Face This City

Friendly Reminder

2013-03-27T21:45:00.003-04:00

Hi guys! This is just a friendly reminder that if you're trying to look for new posts, head over to my new blog at A Brunette In The City! I no longer use this blog but see that some people have commented lately so check out my new blog instead :)

Hope to see you guys over there!

A Brunette In The City

Mooooooooovin'

2012-12-02T21:53:00.000-05:00

Hi all! Some of you may (or may not!) but wondering where I have gone to this past month.

After much deliberation and back and forth with myself I decided to start a new blog. This new blog is more of a lifestyle as I feel this one is too beauty oriented. My new blog will still contain beauty reviews but also tutorials, recipes and daily inspiration posts.

If you are interested please check it out. To those of you whose blogs I have been following I am trying to play catch up as my other blog is under another account. I hope to see some of you over there :)

A Brunette In The City

Allure Best Of Beauty

2012-10-30T16:04:00.005-04:00

As I was browsing the Sephora website the other day I noticed they had listed the Allure Best Of Beauty 2012 Award Winners. Curious, I went through the products to see what items I currently owned that were considered “best in beauty.” Not so surprisingly, I don’t have many (some of these are quite pricey)! But let’s take a look, shall we?

Urban Decay Naked Palette

Almost everybody has the palette, or at least a dupe of it!

This palette is great for so many reasons. For one, I love the colors in this palette, more so than the ones in the Naked 2 palette. This palette contains a variety of neutral shades both matte and shimmer so you can really go for any look with it whether it be subtle for work or sultry for a night time look! Also, the formula of these shadows is superb. They are extremely pigmented & blend so easily!

I splurged on this product but I really do love it. Especially considering how I use it every day, I think it was a justly purchase (although it did take me some time to justify)! I highly recommend this palette – or at least Naked 2 because the formula is great. But I do hear there are some great dupes on the market too if this is too pricey.

Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche Éclat Illumination Foundation

This is probably the first high end foundation I have ever owned. I know many bloggers out there have a variety of foundations that they use but I’m not that way. I usually use the same foundation until it runs out so when it comes to buying one I want to be absolutely positive that I love it & that it works well with my skin type. So when I read OUTSTANDING reviews on this product I knew I needed to give it a try.

The great thing with Sephora is they allow samples so I walked in one day & asked to be matched to a shade & for sample which they so helpingly agreed to. Awesome! Always got to love helpful customer service :) I LOVED this foundation. It smells like cucumbers (which I love) because it gives me a fresh scent feeling. It also goes on so effortlessly that it feels like there is nothing there! Perfect! Its buildable so if you just need slight coverage you only need a little bit but if you need something more this is buildable so it works in just the right way!

Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder

I’ve had this powder for a really long time but I barely ever use it. This translucent powder claims to mattify skin and erase the appearance of imperfections while filling in fine lines. In my opinion, I think this product needs to be applied the right way or else it will seem nearly pointless. You only need a tiny bit or else it can leave a kind of film on your face which isn’t the look you are going for. I have dry skin & I think this product only highlights my dry patches rather than hiding my imperfections.

However, like I said…I haven’t used this in a long time. I am in the process of trying new skin care products to hydrate my skin better so I will be pulling this product out from the back of my stash to try out!

At the end, I own THREE products! I can't say I'm surprised - as mentioned, some of them are pricey but I wish I could have more!

What about you guys? Do you own anything from this list?!

Tag: Fall Favorites

2012-10-24T20:27:00.001-04:00

Hi guys! Erica has tagged me in her post so I decided to give it a go :)

Favorite Fall lip product?
Meh, I don’t really have a favorite lip product! No matter what the season I tend to switch things up in terms of color. But because it does get windy, & since I do have sensitive lips I tend to ALWAYS carry around chapstick! Just regular chapstick, I’m never without it.

Favorite Fall Nail Polish?
At the moment I don’t have a favorite unlike my summertime favorite, Turquoise & Caicos. I have picked up some new Essie shades though so I’m hoping to find that go-to color for the fall.

Favorite Starbucks Fall Drink?
This is probably really obvious, pumpkin spice latte! I LOVE it. I have tried every form of pumpkin coffee/latte/etc. and this is the one I always come back to. Its love.

Favorite Fall Candle?
Anything pumpkin scented! I love Yankee Candle’s Pumpkin Pie candle but I also like the glade apple & cinnamon scented candle because it reminds me of the holidays.

Favorite Fall Scarf or accessory?
I only have a handful of scarves but I do want to get a bunch more! I really like how they can switch up an outfit & add some flare. Any suggestions on where to find some great scarves?

