Wednesday, August 3, 2011

July Favorites :)

  • Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation (Shade 51) - Dare I say I've found my HG foundation? I know I've sung the praises repeatedly for Chanel's Vitalumiere Aqua and NARS Sheer Glow (which I still think are amazing foundations), but this one blows them out of the water. It has perfect medium coverage. It's dewy but not oily. It has a pump dispenser (yes, this is important to me!). It lasts all day. It doesn't break me out.  And the best part - it cost $17 from ASOS.com! Seriously, this baby doesn't get enough recognition for how amazing it is! Thanks so much to J for convincing me I needed to try it!
  • Origins Vitazing - My go-to moisturizer this past month.  It doesn't break me out, moisturizes really well, smells nice, and has SPF. The end.
  • Aveda Volumizing Tonic - This is one of my all-time favorite hair products.  Not sure if you can tell, but this bottle is empty! I had to repurchase this past weekend. It is basically a root boost spray. I spritz it on my roots after blow-drying and give my hair a "jush" (yes, I just said "jush") and helloooo, volume. It almost doubles as a hairspray as well, as it holds my hair in place perfectly! And please don't get me started on the scent - it's gorgeous!


  • Topshop Nevada lipstick - This is pretty much perfection in a tube.  It's what I wanted Desert to be when Topshop first released their makeup line last year. It's a soft beige with just a hint of pink. I love the light rose scent of Topshop lipsticks, too - it's very light and not cloying at all, as rose scents often are. The formula's not perfect (though most lipstick formulas aren't!) as it does dry out my lips and can't withstand a night of work for this reason. But it's great for nights off!
  • YSL Rouge Volupte Perles for Fall 2011 - Insolent Beige, Celestial Mauve, and Incandescent Orange - As I'm sure you all know, I am a YSL lipstick ADDICT. I should seriously work for them, considering how much I sing their praises.  When YSL first came out with the Rouge Volupte Perle line, though, I was completely underwhelmed and disappointed.  Well, they've outdone themselves with the Fall 2011 collection.  These shades are real stunners.  I even devoted to posts to them this month, which you can find here and here. I found mine at Neiman Marcus, but YSL has the collection up on their website with free shipping now, and I've also seen them on Nordstrom's website.  There are some other beautiful things in the collection, too - I'd highly recommend checking it out! 

  • Chanel Prelude Quad - My darling Rachel enabled me on this one.  It's just a really nice basic palette that's perfect for work, but can be dramatic, too. And I love that top left shade!! Although I agree with Rachel about the bottom left shade - it's a dud (too sheer!).
  • MAC Warmth of Coral mineralize blush - Before MAC's Semi Precious collection was released, I was only interested in the Pressed Amber mineralized blush. Well, as things turn out, I ended up with the Blue Sheen mineralize eyeshadow (pretty, but not sure how to wear it!) and this blush. Initially I thought, "eh, I have too many coral blushes. Pass." Well, I'm so glad I didn't! This is such a gorgeous blush. It looks incredibly natural on my skin, and though it's matte (which I also love), it makes my skin look more radiant. It's perfect with smoky eyes, as it doesn't compete for attention. Love it.

  • Maybelline The Falsies Flared + MUFE Smoky Lash mascaras - Maybelline's The Falsies Flared is possibly the best drugstore mascara I've tried to date. It added lots of volume and quite a bit of length, too.  However, as is the problem with many drugstore mascaras, it's just not black enough! That's where Smoky Lash comes in. It's super black and lengthening - perfect as a top coat!
  • MAC Lord It Up Pearlglide eyeliner - This was released with the Tartan Tale collection this past winter. I gave it some love initially, but kind of forgot about.  Well, I've rediscovered its gorgeousness this past month.  It's perfect on the waterline when I do a smoky eye. I especially love it blended with Urban Decay's 24/7 liner in Lucky (another favorite). It already has depth, but combined with Lucky, it's really stunning. The wear time on these is really great, too!


