A/W Essentials: Beauty Bases

YSL Le Teint Touché Éclat · Armani Luminous Silk Foundation · NARS Creamy Concealer · Laura Mercier Secret Concealer

While San Francisco weather can be a bit finicky, the seasons are definitely changing and with that my makeup changes too. My base becomes more of a light to medium coverage — sticking to products with great lasting power, especially for the harsh winter winds I'll be seein' on the East Coast in a few weeks.

Foundations /

• YSL Le Teint Touché Éclat is still in rotation — I've been using this foundation for a few years and I probably will keep it around as long as they still make it. The coverage is perfect, it's buildable, and it lasts quite long which is a big thing for me when it comes to bases. It's more of my summer color but I can still get away with it (not for long I'm sure)
• Armani's Luminous Silk Foundation has finally made it into my collection. While I usually stick to the same few foundations when it comes to repurchasing, I really wanted to try something a bit new! No regrets on this purchase — it's definitely going to be added to my rotating list of repurchases (along with NARS Tinted Moisturizer, Bobbi Brown Longwear, and Chanel's Vitalumiere Aqua.

Pro-tip: I love mixing these two together or topping them off with Laura Mercier's Mineral Powder for a bit more coverage or extra-long wear. 

Concealers /

I should preface by saying I've gained a new appreciation for concealers! I used to use them but wasn't really into them... until now. Now I might actually have a concealer addiction, oops.

• For under the eyes I love using NARS Creamy Concealer — a product I once thought was over-hyped. Silly me. The consistency is beautiful, the coverage is everything you could possibly want, and the subtle brightness it brings to your face is kind of glorious.
• For spots and blemishes I'm really into Laura Mercier's Secret Concealer. It's pretty high coverage and gets rid of any pesky areas I might want to cover up. On lazy days I'll use this around my nose / to cover general redness and I'll pop a powder or something light over it. Sometimes less is more, ya know? 

And that's it for my A/W base essentials. Next in the series will probably be lips, cheeks, and eyes! What are your favorite foundations and concealers for the colder months? 

What's In My Bag for Fashion Week

This is a bit exciting, I suppose! A little while back I shot a video with Glam while I was in San Francisco about what I'd pack in my bag for fashion week. The concept was to curate a little bag that you could take straight from the airport to NYFW. Simple, right? Not so much as I wanted to pack all black. Tell me if you're surprised!

In my Cuyana Tote was:

YSL Rouge Volupté Shine #10, Chocolate Instyle
MAC Rebel
MAC Breath of Plum

Shoemint heels (similar here)
Catbird + Endswell rings
Beanie from Voyager

Dress from Wasteland
Helmut Lang skirt
Romper from Jane's Closet
Zara leather jacket

Samsung NX-300

That romper has been in full rotation and I don't think I've gone two days without wearing that beanie since I got it. I finished that YSL lipstick since shooting (RIP) and will probably repurchase; we all know I love those 90's brown lips. Still digging that leather jacket I bought a few years back — so impressed with the quality of Zara's leather goods, if I'm being honest. And of course I go nowhere without my lil camera + rings. Woo.

I had so much fun shooting and love how it came out. Check out the video, let me know what you think, and leave me some comments telling me what you would put in your bag for fashion week, yay!

P.S. Give a little love to Kristen and Kelly; they were amazing!

FOTD: Reloving

Face: Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, YSL Le Teint Touché Éclat in BD10 / Cheeks: NARS Orgasm, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle / Eyes: L'Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara, MAC Era, and MAC Patina / Lips: MAC Cut A Caper

We're having some ridiculously nice weather here in Northern California as of late. Something about the summer spring sunshine makes me want to whip out the corals and pinks and do cartwheels in the freshly cut grass — well maybe not cartwheels (just yet). But really, I get stupidly tan in summer and the way coral looks on a tanned skin highly appeals to me and my cheeks. So I thought it was time to whip out some things I haven't used in quiiiiite a long time.

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm is something I've been using a lot lately after forgetting over winter, oops! I love the smooth feeling that it leaves my skin with. The perfect base for foundation, voila! Touché Éclat has grazed my skin once again. I swear I will never get sick of this stuff — I'm actually repurchasing tomorrow because I've officially run out. I really do feel like it will be holy grail for me forever. 

Orgasm! Ohhhh la la!!!1!1!!11!! No but seriously I love this color and mine (as you can see) is well loved. I haven't really touched it since summertime last year but I am sooo ready to get back to wearing it. It's such a pretty coral-pink, plus I love a little pop of color right on those apples. Swept MAC's Soft & Gentle on the top of my cheekbones which you can't even see, but it's there! I'm still iffy about powder highlighters after getting the BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector, but hey. Every product needs a little lovin' now and again. 

