This or That - Powder Blush, Cream Blush, or Cheek Tint?

Hello lovelies,

I can't believe I'm going to say what I'm about to say but I can't wait for December to be here already, lol. I don't like Winter but because I have some vacation time and personal time I need to take before I lose them, next month is going to be pretty relaxing for me.

Don't you just love it that there are so many different type of makeup. It's nice to have all these options but sometimes, they make it hard to choose, don't you think? I get greedy when I have choices.

I wear blushes pretty much on a daily basis. I'm pretty pale and blushes give a little life back to my face.

Powder blushes are probably the ones I use the most. They are the easiest and quickest to apply and easiest to blend. With not a lot of time for makeup in the morning, they work out for me. They usually don't last as long as cream blushes or cheek tint but some can last up to 6 hours, which I can be happy with.

Cream blush - I have a love and hate relationship with cream blushes. Most don't work out for me because they don't blend as easily as I want or leave a tacky feeling on my skin. The Illamasqua blushes are probably the only ones that I've been happy with.

Cheek Tint - I love that they have the longest lasting power but for some the application can be tricky as they can set pretty quickly, might be too pigmented, or apply blotchy. Some come in a liquidy form and some come in a gel-type formula.

Overall, powder blushes are typically the easiest for me so they win. With cream blushes and cheek tints I really have to hunt for the right formula and when I do, I love that they last so much longer than a powder blush.

This or That - Hair Styling Product: Gel/Cream, Mousse, or Spray?

How many hair product do you use regularly? I'm not very good at styling my hair and I don't like to spend a lot of time on it. Not only that but I just can't do hair for the life of me so I keep my hair care and hair styling very simple.

The most commonly used medium for hair styling products are Gel/Cream, mousse, and spray. I've used all three in the past but currently I am strictly on a spray regiment.

Cream/Gel - I think these are best for short hairstyles. Especially if you like to create sculpted looks.

Mousse - they're great for creating volume, defining curls, and scrunch hair looks.

Spray - well this works for just about anything I think

I particularly favor spray styling products before I find them easier to use and apply. They usually are lighter and don't weight down my hair. I don't like using a lot of product on my hair. I generally only need something that is going to give them a little lift and volume and manageable control.

What type of hair product works for you and why?

This or That - Pencil Eyeliners, Gel Eyeliner, or Liquid Eyeliners?

I'm back with another This or That post. I need to work on this series more regularly or else it's going to end up in the back burner again.

 I use eyeliners religiously. I can skip mascara. In fact, I don't even wear mascara because my lashes are too little to even benefit from mascara but eyeliner is one of those beauty products I rarely leave the house without. Each have their pros and cons. I know the experience isn't always going to be the same for everyone. I have hooded eyelids and often times I get my eyeliners transferring to the crease. Also with my lids being moderately oily, some eyeliners just don't cut it, melt and smear. I think it's safe to say, I have very picky eyes so here's what I think of each different type of eyeliners I've used.


Pencil Eyeliners

Pros

• They either come as retractable or regular pencil and they are the easiest and quickest way to line your eyes. Well at least in my opinion. When I'm in a hurry, that's usually what I go for. 
• Provide a softer liner look. 
• They are most suitable for tight-lining and lining the waterline

Cons

• Finding the right formula with pencil eyeliners has always been my biggest issue. 
• I always get some sort of transfer when using pencil eyeliner. It doesn't matter if I get the best, most expensive, or waterproof formula that I can get my hands on. It still happens but just looks less apparent if I use the best that I can find. 

Liquid Eyeliners

Pros

• precise application
• Rarely transfer or smudges

Cons

• They come in a marker type pencil or with a dip and line packaging. Almost all of the marker type packaging I've used have a problem. I either have difficulty getting the right amount to dispense or they dried up too quickly on me. 
• It takes some practice to get it right. Not the best to use when you're in a rush because you need to keep a steady hand. 

Cream/Gel Eyeliners

Pros

• You can use whatever brush works for you
• You won't have any issues with pulling or tugging during application
• Depending on the formula, they are generally long lasting and easy to apply

Cons

• For me, I always get some sort of transfer with gel/cream liners just like the pencil liners.
• I always have to clean my brush after I'm done, which seems to be more of an inconvenience.

