Smart is Always Beautiful

Sometimes I have guilt. Guilt that I'm buying a lot of stuff and not finishing much at all. I see everyone discussing all the things that they've used up holding their empty bottles and I wonder why I have no empty bottles. I used be always be a good girl and I would only replace products that I had finished or were about to be gone imminently. Now I feel like I don't ever finish anything before I run off and try something new. That is until now! I have really started to finish up some products lately and I decided that it was finally time to share what I've emptied and my thoughts are on them. How exciting!
Not pictured: SK‑II Facial Treatment Essence, MAC Fix +, and Ole Henriksen The Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths

Usually my night time cleansing routine consists of coconut oil to break up my waterproof mascara, makeup remover towelettes to remove the rest of my makeup, and then washing my face with my Clarisonic. I have learned to gauge how well the towelettes work based on how much makeup and dirt ends up in the brush of my Clarisonic. I really like the Neutrogena Hydrating Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes. I have found these and Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water to be the most effective in removing my makeup prior to cleansing. It helps me feel a little less guilty about the nights that I'm drop dead tired and only use these to remove my makeup before crashing into my bed. They are also hydrating so they don't make my face feel tight or parched. They don't make me feel oily or greasy either. These are just really good. I have already replaced them and am using another pack of these currently. I foresee replacing them after this pack also.

I also used up a 10-pack of Ole Henriksen The Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths while I was traveling this month. These are also really nice makeup removing towelettes. I love the smell and for the most part they remove everything. I find just a smidge more makeup on my Clarisonic brush after using these than I do with the Neutrogena ones. Also, I do find these a little more drying and they leave my face feeling a little sticky. My sensitive face can't quite handle the residue so I definitely have to at least rinse my face after using these. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing; it keeps me from being lazy and actually makes me wash my face even if I'm tired. It might be the fresh citrusy smell, but these do feel a little more lux to use. I'm not going to replace these, I am happy with the Neutrogena wipes.


I finished up my third bottle of Macadamia Professional Weightless Moisture Shampoo a couple weeks ago. I use two bottles of shampoo to every one bottle of conditioner. I was pretty happy with this system, but I think my hair just needs a change every once and awhile and it's time. I loved that they actually built the systems around the texture of your hair as opposed to hair need. I felt like this definitely did not weigh my hair down and I was able to go longer between washes. It doesn't weigh my hair down but it didn't add any volume. While it is color safe I'm wondering if I should be using a color protecting shampoo because I seems to get really light in hair color between appointments. I have not repurchased this, however, I am not opposed to repurchasing if I don't find anything I like better in the future.

I received the SK‑II Facial Treatment Essence in a special edition Allure box and I immediately started using it. It was an extra step to add into my skincare routine, but they sold it as a added moisture and age-defying step. Who doesn't need that? It does not have any overpowering scent and my skin really just feels better when I use it. The more I read up on this, the more I really love it. SK-II scientists originally discovered the miracle secret ingredient, Pitera, when they noticed how soft and young looking older sake brewers hands were.  This miracle product claims to reduce wrinkle appearance, fade dark spots, refine texture, and replenish moisture to achieve naturally radiant skin. I don't have the bottle anymore because I finished it on vacation and couldn't justify packing around trash. I have not replaced it because 5.1 oz sells for - $165! I almost had a heart attack when I saw that.


It's a little hard to read because the writing has rubbed off but I finally finished up the Pixi By Petra Glow Mist. I had kind of neglected this even though I liked it, but after I finished the SK-II Treatment Essence I realized how easily this mist fits right back into that skincare step and it's supposed to do about the same thing. I really like the spray. It is a nice fine mist that doesn't get too splotchy. I do like spritzing my face as opposed to pouring a liquid into my hands and then applying it to my face. The only thing I kind of dislike is that this feels a little sticky on. By the time you start adding other steps the feeling disappears but up until that point I'm kind of afraid of random things sticking to me. I have not replaced this, I'm trying out Estee Lauder Essence that I got as a gift with purchase. And, then I have the May Coop Raw Sauce to try.

