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.

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...

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.

this, not that

Lately I have noticed that a few steps in my beauty routine were taking a new direction. Instead of my tried and true application methods, I have been discovering new ways of packing on the products for a little change. One of the greatest things about the beauty world is how it is ever changing and never boring. Nothing is permanent or stagnant.

CONCEALING

I visited my parents last weekend and remembered to pack my Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage concealer but neglected to toss in its usual partner, the Real Techniques Detailer brush. I had previously been using these paired together exclusively since the small synthetic head of the brush was great for pinpointing spots, much better than my stubby fingers. I didn't pack my Detailer brush, but I did pack my Essence of Beauty Smokey Wide Duo brush.

This is one of my most loved brushes due to the wide shader side; it is perfect for applying those all over the lid eye shadow shades. I entirely ignored the smaller domed head side as it wasn't stiff enough for my liking to smoke out shadows. But for concealing? It was made for it. Its packed flexible bristles makes the stiff consistency of Secret Camouflage blend out into a workable thin layer that covers up spots much better than the pin pointing I was previously doing. Sorry Detailer, looks like there's a new girl in town and I don't think she will be surpassed.

EYE LINING

My previous eye lining routine consisted of framing out my outer portion of the eye with a flick of L'Oreal Lineur Intense. Although I can do this quicker than average compared to other liner methods, I still wanted something quicker. So I turned to using Smashbox Filter eye shadow trio paired with MAC 214 smudging brush. I pack on the dark brown shade close to my upper lashes and then blend it out with MAC 217 to add some soft definition. I like this look for day time as it is looks more natural and eye opening than winged liner. Plus it gives me a reason to use up this darn shade in this trio. Dark eye shadows are so hard to hit pan on.

MASCULINITY

This is something I have been obsessed with. Instead of reaching for a feminine fragrance, like Victor & Rolf Flowerbomb, I have been spritzing on Hermes Terre D'Hermes. I had this little gem sitting in my dish that holds all my perfume samples and randomly sprayed it on one day and fell in love. I rushed home to get a better look and on closer inspection I was surprised to see it was actually a men's fragrance. I am slowly spinning into a panic because I only have a sample size and am going through it quickly.

My favorite place to spray this is actually in my hair! I have read this isn't the best place to spray fragrances because the alcohols can dry out your hair but since I only do a couple small bursts I don't see the harm. It is certainly the longest lasting place since my hair retains the woody cedar aroma for more than 24 hours. I would be willing to bet this would be absolutely irresistible with men's skin chemistry, but for now I'm too obsessed with it on myself to test that theory out.

nars gilda

I have a lot of choices when it comes to blush. So much that I tend to neglect many of them. Because of this, I've been trying out a new strategy of plucking 2-3 shades from my drawer and putting them in my daily makeup holder so I can rotate their use for at least a couple months. This helps use up product and it gives me a chance to get to show some love to whatever shades I picked for that rotation. Win win, right?

One of the blushes I currently have in use is NARS Gilda. I actually put this in my rotation to stop myself from buying all of the Final Cut blushes as it seemed along the same lines. I must admit, I rarely reached for this in the past. I was first interested in the shade a few years ago due to BlushingPixie on YouTube. She mentioned it was one of her favorites and every time she wore in in videos it made her complexion look beautiful. So I promptly bought it, tried it on, and wasn't moved by it so it stayed hidden in the back of my row of NARS compacts.

After using it this past month, I have changed my tune. It is really an underrated color. I use a Real Techniques Blush Brush to apply. Gilda isn't crazy pigmented but it also isn't too tame that I need multiple layers. A generous fluff on the brush and sweep across the cheeks and I'm done. Satisfying for fast blush appliers and pigmentation lovers alike.

In the pan the shade is your typical matte peachy pink shade that you can find in any brand. On my skin however, it completely changes and shows not even a hint of pink. It is a very distinct peach. Bizarre. This is probably why I wasn't originally won over with it. I have discovered that my most loved blush shades tend to be neutrals (like CARGO Tonga) or some variation of pink (NARS Desire). Peaches get ignored. I believe this is because I have such a hard time making them work on me. They either make my skin look dirty or are too jarring.

