Three New Palettes

You might think it's crazy but when I'm talking about three new palettes, I'm not talking about eyeshadow. There are definitely lots of new ones out there (and I've obviously gotten a few) but I talk about eyeshadow a lot so thought I would change it up. Palettes are always a great buy because not only are they convenient for travel, they take the guesswork out of what products to use and are often a great value.

Sleek Precious Metals Highlighting Palette. This was my first foray into Sleek Makeup and I am thoroughly impressed. It's an incredibly affordable brand, and although it's UK based, they do ship to the US (though it takes a while). I love love love highlighters, and the ones in this palette are amazing. There are three cream shades and one powder shade. I've been leaning more towards the cream shades because they're butter soft and all of them can be used as eyeshadow highlighters, on the top of cheekbones, or whatever else you want.

Top Shop Concealer Palette. Three blendable concealers in a variety of colors that work for many skin tones--what else could you want? I mainly use them under my eyes, starting with the pinkish corrector shade then doing a yellow one on top. My favorite part is the translucent powder that it comes with, because my concealer tends to crease. Even if I use a different concealer, I still use the powder on top to set everything in place. 

Pixi Eye Bright Kit in Light/Medium. I decided to try something a little bit different with this--in addition to the two concealers it contains, it also contains a brightener to use underneath and a highlighter on top. There's less product than the Top Shop palette but it allows you to create more options in an itty-bitty container perfect for travel. Pixi is a great affordable brand that you can find in Target or online. 

Have you tried any of these? Let me know! And comment if you want to see a new eyeshadow palette review!

Shopping My Stash

First world problems: sometimes you have too much makeup that you forget what you have. I'm definitely guilty of this, but am hopefully getting an Ikea Alex soon so will have lots more room for organization and visibility! I "rediscovered" these products when browsing through my makeup and forgot how much I loved them, so have pulled them out to use again!

Chantecaille Blush (was limited edition). This little guy is so small it can easily be missed in my stash, but it's a gorgeous neutral blush in a rose pattern. Although there's not much product, it's densely packed and has a bit of a sheen but definitely no shimmer. Unfortunately it was limited edition and I have no idea what the actual name was.

Bourjois Bronzing Powder and Highlighter. For those who covet the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow but don't want to make the splurge, this is a really great alternative. The bronzer is a perfect brown that can either be used for contouring or warming the face. The highlighter isn't as good as Charlotte Tilbury's, but still is soft and shimmery to brighten.

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstars on the Go in "Some Like it Hot". How could I forget I owned a Charlotte Tilbury product? The bronze taupe shade can be swept over eyes for a no-fuss look, and the pink shade is super creamy. It's one of this rare shades that actually looks good on cheeks and lips.

MAC Modesty Blush (Limited Edition). I bought this in November as part of the MAC Holiday collection and it unfortunately was limited edition. This soft light pink shade is great for adding a slight hint of color without overdoing it, and it has cute special glittery packaging that makes it stand out amongst other MAC blushes.

Benefit Majorette. An awesome cream blush that I'm glad I rediscovered just in time for summer--the fresh coral color can be worn alone or as a booster to another blush. I'll definitely be reaching for this a lot this summer.

Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight. I only got this a few months ago, so I'm sad it was buried so quickly, but I rescued it from the depths of a makeup bag. It's by far my favorite highlighter stick that I've tried--it's super creamy and a gorgeous light pink color that blends in seamlessly. 

L-R: Chantecaille, Bourjois (2), Charlotte Tilbury (2), MAC, Benefit, Clinique

Also, last night the very funny comedian Hannibal Buress came to Burlington and knocked my socks off. You may recognize him as Lincoln from Broad City (one of my all-time favorite shows). His set was incredibly engaging and didn't just involve him standing up there reciting jokes--he also had some auditory additions that really added to it. If he's coming to a city near you, I highly recommend grabbing a ticket if you can.

5 Of My All Time Favorite Movies

Sometimes I think I should have named this blog makeupMOVIESbooks... I definitely love music, but my real passion lies in movies. I'm a film (and psych) major who loves to watch movies *duh*. I've done a few netflix related posts but figured I would change it up with throwing in some movie suggestions. Most of them are slightly dark and/or psychological thrillers, because those are what I enjoy the most, but there are some comedies thrown in as well (in no particular order).

