April Favorites

I decided to welcome myself back with a post about my favorites for this month. I know my blog has been quiet as of late. During late February and all of March I was dealing with some weird skin issues. I had zits and pimples on spots on my face I've never had before. Between the dry skin I already suffer during the cold and the breakouts I had no motivation to post anything. Every time I put on makeup I felt it didn't sit right and just felt all out gross. I ultimately decided it was much better to let my skin breathe, blemishes and all until it healed. Now that the skin has finally calmed down, I'm dabbling back into the makeup and frankly, putting a bit more effort in it. Anyway, enough chatting, here are the favorites.

1) Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion + : I chose the lotion version as opposed to the "gel" version because my skin is hella dry. Even now that it's warmer this lotion is great as the base for the rest of my makeup. My skin feels soft and smooth and it does not react at all. Definitely a keeper.

2) Stella McCartney Stella Eau de Toilette: I purchased this during the VIB sale. I have the original Stella which I LOVE and while this one is similar, it's lighter and crisper, a perfect perfume for spring and summer. It's floral and citrus-y but not too garden floral smelling. If you like scents like Dolce and Gabana Light Blue, the original Stella, or Versace Bright Crystal, you'll definitely like this one.

3) Stila Eyes Are the Window in Soul: Besides the beautiful packaging, this is absolutely gorgeous! I know Temptalia gave this a "meh" review but for me the shadows are buttery and smooth and I have no issues with them. I use this interchangeably with the new Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour palette which is easily becoming another favorite.

4) Smashbox PhotoReady Primer Water: I was totally sold by Jacklyn Hill when she described how much she loved this. I was a little nervous that this was a gimmicky product but this stuff really works! I don't know what it is, maybe it's the nozzle or the order of ingredients but my skin feels smooth and almost velvety. I spritz this twice or three times after my moisturizer and let it set before I go onto foundation.

5) Laura Mercier Silk Creme Moisturizing Photo Edition Foundation: So I originally wanted to purchase the original formula of the Silk Creme foundation, of course when I went into Sephora I found out they got rid of the old formula and have come out with this version. I read the reviews while in stores and the die-hard original formula lovers seem to hate this, but since I never tried it I figured I had nothing to lose. It's been my current go-to, leaves a nice glow without me looking like an oil slick and covers my redness. I wear the color Bamboo Beige.

6) Kat Von D Studded Lipstick in Lolita: Another coveted shade. It's a darker look compared to the trendy pink brown but still suitable for everyday. It's easy to look made up with this lipstick with some tinted moisturizer and mascara. Just a side note, I've tried both the lipstick and the liquid lipstick formula. For me, the liquid lipstick set darker so I would try both in store and see which one you life more.

First Impressions: Milani's Powder Blush in Romantic Rose and Bella Eyes in Bella Champagne

Milani has made its way into the hearts of many people over the years. Not only are these products reasonably affordable, the quality is stellar. Though, as with all companies, there will be some misses. However, with every item I have purchased from Milani, I have not been disappointed. I was and still am a big fan of their Liquid Eye pencil and am also a fan of their lipsticks, so I did not hesitate to get these two items.

After being a limited edition item, the Milani Powder Blushes are now part of the permanent collection. I remember when I first saw these among the blogging community, they were selling like hotcakes and very quickly, sold out. So for those of you who couldn't get your hands on these beautiful blushes before, you can easily get them now! The blushes retail for $7.99 for 17g of product. I know it will be a while before I even make a dent in this powder, however I still can't help but be a little sad when the rose embellishment fades away.

This is a matte blush, which means no shimmer and can be for many people too flat for their complexion. However I think this would be great for photos as it won't make a person look too glowy or dewy. It would also be ideal for those with problematic skin such as acne scars. Due to its lack of shimmer or glitter, this blush would not enhance or bring attention to these problem areas. Romantic Rose would be perfect for light to medium skin tones, deeper complexions may find this too ashy. When I swatched this with my fingers on the back of my hand, it was patchy, but I do not have that problem when applying with a brush. I think the color is beautiful and great for everyday. Thumbs up for me!

The Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow I'm kind of on the fence about. Bella Champagne not as buttery or opaque as I would hoped it would be. However, I did pick up the Shimmer finish (there are a total of three finishes: Shimmer, Satin Matte, and Metallic). Overall it's a lovely shadow, but I will need to put a primer over my lids and perhaps a base color in order for this particular shade to shine. Surprisingly enough, this is the only shadow missing on the website itself, I wonder if it's out of stock or discontinued. While this shade didn't fully impress me, I am still interested in trying out other shades and finishes from the collection.

Have you tried any of these products? If so, what did you think? Happy Hump day!

Current Favorite Drugstore Lip Products

I am a firm believer that you can find some gems and treasures at a reasonable or fair price. Currently I've been trying to curb my spending and it has been quite a while for me since I've bought high end makeup. While I do miss the thrill of shopping, I do feel a little better knowing I'm gaining some self-control and saving a few bucks here and there.

I really wanted to share with you two of my current favorite lip products. I've been using these on an almost daily basis. The first is the Vaseline Rosy Lips. Currently priced at $1.79, this cute little pot smells divine, leaves a sheer tint, and locks the moisture in my lips. It has been a very dry and cold winter so far here on the East Coast so this is indeed a lifesaver. I was also a fan of the Dior Creme de Rose lip balm, and while I still love it to this day, the price difference between the two is quite extreme. Each beautiful pot of the Dior balm will set you back $28.00. Another cult favorite is the Rosebud Lip Salve, which isn't really a favorite for me, as it provides too much slip. However it still smells beautifully rosy and floral and will only set you back $6.00 as opposed to $28.00.

The next lip product is fairly new and has been making its waves in the Blogger and YouTube community. The Jordana Modern Matte lipsticks are, in my opinion fabulous. While still matte, they go on smoothly with high opacity. I picked up two colors, Matte Blush and and Matte Tease. They are also a winner for me since the Hubster complimented my lipstick the other day on our lunch date. I know matte lipsticks are all the rage, but if you're looking for a bargain priced, quality lipstick try these out. Each lipstick is only $2.49.

Anyway, enough of my blabbering, here are the swatches of each!

Have you found any good drugstore finds lately? If so please let me know! Also, have a great weekend!

Winterizing Your Nails (My Favorite Manicure Routine!)

When it comes to the winter time, every part of our body is effected, including our nails. I don't know about you, but I find my nails to be more prone to breakage and splitting and my cuticles can get a bit wild. While it's nice and luxurious to get our digits done weekly at our favorite salon, it does get expensive. Instead, I prefer to do my own manicure and give myself some "me" time. Plus, I'm sometimes a perfectionist when it comes to my nails. So here's my winter nail routine. Along with the finished look!

1. During the winter I like to keep my nails short so I make sure to clip them on a bi-weekly basis. I find when I try to grow them out I always have the nails split on me. Sad panda.
   
   
   
2. After clipping my nails, file them with my favorite four sided file. I use the coarser side to help shape your nails and then the finer side to smooth it. It's a Pro-tip I learned from Julep!
   
3. Once I've filed all my nails into my desired shape, I will wash my hands to get rid of any grit and apply my favorite hand lotion to soften my hands. Then to help soften and maintain my cuticles I will use an oldie but goodie, the Julep Essential Cuticle Oil. It's made of essential oils such as vitamin E and quickly absorbs into my nails. I use this oil at least three to four times a week to help maintain my nails. Another fan favorite especially the cold winter months is the Might Nail and Cuticle Serum!
   
4. Next I'll check to see if I have any hang nails I'll need to nip. Don't pull on them unless you want a painful nail for the rest of the day!
5. Time to paint! Since it's the winter, I tend to lean towards dark, cream colors. If I want a lighter color, I'll go for a muted pastel. Usually though, I love a dark nailed look. My current favorite is Lola from the Julep It Girl line, but I have been eyeing Isla and Shari as well. 
   
6. I got creative and added a dusting of gold pigment on top of the blue polish to add some contrast. All you need is a fluffy brush and some loose pigment. After applying your base coat, individually apply your second coat. The pigment will only stick if the polish is wet. So it's best to do each nail at a time.
   
7. Add your top coat and wait for your nails to dry before you wash off the pigment. Glitter, jazz hands!
   
   

Ta-da! A fresh mani with some fun accents. Getting creative with your nails is such a fun way to express yourself. I want to know, what are some of your winter nail routines? Do you change it up per season or leave it as is all year round?