lip service

here

 I find that as the days get sunnier and warmer, my makeup becomes brighter and more colorful but lighter. Some (tinted) moisturizer with spf, mascara, a little bit of concealer, and a swipe of color or sheen on the lips is my summer beauty routine - fast, easy, and carefree, as summer should be. After all, when the weather's that nice, who wants to spend ages on makeup? 

These are the lip products I have tried and tested in anticipation of spring/summer, and I must say, I'm hooked on all of them. For an oh-so-natural lip, I turn to Clarins Instant Light lip perfectors. Not sticky with just the right amount of my-lips-but-better color and a scent to die for, they've quickly become a must-have. Another barely-there option that I love is the Tarte Lipsurgence Skintuitive Lip Tint. The product looks petal pink in the tube but on my lips, the color turns to the loveliest flush of pink, thanks to its "personalized color" properties. I don't know the actual science behind it (I think it has something to do with pH?), but I'm loving the results. Plus, it's conditioning, and the tube twists up, so no sharpening required. 

For a little more color, I've been alternating between the Clinique Chubby Sticks Intense and the Color Whisper tubes from Maybelline. So many shades to choose from for both, but the good news is both of these products are friendlier on the wallet (the Maybelline especially at ~$6 a pop), so I picked up a couple of shades. They both have decent color payoff without the feeling that you're wearing a heavy layer. Most of the time, I forget I'm wearing anything.

And for the beauty spurge, I've been loving YSL for so many things lately. In addition to their Shocking mascara, I've become obsessed with their Rouge Volupte lines. The silver tube is the Sheer Candy version, while the gold tube is the Shine version. The sheer candy line is more of a balm, while the shine line is more of a glossy lipstick. Both come in hefty, gorgeous packaging and lightly smell of mangoes. Since the sheer candy is more of a balm, the staying power is pretty short (1-2 hours) but it does hydrate my lips upon application. The shine version is great for the gloss-over-lipstick look without the mess. If I want the most color, I go for the Rouge Pur Couture glossy stain. It applies like a non-sticky liquid gloss and dries down eventually to a semi-matte lip color over time. I was impressed by how this didn't budge on me for over five hours (there was only the faintest of transfers when I was drinking/eating). 

What's your summer beauty routine? What are some lip products you've been loving? Please do tell. :)

gifts

James and I celebrated Valentine's Day the weekend before at a lovely restaurant, but some presents from my lovely fiance came this weekend.

I love a neutral eye with a little bit of a "wow" factor, and once I saw this palette , I was sold. I own two eyeshadow duos and two eyeshadow singles from NARS, and I've always had great color payoff. The texture of my shadows are so buttery and easy to blend, and with NARS' eyeshadow base (the set comes with a mini travel version as well as a short-handled eyeshadow brush), they don't budge for the entire day. The compact is great for travel with its slim size, and the palette is so versatile for day or night that I can see me just bringing this for eyeshadow on a trip and being completely satisfied. Total LOVE.

This nail polish has become a quirky new fave: the pink base is quite classic, but the micro glitters and the bigger pieces make it really fun. It comes in 5 perfect-for-Spring shades.

My nails look like mini Cadbury eggs. How fun is that?!

This lipstick is so creamy and glossy, I loved it at first swipe. I was strolling through Sephora with gift card in hand and was drawn to the sleek packaging and a rainbow of colors. After swatching a couple of colors, I went with #12. I think it will be great for spring, and I have nothing like it. I haven't always been a fan of YSL beauty products - they were and are a bit pricey for me. But with a gift card and James pronouncing it "a great color" (this is high praise from him), it came home with me. As did this mascara, which has become a new favorite. I wanted a mascara that gave me some drama and volume without clumping. This does that for me, and then some. Plus, it smells good. YSL's beauty products all have a little bit of fragrance - nothing overpowering and the scent goes away after awhile, if you're sensitive about scents. I'm all about how something smells, so it's a bonus for me for the mascara. It comes in several colors, in addition to a true black. I went with the sea black, a blackened navy.

#12 is a lovely coral (its name is Corail Incandescent). The color payoff is wonderful - rich color with a sheen of gloss. After a few hours on me, the gloss goes away but the color remains and ultimately fades over time. I find myself touching up sometime in the early afternoon if I put it on around 8:30 a.m.  and then another touch-up in the early evening.

I didn't spend all of my gift card, but a good chunk of the remainder went to these two powders: the one on the left is loose, and the one on the right is pressed. I had been unsatisfied with my previous powder: there was always some discoloration no matter how little I used. I decided to give this one a try when I heard good things about it - some have called it "photoshop in a pan". If that's the case, then that will be a bonus - I just want a powder that sets my foundation without leaving a chalky residue. I prefer loose powders, but I bought the pressed one as well for ease of travel.

The compact is very generously sized, and although it looks a ghastly white in the pan, it goes on sheer on your skin.

It's so nice to receive gifts, especially from someone you love. Thanks, baby!

I hope all of you had a lovely Valentine's Day.

Here's to a great week and Happy Monday!