On a little bit of inspiration from Tori's post last week, I tackled organizing all my make up as well. I wasn't happy with my previous system, and I'm not 100% satisfied with this one, but it's at least better because I'm not constantly digging for products. Enter, the most used drawer. These are my tried, true and in most cases, well-loved products that have made their way into my daily (or almost daily) life. I reach for these products to create just about every make up look. This probably seems like a lot of products to use on the regular, but when have I not been ridiculous? I snagged the divider from Target a while back, I'm sure you can still find it in stores.

After my crazy, last minute impulse trip to Manhattan on Monday and a slew of tests, homework and projects being thrown at me this week, my make up routine has been at an all time low. I've been wearing as little of make up as possible, considering I'm getting next to no sleep with how busy I've been. So without further ado, here's what's been on my face this week.


FACE
Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in BR12 (pictured)/Covergirl Whipped Foundation in Ivory
I've been alternating foundations this week based on coverage. For days that I'm feeling really lazy, or don't need a whole lot of coverage, I've reached for my Chanel foundation of course. I'm sure I've raved about this enough now that you're sick of hearing about it so I won't go on any longer. And I'd be willing to bet same goes for my beloved Covergirl Whipped. I'm nearly out so it's really just been about finishing off the pot, and the added coverage doesn't hurt either.

EYES
MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly paired with Benefit's They're Real/EM Cosmetics Lash Gallery Clean Volume (pictured)
Some more tried and trues here, to no surprise. I've been so lazy about eyeshadow that I haven't even been wearing any. Painterly is pretty much a perfect match for my eyes, so I just use it all over the lid to neutralize and leave it at that. Sticking to my favorite mascaras, they both have the same awakening effect on my eyes (thank God), but Benefit's offering gives off a more natural look.

BROWS
Essence Eyebrow Designer Pencil/Maybelline Great Lash in Clear
I dug out my Essence pencil after it's been at the bottom of the drawer for a while, and now I'm not sure why I ever put it down. I've been turning back to filling in my brows with a brunette color since my hair has faded quite a lot. This pencil gives off a very natural finish and it doesn't require a whole lot of effort to fill in. As always, I finish off and keep them in place with Maybelline Great Lash.

What are your go-to's on busy weeks?

xx
Tessa

MAC Constructivist, Urban Decay Naked 2, Urban Decay Liar, bh cosmetics Sun, Maybelline Barely Branded

We all have those mornings where we don't feel like doing our make up but still need to manage to look presentable. Enter: minimal make up and one sweep shadows. Now, I myself am more than likely to sweep on at least two shadows, but we know all too well I'm notorious for running late and slapping on a couple products to make the bare minimum of presentable. Obviously the options are endless, but here are a few of my favorites.


Urban Decay Naked 2 (from Naked Basics)
From my very well loved Naked Basics palette, this shade was the first I hit pan on. And I'm pretty sure I cried when I discovered you couldn't buy it separate from the palette. This is the perfect matte brown shade and would work on multiple skin tones, and gives the perfect wash of color. I like using it with a fluffy blending brush as it distributes the product perfectly between the lid and the crease, giving you the appearance of trying harder than you actually did. A+

Urban Decay Liar (from Naked 3)
Another newer addition to my collection, thanks to Jen. I typically like to use this palette when I'm going out but there are days when I reach for it to create a day look. This offering isn't as dark and harsh on the lid as Mugshot or Factory, but still has a brown undertone that allows you to pull it off on it's own.

bh Cosmetics Sun (from Galaxy Chic Palette)
I got this sample a while back and am tempted to buy the whole palette based on this color. It's a marbled reddish color with gold and looks absolutely gorgeous on the lid. I love pairing this with winged liner for a bit more of a dramatic flare.

MAC Paintpot in Constructivist
This is the newest addition to my collection, but quickly became a favorite. If you don't want to spend the $20 at MAC, Maybelline's Bad to the Bronze has a pretty similar effect, but not as dark. I'm never big on shimmery shadows, but this color gets it right, and it adds a little bit of dimension that otherwise would be nonexistent.

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded
Of course this had to make the list, a go-to of mine for the whole summer, Barely Branded is the perfect champagne shade. It's not too golden, silver, brown, or anything. It's pretty much straight up champagne. I like to use this on it's own or layer it under another shadow.

I know you all are probably really sick of hearing me talk about how I'm always late and running out the door and my make-up to match. But this week I've had some serious issues with that, seeing as I'm in the midst of final papers (perks of being a journalism major: tests are rare, downfalls: papers on papers on papers. And I'm the queen of procrastination). So this week it's been the bare minimum for me on make up. I promise you, this will be the last what's on my face for a while. Unless you really like these, in which case, I shall continue.

