Current Ride or Die Makeup Products - Summer Time

 Hi friends,

It's been a while since I've blogged about makeup and I miss it! With quarantine, I've really learned what products from my huge makeup collection I can't live without. Also, in the summer I prefer lighter coverage (let some of those freckles and imperfections shine through). I also love me some cream products though as my skin gets more mature, I'm moving towards them all year round That said, there are a few powders and powder products that make my heart happy.  So below are my top products in every category. 

Primer

Supergoop Glowscreen Sunscreen - I'm obsessed with this because not only does it hydrate, give you a beautiful glow and lay well under makeup, but it has an SPF of 40, which is essential for me. Gotta protect that skin!

Glowscreen Sunscreen SPF 40 PA+++ - Supergoop! | Sephora

Foundations/Skin Tints 

(Note: my skin is dry so I like hydrating and glowy products) 

1. YSL Touche - Eclat All in One Glow - This has been a ride or die for years and still going strong

Touche Eclat All-In-One Glow Foundation (sephora.com)

2. Fenty Eaze Drops - Obsessed and the price is awesome

Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint — 8 | Fenty Beauty – Fenty Beauty + Fenty Skin

3. Pat McGrath Foundation - I'm also obsessed, but the price is not so awesome. If you're looking to splurge, its beautiful. 

Pat McGrath Labs Long-Lasting Foundation | Sephora

Concealer 

1. Dior Skin Glow - This has quickly become my new fave. It has great coverage, it's hydrating, it's simply beautiful

Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer - Dior | Sephora

2. Makeup Forever Self Setting Concealer - Makeup forever just does makeup so right

Ultra HD Self-Setting Concealer - MAKE UP FOR EVER | Sephora

3, Pat McGrath

If you're looking for a full coverage concealer, this is the one. Although the coverage is amaze, it's super easy to blend and doesn't look/feel heavy or cakey.

Pat McGrath Labs Full Coverage Concealer | Sephora

 

Powder

1. Pat Mcgrath - This smooths and brightens and is so finely milled, you can't really tell you're wearing powder

Sublime Perfection Blurring Under-Eye Setting Powder - PAT McGRATH LABS | Sephora

2. Makeup Forever Powder Foundation - I love this to smooth and add some extra coverage 

Matte Velvet Skin Blurring Powder Foundation - MAKE UP FOR EVER | Sephora

Bronzer/Contour 

1. Huda Beauty Tantour - Such a grade shade and so easy to work with

Tantour Contour & Bronzer Cream - HUDA BEAUTY | Sephora

2. Lilah B - This bronzer is just everything

Bronzed Beauty™ Bronzer Duo - lilah b. | Sephora

Blushes 

1. Melt Cosmetics Blushlights - These are so stunning, long lasting and pretty much perfection

Cream Blushlight - Melt Cosmetics | Sephora

2. Patrick Ta - This product is so versatile because you get a cream and a powder. You can wear them on their own or layer. This product was actually designed to layer the cream on top of the powder, which usually is a no no, but the result is gorge. Of course my fave shade is She's So La

Major Beauty Headlines - Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush - PATRICK TA | Sephora

3. Em Cosmetics Heaven's Glow Blushes - These are the only powder blushes I use these days. They are so glowy  and pretty. 

HEAVEN'S GLOW RADIANT VEIL BLUSH (emcosmetics.com)

Mascara 

Hourglass Caution - Still my ride or die. It's the only mascara that doesn't transfer on me and it does such a great job of lengthening and separating. It's the not the most volumizing tbh, but it does the job. 

Caution™ Extreme Lash Mascara - Hourglass | Sephora

Highlight

As I've grown older, I like a much more subtle highlight. 

1. Hourglass Strobe Lighting Palette - Gives such a nice glow. You can definitely build it up to make it more blinding, but it never looks crazy or glittery, it's that glow from within type of look

Ambient™ Metallic Strobe Lighting Palette | Hourglass Cosmetics

2. Em Cosmetics Moonbeam Cushion

AURA | MOONBEAM CUSHION HIGHLIGHTER (emcosmetics.com)

Lips

I'm obsessed with Em Cosmetics can ya tell (not sponsored, I wish!) Their lip liners, lip cushions, clear gloss are just perfection. 

