November Favorites!

Quite a few products I've been loving this month! I've been basically using the same makeup every day. Super simple but still pulled together.

MAC's blush in "Peaches"

The perfect peachy color to compliment skin with yellow undertones. I love that it's sheer enough for every day, especially for applying makeup quickly before school. 

 MineralizeSkinfinish in "Soft & Gentle"

Obsessed! I've been wearing this every single day since I purchased it sometime last month. Perfect for highlighting, or for a bit of extra glow for night time. 

MAC 168 blush brush

Sigma's F35 tapered highlighter brush

NARS Lipstick "Dolce Vita"

 Beautiful rose color that's perfect for every day. I've been wearing this one every day too!

Dolce & Gabbana Rose the One

Very fresh and light, with musky undertones. Love this perfume, but I wish it had more staying power.

MAC All That Glitters

MAC Carbon

These two colors blend together so perfectly. I've been using the black as a smudgy liner, then blending it out with All that Glitters. Perfect light & simple smokey eye for every day.

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

I've heard so many good things about this foundation, so I finally purchased it a few weeks ago, and I LOVE it! It's so easy to use, it can be applied with the fingers, and is very build-able with medium to full coverage, and stays on all day.

L'Oreal BB Cream

A drugstore find! It really does live up to all that it claims to. It blurs imperfections to even out skin tone, but still looks and feels very light and natural. It was perfect for the warmer months, I used this every day all summer.

Caudalie Deep Cleansing Exfoliator 

A perfect exfoliator for the face. It's gentle, but still effective enough to remove dead skin. The exfoliants are super-fine so it won't scratch the skin. Leaves my face feeling clean, fresh, and looking brighter. Available at Sephora!

The Body Shop Seaweed Day Cream- Mattifying

Does exactly what it says it does. A perfect mattifying day cream for the face- smells refreshing too. Light and never greasy.

Ponds Clarant B3

Another amazing drugstore find. I've been using this for the past year and it's amazing! 1oz is only about $1 (Target travel section) and more than worth it. It can be piled on and still not get greasy. Smells clean, and is very hydrating. Love this stuff.

Covergirl LashBlast Mascara

There's been so much hype over this product, but it lives up to expectations. This is an AMAZING mascara, probably my all time favorite. Either this one or Diorshow Blackout. That one's pretty amazing too. The plastic applicator grips every lash and is never clumpy. It holds a curl pretty well too.

Redken Extreme Anti Snap Leave in Conditioner

Adds strength to hair, detangles, and smells absolutely amazing. Apply a dime size amount to wet hair, and work it in through the ends. Do not rinse out. Leaves my hair feeling like I just left the salon! That's always a good thing.

What are your favorite finds of the month?

Just A Small Town Girl

She's just a small town girl, living in a lonely world

She took the midnight train going anywhere

I seen her in a smoky room

The smell of wine and cheap perfume

For a smile they can share the night

and it goes on and on and on

Kind of obsessed with the beginning of this song.

(Just a few photos from my hometown over Thanksgiving break.)

Once Upon A Shopping Spree - Black Friday Haul

After a filling and delicious Thanksgiving meal, a friend and I ventured to the Wrentham Outlets' Midnight Madness Black Friday Sale as well as the Natick Collection and picked up some goodies. It's been a tradition since we got our licenses around 6-ish years ago. I picked up a few gifts, as well as a few things for myself:

Ted Baker, got it for about half price!

Brownie Pan! Not that I need to be baking after all that I ate over the weekend.

Cane & Austin Acne Treatment pads

One of my absolute FAVORITE skincare products. It's expensive, at $60 at SpaceNK, but completely worth it. It clears up acne, prevents new breakouts, evens out skin tone, and reduces signs of aging. This is my third or fourth pack of these, and I'll be buying them forever.

My grandmother loves Lancome's skin care line, and this was the free gift that came with purchase that she let me keep!

Lancome Genifique Serum

Genifique Eye Cream

Bi- Facil eye make up remover

Hypnose Doll Mascara

Eyeshadow top row: "Designer" (metallic) It's a sage color, but I'm not sure if it'll show as accurately in the picture & "Latte" (matte). Bottom: "It List" (matte) & "Volcano"(shimmer)

Kate Spade, half price!

