August Beauty Favorites

August 31, 2020

BEAUTY FAVORITES: BEAUTY COUNTER BEYOND GLOSS | ATELIER COLOGNE CLEMENTINE CALIFORNIA | GLOW RECIPE WATERMELON GLOW TONER | ELEMIS SUPERFOOD GLOW PRIMING MOISTURIZER | ELEMIS SUPERFOOD AHA GLOW CLEANSING BUTTER | GOOD MOLECULES DISCOLORATION CORRECTING SERUM | FIRST AID BEAUTY EYE DUTY NIACINAMIDE BRIGHTENING CREAM

Summer is coming to an end and I’m back with my monthly beauty favorites! In today’s post, I’m sharing the latest skincare and makeup products that I discovered to be my favorites from the month of August. This includes a lip gloss with a responsibly source vanilla, a pore-minimizing toner that smells of juicy watermelon, a multi-purpose moisturizer that also works as a primer and a highlighter, a summer fragrance that is unisex and also can be continually used through the fall season! And more! Continue reading to learn more about these products along with where you can find them!

BEAUTY COUNTER BEYOND GLOSS

This gloss delivers high-impact shine and conditioning lip benefits, while taking transparency to the next level with ingredients that care for your lips—and the greater good. Formulated with a blend of waxes to lock in moisture (with no stickiness), this gloss delivers cushiony color and a sophisticated scent thanks to responsibly sourced vanilla. ECOCERT-certified organic vanilla from Madascascar, Beauty Counter’s supplier is committed not only to sourcing the highest quality of vanilla, but also to improving the quality of life for their community of farmers. This is definitely something I am on board with!

ATELIER COLOGNE CLEMENTINE CALIFORNIA

This scent contains notes of clementine from Italy, juniper berries from Turkey, and vetiver from Haiti. The fresh and fruity perfumes from across the world combine in this citrus cologne for men and women to create a summer scent that evokes sunshine, blue skies, and endless miles of sparkling beachfront. Perfect for those who love a citrus-based fragrance as well as those who love a fragrance that smells sweet but not too sweet and really fresh.

GLOW RECIPE WATERMELON GLOW PHA + BHA PORE-TIGHT TONER

Suitable for all skin types, this bouncy, alcohol-free toner is made with PHA and willow bark, a natural form of BHA, to help unclog pores while hydrating skin. Combined with watermelon, hyaluronic acid, and cactus water, it smooths without stripping skin of its moisture, for poreless, glowing skin. Due to cactus water and cucumber in the formula, scent is herbal with a fruity finish. I definitely noticed a significant reduction in my pore size after only using it for a couple of weeks.

ELEMIS SUPERFOOD GLOW-PRIMING MOISTURIZER

Turn up the brightness while hydrating skin with Elemis’ glow-getting Superfood Glow Priming Moisturizer. A radiance enhancing blend of kombucha and fermented ginger extracts helps to even out skin tone, while green tea seed oil and an active prebiotic help leave the complexion feeling soft, balanced and nourished. Enhanced with universally flattering light-reflecting minerals, the featherlight formula can be used as a radiance-enhancing moisturizer, a hydrating makeup primer and an illuminating highlighter.

ELEMIS SUPERFOOD AHA GLOW CLEANSING BUTTER

Packed with brightening AHAs and skin softening Mango Butter, this nourishing facial cleanser removes makeup, daily pollutants and daily grime to reveal a healthy-looking radiance. The buttery formula can be used as a daily cleanser, a deep cleansing mask or a hydrating makeup remover around the eyes and face for smooth and glowing skin.

GOOD MOLECULES DISCOLORATION CORRECTING SERUM

Formulated with an advanced form of tranexamic acid (cetyl tranexamate mesylate) and 4% niacinamide, this lightweight serum improves the appearance of age spots, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and sun damage. It’s a great lightener but please note it takes a few weeks to start noticing results.

FIRST AID BEAUTY EYE DUTY NIACINAMIDE BRIGHTENING CREAM

This cream is formulated with peach micro-pearls to help the eye area appear dewy and revitalized, while sodium hyaluronate helps smooth and visibly plump. It is also formulated with niacinamide, pumpkin seed extract, and caffeine to help diminish the look of dark circles over time by targeting two key causes: skin pigmentation (brown circles) and puffiness (blue circles). I can literally see a difference as soon as I apply the brightening cream around my eye area, really amazing stuff!

