My Half a Year Favorites

     It’s pretty unreal to think we’re six months into the year; we’re halfway though the year! I’m not a person who can do a monthly favorites blog because I pretty much use the same things over and over. I thought making a half-year post would perfect. It gives me time to try things properly and say how I truly feel about something.  So here are a few things I’m loving so far.

Urban DecayConcealer

I have the shade medium/neutral, which I’ve been using to cover up blemishes. I love this because it last all day long. I use a beauty blender to blend it out over my foundation and it blends right in.

First Aid BeautySkin Recuse Oil-Free Mattifying Gel

I have oily skin and I am already a huge fan of First Aid Beauty (FAB). So of course when I heard about this I wanted to try it. I find when using the product my skin isn’t as oily as it normally is. My skin does get oily and I still have to blot, but I don’t have to blot as much.

Boscia Makeup-BreakupCool Cleansing Oil

This has quickly become my ‘holy grail’ of makeup removers. I use half to one pump of this and work it in for maybe 30 seconds to a min into the skin. It takes off all my makeup including waterproof mascara. It is expensive but a little of this goes a long way. It’s also great for travel to take off makeup because the last thing you want to do is carry multiple things to remove your makeup.

It Cosmetics 105Airbrush Blending Crease Brush

This was somewhat an impulse buy. I had heard a lot about these brushes and I wanted a brush that I know I’d use. I was in Ulta one day and thought… why not. This is good at blending in the crease. I use this to blend eye shadow when I’m only wearing one shade on the lid, as to not look to harsh. The brush is soft on the lid and has the hairs have no came out when I wash it. It’s pretty durable and for the price $14, its not bad.

Almay’s SmartShade Lipbutter

I did a post on this a while back but I have really been using these lipsticks? I’m not sure if they’re lipsticks or if they’re classified as lip butters. I have dry lips and these are great because they’re hydrating to the lips. They also have great pigmentation. What’s great about the lipbutters is that Almay has four shades for three different complexions, which makes it easy to find the right shade.

-Melissa

June Ipsy Bag

     What an interesting bag this month. Not only did I get a something I’m fond of but a few products that I am interesting in trying. I’m a sucker for leave-in conditioner and I am sincerely interesting in giving Pure Brazilian a go. Like I need more polish… said no one ever. Although it’s not a color I would wear everyday it is a cute color and that’s Absolute New York Nail Laquer in turquoise. 

     I’ve never tried anything from Dr. Brandt and I’m certain I own something from them (probably something Ipsy has sent) but I’m always iffy. I’m pretty interesting in trying Dr. Brandt Pore No More Vacuum Cleaner… pretty certain. I like the idea of a shadow crayon in fact I own a few that I don’t use. That doesn’t mean I don’t need anymore. TreStique Mini Shadow Crayon in Aspine Pine is actually the creamiest crayon I own. I do love the color, a nice green but realistically I may never really wear it… it has glitter.

     My first primer was Smashbox’s Photo Finish Foundation Primer. It’s not a bad primer and they’ve come along way since then, adding different primers targeting different things. However, even though I have oily skin this one has always been my favorite than the light primer.  I haven’t used this one in a very long time. I see what they’re doing here.  


-Melissa

One Year Later…Blogging

    It’s pretty surreal to think I’ve been blogging for a year. Today makes one year since my first post. Within the year of blogging I’ve learned so much not only about myself but how I want to express myself while blogging. I’m certainly not the best nor am I popular in the blogging world but that’s okay. I’m myself when I write and that’s the most important thing to me; that’s not saying no one or anyone in particular isn’t. I’m basing my opinion solely on myself. There are so many do’s and don’t out there I pretty much stopped reading them but I do take some in mind. I’ve read post that tell me not to publish too many pictures… I love pictures! I’ve read blogs that say keep it simple; sometimes I want them to elaborate more. The most important thing I’ve learned…

Speak in your voice and you’ll be fine

Write about what you love. You’ll thank yourself later.

Be you. Don’t be afraid to be your true self.

It’s okay to take a break, your human.

Monday, Wednesday or only on Sundays; post because you want to not because you feel you have to. 

Writers block? Take a deep breathe, grab a tea, (or whatever you like), clear your mind and see if you can go from there.

Don’t let people tell you can’t do something.

Don’t listen to negativity. You can do it!

Good luck!

Melissa