If may only be February, but my mind is already dreaming of Spring! Though I am not really known for dressing "seasonally" (this gal was wearing pastels in fall... cough), Springtime gives me the perfect excuse to dress in all my favorite things and I'm dreaming of daisies, cherry printed clothing, berets, ribbons, picnics, poetry books and too much blush. Luckily for me, brands seem to be on the same page and I keep finding the cutest cherry print or themed pieces! Here I rounded up some of my favorites...
What spring trends and activities are you excited for?
I shared my everyday makeup routine (on video!) last year, and thought it was high time I did an updated routine! Here are the makeup products I currently can't get enough of - and how cute is my makeup bag?
- Glossier Priming Moisturizer *
A lightweight moisturizer that makes helps my foundation go on beautifully and lasts longer.
- Maybelline Cushion Foundation *
I've discussed how much I love this foundation in the past - I've been wearing it nonstop since I got it and can't get enough of the buildable coverage and dewy finish.
- Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
This is my holy grail translucent powder! For the longest time, I thought all powders gave you a somewhat cakey appearance - until this one from Laura Mercier! It practically melts into ones skin and works wonders for baking under the eyes (which helps disguise my under eye bags)!
- Glossier Boy Brow *
Another product I've been using since I first got it, this amazing brow pomade is fool proof and fills in the brows without leaving them feeling crispy.
- CoverFx Custom Enhancer Drops in Celestial *
The absolute best liquid highlighter I have come across - I take this with me everywhere, just look at how beat up mine is in the photo! Highlighter is my favorite makeup product right now - and this gives the most intense, almost metallic beam. I apply it above the cheekbone and on the tip of the nose undiluted, but you can even mix it with your moisturizers, foundations, and more to add a drop of radiance.
- Maybelline Color Sensational Insta-Matte Nudes in Honey Pink *
Another product I've mention in the past - but this truly "honey pink" hue is ticking all the boxes for me this Spring/Summer season! I even got one for my Grammy, who is equally as smitten with it...
- Pixi Makeup Fixing Mist *
I am absolutely in love with Pixi's products and have been for around 6 years now. One of my first eyeshadow palettes ever was from Pixi, and slowly I've been growing my skincare collection with their products! This mist is lovely.
You might recognize a few products here from mentioning them before in prior posts - but when I find something that works, I stick to it! What makeup products have you been loving lately? I always love hearing your recommendations!
Even though it's still rather dreary in Oregon ("Local Girl Shakes Fist at Unrelenting Grey Skies"), Spring is finally here! The flowers are blooming, I've been baking strawberry cookies, and playing with new spring makeup releases! Here is a simple look but with a hint of glam I've been wearing a lot lately.
Maybelline's newest releases have knocked it out of the park - the Dream Cushion Foundation and lipstick in Honey Pink have quickly become a new holy grail for me! The foundation is buildable, light to medium coverage, beautiful finish that is dewy but not TOO dewy for my oily combo skin type - all while using the compact and easy to travel with cushion design! Meanwhile, I've been searching for a favorite pink lipstick shade and Honey Pink has become just that! The tone is so pretty, not too warm or too cool, and I love how creamy the lipstick is. If you would like to see swatches from the entire Inti-Matte Nudes lipstick line, please let me know!
L to R: Maybelline Honey Pink Lipstick, Smashbox Spotlight "Pearl" Palette Highlighter Shades in: Blow a Fuse Pearl, Crank It Up Pearl, Turn it On Pearl, Wet n Wild Blush in The Princess Daiquiries
Meanwhile, in January I picked up two of the Wet n Wild Color Icon Ombré Blushes - the gorgeous gradient look of the blush was what initially got my attention. But to my absolute delight, the blush went above and beyond my expectations, delivering a flushed, natural sun kissed glow! Glitter is visible in the pan, but none transferred to my cheek - just a beautiful sheen of reflective pink! Perfection.
