A Few Birthday Gifts...

As I said earlier, on Saturday I went out with some friends to a mall here in Dallas to do some make-up shopping, because that's all I seem to be interested in lately. Aside from the Bite lipstick that I reviewed a few days ago, I got some other items I'm going to show you now! I also posted a photo of something I've wanted I think since high school and that's the Louis Vuitton key ring card holder. 

The first item I purchased was a Bare Minerals foundation. I got a sample from Nordstrom's with one of my orders and I actually really liked the coverage and how it made my skin feel (soft!)

Normally I don't choose the powders in a compact but this one had SPF 20 and all the rest had SPF 15. I like getting the maximum SPF possible because it's such an easy way to protect your skin if it's already in the make-up. The photo above has the powder on one half of the face (the one closest to you) and the other half has no make up on. It has enough coverage that quite a lot of my freckles are covered, so it's pretty decent, which I was surprised by. No scent, and no real powdery residue. I like it! Purchased at Sephora for $29.  

The next item I purchased was a Chanel lipgloss, #174 (Glossimer). I have a few Chanel lipsticks that I love but not the lip glosses. If you've been following my blog for a while, you know that I have an addiction/ problem with becoming obsessed with one color and buying too much of it. I was having a tough time with light pink, and finally decided to get something different. 

I like this color, even if it's kind of more fall/ winter than summer. Oh well, I can be patient :) Plus maybe there will be a look I can come up with that will work with this color. Who knows? I definitely want to buy more lip glosses, especially from Dior and Clarins so those colors will be more spring/ summery. It was $29.50 at Nordstrom, or at the Chanel website.

The last item I purchased for myself was a Laura Mercier eye liner in black turquoise. Of course I love her products because I think they are so high quality and great for natural looks. The color I chose was faintly aquamarine and has a subtle ocean-y vibe about it that I like. Definitely will be using in Maui this June!

 I like that it's a subtle amount of color without being too in your face. Also, please remind me to get my eyebrows waxed tomorrow?? This is getting out of control. Can be purchased here or here for $20.

Last but not least, the LV card holder. Love at first sight to be honest. 

A few things: it comes inside a box with a freaking leather handle how awesome is that. They really pay attention to the details. Then you have the soft little bag to store it in, which is perfect because then you're things don't get ruined! My mom said they were amazing-- she ordered the product online, they delivered promptly via fedex with a tracking device. Also, it's still made in France, which not all major companies (at least French or British based) are doing anymore. Very proud of you, Louis Vuitton, keep up the good work.

What can I say, I love using it. I love how it feels, I love how it holds my keys. It's the perfect size for a few cards and some petty cash and great for going out and not wanting to bring in a whole wallet. I love the checker print design. The one concern I have is the wearing off of the gold tone. I'm worried that will disappear quickly. Or that the chain will break? We'll see. Basically I can't wait to order my next item from them! Neverfull, you're mine within the year! 

Hope everyone had a great wednesday. Is it the weekend yet?

Beauty Haul from the Last Few Weeks

I know I have been waiting for a few items to come in the mail to review them, however one is shipping from the UK and I have no idea how much longer I'll be waiting, so I'll just lump it with the next haul, and focus on the items I've garnered over the past few weeks!

First up is two products that I fell in love with when I visited the Laura Mercier website. 

credit to Laura Mercier, lauramercier.com, and its affiliates
I thought her lips just looked so so gorgeous and springy. I went to the mall with some friends and purchased the lipstick (Arabesque) at Nordstrom's. They were sold out of the lip gloss (Bare Pink) so I tracked it down at Sephora. The colors looked a bit different on their website than they did on me, I'm not sure why (different skin tones, I guess) but the lipstick was much more peachy/ light coral than the baby pink I was expecting. The lip gloss was just what I expected though! 

 The lipstick and lipgloss side by side

 The lipstick with the lipgloss on top (left)

The lipstick by itself. My lips are pretty dry, so pardon the slight cracking!

