Wednesday Wishlist

I am ready for tomorrow to just be here already! Wednesdays are always nice as you're halfway done with the week, but I am so excited to pick up my products from the new MAC collection tomorrow. Plus, I already prepaid with my pre-order, so it feels like I'm getting the products for free (right?! I just need to keep thinking that anyway..).

Besides that, there's been a few products that I've been eyeing recently, and just maybe I'll have to look around this weekend.

Deborah Lippmann's "Mermaid Dream" is on the top of my wishlist. I have wanted this for ages, back when it first came out and you were able to purchase it at your local stores. Ever since then, when I didn't pick it up, karma has kicked me in the butt by having this polish be sold out everywhere I look.

Another polish I'm craving is the new Thakoon for NARS collection. I really love a few of the colors, but to me, Koliary is what stands out. I barely own any blue polishes, yet this shade looks absolutely gorgeous. I can practically hear it calling my name!

Every time I've gone to Ulta lately, these lashes stand out to me. Katy Perry recently released her own line of eyelashes, available at many different drugstores. The "Oh, Honey" lashes stand out the most to me because they look amazing, but also seem wearable; not terribly overdramatic.

Yes, if you can't tell, I'm loving nail polish right now. Despite the moderate-to-bad reviews on Sephora's website, I desperately want to see these in person. I've grown accustomed to the nail polish smell, so I'm dying to see for myself if these live up to their name. It seems so fun!

The last item on my wishlist for now is also the most expensive. And by expensive I mean, "I'll drool in stores over this product, but the likely-hood of me purchasing this stands at a 5%. Max."
For $75, you can be the proud owner of this amazing Guerlain Guerlain by Emilio Pucci Terra Azzurra Bronzing Powder and Blush. The packaging, the product, and the brands are amazing and if only the price tag wouldn't hurt so much, this little guy would have made it in my shopping bag.


Are any of you wishing for these products? If not, what are you wishing for this Wednesday?

My Everyday Spring Makeup

Happy Sunday, everyone! Loving the sunshine today and I went and did a bit of shopping today, which just lifted my mood even more! Yesterday I posted a new YouTube video, showing my everyday look for this spring/summer. The key is light and easy here, as during the summer I'd rather spend my time outdoors rather than in and getting ready.

For foundation, I've been loving Maybelline's Dream Nude Airfoam foundation in 200 Creamy Natural. I actually reviewed this product! The review can be found here: Maybelline Airfoam Review. Overall, the product is a really nice light coverage foundation, perfect for spring.

To powder, I use my trusty Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder in Universal. This powder is perfect for everyone and I absolutely love it. The package comes with a lot of product and definitely worth the money!

For blush, I use Tarte Amazonian Clay in Dollface, a really pretty pink blush with absolutely great pigmentation.

To contour, I use my NARS Laguna Bronzer, which is so pretty. Personally, to contour I use my Real Techniques Blush Brush, and the contour turns out great! I run the bronzer through the hollows of my cheeks, up my temples, and along the jaw line.

A nice highlight, I use MAC's Mineralized Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle along the tops of my cheekbones and just above the upper lip.

Finally, I like to throw on my NARS lipgloss in Baby Doll, a really pretty, shiny, and shimmery pink.

Moving onto my eyes, I love using my Urban Decay Primer Potion to ensure that the eyeshadow will stay on all day. I then use my favorite Stila Smudge Pot in Kitten and apply it all over the lid. Over that, I put on MAC Mineralized Eyeshadow in Summer Haze, which is so pretty!! To finish up the eyes, I'll apply my favorite eyeliner, which is YSL's Cream Eyeliner (a review can be found here: YSL Review). Then, to my waterline I apply the Tarte EmphasEYES inner rim brightener, which is so pretty and perfect. It's much better than a stark white eyeliner, and still widens your eyes. For mascara, I use Clinique's Bottom Lash Mascara and Maybelline's Falsies.

And that is it! My everyday look. I hope you guys enjoy and I'll see you tomorrow!

DIY Ciaté Caviar Nails

Happy Friday! I am so excited to share this post with you all, I've been planning it for a week! I'm not sure, but you may have seen some photos of a new trend that's coming to the nails. Ciaté is a UK brand polish that released a new product they called the "Caviar Manicure". Coming in three shades (black, white, and rainbow), the product came with a base color and the matching beads. This kit is now available at Sephora in the US for $25/set, and I was so excited when I saw it online. However, that price tag of $25?! Crazy! I knew I had to find another way to keep up with the new trend.

Over the weekend I scoured my local Michael's Arts&Crafts to find the perfect looking beads to create my own DIY Caviar Nails. And I'm happy to say I think I succeeded! 

The beads I found are from the brand "Recollections", which I'm sure you can find at any local arts and crafts store. The microbeads came in a case with six different colors for only $10! Amazing!

Now, to create this look, I applied a base coat (I used OPI's San Tan-tonio) and then applied the beads directly onto the accent nail. I waited a few minutes before patting the beads down to settle on the nail. Finally, after waiting about 10 minutes after that, I sealed it all up with a top coat! Simple as that, and I had a really cool nail look that received tons of compliments.

Let me know if you are loving this trend as I am, and if you are, whether you'll splurge on the Ciaté brand or try your own DIY. 

