Empties: Summer Edition compiled

Every time I tried to write this post, it seems that I've gotten distracted and quickly moved on to more exciting posts.  Not that talking about empties isn't exciting, but when I'm running around to different countries and have shiny new products to play with...well, THAT's exciting.

Because I kept delaying this, the empties that I had started to slowly pile up.  And instead of slowly surrounding myself with empty products, I took pictures of them in installments.  All of this comprises empties from about April through August....and there's a lot so let's get started!

Travel Makeup for Long Trips - packing the essentials

What do I do when I have to pack for a 5 week trip with only a 55L backpack and a smaller regular sized backpack?  Pack the essentials, make sure everything is absolutely fool-proof, and use as many space saving solutions as possible. 

For my first packing post, I thought I would show you how I packed my makeup, and how I managed to pare everything down to the bare essentials (sort of) for a 5 week trip.  Except for my lip products...because when I keep my eyes simple I need to have options with my lip products. I'm quite proud of everything else that I packed, as now that I'm back from the trip I can safely say that I used everything, but wasn't lacking anything!

The trick for me was packing as many travel sized/samples of products as possible for me.  I basically amassed everything I could find in a travel size and brought them with me.  This includes travel size brushes, and *shudder*..using sponge-tip applicators as my eye brushes!

How it all fit in my two makeup bags, complete with foundation spills.

Product Favorites: June

I promise that eventually, I'll get these up on time and at the end of the actual month, but for now, my busy little life (aka applying for jobs) is pushing back the monthly posts that I want to do!

But, the monthly favorites are finally here, and although there aren't many products this month, these products were really loved this month.

Keep reading to find out why I liked these products so much! 

Perfecting the art of the natural look

While I love a perfectly made of face complete with bronzer, blush, highlighter, sometimes I just want a lighter look.  Especially as the weather gets warmer (with the exception of today's 55 degree weather), layering on a full coverage foundation puts me at risk of having a melted face at the end of the day.

Tinted moisturizers are perfect for creating a natural look with their light coverage while still evening my skin out.  I mixed Covergirl's Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 foundation  just to get a perfect color match, but I don't think I added enough to really amp up the coverage that much.  

I haven't perfected the minimalist look using just around 5 products, but I'm getting there!  There's something liberating about just wearing a few products on my face.

  
I guess the eyeliner doesn't make it a perfect "natural" look, but I couldn't resist...the best way that I've found to define my eyes without using a black eyeliner is by using a charcoal liner.  It subtly darkens my eyelashes without actually creating a definite line, making it perfect for those I-don't-want-to-look-like-I'm-wearing-makeup-but-I-actually-am days.

Here's what I used-
Face:
Sonia Kashuk Radiant Tinted Moisturizer mixed with a drop of Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous Foundation - also used as concealer (multitasking!)
Sephora Mattifying Foundation
Vincent Longo Water Canvas blush in Aqua Crimson (I finally finished this today..hooray!)
theBalm Frat Boy

Eyes:
Milani Liquif'eye 
Revlon Colorstay eyeliner in Charcoal on lower lashes 
Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara

Brows: Revlon Brow Fantasy

Lips:
Neutrogena Moistureshine Lipstick in Nectar

I'm a load of contradictions, aren't I?  Between natural-no makeup days, and challenges to put more color on my face, I can't make up my mind!