March Beauty Favorites

Pardon the bit of hiatus in the last week and a half.  I attempted to start a post a few times and I certainly thought about blogging a lot more than that but my brain was like nope.  No thanks.  In fact, my brain is still pretty nope but I'm just gonna power through.  Bear with me.  It will be an adventure for us all.  

Ok, let's get to it.  March beauty faves.  I had a pretty great month for discovering new products and perfecting old routines.  Here we go! 

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm
I've heard about this lip balm so.many.times and always assumed it was super pricey based solely on the fact that it's French.  When I finally got around to investigating it a bit, I realized it's quite affordable for a quality lip balm that will practically last me a lifetime.  The texture is quite different from other balms.  It actually feels a bit dry and even slightly grainy going on but it absorbs instantly, dries matte and leaves my lips baby soft.  It's a morning and evening staple for me.  

Boots Facial Oil
My first go at facial oils! Being naturally oily, it always felt wrong to think of putting oil on my skin.  But I had been reading and hearing so many good things about facial oils lately, that I decided it might be worth trying.  I wasn't willing to commit to a pricey oil yet so I found this Boots version from Ulta online for $9, right in my budget!  It's so gentle and moisturizing without leaving me greasy at all.  In fact, it may be reducing my oil production during the day since I'm properly hydrated.  I'm a convert.  

Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation in Light Ivory
After hearing a lot of great reviews for this foundation, I bought it back in February but couldn't quite figure out the best application.  I assumed it just didn't suit my skin and almost gave up! I gave it one last go (with the help of the next fave below) and now I get it.  A little goes a long way and blend blend blend to a beautiful matte finish.  

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
I've always wanted to try the Beauty Blender but I just can't drop $20 on a sponge.  Mama's gotta eat, afterall.  So when Real Techniques came out with a sponge for about $6, I scooped it up asap.  I don't strictly use the sponge for my foundation but I do use it as a final step to fully blend my foundation and concealer.  I dampen the sponge, squeeze it out, and bump it along my face to fully blend my base.  

The Body Shop Honey Bronzer in 02
This deserves another quick mention (in addition to last month) since I'm loving it so much.  We're baarreelly hitting spring here in Chicago and that means I'm pasty as ever.  This subtle bronzer warms up my skin without making me look like I've taken up fake-n-bake tanning.

Milani Illuminating Face Powder
I bought this entirely on a whim and almost exclusively because I liked the pretty rose pattern.  I think it's marketed as a highlighter for darker skin but it makes the most beautiful blush on my pale skin.  It's warm and bronzey with a slight dewy sheen.  It's been on my cheeks practically all month.  

Urban Decay Naked Palette

Nothing too exciting here guys.  My trusty Naked palette.  My go-to shade is Naked, it's been my transition shade allllllll month long.  I always add in a little Buck for extra depth too.  

Lorac Pro Palette

Keeping it real boring on the eyes this month with some ol' favorites.  The Lorac Pro Palette is the ultimate palette, in my humble opinion.  It's just got everything I need and I've really been reaching for Champagne and Nude all March long. 

L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Excess
Why did I ever stop using this mascara?  What led me astray?  I don't know but I won't let it happen again.  This stuff is the absolute best for volume, length, pigment, and staying power.  

Benefit Gimme Brow
This stuff.  My brow routine has been taken to a whole new level, y'all.  (< Most boring sentence ever?).  I always used an inexpensive clear mascara to set my brows but Gimme Brow just spoke to me.  It's the best setting gel, pigmented and precise, that keeps my brows in place all day long.  Nary a hair out of place.  It's the little things.  

Milani Brilliant Shine in Bare Secret
I'm having a bit of a Milani love affair at the moment.  This gloss is super affordable, well pigmented and not too sticky.  It's the best pinky-brown shade for days when I have no clue what to wear on my lips.  Which is often.  

Buxom Lip Gloss in Sophia
This was a freebie from Sephora and I was soooooo pleased to see it.  Every time I go to Sephora I convince myself not to spend the money on them but they really are awesome.  Be warned, these lip glosses are super tingly (which I love) but they're beautifully pigmented, super long lasting, and not super sticky.  

So what have you been loving in March?

September Beauty Favorites

Monthly favorites time!  I wanted to get this posted last Monday but I had just moved apartments and I was too flat-out exhausted to even consider it.  I know you've been waiting with baited breath.  Anyway, let's get at it.  