LOVE & XX’S,

SHOP THE PRODUCTS

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

July Beauty Favorites

July 31, 2019

Last day of July calls for a monthly roundup of beauty favorites! In today’s post, I’m sharing the latest skincare and makeup products that I deem to be my favorites from this month. This includes a new fragrance brand I have never tried but fell in love with, a colorful orange palette makeup collection that’s extremely affordable, a nourishing oil for face, body and hair, shimmering dry oils, and a Korean beauty starter kit perfect for your holiday travels. Continue reading to learn more about these products along with where you can find them!

PARFUMS DE MARLY ‘CISSILI’ FRAGRANCE

A joyful fragrance with a floral fruity scent on a woody vanilla base--this new creation invites you to indulge into the fresh sweetness of its scent.

KEY NOTES:
- Top notes: red currant, Bulgarian rose, transparent white flowers
- Middle notes: plum accord, mimosa absolute, plumeria, petalia
- Base notes: sandalwood, tonka beans, vanilla pod

COLOURPOP ORANGE YOU SWEET SET

The new neutral in town, and she’s orange. Get the entire orange collection including Colourpop’s newest 9-pan palette and brand new curated sets to match! There’s four super shocks, lip glosses, makeup brushes, blush sticks, lippie sticks and lip gloss, it’s the perfect orange palette set. Here are the 9 shades of the eyeshadow palette:

Zested - matte pale apricot
Squeeze Me - metallic yellow orange with gold flip
Creamsicle - matte peachy orange
Rise N Grind - matte vivid orange
Clementine - orange glitter with a copper flip
Sunkiss’d - matte neon tangerine
Tangerine Dreams - metallic mid tone red orange
Mimosa Mami - matte bright red orange
Ya Peel Me? - matte mid tone rust

DAVINES AUTHENTIC NOURISHING OIL

For all hair and skin types. Authentic Nourishing Oil contains 100% natural origin ingredients and 30% of organically grown safflower oil. The oil is free from artificial colors, silicones and PEG, leaving hair and skin silky and glowing. I even use this oil as a cleansing balm to remove makeup from the day, but my favorite use of this oil is for my hair. Now that I’m trying to grow my hair long, it keeps the ends moisturized and softer. And the subtle smell is incredible.

111SKIN ROSE GOLD RADIANCE BOOSTER

Founded by renowned cosmetic surgeon Dr. Yannis Alexandrides, 111SKIN combines decades of expertise with the latest ingredients. Formulated with Damask Rose Extract and Gold, this serum is formulated to relieve inflamed skin and enhance natural radiance. This radiance booster is a bit expensive, retailing at $160 at.68 fl oz (!!) but it is well worth the investment. I use this serum for days when I’m utterly exhausted and my face needs an extreme pick-me-up. When that second cup of coffee won’t do, use this immediately and your skin will immediately be revived.

SOL BODY SHIMMERING DRY OIL

It’s that Friday feeling in a bottle. Delivers a shimmering, good-for-the-soul glow that nourishes skin and highlights your highlights. My favorites are a rich, glowing bronze with highlights of copper and gold pearl. The other is a more silvery tint to it called, ‘Platinum’. Comes with a lovely kabuki brush that’s oh so soft. The perfect accessory for summer. Works for all bodies and skin tones.

DR. CURE 7 STARTER KIT

See a drastic improvement to your skin's hydration and melt those fine lines away. This starter kit includes mini-sized versions of their products so you can change your skin routine with one simple kit. It’s perfect for travel. I love all of them but my favorite out of this kit are the teardrops.

Kit includes:

3 Healing Melting Masques

Trial-Sized Collagen Powder Cleanser
0.5g/0.02oz

Trial-Sized Hyaluron Intensive Serum
10ml/0.35oz

Trial-Sized Teardrop Vitamin A or E
8g/0.28oz

Trial-Sized Snow Pearl Cream Mist
30ml/1oz

LOVE & XX’S,

SHOP THE PRODUCTS

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

December Beauty Favorites

December 28, 2018

Happy last Friday of the year and also my last monthly beauty favorites of 2018! There’s tons of skincare going on in today’s post as I discuss my viewpoint on switching from two different skincare sets during the week - which better your skin regimen and its effects. We’ve also got my latest favorite scented candle from Diptyque, a mysterious fragrance from Jimmy Choo, the best liquid eyeliner and only eyeliner I’ve been using these days, and a dark spot corrector that’s so insanely good I had to let you know about it NOW even before it’s available online! Don’t worry though, it will be by next week so check it out and pre-order! Continue reading to learn more about my December beauty favorites!

ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGEN HYDRA-GEL EYE MASK

Only at ULTA! Smoothes, tightens, hydrates. ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks are clinically proven to visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, these refreshing hydra-gel eye masks smooth, tighten and hydrate your delicate eye area. Potent plankton extract, combined with the power of padina pavonica and chlorella, provides an instant skin-tightening effect, while hyaluronic acid hydrates the fragile eye area. Eye contours are left looking visibly smoother and feeling intensely moisturized.

ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGEN CLEANSING BALM

This No.1 Bestselling cleansing balm deep cleanses and leaves skin supremely soft. Luxurious Rose and Mimosa waxes are infused with nourishing Elderberry, Starflower and Optimega™ oils and supercharged with anti-aging algae, Padina Pavonica. For an intensely nourishing treatment, you can also use this product as a facial mask. This powerful, deep cleansing balm is a cult hero, and I can firmly attest to this. It’s the only cleansing balm I’ve been using since I’ve tried it!

ELEMIS SUPERFOOD CLEANSING WASH

This rich and creamy facial wash revives and refreshes while deeply cleansing the skin. Nutrient dense, green superfoods have been chosen to enhance your natural radiance, offering skin lacking vitality, a balanced diet of active ingredients for an outdoor, fresh glow. Broccoli Seed, Avocado and Pumpkin Seed oils are combined with a natural sugar derived Pre-Biotic to help ensure the skin’s precious microbiome balance is maintained while Wheatgrass, Kale, Nettle and minerals are combined to leave the complexion looking fresh, luminous, bright and radiant. Leaves your skin looking radiant, bright and fresh. A green and balanced skincare diet to leave the complexion feeling nourished and replenished. Dull looking skin is replaced by a radiant and fresh complexion. Offers skin the benefits of your recommended daily greens. The integrity of skin’s microbiome is maintained, leaving it feeling balanced and nourished. Vegan Friendly.

ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGEN MARINE CREAM

This is the ultimate wrinkle-smoothing day cream from ELEMIS. Pro-Collagen Marine Cream is clinically proven* to reduce the appearance of wrinkles in 14 days, for skin that looks and feels younger and more firm. Padina pavonica, has been blended with ginkgo biloba, chlorella and precious rose and mimosa absolutes to moisturize the skin and visibly improve the appearance of fine lines, while supporting a feeling of suppleness, firmness and elasticity.

AMORE PACIFIC TREATMENT CLEANSING OIL FACE & EYES

This gentle cleanser for the face and eyes is a blend of botanical oils—including green tea seed, babassu palm, and coconut oil—that dissolves and lifts away impurities and makeup (even waterproof mascara) without stripping away skin’s natural moisture. Upon contact with water, the multitasking formula transforms into a silky, non-oily emulsion that also works to improve skin luminosity and moisture retention for a smooth, glowing complexion. It is further enriched with hydrating green tea leaf extract and a radiance-boosting blend of ginseng root and white birch extract.

AMORE PACIFIC TREATMENT CLEANSING FOAM

Effectively remove makeup and impurities without stripping your skin of essential moisture with AMOREPACIFIC US, INC.'s Cleansing Foam. Formulated with super hydrating Bamboo Sap and firming Red Ginseng Root, this anti-bacterial face wash contains exfoliating Vitamin E micro-beads that dissolve to release antioxidants. I like to use this skincare set along with the Elemis, and rotate them in the week. I feel when you use the exact same products all the time to the skin starts to not have the same effects versus to switching it up here and there. How do you guys feel about this?

AMORE PACIFIC TREATMENT ENZYME PEEL

Forget what you think you know about exfoliating peels - AMOREPACIFIC US, INC.'s gentle, botanical-infused formula is light enough for daily use. When combined with water, the fine powder transforms into a light emulsion that washes away dull, dead skin cells. You'll see a smoother and brighter complexion instantly. I use this enzyme peel twice a week and my face is smoother than a baby’s bottom! Truly amazing product!

CAUDALIE BEAUTY ELIXIR MINI

A natural, innovative toning mist that sets makeup, provides an instant burst of radiance, and tightens the appearance of pores, featuring the same bestselling formula with a new, improved pump to finely and evenly distribute the lightweight mist. Inspired by Queen Isabelle of Hungary's famous elixir of youth, Beauty Elixir is formulated with grape extracts and clarifying ingredients to provide an immediate burst of radiance. The complexion treatment reduces dullness and is infused with toning rosemary, astringent mint, and soothing rose essential oil to prepare your skin for further treatments. Beloved by celebrities and makeup artists worldwide, the Beauty Elixir is the ideal priming base and setting spray between layers of makeup for a long-lasting and smooth finish. Perfect as an aftershave for men too! This mini is ideal for travel.

