Some Beauty Picks For Autumn

Every year I become enraptured by the beauty of autumn. The swirling colorful leaves, the smells, the textures all around. There is a mood that autumn brings that is purely reflective. Nature makes us stop to look at it. How brilliant it can present itself before it all takes a rest for the winter. I love it all. 

Today, I thought I would share some of the beauty essentials I have used and loved so far this season. 

First of all I have a new foundation in rotation for the fall and winter months; The Too Faced Born This Way Foundation. A full review will be coming very soon! Stay tuned for that however, since it is in a favorites post I am sure you can guess that I like it quite a bit. 
 I have not been able to put down this MAC blush in the shade Ambering Rose. I used it in the last bit of summer as well, but this blush's time to shine is definitely in the fall/winter. It is this beautiful burnished rosy brown shade that just looks beautiful for this season. Moving on to eyeshadows I really had to narrow it down because not only do I love eyeshadow, I am a fiend for warm colors that really look great for this time of year. I am talking warm chocolate browns, burnished reds and coppers, brilliant and bright gold..etc. Two palettes that I have to share with you today is the good ol' Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette and the Morphe 35O palette. The Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette is a really great classic that is chalk full of neutral, gorgeous shades with some fun shades thrown in there too that really make for a great fall look. Plus it smells heavenly! The other palette I wanted to mention has been immensely popular on the beauty community. And for good reason. For someone who loves warm shades this palette is absolute perfection, the colors are really pigmented and smooth and its also pretty affordable ( when it is available again). Morphe is a wonderfully affordable brand and if this palette is calling your name I would follow them on their social media because they do update when this palette comes back in stock. The other shadows I wanted to mention come from Makeup Geek Cosmetics, this is SUCH a lovely brand and if you haven't checked out their shadows I would highly encourage you to do so. All the shadows I have to mention today are from their foiled collection which are all a unique metallic finish. The first shade I have to share is probably my most favorite and it is called Magic Act and it is the most beautiful, bright white gold shade. This shade looks great in the inner corners of the eyes and as a center color as well. The next shade is called Untamed. I was drawn to it originally because the color reminded me of a jack o lanterns glowing smile. Its described as a bright coppery orange. I think this shade is really great for the fall time because of its warmth and orangey glow. The last shade I have to mention is Flamethrower which is a bright warm copper shade which I have loved throwing into the outer corner of the eyes to spice things up. 
The last product I have to mention for the eyes is a eyeliner pencil from NYX cosmetics, the Slide On Glide On Stay On And Definitely A Turn On Eye Pencil in Golden Bronze that name is sure a mouthful isn't it? but this pencil is a beauty. Stays on the waterline brilliantly and has vivid color. If you have blue eyes especially  you NEED to try out this color in Golden Bronze its beautiful! 
Next, lets move on to two lip favorites, the first being another NYX product. Their recently released Liquid Suede liquid lipsticks have a beautiful range of colors ( even a prussian gray color!) and the formula of these are great. They last a really long time and don't dry out the lips too much. I have the color Sandstorm to share with you which is the ever so popular browny nude color that I can't stay away from no matter what the season. I know not everyone is a fan of this kind of color but it is quite pretty. And the very last product I have to share is a lipstick from Maybelline in their Color Sensational Creamy Matte range. The color Divine Wine is perfect for the fall and also the winter. A true deepened dark vampy red that feels pretty comfortable on the lips and won't break the bank. The Maybelleine Matte range is definitely one to check out if you are into matte lipsticks and want something affordable. 

And thats it! a little variety of favorites that I have been enjoying this fall and will continue to enjoy throughout the winter season. I hope you enjoyed! Let me know of any of your autumn/winter beauty picks down in the comments below I would love to read them. Hope you all are having a great week so far! See you next time! 
- A 

Caught In The Nude! // Nude Lipstick Collection + Lip Swatches!

Hello everyone! 
So, last time during my makeup haul we chatted about my little obsession with nude lipsticks... Today, I will be showcasing my little (growing) collection of the nude lipsticks I have and I will also be showing you lip swatches so you can see what they look like. Forgive me if the lip swatches are not perfect, this was my first attempt at doing this, however it was pretty fun. I hope you all enjoy it. 

MAC Velvet Teddy

This guy is the nude lip color that started it all. While down on vacation I came across an official MAC store and was very drawn to this particular shade. It was so uncharacteristic of me, I pretty much exclusively wore reds and dark colored lipstick up until that point. I wanted something a little less maintenance than a red, something different for myself. I went for it and for the past four months I have been exploring the glorious land of nude lipstick. It all started with this gem. Not too dark and not too pale, I feel it can look beautiful on many different skin tones. The finish is matte but its not too horribly drying as some other MAC lipsticks can be. Its the perfect everyday shade - no fuss! 





