October Beauty Favorites

October 24, 2018

Happy Hump Day! I know, I know… I’m way overdue on my monthly beauty favorites! I’m so sorry that it’s been MIA - August and September were extremely busy for me and I honestly did not have time to do the posts. Instead I went into more detail with specific brands that were launching a new collection of products that I felt would cater to my readers. I did one on higher-end skincare (HERE) and another travel-minded one that was more on the affordable side. (HERE) So, I hope you enjoyed and without further ado, here it is, finally back where it should be, my October beauty favorites is up! From a blush palette that’ll want you to shout to heavens thanking them for such a creation to a great skincare brand fighting against blue light (Hi, cell phones), there are a soiree of goodies that you’ll definitely want to get your hands on ASAP. Continue reading to learn more about my latest monthly beauty faves!

Only at ULTA!

Add seductive warmth with iconic matte and shimmer blushes sure to bring the passion. NARS Heartbreaker Blush Palette includes three lustworthy shades. Limitless intrigue. The packaging features a metallic red textured design on the compact for a special standout touch.

The ultimate authority in blush, NARS offers the industry's bestselling, most iconic shades for cheeks. NARS blush delivers healthy-looking color that enlivens the complexion and provides a natural-looking flush to flatter any skin tone. Iconic shades include a range of translucent, natural tones, each with a subtle pink undertone for a natural-looking blush to highlight the complexion. Silky, superfine micronized powder pigments in matte and shimmering shades ensure irresistibly soft, blendable application. A light application of even the highest-intensity hues delivers a natural-looking flush. These soft, buildable shades deliver a wide range of effects, from ultra-sheer to powerful pops of color.

Spiked with color. Studded with style. Uncover your inner rebel with a covetable collection inspired by the iconic punk fashion of the 1970s. Stud your style with daring shimmer and shine; spike it with explicitly bold shades for a look that's authentic. Irreverent. Always relevant.

A $66 value!

Shades include:

Luster (sheer golden apricot)
Orgasm (peachy pink w/ golden shimmer)
Amour (matte rose pink)

Mysterious & seductive, the Splendida Magnolia Sensuel fragrance by Bvlgari is definitely one to fall for and is my new favorite autumn scent. Neroli freshness, splendid magnolia and the heart of patchouli collide for a feminine fragrance that embraces the playful passionate and sensual side of being a woman. 😍 Scents: zesty freshness, splendid magnolia, and chypre woods. And can we just admire the gorgeous packaging on top?! So luxe.

TONER

Pure Deep Sea Water balances and visibly strengthens skin's moisture barrier to hydrate while Lychee Peel Extract offers soothing comfort and antioxidant protection. Perfectly suited for sensitive skin types, this toner is formulated without oil and alcohol and has only 10 must have ingredients.

MOUSSE

Blended to perfection with the nutrient-rich Deep Sea Water and polyphenols from Lychee Peel Extract quickly whip into action to deliver instant soothing relief to visibly stressed skin. The non-sticky, mousse formula makes it ideal for all skin types, including sensitive.

Find your perfect M·A·C Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation shade!

Embrace Every Shade of You with the Studio Fix lineup. This 24 hour wear foundation combines a matte finish with full, buildable coverage, with broad spectrum SPF 15 protection. Applies, builds and blends easily even while controlling shine. Comfortable and extremely longwearing, it helps minimize the appearance of pores and imperfections, giving skin a smoother, more flawless look and finish.

