Current Skincare Routine Spring/Summer 2015

Disclaimer: I am in no ways a skin care expert. This is just what works for me every one's skin is different. If you have any concerns pertaining to your skin please consult with a dermatologist.

A little about my skin...
-Combination: Oily in the t-zone (forehead and down the nose) Dry everywhere else
-Acne Prone
-Sensitive

Cleanser:

Philosophy Purity Made Simple $11-$20

One of my favorite facial cleansers of all time. I tend to go back to this product a lot throughout the year especially if my skin starts to act up. It is super gentle but tough on oil, makeup and other skin residue. It also has a nice refreshing scent that isn't overpowering. Great for all skin types.

Moisturizer:

Trader Joe's Enrich Moisturizing Face Lotion SPF 15 (Day) $5.99

Yes, Trader Joe's sells skincare items and they are actually pretty awesome. I was just as surprised as some of you out there. Their Enrich moisturizer is a great for the day. It contains SPF 15 and isn't greasy or heavy. Great for normal to oily skin as well as sensitive. I don't recommend this for super dry skin. 

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream  (Evening) $26.50

You don't have to use a different moisturizer for the day and evening this is just something I prefer. I don't like to wear SPF in the evening and I like something a little more heavier at night. Kiehl's always makes great stuff and this is no exception. The Ultra Facial Cream is very moisturizing but doesn't weigh down your skin. This one is for dry skin but they do have for normal and oily skin.

Serum:

Lancôme Visionnaire $79

Serums are a big thing in Asia and has recently become a big thing here in the states. Serums are concentrated moisturizers that contain vitamins and minerals. The texture allows for all the vitamins and minerals to sink in and makes it easier for the skin to absorb. This particular one by Lancome is amazing. It makes my skin super soft and helps keep my pores at bay. It also contains anti aging ingredients. It is never too early to start using anti aging products as a preventive measure. I like to use this product in the evening right before I apply my moisturizer.

Eye Cream:

Mario Badescu Ceramide Eye Cream $18

Eye creams are an essential product when it comes to skincare. The skin under your eyes are very delicate and needs its own product. This eye cream contains antioxidant rich Rose Hip oil that help reduce wrinkles and bags. It is a very thick eye cream a little goes a long way. Another added bonus it smells really good. 

And last but not least...

Lip care:

Dior Creme de Rose Lip Balm $28

This stuff is ridiculously expensive for a lip balm but so worth the money. It gives the lips a smooth and plump look while moisturizing AND also contains SPF 10. I like to apply this both day and night. O I almost forgot this stuff smells AMAZEBALLS that is if you like the smell of roses. 

Perfect Palette Tag

Best Packaging: THE BALM NUDE'TUDE 
Pretty much all of the palettes from The Balm have great packaging. Not only sturdy but their designs for their palettes are very creative like this one for example.

Best Color Payoff: LORAC PRO PALETTE
Pretty much every single color in this palette is very well pigmented. There isn't even one eyeshadow that is slightly off with pigmentation. All very consistent.

Most Versatile: URBAN DECAY NAKED BASICS
When you first look at it it may not be anything however this little 6 eyeshadow palette has so many uses. All the colors in this palette are essential for everyday eye looks. The champagne and beige colors are great not only for an all over the lid color but can also be used to highlight under the brow bone, inner corner and even on parts of your face. There are 2 matte browns in here that are great for transition colors, blending, and defining the crease. And of course every palette needs a matte black. Not only used to create darker looks but can also be used as eyeliner. This little palette is great to use on its own for an everyday wearable look or used along with other eyeshadows to create even more fabulous looks.

Best for Travel: TOO FACED NAKED EYE PALETTE
Not only the colors are very wearable but included in this palette are 3 little notecards that give you 3 different makeup looks. Just the right amount to eyeshadows that can create dozens of looks. The packaging it small enough so it doesn't take up too much room in your luggage and can be put on a carry-on bag.

Biggest Regret: TARTE TRUE BLOOD BOX PALETTE
As much as I love the show True Blood, this palette not so much. The colors in it aren't really anything special and compared to other Tarte eyeshadow palettes these eyeshadows were a little too powdery and chalky looking on the eye. Plus the eyeliner they included was terrible. Tarte makes some pretty great products but this one wasn't one of them. (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)

Best Color Names: TOO FACED JERROD & MARY'S DELUXE CHRISTMAS PALETTE
Too Faced always has really cute names for their eyeshadows and unlike some other brands their cute names actually match with the color of the eyeshadow.

Least Used: DIOR 5 COULEURS IN MITZAH 
This is a pretty expensive palette to be the least used I know... And I do love the colors in this palette however I just don't reach for it very often. I'm not a huge fan of Dior eyeshadows. Their pigmentation is very inconsistent. (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)

Most Used: URBAN DECAY NAKED PALETTE 
Since I got this palette I pretty much used it in about every makeup look I do. All the neutral colors one will ever need. It has a nice combination of mattes, shimmers and satin finish eyeshadows. And since all the colors have very warm undertones it works on pretty much all skin types and eye colors.

