In my house the unveiling of the stocking stuffers is kinda like the warmup to presents. Stocking stuffers should be small, exciting and typically inexpensive - I'm not opposed to a high-value gift card though! Here's a list of unique stocking stuffers for the product junkie, makeup loving person in your life. Sephora Christmas inspired sheet masks are the perfect stocking stuffer - They're Christmas themed and pink. Choose from Sephora Avocado Skincare Gloves or Sephora Almond Skincare Socks or both. When you open the packet, you'll notice the gloves/socks are attached - tear at the perforated line, put them on, and pull the tabs around your wrist/ankle to seal in the moisturizing treatment. The inside has a fiber lining drenched in solution and the outside a plastic lining. Best thing about these masks is you can go about your business while wearing them. The M.A.C Snow Ball collection is AMAZING! I wish I was privy to the launch sooner, cause many items sold out before I had the chance to splurge. The collection is winter themed, sparkly and festive. I'm super excited to get the Face Powder in Here Comes Joy in my stocking - yes, I filled my stocking with amazing gifts. The high-impact shimmer will light up your complexion. AND I love the Festive Bling! crystal and glitter festive adornment. It's the perfect accessory for a New Years celebration. KNC Beauty Collagen Infused Lip Masks are super fun. There are five masks in a package, so you can share (maybe). These all-natural, jelly-like lip masks moisturize your lips, and well, they're just fun to use. Apply the squishy mask to your lips and relax for 15-20 minutes. This is some of the best beauty news I heard all year - Sephora has a mini section now. YES, mini, travel-size products from our favorite brands. Mini cosmetics are great stocking stuffers. AND now we can try the best products for a fraction of the cost. These mini's are perfect for travel too. I was so impressed with the mini lineup, I purchased way too many products. Joking, I knew exactly what I was doing - creating the perfect Christmas stocking (for myself). These are three of my favorite products in 2017.. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Body Fragrance Mist is the same yummy scent of Sol Janeiro Bum Bum cream, but in a light body mist. You're gonna want to surround yourself with this pistachio-caramel scent. Farsáli Rose Gold Elixir is worth its weight in gold! This beauty oil has forever changed my makeup routine and enhanced my look dramatically. I apply 'many' drops of the elixir to my damp beautyblender and gently blend my foundation, concealer, under eye brightener and cream-to-powder highlighter. LOVE. Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream is a concentrated 30 percent hyaluronic acid cream. If water was creamy- this would be it. It's so refreshing, and leaves your skin feeling silky and super-nourished. I need to chime in on this makeup blender sensation - I'm a beautyblender® fan, but was curious about the Dab + Blend Applicator by MILK. If you're into foundation and heavy makeup enhancement, this is a fun tool for you. Unlike a sponge, this silicone-like applicator doesn't soak up makeup and washes easily. On that note, beautyblender® releases new products often. I lost count of the colors this egg-like sponge was available in throughout the last few years. I LOVE this makeup applicator. Pair with Farsáli Rose Gold Elixir and you've just changed your makeup routine forever. The new beautyblender® keep.it.clean kit includes a small (very tiny) bar of soap and cleansing mitt. You can use any soap (I like the beautyblender liquid), add little water and gentle rub the makeup applicator against the mitt for a super-cleansed sponge. ![]()
Admittedly, there's a few 'to me, from me' gifts under the tree this year, AND a few that didn't even make it to the tree! I'm a self-proclaimed gifting master and every year I buy myself awesome gifts. Here's a 'Perfect Gifts List' for the shopaholic, tea lovin', cosmetic junkie in your life.. The perfect gift starts with great wrapping paper, bows and tags. Choose a color scheme and get creative - I like black, white, red, silver and gold. I purchased these gift tags by eighty seventh ST. last year. This year, I also have 'No Peeking' tags, and HUGE 'From Santa' and 'Merry Christmas' tags in black and gold. The array of gift wrapping under my tree should be displayed in a department store - if I do say so myself. Christmas tree ornaments are the perfect gift for the 'I'm obsessed with Christmas' person in your life. I LOVE Christmas and each year I receive a new champagne ornament. Pier One Imports has the best ornaments. Every holiday they release new ones, but kinda stick with the theme they've had previous years - Christmas penguins, owls and lots of sparkly tree splash. Gift cards are the ultimate gift. I like giving and receiving gift cards (hint hint). You still have that moment when you exchange gifts, BUT the idea keeps on giving.. You get to shop your favorite store or if your lucky enough to get an AMEX or VISA gift card, you can shop anywhere. I know some people think gift cards are not personal and denote a lack of effort - So opt for a unique card holder. I purchased this faux-fur pouch at Pier One Imports. I love anything furry. Yes, this gift is for me. From my gift giving experience, people love to receive gift cards. Of course I have some beauty products on my list. This Amika Polished Perfection Mini Straightening Brush is unique and inexpensive. This small thermal straightening brush is great for touch-ups and on-the-go styling. There is a full-size version of this hairbrush-straightener, but I like the mini size better. This heated tool won't give you results like a traditional straightener, but does minimize frizz, leaves your hair shiny and is great for travel.
