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

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 

   

February Amo're : February Favorites

This will be my first ever monthly favorites post! 

- throws confetti- 

The month of February is not my most favorite month of the year but at least its one step closer to spring!

( which happens to be a favorite.) 

Beauty and Skin Care:

My first favorite of this month has got to be my: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. I made a lot of beauty discoveries at the beginning of this year and this product is probably my favorite. 

My skin this month has been absolutely rubbish! but, with this concealer, hardly anyone would know. It brightens and conceals everything! I wrote a full review on it here if you want to know more. The short of it is. This product, has become a holy grail in my makeup routine. 

My second favorite is a lip product from Revlon.

The Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm Stain in the shade: Sultry 

I picked this up finally after doing the little dance of putting it into your shopping cart and taking it out five million times.

I am pleased to say that I really, really love this thing. 

Not just for the deep red color, or the slight minty tinge or ease of application. It's lasting power is what impresses me the most. I am a "lip pusher", when I am stressed or idle I tend to squeeze my lips together very tightly. That habit tends to lessen the longevity of my lipstick but this exceeds the life of a normal lipstick. Its great and affordable. 

Instant favorite!

Third favorite of February is the Vaseline Spray and Go Moisturizer.

Yes, spray moisturizer. To some it may sound lazy.

To me, it sounds like one hell of a grand idea.

Whether the old furnace kicks in to keep me warm but in return makes my whole body feel like a desert or, when I hop out of the shower with fresh shaven legs only to itch them red afterwards. This product comes in to save the day.

I have the cocoa radiant scent and its heavenly. I would love to try the aloe-vera one when it starts to get hot! 

My fourth beauty favorite is the Real Techniques Stippling Brush. This brush was my first lovely introduction to the Real Techniques highly acclaimed brand and I was instantly pleased upon first use! 

Blends in foundation, concealer seamlessly. The brush is soft but dense. Makes me want to rush over to Ulta and buy the rest of their brush line. They are bloody brilliant. The girls of Pixiwoo really know their brushes! 

Music 

When I first started this blog I made large music posts featuring my music loves of the month. I kinda miss doing those posts but I would like to make them more efficient looking. Maybe having a playlist set up right on the post? 

I am not sure. It will be sorted with later, anyhow!

 A rather recent music discovery has changed my life. Which is why it got it self into my monthly favorites.

LULLATONE, where have you been all my life?

A couple, an american and a japanese woman living together in Nagoya started to make music together and created the magic that is Lullatone.

Lullatone, is that perfect, whimsical background music you always want playing in your everyday life. 

Its cheerful,happy and cute. That is something I need in my ears all day long.  I would normally pick a favorite track but, they are all my favorite. However, I will place here my most listened to album. 

Soundtracks for Everyday Adventures

Want more? 

Website ---- x

Bandcamp--- x

( You can also find them on Spotify!)

Random! 

Heading in the direction of food I wanted to share with you a recent delicious snack discovery.

Vitatops!

Always wanted to just have the top of a muffin without 

receiving actual muffin tops in return?

Now, they have that! In your grocery store organic section.

They are so delicious and filling! I like the chocolate ones because the curb my constant cravings for it. 

But here is the kicker.

They are only 100 calories each! 

(wow! amaze! ooh, ahh!) 

And that's all folks! 

My first ever favorites completed!

What have been your favorites this month?

Tell me in the comments below! I would love to hear from you. 

- A