Amazing purse find at Disneyland!

So I have just returned from the happiest place on earth and I have to share with you my recent find. I have been a fan of the Harvey's seat belt bag for a while but when I saw the custom Disney line I was hooked! Made of seat belts and handcrafted in Santa Ana, California, this company has it all! Cool, durable bags that are sure to please everyone. I found one that pays tribute to Tim Burton's A Nightmare before Christmas.It's the Lola bag. 

Find your favorite today...http://www.seatbeltbags.com/nightmare-before-christmas.html

Beauty Books To Hone The Craft

As I mentioned in a previous post, I celebrated my birthday in September. A few of the gifts I received were beauty/makeup books. They are chock full of tips tricks and suggested tools to get your glam on. One of my faves is from celebrity makeup artist Bobbi Brown. Her Makeup Manual is geared for anyone who desires to learn more tips and tricks ranging from the everyday makeup user to the pro artist. She has basic tutorials with wonderful photos and she even gets into details regarding Pro Makeup Artist kits and creating a business as an artist.  

One of my other favorite artists is the late Kevyn Aucoin.  He was a brilliant master of make up and the beauty industry lost a genius way too soon. His captivating transformation of celebrities and everyday ladies makes us gape in awe of how he can transform a face and bring out the beauty of a woman.  In his book, Making Faces he delves into some of his secret tricks for using makeup like an artist with paint to a canvas. I highly recommend this book for beauty fanatics like myself. 

Both of these books can be found online or at larger bookstores. I have spent many hours pouring over these two books and others as well. For those of you who love the TV show, What Not To Wear, Carmindy also has a great book that showcases her talents and tricks. Also, make up artist Jemma Kidd whose makeup line can be purchased at your local Target store has a book that is similar to Bobbi Brown's in that it can be used as a tutorial guide for even the novice makeup user. Whomever your muse may be there a so many endless possibilities with makeup. I find myself mixing and matching colors and textures all the time. Trial and error is one of the best ways to learn. Please feel free to share your favorite artists and tips.

Birthday Beauty Haul

This past week I celebrated my 30 something party with a girls shopping spree. I had so much fun browsing the cosmetic counters in San Francisco. I made a bee line for Inglot and purchased a ton of products for only $200.00. MAC lovers out there please please please check out Inglot because you can purchase twice the amount of goodies at the same high quality for half the cost. They have every shade of shadow and lipstick you could ever want and can actually take home because it won't break the bank. :) Below are some pics of my goodies. I made two Freedom palettes and picked eye shadows and lip glosses. The Freedom systems come in many configurations and can be built any way you like them. Love purples... then load up these shadow cases with your favorite shades of eggplant to royal purple. Or want to create a natural eye kit? Then just select the shadows you want and the Freedom system shadows pop right into the metalic case. It's super easy and they have matte shadows and frosted and evertything in between. 

I added greys and coppers to my eye shadow kit

I kept my lip kit neutral ranging from peachy pink to mauve

Chanel Rouge Allure 105 Inimitable and Lip Definer Rouge Profond 57

While I was shopping I purchased a hot red lipstick from Chanel and their Premier Regard new shadow quad. A subtle yet very elegant look for a special night out. I have yet to fins a red that looks good on me but this one had a slight orange undertone that surprisingly looked really nice on my fair skintone.

Other goodies I found while out and about... Laura Mercier's Merlot lipstick. The perfect fall shade that looks great on a variety of skin tones.

Inglot's AMC 541 iridescent gloss and sparkle shimmer in silver and silver purple.

And finally...... An illuminator that can be used mixed or over your foundation for an ethereal glow. This was my most prized find as I have yet to find one that really works. Highlighters are just too strong but this gives the glow without the heavy reflection. All in all the trip was a success and I had an amazing time.  Great birthday memories.

Inspiration....Fall hair color shades

Jazz up fall with some of these hot color trends.... Who says your color can't match the season.

Edgy

Retro

Romantic

Modern

Review: Urban Decay's Naked Skin Foundation

I am in love with a liquid foundation again. I never thought it would happen but it has.  Urban Decay's Naked Skin Foundation goes on light but is buildable for a creamy smooth and moisturized feel that doesn't lead to shine. Wow! That was a long sentence. But seriously, I have tried and tried liquid foundations and I always go back to mineral powder. Some are too cakey, some are too greasy, some are just simply the wrong shade. Not Urban Decay. They even have a shade selector in the store to help you find your perfect match. All you have to do is hold the transparent tester up to your face. Each shade goes up 1/2 point. When you find the one that looks like your skin or blends in completely, you have found your match.

It is easy to apply, I have been using fingers but a sponge would work well too. Even a foundation brush and just smooth it in. I love the non greasy feel while my skin is still full of moisture and never cakey. Check it out at your local Urban Decay counter today. :) Happy Shopping. www.urbandecay.com

Good Girl Gone Bad

Ready to rock this wild look. Then arm yourself with a black shadow such as Urban Decay's oil slick or MAC's Carbon. Line eyes inside and out with a waterproof black liner and smoke out the black shadow just slightly above your crease. But how do you get that wet look you may ask?  Very simple, pick up MAC's Pro Longwear gloss coat. This non sticky gloss gives your eyes a wet look that adds that extra edge that shadow cannot give you alone. Bam! You are ready to slip into that Little Black Dress and indulge your bad girl side.

Coming Soon in October.... MAC and Marilyn

MAC's new muse is none other than Marilyn Monroe. Grab your handbags and head for your nearest store to bask in the retro glow... Here is a sneek peek of these fabulous colors.