Josie Maran set + Naked by Urban Decay from Sephora! :) :) :) :)

I do love Birchbox shopping a lot

I recently stopped by Sephora and purchased the Josie Maran Winter Dreams argan oil makeup collection. Every item contains nourishing argon oil to hydrate and beautify all day. I'm a huge fan of makeup that's essentially good for your skin, and I've been using these products every day.

In my search for natural makeup, I definitely appreciate a luxury brand using essential oil in their products, so I was excited to delve into this set.

Not pictured, the coconut oil eyeshadow. I actually haven't been using it. It's a little too bright for me.

I've actually been using this light oil a lot. It absorbs really quickly and doesn't feel super heavy on my face. I really love it. I wear it under my makeup for a glowing undertone. I have combination skin, and this oil moisturizes my dry areas without making my oilier areas too greasy.

This cheek and lip oil is growing on me. I don't use it on my lips, but I do like the rich color on my cheeks. It's really bright and stays on for a while, and it's easy to apply, and the oil gives off a glowing, dewey look.

Paired with the golden highlighting cream, it gives off a flawless luminous effect.

There are some downsides though is that the oil can separate in the tube and it's hard to mix it up... The formula is also somewhat tacky, so it feels a little strange, but it's easy to get used to. And it's a REALLY rich, saturated color, so be wary of using too much.

I'm really into this mascara. It's a really intense black and the formula nourishes your lashes. And I think the design is cool, haha. The brush is a little much though. The bristles are long and hard to control, but it gave me really dramatic, fanned-out lashes .

I also got the Urban Decay Naked Skin Illuminating Beauty Balm.

There were two other shades, one bronzing and one was normal. The bronzing one was really orangey, so I opted for this one.

I LOVE the Naked collection. Naked 2 Basics eyeshadow was made for me. And this BB cream is great. It's glimmery and sheer, so I did have to use some extra concealer on certain areas (namely under my eyes), but I loved how it looks overall. And it smells REALLY good, although it leaves a weird residue on your fingers so watch out!

It's really light and leaves my skin with such a nice glow. Truly luminous and it doesn't feel like I'm masking my whole face like most liquid foundations. 

This is something that I NEED in my life.

Pulp Fiction forever, Mia Wallace forever

My boyfriend would be so into this lipstick, haha. He's a huge tarantino fan.

As for me, the bluish undertones would be perfect for me.

I can't wait to make my next purchase.

What's in My Beauty Bag?: Lips

I feel like one of life’s greatest mysteries is finding the perfect shade of lipstick.  It has been extremely difficult for me, especially since my skin tone changes pretty frequently throughout the seasons, but I thought I’d share some of my favorite products with y’all.

My favorite shades are MAC Russian Red Matte and NARS Fire Down Below Semi-Matte.

These lipsticks are pretty awesome, even for the heftier price tag.

However, I’ve used some pretty great imitations before, like:

Revlon in Wine Not Matte

- This one has actually been discontinued, which makes me want to cry, because it’s such a good shade. RIP~

I also love Wet N' Wild MegaLast matte lipstick in Cherry Bomb.

And Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede collection in Backstage, which is a semi-matte wine shade that lasts all day.  It has more of a purpley hue, as opposed to the brick-red undertone of Fire Down Below and Wine Not.

This is one of the best shades of red I've ever found with a cheaper brand.

NYX Matte Lipstick in Perfect Red.

I've also become obsessed with these two shades:

Sephora Luster Matte gloss color in Cranberry

And Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids in Neon Red.

It goes on like more of a scarlet red-orange.

Like this!

Some other products I like to use are the Requisite Red Lip Marker stain from Urban Outfitters, the NYX retractable wax liner (I have a few different colors), and the NYX soft matte lipgloss.  I use the dark red color on the left!  I think it's called Monte Carlo.

I also use the e.l.f. Lip Lock Pencil.  It's a lifesaver for wearing an ultra saturated lip color that needs to stay in place.  It's a clear wax that I use on the very outer edges of my lips, before I use lip liner.

I also love the lip plumper by e.l.f.  There's a primer on the other end of the stick, but it honestly looks kinda awful.  But the plumper is really intense and tingly if you're into that.

I've also been using the new Burt's Bees lip crayon in Napa Vineyard (left).  It's such a great wine color.  It doesn't last long, since it's pretty shiny/glossy, but it's a good color to put on when I'm running out the door.

 As far as lip care goes, I love the C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Buffer from Bath & Body Works.  It's a minty, sugary exfoliator that also moisturizes. Also: Smith's Rose Salve is a godsend in more ways than one, plus I'm obsessed with the smell.  And the best balm I've used in my life thus far has to be Maybelline's Baby Lips Dr. Rescue.  I use clear.  It's healed and moisturized my lips many many times, and I use it multiple times a day! I'm addicted, can't help it.