Current Skincare Loves #2

I usually don't change up my skincare routines until something runs out, and even then I either make a repurchase or try a new product that has the same purpose. These new favorites are things I've been rotating in and out of my routines, and I've just fallen in love with them.

I've been through two of the small containers of the First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads now. I use these about every other morning, although I didn't mention them in my Morning Skincare Routine because I was about to run out and wasn't planning on repurchasing. I decided that since I used the Pixi Glow Tonic every night as a toner, I would be ok without another exfoliating-toner step in the morning - I was very wrong. In the two weeks I went without using these, the skin around my chin and jawline started to get very bumpy, as if there was sand underneath it. I ran out to Sephora right away and bought the big jar of the pads as soon as I linked the bumpy skin to the disappearance of the pads from my routine. I could have done with just using the Pixi Glow Tonic morning and night, but I realized I really missed having these in my routine and wanted to use them again. They leave my skin feeling so smooth and decongested, and it's a step I always make sure I carry out when I'm going to be wearing foundation. I love these for the mornings because it's much quicker and easier to use the pre-soaked pads than taking the time to soak a cotton pad with a bottled toner.

I'm about to run out of my morning serum as well, and I happened to find out that the Walgreens near my house sells Indeed Labs products - I was so excited because I didn't even know they were sold in the US! I picked up both the Hydraluron and Pepta-Bright serums. I haven't been using them long enough to report back on whether or not Pepta-Bright lives up to its claims, but the Hydraluron is already becoming a well-loved favorite. It comes out as a clear gel that I use as the last step before applying moisturizer. It immediately feels so hydrating, and it definitely helps my moisturizer to work even better over top of it. This contains high levels of pure hyaluronic acid, which can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, so it's definitely a great product to try if you have dry or dehydrated skin like me.

My last new skincare favorite is Lush's Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask. I picked this up when I visited my sister in Boston (sadly that's the closest Lush to me), and I've been using it every other night since then. It contains blueberry, rose absolute, chamomile blue oil, and calamine to soothe redness and irritation and cleanse the skin. It thoroughly purifies my skin without stripping it - I can apply this all over my face, including my sensitive, prone-to-redness cheeks without any irritation. After one use I can see that any blackheads on my nose and redness in my skin have disappeared and my skin just looks brighter and more alive. I'll even go so far as to say that I saw more results from this mask as I did when I had the GlamGlow Supermud Mask, and it's just a 10th of the price for almost double the amount - that's crazy. If you need a purifying mask but have dry or sensitive skin, and you can get to a Lush store (unfortunately you can't get the face masks online), I would highly, highly recommend this mask. 

Have you been trying any new skincare products lately?

Running Late Makeup Routine

Last month I got my hours at work extended from part time to full time, meaning earlier mornings than I was used to. Even though it's been a while, I still haven't gotten accustomed to getting up an hour and a half earlier, so I usually find myself scrambling to get ready after spending too long laying in bed. I never compromise the length of my morning skincare routine (read my post about it here), so it's usually the makeup I cut down on.

When I realize I only have about 15-20 minutes to do my whole skincare and makeup routine, I make sure the last step of my skincare routine is to apply the Origins VitaZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer. If I'm really strapped for time, this acts as my only base as the very sheer tint just helps warm everything up and even everything out. If I've had trouble getting out of bed, I've probably got some serious dark circles going on that need covering up. I break out my trusty Marc Jacobs Remedy Concealer Pen in Rendezvous (1) - I have a whole post declaring my love for it here. I'll apply it under my eyes and blend it down towards my nose in a triangle shape, as this helps to brighten everything up. I'll also take a light layer over my eyelids to even out any redness and act as an eyeshadow primer if I'm going to be wearing any. My eyebrows are the next important thing, so I'll use my Anastasia Brow Wiz to fill them in lightly. If I'm in a rush, my usual technique is drawing an outline around my brows and then blending it in by brushing through with the spoolie brush on the end of the pencil. This usually adds enough definition for me and is very quick. If I decide I have enough time to put on eyeshadow, it's always a cream formula as I can just smear it on with my fingers. I've been going for the Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in the shade R.S.V.P., a pink-champagne shade that helps to brighten my tired eyes. Two other favorites that are similar are the Maybelline Color Tattoo Metals in Barely Branded and Inked in Pink. I'll tightline my upper waterline with a brown eyeliner for some quick definition, usually the Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner because it doesn't need to be sharpened, curl my eyelashes, and apply lots of mascara to really open up my eyes - I always use the L'Oreal Voluminous Waterproof Miss Manga Mascara.