Too Faced Melted Lipstick "Melted Chihuahua" 

In my last post I shared with you this liquid lipstick from Too Faced which I got from the recent Sephora sale. The name of this product is very odd ( I still haven't gotten over that..) but the actual "contents" are great. Its a very pretty color, feels very comfortable on the lips, ( not too drying or too greasy) and wears for a long time. 

NYX High Voltage Lipstick "Stone"

A winner from the drugstore is the recent NYX High Voltage Lipstick collection. Lots of shades with great color saturation. I kept seeing this unique color being rocked by babes and goddesses of instagram and felt the need to own this shade and see if I could rock it myself. The shade "Stone" is an odd sort of taupe, cool toned color. I often enjoy mixing this color in with some of my other nudes to add more dimension. But the swatch down below is the color just on its own. 

Bite Buttercream Lipstick " Moka"

This is a more recent release from Bite Beauty. All of the shades in this range are in a very neutral color range, the packaging is so sleek and the cap is magnetic, ( which seems to be catching on in the beauty world, I like it! Its very satisfying.) The other thing that sets apart this lipsticks than others is that the lipstick bullet is hand-cut and they are all flat. The claims described on the box say that by cutting off that tipped waxy layer you get more moisture and color payoff from the lipstick. The con of that concept however is that it can make this lipstick a little bit tricky to apply. More often than not I will dab the color on with my fingers instead of applying straight from the bullet. ( Out of all the swatches this one was the messiest and I had to clean it up with some concealer). Other than that the color is beautiful and the deepest neutral in this collection. 

MAC Creme In Your Coffee 
 My most recent nude lipstick purchase is MAC's Creme in Your Coffee. Just the name of that lipstick was enough to suck me in, it sounds so aesthetically pleasing. This lipstick is one of MAC's creamsheen formulas which means it provides a little bit more gloss and a little bit more moisture during wear. As far as color goes I think its a happy cousin to Twig but a little less mauve. 

MAC Twig 

Back to when I was in that MAC store on vacation I was also in debate about the shade "Twig". A slightly darker nude with a little more of a mauve tone. It was gorgeous, I was in love with it. But, only walked away with Velvet Teddy at the end of the day. Until, a month later when I went to my local counter and took the plunge. I guess I had to make sure that this "nude lipstick" phase of mine was going to last...( and oh it did! now I own six...)  

- Bonus image of my ridiculous face removing lipstick


What are your favorite neutral/nude lipsticks? Let me know in the comments below! 

See you all soon! I hope you all are having a great week! 
- A 

New In// Collective Beauty Haul

Hey guys, I know its been ages since I updated last. Got caught way behind on things and then simply ran out of steam for a little bit. Now its time to play catch up. How are you guys? I missed you! I hope all is going well. I think I can say spring has officially sprung here in New England ( I hope I can say that now, this winter has gone on for much too long). The flowers have started blooming, the snow has all but disappeared and the weather is just starting to really warm up. All and all its a rather large mood uplifter. 

Along with the arrival of spring, this means the arrival new beauty launches and new makeup to play with, ( which is also a large mood uplifter ;) at least in my book). I have been collecting a "few" things, some during the recent Sephora VIB Rouge sale and other bits here and there which I have picked up and have been loving. So I wanted to share with you a collective beauty haul of all the exciting makeup bits I have picked up recently

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water 
I have been hearing a lot of buzz surrounding this "fancy water"aka The Smashbox Primer Water. So I decided to give it a go, It feels very nice and refreshing on the skin and has a very light rose scent, I have not noticed anything life changing when it comes to this product so far, but I will keep you updated. 

NYX Prismatic Eyeshadow "Girl Talk"
As I was perusing around Ulta one day I came across these new prismatic shadows from NYX, when I gave them a swatch I knew one had to come home with me. They were all so soft and very pigmented. The shade I picked up is "Girl Talk" which is a very bright shimmery champagne pink shade. It looks gorgeous when popped into inner corner.

Benefit Roller Lash 
Another hyped up product I was eager to try was Benefits new "Roller Lash" mascara. I have heard very polarized opinions on this mascara. Some people hated it while others considered it holy grail. I do like the packaging with the rubberized cap and the formula itself does add quite a bit of length and curl. Like Benefits "They're Real" however, this product is quite difficult to get off the eyes. Make sure you have a makeup remover strong enough to get this guy off. 

The Body Shop Honey Bronzer
Its starting to warm up which means time to warm up that complexion! Fellow fair skinned girls should take a look at this excellent bronzer from The Body Shop. The color range I find is great for those who find themselves in the "very light" skin category. This bronzer is matte and very build-able  If you have never tried out a bronzer before and are a little intimidated ( Like me around this time last year). I would give this one a try. It's wonderful ( plus that cute honeycomb packaging?! come onnn!)  