For more information and where to purchase the palettes excluding the Tarte True Blood and Dior Miztah just click on the name. 

Princess Tag

A couple weeks ago I started watching the Princess Tag going around the beauty community on YouTube. It is basically a list of one's favorite high-end products. It could be clothing, beauty, shoes, etc... Most of the videos people chose to do cosmetics so that is what I decided to do in blog form. Here are my favorite "princess" products.

DISCLAIMER: EVERYTHING MENTIONED IN THE POST WAS EITHER PURCHASED BY ME OR GIVEN TO ME BY SOMEONE. ALL OPINIONS AND PHOTOS ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED. THANK YOU

Foundation:YSL Teint Resist ($60) http://www.amazon.com/Teint-Resist-Transfer-Resistant-Foundation/dp/B0041PGGMG 

A medium to full coverage foundation with a SPF of 10. Feels nice and light on the skin and gives a nice natural looking glow. It has a floral scent with a hint of watermelon. The color range for this foundation isn't the biggest. When I first got this foundation Sephora only had 6 shades. But nice foundation overall if you want a build able coverage.  

Powder: Makeup Forever HD($20-$40 depending on size) http://www.sephora.com/hd-microfinish-powder-P210400?om_mmc=esv103264-GG&om_kwpur=332176159&ppc_crid=26941913537&site=us_search&esvcid=S1383243446_ADOGOe_AGI3733471_CRE26941913537_TID332176159_DVCc_RFDd3d3Lmdvb2dsZS5jb20%3d_RAWbWFrZXVwJTIwZm9yZXZlciUyMGhkJTIwcG93ZGVy

One of the best setting powders out there! It is a super finely milled white setting powder. Great for photography. It doesn't cake on your skin and leaves a flawless finish.

Blush:NARS (All Nars Blushes are $29) http://www.sephora.com/product/productDetail.jsp?keyword=NARS%20Blush%20P2855&skuId=248930&productId=P2855&_requestid=63000 

This particular blush is in the color Desire 

I pretty much am a huge fan of all the NARS blushes. They have a great color range and are EXTREMELY pigmented. A little goes a long way. These blushes are expensive but will last you a lifetime. 

Bronzer: NARS Laguna ($36) http://www.sephora.com/bronzing-powder-P12790?SKUID=537878&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=537878&om_mmc=Google%7badtype%7d&_requestid=42976&cm_mmc=us_search-_-GG-_-%7badtype%7d-_-%7bkeyword%7d

A basic brown bronzer with a little shimmer (however doesn't show up on the skin). It is great for contouring or giving the fact just a bit of color. It isn't muddy or orange like most bronzers and is super easy to blend.

Eyeshadow: Kevyn Aucoin ($58) http://www.barneys.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-BNY-Site/default/Product-Show?pid=00505009473188

Kevyn Aucoin is my all time favorite makeup artist and is also a legend in the beauty industry. His work is flawless so I didn't expect anything less from his makeup line. Pretty much all his makeup is godsend but his eyeshadows are amazing. They are very easy to work with and come in an array of colors. 

Liner: Lancome Art Liner ($14) http://www.lancome-usa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-lancome_us-Site/default/Product-Show?pid=12230&cm_mmc=Mercent-_-CSE-_-Google-_-Artliner&cm_mmc=LabeliumSearch-_-GooglePE-_-any-_-any&cse=l_google&mr:trackingCode=F84EBB99-F96F-DF11-A0C8-002219318F67&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&bookmark=243344 

A felt tip eyeliner that anyone can work with. Super easy to apply and very dark. Lancome also released limited edition color liners throughout the year. 

Eyebrow Pencil: Red Earth Brow Pencil in Dark Ash ($26 purchased in China) 

It may seem ridiculous to spend this much on an eyebrow pencil however if you have sparse or funny looking uneven brows this pencil is pretty much a lifesaver. It lasts a long time without any brow gel and has great color payoff. Eyebrows are very important they frame the face with or without makeup. This pencil is pretty difficult to find in the U.S. 

Mascara: YSL Shocking ($30) http://www.sephora.com/mascara-volume-effet-faux-cils-shocking-voluminous-mascara-for-a-false-lash-effect-P299013?SKUID=1370519&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=1370519&om_mmc=Google%7badtype%7d&_requestid=42976&cm_mmc=us_search-_-GG-_-%7badtype%7d-_-%7bkeyword%7d

One of the best mascaras ever! Super volumizing and makes your lashes look amazing plus it smells like flowers. Only downside is that if you are a beginner I would stay away the brush is a little bit difficult to work with and the formula can get clumpy on your lashes if not applied properly. 

Lip Product: DIOR Addict Lip glosses ($29.50) http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/dior-addict-gloss/3471761?origin=related-3471761-0-3-1-4-RR&PageCategoryId=PP

There are no words to describe these glosses. I have tried so many lip glosses from all different brands and there has been nothing like these. There are super pigmented and gives just enough shine without looking fake and they aren't sticky at all.