I'm not a huge fan of New Year's Eve. I feel like there is so much pressure to have a good time, go super big and fabulous, that it's more likely to be a disappointment than the best night of the year. But I am starting to get excited for tonight. My friends roped me into going to one of the big, fancy, over-the-top parties in SF. I am mostly excited to get all dolled up, drink bubbly with my girls, and pretend we are fabulously wealthy and important (there is even a red carpet and everything at this party!). I am wearing the same dress I wore to my company holiday party, since I got so many compliments and hardly anyone saw me. It is a fabulous royal blue coctail dress that just shines in pictures, especially when everyone else is wearing LBDs, as they often do. I got some fab pewter patent leather pumps and a gorgeous smokey jewelled necklace to go with, but I am most excited about the new eyeliner I picked up (of course!). It is Urban Decay's Liquid Eyeliner in Radium, a metallic royal blue, because it matches my dress perfectly! I am a little nervous to try out a new look for tonight but I figure, why not?! I'm thinking a smokey eye that incorporates the bright blue liner, and lots of shimmer and sparkle. I'll let you know how it goes.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Happy New Years!
Friday, December 28, 2007
My Favorite Gift
So glad its Friday, coming back to work has been surprisingly busy. I'm ready for a fun weekend out and about with some old friends and new ones. And my favorite Christmas gift is going to help make me feel fabulous: my new Infiniti Nano Silver by Conair™ Tourmaline Ceramic™ Hair Styler. I have used it a few times now, and I can honestly say it's the best hair dryer I've ever owned. Of course I've only ever bought hair dryers at the drugstore, and a few years back I even used a travel sized dryer for a long time (I was so clueless back then!).
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Last Minute Shopping Pays Off
Since I waited until the eve of x-mas eve to get all my friends and family's presents, I was limited to shopping at the mall by my parents house in Seattle (that and it was raining cats and dogs on Sunday... not conducive to running all over town!). Surprisingly enough, I ending up getting everything I needed from Nordstrom and Macy's. I checked out the new ULTA store, and didn't see anything that caught my eye. It is a nice mix of drugstore finds and higher end lines, but I was still confused at that point about what to get everyone, so it just overwhelmed me.
After scoring some things at Nordstrom, with the help of their always suggestive and informative staff, I headed over to Macy's, not sure of what I might find. Ok, I'll just come out and admit it: I've never bought anything Origins. Not sure why, it just hasn't come under my radar until recently. I stumbled upon their rather large display in Macy's. With the helped of an extremely sweet and attentive salesperson (at Macy's?!? I was shocked!) I found a perfect gift set for my mom. It contained a tube of the Pure Cream cleanser, a small tube of Perfect World white tea skin guardian, and and pot of Youthtopia, a skin firming cream. So far, she says its makes her skin feel super smooth and soft. Love it when gifts are sucessful!
While the nice saleswoman was wrapping up the set all pretty, I got to testing out their other products and I knew I was in trouble. I ending up picking up a pot of their excellently smelling A Perfect World body cream. The white tea fragrance is divine, perfect after a long hot shower and shave, to keep your skin fresh and moisturized in the winter. Ahhhh. I had to leave it in Seattle though, since I didn't want to check baggage. My mom is sending that and a few other things I got for Christmas in the mail. I can't wait for that package!
Moisturize Lovely!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Merry Christmas!
Hope everyone is having a lovely christmas (or day off of work at least, even if you don't celebrate!). I feel very fortunate to have generous family and friends. I got so many great beauty items to try out, and you all will be reading about them soon! Too bad I can't take them all home tonight. I don't want to check baggage, so all the liquids and heavy things are going to be shipped later. Such is life. I'll just have to wait to play with all my treats... except my new hairdryer, an Infiniti Nano Silver by Conair™ Tourmaline Ceramic™ Hair Styler. Yeah! I am fitting that in my little carry on bag. Can't wait to review it. Finally an affordable tourmaline dryer.Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and I'll be back in action asap!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Holiday Break
As you might have noticed, I've been taking a little vacation from blogging. The holidays have brought many distractions and I can't seem to find the time to sit down and post. But have no fear, once Christmas is over, I'll be back in full swing.
I'm finally getting to my Christmas shopping today (it's the only thing I procrastinate, I swear!) and I'm going to attempt to buy only beauty products for all my friends and family. Even my dad (he needs shampoo or something, I just know it!) I figure why not use my expertise to gift with love and knowledge.
