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 :)

Links Below!

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 Favorites

Can you believe it's already October?! As we say our goodbyes to the month of September, I would like to share with all of you the beauty products I have been loving all month long (and will continue to use during the month of October). I love reading monthly favorites posts because it lets me know about products that other people recommend and are worth trying. There are so many products that exist today, so it can be difficult at times to narrow down what products to actually use. Hopefully this post can give you some ideas of what to try next. Feel free to share your favorites with me as well!

Links below!




1. The Anastaisa Beverly Hills Brow Wiz has been a favorite of mine for months. I recently tried a different shade, which I think works better for my brow color. This one is in the shade 'Medium Brown' and is cool toned as opposed to 'Soft Brown' (what I was previously using), which is more warm toned.


2. The next favorite is a MAC blush in the shade 'Melba' and I have been reaching for it everyday. It gives my cheeks a light warm flush with a little bit of peach. I tend to reach for more neutral toned blushes, and I feel this one just gives me a little extra color.


3. My Too Faced Perfect Lips Lip Liner in the shade 'Perfect Nude' has been my go-to lip product for the past few weeks. I start out by lining my lips, and then finish with filling in my entire lip with this pencil. I love it because it gives me that matte look with a mauve/nude tint. It also lasts longer than a lipstick would.


4. I have heard so many great things about the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer and I just had to try it. I have heard its been compared to Nars Concealer; however, is much cheaper. Although I've never tried any concealer by Nars, this one I have been loving since I purchased it. It has a nice light formula that doesn't crease.


5. For some reason my chin has been breaking out more than usual and my Neutrogena Rapid Clear Spot Gel has been a lifesaver. I've noticed that my blemishes have been clearing quickly since I started applying the spot gel to my problem areas.


6. I purchased my Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in the shade 'Rose Gold' a few weeks ago and have been using it ever since. I apply this as a highlight to my cheekbones for a nice sheer glow. I think this shade is the perfect highlight for the fall season.


7. For some reason I stopped using my It's a 10 Mirale Leave-In Plus Keratin during the month of August (and I have no idea why!). I started using it again before blow-drying my hair and really noticed the difference! I am running out and will have no choice but to purchase another (it is on the expensive side, but still can be found at the drugstore). It really just makes the overall outcome of my blow-dry so much better and frizz free.

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

Basic Nighttime Skincare Routine

When it comes to skincare, I have a very basic routine that I do every morning and night. To be honest, I really don't know all too much about skincare, but I do know what works for me and that's what I'm going to share with you today. Here's a little background about my skin. I have combination/dry skin. That means it is typically on the dryer side; however, I do get the occasional oil in my T-zone area (forehead, down the nose, and chin). I have been fortunate enough to never really struggle with acne, but I do get a few blemishes here and there. When I do breakout (and I haven't in a while since I've been using the below products for the past year) it is usually in the same spot, which is my jawline area. Turns out that cleared up when I switched back to basic and gentle skincare products instead of all these 'high-end' fancy products. The most important thing is to find what works for you and your skin.

Links Below!

Step 1: Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes - I love these things. Before I wash my face at night I need to get off all the makeup. These work great and are my favorite makeup removing wipes. I have been especially enjoying these night calming ones; however, they sell the bundles at Costco, so I like to stock up!

Step 2: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser - You really don't get more basic than this stuff. There aren't too many ingredients and it really is a very gentle cleanser. I'm telling you, my skin cleared up in a few weeks after using this cleanser (and I was having that reappearing jawline breakout problem for about two years).

Step 3: CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion - Since I have dry skin, I need a moisturizer that will last me all night. This moisturizer is pretty basic and feels really smooth when I apply it to my face. I like that you can use it on your body too.

Step 4: Neutrogena Naturals Acne Spot Treatment - It's always good to have a spot treatment for when those very unwanted blemishes pop up out of no where. Since you only need a teeny bit, it will last you a long time too!

Bonus Step: Clarasonic Mia - I use this about 1-2 times a week to really exfoliate my skin. I apply my cleanser as I normally would to my face and then focus on my chin area for 20 seconds, forehead for 20 seconds, and each side of the face for 10 seconds (it has an automatic 1 minute timer then shuts off). This thing just gets everything out of your face and leaves you with a clean slate. I typically use the sensitive skin bristle. It is a bit pricey, but I recommend it!

xox,

                 Meredith