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.

recent skincare heroes (and zero)

Picking and choosing skincare items to incorporate into your routine can be a gamble. Will you break out? Will it clean thoroughly enough? Will it improve or maintain your skin's current health? Should you pick a budget friendly option or splurge on a more expensive option? Maybe I am the only one that over thinks skincare purchases, but I believe the skin is most definitely a worthy investment and worth the drawn out thought process.

Recently I have won out in this gamble since there are a couple new skincare heroes that I have been really digging. I have also bumped into a skincare zero but I'm not complaining too loudly. Two out of three, the odds are still in my favor.

HEROES
I bought the Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser half hoping I wouldn't be wowed by it because it costs $45 USD. Well that was a failed attempt because it is a pretty awesome cleanser. I have noticed my pores on my nose and inner cheeks have been flushed out and I haven't had any new breakouts whatsoever. I'm waiting to see if this good bout of skin will last before giving this cleanser my full praise but so far it has me impressed. And yet I am appalled at myself that I like a $45 cleanser so much! Ack what have I done...

I originally purchased this La Roche Posay Mela-D Pigment Control Serum as a gift for my mother as she has sun spots she wants to be rid of. Turns out she was allergic to this so she gave it back to me to return. I figured I might as well give it a go to see if it has any effect on my hyper-pigmentation. This smells straight up like alcohol, which makes sense as unfortunately it is the second highest ingredient. The horrible scent evaporates after a few seconds (thankfully) and this sinks in quickly with no stickiness.

I think both these items paired together has made a real difference in my skin complexion. Or perhaps only one of them is responsible for the healthy skin. I can't be sure as I started using them at the same time. If I didn't have such bad acne scars I would totally forgo foundation since my skin has been looking really clear and radiant. We will see if they can battle my hormonal acne, that would have me shouting my love from the rooftops.

ZERO
The lone zero: Murad T-Zone Pore Refining Gel. This smells decent enough and has a nice gel texture that absorbs quickly. I really wanted to make this work but I had to stop using it. It was making my skin feel and look very congested. I used this at night and woke up looking hideously oily like my poor pores had been working over time during the night. I tried using a small amount, a large amount, only a couple times a week to no avail. Not for me! I stopped using it and immediately my skin felt relieved. I have over half a bottle left and I don't know what to do with it. I wouldn't feel comfortable giving it to anyone since I don't recommend it or believe in it.

Have you had any skincare woes lately? Or have you found something that has really made a difference in your skin? I hope the latter. I am going to live up this new complexion of mine until every last drop of the expensive items are gone. Beauty really is pain, but in this case a pain in my wallet...

009 items I'm lusting over

Time for another episode of items I'm lusting over. What products are currently taking up space in my brain at the moment? Half skincare, half makeup. Surprising to me since my wishlist items used to be all/mostly makeup...

CLINIQUE HIGH IMPACT EXTREME VOLUME MASCARA
This is one of those items that I feel like I have read about from quite a few blogs that I follow but I can't for the life of me remember who the bloggers are. Recently Sandra did a review but I know I read about it elsewhere. Has anyone else tried this mascara? I am quite curious about Clinique's makeup. I have never tried anything besides a chubby lip stick.

CLARINS INSTANT EYE MAKEUP REMOVER
Currently I do not need an eye makeup remover as I have more than half of my bottle of Bioderma left but I am very interested in trying out Clarin's version. I am pretty skeptical when it come to higher end removers. I blame this on Lancome's Bi Facil, which I find mediocre. Still, I can't help but want to see what the hubbub about this is.

L'OREAL TRUE MATCH SUPER BLENDABLE CRAYON CONCEALER
I have heard this is very creamy with great coverage and decent lasting power. I plan to pick this up eventually, I just can't justify adding another concealer to my stash since I already have plenty to choose from.

