Category: beauty

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beauty mascara sales shopping tandjdesigns Uncategorized

Random Friday: Beauty Faves and J Crew Sale

Just throwing a few random things into a post 🙂

I posted my nails on my instagram and facebook the other day and had a few people ask for a tutorial. Well, no tutorial is needed as these are stickers!  Just paint, stick, cut the sticker to your nail size, top with a top coat!  The easiest nail design ever!  I got mine from this Etsy seller but if you do a search for “Chevron Nail Decals” you’ll find a bunch of options.  They don’t last very long (mine last around 4-5 days) and you’ll have to re-apply the top coat to keep the edges from curling but I still think they are worth it for the cute and easy nail design.  (Bracelets are from my jewelry line)


My latest make up routine includes the most amazing mascara ever.  Benefit’s They’re Real! Mascara is quite possibly the best mascara I’ve used in my life.  Since I’ve been using this, people comment on how long my lashes are constantly.  For an added fullness to my lashes I’ve been adding 2-3 individual falsies at the corners of my eyes.  I’ve long given up the strip lashes that I used to love when I was younger but these individual lashes are the perfect amount to give your eyes just an added look of fullness to your lashes.  They also blend in so well with your real lashes that people can not tell that you have falsies on.  Along with the mascara, it’s an amazing combination!  (I should mention that I use regular lash glue so I can take them off at night, not the stronger glue that they recommend with individual lashes – you have to use a special remover to get that glue off!)

Here’s a few photos with the mascara + lashes combination.

J Crew is currently having a 30% off sale
promo so here are a few that I tried on in store that got a thumbs up
from me.  Not all are available online so I suggest checking in store as
they had quite a few different styles than online.

Tippi Sweater (available online in solid)
Boy Shirt (available online in plaid)
Scattered Sequin Sweater

And my bow coat is on sale as well but looks like they are sold out of the pink.  Lookbook details here.

My jewelry line is also celebrating President’s Day with an additional 30% off sale!  There’s lots of styles perfect for spring!  Use code 30SALE.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Categories
beauty lip gloss lipstick nail polish Uncategorized

Latest Beauty Buys

Just a few new beauty loves that I had to share.

I passed by this Revlon display for their new polish called “Moon Candy” and I loved the creme polish with the glitter, except this isn’t regular small pieces of glitter, more like flakes of glitter!  I brought two home and they are gorgeous and so different than all my other polishes.  I love the effect. 

I didn’t get a chance to take pics of my nails before they chipped so they look terrible right now but as you can see from the pictures from The PolishAholic, the glitter is a bit piece-y but it looks so great in the natural light as the colors reflect differently.

go to her post to see the rest of the colors!
Absolutely loving this “liquid lipstick” from NYX.  The lip creams go on like lipstick but very creamy and last for a really long time!  $12 for all 3, you can’t beat that!  (Nordstrom Rack is now selling NYX if you guys didn’t know.  I know for me it’s hard to come by in our drugstores so I was glad to see it at Nordstrom Rack.)
Laura Mercier Creme Cheek Color and Lip Stain is a staple in my every day routine.  Just the right colors, I have the Cheek color in Praline and the Lip Stain in Shy Pink and are perfect for the “I’m wearing make up but not” kind of days.
For awhile now I’ve use the Anastasia brow powder for my eyebrows but recently discovered the TouchBack Brow Marker and it’s awesome!  It totally blends in and is a bit easier in application than powder.  I never thought I’d use a “marker” for my brows but they totally fill in my sparse brows and looks really natural.
 It comes in lots of different colors to perfectly match your brows.
I don’t really use lip liners as I usually just slap on a lipstick or lip gloss and be done with it, however the Smashbox Nude Lip Liner completely changed my mind about needing a lip liner.  It really is a “nude” to match your lip color and once I apply it, it doesn’t change the color of my lipstick or lip gloss but it does help the color stay a lot longer.
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beauty nail polish OPI Uncategorized

OPI Skyfall Collection – the reds

Although I’m not usually a red nail polish person (I much prefer pink) I can’t help but feel a little bit more in the holiday mood when I have red nails.  The OPI Skyfall collection has gorgeous shades of reds that are perfect for the holidays.

