Laura Mericer Silk Creme Foundation in Medium Ivory

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation · $43

I get a decent amount of compliments and on my skin — and while yes, I have nice normal skin and am not prone to blemishes or spots, I owe a lot to my trusty foundation.

Before this I wore MAC foundation but could never find the right color or coverage. On a trip to Sephora this past April, I was introduced to the lovely Laura Mericer brand and was immediately interested in the foundations. For a while I was going back and forth between two shades but settled for Medium Ivory.

Laura Mercier's Silk Creme foundation is (for me) medium coverage with a natural and dewy finish. It lasts all day and doesn't leave me oily or dry. I've tried other foundations but nothing else has compared to this so I just can't seem to pry myself away. It blends like a dream and is buildable, so on days where I feel like I need a little extra coverage, I just add another layer. It never looks cakey or fake which is one of the things I love most about this foundation.

What do you guys think of Laura Mercier's foundations? Do you have a fav?

Glossybox USA: September 2012

Glossybox · $21/month

I feel like I've been waiting forever to get this box. After the first one (last month), I knew I had fallen in love with Glossybox so I was excited when I went to check the mail and surprise, there it was.

This month is all about new formulas, technologies and colors of the season. We all know the hype around BB creams so receiving a 50ml bottle of one was really awesome — it's a Korean brand as well which is a nice change since they seem to be less readily available here.

Cleansing waters are another huge trend in beauty and skincare at the moment (I'm looking at you, Bioderma) and is another product I haven't tried so I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what the fuss is about.

As a curly-haired girl, I was obviously really stoked to see some Global Keratin products thrown in this month. I've got a keratin straightener and use a few hair products infused with it which all work really well together, so I'm interested to see how these will work out for me. Anything that helps tame frizz is exactly what I want.

Lastly is the cute little Glossybox lipstick. I'm a huge fan of the color; it's a bright-but-dusty rose with a gloss finish from what I can tell. Looks like it will go perfectly with the new blushes I've just bought!

What did you guys think of the September Glossybox? I'm already (im)patiently awaiting next month's!

Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Peach Mosaic

Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Peach Mosaic · $38

I'm a huge fan of Laura Mercier products, or atleast the ones I've tried. I used her Silk Creme Foundation every day and though the thought of trying something else has crossed my mind, I'm not sure I'd ever make the switch. Her products are always really amazing quality so when I saw this I knew I had to have it!

I've had this for quite some time now (three months maybe?) and absolutely love using it as a highlighter on the apples of my cheeks and along my cheekbones. It gives a really beautiful glow and looks even better in the sunlight. I'm really into highlighters and anything that brightens my face so this product is definitely something I love using. The bloc itself is seriously gorgeous, I mean, look at it. I usually use my Real Techniques stippling brush to apply; swirling it in the shimmer bloc and stippling/buffing it into my cheeks and around until I get the finish I like. 

What do you guys think of the Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc? What are some of your favorite highlighters?

MAC Dark Side Lipstick

MAC Dark Side Lipstick · $15

You know that feeling that you get when you go through your MAC products and realize you finally have six empties which means you can get a free lipstick? No? Well it's a really good feeling.

So after hoarding keeping MAC empties for months I discovered I had six which is awesome because I'm seriously obsessed with lip products lately. I figured I should get something different from my normal pinks/corals ( Angel, Cut A Caper, etc) but was seriously afraid to commit to something darker. Berry and dark purple are huge colors this fall so I took a step out of my comfort zone and had the lovely MAC MUA show me a few shades.

Dark Side looks a hell of a lot darker in the tube than it does on the lips but it's still a seriously pigmented lipstick. The great thing about it? I can wear it dark or light. By just patting it on my lips instead of applying normally I get a lighter but still lovely color (I did that in yesterdays post). Anyway I'm already in love with this color and have been wearing it like, everyday. So much for being afraid of darker lips!

What do you guys think? Do you love the deep berry/purple lipstick trend as much as I do?