ORIGINS DRINK UP 10 MINUTE MASK
I'm on the hunt to find a moisturizing mask to fill in the third step of the triple threat facial so that I can try out another round. This Origins mask seems to be a universal favorite in the beauty blogging world. I am a bit afraid to try it out because of my oily skin type; I don't want to feel too greasy. But I figure that since it is a 10 minute treatment it shouldn't be too intensive. If you have oily skin and have used this, I'd love to hear your input.

LAURA MERCIER SPELLBOUND HIGHLIGHTER
Ugh this item has been the bane of my existence (very dramatic, I know). There are probably about 10 reviews out there that I scolded to myself to avoid reading but I clicked on them anyway because apparently I'm a glutton for punishment. I seriously DO NOT need another highlighter but this keeps popping up in my newsfeed and blogroll making it very hard to resist. It being a limited edition item does not make matters easier since I have a known weakness for LE items. I might check to see if this is at my local Macy's. If it isn't available there I will take that as a sign I wasn't meant to own it.

CLINQUE TAKE THE DAY OFF CLEANSING BALM
Cleansing balms are something that I am curious about but am only mildly interested in. I think it is because I love oil cleansers so much and the balm texture seems like more work. I have never used one but was intrigued by the Emma Hardie and REN versions. Their high price tag and my lukewarm interest in them always deterred me from actually going through and trying it out. This Clinque version seems basic and the price isn't too harsh so this could be a great introduction to the cleansing balm world for me.

What are you lusting after lately? What do we think of balm cleansers? If you have tried any out I'd love to hear you sound off in the comments on what you have used and what you think of them overall.

at arm's reach

Currently I have a little pile of products at arm's reach on my makeup desk. I put it within sight in hopes I'll reach for it more often to use it up to its entirety. They are all in the furthest stages of use out of my makeup collection. Perhaps with a little routine and persistence I will be able to proudly have these in my empties.

SMASHBOX FILTER TRIO
I have talked about this trio a few times before. I still agree with my last words about this, underrated and superb quality. I have completely used up the light beige shade which caused me to neglect the rest of the colors. I pulled it back out to use up the rest. I'm making great progress with the mid-brown shade as I have hit pan already. I suspect my biggest challenge will be the darkest brown.

REVLON COLORBURST GLOSS IN PINK ICE
This isn't my favorite Revlon lipgloss formula or shade which is why I think I neglect it so much. Still it isn't so horrible that it is unusable so I've been trying my best to apply it every morning before I'm out the door.

MAC CREAM COLOR BASE IN HUSH
Again, another repeat mention on my blog. I just haven't been reaching for any highlighter lately due to my au natural shine (*cough* oil) from the summer heat. Good thing this has a beautiful texture and subtle finish I can work with.

DIORSKIN SCULPT LIFTING SMOOTHING CONCEALER
I have been ignoring this concealer in favor of Maybelline Instant Age Rewind in Brightener. I forced myself to put that in the drawer in order to use this up. I keep thinking that I am ALMOST done with it but the wand keeps scooping out more product. Has anyone ever tried to cut this open? I'm sure there is way more product that the wand can't reach on the side...

LANCOME TEINT IDOLE ULTRA 24 HR FOUNDATION
Full review of this HERE. I think this is a great foundation when mixed up with other products rather than full on. I can no longer pump anything out of the bottle, I have resorted to turning the bottle upside down to let the residual product trickle down. Almost to the finish line!

MAC GROUNDWORK PAINT POT
Probably my favorite shade available in the paint pot lineup. A clay like mid brown shade that is completely invaluable. This creases on me without primer which isn't a deal breaker for me since I love the color so much and don't know of any other alternatives. I am about halfway done with this but it can used so many ways (alone, for smokey eyes, as a tacky base for glitter) that with daily use I think I can manage to clean it out.

URBAN DECAY 24/7 GLIDE ON PENCIL IN PERVERSION
I think I am in the minority when I say that I don't care for Urban Decay's 24/7 pencils. I have tried the shades in Zero, Whiskey, and Perversion and while they all glide on smoothly, they just do not last on me. Perversion is a beautifully rich black shade, something that I completely appreciate as that can be rare, but it smudges under my lash line often causing me to constantly have to check up my eye makeup to touch up. Annoying, but I am almost done with it!

