Princess Tag!

The gorgeous Melissa over at Pink Lady Beauty tagged me in the Princess Tag! I love, love, love high-end products so this tag is totally for me!

FOUNDATION: I’m not crazy for foundation but I do use Bare Minerals Original SPF Foundation. I think it tends to control the oil on my face the best.

CONCEALER: Honestly, I don’t use much concealer either. I currently have been giving Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil a go around my eyes. I find that it really lightens up the area nicely.

Lighten up.

POWDER: Back to Bare Minerals. Their READY Touch Up Veil Broad Spectrum SPF 15 helps sop up the grease that accumulates on my face. (I sound just like a princess, don’t I?)

BRONZER: Too Faced’s Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer is my favorite hands down. It smells all cocoa-y AND is matte so my sun-kissed glow doesn’t also channel a disco ball.

The top right picture is with flash and bottom without.

BLUSH: Currently it is Benefit’s Hervana. There is something about that pink and purple swirl that makes me happy!

It’s a pinwheel!

HIGHLIGHTER: The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer is seriously pigmented but when used correctly leaves skin with a beautiful shimmery sheen.

Get detained for being cute. Bottom picture is no flash.

EYESHADOW: I love eye shadow. I love my Urban Decay Naked II palette– their eye shadows are smooth like buttah! Bobbi Brown eye shadows come in a close second. They blend beautifully.

In the nude.

EYELINER: Tarina Tarantino’s Eye Dream Hyperline goes on smooth and is super pigmented. Even on the most humid day, it does not slide off. And the colors are gorgeous! For a cheaper ($9!!!) yet high end version, Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil 12hr Wear Waterproof stays put all day with color vibrancy that puts any other HD eye product to shame.

Draw the line.

Mascara: Benefit They’re Real Mascara pumps lashes up to 40s starlet status.

Lash out!

Lip Pencil: I rarely use a lip pencil so I keep Too Faced’s Borderline Anti-feathering Lip Pencil on hand. It is a clear wax pencil that keeps borders clean and it won’t alter your lip color.

LIPSTICK I have way too many to list BUT my one high-end favorite brand is Lipstick Queen. Sinners are 90% pigment and they are loaded with shea butter making for super moisturizing, super saturated color.

Love the bag, the tube, the box!

LIP GLOSS: Ummm…. I have been on a lipstick kick but Clinique Chubby Sticks offer up good glossy color.

BROW PRODUCT: Benefit’s Gimme Brow is a gel base formula that goes on with a short mascara brush. I received testers when I had the Lash Bash a few weeks ago and kept the lighter color for myself. It is a little light but if I work it right, it’s great!

MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCT: This is not high end but I will pretend (just like a good princess) and sing the praises of NYX HD Eye Shadow Base. No one needs to know it is budget!

NAIL POLISH: Sorry, guys, but I refuse to buy any more nail polish over $10 a bottle. I find the quality to be worse than the cheaper drugstore brands. I have to save my money somewhere.

The Pretty (Pretty) Princesses I Tag Are:

Girl in the Glasses

Short and Sweet In Texas

And please do the tag! We share the crown. It is only good manners!

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

The 11 Questions Tag

Hey everyone! Happy Sunday! I woke up at 8 AM, which is late for me but I enjoyed my sleep. Melissa of Pink Lady Beauty tagged me in the “11 Questions Tag” and I love these because you get to learn a lot about your fellow bloggers.

Let’s start with the rules:

Rule 1: Post the rules

Rule 2: Answer the questions the tagger asked you, then make 11 new ones.

Rule 3: Tag 11 people [ or how many you feel like ] and link them to your post.

Rule 4: Let them know you’ve tagged them.

Let’s Go!

1. What is your favorite book? My favorite book is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I was about 12 the first time I read it and it resonated with me. Francie Nolan, the main character, is a girl growing up in Brooklyn with an alcoholic father and a mother that worked very hard to help the family survive. Though the story isn’t exactly my life story, I was able to totally relate with her, even if the setting is 100 years ago.

2. What fashion trend do you wish would come back? I have no one particular style that I wish would come back. Thank goodness leggings came back because they are a good cheat under dresses in the winter. I don’t worry too much about trends coming back- they eventually all do!

