OK can we talk about this hair?



Highlighting hair can be a nightmare to maintain - especially when you go from really dark to light. Sometimes I get my hair done and three weeks later roots show up and make my hair look like a complete mess.

That's one reason why I love this color. Rihanna and JLo both have very dark hair, but manage to carry this gorgeous caramel color because of the gradual transition from warm tones at the roots to lighter face-framing pieces. And it's perfect for fall!

I don't know about you, but I am getting my hair done like, right now.

xoxo

It's summertime! And that means keeping your summer makeup routine quick and easy. No one likes having caked-on layers in the summer heat and sweat. So in these summer months, I keep it light by sticking to some SPF, blush/bronzer and eyeshadow. Mascara and eyeliner melt, so I skip those. With a summer tan and highlights, you don't need much anyway.

Below are some of my favorite makeup palettes to keep it fresh and simple. Palettes are a convenient way to keep everything together, so you can just throw one in your bag for a refresher when you're on the go. 

Three eyeshadow palettes I recommend are: Urban Decay Naked ($54), Smashbox Full Exposure ($49), and Stila In the Light ($39). Naked has great soft shimmers, and Full Exposure's matte shades are flattering. But the best combination of shimmer and matte would have to be Stila's In the Light. If you're looking for just one palette, my favorite all-around is Lorac Pro-to-Go ($38). It's got everything you need - light and dark shadows, blush, and bronzer. (And the dark shadows can always double as smokey liners). A lot of palettes out there highlight cute packaging and skip quality pigment. But this one from Lorac has great deep color, so a little goes a long away. It's not too big either, so it will fit anywhere conveniently. 

Hope you're enjoying your summer so far! What are some of your favorite summer beauty tips?

xoxo

Hi guys!

A few of you have recommended I start making videos to put up on the blog, so here's my first try! I thought I'd start out simple with some hair styling tips. This is a review and recommendation for two of my favorite hair products - Dry Shampoo and Oil Treatment. Let me know what you think and enjoy!





xoxo

Hi there!

I was in desperate need of a makeup update. So I went on the hunt for the perfect powder illuminizer, a deep bronzer, a complementary blush, and the right eyeshadow palette.

The best powder illuminizer I found was hands-down MAC's Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle. I wanted that dewy, glowing look without the messiness of liquid highlighter or the stickiness of a cream one. I like how powder gives more even coverage, but I couldn't find a powder with a strong effect. Then I came across this MAC one and it was like the heavens parted.

After I picked up the illuminizer, I picked up a bronzer and blush from MAC to complete the look. The bronzer was a great shade, I just wish it was a little darker. The blush is a really pretty pink-violet - I wanted one that was the closes shade to my natural lip color. 


Inspiration:



What I used: 



1. MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer - I don't like wearing foundation on normal days because I think it's too heavy. I usually just put concealer on underneath my eyes.

2. MAC Veluxe Brow Liner - A great brow liner for precision filling and a brush on the other end you can use to soften the lines.

3. MAC Bronzer - It was a toss-up between this and Nars Bronzer in Casino. I went with MAC because it was a little more subtle.

4. Smashbox Full Exposure Eyeshadow Palette - I love this palette for the matte shades and black shadow. On days I want a little more of an eyeliner look, I simply take a smudge brush and use the black shadow to create some smokey lines.

5. MAC Powder Blush in Breath of Plum - I once read that the best way to find the right shade of blush is to go with one that is the same color as your natural lips. It's mother nature's way of telling you what's your perfect color.

6. CoverGirl Professional Natural Lash Clear Mascara - I actually can't stand mascara. I don't like how it makes my eyelashes feel stiff and it's even worse when it flakes all over the place. The worst is the pain of having to wash it off each night. So my alternative is this clear mascara. It doesn't give the same volume or length as regular mascara, but for everyday it gives a little definition.

7. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle - <insert trumpet sound here> This is it baby. The nicest illuminizer. I spent months looking for the perfect one! This one's great because not only can you use it to highlight your cheekbones, you can use it to brighten up the space beneath your brow bone, the inner corners of your eyes, and your cupid's bow (the space right above the center of your lips).

8. Pssssst! Instant Dry Shampoo - I don't wash my hair every day. It's too much hassle and I find washing it too often actually dries it out while styling damages my hair more. So on days I haven't washed and styled, I use this dry shampoo to freshen up my locks and add some volume to my roots.



Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below. I'd love to share my product experiences with you!

xoxo

The nail polishes chip way too fast, but the makeup was great. I loved the baked bronzer and highlighter - they are perfectly matte and sheer, especially when applied with a wet brush.

One trend that's been popping up everywhere lately is the oxblood lip. At first it reminds you of late '90s goth/grunge, but when accessorized correctly you start to see how sophisticated the look can be. With deep burgundy and maroon shades, the color can go as dark as black. The trick is to find a shade that complements your skin's undertones. But be careful: the wrong one can bring out purple tones under your eyes and make you look sick and tired.

So after searching far and wide for the right color, I've settled on two favorites - MAC in Siren and Kat Von D in Homegirl. The best thing about the oxblood lip is that you can wear it two very different ways: either by keeping the rest of your makeup pale, or by going for a sun-kissed look with bronzer and highlighter. The two different looks make this trend great not just for fall and winter, but summer too.