Gilda is a very gentle shade. It is one of those colors that isn't in your face but makes your skin look nicer than it really is. It's nice to finally have a blush that instills some hope in peach blush for me. Maybe I was being too harsh with MAC Melba and Peaches (both shades I own and rarely reach for...because, peach).

NARS Gina is very similar but leans more orange. I do not own it but I do remember going back and forth on which shade to try because they share tones. NARS Amour is also comparable but has more pink in it. I like Amour more than Gilda, unsurprisingly, as it actually shows up as a peachy pink on my skin. Danielle has excellent swatch comparisons of Amour and Gilda if you wanted to see for yourself.

Overall I'm glad I gave Gilda another chance. It is a joy to wear due to its ease and natural effect. Peach lovers will dig it, though you probably have a shade very close to it already. Admittedly, isn't the most unique shade ever made but it is indeed a staple.

SN: Can you believe NARS blushes are $30 USD now?! I remember when they were $25. Sad days ahead when it pushes past $30...

failproof favorites

Ever since I can remember, favorites have been difficult for me. When people ask, "What's your favorite song?" or "What's your favorite color?" or even "What is your favorite food?" I am at a loss at what to respond with since I love variety and my tastes expand across all different genres. This is no different when it comes to beauty products. That's why when I declare something to be my favorite, it is a pretty big deal.

I wanted to focus today's post on a couple products I used recently that made me realize just how much I love them. I'm talking I-want-these-in-my-makeup-stash-at-all-times love. They never disappoint whenever I use them and always look flattering on me.

THE GEMS

NARS DESIRE BLUSH
This looks completely scary and intimidating in the pan. But trust me when I say that when worn sheerly and applied lightly, it is absolutely stunning. The texture is dry and the finish is matte so a fluffy brush works best with this. The lasting power is outstanding; I will apply this in the beginning of my day and have minimal fading by the time of removal. I have nothing bad to say about this blush but I do have a word of caution: I don't think it suits everyone. It is such a shocking pink shade that I think it potentially could make some golden skintones look ruddy and red instead of freshly flushed. I would definitely try this on in person before purchasing.

MAC SABLE EYE SHADOW
While I don't think MAC makes the best eye shadows on the market, no one can deny they have probably the most extensive variety of colors. I think everyone who initially comes across MAC in store is awestruck/overwhelmed by the rows upon rows of shades available. This is one of the gems in those rows. Sable is a shimmering plummy bronze. I tend to wear this shade when I know I am going to special events or if I am being photographed. I would consider it a neutral with a twist since the plumminess adds a little something extra without being too loud or colorful. It looks wonderful on brown eyes.

SWATCHES
IN ACTION

These are my security blanket products. When all else fails, I know these products won't. Desire is actually a product my older sister loves and declared recently that she never wants to be without it. Now that is some serious love. What are your failproof favorites?

summer changes: current favorites

I'm not one to do monthly favorites as I think it is unrealistic for me to have a whole new set of items at the end of each month that I can deem as most loved. I also have been TRYING to get into the routine life which makes having monthly favorites even more problematic. That being said, I do randomly get beauty fixations where I reach for certain products and can't seem to deviate towards anything else. And with my frequent encounter with the sun lately, my skin has tanned up causing me to change up my routine. So what have I been loving lately?

SUMMER BASE
Since gaining some color I had to switch up my foundation in order to match me. YSL Teint Resist Foundation not only matches me best at the moment, but it has such great lasting power and oil control. I do have to blot once throughout my day, like normal for my oily skin type, but even so my makeup still stays intact and looks untouched. It has controllable coverage but I would describe it overall as medium. The finish is also really great, not quite matte or dewy, more skin like. Too bad YSL discontinued this as I think it is quite nice.