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey · $8.99

I know that everyone has their favorite type of makeup — whether it be mascara, eyeshadow or foundation. I wasn't really sure what mine was until this week and then I realized how much I absolutely love lipstick/lip products in general. It's kind of funny since I never used to wear color on my lips and now I almost always do!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains are pretty great quality for what they are and I've been using this quite a bit since getting it. It's kind of close to my normal lip color but just a little darker which makes it really easy to wear in the day time. The thing I like about this product most is unlike most "stains" which usually look tacky and kind of gross, these go on smoothly, don't dry out your lips, and the color stays for a pretty good amount of time!

They have a minty smell and feel to them which is nice but to be fair you really don't notice it all that much. I'm not usually one to check out lipsticks or other lip products at drugstores because I prefer to try on a color before I buy it, but for the price of these it's totally worth it (also there are a plethora of reviews so that helps :)! I'll definitely be checking out some other colors now — let me know if you have any recommendations!

What do you guys think of the Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains? What are some other great colors in the collection?

Caudalie Divine Oil

Caudalie Divine Oil · $48

Caudalie's Divine Oil is a product that I have been waiting to get for a few months now. It wasn't that I was unsure, but more that I just wasn't ready to drop almost $50 on an oil. But guys, this isn't just an oil — it's a multi-purpose multi-use divine oil. Spray it on your body after showering for the softest skin ever, spritz it on the ends of your hair for a bit of extra treatment, or spray in the bath for the most luxurious at-home experience ever.

This stuff seriously lives up to its name and as usual, Caudalie does not disappoint. A lot of body/hair/etc oils can leave you feeling a bit greasy but this stuff is so light and application is so easy because it's a spray bottle (unlike most oils which are pumps or squeeze bottles which often disperse a bit too much product). The mix of rose and white musk with a hint of a few other things like vanilla, pink pepper, and grapefruit, make this a seriously gorgeous smelling product. I literally cannot get enough. 

I can't express enough just how soft and hydrated your skin feels after spraying this on and massaging it in. It's kind of one of those things you just have to trust me about and/or just try it for yourself. I can assure you that once you do, you'll want it as bad as I did, buy it, and never look back. 

PIXI Lip & Line

PIXI Lip & Line in Pretty Peony · $18

After I did my Wild Wild Horses post, I had a few people ask what lip color I was wearing so I figured I'd do a post about it!

I got this PIXI Lip & Line in a Birchbox last month and immediately fell in love with it. The color looks amazing with my skin tone, it smells wonderful, and it's a dream to apply and use. I've never used a lip liner before but love this because it matches the lipstick perfectly and theres no mess or fuss — it's totally simple. 

It's long-wearing but not drying and feels as though it's conditioning your lips as you wear it. It also smells really great; hints of coconut and I'm not sure what else, but either way it's lovely. It's easily become one of my favorite lip products and I find myself reaching for it constantly. It's also really a great color for fall, so I'm sure I'll be using this a lot in the coming weeks/months. I'm pretty eager to try out some of PIXI's other products now — any recommendations? 

LUSH: Autumn Favorites

Flying Fox Shower Gel · $17.95

Silky Underwear Dusting Powder · $6.95

Ro's Argan Body Conditioner · $5.95

9 to 5 Cleansing Lotion · $9.95

Fall is just around the corner which means it's time for chunky sweaters and Pumpkin Spice Lattes. It also means changing up my shower and moisturizing routine. My skin tends to dry out in the fall especially as I start wearing more layers to keep myself warm. There are way more LUSH products that I use daily, but these are just my favorites especially for the coming seasons.

Flying Fox is the ultimate fall shower gel — with honey and jasmine and a bit of spice, this is honestly one of the best smelling things LUSH makes. It reminds me of leaves changing and Thanksgiving at home, but more than anything else, it seems to keep my skin pretty hydrated and soft. The scent seems to linger throughout the day, keeping my mood elevated from the sweet yet spicy scent.

