Shopping My Stash: Day 2

Hello all!
It's day two of my shopping my stash challenge. Today's look is inspired by this video. I love how easy and wearable it is, perfect for summer!
(a * means that I'm trying to use that particular product up)

 

Someone needs her eyebrows waxed...

Eyeshadow: MAC All That Glitters (lid), Costal Scents 88 Warm Palette (3rd row form left, 4th down in crease and outer corner; 1st row from left, last color as liner; 5th row from left, 2nd down as highlight)

Blush: Maybelline New York Blush #301 (this line is not available in the US, as far as I know :(. A dupe is Milani's Luminous Blush, I think), MAC By Candlelight highlighter, NARS Laguna Bronzer

Lips: Revlon Colorburst gloss in Pink Ice*

-Seraphine

June Favorites

It's time for June favorites! Without further ado, here are the products I've been loving this month:

Tarte Park Avenue Princess Bronzer: After raving about it in my last favorites post, it has come to my attention that my Clarins Bronzer may be breaking me out (serves me right for using something that old), so midway through the month I started usuing this bronzer instead. It is a darker bronzer for me, but somehow it doesn't look too dark or muddy, even on my pale skin. I apply it with a Sigma F25 brush, and I dust it off a little on the back of my hand before applying it to my face. I like this much better than NARS Laguna, so go check this out if you're in the market for a shimmery bronzer.

MAC's blush in Stunner: This will not surprise you if you've payed attention to my makeup in my OOTD posts, but I love this color. It's the perfect, light, peachy-pink for my skin tone, and it's not overly shimmery, but not flat and matte either. Why did this have to be limited edition?!

Lancome's Rouge in Love Lip Color in Corail in Love: Again, hardly a surprise, since I wore this in most OOTD's. I won't go on and on here, since I plan to review this soon, but  I think this might be my new favorite summer lip color.

Clinque Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in 10 Air Kiss: I know, I know, this too was in all of my OOTDS! I got this mini gloss in a set from my cousin for Christmas, and I love the formula of these. They really do last a long time, and give incredible shine to the lips. They are slightly sticky, which I personally like. This color is a pale, sheer pink with shimmer, and it works over just about any lip color. I don't know that I would repurchase this, since I have so many glosses to begin with, but I've been loving it this month!

Josie Maran Argan Oil: I've waited a while to buy into the Argan Oil hype, but my extremely flakey, dry skin led me to this, and I'm very impressed. I apply this every night to my chin (where it has been the flakiest) over my usual night moisturizer, and my dryness has drastically improved! My only complaint? $48 for a bottle...I was a cheapie and bought the small travel size for $14, but I think that'll last me a while, since a little goes a long long way with this.


Non-beauty related favs (only tv shows, for some reason?):

The Office: God bless my mom for having a Hulu+ subscripiton that she lets me use. I've been rewatching episodes of The Office all month long, and Michael Scott never ceases to amuse me. Funny stuff!

Dance Moms: Guilty, guilty pleasure. I only watch it for the dancing, ok! Don't judge me!

-Seraphine

Shopping My Stash Challenge: Day 1

Hi guys!

I've been away from home for a month now, and I only had a limited amount of makeup with me. I got back yesterday, and I almost forgot how many amazing things I have that don't get enough love! So I've challenged myself to use a different eyeshadow/palette, blush, and lip combo every day for a week. I've marked the products I'm trying to use up with a *

Here's what I've used for today:

Eyeshadow: Maybelline Bad to the Bronze cream shadow, Sleek Storm Palette (lightest color on the lid, cranberry color in the outer corner), Too Faced Glamor to Go Pixi Palette (pale pink, as highlight/blending color*), Sally Girl Champagne Eyeshadow* (on brow bone)

Blush: Benefit Sugarbomb

Lips: Revlon Primrose lipstick, Maybelline Pink Cadillac lip gloss

Without lip combo

With lip combo (the lighting is weird here, but I swear my face and neck are the same color!!)

