My MAC Pinky-Nude Obsession

In case you girls haven't noticed, I like pinky-nude lipstick...a lot! While going through my collection today, I realized that not only do I have a lot of lippies that are variations of the same color, but I also have a lot of MAC lipsticks. I can't really explain my little obsession, nor can I completely justify it either. I just love them! I think the main reason is that I love nudes, but I need some pink in order to avoid looking washed out or chalky. I'm secretly envious of all the girls out there who can pull off a truly pale lip. Kim Kardashian immediately comes to mind. With her beautiful tan skin and dark features, she can do a nude lip like no other! I personally am a bit on the lighter side of the complexion spectrum, especially during the winter months (Is it Summer yet?) A pinky-nude is a perfect solution to my problem. A bit pink, a bit nude. Extremely wearable. It looks great with smokey eyes, or with more natural looks. In a word, Perfection.

~With Flash~ Left to Right: Way to Love, Plink!, Blankety, Nude Rose, Myself, Semi-Annual, Bare.

~Without Flash~

Swatches, same order as above from left to right. Sorry about the lighting, this is with flash.

~Without Flash~

See, they all look sort of similar. But different enough I guess =)

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I want color!

For the Golden Globes last weekend, I posted a couple pictures of actresses that looked lovely. Well, this past Saturday night were the SAG Awards, and I couldn't help but take note of all the beautiful, bright colors that swayed down the red carpet. This got me thinking that I need more vibrant pieces in my closet, things that will transition my neutral wardrobe right into Spring. I want gorgeous, saturated, notice-me color in the upcoming months. I'm not normally comfortable with notice-me anything, but maybe it's time that changed ;)

Diane Kruger in mustard yellow Jason Wu.

Anna Kendrick in fabulous fuschia. I'm not sure who the designer is...

My personal fave: Lea Michele in Catherine Malandrino. ~sigh~

Aren't these dresses to die for? And it's all about the dramatic color. I don't think these would be as note-worthy in black. But mustard? Fuschia? Emerald? Candy colored confections dancing around in my head. I can't wait for Spring and warmer weather! Bring it on.

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MUFE Mat Velvet +

Click to browse/buy from Sephora

I just wanted to do a quick review of the Makeup Forever Mat Velvet + Foundation that I purchased a couple of weeks ago. A few people wanted me to try it out and report back on whether it really is a good  foundation or not. At $34 U.S. dollars, it is definitely the most expensive foundation I have ever owned. It is also my first (but not my last!) product from MUFE. I actually don't even know what color I have it in, because there is no label on the bottle! Wait a second, so I'll have to get color matched all over again? I'll have to put that in my "Cons" section. I just noticed that! I believe I am either a 30 or 35, but the best way to choose your shade is to have one of the MUA's test a few colors on your jawline. I find the salespeople at Sephora to be really helpful, so don't ever be hesitant to ask for assistance.

The main reason why I chose to buy this foundation in the first place was TiffanyD from YouTube. She did a review of it on her channel and I was convinced that it would work for me as well. I had been using Clinique's Perfectly Real Makeup for years, but because I've had issues with breakouts lately, I wanted a foundation that provided more coverage. Mat Velvet + is a medium to full coverage liquid. I was afraid that it would be too much, and that I was going to end up looking like a mannequin. However, I use my Sonia Kashuk blending sponge to apply a tiny dot on each of my cheeks, my chin, and an even smaller drop to my forehead. It covers beautifully girls! I have a few left over acne spots on my chin, and this conceals them quite well. I don't feel like it gives an unnatural appearance at all. Because it is oil-free, I have no worries that it will cause more acne flare-ups either. It is a matte foundation that still lets your own skin come through. My combination skin still needs a little bit of blotting after a few hours, but I don't look greasy with this stuff, even after wearing it all day long. So here's a quick wrap-up of my overall thoughts and impressions:

~PROS~
* It covers skin tone discolorations and imperfections brilliantly.
* Although it can be full-coverage, it is also very buildable and natural looking. Full to medium coverage doesn't mean you have to look like a mask! A very small amount of this product is needed.
* Great for combo-oily skin. Not sure about dry skin though. I've read some reviews on MakeupAlley from people with dry skin who do not like this product because it makes the dryness more pronounced. I cannot of course attest to that because my face is anything but dry normally!
* Oil-free, won't clog pores, water resistant.
* Wide color selection, including people with yellow undertones, pink undertones, beige...etc.
* As far as I have been able to see, it lasts all day. I'm talking at least a good eight to ten hours.

~CONS~
* The price. I was lucky that I had a gift card. It's a shame too, because now I am always going to want this over anything else, even more than my beloved Clinique.
* The amount of product you get (1.01 Fl. Oz.) is a bit small. But as I said before, you don't need a lot.
* The fact that the actual bottle isn't labeled with your particular shade number! Am I missing something?
* I've noticed it can be a little hard to blend at times. You have to work it into the skin.

~OVERALL~
I love this! I give it a solid A for performance, coverage, lasting power, color selection, and for keeping my skin matte, but not overly so.

