Tag Archives: sephora

what’s in her bag?

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when the super sweet justine of ‘short is the new black’ asked me to be a part of her ‘what’s in her bag?’ series, i was more than happy to oblige. the beauty blogosphere is such a wonderful place when you get to meet and share audiences with someone like miss justine. i hope you’ll click on over to her little spot on the web and take a peek at my dailies. wait until you see just how shockingly simple my beauty routine really is!

ps – since you’re here, you must love the glossarie! please visit this week’s allure beauty blogger awards challenge and vote for me – i’d be so grateful :) (you can vote once per day, now through friday, and did i mention you can win diamonds?!)

josie maran argan matchmaker powder foundation spf 20

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for a smaller beauty brand, josie maran has been cranking out winner after winner in my book. the former model-turned-makeup-mogul has now created a self-adjusting powder foundation with the nourishing and hydrating benefits of argan oil … and there are so many things right with this product, i’m not quite sure where to begin!

first of all, it feels like heaven and magically disappears onto skin, creating the best powder match of any product to date. it mattifies my complicated combination bits, but isn’t drying or itchy like other powders. the coverage falls perfectly between sheer and medium and i just can’t stress enough what a pleasure it is to wear. pile all of those compliments into a formula that also comes complete with spf 20, and josie just hit gold with this flawless face in a compact.

note: this product is flying off shelves (my sephora was already out of the two lightest shades and they are currently out of stock online – make sure to request an email for when they’re back in action!) and while i don’t hesitate to gamble it will be around for awhile, you’ll want to get your hands on one of your very own asap.

josie maran argan matchmaker powder foundation spf 20 is available in three shades for $34 at sephora.

march bag + balm

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march bag + balm

bag: stephanie johnson mini pouch in malibu crinkle patent, $30

balm: sephora color reveal balm, $12

this month’s bag is a staple for me. it lives in my handbag and travels from work to play, stashing my pill box, headphones, lip balm, hair tie, mints, and business cards. it’s so versatile that it could serve virtually any purpose and it even works well as a wallet to carry cash, cards, keys, phone, etc. it’s no secret that i adore stephanie johnson and this pouch is just one of many reasons. she’s made it in a slew of colors and textures (i believe i count a whopping 47 listed!) and she’s also created this genius wristlet that you can purchase as an add on. i’m digging the six colors in malibu crinkle patent for their bold brightness and laid-back vibe, but the beauty of steph’s line is that there’s something for everyone.

this month’s balm is rocking my world. lip balm is the finishing touch to my morning makeup routine, but the naked lip can make me look a little washed out first thing in the am. sephora’s color reveal balm has vastly changed all of that. after swiping it on (and smelling it’s yummy vanilla scent), it blooms into a customized pink shade that’s not the normal nuclear fuchsia that these types of products tend towards (not flattering on anyone, let alone everyone). it’s a sheer wash of pink that’s not too soft, not too bold and it takes my look up a notch, making me look just a bit more lively than a clear balm would. i’ve bought two of these, keeping one in the bathroom beauty basket and one in my mini pouch because i love it that much. rumor has it that this little beauty is limited edition, so hustle on out to get your own if you must have!

ps – this little series is one year old this month! happy birthday, bag + balm

betsey johnson too too scented nail colour

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who: you, your best friend, your sister, your five year old neighbor

what: a hot pink nail polish designed by betsey johnson and infused with her too too fragrance. once dry, your nails will smell of fruity, flirty top notes like passion fruit, mandarin, ginger, strawberry – for days.

when: with your favorite chambray shirt, on a hot date, gripping your fab new clutch on girls night out. do you need an excuse for neon pink scented nail polish?

where: limited edition, exclusively at sephora

why: it’s hot pink, designed by betsey johnson, and did i mention it’s scented? (i think it gives it a little something extra, dontcha think?)

happy weekend!

a new signature lip a la nars

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new spring lips

i love wearing a fuchsia or red-orange lip as much as the next gal (ok, maybe more than the next gal), but truth be told, i’ve been in search of my everyday signature lip (read: likely not fuchsia or orange-red, or anything in the bold family) for way too long. i finally got my priorities straight and marched myself into sephora earlier this week. i accosted the first black-smocked lady i could find, deeming myself putty in melanie’s hands if she could just prescribe my custom lip nirvana. thankfully, mel was up to the task.

i knew what i wanted: a neutral pink. a pretty, girly one that would go with my daily, somewhat minimalist, makeup routine. we pretty quickly settled on this trio from nars and i’ve had a little more spring in my step ever since. here’s what i’m loving about my mouth’s new wardrobe:

1. the lip liner in tonga is the first lip liner i have ever owned. (yes, yes i know. i should deliver myself straight to beauty blogger jail for that one.) it is amazing! it’s flesh-toned matte and perfect for filling in all over the lip to help lipstick “grip” just a bit longer than it would solo. i even love the way it looks on its own!

