The Perfect Wintery Nude

It's always so difficult to find the perfect nude polish that fits your skin tone - some are too dark, some are too orange, some are too....well, you get the picture. I also feel that nude nail polishes will change based on the season. I needed to paint my nails a nude color and I found the perfect icy nude color for the cold winter months. Layering my polishes is something that I do frequently and that is how I found this color. 

I first took the nailpolish from Forever 21 called Taupe (which is only $2.80 by the way!) and put one coat on each nail.

Next I pained a thin coat of Essie's Tea and Crumpets over the polish and finished it off with a base coat (I use one by Revlon).

Putting these two colors together gives your nails a lighter nude with an icy shimmer that is perfect for winter. I also feel that this would look really good with a matte top coat (I'll have to give it a try next time!)

Short blog, I know, but I was just experimenting with my nail polishes and figured I'd share with you!

What are your favorite nude polishes??

Simple Skin Saving Tip!

Ever notice your skin start breaking out or your pores getting more clogged than usual? Try a simple fix and CLEAN YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES! I can't stress this enough. I know plenty of girls that have NEVER washed their makeup brushes. Think about it - your face is very delicate and you don't want excess bacteria harming your face. Makeup brushes, if not washed regularly, can hold pools of bacteria. When you think about it, it's pretty gross that you're rubbing your face with those dirty things! Follow these simple steps to get clean brushes to save your beautiful face :)

Washing your brushes is quite simple. All you need is a mild shampoo and some water (I usually use a drug store shampoo I can find on sale -- I am currently using Aussie's Volume Shampoo). A shampoo is also good for brushes because you wash your hair with shampoo, brushes have hair...you get the picture!

All I do is put some shampoo and water into my hand and rub my brush in it, rinse it out, and repeat until the water runs clear (definitely not rocket science)!

IMPORTANT TIP: Hold your brushes downward. If you let water into the brush handle, it can loosen the glues holding the brush hairs into the brush, thus ruining your brush.

The ideal amount to wash your brushes is every week, but every two weeks will do too. Just don't forget to wash those babies!!!

Ho-Ho-Holiday time!

I'm back everyone! I'm so sorry for not writing in a while but I had a lot going on. So in light of the holidays I decided to write a fun blog about some of my favorite holiday 'things.' Some are beauty products, some are fashion, and some are random. Comment below of some of your favorite holiday products that I should try, as well!

I believe that the holidays is a time to wear glitter - it goes well with Christmas as well as new years! I love putting this NYX Crystal Glitter Liner on either my top or bottom lash line for an extra sparkle. My favorite is in the color Crystal Silk.

In the winter, my face gets very dry and dull. One product that really helps liven your face up is a good highlight. My favorite for winter is Lola's Treat'n'Glo Skin Perfecting Highlighter/Blush Duo (FYI: I don't use the blush -- just the highlight!) in Get Cheeky. I like this highlight because it is more of an ivory shade which works well with lighter skin (let's face it -- we get paler in the winter).

Another product that would be perfect for brightening up your face in the winter is L'Oreal's True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup. This foundation perfect to make your skin glow! (I wouldn't recommend this for oily skin though!!)

Whether your hair is damaged or not, it always looks a little duller in the winter. My favorite way to get shiny hair is to make a hair mask out of pure coconut oil! Just heat it up in the microwave for a few seconds, spread it on the ends of your hair (you can put it on the top of your head if you don't have oily hair) and leave it on for about 30 minutes. Wash it out and, there you go, beautiful shiny hair!

FUR FUR FUR! I love fur (mostly faux fur!) I think fur can make any outfit look glamorous while staying warm. Fur jackets for the winter are my favorite. This one is actually the exact one I have by Juicy Couture. I also love H&M's fur vests - they're so easy to style and are super inexpensive!

What girl doesn't love party dresses? Short, frilly, and girly! During the holiday season, you can get away with wearing all sorts of party dresses. I first saw this dress (from Forever 21) in stores a few weeks ago and instantly fell in love!

