Sunday, June 22, 2014

Current Favorites

Seems the last time I wrote a post at all was September, 2013. My apologies. The longer you go without writing, the harder it is to get back into it. Hopefully, this is the first of many new posts. 

I've been meaning to write this specific post for a few months, which means that these products have been my favorites for at least that long. I try so many new things that when I find something worth talking about...it's gotta be good. 




Let's start with the most boring first, shall we. Baking soda. Plain old baking soda. I've been using this crap for everything lately. It's the best exfoliator I've found yet. For my face I make a paste of baking soda and water and rub it in gently, leaving it on for about 2 minutes. For my feet, I mix about 2 tbs with 5 cups warm water and soak my feet before gently exfoliating with a pumice stone. I use it when my nails are stained from nail polish and mix it with peroxide for a teeth whitener. Sometimes you just can't beat a classic. 

Now onto the pretty things. 

Mac Sculpting Powder in Sculpt
This is the best tone I've found for my skin. I used to use a light matte bronzer to define my face but now I use nothing but this stuff. Even on a "no makeup" makeup day, this is one of my must haves. 

Clinique Cheek Pop in Berry Pop
The Clinique website says this blush is "A burst of colour, buildable and bright." They are absolutely right. It's bright without looking totally unnatural and completely buildable. I've worn it light and heavier and it always looks good. I want more colors.  

Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation (Multiple Shades)
I love this foundation. I wear it alone and I never need a setting powder. It's full coverage and it's super cheap, like $4.99 cheap. Right up my alley. On days when I don't want as full of coverage I mix it with my moisturizer and it works great that way, too. The other thing I love about this foundation is that it comes in so many lighter shade options. I'm usually the "lightest" shade when it comes to drugstore foundation but I can get away with the second and third option with this one. I know my friends that have lighter skin tones than me appreciate the lighter shades. While it works for me, I think they need to work on shades on the other side of the spectrum as well, then people of all skin tones could use this awesome formula. 

Mary Kay Lash Love Mascara 
OH EM GEE. I've never been so in love with a mascara in my life. I first learned about this from MMandL show on YouTube and was wanting to try it. I planned on purchasing it from a Mary Kay catalog but it just so happened that I got a Mary Kay Influenster box full of products and this happened to be one of them. I've gotten countless questions about which "false lashes" I'm wearing when it's just this mascara. Most days this summer I've been wearing this and nothing else on the eyes. It makes my lashes extremely long, separated, volumized, and the blackest black. It does harden quite a bit so if you want more than one coat (definitely not needed), you have to work pretty fast.The only negative I would say is that it's not super easy to purchase...but I'll deal because it's that good. 

Lorac Pro Palette
I love this palette...mostly for the fact that it has half matte, half shimmer shadows. They're all super pigmented but the white shade surprised me the most. Normally "white" eyeshadow doesn't show up that well on my skin but this color really makes my eyes look bright. When I do wear full eye makeup, I love doing an all matte eye with the White and Taupe shades. Light Pink and Mauve is a great combo as well. I'm sure when the seasons turn I'll get good use of all the jewel tones on the bottom row. I have a single of Lorac Garnet and it's one of my most loved in the fall. This is the perfect palette to take on vacation as well, it has everything you need. Incredibly intrigued by the Lorac Pro Palette 2...

NYX Collection Noir Liquid Black Liner
I cannot say enough good things about this liner. I've told everyone in my life about it. It's the only liquid liner that doesn't budge on me. It's so pigment and dark, dries matte, and is easy to apply. I've fallen asleep without taking it off more times than I care to admit and it's always perfectly applied in the morning. It doesn't melt or transfer even on a 100 degree day (i.e. last summer...hopefully we don't have any of those this year). I was a little apprehensive at first because I'm used to a felt tip, but don't let the brush scare you. It's so easy to apply and I get a straight stark line each time. I've repurchased a few times, it's inexpensive but lasts for months. LOVE. 

Edit: I've obviously been loving this liner for some time, since it made it into my last Current Favorites Post ;)

Well, that's all I have for now. What products have you been loving?