makeup

Best of High End Brands

Jun 09

After reading Sarah’s post on her favorite high end products, I was inspired to do my own! I tried to pick brands that had a lot of products that I loved, so it would be challenging to pick my absolute favorite. I tried to think of it as, “If I could only buy one thing from this brand, what would it be?” So without further ado, here’s my best of high end brands:

Charlotte Tilbury – The Rock Chick Eyeshadow Palette. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I was to try Charlotte Tilbury’s products. They’re all absolutely amazing. I have a tendency to to navigate towards gold and bronze hued eyeshadows, yet I love the look of a perfect grey smoky eye. This palette allows you to create that look and is also wearable for day and night.

Chanel – Perfection Lumiere Velvet Foundation. My holy grail foundation. It makes my skin look flawless and airbrushed. It’s lightweight and also helps to mattify my skin since it’s made for normal to oily skin. If your skin is normal to dry, try the Vitalumiere Aqua foundation.

YSL – Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick. This lipstick is incredibly buttery and smooth. It also stays moisturized and not dried out with long wear. I have the color Rose Libertin, which is a light lilac-pink. Definitely picking up another color soon!

NARS – Lip Gloss in Sixties Fan. Picking my favorite NARS product was especially hard. I love pretty much everything by NARS that I’ve tried. They have fairly recently revamped the formula of their lip glosses and they are 1000x better- not sticky whatsoever. This color is my favorite because it is unique and also much more wearable than you would think. Your lips will always look perfectly stained with this gloss.

Benefit – Roller Lash Mascara. Benefit is killing the mascara game. Roller Lash and They’re Real are by far my favorite mascaras ever. I will not leave the house without at least 1 coat of mascara on and I almost always use more than one mascara in my makeup routing. They beauty of Roller Lash though, is that I don’t have to. My lashes look perfect with just this mascara alone!

Bobbi Brown – Creamy Concealer Kit. I’m a college student. Sleep isn’t always so easy to come by, which leads to horrendous dark circles. This concealer makes them disappear. It packs on the coverage because it’s creamy, and also has a setting powder right next to it to ensure that it doesn’t budge the whole day. If you’ve got bad dark circles, this product will be your BFF.

What are your favorite high end brands & products? I wanna know!

May Favorites

Jun 08

Happy Monday everyone! Today I wanted to share with you my May favorites. I cannot believe that it’s already June! We’re almost halfway through with 2015, and if that’s not weird to you then I don’t know what is. I didn’t pick up a tremendous amount of new products this month, but I loved the ones that I did. Here are my favorites of the past month:

1. Elizabeth and James Nirvana White

This has been my most reached for perfume lately. I have the rollerball, which I love because it’s so easy to through in my purse and take with me in case I need a little pick me up throughout the day. It’s a sophisticated scent that’s great for daytime wear.

2. MAC Blush in Full of Joy

I picked up this blush because I really wanted a color that was very different from other blushes I have. It’s a lilac color, which sounds really out there, but I’m telling you it’s gorgeous. I get so many compliments every time I wear this blush, and I love how different it is.

3. Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Nude Kate

Prepare yourself here. I went a little crazy at the Charlotte Tilbury counter in Nordstrom and I have no regrets. Looking for the foolproof nude lip? This is it. I was so afraid of trying nude lipstick before this one, because I was afraid it would wash me out. This one definitely does not.

4. Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Iconic Nude

Lip liner has gained the credit it deserves lately, most likely thanks to Kylie Jenner. I never really saw it necessary before, but it really does help shape your lips so they’re impeccable. Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat makes this SO easy, and this color goes perfectly with the Nude Kate lipstick.

5. Charlotte Tilbury Lip Lustre in Blondie

This lip gloss is the finishing touch to the nude pout. I love lip gloss, and I can’t stand when the formula is sticky. This one glides on like a breeze and looks gorgeous over any color – not just nude!

6. Charlotte Tilbury The Rock Chick Eyeshadow Palette

If you couldn’t already tell by the 3 previous favorites, I’m obsessed with Charlotte Tilbury’s Rock Chick look. Makeup that will make me look like Kate Moss or Brigitte Bardot? Sign me up! This palette achieves that smoky look without being overpowering.

What products have you been loving lately? Let me know in the comments! Thank you for reading, enjoy your Monday!

Melt Proof Makeup

Jun 03

The most asked question I’ve had lately from my friends is, “How do I get my makeup to stay in place?” Living in Texas, makeup can easily sort of “melt off” especially in the summer months. No one wants to have re-apply makeup throughout the day, but you also don’t want to use heavy products that will just weigh you down in the heat. Of course, I definitely don’t wear makeup every day in the summer, but when I do I want it to stay put. I’ve rounded up my best tips so you can have melt proof makeup this summer.

