1.31.2017
{fashion folio} winter smoke
Labels:
beauty,
fashion,
fashion folio,
opi,
Sephora collection
1.30.2017
NOTD: Morgan Taylor Nail Lacquer in Let Them Eat Cake
As a lover of all things Marie Antoinette, I can confidently say that the lady of the hour would most certainly approve of Let Them Eat Cake.
Though I rarely swoon over a multi-color glitter, this one hits all the right notes by focusing on wintry, cool tones reminiscent of macarons.
With one coat this would make a beautiful topper for a pastel polish; with a trio of coats, you wind up with glitterbomb opacity that is pure decadence.
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?
1.29.2017
desert sands
The dolman sleeves and raw-edged french terry neckline and cuffs just get me!
1.28.2017
1.27.2017
{what's in my} ipsy january 2017 glam bag!
Lately my ipsy bags have been bomb, and this one so does not disappoint! My absolute favorite bits are the Pacifica Blushious Coconut & Rose Infused Cheek Color in WILDROSE {the color is v similar to Rose Spritz from the Jaclyn Hill x BECCA Cosmetics Face Palette + there's a unicorn on the packaging!}; followed by the Ciate London Geology Top Coat, which adds a gel-like shine + plump to any polish {I'm wearing it now}.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with ipsy, it is a beauty subscription service that costs $10 per month {awesome deal IMO}, and consists of a collectible makeup bag {can also double as a clutch} along with 5 beauty samples that are customized to your personal beauty profile {which you can change/update at anytime}. I love getting subscription boxes, but don't have a ton of extra cash to spare, so I find ipsy to be the best value as each month's bags are adorable, the products are of fantastic quality, and their stylists are top-notch {and some of my fave beauty bloggers}. That being said, let's get to the bag!
As previously mentioned, January's theme was METROPOLIS {does that make anyone else think of Superman?!}. Inside my bag was a full size Ciaté London Geology Top Coat {this retails for $17.00!}, a deluxe size Pacifica Blushious Coconut & Rose Infused Cheek Color in WILDROSE, a sample size theBalm Bahama Mama Bronzer, full size Jelly Pong Pong Coffee + Coconut Lip Scrub {retail $19.00!}, and full size Naked Cosmetics Mica Pigment in DESERT SUNSET #02 {retail $14.99!}.
I am an uber snob when it comes to blush. To this day, I switch only between Milani Baked Blush in LUMINOSO and Jaclyn Hill x BECCA Cosmetics Rose Spritz; but when I unbagged Pacifica Blushious Coconut & Rose Infused Cheek Color in WILDROSE I knew there was a new player in the game because it. is. bomb. For reals. WILDROSE is this gorgeous tanned peach with hints of shimmer that just lights up your face when applied. The formula texture is beautiful - not being too powdery, and building up to the most gorgeous color so you can score a full-on flush or a whisper-thin kiss of color. This one is going to be on major rotation in my makeup drawer!
Y'all know how much I love Ciaté London products, so when I unbagged a full-size Ciaté London Geology Top Coat I was legit over the moon. You guys, this stuff is phenomenal! It adds a gel-like shine + plump to any polish in your collection, and literally protects from chips and tip-wear of any kind. I wore it over a polish for a full 8 days, and even when I filed my nails my polish job looked 100% fresh and fab! This may be the best product I have ever received from ipsy!
I alwaysalwaysalways gravitate towards rust / bronze-y / champagne eyeshadow shades, so Naked Cosmetics Mica Pigment in DESERT SUNSET #02 completely captured my eye {and heart!}, when I first spotted it. What I love the most about this product is the level of versatility it features due to the fact that it is, essentially, a loose pigment. Thus far, I've worn it three ways: on my eyes {mixed with a clear lip gloss and applied directly to the lids for a wet-look metallic eye}; mixed in with my sunscreen to create a subtle wash of shimmer on my skin; and on my lips {mixed with, again, a clear lip gloss to create a metallic mouth}. It has looked lush every. single. way I've used it - and has left me craving more colors!
theBalm Bahama Mama Bronzer is one of those cult products that I've heard sososososo much about over the years, but have never actually tried myself - until now. My one qualm with the sample size product here is that, while the packaging is fun, the product itself is only big enough for an eyeshadow brush, which makes it super difficult to try as intended: a bronzer face product. Regardless, I made it happen, but it's something that I hope ipsy takes note of in the future. That said, I can see why this product always receives rave reviews, because it. is. awesome. It adds the most natural touch of color I have ever achieved with a bronzer, and doesn't look too orange or red on the skin. I would definitely recommend this one to gals with fair skin, as it's not too daunting; but if you have a darker skintone, it probably won't give you much in the way of results. Next up: trying it as an eyeshadow!
Never have I ever tried a lip scrub, but the fact that this Jelly Pong Pong Coffee + Coconut Lip Scrub had the magic word {coffee!} in the description piqued my interest like whoa! My lips have been way parched as of late, so I used a new toothbrush {dry} to really buff this bad boy onto my lips, and the entire process was like a slice of heaven - for reals tho! It smells so yum {a blend of a fresh cup of coffee and a piña colada}, and leaves lips feeling so soft and so smooth smooth. It's safe to say that this baby right here just got me hooked on lip scrubs!
What was in your January 2017 ipsy Glam Bag? Not a subscriber yet? Sign up here!

