July Beauty Favorites!

 Face:

•  Flirt! Blush in Popsie My friend Erica got me this for my birthday, and I love it! Such a pretty color with subtle shimmer
• NARS Albatross Best highlighter eva. I use it all the time
• Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Dollface Got this mini version near the checkout in Ulta. I really like it!
• NARS Laguna I love this bronzer!

Brushes:

•  Real Techniques Stippling Brush I've been using this for my blush application, I love it!
• MAC 217 I use this for my eyeshadow, the 217 is rubbing off of the brush which makes me sad
• Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush I've been using this to blend concealer and it works quite nicely

Eyes:

•  Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller 
• Maybelline Age Rewind Dark Circles Eraser I've been using both under my eyes
• Rimmel Soft Kohl Pencil Liner I use this to make my eyes appear bigger, it lasts quite a while
• Physicians Formula Eyeliner Good for every day use
• Marbella Felt Tip Eyeliner I've been reaching for this when I want liquid liner, but they're not kidding when they say "semi-permanent" - it can stain your eyelids for a day or so
• Dior Diorshow Blackout Mascara I LOVE IT
• False Lashes I haven't worn this particular pair yet, but I've been really into false lashes this month
• Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette Why did I wait so long to get this palette?! I LOVE it

Lips:

•  MAC Viva Glam GaGa Lipstick My boyfriend got me this for my birthday, and I've worn it a TON since then
• MAC Impassioned Lipstick I've been wearing this when I was a brighter lip
• Sugar Lip Treatment Got this as a birthday gift from Sephora, I really really like it, but I'm not sure I'd spend $22.50 on the regular size when this runs out

Hair:

•  Moroccan Oil I use this on days when I blow dry my hair, it sinks in nicely and doesn't way down my hair. It smells great
• HealthySexyHair Soy Tri-Wheat Leave In Conditioner Love this stuff! Doesn't way down by hair, but leaves it feeling super soft and detangles it as well

Nails:

• Essie Set In Stones I've been obsessed with glitter polish lately
• Essie Mint Candy Apple I searched for this polish everywhere and it was always sold out. I finally found it and I'm so glad I did, it's a bright pastel that sometimes looks minty green and sometimes aqua blue
• OPI Elephantastic Pink A nice bright watermelon pink that goes on really nicely
• Sally Hanses Mega Shine Top Coat It's the best top coat I've tried so far

June Favorites

 My most used and loved products from June!

 Face

• e.l.f. blush in Twinkle Pink
• MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW15
• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer spf 20 in Porcelain
• MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light
• benefit Stay Don't Stray mini
• NARS blush in Albatross

 Eyes:

• Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles in Fair
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion mini
• Dior Diorshow Blackout mascara (BEST EVER, LOVE IT)
• Marbella semi-permanent eyeliner pen

Lips:

• MAC cremesheen lipstick in Ravishing
• Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss in Peonies
• Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweetheart Valentine
• Topshop liptint in Crystal (making the favorites yet again!)

~Instragram Post~ #4

1. My attempt at summer-y nails. 2. Smiley face on my Dunkins cup! 3. So many cats. 4. bf made breadsticks. 5. Wallet. 6. Nailz! 7. So much salsaaa. 8. New FAVORITE salsa. 9. Brady! 10. MAC's Impassioned. 11. Donut. 12. Face stuffs. 13. New Real Techniques brush. 14. No moar roots. 15. Taco Bell. 16. Purple in my hair!

I haven't posted in what feels like forever. Sorry about that! I will be posting about new favorite products soon, but in the mean time here's a look into my life through instagram. Mostly food and makeup. Mah lyfe.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation - My Thoughts

I wanted to like NARS Sheer Glow Foundation so badly - but the truth is, I'm still unsure about it.
Some days I like it, some days I hate it. I regret spending $42 (plus another $6 for the pump - $11 with shipping) on a foundation without trying it first or asking for a sample. I convinced myself I'd love it since some of my favorite YouTubers/bloggers rave about it, which was pretty stupid on my part.

The first problem, I think, is that I guessed at my shade (I bought it at Sephora but all of the saleswomen were busy with other customers) and ended up with a too-light shade. The second problem is that I find this foundation doesn't have good staying power on me and can go patchy, and since it's too light it becomes pretty obvious. I'd say my skin is Normal/Combination - normal cheeks and then slightly oily on my t-zone (more oily in the summer months). The foundation doesn't want to stay on my nose or forehead very well, even when I use a primer and set it with powder. I can also see where it sits in my pores (ew?) since it's too light for me, so I have tiny little spots in some parts of my face.

When I first put it on I do think it looks good. It gives a nice 'glow' (hence the name~) and gives light coverage. You could probably build it up but I don't really need to so I've never tried. If it stayed looking the way it does at first all day long then I'd probably love it, but that hasn't been the case so far. 

I included NARS Sheer Glow in my May favorites because I did quite like it for a couple weeks, but I've fallen back out of like with it. I still make myself use it so my $42+ doesn't go to complete waste but I don't find joy in using it. I know a lot of people love this foundation and rave about it, so if you're curious about it I'd definitely take a trip to Sephora and try it out. Have someone match you and ask for a sample so you can take some home and try it out for a couple days. (I got a sample of a benefit foundation and it's lasted me a couple weeks so you should get a good amount!) 

