Product of the Day- Bronzer Dupe

If you are anything like me Bronzer is a big part of your makeup routine.

I remember when I first started using bronzer in college and thinking wow, this

product is a game changer for how my makeup looks.

 

Since buying my first MAC bronzer in 2004 I have never looked back on going

without it. It is a product that instantly brings glow, warmth, color and health to your

skin. I use it in every season of every day. Love bronzer!

 

For the past year I have been pretty obsessed with NARS Laguna Bronzer sold

at Sephora. It's a great shade that works for so many different skin tones. The texture

is great and it blends nicely into your skin. I've gone through numerous compacts

of this little baby and it's been a staple in my routine.

 

UNTIL, I found something at Target a few weeks ago that caught my eye.

NYC has a bronzer I've heard a lot of hype on called Sunny. Seeing that it

was on sale for a whopping $4 I thought what the heck.... I'm going to try this out

and see if it compares to my NARS.

 

 

NARS Laguna Bronzer retails at Sephora for $36 and it described as a brown

with golden shimmer. However, I don't see any shimmer in it. To me it is a very matte

bronzer. Works great with fair-medium skin tones.

 

 

When I opened the NYC Sunny up the first thing I noticed is that it appeared

lighter than NARS. I was thinking this is not going to work as well with my skintone

being darker in the summer. But, once I actually applied it I was shocked to see that

it actually did put off a good color and worked really well.

 

I do think NARS is a bit warmer on my skin and probably works a little better for me

this time of the year, but the NYC Sunny is a phenomenal dupe.

 

If you are on a budget and in the market for a great bronzer this summer I would

suggest going to Target or Wal-Mart and picking this one up. For $4 you cannot

beat this with a flippin stick.

 

Do you have a favorite bronzer?

 

 



Wednesday Wishes

Happy Hump Day! 

Can you believe next week is Thanksgiving?!?!?! Where oh where has this year gone?

Sheesh Louise I can't get over how fast time just keep flying by. 

My beauty wish list item this week is...

NARS Concealer. I'm a huge fan of NARS laguna bronzer along with a few of their

blushes (orgasm, and sin). I have heard amazing things about their creamy concealer and how 

well it cover blemishes, dark spots, etc. My face has gone a little cray cray lately with

break outs so this could really come in handy right now! 

Here is what Sephora has to say about NARS Concealer

                                         

A lightweight, creamy, long-wearing concealer.

What it does:
NARS Concealer brilliantly obscures imperfections and dark spots with a creamy, vitamin-rich formula that nourishes the skin. Its long-wearing, crease-resistant, and ultra-light yet opaque formula ensures a flawless finish.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan

What else you need to know:
This product may be used alone or over foundation.

Research results:
-97% agree that the Concealer has a smooth texture and felt soft on the skin
-93% agree that the Concealer stays in place all day
-90% agree that the Concealer blends easily

Size: 0.07 oz

This concealer retails for $22 so it is on the pricy side, but I bet it would last for 

a long time depending on how much you use. 

Have you tried any NARS products? Would you buy this concealer? 

Face of the Day

It's been a while since I did a FOTD post, so thought I would give it a shot! 

I recently blogged about some Revlon products I bought and thought I would incorporate 

them into a FOTD so you can see how they look. 

Two of these products, Revlon colorstay quad in Decadent and Revlon colorburst

gloss in Rosepearl have been some of my faves lately. Especially the gloss!! It's the most

gorgeous rose/pearl shimmery gloss that is perfect for fall. It's neutral, but yet gives a pretty 

brown/rose pop of color. Love, love, love! 

My Face. : )

Products used on eyes were Revlon Decadent Quad. 

This quad is such a gorgeous soft neutral pink/gold color. It's soft, 

feminine, and will look great with any blush or lip shade you want to throw on with it. 

These quads are great b/c there are so many different ways you can wear them. Love 

the gold (far right) and Cranberry (bottom right). 

Great pigment and long lasting. Retails for around $7 at drugstore! 

This Revlon colorburst gloss in Soft Rose has been a staple in my 

make up looks this fall. Of course this color can be used anytime of the year b/c it's 

so neutral, but man oh man it is so pretty on! It's got a shimmer and pearl finish that just 

makes your lips look so healthy, sexy, and yummy! 

