ANNOUNCEMENT: TARTE Winner!!!

My TARTE giveaway has been closed for a a little over a week now, and I finally have the time to announce the winner.  I guess I was caught up with summer festivities that I had forgotten to announce the winner.  Everyone who entered was put into a random drawing...

Congratulations to ......


Liliana Lopez!

You can check out her blog here: http://stylishandthrifty.blogspot.com/

The winner has been contacted and she has 48 hours to claim her prize (or else I will randomly choose another winner).

Thank you so much to everyone that entered.


xoxo,

Eve

Make Up For Ever Face & Body Foundation

When it comes to summer time make up, it's really important to find products that work with your skin type in the heat.  Brands that advertise long lasting and waterproof makeup have really made their mark for this season and Make Up For Ever is well known for having great waterproof makeup products.  In my opinion, it's hard to really say that any make up product is entirely waterproof.  However, I do believe that there are products out there that are really lightweight and water resistant, making them more long wearing compared to other brands.

Some of my go to foundations for the summer time are Shiseido Water Resistant Liquid Foundation and the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation.  But because I had a trip to Las Vegas trip planned in the beginning of June, I wanted to try something the Make Up For Ever Face & Body Foundation for my trip to test out it's claim to be waterproof and long lasting in the intense heat in Las Vegas.

The Make Up For Ever Face & Body Foundation is a water based gel foundation that is extremely lightweight and waterproof.  The coverage is light and gives the skin a very natural and satin finish, which looks beautiful in the summer time.  The formula of the foundation works for normal skin types and does not settle in fine lines or larger pores.  Although it is a foundation with lighter coverage, it does even out the skin tone without accentuating any imperfections.  However, if you are looking for a lot more coverage this foundation is definitely not the one for you.

I thought the Make Up For Ever Face & Body Foundation is a fantastic option for the summer time and am really enjoying it for every day use.  It is extremely lightweight and just blends into the skin like a dream.  I find that an even layer of the foundation with a bit of concealer for my under eyes is all the coverage I need and really helps me pull of that natural summer kissed look.  I can't stand heavier formulas for those hot summer days and like that "no makeup" make up look.

As for being long wearing, the Make Up For Ever Face & Body Foundation has passed with flying colors.  Whether I was in Las Vegas walking around the strip in 90 degree whether, or trying to survive the 100+ degree heat wave in Chicago, the foundation did not melt or budge off of my face.  What's even better is that I did not even have to use a powder to set my foundation, making it one less step to have in my morning make up routine.  It feels extremely hydrating and moisturizing on the skin, so it does not look cakey or patchy on dry spots.

Even thought this is A face and body foundation, because I am not a make up artist, I have no reason to use this on the body.  Out of the Shiseido, Chanel, and Make Up For Ever summer time foundations that I have, I really think that the Make Up For Ever Face & Body Foundation has pulled to the top and is one of my top choices for the summer.  If you don't need that much coverage, this is the perfect foundation for you.  It also photographs beautifully.

xoxo,

Eve

NARS Orgasm Illuminator

NARS beauty products have had a great reputation in my mind, but sometimes things just don't work out and sadly with the NARS Orgasm Illuminator that was the case.  I love getting free samples to try because it gives you an opportunity to really test out the quality of the product without dishing out the money.  And when it comes to higher end products, like NARS, it gets really expensive to try every new product that comes out, so receiving samples is always fun.

The NARS Orgasm Illuminator is not a new product, but I have been hesitant to purchase it because it is pricey and I was on the fence on how it would work with my skin tone.  However, because Sephora is so amazing with their VIB members, I received this deluxe sample size of the NARS Orgasm Illuminator for free with a purchase I had made a little while ago.

The NARS Illuminators are formulated to be a multifunctional face product that is suppose to bring that glow to your face during any time of the year.  It applies like a liquid with shimmery complexes that bring that glow to your skin. The shade Orgasm is one of their well known colors, being a peachy pink shade with a bit of shimmer.

Because the NARS Orgasm Illuminator is a peachy pink with quite a bit of shimmer, I thought it would work well just as a liquid blush and contour.  The formula of the product is very runny, and because it is also very pigmented, it is very easy to use too much product on your cheeks.  I love the color of the illuminator because it does give that beautiful, sun kissed glow to your skin without looking like you're wearing blush or bronzer.  However, the amount of shimmer in the product is just unnecessary.  Once you apply the illuminator on your akin and walk outside or take a lot of photos, you kind of look like you are a disco ball because of the shimmers on your face.  A lot of people may like the shimmers, but because I prefer a more matte or satin look when it comes to cheek products I think I will not be reaching for this again.

