A Belated VDay Gift

My ring finally came in!!!!!!

I had been wanting something like this for a couple years and my fiance just completely shocked me with this beautiful piece. I couldn't believe that he remembered, right down to the cut of the diamonds!!!!

Art Deco Nails!!!!

...aka...my sad attempt at nail art.

This weekend I decided to play around with my art pens and see what kind of look I could come up with. I started with Wet n Wild's Megalast polish in Private Viewing (neutral light pink) and added splashes of

blue polish from Nail Ritz. A Day later, deciding this wasn't enough, I took the pink end of the nail pen and drew some lines and dots as well. Unfortunately, it lightened a lot once it dried so that part isn't as noticeable.

NOTD & First Impressions

I decided to go for a lighter color so I used Wet n Wild's Megalast polish in 2% Milk. I also decided to try out some of my Nail Ritz pens I got for my birthday so I just made green and blue stripes on my ring fingers.

This was the first time using these and I have to say as of right now I'm not sure what to make of them. The came out more like a gel and at first it seemed just like clear liquid was coming out from the needle. I don't have an opinion on these as of yet.

Btw, If you like the new Megalast polishes, go to Walgreens...they have a buy 2 get 1 free sale and there's not one bad color in the bunch.

My First JewelMint

JewelMint is a "personalized" jewelry service. Basically, once an account is created you take a style quiz. Afterwards, new pieces are recommended every month. Each piece is $29.99 and thanks to a coworker, I was able to try this out for only $10!
I've heard both good and bad about this site from various gurus so I had no idea what to expect.

My bracelets came in about two days after they shipped which was a shock considering they were sent via USPS. The envelope they came in was so cute and chic looking! The pieces themselves were packaged in velvet pouch in their own boxes, along with a little pieces of paper explaining about the jewelry.

I really like both bracelets but, unfortunately, what I read in the bad reviews seem true. These feel like they're cheaply made and certainly not like they're worth $30. From the start I could tell I'd have to be careful for fear of tarnishing them or knocking out the jewels.

Nonetheless, I think I'll be cancelling my account with this company.

Review: Physician's Formula Nude Eyes Palette

There's been a lot of hype over the Physician's Formula Nude Eyes Palette and I've even heard that it's a dupe for the Naked 2 set. I finally decided that I needed to try this out for myself so after three stores I finally found it.

I've been playing around with these shadows for a little over a week and have been having a lot of fun with them. There's a nice selection of color to go from ultra nude to a smoky. There are nine strips which are situated to give three different looks (Natural, Playful, Dramatic) and can be used wet or dry so technically you get 18 different shadows.

This being my first PF purchase, I have to say that I like it a lot. The packaging looks like it's travel friendly and the shadows are great quality. Not bad for $9.

Note: I purchased these products with my own money. The opinions expressed in this post are those of my own. I have never accepted any kind of compensation in exchage for a review. For mor information, please check out my Disclaimer.

I lack self control. (New Be Ready Blush Review)

I wasn't going to go to the store. I swore to myself that I would not go in the store. I went in the store.

For the record, even when you say you're "just looking", about 99% of the time you'll end up walking out with a bag and lighter wallet. I digress....

Last weekend bare Escentuals had a preview for their new Ready blushes and bronzers. I ended up picking up two blushes in The Aphrodisiac and The Tease. There are several other shades but those were the first that caught my eye.

The Aphrodisiac is a peachy-pink color (a little shimmery), very natural for my fair skin tone, while The Tease (matte) is a bubblegum pink. I originally saw myself using Aphrodisiac more and was a little intimidated by Tease but it's just so pretty that I couldn't resist. To my happy surprise I can pull off both shades, the pink just adds a little more color but nothing over the top. They both apply easily, feel like silk, and are nicely pigmented.

I really like these blushes and have been using them quite a bit since I bought them. Unfortunately, I can't compare them to the loose powders as I haven't tried them yet. The sales associate told me these are supposed to officially be out (along with the Ready bronzers) either the of this month or in the beginning of March.

The blushes retail for $22 and the bronzers are $24. Come check them out!

Note: I purchased these products with my own money. The opinions expressed in this post are those of my own. I have never accepted any kind of compensation in exchage for a review. For mor information, please check out my Disclaimer.

Dear Jason (non beauty related)

The past four years have not always been a bed of roses. We've certainly driven over bumpy roads. We've had our ups and downs along with trials and tribulations...

That being said, I wouldn't change my life with you for anything in the world. I feel so extremely lucky to have experienced love at first sight with the man who stood on my line. You truly are the person I want to grow old with...

Happy Valentine's Day my love.

