Standouts of 2012

What's more appropriate than ending 2012 with a list of standouts for the year.  I've been a slacker when it comes to posting my favorite products lately, but I think highlighting my overall favorites for the year will make up for lost time.  This is going to be a long one, so make yourself comfortable.


Chanel Perfection Lumiere: After much consideration, I'd have to say Chanel has come on top when it comes to their liquid foundations for 2012.  Although I have to say I do love the Aqua Lumiere, Perfection Lumiere just has that extra bit of coverage that I like.  It's natural finish and silky texture just works perfectly for that flawless look.  But my hunt for the perfect liquid foundation will not stop here in 2012, I will definitely be expanding and experimenting with more luxurious bands in 2013 and report back to you.  Let's see how Chanel holds up to Burberry and YSL.

NARS Pro-Prime: With a great foundation comes with the need for a great face primer (for anyone with combination or oily skin).  You definitely want your foundation to last if you're planning on a long day.  NARS Pro-Prime does the job well, and because of it's gel like texture it's absorbed quickly and feels unnoticeable, making it a great base for any foundation.



MAC Studio Finish Concealer: For me, MAC's Studio Finish Concealer is the perfect spot concealer on the market (within a decent price range).  I'm comfortable with sticking to the Studio Finish Concealer as long as it's still available.  It's extremely creamy and, with worked with the warmth of your fingers, does the job of concealing any noticeable spot.  But definitely don't confuse it as a great under eye concealer, because it will be too heavy for that spot.


Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Under Eye Concealer: This is my go to under eye concealer and color corrector. It does a two in one job of concealing dark circles along with brightening up the under eye area for that more awake look you might need every morning.  Perfect light formula doesn't seep into find lines and with that price
you can't beat it. I also love the easy on the go packaging, making it perfect for easy application.



Lancome Effacernes Under Eye Concealer: When I am looking for that more airbrushed look, I will definitely reach for my Lancome under eye concealer.  It's perfect for photography and those special evening looks that require extra coverage.  And because it's water resistant, it's a must have for any bride to be on their special day.

Chanel Double Perfection Natural Matte Powder: After spending most of 2012 searching for the perfect face powder for me, I've thus far been quite impressed with the Chanel Double Perfection Powder.  It's a great, natural setting powder over any liquid foundation (with a great smooth and velvety texture), but also is pigmented enough to wear on it's own.  On my lazy days, I'll usually be happy with a little bit of concealer and just buffing this powder all over for that easy going look.  Although I think I'll extend my search for that perfect powder in 2013, if I come up empty handed I will be happy sticking with Chanel.

Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Luminous Bronzing Powder: This was definitely one of my impulse buys from Chanel that I have no regrets about.  I thought the color and finish was absolutely beautiful, and after the make up artist had applied it on my face I already had them ringing it up at the counter.  Although it's probably not a must have for everyone, anyone's that just a big make up love (like myself) will find it a necessity for achieving that more healthy looking skin.

MAC Lush Light Careblend Bronzer: When it comes to powdered bronzers, for me it's important to sticking to natural and matte powders.  There are so many in the market that's it's hard to keep up with them all or find the right one for yourself.  For me, out of all of the ones I have in my collection I have been reaching for MAC's Lush Light Careblend Bronzer most often in 2012.  It's natural, matte, and does a great job with sculpting and contouring without looking muddy against my skin tone.


Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronze Universal: Can't live without bronzing or contouring? This is a must have for any make up user.  At first I didn't understand the hype about the product, but once I had my hands on it I fell in love.  Easily create a natural contour by sculpting with the Chanel Bronze Universal, or use lightly all over the face for that sun kissed glow all year round.  Feels absolutely light and natural on the skin, and definitely doesn't give that Oompa Loompa finish. Just make sure you're using a light hand a a nice synthetic brush.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush - Exposed: I have definitely been enjoying the more natural toned blushes more this year, and the standout for 2012 has to be Exposed.  It's the perfect natural blush with hat slight bit of pink, making it perfect for a hint of color and also works as a contour.  Overall, the Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush line is a standout for it's beautiful color selections, smooth texture, and long wearing finish.