I LOVE the Peaches and Cream Collection by Too Faced. These products are infused with peach and sweet fig cream. Who wouldn't want peach scented makeup. Too Faced should produce a body cream with this scent.. The Peach Kiss Moisture Matte Long Wear Lipstick is a velvety formula that feels creamy and gives you a matte look. Oh, and it smells like Strawberry Shortcake (the doll). LOVE. The peach scent of the Peach Frost Melting Powder Highlighter is delicious. The highlighter feels creamy to touch, but glides on seamlessly, and transforms into a powder on your skin. The peachy, gold-tone is warm and gives you a nice glow. The Peach My Cheeks Melting Powder Blush is a cream to powder product as well. The product is nice and goes on smooth - I recommend applying it with a kabuki brush or your fingers. Too Faced Translucent Finishing Powder is a peach-colored powder that smoothes imperfections and gives you a nice warm look. The powder contains optical-correcting spheres - for a luminescent finish, but gives you a warm, matte look. Too Faced Sweet Pie Radiant Matte Bronzer looks and smells like a delicious pie. This is not a contouring bronzer, but rater an all over, radiance-boosting bronzer. I use it on my face, neck and décolleté. For the makeup loving, product junkie in your life, anything from this collection will do. Farsáli Rose Gold Elixir is on my 'Perfect Gifts List' again this year. This beauty oil has forever changed my makeup routine and enhanced my look dramatically. I apply my foundation with a brush. Then I apply 'many' drops of the elixir to my damp beautyblender and gently blend my foundation for perfect coverage. I use the same beautyblender (and Farsáli Rose Gold Elixir) to blend my concealer, under eye brightener and cream-to-powder highlighter. This elixir is amazing. Sephora recently added the Farsáli lineup to their shelves. This Rose Gold Elixir is available in two sizes - 15 ml and 30 ml. My list wouldn't be complete without tea products. I'm obsessed with tea - I drink five to seven cups a day. This 24 Days of Tea Set by Davids Tea was on my wishlist, but I was worried the limited edition would sell out, so I bought it for myself! Anyone who likes tea will love this set of 24 popular tea blends. Davids Tea has smaller tea sets as well. I'm hoping someone buys me the 'Best of 2017' set. ![]()
![]() ![]() ![]() Yeezy season 4 parka jacket, Free People Lofty v-neck sweater, Theory stripe lounge pant, Fendi Rockoko boots, Chloé Nile handbag, Chloé sunglasses ![]()
Oxfam America is a member of Oxfam - an international charitable organization that addresses issues that keep people poor. These issues include inequality, discrimination and lack of access to necessary resources. With the assistance of Oxfam, those who are less fortunate can gain water, food and land. Oxfam Gifts make this happen. I absolutely LOVE this charitable program. Oxfam Gifts has an online catalogue of charitable gifts for people in need. You simply choose a gift that suits the occasion or person your gifting, and purchase it in their honor. Your friend or family member will receive a card with a photo of your gift printed on the front and information about the donation inside. You can also opt for a PDF version of the card and send it electronically, or print it yourself. Here's the best part - the gifts. The symbolic gifts range from $12 to $5000 and include drinking water, household items, tools, farming supplies, animals, education, training, and you can even help to build a girls school. It's sad to learn that there are people who don't even have toilets - a luxury many of us take for granted. Through Oxfam Gifts you can purchase an emergency toilet. I can only imagine what a difference a toilet would make. I really like the animals. If you know someone who is an animal lover, this is the perfect gift that will make them happy while enhancing the lives of others. You can purchase baby chicks, chickens, goats (my favorite), pigs, cows, sheep and ducks. Each card has a cute photo of the animal and explains that it was purchased in their honor. I love giving gifts, and am a self-proclaimed master at finding amazing gifts. This is my favorite gift idea for 2017. I'm very fortunate to be able to say that most of the people in my life are not in need of anything. It's nice to exchange gifts, but that money can be spent on more productive items such as charitable gifts. Oxfam Gifts are my go-to gift idea this year. I'm sure everyone who will receive a goat or a pig from me, will feel good about it. Visit www.oxfamgifts.com to browse the catalogue of symbolic gifts. This is the best gift you will give this year. ![]()