Review: Organix Moroccan Argan Oil

Organix is an natural brand that is paraben and sulfate free which is what made me want to try this out. I really thought it would help my hair but after a few weeks of use I think it actually harmed it.

Initially, I used both the shampoo and conditioner together and could already tell a difference with the first use. After washing my hair felt unmanageable and stringy. I wasn't able to blow it out and had to straighten it immediately after (something I haven't done in a while). Over time I noticed that my hair started to feel thin and look limp, in fact, it's texture changed all together.

The only thing that I did like about this product was that it smells so good but that's not enough to keep me coming back. I'm glad I started with the smaller sizes because I don't think this is something that I'll be using again.

Note: I purchased these products with my own money. The opinions expressed in this post are those of my own. I have never accepted any kind of compensation in exchage for a review. For mor information, please check out my Disclaimer.

Review: Betsey Johnson's Too Too

I feel the need to start by saying I'm in love with this fragrance!!!!!

My fiance' is really sweet-he bought me a ring for Valentines Day but according to the jewelry store my finger is abnormally small so it had to be sent away to get resized. Feeling bad, he surprised me with the new Too Too perfume.

This was love at first sniff....it's sweet, girly, and oh so yummy!
According to Sephora.com it has notes of passion fruit, pink musk, ginger, strawberry, tuberose, jasmine, oudwood, patchouli, and black vanilla. In my opinion I'm mostly able to pick out a sweet berry smell. It reminds me a lot of Philosophy's Falling In Love.

What I really like is that it lasts a long time and you just need a little bit. I have the rollerball and can tell it'll last a while.

This is exclusive to sephora and ranges in price from $18-$82. You can find more info about the product HERE.

Note: I purchased these products with my own money. The opinions expressed in this post are those of my own. I have never accepted any kind of compensation in exchage for a review. For mor information, please check out my Disclaimer.

Review: BE Ready Veil (Translucent)

Originally, I used Mally's Poreless Face Defender to combat any shine on my face. While I did like the product, I also wondered (since it seemed like it had a silicone base) if it played any role in my break-outs.. Considering I was in the middle of my "BE Challenge" I decided to pick it up and give this a shot.

This works just like the loose powder with an added SPF 15. What I love is how portable it is as opposed to the powder and is perfect for those little touch ups. I can throw this in my bag and not worry about having a mess.

You can find more information on this product HERE

Note: I purchased these products with my own money. The opinions expressed in this post are those of my own. I have never accepted any kind of compensation in exchage for a review. For mor information, please check out my Disclaimer.

Too Faced-Natural At Night

For me, this was love at first sight and I knew it had to be part of my makeup collection. 

These shadows are a step above the Natural palette and the shades range from cream to chocolate. Like all of the Too Faced sets, the colors are coordinated to give you three different looks, although, you can also mix it up.

~Night~

Full Moon: a shimmery lighter bronze

Nightcap: a shimmery, coppery (is that a word?) bronze

Cocoa Star: a matte chocolate

~Classic~

Night Light: a shimmery blush

After Hours: a shimmery deeper blush

Eclipse: a shimmery deep mauve

~Fashion~

Spotlight: a matte bisque

Moon Stone: a shimmery olive

Night Fever: a shimmery deep brown with glitter

I have been having a ton of fun playing with each of these shadows, The colors are all so beautiful and they apply like silk. With this set it's easy to go from looking completely natural to a bit more dramatic. I think this might be one of my favorites from Too Faced.

If you have a chance, I recommend stopping at your local Sephora or Ulta and checking it out.

Note: I purchased these products with my own money. The opinions expressed in this post are those of my own. I have never accepted any kind of compensation in exchage for a review. For mor information, please check out my Disclaimer.

NOTD: Wet Cement

Over the weekend I picked up what just might be one of my favorite nail polishes: Wet Cement from Wet n Wild. It's new so I'm not sure if it's limited edition or in the permanent collection. To me, it looks like a grayish pale purple and looks very similar to an Essie shade.

As far as the product itself, it dried quickly which was a surprise. I've been wearing this since Saturday night and it has chipped but then again, I have been pretty rough on my hands lately.

Overall, I really like this which is ironic since the first time I saw this polish in the stores I didn't really like the color. Go figure...

FOTD & Review

I centered this look on my new Bare Escentuals Ready shadow set-The Scenic Route. While it was love at first sight, I admit I was a little intimidated at first. I think I did a nice job with it, though :)

~Face~ (after moisturizer & primer)

I mainly wanted the attention to go on my eyes, so I kept my face natural and glowy.

