This year I resolve to:
+ Always wash my face before bed: I know, I know, it's one of the first cardinal rules of skincare - ALWAYS WASH YOUR FACE BEFORE BED. And 99% of the time, I'm usually pretty good about it, but we all have lazy days, don't we? I'm planning on deploying these face wipes to help me get a jump on getting the day off of my face.
+ Use serums religiously: I've fallen out of a nighttime serum routine and I need to get back in it. Nighttime is the time that your face does the most repair and it's a great opportunity to ensure that it's hydrated and have some uninterrupted repair time.
+ Fill in my brows forever & always: I shared that I fell in love with this brow pencil and I still am in love with it, just not as diligent as a part of my always routine. It should be used though, always.
What are your beauty resolutions this year?
The latest trend in nails? Textured manis or the Caviar manicure as coined by the beauty brand, Ciate. Developed my UK nail artist, Charlotte Knight, this mani is definitely for the fashion forward. I'm not quite sure how functional it is for day-to-day use, but it certainly is fun. You can pick up your own kit at Sephora.
Anthropologie,
baseball,
Birthday,
Braves,
Family,
Flowers,
Godiva,
Ole Henrikson,
Sephora,
Shoes,
Spring Trends,
Wedges
Things I love : Spring Edition
4/17/2012
Spring is such an easy season to love. The weather turns, flowers begin to bloom, and you can break out those gams you've been hiding under pants and tights all winter. I remember in college, the first day of warm weather called for a 'study' date with my girlfriends on Slusher Beach followed by a beer on the deck of TOTS. (If you are in the know, then you totally appreciate that memory. If you aren't, you are massively confused).
Peonies hold a special place in my heart from our wedding, but I have always loved these gorgeous buds. And ranunculus...le sigh. Such a gorgeous flower to spruce up any space.
I adore stores that help you celebrate your birth month with discounts and give-aways. I always look forward to my 15% discount to Anthro (as if I need an excuse to shop there!) and it's gorgeous packaging; my freebie from Sephora - this year it's Fresh Sugar lip balms (amazeballs!); and Godiva gives you a free piece of chocolate. Really it's the perfect trifecta.
Warm weather and longer sunlight hours means mandatory evening walks with our little family. It's a good thing because Coco needs to shed a few pounds...as do I.
Peonies and Ranunculus
Peonies hold a special place in my heart from our wedding, but I have always loved these gorgeous buds. And ranunculus...le sigh. Such a gorgeous flower to spruce up any space.
Peplum
I've been searching for the perfect peplum outfit since Emma Stone debuted this look. If only I weren't so dag-gum picky.
Wedges
The perfect summer shoe...
Birthday discounts & Freebies
I adore stores that help you celebrate your birth month with discounts and give-aways. I always look forward to my 15% discount to Anthro (as if I need an excuse to shop there!) and it's gorgeous packaging; my freebie from Sephora - this year it's Fresh Sugar lip balms (amazeballs!); and Godiva gives you a free piece of chocolate. Really it's the perfect trifecta.
Ole Henriksen
I've been obsessing over the Sheer Transformation face lotion since I tried it back in January. I've been diligently using up the face lotion that I have so that I can replace it. Alll.most.there.....
Baseball (and the end of basketball season)
I know this is blasphemy because I live in the heart of ACC and basketball country (insert eye roll here) coupled with the fact that I was almost born in a car after the NCAA championship game (true.), but due to old high school cheerleading scars, I loathe basketball. However, I love love love baseball. Specifically the Atlanta Braves...and Chipper Jones. Holler.
On this note...anyone seen the new additions to the VS Pink MLB line?! Love.
On this note...anyone seen the new additions to the VS Pink MLB line?! Love.
Evening walks with the family
I'm always on the look out for new types of make-up and creams. BB Creams, beauty balms or blemish balms, are gaining some traction stateside. It's already a hit in Asia, but these creams are truly the multi-tasker of make-ups. These lightweight creams contain SPF, work to moisturize, conceal, and treat skin in one single, simple step. Essentially, it is mean to minimize the need for concealer and foundation by camouflaging lines and imperfections. There are tons of brands who are now including this product in their lines and some even coming to a drug store. I'm a Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer devotee, but I may have to check these BB Creams out!
[Sephora]
Benefit,
Bumble and Bumble,
Buxom,
Makeup For Ever,
NARS,
Ole Henrikson,
OPI,
Philosophy,
Sephora,
Smashbox
Sephora Haul
1/26/2012
The other day I spent a lovely Sunday morning at Sephora working with one of their make-up artists to play with new product and get some recommendations. I often find myself in a make-up rut and I love to try out new product and see what works best for me and my skin.
What I tried:
- Make-up For Ever HD Foundation, Primer, & Powder: Exclusive to Sephora, this brand is designed with a photo finish in mind. Overall, I really liked the brand, but it was a lot more make up than I was used to. It blended well and looked great on.
- NARS Laguna and Orgasm: Laguna as a bronzer and Orgasm as a blush. The makeup artist who I worked with did a lot more contouring than I am used to and it looked fantastic. I have NO idea how to re-create the look (although she did instruct me as to how), but I will be YouTubing in the future to get a better understanding.
Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick (which I swear by).
- Benefit They're Real Mascara: I've been hearing a lot of hype about this mascara and it really was excellent; however, I'm hooked on Mary Kay's Lash Love.
- Smashbox Eye Shadow Trio - Auto Expose: I loved how this eye shadow looked with my eye color. It is also fool proof to apply with great coverage and lasting ability.