BRONZE ROSE BLUSHES
I have been obsessed with tawny rose blushes lately. They look super natural with my newly tanned skin while adding some depth to my face. The two blushes I keep reaching for is NARS Lovejoy and Rock & Republic Lust. They are similar in color with Lust being a bit rosier than Lovejoy. Lust also requires a bit more blending since it is so pigmented and has a rougher texture. Both have a fine, golden shimmer running throughout it but it isn't noticeable on the skin.

SMUDGE PROOF LINER
I have been completely ditching my kohl liners in favor of MAC Blacktrack Fluidline, for both lining my lids and waterline. I never used to be bothered with gel liners as they seemed like much more work since you need a brush. But I think once you get a routine down, it isn't much of a hassle. Plus the budge proof results are worth it! This never falls down under my lash line, something I really appreciate since I am used to having to touch up during my day so I don't look raccoon-like. I also like how once applied it doesn't set immediately so I am able to softly smoke out the line if desired.

APPROPRIATE LID SHADE
My go to all over lid shade used to be MAC Brule. Lately I just haven't been feeling it. With my skin color deepening it looked too stark and dull. I switched it out for MAC Arena which suits me MUCH better. It isn't matte like Brule but it also isn't metallic. It has quite a refined shimmer to it that melds into my skin tone beautifully and subtly. I think if you are very cool toned or very pale you might not care for this shade as I would think it would show up too orange on you. If you are medium to dark and warmed skinned, you should check it out! Quite an underrated shadow from MAC.

Face: YSL Teint Resist, Dior Lifting Sculpting Concealer, LM Secret Camouflage, NARS Pressed Light Reflecting Powder, NARS Lovejoy, LM Spellbound

Eyes: MAC Arena, Smashbox Trio in Filter, MAC Tempting, MAC Blacktrack Fluidline, Prestige My Blackest Lashes

Lips: Revlon Life's A Peach gloss

CLOSER LOOK

What has been your go to summer look lately? Also, I am curious to know what your favorite tawny rose blushes are. Sound off in the comments! I am quite obsessed and would love to hear your top shades...

reaching for old favorites

Sometimes as a beauty obsessed junkie I push aside older tried and true products for the likes of newer and more exciting ones. But there comes a time after the novelty wears off where I rummage through my drawer and get a flicker of what used to be. That is what my makeup routine has been like lately; using products that have been good to me in the past which has earned them the prestige title of being a favorite for life.

For my base I have been using up my samples of Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation. The staying power is unbelievable, even withstanding the summer heat and the sweating/oiliness that goes along with it. It is very full coverage so I remedy this by mixing it with Becca Moonstone and my CeraVe moisturizer to make a more realistic skin-like finish. I actually prefer the look and feel of the Double Wear Light version since it isn't as heavy and still retains the superb lasting power. For my cheeks I have been using MAC Warm Soul Mineralized blush. This is definitely one of my top five favorite blushes I have ever tried. Huge statement from me since I am such a blush fiend and have a hard time picking favorites. It gives such subtle warmth to the face and is effortlessly natural. I have seen this shade on practically all complexions across the board and it looks stunning every time. You can see it on me HERE and see comparison swatches of it HERE.

My lips have been loving Revlon Life's A Peach Super Lustrous Gloss, a shade which has unfortunately been discontinued. Natty found a great alternative in L'Oreal Strawberry Smoothie Color Juice Gloss if you wanted to try out the color. I will definitely be sad to see this color used up. It adds just the right amount of youthful peachiness without looking orange or frosty. It doesn't hurt that I have always been a fan of Revlon's Super Lustrous Gloss formula due to it being thin and comfortable without losing pigmentation. As for lashes, I have started up using Prestige My Blackest Lashes again. I believe this mascara will be in my makeup routine for life, or at least until they stop making it. Inky black lashes with sick volume in only one coat. I'm telling you, this mascara and L'Oreal Voluminous have me spoiled with their one-coat-is-sufficient formulas. Who has time for two coaters?

