Review: Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Concealers + Correctors

In addition to being a foundation lover (watch my collection video here and see all previous reviews here), I am just as addicted to concealers. But I don't tend to use concealers for spot treatments, rather I prefer just to use them under the eye area or as a quick makeshift foundation if I am running late. I recently tested out the new Bobbi Brown Serum Concealer and Correctors and was so impressed by the formula.

I am already a fan of the Serum Foundation (watch my review here), and love skincare/makeup hybrid products. However, I wasn't sure if this product would skew more towards the skincare side (great feeling on the skin, but poor coverage/performance) or the makeup side (supreme coverage and wearability but feels awful on the skin). Just from one swipe I could tell this was a great mix of both. The texture is one of the best I've felt in a long time and has this creamy and emollient slip to it that feels great when applying under the eye. It instantly helps to hydrate the area, and I find that any fine lines instantly look smoother and less noticeable. Over time the formulation is designed to help reduce any pigmentation or discoloration issues under the eye. As far as coverage, I only needed a few dabs to hide the darkness under my eyes, and I don't notice any creasing or movement throughout the day. I was just applying it this morning and kept looking in the mirror thinking I needed to add more, but surprisingly only the smallest amount did the job!  

Swatches from left to right: Porcelain Peach Corrector, Porcelain Concealer, Extra Light Bisque Corrector

I have the concealer in the shade Porcelain which is more yellow, and it does a great job of brightening up the area without leaving me with two large white half-circles under my eyes. The Extra Light Bisque Corrector is perfect for helping to color correct on mornings when my eyes look extra dark from allergies or lack of sleep. I like to apply that just on the darkness that is closest the bridge of my nose, and then I add a few dabs of the Porcelain concealer in the inner corner and below my dark circles to help blend it into my foundation. The Porcelain Peach Corrector is extremely bright and yellow and though it's a bit too light for under my eyes, I have absolutely loved using it on my cheekbones, under my brow bone and just above my eyebrow arch. It gives a gorgeous highlighting effect and because the formula is so creamy and blendable, it looks a million times better than a traditional highlighter (powder or cream) that can sometimes sit on top of the skin. If you are deciding between a concealer or corrector, my best advice would be to hit up your local Bobbi counter to see what they would recommend. The formula is exactly identical so it's just a matter of finding what would suit your needs. 

*pr samples included

Have you tried this concealer? What are your thoughts? What is your current favorite concealer? Let me know in the comments below!

Shop other concealer options:

Review: Bobbi Brown Telluride Palette, NARS Matte and Shimmer Palette and Buxom Eyeshadow Palettes

The truth is that most of us don't need another eyeshadow palette, it's more of a want at this point. So even though I have 12,985 palettes already in my collection, I do like to review new ones that launch to give my thoughts on them hoping it may aid in the decision making process for those interested. But surprisingly I actually use most of my makeup collection regularly and rotate through things so I never get caught in a rut...and so that those products don't get reviewed and then put away in a drawer to never be seen again. Ugh! Here are three new recently launched palettes that I've been test driving and my thoughts on each:

1. Bobbi Brown Telluride Eyeshadow Palette - I have found Bobbi Brown shadows to be hit or miss. The pigmentation, formulation or color may be off a bit, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this new release. Naturally I loved the color palette because it was all neutrals and had a good mix of both matte and shimmer, but wasn't quite sure how the shadows would wear and perform. While the two far left shades in the above pic where a tad dusty when I dipped my brush in, the payoff was fantastic. The deep chocolate brown shimmer shade was by far my favorite and has a buttery rich texture that glides on the lid. The middle gold shade was the most difficult to work with and needs to be applied on top of a cream shadow that has some tackiness to it in order to grab the glitter. Tapping on with your forefinger is the best application for that shade. The remaining 3 colors are richly pigmented, easy to blend and are the perfect shades to add for definition. Overall, I adore this palette and find the shadows are a "hit" for me.

