Beauty Product Review: Urban Decay Glide-On Lip Pencil

I've been wanting to find a really great red lipstick for quite a while, now, but I've struggled with finding one that meets all of my requirements. I wanted something that was a deep, true red, not a berry or pink or purple- only true red would do. I also wanted full-color, with some major saturation. Finally, it needed to feel right. I love wearing lip plumpers- I love how the menthol or whatever it is tingles on my lips.

Anyway, it was basically impossible to find something that fulfilled all of my requirements. Then, one day, I was chatting with one of the gals at work and she mentioned the idea of finding a great lip pencil for the color and then just layering a clear or neutral plumper on top. Brilliant, right?

It wasn't immediately that I found the perfect color, but after much searching, I came across Urban Decay's Glide-On Lip Pencil in "Gash," a deep rich, brick red. With that as my base, I was finally happy with the color. After carefully applying it, I layered my favorite plumper by Buxom right on top. It's kind of a nude color, but for all intents and purposes, it may as well be clear. It added the shine I like, plus it gave me that tingle-y feeling that I love so much!

When I had my make-up lesson with Joanne from Joya Beauty, she taught me to put on my lipstick FIRST if I'm ever making a bold lip choice. She said that it helps to keep everything else reined in and to make sure that you aren't over-doing it with the eyes or cheeks or anything. It definitely helped me with this look. I decided to forego the eye liner and false lashes that I normally wear to allow the lips to be the focal point. I think it worked really well:

I ate breakfast and drank a coffee in the car on the way to work and then worked the entire day with only one small touch-up. The color fron the lip pencil had some serious staying-power. It goes on smooth and creamy and it wasn't hard at all to get a nice clean line with it. I highly recommend this product, but don't worry- there are far subtler colors available, too. 

You like? You hate? Leave a comment either way! And as always, thanks for reading!

Beauty Product Review: Stila Smudge Pot

My eyes are hands-down my best feature. They're a pretty unique shade of super pale blue that never fail to garner compliments on a very regular basis. (And it never gets old, trust me.) You can see why with eyes like mine I might be a little more interested in eye make-up than any other aspect of make-up. I'll admit it's why I started wearing falsies more regularly.

Stila Smudge Pot, Sephora, $20

Anyway, all of this is simply to say that I love trying out new make-up products. I always ask people- friends, family, even strangers- what product they're wearing. That's how I learned about Stila's Smudge Pot eye liner. Eye liner is something I've only been using for about 2 years now. Prior to that, I just didn't understand how to apply it on my face and have it look good. Once I got the knack, I was immediately addicted and now I wear it daily. Part of the learning process involved figuring out which type of liner product was the easiest for me to use. Some people swear by pencils, others love liquid and of course there are the gel people. I have always hated pencils unless I'm going for a very (and I mean very) smudged-up look. For about a year and a half I wore liquid liner with a great deal of success. Juhree actually introduced me to Stila's Smudge Pot a few months before I decided to try it myself. There's a special smudge-pot brush that they try to get you to buy in addition to the liner itself, but I didn't want to spend the extra $34. Instead, I found an identical brush in the brush section at Sephora for just $11 and it's suited me just fine.

Sephora Collection Eye Liner Brush, Sephora, $11

Anyway, back to the product. As a long-time eye-liner wearer, Juhree swears by the Smudge Pot for its creamy texture, easy application and rich color. (She wears the chocolate brown just about every day.) When I finally gave it a try, I was an immediate fan as well. I purchased it in black to start and soon discovered that the color is amazing- it's rich and creamy and definitely the best black eye liner I've ever used. I wear it daily and it has completely replaced all my other favorite liquid liners. It took me a month or so to really get the hang of putting it on, since it's a little different from liquid. But once I got some practice in, I was fine. The key (for me, anyway) is small quick strokes to outline the shape and then I go back with one even stroke on top to make sure it's a smooth, crisp, clean line. I only use it on the top unless I'm going for a very dramatic look. Here's my typical daily make-up look using the Smudge Pot eye liner:

As you can see, I'm a fan of the "winged" look. And no, I'm not wearing my falsies in this photo. Also, I completely FORGOT to put on lipstick! AAAHHH!!!

