Archive for June, 2012
Lancome L’Absolu Nu – 311 Petal Pink Review and Swatch
Happy Friday All!
Did your week fly by? It sure did for me! My new lifestyle of working from home is making my days start to mush together. I’m not complaining though! 
This week I tried out the Lancome L’Absolu Nu lipstick in 311 Petal Pink. It’s SO creamy, smooth and you can build up with color with layering. It’s also very comfortable to wear. Petal Pink is definitely a soft nude and gives a very pretty light pink sheen. It’s great for more casual days or you can build it up with a smokey eye for the pale pink lip look. One thing I must say is that I’m not too fond of the scent. It definitely smells like.. makeup if that makes any sense. For some reason, it reminds me of my childhood but maybe it’s because my mom wore a lot of Lancome products?
Lancome L’Absolu Nu 311 Petal Pink – $29.50 at Nordstrom
My naked lips for comparison
And with Petal Pink on
YAY for the start of the beautyfull weekend!
Clinique Chubby Stick Swatches and Review in 04 Mega Melon
Hey All!
I’ve been so curious about the Clinique Chubby Stick and when my sister-in-law offered me one I immediately pounced on it! The color that I got is Mega Melon. It’s not a color that I would normally pick out for myself but I find myself grabbing for this a lot these days! The chubby stick is so easy to use and fills my lips nicely. I find it a bit drying so more than a “balm” as it calls itself, I would consider it a tint. I usually swipe this on and top with Buxom Lipgloss in Sandy or Burt’s Bees Chapstick (mango is my fav right now).
My only issue with the Chubby Stick is that it dries my lips out so I would definitely recommend if you are okay with layering with lipgloss or chapstick (as I am!). The next color that I have my eyes on is Woppin Watermelon.
Here are some photos of the Mega Melon for you!
$16 at Sephora
My pale naked lips
Now with Clinique Chubby Stick in Mega Melon
Love the pigment!
I hope this was helpful and let me know how you like your Chubby Stick and if you have any color recommendations!
Essie Geranium Swatch and Review
Essie Geranium
Happy Tuesday everyone!
I wanted to do a quick review on Essie nail polish in Geranium. I have to admit, over the past 5-10 years I’ve been pretty brand loyal to OPI. I’m not quite sure how that happened, but I grew up assuming that OPI is the best without really testing other brands out. (Good job, OPI brand/marketing team!) Well on my trip to NY, I got a mani/pedi done and chose Essie Turquoise and Caicos for my mani. I was so shocked at how long it lasted without chipping especially since I was out and about vacationing. It probably starting chipping around the 6th – 7th day and at about day 10 it was time to re-do my nails. That’s when I borrowed my sister-in-law’s Essie Geranium- it’s a beautiful red-orange color. Now I regret not having picked this up from the store when I had the chance…
Now I want to note that I painted these on LAST TUESDAY
Photo was taken THIS MORNING (1 week!)
Isn’t it incredible? I usually expect chips after 2-3 days.
Well that does it ladies and gentlemen- I’m definitely an Essie fan for life!
Can’t wait to show you swatches of the other colors I got!
Hope your day was BEAUTYFULL!
NYC Make Up Haul
Happy Monday Everyone!
Real quick- here is my make up haul from New York. My sister-in-law works for L’oreal corporate and I was blessed to be given the opportunity to shop at their company store. It was so much fun!! If you didn’t know, the L’oreal company actually owns many other companies that we love such as Lancome, Kiehl’s, Essie, Maybelline, Garnier, and much much more. I felt like a kid in the candy shop!
Here’s a quick photo of what I got. I went a little Essie crazy- but I’ll explain tomorrow why. And oh, quick fun story- while we were waiting at the sitting area outside of the L’oreal corporate building my brother and I had to run out and make a quick return while Max stayed and worked on his laptop. When we got back, he swears that Essie was sitting behind him and he got to hear others complimenting her on her newest line. I was so bummed that I missed the chance to see her!
Essie: Mint Candy Apple, Bikini So Teeny, No More Film, Petal Pink, Lady Like, Merino Cool, Hot Coco
Lancome L’Absolu Rouge: Blush Classique
Lancome L’Absolu Nu: Pale Petal
Lancome Color Design: Love It!
Stila Lip Glaze (not from the L’oreal store): Pinkle Twinkle, Merry Merry, Apricot
Maybelline Dream Nude Airfoam: 170 Nude
L’oreal True Match: C1 Alabaster, C3 Creamy Natural
Garnier BB Cream: Light/Medium
Clinique Chubby Stick (Not from L’oreal store): 04 Mega Melon
I’m trying my best to ensure that I get reviews up for all of these products by
not letting myself fully use any of them until they’ve been reviewed, haha.
We’ll see how that goes…
Hope your week is starting off BEAUTYFULLY
sooj
What’s in my travel makeup bag – Update
I usually pride myself in being a low-maintenance, light packer type of gal but through the years my makeup to outfit ratio has been getting out of hand. I usually pack thinking that I’ll diligently use every product but I need to remind myself that while on vacation in the hot tropics I’m not going to want to put on tons of makeup. You can see the original “What’s in my travel makeup bag” post.
