Guess who is finally trying to get some blog work done? I am currently on vacation but I thought this would be the perfect timing to work around a few posts. With that in mind, I'll be sharing a few things I've got during the last couple of months. A few of these ( specially what concerns skin care) are replacements of things that had previously run out or thought it was time to switch. I also had to grab sun protection since the summer time kicked with full force (and still I wasn't able of saving myself from getting a sunburn on my shoulders....)

As for the make up, the only really expandable thing here are the lip stains (aka matte liquid lipsticks) because I was really in need of the rest. Except the highlighters but those were a gift to myself for surviving my degree without getting insane. (hurray!) 

So I was invited to spend a week at my aunt's house - which is really close to the beach and would allow me to tan a little bit. I obviously too my laptop with me - I mean...I have shows to watch, photos to edit and I've been using my free time to write posts and prepare them to the blog. This time I want to have things more prepared and under control for when Uni starts again. While there, I had a really great time and as you can imagine I obviously took a few items of make up with me. Who am I kidding...I probably took way too much considering I spent my time trying to tan and having fun with my family. But I like to be prepared to any occasion...we never know what might appear. I could be there catching the sun and be invited to an important event. And even with that in mind I tried to not pack too much.
If you are wondering about what I took in terms of skin care, I went to my sample box and took the great majority of them with me. I don't own travel sized skin care and pouring stuff into other containers wasn't in my mind either. And as for brushes I can say that I'm really proud of myself. With the exception of basic eyeshadow brushes, I only too the necessary - I might do a brush related post regarding that later. But let's check in detail what I took with me and why.

I think at some point, we all wonder what's inside each other make up bag. Finally I took the time to share what's inside mine. Everyone has different tastes and opinions regarding how their make up bags are - someone people like to take half of the their make up collection, others like to keep it within the minimum. Personally, I like the idea of being prepared for any occasion but not overwhelming my make up bag with items. Things like foundation and primers have no space here for example. I might think about adding a small container of concealer and a travel sized mascara for example. And more blotting paper. But let's see what I actually have inside :

Compact Mirror

This mirror was actually a gift of my brother, which is why I decided to place it here without thinking twice. I might have a mirror on my powder compact but sometimes when I am just retouching my lipstick, it's better to use this once. It means there will be less chances of me breaking ( again) my favourite powder compact.

Clinique Chubby Stick in 14 Curvy Candy

I got this guys from a Sephora Sale last year and I decided it was the perfect for my make up bag. Let's imagine I forget to pack lipstick one day...I'll always have this guy on hand. It's not super pigmented but it is enough. It's also moisturising, which really helps considering that my lips sometimes decide to get chapped. I'm curious about other shades they might have.

Sephora Eyeshadow Jumbo Pencil in Beige
I also got this from the sales section last year. I used to have this shoved inside my drawer but later I decided to have it here. Let's imagine I don't have time in the morning to do my eye make up but I happen to have 5 extra minutes before class. I can easily apply this little guy on my lips and that's it. Eye look done without any type of fuzz or issues.

Sephora waterproof Brown Pencil
I think we can all notice how much I love this pencil. I'm actually on the hunt for a similar pencil. I like to have this little guy for the same reason I like to have my eyeshadow jumbo pencil - I can just line my waterline with this and I'll have a simple make up look done without any issues or problems. I can also do retouches to other make up looks with it. Seriously, having this on hand is a good thing.

O Boticário EGO Woman dolce roll-on Perfume
This is probably one of funnier things I own here. Every time I pull this out people look at me and ask what am I using and how good it smells. I like roll-on perfumes because they are easy to apply and carry. I tend to always apply perfume in the morning time but, some times I like to retouch it and this is just perfect. I might get a new one soon since this one is more than half-way trough.

Essence Powder Brush
This is the cheapest brush I own. It isn't spectacular or anything special but does the job - applying powder and retouch my make up during the day.  And that's all I ask/need to. Although I might switch for a retractable brush one of these days - I used to want one from Too Faced because of how cute it was.

Catrice Prime and Fine Mattifying Powder Waterproof
A staple in my make up bag. This is my favourite powder - it is transparent, super fine and lightweight and takes care of any oiliness or shine from my face without any major issue. It also doesn't leave that powdery/cakey look that some powders tend to do. I once broke the compact of one of these and I was seriously heart broken because of it.

Catrice Beautifying Lip Smoother
If you every wanted to try out the Clarins Lip Perfector but you don't want or can spend that amount of money on a tinted lip balm, check this one! It's the perfect combination of a lip gloss and lip balm. When I am no wearing the clinique chubby stick, I go for this one. I also like to use it on top of lip tints. It's super moisturising and makes my lips look a lot more healthier and good looking.

Lastly but not least, I might also have random lipsticks inside my make up bag - here yo can see cinnamon kiss from Too Faced which was what I had been wearing on the previous day. You might also find NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams and the Sephora Lip Stains here on a daily basics.
I hope you enjoyed this post! Take care.