If I haven't had enough sleep my skin looks positively gray so I like to liven it up quickly with a cream blush. I like the Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee in Pink Escape. It's a very bright but sheer pink, so it livens up my complexion but is impossible to go overboard with. It's also very cooling and moisturizing on the cheeks and easy to apply with fingers, which is something I always like.

That just leaves the lips to be taken care of, and lately I've been swiping on some of the Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick Duo in Musk & Lychee because Musk (the darker of the two) is almost a perfect match for my natural lip color, and the formula is both moisturizing and long-lasting. If I have a few extra seconds to spare I also like to blend a little of the Lychee color in the center of my lips, which helps them look a little fuller.

This sounds like a lot, but I promise it only takes me about 5-6 minutes.
What are your go-to products when you're in a rush?

Autumn Nails - The Favorites

As the days get shorter and the weather cools down, I find myself not only changing up my go-to makeup grabs (see my Autumn Edit), but also changing up the nail polish I apply week after week. I like the darker or more neutral options better than the bright summer colors or even the pastels for spring, so my nail polish box is overflowing with more fall-appropriate colors. I thought I'd go over my five all-time favorites that I tend to rotate through all the way through fall and winter. They're all either from Essie or Nails Inc, because they last the longest on me and are my favorite formulas.

Going in order of the pictures, the first polish is Essie's Merino Cool. This shade is mostly a gray, but with a bit of beige and purple thrown in as well. This makes it a lovely deeper neutral color perfect for those first few crisp days of autumn. I'd say Essie nail polishes are my favorite, not only because of the adorable, display-able bottles, but also for the formula. Some people complain about Essie's formula and have quite a love-hate relationship with the brand, but it's all love from me. I always use OPI's Nail Envy as a base coat, then 2-3 coats of Essie polish (depending on the color), and then the Seche Vite topcoat, and they'll last up to a week on me.

Next is Essie's Sole Mate. As soon as I applied this color, I knew it was definitely my all-time favorite of the bunch. This is a beautiful deep red that can look black in some lights. I've heard that it's a dupe for the classic Rouge Noir by Chanel. If Essie polishes don't work on you, a great drugstore alternative is Revlon's Vixen. It's really perfect for fall, with a monochrome ensemble and a big chunky scarf. I predict this one being lovely as we go into winter as well.

I'd say Nails Inc Porchester Square is my favorite year-round polish. I'm not a huge fan of bright colors and like to stay in more neutral territory even during the summer, so I reach for this one all year round. This is similar to Essie Merino Cool in that it's a beige-gray-purple hybrid, but I'd say on me the main undertone that comes out is the beige. It's a great nude color for me without the "mannequin hands" look. The formula of Nails Inc polishes are great - they're so creamy and opaque that only one coat is needed. They also last so long on me, up to a week with no chipping if I use a topcoat. A couple alternatives to this color are OPI's Tickle My France-y, which has more of a lavender tone to it, and Essie's Ladylike, which has more of a pink tone.

The other offering from Nails Inc is Kensington High Street. This is similar to Essie Sole Mate, but without so much black in it. It's a lovely burgundy/wine shade that's an essential color for fall and perfect if you don't want something as vampy as Sole Mate.

Last is Essie's After School Boy Blazer. This is similar to Sole Mate in that it looks black in some light, but rather than being a red, it's a deep inky blue color. I didn't expect to like this one as much as I do, and I think it really flatters my skin tone and makes my nails look perfect. This will also be a perfect one to carry into winter, perhaps with a glittery accent nail for the party season.

A couple of honorable mentions are Essie's Velvet Voyeur and It's Genius. Velvet Voyeur is very similar to Sole Mate, but with more of a purple base than a red. It's a beautiful color, but I just prefer the red over the purple as it looks more classic. If you like shimmery/metallic looking polishes, It's Genius is a perfect fall color for you. It's a beautiful berry color with warm gold shimmer shot through.

Do you wear different nail polishes in different seasons? What are your favorites for fall?

*I couldn't find some of the exact shades online, so I have not left links to them. All of the polishes I have were purchased from Ulta. You can also find Essie in various drugstores and Target, and Nails Inc can also be found in Sephora.