I don't know about you, but my makeup just melts off my face in the summer. Especially on my eyes. It doesn't matter what I do - I put it on and an hour later, it is GONE.

So on my last makeup shopping/research trip (I do these every once in a while to see what's new in the market, what works and what doesn't) to one of my favorite places in the world - SEPHORA - I came across these jumbo eyeliners. They're great to make a thick line, but if you quickly smudge them a bit, they also make a great shadow that doesn't budge. In more than 30 flattering shades - some glittery, some matte - there's something for everybody. I picked some up in gold and brown shimmer. You can get some for yourself here.  

If there's one thing that really suffers during summer months, it's your hair. Sun and humidity can take their toll and leave you with dry, parched locks. 

So the last thing you want is a product that takes away moisture. I had read about how harsh sulfates were on hair and after a bout with excruciatingly dry locks myself, thought I'd try this sulfate-free line from L'Oreal.


I wasn't sure what to expect, but knew I needed something moisturizing. The very little lather was unexpected and I felt like my hair was still dirty after washing. But after a few uses, I got used to it. In fact, when I switched back to my old shampoo and conditioner, I immediately noticed the difference. With the old products, I felt my hair being stripped. But after about a month of using the sulfate-free line now, I've definitely noticed my hair feels less brittle.

My verdict: I'd recommend this line for anyone looking for less-harsh hair products, especially in the summer when hair tends to get more dry.

In my makeup bag right now: E.L.F. Blush and Bronzer Duo, E.L.F. Eyebrow Kit, E.L.F. brushes

I loooooove Bianca Balti's makeup in the D&G ads - dramatic 60s style wing-tipped eyeliner set against bronzed cheekbones and black lacquered nails. Really, what's not to love?

How many things can you think of manage to be bohemian and regal at the same time? I can think of one thing: braided crowns! No one knows for sure where this style originated - most people tend to associate the look with Sweden, but it's also been affiliated with Spain and gypsy culture. The multiple braids give a bohemian vibe, but laying them out like a crown around your head evokes an image of a princess. So next time you're looking for a new way to wear your hair, why not try out this fun style?

Looks like Beyonce has gone back to blonde! I actually love her hair like this - long, straight and blonde. I think it brings out her tan and makes her look gorgeous! Perfect for summer!
























On a side note, love the print of the dress she's wearing, but not crazy about the cut.

Image from People.com

With spring on its way, I always want to lighten my hair. So the question is, Blonde or Brunette?

Which look do you like better on Kim Kardashian? I think she can pull off both, but the blonde with the tan and the too-much-makeup makes her look like a beach bunny. If you're gonna go that light with your hair, I think you should keep the makeup light - otherwise you risk looking too fake.

















Besides, who would KK be without her signature raven locks?

Love these high gloss bright orange lips - looks great with a bronze tan!



Orange inverted - bright on the eyelids: love the look and the photography!


Deep red lips paired with silver metallic shadow create a stunning contrast!

Images courtesy Vogue India

Some of you have requested suggestions for good bronzers out there. There are literally hundreds on the market. So how's a girl to know which one is best?

A good bronzer can be the difference between

this:



















and this:





















Jennifer Lopez is the queen of bronzer, so let's take a tip from her on how to apply bronzer right:



Bronzer is best applied along your hairline - that means along your cheekbones and along the hairline on your forehead.
















My favorite bronzers are from Nars and Guerlain.

Nars gives you bold color and the convenience of a blush and bronzer in one palette:











But probably nothing compares to the original, Guerlain. Introduced in 1984, Terracotta was the first and probably is still the best.














A really under-appreciated brand is The Body Shop. One of the first to come out with the "shimmer waves" product, theirs still remains my favorite. The mix of colors in the compact provides an iridescent glow that forgivingly hides imperfections.













I usually dust this shimmer over my bronzer and blush when I'm finished.

When I first heard about eyelash extensions, I thought, "No way, they actually make such a thing?!" And I wondered how great they must be - despite someone bringing a tweezer to your eye like this:















Anyway, I decided to go ahead and give them a try.



At first I thought they were great: my lashes looked super long and the individual lashes looked more natural than the standard. I also liked the low maintenance of it all - I didn't have to wear any mascara, which made my lashes look even more natural without the mascara clumpiness. *Note: it's better not to wear any mascara with eyelash extensions because the mascara tends to clump and tangle the extensions.

The extensions lasted about a week - I slept with them, showered with them, washed my face (but made sure to be careful). And they lasted good and sturdy.

The problem was when I tried taking them off. It took me 3 or 4 more days of rubbing that eyelash adhesive remover all over my lids, praying to high heaven they would come off - but they didn't budge! In the end I had to painfully yank out a few of my own lashes to which the false ones had adhered just to get rid of them.

Because they were practically impossible to remove, I probably wouldn't do them ever again - unless I find one that comes with a better adhesive remover!

Have any of you had better luck?

Some of you have been asking for recommendations on good mascaras out there.

Mascara can really change an entire face!


















The best mascara out there hands down is DiorShow Extase - it makes your lashes absolutely HUGE! And, at $30 a pop, it better!
















However, I do think $30/mascara is a bit ridiculous. So I've looked for less expensive alternatives - the best I've tried has been L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen. This one really plumps up my eyelashes and is 1/3 the cost of DiorShow.