Update + Upcoming Posts

Hi dolls! Its almost Friday :) I hope you all had an easy week... mine has probably been the exact opposite of easy. Its the last week of summer class, tonight is my final! I've had so much work this week in the office and on top of it all my Grandfather passed away. He was 86 years old. And served in the US Navy- a WWII veteran. So, needless to say, this week has proved challenging. I am definitely looking forward to celebrating America's Birthday: 4th of July this weekend. I need some fun time!

On to better news... I wanted to let you know, I will be back to posting more regularly, most likely next week.  With my summer class over, I will have a lot more free time on my hands FINALLY! Here's a list of some upcoming post, in no particular order...

♥ FAVORITES  

June Favorites

 Favorite Self-tanners

♥ HAULS

Tarte True Blood Collection swatches

MAC Bloggers Collection  + swatches

OCC Lip Tar + swatches

Sleek Makeup Order #2

♥ COLLECTIONS

My Bronzer Collection + swatches

Rock 'n Republic Collection + swatches

♥ LOOKS

My 5-minute Smokey Eye

Simple Smokey Eye using UD Naked Palette

I hope you have a lovely 4th of July weekend. 

Wish me luck on my final :)

Zoya Spakle Collection + Swatches

Hello! Hello! I feel like I've been neglecting you guys... Work and class have been brutal these last few weeks. Luckily tomorrow is my last day of class! Horray! I'll finally be able to have somewhat of a summer vacation.

One of my best friends, Krystle, got me the Zoya Sparkle Collection, which is absolutely gorgeous! Seriously, how sweet of her. She knows me too well- I LOVE IT! I'm a sucker for anything with sparkles or glitter!

This collection includes the following shades:

(all sparkling metallic polishes)

Ivanka- mermaid green

Charla- tropical blue

Mimi- royal purple

Alegra- fuchsia pink

Nidhi- rich red

Gilda- fashion pink

L to R: Ivanka, Charla, Mimi, Alegra, Nidhi, Gilda

L to R: Ivanka, Charla, Mimi, Alegra, Nidhi, Gilda (three coats)

The quality of Zoya nail polishes is amazing. They are long wearing and have an amazing color selection. The one downside to these polishes is that you really have to layer them to get the full effect.  I had to apply three coats of polish to get those gorgeous swatches.

The collection retails for $36, or purchase individual bottles for $8 each. 

You can order at www.zoya.com

 What do you think of the collection? Do you own any of these colors?

*EDIT* Tarte for True Blood!

If you're anything like me, you've been counting down the days until True Blood season 4 premiers on HBO! We are only days away now! And even better news!!! Tarte has collaborated with True Blood, award-winning makeup artist Brigette Myre-Ellis to come up with a collection based on the series.


According to Temptalia, the colletion will be available June 29th on tarte.com and store.hbo.com; and mid-July at Sephora & Ulta. Are you squealing like me yet?
 
ITS ONLINE NOW AT SEPHORA.COM! And remember 8% cash back for Sephora on ebates!! Thank you Miranda for letting us know!!!

Taken from Temptalia.com

Inspired by the edgy drama series, the collection includes three killer products: tarte™ for True Blood™ palette ($52.00 U.S./ $68.00 CDN), tarte™ for True Blood™ natural cheek stain in shimmering red ($30.00 U.S. / $39.00 CDN) and tarte™ for True Blood™ LipSurgence™ natural lip tint in shimmering red ($24.00 U.S./ $31.00 CDN).

Images from Temptalia.com

The ladies of True Blood are always stunning. My personal favorite being Pam. Im sure we all remember the infamous NARS Velvet Matte lip pencil Pam applied during episode two of the second season; I'm surprised NARS didn't come out with a True Blood inspired collection. I am excited for the collaboration with Tarte- I love the quality & texture of their shadows.

I plan on getting the entire collection... because I'm obsessive sometimes. I just hope I can build up the courage to actually use the products and not display them on my bookcase the way my Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland palette is... untouched :-/

Are you looking forward to this collection?

