Gift Guide: 11 Beauty Products for the Blogger on Your List

Welcome to the second installment of my holiday gift guides! I’ve compiled the list of top books for the blogger in your life, and today I’m bringing you my top beauty picks! Again, some I already own and recommend, others are on my own list, and others are just famously wishlist-ed around!
1. Illamasqua Kontrol
With Lourde and the runways making purple an acceptable lip color, this old favorite of mine is finally coming into play! The color is bold, but also just muted enough to not appear too costume-y. It lasts all day as well, what being by a quality make up line.

2. MoroccanOil Conditioner
I LOVE this conditioner; it always leaves my hair irresistibly smooth, no matter how many times I dye, straighten, and harass it. The blogger in your life will LOVE this product.

3. Tokyo Milk Lotion
This is a more recent acquirement of mine, but the Tokyo Milk lotion leaves my hands silky smooth subtly scented, and with no oily or sticky residue. Definitely a quality lotion, and coming in a variety of scents. My favorite is the woodsy “dark excessive” shown here!

4. Birchbox
What blogger wouldn’t love a subscription to the latest samples of beauty products!? No blogger, that’s who. Birchbox delivers a carefully curated box of beauty products to the door each month, chock full of samples to test out and review and play with! Alternatives to this brand include GlossyBox and PopSugar Must Haves!

5. Chance by Chanel
Whilst many bloggers have their own signature scent, few will say no to a spritz of this iconic perfume. With the air of luxury and classic elegance, Chance by Chanel will not disappoint this holiday season.

6. Clarisonic
Though it may be pricey, the Clarisonic facial cleanser is a dreamy wonder. It works like magic to make any skin flawlessly smooth and clear.

7. Eos Lip Trio
Eos lip balms have been on the up and up, and while Chapstick and other brands of lip balm are a classic stocking stuffer, the Eos is a step up. These are a great gift for any stocking you need stuffed!

8. Ciate Caviar Nail Kit
Ciate kills it with nail kits; they’ve done velvet, pearl, and now “caviar”, little embellished balls that great a three dimensional glam look for your nails! A great gift for the DIY nail lover to create envy inducing tips.

9. Aerin Winter Palette
Aerin beauty products, coveted and clean, are to die for. This winter palette has you covered with all that you need to look fresh and ready to party the holidays away!

10. Lash Stash Gift Set
Sephora is always on point with their holiday gift sets; they have perfume sets, brush sets, nail sets, and ofcourse, the lash set. Each comes with a perfect sampling of the year’s hottest products in generous amounts, making this a gift easy on the wallet and pleasing on the eyes (is that a mild pun!?)

11. Naked 3 Palette
Beauty bloggers, and all other ladies and drags interested in make up, have been obsessing over the Naked palette’s for years. I still have my first one around here somewhere; they’re the perfect palette for all things you need for flawless skin for a night out or any other event; that’s the great thing, they’re versatile! Now, just in time for the holidays, Urban Decay has released the latest; the Naked 3 Palette. Currently sold out and extremely coveted, if you can get your hands on one your little blogger would love you forever, of this I am sure!

What do you have on your beauty wishlist!? Would you be excited to receive these products for the holidays?

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It’s True I Crave You

Loving this look I put together for a generic Saturday. Can I just gloat about how fabulous my a$$ looks? BA-donk. Sorry, I’m white and relish every chance I get to feel like I have some junk in the trunk.

Anyway, I’m wearing a new piece of jewelry in my collection! If you haven’t caught on by now, I have a lust for all things aquatic, and this sea horse bracelet is perfect. Eclectic Eccentricity sent it over the Atlantic to me! I love the antiqued gold aesthetic; so rusticly chic. Also, the website offers the bracelet in 3 sizes which means mine is daintily small and perfectly fits my wrist, which is hard to come by in my life thanks to my toddler sized wrists.

DIY Misfits shirt from Hot Topic

Forever21 skirt

NYCLA wedges

H&M ring

Bracelet gifted by Eclectic Eccentricity (buy it here!)

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Dia De Los Muertos

Halloween is probably obviously my favorite time of year, and the past few years it’s gone hand in hand with the Dia De Los Muertoes, the Mexican holiday of the Day of The Dead.

While last Halloween I was a sugar skull for the actual Halloween and costume parties, this year, I did a sugar skull photo shoot early on in October and was fairly “normal” for Halloween festivities, until the actual Day of the Dead.

Make up and Behind the scenes photos by Margot Ruth

Photos by F-1 Photo

So on November 2nd a local bar, Union Pool, was having a little Dia De Los Muertos party and costume contest. I’d left my tu-tu at my mom’s, so I went in just face paint (and my Misfits tee and studded knee jeans and combat boots). I also did Cody’s make up again, so fun!

How was everyone’s Hallo-Weekend? Did YOU do anything fun for the Dia De Los Muertos?

