Prime Primers

 

Every artist knows that masterpieces must begin with a clean canvas. Why is it, when we ladies apply our make-up on in the morning do we think that we can skip primer?

It wasn't until this week that I was reminded of the huge difference this little extra step makes. I opened up my mailbox this week and got a fall sample bag from Target filled with samples. The first one I tried was a primer from "Pixi"....So without further ado...

1~ Pixi Primer- I was absolutely blown away by how much I love this primer!! It is so silky going on and gave me a "lit-from-within glow." My skin tone was delightfully evened out. It was hydrating but not oily. For all you women blessed with perfect skin, feel free to wear this alone. For those of us that need makeup to hide imperfections, wear it underneath and look and feel years younger!

Price: $29.00

(PS. my sample bag also came with a $3 off coupon for Pixi! Hooray!!)

This one is in my Yesboxx! =)

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

2~ Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer- I first discovered this hidden gem when right before my wedding when I splurged and spent $200.00 on makeup and skincare.

The best way I can describe it is an "invisible lamination" for your skin that smoothes wrinkles, nooks, and crannies like a graceful whisper covering your skin. It feels like a silky layer of silicone, glossing over imperfections. It is colorless and oil-free. You can "feel" it a little bit when your make-up is on, but you will not feel camera shy once you have this on. Simply radiant!


Price: $49.00

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

3~ Chanel Le Blanc De Chanel Sheer Illuminating Base - Ok, so I confess I am reviewing a product I have not tried. BUT...my sister has, and I trust her beauty product judgment so I thought I would throw this in the mix. I have also SEEN her after she has used Chanel products and you would think she was my younger sister (she is 5 years older).

Chanel of course has a reputation for being elite. Your skin tone will look brighter and your make-up will go on very easily. It will leave a subtle whitsh "glow" to your skin. One review I read mentioned that it even smells "amazing." However, many ladies prefer fragrance-free. (I would ask for samples first).

Price: $45.00

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Read more »

Fabu-lash

 

 

I am thankful for many beauty products, but mascara is near the top for me. I really can't think of a day I haven't worn mascara since junior high. Like a frame accentuating living art, mascara showcases the windows to the soul.

Out of curiosity, I researched the history of mascara. For some reason, I thought it made its debut around the 1920 flapper era, but much to my amazement, I learned the Egyptians are credited with the first formula. Using bone and ivory as mascara applicators, they blended crocodile dung, water, and honey to create the first mascara. Umm...Gross.

Have I mentioned that I am glad that I live in 2012??

These are my three picky lash picks:

1~ Lash Envy Volumizing Mascara from Prescriptives - If you are a contact-wearer, this tube is for you! It lengthes, defines, volumizes, and thickens lashes. The best part is it stays on until you are ready to wash it off and does not require a harsh eye makeup remover.

Price: $21.00

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

2~Dior Show Mascara from Sephora - This is the mascara I bought to wear for my wedding day. I remember walking into Sephora and asked one of the make-up artists which was her absolute favorite mascara. She was like, "Hands down. Dior Show."

Of course, I wore the water-proof version :) It did not disappoint! Till this day, it is my favorite.

It's silky black luxurious formula goes on so smooth. It gives a dramatic false eyelash catwalk/runway effect. If you want maximum volume and doll-like eyes, this one is worth the extra $$...

This one is in my Yesboxx :)

Price: $25.00

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

3~Maybelline Volum Express mascara from Amazon - I absolutely love this mascara. For beauty on a budget, this is the one to buy! It builds up to 3x the volumes with out the cake-like clumps. No one likes mascara crumbs...

Price: $6.59

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

 

 

Read more »

Seeing Red

In the "Where's Waldo?" of the fashion world, you are sure to stand out with a red handbag, tote, clutch, or purse. Like a bland dish that needs a dash of cayenne pepper to spice it up, your wardrobe will instantly go from ho-hum to red-rum.

Especially for all you crimson tide fashionistas out there who are big bama fans but still want to keep it sassy-chic and sophisticated. Slipping one of these bags on your shoulder on game day will give you an extra reason to celebrate.

My three picky picks:

1~ From Neiman Marcus- I love this Campus Leather Shopper Bag. What a glamorous way to carry around books for grad school. This shade of crimson is so rich and sultry. The inside lining is stitched in a conservative pinstripe.

Price: $348.00

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
2~ From Nordstrom- A glossy Michael Kors Signature tote in Bordeaux. This wine-colored tote will transform a plain white button-down and khakis into a polished professional look.

Savor your fashion cravings with a wine and chocolate pairing. A khaki suit with a chocolate-colored blouse, chocolate pumps and wine-colored accessories will make you feel like you are walking through the pages of Vogue magazine.

This one is in my Yesboxx.