After using the product successfully for a few months, I decided to branch out and try some other colors. That was when my love affair with this product met a bit of a bumpy road. I purchased both "Kitten" and "Bronze" colors with a few ideas in mind. I hoped to use the "Kitten" as a high-lighter on both upper and lower water lines and I planned for the "Bronze" to be used just like I currently use the black, but for looks that I wanted to be a little softer and subtler.

While the black is perfectly creamy and just glides on like a dream, neither the kitten nor the bronze have the same effect. Perhaps it's due to the shimmer element within the color, but they tended to clump and flake and just refuse to cooperate. I gave each one several attempts with several different types of brushes before returning them to Sephora. At $20 each, I just couldn't see myself using them at all and $40 is a lot of money to toss down the drain. Back to the store they went and I drowned my sorrows at Starbucks afterwards.

In summary, I whole-heartedly stand behind the original black smudge pot as an amazing gel eye liner that I recommend to literally everyone whether they are liner lovers or not. As for the other colors, I cannot recommend the kitten or bronze colors at all due to their clumpy texture.

Do you have a beauty product you absolutely love? I am always on the lookout for great new products, so please leave a comment or send me an email or tweet me or whatever and tell me what you love! Thanks so much for reading and have an awesome day!

Beauty Product Review: Falsies!

I have been no stranger to the mystical, magical world of false eyelashes. They were part of my daily life back when I worked in theatre- it was basically mandatory to wear them when on stage. Working in the bridal industry, I know that it's pretty standard to wear them for the big day as they photograph so well. As far as daily use, that was a different matter. No matter what mascaras I tried, no matter how much they professed to give you the "false lash effect," they never quite worked that well. And every false eyelash set I'd ever tried just looked a little too over-the-top for every day. It was quite the beauty dilemma.

While at Sephora one day, I happened upon their false eyelash section and the coolest thing about it was that they had sample lashes on a little wand. The wand allowed you to hold the lash up to your eye and see how they would look on your face once applied. It made it SO easy to find the perfect set that truly enhanced my eyes and didn't look fake AT ALL. The key is that they are not quite a full set. They are applied about mid-lid and extend to the outer lid. They blend beautifully with my own lashes, but they have a major natural-looking impact. I get compliments on them every time I wear them and most of the time, the person complimenting me on how they look had originally asked what mascara I was wearing. I'm always honest and tell them that it really has nothing to do with the mascara- that I'm wearing falsies!

"Flutter" False Eyelashes, Sephora, $8.00

And here I am actually wearing them: 

Another less expensive option that is nearly as effective are these by Ardell:

Ardell Accents Lashes, CVS, $4.99

Have you ever worn false lashes? Are they part of your daily make-up routine or do you save them for special occasions? Leave a comment below. I'm dying to know what other people think of this little beauty trick. 

Beauty Product Review: Sephora Waterproof Eye Make-Up Remover

I've been getting more and more into make-up and beauty products over the last year or so, particularly eye make-up. One of my favorite things to do as part of my morning routine is my eye make-up. I tend to stick with fairly neutral palettes, but sometimes I get a little crazy. I've tried about a million different mascaras and eye liners over the last year, not to mention all the different shadow and primer options. It's a fun way to start the day and since I've always thought my eyes were my best feature, it's fun to highlight them each day.

I've never been great about make-up removal and I'm notoriously bad when it comes to washing my face at night. I just don't do it. There, I said it. I just don't. I sleep in my make-up 90% of the time. It's shameful, I know, but it's the truth. Lately, I've been using more waterproof eye make-up products including Stila's Smudge Pot and Urban Decay's liquid liner. I've also tried a few waterproof mascaras. I used to depend on my morning shower to get my face nice and clean for the day, but with all those waterproof products, I was having trouble getting all that make-up completely off.

I was given a couple of sample bottles of eye make-up remover from a friend and decided to try them out. The first was by Clinique:

Sephora, $18

Let's just say I was NOT a fan. It claims to be a "sting-free" formula. Lies. It not only stung, it didn't really work all that well. I was left with clumps of mascara and eye liner all over my eye. Gross. I still have 90% of the bottle remaining. I'm glad it was a gift. 

