OOTD | Valentines, Outfit, Weekend

Happy (late) Valentine's Day, and I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend. Although I spent Valentines doing physics homework (basically a super busy Thursday), the boyfriend brought by favorite flowers, an adorable card, and a gift in the mail the next day.

So I treated myself to a little something for Valentines. I can't talk rave about this scrub enough, "Rose Tea" from Sabon. I've gone through so many pots of these, but because they're $30 a pot, it's not something I purchase all the time. It leaves my skin soft like no other, without any residue. Many scrubs leave an oily residue on the skin, and this is the only scrub I've tried that doesn't. It smells delicious, and you don't need a ton to cover the entire body. I'll do a separate review on this one!

Getting dressed for Friday's festivities- on my way out to celebrate a birthday. I put the homework away, did my hair, and had a fabulous time.

Make up (although not so clear in the pictures- sorry!)

Foundation: bareMinerals

Powder: bareMinerals

Eyes: Carbon//MAC

Mascara: Covergirl Lashblast

Blush: Well Dressed//MAC

Highlight: Soft & Gentle//MAC

Lipstick: Cruising//NARS

Products used on hair:

 Hot tools 1.5 inch curling iron

Paul Mitchell Hot Of The Press heat protectant spray

Treseme Tres two hairspray

What I wore:

Tuxedo Blazer//Express

Silk blouse//Express

Leggings//J.Crew

Sunburst earrings//House of Harlow

BCBG clutch

Boots//Baker's (from years ago)

Haul | MAC and Drugstore

In lieu of a monthly favorites post for January, here are a few products I've purchased over the past month. Ever since I got into make up, I've been into higher-end products. Maybe I'm a bit of a snob about it, maybe I just fall for the gorgeous packaging. Lately I thought I would try to be more wallet-friendley and see what I can find at the drug store (besides the MAC products here!)

MAC products

Well Dressed/Powder Blush/Satin

I ended up returning Pink Swoon (the haul is here) the color was a bit too bright for my liking, it's not something I would wear every day. Well Dressed is gorgeous though! It can be built up or put on lightly for every day. Loving it so far!

Angel/Frost

I've heard such wonderful reviews about this lipstick, and I've been looking for a light pink. I picked up this one, as well as a drugstore pink!

Studio Finish Concealer

This is my absolute favorite concealer! It covers everything. I purchased one in NC20 for my lighter complexion in the winter (I've been using NC30 in the summer months). I noticed this little pot has gone up in price- to $18.50! I'm pretty sure it was $16 or $17 last year. It lasts forever though, a little goes a long way.

Drugstore

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind for dark circles

I'm hoping this is creamier, since the MAC concealer can be a bit drying for under the eyes. I got the "neutralizer" shade. There was a highlighting shade as well, but I'm not sure if that would be too bright or sparkly for under the eyes.

Covergirl Lash Blast

Just a repurchase. LOVE this mascara- it's perfect, and much less clumpy than the Lash Blast Luxe, which has glitter particles in it, making it a bit thicker than I like.

L'Oreal Magic Lumi

This is a light diffusing primer, I'm excited to try it out! The packaging is adorable. I've heard that this works really well as a highlighter too, so we'll see!

NYC Bronzer//Sunny

I was so excited that this was only $3! I've heard good things about this product as well. The packaging is really cheap though, I feel as though the "hinge" might break if I open and close the case too many times. The hinge is just folded plastic.

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder//Light

I've run out of my Make Up For Ever HD powder, and this one is working really well so far! It's just as finely milled, which is fantastic. The packaging is a bit bulkier than I like since it comes with a sponge applicator at the bottom of the compact. 

Revlon Super Lustrous//Primrose (Creme)

This is a light, cool-toned pink. It's kind of similar to MAC Angel, but a bit brighter, and is a creme finish instead of a frost. 

Rimmel Exaggerate Full Color Lip Liner

Pure (pink) Innocent (nude)

I picked up two of these lip liners to use as lip color as well as liners. "Pure" is a watermelon pink color, and Innocent is nude (it's not as brown in person as it appears in the swatch down below). I haven't worn these yet, but from swatching them I can tell that they're really soft, so I'll need to be careful not to break them. They are twist up though - no wasting product :)

Left to right:

MAC Angel

Revlon Primrose

Rimmel Pure

Rimmel Innocent

What's your favorite drugstore make-up product?

Review | Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

Having accumulated quite a few things through stress shopping over the past few months, I've been trying to appreciate the things that I own rather than buying more. This month I've really been enjoying Laura Mercier's Silk Creme foundation - its my go-to foundation when I need a high coverage, flawless finish for a bad-skin day, or if it's been a long night. I thought I'd share my thoughts :)

The foundation comes in a shimmery purpley- brown squeeze tube for $42 with 1.18fl oz/35ml of product, and is good for 18 months. It's a tad expensive, but the tube will last forever- you don't need much to cover your whole face. The packaging is really similar to other Laura Mercier products- about the same as the tinted moisturizers. Be careful that you're purchasing the foundation instead of the primer or oil-free tinted moisturizer, as they all look quite similar in the tube! 

Do remember to shake well prior to use!

Pros: True to it's name, this product is really creamy- a little goes a long way!  It does a fantastic job when it comes to coverage, is water resistant, and long lasting. I've worn it through the rain and it stayed put perfectly. You can put on quite a lot and have it still look natural. I have an oily T-zone, and I haven't had any issues with this foundation slipping or wearing off too much during the day. I wouldn't say that the finish is "luminous", but it's most definitely a natural finish, not too matte or dewy. It really does look like my skin! I find that it works best when squeezed onto your hand (to warm up the product) before applying with a brush, or simply applied with the fingers.The two brushes I like to use with this foundation are Real Technique's face brush, and the Sigma F60 foundation brush.

Cons: I'm not really a fan of the rather potent smell. The best way I can describe it is a bit almond-y and a bit like paint. I'm not sure if it's just the one that I have or not. Aside from that, no complaints!

Comparisons: The consistency is a bit thinner and creamier than that of MAC's Studio Sculpt, and the coverage is higher. You can read that review here! It's thicker than Make Up For Ever's HD foundation, but the coverage is higher as well.

Repurchase? Absolutely.

Review | MAC Chatterbox Lipstick and OOTD

After a long first week of my last semester, I caught up with one of my best friends from school. I didn't have too much time to get ready, so a simple outfit with pink lipstick it was!

Foundation: BareMinerals Original (I'm giving this foundation a second try, I previously thought it broke me out. I hope it proves me wrong. You can read that post here). The foundation really does give the most wonderful glow.

Mascara: Covergirl Lashblast Original

Lipstick: MAC Chatterbox

MAC's lipstick in Chatterbox is a brightly hued and extremely pigmented yellow toned pink with an amplified finish. It's the perfect color if you want to go bright, but not "neon". This super creamy formula is really easy to apply, but it is easy to accidentally apply too much in one swipe as it is very soft. I didn't have an issue with it bleeding, but a lipliner may not be a bad idea!

The staying power is really good for being so creamy- most of it lasted through dinner! I will point out that once it wears off it leaves a "stained" effect on the lips. I wouldn't keep this as a "purse lipstick" since, again, it's really soft and would probably melt rather easily. Aside from that, it compliments simple make up well, and would go well with most skin tones. I can't wait to wear it more often in the spring and summer months!

And as for the outfit of the day,

Earrings: Tiffany

Coat: Guess

Leggings: J.Crew

Sweater: H&M

Boots: Bakers

Bag: Kate Spade (haul is here)