Makeup Bag: Travel Edition

[Everything purchased by me]


As Summer is going full-blast (at least where I live), I think a lot of people are going to be going on vacation (or "holiday" as the Brits say). There was actually an original version of this makeup bag that included more Maybelline Color Tattoos and L'Oreal Infallible pigments but my friend nixed that idea for the more travel-friendly single palette format you see here.

Also, I tried to only bring lip products I included in my "Five Lip Products to Use up in 2013" post from oh so many months ago.  An SPF lip balm is definitely coming with me though.

It's a really basic kit of makeup that I can hopefully adapt everyday to suit my preferences. For base, I haven't decided which one I'm taking but it will definitely be liquid and therefore not in my carry on but in a Ziploc with my skincare.  For concealer, the SheerCover Duo Concealer in Light Medium is a creamy combination of peachy and neutral shades.  It beat out other concealers where brushes/excess blending is required.  The setting powder is from GloMinerals and is translucent.  Nothing to write home about but it has a mirror and is non-chalky.  A mini of Benefit's Watt's Up is not only coming along for it's compact size but also because it's a very nice highlighter.  I can't stand the fact that the full size is so bulky and has an applicator at the other end though so may have to find another alternative when this is gone.

For cheeks, I have a little duo from Tarte in Park Ave Princess and Dollface.  The bronzer contains shimmer so it's not my favorite and the blush is ok as well.  It's a nice lighter pink blush and for a peachier option I am taking Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Candy Coral.  I've been reaching for this a lot because it's easy to apply and hard to over-do. 

I think the Too Faced Summer Eye palette will be great for a neutral look to pair along my pinker lip colors (NYX Haute Melon, Revlon Peach Parfait) but also adjust really well to a brighter blue or pink look if I want to wear just the Dior Beige Casual lipstick.  For brows, the Missha Brow Styler from the semi-annual sale post is really impressing me. As for eyeliner, I am taking Stila Smudge Sticks in Stargazer and Oscar Fish.  The lash curler you see above is from Koji.  


Bonus Item!

This was in my original version of my travel makeup bag, but I had to add it back in because I want my friend (the one I'm visiting who has an impressive makeup collection already) to try this out!  I'm so sold on this duo and it's a current must have.  

There you have it!  Wishing everyone safe travels this Summer! 

The Summer Line-Up Part One 

[All purchased by me or given by friends-yes I have generous friends who know I love makeup!]

Seems like just weeks ago since I did my "Spring Edit" post.  Oh wait it was only a few weeks ago?  Cue the typical "I can't believe Spring passed by so quickly" spiel. 


Starting things off with the boring stuff first, SPF is something I'm a big stickler about.   No skincare routine is complete without adequate sun protection and this is especially important when the weather gets hotter and the rays seem stronger.

Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer in Aloe
This scent in the original lotion form always reminds me of Summer and the added convenience of a spray form just makes it even more appealing.  This disperses in the same way that an aerosol hairspray would.  It has a continuous mist and is a really ingenious way to get lazy people like me to moisturize during the Summer.  I really recommend this for a refreshing twist on lotion.  Disclaimer:  contains parabens and non-spectacular ingredients.  Still like the concept-will continue using.

Paula's Choice Resist Ultimate Anti Aging Hand Cream with SPF 30
Sorry the glare is cutting off the degree of sun protection this has.  I got this since the regular offering of hand creams that contain SPF is abysmal.  I think since hands show age so easily, this is something more companies should address since last time I checked women drive cars and enjoy outdoor activities.  This is very non-greasy and absorbs easily for something with such a high SPF.  Reviewers have also used this as a facial moisturizer, something I cannot attest to.  Apply at your own risk to anything besides hands!

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist SPF 30
My go-to every year for easy application, light feel and general convenience.  I always buy a backup when I run out.  Probably not the best if there's even a slight breeze in the air but as I've stated before, I'm all about the convenience factor.

