Shopping the Stash

I’ve seen quite a lot of posts like these, but maybe I shall rephrase this – shopping my MOM’S stash. Okay, let’s be honest, I may or may not have taken a few products from here uhuhmmm-stash-humhh. Just take a look below and I’m sure you’d do the same thing. Some things are mine, but some are hers. I’ll just specify below.

Chanel Tweed Blush
Did ya see that title? CHANEL! Yup, that’s what it said. I haven’t really used this yet, but from what I can tell by swatching and stuff, it is not pigmented at all. It is a little shimmery, maybe it would be better as a highlighter, but for now I’ll just keep it and lust over the packaging for a while.

MAC Peaches Blush
I feel like I hear every blogger, youtuber, pretty much everything I waste my time on, talk about this. It is a gorgeous, gorgeous blush. I used it today and so far I really like it. It is quite brightening, but I will keep you posted on how I get on. (Oh, this was my mom’s).

Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow in Navajo
This is a bit white, but I feel like this could make a really pretty inner corner highlight. Again, I’ll tell you how I get on with this. I’m not a huge fan of really stark shadows, but maybe this one will be good.

Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Balm
I honestly think I just forgot about this. I just slapped it on right before I took these pictures and I know now that I will be getting a lot of use out of this. If you haven’t tried any of these lip balms – YOU GOT TO!

The Balm’s Mary Loumanizer
I got this in my Birchbox, I just haven’t really used this. The texture is really buttery and smooth and you can use this as a shadow as well. It looks a bit like Stila’s kitten, but we’ll see.

MAC  eyeshadow in Soba
I already love this, but I just haven’t worn it in a while. I’m definitely going to start wearing this again because it is just really pretty. I really (okay, I just said that) want to get some more MAC eyeshadows, but two more weeks baby, two more!

Well, that’s it! What are some products you haven’t worn in a while that you want to wear again?

September Empties

What better way to spend a Sunday than with an empties post, eh? If you are unfamiliar with posts such as this, basically it is a review of the products that you have used up recently. So, grab your cups of coffee people and pap-a-squat!

 

Organix Morrocan Oil Shampoo: I talked about how much I loved the coconut milk one of these, but that was a long time ago…okay, it was just a month, but my opinion has changed. First, the whole Organix brand of shampoos don’t actually get your hair clean. With loads of hairspray jammed into my hair everyday, my head of hair is pretty much the idea test for these shampoos. Unfortunately, while using these shampoos, I got out of the shower to find a head full of flakes from broken down hairspray that resemble…well, dandruff. They also made my scalp soooo itchy. I hope that clears some ground up. I promise the rest of the products are more positive.

C.O. Bigelow Mentha Body Lotion: I really like the idea of this cream (and so will any lover of icy hot like me), but this does nothing to moisturize my skin.

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray: I really loved this. It really did keep my makeup all. day. long. My makeup was less shiny when 3 o’clock came around and everything was a bit less…smeary. I will definitely be repurchasing this again in the future, but for now, I’m going to try out some other makeup sprays.

 

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate: I actually liked this, but I know that there are definitely some scrubs with the same quality that are just as good.

Bobbi Brown Everything Mascara: I really (repeat: really) liked this mascara, but I feel like paying a lot for mascara is kind of a waste. There are so many good drugstore mascaras, I just don’t really see the point. Also, this one isn’t waterproof and, judging from the back of my leotard during ballet class today, I need waterproof.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment: I have this product in the Honey tint, but I received this as part of my birthday gift from Sephora and oh boy, do I like it! It is the perfect night time treatment (and morning too) that leaves my lips so soft and smooth. I’m so sad to see this go, but I really want to buy the full size, but I have another product like this that I want to try first.

August Favorites

For me, the end of August is bitter sweet. I am super excited for the start of my favorite season…fall! At the same time, though, it also means school and homework. Anyway, here are the products I have been loving this month.

P.S. I have gotten a lot of new products this month (mostly because it was my birthday), so I could only include some, but I will include the others in some upcoming posts. I figured that would be more helpful.

 

Lush lip scrub / I received this as a gift and I am absolutely obsessed with it! I have been using in every night…and sometimes every morning. It leaves my lips so soft and luscious. I am not a huge, huge fan of the flavor, but with the effect that it gives….it’s so worth it. @ Lush

Maybelline baby lips / I got this a while ago, but for some reason, I have been obsessed with it lately. It leaves your lips so smooth and perfect. I really prefer the “quenched” flavor of the other ones, for I feel as though it does a better job moisturizing your lips and is a bit thicker, but they are all pretty amazing. @ drugstore

Urban Decay all nighter / with the start of school and ballet, my makeup is put to the ultimate test for staying power. This stuff works wonder…well, when I’m not sweating everything off of course. It definitely does with stand the fitness class worthy sweats at school and the oil that builds up throughout the day. @ Sephora