What tactic do you use to use up products? I'd love to hear your input.

eating clean: my not so thrilling endeavor

I consider my overall diet pretty well balanced; I eat plenty of vegetables/fruits and like all types of meats & seafood. I don't eat out too often nor do I rely on processed foods. I don't drink soda and I don't care much for desserts or sweets. My biggest concern is that my meals are too large and I am not physically active. I also drink alcohol quite often. So as a challenge I decided to change up my eating habits by "eating clean". Cut out alcohol, carbs, fried foods, and red/fatty meats. I'm still eating cheese but limited amounts.

I know, so trendy and obnoxious of a decision, but I really wanted to push myself to do something I consider REALLY difficult since I am such a huge food enthusiast. I planned to do this for the month of June to see what sort of impact it has on my body. So how have I been doing so far?

BREAKFAST/LUNCH

For breakfast I'll scramble one egg with onion, tomato, and a handful of spinach. I also cut up half a zucchini into slices and rub some Good Seasons Italian Seasoning and EVOO onto them and grill them. Those seasoning packets are the BEST. I have been using them for salads and rubbed onto vegetables for years and haven't found anything that is nearly as tasty.

For lunch I'll usually do some sort of salad with chicken breast. The body of my salads usually comprise of romaine, spinach, tomato, cucumber, and feta. I have two dressings that I alternate between. One is lemon juice, crushed garlic, with salt and pepper. My personal favorite though is balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and a sprinkle of the Good Seasons packet. I could drink balsamic vinegar by itself, so tasty! My favorite brand is pictured above.

SNACK

I crave fruits pretty often so I like to have a different type on hand each week. I especially love tossing it with nonfat Greek yogurt (I like Fage), silvered almonds, and honey. My favorite is with pineapple but strawberry also tastes good. I find the Greek yogurt makes me feel pretty full even if it is only one dollop. I also like eating unripened mango slices with dried pepper flakes.

EXPERIMENTS & EATING OUT

I don't mind raw carrots but I don't care for cooked carrots at all. I saw a recipe for roasted balsamic carrots and was intrigued. I tried it out and they tasted a bit like sweet potatoes. I'm not sure if it is something I would make again but it certainly wasn't unpleasant.

While visiting family I went to a gathering and picked out healthier options to eat like Papaya Salad and Chicken Larb (pronounced "lahp"). Both are lean and full of flavor due to the seasonings and herbs mixed in.

NOT CLEAN!

Well I am only human, I did slip up and eat a piece of pork and chicken with some purple stick rice. I can't be near purple sticky rice without indulging since I rarely get to have it! That shit is my crack, glutinous and satisfying. I felt bad at first but the surge of carbs actually helped with prolonging my endurance for my jogs.

Overall I have been eating pretty decent. The first week was BRUTAL. My stomach felt empty since I was eating MUCH less than my body has been used to and I wasn't filling it with the normal amount of meat I consume. I had lots of hungry unsatisfying days. The second week and beyond has been much easier. My stomach finally got used to the amount of nutrition I was providing it and now I don't get the hunger pangs. I drink plenty of water and hot tea to help fill up my stomach.

I also have been averaging about 5-6 miles of running per week. It isn't much but I do feel myself getting stronger and creating a higher endurance each time. I incorporate sets of lunges and burpees into my routine as well.

I have lost around 7 pounds so far from these changes. I'll update again at the end of June to reflect on the challenge and voice my thoughts and plans for maintaining. Now I'm off to dream of pizza and burgers...

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?

shopping with me: forever 21 april picks

Am I slightly creepy if I say that I enjoy when people post about their shopping process? Oh it is flat out creepy you say? Well, I guess I am a self admitting creep then because I'm not going to deny it. I love shopping posts. I felt like spending money on clothes (actual clothes! Not makeup, shocker) this past weekend. My mind was set on finding breezy summer tops and flouncy dresses. Sadly no dresses caught my eye but I found a fistful of shirts at Forever 21 that caught my eye. Wallet friendly and great finds. Ready to shop with me?

MINT

I really liked the left minty top because it had interesting beading with strategic patterns. However I didn't buy it because the material felt cheap and it cost $30 and while that isn't expensive I knew I wasn't going to get much wear out of it before it 1. shrunk 2. fell apart. I did pick up the right top, the material was silky and the cut was basic. I didn't like it nearly as much as the first mint top but I knew it would look good with white shorts in the summer time and that it was a piece my sister would want to borrow from me.

BLACK & WHITE

I always have to restrain myself from buying only all black or all white clothing. The color palette of my wardrobe is pretty boring! But I wear everything to death. Practical! The polka dot shirt I actually saw someone wear so I had my mindset on finding it. Very comfortable material and adorable pattern. As for the tank, I am a sucker for black and white stripes, adding buttons just made it a done deal. I bought both of these.

COLLARED TANK

The collared sleeveless button up seems to be the trendy piece right now since I saw so many different styles of it. I loved both of my picks. The left reminds me of a tuxedo and it has black lace paneling on the sides. The right is a nautical piece, you can't tell from my shoddy picture but it has sailboats printed all over it. I do wish they were anchors instead, but I still thought it was a nice summer piece.

PATTERNED WHITES

I bought the whimsy floral top on the left but did not buy the eyelet double material top on the right. I wish the eyelet/jean top had a better fit because I loved the idea and design of it. It was too boxy on me, it made my body look not proportional.

What do you think? Do you like shopping posts? Has any cute summer dresses caught your eye? I think I will have to shop online for those, nothing in the stores tickled my fancy.

my world: injecting personailty into the vain

I realized something. My favorite blogs that I thoroughly and genuinely enjoy reading not only write about beauty products, but also about THEMSELVES. I love the little snippets they share about their lifestyle, it makes me enjoy their content and look forward to reading more. It isn't just a site that churns out reviews and swatches. It's like getting to know someone and soaking in their personality, you know?

I think for the most part I have made it a point for my blog to be mostly about beauty and leave the lifestyle shenanigans out. The reason being...I lead a boring life! Despite still thinking this, I have decided to inject more personality into my blog. Every now and then I will incorporate what what I've been up to/my life. I want to show snippets of my world (I have made a label for this in my label cloud on the right column of this blog).

Of course the main focus of my blog will still be beauty (with a little travel and food thrown in the mix) so don't run away screaming yet. What you can expect to see is my attempt to sprinkle a little bit of me every now and then; my interests, my activities, etc. I will start the title of these posts with My World so that can be your cue to opt out on clicking and reading if you are simply not interested.

BINGO
I recently went to visit family & friends in Detroit where we went to Drag Queen Bingo. I'm sure you are asking yourself, "What the heck is it?!" Basically you play Bingo with a drag queen being the person reading off the letters/numbers while cracking jokes. Think a comedy show with Bingo mixed in.

The audience was very responsive to this show. I personally thought it was shit. Lots of repeating the same jokes that just weren't funny. I certainly wasn't offended by the show but ALL the jokes were meant to humiliate at the expense of others and that can get very stale quickly. I think it is super popular because it heavily involves the audience. I wouldn't go back or recommend it.

One of the people I went with bought boxed water and I thought it was the strangest thing. It was definitely a novelty item since it literally is just water in a box. My sister got a chocolate cherry coffee drink which tasted exactly like its name.

EAT YOUR GREENS
I love salads (as sides or for in-between meals) and I have been really loving THIS kale salad. I usually get sick of the same meals everyday (I am the queen of variety) but I ate this everyday last week and did not tire of it. I add chicken to my recipe since I am a carnivore but you can add whatever you like.

INFINITY
I have been obsessed with this infinity striped scarf from GAP. It is a lengthy bundle in a neutral color while being super cozy and soft. I pretty much wear this everyday. Easy to throw on and go. I bought it recently so perhaps it is still floating around in stores?