3. What is your signature scent? I am a perfume junky. I have a few scents that I adore but my signature scent would be Stella by Stella McCartney. It is a rose scent and have been wearing it for about seven or eight years. As much as I switch up, I always go back.

4. What is your ultimate essential beauty product that you would have a hard time being without? My first thought was mascara but I would say lip color. I can’t imagine not wearing or carrying something to color up my face. Lip color is an instant fix.

My hot lips (I think someone called me this in college.)

5. What is your most wanted beauty item right now? What isn’t? I am currently looking for a really good cobalt eyeliner. I purchased one recently but I’m not sure it is what I really want. I also want a killer waterproof mascara. My face is melting this summer.

6. What ways do you try to build self-confidence? I keep in mind that I am a good person and that I do the best that I can at all times. I have gotten a little tougher the past few years, too, and that helps. I learned that you can’t please everyone and most people don’t even try to please you!

7. What style of jewelry do you wear? I love the idea of jewelry but I tend to wear very little. I have a ridiculous amount of costume stuff but I really only wear my wedding and engagement rings, a moonstone ring from my sister, and a watch. I sometimes swap the moonstone ring for a larimar ring. ( Larimar is a pretty light turquise stone.) I also have a “fake” wedding band to switch it up sometimes. I love earrings but they do bother me sometimes and I should wear more necklaces.

8. Do you have any embarrassing beauty habits? Plucking. I love to pluck. And popping skin imperfections. It is gross but so satisfying!

9. What is your idea of the perfect date night? When we were dating, my husband and I would have dinner and go for a stroll or vice versa. I would window shop and he would stand by patiently. Then we would go for a drink. I still enjoy it!

10. What motivates you to be your best? Knowing that I deal with 12 year olds ten months of the year makes me want to do the best that I can. I need to keep my word, which is sometimes harder than we realize. I also just always want to do the right thing, which isn’t necessarily easy either.

11. What trends are you into right now? I love peplums and chunky necklaces. I have a peplum dress and it is just the most flattering piece of clothing I own.

Inquiring minds want to know (or my 11 questions):

1) What kinds of blogs, other than the subject you blog about, do you enjoy reading?

2) What song are you loving right now?

3) What is your favorite drugstore beauty buy?

4) Where is your favorite place to shop (grocery, clothing, health & beauty- doesn’t matter!)?

5) Where is one place you have always wanted to visit?

6) What is one beauty trend that you can’t stand?

7) Which is worse: too much perfume/ cologne OR body odor?

8) What is your favorite hair style or product?

9) How much is too much when buying a beauty product?

10) If you could have a super power, what would it be?

11) What is the one item (it can be anything) that you can’t live without?

Tag! You’re it!

Girl in the Glasses

Bliss No. 9

Love Anela

Notorious Beauty Blog

Short & Sweet in Texas

… and go on ahead if you like!

Would You Rather…

(Photo credit: Enokson)

Hey Pretties! It has been a long while since I have done a tag post but I caught this one over at Deb’s blog and I wanted to share!

Tag–Would You Rather: Beauty Edition

1. Would you rather lose all of your mascaras, eyeliners, lipsticks, and lip glosses or lose all of your palettes and eye shadows?

This is a killer. If I had to choose, I would say I’d lose the eye stuff. I can’t live without lipstick or gloss (they can double as eye shadow or highlighter) and if I had some Vaseline, I could gloss up my lashes!

2. Would you rather chop off all your hair or never be able to cut it again?

The beauty of hair- it grows back. I have always said I wanted to shave my head. I really want to see my scalp! (I am so serious.) Since my hair is curly, it is difficult to keep it too short but a chopping might be good.

3. Would you rather have a coral cheek or a pink cheek?

I think pink is more flattering on me. I have natural rosiness anyway.

4. If you had $1000 to spend, would you rather buy clothes or makeup?

Make-up. Hands down. I have too much of both but Brooklyn apartments don’t have enough closet space.

Sephora Store, Briarwood Mall, Ann Arbor Michigan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

5. Would you rather apply lipstick as eyeliner, or eyeliner as lipstick?

Eyeliner as lipstick. Doesn’t anyone remember when dark liner went along with a pale lip? No? You’re lucky.

6. Would you rather only shop at MAC or Sephora?

Sephora- there are way more options.