LIP CUSHION (emcosmetics.com)

I also really love Pat McGrath lip liners, lipsticks and glosses, but with all things Pat McGrath you may want to wait for a sale. 

Lip Fetish Divinyl Lip Shine - PAT McGRATH LABS | Sephora

Eyeshadow Palettes 

In summer I love peaches, pinks/purples and bronzes

1. Patrick Ta - This new palette is a neutral lovers dream. I love that he included two cream shadows to act as a base or a one and done. 

Major Dimension Eyeshadow Palette - PATRICK TA | Sephora

2. Em Cosmetics (shocker I know, but how cute are these palettes)

MAGIC HOUR | DIVINE SKIES (emcosmetics.com)

3. Sigma Cor De Rosa This rosy, peachy dream is so lovely. I get compliments everytime I wear it

Cor-de-Rosa Eyeshadow Palette (sigmabeauty.com)

4. Natasha Denona Bronze - I enjoy looking and feeling like a bronzed goddess and this palette is perfect for that

Bronze Eyeshadow Palette - Natasha Denona | Sephora

5. Anastasia Norvina Palette (OG Smaller Palette) -I've recently re-fallen in love with this palette. It's so soft, pretty and whimsical

Norvina Eyeshadow Palette - Anastasia Beverly Hills | Sephora

6. Roen - Another fantastic option for one and done and the formula is so special and unique

ROÉN 11:11 Eyeshadow Palette – SHEN®️ (shen-beauty.com)

7. Charlotte Tilbury Pillowtalk

Yep, another peachy pink palette. This one is so pretty for everyday, work (if we ever go back to offices, brides, date night. I just love it, can ya tell? 

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Instant Eyeshadow Quad | Sephora

What are your summer must haves? Let a girl know!

Fall Makeup Trends and Must Haves

I love fall time. This is a sentence I never thought I'd say back in my school days. I used to walk to school backwards and I cried on every single first day of school until my junior year of high school. I was such a well adjusted child.

As an adult, however, I find fall magical. Hocus Pocus, gingerbread lattes, cozy sweaters and boots. I mean it's still like 80 degrees in Los Angeles, but it's getting cooler. Gradually. Little by little.

I also really love fall makeup with those warm rich colors and dark vampy lips. So I'm going to break down some fall trends and some of my very favorite corresponding products. Let's start with eyeshadow palettes, since those are the most exciting if you ask me.

Jewel Tones 

I am loving this jewel toned trend. There are a few options I've seen including the Kathleen Lights & Colourpop So Jaded Palette and The Persona Cosmetics Identity 2 Palette. While I don't have either of them, I don't think you can go wrong as both brands have a wonderful eyeshadow formula. I chose the Anastasia X Jackie Aina Palette and I am completely obsessed with it. The shades are really unique and beautiful and you can create so many looks. This one is limited edition so if you want it, you should grab it. Of course, I think you should definitely grab it. I'm also still so in love with my Huda Beauty Desert Dusk Palette.

Grungy Tones 

Who doesn't love a good grungey look. It brings me back to the 90s, one of my very favorite decades filled with My So Called Life angst, flannel shirts and Nirvana. When I think of grunge and makeup, I immediately think of Melt Cosmetics. From their Dark Matter Stack to their Gemini Palette, you can easily create a grungey look that will have Jordan Catalano sending you notes to meet him in the boiler room.

Berry Tones 

I am loving delicious Berry tones that make me think of Thanksgiving and cranberry sauce. Two palettes I love berry berry much (I couldn't help myself) are the Colourpop Whatever Palette and The Dominique Cosmetics Berries and Cream Palette. Colourpop is just killing it with their monochromatic palettes and Christen Dominique has killed it with her incredible formula. You can't go wrong with either. Or both.

