Beauty Chat & Keeping Things Simple

Hitting thirty has been a real eye - opener for me in terms of skincare and how I want to look and feel. If the twenties are about experimentation, then the thirties are for buckling down and getting a little more serious. I find myself craving simplicity. Gina mentions it in this post and I absolutely agree with her. Even if I find the time to take extra steps in my routine, I don't really bother. I'd rather spend those extra minutes playing with my dog or watching the news. Simple is just better, easier. I'm trying to downsize on everything, including my makeup and my wardrobe. I spent most of yesterday trying on clothes, organizing my closet, donating those pieces that just don't fit anymore, and tossing out old makeup. It was hard, because I can feel the weight I've gained over the last year but it also served as a reality check, and was cathartic as well. Small changes can make the biggest impact.


One change is that I no longer crave a matte face. My skin has matured, unfortunately. From oily to dry. I now want a dewy youthful complexion, the one I so desperately tried to hide just a few short years ago. Luckily it's pretty easy to achieve with the products shown below. I first spray fix + on my makeup sponge to get it really damp, then I pat a pump of the foundation over my face and use the dampened sponge to create a nice even glow. Once I apply the rest of my makeup (mainly blush and concealer), I spray the all-nighter for even more moisture. I no longer use a setting powder, unless I go to a special event like the weddings I attended this Spring.

I rarely talk about products I regret buying, but this has to be said. These makeup remover wipes are terrible. I really dislike them. Sorry MAC, love you. Love the scent of them, but these are a big disappointment. I don't know if I just got a bad batch but they are as dry as my skin is lately, and it takes multiple wipes and some work on my part to remove my liner, shadow, and mascara (and I don't exactly pile that on either). I'll stick to my Aveeno wipes. If they are good enough for Jennifer Aniston, they are good enough for me. 

I'm also sticking to wearing clothes that I love, and I'm going to take Gina's lead and not apologize for re-wearing certain items over and over...and over again. My Barcelona camisoles from Express, my Loft jeans, my white Topshop skirt - I want to be comfortable in my own skin, and part of that means wearing things that I love, even if there's nothing remotely new about them. It's easy to get caught up and compare yourself to others, but that doesn't get anyone anywhere. As a reader, I personally enjoy seeing how people re-work their clothes. If you wear something often, that must mean you love it, right? 

One of my favorite looks. A few days ago, I wore it exactly in the same way as I did a couple of years ago. I didn't have Nate take photos though, because I was afraid of repeating and now I realize how silly that is. 

Bottom line: Stick to what works, and most importantly, what you feel good in. Simplicity is key.

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Current Beauty Staples & Recent Buys

My beauty routine changes ever so slightly on the weekends, but regardless of what I'm wearing on my lips, cheeks, and eyes, I always gravitate to these key basics seven days a week. These "current" favorites have been my staples for the entirety of Summer, and I don't see them changing anytime soon regardless of Fall being around the corner. These are all tried and true, and I recommend each and every one.

I linked to the products I could find online

    1) M.A.C. Fix + : I dampen my beauty blender sponge with this spray and then use it to blend my foundation into my skin. I find that it creates a seamless, perfectly blended canvas. The fact that it smells divine is an added bonus. I don't set my foundation with it, as I still swear by the Urban Decay All Nighter Spray, but I love Fix + as an all around refresher.

   2) NYX eyeshadow in Champagne (you can find this at Ulta): This beautiful golden brown is what I wear on my lids Monday through Thursday as an all-over color. On the weekends when I have more time to play with other shadows, I still like to layer it on the center of the lids for a pretty yet subtle pop of shine. I just find that it really brings out the golden flecks in my eyes, and the consistency is very creamy. 

  3) M.A.C. Extra Dimension eyeshadow in Sweet Heat: I feel guilty for mentioning this product because it was limited edition but I know they come out with these every few months now in new collections. I actually don't use this on my eyes - I use it as a cheekbone highlight! It's the perfect amount of sheen that makes my skin glow and it helps my face look more tan. It's just a gorgeous highlight and if you ever spot it in a CCO, grab it. 

  4) Urban Decay Brow Box in Brown Sugar: I often used pencils to lightly fill in sparse areas but then my friend told me that powders tend to look a bit more natural. I'm all about natural, so I picked this one up and it's been my go-to ever since. My brows look much more even and fuller than they used to, and while I would love to grow out even more, this powder conceals any bald spots. 

  5) Benefit Eye Bright: I love putting this on my brow bones as a natural highlight, but I also dot some in the inner corners of my eyes to brighten them up and make me look more awake! I have Veronika to thank for her recommendation. It's a great product. 

  6) Origins GinZing: This brightening eye cream (notice a trend) helps to depuff my under eyes and although I still miss my Khiels avocado eye cream, I have really grown to love this. I wear it underneath my concealer and I've noticed a difference in how the concealer applies and the overall look and finish. 

Now here are some recent buys that I have yet to try (I literally just received my NARS order last night). I'll keep you posted on my thoughts, but I can already say that I'm dying to dig in to these gorgeous shadows and liquid illuminator. I hope to wear them for my 30th birthday party and definitely had that event in mind when I bought them. 

Maybelline "The Nudes" shadow palette,  

NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow in Dione

NARS BLKR Illuminator

If you have any questions, let me know! 

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Lip Service

Two beauty posts in one week? Pretty good! I'm on a roll it seems, and my favorite product to blog about is definitely pictured below. When it comes to excess, my handbags, nightstand, and vanity are filled to the brim with lipsticks, stains, balms, and glosses. Once only interested in nudes and baby pinks, these days I'm all about a bright bold lip.

