October Beauty Favorites

I'mmmmm backkkkkk ;)

I know, I know, I haven't posted in about a month (sorry!!). I started a new job around three weeks ago, so I've just been adjusting to my new schedule and all that good stuff. However, I am happily back today with some beauty favorites that I have been using the entire month of October - most of this stuff I've been wearing to work so everything is office appropriate! I also have been working on some upcoming posts - so I don't plan on disappearing for another month! Anyways, I'm glad to be back and I hope you all enjoy the rest of this post :)

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1. My first, most important, and unfortunately most expensive favorite is my Clarisonic Mia. My skin has been really giving me problems lately and as soon as I started using this baby again all of my problem areas started to clear up! It's basically just an exfoliator that does all of the work for you. I know there are some less expensive versions out there, or just use an exfoliating scrub from the drugstore!

2. What a perfect color for fall. This in-between purple/grey hue called Merino Cool is one of my favorite colors on and off nails - and it's by Essie so of course I'm in love!

3. I'm always searching for that go-to drugstore foundation and I decided to try the Nourishing Long Wear makeup by Neutrogena. It's supposed to last 12 hours, and although I don't quite think it does (be sure to use a finishing powder over it anyways), I do find that it lasts most of the day while I'm at work. I recommend this for dryer skin types!

4. An oldie, but certainly a goodie! I think Urban Decay's Naked Basics has to be one of my favorite eyeshadow palettes ever, mainly because it has the perfect neutral everyday colors. All of the shades are matte, except for the first one, which I like to add on my eyelid for a very subtle pop of shimmer. Love, love, love!

5. In addition to finding a go-to drugstore foundation, I also am always looking for a go-to drugstore mascara. I've been really enjoying the Voluminous Miss Manga mascara by Loreal. It's almost comparable to my Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara (almost!). But if you're looking for a volumizing mascara, I'd say give this one a try!

6. So we all know Mac's Rebel is a huge fall favorite for many. However, I find that Rebel is a little too intense for everyday, so instead, I've been absolutely loving my Mac lipstick in the shade 'Up the Amp'. It's in that same purple family, but way less intense!

7. Now that it's fall I've been using my shimmer bronzers less and less. Benefit's Hoola Bronzer is perfect because it's matte. I've been using this bronzer everyday for a cheekbone contour.

xox,

                 Meredith

September Beauty Wish List

With a new month, comes new beauty wish lists, at least in my world. I especially like creating these wish lists every month because they help me organize the items I've been hearing great things about or meaning to purchase. Now when I go to Ulta or wherever else to makeup shop, I already have my "grocery list" of beauty products to try. I swear I didn't plan the below little color scheme going on. I guess this September I'm drawn towards mauve lips, matte eyes, and shimmering rose gold highlights. I may or may not have already purchased a few of the below items (totally did, and you will see later in an Ulta haul post!)

Links Below!

Do we have any of the same items or beauty trends on our wish lists?

xox,

               Meredith

5 Minute Makeup using 5 Products

There will be times in your life where you just have to hustle when doing your makeup. Any last minute plans or errands that need to be taken care of can leave you flustered and unsure of what makeup products you should limit yourself to. For this post, I literally timed myself and completed my makeup in 4 minutes and 57 seconds. The products I chose to use are just the basics, but I feel are essentials before walking out the door. If I'm running really short on time, I can limit it to three of the below products (BB cream, brows, and mascara). But I think dedicating 5 minutes to your makeup even when you're in a hurry is pretty reasonable! Check it on out below :)

1. First, I applied by Neutrogena Visibly Even BB Cream in shade 'light to medium' to my entire face and just blended with my fingers.

2. Then, I used my fake-up concealer by Benefit in the shade 'light' and applied it under my eyes, again blending with my fingers.

3. I quickly filled in my brows with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in the shade 'soft brown'.

4. Next, I applied two coats of my Loreal Telescopic mascara, waiting about 30 seconds between each coat.

5. Lastly, I applied my Milani Baked Bronzer in the shade 'Glow' very generously all over my face, concentrating on my cheekbones, forehead, and jawline.






...and Voila!

What are your go-to 5 minute makeup products?






xox,
                  Meredith

July Beauty Favorites

If you've been following my blog since the beginning, you've probably noticed that at the end of every month there is a beauty favorites post. What qualifies a product to be considered a monthly favorite to me? It doesn't necessarily have to be a brand new product or something that I've never used before. Although, there may be a few newbies here and there, the products that make it into this post are the ones I find myself using most often during that particular month and would also recommend to others. The below six items definitely fall under that category and have been a part of my everyday beauty routine.

