A Perfect Summer Basic: ChapStick Lip Shield 365

By Anna 20 May
2012

It definitely slips my mind sometimes that lips can get sunburnt. Although I’ve been good about wearing SPF on my face daily, lips aren’t something I think about too often. ChapStick Lip Shield 365 is a product I received this past week in the most recent beauty voxbox by Influenster. The lip balm has an SPF of 50+ with a light lemon scent and glides on effortlessly, leaving my lips really soft. I think this ChapStick is a perfect summer staple to protect that pucker and the price definitely can’t be beat!

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A Scented Treat: Twilight Woods

By Anna 19 May
2012

I recently received the newest Beauty Voxbox from Influenster and one of the items in it was the Twilight Woods fine fragrance mist from Bath & Body Works. This really isn’t something I would buy on my own, since the only perfumes I own I received as gifts in the past, so body sprays also have never really interested me. However, this smells absolutely amazing! I’m awful at describing actual scents so I won’t even try, but all I can say is that it’s really light and a mix of fruits and florals. I’ve been using it quite generously and although the bottle is rather large, it’s just too good to leave behind so it might make it’s escape to England with me. Plus look at that packaging! Gorgeous!

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I’m Alive & New In: Inglot Eyeshadows

By Anna 18 May
2012

I’m sorry for the extremely long absence. I was a bit busy passing some exams and you know doing stuff like graduating :) I’m also slowly starting to pack up my life for the big move, since that’s happening on Wednesday already! I have some things I really want to share and have been busy taking lots of photos so that hopefully when I’m settling in England I’ll still have some posts lined up, until I can figure out a good blogging schedule there.

Now that I’m done rambling, let’s continue… Ever since I bought my first Inglot eyeshadows, I’ve been in love and I knew I had to pick up a few more before I left New York. So without any hesitation I popped over to the shop in Times Square before my last exam and got myself two Freedom System duos.

(L-R: 404, 405, 355, 421)

I made two duos instead of quad, because it’ll come in handy when I quickly want to grab something small. As you can probably tell I’m obsessed with warm bronzes, golds, and browns. The first duo I created is inspired by the NARS Isolde Duo. I also picked up the matte off-white shade because I have always wanted to own Bobbi Brown’s 02 Bone. 355 is a perfect dupe and I’m incredibly pleased with it! And the final shade is just amazing and once I had swatched it, I knew I had to get it.

If you haven’t tried any Inglot shadows yet, I cannot recommend them highly enough! They are absolutely brilliant! You can also see pictures and swatches of my first Inglot Freedom System eyeshadow quad here, if you’re interested in some different colors.

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April 2012 Favorites

By Anna 01 May
2012

This month has gone by extremely quickly and it’s crazy that for May’s favorites, I’m already going to be living in England! Anyway, these are the items I’ve been using the most often and loving this past month.

1. Inglot Freedom System Eyeshadows - I absolutely love these shades that I chose and the quality and pigmentation is amazing.
2. Dior Hydra Life BB Creme – I cannot say enough good things about this BB creme. It makes my skin glow and is so incredibly easy to apply!
3. MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Blossom Culture – The website describes this as a “soft pink with pearl” and it looks absolutely amazing on my lips. I love the formula and texture since it’s extremely hydrating and easy to wear.
4. MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study - I’ve been using this as a base when I apply eyeshadow and some days I just use it on it’s own all over the lid to brighten up my eyes. I don’t wear eye make-up everyday, but when I do, this is being used 9 out of 10 times.
5. Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour in Lush Nectarine – Maybe I’m cheating with this one a little bit, since I really only bought it a few days ago… But it’s incredible and I’m in love! It is basically fool-proof to apply which says a lot because I’m a mess when it comes to applying blush. And the shade, a soft peachy coral color, is probably almost universally flattering.
6. Nivea A Kiss of Moisture Lip Balm – A really simple little item, but this lip balm is my ultimate favorite. It isn’t waxy and applies easily because it just melts onto the lips instantly, so you don’t have to roughly sweep back and forth waiting for the balm to actually get onto your lips. It leaves my lips smooth and hydrated for hours so I only need to apply it about 3 times a day.

7. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair – A favorite from last month as well, I still love this serum and the way it makes my skin feel.
8. Alpha Hydrox 10% Glycolic AHA Enhanced Cream – Another favorite from March, this cream will be in my skincare routine for as long as its made. I think its a total gem.
9. Caudalie Beauty Elixir – A third and final favorite from last month, this facial spray is heavenly. The scent is incredible and the way it makes my skin perk up is brilliant.
10. Eucerin AQUAporin Active Moisturising Cream Light – A little goodie that my boyfriend sent me from England at my request. It does a great job of hydrating my skin during the day. It’s a really simple, no-frills, fresh moisturizer that lets my BB creme simply glide on.
11. Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream – This cream hydrates my dry hands and smells amazing.

In April I’ve also been loving stretching, which my hips are extremely grateful for and simply spending time with my family.

What have you been loving this month?

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Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Review

By Anna 30 Apr
2012


I’ve been using Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair for about a month and a half, ever since I got a small sample in a gift-with-purchase when buying my Estee Lauder DayWear BB Creme. The sample lasted for a few weeks and then I finally decided to splash out on a full size bottle.

This night serum is extremely luxurious and definitely does what it claims. I really believe that in conjunction with my Alpha Hydrox Enhanced Cream, dark spots have been fading extremely quickly. If I have any active breakouts I also make sure to massage Advanced Night Repair onto the area and in the morning they’re generally barely noticeable or occasionally entirely gone. As for boosting hydration, I’m also impressed because ever since my Nurture Me ran out, I’ve been slathering almost any moisturizer on my skin for the night and yet I still wake up to healthy, plumped skin.

Advanced Night Repair has quickly become a favorite of mine and I highly recommend it to anyone, since I believe all skin-types can benefit from it. Just to make sure it’s for you, I’d advise you to grab a sample at a counter or online and if you’re impressed, then splurge on the full-size, since at $52 for 30 ml, it certainly isn’t a bargain.

Have you tried Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair? Do you use a night serum or oil? What’s your favorite?

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Becca Luminous Skin Colour Review

By Anna 29 Apr
2012

I’ve mentioned Becca Luminous Skin Colour several times already, in my March favorites since I’ve been using it mostly mixed with the Estee Lauder DayWear BB Creme, but I have yet to do a full review. So it’s about time I talk about this product by itself!

As you can hopefully tell from the photos, the box says that this is a “Ultra Sheer Foundation” while the actual bottle states it’s a “Tinted Moisturizer”. I would classify this as an “Ultra Sheer Tinted Moisturizer” :) The formula itself is very light, I wouldn’t call it watery, but more gel-like. It blends rather easily into the skin and provides the sheerest amount of coverage. The redness in my cheeks isn’t extremely diminished, but it helps my skintone look slightly more even. Also the shade I have, Cashmere, is a bit too light for me right now so worn alone, it can make me look slightly…well…pale. Initially it leaves my skin very dewy, but over time it personally gives me a rather matte finish. I would recommend this to anyone who likes truly sheer coverage or wants to have an ideal product for mixing others with.

Have you tried Becca’s Luminous Skin Colour? What’s the lightest coverage product that you own?

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Wishful Wednesday: Home Sweet Home

By Anna 25 Apr
2012

Ever since I decided to move to England, I’ve been dreaming of decorating our space with things that make it comfortable and relaxing. Here are a few that I would absolutely love to have…

I absolutely love candles, but have never had a true luxury one. Regardless of whether or not I will have these Diptyque and Jo Malone candles, I will definitely have a few scented ones around. These lovely pillows are from Caitlin Wilson Textiles and they add the perfect amount of color and pattern to what I hope to keep a neutral space. The armchair would be perfect for curling up with a some tea and a book, and finally the mirror would add a bit of sparkle, interest, and light.

What do you have in your space that makes it feel like home?

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  • Oh hi there! I’m Anna!

    Hi!
    I'm a 21 year old graduate relocating from New York City to England. Follow my musings about beauty, fitness, and my life!
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