april instagram challenges ~ week 3

for week 3 of my instagram photo challenges, i confess, i got a bit behind. daily life can get busy, as you know, but thankfully, i did catch up, so here i am to share!

#photoadayapril called for pics of flower, something i don't like, hair {first pic at top}, orange, something i drew, bottle, the last thing i bought and vegetable...

for #aprilfashion i took pics of flats {shoes}, belt, plaid, large ring, bow, polka dots, lip balm/chapstick and diamond...

holy grail beauty, toe nails, morning skincare, inside beauty cabinet, shades of autumn, sparkle and bronzer for #30daysofbeautyapril rounded up a fabulous week of pics.

hope you've enjoyed this picture journey with me so far! i'll be posting week 4 in a few days. i'll also be sharing what i decide to do for the month of may since there are a few other photo challenges i'm considering. i don't want to do more than 3, so i'll let you know!

please follow me on twitter for all my daily happenings {and don't be afraid to say hi!} and visit my tumblr for fashion, lifestyle and beauty that inspires me.

enjoy your weekend! :)

pics taken by me :)

review: Per-fekt Skin & Cheek Perfection Gels

it goes without saying, but multitasking products are a must in every beauty girls' supply. Per-fekt Skin Perfection Gel {introduced to me during awards season, and used by celebs like Reese Witherspoon, Blake Lively and Jennifer Love Hewitt} is one of those products. not only does it offer lightweight, skin-enhancing results, but reduces redness and discoloration, keeps skin hydrated, controls shine, and is packed with antioxidants to boot!

Skin Perfection Gel isn't like most foundations. the unique formula is a gel-mousse hybrid of sorts, available in 5 skin-loving shades {4 if you don't count translucent as a shade} with smart color technology. while it's buildable, it doesn't provide completely full coverage. it's also unique in that it is to be applied by patting on rather than rubbing in {the shade i use, by the way, is called rich}. the finish is smooth and matte, which i love, plus water and sweat resistant ~ perfekt {sorry, i couldn't help it} for the warm-weather season! 

after creating a glowing complexion you'll, of course, need a gorgeous compliment of color! the Cheek Perfection Gel {available in 2 shades, blushed, pictured, and bronzed} is an amazing blush that gives cheeks a natural-looking flush. and because it's so concentrated, a very tiny bit goes a long way. simply warm between fingertips, dot onto cheeks and gently pat in for your most flattering color.

if you hadn't already guessed, i love the both the Skin and Cheek Perfection Gels. they're innovative, all-natural and such a lovely treat to use.

visit perfektbeauty.com for more info!

products featured sent to me for reveiw consideration; pics taken by me :)

currently loving...

spring is in full swing...isn't it fabulous?

mornings are still cold, but the days are getting warmer, longer, and i'm so inspired by all of the new and gorgeous things in my life that are making the season so much more splendid...

fresh blooms!
i love fresh flowers, and seeing them everywhere always brings a smile to my face.

a new scent!

i've enjoyed wearing Shenandoah, by Terri Michelle fragrances, a lot lately. the clean-smelling scent has floral notes, but also musks, making it sophisticated but still light. i admit, i probably wouldn't have liked this a few years ago, but i now find this to be quite lovely. this gem is perfect for the spring season with its notes of bergamot, white lily, white musk, freesia, lotus, ylang ylang and sandalwood.

pastels!

coral and mint in particular are among the eye-pleasing, happy-inducing pastel shades every beauty girl should be adding to her daily life this season. both shades are uber flattering and can easily be incorporated through clothing, accessories and beauty products. i'm loving Sally Hansen nail polish in Mint Sorbet and Revlon's Coral Reef lipgloss.

new mascaras!

even if i'm not wearing shadow or liner, i wear mascara. three i can't get enough of all happen to be made by Maybelline ~ One by One {clump-free, fabulous volume}, Lots of Lashes {amazing, glossy length and volume with a fabulous brush to get at every lash} and Illegal Length Fiber Extensions {gorgeous, flake-free length}. trust me, dolls, you need these eye-opening gems in your beauty arsenal.


what are you currently loving??

