February Favorites

My very first "Favorites" post!!!  I'm super excited to share with you guys my most loved and most used products from this past month!  I really like reading the monthly favorites posts...maybe it's because it has become habit to expect them.  Expectation = anticipation...?  Anyway, before I go off on a random tangent...
I wanted to add in some other non-beauty, "life" favorites just to add a little more personal flair to this post.  Other than being a beauty/fashion addict (junkie sounded too harsh...it's true, but you know), I do like other things like reading, listening to music, etc, etc - and I thought it would be really fun to share some of those things with you as well.



MAKEUP:

Nars Pure Radiance Tinted Moisturizer
I think I may do a full review post on this because I don't hear too many people talking about it, and I totally love it!  It's my go-to everyday face product.  It doesn't make me oily, but gives me a really wonderful healthy glow.  It has really good coverage for a tinted moisturizer, and I like the smell.  It's definitely my "my-skin-but-better" product right now.

Urban Decay Naked Palette - Buck eyeshadow
Anastasia Brow Whiz in Medium Ash
I've been using these two products together to fill in and pump up my brows.  I don't really have too much to say about them other than I don't go out without using them to put on my eyebrows.  It lasts all day and looks soft but defined (only a slightly contradictory statement haha).

Nyx Blush in Taupe
I was first introduced to this product by Nikkie from nikkietutorials.com (she also has an amazing YouTube channel); and although we have TOTALLY different skin tones this has become my favorite product for contouring my face.  It creates the perfect, natural looking shadow, and it's under $10.  It's basically the best win-win beauty product ever.   So, thanks Nikkie!!!

Nyx Mega Shine lipgloss in Beige
This smells like cherry gummy candy and is super smooth.  It's not too shiny, and totally not sticky.  I love the way it feels on and wear this most days.  I always have one on me.  I think it's very natural on my skintone.


SKINCARE:

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Gel Cleanser
This is by far my favorite face cleanser.  I use it with my Clairisonic Mia 2 at night and I swear it has drastically improved the clogged pores on my nose, cheeks, and chin. It's really gentle and doesn't dry me out.  It leaves my skin soft and clear.
 
La Roche-Posay Mela-D Color Corrector Serum
This smells terrible and is very potent, but has definitely improved my skin tone, texture, and is erasing the discoloration I have on the tops of my cheeks.  I probably use this 2-3 times a week, and although it's expensive I will definitely be repurchasing once I run out.


MUSIC:

Mac DeMarco
He's totally weird, totally fascinating, totally talented!  I was a little underwhelmed when I initially heard him, but upon further listening...DAMNNNN  he's basically the best thing that I've heard in a long time.  I doubt he'll be everyone's cup of tea, but he's my male music idol of the moment.  Watch his live performance for Pitchfork TV here.

Thao Nguyen and The Get Down Stay Down
If Mac DeMarco is my male music idol of the moment, then Thao Nguyen is my female music idol!!!  I totally have a girl crush on her voice...she just sounds amazingly cool when she sings, and I adore her quirky, clever lyrics.  She taught herself to play the guitar in the back of her family dry-cleaning business or something like that, and she rocks it.  I've been playing guitar for a while now and one day I hope to play half as well as she does!  Check her out here.


BOOKS:

Saga - writer: Brian K. Vaughn, artist: Fiona Staples; Image Comics
I'm proud to admit that I am a bit of a comic book nerd.  I will gleefully ramble on to you about characters, storylines, and continuity all day long if you let me.  Lucky for you I will restrain myself in this post.  I'd hate to go wayyy nerdy on you guys and scare you away!  Saga is not a superhero comic, but a super weird and awesome sci-fi, fantasy story about two unlikely lovers protecting their child.  I love the writing.  I love the art.  Basically every page is fun and beautiful and strange to look at.

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
My best friend Katie has been shoving this book at me for the past 2 months, so I finally decided to give it a go.  I'm only halfway through it, but it's really good and really interesting.  I don't really want to give too much away, but if you're looking for something new to read I highly suggest giving this book a try.


I know this was a super long post, so thanks for sticking with me and I hope you enjoyed reading about the things I loved this past month!!!  If you did like this post please subscribe and/or leave a comment!  Both would put a huge smile on my face and make my day :)

Have any of you heard of Mac DeMarco or Thao Nguyen?  Do you guys like to read comics or books in general?  Also, I'd love your feedback on adding the non-beauty items to my favorites list: Yay? Nay? Meh?  I kind of like when bloggers add little insights into their lives other than just makeup/fashion...not all the time, but in moderation.  However it might be because they (the bloggers) are way more interesting! haha!