Next, I tried the Lancome BI-FACIL remover. This was a much better experience. 

Sephora, $27

This product activates when you shake it up. The ingredients separate, much like oil and water would and in order to be effective, you need to shake them together. This product works like a dream and easily and effectively removes all traces of even the toughest water-proof eye make-up. I used the entire bottle up in about 2 weeks time- about 2 ounces of remover. I hopped online to replenish my supply and was horrified at the price. $27 for a mere 4.2 ounces! I guess you get what you pay for, but at that rate, I would be spending between $30 and $60 per month to take off my eye make-up! Arrgh!!!

I decided to shop around. That is when I discovered Sephora's own version of the Lancome remover. For the same amount of product, I only spent $9.50! 

Sephora, $9.50

Much like the Lancome, this product has to be shaken in order for it to be effective. A few drops on a cotton ball are all I need to completely remove my eye make-up. It's a much more affordable option, and it is also available in a smaller version which is great for travel. (I do NOT want the TSA confiscating my beauty products because they are 1.2 ounces over the legal limit.) It does the job, quickly and cleanly and I highly recommend it. It's also safe for contact-lens-wearers (like me). Bonus! 

What is your go-to make-up remover? What do you love about it? Leave a comment and tell me! 

What to Wear on a Skype Date

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I've been seeing a gentleman I met on match.com. Since I live in New Hampshire and he lives in North Carolina, there has been quite a bit of flying and Skype-ing over the last few months. Skype is pretty awesome because I can be on a date in my pajamas or some beat-up, old sweatpants. I'm not gonna lie, there are times when I'll put on a more dressy top with my most comfortable sweat pants.

Since Skype dating is less about the outfit and more about the face, I've actually found myself spending more time on my hair and make-up. Here's the view from my webcam:

Sexy, right? Haha- just kidding! But seriously, this is the view when my laptop is on my lap. The lighting is usually better than in this photo, but you get the general idea. As you can tell from the photo, it's all about looking great from the neck up. I will sometimes add a cute pair of earrings, or a nice necklace if I want to be a little more dressy. For our first Skype date, I was super careful about lighting and camera angle. I'm much more comfortable these days, but I still try to look decent. 

For Christmas, I got the most fabulous gift- an amazing eye make-up palette by Stila called "In the Light." It was definitely one of my favorite Christmas presents this year and I've used it nearly every day since then. I was considering purchasing the Urban Decay "Naked" palette for months, but the price was a bit high and I didn't think I would wear a lot of the darker colors. It's not often that I do a dark, smokey eye, but I wear shimmer- nudes nearly every day of the week. When I saw Stila's "In the Light" palette, I knew it would be a better choice for me. 

 This palette includes 10 beautiful neutral shades, mostly in nude and brown tones. My favorites are Kitten (second from left on top row) and Sunset (second from right on top row). The palette includes matte and shimmer shadows, all of which are perfectly blend-able and look amazing layered over each other. My daily look always starts with kitten. I dab it over my entire lid, making sure I hit the inner corner of my eye and directly under my eyebrow. Next, I layer on a slightly darker shade, just over the lid. Sunset is perfect for this. Finally, I add a bit of contouring in the crease and on the outside corner of my eye. Luster (center bottom) is perfect for contouring and adding dimension to the overall look. I finish with mascara most days. If I want a dressier look, I use the eye liner as a finishing touch. In the end, I have a beautiful, nude, shimmery eye: 

If that's not a great, casual date look, I don't know what is! This palette is definitely my new favorite and I will continue to use it every day until it's all gone! What is your favorite eye make-up product? Do you use a palette or do you mix and match different shadows from different companies? Leave a comment and tell me your beauty secrets! 

Fabulous and Versatile Nail Color

Last weekend, I spent the afternoon at Sephora with my BFF Beth. She was having a make-up consultation for her upcoming nuptials. (So exciting!) While her make-up artist was applying the base for his art, her mom and I browsed the store and found ourselves captivated by the Sephora by O.P.I. nail selections. I've always been a fan of O.P.I's nail colors, but the options available in the Sephora line are stunning. I chose a beautiful shade of dusty lavender and I have to admit, I'm in love with it!