I finished off my beloved MAC Fix + in May and I don't know how I lived without it before. This product is truly a necessity. It has so many uses. I spray it on after I'm done with my makeup and it makes everything look seamlessly blended. It also takes away some of the chalky powdery look that you can get when you maybe get too heavy handed with your powder products. I will also use it to spray my brush before buffing out foundation to help them blend better and last longer. I've used and as a mixing medium to apply eyeshadows wet so they last all day and appeared foiled. I really like it to use it on my liner brush with a dark shadow that way my eyeliner looks really crisp and lasts longer. There are seriously a million uses for this. I wanted to try the Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix spray instead just because and at this moment I love both equally. In the future I see myself grab whatever is easiest and most economical.


The Spongeables Pedi-Scrub Foot Buffer is been my summer sandal secret weapon for several years now. This one is the Lavender-Tea Tree Oil Aromatherapy scent. I like them because there's actually a gel built into the sponge has that foot-smoothing ingredients, like Olive Oil, Glycerin, Vitamins A and E, and Shea Butter. So it lathers up to clean and condition as you use the scrubby side of this (the other side of the sponge). The scrubby actually buffs away dead skin cells so it's kind of all in one type of thing. It's super easy to use. I get a lot of uses out of this and I replace it about every three to six months. I am currently using the new one. It stays in the soap dish in the tub and dries between uses.  If you're looking for a good foot scrubby for the summer, I highly suggest these.


The Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo works really really really well. It's  really so so good. The only thing I could live without is the white cast it leaves. It's a hard enough fight for me to hide the silver hair that really wants to be seen, but then add the white cast that really emphasizes it and it's like it snowed in my bathroom in the morning. The struggle is real. I wash my hair pretty much never, let's be honest. My goal is twice a week or every three days. I pretty much have to be disgusted with it to decide it's time so sometimes it's longer. I used to be someone who washed her hair every day. Then I got the hang of dry shampoo and I haven't gone back. I hate washing my hair. I hate drying it and styling it after. So anything that will prolong the time between washes is my new bff... This dry shampoo lets me go longer than any other product between washes and I love it. I have had to allow myself more time in the morning though to hit my roots with a blow dryer to make sure that the white is blown out. It's a small price to pay to not have to wash, dry, and style every morning though. Right now I'm using Amika's Perk Up Dry shampoo. I really love this one too. It's got no white cast which I love but I can't go as long between washes. I'm not sure which one I'll grab next...


I replaced my first Clarisonic brush head! I used the Radiance Brush Head that came with the Clarisonic Mia Fit for three months and then trashed it. You can tell that it was definitely time. I originally bought the Deep Pore brush at the same time I bought the Fit because I didn't think that the Radiance brush was going to work for me, but I ended up really liking it. It helped me achieve a really good cleanse but was soft. I think it might have done just as good a job cleansing my pores as the Deep Pore brush currently is, maybe better. It is supposed to help with dullness and I'm not quite sure how a brush does that but I do feel like I achieved a good facial radiance using this. I loved the size of the center hole. I just pour my cleanser into that hole, turn it on, and cleanse away. I will definitely pick up another one of these.


Murad Clarifying Cleanser is my all time go to facial cleanser to keep my skin blemish free. I discovered it years ago in a kit after I had a really bad allergic to Proactiv. It was immediate relief then and now every time I stray away from this cleanser I break out and then I come back. I think this time I'm going to stick with it. I started to break out really bad in February and since then I've gone through two of these travel sizes and I have a full-sized bottle waiting to be opened. It lathers up nicely and rinses away without any residue. I don't think that I'll stray away from this cleanser again. The only thing that I will say is that using this again after using charcoal scrubs for so long, the charcoal sure kept the blackheads on my nose at bay; something that this cleanser isn't doing. I am going to have to find a good charcoal mask and/or an exfoliator to use a couple times a week because they are getting a little out of control. If you have acne prone skin, I highly suggest this.

You might have noticed on some social media and previous posts I was super freaking excited to get the Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection. This week on June 16th - my birthday! - they are releasing the collection (sans the eyeshadow palette, more on that later) in stores so I thought I'd get some pictures up so you could decide if you wanted to try and snag it in stores this week. Get ready to plan your trip to Sephora on Thursday!


The collection originally launched two limited edition products - the Face Palette and the Eyeshadow Palette - and three permanent products - the Shimmering Skin Perfector and the Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured Crème both in Jaclyn Hill's original shade Champagne Pop. They also have included the Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop that started this all about a year ago.







