NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

It officially feels like fall!  I was in the hunt for a new lipstick that would be fitting for the season, and I wanted something matte and something with good staying power.  There has been so much hype over Kat Von D's Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in the shade Lolita.  From pictures, Lolita looked like the perfect brownish pink I was looking for.  Unfortunately, it has been sold out everywhere for at least the last month.  I decided that I wasn't going to wait forever for Lolita to come back.  So I took to the internet in search of a dupe.  Someone on Pinterest claimed that the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in the shade Cannes was pretty similar,  Naturally, I ran out to Ulta to pick it up.

While I don't have Lolita to compare the color to, it's exactly the rosy, brownish pink I was looking for.  It has a doe foot applicator, and the formula is mousse-like and goes on easily.  I like the scent--it smells like straight up cake batter!  It dries fairly quickly, and I like to use two layers to ensure even, opaque application.  It feels lightweight and comfortable (or at least as comfortable as a long-wearing matte lipstick can be).  It feels similar to the Sephora Cream Lip Stain once it dries down if you are familiar with that product (which I love!).  The NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream has pretty decent staying power--I don't think it's as long lasting as the above referenced Sephora product, but it's pretty good.  While not completely transfer resistant, it doesn't transfer as easily as most lipsticks I own.  That is one of the main reasons I like these types of lip products; I hate seeing lipstick rings around my water bottle.   This lipstick will fade when you're eating, especially if you're eating something with a lot of oil.  So while the staying power is good, this isn't a product you can just use once in the morning and have it look the same at the end of the day.  You will probably need to take it with you for touch-ups.  I find that I only need to touch it up one or two times throughout the day.  Another great thing about this product is that you don't have to constantly look in the mirror to see if it's feathered outside your lip line.  The applicator and formula provide a lot of control, and it will stay where you put it.

As with any long-wearing or matte lipstick, I would recommend exfoliating your lips prior to use, as it will accentuate dry patches.  The best way to do this is to use a lip scrub (or even a toothbrush to buff off the dead skin), then apply a moisturizing balm and let that sink in while you do your makeup.  When you're ready for lipstick, wipe off the extra balm before applying the lipstick--that way, the balm won't compromise its color or longevity.  I would also like to mention that as with any long-wear lipstick, applying a balm or gloss over it will re-liquify it, and it will transfer very easily onto a glass, water bottle, or anything your lipstick comes into contact with.  I learned this from emilynoel83 on YouTube and have found it to be true, so I would advise against putting anything like that over this lip product.

The verdict?  Thumbs up for NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream!  I really do like it and think it's great quality at a price point that can't be beat.  I definitely want to get a few more colors at some point.  It comes in 29 shades, so chances are you'll find something you like in this line.

Thank you for reading!

Updated Skin Care Routine

Hello everyone!  I'm here today with an updated skin care routine.  I am one who takes skin care very seriously and am diligent about keeping my skin in good shape.  This might seem like a lot, but I try to keep it as simple as I can, and I think it's possible to find good skin care at good prices.  Keep in mind, though, that even among people with similar skin types, everyone has different needs.  This is the routine that has been working for me (I have pretty normal skin) over the last year or so, and I hope it will be helpful to you in some way, shape, or form.

Morning Routine
*I use the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser with my fingers to wash my face.  This is a gentle cleanser that is great for sensitive skin.  Since I'm not having to wash off makeup in the morning, I don't need a harsh or serious cleanser.  This stuff is great for gently cleaning my skin and making it soft and smooth to prime for makeup application.
*I then spray about three spritzes of the Murad Hydrating Toner on my face and let it dry as I brush my teeth.  This toner smells like peaches and doesn't dry my skin out.
*If I have any blemishes, I'll spot treat with Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10.
*Next is eye cream.  My favorite for daytime use is the Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream.  It has a nice cooling feel and a pink tint to help brighten.  It leaves a smooth surface to apply concealer over.
*Last is moisturizer.  This varies, but it's always something with SPF.  Depending on what I'm doing that day, I will either use CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM (stay away from this if you are oily), Garnier Ultra Lift Transformer, or It Cosmetics CC Cream.  The Garnier and It Cosmetics products work as a moisturizer and base in one for me.  The difference is that the Garnier cream is more of a moisturizer with a slight tint that works to brighten up my skin (very light if really any coverage), whereas the It Cosmetics cream is more like a full on moisturizer and foundation blended together with medium to full coverage.  All three of these moisturizers work well for me.

