My Beauty Musings

Haul: Ulta & BBW

2011-07-12T08:24:00.001-07:00

Skincare Routine!

2011-07-01T11:14:00.000-07:00

June Favorites

2011-06-29T13:01:00.000-07:00

Recent Reading Material

2010-12-17T08:25:00.000-08:00

This post is in no way beauty related. I recently came across a list of 100 books that you should read at some point in your life (some are series of books, so the total comes to over 100). I love to read and have a small library worth of books, so when I came across the list I naturally had to read everything on it. I have already read nearly a quarter of the books on the list, and have about six that I intend to finish before the new year. (As it is already December 17th, I have to get cracking!)

The ones I am finishing up in the next week and a half are:

I am already half way through Jane Eyre and love it so much, I can't wait to see the new screen adaptation of it. I am a quick reader, but may need some luck finishing all these what with the holidays taking of most of my time. If anyone is interested, I'll post the list of books. Just let me know :)

Wish me luck!

xoxo

Presents!

2010-12-10T15:48:00.000-08:00

So when Sephora sends out their annual Beauty Insider $15 gift cards, I try to make the most of them. The holidays are a time when my wallet is stretched really tight because of all the Christmas shopping I do for others. Although I have a list a mile long of beauty products I'd love to try, I restrain myself. Here is where the gift card comes in!

While the gift card states there is a minimum purchase of $40 in order to redeem it, if you redeem it online, there is no minimum purchase! What I ended up doing was finding a product that was just $10 on the Sephora website, and once combined with shipping costs (which the gift card covers! score!) and tax my total came out to only $1.93! Luckily enough for me, my sister passed her gift card along to me, so I was able to purchase another $10 item. Below are my purchases:

(Excuse the crappy Blackberry pics!)

What I ended up with:

Stila Adventurous in Aspen palette which includes 4 shadows: Snow Angel, Icicles, Glisten and Ajax and a convertible color in Rosy.
Nars lip gloss in All Night Long
Mini Makeup Forever HD powder
Mini Bobbi Brown lip gloss in Crystal
NUDE Advanced Probiotic Skincare samples
Narciso Rodriguez "Essence" perfume sample
Gucci "Flora" perfume sample
Stile one step primecolor in Bronze Babe sample
Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturizer sample
Ojon Hair Restorative Hair Treatment sample

For a total of $3.86, I think I did pretty well!

What did you get with your Sephora gift card?

xoxo

In & Out

2010-12-07T18:31:00.000-08:00

In:

- Christmas! I feel so festive around this time of year. I decorated the tree all by myself and just finished making gingerbread cookies for the children I babysit for.

- Tea. I've never been a tea person, but lately its just so cozy to be snuggled up under a blanket with a book and a warm cup of tea. The fact that its good for you is just an added bonus :)

- Being healthy. I've been trying to eat healthier since Thanksgiving left me feeling so lethargic. But I love cooking and I certainly love feeling healthy, so I've been coming up with healthy recipes to fight off that dreaded holiday weight gain.

- Glowy makeup. I watched MakeUpByTiffanyD's youtube tutorial on this years Victoria's Secret fashion show and have been recreating that look almost everyday since she posted it!

- Candles. I am absolutely in love with the large candles from Bath & Body. My favorites are seasonal - boo! The two I love are called Leaves and Winter Candy Apple. I am constantly burning one of these.

Out:

- Friends that disappoint. Pretty self explanatory.

- Stress. Holiday stress, school stress, work stress. It's all a big OUT.

xoxo

Masquerade

2010-11-20T14:26:00.000-08:00

For years now my favorite part of Halloween has been to sit home and hand out candy to children. I know most people my own age prefer to get dressed up and go out (which I tried last year!), but I much prefer watching children run up my porch steps eagerly anticipating candy all the while dressed as funny/cute/frightening characters.

My sister was forced to get dressed up as she had a Halloween party she was required to be at for work. Surprise, surprise I was the one to do her make-up! She looked gorgeous but it made me a bit nostalgic for dressing up. Because it was already late, and impractical to get a costume just to hand out candy, I decided to draw a mask on my face. It was incredibly simple, took 15 minutes and only used a few products. While this post is probably late in the game, I just thought I'd share it with you :)

(pardon the funny expressions and quality - that's Photobooth for you)

Most of the children that came to the door asked if I could draw a mask for them too!

Let me know what you think!

xoxo

My First Youtube Video!

2010-08-04T17:14:00.000-07:00

Hello girls! This is my first attempt at a youtube video. Let me know what you think

xoxo

My apologies..

2010-05-05T20:38:00.000-07:00

Ladies--

I know I said over a month ago that I'd be getting back into the swing of things, but exams got the best of me. I'll be done with school in exactly one week, so expect a post then!

See you all soon!

xoxo

I'M BACK!

2010-03-20T12:03:00.000-07:00

Hello ladies! Please excuse my extended absence. I have no real excuse other than that I have been totally uninspired personally to blog and I have been kept quite busy with school and work. But just because I haven't been blogging, that doesn't mean I have stayed away from blogger. I have spent this time reading reviews, FOTDs, and hauls and given the warm change in the weather, I have decided to jump back into the habit of blogging. Keep a look out--I have quite a few posts planned!