Haunted house, haunted hay ride, or haunted corn maze?
Haunted house! I get such a rush from being scared, like blood flowing, heart racing scared. Any of these options could probably scare the daylights out of me actually…

Favorite Halloween movie?
Growing up I was obsessed with Hocus Pocus. I don’t really watch too many Halloween films now, I watch scary movies sometimes. I saw Paranormal Activity & had to sleep with the lights on because I was terrified. I haven’t seen the third one & I don’t know if I will even be able to see the fourth haha

Favorite candy to eat on Halloween?
Is it really bad to say that I don’t go crazy over Halloween candy??! I’m not very into sugar sweets but I do love me some chocolate! I love Reese’s so I guess that would be my favorite.

What are you dressing up as for Halloween?!
Now that I’m a working gal I don’t think I’ll be dressing up! But if I do it will most likely be something simple – like cat ears. You can never go wrong with cat ears!

What is your Favorite thing about Fall?

Ugh, I just love the whole feel & look of fall. I get to wear comfy sweaters, warm up by a fire, drinking Pumpkin Spice Lattes! Its my favorite. Thanksgiving is also one of my favorites holidays because it involves family & food, and since it leads up to Christmas it all just gives me such a cozy, homey feel to it.

Feel free to tag yourselves - if you do decide to take part please post the link to your entry in the comments! :)

Hope you are doing well - sorry for the lack of posts (still) work & my spending ban have resulted in little to say although I have made some purchases lately so I will definitely have more to say this weekend! Xx

Review: Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

2012-10-17T19:11:00.000-04:00

I apologize for the lack of updates from me! Work has been so hectic & I have been on a spending ban lately so I haven't really bought any new goodies to share! :( But I did buy this a while ago & love it so much that I had to post about it!

If you are looking for a reason to NOT buy this product then don’t bother reading this post! I’ve ready only great things about this mask (hence why I bought it!) and it has definitely lived up to its hype.

I suffer from dry patches of skin – mainly on my cheeks, chin & some random areas on my forehead. As mentioned in my haul post I saw that Amelia had this product and raved about. So I figured I might as well give this a shot.

I absolutely LOVE it! It comes out creamy & thick so when you apply it you really do feel it soaking into your skin. It doesn't make my face look or feel oily but it does take ages for it to fully sink into your skin so I suggest applying it well before bed time. The directions stated to apply twice a week – even though I suffer from dry skin I follow this step & apply it only twice a week because I don’t want to cause breakouts but if you have REALLY dry skin I'm sure you can apply more than twice!

After I apply this & it settles in my face feels so incredibly smooth. When I wake up the next morning there are no dry patches on my face YAY! I continue with my morning routine and moisturize with Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream before applying primer & foundation.. But all the credit goes to the Origins Drink Up Mask. It truly works wonders. If you have SUPER dry skin I would try applying it more than twice a week but just be warned that it does take a while for it to completely sink into your skin!

What is your go-to product for skin problems you have?!

Haulin!

2012-10-08T21:24:00.002-04:00

Of course I was tempted to pick up some goodies this week!

Essie Mint Candy Apple

I have been searching high & low for this polish! I finally found it at Ulta so I picked it up, even the woman at the register commented about how its one of her favorite shades!

Real Techniques Brushes

Oy, when it comes to these brushes I have serious mixed feelings because of the hassle it took me to find them. I know Ulta carries them, but when I went in store I couldn’t find the Expert Face Brush OR the Core Collection. Bummer. And I hate having to pay for shipping on the website when I SHOULD be able to buy the items in store so I stayed patient (SOMEHOW!), popped in again on Saturday & they finally restocked! I also had some coupons so that was an extra bonus!

Revlon Lip Butters in Peach Parfait & Cherry Tart

Yes I went a little crazy with these but whenever I see SALE I need to stock up. I’m a little disappointed in these shades though. Peach Parfait comes out very sheer & contains too much shimmer for my liking, then there are days when I like Cherry Tart but days when I don't. I'll have a full review on what I think of these plus some swatches coming up!

Revlon Lipstick in Softshell Pink

This was another product I was super excited about getting but being slightly disappointed when finally trying it on. The color looks great but it does contain a little too much shine for me, I could literally blind a person when walking down the street.

Tresemmé Waterless Foam Shampoo

You guys know that I have been on the hunt for a perfect dry shampoo because I HATE HATE HATE having to wash my hair! So when I saw another product on the shelf I had to scoop it up (I also had coupons, WOOT) so that is why I purchased this. I've only used it once so far so I still need more time to evaluate.

Tresemmé Split Remedy Leave In Conditioning Treatment

I bought this simply because I saw another promise of fixing my split ends! I haven't used this yet but I'm super excited to try it because who doesn't want perfect hair? There is also a shampoo & conditioner but I haven't picked those up yet!

Sample of Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche Éclat Illuminating Foundation

I've been searching for a new foundation so I popped into Sephora a few weeks ago to get a sample of this! I've heard great things about this product but my main concern was what shade would fit me best - because this product contains so many different shades! The sales associate was so helpful & gave me a small sample of it which has lasted me for at least 2 weeks. I have a feeling I will definitely be picking up the full size this week!

