New In// Beauty Haul

There is this thing about being slightly addicted to beauty products. You always crave something new. I have accumulated a couple of new products here and there and thought I would share quickly what new beauty products have come into my life.


Charlotte Tillbury Bronze & Glow 
The cream of the crop for this haul is the famed Filmstar Bronze and Glow contour kit from Charlotte Tillbury. This is probably the prettiest packaging of makeup I have ever owned, even my dad was enamored by its beauty. The contouring shade is only a tad on the warm side but is nonetheless wonderful at carving and defining those cheekbones! Especially when used with the brush I will mention in this post.
The highlight shade is not as intense as the Becca Shimmering Perfectors but still looks absolutely beautiful on the skin. This palette is not cheap in the slightest but very worth the investment in my book. 

Too Faced Replenishing Hangover Primer

I was in the market to try an new primer. With harsh winter conditions still plaguing the environment here in New England my skin has been looking horrifically dry. I was hearing a bit about the Too Faced Hangover Primer from some of my favorite bloggers and from the sounds of it I thought that this primer would be right up my street. This primer is formulated with coconut water, probiotics and skin revivers that hydrate, brighten, soothe & smooth for dewy and healthy looking skin. I have only used this twice and it certainly feels light on the skin and it doesn't seem to clog up my pores however, I don't notice it helping my foundation apply on any more seamlessly and might even make my foundation slip around a little bit more. I am still testing this guy out. I will be sure to let you all know whether it works out or not. 


Real Techniques Bold Metals Flat Contour Brush 
The latest release from the brand Real Techniques is a luxurious one, The Bold Metals collection has a total of seven brushes that are all crafted with the makeup artist in mind. I picked up the #301 Flat Contour Brush. The bristles of this brush are very dense but soft. Which makes contouring a dream! The handle is also weighted so that it never rolls off your desk when you put it down. Since contouring is all the rage right now I highly recommend you pick up this brush, makes the job so much easier. 

MAC Lipstick "Twig" 
I am still on a little MAC kick at the moment and I am also still on a nude lip kick as well. I still find this highly unusual behavior for me but at the same time I am enjoying the change. After picking up "Velvet Teddy" and falling in love with it I desired its slightly deeper cousin "Twig". I love this color. Still natural and easy to wear on the lips but a little more dramatic with its deeper hue. 

Boscia Exfoliating Peel Gel 

I have never been a huge fan of exfoliants. I have had bad luck with them in the past, specifically physical exfoliants. My skin feels raw and very irritated upon using them. However, I know that exfoliating the skin is an important step to ones skincare routine so I decided to try out Boscia's new Exfoliating Peel Gel. It supposed to be a hybrid of a chemical and physical exfoliant. The physical gel part helps to remove the outer layers of dead skin while the chemical penetrates deeper for the in depth exfoliation. I tried this for the first time a couple days ago and I was unsure how I felt about it. It left a scaly residue on one part of my face that I couldn't seem to get off with a washcloth. This was strange, but I am willing to give this product the benefit of the doubt for another couple rounds. It can be difficult to tell with skincare. I hope it turns out to be a hit. If not, I will let you know of that as well. 

I didn't go too crazy with my beauty purchases, ( even though I very well could have. There have been so many new releases recently. That Sephora trip was quite an over stimulative one)! Has there been anything you guys have picked up recently that excites you? Let me know down in the comments! 
I hope your having a great week! We are still getting hit with relentless storms up in the northeast! Stay warm everyone! 

See you soon!!

- A 

March Favorites 2014

Hello my dears, it's that time again for my monthly favorites!

March seemed to fly by faster than February in my opinion and now we are going to be in April! wow! warm weather will be upon us in no time. Where I live I am just now noticing the first signs of greener looking grass and tiny little sprouts here and there. It's rather exciting!

Now, down to my favorites.

I don't have a ton of beauty favorites this month, only two are makeup related. 

 

  Milani Illuminating Face Powder in Amber Nectar

 A rather random impulse buy turned into a favorite this month. It's little rose pattern and pretty colors attracted my eye. When I gave it a try I really loved the instant warmth it gave. It's a trio of a highlight, bronzer and a peachy blush. It's really wonderful, plus a great introduction to Milani products in general. I mentioned this in my last post where I show my current daily makeup routine. X

Stila Single Eyeshadow -- Kitten

 Another product I mentioned in my makeup routine post. This eye-shadow is just amazing. Its a champagne with a tinge of rose gold. It looks amazing all over the lids and also on the brow bone for a bit of highlight. I just keep reaching for it. It's amazing!! 

Blender Cleanser Solid

This product was originally meant for the Beauty Blender sponge but I got it for my brushes. I know I am not the only one that just dreads the chore of cleaning makeup brushes it seems to take so long to wash all that gunk out. This "solid" bar of soap essentially makes cleaning brushes a breeze. It is sorcery! When my stippling brush is starting to look rather filthy I just swipe the brush around the soap,rinse with some water and WA LA! the brush looks bloody BRAND NEW! its remarkable. I highly recommend this product to be in your beauty arsenal. 

 

I suppose I should have counted skincare in the beauty favorites but I only have one skincare favorite this month;

  

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

Recently I discovered that instead of having oily combo skin I have more dry combo skin. Also due to some more drying products I have been using to treat my really bad skin demons. My skin was dying for some moisture so I decided to go with this based on a suggestion I got on instagram. I really like this product a lot. It is very soothing and almost has a light minty scent that cools down all angry face demons and keeps your face moisturized in the harsh wintry conditions. I think I want to try out more products from First Aid Beauty, if you have any suggestions leave them in the comments below! 

