on my face - november

I swear, I did not wear all this makeup at once.  But the cold weather and the grey rainy days make me want a little something more on my face, a deeper smoke on my eyes or a berry wine on my lips.  And of course, a variety of blushes.  (I am obsessed with having the perfect blush color for any given day, does anyone else out there have this problem?)

The details...

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27

(If I gushed about something last month, I'm keeping it short here, I'll just link back for you.)

Face

1. Burberry Sheer Luminous Fluid Foundation - still my absolute favorite, haven't so much as looked at another foundation.

2. Sephora Collection Pro Airbrush Concealer Brush # 57 - also still the only thing I use to apply my foundation.

3. Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder - still using this daily as well.  In winter months the risk of looking pale is laughable, since I am practically Snow White, so I don't even need to be as careful about the amount I apply.

4. Make Up For Ever Kabuki Brush - still soft and luxurious as ever.

5. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Shimpagne -  this has replaced the Nars Orgasm Illuminator I was using all summer as that started to feel a bit too peachy for these gloomy days.  This particular color is actually discontinued (sorry!) but the others are worth checking out, as are other powder highlighters like the Lorac Perfectly Lit Luminzing Powder or even a good ol' Shimmer Brick from Bobbi Brown.  I use a tiny bit on top of my cheekbones daily, and if I'm feeling the need for a little extra pep I'll add the tiniest amount to my eyelids as well, passing the brush over my cupid's bow when I'm done for good measure.  I use an eyeshadow brush for all this, a cheek or face brush would be overkill for sure.

6. Sephora Collection Rounded Crease Brush #13 - this is the brush I use for my shimmer, it has such a delicate touch and picks up very little powder, so it works out perfectly.  Hooray for multi-taskers.

Cheeks

7. Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush in #5 Beige Violet - still my favorite neutral blush for those days when you're not trying, you just want to look alive and well.

8. Nars Blush in Douceur - like the Armani blush above this looks fairly boring in the pan, and it does go on quite neutral as well, but this one gives me a touch more of a rosy cheek.  Still totally believable though, and nice for rushed sleepy mornings because it's extremely hard to overdo.

9. Benefit Slant Powder Brush - a billion years old and still going strong.

10. Stila Convertible Color in Camellia - this month I was feeling a little papery in the skin (yes, some folks just say 'dry') so I reached back for my creamier blushes.  Sometimes just a change in texture is all you need to freshen up your look.  This one is a great neutral, slightly browner than Nars Penny Lane (also a favorite of mine), but still super easy to wear.

11. Stila Convertible Color in Poppy - I've actually been looking for a great red blush for years now, but they're always so much work to apply.  I'm not gonna lie, this one takes a few minutes as well, but that's going to be the case with anything this pigmented.  It is easier to work with than others I've tried (Nars Turkish Red, I'm looking at you) and the fresh-off-the-slopes look you get is totally worth it.  Plus, it doubles as a great lip tint as well.

12. Prescriptives Foundation Brush - I actually think this is a horrible foundation brush, but I bought it over a decade ago and hung on to it for some unknown reason.  So glad I'm a pack rat because it turns out to be the absolute best brush for applying cream blushes.  I never use my fingers anymore, everything blends perfectly with this!

Lases & Brows

13. Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler - the cult favorite and the only one I've ever used.

14. Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara -  my absolute favorite mascara of all time.  I have tried tons, high and low end, and this is, hands down, the best.  I'm worried they're discontinuing it though as it's getting harder and harder to find.  If they do I will panic.  And come running to you, dear readers, for advice.  Until then I remain completely loyal.

15. Sephora Collection Duo Eyelash/Brow Comb - I never comb my eyelashes, I honestly don't even understand the concept.  But brushing my brows, absolutely.  Helps to add a bit of jojoba oil for gloss and shape, but that's a whole other topic.

16. MAC Eyeshadow in Concrete - still the perfect brow filler.

17. MAC Small Angle Brush #263 - still the perfect brush for brows.

Eyes

18. Nars Eyeshadow Duo in Madrague - yes, possibly the most boring makeup item I own, but also possibly the most useful.  Always come back to it.

19. Smashbox Limitless Eye Liner in Java - a creamy soft but still long-lasting eyeliner in a rich dark chocolate color.  Though it does migrate a tad by the end of the day, it really is the most perfect shade of brown.

20. Guerlain Loose Kohl Powder in Oriental Metal - so sorry to inform you that this color has been discontinued.  The black is pretty awesome too, but this taupe color just gives the most perfect casual and subtle smokey eye ever.  Not trying to make you jealous, just telling it like it is.  You could duplicate it by using a shimmery taupe shadow on your waterline, but it won't last as long.  If you ever come across one for sale on ebay or Duty Free or something like that, snatch it up, you won't regret it!

21. Chanel Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadow in Safari - there's a reason this color shows up on best of beauty lists from time to time: it's the most perfect fancy neutral.  Beautifully shimmery khaki/grey/taupe/mauve, this shadow defies description and will do all sorts of things for you.  You will love it.

22. Sephora Collestion Eyeshadow Brush #23 - still my favorite brush for something in between a line and a wash of color.

23. MAC Eyeshadow in Knight Divine - a wonderful deep pewter shade, I use it with the small brush (above) for a light blended smokey line.  Softer than black, but doesn't pull blue at all like some greys are wont to do.  Also perfect for softening the line of the MUFE eyeliner (below).

24. Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Pencil Liner in Dark Grey 21L - what I said last month.  Still true.

Lips

25. Maybelline Sensational Lipcolor in Red Revival - cold weather makes me crave bolder lips.  Odd but true.  This is an amazing red, and the texture is amazing for a drugstore lipstick (excuse me while I snob out for minute), plus, magically, it really lasts.  I usually go for a more orangey red (like Nars Heat Wave), but this is wonderful in winter.  Plus, Husband happens to think I look amazing in this color.  Always a bonus.

26. Chanel Rouge Hydrabase Lipstick in Fantastic Plum - yes, it's from 2008.  What?  I'm supposed to throw it away?  I'll just pretend you didn't say that.  It's a wonderful deep plummy wine color that can go on like a sheer just-bitten tint or heavy and almost vamp-like.  I haven't looked at it in years but this month it just called out to me, and I'm loving the deep rich color right now.

27. Vincent Longo Duo Lip Pencil in Wine/Peking Red - the only red lip pencil you'll ever need.  One side is a bright true red, the other a rich wine, and between the two of them they should cover all your red needs for life.