Summer Makeup Routine!

Here's a look at the at my daily makeup routine for the last few monthes. In the summer, I try to keep things as light as possible- i.e. only using powder to set concealer, rarely wearing eyeshadow, etc.

This was my first time making a video like this, so it's no work of art. 

I like the idea of incorporating videos into my blogging, though, so expect to see some more eventually!

Products Used:

Bath and Body Works Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel in Fresh Market Apple
Blistex Fruit Smoothies Lip Balm in Orange Cream
Garnier Nutritioniste Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream

Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation in shade 100 Ivory

Maybelline Superstay Concealer in shade Ivory

Essence of Beauty makeup wedge

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in shade 001 Transparent

Bare Minerals Mini Kabuki Brush

ELF Professional Eyeliner Brush

Elf Elements Eyeshadow in shade Dusk (not shown)

Sephora Nano Eyeliner in shade 15 Gri Gri

CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Waterproof Mascara in shade Very Black

Revlon Colorstay Eyeshadow Quad in shade 02 Coffee Bean 

(I use the second darkest shade in the quad)

Random brandless flat shader brush

Maybelline ExpertWear Bronzer in shade 05 Forever Warm

Face Secrets Angle Blush brush

Random brandless kabuki brush

Have a fabulous weekend!

A Love/Hate Relationship

A few days ago, I picked up a fresh tube of mascara on a trip to Target. I had tried tons of new kinds and wasn't impressed, so I decided to return to an old favorite: Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume. I'm more of a volume girl than a length girl when it comes to mascara, and Lash Blast does just that for my pathetic, thin lashes.

When I got home, I noticed I'd accidentally grabbed the waterproof version instead of the washable version, but didn't think anything of it and happily loaded up my lashes the next morning. 

I loved how it made them look!

I can't say I was quite as impressed when I went to take off my makeup that night. I use Vaseline to remove my eye makeup, and I've never had a problem before, but the mascara just would. not. come. off. Finally I resorted to putting a glob of Vaseline on my eye and letting it sit for a few minutes to see if that worked. It didn't do much and I ended up pulling out several eyelashes just to get the stuff off. When I finished, my eyes were super irritated and 

I still wasn't able to get all the mascara off.

The frustrating part is, I really do love this mascara. It is the probably the best I've ever used in terms of how it separates my lashes and makes them look super thick!

But, alas, if you're thinking of trying this, don't. Go for the non-waterproof. Your eyes will thank you!

Weekend ChitChat

• I made a run to CVS yesterday to pick up some pressed powder. This is what I cam home with:

   

I promise I am not a compulsive shopper or a hoarder. They were all things I've been wanting to try and at least two of the things were on sale, right!? I admit, the face wash is kind of a novelty. But don't lie, you know you were at least tempted by the Scrublet too! I got the Lash Blast Fusion hoping it would be even better than the original Lash Blast. Sadly, while it did lengthen really well, it didn't do much in the way of volumizing. And the eye shadow? I really have no way of justifying that- I just wanted silver eye shadow.

• It hit me this weekend that I am taking my senior portrait this Tuesday. This is crazy. It's just the beginning of all the "senior things" I will be doing for the next year, and before I know it, it'll be June 2012 and I'll be graduated.

• I edited the settings on my blog so that anyone can post a comment- even people without a Google account. So if you're reading this and you don't have an account, feel free to leave a comment!

• I found this picture on Tumblr yesterday and laughed because it is so true:

(Fact: I am obsessed with the idea of Harry and Pippa getting together. Wouldn't that be too perfect!?)

• I came in today and found my mom on the couch with my cat, watching Napoleon Dynamite. One more reason why I love this woman.

• As I'm writing this, I have a horrible horrible sinus headache. I get them all the time and they are just no fun. Usually a couple Advil do the trick, but today I opened the medicine cabinet and guess what? There was only ONE advil left. Of course. So I took a generic ibuprofen, which helped until it wore off well before I could take more. Ugh. Thank goodness I only have about an hour left until its been 6 hours...

Have a fabulous week!

My Summer Essentials

I'm still in school for another couple months, and my spring break has just begun, so summer is still a long way off for me. But, I know a lot of people finish in May, so I thought it'd be fun to talk about just a few of my must-haves for summer. Also, with the back and forth, warm and cold weather, I think we all need a little something to remind us that summer WILL eventually come!

Flip Flops

From the first day of spring until the last possible day in autumn, I wear flip flops practically everyday. I love Old Navy's because they're super comfy and come in literally dozens of colors and styles. Plus, they're so inexpensive (think 2/$5.00, or $1 per pair during their annual sale) you can get them to match any outfit. I also keep a few pairs of J. Crew flip flops on hand and of course some dressier sandals as well, but I love these for just running around during the day.

Long Wearing Foundation

The toughest thing about wearing makeup in the summer is heat. Get too hot or sweaty, and foundation will melt right off of your face. I recently bought Rimmel's Lasting Finish foundation to carry me into the warmer monthes, and I really like it so far. I haven't tested its claims to last for 25 hours, but it stays pretty well from morning until night. Also, I've gotten a dab on my arm a few times and its been hard to get off- I don't know if that's a good thing, but at least it lives up to its advertising, right?! Oh, and at about $7, the price can't be beat! (Can you tell I love a deal? :) )

Low Maitnence Hair

For the past few years, I've specifically made sure that I didn't have bangs during the summer. Between heat, swimming, and just more running around in general, a low maitnence cut definitely comes in handy. Something like the one above would be cute to style to go out with, but could just as easily be worn up or natural when it's too hot and humid to use heat on your hair.

Nail Polish

Put your plums and navys away, because summer is all about light, bright nail polish. Neons and sparkles are fun and carfree, and pastels like OPI's "Italian Love Affair" look fabulous against a tan!

Good Books

Nothing says summer more than laying on the beach or beside the pool with a great book. During the summer, I love reading chick lit, juicy memoirs, books about fashion and style, etc. One of my favorites that I read last summer was Tori Spelling's sTORI Telling. My initial desire to read it may have come from my fondness for a little show called Beverly Hills, 90210 (seriously, that obsession hobby could get its own entire post... and probably will.), but I ended up loving the book! Since then, I've read her two follow-ups, MommyWood and Uncharted TerriTORI, each one filled with just as many mishaps, hilarities, and hearfelt moments as the first.

Great Music

Every summer has its iconic song, and last year it was definitely "California Gurls", by Katy Perry. Summer is such a great time to just relax and have fun with friends, and great music just adds to the mood- definitely a must-have for summer!