The Full Face of Highlighters Challenge

June 22, 2016

I couldn't have a whole week dedicated to highlighters on the blog without trying out the oh so popular "Full Face of Highlighters" Challenge, could I? Being a serial highlighter hoarder, I knew this was something I had to try when I saw the video that sparked this whole thing. This kind of thing is definitely better in video form, but I thought it might still be cool as a little bonus post this week to talk through the products I used.

As my base I mixed together some MAC Strobe Cream, BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone, BECCA Backlight Priming Filter, and a few drops of the Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint. This started me well on my way to Tin Man Glam. I used the Milk Makeup Gel Brow as a base in my brows and then went and filled them in with the Kat Von D Metal Crush Eyeshadow in Synergy - not technically a highlighter, but it is pretty metallic. On my eyes I used the Metal Crush Eyeshadow in Thunderstruck, one of the most beautiful highlight shades (I highly recommend picking it up when it comes back in stock) with more of Synergy blended lightly into the crease. I used a sample of the new YSL Vinyl Couture Mascara in Black and tried to create a highlighted effect by brushing some of the Thunderstruck eyeshadow onto my lashes before the mascara dried. It didn't really translate on camera, though.

In lieu of my usual matte bronzer I swiped on some of the Glossier Haloscope highlighter (review) in Topaz and topped it with the rosy bronze shade in the Tom Ford Skin Illuminating Powder Duo in Moodlight. Where I would normally use highlighter on a regular day, I striped on some of the Marc Jacobs Glow Stick Glistening Illuminator* and dotted some of the Colourpop Highlighter in Smoke N Whistles over the top. To set my face I used a big fluffy brush and a healthy helping of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Illuminator in Starlight to really set off that glow. I ended up wanting to make my cheekbone highlight more intense, so I went over it with the pigment from the Pat McGrath Skin Fetish 003 in Nude. On my lips I used the Colourpop Lippie Stix in Aquarius as a base and then patted in more of the Glossier Haloscope in Topaz again.

I was not surprised at all with how much I ended up loving this look, and I almost wanted to go out in it. Ever since trying this look I've been wearing more highlighter on an everyday basis, and while people at work may just think I've become exceptionally sweaty this week, I feel great about my strategically shiny face. This was so much fun to try, so I definitely suggest playing around with it if you love highlighters as much as I do!

Have you tried this challenge yet? Let me know if you do, I'd love to see the result!

Glossier Haloscope Dew Effect Highlighter

June 21, 2016

You may have seen on Twitter that I decided that this week on the blog is going to be "Highlighter Week" - all of my posts this week will revolve around highlighters. First up is a new release from Glossier that I ordered without hesitation after hearing about its release - the new Haloscope highlighters.

You probably already know by now what a Glossier fangirl I am. I'll buy any new release. They're definitely my favorite brand, and everything I've used works so well with my skin and with my routine, so they just can't go wrong in my eyes. With the brand being so focused on clean, dewy skin, it was only a matter of time before they released a highlighter.

Haloscope comes in two shades - Quartz, a pearly pink champagne, and Topaz, a golden bronze color. Both formulas contain real crystal extracts (rose quartz for Quartz and topaz for Topaz, naturally) which is a really cool touch - you can tell people there are literal crystals contributing to your glow. The core is made up of solid moisturizing oils (coconut, castor seed, and sweet almond oils) to give you a dewy look that's actually benefitting the skin.

Like I said, I ordered Quartz as soon as I heard about the release. Once I tried it for the first time, I immediately went back and ordered Topaz. It was love at first swipe. These somehow manage to be both subtle and striking at the same time - they're never glittery or even shimmery, but the dewy sheen it leaves on the skin is nevertheless intense. Despite being a super pale human, I find that both shades are equally wearable, as long as I adjust the product's placement. When I wear Quartz, I wear it as I would wear any highlighter - on the tops of my cheekbones, and also on my brow bones, the inner corners of my eyes, and my cupid's bow. I treat Topaz as more of a super glowy bronzer - I apply it to my actual cheekbones and blend back towards my temples. I sometimes mix it with a matte cream bronzer as well (more on that in the coming weeks). I love wearing both at the same time - Topaz on my cheekbones and Quartz right above it. When I blend the two in the middle, the effect is almost prismatic and hypnotizing.

