5 Favorite Makeup Products! + Total Social

Hey There!

So I really wanted to do a post about some of my all time favorite makeup products and today also just happened to be Helene and Sarah's (from Helene In Between and Venus Trapped In Mars) monthly #TotalSocial linkup. I loved doing it last month and I really wanted to do it this month as well. This month's theme is Favorites! It pretty much worked out perfectly for me! Here are my 5 all time favorite makeup products and why. I hope you enjoy!

5. Nyx Butter Gloss in Tiramisu - This gloss is my perfect "my lips but better" shade. It just looks so nice and natural and goes well during the day or evening. Its a better alternative to a nude lip for me and I always get compliments when I wear it. I also love the formula of it. I hate uber sticky lipglosses, they drive me nuts and this formula is super smooth and not very sticky at all. I've been wearing this gloss consistently over the past year and it has become a holy grail product of mine.

4. Wet n Wild single eyeshadow in Nutty - I discovered this eyeshadow about 4 years ago and it was love at first blend. I am a lover of taupe shadows and this is seriously my favorite taupe-y shadow of all time. It has such a pretty cool toned finish and really makes my eyes pop. Its not too dark so even the palest of pale (like myself) can rock it without looking ridiculous. It is also a really good dupe for Mac's Satin Taupe. Honorable mention to WnW's Brulee because paired with Nutty, you've got yourself a super cheap/amazing combo. My drugstores never have Nutty in stock and it makes me so sad. Whenever I find it, its like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow...I may or may not do a little jig as well :)

3. Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette - Okay so who doesn't love this palette? I mean really? How can you beat 6 eyeshadows (1 shimmer and 5 matte) that are neutral, go with any skintone/undertone, have AH-MAZING color payoff, and are super blendable? You can't, just sayin. I have this palette in my makeup bag at all times and I even purchased a second one for my bridal makeup kit about 6 months ago. It is perfect.

2. ELF's Candid Coral Blush - Being of pale skin with a tendency to get kind of pink in the face, I tend to lean towards more peachy blushes instead of just plain pinks. I get red/pink in the face super easily and pink blushes really just makes it more noticeable. Peachy-er (yes I just made up my own word) blushes still give color to my face without looking like I'm super flushed. The Candid Coral blush from Elf is my favorite. It just looks so pretty and at $3 its a must buy!

1. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua - Last but not least, my FAVORITE, I WOULD MARRY IT IF THAT WASN'T WEIRD, foundation. I am a sucker for all things Chanel. Let me see a Chanel counter and its over and done with. Where do I start with why I love this foundation? First of all, its a water based foundation so it is lightweight and holds up really well against oil production and sweat. It's scent is so lovely and not obnoxious at all. Unlike any other foundations I use or have tried, I actually prefer to apply this foundation with my fingers...I'm serious ya'll. It is a medium coverage foundation that looks like a new perfect layer of skin when applied. Yes, it is a little pricey but so very worth it I promise!

Welp, those are my top 5 all time favorite makeup products. What are yours??? Ohh and be sure to link up for Total Social all across social media and share your favorite things using #FavTotalSocial 

:)

P.S. I found this little gem and figured I would also throw in a little throwback thursday action. I posted this on my instagram as well. #tbt to when I was 17, had the 1st of the only 2 tans I've ever had, never filled in my eyebrows, and rode around Wal-Mart in shopping carts. Oh the memories! 

May 2014 Beauty Favorites!!!

Hey Guys!

So I know we are already well into the month of June but I figured I would go ahead and show you guys some of my favorite products I used throughout the month of May. May was one of the busiest months I have encountered in quite a long time. With bridal season in full force, busy season for my full time job, and my Aunt's wedding (in which I helped coordinate as well as do the make up for in a completely different state) all packed into four short weeks...I did not have a lot of time to focus on how I looked. May was all about simplicity and what could save me the most time. I kept it pretty natural and basic this month which was  a nice change from my norm makeup routine. 

 Urban Decay B6 Vitamin Infused Complexion Prep Spray - This spray is amazing!!! I love to spray it before I apply my foundation and then after. It is infused with vitamins and is super calming. The combination of heat and makeup products really irritates my skin so the calming properties help reduce redness and is just downright refreshing. This also helps reduce the appearance of large pores and absorbs oil.

Nyx Butter Gloss in Tiramisu - The Nyx Butter Gloss collection has the color payoff of a lipstick but the texture and lightness of a gloss. I am not one for sticky lipglosses and these really don't have a lot of stickyness. The Tiramisu color is a nice " your lips but better" nude color that just looks so natural and pretty. I can't get enough of it.

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette - I consider this palette a "Holy Grail" product. I keep it in my makeup bag at all times as well as my bridal makeup kit. With 5 neutral matte shadows and one shimmer highlighting shadow, it suites pretty much everyone. The medium brown shade "Naked 2" is also perfect for my blonde brows. I probably used this color the most out of the six. It's my go to palette right now for both my daytime and evening/nightime eye looks.

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge - I am a huge fan of the Real Techniques brand. This sponge is no exception. It is absolutely perfect for blending out concealer for highlighting and under the eyes. The flat part is great for under the eyes and the rounded portion is wonderful for blending the highlight and contours colors.

Banana Boat Summer Color Self Tanning Lotion - To refer to me as pale would be a very generous understatement. Although completely acceptable during the winter months, it's just not cute during the summer. I do not sun bathe in fear of skin cancer and leathery skin and I don't always have the time or money to maintain a constant spray tan so I have found a way to maintain a nice golden glow. I have tried all different types of self tanning lotions, sprays, wipes, etc. I really don't see the need in spending an arm and a leg on a self tanning product when this lotion exists. I spend around $6 for this suntan in a bottle and its worth every penny. The streaking is left at a minimum and the color is super natural compared to most other tanning lotions.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer - I am always on the search for the perfect under eye concealer. Most undereye concealers don't completely cover my discoloration while still remaining light and non cakey. Until this stuff, I've had to settle for one or the other. The coverage with this particular concealer is fantastic but does not leave that dried cakey/heavy look under my eyes when it finally sets. I have actually started using it for my contour and highlighting routine for its coverage and light weight formula. I'm thinking of doing a little review on it for you guys. I would definitely suggest going to pick this puppy up ASAP.

Milani Face Powder - Naturally I use the lightest shade available. Combined with the Revlon BB Cream, I get a really nice matte and natural finish with minimal touch ups. The texture is also very smooth and velvety which I love. The only downside is the chunky packaging takes up a lot of room in my makeup bag. Pro Tip: I have also been using this as a blending color for my shadows. Try it out!!!

NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Primer - When applied before eyeshadow, your eyeshadow is going NOWHERE! I use this on all of my brides. I have always been a fan of the Urban Decay eye primer but this blows it out of the water. Even after a whole day of wear, I still have to really work to get my shadows off. I really don't remember the last time I had to worry about creasing shadows. 

Revlon Photoready BB Cream - As previously mentioned, I had to keep my makeup looks pretty quick and simple. This BB Cream has a little more coverage than the other BB Creams I have tried in the past. It goes on easily with my fingers and after I set it with powder, I'm good to go. It gives enough coverage to smooth out my complexion while still looking super natural. This also photos really well. If I am going to airbrush my foundation, I like to do a light layer of this before I airbrush. It gives a beautiful finish!.

There you have it! Have you tried any of these products??? Let me know what you think of them or if you have any products you are loving right now that I should try!!!