Battle of the Roses!

Behold the glory of the rosy pink lip products!

They all look so beautiful, but let's break them down, shall we?

Tanya Burr Lip Gloss (Aurora, Picnic in the Park)

Being a non-reformed beauty junkie, I have certain vices where I like to spend my time (e.g. instagram, tumbler, twitter, bloglovin), but my favorite by far is YouTube. I haven't mustered up the courage to start my own channel, but I absolutely adore watching beauty gurus, and one of the first that I subscribed to was the lovely Tanya Burr. She recently launched a lip gloss and nail varnish line that I happily ordered as soon as it became available. I chose the colors Aurora and Picnic in the Park:

Tanya Burr Aurora

Tanya Burr Picnic in the Park

These lipglosses are shiny, pigmented, and not sticky at all. They are strongly candy scented, but not in an unpleasant way. Picnic in the park is a light pink with no shimmer, and Aurora is a rose with some shimmer. The applicator is a flat doe foot that evenly distributes product. These glosses definitely don't stain, and have an average lasting power, probably about 2 hours or until you eat or drink something. Fairly typical. I think these are extremely wearable, and a great everyday option.

Urban Decay Naked Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss

So, this is really the boss of all lip glosses. It has staying power, feels incredible on the lips, isn't sticky, and has a very nice minty smell. I have the shade Lovechild:

Urban Decay Lovechild

I'm so impressed with this formulation, but it's not too much of a surprise - Urban Decay always does an amazing job. The applicator on this gloss is very interesting:

Urban Decay Lovechild

It's a little difficult to see in this picture (sorry about that!), but it has a strongly angled slant on one side which makes it very easy to apply. I love everything about this gloss, and will definitely being picking up more shades.

Lorac Couture Shine Liquid Lipstick

I have to say that this is my least favorite of the bunch. Granted, because it is a liquid lipstick, the consistency is much thicker than I usually enjoy, but there is something about this product that I'm just not fond of. It has very little scent, but is extremely sticky. I have the color Haute:

Lorac Haute

One the plus side, the opacity is high and the color is lovely. The applicator wand is quite strange though. I'm not sure if this is common, but the brush I received was kind of smushed and fanned out.

Lorac Haute

Maybelline Color Elixir Liquid Color Balm

There is a reason that every beauty blogger is raving about this line. It goes on smooth, is creamy and non-sticky, and is highly pigmented. 

Maybelline Blush Essence

The lasting power of these is fairly standard, much like the Tanya Burr line, but the formula is a bit thicker. These feel great on the lips and are very pigmented. All around a great option, but I have heard many complaints about the strong perfumed scent.

The Balm Staniac

This is a lightweight gel-like stain that offers buildable coverage. It can be used on either cheeks or lips, and I love it for both!

The Balm Staniac Beauty Queen

The nice thing about this product is that it isn't drying at all, doesn't accentuate chapped lips, and can be used for anything from a natural lip to a bold berry statement. It finishes somewhere between and matte and a satin.

The Balm Staniac

These are definitely my favorite pinky rose lip colors of the moment. What are yours?

Thanks for stopping by!

Current Favorites!

Obsessions of the moment

I'm taking a break from my normal format because I felt compelled to write a post about some beauty products that I am currently way too excited about.

YSL Youth Liberator Foundation

This foundation is leaps and bounds beyond all others for me right now (although the Marc Jacobs Genius Gel comes in a somewhat close second). It is hydrating with a satin finish, is light to medium coverage, and is very natural looking. It would be a perfect everyday foundation if the price point wasn't so high.

Tarte Be MATTEnificent palette

I love this palette more than words can express. I should probably tell you that I am not a flashy eye shadow kind of girl, and I enjoy nothing more than matte neutral shades, but having said that, this piece from Tarte is so lovely. Once you get past staring at the packaging for a few hours (or maybe that was just me?), you will see that the quality of the shadows, liners, and blush is wonderful. Love, love, love

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed

I'm a pretty pale shade of completely see-through this winter, so this nude/mauve blush has been really great for a light contour. The staying power of the Amazonian Clay line is incredible, which is always a plus in my book.

Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee in Berry Bliss

I'm going to be honest here and tell you up front that I'm having a real love affair with this product, and I think we're going to be serious for a long time. I have already gone back for two more colors, and I'll probably end up with them all by the time spring rolls around (if it ever does). This gel formula feels so soothing on my winter weathered skin, and can range from super natural to much more pigmented depending on your application. 

Cindy-Lou Manizer by The Balm

The Balm is an amazing brand all around, and they have really outdone themselves with their new blush/highlighter, Cindy-Lou Manizer. It's a beautiful shimmery pink that accentuates the cheekbones just right.

Lash Genius by Anastasia Beverly Hills

"Lash Genius", you may be asking yourself? Yes indeed, I am mentioning an Anastasia product that does not have to do with brows! I have a history of mascara transference, whether it's a waterproof formula or not, and walking around with unwieldy black smudges under my eyes is not a look I'm going for. This waterproofing topcoat seals my mascara in, and stops it from getting all over my face. It does take some extra work to remove at the end of the day, but it's worth it!

Too Faced Better Than False Lashes Mascara

Speaking of mascara, step one of this two-step mascara from Too Faced is making me very happy lately. I am on the eternal quest for the perfect mascara (aren't we all), and this formula has just been working for me. It's not clumpy at all, adds length and volume, and when paired with the Anastasia Lash Genius, it's near perfect.

Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

This one's pretty simple - I have VERY oily eyelids and have tried so many primers. This one actually works. All day. I'm sold!

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

All I have to say about this is that when people say that the quality of your eyelash curler makes a difference, they are right. I've been holding out for years, and finally ordered this last month. It has changed my eyelash game completely. You should invest in one immediately, and behold as your eyes instantly look bigger!

Real Techniques Powder Brush

Basically, I want to include every Real Techniques brush in this post because they are all pure perfection. I only wish that they were more readily available to purchase individually. Super soft, great application, easy to use, affordable... They're wonderful.

Wayne Goss Brush 06

I splurged on two (so far) Wayne Goss brushes, and I'll never look back! I think he is an incredible make-up artist, person, and resource, and his crease blending brush is so good, it's naughty! This brush blends eyeshadow like no other brush I've ever used. Not to mention that the bristles are unbelievably soft. If you want to treat yourself to a high end brush, I would highly recommend this one.

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance

My first winter on the East Coast (and the snowiest winter in a few years, or so they keep telling me) has wrecked my skin. It's taken me many months to figure out that my once oily skin is now dry, and highly upset. To combat this, I have been trying out all kinds of skincare systems, and Dermalogica has been the winner by far. This is the moisturizer that I use at night, and it is so hydrating without being heavy - a really nice and balanced cream.

Perricone MD Blue Plasma

As I mentioned above, my newly dry skin has created some different challenges for me, and one of them has been exfoliation. The Blue Plasma from Perricone MD is a gentle exfoliator that can be used daily, and it's done real wonders for my skin. The only downside is the smell - this product has salmon eggs as one of its ingredients, and you can definitely smell it when you apply the serum. However, it dissipates very quickly, so worry not! The change in texture of your skin once you start using it is very apparent, and who doesn't love some instant gratification?

Marc Anthony 2nd Day Dry Shampoo

I've already blogged about this product, so I'll keep this short: my favorite dry shampoo by a landslide. Seriously, no other brand comes close, and I have tried a lot!

D&G 18 La Lune Eau de Toilette

A floral, yet musky scent, this really reminds me of gardenia (even though I think it's actually tuberose) and sandalwood. It's easily wearable from day to night, which is always a plus.

Thanks for stopping by!

Wishlisted Wednesdays

Hi There!

Today's post is a bit of a departure from the normal wishlisted type of entry, but it just so happens that I love books. I'm quite fond of most genres, and as an only child, I spent hours upon hours immersing myself in whatever books I could get my hands on. Do any of you remember those catalogs that used to get sent home for the monthly book drives in elementary school? I can't even begin to describe the excitement those brought me, and though I rarely got to order from them, I loved perusing the different titles and descriptions. Anyway. You get the picture. I'm a big book nerd. 

