Contour
Here are the products that I use for Contouring: Fenty Matte Skinstick- Espresso, Colourpop Powder- Bits and Pieces, NYX- Highlight and Contour Pro Palette.
When I contour my face I am channeling Naomi Campbell 1993. I want cheekbones that will cut glass. Suck your cheeks in like a fish and use your finger to trace a line from the top of your ears to the corners of your mouth. This is where you can use a contouring powder or cream. I find the Fenty stick to be the easiest way to contour my face. I simply draw a line and blend it out with a brush. Always brush up. If you apply too much use your foundation brush to lighten it up. Also, drag the brush along your temples and around your hairline so that your entire face appears warmer and to add dimension.
For the nose- I start at the inner brow bone right under where my eyebrows begin. I trace one line all the way down to my nostril and another on the other side. Then i diffuse the line with a brush.
Bite Lipstick
This Amuse Bouche Lipstick by Bite Beauty in Sour Cherry spreads on your lips like pure butter. It has a satin finish and makes your lips feel oh so smooth. Perfect for those who are not a fan of matte lippies or folks like me who like a change. I'm going back for more!
Changes
Looking into my closet made me realize that I really like green jackets. They can add an edge to pretty dresses. I have one that I bought in Argentina over 10 years ago that has survived numerous moves. I wear it often. This one is from Urban OUtfitters.
Here are a bunch of options.
I always make sure to leave the house looking exactly as I like because sometimes that is all we have control over.
I've been thinking about change often lately. I've been thinking about How it happens when you don't expect it to and how painful it can be. I've also been thinking about how sad a life without change would be, as well.
Styling My Go To Summer Bag
I like to have a large lightweight scarf draped around my neck during the summer and when wearing form fitting dresses.
The casual sweatshirt makes the skirt less formal.
It is warming up and I am delighted to ditch the weight of winter clothes and snow boots. I am grabbing lightweight dresses and skirts, gold slippers, mules and of course my go to Summer bag.
Some Fragrances I Like...
I've started to build my perfume collection lately. I like a lot of variety because my mood changes quite often.
Alien by Thierry Mugler
Roses De Chloe by Chloe
Velvet Orchid by Tom Ford
Most of these were bought blindly. I'd heard of them or bought them after reading a description.
Sleeping Mask
I have been tackling skin care full force lately. I'm drinking more water and I am following a skin care program because lately my skin has been feeling and looking a bit lackluster. I knew that I wanted to put something on my face at night and wake up to results. This sleeping mask has been doing it for me. After I complete my routine I dip my finger into the container (I lost the cute tiny spoon that comes with it) and smear a layer on my face then crawl to bed. When I wake up my face feels hydrated and in good condition. It smells mildly of watermelon but not overwhelmingly so which is great because I hate skin care products that have a lot of fragrance. A little goes a long way so I think that this jar will last me for a very long time.
Get it here
Ma'Damn-Fenty Matte Lipstick
I've lost count of how many times I went running over to the Fenty section of Sephora looking for this lipstick only to be disappointed. When I would question the salesperson they would suggest Uncensored which I already have!
Last week I got lucky and there were a bunch waiting for me on the Upper West Side. It was worth the wait. It is a wonderful, non-drying, blue-based matte lipstick. The packaging looks cool however I do feel like I'm using kid makeup because the lipstick is so small.
I've been asked why I prefer blue- based reds, this is because blue-based reds generally look amazing on any skin tone and make your teeth look extra bright. Orange-reds and pink-reds tend to be more hit or miss.
One reason why I constantly try out new reds and suggest them all of the time is because no one rule applies. Every brand has a different formula and what looks great may not feel great on the lips and vice-versa You have to experiment with reds to find the one that you feel amazing in and then wear it all of the time!
Kat Von D Shade and Light Eye Palette
I opened this palette and thought to myself...What am I going to do with this? I am accustomed to plenty of color and sparkle which cannot be found here. Lucky for me a sheet with tips for application came in the box. The palette is divided into three quads. The larger sections of color are used as bases on the lid, while the colors on the left of each quad are used on your crease. The middle colors, which are the darkest, are used in your outer corner while the colors on the right in each quad are highlights for your inner corner and thus lighter. I used the middle quad for my look.
I dig it. The colors are highly pigmented so they show up on darker skin tones which is great. You can create many different looks from grungy to soft day looks to dramatic night looks.
Do you need this? I am not sure because you may have these colors spread across many palettes in your collection. I found similar colors in my Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance and Subculture palettes. With that said minimalism isn't really my thing so I regret nothing.
