Collection| Swap Star

After a month of solid dedication to swapping, I've managed to amass a few select staples, in sizable chunks, with the intention of taking my makeup stash to the grave in mind. Here is my cosmetics collection after swap (sounds like it goes with frizzy hair, a cigarette, and a balcony view to Paris, jeez) with a nod to the creme de la creme of what I've bargained, pleaded, whined, interrogated, and negotiated for.

Behold, my new couch! From general  order of guess and check and common sense:

Urban Decay All Nighter XL setting spray. While greatly revered by many others, I've yet to try a finish/setting spray that wasn't completely a gimmick of a water and "essential oil" turd grease droplet mixture (AHEM FIX+). This spray prolongs my foundation wear time from decent (8 hours) to deceptive (10 hours) without the powdery look of well, powder.

A quality finishing and setting powder to use for the undereye area and overall to give a slight healthy glow with no shimmer. I'm talking about Nars Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder. This sucker will probably last a lifetime.

A few foundations in NC20-NC25. Hopefully this LA sun will go away for about 2 months or so, at the least. I have finally gotten my hands on  MUFE's Face and Body foundation in #32 which is turning out to be amazingly lightweight and versatile.

Several blushes that will last me a generation. I've got MAC's Warm Soul and Happy Together on the way, but for now Tarte's Amazonian Clay Blush in Dollface and Natural Beauty have found their way back into my stash. I remember these were the first items I've ever swapped for way back when, and I miss their excellent staying power.

I've also managed to collect three brand spankin' new palettes, all neutrals! TheBalm Nude Tude, Bobbi Brown Navy and Nude, as well as BB's Ultra Nude Eye palette now sit pretty with the rest of my "boring eye" palettes.

Oh, did I mention that I'm currently on a quest to hoard cologne/perfume and bath myself in them to preserve my youth and increase my attraction pheromones, much like drinking sacrificial virgin blood inside of a moonlit pyre? No, not really. I don't have pictures because they've yet to arrive, but I've managed to find:

• Citron de Vigne/ Zesty.


• Versace Crystal Noir/Sexy Hooker.


• DKNY Be Delicious/Love Poetry Writing Teenybopper.


• Donna Karan Cashmere Mist/Elegant Grandma.


• Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue/Buff Shirtless Italian.


• And rollerballs of Coach Poppy, Marc Jacobs Daisy, Chloe, and Lavanila Vanilla Grapefruit. I really enjoy these because they are so easy to carry around for touch ups and isn't a forearm workout to pick up and spritz. Also, does anyone understand how to defy laws of physics and carry a full sized bottle of perfume in your handbag at all times?

For now, my collection is completely restored. I've thrown out (aka given out extras) of products I haven't touched in 3 months or more, replenished my stash of blushers, added more neutral palettes while giving away bold ones, and downsized my foundation stash to just the best. That is to say....easily a third of my makeup stash comes from the swap world and I've pared everything down to either essentials, basic variations, backups, backups of backups, and a few drugstore dupes. Most of my drugstore items were also donated away. It really does help with the mental clutter when you have less to work with in front of you every morning.

The only downside is how many sample cards and packets I have....my samples bag looks like Carrie's prom night.

That's all for today, the job search is slogging through. I've been to at least 10 interviews now with terrible callback etiquette and no success. Must be the butch haircut giving lesbopunkrock vibes *EYE ROLL* Bye!

Be

Review| Marc Jacobs Genius Gel Super-Charged Foundation

With most foundation for me, the only flaw is usually color match. My skin is decent enough that most foundations blend in well, stay on for long, and usually makes my skin look better, if not just "made up." With so many new foundations coming out in the market constantly promising flawless skin, it's easy to get caught up.

My review today is for the Marc Jacobs foundation (1 fl. oz. of product) which retails for $48 in Sephora. At first, the foundation didn't catch my eye...until I saw that they had Golden Light as an option. And damn, it is yellow! Perfect. Most foundations only lean yellow but never go all the way to jaundice level. The foundation apparently contains coconut water and a bevy of magic juice along with SPF 15. I hear that it photographs very well.  The packaging is very cute and sturdy, being a lacquered black plastic top with a glass bottle body.

I watched a few reviews and saw that it was a mixed bag. Some people said it was amazing and beautiful, and some said that it was flaky,patchy, and cakey. Since my skin is normal and clear, I decided that its natural/buildable coverage was worth testing out.

I have to say after only 5 hours of wear that I will be returning this, STAT! Boo for Marc Jacobs, his other products are quite lovely.

