Let me kick this off by saying, I'm not a fan of facial sprays. Some sprays are meant to prep the skin and some to set your makeup - either way, soaking my face with infused liquid is another step I'm not sure is necessary or beneficial. BUT, when the M.A.C Mineralize collection launched, I had to have all three facial products. AND, now I'm a fan! The M.A.C Mineralize Charged Water Charcoal Spray is super light-weight and feels nice on your skin. This mineralized facial spray is scent free (I like that) and adds a little extra moisture after treatments. I don't use it to prep my skin, but I do like to spritz my face after exfoliating with M.A.C Mineralize Volcanic Ash Exfoliator and a five minute M.A.C Mineralize Reset & Revive Charcoal Mask treatment. These three M.A.C Mineralize treatments have landed a permanent spot in my weekly routine. Move over Bobbi Brown masks - there's a new brand on the shelf! I really like the M.A.C Mineralize Volcanic Ash Exfoliator. The grains are large and you can feel that the super-exfoliating treatment is removing dead skin, leaving your complexion fresh and revived. The product lathers (kinda strange), but it feels refreshing and leave your skin feeling super soft. The scent is a little off-putting, but the refreshing result makes up for the less than desirable smell. After exfoliating, I use the M.A.C Mineralize Reset & Revive Charcoal Mask. This mask reminds me of the Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Instant Detox mask. It goes on thick and dries like clay. In combination with the exfoliator and charcoal spray - this regiment is worth the time. I love the M.A.C Mineralize triple treatment - my skin looks great, refreshed and void of the previous weeks damage. This triple-treatment is very similar to Bobbi Brown Cosmetics masks. Exfoliate, detox (with charcoal) and moisturize seem to be trend here. I do prefer the Bobbi Brown masks collection, BUT will absolutely use the M.A.C Mineralize treatments regularly for an extra facial boost. I LOVE exfoliating and charcoal infused facial masks. I promise you - these treatments make a difference.
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Bomber jackets seem to never go out of style, but this staple jacket had a major fashion moment in 2017. I noticed a surge in mens bombers last year - no surprise, men and bomber jackets go hand-in-hand. In the 50's, this military style (bomber style) jacket made it's way from, well, men in the military to the streets. Bombers made another comeback in the 90's. In 2018, the rebellious fashion attitude has the bomber momentum going strong again. The bomber jacket is the perfect season transitioning outerwear. Light-weight jackets and layers are suitable for the in-between season. You can pair the bomber jacket with anything - really! Casual looks, day dresses AND even more elegant looks. The bomber adds a roughness and contrast to the 'all dressed-up and goin' somewhere special look'. This urban style jacket is relaxed and evokes a 'cool' vibe. This Spring, relaxed fit and oversized bombers with graphic logos across the back are on-trend. Yeah, you can opt for the traditional military green, camo and navy fabrics, or you can add a little intrigue as you're walking away. 'You thought I looked good from the front - wait till I turn around'! Arm patches, appliqués and embellished zipper pull tags make this long-time staple jacket modern again. This silk Valentino bomber jacket (available at Mytheresa) is everything (really, there's a lot going on here)! I love the pale pink stripe with yellow piping along the shoulders and sleeves. The contrast against the olive green satin is perfect. The black and white ribbed trims are traditional and chic. The color combination is genius. The beaded and embroidered butterfly appliqués on the front, back and sleeves are gorgeous. Truly amazing! This reinvented bomber jacket is my favorite this season. The collegiate varsity inspired Miu Miu appliquéd satin-shell bomber jacket (available at NET-A-PORTER) is sporty and fun. The red and white bouclé 'M' patch and glass-beaded flamingo add a playful vibe to the muted shades navy and antique-rose. This relaxed fit bomber jacket has snap buttons and ribbed trims. The eagle appliqué on the back of this Off-White satin varsity jacket (available at Mytheresa) is all biker jacket meets bomber jacket. The snap buttons and black and white ribbed trims give this jacket a sporty vibe, while the eagle and flower reference denotes femininity and freedom. Another one of my favorites - the Off-White camouflage bomber jacket (available at Mytheresa). I LOVE camo and have seen this print up close - it's vibrant and the high-contrast