What are some of your old favorites that you rely on and plan to keep in your makeup routine for life?

the summer switch up

Although it isn't officially summer, it sure has felt otherwise with all the sunny clear skies and grilling smells in the air. This time of the year calls for me to switch up my color palette (and even texture palette) to fit in with the vibrant thing that is SUMMER.

SUMMER ESSENTIALS

I was using Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation but I have switched it out in favor of Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation which has much better lasting power and has a more realistic skin-like finish. Pulling this out has reminded me how much I love this foundation. If only it weren't so damn expensive! In the beginnings of summer before it gets too sweaty out, I tend to pull out creamier products. Although I have oily skin, I find powder feels too much and cream feels freer and thinner on the skin. I have been swirling my Sephora Platinum 55 Brush into my Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base for bronzer. I think this brush and product were meant to be used together since every other brush I have tried with it doesn't give me nearly the same great results.

Cheek wise I have been obsessed with my Bobbi Brown Pot Rouges (old packaging) in Cabo Coral and Calypso Coral. I haven't stopped wearing them for the past few weeks and I don't think I'll be switching it up any time soon. If I had to pick one, Cabo would definitely win. It is peachier and seems to meld into my skin tone more naturally. An honorable mention goes out to NARS Turks and Caicos Multiple Tint which is always a favorite of mine during the summer. It has a very thin gel texture and although the tube is bright, when swatched it is very subtle. It works best on bare or tacky skin (no powder!) so it is favorite of mine for beach days. Unfortunately all of these items besides Calypso Coral were limited edition, the best things always are! D: Blogsales or careful MakeupAlley swapping are your best bet since these are pretty hard to find anywhere else.

SWATCHES

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: CALYPSO CORAL, CABO CORAL, TURKS & CAICOS

For lips, you guys know I have been obsessed with orange-reds lately. I have been slicking on L'Oreal Shine Caresse in Coral Tattoo pretty often. The texture is so light and easy to apply. I still highly recommend this line. You can see Coral Tattoo on me HERE. I also pulled out MAC Vegas Volt which is a orangey coral that has a slight pastel quality to it that keeps it from being too bright and loud.

WEARING VEGAS VOLT

And finally nails. What nail polish addict can leave out their summer favorite nail colors? Neons are definitely an obsession of mine during summer. My favorites are China Glaze Shocking Pink for my mani and China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy for my pedi. I love the shades so much that once they chip, I remove and reapply! That is very rare for me since I own so much polish and like to give all shades some love. I will say that the wear time for these particular China Glaze shades is quite abysmal. A couple days and I get substantial chipping and wear. Just shows how much I love the shades since I put up with it!

What is your summer switch up? What are your summer time essentials?

the basics: products I have hit pan on

THE STAPLES

I think I speak for beauty bloggers everywhere when I say that hitting pan on a product is a big deal. At first it seemed to be a rare occurrence to me since I enjoy variety and like to switch things up in my makeup routine. But as I get older and lazier I have started to stick to a certain routine for my base makeup (for the most part) causing me to be able to see the shiny pan marking the beginning of the end of a product. These are the products I currently have hit pan on. Some are absolute staples and are used almost if not every day while others are just stuck in my routine and I am determined to use it up.

MAYBELLINE DREAM MATTE POWDER
Not an absolute favorite but I certainly think it is a decent product. I haven't dabbled much in powders if I am being honest, the only other powder I have used is the MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural which I like more than this. But, like I said, I think this is a decent product especially for being inexpensive. It doesn't feel or look cakey and it takes away shine. It doesn't keep oil at bay for long but for the price point this is at I don't think that is a deal breaker. I would repurchase this if I was in a pinch and needed something quick.

SMASHBOX PHOTO OP TRIO IN FILTER
This is a staple product for me. I think these trios are seriously underrated in the beauty community. The texture is spectacular, the packaging is compact and this particular color option is invaluable. The brule-like color matches me so well, it just blends right into my skin tone, so of course it is the first color I hit pan on. I usually apply the cream color all over the lid then blend a mixture of the medium brown (similar to MAC Cork or Wedge) and dark brown (similar to MAC Brun or Espresso) into my crease and outer corner. This is a no-brainer item. I would definitely repurchase and prefer this over my MAC counterparts.

