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!

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)