ASOS.COM

Asos.com is a website I have been looking over for almost a year now, adding their clothes to my wish list, but never dove in and made any purchases, until now.  Asos.com is an online fashion retailer that is known globally.  They carry many brands and high end designer clothes that can be found in the European fashion market, trendy fashion pieces for almost all ages.

It's taken me so long to finally make a purchase from them because they are an online retailer.  Even though they have a great return policy (free returns), I did not want to waste any time ordering items I was unsure of and end up returning them.  So instead, I spent the last year really getting to know my own style and the shapes and designs that I like in clothes.  That way, when I was ready to finally order, I would have a better idea of what would work with my body type and what wouldn't just by looking at it.

What I absolutely love about the website is that they have hundreds and hundreds of items on sale there, and they are so well organized.  Even though they carry so many items, it's not overwhelming to shop.  I also love that they include a lot of detail about the items, making it easier to decide on the quality of the piece, and all of the pictures.  The clothing items also have a video included in the description, allowing you to see a model walking on a runway wearing the clothing item.  I love the video because it allows you to really see how the piece looks in real life, instead of just a picture.

I also love that Asos.com carries styles that cannot be found in most stores in the U.S., making the piece more unique when worn here.

The one thing I would recommend when ordering online anywhere is to really know your size.  Go shopping in stores and try on various types of clothes in different materials and see if your size changes between clothing items.  Pay attention to what the piece of clothing is made of, and then determine if you should order something true to size, or a size up or down.  Sizes can vary depending on clothing and designer, so really knowing what something is made of helps.

This was my first Asos.com order, and it was a big one (because of the sale they were having, and always seem to have), but there is not one thing that I want or need to return.  I definitely looked through all of the different items carefully before making the decision to purchase, and definitely have no regrets.

Maybe I will post a few pictures of the individual items that I purchased, and show you how I would put the looks together (once I get over my camera shyness).

Can't wait until my next order!

xoxo,

Eve

Dr. Brandt Time Arrest Eye Set

After going through, and researching a number of skin care brands this year, I have discovered that one of my favorite brands out of my list is Dr. Brandt.  Although there are a few Dr. Brandt products out there that I do not recommend, there are a few products from the skin care line that are notorious for being phenomenal.

However, Dr. Brandt products are not known for being incredibly affordable.  So when I saw that they were having a Dr. Brandt sale on Hautelook.com, I decided to take a look and see what I can save on.  I don't really have issues with discolored, or puffy under eyes, so my Origins GinZing eye cream is working just fine for me (and I will be sticking with that for a while).  But because my mom is older and she is showing the finer lines I decided to get the set for her to try.

The Dr. Brandt Time Arrest Eye Set includes two items:

- Time Arrest Eye Serum: Tightens the skin around the eye area, improving the texture and density of the skin.  Protecting the sensitive area from de-hydration, bringing moisture back to the skin.

- Time Arrest Cream: Improve elasticity and prevents any sagging of the skin under the eyes.  Providing that nice lift and again providing that moisture needed to keep the skin feeling healthy.

I was mainly interested about the kit because of the serum included.  I have never thought about having my mom use a serum underneath the eyes since we've only heard about eye creams.  So I am hoping she will like the kit and I'll definitely keep you all updated on how she likes the products and if she notices any difference on her under eyes.

xoxo,

Eve

Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish

I have always been a fan of face exfoliators, but finding the right one has definitely been a mission for me.  I have dedicated 2012 to skin care, really getting into the higher end and drugstore brands and finding products that really make my skin feel healthy and rejuvenated.  Because I have been trying to get my hands on a lot of brands to try out, the process can get a bit expensive.  So the key for me has been looking for sample/travel size skin care products to try without breaking the bank.

One of the products I have been testing out for this month is the Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish, which basically works as an exfoliator.  I received this sample size a few months ago, and finally decide to give it a try because my skin has been looking pretty tired lately.

The Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish is a face scrub that has the texture of like a sugar scrub (without the yummy sweet taste).  It cleanses and scrubs the skin at the same time, removing any dead skin cells at the surface, really smoothing out your skin.  The microbeads in the exfoliant are also purifying, so it leaves the skin feeling really soft at the same time.

I have to be honest, the first time I felt the product on my hands, I was very worried that it would be too harsh on my skin because of it feeling like a sugar scrub.  But once I gave it a go, gently massaging the product onto my skin and rinsing it it off, I absolutely loved how it left my skin feeling!  Because it's a scrub, you can definitely feel more smooth and refreshed because of the microbeads removing all of the dead skin cells.  The product was not harsh at all, and can be used during the day or evening.

I think the Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish has definitely become my favorite facial scrub/exfoliator and I will absolutely be purchasing the full sized product after finishing up this convenient travel size version.

xoxo,

Eve

Kerastase Cristalliste Shampoo & Conditioner

I have been exploring different brands of hair care after my last visit with my stylist a little while ago.  I got a few recommendations on the type of shampoo and conditioner that would suit my hair type better.  While looking for more of a lightweight shampoo and conditioner, I decided to look into the Kerastase Cristalliste Shampoo & Conditioner line because of the rave the Cristalliste line has been getting this year.

The Cristalliste line is a new line of treatment that is formulated with the liquid light complex, ingredients that cleanses and provides radiance from roots to ends, keeping the hair smooth and soft.  The extremely lightweight formula keeps the roots light and restores the fibers in the hair.  The extra dose of aloe vera, providing the essential vitamins and amino acids gives your hair that extra moisture and glow.

I do have to say that this is the most lightweight line of shampoo and conditioner that I have ever tried.  Although the shampoo lathers very well, you do have to use a bit more product that usual to get the hair completely cleansed.  Because I don't use as much product in my hair, the shampoo gives me a great cleanse that definitely leaves my hair feeling renewed.

And when pairs with the equally amazing conditioner, I can walk out of the house after a wash feeling salon finished.  My ends have never felt so soft and my hair well nourished.

xoxo,

Eve

The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter

My goal at the beginning of the year was to keep my skin other than on my face healthy and moisturized, especially during the hot summer season when more of it is exposed to the sun.  I use to have a really bad habit of skipping moisturizer after the shower, but now one of my favorite products to use is The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter.

I love the creaminess of The Body Shop Body Butters, melting straight into the skin, leaving your skin feeling very soft and smooth.  The coconut body butter contains, of course, organic coconut oil that is great for normal to dry skin.  For how creamy the product is, my skin just absorbs this like water, and does not feel heavy or too thick at all.  I especially LOVE how this smells, because I'm so obsessed with coconut.


Even though I don't have skin that is too dry, because of the sun and shaving, my legs do need a little bit more attention and this definitely does the trick.

Marbella Semi Permanent Eyeliner

Last month I received the Marbella Semi Permanent Eyeliner in one of my monthly subscription boxes, and after playing around with it for a little while I finally am ready to give it my review.

The Marbella Semi Permanent Eyeliner is said to be a smudgeproof and waterproof eye liner that lasts up to 24 hours, but I don't see why you would really need it to last that long.  The formula of the Marbella Semi Permanent Eyeliner glides on smoothly and has the color intensity almost of a liquid liner (but not quite as dark and glossy as a liquid liner).  I love the preciseness of the felt tip point, allowing to create the thinness of lines.

So what are my thoughts? I can't say I know if the liner lasts up to the 24 hours it claims, because honestly I don't even wear my makeup for more than 10 hours at the most.  Although I can say that the Marbella Semi Permanent Eyeliner does last on the lids, the color intensity does seem to fade at around the 6 hour mark (making it not quite as good as some of my favorite liquid liners).  I do however love the felt tip point and find the pen packaging very convenient for little touch ups throughout the night.

