One of my FAVORITE parts of Christmas is shopping for gifts for the wonderful people in my life! I love putting together gifts that are tailored to what I know they love or would appreciate. When shopping for my beauty obsessed friends this year, these were my top picks. I hope this helps you find the perfect beauty gift - or even add something to your own list! Happy Shopping!

THE most luxurious feeling brushes at an affordable price! Ulta has gift sets starting at just $19.99! 

Sephora always has crazy good gift sets - I received this exact gift last year from my fiance and enjoyed every last drop(just finished up the hair serum yesterday) - it was a great way to try Josie Maran products, and maintain hydrated through the drying winter days! 

Matte makeup is a pretty big trend right now - thanks in large part to Kylie Jenner. Help your friend achieve the look with the Naturally Pretty Palettes by IT Cosmetics! I was able to swatch these in stores just the other day and oh-em-geeee they are buttery soft, pigmented, and to die for! Plus the colors are neutral - you can't go wrong with them! I added this palette to my own list!

Fragrance can make a very nice holiday gift, but it is also very personal. I love this set of 14 deluxe samples of Sephoras's best selling fragrances, because it comes with a certificate that allows you to choose your favorite and trade it in for a full size bottle!

GLAMGLOW face masks are amazing..... and quite pricey! This is an incredible deal because it comes with three for the price of one. I can confidently say that your beauty obsessed friend already has this on her list

Face oils are still pretty popular, and there are so many to choose from- I recommend Maracuja oil to anyone who is willing to listen- I am obsessed with it! This cute mini gift set allows you to try the skin brightening oil (lasts forever), the eye cream, and a cheek-stain! Beauty obsessed or not your loved ones will thank you for this!

THE brow game tool from the brow queen - enough said.

NARS did it again with this creamy and pigmented line of lipsticks named after woman (Pictured:Charlotte). If you are willing to splurge a little it is a perfect stocking stuffer!

I don't know any girl that loves beauty that would not love a gift card to Sephora or Ulta!This is a simple go-to present that is sure to be enjoyed!

Thank you so much for reading, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Fall Staples

Hi guys! Sorry I have been neglecting the blog a bit! Life has been hectic lately with too many Dr. appointments and a new quarter began for me in school! But now that my first big assignment is out of the way, and Aaron is napping, I have some time to blog!

Anyways, it has just started to cool down in sunny California! Barely - but STILL! On the very first cloudy and rainy day we had, I predictably reached for my MAC Rebel lipstick. This got me thinking about the fact that every fall I reach for some staple beauty and fashion items, and I thought I would share :)

OPI Lincoln Park After Dark 

I have purchased about 3 bottles of this cult favorite nail polish over the last 7 years. Yes, 7 years - I feel old. Anyways this gorgeous almost black, purple creme polish works for any occasion, any skin tone, and looks great with the dark lips trend this fall season!

MAC Rebel & NARS Ingrid

   

These have not been a staple as long as some of the other products I am mentioning, because I just got the courage to rock dark lips last fall. BUT once I did, I could not get enough of MAC's berry colored lipstick in Rebel. This year NARS released the Audacious Lipstick line, and Ingrid is becoming a fast favorite! Although they look similar in the tube and both have a satin finish, Ingrid is more of a burgundy color and slightly darker. I like that both of these can be sheared out, or built up!

Fashion Staples 

In the fall I tend to live in a variation of any of the following pieces:

Black Leggings - I try to invest in a few nice thick pair of leggings (maybe stuck from my college days). They are oh so comfortable and can be dressed up or down!

PLAID & STRIPES - Plaid is a no brainer for the fall season, it just screams fall to me. Cliche'? Maybe! And stripes, I just love stripes, especially in a comfy loose fitting t shirt, with dark jeans, camel colored boots, a cardigan, and  red lipstick!

Boots - I have boots in just about every color, but my ultimate favorite boot color is camel. This year I picked up some camel colored  booties like the ones pictured above at Target for a very reasonable price and I can not wait to wear them!

Scarves - are my thang! I love them. I feel like they make the outfit. My favorite type of scarf  for the last couple of years has been infinity style scarves. We will see how I manage to wear scarves now that I have a little guy tugging and pulling at me!

&

Starbuck's - There is something about that Red cup that gets me every year. It just screams fall, cozy, warm, holidays! My favorite fall/holiday drink is the Skinny Peppermint Mocha Latte, and although they have the Soy Chai Latte all year long, I really only order it during the fall season. 

Thanks again for reading! & Let me know what your fall staples are - I would love to try some new things!

When I first started my obsession with all things beauty, MAC Cosmetics was EVERYTHING. I still remember when I purchased my very first higher end eye-shadow: All that Glitters. There is something about having a lot of makeup set out in front of me, for me to swatch and play with, that makes me all giddy inside- so I was hooked from there! I began to slowly build my collection buying an eye-shadow, or lipstick, here and there. Soon I was  researching limited edition collections, visiting Cosmetic Counter Outlets in search of past limited edition items, and depoting my eye-shadow pots to create my all time favorite neutral palette. Needless to say, this palette was/is my pride and joy. Even now that I have ventured into other makeup brands like NARS, Benefit, Tarte etc., MAC eye-shadows are still one of my favorites, and this palette remains my most reached for. If you are anything like me, curious {cough nosy cough}, I like to see what other people use, so I figured I would show you what is in my MAC Palette! 

