tokyomilk eau de parfum in dead sexy3

always on the lookout for a new and interesting scent, i stumbled upon tokyomilk’s dead sexy yesterday and it was love at first sniff. if you read this little beauty blog, you know that i pretty much love anything that comes out of margot elena’s camp of curiosities – from lollia to love & toast – so when i spotted this little bottle and took in its yumminess, i had to add it to my collection.

now, let’s talk top notes.

dead sexy comes off as a warm vanilla – but not the sweet, cupcake-y kind. it’s more woody and the subtle combination of romantic orchid florals sends it straight over the top into pure bliss in a bottle. it’s a feisty little scent and i’m absolutely digging it for fall. plus, the skull & crossbones adds a certain edginess that my safe and girly beauty routine has long been calling out for.

if vanilla’s not your thing, tokyomilk does this darling spray in 24 other spectacular scents. gin & rosewater and honey & the moon are two of my other favorites, but there’s definitely something in the group for everyone.

want in on this pretty pick? tokyomilk eau de parfum is available online and in the cutest boutiques around the country for $28.

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flirt! big flirt lip gloss14

hi beauties! are all you east coasters as windblown and shaken up as we are here in dc? thankfully, irene was very kind to us, but i know she was really awful to some other places – i hope you’re all safe, sound, and recovering just fine wherever you are.

after escaping two natural semi-disasters in one week, it seems the best thing to do is return to business as usual as soon as possible and around here, that means lip gloss.

the blogosphere has been buzzing with love for these new big flirt lip glosses from flirt! so I had to get my hands on them. and gals, the blogosphere does not lie. there is so much to love about these gigantic tubes of gloss, starting with the largest doe-foot applicator i’ve ever seen. this thing grabs so much gloss that one swipe on the top and one on the bottom has you completely covered. it’s a mirror-free application that’s too good to pass up. the gloss itself is shiny and POPS with color, it’s almost stain-like, it’s so vibrant and pretty. the finish is gorgeous and the one-stroke application really gives tons of shine because you’re not sweeping over and over your work, taking as much gloss away as you’re leaving behind like with other products. lips are softened and conditioned with jojoba oil and it has impressive staying power for a lip gloss.

there are eight shades to choose from, but my personal favorites are big time nude, coral-me fabulous, bigger than rose, and berry bombsell. flirt! big flirt sheer and shiny lipgloss is available at kohl’s for $15.50.

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Posted in editorial sample, lips | 14 Comments

august bag + balm0

bag: charlotte ronson camo clutch makeup bag, $28 at sephora

balm: bliss fabulips softening lip balm, $16

i’m celebrating this thursday purseday with another fabulous cosmetic bag + lip balm pairing. let me know what you think of this dynamic duo!

the bag: i fell pretty hard for this runway-inspired camo clutch designed by charlotte ronson. it’s small enough to be tossed in a bigger bag when toting your favorite products, but also sizable enough to be taken out for drinks on its own. the detailing is extra pretty – with a gunmetal logo plate on the front and a cool vintage clasp on top. the colors in the camo print are equal parts edgy and girly, plus a nylon lining keeps things clean when the inevitable rollerball perfume breaks or liquid foundation leaks. winner!

the balm: i am forever on the hunt for a soothing new lip balm – one that moisturizes on contact but seals in hydration so that i’m not constantly reapplying. new fabulips from bliss is the actual softening balm used in luxurious facials in bliss spas worldwide. it’s intensely nourishing and has a permanent home next to my office computer so i can apply with ease whenever i like. you’ll want to stash one of these in every corner/cosmetic pouch you’ve got!

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nars delphes trio0

something about the month of august makes me yearn for fall and this delphes trio from nars is destined to be my autumn shadow wardrobe. the colors are subtle and softened which makes them my particular cup of tea and they can be blended together or used individually (a nice divider between each shade keeps things clean). while nars offers their trio in four different options, the range of shades in this group includes a sheer peach, a matte blue-gray, and a frosty metallic green. this threesome has captured my heart with its effortless, blendable colors that smooth on evenly for super easy pretty.

the delphes trio is a limited edition piece from the nars fall collection and will hit shelves sometime this month. it’s currently available online for $45 for all impulse shoppers.

what will your lids be wearing this fall?

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opi’s rainbow connection9

as a child of the 80’s it is safe to say that i had a healthy adoration for the muppets so i’m totally loving that the latest opi collection celebrates them this holiday season. there are some gorgeous lacquers in this limited release – each more bright and joyful than the next.

i have a special place in my heart for kermit’s rendition of rainbow connection so i had to share this incredible multicolored glitter polish with you named for the famous tune sung by everyone’s favorite frog. isn’t it amazing? i’m crazy for that color combination and can totally see it coming with me to a cocktail party or two this winter. if you’re a muppet or a polish fan, look for this perfect holiday accessory (and 11 other stunners) to hit shelves at ulta this november.