My next set of favorites are my random favorites for the month of March.

Bath&Body Works Raspberry Peach Macaron Candle

I really wish I had not caught the tail end of this line. I picked up the larger version of this candle and I became OBSESSED with its scent. When I used it up and went to get more they only had the mason jars of it left so I grabbed one and intend to hoard it and only smell it, not burn it. Unless they decide to bring this scent back which I was told that they most likely would not. :( But the scent of this candle is just heavenly: Sweet just like a macaron~

English Breakfast Tea

For the longest time my favorite at home tea was Bigelow's Caramel Chai and it still is. However, my grocery store decided it would be a grand idea to stop selling Caramel Chai in the store. In dismay I decided one day to  turn back to the traditional English Breakfast tea and I have really been enjoying it. It's hard to beat. I got that tea tin from a host family my sister and I were staying with when we last visited England. 

Ten Pound Kettlebell + Kettlebell Workouts 

Like many, one of my 2014 resolutions was to get healthy and fit and I have continued rather well on this goal. One thing I have been enjoying is the kettlebell. Its the perfect way to blend strength training in with some cardio workouts. That is one way to blast calories and get into shape. I was really impassioned to get on the kettlebell boat after reading this article from the FitSugar blog. X

 Rifle Paper Co Notebooks

Thanks to Instagram I have been exposed to beautiful designers such as the wife and husband team Anna and Nathan Bond that are Rifle Paper Co. After lusting over their beautiful designs I saw a pack of notebooks at Target. In no blink of an eye they were mine and I love them. Especially the green one because it is my favorite color. I love to jot down all my blog ideas and important lists they keep my jostled mind organized. 

And that is it folks! Tell me, what are your monthly favorites this month? 

See you next time! 

- A 

February Amo're : February Favorites

This will be my first ever monthly favorites post! 

- throws confetti- 

The month of February is not my most favorite month of the year but at least its one step closer to spring!

( which happens to be a favorite.) 

Beauty and Skin Care:

My first favorite of this month has got to be my: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. I made a lot of beauty discoveries at the beginning of this year and this product is probably my favorite. 

My skin this month has been absolutely rubbish! but, with this concealer, hardly anyone would know. It brightens and conceals everything! I wrote a full review on it here if you want to know more. The short of it is. This product, has become a holy grail in my makeup routine. 

My second favorite is a lip product from Revlon.

The Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm Stain in the shade: Sultry 

I picked this up finally after doing the little dance of putting it into your shopping cart and taking it out five million times.

I am pleased to say that I really, really love this thing. 

Not just for the deep red color, or the slight minty tinge or ease of application. It's lasting power is what impresses me the most. I am a "lip pusher", when I am stressed or idle I tend to squeeze my lips together very tightly. That habit tends to lessen the longevity of my lipstick but this exceeds the life of a normal lipstick. Its great and affordable. 

Instant favorite!

Third favorite of February is the Vaseline Spray and Go Moisturizer.

Yes, spray moisturizer. To some it may sound lazy.

To me, it sounds like one hell of a grand idea.

Whether the old furnace kicks in to keep me warm but in return makes my whole body feel like a desert or, when I hop out of the shower with fresh shaven legs only to itch them red afterwards. This product comes in to save the day.

I have the cocoa radiant scent and its heavenly. I would love to try the aloe-vera one when it starts to get hot! 

My fourth beauty favorite is the Real Techniques Stippling Brush. This brush was my first lovely introduction to the Real Techniques highly acclaimed brand and I was instantly pleased upon first use! 

Blends in foundation, concealer seamlessly. The brush is soft but dense. Makes me want to rush over to Ulta and buy the rest of their brush line. They are bloody brilliant. The girls of Pixiwoo really know their brushes! 

Music 

When I first started this blog I made large music posts featuring my music loves of the month. I kinda miss doing those posts but I would like to make them more efficient looking. Maybe having a playlist set up right on the post? 

I am not sure. It will be sorted with later, anyhow!

 A rather recent music discovery has changed my life. Which is why it got it self into my monthly favorites.

LULLATONE, where have you been all my life?

A couple, an american and a japanese woman living together in Nagoya started to make music together and created the magic that is Lullatone.

Lullatone, is that perfect, whimsical background music you always want playing in your everyday life. 

Its cheerful,happy and cute. That is something I need in my ears all day long.  I would normally pick a favorite track but, they are all my favorite. However, I will place here my most listened to album. 

Soundtracks for Everyday Adventures

Want more? 

Website ---- x

Bandcamp--- x

( You can also find them on Spotify!)

Random! 

Heading in the direction of food I wanted to share with you a recent delicious snack discovery.

Vitatops!

Always wanted to just have the top of a muffin without 

receiving actual muffin tops in return?

Now, they have that! In your grocery store organic section.

They are so delicious and filling! I like the chocolate ones because the curb my constant cravings for it. 

But here is the kicker.

They are only 100 calories each! 

(wow! amaze! ooh, ahh!) 

And that's all folks! 

My first ever favorites completed!

What have been your favorites this month?

Tell me in the comments below! I would love to hear from you. 

- A