Out on the Town

Hi everyone!

So while my last post was about what to do the morning after, this post is about prepping for the night before! I tend to not go crazy with makeup even on nights out. I go to school in the Midwest, and going out is a relatively causal thing compared to a big city. Even though I don't load up on the dark colors, I have found ways to layer my makeup to make it last throughout the night!

Primer makes a world of difference on my skin. I have really oily skin, especially in the warmer months! The Smashbox Photofinish Primer makes my foundation stay put all night. While I don't have any foundation featured here, I'd probably pick something like the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer if I wanted a light coverage, or the MAC Matchmaster Foundation for slightly more coverage. I usually go easy on the blush, since my cheeks get red flushed when I'm dancing. I like the combo of Benefit Coralista and the Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow Highlighter in Rose Gold for some definition without making me look like a clown by the end of the night. 

Eyes are always the hardest part for me for going out. How much is too much? I tend to air on the simpler side, just because I don't want my hard work to wear away! I like to layer on the Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe with some of my eye shadows in my Inglot Palette. My go-to is just to take a MAC 217 and blend the gray or purple color all over my lid and add a highlight. I add my MAC Engraved Powerpoint Liner all around my eyes, and finish with two coats of Maybelline The Falsies Waterproof Mascara. Easy-peasy. Since I do play up my eyes, I like to keep my lips relatively simple by using MAC's Innocence Beware lipstick and NARS Turkish Delight lip gloss. The nude color doesn't transfer to your drink glasses like brighter colors do! (fun fact: that's one of my pet peeves - coffee cups or plastic drink cups are the worst.)

What do you guys apply for a night out?

XO,

Kelly

Hungover? Not me!

Hi everyone! 

Since turning 21, I may or may not be more familiar with the sensation of being hungover being extremely tired than I care to admit. Waking up feeling nauseous (*cough cough* . . . sleepy) is never a good time (take vitamins before you go out!). Even so, sometimes its easy to get carried away on Friday and Saturday night. The next morning, when I'm staring at my dull. splotchy face in the mirror, I try to slap on this routine so that the wild time I had the night before isn't shown clearly on my face 

First up I start with the Simple Revitalizing Eye Roll-On. This is a great under eye treatment that helps de-puff and brighten eyes. Its really cooling, so it also gives me a little pick-me-up in the mornings! Over that, to conceal any dark circles, I use the Maybelline Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser in Light. This is one of the best under-eye concealers that I have ever used. The sponge-y applicator really helps apply a light, thin layer  and makes it much easier to blend in and conceal. For all over my face, I'll apply something light, like the Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream. The last thing you want is a dehydrated face under caked on makeup when you're feeling less than stellar. This adds some hydration to your skin, as well as evening out any redness or sallowness. To brighten up my complexion, I love using a coral blush like the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Stereo Rose. Coral work wonders for my skin, but a blue-toned pink might work better for paler skin tones. To finish off the look, I take a flesh-toned eyeliner, my favorite right now is the Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Midnight Cowboy, and line my entire eye with it, and smudge with my finger. This adds a brightness, without looking like full on eye shadow or eye liner. A few coats of waterproof mascara (my favorite is the Maybelline Falsies) complete the look. I prefer a waterproof formula on rough days just because my eyes water easily, and I don't have to worry about it smearing and flaking off my lashes all day. 

So that's my quick and easy pick-me-up routine. What are some of your essentials when you're hungover under the weather?

XO,

Kelly

French Skincare Haul!

Hi everyone! 

A few weeks ago, Escentual was having a sale on French skin care. So, naturally I decided to splurge. PS: I promise I'm not sponsored by them or anything, but ordering from them (They're a UK based company) is way cheaper than anywhere I've seen in the US. Just saying. 