 
“Die Another Day” is a gorgeous red with lots of shine but no shimmer and is my absolute favorite if the bunch.  It’s so gorgeous on and when I was wearing it, had so many people ask me what color this was as everyone loved it!

 

“Skyfall” is a deep maroon also with no shimmer and is a good darker color for those of us with pale skin.  I think this color would look pretty as a matte too!  I’m going to try it with my matte topcoat next time.

“You Only Live Twice” is actually more pink than red and has a hint of shimmer in it.  My apologies for the bad picture of this color but it’s actually really pretty in person and definitely a pink that I will be reaching for often.

 “The Spy Who Loved Me” is a pretty red with shimmer in it and I think perfect for a holiday party. 

I received the entire Skyfall Collection and I have to say, there is not one color that I don’t like out of it!  It’s seriously one of my favorite collections that OPI has done.
Disclosure: Products were provided by PR for consideration.  All opinions are my own.
Categories
beauty lip gloss mascara Uncategorized

Laura Mercier Art Deco Muse

I posted on my instagram a pic of my accessories and lippies and I just had to tell you how obsessed I am with this Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Gilded Veil.  It’s the perfect color for the holiday season and looks amazing layered over other colors.

It’s part of Laura Mercier’s Limited Edition Art Deco Muse collection.

My favorites from the collection:

Illuminating Eye Color
Faux Lash Mascara 
Nail Lacquer in Crimson, Modern Red and Noir Glace
Lip Lacquer in Lacquer Rouge
Lip Glace Gilded Veil



I’m also really loving the Graphic Liquid Eye Liner.  I’ve been using it almost every day since I got it.  The liner goes on really thick so you have to be really careful with the application.  I’ve been dotting it on my eyelid and then smudging it to create a thin smooth line.  What I love best though, is that the staying power is awesome.  It lasts through the entire day and does not smudge at all.  Once it’s on, it’s on! 

And just a closer look at the mascara brush.  I love how full it is, it really covers every lash and brings out every your smallest lashes.  With a gentle touch, you can use it on your bottom lashes as well and it doesn’t smudge.


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beauty skincare Uncategorized

Murad Essentials

I’m really bad at sticking to just one skincare line.  I like to see what else is out there and if it will work for my skin or not.

I recently discovered the Murad Acne Fighting Favorites Duo and although I don’t have terrible skin right now, I’m always a bit wary of breakouts so like to use products that will prevent them.  This cleanser and lotion isn’t super strong so I think perfect for those of us that only have occasional breakouts.  Alone the Clarifying Cleanser is $26 and the Skin Perfecting Lotion is $33 so this set is a good deal to get them together.

They also have some great travel sized products that I plan on bringing on my trip that I’m taking in a few weeks as I’m traveling to a much colder climate and want to make sure that my skin doesn’t dry out from all the travel and the temperature.  The individual packets for the Exfoliating Mask is so handy.  Since I have limited space in my carry on, I won’t be taking both my cleanser and exfoliator so their Exfoliating Cleanser is a great combo of both.  I have yet to use the Soothing Skin and Lip Care but the reviews look great, especially on the driest of spots. I am a crazy lip balm/chapstick person but the Lip Protector takes it one step up from my usual and it protects and restores.

Exfoliating Cleanser | Exfoliating Mask | Soothing Skin and Lip Care | Pomegranate Lip Protector

If you are interested in getting some of their products they’re offering $25 off your purchase of $100 or more on their website.  Use code:BLACKFRIDAY

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beauty mascara Uncategorized

Mineral Fusion Golden Touch Smoky Eyes

I recently got this kit and was interested in it because it had the colors that I tend to wear on a daily basis.  Let me tell you this little kit, blew me away!  I love it and use it almost every day.  My favorite is the mascara, it is super thickening and makes my lashes really stand out! 