Benefits:

Longwearing, 24 hours
Reduces appearance of pores
Controls oil and shine
Nondrying
For all skin types, especially oily skin
Provides staytrue colour
Nonstreaking
Noncaking
Nonsettling
Photofriendly

Wunder2's Perfect Selfie HD Photo Finishing Powder is the easy way to filter-flawless skin in real life. Formulated with High-Resolution Powder Technology, this ultra-soft, bouncy powder magically transforms the skin to become poreless and pixel perfect. Perfect selfie formula contains a high performing blend of perfecting powders, which are uniform in particle size. It provides a smooth feel and soft-focus finish without masking the skin, leaving it looking natural. A combination of specially treated silicone and nylon eliminates the appearance of pores, wrinkles and shine whilst promoting an elastic-like effect so the skin is able to expand and contract with facial movements without the powder setting into fine lines, creating a photo perfect finish. The ultimate finish to your makeup look in under 2 minutes without the use of a photo filter.

In Stores 10-26!

This is the wildest way yet to look better Naked...Urban Decay's Naked Cherry Eyeshadow Palette has a sexy vibe that's more tart than sweet. With 12 never-before-picked neutrals, this vamped-up cherry-hued palette is sure to bring out your sultriest, most tempting eye looks ever.

These 12 all-new shades include of-the-moment soft mattes and sizzling metallics, ranging from creamy ivory and shimmering rose gold to the most intense black cherry. Urban Decay is addicted to Bing - a deep mauve matte that is right on trend. And they can't get enough of Drunk Dial, a shimmery metallic burgundy that takes smoky looks to a smoldering climax.

Because serious staying power and shadow that doesn't flake or fade out on you are non-negotiables, each shade is made from our mind-blowing formula that gives its velvety texture, rich color and blendability.

Adorned with a row of metallic cherries, the crimson compact includes a full-size mirror and double-sided brush - ready for precision application on one end and seamless blending on the other. Whether you're at the office, in between flights or getting ready at the apartment, Naked Cherry spices up everything from chill neutrals and sexy shimmers to super smoky eyes.

Urban Decay is 100% cruelty-free.

Urban Decay is beauty with an edge.

Shades:

Hot Spot (ivory matte)
Caution (soft neutral beige matte)
Bang Bang (shimmering pink with gold shift and iridescent micro-sparkle)
Feelz (soft dusty rose matte)
Juicy (soft warm peach)
Turn On (pale metallic rose shimmer)
Ambitious (metallic rose copper)
Bing (deep mauve matte)
Devilish (reddish plum matte)
Young Love (metallic cranberry)
Drunk Dial (deep metallic burgundy)
Privacy (deep brownish-plum matte)

Essie nail polish never fails me. A fall/winter shade nail polish collection that will have you in love for NYC. Exclusive easy glide brush for quick, even application. Shiny, smooth appearance. Extensive color palette with hundreds of nail polish shades. Uptown, downtown or crosstown-these variated colors will sizzle in any of the concrete jungle neighborhoods. I’ve been really into deep reds and metallics for fall! Which ones would you go for first?

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BAREPRO Glow Highlighter by bareMinerals is more than just a highlighter, this versatile formula with light-reflecting mineral pearls provides a veil of natural-looking luminosity when used alone as a highlighter, and can be used to transform the finish of your favorite liquid foundation, tinted moisturizer or skincare products to add customized luminosity.

This light as air bi-phase liquid is infused with oat sugar to instantly smooth the appearance of wrinkles, and green lentil extract and bamboo extract to smooth the appearance of pores and even skin's texture. Mineral lock technology prolongs wear up to 16 hours.

Energize your skin with LUMIVIVE™ System from SkinMedica by clearing imperfections, alleviating damage and restoring vitality. Formulated with a blend of antioxidants and coenzyme Q10, this face serum works to reduce uneven pigmentation, free radical damage and redness.