As a bibliophile, I'm usually guilty of reading a few titles at a time. For the most part, this is due to the fact that one of my favorite authors, Jose Saramago (one of his books is always in my rotation - it's an addiction), can be difficult to read for extended periods of time. Not only is his narrative structure challenging, but his subject material often leads my mind down some distracting philosophical avenues. 

Which brings me to my point: sometimes I just want a little light reading. Now, let me preface this next statement by saying that I adored the Harry Potter series. When J. K. Rowling released her first post HP novel, The Casual Vacancy, I read it almost immediately. I did enjoy it, but felt as though it lacked a lot of the charm I was used to with her writing. 

Her latest novel, released under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, The Cuckoo's Calling, is everything that I had been looking for from a "popcorn book." 

A mystery novel that introduces a solid protagonist (she will apparently be writing a series to follow said character - fantastic!), I found myself remembering the ease with which Rowling can convey a story. Centered around the apparent suicide of a supermodel, and the private detective investigating her death, it's an extremely engaging read, and a great introduction to the series to come. 

I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something that strikes a balance between thoughtful storytelling and painless reading. It's over in what feels like a flash, though, and now I'm on the lookout for another entertaining and light read!

Any recommendations?

Thanks for stopping by!

Fall Trends - Berry Lips (drugstore edition)

Hi There!

One of the fall trends that I have seen a lot of recently is the berry lip. I thought it would be fun to do a drugstore only post on some of my recent favorites, so here they are:

~Baby Lips Dr. Rescue by Maybelline (shade 60 Berry Soft)

$3.99 - CVS

The Baby Lips line from Maybelline has been buzzed about for a bit now, and the newest edition that I've tried is the Dr. Rescue. They come in six different shades, all fairly sheer, with a distinct menthol/eucalyptus smell. They tingle slightly when applied, but I find that to be a pleasant sensation on my very dry lips. There are a lot of bold claims made by Maybelline about this line - 12 hour hydration, soothing, smoothing, renewing, etc. I can't speak to the smoothing and renewing, as I haven't been using them exclusively for long enough to tell, but they definitely soothe when applied. 

~Color + Care Liquid Lip Balm by Almay (shade 100 Just Plum Good)

$5.99 - CVS

Let me just start this out by saying that I am in love with this product! It comes in ten shades, and glides on very smoothly with a doe-foot applicator. And the smell...oh my. It smells like a cross between caramel and cotton candy. It's incredible. There is no sticky feeling, and it leaves just the right amount of color to give impact while still looking natural. This product also comes with claims of having balm like qualities, such as providing hydration and softer, smoother lips. I did find it hydrating, absolutely. This is definitely not a long lasting product, however, so you may want to keep that in mind.

~Color Whisper by Maybelline (shade 85 Berry Ready)

$7.99 - Walgreens

The Color Whisper line has been a favorite of mine for a few months now, but I hadn't tried this particular color until last week. It's really a lovely shade (there are 20 in total), with much more color payoff than the name would suggest. Maybelline describes it as having a gel formulation, and it really feels nice and weightless. Again, it's not particularly long wearing, but it will last for a few hours, which is reasonable for me. 

~Twist and Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain by Jordana (shade 06 Cranberry Crush)

$2.99 - Jordana

I haven't tried anything from the Jordana line in many, many years, but I have seen this crayon stick reviewed positively by several YouTubers, so I thought I'd give it a shot. In terms of color and pigmentation, it's very similar to the Color Whisper Berry Ready above, just a touch lighter. It applies easily, and leaves an initial glossy finish that does wear down (FYI Jordana describes it as, "glossy finish that transforms into the perfect flush of color." Pretty accurate). The color does stay on the lips for longer than a typical lipstick, but not quite as long as a lip stain. There are 8 shades available.