I wish I had big plump lips, but I shall keep wishing. 

This gloss also retails for around $7, but Revlon often has a Bogo special. 

Other products used for this look:

Foundation: Clinique Even Better (loving)

Bronzer: NARS Laguna (fave)

Blush: Rimmel Autumn Catwalk

Mascara: Almay Get up and Grow (great) 

Liner: Urban Decay Black 

What do you think about this look?! 

Friday Face of the Day

Today's FOTD will show you the Loreal eyeshadow duo, Electrified that was in 

my last post. 

Products Used for this look: 

Foundation: Clinique Even Better 

Bronzer: NARS Laguna 

Blush: Rimmel Autumn Catwalk 

Eyeshadow: Loreal Hip Duo in Electrified 

Liner: Urban Decay Black 

Mascara: Almay Get up and Grow

Lips: MAC Viva Glam V

Have a great weekend! 

Friday Face of the Day

We made it to Friday!!! 

My FOTD has some new products with upcoming reviews so stay tuned for more. 

Origin of Face: 

Foundation: Clinique Stay Matte 

Bronzer: MAC Refined Golden 

Blush: NARS Sin

Highligher: MAC Lightscapade 

Eyeshadow: Tarte Amazonian Clay Palette (review to come)

Liner: Urban Decay Black 

Mascara: Benefit They're Real 

Lips: Revlon Lip Butter Sugar Plum (review to come) 

Have a fabulous weekend! 

Nars Blush Review + Swatches

After using NARS bronzer, Laguna, and being so impressed with the formulation, 

pigmentation, and color I knew I wanted to try one of their award winning blushes. 

But, which one??!! There are so many pretty shades to pick from. 

I visited Sephora a couple weeks ago and got the associate to give me her opinion of which

color would transition nicely for Fall/Winter. I wanted something a little different than just

a pink, or coral, or neutral. 

I went with NARS, Sin, a berry with gold shimmer. 

Nars blushes retail at Sephora for $28. 

Thing to know about this blush is a little does go a long way. It is a very pigmented blush

so a light dab rather than a swirl with your brush will be best if you have light to medium 

skintone. 

Nars Sin is one of their bestselling blushes and if you follow Beauty trends you know that it was 

a shade released in their Danmari blush palette last year. Sephora no longer has the palette for 

sale, but it had four of their best selling blushes, along with a bronzer and highlighter. You 

can still find the palette online, but it is going for $179 so good luck with that! 

Finger swatch in natural lighting 

Arm swatch in natural lighting 

What do you think about this berry blush? What are you favorite Fall blushes? 

Friday Face of the Day

Happy Friday! 

As promised in my last post I told you I would do a FOTD with my new Maybelline quad

in "Olive Martini." 

I really do love the look this quad gives on your eyes. Silver, green, burgundy, and lots 

of shimmer. 

Makeup used for this look:

Foundation: Clinique Stay Matte 

Bronzer: Soleil Tan de Chanel (cream bronzer... AMAZING) 

Blush: NARS Sin (review to come) 

Highlighter: MAC Skinfinish in Lightscapade 

Eyes: Maybelline Quad in Olive Martini 

Liner: Urban Decay Zero

Mascara: Benefit, They're Real 

Lips: Merle Norman Lucky in Love

Have a GREAT weekend! 

Valentine's Face of the Day (FOTD)

Happy GALENTINE'S Day!!!

I hope you all are having a wonderful day filled with love from those closest in

your life.

I wanted to post my Valentine's day look as a "face of the day." I think these

are kind of fun and it gives me a chance to play with new looks and new colors

for you so I'm not putting on the same makeup every day.... cuz let's be honest you

guys know I have drawers full of it.

So, this is a day look... what I wore to work. It's a little more glammed up with the red

lips and would not be my typical every day work look, but wanted to play up the

red a bit. I may do a separate post on how I do my night look. Stay tuned.

In regular lighting.

Natural lighting.