Please ignore my disgusting cuticles. 

It's a tiny bit darker in person, but as an interesting and unique color, it's also surprisingly neutral. I usually don't love bold or dark colors on my fingernails (toenails are a whole other story!), so this color works great for me. I didn't purchase it that day, but after wearing it over the last few days and seeing that it is not only a great color, but holding up well and not chipping yet, I realize I should have bought it! And an excuse to go back to Sephora is exactly the kind of thing that makes my day! 

Nail art and crazy nail colors seem to be very trendy right now. In fact, that trend tends to come and go all the time. I prefer sticking with a more neutral, subtle look, whether it's a lovely shade like the one I'm wearing now or just a simple french manicure. And in case you're wondering, the color pictured above is called "Call Your Mother." 

Enjoy the rest of your day, everyone!  

Beauty Product Review: Buxom Rock Stars

Sephora recently had a sale and I decided to take advantage of all the amazing prices. I'm not one to purchase items simply because they are marked down, but if my favorite products are discounted, I'll definitely take the opportunity to stock up. Or, if I know I like a certain brand, and I want to try another one of their products, I might do so when I can get that product at a hefty discount.

I spent a little over $50 on my order and I got:

Buxom Babes Rock Stars Lip Plumpers, $15

Stila One Step PrimeColor, $10

Stila Convertible Eye Color, $10 

Sephora Color Flip, $7 (I got THREE of these- one for me, one for my mom, and one more for good measure, since it was such an AMAZING deal. I figured someone I know will want it!)

While this is a LOT of make-up, don't worry- there's only one product I plan to talk about today- the Buxom Babes Rock Stars lip colors. I have been a HUGE fan of the Buxom Lip Polish for years. My every day lip color is Brandi and I make sure I am never without it. It goes on a bit sheer, but the color is still deep and the formula is definitely a decent plumper. I don't want to have duck lips or anything obscene, but this particular plumper makes my lips just a tad fuller. Also, it's a lip gloss that goes on smooth, lasts a long time and isn't too sticky. As a product in general, I'm hooked. Anyway, a single color in this product typically runs about $18, so when I saw that I could try out four different colors, albeit in smaller quantities, for only $15, I could hardly resist! 

The Buxom Babes Rock Stars is a collection of four fabulous colors: Gabby, Tonya, Julie and Blanche. None of these are colors that I would typically purchase, but that is exactly what was so appealing to me about them. Online, they all looked pretty wearable. In person, I was actually nervous about some of them. Tonya, for example is about as neon pink as they come, at least when you see the bottle. But when it's on, the color is surprisingly tame. The neon quality completely disappears once it's on and you are left with a pretty, pink, shimmery lip. I'll be wearing it for the rest of the summer, guaranteed. 

Another pleasant surprise was Gabby- I thought it would be too brown, but it's a luscious, deep, complex color with justa bit of brown mixed in with a plum wine. It will be perfect for a nighttime look- especially for a date! The other two- Julie and Blanche- are wonderful nude/pink colors. Both are shimmery, but neither is very dark, so they are great for daytime or to layer on top of a deeper color. 

Overall, I'm really happy not only with the product and how it works, but also with the way the colors flatter my skin tones. It's rare to find an amazing product that is also great in nearly every shade you try, so with Buxom Lips I really feel like I've hit the jackpot! 

As of right now, this package is still available for just $15, so snatch one up before the sale ends or before they're all gone! If you try this product (or use it currently), leave a comment and tell me what you think! 