So excited to see as I drove into my home town of Seattle that an ULTA just open at the mall by my parent's house. So I'll be heading there today, and then Target and Sephora, hauling all the beauty I can find for my loved ones.
Shop Lovely!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
The Last One To Lash
I know if you read a lot of Beauty Blogs, you are going to be sick of this review, but hopefully I can add a few additional insights into Cover Girl's new mascara, LashBlast. Its the one in the vibrant orange tube, with the funny looking brush.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Prime It Up Right
I am relatively new to the world of primers, but so far, I am loving the concept! Creating a smooth, silky base for your makeup to set on makes perfect sense. And they make your makeup last longer, who wouldn't want that?
As I posted the other day, I tried out the small bottle of Smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($15.50) because I was sick of hearing all the hype. Had to try it out myself. Well, it feels amazing on the skin, so smooth and soft and matte. My only complaint was after the bottle sat on my shelf for two days, when I when to squeeze it out this morning, an oily substance came out first. This might be because its in a squeeze bottle instead of a pump jar like the bigger size, but it made me think I should try out the oil-free Light formula next time since I do have oily, acne-prone skin at times.
Friday, December 14, 2007
A Little Link Love
So my company holiday party was a BLAST! Seriously, the swankiest party I've ever been to, and maybe ever will go to! I would be a lucky woman if my wedding was half as cool as this party. Would you believe it was at this place?! So frickin fabulous!Needless to say, I am hurting a little this morning. So all I can muster up is a little link love to my fellow beauty bloggers:
- Sounds like Beauty Snob had the same experience with horrid lip liner that I did as a young lady.
- I really need to work on my quest for the perfect foundation. Yummy411 is well on her way, talking with a MAC advisor on Live Chat.
- Vanessa from NessasaryMakeup looks super cute in orange, way better than I ever would!
- Getting some great gift ideas for my beauty loving gal pals from City Chic. Love the YSL necklace!
- I'm not the only product junkie who loves her drugstore finds! The Daily Cookie starts her day with good old Olay.
- Its nice to find a girl who loves makeup as much as I do. i♥makeup showcases Shu Uemura's fab Holiday sets. Love all the brushes, so cool!
- I'm getting naughty ideas about where next to spend my bonus reading Beauty Bliz's must have MAC eyeshadow list. Can't believe I still don't own Shroom!
Link Lovely!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Bonus Time! Sephora Here I Come!
Although dull at times, working in finance does have its perks: Holiday Bonus time! After receiving my check today (of which the government took almost half! sniff, sniff), I heading over to Union Square. I had to go pick up tights to wear with my cute cocktail dress tonight at our company holiday party cause its so darn cold in SF right now. Once they were purchased, of course, I beelined over to Sephora to treat myself on a job well done this year:I got NARS's Night Series Mini Palette($55), something I have been lusting after for months! It's quite pricey, but definitely a must have for my eyeshadow collection. All the colors are so shimmery and fun, perfect for creating holiday looks. I don't usually wear green eyeshadow, but I am going to experience with some new color combos and it will be fabulous, I just know it.I also picked up a small bottle of Smashbox's famed Photo Finish Foundation Primer($15.50). Everyone raves about this so much, I knew I had to try it. Not quite ready to invest in the full size, this one is perfect for me to test it out. I have used products with silicone in them, so I know how lovely they make your skin feel. I have a feeling this is going to be a winner!I also got a new brush ($9) for my gel eyeliners. It is actually a Sephora Professional lip brush, but I am going to use it for my MAC Fluidline tonight, since I forgot the brush I usually use at home. The brush is stiff enough for eyeliner and just becuase it says its for lips, doesn't mean you can't use it on your eyes. Think outside the box, ladies.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Use Your Common Scents
I took advantage of the Sephora's Friends and Family Discount to pick up Gwen Stefani's new Fragrance L by L.A.M.B. ($55 for 1.7oz.) because I really enjoyed the scent in the store. I still like it, but I am so not satisfied with its staying power. I know that after you spray perfume, your nose gets used to it and you can't smell it on yourself after awhile. But L hardly lasts at all. It is the perfect mix of citrus, floral, and a touch of musk, but who would ever know?! It disappears on me 5 minutes after I spray it. I am so very sad. I'll continue to wear it as an everyday scent until its used up, but I don't think I'll buy it again.
Smell Lovely!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Not a Flake in Sight... Thanks guys!
