3 easy ways i wear green eyeshadow

bonjour, beauties! hope you're enjoying your day…

since posting the Emerald Smoke eye look last week, i've been playing with variations of green and am loving it! while i'm not shy when it comes to playing up my eyes with different shades of makeup, i do, like many, sometimes fall into a routine. my go-to look is typically more suitable for day and neutral, but can easily be done with any color eyeshadows and liners.

the following looks are 3 ways i've been keeping my look fresh, using green shades...

the first green eye makeup look is definitely simple, with just a pop of color just under my eyes.

super simple and adds the perfect a hint of eye-opening drama: the cat eye. this look is a classic and always on trend!

and finally, the smoky eye look. this is always a fave of mine. keeping lips and cheeks neutral, this is a fun way to add color my face. to take it to night, i'd add lashes and punch up the lip color.

products i used for these looks:

Mary Kay eye shadows in Meadow Grass {cream}, Emerald and Lime {mineral eye shadows}
MAC Eyeshadow in Glamour Check!
Maybelline Master Smoky Liner Pencil in Emerald Fury
Wet N Wild eye liner in Green
Physicians Formula Kohl Kajal bronze eyeliner from Nude Eyes trio

tell me: what's your favorite eyeshadow shade to wear these days and what's your favorite way to wear it?

Mary Kay and MAC products sent to me for review consideration; i bought all other products mentioned; pics taken by me :) 

3 cleansing products i'm loving right now

have you been to the drugstore or your favorite mass retailer recently? if you're like me, i'm quite sure you have {LOL!}; i personally visit my local Walgreens, Target {and the like} multiple times a week, and of course with these visits come the stops to certain {cough, cough} departments that showcase a beauty girl's favorite things.

"i'm-just-going-to-look" is always what i say to myself, but …

hey, i'm only human!

in any case, the following items are very much a necessity in my beauty arsenal; they're all about cleansing {and we all know how important that is!}. 2 were purchased by me {yes, on a store visit that had no items regarding their function on my shopping list}; they are fabulous and keep me {and for one product, my beauty tools} fresh and clean.

take a look…

Rimmel London Gentle Eye Makeup Remover was a purchase made because i'm already a fan of their makeup and had never tried it, and also i was out of my fave Mary Kay eye makeup remover. it was the perfect opportunity for me to find out if Rimmel's remover was a drugstore version that would work just as well. like eye makeup removers from Clinique, Mary Kay and Lancome, i love that this beauty isn't oily, removes all eye makeup {yes, even waterproof!} and there's not a hint of sting when i use it.

keeping makeup brushes clean is important for many reasons and Sonia Kashuk Brush and Sponge Cleanser makes it super easy to do {saturate your brush bristles or sponge completely under running water, spray on cleanser, working up a lather ~ rinse under water until water runs clear. repeat as necessary; lay fat to dry}. from the first time i used it to now, i absolutely love it. it works on both synthetic and natural bristles, kills bacteria, breaks up oils and residue with ease {i use long-wearing products, so this was especially impressive}, and the scent, while strong at first, is surprisingly refreshing {i'm not sure of the exact scent, but lavender is definitely involved}.

finally, Dove Purely Pampering Nourishing Body Wash* creates the luxurious, uber-foamy lather that makes me feel so fancy and pampered. the scent is a long-time favorite {when i comes to sweet scents}: fabulous, warm pistachio. it's blended with magnolia, so it keeps the overall scent on the lighter side {so amazingly refreshing}. it comes in bar form as well, and as is the case with all Dove products, this body wash contains the brand's signature NutriumMoisture® ; my skin is always so soft and pampered after using this!


what special cleansing-type goodies are getting your love these days? do tell!

*product sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

beauty girl tv: my january 2014 beauty favorites!

there were so many things to be thankful for in january ~ especially beauty products! it was a bit tough to narrow it down {but i did it!}, and these things have found a special place in my beauty-loving heart…

  check out my latest video featuring the products i couldn't get enough of in january. thanks so much  for watching ~ and if you don't already, i'd love it if you'd subscribe to my channel!

sprinkles of bliss...

happy good friday and earth day, beauties! hope it's been a fab one for you. the week was steady-- it didn't go by too fast or too slow {which is a good thing considering my kids are off for spring break. if you have kids, you know how that goes...}-- and i have many things to be thankful for.

days have been the usual: laundry, cleaning and errands, but also filled with creative time, games, trips to the library, the park, sleep-overs, scavenger hunts while on walks with the dog, early gym workouts and lots of cooking! when kids are home all day, there seems to be so much more to do.

even with lots going on, there are always lovely things adding sprinkles of bliss to my day. here are just a few i have been especially loving...

the public library-- it's such an amazing resource for books {duh}. i love to read, so i take full advantage of getting {almost} every book i want without spending loads of money on them {don't get me wrong, i do still buy books, but this cuts cost way down}. as you can see i have many current selections, including audio books, ranging from history to fiction, chick-lit to mystery.

