my top 10 beauty products tag

Thanks to the lovely J at Lil Lady's Life for tagging me to do this! I had a really tough time deciding on just 10 (I was veeeery tempted to cheat!), but I actually did it. ;) In reality, what I love most about makeup is the variety and the different looks you can create everyday... but if forced to choose only 10 things to take with me if I were going to be stranded on a (very glamorous) desert island, here's what I'd choose. ;) I didn't include brushes, but I'd sneak those in, too...

Chanel Mystic Eyes eyeshadow quad 

I love this quad for the multitude of looks you can create with just four shadows, and each shadow is very good quality. I like the use the bottom right shade on the lid, with the top left in the crease, the pink shade as a highlight, and a little of the bottom left shade in the inner corner of the lid for depth. I love the Urban Decay Naked palette as well, but I chose the Chanel because I don't love the packaging of the Naked palette, and some of the shadows have glitter fallout, which is one of my pet peeves!

TheBalm Mary Lou-Manizer

At the moment, this is my favorite highlighter.  Not only do I love it as a cheek highlight, but for the browbone as well. My other faves are Dior Amber Diamond and YSL Metallic Colorama, but I've talked about both of those so much already, and this one doesn't get enough love! Besides, as I mentioned in my June Favorites post - I actually squealed when I swatched this in the store! Not many products have pulled that initial reaction out of me.

NARS Douceur blush

Don't get me wrong, I am all about peach blush, but I chose this NARS gem because it looks beautiful paired with a smokey eye. It's a dusty rose/brown that looks really natural on my fair skin. Blush is one of my biggest weaknesses, so if I could choose a few more, they'd probably be Illamasqua Tremble (a peachy pink that looks amazing paired with Dior Aurora bronzer), MAC Instant Chic (another peachy pink that runs more peach), and, um, all the cream blushes I own? ;) 

Dior Aurora bronzer

I know this is a big statement for me, but this could be my favorite new product that's been released in the past year (YSL Rouge Pur Couture came out in 2010 - they'd be my fave for that year!). It's just the perfect bronzer shade for me. It really does make my skin look glow-y, and not at all muddy or fake. I can't sing this beauty's praises enough. Put it this way - my mom tried mine and loved it so much, she bought one of her own the next day. :) I'd call this a must-have for fair-skinned ladies, and I've seen it look gorgeous on medium skintones as well.

YSL Touche Eclat in Luminous Radiance

This is my favorite undereye brightener. I don't have really dark circles, and I hate the cakey feel of concealer under my eyes, so this is perfect for me. I love, love, love the packaging - the clicking pen feel is so chic and simple to use. Though this is not a heavy duty concealer, I really can see the difference when I forget to use it. I also like using this as a lip eraser before applying lip products. It's a pricey product, but for me it's absolutely worth it. I'm on my third tube. >_<

MAC Lingering brow pencil

Another product that I've purchased over and over again and can't stand to be without for even one day. This is my favorite eyebrow product ever. No look is complete without filling in my brows with this. The only thing I hate about it is that it's a twist-up pencil, and I don't know it's time to repurchase until I can't twist it up anymore, and at that point I can't even get one more use out of it.  I try to have a back-up on hand for that reason. 

LORAC Front of the Line Pro liquid liner pen

As anyone who knows me can tell you, I love a cat eye flick. I do one pretty much every day. I've tried many a liquid liner, but this one is my fave that I've tried - a glossy black that's foolproof and doesn't budge.

Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara

My HG mascara (and I've tried LOADS of 'em!). Nothing gives volume and length like this baby. I can't wait to try the new Hypnose Doll Eyes mascara that Lancome is releasing soon. ;) My other fave mascaras: YSL Mascara Singulier and FairyDrops Scandal Queen.

MAC Glamour Check eyeshadow

This is sadly a limited edition shade - boo, MAC! I've used this shadow so many times that I'm just completely shocked I haven't hit pan on it yet. It looks perfect in the crease paired with pretty much anything, and I also like it on the lid with Black Tied in the crease for a smokey eye. I'd have a fit if I lost this!