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My Beauty Routine

I know no one has probably ever thought “wow, I wonder how Sahra does her make up”, considering I barely seem to wear any. But that being said, I have clean skin for a reason, and I still wear some quality products, so here’s my ode to those items that make me more comfortable in my own skin. Let’s start off with a picture of my uneven, make up less, face:

I always start with my Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control scrub. Then, with a fresh, dry face, I apply my Bare Escentuals matte foundation.

Disclaimer: I’m aware this shade is not correct for my face. I’m currently in between their lightest shade and this. I spent the money on this one and figured I’d just use it up until my summer skin fades back to their palest shade and then I’ll purchase that one. For now, though, this suffices and doesn’t look as bad in person as it does under the macro setting of my camera lens.

Next, I usually put on some eye shadow from my YSL palette before applying my eyeliner. I use Kat Von D tattoo liner in “trooper” and I swear you can’t get a better liner! The pen-like style makes it easy to handle, and it’s COMPLETELY smudge proof. Seriously, go to Sephora, draw a line on your hand, and then try to swipe it off-it won’t work.

The last step for my eyes, I use this Givenchy extension mascara. I love the subtlety of this mascara, and the round tipped brush is perfect for applying evenly. Lastly, I dab on some of my YSL lip gloss (the stay is long, and though it’s a gloss, it’s not overly sticky or shiny), and some Daisy by Marc Jacobs perfume. I have the bottle, the lotion, and the roller ball for this perfume so I’m never without my signature scent!

and Voila! My basic everyday beauty regimen!

I’m also thinking of doing an upcoming post about all my favorite lip gloss’ and sticks, what do you think? Let me know your thoughts on my beauty routine!

Also, don’t forget to enter my Hallie Friedman Jewelry Giveaway!

Busy Busy!

Hello followers and readers!

I’ve been a busy lady as of late, with sooo many things in the works for this site and my personal life (And dramatics and tragedies as well, sadly). I recently attended an event for Mintbox, which I’ll be sharing more with you soon, but here are a few candid shots from the event, which also included sponsor’s from Arrojo Salon and NARS beauty products!

Pictures via the NY Fashion Bloggers Meetup

I personally didn’t take many pictures, or even quality outfit pictures due to being a good networker and mingler. And, ofcourse, NYC has been morbidly hot so I had sweated off all my make up.

Again, you’ll be hearing more about my Mintbox. In other news, I still take iPhone photos of my daily outfits and share on my Tumblr, here are a few from this week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other (vague) things to keep a look out for on my blog:

Rebecca Minkoff

The New York Grape Vine

Etsy

Laser Cosmetica

Buffalo Jeans

Bergdorf Goodman

EEE so busy but SO excited!

StyleFixx Girls Night Out

Thursday I was invited to attend the StyleFixx Girls Night Out NYC, held at the Metropolitan Pavilion. I was told to bring guests, and I held a giveaway here (the winner was Chavon, hope you had fun girl!) and also brought my roommate, Yanil, Nicole, and Stephanie of the blogging group as well.

I personally loved the cranberry mojitos, and the swag bags were definitely swagger-ific. I loved getting an insight to emerging artists and designers and gathered a few favorites. Like Zack Lo, a shoe designer with styles that go straight to my heart; feathers, studs, spikes, lace, and fringe!

And all these rings and jewelries! How amazing are those cameo rings? They came in an array of sizes from little to statement pieced.

What I Wore:

thrifted black maxi skirt

Target/Mossimo tee

Stein and Blye gifted necklace

Bracelets from…everywhere

Left ring from Forever 21

Right ring from Urban Outfitters

GC studded flats

Oh, and ofcourse the AMAZING Swag Bag which included lots of healthy snacks, vitamins, hairspray, a face masque, lotion, and well, way too much to list!

Rainy Boring Day…

 

My work’s closed this week for “maintenance” (I’m sure everybody has heard about the bed bug epidemic on 5th Ave, right?) and I had nothing to do but walk the dog today. By 6pm I was bored out of my mind and decided to do what I do best when I’m bored; futz around with make up and my hair!

I apologize in advance for the quality of the photos as this was a spur of the moment idea and they were all taken with my iPhone.

I started with my hair; it’s a pin-up/beehive inspired by Prada. I did it with the help of the tutorial that was posted earlier this week on The Fish Tank . That Fritha has wonderful tutorials, I must say.

My hair was difficult; it curls, which is both a blessing and a  curses when trying to tease hair. Mostly it was a curse though when I’d try and brush the front whisps over the teased hive. Also, my lack of hair on my left side of my head made it complicated. I had to force the other half of my hair to cover the entire hive… Next time I will have to keep some pieces out for smoothing.

Contrary to her’s and Prada’s ‘look’ I used a teal leopard printed scarf from Limited Too and tied it around my hair at the end of the process.

Next I decided some nice classy pin-up inspired make up would complete me. I used white shadow by Make Up Forever, my black Maybelline gel eyeliner, Givenchy mascara (the round brush makes for amazing lashes), and a dash of red lipstick to finish me off!
As you can see I’m totally bumming it in a KrushRadio tee shirt and sweatpants but hey! At least I managed to match 😉

 

Anyway, just a few fun pics of this fairly simple yet couture-like look. Be sure to check out Fritha’s tutorial here !