Price: $198.00

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
3~ From Bloomingdales - This patent red leather satchel from Kate Spade New York will surely make you walk like a lady. Kate Spade has a talent for designing purses that are "cute" but still high-end. This bag does not disappoint. The inside red lining is sprinkled in white polka dots. You are sure to attract lady bugs everywhere you go.

Price: $348.00

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Read more »

Presidential Pink

While watching the conclusion of round two in the Presidential debates, I couldn't help but notice Anne Romney and Michelle Obama were both looking radiant in bright pink. I wondered if it was an "Uh-oh! Can't-believe-we-wore-the-same-prom-dress moment" or if perhaps, and more likely, it was a symbolic color-coded support for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

In my humble picky opinion, I believe both shades were a little too flamingo-fluorescent. Don't get me wrong, both gorgeous ladies pulled it off quite nicely, but I would prefer to wear a more flattering yet equally vibrant hue--preferably one that did not require sunglasses.

With all this talk about the economy, I just had to take a peek at the price tags. According to a recent Fox News article, Ann Romney's Oscar de la Renta dress retails for $1,690.00 and Michelle Obama's ensemble from Michael Kors rings up to $3,290.00.

Glad to see they are both doing their part to stimulate the retail industry :)

Get the look for less~

Dress #1, from Saks Fifth Avenue, is a Trina Turk with a tucked jewel neckline and cap sleeves. I love the femine above-the-knee hem and subtle cinched waist. Price tag? $298.00

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Dress #2, from Neiman Marcus, is a Lilly Pulitzer (famous for her ultra-feminine designs) with ruffled sleeves and a relaxed shift silhouette. Even better price tag: $98.00 (This one is in my Yesboxx).

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Read more »

Cream of the Cream Cable Knits

In the never-ending hunt for deserving sweaters, it would be borderline contempt in the court of fashion to leave out the classic cable-knit sweater. Although stitched in a rainbow of colors, for some reason it is direly crucial in my Alice-in-Wonderland logic that cable-knit sweaters be remembered though cream-colored lenses.

The designer name that is closely knitted to popularizing this sumptuous classic (in my opinion--
although I am sure you must agree) is Ralph Lauren. Ironically, none of the above sweaters are by Ralph Lauren. Sorry.

A-hem...so let's begin the judging:

Sweater #1- As you might have guessed, this gorgeous sweater also comes with the biggest price tag. In fact, it crosses the luxury lane well into the quadruple digits....$1,295.00 from Saks Fifth Avenue. If you live across the street from Bill Gates, I say go for it! Undoubtedly, you will feel like you have just spent the day riding horses in Wimbledon Village Stables with Princess Kate. In my head, I picture this sweater best paired with dark blue "skinny" jeans and tall brown suede boots.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Sweater #2- May I just say that this sweater makes me want to kick up a leg like actress Molly Shannon on the Saturday Night Live episode shouting, "I love it! I love it! I love it! I love it!" For those of you who know what I am talking about, you are welcome for the laugh. For those of you who don't, sorry to leave you in a cloud of confusion, but p.s. that is what google is for...

This ultra-feminine cable knit can be found on the shelves of Anthropologie for $148.00. Sounds like a steal compared to sweater #1 :) I love the juxtaposition of the heavy cable-knit material with the light-weight lace underlay around the neckline. Very crisp design and figure-flattering.

By the way, this sweater is in my Yesboxx, an online web application where I store all my favorite things.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Sweater #3- Now before I get on my picky soap box, let me just say, I would probably buy this sweater and wear it, but I just wouldn't feel nearly as special in it as the other two. Although it doesn't have that classic cable knit feel, the material is not as bulky and would therefore make me feel about 5 lbs. lighter (cotton/rayon/nylon mix).

On a very high note, this sweater is on sale at Target for only $15.00. Wowzers! Okay, everyone, I have to do the math for you. For the price of sweater #1 from Saks, you can get 86 1/3 sweaters from Target. Too funny!!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Read more »

The Sweater Quest

In search for blog-worthy sweaters, I stumbled across this brick red classic-meets-edgy statement piece from Anthropologie. The first thought that popped into my head was Paul Revere. I think if I wore this, I would desparately have to suppress the urge to run down the streets with my hair blowing in the wind screaming, "The British are coming! The British are coming!"

I love how the buttons seem to have cut out their own path in life, meandering in a deviant trail up her shoulder adjacent to the non-chalant fold-over sweater collar. The subtle cross-stitich detailing along the boddice gives the illusion of a wittled waist. The color would definitely inspire an excuse to pop out the red lipstick.

The only drawback reviewers noted was that the wool material is itchy. But, after all, wool is always going to be itchy because it is wool! Solution? Layer a white t-shirt underneath. It doubles as a built-in solution for unanounced hot flashes.

Price: $228.00

 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Read more »