Missed you all loads!

xoxo

Pick of the Day

2009-12-09T12:03:00.000-08:00

I'd like to introduce you to one of my favorite beauty bloggers--shakespeareandstilettos

I have been following her for a short while and can honestly say that I look forward to seeing her new posts in my dashboard. Aside from being a wonderful writer, she posts some great reviews and beautiful FOTD's. In addition to all she provides to the blogging world, she's also having a fantastic giveaway that ends today!

shakespeareandstilettos giveaway

Take a look at her blog and you'll see what I'm raving about!

Christmas Giveaway

2009-11-25T07:52:00.000-08:00

Hey ladies,

One of my favorite new bloggers is having an awesome Christmas giveaway! Check out her blog...I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do! I Heart Cosmetics

xoxo

Lipstick Rules

2009-09-29T21:14:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite bloggers, Lipstick Rules, is having a Reader Appreciation Contest! Michelle is such an incredible writer and has some incredible reviews. She's also a mommy and a makeup obsessive (as we all are!). Be sure to check out her blog--I dare you not to love and follow her!

www.lipstickrules.com

NOTD

2009-09-26T21:45:00.000-07:00

So ladies..

I have jumped on the matte bandwagon. I've been wanting to find the OPI or Essie matte finish polishes, but I just have not been able to get my hands on them. As I was perusing the mall today, I wandered into a terrible, tacky shoe store...that just happened to have a wall of makeup and nail polish. I picked up a few things, including this black matte polish by L.A. Girls. I had never heard of them, but for $2, you really can't go wrong! I decided to make the tips glossy, a la Kim Kardashian. I think it came out well. What about you?

xoxo

Uh oh...

2009-09-25T23:03:00.001-07:00

I did it again...

Someone's having a giveaway....

2009-09-24T10:37:00.000-07:00

Check out http://missmercurylady.blogspot.com/ . She is adorable and has some great hauls! She is having her very first give away. Take a look!

xoxo

Maybelline Pulse Perfection

2009-09-10T11:39:00.000-07:00

I recently tried Maybelline's Pulse Perfection mascara and had high hopes for it. It is likened to the Lancome Oscillation but without the hefty price tag. While at $15, it is expensive for a drugstore mascara, it is far less than the $34 you'd have to shell out for Lancome. I have been interested in trying Oscillation for quite a while and thought if Pulse Perfection was any good, I'd try out the more expensive version. I usually like my mascaras as black as I can get them, so I opted for Blackest Black.

The Maybelline website says:

It’s our first vibrating mascara. Transforms your lashes to perfection.

Patent-pending elastomer brush vibrates 7,000 times per stroke
Provides clump-free definition, intense color, and shine
Waterproof; also available in washable formula
Builds lash volume, length, and adds curl
Buildable formula
Ideal for All Skin Types
Contact lens safe

My thoughts on this product were not as glittering as their own review. I really wanted to love it--I even prepared myself before buying with plenty of reviews. While it did lengthen my lashes, it made them clump together and look spidery. Not an attractive look. It had a very wet formulation that took ages to dry. I tried applying it by way of the directions from the Maybelline website and I tried different tips from bloggers and youtubers. Unfortunately nothing worked for me. In fact, the reason I don't have pictures of my own tube is because I went back to the drugstore and returned it within the day. A product must really stink for me to run back to return it. If this is anything like Lancome Oscillation, I'd rather save my money.

London Calling...

2009-08-17T22:15:00.001-07:00

My brother just got back from a little vacation to Paris and London visiting family. Before I wished him bon voyage, I made a little list of goodies I wanted. Being a man, he forgot some bits and complained about the male shop assistant in Superdrug giving him the eye while he perused the makeup aisles. But big brother did come through for me!

Barry M Dazzle Dusts: 51 (Mushroom), 03 (Pink/Gold), 39 (Tan), 89 (Oyster Grey), 98 (Petrol Black), 88 (Winter Berry)

Barry M Lip Paint: 101 (Marshmellow)

They are lovely and so pigmented! The swatches below are with NO base. I was quite impressed with how easily they blend into one another and into other shadows.

One of my cousins sent me a little gift over from London as she knows how much I love makeup. She sent me a YSL Rouge Volupte in #2 (I'm not sure of the name). Funnily enough, it was something I had spotted at a counter recently, but I couldn't justify the price tag. I also got some lovely smelling candles (thanks Natty!).

Above: YSL Rouge Volupte #2

Below: Barry M Lip Paint 101

I also got a couple of Nail Paints in Navy and Grey. They are both lovely fall colors and I can't wait to try them out.

Fancy Days

2009-08-17T22:11:00.000-07:00

I went to a friends wedding this weekend and thought I'd share a photo of what I wore and how I did my makeup. I don't remember the exact products used, but its a pretty simple look. I also did a friends hair and makeup but I haven't gotten her photos yet. This photo is after a few glasses of wine, so don't mind the odd glow!

xoxo

NOTD

2009-08-17T22:07:00.000-07:00

This is actually from a few days ago, but my nails are still holding up pretty well.