- Buxom in Dolly: Every year I resolve that I will pay more attention to my lips. I will wear lipstick more. And every year, I fail. This year, I took a step in purchasing a lip color and gloss that I adore. Not only that but this brand plumps your lips and makes them look fuller.
- Make-up For Ever Lip Line Aqua Lip (3C): I suffer from imperfect lips: my top lip is thin and my bottom lip is full. Therefore having to add an extra umphf to my upper lip is a must.
- Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation: This an an all-natural brand that works to reverse spots, aging, etc. I really liked the light formula. My make-up artist sent me home with a sample and so far it has worked really well with my skin type.
- Philosophy Eye Hope Eye Cream: I liked the consistency and I think I do need to up my game as far as eye care is concerned-my dark circles are only going to get worse from here!
- Sephora by OPI Nail Color: I've been looking for a rainbow glitter top coat for a while and happily found it in Sephora.
- Bumble & Bumble Styling Creme: An old standby of mine that I love and couple with Josie Maran Oil product. This time of year my fly-aways are a little out of control so I need this additional help to power through.
Earlier this year, I wrote a review on the benefits of the Clarisonic Mia. Last week I was stoked (and slightly jealous) that Clarisonic dropped the price of their best-seller from $150 to $119. So here's my PSA for the week: Run-do not walk-to your closest store and pick one of these up. Immediately.
While I follow trends, it usually takes a while for me to jump on board. My style can more be described as classic and I don't like to be a slave to trends. This doesn't mean that I don't appreciate trends or don't lust over them. So when I was headed to Vegas last week, I thought I'd try out one that I've been dying to test out for a while: feather hair extensions.
Since I do work in a conservative industry, permanent was not an option for me. I caught wind that Sephora started carrying these items in clip in form so I marched down to my local store to pick one up.
Sephora carries Sultra Feather Hair Accents. They come in a variety of colors and are incredibly easy to use. Added bonus, you can style them with heat AND wash them. Not only that but they can be cut to the appropriate hair length.
If you have any desire no matter how small to try these out, I would highly recommend this brand and giving the trend a whirl. Good news is that these aren't permanent and add an interesting dimension to your hairstyle.
Since I do work in a conservative industry, permanent was not an option for me. I caught wind that Sephora started carrying these items in clip in form so I marched down to my local store to pick one up.
Sephora carries Sultra Feather Hair Accents. They come in a variety of colors and are incredibly easy to use. Added bonus, you can style them with heat AND wash them. Not only that but they can be cut to the appropriate hair length.
If you have any desire no matter how small to try these out, I would highly recommend this brand and giving the trend a whirl. Good news is that these aren't permanent and add an interesting dimension to your hairstyle.
One of my guilty pleasures (besides Real Housewives, Justin Bieber, and really cheesy Lifetime movies), are manicures. As the seasons change, I am always looking for the latest and greatest colors for the season. Some of my faves this summer:
Blush - Essie Ballet Slipper Pink
Grey - OPI You Don't Know Jacques
Fuchia - Essie Super Bossa Nova
So what are your picks for nails this season? I'm super excited to try out this Super Bossa Nova next time I'm in the manicure chair!
I've been hearing about this product for the better part of a year now. Celebrities fawn over it and the reviews on-line are all raves on what a fabulous item it is. So, I finally caved. I've been frustrated recently with my skin (the winter really takes a toll on it) and in a moment of weakness (and the promise of 20% off), I bit the bullet and just ordered it.
The Mia is marketed as the travel size version of its big sister, the Clarisonic Skincare Brush. Clarisonic promises that the brush removes makeup six times better than traditional methods; clears pore and reduces the appearance of pore size; and cleanses thoroughly so that your skincare products are absorbed better.
I've been using it for a little over a week now and I honestly have NO idea how I lived without it. It leaves my skin super clean, smooth, and radiant. The Mia is light weight and super easy to use with a built-in timer so that you can use it with little thought involved. Also the charging system is pretty interesting and allows for you to use the brush in the shower with you. The cleaning heads are disposable and require you to switch them out about every 3 months, with intermittent cleanings between brush head changes. While Clarisonic recommends you use their cleanser with the system, you can continue to use your current skin care regime-which is an added bonus.
Typically, I'm a pretty hard sell on beauty products, especially those in this price point. However, I would highly recommend this product to anyone who is considering purchasing it. It is well worth it!
The Mia is marketed as the travel size version of its big sister, the Clarisonic Skincare Brush. Clarisonic promises that the brush removes makeup six times better than traditional methods; clears pore and reduces the appearance of pore size; and cleanses thoroughly so that your skincare products are absorbed better.
I've been using it for a little over a week now and I honestly have NO idea how I lived without it. It leaves my skin super clean, smooth, and radiant. The Mia is light weight and super easy to use with a built-in timer so that you can use it with little thought involved. Also the charging system is pretty interesting and allows for you to use the brush in the shower with you. The cleaning heads are disposable and require you to switch them out about every 3 months, with intermittent cleanings between brush head changes. While Clarisonic recommends you use their cleanser with the system, you can continue to use your current skin care regime-which is an added bonus.
Typically, I'm a pretty hard sell on beauty products, especially those in this price point. However, I would highly recommend this product to anyone who is considering purchasing it. It is well worth it!
It's been blogged about. InStyle has tweeted about it. I just couldn't resist talking about it either. Sephora will be releasing a Glee addition of OPI nail polishes this Spring. In all honesty, the colors are fantastic; it just happens to be an added bonus that the set happens to be Glee themed. All together there will be 10 limited edition colors and three nail print appliques. Considering how the group did at the Golden Globes, I suspect that these will fly off of the shelves. How shameful of me would it be really if I were first in line for pre-order/purchase?
