Makeup Must-Haves

1) Makeup Forever Mat Velvet +: Great for combination to oily skin. It is buildable coverage, and it makes skin appear flawless.

2) Makeup Forever HD Powder: I use this to set all of my makeup. It keeps skin matte, but is still quite sheer. In other words, this won't make you look powdery.

3) Buxom Lip Creme in White Russian: The only lip gloss I'll continue to purchase. It's the perfect pinky-nude that feels refreshing on your lips. Also non-sticky.

4) M.A.C. lustre lipstick in See Sheer: Beautiful wash of light red.

5) Benefit Coralista Blush: The perfect pink toned coral with tiny hints of gold shimmer.

6) Benefit They're Real Mascara: Makes my little bitty lashes miles long, and with tons of volume. Who wants to mess with falsies when you have a mascara like this? Not I!

7) Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler: There's a reason why this is a cult favorite.

8) Urban Decay All Nighter Spray: This sets makeup and keeps it looking good all day (or night) long.

9) Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner Pencil: This stays on the waterline longer then any other liner I've found. It's really creamy and smooth, and glides on like a dream with no pulling or tugging.

10) Dior Amber Diamond: This highlighter is the perfect amount of sheen. It doesn't contain any glitter. Finally, a highlighter for grown-ups.


This is my makeup must-have list. I am no expert, but I think I've learned a little something over the years through trial and error. I couldn't be without them in my beauty arsenal, and I would absolutely recommend them to anyone I know.

♥ Noelle

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Summer Makeup

When the temps rise, I think the last thing we all want to do is wear a ton of makeup. I generally wear less makeup in the Summer then I do in the colder months, but I love the look of bronzed skin, flushed cheeks, and fruit-colored lips. There is nothing sexier! The key is to use a light hand, apply plenty of sunscreen, and focus on a dewy glow rather then caking on powder. It's going to get hot, so don't fight it! Just go with it! Let your natural skin show, let your hair down. Use a setting spray like Urban Decay's All Nighter to seal in your makeup, and when possible (like on weekends), let your hair air-dry. The beauty of Summer is ease and simplicity; I do admit that I look more like myself this time of year :)

I went through my beauty stash last night, and there are some obvious colors and products that I use on a frequent basis now that I have a light tan. Here are some favorites, but I suggest using any products  you may have that are similar in color. Think bronze, gold, warm browns, and taupes for eyes. Watermelon, coral, hot pink, and peach for lips.

Top: Revlon Colorburst l/s in Fuchsia, Bare Escentuals eye glimmer in True Gold, Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stain in Lovesick

Bottom: Inglot eyeshadow. I'm so sorry, I don't know the number. It is a very stark gold, with a copper finish.

I love yellow gold or copper eyes and bright pink lips. Gorgeous!

Buxom lip cream in White Russian, MAC plushglass in Fashion Fanatic, and NARS duo in Rajasthan.

You can never go wrong with a lip plumping gloss. These feel minty and cool, very refreshing on a sweltering day! Pair them with lighter smoky shadow for a great evening look.

Lancome Rouge in Love lipstick in Corail in Love, MAC mega metal shadow in Dalliance.

It's no secret that Corail in Love is my favorite coral. I like to dab it on and press it into my lips for a stained look. A single sweep of pewter shadow and some black liner with mascara is all you need. Easy!

Revlon colorburst lipgloss in Bellini, Revlon Balm Stain in Charm, MAC 3D shadow in Sweet Heat, Burberry shadow in Pale Barley

Peach and bronze are also a very soft and pretty pairing. I wear these to work a lot because they look natural, but still radiant.

Sweet cheeks: NYX body bronzer in Daydream of Lanai and MAC Hipness blush.

I use both as blush. They contain a good bit of shimmer, so although I swear by Dior's Amber Diamond (and highly recommend that), you don't need it with these.

Lastly, I just bought these two UD single shadows over the weekend. I think they are both in the Naked 2 palette, but correct me if I'm wrong. I can't wait to try these taupes with pink lips.

