Mini Haul: January Purchases

Here's a photo collection of some purchases I've made recently. I was in the market for a new moisturizer and used some samples I had lying around of the Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation Moisturizer. It ended up working really well for me. The $40 price tag isn't ideal, but my skin has had a real turnaround since I've started using it. If you have combination skin that is rather acne prone with tricky dehydration issues, I'd recommend trying this out. Or, if you've got that skin type and have a cheaper alternative to share, I'd love to hear it!

I also went to H&M and used a gift card I had left over from Christmas. I picked up some high waisted skinny pants. They're quite a stretchy denim which is what I need in a pair of skinny jeans. I also got a long knit cardigan. It isn't exactly midi length, but it does go past my butt and that's all I really wanted.  It's quite a bit thinner than I was originally looking for, but it was only around $12, so that's to be expected. The last thing from H&M was an orange change purse/wallet. I needed a smaller wallet to use in my tiny crossbody purse and this was only $3 in the sale section.

Lastly, on a whim, I purchased the Burt's Bees Lip Crayon in Sedona Sands. I'm pretty sure I watched Stephanie/SoothingSista's video the same day I purchased this. She featured it in her 2014 favorites and I guess I was really obsessed with it because I NEVER buy anything that quickly after seeing it in a blog or video. I guess I shouldn't continue with that impulsive streak because this lip product ended up being a bit of a downer for me. It's pretty much the EXACT same color as my lips and not even in a "my lips but better" kind of way. Oh well...you win some, you lose some.

Have you picked up anything recently?

SAG Awards Makeup Spotlight

Now I know that the SAG Awards aren't exactly the most-viewed or chatted-about awards show, but there was still plenty of great makeup -enough that I figured it deserved its own post while we all stew in anticipation for the arrival of the Academy Awards. Or is that just me? 

Maybe its because this is my first year as a declared film major and all my classes are buzzing about nominations, but I have been completely dedicated to award season this year.

But I digress...Here are some of my favorite looks from the 2015 SAG Awards!

LAURA CARMICHAEL

Okay, maybe I'm a bit biased at my inclusion of Laura because I just think she's all 'round gorgeous anyway. I'm still obsessed with the video she did with Lisa Eldridge. That aside, this makeup is still beautiful -I love the freshness achieved from the combination of the shimmery eyeshadow and the glowing cheeks. 

UZO ADUBA

I don't even watch Orange Is the New Black but I was still so happy that Uzo Aduba won the Female Actor in a Comedy Series award. What I've seen of her performance on the show is brilliant and her acceptance speech, I think, just shows how humble and deserving she is. As far as makeup goes, this was the one stronger eyeshadow look that stood out to me. I mean, how can you not acknowledge just how flattering this look is on her? The addition of (is it gold, silver, olive?? can YOU tell??) shimmery shadow is the key, I think. It brings so much life to the eyes.  And then the glowy skin and rosy lip color? Perfect.

EMILIA CLARKE

I love the really tonal effect of this makeup. Rose is already my all-time favorite lip color, but the overall warmth of this look makes me slightly obsessed. It makes me wish I looked good in eyeshadow so I could recreate this on myself for the next month. The warm brown eyeshadow leans quite rose-toned in some of the photographs of Emilia on the red carpet and then theres the pink blush. I think what makes this look so appealing is that she doesn't have overly dewy skin. It's rather creamy and velvety qualities that, again, add to this look's overall warmth.

FELICITY JONES

I love that this look is so barely there though there is still plenty of interest. There's that subtle silver shimmer to the eye as well as the thinnest swipe of liner to define the lashes. The silver and the really soft, pale pinks on the cheeks and lips just complement her fair skin so well. I don't typically fawn over light pink shades like this and I don't even know how to describe what I love so much about it. Maybe I should venture into the realms of glossy lip products a little more...

And also, it's really giving me a Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector vibe? Anybody?

REESE WITHERSPOON

I won't go on too much about this look because I don't remember being overwhelmed by this makeup during the awards show BUT! Look at this lip and cheek combo! Man, do I love a good lip and cheek duet. 

LUPITA NYONG'O

I just couldn't not include Lupita for one simple reason...Just look at that glow! Plus her lip color has almost a lacquer finish.

Lastly I just wanted to squeeze in my overall favorite look of the night. With out a doubt Maisie Williams. Might be a bit of a controversial choice but I just think she killed it. Dress, shoes, hair, makeup. All complement each other so gosh-darn well.

What are some of your awards season standouts?