The Blush Tag

March 19, 2016

A couple weeks ago Brooke tagged me to do the Blush Tag, and I'm just now finally getting around to doing it. I absolutely love blush, although I don't wear it all too often - my cheeks have been getting so red lately, so I haven't been wearing any blush so I don't make it look worse. I still do love blush though.

What color blush suits you the most?

I think it would be nude pinks. Since my skin is so pale and rosy to begin with, anything too red or too pink just makes me look like I have a fever. I love those dusty pinky-brown shades that do a little bit of sculpting and adding a little bit of warmth - my favorites are Tarte Exposed and Too Faced Baby Love.

Pressed, cream, or loose blush?

Cream all the way. I own more powder blushes than cream ones, but I just love how creams look and perform on my skin. My most-worn blush is probably the Stila Convertible Color in Lilium because it just looks so fresh and healthy on the skin.

Favorite shimmery blush?

This would definitely go to the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes. They really give the skin that "lit from within" look, and Mood Exposure is the prettiest mauve-y blush ever.

Favorite matte blush?

Without a doubt Tarte Exposed. This is probably my most-worn powder blush. It goes with absolutely anything, and it's just the perfect everyday shade. Since it's matte, it never looks too showy or overboard either.

Favorite drugstore blush?

I really like the Milani Rose Blush - the shade Romantic Rose is such a pretty neutral pink, and the formula is perfectly buttery and pigmented. I need to try more of Milani's blushes, because I've heard they're all great.

Favorite high end blush?

It would either be the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes for powders or the Stila Converible Colors for creams. Am I sounding like a broken record yet?

Favorite bright blush?

I'm going to copy Brooke here and go for Hourglass Diffused Heat. I don't know what possessed me to buy this shade, but I'm sure glad I did. It's a gorgeous coral-y pink that makes you look like you just came inside from frolicking in the snow.

Biggest blush disappointment/regret?

I tried Milani Luminoso after hearing everyone go crazy about it and say it was a dupe for NARS Orgasm, but it was just straight up yellow-orange on me. I don't know if I got a dud or if it's my skintone, but I've seen it look stunning on so many people and it just looks off on me. Luckily it was a drugstore blush so I didn't waste too much money, but it was still a let-down.

Best blush packaging?

Definitely the Charlotte Tilbury Colour of Youth cream blush from the Norman Parkinson Collection. It's the nicest-feeling little compact, and it's rose gold, and it's got a beautiful photo on the lid. And it was limited edition. Need I say more?

What's on your blush wishlist?

I really want a couple more shades of the Stila Convertible Colors (the brown-y pink ones, of course), and I'd also love to try a Kevyn Aucoin cream blush - I have the cream contour/highlight duo and it's got the loveliest formula.

Number one holy grail blush?

It would be between Tarte Exposed and Stila Lilium - it's not cheating if one's powder and one's cream, right? If pushed to only pick one, I think I'd have to go with Stila Lilium.

I tag everyone that wants to do this! Make sure to tweet me (@dadmunk) if you do so I can read it!

Valentia Royal Rose Hydrating Serum

March 17, 2016

You may remember a couple weeks ago when I wrote up a review on the Valentia Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask and True Glow Eye Cream. It was pretty much a complete rave, and I was so happy to have found out about the brand. Today I'm back with another one of their lovely products, the new Royal Rose Hydrating Serum.* And spoiler alert: I'm in love again.

Like the other products I've tried from the brand, it totes a number of impressive ingredients. First is Rose Damascena, known for its ability to balance and moisturize the skin. It's also got Rosehip Seed Oil, which is a well-loved favorite of mine - my skin loves just about anything with this oil in it. It also contains Niacinamide (Vitamin B), which helps fade any hyperpigmentation. It seemed like it was just made for me.

It comes in a lovely little glass bottle with a pump, and this time, it dispenses the perfect amount of product. I typically do one pump for my whole face, but if my skin's feeling especially dry I'll go for one and a half or two.

I've been using it twice daily, morning and night, and can happily report it's been working wonders for my dehydrated skin. Like I said, my skin really responds well to rosehip oil, so this leaves my skin feeling juicy and plump. Since I started using it, I've noticed my skin stays hydrated for longer throughout the day - I've been using my hydrating facial sprays less during the day because my skin simply hasn't been feeling tight at all. The serum feels ultra lightweight on the skin, so I feel like it would be a great addition to your skincare routine, whether you're oily or dry. My skin has a tendency to get a little congested and clogged if something's too heavy or rich, and I haven't had any problems like that with this serum whatsoever.

So all in all, it's another pure winner from Valentia. It's got me wanted to try more from their line! Have you tried this serum?

This post has been sponsored by BrandBacker, but all opinions are my own. See my disclaimer for more info.

The Five-Minute Face

March 15, 2016

Just recently I spoke about what I was wearing on my face on a typical day, but lately I've switched it up yet again. My previous routine was starting to take a little too long for my liking, and I started to prefer to spend a little extra time in bed. I almost regret picking the mattress that we did - it's so comfortable that I pretty much never want to get up. Anyway, I've been reaching for a different set of products to make me look awake and fresh, but it only takes about five minutes to slap on. An extra ten minutes in bed? I'm in.

I haven't been using any skin products except for the Clarins Instant Concealer recently. This little baby is quite well-loved, as you can see by all the writing having worn off the tube. This offers good coverage without being cakey or drying, and it spreads quite easily over the skin. I like dotting it on my problem areas: under my eyes, on my chin, and around my nose, and then blending it out all over. Who needs foundation, anyway?

My brow routine hasn't changed: a slick of the Glossier Boy Brow (I'm dangerously low on this and need to reorder pronto) to fluff things up and then a quick scribble of the Anastasia Brow Wiz to fill in any areas that are still looking sparse - for me, it's mostly the tails of my brows. This combo gives the most effortless and feathery looking brows, and I can't see myself finding anything else to use anytime soon.

For eyes I've been using a new addition, the Wander Beauty Exquisite Eye Liquid Shadow in Bronze. It comes in a little tube with a doe-foot applicator, so it's super easy to slick on and then blend out with a finger. It blends really well too - sometimes liquid shadows can be notoriously patchy or sticky, but this is neither. The shade is spot-on as well as a perfect everyday bronze. After a quick curl of my lashes, I apply a coat or two of the Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara - I'm still obsessed with this stuff.

All that's left is lips, and I actually usually just leave the house with my lip balm still on. Once I get to work I usually apply something else (especially as the balm has fully sunk in on my 45-minute drive in). I always go for something in a more neutral shade (what else) and that's hydrating. Lately I've been going for the Revlon Colorstay Balm Stain in Honey or the Nyx Butter Gloss in Angel Food Cake. Both are lovely and affordable picks for every day.

What products do you reach for to get your makeup done quickly?