I have a pretty classic addictive personality. I mean, if my former(ish) addiction to food weren’t enough of a tell-tale sign, you can see it in the way I binge-watch TV shows and how I get obsessed with trends (I’ve bought three rompers in the past 2 weeks, whoops.)
I mean, maybe you could just chalk it up to me being a passionate person with regard to… pretty much every single aspect of my life, and the fact that I just have a lot of interests. But while that my be true, every once in a while a particular interest combines with a burst of passion that does, in fact, lead to a full blown addiction. So what is this latest addiction of mine, you ask? Well, those of you who follow me on Instagram might already have a few guesses, but here are a few hints for the rest of you:
No, the answer is not that I’m addicted to taking selfies (although that’s obviously true too), it’s that I cannot get enough of prettifying myself with makeup. My name is Gretchen, and I am a makeup addict.
I mean, I’ve always been into makeup, but in more of a passive way. Like, I’ve enjoyed my BirchBox subscription and learning about new makeup trends and whatnot, but I never had a particular passion for putting said trends into action. But lately? I’ve turned into a full-blown Youtube tutorial-watching, paycheck-blowing Sephora addict. I get actively excited to do my makeup every day, and not just to do the whole same-ol’, same-ol’ daily eyeliner & lip gloss stuff that I used to, but new looks, new colors, and new products.
I mean, don’t judge me too harshly, but sometimes I actually get sad when I’m done putting on my makeup in the morning, because it means it’s over. Well, actually, you can judge me for that. I just did.
I partially credit this newly-invigorated obsession with Instagram, through which I have discovered countless beauty accounts (seriously, following Anastasia Beverly Hills has been life-changing!) that provide endless inspiration. And if you don’t look at the amount of money that I spend on high-end makeup products ($142 at Sephora last time I was there… oops), there really could be worse addictions to have, right?
I’m sure that, like most of my past addictions, my makeup obsession will eventually fizzle back to its former self, but until then, I might as well enjoy the ride (and the confidence that comes with making myself beautiful) right? And while I’m sure many of you will have closed out of this blog post long before now, for those have shown past interest in my beauty finds, I’ll go ahead and discuss some of my newest discoveries:
Benefit They’re Real! Gel Push Up Liner
This product has been getting a lot of attention in the beauty vlogging/blogging world, since it’s the first gel liner in pen form (versus a pot + brush method). I’ve never actually used traditional gel liner as it always seemed beyond my skill level, and I was on the fence about buying this product because of all the mixed reviews I read/watched, but I’m really glad I gave it a try. I love it!
It’s so matte, so dark, gets RIGHT down to my lash line, and it stays there all day long. No joke. It even stays ’til the next day — through face-washing — if I’m too lazy to take it off (which I always am.) It does take a bit of practice to really get used to using it (nothing’s ever as easy as it looks on the box), and you do need a really good eye makeup remover (I use Makeup Forever Sens-Eyes and it comes off easy-peasy), but hot damn if I don’t love the way this stuff looks once its on.
Anastasia Brow Wiz
Doing my brows is still something new for me, since for most of my life I’ve thought my brows are strong enough to stand on their own. And while that’s still probably true as I’m lucky to have relatively full brows on my own, Anastasia has taught me that there’s always more you can do. And since brows frame the face, especially the eyes, and my eyes are my favorite part of my face (well, my eyes and my cupid’s bow right above my lips. That’s oddly specific, I know), I’ve been learning lately how to do my best Brooke Shields impression and do brows right.
I use Brow Wiz to outline and fill in my brows, concentrating on the sparse area on the inner ends, and then brush on a light coat of brow gel (also by Anastasia).
Benefit Watts Up Highlighter, Chella Highlighting Crayon, and Tarte Bronzer for Contouring
I’m also fairly new to the contouring trend, but I gotta say, it’s awful entertaining to draw yourself up like an Amazonian warrior princess. Oh yeah, and there’s the whole part where piling on concealer, highlighter, and bronzer in all the right places does amazing things for your face shape. I don’t do this on a daily basis since I am not Kim Kardashian and, truth be told, as addicted to makeup as I may be, I still don’t love the idea of my skin having so much stuff on it day-in and day-out. But for a special occasion (or just for funsies every now and then), why not bust out the big guns?
On a more regular basis though, I’ve just been using Too Faced BB Cream for sheer coverage and SPF, and then just dab Watts Up on my cheekbones, bridge of my nose, and cupid’s bow for a little extra glow.
Anyway, since this new blog is obviously about enabling me in all areas of my life, it’s your turn to let me know about all of your new favorite products so I can further this addiction! What makeup products are you digging lately?