2. Buxom Palette in Dolly's Wild Side (top palette/swatches) and May Contain Nudity (bottom palette/swatches) - Buxom just recently launched these two palettes along with a third that featured all pastel shades. In addition, you can buy many of the shades separately and create your own palette which is always a great idea in my opinion. As you can see from the above swatches, pigmentation is not an issue at all. I only had to swirl my finger around the color one time to get that much of a pay-off on my arm. *hands up emoji* There is little to no fallout with these shades and the powder itself feels buttery and rich. Surprisingly I have been reaching for the Dolly's Wild Side palette a bit more than the May Contain Nudity palette because I enjoy the cooler toned shimmer shades in it. The golden and peachy-coral shimmer shades in the May Contain Nudity are my two favorites and give the most perfect beachy bronzed look for the eyes. But if neither appeals to you, then I would definitely build your own because these shadows don't disappoint.

3. NARS Matte/Shimmer Eye Palette - My goodness, the reviews for this palette have been all over the place. I almost removed it from my cart on Sephora.com because I wasn't sure it was worth trying. Well, thank goodness I didn't because this palette is EASILY my favorite one of all. Every single shade is a winner and the pigmentation is even and consistent. There is not one shade that swatched patchy and any look I could possibly want to create can be made from this palette. AND it mixes both shimmer and matte! There is some dust that kicks up when I first put my brush in, but luckily that did not translate to any fallout when applying. This is by far one of the best palettes that I have tried in a long time. Ugh, I hate to make bold statements like that so early on, but when something is this good the recognition needs to be given.   

*pr samples included

Have you checked out my updated Beauty and Fashion Faves page? Click here to see all my picks for makeup, skincare and fashion for Fall!

Shop more of my palette recommendations:

<

>

Foundation Review: Clinique Acne Solutions BB Cream, Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation and Too Faced Born This Way Foundation

Here's a quick review of three new foundations I have been testing out over the past few weeks! Enjoy and don't forget to subscribe!

Too Faced Born This Way Foundation 

Clinique Acne Solutions BB Cream
Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation
Artis Brush 

New Shadow Sticks From Sisley And Bobbi Brown

I am a sucker for a jumbo pencil application. Lip or eye - I love them all. I am already a huge fan of the Sisley Phyto Lip-Twists and swear by the Bobbi Brown Art Sticks (I live for the shade Sunset Orange) so I was excited to try these new eye pencil launches from each brand.

1. Sisley Phyto-Eye Twist - Just like the lip twists, these eye twists are creamy, easy to blend and effortless to apply. But after about 15-30 seconds, these set pretty well and do not move. I still like to wear them over an eyeshadow primer (because my eyelids are forever oily), but I can wear these all day long with no fear of creasing. Because the colors are vibrant yet easy to wear, I prefer to use these as my main shadow without layering anything on top. The shimmer is so slight and luminous that I don't want to dull it with any other color or texture. Naturally shade 2 and 3 made it to my top faves instantly, but shade 5 and 6 were fun liners colors on days that I wanted a hint of color. I live on the edge my way, you live on the edge your way.

2. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks -The texture of the Bobbi Brown shadow sticks were much creamier than the Sisley eye twists, yet surprisingly lasted just as long. As soon as I swatched these I felt they would melt off within a few hours, but after a full day of work they were still going strong. The colors range from shimmer to matte, and I love using them to layer because they pick up powder shadow soooo well. They create a lot of depth in a look but are still easy to swipe on and blend with my finger. Though I am typically a brush gal when it comes to makeup application, using my finger for a quick blending when I am half asleep in the morning is sometimes necessary. Whatever works, right?!

*pr samples included

What are some of your favorite jumbo eye pencils to use? Leave me a comment below!

Have you entered my Tom Ford Summer 2015 Cheek and Eye Palette giveaway?! Enter here. 

Shop some of my other jumbo eye pencil recommendations:

Taking My Makeup From Day To Night

After working at a cosmetic counter for nearly 10 years, I was great at advising people how to transition their daytime makeup looks to night with quick and easy steps. While I still stay connected to the beauty industry through my blogging, I don't work in it day to day so I love going to department store counters from time to time to explore, get my makeup done, play with new looks/new colors and freshen up my makeup application techniques. 

Bobbi Brown is one of the makeup brands that offers a TON of different options for makeup application, makeup lessons or just plain knowledge. Typically they are complimentary, though the former counter girl in me can't help but walk away with a few purchases. If you want to know the truth, I learned how to do my makeup long before working at a counter just by going to the ones near my house in college and having them do my makeup any time I wanted to pick up new things. My favorite sales girl would do one eye, and then let me do the other so she could critique me as I went along. It was quite empowering. 

