The AM/PM Routine Tag

April 14, 2016

A couple weeks ago I was tagged by Faith of That's Just Fabulous to do the AM/PM Routine Tag - it's got a much more unique set of questions than the usual tags that go around, so I just had to join in!

What's your morning beauty routine? During the week it's super simple, as I like to wake up as late as possible without being late to work. I wash my face with the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser, use a bit of the Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Liquid as a serum, and then use a moisturizer (usually the Glossier one).

What's for breakfast? Don't hate me but I physically cannot eat breakfast during the week. I just don't get hungry until 8:30 or 9am, and by then I'm at work. I've been bringing a granola bar to eat at work though on break. On weekends though, I like to make my boyfriend make me pancakes.

Coffee or tea? Typically I don't have caffeine since I don't eat much in the mornings and I don't like how it makes me so jittery, but I'm a caramel iced coffee gal all the way - even in the winter.

How long does it take to get out the door? I set my alarm for 6:05 every morning, and I aim to leave for work around 6:55, so around 50 minutes, give or take a few minutes of me pep-talking myself out of bed.

What's your go-to makeup look on a fuss-free morning? I've got my makeup routine down lately - it takes me about 5 minutes. I go in with a little bit of the Glossier Stretch Concealer where needed, fluff up my brows with the Glossier Boy Brow and fill them in a bit with the Anastasia Brow Wiz, and add some mascara - right now I've been obsessed with the Milk Makeup Ubame Mascara. If I'm feeling a little fancy I'll use the bareMinerals Complexion Rescue and a dust of the bronzer from the Lune+Aster Moonrise Glow Contour Palette.

What's your evening beauty routine? Now here's where I like to take my time and pamper myself. Depending on how much makeup I'm wearing, I'll either remove it with the Clinique Take the Day Off Balm or the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser. I love doing a mask next - favorites are Antipodes Manuka Honey Mask, Glossier Moisturizing Moon Mask, and the First Aid Beauty Instant Oatmeal Mask. I finish up with a face oil and then layer on the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Balm right before bed.

Snack time! What's in the bowl? Probably ice cream or some kind of chocolate - I'd eat chocolate all day long if I could. I also just remembered I've got chocolate Oreo ice cream in the freezer so I'll definitely be breaking that out tonight.

How do you wind down and prep for bed? I've been trying to be better about shutting off electronics before bed, but I usually spend the time catching up on YouTube videos or watching Gilmore Girls. Back when I was reading 11/22/63 and couldn't put it down, I would read before bed, but since I finished the book a couple weeks ago I haven't.

Cozy up! What are you wearing to sleep? I usually just throw on some comfy sweatpants and a T-shirt (although the flannel romper from Aerie pictured above is always a favorite). I have to change into shorts before I go to sleep though - I get super hot while I sleep.

What are some things you must do before hitting the hay? I can't even think about getting into bed without applying the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask - I'm convinced my lips will fall off in the middle of the night if I don't have it on. I also can't sleep without saying goodnight to my boyfriend - either in person or by text/phone call if he's not home.

Now I want to tag Brooke, Mandy, Beti, and Jasmine! But of course anyone that wants to do this tag can - you can say I tagged you. ;)

Kylie Lip Kits: Koko K, Candy K, Posie K

April 12, 2016

It seems like everyone and their mother lately has been jumping on the Kylie Cosmetics bandwagon, myself included. I put off attempting to order anything for the longest time, having no interest in them, but as soon as I heard people saying they were actually worth all the hype they were getting, I suddenly needed them all. I attempted to order them during one of her restocks, but the website crashed - by the time it came back, the shades I had in my cart were sold out (it really is like the Hunger Games on that website at restock time). It only made me more desperate to get my hands on some. Luckily during a restock a few weeks ago, I was able to order Koko K, Posie K, and Candy K.

Koko K (left) is a really pretty nude pink. Named for Khloe Kardashian, it's just the kind of nude she is often seen sporting. This is quite a bit paler than I was expecting, and I think it really washes me out. I'm going to keep playing with it and try pairing it with darker lip liners to make it stand out against my terribly pale skin a little more.

Candy K (center) is my favorite of the three I got - a brown nude with a hint of pink. It's definitely a typical "Kylie" shade. On me, of course, it appears a lot more brown than pink, but I like it that way. For me, this is the perfect everyday lip.

Posie K (right) is a more vibrant mauve pink. It's definitely the kind of shade I like when I'm looking for a little more color. It's just a more enhanced version of my own lip color. It's actually almost the same exact color as the Sephora Cream Lip Stain in Marvelous Mauve (check out my Instagram photo where I compared the two with some other similar shades), so I'd try that one if you don't want the stress of trying to get a lip kit.

