November 2012 Beauty Favorites

I figure the first post back should be a favorites. It has been a while, but I have really been using a lot of the same products since the colder weather has hit my area and doesn't seem to want to quit. :)

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Cream Foundation- I discovered this when I was looking for a good, inexpensive alternative to my Laura Mercier Silk Cream Foundation. I love the coverage of it and it feels very lightweight. It also blends beautifully into the skin. I find it to be quite buildable which is good for the redness in my cheeks and the acne that has developed on my chin and mouth area.

Maybelline Mega Plush Mascara- This mascara is a great mascara for every day. It is very natural looking which is good for work or school. I've never had a problem with it smudging and it makes me look like I have so many lashes. I adore it.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed- I am obsessed with this blush. I have worn it almost every day for two months now. Since it is getting warmer I have been wearing more of a dark lip and because of it I like the toned down eyes a cheeks. This is perfect and if I don't want to use a separate contour this works beautifully for that on me as well.

theBalm Mary LouManizer Highlighter- I love, love, love this highlighter. It is a bit glittery so you have to be extremely careful with applying it, but it gives the most beautiful glow. My skin is dry but gets exceptionally dry in the colder months so this gives me the look of wonderfully hydrated skin.

Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm- Again, since my skin gets really dry in the colder months so do my lips. I love this lip balm. It is extremely hydrating and I feel like it really helps the health of my lips. It does have an SPF of 25 too so that is an added bonus.

Revlon Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie- I can't exactly pull off red lips well, or at least I don't think I do, but this is a great deep purplish pink that can come off red. I love the way it looks and it has been my go-to for a bold lip.

Urban Decay Naked Pallet- I am a big fan of both of the Naked Pallets, but I usually grab the Naked2 more frequently. Lately I have been loving a look from the original Naked pallet for every day. I have been wearing Half Baked all over the lid and I put Buck in the crease. If I want a little more drama I will also use Darkhorse to deepen the crease or outer v area of my eye.


What is your staple makeup product for the winter time?
xoxo Colleen

April Favorites 2012

I know there aren't a lot, but I have been trying to be good about buying makeup products since I am going on vacation in 2 days :)

• Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation in Rose Ivory- I have been wanting to try this forever so when I ran out of my MUFE HD foundation I figured I would give this a try and it is amazing. It covers so well and lasts forever on my skin.
• MAC Blush in Pink Tea- This is a wonderful pale pink blush. It gives such a nice natural flush to the cheeks
• MAC Lipstick in Watch me Simmer- In love. It is the perfect shade for spring and summer and I plan on wearing it a lot in Vegas. I just wish I could have gotten a backup.
• Stila Smudgestick in Stingray- I went to Ulta to find a new black liner for my waterline since lately mine had been smudging a lot and ending up on my cheeks pretty much. I fell in love with this the first time I tried it. It is creamy and lasts a long time and is super black.

Spring Must Haves 2012

I am totally in love with spring. It is one of my favorite times of the year and have been waiting for it for months. These are the products I will be using throughout the spring and into the beginning of the summer:

• Physicians Formula shimmer strips bronzer in Las Vegas Strip- I am obsessed with all things Las Vegas since I am going there in May, but this is an amazing bronzer to add a little shimmer to your face. I will sometimes use the lighter colors for a highlight too. 
• Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Dollface- I love the pink color for the spring time. It is just light and will last forever which is good with the warmer weather
• NYC Bronzer in Sunny- this is the best bronzer I have to contour with. I love the look it gives me
• Urban Decay shadow in Naked- This is my best friend shade and I like to wear it alone to define the crease and make my eyes look a little bit bigger.
• MUFE HD Foundation in 120- this is my new shade for the spring. I am a bit darker and although most people don't like to wear foundation in warmer weather I prefer the full coverage look.
• Urban Decay All Nighter Spray- This is a staple all year. This makes my makeup last so long.
• MAC MSF in Soft and Gentle- wonderful highlight to add a wonderful glow. It makes my skin look so dewy. 
• Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in RSVP- I love this. It makes my eye look so quick and effortless. I just love these
• Colored Eyeliner- the combination of this on the lower lash line and RSVP on my lid is beautiful. Great for a pop of color.
• NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Golden Pink- Again I love pink for spring. This is a great shade of pink. It is bright with a bit of simmer that really makes your lips shine.
• MAC Lip Stick in Ravishing- I bought this a few weeks ago and I am in love. This is a wonderful coral color that works so well with my skin tone. 
• Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer in Light- This is a wonderful lightweight concealer that is perfect for the undereye area. 
• L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black- Best mascara ever. It makes my lashes look full and dark, but not fake. 
• MAC Lip Stick in Vegas Volt- Another Las Vegas product that I adore. It is super bright and a little overwhelming, but if I blot and layer gloss over it, it is perfect.
• Buxom Lip Gloss in Debbie- This is the perfect gloss to dull down Vegas Volt. It is my favorite spring time lip combo. 

These are my go to products for the spring and I adore each of them. There may be more with the new collections to come out. 

Review: MakeUp Forever HD Foundation

So I was totally loving my Benefit Play Stick, but my skin was just getting super dry with the winter being so cold, so I went in search of another full coverage foundation to get me through the drier months.

My first thoughts of this foundation was how amazing the coverage really is. It covers most of the redness in my face effortlessly and blends in to my natural skin tone very well. There is not a lot needed to cover my face, only a pump and a half (the pump is my favorite packaging feature).

Throughout the day I noticed that my face stays well hydrated and is soft to the touch, when I happen to touch my face. The coverage also lasts throughout my work day even without a primer. I do use a setting spray over it though.

One downside I have noticed is that since this is an HD foundation it is meant to be great with pictures. I went on vacation recently and in the photos I looked very washed out and white. I was wearing blush and bronzer on top and it was still washing me out. I think maybe a darker shade might help with this.

All in all I love this foundation and it is my favorite for the winter time so far. I do want to keep trying other foundations in search of my holy grail foundation that is perfect for both seasons.

 I give this 4.5 out of 5 stars