February Favorites 2012

Well, another month has flown by which means it's time for me to share my favorites with you all! Enjoy! 

Bekah's February Favorites for 2012!

ELF Little Black Beauty Book Volume 1

ELF Little Black Beauty Book Volume 1: I've had this product for 4-5 months but recently I have been grabbing for it constantly. I love all the neutral colors it has so it's always easy to create a quick yet pretty eye look for the daytime. Some shadows are better pigmented than others but I find that most of them work quite well. A few of the colors are more powdery than others so I tend to avoid those but all in all this little book is super convenient! 

OPI Matte Nail Envy & OPI It's My Year

OPI Matte Nail Envy Nail Strengthener: I originally purchased this with the intentions of of using it as a matte topcoat over other nail polishes, but quickly realized that it's not as matte as I was hoping for or expecting (it has more of a satin finish that resembles the natural sheen of your bare nails). I will continue my hunt for a matte topcoat but I found that this works as a great base coat. It really seems to help my nail polishes stay on a bit longer. I can't say whether it has strengthened my nails because I honestly haven't noticed a difference. (Warning! After purchasing this I found out it has formaldehyde in the ingredients. This doesn't frighten me enough to toss it out, but I will not be repurchasing this product.)

OPI It's My Year (Miss Universe Collection): This gorgeous color instantly caught my eye. At first glance it looks purple but it contains tons of the tiniest copper/bronze shimmer specks (the photo above really doesn't do it justice!). When worn on the nails it usually appears purple but when you tilt your hands (especially in the sun) it sometimes appears as if it magically changes into a copper polish. The purple base is somewhat sheer but 2 coats will make the polish opaque on your nails. The only thing I didn't like about this polish was that it stained my nails, even with one coat of base coat, and that hadn't happened to me in years. So make sure you double up on your base coat!

Clinique City Block Sheer Tint SPF 15

Clinique City Block Sheer Tint SPF 15 Light/Medium

Clinique City Block Sheer Tint SPF15 in Light/Medium: I found this tube in my mom's bathroom and she said I could take it since she was trying out a new makeup. After only wearing it a few times I found that it felt really good on my skin. It's not super moisturizing which I don't need since my skin is oily and I live in a super hot/humid climate. I like how it sinks into my skin and doesn't look shiny. It provides sheer coverage which I don't mind because anything too heavy in this climate just melts and rubs off anyway. (Unfortunately this product has been discontinued although I believe Clinique sells new formulas.)

Covergirl 415 Siren, Revlon Super Lustrous Pink Pop, Wet n Wild 514A Cherry Frost

Covergirl 415 Siren (top), Revlon Super Lustrous Pink Pop (middle), Wet n Wild 514A Cherry Frost (bottom)

Covergirl Lip Perfection Lipstick in 415 Siren: This poor lipstick hadn't seen any love from me since last summer so I decided to pull it out and start using it again. It's such a fun, bright, beautiful pink that is perfect as we begin to transition into wearing Spring colors.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Pink Pop: This lipgloss makes a perfect partner for my Covergirl Siren lipstick! It also looks great alone because the color shows up really opaque. It's definitely buildable so you can wear it very sheer or build it up to be opaque like the swatch above.

Wet n Wild in 514A Cherry Frost: This is my absolute favorite red lipstick. It is a true cherry red (I wish it didn't show up as magenta-ish in the swatch above! The photo of the lipstick in the tube is much more true to color.). It has tiny gold micro-glitter specks but it's not noticeable on your lips whatsoever (so don't be afraid if you don't like glitter). I love the cool tone of this red because it makes your teeth appear super white!

Nail Polish Remover Pads in Jasmin

Nail Polish Remover Pads in Jasmin: I found this at a gift shop at the Micronesia Mall here in Guam and wow wow wow these little things work amazingly! What I thought was cool is that they don't contain alcohol or acetone which we all know are damaging ingredients for our nails. They have an oily consistency and take off nail polish sooo easily! And smell amazing! They are made by Natural Products and can be found here. I believe they can also be found on Amazon.com.