1. Prime.

Priming everything is essential to keeping your makeup in place. Start with clean, moisturized skin. I tend to opt for a gel moisturizer like First Aid Beauty Mattifying Gel or Boscia Black Hydration Gel since I have oily skin, and this is great for normal skin in the summer too. You’ll then want to use an all over face primer. Becca Ever Matte Poreless Priming Perfector has been my favorite lately. It’s got kind of a strange consistency, it starts off kind of sticky but then just dissolves perfectly into your skin. Also be sure to use an eye primer before applying any eyeshadow.

2. Foundation.

I love lightweight foundations in general, but they’re essential in the summer. Who wants full coverage heavy foundation when it’s over 100 degrees out? Not me! Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue and Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet are the ones I find myself reaching for most when it’s hot outside. They’re lightweight but still provide great coverage. If you can’t separate yourself from your favorite full coverage foundation, I suggest adding a little bit of moisturizer to keep it from being heavy in the heat.

3. Powder.

Powdering will not only help set your makeup, but also help prevent any unwanted shine that you might gain throughout the day in the heat. Over-powdering is traditionally a no-no, but in the case of the Texas heat you will most likely want to. The powder will be absorbed throughout the day preventing shine without making you look dull. I love this powder, and it’s universal!

4. Bronze.

What’s summer without bronze skin? If you fake tan like me, chances are your face is at least 3 shades lighter than the rest of your body and bronzer is your BFF. I love matte bronzers so that I can contour just a little while getting an all over glow. This one is my go-to, and this palette is amazing as well.

5. Blush.

I love using cream blushes in the summer. They’ll absorb into your skin and you can’t necessarily sweat it off like you could a powder blush. This one by Josie Maran is my favorite. It provides 14 hours of color and it’s moisturizing. Seriously, it feels amazing on your skin – no sticky feeling whatsoever. I love that the color is buildable, so I never end up with too much color.

6. Lips.

It’s no secret that I love lipstick. However, lipstick can feel a bit heavy on a hot day. I always find myself reaching for lip stains like this one, or one of YSL’s Glossy Stains. The also just came out with this line of “Pop Water” stains that I’m dying to try. This way you get the lip color that’s suited for summer!

7. Set.

The biggest trick to keeping your makeup in place? Setting spray. Urban Decay’s De-slick does the trick for me. My bottle has lasted me forever – you can tell since it’s still the old packaging. This one will keep your makeup lasting all day, even in the summer heat. I spray my face with it after completely finishing my makeup, but for extra staying power, I’ll spray my face before too as a sort of primer.

And that’s it! Following those tips will ensure that your makeup will stay in place all day, even in the heat. I hope these are useful to you, thanks so much for reading! Do you have any favorite products suited for summer? Let me know in the comments! 🙂

P. S. Texas girls prepping for sorority recruitment in August, these tips and oil blotting sheets will be your lifesaver!

Current Makeup Favorites

Mar 13

Okay, so I know I’ve been MIA for over a week, but midterms got the best of me. I’m now officially on spring break and I’ve got some posts coming up for you! I originally intended for this post to be kind of a “February Favorites” but considering we’re almost halfway through March now (how did that happen?!) it’s just kind of a “current makeup favorites” that I can’t get enough of instead! Some are new products, and others are some rediscovered loves I had forgotten about.

Anastasia Contour Kit

First up is a new product. You’ve probably heard about it by now since it has a cult following. I bought it recently because I had run out of bronzer and was looking to try something different. If I want to go for an all over bronze look, I use the bottom left bronze color. For contouring, I like the bottom middle bronze color. It’s more cool toned, so it’s more suited for contouring than the other two. Your ideal contour shade is more cool toned, and maybe even a little bit grey. I bought a contouring brush to go along with the palette to create the perfect look. Of the highlighting shades, the middle banana one is by far my favorite. I use it under my eyes, and nothing brightens up your face like this powder does, it’s amazing. You don’t really even need under eye concealer with it. I also like the top right highlighting color for the tops of my cheekbones since it has shimmer to it. They’ve also just released a palette for medium to tan skin if these shades are too light for you.

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

Okay, so ignore the fact that this is a little sample of the mascara (I just bought the full size one!) and let me tell you – this is my new favorite mascara. The whole “hook and lift” thing it’s got going on seriously separates and perfects your lashes. I’m one for using multiple mascaras to achieve the lash look that I like, but I don’t really need to with this one. Benefit really knows their stuff with mascara. I still love They’re Real but this one will be taking the role as my favorite for now.

