the face | great scott

Today, I thought I'd try something a little different. Let me know how you like the change in image formatting!

This morning, my dear friend Scott did my makeup. I did my own base—my standard cocktail of Hourglass Veil mineral primer, NARS Pure Radiant tinted moisturizer in Terre Neuve, NARS Radiant Creamy concealer in Chantilly, and Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal Light—with a light dusting of NARS blush in Mistinguette, and Scott contoured my cheekbones with Illamasqua Hollow. Scott has a fondness for bold hues and smokey eyes, so he dipped into the Urban Decay Naked and Naked3 palettes, using the shades Toasted, Creep, Mugshot, Blackheart, and Dust. Even over my favorite NARS Smudge Proof eyeshadow base, you can see that they have creased after roughly seven or eight hours of wear.

The lips, though, are where it gets even more fun: Scott used Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics's famous lip tar in Technopagan—what a name!—with some Butch dabbed in the middle. I haven't yet reapplied the now-discontinued Butch since eating as I wanted to show off Technopagan for the purposes of this post. I understand the appeal of the lip tar formula: it's not too drying, and it stays decently put throughout the day. I did need to reapply after failing to eat nachos neatly, but I actually enjoy the process of reapplying.

Metallic navy is a departure from the norm for me, and I'm loving it! I've received several compliments throughout the day, but, more importantly, I got to spend time with a friend and try something different.

What beauty experiments have you tried with your friends?

the favorites | august 2014

It's time once again to talk about my favorite products from the past month!

makeup

I decided not to mention favorites from last month as you'd quickly tire of my waxing poetic for the NARS Pure Radiant tinted moisturizer. This month has been a month of rediscoveries and new discoveries: I bought the Bobbi Brown Corrector in Extra Light Bisque last fall, but I didn't get the hang of it until recently. I just dab a bit of this on the inner corners of my eyes—wherever I am bluest—and follow it up with my beloved NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly. 

As far as new products go, I made a bit of a haul a couple of weeks ago to pick up the Kat Von D Tattoo liner and the Hourglass Veil mineral primer. Both of these have turned out to be holy grail products for me: the liner is brilliant to use, and the primer suits my base of choice perfectly. Additionally, I won a giveaway on /r/MakeupAddicts and received a box of goodies, including this exclusive blush from Hello Waffle in But At Least I'll Look Pretty. Although I received it for free, I'd happily pay for this. I'm unfamiliar with loose blush formulas, but this one is soft and gorgeous: imagine MAC Syrup in blush form.

skincare

As summer is starting to wind down—at least in theory here in the South—I'm beginning to get back into my more moisturizing products. The CeraVe Hydrating cleanser has thoroughly impressed me so far with its creamy, non-foaming, and non-irritating formula. I've only had this for about the last couple of weeks, but I am chuffed so far.

tea

Ah, tea: the elixir of life! I drink tea regularly, but since I've moved back on campus, I've been guzzling the stuff. Barry's Tea Gold Blend is my favorite! I've been drinking it since I first picked it up in Dean & DeLuca three-and-a-half years ago. It brews beautifully with milk: it's robust but never bitter. It's becoming easier and easier to acquire, too, at least in the States, so snap some up the next time you see it.

What have your favorites been this month?

the haul | replacements

For the past couple of months, I've put myself on a replacement-only no-buy, and I've been successful thus far. I've used up a few things, though, so this past weekend I finally made the trek to Sephora.

I've heard lots of good things about the Kat Von D Tattoo liner, and so far it's lived up to the hype. Unlike most liquid liners I've used before, it has a brush tip rather than one of felt. Despite my reservations about potential messiness, it's actually easier and more precise to apply than, say, everyone's favorite Stila liner. I'm happily impressed.

The other thing I bought was a travel-sized Hourglass Veil mineral primer. It's undoubtedly the priciest primer I've ever used, but it's also by far the best. I've used it every day this week barring Sunday and have been floored by how well this pairs with my favorite NARS Pure Radiant tinted moisturizer. It looks like another face of the day is in order.

Have you bought anything recently? If so, what?

the favorites | july 2014

Hello, all!

I apologize for my lack of consistent posting this week. I've had family- and school-related obligations. Fortunately, I'm now back on track!

So, without any further ado, let's talk July favorites.

makeup

July in the South is fairly sweltering, so whenever I wear a full face, I can't go wrong with NARS Pure Radiant tinted moisturizer. I currently own the shade Terre Neuve, which isn't quite pink enough for me, but it blends well enough that you can't really tell. The Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelée in Poppy Paradise has acted in much the same way, giving me a sheer, bright blush. To set everything in place, I've been reaching for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal Light, as always. This also works well with the Wayne Goss method.

On my lips, I've been sporting this deluxe sample of the Laura Mercier lip glacé in Rose, which I received in a points perk from Sephora. Although I'm not the biggest fan of shimmer, the formula isn't sticky, and the color enhances the natural color of my lips just enough to look effortlessly pretty.

After a brief stint of believing I'd lost it, my friend Kyle found my Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Pumped Up! mascara hiding in my couch—I kid you not. I'm very glad he did: it's very volumizing very quickly. Don't buy into the "double shot" marketing nonsense, but do try this if you want long, full lashes. Finally, on my eyelids themselves, I've been sporting Mother of Dragons from Shiro's Seven Kingdoms collection. Although it's intimidating in the baggie, when applied, it transforms into a sultry, shimmery burgundy that brings out the green in my eyes. Its only real failing is its lack of lasting power, but I hope to remedy that with Darling Girl Glitter Glue in the near future.

skincare

My skin doesn't like summer very much. Between the heat, humidity, and constant switches in between, I don't blame it. Fortunately, the Stridex Maximum Strength pads have helped keep my skin in check. Soaked in beta hydroxy acids, these pads balance the pH of my skin in the morning and act as a chemical exfoliant, which makes them useful for the keratosis pilaris on my arms as well. Another product that my face has been enjoying this month is the elusive Antipodes Aura manuka honey mask. At once soothing, hydrating, and cleansing, this has pampered my skin.

nails

Although I didn't document it, Essie's Watermelon graced my nails at the beginning of the month. Since I bought it while studying abroad, every time I use this polish, I wonder why the US doesn't have the wide brushes of Essie's UK diffusion line. With the wider brush, it applies smoothly and quickly for a nearly gel-like coat of hot pink-red. I'll have to paint my nails with it again this August: it's summer in a bottle!

What have been your favorite products this month?