Anna Oh

My Favorite Nude Lipsticks for Every Occasion and Budget

May 2nd, 2016 by Anna Oh 22 Comments

ysl rouge volupte 3 beige ultimate maybelline nude lust — An old favorite nude lipstick, and a new favorite nude lipstick: YSL Rouge Volupte, and Maybelline Color Sensational

I’m going to guess that you’re like me and LOVE peeking into someone else’s makeup bag. Well, no need to ask, because today I’m going to share my go-to nude lipsticks. I always have these on hand. They’re my good luck charms, like my Tide to Go (because I’m too lazy to reapply dark lip colors after eating), and these will work for beauty lovers of every budget, yay!

Marcella will also be sharing her nude lipstick favorites in another post, and I can’t wait to see what she picks for hers.

For work: YSL Rouge Volupte “3 Beige Ultimate”

So this one is actually a good luck charm for me. I’ve worn this to every job interview, and so far I’ve had a 100% success rate with it!

I’m half-kidding because I haven’t had THAT many full-time job interviews, but I usually wear a long fitted black blazer with some smart pleated pants with this beauty of a lipstick in my pocket. It’s the YSL Rouge Volupte Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick in Beige Ultimate ($37). Even at that price point, I don’t think this lipstick disappoints. Heavy golden metal, not-too-sweet-watermelon scent, and amazing pigmentation in one swipe.

Infused with oils, it sits comfortably on my lips, and I barely notice I’m wearing it while talking to friends and interviewers alike. YSL wins the award for my top luxury lip choice.

For play: Maybelline The Buffs “Nude Lust”

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From One Artist to Another: An Overview of the Kiko SS16 “The Artist” Collection

April 27th, 2016 by Anna Oh 15 Comments

kiko face chart — Kiko “The Artist” Collection Face. (I made a download available of a full face chart below.)

Kiko Milano is one of my favorite beauty brands because they create such superb products at nominal prices. I first heard about them through a friend who had traveled to Italy, and I’m excited to see their stores popping up stateside! Now I don’t see a Kiko store coming to my neck of the woods in Atlanta anytime soon, but ordering online makes it just as easy.

For spring 2016, Kiko presents “The Artist” — a limited edition collection to inspire you to become a canvas of your own. The packaging is minimal and clean and was inspired by an artists’s tools. I’m pleasantly surprised by the attention to detail.

kiko artist foundation brush — The Artist Foundation Brush ($15)

kiko artist glacial light soft sifter foundation — Kiko Artist Glacial Light Soft Sifter Foundation ($15)

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First Impressions of the Cheap and Chic H&M Beauty Line

April 25th, 2016 by Anna Oh 10 Comments

h&m beauty

h&m beauty face

With tons of luxury fashion brands already in the beauty market, H&M is mixing it up with their own huge and affordable makeup line — H&M Beauty. It’s available online and in certain stores, but shopping at H&M is like a retail black hole… What did I come here looking for?? When did it get so dark outside?? The Beauty Line is no different. There are hundreds of products to look through! Luckily enough, I have an eyeshadow palette, blush, and lipstick to try out and share for you.

hm aubergine dream eyeshadow palette — H&M Aubergine Dream Eyeshadow Palette ($9.99)

hm rambling rose lipstick — H&M Cream Lipstick in Rambling Rose ($9.99)

hm golden peach blush — H&M Pressed Powder Blush in Golden Peach ($9.99)

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OCC Spring/Summer 2016 Magnetic Fields Collection Lip Tars: Florals With a Psychedelic Twist

April 21st, 2016 by Anna Oh 12 Comments

This is not news to anyone, but Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics is crazy.

To be specific: crazy cool, crazy passionate, and crazy aspirational.

OCC is one of the most notable brands pushing the limits of color and expression all while being 100% vegan and cruelty-free. And you’ve probably heard of or seen the Lip Tars. Now repackaged in a standard lipgloss tube, they’ve been made even more convenient for…whenever you want green lips!