Golden Oldies: ELF Eyeshadow Palette + Giveaway Winner

2012-10-02T21:07:00.002-04:00

First I just want to wish a congratulations to Christina D on being my giveaway winner!

Please send me an e-mail so we can work out shipping details!

I actually got this as a gift from my roommate last year because we always attempted smokey eyes on each other. (We had friends in college, I promise! Hehe) And this is actually a palette I have loved using and part of the reason why I was so on the fence about the Urban Decay Naked Palette. But a girl could never have too many eyeshadow palettes, right?

Right!

I love the different shades this palette contains. They are shimmery (with only a couple matte colors) which sometimes isn’t the best if you are trying for a subtle eye but honestly, the fact that the do have light shades makes it really easy to pull it off even for a daytime/work time look!

They are fairly pigmented & with some primer they last all day. This will always be a favorite of mine because I can pull of any kind of look with this palette! As you can see I have some favorite colors that I always resort back to!

I haven’t purchased any other ELF palettes yet, simply because I do actually think I have too many at the moment. So until I start using up the ones I have I probably won’t be purchasing another anytime soon but if there other palettes are anything like this one I highly recommend it.

*cough* And although I say I might not purchase a new palette who can resist 144 new shades for only $15?? Check it out here!

September Glossybox

2012-09-30T21:52:00.000-04:00

To say this month has been absolutely hectic would be an understatement. It has absolutely shot by & I'm amazed that I will wake up tomorrow & it will be OCTOBER. What?!

I apologize for the lack of posts lately - like I said, things have been crazy lately! But I do have quite a bit of posts lined up & will also be posting my giveaway winner sometime this week so keep an eye out! :)

As soon as I opened this box I was jumping for joy! I used all these products right away because I was so tempted to try them out. Hence why the pictures are so bad…sorry!

GKHair Moisturizing Shampoo & GKHair Moisturizing Conditioner

Full size 10.1oz - $20.00

Nourished with plant extracts, this superior smoothing shampoo will purify and moisturize the scalp and hair

Kryolan For Glossybox Moisture Rich Lipstick in GLOSSY pink

Full size 0.14oz - $14

Treat your lips to a creamy, long lasting lipstick enriched with vitamin E to stimulate and hydrate your lips. This perfect pop of GLOSSY pink compliments all skin tones and lifestyles.
As you can probably see I've been using this lipstick ALOT lately! I love this color, its great for fall. It also adds color to your lip without being too overpowering aka its workplace appropriate!

Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42

Full size 1.69oz - $29.99

Hailing for Korea, this Blemish Balm, also known as BB Cream is a multi-tasking powerhouse for the face. This multi-use cream provides light coverage, soothes, protects, and moisturizes.

OC 8 Professional Mattifying Gel

Full size 1.6zoz - $30.00

This innovative mattifying gel lets you get control of your shine all day long. Clinically tested, this one of a kind gel keeps shine down while helping you achieve a fresh flawless even tone look for all skin types.

First of all, when you open your Glossbox and find that 3 out of the 5 products are all full sized you can’t help but smile! And what is even better is that I was hoping I would get items like these!

My hair has been a bit frazzled lately and I need something that would really CLEAN my hair. I’ve already tried the shampoo & conditioner once and it did leave my hair super smooth, thumbs up so far! I’m on the hunt for my holy grail foundation so when I saw a BB Cream I squeed with excitement! I’ll be trying it out so except a full review soon!

Have you guys ever been overly excited with the products in a beauty box?!

September Birchbox

2012-09-20T20:49:00.000-04:00

This is my first ever Birchbox!

I have to admit I wasn't as WOWed by it as I was with my Glossybox but for $10 a month you really can't go wrong!

So what was inside this month's box?

Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional

Full-size, $29

Camouflage visible pores with this velvety face primer. The translucent formula works wonders beneath makeup

Color Club Birchbox Customer Polish

Full-size, $8

We teamed up with Color Club to create this custom shade, inspired by Fall 2012 collections

Kate Spade New York Twirl

Full-size, $18-$80

A blend of fruity and floral notes, this modern classic feels joyful and care-free

Nexxus Pro-Mend Split End Treatment System

Full-size, $9.99-$14.99

Infused with coconut oil and amino acids, this shampoo, conditioner and leave-in treatment work together to fix unsightly split ends

Twistband Hair Tie

Set of 12, $18

Give your ponytail a makeover with these colorful, snag-free elastics

Not too shabby for my first Birchbox. I admit I could have done without the hair tie and even the nailpolish but what can ya do? That's the point of these boxes! I can't wait to try some of these out - I already have the POREfessional but you can never have too many, right?!

If you are interested in becoming a Birchbox member you can follow this link! You are put on a waiting list but its usually only a two week wait & for $10 a month its totally worth it!

Do you have any of these products already? What do you think of them?