Verve and Stray Dog

What are your Summer makeup colors/products?

♥ Noelle



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Reader Request & Instagram

Last week, a reader asked me to do a review on the new Revlon Balm Stains. I have three: Charm, Cherish, and Lovesick.

Charm is a peachy coral, Cherish is a light blue-toned pink, and Lovesick is a deep fuchsia. Out of the three, Lovesick is the obvious shade with the most payoff. However, my favorite is Charm. It looks very light when swatched, but it reads better on the lips. It's a great shade for Summer, and it makes my skin look more tanned. Cherish is pretty also, but it's a tad too cool for me. I've been layering it with a bit of Lovesick to get a better color.

Swatches: Charm, Cherish, and Lovesick

When the Revlon lip butters came out, I raved about them every chance I got. I still like those, but I like the balm stains even more! They have a minty taste, they are moisturizing, and they really do leave a beautiful stain. They are much better than Revlon's Bitten lip stains. Those are like a marker, these are definitely a balm. I like layering these with other products, such as lip liners and glosses. They wear beautifully. They have a glossy sheen that eventually disappears, but the color stains the lips long after the shine wears off. I remember sleeping with Charm on my lips the first night I got it, and when I woke up the next day, the stain was still there. I highly suggest giving these a try. I don't see anyone being disappointed.

I love answering your questions, so please feel free to request something in the future! I read each and every comment :)



Now for some Instagram love. I'm still obsessed with it! I take every opportunity I can to take a picture now. Food, beauty products, scenery, friends, fashion...I try to include it all on my Instagram. I think it's great because you guys get a chance to take a peek into my personal life a little more then you do on my blog. I've only been on Instagram for a few short weeks, but I'm so happy that I figured out that it's not just for iphone users.  Here's the past week in pictures:

Dinner and drinks

My pool essentials.

This was actually taken a few months back on our Pismo Beach excursion. So beautiful!

The boy...so cute :)

Girls night with...the girls <3

I love the white flowers in my mom's front yard.

Tonight, I'm painting my nails with Essie Marshmellow. On Saturday, my best friend and I are going to treat ourselves. I plan on getting a pedi and using CG Shocking Pink.

 

I'll feature my photos as often as I can, as long as you don't mind!

Have a great weekend!

♥ Noelle

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Mini Beauty Reviews

I know I've been very focused on fashion lately, but don't for a second think that the beauty addict in me has disappeared. It's alive and kicking! I've been interested in trying a lot of new products, so here is an overview of what I'm loving...and one product I don't recommend you waste your money on.

Real Techniques - Blush Brush

This line was created by a YouTube guru, and can be found at Ulta. What I love about it is the shape. Most brushes that are designed for applying blush are much flatter and much wider. This one is tapered and comes to a point. It's very precise when you want to apply blush just on the area you need, instead of all over the place. It's also great for contouring cheekbones, or applying a highlight to the tops of your cheeks. It's ultra soft, so I grab for it all the time!

I highly recommend

Oh, and did I mention it was only 9 dollars?

Salon Grafix Dry Shampoo

As much as I love having dark hair, it can be a disadvantage in the dry shampoo department. Who wants to walk around with a white powder in their hair? I was on a mission to finally find one that didn't create that unfortunate problem. I bought the SG dry shampoo at my CVS, and tried it out the next day. I wash my hair every other day, or sometimes every two days if I can get away with it. When I do, I reach for this. It doesn't leave any, I mean ANY, residue. I don't even need to rub this stuff in! The smell is faint, and it leaves my locks shiny, soft, amd most importantly, looking clean. Well, as clean as unwashed hair can look.

I definitely recommend

Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray

After using up most of my MAC Fix+, I decided to try the Urban Decay version. Love this! I feel like Fix+ doesn't even compare. If you want your makeup to actually last, then try this! I have been using it to set my makeup every single day, and I've really noticed a difference in how long it wears and lasts. I think the MAC is good for a cooling, refreshing mist. I like to use that one at night before bed, or now that the weather is warming up, I'll use it when I want to cool down. But the UD is truly meant to keep you looking flawless without any effort.