Shenandoah fragrance sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me

video: Bobbi Brown's Lonely Makeup Bag

inspired by the idea that Bobbi Brown's new Long-Wear Eye Collection will take you from coffee to cocktails without a smudge, this fun video, The Lonely Makeup Bag, plays up just how lost {and lonely} your makeup bag will be when you'll no longer need touch-ups throughout the day.

it's too cute! enjoy...

nail color of the week: Chic by Revlon

Revlon's new dusty blue polish, Chic, is currently dressing my nails this week. isn't it lovely?

j'adore!

like all of my experiences with Revlon polishes, it applies gorgeously and wears brilliantly. it's such a fabulous shade for the season ~ not too deep or light. 

full disclosure, the pics you see are actually from the first time i wore the polish, about a month ago, but trust me, it looks just as pretty on my nails right now as i type this...

what polish are you wearing this week?

pics taken by me :)

april instagram challenges ~ week 2

hello, beauties! hope you enjoyed a splendid weekend. for me it marked the end of my kids' 2-week spring break. i enjoyed having them home, playing games, doing crafts {one of which was actually a homework assignment for my daughter's science class}, reading, watching movies and savoring the low key days. we relished the final days of being off, but they were excited for getting back to school today, to see their teachers, and of course to catch up with their friends. i don't blame them, i was the same when i was their age!

i also wrapped up week two of my photo challenges, and just like the first week, i enjoyed sharing my own take on the suggested images.

take a look...

#photoadayapril included a younger me, cold, where i ate breakfast {first image at top}, stairs, something i found, how i felt today and sunset...

cosmetic brand, perfume, clutch, gold jewelry, arm party, stripes and red lips made up the second week of #aprilfashion...

and #30daysofbeautyapril had me take pics of blush, day makeup look, carry in handbag, night skincare routine, eye makeup, night makeup products and inside my shower.

needless to say, i'm loving these photo challenges!  

be sure to follow me on twitter and tumblr for daily updates!

pics taken by me :)

review: Laura Mercier Oil Free Supreme Foundation

to give skin smooth-looking, flawless texture it's the base that will give you the best result...

i'm no stranger to foundation {i've used my share in 32 years!}, and though i've found my holy grail, i've been using the new Laura Mercier Oil Free Supreme Foundation for the past few weeks...

the formula feels light on my skin, blends well and is buildable in coverage. it promises up to 8 hours of wear and actually went beyond that {i did use a primer and makeup setting spray} under average wear. it contains skin-loving antioxidants, and because of its non-drying, oil-free ingredients, is great for most skin types.

the overall finish of Supreme is beautiful. it did streak when faced with moisture {in the form of sweat and tears from laughing or crying}, but it doesn't claim to stand up against any elements, so that was easy to get over. it doesn't contain spf, and unfortunately, i did have to mix two shades to create my perfect match...

the brand was gracious enough to send me two of their dark shades, Sunset Beige and Toffee Bronze. i did find the lighter shade {Sunset Beige} was better, if i had to choose one, but blending them together was best. since this line is permanent, i'm hoping more shades will be added {at least one shade between Sunset and Toffee, please :)} to fill in the gaps.

no, this isn't a perfect foundation, but i still think it's good. if you can find the shade best suited for you, it's definitely worth giving a try. of course, you can always get a sample first {from Sephora or your nearest Laura Mercier counter}.

Laura Mercier Oil Free Supreme is available now. visit lauramercier.com for more info!

product featured provided by brand for review consideration; pics taken my me :)

april instagram photo challenges ~ week 1

creative pursuits are always very appealing to me, especially when they come in the form of taking pictures via my trusty, and always with me, iphone. the fabulous instagram app is not only a fun way to add a visual aspect to your social networking life, but has also launched many a photo-challenge with different themes to add creativity to real life...

i participated in a single challenge for february and march, and it was so fun for me. then i discovered a beauty and fashion themed challenge {woo-hoo!}, so i took those on this month as well.

some highlights from the first week...

the #photoadayapril challenge {created by fat mum slim} continues with random images like your reflection, someone who makes you happy, lunch and inside your wallet. pictured above, my interpretations of colour, mail, tiny, and shadow...

#aprilfashion {created by @vanity_fashion on instagram} week one included taking images of something pink, glitter/sparkle, shorts and accent nail {pictured}, along with flowers, high heels, pearls and spring dress...

and last, but not least, #30daysofbeautyapril was created by Miss Chew and is all about beauty. a few beauty blogger pals of mine are also participating! nails, hand cream, hairstyle and night makeup look were on the list. as you can see, lipstick, day makeup products, nail polish collection and {gasp!!} no makeup rounded out the week {clearly, i survived, lol!}...

stay tuned, next week i'll share highlights from week two. can't wait? i'd be honored if you'd follow me on twitter for the daily updates. i post the beauty and fashion challenges on my tumblr, too, so you can follow me there as well.

have a fabulous week!

pics taken by me :)

review: Beauty for Real Miracle Mascara

lush, long lashes. what gal doesn't want them? these days they're definitely easy to achieve thanks to an abundance of mascaras on the market.

one i want to share with you today is Beauty For Real's Miracle Mascara. i was given the opportunity to receive this for use from the brand. it's been a little more than 2 weeks that i've been using it, and i have to say...this mascara impressed me very much.

with claims of being water resistant and smudge-free, but still easily removable with just water, i admit, i was a bit sceptical. well, this little beauty proved me wrong! it applied beautifully with no clumping. the look it created wasn't as dramatic as i wanted, but still pretty and lush. once on, Miracle stayed put until i removed it {water worked, yes, but i still used my typical makeup removal methods as well}.

key ingredients include carnauba wax which allows for the mascara to give lashes fullness but also soft flexibility. collagen and vitamin E give strength, resilience and antioxidants, promoting healthier lashes. the long-lasting formula held up against sweat, tears and the oh-so annoying lint/dirt/makeup/stray eyelash-in-the-eye events. another fab feature that i {and you will too} love is in Beauty For Real's signature packaging: a magnifying mirror on the outside of the tube and LED light in the lid! genius for precise application.

thumbs up for this mascara, beauties! visit beautyforreal.com for more info about Miracle Mascara and more info about the entire range of products.

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

luxe & organic: Vapour Organic Beauty

hello beauties!

as another month is coming to a close {yikes, this month flew by!} and the spring season slowly blooms, i'm excited to share some gorgeous products from Vapour Organic Beauty i've been using over the past several weeks.

lovely and luxe, each of these products not only make you look good, but are also made with organic ingredients so they're good for you!

oh, and just as a little pop culture/celeb side note, Jessica Alba recently gushed over a few of these products...

the first product i have to share is Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation {swatched below with and without a flash}. the shade sent to me for this review is a tad too dark, but worked gorgeously as a liquid bronzer thanks to its natural skin luminizers. the finish is dewy and pretty, the formula feels light, and {when used as a foundation} is buildable so you can add more product to places that you may require more coverage.

creating flawless skin typically requires a concealer, and for this the Beauty Illusionist is fabulous. it easily covers imperfections, blending away dark spots and blemishes and is housed in a sleek tube, making it purse and travel-friendly.

Luxe Organic Lip Conditioner treats lips with jojoba seed, beeswax and coconut oils. one of my new lip-loving faves, i like to apply this when i begin my makeup application. by the end of it, my lips are soft and ready for whatever lip color i choose to apply. one to try...Siren Lipstick.

another lippie standout is the Elixer Plumping Gloss. of course, let's be honest, my lips aren't in need of plumping, but i simply j'adore this gloss! the non-stinging formula contains antioxidants, lip-loving skin-hydrators and has a gorgeously glossy, not-too-sticky finish. the shade pictured is called Vivid, a stunning fuchsia with silver flecks.

let's not forget the eyes! Vapour Organic Beauty's Mesmerize Eyeliner & Smoky Eye Tool applies and blends beautifully. whether i used it to create a defined cat-eye or {with help from the built-in smudger} a glamorous, smoked-out finish, the result lasted for hours and never irritated my eyes.

be sure to visit Vapour Organic Beauty's website for more info on these products. find them on facebook & follow the brand on twitter!