YSL Rouge Pur Couture #6 Rose Bergamese

This is my favorite lipstick of all time. Lipstick is my favorite beauty product, and I definitely own too many, but if I had to choose only one to use everyday, it'd have to be this one. It goes with every look, is work-appropriate, and is the PERFECT consistency - creamy and never cakes or dries out my lips. It's also long-lasting and tastes/smells amazing, and BONUS: the case can be used as a mirror to make reapplying a cinch. I'm on my third tube of this baby, and I rarely finish a lipstick tube!

And there you have it, my top 10 beauty products. Oh, man,  I completely forgot about foundation - UGH! I'd probably choose either Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua or NARS Sheer Glow. There ya go.So, top 11 then? ;)

As usual, I had help with this post...

I think I can guess Sammy's favorite brand.... He has good taste for a kitty!

I tag anyone who'd like to do this - no pressure! :)

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,

<3 Jess

june favorites :) happy fourth of july!

Hello ladies! I hope you're all having a great fourth of July. :) I haven't done a favorites post in a long time, but I just had to do one for June -I love the change of seasons and the bright makeup shades that summer brings. 

Dior Diorskin Healthy Glow Summer Powder in Aurora

It was love at first sight with this baby, and that love hasn't stopped since, it's only grown. This is the perfect bronzer for my skintone - it's natural and gives my skin a nice glow. It's impossible for me to overdo it with this one (and I have a bad habit of overdoing cheek products, so that's saying something!). I apply this on my cheeks, forehead, down the nose, and on the chin. It's also eliminated my need for pressed powder, as I find it sets my makeup just enough. But just in case, I've been setting my makeup with Evian facial mist and carrying blotting papers with me, but I barely ever use them. It may sound crazy, but I think I like the look of oily skin - as long as it's not to the point of makeup dripping down your face, of course!

MAC Amber Lights eyeshadow

I wore this on the lid paired with Glamour Check in the crease and Sand & Sun under the brows maaaany times this past month. Such a gorgeous bronze.  It's a semi-recent addition to my collection of MAC shadows, and it's already one of my favorites.

TheBalm Mary Lou-Manizer

When I first swatched this, I think I squealed. This is the highlight shade of my dreams. I've worn it ever day since on my cheekbones, and often under my brows, too. It's knocked Dior Amber Diamond and YSL Metallic Colorama to the curb. It doesn't fade at all through even the hottest of days. It's amazing!

Stila Convertible Color in Petunia

I got this spontaneously at J.Crew when I saw it in the clearance bins for $4.99. They usually retail for $20-something, and it looked nice enough, so buy I did, and I'm so glad! It's the first cream blush product that I really love on both cheeks and lips. I have Stila's Gerbera, too, but that one is a drier consistency, and is a little difficult to work with as a lip color. Petunia is really creamy and lovely, though. 

Illamasqua cream blush in Rude 

I wear cream blushes to death in the summer. I have semi-oily skin (and I live in hot and sticky Florida!), but I just can't resist those magical little containers that hold the key to dewy cheeks. This one is an all-time fave. It's such a nice coral, and it holds up really well in the heat. I just have to be careful not to overdo it, because this baby is pigmented!

swatched in the same order - Aurora is very natural-looking on my skin as you can (hardly) see from the swatch!

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua

This has been my go-to foundation so far this summer. Don't get me wrong, I still loooove my Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer, but I just find this to be a better shade match for me, and though I usually disliked fragrance in foundation (it has a tendency to cause breakouts), I love the scent of this one! So far, no problems to speak of in terms of breakouts either. This is one foundation that I think is definitely worth the hype.

Boscia BB Cream

When I'm in a light-coverage mood, this BB cream is great. It doesn't have a strong sunscreen scent, and while it does have light coverage, I think it's better coverage than I get from my other BB cream, the Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Balm (which also has the strong sunscreen scent). I like the sleek packaging, too, and the expiration date printed on the packaging (either on the box or the bottle... I'd get up to check, but there's a kitty in my lap!). Some reviews I've read spoke of sparkle, but I don't see it. I actually like this best mixed with an illuminator, like Tarte's Smooth Operator Illuminating Serum or Illamasqua Gleam Cream. 

