Category Makeup

Soft Matte Ulta Haul

Which beauty store do you prefer, Ulta or Sephora?  I think they counter each other in different ways, but I do have to admit that Ulta consistently has the best sales.  I stopped by Ulta innocently looking for a dry shampoo, but once I realized the sale my will power was a wrap.  Here’s a little more on my newest of the new…

Luxury Mink Eyelashes Giveaway

Earlier this week I was talking about how obsessed I’ve been with mink false lashes lately, and some comments and messages touched on the fact that although they look great they can be a bit of a ‘splurge’ purchase.  Too true, so today I’m excited to announce that I’ve partnered with luxury, cruelty-free false eyelash brand Eyelashi for a quick and easy Mink Lash Giveaway!  Everyone is welcome to enter, all you need

Continue reading…

The Mink Effect

It’s been a few years since I began to wear strip lashes on an everyday basis, and in that time I’ve experienced how critical a role lash quality plays with overall appearance.  The line between ‘polished’ and ‘overdone’ is one that we all tip-toe, and all it takes is a bad synthetic lash to push us over.  To keep my look clean, no matter how dramatic or heavy my makeup

Continue reading…

Invisible Lip Liner

Upon receipt of this product I admit that I was at a slight loss of what to use it for.  After all, doesn’t invisible lip liner sort of defeat the whole purpose?  I habitually use liner as an all over matte lip color, and many of my lighter lipstick shades would wash me out if it weren’t for a slightly darker liner layered underneath.  Still, though, I gave it a try for

Continue reading…

Japanese Beauty Haul

When I say that I hate to unpack, I mean it.  Although my trip to Japan was about 6 months ago I’ve only just gotten around to unpacking everything.  Here are my first impressions of some of the beauty products I picked up in department stores and drugstores around Tokyo.  Unlike the usual beauty spree, where I’m basing my purchases off of reviews and the labels, everything chosen during my trip was pure

Continue reading…

February Favorites

Before February ends I wanted to share with you some products that I’ve recently fallen in love with.  Although I’m always updating my cosmetics, this month I was especially concentrated on products to better maintain my skin, hair, and smile.  Between luxurious body oils and multi-tasking scrubs, theres a little bit of everything needed to power through the end of Winter.  I’ve also included some exclusive coupon codes just for my

Continue reading…

Mara Hoffman Runway Inspired Graphic Eyeliner

With New York Fashion Week nearly upon us I felt it only appropriate to take a look back at NYFW Fall 2014 for some beauty inspiration.  Although there was an abundance of graphic eyeliner on the runway last year, I was especially fond of the hollow cat eye seen at Mara Hoffman.  Although it’s still very bold, I think it’s a lot more wearable than some of the looks seen at other

Continue reading…

How to Highlight for Day & Night

Beyond skincare, a glowing highlight is one of the most important factors in my beauty routine.  While browsing Into The Gloss yesterday, I came across this great video in which makeup artist Vincent Oquendo teaches how to achieve the perfect highlight for both day and night.  Using the Tom Ford Illuminating Highlight Pen and Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate, Oquendo creates a glow from within that is easily recreated at

Continue reading…

BoxyCharm Unboxing

New year, new beauty subscription.  I was recently introduced to BoxyCharm, a subscription “blind box” that provides 4-5 full sized beauty items each month.  A subscription costs $21/month with free shipping and Decembers “Jingle Belles” box held a value of $114.95.  Although BoxyCharm is one of the pricier subscriptions, the product value is undoubtedly present.  Since blind boxes can be hit or miss on a month-to-month basis, I’m sharing a fully detailed unboxing

Continue reading…

Natural Everyday Smokey Eye + Cat Liner Tutorial

Although I love to play with makeup, I admit that I’m not the most adventurous with color.  I love a neutral lid consisting of warm nudes and shimmery browns, big lashes, and a strong cat eye.  I’ve received a lot of tutorial requests for a natural and subtle smokey eye appropriate for everyday wear, and here it is~  My signature cat liner, fluffy mink lashes, full brows, a matte lip, and defined cheek

Continue reading…