April Beauty Favorites

BEAUTY FAVORITES: FRESH BEAUTY ROSE SLEEPING MASK | BAREMINERALS ENDLESS GLOW HIGHLIGHTER | CLINIQUE EVEN BETTER MAKEUP FOUNDATION | CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN LOUBIGRAFFITI NAIL COLOR | DR. JART+ FOCUSPOT DARK CIRCLE MICRO TIP PATCH | DRUNK ELEPHANT T.L.C. NIGHT SERUM | PAT MCGRATH LABS MATTETRANCE LIPSTICK | COLOURPOP EYESHADOW PALETTE

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Hi, everyone! I am posting my beauty favorites this month a little bit earlier than normal. MaQ has not been feeling well the past few days and took him to the vet yesterday where they run numerous tests. He is in good spirits but his skin has been horrible. We’ve got him under antibiotics and has been resting comfortably, but am just really hoping it isn’t anything serious. I’ll know more in the next few days, but will definitely not be working as much this weekend to spend some time with my baby. But kick back and relax while you dive into my April beauty favorites featuring the latest in my skincare and makeup routine, such as an amazing rose-scented sleeping mask, foundation, the ultimate luxe lipstick, and tons more, you’ll definitely want to check out some of the latest trends in the beauty world. Continue reading to see and learn more! Have a lovely weekend, everyone.

FRESH ROSE DEEP HYDRATION SLEEPING MASK

This next-level sleeping mask is proven to give you the appearance of plumper, smoother skin after as little as one night of use. Start by replenishing moisture with a cooling gel essence powered by rosewater, damask rose extract, and hyaluronic acid. Then lock it in with a silky water-cream mask that uses time-release technology. What I love most about this mask is that it is long-lasting and super refreshing. Perfect for anyone who loves that dewy, glowing skin.

bAREMINERALS ENDLESS GLOW HIGHLIGHTER

The Endless Glow Highlighter from bareMinerals is a mineral-based powder highlighter that gives a naturally luminous, dew-kissed glow. Clean, mineral highlighting powder provides long-lasting, lit-from-within luminosity while blurring the appearance of pores and imperfections. Talc-free formula gives you a smooth, photo-ready finish that won't crease, cake or crack.

CLINIQUE EVEN BETTER FOUNDATION IN MERINGUE

Clinique’s Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 is a dermatologist-developed foundation that instantly perfects and actively improves with every wear. Hydrates and smoothes (hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid). The creamy formula gives skin a natural finish. Getting matched took less than 3 minutes (I'm the shade Meringue) and it's only $29! Comes in 60 shades! 

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN LOUBIGRAFFITI NAIL POLISH IN JAZZY DOLL

Christian Louboutin Beauty presents LoubiGraffiti, the color-drenched limited-edition collection that celebrates spring in the city. Inspired by the extravagant graffiti looks of Maison Christian Louboutin's LoubiGraf collection, LoubiGraffiti will spice up your lips and nails with its audacious street style. 
Graffiti spirit is about boundless creative freedom – something which Christian Louboutin has always infused into his creations. LoubiGraffiti's four Velvet Matte lip colors and six nail colors are an open invitation to explore, create and express yourself through bold color-clashing. 
Because above all else, LoubiGraffiti is about powerful colors: hues that clash and contrast with clever abandon. You can never have too much. The collection's lip and nail colors are ultra-pigmented, giving a vivid, high-impact effect playing with dramatic matte lips and ultra-glossy nails. This season is yours, live it how you want! Dare to paint your pout the luscious pink of Bengali Velvet Matte, then add a vibrant pop of blue to your nails with Baraboum. The nail color's finish is as glossy as the iconic Christian Louboutin red sole patent leather stiletto – and the perfect contrast to your matte lips. 
LoubiGraffiti's cheeky clashes and contrasts evoke the eclectic Maison's style. Because who else but Christian Louboutin would dare to bring together a devastatingly chic stiletto and a street style-inspired graffiti design? LoubiGraffiti's limited edition packaging is splashed with bright graffiti prints and presented in craft paper bags sealed with graffiti-inspired street art stickers. Playful and bright, chic and street, LoubiGraffiti is just the thing to spark your inspiration this spring.

