Favorite Make-Up Products

For the last year or so, I have been on a quest to find my "holy grail" in make-up and skincare products. While I'm still working on creating and retaining a proper skincare routine, I have found some of my favorite make-up stuffs and I'm excited to share it on Lauren and Bre's new link-up! Add it To My List will be a monthly installment of recommendations on anything you want- button below to see others' recommendations! Now on to the cosmetics!

[sorry for crappy photo]

Old Faves

Urban Decay Naked (original)- every color I could possibly need and lasts forever. 

Urban Decay Original Eyeshadow Primer Potion- obviously the best, tried and true. A little bit packs a punch.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil- I received a set as a Christmas present and never looked back. It's a little hard to remove, which is just a testament for how well it stays on for the long haul. 

Maybelline Define-A-Lash- It would be hard to convince me that any brand is better than Maybelline for mascara. This one is my fave because it doesn't clump and makes my lashes look super long. I strive for length more than volume. 

MAC blush in Flirt and Tease [discontinued]- I stocked up on this on Ebay when I found out it got discontinued, as it is one of the few shades that looks good on me without being overwhelming. 

Smashbox Lash DNA [discontinued]- volume and length for dayssss, but it did get a bit clumpy. It was fine if I used one of those eyelash separator things. 

New Additions

Burt's Bees lipstick in Scarlet Soaked: I love the color and creamy texture. It's also quite moisturizing, but tends to bleed. Works well with...

NYX Wonder Pencil: I forgot where I heard about this one, but it's supposed to conceal blemishes, stop lipstick from bleeding and fading, and brighten eyes if used as an eyeliner on the waterline. I've never used it as a concealer, but it's great used as a neutral lip and eye liner. It stays put throughout the day without drying out your lips which was a huge deal for me because I love creamier lipsticks. 

Covergirl Queen Collection Stay Luscious lipstick in Passion: I received this in an Influenster box and was skeptical that the bright color was too bright. I don't wear a lot of lipstick and when I do, I tend to stick to more subdued shades but this pink-red would work well on just about any skin tone. It's not sticky and stays on well through multiple cups of coffee or wine, you pick. 

NYX Studio Effect Photo-Loving Primer: I've never used a primer before, so I wanted to start with a clear one that was inexpensive but also had solid reviews. (Also, Jill recommended it on Steph's blog, so I knew it had to be good.) 

Rimmel soft kohl eyeliner: Goes on smoothly, and stays there. What more do you really need from an eyeliner? I always keep this in my bag for on the go touch ups. 

Smith's Rosebud Salve: I don't know what took me so long to try this stuff, especially since I love the smell of roses, but I love it. It actually acts more like a lip treatment for me especially in winter when my lips tend to crack and chap fairly often. And a small tin lasts for a really, really long time.

Sephora Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer: I love the gel-to-powder formula and the sponge-tip applicator because it makes it easier to apply without going overboard.  It's lightweight, blends well, and covers and brightens dark under eye circles. And they have a large selection of shades to match any skin tone.

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation (not pictured): I hardly ever wear foundation because I don't like the idea of covering my entire face with something and I feel like I'm wearing a mask. Also I feel like it gets on everything, and since I don't wear it often, I'm always touching my face when it's on. But if I do wear it, I like the shades and feel of this one. It also blends easily.

Favorite Dupes:
E.L.F. Shadow Lock Eyelid Primer- Picked this up because I didn't want to pay for the UD one. It doesn't work as well, but a solid back up for $2. 

E.L.F. Baked Eyeshadow Trio in Peach Please- I forgot my coveted Naked palette when I headed to VA for a wedding. For reference, the colors are comparable to Virgin, Toasted, and Dark Horse from the Naked palette. (Website says online only, but it's available in just about any drugstore.)

What are some of your tried and true make up favorites? 

Three on Thursday

Stealing a page from Steph's blog, here are three things I'm loving/recommendations I'm making this week: 

1. Team Adidas Originals Men's Adi Racer Low Goodyear Sz 6 Driving Black Shoes (Rare). Yes, you read that correctly; technically, they're men's sneakers. But they are awesome. I bought these bad boys on Ebay *as new* for $40 after my old faves crapped out on me and they no longer make them. (Similar here.) I may get these for summer, but since they're on Amazon there's no rush.

 

2.  Town House Flatbread Crisps in Tomato, Basil, and Mozzerella. Purchased these on a whim, could not stop eating them. Typically I'm not a snacker, so that's definitely saying something. Also, I just figured out that I'm more into savory than sweets. 

3. Create 365's Happy Planner Mini. Several years ago, I had a planner that I loved and bought it every year for about 5 years, at which point they unceremoniously discontinued them. I loved them because they came in every color imaginable, had a faux leather cover, and included a subway map which was super helpful since I was working in NYC at the time and am directionally challenged. (Edit: Ok, apparently they started selling them again, but now they're goatskin and come in only 2 colors. Lame.) Then I went the full-blogger route and purchased the Paper Plum Design Planners for two years. Though I liked it the sturdy cover, personalization, pockets, and allthespace, I found it was too big and heavy to carry around on my commute, so I often just left it at work. Not so helpful. I think I first heard of these on Donna's blog, and upon seeing it in person, purchased it immediately. I love it. It's small enough to carry with me everywhere and has enough space to jot down everything I need (including meal plans/food diary, post ideas and some financial stuff). I chose the horizontal layout but they have vertical one as well if that's more your style. The best part? You can add to it as needed! Want to add a finance or fitness tracker? They have inserts for them, and online tutorials for how to make your own! Also, right now they're only $10 (and there's a 40% off coupon on the Michael's website.) Double win! 

What are some things you're loving lately? 
Linking up with Kristin! 

