My go-to MAC products

One of my all-time favorite makeup brands is MAC cosmetics. MAC carries high-end makeup artist quality products at reasonable prices. They also have color and product selections that can't be beat. They carry everything from foundation to brushes and everything in between. To go to a counter or store can even be a little intimidating at times because the selection is just so vast. Since I've tried a lot of their products, I thought I'd share a roundup of my go-to MAC staple items:

Lipstick

One of the most iconic and raved about MAC product is their lipstick. I have an ever growing collection that you can read more about here. They offer just about every shade and finish you can think of, which is what makes them so popular. I recently dug through my lipstick stash and pulled out some of my favorite summer brights including this shade, Pink Nouveau. Its a blue-based, cotton candy pink. Blue-based pinks and reds are great because they make you teeth appear whiter, which is always a plus.

Mineralize Skinfinish

MAC describes these powders as "luxurious and velvet-soft with a high frost finish." My favorite way to use them is to highlight my cheeks and brow bones. All of the MSF's have a marble swirl throughout the product. They are really beautiful to look at. The texture is soft and finely milled. There are six shades in MAC's permanent line but they are constantly releasing new shades in their limited edition collections. This one is Perfect Topping, a pale peach highlight with lavender marble.

Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

This is a baked mineral setting powder that provides a natural, matte finish. This is honestly the most natural setting powder I own. It is not powdery at all and really leaves my skin looking like skin. MAC touts this as a setting powder but in the past I've actually used this as a powder foundation and it worked great! It is also one of my favorites to bring in my purse for an on-the-go touch up. The shade I use is medium. They've re-done the packaging for this and it now contains a mirror, this is the old packaging.

Blush

Like MAC lipsticks, their blush comes in a vast array of finishes and colors. There are over 30 shades in the regular line. All of the blushes are soft and finely milled, making them easy to use. They are also long-wearing. If I apply it in the morning I can still see the flush on my cheeks when I get home from work. This shade is Lovecloud, a bright mid-toned pink. This is a great color to give you that natural, healthy flush.

Pro Longwear Concealer

This is a great full coverage concealer. It works for me both under the eyes and to cover blemishes and dark spots on my face. Even though this is full coverage it feels very lightweight when applied and a little goes a long way. I only need 1 pump for under my eyes and there will be some left over if I have any spots to cover. It dries to a natural matte finish. My shade is NC20.


These are the products that are not only my favorite but they are the ones I go back to and if I run out, I always repurchase. Do you have any MAC go-tos?

Winter Style Staples

Winter is not my favorite season. Trudging through the snow, cleaning off my car and jacking up the heat are not things I look forward to. But over New Years, Mike and I did something different and went on a little winter getaway to North Conway. It really brought me back to what I do like about winter. The cozy scarfs and sweaters, no humidity to make my hair frizz, sipping hot chocolate and cozying up to a fire are all things I enjoy. Since then, I've really been trying to be more positive about winter and one of the ways I've done that is through embracing my favorite fashion items.

Here are some key pieces that have been my Winter Style Staples:

1. Earflap Beanie - I'm reaching for hats with earflaps lately since they really keep you bundled up in the cold winter temps. I love this one from The North Face, its so warm and the cream color will go with anything.

2. Ballerina Flats - In the winter I like to wear boots outside and then have some flats with me to slip on once I get to work. These Tieks flats are great because they fold up and you can carry them in your purse.

3. eTip Gloves - eTip gloves make it so that you don't have to remove your gloves to use your phone, ingenious! These ones from ones The North Face are great because all five fingers are touchscreen compatible, usually its only the index finger and thumb.

4. Dainty Necklace - I've been wearing a lot of scarves lately but I still like incorporate jewelry into my wardrobe. Choosing a dainty necklace is a nice way to do that without your accessories looking overwhelming.

5. Aviator Sunglasses - I find that solar glare affects me the most during the winter so a nice pair of sunglasses is a must. I love my Ray Ban Aviators, they're so comfortable and they go with anything.

6. Blanket Scarf - The Blanket Scarf has taken Pinterest by storm this season. This one from Target is so warm and cozy, I have it in two colors. They are hard to find online but I found both of mine in store, so make sure to peruse the scarf racks!

7. Deep Berry Lipstick - I've been gravitating towards plummy-berry lipstick shades this winter. A bold lip and minimal eye makeup is a great way to look done-up without a lot of effort.

8. Navy Handbag - I've been loving a nice navy leather handbag this season. Its a nice change from the basic black I usually sport this time of year and I think it will transition nicely into the spring.

9. Ugg Boots - Uggs aren't necessarily the best for traipsing around in the snow, since they're not waterproof, but they are just so warm and cozy. I wear these more when its cold than when its snowing or wet out. I love the button detailing on this pair, it really dresses them up.

Shopping Tip:

I am an avid shopper and I recently discovered Raise.com, which offers gift cards at a discount. When I have something I'm shopping for I first check out Raise to see if there are currently offering any discounts at the store I'm planning to visit. Another great thing about this website is that you can also sell your unused or unwanted gift cards that you might have sitting in your wallet, taking up space. I'm always looking for ways to save money so this website was a no-brainer for me.

I hope this post inspired you to embrace the winter weather and gave you an idea on how to save a little money while doing it!

Winter Nail Polish Picks + How to Winterize your nails

Winter is such a brutal season that its important to prepare for it. Some things even involve a "winterization" process to protect them from winter's cold temperatures, snow and ice. Winterization also translates into the beauty world. The cold, dry air can affect your skin, hair and nails, so its important to change up your beauty routine to prepare for it. Before we get into what my winter nail care routine entails, I thought I'd first share my Winter nail polish picks:

Julep Kiki - This is a ice blue with silver shimmer. The color reminds me of the movie Frozen. Its almost the color of Elsa's dress. Yes, I still watch Disney movies as an adult. This is the color I've been reaching for lately when I want a fun pop of color on my nails.

Essie Fiji - This is an opaque pale pink. It is a perfect pastel pink that will transition nicely into the spring. The drawback to Fiji is that with most pastel colors, its streaky. It requires patience and many coats to get the color fully opaque, but it is achievable. I used three coats here.

Julep Joanne - This is a smoky plum color with a creme finish. Its a very ladylike and work-appropriate shade. Opaque in two coats.

Julep Sawyer - This is a molten copper color with metallic shimmer. It is a gorgeous, rich color that looks different depending on the lighting. The formula is thick, you can get away with one coat if you're careful.

OPI Ink - This is a deep ink blue with shimmer. The color is almost a mix of blue and purple that is peppered with a pink shimmer throughout. Its really a mesmerizing color, opaque in two coats.

Now that you've picked out that perfect winter color, its time to treat your hands to a winterized manicure. The cold temperatures and dry air can wreak havoc on your nails so its important to change up your nail care routine to keep your nails healthy and strong during the winter months. Here's how I do it:

Step 1 - Clip & Shape

I use a square ended nail clipper and my trusty Ruby Stone nail file to keep my nails short during the winter. The cool, dry winter air causes my nails to be more brittle. Wearing my nails short keeps them healthy and makes them less susceptible to breakage.

Step 2 - Cuticles: Be Gone!

I soak my nail beds with a cuticle eliminator for about 30 seconds which softens them, making them easy to remove.

Step 3 - Give 'Em A Nudge

Next I gently push back my cuticles with a cuticle pusher.

Step 4 - Clean Up Time

Next I wash my hands thoroughly with warm soapy water. I then buff away any unevenness on my nails using a buffer block and use a cuticle nipper to nip away any nail hangs or leftover dead cuticles. Be careful not to over-trim!

Step 5 - Extra Oomph

Since my nails have been so dry, I've started using a strengthening base coat to give my nails a little boost. I use the base coat under my nail polish and I've really been noticing that my nails feel stronger and I'm having less breakage.

Step 6 - Moisturize Often

Once my nails are dry I finish up with a hand lotion. I massage Essie's Many Many Mani Hand Lotion, into my hands and cuticles as the last step of my manicure. This is a thick lotion but it melts into my skin in seconds and helps keep my hands nourished and happy through the dry winter months. I keep this lotion on my bedside table and use it in between manicures to keep my hands hydrated.

I hope this post gave you some ideas on some new winter colors to try and also inspired you to winterize your nail care routine!


Reference:

Julep
Essie
OPI
Sally Beauty Supply

Burn Notice: Holiday Candle Favorites

While I love candles in the fall, my absolute favorite time of year to burn them is during the Holidays. They add that special finishing touch of ambiance to a room that really gets me in the Holiday Spirit. Here's a roundup of my seasonal favorites:

Bath & Body Works Holly Jolly Christmas - B&BW describes this scent as "a festive blend of bright mandarin, red pomegranate and fresh balsam." Its a woodsy scent, like a men's cologne mixed with pine trees. The citrus notes lighten it up and soften the fragrance making smell perfect for the Holidays. The packaging couldn't get any cuter either.

Bath & Body Works Pumpkin Gingerbread - If you're like me and aren't ready to say goodbye to all things Pumpkin once December rolls around, this candle is for you. Hey, they are still serving the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks so I figure, its ok! B&BW describes the scent as "just-baked gingerbread, golden vanilla and fresh creamy pumpkin." Its very savory smelling. The strongest notes are gingerbread and molasses but there is a background hint of pumpkin spice which mellows it out a bit and makes it unique.

Bath & Body Works Fresh Balsam - As the name suggests, this is a fresh pine scented candle. It smells just like a Christmas Tree, like if you somehow stuffed an entire tree into a tiny jar. With that being said, it's the perfect amount of pine scent that isn't too overwhelming. We have a natural tree that smells amazing but this just gives it an extra kick. I haven't had one of the mason jar candles before and this is just so cute. The one wick doesn't burn down as evenly as B&BW's three wick candles but I've been burning it a lot this month and its only about a quarter of the way down, so it's a slow burn. This is one I can see myself repurchasing year after year.

Yankee Candle Christmas Cookie - Yankee describes this candle as "buttery rich, vanilla scented, holiday sugar cookies." This is an oldie but a goodie. I've bought this candle again and again. Its one of those quintessential holiday scents that really get me in the Holiday spirit. As the name intents, it smells like fresh baked cookies. Its a warm and sweet scent that wafts throughout the house, just like fresh baked cookies. This one can get dangerous because it just makes me crave Holiday sweets and I end up baking. I blame the candle!

Bath & Body Works Marshmallow Fireside - This one is actually part of B&BW's fall line but I like burning it during the holidays. The scent is pretty unique, its a mixture of sweet marshmallows, smokey campfire and a slight hint of woodsy cologne. Its one of those truly calming scents. I love to burn this in the evening after getting home from work to wind down.


A lit candle is that perfect homey finishing touch to a room during the holidays. There's nothing like lighting a candle, turning off the lights and settling down to watch a Christmas movie. Do you burn candles during the holidays? What are your favorite scents?

November Beauty Favorites

So its December, how the heck did did that happen? It seems like I blinked and Fall was over. The last favorites post I did was back in September that went over my favorite summer products. Although I had originally thought I'd be doing these posts once a month, that clearly didn't happen. More realistically I plan on posting these sporadically when I feel I have a group of stand out products to recommend and talk about.

Here's what made the list this month:

MAC Mystical Lipstick - This was part of the Alluring Aquatics collection that came out over the summer. MAC describes the color as a mid-tone creamy rose with a creamsheen finish. This has been my go-to, don't have to think about it, shade all month. Its a neutral color that goes nicely with every look. I think its more of a fall/winter color than a summer color since its a bit darker in tone. It is creamy and comfortable to wear. 

NARS One Night Stand Cheek Palette -Sorry, another limited edition product. I promise the rest are not! This came out with last year's Holiday Guy Bourdin collection. I remember I bought it during the 2013 VIB sale. I was obsessed when I first got this but then I kind of forgot about it until recently. This is perfect for traveling. I toss this in my makeup bag and I'm covered for face color. It has four blush shades, a bronzer and a highlight. The standout of the palette is the highlight shade, Devotee. Its the prettiest pink-beige color with a frost finish. Perfect for the Holidays. NARS comes out with one of these palettes every year for the Holidays. I think this year's palette, which is very similar, may still be available. Its called Virtual Domination.

NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base - This is the holy grail of eyeshadow primers. If you have oily eyelids, this stuff is for you. My eyeshadow typically looks good for the first few hours after I apply it then it starts to crease. Not with this! My eye makeup lasts and looks fresh all day. I had received a sample of this a while back and was immediately wowed but I just couldn't justify purchasing the full size since I have so many free-with-purchase travel size primers from various brands. I'd been getting really frustrated lately with my eyeshadow not holding up all day, so when this year's VIB sale rolled around I finally broke down and ordered this. It is so worth it.

L'Oreal Amber Rush Infallible Eyeshadow - This is a beautiful rose gold color with a metallic finish that can be worn wet or dry. The consistency of the Infallible Eyeshadows is unique - its like a cross between a loose and pressed pigment. You get the color payoff and blendability of a loose pigment with out the mess. Win, win! This shade in particular is one of those magical shades you can use for a one shadow look. It looks great on the lid and in the crease. It gives a multidimensional effect that makes it look like you are wearing more than one color. If I do want a more definition in the crease I'll just add a bit of bronzer and I'm good to go.

Mario Badesco Facial Spray - This is described as a refreshing and hydrating facial mist that is a pick me up for dehydrated, tight and uncomfortable skin. I use this as my toner. Its hydrating and moisturizing to my skin and leaves it feeling fresh. The small is amazing, like fresh Roses. I've heard that you can use this as a makeup setting spray but I haven't tried it for that.

By Terry Baume de Rose - I received this as a sample from Beautylish. I haven't been able to put it down since I got it. This brand is fairly new to the US and supposedly has a cult following in France. I can see why. This stuff is amazing. So thick and creamy and smells like a bouquet of fresh roses. I apply this before bed and it makes my lips so soft and feel amazing when I get up. I don't know if I'll purchase a full size one because the price is just out of control. We'll see how much I miss it when its all gone!

Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Finishing Powder - This is a finely milled loose powder with a natural satin finish. The word silk comes to mind. Since it is so fine, it never looks cakey and it blends into the skin seamlessly Another great thing about this powder is its ability to blur imperfections. It does a great job of minimizing pores and giving my skin a smooth appearance. The only thing I don't love about this is that the opening is a bit small. I use a massive powder brush to apply so it doesn't fit in all the way. But this stuff is amazing so I make do!

Clearly I'm loving everything rose colored and scented this month. What have you been loving lately?

Burn Notice: My Favorite Fall Candles

I love all things decorating and home decor. While I like things to look put together and pretty, I also want our home to be cozy. That's why I always look to candles to add the perfect finishing touch to a room. The season that I find myself burning candles the most is in the fall. Here's a roundup of my seasonal favorites:

Yankee Candle Spiced Pumpkin - Yankee describes this scent as "pumpkins baked in simmering spices of clove, nutmeg and sweetened with cinnamon and brown sugar". To me this scent is heavy on the spice, light on the pumpkin. The spicy notes makes this a nice transitional candle as we approach the holidays. It really makes me think of Thanksgiving and Pumpkin Pie, which might be why I really love burning this in the kitchen. It has a great throw that permeates throughout the whole house.

Beanpod Chai Tea - As fall rolls around I start to crave Tea and Chai Tea is my absolute favorite. So when I saw this candle I knew I had to take it home. It has a nutty scent with notes of Ginger and a twist of citrus and vanilla, a lovely mild scent.

Bath & Body Works Leaves - It was this candle that started my love affair with Bath & Body Works candles. I grew up using their soaps and lotions but really hadn't been into the store in a few years. I had no idea they even sold candles. I had heard rave reviews on this candle so I finally went into the store to check it out. I was astonished with all the amazing candles they had to offer and I've been a convert ever since! B&BW describes this scent as a blend of golden nectar, red apple and spiced berries. It is the most classic fall scent that reminds me of an apple pie. As with all the B&BW candles, the burn is flawless. It burns evenly all the way down to the last drop.

Bath & Body Works Autumn - B&BW describes this candle as blending the scents of dark pomegranate, red delicious apple and juicy fig. It reminds me of a less spicy version of the Leaves candle, it is a more pure apple scent. This one has the prettiest packing of the bunch with the embossed gold leaves. The lid is topped with two decorative leaves that make it extra special.

Bath & Body Works Sweater Weather - B&BW describes this candle as a blend of eucalyptus, juniper berry and fresh sage. This is the strongest scent of the bunch. I'll admit that it took some getting used to but now I love it. The scent is hard to describe. The word that comes to mind is crisp. It is a very cozy scent that freshens the whole house. Theres almost has a hint of musk in there, like a nice nice men's cologne. This has the best throw out of the five. It makes the whole house smell like a crisp autumn breeze. If you aren't into the pumpkin and apple fall scents, this ones for you.

Have you indulged in any seasonal candles this fall?

August Beauty Favorites

Since I started blogging, I've been wanting to get into a routine of doing a monthly post on my most used products. As we transition into a new season I thought, what better time than now to do my first favorites post! These are things that I've genuinely been using and loving throughout the month which includes both new products and things that I've rediscovered.

August was a hectic month. We traveled a lot which meant living out of suitcases half the time. I've been packing and repacking my travel makeup bag nonstop. I've had it kind of half unpacked on my vanity all month. This made it really easy to see what products I've been getting the most use out of lately. Here's what made the list:


Urban Decay All Nighter 

This is a great setting spray that really helps elongate the wear of your makeup. It has also been a staple in my rotation to help combat makeup breakdown in the heat and humidity we've been having.

Lorac Pro 2 Palette

I've been loving the Lorac Pro 2 palette this month. It has the same half matte/half shimmer shadow split as the first pro palette but this one is more cooler-toned. This time they've switched it up by adding in some brighter colors along with some great staple neutrals for everyday. Its been perfect for summer but there are also some great deeper shades in the palette that will transition beautifully into fall.

Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Mascara

This mascara gives my lashes some serious volume. I actually hated this mascara when I first got it. Its a really wet formula which applies heavily and left my lashes volumized but clumpy. It required alot of combing through to get a pretty effect. I got frustrated and left it untouched for a few months and when I picked it back up last month I was in love. The formula had dried out slightly and now it is magical. If you have this and didn't like it at first, definitely give it another try, it gets better!

Tarte Exposed Blush

This the perfect summer blush that I've gone back to year after year. I'd describe it as a rosy nude. It gives a natural muted flush to my skin when I've gotten some sun. Its a color that I don't have to think about, it goes with everything.

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer

This has not been a great skin month for me so I was thankful to have found a new go-to full coverage concealer. Its a nice all-in-one product that is great under the eyes for covering dark circles and also does an awesome job covering blemishes and dark spots. As the name suggests, it is very long-wearing and doesn't break up halfway through the day.

Everyday Minerals Eye Kabuki Brush

This is the brush I've been using for concealer. I've actually had this for years and decided to bust it back out this month and give it another try. It works so well with my Pro Longwear concealer! I use it two ways. For under my eyes, I dot on concealer and then go in with this brush to fan it out and blend it in. To cover blemishes, I dot concealer on the back of my hand, dip my brush in and then stipple the brush over the blemish. It provides great coverage without looking cakey.

Sephora Pro Airbrush #56 Foundation Brush

As I mentioned before, I had a rough skin month in August and was looking for a fuller coverage foundation application and this brush was perfection for that. I'm a devoted Beauty Blender user and this is the first foundation brush that I've fallen in love with. It blends beautifully and gives that natural airbrush finish I get from my Beauty Blender but with a fuller coverage. The bristles are buttery soft and it feels so nice on my skin.

MAC Good Kisser Lipstick

This is from the new "A Novel Romance" collection. Its a medium fuchsia with a matte finish. I've really been loving brighter lips lately and this is a great hot pink thats not too hot or crazy to wear to work. It is long-wearing and when it does fade it leaves a good deal of staining color behind.

Maybelline Luxe in Lilac Color Elixir

This is from the Bleached Neons summer collection. Its a vibrant plum that I'm actually wearing today. The color has a muted Radiant Orchid vibe that I think will transition nicely into fall as it leans more on the purple side. I love the formula of the Color Elixirs. They're creamy and comfortable to wear with great color payoff that isn't sticky. The only thing they're lacking in is staying power but I really don't mind reapplying throughout the day.


What have you been loving lately?