First up is the Nuxe Reve De Miel Lip balm that was featured in my favorites post earlier this month. Like I said then, this is a great balm to wear on its own, or to layer under lipsticks. My lips have been really dry lately, so this has definitely been put to good use! I also picked up a few La Roche-Posay products, because I was obsessed with their serum that I tried a few months ago and wanted to see what else the brand had to offer. I got the Effaclar Duo Moisturizer* and the Effaclar Mat Moisturizer. The Duo moisturizer is AMAZING on acne. Especially around that time of the month, this helps keep my skin clear but doesn't dry out my skin. I can see why this is a cult favorite! I've also been impressed with the Mat moisturizer. While my skin isn't completely matte after this use, I do definitely notice a difference int eh amount of oil on my skin. I love putting this under foundation for a base - my makeup lasts so much longer with this! Finally, I picked up the infamous Bioderma. I got the one for oily skin, and it's seriously the best thing for after a night at the bar studying late. I love how this gets ALL of my makeup off and cleans my skin, without stripping it like a toner would. 

What have you been purchasing lately?

XO,

Kelly

*Because I bought this from a UK seller, this is the moisturizier formula. If you get the Effaclar Duo somewhere in the US, like Ulta, it's more of a spot treatment*

April Favorites

(First of all, sorry for the crappy picture - The place where I usually photograph is being occupied by a fan currently. It's HOT here!)

Hi everyone! I hope you all have been having a LOVELY spring! It's been weirdly nice here. If you've ever lived in Indiana, you know that it's impossible for the weatherman to ever actually be correct. He's been doing a great job for the past few days though, and I hope he keeps it up!

Anyways, since the weather has been getting nicer, my makeup products have been changing accordingly. I'm reaching for lighter bases and less makeup overall. It's finals week. And its hot. Ain't NOBODY got time for all that. 

First up, I've switched up my daily blush to NARS Orgasm. It's just one of the best blushes I own, I can't ramble on enough about it! I've been slathering on the Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm. As you'll see in an upcoming Empties post, I've gone through several lip products lately, so this was the next one in the line up! I know a ton of people love this lip balm, and I got it back when Escentual was having a sale. It's a hydrating balm with a chocolate-orange flavor that tastes amazing. I love using this morning and night, and before I apply a lipstick. Basically, I've been using this constantly in April. 

I have a few base products that I've been loving lately, and I first want to talk about the new one - the Simple Revitalizing Eye Roll-on. I got this in my Birchbox this month, and I've been using it nonstop! Even though its not tinted, I think I like this better than the Garnier Anti Dark Circle Roll on. I find this feels nicer on the skin and helps de-puff my eye area better in the mornings. On top of the Roll-on, I pat on the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Earase Dark Circle Treatment Concealer (wow. That's a mouth full). This is a great brightening under eye concealer, that I rediscovered this month. I love the applicator, because it makes blending out the product fool-proof. For all over my face, I've been loving the Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream. I think they've come out with an oily skin version which I really want to try, but I'll happily use this for now. It's a great tinted base for everyday and I'll slap this on after washing my face in the morning in place of moisturizer. 

What have you been loving lately?

And for those of you who are suffering through finals this week, good luck! 

XO,

Kelly

Pop of Color!

For those of you who never thought you'd see "color" and "Kelly" in the same sentence on this blog, trust me. I'm just as surprised. It's no shock to most of you that I'm a fanatic for a good neutral shadow. In fact, I can't even think of a time on here when I wrote about colored shadow! I guess it's the warmer weather, but lately I've been loving a light wash of purple on my eyes or lips. One of my go-to picks as of late have been The MAC Quite Cute eye shadow quad has two really pretty purples in it. I love using the lighter purple all over the lid, OR the darker purple to darken up an otherwise neutral look.  Another great shade that I sometimes use all over, or to line my eyes is the MAC Dame's Desire. This is an in-between purple shade, so while I'm too scared to wear it all over my lid, it's not quite dark enough to put in the crease. Struggle. 

Now, the purple liner, and the purple lip gloss may look terrifying, I promise, they're not. The Urban Decay Eye Liner in Asphyxia makes a great eye shadow base for the lighter purple shades. I just messily draw some over my lid, blend it in with a finger, and boom. Instant base. The lipgloss, which is the Smashbox Smile Brightening Lip Gloss, is one of my all-time favorite shades. It's a pretty lilac color that allegedly makes your teeth look whiter. While I can't attest to whiter teeth, this definitely adds a pop of color to my face without looking like a straight up purple. I'm not really into the grape-popsicle-mouth look, so I think for now, I'll stick with this guy. 