Beauty Product Review Clinique Fresh Bloom All Over Color

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to buy some of my make-up products at CVS when there is a sale and when I have some ExtraBucks. I'm a major bargain hunter that way. Usually, I'll stock up on my favorite products like L'Oreal True Match liquid make-up and Maybelline Colossal Volume Express mascara. I also wear Physician's Formula mineral powder and blush. As make-up products go, these are all pretty low in terms of price point, and when they go on sale and I can combine the sale price with my ExtraBucks, I can get them at less than half price. Which is why sometimes I buy a LOT of make-up and stock up with nearly a year's supply. These are all products that I wear literally every day and I'm happy with my make-up routine. However, there are days, especially in summer when I want to change things up a little bit. That's when I bring out a special, slightly more expensive make-up product: Clinique's Fresh Bloom All Over Color in Peony:

Peony, Sephora, $29.50

First of all, look at how gorgeous it is! I love the way the flower is made using the different shades of blush- so creative and artistic! I'm no stranger to blush with multiple colors- I've found they provide more dimension to the look, whereas the single colors tend to look a little more flat on my skin. I used to combine two or more colors myself, until I smartened up and started purchasing multiple-shade blushes. It's also largely due to the fact that I like to spend 10 minutes or less on my make-up, so taking more than one step to apply blush is just not time effective! The Clinique Fresh Bloom color not only has three rich colors in the palate, but one of them is an incredibly ethereal hi-lighter. Every time I wear it, I find my skin takes on a dew-y glow with just the right amount of shimmer. While I tend to wear it when I'm in the mood for a little make-up pick-me-up, it's actually ideal for special occasions or any time you want to give your skin a little extra special glow. 

What are your favorite make-up products? Leave a comment and let me know! I love hearing what other people wear and why they like it. With all the different products and all the different skin types and preferences, sometimes choosing make-up can be a daunting task. Listen to what your girlfriends like to wear and why they wear it. If someone loves a specific eye shadow because of the rich, saturated color, but you tend to prefer more sheer shades, then you probably won't like their favorite products! 

Rewarding Shopping

For the last couple of weeks I have felt very busy. Nearly every single "day off" has been filled with lots of things to do. I know that doesn't make me very different from most people, I'm not complaining- just explaining. Today is another day off and I'm about to go see my cousin in the hospital- she just had a beautiful baby girl! But first, a stop at the Baby Gap for a little "Welcome to the world" present for baby Gianna. (Isn't that a pretty name?) Anyway, my last day off was spent helping out at a photo shoot. I'd made a few dresses for a faux-wedding photo shoot for a photography class and I basically spent the day fluffing and tweaking and modeling my designs for the students. It was a fun day, but after the long drive to Waltham, MA, followed by the long day of photography, I decided I was going to treat myself to a trip to the Burlington Mall. It was technically "on my way" home, and since my drive home coincided with rush hour, I decided to take a break from the traffic on the streets and instead experience some pedestrian traffic in the mall. The Burlington Mall is definitely one of the nicer malls I've ever been to. It's not quite as grand as the KOP mall, but it does have a Cheesecake Factory Restaurant.

After a couple of hours wandering the mall, I had made a decent dent in my checking account, but nearly everything I found was a bargain.

Bath & Body Works- Lotion & body spray for my mom- $10 (I had a coupon)

Banana Republic- Silk blouse- $19.97 (they gave me an extra 25% off because it was slightly damaged)

Victoria's Secret- None of your business. Sorry

Anthropologie- Fabulous new skirt for $39.95 (60% off!)

Sephora (not pictured)- New lip plumper and gloss- the only items I paid full price for

On my way out, I breezed through the shoe department at Nordstrom and was tempted by quite a few options, but in the end I was strong and decided not to get any new shoes. Overall, it was a highly satisfying and rewarding shopping trip. And if you're wondering about the silk blouse and the fabulous Anthro skirt, well, check 'em out:

Love? Hate? Indifferent? Leave a comment and tell me what you think of my shopping finds and my outfit. You know how I love comments. 

Beauty Product Review: Mascara

I've been experimenting with lots of different mascaras lately and I thought I would share some of my findings with you. First of all, you should know I am NOT a licensed cosmetologist or even a make-up aficionado of any kind. I have simply experimented with different types and brands of mascaras and I'm simply going to tell you what I've experienced and learned in the process.

For starters, I want to say that from the most expensive to the least expensive, from the vibrating brushes to the simplest applicators, one thing remains the same: mascara is mascara. Will you ever have lashes like the models in the mascara commercials? You will if you wear false eye lashes. Or if your lashes are naturally long and full. Otherwise, mascara will help to lengthen and thicken your lashes, but without using falsies, you will never achieve the look you see on the TV commercials.

