As per a few requests from sweet readers. I’m a beauty junkie with an au naturel sort of philosophy ironically enough; ask me the latest and how-to’s and I’ll be more than happy to take you for a guided tour around Sephora, where you’ll notice under their bright (!) lighting that all I’m wearing is a few lashings of mascara.  Less is more, so goes the cliche, but really. Less is more. Especially come summertime, when natural lighting is both incredibly beautiful and not-so-forgiving on a made-up face, and when heat and humidity lead to inevitable sweating. Not to mention, makeup is meant to enhance natural beauty. It’s supposed to be fun! When it comes to the point where makeup revolves around this hunt for the best concealer to become this ideal of perfection, makeup becomes a mask (literally and figuratively speaking). We both project and displace our confidence to this material thing. We sacrifice extra hours of sleep, of morning reading, of cuddling, of just being in the morning.

I also believe that girls look at their best with little to no makeup. I’ll say it one more time. Less is more.

I am notoriously frugal. It seems counterintuitive, then, that I would be more than happy to spend more on a purchase to ensure I get the best quality purchase. This is your you we’re talking about it: you’re worth the investment. Good products do make all the difference and have this ability to make even the most minimalist of morning routines seem every bit luxurious; it’s but a matter of knowing where to spend and where to save.

 

The Look

+ Diorskin Bronzer. Nothing like a good, matte bronzer to sweep across the face and under the cheekbones. For two years I loved the Korres Monoi Oil bronzing powder in their darkest shade; it’s unfortunate the product has been discontinued. It gave the skin hint of shimmer for a natural bronzed look, and of course, smelled deliciously of monoi oil.

+ Bobbi Brown Metallic Eyeshadow ’15 Navajo.’ Love BB eyeshadows; her matte formulas are divine. 15 Navajo is the perfect inner corner and browbone highlight shade; it’s a pale cream infused with gold shimmer that wears beautifully throughout the day as it melds with your skin.

+ NARS Madly blush. If there is one product to invest in, it’s a high-quality blush. NARS makes the best powder blushes, hands down: the color pigmentation, product longevity, and texture are incredible. Madly is my Orgasm – it’s a tawny, seashell pink that gives a bit of flush and sun-kissed glow, all in one, for a Victoria’s Secret Angel complexion.

+ Mario Badescu Summer Shine Body Lotion. I have two bottles of this stuff, and carry a little sample sized bottle in my handbag at all times. It’s the perfect intersection of skincare and beauty, in my opinion. It hydrates pretty well, and lends this skin a beautiful shimmer. I pat it along the collarbones, the tops of my shoulders and front of my legs for this incredible glowing effect.

+ L’Oreal Voluminous Waterproof mascara. It made my “Things I Love” list—no further explanation necessary.

+ Organix Moroccan Argan Oil. Another favorite from that TILT list. I’m an oily type of gal. With a predisposition for anything smelling of Moroccan Argan or Monoi Oil.

+ YSL Rouge Pur Couture lipstick no. 6. I’m usually without lip product save my beloved Badger Organics Cocoa Butter lip balms since (1) I can’t be bothered and (2) lipsticks and glosses aren’t particularly favorable towards kisses, but YSL’s Rouge Pur Couture line is the exception. I plan on stocking up on favorites before the entire beauty line packaging is changed for Hedi Slimane’s new “Saint Laurent” madness. Is that crazy? We all have our quirks…

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