Overall, I use different types of liner for different reasons but my favorites are liquid liners, particularly those that come in a dip and line packaging. The main reason is that they typically last the longest and usually don't transfer so I don't have to worry about keeping my makeup in check. No matter what type of eyeliner, I always look for those who are labeled or supposed to be long-wearing or waterproof. There's nothing I dread more than raccoon eyes. 

Which type of liners do you prefer and why?

This or That (First Post) - Lipstick Finishes: Matte, Satin, Cream, Shimmer, Metallic, Frost, Stain, and Gloss

Hello Lovelies,

I will be starting a series of This or That, it will be tagged as so and this will be my first post. We all have a preference in how we apply makeup, how we choose our makeup, how we buy our makeup, etc...so this series is about the options we have, the options we choose, and why. I thought it would be fun to do and if you like the idea of this series, you are more than welcome to do your series of This or That as well.

Most of you who have a variety of lipsticks are aware that they all come in different finishes and you probably have a preference as to which one you find more suitable for you.

Some brands have their lipstick finishes categorized as well and I've also noticed that sometimes the finish labeled on the lipstick isn't always correct or in between. I'm going to briefly go over the more commonly lipstick finishes and give you my own definition of what they are.

Illamasqua lipstick - Fable

Matte - basically has no shimmers, shine, or glitters. Matte lipstick are generally pigmented, drier, and tend to have a longer staying power. Formulation can vary between brands. My favorites are the NYX matte lipsticks because they apply so smoothly and don't feel dry at all. 

MAC Lipstick - Peachstock

Satin - a satin finish is semi-matte and has just a wee bit of shine to it, no shimmers or glitters. They are generally pigmented, long-wearing, and easier to apply than matte lipsticks.

NARS lipstick - Niagara

Cream - has no shimmers or glitters but have a smoother and creamier formula than satin finishes. They generally have good pigmentation but can vary from semi-opaque to full coverage, apply smoother on the lips, and tend to be more hydrating. Please excuse the lack of quality in the photo above, it's old was taken with a different camera. 

NYX Black Label Lipstick - Pumpkin Pie

Shimmer - this is pretty self-explanatory, they contain shimmers. Depending on the brand and formula, some of these shimmers can vary in size and feel gritty on the lips. They range from sheer to opaque color payoff, though I find the majority of them to be in between. 

Milani Color Statement Lipstick - Bronze Beauty

Metallic - well they have shimmers and have a high shine to them, similar to the look of a metal. They generally have good color payoff and can be on a drier side. This finish has a tendency to highlight any dryness I might have. Prepping your lips prior to use is highly recommended.

Motives Rich Formula Lipstick - Peach Puff

Frost - Can also be mistaken for a metal finish since they are shimmery and have that high shine finish to them but the main difference that puts this one in its own category is that is has just as much shimmers (if not more) than color, meaning that they are generally less pigmented but shinier and give off a beam of shimmer wherever the light hits. Not a big fan of this type of finish. There are certain colors I don't mind but there are others I just can't pull off with this finish. 

Ulta Extreme Wear Lipstain -  Lucky in Love

Stain - another one that is pretty self-explanatory. Stains are generally lightweight, pigmented, long-wearing, and dry. Well their main purpose is to stain. There is several hybrids of stains out there but a stain in it's original form is liquidy, pigmented, offer medium to full coverage, and has little to no moisture. They can come in a marker type of packaging or a tube with an applicator. They may appear glossy when freshly applied but look matte as they dry. 

Maybelline Color Whisper - Mocha Muse

Gloss - gloss finishes are sheer to semi-opaque. They may contain shimmers but they have that transparent look to them that allows your natural skin color to show through. They have a tendency to slip and slide and usually wear off quicker. 

My favorite lipstick finishes are satin and cream because they have better color pay off and are generally comfortable to wear but because I'm a lipstick junkie, I love to have a good variety of finishes as well as color to fit my mood.

What is your favorite lipstick finish and why? Is there one that you always avoid? Is there a lipstick finish I forgot to mention? Let me know...