The Marbella Semi Permanent Eyeliner is probably one of my favorite pen liners at the moment (I have yet to explore the higher end options) for convenience.  However, I would not choose to repurchase this for every day use because of the quickly the pen will dry out compared to my other liquid/gel liners.

xoxo,

Eve

Kerastase Luminous Perfecting Essence

I was never one to use any product in my hair other than the Tresemme Heat Protectant Spray.  I never really saw any need of using additional product in my hair.  Since my hair was so fine I did not want to way it down, so I really depended on my shampoo and conditioner to get all the work done.

But during my last visit to my hair stylist she pointed out that because of the harsh summer weather this season, the ends of my hair were feeling a bit more dry than usual.  So she told me to find a light serum to use just out of the shower just to keep my ends more moisturized.  After a bunch of searching around and asking my stylist what she recommended, I decided to go with the Kerastase Luminous Perfecting Essence, which is basically a serum for your ends.

Kerastase has really made a name for themselves this year.  Their products have been highly reviewed and recommended, and for good reason.  The Kerastase Luminous Perfecting Essence works as a leave in treatment for dry hair.  It is extremely lightweight, and leaves the hair feeling very silky and smooth.  I kind of gives you that just out of the salon look, where your hair looks like it's gotten some sort of treatment that gives it that silky, glossy look.

What I love most about the Kerastase Luminous Perfecting Essence is that even though my hair is so fine, after using the serum, I can still get a voluminous look with it.  I can definitely tell and see a difference in my hair texture after I stopped using this for a week.  My hair has never looked healthier, and a little of the product goes a long way.

xoxo,

Eve

Aldo Altwies Platform Heels

The one place I can always count on for cute shoes is Aldo.  They carry many different trends, and I can always find the perfect pair of shoes for whatever occasion it may be.  What I also love about Aldo is that they are known for having such amazing sales.  Last week, I found this pair of Aldo Altwies Platform Heels when they were just re-pricing some of their shoes to make room for the new styles for the upcoming season.

These are a platform high heel made of synthetic material that feels as soft as leather.  It may look like suede in the photos, but let me assure you that only the top part of the shoes are suede.  The bottom of these are not suede, so I will not have to worry about getting them dirty as easily.  They are such an edgy platform sandal and works well for those classic parties and nights out in the city.  I love the criss cross straps because it's a very cute design and it also helps keep your feet secure in the shoes.  The square heel is a perfect heel for anyone uncomfortable in higher heels because it gives you more support.

I have been looking for shoes with a square heel because I feel like that trend is definitely making a statement, and I believe these are going to be my go to shoes for now and well into the fall season.

xoxo,

Eve

Yes To Cucumbers Facial Towelettes

I have never really been picky about what type of facial towelettes I use.  Because I was so use to using my Neutrogena facial wipes I just didn't really find the need to branch out to find the best wipes because the Neutrogena wipes worked well for me.

However, when I received these Yes To Cucumbers facial towelettes in one of my monthly subscription boxes this month, I think I have found a new love.  I didn't think that facial wipes can feel so great after a long day of work.

The Yes To Cucumbers line have been raved about for a little over a year now, and I am so happy I got these samples to try out because they are officially my new go to facial wipes.  Infused with cucumber extract and aloe vera, the wipes are incredibly soothing and moisturizing on the against the skin.  The wipes remove any traces of makeup and residue, leaving you feeling fresh.  And what's even better is that they are paraben free.

I can definitely see why the Yes To Cucumbers Facial Towelettes were given the Best In Beauty by Allure award because they do feel and work amazingly.  Definitely need to pick up more of these to keep in my handbag as a quick refresher.

xoxo,

Eve

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Ransom

I had received this sample sized Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in the shade Ransom in one of my monthly subscription boxes a little while ago and I am so awful with keeping up with my reviews I am finally getting the chance to review and swatch it.

The Urban Decay glide on pencils are probably one of my favorite pencil liners.  The name just speaks for itself.  The color of the liners glide on so smoothly and effortlessly, and because the formula and consistency is so creamy and soft, you have some time to play around to blend and smudge the color before it sets.

