Favorite Places

Photograph by: Ooh La La Everything Lovely

Dior

Oh, Dior! How in LOVE, I am with you! This has got to be my favorite item this summer, by far! Visted my local Sephora and yes, there in the Dior section, was this work of art! Literally! When I use this many exclamation points in my blog, it's because I've fallen and I've fallen HARD!!! This photo does not do this masterpiece justice. It's wayyy more beautiful in person! This nail lacquer cost me $30, but I LOVE it and it's worth every single penny, as far as I'm concerned. If you're a fan of Dior, don't even think twice about it -- just go out and get it, before I run out and buy all the ones which remain in the universe! :)

Photograph by: Ooh La La Everything Lovely

DERMAdoctor

About a month ago, I purchased a product that literally transformed my skin. I had been battling with dry patches, flakiness, uneven skin, the list goes on... I currently use "Retinol" products and we all know, how drying those products are. For me, however, the benefits outweighed the cons. So I ventured out to find a product, which will allow me to use my retinol products, while tackling the redness, dryness and dulling effects. I found it!!! While we all know that retinol products consistently exfoliates your skin, you need something more powerful to exfoliate what retinols leave behind. That's where DERMAdoctor Wrinkle Revenge 1 comes in. There is a 1, 2 and 3. The difference? They all contain a different level of glycolic acid (the main ingredient in exfoliation). Because the percentage of the glycolic acid in all of them differs (the higher the number, the stronger the glycolic acid content) you must first, start out slowly, working your way up. I am currently using Wrinkle Revenge 1 and when my skin adapts, I'll move up to Wrinkle Revenge 2 and so on. I have always been a soapy feely kind of girl, which means; I love the feeling of my skin whenever I used something with a lathering agent in it. With the DERMAdoctor, however, I use it on my dry skin and my skin has never felt so clean. Dry skin, you ask? Yes, you can use on wet or dry skin. It is suggested that when trying for the first time, you use on wet skin. I use it when my skin is dry, as my skin is adapting very well. You may/will experience a burning sensation, depending on the sensitivity of your skin. That is the glycolic acid doing it's job. I no longer have dry, flaky, redness, cracked skin, since I've been using this product. This is now a staple in my skincare routine. This product can be purchased at: Ulta, Sephora and DERMAdoctor.com

c. Booth Skincare

I recently made a really cool purchase at Ulta. I've always taken pretty good care of my facial skin, but have somewhat neglected the overall care of my body skin. Until now, that is. I picked up their Ginger Sugar Scrub, which I use everyday! It's meant to be used a couple of times a week, but I love it so much -- that I have to use it everyday. In addition, I use their Lemon Sugar Body Lotion every moment that I can. I am so madly in love with these products and they do my body so good. :) They are pretty reasonable in price + your Ulta $3.50 coupon can be applied towards them. I am completely gaga over this line and highly recommend it to anyone who wants beautiful, luxurious skin.  

Makeup Accessories

We all know that to have the perfect made up face, entails having and utilizing the perfect application accessories. That's where this tool comes into action. It's called the "Bionic Flat Top Buffer, a.k.a. Stippling Brush by Coastal Scents." This little tool is amazing! It gives you an airbrushed look after makeup application, every time! I LOVE it! I bought mine on Amazon, for maybe $9.00, if that and it was a wonderful investment. This makeup accessory assists in keeping your makeup "germ" free and making you look like you just had your makeup applied by a professional. Other companies make this little tool, too. Mine just happens to be by Coastal Scents and so therefore, this review is based on it. 

Foundation Surprise

I want to make this review on one of my favorite foundations, by far. The foundation is by Lancôme and it's called; "Teint Idole Ultra 24 Hour Makeup." At first, I tried this foundation over a year ago and was somewhat conflicted as to how I really felt about it. After resuming with the use of some of my other foundations, I found myself remembering how comfortable my skin felt with this foundation. How even and how well hydrated my skin looked and felt. Also, how much coverage this makeup had, without the heaviness and cakey feel the wrong foundation can have. So, you guessed it, I went back to my local Lancôme counter and purchased my second bottle. I still may switch my foundations, from time to time, because I love to try new things, but whenever I want the most radiant skin ever, I will definitely turn to this little miracle worker. :)

 Sold at all fine retailers: $45

Urban Decay

I've blogged about this beautiful palette before, but I found this wonderful, sultry, smoking HOT look you can also achieve with this amazing palette. I am so over-the-moon, over this palette! :)

My Skincare

This is it! The unveiling of my skincare products. I'm excited to share it with you. I get a lot of compliments on my skin and although, healthy, radiant skin should come from within, I like to think that using the right products to maintain that wonderful youthful glow -- starts with really great products, too! That's where Shiseido comes in. The Shiseido company is a major Japanese hair care and cosmetic producer. It was founded in 1872. It's been around for centuries. I not only LOVE their products, but I trust their products to give me the most supple, moisturized, radiant skin I've ever known my skin to experience. My skin has never felt so healthy! Their White Lucent line is the one I use. They have a few different ones, but I'm insanely in love with this line. This is definitely not an inexpensive brand, by no means, but isn't your skin worth it? 

Flawless Makeup

Hair

OMIGOD! I absolutely LOVE it!!!!

End of Year Fantastic Finds

Although, the Christmas season has now passed and 2013 will soon be coming to an end, I want to blog a little bit about a couple of fantastic finds, for what may be my last blog for this year. 

Christmas was very good to me this year. I am definitely one lucky gal. This year, I received several gift cards to some of my favorite places, such as; Ulta, Sephora and DSW Shoes, to name a few…  

Of course, and undoubtably, I ran out to the stores to reap the benefits of all of the after Christmas sales out there and what better way to do that than with several gift cards. 

