Birthday Haulage

I got some stuff for my birthday.  It was nice that the Ulta 20% off coupon and the Sephora VIB sale coincided with it.

From Ulta:

Olay Regenerist Serum: This is a staple in my skincare routine, and I was out of it.  Not very exciting.

Olay Regenerist Cleansing Cloths: There were free with the serum.  Not very exciting.

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Eyeshadow Palette: Very exciting.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil in Turn On: I have heard nothing but raves for this lip pencil, so I really wanted to try one.  Turn On is a slightly pearlescent cool rose.

Japonesque Pro Performance Lipstick in 05: I haven't heard anything about these, but the color looked so pretty I decided to try it.  This is a niiiiiiice lipstick.  I'll try to do a review soon.

From Sephora:

Josie Maran Pure Argan Oil: A staple in my skincare routine.  Not particularly exciting, but a nice, luxurious purchase.

Sephora Daily Makeup Brush Cleaner: A necessity.  Not exciting.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Tamanna Palette: Very Exciting.  I missed out on the Amrezy palette, but I'm now okay with that.  I read that this one is better quality, and the colors and packaging are beautiful.

I like the "Get the Look" cards that come with it.

I kind of have eyeshadow palettes coming out my ears (great visual, right?), but they are my weakness.

I also got some sparkly Tarina Tarantino pink gumball earrings.

And, I got some free cereal bowls with the purchase of some cereal.  I chose Tony the Tiger and Toucan Sam.

I bought a couple more things from the Sephora VIB sale which haven't arrived yet...

Yay for birthdays, right?

What's In My Travel Makeup Bag?

I'm going out of town for a few days (so fewer posts this week), so I thought I'd share with you what's in my travel makeup bag (this does not include skincare).  I am not flying, so I don't need to worry about being FAA compliant.  I'm just driving myself, so I can kind of have as large a bag as I want, but I'm only going for 2-3 days (or more, depending on the weather), so I don't really need much.  I'm also just going to see family, but I like to be able to be fancy with my makeup if I feel like it.

I tried to make this photo all artsy with stuff tumbling out of the bag.

My sparkly purple makeup bag is the Urban Decay 15th Anniversary Quinceanera bag (no longer available).

Here's what made the cut:

Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer -- This is my favorite "base" product.  I don't usually wear a true foundation on a daily basis, but if we were going to get dressed up for any reason, I would take a foundation with me.

Wet 'n' Wild Coverall Pressed Powder -- This just happens to be the setting powder I'm using right now.  I want to try the Rimmel Stay Matte powder next.

Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush in Candy Glow -- I like how this has pink and coral colors so it works with cool and warm-toned looks.  Plus, it has some light shimmer to it, so it gives a little luminosity to the skin, and I can skip the highlighter.

Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Corrector -- My favorite concealer.

LORAC Creamy Brow Pencil in Auburn -- A pencil with a spoolie brush on one end is convenient.

Urban Decay Primer Potion -- If I'm going to wear eyeshadow, I need a primer.  (I don't feel the same way about traveling with face primers, because the serum I use in my skincare regime works as a primer if I want to use it as such).

Tarina Tarantino Hyperliner eye pencil in Tommy Jet -- A great waterproof black pencil liner.

Too Faced Pretty Rebel eyeshadow palette -- There are so many looks that can be created with this palette, and the shadows themselves are amazing.  I could have picked the Naked or Naked 3 palette, but my family kind of gets a kick out of my colorful eyeshadows, so I chose this.

Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara -- My favorite everyday mascara at the moment.  I considered putting in my Benefit They're Real mascara, but I want something that removes easily, and I don't need the dramatic lashes that mascara gives me when I'm just visiting my family.

Real Techniques Powder Brush -- It's a little on the huge side, but it fits in my bag, and it is currently my favorite powder brush.

Eco Tools Travel Powder Brush -- I think this came in their 5 piece mineral brush set (I acquired it quite a while ago).  I use it as a blush brush.

Eyeshadow Brushes: E.L.F. Eyeshadow "C" brush, MAC 217 blending brush, Sephora Crease brush, Sonia Kashuk blending brush (it doesn't have a number or name on it), Sephora cat eyeliner brush (came in a set with another brush).

I also considered throwing in Josie Maran Coconut Water Cheek Gelee in Poppy Paradise, Milani Illuminating Face Powder in Amber Nectar (which is held together by packing tape), and  Benefit Speed Brow brow gel.

I haven't included lip products, because I carry those in my purse.  I'll have to do a "what's in my purse?" post soon.

If I was just going overnight, I would take less than this.  Probably just tinted moisturizer, blush, mascara, brow gel, a cream eyeshadow so I can skip the eyeshadow brushes (I usually take Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze), and what ever lippies are in my purse.

