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Beauty Style

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2017 Favorites

Posted on July 14, 2017

It’s one of the most wonderful times of year!  Did you know that Nordstrom sells more during this event than during the holidays?  That’s insane!  This year I was a bit more wise about what I spent my money on.  It could be because I’m older, wiser, and have other bills to pay for.  I was really looking for some trendy items that I didn’t want to spend full price on.  Ready to see what I bought?  Let’s get started….

  1. Asics Gel-Nimbus 19 Running Shoe | Nordstrom $119.90/after sale $159.95:  Since I have been doing Orangetheory Fitness a few times a week, I have been having to replace my shoes every year or so.  My current shoes are starting to loose the cushion so I figured this was a great time to buy some new ones.  I love the color and Asics are great shoes. I have flat feet so I need a bit more support and these seem to do that.  Can’t wait to try these on the treadmill!
  2. PUMA Leadcat Logo Slide Sandal | Nordstrom $25.90/after sale $39.95: I have been eyeing shoes like these for awhile.  It’s been a huge trend.  I would LOVE to get the GUCCI ones but adulting means making difficult choices.  I do not NEED the Gucci ones.  These black slides fit the bill and will get me to Soulcycle classes and back (which is exactly what I will be using them for).  They run big – I am usually a 9/9.5 and got these in 8.5.  FYI – they only run in half sizes.
  3. HALOGEN Button Back Ruffle Hem Dress | Nordstrom $64.90/after sale $99.00: Floral is such a huge trend right now.  I have been looking for floral dress to possibly wear to a wedding in September.  This might be it!  The back button detail is adorable and I like the print.  Pair this with some nude heels and I will be good to go!  This runs tts.
  4. Current/Elliot The Stiletto High Waist Skinny Jeans | Nordstrom $131.90/after sale $218.00:  I love high waisted jeans and I love ‘The Stiletto‘ style from Current/Elliot so this was almost a no brainer.  The bottom has the step hem which is a trend I have been wanting to try.  Can’t wait to wear these the rest of summer!
  5. Tory Burch Claire Ballerina Flat | Nordstrom $164.90/after sale $258.00-268.00:  I’m always on the lookout for some good work flats.  Gold is one of my favorite colors and TB flats are usually pretty good for my feet.  Staple!
  6. Clarisonic Sensitive Brush Head Set | Nordstrom $74.00/after sale $81.00:  If you don’t own a Clarisonic, where have you been?  It’ll break your skin out like a mofo in the beginning but after that, it’ll be smooth and clear.  These brush head refills are expensive, so why not get them on sale?
  7. Jo Malone London Cologne Collection | Nordstrom $115.00/beauty exclusive (brought in for the event): I love using a fragrance but I never finish them.  The bottles are just way too big and I don’t spray enough.  These little bottles are perfect and I get to try a few new scents that I haven’t tried before.  This brand’s cologne’s are one of the only ones that don’t smell musky on me.  A lot of the higher end fragrances have so many notes in them that they clash on me.  These smell sweet and fresh!

Hope you enjoyed my list of purchases.  Did you find anything at the Anniversary Sale that I need?  TELL ME!!!  Sale ends in a few weeks.  Get shopping (with a Nordstrom card, of course!)!

 

 

Beauty

Tartelette in Bloom

Posted on July 11, 2017

I have a confession to make.  I have an obsession with palettes…eyeshadow palettes to be specific.  I must have at least 6 of these by now.  What do I need 6 palettes for?  How many eyes do I have?  Confessions of a cosmetics junkie.  Makeup palettes are just so darn pretty – it’s hard to pass up.  I have the first 3 Urban Decay Naked Palettes (I LOVE the Naked2 Palette.  If you’re ever going to try one, this is the one to get hands down), 2 Charlotte Tilbury ones, 1 Bobbi Brown one and now….this wonderful, beautiful tarte one.  In my defense, I travel a lot for work.  Wouldn’t these be great for travel?

First of all, look at the swatches.  They’re gorgeous!  I am very into neutral tones in case you couldn’t tell.  I like how this has a blend of matte and luster finishes.  These eyeshadows are pretty pigmented and easily blend-able.  As I was using my finger to swatch the colors, it was like touching butter! When I went to Sephora to purchase this palette, the associate ringing me up said “This is my current FAVORITE palette.  The colors are beautiful.”  Thank you Sephora employee for verifying my absolute NEED for this.  ha!

In conclusion, if you’re looking for an eyeshadow palette that you will reach for every day, this is it.  The price point isn’t too terrible either.  Luckily, I had a $50 gift card that I received for my birthday back in May so all I had to pay was 3 pennies.  Yes, $0.03. What a steal!

tarte Tartlette in Bloom Clay Eyeshadow Palette | Sephora $46

Beauty

June Birchbox Review

Posted on June 28, 2017

It’s been awhile blog friends.  Hope there are still a few of you out there.  I just started my 2 week staycation and I have to say…I’M BACK!!!  So far on this staycation I have, worked out almost every single day (I’m going to lose some pounds damn it!), I went to the Born Free Motorcycle Show with my boyfriend (and now I know what’s it like to go to a festival in the desert – it was 100 degrees), and I helped save a kitten and find it a forever home (I have done my good deed for the month and I think I want to foster kittens now….).  So that’s what I have been up to on the other side of the computer screen.

Now, on to the blog – I have so many new reviews and I am so excited to share them with all of you.  Now, let’s get back to business.  First up…

This month’s Birchbox had a mix of really great products and some that were not so great.  Let’s begin with the good…

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray | Birchbox $46:  If you get Birchbox, you know that each month – you get to pick one of your samples.  This is the one I picked.  It is one of my holy grail products that I use on my hair every single day.  I am a “messy hair don’t care” type of gal and this stuff gives it just the right amount of texture and grit.  Plus, it has a lovely smell.  Well worth the money.  I must be on my 5th bottle!

Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 | Birchbox $39:  When BB cream was all the range a few years back, Dr. Jart+ was one of the first BB creams I used.  This was actually the same exact one.  I loved it, except I realized after awhile that it was clogging my pores.  That’s just me though.  If you’re looking for a premium BB cream, this is it and it comes in 2 different shades.  I’m Shade #1 if you are curious.

Vasanti BrightenUp! New Skin Amplifying Moisturizer | Birchbox $34: I love the Vasanti brand.  In one of my first Birchbox’s, I got a sample of the Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator and it was life changing.  I love this exfoliator. So when I got a sample of this moisturizer, I was super excited.  It’s lightweight which is good for a day time moisturizer (make sure you put on your SPF too!) and for the hot summer months.  Great if you have oily skin and need a light moisturizer.

Now let’s get to the not so good products…

Benefit Cosmetics Goof Proof Brow Pencil | Birchbox $24:  I feel like I’m always saying this with these types of reviews but…I had high hopes for this.  I was so excited to see that it was coming in my box.  However, the sample was the SMALLEST SAMPLE EVER!  When I tried it on my eyebrows, I couldn’t get a good grip on it.  I can’t even give you an honest opinion on this because the sample was so small.  No Benefit Cosmetics…NO!  How could you do this?  Very poor marketing on your part….

Manna Kadar Cosmetics Eye Candy Priming Shadow Stick | Birchbox $24:  This thing came to me broken.  I didn’t even want to open the cap and deal with the stick falling out and making a mess.  So I just took a picture of it and threw it in the trash.  Amazing that it is of such low quality, it broke going through the mail.  I didn’t even get this during the heat wave… so I can’t say that it melted in the Southern California heat.  NOPE.

3 out of 5 were winners.  YAY!

If you want to get your own Birchbox, click here!  Until next time!

 

 

 

 

Beauty

Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Powder

Posted on May 2, 2017

I have been hearing so much about “setting powders” lately.  I know that Laura Mercier has one of the best ones out there, but sometimes I like to stray away from the best sellers and look at the up and coming products.  Plus, I have a current obsession with Kat Von D products.  I love the Tattoo Liner and the Everlasting Liquid Lipstick (review coming soon!).  I know I’m late jumping on this bandwagon but it’s better late then never right?

First I needed to figure out exactly what I am supposed to use setting powder for.  Is it the same as using powder foundation after my liquid foundation?  Do I put it on after both of those?  Do I need to “bake” with it?  There are so many questions! Lucky for you, I did hours of research for you.  Here’s what I found out:

  • Use setting powder after your liquid foundation to matte and “set” your face.  It’s different from powder foundation in that it’s lighter and will typically not give you a cake-y finish.
  • Baking:  Putting a crap load of translucent powder under your eyes (typically) and letting it sit there for awhile.  The heat from your face will set your foundation and concealer giving you a flawless finish.  Some people use it where they contour as well.  I am not that savvy just yet.

Personally, baking is too much for me.  My friend does it for big events and swears by it.  I guess you can say that I am too lazy and don’t want to deal with the excessive amount of powder after.

So how is this setting powder?  I am still getting used to it but you can kind of see it in the photo with my hand – it’s powdery.  However, it’s a finely milled silky powder.  I used CoverFx’s Matte Setting Powder and within an hour my nose was super shiny.  The Kat Von D one gives me a nice glow.  Seems to have the tiniest bit of shimmer in it but not much.  I do have to do one touch up in the middle of the day with a pressed powder (review coming soon!), but it’s not bad.  If you are looking for a setting powder, this is definitely a great one to try.  It’s lightweight AND the Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Brush so soft!  I am a sucker for brushes that go with the product.

Final thoughts:  I still love Kat Von D’s products and definitely think you should try it out!!!  Stay tuned for more Kat Von D product reviews.  I am obsessed right now – so that’s what you’re going to get!

Lock-It Setting Powder | Sephora $30   Lock-It Setting Powder Brush | Sephora $38

Beauty

Marc Jacobs Beauty – Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter

Posted on April 23, 2017

I received the Marc Jacobs Beauty Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter complimentary from Influenster for review a few weeks ago. When I found out I was chosen to review this products, I was super excited.  I have heard such great things about the Marc Jacobs Beauty brand and wanted to test this out!  Dew Drops is a lightweight, coconut-infused gel highlighter that can be applied directly onto the skin or added to a foundation or primer for a glow.  I have been trying it the last few weeks and am finally able to give a good honest review.

PROS:

  • The packaging is very fancy.  The product comes in a nice glass bottle.  It feels very luxurious.
  • The amount of product that comes in the package is a lot!
  • A little goes a long way = this bottle will last forever!
  • Great for mixing with your foundation for a glow from within look
  • The Radiant Finish color has a gold tint and will work on most skintones.
  • Marc Jacobs Beauty has been known for having some great products

CONS:

  • It’s a bit hard to control when you just want to highlight your cheekbones.  I find that when I put a little, I can’t see anything.  Then I put a few more drops on my cheekbones and then it’s too much.  Since it’s like a lotion I have to rub rub rub.  Well, I don’t want to rub rub rub.  I want it to sink in when I pat it on with my fingers, which it doesn’t do.
  • Doesn’t smell like coconut – which I feel like it should since it has coconut oil.

Final thoughts: Marc Jacobs Beauty Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter definitely tried to jump on the highlighter bandwagon.  Unfortunately, I prefer to use my powder highlighter.  If you are looking for a subtle glow to add to your foundation – this is it!

Thank you Influenster & Marc Jacobs Beauty for letting me review this product!  #CoconutGlow #contest @Influenster @MarcBeauty

Sephora $44.00