Highly recommend

Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer in "Brightening"

After reading so many stellar reviews on blogs, including one from Veronika, I decided to try it out. It was a wise choice because I am in love with it! I still use regular concealer (Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Palette), but I make sure to pat some of this creamy pink brightener on top. I think this would certainly be comparable to the YSL Touche Eclat. However, this is a fraction of the cost and can be found at drugstores. My eyes have never looked more awake. I kind of have that Kim K. look going on underneath my eyes. I mean, I can only dream right?

Highly recommend

Now onto the product that I regret. In a word, this one sucks. Sorry, but it does.

Revlon Photoready Mascara

Oh, mascara. What a fickle cosmetic you are. You either love a particular mascara, or you hate it. It's hard to be inbetween. This one does nothing it promises to. It doesn't give my lashes very much volume, much less 3D (whatever the hell that means). It isn't buildable. One hour after application, and my lashes are limp and lifeless. You can't even tell I'm wearing mascara.

The wand is good, because I'm a huge fan of plastic brushes. But the top of the wand where you actually hold it is big and bulky.

The opening is really odd because it's so huge! It's too wide, therefore, I can't wipe off excess easily.

Bottomless pit.

The cap doesn't screw on tightly, which leads me to believe that the mascara will dry out quickly.

This is a loser in my opinion. That's what I get for buying something on impulse.

Do not recommend

Have you tried any of these products? If so, do you agree with my reviews?

♥ Noelle

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Current Skincare Loves

Left to Right:

1. Pond's Wet Cleansing Towelettes in Evening Soothe. These have been my go-to makeup remover wipes for the past few months now. The quilted texture gets every trace of makeup, and the scent is relaxing for nighttime use. I've come to realize that many brands make great wipes (I still love Yes to Cucumbers and Neutrogena). However, I can always find Pond's on sale so I keep repurchasing.

2. Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover. This works wonders on heavy duty mascara, especially my Benefit "They're Real" which is known for being difficult to remove.

3. Josie Maran Argan Oil. This has been raved about from so many bloggers. This is my newest skincare addition, as I just added it to my nightly routine two weeks ago. I already love it, and can't believe how soft and supple my skin looks and feels when I get out of bed in the morning. I slather it everywhere. I concentrate on my skin, but it can also be used on cuticles, hair, and anywhere that needs a serious dose of moisture.

4. Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment With Avocado. Now that I'm in my late 20's, I notice just how sensitive the delicate skin around my eyes are.  I don't have any lines yet, but I do need moisture. This eye cream is amazing. This is my second jar, but it lasts forever. A little goes a long way. I use it not only before bed, but also in the morning underneath my concealer. If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it!

5. ROC Deep Wrinkle Night Cream. I mainly use this for preventative measures. I'm still fairly young ;) But I've said before that I do have little lines between my brows. I don't use it every night because it does irritate my skin slightly, but I try to apply a bit at least four times a week.

6. MAC Fix+. This is the travel size that came out with some collection I'm sure. I spray this on after applying my makeup, as well as right before bed. No reason why really, it just feels so refreshing and I love that scent. I didn't think it set my makeup well until I started spraying some on before using my MUFE HD powder. That does the trick, and my makeup stays on a few hours longer.

* I completely forgot to include my Cetaphil cleanser. It's gentle, it's soothing. It's perfect.

I'm always curious about skincare products, so there are a few things I want to try. I've heard some of you girls rave about Peter Thomas Roth. His correction pads are on my wishlist. I also have a friend that is sending me some goodies to test out ;)

What are your current skincare loves?

♥ Noelle

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Maybelline Color Tattoo

I can't remember the last time I was so excited to run over to the drugstore. As soon as I told you about how happy I am with the Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush, I decided to pick up the 24 hour shadow in Tough as Taupe. I wore it all weekend, and was so impressed by it that I picked up another shade with a CVS coupon.

