Makeup Product Reviews Vol.1

I don't think it is news to anyone that I have a slight makeup obsession (might be an under-exaggeration... is that a thing?  Did I just makeup a word?).  I love shopping and trying out new makeup products, so I thought I would share my thoughts with y'all about some new hits and misses that I've tried!  

L'Oreal Lumi Cushion Foundation

 

In case you can't tell by how dirty my foundation packaging looks I've been using this foundation non-stop this summer!  This has to be my current favorite drugstore foundation product because it gives a great natural, light to medium coverage with slight dewiness (most of the L'Oreal Lumi Line is meant to be dewy).  I love the cushion application because it makes applying the product quickly in the morning a breeze (bonus for when I am running late), plus it doesn't exaggerate my pores or scars on my skin.  If you have oily skin this might now be the product for you, but to mattify it I pair it with either a matte primer or my Laura Mercier Powder   

Makeup Geek x Kathleen Lights Palette

This summer has been the summer of highlights for me!  And let me tell you this palette is one of my new favorites.  First the formulation is top notch! These products apply so beautifully to the skin and give an effortless glow.  But what really drew me to this product is the giant pan sizes (same if not larger than an hourglass pan) and the uniquer colors.  The light gold color and pink are perfect for my cheeks (the pink blends out and doesn't look like you have a pink stripe on your face) and the bronzier color is perfect for eyeshadow.  This is definitely up there with my top highlighter palettes (along with my Anastasia Glow kits and Hourglass Ambient Light Palette)

The Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette

Top Row of colors left-right 

Bottom row of colors left to right

The Anastasia Modern Renaissance Palette is quite possibly one of my favorite eyeshadow palettes (which is a very bold statement).  First the color selections is perfect for those who love warm neutrals and warm red tones.  The color payoff is insane (all of these swatches are one swipe!! The only color that struggles a bit is Venetian Red, but still a gorgeous color!).  They are easy to blend and work with and very beginner friendly.  Plus this palette comes with a brush (not pictured because I have actually been using it because the brush is super high quality as well).  

  

It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ CC Cream

This is probably my favorite face base product of the summer (only just beats out the L'Oreal Foundation because of the added SPF)!  This product applies super well with a beauty blender, gives great coverage for a CC Cream, and the SPF is perfect for summer.  I would say the only downside is the shade range is really limited, but if you can find one that works for you pick this up!   

Benefit Gimme Brow

 This product is a Birchbox sample size, not a full size product, but nonetheless I have been loving this product this summer.  I have very sparse, uneven brows and this product has done wonders for helping me fill them in and give them and even look.  Plus this product is super easy to apply quickly.  I know that once I run out of this I'm gonna have to get the full size. 

NYX Cheek Contour Duo Palette

Swatches of the Palette 

Swatches of the Highlight from my Anastasia Contour kit with the NYX contour kit

Ok so this is my one miss for this post.  I was really underwhelmed by this contour kit.  First the packaging is super cute, and the swatches aren't the worst (looks like a potential dupe for more high end contour kits), however on the face the highlight shade is a disaster!  It literally looks like I picked up chalk and drew all over my face.  It doesn't blend in and looks super stark against my skin.  I had to compare the highlight with my Anastasia one to show the difference in texture and color.  The Anastasia one blends like a dream, while still highlighting the face, the NYX one doesn't blend at all and gives a major white cast to my face.  The contour shade is alright, but in my book not worth to pick up because of the highlight.

Colourpop Highlighter in Churro (no longer listed on their website :( here are all their other highlighters -- quality is pretty consistent IMHO)

Top - Bronze Color / Middle - Light Color / Bottom - The two mixed together

This highlighter... It's no secret I am a huge fan of Colourpop (see my original review here), but this is my new favorite highlighter of theirs.  First off I love the multi-color highlighter as both colors are beautiful independently and mixed together.  The only downside is not all Churros are made equal, as everyone has a different makeup of light vs. dark highlight color.  I was fortunate to get a mostly light pan, but I've heard other people had much darker pans (though that wouldn't be a problem for you if you have deeper skin).  Regardless I love the color of the two mixed together as well, and the deep color looks great as an eyeshadow!  Plus as always Colourpop is super affordable! 

Nordstrom Sale Haul Try on and Review

Here is my round-up and try-on of all the goodies I snagged at this years Nordstrom Sale! 

You can check out my initial round up of things here but as I said in this post why I love the Nordies sale is because it is the fall preview, so they have a bunch of cute fall pieces on sale for a few weeks, and after the sale the prices on all will increase! I love grabbing boots, jeans, sweaters and coats the most during this sale.  

