Lipstick of the Month: Rimmel Notting Hill Nude

My love of nude lips has been well documented here on Newfound Beauty Blog. The lipstick that I've been wearing constantly this month is a gorgeous nude from the drugstore. Since starting Accutane two weeks ago, my lips have become horrifically dry and chapped. Wearing lipstick has been a struggle as most of my favorite formulas highlight the unsightly dead skin that graces my lips at the moment.

I picked up the Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Notting Hill Nude a few weeks ago and I've literally worn it every day. It's the one lipstick that actually helps to seal in moisture to my perpetually dry lips. I like to put a heavy lip balm on first to prime the lips and follow with a few swipes of the product which can be applied sheerly or opaque, depending on your preference. I love the creamy satin finish that helps accentuate the lips to make them more full and the color is nude perfection. Notting Hill Nude is a peachy nude with a touch of brown, which I think would be universally flattering on a variety of skin tones. The formula feels silky and creamy like no other lipstick I have tried. It's giving my high end lipsticks a run for their money.

Rimmel Notting Hill Nude has climbed to the top as one of my favorite lipsticks and my favorite drugstore lipstick formula of all time. It's probably the only lipstick my poor lips will be able to handle for the next six months so I'll be seeking out more shades in this range in the near future. If you are looking for a gorgeous nude lip for this holiday season, I could not recommend this product more.

Have you tried the Rimmel Moisture Renew Line? What shades are your favorite?

The Holy Grail: Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess

Left-Right: Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Bronzer, Benefit Hoola Bronzer

I have a new bronzer in my collection and it deserves it's own post. After watching one of my favorite Youtubers, Barbara from The Persian Babe (check out the link to watch her videos), I purchased her favorite bronzer, Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer. Although Barbara is a few shades darker than myself, I picked up the lightest offering of the bunch called 01 Light. The bronzer comes in four shades which include 01 Light, 02 Medium, 03 Medium Deep and 4 Deep. It retails for $40 CAD which is definitely pricey but it comes with a whopping 21 grams of product. For reference, the ever popular Benefit Hoola Bronzer is $36 CAD and comes with 8 grams of product. Hence, it is not insanely expensive relative to the amount of the product you get. I'm sure that with daily use this puppy could last well over a year... not that we need to justify every purchase. Here is a quick breakdown of what I love about this bronzer and why you should consider picking one up if you so happen to be in the market for one!

Disclaimer: I happen to be a person that the world's beloved Benefit Hoola does not suit. I've been trying very hard to use it up to buy another bronzer but I am tired of wearing something that makes my skin look slightly ill and grey. Hoola is a very cool-toned bronzer with grey undertones which many people use as a contour or all-over bronzing powder. Hoola and Bronze Goddess are very very different in tone and if you like cool-toned products, Bronze Goddess is not for you. See comparison pictures above for reference.

PACKAGING: Tortoise shell- the classiest packaging ever. Not that packaging matters, but you know. I love how pretty this looks on my vanity.

COLOR: I love how Bronze Goddess has a very coppery burnt red undertone. This type of color is best for mimicking a realistic sun tan on the face without looking orange AT ALL. The product looks incredibly dark and scary in the pan but blends seamlessly into the skin. I've never seen another bronzer that pulls off a burnt coppery tone without looking super orange and fake on the skin. When I wear this bronzer, it reminds me of the type of products the Victoria's Secret Angels wear on their skin to make them look like they've spent a month in Tahiti. I think this color could look great on a variety of skin tones (warm and neutral) while shade 02 medium has rosy tones that could look more flattering on cool-toned girls.

FINISH: The bronzer appears to have gold shimmer running through it in the pan but it does not translate onto the face. Instead, it has a satin-matte finish that makes the skin look glowy without any glitter or shine. It can be used to contour the face but I like to use it all over the forehead, cheeks and nose to make myself look like I've been out in the sun.

APPLICATION: I apply the bronzer with my Real Techniques Blush Brush for a sheer application of product. I end up dipping into the bronzer a few times to get the color I want but I find it easier to start with a small amount of product on the face and build up the intensity slowly. It applies smoothly without looking powdery or streaky. It feels very silky to the touch when swatching with fingers.

OVERALL: 10/10

I have nothing bad to say about the Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Bronzer and it has already become a holy grail product in the short amount of time I've had it. I think this is a beautiful product for those who like that sun-kissed look and would make a gorgeous gift that would last a very long time. For now I think I've found the one and I won't be purchasing another bronzer any time soon.

Have you tried the Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Bronzer? Do you prefer warm or cool toned bronzers?

Thanks for reading.

Smashbox Studio Skin Foundation: A Review

Bare Face

Smashbox Studio Skin Foundation- 2 layers over blemishes

Full Face of Makeup

A new foundation has recently come into my life. After getting a pretty nasty breakout recently on one side of my face, I decided that I bring out the big guns and get a proper full coverage foundation. I picked up the Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation which boast a long list of claims. It's an oil free foundation which claims to wear for 15 hours with a buildable medium to full-coverage. It's a hydrating formal that is resistant to water, sweat and humidity.

Although this foundation does have many claims on the box, I actually don't disagree with any of them. Here's a quick break down of my thoughts on the foundation:

COVERAGE: I agree that it's a buildable medium to full coverage foundation. I apply one thin layer all over my face and go back over my problem areas (note: blemishes in first picture above) with a second layer. As you can see in the second picture, it did a pretty decent job of concealing blemishes on it's own, without the need for concealer.

LONGEVITY: I don't know how many people need their foundation to last for 15 hours, but I have probably worn it for about that long and it really wears beautifully throughout the day. The foundation does wear down a little around my chin and nose by the end of the day, but it lasts the longest of any other foundation I have tried.

FINISH: I love the finish of this foundation. It definitely has a very skin-like finish for a full coverage foundation. While it helps control oil, it definitely has a very slightly glowy finish. It has light-diffusing properties which help the skin look alive rather than matte and dead. Although I powder my t-zone out of habit, I've worn Studio Skin for an entire day without it and stayed matte. As you can see from the picture, it photographs beautifully and I would highly recommend it for brides and special occasions.

APPLICATION: Studio Skin is a thicker foundation with a gel consistency. Due to the thickness, I would recommend moisturizing the skin really well before applying or using a primer underneath. It also sets pretty quickly on the face, so I would recommend blending it in to separate areas of the face as you apply it.

COLOR SELECTION: This is literally my only issue with this product. I have the lightest shade, 1.1 and it is very dark for a fair girl like me. It also has a lot of yellow in it, which is fine for a warm-toned person like me but would not work for those with pink undertones. I need to wear a considerable amount of bronzer on my neck to make my face match the rest of my body. That said,  I love the foundation dearly and it is definitely worth it, but I wish there was a lighter shade that I could mix in to lighten it up.