Wearing the Smashbox highlighter in Turn it On Pearl
Finally, I partnered with Smashbox to do a collaboration on instagram featuring their Spotlight Palette - and was so impressed I wanted to share it here as well! Highlighter has dethroned lipstick as my favorite makeup product - it just feels magical! In the palette, you get three different highlighters. I used the yellow toned "Turn it On Pearl" which looked stunning specially when paired with the delicate pink shades of blush and lipstick - I later swapped it out for the shade "Crank It Up Pearl", a rose gold, and was equally impressed!
Wearing the Smashbox highlighter in Crank It Up Pearl
With stressful lives and the gloomy weather, feeling blue in the last legs of winter is almost inevitable. In times like these, I think we all deserve an hour or so just to ourselves for self care in the form of relaxing and pampering. Since I've been feeling a little glum myself, I thought I'd outline some of my favorite ways to "treat yo self"!
Put On Your Favorite Lipstick
Is it just me, or does putting on lipstick put anybody else in a good mood? I have found that devoting a couple minutes to experimenting with your makeup makeup collection has always been a bit therapeutic! After wanting and saving for months, I finally splurged on a Tom Ford lipstick (in Paradiso) and it is heaven. Another favorite? Too Faced's Juicy Melons.
Eat Your Favorite Candy
(Because candy is dandy)
Read a Magazine
While waiting for a face mask or your nails to dry, why not pour over one of your favorite magazines? I am currently smitten with Betty Magazine (look out for a post on this gorgeous magazine soon)!
Use a Face Mask
With a host of affordable to luxury face masks that deep clean, tighten pores or exfoliate on the market, your face deserves a bit of pampering - just don't forget the cucumber slices! n_~ (Here I used a purifying papaya mud mask)
Wear Perfume
I'm kind of guilty of using my perfume only for very, very special occasions - it's just so pretty and expensive I don't ever want to use it all up ;A; I do think, however, spritzing yourself with a lavish scent can be just the right way to perk up your mood! I love Marc Jacob's Daisy (I've had it for years and it still smells perfect!) and Nicki Minaj's fragrance.
Paint Your Nails
Filing and painting one's nails is something I haven't gotten the hang of yet (seriously, how do you people get your nails into specific shapes?!), but now that my nails have grown out (I bite them when I'm nervous!) I've been painting them left and right! Here I'm wearing Wet n Wild's Tickled Pink.
Good morning dolls! Just thought I'd share a quick look into my bag, or in this case, my seashell! ;* This gorgeous, intricately beaded purse was one of the sweetest presents I have ever received by one of the sweetest girls I have ever met - Marlena, and is my go-to purse (afterall, what kind of mermaid would I be if I didn't use it 24/7?)! ♡♡♡
And an iPhone with a custom iPhone case with the Mermaidens logo on it by CaseApp!
CaseApp specializes in creating custom iPhone cases and when they offered to send me one for review, I jumped at the chance! I was so impressed by the quality of the image and how sturdy the case itself is when I received it! Suffice to say, I love the result and the fact it's my own illustration and blog name is a great conversation starter when I'm out and about!
And now the age old question: what's in your bag? ♡
With just a swipe of lipstick and a flick of eyeliner, I feel so much more self-confident, and because of this, I have accidentally accumulated quite the collection of makeup u__u
Until recently, my makeup had been scattered haphazardly throughout my room, desk, & bathroom (I'm quite messy heh!) - so when I saw this cat makeup bag on Forever 21 I might have freaked out a bit!
When I received it the other day, I was inspired to photograph and share some of my makeup essentials with you! ♡
Though I usually stick to drugstore makeup, I have been known to splurge occasionally on lip products from MAC - (I can't resist when they do special collaborations animated characters) their Disney Villains Toxic Tale lipstick is the shade I reach for the most!
Meanwhile, I usually stick to doing a bit of a cateye and mascara on both my upper and lower lashes, and this Wet n Wild eyeliner (recommended to me by Marlena ♡♡♡) and Maybelline mascara does the trick perfectly! I'm not very good at eyeshadow (it confuses me I'm sad to admit u__u) but the now discontinued white shadow I got years ago from Urban Decay is my favorite - I'm sad because I've almost used it all up and I can't find anymore! ;_;
What are your makeup essentials? Do you have any recommendations or favorite tutorials? I'd love to hear/see them! ( ♡ ᴥ ♡ )
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