First I picked up this cute little crossbody purse.  This purse is the perfect size, has two zippered compartments and an internal zipper.  I love bags like this because it can fit all the essentials: phone, wallet, keys, lipstick, but is the perfect small size

Next up I grabbed this scoop-neck sleeveless dress and these Over-the-knee Boots 

This dress is going to be perfect for transitioning from summer to fall (especially those hot as heck September days). It's super light-weight, loose and flowy and has pockets (priorities amirite?).  I'd say this dress runs TTS (true-to-size)/large.  It's very loose so you probably could size down.  It also comes in a bunch of other colors! 

These OKT boots will be perfect for winter.  They claim to be water-proof (which will be awesome during the wet months).  They run pretty TTS 

This pink Barbour (which is sadly sold out already!  Hopefully they will restock) is perfect for winter (not the 90+ heat we are having this July...plus I love a pop of pink for a dreary winter wardrobe). Definitely runs small, so I would size up.  

Next up a BP Sweater and Topshop Jeans

This Sweater is so soft and comfortable.  It's hard to tell with the Jeans (because they are high-rise) but this sweater is slightly cropped.  It is not a heavy sweater in the least so perfect for transitioning to fall, when it's a little breezy but not too cold.  Fit is TTS for a loose fit.

These Topshop jeans I have to say are a for sure something to grab during the sale (I love getting jeans on sale!)  Topshop jeans in my opinion are some of the comfiest.  Lots of people say size up, but I went TTS and I think it was the right choice (they fit perfect on me).  Also these jeans are high rise (which I love) so they are super flattering because they elongate my legs and are sliming in the mid section.  

These Stuart Weitzman Flats.... I'm in love.

Yes you can buy a nearly identical Halogen pairs for 1/4 of the price, but I saw these and they had my heart.  They are a beautiful and comfortable suede lace-up flats.  Fit is TTS

I also snagged these Steve Madden Booties.  They are the perfect edition to any fall wardrobe.  Fit is a bit loose but TTS with socks 

I got this set of 5 mini Diptyque candles.  I am a huge candle lover so I was super excited to get this set.  

Here's to show the difference in size between a full-sizes and the minis (the Coriandre on the left is the full sized)

Next clothing item up is this cold-sholder dress.  It is such a cute number and I am so excited to wear it this fall.  It fits TTS and is super light-weight and flattering

Last thing I grabbed are these Steve Madden Cut-out booties.   I love the silhouette on these booties and they are so comfortable.  Fit is TTS  

Shop all picks here:

My Favorite Bronzers

I love bronzers in general, but I feel that I reach for them so often during the summer to create that tan and glowy look.  My favorite way to wear bronzer is in a 3 shape along the sides of my face, hitting my temples, hollows of my cheeks, and along my jawbone (the same places you would contour).  I tend to avoid the center of my face, because my personal preference is to keep that area brighter, but let's be real there is no wrong way to wear makeup! 

Here are my 5 favorite bronzers to use in the summer 

1. Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer

First, this smells like Hawaiian tropic, which I'm not mad at.  Everytime I open it up I get transported to a tropical island.  It goes on my face lighter than others, but creates a nice subtle and natural bronzed look.

2. Urban Decay Beached Bronzer

I was totally drawn to this one because of the packaging (what can I say I'm a sucker) but the color is so nice for a bit more of an intense bronze, or if you aren't as pale as I am.

3. The Balm Cosmetics Balm Desert

Probably my favorite of them all.  This color just works so well on me to create a natural summer glow.  The color is a nice neutral undertone, it is matte, and it blends out like a dream. 

4. Colourpop Highlighter in Kae Pop's Glo Up

This is a bronze highlighter, which I really only use on my temples to give a bit of a dewiness to my skin (especially because my temples tend to be drier).  I always blend this one out with a beauty blender (or dupe) because I think it helps make it look even more natural. If you are tanner than me, this might be more of a golden highlight on you, but still a gorgeous color.

5. Tarte's Park Ave Princess

This is a shimmery bronzer that similar to the Physicians Formula provides a lighter natural color.  Another favorite that I reach for regularly in my routine.  The light shimmer creates a nice subtle glow on the skin. 

Here are swatches in natural light of the bronzers: 

Honorable Mentions:

NARS Laguna (cult classic)

Sephora Collection Bronzer in Los Cabos 

Too Faced Chocolate Bronzer

Shop my favorites below:

What is your favorite bronzer?  I'm always looking for new ones to try!