What I've Been Up To/Loving

Recently I have been watching a lot of beauty and hair videos on Youtube, which I really have never done before. I have friends who live by watching tutorials in order to learn a new technique of how to apply a certain make up look or master new tools and I always just got by with doing my own thing...that is until now.
Right off the bat, I need to share that I've been watching mostly British vloggers, there's something very comforting about listening to them speak that makes me want to pay attention. My favorite videos are those that show new products, especially ones that I haven't heard of. I must warn you, it has made my wish list grow immensely long and of course the products shown are all big name brands and cannot be found for cheap.
One product that a lot of vloggers and beauty lovers in general have been talking about is the Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate. A lot of big words, I know, but this serum really does big things. This product helps to fight signs of aging and keeps out harmful toxins in the air from getting into your skin, all while making it super soft and glowy. With the runways showing dewy skin as the "must have" canvas for spring, Shiseido can help us get there without having our own backstage makeup artist. For a little bit more on the concentrate, it is formulated to "Restore skin’s powers to resist, protect, regenerate, and strengthen, leaving skin smooth and deeply nourished." It can be found at Sephora, Birchbox and other beauty retailers.

Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate $65 for 30mL

Some other things that I haven't tried yet, but I have my eye on are:

MAC Lip Pencil in "Soar" $16
Apparently this is what Kylie Jenner uses to get her unreal lips to look the way that they do.

bareSkin Perfecting Brush $28
bareMinerals recently came out with liquid foundation and this brush to accompany it. What's unique about this brush in particular is the circular opening amongst the bristles where you place a drop of foundation and then the application process is seamless.

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Lightscapade $32 available at Macy's
For a subtle glow and an added polished look, this light highlighter can be applied all over or on typical highlight spots, but this seems to be less sparkly and have more of a natural glimmer.

Fresh Glow in Nude Radiance $48

I'm on the look out for a really good foundation. I'm currently mixing MAC's Strobe Cream Hydrant (it is hydrating and has some sheen to it) with Clinique's Moisture Sheer Tint in Neutral to achieve a somewhat dewy base, but I am sure there is a better product to get me that look. I had bought and then returned (because I felt guilty) Burberry's Fresh Glow Fluid in Nude Radiance. It sounds exactly like what I want and when I did test it, it had a very nice glimmer to it, so I think I've made up my mind that my next purchase will be that.

Vamp up Your Look

Here I am on a night out in London
wearing my signature shade.

Anyone who knows me knows that I try many different makeup looks. I will try anything once and see how I like it. Last year, while I was studying in London, I got hooked on dark color lipsticks. I was never really a lipstick wearer until I realized just how a certain lip color can complete a whole look. While in Boots (a pharmacy that also has a stellar beauty assortment in the UK) I found a rich burgundy color (Revlon Super Lustrous Créme 477-Black Cherry) that became a staple in my makeup palette. As you can see in the picture to the left, this particular lipstick has a sheen to it and as the name suggests, it has a creamy consistency.

Much to my delight, dark lip colors are in again this season. Currently I am lusting over Burberry's Oxblood. Not only is it a beautiful color, but my dear Cara Delevingne rocks it, too! This particular shade leaves lips with a matte finish for all day wear, certain to vamp up any look. Some people are hesitant to try such a color because of how dark it is, but my motto is just go for it and chances are, everyone is going to be envying your confidence! The other amazing thing about untraditional lipstick shades is that you can be wearing the most simple tshirt and jeans and yet you are still making a statement!

Although this color seems like it is a nighttime color, I think that it is perfect for any time. As I said before, it can really dress up a casual look. This color looks particularly great with a denim button down because of the contrasting between the cool and warm hues of the blue jean and the red undertones of the oxblood. If you are still iffy about trying this color, you should really just test a similar color at Sephora or Ulta before splurging on a $33 Burberry lipstick. There are many cheaper alternatives that can achieve a very similar look. The first thing you need to decide is whether you want a matte color or one that is more glossy. Although I love my creamy Revlon color, there really is something to say about a matte oxblood lip. It takes the look one step further and makes it that much more dramatic.

For anyone worrying that this color doesn't work on all skintones, I'm here to tell you differently. The model above definitely has an olive skintone and darker features, but someone with a fair complexion can pull it off just as well, maybe even better. Look at this picture of Kate Bosworth! This image alone would make me try anything because she looks absolutely stunning! I wasn't sure about the whole matching oxblood on oxblood but the combination of that dress and lip color is the definition of flawless. I guess the different eye colors also lend a hand in this situation because both look amazing with the oxblood lip.

Kate Bosworth 

British Invasion

Yesterday marked a monumental day in beauty lover history. More like an open armed welcome than an invasion, Charlotte Tilbury, iconic makeup artist, released her makeup line in the US. Her products have been selling off the shelves in places like Selfridges, but now it's our turn to get a piece of the beauty pie if you will.