Laura Mercier Eye Basics: For my oily lids, Laura Mercier Eye Basics eye primer does the job at really making the shadows stick and stay in place all day long (I'm talking about 6-10 hour days).  I never have to worry about touching up or fixing any creases, making my day a little bit easier.  What's also great is that the texture is so lightweight and just blends onto the lids like butter.  Now if only that would improve on their packaging (it's quite hard to get all of the product out when your down to your last bit).


Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette: What can I say other than it's the perfect travel and go to palette for me.  I know it's been hyped up and raved about so much, but for good reason.  I do enjoy the original Naked palette, but I find myself reaching for the Naked 2 palette more so for the taupes and cooler neutrals in their shadows.  It's an easy to reach for palette that just has everything I need for a basic every day look to a smokey, sultry evening look.


Maybelline Color Tattoo - Bad to the Bronze: Cream shadows have definitely made a huge splash in 2012, but the standout for me has to be the Maybelline Color Tattoo line.  Yes Chanel, MAC, and Giorgio Armani make amazing cream shadows, the Maybelline Color Tattoo line comes pretty freaking close for a quarter of the price.  Bad to the Bronze is just my favorite everyday color if I just want an easy wash of color all over the lids.  What's even better is that it can be worn alone (without being set with an eyeshadow), so it's an easy one step look.

Lancome Le Crayon Khol & MAC Technakhol Liner: One of my favorite looks for most of the year has been just a smudged liner look.  And for that you need a nice creamy khol liner that smudges well but sets in place so you don't get that raccoon look by the end of the night.  There are so many liners in the market that I have not tried, so I can't say these two are any more amazing than the others available, but I can say that they get the job done.  Creamy enough to smudge out and create that more smokey look, but also long lasting enough to not transfer or smudge once it sets.


L'Oreal Lineur Intense: Blackest black liquid liner, smooth, long-lasting, and affordable. Should I say anymore? It's definitely the best drugstore liquid liner on the market (in my opinion), which is not a surprise because L'Oreal and Lancome are the same company.  So the Lineur Intense Liner is definitely a great drugstore dupe for the Lancome Art Liner.



Chanel Rouge Coco Shine - Boy: I am a sucker for any lipstick with that added shine (makes skipping gloss a lot easier).  My lips tend to be dry, so the Rouge Coco Shine line works perfect for me.  Along with a beautiful color line, I've never tried any line of lipstick that is so moisturizer without feeling too thick or creamy.  Definitely the perfect lipstick with color, only giving that more balmy finish.  And Boy has definitely been my go to shade for the season, the perfect natural pink appropriate for any look and occasion.  It's definitely one of those colors that you apply straight from the tube without a mirror.


Dior Addict Ultra Gloss - Sari Pink: I am definitely a gloss girl.  If I can skip it, I will (and that's usually 90% of the time).  That's only because I hate the feeling of a sticky gloss on my lips.  But after discovering Dior's Addict Ultra Gloss (thanks to Ingrid) I think I'll definitely be giving gloss a second chance in 2013.  I am absolutely in love with the texture and color of Sari Pink.  It pairs well with most of my lipsticks and just gives me that added shine without the tackiness like other glosses.  So for those days where I am feeling like a girly girl, this is my go to gloss.


I hope you're hanging on with my so far! I've got a few more skin care & hair care products to mention before wrapping this all up!




Lancome Bi-Facial Eye Make Up Remover: Removes all traces of eye liner, mascara, and shadows in just one swipe with a cotton pad.  It's very gentle and just does the job so well.


DDF  Glycolic 5% Exfoliating Wash: Thanks to Raeview, I was able to discover this cleansing treatment wash some time around November.  And although I've only started using it close to the end of 2012, I have to say that when compared to all of the other treatment cleansers I've tried, the DDF is definitely a standout.  My skin hasn't looked so healthy and clear, and even with it being a treatment cleanser, it's not drying or harsh on my skin.  When paired with my Clarisonic, it makes the best wash to really purify the skin after a long day.

Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish: A facial scrub is a must for me.  It's one of those spa like treatments you can achieve at home for about a quarter of the cost.  But instead of making my own facial scrub from things I have around the house, I do prefer the Laura Mercier Facial Polish.  It's an amazing facial scrub that really works at removing any dead skin and underlying dirt on your skin.  Definitely leaves my skin feeling rejuvenating and soft.  I always look forward for that time of the week where I get to give me face a scrub with this (sometimes it's twice a week!).  Do avoid overusing any sort of scrub on your skin though, you don't want to over strip your skin.

