheer and wearable this way.

BASE
For foundation I have been wearing a thin layer of Revlon ColorStay. I randomly picked this up due to nostalgia as this was my foundation of choice in high school. I was happy to see that I still enjoy this foundation. It has great longevity and a natural looking finish. It also is easy to control the coverage due to its high pigmentation. It is quite thick though so its pour-the-product-out-of-the-bottle design is a failure on Revlon's part.

To cover blemishes I am still using my trusty Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage concealer. For under my eyes I have been using Maybelline Age Rewind in the corrector shade. I think almost everyone enjoys this product and for good reason; it is cheap and effective. As for highlighter, I have been diligently using MAC Hush Cream Color Base. I adore this product and would repurchase it. It feels like the gift that keeps on giving, I have had this little pot forever and still haven't finished it.

CHEEKS/FACE
I have been setting my face with NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Powder. I like this powder very much. It blurs out my pores well and adds a nice satin finish to my skin. For bronzer I have been using theBalm Betty-Lou Manizer. I recently finished up a bronzer and was going to treat myself to a luxurious replacement as a reward but then I decided I really should use up what I have. I don't mind Betty. It isn't matte so if overdone it can make the skin have too much of a sheen. I stick to applying sparingly and it works just fine. I have swatches of it in THIS post.

As for blush, I'm greedy and need at least two different options if I want to stick to a routine. Currently I have been in the mood for softer colors. CARGO The Big Easy is, like its name implies, extremely easy to wear. This is one of those shades you can just swirl, brush on, and get out the door. I love it for a very natural cheek. If I want something still soft but more noticeable, I go for Estee Lauder Peach Nuance. This is a discontinued item which is unfortunate since it is a very wonderful shade. I have a hard time making peaches work on me as they tend to make my skin look dirty, but this one works very well due to the blend of colors I can customize.

EYELIDS
Neutrals mattes are all I have been wearing lately. I have been sticking to a very natural eye. I first apply MAC Groundwork all over my lid and then I blend in some of the mid brown shade in the Smashbox Filter trio into my crease and all along my lower lash line. If I feel like really emphasizing my eyes I'll fluff in some of the darker brown shade into my outer V. The MAC quad I have had forever and I pull out if I want to add some more dimension. The shades I have inside are some of my staples: Brule, Cork, Brun, and Tempting.

LASHES & LASHLINE
If you follow me on Twitter you might remember me complaining about L'Oreal Butterfly mascara. I initially did not care for this mascara at all. I thought it wasn't dramatic enough and did nothing for my lashes. I actually really like it now! I should have known I would eventually come around since like every other L'Oreal mascara I have tried, they get better the longer they are open and used. This isn't the best for volume but it is noticeably great at fanning out and elongating my lashes. For liner I have been adopting a very relaxed attitude about how I apply it. I first put Urban Decay Zero on my upper waterline. I hate Zero, which I have been over before, but using it on the upper water line has been proving to be a great way to use it up. I then pencil in Whiskey along the middle to outer corners of my upper lid, which I smudge and fade into my lid with my finger.

001 book challenge

Over a year ago I challenged myself to read more often. At first I wanted to read the TIME 100 top novel list, but I changed it to picking whatever books that fit my mood to be more realistic. I've been pretty slow in this challenge, but as long as I'm reading something I'm fine with my pace. Here are the books I've managed to read:

Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout: This is an all fluff, no substance teen novel about a human girl that befriends her incognito alien neighbors. She also falls for the bad boy brother alien. If you are in the mood for quick entertainment and don't mind some cringe worthy descriptions, this is for you. I enjoyed it but got bored continuing the series because it felt repetitive.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell: I liked this novel. It's a sweet romance story with characters that aren't your typical main protagonists. I didn't care much for how the book's ending, but let me know what you think about it if you've read it. I enjoy Rainbow's style of writing... so much that I read another book by her (below)

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell: My coworker was reading this and I noticed it was also by Rainbow so I borrowed it to knock out. It has an interesting story line about a man who has a job reading through flagged content emails at a corporate office for security reasons. He begins reading flagged emails between two girl friends and ends up falling for the personality of one of them. I liked this book more than Eleanor & Park. Again, I enjoyed Rainbow's style of writing and feel we share the same humor. I laughed quite a bit at a few parts.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver: A teenage girl that's part of the most popular clique in her high school gets in a car accident and ends up living the same day before the accident over and over again. The main character irritated me quite a bit but I was still able to get into the story. I know a lot of people didn't like the ending of this but I thought it was the most appropriate one.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn: I finally got around to reading this popular book. I've been meaning to ever since it started making headlines. This is one of those books you absolutely can't discuss without giving away spoilers which is a shame because I had a LOT to discuss about after reading it and no one to talk to haha. I'm very very intrigued on how the upcoming movie version will carry the story out!

