May Favorites | 2015

I don't believe I've done a favorites post yet, and I know they're one of my favorite things to see in the beauty area of the Internet. I love to see what people have been enjoying, and also what they haven't - I think next time I'd like to incorporate both things I've liked and disliked. Ever since watching Claire Marshall's 'Beauty Reviews,' I feel like the inclusion of both is a pretty great idea.

But, anyway, this month is about what I've loved. It is a touch late, but better late than never. :)

I only have a few, all makeup related, as that's all I wanted to talk about this time. I've finally gotten the chance to really wear my makeup almost every day, so I've had plenty of time to try things out and see how I like them on an all-day basis and not just 'try it on and wear it around the house for a few hours.'

First, I'll start with the big thing: the Naked 3 palette.

I bought this last year, mostly because I loooved the colors in it. I'm a sucker for golds and dusty pinks. I didn't own any other Naked palette (I still don't), but this one called to me first. I've been really enjoying it this month, and almost every time I wear eyeshadow I use this. I particularly love Nooner, which is a matte mauve-pink and looks absolutely gorgeous. Sometimes I wear it alone with a bit of Dust in the inner corners. Dust is also a favorite, though many don't seem to like it because it's a fairly chunky glitter shadow and is a bit, well....dusty. I personally love it. It reminds me of fairy dust, and makes me feel quite like a fairy when I wear it. There honestly isn't a color in here I don't like in some way. With primer, these shadows last all day.

I've also been loving the Real Techniques buffing brush. I've been using it as my foundation brush, and let me tell you it works like a charm. I've always had trouble applying foundation with a brush, as it would get quite streaky, but this applies my foundation flawlessly. It feels wonderful. It can get a little streaky when the brush is dirty, but a good wash and it's back to it's usual perfection. Mine is currently dirty and in need of a good wash.

The Kat Von D Immortal Lash mascara has also been working pretty great for me. It's what I've mostly been wearing this month. It's a great, true black mascara that thoroughly coats my lashes and gives them length and, with two coats, a fair amount of volume. Nothing crazy, which is fine with me. The little bubble tip at the end of the wand is also pretty handy for catching my bottom lashes. The formula doesn't flake or smudge throughout the day, even in hot weather, which is fantastic (as you guys know, the Better Than Sex mascara did this to me - sad). I really enjoyed this mascara, and I'll probably buy it again.

The Pixi Flawless primer has also been steady on my favorites list. I've done a review on it already, so let me just say it has continued to not disappoint and I am sadly almost out of it. If you have dry, flaky skin, this might be a good primer to try for you.

Lastly, the OCC Lip Tar in Lydia has been killing it. I bought this on a whim a few months ago and I've worn it at least six times this month, which I almost never do for lipstick. I tend to switch it up a lot. But this lip tar is just so gorgeous. The shade is a beautiful dark mauve-y plum that looks fabulous with my pale skin, it applies like a dream, and once dry it stays on for hours. Even with no touch ups, at the end of the day my lips will be a light mauve that is still very flattering. It's also not drying. The lip tars can take some practice to apply, as they are very pigmented and can get messy fast. I apply it carefully with a small lip brush, which works great for me. I'm dying to get a few more colors from OCC soon.

I suppose that's it for this month. I have a few new skin/hair products to try out as well, and maybe they'll make it to next months list. We'll see!

Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer | Review

Today I'll be reviewing a product I've owned for some time, but didn't use until late last year and fell in love with it.

I received this little guy in an ipsy bag when I was still subscribed to them. Because many of the products in ipsy bags didn't suit me or just weren't to my taste, I often put most of them aside and didn't use them. I let this primer sit for several months before pulling it out one day to try.

This primer claims to "even skintone" and add a "youthful glow" with its hydrating formula. That was what sold me on using it, as I have quite dry skin and any product that claims to be hydrating for my skin is worth a try. 

It is quite hydrating, especially if you're applying this after you've gone through your skincare routine. It can add that lovely dewy glow that some people seek without being too overpowering, which is what endeared it to me. I love that dewy look, but often have a hard time achieving it as my dry skin sucks the moisture out of everything. A little goes a long way, and as far as the primer aspect of it, I'd say it does a fairly good job of keeping my makeup in place. It may not be the best primer, but it does its job.

It comes out almost the exact color of the packaging. I'm not sure if it's made to conform to your skin color, so I'm not sure how this would work on darker skin tones. I'm very pale and it blends into my skin quite nicely, but I can't be sure if it would be the same for everyone, unfortunately. ): And, I'm also not sure how this would work on oily skin, so I have no information about that either. It also smells somewhat like sunscreen. 

I'll most likely be buying this primer again, just because I like it that much. I also want to try other primers, of course, but I have found one that actually works for my dry skin and I intend to keep it in my stash.