2017 favorites

Happy new year and happy 2018! I wanted to share my top 10 favorites  of 2017 with you.

10. NYX Away We Glow in 08 moon glow - I ran out of my beloved Becca shimmering skin perfector in pearl and replaced it with NYX for two reasons: 1) I'm a grad student on a budget, and more importantly, 2) There is no known universe where I could finish a full size shimmering skin perfector. The mini spotlight size took me 2 years! The NYX isn't a perfect dupe (not as gel like of a texture, doesn't blend as well over powder), but is 90% there and meets my needs perfectly. Like everyone else on the planet, glowy skin and I were friends all year long.

9. Whole Foods organic lip balm - I went through about a dozen of these in 2017, 50/50 lost vs. used up. I love the honey vanilla version, it moisturizes without irritating my skin and only costs about $3. Sold for life <3

8. Sheer glossy lips - My skin is too dry and I am too impatient for the perfectly carved out lip line and matte liquid lips. I need my skin and lips to feel comfortable and I'm permanently running late, so for me that means tinted lip balm, glosses, and sheer lipsticks I can apply on the bus without a mirror. Some of my favorites: Urban Decay and Too Faced La Creme lipsticks layered over lip balm, Clinique almost lipstick in black honey, Fresh tinted lip balm in rose and petal, and Bite's (discontinued?!) lip gloss in currant.

7. My Japanese brushes - My everyday brushes never fail me and I'm still amazed that some of these brands aren't more popular. Chikuhodo, Hakuhodo, Koyudo, and Mizuho all have some relatively affordable brushes (MAC or MUFE price range) that blow everything else out of the water in terms of quality. I like more natural and sheer looks with powder products, so my soft natural hair brushes deliver. Pictured: Hakuhodo tapered candle 5521, Hakuhodo J521 eyeliner, Chikuhodo Z-5 large eye shader, Mizuho PM11 brow brush, Koyudo 035 medium shader, Hakuhodo K022 blush/powder . I don't think everyone needs these exact brushes, but I do think it is worth buying high quality brushes of which ever shapes you use every day.

6. NARS Laguna - Check out that huge pan! I wear bronzer everyday and Laguna was easily my most reached for this year. Even on my cool toned fair skin, this is never too orange. I don't know how, but Laguna always makes me look healthy and pretty.

5 natural shades of pink makeup for Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! In the spirit of the holiday, I have 5 shades of pink makeup to share. Many people are hesitant about pink makeup - no one wants to look like they have pink eye and sometimes bright pink shades can look immature and juvenile on a grown ass adult. The shades I have chosen are each pretty pinks, but are wearable shades for real life.

As a Valentine's bonus, do your makeup with pink brushes! No one will know but you, but I think it's fun. I love the Real Techniques Multi Tasking brush for blush, bronzer, and powder and the Setting Brush for an all over eyelid wash of color and highlight.

2015 makeup, brush & beauty favorites

I am really excited to share my 2015 makeup, brush, and beauty favorites with you! These were my most used products of 2015 and ones I would confidently travel with. Most of the products shown below will likely be familiar to longtime blog readers - I tend to stick with products I love using. If I have a post about a product listed, I included a link for you.

A note about the type of of products I like - I use quite a few makeup products on a daily basis, but I like my makeup to look invisible on the skin and give a natural, healthy, flattering effect. This group of products are the ones I lean on to consistently give me the impact I'm looking for without looking too much like makeup. I have dry, sensitive skin, so I'm always on the hunt for moisturizing and non irritating formulas.

In addition to specific product favorites, I have a few bigger picture makeup favorites. My top makeup favorite of the year is my getting ready time every morning. Sometimes its only 15 minutes, but I love taking the time to make a cup of coffee and do my makeup in the morning. It helps me wake up, plan for the day, and I appreciate the luxury of quiet morning time. Another 2015 favorite is Japanese brushes, particularly Koyudo and Chikuhodo. I fell in love with Hakuhodo brushes in 2014 which encouraged me to try Koyudo and Chikuhodo. I think Japanese brushes are highly underrated in the beauty community, especially considering that many brushes are cheaper or price competitive to mid range brands like MAC or NARS but much higher quality. My last big picture favorite is a favorite technique - applying powder with a damp beauty sponge. Applying loose setting powder or pressed powder foundation with a damp sponge gives a beautiful natural matte finish and I highly recommend trying it!