Delevingne and Tilbury

Tilbury and Moss

With products named after Kate Moss and Cara Delevingne, there's no way anyone could not be absolutely in love with this line. Love knows no boundaries (or should I say borders) when it comes to British beauties such as these. Want Moss's signature nude pout? Well now that's attainable! Tilbury has created a formula that used to take mixing several different products to achieve. The K.I.S.S.I.N.G lipstick in Nude Kate will get you as close to you can possibly get to Moss's lips. As for Delevigne's trademark bushy brows, Tilbury has given us mere mortals a way to fake it til we make it. The Brow Lift in Cara D. has the ability to shape, lift and shade. The frantic search for separate brushes, pencils and pigments is now over because this product does the job of all three!

                    

                                                                    K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick, Nude Kate

Being a beauty fanatic myself, I have been waiting to get my hands on this line, I was almost about to pay the shipping charge from the UK until I found out that the US would soon carry the line. I ended up making my purchase from the site, BeautyLish.com. After browsing Net a Porter and then ultimately finding out that I could get $10 off my first purchase of $50 or more at BeautyLish, I went with them. Although I wanted to buy everything, I had to pull in the reigns, and decide not to go crazy. I went a little crazy though and bought the $225 "Rock Chick" set. This came with the Nude Kate lipstick which I have had my eye on plus six other products. The Rock Chick is one of ten looks that Tilbury has created. The other sets come with products in varying hues to attain each different look.

Tilbury's Ten Signature Looks

The Rock Chick Get the Look Set includes:

• Luxury Palette - The Rock Chick (eyeshadow)
• The Feline Flick - Panther (eye liner)
• Full Fat Lashes – Glossy Black (mascara)
• Cheek To Chic – First Love (blusher)
• Lip Cheat – Iconic Nude (lip liner)
• K.I.S.S.I.N.G – Nude Kate (lipstick)
• Lip Lustre – Blondie (lip gloss)
• Complimentary Makeup Bag

Rock Chick Luxury Palette

Blusher in First Love

Front Makeup Bag

Back Makeup Bag

I figure that this can be my starting point and I can come back for more. I just found out that Nordstrom is also carrying Tilbury's line so that makes it super easy for me to go in and actually try the products. The next product I covet is "Charlotte's Magic Cream." Although I don't believe in magic persay, I do have eyes and I have seen what Tilbury does to the famous faces she works with, so I am all trusting. This Magic Cream promises a "lasting dewy, plumped-up finish" and who doesn't want that?!

Back to School, Scratch That...Back to Blogging

It's been quite a while since my last post and I figured since it seems like everyone else is gearing up for "back to school", I'm left with back to nothing, hence here I am. This past year has been a whirlwind between senior classes and saying goodbye to the friends who became my family at Drexel and ultimately leaving a place that I made home for four years. Since graduating in June, I have gone on a life changing Euro trip, sent out resumés and started redoing my bedroom considering the last remodel was done fifteen years ago when I was in second grade.
With so many things taking up my time, it wasn't until now that I realized the rest of my life is an open door. I am literally the premise for Natasha Beddingfield's Unwritten, and I fully intend to take advantage of that. It seems like I'm constantly explaining myself to people about what I want to do and to be completely honest, it's getting a little old. My parents have always told me that I have the world at my finger tips and they've provided for me in such a way that I do believe that I can do anything. So the next time someone tells me what I want, I'm going to tell them "I want the world, and I will stop at nothing short of that." (That might be a little extreme, but hey today I'm feeling empowered!)
I've been thinking lately about what gets me inspired and I have to say that inspiration absolutely does come from different places, I am constantly inspired for different things. One thing I am inspired by is a striking picture. If there's good lighting and a clear image, I am almost always drawn to it. Of course it doesn't hurt if my favorite models are in the pic! Here are a few of my current favorite images that I grabbed from Pinterest:

The whole face isn't shown here, but that is perfectly fine, I believe that it adds to the beauty of this picture. The red lip gives needed contrast and I just love it. Jenna Lyons recently did an interview with Into the Gloss where she revealed how imperfections make things more beautiful and the hair over the hair here definitely adheres to that credo.

Anyone who knows me knows my affinity for all things Olsen so even with just that reasoning, this picture is perfect, but I have more to back it up, too. The lighting on this picture is very unique and if you look quickly or from far away, you wouldn't necessarily recognize that this is MKA. They are also bearing much more skin than they normally do which is a welcome change if you ask me. There also seems to be a tattoo on Ashley's left arm which is news to me, mostly because they're both always so covered up!

Hydrangeas are my favorite flower, but this bouquet is quite simple and understated. With the natural fabric underneath, and the off centered effect with the vase, this image shows how even simple things can still be beautiful to look at. 

Just from writing this post, I have decided that I am going to continue posting about my favorite things. Next might be products or designers, but I will definitely keep updating with things that I am currently liking. Considering it is Fashion Week in New York City, I may take advantage and put up some of my favorite street style looks. Instagram is a major source of inspiration for me. I follow thousands of people who I don't necessarily know, but I appreciate the pictures they upload.