  • Philosophy Frosted Animal Cracker 3-in-1 - Something you might not know about me is that I loooove Philosophy 3-in-1s. You could say it's an addiction.  When the circus-themed products were released, I ordered this and the Pink Cotton Confection lotion from Sephora without even giving them a sniff first. I knew I would love them - and I was right! This smells like creamy frosting with a hint of lemon. Yum!
  • Desert Organics Spicy Vanilla Chai hand & body lotion - This lotion smells exactly like it sounds, and for someone who is obsessed with chai tea, that is a very good thing! I keep this at my bedside table and put it on my hands before bed - it's such a relaxing scent, and moisturizes quite well. Desert Organics products are available at Whole Foods Market.
  • Philosophy Pink Cotton Confection lotion - This lotion smells a bit like Aquolina Pink Sugar, but in my opinion much better (I've never liked Pink Sugar!). It's a light, non-offensive scent that works great as a body lotion, as I've yet to find a perfume it doesn't complement. And besides, how cute is that packaging?? Ridiculous.


  • Chanel Graphite - This is one of two Chanel polishes I own (the other is Gold Fiction, which is oooold!). I'm just not a fan of pricey polish, when there are almost always dupable shades for cheaper. However, when I saw this in person I couldn't resist. I just couldn't imagine finding a perfect dupe for this - it has so much depth!
  • Sally Hansen Without a Stitch - This is a can't-go-wrong nude that is opaque in two coats.  It's perfect for when you want a simple "mannequin hands" look!
"I can has makeups?"

Other non-beauty things I've been loving this month:

  • The Nine Lives of Chloe King (ABC Family)- I'm really getting tired of Pretty Little Liars and its crappy storylines (anyone with me?), but this show, which airs right after PLL, hasn't disappointed me yet! I would watch this show just for Alek (Benjamin Stone) and his smexy British accent.

Benjamin Stone
  • Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block (if you read my last post, that's a DUH!)
  • The 90's are All That! (TeenNick)- Hello, reruns of Clarissa Explains It All, Doug, All That... I am SO THERE! And with TheHUB airing Jem (my favorite 80's cartoon), too, my inner child is in HEAVEN.
  • Degrassi: Now or Never (TeenNick)- This show is so ridiculous yet so addictive. And I love that it's on four nights a week!
  • True Blood - It's back on, yay!!
  • The video for Jennifer Lopez's "I'm Into You." To quote SNL's the Antonio Banderas show, "Too sessy, no, too sessy!" Seriously, just watch it.

And, of course, my favorite favorites of all, my little babies Sammy and Mouse! 

I've woken up to Sammy snuggling up against my face the past four days in a row - cutest way to wake up ever!

Mouse likes to have his tummy rubbed - I think he's part puppy!

Okay, that's quite enough favorites for now, don't you think? ;) See you soon, lovelies!

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,
<3 Jess

Thursday, July 28, 2011

nkotbsb and new hair! (fotd, ootd, & kitty pics)

Hello everyone! First off I want to say thank you to anyone who purchased from my very first blog sale. Everything shipped yesterday! :) There are lots of things still available, so do check it out if you're so inclined.

Now, anyone who follows me on Twitter might have heard (read?) me gushing about the NKOTBSB (New Kids on the Block & Backstreet Boys) concert. My amazing parents got tickets for me & a friend as an early birthday present (my birthday is in September!). Backstreet Boys are my faaaaavorite! I've been to five shows of theirs before this one! I was completely obsessed with them as a teen (I was all about Howie!), and I still buy their albums. My high school best friend and I were so obsessed, in fact, that we actually went to Howie's parents' house in Orlando and met his dad (we brought flowers for his mom, who wasn't home)! We met some of the guys before a show in Chicago once, too, when we camped out 7 hours before the show. Yeah, obsessed!