The first impression is that it's very jelly without being thick or heavy. A lot of people commented on a heavy chemical/floral fragrance, but it just smells very faintly like 4 day old Valentine Day's bouquets. I used two full pumps for my entire face and neck area, but it was a little too much. I did not try to build since I have no breakouts at the moment.

First of all, I applied with my usual skincare routine sans primer. (Since I usually am too lazy to prime.) This meant Aveeno Moisturizer with SPF 30 before and Rimmel Stay Matte powder after to set. The color went on very light for my NC30 at the moment. Okay, all well and good. I gave it some time to set. The color match seemed perfect. However, the first bad omen came when my Tarte blush applied very streakily... Thirty minutes later in the car, my face oxidized 3 shades darker! This never happens to any foundation of mine since my skin is not oily or acidic. I don't mind that it matched my shoulders, but it wasn't the color I needed for the upcoming winter. At this point, the foundation had set and the finish seemed natural and my skin was very pretty despite the oxidation.

Three hours later, the area around my nose was a hot mess! My nose area is my trouble area, so anything that looks bad on it is a dealbreaker even if my cheeks are absolutely Cherubian otherwise. The foundation caked around the bottom of my nose. It slid around on the sides of my nose even though I had set with powder. Every flake or dry spot was accentuated. And yet, it still looked oily!  On the rest of my face, the foundation was starting to slide and fade in patches. My face looked like Crisco on a Sunday dinner hamhock. Even though I have small pores on the sides of my nose under my eyes, this foundation put all of them front and center stage. I usually admire a satin finish, sometimes dewy, but this was just over the top.  You can look at these pictures for reference. Don't throw up.

*Excuse my nasty lips, I was trying out Shiseido Bordeaux and it was a little too dark for daytime wear, so I scrubbed it off*

One look at my nose and you should already think to pass on this one. I don't think this would work on anyone with even a hint of pores, lines, or godforbid nose flakes. Also notice how my face/neck is about 100 tanning bed measurements from my chest and decolletage.  It actually doesn't look half bad if you consider my face a Monet (from afar it's alright but up close it's a mess!) It definitely photographs much better than it looks in real life, but who buys foundation just to camwhore? (Oh wait, my mom....)

EDIT: I tried this alone by itself (no moisturizer/sunscreen, primer, or powder.) The results were much better (no oxidation, no patchiness, no caking) but still not impressive for the price point. It performed similar to my MAC and MUFE Face and Body but with even less coverage. I'd rather use my NARS tinted moisturizer if slight evening out was my goal since it also includes SPF 30.)

I guess the only pros I could list are:

• It may work better for oily skin types. Judy on YT as well as several oily skinned friends liked/loved it.


• It's very light feeling on the face despite being advertised as a "gel" foundation.


• The packaging and brand name is reason enough for some people to purchase.


• It photographs well. HD video captures it beautifully (check out Saaammage's recent YT videos to see it in action.)

Moral of the story, foundations can make your skin look even worse than it really is. *SHUDDER* I'm taking this back to Sephora immediately and stocking up on my trusty MUFE HD or NARS Sheer Glow in a winter shade instead.

Be

 

First Look| Flower Beauty Haul

Sometimes, a good old fashioned drugstore haul just...happens. You read a few forum recommendations, a few blog reviews, and next thing you know you're looking through molested items in a brightly lit aisle trying to find what you "need." I've recently hauled these few items and have to rave about them to you.

I want to really highlight how good Drew Barrymore's Flower Beauty line is for the price and how they are cruelty free products. To be honest, I never really wanted to dabble in a hippie brand just because I was afraid of lack of pigmentation/chalkiness/sheerness/general shittiness. However, based on glowing reviews across the board for several items,  I picked up four things at Wal-Mart, where it's exclusively sold.

The first two are cream blushes (formally named Win Some Rouge Some, 7,98 retail at Walmart) in Forget-me-not (right) and Peach Blossom (left). These. Are. So. Pretty. I won't say that they are the best cream blushes, or the best blushes in the world, but the colors are so beautiful and natural looking on my cheeks that they beat over-applied and streaky powder blushes any day. Because they are cream blushes, they are pretty tricky to keep completely clean and I wouldn't recommend them to your average germaphobe. If you apply with a stippling brush, it looks violated. If you apply with a finger, it looks molested. Basically, it loses its appeal quickly unless you are quick to use them up.