OVERALL: 9/10

So that sums up the newest foundation in my collection. I'm pretty bummed that Smashbox doesn't cater to pale skin tones like myself but I truly think the formula is out of this world. If you can find a color match, I highly, highly recommend the foundation.

Thanks for reading.

November Favorites

Does anyone else feel like November flew by? In the hustle and bustle of the last month, my makeup routine did not change very much. I have been wearing similar looks throughout autumn and there are only a handful of products that stood out in my makeup bag this month. I've been busy working what feels like endless shifts over the past month, so my looks have been minimal and work appropriate. Though I haven't made many product discoveries, there are a few bits that I've come back to time and time again.

Here's what I've been enjoying in the month of November:

MILANI BROW SHAPING CLEAR GEL
I've really never felt the need to spend more than a few dollars on a brow gel. Although I love my former Essence Brow Gel, I found that it distributed way too much product on my brows so I would have to wipe off the majority of the product on a tissue before applying. Since the Milani Brow Shaping Clear Gel came into my life, it's made my brow routine an absolute breeze. It has a tiny brush which is the perfect size to shape and groom the brows into place without looking heavy or cakey. This product retails for around the 5 dollar mark and it's a definite must have.

NARS LUSTRE BLUSH
I'm back to loving peachy blush and NARS Lustre is a thing of beauty. It's a gorgeous copper-peach shade with a shimmer that looks amazing on the cheeks. Although it looks scary in the pan, it's actually a great shade that fair girls can wear as well. This is definitely one of my favorite blushes that looks pretty on my warm-toned skin that pairs well with nearly any makeup look.

SONIA KASHUK VELVETY MATTE LIP CRAYON IN PINKY NUDE
This pencil is a complete dupe for the Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencils. The shade of this lip color is stunning and I love to wear it with a nudey pink lipliner and occasionally with a gloss over the top. My only gripe with this product is that it's matte texture is unforgiving on my dry lips that have come about with the chilly weather. I find wearing a gloss over the top helps to seal in some moisture. but reapplying throughout the day is impossible for me without first applying a lip balm.

BURTS BEES TINTED LIP BALMS
To combat my horrifically dry lips, I've been wearing these lovely little tinted lip balms on the daily. Blossom, a light pink, has been a long-standing favorite, but Red Dahlia is a sheer red that I've been enjoying recently. The color pay off is sheer and unoffensive but perfect for busy nurses like myself.

GOSH COSMETICS FOREVER EYE SHADOW STICK
Another swipe-and-go product for early mornings. I'm really impressed by the formula of these eye shadow sticks from Gosh which literally do not budge all day. They have a pretty metallic finish without any sparkle fall-out. I have the shade light copper which is a pretty golden copper that looks great against blue eyes and actually looks as if I've put a lot more effort into my makeup than I really did. I literally swipe the stick all over my lids and blend the edges in with my finger.

LE CHATEAU GOLD NECKLACE
I'm a big fan of gold accessories and this simple long gold necklace is my go-to necklace for jazzing up nearly any outfit. I love the look of a long necklace paired with a chunky sweater or even with a little black dress. I've gotten a lot of use out of this necklace and I would love to get another necklace of similar style in a silver tone for variety. I'm sure I'll continue to sport this classy necklace throughout the holiday season.

So there sums up my favorites of the month of November. What have you been loving in the past month?

Thanks for reading!

The Winter Face

After a very chilly and brisk walk yesterday, I realized that winter has come to Newfoundland early again this year. It seems that each winter gets chillier and I'm preparing myself for the polar vortex that is to come in the months to follow. The bone-chilling walking downtown with my man inspired me to create my own winter face which is a little different than the neutral browns I've been sporting throughout autumn.

I really love the way that grey eye shadows look with pale skin and blonde hair. I've never really liked cool tones on my coloring but I'm quite smitten by the way it turned out. I used my Dior 5 Couleurs Grege Palette to create a very soft smokey eye that draws attention to the peepers. I've been loving smudgy eyeliner lately and my Elizabeth Arden Smoky Eyes Pencil in Espresso is so pretty smudged all the way around my lash line with a grey eye shadow blended over the top. This is a great way to wear eyeliner for daytime without it looking in your face yet still adding definition to the lash line. Not to mention, putting a powder shadow on top of liner makes it last all day long. I chose to ditch the bronzer and highlighter in favor of a simple peachy cream blush on the cheeks. I used Bourjois Cream Blush in 01 Nude Velvet across the top of my cheeks to sculpt and define the cheeks. Finally I finished off the looks with one of my favorite lipsticks, Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Penelope Pink, which is ironically, not very pink at all. I love how the peachy nude lip helps to tie it all together without looking over the top.

Overall, I really liked this makeup look on myself and I'm definitely going to be pulling it out more often over the next month. I love that it can be worn softly for day time or amped up with more eyeliner and dark eye shadow for a pretty party look. Grey eye shadow looks great on all eye colors and while it makes my blue eyes pop, I think it would look equally gorgeous enhancing brown or green eyes. Something about the look reminds me of an ice queen... which I'm all over.

What do you think of my winter face? Does anyone else enjoy a grey smokey eye with peachy cheeks and lips?

Thanks for reading.

Beauty Evolution: I've Come a Long Way

As I get older, my tastes in fashion and makeup are constantly evolving. The 19 year old me would be shocked by my current makeup preferences and be screaming at me to pack on the glitter AND liquid liner AND highlighter AND bold lipstick. The 23 year old version of myself prefers toned-down makeup to look and feel my best.

As one's personal style evolves over time, it is only natural for one's makeup choices to also change. When I look back to my 19 year old self living on her own for the first time, I sometimes cringe at my past makeup looks. Here's a comparison of my 19 year old makeup style to my current makeup routine:

THEN
In the first year of university, I wore makeup to compensate for my own insecurities of looking young and wore makeup to make a statement to the world. Wearing pin-up style heavy eyeshadow and red lipstick to class would be my own personal rebellion on what is accepted as "appropriate" for school. I would cake on heavy foundation over my entire face to cover up three blemishes on one cheek. Passing out at night with makeup on was a regular occurrence and my skincare routine probably didn't involve a moisturizer. Wonky cat eye flicks with black liquid liner would be a regular look and I probably didn't own a lip color other than red. I would constantly buy makeup products that performed poorly and got fed up with spending what little pocket change I had on crappy makeup products which ultimately led me to start researching makeup blogs and Youtube channels for advice... and here I am.