Products used on face:

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 hour foundation (not listed)

Estee Lauder Double Wear concealer under eyes

Nars Laguna Bronzer

MAC blush in Plum Foolery

MAC Mineralize skinfinish in Soft and Gentle (highlight)

MAC cream color base in Shell (highlight)

Products used on eyes:

Urban Decay Naked Palette

Browbone and inner corner I used shades:

Virgin (far left)

Sin (shimmer pink next to it)

Center of Lid I used: Toasted (far left)

Outercorner I used: Hustle (middle)

Lined upper lash line: Creep (far right)

New Product Alert!!

For mascara I used Revlon Photoready 3D Volume.

I like it so far... I find it's lengthens and separates more than a ton of volume.

For lips I used:

Merle Norman lipstick in Sienna

Merle Norman gloss in Sheer Kiss

It's not really a true red lip, but something that gives you a hint of pink/red

in a more wearable everyday look.

And last, but certainly not least my own little Valentine this year!

My sweet 4 pound maltipoo, Millie! She is my love.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

XOXO

Friday Face of the Day

TGIF!!!

I wanted to start doing some posts featuring MY face (just for you Val) along with

the products that I used for that look. Friday seems like a puuuurfect day to do this.

I'm always fond of neutral looks, but lately it's really been my go to. Neutral eyes, cheeks, lips

the whole nine yards. I have a few new products that I haven't had the chance

to talk about and feature so I am going to do that today.

So, here's my face.... oooooo, ahhhhh.

May not be the best lighting for actually seeing the color of products, but

I decided to do this last night and had no natural light. Sorry!

So, here are most of the products I used. Forgot my mascara and

Revlon lip butter. ooops!

Foundation: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 hour (sample I am trying)

Bronzer: Nars Laguna

Highlighting: MAC skinfinish in Soft & Gentle (powder)

Highlighting: MAC cream color base in Shell (cream)

Blush: MAC Gingerly

Eyes: Wet n Wild Silent Treatment

Mascara: Mally Volumizing

Lips: Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait

New Product Alert!!

I think I have talked about how my new favorite thing in my

make-up routine is highlighting my cheekbones. If you want an easy step

to make your skin look fresh, healthy, glowy, and luminious then highlighting is where you

need to be. : )

This is a new product I bought this week and have been eyeballing it for a long time.

This is MAC skinfinish in the shade Soft and Gentle. As you can see it's a brown/pink

powder that has shimmer to it when applied to your face that just gives a very

healthy glow to your skin. LOVE it!! I'm obsessed with using it.

Retails for $29. Seems a bit pricy, but seriously I think this will last me a lifetime!

New Product Alert!!

Another highlighting product from MAC. Again, have had my eye on this

cream color base for quite some time in the shade Shell.

This is a cream product that can be applied under or over foundation with a brush

or fingers to the top of your cheekbones for a little healthy shine.

This color is a light neutral pink with a little shimmer and retails for $17.50.

New Product Alert!!

Yes, I know... I've gotten a little carried away lately.

This is MAC blush in the color Gingerly. This is not really a shade I would have

gravitated to on my own, but was named a top product of 2011 by the lovely

Amarixe on Youtube. I cannot even begin to express how obsessed I have been with

this blush. She was spot on when she said it is the perfect every day blush that

warms up your cheeks and gives a healthy look.

It looks a little scary orange in the pan, but it is a gorgeous terracotta warm coral

shade that retails for $20.00

When I googled images of this blush... look who I found!!

Awwww snap Ya'll. Article said MAC gingerly is one of Kim K favorite

blush! Makes me love it even more now! Ha.

I recently did a post about how I love the new Revlon lip butters and if you haven't

tried them you should really get your hands on a few. They are so pigmented and

moisturizing.

I finished my look off with the shade on the far left which is my favorite for every day.

Peach Parfait is the shade and it's a lovely peachy/coral shade with a bit of

shimmer.

Hope you enjoyed this post and it was somewhat informative and you have

a GREAT weekend!

Dear Santa (Day 5)

Santa Baby...

I've been an awfully good girl this year...

If you will check off my Christmas Beauty list

I do promise to be just as good next year!

I have REALLY fallen in love with my NARS Laguna bronzer this fall which is why

I know I will love this limited edition Blush Palette.

It's limited edition and has been sold out on the Sephora website for months now!