How much do you take with you for short trips?  Have you ever regretted not having something with you?

Naked 3 EotD/FotD and a Personal Update

I'm really enjoying my Urban Decay Naked 3 palette.  It's an easy, everyday, goes with everything palette.

Eyes: Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal 24HR eyeshadow in Inked in Pink
           Urban Decay Naked 3 palette -- Burnout all over the lid
                                                      Buzz and Nooner in the outer corner and crease
                                                      Strange by the tear duct
         Bobbi Brown Intensifying Long-Wear Mascara

Cheeks:  Josie Maran Cheek Gelee in Poppy Paradise
                Milani Illuminating Face Powder in Amber Nectar

Lips: Maybelline Color Sensational The Elixir lipgloss in Petal Plush

from left: Maybelline Color Tattoo in Inked in Pink, Burnout, Buzz, Nooner, Strange

from left: Milani Amber Nectar, Maybelline Color Elixir in Petal Plush, Josie Maran Cheek Gelee in Poppy Paradise

On a personal note:
In case you were curious, I was out of town without my laptop last week, which is why I didn't post for a few days.  I was busy with this:

Yep.  I bought a new (used) car (a 2013 Chevy Cruze).  I had to say goodbye to my 15 year-old Saturn Coupe, which made me quite sad.  I loved that little red car -- it was a stick shift, had a sun roof, and was generally kind of sporty.  But, cars don't last forever, and it was definitely time (possibly past time) to trade it in.

I haven't named my new car yet, but my old car was named Eloise (one my favorite childhood literary characters).

Goodbye Eloise!

I'm getting all teary-eyed.

10 of My Favorite Makeup Items From 2013

I thought I'd share a few of my favorites makeup items of the year.  I didn't include skincare or haircare because I've done favorites and empties posts for them, and they don't really change for me.

Some of these were introduced this year, and some were new to me.  All of these became favorites of mine.

In no particular order:

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser -- This has a nice lightweight formula that doesn't settle into the lines around my eyes.  It covers decently, and I think it is quite fun to use because of the little puff applicator.

Maybelline Color Elixir lipgloss (review) -- I think these have a lovely formula.  They were introduced late in the year, but they quickly became a favorite of the year.  They are some of the nicest lipglosses on the market, in my opinion.  They feel plush and hydrating on the lips.

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Sticks (review) -- These smell wonderful (if you like fruity scents), are very hydrating, and make the lips feel softer, even after they wear off.

Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush in Candy Glow-- I like that this has 3 colors of blush that you can either swirl together, or use just the coral color or the pink color (although you need a smaller brush to pick up just one color or the other).  I do consider this a highlighting blush due to the shimmer, but it doesn't look glittery on the skin.

Josie Maran Coconut Water Cheek Gelee in Poppy Paradise (swatch) -- This blush is great for giving a natural flush to the cheeks.  It's very easy to apply (I always use my fingers for this one) and feels sort of cooling, which is especially nice in the summer.

Too Faced Pretty Rebel Palette -- I didn't get this palette until November, but it is one of the best palettes I own.  The shadows are very pigmented and soft, and there is an excellent mix of neutrals, brights, metallics, and darks.

Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy -- This was one of the great discoveries of the year for me.  It is amazing how different shimmery and glittery shadows and pigments look over this.

Benefit They're Real Mascara -- I really only wear this when I want dramatic lashes.  It separates, volumizes, and lengthens all at once.  It is more difficult to remove than most non-waterproof mascaras which is why I don't wear it everyday.

JinSoon Nail Laquer in Nostalgia (review) -- This is my favorite nude nail color.  The formula is long-wearing and shiny, even without a top coat.

Sally Hansen Lustre Shine Nail Color in Firefly  (swatches)-- I wore this almost non-stop in the fall.  It's a complex color that changes from pinky copper to gold with some green depending on how the light hits it.

Obviously, this is not a complete list of favorites (that could get very long), but just a few that stood out to me.

What are some of your favorites from 2013?

Winter Solstice Eotd

I thought I'd do blue and silver eyes to celebrate the first official day of winter.

Base: Urban Decay Primer Potion
         NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk

Eyeshadows:  Shimmery navy blue from the Josie Maran Eye Love You palette (review)

                     Jailbird (metallic silver) from the Too Faced Pretty Rebel palette

                 Mauve from the LORAC PRO palette in the crease as a transition color

           
              Cream from the LORAC PRO palette under the brow
             

Liners: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On eyeliner pencil in Binge
            Milani Liquif'Eye Metallic eyeliner pencil in Silver

Mascara: Benefit They're Real

from left: NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk, Josie Maran navy blue, Too Faced Jailbird, LORAC Mauve, LORAC Cream, Milani Liquif'Eye in Silver, Urban Decay eyeliner in Binge

Have a wonderful Winter Solstice!