Face

• Favorite foundation/bb cream: It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC cream in Fair. I love applying this with my fingers for a quick, easy base. The It Cosmetics CC cream is not full coverage as advertised, but the medium coverage and dewy finish works well to hide my persistent redness and even out my skin. I also appreciate the SPF 50!
• Favorite sunscreen: Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint in 1.  I am a big believer in wearing sunscreen everyday, and the Paula's Choice tinted sunscreen blends into the skin easily and sits under makeup well. I have a full review here if you want more details. 
• Favorite powder foundation: L'Oreal True Match powder in N1. Finding dry skin friendly powder foundations can be tricky, but the L'Oreal True Match powder gives me light coverage with a natural finish. I love applying this powder with a damp Real Techniques sponge. This powder also works well as a setting powder or for mid day touch-ups.
• Favorite touch-up powder: Essence All About Matt!. This is an underrated Essence gem. For less than $4, All About Matt is the perfect invisible mattifying touch-up and setting powder. I think I went through 3 of them in 2015!
• Favorite face brushes: Real Techniques Buffing Brush & Miracle Complexion Sponge. The Real Techniques Core Collection is worth the price for the Buffing Brush alone - the shape and density work so well together to blend foundation. I have many expensive brushes, and the Buffing Brush is my absolute favorite for liquid base products. I also adore the Miracle Complexion Sponge from Real Techniques and prefer it to the Beauty Blender for its density and shape. I love it for applying liquid foundation and powder.  
• Honorable mentions:  The Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage concealer is a champ for covering up break outs, but the dense, waxy texture doesn't work under the eyes. I love it as a specialty product, but I don't use it daily. I chose not to include the Skin79 hot pink BB cream as a favorite intentionally - I love everything about the formula, coverage, and finish on the skin, but the color is a bit dark and pink for me. In the correct shade, the Skin79 BB cream would be a definite favorite.

iPhone 6s vs Samsung SL620 point and shoot camera photo test

As a beauty blogger, I spend weekend free time taking pictures of my arm. It's an odd hobby to be sure, but I have been beefing up swatch and product photos on my blog recently. You might have noticed that I have been slowly replacing photos on some of my oldest posts, trying to make sure I have color accurate and high quality photos.

This post is a combination photo test and behind the scenes look at macro and product photography on my blog. I usually use my old Samsung SL 620 point and shoot camera, but can the iPhone 6s replace it?

Taken with an iPhone 6s camera

The fine print: none of the pictures in this post have been edited, except to add a watermark. I took each of these photos in natural light on a windowsill and tried to keep the shots as similar as possible. Everything shown in this post was purchased by me and was not sponsored or sent for PR review.

The Contenders:

1 - iPhone 6s
I have the gold 16gb iPhone 6s, shown in a Speck Mightyshell lilac purple/raisin case. The Speck Mightyshell is the iPhone 6 version, but it fits well as promised. This phone is new to me - no photos from this phone have been shown in a blog post yet, but you can see a few examples on my Instagram.

2 - Samsung SL620
This old school Samsung was purchased by me when my nicer digital camera was stolen from my dorm room years ago. I think it is representative of what you can do with an entry level digital point and shoot. You can see examples of the Samsung in action in posts here and here for reference.

Photo test 1: basic benchmark

This one should be as easy as it gets - I chose three standard makeup brush shapes against a white wall. From left to right, the Koyudo BP010 tapered face brush, the Hakuhodo J5523 eyeshadow blending brush, and the Koyudo BP035 eyeshadow shader brush. Pay special attention to how each camera handles the texture of the brush bristles, the colors of the handles and ferrules, and the depth of focus.

Taken with an iPhone 6s camera

Taken with a Samsung SL620 point and shoot camera

Both cameras do well here, but the wall texture of the iPhone 6s shot is a little distracting. I think both pictures in this round are of sufficient quality to show the products well. A close one, but the Samsung SL620 wins this test.

Summer makeup favorites 2015

Photo credit: New Old Stock, a vintage copyright free photo site curated by Cole Townsend

Go to look: light coverage matte base, bronzer on the perimeter of my face and cheekbones, a touch of pearl highlight on my cheekbones, subtle satin pink or nude eyeshadow, no eyeliner, tons of mascara. I feel like everyone is all about dewy skin, but I have been loving a more natural matte finish with strategically placed satin highlight.

Products I'm using all the time: Skin79 Hot Pink BB Cream, Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil bronzer, Hourglass Dim Infusion blush, Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Medium Brown, Bare Minerals satin eyeshadows in Enjoy (ready formula) and Vanilla Sugar (loose formula), Essence All About Matt powder compact

Products I'm not using: I've been toning down my concealer and skipping full coverage concealing on pigmentation and dark circles. I also haven't reached for lipstick in foreverrrr.

Scent: Issey Miyake, L'Eau d'Issey

Lust list: Urban Decay eyeshadow singles (Sin and Half Baked), the whole Clinique moisture surge line, more shades of the YSL glossy stains (Brun Cachemire, Rouge Vintage, a fun bright shade), and a setting spray with SPF

I'm reading: The Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson, currently in the middle of book 8

Current gripe: why does everyone hate Nick so much on the Bachelorette? I don't get it.

Excited for: going to a rodeo for the 4th of July!

Summer makeup inspiration: 5 picks to try

I love the stock summer makeup trends - natural skin, glowy, healthy finishes, and warm bronzes, peach, and pink. Lately, I have  been head over heels for this picture and used it as inspiration for a look I did at a friend's wedding. The photo is from a blog I love by Cole Townsend called New Old Stock - he curates copyright free vintage photographs. This photo is called Fringed Poppy and was taken in 1930.