Chanel Hydracreme & Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Sleeping Facial: Moisturizing is key for soft and supple skin.  I definitely learned that the hard way after experiencing months of flakiness and dry patches.  So I definitely make it a point to moisturize with a hydrating gel in the morning, and a thicker cream at night.  The Chanel Hydracreme is a moisturizing gel that just absorbs into my skin amazingly.  I love that it's so lightweight (making it perfect for mornings), but still gives me a result of a thicker cream.  And then the Korres Wild Rose Sleeping Facial is a great treatment moisturizer that works deep into your skin while your resting throughout the night.  The added Vitamin C works as a brightening agent that gives you that glow in the morning, leaving your skin less dull and more awakened. I have to say that these two have might be my holy grail moisturizers for 2012.

Kerastase Nectar Thermique & Cristalliste Serum: Best pairing I've ever exposed my hair to.  For softer, smoother hair, I've learned to protect and nourish my hair for that just out of the salon look.  For days I plan on exposing any heat to my hair, I make sure to massage in the Nectar Thermique.  It works as both a heat protecting and smoothing lotion.  And for all of the other days, I just massage in the Cristalliste Serum for that healthy shine.  It smooths out and hydrates my hair while being extremely weightless.


Well I hope that wasn't too exhausting for all of you!

Thank you for being with me for 2012. I had such a great time sharing my thoughts on all sorts of products with you all, and I hope to be even more creative in the upcoming year.  See you all in 2013!

xoxo,

Eve

ANNOUNCEMENT: Holiday Giveaway Winner!!!

Hey everyone! I hope everyone enjoyed their Holidays with friends and family, enjoying great company and lots of delicious food!  Now that Christmas is officially over, and we're heading into the new year, my Holiday Giveaway has ended and I am ready to announce the winner.  I would like to thank everyone who entered, and also thank all of my readers for their continued support! So without further ado, the winner is....

Marie Lisa Tran!!!

You can check out her awesome blog here: http://www.luuux.com/members/JadoreMarieLisa


The winner has been contacted and she has 72 hours to claim her prize (or else I will randomly choose another winner).

Thank you so much to everyone that entered and again thank you for all of your support during 2012.  I look forward to sharing more fun posts in the coming new year.

xoxo,

Eve

Lancome Visionnaire

One of the most innovative skin care lines has to be Lancome.  Although I love their makeup collections, when it comes to their skin repairing serums, they have most brands beat.  A few years ago, they had released the most about raved serum during that time, Genifique.  I was definitely a fan of the results of Genifique, but after finishing off my bottle I definitely wanted to try their newer, and highly talked about serum, Visionnaire.

Genifique is a Youth Activating Concentrate, working to bring back that moisture and softness to the skin, whereas Visionnaire is Lancome's "1st advanced skin corrector." Along with improving the texture of the skin, Visionnaire is formulated to re-create and restore your complexion.

The results? Diminishing the appearance of pores and wrinkles, along with any imperfections such as acne and sun damage.

Although Genifique worked well for me, my expectations for Visionnaire was to rid my skin of any acne marks, along with minimizing the appearance of my pores and smoothing out my skin texture.  One week after purchasing Lancome's Visionaaire, I couldn't have been happier with the progress of my skin.  After regular use for a continuous week, I definitely saw the size of my pores shrinking, and my skin has been incredibly soft to the touch.  After continuous use for 3 weeks, I can see an improvement on any dark spots from old acne marks around my cheeks and chin area.

My new lazy day routine: I can now just start my day with just Visionnaire along with a good morning moisturizer (with UV protection) and head out the door.

Does not matter if you are in your later 40-50's, or if you are in your mid 20's, Visionnaire will work for you.  Use it to repair any existing damage from years of sun exposure and wrinkles to reveal a younger complexion, or get ahead of the game and slow down any signs of aging and prevent dark spots and damage from creeping up on you.

Visionnaire definitely works incredibly as a quick skin corrector.  You can use it as a night time treatment, or apply before your foundation in the morning.  It works as a great make up base, providing that smooth canvas for your make up.