I actually really love the formula of these. A lot of people are saying they're just repackaged Colourpop products, but having used the Colourpop Ultra Matte Lips, I can say these definitely perform differently. The lip liners included in each kit are unbelievably creamy and easy to apply - despite being creamy, you can still get a really crisp line, and the finish is still matte. The liquid lipsticks themselves are quite liquid-y (I accidentally turned one on its side while I was applying it and some spilled out onto my floor), but they don't drip down the lips or anything. They dry down quickly and don't dry out the lips as horribly as some other brands' liquid lipsticks do. These are also some of the longest lasting liquid lipsticks I've tried - they're up there with the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks (which I dubbed "The Bulletproof Ones" in my Liquid Lipstick Roundup). I don't have to spend the whole day after wearing one of these babying my lips, which is necessary for some that I've tried. I definitely recommend applying a lip balm (I love Glossier's Balm Dotcom) and also filling in your entire lip with the liner before going in with the lipstick - not only will it help the longevity, but also keep the lips from drying out. They have a bit of a strong sweet vanilla-ish smell, but it disappears completely once it dries. I've seen a lot of people complaining about the price, but I think $29 for a liner and liquid lipstick is reasonable - it's less than you'd pay for a MAC Lip Liner and most liquid lipsticks on the market now.

I've been hearing some horror stories about people receiving empty boxes, packages being delivered to the wrong address, etc, but I didn't have a problem at all - my Lip Kits arrived exactly a week after ordering. But as always, be sure to use your own discretion on these things. I could have just gotten lucky. I'm super happy to have gotten my hands on these, and I'm also happy that since none of the other shades really appeal to me, I don't have to go through the stress of trying to order them again.

Have you tried the Kylie Lip Kits?

The Spring Edit

April 09, 2016

I've actually had this photo and post idea ready for a couple weeks, but it seems like spring has shown itself and then completely disappeared again. We got an inch of snow early this week and the forecast is calling for it again tonight. It's April 9th, come on now. I didn't want to sit on this post any longer so snow or no snow, I'm talking spring beauty picks today. I'm all about four things: the glowy base, the flushed cheek, the bronze eye, and the pink lip.

THE GLOWY BASE | Let's be real, I reach for glow-giving bases all year long, but the springtime is when I'm most desperate for that fresh dewy skin look. I've really been liking using the L'Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation on days I can get the color to work - it's super lightweight and easy to wear for everyday, and it leaves the loveliest luminous glow on the skin. My other glowy base love is the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer. This will always be one of my top favorites - it's so glowy and actually feels moisturizing, and yet it lasts all day long on me. I don't know how my skin doesn't eat it up, but I'm impressed. I always like to add a bit of extra glow - you know me. Cream highlighters become especially important to me in the springtime. My absolute favorites are the rms beauty Living Luminizer - the most stunning product ever - and the Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight.

THE FLUSHED CHEEK | I have to be careful with this one, as I think as I get older I'm developing a bit of rosacea or something. I do still love a nice flushed cheek look though, as long as it's not an actual real-life flush. Again, I love a good cream product. My absolute favorite blush of all time is the Stila Convertible Color in Lilium. It's the nicest soft pink shade, and the formula stays looking fresh and dewy all day. If I want a little more pizzazz I go for the Clinique Cheek Pop in Berry Pop - admittedly this shade is a little too bright for my taste now, but I still love the formula. It adds a lovely bright pink to the cheeks that when blended out gives a believable flush rather than looking clownish.

THE BRONZE EYE | Again, I go for bronze eyes pretty much year-round, but when spring rolls around I love me some shimmery eyeshadow. I haven't been able to stop wearing the Tartelette in Bloom Palette (review), which, as the name suggests, is just perfect for the season. The NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Kalahari is also a perfect pair, with their rosy-bronze hues. If I'm going for a cream, I've been reaching for a really neutral bronze in the form of the Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise in Marie Antoinette or the Wander Beauty Exquisite Eye Liquid Shadow in Bronze - I absolutely love them both.

THE PINK LIP | I'm still on that neutral/brown lip train, but with spring coming I've really been feeling adding a bit more pink into my look. For a super natural wash of color I've been in love with the Glossier Generation G Sheer Matte Lipstick in Like - it's the nicest pink shade that gives that "bitten" look to the lips. Another sheer pick that I love is the NARS Lipstick in Dolce Vita - it's such a pretty rosy nude. The Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer in Nude Pop is absolutely perfect as well, being quite a pinky nude. It has the nicest formula and sticks around for quite awhile without being drying. If you're more of a gloss-wearer I'd highly recommend the Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Glosses - they're ultra-pigmented and long-lasting but not gloppy or sticky at all, and Kristen is a lovely neutral pink. And my liquid lipstick pick of the season is the Jouer Lip Creme in Petale de Rose (review), again a really pretty neutral pink shade.

What are your top beauty picks for spring? Do you have spring weather yet where you live?