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.

Make Up Wishlist

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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!

My MAY Favorites!

 Face:

NARS Sheerglow Foundation - When I first bought this foundation I was unsure how I felt about it, I expected to love it and that didn't happen. I went through a phase where I didn't like it at all, but I got samples of primers and now I really like it! If I don't wear a primer it can go patchy and weird, but with a primer the finish stays as nice looking all day. Not sure if I'll repurchase this foundation when it runs out, but for now I'm really enjoying it!

Physicians Formula Happy Booster Blush - The shade is 'warm' and I've been loving it ever since I got it! 

NARS Laguna Bronzer - I just posted about this recently, and I'M OBSESSED WITH IT! I've been using it daily and I haven't found anything I don't like about it. The powder is so fine it blends beautifully! 

NARS Alabtross Blush - Guuuuuuuuuuurl, if you like gold highlighters, YOU NEED THIS. I've also been wearing this daily, and it gives such a gorgeous golden 'glow.'

Brushes:

Real Techniques Contour Brush - As the name implies, this brush is for contouring and I love it! I definitely want  more Real Techniques brushes. They're soft, affordable and work really well.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush - I use this brush for foundation, using lighter formulas like NARS Sheerglow. It's such a soft brush that buffing your foundation in is effortless and the finish comes out great.

Hair:

HealthySexyHair - I found this 'Soy Tri-Wheat' leave in conditioner in Ulta for $6.00. It's the miniature version but as I'd never tried it before, I didn't want to pay more for the regular size. I like it so far, it leaves my hair feeling soft. I don't like the sprayer on it as it comes out as a straight line of liquid and then I sometimes put too much in my hair. Regardless, I've been using it a lot lately and it also helps as a detangler!

 Nails:

Orly Nail Lacquer 'Frisky' - I looked everywhere for a blue like this! I love it on my fingers and toes!

OPI Nail Lacquer 'Do You Lilac It?' - This has been a favorite of mine for the past couple of years. It seems to be about time to replace it as it's getting a bit gloopy, but I still love it!

Lips:

Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain 'Passion' - This has been one of my favorite lip products for quite a while. It's something I like to wear when I go out. It's a lip stain so it's quite long lasting and it has lip balm on the other end, which makes your lips feel hydrated and look glossy. I also like the smell!

Topshop Lip Tint 'Crystal' - This reminds me of child's play makeup, but I've been OBSESSED with it lately! It gives my lips such a gorgeous pink color with sliiiiiight shimmer. I probably should have bought two of these because it's limited edition and I've been using it like crazy! Not only do I love what the product, I LOVE the way it looks!

MAC Lipstick 'Viva Glam Nicki' - I've talked about this a couple times, but I love this lipstick! 

Blistex Lip Medex - I'm addicted to chapstick and this is the BEST I've tried! You'll never find me without it!

Eyes:

Benefit Stay Don't Stray - I got this primer in a mini set from Sephora that was near the checkout. I use this on my eyes under eyeshadow, but it can also be used under concealer to make sure it stays in place. I definitely think I'll purchase the full size version of this when it runs out.

Physicians Formula Eyeliner - I got this with a bronzer that I bought, along with a brown eyeliner. I ended up not liking the bronzer and I don't wear brown eyeliner, but I like this eyeliner for days when I don't feel like wearing liquid liner. 

CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara - I loved this mascara in high school and then didn't use it for a long time. I don't know if I'll repurchase again when this one runs out/gets dry, but I've been using it lately. I like that you can really build up the volume as I have pretty pathetic lashes naturally. I don't like that it doesn't hold a curl very well, though.

L'Oreal Lineur Intense Carbon Black - It was a little hard for me to get used to applying this time of eyeliner as I always used to use pencils or gel, but now I find it easier and I love how black this liner is. It also doesn't smudge which is a plus!

Those were the products that I loved and wore throughout May! I'm guessing most will be the same for June to be honest!

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...