Kate Spade Bow Earrings

Kate Spade Bow Bangles. I realize I went a bit bow-crazy, but they were just so cute!

Cole Haan Loafers- I've been wanting leopard flats for the longest time, and finally found one for a reasonable price! ($77 from $188)

Did you find any good black friday deals? Also, if you've got any suggestions/comments/recommendations about lancome, please leave a comment below! I've never tried anything of theirs!

November Birchbox!

I signed up for Birchbox a few months ago to see what the hype is about, and I've gotten pretty cool samples so far. Some of the samples are a bit small, but for $10 a month, I suppose it's not bad.

It came with a lovely little gift guide with ideas for men, women, home, and more.

Such an adorable little box! I may put a little something in it and leave it for my boyfriend.

Chuao Chcolatier $8/pack

 "These bite sized artisanal treats are made with premium Venezuelan cacao and come in a range of unexpected flavors". This seems really interesting! And actually sound pretty good.

Oscar Blandi Pronto Texture & Volume Spray $25

"This light, nonsticky spray gives dry hair a voluminous, sexy, tousled look. Spray from ends to roots for best results. Great for updos, too!"

I've only used one other Oscar Blandi product before- the dry shampoo. It was good, but slightly pricey for what it was. Excited to try out this product though!

Stila All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminizer $20

Funny how I got a luminizer in my Birchbox right after I picked up Benefit's Moon Beam! Looks like such a pretty color. "Add a touch of this luminescent fluid to your cheekbones or decolletage, or mix with your foundation for an all over glow"

Miracle Skin Transformer Vanish Instant Imperfection Corrector

"before applying make up, prep skin with this serum infused primer, which has optical diffusers that mask imperfections" 

Atelier Cologne- Rose Anonyme

Last but not least! A small sample of this cologne (not pictured- it was tiny!) came with this gorgeous card. I love a good rose scented product!

What did you get in your Birchbox? Let me know if there's another beauty box I should try! I've been debating on signing up for Glossybox too.

A Little Sephora Haul

Sephora recently had their VIB Friends&Family sale, and I just had to pick up a few products.

I tried to be good to my wallet and bought things that I "needed" (except the lipstick! and one could argue about the highlighter). I placed my order on Sunday and it arrived today- very prompt, despite Hurricane Sandy's aftermath.

Benefit Moon Beam

I loved Benefit's High Beam in high school (when it used to cost $23! now it's $28), and I figured I would try the other one, since I have warm undertones. It should add a nice little glow when mixed with foundation.

Origins Eye Doctor

My first eye cream purchase! The description sounds like exactly what I need, especially now that winter is coming up, and the effects can be rather harsh and drying to the skin. I was debating between this one and the Origins Gin-Zing. Have you tried that one?

Ren ClearCalm 3 Replenishing Night Serum

I've heard so much about REN products and thought I would give it a go. "A soothing and replenishing gel serum formulated for use overnight to leave blemish prone skin comfortable, clear, and calm". Sounds fantastic. The serum is formulated for acne prone skin, which I have. We'll see how it works!

NARS Lipstick

Cruising is described as a "nude pink", great for an every day lip color (pictured above). The Dolce Vita is a gift, so I didn't want to open that one!

Have you tried these products?

A Christmas List

A bit of a Christmas wishlist:

Zara Cape Zip Coat 199

Such a cute and chic coat, it'll go with everything, and wouldn't go out of style.

Zara Faux Leather Jegging 80

I've always wanted a pair of leather pants!

 

J.Crew Leopard Ballet Flats 258

And have been searching for the perfect pair of leather ballet flats. I've tried on so many, but these are so perfect!

Trish McEvoy Wild Blueberry Vanilla Candle 50

One of my favorite candles.

Madewell Zipcode Boot 208

A pair of ankle boots would be nice to add to my shoe closet.

Tory Burch Robinson Tote 450

Obsessed with tote bags, and this one is small enough to not look like suitcase, but large enough to dump my life in.

What's on your Christmas list?

Outfits & Things

So I'm spending this glorious Sunday in the library...procrastinating. For a little bit anyway. I figure I'd share a few outfits from the week, then it's back to organic chem & physics!