NOW
These days, I'm more laid back in my beauty routine, opting for quick morning makeup looks for work and more toned down looks for going out. I've realized that when it comes to face complexion products, less is more. I like using light foundations and taking the time to spot conceal blemishes and pigmentation for skin that actually looks like skin. I take the time to blend my blush and bronzer with a clean brush to avoid harsh lines and accept that I am too pale to wear the majority of bronzers on the market. Eyeshadow sticks have become a new favorite in the early mornings for a quick wash of color over the eyelid. Smudgy eyeliner around the whole eye is a look I've been sporting lately as a simple, pretty way to wear a smokey eye. Bold lips and glittery products are reserved for girls night out and special occasions. My love of lipstick remains undying but I opt for pinky/peachy nudes, dark natural nudes or mauve pinks on a day to day basis.

Even though my 19 year old makeup preferences make me cringe, I realize that it was ultimately the route to bring me where I am today. If it wasn't for my frustration with crappy drugstore makeup, I would never have looked to the internet for product recommendations and end up writing about my own lessons learned in beauty.

How have your makeup looks evolved over time? Are there any makeup products that have stood the test of time in your makeup bag?

Thanks for reading.

Happy Birthday Newfound Beauty!

I'm so happy to announce the first birthday of my little corner of the internet; Newfound Beauty Blog! Exactly one year ago to this day, I decided to put myself out there and create my own blog. This blog has served to be a creative outlet for my overactive brain and has been a great escape from my everyday life as a student and a nurse. I never realized how difficult it would be to keep blog posts refreshing and original and I've certainly had some major writer's block along the way. Although inspiration surrounds us, sometimes it takes thinking outside the box and writing for yourself to produce material that others will enjoy. Since the birth of NFBB, I still continue to be floored by the kind comments from strangers around the globe who take a minute of their day to read my blog. It's been humbling and rewarding to watch my readership grow gradually throughout one year of blogging and I'm happy to be reaching out to people near and far.

I've had the opportunity to interact with other bloggers around the world and I love the sense of community that exists in such a heavily saturated area of the internet. I love connecting with people over a common love of all things beauty. One blogger in particular who has been a great support to my blog, is Hao, who has a fantastic makeup blog with very well written, honest content. Check out her blog here!

In honor of NFBB's first birthday, here is a recap of my favorite posts of the last year:

Hangover Beauty: The Morning After the Night Before- A few of my own tricks for dealing with a hangover, check it out here.
Girl Crushing: Girls' Jessa Johansson- A post inspired by a character on one of my favorite TV series, HBO's Girls, read it here.
Skin Rehab: How I Wash My Face- A post about washing my face, simple yet game-changing for my skin, check it out here.

Happy birthday Newfound Beauty Blog! And from the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading!

My Favorite Highlighter Brush

Happy Sunday ladies and gents! I've recently picked up a new camera and I'm still trying to figure out how to take a nice shot, though I look forward to improving my blog photography.

Today I'm presenting my favorite brush for applying highlighter which just happens to be affordable and readily available across the country. Since investing in a fan brush, I've been totally impressed by the gorgeous glow it imparts high on the cheekbone that looks subtle and natural. I love a good cheek highlight as much as the next girl, but I really dislike the really obvious and stark stripes of highlighter I see some people sporting. For a natural radiance, it's as easy as tapping the brush into a powder highlighter and lightly dabbing the brush across the top of the cheeks where you want your skin to glow.

The brush in question is from the affordable brush range from the drugstore, EcoTools. For under ten bucks you can score a super soft fan brush perfect for highlighting (and contouring, I suspect!). The EcoTools Deluxe Fan Brush looks and feels more expensive than it is and I love the look and feel of a wooden handle. This is one of the many drugstore gems I've discovered in the past few months and it has certainly encouraged me to slap on a little highlighter in the early mornings or night's out.

What kind of brush do you like to use for highlighter? Are there other brushes in the EcoTools range I should look out for?

Thanks for reading.

October Favorites

This month I've been loving some oldies and some newbies in my makeup bag. October was a lovely month and I am still dazzled by the gorgeous red and gold leaves falling on the ground. Autumn is definitely my favorite season of the year and my makeup looks have been morphing with the chilly, crisp weather. Here are my favorite products currently on rotation:

NARS TRANSLUCENT CRYSTAL SETTING POWDER
I've made quite a dent into this pressed powder in the past month though it has been a staple of mine for months. The NARS Translucent Crystal Setting Powder is as the name suggests, completely translucent and provides zero coverage. I love how it looks layered over my foundation and under eye concealer to make the complexion look brightened and radiant without looking cakey. This does not provide any shine control for my oily T-Zone but it's a step in my routine that I can't go without on a daily basis.

NARS AMOUR BLUSH
I love using just a touch of this super pigmented matte rosy blush to make me look more alive on early morning rises. The blush has a touch of red in it which provides a pretty flush that looks as if you have been out in the cold. I'm sure this will be the perfect blush leading into the winter months. Not to mention that the formula of NARS blush is spot-on.

MAC CUBIC BLUSH
Another blush love this month is MAC Cubic, which is a no-brainer blush choice for basically any makeup look. I love popping this on when I'm wearing more eye makeup to keep the cheeks looking softly defined. I would describe the color as a pinky beige, with enough pink so it doesn't look like a bronzer but enough brown to help sculpt the cheekbones. It has a satin finish that looks pretty and glowing on the cheeks without looking like a glitterbomb. This has quickly risen to be one of my favorite blushes.

MAYBELLINE EYESTUDIO GEL EYELINER
I'm really late to the game on gel eyeliner and I've had nothing but bad luck with it in the past. I picked up a tiny pot of Maybelline Eyestudio Gel Eyeliner in Brown on a recent trip to the drugstore and I am really impressed. I love the dark brown shade that looks so much less stark than black liner on my blue eyes. I use this nearly every day to line my upper waterline which makes my lashes look significantly fuller and it lasts much longer than any pencil liner I've come across. I also love using this to create a thin feline flick and find it surprisingly easy to use. This eyeliner also comes with a little brush which I found pretty decent. This is a great bargain buy.

MAC KINDA SEXY LIPSTICK
I saw pictures on Instagram of a gorgeous girl with light skin and blonde hair wearing the most amazing lip color and she was nice enough to inform me that it was MAC Kinda Sexy. I immediately ordered it online and I couldn't be happier with how gorgeous this color is. It's difficult to describe the color as it's somewhere in between pink and brown with a touch of peach. It makes my lips look very plump while adding a punch of beautiful color. I think this color would look great on a variety of skin tones and I'm completely obsessed.

I'm happy that autumn is in full swing and I have really fallen for my favorite products this month. What have you been sporting in October?