The LUMIVIVE™ System includes:

LUMIVIVE™ Day Damage Defense Serum: an antioxidant serum that defends skin from damaging environmental aggressors such as blue light (HEV) as well as pollutants in the air
LUMIVIVE™ Night Revitalize Repair Complex: an evening serum that revitalizes and detoxifies the skin while reducing the appearance of environmental damage

Key Ingredients:

Cacao Seed Extract: offers blue light Protection
Bioflavinoids: create a bio-barrier on the skin
Alteramonas Ferment Extract: provides environmental pollution protection
Mirabilis Jalapa Extract: detoxifies skin
Pentapeptide 34 Trifluoroacetate: supports endogenous coenzyme Q10 and ATP levels to recharge and invigorate skin

Key Benefits:

Protects against blue light and environmental aggressors
Promotes radiant and even skin tone
Decreases visible redness
Discoloration
Detoxifies skin

LOVE & XX’S,

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Fall Makeup Look with Bobbi Brown

October 1, 2018

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY BOBBI BROWN.

My favorite season is here! Crisp air, leave foliage and everything pumpkin, your girl is a little too excited for it all! Fall makeup is supposed to be subtle but with a touch of the dramatic. Some classic favorites? Black eyeliner, rich red lips, and overall warm tones. I've been wanting to create a look that's not too difficult to do but at the same time, also super gorgeous and still quite natural. Think of a very underplayed smokey eye with a cherry autumn lip and some gold highlight glowy-ness. Which is why I'm thrilled to partner with Bobbi Brown to share this fall makeup look with you guys! Continue reading to learn about every single product we used to achieve this look along with a quick fun makeup video!

When I met Analise Traficante, the Bobbi Brown BDA & Brand Ambassador at Bloomingdale's in SoHo, during NYFW, I knew we had to work together! She and I instantly connected and along with her talent, her personality is what really drew me to her. Filming didn't even feel like work, but more like two girls just hanging out in our bedrooms (like teenagers) playing around with makeup. When I gave her my vision of the look I had in mind, she instantly got me. Say no more, she went with a very subtle smokey eye with hints of dark brown and purples along with a gorgeous rusty red lip and highlight to boot.

We used one of my favorite illuminating powders of all time: The Nude Finish Illuminating Powder from SS16. The warm, gold tones are perfect for transitioning from summer to fall makeup, plus I think warmer highlights for olive skin is more flattering than cooler tones in terms of overall skin complexion as well as hair (but we can talk about hair in a whole other post.) The color we chose for lipstick shade is called, "Burnt Cherry" in Bobbi Brown's newly launched Luxe Matte Lip Color Beauty. These luxurious matte lipsticks feature oil-infused powders and pure matte powder pigments that deliver full coverage, a comfortable, lightweight feel and 12-hour high-impact color.

Skin prep also included products from the Bobbi Brown line, such as their hydrating eye cream which has CHANGED my life. If you're looking something to rid of those bags, this magic potion in a jar IS IT! We also moisturized with face cream as well as a primer before setting in the foundation and concealer. Other favorites as well are the Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil in Dark Brown, the Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Chocolate Truffle, and the limited edition Camo Luxe Eye & Cheek Palette - A modern spin on iconic camo that features six matte, metallic and sparkle shadows for multidimensional eye looks, plus a light-reflective highlighting powder to instantly illuminate skin—all in one versatile palette.

I've added direct links to shop this fall beauty look in the top and end of this post, so feel free to check these items out! Remember, some items are limited edition, so you should take a look now rather than later. Got a question about this makeup look? Drop yours in the comment section down below or come find me on Instagram! Special thanks to the wonderful Analise for her makeup wizardry, you are amazing! Check out her Instagram here as well (@misstraficante)!

LOVE & XX’S,

SHOP THE LOOK

Bobbi Brown Nude Finish Illuminating Powder SS16

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Transitioning with Olay during NYFW

September 6, 2018

MAGIC IN A JAR: Olay Regenerist Whip with SPF 25

This post is brought to you by Olay but all opinions are my own.

This summer was a first for me. I wore little to no makeup! Aside from a tinted moisturizer here and there, I've cut out makeup all-together to give my skin some breathing room. Especially when summer's in New York City are not cool at all. The humidity alone will wreak havoc on your face! So I find it imperative to take breaks in between to keep my skin fresh and healthy. I've been trying out the Olay Regenerist Whips with SPF 25 and all I have to say is wow! Continue reading to learn why this is my latest go-to moisturizer at the moment.