NYX High Voltage Lipstick "Stone" 
Right after I had done my damage at the VIB sale I thought I was satiated for a while in the makeup department ( oh no...I was quite wrong). I passed into Ulta a couple days later and picked this up along with a concealer I had run clear out of. NYX has been kind of killing it with its newer releases including these High Voltage Lipsticks which come in a large range of colors and offer amazing pigmentation. Its also shocking to me how NYX has such great products for really affordable prices. These lipsticks run up to around 5 dollars and yet provide such a high quality offering. I picked up the color "Stone", this sort of color has been quite popular at the moment in the beauty world- this pale taupe nude kind of color which is unique and pairs well when mixed with other nudes. 

MAC Lipstick "Creme In Your Coffee"
Someone has to make an intervention with me and nude lipsticks, its getting a little out of hand. Especially when it comes to MAC lipsticks. I saw a swatch of this color on Instagram and had to go check it out in person. First of all I will admit that the name suckered me in a little, "Creme In Your Coffee" it sounded so  appealing. The color I find is very similar to MAC's "Twig" but a little more nude and the finish is a lot more creamy and not as drying. Out of the three MAC nudes that I own I find that this one is the most "moisturizing". I also like pairing this color with the High Voltage lipstick I just mentioned. It looks awesome. 

Too Faced Melted Lipstick "Melted Chihuahua"
No comment, I know, its another "mauve, pinky nude"... I have always wanted to try out these Melted Lipsticks from Too Faced. I would swatch them in store all the time and I really liked the pigmentation, the colors and the little sponge applicator. During the sale I committed to taking one home with me and I chose "Melted Chihuahua" which, I have to mention, out of all the other shade names..( which are all cute and accurate sounding like "melted sugar" or "melted coral") they decided that this really pretty color would be called Melted Chihuahua.... I find that pretty disturbing and hilarious but in any event. The formula of these liquid lipsticks is awesome, long wearing and not drying. ( *two thumbs up*) 

The Bodyshop All In One Cheek Colour "Cherryade"
I new little cheek addition has entered into my collection. The Bodyshop's All In One Blush in the shade "Cherryade", not only a cute name but also a very cute color popped onto the cheeks. 


Bite Buttercream Lipstick "Moka"
The newest release from Bite are these marvelously creamy, hand-cut lipsticks. These lipsticks also have quite chic packaging with magnetic closure and everything. All the shades in this range run quite neutral and feel wonderful on the lips. This one I picked up last month but I thought I would throw it in here. I got the shade "Moka" which is a very deep neutral color. 

Kat Von D Shade & Light Eye Palette 
Lastly, the cherry on top is the newest palette from Kat Von D. Following up her bestselling Shade & Light Contour Face palette. Kat Von D released this all matte eye "contour" palette. Now, I am not one to get excited about mattes ( I am like a magpie..I like shiny things!) I did not expect myself to want this palette at all....until I got to swatch it. I stared at the swatches on my hand all the way home from work. They were so soft and pigmented, the shade range was full of great transition colors. I justified owning it and now I am a very proud owner of this palette. I think its bloody amazing! I have been able to create so many looks with it, plus set the ground work for any shimmery shadows I want to put on top. Matte eyeshadows may not be that exciting, but I think the formula of these sure are something to talk about! ( Plus, I mean warm neutrals can't get enough of em..) 

I am super excited to play around with these new products. Let me know if you want any of these products talked about more in depth. What new products have you been loving? Let me know in the comments below!
Again I hope you all are having a great week and I will be seeing you soon!

- A 

Monday Minute// MAC Velvet Teddy

Hello Friends!

Last week I arrived back on a plane from a sunny Florida vacation back to chilly Maine. It was such a lovely little break  even though I did suffer with a bad cold the first half of it ( bummer)! Now we are back to business baby! 

During my stay in Florida my mom and I visited this huge mall ( and I mean massive). I got to browse through Anthropolgie and a big H&M they had so many stores including a stand alone MAC store. I didnt buy anything there at that mall that day except for one thing. This lipstick.

. Velvet Teddy  .  

In my entire lipstick collection ( not a big collection, but a growing one). I seem to only own : Reds & Dark Red/Berry colors, nothing else. Never been one for pinks and I never was one for nudes, until now that is. Its not because I was swept up in this "Kylie Jenner Lip" trend that is sweeping the nation, I just simply craved a nude lipstick because I didn't own any. When I told the lady at the MAC store this she seemed kind of surprised. Wearing bold lips all day everyday is difficult to upkeep and it does not always suit the look I am going for. 