Now, when I say bare minimum, I mean: bare minimum. Foundation, eyeliner, mascara, brows, done. That's how minimum I've been this week. Sticking with my trusty CoverGirl Whipped Creme Foundation in Ivory, that I'm sure you've heard all you can about. It's a great alternative to the Revlon PhotoReady Whipped if you're not willing to drop $15 on a foundation. Blending that out with my finger tips is the quickest, easiest, no-fuss foundation application ever. The lazy girl's dream. For liner, I've once again, not broken out of my box. Using Rimmel London's Get in Line, which was discontinued with their Rimmel U line (such a shame, I loved it). Continuing to the point, I have ventured out a little from my typical application and gone for a full, thicker wing. I will wear winged liner, but my version is usually pretty thin with a small flick at the end, nothing too dramatic. But I decided to experiment a little this week and have been loving it. See motto: Eyeliner on point, life in shambles (couldn't be more relevant). Finishing off the eyes, I've gone back to another tried & true: Benefit's They're Real. Recently, I've been raving and constantly reaching for EM Cosmetic's Lash Gallery Clean Volume. Benefit's offering however, just offers a great amount of separation and length. As far as brows, my typical routine has stuck using Anastasia's Brow Powder Duo in Auburn (specifically the left side color) to fill in and setting them with Maybelline's Great Lash in Clear.

Well, that's all from me this week! I hope you guys are surviving finals. I promise to bring you some really awesome stuff over Winter Break!

xx
Tessa

From looking at upcoming posts, it looks like a couple of us had a crazy week and still another one to come. I, for sure, am not an exception. It never fails that when I am crazo-nutzo (as my coworker would explain things) I rely on muscle memory to do my makeup. Even though my makeup organization is in the process of being revamped, I somehow always find myself with these products in hand. I know it's only Tuesday, but I haven't changed my routine for at least a week.

When things are crazy, I tend to make sure that my base is on point. I could not care less about anything else but a good base is the key to making sure you don't look like a zombie. Let's face it, that's important. As i'm typing this I've realized that I didn't photograph a couple of products (why didn't I make a list...) so I'll just go ahead and include those anywho. After moisturizing, I have been applying the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer. Even though I have dry skin, I love this primer because I feel like it just adds a bit more moisture and does actually set my base unlike some products I've used (i'm lookin' at you, POREfessional). Then for foundation. This is probably my favorite part of doing my makeup since I got the Real Technique brushes. I've been using the YSL Le Teint Touche Eclait, but since I got the sample of the Lancôme Teint Idole foundation I have a new found love. I thought I would never find anything to top the YSL, but oh man. I'm buying the full size product whenever I have a spare moment. It keeps my face looking fresh and even all day. I had this foundation on for 15 hours and just washed it off and it looked as good as it did when I first applied it.  After this, I use the Revlon Photo Concealer under my eyes.

I then use the ELF High Definition Powder to set my foundation. MAC's Harmony is then used as a contour and I've really been loving Rimmel's blush in Pink Sorbet. It's just a beautiful peach color that looks nice with my skin tone and balances out whatever I wear with it. Another important step for completing my base is the Benefit Watts Up highlighter; it seriously works miracles. I'm not going to even explain my love for Gimme Brow by Benefit one more time, but it's used after blush. When I'm in a rush, I will typically only use one eyeshadow after I've used the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. The two picks lately have been Club and Woodwinked from MAC. They both really suit my eye color and woodwinked is just a really nice natural color with a bit of shimmer to wake up my eyes. Plus they both have wonderful color pay off and stay on all day. I always feel a bit awkward just using one shadow and so I will blend a bit of the contour shade in the crease line. After I've applied my eyeshadow I'll just go ahead and blend some of the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk to highlight my brow. No, this does not look ridiculous because I'm the shade of Casper. As always, I curl my lashes and apply my most loved Revlon mascara. All in all, my makeup takes me less than 10 minutes in the morning. And when I have to walk the pups at 4:30 in the morning before work, I've already expended all effort for the day.

What products do you guys grab in a hurry?

xx Tori

Hello Loves!

     With summer basically in full swing now (besides this bipolar Kansas weather that we just can't seem to get rid of), I've found some products that I am constantly reaching for to do my make-up for the day. Doesn't matter what's on the agenda: lunch with the girls, work, dinner with the family, or even all of the above — these products are getting a lot of love lately. I've found it's easier for me to keep these products in my make-up bag on my counter rather than with the rest of my collection where I would have to dig to find them, which to be real honest I definitely do not have time for. 



     My summer make-up doesn't consist of a whole lot of products. I usually don't bother with a foundation in the summer as: 1. My foundations get too light for me anyway and 2. I find that I don't need as much coverage as I do during the rest of the year since my skin stays pretty well behaved. I've divided my routine into two sections: face and eyes. I do usually have a lip product that I will use as well but that changes on a daily basis. My current favorites are the Kate Moss Rimmel line and the Maybelline Color Vivids collection. 