white logo across the back elevates this design. The slouchy fit feels like you're wearing your guys clothes and the O-ring zipper and durable fabrication are the epitome of the bomber jacket. From the Thomas Maier Spring 2018 collection - this duchess-satin bomber jacket (available at NET-A-PORTER) is anything but boring. The combination of the gray, camo sleeves, and pink and red striped trims is feminine and fun. The pink flamingo appliqué is cute and girlie. There seems to be many bird references this spring. P.E Nation is a athletic clothing brand AND this red and blue striped bomber jacket (available at Mytheresa) will definitely elevate your work-out look. It's a bit 'loud', so I'd opt for an all black ensemble underneath. The toggle zip is branded with the P.E Nation logo and the red stripes around the sleeves are giving me a race-car clothing vibe. ![]()
I was really intrigued by the concept of 'Green Juice' Gummy Bears by Sugarfina. I'd wouldn't mind squishy 'greens' flavored candy with the added benefit of 'real greens'. I ordered these gummy bears in all three sizes AND had high expectations. These gummy bears weren't exactly what I expected.. Although I was expecting a 'greens' flavored candy, I can understand why that wouldn't work. I'm not a sweets person, but I'm sure those who crave sugar, want sweet - NOT spinach flavored bears. These squishy candies taste like sweet-lime gummy bears. They have apple, lemon, spinach and ginger (even turmeric), but the candy aspect is strong. I had hoped for a 'greens' flavored gummy. I am a greens juice fanatic. Who has time to eat raw and cooked greens, along with all the other healthy stuff we're suppose to consume in a day? My go-to fruits and veggie juices make maintaining healthy lifestyle little faster and easier. Albeit, I do think spinach/kale flavored gummy bears may have a chance out there.
If you're a candy-craving person, these might a be a 'semi-healthy' solution. There is apple, lemon, spinach concentrate and each serving (11 bears) contains 20% of your daily vitamin A and C. What if you only eat 11 'baby' bears (they're half the size of the momma bears), does that still count as 20% or do you have to eat double. Hmm.. I wonder why there's mama bears and baby bears? Did dad miss the gummy bear mould fitting? Dear Sugarfina, you're gonna upset few people with the mama and baby thing - maybe you should give dad another chance and allow him a spot in your 'Green Juice' Gummy Bears bottles! I have a baby bear - my Toy Poodle Teddy, looks like a Teddy Bear. I'm the momma, BUT he favors his daddy! If you or someone in your life loves candy, these are fun, but if you're a salty person (like me) and love greens, these 'Green Juice' Gummy Bears fall short. They taste like every other gummy bear with a hint of citrus. I'm a little disappointed and hope to see 'real' green juice gummies in the candy section soon. I'd go out of my way and spend a small fortune to avoid actually eating real green veggies on the daily! These little green gummies are available in 7.6 oz, 15.4 oz and a seven day 'cleanse' consisting of seven 1.7 oz bottles. Let's be clear, this is not a cleanse. There's a reason 'Green Juice' is in quotations. Sugarfina does state that these gummy bears are 'inspired' by Pressed Juicery greens juice. Sugarfina is an amazing candy company. I purchased custom candy boxes for Valentine's Day gifts and they were much appreciated. The candy flavors are unique and you can custom by color, flavors or a theme. This place is my new go-to candy shop.
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I'm in a neutral kinda mood these days - inside and out. I just want to surround myself with relaxing, light hues. Of course, Yeezy is my have-to-have clothing line (I'm obsessed), but Off-White is creeping up on the list of favorites. I have too many gray sweaters. Nah, you can never have too many gray sweaters. It may seem odd, but gray is my best color. Must be the pale, olive skin tone, pink and peach makeup (always) and black hair that compliments my otherwise muted clothing selection - gray is my go-to shade. This Off-White logo sweatshirt (available at Farfetch) is everything I want in a comfy cotton sweatshirt. The small 'Off' print beneath the collar adds a little something. I'm gonna purchase a large and wear this sweater again and again.. I have been searching for the perfect oversized (weekend) bag for months. Someone 'special' gave me the Fenty by Rhianna giant faux fur shopper for Christmas and I LOVE IT! You know when you light a cigarette and the bus shows up - I'm seeing amazing oversized bags everywhere and I want this Yeezy Season 5 gym bag (available at Farfetch). This