Warm Tones 

For a while, I feel like so many of us overdosed on warm toned palettes. To be honest, I still typically go for more neutral or cool toned looks. Except in the fall when I want to feel like autumn leaves falling from the trees. I'll be your girl for all seasons, all the years through. Your girl for all seasons cause I love to be everything for you. A little Grease 2 for ya. I've gone off on a strange tangent.  There are so many warm palettes. So so many. So I'm going to narrow my list down to two. First is the Colourpop California Love Palette. This was marketed as a summer palette, but it is not. If this doesn't scream fall to you, I don't know what will.

I also just had to include a Pat McGrath palette because they are just the best eyeshadow palettes in the world quite frankly. If you want to look like a bronzed goddess, the bronze ambition is the palette for you.

Mature Glitters  

At Christmas and New Years Time we can go full on glitter, but in the fall a more subtle lid is a nice touch. My faves are the hourglass scattered lights in Smoke and Ray. I also have to give a mention to their holiday set. You get three beautiful scattered light shades for a decent price! I also must give a shout out to Stila Magnificent Metals in my fave shade Wanderlust.

Nude Blushes 

I'm seeing a ton of beautiful nude blushes that give your cheeks a little something something, but it's a natural and bronzey looking flush that will go with any look. I love blush so much. My all time favorite is Buxom Wanderlust Blush in Seychelles. Not only is it the perfect neutral shade, but it lasts really long on the cheeks (it's a primer infused blush and that bit of primer infusion really does the job) and it also gives a beautiful sheen to the skin. Other great options are the Bare Minerals Bounce and Blur Blush in Blurred Buff, Hourglass Brilliant Nude and the Cover FX Monochramatic blush duo in warm honey.

I also must say - Hourglass holiday sets are the absolute best. They are limited edition and they sell out quickly, but I promise you won't be sorry. Although the price tag is a bit hefty, hourglass powders are so special and beautiful. You get a bronzer, blushes, highlight and finishing powders. I literally use mine every single day, I travel with it and it's truly a game changer. This year they also came out with a beautiful blush quad as well.

90s Lips

Have I mentioned I love the 90s? I'm so happy that so many brands like huda beauty, charlotte tilbury and melt cosmetics (to name a few) are ready throwing it back to that 90s dark nude, brown lip, vampy kinda vibe. Below are so of my fave 90s inspired lip shades.

Il Makiage X Carli Bybel



Libra Lipstick + Luna Lip Liner

Em Cosmetics Infinite Lip Cloud in Morning Mocha

Colourpop Lippie in Grunge

Glosses

I'm so happy the gloss trend isn't going away! I love me a good gloss

Ofta Lip Gloss - Rodeo Drive

Bite Beauty French Pressed Gloss in Dirty Chai

Persona Lip Gloss - Honey

Fenty Gloss Bombs - They also have an adorable holiday gift set. These colors though!

Pat McGrath Lust Gloss - Faux Real + Contour Liner

What are your fall makeup must haves?

My Favorite Nude Lipsticks

Hello fellow nude lip lovers. I figured after my blog about Jaclyn Hill and Lipstickgate, I'd follow up with nude lipsticks that are actually amazing. My skin tone is pretty fair, so the majority of my picks are best suited for light skin tones (sorry!) in terms of shades, but I will be talking about my all time favorite formulas in general so hopefully you can find your perfect nude. I'd also highly recommend this video and Alissa Ashley's channel.She is a fantastic beauty guru and has excellent recommendations for medium to deep skin tones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqzBCd93Qak

I'll mix in some affordable options because a couple of my favorites are insane. Let me know your favorites and if you try any of these, send nudes!! (pics of your fave nude lipsticks to clarify). If you're thinking they all look the same, you're not really wrong BUT also you don't really get it.

Nude Lipliner

Pat McGrath
Shades: Contour and Done Undone

I know these are insanely expensive, but they have changed my lip liner game in the sense that I used to not wear lip liner's and now I can't live without these.  They are creamy, long wearing, long lasting and these colors!! Between the two of them, they will really work with anything.