Forget-Me-Not is a light pinky apricot that would show up only on pale to fair skintones (it's barely visible on me.) Peach Blossom is a true orangey peach. I'd say that Peach Blossom is the more intense version of the first, and they remind me of gimmicky Korean cream blushes. They last about 4 hours and don't leave you with patches of color. They also have a very slight sheen to them with no visible shimmer. They come in the standard white plastic packaging with rose gold accent and clear plastic lid.



The next is the Powder Trip Powder Foundation in PP3. I really wanted to try PP4, because it's the yellowest out of the lighter end of things (note: the powder line thinks that all women fall into pale, fair, medium, and tan-ish). However most of the powders were either "tested" or gone and I had to resort to this. It's a good match for me at NC25-30. I'm still NC30 and it oxidized lightly/is sheer enough to match.

I wouldn't say it's truly a foundation, setting powder, or finishing powder. Instead, it's more of a lightweight powder that you can layer on top of liquid foundation for a little more coverage.  I think you'd have to use a very dense kabuki or damp sponge in order to find coverage with this bad boy. It comes with a crapola brush and Middle Ages mirror behind it. (9.98 retail)



 

Finally, I gave another chance to drugstore mascara (as always) with Zoom In mascara. The wand handle twists to reveal three types of brushes: for lengthening, curling, and volumizing. It's a genius idea in theory, but I've only kept it at the lengthening shape and it works so well. My lashes are longer, darker, and there are absolutely no flakes at all. I can layer about 4 coats with no problem, and it holds a curl very well. Nice! (7.98 retail)



Lengthen! Curl! Volumize! Pretty cool, eh? There is a drastic difference between the long and short of it, not so sure about the curling option...

 

Well, that's all for today folks! I'm glad I tried out a few of these items and I have to say that they are pretty good for a celebrity line and especially for a drugstore brand. My favorite is the cream blushers and I'm planning to pick up a few more shades that are deeper to see how the opacity and color payoff is like. I was really willing to dismiss Flower Beauty until I read up on recs! So lesson of the day, do some asking around! There are always going to be a few gems within any drugstore brand.

Be

 

Blog Sale| I'm having a blargh sail?!

Hello everyboday.

After two months of grueling hard work and hours wasted at the post office for online swapping, I've managed to pare it down to mostly essentials and some high end delights. However, I still have quite a lot of things that came from swap or my own stash that I'm not 110% in love with. A lot of these items are like new or lightly swatched, and of course, genuine. And sanitized. That would be important. I'd love to sell them off as easily as possible, so I've made a list of things I no longer need. I'll update this list by either adding new items, deleting sold items, or adding perks and extras. Shipping is a flat 4 dollars for me (if you buy multiple items we can work out a deal) and is US only. I'm also trying to get rid of a lot of drugstore lip products, so you'll see a few surprises in your package too!

You can use Paypal and email me at minhvn29@gmail.com to inquire more about these items. Here goes nothing!

Makeup Forever La Boheme Palette, one shade swatched twice, rest is untouched. 39 retail. Asking 30. 

Urban Decay Glinda Palette, also comes with lip pencil (swatched once), purple shade used twice, all other shades lightly swatched/untouched. 49 Retail. 40 Asking. 

NARS eyeshadow duos in Sandra, Carmargue, and Wicked. Please look at pictures for conditions. All were received in swaps. Shadows are like new or lightly swatched. 34 retail each. Asking 25 for each, or 60 for all. 

  Sandra.

   Carmague.

  Wicked.

Tarte Natural Cheek Tint in Achiote. Received in swap, I swatched twice. 26 Retail. Asking 15.



Urban Decay Glide on Cheek Tint in Score. Lightly used. 24 retail. Asking 15. 



NARS blush duo in Albatross and Orgasm. Lightly swatched twice. Like new. There is a chip at the top right of the packaging, cosmetic flaw only.  41 retail. Asking 35. 



Stila It Girl Palette 2 (Eve, Kitten, Americano). Like new, each shade used once. 14 retail. Asking 7. 



Rock and Republic Saturate Eyeshadow in Carat. Used about 5 times total. No dips or dents. About 85% to 90% left. 15 retail. Asking 7. 



MAC Prolongwear blush in Stay By Me. Like new, swatched twice. 25 Retail. Asking 18. 

Bare Escentuals Buxom Lip Gloss in Samantha and Full on Lip cream in Berry Blast. Used 4x max. 22 retail. Asking 12 each.



Estee Lauder lipstick in Pink Parfait and a small Shiseido extra. Please see pics for condition. 26 Retail. Asking 12 for both. 