2016 Highlights // Word of the Year // Small Goals

First, some highlights from last year:

+ I visited 5 new places: Asbury Park, NJ, Williamsburg, VA, Key West/Islamorada/South Beach, Jim Thorpe, PA and my birthday trip and one I've been wanting to visit for years, New Orleans!

Key West, FL in March

+ I lost my job,... and got a new one! That in itself has made this year trying, but I'm so grateful to have been given a new position and a new challenge.

+ I saw two Cirque du Soleil shows (Kurios: A Cabinet of Curiosities and Paramour), Stevie Nicks with Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders, Kevin Griffin (from Better than Ezra),  the Go Go's, Weezer and Panic! At the Disco, Fitz and the Tantrums, Sara Bareilles, Whitney Cummings, and The Boss (Bruce Springsteen).

+ I kept up traditions: Met/Phillies game, San Gennaro Festival, NJ State Fair, Renaissance Faire, blogger day(s), Surf Taco after beach days, annual camping trip and annual Halloween party.

NY Renn Faire 2016

+ I tried new things, like hijacking other people's Ubers, hitchiking, and line dancing with Christmas midgets.

+ New foods of note: gumbo, jambalaya, grits, turtle and alligator soup, seafood cioppino, piecaken, and limoncello cheesecake.

gumbo, jambalaya, and "dirty rice" and beans

+ I got my craft on with a cork wreath, painted wine glasses and a double/couple's canvas. I went to my first hockey game in 20 years! And became a fan of the NY Rangers.

+ I celebrated two graduations, 2 weddings, a lot of birthdays, and the birth of my friend's baby boy

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Word Of The Year: Choice

I've never had a word of the year, but I've been thinking of this particular word since around October. My mom kept mentioning it to me. "Remember, it's up to you; you have a choice." And then I started exercising that choice. I said no to things that felt like obligations but that I didn't want to or have to do. I said yes to spending more time and energy deciding what I wanted to and where I wanted to be and who deserved my time and resources. And you know what? It really did help to change my mindset about a lot of things, so I want to keep that word in mind for the rest of the year. 

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Small Goals for January

I mentioned before that I don't like the term resolutions. I like doing quarterly/seasonal goals because I feel like I have more time to complete them but those are more like seasonal bucket list items and they usually stay the same for each season. (For instance, I want to go to a baseball game in baseball season, and I always want to go to concerts/fairs/etc.) I stopped doing monthly goals because I felt like a failure if I forgot about them or didn't do them, but I'm bringing it back. So here are a few small goals for this month:

• Track spending and reassess my budget (and no shopping with the exception of some calf-fitting black boots)

• Power down by 10 (the latest!) and read before bed

• Do it now. I'm terrible at reading a message and thinking "I'll reply later" or missing a call and thinking "I'll call them later" and then later comes and goes, weeks go by and I forget completely and when I finally remember it's embarrassingly late. This has to end. Trying to remember things like that is taxing and actually adds unnecessary stress, whereas if I just do it now, I won't have to remember and it probably takes like three seconds. (Adopted from Amanda.) 

• Clean out at least one closet

• Create and maintain a daily/nightly skin routine. I'm thinking exfoliate twice a week, and mask at least once a week. Still trying to figure it out. 

What's your favorite memory from 2016? 

Do you have a word for 2017? 

Linking up with Writes Like a Girl and Kristin. 

Currently: January

Reading: One for the Money- Janet Evanovich for Erin's Reading Challenge 6.0! I really want to read my books this year, so 5 of them for the challenge are ones I already own.

Watching: I finished The OA on Netflix over the holidays. I have SO MANY QUESTIONS! Has anyone watched it? Please share your thoughts!

Listening to: a lot of Spotify. I caved and purchased Premium (99 cents for 3 months- how could I not?!). Really digging Fitz and the Tantrums Radio, which updates weekly with upbeat tunes. Two recent faves: Fresh Eyes- Andy Grammar and Fingertips- Leo Kaylan

Burning: Mahogany Teakwood from BBW. It's a heavier scent that I can best describe as smelling like men's cologne.

Eating: leftover spaghetti with meatballs (last night). Coincided nicely with National Spaghetti Day. 

Gathering: recipes! One of my goals for this year is to get back into cooking (something I've just stopped doing around,... mid-October maybe?). I got the Budget Bytes Cookbook for Christmas and I'm revisiting my food-related Pinterest boards in an attempt to find some enticing dinner ideas. So far I've only eaten leftovers (uh, cleaning out my freezer?), but I did finally go grocery shopping and made a meal plan for next week! Baby steps.

Writing: to do lists, a revised weekly schedule of what I want to do at home each day, and posts! Expect to see a 2016 Recap, Favorite Make-up/Beauty of 2016, and a New Orleans recap soon! 

Making: space. I did a lot of organizing/cleaning/purging over the break, but I'd like to do some more, particularly in my closet. I was able to create this little reading nook in my bedroom though, which has become one of my new favorite spots.

imagine a fluffy throw blanket over one side

Sipping: red wine, as I do in the winter.

Following: not a whole lot lately. I took a break from social media last month (except IG and a couple of random posts here),  but I'm trying to get back in the swing of things. I started following a few new-to-me blogs in the last week though. Shooting Stars Mag, Nesting Nomad, My Pixie Blog (another NJ native!), and Write Like a Girl to name a few.

Resolving: I don't really like the term "resolutions." I make quarterly goals (more like a seasonal bucket list) and 101 in 1001 goals. There are a few key goals I'd like to reach this year though, like overhaul my finances in general and track my spending this month, save more money, pay off a student loan, and get rid of excessive "stuff" in my apt.

What's currently new with you?

Linking up with Anne, Kristen, Gretch, and Kristin!