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

WED//What I've Picked Up Recently

Hello everyone! Happy Wednesday! You might have heard through the grapevine that Sephora had a 20% sale for VIB and VIB Rouge Members just this past weekend, their friends and family sale a couple weeks ago and also a full blown event party for Rouges last Wednesday. And I took advantage of all and came away with some pretty makeup goodies to share with you. Now, even though I have this draw to buying makeup whenever I shop I seem to be very restrained and buy very minimally. However, working right across from Sephora ( my metaphorical candy store essentially) I collect things often.. That is how my collection grows. ( brick by brick...lipstick by lipstick) So this "haul" or a show and tell as I like to think of it is a collective of beauty items that I have gotten between these sales. 

Alright, lets look at the damage.

Marc Jacobs "The Dreamer" Eyeshadow Palette

Yup, I went for a pretty big ticket item here there is no denying that. More and more I have been fascinated into more luxury brands ( dangerous territory. I know I am aware, my wallet is aware too.) to see what they have to offer. Plus pretty packaging is just as alluring to me as a moth to a flame. Now, does pretty packaging and the famous name brand justify this product? In this case I think it does. The Dreamer Palette drew me in with its warm neutral shades ( If you were able to ask anyone that knows me and my makeup tastes recently they would simply respond: warm. toned. neutral. eyeshadows.) I am in love with the selection of colors and I also really love the quality of these shadows. They are really nicely pigmented and beautiful on the lids. I especially love that peachy color, I think its pretty unique in my opinion. 

Beauty Blender Original

With so much hype surrounding this egg shaped pink little sponge I decided to take the leap and give it a go. Just fill this little guy up with water, watch him expand magically, squeeze out the excess water and then *bounce your choice of foundation on your face for a seamless application. I am pleased with the results this sponge gives. No need for tireless blending and streaky lines a brush can sometimes give. However, like most sponges they get filthy. Very quickly in fact. I have the special solid "blender cleanser" that I got many moons ago that works effectively but once that sponge is used it will never look perfectly clean. Not that is any major issue but something that is a given with any sponge applicator. 

NARS Holiday Blush in "Almeria"

I would love to do a full review on this because this blush is so beautiful. From their "Laced with Edge" Holiday Collection NARS has done it again by bringing out a fantastically designed and formulated blush color. The design on the top appeals to their ultra chic modern aesthetic that I have spoken about before, but also you can gather that this could be a holiday blush because the design is reminiscent of frost. But the real ticket is the color, NARS's blushes have gathered a real cult following over the years but I had yet to try one other than swatching on the back of my hand. I don't own a ton of blush in my makeup collection but I think this addition is a star. It is described as a "tan rose" color with deep warm tones, its fully pigmented and matte and when I apply this with an angled blush brush it gives a beautiful flush to the cheeks. Plus, I am not the only one that thought this blush made a difference in my makeup, upon coming downstairs after first use of it both of my parents complimented me on my makeup ( which does not happen too often.) I think this one is going to be a firm favorite and I suspect I will be talking about it again in the future. 

Sephora Collection Classic Multitasker Blush Brush #54

During the VIB Rouge event last Wednesday I went to their little station where the associates instructed how to contour. I knew how to contour a little bit by being constantly attached to the computer learning about makeup however I thought I would immerse myself in the whole experience and really enjoyed myself! After successfully sculpting my cheekbones I realized I did not have an angled brush with which I could apply my newly acquired contouring knowledge. I strolled over to Sephora's extensive collection of brushes and picked this one ( there is another pro angled brush that was prettier looking, but this one was also cheaper) This brush is super, ultra soft and applies contour and that new Almeria blush very well and effectively. 

NARS Dual Intensity Eye Shadows- Himalaya & Andromeda

It's from NARS, its eye shadow, its an instant draw I just can't help it. These single eyeshadows are very soft to the touch the duality of these shadows come off as a duo-chrome ( there is more than meets the eye), but also the versatility of applying these shadows wet or dry for dramatically different looks is a very appealing aspect. The two colors I picked were  Himalaya which is described as a shimmering topaz and Andromeda which is just described as a alabaster shade. I think these colors would complement any neutral look or used just on their own. (Himalaya washed all over the lids and Andromeda popped on the inner corner and brow bone.) 

GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment( not pictured) 

Last month I was dealing with a bout of pretty terrible behaved skin. Despite my care for it, I had a flare up with painful acne and then after that a bout of regular acne appearing along my chin. I was looking for some reprieve and when I went to Sephora for the friends and family sale one of my favorite associates, Meghan ( Hello Meghan if you are reading!) recommended I try the Glamglow Clearing Treatment Mask, regaling me her success story upon using this product. There is a lot of hype surrounding these pricey little devils so with the sale and the great recommendation I decided to take the plunge. I have used this mask a couple times, especially when I have had a hard day. What I like about this mask so far is that I don't need to use very much. I only cover my troubled areas which is mainly my chin and my cheeks. This means I can enjoy this mask for a pretty long time. What I have noticed in my skin after using this mask so far is a smoothness that I don't normally feel, any painful cysts I may be dealing with feel much less agitated and any other acne is significantly diminished in size. 

I am pretty impressed with this stuff, I gotta say. Though I will continue to test it out and gather more thoughts on it. 

That wraps up all that I got from the recent Sephora sales. Did some pretty good damage but I love everything that I got.

Are there any beauty buys that you picked up recently? 

 I hope you all are enjoying your week thus far. I have been working pretty hard trying to get content written up ahead of time please let me know if there is anything you would like to see from me I am very open to new ideas. 

See you all next time! 

- A 

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!) 

MON// NARS Audacious Lipstick/ Charlotte

Hello everyone! How has the world been treating you? I have been managing a whole lot on my plate lately, which has been rough but I am hoping I can piece my life back together by the end of this month. ( whew! deep breaths) 
One of the best things that happened this month was receiving the loveliest package in the mail from my new blogger friend, Sydney, who runs a fantastic blog herself. She sent me amazing little bundle of beauty goodies. One of those goodies was this, The NARS Audacious Lipstick in the shade Charlotte. All I can say is that I am extremely thankful to receive a generous gift such as this. ( I am floored!)  I had been wanting one of these lipsticks for a while. This is a product from NARS's new and improved collection of lipsticks and they are no short of breathtaking. ( Well done Nars, you've done it again.) 

Packaging//Desgin

One of the most winning aspects of the NARS Audacious collection is its packaging. In one word its luxe. Sleek, and modern with the subtle branding on the package and on the lipstick bullet itself. Not only that, but the cap to the lipstick is magnetic, creating that satisfying *click* upon closing. ( Gets me every time, it is just so satisfying!)  

"Charlotte Sometimes"//  In my growing collection of lipsticks I still remain true to wearing reds and dark berry tones, especially now that it is autumn. Charlotte is described as a "oxblood burgundy". When swatched, I also find this shade has a hint of berry color in it. Its a perfect vampy shade for this autumn season. 

Formula//Texture 

NARS Audacious Lipsticks have a ultra soft creamy texture with full color saturation. It feels weightless on the lips and does not slip and slide nor does it feel too dry. All and all its a very comfortable lipstick to wear and it is very long lasting. Honestly, it probably would last a little bit longer on my lips if I weren't rubbing my lips together all the time. ( bad habit.) However, when it does wear off I do find that it leaves a pleasant stain in its wake instead of a patchy mess.  

Price//

Now, NARS is not known for being affordable or anything so it is not surprising to find that their new lipsticks do not come cheap. We are talking $32 a pop. However, this lipstick is a real treat and I believe one should be allowed to treat themselves to a nice lipstick once in a while. Had a rough time lately? Get yourself a smashing lipstick from the NARS Audacious Collection! You deserve it gorgeous! 

Have any of you tried the new lipstick collection from NARS? What are your thoughts? Leave your thoughts in the comments below! I hope you all are having a great long weekend! 

See you soon! 

- A 

P A T R I O T I C R E D S // Happy Fourth of July!!

Happy 4th of July everyone!! Can you believe it?! It's already July. Time seems to be flying on by! Today, since we are celebrating here in the United States I thought that now would be an appropriate time to share my red lipstick collection since the color red represents passion and patriotism. 
Red lipstick is basically all I have in my lipstick collection in general. I just like how it looks on my lips with the rest of my makeup routine. There is a shade of red for every season. I am interested in trying other shades of lipstick out there besides red but today, is not that day. 

Behold my capsule collection of reds! 

NARS Satin Lip Pencil --- Majella 

A beautiful garnet shade and a equally beautiful introduction to the NARS lip pencils in general. glides on smooth, creamy and lasts a good while. Also! did you know that each shade name from the satin lip collection  comes from certain parks and gardens?  


NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil --- Red Sq.

 The summer season came along and whispered to me that I needed a warmer lip color in my collection. I agreed and went with this beauty which lasts on my lips longer than the satin lip pencil obviously because its a dryer formula and less likely to slip around. I was unsure how I would look with a warm red but actually these days I prefer this over all my other reds. It is perfection in crayon/pencil form. The only downfall is that it does not sharpen itself.  

Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm --- Standout 

This drugstore must have does however twist up. I find this product to be my most handy red. I always have it tucked away in my bag so if I feel the need to reapply some sort of red I have one handy. The color is very pretty and its very affordable too. I highly suggesting picking one up.  

Sephora Rouge Infusion Stain --- Red Essence

This was an accidental purchase because I thought I was buying the lip stain I will talk about next. However, this stain is actually very nice. It is a very sheer finish. Great for days where I want my look to have a lighter feel. 

Sephora Cream Lip Stain --- Always Red 

After hearing a recommendation from blogger/youtuber: Amelia Liana about this lip cream I instantly felt that I needed to pick it up. This provides really long lasting color. Initially it feels very creamy on the lips and smells like a delicious vanilla cupcake but then settles down into a silky, lightweight stain that feels so comfortable on the lips you can barely feel it. So glad I listened to that recommendation! Thanks Amelia! 

Kate Moss Rimmel Lasting Finish --- 111 

This was my very first red in my collection. An oldy but a goody. It does not have the best lasting power but it does look nice while it lasts! 

What are your favorite reds? Does anybody have great recommendations? Leave it in the comments section below! 

And that about wraps it up for my capsule collection of patriotic reds! I hope that all of you are having a wonderful day and if you are celebrating the 4th of July like me today I hope that you eat lots of yummy food, spend quality time with family and watch spectacular firework shows! 

See you all next time! Happy Fourth of July! 

- A 

S H O P

Nars Satin Lip Pencil // $25.00

Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil // $25.00

Revlon Color burst Matte Balm // $9.49

Sephora Collection Rouge Infusion Lip Stain // $14.00
Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain // $13.00
Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish // $5.29

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

T U E S // Beauty Buys #2

Hello my dears! It's a dreary Tuesday afternoon. I am sitting in the corner of a bookstore cafe, blogging. Truly living the dream here! 

That being said I think there is something appealing about working away from home for a little bit. There are even studies done that indicate that people work best with the subtle hustle and bustle of cafe in the background. 

If you perchance don't constantly inhabit cafes there is a website called: Coffitivity that provides you the background noise for you to get your work done~ pretty neat huh? too bad it can't give you a real coffee to go along with that. 

Anyhow! Lets get back into the beauty talk!

I bought this stuff last week but never got around to write a post about them until now. I had also planned to combine this beauty haul along with a fashion one but ultimately decided against it. I have a hard time figuring out how I want to share fashion hauls at the moment. I would like to save my pennies and get a real camera, (though my new phone camera is freaking amazing) and a tripod so that way I can take good looking outfit pictures. Hopefully that day will come soon~ for now I will just work with what I got. If any of you guys have ideas of how to display better fashion hauls let me know. 

Hourglass Ambient Light Blush--Diffused Heat

  I have been waiting for weeks and weeks for this particular shade to come back into stock at my local Sephora.In fact pretty much all shades of this product were sold out for what seemed like forever. But I finally got my hands on it and I really like it so far. 

I couldn't decide on what shade I wanted for  the longest time. After humming and hawing I got Diffused Heat, a slightly more dramatic shade of poppy red. I think it looks really beautiful in the pan and on the skin especially when you sheer it out, providing you with a pleasant flush. X

DryBar Detox Dry Shampoo 

Just one of those products at the register that caught my eye and lead me to an un-calculated purchase (why does that always happen?!)I love a good dry shampoo and this product does not disappoint. It feels super cool on the scalp and hair and smells amazing. I have dark hair, so it does leave that cast if you hold too close, easily remedied if you hold it far away. I am planning on bringing this cute little mini with me on my trip to Cali. I think it will be perfect at keeping my hair feeling refreshed and actually kind of cool. ( Since my black hair + hot sun do not mix well together)  X

Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil -- Red Sq.

A shade I recently set my sights on since I felt that most of the red lip colors I owned tended to be on the cooler side and I was longing for a warmer shade for the summer time. I was a little timid not knowing how such a bright red would look on me but after giving this pencil a try I am hooked on it! 