1.26.2017
{fashion folio} winter days

1.25.2017
{beauty board} itty bitty beauty tools
1} BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Mini Straightening Iron {$29.99} This baby packs a punch, delivering #hairgoals results, in a package that is smaller than your hand and way lightweight!
2} Foreo LUNA Play in PURPLE {$39.00} Gets the gunk out of skin and fits in the palm of your hand!
3} SEPHORA COLLECTION Things are Looking Up Eye Lash Curler {$15.00} A pretty in pink addition to your purse that comes with an extra silicone curling pad hidden in its base.
4} SEPHORA COLLECTION Confetti Set of 5 Mini Sponges {$12.00} Tiny but mighty sponges that work to blend and buff for that airbrushed finish!
5} SEPHORA COLLECTION Heated Eyelash Curler {$11.00} Need a mid-day lash lift? This bad boy is powered by AAA batteries, fits in your pocket, and leaves lashes with a wicked curl!
6} IT BRUSHES FOR ULTA Your Face & Eye Essentials Mini 5 Pc Travel Brush Set {$30.00} A brush for every occasion at a size that allows for on the fly touch-ups!

1.24.2017
currently crushing...

Labels:
beauty,
crush list,
fashion,
free people,
Yours Truly
1.23.2017
NOTD: Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Mauve Over
You guys may remember me receiving this in my #SPBoxSwap with Dean of Mrs. AOK back in November {so long ago, I know!}; but the wait for the big reveal was so worth it because this is a shade you need in your stash pronto!
Mauve Over is one of those multifaceted colors that seemingly changes depending on the lighting of your surroundings - sometimes reading gray or purple, others reading pink. Regardless what lighting you're in, however, one thing remains the same: the gawgeousness!
So necessary for the fall and winter months, Mauve Over has a flawless formula that builds quickly to opacity, dries fast, and lasts forevs! But seriously...I wore it for nine days with 0 chips. Huzzah!
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?
1.22.2017
cross over
Wear it backwards or forwards for the ultimate in versatility. I prefer it backwards as I dig a v-back!
1.21.2017
1.20.2017
{fashion folio} pink friday

1.19.2017
december 2016 empties!
Y'all know how much I love deluxe mascara samples, so I was excited to try Smashbox X-Rated Mascara in RICH BLACK {$22.00} when I received it as a Free Gift With Purchase. Part of me loves this mascara; the other part feels ho hum - here's why: I'm obsessed with the brush because its huge {which I dig}, and I lovelovelove how rich the black color is; but I felt that I received different results from the product depending on how I did my makeup. On days when I skipped eyeliner, I loved the volume this added to my lashes {that big, bright-eyed look}; but I found that the length simply wasn't there when I was using eyeliner - my lashes felt stubby and not as dramatic as I like them. Due to the lack of length created when I used this one, it could never be keeper for me. NOT a re-buy.
I usually buy Real Techniques Beauty Blenders, but I liked the shape of this Up & Up Super Blender {$4.99}, so I thought I'd give it a shot. TBH, I'm surprised to see that this has received so many negative reviews, because I really liked it. In comparison to the Real Techniques Beauty Blender, this one is harder to the touch, but I actually feel as if it did a better job at blending {especially when damp}, and washed better. Now that this one had to be tossed, I'm back to the Real Techniques Beauty Blender, and I'm just not liking it. I plan on picking up more of these Up & Up Super Blenders ASAP, as they do the job better, and are amazingly priced! DEFINITE RE-BUY.
I'm not the biggest perfume fan, so I've been slowly but steadily making my way through Victoria's Secret Heavenly Eau de Parfum {$52.00} for what feels like forever, and finally...it's empty. But seriously...I love this scent. The mix of vanilla and sandalwood is a favorite combo of mine that truly is apropos for summer or winter wear. My one qualm is that it fades so fast! I feel as if I put it on in the morning, and the scent has completely dissolved before noon which is beyond frustrating IMO. NOT a re-buy.
Have you tried any of these products before? Thoughts?