Silky Underwear is my next pick. While some may say that Lustre would go better with the aforementioned (because they basically smell the same), I prefer use this dusting powder instead. It literally melts into my skin giving me a soft finish while leaving me with the loveliest jasmine scent, which is great with the ever-lingering honey smell of Flying Fox.

Ro's Argan can only be described in one word: divine. It's got the most gorgeous rose smell and fits in beautifully (scent wise) with the other two products as if they were all made to work together.  It really does an amazing job at conditioning and hydrating my skin, leaving me feeling smooth and moisturized for days.

Last but not least is my favorite cleanser of all time, 9 to 5. I use this year round but when I'm feeling like my body and face need an overall cleanse from being cooped up in thicker clothes, I reach for this. It smells incredible, is pretty light for a cleanser and leaves me feeling so fresh (and so clean clean). It really is one of the best overall cleansers that I've ever used!

Have you guys used these products before? What are your favorite LUSH fall picks?

Glossybox USA: August 2012

Glossybox · $21/month

I'm going to be honest here, I am absolutely amazed/enamored/infatuated with this months Glossybox. The best part about it? It's the first one I've gotten and they've really made an incredible first impression. The theme of this month is Pure Luxury, so this box is chocked full of serums and luxurious cosmetics to leave you feeling fresh and pampered. 

Illamasqua is one of those brands that seems to be doing everything right. Their foundations, blushes and lipsticks are all amazing, so when I saw that I'd received a nail polish by them I was super stoked. The color I got is called "Load" and it's this really gorgeous creamy white color with a hint of yellow. Perfect for F/W, non? 

The Ole Hendriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster is actually something I nearly bought this weekend, so I'm glad I didn't! It's packed full of Vitamin C and helps to firm and smooth leaving you with more radiant skin. It's got a light and lovely citrus smell and rave reviews so I can't wait to try this out for myself. 

Touch in Sol is a Korean brand I've never heard of before (their stuff isn't carried at Sephora or Ulta) but it seems like they make some awesome products. The Feel Like Honey Moon Skin Base is a primer that you're supposed to use after your skincare routine and before makeup application. It's got honey in it which is great for tightening the skin and it's also supposed to "allow for a better makeup routine". I'm so down with that! It's really light and feels like silk once you apply, pat, and allow it to sink into your skin.

The Ellis Faas Creamy Lips is overall a gorgeous product, though the color I received (L107 - Chocolate Caramel) doesn't suit me that well. Maybe I'm just not used to brown/darker lip shades but I'm still up for giving it a try. I do want to check out some other colors in the line because it seems like a really awesome lip product.

Biolage is a company that I think we all know — their stuff is used in most salons and you can find their products mostly anywhere. The ExquisiteOil Replenishing Treatment is something I'm definitely looking forward to trying as my hair can get verrrry dull, especially in summer. It's supposed to add instant shine without weighing your hair down. 

All in all this box is most definitely a 10/10 — introducing me to companies and products I haven't heard of before as well as including some I know and love. What do you all think of the products above? What colors did you get in your boxes?!

MAC Cut a Caper Lipstick

MAC Cut a Caper Lipstick · $15

I've actually had this lipstick for quite a while now (probably about a month or so) and in that time it's most definitely become my #1. This is one of those MAC colors that everyone lusts over and once I saw it I fell in love.

I was walking through Bloomingdales and spotted it right after I bought Angel — I'd never seen it in person before but it was just so recognizable. I tried it on, thought "this is my color", Richard said he loved it, and basically at that moment I knew I had to have it. It (obviously) wasn't in stock at the MAC counter so I immediately ordered it from my phone. That was the first purchase I ever made with my iPhone, and a justified one at that! Shipping only took a few days and then I had the most gorgeous coral lipstick in my possession ♥. I've been wearing it paired with NARS Orgasm quite a lot as I love the two of them together, it's kind of as if they were made to be worn together. I really feel as though this is one of those lipsticks I can throw it on day or night and it will look always amazing (especially with my skin tone).

I'm already thinking about ordering a backup as I'm not sure I could be without this color once I run out. What do you all think?