October: Best in Makeup

Amidst pumpkin spiced everything, October happened to be a pretty darn good month on my face. Kicked aside were glossy pinks and in their place, my makeup bag was spilling over with reds, berry tones, bronzes and coppers. My peach blush was replaced for dusty rose – and a mattified glow kissed my complexion. Is there anything better for your makeup routine than a fall, beauty reboot? NOPE!

I’m starting to feel like every time I blink a month goes by. Seriously, is 2016 flying by at record speed for you too? Or is that just me and my delusions? I swear, it feels like just yesterday I was toasting 2015, vowing it would be the BEST year ever. Now, I’m limping into November thinking ‘damn this year was a flop’. Oh well, guess that’s the joy of time passing so quickly…there is a new new year screaming our names from just around the corner! 2016, you better bring it!

As for October, beyond the exciting return of Homeland, The Affair and American Horror Story – I had some new makeup discoveries, making me jump little hops of joy. I kick-started the month intending to relaunch my #31DaysofLipstick challenge, but come day 13 or 14 that fell off…completely. Oops! Let’s just brush it off as “Vacation Bliss” – aka, that relaxed state of being where the only work you feel like doing is making yourself a cocktail.

I think that brings me to my first favorite, which was the Gulf of Mexico and that relaxing breath of salty fresh air. *queue breathtaking sunset picture*

Sunsets, vodka tonics, mornings with the seagulls, nights in the hot tub and deep, deep sleeps. It felt good to get away to Florida and give my mind a break from the same ole’ same ole’.

Sunsets and grouper aside though, I did have a handful of champion makeup bits. Let’s pucker up, powder our noses and discuss my October Makeup Favorites!

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Medium (here)
Now that we’re well on our way into fall, I’m all about the MAC face powder. A true staple in my makeup routine, every single day. I felt up to something new from my standard Laura Mercier powder, and this absolutely fits the bill.

Lancome ‘Hypnose Dazzling’ Eyeshadow in Brun Cabas (here)
Featured in a full review (here), I won’t say much more about this eye shadow other than to say — it’s AMAZING and my favorite eyeshadow discovery of the year, so far.

Givenchy Le Rouge Lipstick, 315 ‘Framboise Velours’ (here)
Now that YSL has cut back on their rouge volupte range, I decided to pick up another Givenchy lipstick. It’s the closest match to that smooth, buttery finish that I so covet….and the range has a lot of *pow* shades, which is what I want in the fall, obvs. 315 is a gorgeous raspberry shade, hovering a bit more on the red side. Best part? It glides on your lips like silk!

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation (here)
Hailed by many as a “Best of the Best” foundation, I’ve been meaning to get my hands on this Chanel foundation for a while now. There’s something about October that makes me always want a new base, and I was on the hunt for something radiant, but lightweight and perfect for ‘everyday’ wear. It was also an amazing foundation to pack along with me to the warmer, humid days of Florida — making this a dream foundation in basically any weather condition. I salute you, Chanel!

Tarte Amazonian 12H Blush in Exposed (here) 
I’ll be honest, blush doesn’t excite me. Oh sure, it’s part of my everyday routine – but it doesn’t exactly make me happy, you know? Lipstick? Mascara? I’m there. Blush? Meh. Exposed just happens to be the one that takes the cake as the one blush that does it all. It roses up my cheeks without making me look flushed, lasts way longer than the average blush and is matte. I’m “Team Matte” when it comes to blush, because that way it won’t fight with whatever my highlight ambition is for the day…and as mattes go, Tarte gets it.

#GirlBoss
I gave a shout out to this in my recent ‘Fall Reading List‘ post (here), but I’m also adding it to my favorites as I’m thrilled I FINALLY got around to reading this gem. I’ve been firmly on Team Girl Boss since the third grade (elementary school student council, anyone?), and will never stop believing in the power of kicking ass in all my mighty female glory. I like that Sophia doesn’t compromise herself as a woman to make it in a man’s world, and we could all use a kick in the rear (and some moral support) to keep on fighting your way to the top of your dreams.

Thank you, lovely, for carving a couple minutes out of your day to talk autumn beauty with me! I hope October was a kind month to you. Let me know, what was the high and low point of the month for you?

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