So while it's nothing drastic, I thought I'd share my new (baby) love for purple. While I'm not about to rock full on smokey eyes any time soon (for those that do, I applaud you), I think this is a great way to incorporate a pop of color into my otherwise neutral look.

XO,

Kelly

April Birchbox: Women's Health

What? A Birchbox post? I know. I subscribed again. I love it too much, and missed getting my pink box each month!

This month was the Women's Health edition of Birch box, and the whole theme is about little things we can do every day to make a change. I was super excited to get this box, because it comes with a subscription to Women's Health, which is one of my favorite magazines! I'm a little bit obsessed with the recipe sections . . . just saying. 

So here's a little run down of what was in the box:

Up first I pulled out the Caudalie Divine Oil. I haven't tried any Caudalie products before, but I've only heard good things about them, and I'm super excited to give this a try. It's a multi-purpose oil that you can use on your skin or hair, and PS: it smells amazing. The Nexxus Youth Renewal Rejuvenating Elixr is another oil that was included in this box that is specifically for your hair. Apparently, it's supposed to be an anti-ager for your hair. Who knew? It sounds kind of gimmick-y to me, but it's worth a shot! I'm so excited to try the Ruby Wing Color Changing Nail Polish in Poppy. I can remember being a little girl and getting the color-changing polishes at Claires, so this definitely brings back good memories. It's a gorgeous color, but I haven't had a chance to check out the color changing feature as it's been cloudy here for the past few days. Typical. I also received the Wish Shave Crave Shaving Cream. This. Smells. Amazing. It's got a blueberry scent, which I originally thought I would hate. Obviously, this isn't the case. The full size of this is $20, so I probably wouldn't get it after I use up the sample, but I'm definitely going to save this for when I'm at camp again this summer! The final product that I got was the Simple Revitalizing Eye Roll On. This is basically a cooling gel for the eyes, that helps them look less tired in the mornings. I've used this for the past two days, and while I haven't noticed anything super dramatic, I do feel more awake and refreshed after using it! 

What did you guys end up getting in your boxes this month?

XO,

Kelly

Updated Drugstore Favorites

Hi everyone!

Well as it's no secret that I'm currently a student, which also means that I am all too familiar with budgeting. While I would love to drop money on every high-end product I fancy, that's just not realistic at this point in my life. Because of this I've had the opportunity to find some real gems in the drugstore. I use most of these products on a weekly, if not daily, basis. So if you want to know what are my must-haves on a budget, then keep reading! 

First up, I have to mention the L'oreal Infallible Eye shadows. I have the shades Iced Latte and Bronzed Taupe. I still cannot get over how creamy and pigmented these shadows are! I love putting these all over my lid for a quick eye look. Another eye product that I'm obsessed with is the Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe. This is an amazing cream eye shadow to use as a base for smokey eyes because it really intensifies the darker colors. I really want to pick up lighter shades of these! A bronzer that I've been loving that doesn't cost an arm and a leg is the Physician's Formula Happy Boosting Bronzer. This is a great shimmery bronzer that looks great swept all over the cheeks, and really gives a nice glow without looking orange. One of my favorite lip balms from the drugstore is the Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm. I have the shade 30, and it's the perfect 'princess lips' color. It adds a perfect amount of color to the lips without looking too bold.

Moving right along, It's no secret that I'm obsessed with the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup. I'm almost out of my current bottle, and I'm already anticipating a repurchase! Other base products that I love are the Garnier Skin Renew Anti Dark Circle Roller for my under eye circles, and the Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream in Light/Medium. This a recent find from the drugstore, and a full review will be on its way (wink wink) but so far, so good! It's a great alternative to a tinted moisturizer for everyday. Of course, I had to mention the Revlon Lip Butters. I've repurchased the shade Creme Brulee, but I love all of the colors that I've tried. They're just great quick products to swipe on in the mornings. And last but not least, I have to talk about the Clean and Clear Persa Gel 10. This is the greatest acne spot treatment that I've ever tried. I'll apply this onto a spot at night before going to bed, and it's magically gone by the next day.

So those are my current favorites! What have y'all been loving recently?


Don't forget to click here to enter my Skin Regime giveaway! 
XO,
Kelly