#14daysofmakeup Challenge Recap

Two weeks ago, I realized I had barely worn any makeup for the whole month of June. Like maybe a handful of times. So, I decided to challenge myself and wear makeup everyday for two weeks! 

I started off strong, then really didn't do so great the last few days... however, I think Andie over at Techno Cupcake did an awesome job on her challenge! In any event, I thought I would show what I wore and share my thoughts on the products and looks. 

Day 1 - Kevyn Aucoin The Precision Liquid Liner, Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel, Guerlain Cils d'Enfer Maxi Lash Mascara, Nudestix Magnetic Eye Color in Angel*, Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation, Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler, Bite Cashmere Lip Cream in Sancerre

Day 2 - Tom Ford Illuminating Primer, Lorac 3-in-1 Waterproof Eyeliner, Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler, Kevyn Aucoin Eyeshadow Duo, Bourjois Bronzing Primer (sample pot), Guerlain Cils d'Enfer Maxi Lash Mascara, Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation

Day 1 - Got lots of compliments on Bite Sancerre, and really love the formula. Still not so certain about the applicator, but not too bothered by it. Love the Kevyn Aucoin eyelash curler!

Day 2 - Love the neutral shades in that Kevyn Aucoin eyeshadow duo, and the Tom Ford Illuminating Primer is quite subtle and pretty. Didn't love the scent on the Bourjois Bronzing Primer, which seems to have mixed with the Tom Ford and ended up smelling like baby wipes... 

Day 3 - Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick, Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick in Khaki, Guerlain Cils d'Enfer MaxiLash Mascara, Japonesque Velvet Touch Eyeshadow

Day 4 - Nars NARSisisst Eye Palette, Guerlain Cils d'Enfer MaxiLash Mascara, Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler 

Day 3 - Haphazardly applied most of these while driving to work. Was reminded how much I love the color of that Japonesque eyeshadow. 

Day 4 - Smudged on a few shadows with mascara and no other makeup. I usually hate wearing eye makeup without anything else, but I got over it. 

Day 5 - I only wore Marcelle BB Cream but this stuff is good! (Review coming soon.) 

Day 6 - Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation in OC-2, Chanel Stylo Yeux Eyeliner in Celadon, Ellis Faas Creamy Eyes in E123, Kevyn Aucoin The Creamy Glow Duo in Pravella/Janelle

Day 7 - Nars Pro Prime Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base, Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick, Kevyn Aucoin The Sculpting Powder, Guerlain Mascara, Lancome Baume in Love, Ellis Faas Creamy Eyes, Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen

Day 6 - Love the Ellis Faas Creamy Eyes shade, thought it was hard to apply initially. Enjoyed the summery shade combo of the Kevyn Aucoin duo too! 

Day 7 - Did a nice smokey eye with the Ellis Faas and Tom Ford liquid eyeliner. Really liked the look, and rediscovered my Lancome Baume in Love that I really enjoyed last year! 

Day 8 - Nothing! But, I'm still impressed to have made it a whole week!

Day 9 - Marcelle BB Cream, Kevyn Aucoin Eyeshadow Duo, Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Glow Duo

Day 10 - NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette, Ellis Faas Creamy Eyes, Guerlain Mascara, Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler, Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen

Day 9 - Those Kevyn Aucoin duos sure come in handy! 

Day 10 - Finally getting the hang of the Ellis Faas pen, and really liking it smudged out with some medium or dark browns. Did I mention that the Tom Ford eyeliner is quite nice? 

Days 11, 12 & 13 - No makeup! Busy packing up for California and relaxing. :) 

Day 14 - Marcelle BB Cream again! 

In the end, I think 11 days of makeup wearing is pretty good, especially since I probably wore makeup that many days total in May and June...

What did you think about #14daysofmakeup? Do you have tips for wearing makeup everyday? Also, I am planning reviews for some of these products, so do let me know if there is anything you want to know more about! :) 

My Haircare Routine

I never really thought I was a hair product kind of girl, but as it turns out, I've been collecting hair products all year! No girl that doesn’t care about hair could possibly have this much Oribe… not to mention everything else! 

The Daily Cleanse
My Picks: Phyto // Serge Normant  
I never was very picky about shampoo, but these last few months I've been loving these high end shampoos. Perhaps it is because my hair is getting longer, but I am really loving the difference. I've mentioned the Phyto Clarifying Detox Shampoo before, but I just love how fresh and minty it is in the morning. Plus, it really makes my scalp feel normal and balanced, and seems to keep my hair cleaner for much longer.

