belly up to the baublebar0

i think earrings are tops when it comes to accessories. something about the way they polish off an outfit and always fit regardless of whether i’ve been to the gym or not that week just makes me happy. i’m always looking for new places to scout out some fab adornments for my lobes and have l-o-v-e-d finding baublebar, the latest spot on the web for fashion jewelry. the selection is just perfect with more pieces on hand than your average boutique but less overwhelming than a cluttered department store. this guilt-free way to feed your addiction gets even better once you see the prices! you can find whatever you need, be it trendy or classic, at a great value.


my first purchase are these black cushion cut studs. they’re kind of bold and edgy yet their classic shape and two-tone base somehow keeps them understated. my earrings arrived this week in a gorgeous black pouch with the nicest handwritten note from co-founders, amy + daniella. now, that’s the kind of customer service that will keep a girl coming back for more! and it’s a good thing, too, because i’m already eying this bracelet …

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simple static stopper: bumble & bumble grooming creme2

you may be aware, but we are in the midst of one wicked cold snap here in the mid-atlantic. i’m almost grateful that mother nature decided to dump 8 inches of snow on us last night because at least it it put some moisture back in the air! the dry, freezing cold temps of late do nasty things: from nails that break again and again, to scaly dry skin, chapped lips and worst of all, stubbornly staticky hair. i have been plagued for winter after winter but i can now put the days of looking like a five year old who just removed her knitted hat behind me, thanks to this tiny tube from bumble & bumble.

grooming creme is not just your typical, run of the mill, leave your locks limp moisturizer. it’s actually got hold and helps you style while keeping your tresses shiny and smooth. i am so untalented when it comes to my hair that i need a product that takes care of the hard work. i picked this stuff up at sephora because its tagline says “the dream creme for those who want to look polished but hate to work at it.” it may as well have had my name on it!

when worked through damp hair before blowdrying, grooming creme adds texture and shine while conveniently keeping static at bay. it’s surprisingly light and pumps my oft flat hair up without weighing it down. the 2 oz version is $12 and has a cool twist cap at the bottom that dispenses the perfect amount of product then locks making it super friendly for traveling. grooming creme is available in salons, directly through bumble & bumble and at some sephoras.

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matchbook mag is on the move4

i’ve been slowly collecting inspiration to expand the glossarie to more than an average addict’s love of beauty. it’s still a work in progress, but i’m looking forward to integrating some findings to enhance your lovely lifestyle beyond the lands of makeup and skincare starting tonight. it will be a bit of an adventure and i hope you’ll leave comments to let me know your thoughts along the way!

so, bearing that new direction in mind, i’m excited to share that the long awaited matchbook magazine launched their inaugural e-issue today! coined “your guide to a charmed life” (which i love!) matchbook fits one fabulous type of gal. this afternoon, i steamed a skim latte and sat down to tear through the gorgeous pages. i read every word, poured over every image and made a looong list of wishes from things i found within the pages. i couldn’t get enough!

{via buhl blvd}

one of my favorite tidbits was this checklist of 50 classics for your closet.

how many have you already got on hand?

cheers, to three inspirational blogstresses on this new project! matchbook ladies, you have certainly struck my fancy.

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cheap thrill: formula 10.0.062

combination skin can be sooo complicated and i always find it impossible to find the right cleanser that will help prevent the occasional breakout without destroying my mostly healthy skin.

it was beyond excited to discover formula 10.0.06 products with their long list of drama-free ingredients like oat, tea tree, aloe, and even marshmallow. the bright, clean packaging is the perfect representation of what you’ll find inside – keep-it-simple cleansers, moisturizers, treatments and masks that deliver on their promises to keep your skin fresh without tons of unnecessary chemicals.

this clear-skin cleanser is my favorite in the lineup so far. at $7 it wipes out oil and impurities while keeping my sometimes-sensitive skin calm with soothing green tea and chamomile. it’s gentle and effective – the perfect balance at the oh-so-perfect price!

the full range of formula 10.0.06 can be found at ulta for $6 – $7.

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glimmer & glitz with essie’s kisses & bises3


your fingers will be looking so fancy this spring with up-and-coming kisses and bises from essie’s french affair collection. it reminds me of a shade i used to wear back in the day that i can’t pin my finger on and i absolutely love it.

by the by, i’m noticing that a few old polish looks from the early 90’s are creeping their way back to the forefront of things. i spotted this dolce & gabbana polish, for example, which is a dead ringer for a $3 bottle of revlon i used to swipe on before school dances!

but back to essie.

this shimmering neutral would make the prettiest top coat, fast forwarding all of your old polishes to current hipness.  it could also be worn alone, but it’s iridescence is going to instantly soften any deep dark polish you’ll have in your stash from the winter months and completely revitalize your favorite peaches, pinks and corals from last year’s spring trends.

this guy is a must buy, imho, and for just $8, how can you resist?