FACE
Almay Smart Shade Perfect & Correct Primer $10.99 at Target
     So this is a product I picked up on a whim when I was in Target. I wasn't really on the hunt for a primer, but I decided why not. I do have some patchy red spots that needed some help. I'm now over halfway through this bottle and I absolutely can not stand the smell of this stuff. It's terrible. I also found that it didn't do much for redness. That being said, the staying power of my make-up is amazing if I have this on, so that's why it's made it's way into my make-up bag for the summer.

Covergirl Fresh Complexion Under Eye Concealer in Classic Ivory $4.49 at Target
     This is slowly making it's way out of my bag as I get more of a tan, but I still enjoy this product. I'll probably purchase it in a darker shade once I have a deep tan. But I love this product, it's not too heavy and it doesn't crease under my eyes like some concealers would. I also really like that it's a wand applicator, I find that those products tend to blend easier compared to potted concealers, though I have one of those that I use as well. 

Boots Expert Anti-Blemish Concealer $6.29 at Target
     I hauled this product in a previous post. Upon first impressions the concealer seemed a little thick for my liking, though I do enjoy the treatment that came with it. I use this on days when I need a little more coverage, or if I have a spot that really needs to be covered up. 

Yaby Concealer in Buff $4.85 at yabycosmetics.com
     This product I got in my May ipsy glam bag (similar to birchbox, find out more here). I didn't know how much I would like this product since I don't usually go after potted concealers but this one is great. It has medium coverage and blends out really well. This might even become a year round staple for me.

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in 001 Transparent $3.97 at Walmart
     A lot of people talk about this product so I won't say much, but it's amazing. I use this to set my concealer and also use it on my t-zone since that's where I get oily in the summer months. If you haven't already tried this product from someone else's recommendation, please do.

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Powder in 720A Sunny $2.88 at Walmart
     I hauled this product in my previous post as well, and as a kind of cult status product, I had high expectations and I must say I haven't been disappointed. I use this as an all over bronzer for my face since it's lighter compared to the one in my contouring kit and is also matte (I love matte products if you didn't already know that). 

e.l.f. Contouring Blush & Bronzer in St. Lucia $3 at Target
     I'd been lusting after the Nars Orgasm/Laguna duo forever but couldn't bring myself to drop the money on it so when I heard that e.l.f. had a dupe for it of course I went out and bought it as soon as I could. I have a pretty decent blush collection, but this is my everyday go-to shade. It's the exact same as Orgasm but a lot less shimmer, which I like because then I don't look like someone threw glitter on over my blush. I find that the bronzer is still a little dark for me, even with a tan, and I don't know how much I like that it is a shimmer bronzer. However, it does blend out well. 


EYES
Urban Decay Naked Bascis Palette $27 at Sephora
     This palette has been my baby ever since I bought it back in December. The only days that I haven't used it are days when I haven't worn make-up at all. The only shade I don't use is Foxy, it's a bit yellow for my skin tone and also barely shows up (at my palest at least). I'll typically use Walk of Shame as all all over color and then Naked 2 or Faint in my crease, and with a wet angled brush use Crave as an eyeliner on days that I'm not doing anything with color, or if I'm not wearing winged eyeliner. 

Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal in 70 Barely Branded $5.94 at Walmart
     This serves a multitude of uses in my collection. I can use it as a base, a highlight or an all over lid color. It's the perfect champagne shade, I'd almost compare it to Benefit's Watt's Up highlight, for a lot less. I will probably never finish this product, seeing as I use it all the time and still have barely made a dent in what's inside. 

Revlon Custom Eyes Palette in 022 Beach Beauty $7.48 at Walmart
     I got this as a gift back at Christmas time and honestly didn't know what I would use it for. The texture of these eyeshadows aren't amazing but I've found that using them wet with an angled brush makes for a beautiful liner and the white shade is also a great inner corner highlight. Lately I've been in love with using the teal as an eyeliner. 

Rimmel London Get in Line Liquid Eyeliner in 800 Black discontinued  
     I really wish Rimmel would bring this product back because it's perfect. There are other similar products from other lines, I just haven't tried them yet. This is what I use on lazy days for a winged eyeliner. 

Mary Kay Defining Eyeliner Pencil in Charcoal $9 on eBay
     I only have sample sizes of this liner, so I didn't know how much it cost and when I tried to look it up online it seems as though it is a discontinued product as well. This is for my extremely lazy days when I just throw on some concealer, eyeliner and mascara. I quite like it, and would purchase it if I could find it in the charcoal shade. 

Maybelline The Falsies Volum Express Mascara in Blackest Black $5.94 at Walmart
     I cannot say enough about how much I love this mascara. It will forever be my go-to and favorite, unless I find another which is highly unlikely. I have had a tube of this mascara in my ownership ever since it launched — no joke I'm that in love with it. Even if I don't have time to do anything else before I leave the house, I'll at least throw on a coat or two of this.