Similarly, the Serge Normant Meta Silk Shampoo and Meta Velour Conditioner keep my hair looking good even on day three, which is totally not the norm for me. It has a unique scent I can't seem to describe but my fiance likes a lot! I do find that this shampoo isn't really detangling, but using the conditioner with it makes my hair manageable and normal. Also interesting to note is that you can use both the shampoo and conditioner daily, which also works just fine for me. I've also been playing around with some shampoo samples from brands like Oribe, Malin & Goetz, and Bumble & Bumble. 

The Volumizers
My Picks: Oribe Maximista // Bumble & Bumble Thickening Mousse // Living Proof Perfect Hair Day // Living Proof Full Thickening Cream
I always like trying out volumizing products, and Oribe Maximista & Bumble's Thickening Mousse are the newest products in my collection. I haven't used the Oribe enough to properly review it, and my general impressions on Bumble's is that it works, but is slightly sticky. Definitely need to use both more often to share more thoughts on them. 

On the other hand, I'e always been a fan of Living Proof, a brand that is not so horribly expensive and is easily accessible in the US. I love the scent of Living Proof products, and both Perfect Hair Day and the Full Thickening Cream are non-sticky and weightless in my hair. I love how both of these products give my hair volume and help it look as if I've actually done something to make my hair look nice. 

Next Day Hair
My Picks: Lush Sea Spray // Oscar Blandi Invisible Dry Shampoo  
Last summer, I discovered Lush's Sea Spray, a citrusy concoction that kept my manageable second day hair looking and smelling nice. (Original review here) I also rediscovered my love for Oscar Blandi Invisble Dry Shampoo (review), a product I had been using for a long time but didn't really think much of until I ran out!

Finishing Sprays
My Picks: Bumble & Bumble Cityswept Finish // Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray // Oribe Impermeable Anti-Humidy Spray 
Now I usually don't make it to the step of using a finishing spray, but I'd like to think I will. Suffice to say, I've only used each of these products once in all the time that I've had them. The Oribe smells good, and I wonder if the Bumble isn't quite right for my hair type, but really, I need to use these way more! 

Finally, I'm a bit horrified to report that I have a whole bin of hair product samples to use besides these. Where did they all even come from?! Yup, I’ve officially joined the ranks of the hair obsessed. Now what miracle hair product should I try next?? 

The Minimal Overnight Bag

I'm a girl that does not like to leave products behind, so when I packed a bag this past week to stay over at my parents' house, it was quite a feat to arrive there with a bare minimum of beauty products in my bag. 

Normally, I don't really care about what shampoo I use, but lately I've been addicted to Phyto's Phytoneutre Clarifying Detox Shampoo. I didn't use it for a month, and I noticed a difference in how my scalp felt and as soon as I started using it again, I was happy. I love how this minty fresh shampoo seems to keep my scalp balanced!

In the event that I wore some makeup (I often keep a little in my purse just in case), I had to bring along my Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water (review). I always use it to remove makeup, but even occasionally use it when I am too lazy to wash my face properly with Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil (review). Love that stuff. 

In terms of moisturizing, I love African Botanics Neroli Marula Oil (review) and Lush Celestial (review) - it is the perfect combination right now, though each by itself seems to work for my skin in this hot weather too. And last but not least, I brought my wooden comb that I always use when I manage to properly brush my hair.

What are your overnight bag bare essentials? I'd love to know!

Project Make-a-Dent Update

At the beginning of the year, I committed to making a dent in a handful of products that I had selected. (See the original post here.) I had high hopes for myself, and I have to say that like Gummy, I really haven't made a dent at all! 

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Before (Click to Enlarge)

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After (Click to Enlarge)

Seriously, I didn't even bother opening the lipsticks to show you, because I know for a fact that I did not use the Revlon or Lancome lipsticks. I also gave away the Sephora Concealer Palette and Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner, thinking my friend could make use of them much better than I before they reach their expiration date. I still haven't used the Estee Lauder eyeshadow, though I suppose I'll hang onto it and keep trying. 

Fortunately, I did use my Koh Gen Do Moisture Foundation all spring, and I still totally love that. I probably used the Fresh Sugar Coral lip balm like... 3 times. And actually, I kind of like it now. Not the best for real lip repair, but the color is pretty and it isn't bad when my lips are feeling a bit dry. 

Aside from the foundation which I know I love and will use every winter forever and ever, I am going to keep trying to use the products I have left. Eventually, I'll get somewhere with them, right? 

Are you participating in #ProjectMakeADent? How has your progress been? :)