Top recommendations:

Woodwinked - My all time favorite eye-shadow is Wood-winked. It looks amazing on everyone, to the point that I have actually stopped someone in the street to ask what was on their lids and they answered woodwinked. I love that I can just slap it on all over my lid, and look like I actually tried. I always tend to reach for this shadow for special occasions no matter what time of year it is. Do yourself a favor and pick one up!

Grain - Have you heard of the your lid but better? That is exactly what this shadow is! Whenever I have the opportunity to do bridal makeup, I always reach for this because it has a very pretty natural sheen to it, minus any glitter or shimmer that can be aging.

Soft Brown - I absolutely love this color for blending out shadows in the crease, it adds warmth and allows for a very nice transition.

All that Glitters - It is a cult favorite for a reason! This pretty shimmery champagne pink  is a must have in everyone's collection!

What are your favorite MAC shadows?

Drugstore Dupes

So... I have a confession to make... I am a bit of a dupe snob. I rarely can truly say that a drugstore product is an exact dupe for a high-end one. If they were than there wouldn't be much of a luxury beauty item market! Although the color may be spot on, quality is usually compromised. That's not to say I don't use drugstore products. I LOVE Revlon, Covergirl, L'oreal, Wet n Wild, and NYX, and a good majority of my collection is from the drugstore. BUT I am just really picky about calling a product a dupe, they have to be nearly identical - if not better! That is why I get really excited when I do find products that I can call dupes! I mean, come on let's be honest, who doesn't like to save money?? Below are three of my favorite (holy grail) products that happen to be dupes!
                             

I purchased the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge (left/orange) one day after hearing one of my favorite YouTubers Michele1218 rave about it, and call it a dupe for the Beauty Blender. At the time there was no way I was going to spend $20 on a sponge - I mean it's a sponge. But I was curious to try the much cheaper alternative, so I ordered it and was BLOWN AWAY. It applies make- up flawlessly, sheers out heavy concealer, and makes everything look natural and seamless. It became the only way I apply foundation and concealer. I ended up losing it one day and figured I would shell out the cash for the Beauty Blender. I was so excited to try the "real deal". Sadly I was disappointed. The Real Techniques sponge is softer, and the flat side allows for better application of foundation, meanwhile the Beauty Blender requires a lot of soaking and wringing out of water before it reaches its full size, and gives me a less natural look. The Real Techniques is not only a dupe, it takes the cake!

Both the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation and the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup are great day to day foundations that give sheer to medium coverage, and leave the skin looking dewy, healthy and glowing - right up my alley! Although the NARS is a bit thicker with higher coverage, I am able to achieve the same look with both and get tons of compliments whenever I wear either of them! Another difference between the two is that the Neutrogena foundation contains SPF 20 and the NARS foundation doesn't. The lack of SPF in the NARS foundation can be good for events where a lot of flash photogaphy will be taken, but since I don't particularly frequent any such events... I prefer to protect my skin on a day to day basis - and save money honey!

I won't ramble on and on here,  I will just say that the Mary Kay Shy Blush is the exact same color as the peachy-pink, gold accented, cult favorite NARS Orgasm blush, AND it has high staying power at one third of the price ...it does have a somewhat more modest name, whether that is a pro or con is up to you ;) 

I wanted to throw in this last drugstore highlighter because I have not been able to find a high-end dupe for it! The ELF Golden Bronzer is an amazing multiple use product! It is a very subtle and natural highlight on the cheekbones, a perfect bronze eye shadow quad, the lightest shade serves as a great inner eye corner brightener, and sometimes I just swirl a fluffy blending brush in it and slap it on all over my eyelids for a glowy, wide awake effect! At just three dollars a pop - you can't go wrong!

I am curious... what are your drugstore dupes/ favorites? Thank you for reading, and don't forget to follow my blog! 

XOXO,

                   

  

90's Inspired #FOTD

I rocked the brown lips in middle-school (or so I thought) and tried to erase those images from my memory.... until now because the 90s are back baby!!! The hair, the "cholaesque" vibe, the grunge fashion, matte skin, and yes the BROWN lips! I started wearing makeup in the 90s, so this is right up my ally - I feel old now. Now I don't claim to be a makeup artist, but here is my spin on an updated 90s makeup inspired FOTD, and I personally love it! Matte skin, unkempt brows, thick winged liner, and imperfect application of warm toned shadows... it's super easy!

FACE- Primer - Smashbox Photo Finish Oil Free Primer, Neutrogena nourishing Long Wear makeup (MAC PRO Longwear dupe!) and MAC PRO Longwear Concealer (under-eyes) ...all applied with the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

CHEEKS - NARS Madly Blush (I applied it as I would a bronzer- on the cheeks, cheekbones, and temples)

EYES- MAC Blanc Type on lid, and Soft Brown on crease with a smidge of Espresso ... all applied with a fluffy blending brush. L'oreal Paris Lineur Intense in Carbon Black, CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara

LIPS- NYX lip liner in Coffee, and MAC lipstick in Velvet Teddy (a must-have for this trend!)

EYEBROWS - Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Soft Brown

Thank you for reading!

XOXO