What I used:

*bareMinerals foundation in Golden Fair

*bareMinerals Warmth used as a contour

*bareMinerals Faux Tan All Over Face Color

*Laura Geller Baked Blush in Mimosa

*bareMinerals Pure Radiance as a highlight

*bareMinerals Veil

Eyes

*bareMinerals Ready shadow in Breathtaking (shimmery white with a bit of gold from The Scenic Route)

I applied this lighter color in the inner part of my eyelid and around the tear ducts to look more awake.

*bareMinerals Ready Shadow in Spectacular (shimmery green with a gold undertone from The Scenic Route)

This was applied on the outer corners of my lid (a little goes a long way)

*Tarte Light green eyeliner from The Jewelry Box palette (from Dec. 2010)

I lined the outer corners of my top lid to make the green shadow pop. I've found that by only lining about half of my upper lid, it makes my eyes more defined and open.

*Tarte shimmery deep gold shadow from The Jewelry Box palette (from Dec. 2010)

To me, this looks like it's just a bit deeper than Spectacular-I used this to smoke out the outer portion of my crease.

*Smashbox Limitless Liner in Onyx

As always, I used this to line my waterline.

*Tarte Shadows from The Jewelry Box palette (from Dec. 2010)

To balance out all the shimmer from the shadows, I used a light cream shade (matte) as my highlighter on my brow bones. In order to make my eyeliner pop a little more, I used a deep green shimmery shadow over the green liner and a shimmery purple on the outer corner (near my waterline) for an unexpected pop of color.

*Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes waterproof mascara

*Laura Geller Brow Marker in Taupe

~Lips~

*Laura Geller The Tropics Lipstick

~The Scenic Route: Review~

The shadows feel like silk and are incredibly pigmented-you only need a slight touch to pick up the product. The colors are absolutely beautiful...they're bright, yet are quite wearable. Just like all Bare Escentuals products they enhance your features as opposed to hiding them. I have a big feeling that I will be picking up more in the (very) near future.

Note: I purchased these products with my own money. The opinions expressed in this post are those of my own. I have never accepted any kind of compensation in exchage for a review. For mor information, please check out my Disclaimer.

OOTD: Edgy Chic

(sorry for the dark picture)

Yesterday was too beautiful to leave the house in pants, not to mention I'd been missing my warm weather clothes, so I took out an old favorite from my closet.

My blue, knee length skirt was actually purchased back when I was in high school and in my opinion has never gone out of style. (My sister has even worn it on a few occasions). I paired it with a navy colored cami from Old Navy, a white sweater from Kohls, and my black boots.

What I love about this outfit is how it gives off a girly yet edgy feel...not to mention while it is considered acceptable in my office, it's not the standard "apparel"...it's always important for me to be able to go to work as myself and not an administrative drone in a black suit.

The BE Challange

I recently decided to trade in all my Philosophy skincare and give Bare Escentuals a try. I've been enjoying what the make-up has done so for the past week or so I've taken it a step further.


Exfoliating Treatment Cleanser
I was unsure about this at first but I really like this product. It's a powder formula that smells amazing. Unlike with other washes, it doesn't have that "scrubbing" feel, and does not leave my skin red afterwards. My face feels so smooth and has a nice glow to it. As an added bonus, this can also be used as a mask twice a week. I've been using this as a wash in the morning and keep it on while I'm in the shower a couple times a week.

Deep Cleansing Foam
This is such a gentle cleanser. All you need it a little bit and as soon as you add water it foams up. I really like that I can feel it cleaning my face and it also leaves my skin soft, without leaving any tightness. This is used at night when I take off my makeup.

Purely Nourishing Moisturizer
I wasn't going to try this at first but then when I told the sales associate that I use Hope In A Jar, she suggested that might be too heavy. I tried it out and I believe I'm officially hooked. It's incredibly light and sinks right in to my skin. I use this in the morning and at night.

Active Cell Renewal Night Serum
I was given this as a sample so I figured why not give it a shot. Judging by the amount I need to use, I think I have at least a few weeks worth and I fully plan on buying the full size. Just like the lotion, it's light and sinks in quickly. This product claims to help with cell turnover while you sleep. What I like is how smooth my face feels in the morning. I use this at night before I moisturize.

Prime Time
All I can say is wow. I wasn't going to try this as I love my Laura Geller Spackle but this feels incredible! It's like putting silk on my face! Not to mention, it does keep my makeup on all day long! Right now I have a sample size but I will pick up the full product.

Overall:
I was told that when changing skin care it can take up to four weeks to see any kind of difference. I've been using this for just about a week and already I can see that my acne marks are lighter and I'm not breaking out as badly....if I do at all they're very small. I have high hopes for this and really hope that these products will continue to improve my skin. (so does my future MIL since I promised to give her all of my Philosophy products if this works)

You can find more in-depth product info HERE