Essie's Berry Hard

xoxo

Mineral Makeup

2009-07-31T19:04:00.000-07:00

In the past, I used Bare Minerals foundation--it was the only mineral makeup I had ever tried and I loved the effect it gave my skin. It never left my skin with an unnatural caked-in-foundation appearance and I was amazed that mineral foundation could give me such a great coverage. My only gripe was their color selection. I was between Fair and Fairly Light but found that they both had yellow undertones, while my skin has pink undertones. The yellow made me look a bit sickly, but I usually corrected the situation with blush and bronzer (which I always hate having to do).

That wasn't the biggest problem with it or the reason that I ultimately stopped using it. After a while, I realized that my skin started to itch. I hadn't really noticed it before because my skin usually felt itchy (dryness, yuck!). It was only when I started using a liquid foundation that I noticed the itching stopped. It got to the point where I couldn't stand it anymore, so I tossed out everything I had from that line--including the ridiculously scratchy brushes.

Because of this, I haven't been too keen on using mineral foundations, blushes...anything. Recently, though, I have been remembering the lovely luminous effect my skin had then and I want it again. The Bare Minerals fiasco, as I like to call it, scared me from trying similar products. So my question to you is, which mineral makeup brands do you favor? I'd love to hear your recommendations as I trust the judgement of this community!

xoxo

Mini Rant

2009-07-23T18:18:00.000-07:00

I am not usually that disappointed with products I purchase because, generally, I research them before I get them. Most recently, I regret Revlon's Tropical Temptation nail polish. It has been on everyone's must have list for this summer and has gotten rave reviews. It is a gorgeous coral color that really pops on the nails. After it dried during my initial application, I noticed dozens of tiny air bubbles in the lacquer itself. I attributed it to my being anxious and not giving each coat enough time to dry. I tried a second time and got the same result. Yesterday I thought I would give it one last try. After each individual coat (a base coast, two coats of color, and a top coat) I waited almost fifteen minutes for it to dry. It took nearly an hour-I really wanted to beat those air bubbles! At first, I felt victorious as I didn't see any of the all too familiar bubbles. It was only about twenty minutes after I had finished that I looked down to check the state of my nails that I noticed the bubbles had returned.

I have never had a problem like this before and I do my nails twice a week. Since I have tried multiple times and multiple ways, I can now blame it on the polish itself. Has anyone else had this problem?

xoxo

Estee Lauder

2009-07-23T17:41:00.001-07:00

For as long as I can remember, my mom has been an Estee Lauder fan. While some people dislike the dated packaging, it feels normal and comfortable to me. Rifling through her makeup collection as a child, I recognized the difference between its quality and that of its lower end counterparts. Nobody can dispute that Estee Lauder makes some high quality makeup. I have a little collection of it, myself. I've only recently started using some products from their skin care range. I still don't use anything but drugstore cleanser (I just can't justify spending loads on something that I can get for so much cheaper which gives me the same result). I also still use my Lancome Bi-Facil eye makeup remover, but recently I have started with Estee Lauder's Take It Away Total Makeup Remover.

The product details: Quickly and gently removes all makeup, even long-wear or waterproof formulas. Unique water-based creme-gel refreshes you with a crisp herbal citrus scent. Rinses away easily and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth with no greasy afterfeel or oily residue. 6.7 oz $22 USD

It removes every bit of makeup from your face. That was the main draw for me--not having to use a separate remover or extra cleanser for my face. I need about five pumps or so to cover my entire face and I just apply it to dry skin and massage. It melts the makeup off your face and since it is water based, it doesn't leave you feeling oily or heavy. I must warn anybody that is sensitive to scents, though, that this product is extremely fragrant. It is citrusy, as Estee Lauder promises, but the first time I applied it I felt like I had been kicked in the face with a lemon. After the initial shock, it didn't bother me. This is still only the first step in any skincare regime. I follow, usually, with a cream based cleanser (as my skin is so dry). After washing my face, I use Estee Lauder's Perfectly Clean Fresh Balancing Lotion.

Product details: This revitalizing toning lotion conditions and rebalances skin, leaving it feeling fresh, smooth. Primes skin to achieve maximum results from the skincare that follows.6.7 oz $19.50 USD

This was made for normal/combination skin and, as we all know, my skin is terribly dry. It was actually my mom's but

since she decided she wouldn't use it after she bought it, it was kindly donated to me. While I'm sure the dry skin

formulation would work better, this one leaves my skin feeling pretty hydrated. It removes any additional scraps of makeup that I may have missed and leaves my skin feeling balanced and radiant. It also has a pretty strong scent, but it smells more like fresh laundry rather than citrus. The bottle is quite large so it should last me a while. After toning, I follow with my all-time favorite moisturizer- Philosophy's Hope in a Jar for sensitive skin. Let me know if you'd like to learn more about it!