Time and time again as the seasons change, I make slight tweaks to my beauty routine. I think it's great every few months to switch up your regiment to refresh your skin to new nutritious ingredients. To me, it keeps my skin fresher and more active. And with Fashion Month around the corner, I'm super excited to have the Olay Whips with SPF with me to bring along a rather crazy couple of weeks. With long nights of editing, events, early morning meetings/shoots, then the shows on top of after-parties, I get sleepy just talking about my schedule. Imagine how the skin reacts to little to no sleep!

Made with a unique formula, including Active Rush Technology that transforms from cream to liquid on the skin for instant absorption, it also is able to absorb oils on your skin throughout the day, for a dewy (not oily) finish. My skin is velvety-smooth, it's like the no primer, primer! And anything that's going to cut my time in half when getting ready is a major bonus during hectic days as I previously mentioned, because let's face it (no pun intended...) who has all the time in the world to get ready when you should be out ready to take on the world?! ;)

Want to give the Olay Regenerist Whips moisturizer? Shop from Walgreens here!

LOVE & XX'S,

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Black and White Tweed Blazer for Fall

September 3, 2018

WEARING: BANANA REPUBLIC FACTORY BLAZER | ZARA TOP | JOE'S JEANS | EGO PEEP TOE MULE | PAUL'S BOUTIQUE LONDON BAG

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY BANANA REPUBLIC FACTORY & EGO SHOES.

Hi! How is everyone doing? Ready for fall? Ready to go back to school? Are you just... ready? You've heard it here on the blog first, the next few weeks will be filled with Fashion Month content. I'm still working on my August beauty favorites, but being that last month was kind of major in terms of reviewing beauty products, my post is delayed due to this but I promise it's coming soon on top of other favorites! Let's just say in terms of content, it'll be just as thick as the Vogue September issue! LOL. In today's post, I'm sharing with you my fall staple favorites: Cozy, fitted jeans, a kick-ass blazer, and a good pair of mules. A very minimal, chic look. Continue reading to see the complete photo shoot and also where to shop these amazing finds!

I attended the opening of a new Banana Republic flagship store in Herald Square (17 W 34th Street) where it is the biggest store in NYC for BR! It has two floors along with two temporary pop-ups, one with 100% Pure Cosmetics and American Designs Club, a platform for creative brands to show, share and sell their work. Definitely worth a stop next time you're in the neighborhood. I found this texture academy blazer on sale for $60! Semi-fitted and tweed-like, the black and white blazer is 50% off and so stylish. I love blazers because you can mix and match it with so many pieces, the versatility is key.

I love the classic casual jeans and a blazer-look. It's like the effortlessly chic Parisian woman who just rolled out of bed, hair disheveled, shirt tucked out of place and yet, she looks lovely in the most imperfect way. I paired the blazer with these Joe's jeans that are not only super comfy but very much in trend with the distressed hem and fitting of the pants. How many of you ladies are also a fan of high-rise pants?

I know technically no white after Labor Day, but how could I resist with these awesome white mules from Ego?! One of my favorite shoe brands from the UK, I knew this pair would outlast the summer and well into fall. How cute would these be with an animal print dress or with leather cropped pants?! Or even a pair of sheer socks, the possibilities are endless! What do you guys think of this rule? In or Out? Yay or Nay? Scroll down to leave your thoughts in our comment box - and to also directly shop the pieces from this post! Have a lovely first week of September, everyone!

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

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Julep Passport To K-Beauty

August 30, 2018

This post is brought to you by Julep Beauty but all opinions are my own.