Good Earth Caffeine Free Sweet & Spicy Tea is just that, sweet and spicy. no added sweetener needed. there's a black tea version, but for some reason i just like this one better. yum! j'adore that each tag has a great quote printed on it as well-- from inspiring to thought provoking to funny, they're always a treat to read.

for easy and fast makeup removal, i've been using Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover Pads and One-Step Cleanser. the pads take off eye makeup with ease and the cleanser breaks up dirt, oil and makeup so my treatment cleanser and serums can do theirs job even better.

i'm incredibly late to the party, but Nylon magazine has become my new faves. while i realize i may not be their target audience {hello, suburban housewife here, lol}, i still find the content and imagery refreshing. it's full of amazing fashion, beauty, music, lifestyle and celebs stories, and a fun, funky voice all its own.

tell me: what things are adding sprinkles of bliss to your day?

first image via weheartit.com; all other pics taken by me :)

currently loving...

happy monday and valentine's day, beauties! how was your weekend?

my weekend was gorgeous, and i enjoyed it so much. walking the dog, dancing, sipping tea, doing ballet (as a slower-paced-but-oh-so-challenging workout, it's fabulous-- haven't tried it? you should!), cooking yummy meals, running, reading (one book i'm reading is about Marie Antoinette-- wow), going to the park to play basketball with my family, and enjoying absolute perfect weather (73 degrees with a cool breeze)-- it was fabulous, and i admit i'm sad that's now over.

thankfully, i have some things that i'm currently loving that aren't gone with the weekend! take a peek...

for fun picture sharing Instagram is my new love. i'm having so much fun editing pics on my iPhone with fun effects, like these you see in throughout this post (look forward to more in the future).

to encourage my resolution for saving more money in 2011, i've been using coupons.com. download the software to your computer to print out great coupons each week (i've even had a few for magazines)! target.com also has this great feature, and since i'm there a lot, i'm always printing, LOL!

L'Oreal Youth Code is hello, fab-u-lous. seriously, they've created an amazing skincare collection that i can't get enough of. it includes a serum, eye cream, day/night cream and a day cream with spf. for me, it's improved the look and texture of my skin. though i hate to admit it, i had very fine lines appearing a few months back and sometimes a, a-hem, "expression" line across my forehead when my skin is dehydrated. those have diminished since i've been using these products. merci!

because the weather has been cool and dry, and i'm already a total hand-washing diva, my hands crave nourishment and moisture. Aquaphor Healing Ointment to the rescue! i also use this on my kids' parched skin as well. at night i slather it all over my hands and feet for perfectly supple skin come morning.

what are you currently loving? do tell me in the comments! :)

What I'm Loving Now: Keel's Simple Diary

if you're like me, you want to take time to keep a record of your days and thoughts. you want to rememeber a funny event that happened or something new you learned that day. of course, sometimes days aren't very eventful and you don't have too much to say, or it's so busy you may not want to take a long period of time to journal what happened.

with all of that said, i recently purchased a litte gem of a diary called Keel's Simple Diary that makes journal-keeping so easy.


click on the images to enlarge

on each page you'll find short statements and questions to answer. fill-in-the-blanks make it fun and almost effortless; filling in a page takes less than five minutes. you can even have friends fill out a page at a party or get-together-- there are no rules for it!




it's such a fun little book and comes in different colors. i chose brown first because it's practical, something i'm working harder on being. :)

vist simplediary.com for more info and to order.

xo
pics taken by me :)

what i'm loving now: Skinn Dimitri James Mineral Eye Lighter

Dimitri James created his Skinn Mineral Eye Lighter with a special combination of eye brightening mineral pigments to be applied over, under or instead of eyeshadow. it's in a roller ball style, which, in addition to being easy to use, makes it travel-friendly-- no brush required. i love this product for its versatility-- it can be applied anywhere!

