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Fragrance Friday: Spring Fragrance Favorites

March 20, 2015 by Kim S. / Fragrance Friday / 13 Comments

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We’ve had a tough winter. I’ve been impatiently waiting for spring to arrive; however, with today being the first day of spring and all, Mother Nature has something else in mind, and gave us some more freaking snow! Can you believe that? Anyway, that’s not going to deter me from sharing with you a list of my personal spring fragrance favorites.

1. Balenciaga Florabotanica

Balenciaga Florabotanica made my Spring Fragrance Favorite list because when I first received Balenciaga Florabotanica as a gift from my husband over a year ago, there wasn’t a moment you couldn’t get a whiff of it on me. I love the notes of Carnation, Wild Mint, Turkish Rose Essence, Hemp Leaves, Vetiver Roots, White Amber that it has. Combined, they make for a beautiful fragrance that is well-balanced, and isn’t overly floral. Plus, this fragrance lasts all day – for hours on end.

2. Flora by Gucci

I love Flora by Gucci. I picked this up because a co-worker used to wear it, and I just loved it on her. It’s a Spring Favorite Fragrance pick because even though it’s a floral fragrance, it gives off an an air of sophistication and confidence. Flora by Gucci has the following notes: Citrus Accord, Peony, Rose, Osmanthus Flower, Pink Pepper, Sandalwood. The notes make Flora by Gucci a floral fragrance with a hint of spice, which by now you know, I love. Flora by Gucci also is a long-lasting fragrance.

3. Marc Jacobs Lola

I can honestly say I got Marc Jacobs Lola for the bottle alone. I love the topper. Lola reminds me of a bouquet of fresh flowers, and with the winter we’ve had, anything that doesn’t remind me of cold and snow I love, which is why it’s a Spring Fragrance Favorite.

4. David Yurman Fresh Essence

David Yurman Fresh Essence is a part of a three-piece collection. Fresh Essence is one of my favorite fragrances from the collection, and can be described as a fruity floral, but not so fruity that it’s intoxicatingly sweet. Fresh Essence is fun, and flirty, and I wear it most during the day or on the weekends. To me, it meshes well with Exotic Essence, which is also in the set. Combined, the two make a sensual and flirty scent. Read more about the collection here.

What’s your Spring Fragrance Favorite?

NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation & Audacious Lipstick in Raquel

March 19, 2015 by Kim S. / Beauty, blog / 18 Comments

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With only two items purchased, I can’t even justify this post as a haul post. But, I am happy to report that I’ve picked up some amazing new goodies: NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation and the NARS Audacious Lipstick.

NARS Cosmetics has some of the best makeup on the market with a price tag to match. I was in need of a new foundation since my HG foundation, which is no longer available, expired. Since I was able to justify my purchase, I decided to treat myself to the latest, and most raved about NARS foundation, the All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation. For reference, I picked up the shade ‘Macao’ which, is described as “Medium – dark with yellow undertones.

The NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation is described as

Weightless Long-wear Technology delivers up to 16 hours of wear, while always feeling light-as-air. Featuring advanced flexible polymers and first-to-market treated pigments.

After wearing the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation for a few weeks, I must say that I am happy with the results. After applied, the foundation looks like my skin, but better. It isn’t heavy, and doesn’t look cakey, and applies easily. Stay tuned for a full review.

The NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation is available in 20 shades, and costs $48/1 oz.

The NARS Audacious Lipstick is described as

Modern lipstick so shamelessly seductive in touch and texture the sensation is audacious. Unadulterated luxury glides on like satin across skin with single-stroke coverage.

I also picked up one NARS Audacious Lipstick in ‘Raquel’. Porsha Williams of The Real Housewives of Atlanta has deemed ‘Raquel’ her go-to neutral lipstick, and we’re similar in complexion, so I figured it would be a good match for me as well. Since seeing her Instagram post, I’ve tried picking it up, but it’s been sold out up until a few weeks ago when I made my purchase online. I’m happy I was able to get my hands on a tube, too. The NARS Audacious Lipstick in ‘Raquel’ is a beautiful, if not, perfect pink-beige neutral lip color for me. It applies smoothly, is creamy and pigmented. I’ll post a full review soon as well.