Thanks for reading,

The Holy Grail: My Favorite Brow Product

Bare Brow vs Anastasia Brow Whiz

Happy Sunday ladies and gents. Today I'm going to discuss a product that has been well used and abused by myself for a long time. The item in question is the highly coveted Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Whiz. A part of me wishes that my brow whiz was in better condition for photography purposes but I guess that just makes it all the more realistic. Most of the letters have been rubbed off the pencil and the brow comb has seen better days but it has truly earned Holy Grail Status within my collection.

The Perfect Shade
Anyone with light/fair eyebrows will know the struggles of finding a suitable brow product that actually mimics the look of real eyebrow hairs. I've tried a number of brow products, from brow powders, to pencils to tinted gels but nothing ever looked quite right. Most other brow products for light hair have a weird warm caramel tone that looks very unnatural. Eyebrows should always be enhanced with ashy grey toned pencils/powders. The shade taupe (once called ash blonde) is the perfect soft brown that leans very ashy. This color adds definition and shape to my fair eyebrows without screaming "Hey! I drew on my eyebrows!".

The Perfect Formula
I love that the brow whiz is a combination of pigment and wax in a pencil form. The super fine tip easily draws tiny strokes that look like real hairs. The waxy formula also helps to keep your brow hairs in place and prevent them from going unruly throughout the day. If you are someone with bushy eyebrows like myself, you may still require a clear brow gel to keep caterpillar brows in check.

Easy Application
One of the most fool-proof brow products ever. I like to make small strokes all across my brows and fill in any gaps where I can see skin. I finish by brushing through the brow with the convenient little spoolie on the other end of the pencil which blends the product seamlessly into the hair. This step takes me about thirty seconds of my time getting ready each morning.

Holy Grail Status? Absolutely. I can't go a day without it.

What are your favorite eye brow products? Have you tried the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Whiz?

Not My Cup of Tea: A Collection of Crappy Products

After purchasing so many makeup products for reviewing on Newfound Beauty, I've come across a few real doosies. Most of the time, I will do my research about a product before buying it but some things just don't work for me. Some of these products are highly praised by other bloggers and Youtubers in the beauty realm, while I am left unimpressed. Again, this is just my very humble opinion and if you like these products, I'm happy for you. Here's a breakdown of the disappointments taking up valuable real estate in my stash:

DIOR FOREVER FLAWLESS PERFECTION FUSION MAKEUP
The only thing I find enjoyable about this foundation is the beautiful bottle, otherwise it's been a complete bust for me. This foundation is marketed as long lasting formulation with a natural matte finish. For some reason, this foundation does not go on my face well. I find that it dries into my skin quickly before I get a chance to blend it in at all. As a result I find it to be incredibly cakey on the skin without camoflaging any blemishes or redness on the skin. In fact, it seems to draw attention to any textured skin like acne scarring or pores. I've tried it with/without primer/powder/moisturizer and I can't get it to work for me and my skin. I don't think I can finish this bottle on my own, and I will be passing this along to someone else.

CLARINS INSTANT LIGHT NATURAL LIP PERFECTORS
I am afraid of a full on mutany for the words I am about to type... I really don't get the fuss about the Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfectors. I don't see the purpose of paying nearly $20 for the sheerest lip gloss in the world. Yes, it feels like a lip balm on the lips, but the color literally does not show up on my lips at all. I have two shades, 02 (light peach) and 04 (light pink), which look essentially the same on my lips. Perhaps my lips are too pigmented for the sheer color to show up, but I never reach for these. My recommendation for a sheer tinted lip balm that is beautifully pigmented would be the Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balms for a very purse-friendly $5.

L'OREAL COLOR RICHE EXTRAORDINAIRE LIP COLOR
These liquid lipsticks/gloss hybrids were released earlier in the year with a lot of hype surrounding them. Even Kim Kardashian sported the nude shade on her wedding day. While I love the color of 101 Rose Melody, I'm not a fan of the feel on the lips. I find them to be drying and patchy to apply. I also find that they are so slippy that they can easily smudge onto your face or teeth. When I compare these to the Maybelline Gloss Elixirs, these L'Oreal offerings don't hold a candle.

URBAN DECAY 24/7 GLIDE ON LIP PENCIL
I suppose I have more issues with the color Naked, than I do with the formula itself. This shade was marketed as a very universal nude liner though I find that it has a hint of orange in it which makes it look really unflattering. Application-wise, I find that it doesn't blend into any lipstick that is placed over top and I think visible lip liner is a MAJOR makeup faux-pas. 

CLINIQUE QUICKLINER FOR LIPS
I love everything about this lip liner except for one thing. It has a great name (Velvet Rose), a gorgeous berry rose pigment, and feels ultra moisturizing on the lips. Unfortunately, I find this liner to have absolutely no staying power, worn with or without lipstick. It kills me to harp on this gorgeous liner, but it just doesn't perform to my standards.

ESSENCE METALLIC EFFECT EYESHADOW IN 70 FOX IN THE BOX
I'm usually impressed by products from the very affordable drugstore brand, Essence, but this one is a total flop. It looks like a gorgeous metallic copper in the pan but is poorly pigmented when swept over the lids. Even after applying the eye shadow wet, it was still a very sheer color on the lids. I'll pass on this one.

MAYBELLINE AGE REWIND ERASER DARK CIRCLES CONCEALER
This drugstore undereye concealer receives a lot of love in the beauty community. I'm not sure if the shade is not light enough for my skin tone (I have Light), but I really don't see any brightening effects on the skin. It doesn't really completely cover up my blue under eye bags either. I'll try to finish this up so I don't waste product but I certainly won't be repurchasing.

What products have left you underwhelmed lately? I'd love to know what to avoid next!

Thanks for reading.

Brown is the New Black

Eyeliner and I have had a very slow growing relationship. I'm sure that I went the majority of my teenage years without owning a single eyeliner pencil. My very first eyeliner purchase was a classic black kohl pencil which I used to rim my eyes in such a way that made me look somewhat like Courtney Love during her rough patch a few years ago. Little did I know, I was wearing a color much too harsh for day to day wear. Here's why I advocate for brown eyeliner time and time again:

It looks good on EVERYBODY. There is a shade of brown out there to compliment every eye color. Brown is universally flattering and can help to bring out blue, green and brown eyes.

It provides the same drama and defnition as black. I regularly do a winged liner with a matte dark brown pencil. It looks like black from a distance but looks less severe against pale skin. You can ditch the black liner without sacrificing the cat-eye flick.

So many shades to choose from. Unlike traditional black eyeliner (which in my opinion only comes in two shades, black and blacker) there is a huge spectrum of brown liners to choose from. From golden bronze to warm copper to dark chocolate, there is a shade to suit everybody. Try playing around with cool toned browns versus warm toned browns to see which works for you.

