Beauty: Cold Pressed Argan Oil (100% Pure)

 

So I have been really conscientious of the ingredients in a lot of my hair and beauty products of late.  I swear by Aveda's products, as these make up 90% of my beauty regimen.  Even so these are not 100% organic and there are still some chemicals in these products.  I was reading Rumi Neely's ITG profile and she made an excellent point about finding the organic equivalent of some of the more natural ingredients you find in your favorite products.  I am an avid user of Moroccan/Argan oil and have been looking for something in a spray/aerosol format.  I came across this product on Amazon's website and it boasts of being 100% pure with certificate of organic operation as proof.  I am really excited for the arrival of this product and trust a product review will be forthcoming.  I just recently got a haircut and anticipate a dye job shortly so I really need something to help keep my locks moisturized as they are fine and tend to get extremely brittle and dry when I do anything to chemically alter it. 

Beauty{New In}: MAC, OPI and Balenciaga

MAC Russian Red and Driven By Love

OPI Euro Centrale in Suzi's Hungary Again, Vant to Bite My Neck and Can't Find My Czechbook

Florabotanica Balenciaga Paris

Beauty: Travel Makeup

My travel makeup bag is extremely light.  I don't like packing so I try my hardest to limit the amount of products I carry.  I wanted to share with you a few tried and true products that I love to use when traveling. 

Aveda Botanical Kinetics Hydrating Lotion- I use this  before applying foundation.  It really is hydrating and serves as a great primer.

Chanel perfection Lumiere Flawless Fluid Makeup SPF 10 Foundation-  Surprisingly this wears lighter than some tinted moisturizers and it is very hydrating, it gives you a great glow. 

Maybelline Great Lash, Anastasia Clear Brow Gel and Stila Waterproof Eye Liner- I use these religiously they really make my eyes pop, especially when I wear my eyeglasses. 

Clinique Chubby Stick, Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks, and Bobbi Brown Longwear Cream Shadow- These are a few extras I use to give my look a little bit of glamour.  Sometimes I like to look made up without looking overdone and I love products that give that hint of color.

The good thing about all of these products is the very small packaging that allows me to carry it in one small makeup bag. 

Beauty: Out With The Old . . .

The other day I went into my bathroom and realized I had way too many beauty products that I wasn't using. I decided to do a bit of 'spring cleaning' and rid myself of those items that I no longer used.  As you can see the result was a nice streamlined shelf of the most important items that I use on a daily basis.  While this after photo is still in my opinion a few items too many, there were some items that I just couldn't bear to part with.

I wanted to share with you guys a few of the brands that are my skincare staples and why I use them more than others.

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser

This is the cleanser that I use when I get home from work in the morning and prepare to go to bed.  It is very mild and works well for me and my occasional breakouts.  I absolutely love this stuff.  

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti Wrinkle Cream

I've been reading about the importance of retinols in helping with skin turnover and maintaining healthy skin.  I finally found something that I love in this brand and I use it in combination with my Cetaphil cleanser as a night cream moisturizer.  

Aveda Cream Cleanser and Moisturizing System

I use this moisturizing cleanser and skin cream before I head to work at night.  I work in a lab and the air is very dry and this system keeps my skin moisturized and dewy.

A few of the other products are just some extras.  I love my Artistry skincare products for mini facials, Aveda Acne Cleansing Pads for moments of really bad outbreaks and Peter Thomas Roth Hyularonic Acid for extremely cold winters to layer under my moisturizers.  The biggest thing that I splurge on are facials at Aveda every six weeks.  They are so worth the money!!

What are some of your favorite skincare products and why do you use them more than others?

Beauty: Zoya Nail Lacquer

manicure in Happi

I decided to try out a new brand of nail lacquer.  When it comes to cosmetics I spare no expense and I am always eager to try out the next big thing.  I have been seeing ad campaigns for this brand in most of my magazines and they were the official nail brand used during fashion week.  I ordered in three colors Happi, Anastasia and Willow.  The thing I like most about this brand is that it is all natural and boasts of a healthy formula that is vegan friendly and free of all that bad stuff like formaldehyde, toluene and other chemicals.  The brand also has over 300 amazing colors and provides free nail palettes to give consumers a better representation of the colors.  I work in a lab and am constantly washing my hands so my manicures last two days tops before they start peeling.  I can't wait to see how long this brand's last and if that 12 day wear claim truly holds up.  Honestly I will be happy if this lasts a week. 

Beauty: Ombre Hair



Photo via my instagram

Beauty: {In the Moment} Diana Agron for the Met Gala

photos via

Diana Agron looks so amazing as she prepares for the Met Gala, her makeup is so flawless and it really brings out her eyes!!

Beauty {Cosmetics}: BB (Blemish Balm) Creams

photo via

The biggest make up trend to come this summer are BB creams.  BB short for blemish balms, are all the rage in Asian culture and are sure to be the next big thing come state side.  The creams are an all in one skin care regiment that works to conceal, moisturize, treat dark spots and provide high SPF protection.  It serves the same function as a tinted moisturizer providing better coverage as it blends well with your natural skin tone minimizing the need for concealer or foundation.  I have yet to try these products but as a person who has yet to find a tinted moisturizer that has made me want to give up on my foundation, this cream seems like it might actually be perfect in terms of the coverage I am looking for.  Tinted moisturizers for me always seem to do a horrible job of blending well with darker colored skin tones and I feel like it grays out my complexion more than anything.  What do you guys think, are you ready to give up on your favorite foundation in exchange for BB creams?