Aesthetically speaking, it's such a pretty foundation. I love the packaging of NARS products. When you buy it it comes with a large black lid, but I ordered the pump from NARS' website to keep the foundation more sanitary. Like I said before, the pump was only $6 so if you try this foundation and love it I'd suggest getting the pump as it makes dispensing so much easier. I always end up with too much when I pour foundation out of bottles onto my hand.

I won't be repurchasing NARS Sheer Glow when it runs out but I am glad I tried it, although I wish I tried a free sample and not the $42 bottle! I learned my lesson there about higher-end foundations. It's not so bad to try an $11 drugstore foundation and end up not liking it, but if you can get a sample of a more expensive product (especially something like foundation where everyone has such different preferences) then definitely do it. 

Hopefully this has been a helpful post in case you were curious at all about NARS Sheer Glow. Like I said, a lot of people love it so try a sample if you like 'dewy' looking foundations!

NARS Laguna Bronzer!

Having a Sephora within 30 minutes of my house will most likely be very dangerous for my wallet.

I've been wanting this bronzer for quite a while now. I'd been previously using the e.l.f. bronzer but I already hit pan and the more I used it the less I liked it. Of course, for $3.00 it was okay, but it wasn't giving me the effect I wanted.

For years now I've stared longingly at the NARS blush selections but up until recently have never actually bought any. They are on the more expensive side, but they are sooo nice that I think it's worth it. The powder is so soft, when you dip your brush in you don't have powder fluffing everywhere. The packaging is sooooooo smooth and luxurious. It does get dirty quite easily, but I like it nonetheless.

I got NARS Laguna at Sephora in JC Penny for $34.00. The saleswoman was very helpful and matched me for the new Benefit foundation Hello Flawless and gave me a sample. She also gave me samples of MakeUp For Ever and Smashbox primers.

In the past I've sort of dismissed the Sephora people by saying "Oh, I'm just looking!" even if I was actually looking for specific things, mostly because I'm pretty shy. From now on I'll definitely ask them questions if I have them, that's what they're there for.

I haven't tried anything on my face yet but I'm very excited! Next time I think I'm going to look at more NARS blushes, Deep Throat and Douceur are calling my name...

What I've Been Up To | Instagram

1. Got my cartilage pierced! 2. Bought 'It' and some mascara at Target. 3. & 4. Had lunch with my dad, I LOVE mexican food! 5. One of my favorite shirts lately. 6. Donut! 7. Sweet potato fries. 8. NARS Albatross! 9. A pasta dish I made for my bf and I. 10. Got a blue streak put in my hair. 11. New Hello Kitty phone case from Amazon for $4.00. 12. Salsa at Moe's. 13. Sephora purchase, benfit minis! 13. My cat Lily! 14. May's MyGlam bag! Pretty impressed. 

NARS Albatross!

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Mall Haul! (I only went for two items...)

This was an impulse buy from the MAC counter in Macy's. First of all, let me just say that I've been visiting this mall for years thinking, 'if only they had a MAC store, they'd be perfect.' I NEVER go into Macy's, but this time we parked in front of the store and the MAC counter was straight ahead of the doors. 

Anyways, I've been wanting a new concealer as the Neutrogena one I've been using forever just wasn't cutting it. I've like this so far. At first I was worried it'd be waaaay too pink but you really can't tell when it's on my face.

 This mascara was near the checkout in Sephora for $9.00. I can't remember how much the regular sized one is, but I'm thinking it's around $20.00. I like this mascara and I'm glad I bought it, but I don't think I'll be spending $20.00 on it as it's nothing spectacular.

 When I got my hair done a couple weeks ago the woman used Moroccanoil on it and my hair felt amazing afterwards! This was in a salon store for about $15.00, which is a bit steep for such a small bottle but I really wanted it.

I also found these Real Techniques brushes which I've been hearing a lot about lately. I haven't tried them all yet but so far I'm quite impressed! Special thanks to Albie for convincing me I needed both! :)

 Now onto the two things I actually went to the mall for...

NARS Sheerglow Foundation! I've read some rave reviews so I really wanted to try it. I guessed at my shade because for once I wasn't hounded by multiple Sephora girls. In fact Albie and I kind of lingered around the NARS stand for a while waiting to see if anyone would come over. 

I've been using this since I got it, and I like it. I didn't know how to feel about it at first. I was expecting a MIRACLE~*!&~^!~ or something considering the reviews I've read, but. It's just. Foundation? It feels nice and I like the coverage and the finish. But I'm not blown away. One thing I've noticed it that it sometimes builds up in my pores, something I've never had a problem with before. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, I don't know. Perhaps I'll review it once I've used it longer.

Nothing but good things to say about this brush! It's a mineral powder brush but I've been using it with liquid foundation. Love it, love it, love it. I actually wanted it because I'd seen Estee from essiebutton use it. (I'm obsessed with her by the way. You need to watch her youtube videos. NEED.)

I also got a new Hello Kitty car decal sticker since some lowlife decided they needed to steal the magnet I had on my car. (Still pissed about it. You just don't mess with other people's cars! YOU JUST DON'T!)

Also, I've been OBSESSED with this meme.

BERKS! EHRMAGERD!