Hope everyone's having a great weekend!
-Seraphine

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation Review

Hello all!
Today I'll be reviewing one of my all time favorite foundations: Bourjois Healthy Mix. After watching the Pixiwoo sisters and Lisa Eldridge use this time and time again, I really wanted to give this foundation a try. But, alas, Bourjois is no longer available in the US, so I needed to wait until I went to Europe. Fortunately for me, my whole family is from Switzerland, and we go back to visit often, so I was able to get it last summer. I purchased Healthy Mix and a foundation from L'Oreal (their HD foundation, which isn't available here either. Quick review on that: I didn't like it, won't repurchase, and wouldn't recommend it) and I made myself use up the L'Oreal one before I finally tried Healthy Mix, so I only started using it around March.

 My verdict: Healthy Mix offers exactly what I look for in foundations: It has a good, medium coverage but it never looks cakey or overdone- my skin always looks like skin, not like I've got on foundation. I have dry skin, and this works wonderfully for me because it doesn't accentuate flakes or dry patches. And not that this matters (or maybe it does?), but it smells really really nice (but only when you first pump it out, you won't smell it on your skin all day!).  It wears really well , and with a powder on top it'll last me all day. My shade is 51 (the lightest shade), which, in comparison to my skin, is a bit yellow, but I actually like that since it helps neutralize redness. According to the French website, that particular shade is only available online...I'm not sure if they've stopped carrying it in stores or something, although I did hear somewhere that 51 isn't sold in all countries, so keep that in mind if you're looking for that shade.

My one issue with this foundation? I find that  the pump sometimes gets clogged up and doesn't work well. After pumping it like 10 times and wiping the top, it ends up working fine, but it is a bit annoying. 

 image source

Before:                                  

  After:

                                                 
I know the picture quality and lighting suck, but hopefully you can see that this foundation got rid of the redness on my nose and cheeks, and reduced the apperence of blemishes. It didn't cover everything, but it's not supposed to, either. With concealer and powder on top, this creates a pretty flawless finish without looking heavy.

Shade: 51
Coverage: Medium
Finish: Satin (not super-dewy, but not matte either)
Price: 14.45 euros (can't remember how much it cost in Swiss francs!)

All in all, I would highly recommend this, if you can get your hands on it, that is! I'll be in Switzerland again this summer, and I'm planning on trying out some other Bourjois foundations. Any suggestions?

-Seraphine

Saturday's OOTD: Bright Blue Jeans

Hi all!

Finally, a casual OOTD from me! This is what I wore on Saturday, and it's all brand new from Anthropologie: my parents came to visit me this past weekend, and my mom and I went shopping (as you do ;) ). I've been lusting after this color in jeans for a while, and I think they are so much more fun than your basic jeans. I also never thought this color top would look good on me, but I'm pleasnetly surprised! I don't always like what Anthro (as my mom calls it) has to offer, but I'm really happy with my purchases this time

Another finger covering the lense, sorry! This was my mom's fault though, not mine!


Top: Anthropologie (link)

Jeans: AG Jeans (from Anthropologie) Yes, these are expensive, but they fit great and are so soft and comfortable. The color on the website washes them out a bit, the most accurate picture is the last one.

Shoes: Coach, see previous post for similar options!

Necklace: Thomas Sabo (link). Sadly, I don't think these necklaces are available in the US, which is a real shame. The concept is similar to Pandora, but for necklaces. I got mine in Switzerland, but they're available all over Europe. Might do a post on mine soon!

Med Alert: Lauren's Hope

Makeup: Ummmm can't remember. I know I was wearing MAC's Bombshell lipstick, though, which I also got this weekend.

I'm sorry about all of the OOTD posts. I'm waiting until I get home where I have an actual camera to do more makeup related posts, i.e reviews, swatches, FOTDs, what have you. So in a week or so my posts will be a lot more interesting!

