Make up is one of my favorite morning rituals, I am not particularly good {and I'm trying so hard to get better at it} but I still have so much fun experimenting with color and different ways I can do things. I did a Sephora and Nordstrom run recently and purchased some products to update my make up bag for Fall. I have been using them for about a month now and I figured right now would be a good time to share my thoughts with you:

1. Gwen Stefani for Urban Decay Eyeshadow Palette
Eye make up is the one area I know very little of. I've always been a one-eyeshadow kind of gal,  quickly rubbed it on with my ring finger add some mascara and boom! done.  As I'm growing older I'm getting more interested in classic looks such as the cat eye {have not figured out liquid eyeliner yet} and smokey looks. I saw this palette at Sephora and loved the subtle colors and matte/shimmery options it offered. I don't think I will be using the pink, blue and yellow tones not the last row but the rest of them are AMAZING. Super pigmented, stay on all day, blend easily and the colors are just gorgeous!

I know it's limited edition and quantities are running out quickly, if you can't find it, the NAKED palette is another great option with easy tones that can create different everyday looks.

2. Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade
The first two weeks of wearing this were quite...interesting. It took me a while to understand how this pomade works best to give me a natural look. It did cross my mind several times to return this little pod but I refused to give up. So glad I didn't! I love the way my eyebrows look now. It stays on all day, it's super easy to apply and correct {before it sets} and the color is perfect with my hair {I use Ash Brown}. Practice makes perfect when it comes to this pomade; should you decide to try it, it will take time to get it right, but once you do it's so easy and fast to get amazing eyebrows that last all day. The little brush is key, make sure your get it!

3. Maybelline Lash Sensational
This one is from Target and I'M OBSESSED!!! It's less than $8.00 and it gives me the most amazing eyelashes I've ever had. It does clump up in a weird manner when I take it off {so it's not a complaint at all, just interesting} almost like little layers of plastic, but it does come off easily and doesn't rub off.

4. Chanel Poudre Universelle Compacte
Perfect powder for my oily t-zone. Looks natural and it keeps everything looking fresh and intact through the day.

4. Buxom Lipgloss in Raspberry Sorbet
My favorite brand when it comes to lipgloss. Minty, cool and the perfect shade to wear every day to the office.

6. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Bronze (Travel Size)
I love BB Shimmer bricks, I have been eyeing the triple set from Sephora so I decided to get the travel size for this one. I've used the tones separately as eyeshadow and I love them. The glow is perfect for a night out.

7. Dior Limited Edition Fusion Mono Cream Eyeshadow
You know how I told you I am used to using my finger to apply a single shade of eyeshadow? Well, I kind of still do that with this....IT'S AMAZING! Lasts all day {even without primer!}, you can do a little for a light shimmery look, a lot for a full on gold eyelid and even run a little on your cheekbones for a soft glow. I'm obsessed! The rose gold tone goes perfectly with my skin tone. Favorite product so far.

Hope you have a wonderful week!

Xo, N.

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September Wishlist

Although cooler weather is not here yet, it hasn't stop me from "window" shopping online; these are a few of the things I currently have my eye on:

1. Classic Gold Hoops

I owned a 2 inch pair for the longest time and lost them during my wedding weekend. The good part is that I was having too much fun to be sad about it, the bad part is that I have not replaced them. I was recently looking at pretty things on the Ben Bridge website and found this beautiful pair. I might have to get them soon. 

2. Cuyana Black Leather Tote

I need a black tote and have been lusting for this one since the beginning of summer. I use my Transport Tote from Madewell everyday and would love to have a black option. The size is perfect to fit my laptop, water bottle, make up bag, etc. 

3. Ray Ban Clubmaster Sunglasses
Every time I go to Nordstrom I try them on. They are so cute! They'll probably come home with me one of these days.

4. Bobbi Brown New York Palette
Eye make up is not my cup of tea. I want to get better at it and I think this little palette is perfect to try the classic eye shadow look Bobbi Brown is known for.

5. JCrew Cashmere Cardigan
I'm obsessed with the color of this cardigan! The camel tone is perfect for fall and winter. It is on the pricier side but JCrew cashmere does last a long time if you care for it correctly; I have sweaters that are over 4 years old and look new.

6. I just realized I skipped it...but I'll take this moment to wish you a happy Friday! :)

7. Madewell Billie Boots
Last year these famous boots came in the perfect sand color, I was hoping to get that color this fall but they did not release them. I do really like the gray color of these pair and feel like I would wear them often. The Billie boot is super comfortable, you can wear them all day and not ever realize you're in high shoes.