The pistachio-caramel scent of Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream is AMAZING! The scent is strong but sweet and intriguing. The cream is super-nourishing and has a slight shimmer that gives your skin a subtle glow. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Body Fragrance Mist is the same yummy scent of the cream but in a light body mist. The original bottle is HUGE and now there's a mini (which is still kinda big). You're gonna want to surround yourself with this scent. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss Cupuacu Lip Butter is one of my favorite lip balms - I have one in my bathroom, one at my computer and one in my handbag! The light, creamy texture is nourishing and the tube is BIG, so it will last a long time. If I had to choose my favorite new Cosmetic brand of 2017, it would be Sol Janeiro Brazilian. If you've been living under a rock, you probably haven't heard of Farsáli Rose Gold Elixir. This product is up there with Sugarbearhair and (well) any of the multitude of detox teas taking over Instagram. It's worth its weight in gold! This beauty oil has forever changed my makeup routine and enhanced my look dramatically. I apply 'many' drops of the elixir to my damp beautyblender and gently blend my foundation, concealer, under eye brightener and cream-to-powder highlighter. This elixir is amazing. It's available in two sizes - the mini is perfect for travel. This is intense hydration - Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream is a concentrated 30 percent hyaluronic acid cream. If water was creamy- this would be it. It's so refreshing and leaves your skin feeling silky and super-nourished. The non-greasy cream absorbs fairly quickly (a little goes a long way), and doesn't leave your skin shiny. Water Drench Hyaluronic Cream is available in two sizes. Luxury hairstyling brand, IGK, was founded by in-demand stylists from Miami, New York, and Los Angeles. YOU GOTTA VIEW THESE GUYS ONLINE! These stylists are really fascinating. I'd fly across the country and break the bank to get an appointment with any of these stylists. I LOVE the IGK product line. I have too many IGK products in full-size and travel size. Product junkie here! IGK Prenup Instant Spray Hair Mask is my favorite. The 360 aerosol spray allows for easy application. The scent is delicious, and your hair will feel nourished and silky after just one minute. I use this mask every time I wash my strands. This hydrating hair mask is a MUST HAVE! Sephora's soothing Coconut Water Lip Balm is another one of my favorite balms. The scent is delicious and the product feels nourishing on your lips. This balm is available in Goji, Rose, Tangerine, Almond and Coconut Water. Sephora Honey Lip Scrub is amazing! When I first applied the scrub, I thought this isn't working - how can a balm exfoliate your lips. After a few vigorous applications I reached the grains inside. I rub the balm in circular motions on my lips until they're drenched in product, then I use my finger and massage the grains onto my lips. The result - smooth lips in seconds. It tastes good too - not that you should eat it, but scrubs tend to get in your mouth. LOVE! ![]()
![]() The famed teatox SkinnyMint now has SkinnyMint Fat Burning Gummies. The two-step fat burning gummy program combines Green Coffee Bean and Garcinia Cambogia to support your health regime and give you 'best fat burning results'. Step-one - Take two Power Up gummies in the morning for an enegery boost. These green coffee bean infused gummies are sugar-free and taste like espresso. I love the flavor. The texture is not like your typical gummy - they melt in your mouth fairly quickly. Green coffee beans haven't been roasted or highly processed and have a higher concentrate of nutrients. Typically, green coffee beans are crushed and taken in pill form, but as of late, many other diet products contain the weight loss aid. Caffiene is a natural stimulate and is proven to boost energy. I love the taste and scent of coffee, but too much caffeine has a terrible effect on me - I get the jitters and feel nauseous. Each Power Up gummies contains 200 mg, which meets the recommended dosage. I drink Daily Harvest Cold Brew + Almond every morning. It also contains green coffee. These two combined definitely puts me into overdrive.. If I had to choose (in an effort to avoid jitters), I'd go with my Cold Brew + Almond. You gotta try this smoothie - it's amazing! Step-two - The Hunger Buster gummies contain Garcinia Cambogia and are said to curb your snacking desire mid-afternoon. The Hunger Buster gummies are also sugar-free and taste like pineapple. The flavor is a bit sweet for me (I prefer the Power Up), but I'm not one to snack on sweets anyway (HUGE salt fan here). The texture is the same as the Power