what im using now

When the new year was approaching, I decided to zone in on my favorite beauty products. Instead of buying anything and everything off the shelf that attracted my eye, I committed to some essentials. I bought, I tired and I loved. I'm back on the Bare Minerals bandwagon for full face coverage, but I needed some additions. So here are my gems for the new year:

1. Bare Minerals Renew and Reveal Facial Cleanser, $26 (sale, $18). A dry powder cleanser that is extracted from mineral soil. Activated like a clay cleanser once mixed with water. Gentle, brightening and won't cause breakouts.

2. Philosophy's Hope in a Jar moisturizer, $38, as previously posted. Amazing.

3. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish, $34. A shimmery but beautifully pinky bronzed base for all over your face. I really like to focus on my cheekbones. Will make any complexion glow!

4. MAC Cream Colour Base $16.50. To add to the apples of your cheeks, after the Skinfinish. Smooth with a punch of color. So natural and lasts forever.

5. Rimmel Max Bold Curves mascara, $7. I haven't been impressed with any designer mascara I try, even MAC. I'm a drugstore mascara junky and I've been oh so happy with this thick and fluffy mascara.

6. Philosophy's Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash, $25. For the nights I need a little extra scrub, especially after nights out ;) but still gentles for my sensitive and oily skin.

7. Bath and Body Work's Warm Vanilla Sugar body wash, $10.50. So delicious and soothing.

8. MAC Select Moisturecover in NC 15, $16.50. Creamy with a perfect coverage, especially for those purple/pink under eyes typical for fair skinned ladies.

I always stick to MAC eyeshadows and cream eye pots, lip gloss and concealer. Philosophy makes incredible facial products and am very pleased with the outcome. Truly, I'm a MAC and Philosophy loyalist, but am always open to more.

What are your essentials? What are you using right now?

jar full of hope

it's heaven in a jar. light, fluffy with great moisture. combination skins is quite the dilemma and i usually have trouble finding that perfect balance, but this does the trick!

$38 for a 2.5 oz, but well worth the bills. a dab goes a long way. the perfect lotion underneath your makeup, or lather it on for your evening snooze. i couldn't be more obsessed.

find at sephora and nordstrom. happy skin, lovies!

photo 1 (unknown, sorry!), 2

ballet buns

how adorable and unique are these buns? loving them! the makeup ain't bad either...

Holiday Beauty Buy #2

Friends, so sorry. Yesterday was insane and I didn't have one second of down time to post my #2 favorite for the (holi)day. So we resume here...

#2- Glow town! If you remember, last year, I posted about Josie Maran's all natural, organic line of skin care and make-up. But, I was a total fail- never even tried the stuff, although I was really dying to see what all the rave was about...well, m'friends.... my sister finally said that her argan oil was spectacular and that I must purchase a bottle. I gave it a chance and have been using for about a month. and let me tell you, I am a total convert! I use a dime size (or less) on my face and neck morning and night. A lightweight oil that isn't greasy and full of essential fatty acids and vitamin E. Tones and firms; reduces wrinkles, redness and other forms of skin annoyances. You can also use this on your cuticles, body and hair! (i've tried it everywhere, practically).

Josie's .7 oz bottle is $14 and lasts! But you can get the 2.1 oz for $48. My other sweet sister, however, purchased a generic bottle of simple argan oil at her local all-natural food store and it does the same trick; a 3.2 oz for only $20! So don't be afraid to search.

Purchase at Sephora or online.

Toodles! xo,

sorry, i can't remember this photo credit!

a tartan tale

MAC's new holiday collection.

how fun and euro! i love it.

photo via

see more here and here

xo,

Sonia's Got it All

{marieclaire}

Sonia Kashuk has a glorious line of makeup, brushes and bags via Target stores nationwide and I am quite in love. From barely there powders, to lusciously vibrant lip colors and stunning eye shadows, you are sure to find something you can't live without. Dare to try any and all of her products. I especially adore her makeup bags-- so fresh and hip with plenty of storage. Plus, everything is ungodly affordable for the quality you are getting.

Just some of my favorite faces...

{marieclaire}

{marieclaire}

{almostgirl}

Gorgeous!

xox,