How do I feel about Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes? Hmm… Well, you know how much I like pink drinks, right? They’re delish! — but I don’t pump my fist in the air and say YAAASSS when I get one.
But I do when I get a PSL.
Also, even though I went through an intense green tea latte phase last year, ultimately, I could take or leave ’em. But the Pumpkin Spice Latte. THE PSL! It’s my most favorite drink at Starbucks, and it always has been, from even before I started wearing this tank top 24/7.
Despite the forecast calling for 80-degree temps here, I’m bubbling over with PSL excitement! I got the fever bad, so I channeled it into this PSL-inspired makeup look. ? Then, I went to Starbucks and ordered a special version of the PSL based on this recipe from The Macrobarista on Instagram.
He’s a Starbucks barista who makes healthy-ish versions of Starbucks drinks.
He calls this refreshing version the Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte, and it has all the spicy sweetness of the standard PSL, but (according to The Macrobarista) it’s only 90 calories with about 11 grams of sugar.
To make my life easier, I took a screenshot of his “recipe” on my phone and held it up to the cashier at Starbucks so he could type it in. ?
Now, about the makeup, my friend, this was the first “LEWK” I’ve done in a minute (been doing a lot of one shade of taupe on my lids with mascara, NARS Orgasm lip balm, and nothing on my skin). Needless to say, I felt like I was wearing everything and the kitchen sink.
But it was fun, and in the process I found some new things to love.
The Urban Decay Elements Eyeshadow Palette ($52, available meow)
Urban Decay is the place to be right now when you find yourself overcome with urge to wear warm orange-y earth tones and bejeweled sparkle.
I give them props for not straying far from what works for them — warm orange-y browns and jewel tones. And there are so many jewel tones in this palette, and so many cool finishes — glitters, foils, standard-issues shimmers, frosts, and even a sparkly “transformer” shade (in the center) that turns other shadows into duochromes when you layer it on top of them.
The shadows I wore to channel my pumpkin spice daydreams — warm orange brown Elemental, hot pink Dream Weaver, dark burgundy Fire Starter, bronze Volcanic and glittery Fools Gold — had mostly standard-issue UD fallout. It’s noticeable but not annoying. Overall, lots of pigment and very easy blending.
Unexpectedly, my sensitive eyes didn’t water at all — NOT ONE BIT! — when I put on that pink, red, burgundy and purple, and I can’t always wear those shades, especially reds and purples, because most makeup brand formulas of those shades irritate my eyes. But these don’t.
MAC Studio Fix Sculpt and Shape Contour Palette in Light/Medium ($39.50)
I also used the MAC Studio Fix Sculpt and Shape Contour Palette in Light/Medium in this look, and about that, now that I’m officially knee-deep into my 40s, I rarely feel the urge to chisel out my cheekbones, because those harder edges add more than a few extra years… Nowadays, I like a softer, rounded look, which is why I’m surprised that I keep reaching for this new MAC palette of face powders for contouring, bronzing and highlighting.
The three darker powders in Taupe, Sculpt and Bone Beige have subtle, warm undertones, which takes the usual harsh contour edge off them.
I’m wearing a mix of Taupe and Sculpt on my cheekbones, with a light dusting of NARS Amour blush on top.
I love the effect. You can totally *see* that I’m rocking some cheek color, but it’s not overpowering.
MAC The Blonds Lipstick in Davidblond ($21)
This limited edition Lustre Lisptick is a collaboration with fashion brand The Blonds. It’s a medium pink with subtle golden glitter, and it’ll set your world ablaze if you’re all about delicate, dainty neutral pinks.
I like to lightly line and fill in my lips with reddish brown MAC Boldly Bare Lip Pencil (which is what I’m wearing in these pics) beforehand for richer, deeper color.
MAC The Blonds MAC Magic Dust Powder ($41)
I’m only wearing a faint essence of this mirror-like golden highlighter down the bridge of my nose, in the inner corners of my eyes and on my upper cheekbones, because it’s HELLA pigmented.
This is another LE item from The Blonds launch, and it’s sold out on the MAC website right now, but heads up — it’s still available online at Nordstrom.
Pumpkin spice forever! ?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
You’re makeup is beautiful! Very pumpkin-y! I’m gonna have to try that version of PSL, except I like mine hot!