Marc Jacobs Woman EDP, 3.4 oz. About 95-98% left. No changes in scent, received as gift from aunt. 96 Retail. Asking 75. 



Well, that's all I have at the moment. Here is my swap list if you're interested and would like me to private message pictures.  Email me at minhvn29@gmail.com. Keep in mind that this isn't even a fourth of my swap list! D:

MAC Foundations

-Studio Sculpt NC20 (about 75%-80% left) this runs a little darker than a true NC20 imo, I used it when I was NC25 in everything else
-Studio Sculpt NC30 (about 75 to 80% left)
-Studio Fix Fluid NC30 (about 50% left) comes with pump but no lid.
- Mineralize Moisture NC30 (about 75% to 80% left)
- Face and Body C2 (about 50 to 60% left) (this comes in the huge pro size bottle)

Also....this problem:

Revlon	lip butters lot	Lipstick
The Body Shop	Strawberry Body Butter	Lotions/ Creams
NARS	Satin lip pencil Yu LN	Lipstick
MAC	Studio Fix C40	Powder
NYX	Soft Matte Lip Creams	Lipstick
NYX	Butter Glosses	Lip Gloss
Urban Decay	Primer Potion in Eden	Eye Primer

BeneFit Cosmetics	High Beam	Highlighters
Becca	Loose pigment in Odette	Eye Shadow
BeneFit Cosmetics	BN Hoola Bronzer	Bronzers
Rimmel	Stay Matte in Sandstorm BN	Blush
NARS	BNIB E/s duo in Isolde	Eye Shadow
BeneFit Cosmetics	Porefessional BNIB	Primer/ Corrector
LORAC	Pro to go LNIB	Palettes
Clarisonic	MIA	Misc Beauty Tools
Sigma	E05 eyeliner brushes 2x	Makeup Brushes
BeneFit Cosmetics	Watt's Up	Highlighters
E.L.F.	Glow Powder	Loose Powders
Lancome	Definicils BN	Mascara

Shiseido	Ultimate Sun Protection Cream+ Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ F	Sunscreen
Urban Decay	LN Mildew, Flipside	Eyeliner
Marc Jacobs	LN Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Lacquer lot	Polishes
Make Up For Ever	HD Blush #3	Blush
Becca	BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector LN	Blush
Vichy	Dermablend LN 35 Sand	Liquid
Revlon	Balm stains lot	Lip Liners
Urban Decay	LN Heavy Metal Eye Gel in backstage	Eye Shadow
Smashbox	Hydrating primer BN	Primer/ Corrector

 

BNIB: brand new in box, BN: brand new, lot means you should ask me about the colors, LN: like new, etc...

Hope you guys are enjoying your weekend!

Be

Collection| Drugstore Mascaras (Maybelline, L'oreal, Revlon)

As a common peasant suffering from Nolashatall syndrome (used to be Noassatall, but a healthy dose of squats took care of that...), I'm constantly on the look out for good mascaras. As the rule goes, mascara tubes harbor bacteria and biochemical weaponry faster than the speed of light, prompting you to throw them away every 3 to 4 months. That, or the formula dry out into oblivion and crust onto your lashes as easily as cornbread mix on a catfish filet.

Because of this, however, they are also relatively cheap at the drugstore and come in such a wide array of options that promise dazzling results. "Your lashes will be extended a million kilometers south!" "Lashes look as volumized as a spayed cat on a Fancy Feast diet!" And since so many mascaras get PR hype, it's very easy to get pulled in and pick up a few on your trip to the drugstore.

As for me, these mascaras will be decommissioned in another month or so, meaning I can explore other options or throw them out if I hate them! Here are a few that I've been using for the past 2 months and their results. I won't be including close ups of my eyeball, because camwhoring my face is hard enough. Keep in mind that I use either MAC's Cleanse Off Oil or Lancome Bi-Facils to remove all of these mascaras and have no problems with tugging or residue.

 

From top to bottom: Revlon Grow Luscious, Maybelline the Rocket Volum' Express, L'oreal Voluminous Million Lashes, Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express waterproof, and L'oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions (all are in the blackest formula available).

 

Revlon Grow Luscious is my go-to mascara when I don't want to deal with mascara or eyelashes in general. It gives a dark color to my lashes as well as a bit of length and a bit of volume. It does smudge slightly after a long day of wear. This is strangely my second tube, because it doesn't feel crispy on my lashes. It's easy to build because of such a wet formula, but I usually don't try to. Very basic contender.

Though hyped, The Rocket is also your average contender. It gives lashes a natural and somewhat longer look and doesn't feel too dry. It doesn't smudge, but it isn't extraordinary by any means. The large and hard bristled brush also means a higher risk of eye pokage if you're not careful. If you try to build up with this one, not much will happen except clumps.

Although I didn't have high hopes for L'oreal Voluminous Million Lashes, it is actually one of my favorites. I'm not a huge fan of volumizing mascaras because they tend to clump and give me spider leg lashes. This one is very unnatural (in a good way) and would probably look great with long lashed gals. On me, it gives a great impact due to the intense black color and thickening effect. It's also great layered over a drier/curling mascara. This one doesn't smudge, but I wouldn't say you can build any more after 2 coats.

The Falsies is my favorite of the bunch because of its smaller curved brush shape that reaches into the inner and outer corners and dark waterproof formula. There is absolutely no smudging or flaking, and it gives lashes a very dark and feathery look and does a surprisingly great job at lengthening as well. This one can be built up to 3 coats. For every day looks where I want to amp up the drama, I will always reach for this one. I will repurchase only this one once all of these dry up.

In an earlier blog post, I gave L'oreal's Telescopic Shocking Extensions glowing reviews for its ability to lengthen my lashes. It won't add much in volume and it definitely doesn't smudge, but contact lens wearers need to be weary of this one. After a few hours, its fibers will flake slightly...into your eyeballs. What joy. Layered over Urban Decay's Canonball, it is the BEST look for my lashes. Sadly, I can never wear it when I have contacts in simply because it is too irritating. The small wand means you can build to your heart's content and reach everywhere. Still, I may only repurchase to use on my bottom lashes.

I hope that helps you on your quest to find the holy grail mascara. In all honesty, mascara doesn't have to be a life changer if you already have longer or thicker lashes. As for me, finding the perfect mascara is still in my 5 year plan. I have found some great mascaras in the mid and high end price ranges, but it is a little ridiculous to pay such an amount of money every four months. It really becomes an investment rather than a staple. Since I'm not a huge fan of false lashes for every day, I usually neglect my lashes anyway.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Be

Review| L'oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Amber Rush

Although I have picked up quite a haul from the drugstore, I think the most exciting item has to be Amber Rush, an absolutely beautiful and unnecessary eye shadow for the fall season.



Packaged in a glass container that has some good heft and not too much tackiness for my vanity, this eyeshadow is the strangest consistency I have ever seen in any formulation. When you push a packing brush into the pot, it feels almost like it's a densely packed loose shadow, as if a tiny lilliputian elephant jumped onto it until everything squished into a nice round brick of color. A stopper is included, but I threw it away. Tacky! Below is a swatch.

The actual color itself has been described as copper, a rose gold, the color of a penny, peachy-gold glimmer, MAC's Tan pigment dupe, reddish-bronze. I'm guessing it varies based on the color of your primer/eyelids and your complexion. On my olive coloring, it's a light rose gold that leans more peach than gold and more copper than bronze. It reminds me of UD's Chopper, but a little more peachy with the same shimmer/fine glitter dimension.

Above are swatches of Amber Rush (top) and Urban Decay's Chopper (bottom). 

It's quite unique, and the powder does not crease at all even if I am a little heavy handed. I picked it up at Rite Aid for $7.99 retail. For the drugstore price, this eyeshadow is the best I've ever tried. I do wish L'oreal released several colors in a palette similar to UD Naked, but that would probably drive up the price like crazy. It's a lovely color and the excellent quality means you should give this color a try, even if you won't be picking up any other color in this line.

That's all for today. I went shopping for a vape today (time to quit smoking for good!). How's your week going? I'm just glad the weather is getting overcast.

Be

Favorites | September 2013

Oh my gosh, it completely slipped my mind that September is over! I've been on a mini-vacay with the husband for this past week and haven't been on the computer 24/7. Speaking of ideal husband situations, he got me the new Vice 2 palette! I would do swatches but it hurts just looking at it. I told him that I would get a lot of usage out of it and "it would last for 10 decades", but I honestly just want to encase it in bulletproof glass and only purvey from the outside. 

September weather in the OC has been temperamental. My nose is beginning to flake from the drier weather, and with cooler temperatures comes the return of full fledged makeup. I'm talking medium to full coverage foundation, dolly cheeks, and long lashes since my hair is short (I recently gave myself an undercut, but that's another horror story) and my clothes are modest. Take a look at my favorites for the past month.