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead: A quick read if you are in the mood for supernatural YA. Another book where the main character was a bit overbearing but I liked the overall world and setup. I would like to finish out the series eventually. The writing isn't the best but it still has some entertainment merit.

I don't know if you picked up on it, but I've been on a YA kick. Any suggestions on what to read next is always appreciated. I was able to get some great suggestions on twitter that I made note of, so thank you to those that helped me out!

003 thoughts of the week

1. My sister and I purchased a Groupon deal for 20 Crossfit classes. When I go I'll let you guys know if I make it out alive. I don't consider myself to be technically "fit" so I'm absolutely petrified.

2. J.K. Rowling wrote a short story on our beloved characters in the perspective of Rita Skeeter in the future and it is amazing. Albeit, a humongous tease that leaves me wanting more insight into the adults lives of HP, but I know that it should be left to our imaginations as to not taint the series. But seriously, Luna in a robe made of flags?! My heart.

3. Lazy Sundays mean Netflix binging. My recent pick was Parenthood. I have watched this show before but I tapered off and stopped. I felt like watching emotional TV and Parenthood always fills that void. Those damn Bravermans. I'm still early in the series so no spoilers!

4. This past weekend I tried out Rosie's Bulhao Pato Clams and it did not disappoint. It was insanely tasty. A recipe worth saving and trying for sure.

5. What do we think about Bill Gates backing microchip birth control? Honestly a microchip in my body freaks me out (I, Robot anyone?) so I'm firmly passing on this in the future. Can't deny it is a little bit neat though.

6. I watched "The Cider House Rules" the other day. It was a nice film and Charlize Theron is a beautiful goddess...BUT it was very hard for me to concentrate on emotional scenes because the soundtrack is also used in the Pure Michigan commercials. TAINTED.

7. Am I the only one that thinks Jason Segel is looking mighty dashing? View pictures of him at the premiere of his newest movie and decide for yourself. Yes to scruff!

8. Have you guys seen the Sia Chandelier music video? How about Jimmy Kimmel's take?

image source

That wig though

9. This woman tried Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop Diet and documented it. It is hilarious and a must read for a good chuckle. I like clean eating but I'm not sure I can do Gwyneth level eating.

10. These J Brand Coated jeans are on sale and I would 100% purchase them if they had my size. I have been lusting after their coated jeans for quite some time but I'm only willing to stomach the price at a generously discounted price.

lengthy skincare chat

I have had a few thoughts about a few skincare items I have been using as of lately that I wanted to share. I've hit a nice little groove of good skin days for the past few weeks and I believe it is due to my routine so here is what I have discovered.

LA-ROCHE POSAY TOLERIANE FOAMING CLEANSER
Yes, yes if you are a Caroline Hirons reader, foaming cleansers are the devil and all that. I like CH, she gives great skincare advice and insight to the naive but I also am a firm believer in something she has said herself: if something works for you, by all means keep using it. That is how I feel about certain foaming cleansers. Balms and oils are wonderful and all, but nothing gets all the crap off my face quite like a gentle yet thorough foaming cleanser. I picked this La-Roche Posay item up after reading about it so many times on Sandra's blog and I quite agree with her, this is a kick ass cleanser. It is gentle yet cleanses well without over drying. It requires the SMALLEST amount to get a nice rich foam and lather. That always impresses me. It reminds me a lot of Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser, one of my favorite cleansers I have ever used (I miss it too, I probably will get it after I use this guy up). The only difference is the Clarins smells fresher and cleaner. This La-Roche Posay version doesn't really have much of a scent to it. I think this would be best for combo to oily skin as it will balance out your skin nicely. I think normal to dry types will find this too stripping.

CLARINS LOTUS OIL
I know, I did a review on this already and I mentioned it in my night time skincare routine post but I wanted to say one more thing about this: I think this works best ONLY on problem areas and not all over. At least for me. I traveled away over July 4th and I left this behind. My oily areas stroke back with an oily vengeance but my chin area, which has been super prone to hormonal cystic breakouts, was clear as day. I came back from my trip and started using this up again and my chin started getting clogged up and hormonal again. It might just be a coincidence but I've been experimenting by applying this only to my oily areas and skipping out on my normal patches. I have noticed significant clearing up on my chin. Just something to keep in mind and something I found interesting.

