Evening Winter Skin Care Routine

Hello lovelies! I'm back today with a quick post to walk you through my current evening skin care routine. For reference, my skin type is combination. This means it is oily through the t-zone and normal to dry in the cheeks. My main concerns are clogged pores and dullness. So, I generally go for products that are acne-fighting as well as brightening.

1. Remove Makeup

The first step in my routine is to remove any trace of makeup. I have been using Target's Up & Up Brand Makeup Remover to remove my eye makeup for years. It's such an affordable little gem! For the rest of my face, I love Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes. They are gentle, effective, and smell lovely.

2. Cleanse

My current cleanser is Kate Somerville's Detox Daily Cleanser. I am honestly undecided on my feelings about this product. It contains beneficial ingredients such as Phytic and Glycolic acid that are supposed to help even skin tone and fade post-acne marks. This cleanser, along with the Kate Somerville moisturizer, has been doing a fabulous job of brightening my skin. However, I am not yet convinced that it is doing much compared to a normal cleanser to detox my pores and prevent or treat blemishes. The jury is out on this product until I can use it for a few more weeks. In conjunction with my Kate Somerville cleanser, I use my Clarisonic Mia each night to thoroughly cleanse my skin and remove every bit of the day's dirt and grime from my pores.

3. Tone

Yon-Ka Lotion for Normal to Oily Skin is my HG Toner. I have been using this product for years, and whenever I run out, I notice a dramatic difference in the condition of my skin. This toner has anti-inflammatory properties that calm my sensitive skin as well as natural botanicals such as rosemary that help stave off blemishes. It is also alcohol free and incredibly gentle on the skin. I can't imagine my skin care routine without this refreshing facial mist!

4. Moisturize

Kate Somerville Nourish Daily Moisturizer is a new favorite of mine (featured in my November favorites post!). It is a lightweight gel-cream that easily sinks into skin, yet still manages to adequately hydrate my combination skin overnight. I wake up each morning to calm, glowing skin. For my eyes, I am still using Origin's GinZing Eye Cream, another November favorite! 

Hope you enjoyed the post! I have been debating whether or not to upload my current morning skin care routine, so please let me know if you would like to see that as well.

Lots of Love,

Louise

November Favorites

Flora by Gucci Gorgeous Gardenia

This perfume is quite simply, as the name states gorgeous.  Ever since I purchased it a few months ago it has become my HG fragrance. It somehow manages to smell young and feminine and yet still age appropriate all at the same time. I was also pleasantly surprised by how long lasting this is for a floral perfume. I have applied it in the morning before leaving for work, only to have my boyfriend comment how nice I smell when I meet him getting off the train at night. I hope Gucci never discontinues this fragrance!

Kate Somerville Nourish Daily Moisturizer

This moisturizer has a lovely gel- like texture that sinks into the skin without being at all sticky or tacky. It adequately moisturizes my combo skin without turning it into an oil slick by morning. It also has a lovely, unoffensive scent and the pump style packaging is much more sanitary than traditional jar moisturizers. I have also worn this under my makeup on occasion when my skin was feeling particularly dry, and had no problems with extra oil buildup or patchiness.

Origins GinZing Eye Cream

This is a wonderful simple eye cream. It is not meant to be overly hydrating or anti-aging, but it suits my needs perfectly. All I really need is a light moisturizer to smooth down under my concealer during the day, and one that will help hide the appearance of dark circles. Origins GinZing is just that! It contains mica that helps reflect light and diminish the appearance of dark circles, as well as caffeine that helps to stimulate blood circulation and tighten puffiness under the eyes. I think this is the ideal product for those in their early to late twenties. 

Bumble and bumble Brilliantine

This has to be hands down my favorite product from the Bumble and bumble hair care line. As it says on the packaging, what exactly this styling cream does is "unique and hard to define." This little golden tube seems to be a hybrid shine enhancer/ smoother/ volumizer/ texturizer. Regardless of if I wear my hair wavy or straight, I have been applying this cream religiously as a finishing product ever since I purchased it during Sephora's last VIB sale. This product manages to give my hair a little "oomph" it was missing before. A tiny amount gives any style a little more sheen, body and movement.

NARS Blush in Madly

I have not reached for a single other cheek product since purchasing this blush. Not only does this golden rose color help to contour my face, but it also imparts a bronzed radiance to the skin. For a full review with swatches, please click here!