All in all, Estee Lauder's skin care range is definitely worth looking into. Hopefully I'll get to try out more of it soon. It has something for everyone, just keep in mind the heavy scent.

xoxo

Holy Grail Status

2009-07-21T17:37:00.000-07:00

I first came across Lancome's Bi-Facil makeup remover whilst rummaging through my mothers makeup cabinet (I know, I'm terrible!). In all fairness, she insisted I take it! I have been using it for years now and it is, by far, the most incredible makeup remover I have ever tried.

Lancome describes it as: Double-phase, fresh-as-water liquid eye makeup remover. Activates when shaken to gently whisk away even waterproof eye makeup, while conditioning and refreshing the skin. Ideal for sensitive skin and contact lens wearers. Leaves eyes feeling cool and relaxed, with no oily residue. Ophthalmologist-Tested For Safety.

It has a water layer and a lipid layer that, when mixed together, activate to remove eye makeup safely and gently. It is ideal for sensitive skin and for those who wear contacts. I have sensitive dry skin, so it works for me perfectly. It doesn't leave me feeling dry or tight around the eyes like some removers do. It actually leaves a comfortable, cool feel behind. It removes every last stitch of mascara and eyeliner, even waterproof, without any harsh tugging at the eye area.

It retails at a steep $26 US for a 4.2 oz bottle. Despite that, I feel it is worth every penny because of the payoff. One bottle lasts me quite a long time because you don't need too much to get the job done. I definitely recommend this product!

xoxo

Vars!

2009-07-12T22:43:00.000-07:00

My good friend Vars let me play around with her hair and makeup the other night. I wanted to keep things soft and pretty. She is a gorgeous girl with or without makeup, but I'm glad she let me have a little fun! (She has already reserved me to do her wedding day makeup---whenever that is! haha)

For styling her hair, I used a regular curling iron the way you would use a conical iron. I believe it was a one inch iron, and I just wrapped the hair around the iron for a few seconds. I think used some Frederic Fekkai Wave Creating Spray to boost what we created. Nothing more than that..and the waves lasted well into the next night.

Whenever Vars comes around the house, I play makeup artist..hopefully, with her permission, I'll do a few more posts like this! Anything you'd like to see on her?

xoxo

20 Questions

2009-07-10T14:59:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd join in on the tag everyone has been doing! I tag anyone that wants to do it.

1. Thing you cannot leave the house without?
My cell phone for sure. I almost never forget it, but on the off chance that I do, I feel disconnected from the world. Pretty sad that I feel the need to be in constant contact with people-- even though most of the time, I can't be bothered to call anyone.
2. Favorite Brand of Makeup?
Probably MAC. It is what I own most of, anyhow. I am getting more into Estee Lauder at the minute, though.
3.Favorite Flower?
100% peonies. They are just lush and smell divine.
4.Favourite Clothing Store?
It really depends what I'm looking for and what season it is. I frequent Ann Taylor Loft and Banana Republic.
5.Favourite Perfume?
Flora by Gucci and anything Chanel
6.Heels or Flats?
I usually wear flats because they are more convenient, but I definitely prefer heels.
7.Do you make Good Grades?
I've always been quite a good student. I usually get A's without much effort.
8.Favourite colours
Deep bordeaux red

9.Do you drink energy drinks?
Nope. I've never really enjoyed them. They are filled with sugar and leave something to be desired in their taste.
10. Do you drink juice?
Not very often. I really just drink water.
11.Do you like swimming?
I do! I have a pool but rarely swim on my own. I enjoy splashing around with friends.
12. Do you eat fries with a fork?
Not at all. Fries are really more of a finger food.
13. Favourite Moisturiser?
Philosophy Hope in A Jar for sensitive skin. It is a life saver.

14.Do you want to get married later on in life?
Eventually, but not for quite a while.
15. Do you get mad easily?
Not usually. I do occasionally with my sister, but that is because we are so close that when we do fight, its big.
16.Are you into ghost hunting?
haha...I enjoy watching Haunted on TLC, but thats the extent of my ghost hunting.
17. Any Phobias?
Bugs bother me, but they aren't a phobia.
18.Do you bite your nails?
Never have. Never will.
19.Have you ever had a near death experience?
Wayyy too many. But I'm still here :)
20. Do you drink Coffee?
Only occasionally. Usually only when I have to stay up. I really just drink water.

xoxo

Mmmm...the salt in the air

2009-07-07T00:34:00.000-07:00

This is me at the beach this past weekend. Its just like me to forget my bathing suit. But at least I got to paddle around!

xoxo

Entry for Mizz Worthy's Contest

2009-07-06T23:50:00.000-07:00

For my entry to Mizz Worthy's myths/legends contest, I chose the myth of the Furies. Three goddesses of vengeance: Tisiphone (avenger of murder), Megaera (the jealous) and Alecto (constant anger). They were also called the Daughters of the Night, but were actally the daughters of Uranus and Gaea. Without mercy, the Furies would punish all crime including the breaking of rules considering all aspects of society. They would strike the offenders with madness and never stopped following criminals. The worst of all crimes were patricide or matricide, and first and foremost, the Furies would punish this kind of crime.

