EMPTIES | February 2017

 So I don't remember which month I finished all the products but I'm going to go in order to keep a semblance of order. I'm slowly working through all the photos I have so bear with me as I catch up. Besides that little hiccup, let's get into the products I'd repurchase and which ones I'd pass.

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BEAUTY ROUNDUP | Year in Beauty: 2016 Edition Part 1

Welcome to my first post of 2017! It's been another 366 days around the sun and many a beauty love has been discovered. In previous years, I chose four products in six categories to talk about. Strategic buying made this year's list harder to compile because I really do love so many things! Some things will come as no surprise but there are others that are just getting their spotlight now. I'll link to related blog posts so y'all can get more information if you're interested. I've split it into two parts and this one will be all my makeup loves. So without further ado, here is 2016's Year in Beauty!

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FOTD | Quick & Easy Back to School Makeup

I'm writing this while waiting for my first class of the semester to start, so excuse the spelling mistakes, hehe. I'm sure many of you can empathize with me on first day jitters. I can never get a good night's sleep before an important event so I'm dealing with dark circles, watery eyes and lackluster skin. Waking up in the morning isn't a struggle for me but I can be sluggish. Doing my makeup gives my brain to wake up as well as giving me a confidence boost. Because I'm quite slow in the mornings, I decided to do a bare basics look and time myself. But I also wanted to see how long it would take me if I added a few things here and there for a complete look, which lately is turning into my fancy face, haha.

So I'll be walking y'all through my bare basics look and my fancy face to give you some ideas and tips. If you aren't going back to school, lucky you! This'll still work for work or any other occasion in which you just want the bare necessities and don't want to be faffing about with a billion brushes.

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REVIEW | it Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream SPF 50+

As an avid Korean makeup lover, bb creams and cc creams are nothing new to me. In fact, most Western versions disappointed me because they lacked the skincare aspect. Color options were slightly improved but formulations were mostly disappointing. When the it Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream SPF 50+ was released, I turned away. However, a  glowing review from Emily Noel made me change my mind. Still slightly skeptical, I went with the travel size. After giving it several months of wear, I'm ready to share my thoughts!

{AT A GLANCE}

The it Cosmetics CC Cream fuses makeup and skincare. Claiming to offer full coverage without creasing or cracking in fine lines, it contains physical sunscreens only as well as various vitamins and botanical extracts for brighter, hydrated and smoother skin. This formula is paraben free for those concerned. it Cosmetics was recently acquired by L'Oreal and so may not be considered cruelty-free for some. In my case, I do consider in cruelty-free as long as they continue to not test either ingredients nor the finished products on animals during any stage of manufacturing AND do not sell in China. 

Each full-sized bottle contains 1.08 fl oz/32ml for $38usd. That comes out to $35.19usd per oz. The travel sized bottle contains 0.4 fl oz for $15usd. That comes out to $37.50usd per oz. Pretty comparable since travel sizes usually come out to be more expensive than buying the full size. Shade range includes 5 colors but the travel sizes only come in two: Light and Medium. I have mine in Light.

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FOTD | Current Foundation Routine

I'm a creature of habit so when I find something that works for me, I stick with it. Also, finding a great color match makes it difficult for me to use just one product for foundation. Since discovering this gem, I have finally found a cruelty-free option that I can sing the praises from the rooftops! I don't like to jump on trendy products as much as I used to, so it's taken me a long time to finally give the itCosmetics Your Skin but Better CC Cream a try. And my goodness, why was I ever so hesitant?? This is seriously HG material. But I'll save all the gushing for a later review; let's just get into my current foundation routine that I've been enjoying for the past 2 months.

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HAUL | Collective ULTA + Sephora Birthday Haul

So it's been several months since I've posted on this blog. I'm sorry about the prolonged absence but real life has been draining my energy, leaving me with none for blogging. It's a little awkward getting back into it; I've actually been very nervous about posting again in such a long time. Anyone else feel me on that?

Anyhoo, I've bought all these things last year around November and most of it's just been sitting here, waiting for me to crack it open and use it. I'm embarrassed to say that most of it hasn't been tested at all and still sits in its original packaging. However, I will give updates when I do get around to testing everything. 

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