May Favorites

I'm going to say this again and again, but this year is really going by too fast. It seems like it was just yesterday that I was graduating college. Anyways. Back to the products. This month I introduced two new skincare products into my routine and it's transformed my skin. My skin is still dehydrated, but it doesn't feel as tight and painful. I'm still looking for a skincare routine that I really love, but onto that later.

First Aid Beauty: Ultra Repair Cream

I only bought the 2 oz. because I wanted to test it before I splurged on the big tub. I've been using this day and night, and even though it's a very thick cream, it does not feel heavy at all. It sinks into your skin completely. The smell is a bit herbally, but not strong and fades away quickly. You can use this everywhere on your body and it just makes your skin so soft. I didn't want to believe the hype, but it's worth it.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

First, do not use this everyday! When I first used this, I got tiny dry patches on the areas I put the cream. The packaging tells you this will happen, but I definitely cut back and used less. This is an acne treatment cream for mild-moderate acne-prone skin. Some people use this all over the face, but I think it's enough to just dab onto the places you have pimples. I use this even if I don't have a full grown pimple, when I feel one coming, I put some on to prevent it. This is supposed to heal your acne scars too. I don't think the US has the Effaclar Duo+ yet, but I'm sure I'll love it just as much as this one.

Tarte LipSurgence Lip Tint in Elite

Another lip crayon?? Yes, another, it's a problem. You can see where I got it from here. This is a pinky coral shade, and it's just so flattering and easy to wear. It's quite sheer, but you can build it up into a super bright color. It's not drying on the lips either and has a very smooth application. This is supposed to be a stain, but I don't think it really left behind much color, especially after eating. Once this tiny one runs out, I just might pick up a full size.

Cover Girl Exact Eyelights

I was looking through all my mascaras, and decided to use this one day. This was the first Cover Girl mascara I ever used and it's still one of my favorites. This mascara is supposed to bring out the colors in your eyes and it has a slight shimmer. I don't see the waterproof one in stores anymore, so I hope it's not discontinued! This is not a volumizing mascara, this is a lengthening and defining one, and it does exactly that. When I'm just out during the day, this is the one I use. The brush is not too fat, so you won't get it all over your lids, and you can get the tiny lashes on your bottom lash line. This makes my lashes sooo long, love it.


What's a favorites post without at least one unfavorite? 
I have not been loving this mascara at all. The L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Waterproof Mascara promises to make your lashes flare out like a butterfly. The wand is so hard to use, especially since I don't switch hands when I apply mascara. I can see how it does lengthen, but it doesn't give any volume at all. Ugh, the wand. I gave this mascara many tries, and I just couldn't find a good way to use it. Maybe other people will have more luck with this.

Any favorite recommendations? :)

Revlon Balms

If you don't have any of these balm sticks, go buy one, right now. No matter if it's the stains, the lacquers, or the mattes, you'll definitely find one you love. I know lots of people have reviewed these all over the internet, but I still wanted to show the ones I like the most. All these balm sticks have a peppermint scent and slight tingly feeling when you apply it, but it's not strong at all. It took a long time to pick which ones to buy, because there's just too many colors, but as you can see, I stuck to the pinks and reds.

left to right: Honey, Romantic, Smitten, Provocateur, Sultry, Standout

You can see the different types by the packaging as well.

left to right: Honey, Romantic, Smitten, Provocateur, Sultry, Standout

Honey (Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain)

I use this color the most, it's your typical MLBB(my lips but better) color. It's a nude pink color. No need for a mirror, I just swipe a few times and that's it.

Romantic (Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain)

This is the second most used color. It's an orange red color.

Smitten (Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain)

This one is really sheer, so you do need to swipe it a few more times to get a darker color. This one is a dark fuchsia.

Provocateur (Colorburst Lacquer Balm)

The lacquer balms are shinier and glossier than the balm stains, but it feels easier to glide on the lips. They do not last as long, but they're just as moisturizing. This color reminds me of strawberries.

Sultry (Colorburst Matte Balm)

The matte balms are incredible. They don't dry your lips and one coat of this stuff is enough to show up. The wear time is pretty good as well. It fades nicely, and leaves a slight stain behind, even though it doesn't claim to be a stain. This color is like a darker, matte version of Honey.

Standout (Colorburst Matte Balm)

This color was the one I wanted the most when I first heard about the matte balms coming out. It's a light and velvety application. I've always been afraid to wear dark, matte lip colors, but this one was just so pretty. It looks like a brick red color in the tube, but it's more of a cranberry red on the lips.

Tell me which ones you've tried and which ones you like!

The Grand Budapest Hotel

This was my first Wes Anderson film, and I'm so glad it was this one. I want to watch more of his movies now. The movie is a comedy/drama, but I think it was mostly comedy. It's hilarious the whole way through, and the whole theater was laughing. I can still hear the old guy laughing a couple rows behind us. I mean who wouldn't want to see Lord Voldemort as a hotel concierge who has multiple rich old girlfriends?  The whole time, I just kept picturing him without his nose.  There were a couple more graphic scenes, and I actually screamed out loud. Oops.  I feel like you become so engrossed in the film, that it feels like you're there in the hotel with them. Anyways, everyone should go watch this!

Maybelline Color Tattoos

When I first heard about the new Maybelline Dare to Go Nude collection, I was the most excited about the Color Tattoos. I already loved Bad to the Bronze, so I knew I wanted to get more colors. They were quite hard to find, but by some miracle, I found them in the CVS near work. They only had two left of each shade, so I decided to pick up three colors. The shades I picked were Beiging Beauty, Caramel Cool, and Nude Compliment. I've actually included the swatches for all the Color Tattoos I currently have. My favorite color from this Limited Edition is definitely Caramel Cool. I can see Beiging Beauty as being a really good color for the inside corner of your eyes. These colors are just as creamy and long lasting as the original Color Tattoos. I would never wear eyeshadow for 24 hours, so I can't really test that out, but they have lasted 8 plus hours on me, with no budging or smudging. I really wish these were part of the permanent collection, but go pick some up if you can before they're gone!

Nude Compliment: cool-toned taupey brown (very similar to Bad to the Bronze)

Caramel Cool: warm, copper orange

Beiging Beauty: champagne with gold shimmer

Bad to the Bronze: warm-toned brown bronze

Bad to the Bronze, Beiging Beauty, Caramel Cool, Nude Compliment

Miss Dior

Decided that for my first review, I would talk about my favorite perfume. Ever since I purchased this, I've been wearing it every single day.  I've been trying for a long time to find that perfect scent, something classic, but still fresh. 
The Dior website describes the perfume as perfect "for an “elegant and spirited young woman in love”.
Romantic by nature, Miss Dior inspires an intense and playful love, for which she is also searching. She personifies the spontaneous joie de vivre of today’s young women, representing a particular type of freedom and seduction. The fragrance is characterized by an instant and captivating charm."Dior
I'm not in love with anyone right this moment, but I definitely do love this perfume. I love how the smell lingers on everything that touches your skin. I find the fragrance a little musky, which I normally don't like, but the combination of the florals makes it smell so comforting. Go into Sephora next time and try it out, you won't regret it!