Pureology Thermal Antifade Complex Super Smooth Relaxing Serum

This was a hand-me-down from Mom, who'd recently picked up a similar product by Aveda and found she wasn't using it that much since.  I'm ever so grateful, because I LOVE this stuff! I love me some Moroccanoil, but it contains silicones, which are no good for your hair (or my face, which my hair often touches!), and this is a great alternative with less damaging ingredients.  I put a small amount (it has a pretty foolproof pump dispenser) in my hand and run it through my hair prior to blow-drying. It leaves my hair super soft and silky.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua (B10), Boscia BB Cream

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua (B10), Boscia BB Cream - the Boscia looks much darker, but it somehow manages to blend nicely into my skin!

after blending

Pureology relaxing serum (just to give an idea of the texture - it's definitely a serum texture, not sticky)

FairyDrops Scandal Queen mascara  

I love this mascara best as a base, followed w/a coat of Lancome Hypnose Drama or MUFE Smoky Lash. I looove the formula, and it really holds a curl and lengthens, it's just not as black as I like - and that's where the Lancome or MUFE comes in. ;)

Sephora Jumbo Liner in Beige

I love this as a waterline liner and inner corner highlight. I've used it pretty much daily since I got it. It doesn't budge after applying, and it doesn't irritate my eyes. Think I actually prefer this over the Urban Decay Sin shadow pencil!

YSL Volupte Sheer Candy in #2 Dewy Papaya

I love everything about this gloss balm. It goes with everything, and is not too bright to wear to work. It's also very moisturizing, smells FAB, and, well, it's YSL - isn't that reason enough? It is for me! ;)

Guerlain Rouge Automatique #143 Nahema

This has been my days-off lipstick shade of choice this past month. It looks nice in the tube and all (and the tube! so cool!), but when swatched and applied on the lips, it is WOW. I also find it surprisingly versatile. It has nice lasting power as well, and doesn't dry out my lips. And it tastes/smells good, too!

swatched in the same order (left out the mascara, obviously)

Alright, that's all for June! What were your faves? Let me know in the comments, or link me to your blogpost if you'd like! :)

Oh, and of course before I go I have to give credit where it's due...

Sammy is my official photography assistant and was very "helpful" in the making of this post. Ahem. ;)

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,

<3 Jess 

fotd: mix of oldies and newbies

First of all I want to say thank you - I can't believe I'm nearly at 300 followers! It blows my mind. You guys are the best.  I'd like to do a giveaway at some point in the upcoming month as a more tangible thank you - so keep your eyes peeled for that!

Okay, onto the FOTD (from last Sunday - oops!)... 

FACE: Tarte Smooth Operator Illuminating Serum (applied first), Boscia BB Cream, Dior Aurora, MAC Something Special cremeblend blush, Dior Amber Diamond

EYES: NARS Nepal & Lola Lola e/s, MAC Sand & Sun e/s, LORAC Front of the Line Pro, Sephora Jumbo Liner in Beige, MAC Lingering brow pencil, MUFE Smoky Lash mascara

LIPS: Guerlain Rouge Automatique #143 Nahema

nails are Essie Too Too Hot, Target ring ($3!) & bracelet 

I took a lot of face pics during my trip, so I'll be posting those as well in an upcoming post. And I need to do one using my new beloved, TheBalm Mary-Lou Manizer (possibly my new HG cheek highlight). Stay tuned!

Hope you're all having a great weekend! :)

xoxo,

<3 Jess

vacation haul + swatches (sephora, ulta, target, nordstrom, aldo, etc.)

Sephora:

Sephora cleansing pad (love this!!), theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer, Carol's Daughter Tui Moisturizing hair sheen, MUFE Smoky Lash, YSL Volupte Sheer Candy #06 Luscious Cherry, Boscia MakeUp-BreakUp cool cleansing oil, Boscia BB Cream, Sephora tinted body mist

YSL Volupte Sheer Candy in #06 Luscious Cherry

theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer

ULTA & Drugstore:

Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo (colorless) - free w/ULTAmate Rewards pts, Revlon Colorstay Aqua setting powder (Revlon was BOGO 50% off), Revlon New Complexion one step makeup (like this to set my makeup, actually!), Wet 'n' Wild Gilded Age palette, Sonia Kashuk blush in Sunset, Philosophy Microdelivery exfoliating cloths

Revlon Craving Coral, Essie Too Too Hot, OPI Guy Meets Gal-Veston, Sally Hansen Without a Stitch

Sephora Favorites In the Glow kit - total steal!