COOKIE MONSTER
I am not someone that has a sweet tooth or who craves sweets but I have been craving freshly baked chocolate chip cookies like mad lately. The best recipe I have tried is THIS ONE which is what I used for the (overcooked but still amazing tasting) cookie above. I have tried both methods of baking immediately without refrigeration and waiting until the next day to bake. There is a MAJOR difference. I mean both are good (who can say no to a gooey warm cookie?) but leaving the dough in the refrigerator adds this caramelizing flavor that is out of this world. Oh, and I use THESE chocolate chips. Makes a difference using quality chips, trust me!

DARKNESS
My manicure of choice: Essie Bobbing for Baubles. While I do like bright colors and neutrals, I am truly a dark polish lover at heart. This shade is a wonderfully rich navy-gray and applies very nicely. One coat was opaque enough but I did two out of habit.

SUPERNATURAL
So confession, I love the show The Vampire Diaries. And when I say love, I mean I am absolutely crazy about it. I admit when I first was encouraged by a friend to watch it I scoffed and thought, another Twilight wannabe (fun fact, TVD is based off a book series and was written before Twilight. Oh & the books are a bit terrible). But one boring Sunday I noticed it was on Netflix so I sat down, said what the hell, and watched it. And the obsession began. I admit the beginning is a bit slow and a few scenes are very cringe worthy but once you get past the introduction of the characters and murky "are you a vampire" beginnings it is really great. The writers are very talented, they manage to make you ride a roller coaster of emotions that you never want off of. It is primarily aimed at a younger audience but I know plenty of adults who really enjoy the story lines and character complexities.

If you watch TVD too...so like, this scene last night pretty much?

Enough about me, what is new with you guys? What have you been up to? Do you watch the Vampire Diaries? If so which team are you on, Damon or Stefan? :)

current obsession: masks

Lately all I really want to put my money towards is skincare masks. Initially I couldn't be bothered with masks. I was too lazy, it was messy to clean off, and it seemed time consuming to slather on and wait around for it to do its work. My newfound love of masks stems from using (and finishing!) Lush's Mask of Magnaminty. It opened up Pandora's Box since I enjoyed its soothing and skin boosting results so much that I didn't mind finding ways to creep mask application into my routine. I compiled a little wish list that I have had in the back of my mind to share with you all. I like variety so I picked concoctions with different promises.

*NB: If you are a lazy girl like me or just don't want to be bothered with the mess a mask can make, I find applying before hopping into the shower is the easiest and cleanest method. No bird bath puddles of water around the sink or missed splotches of clay on the neck and hairline to be found, all of the residue goes straight down the drain. You can trudge on with your shower routine and rinse off at the end.

REN GLYCOL LACTIC RADIANCE RENEWAL MASK
My main fascination with skincare is chemical exfoliants. This item has been talked about so much that I am very intrigued. I like that there is a mixture of lactic and glycolic acid.

LUSH COSMETIC WARRIOR MASK
I was always a skeptic of Lush, perhaps because everything seemed so gimmicky and too good to be true. I am still not convinced when it comes to their bath products, but I am already convinced they know what they are doing when it comes to skincare. I have already tried two things from their skincare line and have been impressed with both. It is probably a good thing I don't live near a Lush since I would probably try out every fresh mask they have. The mask I am interested the most in at the moment is the Cosmetic Warrior mask which is supposed to battle blackheads and blemishes.

AESOP PARSLEY SEED MASK
This is another mask I have heard a lot about. It is supposed to lift out impurities and balance out the skin.

ORIGINS CLEAR IMPROVEMENT CHARCOAL MASK
I always wander by the Origins counter but never give myself enough time to actually try out or look at a product since their product lineup is so extensive. This mask has caught my eye though since it is supposed to unclog pores. Plus I have always wanted to try a charcoal mask.

OLE HENRIKSEN BLUE/BLACK BERRY ENZYME MASK
I am a sucker for anything with the word enzyme in it. It just sounds like it is going to do a good job, you know? This mask is supposed to smooth out and polish the skin. And supposedly it smells great too, always a plus!