unisex, calf suede gym bag is huge. It has two round top handles and a detachable shoulder strap for crossbody wear. I especially like the light gray shade of the straps against the pale camel color of the suede. A must have! Off-White is swiftly becoming one of my favorite clothing and accessory lines. This Off-White camouflage bomber jacket (available at Mythreresa.com) is slouchy, has a retro O-ring zipper and dons the labels logo in bright white across the vibrant camo print back for high-contrast. LOVE! This white lamb skin lunch bag clutch by Simon Miller (available at Farfetch) is so simple, BUT unique and fun. This is one of those bags people will notice. I'm obsessed with the 'sock boot' style. Each Yeezy collection reinvents the Yeezy sock-style boot in muted shades, with casual embellishments and a variety of heel styles. Last seasons style didn't work for me. I purchased two sizes and they just didn't fit right? Season 6 launched a new style that fits perfectly. Contrary to what I've said in the past, this seasons style is comfy and wearable. The Yeezy ankle boot in chalk is perfection. Of course, I already own these boots! The Yeezy brand is dominating my 'I'm Coveting..' post. I have to have this season 5 rip hoodie (available at Farfetch and Revolve). If worn oversized, the raw-cut neck line will allow for an off-one-shoulder look. This sweatshirt will look great with distressed denim and my Yeezy season 6 ankle boots. ![]()
Famed beauty vlogger, Farah Dhukai, is one lucky girl. She's absolutely stunning, is blessed with perfect hair, has a widely successful online presence AND her husband created a small product line as a solution to her beauty needs! This girl gets a lot of hate online - people do love to complain. Albeit, she could be a total bitch off camera, but I think her quirky online personality is endearing. She's funny, her DIY beauty tips are unique and her tutorials are super entertaining. I say f**k em! They're just jealous! I'm sure you've heard of Farsali Rose Gold Elixir. The facial oil containing tiny bits of 24-karat gold launched in July 2015. The must-have moisturizer became widely popular on social media. Sephora launched Farsali Rose Gold Elixir and Farsali Unicorn Essence on their website in February 2017 - the Rose Gold Elixir sold out in 24 hours. The popular cosmetic brand is slowly expanding, launched Unicorn Tears (now Unicorn Essence) in 2016 and Sephora launched Farsali Jelly Beam this past January. I'd be happy to test drive any product this company releases.. Farsali Unicorn Essence was originally named Unicorn Tears - umm.. kinda sad! Beauty vloggers and bloggers took to Instagram AGAIN, this time dripping Unicorn Essence or Tears down their face. It's a little weird, but intriguing nevertheless. Unicorn drama aside - this skin enhancing, antioxidant serum contains açaí berry, goji berry, elderberry and blueberry. Combined, these extracts contain anti-aging properties and tons of vitamin C. The water-based formula soaks into your skin nicely, is non-greasy and leaves your skin feeling moisturized. The light solution is a pretty pink with micro sparkles. I guess unicorns cry pink, sparkly tears?! It smells nice too - the light scent is sweet and lingers. I don't love it as much as I do the Rose Gold Elixir, but if you have time for one more step in your routine, this product is delightful.
I was super excited to try the Farsali Jelly Beam Illuminator. This gel-to-powder highlighter is concentrated and LOADED with pigment. If you want a high-shine look, you'll love this stuff. The gel-like formula goes on nicely and quickly turns to powder - I found it a little difficult to blend, but the pale, peachy-pink color and high shine is gorgeous and effective. This is not an everyday kinda highlighter. Farsali Jelly Beam Illuminator is good, but not enough to replace my go-to highlighter, Benefit Cosmetics Watt's Up! Cream-to-Powder Highlighter. While I'm sure I won't use the FarsaliJelly Beam Illuminator on my face, I will however combine Jelly Beam with my body moisturizer to add a little shimmer to my shoulders, décolletage and legs. Oh, and a little goes a long way. Farsali Rose Gold Elixir is a facial oil with tiny particles of 24-karat gold floating in it. This beauty oil has forever changed my makeup routine and enhanced my look dramatically. I apply my tinted primer, tinted moisturizer (and maybe foundation). Then I apply 'many' drops of the elixir to my damp beautyblender and gently blend for perfect coverage. I use the same beautyblender (and Farsali Rose Gold Elixir) to blend my concealer, under eye brightener and cream-to-powder highlighter. This 24-karat gold infused beauty oil is amazing.
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Pink and red are 'A MUST' on Valentine's Day. You should sneak hearts and 'love' in there too. I'm a fan of themed gift-giving and Valentine's Day is the one day of the year you can purchase pink everything and it works (I'm a HUGE fan of the color pink). Heres a carefully curated list of Valentine's Day worthy gifts for your special person.. Chloé Poppy heart-shaped sunglasses (available at Mytheresa.com) are the perfect Valentine's Day gift. Chloé is my go-to designer for sunglasses. The high-quality frames and unique designs are retro and embody the spirit of the seventies. Dolce & Gabbana has a wide selection of 'love' inspired sneaker designs. These D&G appliqué logo heart sneakers are endearing and vibrant. The sneaker addict in your life will 'love' these. Visit Mytheresa.com and Farfetch to peruse the D&G sneaker collection. These Anya Hindmarch shearling heart-embellished slides (available at Mytheresa.com) are the perfect Valentine's Day gift. Red, fluffy, and cozy says 'I only want the best for you'. The bright red heart against the Bordeaux rabbit fur is perfection. I have-to-have this pink Acne Studios Clea bomber jacket (available at Mytheresa.com). I love the contrasting yellow zipper against the perfect pale pink-hued fabric. Acne Studios is one of my favorite clothing and accessory brands. This brand is high-quality - the understated pieces add color and style to your wardrobe (at least my wardrobe, cause it's all gray). Yeah, another pair of love inspired sneakers from Dolce & Gabbana. The glitter 'love' inscription is sweet, while the contrasting pink sole and white leather give these D&G love leather sneakers a cool vibe. This style is selling out everywhere. Visit M'oda 'Operandi - there's only a few sizes left. The green and pink sequin Guccifica headband is just fun! Everything about the Gucci collections are unique, vibrant and oh so retro. This metallic fibre blend hairband has an adjustable fit and would look great against my black hair - is anyone listening? Hint hint.. This heart-embellished sweater by Wildfox isn't available for purchase anymore, but it inspires me to wear hearts on Valentine's Day. Be fun, go pink and put on some red lipstick.. This sequin heart-embellished sweater is young and festive. I left the best for last. Everybody wants a Victoria's Secret gift card! For Valentine's Day, opt for a 'love' inspired card. I always say gift cards are the best gift that keeps on giving - you get a gift and then get to go shopping.. ![]()
Blackheads are considered a mild form of acne caused by clogged hair follicles. The sebum (oil) that is produced in the hair follicle, combined with dead skin cells, pushes to the surface creating a tiny bump. Once the open hair folicle, oil and dead skin cells reach air, it oxidizes and turns black. You have approximately five million hair follicles on your body and hundreds of thousands on your face. The chances that you are going to experience blackheads is super high. Other than expensive in-office treatments, I have yet to find an at-home solution to combat blackheads. I have very small blackheads and nothing works for me. I exfoliate and that helps a bit. I also use nose strips once and while - they pull out some of the impurities, but nothing miraculous. In addition to the extensive clothing and accessories selection, my favorite online shop, Revolve, has a new'ish' beauty department. Many of the products are similar to Sephora, but there are also unique cosmetics that I've never seen or heard of. The Tomymoly Egg Pore Blackhead Steam Balm & Corsx Blackhead Silk Finger Ball are two products I had to try.. The self-heating Egg Pore Blackhead Steam Balm by Tonymoly feels nice and relaxing. The product contains charcoal to remove impurities and provides antibacterial qualities. It also contains sea salt to remove residue and egg yolk to moisturize your skin. Apply a little to the desired area and gently massage for 3-5 minutes. Yeah, FIVE minutes! It's a bit long, but the self-heating quality makes you feel like something is happening.. Once the product turns opaque white, rinse with warm water. After what felt like forever massaging the product onto my skin, I rinsed and NOTHING! My tiny blackheads were still there and my skin didn't appear any different. Hmm.. I guess my expectations were a little too high? Product scents are a big deciding factor for me and the scent of this steam balm is too strong. It's floral-like, but kind of citrus? I can't explain it, but I can tell you it's not nice. AND you're applying this product to your face, so the scent is right there ON YOUR NOSE. Corsx Blackhead Silk Finger Balls are little finger mitts made from raw silk cocoons. The natural fibre exfoliates and contains ceracin - a protein that removes skin waste (blackheads and impurities). These finger balls also help maintain moisture in your skin. These little mitts are fun! Soften the finger ball by soaking it in warm water for a few minutes. Then place the ball on your index finger and gently massage the desired area. You can rinse the finger ball and reuse up to three times, but I wouldn't recommend it - eww! Your essentially removing blackheads from clogged pores onto the finger ball - throw it away when you're done! The process felt nice and it was fun to try something as unique and interesting as raw silk cocoons. Albeit, I didn't see a change in my skin. My micro blackheads are still there. I will however continue to use these finger mitts once or twice a week just for fun. Maybe I'll see a difference overtime? ![]()
In September 2017 the much-anticipated brand, Fenty Beauty by Rhianna launched with just a few products. The famed cosmetic collection now consists of makeup in universal shades developed for hard-to-match skin tones, vibrant lipsticks, lipgloss and a few cosmetic tools to help you conceal, contour, highlight, blot and blend. I'm super excited about this one! Imma start with the packaging. The pre-bundled sets are magnetized - LOVE this! The hexagon shaped tubes are larger than the average lipstick tube, but still considered compact and the magnetic feature is super convenient. The earthy, rose-tone shades, pink brush bristles and white packaging are exactly what I'm attracted to. It kinda reminds me of the KKW packaging! Hmm.. Maybe everyone's in a skin-tone, neutral kinda mood?