1.18.2017
silver sparkle #motd
Clearly feeling festive with today's #face. I am so loving silver eyes at the moment, so I'm combining shadow pots Scene Steeler from mark., and Celebration from e.l.f., and adding e.l.f.'s Eyeliner & Shadow Stick in Black/Smoke to smoke the entire look out a bit.
This Illuminating Palette is one of my faves for winter, and I love the natural glow it creates when coupled with this Julep blush stick. For lips I'm being dramatic with Wham! from Too Faced. This is one of my all-time fave dark lippies, and works so perfectly for the holidays {or anytime}!
As you can probably tell, this would be a fab #motd for the winter season!

1.17.2017
currently crushing...

Labels:
beauty,
crush list,
fashion,
nars,
sally hansen,
Yours Truly
1.16.2017
NOTD: OPI Infinite Shine 2 Icons Nail Lacquer in Malaga Wine
There are some shades that I alwaysalwaysalways gravitate to - deep wine reds fall into that category.
Malaga Wine is, quite possibly, my new favorite wine red creme. Aside from the color being perfectly pigmented {and uber-necessary for this time of year}, the formula is flawless! We're talking one swipe, two swipe, top coat, go!
If you love shades like this, you need to get your paws on this pretty stat!
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?
1.15.2017
come on over
Seriously need this pullover in my life for Netflix and chill or date night.
1.14.2017
1.13.2017
currently crushing...

Labels:
beauty,
crush list,
fashion,
free people,
sally hansen,
Yours Truly
1.12.2017
{what's in my} ipsy december 2016 glam bag!
Though nail polish wasn't a part of the equation this time around {breaking my streak - womp womp}; the other colorful beauty musts - from eyeshadow and blush to a bomb lip product, lush brush, and luxe oil were enough to set my jingle bells a-ringing!
For those of you who are unfamiliar with ipsy, it is a beauty subscription service that costs $10 per month {awesome deal IMO}, and consists of a collectible makeup bag {can also double as a clutch} along with 5 beauty samples that are customized to your personal beauty profile {which you can change/update at anytime}. I love getting subscription boxes, but don't have a ton of extra cash to spare, so I find ipsy to be the best value as each month's bags are adorable, the products are of fantastic quality, and their stylists are top-notch {and some of my fave beauty bloggers}. That being said, let's get to the bag!
December's theme was CARPE P.M. {loves it!}. Inside my bag was a full size NYX COSMETICS Prismatic Eyeshadow in PUNK HEART, a MicaBeauty Angle Eye Shadow Brush {$22.95 value!}, deluxe size Tarte Maracuja Oil {$15.00!}, full size City Color Cosmetics Be Matte Blush Trio Palette, and full size Jersey Shore Cosmetics Peppermint Moisture Rich Hydrating Balm.
I was a liiiiittle bit intimidated when I unbagged NYX COSMETICS Prismatic Eyeshadow in PUNK HEART because purple eyeshadows rarely make it into my #motd {even though they make my green eyes pop}, but I've grown to L-O-V-E this one right here! Punk Heart is an intense shade with red undertones that make it v wearable. I always use it with a primer, and it stays in place literally until I wash it away with facial cleanser. While I haven't been using it for full-on eye looks, I dig it on the lower lashline as it adds the perfect touch of colorful oomph!
I feel like I'm the last person to join the face oil party, but I've always found the thought of purposely putting oil on your face to be a frightening concept {hellllo breakouts!}; so I was v ho hum when I found Tarte's Maracuja Oil in my bag, and was thiiiiiis close to not trying it out, but I am so glad that I did because it is life-changing, I tell ya! Ladies, since the first time I applied this Maracuja Oil to my face, my skin has a new, radiant glow that can't be achieved with makeup. I had a few dry skin patches on my face from winter wind, and this cleared it up instantly, and has prevented it since. I apply it at night, allowing it to soak into my skin while I sleep, and I wake up to fresh, dewy, moisturized skin. I will so be buying the full-size!
My motto when it comes to makeup brushes? The fluffier the better. And this MicaBeauty Angle Eye Shadow Brush? Insanely fluffy, and straight-up brilliant for crease-work. I love the angled aesthetic here, and soft, smooth bristles which blend beautifully. Surprisingly, I've been using this with cream products, and it has worked like a dream. I'm hoping to receive more from MicaBeauty in the future!
Not gonna lie here, I was most def excited for the City Color Cosmetics Be Matte Blush Trio Palette - and for good reason! I absolutely love this palette because the shades are hyper-pigmented, super buildable, and incredibly versatile for everyday wear. I do recommend layering them over a primer, not necessarily for color intensity, but for length of wear. These were swatched on bare skin {no primer}, and while the color payoff is brilliant, they wiped away without even needing water, so primer is a must. The negative? The packaging! Not going to mince words here - the packaging is a nightmare to open. It took me like 3 minutes, and almost resulted in a broken nail, and that is so not cool. I feel as if the difficulty in opening the packaging would deter me from using this palette - even though I dig the colors. Shades {from left to right}: Guava, Blackberry, and Fresh Melon.
I actually received a lip balm from Jersey Shore Cosmetics in one of my past ipsy bags, so when I found Jersey Shore Cosmetics Peppermint Moisture Rich Hydrating Balm in this month's bag, I knew to expect amazingness. My last flavor was Vanilla Coconut Cream {perfect for the summer}, but the Peppermint flavor this time around blew that baby out of the water! I mean, peppermint? For December? How can you not?! This is a super lightweight product, so you can easily layer it under lip gloss or lipstick, and forget it's there, but it keeps on working, working, working to keep your lips hyper hydrated, moisturized, and soft. Total winner right here!
What was in your December 2016 ipsy Glam Bag? Not a subscriber yet? Sign up here!