You have to understand that Visionaire is not a cleanser, so remember apply the serum after washing your face with your favorite cleanser and toner.  But be cautious, this product is a must have for every day skin care.  Stop continuous use and you will miss your beautiful and healthy skin.

xoxo,

Eve

Clinique Whole Lotta Colour Set

The Clinique Chubby Sticks really made a splash in the beauty community when they were first released.  Although they were not the first to have the concept of an all over lip pencil, their Chubby Sticks stood out because of it being more of a balm than a lipstick in pencil form.

Colored lip balms and moisturizers have really been a hit in 2012, from Revlon Lip Butters to the Maybelline Baby Lips.  The concept of a colored lip balm was basically for convenience; easily add a splash of color and burst of moisture onto your lips without the work that most lipsticks require (i.e. mirror or lip pencil).  

I decided to pick up this Clinique Whole Lotta Colour Set, which contains five travel sized Chubby Sticks, to try out because you can test out five different shades for a great price.  The Clinique Chubby Sticks definitely work as a moisturizing balm with that slight hint of color and shine.  Packaged in a convenient. and travel friendly twist up pencil, you can easily swipe these across your lips for that extra boost to your lips.

Super Strawberry, Oversized Orange, Curvy Candy, Richer Raisin, Chunky Cherry

I love the colors in the set and thought that the concept was very cool and practical for that on the go person, but overall I can't say that I was really amazed by the product after having some time to play around with them.  The colors are beautiful and aside from Oversized Orange, all of the shade were very moisturizing and applied very smoothly.  Oversized Orange has micro shimmers in it where it feels very grainy and just not all that great on the lips.  Whereas all of the other shades have more of a creamy texture.  Altogether the colors all of that great shine, which looks great, but do not expect much from the pigmentation.  Unless your lips are naturally less pigmented, these Chubby sticks only provide you with a slight hint of color when layered on your lips.  Because Clinique does advertised these as more of a colored lip balm, I am not disappointed with the purchase because I knew what I was getting into.  Lip balms are formulated to add more moisture and shine, not for that intense color.  

I was less amazed with the product itself because I definitely do not believe the individual Chubby Sticks are worth that $16 price tag that goes along with it.  It's just a simple colored lip balm that's fun to have available in your bag.  If you would like to try these Clinique Chubby Sticks I definitely think going for this Clinique Whole Lotta Colour Set is a better option because for the price of two full sized Chubby Sticks, you get five deluxe travel sized shades to play around with.  But for $16 a pop, oyu can definitely get more for your money from other brands.

Another option I would have to recommend for anyone out there that wants to try something with the same concept for half of the price are the Revlon Just Bitten Lip Balms.  I have not tried these myself, but Revlon lip products are one of the more popular ones available that I cannot imagine them being any different than the Clinique Chubby Sticks.  They are packaged very similarly, and the shade range offered is amazing.  If you are looking for the same convenience, a colored all over the lip pencil, but want more color, the NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencils definitely provide more pop of color with shine.

xoxo,

Eve

Origins Active Charcoal Mask

I have to say I can't get enough of facial masks.  I find it very therapeutic to just come home after a long day and treat myself to a nice facial.  Why dish out tons of money at the spa when you can have one in the comfort of your home?

There are a lot of types of masks in the skincare industry.  To find the right one that works for your skin type, you have to narrow down what you're looking for (treatment, cleansing, soothing, etc.).  After narrowing down what your skin care "goals" are, you can start to research the different brands that interest you.

For myself, I am not particular about all natural products when it comes to cleansers or moisturizers as long as they work well for me.  There are a lot of brands there that focus on sulfate and paraben free products, which are great, but it's not a huge deal for me to eliminate all of those brands from my skincare routine.  However, when it comes to facial masks, I have to say that I am more drawn to the products consisting of more natural, organic ingredients.  Because I like to use masks for deep cleansing, I'd like to make sure the ingredients I am exposing my skin to are more soothing and gentle.

The mask that I am loving at the moment is the Origins Active Charcoal Mask, formulated with active charcoal to really clear the pores of any environmental toxins and makeup residue.

"Activated Charcoal acts like a magnet to draw out deep dwelling pore cloggers, White China Clay absorbs environmental toxins, Lecithin dissolves impurities." - Orgins

Treat your skin to this clay-like mask all over your face once or twice a week for that deep cleansing to rid your pores of any debris.

