June Favorites

June has certainly flown by and it makes me a little sad because I love the summertime! This month's favorites have all been about neutrality (nothing new there) and longevity. As of late I haven't been feeling the heavier foundations and often find them too thick and a bit cakey on me. I've also been about skin care as well. For some odd reason, the area around my nose and mouth were drastically drier than the rest of my face, I blame hormones but I still wanted to fix so I've been pretty focused on that. 

I'm also going to change up my favorites. Instead of just beauty favorites, I'm going to add a game, book, and/or television/film favorite just change it up a little bit. Anyway enough of my rambling, onward! 

Beauty Favorites:

1- Makeup Forever Face & Body Foundation: I forgot I had this in my stash and wanted to try it out again. I'm more tan and my MAC Face and Body is too light to match me. This is a great foundation that doesn't feel heavy and gives me a glow. It would be a definite repurchase. Very similar to the MAC version so if you have one or the other you're fine. 

2-NARS Laguna Luminizer: I picked this up at the beginning of the month and love it. Sometimes I mix it with my foundation or apply it as a normal bronzer. It is a bit pricey but it was worth he purchase for me.

3-NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder in Crystal: Holy Grail status. I love this stuff. I haven't tried the loose version, but I've only heard good things. I only lightly apply this to my t-zone and love the finish it gives. The feeling of my skin is smooth and looks poreless. 

4-NARS Narissist Eyeshadow Palette: I love this palette. It's been loved or hated. At the pricepoint, I would say you better be sure you love it. It's probably one of the more expensive palettes I've bought to date but it's so practical it's perfect for me. 

5-MAC Pedro Lourenco Nude Quad: A limited edition and spur of the moment purchase. I had a MAC gift card given to me as a birthday gift and I finally decided to use it. I told you my favorites would all be about neutrality! Seriously this is a beautiful quad and probably one of the best ones MAC has created. All four shades are pigmented smooth and apply like a dream. If you can still get your hands on this, I highly recommend you do!

6-Caudalie Beauty Elixir: I got the smaller size to try out before I invested in the full size. I'm not too keen on the smell, it's a bit too herbal for me but my skin feels so hydrated and smooth I bypass that part. The scent does dissipate so as least I'm not smelling it all day. I apply it both day and night and will most likely get the larger size and add it permanently to my skincare routine.

7- Urban Decay Chill Spray: This is great to freshen my makeup up and to set it. The All Nighter version is better for staying power but I decided to try this out instead because it is made for normal to dry skin. 

Book Favorite:

-Insatiable: Porn - A Love Story by Asa Akira: This was dirty, raunchy, and informative. It was definitely a fun read and a great way to look into what a life of a porn star is like. If you do plan on reading this, go in with an open mind, it's definitely more graphic than 50 Shades of Grey.

Television and Film Favorites:

Penny Dreadful: So me and the Mister binge watched the entire first season on demand and really enjoyed it. We are both fans of the old classics like Dracula, Dorian Gray, and Helsing so this was right up our alley. Plus Eva Green is phenomenal in it. Highly recommend and I can't wait for season two. 

Edge of Tomorrow: Time travel films often have plot holes but this one manages to get by without it. I know here are a lot of Tom Cruise haters but the film itself is excellent. A definite sleeper hit for this summer's blockbusters.

Game Favorite:

Child of Light: Ohmigod this game. It's a downloadable game available on Xbox 360 and One and the PS3 and PS4. Probably the best $15.00 I've spent on a game. The artwork is beautiful, story is solid, and the music!!! I'm going to the perfectionist and get all the trophies because I love this game so much. 

Phew, what a long entry! I hope you enjoyed the post and also your holiday weekend! Please if you can leave your thoughts about me adding the entertainment part to my favorites. 

Hello and New Hair

Hello to all my lovely readers! How is everyone? I'm sorry I've neglected my baby for a while, work has picked up and by the time I'm done with it, the last thing I want to do is sit another hour or so on my laptop. The work has gotten a little lighter so huzzah for that!  I've hope you've all been well and are enjoying this gorgeous weather we have been having. It's about time!

So I've been contemplating about getting my hair done for a while. I get so bored with my hair that I constantly want to try something new. Sadly that costs money and I can't really afford to get my hair done in a new style every other week. I stayed with a dark brown/black color for a while because it was easy to maintain and kinder to my wallet but with summer just around the corner I wanted something fun.

I'm pretty easy going in terms of whatever you want to do with my hair as long as you do the job well. So I was pretty disappointed with the salon I picked previously back in January because I felt the stylist didn't do as great of a job as I thought he could have. I asked for a lob with long layers and I basically got one length. I asked for chocolate brown and he applied a semi-permanent glaze to my hair which made it black. With the price I paid for the job, I felt it wasn't worth it so I searched for another salon in my area.

Waiting for the glaze to settle into my hair

I've been wanting a red ombre for some time. In fact I've tried it before but the red basically washed out after one shampoo. When I met my new hairdresser I told her I just wanted a balayage of some kind, I made no mention of red. As she was applying the bleach to my hair she asked me if I wanted to try something different and go with a plummy/violet red for my ombre, to which I replied yes. The amount of time and care she took with my hair was really great. She applied the red glaze and didn't like the result, so she did it again, it's probably the first time a stylist has ever done that for me. Then she applied a conditioning cocktail to my hair to make it super lush and soft. I'm very impressed with the color and know that even though the red will fade, it will still look nice.

The cut she gave is exactly what I wanted. Lots of layers with some bounce. I know that this is the type of cut that I won't have to worry too much about styling after I wash it, which is great for me, especially in the warmer months.