So to make a long story short, I had to decide between "Twig" and "Velvet Teddy" ( which has been immensely popular due to Miss Jenner, I got the last tube they had in stock!) I liked both shades on me but decided that I had my heart set on  Velvet Teddy.

MAC lipsticks are very lovely, ( plus I will never get over how good they smell), their matte formula can be a bit drying but I find this shade to be pretty smooth on the lips. I love this color so much ( I never thought I would be saying this about a nude, my how I have changed my ways)! Its so easy to just slap on and wear. Lets just say I have fallen hard for this lipstick and if you're looking for a great "brownish, pinky" nude this lipstick is a great option. 

What are your favorite nude lipsticks? Tell me in the comments below! 

I hope you all are having a great week! 
See you soon!

xoxo
- A 

2014 Beauty Favorites

Hello to all! I hope you all had a lovely celebrations over Christmas Break. 
It's practically unbelievable that in a two days 2014 will be all done and dusted! 2014 was the year I seriously got into beauty. I tried and collected a lot of products during the span of the year. You better believe there was a lot of makeup to sort through and pick out key favorites. 2014, was also the year I got more serious about blogging. It was so neat to look through my archives as I was adding links to past posts. Seeing how far I have progressed since last January. 
Big strides have been made and I hope to make bigger ones in 2015. I hope you all will be there to join me and I thank you all for your continuous support. ( *Internet hugs*) 

Now that we are close to the end of 2014! let us review the beauty and makeup that were my favorites of the year!

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua 
Discovered this foundation in the spring and it was a solid staple for the summer months. Liquidy and light in consistency but still provides a medium to light coverage with a dewy finish. Probably will head back to this foundation when summer arrives again. 

Nars Sheer Glow
Towards the beginning of August I finished off Chanel Vitalumiere and had my sights set on NARS Sheer Glow. During that time my skin was going through a rough patch and was on the hunt for a foundation with more coverage but still had a luminous finish. After some research I discovered that Nars Sheer Glow was not so "sheer" after all and actually had some decent coverage to it. I disliked the fact it did not have a pump but I made due all up to now. I am still using this stuff when I am not using my other Becca Foundation. I really enjoy the coverage and finish this gives. A firm favorite of this year and the year to come. 

( Post Mentioned..) 


Real Techniques Expert Face Brush 

This brush has stuck by me for the majority of this year. For every foundation application this brush, created by the ladies over at Pixiewoo applied my foundation flawlessly. For the price point I paid for it, this brush is of extraordinary quality and I really loved it this year.  


Nars Creamy Radiant Concealer 

Discovered in January, one of my first true beauty reviews I ever wrote was about this very concealer (and I have not really shut up about it since)! I dubbed this my holy grail concealer. It covers up dark circles, face demons, redness, you name it. Although its a bit pricey I still go out and stock up on this concealer when I am running low on it. I believe this concealer kickstarted my seeming love affair with the brand Nars (it has not stopped since).  

( Post Mentioned..) 

Naked Flushed Palette " Streak" 

Right after I had invested in my DSLR camera and had whole new design for my blog I reviewed this face palette from Urban Decay. I didn't get the hype at first when this product was released but after a couple times trying it out I felt the need to own it. It was actually quite a perfect purchase. I have non stop used it for the rest of this year. This palette actually provided my with my first bronzer and I really loved the way it looks (might inspire more bronzer purchases in 2015 who knows), but this was quite a handy palette to have in my collection. 

(Post Mentioned..) 

Becca Pressed Shimmering Perfector " Opal"

I couldn't write this post without mentioning the best highlighter I have ever used. Granted, The Balm's Mary Lou-manizer highlighter should get an honorable mention here since I loved that one for most of the year, but when Becca arrived at my Sephora and I tried this highlighter. I was in complete love and so far it has remained one of my favorite makeup products to apply every single day. If you want the ultimate glow in 2015 I would check this highlighter out if you have not already. Its ah-mazing. 

( Post Mentioned..) 

Lorac Pro Palette

Picking my favorite eyeshadow palette of 2014 was really hard! I collected quite a few this year and love them all but after some contemplation I settled on the Lorac Pro Palette. 
I got this palette in August. I had pined after it for a long time and got lucky when it was on discount on the HSN website. I feel this palette covers so many bases. I feel that every girl who is in love with eyeshadow should own it. These shadows are so pigmented and soft there is a great variety of colors that make great daytime and night time looks. I feel its just one of those ultimate palettes that is so useful to have. All in super sleek packaging too. 

(Post Mentioned..) 

MAC Cranberry Eyeshadow 

Besides cracking down on a favorite eyeshadow palette I felt I couldn't not mention this little single eyeshadow from MAC. It has accompanied a lot of my eyeshadow looks for the Fall and Winter. It is surprisingly quite a versatile eyeshadow shade. 

