Beauty Sleep

I am a notoriously terrible sleeper. Just ask my parents. I have been fighting to stay awake for my whole life.

Now whether it's for work or play a good, long, late night out is fun every once and a while, but most nights I need my sleep. Need.

 I can usually get by on around 5-6 hours but the scenario lately has been more like 4-5 hours a night. The worst part is not that I'm not in bed by 10 or ready to sleep, its just a natural compulsion to watch one more episode, or read one more Buzzfeed list, or scroll through Facebook one more time. I hate to ever refer to it as insomnia, because I find that to be a much more serious situation, but the inability to shut off when I really want to can be really challenging for me.

In an effort to help with this I turned to my evening routine and looked for ways to add relaxing steps to aid in my dozing off. Then I remembered I had this little vial of magic rolling around in my skincare stash. Introducing the Weleda Lavender Relaxing Body Oil.

Empties #11

Ever wonder what bits us beauty obsessed creatures ACTUALLY finish? Tune in below and find out:)

The One Sweep Sensation

I love a good no-brainer, early AM friendly, one sweep wonder shadow. In the last year, with the 9-5 job, the commuting, the suddenly swinging again social life, I have been really into the no fuss eye shadow look.

On any given day, I max out at about 2 shadows on my eyes. I actually think, and this is just me, that fewer colors on the lid looks a little bit more fashion forward and lived-in. When I think about makeup these days that's  a phrase I think about a lot. Lived-in.

On the menu,

Eye Bright- L'Oreal Infallible in Amber Rush. The best part about this budget friendly one and done shade is that it instantly makes you're whole face look alive and well. On my hazel eyes it works it's magic and makes them appear that bit more blue-green but, for you blue eyed gal's this is an 8$ can't miss color.

Instant Contour- The praises of this MAC classic, Woodwinked, have been sung since the beginning of the build your own palette phenomenon. With some dense application and generous blending, this is the color that invented the one sweep wonder. It mysteriously takes on the qualities of two colors when packed on to the lid and lightly blended into the crease, making(up)* your Monday mornings a whole lot easier.

Never Enough Sparkle- Now some days it's hard to pass up some glittery temptation. The Urban Decay Moondust Shadows create the most beautiful, shiny, wet looking effect on the eyes that is surprisingly daytime appropriate. The shade Diamond Dog (David Bowie is the man!) is a nice cool toned brown, that comes off much lighter on the lid than it appears in the pan. When generously patted on the lid with fingers and blended into the crease with a brush it makes for a nice easy smokey day look in mere moments.

The Quick Dry Solution?

So I have always been a Seche Vite girl. There are definitely some pros and cons to the stuff but, personally I have always loved the no wait, insta-dry, quick finish factor.

After much, much love from none other than Anna at Vivianna Does Makeup, when I happened on a can of Mavala's Mava Dry spray at Pastuer's Discount Pharmacy in NYC I couldn't help myself. I had to see if adding the step to my manicure routine would add to the experience. Did it?

The Delicate Delinquint

H&M has kind of been killing lately with their accessories. Not so much the larger ticket items but some of their dainty accessories have been sending me the perfect "Wear Me" messages lately.

 

The most recent buy, and probably the only one still available, is the ring set. For $5.95 you get about a dozen rings in shades of copper, silver, and distressed gold, in an array of sizes. It is the perfect way to get to that Stevie Nicks-esque, folk rock vibe that I am Oh. So. Excited. to wear come the warmer months. I may or may not have already bought a pack or two more for nights out when I really want to overload my look. (Or for when I inevitably lose them ;) )

 

The second buy, a very teeny tiny skull charm on a small ball chain accompanied by a paper thin infinity chain. It looks like a plain gold ball at first glance but, upon closer inspection it has the cutest, almost Lego-like skull shape. This one was acquired in the post holiday sales, so if you live in a place less traveled, you might get lucky and come across this for a good price. If not though, it could prove to be some great inspiration for some serious eBay-ing!

Candy Coating

I have come to find, more and more lately that a good crème finish nail polish, in an eye catching candy shade, can provide you with some much coveted whimsical sophistication on a day to day basis. Its a statement nail that seems to whistle and hum as opposed to shouting it from the rooftops ; so to speak.

 

I've narrowed it down to three favorite spring shades that will suit nearly any taste and can work in a variety of professional environments.

 

The Closest to Classic- Essie's Lovey Dovey is a mid-tone pink that happily skirts the line between baby and neon. The kind of Pepto color that gives just the right amount of girly girl vibes, without the need for a mid-July tan to carry it off. While a non neon pink may not be my jam very often, this particular shade did manage to be one of the pinks that easily survived my Annual Polish Purge.