As for the permanent releases, I picked up the poured crème version of Champagne Pop. This product sells for $38. If I'd known when I ordered this that it wasn't limited edition I probably would have waited but I'm kind of glad that I didn't at the same time. This product comes in the standard packaging; there is no limited edition packaging for this release. And, there really doesn't need to be. The packaging of these compacts are really sleek looking and easy to grip. It's not my favorite packing ever but it's definitely a nice solid package. It protects the product, it's rugged, and snaps closed tightly so it won't open accidentally in your bag. That's everything you can ask for in a product's packaging.

The crème version of the Shimmering Skin Perfector is my favorite of all the formulas that Becca makes. For me it's easier to get a really natural, more even finish and the crème, I feel, helps achieve a really dewy, glowy result. I know it's not a lot of other people's favorite because it isn't as intense as the other formulas. I like it because it's easier to keep myself from going overboard and it's also a great base for the powders. Apply the crème to the areas you want to highlight and then top with the powder. The crème helps the powder stick, makes you glow like crazy, and it lasts all day long. I have really loved the Rose Gold crème and until Champagne Pop, Opal was my favorite shade. But Champagne Pop is quickly becoming the favorite. Becca can pretty much do no wrong though when it comes to the Shimmering Skin Perfectors so I'm not surprised that I'm so happy with this product.

I did not pick up the Shimmering Skin Perfector, $41, or the Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed, $38,  from this collection since they are permanent. I may grab them later on. The Shimmering Skin Perfector has a lot of really great uses, but that's a lot of product for me to realistically go through. I have a few of these in other shades in the smaller tubes with wands and I love them. Those are a lot more realistic for me to actually use up. I will most likely keep a lookout to see if they sell Champagne Pop in this format in the future. But if the liquid is your favorite format (and I can see why it would be) and you're going to use it on a regular basis then I highly suggest grabbing this with the release; This shade is perfect. I also didn't pick up the pressed compact because it comes in the face palette and it has been around for a while. If you grab the palette you definitely don't need the individual compact unless you plan to throw the smaller one in your bag for travel. They are both the same perfect shade and amazing quality. I didn't feel like I needed both but if you do, I say go for it! The Champagne Pop shade has really stolen my heart and I'm super excited to have it in so many formulations to chose from. Thumbs up to Becca.

If you decide that you have to have the Becca Champagne Collection Face Palette on Thursday, I highly suggest it and wish you the best of luck! I'm really heartbroken that so many people can't get their hands on the eyeshadow palette so I'm crossing my fingers that they release it again at some point.

Let me know if you are able to snag this palette! I'd love to discuss it with you!

Today's Tidbits:

• This month is flying by! I can't believe it's so late in the month, let alone the year! My birthday party was awesome this past weekend. This coming weekend I have a high school reunion and a hair appointment. Busy month! 
• I'm so proud! I got all my reading and work done for my class tonight. I'm such a good student.
• I got another Sephora order delivered yesterday. It's a problem. I'm really freaking excited about this order though! (Let's be honest though. I'm really excited about every order. I really love new stuff!) I'll be getting a post up about it soon. 

**All products were purchased by me for my own purposes. Any links to products are to the stores that I actually purchased them from**

I'm super aware of how late in June it is (It's almost my birthday :D). At some point one may get used to being behind on everything, but I'm not there yet. I'm trying to catch up on everything as fast as I can. I have a couple other posts already mostly written that would be easier to get out, but I felt that this one is more timely. To make things harder, I opened this post up and it was written over entirely by another post, so after deleting everything, I'm trying to start all over again. The plus side is, I went through all my recent purchases and I've come up with an even better list. So let's see what new products I'm already trying out this month.

I have really always wanted to try the Instyler since i saw the infomercial. When Ulta had the Instyler Max on sale during the Gorgeous Hair event I snatched one. I got it on Monday and had to open it up and use it the same day. So far I like it, but I haven't gotten the hang of it. I also haven't used it enough to see if it really is that much easier than a regular straightener or curling iron. I plan on making it a priority to continue using the Instyler this month and see what all the fuss is about.

I'm having such great luck with Hourglass lately so I jumped at the chance of using my well earned Sephora points to try the Hourglass Ambient Light Correcting Primer in Mood Light. I loved Hourglass' Veil Mineral Primer  and I love the Ambient Lighting powders so I'm excited to see what the two together do for my face. The primer is supposed to "smooth and perfect the appearance of your complexion for a soft, subtle glow." So I'm curious how it compares to Becca's Backlight Priming Filter. The cool thing about the Hourglass line is that there are currently three shades. Mood Light is the soft pink shade which traditionally has always been used to counteract dull skin tone. I'm not really dull so this one might not be the best choice for me. The other two shades are Dim Light,  a natural beige (which I'm dying to also try); and Luminous Light, a champagne pearl. Becca's will probably compare best to Luminous Light. I'm excited to see how this primer works for me!