1. The Silence of the Lambs. This is my all-time favorite movie. The plot line is absolutely fascinating (a young FBI agent works to figure out who the serial killer Buffalo Bill is with the help of psychopathic killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter). Clark Starling, played by Jodi Foster, is an incredibly powerful role model to women and her performance, along with Anthony Hopkins as Lecter, really makes the movie. There's a reason this film won 5 Oscars--you have to watch it if you haven't already.

2. Red Dragon. Although technically a prequel to Silence of the Lambs, this was filmed 12 years after and can be watched out of context. Edward Norton is the main character Will Graham, and if you're a fan of the TV Show Hannibal, this is the main inspiration. With a return performance by Anthony Hopkins and Ralph Fiennes as Francis Dolarhyde, the serial killer of this film, Red Dragon is both similar and completely different than Silence of the Lambs. The film focuses more on the life of Dolarhyde than it does to Buffalo Bill in Lambs, which gives it a nice Criminal Minds vibe.

3. Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Even though I didn't grow up in the 80s, watching this movie always gives me feel-good nostalgic vibes. A group of teens' year is chronicled, and each character has a unique coming-of-age story. It's very realistic for a teen movie, especially in how it deals with sex, because lord knows it's definitely glorified in most films. There are some incredibly funny moments, with a few poignant ones thrown in, and it makes for a light movie to watch when you don't want something too deep.

4. Memento. If I had to pick a second favorite movie, this is probably it. I'm amazed at how someone can be so creative and imaginative to come up with the detail involved in this film. Lenny is a man who lost his short-term memory, and can't remember anything for more than a few minutes after an accident. He is determined to find his wife's killer and avenge her death. The cinematography is excellent, and what makes this unique is that it's one of the first movies to really utilize a non-linear timeline (most of it is told backwards). 

5. (500) Days of Summer. Speaking of films that are non-linear, I love this offbeat romantic comedy. Zoe Deschanel is the one not into Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and it's fascinating to get an in-depth look into a relationship that goes wrong. As Tom (J Go-Le) reflects on his relationship, the heartbreak he portrays is so believable and original. It's a good film to watch after a break-up, along with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (I didn't put this on the list but it's also a really unique film about love and breakups). 

Feel Unique Haul

I had heard various British youtubers/bloggers mention the Feel Unique website before, but I assumed they wouldn't ship to the US (I'm looking at you Boots). Much to my surprise, shipping was free on orders over $15 and it came within a week! In addition to many drugstore items that aren't available in the US, items that are also carried here are actually often cheaper on the site. Plus, they usually have great discount codes you can use. Here are the items I picked up.

Zoella Beauty Just Say Yes Bag. I love finding makeup bags because I often use them not only for travel but also to store my products from my daily collection in. This one is a sturdy plastic that holds a lot and the pattern is absolutely adorable. Just say Yes is my motto when it comes to makeup, and there are a couple other designs in the collection as well.

Rimmel Lasting Concealer in 010 Very Light. Rimmel is one of my favorite drugstore brands, and they seem to always release new products in England before the US. This thick textured concealer is surprisingly creamy, and can be used under eyes or on blemishes. It feels like it should cost way more than the $9 I paid for. 

Rimmel 3 in One Bronzer Gold Princess. Again, another awesome Rimmel product that isn't in the US. This lighter color definitely shouldn't be used for contour, but can be used alone or with a blush to add a subtle sun kissed glow. Shades can be swirled together or used individually as highlighters and eyeshadows. 

Bourjois Nude Sensation Foundation in Nude Clair. I've only worn this once, but I really like the finish it gives. The texture is way more creamier and moussier than I expected, but it blends into skin really well. It's not cakey at all and provides a great light-medium coverage.

Garner Self Tan Cream for Face. Garnier isn't a brand I really use from drugstores here, but something about the UK-exclusivity of it hooked me. I rarely use self-tanner on my body, but I figured this would be a good cheap product to have around and use on my face for when I need it to match my body or give me a subtle glow.

