My Top 5 ::: Cosmetic Favorites

All photos by {accordingtoame}

I get asked frequently by readers, and by friends and family, what my favorite and must-have daily driver products are, things I cannot get by without in my vanity arsenal. 

Trend Worth Trying ::: Jewel Toned Beauty

Photo: Nars.com

Spinning off of my Trend Worth Trying from two weeks ago, geared more towards fashion, this time I am focusing on Fall Beauty. For those who are less brave in the clothing department, or are more subtle with their trends, a great wine nail or smoky sapphire eye might be just the ticket. This is big especially for those in a more corporate environment, where color in the attire is generally frowned upon, a classic dark nail or slightly smoky jewel toned eye might be ok.

Trend Worth Trying::: Sultry, Bronze Eye

Photo of Rachel McAdams: Troy Jenson's Website

Doesn't that look hot?!

The bronze smoky eye is more of my "everyday look", but it seems that the metallic gold/bronze smoky eye has really taken hold as the hot makeup look for summer.  Despite the perfectly blended and meticulously applied looks in these images, all it takes to get your glow on is a quick smudge of a deeper bronze shadow along the lashline and on the eyelid and blend, even with your finger. That will give you a pretty amazing and similar look with far less product and time involvement, which in the summer, is perfect. And on (preferably spray tanned) skin, with a sweep of pale shimmery peach blush and a nude or pale peach gloss on the lip, this is a pretty amazing look.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Powder Foundation

I saw this product pop up on QVC a while back, and saw a few reviews around the web, I think Musings of a Muse did one most recently. It looked very interesting, and I am a sucker for a powder foundation since I don't really want to pile liquid on all over my face.

PRODUCT REVIEW: TARTE SmolderEYES Waterproof Clay Eye Liner & TARTE EmphasEYES Waterproof Clay Eyeliner

While at ULTA picking up something I actually was out of and did "need", I checked these out and ended up buying one of each in Bronze. The color was nice for each though they are slightly different in tone, one is slightly warmer than the other.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer

Photo Credit: Tartecosmetics.com

I have waffled on trying this stuff out, and didn't end up buying it, opting instead for a little sample jar of it after playing with it in the Ulta store.  I got the sample in the LIGHT, which is fairly pinkish in the jar and on my hand, but when I put it under my eyes looks way less pink, and really I could've probably use fair or light easily, but for the whole shade range it is not a big range at all.  Just 5 shades, and I suppose it would be easy to get a decent working shade with, though darker skinned women are going to really have a hard time tonally.