Holiday Beauty Buy #3

again, im a total loser. flurry of a week last week and now im stuck home with the worst head cold imaginable. but either way, here is the next holiday must have beauty buy.

#3 Glitter Me Pretty. I've moved on from my love of MAC face products. Convinced their studio fix cover-up was giving me some serious breakouts (couldn't be those cookies and bags of sea salt vinegar chips ive been eating...kidding. er, sorta). ok, im off track. but really, i have recommitted to the simplistic and au natural bare escentuals line and am luuurving my matte face powder, warmth, and veil. but even more, im waiting the minutes for my next paycheck to purchase their All Wrapped Up Holiday Eye Collection, $34 (a value of $66).

well, i really don't need these fabulous eye colors, but wouldn't this make the best gift for that girlfriend, sister or mother who is also a die-hard makeup fanatic? great for blending, day or night. don't forget your ultra black mascara.

Purchase online or at your local Bare Escentuals store.
xx,

photo via OH & bare escentuals

Kick Off to your Holiday Beauty Buys

Good morning, lurvies! Here we are- enjoy this week's Holiday Beauty Buys; the cream of the crop for either gift ideas or a much needed treat for yourself. Each day I'll post my favorite beauty product as of lately and hopefully, you'll want to give it a try. Yay for the holidays!

#1 - Wing it! I've always been a huge fan of liquid eyeliner- at least the heavy, 60s cat eye version. If you're going to wear liquid, make it strong and meaningful. And now, the wing look seems to be everywhere.

So try this: Maybelline Line Stiletto Ultimate Precision Liquid Eyeliner, $7

No dragging, smearing or awkward chunks. Ultimate control with a firm and flexible tip. Perfect for beginners. I love it and wore it all weekend... and it's oh so budget friendly.

ok, back to work and some cafe sippin'...

xo,

photo via

Smoking Stick

i am tempted to try.
but the colors are iffy...
i think the bronze would make a great smokey eye,
that isn't too gothic.

CoverGirl Shadow Blast Stick in Bronze Fire, $7

ah drew, how i love thee.

XO,

Kind of that corpse look...

the whole dark copper eye shadow, fair cheeks, and deep lip stick.

if you've seen Sherlock Holmes (please do!) you will notice the lovely Rachel McAdams.
she wears the almost red black eye shadow with a copper apple red lip.
it is somewhat shocking since the color contrasts are so harsh,
but then it dawns on you that it is completely beautiful.

not really a day-time look, but if you need the drama, this is it.
there are plenty of varieties, so play around.
just be careful with too many red tones.

some images to reflect a current trend.


do with it what you wish.
always,

"I Die"

Yesterday was a horrendous, horrendous work day, so I apologize for the lack of a blog update. Shame on you, Beebs.

However, my best girls and I topped off the night with a fabulous dinner at Ping for Ms. MacMillen's 24th Birthday! Delish.

So... I need a little inspiration--not to mention I haven't treated myself to some killer beauty products in a while...so I'm feeling a bit bogged down. Hello MAC, where are you!?

I found this look from another blog and my oh my, it's to die for.

{judiciaryreport}

"I Die." (We all love Rachel Zoe, do we not!?)

Try this look with any deep matte blue you can find-- MAC, Loreal, CoverGirl etc. Keep the lips nude and cheeks fair.

Peace, Love & Cheerios,

Puff Daddy

Do you ever have those mornings when you wake up after either a night of restless sleep or just the hardest, heaviest sleep of your life? I often experience both. And thus, I am faced with my own face in the mirror, staring grotesquely back at me. GASP!

OK, I am being a tad dramatic, but truly, I think most of us can relate to the puffy, swollen, tired eyes look-- and it's sadly all too real and discouraging. My lovely co-worker and struggle with the constant 'puff daddy' look and it's time to fix our little dilemma.

So let's try this:

Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller, $13.49

Said to diminish circles and decongests puffiness. Combined with caffeine and pro-vitamin B5 to make your eyes look renewed and refreshed. It's small enough for travel, with a cool silver tip to roll gently on your lids.

Puff, be gone!

Alright, I'm sold. Maybe you are too.

{find this product at any Target, Rite Aid or Walgreens}

Toodles! xx,

Beauty Heat Beat: Eyeliner

In sweltering heat waves such as these in the NW ('rainy' Portland, yeah right!), lathering on eye shadow makes me hot and tired, even the thought of it. So to beat the heat while still looking your summer best, here is a tip.

Eyeliner. Yes yes and yes. Hot damn, I love eyeliner and think it is a key product that should always remain in your beauty bag. Again, you do not need to pay a lot. Rimmel and Wet n' Wild make great lines as well as the eyeliner pencils that sit next to the Sinful nail colors at the check out in Walgreens...

If you haven't noticed them before, do try. At most Walgreens, in the beauty section, there will be a check out stand with a variety of odds and ends. There is always a stack of shelves holding eyeliners in ALL shades and don't cost more than $2. Excellent!

There are two ways of utilizing these eyeliners. Dramatic and funky; Black and blue. I experiment with both. Currently, I am obsessed with blue and turquoise eyeliners and eye shadows. I will only line my bottom lid and maybe add a light gold shimmer on the inner corners of my eyes. Perfect for summer and exotic trips with very little fuss. See below; love!