Many of you have asked about affordable skincare and especially, K-beauty since my last luxury skincare post, so I finally have something for you guys that I think you'll really love as well! Julep is the latest brand to bundle up its K-beauty essentials into one convenient place. Its brand-new Passport To K-Beauty is the ultimate Korean skin-care vault, complete with 11 of Julep's best-selling products for helping your skin become as clear and glowing as a member of any K-Pop band. Continue reading to learn more about every product in this amazing beauty box and as always, where to shop!

The products are neatly organized in a multi-tiered pink box that can be easily stored on your vanity or under your bathroom sink. The packaging itself is quite aesthetically pleasing. With ingredients straight from Jeju Island, (a popular vacation destination site below the southern tip of South Korea,) you have a complete K-beauty routine in one easy-to-navigate place. You can mix-and-match the products depending on the time of day or what your biggest skin concern may be. Again, there 11 products divided up into three different sections: Protect, Hydrate, & Cleanse. Let's take a closer look at each section:

PROTECT

NO EXCUSES INVISIBLE SUNSCREEN GEL

A completely transparent face sunscreen in an essence-gel base, Julep No Excuses Invisible Sunscreen Gel delivers broad-spectrum SPF 40 that helps protect against UVA/UVB rays. This lightweight gel goes on smoothly and dries to a satin finish, making it perfect to wear under makeup. How do I use it: Apply liberally, 15 minutes before sun exposure. Use a water-resistant sunscreen if swimming or sweating.

TRIPLE QUENCH DEEP HYDRATION SHEET MASK SYSTEM

Julep's Triple Quench Deep Hydration Sheet Mask System offers three steps to help reveal the appearance of softer, brighter skin. The complete three-part sheet mask system is all you need for a deeply hydrating and ultra-pampering boost to your skin-care routine. How do I use it: Use once to three times a week, depending on your skin's hydration needs. Perfect for traveling.

NIGHT SHIFT SLEEPING MASK

An overnight moisture mask that you wear while you're fast asleep, so you wake up to smoother, more hydrated skin. It's formulated with a unique peptide blend, sodium hyaluronate, and botanical extracts--including Power Cell Complex--that work to deliver moisture to the skin. How do I use it: Massage a thin, even layer onto face, avoiding eye area. Apply to clean, bare skin or layer over serum and moisturizer. Leave on overnight and rinse off in the morning. Your skin will be oh so soft!

HYDRATE

BOOST YOUR RADIANCE REPARATIVE ROSEHIP SEED FACIAL OIL

Julep's Boost Your Radiance Reparative Rosehip Seed Facial Oil is a lightweight, fast-absorbing facial oil that gives an antioxidant boost to your skincare routine. Perfect for all skin types - even oily skin. The rosehip seed oil reduces the appearance of fine lines, scars, and hyperpigmentation. Regulates oil production while moisturizing. Vitamin E protects against dehydration and free radical damage while it aids in the absorption of the rosehip seed oil. Bergamot oil brightens skin while providing a natural uplifting fragrance.

WHAT YOUR SKIN NEEDS RESTORATIVE FACIAL MILK

What Your Skin Needs Restorative Facial Milk is an ultra-lightweight facial moisturizer, with a high-tech blend of five skin-boosting oils that absorbs quickly into your skin to treat, nourish, and hydrate. It's formulated with squalane, as well as the skin-loving oils of jojoba oil, argan oil, coconut oil, and olive oil. How do I use it: Apply one to two drops onto face after cleansing. Can be worn alone or under moisturizer. Apply day or night.

YOU GOT THIS PRESSED SERUM DAILY MOISTURIZER

You Got This daily moisturizing routine down with this stick that streamlines your serum and moisturizer steps into one. Formulated with soothing hydration and antioxidants with ingredients like camellia japonia seed oil, jeju blossom extract, sodium hyaluronate, and ceramidesso, it's ready to help you take on the day. How do I use it: Swipe the pressed serum stick on forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. Gently massage in with fingers. Follow with an SPF during the daytime.