NYC smooth skin bronzer / basically, I have three words….i. am. obsessed. This is amazing. It distributes the perfect amount of pigment and is the perfect color. Definitely go and pick this up. You can’t beat the price tag! P.S. I’ve heard it’s better than the NARS laguna bronzer. @ drugstore

Estee Lauder eye shadow in mocha cup / this has been my favorite eye shadow this month. I love putting a little on my lid and under my eyes for a soft smokiness. @ Estee Lauder

Bobbi Brown blending brush / this is the perfect brush for applying shadow all over the lid or, of course, blending. @ Bobbi Brown

Blemish Clearing concealers / i decided to link two concealers in one. First, I bought the Neutrogena one and loved it, but found it was not quite opaque enough. Then, I bought the Bobbi Brown one, which I also loved and solved the opaqueness problem, but was a bit hard to blend. Over all, these are great dupes of each other, because I love both and they both contain salicylic acid to clear breakouts. @ Bobbi Brown or drugstore

Organix coconut milk shampoo and conditioner / i absolutely love these. Unlike the moroccan oil ones, they are thick, but not too thick, and are moisturizing, provide shine, make my hair so soft, don’t make it frizzy, oh…and they smell amazing. I think these are my absolute favorite shampoos and conditioners. @ drugstore

Lush “honey I washed the kids” soap / i love this soap. First, it smells amazing, it cleans really well, and I love that there is real honey comb on the top, which melts so nicely into your skin the first few times you use it which makes your shower extra, extra, luxurious! @ Lush

Beauty Look / August 2012

Since recently I have been a bit more adventurous with my makeup, I decided to give you a little peek into my usual beauty routine for this month and a peek into my style. Since you know I’m so into natural makeup, this does not disappoint. What have I been loving this month? That look when you wore eyeliner the night before and the smokiness still kind of lingers around the eyes….I just love that! This is supposed to mirror that, but with out the late night, little sleep, and removing. Enjoy!

Beauty Look / August 2012

1 / First, I start with the base by applying BB cream, concealer, and powder. If you don’t have a BB cream, you can use a really light foundation.

2 / Next, the eyes! I start by using a soft taupy, grey, brown shadow and use it underneath my eye and a tad in the crease, but focusing in the outer “v”. Then, I use mascara on the top and bottom lashes, focusing the mascara on the outer top lashes. Use clear mascara or brow gel to touch up your brows.

3/ Lastly, add the finishing touches. Brush a little bronzer in a “3” on down your nose, a little blush on the apples of the cheeks, and highlighter on the cheek bones, right above lip, and on the brow bone.

Products Used : Boscia BB Cream / Clinique redness solutions powder / Neutrogena skin clearing concealer / Estee Lauder mocha cup shadow (bottom right column) in picture / Bobbi Brown everything mascara / Great Lash clear / NYC smooth skin bronzer in sunny / Benefit’s Girl Meets Pearl / NARS deep throat blush / Urban Decay “all nighter” makeup setting spray

Summer Essentials Triple Feature / Sun Essentials

In an adjoining effort to make your summer vacations as effortless and chic as you are, a friend and I have decided to do a trio of posts. Each post will list some essentials that we have picked out for various occasions.

Now that you have the gist of things, let me tell you about my this friend that I mentioned. In one word, she is amazing. She is sweet, gorgeous, an amazing blogger, and dancer. Although she does not identify herself as any of these things, the titles that I have supplied do not do her nearly enough good. She has amazing style, think desert chic (although those are slightly two oxymorons), and is the nicest person I have ever met. Her blog is just a click away (here) and you will be more than glad that you checked it out.

First up, Sun Essentials…

 My Essentials

• Scotch Soda beach tunic, €80
• Ray-Ban Aviator Large Metal Sunglasses, $139
• Benefit Cosmetics cheek bronzer, $26
• Bobbi Brown Cosmetics waterproof mascara, $24
• Bobbi Brown Cosmetics shimmering beach fragrance oil, $34
• Eos lip treatment in lemon drop, $2.99
• Essie nail polish in marshmallow, $8
• Benefit Cosmetics solid lotion, £23
• Bumble and Bumble surf spray, $24

Elizabeth’s Essentials

• Tory Burch white flip flops, $417
• J Crew tote handbag, $45
• The Row round frame sunglasses, $330
• Benefit’s watt’s up highlighter
• Tarte blush, $32
• Maybelline waterproof makeup, £16
• Shu uemura cheek stain, $25
• MAC Cosmetics lip treatment, $16
• NARS Cosmetics bronzer, $59
• Evian facial mist, £3.57
• Tarte lip product, $24
• MASLIN Zebra hide towel with leather holster, £240
• Emi-Jay ‘Tangerine’ Hair Ties (3-Pack), $6.50