American Pin Up

A few weeks ago I did a photoshoot which was tattooed/pin up themed. I did my own hair and make up, which I’m incredibly proud of. The pictures came out pretty great and I figured I’d share them with you all!

Fubu shrit (my Dad’s)

Forever 21 Bikini bottoms

Jazzberry heels

Skirt is vintage

and my favorite shot; In a Frederick’s of Hollywood bra and daisy duke shorts that I cut up myself:

All images shot by Ed K Photography of Quincy, Massachusetts, shot at Cow VooDoo Tattoo in West Bridgewater. I’ve been really embracing my body shape as of late and utilizing it to play up some pin up looks. I’ll post some of Halloween shortly as well!

Venomous Villains

Disney seems to be doing a lot of high end collaborations lately. First with couture designers like Henry Holland and Cassette Playa, now with MAC cosmetics. Disney and MAC have teamed up to produce ‘Venomous Villains’, a 40 hue line based on four of your favorite Disney bad guys; Cruella De Ville, the Evil Queen, Maleficient, and Dr. Facilier.

According to WWD, Disney gave the MAC genius’ samples of the colors and shades used to create the characters, and the magicians made the magic.Prices will range from $12 to $30, and you’ll be able to find lip gloss, eye shadow, liner, and blush!

But don’t get too excited, this line doesn’t come out until September 2010…all the reason to get excited for back to school season!

I See Red Lips, and I want them Painted Black

Okay, so this title may be a total fail on trying to twist Rolling Stones into something fun. But more importantly, BLACK LIPS!?

Black lips are a must for any hardcore punk rocker, but now they’re becoming more common on just the fashionably conscious. They’ve shown up on runways and in clubs (trust me, I just saw some blonde with black lips in a black mini last night). I’ve actually taken a good month or so to research this topic and was truly waiting on one more piece, but it’s virtually impossible to find, but the post must go on.

Normally, you go to Target or CVS or Duane Reade for your generic lipstick shade. Sadly, you’ll have a difficult time trying to find black unless it’s October. Which, in that month you can find a fabulously cheap ($4!) tube of Wet n Wild or CoverGirl black lipstick. So where to go during the other 11 months? First stop, my favorite make-up store, Sephora! As for lines, it depends on what you’re looking for.

Urban Decay offers a black lipstick for $22. It’s a very creamy like lipstick, pretty matte, but the downside to why I personally don’t like it is that it’s infused with glitter. Not my cup of tea when you’re going for a mature, refined dark look.

Illamasqua is my favorite “cheap and chic” brand for black lipstick. I put that in quotations because at $20, it’s not that cheap, but it’s the cheapest you will find black lipstick before. I personally own this one. I love the beautiful matte look and how easily it goes on. Sadly, it tends to come off easily too, especially on the inner, moistest parts of your lips. I also prefer to wear this with a sheer gloss over it to add some shine.

Moving on and up; YSL recently released a Limited Edition black lip gloss. THIS is what I was waiting for, but sadly, it was so limited edition even I wasn’t able to track a tube of it down! From what I hear, it was a semi sheer black top coat to add a dark tone to whatever base color you were using…I feel it would have been a perfect match for my Illamasqua, but alas. We can’t always get what we want.

If you don’t care about it actually being a lipstick, but prefer something that looks perfect, I suggest Make Up Forever Flash Color. They offer little cases of about 10 shades of make up that is multi purpose. I have their silver, and it can be used on eyes, lips, skin, and body! It’s quite lasting in darker shades such as black, but you’ll need a lipstick brush to use it. Good thing the make up itself is only $18.

Though not available at Sephora but speaking of extremely high end, the only other brand I’ve noticed to make quality, year round black lipstick is Chanel. For $28 you get perfect coverage and lastability. Where to get this? I tried it out at Bloomingdale’s, but Neiman Marcus and select Nordstrom’s sell the line.

MAC also has an amazing black lipstick, but I feel it’s too “sticky”. You definitely need to use a lip brush to apply it, instead of just rolling it on. It’s also $30, not so easy on the wallet, for a small tube of it.

Okay, now for budget diva’s; we’re talking about black make up, so where else to shop but Hot Topic. Manic Panic, the Hot Topic make up brand, offers a “raven black” lipstick for $8…Personally, it doesn’t stay on thick enough so it leaves your lips looking like they have a black over-sheen. But hey, if you’re not ready for a patent black look, go for it!

How to wear this fabulous lipstick look without looking like a creepy ghost/goth/emo kid? I suggest pairing it with sultry, darkened eyes and an all black, but CHIC outfit. You don’t want to pair it with anything black, as that would give off the wrong look of wearing it for the emo purposes. By wearing it with something very trendy, you show that you’re wearing it for the style.