The last time I set out to write a blog post about my makeup faves, it unexpectedly turned into a mini essay on self-improvement versus self-acceptance. As you may recall from that beauty post gone rogue, I decided that grooming indulgences are part and parcel of loving yourself. So I've been doing things like curling my hair for the sheer pleasure of feeling it bounce on my shoulders, wearing perfume even though I'm the only one who will be smelling me, and applying black volumizing mascara instead of my usual blah brown. I can't say I notice any major self-esteem improvements, but I am having fun!
Because I'm on a budget at the moment, actual purchases have been few and far between. In fact I've actually purged my makeup drawer, keeping only what I use most and ditching the things I felt I should use but never actually did. I've been pleasantly surprised to find that streamlining my cosmetics storage means I'm more likely to spruce myself up because I don't have to dig through a pile of ill-informed purchases to find the lipgloss I want.
In spite of my penny pinching, a few new items have snuck their way into my rotation. I've added some soft pinks for spring from Bobbi Brown, whose blushes and bronzers are far and away the best for my fair skin (not to mention their current 20% off stock-up sale!) Another recent splurge? The new Elizabeth and James fragrance Nirvana Black. I knew I loved it after I spent four days sniffing the shirt I'd been wearing when I sampled it. If that's not a sign you should treat yo'self, then I don't know what is!
Shop: 1. Sonia Kashuk Perfecting Illuminating Foundation 2. Bobbi Brown Pastel Eye Palette 3. Deborah Lippman Nail Polish in Before He Cheats 4. Bobbi Brown Lipgloss in Buff 5. Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black 6. Nars Satin Lip Color in Decanso 7. Bunny Cosmetics Pouch Images: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
I feel like I have also been paying more attention to the way I look. I was living on Maui and people there never really dress up or wear a lot of makeup. Now that I live on the mainland I am trying new types of makeup (signed up to ipsy) and I started curling my hair. 🙂 Love your picks! http://lovelyclusters.blogspot.com/
I normally don’t like nail art, but those floral ones are just so pretty.