Drugstore Makeup Haul

Target is one of my favorite places in the world. I can shamelessly wander around the brightly lit makeup aisles for an hour and feel like all is right in the world. Today, I was on a mission to buy some new drugstore makeup, so of course Target was my immediate destination.

Here's what I got:

CoverGirl LashBlast Clump Crusher ($6.99) 

This is a repurchase for me. I absolutely adore the formula and the brush because they consistently give me separated, clump-free, long lashes. Also, I've found that even the regular formula does not smudge to underneath my eyes like some other mascaras do. 

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Light 10 ($3.99) 

This is also not my first time purchasing this product, but I had to get a new one because my last one was leaking all over my makeup drawer. Creamy, long-lasting, and crease-proof, this formula is fantastic for covering darkness under the eyes. I also like to use it around my nose, chin, forehead, etc. for days I don't feel like wearing foundation because it blends into my skin seamlessly. 

Rimmel London ScandalEyes Waterproof Mascara ($6.99)

I don't have many waterproof mascaras because I think they are a hassle to get off and unnecessary for everyday wear, but I wanted to pick one up to use on special occasions or times when I want my mascara to be really long-lasting. I haven't heard anything about this, but I'm looking forward to giving it a try.

Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Complex ($6.49)

I already have a few of the Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains so I really wanted to try the other formulas as well. Complex is a peachy nude that is matte, moisturizing on the lips, velvety, and really comfortable to wear. Clearly from my color selection I like nudes because of their versatility, but I do want to try some of the brighter shades. 

Revlon ColorBurst Lacquer Balm in Demure ($6.49)

Demure is a cool-toned pink that has visible silver glitter, which wasn't evident from the packaging. So far, I prefer the formula of the Lacquer Balm to the Matte Balm because I like the moisturizing finish, but I'm not a huge fan of the glitter particles. I definitely will be buying more of these balms soon though.

Revlon Colorstay Lipliner in Blush ($6.99)

I don't ever use lipliner, but I've been wanting to give it a try for quite a while. I wanted to get a mechanical lipliner instead of a pencil, and this was honestly only my choice because it came in a sealed package and hadn't been tested out yet (which is really annoying). Blush is a rosy mid-toned pink that feels slightly sticky and somewhat drying on the lips, even with lip balm underneath, but that might be because of the long-lasting formula. I will have to test it out more and see if I like it.

Have you been shopping recently? If so, what did you buy?

Touching Up Your Makeup

I will begin by saying that apart from blotting, I don't actually touch up my makeup at school. Yes, I do check to see if I have mascara smudging under my eyes, but I don't go out of my way to reapply anything. The reason is that I don't have that much time at school between classes, and makeup isn't really my number one priority when I am at school. However, if I do want to touch up my makeup before I go out somewhere, this is what I do.

TIPS

• In the bathroom, use a toilet seat cover to blot (also, if you find it embarrassing to blot in public, just use the toilet seat cover while in the stall, no one will see). The material is as absorbent as blotting sheets so it works perfectly!
• Other than concealer, steer clear from adding more liquid makeup to your face, it can get cakey very quickly. Instead, blend in your existing foundation to bring life back to it.
• Make sure that you gently wipe away any mascara or eyeliner smudged under your eyes.
• Use a light hand with powder, only in the areas where you need it (T-zone for me).
• If your blush has faded throughout the day, add some more to bring back that healthy flush to your face. If you don't have blush on hand, just use your lipstick as a cream blush.
• Reapply your lip color on clean lips so that it doesn't look blotchy and uneven. Use your finger to blend it in for a more natural look.
• If your don't want to add more lipstick, put on some lip balm and blend it in for a smooth and polished finish.

Buying Makeup 101

I'm not really a "buy on the fly" type of girl. Before I purchase any makeup, skincare, or beauty item, I always do a lot of research. Many makeup items can be quite pricey, especially higher-end makeup brands such as Chanel or even NARS. In comparison to drugstore makeup (which is even becoming more expensive than usual), one single makeup item can set you back north of $50. It is often difficult for me to justify making purchases because I tell myself, "You only have one face, how much makeup do you really need?" So I want to make sure that I truly love what I buy and that each product is an investment. 

image from sephoradiaries.blogspot.com

Buying makeup can sometimes be overwhelming, so I usually only buy makeup when I need something, or when I find that one area of my makeup collection is lacking or not up to par. My last makeup purchase was the Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer in 5. Here is my process of buying this item:

1. Address The Reason

The reason I wanted this item was because my previous concealer, the MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW25 was not working well for me. The color of this concealer was far too dark and far too orange for me to use on my face (thanks MAC lady for "color matching" me, you did a really great job). I decided that the next concealer I would buy had to match my skin color perfectly, while at the same time be full coverage to cover up any blemishes or acne scars. 

2. Research

I had already heard a lot about this concealer before, so to do research, I looked for popular reviews on YouTube and online. The concealer is $32, so was not about to just hop down to Sephora and pick one up on a whim. This concealer would last me a really long time because I would only have to use a tiny amount each day, which is a plus. I find that hearing what other people say and feel about the product is extremely helpful, but I still don't stop there. Just because someone else likes something, doesn't mean at all that I will enjoy it as well.