The glass jars make them appear more expensive than they actually are. For reference, they retail for $6.99. I got Bad to the Bronze for half that because I acquired a coupon. 

These shades are extremely creamy, smooth, and pigmented. Bad to the Bronze is a shimmery golden shade, similar to MAC's woodwinked. It leans warm, but I'm sure it would look great on everyone. Tough as Taupe is a matte shade that leans more on the cooler/grey/mocha side. In the pot, Tough as Taupe looks lighter, and almost milky. Once you start using it, the color is much darker. It's a beautiful taupe!  

I have only worn both with my Urban Decay primer, as I always wear a primer, even with cream shadows. These lasted all day! No joke, no creasing or smearing. I didn't even top these off with a powder. If you do top these with a matching powder eyeshadow, there isn't a doubt in my mind that they will last forever (or until you take your makeup off).

I can't rave enough about them and I highly suggest giving one a try. I think I'm satisfied with the colors I have so I will not be buying anymore, at least for the time being.

Aren't they pretty?!

♥ Noelle

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Bouncy Blush

There has been a slew of new products hitting drugstore shelves recently. From Revlon to L'oreal to Maybelline, it seems like every drugstore cosmetic brand is amping up their lines with inventive looking products. The one that caught my eye is the bouncy blush from Maybelline. I love cream blush, and although I don't really understand the purpose of these "bouncy" blushes, they are so pretty! I just had to try one and see what all the hype was about.

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Peach Satin

It is honestly one of the oddest products I've ever tried. It has the consistency of putty. I was expecting a sponge or some sort of foam underneath the product to give it that "bounce" but I don't believe that there is. The product itself provides the texture, not the packaging as I had previously thought. I hope this is making sense! It really is very diffcult to properly describe.

This shade in particular is more coral than peach. I love the glow that it gives. I think overall, these blushes are sheer. They don't give off a lot of pigment, they are much more of a natural looking flush. In fact, Peach Satin gives me that color I naturally get after a good workout. I like that! This will be beautiful in the Summer, when I wear nothing but cream products. If you are going to try one of these for yourself, I would definitely recommend going for one of the brighter shades, as I think the lighter colors won't show up at all.

I do recommend the Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blushes. They may seem a little gimmicky, but I can assure you that they are more reliable than that. I would purchase it again.

Next, I want to try the  Maybelline Tattoo cream eye shadow in the taupe color. Have you tried any of the new drugstore products?

♥ Noelle

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New Products I'm Loving

Some people say that part of being a beauty blogger/addict is the excitement that comes from trying new products. For me, it's easy to find something I love and then continue to repurchase. I am a creature of habit, so when I find a great item I have a tendency to go back to it time and time again. On the occasion I venture out, more often than not I am disappointed. However, I have found three products that I am loving lately, and using them on a daily basis. In fact, these products are now part of my makeup routine.


I initially learned about these face wipes from Tiffany D. You girls all know her I'm sure. She claimed that these are the wettest makeup remover towlettes she has ever tried. Sold!

The Pond's wipes were on sale at Target, so I grabbed some. She is so right about how moisturizing they are. They are dripping wet! So wet that you feel like you've just bathed after using one. I am able to remove all of my makeup, even waterproof mascara or hard to remove mascara like Benefit's They're Real! 

I really enjoy the quilted texture of each cloth. You really feel like it's removing every trace of makeup.

I will repurchase without a doubt.

I have been getting my eyebrows waxed by the same lady for a year and a half now. When I first started seeing her, our main goal was to fill in the sparse areas that had been overtweezed during my teen years. I also wanted to thicken them up, which has taken forever! My brows are still (over a year later) a work in progress, but I am very happy with them overall for the first time in my life. I love the shape of them. I get them waxed every three months, and I DO NOT TOUCH THEM AT ALL in between. I actually threw out my tweezers! She advised me to use a pencil or a powder to give the appearance of thickness, and I decided to try this on a whim:

Maybelline Define-A-Brow. I use the shade Dark Brown.