( Post Mentioned..) 

MAC 217 Blending Brush 

After collecting so much eyeshadow this year I knew I needed a great blending brush so when I went and got the famed MAC 217 brush, my eyeshadow game changed up dramatically. Being able to blend well is crucial so having this brush in my arsenal was a necessary favorite. 

Loreal Miss Manga Mascara

I don't believe I ever mentioned this mascara ever during the year but I should have. This mascara from the drugstore is actually really good. Yes, it has a weird bendy wand but I find that actually kind of helps with the application. I dunno maybe I fell a little into the gimmick with that one but, the formula in this mascara is exceptional. Volume, length, does not clump, but is not a bugger to get off. 2014 winner in my book.   

Nars Audacious Lipstick "Charlotte" 

A very generous and lovely gift from my blogging friend, Sydney. This whole collection from NARS is pure perfection. I only have this color so far in Charlotte which is a deep burgundy color. Out of all lipsticks and crayons and pencils I tried and loved this year I have to pick this one as my ultimate and another big win for NARS in 2014. 

( Post Mentioned..) 

The Body Shop Silky Chamomile Cleansing Oil 

And finally, to take all that makeup off my face throughout the year I turned to The Body Shop Silky Chamomile Cleansing Oil. Affordable and very effective. Gently melts off all my makeup without stripping my skin and smells pretty nice too. It makes taking my makeup off just as enjoyable as putting it on. 


And that about wraps it up for my 2014 Beauty Favorites! (Whoo hoo!)   I hope to continue to do this every year,  its a nice way to reflect on what I have loved. 
My next post will be about my favorite moments and milestones I crossed in 2014 so look out for that one soon! 

What beauty products did you discover and love in the year 2014? Let me know in the comments below!  

Happy New Year! 
See you "next year"

- A 

GILDED// Favorite Gold Eyeshadows

Its the holiday season which means the onslaught of one of my favorite beauty trends, gold. eyeshadow. 
I love wearing gold eyeshadow year-round, its just one of those colors that I naturally gravitate towards. However, during the holiday season the color gold gets a lot of attention  due to its wide variety of glamour during holiday parties, out and about, depending on the shade of gold you use gold is perfect for the holiday/winter season. It adds a bit of warmth to these gloomy winter days and a glittering sparkle for the nights. 

Marc Jacobs " The Dreamer" Palette

This palette is a little on the pricey side but it comes with two gorgeous gold shades! One is a pale champagne gold which can be used as a wash all over the lid or a highlight. The other gold shade featured in this palette is a more yellow gold which can take centerstage on the lids or make a sneak peak for some added glamour. I think that all the other colors that come in this palette would complement a gold look and the quality of these shadows are amazing. So soft, pigmented and easily blended. 

MAC Amber Lights 

This gold is very deep and almost has a hint of bronze to it. It is also just stunning to look at as a color. Again, this shade looks great as a standout but I also think this color could make a gorgeous golden smoky eye paired with a medium and darker brown color. 

NARS Dual Intensity Himalaya 

This color is described as "shimmering topaz". Translate that to a medium golden bronze with a frosty sheen. Technically its not a true gold, but when I look at it and wear it, it complements so well with other gold shades and also bronze tones. I would classify this as a lovely addition of my "gilded" gold eyeshadow collection 

LORAC PRO Palette "Gold" 

Ah, my beloved Lorac Pro Palette. There is no mistaking what shade name I am about to feature here, Gold, no creative naming here! This shade is a deep gold and when swatched it actually does have a slight hint of bronze. If you have heard anything about these Lorac Pro Palettes you know that these shadows really pack a punch when it comes to pigmentation. I like using this color as a standout center shade, pairing it with a lighter "goldish" shade in this palette called Lt. Bronze in the inner part of the eye and placing darker or midtone browns in the crease. 

Naked Palette Half Baked 

 The ship for this palette set sail eons ago however I had seen it pop up and mentioned on a couple of my favorite blogs recently, took the bait and finally picked up the original Naked Palette. I am not reviewing the whole palette here, ( although, it is gorgeous and I don't know why I have not picked this up sooner). I am featuring specifically the shade dubbed ,"Half Baked" which is a pale gold shade. Not only does it coordinate well with all the rest of the shades in the palette but also with other eyeshadows that I have. I particularly loved pairing this shade with MAC's Cranberry eyeshadow for something really festive and pretty. (Side Note: I have been reaching for this shadow the most these past few weeks. I am really loving it!) 

Makeup Forever Artist Shadows I-662 Amber Brown 

This color may be named "amber brown" but essentially its a darker "antiqued" gold color and works rather well in the outer corners of the eye. These shadows are very smooth and very easy to blend. 