When I popped by the Bloomingdale's 59th Street Bobbi counter, I decided to have them do a full makeup lesson on me because I wanted to try out some new colors and products from the line. Surprsingly, I have never worn a Bobbi foundation so I needed to choose my color, and naturally it turned into a full face. Ha! My husband was with me as I had promised him lunch after (food bribery always works), so I had him take some pictures of all the finished looks because they looked so great. In addition to the full makeup lesson, all Bobbi counters offer a ton of other quick options as well such as smokey eyes, brow tutorials, cheek and lip tutorials and quick 5 minute makeup refreshers.

We first started with a daytime look that I could wear to the office that was polished yet easy to do. I haven't worn a thick liner in a while and absolutely loved the look, finding it really gives my eyes a strong definition. For the cheeks and lips, my artist only applied one product for each - a bronzer and lipstick to keep it super simple. Below I have listed all the products used in the look:

Longwear Even Finish Foundation in Warm Ivory

Corrector in Light Bisque

Concealer in Warm Ivory

Perfectly Defined Longwear Brow Pencil in Grey

Shadow Stick in Shadow Cream

Gel Liner in Black Ink

Smokey Eye Mascara

Golden Light Bronzer

Creamy Lip Color in Washed Seashell  

Next, I wanted her to take my look from day to night so we played around with three different ways.

1. For a quick transition, we added a shimmer shadow in the color Smokey Quartz. My artist applied it by pressing the shadow onto the lid on top of the shadow stick I was already wearing.

2. Next, for a bolder step, I wanted to add a bright lip because I adore the look of a strong eye and lip for evening. We were deciding between a few different shades, but I felt that with the summer coming, I wanted a vibrant fun lip so we added on this neon orange lipstick called Coral Gables.

3. For a third evening look possibility, we wiped off the Coral Gables lip, added the lipstick Bare Pink (which is seriously one of the best nudes I've ever tried!) and a lip gloss in Almost Pink. Then taking the shadow stick that was used on my eye lids, we lined my lower lash line and took the gel liner inside the water line for an intense smokey look. 

I have to say, I walked away from the counter much more inspired than I've been in a while and I remembered how creative I used to be with my makeup. Even though the shades are simple and neutral, it's good to switch up how I wear them and bring back some of my old artistry skills I have laying dormant. I know applying makeup can seem daunting but coming from a gal that has not a single artistic bone in her body, cosmetic counters can be a wealth of knowledge and are one of the best places to learn and practice. 

When is the last time you got your makeup done? How did you learn to do your makeup?

Have you entered my Tom Ford Summer 2015 Cheek and Eye Palette giveaway?! Enter here.

Video: May Beauty Favorites

Another month, another beauty favorites! Here are my May beauty favorites:

Bobbi Brown Face Mist

Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil

Atelier Cologne Pomelo Paradis

Kat Von D Shade and Light Palette

Lancer Lip Serum

Bliss Fuzz Off

Bobbi Brown Face & Body Bronzer

Mila Moursi Refining Lotion

Mila Moursi pH Balancing Toner

African Botanics Marula Body Cream
Bakel Cool Eyes

Bobbi Brown Hot Collection

It wasn't too long ago that Bobbi Brown was touted as the neutrals queen. Heck, I even used to breeze by the counter without stopping because there was not enough "ooomph" to draw me in. But those times have changed - significantly. The collections and products she releases still have a great "neutral" quality to them, but the color ranges, formulations and innovations are holy grail worthy. And what impresses me even more is the fact that any and I mean A-N-Y skin tone can find a full look from Bobbi Brown - all the way from foundation and concealer to lipstick and blush. Many of my holy grail items (this finishing powder in Porcelain Pearl, this lip formula in Sunset Orange and this lip formula in Razzberry) come from BB and I'm sure the list will continue to grow with each new launch!  Here's a look at her newest Hot Collection that certainly does not disappoint!