DREAM BIG NIGHTLY RENEWAL PRESSED SERUM WITH BHA

Julep Dream Big Nightly Renewal Pressed Serum with BHA is an innovative stick that streamlines your nighttime serum and moisturizer steps into one. It deeply hydrates as it gently exfoliates to unveil smoother, more refined skin overnight. The salicylic acid (Beta Hydroxy Acid) lifts and loosens dead skin cells and purges the pores of impurities to improve skin's clarity, tone, and texture. Antioxidant-rich Jeju Blossom Extract protects against environmental damage. Sodium hyaluronate deeply hydrates to promote skin's suppleness and elasticity. Ceramides strengthen the skin's natural barrier, restore damaged lipid barrier caused by environmental damage, and prevent water loss.

SO AWAKE DEPUFFING GEL EYE CREAM

Julep So Awake Depuffing Gel Eye Cream is a lightweight, multitasking eye cream that handles all your everyday eye woes. It hydrates and depuffs the delicate eye area as it reduces the look of dark circles. Plus, illuminating micro-pearls perk up the look of tired eyes instantly. The Sodium hyaluronate deeply hydrates to promote skin's suppleness and elasticity. Turmeric root extract and banana flower extract soothe redness and irritation as they reduce the appearance of dark circles, providing long-term brightening effects. Antioxidant-rich Jeju bamboo grass & Jeju blossom extract protect against environmental damage as they soothe, nourish, and moisturize. Caffeine perks up tired-looking eyes and diminishes puffiness. Collagen improves skin's elasticity.

CLEANSE

CHARCOAL BODY KONJAC SPONGE

Julep took their cult-favorite Konjac face sponge and made it big enough to use from top to toe. Helping to gently exfoliate dead skin cells to reveal a soft, radiant, and glowing looking complexion, the special teardrop-shape helps reach every facial curve and nook, while an attached suction cup makes for easy shower storage. How do I use it: Rinse under warm water before each use. Massage in a circular motion to exfoliate dead skin cells. Rinse thoroughly and squeeze out excess water after each use. Replace every one to two months.

LOVE YOUR BARE FACE HYDRATING CLEANSING OIL

This lightweight cleanser from Julep gently and thoroughly dissolves makeup and dirt without over-drying skin, then rinses clean. This formula treats your complexion to ingredients such as grapeseed oil; olive oil; and power cell complex, a blend of ultra-hydrating ingredients that includes rosehip seed oil, malvaceae lipid extract, and green coffee bean oil. How do I use it: Pump into dry hands and massage over dry face. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

LOVE YOUR BARE FACE DETOXIFYING CLEANSING BALM STICK

An innovative stick cleanser with a blend of natural oils and fruit enzymes that removes dirt, oil, and impurities while gently exfoliating for a deep-down clean. You can finally nourish and deep cleanse your skin at the same time. Treat yourself to a luxurious blend of natural oils that dive deep to remove makeup, dirt, oil, and impurities while delivering essential nutrients to soothe, repair, and moisturize the skin. Natural pomegranate fruit enzymes work to gently exfoliate and dissolve surface debris that can cause dullness and uneven skin texture, leaving you with a noticeably softer, more radiant complexion. Key Ingredients: Rice bran oil dives deep to purge impurities grapefruit peel oil cleanses and evens skin tone camellia japonica seed oil hydrates and clarifies skin.

So what is the verdict on Julep's Passport To K-Beauty vault? A big two thumbs up! It is available for $249 on julep.com, ulta.com and nordstrom.com. At first glance the price may not be 'right' BUT... the individual products add up to $326. With the vault, you're saving $77. You're basically getting two or three products for free, which is a plus when K-beauty routines typically account for 10 to 11 steps. Plus many of the products are travel-friendly, and I'm always down for K-Beauty while traveling! What do you guys think of this pretty pink beauty box?! Would you rather buy the products separately or in a bundled collection as such? Drop your comments down below!