My Current Obsession: Making Sense about Scents*

OK, so this is another obsession I have had for a while, and one you should know about!

Santa Maria Novella is one of the top brands for perfumes, and other personal scent items in Italy. I am OBSESSED with their Mughetto (Lily of the Valley) Perfume (which I know I have spoken about in past blogs). This amazing brand also creates other amazing home and personal items, such as candles, soaps, talc powders, room sprays, body lotions, etc.

No matter what your favorite scent is, Santa Maria Novella will have one something that will catch your nose and excite your senses.

One of the reason why I am so in love with this perfume, other than the amazing smell, is that it literally lasts all day long. So many perfumes that I have purchased in the past have lead me to notice that I can't smell it anymore after lunchtime. These perfumes, there are over 20 different scents, let you (and people around you) have light whiffs of your favorite scent all day long.

 

Tuesday's Tip of the Day: Drugstore vs. Dept Store

When searching through magazines to see what the new cosmetic product are, you may notice that most of the brands, unless it’s a "budget-friendly" article, are from deptartment stores.

Does that really make it better? How different are they really?

Some products may have a ingredient or two that changes the item drastically from the rest, but most of the products are very similar. People usually feel more comfortable at deptartment stores because they can try before they buy – but what you may not know is that drugstores have a return policy that lets you take the product home, try it, and bring it back for a refund if it’s not up to your standards.

So everyone should be taking advantage of that!

When looking at the trends, drugstore brands come out with extremely similar products so that they can be competitive with departments stores. If you think the trend is going to be short-lived, you may want to look at your local drugstore to try out a product, before spending triple the amount in a department store.

My favorite drugstore product right now is Wet 'n Wild lipstick. For under $2 you can get quality trendy lipstick shades without going out of your budget! You will probably be under budget! Throw a gloss you already have over it, and perfection!

My Current Obsession: Leggings*

Being that I live in leggings - this isn't a current obsession - it's a complete obsession that I have had for years, (I think I own 2 pairs of real denim jeans). I have become a self-proclaimed expert in what brands and what stores to shop at for prime quality leggings.

Walmart and Target have cheap leggings, but that is all they are – cheap. For around $5, you get basically see-through leggings, that after a few washes, are almost translucent.

Victoria Secrets has amazing leggings, however they are much more expensive, around $25 per pair (sometimes with a sale of 2/$40). But then unless you are purchasing a lot, you have shipping and so forth – can be expensive.

For basic leggings, LC Lauren Conrad at Kohls are phenomenal. Kohls always has sales and coupons, making you never having to pay full price. This past week I got great wearing, great-washing leggings for under $15! Yay!

For a thicker legging, for that dressier or denim look, depending on the sales at the time, I would go with Hue leggings or the LC Lauren Conrad terry leggings. LOVE! They are dressier yet sleek and chic for any style and occasion! Both prices in the $30's.

Tuesday's Tip of the Day: Stop the Bleeding*

With the bold lip trend coming in full force (and I dare you to try it) make sure your color of choice doesn't bleed off onto your skin.

To be sure this makeup no-no doesn't happen, make sure your lips are dry before applying.

Then dust a light amount of powder over the lips, and lastly, use a lip brush to help guide the color just on the lips, creating the perfect line. (Use a clean Q-Tip to clean the stray color around the lips)

*If you still feel color bleeding is still occurring, use a clean lip brush and apply concealer around the lip area, tracing the lip, to create a barrier, as well as highlight your perfect lips!

My Current Obsession: Navy Blue Nails*

Along with last weeks wine colored lip trend, Fall 2012 has brought many other trends to the party, one being navy blue nails.

Being that I love having a different shade on my nails every week, navy blue is fun, yet still neutral enough to be worn with different outfits.

When choosing the color that is right for you, remember that darker shades pop on fairer skin tones - they won't create that washed out look. Medium and darker skin tones can pull off brighter/lighter shades of blue more easily.
If you apply your new polish and feel its a little more dramatic than you wanted, throw over a sheer shimmery coat of nail polish to lighten it up a bit.

If you are really into the blue trend, but would rather keep your nails more neutral - try incorporating it into your eye makeup. Blue shades of eyeliner create a dramatic look that you can wear on a daily basis!

Tuesday's Tip of the Day: Eliminating Dark Circles*

Feel like you always look tired? Do you have dark circles and want themselves covered on a daily basis but feel like it's too much work?

Here is a quick way to cover them yourself during your makeup morning routine..

Once your face has been cleansed and moisturized, apply your eye makeup and clean well under the eye from makeup that may have fallen - I personally think this is the best way to do makeup, eyes first.

Your next step is to prime the skin, I love Laura Mercier's Oil-Free Foundation Primer, then use a stiff eye shadow brush to apply an illuminating concealer - I recommend Estée Lauder's Brush-On Illuminator concealer. I know this product comes with a brush, but I feel that too much product comes out and is wasted - so therefore I use a separate brush.

Once that is applied, I brush on a light dusting of a brightening powder over to set it. If you feel you need extra coverage, I love Cle de Peau concealer. It has a higher price point, (priced at $70, while Lauder's is $27), however it lasts forever and fills lines you may have a little better than the pen.

Once that is done, apply foundation and the rest of your makeup as you normally would, blending into the concealer, not going over it.

My Current Obsession: Burgundy Lips*

The new Fall fashion trends are being plastered all over every magazine and billboard now that Autumn is upon us.

One of my latest obsessions, happens to also be a HUGE trend: wine-colored lips. They are everywhere!

I have always been a fan of the bold lip, but when most people think "bold" they think Gwen Stefani red or Nicki Minaj bright pink, not plums and burgundies which are now coming into play.

InStyle, Glamour, Elle, and others are all featuring the wine lip, and I salute them - and so should you!

If you feel that you love the color, but aren't ready for such a extreme trend - try using a burgundy colored gloss over a nude tone. This will let you play with the trends without falling out of your comfort zone!

Tuesday's Tip of the Day: Dry Shampoo*

Trying to find a great dry shampoo that really works? Sometimes you have to think outside the box!

There are so many ads for dry shampoo's that are on the market. Color or no-color, spray or powder, how do you know which one is right for you!? Well, I have come to save the day!

After trying a boat-load of different products, I found out that a product I was using all along, was where it's at!

If you want fresh smelling and feeling hair that isn't (and I don't mean weeks old, I mean a day to a couple days old that just needs a quick freshening up for a night out) you want Oribe's Dry Texturizing Spray. I was using it along side my dry shampoo when I realized, this product alone creates the texture you want so you can style your hair accordingly - while also eliminating the oils on the scalp.

Other than the smell being absolutely amazing, it works with all types of hair! Pump up that day old blow out, or freshen up those wavy locks- either way you'll love your results.