 

The Red Alternative- Butter London's Silly Billy works in favor of a classic red shade. This springtime I have very much been feeling the red-orange alternatives. Now don't be fooled, this will look very citrusy on the nails, but with just enough red to keep it from feeling unflattering, or overly vibrant. I think I makes a very sophisticated but, trendy statement that isn't difficult for anyone to pull off.

 

A True Departure- Now after the last few years mint nails are hardly breaking news but, gone are the days of pastel greens. The newer mint shades, like China Glaze's Highlight of My Summer, have a neon-esque quality that set them apart from their predecessors. This shade is for those of you in a considerably more lax place of work, but a stunning choice none the less.

 

Would you be willing to branch out this spring? What would you wear?

Clean As A Whistle Baby

Oil cleansing is, by no means, a new feature on the blog. I've been singing the praises of the DHC Cleansing Oil for nearly 2 years now. I still stand by it as a fantastic makeup remover and all around skin wash. Having said that, no one (least of all me) is immune to a little skincare curiosity. Especially when it comes in at a wallet friendly price tag.

 

After seeing Caroline and Gemma mention The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter I figured at $15 it was worth giving a try. On top of that The Body Shop is almost always running some type of promotion or another so you will likely never have to pay full price.

 

As part of the promotion I took advantage of I also picked up the Camomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover in the mini size.

 

The makeup remover reminds me quite a lot of a micellar solution type product. There is no oily residue, no eye irritation, and no makeup left on my eyes after a quick soak and sweep of this solution. I could see this being labeled as a Bioderma dupe type product. If you are the type who typically hunts down the stuff like it's hidden treasure (it is) give this 4$ baby a try. You might find that the accessibility The Body Shop offers makes this a more attractive option than it's fancy French cousin.

 

Now the star of the show. The cleansing butter has quite an oily soft, smooth, almost whipped texture to it. A bean sized amount easily covers my whole face and removes any face makeup, dirt, and oil that may have accumulated through my suit-soaked NYC daily travels. In addition the nourishment this provides has been a huge solace for my skin throughout this bitter cold winter we've been having on the east coast.

 

All in all the combination has proven effective and enjoyable. I would hesitate to assign either of these a HG status as I will almost certainly be trying something new when the time comes. Despite that, I will happily finish up my supply and I whole heartedly recommend them if you are looking to investigate oil cleansing but can't seem to find a quality cleanser at a drugstore price!

Product Breakdown Spring 2014

 

 

Want to know what I'll be wiping all over my face this season? Sure you do! Check out my product breakdown below and see if you can find some inspiration for your own springtime picks! :D

Revlon Does Lips Past, Present, and Future

Yay lipstick!

There are few products that bring me more joy in makeup than a good lipstick.

Revlon happens to be a brand that very often delivers BIG TIME when it comes to lip products at a great price. (Coupons are also your friend!) Lately they have come out with a popular product in a futuristic formula, and revisited some favorites from their past.

Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Showy and Striking--- Link! | Revlon Super Lustrous Legacy Lipstick in Jungle Peach

I have found such a workable wardrobe of spring-ready shades in some of Revlon's newest releases, starting with their new Legacy Collection.

Now I am nostalgic to a fault. I loved that Revlon as a brand went back into the vault and offered up some of their old bestsellers to a new audience. Jungle Peach is a very apt pale nude peach shade for it's initial release in 1963. I find, because I am fair, it is the perfect nude for my complexion. Its warm but not orange and lighter than my natural lip color without being the same shade as my skin. Epic. Win.

I can see this baby being on regular daily rotation.

Now for something of a more colorful nature, the new Matte Balm Sticks are 100% the way to go. They are a flat matte finish that last and stay comfortable on the lips for hours. They have a completely unique feel for a matte lip color. It's almost like they never really set, they stay creamy feeling while looking completely dried down. It may even be giving my NYX matte lippies a run for their money :o

I can't wait until other brands jump on this formula band-wagon!

:)

To Eye Cream or Not To Eye Cream

...that is the question.

Well, it is, isn't it?

I can't think of any other thing, beauty related or otherwise, that I have done so religiously without being sold on it's effectiveness. I so often find myself sampling eye creams because the thought of shelling out for something that may or may not work seems absolutely bat-shit crazy to me.

Yet here I am, dutifully patting them under my eyes every night before bed, and every morning (almost) before I apply my makeup.

L: Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado---Link! | R: Origins Gin-Zing Eye Cream---Link!

I suppose when you think of it, the concept of eye cream as a product is relatively new in relation to the ancient practice of skincare. I don't even think women my mother's age were encouraged or barraged with the need for as many products for as many regions of the face and body as we have today.

