Tuesday Tip: Amazing Aveeno

I love trips to Ulta because it is such a one stop shop! On Saturday (thanks to a giftcard from a friend) I spent some time in Ulta finding great new products, and purchasing some old favorites to replace what has been used up. I stocked up on my favorite eye makeup remover (one for my kit and one for me), Neutrogena. I bought one of the fabulous Essie fall shades I recently blogged about...the color is a great rust called Very Structured. Of course the amount of nail polishing I do requires Nail polish remover. Then I was off to moisturizers since my Kiel's is about to run dry and I wanted a quick fix. I found myself in front of Aveeno, partially because I have another friend who I did makeup with in California who swears by it and because it was buy one get the second half off. So, for around 20 some dollars I got their positively radiant daily moisturizer (with SPF 15- a must!), and also smart essentials nighttime moisturizer. The daytime moisturizer is user friendly with a pump, goes on smooth and feels lightweight...it also has the faintest smell of sunscreen, which reminds me of the beach so I'm loving it. The nighttime moisturizer feels rich on my skin and I woke up still feeling moisturized, it has a light almost floral smell (I'm not a floral scent person and it doesn't bug me).

I couldn't be happier with my new products and the fact that I found great deals, had a $3.50 off coupon and got a free pack of 200 cotton squares since I'm in their rewards program....thanks Ulta!!

Tuesday Tip: Know About Nars

I'm not only a fan of Nars because of their amazing color range, but also the fact that their colors are pigmented....that's right, when you put on their eyeshadow or blush you actually see the color without having to use a ton of product! They have great new colors for the fall including a new duo eyeshadow with plum and a dusty rose. Also check out their nail colors, or look for something similar at your local drug store...we are talking chocolate, plum, gray and taupe for fall....I LOVE it! The colors make me think of an argyle sweater, which is oh so fall!

Tuesday Tip: Nice Nails

How does Essie always draw me in with each new color collection?! I am adoring their new fall collection with colors that really represent fall....muted tones, a rust color, charcoal, and of course a deep dark plum. These colors are retro and fall at the same time, be sure to get one or find something similar at your local drug store!




Photo from www.enailsupply.com

Tuesday Tip: Nails

I'm all about painting my nails fun colors during the summer. Usually I sport my OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or anything that resembles it, but during the summer I branch out. Here are some fun finds for nails:

Crackle Nail Polish by OPI:



Essie's summer collection including bright oranges, pinks and reds...all with fun names like the one below, Braziliant:



Also, I'm loving all the different takes on the basic french manicure...use colors other than just neutral and white. Use bright colors, or have black on your tips to look trendy rather than white.

It's the summer, so treat yourself to a mani or pedi and try something new!

I Left My Heart In New York

I love the energy of big cities...I especially love New York City. I love the fast pace, the fact that people are going places and getting there quickly. I love the style, the fact that you see anything and everything when you are walking the streets, shopping, or dining out. I love the inspiration I gain every time I go there. Inspiration from the city, the people, the arts and the places. I'm always on a high for weeks after visiting, that is of course after the brief low I experience from having to leave the fabulous Big Apple. Each time I visit I fall in love with the city more, and each time I leave it's harder to do that the last time. I was there during their most recent big snow with 19 inches in Central Park. Even though schools shut down for a day (which never happens there) that didn't stop me from exploring the city and having the time of my life...I will have a series of blog posts highlighting different parts of my trip to New York City, the most recent love of my life. And of course, there will be makeup tips intertwined!



Broadway




I absolutely love musicals...I've seen everything from classics to comedies to rock opera, which is how the most recent show I saw this time around is classified. American Idiot is a musical set to Green Day music, which I feel like anyone in my age range can relate to. I loved the look of the makeup...very punk. It made me want to paint my nails black (which they normally are) and smudge the eyeliner under my eyes...in a major way! To brighten the grunge look there were bright pops of color mixed into the eye makeup and lipstick and wardrobe. The girls' hair had volume rather than being flat. One of the highlights of the show was the fact that the lead singer of Green Day played one of the characters and led the closing song, Good Riddance along with the rest of the cast strumming guitars and harmonizing. This was definitely a dark musical with a realistic ending rather than a happily ever after ending...but it left me wanting more!



To get a smudged look on your eyes use a black pencil liner to line your upper and lower lashline, then smudge with a q-tip. Also line your inner rim for a dramatic effect. To soften the look of smudged black eyeliner use a plum eyeshadow on your outer lower corners.



For dark nails go for my all time favorite OPI Lincoln Park After Dark. It's a dark plum that leaves people giving your nails a second look...from afar they may look black but up close its actually plum. The best look with dark polish is short nails.



For voluminous hair use my favorite hairspray (thanks to one of my Orange County friends introducing me to it) Kenra Volume Spray. This works great to lift your roots.



More to come on my New York Adventures....just look for the title "I Left My Heart In New York!"

Tuesday Tip: Be Bold

For fall this year do something bold with your look. Whether it's dark nail polish, bold red lips, a gel or liquid liner or a new hair color and style. Do something different, for the season or just for a day...new season new look!

I loved Rhianna's red lips and subtle shimmer with liquid liner on her eyes at the VMA's this year!



Demi Moore sporting short, dark nails and fabulous dark hair.

Five Fall Favorites

I love fall...the weather cools down, fashions change and new makeup trends and products emerge. Here are five things I'm loving about fall right now!

1. Essie's fall nail polish collection. They have a wide variety of colors from soft pastels to bold dark shades like my personal favorite- Little Brown Dress. For those of you that are obsessed with dark nail polish like me, it will be love at first sight!



2. Bobbi Brown's Denim and Rose Collection. It's fall, so what's better than a great pair of jeans and a new shadow and liner to match? The lipstick colors are also rocking in this collection, they're dark but sheer so they aren't overwhelming.



3. The fact that Loreal's Telescopic Mascara now comes in waterproof! This may not be new for fall, but it was new to me last week when I discovered it at Ulta! I'm loving the definition and control the mascara wand allows me to have, the only drawback is it takes a little extra time to apply, which isn't always an option before work in the morning! I may just stick to my all time favorite, Loreal Voluminous.



4. I am loving that my Elle September edition is an inch thick, full of fashion, makeup ads and information...it will take me all fall to read it, so fun!



5. Maybelline's new gel liner. This gel liner goes for about $7 verses Bobbi Brown and MAC's price of about $20, and it comes with a brush. I purchased this product last week at my local grocery store and I'm loving it! It is just as great of quality as MAC or Bobbi Brown. I am loving the eggplant shade, and it really does stay on all day!

Tuesday Tip: Find a Terrific Top Coat

I love painting my nails and use all different brands of nail polish because I have found that even the cheap nail polishes stay in place with the right top coat. So, while I'm a fan of OPI and Essie I'm also a fan of NYC and Wet N Wild. My favorite top coat is Sally Hansen Insta-Dri-Anti-Chip Top Coat. It actually makes my nail polish last, and it dries in 30 seconds...even better!

You can find it in your local Ulta, Walmart, or Target, or here on Amazon.