January Favorites 2012

I can't believe January is over already! I hope you all had a great month & are sticking to your new years resolutions! Here are some of my favorite makeup products from this past month. Enjoy & let me know what your favorites were!

• MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium: I wasn’t sure what all the hype was about a face powder. Powder is powder, right? That’s what I thought too until I gave in and tried out MAC’s infamous “MSFN.” And let me tell you, I was pleasantly surprised. When I first applied this powder I thought, “Hmm I can’t even see it...” But then I noticed the light coverage and the way my skin just looked naturally pretty. Then it dawned on me, maybe you’re not supposed to see the powder on your face! Hmm, what a concept! I mean, isn’t that a girl’s number one complaint about powder? No one wants to have a powdery film on their face. That is what is so amazing about this product; it offers light coverage and mattifies while allowing the subtle sheen of your natural skin to shine through. 
•  Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush in Rose: I admit it, the claim that this blush could “boost your mood” was intriguing to me. I’m not really sure how it could do that, but it definitely doesn’t work. I figured it wouldn’t but honestly the cute packaging, floral scent and beautiful glowy rosy pink color boosts my mood regardless! I love that it’s a darker shade of pink than I would usually wear which looks really pretty in Fall/Winter for that rosy glow as if you’ve just been outside on a crisp, cold day.

• Rimmel London Lasting Finish blush in Summer Fever: This blush quickly caught my eye because of its three stripes of color. I usually swirl all three colors together on a brush (each stripe is a little too small to apply individually) and I love the plum color is gives my cheeks. However, unlike what the name implies, I think it’s much more of a Fall/Winter shade. 
• MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC30: This is a little pot of magic! No lie, it’s the best concealer I’ve ever tried because of its amazing full coverage. It’s also long lasting so you don’t have to worry about it rubbing off during the day. Some people don’t like to use it under their eyes since it’s a thick concealer, but I find that as long as you warm it up with your fingers that it is possible to use under your eyes. I don’t know how I ever survived without this!
  

• MAC Eye Shadow in Satin Taupe: I had been admiring this color for such a long time so I finally gave in and purchased it. It applies so softly that it’s almost creamy rather than powdery, it’s highly pigmented, has a lovely metallic sheen and is simply the most beautiful shade of taupe I’ve ever seen. 
• L’Oreal Paris Double Extend Eye Illuminator Eyeliner in Black Emerald: I typically don’t branch out from my trusty black eyeliner, but this dark forest green is the perfect baby step to trying out a colored eyeliner. It applies smoothly and is darkly pigmented. And I love me a 2-in-1 product! The other end is a creamy off-white that can be used on the inner corner of your eyes or on your waterline to make your eyes really pop and look wide awake. 

• Covergirl Lashblast Fusion Water Resistant in Very Black: This is my favorite mascara ever! It volumizes, separates, and lengthens my lashes and is super dark black. What more could a girl want in a mascara? I didn’t mean to buy the waterproof formula but I actually don’t mind it because it’s not hard to remove at all. I didn’t think I’d like the fat, short bristled brush but surprisingly it applies the product really well. I haven’t had any clumping or flaking issues either.

• Mary Kay Vanilla Mint Hand Cream: I’m not much of a hand cream kind of girl but I gave this one a try since I got it for Christmas. It’s such a velvety soft cream and is super moisturizing. I love applying it onto my hands at night. It feels expensive and luxurious and the yummy, minty vanilla scent relaxes me and makes me fall straight to sleep.

• Nicole by OPI in The Next CEO: This nail polish is a combination of ultra fine gold and silver glitter but shows up as a beautiful metallic gold. It’s not your typical yellow gold which is what I like about it since it comes off almost as a champagne color because of the silver mixed in. I love the short, thick brush which makes application so much easier than with a typical flimsy nail polish brush. I usually apply 2 coats but 3 coats would make it 100% opaque.

• Petites Color Fever in Peach Blush: I purchased this color because it instantly reminded me of my beloved Nars Orgasm blush! It’s a peachy pink with a pearly sheen of champagne-gold. It applies a bit streaky at first but after a second or third coat it looks fine.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Tag: 40 Beauty Questions About Me

This may be an old Tag but I wanted to do it anyway. I tag anyone who reads this to do it! :)

How many times do you wash your face daily?
Twice.