The thoughtfully curated Match Stix Trio sets include two Match Stix MATTE Skinsticks (conceal and contour) and one Match Stix SHIMMER Skinstick (highlight). There are four sets - light, medium, tan and deep. I purchased the Match Stix Trio in light 100. The linen concealer, amber contour and starstruck highlighter are perfect on my pale, olive skin-tone. The cream-to-powder formula is creamy, lightweight and blends nicely. I always highlight, but contouring seems like too much work. The shades in this trio work really well together and make the 'conceal, contour and highlight' process easy. This magnetized trio has landed a permanent spot in my travel cosmetic bag. Of course, I purchased the Fenty Beauty by Rhianna Portable Contour and Concealer Brush 150 to go along with my Match Stix Trio. The magnetic and retractable contour and concealer brush attach to the Match Stix - this is genius. The synthetic bristles are super soft AND PINK! The brush is dense and blends the cream-to-powder Match Stix nicely. I prefer to use my beautyblender® to blend at home, but for on-the-go makeup application and touch-ups, this brush is perfect. ![]()
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Chloé glasses and sunglasses, Fenty X Puma back Lacing Hoodie, Chloé Nile handbag, Fendi Rockoko boots
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One Two Cosmetics original half strips landed a spot on the blog a few weeks ago. It was a less than desirable product review, BUT I did promise to try the Full Coverage Magnetic Lashes and let ya know if the new design had improved. I've had a few weeks to master the Full Coverage Magnetic Lashes application and here's what I think.. The magnetic-fortified strips are applied along the lash line giving you full-coverage. The new full coverage design has two magnets on the top lash (one on each end) and one small magnetic strip on each of the two bottom accent lashes. Essentially, the magnets attach at each corner of your natural lashes with the full strip on the top and accent lashes on the bottom - your natural lashes are secured in the middle.
Application is the key to success with these magnetic faux lashes. It takes time and patients to master the process, BUT the foolproof applicator may make it easier. Admittedly, the first time I tried to apply these lashes, I poked my eye with the applicator tool and had to put my lesson on hold till it healed. It's not the tool - it's me! The thoughtfully design tool has curved ends with two magnets on each arm. You simply place the top lash against the rectangular magnets first, then the accent lashes, position the tool around your natural lashes and squeeze. The magnets will catch immediately. The tool works. I do however prefer to the 'hands on' approach. Hold the full coverage top lash in the middle, position the strip against your top lash line and attach one bottom accent lash at a time. I prefer to start with the inner corner and then the outer corner (it's personal preference). This application proved to be more successful for me. The new One Two Full Coverage Lash design looks more natural than the original half strips. The small rectangular magnets on each end allow the lash to curve and shape your eye nicely. The lashes feel a little heavy, but not uncomfortable. I can 'see' the inner magnet, but this wouldn't deter me from wearing these lashes. The lashes look nice and my lids are super-enhanced. The outer magnet enhances the outer corner of your eye - I like that. BUT the inner magnet is a bit obvious and unnatural. Like the half strips, you gotta pile on the eye makeup to conceal the band and magnets. The Original lash style gives you a full lash look. The Enhanced lash style REALLY amps up your look (pictured above). The individual lashes cross over one and other creating a more dense faux lash. The accent lashes in both sets are the same. Oh, and you can buy extra accent lashes - I can see how people may loose the little accent lashes easily. Also, the faux hairs on the accent lashes are super fine, so you may damage them over time. Each set comes with two top lashes, four bottom accent lashes, a magnetic case to keep them safe and organized, an applicator and 'a complete guide to applying your lashes'. One Two Full Coverage sets retail for $69 and a set of eight accent lashes for $59. They're not cheap, BUT if you can master the application and conceal the band and magnets, these faux lashes may be a great alternative to using adhesive to apply false lashes. ![]()
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