The black is much bolder; your eyes will scream "Hello world!" This look below takes a little more work and practice, but it can be perfected. And sometimes, the smudge look is edgy and great for nights out on the town in heels and a mini.

But with the black pencil, start with small strokes moving outwards-- you can also make an outline of a cat eye and fill in, like you are coloring with a marker. The thicker the better. Layer and layer. Add some mascara, maybe gold in the corner of your eyes, and you're done! If you are nervous, practice this look before setting foot on the street. Wear it with confidence! See blow: just gorgeous!




And don't forget your cocktails! Relish this weather and relax with friends (which I'll be doing in Bellingham with my FAB 10+1 for a dear friends wedding)...

xo,

Color, Color and More Color!

If you know me well, I love color. Bright clothes, bright jewelry, bright eyes. Sometimes I will even venture out and do a red or pink lipstick or gloss. Most nights out, I'm wearing some version of blue, purple or green on my eyes.

My love of color has clearly come from one person alone: my mother. I can't give her enough credit. I'm sure you've noticed I reference my mother a lot, but the woman has classic style; both in her beauty, fashion and home. But along with her chic digs, she is funky and takes risks. This is where it all began for me...having to buck up and take her advice, sometimes unwillingly. However, this is how my love for beauty and color blossomed and became my own. She now takes advice from me!

Working at a high school with teenagers will also give you some perspective on color; they all wear neon yellow, green, hot pink, satsuma orange, aqua blue. It is awesome. The more I wear bright colors, the more I hear: "You on fire!" or "That outfit is cute!" People, color is a good thing! It will only make you feel happy.

Obviously, I am not suggesting wearing bright colors on your eyes to work. Yikes, no way. Keep to browns and golds with brown eyeliner on the top only for work. However, there is nothing harmful in branching out, taking a risk and experiencing with color on your eyes...and even lips. But let's start with eyes.

I am obsessed with the current Gucci eyewear ad: just look at that matte neon purple shadow, all over the lid and lining the bottom. Now, this is definitely out there. But worn with a simple outfit with nude lipgloss/lipstick and light blush, it is HOT.

I also love the look of this vintage ad, I believe for the New York Magazine. It is a little retro, but you get the idea of green, blue and light purple. The trick is to keep it fresh. Avoid yellows, unless you have very dark, olive skin.

If you are too afraid to do bold, purchase a light sea blue or sea green and line your bottom and top lips, especially into the corners. Bare Minerals has amazing colors for this, where you can make it as light or as dark as you wish.

For those who are bolder, buy a shimmery or matte deep purple, blue or green and go over the entire lid, lining the top and bottom of your lids. Who best for this? MAC, hands down!

Basically, I love color and you should too. Blue eyes, green eyes, hazel eyes, brown eyes; they all can do it! Especially in the summer. The two best shops to check out color eye shadows: Blush Beauty Bar on NW 23rd and Glisan (I highly suggest Bare Minerals) in Portland, OR or any MAC stores. Be sure to talk to a counter rep or assistant if you are nervous or have more questions. But don't let them sway you otherwise. Stick to color.

Your goal I give to you: purchase one bright colored eye shadow this summer. MAC's eye shadows are about $13 but WELL WORTH THE SPLURGE. My favorite, definitely. Don't Bee Afraid of color. Picasso, Andy Warhol, Monet: Geniuses with color. Be an artist with your look.

*Stay tuned for my next post on a "How To" for work eyes and evening eyes for those who need help in application.

smooches,

Lengthy Lashes Quick Tip

Whilst a thunderstorm above shook Sacramento's core last night, I found myself nervously and anxiously pulling at my eyelashes. Not a good practice to follow, seeing that I already have minimal lashes to work with. Hence, my quick tip of the day.

Who likes short, stubby lashes? No one. Who wants to avoid the tarantula look? Everyone. However, we all have many different lengths to work with, but with this tip you can make your lashes full and long without surgery or prescription mascara (yes, they actually make that. Anyone seen Brooke Shield's commercial?). Ridiculous.

First, purchase an eyelash curler. Before you say no and think, 'those things are scary looking', if done right, they can create a beautiful, extended lash. Don't pay more than $5 on a curler, it is just unnecessary.

Second, take your hair dryer and on a warm setting, about 5 inches away, warm the padding on the eye curler. Leave for 15-30 seconds. *Be careful, the metal may be a tad hot, so take a second before bringing to your eyelid.

Third, curl and hold for 5-8 seconds. Be careful not to pinch your lid.

Last, add multiple coats of mascara. For the cheap, I LOVE Maybelline's Full and Soft in Very Black, only about $7. If clumpy, take an eyelash brush and pull through in order to separate each eyelash. Finger tips work also.

For special occasions or a big night out, add a few fake eyelashes that come in 3 piece sets (can be purchased at good ol' walgreens). Add these to the end of your eyelashes BEFORE adding mascara. Give at least 5 seconds for the glue to set. Fake eyelashes are a perfect glam look without hurting or harming your real lashes. Just be slow and deliberate as you pull them off at the end of the night.

Bon Chance! Toodles,