What are your favorite masks or what are you using and enjoying right now? I would love any recommendations since I am new to the mask world...

the challenge: box of neglect

So I have this box. I call it the "put an item in it and if you forget about it after time you don't need it" box, or the Box of Neglect for short. A few lucky souls make it out alive when its memory lingers back to my mind. As for the rest? Forgotten and unused. The poor items in this box. They are the abandoned and rejected. Not that they are bad products. Mostly it is because I just didn't like them enough. They weren't impressionable and they were very much replaceable.

Since I do tentatively plan to try and attempt a blog sale this year, these are the products that would be put into it. But before I make the final decision and salute them off to new homes, I had an idea. I believe in second chances, so I will give this box of orphaned items just that. This will be my Box of Neglect Challenge for myself. I will do a series of posts on my progress for you all to go along with me to see my final decision for each product: to the box or drawer? Only time will tell...

I plan to use more than one item at a time (do you see the sheer amount of things I have in this?!) as I think it is the best tactic of choice. Let the challenge begin!

BTW, I don't plan to use the very rare Muppets palette by theBalm. I am definitely selling that. Or giving it away? I haven't decided. But I know for sure I am not using it myself. It is untouched!

lip care: pots, tubes, & sticks

i will admit that even though i am a full blown beauty junkie (acceptance is the first step, yes?) i still neglect a certain area: the lips. even though i am starting to venture tentatively into the world of lip colors, on a realistic level i skip out on applying any color to my lips and instead heavily rely on some trusty clear balm. even if you aren't a beauty junky, you most likely have had some kind of balm experience. it is practically toiletry basics 101. so here i am, dedicating a ramble on some balms in my stash. some tried and true while others being brand new.

THE STICKS
the easiest form of application.

AVON DEW KISS
this is the first chapstick i ever used since my mother always had a huge stock of these. after being exposed to the beauty world and all it has to offer i can safely say i won't be returning back to using this any time soon. it is very affordable, a whopping 99 cents, and it moisturizes pretty well. however the scent is very "grandma" and probably the worst characteristic of all is it gives me the dreaded lip ring residue. my sister to this day still enjoys this. to each his own!

BURT'S BEES
a cult product. i enjoy the peppermint tingle and the way it absorbs into the lips quickly. this is a VERY waxy balm which isn't everyone's cup of tea. i feel as though men would enjoy this product since once applied it doesn't stick around like most balms do. i don't love this nor do i hate it. at times i actually appreciate the way it doesn't give my lips some slip. sometimes i like the matte yet moisturized and soft look.

THE POTS
the most unsanitary yet usually yields the most product.

BLISTEX LIP MEDEX
the little magic blue pot. i usually apply this at night before i go to bed or when my lips need some intensive work. i love the menthol tingle, the way it makes my lips feel, and how long a pot lasts for me. i think this will always be in my lip care forever and ever. i don't particularly like to apply this during the day though. a bit too medicinal.

THE BODY SHOP SWEET LEMON
this is ok. nothing revolutionary. it works and smells like lemons which is a plus. i find the nourishment doesn't last long enough for my liking. the texture is a bit firm and tacky in the pot but once smeared on the lips it thins out.

BLISTEX DAILY CONDITIONING TREATMENT
my sister just picked this up so i have only used it a couple times. i will have to update you on how it performs. so far it seems like a less intensive and medicinal form of the lip medex.

NUXE RIEVE DE MIEL
i recently picked this up since i have heard such great things about the brand. it smells like lemons and has a surprisingly more emollient feel to it than i thought it would. perhaps it will show up in one of my future vain rambling posts...

THE TUBES
the annoying applicators. i always squeeze the product onto my finger rather than direct application. personal preference!

JACK BLACK LEMON CHAMOMILE
another item i recently picked up to try. i almost got the original formula but i love lemon scented things too much. will update you guys on my opinion once i use it.