They have a rainbow of colors to choose from and to be honest this is the first time I have ever really enjoyed a color liner.  Because I am more into the neutral looks, I tend to go for the black and brown liners.  But what I absolutely love about the Urban Decay liners is that they are like a shadow stick.  The creaminess of the liner allow you to use the liner as a base for your shadows to intensify the look.

So instead of using this beautiful, and very opaque, creamy purple liner to line my eyes, I just smudged a bit of the color on the outer lashline and brought the color up to the crease.  Set it with a bit of shadow and you'll be ready for a fun night out without having to worry about your eye look budging.

It's been a while since I have reached for my Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil liners, and this has really helped me re-discover my love for them.

xoxo,

Eve

MAC Naturally Mineralized Skinfinishes

These are the last two items I believe I had purchased from the MAC Naturally collection close to the beginning of the year (and I am now just remembering to swatch and review).  I have not had the chance to try the MAC mineralized skinfinishes, and because I have yet to come across colors that really caught my attention, have been hesitant to purchase any, until this year.

The MAC mineralized skinfinishes are a soft powder with a metallic finish that, depending on the shade, can be used on the cheeks or all over the face.  But because they do have such a metallic to them, I would just use them around the cheek area to avoid looking like a disco ball.  They work much better as a highlight, blush, or bronzer while adding that extra bit of something special.

The two mineralized skinfinishes that I picked up were the following:

Redhead

Redhead is a golden pink blush or highlighter color (depending on your skin tone) that includes four different strips of color to create that beautiful pinkish gold.  The four colors are champagne beige, deeper champagne, peachy beige, and bronzy pink.  Similar to the Bobbi Brown Shimmer bricks, you can use these individual strips of champagne colors as shadows if desired.

Blonde

Blonde is more of a rosy pink blush color that also includes four strips of different colors to create that rosy pink shade.  The four colors are light pink, peachy pink, rosy pink, and dark rosy pink.  Because Blonde is more of a true rosy pink blush, I would probably avoid using any of the separate colors, other than the lightest pink shade, as a eye shadow.


Even though the texture of the mineralized skinfinishes are incredibly velvety, soft, and smooth, the metallic finish is not forgiving on pores and dried skin.  The texture and finish of the skinfinishes do emphasize the problem areas, so it might not be the right product for you if you are concerned with imperfections or the texture of your skin.  It's not incredibly noticeable where people would see and point out, and it does still photograph beautifully, so it might be a nice product to have for those once in a while occasions where you want that extra glow.

Both of these products are re-promotes, so although you cannot find them on the counters or in MAC stores now, you might want to check your local CCO, or just keep an eye out for another re-promote in future collections.

xoxo,

Eve

Revlon Polishes

We all know that I just have a slight obsession when it comes to nail polishes.  I love my Essie and OPI, especially since I can get them at such great prices.  However, I noticed that I have not really branched out at the more drugstore brand polishes.  While I was having a conversation with one of my friends, she was really raving about a few of the Revlon polish colors.  So when I told her that I have not really tried their polishes and have not looked at their colors lately, she decided to be nice enough to mail me a few of her favorite colors for the season from Revlon.

Charming, Jaded, Minted, Blue Lagoon

How freaking sweet of her is that?!?! These colors definitely scream Spring and Summer.  When I got them I was so excited and really wanted to take my polish off and play with these new colors.  But of course it's a little late in the night now, so I'll just have to find some time during the day to pick one of these to test out.

xoxo,

Eve

Laura Mercier Eye Basics Primer

I received a little sample (which looks like the cutest thing in the tiny packaging) a little while ago, but never really paid too much attention to it because I was already using and liking the Urban Decay Primer Potion and the NARS eye primer.  But while I was looking through some of my make up and came across this small sample, I decided to give it a try.

The Laura Mercier Eye Basics Primer is a cream based primer that comes in numerous shades for those needing a bit of coverage on their eyes.  The cream based primer evaporates to a dry and matter finish, helping your shadows last longer and prevents any creasing throughout the day.