I love gold eyeshadows for the holiday and winter months. I feel it helps bring back a little bit of warmth back in contrast to the cold color scheme of the outdoors. What color eyeshadow do you like to wear during the holidays? Let me know in the comments below! 

I hope you all are having a great week so far! Christmas is this week! Very exciting! and then we will be saying farewell to 2014 and hello to 2015 (crazy)! See you all then! 

xoxo
- A 

SHOP//

Marc Jacobs " The Dreamer" Palette 

MAC Amber Lights 

NARS Dual Intensity Himalaya 

LORAC Pro Palette 

Naked I Palette 

Makeup Forever Artist Shadow I-662 Amber Brown

Sat// October Beauty Favorites

Hello everyone! Happy Saturday! I hope you all had a great Halloween and start to November. October, was a pretty rough month for me with all sorts of ups and downs, but I did find that I was loving some amazing products last month and thought that although we are making good headway through November already I would share what products I was loving last month.

The Bodyshop Vitamin C Skin Boost Serum

I thought I would start things off with a skincare favorite this month. Although I do my best to take care of my skin I seem to be in constant battle with it. Dealing with hormonal acne, scarring, etc. When applying foundation I have to deal with the underlying texture of my "worse for wear" current skin. However, last month since starting work at The Bodyshop I have been taking home some products to try and let me tell you, when I tried the Vitamin C Skin Boost one morning before foundation I was left feeling legitimately shocked at how smooth and soft my skin felt. Not only does this serum boost radiance ( which I need living in a place with fairly little sun this time of year) but it also acts as a wonderful primer that helps to smooth everything out. Also, not to mention that it has an amazing citrus smell that is great to use in the morning. Usually, serums tend to be used at night so they can get straight to work, but this product is a early bird and now a staple in my morning routine.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation

This product I mentioned recently in my "Whats In My Makeup Bag" post ( X ) and I also wrote up a full review on it a while back. (X) This product has been a long time favorite of mine. During the month of October this found its way back into my life because being on the go from morning till night requires a little touching up now and again. It also was a lifesaver for when I didn't have time in the morning to apply my favorite liquid foundations, I just brought this guy along and could easily and quickly get my base done "lickety split!"

Becca Shimmering Perfector in Opal 

If there was a "mega favorite" among these favorites this product would be that favorite. Highlighting, is probably my favorite step to my makeup routine I feel that adding a beautiful glow to my complexion just pulls everything all together, ( like adding a final glaze to a piece of pottery.) This particular highlighter gives that "modelesque" glow to the skin and it is just breathtaking. If you want to read my full thoughts on this gem I did a full post here. (X)

MAC Cranberry Eyeshadow 

I wasn't sure I was going to mention this because I just wrote a full post on this guy (X) and it was also a discovery towards the end of the month but I have just been using and loving this eyeshadow so much. Whether you use it all on its own or in conjunction with other shadows this color is simply gorgeous and so versatile, perfect for the fall and the winter season ahead.

NARS Audacious Lipstick in Charlotte

This recent release from NARS has stolen the hearts of many including my own. The luxury packaging, the ultimate color saturation ( we're talking "one swipe" full on color here!) the long-wear formula. Its all perfection and I crave to have more of these luxury lipsticks in my collection. The color that I have in Charlotte is a sumptuous oxblood/berry toned hybrid that is a masterpiece on the lips that I was sporting a ton last month. ( As I plan to do also, this month!) 

BodyShop Color Crush Lipstick "Crazy Sexy Crimson"

If you are looking for a more affordable option for a dark and beautiful lip, this lipstick was also a favorite last month. Another pick from The Body Shop, The Color Crush lipstick line certainly surprised me with how moisturizing and comfortable this felt on the lips. This little guy also comes with me in my makeup bag so when I feel like dressing up a look I can just pop this little baby on and be on my way.  

And that is a WRAP! for my monthly beauty favorites during the month of October! As I said above typically October, is one of my favorite months of the year but last month was pretty rough and stressful, the overall unhappiness I was feeling was only amplified by the fact that I knew it was a favorite month, however, I have been working hard and trying to sort things through. I have made a bunch of changes and changes that are still in the making. ( Will be updating you guys on some of that very soon.) 
It is almost a relief to me that the month of October is done now because I am not so focused on lost time and I can let go. Hello November, and hello! to new beginnings! 

I hope you all are enjoying a great weekend! 
What were your favorites this month? Let me know in the comments below!

For more beauty, lifestyle and fashion keep up with me and The Bats & Rabbits blog on Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin and Instagram! Links are in the sidebar.

