A PEEK AT MY DAILY MAKEUP ROUTINE

The one thing that's been keeping me from blogging is photos.  I don't particularly enjoy taking photos, and I always feel like the ones I take look awful.  So I decided: whatever.  I'm going to take some damn photos, be they good or not, so I can just write again.  Also, still on my journey to figuring out what the heck I'm going to write about.

This is what my "vanity" looks like on a daily basis.  I don't really have an easy to use organizational system yet, so it just all stays out on the table where I can easily grab each thing.

After applying moisturizer (jojoba oil) and EltaMD facial sunscreen, I start on the base.  I've been trying out a sample of Laura Mercier's Radiance Foundation Primer; it reminds me of Revlon's skin lights but with no scent and more of a glow, less of a glitter.  Not sure if it's worth the $34 price tag, but you don't use a lot each time so it would definitely last a while.

Those four little pots in front of my mirror are the four bases I'm currently trying out.  Even though I've been using them all for at least a month, I cannot seem to make up my mind!  The two tinted moisturizers are NARS Tinted Moisturizer in Terra Nueve and Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Porcelain, and the two foundations are NARS Sheer Glow in Mont Blanc and Dior Nude Skin Foundation in Ivory.  I'll let you know what I end up purchasing!   I then apply Maybelline's Fit Me concealer over any spots or residual redness, and Rimmel's Match Perfection concealer under my eyes.  Finally, I powder with Beseme's Brightening French Vanilla face powder.

I always do my brows first, I don't know why!  I use the Anastasia Brow Pomade in Soft Brown and a little angled brush from Forever21.  My eyes are next, where I may use a Maybelline Color Tattoo, Stilla liquid eyeliner, or do a bit of a smokey eye with my Naked2 pallet.  I then curl my eyelashes with my new Shiseido eyelash curler (it's the only curler I've found that fits my eyes!) and a coat of either Maybelline's Great Lash or Clinique's Lash Doubling Mascara.  Both give good definition and tint without a clump in sight!

On the cheeks, I'll use one of a couple of blushes: Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed if I want more of a sculpt, e.l.f.'s Baked Blush in Passion Pink if I want more of a glow, or Clinique's Soft-Pressed Powder Blusher in New Clover for just a good all-rounder.  I then apply e.l.f.'s Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls with my fingers.  

Finally, lipstick!  Lipstick is my one true love, and my choice always depends on a multitude of factors: my hair, eye makeup, mood, even the weather!  A classic red is good any day, a deep berry has been my love this winter, and I've been enjoying purple now and again!  Recently, I've been feeling a bit off about my lipstick choices: the other day I switched it four times!

Then, with a spritz of perfume I'm done.  I always reach for The Body Shop's White Musk Libertine in the winter, but I've also been trying out a few Alkemia perfume oils as well as my new Tocca sampler "Meet The Girls"!

Do you use any of these products?  Is your morning routine more streamlined than mine?

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12 LISTS // 3

I'm back for list number three.  Life has been alright.  I still want to write more, but I can't seem to figure out how.  I've been practicing guitar, which is a plus.  My boyfriend is a really good player, and he is very encouraging and has helped me figure out a couple of things.  So that's cool.

Travel has been an important goal for me for a long time, even though I've never left the country.  I want to go everywhere and see everything.  One day, I suppose.

• England
• Paris
• Alaska
• Australia
• Norway
• Ireland
• Egypt
• Morocco
• Italy
• California, again.

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LITTLE LISTS // I

So, the other day I went in to Walgreens looking to purchase La Roche-Posay's Efficlair Duo (my skin was flaring up, sad face) and I walked out with it.  However, I also walked out with two Revlon balm sticks, two Maybeline color tattoos, and two Essie polishes.  Oops?

I honestly have the worst buying habits when it comes to makeup.  I used to spend hours upon days agonizing over which item of drugstore makeup to buy, only to end up talking myself out of it in the end and then regret it later.  I wouldn't purchase an item for months, even though it was under $10 and I obviously wanted it (see: Revlon Skinlights, Revlon Matte Balm in Sultry, Revlon lipstick in Black Cherry).  I also used to do this with more high end makeup, but would end up never getting an item.  Now though, I go nuts!  Not only did I just get those, earlier in the month I finally got the Tarte blush, Shiseido eyelash curlers, and sparkly powder I wanted from Sephora.  Holy moly, a makeup cool down is in order.

I just really need to start thinking about makeup more like my wardrobe.  Think about things for a long time (especially if they're expensive), really think about if I want them or not, and then purchase if so.  If not, give myself a pat on the back for not going nuts.  Win/win, right?

So here's a little list of some things I've been thinking about purchasing.  Lists make me stop thinking about things, be it the next clothing item I want to add to my wardrobe, the next skin care item I want to try out, or the day's to-dos.  Once it's on paper, I stop thinking and I'm much less likely to buy!

For some things, they're definitely "later on" purchases, as they would be replacing something I'm currently using.  For example, my current facial sunscreen is Elta MD UV Clear and it's fine, but I want to try something different, which is where La Roche-Posay's Anthelios Sunscreen comes in.  I also want to try Maybelline's Waterproof Great Lash, but I'm currently using a sample of Clinique's High Impact mascara or Maybelline's original Great Lash. Both are good, but during the winter my eyes water like nobody's business.  Along with that, now I actually have a way of getting makeup off my face at the end of the day.  Waterproof it is!

On the other hand, there are definitely a couple of things that I've been putting off getting that just need to be purchases.  NARS's Tinted Moisturizer (in Terra Neuve) and Sheer Glow Foundation (in Mont Blanc) are two of those things.  I got samples of both products and loved them both.  Then I'd be set for both heavier coverage and sheer coverage base days!  No more fumbling with drugstore foundations!  Soon, my base life with be easy and fancy free.  (I'm resisting making an "all your base are belong to us" joke.  Anyone?)

I've also still been browsing in relation to my skincare journey, which is still not over.  I always hear rave reviews about Kiehls, so I wanted to try both their Midnight Recovery Serum and their Avocado Eye Treatment.  I also was curious about Hado Labo's Hyaluronic Acid Lotion, which is a hydrating toner that I've heard good things about, and Silk Natural's AHA toner, which is exfoliating.  I'm currently using Aveda's Exfoliating Toner, but it's expensive and I'm curious to see if its the salicylic acid that's making my skin nice or just it being an acid toner in general.  Skin care, man.

Also, since I work at an Aveda salon, of course I want the Air Control Hairspray, and the Be Curly Style-Prep.

Why do I want all the things??  Why is this a thing????

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