That being said, there are actually quite a few mascaras that seem to do what they say and surprisingly, they are the less expensive brands. Maybelline is one of the most consistent mascaras I've used in terms of delivering on the promises made on the packaging. I recently tried the following mascaras:

Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash, Sephora, $18

After trying Bare Escentuals Buxom lip plumper, I was very impressed. I decided to try their mascara in the hopes that it was equally impressive as a plumping/volumizing product. Unfortunately, this mascara is just your run-of-the-mill mascara without any major lengthening or thickening effects. It does, however go on smoothly and doesn't tend to clump. 

L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen Mascara, CVS, $7.99

I was drawn to L'Oreal's mascara for much the same reason I was drawn to Buxom- I had experienced success with other products of the same brand. I like L'Oreal's True Match make-ups as well as many of their eye shadows. I'd heard good things about collagen mascaras and that's what made me give this one a try. Once again, I was disappointed. This mascara lengthens and thickens marginally, so the effect was not nearly as dramatic as I would have liked. 

Estee Lauder Double Wear Lengthening Mascara, Macy's, $21

This pricey mascara claimed to last 15-hours without flaking or smudging. Lies. Don't waste your money! Also, its lengthening is marginal at best. I was recently told never to buy expensive mascara because the one that is always ranked #1 is Maybelline's Great Lash. That's right- the $5 stuff performs the best year after year. That's what made me try Maybelline. Well, that and the fact that one of my coworker's lashes always look spectacular and I finally asked her what she uses. Her answer: Maybelline Colossal Volume Express. 

Maybelline Colossal Volume Express, CVS, $7.49

Another collagen-based concept, this mascara supposedly lengthens and thickens dramatically. For once, a mascara delivered on its promise. My lashes are noticeably longer and thicker when I use this brand. The product glides on easily. You don't have to wait for on coat to dry to add another, in fact, the packaging states you shouldn't let it dry. So just apply until the lashes are as long and thick as you like and you're done. The day I bought the Colossal, I was also intrigued by the Lash Stiletto, also my Maybelline. I decided to try it out, too. 

Maybelline Lash Stiletto, CVS, $8.49

Not the original Lash Stiletto, what intrigued me about this version was its claim to also add volume. I bought both and did a side-by-side comparison that night on my lashes. Both the Colossal and the Stiletto had excellent lengthening and thickening effects. Only after trying each one out for a full day was I able to determine that I prefer the Lash Stiletto, but only marginally. I ended up preferring the Stiletto because it came in a nice "Brownish Black" color that's just ever so slighty lighter than black. On my fair skin and blonde lashes, I don't always like a harsh, black lash. 

None of the mascaras above were used with any type of primer, but I wanted to see if it made a difference. I decided to stick with Maybelline since they really seem to know how to make mascara. 

Maybelline XXL Pro Volume, CVS, $8.99

This type of mascara is a two-step process. First, apply the primer (which is white, strangely enough). This coats your lashes and makes them longer and thicker. After it dries, you apply the second coat which is the color. While it does produce dramatic lashes, I found it made them feel stiff. It held up well throughout a long day, but in the end I prefer a softer feel. Primer is best for someone looking for both length and volume. If you already have thick lashes, and all you want is a bit more length, a primer might be too much for you. But if your lashes are thin and you want it all, you might want to consider something like the XXL Pro Volume. 

So there you have it: my experiences with a LOT of mascara. I really believe Maybelline is the brand that actually delivers on their claims. And with prices under $10, it's worth experimenting to find the perfect one for you. Good luck and let me know if you have anything to say about these or any other mascaras-just leave a comment! 

Fabulous Make-Up Deal

I got together with Andrea on Black Friday and we spent a little time in Sephora. Andrea is one of the most skilled make-up artists I know and her make-up recommendations are always spot-on. As you all know, when I had pink eye a few months ago, I had to get rid of all of my eye make-up. It literally went into the trash. So sad. Since then, I've been gradually replacing it, but I also decided to take this whole situation as an opportunity to upgrade my collection bit by bit.