HELP!!!

This palette comes with a highlighter, bronzer, and four top selling Nars

blushes including the cult favorite Orgasm and Super Orgasm.

WOWZERS... that made me blush for real!

You know how I love to travel and be on the go. This would make for such a

great palette to take for on the go and have every color I could possibly need!

Santa Baby

Hurry Down the Chimney tonight

With this Nars Palette

My cheeks will thank you!

Weekend Rewind. What's in my Bag?

Well Hello Lovelies! I hope you all had a great weekend.

I spent this weekend in Louisville, KY visiting family friends. My Nana (mom's mom)

that lives in FL flew in Thursday night and mom, her, and I drove to Nashville

where we stayed at the luxurious Red Roof Inn!! : )

Friday morning we journeyed to Louisville and our first stop was what other than

SEPHORA!!!! Since I had mom and Nana's wallet nearby I tried to milk it for

what it was worth!! Don't judge... you know you would do the same thing... I only see my

Nana a few times a year... I deserve some treats!

I am going to break up this week's Weekend Rewind in Part I and II. This edition will

feature a few goodies we grabbed at Sephora and part II will feature some clothes

from Macy's. Ok, so wanna see what I got?!

Sephora in Louisville.

Louisville was such a gorgeous place. Our friend's house was right across the street

from Southern Baptist Theology school. That area was just so charming. Gorgeous

neighborhoods, houses, fall trees, farms and horses! Southern Charm at it's finest!

Me and who is that on my arm??!!

It's a Pippa sighting... oooooo!!

Ok, the first thing I picked up was Make Up Forever Aqua cream.

What are these?

A long lasting pigmented waterproof cream.

You can use these on their own or use them as a primer and add shadows on top

for more drama or glam!

Shade 15 is on the left and is a shimmery brown taupe color.

Shade 13 is on the right and is a champagne shimmer color.

These retail for $22. Kind of pricy for one single cream I will admit, but these

are colors I have wanted for a while. I do think these will last a long time as well.

Here is a swatch of each color.

Shade 15 (shimmery taupe) in on left

Shade 13 (shimmery champagne) is on right.

I have not used shade 15 yet, but am LOVING shade 13 as my base color and adding

MAC Satin Taupe or matte brown in crease.

Foundation may not be that interesting to some people, but this is a new

foundation I have been really wanting to try.

This is Make Up Forever HD foundation. If you follow beauty stuff at all you

have probably heard of this. Kim Kardashian uses this foundation. It was named

one of Allure Best of Beauty Awards.

This foundation is oil free and offers medium to full coverage that covers skin

imperfections while remaining invisible on screen and in real life.

So, yeah... I'm not really on any big screens but wanted to give this a try!

After using it a couple of times since purchasing I like. It's very different from what I have

been using (Clinique Even Better.) MUF has a more watery consistency

and is not near as thick as the Clinque. It blends so well and quickly into your

skin. So far I'm liking it, but will let you know if anything changes!

Retails for $40

Nars Laguna Bronzer

My mother had this in her bag and after being told I looked "pale" one day

I grabbed her bronzer and gave it a try.

LOVE this bronzer. You can go and read all the nearly 2,000 reviews this powder

gets from Sephora, but this is truly a great bronzer!

The Laguna shade is perfect for me... it looked a little dark in the compact and

wasn't sure if I could pull it off this time of the year. But, do not be fooled b/c

the color blends so nicely!! Perfect color. The texture is so soft and feels great

on your skin. This is a matte bronzer so if you aren't into glitter this is the bronzer

for you! I have a new love! This will be a staple in my bag!

Retails for $33

Sephora Sugar Scrub

This is a product my mom bought for my Nana. Mom bought this online a few

months ago and really loves it. I used it for the first time this weekend and it leaves

your skin feeling super soft! It has a nice warm smell to it and exfoliates your skin

in a gentle way! Now is a great time of the year to exfoliate your skin from the summer

and any tan you may have left over.

Retails for $18

So, this completes Part I and the beauty haul of our weekend. I will update you

this week with a few clothing pieces that have been added to my wardrobe!

Have a great night! Go watch Kim's Fairy Tale Wedding! : )