Photo taken with my iPhone with flash

Overall I was very happy with the way my hair turned out.With the proper care, I won't have to back until around mid-August for a touch-up. If any of my readers live in the Long Branch area, check this salon out and ask for Becky, she'll do wonders to your hair!

Brush Salon

• 129 Brighton Ave
• 732-222-3026
• brushsalonnj.com

March Favorites

Hello everyone!

I am beginning to come out of hibernation now that it really is starting to feel like spring. I mean, this winter has been brutal to everyone here in the States! Snow, more snow, air that hurts my face. It was a vicious cycle of wash, rinse and repeat (see what I did there, hurrhurr). Anyway, now that the Uggs and majority of bulky sweaters have been put away, I feel like dolling myself up again. I can't be too mad though, March has been very quiet and peaceful, I was able to spend a beautiful March day with my mother for her birthday (sometimes you just can't express the appreciation you have for the people in your life, no matter how much you try). Now I look forward to April showers (yes really, anything but more snow and crazy wind), longer days, and of course lemming more beauty products! Now that I've blah, blah'ed for a bit, let's move on to the favorites.

1) Stella McCartney's Stella- This has hands down been my favorite perfume for the past, I would say, six months. With notes of rose, peony, and amber, I can't help but feel pretty when I wear this. It also lasts for a while, compared to some of my other perfumes, so it's a nice plus especially for the price. I love this so much that I keep the rollerball version in my purse.

2) NARS Narsissist Palette- I tried so so hard to not want this palette. I read the reviews on this and they were pretty mixed so it kept me away for a bit. Then I saw HeyClaire's Get Ready With Me video using the palette and yeah, my restraint went downhill. I went to Lord & Taylor to swatch the colors and was pretty much sold. It is very expensive, if you are content with the Naked palettes, the Lorac Pro, or the Too Faced Chocolate bar palette you can definitely skip this. I would say to only get this is if you like five or more shades because it will justify the price.

3) Maybelline The Rocket Mascara in Waterproof- I did some shopping in my makeup stash and found this little guy. I had forgotten all about this mascara and when I retried it, I fell back in love. It definitely gives volume and length and above all else, it holds my curl. I've even worn this at the gym and it didn't sweat or smear off. The highest of fives all around.

4) The Body Shop Shea Body Butter- All the Body Shop body butters are amazing but I've been using this one up. The smell is fantastic but not overpowering and it makes my legs feel super soft and smooth. I would repurchase this particular scent, but I have six other tubs to go through. 

5) Revlon Parfumerie China Flower- Another item that I tried hard to resist. I finally purchased this in combination with Pink Pineapple (I haven't tried this one yet) in a set. It smells SOOOO good. I have to admit, I have a bit of nostalgia when it comes to the smell because it definitely reminds me of my grandma. It applies beautifully and compliments plenty of skin tones.

Swatch of just how beautiful this is!

6) Tales of Symphonia Chronicles for PS3- Non-beauty related item, but I had to share for those who love Japanese RPG's. Originally released for the Ninentdo Gamecube (I know, talk about a blast from the past) and Wii,  this was remastered for the PS3. I LOVED Tales of Symphonia when I initially played it, so there was no hesitation to purchase the remastered edition. This version also includes Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World which is the sequel. I have to say, I'm not completely in love with the the sequel but the original story and game does have my heart.

Definitely check this out if you get a chance and of course once you beat the game, watch the anime!

Happy Monday and talk to you all soon!

Sephora Recommendations

I'm sure many of you beauty fans are aware of Sephora's current sale. If you are not, then you must be 1) not into beauty products at all or 2) have been living under a rock! Anyway, I took advantage of getting some new goodies to try so reviews will be coming shortly on those. I wanted to put this post up to give you some of my recommendations that will hopefully make it to your collection! There are about four to five days left depending on what member status you are, so hurry, hurry or else you'll have to probably wait until Sephora's Friends and Family sale in late fall. Just type of the promo code when checking out.

I tried to compile a bunch of different items to recommend or else the majority of the products would have been lip products (not a surprise there).

1) Shiseido IBUKI Skin Softening Concentrate- I wrote my thoughts about this product here. It's been so wonderful for my skin this harsh winter. I have already repurchased a second bottle.

2) Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation- My review here. A nice option for those who have pretty decent skin and want to give skin that natural glow. Another plus? The more you wear this, the better your skin looks!

3) Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder- Great multitasker of a powder. You can use it to highlight, set your makeup or even as eyeshadow. Ideal for that "glow from within" look.

4) BeautyBlender Sponge- This is magical for a flawless application of foundation. That's it. The end. 

5) BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie in Rebel- A lovely gloss with some tack but not to much to be annoying. Fills in lip lines and gives lips an overall fuller and plumper appearance.

6) Bite Agave Lip Mask- Great to wear overnight for super dry lips. I switch up between this and the Reve Miel lip balm.

7) NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl- Beautiful red that is easy to apply and flattering for many skin tones. Depending on your coloring, the red can lean more pink-red or true blue-red.

8) Benefit Gimme Brow- I own this in both colors and love them both. You can wear this alone or set your brows, the tiny micro-fibers in this gel create the illusion of tiny hairs and fuller brows.

9) Anastasia Brow Wiz- Wide range of color selections and so precise. You can fill in full brows or draw them on, the choice is yours. You can check my thoughts here.

10) Urban Decay Naked 3- I picked the Naked palette 3, but you can't go wrong with any palette of the Naked line. They are very versatile and high quality shadows that will last you quite a long time.

If you happen to purchase any of these during the sale, please comment down below and let me know your thoughts on the products!! Happy Sunday and in honor of the Game of Thrones premiere, "YOU KNOW NOTHING JON SNOWWWWWW!"