DONT FORGET! True Blood Season 4 premiers this Sunday on HBO

BeautyFix - a Birchbox competitor!

Hey dolls! We're almost to the weekend YAY!

I was talking with my friend Silvia yesterday; she was asking me about Birchbox- how it worked and if it was worth the money? She made a good point, that $10 bucks a month is really nothing, especially considering a drugstore liner can cost over $10 now! She also told me about a company that she has a subscription with, that works similar to Birchbox- BeautyFix (by DermStore)!

Taken from their site:

With Beautyfix, you receive up to $400 worth of products every season for just $49.99! Simply complete your beauty profile and our panel of experts will recommend products just for you. 

You'll choose the 8 products you want shipped to your door!

 

 

If you're like me, you're thinking $50 bucks! That's a lot! But think about it... $50 every quarter, which is every 3 months, or as the seasons change. You are getting 8 deluxe samples; customizable; you can select the products you get or have them send you the 'default' box. And like Birchbox, some of the samples are FULL SIZE!  They also, they give out giftcards when you write several product reviews on their site. And you can skip a shipment or cancel your subscription at ANYTIME without penalty. So, if you're running low on funds, skip that shipment :) or if it something that isn't working for you or you're no longer interested- cancel.

PRO's:

• 8 deluxe samples
• $400 worth of products
• full size products available
• customizable, you get to choose the products
• membership rewards & discounts
• rewards for product review

CON's:

•  more expensive
• shipments every 3 months, opposed to monthly

So, if Birchbox hasn't been your cup of tea- maybe give BeautyFix a try!

Or if you've tried BeautyFix, let us know what you think?

Saturday's FOTN & OOTD- Surf, Baby!

Saturday night, my friend Monica and I went out to Sweet Spot in DC. 

Here's my FOTN using MAC Surf, Baby!

I did have to adjust the colors in the next two- they were so washed out.
Which is why my camera sucks >_<

FACE:
Murad Oil-control Mattifier
FACEatelier #3 Wheat, mixed w/
Laura Mercier Oil-free foundation Suntan Beige
Eve Pearl Salmon Corrector in Medium
MAC Sculpt (contour)
MAC Gold-Go-Lightly Studio Careblend
MAC My Paradise

EYES:
MAC Lingering (brows)
NYC Brush-On Browser Kit Brunette (brows)
UDPP (Urban Decay Primer Potion)
Aquamarine color from Surf the Ocean Pigment Stack (lid)
Surf USA e/s (crease & lower lash line)
Navy color from Surf the Ocean Pigment Stack (pressed into lower lash line)
L'Oreal Lineur Intense liquid liner
MAC Petrol Blue Pearlglide (water line)
UD Covet 24/7 liner (water line, over top of Petrol Blue)
Forever21 false lashes
EL More Than Mascara

LIPS:
MAC Strange Potion lipglass (MY NEW FAV!)

I felt very tropical that night! And I forgot to take a pic of my dress, so here's a pic I found online:

Image Credit: Google Images

I wore the dress on the left. The pic on the right shows the back, but in a different color.

Ta-ta! ♥

I WON A GIVEAWAY!

Look at all the goodies I received... 

A BIG Thank you to Laura Jean for hosting the giveaway!

I cannot believe I actually won! I'm excited to try these products!

Maybe I'll find a new HG among the loot! :) Check her page out & subscribe if you haven't!

