"The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes..." - Audrey Hepburn

Your eyes can say a lot.  Beauty, mystery, sadness, and many other adjectives can come from your eyes.  Mascara is a great way to open up those eyes and bring life and brightness to yourself and to those around you.  I have recently received a gift (for my birthday) from my cousin.  It is a very unique mascara (it is called younique too!).  My cousin was going to get lash extensions until she realized the cost and maintenance of getting them and she also spotted this great mascara duo.  This mascara is supposed to give "false lashes" and let me tell you, it's incredible! I have very light, thin lashes and the mascara brought a full thick texture to them! My eyes say confidence with this duo!

The mascara duo comes in a hard "glasses" case and the last photo displays what the duo looks like. According to Younique's directions, "to prepare your eyelashes for optimal results, first apply one thin coat of your own regular mascara and let it dry. Then apply Moodstruck Transplanting Gel to your lashes.  Immendiately following, and while the gel is still wet, apply the Moodstruck Natural fibers.  Reapply the Transplanting Gel a second time to secure the natural fibers onto your lashes". _

To find out more go to Younique products.com!  Happy Labor Day weekend! xoxo

Bonjour!  Today's post is dedicated to a love of mine, which "begins with the plant and ends with the product, and with beauty".  Clarins holds a special place in my heart because of its dedication to using nature as its source.  I feel good about using products that are eco-friendly because you only get one face (unless you pay for a new one) and I want to treat it as well as I treat my body. Below are five reasons why Clarins has changed my life.

• Natural over Chemical= better for your skin
• Free consultation and skin customization at any Clarins Counter
• Formulas that brighten, exfoliate and perfect the beauty we already have
• Light formulas made from plants (everything smells like the ingredient it is made from)
• Clarins also has an amazing sun-care line that is oil-free and good for your skin!

Clarins Products I own:

The one-step gentle exfoliating Cleanser with orange extract is a beautiful scrub.  I use it once a week and it is so gentle and can be used for all skin types.  The citrus smell wakes me up in the morning!

These are two Clarins face masks that I own.  The one standing up is a Pure and Radiant mask with pink clay.  The directions say to rinse off with cold water and to leave on for 5-10 minuets.  It is very soft and gentle.  The bottom mask is a HydraQuench cream mask for dehydrated skin.  This mask needs to be removed with toning water after 5-10 minuets of application. This mask is more lotioney and creamier.

These two items have been and will be repurchased time and again.  The product on the left is a one step water-comfort cleanser.  It is a toner and cleanser in one.  Smells like peach, and very refreshing.  I apply this with cotton rounds and there is no need to rinse off!  The product on the right is up there in the makeup remover godliness.  It can remove water proof mascara and any glittery eye-shadow.  Very gentle and does not leave an oily residue. 

This is a sample size that I got as a gift with purchase (which is very common with Clarins :) ).  It is called a Cleansing Milk and it has alpine herbs. It is for normal to dry skin.  I use this at night to remove my makeup and again it is very gentle like most Clarins products.  It also smells fresh and starts as a cream and reduces to a gel like oil (once combined with water and rubbed in) that feels soothing to the skin.

Time for makeup!  Pictured above is my primer and foundation by Clarins.  The primer is a sample size (which was another gift with purchase) that is known as the Instant Smooth Perfecting touch.  The formula is very smooth and soft and rubs right in.  You use this to cover wrinkles, fine-lines and pores.  I used the foundation in 109 Wheat and it is the Matte Skin Balancing foundation with SPF-15 and is oil free.  This foundation gave a high coverage and was very light at the same time. It also smelled like kiwi!

This angel is also known as the BB Skin perfecting cream.  It is a face sunscreen with Broad Spectrum SPF 25 and it also revitalizes, protects and evens skin tone.  It provides light to medium coverage and for me, it replaces my foundation.  Smells like fruit and I apply it with a flat foundation brush.  I have the shade 02 medium.

Working from left to right, we first have the Bronzing Duo in 01 Light.  It is a mineral powder and provides a really nice warm sun kissed glow.  I apply bronzer in a 3 shape starting from my temple to my jaw, and a touch on my nose and chin.  The middle is my magical friend, or Clarins calls it Instant Concealer.  I have the shade 02.  This concealer is smoothing, long lasting and revives tired eyes.  I use this every morning and after work if I am going out somewhere.  It literally makes any darkness and fine lines disappear.  Make this gal your friend!  Finally, on the right is a new find for me.  It is called an instant light brush on perfector.  I have this in a shade 02 also.  This baby is supposed to erase shadowing.  So I use this around my nose, mouth and under my eyes and so far so good!

Above is an Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector.  I have the shade 06 Rosewood Shimmer.  This tube claims to provide younger, fuller looking lips.  I love the application and texture and it also comes in five other shades!

Perfect the beauty you have, choose Clarins.  What Clarins product do you recommend? Happy Sunday! xoxox
Click to go to the Clarins Website_

It's my party and I can.....get a facial if I want to! That's exactly what I did! My sister bought me a facial at the Body Restoration Spa _in Center City Philadelphia.  From the moment I stepped into the receptionist wing, I felt calm and worry-free.  The staff were really nice and there were plush couches where you wait for your treatment, in your robe and slippers.  I enjoyed the selection of healthy treats, calming music, and flavored water as well. 

The facial itself put me to sleep.  I had a scrub, an oil, moisture treatment, a cleanse, and lots of warm cloths all over my face.  Click the photo above t read more on The Body Restoration facial! 

