Happy Tuesday! I’ve been a busy little bee at my apartment the past few weeks trying loads of products to gear up for posts that’ll share my favorites for spring and summer! (Next up…hair care), but first here’s some little items that have me oo’ing and ahh’ing for all their genius little power.

// 1. Murad Clarifying Mask: Of all the masks I’ve tried (and that’s a lot!) this one definitely is a front-runner. It’s sulfur and clay based that works to purify and deep clean. I use it once a week and have found it really works to absorb excess oil & prevent additional breakouts.

// 2.Essie ‘Lollipop’: Talk about a stellar spring shade! This isn’t a new color for Essie, but it’s perfectly punchy and great for before I start to go all pink all the time this summer on my nails.

// 3. Bare Minerals Advanced Protection SPF 20 Moisturizer: I’m wearing moisturizer less these days because my skin has just been too damn oily (TMI?), but I’m dabbing this on for the weekends to provide a wee bit of coverage and the very necessary SPF. This is going to be a staple in my beach bag!

// 4. Bare Minerals Blemish Therapy: This guy is a little lifesaver. Similarly to the above in avoiding moisturizer for the time being, my derm told me last week to steer clear of all oil based products, concealers included. Therefore this guy came a the right time because its powder formula not only conceals and minimizes pores, it also treats throughout the day. GENIUS.

// 5. Benefit Cosmetics Dr. Feelgood: My mattifying saving grace, right here, ladies. Perfect for mid-day touch-ups and packed with Vitamins A, C and E. Can be worn with or without makeup so it’s really ideal in any situation….love, love, love.

Previous recent beauty favorites here and here.

*products provided for editorial consideration

Sharing some of my beauty favorites this week! These are 3 real winners.

// 1. Tocca Giulietta body wash, $18: My love affair with this scent started with their lotion and now I can’t get enough of the body wash. It’s subtle and feminine and just perfect.

// 2. Tresemme Split Remedy Leave-In treatment, $4: Two words: miracle worker.

// 3. Clinique Exfoliating Scrub, $18.50: I had been on the hunt for a good scrub for ages. It had to be just the right texture, but effective. This one fit the bill to a T.

Oftentimes when it comes to be Winter, I change up my beauty routine. I seek more moisture, festive colors and skin savers. Therefore I thought I’d round up some of my current (and most beloved) beauty products for this time of year. Especially if, like me, you’re hitting the stores this week for some post-Christmas shopping

1. Bliss fabulips lip balm, $16*

This new lip balm from a favorite of mine, Bliss, saturates in moisture and is just what I need to escape chapped lips. (Another Bliss favorite here.)

2. Benefit Hervana Blush, $28*

I have a major obsession with Benefit (examples here and here among many others) so was uber excited to get to try out their new blush Hervana. It is the perfect subtle glow that gives you the “I’ve just been outside and my cheeks got all rosy” look without having to actually bear the elements. (Also, very excited to try these when I get back to New York.)

3. butter LONDON ‘Chancer,’ $14*
butter LONDON nail lacquers are awesome and this is the perfect red for this season.

4. Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss in Garnet Desire, $20*
With my lips being a bit more dry during the winter, I tend to reach for glosses over lipsticks and the Pure Color ones by Estee Lauder not only smell fantastic, they give a sweep of instant color to punch up your look.

5. DDF Salicylic Wash, $38

Even though it’s cold out, my skin tends to flare up year round and I recently bought this wash to fight the oh so lovely acne popping up here and there. It’s mild yet powerful, hardly has any scent and is in a huge bottle that will last me months.

6. Estee Lauder Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher 1oz, $46*
My morning routine has consisted of using this pore minimizer as a little secret weapon. Combine it with your primer in your palm and you’ve got a perfect palette off of which to apply makeup.

7. TRESemme Dry Shampoo, $5

One word: lifesaver. My hair tends to get brittle at this time of year so I aim to wash it every other day. To get me by the in-between days, I rely on this super cheap dry shampoo.

What products or tricks get you through this time of year?

*samples provided for editorial consideration

Estee Lauder Red Velvet Lipstick I Estee Lauder Idealist Skin Illuminator I Bare Minerals READY 2.0 Eyeshadow in “The Escape” I Benefit Watt’s Up! I

I’ve recently become rather addicted to a few new beauty products that became fast favorites. The Bare Minerals READY shadows are seriously killer and last all day and night and I’m newly addicted to Estee Lauder lipstick.

Have any new beauty favorites? Do share below- I’m always looking for new ones to try

HAPPY FRIDAY!

I’m a self-confessed beauty junkie. I love trying new eyeliners, mascaras, face washes, lip colors, nail polishes, you name it….really, it’s no secret. Which is why I think the idea of Birchbox is so genius. Yes, I know I’m a tad late to the game in trying this great idea, but when they offered to send me a curated box, I figured it was high time I gave it a go. (I was quite sure I’d like it though after Capitol Hill Style declared her love- that girl has the opinions you can trust).

So, if you’re unfamiliar, each month, Birchbox puts together  four to five handpicked deluxe beauty samples and delivers them to you for just $10. It’s an easy way to try out brands you may be unfamilar with, products that come with a higher price tag than you’re ok risking an impulse buy on at Sephora (whoops…guilty of doing that one too many times…) or just a little something you were unsure you’d love until you tried it.  Plus, with free shipping and brands like Smashbox, Kiehl’s, Jouer, Stila, Benefit, NARS and Oscar Blandi all on board, how can you not help but get excited about this monthly little treat?