1.11.2017
{fashion folio} winter casual

1.10.2017
BROAD CITY DVD Prize Pack Giveaway
New year, new giveaway! Today I'm partnering with Comedy Central to bring one {1} of you beautiful babes the Complete First, Second, and Third Seasons of BROAD CITY on DVD to celebrate today's release of BROAD CITY Season 3 on DVD!
The new DVD includes all 10 episodes from Season 3, uncensored with 30+ minutes of bonus features.
Season 3 guest stars include Hillary Clinton, Academy Award winner Melissa Leo (The Fighter), Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty, Soul Food), Whoopi Goldberg, Alan Alda, Rachel Dratch (Saturday Night Live), Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City), Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish), Tony Danza, Bob Balaban (“Girls”), Seth Green, Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers), Adam Levine (Maroon 5), Emily Meade (Boardwalk Empire), Eugene Mirman (Bob’s Burgers), Mara Wilson (Matilda), Tymberlee Hill (Drunk History).
“In Season 3, Broad City shines...” – Time Magazine
“Season 3 of Broad City Is Abbi and Ilana’s Best Yet.” – Slate
“Broad City isn't just the funniest comedy on TV — it's a way of life.” – Rolling Stone
“It’s hard not to get sucked into the wickedly ridiculous world of Broad City.” – Entertainment Weekly
Sounds like the perfect show to hunker down with as you hide from the wintry weather, yes?
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck babes!
Disclosure: This Giveaway is in Partnership with Comedy Central.
1.09.2017
NOTD: Essie Winter Nail Polish Collection in Ready To Boa
Talk about yum! I liiive for colors like this - those rich shades that make you covet cozy sweaters and roaring fireplaces. And this particular one? Dyiiing over its pretty.
Ready To Boa reminds me of hot chocolate, and it's formula is every bit as scrummy. This baby right here was opaque in 1 coat, but yeah, I made it a double for an ultra-decadent finish.
What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?
1.08.2017
1.07.2017
links à la mode: the IFB weekly roundup {january 5, 2016 edition}
Links a la Mode, january 5
- Adorned in Armor: Happy New Year! | 2016: Year of Revelation
- Cat Eyes and Skinny Jeans: {beauty board} chocolate cravings
- Elements of Ellis: Metallic Gold Skirt
- I'm a Norbyah: Style Minute: Chokers + Turtlenecks
- Joyfully Styled: Best of Beauty 2016
- Middle of Somewhere: Sequin Pants
- Style with Nihan: Shimmering in a Silver Slip Dress
- Red Reticule: Happy New Year!
- Skulls and Tulles: 2017 Resolutions
1.06.2017
{glossies made me do it} candy-cane dipped oreos
I selected this particular project because it looked fab for winter festivities and was no-bake {a must for me as I have a tendency to set things on fire in the kitchen}. You can see my results above - they're, perhaps, not as pretty as the picture that inspired them, but ermagersh were they yum!
While these, essentially, were a basic OREO cookie {I used the Winter OREO Cookies with Red Creme}, the inclusion of the melted Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses added so much extra flavor, making them taste like those Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies. And the crushed Candy Cane topping made them that much prettier!
My one qualm? The ratios in the recipe are incredibly misleading. The recipe states that one 10 oz. bag of Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses yields 36 cookies, but that's impossible. I used half a bag of kisses and could barely coat 8 cookies. And the coating you do see isn't nearly as thick as that seen on the cookies in the magazine. Regardless, they look pretty-ish and are seriously scrummy, so I'm not complaining; but if you do decide to try this one out for yourself, be prepared to buy more Kisses than the recipe actually calls for.

1.05.2017
{fashion folio} cozy crush

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