At first I did not think I would not like the primer because it is a little bit creamier than the NARS primer, which made me worry about creasing and smudging.  But, a little goes a very long way, and because it does evaporate to a matte finish, it works as a great base for the shadows.  I do find that me eye looks really last while using the Laura Mercier Eye Basics Primer.  What I do like most about it is that it does come in a variety of shades that help neutralize the shade of your lid if you need.

Compared the my other eye primers, I still say that the NARS eye primer is my favorite.  However, the Laura Mercier Eye Basics Primer has probably jumped into second place, and the Urban Decay Primer Potion follows.

xoxo,

Eve

Henri Bendel Courtship Shoulder Bag

Happy Birthday to one of my greatest friends here in Chicago, ALYSSA!! I know she occasional stops by my blog here and reads a few of my posts, so I decided to dedicate this post to her BIRTHDAY!

You can have a lot of acquaintances, but good friends are hard to come by, and Alyssa has been one of those friends that I have such a great relationship with.  So to show her my appreciation and to really celebrate her birthday, I decided to give get her this awesome Henri Bendel Courtship Shoulder Bag.  Like me, she loves everything about fashion, so I thought this would be a nice addition to her closet.

The Henri Bendel Courtship Shoulder Bag is one of those effortless, classic bags.  It's a leather bag with a nice detailed front closure clasp with three different interior compartments.  I love the custom hardware, which adds a bit of a chic style.  It's definitely a great bag to have in the city.

I really hope she enjoys it! Happy Birthday Alyssa!

xoxo,

Eve

July My Glam Bag

Like my Birchbox package, my Glam Bag also came in the mail today, so I decided to get it posted so I can have a chance to try all of the fun products in the bag.  July was a good month for the Glam Bag because I love all of the products included in my package:

- Kiehl's Ultra Face Lotion
- NuMe HydroPunch Hydrating Conditioner
- Yes To Cucumbers Facial Towelettes
- Josie Maran Lip and Cheek Stain
- Circus by Andrea's Choice Nail Color

After opening up my package the first thing I noticed was the cute, mesh bag with all of the products in it.  This is actually the cutest Glam Bag that they have released, in my opinion, with the stripes and colors.  I am excited to try everything in the bag, especially the Circus nail polish (in white with a cream finish) because it was from an Andrea's Choice line.  Also, I have been wanting the try the Josie Maran Lip and Cheek stains for the longest time now, and the shade is absolutely beautiful!

Looking forward to playing with everything and sharing my thoughts to you all!

xoxo,

Eve

July Birchbox

This is probably the first time that I have reviewed my Birchbox the day that it arrives in the mail.  I usually am horrible with keeping my posts up to date, but I decided to really make an effort to get this up so I don't forget about it until the end of the month.  It also means that I get to play with all of the products sooner and get out individual reviews to you all.

So for the month of July, Birchbox had a fun theme for their box, which was SENSES.  Each product would represent one of the five senses that we have (Sight, Sound, Taste, Touch, Smell).

The box included the following:

- Blinc Mascara
- Jouer Lip Gloss
- Manna Kadar Sheer Glo Shimmer Lotion
- Oscar de la Renta Live in Love Fragrance
- Tea Fprte Minteas
- Birchbox Earbuds

This is probably one of my favorite box yet.  I absolutely love the fun, colorful earbuds that they included in the package.  It'll definitely make working out a lot more fun.  Also, the Jouer lipgloss is great! They had included one in a previous box and had fallen in love with it, and am excited to try a different color (might even start buying full sized Jouer glosses).

Definitely looking forward to playing around with my senses and testing out all of the product for the month.

xoxo,

Eve

Kerastase Haul

After my appointment with my hair stylist last month, I had learned a lot about products she felt like I should be using in my hair care routine.  Because my hair is so fine, she recommended that I use a more light weight shampoo and conditioner, so that my hair does not get weighed down.

