pretty finds $10 and under4

POSTED ON Posted on March 9, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i’m a complete and total sucker for a steal so it’s no surprise that these $10 and under finds from sephora have me planning a mini spree! from left to right, here are my top four picks:

clinique bottom lash mascara
popping this sample-size tube into your basket is sure to send you on a whirlwind adventure of lash discovery. the tiniest of lash brushes will give you a twiggy-esque bottom line you never knew you needed but soon won’t be able to live without. the formula is completely smudgeproof making it a must-have in my book at just $10.

sephora by opi traffic stopper copper top coat
rose gold and copper are so in for spring and i am loving this sparkly top coat. it instantly updates any polish you’ve got hiding at home and brings something different from your run-of-the-mill silver or yellow gold for only $9.50.

benefit cosmetics high beam to go
i actually prefer this version to the full-size high beam because of the doe-foot applicator (as opposed to the brush on the full-size). it’s one of my favorite under-eye highlighters and works like a dream – just three dots under each eye and you’re ready to roll. this purse-sized perfector is a definite do at $10.

boscia green tea blotting linens limited edition
i might be as much of a sucker for something limited edition as i am for something steal-worthy. there’s no question that boscia’s blotting linens are the best around and, to be fair, they are always priced at $10. the precious print on this LE green tea version, however, is simply impossible to resist!

that’s a lot of beauty goodness for just $40. pop on over to sephora’s under $10 section to see more pocket-friendly pretty and save away!

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Posted in eyes, face, lashes, nails | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

banana republic wildbloom0

POSTED ON Posted on March 8, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i gravitate towards fresh and feminine scents so i’m completely over the moon about this new camellia mix with pink grapefruit and water hydrangea from banana republic. i’ve never been a big a fan of branded beauty, but dubbed wildbloom and retailing for $48 this wonderfully pretty perfume is, well, pretty wonderful. as you can tell, i am pleasantly surprised by this spontaneous and charming blend which also boasts guava, pear, blue orchid and musk. it’s complete carefree elegance and i want in and i am guessing, so will you!

banana republic’s new fragrance wildbloom is available in stores now.

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physician’s formula shimmer strips candy collection2

POSTED ON Posted on March 7, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

thank you, physicians formula, for presenting a more palatable approach to spring 2011’s 80’s neon makeup. your blue eye candy custom shimmer strips collection is right on trend without being scary. we get 9 shadows/liners for $11, each of which can be used wet or dry to create an endless array of pretty looks from simple stripes of shades. you allow those of us who are fair skinned and fearsome of brights to play with the current “it” colors by starting with the lighter highlighters and working our way towards the medium bases then the dark liners. your fool-proof applicator makes it easy to create sophisticated combinations without ending up like mimi from drew carey. well played!

if you dare, physicians formula eye candy collection shimmer strips custom eye enhancing shadow & liner is available at drugstores and online at ulta for $10.99.

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Posted in eyes, lids | Tagged | 2 Comments

happy hostessing with lucia soap2

POSTED ON Posted on March 6, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

happy sunday! it’s pouring buckets around here today so we’re knocking out some small projects and getting organized. in the midst of all the spring cleaning excitement, i stumbled upon my the small collection of hostess gifts that i keep on hand so that i’ve always got something at the ready. the latest addition to my bag of tricks are these sweet soaps by lucia and i thought they would be appropriate to share here because, well, they are perfectly pretty.

lucia soaps are handmade with shea butter to be deliciously hydrating and protecting so that they can actually be used as soap and not just left in drawers as sachets (though they work fine for that, too). i purchased this set of 8 smalls for $18 which includes wild ginger & fresh fig, thyme flower & coriander, goat milk & linseed, mandarin & tomato flower, pomegranate & redcurrant, sea watercress & chai tea, tea leaf & wild honey (my favorite!), and olive oil & laurel leaf. the packaging is amazingly chic and makes for the perfect aromatic present.

do you stock up on hostess gifts? got a fab go-to? share!

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Posted in body, natural beauty | 2 Comments

some kinda cuteness from tweezerman2

POSTED ON Posted on March 4, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

tweezerman is the only acceptable brand when it comes to brow grooming. their tiny tools grab absolutely every stray hair and help to make unpleasant plucking a total breeze. i should also mention that they are literally indestructible. i have had the same pair since 1999 and they are still in excellent shape. while it would take a lot for me to part with my beloved flamingo pink mini slants, this new fun and floral print may push me to do just that. it’s been a fantastic 12 year run, but methinks it’s time for an upgrade! are you loving their springy sweetness along with me? tweezerman’s floral print mini tweezers are available at sephora for $15.

