FOTD: Red Lips with NYX Soft Matte Lip Creme in Monte Carlo

I shopped my stash today and was delighted to use a daring red lipstick. I chose the NXY lip cream because it is an absolutely gorgeous color but one I wouldn't normally wear during the day but I was so tired this morning and needed something other than coffee as a pick me up. What better than a red lip cream? 

NYX Lip Creme in Monte Carlo

Chanel Contraste Blush in Plum Attraction

Starlooks Brow Compact

Maybelline Eyeliner in Coal Commander (see my review here)

Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara (see my review here)

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in Medium

I adore this color! It's actually not as loud as it looks when first applied. It really tones down significantly once it's "dried". I like that it's a pretty raspberry-ish color that's not super bright but gives enough color to warm the face. Also, I never knew i'd like matte colors so much but I do.

 It's summer here and I can't seem to tan so a lot of lip colors just don't seem right on me. I think incorporating some strong colors work for the office always works.

I really like these lip creams. The only thing I don't like about it is that this color does not last very long. In fact, it slides off. I suppose it's too dimethicone-y because it has the slippery feel but nonetheless, I do like the way it feels and I do love this color. NYX has always been a consistent brand and I own a lot of their products. I particularly like their lip colors, from the round lipsticks to these lip cremes. I just wish it was longer lasting.

What lip colors are you sporting recently? Do you enjoy shopping your stash? :)

Reviews On Various Skincare Products I've Used

Over the past few months, I've used many products. I don't really have a "set" routine where I use a skincare line from one brand. I tend to try various things all at the same time. I don't know, in my mind. I just feel it reaps in different benefits, haha. I have others that are nearing toward its end but not quite so I'm just going to post about these 5 that I've recently finished using.

Korres Quercetin & Oak Moisturizer, Shiseido Bio Performance (sample), Biore UV Sunscreen, Own Firming Silk Concentrate Serum, Own Renewing Night Cream

Korres Quercetin & Oak Moisturizer, $48.00 (here)

I really like this moisturizer! Like many Korres products, I've always found this brand to be reliable in skincare and makeup. This day cream slowly rejuvenates my tired face in the morning. After cleansing, I use two pumps of this all over my face and neck and I can feel the fatigue fade (if I can say that, hah). It's a very nice day cream and very non greasy. It absorbs very well and I put sunscreen right on top with no problems. I highly recommend! 

Shiseido Bio Performance Corrective Serum, $80.00 (here)

I have a few sample bottles of this and I've been using it every other day or so. I can't really imagine spending that much money on a serum but I guess it's Shiseido afterall! o_o

I like this serum but I don't love it. It's really nice but it feels a bit too dimethicone-y. It's too smooth and sits on top of my skin. The smell is also a little strong for my taste but the smell is very signature to the brand. 

Biore UV SPF 50+ Sunscreen, $10-12 (here)

This is hands down one of the BEST sunscreens I have ever used in my life! I don't say this lightly as I've tried SO many brands from drugstore to high end. This basic drugstore brand from Japan is incredible. It is a milky liquid that applies matte when put on skin. It's a great texture and an even greater formula. It's super light and just SO good overall. I have tried this one and the one in the blue package (for body), and they are both incredible. Both identical to me. The blue one has a bit more product so I recommend that one. I will definitely repurchase this one over and over again. I used to love the Neutrogena liquid sunscreen but ever since I tried this, this has been my staple every single day. And it's great that the price is super affordable!

Own Firming Silk Concentrate, $24.99 (here)

Own Renewing Night Cream, 24.99 (here)

Own is a San Francisco based skincare company that focuses on holistic approaches to skincare. They use ingredients that are proven to work on skin and completely leave out unnecessary chemicals. I received this to test and I was quite excited to see the glass bottle on the serum and the clean look. 

The serum is wonderful. I love the glass dropper bottle. The serum itself is light and the main ingredient is Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, which is a form of fatty oils in coconuts. It really has that "silky" feeling that almost feels cone-y but there is a bit of oily residue that sits on top of the skin before absorption. There's only 4 ingredients in this bottle: 

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride - form of coconut oil (fats)

Coco-Caprylate - emulsifier, from the fatty oils of coconuts

Conjugated Linoleic Acid - plant based antioxidants from fatty acid

 Tocopherol - Vitamin E

The night cream is nice but i cannot stand the smell! It's just horrible. It has a very bitter smell and it lingers terribly. I couldn't see any benefits using this cream and i was more concerned about the bad smell than anything else. Overall, while this brand is innovative, I think I'll pass on this. 

I have tons more products to share, all in due time ^_^

What skincare have you been finishing up lately? :)

Review: Becca Luminous Skin Foundation

I expect a lot from foundations. It's a given, especially since it's basically our "second" skin. I would like it to be breathable, flattering and looking as natural as can be. In the past, I've had great luck with finding foundations with superb formulas.

I've wanted to try the Becca cosmetics line for so long! After having purchased their shimmering skin perfector, which is heavenly, I opted to get one of their foundations. I feel like it's quite unique from all the foundations I own thus far.

What's In My Makeup Bag!

I travelled home yet again for the long Independence Day weekend! Four days of doing absolutely nothing and everything at the same time. The flight home on Wednesday night was my first breather into normality once again and I maybe had a bit too much pleasure picking and choosing what to pack in my makeup bag ;) After all, when thoughts are deluded to such things, I often question myself wondering when I've come to this, where getting excited to choose my travel necessities of choice makes me giddy with joy.

But then again, I tell myself that there are worse things to like. Like drugs or gambling. Of that sort.

I brought home with me my makeup bag of choice which was something I purchased last year during the Sephora F&F sale. I absolutely love this bag... it's beautiful!

Pretty much everything I brought along with me. The liquids in the middle were stored in a ziplock bag to comply with TSA regulations but everything else was in there. Unfortunately this bag doesn't fit a lot of stuff due to the large mirror in the middle.

Dior blush in Passionfruit and Dior quint in Earth Reflections

Current fave of the moment! Becca Luminous Skin Color and Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector.

Shimmering Skin Perfector on the left, foundation on the right

A gorgeous foundation glow! Absolutely dewy, and healthy looking.

The lip products - the first 3 jars are decanted lipsticks I made using bead jars. 

Revlon's Black Cherry, Love the Red and Fuchsia Fusion

My favorite Burt's Bees pomegranate lip balm and my favorite MLBB shade, Dior lipstick in Ultra Nude.

One of my favorite to-go concealers, Maybelline's Mineral Powder concealer.

Biore UV SPF 50 sunscreen for that crazy SoCal sun!

Clinique spot healing gel for pimples, and Tarte's Lights, Camera Lashes mascara. 

Some of my essential brushes 

Ojon Damage Reverse Hair Serum - LOVE this stuff!

My favorite Coco Chanel perfume!

I also went to Sally's Beauty yesterday and picked up these China Glaze nail colors for an insane price. These were all around $1+ each!!!! I'm tempted to go back and pick up more colors. AHH!

Essie Pink a Boo as my base - I brought this with me from my apartment

Topped off with China Glaze's Tattered and Scattered 

Reminds me of a delicious birthday cake and confetti! hah.

That's pretty much it in my travel bag. I'm flying back tonight to get ready for the work week ahead. It has been a fun Independence Day and I'm joyed that I was able to spend it hanging out with family. It's funny how the older we get, the more we want to spend time with them. I remembered wanting to be as far away as possible for college and rebelling in ways that only teenagers are capable of. But now I sort of appreciate my parents and brother and our relationships have only bonded in the 5 years I've been in the Bay Area. Still close enough to fly home but enough distance to keep my sanity, o_o

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend!