Buy it :: For the Hair

When buying hair products for the kids I don't fork out the dough for stuff from the salon. Normally I just grab the Fructis Surf Hair and I'm out. Since I like the Surf Hair stuff so much I thought I would try the Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Blow Dry Straightening Balm. What's the harm for $5? 

Totally love it! If you have longish hair it's good people. Just thought I'd pass it along.

Make me up :: New Faves

When I purchase cosmetics I'm that annoying girl that says things like, "I need a new lipstick" they show me ten they think I will like and I immediately choose something completely different. Or sometimes I sound like this, "Show me something new.", pretty vague but you can find some real gems this way. I like hearing about the products that the counter gals think are perfection and then I like to get dishy with them. They'll almost always steer you to their favorites at other counters too. I'm fickle like that, I like my makeup from lots of counters.

Approach #1: The one where I end up picking what I like instead of what they show me. One of my latest favorites in my lipstick rotation. Mac Rebel, I have dark hair and olive skin so it looks more pink on me rather than plum and whenever I wear it I get lots of compliments. Great for when you want a strong lip that isn't red.

Approach #2: The counter fave

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Shore as eye shadow base or on it's own. It's life changing.

Love it :: Gold Minx

I've long been intrigued by Minx, a nail wrap that needs to be applied by a professional. Per usual with my crushes I've got it totally stuck in my head that my fingertips are begging me to get the gold ones. 

Can you see why? They're beyond.

{here}

Shine Free

The other day I was doing my weekly Target run and since I had other stops afterwards I decided in was in desperate need of blotting papers. Seriously folks while some of you are enjoying the inkling of Fall we are still being tortured with 109 degree heat, sorry I digress. Since I didn't want to look like a gross shiny mess I decided to see what they had (I usually fork out the dough for the Sheseido ones but I was out and it was hot) so while browsing the Boots selection I saw this

Boots No 7 Shine Free Makeup Base, it was like the heavens opened up. Why haven't I even looked there before?! It's like a miracle and it's only 10 bucks! So I did grab some papers too but wouldn't you know, I haven't needed them.

Red Lip

Every Fall/Winter there is a catalyst that brings me back to the classic red lip. I don't think there's been a year since I've been 18 where I haven't worn red lipstick. This year it's the ethereal clothes at J. Mendel paired with the classic makeup.

You know if you see me today I'm sure to have a red kisser.

Glamorous Fall Chanel

Since cosmetics are the only Chanel that I can afford, yes please. I'll take all three.

{via Glamorous Little Side Project}

HELP!!!

So most days I go to the gym, I try to do about an hour of cardio and sweaty cardio calls for a pony. Most girls are fine with a pony but my hair starts to break so I have to be careful. I asked my pal Tina who does my hair, "what can I do?" and she laughed and said, "wear a scrunchie". I wanted to die, seriously...scrunchie? And she laughed again. I know all of you smarties out there can come up with a solution for me.

I know I have some serious pictures of me rocking the scrunchie in high school. But I'd have to dig through a box and scan and that's a hassle. But this leads me to my next topic, the trends that you have to laugh about later. Last week I went out to dinner with a group of friends and we were laughing about pleather pants because we all had a pair. And I'm pretty sure if I recall we thought we were hot stuff. I think I need to dig up some of my more finer moments of fashion for you all to see. I wonder if I could find them? Scrunchies, pleather I'm sure there's some good ones!

Shorty

Sienna's old hair-do makes me miss short hair. Give me a year and I bet I'm back.

Random facts and BIG thanks

Yesterday I had a mini little blurb in the YES Style section of the Arizona Republic with my favorites. Totally flattered to be asked but they wanted me to send a photo of myself, yikes. This might be a problem. If this was going to be for publication and all the world would see it, I had have something better than a snapshot produced by Mr. SFD. Thankfully I enlisted my pal Tina (she also does my hair, she's multi-faceted and awesome) from Live.Love Photography to snap a few shots. So THANK YOU my darling Tina! Voila, here's me and what I had to say

Personal Style: I'm a classic dresser; I usually wear separates and style them to go with how I'm feeling that day. Since most of my day is running kids to and from school and activities, my usual look is jeans, cardigans and cute shoes.

Best fashion advice: Always have a couple of go-to cute day dresses to wear when you're pressed for time and want to look stylish. It's a no-brainer, so less stress.

Favorite places to shop: Local boutiques, plus Anthropologie and J. Crew.

Favorite designer: John Galliano for Christian Dior.

Favorite splurge: I never skimp on hair or face products.

Favorite deal: I have a love affair with Hanes V-neck white T-shirts; I'm always buying a pack.

Favorite bargain shop: I love the hunt at Nordstrom Rack, Target and Forever 21.

Must-have makeup: Lancome Definicils mascara.

Best beauty secret: Keep a small makeup bag in your handbag with the essentials for a polished face. Mine are powder, concealer, blush, mascara and lipstain. I love having it handy if I'm off in a rush and don't have time to do my face.

Signature scent: Vera Wang.

Won't leave home without: A necklace. I always wear at least one.

Least favorite trend: Uggs.

Happy Monday

Morning friends, how was your weekend? Mine was a good one. I officially have a Big who's six and now is missing his two front teeth. Although I'm ecstatic for him (he's thrilled) I'm kinda sad. I can't believe it goes by so quickly. Nothing a little makeup, pretty rooms and glittery goodness can't cheer up.

{images via Desire to Inspire and F*$k Yeah Fashion}

Wear it :: Cherry Tart

Every now and then when I'm killing time I browse the makeup at the groc (when you have two littles sometimes this is all the alone time is all you get). More often than not if I buy something it stinks. Not trying to knock drugstore makeup but usually my attempts to try a new product are a total bust. During the summer I decided I wanted a sheer red lip and saw the Revlon Creme Gloss in Cherry Tart so I picked it up.

Let me tell you guys, I'm obsessed with it, I wear it 6 days out of 7. It's in my quick car makeup repertoire. Which is powder, concealer, blush, mascara and this glorious gloss. I love that I feel polished and done when I wear it and it's my little secret that it was all done at stoplights. If you want a pretty red kisser without the heavier matte look give it a try, you'll heart it.

New go-to face

I think this makeup look might just be my new go-to. Lately I've been wearing mascara, blush and a sheer red lip but now that it's getting chilly I think it's time to step up the eyes. The necklace isn't too bad either (l-l-love it). How's your face for fall? Do you make any changes to your look with the weather?

PS - I'll let you in on a little secret I just started using Latisse so maybe my eyelashes will be as long and pretty as hers lickity split. I'll keep you posted.

{bad a$$ necklace via Cup of Jo}

New Do

Have I shared with you all that I want her hair? This is my new growing out inspiration. How does she get it so sleek and shiny...or is it just dirty?

PS - Please don't hate, I know she needs a sandwich. I'm just after her hair.

{image via Garance Dore}

Wanna Win Something?

It's your lucky day, we (me and Cosmeceuticals) are offering one winner a Perricone MD Advanced Face Firming Activator. It's Perricone MD's best selling product, it refines your skin's texture so your skin is fresh and glowy. What's more to like?

To win this fabulous prize we need to talk beauty. Please leave a comment with your email (a must), why you think this product would help your skin or what you didn't like about another facial product that you have used. I will choose a winner on Thursday, July 16th. This contest is open to readers in the US.

If you complete this Skin Quiz Perricone MD will provide you with a discount (up to $100) if you purchase the recommended products. Just a little thank you if you decide to buy.

All mascara is NOT created equal

One day while shopping my local Tarjay I decided to take the plunge and purchase a drugstore brand of mascara. I read on a blog that they thought it was the best thing ever and I thought I will give it a shot. Bad idea. For the next few days I had black flecks of mascara all over my face. Not a good look. So I'm back to my old standby, my favorite perfect mascara. I love it because it makes my lashes look super long and doesn't get all over the place. But I'm a product whore and like to try new things from time to time. So please share your go-to product that you can't live without.

Twists or braids?

I know the twists are the it hairdo but I'm still fawning over braids. Especially when they look like the ones shown at Lela Rose Spring 2009.

[image via Elle]

I can't believe I'm talking about this

Honestly what I'm going to talk about maybe a little weird but it's something that I really feel I need to share. Now that I'm not working at a 40 hour a week job things around here changed a bit. My bi-weekly pedi's that were a necessity have now become a quarterly luxury. I have become a beauty do-it-yourselfer and my new favorite beauty item is, tada!

Yes, I'm actually in love with the Ped Egg so run out to your local drugstore and buy one. I know I saw it to on the infomercial and thought, nah. But I bought one at the advice of my mother-in-law and am now a convert. So ladies if you live somewhere hot where sandals are pretty much a year round thing, give it a whirl you won't be sorry.

Love the bottles

Last night my mom and I did a little shopping and had quite a bit of fun the the fragrance department at Nordstrom. I have never really noticed the Marc Jacobs splashes but now that I have, I would like one of each. They smell fresh and summery and the best part is the bottle. The design is clean and simple and would definitely look good in multiples.

What's in my beauty bag?

Courtney at In(side) the Loop posted what her favorite can't live without products and I love seeing what people choose, so I thought I would join in. I have to forewarn you though, I love products and truth be told I actually use most of them daily. I love cosmetics!

My mascara is without a doubt Lancome Definicils, this is a must have for me. It leaves lashes nice and long and I need all the help I can get in the lash department.

My concealer is Laura Mercier Secret Concealer, I love it because it's not too heavy so it doesn't look make me look like I have wrinkly under eyes (a major plus for the over 30 crowd).

For the face I love Bobbi Brown products I start with the Oil-Free Even Finish Foundation and top it off with her Sheer Loose Powder. I don't always wear the foundation, the powder will do in a pinch.

I usually wear Bobbi Brown's Long Wear Gel Eyeliner, it lasts forever and you can go thin and natural with it or thick and smoky.

For all things colorful I always choose MAC, their shadows, blush and lips are the best! Their products have a lot of pigment so you don't actually have to use quite as much as with other products. I don't always go for the natural look so for me they have tons of stuff to choose from, I feel like a kid in a candy store there.

For skincare lately I have been using a product called Obagi which helps me with those pesky fine lines and wrinkles.

My usual fragrance is Vera Wang, I love it. I have been wearing it since it came out and I'm still not sick of it.

This is the content of my bag, I know the full war-paint thing is probably a bit much for some but I do love it. No worries though I don't do it everyday, just as often as I get the chance!

A must have!!

I have never been a huge fan of long lasting lipstick...until now! I have MAC Pro Longwear Lipcolor in Lasting Lust (which is the perfect red it's the color shown above) and I'm obsessed. There is nothing worse than having a glam lip look ruined after an hour; give it a whirl I bet you'll love it!