Sunday, March 31, 2013

Travel Essentials






Happy Easter everyone! Today, I'm sitting on the deck of my family's condo in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. About to take off for mass but determined to fit in a wee little post.

I love taking peeks in everyone else's makeup bags, so I thought I'd show you whats going in mine. Nothing too new. Everything has been stripped back by the basic questions: If I eliminate this, will it throw everything off? If answered no, chuck it -- or save it for when you get back of course. I've also asked myself, is it lightweight, easy to apply, not too fussy, etc? If yes, then in it goes on a little journey to central America!

For a base, I chose Maybelline's BB Cream. It's the only one I've found that stays put, is lightweight and has enough coverage to just conceal a little bit. I couldn't leave home without my beloved under eye concealer by Bobbi Brown. I brought a sample size of a Jergen's face moisturizer that creates a natural glow. I'm all about the glow right now, so I'm bringing NARS Laguna and Douceur. I'm also chucking in my favorite MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle for a bit of shimmer, which can double as an eyeshadow! Some mascara, which I ended up changing out for one I'm currently testing... Nonetheless, I wanted a waterproof baby to stick on all day. And the easiest eyeshadow I could find, the Maybelline 24 hr Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze. A little product on the finger transfers like a dream to the eye, a blend here or there and you're done. The rest is self explanatory, some brushes for application and poof, we're done and ready to go.

I hope you're having a wonderful Easter and Spring Break!

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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Buxom | Dolly







The other day I was just feeling a bit... Lippie. I had no idea what to buy but I felt like spending. Being relatively comfortable with my foundation routine (and not willing to spend $40 on anything worth trying), I reach for the next best thing. I reached out to my step mom, who I had recently had lunch with, and asked her what type of lipgloss she used. She often applies after dinners out together and I'd always thought it looked so glamorous. I wanted to get back into lipgloss, and wanted to test out a product that was completely new.

Buxom is a part of the Bare Escentuals line that focuses on plumping naturally and bringing out your best natural features. I chose one called Dolly, a slightly shimmery muted plum. On the lips, it brings the most gorgeous natural finish with just a hint of color. The actual lipgloss may make your lips tingle a bit as its supposed to help plump just a tad.

At $19, it's a stinger but not as bad as my recent Chanel purchase... You win some you lose some and with these brands, it's always a bit of both.

P.S. This is my 100th post. Thanks for your support :)

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Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Chanel | 54 Boy






This is it... My first Chanel lipstick has been chosen. This is the beginning of the transition from girl to lady. And I've picked the one called "Boy" .... How fitting.

I wanted a practical, every day worthy lipstick that I can wear with any outfit, makeup, hair style, etc. At first, I reached for the more matte, long lasting ones but realized that I prefer reapplication over dried out chapped lips. With the help of my dear friend Denita (she's helped me over five times... we exchanged cards- ha!) I picked out a Rouge Coco Shine in 54 Boy. Denita said it was the most featured in their ads and is perfect with my skin tone. At $34, it is pricey but there's something about the click and twist, the perfect gold and black packaging in front of envious eyes that makes it all worth it.

What was your first Chanel purchase?

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Saturday, March 23, 2013

NARS Laguna





Oh dear, it's been a while hasn't it? Once you get outta the groove, it just happens... I'm back with a bronzey little friend.

While browsing Sephora with a gift card in hand, I was lost in what to buy... A new eyeshadow that will probably sit in the back of my drawers? A foundation that doesn't quite match my skintone and gathers dust behind a few books? Not this time. I've landed in the NARS Laguna territory. The brand known for fantastic cheek colors, this is no exception. I've never truly been into bronzers and I'd go as far as to say this is the first one I can actually pull off, without looking like an oompa loompa. Too heavy of a hand however and you've turned into a true Snooki.

A diffused brown with the tiniest bit of golden shimmer -- which doesn't show up on the face -- casts the most natural glow. Used in the contours, it gives me a bit of a cheekbone, a lacking feature I try to make up for. The packaging is the classic rubbery stuff that is ruined within a moment, with a thumb print straight across the front, but you know, I actually really like it. Makeup gets a little messy sometimes, and it's okay. However I know it's a hit and miss type thing. For me, it's outta the ballpark.

I expect this to last me as least a year or more -- that's what I get from one of their smaller blushers. Overall, I'm happy I remembered to pick this up and will most likely be repurchasing it in the future. It's a must have for a glowy, contoured spring-summer skin.

What's your go-to bronzer? Any recommendations?

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Friday, March 15, 2013

To The Max





Dress: california flea market
Shoes: Aldo
Cardigan: J. Crew
Nail polish: Essie's Snap Happy

Nothing special, just a whole lotta excitement about finding a maxi dress that doesn't make my butt look like a lump of fat and compliments my small chest. And just in time for spring... :)

And have you heard? Google Friend Connect will most likely be closing on July 2nd, so if you follow me there, have a whirl at bloglovin. Personally, it's how I love to read blogs. Organized and efficient. 

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

L'Oreal | Voluminous Million Lashes



I don't believe that I've ever done a true mascara review before... Just here and there's, oh yeah, I like this one. You know how that goes. But I think I've found the one that checks off every box in my list. Longevity? Decent. Lengthening? Fabulous. And who can argue with a $7 price point? It's got my cheap little heart singing its praises to all my friends and getting compliments up the yahoo, which is never a bad thing. One thing about it that I love is the ease that comes with application. Some mascaras you really have to work with to get your desired effect. Not this one.

What do you think? Favorite mascara?

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Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Essie | Avenue Maintain



As always, I've reverted to my old ways and stooped to pick out an Essie color from their spring collection. I promised myself only one and this is what I ended up with. It's described with words such as "parisian" "chic" and "fashionably adroit" -- whatever that one means. I've found myself staring at my nails all day. I filed down my nails quite a bit and with a few slicks of this, a fresh foil, and a mini chop I feel like a whole new girl. A sixteen day hospital stay really can make you feel that way. Brand new. Rejuvenated. And I didn't even need to go to rehab! (Score.)

A formula that's to die for, and a price point that you can't really argue with, Essie continues to be my favorite brand. Definitely the accessibility of their varnishes help to sell them to me, but they're relatively cheap and last a significant amount of time.

Have you picked any new spring favorites? Look out for a whole post dedicated to shopping my stash - as they say - to find some new colors...

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