So here’s what I really used while I was in Bermuda:
And here’s what I probably could have left behind:
I guess I may be using these in New York but I hear it’s going to be up in the 90′s starting tomorrow. I hope this was a lesson learned. Next time, more outfits less makeup!
I also wanted to share my new favorite nail polish- Essie Turquoise and Caicos. I got a mani/pedi last Saturday and it lasted a good 5 days before starting to chip. Oh, and guess how much a mani/pedi in New York cost? $20! If it were only $20 in Seattle, I could see myself becoming a regular.
Essie Turquoise and Caicos (small photo via instagram )
Hope you’re having a beautyfull Tuesday
Back from Bermuda!
Hi Everyone!
I just got back to New York from Bermuda on our cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line. Bermuda is such a beautiful place with its turquoise waters, pastel colored homes and friendly locals. Seriously, everyone was so nice there! Here are a few pictures that we snapped.
Lunch on the water at St. George
Jump shot at the Fastasy Caves (seriously got some air here! Very proud of myself)
Found my all time favorite chips which I’ve been looking for everywhere in Seattle
I had to travel internationally to finally get my hands on these bags of yummy goodness!
And also found the MAC store in Bermuda!
Always such a comfort to see when away from home 
We still have another 5 days here in NY before we head home so hopefully there will be lots more interesting photos to share with you all. Hope you’re all having a beautyfull Father’s Day with your Dads and shower them with lots of love!
What’s in my travel makeup bag?
I’m headed for the big apple tomorrow!! I’m excited yet anxious as this will be both my and Max’s first time there. Packing for this trip will be a bit of a challenge since I’m packing for a week in Bermuda and then a week in NYC. I’ve noticed that while I’m on vacation especially in tropical climates I usually tend to not wear much makeup, especially on my eyes so I’ve TRIED to limit what makeup I take. Here’s what I’ve decided to take in my makeup bag.
What’s in my Travel Makeup Bag?
Cute pink quilted makeup bag from Victoria Secret a 2-3 years ago
And here are the face products I’ll be using- a simple tinted moisturizer with SPF and finishing powder
Tarte Smooth Operator (spf20) – Agent 04
MAC Prep + Prime Finishing Powder
And for the cheeks-
NARS Gaiety
NARS Madly
Benefit Coralista
Benefit Hoola (bronzer)
MAC Mineral Skinfinish By Candlelight (highlighter)
MAC Cream Colour Base – Pearl (highlighter)
And for lips-
MAC – Everhip (my all time favorite lipstick for vacays)
MAC – Lazy Day
MAC – Chatterbox
MAC – Soft Sell
Burt’s Bees Chapstick w/mango butter (smells so good!)
Buxom Lipgloss – Bunny & Amber
Kiehl’s Lipgloss – French Rose
And for Eyes-
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer – Original
MAC Liquidlast Liner – Point Black (the only eyeliner that does not smudge on me ALL DAY)
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil – Zero
NARS Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner – Madison Avenue
MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil – Duck
d.j.v. beautenizer mascara – Fiberwig LX (best sweatproof mascara)
Covergirl Lash Perfection mascara (best for volume)
Shiseido Eyelash Curler
And we can’t forget eyeshadows
Clinique Colour Surge Eyeshadow – 2CE Iced Mauve
NARS – Lhasa
MUFE Aqua Cream – 13
MAC Paint Pot – Fresco Rose
MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow – Thunder & Rain
MAC eyeshadow – Concrete (for eyebrows)
MAC eyeshadow – Carbon
MAC Quad – Brule, Warming Trend, Prepped for Glamour, Mystery
NYX For Your Eyes Only Palette – Smokey Eyes
And lastly (this is a longer post than anticipated!) my makeup brushes
Okay, so I hope this was somewhat entertaining and/or helpful! :) Have a lovely Thursday everyone!
A New Chapter
**One update- Just saw that Sephora is will give you 10% off any purchase with the code: “THRILL” :)
Hi Everyone!
Last week was definitely a week of changes. We had to put my pup of 18 years down. It was probably one of the hardest things I’ve had to do, but I know that it was her time and she lived a full life filled with family and love. It’s pretty amazing how much one little dog can change your life/family. She came into our family and loved us and brought so much laughter and joy. She was definitely such a blessing and we are thankful to have had her for so long!
Last week was also my last week working for “the Man”. I’ve been blessed to be given the opportunity to really pursue my passions in writing, blogging, makeup and also to focus on family and my relationships. This means having so much more time to focus on ABD and exploring my creative side. :)
Finally, my family and I are headed for NYC and Bermuda at the end of the week to celebrate my dad’s 60th! This will be our first completed family vacation ever- I say completed because it’s the first with my sister-in-law and Max. I’ll be posting about what’s in my travel makeup bag soon!
And to not leave without anything relevant to makeup, here’s my face of the day. Today’s casual since I’ve mostly stayed at home besides running some errands.
Tarte Smooth Operator (spf20) – Agent 04
Make Up For Ever Duo Mat Foundation – 203
Benefit Hoola bronzing powder
NARS Gaiety blush
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish – By Candlelight
Clinique Eyeshadow – 2CE Iced Mauve
Covergirl Lash Perfection Mascara (loving this right now!)
MAC Chatterbox lipstick
Hope you all are having a beautyfull week!