When I was out with Andrea at Sephora, I asked for her advice on some great eye make-up. Her recommendation? Stila. The quality of the product is very high- you feel like you're putting healthy make-up on your face. It's smooth as silk and the colors are stunning. They go on smoothly and blend like a dream. They are priced about mid-range and as I mentioned above, are available at Sephora, as well as at Stila's own website.

Because there are so many colors available, I felt a little overwhelmed. Also, I wanted to get a couple of shadow colors and a nice liner, but I didn't want to break the bank. Andrea recommended Stila's award-winning color "Kitten." It is one of the prettiest nude shimmer shadows I've ever come across. It's a little bit pink, a little bit nude, a little bit shimmery, but not glittery. Andrea's advice was to start with "kitten" and wear it on its own with a sleek liner on top only and some nice mascara. It's a low-maintenance, but very pretty look. While debating what other colors and liner to consider purchasing, we happened upon what I think was an incredible deal- the Stila Eye Shadow Trio:

Available in three color combination options, I ended up choosing the "bronze" option because it appeared to include "kitten" or at the very least, a color extremely close to kitten. (In the picture above, the top color is "kitten.") At $28, it seemed like a lot of bang for my buck. I finished out my shopping trip to Sephora with the Stila Kajal Eye Liner in Tiger's Eye. What I liked about this liner is how well it smudges. Have you ever had an eye liner that didn't smudge well? It ends up being really hard to blend and you get a harsh line. That look does not work for me, so I was excited to find the super smudge-able Kajal. Since making these purchases, I've really enjoying doing my make-up in the morning. Stila seems to be everything Andrea said it would be and then some. I feel glamorous, but because the colors are in the nude family, I don't feel over-done.

Do you have any make-up tips or tricks you'd like to share? Leave a comment and tell me all about it!

Shoesday Tuesday- Metallic Wingtip Oxfords

Are you all getting sick of reading about my obsession with oxfords? Well, then, I'm sorry. I'm sorry you have to endure yet ANOTHER post about a fabulous pair of oxfords that may or may not have made their way into my closet on Black Friday. I swear, I went out looking for tights and belts and I came home with shoes and belts instead. (As well as some funky jewelry from Forever 21 and some really incredible make-up from Sephora.) Anyway, these shoes are so fun and funky and I can't wait to wear them!

Metallic Wingtip Oxfords, Charlotte Russe, $27*

*I actually paid $20.25 for them because there was a special 25% discount on Black Friday. Whoo-hoo! 

And since it's SHOESDAY TUESDAY, you all know the drill- TWEET! And use the hashtag #ShoesdayTuesday. It's all one word with a # in front of it (nospaces). No specific theme today- just shoes in general.

In a rut?

I have a confession to make. I have been wearing the same eye shadow for the last seven years. It feels good to get that out there and finally admit it. Why have I been in such an eye make-up rut? Because I didn't know any better. Make-up and hair styling have never been my forte, but if I were to be truly honest, I'd have to admit that it's because I've never tried to do anything different. It's pathetic, really. I look at the fashion magazines- I see the techniques described in the articles. I watch make-over shows and see how the make-up artists transform the recipient. Then I go to the bathroom and apply the exact same eye shadow as the day before, and the day before that, and so on...

Last night Andrea and I were getting ready to go out after work. Being the great friend she is, she took the time to explain her make-up techniques to me as she applied it. She's been a professional performer in the entertainment industry for many years, so she's accustomed to having to bring her make-up A-Game pretty regularly. Since I rarely have an occassion to glam it up, I tend to just wear a little more of my every day make-up when the situation calls for it. And I'm sick of it. It's time to step out of my comfort zone and try some new things.

Today I went through my entire make-up collection. There's not a whole lot to it. I also took a trip to the drug store and got a few more supplies. Tomorrow will be a day of experimentation for me. I am energized just thinking about it. It's amazing how something as simple as trying a new eye shadow can change my whole outlook on my appearance- proof that I was in a serious make-up rut.