NARS ORGASM/LAGUNA DUO
NARS Laguna, one of the most talked about beauty items ever. Some hate it, some love it, some feel neutral. I would say I am in between the love it and neutral ground. I like Laguna and I would repurchase it. I reach for this compact for two reasons: nights out and traveling. I feel like Laguna looks best for nights out or events since it isn't matte. It isn't sparkly but I do think it adds a certain glow. I also always have this in my travel makeup bag when I go on trips. Having a blush/bronzer duo makes everything easier for travel.

MAC CREAM COLOR BASE IN HUSH
I featured this in my highlighter collection post so if you want to see swatches feel free to check that it out. This is a favorite amongst MAC artists and I can see why. It makes skin look really healthy and it blends seamlessly. Hush has a peachy tone making it look skin-like and not harsh the way some champagne or white highlighters can be. This also is great for pairing up with powder highlighters if you want to make your highlight really stand out. A favorite combo of mine is this with NARS Albatross on top, something I normally pull out for special events.

MAC TEMPTING EYE SHADOW
This shade holds a bit of nostalgia for me since it was the first MAC shadow I ever purchased. It is a lustre finish which is the known finish in the MAC eye shadow world for being a nightmare. Tempting however is the exception to the known. It is richly pigmented without the fallout. When I first started using it I would just blend this out all over the lid and call it good. I now only do that when i feel like rocking a smokey eye. On a daily basis I usually smudge this over my bottom lash line since the shimmers make it look pretty.

I am happy I have this little set of items that I have hit pan on and can consider staples. I hope to add a blush to this at one point but since I am a blush fiend it is so hard to stick to one blush. What do you consider staples? Do you have quite a few items you have hit pan on?

king of all taupes - le metier de beaute corinthian

i must admit, i never understood the fascination with taupe eye shadows. i knew they were popular and i could appreciate the beautiful mixes of grey, purple and brown but i never fully appreciated how wonderful they were on the eye.

i blame my initial deduction on mac's satin taupe. i swatch satin taupe, i see it on other people, i even blindly see it compared with other shades on blogs and automatically pick it as my favorite before reading the caption, but this shade does not flatter me. for some reason when i wear satin taupe, it makes me look TIRED. it is so strange and so frustrating since it swatches and wears so beautifully on others.

anyway, long rant aside, i fell head first into loving taupe after receiving the urban decay pony palette as a gift from my sister. and the rest, as they say, is history. in the pony palette is my beloved shade, 'toasted'. i have long professed my love for UD's toasted. it has started a frenzy within me to try every taupe known to man. i can say taupe is my favorite shade to wear out of all eyeshadow shades. it is so easy to blend all over the lid paired with a little black liner smudge into the lash line.

seeing as i fell in love with taupe, i had to try out le metier de beaute's corinthian. it is too well known and back ordered too often for me to pass up owning it. i finally got my hands on it and thought i'd compare it to my other taupe shades and give my thoughts.

TAUPE COMPARISON

left to right: mac satin taupe, theBalm insane jane, LMdB 'spectacle' from the le cirque kaleidoscope, LMdB corinthian, UD toasted, burberry midnight brown, mac sable

from left to right the shades go from cool toned to warm toned. the closest to corinthian i would say is UD toasted and satin taupe but there is no exact match. satin taupe is cooler and has a murky purple base. corinthian has more of a warm and brown base, just like toasted but i would say toasted is warmer and has much less purple.

comparing taupes has been tremendous help in figuring out if a taupe will work for me or not! the warmer the taupe the more likely it will suit me. anything too cool starts to make me look tired and is just overall unflattering. i have a hard time with theBalm's insane jane and mac satin taupe for this very reason. mac's sable is one of my favorites and it is very warm, the warmest taupe in my collection in fact.