I absolutely love how soft and and supple the mask leaves my skin feeling.  And because the ingredients are natural, it doesn't leave my skin dry or irritated.  I simply apply a thin layer all over my face and allow it to dry like clay, and use a warm towel to remove the mask, along with any trace of dirt.

xoxo,

Eve

Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Brightening Sleeping Facial

As a part of my skin care kick for the season, one of the products I have been wanting to try for about a year now is the Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Brightening Sleeping Facial.  I have heard a lot of great reviews on the product, and with my annoyingly dry skin during the Winter, I thought that it would be a good opportunity to test it out.

The Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Brightening Sleeping Facial is a night time moisturizer that claims to also work as a facial treatment, evening the skintone and improving complexion.  Formulated with Vitamin C, when applied before bedtime, the cream works as a brightening agent, diminishing any dark spots and bringing more life into your complexion for that radiant look.  Even though it is a night time cream, the Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Brightening Sleeping Facial has a lightweight, silky texture that just absorbs into the skin.  As the skin absorbs the product overnight, it works to retexturize the skin, giving you skin soft tot he touch.

I have to say that I am loving the Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Brightening Sleeping Facial as a night time cream.  My skin has never felt softer, and I do see a bit of a change in the texture and tone in my skin.  After applying the cream overnight, my skin doesn't look as tired or dull, so I can walk out of the house the next morning without any make up and feel comfortable.

As for the claims of evening out the skin tone, I have to say that if you have larger dark spots from acne or sun exposure, the cream alone will not diminish the appearances of them.  The cream is more of a pick me up for the skin.  Even though it does make my skin look and feel a lot healthier, for the major dark spots you should pair this cream with a serum.

One thing a lot of people mentioned about the product that they did not like was the scent. Yes, it does have a strong rose scent that lingers for a little bit after application.  The Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Brightening Sleeping Facial does contain Wild Rose Oil, which works to repair fine lines, softening and moisturizing the skin.  So although I can go without the scent, I am not bothered by it so much.  I just make sure to apply it about an hour before going to bed, allowing the scent to fade.

Overall, I would recommend this to anyone looking to really provide that added moisture boost to the skin.

xoxo,

Eve

Victoria's Secret Haul

I have been meaning to replace all of my older bras for a while now, and with the last promotion Victoria's Secret was having, I decided to take that opportunity to stock up on some new bras.  I believe all of my older bras have been 5+ years old, and because I have not really been careful with washing them, they have definitely been worn and washed out to the point where they are a bit uncomfortable to wear.

So, while Victoria's Secret was having there Buy One Get One 50% Off sale, I decided to use that time to pick up some great basic bras, along with a few sexy ones for those special occasions.  I have only owned one bra from Victoria's Secret, because of their steep price I usually go to Target or TJ Maxx to look for more affordable options.  However, after receiving all of these in the mail, I can kind of see why they are priced as they are.  All of them are extremely comfortable (even the push-ups) and feel extremely soft and smooth.

I know it looks like I went a little overboard with the amount that I picked up, but I couldn't resist the deal.  Add in the few VS gift cards I had received and a coupon for $50 off, I think I got a pretty good deal on all of these.  I have tossed away all of my older bras that are too worn to be comfortable anymore, and these should last me a long while  (if washed properly).

Definitely am loving their line of bras, especially the sexy styles.  I know they are meant to be worn underneath your clothes, so no one can see what they look like, but it does make me feel a bit more special to go a little sexy with bra choices once in a while.

xoxo,

Eve

Holiday Naughty List

It's still not too late to get your Holiday wish list together as a guide for all of your friends and family.  For all of the good girls out there, I decided to create a 'Naughty List' as a guide.  It's completed with some of my beauty must haves for the year from the more luxurious brands (thus making them more or a splurge).

- Bobbi Brown Extreme Party Eye Palette
- YSL Pure Chromatics Eye Shadow Palette
- Laura Mercier Colour To Go Palette
- BareMinerals The Star Treatment Set
- GHD Straightener
- YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain
- YSL Blush Radiance
- Dior Addict Ultra Gloss
- Dior Diorskin Nude Tan Powder
- Origins Skincare Must Haves
- Clarisonic Mia 2
- Lancome Visionaire
- Ciate Mini Mani Set

These are some of the products that I have been loving (or eyeing) from the most coveted counters this season.  Just as I mentioned in my 'Stocking Stuffers' post, I love giving, and receiving, palettes and kits as gifts.  They come out to a better price and you are getting more than what you would pay for a single item.  So if you're searching for a beauty gift for that special friend or family member, keep an eye out for all of those Holiday palettes and sets available this time around.  One of my favorite places that I would recommend to anyone looking for great beauty sets is Nordstrom.  They have an amazing beauty section (which is always stocked) that is so much fun to walk around.