From left to right: Covergirl Outlast 3 in 1 foundation in 832 Nude Beige, Urban Decay Lip Primer, Rimmel Fix and Perfect Primer in 002, Rimmel Stay Matte powder in Sandstorm, Benefit Watt's Up sample, NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder, TheBalm's FratBoy blush, Benefit's Gimme Brow in Medium/Dark, NYX Cream shadow in Suede , NYX Butter Gloss in Creme Brulee, YSL's Rouge Volupte Nude Beige 001, L'oreal Voluminous Million Lashes mascara

Covergirl Outlast 3 in 1 foundation in 832 Nude Beige is like Revlon Colorstay's better looking sister. It's a very full coverage and long lasting foundation that will photoshop your face upon contact into flawlessness with no tell-tale caking. The only downside is the lack of strong yellow tones, and 832 is rather pale on me at the moment. The next yellow toned color is 842 Medium Beige, which is much too dark now that my tan is faded. I have to use a bronzer on the perimeter of my face, but this foundation is comparable to MAC's Studio Fix at a fraction of the price. 

Urban Decay Lip Primer is my new holy grail lip product. I have a review on the blog already, but it makes even the most dull and sheer lipsticks come to life and gain much opacity without drying out my lips. I put MAC's Sunny Seoul on top and it was much brighter and opaque than I was used to!

Rimmel Fix and Perfect Primer in 002 is a recent drugstore find that has encouraged me to use primer before foundation on a daily basis. For summer, a primer seems to suffocate my skin. In the wintertime however, this primer seems to provide a much smoother surface and blurs away any pores or expression lines on my face. The 002 shade is clear and doesn't feel particularly "silicone-y" and sets any base product I put on for the entire day. It isn't hydrating, but pairs well with any moisturizer underneath. I can also smear it onto my lids if I'm feeling too lazy for a separate eyeshadow primer. 

Rimmel Stay Matte powder in Sandstorm sets any makeup perfectly without imparting color and kept my T-zone mattified all day in the hot days of September. I dropped it the other day (mind you, I had been using for 6 months and hadn't even made a dent) and had to run out to the drugstore to pick up more. It's only 3 bucks and does an even better job than my MAC Studio Fix powder. Amazing drugstore product. 

Benefit Watt's Up sample is the perfect size for my everyday makeup bin, and its smaller bullet means I can glide it directly onto my cheekbones. It's absolutely beautiful and natural. 

NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder is a new item I received in a swap, and it's the best setting powder for undereye concealer (I've been experimenting with the Kardashian triangle of light) and gives my face a very healthy glow with no sheen or glimmer. It's really lovely for dry skinned gals who want a glow but still want their foundation to last. 

TheBalm's FratBoy blush has been my go-to blush for everyday looks. It has a tiny bit of sheen and gives my cheeks a healthy look, and I always get compliments from the husband when I wear it. Something about it is very understated and works with every type of makeup look, but it also stands out in its own way. The packaging is also adorable.

Benefit's Gimme Brow in Medium/Dark, in conjunction with my Anastasia Brow Wiz in ebony, has become my holy grail brow routine. My brows have never looked more defined yet natural and they last all day.  

NYX Cream shadow in Suede, another daily favorite, acts as a base and primer in one and is a lovely metallic sheen of gold that isn't overpowering or unnatural. I use it with a light wash of matte brown in the crease and outer V along with some black eyeliner and it completes an eye look. 

NYX Butter Gloss in Creme Brulee is a nude gloss that's very moisturizing and thick without being sticky. It's nude, but won't wash out your lips and layers well with any lip look. It acts as a moisturizing balm in my book when I can't find a true lip balm. 

YSL's Rouge Volupte Nude Beige 001 is the high end equivalent of MAC's Creme Cup and is much more moisturizing while maintaining a high level of opacity. I love it with a simple cat-eye. Often I will put on Creme Cup in the morning and touch up with YSL. 

L'oreal Voluminous Million Lashes mascara is the product of my drugstore mascara vice. I love the packaging, and I've been meaning to try out some volumizing mascaras for that thick, almost spidery lashes look for winter. It really does thicken up my sad lashes, but I can't say much for its lengthening abilities. I like layering it over Definicils or another tubing mascara. 

That's all for my September items, and I've been using most of them into October. I love a full face of makeup for colder months, and now it seems like every YT tutorial is for plum/burgundy/dark lips. As much as I love the trend, I'm more excited to try the other fall trends out there, like a light grey wash of color on the lids and matte skin with no blush. So tell me, are you one to go for makeup trends or do you think trends are best left for fashion? Let me know :)

Be