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit

This product is actually a rediscovered love. It’s amazing at covering under eye circles because it is peach toned and cancels out the blueness of the circles. The color I have is “Natural” and it’s a little bit dark, so if I repurchase it I will definitely go lighter. I had it color matched to me when I had an intense airbrush tan (not my best decision for purchasing a product…) but since I still try to maintain a faux glow the color works for me. On the right side of the compact is a light yellow powder, and I use that to set the concealer. It works really well and also helps to brighten up your under eyes.

NARS And God Created the Woman Eye Kit

This one is also rediscovered. I actually thought that I didn’t like the product for a while, but then I started using a different eyeshadow brush with it and loved the pigmentation of all the shadows. The palette has a very 60’s vibe, which is pretty much my favorite decade as far as makeup trends go. Mine is from the first release of the palette, so if you buy it new now the colors are in a little bit of a different order. I love the top two corner ones the most, if you couldn’t tell. Also, I believe that all of these colors can be found in NARS duos or single eyeshadows as part of their permanent line, so if you run out of one it’s easy to replace.

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in Rose Libertin

And lastly, a more recent purchase. I love the formula of YSL lipsticks because they’re so creamy and pigmented, and I actually think I prefer the Rouge Pur Couture over the Rouge Volupte Shine. I picked this color because it’s similar to one of my all time favorites, NARS Roman Holiday, but Rose Libertin is a bit brighter and more lilac. Plus, who can resist the perfect gold packaging of this lipstick… how can you not feel glamorous putting it on?!

Thank you so much for reading, I hope you all have a great Friday!

Wednesday Wishes // Beauty

Feb 18

one // two // three // four // five // six

1. bareMinerals Complexion Rescue.

Full coverage foundation is not really for me. I’ve found that it just feels like too much on my skin, and I honestly don’t need a lot of coverage anyway. I’ve been on the hunt for the best BB cream or tinted moisturizer and I found this. It’s a gel cream that actually helps improve your skin while you wear it. I got a small sample of it from Sephora (I’m huge on sampling products – especially foundations) and I’m in love. I’m definitely going to be ordering this one.

2. YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in Rose Libertin.

Okay, so I’m kind of cheating here. This one’s not so much of a “wish” considering I just bought it… oops. I haven’t worn it yet so maybe it still counts? It’s a gorgeous pink, and the formula of YSL lipsticks is amazing.

3. Benefit Roller Lash Mascara.

Benefit, you’ve outdone yourself here. They’re Real has been my holy grail mascara for so long now, but I think it’s going to have to step down to make room for Roller Lash. I’ve got a sample of this baby that I will be using every drop of. (Told ya I love samples!) You literally don’t even have to curl your lashes with this mascara, it does it for you AND separates them beautifully. If you’re a Sephora VIB or VIB Rouge member, you can purchase this heaven in a tube now, but if not it will be available to purchase on February 27th.

4. Elizabeth and James Nirvana White Perfume.

Alright, cheating here again. I just bought the rollerball of this perfume because I really don’t need another perfume, but it just smelled so good! Nirvana Black also smells amazing and would be a great nighttime perfume. I bought Nirvana White because the scent is more suitable for daytime wear, while a lot of my other perfumes can be a little too much during the day.

5. Victoria Beckham x Nails Inc Judo Red.

Red nails are my absolute favorite because they’re classic. In Saturday’s Weekend Reading I shared a link on how to find your perfect shade of red. The article focuses on lip color, but also goes great for nails too. My perfect red is a tomato, orange-toned red just like this gorgeous polish.

6. Charlotte Tillbury “The Rock Chick” Eyeshadow Palette.

I’m dying to try any of Charlotte Tillbury’s products. I’ve read nothing but great reviews and the packaging is to die for. I’m obsessed with this look of hers, so I definitely want to get my hands on this palette.

Thank you so much for reading, I hope your week is going well! We had kind of a weird day here in Austin yesterday, so hopefully that doesn’t set the tone for the rest of the week. Also, I’m working on scheduling out posts for the next few weeks, so if you have any post requests please send them my way! What beauty products are you dying to try?

YSL Volupte Tint in Oil

Feb 16

I’m back, to talk about more oil. Or is it lip gloss? Or lip tint? What is this?

For all you lip product newbies, or for those of you who are looking for something effortless: I have found your perfect product. It is YSL’s new Volupte Tint in Oil.

What on earth is a tint in oil, you ask?

It’s defined as “A revolutionary lip color with a lip tint suspended in a deep conditioning oil.” Ok. What? It’s essentially a super moisturizing oil that also tints your lips. You apply it similar to a gloss, and the color develops as you wear it. It’s basically the easiest lip product ever since the color stays even after the glossiness of the oil has worn off. Just put it on and you don’t have to worry about reapplying for a while thanks to the “tint” part of “tint in oil.” Best part? There’s no stickiness like some lip glosses give, which is a huge pet peeve of mine. The formula is very smooth and fluid like you would expect an oil to be, but it’s not runny because the applicator is precise.