Another holiday favorite of mine, which probably isn't a surprise to you, is the Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks. Nothing hits the spot like a little warm chocolate and peppermint :)

And last, but certainly not least, I can't forget the Christmas movies! During this time of year I am constantly watching Christmas movies. Let me know your favorites in the comments!!

Bronzed and healthy!

I know I know, I've been slacking on my posts! I'm so so sorry but I've been so busy with moving, work, and the holidays, but I figured I could get a quick post up tonight!

I can honestly say that I do not go to tanning beds. The number one reason is I don't want to get skin cancer. If I can prevent an extremely common cancer, I will do it! However, there are many more reasons why I don't tan. For example, I don't want to completely ruin my skin. I don't want to look like leather when I'm older and I don't want early skin aging. As I have gotten older I have really started to take great care of my skin and try to preserve it as long as I can. I don't want wrinkles when I'm older, and tanning beds are a huge cause to premature wrinkles. I'm not trying to offend anyone (the majority of my friends go to tanning beds) but I don't understand how people can risk their lives and their skin health for a tan.

Now let me just say, I love being tan - I hate being pale. It just doesn't look good on me. So, I found a safe and healthy way to get a bronzed glow year round! It's called a SELF TANNER. And I found the perfect one that won't make you orange, splotchy and is easy to apply.

My all time favorite self tanner is Fake Bake Flawless. This self tanning kit comes with the actual tanning product, two latex gloves, and a mitt for easy application.

How to Use:

1. While you shower, shave your legs and exfoliate every part of your body that you are going to self tan.

2. After you shower, make sure you're completely dry.

3. Put on the latex gloves and mitt. Spray the self tanner on one part of your body at a time (ex. one arm at a time, one leg at a time, etc).

4. Rub the self tanner on evenly with the mitt (brown side down).

I recommend tanning at night before bed. This allows the self tanner to set and for the color to progressively get deeper. Also, avoid sweating or getting wet for 8-12 hours after you tan. In the morning, you can shower, wash your face, work out as you normally would. I would also recommend moisturizing your body when you wake up (this will make the tan last longer).

You can buy this self tanner on Amazon for around $12. I believe you can also buy it at Ulta, but for a little more money.

Dressing for the Turkey

My family's Thanksgiving is normally pretty casual, however, I still like to look nice (it is a holiday, after all!) So what's better than a comfy skater dress, some tights and booties to throw on? Here's something that I would wear for my family's Thanksgiving - it's very easy (and it can hide your stomach after pigging out!) Let me know what you're going wear on Thanksgiving in the comments!

Dress: TopShop

Tights: ModCloth

Booties: Aldo

Purse: Rebecca Minkoff (Mini M.A.C.)

Necklace: Bauble Bar

Owl Bracelet: Amrita Singh

Products I Regret Buying

So I always tell you about products I love and I use all the time, but I wanted to share with you products that I regret buying. I know this isn't as interesting as some other posts, but hopefully this can help stop you from buying these products and help save your money.

The first product I regret buying is the Say Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes. I bought these because they look like they would be soothing and gentle on my face and I heard they work very well at taking your makeup off. These don't take off your makeup AT ALL. They take off some of your makeup but leave the majority on your skin. These towelettes also have a strange smell and dry out extremely fast. Overall, not a good purchase.

                   

The next products on my regrets list are two primers. The first primer is Lumene's Sensitive Touch Arctic Aqua Moisture Booster. This product is supposed to moisturize your skin, decrease fine lines, as well as serve as a makeup base. The only thing this Booster does is make your skin super greasy and your hands super sticky. I don't even think this helps your makeup stay on. Stay clear of this product!

The other primer I regret buying is L'Oreal's Magic Perfecting Base. This base is very thick and you have to use A LOT to even cover your whole face. It also makes your face more of a sticky base for makeup rather than a silky smooth base. Not worth it!