I hope this review was helpful! Remember, this is just my opinion and experience with this product. If you have any more questions or comments, let me know.
♥ Noelle

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Spotlight on the Golden Globes

I unfortunately did not get to watch the 2010 Golden Globe Awards last night. No, I was too busy watching the San Diego Chargers get creamed by the New York Jets. Being that I live very close to San Diego, I was crushed ;(. However, the heavy beer drinking that followed the game helped a bit. I woke up early this morning and logged onto EOnline to catch up on the latest fashions that graced the red carpet. I must say, overall, I was not really impressed. In my opinion, many of today's brightest actresses looked a bit blah. Maybe it was the rain? There were only two that caught my eye, and I just wanted to share them with you in case you didn't get to see them last night.

Drew Barrymore looked divine once again. Here she is wearing Atelier Versace. Champagne silk never looked better.

Jennifer Aniston in Valentino. Yes, she normally wears black. But a thigh-high slit showing off those glowing gams? Anything but boring! I think she knows herself, and she wears what works for her body.

What starlets caught your attention from this years Globes? Here's hoping that the Oscars are more exciting!

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Not everything is black and white...

But my latest fashion picks are. I just wanted to share a few things that I have purchased recently. I haven't posted a fashion haul in a long time so I thought I would do a tiny one today. I am really loving all of the things I picked out. Yes, they are black...and white...and gray...with a little splash of tan ;) I don't know why I gravitate towards neutrals this time of year, but I can't help myself. Don't get me wrong, I love color! I swear I do! But there is something so appealing about buying pieces that will work with the things I already own in my closet. Neutrals are great because you can incorporate them with anything. Mix a little this with a little that, pair this new jacket with an old tank, belt this dress over a cardigan I've had for months, and Viola! Adding some basic neutrals can really create endless possibilities. And they don't have to be boring either. I like to play with color, print, and texture when it comes to shoes and accessories. Or, as Rachel Zoe likes to call them, EXCESSories. Oh, how I ♥ you Rachel.

Long tank from Nordstrom. I just love the print. It is a bit sheer so a cami underneath is a must.

This cardigan is from a store called Cutesygirl. I think they have a website as well. I like the herringbone -type detail and the 3 quarter sleeves. Looks great with dark jeans and really high heels.

This dress is so pretty! The top half is a bit blousy because I am lacking in that department ;) But I plan on wearing this with a cardigan and a wide belt, so I think it should work out just fine. I really love the lacy pattern on it, smaller at the top and then gradually getting larger towards the bottom. And the neckline is trimmed in black chiffon. The Go International line is a great way to get designer pieces for a fraction of the price. I can't wait to see what designer Target will feature next!

This is my favorite purchase and this picture does NOT do it justice. I have been lusting after a tweed/boucle jacket for months now. I even blogged about it a couple months ago. Well, this one from Arden B took my breath away when I tried it on. I had that tingly feeling just holding it at the register! Problem? Yeah, I know.

~Thanks for reading~

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A Tale of Two Hair Savers

By now, I'm sure everyone knows that I'm no hair genius. In fact, I really have a love/hate relationship with my brown locks. At times, I am tempted to chop it all off and just start fresh but I know I would instantly regret that decision. I just wish it didn't have a mind of its own! During the colder months, my hair gets extremely dry and static-prone. However, my roots are also oily so I don't feel comfortable going more than a couple days without washing it. I know all the hair gurus out there claim that you should only wash your hair two to three times per week, but that just sounds impossible for someone like myself who has a lot of hair, albeit thin. If I went more than a couple days without shampoo, I would look like a giant grease ball. So I continue to wash and condition the hell out of it in hopes that after a good blow-out, my hair will actually obey me. Two products that have really been making a difference for me are Moroccan Oil and the Kerastase Oleo-Relax serum. While my hair is still damp, I mix a dime-sized amount of each into my palms, rub my hands together to warm the mixture up, and then I apply it to the ends of my hair before blow drying. These products are amazing. I bought the Moroccan Oil about a month ago after my hairstylist begged me for months to give it a try. The only reason why I ever held off was the price tag - $39. A little steep in my book. I'm in trouble now! I love it so much that I can't imagine not having a bottle on hand. It smells like the tropics, coconutty and delicious ♥ And a small amount is all you need. The Kerastase was actually a gift from my boyfriend's sister who happens to be a hair stylist. She uses it in her salon and swears by it. Again, I never purchased any Kerestase products because they are quite expensive, but I know the Oleo-Relax serum will last me a long time as well. If it works for Jennifer Aniston, it works for me! Using these two products together has really tamed my frizziness, and my hair looks and feels softer and shinier than ever. Yes, these hair savers aren't cheap, but I could honestly throw out all of my other hair products and just live with these two. I would rather invest in a handful of things that really do the trick than buy a bunch of products that may be less expensive, but don't work that well for me. I guess that's how I'll justify it from now on ;)
Has anyone tried these?

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