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

August Beauty Cravings

What, it's already that time? Yup, it's August 1st and I'm not wasting any time with my August Beauty Wish List. The unplanned theme of these products seems to include very neutral toned makeup (eyes, and lips) and adding on a classic winged liner with some long, dark lashes. I've heard great things about the Loreal Visible Lift Blur Foundation by women of all ages (my mom loves it!). I've also been seeing the Nudes eyeshadow Palette by Maybelline pretty much everywhere and am eager to try it. I love Urban Decay's Naked Line for their eyeshadow, but have yet to try out any of their lip products, which is why a gloss and a lipstick are listed below. Have you tried any of the below items? Let me know your thoughts!

Links Below!

Have a great weekend!!

xox,

                  Meredith

Friday Five: May Beauty Favorites

TGIF Everyone! This Friday Five will be featuring my May Beauty Favorites. These are five products that I've found myself using and loving all month long. They are some really great products that I would recommend to anyone to give a try. Find out why they are my favorites below!

Links Below!

1. Jergens BB Body Perfecting Skin Cream - I have always been a fan of Jergens and their different types of body lotions. I love to use the glow daily moisturizer especially in the summer, but since I hardly have any sort of tan yet, this BB Body Cream has been my thing. We all know that BB creams exist for your face, but how cool is it that there is one specifically for your body? This product is intended to hydrate & smooth, brighten & illuminate, even out skin tone, firm skim, and minimize the appearance of imperfections. I've been really liking this because I do feel that it is hydrating and helps even out my skin tone. I've noticed it the most on my legs. It is not a self tanner, so it doesn't dry streaky. It also smells really great. If you've ever tried Bath and Body Works Twilight Woods - it smells pretty much exactly like that! 

2. L'Oreal Paris Boost It High Lift Creation Spray - If you've ever had trouble teasing your hair, or getting some volume - this stuff is for you. My hair is thick and curly, so it naturally has a significant amount of volume, but this stuff just gives it some crazy lift. Spray a little at the roots and back comb your hair, and it literally stands up straight. Just be sure to smooth it out when you're done, since, you know, we no longer live in the 80s. ;)

3. Maybelline Super Stay Concealer - I have been using this concealer all month because I ran out of my favorite NYX photogenic concealer; however, I have really been enjoying this one by Maybelline. It has great coverage and that brightening effect that I love for under the eyes. 

4. Bobbi Brown Bronze Shimmer Brick - I have had this shimmer brick for years and I love it! I had stopped using it for a while for some reason, but for the past month, I've been using it everyday as a highlight and to blend my blush and bronzer together. If you saw my post from yesterday, I also used it as an eyeshadow! If you want to try something a little less expensive that you can find at the drugstore, I believe Physicians Formula and Revlon have very similar products.

5.  Essie Resort Fling Nail Polish -This Essie color has pretty much been on my nails the entire month of May. I did have to use three coats to get it to the opacity that I liked, but I just love the color so much. I will probably be using this nail polish into the summer as well!

Have a great weekend!

xox,

                  Meredith

Makeup Walk-Through

This guide may be helpful for two reasons: 1. You would like to know the order in which you should be applying your face makeup, or if you already pretty much know, 2. You can see some great products that I like use for each step (I like options!). Regardless, if this post is able to help at least one person, I will feel like it is worth it. Enjoy!

1. Foundation: The first thing I do is apply my foundation. I like to pump the product onto the back of my hand so I know the exact amount I am working with. From here, I like to spot the product all over my face and then go in with a brush and blend it out. A tip for picking your foundation shade - if the product makes you look orange or pink, it's too dark for your skin-tone. 

2. Concealer: After I apply my foundation, I like to take my concealer and apply to my under-eyes by sweeping the wand across that area. Then I take my brush and pat the product in an upwards motion. You typically look for a concealer that is two shades lighter than your natural skin-tone so you can really brighten up that area. I also use concealer on any blemishes or redness I may have.

3. Setting Powder: To ensure your makeup lasts you want to use a setting powder. I like to dust a lighter, translucent powder under my eyes and on my T-zone (forehead, down the nose, and chin). Then I like to go in with my MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural and apply that over my foundation.

4. Bronzer: Bronzer is so important to me because it really helps warm up my face. I like to apply bronzer right along the cheekbone, hairline, and jawline. 

5. Blush: Lastly, I apply my blush to the apples of my cheeks. If you make a slight closed mouth smile (yes, I want you to smile at yourselves in the mirror), you will see where you should directly apply the product.

Extra Steps:

-Primer: To really ensure that your makeup will last, you can apply a primer before your foundation. Primer forms a nice base layer on your skin so your makeup sticks to that instead of seeping into your pores. Think of it like painting a wall. Typically, you use a primer first. 

-Highlight: I love to highlight my face. I feel like it gives the finish of my skin a nice healthy glow. I love to apply my highlight to the tops of my cheekbones, and down the center of my nose. 

-Setting Spray: I have been using my MAC fix + spray everyday after finishing my makeup. Just a few sprays about a foot away from your face and it just gives a really refreshing finish. I especially like to use this if I feel my face looks too powdery. Depending on your skin needs, you can pick a different setting spray. If you have oily skin, you would look for a matte finish spray. Think of a setting spray as hairspray for your face.  

xox,

                  Meredith

Friday Five: Favorite Blushes

Happy Friday!! Today's Friday Five includes my favorite and most used blushes. Depending on what type of makeup look I'm going for or what I'm feeling that day will determine the blush I use. Most likely, you will find me wearing one of the below five blushes. I would have to say that my most reached for blush at the moment is Warm Soul by MAC. As we get into the warmer weather, this is definitely going to be an everyday blush for me this spring and summer. Check below for links and more pictures!

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1. Bobbi Brown - Pale Pink 2. MAC - Warm Soul 3. Cargo - Tonga 4. Nars - Orgasm 5. MAC - Prism

 

1. Bobbi Brown - Pale Pink: This is my all time favorite pink blush to use. It may look a little intimidating and bright in the pan, but it blends out beautifully and is the perfect pink.

2. MAC - Warm Soul: I am in love with this blush. It has such a pretty glow about it when it is on your cheeks. I cannot wait to wear it once I am a little tanner! Like I said, this will definitely be my go-to for summer.

3. Cargo - Tonga: This blush is the perfect muted everyday blush. It is matte, so it is perfect for the days where you want a real natural look. Word on the street this is one of Jennifer Aniston's favorite blushes. (That may or may not be why I purchased it in the first place). 

4. Nars - Orgasm: You cannot go wrong with this blush. It is the blush I always go back to when I don't know what to put on my face. It has this beautiful sheen, and I've seen it looking gorgeous on all skin tones. (It is the one on the left!)

5. MAC - Prism: Sometimes you just need a matte, warmer toned blush. On the days where you need a natural look but aren't feeling pink, this is a great blush. I know it doesn't look like anything spectacular in the pan, but it really does look beautiful on the skin.

Have a great weekend!

xox,

                 Meredith

May Makeup Wishlist

A new month calls for new makeup! Well not really, but I can make up my own rules, right? I feel like there is this never ending list of beauty products that I want in my life - I just have to break it up somehow. Below you will find a whole ton of products that are currently on the May phase of that never ending wishlist. All of these products are on here because I've heard great things about each and every one. Hope you enjoy!!

Links below!

xox,

                 Meredith