Weekly Favorites

Howdy all,

So, I've been super tired this week from my teaching schedule and have not felt like being too fussy with my makeup each morning, and these products have helped. I have had oily skin right now and I need my makeup to last all day. I do take it off at the end of the night and have been taking care of my skin but the last few weeks have really been a test to see which products are the most long wearing.

Favorites: 

Too Faced Romantic Eye Palette: this palette makes is it so I don't even have to think about my eye look and get really pretty looks. I do and Cut the Cake are two of my favorite shades :)

Tarte CC colored clay primer and Amazonian Colored Clay liquid foundation in Tan have been my go to for the past 3 weeks. When I first used this foundation, I really did not like it. It looked a bit heavy and too noticeable but I think I was using the wrong primer and now that my skin is oily, this foundation has been perfect. I apply it over the Tarte primer, which I love because it really does hide discoloration all on its own.

Tarte BB tinted under eye corrector in Medium to tan: I love this corrector so much that I have hit pan on it. I hear the new one is even better and I can't wait to try it but for now this guy has been a huge help as a deal with huge undereye circles.

Nars radiant creamy concealer in Biscuit: I got this baby a while back and have tried a few concealers int he mean time but I find that this concealer does the job with minimal work. I don't use it to highlight just to hide my panda eyes and the color is perfect for that. If I also wanted it to highlight I would probably get a lighter color but Biscuit  matches my skin color, so I find it perfect for a quick conceal as I run out the door.

Pumpkin and Poppy Oil Absorbing Mineral Veil: I use this to set my makeup and I feel like it makes a difference and holds my oil at bay for 8 hours

Mally Beauty Evercolor Poreless Face Defender: Unfortunately my oils eventually become noticeable, even with the mineral veil. That is when the face defender comes to the rescue. Just a light application and the oil is gone and my face is matte. Everyone with oily skin needs to have this guy. It's expensive but you can currently find it in a kit at Ulta for $49 Ulta.com. It is worth it, if you can afford it.

Parting thoughts: 

-What have you all been loving this week?
-Anyone else super tired?

Lots of love,
~ Cynthia

August Olia Box

Howdy all,

I am super late in posting my Olia box especially given how fast it arrived this moth.

The goods: 

I am not a big fan of the earrings but I absolutely loved the detachable bracelets! They are super cute and go well with my style. The necklace is definitely a statement piece and I will have to figure out how to wear it but I am pretty excited to play with it. 

If you are interested in a jewelry subscription box, you should check out Olia box http://oliabox.com/. I've had an excellent experience with it. They do cater the box to your style and you can indicate a preference for gold, silver or rose gold. You also get price options of $25, $35, or $45 and you can cancel anytime. 

Let me know if you end up ordering or if you already have what pieces you've gotten :) 

August ipsy bag and first impressions

Howdy all!

I've been working and totally exhausted lately but getting my ipsy bag this month has completely rekindled my makeup addiction.

My Bag: 

The goods: 

Urban Decay Perversion mascara 

Absolute New York You're the Balm in grape

Dr. Brandt Pores No More primer

Lord & Berry black eyeliner 

Coastal Scents blush sampler 

I did't get a good shot of the bad but I think that it's super cute! I love the orange polka dots. 

The look:

First Impressions: 

I used everything in this month's bag except for the Perversion mascara because I want to review that one individually :) 

-The Dr Brandt primer worked really well with my Kat Von D Lock it liquid foundation and I think it's making me like the foundation (not my favorite but needs to be used). 

-The Coastal Scents blushes are very pigmented so pigmented that I actually went overboard with them and had to go back in with my beauty blender to tone them down. I did use the Makeup Forever dream HD blush (not from ipsy) as a base and it was so not needed. The cream blush also does not need anything on top of it and is beautiful on its own. 

-The Lord & Berry eyeliner was the one disappointment, it doesn't stay on my waterline and faded throughout the day. Net time I will try toping it with a black shadow but that's a bit too high maintenance for me right now. 

-The Absolute New York balm on the other had was the big stand out for me. My lips are super dry all the time and the balm actually made a big difference, it also really spells like grape. I loved the smell and I like to say that my nose doesn't work (allergies usually stuff it up) so I was happy to get a huge whiff of grape :) 

-As you can see from the picture I also used the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette and a Maybelline color tattoo 

Parting Thoughts: 

-What did you all get in your bags this month? 

-I hope everyone had a great weekend :)