Aubree Bee

Happy 1 Year of blogging to me! Whilst mastering the act of de-potting make-up, I have stabbed myself in the finger. A throbbing middle finger goes out to that de-potting knife.

Latest amazing find from Birchbox…Mirenesse Glossy Kiss Lipstick. It is easily and precisely applied like a jumbo lip pencil, but has the texture and color payoff of your richest red lipstick. I received the color 2. Flirty Kiss, which has a bit more blue undertones than this picture lets on. I am obsessed and I have only had this for a day. In my opinion it is not glossy as its name would indicate, but has a satin finish and is a bit creamy (which I was not expecting!) So easy to slip into a purse for a red-lips night out, and precise enough to do with a compact mirror in cab, 2 glasses of champagne into the night. I’m not sure on the color selection, as Birchbox is out of stock of this at the moment, but on the Mirenesse website there are only four colors (Red, Mauve-y color, a pale frosted pink, and a peachy gold pink color). As if there weren’t enough reasons to like the Aussie’s, I can already tell this down-under product will be my go-to red lipstick for a while. 

Periwinkle perfection! But seriously, this is the first time a mani hasn’t chipped within the first 2 days! It chipped in 3….progress people. Progress. I even have a glamour nail. Please ignore the cropping. I have slightly chubby hands and don’t care to share them. 

 Recent Favorites - Stuff I Dig and I Think You Will Too

I guess this post could be comparable to those make up gurus’ “February Favorites!!!” videos that harass my YouTube subscription feed (between the clips of every cute-kid-rapper/Good-Samaritan/dancing-audience-member on the Ellen Show). I’d just really prefer to call it “Stuff I Dig and I Think You Will Too”, since I can barely decide on a favorite ice cream flavor, let alone my favorite beauty products within the month of February.  These five products have, however, managed to continue to be the dopamine neurotransmitter to my brain. Let’s gush about them.

1. Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation: This is a recent purchase that I find myself continually gravitating toward when it’s time to get ready. I am slightly deterred by the “Naked” term when getting ready for a night out, because I usually like to look nothing like myself, but this foundation really holds its own. It feels light when applied but covers just the right amount to really look natural without being….well, natural. I’ve also found that it is pretty build-able in coverage, so you can always adjust certain areas of your face to your liking (like my rudolf red nose whenever I touch a cat, walk into a dusty room, or inhale a big gust of wind for breakfast). The variety of colors is pretty good, and it is around $12 at the drugstore. Great value, nice looking, and who can resist Emma Stone telling you to buy something???
2. Urban Decay Brightening and Tightening Primer: This is one I bought a long time ago and have just started getting re-obsessed with. It melts into your skin almost like a serum, and definitely makes your skin feel firm (without feeling taut). I’m not sure about the brightening factor, but it is pretty good when paired with a natural foundation (like Revlon Nearly Naked or UD Naked!). 
3. Make Up Forever HD Powder: I am not a huge fan of powder, setting powder, translucent powder, etc. I think it can make you look like a chalky mess, like a gymnast’s hands on the high bars, even if it claims to be translucent. This product is the exception. The difference is the “HD” part - it is so finely milled that it really settles into the tiniest pores and crevices on your face…in a good way. Because the particles are so small, they pretty much disappear into your skin while setting your make-up and giving you a flawless finish. For this I will tentatively say this is my absolute favorite setting/translucent powder out there. Period. I recommend for everyone, but especially for those who have problems with make-up lasting the whole day on your face - you will adore. 
4. No Drought Dry Shampoo by Lush: I have tried so many of the drug store and higher end dry shampoos that come in the spray canisters, am always disappointed, and then revert back to baby powder. Although this product is not as convenient as the sprays, it is the best alternative that I’ve found to smelling like a newborn. It has a fresh lemon scent, absorbs quickly, and even goes undetected in the blackest of hair colors. Squeeze a little into your hand, smush between your palms, throw your hands through your hair and distribute it, then brush out your hair (though ineloquent, this is the only way I could think to describe the process).
5. Hourglass Ambient Lightening Powder in “Luminous Light”: Who has the best boyfriend? This chica. Because when a man realizes that all your want for Valentine’s Day is a luminizing face powder, you’ve got a winner. Gift-er aside, this really is an amazing product. I was thinking that it would be similar to a MAC Mineralized Skin Finish, which is good for highlighting but can (in my opinion) make you look like a shiny, maybe even sweaty, mess by the end of the night. Or at the beginning, as I learned from my college pictures. This is actually great to use all over your face to get a glow without looking shiny. How do they do this? Tiny reflective particles in the powder that when put all over your face make you look like Aphrodite. Or Venus, depending on your lineage. I don’t think I’ve quite made it to goddess status with this product, but I’m getting pretty close. For the price of $45 though, you should be looking like a full fledged J-Lo or Beyonce, which is not happening. A great splurge, not necessarily necessary.

Thank you for your undying support. If you’ve read this far, you are probably a make-up obsessed woman like me. If you are a man who’s made it this far, you are probably my boyfriend. Love you, mean it. 

I went man-repeller status for the day time. Dark berry lipstick with pink sticky glitter gloss on top. What’s your look this Valentines Day?