There are 8 colors in the collection and all are very wearable. Some are lighter, some are brighter. I picked up #4 I Rose You (right in picture) and #6 Peach Me Love (left in picture). I Rose You is a lighter pink, that looks pretty much clear when you apply it. It does develop into a subtle pink as it’s worn though and looks very natural. Peach Me Love is one of the brighter colors from the collection, and it is a peachy-coral color. This one is much brighter than I Rose You and more color shows immediately upon application. I’m a huge fan of orange-y hues so I can already tell that Peach Me Love is my favorite of the two. The colors are also pretty sheer, so I would recommend going with the brighter colors available.

I think these are perfect if you don’t really wear lip products and aren’t quite ready to jump into bold lipsticks just yet, or if you just want something easy for everyday. What do you think? Have you tried any product similar to this? Happy Monday & thanks for reading!

10 Makeup Mistakes You Might Be Making

Feb 05

{photo via pinterest}

I’ve been obsessed with makeup since I knew what it was. I’m about 98% sure that I wore makeup every single day all 4 years of high school, and probably almost every day that I’ve been in college. I am that girl in class dressed like a hobo and wearing a full face of makeup. Not sorry. I think it’s pretty safe to say that I’ve made my fair share of makeup mistakes in my lifetime- however heinous they may be. Did I wear glitter eyeliner everyday of 6th grade? I’m not so sure I wanna own up to that one… (Unfortunately the answer is yes.) I’ve gathered up ten makeup mistakes that seem to be the most common, but there’s no shame here. I’ve been guilty of all of these at some point, so learn from my mistakes and get one step closer to flawless makeup.

1. You don’t prime.

If your makeup isn’t lasting all day, use a primer. It will keep your makeup in place. This one is my favorite, and I’m dying to try this one.

2. You use your fingers to apply face makeup.

Use a makeup brush or Beauty Blender sponge to ensure even coverage of your makeup. Using your hands or fingers to apply face makeup can leave you splotchy. Also, you don’t want all the oils and germs from your hands on your face- especially if your hands aren’t clean.

3. You don’t clean your makeup brushes.

Having problems with breakouts? Your makeup brushes could be the culprit. Try to clean them once a week to prevent bacteria from growing and spreading on your face.

4. You don’t match your foundation correctly.

You want to match your foundation to three places: your driver’s side jawline, underneath your eyes and around your nose. Your “perfect” foundation color should seemingly disappear into all three of these places. Remember, you don’t ever want your face to be a different shade than the rest of your body.

5. You’re using the wrong coverage foundation.

Don’t use more coverage than you need. If you don’t need full coverage foundation, don’t use one! I love using tinted moisturizers or BB creams just to even out my skin color a little, and then adding concealer under my eyes and wherever else needed.

6. You apply concealer under your foundation.

If you apply concealer before foundation, you’re just blending it away. Apply your foundation first, and then concealer in any areas you want a little more coverage.

7. You wear black eyeliner on your waterline.

Black eyeliner on your waterline can make your eyes look smaller. Try a white or cream color eyeliner instead, your eyes will look bigger and you’ll appear more awake. I love this one.

8. You powder instead of blot.

If you have oily skin like I do, you’re constantly worried about looking shiny. Carry oil blotting sheets with you and use those to get rid of the shine. Powdering to get rid of shine can make you look cakey and powdery.

9. You don’t ever wear lip products.

Don’t let your lips disappear into your face! AT LEAST wear a lightly tinted lip balm or gloss to prevent this. (This one is perfect if you’re not used to lip products yet!) I’m also a firm believer that just one swipe of lipstick will make you look ten thousand times more put together. See here– I swear anyone can pull of casual red lipstick if they want to.

10. You don’t fill in your eyebrows.

You don’t have to do anything crazy with your brows, but lightly filling them in with an angled brush and powder to match your hair color will give more dimension to your face. I personally like my brows to be a little darker than my hair color, but this choice is up to you. I use a MAC 266 brush and MAC Omega for my brows, and Omega is a great color for blondes. But honestly, I’m kinda liking this trend too for all you fair haired beauties…

Of course, if you find that you do one or more of these and it totally works for you- keep doing you! I have just found that these things do not work for me or a lot of girls I know. What makeup faux pas bugs you the most? I’m curious!

P.S. Thank you all SO much for the overwhelming love and support you’ve given me about my blog! I could not ask for better family & friends (since I know you’re probably the only ones reading at this point 😉 ) I love you all, and stay tuned for regular posts from me!

makeup

Instagram

hunteredelbrock

Explore

Connect