ON THE EYE

corinthian has the perfect mix of coolness and warmth. i would tout it as the king of all taupes in my collection. the texture, shade, and longevity of the shadow is spectacular. i have no regrets picking this up even though i had plenty of other taupes to work with already.

FULL FACE

on another note, i picked up another nars sheer lipstick in mayflower which is what i am wearing above. i still love nars dolce vita more but this is a nice switch up from my routine.

SWATCHES: mayflower on left, dolce vita on right

mayflower is definitely more pigmented and a more neutral pink. with dolce vita, i always think of a fleshy toned natural color. mayflower isnt as natural and isnt as...fleshy. but i still enjoy it and have been using it everyday since ive bought it.

so, do you guys hate me yet for not posting often enough? :P i am trying to get into the blogging flow and get my butt of out my unofficial blog hiatus so expect more posts from me these next few days :) hope you all are well!

april favorites

time for april favorites. i left out a few products because i mentioned them in my last favorites post. plus i am falling into a bit of a routine with my daily makeup which is unheard of for me! but i am welcoming this change with open arms as it helps me use up products.

FACE

KOH GEN DO FOUNDATION
i promise i will do a full review of this soon! i have used it long enough to give my thoughts so as soon as i have good lighting to take face pictures i will post up a review.

DIORSKIN SCUPT CONCEALER
i am not in love with this. i dont hate it though. i have been using this everyday since i picked it up from sephora. i like the texture and the coverage is decent but it is very easy to use too much causing creasing. i have tried blending it out with a brush and my fingers and i prefer my fingers as using a brush blends most of the product away. i dont think i would repurchase this but i dont regret picking it up. i want to pick up another concealer/corrector to pair up with this. my eye is on the armani master corrector.

NARS DESIRE
one of my absolute favorite blushes in my collection. the nice spring weather inspired me to pull this out. this looks equally as flattering on tan skin as it does pale skin and you only need the tiniest amount to add a flush of color. i highly recommend this shade, it is a staple for me. if you want to see swatches, check out my nars collection post

MAC STEREO ROSE + BOBBI BROWN CALYPSO CORAL POT ROUGE
remember my review on stereo rose? i mentioned in the review that i would test out stereo rose on top of another blush instead of wearing it solo. this combination is BEAUTIFUL. if you have been a reader of mine for some time you know i absolutely love bobbi brown's pot rouges (collection/swatches post HERE). they redid the packaging recently and luckily this shade is still in the line up. i was so in love with the combination that i instagramed (username: kellyyes) a picture wearing it:

wearing stereo rose and calypso coral

not the best picture because of the filter but trust me when i say it is very lovely!

EYES

LE METIER DE BEAUTE LE CIRQUE KALEIDOSCOPE
i have been loving this kaleidoscope because of the tier 2 color, a silvery taupe. i am still in my one-eyeshadow-paired-with-smudged-feline phase. this color is very beautiful but has a tad bit of sparkle particles which i wish didnt exist. regardless it is such an effortless shade to slap on the eye and go. this just fuels my want for LMdB's corinthian. i did a post on this kaleidoscope HERE.

BURBERRY PALE BARLEY
yes, yes, i finally got this shade. it lives up to its reputation. incredible staying power, pigmentation, and texture. it is flattering enough to wear on its own but i like to add a bit of edge to the color by deepening my outer v with a dark brown. i wore this out during my birthday paired with some black eyeshadow for a smokier look and it was wonderful. highly recommend, even though it is pricey

COMPARISON

pale barley on left, mac patina on right. very similar but patina is bit darker and pale barley is a bit softer and blends into the skin easier

LIPS & FRAGRANCE

DIOR ADDICT EXTREME in INCOGNITO
i have decided i am happy with this product. i definitely recommend trying this shade on before buying though. the formula is comfortable and non drying. i love wearing this when i am wearing a taupe on my eyes. very sultry. i want to pick up another shade but i am unsure which i will pick. i am wearing this lipstick in my last post HERE.

NARS DOLCE VITA
pretty much HG for me. perfect balance of sheerness and color. fleshy, natural color. thumbs up. i am wearing dolce vita in THIS post.

