A FOTD, a Mini-Tip, and the March Lemmings Board

 If I want a strong, flashy eye look that doesn't overwhelm my itty bitty eyes or take too much time, I reach for one of my Chanel Illusion d'Ombres. This is actually my second pot of Epatant, a khaki-silver shade so infamous and unique, I can spot it on a Chanel sales associate from a mile away.

I wanted to test out the ELF "dupes," which are called the Long-Lasting Lustrous eyeshadows. I'll do a full review soon, but the jury's out for now.

BASE: MAC Strobe Cream, MAC Face & Body foundation in N1 + White, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly, Dolce & Gabbana powder foundation in 50 Ivory, Skindinavia Setting Spray

EYES: Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow pencil in Seal Brown, Too Faced Shadow Insurance, L'oreal Voluminous mascara, Anastasia Clear Brow Gel, ELF Long-Lasting Lustrous eyeshadows in Celebration and Party, Clinique cream liner in Black, Wet n' Wild Mega Liner

CHEEKS: Cargo blush in Catalina, Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Pearl

LIPS: Urban Decay Revolution lipstick in Native

I've gotten some questions recently about how I get this really poreless, smooth look to my skin in photos. To be fair, part of it is that I have decent skin to begin with. But you'll notice that there are times when my skin still looks like skin, with some texture and a lot less luminance (see here and here). The thing is that those pictures are not utilizing one of my new favorite skincare tools for 2014: MAC Strobe Cream. I used it as a highlighter from time to time in my youth, but nowadays, I smear Strobe Cream all over my face and let it settle in before I apply my foundation.

Yes, I know, I'm probably getting the looks of horror. "But it's a highlighter!" Well, yeah, you can use it as a highlighter, and I definitely do...but it's advertised as a moisturizer. And in fact, it's a decent moisturizer; it definitely smooths out my dry skin and provides some hydration. I would never use it this way if I was going to tromp around outside in a Pennsylvania summer, but for a late winter photo? Yeeeeus, mama. If you have oilier skin, you could try the thinner MAC Strobe Lotion or an illuminating primer instead.

And now, the lemmings!

1. Face Stockholm cream blushes, $25 each at FaceStockholm.com -- Like many beauty bloggers, I was introduced to these gorgeous cream blushes by Drivol About Frivol. With bright shades and the promise of a pigmented, emollient formula? Honey, I am SOLD!

2. Wet n' Wild cream eyeshadow in Bleached, $2 at drugstores -- Why oh why must this be so hard to find at my local drugstores?! I'm not usually in to glitter, but this is multifaceted rainbow sparkles in a clear base! Just think of the gaudy things I could do with it!

3. Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm, $19 at Beauty.com -- Blame this one on Shameless Fripperies. I've got what I would consider my Holy Grail balms--Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream and Jack Black--and I need another lip product like I need a hole in the head. But she just made this guy sound like glory in a pot.

4. Bourjois cream blush in 01 Nude Velvet, $11.29 at ASOS -- I don't really know who to blame for this lemming, so I guess I'll just say that any new cream blush formula is going to tempt me and call it a day! Nude Velvet is particularly attractive to me because it looks like a nude blush I could actually wear: just enough peach, not too brown.

5. Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Canvas, $28 at Sephora -- Another nude. Who'd a thunk? But I love the Hourglass liquid lipstick formula, and I think this shade might work well for my sister's beach wedding in summer. Thoughts? Just how dark/beige is this shade?

6. MAC Lightful Softening Lotion, $32 at Nordstrom -- Recently, I went in to a bit of a panic on the MakeupAlley.com skincare board. I admitted that I have a rather bare-bones routine compared to many more knowledgeable bloggers, and I felt kind of silly and left-out because of it. Their advice? If it ain't broke, don't fix it, but some antioxidants can't hurt!