My 5 picks to try for summer: 

1. Urban Decay Freelove eyeshadow single - a beautiful peachy pink shimmer that works well as a sheer wash or a more dramatic eye

2. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector liquid in Opal - a believable golden pink glow that looks healthy and natural

3. NARS Laguna bronzer - Laguna is a cult classic staple for a reason. I love the subtle golden pearl throughout both on my eyelids and cheekbones.

4. Clinique Lash Doubling mascara - The natural bristle triangle shaped wand manages both volume and separation, while really delivering on accentuating the length of my lashes

5. Individual Flare False Lashes - I have been loving individual flare falsies lately because they add fluttery drama to my natural eye lashes without the necessity to use lots of eyeliner to cover the lash band from a traditional strip. I place 3 to 4 flares on each eye, focusing on the outer half of the lid. My favorites right now are the knot free Ardell Duralash Natural Flares in Medium Black paired with the Duo Brush On Striplash Adhesive. 

Current eye favorites

I wanted to quickly share my current favorite eye products. I have been using these items on a day to day basis and would absolutely recommend any and all of them! I feel like I get so caught up in researching, buying, trying, and reviewing new products that I can overlook old favorites.

• Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara - lengthening and a little volumizing, lasts all day
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel - holds my brows in place with no fuss
• Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Color in Sandglow - pretty bronze pearl 
• Urban Decay Original Eyeshadow Primer Potion - my current favorite eye primer
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Medium Brown - has started drying out, but still looks great in my brows
• Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette - an old, much loved favorite

I hope this inspires you give more love to some older favorites in your collection! 

My top 3 favorite colorless beauty products

I usually focus on color products on this blog, but I thought I would do a post honoring my favorite colorless products. Colorless cosmetics are easy to overlook, but each of these three are absolute must haves in my collection. Plus, each of these cost under $5.

Without further ado, my favorite three colorless products: the NYX Matte Blotting Paper ($3.99), Essence All About Matt Fixing Compact Powder ($3.99), and adhesive magnetic tape (about $5).

My top 5 beauty YouTube channels

I just got back from my honeymoon this week and dipped my toes into a longtime guilty pleasure while I unpacked - YouTube beauty channels. I spend quite a bit of time watching vloggers on YouTube and am always on the hunt for my next favorite channel.

So which channels (big & small) do I love and recommend? 

#5 - Kirsten / ItsKeerstin

Kirsten is a candid pottymouth with hauls, reviews, swatches, and more hauls. She's high energy and plainspoken - she has no trouble in videos admitting to going to multiple Sephoras to track down an item or saying she bought something and didn't use it. Best of all, if she feels strongly about a product, her honest feedback is compelling and thoughtful. I also appreciate her for her clarity on disclosures if a product was sent to her as a gift or if she bought it herself. 

Check her out for: Her "what I thought on stuff I bought" series where she goes back through old hauls and tells you how it worked for her. 

Must watch video: What I Thought On Stuff I Bought #17 (Thoughts on Hauls)

#4 - Karima McKimmie / Shameless Fripperies

Karima is a stylish Aussie with high end taste. She offers interesting tutorials interspersed with mini product reviews and has extensive knowledge of makeup brushes. Everything she produces, whether it be video or blog posts, is professional, artistic, and informative.

Check her out for: Interesting tutorials and high end brush info
Must watch video: Sweatproof Long-Wearing makeup Tutorial 

Keep reading to find out my favorite 3 channels at the moment

September Makeup Favorites

This month, I have been loving a natural look with defined brows, bold (er) blush, and lots of mascara. I've been hanging on to summer and skipping eyeliner most days and keeping it easy with a minimal matte nude eye.

I wanted to round up what I have been reaching for most this month and share! Not every category of product is included here - I wanted to show you what I have been truly loving this month, day in & day out.

Top 3 Favorite Neutral / MLBB Drugstore Lipliners

I wanted to share my top 3 favorite drugstore MLBB (my lips but better) neutral pink lip liners. Neutral pink shades are the ultimate in versatility - perfect for everyday makeup, adding definition to nude lipsticks, and adding dimension to berry lipsticks. Even better, each of these is under $5!

Without further ado, my top 3:

• NYX Lipliner Pencil - #860 Peekaboo Neutral
• Milani Color Statement Lipliner - #03 Nude
• Jordana Easyliner For Lips - Tawny 

My Favorite Drugstore Blush Formula - Milani Baked Blush

Milani Baked Blush is the classic drugstore tale of a great product hidden in unfortunate packaging. Milani's Baked Blush line contains an impressive 8 shades (plus a 9th - a medium bronzer) with a surprising amount of shade complexity. Of the 8, 6 are satin or shimmery and 2 are matte. These blushes cost $8.49 for .12 oz (3.5 grams) of product.

I have 3 shades: 07 Fantastico Mauve, 03 Berry Amore, and 05 Luminoso. (Separate swatch posts to come!)

• #7 Fantastico Mauve is a shimmery red leaning berry with golden and bronze veining
• #3 Berry Amore is a shimmery warm bronze rose with golden and bronze veining
• #5 Luminoso is a satin warm peach with a hint of pink that comes off with a sheen on the cheeks (note: Luminoso is not a NARS Orgasm blush dupe - the Milani blush that was similar to Orgasm was called Luminous and is discontinued)