If you are light-medium skin tone OR have light eyes, it will look great. Black can often look very harsh on light skins or light colored eyes. Brown will look so much more natural and flattering on the skin for both daytime and night.

For those girls who love their black eyeliner and will go to the grave clutching their black kajal pencils, I respect that too. I'm not ANTI-black liner but I am certainly PRO-brown. I highly recommend everyone to give the black liner a break and try brown, just once, and I promise you will see the beauty of it.

In my humble opinion, brown is the new black.

Thanks for reading.

Rosy Neutrals: Autumn Appropriate Budget Buys

Good afternoon folks! Today I'm excited to share with your two new discoveries from the drugstore. All over the catwalks for fall I've noticed a major shift in the usual autumn makeup looks. Instead of deep wine, burgundy and red lips, there has been a polar switch to nude and natural lip colors. I've recently gone mad over neutral makeup tones and the rose-toned neutrals are some of my favorite colors to wear. Natural pinks with a touch of brown look great on virtually all skin tones and are neutral to be paired with basically any eye look you wish. In the picture above, I'm wearing a bronze and reddish brown smokey eye and I like to think the blush and lip pencil compliment the eye without looking over the top. Here's a review of these lovely new makeup bits:

SONIA KASHUK VELVET MATTE LIP CRAYON in PINKY NUDE 09
I was inspired to pick this lip pencil up last week after hearing a Youtuber rave about this product as a dead-on dupe for the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils. Pinky Nude was the color she was sporting in the video and it looked fantastic. I ran to Target yesterday to pick one up and I'm so so impressed with the formula. It's a matte lipstick with no shine but still feels really moisturizing on the lips. The pencil shape means that you can apply the lipstick perfectly without the need for a lip liner. I haven't had too much time to play around with it yet but I think it would look stunning with a gloss layered over the top. The color is a lovely light beige rose that looks super pretty on the lips without looking like the dreaded "concealer lips". This little number runs at $7.99 and comes in a range of other colors that look equally stunning. I'm obsessed.


ESSENCE SILKY TOUCH BLUSH in 20 BABYDOLL
Ok people, this blush cost $2.99 and it feels like a luxury blush. The texture of the Essence blush is so creamy and pigmented that it almost feels like a cream blush, though it is a powder. Today I layered this on top of some bronzer on the cheeks and I love the effect. The blush looks like a peachy pink in the pan but when swatched on the skin it becomes a gorgeous dusty rose. I love colors like this as they add color to the cheeks while also helping to sculpt out the cheeks and accentuate bone structure. I don't know how this can be sold for $3 but I'm majorly impressed with the formula and wear time of these blushes. Try one out for yourself!

So there are two gorgeous budget products that would suit virtually anybody! A great update to your makeup bag for under fifteen bucks. Why not?

Thanks for reading.

A Slightly Late September Favorites

First off, my apologies for being a little late with the monthly favorites. Life gets a little hectic this time of the year but I will be getting back to my regular twice weekly postings as of today. September was a gorgeous month which inspired me to get more autumnal with my makeup looks. Nearly every day I wore a variation of a brown-neutral eye makeup, plum cheeks and a natural lip color. Here are the five products that rocked my world in September:

CHARLOTTE TILBURY THE SOPHISTICATE EYESHADOW QUAD
I've been really enjoying Charlotte Tilbury makeup since my massive order came in a while ago. This eyeshadow quad is right up my alley, as I love matte neutral shadows. This quad contains a matte cream, matte soft brown, matte taupe and matte dark brown- all of which blend together amazingly to create a range of lovely eye looks. This quad can be used to make a pretty day time look with a wash of the bone shadow and the light brown shadow in the crease or amped up to be a full-on smokey eye without looking over the top. I can see this little quad being a permanent favorite in my makeup collection.

ELIZABETH ARDEN BEAUTIFUL COLOR RADIANCE BLUSH in PLUM PERFECTION
I received this mini blush in a gift with purchase last fall. I never gave it much attention and I have no idea why...because it's gorgeous. Although I have the miniature size, this blush can be bought in the full size at Elizabeth Arden counters. The blush looks really dark and scary in the pan but on the skin it comes across as a matte plummy rose color. For lighter skin tones, I would recommend wearing it lower on the cheeks as a contouring blush to help sculpt out the cheekbones. Although, it does look equally gorgeous swept onto the apples of the cheeks. I haven't heard many people talk about Elizabeth Arden products before but I am truly impressed by the quality of this blush.

CLINIQUE BOTTOM LASH MASCARA
Lately I've been having some major issues of mascara flaking onto my face. It was only when I purchased this mascara that I discovered it was flaking from my bottom lashes because I haven't had a problem since. I was skeptical of this product at first, thinking it was a bit of a gimmick needing two separate mascaras for top and bottom lashes. But I was very wrong. If you have issues with mascara smudging/flaking/disappearing from your bottom lashes, give the Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara a try. Coming in at $12, I think this is comparable in price to drugstore mascaras while being a higher end product. I won't be without it ever again!

CLARINS LOTUS FACE TREATMENT OIL
I credit this oil in combination with a new cleanser I'm trialing to clearing up the majority of my breakouts over the last month. I massage this oil into my face and neck after cleansing and exfoliating my face at night and I wake up with clear, hydrated skin. I've nearly used up the bottle and will be needing to repurchase it soon, although it should last a very long time as you only need from 2-4 drops to cover the entire face. This oil is designed for blemish prone and oily skins so don't be afraid to try out an oil if you have oily skin!

AQUAPHOR OINTMENT
I realize that there is no way to make a tube of ointment look attractive but this healing balm is a beauty in my eyes. If you suffer from incredibly dry and flaky lips at this time of year, I urge you to pick up a tube. I apply this to my lips in the morning while I do my makeup and before I go to bed (and probably multiple other times throughout the day). It's the only product that has actually helped to heal my lips and keep them from peeling off completely. A tube of this magical ointment will run you around $10 but will last you a lifetime... so why not?

So there are my top products of last month. What were you loving in the month of September?

