Monthly Favorites | March

Beauty

Victoria Secret's Hello Darling: I've actually been using this since February but forgot to include it in my monthly favorites post last month. I am so in love with this scent. I use it every day unless I'm going out at night or something. Not only is the bottle refreshing to look at, but the scent is also fresh which makes it perfect for spring. According to the bottle, it has notes of white nectar and peony. When you first spritz it, you get this amazingly fresh and light scent (peony I'm guessing) followed by this... Sort of warm sweet scent. It's really lovely. Next time you are in VS definitely head to the fragrances and get a whiff! 

Benefit Some Kind of a Gorgeous: This isn't a big favorite of mine, but I have found myself reaching for it when I go to tennis. I normally go bare face with a bit of sunscreen but lately my eyes have been looking so incredibly tired so I've been dabbing it under my eyes and in other problem areas. What I like about it is that it's so light so it doesn't feel like I'm wearing anything, and it seems to last long enough on my face. I wouldn't really recommend it as an everyday foundation/concealer (not sure what it is, actually), but it's really nice for those nights (or days) where you just took a shower, but then need to run to the grocery store or go to a late movie and you don't feel like going bare face and you are over re-applying your makeup. 

Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Natural Lipstick #N9 (Copper Pink): I received this from Sephora as my birthday gift and although it isn't a color I would normally wear, I seriously love it. It's a prettier version of my lip color, if that makes sense... Lovely color. Nude with some warm dusty rose undertones. Very creamy, as well. 

Miscellaneous

Jewelry: These three bracelets came in a set but for some reason I always seem to grab for the silver bangles. As for rings I usually pair this heart ring with them. The ring itself isn't exactly my favorite but I like the way it fits and I love how I don't have to take it off when washing the dishes or getting my hands wet. Lastly in this jewelry category is this little box made to look like the skeleton of a sea urchin! Super cool! I don't keep much in it but it's so pretty to look at, plus it helps me keep track of my hair ties (to preserve them because I lose them all the time, I only have two out at a time). 

Pull & Bear Denim Button-Up: I waited long and hard for the right denim shirt... I wanted the right shade of blue, snap buttons, and a soft material. It took me a while to find it but I finally found this one when shopping in Jakarta. I wore it a ton last year but sort of let it rest during December and the beginning of 2014. Sometime this month I grabbed for it and apparently haven't let go since. If you don't have one of these in your wardrobe definitely add it to you wish list! They really give a cool and casual vibe to any outfit and are really comfortable! 

Music Favorites

1. Make Me Wanna Die by The Pretty Reckless

I first heard this song in a Victoria Secret advert a long time ago. I randomly thought about it earlier this month and added it to my playlist on Spotify and I listen to it non stop. It makes me feel so badass when I listen to it which I (((guess))) is a good thing? Maybe? No? Yes?

2. Holiday/Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Greenday

Yet another song on my Spotify playlist. I rediscovered the American Idiot album by Greenday and this song (well... Two songs) stood out to me in particular. Holiday is really fun and upbeat and helps me get ready for the day, whereas the lyrics to Boulevard of Broken Dreams are actually quite amazing. 

3. All Too Well by Taylor Swift

I admit I'm not the biggest T-Swizzle fan in the entire world, I mainly just listen to her top hits or whatnot, but I finally got around to playing to her entire Red album and seriously she is so incredibly talented. The lyrics to this song in particular are flawless and just her wording (especially in the middle part) makes it kind of relatable like you can feel and see what is going on. Bravo, Taylor. 

Can't believe March is gone! We are already in our fourth month into the new year... Crazy! Anyway, that's it for my monthly favorites, definitely let me know if you have tried any of these products along with what you have been loving this month! I would love to know! 

Everyday Makeup Routine

Benefit High Beam, They're Real Mascara, Hoola Bronzer | Maybelline The Rocket Mascara, Color Whisper in Orange Attitude | EcoTools Powder (?) Brush

Hi everyone! I thought I might switch it up today and do a quick beauty post concerning what I use when I get ready in the morning. 

First off... Let me explain about that really ugly concealer canister. I received that as a gift and it was a mineral concealer trio (not sure where it's from)... I had used most of it up so I knew I had to get more concealer. During the time I was on a neighboring island and I went into Sephora and ended up getting the Sephora Liquid Concealer (I don't think they sell it anymore??) and the nozzles on the concealers are really crappy and break off so you can't close it... So basically I just squeeze the product into the little concealer compartments and then I refill as needed. The poor container has been through hell... Literally. It's been thrown around, and even beaten with a hammer (I twisted it wrong and then the cap got stuck). However it's been with me for about three years now so props this little fella. The different shades really help me out actually because my skin color changes all the time depending on how much sun I get. 

This is the concealer I usually use but because I had forgotten it in my friends back last month I had rediscovered my Sonia Kashuk one (February Favorites) but for some reason for the past two weeks I have been reaching for this one instead of my Sonia one... Weird. 

Anyway, I usually start off with a freshly washed face and then I apply a bit of Cetaphil moisturizer. Afterwards I apply the concealer under my eyes, on the sides of my mouth (I have ugly veins there for some reason ew), on yet another vein by my eyebrow, and then on any blemishes I have. I then blend it out with my beauty blender except for the concealer under my eyes which I blend in with my ring finger. 

Afterwards I put on a bit of bronzer and then highlighter on my cheek bones and whatever is left on my fingers lightly goes on the bridge of my nose. 

For mascara I usually use They're Real by Benefit but it's drying up and semi finished but I love the way it separates my lashes so I still use it. Lately after I've applied that, I apply a mascara from Maybelline and I was never really that fond of layering mascaras but I have been doing it for about two weeks now and seriously the effect is amazing! 

Today I used this lovely orange color just for a little pop of color... I usually don't sport any lip color unless I actually have plans or I simply feel like putting something on. Maybe I'll do a post of my top favorite lip colors? Thoughts on this?

Definitely drop me a comment letting me know if you use any of these products and what steps or products you include in your own daily makeup routine! I am definitely interested to see what different products you all use.