Beauty Raves

Here are just a few of the beauty prods that I just can't get enough of lately:

Kiehl's Creme de Corps Whipped Body Butter

This stuff is heavenly. It smells utterly edible and goes on like buttahhhh. I especially love using this on my legs, since I've been living in my little shorts and dresses all summer.  I truly wish I had found it sooner; it's one of those products that I just know is my new HG. Remind me to swallow my pride and pay the $48 for the large tub next time... the sales girl was right. Creme de Corps is ridiculously addictive.

MAC Lustreglass in Love Nectar

This lip gloss is another one of those products that I'd heard rave reviews about for years, but just never got around to trying it myself. It's so natural on my lips, imparting a neutral rose gold-flecked hue. It isn't going to give you a lot of pigment, but for a girl who just likes a pretty, glossy pout... this is perfect.

MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Superb

Sweep on this champagne-colored highlighting powder, and immediately you'll discover sky-high cheekbones. As an added bonus, it photographs beautifully. Enough said.

Bow Meets Glow

 

 I'm the type of girl who you can look at and know exactly how I'm feeling.

My eyes say it all... and while I might be terrible at concealing tears,

I'm even worse at containing my happiness.

A few weeks ago, my best friend told me she saw the "Taylor Glow" return.

Anyone that knows me knows what that looks like. I glow from a mile away.

But it's true. 

I'm so, so happy.

It's my favorite time of year, I'm working in a job I absolutely positively love,

I'm working on a body that I'm becoming proud of, I'm spending quality time with family,

and I'm surrounded by amazing people who bring out the best in me.

Life is never perfect (and currently watching a close friend battle cancer is proof of that),

but I'm truly appreciating every little moment... trying to never take a second for granted.

Funny how terrible things like that remind you of what's important.

That being said, there are a few beauty products that

mightttt just give me a little boost in the "glow" department. ;)

 

Glow on,

NARS Blush and Bronzing Duo

 I have two very different NARS Blush & Bronzing Duo palettes to review: Orgasm/Laguna (shown on the left) and Hungry Heart (on the right). Strangely enough, I ended up liking the product that I was more hesitant to purchase. I also wasn't a huge fan of a product that gets incredible reviews year after year.

NARS' Orgasm blush is described as a "peachy-pink shimmer" blush, and has been touted by many magazines and websites as a universally-flattering color. Laguna bronzer has also had rave reviews for being a very natural bronzer. Sadly, this just wasn't the case for me. I have light, slightly olive skin during the winter, and neither colors were particularly flattering for me. The blush just didn't look natural on me, despite applying it with numerous brushes. The color payoff was great on this one, but that doesn't really matter when it's a color that isn't so flattering. The Laguna bronzer is a bit more wearable, but you definitely need to use a light hand when applying it. It's a little dark for me right now, although I can see myself warming up to this product when I have a bit more color to my skin in the summer. I guess I'm going to have to wait and see!

NARS' Hungry Heart palette definitely isn't one of those products that looks like a "must-have" upon first glance. In fact, you're probably more likely to wonder where you would even wear this pale peachy product, as it looks more suited to a Vegas showgirl. It's barely visible when swatched on light skin, looking like a pan of pure junior high school shimmer. But then you put it on your cheekbones, and voila! Your skin looks glowy and pretty, with just a slight hint of finely milled shimmer. This product is just so beautiful and versatile, and goes beyond the use of a simple highlighter. I used it as a simple eye shadow as well, and it lasted the entire day. I wouldn't expect people who hate shimmer to love this product, but for those who love it or are indifferent to it, this is definitely a highlighter to check out. 

R to L: Hungry Heart with flash (close to true to life color) and without flash