DIPTYQUE POMANDER CANDLE

If you don’t know by now, my all-time favorite candles are from Diptyque. And this newly discovered scent is all the rage. Pomander is a delicious orange studded with cloves and cinnamon, the spicy scent of winter. It’s the most incredible fragranced candle, and you Diptyque’s candles burn for quite a long time on top of its quality scents. What’s your favorite scent by Diptyque?

JIMMY CHOO FEVER EAU DE PARFUM

Jimmy Choo Fever Eau de Parfum is an addictive and sensual fragrance. Effortlessly glamorous, the Fever woman has a mysterious side, yet always has the ability to shine.

Fragrance Notes:

Top: Black Plum Nectar
Heart: Heliotrope
Base: Roasted Tonka Bean

TARTE MANEATER LIQUID EYELINER

This vegan, quick-drying liquid eyeliner features intense black, lash-enhancing pigment spheres & a waterproof formula to ensure tonight's eyeliner won't turn into tomorrow's smoky eye. The micro brush tip glides on smoothly to create precise definition or drama where you want it & moves with the contours of your lashline for the perfect, one-swipe application. You can use it to sculpt & fill in spaces between lashes for an ultra-black boost in volume or extend it out to a sexy #maneater wing.

DR. DENNIS GROSS CLINICAL GRADE IPL DARK SPOT CORRECTING SERUM

A viable alternative to hydroquinone, this pro-level treatment fights discoloration by removing over-pigmented surface cells, brightening skin tone, and fighting against environmental aggressors. Skin brightness improves in as early as two weeks, while diminishing visible discoloration in eight weeks. Containing lactic acid helps fight acne and I can confirm dark spots are gone even after a month! I started to notice results right away. It will be available online and in stores January 4th. It’s $90 for one 1.0 fl oz bottle, but it’s literally magic potion in a jar so you will definitely be getting your money’s worth.

LOVE & XX’S,

SHOP THE PRODUCTS

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Bikini Questa Sera

May 29, 2018

WEARING: SAKU NEW YORK KNIT TOP | MAVI JEANS ANIKA CROP FLARE | 
TKEES JO SUEDE GEORGIA SANDALS | CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN BIKINI QUESTA SERA

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN BEAUTE.

Hi, everyone! How was your MDW? I have a new post up with an editorial video! For those who didn't catch my last post, I had been wanting to create more video content but given that video editing is not one of my favorite things to do, I do not create this kind of content often. However, so many of you, along with my peers have been strongly urging me to do more video so voila! When it comes to making a video, there's so much more that goes on besides a photoshoot. I feel like a like an internet browser... 19 tabs open, 3 of them are frozen, & I have no idea where the music is coming from! In all seriousness, that's another reason why I don't do videos often. It takes a lot of time and effort and if I don't see some sort of visual that I need to come to life, I wait until the inspiration comes. And when I received the Bikini Questa Sera perfume from Christian Louboutin, a strong sense of summer encouraged me to create this for you guys.

We literally had a total of two people in production and on set for this video. My husband and I are a team: He is the photographer & videographer - I am the creative director, location scouter, stylist, hair and makeup, and editor. While shooting photographs, you're too thinking a million and one things at the same time. Is my shirt tucked in properly? What about my hair? Are the sunglasses on straight? Am I on the good side of my face? Where is the light? Don't blink. Okay... car coming. Back to my mark. Another cat call? Great... oh where did I put my phone? Is it almost noon? I have a meeting to run to, I have to leave in a bit. Honey, now there's car behind you! Phew! See what I mean?

And doesn't even get to the shooting film, imagine doing all that again plus the multiple takes to get the shots you envision. And the more specific the frame gets, the more time and patience it will take, which to be honest can sometimes be challenging to me. But videography strengthens that along with my visual eye and apparent need to create film. I'm sure many other photographers, writers, and artists feel this way, where you get so many visual images in your head and this sudden outpour, this compelling conviction to bring it to life. To try to show others what you see, think and feel.

I hope this video (scroll toward the end of this post to view) brings you a certain feeling and appreciation for the artistic notion of oneself. I am still trying to get to a level where the content is super-glossy editorial, but alas, no one is perfect. But I am, every day trying to elevate my skills and to exercise them in the best way possible, and to me, I think that is through writing, photography, and film. So enjoy, and please leave me any feedback! I really appreciate and listen to what you guys look forward to on MaQ + Suz.