For Spring/Summer 2016, OCC has taken the idea of the ubiquitous bright lip and mixed it with a psychedelic palette. This is the Magnetic Fields Colour Collection ($16 each), and there are 3 new solid colors plus 3 new iridescent metallics that can be mixed or used individually.

lip-tar-magnetic-fields-artifact — Wearing Artifact OCC Lip Tar

lip tar magnetic fields ss16 — OCC Lip Tar Magnetic Fields: Magnolia, Lily, Wasabi, Artifact, Rime, Indrid

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The MAC Future MAC Collection: A Closer Look at the Mineralize Rich Lipsticks and Glasses

April 15th, 2016 by Anna Oh 16 Comments

Mineralize Rich lipsticks future mac collection — (L-R) MAC Mineralize Rich Lipsticks in Cybernaut, Supernova, Ionized, Metafabulous, Touch the Earth

Hi everyone!

I’m still unpacking from our recent move (I know…I’m ON IT), and I’ve had limited access to my art supplies and even internet. But I am reading and enjoying all of your wonderful comments, and I can’t wait to get back in the illustration groove soon!

In the meantime, I thought I’d give a closer look at the new lip products in the Future MAC collection (which is available now).

Future MAC collection Mineralize Rich Lipsticks

supernova future mac lipstick — Future MAC Mineralize Lipstick in Supernova

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Unsung Makeup Heroes: Kat Von D Metal Crush “Thunderstruck” Eyeshadow

April 14th, 2016 by Anna Oh 17 Comments

The long-running Unsung Heroes series here on Makeup and Beauty Blog features some of our all-time favorite permanent collection products.

Hi everyone!

Now, as someone who has a weakness for color, eyeshadows are very dangerous territory for me.

I’m a total neutral lover and, as of quite recently, a color lover too…unfortunately for my wallet. I usually try to buy my eyeshadows in palettes or sets (like the Make Up For Ever shadows) to save money, but every now and then, there are some singles that I can’t be alive without.

(Ummm…this would include eyeshadows like Rose Gold by Ardency Inn and Pretentious by Makeup Geek.)

And one of my FAVORITES of those is Kat Von D Metal Crush Eyeshadow in Thunderstruck ($21).

I first found out about it on Kat Von D’s Instagram a couple months ago, because it was the #1 selling item (or maybe it was the #1 eyeshadow?) at Sephora. I honestly didn’t really need any more convincing at that point, but after some research, I saw that people were using it as a highlighter, too, and then I REALLY didn’t need to be convinced anymore.

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Beauty on the Go: My Minimal 7-Product Face

April 13th, 2016 by Anna Oh 36 Comments

My Minimal Face Beauty Bag — My “Minimal Face” Beauty Bag

When it comes to beauty…and really anything…there’s nothing very “minimal” about me. I either go all the way, or not at all! When I’m shopping with my girlfriends, I’ll usually only leave the store with an iced coffee. But, I’m also that same person who will use my entire budget for one amazing jacket or shoe that “represents everything I believe in.” (Yes, I do say this every time I buy something, haha! I’m a very passionate shopper.)

So when I had to pack up my home and move within the week, you can bet I used the least amount of products possible. I grabbed my glasses and a few old and new favorites before getting to work! I even opted out of foundation because I knew I’d be sweating and wearing glasses, and nothing good comes out of that!

A little glow

Pixi Book of Beauty "Minimal Makeup" No-Makeup Makeup — Pixi Book of Beauty in Minimal Makeup

The main face product I grabbed, was the Pixi Book of Beauty in Minimal Makeup ($24), new for spring 2016. The size was perfect, and since I wasn’t adding much else to my face, I only needed a few colors that I could dust on quickly with a large brush.

Lately, I have been all about Pixi, and these Beauty Books have come in very handy.

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#UDforWomen: Urban Decay Primer Potion in Enigma Is Mysteriously Good

April 8th, 2016 by Anna Oh 14 Comments

anna oh ao illustration urban decay beauty — Illustration of the Urban Decay #UDforWomen Enigma Primer by Anna Oh

Hi everyone!

Urban Decay has released a limited edition shade of their Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($20) as a part of The Ultraviolet Edge — their global initiative to empower women.

Last year, Urban Decay donated $528,000 to global organizations that made possible literacy programs, microloans, and business training for women in need, and 100% of the purchase price of the new eyeshadow primer will be donated to fund more of these awesome programs.

The new primer potion, Enigma, is a pinky beige matte that blends out like a dream. If you’re familiar with the Original and Eden primer potions, Enigma has a very similar texture; it feels slick until patted down into the skin. The pink tone helps to conceal my eyelid pigmentation, and I especially love using it as a base for my purple eyeshadows.

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