See you all soon! 
- A 


SHOP//
BodyShop Vitamin C Skin Boost Serum $26 ( Right now on sale for $16.20 on The BodyShops Site!)

Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Mineral Foundation  $36.00

Becca Shimmering Perfector in Opal $39.00

MAC Cranberry Eye-Shadow $16.00

NARS Audacious Lipstick in "Charlotte" $32.00

BodyShop Color Crush Lipstick in "Crazy Sexy Crimson" $12.50 ( Now $7.50 on sale!) 

T H U R S : T R A V E L // What Is Going In My Travel Beauty Bag

 

Hey, guess what? I am back baby! back to the ol' grind as they say. For those of you who don't know I took my first trip out west to California last week! 

Fun fact!, It as actually born in California but other than visiting a Target store as a newborn. I had never experienced the glorious California sun or anything the state had to offer until now and it was glorious. My next blog post will showcase the snapshots I took from the trip and video montage is in the works as well. All things to look forward to on The Bats and Rabbits blog! 

Alrighty, now onto the beauty essentials! 

F A C E 

I had not traveled in a really long time. I spent a lot of time thinking about what I would take. One of the most important things was a pair of sunglasses. Which, in the past I have the tendency to overlook, only to be punished by the suns unkindly bright glare in my eye sockets. If you are taking a trip soon into a sunny climate I would highly advise a pair of cute shades for your trip, though that may be obvious. (Make sure your cool shades also protect those ultra cute eyeballs of yours too! That means UVA ray protection baby!) I got these super adorable polka dot sunglasses at Target.(This girl can't get enough of her polka-dots) 

L I N K 

The other important essential was a light feeling base that also provided some coverage. (Nobody wants their makeup feeling heavy and slippery in the heat!) so I brought my trusty Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation. Which I have mentioned a numerous amount of times already but, it does provide the look and feel I want in a "summer" foundation. Light and non heavy, looks luminous on the skin but also does a good job at covering any skin problems I am dealing with at the time. This product blends beautifully when used with a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. 

L I N K  + L I N K 

I also brought my holy grail concealer which is the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. (review here) I won't bore you with another explanation of how great this stuff is but take my word for it. Its amazing and does double duty for covering spots and concealing dark under eye circles. ( I had to buy a second tube during my trip, I feel lost without it in my makeup stash!

L I N K 

For highlighter I brought my Mary Lou MAN-izer from The Balm.(another review here) which also served as a wonderful compact mirror for music festival makeup checkups. 

L I N K 

For blush I brought along my recently acquired Ambient Lighting Blush from Hourglass in the shade Diffused Heat. I don't have a lot of blush in my makeup stash yet so this blush is the star of the show. It is a beautiful poppy shade that is marbleized with Hourglass's famous Ambient lighting powder.  

It looks marvelous on the cheeks especially for the hot summer weather. 

L I N K 

  E Y E S 

Only brought along three eye shadows for the trip. I considered bringing just my Naked 3 palette. Maybe that would have made more sense but I have been gravitating towards wearing gold eye shadow again. That is where MAC's Amber Lights comes into action. A quick swipe of this on the outer corners of the eye with a MAC 217 blending brush and really you are good to go, I mean if you are on the go that is!  That is a very minimal and effortless look! For a little more highlight I put Stila's single eye shadow in the shade Kitten in my bag. It is a ultra shimmery nude//pinky shade that really brightens up the eyes and lastly I brought along MAC's Antiqued a reddish bronze color that looks great in the crease. Sometimes, it can be just as good to bring a couple of great singles instead of an entire shadow palette for a trip. It's limiting yes, but also effortless.

L I N K + L I N K + L I N K  

For the brows I brought my Anastasia Brow Wiz pencil but it was on its last leg so I ended up not  getting as much use out of it except for using the brush end to at least groom my brows.(#sadbrowgame)

L I N K 

Lastly, for eyes is mascara! I brought along two. One is a mini of Make Up Forever's Smoky Extravagant Lash and the other which is not pictured above was L'Oreal's Miss Manga mascara. The one I preferred was actually Miss Manga. It was still in it's testing stage but I have really grown to love it. For most bloggers out there this mascara is either a full love or a full out hate. For me the weird bendy wand is great for getting into the root of the lash and pull forward to fully coat the lashes. This mascara is excellent at separation, length and a little volumef The Smoky Extravagant is great too, don't get me wrong. Either would be a great choice to bring along on a trip somewhere.  

L I N K + L I N K 

L I P S 

On the lips,(not pictured above)I brought two reds (of course) One being the Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in the shade Standout which is a cooler and darker red and feels minty upon application. The other is NARS's velvet matte lip pencil in the shade Red Sq. Which is the warmest red I own but I am so smitten with this shade for the summertime. 