I have a very oily face, so I'm constantly on the lookout for an oil-free foundation that keeps my face matte all day. I heard great things about Paula Dorf's Oil-Free Foundation, however I was greatly mistaken. Only about an hour after I apply this foundation my skin gets super oily and it feels like my face is melting off. Moreover, this foundation feels a little chunky in a way. It's definitely not a smooth texture that you would expect from a foundation (especially a higher end foundation!). I love a lot of Paula Dorf products, but if you have oily skin, this product is NOT for you!

As you all probably know by now, I'm in love with mascara and big beautiful voluminous lashes! I decided to try Dior's Diorshow mascara, and let me say, I was incredibly disappointed. This formula is extremely dry and flaky. I feel that after a short amount of time it starts flaking off my eyelashes as well. It doesn't volumize or lengthen your eyelashes, only makes them flakey and dry. Needless to say, this product was a big letdown.

Shrink those pores!

I don't know about you, but I have HUGE pores around my t-zone! Giant, icky, visible pores. There are three products that I use, however, to shrink my pores (or at least the appearance of them).

This first tool may look scary but it is an absolute LIFESAVER. This is actually just a blackhead tool that you can find at any drugstore or Ulta. First take a warm wet washcloth and lay it over your face (warm water opens up your pores). Then take this tool and press it over your pores to completely clean them out and get all of the old makeup and gunk out of them. Yes, it is uncomfortable and yes, it does make your face puffy and red for an hour or two but it is so worth it!

After I use the semi-frightening blackhead tool, I take this Queen Helene Mint Julep Face Masque. This masque is a green clay substance and reminds me of the face mask the girls in Grease use! It helps clear up acne, tightens your skin, and shrinks your pores. Not to mention, I love the minty smell! You can also use this masque as an overnight spot treatment!

My last and, might I add, favorite pore shrinking product is Benefit's Porefessional primer. I just take a small dab of this after I use my regular primer and apply it to my t-zone where my pores are the largest. Your pores will instantly look smaller prior to your makeup application!

Any good pore minimizing products that you use?? Leave them in the comments!

Feminine & Feathered

I'm absolutely loving pairing a glamorous skirt with a plain and simple sweater. I found this feathered skirt at TopShop and I instantly fell in love. By adding a pair of heels and some jewelry, this outfit can be instantly dressy. Here's how I would style this TopShop skirt if I were going out on the town, date night, or just going to dinner with the girls!

Skirt: TopShop

Sweater: H&M

Booties: Boohoo.com

Necklace: White House | Black Market

Clutch: Nila Anthony

Nailpolish: Essie's Ballet Slippers

How would you style this skirt??

Expert Face Brush

Having a good foundation brush is crucial! You want your makeup to look flawless and natural - not caked on. I have tried countless brushes to apply my foundation - even my fingers! I have used kabuki brushes, stippling brushes, foundation brushes, you name it. I've liked most of them but I haven't found one I LOVED until....

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

This brush gives you the most flawless and airbrushed face. The way I use it is by first stippling the product onto your face. Stippling helps distribute the product evenly and also getting the product into your skin so it doesn't look cakey. I try to do this almost to the point that the foundation looks perfectly blended. After that I buff it into my skin with small gentle circles all over my face.

This Expert Face Brush is so easy to work with and works amazingly with liquid concealer and foundation. It also is small enough to fit under your eyes and in small spaces on your face (like the sides of your nose) to smooth out any creasing from your foundation or concealer.

The only downside to this brush is it requires more washing than normal brushes (or else your foundation could start to look streaky). Other than that, this brush is by far the best brush I have found to apply foundation! Give it a try - it's super inexpensive (I think I got mine around $8 at Ulta) and is an amazing quality!

This is one of the only brushes I have tried by Real Techniques but am wanting to try more. If you have any suggestions leave a comment below!

Liebster Award!

First of all, much thanks goes to Aliki (alikih.blogspot.com) for tagging me in the Liebster Award! It was so much fun to do and I hope the others enjoy doing it too!

