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.

:)

The New Matte

There is no denying at this point that, by and large, Revlon does some of the best lip products at the drugstore. Lately though, I feel like I have been very underwhelmed by my budget lip buys... until now.

 

The new Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm are a lovely addition to my matte lip color obsession. The color selection, while very nice, is not exceptionally unique save for (in my opinion) the two colors shown above. ( T: Shameless B: Sultry) 

 

Shameless is a stunning cool purple berry shade that is a lovely, colorful take on a winter vampy lip. Sultry is the far more popular (read: wearable) shade that, swatched, looks like a "your lips but better" color but, in reality, is a soft muted berry tone that is a great daytime alternative to Shameless. You know, if you believe in that sort of thing.

 

A note on the formula here: It could very well be the best matte formula I've tried from a conventional drugstore. I've enjoyed Revlon's matte's in the past but this one is more in line with the bITE beauty and NYX matte lip colors that I love so much. It applies creamily, is light as a feather, and lasts for ages. It also comes equipped with a sweet mint smell that I find to be a lovely addition, although I know scented lip products can be a bit polarizing.

 

As far as the lacquer balms go, I gave them a pass for the time being. They just have SO MUCH shimmer in them and I am not feeling the glossier lip now that the cooler months have set in. Matte is just so much more low maintenance.

 

Have you guys tried these yet? Or have you found anything new at the drugstore lately?

 

Off the Cuff

So it begins. The seemingly sooner and never-ending holiday gift set parade. Don't get me wrong, value sets are my very best beauty friend, but guys we are barely into the double digits for October.

Rant Over.

Now I'm going to profess my love for the new, holiday gift edition, Tarte "Off the Cuff" Amazonian Clay Blush Palette. (Ugh! That name.)

 It gets its name from the little leather cuff with a gold bow charm that it comes packaged with.
I have already passed that on to a more loving home. I don't really do bows.

From Left to Right we have Crave, Dazzled, Darling, Dollface, and the Park Avenue Princess Bronzer. For those of you who missed out on NARS' Danmari palette (and are maybe looking for an alternative to the Nars x Guy Bourdain One Night Stand Palette) I think this is an excellent alternative. I would even go as far to say the Tarte formula is superior (blastphemy! I know) to the NARS. They are silky smooth, intensely pigmented, and while I've not tested the 12 hour claim they easily make it through my workday.

I personally also love the inclusion of a bronzer in the palette because it makes it easier for someone who's not too keen on the sunkissed look (like me) to mix it with the blush shades to manipulate their saturation and warmth.

 I am not, however, saying I won't get the NARS when it's released. Ooops.

Late to the Party

I think the reason I love the Fall so much is because you get a break in the weather (goodbye humidity and 100 degree days, I will not miss you) but you still get to keep all of the perceived "warmth" of summer. If anything the leaves and the sweaters just give me the fuzziest feelings that no summer can replicate.

If there is any product I've found that encapsulates that feeling (because that's normal...) it's the Kevin Aucoin Creamy Glow in Tansoliel.

 As you can see I couldn't wait to dip into this baby. It was a Hautelook purchase and it creates the most beautiful wash of warm, fresh, glowing color on the cheeks. If you are looking for a flattering easy to use quality cream blush I would wholeheartedly encourage you check out the Kevin Aucoin formula. Lovely.