Giveaway! EOS Alice In Wonderland Lip Balms

2012-09-17T19:20:00.001-04:00

Hi all! So as I said in my last post I said I'd be doing a giveaway soon :) I was at Target the other day I spotted these little guys and had to pick them up...one of myself & one for you!!

I know that these bad boys are had to come by in other places so I decided to pick up an extra to give away to a winner! :)

Here are a few rules:
- Open internationally
- I will pick one winner via Rafflecopter
- You can get 2 points for following on Twitter
- You can get an additional 2 points for Tweeting about the giveaway
- You can get 3 points for commenting on this post telling me what country you are from
- You can get 3 points for following on GFC

Simple, yes? This contest will be open until the end of the month. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Recent Haul

2012-09-16T13:49:00.001-04:00

So despite being sick this past week I did find the time to get some new products!

Urban Decay Naked Palette

I have to say this was probably my best investment. I know its a little dated (Naked 2 anybody?!) but this palette had a slight edge over the other one. Plus, it was on my recent wishlist & I try to get at least ONE thing on my wishlist for making it through another two weeks of work! Although I've had this for a few days I only just tried it today & I am liking what I'm seeing so far!

Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask

I have had such bad problems with my skin lately, my makeup has been looking so dry & cakey on my face. I was attributing this to my makeup but suddenly I realized DUH CHRISTINA! It's your skin! So after seeing Amelia's post over at Liana Beauty about how she uses this, I decided to give it a go!

Origins Never A Dull Moment Cleanser

I had no intentions of buying anything else at the Origins counter but of course they always sucker you in. I told the associate I was looking for a new cleanser; preferably something that was strong enough to remove makeup but wouldn't dry out my skin. This is what she suggested so I picked this up!

Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream

I was at Target one day when I saw this. I'm always tempted by cheap alternatives so I picked this up to try out. Like a moron though, I picked up the normal/combination skin type when really I'm dry! So oopsie on my part but I'm still seeing how I feel about this!

Elf Blush in Twinkle Pink

Target carries Elf products and I have quite a few already that I've been pleasantly surprised with! So I saw this blush & thought it was such a gorgeous shade.

Also keep an eye out! I'll be doing a giveaway soon as I saw some product in Target that I know many people are wanting ;)

Have you guys made any new purchases lately!?

Remembering 9/11

2012-09-11T21:23:00.000-04:00

Photo credit courtesy of Google Images

A little bit of a different post from me today - I want to take this time to reflect back on to the horrific tragedy that this country endured 11 years ago today. Such a sad day in the nation's history but since than it has only made us stronger. My heart goes out to everyone affected by the events that day. We lost so many innocent young souls, and so many brave men and women risked their own lives to save others - true acts of heroism.

To those who may have lost someone that day, I'm sorry. And to those who saved and served, I thank you. You keep this country strong <3

As for me, I apologize for the lack of posts this week. I came down with something & have not been feeling well at all. I come home from work & go straight to bed :(

Summer Essentials

2012-09-08T18:43:00.000-04:00

With summer coming to an unofficial end (WAHH) I decided to make a post dedicated to my most grabbed items!

Essie Turquoise & Caicos

There is probably no surprise here whatsoever. Essie has been my go to brand for the last year & this color is my spring/summer favorite. Whenever I was unsure of what color to paint my nails, or just too lazy to really look & decide on a color, this was the one I ALWAYS came back to! It’s such a nice shade, I’m obsessed with it. Unfortunately I think it’s safe to say it will be going into retirement until next spring! Thanks turquoise & caicos for being my go-to shade this year!

Laura Geller Tinted Moisturizer

I’m all about minimalistic makeup in the summer, and Laura Geller’s tinted moisturizer was the one for me. I used to use Revlon Photofinish but come summertime my face just felt so cakey and heavy with that on. So I tried out Laura Geller’s Tinted Moisturizer and though it was ten times better than the Photofinish. I’ve used it everyday as my go to for a light summertime look! It was light coverage which is what I was looking for in 90 degree weather. My only problem with this product was that it contained shimmer. It wasn’t very obvious but after touching my face I would notice some shimmer on my hands! Not what I was looking for, but it got the job done!

TRESemmé Dry Shampoo (full review here)

If there is one thing I hate, its having to shampoo my hair all the time. I have pretty long hair and I see washing my hair as a chore and something that takes up too much time. So to avoid having to deal with that I reach for my Tresemmé Dry Shampoo! This wasn’t the BEST product I have ever used but it did get the job done for those in between washes. Especially considering the hot and humid weather we have been experiencing over here!

The Body Shop Coconut Body Scrub

I was hoping to feature this product in a monthly empties post but this was actually the only product I did finish! I love this scrub. I’ve had it for a while but I really only use this during the summertime when I’m looking to get a nice glow. It smells so good and it makes my skin feel so incredibly soft and shiny.

