New [to me] Beauty Favorites.
NARS Velvet Gloss lip pencil in New Lover— True story: last week I was running late to an event in Times Square and I was literally applying this while crossing the street and dodging tourists (I know). I didn’t get to see the finished result until a few hours later, and I was pleasantly surprised by its the sheer rosy glow that survived a no-mirror-application and cocktails!
Urban Decay Naked Skin foundation— I’ve been faithfully using HD foundation for a few years now, but after reading so many glowing reviews I had to try this. The lovely ladies at Sephora gave me a tester to see how it worked with my skin, and after one week I was back to buy the bottle. The silky formula allows your skin to look like skin, with a less drying finish. The coverage is sheer, but it builds easily to cover blemishes or dark spots. I found that I like the look of the foundation better when applied with a foundation brush.
Avon Ideal Luminous Blush in Earthen Rose— Some days, pink blush is just not the look I want, but my skin still needs some healthy warmth. This amazing blush gives skin that glow reminiscent of summer, without sparkles or sheen. Anyone with a fair to medium skin tone, looking for a matte bronzer— look no futher!  Plus, you really can’t beat this price tag of $8.
OCC Lip Tar in Strumpet— I have been hunting everywhere for these lip tars and finally Sephora carries them in-store and online. They are rich pigments (vegan + cruelty free) that require the tiniest drop to cover the lips in matte, fast-drying color. Word to the wise— you’ll need a mirror and lip brush to apply it.
L’Oreal Voluminous mascara in Carbon Black— I’m not a faithful to any one mascara, so I am constantly trying out new ones to find the be-all-end-all that’s under $9. This super-black formula glides in with the thick brush to coat and curl my otherwise stubbornly straight lashes. Best part? It didn’t flake or leave my lashes feeling like they were sprayed with Elnett, instead they were super soft and fluttery.
What are your new favorites for Fall?


Disclosure: Avon sent me an editorial sample, free of obligation. All opinions expressed are my own.

New [to me] Beauty Favorites.

NARS Velvet Gloss lip pencil in New LoverTrue story: last week I was running late to an event in Times Square and I was literally applying this while crossing the street and dodging tourists (I know). I didn’t get to see the finished result until a few hours later, and I was pleasantly surprised by its the sheer rosy glow that survived a no-mirror-application and cocktails!

Urban Decay Naked Skin foundationI’ve been faithfully using HD foundation for a few years now, but after reading so many glowing reviews I had to try this. The lovely ladies at Sephora gave me a tester to see how it worked with my skin, and after one week I was back to buy the bottle. The silky formula allows your skin to look like skin, with a less drying finish. The coverage is sheer, but it builds easily to cover blemishes or dark spots. I found that I like the look of the foundation better when applied with a foundation brush.

Avon Ideal Luminous Blush in Earthen RoseSome days, pink blush is just not the look I want, but my skin still needs some healthy warmth. This amazing blush gives skin that glow reminiscent of summer, without sparkles or sheen. Anyone with a fair to medium skin tone, looking for a matte bronzer— look no futher!  Plus, you really can’t beat this price tag of $8.

OCC Lip Tar in StrumpetI have been hunting everywhere for these lip tars and finally Sephora carries them in-store and online. They are rich pigments (vegan + cruelty free) that require the tiniest drop to cover the lips in matte, fast-drying color. Word to the wise— you’ll need a mirror and lip brush to apply it.

L’Oreal Voluminous mascara in Carbon Black I’m not a faithful to any one mascara, so I am constantly trying out new ones to find the be-all-end-all that’s under $9. This super-black formula glides in with the thick brush to coat and curl my otherwise stubbornly straight lashes. Best part? It didn’t flake or leave my lashes feeling like they were sprayed with Elnett, instead they were super soft and fluttery.

What are your new favorites for Fall?



Disclosure: Avon sent me an editorial sample, free of obligation. All opinions expressed are my own.

Beachy Waves.

I do not proclaim myself a hair expert— I usually let it air dry and rarely brush it. That said, I am totally convinced that these 3 products make my hair a little more messy, a little more beachy, and actually give my super straight hair some natural waves. 

First, work with your hair right after washing when damp*. Add some weightless texture and hydration into the ends like Fekkai Glossing Cream or try a hydrating serum like Dove Frizz-Free Shine Cream serum.

Next, spray the Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray all over damp hair to create some waves and scrunch fistfuls of hair while you go. A great drugstore alternative is Aussie Sprunch Spray.

Then, just spray some flexible hold hairspray onto the scrunched sections and twist the hair into a loose bun. Let your hair air-dry. The more up-into-a-bun and down your hair goes throughout the day, the more kinky and wavy it gets (at least for me).

*Damp, meaning still wet but almost dry. Wet hair will not hold onto the product.

(Photo source)