The lipstick with the lipgloss over it

Overall, the colors were not exactly what I was hoping for, but I bought it knowing what the colors would look like on as I sampled them in the store. My friends agreed, however, that they liked how the color looked with my complexion. The lipstick is definitely a color I don't already own, and was quite matte. I'm not sure Laura Mercier has fully grasped hydrating matte-like lipsticks yet, but hopefully my lips won't be as dry in the summertime. That being said, I'm disappointed that it goes on so cakey. I kind of expected higher quality from LM, which is a company I've been going to for a decade now. 

Moving on, I also purchased the MAC make-up removing wipes (found in stores and on their website here or on amazon*) I use them every time I'm in the MAC store and I love the smell so much, I have no idea why. It's just fresh and light and pretty. They were 29 dollars for the big package of them which is much more than I thought they would be. I'm not sure why they're so expensive, but I love how they remove my make-up, love their smell, and the employee told me they never make her break out, so let's hope so! 

I also purchased one of the new Philosophy Field of Flowers body lotions. I chose the peony scent, it smells exactly like what I hoped it would smell like! I'm also pleased with how hydrating the lotion is. I bought a Pure + Good body lotion in December that wasn't moisturizing at all, I was surprised, but the Philosophy lotion leaves my hands feeling soft and smelling so springy! 

It was $26 at Sephora. Also pretty pricy, I had a hard time paying that much for body lotion, but it will hopefully last a long time! You can also buy the body lotion for $18, which is slightly cheaper! The line also comes in Violet Blossom, Orange Blossom, Wildflower Blossom, and Wild Blackberry Blossom. There also appears to be an original field of flowers scent, but I didn't see that or smell it!

I also got the Stay Matte powder by Rimmel in 001 (Transparent). I don't have oily skin, more like normal or combination, but so far it's been a great and very wallet friendly option for a high quality finishing powder. At $3.99 it's a great option for shine control and doesn't leave behind any noticeable powder residue once it has set in. My one complaint is the smell-- it has a distinct drug store or high street store smell which reminds me of my grandmother or old powder cases. Not my favorite scent, but good enough in all other aspects! 

 I also gave in and bought the Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara. I never do my bottom lashes because they are kind of long and I look sort of creepy when they are done! But I get annoyed when product from the top slowly migrates to the bottom and my make-up gets smeary by the end of the day. I have heard people this product helped prevent that, so I decided to give it a go! It comes in two colors, black and brown, and was $10. That's really not too bad considering it will probably last a while! I doubt I will use this every day, but when I use dark eyeshadow colors I will give it a go. 

The last product I got was Davines Defining Relaxing Fluid. My hair stylist used this last time I was in and swears by it to prevent humidity induced frizzy hair and to smooth it whilst blow drying and straightening. The smell is pretty nice, not as floral as I expected, though. A pea sized amount or so is enough to use, so this will last for a long time!! I got it on Amazon for about $15, but I'm not sure I would do that again because the person who sold it wasn't a salon, and I have no idea if they tampered with the product or not. I'm going to go to the salon in a few days to smell it there and see if they are similar. If not, I will probably return it and buy the products straight from the salon (even if they are more expensive!)

So yeah, that's what I've purchased over the last few weeks. There are SO many more things I'm dying to buy, but I will have to wait and save my money. I've got a lot of things to save up for in the upcoming future (including this trip) so we will see. Anyone else buy anything great lately?

Valentine's Day Make-Up Idea #2 (Dinner Out)

OK, so the idea behind this look is that you are going to a nice restaurant (or maybe even just a restaurant!) and you want to look really pretty. Because you'll be eating food, drinking, and probably kissing, you'll want something that doesn't smudge. That's why I chose a long-lasting and non sticky lipstick. You can play around with the colors to suit your skin tone, but the general idea remains the same.