Sometimes when I'm looking at this specific kind of product I get overwhelmed by the feeling I'm being unceremoniously duped by marketing executives and their accountants mentally counting their profits as I consider my purchase. There are some days where I think I would be smarter just to let the notion go.

For the time being however, I think I will keep experimenting (through samples!) until I find something that creates any discernible result.

:)

Don't Call It A Statement Piece

I never really jumped on the statement necklace bandwagon. Bandwagon's not really being my thing aside, I refuse to give into the J. Crew trend, OR part with that much money for some gold plating and plastic put together in China...Sorry.

I have however found a few new, inexpensive, and unique pieces that have me changing my tune.

Silver Chain Choker-- Swapped For!

As I mentioned in my recent beauty purge video here, a friend of mine was having a bit of a clothing swap in preparation for the changing seasons. I generally don't hoard clothes, so my contribution is almost always accessory and beauty related. However, this year I did manage to find myself a pretty cool statement necklace amongst all of the t-shirts and never returned slightly too big jeans from H&M.

It came along in the form of an oversized chain link center with some infinity-type net chain along the sides it had just enough size to really stand out around the neck, but not so much color, texture, and size that it made my head spin. It was the first thing I spotted and it immediately went into my bag to bring home. I have been wearing this a lot with sweaters and heavier layers that stand up quite well to the size of this piece.

Crystal Pendant Necklace from the Broadway Silk Shop -- More about that HERE

Following that find was an unexpected local find from a shop I had never step foot into before. The Broadway Silk Shop in Astoria was a place I'd always passed but never shopped, until a few weekends back when I was out enjoying the unexpected 60 degree weather and sunshine.

It has such a nice selection of Etsy-esque finds for a fraction of the price. The above crystal and triangle pendant came in at just around 15$ and is a much more budget friendly way to work the raw crystal trend. (Although if you haven't seen the stuff over at BCP Jewelry yet, you are missing out!) The best part is you still get the satisfaction of supporting a small business while finding a nice affordable trinket for yourself, minus the shipping.

:)

That Springtime Sensation

With mother nature cruelly holding out on Spring for us east-coasters I have been desperately trying to duplicate a warm weather glow with my makeup.

Call it wishful makeuping.


^ Name that movie reference and I'll love you forever^

Crown Brush Stippling Brush--Link | Milani Baked Blush in Bella Rosa--Link | Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Lies--Link


This cheek pairing has really been keeping me optimistic about warm weather eventually making it's way to New York.


 The new Milani Blush in Bella Rosa is an insane pink-toned red matte blush with a pigmentation so insane it REQUIRES application with a duo fibre brush. Without it you will be forever stuck in the land of the Aunt Sally cheek.

To bring a little bit of glow to the party I've opted for the forever beautiful Illamasqua Cream Blush in the shade Lies. A Pixiwoo suggestion from WAY back that I recently resurrected from the back of my beauty closet. It imparts a very high shine glow that almost looks like gloss, or even wetness on the cheek. It creates such a glow that it looks like the light is simply bouncing off of an incredibly reflective surface, and not a highlighter. 

Hopefully continued use of this cheery little combo will make it feel a little more seasonally appropriate around here until the sun finally makes it's long overdue appearance.

;)

The Third Time's the Charm

I am in love. 

Sadly enough this is not in reference another human, or even a small, fluffy, cuddly pet.

I am in love with a shampoo.

Davines Melu Shampoo--Link!

 Back in January around my birthday I took a trip to the Upper East Side to visit a little place called Pasteur Pharmacy. Now, if you are a New Yorker who's interested in beauty, specifically of the imported and hard to find variety, Pasteur's is for you. 

It is, in grand New York City tradition, a very small, crowded space brimming with hair care, skin care, nail tools, beauty and in the very back an actual pharmacy to fill your prescriptions.

 It's heaven. 

On my third or fourth lap around the store I noticed several mismatched displays of Davines hair care products in some very affordable but generous travel friendly sizes. After having heard so much about the brand prior to this encounter I figured it was time to pick something and bring it for a test drive. 

In addition to the adorable, unique, and eco friendly packaging the Italian brand is also very ingredient driven. It combines botanicals with science for optimum results and often (but not always-- read your labels!) without some of the harsh chemicals that can be commonplace in hair products. 

The Melu range, geared towards breakage prone hair, has made quite a bit of difference for my ravaged (in desperate need of a cut) mane of hair. With spinach as a main ingredient my hair feels soft, hydrated and clean, but not too squeaky clean!

I will 100% being headed back to Pasteur's in the not too distant future to treat myself to some other Davines wears, and maybe even a bottle of Bioderma while I'm at it.

:)