I think this is the first time I’ve actually gone through my entire makeup collection on a blog post! To see my previous makeup set-up in the old apartment, check out this post.

My new place has much less storage space, as you can see, so my makeup now has an entire shelf to itself.

A quick disclaimer — I use makeup to look my best. I really don’t tend to experiment or have a color for every occasion. I’ve seen collections that make my head spin. These are mostly items I use on a daily basis. In other words, my collection isn’t much of a collection!

Click here for image notes and to see where everything is located.

Eyes:

• ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer: I love this stuff. I’ve never tried any other eye primer, but I don’t really need to. This makes everything stay on all day without smudging. However, it does have a harder time with cream shadows if application is heavy. It also looks great on it’s own to brighten the eyes.
• Maybelline The Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara: I hated purchasing this, because I don’t like supporting companies that test on animals. Tarte still makes my absolute favorite mascaras, but the price hurts my wallet too much! I’ve tried ELF mascara, but I didn’t like the formula. Any mascara suggestions for great volume?
• Revlon Illuminance Creme Shadows: I only use the browns, but they’re awesome as a base, alone, or together for a nice simple wash of color on the lid.
• Revlon Colorstay 12-Hour Eye Shadow: If I do my eye makeup, I usually use all of these and blend for a nice rosy look. Easy to both create a smoky eye and keep it daytime friendly, whichever I choose.
• ELF Studio Eyebrow Kit: Perfect for defining my brows. I highly recommend it, and it’s only $3!
• ELF Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara: I use the brow gel occasionally, and the lash gel when I want to curl my lashes but don’t want to wear mascara. This isn’t used too often, but it works well.

Lips:

• Tarte LipSurgence Natural Matte Lip Stain in Hope: Not a huge fan of this color. Darker reds/brows tend to look bad on me. It does work very well, I just wish I could switch for another color!
• ELF Mineral Lipstick in Nicely Nude: More of a fleshy pink color than a nude. Just the right amount of color if I feel like wearing low-key lipstick.
• ELF Conditioning Lip Balm SPF 15: This is a neutral tint and feels super slick as a balm, I love wearing it! It’s very hydrating for the summer.
• Revlon Lipstick in Cherries Now: My staple red lipstick. Both Revlon and ELF have wonderful lipsticks! It took me a while to find the right red for my skin tone.
• Estee Lauder Glosses: I received these for Christmas. A bit too much glitter, but they’re so pretty! I’d only use them at night.
• Yes to Carrots Balm: Perfect neutral with a minty flavor. Another go-to for every day!
• Revlon Color Burst in Peach Parfait (Sample): This sample came with my free Target Beauty Bag. I have Revlon Colorburst in Creamsicle as well (in my bag). These have a little too much glitter for me, but they’re still fun.

Face:

• Benefit Boi-ing Concealer: I always rave about this concealer. I’m almost completely out of it at this point. It works best as a highlight and under the eyes.
• Tarte Smooth Operator Finishing Powder: I can’t remember when I bought this and it should likely be tossed, but it’s a great powder for setting.
• Rimmel London Blush: I adore this rosy blush. It has just a hint of bronze, and gives a very sun kissed look that isn’t too glittery. I just wish I didn’t have to layer it so much for the color payoff. It also doesn’t last long. Once I finish it, I will be on the hunt for a longer lasting blush with better color payoff int he same shade.
• Tarte 12-Hour Blush in Amused: This blush will stay on all day and is highly pigmented. I love it! Unfortunately, Tarte doesn’t really have a color that even comes close to my Rimmel’s bronze look.
• Too Faced Primed and Poreless: It allows for fantastic application as a primer, but it doesn’t reduce my pores at all. (In fact, I suspect it clogs.) It’s very heavy, and that puts me off as well. I don’t recommend it, it’s not worth the price.
• Loreal Studio Secrets Anti-Redness Primer: I have a huge problem with hyper-pigmentation (if I have a breakout, it’ll leave a red spot on my skin for weeks.) This helps cancel out the red, so I use it on certain spots if I have to.
• Revlon Colorstay Foundation in Buff: I had to toss my ELF Tinted Moisturizer because it was irritating my skin. So far, this has been absolutely amazing. It’s medium to full coverage and feels completely weightless. It’s my favorite! I may try the whipped formula next.

