Lovely Beauty: Birchbox

{www.birchbox.com}

I've been ordering makeup online at www.Sephora.com a lot lately, and I've been loving the samples I get with every order.  Every beauty product out there makes lofty claims and promises, but how many times have you purchased some well-reviewed name brand product only to find out it seems to work just as good as some generic product you already have at home, and for triple or quadruple the price?  So spending $50 on some moisturizer I've never tried is such a risky investment.  I've definitely discovered some great products through free samples, so Birchbox is sounding pretty appealing right now.  Every month, you pay $10 to receive a box of hand picked deluxe samples, along with instructions and tips on how to use the products.  They also apparently have informative articles and tutorials on their website on various products, which sounds like a great idea.  What good is a great beauty product when you're using it all wrong?

Seeing the products they have on their website currently is tempting me to join Birchbox...

Lovely Finds: In The Mood

{image courtesy of minkette}

Introducing color-changing nail polish by In the mood.  I am totally in love with this concept and dying to give it a try!  When it comes to nail polish, I am extremely fickle and end up wanting to change the color after only a few days.  My poor nails are suffering from all that nail polish remover.  This cool invention may save my nails and me alot of time spent re-painting my nails!

Lovely Essentials: Beauty Products

Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation $42

{Seriously the best foundation ever. It doesn't cake or crease, and provides very good coverage}

Bonne Belle Lip Smackers $2

{I have been using this daily, without fail, for over 13 years! It has become such a part of me that I keep one at home, one in my purse, and one in my desk at work. It would be one of the five items I'd choose to take with me to a deserted island!}

Fiberwig Mascara $24

{This mascara is my favorite mascara of all time. I've tried a wide range of mascaras: Diorshow, Shu Uemura, a couple of ones by Clinique, and a variety of ones by Maybelline and Covergirl...but this one is my absolute favorite. It comes off in "tubes" so it doesn't flake or make me have raccoon eyes, and makes my lashes so long! I use a mascara primer first though, so it makes my lashes extra full.}

H20+ Hand and Nail Cream $17 for 8.25 oz.

{Another item I'd choose to take with me to the deserted island. It absorbs quickly and doesn't leave that greasy lotion-y feeling on your hands. I'm so addicted, I keep it in my car, purse, by all the sinks in my home, and in my desk at work!}

Cle De Peau Beaute Concealer $70

{Hands down the best concealer ever. Provides such good under-eye coverage and easily covers the most noticeable blemishes. It's so easy to use and although pricey, it lasts a really long time!}

Follow our blog with bloglovin

Lovely Beauty: Shu Uemura

I have been in the market for a new blush since my go-to blush, Nars (Orgasm), has dwindled down to just the edges of the container. I was also looking forward to being a bit more adventurous with cheek color after being inspired by my super-cute hair stylist who adorns her cheeks with a bright pink hue. So while waiting for my eyebrow pencil (I cannot live without this eyebrow pencil, it turns my thin colorless wisps into half-decent brows! I've actually gotten compliments on my eyebrows, so I know it works wonders) to be sharpened at my local Shu Uemura retail store, I played with all the pretty blushes and stumbled across this perfect pearly peachy blush. The pigment is quite intense and with just a couple sweeps across my cheek I have a new bright and happy face that shouts "it's spring!" :)

glow on blush - p45 - pearl vivid peach - warm undertone

side note: I have to mention how my love affair with Shu Uemura started, with their famous gold eyelash curler of course! If you do not have one, go out and buy one immediately!

So... I'm gushing to H about how much i LOVE my new blush when she blindsides me with this horrible news!



I was ready to go out and buy several reserves of my beauty staples, but it appears (for now) that they plan to continue online sales in the U.S. whew! I'm still extremely saddened by the news, especially in the wake of another of my cosmetic favorites, Prescriptives, exit a few months back. What has the world come to?! I realize this shouldn't be so high on my priority list... but this bad economy is really taking a toll on my makeup bag!