essie bikini so teeny

The Weekend Post: The Current Obsessions

DSC_0108

DSC_0104

DSC_1293

This morning, I actually woke up, nice and early and actually slightly refreshed for once, — I was beyond thankful that it wasn’t one of those too-frequent nights that involved waking up more than once every hour for the duration of the night — rather pleased with the task of deciding what kind of laid-back post I wanted to write and pleasingly I instantly knew that I wanted to share a small selection of my current obsessions (and ramble on more than a bit about them…). T’was a good morning. And I was feeling like taking a bit of extra effort and actually tried to do that whole product linking thing — you’re welcome.

Essie Bikini So Teeny Nail Lacquer ($8)

This polish seems to have received quite the buzz in the blogging world during the spring and summer months and since I properly painted my nails last week with the pale cornflower-blue hue, I instantly remembered why. The formula might start out somewhat sheer but it layers nicely, suiting my lazy-girl interests nicely, drying quickly too. I would show you my nails but I’ve been picking at them so I’ll protect your eyeballs from the less than attractive sight. ..

Rimmel Lasting Finish Colour Rush Balm in Lady Marmalade ($7-8)

I’m not one to crave a bold lip on an everyday basis but when I have been craving one, I haven’t reached for anything other than this one. Gauging from my experience with this one, this might actually be my favourite chubby pencil formula as it actually acts like a balm whilst staining my lips and offering fairly intense pigmentation. Plus, the shade is a flattering coral shade that leans slightly less neon than the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Stellar and on my complexion seems to add life instantly. I don’t think I’ve mentioned this product before, either – woo. 

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24-Hour Cream-Gel Shadow ($9)

Throughout most of the spring and summer season, I had been reaching for traditional eyeshadow primers and foregoing my coloured bases but now that I’ve got this more minimal makeup thing in full swing, I’ve realized how great these are. In the hot hot weather, these do crease on me slightly (but what doesn’t?) but it’s subtle and I’ve been loving using them not only as a base but as the main lid shadow to cut down on a few steps of the routine. I’ve been enjoying the unfortunately no-longer-available Nude Compliment the most but have been enjoying the new matte Creamy Beige (misnomer) as well as the classic Bad To The Bronze.

MAC Swiss Chocolate Eyeshadow ($12/18)

The amount of love that I have for this warm reddish-brown matte eyeshadow has surprised me to no end. As I’ve said before, I tend to find practical matte eyeshadows rather boring and tend to ignore them in favor of more exciting shimmering shades but since I’ve added this to my stash, I’ve been obsessed with the blendable texture of the shade that has been a staple for adding depth to the crease or the outer corner in the most ‘natural’ of makeup looks like this one here. The formula of this shade is brilliant and I’d recommend checking this one out if you enjoy warm-toned shades and don’t have anything identical in your stash already.

Bath & Body Works ‘Beach Day’ 3-Wick Candle ($10.50)

I’m extremely late to the whole scented candle party and even later to the Bath & Body Works craze but I joined in nevertheless, finding myself at home with three new candles and this was one of them – the cheapest and most summery one, too. I’m not one to go on and on and on some more about a scent but this one is fantastic for its authentic quality; it smells like a relaxing day at the beach, where you’re lounging on a blanket and reading your book in peace with the sound of crashing waves in the background or rather exactly as it is described… “a blissful beach-day blend of saltwater, lemon leaves and citrus musk”. What I think is the most remarkable about the scent is that it has a nice throw while still being light and doesn’t have any of that artificial sweetness and coconut-fruit sensation that the rest seem to and the citrusy musk is particularly on point. Plus there is the benefit that I picked it up on sale, making it less ridiculous of a purchase. It’s rare that I find scents that authentically represent real-life scenarios but this one does.

Suits TV Show

I had been hearing from a variety of sources that this show was definitely one to get into but I couldn’t be bothered for ages as I thought it would be another boring show about the law — funnily enough, I’ve considered going into law school — but when I was at my cousins and we binge-watched it on Netflix, I became obsessed and then watched two entire seasons in less than 24 hours and don’t regret it in the slightest. The humor of the show really appeals to me and I feel like the characters are just as cynical as I am, but it’s also really interesting and less expected. It’s also nice to have a show that doesn’t seem to be a contemporary adaptation of a courtship plot — If you’ve read some Austen or Bronte, you’ll know what I mean.

What are you currently obsessed with?
Maggie, x.

Summer Edit

DSC_0615

I’m not sure if I’m in the small minority of those who notice this or what, but since devoting more than a little bit of my portion of free time to this whole beauty blogging thing, I’ve become a walking contradiction, promising one thing one minute and then something contradictory the next. The significance of this seemingly abstract musing? A bit inspired by Anna’s “Summer Edit”, here I am bringing you the standard summer edition post despite declaring these standard posts overrated and going for slightly different ones in the past and I’m excited.