Have you tried Birchbox? Thoughts?

p.s. you can also gift Birchbox to someone…I absolutely LOVE this idea for the upcoming holidays.

1. Benefit Cosmetics’ They’re Real mascara, $22*
2. Revlon Moon Drops lipstick in ‘Orange Flip’, $8
3. Essie ‘Tangerine’ polish, $8
4. Pattern Sage Body Wash, $20*
5. Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes eyeliner, $18

If you know me well (or read this blog often), you know I’m a big beauty product junkie. I love adding new items into my rotation, finding new favorites and testing out products. The top of my dressar looks like it could be on the set of a photo shoot for how much I have piled up and laying around. But while I have certain go-tos, I certainly love finding new favorites like those seen here. This Benefit mascara is A-mazing (so good in fact that it’s sold out on Benefit’s website!) and this Essie polish has since earned its spot amongst my other favorites.

p.s. in case you missed it, check out my favorite ways to beat the heat and still look be-auti-ful.

1. Murad Pomegranate Exfoliating Mask, $22.50 (see full review here). First, pop this face mask (which comes in cute individual packets) into your fridge for 20 minutes prior to use. Second, come back to this post and thank me for the refreshing treat your face just experienced.
2. Moraccanoil Treatment, $30. Frizz tamer for both curly and straight hair.
3. Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens, $10. These have been my SAVIORS in this heat. Pop the cute and slim little package into your purse and pull out after subway rides, walks to lunch, you name it…
4. Dior Addict, $28. Make lipstick your bff in this weather for long lasting color that’s more saturated on your lips and won’t sweat off or dab off like lip gloss. Dior Addict is a current fave.

And last but not least, let me introduce you to the latest tool in my beauty kit that is saving me blow dry time like I never would have believed…the HANAir Premiere Hair Dryer. At $194.99 I had reservations about this little guy when Misikko offered to send me one, but man does it deliver. My hair dries so much faster because this dryer is so powerful without being damaging. (p.s. for you flat iron addicts, they also have high performing options in that arena).

What are your beauty tricks for all these high temps? Do tell as I’m always looking for more!

It’s no secret that I love face masks. I’ve tried a ton in my day. But oftentimes I can be left feeling like my skin is dried out or even like there are no results at all. After seeing blogger bff Capitol Hill Style raving about Borghese’s Active Mud, when I had the chance to try it I had high expectations.

The other night I tried out the Active Mud for Face and Body and let me just say, wow. This mask stays wet as you let it do its job and it raises impurities to the surface which typically I’m looking for in masks. My skin felt hydrated and softened immediately after using this mask. The mask also claims to eliminate dead skin cells, provides mineral nourishment and reviatilize skin. All of which I’m hoping to see as I continue to use the active mud twice as week.

Borghese Active Mud for Face and Body, 7 o.z., $33.50

See more favorite face masks here!

When the temps start to head up (please let it be soon) we all know that it means a bit more upkeep to our normal beauty routine, especially when it comes to our skin. Let’s be honest, we show more of it when the weather is nice. Here’s a look inside some of my latest favorites when it comes to taking care of my skin…

1. Benefit Cosmetics Triple Performing Facial Emulsion, $28

Benefit’s new b. right! skincare line smells like a  dream and this facial emulsion feels like pouring water into your skin. It’s super hydrating, lightweight and best of all? It’s got SPF15 which is just what you need as we head out to play in the sun more this season.

2. Tocca Pink Tulips & Green Apple Rich Body Cream, $45

I mentioned this Tocca lotion briefly a few weeks back and even since then I have fallen more in love with it. The scent is dreamy (not to mention perfect for spring as it  features tulips and green apples) and it keeps my skin feeling moisturized without a thick, goopy formula. Thanks to this lady for introducing me to it!

3. Bare Escentuals Deep Cleansing Foam, $20

Bare Escentuals, like Benefit, just also recently made their foray into the skincare realm and this cleanser is by far my favorite in the line. It’s super rich and creamy and feels a bit like a facial when used in the shower (I use once a week, most often after the gym – with this little guy - as it gets my face feeling squeaky clean).

4. Rosebud Perfume Co. Rosebud Salve, $6

I’d always seen this lip salve around, but never tried it until I moved to New York and found it was nearly impossible to beat the chapped lips I was facing at all times. This rosebud balm is a perfect mix of hydration and healing while also topping your pout with the perfect amount of shine.

5. Bliss Lemon + Sage Soapy Suds Body Wash, $18

My mom and I both love this body wash from Bliss (hence, its appearance on this list) for its awesome smell that’s both invigorating and fresh. The bottle lasts you forever and you’ll surly love using this whenever getting oh so fresh and so clean.

Speaking of fresh and clean, have you entered our Body Shop giveaway yet?!

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When my family first moved to London long ago, my sister and I were enamored with the new found love of ours, The Body Shop. To this day I hold a fondness in my heart for this brand and am excited to be bringing you the chance to win $50 worth of hair, skincare and/or makeup product assortment. Basically, anything your little heart desires!

Favorites from their line of my own include the Tea Tree Face Mask and Cocoa Butter Body Butter.

And here’s a little fun tidbit for all my Northern California readers (who I miss seeing in person, might I add!), The Body Shop just opened a new location in San Jose (at the Oakridge Mall) so stop in to check out all their new products and load up on their awesome line of eco-friendly products or all things spring beauty – as I will be just as soon as I can shop again!