  

( My newest profile picture for most of my social media features the Red Sq. Lip Pencil. It's soooo pretty!) 

 I often mix this with my NARS Satin Lip Pencil in the shade Majella ( a dark and rich red) by  placing it in the inner center of my lips for more definition. X

Alongside Red Sq. I finally picked up the sharpener. So ridiculously affordable at $6! and its perfect for sharpening these products. X

That is all I have to show today! I hope all of you are having a wonderful week! 

Come and network with me on Twitter & Instagram!

@AllegraShortill + morbidcupcakes

Also you can also follow me on Pinterest! -- X

See you all next time! 

- A 

Face of The Day #FOTD : Current Makeup Routine

Hello my dears. Today marks the first day of Spring!!1 I am so pleased that we have finally crossed out of Winter country. Now I expect to start feeling the warmer air wash over my cold skin and for flowers to start sprouting from their dirty beds. 

Today, I wanted to share my daily makeup routine with you all. It's bound to change since I am always experimenting with new products and have the desire to try new things when it comes to makeup. However, at the moment these products are my staples.

Base---- Sephora Collection: Perfection Mist Airbrush Foundation

     I wrote a whole blog-post about this foundation: here. I REALLY love this foundation. I spray it directly on my face or onto my Real Techniques Stippling brush and blend right in. It's long wearing, the price is affordable and it makes my face look really good. I am using my second can of it now!

Concealer---- NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer 

   Another "holy grail" product in my routine is the famed NARS creamy concealer in the shade, Chantilly.( Because I am uber pale.) I also have written a full review on this product also!: here. I have very problematic skin: very blemish prone with some scarring etc. It's just a mess. However, this stuff just pleasantly covers all that up and gives me a bright, even complexion. 

Highlighter--- Mary-Lou-Manizer by The Balm 
 Review: here. Most beautiful champagne color! Gives the perfect glowing complexion.

Blush/Contour--- Milani Powder in Amber Nectar
 A very  recent purchase that I am very pleased with. This product is a combination of: highlight, blush and a bit of bronze as well. This blush drew me in mostly due to its beautiful embossed roses on the product and it's name. Doesn't Amber Nectar sound like something that is perfect for spring? I think so.

Brows--- Anatasia Brow Wiz in Brunette 
Cult favorite and for good reason. The retractable nib on this product is so tiny you have so much control over your brows to create natural or dramatic brows that never fade. Plus! the brow brush on the other end is handy as well. The only downside is the price however perfect brows seem worth it.

Eyeshadow--- Stila Single Eyeshadow in Kitten & The Wet n' Wild Comfort Zone palette

I had been wanting a beautiful champagne color for my lids so I could just swipe it on and head out the door in one easy swoop. I find that Stila's Kitten shade does the job in a beautiful way.
 I think everyone needs a good champagne eye-shadow shade in their makeup collection because it is so versatile and effortless.

As for the Comfort Zone palette. It was one of the first reviews I ever did on The Bats and Rabbits. Here. It's one of the best bang for your buck I have yet to try. As you can see I have done major damage to the pale champagne shade and also the copper shade. I love using the copper color for the outer edge and crease! 

Lips--- Revlon Matte Balms in Standout and Sultry
 I love wearing lipstick, don't get me wrong. However, something about the chubby lip pencils really gets me. Every blogger and their mother have talked about these brilliant matte balms by Revlon because they are perfect drugstore dupes for the Clinique Chubby Sticks and also the Tarte Matte Balms! I first got the shade, Standout,because I love wearing deep red lip products! In fact, when I got my second matte balm in the shade, Sultry it was a tiny step out of my comfort zone because in the past I exclusively only bought red lip products. Both, are beautiful and it makes me want to collect them all! 

And that, my dears is the complete rundown of my current makeup 

routine. I hope all of you enjoy the first day of Spring!

Also! I finally bit the bullet and got a Twitter!

I never ever, ( ever) thought I would get a twitter but I knew I needed to cover all bases when it comes to communication to all my lovely dears. I am actually kind of enjoying it, albeit a tad confusing at times. I have added a "follow me on Twitter!" social media button at the top of the blog. Send me your tweets! I want to network!, get to know other bloggers and other readers! 

Tweet! 

 Thank you! and see you next time! 

xoxo

- A