I felt like they would be feminine but with a hard edge to them. Very natural, big hair. Pale, dewy skin. Emphasis on the eyes, as they are the window to the soul. I wanted to keep them dramatic and dark without using too much black. I like the warm pewter color that developed as it reflected the cold look in the eyes I was looking to achieve. Hope you all like it!

Products used:

Eyes: (all MAC unless otherwise noted)

Maid of Honor e/s
Rondelle e/s
Knight e/s
Trax e/s
Carbon e/s
Pink Slip e/s
Wedge e/s
Sketch e/s
GraphBlack Technakohl liner
CG Lashblast

Face:

MAC Studio Sculpt foundation
Just a Pinch gel blush
Blot Powder

Lips:

Burt's Bees Pomegranate chapstick
Just a Pinch gel blush

OOTD

2009-06-30T17:40:00.001-07:00

I went out for coffee with a friend last night. Just thought I'd share. Three posts in one day...phew!

OOTD/FOTD

2009-06-30T17:33:00.000-07:00

This is actually from a few days ago, but I wanted to throw it in anyway. Some friends and I went to a hookah bar to have some fun and relax.

UDPP

MAC All That Glitters

MAC Shroom

MAC Sable

Sephora Black Liquid Liner

Covergirl Last Blast

CVS

2009-06-30T17:25:00.000-07:00

I was feeling lethargic the other day so I headed to CVS for a pick-me-up. I picked up the much talked about Revlon nail polish in Tropical Temptation. It's a lovely coral color--perfect for summer. I don't have anything like it in my collection.

I also found the famed Rimmel Airy Fairy lipstick. It is a soft pinky nude, more pink than nude, but very complimentary. Definitely good purchases. My skin was feeling a bit blah so I got a mask for dry skin (I've already used half of it!). It is soothing and chocolatey smelling. I'm not sure of the name as I ripped the top of the package off and threw it away, but it was around $1 and left my skin incredibly smooth and hydrated. I had heard good things about the Veet hair removal cream so I thought I'd give it a go. It is supposed to leave you with incredibly smooth skin and should last longer than shaving. I have only tried it once and I must say that I am not a fan. I do want to try it again before I come up with a verdict. I'll put up a review when I make up my mind.

xoxo

Colour Craft

2009-06-27T23:57:00.000-07:00

I haven't been too excited about the recent collections MAC has released. I keep looking back to just last year at collections I missed out on because I was still a relative newbie to the brand. Previously, my makeup collection consisted of more Estee Lauder, Lancome, Benefit.. brands my mother got me into. I would even venture to say that I hated MAC as a teenager. I always felt like it was too gimmicky. Having come full circle now, I must say I am tickled at the thought of Colour Craft.

I'm hoping to pick up the mineralized quads in Eccentricity and Odd Bits, MSFs in Cheeky Bronze and Porcelain Pink, the lipstick in Colour Crafted, and the 109 and 226 brushes. Granted, these are the ones that I'm almost absolutely positive will end up coming home with me. I can't wait to check out this collection in person!

USA Launch: July 9

What are you planning to pick up?

xoxo

Disappointing

2009-06-27T02:57:00.000-07:00

As I was looking through some fellow bloggers CCO posts, it occurred to me-- quite frankly, my CCO sucks. I paid them a visit last month and was left unimpressed. It is nearly an hour away, the store is essentially the size of my bedroom, and is stocked with the most random products. I consider myself to be a MAC girl above all else, but their selection was painfully limited. Of the products they did have (almost no LE or brushes), all the colors stocked were way too wild. From crazy bright oranges to dramatic brown-reds, their lipsticks nearly sent me running for the hills (ditto for the glosses). They had a few mineralized blushes which are still in stores, so I wasn't sold on them. I was looking for more original products that I can't pick up anymore. There were a few bright colored eyeliners that didn't strike me. For eyes there were a couple of pigments, metal x shadows, and some boring eye shadows. No foundations, powders, MSFs, bronzers...nada. The only purchases I made were a pigment in Gold Stroke (a bronzey gold) and a lipstick in Ahoy There! (a pretty sheer baby pink- the only pink they had). Hey, at least I got something.

Where is a girl supposed to get her NeoSciFi/Moonbathe/Naughty Nauticals fix?

You lucky ladies have me jealous!

xoxo

Excitement!

2009-06-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

So...

I tried to keep relatively mum on the meetings I was going on the past few days but now that I have finished the last of them I can proudly say..

I got the internship!!

I'll be working on the production side of a popular music venue in Hollywood. I'm very excited that I got it (and right off the bat, too!). Funnily enough, the woman I was interviewing with had some people left to see but asked if I wanted to keep one of them as MY intern. haha

Sometimes life makes up for a lot of the bad.

xoxo

I've been a bad girl

2009-06-24T13:52:00.000-07:00

Lets take a look at my recent purchases. First comes makeup!