Beauty: Natural Hair Inspiration 'Corinne Bailey Rae

photo via 

First thing's first apologies for my sporadic posting, as I approach the blog like I do any other hobby sometimes I am not always motivated to post and currently have been dedicating more time to other hobbies i.e. reading and decorating my house.  Imagine coming across this beautiful photo, I just had to post and share with you guys.  I don't know if anyone has ever noticed in my few outfit posts but I have natural textured hair free off chemicals and I often oscillate between not doing anything to it to full on blow out/glam mode.  I honestly love my hair when it is au naturel a' la this photo of Corinne Bailey Rae.  Her curls are so beautiful and after reading this post on her haircare regime I am even more motivated to try to embrace my natural texture even more.  Its really cool that she uses a lot of the products that I do.  I personally swear by anything Aveda.  Their product line is amazing and has been the catalyst in the recent growth and health of my hair.  I try other products from time to time but for me it always comes back to Aveda.    

Beauty Inspiration

Photo via

Beauty: Winter Skincare {Preview}

Stay tuned for a detail post on these products, what they do and how I incorporate them into my daily winter skincare regime

Beauty: {Collaboration}Marc Jacobs + Nars

Photo Credit: Vogue Daily

I am loving this collaboration.  I love anything from the cosmetics line NARS and these color combinations with the fingerless cashmere Marc Jacobs gloves are amazing.  What do you think of the collaboration?  

Check in over at Vogue Daily for more details about this collaboration

Beauty {Video}: The Beauty Department: Faux Lashes

The Beauty Department posted this neat how to video for the application of faux lashes.  I don't really use faux lashes but I found this video to be very educational. 

Cosmetics: Bold Eye + Lip

Photo credit: Keiko Lynn

Blogger Keiko Lynn did a DIY post on how to achieve a bold eye + lip combo.  Most make up pros will tell you that if you go bold with one then you should have a more subdued/neutral color for the other.  While I agree with this generally, I think Keiko did an excellent job with the bold eye + lip combination.  Head over to her website for complete step by step instructions on how she created this look. 

{Beauty} The Beauty Department: The Fun Bun

Photo credit: The Beauty Department

The Beauty Department provided a pretty good tutorial on what they call the 'Fun Bun' head over to their website and check it out!!

Beauty: DIY 'Milk Maid Braid'

When I see the new hair trends out this summer it really makes me wish I didn't cut my hair.  It is growing back but not as fast as I would like.  Hopefully my visits to the dermatologist will help remedy this and provide a solution for my little problem.  Well one of the hair trends I am definitely loving are the braided updos especially the 'Milk Maid Braid'.  I was over at LC's new website The Beauty Department and I came across this DIY video that I think is amazing. 

 

If you like this video make sure you visit the Beauty Department over at http://thebeautydepartment.com/ for more DIY cosmetic and beauty tips. 

Cosmetics: Lumieres Byzantines De Chanel Palette

Chanel has produced only 1,500 pieces of this new palette with five creamy shades from rose gold, antique bronze and pearl.  The colors are meant to make your eyes and cheeks luminous.  There are plans to only have 130 available in the United States at select stores for a retail price of $250 starting in June. 

This palette is gorgeous and is an extremely limited edition good luck finding it to anyone who is willing to spend that kind of money on makeup. 

'Mad' About Blogs: LC's 'The Beauty Department'

The Hills alum, fashion designer and author Lauren Conrad launched a brand new website/blog The Beauty Department not too long ago dedicated to all things beauty.  She gives great makeup, hair and DIY tutorials and from what I have seen so far I like.  This website has quickly become my second favorite beauty blog behind Anna Miya's C-Thru My Eyes makeup blog. I highly recommend adding this one to your favorites tab or blog list.   

Beauty & Cosmetics: Achieving a Look for a Formal Event

left: me; right: my sister

For my look I made sure I washed my face first to give a nice clean canvas.  I used Clinique's 3 Step Cleaner system.  Next I applied Clinique's Undereye Cream all over my eye lid and underneath.  Apply Bobbi Brown's undereye Creamy Concealer Kit  underneath the eye covering dark circles.  Then I applied Sephora's dual compact eye shadow in Golden Kaki No 06.  Not pictured I applied Bobbi Brown's Sheer Liquid Foundation.  MAC bronzer on my cheek bones as blush.  Also used Nars Multiple Use stick in Orgasm on the bridge of my nose, hairline and chin.  I decided to go with a nude lip in the

NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Tashkent.

 For my sister I used less product because she doesn't wear much make up.  She also cleaned her face before application using Carol's Daughter Bring in the Moisture Skin Care Set.  Her face was plenty moisturized so I applied MAC pressing powder in Select Sheer all over her face to give it a more matte finish.  On her lids I applied Sephora's Dual Compact Eye Shadow in Hot Brown No 03.  I also applied a little bit of Sheer Cover under eye concealer.  On her cheeks I added a little bit of MAC mineralizing blush in Love Thing.  For the lip I added NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Volga with a little bit of moisturizer. 



For all of the makeup product suggestions, application instructions and tips I visit C-Thru My Eyes makeup blog by Anna Miya.  Make sure you check out her blog as well as twitter @cthrumakeup.  Her advice and product recommendations gave me the confidence to get into doing my own make up. 

Solange Knowles, Selita Ebanks and Cassie are the new faces of Carol's Daughter ad Campaign