Sephora Favorites In the Glow kit -

I'd been wanting to try almost ALL of these products for a while, so I couldn't resist this set!

Burberry Lip Cover in Nude Beige, Guerlain Rouge Automatique in 143 Nahema, YSL Rouge Pur Couture #23 Coral Poetique

Burberry Lip Cover in Nude Beige

 Guerlain Rouge Automatique in 143 Nahema

YSL Rouge Pur Couture #23 Coral Poetique 

MAC Cremeblend Blush in Something Special, Stila Convertible Color in Petunia ($4.99 at J.Crew!)

MAC Something Special, Stila Petunia

Unlike the other Stila Convertible Color I own, Gerbera (which is too dry for lips, in my opinion), Petunia also works really well as a lip color. Love it!

FREEBIES and SAMPLES! Score!

I actually had more samples, but I used a few - Kate Somerville Exfolikate Gentle and Ojon's new color-treated shampoo & conditioner (two packs of each) were notable ones!

The DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew was a 100pt perk at Sephora, and I was surprised that it's a full ounce - the full size is 1.7oz! I've been using it daily and LOVE it so far - no breakouts to speak of, yay!

The Nordstrom tubs are the Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator and MAC Studio Sculpt foundation (which I'm too scared to try - MAC foundations scare me!).

Trina Turk for Clinique makeup bag (GWP - Mom got this w/the Pore Refining Solutions serum she purchased, and she gave it to me - I love it! Each bag's design was slightly different)

(back view)

Jewelry from Aldo and Target (ring)

Aldo necklaces (the feather one and the one pictured above were BOGO free)

Aldo braid headband, Nordstrom animal print headband/wrap, J.Crew flip-flops ($9.99!), and Target belt

Aldo "Kemfort" tote

I actually got this tote for my Mom as part of her birthday gift, and seeing her use it on the trip made me realize how fab it is - so I bought one for myself, too! haha

Okay, so last but not least, I got this little piece of fabulousness:

Peacock pillow from Pier1 (rosette pillows from Target)

And since I posted that pic above anyways, I thought I'd share these other pics I took recently of my bedroom, for inquiring minds!

Okay, I suppose that's all for now! I'll be back soon with some recent FOTDs. Oh, and there will absolutely be a June Favorites post this month - I already have my list made! ;) 

As always, thanks for reading!

xoxo,

<3 Jess

hello again! and hello to KITTIES!

Sorry for my absence the past few weeks. I was out of town for two weeks visiting family in Chicago and Cincinnati! I feel weird about saying I'm going on vacation on the internet (you never know!), which is why I didn't say anything at the time.  And two days after I got back home, I picked up my sweet little monster kitties! I've named them Sammy and Mouse, and I am totally obsessed with them and their crazy, cuddly ways.

I have loads of things to post, including lots of FOTDs from my trip and of course the inevitable vacation haul, but first I thought I'd share some pics of my new babies. :)  I'll be back tomorrow with one of the other posts, though!

Sammy (orange/white) and Mouse (black) their first day home

Sammy taking a nap on a pipe in the wall - no joke! 

Yeah, Sammy was pretty scared of all the new-ness the first day, and within two seconds of coming in the door, he found his way up a hole under the bathroom sink. He didn't come out for an hour, and I was flipping out! Imagine my surprise when I took a flash pic of my phone and saw he was just calmly napping on a pipe! You better believe I blocked the holes under the sink after this!

Sammy <3

Mouse <3

Sammy likes to sleep on me... (Pardon the PJs!!)

Making it hard to write up my June Favorites list... (they ARE my June Favorites list, I guess!)

Yup, definitely male!

Mouse has brown eyes - unusual for a black cat!

Sleeping on me again...

Mouse snuggling up to... a pink flamingo garden decoration?

I think Sammy has a crush on Karen @ makeupandbeautyblog.com

Okay, #endcrazycatladyrave. Back tomorrow with the usual stuff! Yay, I've missed you guys!

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,

<3 Jess