May Favorites ♥

1. MAC 'The Faerie Glen' lipstick: This is an absolutely gorgeous nude lippie. On the darker side, in comparison to MAC favorites like Myth, Creme 'd Nude, etc; which makes it perfect for Summer when I have a tan. It doesnt wash me out. This has been my go to lipstick this in May, and even now that we are nearly halfway through June, I'm still wearing it.
2. LUSH Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter: I absolutely LOVE this product.  I purchased it back in February, I believe, but didnt use it much. But recently my hands and feet have been soooo dry; to the point that the top of my big toe was peeling! Gross, I know. I've been slathering this stuff all over my feet, ankles, hands, elbows and knees, and what a difference it makes, even after one application.  I adore the smell, and I'm not usually into citrus smells, but this smells exactly like Lemon Pez candies.
3. Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman, stippling brush: This past month I've been abandoning my beauty blender, and using this brush to apply my foundation.  It gives a nice airbrush application. I prefer it over the MAC 187 because the white fibres are shorter and more dense, so you have more control.
4. China Glaze Purple Panic (neon) nail polish: This color is A-MAAAA-ZZZIIIINNNG!! Its super pigmented; one coat does it! I wore this on my toes majority of the month, and I still have it on now (with purple glittery french tips)! Its possibly the perfect summer color! Its not exactly purple, but more of a magenta/fuchsia color. It dries to a matte finish, and looks great this way or with a shiny top coat.  And its got great staying power. Daves' father even complimented me on the color. If you don't have this color- go get it!
5. Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh: Dave bought me this perfume back in April, and I've been in love with it ever since.  He likes sweet smelling perfumes. This one has Raspberry and other fruit notes. Its similar to the original 'Daisy' but slightly sweeter. I have the largest bottle 4.25oz (which is the best value deal), but I'm terrified I will run out since its limited edition. I think I'm gonna have to pick up another bottle. Perfect spring/summer scent.
6. NYC Browser Brush-On Brow Kit in Brunette: I've had this in my stash for what seems like forever! But I haven't used it that much.  I pulled it out this month because I needed wax one day for my unruly brows, and I've been using it since.  The color is very similar to MAC Charcoal Brown which is what I normally use to fill in my brows. Its a great drugstore dupe for MAC. The wax side melted in my car the other day, which is why it looks kinda gross.  I dont know why I neglected this for so long, it is really a great product- and you can beat it for the price!

I didnt have too many makeup products in my favorites this month. I've for the most part been using the same products.  I have switched foundations and setting powders, but that was at the end of May, so I didn't include them.  I am now using Laura Mercier Oil-free Foundation in Suntan Beige and MAC Studio Careblend Pressed Powder in Medium Dark. I've been loving the combination of these two. The foundation has great coverage and staying powder, but isn't as heavy and mask-like feeling as Estee Lauders Doublewear foundation.  And the MAC Studio Careblend powder provides more color payoff than MAC MSF Natural, and doesn't make me as oily.  Since, I did start using these at the end of May, this is their Honorable Mention. 

What were your favorites this past month? 

Have you tried any of these products? 

Let us know in the comments :)

Opening my 4th Birchbox - June, THE BEST ONE YET!

After the disappointment of last month's Birchbox, I was going to cancel my subscription.  I thought I would give them one more month to redeem themselves, and boy, did they ever!! It's almost as if they read my mind, lol. (Or maybe they saw the disappointment bloggers' posted online) This is honestly the best box I have received since signing up! They included a FULL SIZE Laura Geller Blush 'n Brighten blush in Apricot Berry with retails for $29.50; what a steal! I had Blush 'n Birghten in Boysenberry which I loved. I've have Apricot Berry on my wishlist for sometime now. And one of my favorite self-tanners Xen Tan in Dark; major score for me. I'm also excited to try the Kiehl's oil-free lotion. Oily girls rejoice!

Also, did anyone else notice this box came earlier in the month? I usually get it later. But the day I received the email notifying me it shipped, was the same day it was delivered. But hey, I'm not complaining :)

Contents:

1. Laura Geller Blush 'n Brighten in Apricot Berry (full size)
2. Xen Tan Deep Bronze Luxe in Dark, 1 oz deluxe sample
3. Kiehls Ulta Facial Oil Free Lotion
4. Kate Spade 'Twirl' Eau de Parfum sample
5. Herban Essentials Orange Towlettes (2 packets)

What did you think of this months box? 

