Top 3: Blushes

February 10, 2015

For awhile I've been wanting to do a series of post of my Top 3 favorite products from each category. I thought I'd start with blush because it was actually really easy to narrow it down to three.

My first favorite and most-worn blush is definitely the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Exposed. It's the perfect mix of pink, mauve, and brown to add the most natural of flushes to your face, and it goes with absolutely any makeup look. It also helps to sculpt the face, eliminating the need for contour which is handy if you like to get ready in the least amount of time possible like me. I'm surprised I only have one shade of these blushes because it's probably my favorite formula. It's super pigmented, but it's so hard-packed in the pan that you never get too much on your brush. It blends seamlessly onto the cheeks and lasts all day without fading (I can't vouch for the 12 hour claim because I never keep my makeup on that long, but it does last for the ~9 hours I do wear it).

Probably the prettiest blush I own is the Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Cherub. This one is also exceptionally natural-looking in both color and finish. I'd say it's similar to Exposed, without the brown. It's just a lovely, neutral pink. The name Cherub is perfect because it makes you look like a little angel in a Renaissance painting. I had never tried a liquid blush before, but it was surprisingly easy to get the hang of. I simply apply 1-2 drops to the back of my hand (this bottle will last forever) and apply it to my cheeks with a stippling brush. Because it's a liquid, it looks so natural and fresh on the skin. I'd avoid putting it on after you've already applied powder, but other than that it applies beautifully. This one lasts all day on me, too.

My third favorite blush out of all of them I own is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Diffused Heat. These blushes are unbelievably soft and finely-milled. This blush blends the best out of the three listed here, and it certainly gives the most glow. It's not as pigmented as the other two, but it's so buildable and lets your natural radiance shine through while giving it a boost with the added Ambient Lighting Powder. This is the only shade of these I have, but it's my favorite because it adds the perfect flushed color to my cheeks, like I've been out frolicking in the snow - always a look I'm going for.

What are your favorite blushes?

The Super Subtle Contour

February 07, 2015

I don't know about you, but I used to be pretty terrified of contouring. I didn't know how I could ever make myself look like I had chiseled cheekbones without just looking like I had smeared some dirt on my face. Recently I've been trying to get out of my comfort zone and experiment more with contouring. Everything I've been using yields a natural result - no complicated Kim K routine here - perfect for super pale people like me.

If you want something really really subtle, I'd recommend The Body Shop Honey Bronzer. The lightest shade is only a couple shades darker than my skin, so it's really perfect for creating a shadow or just adding some warmth to the face. The color is lovely, not so warm that it's orange and not so cool that it's gray - the perfect in-between. I reach for this one for daytime contouring when I want it to be almost undetectable.

When I want a tad more drama, I'll always reach for the Nyx Powder Blush in Taupe. This is much more cool-toned than the Body Shop bronzer, so it makes a more pronounced and realistic-looking shadow underneath the cheekbones. This is still super natural, but gives a little bit more definition. I like using this when I'm getting a little more dressed up or for nighttime.

You can't have a contour without a highlight (I mean, you can - do whatever you want!), and I have a subtle and a not-so-subtle pick. On the subtle days I'll always reach for the Benefit Watt's Up highlighter. It can be built up to be quite dramatic, but a sheer wash of the creamy formula over the top of the cheekbones adds such a lovely, lit-from-within glow.

And as a more dramatic option, I have theBalm's Mary-Lou Manizer (such a great name). This can be built up to a pretty intense highlight, but the buttery soft formula is super easy to blend and never looks unnatural. With a light hand this gives the most gorgeous glow to the skin.

To apply my contour, I always rely on the Real Techniques Contour Brush (from the Core Collection Set) or the Zoeva Face Shape Brush. The Real Techniques gives a bit of a softer effect because it's not as densely packed as the Zoeva brush, but both are the perfect size and shape for fitting into the hollows of the cheekbones. For the Mary-Lou Manizer (I always use fingers for the Watt's Up) I love either using the Real Techniques Setting Brush or the Real Techniques Bold Metals Tapered Blush Brush. The flatter shapes of these brushes are perfect for tapping a little product onto the tops of the cheekbones, and the tapered tips are good for blending it in.

What are your favorite products for highlighting and contouring?

Non-Beauty Favorites: January

February 05, 2015

As I said in my January Beauty Favorites post on Tuesday, I had a lot of favorites this month. Usually I just pepper in my non-beauty favorites, but there are so many of each I had to do two separate posts! Here's what I've been loving this month besides the beauty products.

My first favorite has been the YouTube channel Yoga with Adriene. I said in my 2015 Goals that I wanted to find a form of exercise that I liked. For January she had a "30 Days of Yoga" challenge that I started late and am still working on, but it's helped ease me into an exercise routine again. I'll admit I've missed a few days (ok I may have skipped a whole week), but I'm working hard to catch up. Following the 20-30 minute videos every day has already made me feel so good - it's great for relieving everyday stress.

It wasn't one of my resolutions, but I decided I really wanted to get organized about planning and scheduling blog posts. I was so inspired by Kayla's post on Microscope Beauty about planning blog content that I went out and bought a little journal and set it up like hers. It's been really nice to keep a checklist like this to make sure I have everything ready for the week. Plus this journal from Rifle Paper Co is too cute!

I've been doing a bit of reading this month - my lovely boyfriend got me Pretty Honest by Sali Hughes for Christmas (still super confused as to how he got his hands on it; I'm pretty sure it's not out in the US yet!), so I've been completely devouring it. It's got such great advice and recommendations, and even though I spend a lot of time reading beauty blogs I still learned a lot! I've also been working my way through Yes Please by Amy Poehler. I already loved her, but this book has made me want to be best friends with her. It's had me laughing out loud while still presenting some good life lessons without ever being preach-y. It's so refreshing to hear her own up to her mistakes and super interesting to read about her friendships with Tina Fey and Seth Meyers and working on Parks and Recreation. Also the chapter about her sons made me cry and made me reconsider my "I don't want kids ever" stance on life for about two seconds, which is a big accomplishment. Seriously read this book if you haven't already.

Speaking of Parks and Recreation, that's another favorite of the month. My boyfriend and I have been binge-watching it on Netflix every weekend, and it's quickly become one of my favorite shows. I love that the show's humor comes from its unique characters - it reminds me a lot of The Office!

My last favorite is a little cactus plant my sister left me with when she went back to school (she's named it Hank). It's got me wanting to collect a few more to decorate my room with - inspired by Kate from gh0stparties, of course.

What were you loving in January?