DR. JART + FOCUSPOT DARK CIRCLE MICRO TIP PATCHES

The advanced Dr. Jart+ Focuspot™ Micro Tip Patches inspired by microneedling has micro tips that penetrate and melt deeply into the skin’s surface to deliver active ingredients such as 72% Hyaluronic Acid and nourishing Vitamin A that target & treat blemishes, dark spots, dark circle, and fine lines and wrinkles. Safe for sensitive skin - my fav is the dark circle patches. Available now at Sephora!

DRUNK ELEPHANT T.L.C. FRAMBOOS™ GLYCOLIC NIGHT SERUM

This high-tech gel resurfaces dull skin, lifting dead skin cells away by gently dissolving the glue that holds them to the surface. The results are greater clarity and a smoother, more even-looking complexion. Formulated with a dream-team AHA/BHA blend including glycolic, lactic, tartaric, citric, and salicylic acids, and blended with raspberry extract, T.L.C. Framboos™ sinks in easily and delivers an effective level of chemical exfoliation without the harsh side effects like dryness or sensitization. Fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration, along with excess oiliness and the appearance of pores, appear dramatically diminished over time. Horse chestnut, bearberry, and white tea help to calm and soothe, while improving the appearance of broken capillaries. Go from a drab complexion to an absolutely luminous one—practically overnight. 

PAT MCGRATH LABS MATTETRANCE™ LIPSTICK IN OBSESSED!

MatteTrance™ is a richly pigmented lipstick with a sensually creamy, powerful pigment that evokes screen siren glamour with every application. Each shade is presented like a jewel in a black-lacquered couture case fashioned with a sensually surrealist golden lip that’s destined to be a cult-status collectable. 
Get entrancing color that satisfies with supreme hydration and opulent matte opacity. Flaunt this richly pigmented formulation, cloaking lips in a lightweight veil of rich color. It’s infused with optical diffusers that blur the appearance of imperfections, combined with a blend of polymers to provide flexibility and adherence. An advanced formulation of spherical particles ensure a creamy soft texture for the smoothest film of color. Each shade is enmeshed in a powder film combined with saturated pigment for lightweight opaque coverage. This lipstick lays down a high impact with a strong finish. My favorite shade is ‘Obsessed!’ 211, the perfect orange-red shade.

COLOURPOP COSMETICS ENTENDRE EYESHADOW PALETTE

ColourPop's Double Entendre Pressed Powder Shadow Palette is the perfect palette for everyone! Your new go-to, your ride or die, your partner in crime - this palette holds the ultimate everyday, nude neutrals. With 12 shades, ranging from cool to warm, matte to metallic, you and this palette will be inseparable. You can never have too many nudes...

Shades:

• Locked & Loaded (matte pale yellow)

• Uninhibited (metallic deep gold)

• Hot Bod (matte chocolate brown with gold flecks)

• Flasher (satin soft ivory)

• Nekkid (matte pastel orange)

• Extra Curricular (matte burnt orange)

• Hard (matte deep terracotta)

• Draft (metallic rich rose gold)

• Keep it PG (metallic champagne gold)

• Nip Slip (matte warm saddle brown)

• Send Noodles (matte soft tan)

• Teddy Bare (matte deep chocolate brown)

LOVE & XX’S,

SHOP THE PRODUCTS

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Kimchi Gazpacho

The long weekend is almost here! Hallelujah! What are your plans for Memorial Day? Going out of town? Vacay trip? Staycation? With the weather now warming up, especially here in New York, where the past couple of days have risen up to the near 90's, I created a new recipe suited for the start to summer! Now that it's getting hotter and the fact that I love soup, I did my own twist on one of my favorite summer soups, gazpacho.

One of my favorite strolls through the city is at the Union Square Green Market. They have everything from jams & honey to fresh farmer's fruit & vegetables, to even flowers, cheese, bread and wine. The works! I love going with the boys for a little quality time along with getting the best produce to cook with! And what's more awesome? They always got new herbs and veggies to work with, such as chive blossoms and red scallions, both of which I have yet to experiment with! I even saw fiddleheads!