MAC Semi Precious Mineralize Skinfinish in Rose Quartz
This was a limited edition product from last year's MAC Summer launch but they do launch a mineral collection every year.  I tend to like shimmery blushes in the Summer even though my face gets oilier.  Maybe it's so my cheeks don't look overly matte if I use a non-shimmery blush?  Who knows, I just know this is so pretty.

Lancome Teint Idole Fresh Wear in Bisque 0W
For the warmest of months, the lightest and most long-lasting of bases is required.  My ultimate oil-controlling foundation and darkest shade owned is combined into one with this product.  It's a watery texture that's very oil-controlling.  It makes sense since this contains a lot of alcohol.  So does Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk (another fave-go figure) and many other high-end foundations that have long-wear claims.  I stand by this even knowing that and even with my paranoia that this shade is every so slightly too tan/peachy for me.

NYX Haute Melon, Essence Candy Bar, MAC Lychee Luxe and Dior Delice

Can you tell I like corals?

NYX Round Lipstick in Haute Melon
Pardon the grubby packaging.  The lipstick bullet broke off pretty much as soon as I opened it (ordered from Cherry Culture) and I tried re-attaching with the freezer trick but it never worked.  This is a nice orange with a lot of pink undertones.  For me, this is perfect kind of coral.  The formula is also light and easy to wear but not the most moisturizing.

Essence Stay With Me in Candy Bar
From my "Top 5 Lip Products to Use Up" post, this is the lipgloss counterpart to the Haute Melon lipstick.  Great formula, highly recommend.

MAC Lipglass in Lychee Luxe
Totally picked this up on a whim.  I'd heard about this shade for years from die-hard MAC fans but was wary of trying their gloss because of how sticky the formula is.  Well, I don't regret this purchase because this shade is gorgeous and pigmented.  It's an orangey reddish color with gold shimmer running through it.  Yes it does have a heavier formula but I actually don't feel it's a dealbreaker for me. It's nowhere near as smooth as the Essence gloss but as you can see from the swatch, it has better color payoff.

Dior Addict Lipstick in Delice
I already talked about this in my last purchases post.  Easy, sheer orangey pink that is foolproof.  A glorified and overpriced tinted lip balm.  But I couldn't help myself.

I feel like my posts are usually too long.  Stay tuned for the eyes portion of this post!

Maybelline and Dior Summer 2013 

Hi-Lo Impulse Purchases (Vol. One of Many)

[Purchased by me]

Inspiration strikes me at random times and judging by my self rationalization from a few posts back, impulse buys and long-time wishlist front-runners make up the majority of my beauty purchases these days.  I don't really differentiate between high-end and low-end in terms of preferences for most things, but for impulse purchases, it seems low-end is the way to go.  If something doesn't work out for you, your wallet feels a lot better than if you splurged on something on a whim.

With the overwhelming blogger attention to the Maybelline Color Tattoo launches, I usually get interested in every collection that comes out but rarely bit the bullet and purchase anything because I know cream shadows dry out and it's not something I've incorporated into my everyday routine.  However, when I heard the Summer 2013 collection was duochrome, a lightbulb went off in my head and I thought "I want that."  For all you movie buffs out there, imagine the lady from Napoleon Dynamite whispering this to her husband as Uncle Rico presents a model ship as part of his sales pitch.


I found these at Bed, Bath and Beyond for $5 which is pretty much a crazy great price for a really great formula....BUT sadly there was a hit and a miss.

Seashore Frost and Icy Mint

Seashore Frost is a gorgeous periwinkle/lilac duochrome with a yellow sheen that has medium pigmentation that's buildable.  I think this is really nice on it's own and a really unique color for cream eyeshadow.  This was the one I wanted the most from looking at other blogs and I'm glad I got it.  I'm a sucker for duochrome. 

Icy Mint is a sad disappointment.  The color is sheer and not buildable.  I wanted it to use as an inner corner eye highlight (an obsession of mine recently as you've seen) but it barely registers.  All that really shows up is a light green sheen.  I managed to make this work as a base for neutral shades surprisingly.  Under a wheat brown shade, it lends a very very subtle green sheen underneath that's a slight twist on the usual neutral eye look.