Rimmel Sunshimmer Pre Tan Body Exfoliator. I'm not sure how much I believe the hype of an exfoliator exclusively for tanning products, but with the cheap price tag, I decided to give this a go. I've only used it once, but it did seem to be very exfoliating and smelled very nice.

If you live in the US but have always wanted to try some UK drugstore products at an inexpensive price with fast shipping, I highly recommend ordering from FeelUnique.com!

April Beauty Wish List

Maybe it's just because I'm WAY more invested in the makeup world than I used to be, but I feel like every other day there's a super exciting new product or brand launch. A few of these I will definitely purchase and some are just that--wish list items that maybe will find their way into my stash once I can justify a $70 face mask.

Murad Invisiblur. A primer, sunscreen, and pore minimizer in one--you know I'm sold. I got a small sample of this from Sephora and I've been loving using it for the past couple of weeks. The clear liquid gel melts into your skin instantly and I really notice it smoothing my pores. I use it as a last step in my skincare routine but usually still use a primer.

Clinique Pop Lip Color and Primer. Bloggers everywhere have been raving about these affordable lippies. Because they include a primer, they're supposed to be long-lasting and in between a matte and shine finish. I have my eye on Plum Pop, a mauve-y color that's very me.

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Love Liberty. If it's a new Charlotte Tilbury product, you can bet I'm all over it. I've been waiting for these matte lippies to launch in the US and they're available exclusively on her website for a month. They claim to be non-drying, and this darker berry shade is slightly different than my normal picks but still wearable.

YSL Liquid Eyeshadow in Taupe Drop. I don't think I really own anything like this. It's a liquid creamy eyeshadow that dries onto eyes with a slightly sheeny finish, and I really like the applicator. The taupe purple shade is screaming my name, but not sure I can justify spending $30 on one shadow (although it's uniqueness is a plus).

Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Clay Mask. Now this is something I probably would only obtain if it was gifted to me, but a clay mask for dry skin works for me. With claims of pore tightening, gorgeous packaging, and created by Charlotte Tilbury, I'm sure I would love it.

*Not pictured but Hourglass is also releasing an Incandescent Electra blush soon that I can't wait to try! It's previously exclusive just to their ambient blush palette (the middle shade) but is being released as a single shade.

What's on your beauty radar? Do share!

All About That (Powder) Base

I've never been one to just wear powder foundation... my skin is way too dry and I often find that they don't give enough coverage alone. I do love wearing lightweight ones on top of my liquid foundation to set things in place and even out coverage. Here are my favorite sheerer coverage ones, although there are definitely full-coverage ones out there for those who don't like liquid foundations.

Bourjois Silk Edition Compact Powder in 52 Vanille. First of all, the packaging is super cool--the top swivels up to reveal a mirror in the powder and really protects it so it won't break. This is a great blurring powder that does offer slightly more coverage and is a great product for the price.

Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder in 52 Vanilla. This is an incredibly sheer, light-weight powder with just a hint of color. It's main job is to mattify and it also has a really nice smell. You don't even need a mirror to apply this because it's quite hard to make this look cakey.

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow in B20. This is my all-time favorite powder, especially because it's almost impossible to go wrong with Chanel. It includes a brush that is actually usable (a rarity), and is great for either sheer or fuller coverage. It does give a hint of glow, and you can buy slightly darker shades to use as contour/bronzer if you want.

Charlotte Tilbury Skin Perfecting Powder in Fair 1. Think of this as a more luxe version of the Bourjois Healthy Glow--it's also very fine milled and blurs perfections. Although there are only three colors, they work for most skin tones. I thought the fair color would be way too light, but since it's so sheer I don't look like a ghost.

Bobbi Brown Skin Weightless Powder Foundation in Sand. I've yet to find a powder so so amazing that it literally melts into your skin and you can't notice it at all, but this one is pretty close. You can use the included sponge to build up fuller coverage, or dust it on with a kabuki brush for sheerer coverage (my preferred method of choice for all foundations).