Kimchi Gazpacho

Serves 2-3

recipe + photos by © Suzanne Spiegoski

Ingredients:
3 c chopped tomatoes (peeled and seeded)
1/2 c kimchi with juice (chopped)
1/2 c Kirby cucumber (peeled and chopped)
1 large garlic clove, chopped
3 tbs rice wine
salt & pepper to taste
Chive blossoms & red scallions, for garnish, optional

Directions:

In a blender, puree tomatoes, kimchi, cucumber, and garlic. Add rice wine, salt, and pepper. Taste for accurate seasonings. Chill. Pour into bowl(s), garnish, and serve immediately.

Using staple ingredients within a gazpacho such as tomatoes, Kirby cucumbers, onion, and garlic, I incorporated some Napa cabbage kimchi to give this chilled soup a bit of heat. Gazpacho is simple to make. Takes less than twenty minutes to prep and complete. Waiting for the soup to chill is the hardest part! I hate waiting to eat! Ha ha!

I've been wanting to elevate my dishes to another level and have been working on better garnishing my plates. To me, garnishes are vital when completing the look of a meal. In this case, gazpacho would look pretty bland without any decorative gems on top! So instead of using chives or green onion, I went for something completely different and totally out of my normal 'comfort' cooking zone. Never have I tried chive flowers, but now I've got a feeling I'll be sprinkling these onto everything!

LOVE & XX'S

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

October Beauty Favorites

TGIF! October is officially here and there are a few beauty products that are my must-haves at the moment. And one of them, you will laugh at, but it's something I love to have from time to time! Don't judge me, I fully embrace myself just the way I am!

From left to right, clockwise.

1. Formula X For Sephora Nail Polish in Ignite
2. Fresh Sugar Cherry Tinted Lip Treatment - Sunscreen SPF 15
3. Cartier Pasha Édition Noire Travel Rollerball Cologne
4. Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Lashes Mascara
5. L'Oreal Glam Bronze GG Cream

I actually wore this Formula X nail polish the day I married my husband. We married in the Fall almost two years ago, and ever since, I have been constantly stocking on this particular deep red for the Autumn/Winter seasons here in New York. A definite must-have! They give my nails a modern, classic look and the rich hue complements my skin complexion very well, even when my summer tan is starting to taper off. ;)

Okay, let me just say, I cannot get enough of Fresh's Sugar Lip Treatment! This season is the first time I'm trying an actual color from this line, and I went with 'Cherry' to go with my red nails. It provides 6 hours of moisture, leaving you with only soft, supple lips. Most women I know can rock full red lips, but I look like a blow fish if I go the scenic bright rouge route! I am loving it's subtle tint!

Normally I'd talk about my current perfume, but my current aromatic obsession is this new cologne by Cartier I got for my hubby. It's style is authentic and elegant (just like my man) with hints of mint, rose wood, coriander, mandarin, thyme and lavender. It's a very masculine perfume, and you cannot deny the expressions of virility and pure sophistication in it's scent. Perfect sexy vibes for Fall. I'd recommend it for any man who enjoys the finer and more beautiful things in life. And... (here's the laughable part), I like to spritz it on one of my hubby's shirts and wear it around the house sometimes, especially on rainy days like today! ❤︎❤︎❤︎

I've been using Lancôme's mascara for years. I sometimes use one from Kiehl's, but for everyday usage, this doll lash effect mascara gives a wide-eye look but also with perfect volumized, extended, luscious lashes. (Without looking like some cartoon character!) And the comb is really good in those hard-to-reach corners.

And now, last but not least, my favorite current bronze cream from L'Oreal. I love how weightless it feels and the coverage is very natural, giving my skin the perfect glow. It is a very sheer cream and has a very summery, floral scent to it. I love it! It doesn't give you much coverage, but I'd like to think of it as a lighter kind of contour for your face.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed some of my monthly beauty faves! Have a wonderful, super cozy weekend!

