Happy Birthday! and A Giveaway!

EffortlessCool is TWO years old!

Holy wow, time has gone by! But has it? Two years and I’m not sure how I feel. I feel like I should be farther along; not stuck in this rut between dream jobs. I feel like I should have had more iconic wardrobe pieces, more sponsorships and affiliates, more success with this thing. But I guess maybe it’s perceptive, and I’m just feeling this way because of my recent lull in life.

Looking back, I guess this blog HAS come a long way. Back form my first posts just WRITING about fashion-y things, to becoming more of a personal style blog, and even a once-a-week food blog. I started the NYC Fashion Bloggers group and made so many friends, attended many a fashion show and fashion event…

So, I can’t complain. This blog is my baby, and I don’t know what I’d be doing with my life without it!

With that being said, I figured I’d do something nice for all you followers and readers! A giveaway of my favorite items, just for YOU!

Dior “Waterlily” vernis parfume

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper

DiorShow mascara

Garnier Moisture Rescue

this Dior nail polish has been on my nails for WEEKS since I bought my first bottle;  perfect minty spring green!

The eyeliner has been my favorite for YEARS. The pen like shape makes it easy to hold and the brush makes winged tips so easy and effortless! Just be careful to not make mistakes; this eyeliner is meant to STAY where you put it!

DiorShow mascara perfectly separates my lashes and gives them everything they need.

Garnier Moisture Rescue is something I’ve been swearing by since my friend Ashliegh introduced me sometime two years ago. You put it on before or after your make up and it instantly gets rid of flakes!

All products will come brand new and in their original boxes (I took them out for photography purposes) and I may even include a little something extra!

To Enter This Giveaway:

1. Follow me on BlogLovin’

2. Follow me on Twitter

3. Leave a comment with your email address and twitter handle

Simple as that! Giveaway ends in ONE WEEK (Thursday, March 22nd)!

Good luck to all who enter ❤ And thanks for your support !

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!