the forum | youtube

Hello, everyone, and welcome back to the forum!

This time, we're talking about YouTube.

As you may have seen, I posted my first beauty video on YouTube this past Sunday. This made me wonder if you watch beauty videos on YouTube and, if so, whom you watch.

For my part, I'm a huge fan of Anna from ViviannaDoesMakeup, Lily Pebbles, Alix from icovetthee, Karima McKimmie, and the illustrious Lisa Eldridge. YouTube has been a huge part of my love for makeup: it keeps me informed about upcoming releases and shows me new techniques for what I already have. Online video on the whole fascinates me: it's an up-and-coming industry with the truly unique advantage of allowing anyone to create content.

Which beauty channels do you follow?

What lifestyle-related content would you like to see from me on YouTube?

the video | the lip product addict tag

Hello, everyone!

For today's post, I thought I'd share a video I filmed for the Lip Product Addict Tag. My apologies in advance for the lighting: I'm still figuring out a proper setup for the future.

I tag all of you to respond with your favorite lip products!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

the update | an apology

Hello, again!

I'm so sorry. I thought I'd be back to my regular posting schedule this week, but I forgot how hectic it is to get settled back in at university.

Not to worry, though: I have a post planned for the weekend—possibly a video! Let me know if you'd be interested in, say, a Lip Product Addict tag. Y'know, for science.

Once again, I apologize for the craziness. Things will get back to normal.

Have a nice day!

the weekend update | moving

Hello, lovely folks!

Things have been a little crazy this weekend. I've just moved back on campus and am getting settled in, so I hope you'll forgive the quietness on this end.

I'll be back to my regular posting schedule this week.

For those of you who have started or are about to start back to school this week, good luck!

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 playlist | back to school 2014

If you live in the United States, chances are that you either have just started or are about to start back at school. What better way to celebrate than with some tunes?

Perennial favorites the Black Keys kick things off with a little "Fever" with the now-finished Civil Wars following with some insane harmonies. Lorde has to be featured in any sort of back-to-school playlist as the teenage queen of cool, and the Killers are already classic. Àsgeir appears here, too, with a riveting melody and heart-pounding beat. John Mark McMillan creates a new kind of worship song while the Neighbourhood anticipates the upcoming chill. Finally, Mary Lambert shines in her new joyous anthem, and Paramore, one of my favorites for the past seven or eight years, closes us out.

I've tried to find clean versions of all these songs, but there is still some language. If that bothers you, I apologize.

the weekend forum | sunday evening pampering

Hello, everyone!

I just got back from a weekend with family and friends and am about to wash my face and apply a face mask or two.

What do you like to do to wind down the weekend?

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?