-Seraphine

OOTD: Orange Flower Power

Hi guys!

How summery is this dress? I bought it at Forever21 a few weeks ago and was immediately drawn to the gorgeous color and pattern. It's flowy with fluttering sleeves, but it's cinched at the waist with a belt to make it flattering. It's from their Love 21 line, which is my favorite part of their store; you always find lovely pieces there!

 Cross eyed!

Not sure if you can tell by my crappy pictures, but I put a little braid in my hair to amp up the hippy factor ;)

Dress (belt included!): Forever21. I couldn't find this online, which is weird since I saw it there after I bought it in store... maybe they've sold out? Check your local Forever21!

Shoes: Coach. I got these shoes at Marshalls two years ago, so they're not available any more. Here are a few alternatives: Forever21, Forever21, Piperlime, J-Crew

Necklace: Forever 21. No longer available, but try these instead:Etsy (this one is really close!), Urban Outfitters, Forever21

Makeup: Everyday foundation routine (with a substitution of my Physician's Formula Conceal RX for MAC's Studio Sculpt concealer in NW15),  MAC's blush in Stunner (LE), MAC's mineralize eyeshadow trio in Love to Love (LE),  Lancome's Rouge in Love Lipcolor in Corail in Love, Clinique Long Last Glosswear in Air Kiss

In other news, I'm currently lusting after the new Benefit lipglosses, especially Dandelion (one of my all time favorite blushes!). Sigh, I dont need another lip gloss, I don't need another lipgloss, I don't need another lipgloss................................

I'll leave you with a parting image: Today, as I was walking into my office, I saw a man walking a dog on a leash, and a cat in a baby carrier. I have no words for this, people, no words.

-Seraphine

UPDATE: Found it online! Forever21

Cheap and Chic OOTD (from 6/15/12)

Hi guys!

This is a belated outfit of the day from Friday, which I had every intention of posting, but my computer got a terrible virus and was being fixed until Sunday, by which point I completely forgot about posting this. But better late than never! This outfit is all Forever 21 (well, the clothing is, at least!). The skirt is the same one as my nautical OOTD, but, as you can see, I've styled it a bit differently. I am a big fan of blouses that tie at the neck, and the fact that this one was coral and had butterflys all over it sealed the deal for me. Love it! (the fact that my one sad picture covers up the bow tie kind of defeats the purpose, doesn't it? Sorry about that!)

Sorry for the lack of pictures, I took this very quickly on my way out the door and forgot to take additional ones when I got home, as I was totally distracted by my computer mayhem.

Top: Forever21 (link) (this top is sheer, so I wore a plain white cami underneath)

Skirt: Forever21 (link)

Shoes: Tory Burch (link)

Med Alert: Lauren's Hope (link)

Earrings: My earrings are simple, faux pearl studs that I got at a boutique near my university (I think they were $10, but I them on sale for $5). These ones by Forever21 are pretty much the same

Makeup: See my Everyday Work Makeup post; Today I'm wearing MAC's blush in Stunner on my cheeks, and Lancome's Rouge in Love Lipcolor in Corail in Love (this is one gorgeous lipstick, review coming soon!) with Clinique's Long Last Glosswear in Air Kiss on top

Since my outfit is so Forever21 heavy, allow me to share my philosophy on said store with you. I believe that, when shopping at Forever21, you need to take your time, search every rack, and try everything on. You never know what hidden gems are lurking behind that display of hideous sequined club dresses, and you may think that top looks great, until you try it on... Keep in mind, too, that not everything is so well made. I recently got an adorable blouse (link), that I can't zip by myself because the zipper gets stuck (not because it's too small or anything, but because the seam is cheaply made). It's a tough store to shop online, too, because a) trying things on is important, and b) their website is extremely overwhelming. But I love Forever21, and I think they have great stuff, if you have the patience to find them!

-Seraphine