Nude Lipsticks 

Charlotte Tilbury
Pillowtalk

I feel like this nude pink lipstick has become iconic and is my go to. Charlotte's matte revolution formula is fantastic because it's comfortable even on my dry ass chappy lips. You really can't go wrong with this perfect gem.

Charlotte Tilbury
Kim  KW

Although I'm not a huge Kardashian fan, I am a fan of this true nude lipstick in Charlotte's glorious satin finish. One of my all time favorite lipsticks ever.

Becca Ultimate Lipstick Love
Sugar

I love this cool light pinky beige for when I'm doing a more cool toned look. I also am obsessed with the formula, silky-satin lip color infused with the next generation of hyaluronic acid to keep my lips hydrated. Yes, I stole that from the Sephora description because they just said it so well.

Colourpop Luxe Lipstick
 Appy & Butter

What did we do without Colourpop? They make affordable products that are truly incredible and their luxe lipsticks are no exception. The creme lux are my personal favorite formula. Appy is described as a warm pinky beige. I also love Butter, a pale peachy nude. They have an amazing selection of colors and finishes so if you can't find your shade, it's not them - it's you.

 Colourpop Lippie Stix
 Grunge

 Put on your favorite flannel and pair it with this matte mid-toned red brown. Between that description and the fact that it is actually named "Grunge" do I even need to say more? Although this isn't nude on me, it could definitely be a nude option on deeper skin tones.

Pat McGrath Matte Trance Lipstick
1995

I miss the 90s (in case you couldn't tell) and this warm light nude takes me back. Also, Pat McGrath is a goddess.

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick
Honeycomb

I love Bite Beauty's lip products, especially this beige nude dream.

Nude Lip Gloss

Fenty Gloss
Diamond Milk

This is a shimmering pearl and while not nude per se, it is just magical on top of a nude lipstick or liner. I love all three of Fenty's glosses and you can't go wrong with any or all of them, but this is the most special and unique if ya ask me.

 Bite Beauty French Press Lipgloss
 Flat White

Described as a pale pink, this gorgeous gloss is pigmented and smells like coffee! Win/win for a coffee lover like me.

Marc Jacobs High Shine Gloss
Sugar Sugar

Described as a champagne gold shimmer, this is truly the perfect nude lip gloss

Marc Jacobs Lip Gloss Stick
Mocha Choco- Lata

 First of all, how genius is a lip gloss stick? Secondly, I love me a good pinky nude. This lovechild of a lipstick/lipgloss/lip balm gives me life.

Pat McGrath Lust Lip Gloss
Faux Real

Described as a deep beige with a pearlescent sheen. First of all, Pat McGrath can do no wrong and her lipsticks, lip liners and lip glosses are perfection. I especially love this color because on me it reminds me of a grungy 90s lip gloss (if there was such a thing) but it also works on deeper skin tones!! It's so beautiful.

 Ofra Cosmetics
Apricot Dream

Apricot dream is right! I am obsessed with this sheer shimmering peach. It's shiny and juicy without being sticky. Simply stunning! I love to pair it on top of Ofra's liquid lipstick in Manila (see below).

Lip Laquer

Lancome L'Absolu Lacquer
Nuit & Jouer

I had to give this it's own category because it's a unicorn of a product. It has the sheen and comfort of a lip gloss, but the staying power of a lipstain. While I love many of the shades, 202 Nuit & Jour is a gorgeous light pinky beige. I'm in love with this color and this formula! 

Liquid Lipstick

Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint
Unbuttoned

Fenty makes my favorite liquid lipstick formula - one that my parched lips can tolerate. This peachy nude is comfortable, long lasting and lovely. It does transfer (which is probably why I can wear it since it's not tooooo matte), but I don't mind because it's awesome sauce.

Ofra  Cosmetics
Manila

Ofra also has a wonderful and comfortable liquid lipstick formula. Manila is the ultimate nude with a mousey formula that lasts long, but doesn't give me butthole lips. No one wants butthole lips.

What are your go to nudes?