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

PS The beauty products laid out on that super snugly faux fur blanket is from one of my all-time favorite stores, West Elm. :)

SHOP BEAUTY

Tuesday: Beauty Essentials

Today we're talking more about my everyday beauty products. From skin care to perfume, here is a list of my regular go-to beauty essential must-haves.

1. The Body Shop Tea Tree Cleansing Wipes & Flawless BB Cream 02 Medium

The tea tree oil line has me officially addicted! I love the combination and that they're portable. The face wipes always leave my face feeling refreshed and renewed. The BB cream has my skin feeling light while looking all-natural and luminous. A definite everyday make-up.

2. Essie Nail Polish | Color Devil's Advocate

I'm definitely not a 'girly-girl' and you'll rarely see me wear pink, let alone nail polish. If I want to spruce up my nails for a night on the town, this is my favorite color from Essie. Their nail polish comes in so many different colors and the quality never disappoints.

3. YSL Lipstick | Color Rouge Volupté

First of all, I love the little sneak mirror on the bottom of the lipstick. So convenient for a quick retouch while on the go. It's deep color can be put on lightly, mixed in with another color, or set richly on its own with it's sensual, moody tone. It's creamy texture and lasting scent are also big bonus points.

4. Fresh Brown Sugar Body Cream

I use this lotion in every season. It leaves my skin soft and supple. I love it's airiness- sometimes other lotions are so gunky. And you'll really smell like brown sugar. Mmmmm...

5. Chanel N°5 Perfume

 One of my favorite scents, it is extremely feminine and classic. With an addictive personality and the nose of a Bloodhound, I do get tired of wearing the same perfume all the time and like to switch it up to Givenchy, or sometimes if feeling a bit more floral, Dior.

What are your everyday beauty products? We'd love to hear about some of your faves! Feel free to comment below or send us a message. :)

Have a great day!

LOVE & XX'S,

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

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Friday: Green Dragon Shrimp

TGIF! Today's blog is all about my home cooking! Yesterday on Pinterest I saw a recipe from ABC'S, The Chew. It's from Chef Josh Capon. I love to cook and this was a grill recipe to die for. I've been wanting to grill the crap out of something (since summer is coming to an end soon... NO!), so off I went in search of the perfect grill pan and voila! I love the freshness, the pop of color and most especially the taste of this dish! It was incredibly delicious! And might I mention that grilled pineapple is one of my most favorite things ever?! The touch of smoky flavor really brings out the sweetness of the pineapple, making it a killer twist on the traditional pico de gallo. The shrimp is a bit spicy from the jalapeños, so if you're not big on hot, I'd opt them out if want to try making this.

You can find the recipe and all its directions below. Super easy and fun! Have a great weekend!

Green Dragon Shrimp Skewers                                                                 with Grilled Pineapple Pico de Gallo

• 1 cup cilantro leaves
• 1 jalapeno (seeded)
• 5 scallions
• 4 ounces fresh ginger
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 pound 16/20 shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• lime (cut into wedges, to serve)
• lemon (cut into wedges, to serve)
• Grilled Pineapple Pico de Gallo
• 2 cups diced grilled pineapple
• 1 jalapeno (seeded and diced)
• 1 cup diced tomato (seeded)
• 1 cup diced red onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 1 lemon (juiced)
• 1 orange (juiced)
• kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. To a blender, add cilantro, jalapeno, scallions, ginger and olive oil and puree until smooth.  
2. Toss shrimp in marinade and place on skewers. Place in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to use.
3. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium heat.
4. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Place on grill and cook 2-3 minutes per side, until cooked through. 
5. Serve grilled shrimp skewers with grilled pineapple pico de gallo and fresh lemon and lime wedge.
6. For the Grilled Pineapple Pico de Gallo: mix all ingredients together and reserve in refrigerator until ready to use.
7. Tip: if you're making this recipe for a group, marinate the shrimp and make the pico de gallo ahead of time! Grill shrimp just before serving.

LOVE & XX'S,

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