~Silk Finish Lipstick by Wet nWild (shade 552A Just Garnet)

$0.99 - Walgreens

Wet n Wild makes some pretty solid lipstick, although they do tend to feather a bit, so watch out for that. This shade is a nice mix of plum and red, and it's extremely wearable. It's not a moisturizing formula, but the pigmentation is fantastic and the color is very flattering. You will definitely need to touch it up after eating or drinking, and I highly recommend using a lip liner and applying with a brush to avoid the edges bleeding. All in all, a really nice and affordable option that makes a statement!

What trends are you loving this fall?

Thanks for stopping by!

Thematic Thursdays - Depth of Field (pt. 2)

Hi There!

Welcome to the second installment on depth of field. Last week, I talked about shallow (or small) depth of field, and today I will focusing on deep (or large) depth of field. 

Let's jump right in!

There are many different genres of photography where a large depth of field is utilized, such as landscape, architecture, action, and some street photography. For me, I use this most often in landscape and architecture shots. 

shot with an Olympus E-P3
ISO 800  16mm  f/22  1/320s

Landscapes can be made much more vibrant and vivid by insuring that all elements are in focus. 

shot with an Olympus E-P3
ISO 400 15mm  f/7.1  1/80s

This technique allows the eye to appreciate all that the shot has to offer. 

shot with a Nikon D5100
ISO 2200  55mm  f/20  1/30s

Emphasis on texture is much more at play with deep depth of field, whether it be raw and gritty as above, or smooth and creamy (that's a strange word to describe a photo, but you know what I mean, right?) as below. 

shot with a Nikon D5100
ISO 3200  55mm  f/9.0  1/13s

I often like to employ larger depth when I'm shooting architecture as it allows the viewer to appreciate the details of the subject matter. Here are a few examples:

shot with a Canon Rebel XT
ISO 100  28mm  f/6.3  1/125s

shot with a Canon Rebel XT
ISO 100  28mm  f/8.0  1/250s

shot with a Nikon D5100
ISO 800  24mm  f/18  1/250s

Another instance where I enjoy this is urban/art photography. The sharpness that deep depth of field pairs so well with these types of shots.

 

shot with a Nikon D5100
ISO 640  45mm  f/5.3  1/800s

shot with a Nikon D5100
ISO 640  46mm  f/5.3  1/1250s

shot with a Nikon D5100
ISO 640  18mm  f/4.0  1/500s

This was a very photo heavy post, sorry about that! Sometimes though, the illustration of a concept explains it much more eloquently than words can. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Wishlisted Wednesdays

Hi There!

I don't think I've mentioned this before, but I am a coffee junkie. Having worked in management at a very large retail coffee chain for many, many years, I was spoiled by constant access to delicious coffee. Since I left that job I've been on the search for a high quality in-home option, which I had previously found in the original Keurig brewing system. 

I enjoy so many things about individual cup brewing systems - they are convenient, customizable, low mess, and fast. However, the original Keurig didn't offer a "latte" option, and I was also troubled by the amount of waste that individual pods created. 

Enter the new(ish) Keurig Vue! I had heard about this upgraded option, had been wanting to try it out, and what with my move, I was in need of a new way to brew my coffee. I decided to opt with the Vue, and I am absolutely in love! 

sexy little thing, isn't it?

Happily, this model has addressed my previous issues quite handily. The Vue is able to brew latte style beverages, and the pods are recyclable! 

It is similar to the original Keurig, in that individual pods are used to brew single cups of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and iced beverages. K-cups are not compatible.

so convenient!

The only initial drawback I've found is that most of the larger coffee retailers haven't released Vue pods yet, but I'm sure they will be doing so in time. 

I'm extremely impressed with the quality of the coffee that this machine brews. With the original Keurig, I was much more finicky with the type of K-Cup that I would use because I found a lot of them to be very weak. This has not been the case with the Vue. With each type and brand of coffee that I have tried, the brew has been strong. To add to that, there is an option to brew your cup on a stronger setting. So far, it is perfect for me.

Happy coffee drinking!

Thanks for stopping by!

Random Reviews!

Hi There!