I'm always on the hunt for the next best concealer. I stumbled on the Perricone MD No Concealer Concealer browsing on Ulta and decided it was worth the try. They actually changed the packing since they originally launched it. Before it was a pump, which I hate, and now it's a tube with a wand, which is an improvement. I was really interested in the no makeup makeup line when it first came out, but my problem was the execution. They did not create a shade range. They picked a single skin tone and made the line to be no makeup makeup for that particular skin tone. Unfortunately people are not one sized fits all. I swatched the foundation and it's way too light (I'm right about a NC25). Fortunately this one-sized-fits all concealer shade works as a good highlight shade for my skin tone so it will actually work for my purposes. I've actually used it a few times at this point and I'm still undecided. It definitely brightens up my under eye and has a really nice light finish. It seems to have the staying power. I'm just not sure if it's opaque enough. I can still see some bluish tones peeking through but that is without a corrector. I usually always need a corrector because my dark circles are pretty dark and unrelenting. I'm going to keep trying it and let you know what I think.

I really wanted to get the Urban Decay Naked Skin One & Done solely based on the packaging. I'm not going to lie - I judge books by their cover. I picked this up in April and then promptly forced myself to clear out the It Cosmetics CC+ cream before I let myself open this. It's going to have pretty big shoes to fill because I really loved the It Cosmetics cream. I've used the One & Done a few times, including today, and it's a really easy for me to apply with my fingers and then go. It's definitely a light coverage base. I have to remind myself sometimes that light coverage bases are there to even out skintone and they aren't faulty because they aren't covering all my "flaws." I don't really need full coverage, it's just my preference usually. I'm kind of a hard consumer to please. But Urban Decay has done a really nice job with this - at least that's my experience so far. So far it's been the month of no-fuss makeup and I have a feeling that it's going to continue to be that way for the rest of the month.

Me + Colour Pop is love and hate. I either love or hate their products. Most the eyeshadows I love. Lippie Stix I L-O-V-E Love. I've had a couple blushes that were harder to work with and then they started to dry out and looked nasty - hate. I've been putting the Colour Pop Bronzer in Poolside in my cart for a year and kept taking it out and putting it back in. I finally made the commitment to buy it this month. I've been really into cream bronzer this year so I'm curious how I'm going to get along with the Colour Pop formula. I have swatched it and the color is nice for me and the staying power is pretty impressive. This + my Real Techniques Sculpting Brush might end up being best friends.

Back in May I placed an order with TheBalm during the 50% off sale. The problem about sales like that is I just order everything and I'm in a hurry so I don't really think about it. I picked up TheBalm Meet Matt(e) Trimony Matte Eyeshadow Palette because I thought it was pretty. And it's gorgeous! I just love to stare at it. The problem is, I can stare at it all day long and I'm lost on how to create a look with it. I'm probably overthinking it. I know I am. I can't find any inspiration. So this month my goal is to use it and love it. I think it's going to be so pretty, I just need to start experimenting.

If I haven't expressed this yet, I can make almost any mascara flake and smudge. Waterproof, not waterproof, it doesn't matter. When I find one that I love and doesn't flake or smudge - like Tarte's Lights, Camera, Splashes - I find myself in my little box afraid to use anything else. For some reason the double-sided Estée Edit The Edgiest Up & Out Double Mascara has just landed in my radar and even though it's not waterproof I really wanted to try it. So I am. I like using two different wands and formulas to build up beautiful long voluminous lashes. This one is both in one tube. I think even if it gets a little flaky I can top coat it with my secret weapon, Estee Lauder Little Black Primer, and I should be good to go. I used it yesterday and I was really happy. I used the little lengthening brush and it made my bottom lashes really pop. And the volume was really nice on the top lashes. I saw minimal flaking so I'll try the top coat next.

