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

Call Me Greta

NARS has done it once again! Last week on my OOTD post, I mentioned one of their lipsticks from the new Audacious Lipstick line I was wearing. I didn't put on as much on as I did today, given the pink hue is very rich, but for fun, I thought why not try putting it fully on instead of dabbing it on my lips like some little chicken. Live a little! Brighten up those lips for Fall! Am I right?!

Creamy, dramatic depth, and long-lasting, I had full coverage with one stroke! Super smooth and hydrating to my lips, I found this pigmentation to work fairly well with my complexion as well. I think I'm in love (swoon)!

The color is called Greta and has now become the name to my alter-ego lol! All kidding aside, do you think I could ever look like a Greta? When I think of a Greta, I think of a voluptuous Swedish blonde bombshell. Writers are weird. Nah, I wouldn't change my imagination for anything! Who do you picture in your mind when you think of the name, Greta?

I've been strangely told many times I look like a Samantha! I told 'em Sam might work, but I actually love my name. My father chose my name, but my closest friends call me Suz. My brother is the one who originated this nickname! It's crazy, but my mother wanted to name me either, Jennifer or Diana, but I'm glad my Dad came through with a more 'unique' name and how my mother loved it just as much when presented with the idea. ♥

I don't know about you, but I always love to hear the story behind a person's name. I like to know this part of their history because it somehow brings more character in a person, rather than just knowing a face. I like to think of it as kind of like a tiny piece of intimacy left behind, but not too much for it to be way too personal. To me, names are truly beautiful and should carry some sort of special message or meaning behind them.

What do you all think about Greta? Both the lipstick and the name? What's in a name to you?

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

SHOP THE LIPSTICK

The Best Mud Mask

My newest beauty find is Glamglow's SuperMud Clearing Treatment. At the end of each week after running around grimy New York, I like to give myself a deep facial cleanse. I've been looking for something that doesn't contain sulfates or parabens, and this mud mask is the real deal. After just one try, my face felt softer and looked brighter. My skin tone was more balanced and I could visibly see the mud do its work! My face never looked more healthy or vibrant!

I found the packaging to be a little cheesy at first. Hello Sexy... really? But to each his own, I never try to judge a book by its cover. Once I got to what I actually wanted, I could smell the licorice-base in its formula as soon as I opened it! I love that it can be used as a full face mask or for spot treatment, targeting certain areas like your t-zone and chin, that may be more prone to skin problems. If you're looking for a face mask that'll transform your skin, this is a MUST-have in your facial care arsenal :)

While the mask does its magic on your face, you can see literally see and feel it! My face felt tingly and I could see where it was extracting from my pores, essentially getting rid of all that dirt and oil. Check out the photo collage below to see it for yourself!

Even though I poked fun at the labeling, my face sure does feel sexy after this facial treatment! I highly recommend this and will definitely be using this product more often from now on.

And here you have it, folks! Me! At my most natural state! Can you see its results?! Wow, do I feel refreshed! What is your favorite go-to face mask? I'd love to hear more from our readers! Feel free to share and comment your thoughts below. :)

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

SHOP THE MASK

Type and Listen.

The only kind of music I can actually concentrate to while writing is and has always been classical music. I'm a lover of all things instrumental, but was quickly drawn into the classical music realm when I was a young teenager. Truthfully, I'm kind of a geek about it. I still, as a hobby, collect CD's but only in this genre. I could care less about the digital crap when it comes to looking for treasure. There's something rare in its form when you by happenstance come across gems all over the city. I use to go crazy at the Virgin Megastore while it was still around in Union Square. My husband and I would go every weekend, and go our separate ways; him with his movies and me with my music.

I've got a stack of reasons not only to enjoy classical music, but to appreciate it. Classical music has been shown to lower stress, make people smarter (!), and can even be a lovely sleeping aid. A 2001 study out of Southern Methodist University supports that listening to classical music heightened the emotions in the study subjects. They were more expressive and effusive with their comments, and they were more openly available as well.