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

video: how to get the perfect salon manicure at home

doing my own manicures at home not only saves me money {and since i like to change my polish 2-3 times a week, i guess you could say a lot of money}, but is a way for me to relax, pamper myself and end up with a result i'm more than happy with...

these days nail polish is like lipgloss, a must-have, low-cost beauty indulgence that makes it easy to change up your look. but if you're not confident in your diy mani skills, i have something for you...

this video from Mary of A Love Tart was brought to my attention by my blogging friend, Ashley, who herself is a nail polish lover {butter london and deborah lippmann are among her fave brands} and gives herself amazing manicures frequently...

so of course, i had to pass this on!

this tutorial features splendid tips, tricks and product recommendations {CND Stickey, Seche Vite and Sally Hansen Cuticle Remover are all featured, and happen to be my personal faves} to teach you how to give yourself a better-than-salon manicure. this is a must-see, beauties!!

enjoy and leave a comment to share your thoughts...



p.s., Mary mentions in this video how to do a post-manicure clean-up on cuticles ~ check it out here! :)

pic taken by me :)

currently loving...the website edition

there are so many things to love when it comes to beauty, fashion and lifestyle. from new collections and collaborations, to the latest color palettes and design ideas, there's so much online to see and read and it's so inspiring...

at the same time, i confess, it sometimes overwhelms me. just the mere thought of all the info that exists on one lone topic out there is beyond my imagination! sometimes i find myself thinking, why didn't i think of doing that?, or i wish my blog was more like xyz's, and when i do, i have to take a step back...

in doing this, i allow myself to either unplug completely or limit my time online. blogs and websites are to be enjoyed; exploring and appreciating {rather than comparing myself to} what others have to share, makes for a better blog/website visit.

if you're a blogger {or any other creative type for that matter}, you know what i mean, right? :)

we all have something fabulous to share and can all contribute our view of the the things we love and want to talk about.

{i love this fun hairstyle...find out how to do it yourself }

all of this rambling is to say that the following are just a handful of sites that share fabulous style & beauty inspiration, encourage creativity and celebrate the beautiful things in life that we all find pleasure in...

please visit them very soon and enjoy!!

The Glitter Guide {i also j'adore the site's founding editor, Taylor Sterling's blog, Sterling Style
79 Ideas
Lace & Tea
Houzz.com
The Beauty Department
A Girl, A Style
Beeyond Yoga
Design Seeds

tell me: what are some of your favorite blogs and websites to visit?

image source; hair image source

nail color of the week: L'Oreal Owl's Night

this week i dressed my nails in a fabulous shade i purchased last year from the L'Oreal Project Runway collaboration, Owl's Night.

this dark olive green nail polish is loaded with gorgeous gold, rust and green micro-glitter and is a dream to apply. i love this deep shade ~ it's perfect for the current chilly-weather season and will be a daring color to rock when it begins to warm up!

what nail color are you wearing this week?

pic taken by me :)

skincare fave: Kate Somerville Daily Detox Cleanser

if you're looking for a refreshing cleanser that will leave your skin looking fabulous, i highly recommend you consider one that has quickly become my favorite: Kate Somerville Daily Detox Cleanser.

full of yummy ingredients {phytic acic, salicylic, glycolic, and lactic acids} to gently exfoliate and detox skin, Daily Detox also washes away dirt, oil and makeup, and nourishes skin without stripping it of essential moisture. the tangerine-citrus scent makes me oh-so happy, and because it's concentrated, a little goes a long way!

for more info and to order Kate Somerville Daily Detox Cleanser, visit katesomerville.com

product featured sent to me for review consideration; pic taken by me :)