Moroccan Argan Oil by organix

I had experimented a bit with oils before this but nothing hit home like this one did. An oil that spruces up your hair, adds moisture back to dry skin and works well as a cuticle fixer-upper.... for $8? Too good to be true. And while that may be the case, that not everything in the bottle is pure 100% argan oil, it works swell enough for me not to be bothered not having the $50 half the size thing in my hand.

A little in the ends of my hair gives great shine and moisture but too much and I've ended up looking like a grease monster. Had to learn that the hard way. However, I've found I like it much more for it's moisture it gives me. A bit on my face each night and sometimes in the morning, it gives a great base for a solid moisturizer to go on. Doesn't make me face greasy, or cause foundation to fade. I think I've really found a steal, ladies and gentleman. Now I'm interested.... What other oils can I get drawn into? Body, face, bath, shower... The possibilities are endless, really.

twitter
instagram
bloglovin'

Essie | Bikini So Teeny

So fitting for where I am right now, a polish thats as bright and blue as the sky's here in Mexico and a name that is so great... Cause oh yes, I've seen a few bikini's too teeny. I've never been able to find this before in stores so when I saw that Walgreen's had updated their Essie collection, I had to steal it. I absolutely love it. So bright, so fun. Perfect for spring!

twitter
instagram
bloglovin'

A Tribute To My Favorite Pants

I am so infatuated with these pants. At $22 from Buffalo Exchange (a local beauty of a thriftshop on University Avenue in Seattle) it was love at first site... I paired with my favorite Steve Madden sandals and an old silk shirt of my sisters. A cropped cardigan works to my advantage and highlights my waist, as do the pants.

twitter

instagram

bloglovin'

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!

twitter
instagram
bloglovin'

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 :)

twitter
instagram
bloglovin'

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?

twitter
instagram
bloglovin'

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?

twitter
instagram
bloglovin'