Are you more of a powder or liquid foundation girl? What are your favorite powder foundations? Let me know if you want to see a separate setting powders post!

Chanel Lip Picks

Any item from the Chanel collection instantly screams luxury. I believe in splurging on good quality items if you're getting your moneys worth, and that is certainly the case with my Chanel lippie collection. Plus the black packaging with interlocking Cs is almost worth it alone.

Rouge Allure Color and Shine Glosses. First of all, the packaging on these is awesome. The lip wand clicks into the package, so you never have to worry about it leaking. They're a lipstick-lipgloss hybrid, where the gloss lasts for a few hours and leaves a color stain behind. I love that they aren't super sticky and are super moisturizing. The shades I own are Audace, Merveille, and Sensible. 

Levres Scintillantes Glossimer. I have no idea what the name really means, but this lip gloss is one of Chanel's best selling products so I know it's pretty good. This is definitely a glossier formula than the color and shine glosses, and the rose color I own (surprise surprise) works great on it's own or over a lipstick. I only own Color 117 (can't find the exact name). 

Rouge Coco Shine. Similar to the YSL Glossy Balms, these lipbalm/lipstick hybrids are so easy to put on. They're sheer but build able and you don't even need a mirror to apply. Certain colors are more pigmented than others, so browse around the collection based on your preferences. My favorite is Boy, a shimmery pink shade that's one of their best sellers. I also love Desinvolte, which is a limited edition coral shade for spring. 

Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lipstick. These are the newest formulation and they have been taking over the blogging world. I never tried the old formula, but I love the hydration and color of this formula. Shades are grouped into families like Reds and Nudes, so it's easy to find a shade based on your preferences. I recently picked up Adrienne and Mademoiselle. 

*I also have a lipstick in the shade Desinvolte, and I think it was one of the old Rouge Cocos that has been discontinued.

L-R: Audace, Merveille, Sensible, 119, Etole, Boy, Desinvolte, Adrienne, Mademoiselle

Have you tried any lip products from Chanel? Let me know your favorites!

New on Netflix

Maybe I'm crazy, but I'd rather watch five one-season shows than a single show with five seasons. I've found a few shows that are Netflix Originals and a couple other random ones. There's some comedy, some drama, and some random stuff thrown in here.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. This one probably had the most buzz--produced by Tina Fey, it's reminiscent of 30 Rock and was actually developed with network TV in mind. I had a love/hate relationship with this 13 episode series because some moments were absolutely funny and clever, and then two minutes later another joke would just fall flat. Each character is certainly unique and brings something special to the show and the short length of episodes makes it very easy to breeze through.

Bloodline. A family drama that takes place in the Florida Keys, the Brayburn family is interrupted by the return of black sheep brother Danny. It started out a bit slow and I was wondering what direction it was going in, but after a while, I got really into it. I think my biggest problem was the lack of emotional connection to the characters, as they just aren't incredibly relatable. I've never seen Damages but I've heard it likened to that, so if you're a fan you should check it out.

Black Mirror. Although only six episodes are on Netflix, each episode is about an hour and is stand-alone. It's as if they're all mini films, and the intricate plots certainly suck you in. It takes place in the somewhat distant future, and each episode explores a different aspect of how technology is changing our lives (usually for the worse). The concepts are incredibly creative, and just out-of-the-box enough to really make you think. If I had to pick a favorite of the five, this would certainly be it.

The Fall. Maybe it's something about specifically Netflix Originals, but this was another show I was slow-to-warm-up-to. After about the second episode, I fell right into the drama (maybe that's where they got the name?). A serial killer is on the loose, and what I love about this show is the intense look we get into his life. It's almost like a more intense episode of Criminal Minds, but the cat and mouse game intensifies throughout the two seasons currently available. I can't wait for season 3.

3rd Rock From the Sun. I guess this show was on in the 90s but I had never watched it. My boyfriend had it on a couple of weeks ago and it's become our go-to show when we want something light to watch. Baby Joseph Gordon-Levitt is adorable and I love the nostalgia it evokes. This isn't one you need to binge-watch, but is always great to have on hand for when you want something else to watch.