I’m sure I included this in my ‘Spring Edit’ post, but to be honest, the non-irritating mineral sunscreen only did make an appearance on my face on the sunny days so the Avene High Protection SPF 50 Mineral Cream ($30 CDN)is a much more accurate pick for Summer. The sunscreen performs like nothing else with its hydrating texture that isn’t greasy (but doesn’t exactly help to control oil) and has a tint to mask the dreaded white-cast, adding a bit of coverage with it’s slightly pink leaning beige cast. Although I’ve gotten a wee bit naughty on the whole getting sun front, the Jergen’s Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer ($9 CDN)has remained a staple for actually hydrating and soothing the skin my skin whilst adding some gradual colour that looks natural. In my opinion, this takes the edge off of the pressure to escape pastiness.

On the polish front, Essie’s Van D’Go ($9 CDN) has been brought into the rotation, especially on the feet. It was a gift that I received for my birthday from family friends and it was a much-appreciated one, considering that the pink hue isn’t usually something that I’d usually try. The lighter pink has a coral tinge to it and leaves a flattering salmon pink hue to the nails that compliments a bit of colour. It doesn’t hurt that the formula is a standard great Essie one that’s fully opaque in two coats and is relatively goof proof. Because I haven’t been completely converted to the pink side, I’m sure that I’m also going to be rocking the muted cornflower blue, Essie Bikini So Teeny Nail Lacquer ($9 CDN)that has the same great formula but might be slightly sheerer.

Moving onto the makeup, not only has the Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet Smooth-Effect Makeup ($48 CDN)found a place in my heart as this foundation-obsessed girl’s latest obsession but I’m convinced that for my dehydrated skin (and for loads of different skin condition’s) it’s the Summer foundation that gets as close as possible to perfection. I’m the lightest shade (10) so it’s definitely not one that caters to the fairest of skins and it does contain a good amount of fragrance with some alcohol thrown in (less than Chanel VA, though) but it feels like absolutely nothing on the skin (even in the hottest of weather) and looks like perfected bare skin. More than this, it offers surprisingly good coverage (medium that’s buildable) and controls oil with its velvety but luminous finish that somehow doesn’t cling to dry patches. Hallelujah. Even though I’m a drier and dehydrated gal through and through, one of those non-powdery powders is a godsend in the summer with the increased heat and my normal t-zone. I might not need one to set the foundation but if I’m wearing the Avene underneath, it’s nice to have one to freshen things up with and for this I like the L’Oreal True Match Mineral ($14-16 CDN).

I’m not strictly a warm-weather bronzer girl by any means, so they’re a constant in my daily makeup rotation but as soon as the warm weather comes around, the uber-affordable NYC Sunny Smooth Skin Bronzer ($3 CDN)never leaves my sight. Whilst the bronzer isn’t exactly orange-y, it does have stronger warm undertones to it that make it much more flattering on skin with a bit of colour to it and despite it’s price, the matte bronzer lasts and applies like a champ with its pigmented and creamy texture. The Maybelline Master Hi-Light Hi-Lighting Bronzer in Deep Bronze ($12-16 CDN)might be sold as a bronzer but as I said in my initial review during the Winter, it’s a bronzier blush in my opinion and is an amazing offering for the summer as it provides that bronzy glow like nothing else. The rosy copper hued formula offers on the longevity, texture and glow front and no doubt will be found on my face constantly in the warmer weather as it’s one of my favourites regardless of the weather and this is the season for it. Being the blush-addict that I am, I couldn’t confine myself to one (or even two). The second blush worthy of mention is my favourite, the unfortunately limited -edition MAC Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish ($38), the lovely sheeny rosy coral pot of magic that instantly brightens up warm skin and adds a glow like nothing else. And of course I couldn’t resist mentioning a third one that to-be-honest is not miles different from the former, the cult-favourite NARS Orgasm Blush ($33 CDN)that I talked about my love for yesterday in great depth here. And although liquid illuminators such as Revlon Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminator in are typically more of a Spring (or even winter) product with the subtle dewy luminosity that they provide because things can much to easily enter into sweaty territory but I’ve been going for less overtly glowy foundations as of late and enjoying more of a highlighted look. And look I did more swatches here:

DSC_0628

                                                                    Left to Right: NYC Sunny, Maybelline Deep Bronze, MAC Stereo Rose, NARS Orgasm

Moving onto the eyes, I’ll be bringing the expectedly coppery, MAC Coppering Eyeshadow ($12/18 CDN) into the rotation, both as something a little bit different on the lid on an everyday basis and perhaps as the base colour for a more interesting smoky eye. I’m aware that I’m not really a minimal eye makeup kind of girl but as Summer rolls around, I definitely tend to go for less fuss (and less in general) in this region and my-go to product for this is the ever-hyped Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad To The Bronze ($9 CDN),  for it provides that gorgeous bronzed-taupe hue to the lids that is flattering without looking like you’re trying or putting in loads of effort. Another fantastic shadow that I always go for in these warmer months constantly is that golden bronze sheeny shade named MAC Woodwinked Eyeshadow ($12/18 CDN) and I’m sure many of you have this laying around. In terms of summer shadows, I definitely go for these warm and bronzy hues and if I’m not reaching for these three shades, I assure you, I’m sporting the good ol’ Urban Decay Naked Palette ($64 CDN).