I mentioned before that I was trying ScentBird this year. So far I haven't had a super great experience with the service, but it's entirely my fault not theirs. I have managed to break two bottles two months in a row immediately after I got them. I have never broken a perfume bottle in my life. And then last month the one that I received smelled really familiar and sure enough, I had one on my list that I purchased on my own last year. So I haven't had a lot of luck trying new perfumes. This month I got a couple small samples of the Atelier Orange Sanguine Cologne Absolue Pure Perfume in the Sephora Play Box and I believe with a Sephora order. I love citrusy scents during warmer months. They make me feel like I'm being hugged by the sun in a good - not being burnt - way. These are the few summer things that make me happy and get me through the desert hell. But, I'm really liking the scent - blood orange with notes of sandalwood - and super curious how it's going to wear with me constantly being sweaty now. Maybe it will cover up the 'hot smell' until next month, which I've assured myself is going to be better.

So those are all the things I'm committed to trying this month. I've also got a Sephora order coming and I'm working in the Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne collection into my rotation. I expect some more pretty things for my birthday next week too. I should also start seeing monthly sample boxes next week. Besides the killer heat it's going to be a good rest of the month.

Do you have any thoughts on any of these products? Let me know!

Sorry I've been so behind on posts this month. The first of the month is always the most hectic week of the month work-wise for me. After I've worked all day then gotten home and cooked dinner and cleaned up a bit, I try to sit and get some writing done and I'm so tired that I just stare at the computer screen. I think that the heat is also a bit to blame. It really take a lot out of you, ya know. Actually there's a lot going on this month in general. My summer class started yesterday and I haven't read any of the textbook yet. This past weekend was the only weekend I don't have the whole weekend planned, but this weekend there's a party at mi casa so there was a bit of pre-cleaning going on and a family dinner, but I have been trying to get some posts done - I promise.


Anyway, as I started thinking about all the things that I've obsessed about last month, I kind of worried about just repeating April's favorites as I'm still obsessed with all of them, but I finally sat down and focused and started coming up with things that I haven't raved about yet. So without further do here are all the things that I've been loving this past month.


Every time I have a massive breakout, I run immediately to Sephora and pick up the Murad Clarifying Cleanser. I think it's the Salicylic Acid content, 1.5%, that my skin reacts so well to because the Time Released Cleaner with 0.5% Salicylic Acid content just doesn't do it. I can immediately feel relief when I'm broken out. Since I started using this cleanser again this year I've been pretty much clear faced. What happens is I clear up and then try something else and break back out. So I think this time we're just going to stick to what works. I've used up two more travel sized bottles so far, because I've been traveling, and I've got a full-sized waiting to be used.


Over the last month, I've talked about the Hourglass Illume Sheer Color Trio a ton. See here and here. It's my new BFF. I've been really into cream products all year long and this all in trio was like the answer to my prayers, seriously. The quality is top notch, the shades flatter my skin tone, and it travels really well. It's got the great solid Hourglass packaging so I don't have to worry about it getting crushed and having three face products in one compact palette is definitely amazing. This is the happiest I have been with an Hourglass product to date, and so far I've been happy with everything that I've used.


While we were docked in Puerto Vallarta in April I got on MAC's website and created an order. I may have been sitting at the bar while I did it but that's not the point. The MAC Eyeshadow x 9 in Dusky Rose palette caught my eye and into the cart it went. When I first saw it in person I wasn't sure how much use I'd get out of it. The colors just weren't as rosy as I thought they would be. And then I started creating eye looks with it and I was sold. Now I use it at least three times a week. I can pretty much use the whole palette for a single look or just a couple shades and I'm always happy with the results. Plus it is travel friendly. The pans are big enough to get your brush in, but the palette is smaller than my phone. I'd highly suggest checking this palette out. I'll be posting a Face of the Day with a look using this palette soon.


Something else that I mentioned this month is the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation. I love a good stick foundation. I think that they are really easy to work with and they usually give a good finish to the skin. It's probably something with how dense it needs to be to be in a solid stick form. I really liked Maybelline's Fit Me Shine Free Foundation except that the staying power is crap so when I saw that Make Up For Ever had a stick foundation I was hopeful as they always have pretty quality product. I have not been disappointed. It is super easy to swipe on, blend and go. I blend with both my fingers or use a buffing brush and I'm happy with the coverage and finish. I don't need powder to set and it still lasts all day. It also lives up to the invisible coverage claim as it looks and feels like my skin. I'll get a little disappointed because I briefly check the mirror and think it's worn off, but then I'll look closer and all my spots and redness are still covered; I just don't look made up. I would say that the coverage is medium but you can build it up for a more full coverage if you need.


