my makeup box, as of late

i haven't posted in a while but i finally finished the entire series of parenthood and now ava's nap times should surely be spent being productive, right?? right. so here i am, posting about what's in the shoebox of makeup that i carry around with me from hotel-to-hotel. because cute makeup bags are soooo overrated.

are you ready? it's going to be super fun. ready...go.

loreal true match lumi

i wasn't pumped on this when i first bought it, and now for the life of me i can't remember why because i love it and this is my second bottle. it has perfect buildable coverage while somehow mimicking skin's actual finish...it really just looks like real skin, except better. i think that's where the lumi part comes in? because real skin isn't completely matte, ya know? anyway, i apply with a damp beauty blender and i'm a big fan.

younique fiber lash 3d mascara

look guys, i really wanted to love this. honestly, i did. but i don't. for a couple reasons...1. it is freaking expensive. i paid $40 for this stuff...and that is the cost of 5 tubes of loreal voluminous (which i think is actually the best mascara) so for $40, i was expecting this stuff to be incredible. but it's just not for me. 2. it's messy, the fibers fall off EVEN when i put on extra coats of the gel, and the fibers get in your eyes and are irritating, and let's be honest here, if you have 15 minutes to do your freaking eyelashes (which is how long this stuff takes to put on a see a difference) then just go ahead and put on some false lashes that are going to look way better and take half the time?? so 3. it is way time consuming. anyway, i wasn't a fan of the product and then i was really not a fan of the product after they wouldn't reimburse my $10 shipping even after they boast this whole "love it or send it back!" crap. more like "don't love it? sorry, you're still out $10!" save yourself some money and go buy some loreal voluminous and a couple pairs of E.L.F. false lashes for $1 that are a sinch to put on and make a huge impact and don't take up your whole day and don't look like a clumpy mess.

NYX matte setting spray

i thought i loved the E.L.F. setting spray, but i love this one so much more! it's a couple more dollars, but it lasts longer and it will keep your makeup on all.day.long. i feel like i am naked without it and love to spray my face! i haven't tried the dewy one, but i lean more toward a dewy look and this hasn't been too matte for me, if that even makes sense? i just really really like it. go buy it, okay?

NYX butter lipstick in "pops"

i got this in my march ipsy bag and i was really excited to try it because i love NYX butter glosses! this has a great texture and i dig the color too...it would be a great nude for a darker skintone, but as i'm pretty fair it gives a very cool kylie-jenner-90s look.

breakup with your makeup

in the last couple years, i've learned a lot about my skin; things that i wish i could go back in time and tell my teenage self. i struggled with mild acne growing up and had no idea how to manage it. my version of skincare was buying every drying or acidic product and slathering it on my face, thinking that i was breaking out because my skin was too oily.

i've learned about balance and how my skin knows better than i do. when i wash my face less, it looks better because i'm not stripping my skin of its natural, essential oils. when i stopped drying it out and started putting moisture in, it cleared up. when i drink green tea and eating antioxidant-rich foods such as blueberries and almonds, my skin glows! (for my clear skin secrets and tips, click here!)

i still have a lot to learn and i still have occasional break outs that tip my world upside down. i wish i had the confidence to leave the house completely barefaced, but i don't. having breakouts makes me feel like i can't face the world and look it straight in the eye, like everyone is staring at my uneven complexion. whether you suffer from acne or rosacea or psoriasis or whatever, the state of your skin directly affects your self-confidence.

like i said, i still have a lot to learn about skincare and my skin is not perfect. and until it is, i always have some sort of foundation on, depending on the clarity of my skin.wonder if there will ever be a day when i feel like i don't need to wear foundation. a day when i can truly breakup with my makeup.

for those of you who struggle with rosacea or red skin, that day may come sooner than you think. mirvaso is a product by galderma laboratories, l.p. that treats facial redness so you don't have to cover it up.

to learn more about mirvaso and to enter a sweeptakes to win a trip to the emmy awards (yes please!) click here!

  • Important Safety Information
    • Indication: Mirvaso® (brimonidine) topical gel, 0.33% is an alpha adrenergic agonist indicated for the topical treatment of persistent (nontransient) facial erythema of rosacea in adults 18 years of age or older. Adverse Events: In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions (≥1%) included erythema, flushing, skin burning sensation and contact dermatitis. Warnings/Precautions: Mirvaso Gel should be used with caution in patients with depression, cerebral or coronary insufficiency, Raynaud's phenomenon, orthostatic hypotension, thromboangiitis obliterans, scleroderma, or Sjögren’s syndrome. Alpha-2 adrenergic agents can lower blood pressure. Mirvaso Gel should be used with caution in patients with severe or unstable or uncontrolled cardiovascular disease. Serious adverse reactions following accidental ingestion of Mirvaso Gel by children have been reported. Keep Mirvaso Gel out of reach of children. Not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.