My Favorite Nudes (Lip Edition)

Top Left to Right: Clinique Chubby Stick Intense- Curviest Caramel, Rodial Glamstick- Bite, Lancome Rouge in Love- 200B Lasting Kiss, Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G.- Bitch Perfect, Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G.- Penelope Pink

In the past few months, I've really fallen in love with nude lips. Historically, I've been the girl who sports red lipstick to the grocery store, a bright lip on a night out and a vampy lip for the holiday season. Since finishing university and entering into the real world, I've become much more subdued in my makeup looks on the whole. Nude lips have become my go-to look and I love how the subtle colors help to enhance the lips to make them look full and pouty without looking overdone. I think nude lips are a classic look that will never go out of style and there's a shade out there to suit everyone, it just takes a little trial and error to find the one. Being a lady with fair skin and light hair, I find that I suit rosy natural lipsticks with a pink undertone. As much I would would love to rock a beige nude or peachy nude, it just makes me look ill (although I love the look on others). Here are my five favorite nude lipsticks of the moment:

CLINIQUE CHUBBY STICK INTENSE IN CURVIEST CARAMEL
The darkest lippie of the bunch, this is a great color for every day. It's a very flattering neutral rose that I imagine would look great on a variety of skin tones. It's pigmented enough that it could be worn with minimal makeup and have the focus be on the pretty rosy lips.

RODIAL GLAMSTICK IN BITE
This is a very pale pink nude that I was surprised to find very wearable. I love it on it's own with a nude lip liner to make the lips look full or also worn in combination with the other lipsticks mentioned here to make them paler without that "concealer" look. This is technically a colored lip balm, but it's really long lasting and super hydrating. It also has a beautiful coconut fragrance.

LANCOME ROUGE IN LOVE LIPSTICK IN 200B LASTING KISS
This is the peachiest nude of the bunch, the first nude lipstick that I ever liked and one that I've nearly used up. It's got a hint of peach which goes well with most makeup looks and was my most worn lipstick of last year. It has permanent residence in my handbag and is my slap on and go lipstick for everyday.

CHARLOTTE TILBURY K.I.S.S.I.N.G. IN BITCH PERFECT
One of my favorite lipsticks of the moment. A fantastic neutral pink that looks amazing on the lips. I'm such a fan of the finish of the Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks and they are hands down my favorite formula of lipstick. This pink is neutral enough to be considered a nude and is a pinker version of my own lip color. Just beautiful.

CHARLOTTE TILBURY K.I.S.S.I.N.G. IN PENELOPE PINK
My other favorite lipstick of the moment and maybe ever. A delicious beige-pink lipstick that has holy grail status. When I wear this lipstick, I think it looks like I've had my lips done. I wear this on a daily basis (when I'm not sporting Bitch Perfect) and it manages to look great with simple makeup looks as well as more heavy smokey eye looks.

I highly recommend all of these lip colors, especially if you are of a fair to light skin tone. If you happen to know of colors similar to these, please give me your recommendations!

Thanks for reading.

Pro Tip for a Bold/Deep Lip

Last week I had an embarrassing beauty moment. What is an embarrassing beauty moment you ask? Let me explain. I had recently purchased a deep wine red lip pencil (see me sporting it here) and I decided it was time to break it out in honor of autumn. Sidenote: I realize most individuals do not coordinate their makeup with the seasons. I'm the one with the problem. I decided to go shopping with my vampy lip and it seemed like it was attracting a lot of attention from the ladies in the shop. It was only when I got in my car to go home that I realized that I had lipstick ALL OVER MY TEETH. That my friends, is a beauty blunder which made me look slightly cannibalistic. After recovering from my True Blood moment, I remembered the one insanely simple step to prevent lipstick from getting on teeth. And now it's time to pass it on!

*After applying your bold/deep lipstick, put your index finger in your mouth (right to the knuckle! See picture above) and pull your finger out of your mouth. That's it!*

If the thought of a gorgeous berry lip gives your visions of the dreaded lipstick-on-teeth, try this tip and you will never have to worry about it again. There's no excuses ladies, it's time to pull out the daring lipsticks laying forgotten at the bottom of your makeup bag.

Thanks for reading.

A Taste of Tilbury

Good day ladies and gents! Today I am bursting with excitement to show you my first taste of Charlotte Tilbury cosmetics. I've been lusting after this makeup collection for quite some time and the minute I found out that shipping was available to Canadians, I was all over it. For those of you who don't know, Charlotte Tilbury is a world reknown makeup artist who has done some of my favorite makeup looks of all time. She has worked with some big names in the past (inclduing Tom Ford) to formulate some top knotch products. Charlotte's signature makeup looks are always incredibly sexy and her trademark includes a beautifully contoured face and a sexy feline eye.

Since the release of her makeup line, she has created ten iconic looks that correspond with the products. The looks are inspired by beauty icons of today (Kate Moss, Alexa Chung, Rihanna) as well as silver screen stars of the past (think Marilyn, Audrey, Brigette). Her Youtube channel has a multitude of videos broken down simply, so us simple folk can re-create the looks at home (Check out her Youtube channel here for oodles of inspiration). I totally stand by her philosophy in that makeup is a secret weapon to create the best version of ourselves. 

I could literally talk about these products all day, but in the interest of time and the length of this post I`m going to give a very short and sweet mini review of each item I purchased:

THE DOLCE VITA LUXURY PALETTE: 

This palette is the warm reddy brown quad seen on top in the picture above. The pigmentation is fantastic and the colors blend together as beautifully as a cream eyeshadow. If you are looking for a great autumn palette, look no further. This is the one. Also, if you have green or blue eyes, this palette makes your eye color pop! Note: these shadows are not done justice with my hand swatch, they look much better on the eyes!

THE SOPHISTICATE LUXURY PALETTE:

Another beautiful eyeshadow quad featuring four gorgeous matte shades. This is perfect for creating a pretty day time eye or can be used to build up a sexy smoldering eye. Matte eyeshadows are my favorite and these are some of the best I`ve tried! Again, this looks amazing on any eye color.

K.I.S.S.I.N.G. LIPSTICK IN PENELOPE PINK

A gorgeous neutral pink nude that would look great on any skin tone. Penelope Pink is swatched on the far left on my hand. This has become the perfect nude color that doesn't wash me out or make me look like I'm wearing concealer on my lips. The formula is thicker than I am used to but this helps the lipstick to last quite a long time and it still manages not to dry out the lips. Make sure to exfoliate the lips before slapping these on as it can accentuate dry patches on the lips. 

K.I.S.S.I.N.G. LIPSTICK IN BITCH PERFECT

Another beautiful shade which is a pretty rosy pink. Bitch Perfect is the middle swatch on my hand. This lipstick is very close to my natural lip color but definitely pinker. I absolutely love the cheeky name of the shade and think that this is one of those colors that you could put on with any makeup look and look polished and pretty. Again, it can accentuate dryness so make sure to apply a good lip balm underneath. 

LIP LUSTRE IN SEDUCTION

I had low expectations for this gloss after hearing others state that it was incredibly sticky but I have to disagree. It's definitely a heavier, thicker gloss but not in the sense that it feels sticky or drying to me. I've heard that it`s a similar texture to the MAC lipglasses (which I may have to check out). I love the color of the seduction gloss, a great neutral pink with a touch of peach and brown to make it extremely wearable. This gloss looks amazing layered over both lipstick shades. 