CHANEL CHANCE EAU FRAICHE
lovely scent. i tried switching it up this month by wearing D&G light blue but i missed this too much so i switched back to this again.

and that is all for this month. im ready for summer, how about you? i hope you are all happy and have a great weekend!

february favorites

it's that time...favorites time. i usually only post these every now and then when im in the mood. february was a trying month, i accumulated so many new products.

FACE


MAYBELLINE DREAM MATTE POWDER
this is ok. it is the only powder that matches me at the moment so i have been using it daily. oil control isnt the best. i wont repurchase as i have my eye on chanel's loose powder which is supposed to be very good.

CHANEL SOLEIL TAN DE CHANEL
very lovely product. hard cream consistency, effortlessly natural looking. i have been using a mac 130 for this along my cheekbones and forehead.

ESTEE LAUDER MODERN MERCURY
recently bought this off my friend Hieu who i have mentioned many times before here on my blog. he found he never used this and he knew how much i much i was kicking myself for not picking it up when i had the chance. it is so gorgeous. this has been my highlighter of choice. i have yet to try using it on the eyes...

KORRES FACE PRIMER DELUXE SAMPLE
ive had this sample from sephora for forever. i always neglected it but i decided it was time to use it up. i use it more out of habit really. ill give my thoughts on it next items used up post i do...

EYES


URBAN DECAY TOASTED SHADOW
this is hands down one of my top eye shadows ever. remember how i said i was in a one shadow only mood? this has been my top choice all month. i have this shade in my pony palette and my naked one as well so i doubt ill run out anytime soon. when i do i am getting the single...

i also wore this shadow in this picture that got quite a few compliments on twitter and instagram:


i am only wearing toasted and some feline smudge at the top and bottom lashline. so simple but everyone seemed to like it. i believe i am wearing mac's earth to earth blush here...

MAC FELINE LINER
normally i wouldn't include this since i use this everyday (can you tell? look at how small the pencil is!) on my waterline and it is just a staple to me. but i thought i would mention it because normally i use liquid liner to line my top lid. this whole month i have been messily applying feline on my top lid and smudging it out with a mac 219/my fingers. ive been favoring this because it is easy and i am out of liquid liner. thinking about getting illmasqua precision ink or lancome art liner. which do you guys think i should try?

SN: look at the cap to this! so cracked and ugly and i am not even rough with it. unfortunately mac's packaging is so flimsy and cheap that it breaks very easily. i hate that aspect.

URBAN DECAY PRIMER POTION
another item i normally neglect. i tend to gravitate to my mac paint pots but lately i keep reaching for this. probably because i feel the need to use it up. i like this primer. i have tried TFSI and i like that equally as well. i hear from a lot of people that UDPP dries out their lids. i do not have that problem. not sure if i would repurchase this though since i want to test out the nars smudge proof primer.

SMASHBOX TRIO IN FILTER
i never hear anything about these little trios from smashbox. this is actually my sister's, she has about three different shades of these trios and has hit pan on the other two. i wonder why these arent well known because the quality is absolutely excellent. extremely pigmented and smooth. my sister travels for a living so she leaves a lot of makeup behind. luckily for me she left this and i was curious. on the few days this month i didnt want to wear a taupe, i used this. superior to mac (almost any other mid range brand is, or so i think). the colors are very similar to mac's brule, cork, and expresso i would say.

CHEEKS
noticing a trend this month, almost all boring neutral shades!

NARS LOVEJOY
shimmering browned rose. lovely. universally flattering shade, hard to mess up.

BURBERRY RUSSET
when looking at burberry makeup ads, this is the color they use on the models. how can you resist this shade knowing that?!? i love the heart of burberry's theme when it comes to makeup. naturally YOU but enhanced just so, if that makes any sense? need more burberry (copper lip mist, pale barley eye shadow, tangerine blush gahh.) this shade is similar to lovejoy, but lovejoy is a bit rosier and russet is more honey toned.

