e.l.f. Contouring Blush & Bronzer Powder in St. Lucia

I think I like this. It's hard not to like a product that costs $3, especially when it's not a terrible disappointment. 

I was definitely more enamored by the e.l.f. contouring blush & bronzer duo the first few times that I used it. Both sides of the palette deposits a soft, subtle color onto my skin, which most brands label as "natural beige." 

The trouble comes when I try to build up the color; too much of the product results in a visibly powdery, cakey texture. 

The softness of the colors are great for every day, natural,"I wake up looking this great" look (you know, the "i'm not wearing any makeup" look that takes you 30 minutes to execute).

The photo above was taken before any usage. After a few weeks, I started to see little clumpy bits of product that lay beneath the deceptively smooth surface. Did not affect the performance of either the blush or the bronzer, though.

The bronzer looks incredibly orange on the swatch, but used in moderation with a big fluffy brush, it doesn't look so much like a fake tan. 

Do you own it? Thoughts?

New Sephora X Nail Polish in Prudish

I got lured into Sephora the other day by the giant display of holiday gift sets that sat inside the entrance. The lit-up platform, the clear acrylic case with the product displayed inside like a museum...when I came to, I was already inside. 

Just when I thought I made it past the organized pile of temptation, I bumped into the all new Sephora X Nail Polish display. I picked one up - it was pink and glittery - and felt the weight of the bottle (i'm a tactile person). Then.... BAM! Sales rep ambush.  She preyed on my curiosity, and won.

I don't know how I feel about this nail polish. I love the color, but I didn't think the formula OR finish was a game-changer. It's meant to have the strength and longevity of a gel manicure, but for me it didn't last that long.  Maybe it was my top coat - the Seche Vite caused some shrinkage, which was disappointing because it's my go-to top coat. 

It also took 3 coats for opacity - it's not unusual for lighter colors to require more coats, but I guess I expected a little bit more because of all of the over-promised sales pitch/marketing copy. 

I will give this another try with a different top coat -- but for now, I'm not all that impressed. Sorry, Sephora! 

cozy, sparkly Christmas

The days leading up to Christmas are some of my favorite days of the year. This year is no different, even though I'm spending those precious days packing away for the move. 

With most everything in a box my room is feeling a bit empty, but I made a note to leave the holiday warmth around until the last minute. I love snuggling into bed at night, room smelling like vanilla snowflake (thanks, bath & body works!) and emma at my feet curling up on a fluffy, Christmasy throw. 

A fluffy, festive throw from Target

This season has always been about love, warmth, and decadence. I do not hold back on the sugar, spending, and glitter. Bring it on...bring it all on.

Kate Spade Sparkler Gia Clutch

Essie Luxe Effects in Stroke of Brilliance, A Cut Above, Set in Stone

Best of November

As I write this post, most of my things are tucked away in a cardboard box, which are piled high in the living room. In a few weeks I'll be moving to a new place, and I've gotten a head start on packing up my clutter.

It was easy to spot my favorite makeup pieces because they were all the things that I couldn't pack...I use them every day. 

If reading long lists is not your thing, you've been warned for what's up ahead. No worries, I'm not the least bit offended - I'm the same way. I just jot these things down for future reference, anyway...just in case I ever want to revisit what tickled my fancy in November '12. 

maybelline baby lips [coral crush] - Smells like orange Starbursts..yum! 

fresh sugar lip balm - My favorite lip balm of. all. time. Of all time. Had to say it twice for emphasis. Softest, smoothest, lush little stick of expensive heaven. 

e.l.f. contouring blush & bronzer [st. lucia] - A very pretty, soft coral blush that comes paired with a light cocoa bronzer, both with a hint of gold shimmer. Three dollars. How are you doing this, e.l.f.?! 

essie nail polish [leading lady] - It's holiday in a tiny bottle, really. They look like tiny christmas lights, packed into a nail polish. Gives me sparkling, warm fuzzies.

lancome virtuose doll eyes mascara - why must pricey things be so, so impressive? more on this here

NYX collection noir liquid black liner - Super fine, super long tip that doesn't bump into my lashes and make a wet clumpy mess. 

l'oreal color lip riche balm [nourishing nude] - it really doesn't provide 8 full hours of hydration like the website claims (it's more like 30 minutes if you're a normal person that breathes and talks)...but i love this color and i will forgive the lies. 

clinique chubby stick [whole lotta honey] - made with mango and shea butters; I love its glossy finish and subtle but still impactful tint. 

revlon lip butter [pink truffle] - I was largely unimpressed by revlon lip butters until this color. All aboard the hype train!

soap & glory face soap - I admit I bought this because I love the packaging aesthetics of the brand, and because the product itself is SO pretty (tiny little pink beads suspended in aquamarine gel)...but it really is an effective, great product. The beady bits help exfoliate, and though it doesn't lather as much as I'd hoped it would, my face has been feeling cleaner and less rough - which tends to happen because my area has harsh water.

Well, you made it to the bottom! You crazy, bored person. 

Thank you :)

lalaoopsy mittens fluff n' stuff: holiday edition!

Mini Lalaloopsy - sneaky little buggers, always taking a tiny nibble out of my paycheck. 

I saw this and said, No. Not going to get it. Must practice restraint. No time like the holidays for positive changes. 

Nope, not even with those tiny little ice skating boots.

Not even with the tiny pet.... with the tiny scarf.... and tiny mitten ears.....

.....

Sigh. Welcome home, mittens fluff n' stuff. 

Lancome Virtuose Doll Eyes Mascara

Whenever my mom goes to Japan to visit family, she brings me back a treat - sometimes it's Hello Kitty trinkets, sometimes it's makeup. She knows me so, so well. Best mom ever. 

I'm not usually one to splurge on mascara, so this is exciting. But also dangerous. What if it's so impressive that I can no longer be satisfied with my beloved drugstore mascara brands....

....I tried it anyway. You know, because i'm a daredevil.

And it was impressive. 

The little spikey bits? Those are the fibers that attach to the ends of your lashes to add length. I applied 2 coats and there was no clumping, no crunchy lashes. It felt lightweight and the results were pretty dramatic. 

I love it, and I hate that I love it because there goes the Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara that I was TOTALLY satisfied with just a second ago. 

Top: Without Mascara || Bottom: With 2 coats of Lancome Viruose Doll Eyes Mascara

Hello, fluttery lashes. Goodbye, all of my money.  

What's the bottom line? Will I really never touch a drugstore mascara again? Nah, I'm too budget-conscious to be replenishing a $30 mascara every few months. 

But the Lancome Virtuose Doll Eyes Mascara makes my lashes look so naturally pretty. Maybe it's something I put on my birthday wishlist, and then again on my holiday wishlist.. [insert sneaky laugh]  :)