I searched around and read a lot about different brands and I noticed that the Kerastase line has really made a statement, and I decided to order a few products to give a try:

- Cristalliste Luminous Protecting Shampoo
- Cristalliste Luminous Protecting Conditioner
- Cristalliste Luminous Protecting Essence
- Nectar Thermique

Aside from just shampoo, conditioner, and a heat protectant, I don't use any other hair products in my routine.  But because I have heard a lot of great things about the Cristalliste Luminous Essence, which is basically a light serum for your hair, I decided to give it a try.


I have been using these products for about a month now, and will be ready to share my thoughts on the individual products soon.


xoxo,


Eve

MAC Naturally Mineralized Blushes

This is a continuation of a few products that I purchased from the MAC Naturally collection which was released at the beginning of the year (yup, a long time ago).  Although these shades are limited edition shades that can't be found at the MAC counters anymore, you can probably find them at your local CCO or find similar shades from other brands.

Along with the mineralized eye shadows from the collection, I also picked up the following mineralized blushes:

Fresh Honey

Fresh honey is a light orange, apricot color that is very pigmented and does not suit warm skin tones when applied too heavily.  The texture of the blush is very soft, which helps with blending, but can be a bit chalky on the skin if not applied carefully.  Fresh Honey definitely screams Spring and Summer, and looks beautiful on darker skin tones.  However, when applied lightly and blended out, I think it'll look beautiful on anyone.

Subtle Breeze

Subtle Breeze is a cool tone pink that works well with any type of skin tone in my opinion.  It's a beautiful color that is very pigmented, but does not apply too harshly on the cheeks.  Unlike Fresh Honey, Subtle Breeze applies more smoothly and does not leave any chalkiness on the skin.  It leaves a nice sheen on the cheeks, more of a satin finish than a shimmery one.  Definitely a universally flattering color.


Although the mineralized blushes are a bit more difficult to work with, because of their extremely soft texture, they are still easily blendable.  So with a bit a patience and maneuvering with your brush, any mineralized blush can look beautiful on your skin.  Out of the two shades, I do prefer Subtle Breeze because it was easier to work with and I did not have to worry about applying it with a light hand.  Overall, both of the shades are beautiful blushes for the warmer seasons.

xoxo,

Eve

MAC Naturally Mineralized Eye Shadows

So this is definitely a long over due review on a few of the MAC Mineralized Eye Shadows from their Naturally collection, which was released sometime in the beginning on the year.  I had made a few purchases from the MAC Naturally collection and I had forgotten to do a review on the products, so I thought I would start with the mineralized eye shadows from the collection.

I picked up the following shades:

Daylight

Daylight is is a frosty pinkish, light purple shade that is a beautiful all over the lid shade that is not overly frosty.  I love applying Daylight with a damp brush all over the lid for that beautiful metallic sheen because it really makes the eyes pop.

Summer Haze

Summer Haze is a champagne color that of course I thought I had to have because I have a million of these shades.  Again it's a beautiful all over the lid shade that is just gorgeous for a day time look that just has a bit more edge to it when applied wet.  

Cloudy Afternoon

Cloudy Afternoon is a grayish silver with a very small tinge of brown (depending on the veining of the shadow pan).  I actually do not own a shade like this so I thought it would be fun to give it a try.  Although it's a bit sheer when applied dried, it does have a little bit more hold when applied damp and would work more for a nice inner lid highlight shade.  This is probably my least favorite out of the three shadows that I purchased from the collection.  

After trying the mineralized eye shadows for the first time, I don't believe that they are not my favorite formula of shadows from the MAC line because they are a bit more frosty than I prefer.  However, they make great special occasion shadows and I love that you can use them wet or dry.  My favorite way to apply them it with a damp brush, patting the color on my lids for that gorgeous metallic sheen.  Also, because the mineralized shadows a bit more sheer when used dry, they are great for layering on other shadows if you do like that frostier look.

xoxo,

Eve