As you would expect from something with such moisturizing ingredients, this glides on effortlessly and easily blends with a finger. When I'm wearing Quartz, I simply swipe it on straight from the stick in a "C" shape from brow bone to cheekbone and blend with my fingers. It lasts all day on me, though I'm not so sure it would be as long-lasting on someone with more oily skin than me. These have been the only highlighters I've been reaching for since I got them, even over the Pat McGrath Skin Fetish! I'm not a fan of the phrase "holy grail" to describe products, but I think I have to use it here. These truly are stunning and have quickly surpassed all of my other highlighters as my absolute favorite. This is the secret to dewy beach babe skin for sure.

Have you tried the Glossier Haloscope highlighters yet? Are you as blown away as I am?

Also, not to be a tease, but I've got something super exciting having to do with Glossier coming soon, so watch this space!

The Post-Workout Picks

June 18, 2016

You may be thinking that some sort of alien has taken over my body, but I've actually started getting into the habit of going to the gym a couple times per week. I realized I kept having to ask for help to lift heavy things at work, so it motivated me to start working to get stronger. Luckily my boyfriend knows his way around the weights a bit, so it's like having a personal trainer and gym buddy all in one.

My favorite part of the workout, of course, is coming home and treating my skin. Nothing feels better than some nice skincare after sweating it out at the gym. A face mist is essential to me, and my favorite is probably the Herbivore Botanicals Rose Hibiscus Facial Mist. The rosewater gives it a beautiful relaxing scent and helps soothe overheated skin. I also love to take the chance to use a face mask. I've got a few options depending on how my skin's feeling. If it's feeling really clogged and sweaty, I'll always reach for the TULA Exfoliating Treatment Mask.* It's slightly cooling and tingly, and you can really feel it cleaning out the skin. If I'm just feeling overheated and tired, I go for the Belif First Aid Anti-Hangover Soothing Mask. This gel mask really sinks into the skin, leaving it super hydrated, and it helps cool everything down as well. Sensing a theme here? When I want a bit of a combination of benefits from both masks, I pick the Sea 2 Skin Active Hydration Mask.* This works to both remove dead skin and nourish the complexion with ingredients like marine collagen, hyaluronic acid, and rosehip oil, so it leaves my skin absolutely glowing.

Even though I shower after getting home from the gym, sometimes I still feel like I could use some freshening up - that's where the Anese Don't Be Sorry, Be Sexy Hydrating Body Elixir* comes in handy. It feels nice and refreshing to spritz all over, and I absolutely love the Marshmallow Pine scent. It really seems to reinvigorate me. And because I'm addicted to lip balm no matter what time of day, I always have to have the Glossier Mint Balm Dotcom around post-workout. Again, everything I go for is super refreshing to try and cool myself down as quickly as possible, so the minty-ness of the balm is perfection.

Once I get home I love making myself a smoothie, and lately I've been adding in a scoop of the Vital Proteins Collagen Beauty Greens* before I blend everything up. This powder combines raw organic greens, marine collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, and probiotics. I really have noticed a difference in both my skin and my energy since using this consistently. My skin definitely has more of that glow I'm craving, and I've noticed my nails have been growing a lot more quickly as well. I love that adding this to my fruit smoothies adds in a helping of healthy greens, because I'm usually not the best when it comes to eating vegetables. I definitely recommend putting it into a smoothie or something similar though - I'm not a huge fan of the flavor on its own. But the taste disappears when blended into a smoothie, so I've still been absolutely loving adding this to my post-workout routine.

Do you have any good workouts I should try? What products are your favorites to use after working out?

*Some products mentioned have been sent to me for consideration, but all opinions are my own. Please see my disclaimer for more information.