KIEHL'S LIP BALM #1
i briefly gave my thoughts on this in THIS post. i still feel the same way.

CARMEX CHERRY
i am probably in the minority here when i say i am not a fan of carmex. i will only use it in emergency situations (aka no other balms present and my lips being in desperate need of rescue.) although it DOES work and relieves my chapped lips, i really can't stand the taste. which is weird since i normally don't mind medicinal scents. perhaps it is a certain chemical that deters me?

i have tried other balms that aren't pictured (nivea milk and honey, blistex medicated lip ointment, soft lips, and of course lip smackers) and they aren't pictured because i don't have them on hand and wouldn't buy any of them again. lip smackers WERE fun though. collecting the flavors was the best part :)

what are your favorite balms? any you wish to try? i am curious about laura mercier's lip silk...

fall makeup routine as of late

remember when i did THIS post talking about my parched skin? well it looks like this is becoming a yearly occurrence. to accommodate my drier skin, i am back to wearing no powder and all cream products. here is what i am using this time around:

URBAN DECAY DE-SLICK SPRAY
i touched on this briefly in my post about facial sprays. i like to use this to seal in my makeup and it prevents my face from looking like a complete oil slick throughout most of my day.

DIOR SCULPT LIFTING SMOOTHING CONCEALER
the product name is quite a mouthful. i have been using this religiously under my eyes. easy to apply and it lasts all day. it does crease if you apply too much so applying the right amount is key.

GA EYES TO KILL #28
not really a cream product, but i have been reaching for this daily. it is pretty and flattering all on its own all over the lid and under the lash line. such an easy product to work with.

CHANEL SOLEIL TAN DE CHANEL
my only cream bronzer. i previously didn't reach for this often because finding a brush to apply it is hard! but i discovered using the sephora platinum 55 brush works great (though it is a bit big for the job). i still really enjoy this product, very natural on.

KIEL'S LIP BALM #1 MANGO
when i first starting using this, i was in love with it because it made my lips look so plump and nourished when first applied. it smells like mangoes and it has the texture of a more emollient petroleum jelly. however, the more i used it the more i didn't like it as much. after time (a few hours) the product just sits on my lips and doesn't feel very hydrating anymore so i feel the need to wipe it off. i wouldn't recommend this, it is expensive and i think cheaper lip balms perform better.

KOH GEN DO AQUA FOUNDATION
this has really been great during these colder months since i am not as oily and it doesn't slide off my face. the coverage is perfect for during the day since it is light but still does a great job at blurring my pores and imperfections. i am almost done with it so i am debating if i want to pick up another bottle from the sephora VIB sale or if i want to try something else.

BOBBI BROWN POT ROUGE IN VELVET PLUM
i snatched this up before bobbi brown repackaged the pot rouges. i knew i wanted a darker color since my collection is mostly summery or natural colors. i wont babble anymore about the pot rouges (my favorite cream blush formula so far) since i think i have done that countless times already. this is a nice fall color that isnt too intense.

BECCA SHIMMERING SKIN PERFECTOR IN MOONSTONE
i picked this up in NYC at sephora (while i was with/met J :D). i must say i am really enjoying this. it is so subtle and natural. im surprised i enjoy this as much as i do since i usually like my highlighter to be very noticeable. i definitely preferred moonstone over the other shades, it matches my skin the best.

DARK LIPS

i have been really digging dark lips. it is so typical for this time of year but not typical of me since i normally am not a lipstick wearer. if i am not wearing the kiehl's balm i am either wearing revlon color burst lipstick in plum (left) or mac's media lipstick (right). both equally stunning on, but unfortunately both are very drying. mac is a bit more forgiving but revlon's colorburst really sucks my lips dry. shame since i love the color.

so my readers, i leave you with a request. what is your favorite winter/heavy duty moisturizer? i am currently using la roche posay toleriane but i still feel like my skin could use an extra surge of moisture. i would love to hear your suggestions!