1. Cheek Palettes in Calypso and Pink - Remember how I was saying that any skin tone can wear Bobbi Brown? Well, these palettes are a perfect example of that. The pigmentation is rich, yet surprisingly easy to blend out to a more sheer application. The coral palette immediately elicited a gasp when I opened it. I mean - can you imagine a summer look without the complementary peachy flush on the cheeks? I guess you can, but who would want to? And while pink cheek colors are not entirely my bag, Bobbi managed to make these wearable for my pale skin by giving the effect of a rosy glow that looks great with the accompanying punchy pink lip colors in the collection. 

2. Sheer Lip Colors in Berry and Pink - I am already a fan of the Creamy Matte lip colors (I LIVE for Razzberry), so this formula was equally as fabulous though in a sheer texture. But though they fall more towards that sheer end of the spectrum, they still give quite a good amount of coverage as you can see from my swatches above. These punchy lip colors scream "pool party fabulousness" - am I right? Can't you see these with larger than life sunglasses, a panama hat and a dress with a pattern so busy that it makes your lip color look tame? If you can't imagine that, well then....we need to work on your imagination. LOL 

3. Art Sticks in Hot Berry and Hot Pink - HOLY GRAIL ALERT. I repeat, HOLY GRAIL FORMULA ALERT. As soon as these Art Sticks launched last year, I snagged one in Sunset Orange and after only using it one day, it became a holy grail. These Art Sticks are how every matte lip color should feel on the lips. Creamy, smooth, non-drying and velvety with incredible staying power - yet still emollient enough that it doesn't take 3 years and 15 bottles of cleansing oil to remove! (you know those kinds, right? Ugh.) And of course in keeping with the bold and bright "hot" theme, these colors are sass incorporated. They ARE the look. Fresh skin, mascara for days, a bronzy cheek and these lip colors make for the perfect easy summer look. 

Shop other great Bobbi Brown products:

My Current Face Brushes/Tools

Ever since I learned how to do my own makeup, I've been a brush gal. I rarely if ever use my fingers or sponges (except for one which we will talk about) and find that I always get a better finish with a good makeup brush. I already did a post on my favorite eye shadow brushes (read that here), so it only made sense to follow that up with a post on my most used brushes for foundation, powder and blush. (Brushes listed below are in order from left to right in the next picture)

1. NARS Yachiyo Brush - This is a new brush for me and yes, I fell victim to all the hype surrounding it. Truth be told, I was not a fan when I first used it. It was too tapered, too small and didn't blend well on my skin. Fast forward a few months and a lot of use later, and it has finally become a staple in my makeup routine. The bristles began to open up a bit more and the shape was a bit less tapered which made it great for contouring my cheeks and applying highlighter.

2. MAC #129 Brush - This brush has been in my collection for more than 10 years, so that should tell you how important it is to invest in good brushes. It is still in great condition (minor wear and tear) and I suspect it will last me another 10 years. Because it is a slightly more voluminous brush, I like to use this when applying blushes and bronzer with minimal pigmentation. I find that more tapered brushes give me better control with intensely pigmented products, and fluffier brushes are best with blushes that don't need a precise application.

3. Real Techniques Stippling Brush -  Perfect for foundation, cream highlighters  and blush, this duo fibre Real Techniques brush has been a favorite for a long time. It's very affordable while still maintaining superior quality. This brush can leave brush strokes on occasion so I do have to ensure I use it with thicker foundation and/or blush formulas. 

4. Sephora Pro Airbrush #55 - This is the newest member of my foundation brush collection and was purchased purely off reviews and fellow blogger buzz. People were raving about its ability to create a true airbrushed finish, so I had to see for myself. Happily, all of the reviews were right - it is quite a unique brush. Because the hair is a bit longer, the brush moves a lot during the application which gives it the ability to create a smooth finish on the face. The only challenge I have is because it's not dense and stiff, I have a harder time getting an even application around my nose. I usually just grab one of my Real Techniques brushes to help finish the job and it works perfectly. Other than that one aspect, I truly love the finish this brush gives to my skin.

5. Giorgio Armani Blender Brush - When I need a more precise application for my foundation or cream blush/highlighter, I like using a stiff synthetic brush like this one from Armani. It gives me more control and instead of swiping it up and down my skin, I tend to use a stippling or patting motion to get the desired result. Especially with heavily pigmented cream blushes, this brush allows for a gorgeous sheer wash of color.