EOS Lip Balm in Strawberry Sorbet

I love love love chapstick! So when I saw my sister with one of these little guys I was so intrigued! The next time I was at Target I picked one up & then I became obsessed. I use this every day & my favorite part about it is the smell. It smells so good and actually makes me a little hungry!

Covergirl Lash Blast Volume

As already mentioned, I like to keep my makeup to a minimum in the summer. So I really like to make my eyes pop, and what easier way to do that than with mascara? This got the job done and I might even go as far as saying its one of the best mascaras I have ever used. I often pick out high end mascara’s in my Sephora samples but none of them have truly compared to this one. This is a product that I’m sure will continue to use well into the fall.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweetheart

So I only just recently purchased this item but I am obsessed and I wish I would have gotten it sooner! When I was younger I use to purchase drugstore brands often (mainly because I didn’t have the money for highend products) and Revlon used to be one of those. Over the years I’ve found myself drifting from Revlon because I didn’t like the quality anymore. But this absolutely surprised me! It goes on so smooth and the color payoff is amazing! Its bright and lasts for such a long time. I like the minty smell too! I’m sure that I will be purchasing a bunch more shades soon enough!

My Wishlist #02

2012-09-06T21:32:00.001-04:00

01. Topshop Blazer

I've honestly been on the hunt for any kind of blazer - it doesn't necessarily have to be Topshop but that's the only site I've come across with nice ones! I love blazers, I think they can make the most casual outfit look professional. I've checked the Forever 21 website but I'm just disappointed & know that it will most likely not fit/fall apart/be uncomfortable.

02. Urban Decay Naked Palette

I know the Naked 2 Palette is all the rage lately, but I really like the colors in this palette! I know there are a million places I could find this palette but I still haven't been able to justify the cost of this bad boy. But Ulta is doing a $10 off any online purchase of $60 or more with code 89776 if anyone is interested!

03. Essie Mint Candy Apple

I feel as though I don't really need to explain this one. I love Essie & this is a shade I've been after for a while. I FINALLY managed to find two Fiji's in Target the other day (the last two!) so I scooped them up so fast for my sister & I.

04. Essie Absolutely Shore

After seeing a post over at I Covet Thee I decided that this needed to be the next shade added to my Essie arsenal. Unfortunately if you see from the links I posted for the Essie polishes they are sold out on the website & really hard to find on any other one too! E-bay is probably the best bet.

05. Aldo Casida Studded Heels

Studs are all over the place lately! When I saw these...and the studs...I knew I had to have them. I think they're super cute & would make a great look for the fall weather and even into the winter!

Surprise! August Glossybox!

2012-09-05T19:13:00.000-04:00

Better late than never, right? So I finally got around to signing up for a Glossybox subscription. I signed up for the 6 month subscription which was $115 – so around $19 a box.

I know that a million and one people receive & review these boxes but whose to say my opinion is irrelevant, right?! So here we go.

My initial reaction is “THIS IS SO CUTE.” Obviously. Glossybox receives big credit for the way they package their boxes up. It always seems better when someone takes the time to make something look presentable. So what was inside?

Biolage ExquisiteOil Replenishing Treatment

Full Size 3.1 oz - $22.00

This treatment is a versatile serum with a Moringa Oil Blend. This ultimate potion gives instant shine and weightless replenishment to all hair types.

Ellis Fass Ellis Lips

Full Size 0.095 oz - $35.00

The lightweight and long-lasting lip products come in three fabulous textures: creamy lips for a matte finish, milky lips for a gloss finish and glazed lips for a touch of color. They are paraben-free, loaded with vitamin E and blend into the lips leaving them soft and conditioned.

Illamasqua Nail Varnish

Full Size 0.5 oz - $14.00

Award-winning, extremely hardwearing and chip-resistant, these an Illamasaqua Nail Varnish for every shade of humanity. Apply two coats for extra intensity. Make a statement and talk with your hands.

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum

Full Size 1.0 oz - $48.00

This high powered vitamin C complex helps smooth out lines and wrinkles, fights environmental aggressors and keeps your skin moisturized, nourished and protected. Apply mornings and evenings.

Touch In Sol Feel Like Honey Moon Skin Base

Full Size 1.13 oz - $20.00

Apply this fantastic primer after your skincare routine and before your makeup. Its honey textures firms and revitalizes the skin and allows for a better makeup application.

I have to say I'm already quite pleased with my first box simply for the fact that I received 2 full sized products already equaling over what I paid for the box. Yay! I plan on reviewing some items shortly so keep an eye out ;)

Do you guys subscribe to Glossybox? What do you think of these products? Would you use them?

Julep Maven Box!

2012-09-03T12:00:00.000-04:00

So of course as I was browsing the web one day I came across Julep. I’ve seen these polishes around time & time again but I never really paid much attention to it…we all know my heart belongs to Essie.