RULES:

-Put 11 random facts about yourself

-Answer 11 questions from the blogger that tagged you

-Create a new set of questions for those you tag

-Tag bloggers with under 200 followers

RANDOM FACTS: 

1.  I am deathly afraid of straw wrappers (the paper ones)

2.  I have a coffee addiction (can you tell by the name of my blog?) If I don’t have it in the morning I’ll get a headache for the rest of the day. And I drink it black!

3. I’m a little OCD and I have to make to-do lists for things I have to do everyday

4.  If I could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, it would be Audrey Hepburn (or Donkey from Shrek)

5.  I have a sick obsession with watching beauty gurus on YouTube (I could be on there allllllllll day)

6. I’m related to the mom in Boy Meets World (don’t know how exactly but I am!)

7. My favorite store is TopShop, although I don’t have much from there

8. I love Julius Peppers (Da Bears!)

9. My car is named Bruce (after Bruce Jenner)

10. Scratching your nails on bed sheets is the worst possible sound to me – I’ll freak out if I hear it

11. I  spent entirely way too long thinking of these random facts

11 QUESTIONS: 

1. Before you found out where babies really came from, where did your younger self think they came from?

            I honestly can’t remember – maybe a stork??

           

2. Would you ever date a best friend's sibling?

            I don’t think I could – it would be wayyy too weird

3. Whats your favorite city and why?

A tie between NYC and Chicago – NYC speaks for itself and Chicago is like a smaller version of NYC, plus it’s home :)

4. When was the first time you smoked a cigarette (if ever)?

Sometime in high school. It was the worst tasting thing I’ve ever tried and will never do it again!

5. Who are you closest to in your family and why?

Definitely my mom. We’re both goofy and crazy and weird. She’s my best friend

6. Whats your favorite color and why?

Black because it’s always in style, it looks good on everyone and goes with everything

7. What country would you move to if you could?

            I would move to the UK so I can hear some cool accents!

8. What do you think is the right age for someone to lose their virginity and why?

I don’t think there is a right age. When the time is right, then the time is right. I believe you should be old enough to be prepared, though.

9. Do you believe in Ghosts? Why or Why not?

I do believe in ghosts. I’ve heard too many strange stories not to believe in them. They still scare me though

10. If you could say one thing to someone you care about, what would it be?

            That I love them :)

11. Some people say technology is taking over the world. Children in modern times are less active than ever, but we also have a more convenient life with the help of gadgets such as iPhones and modern medicine. So, do you think advancements in technology is a good thing?

I think it is a good thing (and it would be near impossible to take away these advancements anyways). So I think that parents should limit their children to technology to make sure they’re getting enough exercise

NEW QUESTIONS:
1. What is the one thing you never leave the house without?
2. If you could meet anyone, alive or dead, who would it be?
3. What is the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you?
4. Snacks: Sweet or salty?
5. Who is your favorite celebrity and why?
6. What is the first thing you would do if you won $1 million?
7. What is the last song played on your iPod?
8. How did you come up with the name of your blog?
9. If you had to eat only one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
10. Sultry eyes or bold lips?
11. Your house is on fire (and every person/pet is safe)– what’s the one material thing you save?

BLOGGERS I TAG:

http://prettysquared.blogspot.com/

http://girlinalbion.blogspot.com

http://dashofglamm.blogspot.com

http://perfect-red-lipstick.blogspot.com

http://badhairdayblo.blogspot.com

http://julydescerises.blogspot.com

http://keezandmakeup.blogspot.com

Got Fringe?

Fringe has been an ongoing trend for a few years now. You usually think of fringe as a summer music festival trend. However, it is making it’s appearance in more and more cold weather outfits. Fringe is a fun way to spice up an outfit by adding it to a simple purse, boot, or jacket. Here are some of my favorite fringed pieces this season!

1. Colin Stuart

2. Minnetonka

3. H&M

4. Urban Outfitters

5. Mango