3. SAMPLES

I cannot stress enough how much I believe in sampling makeup products before I buy them. Samples are there for a reason! I have quite sensitive skin, so I want to make sure that if I spend $32 on a concealer, that that concealer will be perfect for me. Also, in the store, lighting can be pretty wacky (MAC lady, I'm talking to you), so it is extremely important to see what the product looks like in natural light. If you use a sample for a week or two, and you still love it, then go ahead and buy it! I get my samples from either Nordstrom or Sephora. In this particular case, I got it from Sephora. 
Don't feel pressured to buy the product immediately when you get into the store. After I asked one lady to color match me for this concealer, she grabbed the product and gave it to me to buy. Just put it back! I feel like so many people don't know that you can ask for a sample, especially in Sephora. You can get samples for liquid items and for loose powders as well (which is how I found out how much I love the Tarte Smooth Operator powder). The employees are often kind and understanding, so don't be afraid to ask them for a sample, they are usually quite generous. In Nordstrom, the samples are more obvious because the makeup brands are slightly more expensive there, and the makeup ladies are also really nice about it (I got samples for my Chanel foundation there before I made the purchase). 

4. Buy It!

I buy my makeup at either Sephora or Ulta, but mainly Sephora because the marketing ploy of the Beauty Insider cards really works on me. I like seeing how many points I have, which is bad for me but good for Sephora because it turns shopping into a game that people want to win at. No shame. Anyways, when you decide that this product is right for you, go and get it. I bought the full size of my concealer when I was almost out of my sample, because you really want to get the most out of it. By following these steps, I find that I rarely ever regret any of my makeup purchases.

Have fun shopping, and remember, SAMPLES, SAMPLES, SAMPLES!

All About My Eyebrows

I will begin by stating how I absolutely loathe red-hued eyebrows. However, if reddish eyebrows flatter you, by all means, go for it, but they do not suit me at all. In my opinion, cool-toned, bordering on grey colors look far more natural than their warm-toned counterparts. My hunt for the perfect cool-toned product seems endless, but for now, I have found a few products that work well for me. 

NYX Brow Cake Powder in Taupe/Ash--$5.99

Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Ash--$21.00

Top: myglam Eyeliner Brush  Bottom: Real Techniques Brow Brush 

Brow Powder

NYX Brow Cake Powder in Taupe/Ash--$5.99

Personally, if I only put on one thing, I always always always fill in my eyebrows. Despite my British mother, I have inherited my dad's sparse Asian eyebrows that do not show up in any photographs unless they are filled in. I cannot emphasize enough the need for a well-defined brow because it instantly completes any face--with other makeup on or without. My current eyebrow product that I must have with me is the NYX Eyebrow Powder in Taupe/Ash. Aside from it's extremely reasonable $5.99 price, the brow powders are the ideal colors for me because they are cool-toned and ashy, meaning they don't have any red in them. On a side note, please excuse how extremely gross the brow wax is in the product--the powder mixes in and it gets messy, which is exactly why I don't use the wax anymore.

Brow Pencil

Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Ash--$21.00

Brow powder and brow pencil are completely different products that achieve a similar, but noticeably different, effect. Powder tends to stay on the slightly more natural side, while pencil can often look drawn in. The NYX powder is obviously far more affordable than the brow wiz and lasts twenty times longer than the few month life of the brow wiz (from daily use). However, the brow wiz is a cult favorite for a reason: it's faster to use, more travel friendly, and the formula is not too soft and not too hard so it stays on all day.

Brow Gel

Chella Defining Eyebrow Gel--$18.00

I don't really use brow gel that often, but if I feel that my brows are just too uncontrollably long and need to be tamed, this is the one I use. I am also not too fussy about brow gel, but this is the one I have. I am sure that Maybelline Great Lash in Clear would work just as well.

Brushes

myglam Eyeliner Brush

This brush is what I use if I want a really sharp and defined line. Because of how dense the bristles are, it manages to get a fine line, but it doesn't pick up and hold as much product. Therefore, I often have to go back into the powder several times in order to achieve the effect that I want.

Real Techniques Brow Brush (from Starter Kit)--$17.99

I am a huge fan of all the Real Techniques brushes, this one including. Larger than most angled brushes, this brow brush really allows me to fill in my brows quickly and precisely (which is exactly what I need when I am rushing to fill in my brows while in the car, on the way to school). The bristles are more loosely packed so it picks up and holds powder well which means I can use less product and achieve the perfect effect. This really is a must-have brush for me!

What are your favorite brow products?

2013 Must-Haves: Makeup

This is going to be my first post of my new "2013 Must-Haves" series where I talk about all the products that came out on top for me in the past year.

I often find that I have so many unnecessary items even just in my modest beauty collection that I really don't use very much. However, there are those products that made it to my everyday-use-makeup-box that I gravitated towards and always needed on hand. By no means did I use all of these products everyday, but if I wanted a full face of makeup, this is what I used.

Face

Primer: Benefit the POREfessional

Foundation: Chanel Vitalumière Aqua (20 Beige)

Concealer: MUFE Full Cover Concealer (5)

Under-Eye Concealer: Maybelline Instant Age-Rewind Concealer (Light)

Powder: Aqualillies for Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder

Brow Powder: NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder in Taupe/Ash

Blush: Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Dazzled 

Bronzer: Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer in Park Ave Princess

Eyes 

Primer: Urban Decay 24/7 Primer Potion

Palette: Urban Decay Naked Palette

Liner: Loréal The Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner 

Mascara: Covergirl Clump Crusher

Lips

Lip Balm: Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla & Macadamia Kiss

Lipstick: Mac Viva Glam V

Lip Stain: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey

Lip Gloss: Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick in Nudist

What are your makeup must-haves?