What skin type do you have?
Combination/oily.
 
What is your current facial wash?
AcneFree Oil-Free Acne Cleanser & St. Ives Apricot Scrub. I swear by both of these! They work wonders!

Do you exfoliate?
Yes.

What brand do you use?
St. Ives Apricot Scrub.

What moisturizer do you use?

Clean & Clear Finishes Mattifying Moisturizer or Boots No7 Rebalancing Day Fluid.

Do you have freckles?

No.
 
Do you use an eye cream?
Yes, Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Eye Cream. 

Do you or did you have acne prone skin? 

I had more acne in high school than I do now, but it was never a major problem. I now hardly ever get acne except for during "that time of the month." lol  

Did you ever have to use Pro-Activ?

Yes, I tried it out in high school. I liked it a lot but got tired of ordering it.

What foundation do you use?
Bare Minerals Matte Foundation.

How about concealer?
I try new concealers all the time; lately I like the Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller, Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment, MAC Studio Finish Concealer, & CoverGirl Simply Ageless concealer.

Do you know your undertone color?
I have warm undertones.

What do you think of fake eyelashes?
I think they're pretty and can really enhance a girl's eyes. 

Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?
Yes, but I confess that I don't always abide by this "rule." Oops! 

What brand of mascara do you use?
I am a mascara addict so that's a tough question to answer because I am always buying new ones! Lately I like CoverGirl Lashblast Fusion & Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express.

Sephora or M.A.C?

Tough one! But I think I will go with Sephora since they have many brands to choose from!

Do you have a M.A.C Pro-card?

No. 

What makeup tools do you use in make up application?

Brushes & eyelash curler. 

Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?
Yes, I'll either use Urban Decay Primer Potion, MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study, or just plain concealer.

For the face?
I hardly ever use a primer, it's too humid where I live to be piling on products. 

What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)?
Any champagne color will do but I really love my Stila eyeshadow in Starlight.

Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
Both.

How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
Never.

What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?
I personally do not own any. They seem too messy so I'll stick with pressed eyeshadows. 

Do you use mineral makeup?
Yes, Bare Minerals. 

What is your favorite lipstick?
Probably Rimmel Moisture Renew in Coral Shimmer. I'm also loving the Revlon lipstick I just bought in Just Enough Buff. 

How about lipgloss?
Right now I am really loving my Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Pink Pop! 

What is your favorite blush to use?
I am really enjoying my Milani Baked Blush in Corallina. 

Do you buy your makeup on eBay?
Nope I never have. It seems risky because a lot of fake makeup is sold on eBay. 

Do you like drugstore makeup?
Yes, I love it!
 
Do you go to CCO's? (Cosmetic Company Outlets)
Never have. Maybe someday but there aren't any where I'm currently living. 

Did you ever consider taking make up classes?
Watching YouTube is like taking free makeup classes! But I guess I would, sounds like fun.

Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
No, but I've had a lot of practice.

Name a makeup crime that you hate?

Super nude or light pink lips that make you look washed out & dead! 

Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick, eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
I mainly stick to neutrals but color is fun every now & then!

Which celebrity always has great make up?
Katy Perry, Rihanna, & Jennifer Lopez.

If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item, what would you use?
Concealer.

Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
Yes. 

Do you think you look good even without any make up on?
Yes, but I'd prefer to wear makeup anyway.

In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?

Urban Decay, NARS, & Smashbox. 

What do you think of Makeup?
I love it; it's fun & creative! 

Favorite Makeup Products of 2011

Hello loves! 

It has been far too long since I last updated & my New Year's resolution for 2012 is to update consistently! I figured I would start off this year by telling you all about the amazing makeup products I fell in love with during 2011. I've already begun collecting new products for 2012 but I didn't want these to go unmentioned! So let's get to it! 