Lastly, a footnote on this summery outfit. The coral knitted top with shoulder straps is from Saku New York, the faded black crop jeans are by Mavi, and the coral suede sandals are by TKEES. You can shop the entire look at the beginning or at the end of each blog post. Don't forget to drop a comment in the section box down below. You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel to stay updated on new videos! Happy Tuesday. :)

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE PRODUCT

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Holiday Gifting with Babbleboxx

November 21, 2017

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY BABBLEBOXX.COM

Happy Tuesday, guys! I hope you're all getting well prepped for Thanksgiving Day! With all the to-do lists, last minute running around and even traveling (for those that are), we all can relate to how crazy this week can get. So, let's take a breather and catch up with one amazing event I went to last week. I had the pleasure of attending Babbleboxx's "Holiday Preview" Event where multiple brands came together at the luxurious 404 NYC event space hosting pop-up shops filled with holiday inspiration and gift-giving ideas for the upcoming season. It was a lovely evening with tasty bites and bubbly, along with running into old friends and networking with new ones and in today's post, I'm sharing my top five favorites brands that I think would make for the coolest and trendiest gifts this year. Ranging from beauty products to tea and even DNA kits, and with Black Friday right around the corner, this list will certainly come in handy. Don't miss out, come check out these awesome gift ideas for everyone you know, and/or even for yourself!

What better gift you can give (or get!) than the chance to understand what makes someone who they are? With 23andMe, you can share your genetic information with your family members to get an even clearer picture of who you are and where you come from. How cool is that? They offer two Personal Genetic Services: 1) their Ancestry Service and 2) their Health + Ancestry Service. How do they work? Provide your saliva sample from home. Mail it back to their lab in the same kit it came in- the postage is even prepaid. In 6-8 weeks, they will send you an email to let you know your reports are ready in your online account. I'm even considering doing an entire blog post on this, as there is a huge debate that I may be part Ukrainian. I'm half-Korean and half-Polish, but from further travels and studies, it is possible this may be the case. I can't wait to share my results - so stay tuned!

Algenist, the first ever vegan, plant-based collagen formulation with the highest concentration of active collagen helps condition the skin to visibility improve resiliency and bounce. With 13,000 beads of Microalgae Oil in every bottle hydrates, nourishes and restores skin's radiance. Plant collagen is a new innovative technology created by binding together corn, soy and wheat protein fibers resulting in vegan amino acids that structurally mimic collagen that allows for a functional equivalent to animal-derived collagen. Even just sampling this collagen serum at the event showed significantly smoother and cleaner skin after one try! I'm so happy I was introduced to this skincare brand; I'll definitely be trying more of their products! If shopping at Algenist use promo code: LOVECOLLAGEN to receive a FREE Sample of GENIUS Liquid Collagen ($16 value) with orders $75+. Enter code at check out. Excludes gift cards. Valid 11/4-12/31/17.

Okay, one gift that can never go wrong if done the right way, and yes this isn't exactly some ground-breaking, creative present idea, but for both men and women, or a gift to yourself, perfume is always a win in my book! At the event, I went with La Vie est Belle by Lancôme, its floral accents of iris, orange blossom, and vanilla bean put me in such a delightful mood. To me, fragrance makes and is part of an entire look and represents you. And at Perfumania, they will help find your next fragrance obsession among the hundreds of designer brands! Indulge in a fragrant experience curated by fragrance experts at any of their 150+ retail locations. Or visit them online where you can get your fragrance fix at any time, day or night. Perfumania, it’s your one-stop shop for all of your fragrance essentials.

For many women, obtaining thicker-looking eyelashes and fuller, bolder-looking brows are definitely on their wish lists this holiday season. Let me introduce you to Grande Cosmetics: their GrandeLASH-MD Serum and GrandeBROW Serum are revolutionary lash and brow enhancing serums that promote these desired features. These are perfect stocking stuffers for any holiday beauty lover.

Tea Forte 2017 Limited Edition Holiday Collection – Warming Joy is a collection of festive teas beautifully presented and exciting to receive. Comforting holiday tea blends are festively donned to celebrate the spirit and joy of the season and are a great collection for the tea connoisseurs we know of. Holiday tea blends include Raspberry Ganache, Rum Raisin Biscotti, Spiced Ginger Plum, Winter Chai, and Ginger Snap (not available in the Petite Tea Tree.) The perfect holiday gift for any tea fanatic! And how adorable is the packaging?!