The kit is $24.99 which is a great price since you get the mascara, eye pencil and eye shadow trio.  I should also mention that it is free of gluten (yes, even make up can have gluten in it!  I recently learned this), Parabens, Artificial Colors, Fragrances and Talc. Never-tested on animals. 

For a fab smoky eye, here’s an easy step by step:

step 1- shadow

  • Press base color (lightest shade) onto the eyelid from the lashes to underneath the eyebrow using an eye base brush.
  • Press lid color (medium shade) onto the entire eyelid using a brush of choice, stopping beneath the brow bone.
  • Using the crease color (darkest shade), start at the outer edge of the eye and work the contour brush back and forth in a windshield wiper motion following the crease. For a more dramatic effect, continue layering the crease color.

step 2 – liner

  • Gently line the upper and lower lash line with the Touch Eye Pencil, staying as close as possible to the eyelashes. 
  • For a more dramatic look, make lines thicker and sweep it up to extend it past your natural eye shape .

step 3 – mascara

  • Finish with Graphite Mascara on top and bottom lashes. 

You can buy the kit at Whole Foods (I’m so obsessed with the beauty section at Whole Foods, so many good treasures to find there!) on their website MineralFusion.com.  You can also buy it separately.  I found the mascara here on sale for $11.24 and the eyeshadow trio here on sale for $18.74.

Categories
beauty skincare Uncategorized

Thalgo Skincare

I try to get a facial or do a spa day every once in awhile as I think it’s nice to treat your skin well and my skin definitely reacts well to it.  Whenever I’m at the spa, I get sucked in by all the products they have to treat your skin and am always tempted to buy everything because they make it all sound like miracle skincare!  Anyway, I disovered Thalgo at my last session and since getting a few products and bringing them home, I wanted to share.

I like to get sets as I feel like I get the full affect of the skincare.  In the winter my skin gets beyond dry so this Hydration Kit has been amazing for my skin.

Hydration Kit

The kit contains:
– Relaxing Cream (1.69 oz.): Hydrates skin, restoring the ideal moisture balance needed for regeneration. Apply AM. Spread evenly over face and neck using long, circular movements.
– Absolute Rehydrating Serum (1.01 oz.): Intensely hydrates to help skin recover its natural moisturizing abilities for regained radiance. Use AM, one to two pumps along face and neck.
– Freshness Exfoliator (1.01 oz.): For normal to combination skin, the gentle exfoliator deeply cleanses, eliminating impurities for smooth, radiant skin. Apply once weekly to face and neck, avoiding the eye-contour area.

As instructed, I use it in the morning and it helps keep my skin hydrated through the day.  I’ve mentioned before how much I love exfoliating so love that this kit comes with one and it works fantastic.   This set is not cheap but when it comes to skincare I like to pamper myself once in awhile as I think that skincare is very important as we get older.

The other set that I use is the Cleanse and Calm kit which has everything you need to make sure you’ve removed all your makeup at the end of the night. 

Cleanse and Calm kit 

The set contains:

Cocooning Cleansing Milk (8.45 oz.) is a pure delight for your skin. It gently sweeps away impurities that suffocate and irritate complexions.
Cocooning Tonic Lotion (8.45 oz.) gently purifies skin, leaving it soft and fresh. Rich in jojoba-oil micro-beads,
Cream-sorbet Softness Exfoliator (1.69 oz.) is both gentle and effective, removing both impurities and dead cells while preserving the skin’s natural protective barrier.

I’m not very loyal to just one brand, my skincare products range from drugstore products to the more high end products but I truly believe that you should just use what works for your skin and not based on the price or the hype.  I love finding new skincare products to try out and am always happy to find products that work and do what they say.