Chanel Vitalumière Aqua

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation in 10 Beige · $45

Once upon a time I heard that YSL was bringing out a new serum foundation. You guys know I love their Le Teint Touché Éclat foundation so duh, I obviously needed this new one in my life. For the most part I've stayed true to my beloved YSL, we're talking a whole year (2 bottles!!!). That foundation was my holy grail... so I mean, it only makes sense.

I read reviews, watched youtube videos and for some reason wasn't at all impressed with what I was seeing. Maybe it's because I'm partial to a more dewy look? But something about the basically-satin finish still intrigued me anyway. I hopped over to the Goddess of Makeup's youtube channel and was reminded just how much she loves Chanel. Fast forward to a week later and I was at the Chanel counter getting all matched and beautified. I left with my own little bottle of heaven and haven't looked back.

This foundation is still light enough for me to love it but definitely covers most of my redness and blemishes. It sets to a ridiculously natural coverage and it's just freaking flawless. It's like a second skin, no joke, which I guess seems creepy but I love it all the same. I've worn this on my (normal) skin for about a good 10 hours before the red bits around my nose started to show. I top up with a little and it all sets in together and looks so so so good.

This is the kind of foundation that gets you excited to do your makeup. It's the kind of thing that adds just a little something to natural beauty so well. I dunno, I've never been one for full coverage. I just want something that'll even me out and not add too much. So, ahhh, I've been obsessed since the day I bought it and will probably continue to do so for the rest of forever. Chanel, I salute you.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light / $45

I spotted it this little baby a few weeks back in our only free-standing Northern California Space NK and as the story goes: I came, I swatched, I lusted. Though because I'm not usually a face powder type of gal, I left empty handed and sat on the idea of purchasing it for a whole three days. Self-control? What is that?

Each Ambient Lighting Powder is supposed to achieve something different; Radiant Light for a summer glow, Diffused light to counteract redness and add clarity, etc. After doing my research on each of the different "shades" that are offered, I popped into Sephora (I wish Space NK was closer) and immediately went looking for Dim Light.

Since then I've been using it daily and honestly never want to go a day without it. I apply the powder all over my face with a big fluffy Sephora blush brush — it leaves me with a super gorgeous soft-focus finish and sets my foundation. Although it has a teensy bit of shimmer, it is incredibly finely milled, meaning it's very delicate and doesn't leave you looking super luminized. While everyone else (except me) thinks the Laura Mercier Radiance Primer blurs imperfections, this stuff actually does, and well.

It only takes one really great product for me to get interested in a brand (Hourglass, I'm coming for you). This is probably the only face powder I've ever bought and honestly genuinely loved and because of that I'm definitely going to be checking out the rest of the collection (and maybe purchasing a few others as well). This is a pretty good little "chart"explaining each of the shades and what they try to accomplish.

For the record, yes. This is holy grail.

Here is a silly hand swatch if you'd like to get a feel of what it looks like on the skin. I'm not a swatch photo fan so that's why I didn't include one. </picky>

Favorite LUSH Toners: Tea Tree Water & Eau Roma Water

LUSH Tea Tree Water / $9.95
LUSH Eau Roma Water / $9.95

If there were ever any doubts in your mind about my love affair with LUSH, rid yourself of them! I'm in love and I'm (very obviously) not afraid to show it. With that being said, my duo of toners have been neglected for far too long. I blame the fact that my skin is usually quite calm and sometimes I just forget what a quick spritz of a toner can do.

As I said in my April beauty favorites, my skin has been kind of crazy lately. I needed something to balance it all out and give it a push in the right direction (aka no more spots) and that's when I turned to Tea Tree Water. This toner in particular is chock-full of ingredients with antibacterial properties; tea tree, juniper berry, and grapefruit, just to name a few. I spray this stuff on and either leave it (usually what I do in the morning) or wipe it away with a cotton pad (night/throughout the day if needed). I've found that since using this my blemish issues have completely settled down. No more spots have popped up and the ones I do have, are healing well. I'm not saying that this is a one-stop shop, but it has helped me tremendously to keep the nasties away. Plus, it's alcohol-free and not harsh on the skin at all.

Eau Roma Water, or, omfg I love you and I want to take you everywhere with me please just live in my purse. Seriously though. I am a lavender freak, especially as of late, so this product most definitely has its place in my life. While Tea Tree Water is great for specific use, Eau Roma is the goddess of all daily toners. On a hot summer spring day such as today, what isn't lovelier than spraying a mix of rose water and lavender water all over your much-too-warm mug? Not only is it refreshing, but it helps keep oils at bay while still being extremely lightweight. It's supposed to help with redness but I haven't really noticed much of that (I also haven't been looking). It does however, seem to add just enough moisture to make me look a bit more radiant and fresh than before I used it. I normally just spray this stuff on throughout the day — anytime, really. It's especially nice on warmer days or after yoga — giving the skin just a little boost of happiness.

tldr; I love both of these. Tea Tree is great for angry skin and Eau Roma is the perfect all-day every day toner.  Someone ring the holy grail gong 'cuz we've got two new additions.

Have you tried these? What do you think?

BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone

BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone / $41

I can't believe it's taken me this long to review this — I've had it since January or so and have used it almost every day since. It's one of those things that although is a small step, seems to make quite the difference. As of late, powder highlighters just aren't doing it for me (says the one who kind of wants to buy this). For some reason I don't like they way they sit on my skin and I think that's just it; they sit instead of seamlessly blending in. I know, I know. It's probably my application, maybe I'm not buffing enough, maybe it just doesn't suit me.