Even though this product did not work for me, I would hate to just toss it away because there is a considerable amount of product left.  So if you would like to try this deluxe sample out (I have only swatched it once and used it on my face once) just leave a comment here saying you are interested in giving it a try and I will see if I can send it out to you.


xoxo,

Eve

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Ultra Light NuBra

One of my biggest wardrobe necessity for the summer are adhesive bras.  I know a lot of people feel like adhesive bras are the most uncomfortable bras to wear, especially on hot summer days, but because I have been really into the backless look, this is a must have for me.  I have tried a variety of adhesive bras, and was about to give up on them until I tried the Ultra Light Nubra (which can be found int he lingerie section at Nordstrom).

I honestly cannot stan the silicone adhesive bras because they feel very heavy and do not hold well.  The Ultra Light NuBra is the best, and most affordable adhesive bra I have ever tried.  It's a smooth, cling free fabric cover, which makes it look very natural, and lightweight.  It is designed to be worn up to 50 times, and the adhesive hold incredibly well.

My ultimate test for the NuBra was when I went to Las Vegas.  All of my tops and dresses were backless, so this was going to be my go to bra.  I wore it all day int he heat walking around on the strip while sightseeing, and then all night partying with the girls, and the NuBra did not budge or slip at all.  It was incredibly warm in Vegas, so I was worried the adhesive would not hold, but it did an incredible job of keeping my girls up and comfortable.

Adhesive bras are especially handy when it comes to weddings and proms, or for any occasion for a daring dress.  The NuBra is a top competitor when it comes to adhesive bras, and I believe is much better (and more affordable) than the highly expensive Victoria Secret adhesive bras.

So with the help of my NuBra, I can rock those sexy Summer dresses with confidence.

xoxo,

Eve

Rebecca Minkoff Mini M.A.C. Bag

For a little over a year now I have been obsessed with crossbody/shoulder bags, and the Rebecca Minkoff Mini M.A.C. has been on my wish list for the longest time now.  It's definitely one of the higher end bags that I couldn't get myself to purchase because of the high price tag that comes along with it.  However, after receiving a very generous gift card to Nordstrom, I decided to splurge it on the this Almond colored Rebecca Minkoff Mini M.A.C. and am absolutely in love!

The Rebecca Minkoff Mini M.A.C. is the perfect sized crossbody, shoulder bag for any occasion.  It's oversized clip and chain detailing gives it that edgy style that is balanced with a chic leather.  There is a top zip closure, keeping your most valuables safe, and an exterior pocket underneath a clipped flap.  I love that it is also designed with protective metal feel, which is rare in smaller bags.  The leather is extremely soft and the color is beautiful.  I chose the Almond colored bag because it's honestly a beautiful all year round color.  It also has sold out very quickly in the past, and because I figured I can pick up a black one any time, I ought to go with a more limited shade before it sells out.

I absolutely love the Mini M.A.C. for every day and traveling.  It's compact without getting in the way of every day errands, but it also big enough to hold all of your necessities while you are traveling.  I feel like I can put an endless amount of things in there.  The bag also hangs at the perfect length on me, which is rare since I am so short and usually have to adjust straps on longer shoulder bags, and I love that you can manipulate the chain to make it into a shorter shoulder bag.

And like all of the other higher end bags, the Mini M.A.C. comes with a complimentary, and fun printed, handbag cover which helps keep the leather safe while in storage.

I've probably just started a Rebeccas Minkoff obsession and already know what's going to be on my Birthday/Christmas list for the next years to come.


xoxo,

Eve

Essie Over The Top

I have been really lazy when it comes to keeping up with my manicure lately.  Summer has been keeping me busy, and I honestly rather spend the time outside with friends rather than painting my nails and waiting for them to dry.  However, because I do love my polishes, I try to polish them up at least once a month, and this month I have been enjoying Essie's Over The Top.

I know it's not a conventional Summer color like all of those bright neon polishes, but I am loving the dark polish with shimmers.  It has very nice flexes of colors making the darker polish look light the midnight sky, making it very chic on shorter nails.

xoxo,

Eve