Mac Fluidline in Macroviolet

This was a happy rediscovery for me in November. Feeling bored with my usual black liquid liner, I decided to pull this little baby out and have been loving the effect ever since. It does a great job of defining the eyes without being as harsh as traditional black liner. The subtle golden plum color really lights up green eyes and works wonderfully with many smokey looks. I believe the Fluidline in Macroviolet will also be promoted in the next MAC Collection, Taste Temptation.

What were your favorite products in November? Hope you are all looking forward to a beautiful December and Holiday season!

Lots of Love,

Louise

December Wishlist

I'm back today with a few things I am wishing for next month and on into the holidays. Hope you enjoy!

Tarte Clean Slate Flawless 12-Hour Brightening Primer
I purchased a mini sample size of this primer in a tarte trio at Sephora and have been loving it ever since. I never thought I would go for a hydrating primer, given how my combination skin can get quite oily throughout the day. However, this primer works beautifully with my beloved tarte Smooth Operator Tinted Moisturizer. It contains brightening pigments that bring some life to the skin and the formula feels entirely weightless on my face. I also appreciate that it is not chalk-full of silicones that I find generally clog my pores.

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intesive Exfoliating Treatment
I have been experimenting with other Kate Somerville products like her Detox Daily Cleanser as well as the Nourish Moisturizer (reviews coming soon). So far, I am very impressed! Although this exfoliator is incredibly expensive, I am curious to find out what all the hype is about.

NARS Douceurs de Paris Eyeshadow Palette
A collection of six shimmery and matte plum-toned and neutral eyeshadows from NARS... is there really any need to say more?

Kate Spade Primrose Hill Patent Nisha Wallet
Honestly, if I had all the money in the world, I would probably purchase everything in the Kate Spade boutique at my local mall right now! But, if I had to pick just one item it would be this red patent wallet. Give me anything made out of brightly colored patent leather with a bow on it, and I am a happy girl!

Michael Kors Mid-Size Lexington Chronograph Watch
It seems as if I have been eyeing this watch all year! Every time I am in Nordstrom I pass the watch section and give a little sigh. I've been hinting like mad that this is what I would like for Christmas... so who knows, maybe "Santa" will be nice this year!


What's on your wishlist for December?


Thanks for reading!

Lots of Love,

Louise

I've Gone Mad for NARS Blush in Madly!

Feeling a little tired of my usual peachy-pink cheek picks, I went on the hunt a few weeks ago for a more bronzed, natural-looking alternative. I have heard murmurings here and there about how underrated NARS Blush in Madly was, so I thought I would check it out for myself. Ladies, you need this blush in your collection. If bronzed, glowing and sculpted cheeks are what you after, this is the one-stop wonder for you. Just a few swipes of this sheer, yet buildable rose-bronze shade illuminates my skin and sculpts my round face like nothing I have ever used. The first day I wore this, I not only had a coworker tell me I looked tan but even my boyfriend mentioned that I looked like I had gotten a bit of color. And let me say, that is a feat for my otherwise ghostly complexion!

NARS describes Madly as a "soft-focus seashell pink" which in truth, I just don't see. On my skin tone (neutral, fair) is comes across as a warm bronze with hints of rose. There is a slight silver-toned shimmer running through the powder that once applied is hardly noticeable except for the gorgeous luminosity it adds to the skin.

The wear time on this blush is fantastic as well. I apply it in the morning before running off to work, and it lasts on my combo skin through an entire day in the office with hardly any fading or patchiness. I have found that with other NARS blushes such as peachy-pink Deep Throat, I have to touch up by mid day, but that is not the case with Madly.

Many have compared Madly with Luster, another NARS blush I own and love. As you can see in the photo below Madly (on the left) is a much more neutral rose-toned color, whereas Luster (on the right) is true to its description as a "sheer golden apricot". I prefer to wear Luster in the Summer months, with golden and bronze-toned eye looks. Madly has a neutral, slightly silver sheen to it, while Luster is much warmer with a strong golden sheen.

NARS Madly swatched on the left, Luster swatched on the right. 

Please check out my Cozy Autumn look to see Madly in action!  

What are your thoughts on NARS Madly? Do you have any cheeks products that are a go-to when you want sculpted, natural looking cheeks?