NB: for some of the products mentioned above, there are links available for you to click to get to posts i have done already in the past on my blog :)

let's talk skincare...

i thought i would take a little break from my cargo blush collection posts (i will finish, do not fret) to talk about my current skincare and a few thoughts on the products. for reference, my skin type is mostly oily but during the colder seasons it tends to get dehydrated. it is also prone to slight breakouts.

CETAPHIL CLEANSER
i bought the normal version, there is also a sensitive version as well. in short, i do not like this cleanser. it smells like chemicals, it doesnt clean thoroughly enough, and worst of all it broke me out. the only merits i can attest to this cleanser is that it is gentle and it does not over strip my skin. i dont understand the following this cleanser has since i think other brands have much better offerings if gentle cleansing is what you are looking for.

MARIO BADESCU DRYING LOTION(aka the extremely faded and unidentifiable small bottle)
i have had this for quite some time. when i first bought this it worked great on all types of blemishes but sadly this is one of those products that if i use it frequently my skin gets used to it and it wont be as potent. my skin now only responds to this on more cystic acne rather than whiteheads or blackheads. i tried using this on the breakouts on my chin and to vacuum out my pores on my nose but it had absolutely no effect. i did have a small cyst on my forehead recently and this helped shrink it down. the smell is quite strong, a potent alcohol, so be cautious if that is bothersome to you.

CLARASONIC MIA
i must admit i was pretty skeptical of this contraption when i bought it. but i do enjoy it. im not sure if i believe it is a miracle worker, but i do feel like my cleansing routine has improved immensely. i love using this with foaming cleansers.

LA ROCHE POSAY EFFLCLAR DUO
holy grail for me. i really tried to live without this to see if it was even making a difference to my skin and boy i am paying for it. without using this my chin and nose are so congested and if i breakout nothing makes it go away as fast as when i use this. it is so great at preventing future spots and for making current ones disappear on me. i must have this at all times or else my skin goes berserk.

CLARINS GENTLE FOAMING CLEANSER WITH COTTONSEED
recently bought this and i am really loving it. it cleans so thoroughly and you need less than a pea size to get a rich lathering foam. it smells very pleasant, like cotton. the only thing i have a problem with is it gives my skin that squeaky clean almost over stripped feeling. i think my skin can only handle using this once a day and in the winter i know for certain i will need a richer moisturizer to compensate. but i think its clarifying properties surpass this con; my skin feels purged of all the crap that accumulates on my skin throughout the day after using this.

i picked up a few bits and bobs in new york recently, ill be sure to share it with you all in an upcoming post. what skincare products are you enjoying lately? i'd love to hear your input, skincare is such a fun topic for discussion.

my rings...

so a few posts ago i shared my lust of some rings i had my eye on. since then i have acquired a few pieces that i have been really enjoying and wanted to share with you all.

i love the look of layering and stacking rings. i even look at this hand and dont think it is enough!

on my ring finger i have house of harlow stackable rings, one thick and silver the other thin and rose gold. i love these, the quality is very nice and i love the design etched into the metal. these are reasonably priced too, i picked mine up at planet blue (the models have gorgeous makeup by the way) unfortunately the thin band is sold out but the thicker one is still available. link!

on my middle finger i have an above the knuckle cross ring. i absolutely adore this, more than my knot ring. i picked this up at etsy. the seller makes everything by hand and was a sweetheart. the shipping impressed me due to her being based in argentina. i would say it took less than two weeks from start to finish. i ordered a size 3 if you wanted a reference. link!

on my pointer finger i have my knot ring from etsy which i have talked about already in this post as well as an old hammered silver ring from american eagle i have had for years.

lastly we have my connecter ring that i picked up from urban outfitters. it satiated my lust for connected jewelry for now. quality isnt up to par but overall i am happy with it since the design is so funky and cool. unfortunately i dont see this on the UO website anymore so maybe you will have better luck in stores.

hope you all have been well!

oh and in case you were wondering, on my nails i am wearing essie chinchilly (one of my all time favorites) with sally hansen hidden treasure on top(LE, but essie shine of the times would work just as well)