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josie maran matchmaker serum foundation is makeup magic4

warning: this foundation will rock your world.


i spend tons of time playing in sephora and testing products. i read endless reviews and press releases then head to the aisles to debunk myths and decide what’s worth bringing to the blog. since i do test so many cosmetics on a weekly basis and since i’ve been at this for almost two years now, i’ve found that i have high expectations of new releases! it’s 2011 for heaven’s sake and along with the flying car, i would like to see more makeup goodies that take the trickiness out of some age-old difficulties – like matching foundation to your skintone. perfectly.

now, please note that i am the world’s biggest skeptic when it comes to self-adjusting anything, but i have been thrown for a big loop with this latest product from josie maran. matchmaker serum foundation is like a tinted moisturizer on crack. it’s hydrating (you could skip your moisturizer if you want to), yet balancing so it keeps your oily areas matte and your dry spots moisturized. it goes on white then, when blended, adjusts to create the most undetectable foundation coverage i have ever seen. it is like second skin! but better, smoother, softer, clearer good-for-you skin.

you have got to try it to believe it’s capabilities so all i can do is encourage you to hop along to our favorite striped store and test this stuff out. trust me you will not be sorry.

the matchmaker serum foundation is available now in two shade ranges exclusively at sephora for $42.

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Posted in face, foundation, natural beauty, skin | Tagged , | 4 Comments

angelina jolie’s golden globes lip gloss: chantecaille’s brilliant in ‘love’0

the beauty world went bananas after angelina applied lip gloss like a real gal at the golden globes. (but seriously, before this was caught on film and posted to youtube, how did everyone think she did it!?) there was an instant dash to find out which shade/brand she was using and of course a required sellout of said shade. well, fear not my little lovers of the lips jolie. the gloss in question is none other than chantecaille’s ‘brilliant’ in the shade love and can be found at nordstrom for $28.

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winter love for your lips: a friday fave + link love0


jane iredale is known for what she calls “the skincare makeup.” her products are simply amazing for prettifying while also healing and helping the skin. what a concept! my new favorite from jane is this double-sided sugar&butter lip exfoliator and plumper. it’s essentially a sugar scrub and plumping lip butter in one pretty pink magic wand and a must have for the fierce and freezing weather we’ve been having. it leaves lips feeling renewed, looking plump, tinted pink and tasting incredible. it’s available for $24 on jane’s site.

want more pretty for your friday?

here are a few other things i’m loving this week:

what are you up to this weekend? i’ve got a nice quiet couple of days ahead and wish you a very happy one!

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pretty pouch from paul & joe4

i am guaranteed to fall for anything that can pass for both a makeup bag and a clutch and paul & joe is absolutely certain to deliver the perfect pouch year after year. each one is a limited edition in the most beautiful vintage print. the elegant and pastel-y wildflowers below belong to the spring 2011 collection.

(sighs)

you can find the entire spring 2011 collection, including the latest cosmetic pouch ($40) at b-glowing. as an added bonus, receive this limited edition blotting papers refill with any $35 purchase. the papers aren’t just easy on the eyes, they freshen you up by absorbing afternoon shine and leaving your makeup completely intact.


i mean, if it’s not the perfect thing to put in your pouch.

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everything eyes0


i don’t really like to play favorites but if i had to choose one brand to use for eternity, it would be bobbi brown. there are tons of reasons: from the range and quality of products in her collection to the excellent service her makeup artists provide at the bb counter, and of course her platform to inspire women and girls to be pretty powerful. well, now bobbi has given me one more reason to love her stuff.

it’s no secret that i am eye challenged. a lash curler and a few swipes of mascara is more often than not, the most makeup action my peepers see. however, my comfort levels are rising steadily after watching this how-to vid where bobbi breaks her famous eye look down to 3 simple steps! it’s short and sweet and once you’ve checked it out, you can decide how to recreate the magic with products already in your bag or shop the everything eyes products preselected by the beauty guru herself.

are you eye challenged? let me know if bobbi’s simple 1, 2, 3 gives you as much hope as it gives me!

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