L'Oreal Mascara that has been in heavy rotation for me as of late. Now if only I could get seriously dramatic volume with this crazy length I would have the loveliest lashes in all the land. Swiped MAC Era all over the lids (a new edition to my collection/palette) and I'm obsessed already. Patina in the crease just to add a little somthin' somethin'. Definition. EYES. All that jazz. (I forgot to add in what I used for brows but it's just my normal Anastasia Brow Wiz + Charcoal Brown by MAC)

Cut A Caper. Sound familiar? Every time MAC re-releases this color people go nuts. When they did last year, I went nuts, but for good reason. Do you see that color? Perfect bright coral perfection. This was my summer go-to last year and you bet it'll be my go-to this year. P.S. Please re-release this so I don't have to use it sparingly. xoxo.

That's it for my face of the day. Simple! What do you guys think? What are some things you love but may have forgotten about? 

FOTD: Anniversary Edition

Face: NARS Pro Prime / YSL Touché Éclat in BD10 / BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone / MAC Margin Blush

Eye: MAC All That Glitters / MAC Star Violet / Clinique High Impact Mascara / Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara / Anastasia Brow Wiz / Chanel Liner in Beryl

Lips: MAC Cosmo

Nothing much to say today other than... yay! It's my anniversary. Two whole years of being married and it's flown by faster than I can even believe. We're going out to dinner tonight to a restaurant with a 40's feel— casual dressy, so I figured I'd go a bit feminine with my makeup. Lots of pinks, focus on the lips, soft eyes and cheeks, strong brows. Lots of new stuff here I haven't reviewed yet which means... lots of reviews coming up, whoop! 

My poor Cosmo lipstick looks like it's been through hell and back (it has). It was my first MAC lipstick and is still one of my all time favorites. Also the blush I'm wearing was the one I wore on my wedding, *nostalgia*. While I'd love to stay and chat I've got so much to do before tonight! Nails to be painted, presents to be picked up and... my hair needs a good taming because it's literally taking over my face. Eeeep!

What do you guys think of this look? I may throw on some eyeliner before heading out but I'm not sure! Yay or nay?! Hope everyone has the best Tuesday ever. ♡

FOTD: Muted Neutrals

Face: NARS Pro-Prime / YSL Touché Éclat BD10 / L'Oreal Magic Lumi concealer / MAC Margin Blush / MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in S&G

Eyes: NARS Portobello / MAC Charcoal Brown / Diorshow Iconic Mascara / Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal / MAC Teddy eyeliner

Lips: Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss in 014

Last night I went a little bit Lisa Eldridge crazy. No regrets. I'm late to the game, I know but I am ob-freakin'-sessed. I watched so many videos before bed, that this morning when I woke up I decided I wanted to recreate a look, this look to be specific. While I know it's not the same thing (and I'm not claiming it is), I put my own spin on it and made it work for me. 

For my base I started with the NARS primer and then applied YSL Touché Éclat with my fingers and blended it softly into my skin. I concealed under my eyes and around my nose with the Magic Lumi concealer. I popped a bit of Margin on the apples of my cheeks and added a touch of highlight with Soft & Gentle. I actually haven't worn Margin since my wedding day but I've rediscovered it and have fallen right back in love.

For eyes I used the darker color from Portobello all over the lid and Charcoal Brown from MAC in the crease and outer corners. I applied two coats of Diorshow Iconic to my top lashes and one to the bottom. Followed up by the nude Rimmel liner in the inner part of my waterline and Teddy on the outer part.

I finished with the Rimmel Kate Moss nude lipstick and applied it generously with a Real Techniques lip brush from the Core Collection. First time using that brush and it's sooooo awesome.

I've never ever ever worn a nude lip before, but I've got to say I'm kind of in love. I'm also loving the soft brown eyeshadow paired with the coral/orange toned blush. Not something I would normally wear together but I love the way it works. This is pretty out of my comfort zone if I'm honest as I'm really used to a bright pink or berry lip. I also went a little lighter with my brows, using Charcoal Brown and Mystery; I'm convinced!

Annnnd ta-da, that's my finished look. What do you guys think? I feel like I'll be wearing nude lips so much more now, it's actually kinda nice! Do you like these kinds of posts? If so, let me know!

YSL Le Teint Touché Éclat Foundation

YSL Le Teint Touché Éclat in BD10 · $55

Oh yes, I've finally hopped on that bandwagon. After many weeks of contemplation, I gave in and bought the foundation everyone has been talking and blogging about (and yes, this was another Sephora VIB sale purchase!). Because it's normally quite hard for me to find foundations (due to my fair but olive with a dash of pink complexion), I figured this YSL range would have something for me, and oh ho ho, it did does. 

BD10 is literally the most. perfect. match. for me. ever. I love applying and wearing this; it gives you a really natural looking base while illuminating all the right places. I also love that I can wear this lighter or build it up for more coverage. I've worn this all day long — putting it on at 8am and getting home 12 hours later and it still looks soooooo good. Not to mention it feels really luxurious to use, I mean look at that glass bottle! 

But what happened to Laura Mercier Silk Creme, you say? I still love it and use it sometimes but for me personally, it just doesn't compare to Touché Éclat. I've got to admit, this is holy grail for me. There, I said it. 

So what do you guys think of this foundation? Love it as much as I do?