LIP CHEAT IN PILLOW TALK (NOT PICTURED ABOVE)

How could I forget to photograph this little number?! This is definitely the best lip liner I've ever tried because it blends into my lips and completely mimics the natural pigment of my lips. I really hate the look of visible lip liner but this one manages to camoflage itself while creating the perfect lip shape. The lipsticks manage to look even prettier with the liner underneath. 

I don't know what it is that makes Charlotte Tilbury products so special but I'm definitely impressed with the quality of the products. I think she's finally done something different in the beauty world without complicating the process. These products have been designed for women of all skill sets and anyone could watch her videos and easily recreate the look. Something else I'm noticing about the line as a whole is how completely wearable all of her products are. The lipsticks all have a small amount of brown pigment in them to help the colors look beautiful and believable on the lips while the quads have been chosen to blend together seamlessly for eye looks that don't require much thought. 

I look forward to picking up some more items from the line, but have set a rule to use up some current products before I spend any more money on the Charlotte Tilbury line, however tempting that may be.

Have you tried anything from Charlotte Tilbury? Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below. 

Thanks for reading.

NOTE: I purchased my products from Beautylish and it was the fastest shipping to Newfoundland I've ever experienced! Not to mention the best customer service ever! 

August Favorites

Good day everyone! Labour day has come and gone, so it's time to get into fall mode! I worked quite a bit in the month of August and it seems like I went back to the same makeup look every day. I mentioned a few posts ago that I've been trying to use up some of my current makeup products as a motivation to purchase some new things (I currently have some Charlotte Tilbury bits on route to me!). Most of the products I've been using, I have fallen out of love with, but continue to use them so as to not be wasteful. That being said, there have been a handful of products that I've really fallen in love with over the past month. Here are the five standouts that I've thoroughly enjoyed using:

LISE WATIER 24 HRS GLAM EYESHADOW IN BRONZE GLAM
The 2014 fall collection for Lise Watier is so stunning. This eyeshadow stick happens to be a part of the collection and it comes in five completely stunning bronze and jewel-toned shades. I picked up the shade Bronze Glam which is a true neutral bronze with copper and silver shimmer running through it. Sounds like a flashy color but is actually perfect for slapping on all over the lid for a simple smokey eye. Add a coat of mascara and you are running out the door. I love how versatile this product is as it can be used in so many different ways. I use it on it's own all over the lid, as an eyeliner for smokey definition, and as an eyeshadow base for a sultry smokey eye. It's creamy and blendable for about 30 seconds before it sets and becomes completely waterproof until you decided to wash it off.

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS BROW WHIZ IN ASH BLONDE
This brow pencil has taken the cake for my holy grail eyebrow product. Ash Blonde is the perfect color for my light eyebrows that makes them look so defined without looking drawn on. This is the most idiot-proof, natural looking brow product I have ever come across and I can never be without it again. It comes in a great range of cool toned colors which look so convincing.

PUR MINERALS 4 IN 1 PRESSED MINERAL MAKEUP
The battle with my skin continues as I anxiously await my appointment with the dermatologist. I've recently started using this mineral foundation in place of liquid foundations in order to let my skin breathe. Since I've switched over to this powder three weeks ago, I have not acquired any new cystic bumps, which makes me very happy. Although this powder can be built up to be very high coverage, I appreciate how it mimics the look of real skin when I used my Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray to set the powder. Another great feature about this product is that it tends to look better as the day goes on, something I've never experienced with any other foundation before. I love coming home at the end of a 12 hour shift and look in the mirror to see my skin looks nearly flawless and glowy.

CLINIQUE CHUBBY STICK INTENSE IN CURVIEST CARAMEL
This is my first traditional chubby stick for lips and I'm loving it so much. I really have to say that I'm definitely over the chubby stick alternatives that every brand seems to be producing these days. It's not that there's anything wrong with having a lipstick in pencil form, but I am certainly more of a purist who will always take a traditional lipstick tube over a pencil any day. The reason I'm so crazy about this chubby stick is that the color is the perfect rosey nude that doesn't make me look like I'm wearing lipstick at all. Secondly, it feels incredibly moisturizing on the lips. Lastly, it doesn't fade to leave that weird ring of color along the outside of my lips (something I've experienced with every other lip pencil). I love wearing this in the workplace but I also find it useful to throw on with a smokey eye when I don't want something too overpowering. Two thumbs up!

BATH AND BODY WORKS TRIPLE MOISTURE BODY CREAM IN CASHMERE GLOW
I picked this up on a whim after running out of my last body lotion. In all of my days, I've never received so many compliments about how good I'm smelling. I'm not the best at describing scents, but the tube says that it has notes of golden peach, shimmering vanilla and cashmere musk. It's far from fruity but has a sultry sweetness about it that is subtle yet intoxicating. It smells slightly nutty to me as well.  In my What's in my Shower post (check it out here), I mentioned that I wanted a scent that matched my Dove Purely Pampering Body Wash in Pistachio Cream and Magnolia, and this body cream makes the most heavenly combination of smells.

So there's the lineup for the last month of summer. I'm so ready to dive into red lips, coppery eyeshadows and tons of eyeliner. What were you loving in the month of August?

Thanks for reading.

Girl Crushing: Girls' Jessa Johansson

I think we've all been there. Completely idolizing an individual who is so positively divine that you just wish that you could be them. That my friends, is called a girl crush. I personally have many girl crushes but this one is very different from the rest, and quite possibly the coolest person ever. I've been girl crushing hard on Jessa Johnansson (Jemima Kirke) from the HBO hit series Girls. Jessa is the counterpart of a very realistic group of twenty something girls who are best friends through the good times and the bad times. Jessa's style is absolutely stunning and in my eyes she is the perfect modern day gypsy. I love her free-spirited attitude about life which definitely translates to her personal style. It's not unusual to see her donning vintage frocks, fur coats, kimonos and heaps of over sized jewelry. Her long wavy hair is gorgeous but never intentionally "done", instead it has that tousled bed head look that I love. As for her makeup, Jessa often keeps it simple and looks practically bare-faced, except for when she pulls out a dramatic vampy lip that I swoon over each time. The above picture from Season 3 is my inspiration for this makeup look, according to her makeup artist, Jessa is wearing Revlon Certainly Red Lipstick. I planned on picking up that lipstick until I saw the Revlon Matte Balm in Standout, which I loved the look of for myself.