I picked up a new Blot Powder since mine finished so quickly. It really is a lovely product though--zaps shine without adding any noticeable color. I also love that it doesn't make my face look cakey as I reapply. I got my first Dazzleglass in Baby Sparks which I love. Its a baby pink with blue/purple glitter in it. I got a couple of the NYC sliders that recently came out. They give subtle color and stay on the lips for a decent amount of time. My favorite part, though, is the flavor. They are very sweet and smell like cotton candy! I finally got the Refined MSF even though the MA from my previous post almost put me off from getting it. It really is pretty, though. It gives a great peachy sheen to the cheeks. I also picked up some individual lashes (nothing special, but I use them on the ends of my eyes to get a Twiggy effect). The unmarked container is a sample of the Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer. While I don't use it for tattoos, it is great for concealing under-eye circles. You can only imagine how heavy duty it is if they use it to cover tats.

I got my first MAC eyeshadow palette and filled it with the colors I reach for most frequently. As I had a back2mac, I also picked up Cranberry e/s as I have been wanting it for so long. It is a beautiful warm cranberry that I have been using nonstop since I got it. The shadows in the palette are listed as follows:

Front Row: Shroom, All That Glitters, Wedge, Slip Pink, Girlie

Middle Row: Cranberry, Satin Taupe, Sable, Antiqued, Mulch

Last Row: Shale, Trax, Star Violet, Sketch, Carbon

I also picked up the MAC Just A Pinch gel blush from the Rose Romance collection. I love it. You only need a small amount to get a rosey glow and it is very buildable. I wanted to try the Maybelline Lash Stiletto so I picked that up too. Two coats of this stuff creates beautiful length and considerable thickness. I needed a new liquid liner because mine dried out and I have been dying to add clean, perfect flicks to my eyeliner. I got the Sephora brand liquid liner in black. It works really well for me. I'm by no means new to liquid liners, so I have a lot of control while working with it.

Two new perfumes I picked up are Victorias Secret Sexy Little Things Noir and Dejarose from the Rose Romance collection. Dejarose is a true rose scent and I love anything and everything that smells like roses. SLT Noir is a much deeper fruity/floral. It really does come across as a very sexy scent.

Next up were some accessories from H & M. I got this headband which actually looks quite scary before you put it on (it has massive teeth that grab your hair) but it gives incredible volume in the crown. Helen from HeleSays blogged about the exact same product and loved it.

I also picked up this dainty little bow headband ( I love bows!).

I also got this adorable bow necklace (did I mention I love bows?). Look at the cute detail at the closure!

Last but not least, I spotted this oversized black clutch with patent detailing from White House Black Market. I believe it was originally $60 but was marked down to$20. Great find!

What have you girls gotten lately?

xoxo

OOTD/ FOTD

2009-06-24T13:34:00.000-07:00

I finally have my camera back (yay!) and I thought I'd give you some updates. Pardon the poor quality of the pictures..I'm still getting used to this. I'll start off with my first official Outfit/Face of the Day:

I had a meeting this morning in Hollywood with the head of a music venue. Since I didn't want to wear a traditional suit (which is often seen as dowdy in this industry), I opted for a dark, straight leg jean (one of my recent purchases from Express). I topped it off with a blue cotton v-neck, white blazer and black pumps. Its a simple look that fits in with the venue I was meeting with.

Products used:

Face- MAC Moistureblend Foundation in NC20

MAC Blot Powder in Medium Dark

MAC MSF Refined

MAC Tippy Blush

Eyes- UDPP

MAC Shroom e/s

MAC Sable e/s

Sephora brand liquid eyeliner in black

Covergirl Lashblast

Lips: MAC TLC in Pink Fish

What do you think? I have another meeting with the same venue on Friday. Hmmm...what to wear....

xoxo

TAG

2009-06-23T17:12:00.000-07:00

While I haven't been tagged, I thought I'd join in on the fun!

What's your favourite make up look?

I am most partial to natural looks. Beautiful flushed cheeks, pinky lips and long curly lashes are all I need to feel put together and pretty. I have, though, recently added a little bit of winged eyeliner to this look. I've gotten a lot of compliments on it.

Do you have a beauty vice?

I would have to say my nails. I redo them every time they chip. I can't stand to have untidy nails. I also am crazy about lip balms. I have quite dry lips naturally so I try to keep them hydrated.

What part of your body do you love?
I quite like my cheekbones (thanks mom). While my skin isn't perfect, I only get the occasional breakout. I get quite a lot of compliments on it usually, so I like my skin quite a bit.

Who is your beauty icon?

Audrey Hepburn and my mother. Audrey because she is graceful, innocent and sexy. My mom because she is strong and effortless. She wears almost no makeup and is still as beautiful now as she ever was.

What beauty product makes you feel instantly sexy?

Mascara. My eyelashes are usually very straight and thin. Mascara thickens, curls and lengthens--instantly framing my eyes which are the most expressive part of the face.

How do you look after your skin?

I'm sure I could be better about it. I cleanse twice daily with a myriad of different products. After I get sick of something, I switch it up which is why I have so many cleansers on my counter. I tone when I can be bothered. I do, though, religiously moisturize with Philosophy's Hope in A Jar for sensitive skin. I have very very VERY dry skin and this is the only product I have found that rids me of the itchy, dry feeling and the yucky flakes that go along with it.