Is there something about your appearance that you've been doing for years? Have you been getting the same hair style since you graduated college? Or purchased the same tube of lipstick on the last 4 trips to the Clinique counter? Does your colorist always use the same formula on your hair? Has it been a while since you tried a new perfume? Maybe it's not even that severe- maybe you've only been stuck in your rut for a couple of months or weeks. My advice? Change it up. Try something new. It's always when I pull out a couple of pieces from my closet that I never in a million years thought to try together that I come up with a new favorite outfit, or at the very least something that feels like a new outfit even if it's five years old. It's about stepping away from our comfort zones and trying something new. Success or failure matters not- it's in the attempt that we'll learn something.

I'm the type of person who says, "If it ain't broke..." but sometimes it's energizing to try something new. Start small and take a cue from a friend. Ask what they like and then try it for yourself. I recently tried a new scent, also thanks to Andrea. I'm incredibly loyal when it comes to scent. I'm also incredibly picky. Once I choose a new scent, I invest in all the available options: the bubble bath, body wash, body spray, body lotion, hand cream and eau de toilet, even scented powder if they offer it. That's why I love Bath and Body Works- they have so many scents available in so many forms. It's wonderful. I have been addicted to "Velvet Tuberose" for about two years now. I'm not prepared to move on from this scent because I really am still in love with it. I love it because it's purely floral. I hate smelling like a fruit bowl or a candy dish. I want nothing to do with "vanilla sugar" or "butter cookies" or "raspberry citrus." No, thank you. I also hate smelling like perfume, especially if it's musky. It reminds me of my grandmother and my mother. Not that they smell bad, but they smell like perfume. I prefer to smell fresh and at least a little natural with a bit of sweetness thrown in. Like I just walked through a garden and came out smelling like the flowers. When Andrea recently introduced me to a new scent from Fresh called "Strawberry Flowers," I was hesitant- mainly because of the strawberry part of the equation. Fortunately, this wonderful scent is more flowers than strawberry and is actually a lovely complement to the velvet tuberose I already wear. And it's just different enough that I feel like I've stepped out of my rut. Maybe I'll end up converting to a Fresh-exclusive scent regime. Time will tell. The point is, for now my eye make-up and scent rut has be disrupted. And that's a good thing.

Yesterday was productive....

I had planned to go to New York City this weekend to visit some friends, but after the snow storm of this past week, so many things were reschedule that I had to cancel my trip. Suddenly, I found myself with a free Saturday. I ended up having a productive day and it was actually quite relaxing to run errands without a time frame. I dressed for comfort because I knew I'd be running around town a bit:

This outfit isn't exactly brand new- I've worn the dress and sweater plenty of times for the blog, but this time I matched it with a pair of dark grey tights with pink over-the-knee-socks from Target and my new Gap boots. Since I always need to have a little sparkle and glam, I threw on my pink and grey Forever 21 beaded necklace and some bright lipstick. The socks are folded down so that they only hit at my knee- the thigh-high look isn't exactly me, but I like the layered tights and socks for warmth and a little bit of quirkiness, not to mention the pop of color in an otherwise all black and white outfit.

While out running errands today, I stopped by Sephora for some of my favorite lip plumper and while I was there I also got to pick up my birthday present from them. If you join the "Beauty Insider" club with Sephora, then every year you'll get a little present from them around your birthday. Last year, I got a trio of lip glosses that I loved. This year was a gift set for the eyes- mascara, liner and shadow. I'm looking forward to trying them out tomorrow. Anyway, the point of this story is to remind you that joining the free "clubs" for your favorite stores will pay off more than you think. I have the club/discount card for SO many stores because I shop so frequently for my job and eventually I learned to start getting them for myself as well. For the stores I personally like, anyway. Yes, I have a Hot Topic "Frequen Shopper Discount Card" for work, but I didn't feel compelled to get one for myself. I  however get one for Wet Seal, Gold Toe, AC Moore, and plenty of others. Not only do I always get extra discounts at the register, but I'm always receiving extra coupons and freebies as a result of the memberships. I got a free scarf from Wet Seal, free socks from Gold Toe, and in addition to my birthday eye make-up gift, my Sephora Beauty Insider card also got me a bottle of hand cream with my lip gloss purchase. So sign up for those free discounts- your bank account will thank you!