My Makeup Collection if I Could Only Keep One Thing

I recently came across this blog post from KatieEmmaBeauty and thought I would do my take on it! The products featured in this post are basically my all-time favorites and are the ones that I keep going back to.

I was thinking about choosing a palette when it came down to deciding eyeshadow. I’ve been using single eyeshadows more than palettes, and it has become my preference for a while now. So I’m going to cheat on this question by choosing a cream and a powder eyeshadow. 😉

Tom Ford Cream Color For Eyes in Spice

Probably my favorite single eyeshadow! It’s the perfect metallic bronze shade and can be built up or sheered out depending on the kind of look you’re going for. I like the consistency of this product as I don’t feel like it drags across my eyelids, but a smooth and even application.

Wet n’ Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Single in Nutty

On the other side of the price spectrum, this single eyeshadow is one of my favorites. It’s a cool taupe brown, and it’s honestly better than some higher-end eyeshadows I’ve tried.

As for mascara, I wouldn’t say I’m faithful to one kind or brand, so I couldn’t pick one. I do like L’Oreal and Maybelline mascaras. It seems like every time I go to purchase a new mascara, either of these brands will have something new to try.

Urban Decay Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter in Sin

This is the perfect everyday highlighter if you’re looking for something with more intensity than the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders but less intensity than the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Luminous Bronze Light

I think if all of my bronzers disappeared, I would probably repurchase this one. It’s a beautiful bronzer that gives a natural-looking warmth. It’s hard to go overboard with this bronzer.

NARS Powder Blush in Amour

I love the bright flush of pink this shade gives. I have to be careful when applying so I don’t go overboard. It doesn’t take much to get the job done with this product, so this will probably last me a while. In general, I really like NARS blushes, and I would definitely keep a blush from them if I could only have one blush in my collection.

It Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50

This foundation or CC cream covers well without looking too overdone. If I set it with a setting powder or spray, it will wear well throughout the day.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (not pictured)

I’m currently going without this concealer because I’m using something else, but I really miss using this. It has perfect coverage without looking too cakey, especially in areas like underneath the eyes.

Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot Mattifying Powder

This does a great job of setting my makeup and isn’t too expensive. It keeps my complexion from looking shiny, and it’s not cakey or powdery looking on the skin.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Stockholm

Choosing a lip product was a difficult one, but if I had to pick only one, it would be this. I think this shade goes with a lot of different makeup looks, plus I love the feel and formula of the Soft Matte Lip Creams. Also, this is one of the few full-sized lip products that I have used up. A really close runner up would be something from Bite Beauty, probably their lip crayons or lipsticks. And like Katie Emma’s answer, probably MAC lipsticks, too. So much for just choosing one.

What would your makeup collection look like if you could only keep one thing of each category? Thanks for reading!

Summer Favorites

As we are fully in the summer season, I’ve favored certain products that will hold up during days of sweltering heat.

Although I use SPF all year round, I thought I would reiterate the importance of wearing your SPF! I’m particular with sunscreens, and I don’t one’s that have a shiny finish, my personal favorite is the Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Sunscreen SPF 50. I like this because it sinks in quickly, doesn’t feel greasy, it doesn’t break me out, and it sits well under makeup. Also, there is no strong sunscreen smell with this product.

I use the Urban Decay De-Slick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray throughout the year, too. However, this product really gets its use during those summer days. As the name would suggest, it sets your makeup and keeps your complexion less oily compared to going without. I swap out my setting powder for this product as powder leaves my skin looking and feeling a little cakier than I would like in the boiling hot heat.

Speaking of makeup, I love using cream products in the summertime. The Tower 28 Beauty BeachPlease Luminous Tinted Balm in Magic Hour is a wonderful new launch as it doubles as a face and lip product. A little of this goes a very long way and it blends very naturally into the skin. Plus the consistency of this product is not sticky at all which is a win in a hot and humid climate.

As I said, I love using cream products this time of year. For quick application with a highly pigmented eyeshadow, I like the Kiko Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in 06 Golden Brown. These Kiko eyeshadow sticks are fuss-free and affordable while remaining a high-quality product. I like this product so much that I consider it to be one of my favorite single eyeshadows, you can read more about that here. Pair this with an eyeshadow primer like the Nars Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base and you’ll be golden.

All bad jokes aside, I thought I would recommend a fragrance that I’ve been liking this summer. I picked out a little sample-sized Maison Margiela REPLICA Beach Walk Eau de toilette which smells very, very nice. The notes that are most distinct to me are bergamot, citrus lemon, coconut, floral, and musk notes. It encapsulates a perfect summer day on the beach. I’m not headed to any beaches this summer I’ve enjoyed replicating that familiar memory with scent.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my product recommendations for the summer season. What do products do you use during the summertime?

Products I’m Loving in November 2019

November has been a good month for revisiting old favorites as well as discovering new products. Here’s a quick round-up of the things I’ve been very happy using on a daily or near-daily basis!

Urban Decay Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter in “Sin”, this has been my favorite powder highlighter as of late although I’ve had it for a few months now. It’s a warm champagne with a highlighting-factor that’s not as subtle as an Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder but less intense than a Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector. I feel good about using this every day. Unfortunately, I think this shade is discontinued.

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Body Butter, I picked this up at Trader Joe’s earlier this month. It has pumpkin seed oil, coconut oil, and shea butter that keeps my skin moisturized long after I’ve applied it. It has a light pumpkin scent mixed with a little bit of an apple that was freshly cut open.

YSL Black Opium, Yes, I did mention this perfume in my Sephora Holiday sale post. I’ve been using it almost daily since it arrived. I think it’s better suited as an evening or “date night” fragrance. But that won’t stop me from spraying a little on before I head out the door in the morning! Side note, I try not to care too much about packaging but this one’s so pretty!

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in “Pillow Talk” and Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner in “Pillow Talk”, This was a part of The Gift of Pillow Talk Lips set that I also purchased during the Sephora Holiday sale. This might be my favorite lip combo discovery of the year. I’m enjoying this shade on my lips and both products are comfortable to wear.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in “Mood Exposure”, This blush looks good all year round but I like pulling this out during the fall and wintertime. I find it looks good with any makeup look. Also considering that this is their mini size I found it has lasted well in the two years I’ve had it.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in “Luminous Bronze Light”, Hourglass powders get a lot of hype (I agree with it) so I thought I would try a bronzer of theirs. I love the soft warmth it brings to my face without looking like a harsh, in your face bRoNzEr. It’s the most natural looking bronzer in my collection.

Those are all of the products I’ve been loving this month. What products have you been enjoying this November?