No beads were ingested in the top photograph taken. Except for maybe one. But I tried to wipe them all off as soon as I got a picture I was happy with!

Maybelline Spring 2012

Happy Wednesday! Ah, the week is half over, yet it feels like the past three days have been at least a week and a half. I guess when the weeks get crazy they just tend to drag on and on.

This past weekend I did some damage and went shopping all over. A few things that I picked up was from the new Maybelline Spring 2012 Fashion Week collection. I'd read a few things about this collection already, and I was excited to finally get my hands on it.

Highlight - Blush - Bronzer

I was most excited to try out the bronzer, and I was happy to snag the last one that my Ulta had! I picked it up in the Shade 300, Sunset Rendezvous. It's a really nicely pigmented bronzer that looks great. My only complaint would be that the sparkle overlay doesn't last after a few swipes. I really wish it had gone all the way down into pan!

The next product I picked up was a highlighter, in the Shade 400, Ray of Gold. This product has pretty gold flecks that make for a nice highlight. The product doesn't have great pigmentation, but as it is a drugstore product making it more affordable, I'd recommend this to anyone looking to expand their highlight collection!

The final product I picked up was a blush in Coral Blossom. This seemed to be the darkest shade I could find, yet it is still fairly light! But the great flower design in the middle sold me, as I thought it was just too cute! I think that this blush would work well on paler skin tones, so if that's you, I'd check it out!

Outfit of the Day

Happy Saturday! I love Saturdays like almost everyone else, but I really love waking up early for some reason. Early and bright Saturday mornings are the best, just like how I started my day today.

Anyway, I had an event at my school this week and wanted to share my outfit with you! I found this cute navy dress at Macys and also purchased a small white cardigan to put over it. My favorite part, though, was probably the shoes. I once again lucked out at Payless and found a really cute pair of peep-toe nude heels. Love!

Navy Dress from Macy's
White Cardigan from Macys

Alex and Ani Initial 'C' Bangle in Silver and French Royalty in Russian Gold
Eden Hand Arts Cape Cod Bracelet

Tiffany & Co Infinity Necklace
Macy's Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings

Fioni Nude Peep-Toe Heels from Payless

Hope you all are having a great weekend! What are your plans?

Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Compact Review

Good morning! Back to the real world after a nice Spring Break for me. Sad, but I was getting a bit itchy and needed my schedule back in my life. I hope you all are having a great start to the week!

Today I'm really excited to review the new Chanel foundation compact! I purchased this compact a few weeks ago for my prom as I wanted a heavier foundation for photography that would last the whole night. I had the intentions of going to the Chanel counter to get the Vitalumière Aqua liquid foundation, but the lady convinced me to go for the new compact. 

Beautifully packaged, the foundation is actually a cream formula, something I had never tried but was excited to give a go. The foundation comes with a sponge applicator, but I have not used the sponge, instead applying the product with a foundation brush. The finish is flawless, but definitely a heavy coverage; not a medium as I believe it is packaged as. 

I am in the shade B20, and as sad as it is, that was my shade after tanning with St Tropez. I am so pale it's crazy. Despite that, it is the perfect shade for me. 

I am very much in love with this product, and it is something I would definitely repurchase. However, it does have a hefty price tag. I purchased this foundation for $58, plus tax. Woah. Once I got over the sticker shock, I knew I still wanted to use this product and I'm glad that I did. I do believe a good portion of the price is due to the huge packaging that the foundation comes in. As beautiful as it is, I would definitely downsize the packaging to bring the price down a bit. 

All in all, though, even though the price is high, this product is great and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a heavier foundation. Would you spend this much on a foundation? What's the most expensive beauty item you have ever purchased, and did you regret it?

St. Tropez Review

Recently I've finally gotten around to picking up some St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse... and can I say I am so glad that I did. I've tried a few different lotions before, usually a built-up lotion like Jergens, but nothing even compares to my experience with St. Tropez.

I purchased this kit at my local Sephora for $35. It includes a 4 fl oz (120 mL) bronzing mousse, skin illuminator, and mitt to apply the mousse with. I think this kit is the best purchase you can make if you are just starting out and want to get an instant glow that is quick and easy. Now, I've had this kit for around 2-3 months, and I'm still using it. I think I may just be starting to get to the end of the bottle of mousse, but each apply was a whole-body apply, and I'm very pleased with how long this has lasted! The only downside is that if you are very pale (like me!), it does go on very strong. I usually put it on at night after a shower, as you are not to have water around you after you apply it for around 5 hours. So, the tan does remain pretty strong until you finally shower when it seems to even out the tan. Another thing to mention is that I also use this on my face. I've had no issues, and my skin has remained the same throughout the time I've used this product, which is awesome. The best thing is that it is very real-looking, and DOES NOT appear orange at all. The first time I used this, I received so many great compliments around school, at one point I'm pretty sure my whole math class applauded. (Okay, maybe not, but it was the first class I had that day and everyone was in shock that I wasn't a pale ghost!)

Anyway, I really do not have anything bad to say about this product, and I've recommended it to several people. I will definitely be repurchasing this in the future, and I think it is well-worth the price. Have any of you tried St. Tropez? Tell me your experience with self-tanners!