Did you get the same items?

eBay Drugstore Haul - Limited Edition Products

You read that right... I purchased drugstore products from eBay!  After scouring many aisles of nearly every drugstore in the Washington D.C. area (ok, I'm exaggerating- mostly Northern Virginia and Montgomery Co., Maryland) searching for Revlons Fashion Night Pout lipstick and Black with Envy (Chanel Black Pearl dupe) nail polish, I caved and turned to EVILbay *insert evil laugh* I purchased the two from a 'trusted' power seller.  The items arrived within three days or so, packaged extremely well :)  They are both GORGEOUS!!! I love Revlons Colorbust lipsticks, and you all know how I rave about Gold Coin nail polish- I included it in my 100+ Followers Giveaway.  So, I warmly welcome these beauties into my makeup (madness) collection.

In my search of Fashion Night Pout and Black with Envy  I came across another *limited edition* product; Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Forest- a gorgeous forest green liner, with micro-shimmer.  What makes this even better- is that I had $10 in CVS Extra Bucks, so it was FREE! I imagine this being an absolutely gorgeous base for MAC Club, Too Faced Label Whore, or any other similar duo-chrome shadow.

And swatches of course...

L to R: Forest gel liner, Fashion Night Pout, Soft Nude (Daylight Shade)

(Daylight Sun)

Black with Envy n/p, two coats (Daylight Shade)

(Daylight Sun)

 Compared to Revlon Soft Nude (permanent shade)

L to R: Fashion Night Pout, Soft Nude

L to R: Fashion Night Pout, Soft Nude

Soft Nude (top lip), Fashion Night Pout (bottom)

On the lips they are very similar, Fashion Night Pout is a slightly lighter.

Here are some pics of the Magnolia tree on the side of the house, it started to bloom again.

Hope you have a lovely evening.

I should be posting my May Favorites within a few days.

Saturday Night Survery - ABC's of ME :)

I saw this posted on Sonja's (The Beautiful Life of the Girl Next Door) blog... I thought I'd do it too

(I just love surveys lol, it all started back in AOL time when you'd email them to all your 'buddy's" lol)

A. Age:  24

B. Bed size:  Queen

C. Chore you hate:  Dishes & folding laundry... I don't mind washing/drying, I just hate folding.

D. Day:  Sat, June 4

E. Essential start to your day:  Hitting the alarm 3-4 times... then dragging myself to the bathroom.

F. Favourite colour:  Green (Love pink, purple and turquoise too)

G. Gold or Silver:  BOTH!

H. Height:  5' 6

I. Instruments:  I used to play the violin

J. Job title:  Admin & Student

K. Kids:  Nope! And not anytime soon... I'm not ready for them.

L. Live:  Washington, DC Metropolitan-area

M. Mum’s name:  Barbara

N. Nicknames:  Boo, Britt Bratt, Brittany Boo.... so on.

O. Overnight hospital stays:  When I was born... knock on wood.

P. Pet peeve:  We'd be here all night... I hate lint! Especially on black clothes. And I don't like people drinking after me... even my bf who I kiss! lol

Q. Quote from a movie: About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was part of him — and I didn’t know how potent that part might be — that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him. -Bella Swan, Twilight.... I know, I know Twilight, really? YES I LOVE IT lol

R. Right or left handed:  Right

S. Siblings:  Older brother Danny, who is insanely identical to my father... they're like clones lol

T. Time you wake up: 7:40am... I cannot manage to drag myself out a minute before.

U. Underwear:  My favorite are the Incredible Panty by VS. They really are incredible :)

V. Vegetables you dislike:  Besides most of them....? MOST OF THEM My eating habits are like 5 year old

  

W. What makes you run late: TRAFFIC mostly! Also, getting ready... takes me forever (hair & makeup)

X. X-Rays you’ve had:  my finger (broke it playing basketball)<---me to! We'll fractured it. Teeth x-rays at the dentist, chest x-ray, and my knee, I broke it February before last (that was painful!! had to do physical therapy too ugh!)

Z. Zoo:  I love the zoo... even though it smells awful in the Summer. My Dad and I used to go a lot when I was younger. But I haven't been in years.

Have a great Saturday night! ta-ta!