With Autumn, comes maroon, deep purples, forest greens, mustard yellows and so many more warm colors.  I went through my lip collection to pick my favorite shades for Autumn and Fall and although I do not have a forest green shade to show you, I hope my color choices inspire you to pick up a new color to try this season! Each photo contains a link to the site.

As the BareMinerals lipstick's name, be bold this season and choose something that is out of your comfort zone!  What is your favorite fall/winter lip product? Happy Sunday 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_

Hello stranger!  I am glad to "see" you again!  A lot of relaxing has been going on and I want to tell you about it!  I went to Ocean City New Jersey with some of my family, and then Avalon, New Jersey with other people in my family.  I also took a day trip to New York City and I have officially made going to New York City, once a month,  my 2014-2015 goal.  Please relax with me down memory lane and see my sunny day trips...

I hope you are all caught up now!  I had a great few weeks basking in the sun, eating amazing food, and being with family.  What have you been up to?  Happy Sunday! xoxoox

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

A good foundation, mascara and lips make a face come alive and awake!  This post is dedicated to my lips or what I put on them, I should say.  From "designer" to drugstore I will tell you pros and cons of my lip collection.  Also, make sure you take care of your lips.  The skin on your lips is very sensitive and vulnerable.  They need to be moisturized and protected from the sun.  In the summer, I always put an SPF lip balm on my lips as my base, however the sun is out all year so be nice to your lips annually.  A lot of lip products actually have some SPF in them which is a treat!  Enjoy my collection and at the bottom, please ask any questions and give any suggestions regarding lip care and product! Toodaloo! xox

Pictured to the left is my collection of high-end lip products.  Starting from the left is the Clarins Lip Plumper.  It is a soft nude-brown lip gloss that is not sticky.  It comes out nice and smooth and is perfect for a nude lip.  Next is a coral-orangey pink Clinique lip stick that is shimmery.  It glides on smooth and feels moisturizing.  It is nice for spring and just adds that little touch of color to add softness to your face.  Bobbi Brown comes next!  This color is orange and it is my first highly pigmented orange lipstick I ever bought.  This color has to be worn carefully.  It is matte and long lasting and needs to be worn with a brown, nude or smoky eye, something neutral.  It reminds me of the 60's and 70's!  Next is one of my favorite pink lipsticks I own.  It is by Lancome and it is extremely pigmented.  Just one swipe for the swatch and the color is perfect.  I love the poppy bright spring/summer color.  It is eye-catching and happy!  My last high-end product which was a free lipstick for Valentines Day is another Clinique lipstick.  I am not a huge fan of the color but if I am need of a red color it will do.  It has too much sheen for my liking but it has a lot of moisture.

These are my Baby Lips!  I love these tinted lip balms.  I highly recommend these for almost anyone.  They are so moisturizing and smooth/soft.  The middle pink one is extremely pigmented giving a soft baby pink look to the lips.  The one on the right has a sheer orange tint and the one on the left has sheer dark red tint.  I really enjoy the moisture and colors of these tinted lip balms.

Again, sadly all of my photos did not upload so I will finish this post when they do.  Sorry for the inconvenience but I am glad I showed you an example of my high-end faves and my low end faves.  What is your favorite lip product?  Have a great night! xoxo