L I N K + L I N K 

S K I N - C A R E 

Besides the obligatory 50+ spf sunscreen I brought very minimal skincare with me. My skin still had a major meltdown during the trip but at least I can say I cleansed and moisturized every morning and night! 

For my cleanser I brought my Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser. This product is still in my testing stage. So far I really like it! I wish I could say it changed my skin dramatically but so far I still suffer from really bad breakouts. However, this stuff does breakdown all my makeup and feels amazing and even cooling effect on the skin when you first rub it in. Plus you can buy it in different sizes so you can actually get a nice travel size to test out before going for a bigger bottle

L I N K

My beauty bag moisturizer is the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream. Which is amazingly cool on the skin and does not irritate or plug up the skin. This product is PERFECTION for the sensitive skin types out there like yours truly. The smaller tube is super affordable at $12! I would highly recommend it. 

L I N K  

For my acne prone/problematic skin I like to treat the nastier spots with a spot treatment. Traditional treatments use Salicylic acid or Benzoyl Peroxide but those ingredients do not always bode well on my skin. I chose to bring my Acne Spot Fast Fix by Murad. Which uses other ingredients to treat nasty spots quick. I find that it does a decent enough job. I have bad luck with skincare trying to clear up my face. Nothing seems to work miracles. Though, I do find that this guy works well on nasty and painful spots. 

L I N K 

The last thing,which might already be obvious to everyone to bring for summer travel is a good deodorant. I grabbed the Dove Clinical Protection Cool Cucumber Deodorant. Lets just say it kept me feeling fresh under the arms for a very full day at Disneyland! 

And that's all I brought along in my beauty bag! I hope it helps any of you who are traveling soon! Safe travels!~ 

What beauty essentials do you bring with you on a trips? Let me know in the comments below! 

Connect with me on Twitter & Instagram!

Twitter: @AllegraShortill

Instagram: @morbidcupcakes 

See ya all soon! 

   -A

H A U L// Mini MAC Haul

The other day I was feeling really cruddy. I thought I was going to get a job that I had been waiting on but there was another set-back so I am stuck waiting around again. I was so bummed and instead of resorting to eating my feelings I resorted to good o'l retail therapy from M.A.C cosmetics. 
My shopping habits never "look" too out of hand because I don't buy loads all at one time. Its all a facade I tell you! (lies, lies, sitting on a throne of lies!) I am just shopping all the time so I end up collecting a lot but in very small doses. #feelingspendy

MAC Fix + Setting Spray

Firstly, I wanted to get my hands on MAC's  Fix+ setting spray. When I was first interested in makeup, MAC cosmetics was a big deal. It was the only high-end brand I really knew. Their Fix + spray had been something I had wanted to try since then. Now, many years later I have it and I have really been getting on with it. The mist is very fine and gives my skin a nice dewy finish whilst helping to set my makeup. What I really like using it for though is spraying a eye-shadow brush and spreading a wash of color on my eyes. Giving your eyeshadow look a gleaming finish.

MAC Eyeshadow -- Amber Lights 

I was craving some MAC eyeshadows baby. Aw yeah! I am starting that collection baby! I don't see this shade often in other blogger's MAC hauls but I am a sucker for golden eyeshadow. It makes my blue eyes pop! I am sure most of you are aware of MAC's beautiful eyeshadow pigmentation but I will just reiterate that I just barely have to touch the shadow with my brush to get what I need. 

MAC Eyeshadow-- Antiqued 

The other shade I picked up is Antiqued, a deep bronze shade that I think works wonders up in the crease that adds dimension to a eye look. Like above mentioned I only need one *tap* and I am good to go! Plus, being a lover of all things antique I felt this shade needed to be in my beauty arsenal. 

MAC 217 Blending Brush

In the beauty and blogging world there should be a giant book filled with "essential" beauty products every beauty enthusiast should have in their arsenal. I swear it would be massive and also it would probably have this brush listed in there as well. Everyone needs a honest to good blending brush for your eyeshadow. This brush has has fine, densely packed fibers that create a oval shape and it is so soft and nice. It has really changed how my eyeshadow looks because I am able to BLEND baby BLEND! 

And that just about wraps it up for today's post. I hope you all doing well. I am about to leave on my big adventure to California soon! It's very exciting. Though the not so exciting aspect of that is packing....which is where I am at currently. Trying to organize a "What's in my Travel Makeup Bag" or a "Travel essentials post" for you all. We'll just have to see if that gets done in all this craziness. 

I hope all of you are doing well, leave me comments below! Tell me what your favorite MAC products are? I am curious to know! 

I will see you all next time! 

Find me on Twitter & Instagram 

@AllegraShortill 

@morbidcupcakes 

                          - A