Lip Products: 

• Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm: I have probably owned 10+ tubes of this lip balm. This is my all time favorite lip product, hands down! I am in love with the minty fresh feeling it gives my lips & I never ever get chapped lips because of this stuff. It's also 100% natural AND it's not tested on animals!
• Rimmel Moisture Renew in Coral Shimmer with SPF 18: I really loved coral shades this year. This lipstick is a sheer coral-pink with the tiniest specks of gold shimmer. So beautiful and very wearable!
• C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint No. 1643 Coral Mint: This lip gloss was my go-to when i wanted extra shiny lips. It has 2% peppermint oil so it's minty fresh like the Burt's Bees which I love! I usually layered it over my Rimmel Coral Shimmer lipstick. It's not too sticky and the woman at Bath & Body Works told me that since it's 100% natural, you can even put a dot of it on your tongue to freshen your breath! However I don't think I've ever actually done this... I prefer gum. :) 
• Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm in Petal Glow with SPF 20: This was an impulse buy that I ended up really liking! It's very moisturizing and has a sheer rose-colored tint to it and makes your lips a bit shiny. I keep this in my purse at all times! It has a fruity smell that I don't love, but it won't stop me from using it.
• Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Glossy Rose: If you want a high quality lip gloss without spending lots of money, this is the one to try! This particular one is a rose color with the tiniest shimmer specks. It has good pigmentation, feels great on the lips, and isn't sticky which most drugstore lipglosses are. It comes in so many pretty shades! I highly recommend this!

Face Products: 

• Bare Minerals Matte SPF 15 Foundation in Fairly Light: I first tried the Original formula of this foundation and didn't love the "dewy" effect it gave my face. Once I tried the Matte version, I was hooked! This is my second container and I prefer it to liquid foundation since I always live in hot climates. It can have light all the way to full coverage depending on how you apply it, and leaves your complexion looking flawless.
• Bare Minerals SPF 20 Eye Brightener Well-Rested: I've only had this product for a few months but I already love it! It's a yellow-ish finely milled mineral powder I apply it under my eyes on top of whatever concealer I'm using to set it and add extra brightness to my eyes.
• Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Roller: I never have very high expectations for under eye products but I buy them anyway hoping to come across a miracle. Although I won't say it reaches miracle status, I am impressed by this product. You roll it on and it's a liquid consistency with a very sheer tint that surprisingly does provide a bit of coverage. But what I really love is that it actually seems to help de-puff my under eyes! Not drastically, but more than anything else ever has. It's perfect to apply on days when you don't want to wear much makeup but still want some coverage. I also use it as the first step of my concealer routine under my eyes. (I have very dark circles so I have to layer on different products! lol)
• Revlon PhotoReady Concealer in Light with SPF20: I needed a new stick concealer so I decided to try this one out. I absolutely love how it applies! It's much smoother than most stick concealers and blends out very easily. It's creamy enough to apply under your eyes and is perfect to use on blemishes or redness on your face. 
• Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer in Light: Again, in hopes of finding a miracle I grabbed this product when I saw the words "dark circles treatment." It contains Goji Berry and Haloxyl which supposedly help decrease dark circles. I honestly can't say I have seen any improvement, but I love this concealer regardless! It's very creamy and super easy to apply under your eyes. However the spongy ball applicator on top is a little annoying because it tends to get over saturated with product. I'd prefer different packaging but oh well! 
• Nars blush in Orgasm: I saw this blush in a magazine and it explained how this shade suits almost every skin tone out there. I decided to try it out and now it is my favorite blush of all time! It is a beautiful peachy-coral-pink with tiny golden shimmer specks. It applies sheer on the cheeks but can be slightly built up.
• Covergirl Cheekers blush in Classic Pink: Once I hit pan on my Nars Orgasm I got sad and wanted to conserve it (lol) so I started reaching for this. And before I knew it, I couldn't stop using it! I literally used this every single day until it got to the state it is in now (which is almost completely non-existent). I will definitely be repurchasing this because it is the perfect pink for every day and looks like the natural pink flush your cheeks would get if you were blushing or were outside on a hot day.
• Nars The Multiple in Orgasm: Since I was so in love with my Orgasm blush, I ended up buying the Orgasm Multiple as well. It's a roll-up stick that can be used on your eyelids, cheeks, and lips. It's creamy and smooth and beautiful! I love it on my cheeks and it's nice on my lips too but I like to top it off with a lipgloss to add more shine or else it looks a bit flat. I've never used it on my eyes though because I'm not a big fan of pink eyeshadow.