The NARS Audacious Lipstick is available in 40 shades, and costs $32.

Have you tried the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation or Audacious Lipsticks?

What are your thoughts?

Beauty Addicts Show Off Mascara Review

March 18, 2015 by Kim S. / Beauty, Reviews / 21 Comments

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Who doesn’t love mascara? When I’m not wearing falsies, which is pretty often these days, my peepers are sporting mascara. Mascara, I believe really opens up your eyes even if you’re not wearing a lot of makeup, if any at all. Lately, the mascara I’ve been testing out to showcase to my beauty peeps is the Beauty Addicts Show Off Mascara.

Beauty Addicts Cosmetics describes their Show Off Mascara as follows:

Intense, dramatic lashes with one easy stroke! This unique formula offers volume, length and curl with Argan Oil to condition and protect. The curved brush hugs the natural eye shape to coat every lash while fanning and feathering. No clumps, no flakes, no smudges! Comes off effortlessly with a gentle cleanser.

What do I think of the Beauty Addicts Show Off Mascara?

The Beauty Addicts Show Off Mascara is a super black mascara (I love dark black mascara), that is a bit thicker and dryer in consistency than other mascaras I have used. I like that it has nourishing ingredients like Argan oil. The Beauty Addicts Show Off Mascara did a good job at adding volume to my lashes, and my lashes looked a bit longer; however, I can say that the length I achieved from using the Show Off Mascara wasn’t as good as my HG mascara(s).

The wand with the curved brush did make applying the Beauty Addicts Show Off Mascara easier, but I can see how someone with shorter lashes or a smaller eye can have issues with the size of the brush. However, I do think that can be fixed with just a little practice.

Removing mascara can sometimes be a pain in the arse for me. The Beauty Addicts Show Off Mascara did not give me problems in that area. It was easy to take off with one eye makeup remover pad, and I had no residue left over, which I sometimes experience with other mascaras.

The Beauty Addicts Show Off Mascara lives up to all of its claims except that it does clump, and flake. The clumping I experienced isn’t terrible, but it is still a pain tot have to deal with since I’m not a fan of tarantula lashes. The flaking, since I’m a contact lens wearer with sensitive eyes is an issue.

The Beauty Addicts Show Off Mascara is available on http://www.beautyaddicts.com for $22 or click here to locate a retailer near you.

Have you tried Beauty Addicts Show Off Mascara? What did you think of it?

Hair Care Tuesdays: 4 Tips to Keep your Hair Color Vibrant this Spring

March 17, 2015 by Kim S. / Hair Care / 2 Comments

Well, they say that all good things must come to an end. Ladies, that may be true, but it does not need to be the case when it comes to keeping our hair color vibrant.

As we transition into warmer weather, here are 4 tips you can use to keep your hair color vibrant this spring:

1. Ensure that you have the correct water temperature

We all know that hot water is great for hot tea and my favorite – hot chocolate. When it comes to your hair, not so much!

If you want healthy, vibrant hair, ensure that you wash and condition your hair with cool water. Upon completion of your conditioner-wash with the coldest temperature that you can tolerate it.

2. Use heat to set your new hair color

When coloring your hair have your stylist, or if you’re an DIY type of gal, ensure that you set your hair color using heat and then allow it to cool prior to rinsing the color from your hair. It takes too much time to color your hair, and we do not want to strip the color before it is deposited.

3. Decrease Heat Styling

Regardless if you have color or not, heat can be a true enemy when styling your hair. Even with heat protectors, I recommend that you use flat iron your hair sparingly and cautiously.

4. Use color safe shampoos and conditioners

Not only will these products assist you in maintaining shiny hair and lessen the probability of dulling your color, they often come with other protective capabilities, such as sun protection, or something that infuses moisture into your hair, which ultimately protects your hair from breakage.

It does not matter what brand or state that you hair is in, protection when coloring your hair is vital, especially when bleaching.

I hope that these 4 tips to help you keep your hair color vibrant this spring were helpful to you. Please comment below and let me know what other tips that you use in your hair care regimen.