i'm all about a bright-eyed look, and more often than not, use eyeshadows that contain a hint of shimmer. i especially love to apply them on the inner corners of my eyes because it really keeps them looking bright and pretty. sometimes i use this Eye Lighter there, on my brow bone, and even right on my cheek bone over my blush so when it catches the light, a fabulous lit-from-within look is created.

this is a seriously popular product, and is currently out of stock on the Skinn website, but i'll keep checking back and update you when it becomes available.

xo

Lancome Has A New Blog!

hi all you beauty lovers, and especially all of you Lancome fans! guess what? Lancome has launched a beauty blog that you must check out-- it's fabulous!

the blog is written by Kerry Diamond, the vp of public relations and a former beauty editor herself (as well as some other PR team members pitching in from time to time), and is the place to get the Lancome scoop on the newest products, inside glimpses at Fashion Week, Lancome events, photo shoots and more.

so head over there, and check it out!





p.s.-- they'll be holding many giveaways, so check back often-- the first one is going on now and they're giving away 10 bottles of their latest skincare gem, Genifique, that launches this month. all you have to do is comment on this post and the winners will be chosen at random.

xo

what i'm watching: Running in Heels on the Style Network

did you see the premiere of the Style network's new show Running In Heels? if you haven't, set your tivo to record it this sunday.

the show centers around three interns (Ashley, Talita and Sam), and the editors they work for, at Marie Claire magazine. it's definitely not easy for the three newbies. not only are they competing for a job at an amazing magazine, but they're also living together-- can you say drama?



if you missed the first episode, check the schedule and you may be able to catch it again. if not, be sure to tune in this and every sunday (with me and all the other bloggers who are obsessed with it).


meet the interns:





meet the bosses:





p.s.-- Style has also teamed with DSW for a daily Heels-A-Day giveaway -- your chance to win a pair of fabulous heels everyday this month. it's easy to enter, so do ahead and do it!

new episodes of Running in Heels air sundays on the Style (check your local listings)


xo

review: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup is a long-wearing oil-free foundation that gives flawless coverage and an amazing finish. this foundation has become my new favorite liquid foundation and i have my good friend Nicole to thank.

in all of our conversations no matter what, at some point, Nicole and i always get on the subject of beauty products. one day she asked me if i had tried Double Wear (i hadn't), and that she was so thrilled with how her skin looked when she wore it, i had to try it ASAP.

and because i'm never one to turn down such an enthusiastic recommendation...i tried it.

and i tell you, it's amazing! i picked up a sample in my perfect shade of bronze (love Estee Lauder for that!), but of course after using it for a few days, i knew i'd have to purchase it.

Double Wear goes on my skin beautifully, the finish is gorgeous and my skin looks great all day thanks to it's 15-hour staying power. i also love that it let's my skin breath-- it doesn't clog my pores or cause any unnecessary breakouts (who needs that?); the coverage is medium, but buildable (that means even, flawless skin), and it has an spf of 10 (i wear a separate spf, but it's always good to know that this has it as well).

i love it-- thanks Nicole! :)

find Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup (also available in a lighter-weight version) at your nearest Estee Lauder beauty counter (ask for a sample first if you don't want to commit just yet) and online at esteelauder.com

xo

review: That Gal by Benefit

i like to go and have my makeup done at beauty counters so i can experience not only new products, but products i may have heard of but never used. this occurred the last time i went to the Benefit counter and the sales woman used That Gal to prep my face.

"That Gal is a skin brightener and primer," she explained, "but one thing i really love about it is that you can apply it over existing makeup and apply more makeup over it if you don't have time to start from scratch. your make looks refreshed, and know one is the wiser."

what?!

yep, she was right. That Gal is not only a makeup primer, but it is an all around skin brightener and works to smooth out your skin and give it a fresh look. i have to say, it was love at first use. and the smell is so yummy, i knew i had to take it home with me.

and that's what i did. and i've been loving it ever since. the sheer pink formula gives my skin a great glow and my foundation-- whether i opt for a liquid, cream or powder-- stays in place and looks great. i have even done the "over the makeup" trick i first learned at the Benefit counter a few times with no side effect of irritation or breakouts. love this stuff!

find That Gal at your local Benefit counter or store, in Sephora and online at sephora.com

xo

review: YBF Skincare Restore

Your Best Face (YBF) Skincare is a fast-growing, much loved skincare brand that i have had the privilege to use for the last few weeks. today i am going to share one of those products, called Restore, that i have found to be simply amazing!