You know what's amazing? Dry shampoo. What's equally incredible is that dry shampoo has become pretty universally acknowledged, which means you can find many different brands without ever having to go to a salon (not that going to a salon is a bad thing). As I'm slightly obsessive about trying new things and figuring out which brands I like most, I thought I would do a post on several of the dry shampoos that I have found at the drugstore.  

To preface this review, I will let you all know a little bit about my hair texture: I have extremely fine, very thin, and pretty oily hair. Great combination, right? You may be asking yourself why I would want to use a dry shampoo when I have an oily scalp, which normally necessitates a daily wash. That's a great question, let me explain... I have had this thing going on for the past few years wherein I lose serious quantities of hair every time I wash it (working on that with the doctor). Therefore, I try to only do so every other day. On the off wash days, I need the dry shampoo to tame the oil in my roots. The other reason that I will probably never forsake this product has to do with the fine texture of my hair. There's no body there. At all. Good dry shampoos do wonders for me as far as styling, curling, etc. 

Alright, with that out of the way, on to the products.

I'm going to talk about them in order of least successful to most successful, and the lowest on my list isn't pictured above, because I lost it in my move and have no desire to replace it.

5) TRESemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo

$4.99 for 5.7oz - Walgreens

This was the only brand I tried that I couldn't find any redeeming qualities about. Sorry TRESemme. This may not be the case for all hair types, but it really didn't work for me. If anything, it made my roots look a little more oily, and weighed down my hair overall. Pretty much the exact opposite of what I need. Like nearly every other dry shampoo, this one leaves a heavy powder residue that needs to be massaged in. The smell was not too bad, however, I guess that's one positive. This one is a pass for me.

4) Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo

$5.99 for 7oz - Walgreen's

Let me tell you - I did not find this refreshing in the least. Hands down, this one had the most off-putting odor of the bunch. Good grief, the fumes. It leaves a standard amount of residue, and is heavily mattifying, despite the "lite" matte finish it describes on the packaging. As far as absorbing oil, I would say that it does a fair job, but not quite as well as I need. It also didn't really texturize enough for me. I won't be purchasing this again.

3) Batiste Dry Shampoo Original

$8.29 for 6.73oz - Walgreens

Batiste has several different variations of dry shampoo, and the original is the first (and only) that I have tried. I would say this one is the heaviest on the residue factor, but it is quite easy to blend through with your fingers, brush, or comb. I wasn't in love with the smell, but I also didn't totally mind it. I purchased the regular size in a package that came with an additional travel size, and it's quite convenient for carrying in my purse. This is a perfectly fine option - it adds a nice amount of texture and finishes only slightly matte (take note Not Your Mother's). I will probably try out the other products from this line, in particular the formulation for dark hair, which I will be picking up soon. 

2) psssst! Instant Dry Shampoo

$6.49 for 5.3oz - Walgreens

Psssst! has been around for what feels like forever. It's a very dependable dry shampoo, not to mention an affordable option that's easy to find. For me, I think it performs quite similarly to the Batiste Dry Shampoo. I would say that the residue is a bit less, and the smell is nicer, which gives it the edge in my book. This is the safe, solid workhorse of the dry shampoo family. Absolutely the one on the list with the most bang for your buck.

1) Marc Anthony True Professional 2nd Day Clear Dry Shampoo

$9.99 for 3.17oz - Walgreens

This might actually be my perfect drugstore dry shampoo. I love it. Love. It. Not only does it do exactly what I want it to (absorbs oil at the roots and adds amazing texture), but it also does exactly what it says it does - it is actually clear. True story. This is the only product I've tried that goes on clear as day. Add to that the fact that it smells wonderful (small caveat - it smells wonderful to me, but it is definitely scented, so be aware of that if you are sensitive to smell), and I'm totally sold. There had to be a catch though, and it's the size of the canister. This has only 3.7 oz, and it goes pretty fast. I am on the search for a larger size, but so far, this is all I've found stocked locally. I will absolutely be purchasing this again. And again (and it would seem often, until I can size up). 

What are your favorite dry shampoos? Do you prefer drugstore or salon brands? 

Happy Friday, everyone!

Thanks for stopping by!