Favorites: January 2011

This month I have tons of great favorites. The reason: this blog! Ever since I started writing about what I'm liking at the moment, I have been experimenting more with my products and I re-discovered things I even forgot I had. But one thing is for sure, I am loving rose products this month. I know rosy chicks would be one of the trends for the spring, and I don't know about you, but I am so ready for spring. So without further ado, here are my favorite products of the month:

Urban Decay - Naked Palette: this palette has every neutral shade you need. It is perfect for traveling because it includes 12 eye shadows, a double ended liner in black and brown, and it also comes with a mini eyeshadow primer potion all in a very nice velvety packaging. The combos I wear often are Sin & Buck or Toasted & Hustle. I really love this palette.

Make Up For Ever HD Foundation: I have it in the shade #127. I love the finish of this foundation and how long it lasts on my skin (at least 8 hs). I do have to powder after 5 or 6 hours because I have combination skin, but I have to do that with every foundation. I think what I like the most of this product is how it looks in pictures. It photographs beautifully without shininess. It makes me look like if I have perfect skin....I wish :)

Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Orchid Rose: this blush not only gives me the perfect healthy rosy look, but it also smells like real roses. It is a little shimmery but not over the top. It blends really well and the color is buildable. The extra plus of the product is the packaging. I love the sleek black packaging that includes a big mirror, a mini brush and a velvet pouch.

Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer: I got this product as a 100 point gift from Sephora. It is a generous sample size of 0.5 fl oz or 14.7 ml. I use this as a highlighter in conjunction with Chanel Orchid Rose Blush and it is a match made in heaven. It looks very natural and glowy without glitter.

NARS Duo in Rajasthan: I wore a lot of neutrals this month and this duo has a very unique shade of neutral eyeshadow. The color on the left is a beige/gold/taupe color that looks really great by itself. I would compare this shade to Dalliance by MAC but a little bit darker. I wore this shadow on my lid and I used the dark green eyeshadow as an eyeliner.

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara: a second month in a row for this mascara. I liked this since I first used it, but I was very skeptical of the grow/conditioning properties. Well, after more than a month of using it religiously every day, I do see and feel my lashes in better condition. I can't really tell if they are longer. I really wish I took a "before" picture so I can make review on it, but I can honestly say that I found my holy grail mascara. I love it that much.

MAC Slimshine Lipstick in Long Stem Rose: continuing with my rosy pattern here, I am loving this lipstick and I am so upset that it is discontinued. The whole Slimshine line is no longer available. I really hope they bring back these products in the future because they are so glossy and moisturizing. Almost like a balm, a gloss, and a lipstick all together in one sleek little tube. Long Stem Rose is one of my favorites of the line.

MAC Blacktrack Fludline: I finished my L'oreal liquid eyeliner for my project 10 pan (updated status coming soon) so I searched my drawer for another black eyeliner and I found this. I forgot how great this is. I also thought it would be dry by now, but it is as creamy as it was the first day I bought it.

C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve: I'm loving this salve for my cuticles and my lips. It is so moisturizing and it smells divine. Another long time friend. I'm just so happy to get reunited with them.

and finally,

Clarisonic MIA: I purchased this a while ago and I used it daily in my night routine. I just recently found dry patches on my neck and the back of my hands. I decided to use the clarisonic to exfoliate those areas. It made a huge difference on the texture of my skin. I already got great results on my face, but I now use it on my hands and neck when needed. I would make a proper review on this product because I think it is an investment, but it is worth the money.

From Left to Right: MAC Long Stem Rose Slimshine, Chanel Orchid Rose Blush, NARS Rajasthan and Laura Mercier Luminizing Tinted Moisturizer.

Current Obsession: Grey/Taupe Nail Polish

I have been obsessed with gray/taupe nail polish lately. I think it might be the fact that you can wear them practically with any outfit. They look so hip and modern, and they look better in short nails ( I don't like my nails to get too long). If I had to choose my favorite one, it would be soooo difficult; but I could tell you that the one I reach for often is "under my trench coat - Sephora by OPI". It is the most versatile and the most unique of the bunch. Here are pictures and swatches of the gray/taupe nail polishes I own.
Until next time!

xoxo

Ruth

Makeup Trick: Smokey Eyes

This is just a quick tip to easily achieve beautiful smokey eyes. I'm not a professional by any means, but I have tried many, MANY times to achieve a perfect smokey eye without having to put too much effort into it. This is the technique that works the best for me.

First, apply a black base to your eye lid area. My favorite is blacktrack fluidline because I don't have to use a primer underneath of it. Stop right at your crease and make a rounded shape (you don't have to be too precise). Add any shimmery eyeshadow you like right on top of the black base you just applied. Make sure the eyeshadow you pick is not too light. Then, blend the same shadow until you reach your brow bone. You can use a highlighter if you wish.

That's it! Apply your favorite mascara and voila! I think the secret is to choose a duo chrome or high shimmer dark eyeshadow that would make a good contrast with the black base. Here are swatches of the shades I wear the most and pictures of the final look.