What is your signature scent?

I don't have a signature scent. I am a perfume lover but my sister is unfortunately allergic to most perfumes (or so she says) and since we live in the same house, I am not usually allowed to wear any. It is most unfortunate for me, because I have acquired a small collection and I stopped purchasing new ones because they just sit on my dresser. But I love florals for spring and summer and woodsy/spicey scents for the winter. Right now I am loving Victorias Secret Sexy Little Things Noir.

What are your hair care secrets?

I'm not too fussy with my hair. I use whatever shampoo/conditioner is in the shower. Every few weeks, though, I use a clarifying shampoo to get rid of any product buildup. I don't use much product to style. I use some Biosilk which I am told is almost exactly the same as CHI Silk Infusion. I let it air dry when I want to keep my natural waves and blow dry it straight when I want a more sleek look. I've weened myself off the straightening iron the passed few years. I only use it when I want to get kinks out of my hair.

How do you pamper yourself?

I give myself regular manicures and pedicures. When I really want to pamper myself, I'll take an entire afternoon off from everything else, and give myself a facial, soak in the tub, use all my lotions and potions--just really relax.

What is your beauty pet peeve?

It really bothers me when people wing out eyeliner wayyy too much. I hate lipstick on teeth. Chipped nails. Excessive glitter. Birds nest hair. Yucky feet. Too many things.

What would your desert island must haves be?

The highest SPF I can find (SPF 100 so far), mascara, a cream blush, concealer, and chapstick.

Finally, do you have a beauty philosophy?

Less is more and highlight your best features.

Update & Bad MAC experience

2009-06-23T16:06:00.000-07:00

Sorry for my extended absence. It was in part due to me not having a camera (I loaned it to my brother weeks ago and he has yet to return it) and in part due to my laziness as it is summer break. Anyway, I should get my camera back this evening so another post will come along shortly.

I wanted to let you in on my experience today at MAC. As I was sitting around today, I felt the urge to go shopping. I have been in a blah mood lately and thought some makeup would lift my spirits. The closest MAC to me is a counter inside my local Macy's department store. The closest MAC store is about 20-25 minutes away, and while it isn't that far, my laziness prevailed and I ended up at the counter. I try to avoid this counter at all costs because, in my experience, the girls that work there are rude. Not only are they snotty and do act holier-than-thou, but they don't know much about the products they work around everyday. I know more about them and yet I always feel belittled when I go there. Today I wanted the Refined MSF from the Sugar Sweet collection (before it runs out and I can't get it anymore) and I had a back 2 mac so I wanted to get Creme Cup lipstick. When I asked for the MSF, she looked confused and asked if I wanted the Refined Golden bronzer. I said no and explained that I wanted the Refined Mineralized Skinfinish from Sugar Sweet. She looked at me annoyed and said, "Look honey, what do you want?". She spoke to me like an idiot. When I asked for Creme Cup, she said that nothing like that has ever existed. Um, excuse me? Yes, it does. She was adamant that it didn't and that I must have gotten the name wrong. Again I explained it to her and how I had just seen it on the website. Her response? "Then go order it." I've never wanted to slap someone so much. Total disrespect. And I am always shocked when fellow bloggers and youtubers tell stories about how sweet their MA's are. I have never had a nice one here. She then attempted to explain to me the difference between the counter and a freestanding store, which I had pointed out to her just minutes before. Needless to say, I am never going to buy anything from that MAC counter ever again. I will trek over the 25 minutes to the store where I am treated like a person.

Aside from my rant, I haven't any done major hauling because I am trying to be good during our recession and save. I do, however, have a little accessories and clothing haul. (H&M, Express, MAC, drugstore,etc.) I'll do a nice long post once I get my camera back.

How do your MA's treat you?

xoxo

Palmer's

2009-05-28T14:09:00.001-07:00

Last week I ran out of my favorite body moisturizer Ca-Rezz. Unfortunately, it isn't readily available in stores. The only way I got my hands on it was because a family friends healthcare provider sent it to her. While I have to wait for them to send her another bottle, I didn't want to have to wait too long since I have such dry skin. While I was in CVS last week, I picked up a bottle of Palmer's Cocoa Butter. I must say this smells delicious! Just like chocolate, which I love! A sinless way to indulge. It is supposed to be deep conditioning and claims to reduce marks on skin. While I've only been using it for a week, I've already noticed it to reduce dark spots I have on my legs. My skin feels really soft after use. It is a bit heavy, but with the weather changing, my skin gets even more dry than it usually is. This definitely helps with that. While I can't attest to it toning my skin yet, I will say that it is a moisturizer worth looking into. I've picked up a few other lotions to test out, so be on the lookout for those reviews. I'm trying to find a holy grail moisturizer.

