natural makeup on a rainy day (w/ootd, notd, and kitties!)

Hello lovely ladies! I've had a quite a fun weekend, full of shopping and kitty-snuggling - two of my all-time favorite things!  I'd originally planned to take photos for a haul post this morning, but alas, the weather was against me, as it rained most of the day. :P I'm still planning on doing that tomorrow, though, because I'm so excited to share what I picked up, and I haven't done a haul post in forever! I know some might disagree, but I always LOVE reading haul posts. Same as with favorites posts, they give me loads of ideas for new things to add to my wish list, and my wish list and I are BFFs. :) Besides, sharing your finds with friends is half the fun of shopping!

Anyways, back to *this* post! I was walking tutorials on Smashbox's website Sunday night (I'm crushing on their Girls on Film collection!), and they inspired me to do a simple, natural look today. The yucky weather was added motivation.

FACE: 

Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm

Dior Aurora

Smashbox Girls on Film blush rush in Silhouette

The Balm Mary Lou-Manizer (applied *very* lightly!)

EYES:

Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller (under eyes)

MAC Painterly paint pot

UD Naked palette: Naked, Buck, Smog, Darkhorse

UD 24/7 liner in Whiskey (smudged on upper lashline)

MAC I Get No Kick eye kohl

MAC Lingering brow pencil

Maybelline The Falsies Flared mascara

LIPS:

C.O. Bigelow Lemon & Ginger tinted lip balm (this stuff is amaaaazing - so glossy, hydrating, and yummy!)

Zoomed to show glossiness of the lip balm!

NAILS:

Essie Going Incognito

(savvy mall elevator shot!)

TOP: Gap

SCARF: J.Crew

SHORTS: Target

FLATS: Vivienne Westwood for Melissa

BAG: Zara**

WATCH: Michael Kors Rose Gold

**Mini Bag Rant: I bought this Zara bag about 2 years ago (you can't see in the pic but it has an adorable bow at the front and gold hardware - which I love!). Well, much to my chagrin, the zipper broke about a WEEK into using it. I stashed the bag away because I liked it too much to get rid of it, and didn't know how to fix it.  I've been using it again the past two weeks, and already the handle seams are tearing. I believe I paid about $80 for it, and while it's no "luxury" brand, I expect better quality for that price.  I've bought bags for $15 at Target that have lasted years! :P

I stayed home most of the day, but I had to mail a blog sale package, and one of the malls near me happens to have a post office in it, so I took advantage as I was in a browsing mood anyways (I did pick up one tiny thing at Anthropologie, though, which you'll see shortly!). I continued my browsing tour over at Barnes & Noble, reading some magazines and drinking a lackluster Starbucks Chocolate Banana smoothie (tasted like chocolate powder, banana, and water...). Despite the smoothie, it was a really relaxing day!

Then, of course, I get home and Mouse pulls the runner off my coffee table... while I had a half-full glass of Moscato on it...

And later he tried to jump on my lap but slipped and dragged his claws down my leg as he fell.  I never knew a howl like that could come out of my throat.

Minor disasters aside, adopting these babies was the best decision I've made in a looong time.  They bring so much joy to my life! And since you guys seem to like them, too, I thought I'd share some more pics of them. 

Alright, alright, that's all, I promise! Love you guys and thanks for reading!  Haul post to come soon...

xoxo,

<3 Jess the Crazy Cat Lady

my current skincare routine

My skin and I have been getting along pretty well lately, so I thought it'd be a good time to share my current skincare routine. I'll preface this by saying that I do take a women's multivitamin and a cod liver oil pill once daily, as well as something else a lot of women my age take when they're not ready for young'ns, if you get my drift. ;) That might be TMI for some of you, but I know for a fact that it helps my skin - I was actually prescribed it at first to help with my skin.

I had pretty bad acne as a teen, and was put on a pill (unfortunately I can't remember what it was; not Accutane!) by a dermatologist in high school that really helped clear it up. Currently my skin problems are redness and the occasional breakout (usually around my chin or jawline). My skin is combination - oily t-zone, dry cheeks. My skin is also sensitive - lots of products break me out!

Hope this is helpful!

1. Basic Cleansers

I use bareMinerals Deep Cleansing Foam in the shower in the AM most days. It's very gentle and has a nice light scent. I love how it builds up a lather when you rub it between your hands.

At night I use Origins Checks and Balances Frothy face wash (which has a relaxing, herbal scent) with Sephora's pink rubber cleansing pad. I just wet the cleansing pad, put a pea size amount of face wash on the pad, then apply it in circular motions all over my face.  I then use a hot, wet muslin cloth (trust me, you don't want to see a photo of that rag!) to rinse my face. I feel so refreshed afterwards!

2. Exfoliators and makeup remover wipes!

Before I cleanse my face at night, I remove my makeup with Neutrogena's Makeup Remover cleansing towelettes. It only takes one towelette to get rid of pretty much everything. However, I don't find it sufficient to just use this without washing my face afterwards.  Trust me, without cleansing, there *will* be makeup left behind!

I use Origins Brighter By Nature peel pads twice a week (as directed) after cleansing at night. They leave my skin feeling extra clean and refreshed. 

Two to three times a week I use Lush Dark Angels cleanser in the AM. It does an amazing job of exfoliating and has a beautiful herbal scent that really wakes me up. If you liked MAC's Volcanic Ash exfoliator, you'll love this.  I can't believe it doesn't get more love. One thing I will recommend, though, is that you really rinse this stuff off good, or else follow with a toner, or you might find pieces left behind.

3. Toner, Moisturizer, and Spot Treatment 

On the rare occasion that I use a toner (overall I find them unnecessary), I reach for Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel Alcohol-Free Toner. I like that it's alcohol-free, so it's gentle on my sensitive skin.  The rose scent is very light and non-offensive as well.

Origins Vitazing is my go-to daily moisturizer. It goes on smooth, contains SPF, makes skin "glowy," and is just fun to use (beads!). I don't currently use a moisturizer at night as I have yet to find one that doesn't irritate my skin.  Right now, I think my skin's doing just fine without the extra moisture. :)

A skincare trick I've learned is that clay masks make AWESOME overnight spot treatments! My favorite is the Formula 10.0.6 Deep Down Detox Ultra-Cleansing Mud Mask. I just dab it onto problem areas at night before bed and by morning any pimples are significantly shrunken.  It works especially well when you feel a pimple coming in - when I apply this, the pimple that was forming under my skin is gone by morning! I've used Fresh's Umbrian Clay treatment bar for this purpose as well (not photographed, because it's in a well-loved state!), and while it gets the same results, it's also waaaaay more pricey than Deep Down Detox, which is $5.99 at Ulta (and coupon-eligible). The Fresh treatment bar is $38 at Sephora.  Pick your poison.

So that's my routine!

For reference, my completely bare face. Oh, by the way, I'm blonde again! :)

And after makeup... (sorry it's not the best quality - it was getting dark out!)

FACE: 

Boscia BB Cream

Dior Aurora

NARS Luster blush

TheBalm Mary Lou-Manizer

EYES: 

Wet 'n Wild Walking on Eggshells palette

MAC Blacktrack fluidline

MAC I Get No Kick eye kohl

Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara

LIPS: 

Clarins Rouge Prodige in Tender Rose

Thanks so much for reading!  And please, if you have any recommendations for a nightly moisturizer, do share!

xoxo,

<3 Jess

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

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!)

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.

Click here to go to the lip product blog sale page.

Thank you for looking!

xoxo,

<3 Jess