Links!

1. I've had my Neutrogena Visibly Even BB Cream - Light to Medium for a few weeks now and have been using it everyday. I love the finish it gives to my skin and that it contains an SPF of 30. I will definitely continue to use this throughout the rest of the summer.

2. Although I've had my Benefit Fake-up Concealer - Light for months now, it has been so easy to use during my summer makeup routine. I apply it in a small triangle shape under my eyes and quickly blend it out with a brush. 

3. I've also had my Naked Basics Palette by Urban Decay for a while now, but have been using it all throughout July on the days when I've been putting eye makeup on. I've mixing the lighter shades for a bright lid color, and then adding some dimension in my crease with the shade Naked 2.

4. My most used brush of the month has been the Real Techniques Blush Brush. I have been mainly using this with my Milani Glow bronzer, which I like to apply pretty generously. When I'm on the go and don't have a lot of time to do my makeup, this has been the only brush I've been using.

5. When I first received my Anastasia Beverly Hills Brown Wiz in the shade Soft Brown I was not really a fan. I've been so used to filling in my eyebrows with powder or a pomade so switching to a pencil was a little different. However, after trying it a few more times it quickly became one of my favorites. I just applied with a little lighter pressure and then used the spooly side to blend it out. I've been loving it because it allows me to fill in my brows real fast without looking sloppy. 

6. The Hourglass Femme Nude Lip Stylo in the shade Nude #2 has become one of my favorite nude lip products. It's a little expensive for a lip product, but the packaging is beautiful and the actual lip color has been the perfect beige nude for me.

xox,

                Meredith

Face of the Day: A Simple Summer Glow

Hello, Hello! Today I have for you a quick face of the day post. If you've never heard of "FOTD" short for Face of the Day (which I guess is pretty self explanatory), it's basically a list of all the makeup products you used on your face that particular day. So now if you ever see the hashtag #FOTD, you'll know exactly what it means! My makeup in general always kind of stays on the lines of a natural look. I just like to add a little bit more 'glow' in the summer.

The foundation I used is by Loreal called True Match Lumi, which is pretty lightweight but leaves a nice dewy finish. Over my concealer I added a little bit of a highlight with my MAC Prep + Prime Highlight Stick in the shade 'Radiant Rose' to really brighten up my under-eye area. I of course set everything with my MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural in the shade 'Medium'. I went for a real simple eye using my Naked Basics Palette by Urban Decay, just using the lightest shade all over my lid, and the neutral shade in my crease (4th shadow in). I lightly lined my upper lash line and applied a bunch of mascara. For my cheeks I used my Sonia Kashuk bronzer/blush duo and then just added a little of my favorite highlighter to the tops of my cheekbones. I finished the look off with some of my NYX butter gloss in the shade 'Eclair' and called it a day. The only product not shown is my brow powder, which is by a brand called Kelly Baker Brows. It's a medium ash brown shade that I applied with an angled brush. Look below for pics! :)

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Here are the products in action! P.S. don't mind my messy hair ;)

xox,

                   Meredith

Daytime Makeup Look

I was having one of those days where I just liked the way my makeup came out, so of course I had to document it for you. (Ladies, take advantage of when you like the way you look and don't be afraid to take pictures and share your beautiful face with me and everyone else!). It turns out that many of the products I used are also featured in my "My Go-to Makeup Look" post from a few months ago (same exact eye look). See it here. There are, however, some changes in products so I wanted to keep you updated! I apologize for the lighting and quality of the pictures - it was a little later in the day so the natural lighting wasn't at it's best, but you can still get an idea of what the makeup looks like in action. For a full list of everything I used, keep on reading!

Products Used:

Face:

Primer - MAC Prep + Prime Skin Primer

Foundation - MAC 'Mineralize' Moisture Foundation Broad Spectrum - NW18

Concealer - Benefit Fake-up - Light

Powder - MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural - Medium

Cheeks:

Bronzer - Milani Baked Bronzer - Glow (Pictured in product picture is a similar bronzer by Victoria's Secret)

Blush - MAC Prism

Highlight - The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer

Eyes:

Primer - MAC Paint Pot - Soft Ochre

Lid - Lorac Pro - White & Cream

Crease - Lorac Pro - Taupe & Sable 

Liner - MAC Blacktrack Fluidline Gel Liner & Urban Decay 24/7 - Black Velvet

Brows - Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade - Dark Brown

Lips: 

MAC Pink Plaid

xox,
                Meredith