Also, it's an eggnog latte kind of day - my favorite holiday drink (next to the salted caramel hot chocolate). The eggnog latte isn't super sweet like the rest of the holiday drinks. With a lovely holiday cup from Starbucks! 

Sweater: Gap (two years ago) - a bit about Gap's quality in sweaters. NOT a fan! This one seems to be okay so far, however I had purchased a few marino wool v-neck sweaters along with this cardigan a few years back, and they only lasted one wash!! In total I purchased three, one of which had a hole after ONE wear, and the other two had holes after ONE wash! The directions say to machine wash, and it came out with holes. Sorry Gap, you used to be much better in quality.

Pants: Pixie//J.Crew - absolute favorite pair of pants! They fit like a legging, but are much thicker and more structured. There's also an adorable zipper on the back, and come in petite and regular lengths.

Boots: Bearpaw "Emma" - Purchased on Amazon last year

Scarf: H&m two autumns ago

Trench: Andrew Marc - I was so annoyed that I couldn't find the belt when I wore this outfit!

Leggings - J.Crew

Boots: Target (about 4 years ago) - surprisingly, these are my absolute favorite boots, and also the least expensive. They've lasted season after season, and were only about $30.

Cardigan: H&m. Favorite, cardigan, ever. It's deliciously warm and oversize, but not so big that it looks like I stole it from a guy. The marled look adds a bit of interest to an otherwise simple outfit.

Tanktop: Target ribbed layering tanks (racerback)

Leggings: J.Crew

Boots: Steve Madden Intyce // Nordstrom

Mid-Week Haul

Amidst all the fuss post-Sandy, I made my efforts to run all my errands at once to save gas (don't even get me started about this one. I spent nine hours in line on Sunday to fill up my car. It's like the 1970s again- pictures on my instagram!) and time. I dropped by the mall for the post office and some skincare items, and also picked up a few things for the apartment (and myself).

Being a candle addict, I took advantage of the sale currently going on at Bath & Body Works. All the small candles (4oz) are $5 (on sale from the usual $10). Of course I couldn't help myself, so I picked up 4. I made my best efforts not to purchase a ton more. The large 3 wick candles are about 14oz, and I figured that buying 4 of the small ones (total 16oz) actually gives you more candle than one of the large ones (14oz total). I figured it was a better deal, and I could get more scents for the same price!

(A little note about the burn time of the 4 oz candles vs 14oz candles; the smaller candles seem to take longer to burn off the top layer (for the entire top part to melt) in comparison to the larger candles. So if you don't that much time, perhaps light a big one!)

Nutmeg and Spice - I think this one is either the same or very similar to last year's Kitchen Spice scent, which was one of my absolute favorites! I'm not sure if it's been discontinued, but I couldn't find any. This one smells just as good though.

Mahogany Teakwood - There's been a ton of buzz about this scent, and how it smells like the Abercrombie store (which it does, but more understated and less potent). To me, it smells like cologne, and leaves my apartment with a light lingering scent. It's perfect. I got two of these!

Sandalwood Vanilla - Smells like comfort in a blanket. Such a warm smell, but not overbearing. I can't stand overbearing scents!

This part isn't that exciting, but I needed some hand soap.

Fresh Market Apple

Warm Vanilla Sugar

Iced Ginger Bread (smells exactly like it)

Coconut Lime Verbena

I mentioned in an earlier post (here) that the bismuth oxychloride may be causing me to break out from the BareMinerals. I went back to the store and exchanged it for the matte version, which does not have that ingredient. Will report back later with results and reviews!

I went to Sephora next, and picked up a new perfume. I haven't purchased a new perfume since...last year when I got Black Orchid//Tom Ford (lovely scent! but it can be a bit heavy). I've been wanting Rose the One//Dolce & Gabbana. I loved the sample I had, so I went for the full size. I purchased The One Gentleman for my boyfriend, and it smells absolutely delicious. I also took advantage of my 100 point perk and picked up the Lancome Hypnose Star mascara. I also picked up Origins Clear Improvement charcoal mask (not pictured). Super excited to give it a try!

I hope everybody is having a good week!