Yes, these are definitely on the more expensive side, but it's alright to have one or two more extravagant items on your wish list from time to time.  You don't have to expect one person to splurge so much on you for the season.  I usually like to get together with a friend (or two) and share a big gift for one of our mutual friends.  I find that getting together with someone and together splurge on a gift for someone is much better than getting something that is half the price that she might not like as much.

So use this as a guide for yourself, or pick out something for a friend!

Happy Gifting!

xoxo,

Eve

Stocking Stuffers For Any Beauty Lover

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year.  With all fo the Holiday parties and decoration, it really gets everyone in that Christmas mood.  However, with Christmas comes A LOT of shopping for gifts.  I absolutely love picking out gifts for my friends and family, but when you add everyone up, it could be quite a long list.  So one of my favorite ways to get great gifts, but save a little is to pick up cute and affordable stocking stuffers and put one or two items in it.  Kind of like a holiday gift bag.

So for the beauty lovers in my family members and friends, the best place I found for great sticking stuffer picks at reasonable prices was of course Sephora.  They definitely did a great job of filling their shop with a whole variety of Holiday sets for any girl.

1. Nails Inc. Autumn Winter Collection

2. Sephora by OPI Tinsel Town Set

3. Tarte Eye-Catchers Set

4. Soap & Glory The Best Things In Life Are Three

5. Tarte The Stand Outs Kit

6. Philosophy Purity Made Simple (Travel Size)

7. Stila Eye Shadow Trio

8. Sephora Favorites Lash Stash Kit

9. L'Occitane Hand Indulgences Set

10. Chloe Miniature Duo

One of my favorite things to do is to walk down the travel section of Sephora (and Ulta) and pick up a few of my favorite items in the smaller sizes to share with my friends.  It's an inexpensive way to put together a gift for certain friends.  The value sets are always an awesome way to make the gift a little more special, while still not breaking the bank.  You definitely get more bang for your buck with these value sets, since they are usually filled with more items for less money.

You definitely can save a lot more by going for more drugstore products.  Whichever items you enjoy using yourself from the drugstore, you can pick out for your friends.  

Pack it all up in a cute Christmas Stocking, add a little tissue paper to top it all off, and voila a specially packaged gift for a good friend.

Happy Gifting!

xoxo,

Eve

Nordstrom Haul

I had received a bunch of Nordstrom gift cards for my birthday last month, and along with that had built up a number of Nordstrom Rewards Cash, so I decided to pick up a few basics and a few gifts on during my last visit there.

They were having a huge beauty event last weekend at my local Nordstrom, where every makeup counter had their professional makeup artists to apply makeup for free.  They also had their brand specialists there to provide any extra help and give their professional input on the brand and their products.  What was even better was that they were also serving Mimosas to everyone! It couldn't have been a better day.

So I stopped by to visit a friend at the Chanel counter, and while I was there I got a little makeup applied by one of their best artists.  After that I picked up a new foundation, since my Summer tan is completely gone I definitely needed to rematch my foundation color to my Winter skin tone.  I also decided to pick up a few gifts at the Chanel and other counters while I was there, just to get a little of my Holiday shopping done while I had the time (and money).

I picked up the following:
- Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation
- Chanel Coco Mademoiselle
- Chanel Hydra Beauty Creme
- Chanel Patent Cosmetic Bag (which was a free gift with purchase filled with samples!)
- MAC Fix Plus
- Nordstrom On The Go Manicure Kit

Definitely glad I had all of those giftcards and coupons to spend, because I definitely would not have been able to pick up some of these gifts.

I have already done a review on the Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation, and seeing that this is a repurchase you can probably assume that I am really enjoying it.  As for the other products I can probably only review the manicure kit because everything else will be going to other people.


xoxo,

Eve

BCBGMAXAZRIA Simone Power Skirts

Last month, one of my good friends had given me a BCBGMAXAZRIA Simone Power Skirt (in a brighter pink shade) as a gift, and because I loved the construction and look of it so much I decided to pick up two more of the skirts during their Black Friday promotion.