After seeing this stuff in Sephora, I knew I wanted to get my grubby little paws on it. Shade-wise, I opted for Moonstone, a pale gold which seems to suit my light yet yellow-toned complexion perfectly. I was hoping this would be the kind of highlighter that went with anything. One that wasn't overbearing yet gave me a nice visible glow (duh). Let's just say it does everything I want, just as I want it to.

I tend to use this one of three ways:

· I mix it up with my NARS Pro-prime and apply like a primer. This is perfect for when I want my whole face to be nice and glowy, yay.
· I apply to the tops of my cheekbones, bridge of my nose, and cupids bow (with my fingers) after applying my primer. This is great if you only want to do specific areas and want it to be more subtle.
· Apply it on on top of my foundation, where ever I'd like it to be. This is what I do if I want a bit more glow.

I find that no matter how I apply, it doesn't sit on top of my skin and doesn't make me look greasy either. Just a natural looking sunny day glow. As far as highlighters go, this is easily holy grail for me. It's by far my favorite daytime highlighter. At night I sometimes do prefer to pop on some extra highlighter oomph, but I normally still wear this underneath.

What do you guys think of this highlighter? What are your favs?

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray / $39

Sometimes I get excited about a product I haven't tried yet, and a lot of those times I'll splurge and regret. This is not one of those times. Oh, but how can you justify $39 for a bottle of dry shampoo/texture spray? Well when it's 8.5oz (300ml) and works like a dream, how can you not?

I love Batiste, don't get me wrong, but this is on a whole 'nother level. How so? Well firstly when used as a dry shampoo, it doesn't come out white. I don't have to worry and be a little too meticulous while styling my hair on day two or three. If I'm not in the mood to wash my hair, what makes you think I want to spend 5 extra minutes ridding my crown of white powder residue? This spray soaks up the oils like no other and leaves your hair feeling really clean. I mean really. Also can I just mention the smell? Powdery, fruity, maybe a hint of vanilla (or something along those lines); it's heavenly and even Richard was like "your hair smells so good"!

As a texturizer, it also scores pretty high up there. Need volume? Spray. Need added texture without the use of an extra oil or pomade type product? Spray. What I like most is the use I've gotten out of this so far. I can spray at the roots and get a load of added body, or I can spray all over and ruffle for a light-weight bed head look. This is the perfect alternative to Brilliantine if you're not in the mood to get you're hands dirty, so to speak. Have I mentioned the smell yet? Yeah? I can't get over it.

For the price I think this stuff is worth it. I'm interested to see how long this will last me considering it is still kind of spendy — that said, so far I've barely used any to achieve the look(s) I want so I'm guessing this will be around for quite a while.

As far as dry shampoo goes, this is my holy grail. I should also mention they make a little mini can for your purse or if you'd like to test it out (yes you should test it!!!!). What do you guys think of this stuff? Have you used it before?

LUSH Enzymion Facial Moisturizer

LUSH Enzymion · $39.95

As of late, and especially while I was in England, my face has been anything but cooperative. My fairly normal skin started to feel extremely oily and greasy which is something I'm really not used to. Up until now I still hadn't found a moisturizer that I really loved. Most things are just too thick and sit on my skin. While others actually gave me this weird sweaty feeling. I've tried tons of LUSH ones, some Kiehl's and Origins too, but still, nothing I've found works with my skin! When it comes to moisturizers I need something quite light but still able to do it's job. For me, Enzymion takes the cake.

It smells of fruits and feels sooo nice when slathered onto the face. I take a small bit between my fingers and massage it into my skin. I can literally instantly feel a difference; any greasy spots are now long gone, yet my face feels really moisturized and not overly saturated. Win! Another awesome thing? I've noticed that my makeup stays in place a lot longer than normal.

While the pot is quite small and the price is a bit higher than what I'd like it to be, a little really does go a long way so I'm sure it'll be a long while before I run out.  I've got to admit that I don't see this leaving my skincare routine for a very very long time — this stuff is holy grail to me. Have you guys tried Enzymion before? Do you love it as much as I do? If not, what are your other favorite LUSH moisturizers?

NUXE Rêve de Miel

NUXE Rêve de Miel Lip Balm · $19

The winter cold and dry indoor air has seemed to wreak a bit of havoc on my lips as of late. I've been using basically every lipbalm I own — EOS and Carmex, Blistex and Tokyo Milk, but I needed something a little more hardcore. As if lip balms are hardcore?? 

Rêve de Miel is a really interesting and overall badass lip balm; the texture, the smell, just everything about it. It's made with honey, plant oils, shea butter, grapefruit essence, etc, so this stuff is packed full of nourishing ingredients to help keep your lips moisturized. The texture is butter-like (but not?) and pretty thick meaning you don't need to use a ton to get the results you want. It also stays on for ages!  I love using this as an overnight treatment — waking up with way-less-chapped lips than usual. The packaging is really nice and I don't mind at all that this is going to add a bit more weight than I'd like to my bag (it's totally worth it).  I honestly don't even know what else to say about this other than go out and get it if you have dry lips, seriously. It's like the god of all lip balms and at this point I'm not sure if I could go without it now.

Anyway, I'm going to stop here before I go too far with professing my love for this stuff. Ugh it's soooooo good.

Have you guys tried this before? If so, what do you think?

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?