{a few lovely links}

hope you beauties have one heckuva weekend! xo

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Posted in link roundups, tools | Tagged | 2 Comments

thursday bling1

POSTED ON Posted on March 3, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

it’s thursday purseday, but i’m feeling blingy. and slightly impractical as you will soon find out since i am totally loving this insanely chic cocktail ring from ysl. does it get any better than multicolored glass and crystal packed into one fabulous adornment? it’s so standout that it will instantly dress up any outfit, from a blazer and denims to one fab lbd. at $795 there is literally zero chance that this beauty will be making its way into my greedy clutches, but at least i can share my love for it here with my most favorites of all people. that would be you, my lovely readers.

ps – i love how it’s called “fake chic.” ok so maybe they’re not real gemstones, but pardon me, there is nothing fake chic about an $800 cocktail ring. am i alone in this? (sigh.) happy bling gazing, beauties!

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short and sweet: new philosophy kiss of hope3

POSTED ON Posted on March 1, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

hi guys ‘n’ gals! it’s a crazy day in my world today so i will leave you with something (literally) short and sweet from philosophy:

better than a balm, kiss of hope is a true lip treatment with all of the goodness packed inside philosophy’s hope in a jar but specific for lips.

looks like a regular old balm you say? what’s so great about it?

well, for one, it’s creamy, meaning that it’s got more staying power than your typical sheer balm so you’re not constantly reapplying. it also has spf 15 making it perfect for tossing into this cute floral beach tote (or whatever strikes your fancy) for trips to the pool or sea. finally, along with leaving lips softer and smoother than ever, it leaves behind a yummy vanilla mint flavor that freshens breath.

sold? join me in this totally new and exciting lip salvation. you won’t be sorry.

philosophy kiss of hope is available online and at ulta for $16.

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handmade hair ties from mane message1

POSTED ON Posted on February 28, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

(it’s a doomy gloomy day in dc today so you get two posts! lucky you.)

there is something so sweet, slightly summer camp-esque about these tie dye hair ties. perhaps because they remind me the teensiest bit of hot loops, a favorite childhood toy from the 90’s that also doubled as hair elastics for me as a wee beauty addict. anywho, these pretty ponytail perfectors from mane message are soft, stretchy and oddly chic making them very wearable as bracelets when they are not taming tendrils. they come in a crazy variety of colors, both tie dye and solid, so if bright and bold isn’t your thing (such as in the sherbet package up above) and you prefer subtle neutrals, the dusk package may be more your speed. i ordered the best of both worlds with the mission package but would also recommend the silk. creator olivia hayward is a college-senior-turned-small-business-owner and i give her kudos for upgrading your average run of the mill pony into something a bit more special.

love ’em? visit mane message on etsy to get your own bomehiman hair ties and to see all of olivia’s fun and functional handiwork!

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meet megan miller2

POSTED ON Posted on February 28, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

the design of this line of environmentally friendly nail polish from megan miller is killing me with its cuteness. the cork top? the raffia ribbon? the round bulb of a bottle? all absolutely gorgeous. but these varnishes aren’t just for show and tell, beyond their aesthetic adorableness they will also look great on your nails and last for an impressively long time.

the colors:

  • framboise – rich, elegant wine
  • caribbean – bold turquoise
  • champagne – shimmering neutral
  • crem de la crem – versatile french white
  • roja – gorgeous, true red
  • latte – simple, creamy natural greige

megan miller is available online at anthropologie in roja and crem de la crem for the semi steep price of $14 but you can also buy all six shades directly through megan miller for the slightly more stomachable $12.

it’s pay day and my nails need caribbean. will you invest in these charming little lacquers?

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a friday fave from MAC + link love2

POSTED ON Posted on February 25, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i am not normally a fan of things mac. as beauty bloggers go, it’s safe to say i trend more towards the sephora camp than the mac camp so color me surprised when i fell hard for these spring 2011 lightfully bright lipglasses by none other than the m-a-c. this party of four is sheer and frosty and remnant of my teen years in the cvs beauty aisle. i am a total sucker for their iridescence and shimmer. want to meet them?

from left to right, they are:

  • astro cool (pale lilac with yellow iridescence and shimmer)
  • atmospheric (pink with blue and pink shimmer)
  • ethereal (pale blue with yellow iridescence and shimmer)
  • outer space (white with pink iridescence and shimmer)

honestly, there is little difference in resulting color among all of them because they are so sheer and sparkly. the allure for me is in their ability to warm up (astro cool) and cool down (atmospheric) any other colors already in your bag of tricks. they will obviously add some shimmer to your more matte lipsticks, as well. if you’re curious about these easter basket-worthy glosses, they are available in mac stores and online for $14.50.

hope you beauties have a fabulous weekend! i will kick mine off with a few things i’ve been wanting to share with you, in no particular order:

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Posted in link roundups, lips | Tagged | 2 Comments