The Simone Power Skirts are textured, giving them a more modern construction, and the design overall definitely creates a more chic and sophisticated look.  It is a body-conscious style skirt, so it is more fitted, however, because of the quality, the skirt gives a smooth look (no unsightly lumps or bumps).  These skirts definitely give a girl that added edge, and will give the "I'm Confident" impression.

I decided to pick up two colors, Red for the Holidays and Navy as just a basic that was different than black (since I have too many black skirts already).  I love pairing these skirts with just a basic, more loose fitted top for that effortless, chic style.  Toss on a blazer and you'll definitely finish off that powerful look that will have all eyes on you.

I'm so glad I was able to pick up a few more of these on promo, because they are definitely more of a splurge.  There are more affordable alternatives; so many stores are selling these body-conscious style skirts in numerous colors and textures that you'll be able to pick up one that suits your style and price range easily.

xoxo,

Eve

HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY! (CLOSED)

Because of all of the Holiday Cheer going on, I've decided to host a little Holiday Giveaway to all of my followers.  I was inspired to do a giveaway during the Sephora VIB event.  When only the VIB members were given an opportunity to receive the special promotion, I thought it was a little unfair and decided to pick up a few goodies for one of my followers.

Sephora was (and still is) stocked with so many great value sets this season, so I picked out three of them to share.  These make great individual gifts to family and friends, and are compact enough to work as stocking stuffers for any beauty lover.

I picked up two little kits from Tarte, which is a brand that I have been more and more impressed with this year.

- Tarte The Stand Out Limited Edition Best Sellers Kit

- Tarte Eye-ssentials Amazonian Clay Discovery Kit

The last kit is definitely for any lip lover.  Pucker up for the Holidays!

- Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Lip Set

With that being said, here are the rules to enter.

RULES:

1. Must be a follower of mine here on Blogspot (you can follow me by clicking on the follow button on the top left hand side).

2. Must be a follower and friend of mine on Luuux.com (My Luuux Page)

3. Must leave ONE comment on THIS POST.  You can comment/ask anything you'd like.

4. Must re-post this on either your blog, luuux, tumblr, etc. (LEAVE THE LINK TO YOUR RE-POST IN THE COMMENTS ALONG WITH YOUR COMMENT).

5. Must be 18 or older (or have your parents permission to provide me your mailing address).

This giveaway is open to BOTH International and U.S./Canada residents and will last until the end of the month (ENDING ON TUESDAY, DEC 25th). I know this set will not get to you after the Holidays, but I hope to get it to the winner by the new year.

Good Luck!!!

FTC: This is not a sponsored giveaway.  I am not getting paid or receiving anything for hosting this giveaway, and everything was purchased with my own money.

xoxo,

Eve

The season of giving, BCBGMAXAZRIA STYLE!

I love shoes, and because of that, I always want to share my love for them with my closest friends.  So when I found out BCBGMAXAZRIA was having a great promotion for the Black Friday frenzy, it was one of the main places I wanted to visit.

They were having a great promotion on their shoe selections, where a lot of them were marked down, along with another discount on top of that! It was definitely a great opportunity to pick up these two pairs for two of my closest friends (who also have the great appreciation for shoes).

The first pair I picked up is definitely a glamorous pair made just for the Holidays.  It's the Prish Rhinestone Pump that has just enough sparkle and shine for the festive season.  Pair it with a pair of skinny jeans to really make the shoes pop, or sexy dress for the Holidays.  I love the rhinestone embellishments on the shoes, which is definitely well made, and the metallic heel gives it a really trendy touch.

The second pair is more of a trendy style that I know she will love! The Laleh Cutout Bootie is definitely a bolder, more edgy style that works perfectly for the season.  The cutout detailing is more moderna and chic, and the mixture of both leather and suede works so well.  Again, the heel is a metallic finish, with more of a rose gold finish.  And the buckle closure at the ankle makes the fit great.

I have already sent these off and my friends have already received their gifts (early I know).  Luckily they both enjoyed my picks and hopefully they can enjoy them during their Holiday celebrations!

xoxo,

Eve