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! xx

Best,
Louise

Today I'm Wearing #14: A Cozy Autumn Look

Products Used

Face

Benefit the Porefessional Primer

tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Tinted Moisturizer in Agent 02

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer in Ivory

MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder in NC20

Cheeks

NARS Blush in Madly (review coming soon)

Eyes

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Beige

NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Kalahari

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner 

MUFE Smoky Lash Mascara 

Lips

Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm

Thanks for reading!

Lots of Love,

Louise

Sephora VIB Holiday Sale Mini Haul!

 For those of you that may not know, Sephora is having their 20% off Holiday Sale from today through November 12! I decided to take full advantage of the savings and picked up a few items I had been eyeing for some time (but never wanted to shell out the cash for).

 First up, are the hair care products. I have been on the hunt for a soft styling cream that will give my hair smooth, soft definition on days when I air dry it. I am really trying to be better about giving my hair a break from all the heating tools I use! Bumble and bumble Curl Conscious Defining Creme is one of the highest rated hair creams on the Sephora website and promises to "support soft, fine curls that tend to droop- keeps them shapely and resilient without crunchiness". So far, all I know is this cream smells fantastic! I can't wait to see how my wavy, unruly hair reacts to this. Another hair product I have wanted to try for years but just never got around to purchasing is the Bumble and bumble Brilliantine which claims to "give hair polish and a sort of languid, slept-in, sexy look with separation and extra sheen." Sounds like a winner to me! In any case, I will report back to you how my hair gets on with these two!

Lastly, I was in need of a new concealer and seeing as how much I am still loving my tarte Smooth Operator Tinted Moisturizer, I wanted to try out one of their concealers. The tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Waterproof Concealer is meant to be long lasting, easily blendable, and boasts beneficial natural ingredients. I'm hoping I love this as much as my other tarte products! 

Please let me know if you are planning on picking anything up at the Sephora VIB Sale! I still have 4 more days to do a bit more damage...

Lots of Love,

Louise

MAC Eyeshadow Collection & Favorite Combinations

My devotion to makeup brands is a fickle one. For weeks I will live for anything from NARS before switching to Benefit or tarte Cosmetics. But recently my un-dying love belongs to MAC Cosmetics. Something about the formula and colors of their eyeshadows, blushes and bronzers have really been tickling my fancy. So, it seemed only appropriate to share with you all the shadows I have been enjoying lately. 

I realize my MAC eyeshadow collection is a humble one when compared to those of many beauty bloggers, and as you can see it is made up entirely of neutrals (not terribly exciting). But as a neutral-lover, these are all colors I use and love on a regular basis. Also, keep reading for a breakdown of my favorite looks to create with these shadows!

 Nylon + All That Glitters + Wedge + Black Tied = Everyday Peachy-Bronze Eye

Without fail a few days of the week (especially during Summer) this is my go-to combination. I dust All That Glitters, one of my all-time favorite MAC eyeshadows, across the lid and add a small amount of Wedge in the outer corner, blended slightly into the crease with a MAC 217. For soft, smokey definition, I  line my upper lash line with Black Tied using a MAC 266 slightly dampened with Urban Decay's All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray. To finish the look off, I apply Nylon to my inner corners for a wide-awake effect. For those of you who watch Tanya Burr (pixi2woo) on youtube, you may recognize this combination from one of her videos, which is where I originally got the inspiration.

Nylon + Naked Lunch + Sable + Black Tied = Soft Plum Perfection

When I am not wearing my Peachy-Bronze Eye look (above) I generally opt for a soft, plum-toned eye combination. For ladies with green or hazel eyes, this is one you must try out! The contrast of golden plum tones in Sable make green eyes glow beautifully. I simply apply MAC's Naked Lunch to the first half of my eye lid with a MAC 239, then flip the brush over and use the opposite side to apply Sable to the outer half of my eye lid. Using my MAC 217 I gently blur the line between the two shadows to create a soft haze of color. I also apply a small amount of Sable to the lower lash line. MAC Nylon and Black Tied are used in the same way as the previous look.

Nylon + Sable + Quarry + Black Tied = A Flirty Night- Out Look

On the rare occasion that I do feel like a smokey eye, I like to pair Sable with Quarry. This look is easily created by taking my daytime Soft Plum look from above,  and adding more drama and definition to the outer V and crease with Quarry eyeshadow, blended with a MAC 217. A touch more Black Tied to the lash line finishes off the look.

What are you favorite MAC Eyeshadow combinations?

Lots of Love,

Louise

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