• After a long makeup break, I’ve been experimenting with my collection again. Mysterious to me at the time, my face also broke out. (More on this later…)
• We dog-sat a friend’s pups. Once you find someone else with the dog-depedency-syndrome, you’re quick to start trading favors!
• Unfortunately, that same day I arrived back home with a fever after not feeling well. My fiancé Josh banished me to the bedroom. (Oh, how I hate being stuck in bed all day on a weekend…)
• Fortunately, the rest was worth it, as I woke up Sunday feeling brand new. (Josh wasn’t so lucky. Oops!)
• We’ve been in a financial slump as of late, so it’s rare that I find myself out “window shopping” these days.
• However, I found myself at Target, armed with beauty product coupons and ready to use them. I couldn’t help but look around.
• …Which lead to my Monsieur Cock discovery. Is this not the cutest thing? (It’s a bit of an inside joke.)
• I also arranged what I hope to one day be my coffee tray. Yes, I take products and arrange them in the store… A girl on a tight budget has to fulfill the need to decorate and organize somehow. I took a picture in hopes of coming back sometime soon to purchase. I wanted to make sure my coffee grounds fit on the right, and I needed time to let the cost of the silver tray set in. ($20 for such a tiny tray, what the heck Target?)
• I got home with my newly purchased beauty products and then began what I call the biyearly purge — I had to go through all my beauty supplies and toss out anything older than 2 years. (Have you done this recently? Do it! Save your skin!)
• I also had to toss things that didn’t suit my skin tone anymore, or that I knew were breaking me out. (Cue the revelation for why I suddenly had acne issues after using my makeup again.) I figured better safe than sorry.
• This lead to a cleaning frenzy in which I organized my entire bathroom cabinets, washed my makeup brushes to death, and wiped everything down.
• Look out for a makeup collection this week, in which you can take a look at my tiny collection!

I was browsing YouTube recently and came across quite a few great tutorials. I was especially inspired by Xteeener’s recent tutorial, Sexy Sunkissed Makeup. She was inspired to try this look after seeing it in a magazine ad.

It’s been a while since I wore full makeup, but this looked like a lot of fun to try for the weekend and I had the necessary tools in my collection. What a surprise!

Below I’ve listed what I used to recreate this look. The shades I used were a bit lighter, and more on the neutral side rather than burgundy. I also skipped many steps I find unnecessary for every day, like highlighting.

Face:

• ELF Studio Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20 in Nude
• Benefit Boi-ing Concealer in Light
• Bare Minerals Matte SPF 15 Foundation in Medium
• Rimmel Powder Blush in Pink Rose
• ELF Studio Eyebrow Kit

Eyes:

• Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner in Blackberry
• ELF Mineral Eye Shadow Primer
• Revlon Illuminance Creme Shadow in Moonlit Jewels
• Revlon Colorstay Shadow in In The Buff
• ELF Mineral Infused Mascara

Lips

• Nude!

I think this turns out to be a great weekend daytime look for the summer if you like smokey eyes!

Would you try this look? Do you think you can recreate it with makeup you already have?

Summer is fast approaching, which usually means the sun is ready to beat down on you the minute you step out the door. Do you modify your makeup routine for the heat? If not, you should!

I’m still a big advocator of not wearing makeup when it gets too hot, as I mentioned during summer last year in my summer makeup routine.

But sometimes the situation calls for it — maybe you’re planning on taking photos that day, meeting someone special, working, or want to make an impression.

Tips for Minimalist Summer Makeup

If you’re planning on wearing makeup this summer I recommend:

• SPF formulas: Obviously, sun protection is a must for the summer. Prevent wrinkles, age spots, and most importantly keep your skin healthy!
• Tinted moisturizers: I avoid foundations at all cost in the summer. Not only does it feel heavy and not do well under heat, but I find that it clogs my pores more often than in the colder weather. Stick with tinted moisturizer, which usually has SPF and applies lightly.
• Waterproof formulas: If you need to wear mascara, blush, etc. you should try for waterproof for obvious reasons. Sweat means running makeup! I like this Cheek Stain by Tarte, which gives a dewy finish and stays put all day no matter what.
• Light application: Keep your application as light as possible. And don’t go more than one layer, especially on full face coverage, to let your skin breathe.
• Setting sprays: These seal in moisture and can even add extra SPF, like this Studio Moisture Fix by MAC. Most of these are designed to keep your makeup in place.

My Summer Makeup Routine

I’ve been wearing some makeup this summer, because I like looking my best at work. The question I ask myself is, “Will I freak out if this begins to melt on my face?” If the answer is yes, I don’t put it on.

Keep in mind that I use my bike as a primary means of transportation. My routine ensures I look my best, but it’s also bike-proof!

• Face: E.L.F. Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20 in Nude 
• Eyes: Benefit Boi-Ing Concealer in Lite
• Cheeks: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Amused
• Brows: E.L.F. Studio Eyebrow Kit

That’s all I’ve been wearing when I feel like I need to wear makeup.

My primary concerns include covering up my genetic dark rings under my eyes, and evening out my skin tone because being pale shouldn’t mean being translucent. I throw in some long-wear blush just to keep a natural color in my skin. (Though really, after biking I could easily skip that step!) Finally, shaping your brows can frame your entire face. Sometimes all you need is to define them!

I find that sometimes a good hair style will make you look fantastic, and you don’t really need makeup. You’ll look natural, and you’ll look like yourself! I’ll share some summer hair ideas in a future post.

What’s your makeup routine this summer?

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