Quick note: The tray is from Target. I actually keep it on a ledge between our kitchen and living room, and I change the decor out depending on my mood or the season. I love trays for displaying my lip treats though, and am thinking of getting another for my vanity. The random crystal button at the bottom? It went in the center of our wedding cake's bow :)

I grouped my new Spring lip colors according to color, and the bottom two are glosses. 

Right now, orange is my shade du jour. Yes it's trendy, all over the runways and magazines. But it's also surprisingly flattering! I never thought I'd be brave enough to pull off such a vibrant color, but I'm telling you that it works! I find that it lifts the complexion and brighten up the entire face. I like to go for more of a true mandarin shade, and avoid anything that's too peach or watered down. The M.A.C. lipstick shown was limited edition, but it's called Fashion Force if you're interested in locating it. However, the orange I highly recommend was actually one I saw on Ella and Carylee. It's the Revlon Lacquer Balm in Tease. Glossy and the perfect shade of orange, it's got just enough red in it to keep it classic, and it's what I've been wearing a lot lately. The Maybelline elixir gloss is in "Mandarin Rapture", and I like to dot just a bit on top of Tease for added shine. 

Of course, you can't think Spring without a bright pop of pink on the lips. My favorites are also by Revlon. The original Balm Stain in "Lovesick" is the best fuchsia ever (last worn here), and "Flirtatious" is equally gorgeous. I like the formula of the lacquer balms better because they offer some shine and they are much more moisturizing. My Chanel glossimer in "Glaze" is the perfect topping to any pink lip. 

I think I've covered all six, but if you have any questions feel free to ask!

What is your favorite lip shade?

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Sephora VIB Sale & New Beauty

Every year, I look forward to Sephora's friends and family sale. This year however seemed to almost pass me by. In an effort to condense my makeup collection and only buy products I know and love, I actually had no plans on partaking in it. Then I started reading some of my favorite blogs and watching my favorite YouTube girls. Instagram lit up with pretty pictures of what everyone was buying. I caved, and ended up buying just a few things that I either did need or have been curious about.

Necessities: Urban Decay primer potion, Make Up For Ever HD foundation. I stand by the primer potion and have been relying on it for years. It keeps my eyeshadow in place all day long with no creasing. The HD foundation grew on me! I tested it out for my wedding, but wasn't completely sold on it. My makeup artist instead used an airbrush foundation, but I kept testing this one out. I fell in love with the beautiful sheer consistency and dewy formula. I began wearing it to work everyday, and I plan on keeping with it as my routine. If you want a bit more coverage, I still also swear by Mat Velvet +. For reference, I am number 120 in the HD foundation and number 30 in the Mat Velvet +.

Not so necessary but on my wishlist: Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, Nails Inc. Gel Effect Polish in Kensington High Street and Porchester Square. I haven't tried any of these yet, but will report back soon!

I also picked up a couple things from MAC:

After getting my makeup done at the Nordstrom MAC counter (my best friend just got a job there!) I decided to go with their fluidline in Dipdown and brow pencil in Lingering. Both are natural and easy to use.

Lastly, my old trusty Shu eyelash curler has been put to rest. I do miss it though! I bought one from Shiseido, and although it does curl very well, it's really long and my almond shaped eyes aren't used to it. I keep clamping down on my eyelids! I think I just need to get used to it, but I don't think it's meant for small eyes.

Did you get anything from the Sephora sale?

♥ Noelle

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What I've Been Reading {July 2013}

Happy August! I can't believe how fast time flies, my best friend's wedding is in two weeks! I'm really excited about all of the fun events coming up this month, and I hope you all have something special planned too.

I am happy to be back for this month's question (I wasn't able to participate last month). The question comes from Mehreen, and it's one of my favorite topics: What are your top ten favorite lip products?

It's so difficult for a lip product junkie like myself to narrow it down to ten favorites, but this actually forced me to clean out my vanity and it feels great to have more organization. I grouped things by category for you. If you have any questions on specific products, feel free to ask.

Lipsticks

{from left to right}

1. M.A.C. lustre in See Sheer

2. M.A.C. creamsheen in Peach Blossom

3. M.A.C. Lustre in Viva Glam V

4. M.A.C. creamsheen in Shy Girl

5. Revlon Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya

6. YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in #6 

Lipgloss

7. Buxom lip cream in White Russian

8. NYX butter gloss (this shade is in Apple Strudel, but the formula is what tops my list)

9. Revlon colorburst gloss in Pink Ice

 Balms/Conditioners

10. Nivea A Kiss of Milk & Honey. If I could only own one lip balm, this would be it. It really helps dryness.

So tell me, what are your favorite lip products? Do we share a favorite, is there one I have to try?

• Alison*Elle - Alison is obsessed with embellished dresses for summer weddings
• Beautygirl24 - Noelle attended her beautiful bridal shower
• Ella Pretty - Ella's picked up some wardrobe staples and designer dupes
• Lindsay J Everyday - Lindsay can't get enough of these recipes
• Love, Lipstick & Pearls - Kristen shared her Recent Purchases from those late night feedings!
• Schnelle Couture -  Danielle talks about all of her favorite summer beauty products.
• Sequins and Stilettos - Skylette does black and white in a cotton skirt
• The Currently Obsessed - Mehreen is having a blog sale! Tiffany, Michael Kors and Sydney Evans oh my!

Have a great weekend!

♥ Noelle

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