I can't mention the Make Up For Ever foundation with out mentioning the Sephora Pro Press Full Coverage Complexion Brush #66 & #67. I picked these brushes up back in March and I just can't say enough good things about them. I originally picked up the #67 which is like the little sister brush. The short bristles and tear-drop design are perfect for blending in concealer, as it gets in right into the corners around the nose and eyes. It doesn't absorb much product at all so there's less product used and wasted and that's never a bad thing. It makes really quick work of blending in all my concealer. I really hate having to work on blending in my concealer. I reach for this brush to use for concealer every day. I was so happy with it that I picked up the #66. The big sister brush makes super quick work of blending out a denser foundation like the Make Up For Ever stick foundation but I'm not as happy using it with more liquidy foundations. And that's okay; part of what I like about trying different foundations is testing different brushes and techniques to apply it. I will only use this brush with the Make Up For Ever foundation though. All other brushes just seem inferior. I'm curious how it will work with a powder foundation; I'll have to try it out soon. These are really easy to clean also because they absorb so little product. Also a plus are the protective cases that come on these brushes. I feel so much better traveling with them and just on my vanity in general (My cat has been known to think my brushes are toys/tasty). I really wish more brands would sell their brushes with cases like these. Definitely was a great purchase on my part.


I am constantly obsessing over split ends. I have a regular six-week trim appointment and usually by week five I'm trying anything and everything that might help reduce the look of split ends. So when I heard about the Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Fresh Cut Split End Mender I knew that I was going to have to try it. Not only does it target my worst hair nightmare, but my BFF, Jennifer Aniston (She doesn't know we're BFFs yet so shhhhh), is the brand's spokesperson and I've always had good results with her products. There's no way to repair ends that are already split, but when used on dry hair, this will sure make it look like you can. I can go from frizzy and tattered looking hair to looking like I just had my hair cut. It's really that good. The other suggestion that Living Proof has made is using it directly after a haircut and then after every wash on wet hair. I did that between my last hair appointments and I have to say that it helped. I didn't have that week or two before my hair cut where I had to hide my hair under a hat because it was just making me so crazy to see all the split ends. I am sold on this stuff and after the deluxe sample is gone, I will be heading to pick up a full-size.


I had to mention my little Benefit Instant Brow Pencil as it probably won't last the month of June and as I think about what I want to do next, I just keep thinking about how much I love it and wonder how anything else can compare. That's not usual for me. I'm usually in a hurry to finish products up so I can try the latest and greatest. This is my second one. Kind of a funny story... five or six years ago I went and had my eyebrows waxed and the girl told me that I needed a good brow pencil. She demonstrated what I was going to do with it and told me to get a shade lighter than my brow hair color and explained to my why. I think I went straight to Sephora and the whole way there I was thinking about what I'd get and kept reminding myself a shade lighter so it wasn't too dramatic. I found this Benefit Instant Brow pencil but I picked the shade dark which is an exact match to my brow hair. I even stopped myself twice and tried to convince myself to pick up the medium but I was sold on the dark for some reason. So, after I got it home and used it the first time I was kind of disappointed in how intense my brows looked so I stopped using it for a while. I did finally pick it back up and I found a way to use a light hand so it didn't make me look like Groucho Marx. When I replaced it I picked up medium and we've been besties ever since. I love how soft and easy it is to use. The pencil helps get an exact placement. If I do wander outside my lines a bit I can use my finger to wipe it away but once it sets it doesn't go anywhere until I remove it. I have woken up to beautifully filled brows on more than one occasion. I don't see many people talk about this but I highly suggest it if you're someone who prefers a pencil format.


I'm not going to lie a huge part of the appeal of Smith & Cult The Shining Lip Lacquer in The Lovers is the packaging. Isn't that just beautiful? This is a really pretty pinky coral shiny lipgloss. The brand prides itself on this vegan, paraben-free, and gluten free product. The shade is not completely opaque, but on it's own it's a beautiful glossy pop of color. It also feels really nice and hydrating. I usually don't carry lipsticks when it gets hot out because I worry about them melting. So during the summer it's lip gloss and liquid lipsticks in the summer on the go. I like this because it helps my lips from feeling dried out and the color is just so pretty.