Eye Products: 

• Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express in Classic Black: I am a mascara addict and am always on the hunt for the perfect mascara. This is my second tube of Colossal which says a lot considering I hardly ever repurchase a mascara. This mascara is great at separating and volumizing your lashes. It leaves somewhat of a shiny finish on your lashes (which I like) and is super black compared to some other "black" mascaras. Even a certain MAC mascara I own isn't as dark black as this mascara.
• Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Boosting Eyeliner + Serum in Ultra Black: This eyeliner has a pointed felt-tip and is really easy to apply since it's almost like using a very thin marker. I like the idea that there is supposedly eyelash serum mixed into the formula, however I can't say that I've noticed a difference in the length or thickness my eyelashes. But I still like it as an eyeliner! 
• Revlon Grow Luscious Lashliner in Onyx: This is one of the smoothest eyeliners I have ever used. It glides on like butter and is super dark black. I love using it on my waterline when I want the darkest line I can possibly get. It's also really easy to smudge out for a smoky effect.
• Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner in Black: When it comes to amazing staying power, this will always be the eyeliner I rely on. I have tried so many other eyeliners only to end up with a smudgy mess after a few hours. This one lasts all day! Even in a hot, humid climate! 
• Stila Eye Shadow in Starlight: This is the perfect neutral eyeshadow. It's a beautiful champagne color that applies so smoothly on your eyelid. It can be worn alone, used with a crease color, and could even be used as a highlight. When I don't want to think about what makeup to wear, this eyeshadow never fails me. 
• MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study: This is a newer addition to my collection (I've only had it for about 2 months). But I love it so much that I had to include it in my favorites. It's a creamy champagne colored eye shadow that can be used alone or as a primer/base under powder eye shadows. It's such a pretty color and makes your powder eye shadows last all day and keeps them from creasing. 
• Wet n' Wild Ultimate Brow Kit in Ash Brown: This kit comes with a tiny set of tweezers, a tiny angled brow brush, two matte shades of brown powder (one light and one dark), and a clear setting wax. It also has a slide out mirror on the bottom of the compact. I only use the lighter brown powder because it matches my eyebrows perfectly and gives a very natural look when you use light-handed, short strokes to apply it.
• Sonia Kashuk Eyeshadow Brush: This handy little brush is amazing! It's the perfect size to apply eyeshadow to your lids and has extremely soft bristles that never shed. 
• e.l.f. Professional Blending Eye Brush: What an awesome brush for only $1! Most e.l.f. brushes are great quality but I picked this as one of my favorites because I find myself grabbing for it all the time. It's great for applying a crease color and to blend. 

Nail Products: 

• OPI Nail Lacquer in Black Shatter: This was definitely the "it" nail polish of 2011 and was so hard to get my hands on when it first came out! Every salon I went to was sold out and I wanted it so bad that I ended up ordering a bottle online! It applies over any nail polish and creates a "shattered" effect. I now own it in other colors but the black is definitely my favorite! 
• OPI Nail Lacquer in Teenage Dream: This shade came out in the Katy Perry Collection. It has tiny specks of pink shimmer along with bigger specks of silver glitter. It's beautiful worn alone or applied over another color.

Perfume: 

• Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue: This scent is so hard to describe but smells amazing! It is a light, citrus yet sweet scent that smells absolutely refreshing! I've gone through 2 bottles already and will definitely repurchase a 3rd.
• Escada Island Kiss: This perfume has a sweet scent that smells like candy mixed with fruit and flowers!

Well, I hope you enjoyed reading about my favorite makeup products of the year! I will probably do in-depth reviews of some of these products later in the year. Let me know if there are any products you are particularly curious about! And feel free to share with me what your favorite makeup products of 2011 were! :) 


PS: I apologize in advance for the low quality of the photos! These were taken on my cell phone but I'll be using a real camera from here on out. :)