The Macrobarista has some hot drink options too! I’ll let you know if I find one that’s good.
I never had a pumpkin spice latte in my whole life. I don’t like coffee, and I am not aware of any non-coffee alternatives they offer.
Maybe a chai?
I love this look – I’m always a sucker for the reds. 🙂 The Hubs is with you on PS everything. Have you seen that Pillbury has Pumpkin Spice rolls? They’re like cinnamon rolls in the can, but they’re pumpkin spice flavor. It’s pumpkin everything in our grocery store right now. 🙂
I haven’t! I hope TJs will have a knock off version of it soon though, ha!
I can’t remember if you like pumpkin spice or not?
I do! It’s one of my faves but I have a hard time with Starbucks coffee. It’s just way too strong for me – I feel like I’m drinking acid. 🙂 I’m sure the lattes are a different story, so I’m not ruling them out. I’m more of a DD girl, though. I like my coffee the way I like my BB creams. Smoooooth. 😉
No, I totally get that! I rarely drink their regular coffees because I end up diluting so much of it. Their lattes though are mild and smooth. 🙂
You know what I think you’d like? Kona coffee! It’s very mild.
I’m going to try a latte, then. 🙂
I think we may have had some Kona coffee when we were in Kona! It was smooth and very good. I’ll have to ask the Hubs if he remembers, but I’m pretty sure those were the packets in the room because I remember saying that Kona was famous for coffee. We should definitely go back, just to be sure. HAHA!
Love this look! I just picked up the Pure Passions palette from Milani and this eye look totally has the same vibe as the palette. I’m looking forward to experimenting with more cranberry and warm-toned looks this fall.
Hi Kristen,
Cranberry isn’t usually my first choice but I’ve grown to like it. 🙂 Milani has some good stuff!
Have you stumbled onto any other good makeup lately?
I finally bought a tube of the L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Mascara and I’m loving it! I had heard so many good things about it and I’m kicking myself for waiting so long to try it. I also picked up a couple Catrice brow pencils after reading they’re dupes for the Benefit brow pencils and I’m liking those too so far.
I only tried a pumpkin spice latte once, when I visited the States & Canada about 10 years ago. I wasn’t really into it tbh (feels like sacrilege to say on this site, but I don’t really like Starbucks).
I do love a good chai latte, and since I live near Melbourne there’s lots of good independent coffee shops near me. Melbourne is Australia’s big coffee snob city lol.
Never had a PSL and I never will. All I can say is, why ruin a perfectly good cup of coffee by making it pumpkin spice something or other?
And for the record I only drink Starbucks when I’m on the road and can’t find any other coffee options.
The colors in that UD palette look intriguing. But I find the round shape rather bulky. The original Naked is still my all time favorite palette. Sigh. And now it’s gone.
Hooray for Fall drinks and makeup looks! You look fabulous. sometimes we beleagured moms need to wear everything and the kitchen sink. Even if we are just going to drop the kid off at school and run to the grocery store. PSLs don’t hold sway the way they used to with me- I am waiting for the other holiday drinks to drop. I read there is a Chile Mocha, can’t wait to try that one… and I am with you on the Pink Drink! I love those things to pieces. Glad they are not seasonal. PS that NARS Orgasm Lip Balm is fab! I am hooked.
I have that NARS Lip Balm with me 24/7! Gonna be a sad day when it finally runs out. 🙂
Drooling over your eye look! You are glowing! I WISH I could get away with a shimmer in my crease. I have very hooded eyes and my crease is hardly viable. Speaking of, what tricks or techniques do you know of to help prevent transfer or “muddy” colors from lid to crease? Anything?
Love the eyeshadow look! I’m going to copy this!
Oh, sweet! I really hope you try it and then send me a pic. 🙂 Would love to see it on ya.
Oh and agreed, I love eeeeverythang pumpkin spice! (Except candles, just don’t like that scent in candles). I got a sample mask kit from Thomas Roth and there’s a pumpkin enzyme mask. OMG I was craving pumpkin pie the whole time wearing it LOL. It was soooo yummy. I wanted to eat it haha.
I would be too, Miki! You know what I’m craving now? Pumpkin cheesecake!