But when I saw that I could become a Julep Maven for $0.01 I could NOT pass up an offer. Who doesn’t love a steal? So I signed up & took a little quiz that determined my “style profile.” There are a variety of style profiles available which all contain different sets of colors.

This was my first box – it was It Girl. I love these colors!

Claire - Blake - Morgan

Boxes are $19.99 a month which is great considering these are usually a $40.00 value. But the BEST part about becoming a Julep Maven is the freedom that comes with these boxes. First they e-mail you with a preview of the upcoming box for the month so you can decide if you want those shades or you can pick a different profile. If you’re not a fan of the shades that fit your profile you can easily select a different profile or you can even skip an entire month & you won’t even be charged.

As for the polishes themselves, I have to say I like them. They are a bit thin compared to Essie but as long as you don’t overload your brush you should be good to go. I used two coats on the pictures above & as you can see, they turned out really well! I love the variety of colors and just the whole concept of the boxes in general so I’m going to continue with the Julep Maven Box!

As a Julep Maven you also get the opportunity to get 20% off AND free shipping in the Maven Boutique. They also have a referral program so if you’re feeling in the mood, head on over using this link ;) -- http://julep.com/?r=23404844

Unfortunately I can’t find the code I used to get them for a penny...I’m so sorry about that…I’ve

searched high & low! But I did find that if you enter 2FREE at checkout, you get your first box for $9.99 PLUS two extra polishes! That’s a $70 value. It’s so worth it, so head on over & sign up!!!

(EDIT) Erica over at Abundance of Erica has so kindly informed me that she believes the code for the $0.01 box can be purchased using code PENNY. I do think that is the same code that I used but I'm not 100% positive if that code would still work now. If anyone finds out, please let us know! :)

Review: TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo

2012-08-31T20:51:00.000-04:00

TRESemmé Fresh Start Volumizing Dry Shampoo $5.99

You guys may not know this about me but I have long hair…and when I say long hair, I mean it’s pretty long. I’m sure I’m not the only one out there who sees hair washing as an absolute CHORE. Am I right? First you need to shampoo, then condition, then blow dry and even straighten or curl. It’s an absolute nightmare. But I would never EVER cut my hair…so I have to deal with it! We can’t always have the best of both worlds, huh?

So when I was at my local CVS & saw this TRESemmé Dry Shampoo just sitting on the shelf I figured I had to give it a try!

I’ve used it a few times, enough for me to get a good feel for it. I bought the volumizing dry shampoo for fine/oily hair – although it does come in a few other options as well. I can usually go two days without having to wash my hair without it looking really greasy. So I used this on the third day. It came out grey and according to the directions it says to spray, let it sit for 1-2 minutes & then massage it into your head.

I found that the gray color did disappear a bit after massaging it in. But it really didn’t give me much volume as it claims to do. The directions also say to reapply as needed throughout the day to freshen up your hair. Only problem is I would not carry this bottle around with me all day! Would anyone?!

I’ll spare you the pictures but at the end of the third day I have to say I wasn’t that impressed with this stuff. Although it did make my hair look decent when I left the house, by the time I got home my hair just looked a hot mess…which means I usually resort to just throwing it up into a bun anyway. But then again, I didn’t “reapply as needed” so I really don’t have anyone to blame but myself! Considering this is the first dry shampoo I’ve owned I can’t really complain. If I used it the right way I might have seen a difference!

And just for good measure, a nice little Nail of the Day! Essie’s Cute As a Button, one of my summer favorites!

Do you guys have any other suggestions for dry shampoos? Or a certain dry shampoo you swear by? Please share!!

Review: Dead Sea Essentials Tea Tree Oil Foot Cream

2012-08-29T20:47:00.000-04:00

I should start off this post by saying I absolutely despise feet! There is just something about them that I think is so…weird. But as much as I dislike feet, I think its important to keep them looking good!

Dead Sea Essentials Tea Tree Oil Foot Cream $10.49

Come summertime (...even though it's almost over!) it’s safe to say that with 90 degree weather and sunny days most women & men have been wearing sandals! I have no problem with that, in fact I love seeing all the cute different type of sandals that are out there. But the one thing that absolutely irks me more than ANYTHING is when people wear sandals with not so cute looking tootsies!

I understand that not EVERYONE cares about having their feet look good when they run out of the house and that some people just don’t have time but it is just one of those things that bothers me a little bit (…or a lot.)

So since I care about how my feet look & feel I decided to try out Dead Sea Essentials Tea Tree Oil Foot Cream as it claims to “repair” your feet!

The first time I applied it, it did make my feet feel super soft! It also has kind of a minty smell to it. But I didn’t want to jump to conclusions right away because I knew that this stuff had to pass the test of my workday. So I applied this EVERYDAY for an entire work week. I would come home from work, take a shower & apply this right before I went to bed.