6. Hourglass Blush Brush - If my Sephora Pro Airbrush, my MAC #129 brush and my Real Techniques brushes had a baby, it would be this Hourglass Blush Brush. It a nice combination of stiff yet fluffy with a nice rounded tip that allows for precise application or a nice dusting over the face. I have used it for liquid foundation and love the finish it gives, but prefer it for powder blush. It's not wide enough or large enough for bronzer in my opinion and not precise enough for highlighter - it falls right in the middle and works great for those neutral blush colors I wear on a regular basis.

7. Real Techniques Contour Brush - This is exclusively my concealer brush. I know it can probably be used for a myriad of products, but I love the shape for my under eye area. It fits perfectly and helps to blend out my concealer beautifully. I learned to use a fluffier brush under the eyes many years ago to achieve a more airbrushed and blended finish and have never stopped using that the technique.

8. MAC #150 Brush - While I typically use a powder puff (I love this one) to press my loose setting powders into my skin, I still love a large powder brush for dusting on finishing powders and/or bronzers. This MAC brush has been a staple in my collection for 10+ years and it always gets the job done with minimal shedding. 

9. Bobbi Brown Blush Brush - This is my first Bobbi Brown brush and I was quite impressed with how well it has performed. I like to use the side of the brush more than the tip simply because I find it does a better job at blending out highly pigmented blushes into a wearable flush of color on the cheeks. It may be my first BB brush, but after using it almost every day for the past few months, it certainly won't be my last.

10. MAC #116 Brush - While many may find the smaller shape of this brush to be perfect for contouring, I use this brush specifically for highlighting. The flat sides of the brush allow for me to tap the highlighter onto my cheek bones and then buff it into the skin for a beautiful finish. In a pinch, however, it does work as a nice eyeshadow blender/crease brush because of it's slightly tapered shape. 

11. Real Techniques Buffing Brush - If I had to pick a favorite brush out of my entire collection for applying foundation, this would be it. It is dense enough to give even coverage and fluffy enough to ensure the foundation is blended out well. It's the first brush I grab when I am going on vacation because I know I will get a gorgeous application every single time.

12. Shu Uemura Natural Brush 18R Red - I initially thought this powder brush would be great at applying loose powder or finishing powders, I quickly found that the tapered shape would make this more invaluable than I anticipated. When I want a contour that is less defined and precise, I reach for this brush every time. I specifically love it when applying bronzer around my hairline and across my cheekbones because the shape of the brush allows the product to be dispersed in a larger area while still ensuring you can keep some definition with the placement. 

13. Beautyblender - Though I am super late to the party, I am finally here. I have heard people rave about the power of the Beautyblender for years, yet I was not convinced. I tried the white one initially and was not pleased. It streaked and left my skin with an uneven application every time. But people kept telling me that the pink one would change my life - and they were right. Since the Beautyblender is best used wet, I find that it gives a beautiful dewy finish to whatever foundation I am using. I do adore the look of my skin after using it, but I always need to use a mattifying setting powder on top to help balance out the radiant finish. I thought this would deter me a bit, but surprisingly it hasn't and I reach for my Beautyblender all the time. As suggested, I use a swiping and bouncing motion to apply foundation and love that it leaves no streaks or splotchy spots on my skin. I didn't think I would ever say it, but I am now drinking the Beautyblender Kool-Aid.

Video: October Beauty Favorites

So many great favorites from this past month - it was hard to narrow them all down. Many of these you may have seen me talk about recently in previous videos or on Instagram, but they were all so great that I had to mention them again. I did swatches below of both the By Terry Baume de Rose and the new Lancome Grandiose mascara. I also showed swatches of the new Gucci shadows on Instagram - see picture here.

Below are all the products mentioned in my video. Click on each to shop them. 

1. Ovando Candle in Posada 

2. Lancome Grandiose Mascara

3. By Terry Terrybly Densiliss Blush in Platonic Blonde

4. By Terry Baume de Rose in Toffee Cream

5. Cle de Peau Beaute Gentle Balancing Lotion

6. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Bronze (am also wanting to pick up this one next)

7. Rouge Bunny Rouge Finishing Powder

8. Estee Lauder Double Wear Brow Lift Duo in Rich Brown 

9. Gucci Eye Shadow in Oxydus and Starlight 

Don't forget to enter my NUDE Skincare giveaway!!! Click here to enter.