Want to learn more about the transformative power of classic music? If you have the time (the video is about 20 minutes long), check out this TED video of Benjamin Zander. It's probably, in my opinion, one the best discussions I've ever listened to regarding classical music. It is truly significant. And it is special.

I have an endless amount of favorite composers but I'd thought I should name at least a few. (In no particular order)

• Chopin
• Rachmaninoff
• Jules Massenet
• Brahms
• Erik Satie
• Johann Strauss I
• Liszt
• Schubert

I didn't want to list the obvious! Of course I worship Mozart, Beethoven, Bach and others but like I said, the amount is endless. If you're anything like the pianist loving freak that I am, you'll love Mitsuko Uchida (I've seen her play live at Carnegie Hall and it was completely amazing) and Dong Hyek Lim.

The pages upon pages of sonatas, concertos, you name it, that I've kept with me through the years, is what I go back to when I'm looking for a certain tone to work with into my writing. When it comes to writing, I always use a computer for manuscripts but I do enjoy using my Olympia typewriter for poetry and short stories.

It even comes with its own case, so it's portable but it's too bulky for me to carry around. Hence, the digital computers. I use Macs and also have a Microsoft Surface Pro 3. I've always wanted to use the typewriter to complete a screenplay. Though when I do type, I make far too many errors, it could get technically frustrating. But regardless of what I just said, isn't she an aesthetic beauty? With a name like Olympia, how can she not be female? ;)

Lastly, today is World Suicide Prevention Day, and I wanted to leave you a quote in relation to this ever-growing dilemma. Let's all take some time today to become more aware of what we can do to help the ones we love who are going through this. Sometimes all it takes is a person to listen. Your story isn't over yet. You're worth another chapter.

““It’s possible to see something that is when it’s not, but it’s possible to not see something when it actually is.””

— Cyrus Stewart

SUICIDE HOTLINE: 1-800-273-8255 

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

LET'S CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

Favorite Hair Products of All Time

In my last favorites, I chatted about some of my most favorite spices of all time. Today, I wanted to share with you all my essentials when it comes to that big mane on top of my head. It is minimal, but when it comes to my hair, I have a few ground rules.

• Don't wash your hair every single day! It rids of all nutrients and oils you need to make your hair look fabulous! I actually will wash my hair every few days and will only give it one deep condition in, once per week for 30 minutes. Is your hair extra oily? Dry some dry shampoo in between washes.
• Do NOT- I REPEAT, DO NOT use shampoos that carry sulfate! This stuff ruins any amazing dye job, and will also dull out your beautiful natural hair color! I use Alfaparf Milano Shampoo & their nutritive mask for my weekly conditioning. It is specifically for drier/coarser hair like mine, with thorough moisturizing.
• I don't like to blow dry my air. One I literally have too much hair to blow-dry, and two, I sweat like a pig while doing it! I only usually do this during the winter when air drying my hair would take days. (I'm not kidding) I use two different irons when it comes to doing my hair. For curling, I use Conair's Double Ceramic Curling Iron, 1 1/4 inches. For straightening, since my hair is not naturally straight (see below) I use Hot Tools 1.5" Tourmaline Ceramic Titanium Flat Iron
• I HATE hairspray. Ever since my figure skating days, I've been avoiding it like the plague. It's sticky (even when the bottle says it's not), you smell like some fumigated bug and it never ever holds my texture in place! Because of the thickness of my hair, I use Kiehl's Creative Cream Wax to hold curls or waves in place. Not only is Kiehl's one of my favorite NYC stores, I love how many of their products can be used for both men and women. My hubby will use the wax from time to time! ;) My favorite spray of all time is NYM's Sea Salt Spray. Your hair will not only smell like you just came from the beach, but your hair will look perfectly textured from the sea salt! Win!

I included links to all the products below. For any product that is not directed to store where you can purchase, google the name of it and you’ll be able to find somewhere near you (or amazon) where you can purchase.

Got questions? Want to add something to my hair product list that I should know about? Please like, share and comment below!

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