To break down the look is very simple. Go for clean skin (or a light foundation), contour the face with a neutral blush or bronzer and slap on a vampy lipstick. Jessa normally skips out on any mascara or eye makeup but my blonde lashes needed a little bit of something something to make them look existant. I finished off my homage to Jesssa by throwing on a kimono wrap top, a statement necklace and a messy side pony.

I loved rocking this makeup look and enjoyed taking a step out of my comfort zone to channel my inner gypsy goddess that must be hiding in there somewhere. Do you have a girl crush?

What's in my Shower Part II

There's nothing like having a gander in someone's shower. For reasons unknown, I get a great kick out of knowing what products people around me use on a daily basis. It's probably not very exciting, but these are the current workhorses for making me smell and look acceptable on a daily basis. I'm not necessarily committed to this group of products and I'm sure that in a few weeks the contents of my shower stall will look much different. Although I'm mad about makeup, I'm pretty easy to please when it comes to shampoos and body wash. I'm a minimalist in that it drives me bonkers to have multiples of the same product cluttering up the shelves of my shower at any given time. You will never see me with three bottles of shampoo in rotation, it messes with my shower zen. My rule for a streamlined bathroom is simple, one goes in, one comes out. Here's the current line up of what's in my shower:

TIGI BED HEAD SELF ABSORBED HIGH NUTRIENT SHAMPOO
I'm not going to lie, I bought this shampoo purely because it smells great. It sort of reminds me of a citrusy candy and I'm tempted to give it a taste every time I use it. I would say that it's a good shampoo for my hair type. It's nice for fine hair as it's just moisturizing enough without weighing down my hair and it produces very sleek and shiny results. I love how the scent lasts for days in my hair without being overpowering.

TIGI BED HEAD SELF ABSORBED HIGH NUTRIENT CONDITIONER
No surprises here. The matching conditioner to the shampoo. I like to finger-comb it through my ends and leave in it my hair while I shave my legs as mini-hair mask. I like that it immediately detangles my forever knotty hair the second I massage it in. Again, it smells good enough to eat. I just wish the conditioner matched the size of the shampoo.

ALBA BOTANICAL CREAM SHAVE IN MANGO VANILLA
I don't often use natural/organic products, but this one caught my eye at the grocery store. I was hoping that this would be a more affordable/longer lasting alternative to my favorite EOS Shave Cream but I am left very disappointed. It's a thick cream that is smoothed onto the legs like a shave gel and helps to moisturize the legs while your shave. My major gripe is that there is no way to use this product without it clogging up your razor. The cream is so thick that it literally cannot be washed away from the blades. It makes the shaving process even less enjoyable and I can't wait to use it up. I would not recommend this shave cream.

AVENE CLEANANCE GEL
I like to have a cleanser in the shower for washing my face in the mornings. I like this one because it's a foaming face wash that rinses clean and helps fight acne. This happens to be my cleanser du jour.

DOVE PURE PAMPERING BODY WASH IN PISTACHIO CREAM AND MAGNOLIA
It's been a very long time since I've used a Dove body wash, but I couldn't be happier with this purchase. Dove has come a long way from the body wash I once used as a teen. The smell of the original body wash always made me slightly queasy. The scent of pistachios and magnolia smells like something straight out of a Bath and Body Works autumn fragrance collection. The formula of the body wash is super thick and moisturizing on the skin. I just wish there was a matching body lotion to accompany this dreamy body wash. I will definitely be repurchasing after this is used up and I would like to see if the other scents are just as delicious.

DOVE MEN CARE AQUA IMPACT BODY WASH
Just thought I would stick this in as I share my shower with my boyfriend. Nick always smells great and this is his body wash in rotation at the moment. If your man is needed a new body wash, I would highly recommend this very fresh and zingy manly scent. It's so good that I'm occasionally tempted to use it myself!

So there ends part II of my What's in My Shower Series. What products are taking up residence in your shower?

Thanks for reading.

When Things Get Funky: Expiration Dates

Do you ever look in the bottom of your makeup bag/handbag/medicine cabinet and think how did all this stuff get here? Well today was that day for me. As a beauty blogger, I'm often making makeup purchases here and there... which adds up to a huge amount of products not getting the love they deserve. First off, cosmetics have an expiry date, so if you haven't been getting use out of a product, it's best to pass it off to someone else who will hopefully get use of it before it goes bad. And if you happen to be using the same mascara for 2 years... it's time to chuck it out and get a new one. Here's a little guideline of knowing when it's time to throw out cosmetics:

Mascara- It's good for 3 months. After that, throw it away! It's wet and spends time up close and personal with the eyeballs. It's the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and could result in some nasty irritation/infections if used for too long. I've been sticking to this rule for the past year. If at any time your mascara starts to smell funky, definitely chuck it out.

Cream Blush/Eyeshadow- Can last 12-18 months. I've recently started using my older cream products in an attempt to use them up before they go bad. Any product that you put your fingers in on a daily business will be quick to fill up with yucky bacteria. Make sure to wash your hands before placing your fingers into a cream products or use a clean brush with each use. I'll be giving away my Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pale Pink and Clinique Chubby Eye Tint in Whopping Willow as they have not met the expiration date but could get some loving from someone else.

Liquid Liner- Up to 6 months. Luckily most liquid liners dry up in that amount of time, which will force you to purchase another. For this reason, I would recommend using drugstore liners which are more affordable to repurchase.

Liquid Concealer/ Foundation- These can last up to one year. Exposing your foundation to air can make it oxidize and change color so make sure to screw the cap on tightly after each use. Pumps on foundations are a great way to prevent this and also fix the problem of sticking dirty fingers into the foundation bottle each day. To keep concealers in check, I recommend having one or two at a time so you can use them up completely within 12 months.

Lipstick- Up to one year. I find this rule hard to follow as it takes me a while to use up a lipstick entirely. Recently I've tried to use up some of my lipsticks that are more than halfway gone. Lipsticks that I've only used once or twice I tend to pass on to someone else who may get some more use out of them.

Lipgloss- Can last from 18-24 months, which I think is pretty good considering it's a gloopy product used on the mouth. I try to limit the amount of lip glosses I buy, knowing that I will never use them all up before they go bad.

Powders (Eyeshadow, Blush, Pressed/Loose Powder)- Can last up to 2 years. Something to consider if you own enough eyeshadow to last 4 lifetimes.

Pencil Eyeliners- Can last up to 2 years. I think that sharpening them is a good way to keep them clean. Again, I try to have one pencil in each color rather than owning 5 black eyeliners.

Do you follow makeup expiration guidelines? I try my best to stick with it but there are some products that I just can't let go of. Pictured above are the products that didn't make the cut in my collection that will be finding new owners very soon. If you have products that don't get much love and are within the expiration dates, I encourage you to pass them on to friends and family!

Thanks for reading!