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Posted in nails | 9 Comments

fresh seaberry restorative body cream2

i’m beach bound, beauties! off to play for a long weekend at my parents’ house in newburyport, mass. on the agenda is lots of sun and sips on the rooftop deck. i can’t wait!

being the fair maiden that i am, my skin does not take kindly to lots of sun so i’m bringing my latest love from fresh along for post-beach relief. i’ve always needed to keep two body lotions on hand throughout the year -a thicker one for winter and a lighter version for summer, but something in the properties of seaberry oil has a major moisturizing effect that absorbs completely so that there’s no stickiness left behind. it softens parched skin on contact and relieves the irritation caused by the sun and cold. i can’t define the seaberry scent, but i can tell you that it’s bright and citrusy without being overly sweet. probably one of my favorites from fresh so far! finally? it’s a nice big fat bottle for $28.50 making it all the more impossible to resist.

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kiehl’s ultra facial oil-free gel cream6

my complaints in life are very few, but my skin is. the. worst. and summer heat/humidity does me no favors.

my face is sensitive, oily in spots, dry in others, prone to redness, and prone to breakouts thanks to easily clogged pores. the trick to harmonizing it seems to be in finding a moisturizer that brings comfort to the dry spots, without adding extra shine and also doesn’t have a bunch of chemicals that will irritate my sensitivity. it’s tough to meet those needs, but kiehl’s has created a strong contender for miracle status.

gaining a leg up on drugstore competition with the addition of natural extracts that soothe and stop oil dead in its tracks, their new oil-free line has four amazing products in its ranks. the crown jewel of the collection is this gel cream – patting it on my parched face  in the mornings plumps up tired skin and feels so incredible. it re-balances my skin’s moisture levels and the fact that it’s oil, dye, paraben, and fragrance free means that my sensitive skin stays calm and happy.

if you’re acne-prone but your skin craves moisture, i can’t recommend this one highly enough. the lightness of the gel keeps skin from feeling heavy and preps it for your morning makeup. you’ll find afternoon shine is reduced to a minimum and thanks to kiehl’s’ excellent reputation for irritant-free skincare, you won’t have to stress about any adverse reactions. the oil-free gel cream is quite possibly the simplest troubled skin solution to ever grace my cosmetic shelf.

kiehl’s ultra facial oil-free gel cream is available at department store counters and online for $24.50.

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Posted in skin | 6 Comments

your fall lip, courtesy of poppy king for j.crew0

one flip through the latest j.crew catalog and i cannot stop thinking about a slim black pant, chunky jewels, and leopard flats. but my favorite discovery? lips now have a go-to wardrobe all their own thanks to this poppy king for j.crew lipstick.

poppy has created the most gorgeously universally flattering shade of what would exist only if you layered on the perfect coral with the perfect red with the perfect hot pink. love! the formula is sheer, so it’s very easy to build for lots of glamor or to keep it understated for everyday polish. you won’t be able to put your finger on why you’re obsessed with it (perhaps it’s just because now you resemble a j.crew model that much more!), but everyone will be asking what your lips are wearing.

poppy king for j.crew lipstick is available online now for $18.

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pretty for a penny: sonia kashuk dramatically defining eyelash curler2

i’ve been looking for a replacement for my shu uemura lash curler for the longest. i’ve had it for 7 or 8 years and just felt like it was losing its spring. i tested this one from tweezerman and this one from sephora collection with disappointing results so i turned to my favorite target brand on a whim.

at first glance, the sonia kashuk curler is affordable and almost identical to the shu, but get up close and personal with it and you’ll soon see why it not only meets, but exceeds expectations. its nice wide head means no pinching, even when you’re super tired (ever pinch a puffy morning eye? ouch!) or rushing to get ready – this is a major plus in my book and a major downfall of both curlers mentioned above. while i’ve only tried it on my own, i imagine that it’s well suited to a variety of eye shapes. it’s super easy to grip, one of the most ergonomically friendly curlers i’ve found, and a pumping motion gives a natural, eye-opening curl that lasts forever.

i don’t know how else to put it beauties, this target tool is a must! the sonia kashuk eyelash curler is available at the big red bullseye for $9.99.

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tuesday shoesday: anthropologie trinket flat8

i adore a twist on an old classic, especially a twist that adds a unique and special detail. these bold and beautiful suede flats from anthropologie are perfect on their own – the color selection could not be more on point for fall – but adding extra oomph is the presence of adorable metal charms. such a sweet bonus to this wardrobe staple! they come in half sizes, fit true to size with a comfy foot bed and just the right amount of toe cleavage. i’m pretty dead set on the green…or maybe the navy.

anyway, if you’re looking for a dynamite skimmer to go with your skinnies come autumn, these pairs are tons of fun and a whole lot of pretty for under a hundred bucks!

anthropologie trinket flats in acorn, feather, beetle and leaf are available online for $98.

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Posted in accessories | Tagged | 8 Comments