I'm a New Kids on the Block fan, too (Jordan's my fave), so needless to say, I was really excited about the show, and felt it was a night worthy of a really dramatic eye. ;)

I also got my hair chopped off earlier in the week - and I'm gradually making my way back to blonde, too. :)


FACE:
 Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation
Dior Aurora bronzer
MAC Warmth of Coral mineralize blush
The Balm Mary Lou-Manizer

EYES: 
UDPP in Sin
Chanel Prelude Quad... as a base (I didn't think it was dramatic enough!)
Chanel Vert Khaki e/s (inner lid)
Shu Uemura P Green 595 e/s (outer lid, crease)
MAC Sand & Sun e/s (brow bone)
LORAC Front of the Line Pro liner
MAC Lord It Up pearlglide liner + UD 24/7 liner in Lucky (blended on waterline)
UD 24/7 shadow pencil in Sin (inner corners)
MAC Lingering brow pencil
Maybelline The Falsies Flared + MUFE Smoky Lash

LIPS:
Topshop Nevada lipstick




Chanel Graphite on the nails

hanging out with "Nick Carter" (Backstreet Boys)

DRESS: H&M
SANDALS: Miss Trish for Target
BAG: Aldo
RING, BRACELET, BELT: Target
WATCH: Michael Kors
EARRINGS: Forever21

caught a glimpse of the real Nick Carter backstage - nice pic, huh? :P

A few of my pics of the show...

Intro

Boyz II Men made an appearance as a surprise for BSB, since Orlando is where the Backstreet Boys got their start - the crowd (including me!) went crazy! All three groups performed "End of the Road" together.

Howie, my favorite!

The End :(

Before I go, I feel like I just can't do a post without including some pictures of Sammy and Mouse. They're growing up so fast!!




Sorry for bombing you all with so many photos, but I just couldn't help myself. ;) 

Thanks so much for reading - I love you guys!

xoxo,
<3 Jess

(By the way, I can't wait to do my July Favorites post - so many great new discoveries! I'm going to go beyond my usual scope and include non-makeup favorites, too. I might start doing that regularly even... We'll see! See you then!)

Monday, July 25, 2011

HUGE blog sale, part II: everything else!

Welcome to my first blog sale!  I have so many items to post that I've decided to split this into two posts.  The first post, here, includes all lip products. This one will include everything else - foundations, palettes, blushes, etc. Usage will be noted under each photo.

If you are interested in anything, please CONTACT ME @ jewel1996@aol.com. Please include the item(s) you would like and your full name and shipping address.

SHIPPING

US: $4 for most items. If price is higher, you will find it noted in the post under the item's photo and price. 

INTERNATIONAL/CANADA: $10 for most items. If price is higher, you will find it noted in the post under the item's photo and price. 

I will combine shipping for multiple items. ALL SALES ARE FINAL, no refunds or returns.

Okay, onto the sale!

YSL Teint Resist 03 Opal (used about 5x, 2/3 full) $30, MAC Studio Fix Fluid NW20 w/pump (used 2x) $23, Lancome Teint Miracle Ivoire2C (used 2x) $30, Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizer in Halo (used 2x) $16, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer 1oz in Nude (used once) $15 SOLD

MAC Face & Body N1 (used 4x) $20, MAC Prep + Prime Beauty Balm (used once) $30

Hard Candy Pin Up (swatched 1x) $5, MAC DSquared2 Sculpt & Shape in Accentuate/Sculpt (used once) $25 SOLD

MAC Pink Swoon (used 3x) $12 SOLD, MAC LE Mineralize Blush in Love Rocks $17 SOLD, Benefit One Hot Minute (used once) $20, MAC Shroom e/s (used 2x) $10 SOLD, MAC Fresh Green Mix mineralize e/s duo (never used) $12 SOLD, MAC Cream Color Base in Nude (used once) $13

Aveda Apricot Whisper blush (used 2x) $15, LORAC Baked Matte Satin Blush in Plush (used 2x) $15

(for reference: powder puff included w/Aveda blush - unused)

(for reference)

Too Faced Natural Eye palette (some shades used 2x, others swatched once, top right matte shadows never used) $25 SOLD, MAC LE 6 Sorceress palette (used 2/3x) $35, LORAC Baked Eye Shadow Trio in Starlet (used once) $15