i'm always curious to try new products that will brighten and create a more even tone to my skin. now that i'm in the last year of my 20s, i am not hesitant when it comes to trying products that claim they will make my skin look younger. i am especially drawn to products with ingredients that not only hydrate, but will even out my skintone. over the past several months i have been able to see results from different products, but nothing has made such a huge improvement and worked as quickly as Restore in regards to improving my complexion.

this hydrating, vitamin and antioxidant-rich formula contains an ingredient called spin-trap that functions as an antioxidant, but not in the traditional manner. instead of destroying free radicals, it restores balance to unstable molecules and does a better job of protecting our cells from damage. the result is stronger cells and healthier skin!

i really love this product; after only a few weeks my skin is more even, i wake up practically glowing, and am seeing my not-getting-any-younger skin looking better than it has in months. Restore is lightweight and oil-free, so my skin stays clear (most of the time), and can be used along with my other skincare goodies without a problem (it is also great to use around the eye area!).

find out more about Restore, the YBF company and its founders, as well as the entire line of YBF at ybf-skincare.com. and be sure to stay tuned for my review of another great YBF product called Defend.

xo

fashion line i'm loving: chloe and reese

chloe & reese was created by Annmarie Scotto and launched almost a year ago, but the line has been able to distinguish itself from the fashion pack right out of the gate. fabulously feminine, flirty, and all around fun, this line is truly for the girl who wants to be glamorous everyday!



found in many fine retailers like Henri Bendel and Nieman Marcus, and featured in several publications and programs such as WWD, NY Times Style, Lucky, Marie Claire, Ok! Magazine, MTV and the Today Show, chloe & reese has now launched an amazing online store.



the debut of the chloe & reese online Custom Shoppe presents an exclusive, unique shopping experience for glamour girls and fashionistas around the world. with endless fabric options and gorgeous colors, and many versatile styles, making a personal style statement just became simple with thousands of gorgeous options to choose from!

if you're in nyc: the chloe & reese showroom is located at 330 west 38th street in new york city, where Annmarie invites new york city’s "it-girls" and fashionistas to shop the collection for customized orders.

visit the chloe & reese Custom Shoppe online at chloeandreese.com

xo

what i'm loving now: ZO Offects Exfoliating Polish

i love exfoliating products! for me they help so much. Dr. Obagi's new ZO Offects Exfoliating Polish can now add itself to the list of exfoliators i am in love with (the list isn't long, really...i promise).

do you exfoliate? if so, how often, once a day, week, month?

exfoliation is necessary for anyone who wants to keep their skin clear and smooth. it helps to reduce the size of wrinkles and gives a healthy glow. it also helps any type of serum to penetrate the skin better because you've sloughed off all of the dead cells.

exfoliation not only keeps my acne at bay, but it helps with cell turn-over (that just keeps slowing down every year, dang it!), and let's be honest, who doesn't love having healthy-looking, glowing skin?

Dr. Obagi has also added vitamins A, C and E for their antioxidant properties and skin repairing abilities, so not only are you getting rid of old skin cells, but your helping your skin to renew itself!

love this stuff!

find out more about ZO Offects Exfoliating Polish and the entire ZO Skin Health line at zoskinhealth.com

xo

what i'm loving now: Soy Candles by Y-Y

candles are a must have, and i love to burn them often, so i was so excited to try these new ones from Y-Y.

what a great brand!

Y-Y soy wax candles are 100% natural, with cotton wicks and all aromas are blended with essential oils. these also give off a fragrant scent that is not over-powering and burn for up to 50 hours.

available in 5 "element" scents:

Water (calm)- rose, jasmine, sandalwood

Metal (enlighten)- lime, lemongrass, vetiver

Wood (sensual)- labdanum, patchouli, sandalwood

Fire (energize)- peppermint, spearmint, thyme

Earth (balance)- lavender, ylang ylang, patchouli

i have been burning Water at night and Metal in the morning, and i have to say, i am loving them!

Y-Y is a small company based out of virginia and was started as a way to offer a natural, good-for-you product line that includes not only candles, but hair care, skin care, hand and foot treatments as well as body and spa products.


visit order-yy.com for more information about these soy candles and the entire Y-Y brand. and just because my readers are so fabulous, if you decide to order, you can type the word musings in the coupon field during checkout, and get $1 shipping until september 15th!


xo