DSC_0621

Left to Right: Maybelline Bad To The Bronze, MAC Coppering, MAC Woodwinked

I assure you this lengthy post is nearing its close now, as I come to you with my narrowed-down lip options. I talked about my love for the muted tangerine MAC Sweet & Sour Lipstick ($19 CDN) during the spring season but I think this shade is equally on point for the summer as it has that oranginess to it but is more than a little bit more wearable. In terms of a sheerer balm-colour hybrid offering, I’m sure the medium-toned pinky coral L’Oreal Sunset Angora Colour Caresse ($12 CDN) is the surefire winner, not only because the formula is spectacular on chapped lips like mine but that it offers on the pigmentation front as well. It might not seem like it but it did actually require some deliberation to narrow down my picks for lips down to these four and on some level I knew that choosing the Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in Milan Moment ($15 CDN) was more of a questionable one given that I haven’t had it for a week yet but the colour and formula screamed summer perfection and I couldn’t resist; the balmy liquid-lipstick that impressively doesn’t seem to have a scent both felt weightless on my lips and offers on the longevity front with its muted papaya hue so I suspect that it won’t be leaving my sight for long. Going along with the more minimal eye makeup theme, a nice bold lip is essential and my pick has to be the vibrant warm pink hue from my favourite balmy-crayon line — the Revlon Lacquer Balm in Vivacious ($9 CDN).

DSC_0619Left to Right: Revlon Vivacious Lacquer Balm, Revlon Milan Moment Moisture Stain, L’Oreal Sunset Angora Colour Caresse, MAC Sweet & Sour
For those of you who have stuck around to the end of this post, you’re kind of sort of amazing and I’m sure you know the drill already – I’m curious and want to know a few of your Summer picks below in the comments!
Maggie, x.

 

 

 

 

 

Weekly Medley #17

Recently Updated9

(1) evidence of writing the skincare series this week (2) if you’re total order at Sephora was $40 it clearly doesn’t count… (3) the lovely Natalie who writes the blog thunderl0ve that has been added to my bookmarks this week – it’s that good… (5) Essie Bikini So Teeny (6) the weekly product picks (7) the weekly selfie featuring the blush in question on the cheeks

Yet another pretty monotonous and nondescript week has gone by; I’m pleased to report that nothing semi-catastrophic happened but nothing of the particularly exciting sort happened – other than a fun low-key night with friends. I feel like I can sum-up my week into two phases – the first half of the week was characterized by continuing on in attempting to get somewhat in shape without leaving my living room that I started at the beginning of last week and the accompanying aches and pains and then suddenly the second half of the week was full of gorgeous sunny weather outside that could only be classified as hot and required things like sunscreen and shaved legs.

Right at the beginning of the week directly after the Sephora incident shown above, I went into the drugstore and Essie was on sale for a few dollars of so it was kind of expected that a polish or two would be coming home with me and the pale cornflower blue Essie Bikini So Teeny went right onto my nails and remained there until the very end of the week with minimal chipping. I’m kind of in love with the shade as it is a pastel blue kind of hue with a kind of different spin to it and the formula actually lasted on my chipping-prone nails. Being a light shade, it’s not the most opaque polish in the world, definitely requiring two solid coats but at the very least it wasn’t streaky or anything of that sort. I might be in love.

There’s another product of the beauty variety that stood out this  last week was the L’Oreal True Match Blush in Innocent Flush and if you’ve been reading my posts as of late and have a good memory, you’re probably aware that I initially misjudged this one. At fifteen dollars for a drugstore product, this is certainly not a bargain but this peachy-coral shade with that golden sheen is well worth it. In fact, I think I only went for a different blush once last week – ohemgee groundbreaking. Pretty much, it’s just a smooth-textured coral blush with a creamy texture that adds that glow to the cheeks that instantly perks up my face but it does deliver at a slightly lower price point and has that peachiness that differentiates it from the other 284847 coral blushes I own. I might have a slight blush hoarding problem, if you catch my drift.

On The Blog…

1. Weekly Medley #16 2. Skincare Thoughts and Tidbits 3. My Skincare Saviors 4. The Daily Face #15 5. Lip Product Addict Tag

You could easily have a different take on this than me, but I thought that this was one of my better weeks, putting out five posts that I’m pleased with and actually committing to writing the little skincare series that I’ve been pondering over for ages and ages without any sort of action occurring. I plan on doing a few more posts in the next little while, if you’re curious, but I do plan on trying to write a few more skincare posts on a regular basis in the future — thoughts?

I can’t be one hundred percent certain that these plans will come to fruition but in the next week you can expect another installment in the skincare series (or perhaps even two…) and perhaps a roundup of my essential beauty products throughout the duration of spring. I’d love to hear any sort of post requests as always!

How was your week?

Maggie, x.