MAC LE Colour 3 quad $30

Estee Lauder DoubleWear Stay-In-Place ShadowCreme #11 Pink Amethyst (used once) $12, MAC LE Dark Diversion fluidline (burgundy shade; used 2x) $20

Tokidoki Robbery Palette (w/tin; swatched once) $25

**US Shipping for this item is $10 due to bulk/weight. International is $15.

Tokidoki Robbery Palette tin

(for reference)

(for reference)

(for reference)

Again, if you are interested in anything, please CONTACT ME @ jewel1996@aol.com. Please include the item(s) you would like and your full name and shipping address.


Thank you for looking!

xoxo,
<3 Jess









HUGE blog sale, part I: LIP PRODUCTS!

Welcome to my first blog sale!  I have so many items to post that I've decided to split this into two posts (you can find the second post here).  First off, lip products. Most of these products have been swatched/tried on only once or twice - if the item is brand new and unused, or used more than twice, I will state that beneath the image. PLEASE NOTE THAT IF USAGE IS NOT STATED, THAT MEANS IT HAS BEEN USED/SWATCHED ONCE/TWICE. All used/swatched lipsticks will be wiped clean with a paper towel before shipping. 

If you are interested in anything, please CONTACT ME @ jewel1996@aol.com. Please include the item(s) you would like and your full name and shipping address.

SHIPPING

US: $4 for most items. If price is higher, you will find it noted in the post under the item's photo and price. 

INTERNATIONAL/CANADA: $10 for most items. If price is higher, you will find it noted in the post under the item's photo and price. 


I will combine shipping for multiple items. ALL SALES ARE FINAL, no refunds or returns.

Okay, onto the sale!


Dolce & Gabbana Nude $20, YSL Rouge Volupte #24 Praline Delight $20, Diane Brill Lip Lingerie #15 Denier $10, YSL Rouge Pur 144 Silky Apricot $20 SOLD 

Illamasqua Fetish $15 SOLD, Illamasqua Wanton $15, Lancome Rich Cashmere $20

MAC Blankety $11, MAC Pretty Please $11, MAC Freckletone $11 SOLD, MAC LE Equality $13

MAC LE All Styled Up $11 SOLD, MAC Shy Girl (please note, this was missing the label when I purchased it from the MAC Pro store) $11 SOLD, MAC Hello Kitty LE Fresh Brew (used 3x - HK imprint is not touched) $20

Sephora Lip Attitude Chic C10 SOLD, Sephora Rouge R15, Sephora Rouge R21 - $8 each

Lime Crime Airborne Unicorn SOLD, D'Lilac SOLD, No She Didn't SOLD - $12 each

MAC Sheen Supreme Supremely Confident, MAC Pro-Longwear Unlimited SOLD, MAC Pro-Longwear Til Tomorrow - $11 each

MAC Wonder Woman LE Marquise'D (w/box) $15 SOLD, MAC LE Brave New Bronze $14 SOLD

Jemma Kidd Ultimate Lipstick Duo in Wendy (see photo below as well) $14, Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense #22 (used about 3x) $15, Barry M Lip Paint #54 Peach $8

(for reference: the balm side of the Jemma Kidd Ultimate Lipstick Duo in Wendy)


Again, if you are interested in anything, please CONTACT ME @ jewel1996@aol.com. Please include the item(s) you would like and your full name and shipping address.


Thank you for looking!

xoxo,
<3 Jess



Wednesday, July 20, 2011

more ysl fall 2011: rouge volupte perle #108 & nail polish #43 wintergreen

Rouge Volupte Perle #108 Celestial Mauve

Celestial Mauve on the lips

Celestial Mauve on lips, Wintergreen nail polish (one coat) on pinky nail

Wintergreen nail polish (one coat)

I swatched the nail polish but didn't buy it - however, it's definitely on my wish list! It's such a beautiful shade.

I just wanted to do this post quickly while it's still relevant.  So far, I'm really loving YSL's fall collection - it's full of stunners!!

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,
<3 Jess