Even though I used this for a straight week, I didn’t see any outstanding results. It did add moisture but only temporarily. It didn’t help my feet over the course of a week commuting through New York City but I will continue to apply it everyday in the hopes that maybe it just needs a bit longer to make a difference!

Do you use anything on your tootsies?! Do you have any other Dead Sea Essentials products to recommend?

Review: Nivea Sun-Kissed Radiant Skin

2012-08-24T22:20:00.002-04:00

Nivea Sun-Kissed Radiant Skin Gradual Tanner & Lotion

I actually bought this last year because I needed some serious color in my legs. Now, summer is nearly coming to an end and my full-time job doesn’t give me enough time to go out & get some color! That’s a problem because when its 90 degrees in NYC I would love to be wearing dresses but not have to show off my pasty legs!

Nivea’s Sun-Kissed Radiant Skin claims to add more color to your legs within 5 days. It works as a gradual tanner and a daily lotion. On my first application I think I used a little too much because it took a while for it to fully sink into my skin. Since then, I started to apply just the right amount & it barely took any time for it to sink in at all!

It comes out in a white color which is great so you can tell where you have applied it. It doesn’t leave any streaks behind since it’s a lotion and gradual tanner so even if you miss a spot it isn’t totally noticeable. It does have a little bit of a smell…at first I thought it smelt a little floral but then you get a second whiff and realize it’s not floral…but I could never quite put a finger on what it actually was.

I messed up here because I forgot to take pictures on the first day! Whoops. But all in all, I would say it DID add some colors to my legs! It’s not extreme color but it does add just enough so that I don't look orange.

I definitely recommend this product considering its price tag & easy availability in most drugstores in the US! :)

Do you guys use self-tanners? What are your favorites?

Another Day, Another Haul

2012-08-24T16:59:00.000-04:00

So I held off on this post because I wanted to wait for that one last package to arrive in the mail. And it did! Yay! So these are all the goodies I bought since my last haul post. I love everything but seriously…my wallet? It hates me. My credit card? Hates me. Oops!

Seven Nyne Self-Tanning Lotion

Now that summer is coming to an end I need to find a way to keep my tan – or lack there of – on its toes coming into the fall months. I bought this despite it having some mixed reviews. Although I have been using the Nivea Sun-Kissed Radiant Skin lotion (which I will have a review on later!), I want to give this a try! It claims the tan develops a deeper shade over 4 hours so I’m curious to see how this goes.

Benefit Cosmetics POREfessionally Pretty Kit

I’ve read outstanding reviews on the POREfessional cream alone. So when I saw this kit that included two other items for an extra $2.00 I had to purchase it! The kit includes a full size The POREfessional, a travel size Girl Meets Pearl luminizer and a travel size Erase Paste concealer.

Tokidoki Prisma Lipgloss in Rondine Love

I really only bought this item because it was on sale. I have never tried any Tokidoki products before so when I saw the price I figured I should give it a go! Tokidoki will be discontinued at Sephora as it was only a two year collaboration. So if you are a Tokidoki fan, or even if you aren't, I suggest heading over to Sephora for some sales!

Dead Sea Essentials Tea Tree Oil Foot Cream

I bought this because I wanted something to keep my feet feeling fresh & not so rough. Especially since its summertime! I've been using this all week & will have a full review shortly!

Samples

The one thing I absolutely LOVE about Sephora is that you can get 3 free samples with a purchase and right now they are offering FIVE! On top of that I had a promo code so I decided to try out the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Crème Compact Broad Spectrum SPF 20 in Nude. I also finally hit my Beauty Points so I decided to try out the Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara! I also have some other samples of Coach's Poppy Flower fragrance, Dermadoctor's KP Duty Intensive Priming Serum & Fresh Umbrian Clay Mattifying Serum.

Do you have any of these products? What do you think?

Nail Biter: Essie Fall Collection Swatches

2012-08-19T19:01:00.000-04:00

So I told you guys in this post that I scooped up Essie’s new fall collection on E-Bay so here are the swatches!

(Left to right)

Skirting The Issue - Head Mistress - Recessionista - Don't Sweater It - Stylenomics

Miss Fancy Pants (poor little guy had to be all by himself!)

What do you guys think? I actually used only one coat for these swatches & they still came out really good! The colors are very similar but I think Head Mistress just might be that perfect red I've been looking for all these years.

Thoughts? Which one is your favorite? Would you shell out $8 for an Essie polish?

My Wishlist #01

2012-08-17T22:28:00.000-04:00

How often should I be posting a wishlist? Daily? Weekly? Bi-weekly? Oy the options are endless. But it might be best for my sanity & wallet to keep these posts to a minimum! Let's see how this goes...

Michael Kors Jet Set Travel Saffiano Large Tote

I am OBSESSED with this bag. I saw a girl with this on the train one day & it was like a light shining down on it & I knew that I needed to have this bag in my possession. The only problem is that I can’t find it in this color anymore! Ah.

