Operation Minimalist: Makeup

If you asked me how much makeup I wanted a year ago the answer would have probably been "tons and tons!"  I realize that plenty of people have tons of makeup that they don't use at all. It's hard to finish up a single product so why do I need to have hundreds of products that will eventually expire before I even get to touch them? Of course I won't follow my list to a tee, but I think that this is a good amount to shoot for.

 Face: 1 Tinted Moisturizer or Foundation
          1 Concealer
          1 Powder
          3-4 Blushes

Eyes: 3 Eyeliners
          2 Cream Eyeshadows
          1 Palette
          4 Everyday Single Eyeshadows
          2 Mascaras

Lips:   5-6 Lip Products


I think that this is the perfect amount for me! The key to minimizing the amount of makeup you have is by getting products that can be used in many ways. Eyeshadow can be turned into eyeliner, cream blush can be used as lipstick and so on and so forth. Just because someone has a lot of makeup it doesn't make them prettier or better, it all depends on what you do with it!

{Be Bold}

{Be Simple}

{American Apparel Nail Polish in Cameo Blue}

Only used one coat of polish and one coat of top coat. Very opaque. Minimal chipping after 2 days. About to be discontinued so get it while you can!

{The Neutral Ensemble}

Why I like it: I can not express how much I love this outfit. The shoes are gorgeous. The sweater is simple and cozy. The blazer; Perfection.

Fall and Winter Makeup+Hair Must Haves

I am one of the 134,935,415,458,493,257 people who love fall. The weather in Austin is actually bearable and I can lie in my bed with a cup of tea all day --- as if I don't do that no matter what the season...summer included. With the new season comes some new staples that will keep me looking my best this fall time.

{A Good Deep Conditioner}

The cold wind and the heater will zap all the moisture from your hair. Add a cute wool beanie and you're asking for trouble. A good moisturizing Deep conditioner will help keep the extra moisture in your hair and prepare your hair for the winter.

{A Leave in Conditioner+Hair Oil}

This will also protect your hair from the harsher elements. Some of my favorites are the Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth Split End Protector and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. These are my hair savior in the colder months! My hair feels much softer, moisturized, and healthy after I use this combo.

{A Dramatic Mascara}

Perfect for adding some va-va-voom to your look! Paired with a bold lip or graphic eyeliner, a dramatic mascara will push your look closer to the edge. My favorite mascaras at the moment are Maybelline Lash Stiletto and Lancôme Hypnôse Drama. Both are amazing for adding tons of length and volume. The Lancôme Hypnôse Drama tends to clump on my eyelashes though.

{Dark Eyeliners}

A rich, black, eyeliner will forever be a staple in any girls makeup collection. But instead of sticking to a boring black try a deep hunter green or navy or even a plum color? These colors will add an extra dimension to any eye look. Plus it's an easy way to bring out your natural eye color.

{Shimmery Inner Corner+Matte Crease}

For eyeshadow I like to keep it simple; especially if you have very intense eyeliner and mascara. A matte crease color slightly darker than you skin tone and a shimmery inner corner are just enough to add some more dimension to your eyes without over doing it. If your eyelids every get oily like mine, you could use a matte skin tone color on your lids to help keep oil at bay!

{Bold Matte Lipsticks}

Bold lips are one of the biggest trends for the fall and winter. Reds, burgundy, and even blackish plum colors are very popular. I prefer matte finishes because I think they look cleaner, sharper, and bolder.

{Orange}

I was rummaging through my old notebooks and found some poems I wrote a few years ago. Enjoy!

orange.

to me that is the color of autumn

orange is the color that surrounds us

orange is comforting

i walk outside into a sea of orange

a sea of autumn

the only time when all is well

autumn brings famlies together

autumn brings comfort, relaxation, happiness

i see all the orange leaves scattered on the ground

a sharp wind blows my hair everywhere

kids are making piles of leaves

adults are sharing thanksgiving recipes

time has stopped

new memories are made

this is autumn.

{Money}

I was rummaging through my old notebooks and found some poems I wrote a few years ago. Enjoy!

Money can be many things.

Your best friend.

Your power.

Your success.

Your life.

The feeling of 

crisp

green

paper

The smell of

cold

hard

cash

The feeling of being

invincible

superman

God

But you're not.

Money is a problem

It causes

debt

scammers

bad values

greed

You feel like you're in control,

but the money is controlling you

It becomes your everything

your marriage

your family

your life

your number one priority

To many people, money tastes like success

it makes you feel accomplished

But when it's gone?

You're empty

Nothing.

Lonely.

A zero.

Just like your bank account.

5 Things I've Been Loving

1. This Sweater. Because it's getting cool and I can actually wear it.

2. These rings. Because they're awesome. That's why.

3. My bangs. Because I cut them myself and they look pretty freaking good.

4. Peanut Butter+Nutella. Heaven.

5. This picture. Because it was taken from my friends balcony and I love it.