July 2014 Beauty Favorites

My first youtube video is here!!! I finally started a channel and this monthly favorites will be my first video. Please enjoy and don't forget to subscribe!

A Few Of My Favorite Matte Products

I have a confession. I used to be a HUGE shimmer fan. Shimmer on the eyes, cheeks, lips, face, body, you name it, I wanted it to sparkle. The shift began a few years ago, when I looked at one of my matte eye shadows and realized how beautifully it wore. Slowly, this turned into blushes, lipsticks, foundations, etc and now I have quite a strong collection of matte products in my makeup routine. Here are a few of my favorite matte products that still manage to make the skin look beautiful and radiant, without the shine.

1. Murad Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 15*- The first time I used this, I did not like the texture. It felt thick and heavy in my hands, and I did NOT want to put it on my face. But I did. And just as many of the reviews had said, it absorbed into the skin immediately. So I wore it for the entire day, and that is when I was convinced of its magical mattifying powers. My skin did not shine once during that day! It is currently housed in the holy grail section of my medicine cabinet.

2. Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation - So many liquid powder foundations out there, yet so few will ever rival Hourglass. It still is the standard for mattifying foundations that I hold everything up against. Consistently in so many beauty lovers' favorites, I can see this being one of the few foundations I ever repurchase.

3. By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Powder*- For the past 6+ months, I have been going along, having my casual and quiet love affair with La Mer translucent loose powder. Minding my own business and enjoying it's beautiful, velvety finish and ability to make pores seemingly disappear from my face. The only down side, however is that it does have a slight color so it often oxides on me when I'm wearing certain foundations. Enter By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Powder. Mind. Blown. This stuff is amazing. I repeat, this stuff is amazing. The first time I used, I actually said after 10 hours of wear on my face, "this powder is almost TOO matte". Can you believe that? But I used a tad less the second time and it was perfect. When I tell you that I put on my makeup at 7:45am and sometimes don't take it off until 9pm, and I am still matte, I know you may find it hard to believe. So did I until I saw it. And the best part for me is that because it is a white, translucent powder, it does not make any of my foundations oxidize. In fact, it can make me appear paler if applied too heavy, so that's my tip to you. Apply sparingly, but nonetheless APPLY THIS POWDER.

4. Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lipsticks - It's only right that the queen of lipsticks make one of my favorite matte lipsticks. The name says it all because it's creamy, comfortable on the lips and does not dry my lips out as most other ones do. But the color pay-off is intense so be sure you love the color you buy. I have it here in Razzberry, and it is one of my top 5 favorite lip colors out of my entire collection. A distinction that is similar to an academy award, pulitzer or nobel peace prize.

5. Hourglass Vol. 6 Eyeshadow Palette -We all go gaga for the ambient lighting face powders, but this palette has managed to fly under the radar for a long time. I believe it is limited in its distribution, as I have only seen it at Barneys or Space.NK, but it is a must have in your eyeshadow collection. 5 out of the 6 colors are beautiful matte shades with one subtle shimmer to add a bit of dimension to any looks you create. Here is a picture of the swatches I posted in Instagram a while back. See? I told you it was good.

6. Burberry 'Light Glow' Natural Blush - I have a ton of matte blushes, but Burberry ones are by far my most used. They are easy to apply over powder or liquid foundation without sticking or going on splotchy. I made the mistake of reaching for a shimmer blush recently and my cheeks ended up looking like disco balls by mid day. This further solidified my devotion to matte blush. This Burberry shade in Tangerine is actually more radiant on my face than one with shimmer. That's how you know it's a good blush. 

*press samples

What are some of your favorite matte products? I would love to know as I am always looking to add great ones to my collection!

Need more sass?  Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

The Finished Look: A Weekend Full Face

Confession: I don't always wear makeup on the weekends. Though I love a polished look, I am certainly comfortable going out without a stitch of makeup on my face. So often on the weekends, you can find me running errands about town in nothing but lip balm (and SPF, day cream, serum and eye treatment - skincare is ALWAYS a must). But this past weekend I felt like wearing makeup because I like to live life on the edge. I grabbed a few of my favorite items for an easy, but finished look.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation is one of my all time favorite foundations for it's flawless finish and ability to wear forever. No primer or concealer (though if I did, this one and this one are two of my staples) with this look because I wanted it to be quick and easy. My Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil in Soft Brunette is always in rotation (I alternate it with this other favorite), and the Urban Decay primer potion is something I never do my eye makeup without.