Evening Routine
*The first step is removing makeup.  This is important!!  If you don't remove your makeup before you wash your face at night, you're never really going to clean your skin--all you're doing is removing some of your foundation.  My favorite makeup removing product is the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm.  It works really well at removing both eye and face makeup.
*I then wash my face with the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser.  This is still gentle but cleanses a little better than the other CeraVe cleanser I use in the morning.  At night, I use my Clarisonic Mia 2 with this cleanser.  I know it's expensive, but I've had this for about two years now and have seen a huge difference in my skin since I started using it.  It works to lightly exfoliate, and it really cleans your skin a lot better than just your fingers would do.
*Next, I go over my face and neck with Up & Up Deep Cleaning Pore Treatment as an additional measure to make sure every last trace of makeup is gone from my face.
*About every other to every three nights, I go over my entire face with the First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads.  They exfoliate and brighten your skin, and they also work very well to fade hyper pigmentation/dark spots from blemishes.  They are a bit pricey, so I like to cut them in half to double the uses I get out of them.  Note: If I have dark spots I'm trying to get rid of, I will use a half pad just on the spots every night.
*Eye cream is next.  I like the Roc Eye Cream.  It's moisturizing but not too greasy, so you can use this in the morning under concealer as well.  When I travel and don't want to bring two separate eye creams, I just take this one.
*Moisturizer is last.  In the summer, I use the Neutrogena Oil-Free Sensitive Skin Moisturizer.  In the winter when my skin is drier, I prefer the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer for more hydration.  Don't forget to put both morning and evening moisturizer on your neck!

As always, thank you for reading!  Please feel free to share any of your skin care tips or favorite products with me!

Brow Pencil Showdown: Anastasia vs. NYX

If you saw my post from a few months ago, you know I'm loyal to my MAC Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Gel and Tarte Amazonian Clay Brow Mousse.  I still adore and highly recommend both of those.  Due to the eye surgery I had a week ago (PRK--more on that later), I am unable to wear eye makeup for two weeks.  Since I have also been keeping my face makeup minimal recently, I thought this would be a good time to do a little brow pencil experiment.  Of all the brow products I've used, I think tinted gels and pencils are the most beginner-friendly.  The problem with tinted brow gel is that you can't get very precise with it, but you can with pencils.  They are also extremely travel-friendly; I like to keep one in my purse at all times just in case.  While you will definitely get more bang for your buck with a brow mousse, pomade, or powder, a pencil is great to have in your arsenal.

The two pencils I'm comparing today are the Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Brown and the NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Ash Brown.  They both contain 0.003 oz, and packaging-wise, they are nearly identical.  They both come in a black container with two caps--one contains a pencil, and one contains a spoolie.  The pencils are both twist-ups and are both the same size and have the same consistency.  The spoolies feel identical on both.  Marlena from Makeup Geek posted a video comparing the two, which can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caQMhYEdt2M.  She mentioned that they seemed so similar that she thinks they're made in the same factory (and she would know--she has her own fabulous line of cosmetics).  Both pencils have decent longevity.  They usually last all day on me but can tend to rub off in some areas if I wear them to the gym.  Setting them with a clear brow gel helps them to not rub off as much in this case.

Left: NYX
Right: Anastasia

Left: NYX
Right: Anastasia

So, what are the differences between the two?  The obvious difference is the price--$9.99 for the NYX vs. $21 for the Anastasia.  The more subtle difference is color.  I would say they both have a decent color selection--the NYX one comes in eight shades, and the Anastasia one comes in nine shades.  I did notice a slight difference in the color undertones between the two brands.  Anastasia seems to have a good variety of warm, cool, and neutral shades, whereas the NYX shades overall seemed more neutral/warm.  Ash Brown is one of the cooler shades in the NYX line, but even that shade was warmer than Medium Brown from Anastasia.  Don't let this scare you though.  When I say "warm," I'm not talking auburn red like those old Maybelline brow pencils.  I think the colors in the NYX line are still pretty neural for the most part, and I really like the Ash Brown shade on me.  I think most people could find a good color in both lines, but if you need something very cool toned, you might need to look to Anastasia to find a more suitable shade.  I'm wearing Anastasia on the left side and NYX on the right side.  While similar, you can see that the left side looks more ashy and the right side has a little more richness to the brown.

Naked brow

Filled in with NYX Ash Brown

Filled in with Anastasia Medium Brown

Left: NYX Ash Brown
Right: Anastasia Medium Brown

Left: Anastasia Medium Brown
Right: NYX Ash Brown

Left: Anastasia Medium Brown
Right: NYX Ash Brown

Is the Anastasia pencil worth it, or should you save your money and go for the NYX product?  NYX is my pick, and as long as you can find a suitable color in the line, I think it would be yours too!