You may have noticed, I have a thing for pink. Not so much the bold, hot pink that once framed my teenage-bedroom walls, (cringe) but the soft, feminine notes of a blush or strawberry tone. & that shows in my lipstick shade choices. Sure, I love a good berry or red, but I feel things truly shine in a good old fashioned, Reese Witherspoon-esque pink.

Over the years I've found a few ride-or-die lippies that stand the test of times, & today I'm sharing some PINKS. SEO says I should be writing A LOT more under each description, but there are only so many ways you can drone on about a single lip product. So without boring you to death, let's dive in:

NYX SUMMER BREEZE

This color is such a subtle, pretty tone. It could even be known as the perfect pink: not too bright, not too light, but just so. I think there's a reason for its name; it's light & breezy, just like a summer day. Ooor maybe I'm getting too deep in the similes. THIS ISN'T ENGLISH CLASS. Nevertheless, I'm a fan.

NYX STRAWBERRY MILK

So pale it's nearly a nude, this one is for when you want something even more subdued than summer breeze. It looks especially pretty paired with darker eyeshadow or outfit. CONTRAST.

MAYBELLINE PINK N CHIC

Aside from the rather cheesy name, this is probably my favorite pink lip I've ever worn. It's an oldie but a goodie. It's a pop of matte pink without being so overpowering you don't know what to do with yourself. It's pretty much universally flattering and, well, chic. Okay, so maybe it lives up to its name. Who knew?

xo,

kae

A Dewy Makeup Routine For Spring/ Summer

Lately I've been doing something I didn't know I'd ever do: opt for a simpler makeup routine. Sure, I still love to go all out, but for everyday I prefer something easy & simple. & lately I've been really loving a glowy look, right down to a shimmery highlight.

I got a few new NYX products recently (not sponsored I JUST REALLY LOVE NYX) & with the help of a few other products, I've created a bit of a formula:

// Instead of a full foundation, as of late I've been opting for just primer + facial oil. The primer gets a tad coverage in, & the oil really sets a tone for the rest of the makeup as well as leaving my skin feeling fresh, without the heaviness of a foundation.

// I discovered this eyeshadow in the color mermaid & I'm a tad obsessed. It's emeraldy but wearable enough that you don't look like an 80s reject. I like to blend a bit of gold shadow in the crease for some dimension, and if you REALLY wanna go bold, slide on a bit of this purple eyeliner on the top & bottom lids.

// I'm not sure why but I'm kind of obsessed with highlighter. Trying out new ones, playing around with the ones I have, etc. & a shimmery, dewy glow is my current fave.

// Lash Sensational is still the mascara I swear by, with its feathery & voluminous look. After brows, I finish everything off with a dewy finishing spray!

Easy peasy.

What kind of makeup routine do you opt for in spring/summer?
xo,

Lip Color Mixing

I've been feeling like a bit of a lip mixologist. A lipologist, if you will. Okay, so I've only concocted one creation. But we all gotta start somewhere, am I right? Do't worry, I've tested this out before intoxicating you with it. (ok Kaeleen, enough with the alcohol jokes)
I've never been too much on the neutral lip trend, especially once Kylie started happening. (I'm just not a fan) I tend to go either dark or bright, but nothing really in the middle. BUT I recently bought NYX's liquid suede lipstick in Tea & Cookies and decided it was the PERFECT matte neutral. It's got the slightest pinkish tint to it, (because pink IS a neutral) so I thought I'd try it over a coat of elf's Dash of Pink. (also matte, also pink)

My routine:  + Start with Rimmel's transparent lipliner- helps the color stay! + One coat of elf + One coat of NYX
Three steps. That's literally all it takes for a chic pinkish nude.
Cool, right?

{choker found here}

I kinda like this color mixing thing... if you need me, I'll just be testing out all the possibilities EVER!
Have you ever tried "lipology"? 
xo,

Summer Mini Haul | Old Navy & Ulta

Oh hey, hello! Yesterday I popped over (did I just say popped over? Okay Zoella) to Ulta & Old Navy for a few thing & I wanted to share first impressions. 
SO let's get to it, shall we? 
I'm just gonna go ahead and call Ulta the Target of makeup stores, because, let's be real. You go in for one thing & come out with a partridge in a pear tree. OOPS. I'd been searching for some temporary hair chalk because I always see those super rad girls with pretty pastel hair & since I don't think I could pull a whole head of color off, hair chalk is the way. I spotted Dippity Do's hair chalk palette (it's not available online but in stores it's 97 cents. CENTS.) I'd never heard of this brand before but apparently it's been around since the '70s-ish. So it's gotta be good, right?? Will update.
Aside from the chalk, this was kind of a NYX haul.... I've been wanting to try their liquid suede lipsticks as I've heard good things about them, although I tend to stray from liquid formulas because I just feel like I'm putting on gloss. These do dry more matte, but I will say the formula is kind of intense. Overall I think it's got the seal of approval though! Life's a Beach is pretty vibrant and Tea & Cookies is more of a muted nude, which I don't have a lot of when it comes to lipsticks. 

Last summer I did a write up on NYX's colored liner, and I still love the idea of playing that up. Even better? Glitter colored liner, because I'm twelve. I picked up lavender  & sky shimmer, which are both light & pretty pastels that I think can play up any look.
NOW ONTO CLOTHES:
I've only just recently started shopping at Old Navy & I can't believe what I've been missing! They have some gold finds, like this dress that I immediately fell in love with. It's 100% cotton so it's super light & cool, and I obviously love the stripes. Speaking of, one can never have too many striped tees, no? SO MANY styling options. The crochet on this tank is so pretty & I love the coral-y color I picked! Can easily be tucked into some denim shorts. BAM.
* PS Right now THE ENTIRE STORE is 40% off!! Online, too. Don't worry, I got you. 

xo,

Stars Go Blue

I've never really been into colored eyeliner, but recently I've kinda been digging blues. I think it gives a touch of effortlessness to a look and it's perfect for a casual spring/ summer day. 

Or Memorial Day, or 4th of July, or poolside.......

Pretty much any occasion. 

The NYX slim eye pencil in Sapphire has been my go-to, and I like pairing it with just a tad of white shadow and a bright lip, so that the eyes + lips are the pops of focus.

ON MY FACE: 

Maybelline Brow Precise pencil in blonde

NYX liner

White shimmer shadow from Maybelline The Nudes palette

Covergirl The Super Sizer mascara in Very Black

L'oreal BB Cream in Fair

Lorac TANtalizer baked bronzer

e.l.f. Studio Blush in Tickled Pink

Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick in Shocking Coral

Now that you have a play by play of the full face situation because I can't just put one product and not ALL, tell me how you rock colored liner!