Up. Garcinia Cambogia is a tropical fruit and is also found in many weight loss supplements. The fruits rind contains an active ingredient that is said to boost fat burning and curb your appetite. Each SkinnyMint gummy contains 250 mg of Garcinia Cambogia extract. The recommended daily dose of Garcinia Cambogia is 500 mg to 1500 mg - SkinnyMint gummies are well within the safe range. Two espresso flavored Power Up in the am and two Hunger Buster gummies as a snack. Who wouldn't want to incorporate delicious gummies into their weight loss regiment? Here's the reality of this two-step fat burning gummy program. It is highly recommended that you also stick to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise regularly. Most weight loss supplements do. If you're watching what you eat, maintain a healthy lifestyle and exercise, you're gonna lose weight - you don't need supplements. Albeit, I do believe that purchasing weight loss products may kickstart your desire and commitment to lose weight. Especially, tasty gummies! It's mostly in your head. My opinion is to find a reduced-calorie diet that works for you, don't starve yourself and indulge once and a while. Drink green tea and lots of water. EXERCISE and maintain a healthy lifestyle. You'll feel better and slim down. Weight loss supplements aren't gonna do a damn thing on their own, but if they help keep you motivated, incorporate them into your diet. ![]()
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() My 'I'm Coveting' post this month is my favorite so far. Typically, I'd include unattainable items that make me drool - This month, I chose clothing and accessories from my Christmas wishlist and a few things I recently purchased. I'm still in awe of the Fendi boots and Prada bag (a girls gotta dream). I purchased this Fenty X Puma rose pink front lace hoodie (was available at Farfetch) for a night out in Vegas. It's called a hoodie, but the oversized style puts this soft, cotton sweater in the sweater dress category. I paired this hoodie with an oversized, pink MIU MIU faux shearling clutch and beige, Rockoko Fendi boots. I looked good! This hoodie is super cozy, and the front lace detail adds to an otherwise basic style. Your accessories will take this from day to dinner to the club. I love the 'clear lense' trend. These Chloé gold-tone aviator optical glasses are my favorite. I did purchase them, but the frames were warped, so I sent them back. Unfortunately, they're super hard to get now, so I opted for a different Chloé style. Fashion frames with clear, non-prescription lenses are modern and enhance your face. I like the retro style frames, but each person is different - opt for a frame that suits you. The 'geek, hipster' style looks great on everyone. The oversized frames make you look cute and well, 'geeky'. These boots are AMAZING! I'm a little obsessed with Fendi Rockoko fabric boots (available at Fendi). Each season this style is available in new colors and embellishments. These gray stretch fabric boots are embellished with pink and burgundy tone daisy flowers, have a striped heel, and two 'sock-style' stripes around the shaft. These boots are a statement. Surprisingly, Rockoko boots are super comfy - I can wear them for hours. I'm hoping for a new pair this season (hint hint). This Off-White down the shoulder shirt (available at Revolve) is grungy, sexy and unique - the sleeves are super-long, with an oversized cuff embellished with round metal-tone buttons. The checkered plaid, slouchy look and tie waist bring the grunge, while the off-the-shoulder style brings the glam. I have this top and LOVE it! This Off-White top is also available in white. The latest Fenty Puma by Rihanna is inspired by classic school uniforms. The collection is fun, sexy and rich in color. This Fenty Puma by Rihanna trapper hat is on my Christmas wishlist. The elongated flaps look warm and cozy - I'm sure this hat will keep me toasty this winter season. I mentioned this Prada fur shopper (available at mytheresa.com) a few weeks ago. It's available in white with blue and green pompoms and rose with red pompoms. This shopper is huge and isn't structured, so you can stuff a lot of everything here. I realize white fur is not ideal, but I want it! ![]()