8. Madewell Silk Ascot Tile Dress
Wear to work with heels, to date night with flats, to run errands in the weekend with white sneakers and a denim jacket. I NEED this dress.

What's on your list for this Fall? Hope you enjoy your weekend!

Xo, N.

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Ipsy vs. Birchbox

Images via Birchbox, Ipsy and Sephora

I'm utterly obsessed with getting things in the mail {with the exception of bills of course} which is the reason why I have tons of magazine subscriptions and buy things online often. There is something so exciting about opening the little mailbox and seeing pretty new things to read, use or wear, even if I knew they were coming.

Beauty boxes are one of my favorite inventions. I have tried both of the main brands most people know: Birchbox and Ipsy and recently got an email from Sephora to subscribe to their luxe-sample service; all the boxes discussed below have a monthly flat fee of $10.00 which includes shipping.  Every box has their pros and cons so I listed them below with my thoughts and reviews...can you guess which one I decided to keep coming?

1. Birchbox
Pros: The samples come impeccably packed in the most adorable box ever,  I have a little stack in my closet because I can'r bring myself to trash them, they are so cute! {I will probably use them to style a shelf at some point}. As far as the products, the selection is nice, sizes are reasonable for make up and they have a good selection of products. I found a great shade of lipstick from a relatively unknown brand that I would have never consider buying {and get SO MANY compliments on}.

Cons:
A lot of skin care and hair product in every box. Even after I went back and selected I wanted less of it. I'm a firm believer that you must give skin care a full jar of a chance before you decide on it so having these mini containers did nothing for me. Although some of the products seemed nice I didn't have enough to make a decision on whether or not I needed to purchase it.


2. Ipsy
Pros: The products come in these great little make up bags. I love switching purses almost every other day and having all these little extra bags allows me to change make up bags as well. They are also great for keeping things organized when you travel, I usually carry one for snacks, another one for chargers and headphones, etc. As far as product, I love the amount of make up they send! There's usually a little skin care product but the core of the bag is make up. Exactly what I was looking for.

Cons:
There was a waiting list to get in. If you want to gain immediate access you must announce it on social media and private message people on Facebook. On top of that, the terms for allowing them to post on Twitter for you are kind of insane. Just be aware or wait.

3. Play! by Sephora
I will not do a pros and cons for this one since I decided I did not need a subscription to their services, the main reasons being:

-I already get free samples from them every time I shop online . They are small but I usually pick things I don't need a lot of, like perfume or primer.

-They do free luxe-size samples bags anyway. The image above is actually a bag I received with all of their products back in January. I always open their emails because if what they are offering is good enough I will place an order, even if it's just to stuck up on moisturizer.

-You can get free samples at the store of ANYTHING {withing reason of course, don't go in there asking for a sample of a flat iron}. I usually request a free sample when I'll be buying something, my go to's are masks and foundations. They will give you enough for a couple applications. That's how I fell in love with my favorite Origins Out of Trouble.

Our of these options I decided to stick with Ipsy and canceled my Birchbox subscription. I'm going to miss the cute box designs :(

Happy March!

Xo,
N.

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5 Amazing Bright Pink Lipsticks

Lipstick and lip gloss are my absolute favorite make up products. Most likely because I cannot, for the life of me, do eye shadows correctly. So I stick with a simple foundation, mascara and liner combo and have fun with my blush and lip colors.

I've always been into orangy-reds, but recently discovered a Clinique shade that I feel works well with my tone and hair color. My skin undertones are very pink so I always have to be careful, but this color is amazing for Spring. Check below for bright pink lipstick shades I'm loving this season including the one I'm wearing.

1. Clinique Long Last Matte in Magenta This is the one I'm wearing. Very soft and not dry at all.

2. Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Lollipop I must own at least 5 of these. I keep them everywhere! It's like chapstick but bit a little bit of color.

3. Nars Lipstick in Yu I own this lipstick in a different shade and I love how the pencil makes it so easy to apply and get it perfect every time.

4. Milani Color Statement Lipstick in 11 Fruit Punch Have you tried Milani lip colors? If not, you totally should. I purchased one at Target our of curiosity and turns out these lipsticks are so amazingly pigmented. The shades are also super pretty!

5. Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Never Say Never {phew! that was a long name!} I love Bare Minerals make up and this lipstick is wonderful, super moist and feels like you're not wearing anything at all.

Top is from the new Spring Gap collection and you can get it here. Made out of Tencel Chambray material,  it is so incredibly soft. Sunglasses are from Nordstrom. 

I'm traveling this week to Monterrey, Mexico for my brother's masters graduation (I'm so proud!). So excited for a little getaway.

Happy Friday!

Xo,
N.

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