Urban Decay Naked3 Palette

When my makeup obsession was in its infant stages, my focus zeroed in on the Naked2 ($52) palette. Every beauty blogger and makeup artist I followed adored it, so naturally, I knew I had to add it my ever-growing collection. Over time, I pushed it off and pushed it off, convinced I would never obtain it, due to its high price and my unwillingness to splurge. Eventually, I caved of course and the elusive palette was in my possession at last. I feel in love with it the moment I opened it and it has become a staple in my everyday makeup application. 

As soon as Urban Decay announced the release of Naked3 ($52,) my heart just about burst out of my chest. The timing, however, of said release was heavily in my favor as Christmas was soon approaching and my boyfriend was hounding me for gift ideas. I sent him the link at UrbanDecay.com and said, "This. Get me this." and viola, he did.

This "rose-hued" palette is so gorgeous, I was torn between diving right in with a brush or simply admiring it. All of the hues are so perfect, my mind was buzzing with color combinations the moment I opened it. The pink tint of my complexion posed a teensy bit of a problem when applying really any of the colors. Each one seems to draw attention to the redness in my cheeks, which is something I normally actively avoid as it makes me look like Santa Claus. Although I've never said this once in my life, I'll say it now. I wish I was paler! The colors look amazing with my green eyes but not with my pink skin! I will definitely keep working on perfecting a look because this palette is just too beautiful to waste. 

Origins Balanced Diet Lotion

A few months ago, I ordered a few Origins products. The Clear Improvement Charcoal Face Mask ($24.00) and Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask ($24.00.) Like most cosmetics sites, I was allowed to choose a free sample and I decided on A Perfect World Age Defense Moisturizer with White Tea, and I fell in love with it. It smelled amazing and my skin was so soft and smooth after every use. The small bottle emptied after awhile of course, and I casually switched back to my drugstore moisturizer. My skin rebelled in a way I've never seen! It adjusted so happily to the higher-quality lotion that it refused to resort to to the kind I had used before. My face was so dry that my chin was peeling. Unfortunately, the lotion I wanted was $41.00 for a regular sized portion, which, at the time, was drastically out of my budget. I settled for Balanced Diet Lightweight Moisture Lotion ($27.50) and I am loving it!

For one, the little bottle it comes in is adorable. Second, it truly is "lightweight." I've always had problems with moisturizers because they would weigh so heavily on my skin, especially in the summer when my skin is more oily. This lotion sinks right in and I can almost feel my skins thirst being quenched. I use it in the morning after I get out of the shower and at night after my makeup removal routine. Now that it's winter and the dryness is definitely settling in, I apply it twice. I still intend on repurchasing the White Tea moisturizer, but all in good time. 

NARS Guy Bourdin Blush

Yesterday, my Sephora package finally arrived! Packed very neatly within it was NARS Guy Bourdin Blush in Day Dream ($29.00) along with an assortment of free samples. This blush caught my eye when Nars released it, and when my favorite Glasgow blogger, gh0stparties, reviewed it last week, I knew I had to have it. Despite its relatively high price, I took a chance and spent the extra few bucks. A sort of "what the hell, why not" sort of moment. 

I don't usually wear blush, (mainly because my checks are so naturally rosy,) but the "peachy pink" color doesn't make me look too much like a porcelain doll. I paired it with NYX Cosmetics Stay Matte Liquid Foundation in Creamy Natural ($7.49) and NYX Stay Matte Powder Foundation in Ivory ($9.99,) and the result is better than I expected. I was afraid the combination of cream and pink would be clashing but it balances really well.

I'm currently on the hunt for a better foundation. I like NYX for the price and the decent quality, but none of the shades perfectly match my skin tone. When my bank account allows it, I plan on purchasing Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation ($45.00) although the shade is not yet determined. I'm also dying to try MAC Matchmaster SPF 15 Foundation ($34.00,) Smashbox Liquid Halo HD Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 ($42.00,) and of course NARS Sheer Matte Foundation and Sheer Glow Foundation ($44.00.)

What can I say, I have expensive taste.