Peyton Piranha and the Holy Grail

I wanted to make a Monty Python reference and embarrass myself by bringing up my s00p3r sc3ne kw33n self-made nickname from middle school, so here we are. Cheesiest title ever? Probably not. It's all downhill from here. I'm so, so sorry for the number of bad puns that will happen during the existence of this blog.

Anywho, to kick off this new beauty-tastic project, I figured it would be best to establish my holy grail products. This is all stuff I've been using for a year or longer and I don't consider to be apart of a stylish phase (hence the lack of glitter). Let's actually get started.

(Some of the stuff pictured I was like, "Wait, but this doesn't actually fit my definition of holy grail. Whoops," so that's why there's not a blurb on some of these.)

E.L.F. Clear Mascara/Brow Gel: $1

This stuff is the bomb. It keeps your eyebrows in place forever and makes it easy to shape your brows before filling them in. I see no need to shell out $15 for a brow gel from MAC when this stuff exists for a buck.

Urban Decay Primer Potion: $19

I'm a total bandwagoner on this one, but it's a really great product. I used to use MAC's Paint Pot in "Soft Ocre," but I found a coloured base isn't always appropriate. I find that a translucent base such as this is much more versatile. This stuff works flawlessly. It creates a smooth canvas for eyeshadows, makes colors appear brighter, and prevents creasing. 

Beauty Rush Minty Kiss Lip Shine (Not Pictured): $9

First of all: I despise lip gloss. It's sticky and ugly and I hate it. HOWEVER, this stuff is none of that. It's smooth and minty and tasty and perfect. Minty Kiss is a simple translucent gloss, so it can be worn on it's own or over any lip gloss to give a high fashion, high shine look. The scent/taste is a really pleasant sweeter mint. It tastes so wonderful and I feel like it freshens my breath. I've been using it for 3-4 years and it's the BOMB. If you don't own this, get on it.

Left to right: MAC Amorous, NARS Luster, MAC Wedge, MAC Blanc Type, MAC Nylon

MAC Lipstick in "Amorous": $15

My lipstick taste probably isn't every cup of tea, but whatever. Amorous is a dark pink with a fair amount of brown and plum in it. I would describe it as more of a "mature" colour due to the brown undertones. It's definitely a bold lip, but that's what I go for on a daily basis. I wear this every other day.

NARS Blush in "Luster": $28

On the Sephora website, Luster is described as an "apricot with golden shimmer," and I think that's pretty on point. On my pale skin, this lights up my complexion. The shimmer in it highlights my skin without making my skin look oily or gross throughout the day. It's a neutral blush, so it goes with any makeup look I could ever want to do. This is a staple, and any person with medium-pale skin needs it in their life.

MAC Eyeshadow in "Wedge"*: $15

My perfect brow colour. The pigmentation is solid but not overwhelming, and it's very buildable. It's the perfect shade for blending out colours. This shade is incredibly multi-purpose and as a result, I use it at least once a day.

MAC Eyeshadow in "Blanc Type"*: $15

This is basically The holy grail eyeshadow. This is pan #3, and I've hit pan. Blanc Type is a light matte shade that nears white, but has enough pink and creme in it to match my skintone. The texture is buttery smooth and it's highly pigmented. It can be applied directly over eye primer or base to help subsequent eyeshadows blend, used as a matte highlight to anchor a darker look, or put all over the lid for a natural look. This stuff is actually perfection.

OK THIS IS ALL, and loads more than necessary. I probably could've went without mentioning half of these, but I suppose I'll get better at getting lists down to the bare minimum as time goes on.

Thank you for surviving this long post!

~ Peyton ~

* Dupes for all of these can be found in the Wet 'N Wild "Vanity" palette! I personally prefer the consistency of the MAC shadows, but I'll use the dupes when I'm vacationing and whatnot.