I also bought Dior Addict Lipstick in Delice.  If you've read my lip product post you know I'm actually trying to use one up right now in another shade, Beige Casual.  I swatched this at Sephora and couldn't resist picking it up during the Chic Week sale.  It lends a sheer orange sheen to the lips that looks really nice but is essentially a glorified tinted lip balm.  I haven't found anything at the drugstore that's a worthy comparison to this texture but my main justification was to be able to wear an orange lip in any type of environment, even the conservative.  

Dior Addict Lipstick in Delice

Top to Bottom:  Dior Delice, Maybelline Seashore Frosts and Icy Mint

Almost impossible to capture the true sheen of Seashore Frost but believe me it's awesome!

This is just such a gorgeous shade and I totally justified it.  I was thinking of doing a monthly favorite post but I actually rotate through my collection pretty regularly on a daily basis and these new things are probably what I'm reaching for most otherwise.

Five(ish) Lip Products to Finish in 2013

[All purchased by me, or gifts from friends]

As with many avid makeup collections, the things that tends to pile up and become overwhelming before it becomes overwhelmingly gross are lip products.  There's just something about lip products that feels more transient than say, a foundation or an eyeshadow.  Lip products wear off so easily and it's really the only thing that I feel like re-applying throughout the day (cue the beginning of many confessions of laziness).  That is how I justify the build-up of a grouping of lip products that have just got to go. 

Now I'm not saying these products are bad or ones that I want to get rid of.  On the contrary, I enjoy using each and every single one of these.  It's because I know that I like these particular products that I don't see the need to hang on to them and ration them out like the makeup hoarder that I am.  Besides, as previously mentioned, lip products get kind of iffy as time goes on.  If I like something enough, I'll gladly repurchase it later on with no guilt pangs.  

On to the pic(ks).... (get it?) 

As you can see, there are five full-size products with a mini thrown in.  A run-down of these products and mini reviews:

Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Raspberry

This little gloss came as a gift with purchase and was surprisingly enjoyable.  It feels like a heavier balm on the lips and has no stickiness, scent or taste.  The finish is glossy but not with an overly mirror-like shine.  I think it's decent at moisturizing my lips and I recently received a full size of this gloss in a different shade from a friend.  

Loreal Color Juice Stick in Island Punch

I'm a little embarrassed to include this because this product is pretty old (and discontinued).  If you've never smelled anything from this line then you're missing out on some pink grapefruit yumminess.  I own a gloss as well and these were really amazing.  

Revlon Lip Butter in Pink Parfait

Why finish a beloved Lip Butter?  This color is just so pretty and flattering I feel like I should wear this on those days where I make excuses for not using any lip products.  The slight grittiness doesn't bother me and the shade is oh so flattering.  

Dior Addict Lipstick in 222 Beige Casual

A friend gave this to me as a birthday gift.  My primary reason for wanting to finish this is so I can buy an Addict lipstick in a different shade (I'm thinking Diorkiss?) hehe.  I have nothing against owning more than one at a time but as I stated before I just feel a bit overwhelmed by my lip collection.  This is super smooth and moisturizing on the lips.  However, the shade is hard to detect on my lips because it is so subtle.  As always, the packaging is very nice.

Essence Stay With Me in Candy Bar

Pretty much the perfect consistency of lip gloss for me.  It's feels light on the lips, lasts a long time, has good pigmentation and smells/tastes like candy.  This is the only shade that really stands out for me, sadly, in the range but I'm ok with that since this is the perfect coral-pink shade. 

Prestige Light Shine in Kauai

Also pretty sure this is discontinued, but it is a heavier balmy gloss that isn't sticky at all.  It has a light, vanilla scent and a brush applicator (my favorite kind).  The sparkles weren't obvious on the lips but enhanced them nonetheless.  Wish these were still readily available.

The ones that had shade names

Hopefully will be able to use up some of these.  Can't guarantee I'll want to hold on to these after they become "empties" but will try to update at the end of the year (or mid-March next year hehe)