Lipstick (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

7. Would you rather only use one eye shadow color or one lip color for the rest of your life?

I would say eye color. The lip really can change a face- the rest of the face doesn’t necessarily need a lot of color.

8. Would you rather wear winter clothes in summer or summer clothes in winter?

Summer clothes in winter. Just layer it up!

9. Would you rather have dark nails or bright nails all year round?

Bright! I veer towards bright red as opposed to dark.

10. Would you rather give up your favorite lip product or your favorite eye product?

I don’t have a favorite but I find lip products to be more interchangeable and easier to buy. Lippies it is!

11. Would you rather only be able to wear your hair in a ponytail or a messy bun?

Messy bun- it still looks better.

12. Would your rather never be able to paint your nails again or never use lipgloss?

Paint my nails. They chip anyway.

13. Would you rather shave your eyebrows and have none at all or sharpie them in everyday?

I would rather Sharpie on a mustache.

Sharpie (marker) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

14. Would you rather live without makeup or nail polish?

Nail polish- too much work.

I tag you- yes, you! Have fun! Don’t forget to enter my giveaway! You still have a few days. Click right here to enter!

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

I’m Alive! (Kinda, Sorta) & Confessions of a Beauty Blogger Tag

I went out Friday night with a bunch of my friends, did NOT get obliterated, and ended up with a nasty cold. I was just hoping that being in the 30+ club and drinking several cocktails were the reasons behind feeling like garbage all day yesterday, but by 5 AM when I woke up unable to breathe from my nose, I knew a cold had made it into my body. Since I can’t test any new make-up today (except the jar of Vaseline that I am applying to lips and outside my nose with a Q-Tip), I decided to catch up on my reading and discovered a Confession of a Beauty Blogger Tag on Nicole’s Beauty Blog. She does excellent tutorials, so read her blog! http://niicolea.wordpress.com/

❤ Skincare:

How many times you wash your face daily?
I wash in the morning when I first get up and in the shower at night with a Clarisonic brush. I also remove my eye make-up and wipe down my face with a Simple cleansing cloth when I get home from work.
What skin type do you have?
In the summer I am straight up oily. In the colder months, I am more combination.
What is your current facial wash?
I wash with Cetaphil in the morning and Sebamed in the evening.
Do you exfoliate?
Yes- at least twice a week.
What moisturizer are you using?
I am currently using Tarte’s Marajuca Oil and I love it.
Do you use eye cream?
I love Clinique Repairwear Eye Cream. I think it works the best.
Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
When I was maybe 11-12, I had some skin troubles but now, I usually only deal with blackheads.

❤ Makeup:

Cosmetics (Photo credit: My Sight, as You See.)

What foundation do you use?
In the summer I use Bare Minerals foundation in Medium. I am currently using Missha’s BB Cream in #13.
How about concealer?
I use Rimmel’s Hide the Blemish concealer. I like it because I am prone to a little redness.
Do you know your undertone colour?
Ugh. Sometimes I think I am cool, other times warm.
What do you think of fake eyelashes?
I love the look but not for everyday. I like them for a night out.
What brand of mascara do you use?
I switch it up. I really like Benefit’s They’re Real Mascara.
Sephora or MAC?
I love Sephora and since they carry a lot of different brands, I usually go there. MAC makes great products, too!
Do you have a MAC Pro-card?
No. I’m not  a pro- I just like to play with make-up!
Do you use makeup base/primer for the eyes?
I love, love, love NYX HD Eye Primer. It really is the best I have ever used and very inexpensive.
For the face?
I like Too Faced Poreless Primer. I can even use it alone.
What is your favorite eyeshadow? (colour or shade?)
I tend to use grey or charcoal. I also like other neutrals that have a little bit of shimmer.
Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
I use pencils.
What’s your favorite lipstick?
Sephora’s Rouge Cream is excellent for the price. I love Hot Tango and Sexy Game.
Do you like drugstore makeup?
Yes! There are so many things to try!
Did you ever consider taking makeup classes?
I really should.
Name a makeup crime that you hate?
Dark lip liner with light lipstick. I did that in high school and it needs to go away.
Which celebrity always has great makeup?
I like Emma Stone- always classic.

English: Emma Stone at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you could leave the house using just one makeup item, what would you use?
Mascara because I always carry lip balm and lip balm doesn’t count!
Could you ever leave the house without any makeup?
Yes. I do it quite a bit.
What do you think of makeup? Make-up is a great way to enhance and have fun. I also find that it can have an affect on attitudes.

