Phillip Lim 3.1 for Target

     The start of school has got us hectic and it really didn't help that the Phillip Lim 3.1 for Target was expected to sell out almost overnight. I have never really cared all that much for any of the Target designer collabs before (save the Neiman Marcus which was way too pricey), but I've been in the market for a new bag to take to work as well as a new over-the-shoulder mini-bag to replace my super ratty Forever 21 bag that I've been fighting to keep pretty for, say, 4 years now. Trust me, nothing at that store is made to last more than a season.
     I digress, here are the bags I ended up with from that collection (I'm not including links, as they're sold out online. You can still go on Target.com and use the locator tool to see if any are near you.)

This bag is everything. My one qualm is that I wish it had more pockets but (let's be honest) that would just allow me to cram more (objectively) needless junk in there. The inside is wide enough to hold my laptop, a notebook, an umbrella, a small cosmetic bag (which is filled with tide pens and lip gloss), and my wallet. For the price, this bag is right on.

Side note: I'm dying for the Kate Spade Beau Bag  (with calf hair!!) but it will have to wait until I make approximately $1m.

 

I also snagged this little guy. I love the shape of the previous bag and this is like its sleek little brother. It's actually a good size for a mini-bag but unfortunately it's not small enough to take to a Packers game according to NFL Bag Regulations 2013. (I am probably the only one having this very specific problem- ha!)

This is simulteneously the crown jewel and the black sheep of my purchases. I  live for chunky sweaters (and of course the hidden sparkle sold me!) but the slight hi-lo hem is a little weird on me, so I have to tuck in a corner of it to make it seem longer than it is.

P.S. If anyone finds this in cream near them, I am still looking for it!

 

 

 Anyways, Happy Fall and all that!

xo- L

Face by Chanel

Welcome to our first joint post (:

Via a Skype conversation recently, I took blame for Lauren's expensive makeup taste. And really, its all my fault. I love a Dior gloss and a NARS blush like no other. And I have passed these shimmering and colorful obsessions onto Lauren's bank account. 

Point being: we just can't help ourselves in terms of cosmetics. (Read: or sweet potato pancakes, leather handbags, hair spray, or brocade skirts.) 

And my last credit card beneficiary is Chanel. And Lauren's too for that matter, though, more on that later. 

I have foundation complex. I have exclusively used Bare Minerals foundations for the past 7 years. With a MAC try out here and there for good measure. I have combination, highly highly acne prone skin. And a fear of making my skin angry. 

While I find myself being skilled at the art of concealing, I still struggle to try new products that mean I have to employ this skill even more so. 

You may have noticed a small bottle of Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in my last Chanel post. It was a sample, out of fear I waited several weeks before using it. I then used it for several days straight with a dirty brush and even ran with it on. That , my friends, is fear conquering foundation testing. 

And with my skin being no worse than usual, I bought it. And the Soleil de Tan creme bronzer, and a powder compact.

See?

The powder is in Clair and the foundation is in Beige Rose 12, if you're curious. 

My foundation philosophy is this, wear as little foundation as possible, and conceal the problem areas separately. I hate a cake face with a passion. And its happened to me, and I make a conscious effort to prevent it now. 

Vitalumiere Aqua is pretty, soft skin in a bottle. It looks like skin. Its light coverage, Im just telling  you now. If looking like a Madame Tussaud's creation is your jam, this foundation is not for you. Also, if you aren't willing to shake the bottle vigorously for 5 minutes straight, skip this one. You must, if you don't its a waste of a trés cher foundation. I apply with a stippling brush. I also use it with my fingers as under eye concealer, I don't really have dark circles. 

On the bronzer- you can create one of two looks with this baby. Added sunkissed glow to a natural tan, or natural warm sculpting to a fair visage. If you're tan looking for a contour, take a pass. Its beautiful, Im applying with my hands at the moment, waiting on a synthetic blush brush. And for all that is the $50 price tag on this bronzer, do not do not use a natural fiber brush use on top of powder. You'll ruin it and hate the outcome. Just trust me. 

The powder is a basic powder in fancy packaging. I was going with a theme here, remember its my first real liquid foundation adventure, Im feeling excited. This is pretty average for powder, not special, probably wont repurchase unless the packaging calls to me again.

All of these things are on my face right now, plus a little NARS Sex Appeal, and it looks like natural and pretty skin, which is really what I'm after. 

Even more wonderful, is how great the Creme Compact Vitalumiere Aqua looks on Lauren.

Take it away!

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I think Rachel pretty much covered all the bases! I haven't tried the liquid, but I love the ease of the compact.  One suggestion is to use a foundation brush for your full face in the morning and the sponge included for touch ups only. The sponge tends to soak up a lot of foundation. This is a product you don't want to waste!

Also, a note on a new addition to my beauty routine. I've been using Caudile Beauty Elixir before my moisturizer and it is a TOTAL dream multitasker. It's a toner, pore minimizer, and all around glowy skin giver. A little pricey, but the tiny bottle is worth the $20 or so. 

Here are before and after pictures of my skin during my first Vitalumiere Aqua trial. 

                       Before                                                                       After

As you can see, it masked the redness in my cheeks and dark spots on my chin while still allowing my skin to show through. Totally in love! (I am pictured above in 40 beige, but I usually warm it with Nars Laguna) 

FOTD

I don't know about you, but when I purchase new makeup, I often have a tendency to forget about older products. Its a problem, I know.

Today, I attempted to rectify that problem by mixing little old with a little new.

Face:

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua

Bare Minerals Original in Golden Fair

Bare Minerals Faux Tan

NARS Blush in Orgasm

MAC Eyeshadow in Wedge (Brows)

Eyes:

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Mirifique

MAC Pigments in Naked, Chocolate Brown, Gold Mode, and Dark Soul

MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack

L'Oreal Volume Collagen Mascara

Lips: 

MAC Lip Pencil in Subculture

Dior Ultra Addict Gloss in #257

How do you keep from forgetting about old products?

-Rachel

A Stone Fruit Soiree

Summer is such a lovely time. Can you believe it's almost over? In honor of balmy nights, good friends, and belly laughs, here's a great recipe using the summers greatest gift- freestone peaches! Whether you get them from your local farmers market (my favorite!), a road side fruit stand, or the grocery look for peaches that are a deep yellow and give a bit when you press their skin. May all your summer adventures turn out, well, peachy!

Sauteed Brown Sugar Peaches (With Ice Cream!)

• 4 peaches: washed, pitted, and cut into slices
• 1/2 lemon
• 1/2 stick of unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (I used dark, but light will do!)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

After prepping your peaches, place them in a bowl and squeeze the juice of half a lemon in and toss them around a bit. Place a large pan on the stove over medium heat and place the butter in the pan. After the butter has melted, pour in the brown sugar and the vanilla and stir until combined with the butter. Then, place the peach slices in the pan and toss them around with the sauce, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes or until peaches are tender and sauce is a thick, but pourable consistency. Serve warm over vanilla ice cream (Talenti vanilla bean gelato is my favorite!) and enjoy! XO- L

Channeling Chanel

Hello there!

I did a little shopping today, as per usual. I bought a new handbag (more on that later) and did a little pass by the Chanel counter.

I have been eyeing the Illusion D'Ombres Longwear Luminous Eyeshadows for a while. They have incredible reviews for their pigmentation and staying power. Which I can vouch for, given the amount of time and makeup remover it took to get the swatch off my hand. I purchased the black shade, Mirifique #85. Its a deep black with visible silver glitter. Its gorgeous.

I also was swatch convinced into a Stylo Eyeshadow in Moon River #07. This is a metallic taupe shade with plenty of sparkle. Taupe is a go to shade for me. Its simple and easy to pair. Bright pink blush, a nude lip, a berry glossy stain, etc. Taupe always works.

You can also see a tiny bottle there. It contains a Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation sample. The manager was kind enough to match me and provide a sample. I have extremely breakout prone skin and didn't want to make the full sized purchase if it was bad for my skin type. So, expect a review! 

-Rachel

First Impressions: L'Oréal Lineur Intense

I'm an eyeliner person. Always have been. Its the first bit of makeup I purchased. And I'm a hard sell at that.

Im a Fluidline fan, I own them in an array of colors and am pleased with them. That being said, sometimes needing a brush isn't  all that convenient, and if your brush isn't clean-well you're in for a half hour eyeliner application. 

I know there are a lot of great high end liquid eyeliners on the market, but I prefer gel and its not worth the money to me unless I can fall in love with it, which hasn't  happened yet.

So, I thought I'd try and review this little eyeliner. This particular one is a liquid formula with a felt tip pen.

The formula is a touch watery to be honest. This is both good and bad. Its bad because until it dries, smearing is a definite  possibility. But- if you made a mistake it is easy to fix.

Its intense, but not overwhelmingly so. It has a very slight sheen even once its dry. It,however, is not layer-able, if you're someone who goes over a line several times to build or smooth. It removes itself with that method, and is certainly not a product for you.

As far as the brush is concerned, a sharp point is easy to create, as shown. The line is not ultra thin, but fairly thin with the ability  to be thick if so desired. Its a touch too long and not as thin as I would maybe like, but workable for sure.

This liner is not waterproof. At all. A drop of water on a Q-tip took it off in one swipe. This is good or bad, depending on your preference. 

Keep in mind, This is a first impression, it may wear very impressively, I will test it out and see.

Also, I am wearing no mascara in the picture to show the true color intensity.

What are your top eyeliners?

-Rachel

Face of the Day

Hi there!

Quick little face of the day for you. Ive been keeping my eyeshadow really low on the lid lately, which is new for me. Not sure how I feel about it, but it doesn't make for very good pictures.  Either way, here you go!

Also, my brows don't look that scraggly in person. Promise.

Face:

Bare Minerals Original in Golden Fair

Bare Minerals Faux Tan

NARS Sex Appeal

MAC Wedge Eyeshadow (Brows)

Eyes:

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Urban Decay Eyeshadows in Virgin, Smog, Darkhorse

MAC Ether Mineralized Eyeshadow (LE)

Stila Eyeshadow in Kitten

MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack

L'Oreal Volume Collagen Mascara in Blackest Black

Lips:

MAC Lipliner in Subculture

MAC Lipstick in Brave

Looking back, I would have worn a different lipstick, but I wanted to wear Brave seeing as its new to my collection!

-Rachel