1. I got myself these AH-MAH-ZING boots! Yes, boots! After all, my blog is about everything I LOVE and not just beauty finds and tips. I do love the winter months, but only because I get to wear boots. Did I happen to mention; I LOVE boots? :-)

These BEAUTIFUL boots are made by Matisse Footwear and I just ADORE them! You can dress them up or just simply go casual. They are such an attractive looking boot (I received many wonderful compliments!) The soft leather makes you feel comfortable all day. Another pro is that they also make them for wide-calf women. I think that is now going to be the standard amongst boot manufactures all over the world. To provide women with this option. 

These were $150 with a reduction at the register of 30% and combined with a couple of my DSW gift cards, I got these close to nothing! 

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE a great bargain! :-)

2. Another great buy for me, of course, a makeup palette. Actually, two makeup palettes this time. I just couldn’t pass them up. Remember, I’m a certified makeup palette JUNKIE! The first palette, I’ll go on to rave about is by Smashbox. Oh, Smashbox… I see you’ve outdone yourself, again. It’s the Smashbox "The Master Class Palette 2.” When I think of this palette, I could only envision what an artist see’s right before he or she applies the color onto their canvas. It's sheer ARTISTRY! 

It includes; 28 "to die for" eyeshadows, 6 of the most beautiful blushes, 4 cream eyeliners and two light reflecting powders/bronzers (all labeled, of course.) This is yet another lovely palette by Smashbox. In fact, this palette is much bigger and jammed-packed with more shadows, blushes, etc,. than their usual palettes. Their usual palettes are smaller, but perhaps, that is because it may be a “limited edition” sold only during Christmas. Great cosmetic companies do that for the holidays. They put out these beautiful palettes just during the holidays, which makes finding any color you’ve become OCD over, hard to find and buy, separately, once you run out of it.

If you happen to see this palette anywhere, GRAB-it! You’ll absolutely go BONKERS over it!

Price:     $59

3. The second palette, I bought and exclusively sold at Sephora, is by Tarte. It's the "Tarte of Giving Holiday 2013 Collection." Tarte really goes the extra mile during the holidays, to bring you sophistication, class and elegance. This is everything you get from this collection and for only $59 (A $490 value):
   - 20 x .07 oz Limited-Edition Amazonian Clay Eye Shadows
   - 8 x .059 oz Deluxe Maracuja Lipglosses
   - 0.23 oz Deluxe Pure Maracuja Oil
   - 0.08 oz Deluxe Maracuja C-Brighter™ Eye Treatment
   - 0.05 oz Deluxe Limited-Edition Amazonian 12-Hour Clay Blush in Memorable
   - 0.17 oz Deluxe Cheek Stain in Flush
   - 0.16 oz Deluxe Lights, Camera, Lashes™ 4-In-1 Mascara in a beautifully made travel case, which you can use for just about anything from makeup to skincare and anything in between. The travel case, which all of these wonderful products comes in, is also so beautifully crafted. 

Most, if not all, of the collections I own from Tarte, I have purchased during the holidays. Primarily because they put together such great “limited edition” festive, well thought out, holiday collections. 

KUDOS to Tarte for yet another great, well put together, holiday treat! :-)

Final note: Wishing you all JOY, PEACE, LOVE, HEALTH, ABUNDANCE in 2014......:-) 

Disclaimer: I purchased all of these products with my own money. These reviews are solely my honest opinion.

Urban Decay - "Vise 2" Palette

So, I visited my second favorite cosmetic store today, Ulta. Initially, I went in to pickup a couple of items I ran out of, but found myself stalking this BEAUTIFUL palette by Urban Decay. It was love at first swatch! Urban Decay is definitely the "it" factor of cosmetics. I'm a HUGE palette fan! If there is anything I seldom pass up, it's a makeup palette and a very well put together one, at that! The blinged-out "UD" gives the case to this lovely palette, it's classy touch. Pros: Their colors are so rich, vibrant, long-wearing and so, so gorgeous! Cons: Zip, zero, nada! I can't wait to try on the colors in this palette. To play them up, mix and match them. With the holiday's just around the corner, I'll have some really cool, new, sophisticated and elegant looks for all upcoming events. This is definitely a makeup addicts must-have! Once again, Urban Decay didn't disappoint! 

Available at: Sephora, Ulta, Urban Decay  - $59

Buxom "Lip Plumping" Lip-gloss

Pucker up! One sure way to get a great pout is through these "ah-mah-zing" lip plumping lip glosses. They naturally create the look of fuller, more voluptuous lips. They have a peppermint patty sensation when you put them on. It doesn't exactly tingle, they just make your lips feel cool. I'm a huge lip-gloss kind of gal and these are definitely worth the price. They are super moisturizing too! Sephora is the #1 retailer for this product. Buxom is no longer sold at Ulta. Bummer!

                                         
                                          Photography: via Ooh La La Everything Lovely

theBalm

Totally smitten with Matt(e). These flattering colors can be combined to create a multitude of mega-fabulous, wearable different looks. This is definitely one of my favorite palettes from theBalm collection. A definite must-have for any gals makeup collection.

Smashbox

 Great Summer 2013 Makeup Ideas

Amazing Skincare

 

I am "Coo Coo for Cocoa Puffs" over this product! It's Allure's 2012 Reader's Choice Award Winner. This product is the holy grail of skin care. It's an all-in-one product, which means; it's a makeup remover, cleanser and toner all in one. You're gonna LOVE it!

Hair

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