Lips- Kat Von D- Outlaw
Cheeks- ABH Gradient Blush
Gradient Blush Kit
Juicy, plummy, rich colors for your cheeks. This has been sitting in my collection for a couple of months now but I have brought her out to play. She's going to be around often as she works so well. That Blackberry color on the bottom right is the stuff my dreams are made of- catch me as I swoon!
Anastasia Beverly Hills Gradient Blush Kit
Tokyo Sweatshirt
Sometimes when I see a piece of clothing I become nostalgic. I wanted this sweatshirt because it made me think of Philadelphia.....No- Just kidding, Tokyo Of course. It made me smile then I started scrolling through pictures from my visit....Then I remembered the mind numbing jet lag and staying up all night watching Reading Rainbow and then passing out in the middle of the day while watching Frasier!
Even though the weather is changing I think I can get away with wearing this sweatshirt on chilly nights with the front tucked into some mom jeans.
Find it here
Here are some random snaps from my visit...
Straw Bag
I can fit a lot into this bag and I love the red interior. Browsing for straw bags left me with no end of choices so I found that i had to really think about what i wanted and didn't want for that matter. I preferred a strap, something that closed fully and I also didn't want to look like i was going on a picnic every time i carried it.
Find it here.
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Mary Jo Red
I wanted a little bit of a natural look...which surprises me because normally I like my make up to look like I just stepped off of Mars! You don't have to use the palettes I mentioned for this look you just need a soft brown for your entire lid and a darker brown to lightly line the top lid. I used Patrice on my cheeks. I started off light and then kept building it up which is what I recommend as it is a highly pigmented blush.
For the lips I used Kylie Cosmetics Matte Liquid Lipstick in Mary Jo...I adore it, want to marry it, am in love with it...
I Never Thought I Would Find Clogs Comfortable...
This weekend, while sitting on a bench outside of Central Park by Columbus Circle, I saw a woman walk by with the chicest frayed jeans and a version of these clogs. Luckily she was texting on her phone and didn't notice me staring at her shamelessly while taking mental notes about every aspect of her outfit.
The first two weeks I wore these shoes I wanted to kill myself- bring another pair of shoes to slip into when the going gets tough. I didn't and paid the price! After that trial period was over I was in heaven. They are as comfortable as sneakers. I wear them with socks in the winter. The more you wear them the better they look.
Huda Beauty Desert Dusk Eyeshadow Palette & Amrezy Highlight
Huda Beauty Desert Dusk eyeshadow palette
Beautiful, easily blendable, highly pigmented colors! Find it here
Amrezy Highlight by Anastasia Beverly Hills
On the back of this compact Amrezy writes, "I'm always looking for the most luminous glow with a natural, second skin finish." That is exactly how i would describe this highlighter. It is one of the prettiest things I've ever seen in the package and on the face. Use your ring finger to dab it on the upper cheekbones.
Dream Street by ColourPop
I dig this cute, little palette. It travels nicely and has a nice array of colors to create a full look. I'm wearing it with the buttery deliciousness that is The Creamy Glow by Kevyn Aucoin on my cheeks and I rounded the look out with Elson on the lips. (You need Elson in your life!)
Dream St. Palette
Gold Slippers
Sam Edelman Rumi Dupion Slippers in Gold Yellow
I love these slippers in gold and plan on wearing them down to the ground this summer. I have a particular obsession with gold colored shoes, especially in the summer. The combination of gold and tan skin is irresistible to me! I also love the sound of slippers smacking against the bottom of my feet in the heat of the summer. I'm going to wear them with maxi dresses, flouncy lightweight mid-length dresses and jeans and shorts.
In my mind I am wearing them while walking through a majestic garden (pictured below)...In reality I will most likely be wearing them while stomping around the concrete jungle that is NYC!
YSL Gardens in Marrakesh
Tarte Bae
This is now my favorite red.....How appropriate that it is named Bae?! It is a bit thicker than anything else I have used in the past. I recommend starting with a small amount in the center of your bottom lip and working your way out. This is great for those of us who don't like the sometimes drying formulas found in many liquid lipsticks....PUcker up!
Go to Summer Bag
I ate, slept and drank this bag for weeks. Did I want it in red? What about nude? Should I get a larger size? What about a different style? Velvet?
I even went so far as to purchase another less expensive bag which I ultimately returned because it did not hit the spot.
You have to purchase and keep things that you love and if you don't love them don't buy them.
Get it here.