IT Cosmetics is a cosmetic brand developed with plastic surgeons - sounds promising. The co-founder and CEO, Jamie, is looking for solutions to 'real' problems. Honestly, I like this girl - if you see her before and after pics, she has serious redness (I can relate). She's putting herself out there, showing off her skin issues and giving us a solution. This brand was purchased by L'Oréal - The major makeup empire boost has proven to be successful. It Cosmetics is getting great reviews and many of IT Cosmetics products are on Sephora's 'best sellers' list. I had to give this stuff a try.. I call this my 'anti-redness warpaint'. If you have Rosacea or hyper pigmentation, this stuff is going to change your life. I desperately needed a solution to my rosy cheeks and forehead. Although I use medicated creams, my angry skin flares up on the daily. I suppose I could stop eating spicy food and drinking wine - NAH! In comes Bye Bye Redness by IT Cosmetics.. It's kind of a foundation, primer and cream in one. Bye Bye Redness is thick, has a silky texture and gives you super full-coverage. This product is smooth, goes on like a primer (similar to Colorscience primers), and has a tinge of green (to combat redness). Apply to your cheeks, nose and forehead, and blend outwards. A little goes a long way. The embarrassing redness is gone. GONE! Without a doubt, this is the product find of 2017! I love Bye Bye Redness, so I thought I'd try a few more products from the IT Cosmetics lineup.. The Confidence in a Cream (the pale yellow pot) is a 'transforming moisturizer in a cream'. The texture is nice, just thick enough and leaves your skin feeling moisturized. It does however take time to absorb (not ideal when applying makeup). I liked the feeling of my skin after applying this cream, but the scent is a bit of a turnoff. I'm sorry Jamie, but this stuff smells like hotel cream. If scent is not an issue for you, I'd say this cream is great for colder seasons. It's super moisturizing. I didn't like the Bye Bye Under Eye eye cream (the blue pot). It made my under eyes feel super tight and people said I looked tired. Whether or not this eye cream tightens, brightens and depuffs - I'm not sure, cause I only used it for a week. I guess my go-to Neo Cutis eye cream still reigns supreme. I received a trail-size Super Hero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara (I'm not one to cheat), but thought I'd give it a go. This mascara is great, lengthens your lashes, glides on nicely and no clumping. The oversized, tapered brush makes application easy and coats your lashes evenly. Albeit, my go-to Buxom mascara remains my favorite. It's gonna take a true 'super mascara' to turn me. I intend to try more of the products from It Cosmetics. I'll let ya know my thought.. ![]()
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Chloé sunglasses, Yeezy season 4 parka jacket, Lovers + Friends Jessa sweatshirt dress, LV ALMA handbag, Fendi fruits bag charm, Yeezy season 4 boots ![]()
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The puffer coat has been around a while, but this 80's and 90's staple coat has a new identity in 2017. The original puffer coat style was basic - a quilted coat that has down insulation or synthetic fibers stuffed between the stitching (creating a puffed look). Depending on the fit and quality, the puffer-style coat can keep you super warm during the cold season. The puffer coat was popular in the 80's and 90's, but then became more synonymous with the slopes and less of a street-style. In recent years, designers have revisited, and completely revamped the puffer coat. From floor-length to cropped, hooded, peplums, loud colors, oversized shapes and asymmetric cuts, the puffer is anything but ordinary these days. The beige-hued puffer coat by Undercover (available at Mytheresa.com) is one of my favorites. The collar is layered - you can zip it up to keep your neck warm, or let it fall on each shoulder for an oversized-collar look. The technical, ruffled fabric at the hem is a statement, and the combination of beige fabrics are light, and feminine. This Marques' Almeida puffer coat (available at Farfetch) is one version of the oversized style this season. There are three - waist-length, above-the-knee and a longer version. This one lands in the middle, is super-oversized and has a HUGE down-filled collar. I'm sure this will keep you warm. The asymmetric style dons the signature oversized safety pin (love that). Stella McCartney was at the forefront of the return of this style. This dark red Stella McCartney double zip padded coat (available at Farfetch) is mid-length and slightly oversized. The 'parka-style' coat has two gold-tone zippers along the front, a hood and is made of luxurious, soft fabric. This deep red-hue is perfect for winter - so rich and warm. I can see myself wearing this liner padded coat by Rick Owens (available at Farfetch). It's a subtle statement - a long puffer sleeveless style with a funnel neck that will keep you warm. I love vests in the winter. I'm a fan of knits and often sweaters and heavy coats are too warm (and bulky), but vests allow you to layer and layer.. If this puffer vest had a hood, it would be perfect. ![]()
|