I lightly brush my brows with a spoolie. The pencil comes with a little comb on one end, but I don't find it useful. After I brush my brows with a spoolie, I use light strokes to fill in some spots where the hair is sparse. Then I comb and blend them again with the spoolie. I think the look is extremely natural.

My brows look thicker and fuller. I'm a happy gal!

With all of the dark lipsticks and stains I've been wearing this Fall, I decided to finally buy a lip liner. I never thought I needed one because my lips are naturally quite full. However, especially with the Revlon Lip Butters, I was noticing a lot of bleeding and messy smudges along my lower lip line. I needed a liner to keep it all in place. During the Sephora VIB sale, I spied this liner and was intrigued.

The unique part is that it goes on completely clear! According to TooFaced, "Borderline is a matte, colorless lip pencil designed to fill in and virtually erase vertical lip lines while it locks down your favorite lip products." Perfect! Why have I not seen more companies come out with something like this before? It's wonderful because you can use it with any and every single lip product you have. No worries about matching your lip pencil to your lipstick because it's colorless. I also agree that the tiny lines and cracks in your lips virtually disappear after using this. Brilliant!

Oh, I must mention this adorable little sample of Chanel's Beige perfume. How cute is it?! The scent is very pretty, softer than other Chanel perfumes I've tried.

Have you tried these products? What is something new to your routine that you're loving lately?

♥ Noelle



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Favorite {Current} Lip Colors & OOTD

Nudes:



L'oreal Fairest Nude, MAC Shy Girl, MAC Mattene in Naked Bliss, Revlon Lip Butter in Creme Brulee

Revlon Glosses in Eggnog and Cocktail Dress

Reds:

MAC See Sheer, Revlon Lip Butters in Sugar Plum and Red Velvet, Tarte 24/7 Lip Stain, Stila Paramour

These are all lip products on heavy rotation this Fall. The question is...Which shall I wear today?

What are your favorite lip products this season?



I hope you are enjoying a long weekend off! Due to a sudden change in plans, the fiance and I are staying in Carlsbad tonight. We both need some R&R, and this gorgeous beach town is the perfect place to do it.

Cream lace top, mustard skirt, and necklace - F21, Gray jacket & pumps - Nordstrom Rack, Earrings - Sonya Renee, Bag - Chanel, Nails - China Glaze Lubu heels

I love you guys!

♥ Noelle

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Beauty Talk

I read a rave review on one of my go-to beauty blogs. If you don't follow Nouveau Cheap, you need to! She is the queen of the drugstore beauty world. I saw her swatches of Revlon's new colorburst lip butters and high-tailed it to Rite Aid to find the special display. Warning: These are hard to locate! I think they are permanent though, so I imagine more displays will make their way to various stores soon.

I only planned on getting one, so I carefully picked out a safe light baby pink color. I loved it so much, I went back and got three more! The quality is incredible! I love that they are essentially balms, but these aren't your average run-of-the-mill chapsticks. The pigmentation is outstanding, and the moisture feels so good. I am highly impressed.

The packaging is nice because you can see the actual color of the lipstick inside.

Sugar Frosting

Raspberry Pie

Sugar Plum

Red Velvet

Aren't they pretty? I would say that Sugar Plum is my favorite, followed by Red Velvet. These are a bit deeper in person, so keep that in mind. The swatches above are just one swipe! If you swipe more than once, be in for a surprise because the color is saturated and unbelievable.

I'm addicted...

Please go try one!

Did you girls get anything from the Sephora friends & family sale? It is ongoing until November 2nd. Get your unique 20% off code HERE

I ordered three things:

A favorite skincare product that I am almost out of. I think I have about five pads left.

I LOVE the Fresh Sugar lip treatment. Although I just finished raving about the Revlon lip butters, NOTHING makes my lips as soft and supple as this. The set is called Sugar Fix, and also includes a little pot of Sugar lip polish, something I've been dying to try.

Urban Decay 24/7 liners in the Naked set (5 travel size pencils in gorgeous neutral shades).

Did you place a F&F order? What did you get?!

♥ Noelle

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