 I used a bunch of products on this one and had a lot of fun with it. I tried using colors I don't normally use and different techniques and I really enjoyed it!
I need to get a new foundation but until I can afford it, I've been using BB cream from MAC in Extra Fair. Before applying anything, I used a sampler I had gotten from Christmas called Juno Transformative Lipid Serum. It directs to use morning and night for a nice glow. While its not the best "glow enhancing" formula I've seen out there, I did like how it made my skin feel. Very very velvety. Though it kind of smells like herbs, which is odd.
Base
Juno Transformative Lipid Serum
MAC BB Creme in Extra Fair
Laura Mercier Undercover Pot (under eye bags)
Eyebrows
Omega + Embark by MAC
Eyes
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer (gave it a second chance!)
MAC Fig. 1 (all over base)
Urban Decay Toasted (Over Fig 1 and up blended further out)
Laura Mercier Cafe au Lait (in the crease, blended well)
Urban Decay Sin & MAC Vanilla (near tearduct)
MAC embark (used with flat brush on top and bottom waterline)
MAC Satin Taupe (lightly put under eye to subtly increase drama)
Urban Decay Sidecar (over eyeshadows, inner part of eye)
YSL Faux Cils Shocking Mascara (can't stop using it! two layers)
Cheeks/ Face
Laura Mercier Apricot Blossom (blush, in Color Wardrobe from 2010. Similar to Spiced Cider)
NARS South Beach bronzer
NARS Pandora (white part, as an illuminator and brow bone)
Laura Mercier translucent setting powder 
Lips
Laura Mercier lip liner in Baby Lips
Clinique Chubby Stick in Curvy Candy

If you want the lipstick to last longer, you can always put any kind of setting powder lightly over it and it will endure a lot more. Links to the products soon!

Valentine's Day Make-Up Idea #1 (Outing)

So, I know a lot of people out there have romantic dates or whatever set up for Valentine's day. I don't, but it's always fun to imagine, and there are several different scenario options out there. You want your make-up to be romantic or pretty or sexy or whatever you are going for for the day.
I chose this look for the first day in case you decide to go out to a concert, play, opera, movie, etc. The lipstick isn't forgiving for eating food (it will smudge on your glass, get on your teeth as you're eating, etc.) and not really SEXY (it's more old glamor kind of).

This especially plays up blue eyes if you have them.

It's also really quick and easy.
Products I used:
Face
- MAC Beauty Balm in Extra Fair
- Nars blush in Orgasm
- Chanel loose powder in Reverie

Lips
- MAC Cremestick Pearl Liner in Honey B.
- Laura Mercier Lipstick in Baked Earth

Eyes
- In the corners I used Laura Mercier loose powder in Gold Pearl
- MAC Embark on a stubby smudge brush for top and bottom liner
- MAC Omega all over lid (no primer or anything)
- YSL Faux Cils Mascara

Eyebrow
- MAC omega on an angled brush

It's pretty basic but I think the colors are so rich you don't really want to do too much to overwhelm them! Tomorrow I'll do a dinner out (or in!) look.

January Favorites!

OK guys, this was a tough selection to make but I mean, let's get down to business, we all have favorites and this month there were definitely things I reached for muuuuch more often than others.

Here's the list: Biosilk Silk Therapy for Hair, Smashbox Lipstick in Pout, Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink, Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Linen, AMOREPACIFIC Moisture Bound Intensive Vitalizing Eye Complex, MAC 217 Brush, and MAC eyeshadows in Naked Lunch and Vanilla.

Non make-up first: Biosilk. I have lots of smoothing hair oils and serums and stuff, but I love this so much, mostly for the smell. It's not fruity or woodsy or anything, it simply smells like "generic hair salon." That's the best way I can describe it, but when I put it in my hair, it just smells like it's been handled by a really wonderful hair stylist who sprayed it with something that I can never really replicate at home. You know? Also, it's pretty good at smoothing your hair.

After getting out of the shower my hair is always frizzy as heck and just OOC (out of control). It wasn't always this way, but I took this medication that changed my hair and so it's gotten really dry and frizzy. I almost always put some sort of product when my hair is slightly damp. This one smells great, and does a fairly good job at smoothing, so it's on my list because I used it almost every day. Since my hair is long, I used about a dime sized amount on my palm, ponytailed my hair with my hand and ran it through, then gently put some through my roots. I bought it at Ulta, but you can buy it online for about $15.00

Fresh face cleanser just had to be on here because it's the best face wash I've ever used. It doesn't smell good, so don't be put off by that. It smells vaguely of soy and like... earthy natural things. Not overwhelming, but not sweet/ fruity/ whatever smelling. Just, kind of unscented. It's expensive at $38.00, you can find it at the fresh website (here), but you only need a pea sized amount mixed with water and put over your whole face. Mine is going to last me a long time, and for the clear skin it gives me I'd say it's totally worth it. Never had a better face wash in my life, I swear by it.