I mixed the two shades Suspect and Pistol from the Naked 2 palette together on the lids to create a subtle smoky effect. A few coats of Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara gives me 'wow' lashes, and even though it was the weekend, I feel dramatic lashes are suitable for any occasion. I dusted the Bobbi Brown Brightening Powder along my cheeks and hairline, and then the NARS Outlaw blush on the apples of my cheeks. I was not a fan of this blush when I first saw it in the pan, but a friend convinced me to buy it and I'm so glad I did. It is one of the best blushes for giving a subtle rosy flush. Finally, Marc Jacob's lip color in Roleplay was quite the sleeper hit when purchased. I figured I would like it and use it occasionally but did not expect it to emerge as one of my favorite lip colors of all time. I'm not sure weekend makeup will always be a regular thing for me, but it's nice to do every now and then.

Have you entered my glowing skin giveaway???!!!! Well you need to. Enter here.    

Need more sass?  Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

A Bit Obsessed: April Beauty Favorites

A small beauty favorites month, but no less important. Beauty is never NOT important. Almost all skincare favorites for this month, with one lone lip product making its mark. But that lip product was quite stellar, and so deserving of this honor. Let's take a look at my picks:

1. Clarins Double Serum* - This is one of Clarins' best sellers and I can see why. They advise it for any age and skin type, and I love products like that. For me, I find that I enjoy using it in the morning before the Multi Active Day moisturizer. It is designed to help firm, retexturize, and decrease the appearance of pores - for me that translates to helping perfect my skin.  I love the feel of the serum as it sinks in immediately and wears well under my makeup. Morning makeup time got even better (which I didn't even think was possible). Now if only I didn't have to get up so early. 

2. Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer* - Two mists in one favorites post? YES. Mist me now. Mist me later. Mist me FOREVER. And this one does exactly what it says - boost! It's like a pick me up for the skin. I have been adding to my morning routine because that is when I need things to perk up and look alive (now if only there was one for my body and mind). I'm already a huge fan of this Liz Earle product (it's on my holy grail list), so I am happy to experience another product from the line. I prefer it before makeup rather than post, and apply after cleansing. 

3. Chantecaille Pure Rosewater* - Oh my goodness - I don't know what I like more - using this product or staring at it. Housed in a chic glass bottle, this is pure rosewater, hence the name. Pure heaven and bliss for the skin, this mist helps to calm and hydrate my skin anywhere, anytime, makeup or bare faced. I recently got over a cold, and this mist was a saving grace for my skin.

4. Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Sunset Orange - Give me all the large lip pencils - they are so easy and fun to use! I was immediately in love when I first saw the Art Sticks on display at Saks, and picked this vibrant orange red to come home with me. Though I love a bold lip color, what drew me most to this shade was how wearable it was compared to other colors I have which  can be too "in your face". There are times when I want a sophisticated strong lip that enhances my look rather than consume it. Oh, and no one, and I mean NO ONE does matte lip colors like Bobbi Brown. They are never drying, last forever and feel like a dream on the lips. This Art Stick in Sunset Orange is no exception.

5. Clarins Multi Active Day Cream* - Yes - another addition to my morning routine. Here was my previous routine, and now I am onto a whole new line up. I always love a skincare shake up. Another top seller for Clarins, this Multi Active Day Cream is suitable for all skin types and helps to address the first signs of aging. To be honest, I just like the way it feels on my face. I don't suffer from too many wrinkles yet, so I mainly love how soft and supple it makes my skin. Perfect for applying foundation. It does not have SPF so I always need to add that as a last step (this one and this one are two of my faves), but I think this will take me well into spring and the beginning of summer before I need to switch to a lotion formulation.