❤Blogging:
How many hours a week do you spend writing/editing posts?
I try to write at least an hour a day sometimes less. I have a hectic job and lead a very busy life!
When is it easiest for you to blog?
I tend to blog in the evening after dinner.
What makes writing behind the computer comfortable for you?
It’s fast and I can multi-task.
How long does it take for you to prep a post?
Not very long. I usually write cold and have an idea what I am going to do in advance and take my photos before so they are ready.
Who is a blogger that you read who deserves more readers?
I really enjoy LoveYourLipGloss.com- she is a real make-up artist that is funny and honest. I also enjoy a bunch of blogs and you should check my page to see whom I follow!

My bodacious beauty bloggers- I tag YOU! Get to it!

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO
❤

It’s a Christmas Tag!

I picked up this ornament in Hobby Lobby when I was visiting my grandparents in Florida. My grandmother still believes in Santa and she always says that she believes.

Lindz, The Girl in the Glasses, tagged me in a Christmas tag. Lindz writes some great material and since she is an American living in Europe, she gives her readers a great perspective of life and beauty on the other side of the Atlantic. Read her blog http://www.girlintheglasses.com

I love Christmas and was waiting to see if there was a Christmas tag making its way around. To make it easy, I tag all of you! If you’re interested, fill it out!

These were chocolate covered cherries I received as a gift last year. I didn’t want to eat them but I did!

Which holiday do you celebrate? We celebrate Christmas but my husband is also half Jewish, and though we are not religious in any way, shape, or form, I try to buy him a few little Hanukkah gifts. He got me a Hanukkah gift this year- earmuffs with built in headphones, which will be most wonderful as I walk to work.

We have Rhinestone Week at work every year.. This pin was on a friend’s bridesmaid dress. The dress was pretty awful and when she was cleaning out her closet to make donations, my sister swiped the pin for me because of Rhinstone Week. I took this picture on Wednesday and sent it to my friend and sister. They were both in hysterics.

What are you doing for the holidays this year? We are going to Upstate New York to see my hub’s wonderful side of the family the Sunday before Christmas and will come home at some point Christmas Eve. I love that they are also my family now! Christmas day, we are having breakfast at my mom’s and then heading over to my mom-in-law’s for dinner. Then we fly to Vegas that evening!

What’s your favorite holiday drink? I enjoy hot chocolate this time of year. I find I don’t really drink it at any other point, except when I add a teaspoon or two to my espresso.

That is actually a mix of coffee and hot chocolate. Those are gingerbread men marshmallows.

Candy cane or gingerbread men? I love candy canes. As a kid, I would make hot peppermint milk- still do! Sometimes, I stick one in my hot chocolate. This year, I actually didn’t buy candy canes. I never end up eating all of them, so I bought pretty glass candy canes to put on my tree.

Peppermint candy cane on my scanner (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What’s your favorite holiday / Christmas song? Anything sung by Andy Williams. I think I am partial to “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

What’s the weirdest gift you’ve ever received? Last year, I received a wine clock. It is a little clock in a plastic bottle of wine that sits in a golden chariot. I still have no words.

I still don’t know what to think of this.

Have you ever made a snowman? Yes- though they were never Frosty worthy. I’m a Brooklyn kid, we work with what we got!

What is your favorite winter fragrance? Where do I begin? Winter is my favorite time for fragrance because you can do spicy fragrances that are a little heavier: Prada Amber, Prada Candy, Elie Saab, Thierry Mugler Angel with Alien or alone, and I am sure there are more, but I can’ t think of them all! For the home, I love any kind of balsam candle.

What is at the top of your Christmas list? I’m not picky. My hubs and family know what I like- anything make-up, pocketbook related- and the hubs is good at getting me jewelry.

My brother-in-law surprised me with the Honey Badger this past summer. The Honey Badger was going on my list!

What is most important to you about the holidays? Spending time with my family is very important. I love Christmas morning when it is just the hubs and I. We open gifts, make breakfast, and just hang.

This is our tree. That is a mini-sombrero on top. I like to keep things spicy.

Please feel free to tag yourself and enjoy the holiday festivities!

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO