Makeup Monday

Before I left the States, I had a dinner and a "one last hurrah" GNO (girls' night out) with two of my girlfriends. It sure made us realize we're "older" now but it was a good time, nonetheless. My girlfriends know me so well and spoiled me with these gifts! I had stashed them away for the big move and have only recently pulled them out to use them. 

NARS The Happening Palette; Cle de Peau Clarifying Serum; Cle de Peau Gentle Cleansing Foam

I had never tried anything from Cle de Peau and was thrilled to receive products from the line. Cle de Peau is an ultra-luxurious and extremely pricey skincare and makeup brand. I have not tried the serum yet but the gentle cleansing foam has been amazing. It leaves your skin feeling very clean without feeling tight. I have incorporated it into my daily skincare routine and it is perfect to use with my Clarisonic. It foams up very well and I can get away with using the tiniest amount; with such a hefty $63 price tag, it helps that you don't go through the product quickly. 

I have always loved NARS. The first ever eyeshadow duo I purchased was one from NARS and the first ever blush I purchased was NARS Deep Throat (which is still one of my favorites). When I opened The Happening Palette, I was excited that I would be able to try NARS Orgasm and NARS Laguna (two cult favorites). This palette has a blush, a bronzer, and 4 eyeshadows, making it a perfect one to travel with. 

Thank you J & S! 

Makeup Menu

I came to a rather interesting realization recently: There is a positive correlation between the cold weather and the amount of makeup I put on my face. In the hot and humid summer weather, I tend to be a minimalist with the "No Makeup Makeup" look on most days. It is most likely because the humidity causes makeup to slide right off my face. But I seem to pile on more during the colder months. (Note: colder weather = drier skin so consistent exfoliation + hydration is key prior to makeup application.) 

Benefit The POREfessional - This primer is one of those "cult favorites". When applied under your foundation, it helps your base makeup stay put and last longer. It minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines, creating a smooth canvas for your foundation to be applied. 

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer (in Neutralizer) - When I want a more "full cover" look, I start off with this concealer. I use it for the "Kim Kardashian" highlighting effect, applying it under my eyes, around my nose, on my forehead, down the bridge of my nose, on my chin. I use my finger to blend gently.

L'oreal True Match Lumi Foundation (in Nude Beige W3) - This is my current favorite foundation. It have a light/medium coverage while having a natural glow to it. I dot it on my face and buff it in with a buffing brush. 

Anastasia Brow Wiz (in Medium Ash) - My favorite eyebrow product! Recently, I have been enjoying filling in my eyebrows a bit more than usual and I'm embracing a thicker, fuller brow look. I'm embracing it all the more after one of my students said to me, "Mrs. Ko, your eyebrow is strong!" 

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler - No need to elaborate here. This is an everyday must-have. 

L'oreal Lash Out Butterfly Waterproof Mascara (in Blackest Black) - 

Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal (in Brown) - A long-lasting, easy-to-apply eyeliner. I put it on my upper tightline and sometimes on my lashline. 

Jordana Lip Liner (in Plush Plum) - Confession: The other day, I had a few minutes to kill while waiting for a sushi take-out order so I stepped into a Walgreens next door. I perused the aisles of beauty products and walked out with a lip liner for $2 and some change. *Pats self on back* Turns out it was $2 well-spent because it is a wonderful lip liner and it pairs perfectly with the lipstick I had had in mind. (Keep reading to find out.) 

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss (in Shade 09) - I love this color. It is the quintessential fall lip color. It would go with any skin tone. Not to mention I got quite a few compliments when I wore it this past weekend.

NARS Blush (in Oasis) - Sephora had their famous VIB sale recently and yes, I caved and went. I love NARS and wanted to try another one of their blushes. A Sephora representative helped me choose this color and I absolutely am in love. It is the perfect fall blush shade, giving you that "I just frolicked in the cold" flush. 

Makeup Menu

After my skin cleared up from the recent breakout, I have been embracing no-makeup or minimal makeup. 

Laneige BB Cushion - Still my go-to base makeup (Review here) 

Benefit Hoola Bronzer - My new favorite bronzer/contour 

Anastasia Brow Wiz (in medium brown) - My new favorite brow product

Urban Decay Naked Palette (Sin e/s) - A shimmery, champagne color all over the eyelids

L'oreal Voluminous Butterfly waterproof mascara (in Blackest Black) - This mascara gives volume, length and separates. 

Tarte Amazonian clay 12-hour blush (in Exposed) - A dusty pink, everyday blush

Makeup Menu

Lately, glowing, luminous skin + big lashes + tinted lips has been my makeup "jam". Here's my "makeup menu" as of late. 

L'oreal Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer - When applied before your base makeup, it gives a subtle sheen to your skin. 

Laneige BB Cushion - My go-to base makeup at the moment (Review here) 

NYC Bronzer - Still using it. 

Nars Blush in Deep Throat - The first blush I bought and I still love it. 

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler - Everyday must-have. 

Covergirl LashBlast Waterproof Mascara - This may be my favorite mascara - it gives volume, holds a curl and doesn't clump. 

Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner in Brown - I use this eyeliner to tightline my eyes. It makes your lashes look thicker and this eyeliner doesn't budge. 

Rosebud Perfume Co. Rosebud Salve - Hydrates your lips and has a nice rose scent. 

Peripera Lip Tint in #5 Candy Juice - Peripera is a Korean brand and I asked my mom to bring over this lip tint from Korea. My aunt found it for me (thank you!) and I have been using it every day since. 

Makeup Monday - Laneige BB Cushion

The summer sun, the humidity, the heat. They were doing a number on my face of makeup. (Basically, by the end of the day, my makeup would be melted off.) 

So I began a search for a powder compact so that I could touch up throughout the day. 

But then I was pleasantly surprised when I found out about the Laneige BB Cushion through a few YouTubers, of course. (Here, here, and here) 

My mom tells me the BB cushion phenomenon is all the rage and quite widespread in Korea. However, to me, it was a fairly new concept. It's quite innovative. It's a BB cream in a compact form. And I love it; it's travel-and-purse friendly. 

The Laneige BB Cushion is a 5-in-1 product that claims to "protect, cover, hydrate, sooth and brighten". I'm not yet sure about its brightening effects but I can vouch that it does the former four. 

I chose the color Light and though I was worried that it may be too light for me I figured it wouldn't be anything a bit of bronzer couldn't fix.  But it's quite blendable.

Pros: its cooling sensation, has an illuminating effect, SPF 50 (which is hard to come by in a makeup product!), light, airy, while being long-lasting, good coverage, a dewy finish, the formula makes it easy to touch up throughout the day 

Con: The only con about this product is that it's quite scented. It's not an unbearable scent and it wears off, but sometimes right after I apply the product, the scent can be overwhelming. 

How to use: Push the puff into the moistened sponge and then pat on your face. 

The compact costs $34 a comes with a refill. 

Best part? It is sold at Target!