*press sample

Need more sass?  Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

A Bit Obsessed: March 2014 Beauty Favorites

Always my favorite posts to read on other blogs, monthly beauty favorites are equally as fun to talk about on my little space on the internet.  This past month was a smorgasbord of skincare, hair and makeup products that rocked my beauty loving world.  I'm sure you have seem me post about some of these already on my Instagram, but here is a more in depth look at my experience with March's beauty favorites:

1. Dolce & Gabbana Rosebud Blush - Darn camera and it's settings, it dulls this blush a bit, thus robbing you of experiencing the vibrant color explosion that is Rosebud blush.  The phase "pop of color" should have been coined from this blush. A bright coral that even on my paler than pale skin looks beautiful and natural.  I wore it all through the winter, so don't expect me to put it away now that the warmer weather is coming.  Heck, I may just throw it in another future monthly faves just so you don't forget about it.

2. Sachajuan Hair Repair - I have been on a hair product roll recently.  I am not that excited about hair products to be honest, so I rarely write about them.  But when I find good ones, they are good. And then I feel I am cheating all of you by not sharing the news.  So after this recent post, I have again found a hair product I love.  I use this Sachajuan Hair Repair once a week on my ends, and while "like butta" is better used with skincare references, "like silk" seems more fitting to describe my hair after a go at this.  Pantene commercial girls have nothing on me.

3. Murad Perfecting Night Cream (c/o) - Day by day, minute by minute, I am becoming a Murad fangirl (this spf cream has recently reached holy grail status for me).  Each and every product I try keeps luring me in further and further, and this Perfecting Night Cream is no exception.  Designed to help restore moisture and hydrate the skin, my oily skin (which needs moisture too don't forget) just eats this stuff up! A little goes a long way for me with this, but the next morning's glow is proof that it's just enough.

4. Fresh Seaberry Restorative Body Cream - Winter skin aka alligator skin (for me at least) is not pleasant, and though my face may be super oily, my body can be quite dry.  Put a cape on this body cream, because it has been saving my skin.  Intensely rich and hydrating with tons of omega 3, 6, 7 and 9, seaberry oil and vitamin E, it helps to nourish my skin immediately but still allows me to get dressed without the (often) required dry-down, 15 minute waiting period.  Oh, and it smells divine.

5. By Terry Cover Expert - Hey flawless skin, how you doin?  Only a smidge is needed, but this foundation is absolutely beautiful.  A little more coverage then the Sheer Expert, this gives me a gorgeous naturally radiant (but not shiny) complexion.  Spring is not ready for the amazing face I am going to serve it with this number.  Get ready.

6. First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser (c/o) - Hey, First Aid Beauty - how do you manage to knock it out of the park with every product?  First I began with loving this mask (and review on it here), then I nicknamed their Ultra Repair Cream a "wonder cream" because it is that good (review here), and now this Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser has knocked my socks off.  Sometimes when treating my acne prone skin, I don't always want to use an acid based cleanser.  And other gel cleansers just make my skin too dry, which is why I fell in love with this one from First Aid Beauty.  No acids, not drying, and great at helping me keep my blemishes at bay.  It's a triple threat.

7. Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder - In all honesty, this product was a total dud when I first bought it.  Too shiny, hard to detect on the skin - all around fail.  And then I began using the Murad Mattifying SPF cream which changed how all other products sat on my skin.  So I gave this a go again, and voila! It was stunning.  After I apply my foundation, I dust it along my cheeks and forehead and it helps to immediately illuminate and finish my makeup, giving the skin an airbrushed appearance.  Already predicting a pan hitting moment in the future with this powder. 

8. Mario Badescu Special Mask for Oily Skin (c/o) - When is a Mario Badescu product not making it into my monthly favorites.  The whole brand has redefined the way I treat my acne prone skin, and this mask is now part of a long list of products (for more recommendations, read this post) that are great at helping me fight the war against pimples.  Decongesting pores, cleaning out dirt and grime, controlling oil, this mask does it all. 

9. Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Raven - All hail Hourglass.  If there is a knighting ceremony for a beauty brand, I would like to recommend Hourglass.  Every darn product is just amazing.  I talk about them way too much on this blog, but I can't help it.  They never disappoint. I already have a natural shade in this lipstick formulation and swear by it, so why did it take me so long to buy another? WHO KNOWS??  But I have rectified that problem and bought Raven, the most stunning vibrant red-orange shade.  No this color is not for the faint of heart so be prepared, but it's a knockout.  *wolf whistle*

Shop the post:

Need more sass?  Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.