NARS MOUNIA
sadly discontinued. i LOVE this shade. absolutely love it. i have no idea why nars would remove this from their line. when i wasnt being boring wearing a nude blush, i wore this. i believe the description nars used for this shade was cinnamon coral. a bit odd i feel since mounia does not remind me of cinnamon, it has too much purple in it. regardless it is stunning and if you ever see it again snatch it up.

MAC EARTH TO EARTH
i went more in depth with this blush HERE.

HAIR


MOROCCAN OIL LUMINOUS HAIR SPRAY
the hold is decent, i dont think this is particularly luminous, but the SMELL. oh the smell. so delicious. i would repurchase this just because of that. i also like how this doesnt build up in my hair, even after multiple days of use and not washing my hair.

BIG SEXY HAIR POWDER PLAY
this is a hair texturizer and it is supposed to also add volume. this is a really neat product. it is a fine powder that you sprinkle in your roots and shimmy your hands through to work it in. it works very well at adding volume. only a small amount is needed for the desired effect. very easy to overdo though so be careful. adding too much makes your hair a bit sticky and prone to knots (talking from experience here, whoops)

SUAVE HEAT PROTECTANT
this also smells really good. i think i prefer this over the tresemme one. the product sprays out nice and finely. and it is cheap!

that's all for this month...

hope you all had a happy leap year day and didn't get into too much trouble :P

summer essentials

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products im loving episode 1

i wanted to a quick post on a couple items i have been using like crazy and have been loving!

big sexy hair hairspray
this is the travel version (so i can take it with me when i am in costa rica next week!) but i also have the full verison. so before i review this product i should describe my hair:

naturally very curly, very dry, prone to frizz, hard to straighten, does NOT hold a curl for long (with a standard drugstore iron, it lasts about 20 minutes! with a high end iron a couple hours), i have thin strands of hair but lots of it so i have medium volume overall. i can not brush my hair dry (frizzy disaster) and i can not blow dry my hair without a diffuser and some sort of product incorporated in my hair (again, frizz ball).

i have tried many different types of drugstore hairspray (tressume, garnier, herbal essences, pantene pro v to name a few), and seriously none of them do anything for my hair! for me, the purpose of hairspray is to hold the curls i make with an iron and most importantly, to add tons of volume. i dont care much about if it has the ability to be brushed out or not. with this hairspray, i get these results:

fluffed and ready.

this is the best hairspray i have ever tried. i am seriously in love with it. it adds so much volume to my hair! i usually use it after teasing my crown as well as when i spray at my overall roots and fluff my hair to give even more volume.

the only con i could see this hairspray having is it can get a bit stiff and hard if you go overboard, but that is easy to avoid (just don't spray too much ladies!). it also has your expected hairspray scent, but i dont find it to linger long. i absolutely love this hairspray and i would definitely buy it again. i havent dabbled too much in higher end hairsprays so you ladies will have to tell me your favorite ones! please share what is your favorite, i'd love to know.

btw i also used this hairspray in THIS post as well as in THIS post.

physicians formula shimmer strips in vegas strip
this is something i've had buried in my sea of makeup and had forgotten all about it. i randomly decided to use it last week and i continue to keep reaching for it.

it is not by all means a must have product, but it is a very decent one. i have been using the lighter end for both highlighting (inner corners of eyes, cheekbones, bridge of nose, cupids bow...) and the darker end as an all over eye color for busy weeks (like i have been having lately). it is a shimmery/frosty finish, so if that isnt your thing i would avoid this. it is subtle though. ive been wearing this with a bit of blush, mascara, and lip gloss and im out the door.

a subtle shimmer that still looks natural. im only wearing the shimmer strip and voluminous mascara here!

another good thing with this product is it looks SO beautiful swirled all together and dusted all over the shoulders, neck, and arm area for nights out or special occasions. that is what i primarily used it for before i discovered it recently!

so those are the two things i have been using like crazy. what are you loving? and dont forget to leave your fave hairspray recommendations!