PETER THOMAS ROTH MAX COMPLEXION PADS
Speaking of my chin area, let me go into more detail. I haven't had to really deal with bad breakouts in a long time ever since I did the Accutane deal back in high school. Yes I got a few bumps and spots here and there during the hormonal times of the month but nothing that I couldn't zap away with some La-Roche Posay Effaclar Duo. But the past couple months my chin area has been a nightmare! Small bumps, hormonal cystic acne, you name it. It was very frustrating as my normal remedy of Effaclar Duo had no effect on them.

I bought these pads to chemically exfoliate my face at night and to also clear up pesky spots. This worked very well for me. It cleared up my chin in no time. However, it is a VERY strong formula! It took some time for my skin to acclimate. The first time I used it, my skin was in bad shape and quite vulnerable. I swiped a pad over my chin and went to bed. The next day all the spots were dried up and gone, BUT, it left my skin so dry! It was peeling and quite unattractive. I had to rescue my chin with some Avene Soothing Moisture Mask to repair the damage. If you do want to try these out and have sensitive skin, I would be very, very cautious. My skin is used to it now so now it clears breakouts in a breeze without leaving peeling skin behind but I took baby steps to get there. I also cut the pads in half to extend the life of the product. I find half of a pad is more than enough to cover my face.

BOTTOM LINE
Quite a lengthy chat! In summary: La Roche Posay Foaming cleanser is kick ass and recommended for combo to oily skin. Very great at balancing and will last you a while. Very similar to Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser. Clarins Lotus Oil is best for application on only your oily areas, if you have hormonal patches try to skip those parts as I believe it exacerbates the problem. The Peter Thoomas Roth Pads are really great at clearing up stubborn breakouts but are quite strong so if your skin is prone to peeling I wouldn't risk it unless you are desperate. Phew. Any skincare bits you have been enjoying lately?

current blush rotation: brights

For me this summer has been all about obnoxiously bright blushes. If you have been a reader of mine for a while, you know I am a huge fan of outrageously pigmented blushes. Yes, they do require some extra time and tenderness when it comes to application, but to me the extra effort is 100% worth it for the effect and longevity. I have been completely uninterested in subtle blush hues and instead very much obsessed with my bright choices. My current blush rotation:

NARS DESIRE

Surprise, surprise NARS Desire makes the rotation cut. I've professed my love for this blush for ages on my blog so I'll try to keep it short and sweet; a shocking, bright pink that always manages to flatter my warm skin tone no matter the season. Can turn a bit ruddy on some skin tones so it isn't for everyone but I always recommend people to try it on. A staple shade for me.

Desire in action. MAC Angel on the lips.

CARGO LAGUNA

Laguna is an extremely underrated blush that NO ONE ever talks about. This is unfortunate as I love this shade. I would say it makes my top ten favorite blushes (a list/post I am scared to do because it will make me confront my blush problem). It looks like a cheeto orange shade in the pan but on the cheeks it sheers out to the most lovely peach shade. This is coming from a gal who has a hard time working peach blushes.

Laguna in action. Burberry Copper Lip Mist on the lips.

NARS EXHIBIT A

Lovers of Exhibit A would describe it as cherry tomato red while the more mean spirited might go as far to call this "clown cheeks red". This shade is another favorite of mine. I think this is the scariest blush to look at in the pan which is quite contrary to how it looks on the face. Really great for minimal makeup looks as a light dusting on the cheek bones gives the most natural flush possible.

Exhibit A in action. NARS Dolce Vita on the lips.

MILANI BELLA ROSA

If I'm being honest I would have to say that lately Bella Rosa has been my most reached for blush out of all my bright choices. I find myself saying, "Kelly, you really should show some love to your other blushes today" and then next thing I know, I'm reaching for this little pot five days in a row. Such a drugstore gem that shouldn't be overlooked. There are more pictures of this HERE when I gave it its own post.

Bella Rosa in action. Revlon Pink Pop gloss on the lips.

SWATCHES

NARS Exhibit A, CARGO Laguna, Milani Bella Rosa, NARS Desire

All shades are matte, which is something I prefer with such strong colors. I use a NARS Yachiyo for application. I have mixed feelings about this brush. It applies pigmented blushes so wonderfully since the tapered shape and flexible handle helps with precise control BUT it sheds on my face like crazy. It is also expensive. If I could turn back time I wouldn't have purchased this due to the shedding. When it reaches the end of its life I plan to invest in the Hakuhodo version.