My day in Photos:

I ended my birthday facial with an amazing dinner at Audrey Claire _ which is pictured above and my favorite frozen yogurt place Yogorino (not pictured).  If you have not gone yet, get yourself to Audrey Claire!  They have amazing, fresh local food and I could never have enough!  Happy Birthday to me!  Happy Thursday to you! xoxox

We all have those moments when we have five minutes to get dressed, do our hair, and do our face.  Well, it happened to me last night.  At 10:00 pm, I found out that my friends were going to meet at a bar at 11:00 pm, at a bar that was about twenty minutes away.  By the time I worked up enough energy to get ready, it was 11:00pm, so I slipped on a maxi skirt and a top and then looked in the mirror.  Boy, did I need help!  My hair was wavy (in a bad, slept on way) and my face was lacking life.  So I thought about what makeup pieces are quick and essential for a fun night out. I already had on foundation from the day, so that was covered, but below is a list of makeup essentials that spruced up my face for a casual, hip evening with friends...

Body Shop Bronzer
NYX Butter Gloss
NYX HD Concealer
Miss Manga Mascara
Lancome Bronze eye shadow (not pictured)
Straightener (for my messy waves)


I felt golden, bright and alive again!  What are your quick essential makeup must haves for an evening out?
Happy Sunday xoxox

To be honest, I am not that kind of gal to wear makeup to the beach, but last Sunday I wanted to try an experiment.  I looked for my makeup that is long lasting, waterproof, and/or has SPF.  All of these products, you can purchase at Ulta_, and drugstores like CVS and Wallgreens.   Below is a picture of the makeup products I tested out for hot beachy weather.

I was fairly pleased!  My face did not get burnt (I applied sunscreen, as well), and the mermaid turquoise eyeliner lasted till I washed it off at bedtime.  Honestly, I think I may have used too much makeup.  Next time, I will stick to the concealer, mascara, lips and eye-liner, especially if I plan to go swimming.  The less the better, but if you do choose to wear something make sure to remember three things: Long lasting, Waterproof, and SPF!  Now, the bathing suit, that's another story...
What are your thoughts on wearing makeup to the beach?
Happy Sunday! xoxox

I love to travel. Any chance to hop in a car, on a plane, a boat, a blimp, I am there!  I also like to keep my skin clean and fresh wherever I go.  I bring with me my skincare routine and makeup but a much more compact version.   

If you like to travel like myself, what are some essential minis you like to bring along? xoxox

Today's Post is dedicated to, drum roll please.......EYE SHADOW PALETTES!  Breath a sigh of relief folks, I got you covered for great quality pallets that are  for most eye colors.  Now, I have my eye on a few palettes but I am going to review what I DO have now.  So sit back, relax and enjoy the blog!  Note:  All of these palettes besides one can be purchased at Ulta and Sephora.

This Urban Decay Palette was one of my first well-loved pallets!  It includes 10 shiny colors that range from browns, pinks, and a bold blue and green. Urban Decay shadows are very pigmented and last for a long time on the eyes.  I recommend using the Urban decay Primer Potion to place first on the lids!  You can really have fun with the colors in this palette.  I like using this for nights out.

This Too Faced (French and Fabulous) palette allowed me to feel bright and confident in my travels in Italy.  I studied abroad in Rome, Italy a couple years ago for five months and before I left the country I bought this palette to bring with me.  I love love LOOVEEEE the pink (mess in a dress) and the purple (poodle puff raisin).  It looks so soft and youthful with my brown eyes.  The two pans on the right were bronzers, which I obviously loved.  The one on the upper right had pink, orange and brown tones,and the bottom right pan had a split pan, of half orangey brown and half brown.   I recommend this palette to women and young teens who want to try a little color because you have your neutrals with a little shazam!

Ok. so I was pleasantly surprised when I found this palette in my local Ulta in Montgomeryville, PA.  Anastasia is known for her eyebrows, she is the eyebrow Queen, in my opinion.  For the first time, she is now moving on to eye shadows.  This palette is called Anastasia Beverly Hills  This was super affordable too!  The colors are just as pigmented as Urban Decays'.  It includes three matte shades (without shimmer/shine) and seven shimmer shades.  I love the neural colors in this palette.  You got your browns, purples, peaches and goldy-nudes.  What's not to like?!

To the left is a palette by the Ulta brand.  It is the Carnivale Collection .  Ulta comes out with palettes and nail-polishes that correspond to Holidays and seasons.  I happened to be shopping around the time of Mardi Gras last year and spotted the bold colors in here and just had to have it.  This palette includes one pink lip color, one bronzer and nine eye shadow colors.  They are creamy and fairly pigmented.  I like the poppy yellow (honey bee) and the emerald green (green machine).  But I can't lie, I love all of the bright shades and the warm browns.  This palette also includes two eye shadow tutorials for a festive night out on the town!

Stila: In the Garden is a palette of ten shades that are beautiful spring colors.  I don't love the light green shades because they do not enhance my brown eyes (the light green shades are better for hazel and blue eyes).  Other than the three light green shades, I enjoy the highly pigmented warm colors.  I like to use the creamy white shade for my tear duct areas (chinois).  I am excited to explore other Stila palettes very soon!

Dun da da daaaaa...here is the highly popular Naked, Urban Decay Palette.  With ten neutral shades (two are matte), there are endless looks one can create from this palette.  The packaging comes with a nice wide mirror and can open and close with a hidden magnet.  This is always my go-to palette when I do not want to fuss and figure out what to put on my eyes.  With mainly brown and gold tones, there is also a few mauve and purple colors that really play nicely with brown eyes.  This palette works well wih all eye colors, because of the neutrality of it.  If you are deciding on an eye shadow palette, I recommend buying this one (especially as a first palette).  Start slow with the neutrals and then branch off into the palettes above which bring more colors and vivacity.  What are your favorite palettes?  Please Comment below on  palette recommendations and any questions you have about my collection.  Thanks for reading :)  xoxox

Links:
Take a peek at Ulta_

See what there is at Sephora_