What do you think? Would you wear this?

Let me know,

xoxo

Ruth

Review: Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream

The weather is being really dry and cold where I live. I always thought I had combination to oily skin, but this winter my skin changed dramatically. I started to notice that my hands, elbows and my back were really dry. I visited my dermatologist and he diagnosed me with eczema (severely dry skin). He prescribed an ointment for the severe areas of my skin, and for daily use he suggested I apply Cetaphil. I gave Cetaphil a try but it didn't do much for me. I started searching for another everyday lotion until I found this: Aveeno Eczema Therapy. This stuff is sooooooo gooooood. The first time I used it my skin felt relieved. The itchiness and irritation went away. I can feel my skin moisturized for long hours. I am so happy I gave this a try because it really works. I purchased the 7.3 oz bottle at Walmart and I paid $10.97 (worth every penny).

I hope this was useful.

See you next time,

Ruth

Project 10 Pan

Hi everyone,

How is your day going? Mine is going great so far. I was watching videos on youtube last night about finishing your makeup or better known as "Project 10 Pan," and I finally got inspired to start my challenge. I am officially committing to finish 10 of the 14 products I found, and I will not purchase any additional items (beauty related, of course) until I reach my goal.  I checked my stash today to see what products I am on my way to finish and here is what I got:

• L'oreal Lineur Intense Liquid Eyeliner in carbon black
• Lancome Artliner in prune
• Lancome Cils Booster XL Mascara Base
• Too Faced Shadow Insurance
• Mac Lipstick in Hug Me
• Clinique Stay Matte Pressed Powder
• Maybelline Dream Smooth Mouse
• Clinique Even Better Moisturizer
• Sephora Anti Shine Primer
• Burberry Eau de Parfum
• Gucci Envy Me Eau de Toilette
• Carol's Daughter Ecstasy Shea Souffle Body Butter
• Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie
• Korres Jasmine Eye Makeup Remover

Wish me luck!

Ruth

Window Shopping

I went to Dillard's today and when I was walking by the Chanel counter I saw they had the new Spring 2011 Collection called Les Perles de Chanel. I must say the colors of this collection are beautiful. My favorite product and definitely in my wish list is the eyeshadow palette in Ombre Perles de Chanel. This limited edition palette includes all shimmering shades in white, pink, purple, green and a greish black. They are really soft and buttery, they almost feel creamy. Here are pictures of the collection and swatches of the shadows.
Enjoy!

xoxo

Ruth

Nail of the Day

I think I just found my perfect nail polish. Not only I love the color, but it also dries in 60 seconds (no Seche Vite needed) and it is called "Espresso"...can you tell I love my coffee?
 I hope you like it,

xoxo

Ruth

Current Favorites

Hi everyone,

I thought a good way to start this blog would be to share with you my current favorites. These kinds of Videos/Blogs are the ones I like to read the most, so here is mine:

Benefit Coralista- I just love this blush. I actually got this at Sephora as a 500 point free gift. It came with a good size Bad Gal mascara which I'm not loving at all. The color is very similar to Nars Orgasm but without all the glitter. It is the perfect peachy-pink blush with an amazing glowy finish.

MAC Mega Metal Eyeshadow in Dalliance - From the Peacocky Collection - I've been wearing this eyeshadow by itself a lot lately and I just adore the brightening effect that it gives me. Depending on the light, dalliance looks goldish, taupeish, silverish or anything in between. 

I've also been into rosy/berry lips lately and the two colors I've been wearing are Revlon Colorburst in Mauve and MAC Kissable Lipcolour in Temper Tantra (also from the Peacocky Collection) .

The mascara I've been loving is Rimmel Lash Accelerator. It is a great lengthening mascara and the formula is just great. It doesn't clump, it is not too liquid or too tick. I haven't noticed any growth in my lashes so far but I'll keep you updated if I notice any improvement.

My go to night cream is Kiehl's Abyssine Cream. It makes my skin feel soft, hydrated but not greasy. I have combination/oily skin, so I don't wear this all year long because it can be too heavy, but during the cold season this cream works wonders. Love it!

The perfume I've been reaching for often is Kenzo Amour Indian Holy. This limited edition fragrance is great for fall/winter. It has a very unique scent. I would describe it as a musky floral scent and it just makes you feel warm and cozy.



And last but not least, my favorite makeup wipes of all times are the Costco - Kirkland Towelettes. They are great to remove all your makeup including water proof mascara, they leave your skin soft and they are so affordable. They are just the best.

I hope you enjoy my current favorites. I would love to know what your favorites of the month are. Leave a comment and let me know. I'll see you soon.

Make it a great day!

Ruth

Welcome to my blog!

Hi everyone!

I've been addicted to beauty blogs and beauty youtube videos for a long time now. Makeup is my favorite hobby. They are things that make me excited and they make my days a little bit brighter. I love discovering new amazing products so I thought it would be a good idea to use this blog as a diary. I may post random things about fashion, health, bargain finds, etc. I hope you enjoy reading and have as much fun as I do.

See you soon!
xoxo

Ruth