Aldo Maytorena Boots

I may or may not have bought these already. Oops. My sister pulled these same exact boots out of her closet last week. She bought them last year but rarely ever wore them so when I saw them I thought they were way too cute and feminine to pass up. So…maybe they’ll be arriving at my house soon? If I actually bought them…

Liz Earle Superskin Try Me Kit

I have heard nothing but AMAZING reviews on all Liz Earle products so of course I am tempted to buy this kit. Especially considering I am looking for something that gives me that deep down clean because my normal face wash is not cutting it for me. I’m breaking out slightly & feel as though I need a better cleanser. I’m pretty sure this will be purchased on my next pay day!

Foundation

That big giant question mark is in regards to the new foundation I want to buy! I need something new but I am unsure of which one to go with. I’m kind of leaning towards the Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer…during the summer months I prefer tinted moisturizers to actual foundations. A brand new Sephora opened up nearby so if I’m up for spending some cash I might head over there tomorrow to check it out! And maybe I will be walking out with some goodies! :)

What's on your recent wishlists?! Plan on actually buying anything new soon?

A Step Ahead The Rest: Organization

2012-08-12T22:18:00.000-04:00

First, I need to start off this post by saying…the Spice Girls were absolutely flawless! Ugh, the young girl in me was in tears, they were just as good as I remember! Girl power forever :)

So…onto business!

One of the most important things in life is prioritizing, right? You never want to be late for an important meeting or forget to pay your credit card bill (oops!)….that’s why being organized is so important. If you want to be successful & confident (…and NEVER have to walk into a meeting unprepared ever again), I think its super important to make sure you know what’s going on BEFORE it goes on.

So what do I use to manage my time?

Any sorority girl knows (& swears by) Lilly Pulitzer! These Lilly planners are the epitome of organization. This is the large planner and they come in slew of different patterns. They even contain these adorable stickers inside! And each month has a cute little phrase!

Unfortunately (…or maybe fortunately) my life isn’t as hectic as it was in my college days so shelling out $26 for a planner I wouldn’t use that often is a little unnecessary at the moment. They do have smaller versions though if you prefer to not spend that much. Here you can find the patterns for their 2013 planners! Cute, aren’t they?!

This was my 2012 planner. AS you can see I was stickler for organization…I even color coded things. Don’t judge, I’m sure some of you guys do too ;)

If you’re interested in these planners I suggest heading over to Lilly Pulitzer to check them out! You can even get free shipping with the code “WELCOME” at checkout!

Think you might buy a Lilly planner for 2013? Which cover is your favorite?

The Long Haul: Recent Purchases

2012-08-10T17:46:00.000-04:00

So I’ve been bad these past few weeks & bought a bit of goodies I probably shouldn’t have.

Philosophy Gingerbread Man Scented Hot Salt Body Scrub & Philosophy Gingerbread Girl Duo

I’m going to hold off on using these two for a while…I mean, it is still August. I bought these from Sephora because they were on sale…I couldn’t resist. I’m already starting to get into the Christmas spirit – just kidding…maybe. The duo includes sparkly shower gel & a lotion.

Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Pencils

I’ve only heard good things about these pencils and I have to admit that I love them so far. They glide on like butter (I don’t suggest putting butter on your eyelids though…) and they stay put for quite some time! I also really, really like the colors that came in this kit. I don’t usually go too bold on my eyes in terms of liners or shadows but on those days I’m feeling risky I think these are great.

Essie’s Fall 2012 Collection

When I saw someone selling the fall collection on E-bay I had to get it! I got all 6 colors for $35 plus an extra $5 for shipping. Not bad considering Essie polishes run anywhere from $8-9 by me! I can’t wait to give you a full review on these bad boys!

Laura Geller Brow Sculpting Marker

I have pretty thick eyebrows and never thought I needed any kind of brow pencil/marker but I know that a lot of people are into using them. So I caved and bought this from QVC to try out. I don’t necessarily use it to shape my eyebrows or anything like that but I do think it gives my brows much more definition which really enhances the rest of my face. I like it so far!

What kind of purchases have you guys made lately? Anything worth checking out?!

Nail Biter: New Essie Polishes

2012-08-09T21:26:00.001-04:00

I am quite the nail polish junkie. Everytime I stop at the drugstore (or any store that sells polish) its like I always come home with a new color! My recent purchases? Essie polish of course.

Although I've been hoarding polish for a long time its only recently that I've become a huge fan of Essie. I love that most of the time you only need about two coats to get a great looking nail. And I also love the wide arrange of colors - my wallet hates that though as these were about $8 each at Target.

So, the new colors?

The one I decided to try first was Aruba Blue.

Although its called Aruba Blue and reminds me of a getaway I find that this color is a little too dark for summertime nails. I prefer light, bright colors in the summer! Perhaps its better in the winter months when all you can think about is getting into warmer weather?

What are your favorite nail polishes? Have any particular shades that you just adore?