Have you found a H.G. moisturizer?

xoxo

Nails, Nails, Nails

2009-05-28T13:43:00.000-07:00

You'll have to pardon my absence this week, ladies. I've been ill since Monday and I'm only just now starting to recover. For my return, I thought I'd jump in and join all the nail polish posts I've seen lately. The following are all of my favorite nail polishes (largely OPI):

OPI's Dulce De Leche

OPI's Strawberry Margarita

OPI's Parlez-Vous OPI?

OPI's Paint My Moji-Toes Red

OPI's Lincoln Park After Dark

Essie's Berry Hard

Essie's Bachelorette Bash

Spending most of the week in bed, I decided to treat myself to a manicure (my kind of self-medicating haha). I used OPI's Pink-ing of You as a base (a creamy cotton candy pink) and OPI's Tijuana Dance? (a sheer pink with pink and green duochrome) layered on top. The effect is a bright, fun summery color.

I wish you could see the shimmery effect Tijuana Dance? gives. It really is lovely.

xoxo

Weekend Shopping

2009-05-24T17:51:00.000-07:00

So I popped into the shops today with my sister and came out with a few goodies! Victoria's Secret is having quite a sale all around, so I decided to peruse the cosmetics. At a whopping 75% off, I couldn't afford to say no. By the time I got there, everything had been picked over. I ended up getting 3 Silky Eye Shadows and a Perfect Lipstick. Left to right: Mystified, Champagne, Fierce, Satin Sheets. I had heard good things about Satin Sheets and am glad that it lives up to the hype. It is a lovely frosted peach/nude color. Mystified is a grey, stone color with a satin finish. Champagne likens itself to its name and is also a satin finish. Fierce is very similar to Black Tied from MAC but with much more glitter. I played around with them and came up with this..

(pardon the poor lighting..)

I also picked up some summer sandals from Steve Madden in the sale. They are quite comfortable and easy to throw on when I'm running out the door.

I got a few other things as well, but nothing interesting enough to mention. It has been a nice weekend so far and I am looking forward to having tomorrow off as well! xoxo

Hair History

2009-05-23T00:56:00.000-07:00

For most of my life I've had incredibly long hair.

Bit by bit it got shorter and reached midback.

Here you have it. Midback, bangs, and highlights. This was the first real hairstyle I had. Previously, the most interesting thing about my hair was long layers. Shortly after this, I decided to go back to my natural color and a bob:

Once it grew back to its previous length, I, again, got bored and decided it was time for a chop:

This was my most hated hairstyle. The stylist didn't listen to anything I said and didn't refer to the pictures I showed her. It took almost two years for my hair to grow back. The inbetween stages look like this:

And now, I am here:

Not the most exciting of hair histories, but its mine.

Dove Energy Glow

2009-05-23T00:25:00.000-07:00

I've never been too interested in in self-tanners. As a teenager, I shallowly attempted the tanning bed trend. Luckily I was smart enough to realize the err in my ways quickly enough. Not quickly enough to prevent some unsightly burns, but still. Living in California, I spent most of my summers at the beach with girlfriends swimming and tanning. I was burnt to a crisp and liked it that way. Over the past few years, though, I've gotten extremely aware of how dangerous the sun really is (especially to those as ghostly pale as I am!) so I usually wear an SPF 85 or higher. I've embraced my pale skin since then, but recently have felt an urge to glow golden again. As I am trying to avoid doing it via sun exposure, I decided to test some of the mountains of self-tanners available. My first attempt is the Dove Energy Glow Gradual Tanning Body Lotion in fair to medium. It retails for around $8-9.

The product is described as: Dove believes that real beauty can be genuinely stunning. That's why Dove developed Energy Glow Daily Moisturizer with subtle self-tanners. It gradually enhances and evens out your natural skin color, giving you a beautiful summer glow all year long. For great results after about one week, apply daily all over to gradually build a beautiful summer glow.

My first thoughts on the product were positive. It doesn't smell like a traditional self-tanner. It has a much more perfumed scent. I must say, though, a few hours after it has dried on the skin you do begin to smell the yucky self-tanner scent. After I exfoliated and moisturized, I spread an even layer all over my body and wait about 5 minutes for it to dry before getting dressed. While it is supposed to be a gradual tanner, I noticed results almost an hour after application. By the next morning, the color totally developed and I found it to be golden if not a bit orange. It was minimally streaky but after I showered the streaks vanished, as did the orange color. I was left with a gorgeous golden glow. I won't be applying this every day because I think it would turn me orange Oompa Loompa style. I'll be using it once or twice a week to keep the color.

What tanners would you recommend?

xoxo

A Fine Introduction...

2009-05-22T23:49:00.000-07:00

Like the lot of you, after following blogs and youtube gurus in anonymity for so long, I have decided to break my silence and join the ranks.

I've always been a girly girl and interested in playing with different colors and textures. As a teenager, my girlfriends would always come to me to doll them up before a night out. Make-up and fashion have played a big part in my life as I seriously considered going to fashion school. While I decided to go a different route for my career, I still enjoy the fanciful things in life and try to indulge myself whenever possible.

While my musings will essentially be beauty related, I may just throw in some random thoughts now and again :)

I am pleased to meet you!