I haven't write a post regarding monthly favourites for a long, long time. Mostly because of how busy my life has been. And to be honest, I wouldn't see any major change in terms of my routine that would be worth mentioning. favourites take a while to be favourites I guess. Because of that I took the decision to only write about favourites whenever I would felt like it. Now that the first 6 months of the year have passed - say what? - It feels like the proper time to do so. With no further due, here are my mid-year make up favourites (I'll probably do a post regarding my currently skin care routine later on) 

Zoeva 227 Luxe Soft Definer 

Most people dream about MAC's 217. And then there's me - who is very happy with Zoeva's version. Seriously, every time I  use this brush, I consider getting another spare brush (I already own another 227). This brush is perfect for those frantic mornings where I want to do something close to a proper eyeshadow look but I can't bother too much with blending because I am late for Uni (or colege if you live in the USA). This brush is amazing to do the typical "wash of colour" on the eye lid. I also like it to regular blending, specially when I indeed have time to do proper eyeshadow looks. 

Argent Makeup Brush in 201 

Let me start by saying that I need to get two spares of this bad boy. I am yet to find a blending brush that does the same good job as this brush. Zoeva's are good - don't get me wrong - but because of the shape and bristles of this brush, I am able to do blending at whole new level. The shape is just perfect for my eyes - some blending brushes tend do be too big, making a hot mess instead of a beautiful blending.  If you can, don't think twice about trying out this brush. You won't regret it. 

Argent Makeup Brush in 102 

What can I say? I love blush, it's something I love applying. And to do that I like to use soft brushes. This one is so, but soo soft, I can't even explain it. The shade is also really amazing, considering how the apple os my cheeks look like. I also like to use it for bronzer and contour sometimes - it blends it without any major issues.  

Catrice Liquid Camouflage Concealer

No one will believe me, but I only own one concealer at this point. Yes, you read it right. One concealer. But it is probably one of the best concealers I have used. In the past I had some issues with Catrice concealers because they would be a little hard to blend, but this one - probably because of the liquid formula - it's just a dream. It has amazing coverage, making my dark circles vanish ( although it's hard because they are really bad). And it is super affordable and super easy to apply. I'm planing on getting another concealer in the future, but this one will always be an option. 

Too Faced Cocoa Powder Foundation 

Liquid hasn't been really option to me. Mostly because I've been enjoying a more natural look to the skin. This Powder foundation has been my staple because of that - it takes away the redness around my nose but lets my skin look like skin. And to think I used to call this " the good smelling powder". Nowadays I am considering getting this again once it hits pan without thinking twice. 

Clinique Cheek Pop in 03 Berry Pop 

I never though I would love this blush as much as I do. The texture of this blush is quite funny - at first seems like a cream, but is indeed a powder blush. I only need a tiny bit of this and my cheeks look all healthy and good looking. It also stays in place for...8 to 10 hours without moving? Impressive indeed, specially when I get ready in the morning and only get home after 10 hours - which include running to the bus, pollution, air conditioning and that kind of lovely stuff. I choose this shade in particular because it has become my go-to shade, no matter the occasion. 

H&M Beauty Department Blush in Cameo Pink 

Another staple in my collection. Whenever I want a neutral blush, this is the first thing grab - another option the Benefit's Rockateur - because it just looks amazing. It is fairly inexpensive and the quality is quite impressive. It isn't powdery or anything like that and blends beautifully. I should be rewarded for not getting my drawer full of these guys. 

Sephora Lip Cream Stain in Marvelous Mauve
Liquid Lipsticks have been a staple in my makeup routines lately. Alone or in a combination - I'll blame NikkieTutorials for my recent obsession regarding matte-gradient lips ( not the same as the Asian gradient lips, which I actually enjoy for the Summer time. I've been using this shade almost as a MLBB shade. And to think that I almost didn't get it. I have a friend who is always complementing me whenever I use this and is currently thinking about getting one for herself. I really want to get more shades like this one (if you read my previous post regarding my wish list you'll notice that).
If you are looking for a Mauve-nude liquid lipsticks, be sure to try this one. You won't regret it.

NYX Soft Matte Liquid Lipstick in Zurich
I don't know why, but it seems that NYX is currently everywhere - youtube, blogs, instagram. I believe it's due to their repackaging and kind of "rebranding". I don't know, I used to not pay attention to this brand but recently their releases have been indeed really good. I am a real fan of their liquid lipsticks and I can't wait to try out their Lingerie Liquid Lipstick line (along side with other goodies). I picked Zurich because it's the perfect nude shade. I tend to wear this either alone or combining it with other liquid lipsticks. And to think I almost didn't got it!

Here are my mid-year makeup favourites! I already have a few posts prepared to write and launch. I might also do some "lifestyle" posts and some "tourist" posts regarding some of the Summer trips I might do. After all, I am finally and officially on Summer Vacation! It was a crazy year, but more craziness and hard work is about to come. Bring it on I guess! Thank you very much for reading and take care!