Monthly Obsessions: April 2017

Alooooha Friends!  I'm back after a week because again, I was lazy... and this week I'm back with a Monthly Obsessions!

(how cute is KSoo Oppa im ded)

I don't have a lot to talk about this month because I honestly haven't had the chance to try that many new products because ya girl is BROKE.  Although this month I'm writing about products and things that I really, truly love so hopefully I'll be able to go into more detail (but we'll see cause I tend to go blank when I have to write these types of things).  So without futher ado... Let's get started!

NYX Total Control Drop Foundation in 07 Natural

So I've been wanting to try out this foundation since it came out earlier this year (don't quote me, but I think it was earlier this year), but never got around to actually going to the store and picking it up.  I contemplated ordering it a few times, but never committed to it, and I'm glad I didn't, but more on that later.  I finally went to Target and bought it.  It was $13.99 at Target, which seems a little steep for the amount of product you get, but after I used it, I didn't mind the price at all.  The foundation is really watery and it threw me at first, but I get that since it's a dropper foundation, the more water consistency is necessary.  I wasn't sure how much I needed, but on the box there is a not-so-clear chart that shows you how many drops you need for the amount of coverage you're going for, so I eye balled it and tried to go for the medium coverage amount that's marked on the box.  I think I did a pretty good job because I got a pretty decent amount of coverage the first time.  I really liked the amount of coverage it gave, since I'm a more light to medium coverage typa chick and I REALLY REALLY loved the finish.  It has a really natural finish, so if you want to be matte, you gotta mattify your face yourself, but I'm a natural finish typa chick too.  It lasts all day and stays looking beautiful even after more than 12 hours of wear, which is amazing because I definitely always forget to touch up and repowder.  Now back to the part about being glad I didn't order it... So y'all know I'm Asian, that's not a hidden fact here, so when I was looking online at the colors, of course I gravitate towards the more yellow undertoned shades.  At the same time however, I am also super duper pale, so I needed a yellow undertone, pale shade, so I was going to get the shade that was one shade darker than the one I bought BUT GOOD THING I DIDN'T because when I went to Target, it was a lot darker in person than it is on the interwebs, so lesson to be learned, your best bet is the check out the shade selection in store and take your pick there.  BUT GUYS.  I seriously love this foundation so so soooo much.  I only picked up my HG UD Naked Skin foundation once since buying this foundation and it was only to see if I still loved it, and I do, but honestly not as much as this NYX foundation right now.  (WOW I WROTE A LOT)

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Golden Pink

I got this shadow stick in my March PLAY! box and instantly fell in love with it as soon as I swatched it.  I've been looking for a super shimmery (to the point that it's almost glittery), champagne shadow stick that I can use for my inner bottom lashline because you guys know I love how in Asian makeup, they always make the undereye area look super cute and eye catching with shimmery or white highlight.  I used to use a similar Laura Mercier shadow stick that was the right color, but not shimmery enough for my taste.  THANK GOD I got this shadow stick in my PLAY! box because I'm pretty sure I'm in love.  It's incredibly long lasting and basically transfer resistant, I've rubbed my eyes and a few shimmers came off onto my hand, but most everything held on tight.  I really value eye makeup that wants to stay because I have watery eyes and wear contacts, so I rub, wipe, and touch my eyes a lot.  It's seriously everything I've been looking for in a shadow stick and I definitely will splurge on the full size when I run out of this one.  (Lol I just checked and it's out of stock at Sephora so my link is pointless, but check out Macy's or any other places you know of that sells Bobbi Brown!)

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

I really shouldn't be writing about this product yet, because I haven't had it for long enough and I usually like to test out products for at least a month, but this one I couldn't wait.  I heard so many good things about this Smashbox primer and have always wanted to try it, but the price tag always scared me away, so I'm so glad I got it in my April PLAY! box.  I've been on the search for a primer that will keep my oily T-zone, nose, and chin at bay, while not making the rest of my dry face look even drier, and I think this is the cure.  It's has a more silicone texture which I really love in primers. It does all the things I need it to, while making my foundation look super gorgeous and flawless.  The first time I used this primer under my foundation, the NYX one btw..., I got several compliments about my foundation and of course that in itself made me love the combo even more.  I wrote in my PLAY! box overview that I thought this primer was breaking me out, but I'm pretty sure it's not the culprit because after my breakouts subsided, I used this primer again, and nothing happened, so HALLELUJAH!!!  I really love this primer, and all that being said, would I buy it now that I've tried it despite the steep price?  I'm honestly still not sure, but I'll definitely continue enjoying it while I have this deluxe sample lol.

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

This is not a product that I recently got and have been loving, but rather, it's an oldie that made it's way into my MO's.  I've had this Real Techniques sponge several times before and honestly didn't think much of it, since I really only bought it since I didn't want to splurge on a real BeautyBlender, but for some reason, I've been really loving this sponge lately.  I don't know whether it works well with the NYX foundation, or if maybe after like two years and three or four sponges, I finally got the hang of using it.  I suspect that maybe I hadn't been wetting it enough before using it or maybe I'd been wetting it too much???  Either way it's finally doing it's thang for me and I'm loving it.  I love how this sponge has a flat end, so I can get the larger areas like my cheeks, neck, or forehead, and then a pointed end to get corners, undereye, etc.  It's really versatile and pretty soft.  I do wish it was softer though, but that's just a personal preference.  I really recommend this beauty sponge if you're like me, and not willing to spend $20 on one that you'll just throw away after some few months (because sponges hold onto germs like no other!!!).

EXO For Life - Winter Special Album, 2016

Honestly wtf is wrong with me when it comes to listening to Christmas albums in any month that is not December???  Granted, this isn't really a Christmas album, but it's a Winter album, so close enough?  I've denied up until now that I'm an EXO-L, but I've finally embraced my true self (most because PCY took my life so suddenly and unexpectedly) and come to terms with the fact that I am an EXO-L, I mean like, I've been there since they've debuted, check out the date on this photo (a long ass time ago)...

But anyways, I remember listening to For Life back when it came out in December, and bawling my eyes out because it's so beautiful, but I recently rediscovered it and again, spent some time bawling because IT'S JUST THAT GOOD.  I feel like it's wrong of me to talk about it in April (or May since today is actually May 1st lol) but I honestly don't care about anything anymore, unless of course you're Park Chanyeol or like dessert or something, but ya.  Give it a listen and your heart will be moved, especially by Twenty Four (don't @ me).  My favorite song from the album is For Life of course.  Falling For You is also one of my faves (I didn't know where to put these two sentences, I know it's abrupt, I'm sorry).  The Chinese versions of the songs are good too!!! But I prefer the Korean versions, sorry to my Chinese heritage lol. (also like these fine ass pics of my boys like dang wow)

(Title Link is for purchase on iTunes)

Listen on Spotify!

And that, my friends, is my Monthly Obsessions for April 2017!  I'm sorry there aren't a lot of things this month, but I hope I wrote more and it sufficed, if not whatevs, like I said earlier I don't care lol. As always, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed!  See you beauties next time!

Also shoutout to my friend Tigo who apparently really loves these Monthly Obsessions posts lmao

With Love,
Caitlyn <3