L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Excess
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Brightener
NYX HD Photogenic Concealer in Glow 
L'Oreal True Match Powder in Deep Cool
Revlon PhotoReady Powder in Light/Medium

Yikes!  That's a mouthful.  I'm lumping all these together because they were just in last month's favorites and they're still going strong.  With the move and all, I really relied on some trusty standbys instead of buying new products that I'd just have to pack up.  However, I have tried one or two new mascaras that still didn't make the cut to a favorites list.  My Million Lashes Excess is a tough one to beat.   

Simple Foaming Cleanser

When it comes to skin, I feel like I'm pretty lucky.  While I certainly get the occasional breakout, I've never had to deal with any major skin issues.  It feels like I'm at an age where perhaps I should start investing a bit more with my skincare but perhaps I'll save that for next month because Simple is an affordable drugstore brand and I've been pleased with it so far.  Since this cleanser is gentle, I tend to use it in the morning for a quick wake-up and to catch any leftover makeup bits that didn't make it off the night before.  It NEVER stings my eyes and I've had zero irritation with it.  This one is a no brainer.  

August Ipsy Glam Bag

Let's talk Ipppssyyyy!!  This is my favorite month yet!  Amazing stuff in here guys.  For the bag itself, it's cute and a good size but the print seems a little cheap.  Whatevs, because I'll still put it to good use.   

Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub: I was really excited to see this because I've been hearing a  lot about Michael Todd products for awhile and I've contemplated trying some.  I think it's only available online (?) so that's probably what's stopped me from getting anything so far.  However, I tried this scrub the first night I got my Ipsy bag and it was fantastic.  Don't be alarmed because it looks like black tar, it's actually really great.  My skin felt baby soft afterwards and it didn't give me any irritation.  Normal price is $18 which is more than I'd usually spend on a scrub but I might consider it.   

                             

Noya Cherry Lip Balm: A girl can never have too much lip balm so I wasmpleased to see this.  I've tried it a few times and it applies easy, it's smooth and creamy, not too greasy and smells yummy.  I've never spotted this brand in stores so I don't know if I would specifically seek it out or order it online when so many other options are available but it seems like a great product if you happen to spot one in a store.  

Pixi Lash Booster Mascara: It's no secret that I have a thing for mascara.  I'm always on the lookup for my new favorite.  This ain't it though.  From what I can find, this retails for $17 and it's really nothing special at all.  Considering most drugstore mascaras are $9 or under, there's just no way I'd ever see myself purchasing this.  It was decent and I didn't particularly dislike it but for $17 I need to be wowed.  Wowed I was not.      

Pacifica Alight Multi Mineral BB Cream: If I'm being honest, I gave up on BB Creams mostly.  I just really couldn't figure out how they fit into my routine.  I tend to go one of two ways: either I want a full-face look so I use foundation or in every day life I'll just use concealer where necessary.  So BB Cream never really felt like a necessity.  I don't really think this BB Cream will change my mind at all.  It's not bad by any means, but it's got a very definite sheen to it that I think would look sort of funny if you wore it all over your face.  You'd probably look like you were in the Cullen family.  However, it's actually quite pretty and I think it would make a beautiful highlighter or even a liquid-y eye shadow.  

Chella Dazzling Brow Pencil:  I'm probably the least qualified person to review a brow pencil because I've never actually used one.  I have a pretty strong brow au naturale so I only fill it in with shadow (sometimes) and my trusty Maybelline Clear Mascara.  My focus is usually around taming my brows, not "styling" them.  However, from what I've tried, this seems great and I've enjoyed the other Chella product I've used in the past.  

Urban Decay Moon Dust in Diamond Dog:  Holy crap I practically kissed the package when I saw it.  So so pretty!  This stuff is so heavily pigmented with the finest glitter in the best way possible.  It's not the "I shop for makeup at Hot Topic" kind of glitter.  It's like microscopic dense glitter with a wash of brown.  I'm already obsessed.  I know glitter isn't for everyone but it's VERY much for me.  Plus, on the real, this stuff retails for $20!  Ipsy is seriously the best.  

If you're interested in giving Ipsy a try, click HERE. (<< that's my refer a friend link! If you sign up, they might give me extra goodies in my bag to write about!)

What did you guys think of August's Ipsy Glam Bag?