2. my new lipstick in catfight is a cool, subtle pink, almost a mauve. it has a slight sheen to it and it’s comfortable to wear. i got five hours out of this baby yesterday! best of all, it suits me to a tee and i can apply it sans mirror, on the go.

and 3. i wasn’t sure the lip lacquer in baby doll was absolutely necessary at the time, but it’s been the difference-maker in the group for me. i can swipe it straight on my lips and go (love that), pop it over the lip liner (love that even more), or use it to finish off the most glammy lip look of all – the triple threat of tonga + catfight + baby doll.

now, i’m not endorsing any of my own bad habits. you can (and likely have) put together a signature lip look for far less than the $70 (eek!) i spent on this one. but i have to say, my new lips are giving me $1,000 worth of happiness.

what’s your go-to lip look? do you have a corresponding duo or trio, or one signature piece? tell me, i’m dying to know!

essie spring + lovely links

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happy friday, beauties!

how about this awesome nail candy to send you into the weekend? essie has done it again with one incredible sixsome for spring. yes, the colors are killer, but the inspiration behind the collection is what i really love. dubbed “navigate her” these beautiful brights and powerful pastels represent essie’s tribute to the woman of action – the one who dreams big and puts her best self forward.

these colors mean business! and they represent some of the best and most important nail trends for 2012, including pistachio, blush, and tangerine. top row, from left to right: navigate her (subtle sorbet green), a crewed interest (delicate peach), to buy or not to buy (lilac shimmer). bottom row: tour de finance (rich iridescent fuchsia – so spring right!), ole caliente (bright red), orange, it’s obvious! (pretty much the best orange ever).

look for them in stores next month!

{a few lovely links}

tarte maracuja divine shine lip gloss

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let’s get right to the point: the new maracuja divine shine lip gloss from tarte is wearing the most fabulous outfit i’ve seen on a product in a long while.

if you’re not one to judge a book by its cover alone, let me assure you that beyond all the pretty packaging, you get lots of color, lots of shine, and none of that dried out weirdness some other glosses leave behind.

the hydrating and nourishing gloss comes in ten shades named for the current line of amazonian clay blushes. (if you’re a fan of the blushes, the gloss shades are complimentary without being matchy and, needless to say, they are beautiful.) the shade range is spot on with a red, a hot pink, a nude, a baby pink, a berry, and a coral, along with a few other options. the gloss itself is great for your lips and feels really moisturizing thanks to a little sunflower seed oil, but it’s also highly pigmented and is tacky enough to stick around for more than one drink.

besides, just imagine how great you’ll look whipping all of this floral print and click-pen goodness out of your clutch this spring!

tarte maracuja divine shine lip gloss is available at sephora for $21.

urban decay dew me moisturizing makeup setting spray

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do you change up your makeup dependent on the time of year? i’m all about the light freshness of a tinted moisturizer in the summer and fall, but winter calls for more coverage as that tan starts to fade slowly away. (i also don’t like the way tinted moisturizer sits on my skin when it gets drier in the frigid temps, but i digress.) i’ve switched my foundation from this bobbi tm to my favorite hydrating powder foundation from smashbox and while i’m loving the familiar and flawless coverage, i miss the dewy glow from my tinted moisturizer.

dew me is a moisturizing setting spray from urban decay. it’s super light (we’re talking micro-fine) and instantly takes away the powdery look that blushes and other things can leave behind. it gives a soft glow and locks things in place for the days when you need a little extra mileage from your makeup. even for those of us who aren’t too concerned with long wear will find that it’s a little boost of moisture and defense against the whipping wind and freezing cold. overall, it’s a love for me.

if you work in a dry office environment, you’re a bare minerals or other powder gal, or if you top your foundation with powder but don’t like the dusty look, give this a whirl. i think you’ll be pretty pleased with the oomph it gives your whole visage and the natural glow you’ll be sporting ’til spring.

urban decay’s dew me moisturizing makeup setting spray is $29 at sephora and beauty.com.

tan-talizing: guerlain terracotta mosaic tan enhancing bronzer

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happy monday, beauties! is it gloomy where you are today? cloud cover in dc has me craving a little sun-kissed shimmer so i went out on the hunt for something to enhance the teensy bit of color i’ve acquired this month (thank you, multiple looooong highschool graduations on shade-less football fields) without channeling snooki.

so i returned to an old favorite.

guerlain’s terracotta bronzer marks the arrival of summer each year and this season’s version is an absolute stunner. amazingly chic golden tones make up  a mosaic pattern that makes me feel like i’m back in the mediterranean. this is the most high quality, luxurious bronzer on the market and a dusting over your existing tan will have you looking so south beach.

guerlain’s terracotta mosaic tan enhancing bronzer is a limited edition, available at sephora for $69.

sephora microfiber hair turban

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i am terrible at sitting still and even worse at waiting. so it may be no surprise to you that the one part of my beauty routine that causes near agony, has always been waiting for my hair to dry the perfect right amount before i can blow dry. we’re talking 10, maybe 12 minutes in the morning, and it’s misery.

it’s mostly misery because when i make a post-shower hair wrap with our bath towels: a) it hurts my neck whilst i attempt to read email; b) it is almost always guaranteed to prematurely fall apart whilst i make my morning latte and c) it is so heavy that i can literally feel it pulling out the hairs around my forehead whilst i pack my gym bag, make my lunch, etc.

no. bueno.

so off i went looking for a solution and what i found was this microfiber hair turban from sephora. i’m probably the last person on earth to discover this little gem (and i think there are probably about 100 other versions out there), but it is a wonder! you just flip your wet head, twist your hair up in its ultra light microfiber softness, button it at the nape of your neck and multitask AWAY.

after a month of use, the turban has literally changed my hair. i swear that it’s smoother, with less frizz and damage plus those 10-12 minutes of waiting are practically cut in half thanks to some kind of microfiber magic. i’m back to my manic multitasking without neck pain, hair rippage, or balancing act to prevent premature breakdown.

i will use it until forever!

do others suffer my towel-wrap woes? is anyone else a fan of the turban? do tell!