I know I might be jumping the gun a little but I think my skin is all better. I listened to a few friends' sound advice, and presto! My skin is back to being soft and smooth. Usually, I am the one giving the tidbits of product knowledge to my girlfriends, but this condition was so out of the norm for me I was clueless, kinda.
While at Walgreens, I remember a conversation I had with my friend D the other week when I remarked how lovely her skin looked. Here she was in the middle of finals and law school application hell, and her skin was radiant! I asked her what she was using, since I know she has fairly sensitive skin like me. A bit of a brand snob like me, I was surprised to hear she was using Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15. It is a great face lotion for sensitive, irritated skin. It has a nice light scent, but it's hypoallergenic and noncomdeogenic. My skin felt soft and smooth after I used it, and has continued to stay that way all day. Thanks D!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Help! Winter Is Attacking My Face!
Seriously, I need some honest to god suggestions for excellent face creams and dry skin remedies. Some combination of trying a new cleanser (Murad's Clarifying Cleanser - think it was too drying for my right now), the crisp 50 degree weather, my heater, and my acne medication (Retin-A Micro, Rx only) has turning my face into a red, dry, scaley mess! I can't even wear foundation or powder, cuz they stick to the dry areas more than the not dry areas and I look like a clown!
I have been slathering on The Body Shop's Vitamin E Nourishing Night Cream multiple times a day, since it's the thickest face cream I have on hand. But it doesn't seem to be cutting the dryness, only creating a layer of moisture over it. I am only washing with Cetaphil, the super gentle one, but its doesn't seem to do much either.
I think I need to exfoliate all this dry skin off, but I'm scared to get a worse reaction. My face is already kind of red and irritated, I can't imagine having to walk around with it any worse.
Help me! If you have any suggestions on products that have helped you in the past, please let me know. I made an appointment to see my dermatologist, but the earliest I can see her is Thursday... I can't wait that long.
Advise lovely!
Friday, December 7, 2007
Eyes on the Prize
I have had one of the worse weeks of my life makeup-wise. I woke up Monday unable to put my contacts in because of some infection/virus thing. All week I have been bumbling around, half blind in my glasses (they are the wrong Rx and they don't fit quite right... not a good combo!) unable to wear any eye makeup! I am slowing dieing inside. To top it off, my face is breaking out a bit. Ugh. I feel like such a mess. So right now I am dreaming of the makeup can't use.
The Urban Decay Urban Ammo Eye Palette has their top 10 shadows. I want! I want! So pretty! Their eyeshadows are full of pigment and fun and sparkely. And really, I can always justify a new eyeshadow palette.
I really want to try out a new Mascara, like Dior's Diorshow Blackout Mascara and probably after the infection, I should! (Ew, right?!) Anyone have suggestions for new mascara's to try? I want volume, volume, volume, and a bit of length. Oh, and SUPER black.
With my new obsession for pot eyeliners, I should just go ahead and get Smashbox's Cream Eye Liner Palette and go nuts with new colors, that is, when my eyes heal.
I think I want to try a eyeshadow primer. Anyone know of a good one? I don't want anything with color, just something to create a smooth, silky base for eyeshadows adhere to. Bare Escentuals bareVitamins Prime Time Eyelid Primer looks like it might work well. But I'm open to suggestions.
So until my doctor clears me, I'll just dream of all the products I can't use. Have a good weekend everyone, and think of poor old me when you apply that eyeliner. Boo Hoo. ;(
Color Lovely!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
I've Been Tagged!
The Rules: Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to then report this on their own blog with their 7 things as well as these rules. They then need to tag 7 others and list their names on their blog. They are also asked to leave a comment for each of the tagged, to let them know that they have been tagged and to read the blog.
(me and my friend Sar before our first holiday cocktail party of the year! Don't we look fabulous?!)
1) I grew up in Seattle and was fortunate enough to be born with stick straight hair that does not frizz in the rain! Talk about lucky! Rain doesn't do much for my lack of volume, but its better than crazy waviness. I didn't even own an umbrella until I moved to the Bay Area 5 1/2 years ago.
2) I have never gotten my eyebrows waxed (I'm extremely new to waxing elsewhere...its not as bad as I thought!) but I get compliments all the time on my tweezing skills.
3) I didn't wear blush until I was 21. Wow-zers, I was missing out! Hello sunshine, I'm awake! I think I tried bronzers around the same time too. Miraculous products, I tell ya.