The AMOREPACIFC Eye Complex was part of a gift given to me for Christmas from my parents. It's only a sampler, I don't know much about the company itself other than it's REALLY expensive. I like it because it's not too thick, it feels really good on my eyes, and it actually for me did reduce the bags under my eyes. However, caution: it's $125, and most of the reviews I've read say that for the price, it's not amazing. Will I buy it again? No. But it does make my eyes feel refreshed and clean, and I've been using it a lot this month so that's why its here!

Yeah my life is really sad and my MAC Pro Palette isn't even full yet. That's what happens when all these new colors come out and I have other priorities for a little while. The middle two are the ones I've been using so much lately, because I've really been enjoy simple eyes and bold lips. 

Both of these colors are really light so it's hard to see how awesome there are. The left is Naked Lunch, which I think just looks so good with light browns on the eye and a little bit of a cat-eye. The right is Vanilla, which I like wearing on my brow bone or in the inner part of my eye. They are both available at MAC stores or in department stores that sell MAC. They are $12 for the pro-palette refill (x) and $15 for the little pot.

Do people have crushes on brushes? I never see those on monthly favorite lists but here I am, breaking boundaries left and right. This is the MAC 217 brush, probably the most popular brush but I have somehow only just gotten it?! I am obsessed. It makes all my eyeshadows look exactly as I want them to. Straight up don't know how I've lived my whole life without this puppy. Blends eyeshadow perfectly, creates the best smoky eye, and super soft. 

You can get it at any MAC store or department store that supplies MAC. It's $23.00 (here is the link to the MAC website). Love love love it and use it daily.

I never was a big Bobbi Brown person, mostly because I'm weary of names that end in "i" that normally end in "y" but that's a personal issue. I have been buying tons of Bobbi Brown lately so I guess I'm repenting for my judgement. I love this gel eyeliner, I've purchased some from MAC before that dried out so quickly, but this has stayed super moisturized. I love the richness of it and it's longevity, though for some reason it does smear on my bottom lashes by the end of the day. 

(enhanced to show texture, is actually darker and blacker than this). I like using this when I want my eyeliner to stand out more, or when I want to do any kind of wing at the end of my eyelid. 

Isn't she a beauty. $23.00 at Bobbi Brown's website, or wherever else you can find it in big department stores and boutiques. It's also cool because there are so many more shades of this, so you can definitely find a color to fit your skin or preference! 

OMG two more phew ok. So I think bases to eyeshadows are so important because it creates a canvas out of your eyelid. It also makes the shadow last longer and keeps from creasing (big problem esp. with cream shadows). 

This is the color "Linen," but Laura has different shades for different skin tones and eyeshadow preference. I've had this for a while but I forgot about it completely and have been using it a ton this month. It's $24.00 and you can get it on Laura Mercier's website, or counter at any big department store near you.

Told you I've had it for a while.
Lastly is Smashbox's lipstick in Pout. I don't know why I've been wearing this so much lately, all I know is that I love the matt color and I think it's so fun to play up in the daytime and with some dramatic metallic eyeshadows at night.

Weird that you can see the tree reflected in my teeth.

This is a kind of drying formula (as most matt lipsticks are) so I make sure to moisturize my lips before I wear this. I love how bright it is. I don't own much else Smashbox make-up wise, but I do really love this color! Packaging has changed since I bought it and it fell into my make-up drawer unused for a long time, but it's $19.00 and you can get it at Nordstrom among other major retailers.

So yeah that's it, the very lengthy list of January favorites! Took me all day and a lot of time, so please remember do ask me permission if you want to use any photos. All items were purchased by me unless gifted by family members.