4) I love to try new products (duh, if you've ever read this blog.) but I can't seem to get enough MAC. They just know how to do color. It really is like going to an art supply store for your face, so much fun.
5) I never enjoyed writing until I started this blog. It was my least favorite thing in school for sure. But now I look forward to typing out my latest gushings about products I've discovered. Boy, things do change and for the better!
6) My guilty (non-beauty) pleasures are: wine, Gossip Girl, The Hills, cheese, and gummy bears! Terrible right?! haha.
7) I work in finance right now, but I am looking to make a major career move into something beauty related. I love living in San Francisco and I just know there are opportunities in the beauty industry here for me, I just have to search them out! If you have any bits of advice, I'm all ears!
I am now tagging these 7 bloggers (I tried to find new blogs but sorry if you've been "hit" before): Beauty And Bangles, Bellavita Style, Make Her Up, Hello Dollface, Shades of U, The Non-Blonde, and Sugarshock.
Tag Lovely!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Bargain Alert: Tarte FF Discount!
Had to share this one with any and all of my blog-reading friends:
Now until December 31st, enter the code FF07 at checkout at TarteCosmetics.com to get a whopping 35% off! Wow-ZAH! That is awesome.
It's great time to stock up on Tarte products like their superb Cheekstains, fab Mascara, and these mini Brushes! You better believe I'll be blowing a bit of holiday cash of some Tarte!
Plus: Shipping is free if you buy 3 items or more! Oh dear, I am in trouble!
Shop Lovely!
Holiday Beauty Gift Guide: Makeup Palettes under $50
Makeup palettes make great gifts for your makeup-obsessed freinds, and those that need a little help in the color department! These fun boxes with eyeshadows, blushes, and lip colors allow for your friends to try new things and often times they are perfect for mobile beautifying, i.e. at the gym or on the road. Here are some I found all for under $50:
Two Faced The Jewelry Box ($39.50) has everything a girl needs to feel her upmost glamerous! the box does not contains jewelry, but it does have a ton of stuff: eight eyeshadows, six lip glosses, blush, a duo bronzer, foundation powder, brow powder, eyeliner cake, and a shimmering face illuminator. Wow, that's a lot of stuff for a tiny little box!
Sephora Brand Beauty Fever Palette ($25) is a purse sized set of all the tools you need to go from blah to beauty-full wherever you might be. The set includes eyeshadows, blushes, bronzers, lip glosses, and even a mini Lash Plumper mascara!
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Holiday Beauty Gift Guide: Fragrance Sets for Him
Most guys I know get their scent one of three ways: their girlfriend or wife buys it for them, they picked out a cologne they liked back in high school and haven't strayed since, or they go eau natural, i.e. they are too lazy and macho to buy one for themselves. I personally agree with letting their partners pick on the scent, since they will be the one smelling it! So this holiday buy the man in your life, or a stinky brother or friend, something that smells divine, and hopefully they'll actually use it. Here are some suggestions:
As with women's' fragrances, Sephora has a ingenious gift idea for those hard to read males: the Scent Sample Gift Set. The certificate comes with ten samples of their top selling smells. All they have to do is try them out and see which one they love (though you might have to go to Sephora and pick it up for them, some men have a problem walking into the store...I don't understand it!). The samples include: Aquolina Blue Sugar, Carolina Herrera 212 Men, Ermenegildo Zegna ZegnaIntenso, Kenneth Cole R.S.V.P., Lacoste Essential, Masaki Matsushima M;Men, Givenchy Very Irresistable Givenchy For Men Fresh Attitude, and Yves Saint Laurent L'Homme, plus a bonus Anthony Logistics for Men Shave Cream. They have to find something they love.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Holiday Beauty Gift Guide: Fragrance Sets for Her
For the next installment of my gift guide, I'll cover an easy, yet tricky gift to give: fragrance! I just recently gotten more interested in perfume. I understand those of you who feel daunted by the many choices and brands out there. I, for one, like to buy small bottles of a different perfume every few month, since I get bored easily. Giving you friends a perfume gift set can be a fun way for them to try something new or something wouldn't buy for themselves. Discount stores like Loehmann's, Nordstrom Rack or Marshall's are good place to find cheap perfume sets, especially for classic and popular fragrances, like Burberry Brit or Clinique's Happy. For newer or less well-known scents, head to department stores or Sephora. Gift sets are fun also because they can include lotion and perfume solids. These can be used to layer the scent which increases staying power. Here are a few sets I found browsing online: