there's a new, cool kid on the block: glossier

I realize I am a little late when it comes to proclaiming my New Year's Resolutions, but I honestly didn't give it any thought until January 2. Oops. 

This year, I simply want to take better care of my skin. By washing my makeup off every day, moisturizing on a regular basis sticking to a solid skincare routine I think I'll look and feel a lot better. Also, let's be honest here, I received Glossier's Phase 1 set for Christmas from one of my sisters so it seemed like a good time to start being serious about skincare.

Hint: if you don't know, Glossier is Into The Gloss's spinoff beauty brand created by Emily Weiss (you might remember her as super-intern Emily on The Hills). It's pretty effing cool that a beauty brand was born out of a blog if you ask me, or Forbes.

I have only been using this set for a little over a week and I'm OBSESSED. I can seriously already tell a difference in my skin texture; it looks and feels more even and more glowy! I can't make this stuff up, people.

The tie for my favorite product is between the priming moisturizer and the moisture tint. I use this priming moisturizer every day on top of my favorite serum, and actually look forward to slathering the stuff on my face. The super creamy texture is great but even better is that it completely moisturizes my skin (read: no dry flakes) WITHOUT making my face oily which is truly miraculous. The "priming" aspect does seem to work as my face makeup doesn't slide around as much throughout the day. 

If velvety cream existed this would be it

On the other hand, the moisture tint is simply amazing. I was skeptical at first because it looks pretty unassuming out of the bottle since it's runny and only comes in three shades, but it's definitely a power product. The coverage is medium, it covers imperfections well (still need concealer for pesky blemishes and dark circles) but makes my skin g-l-o-w. Since it lets my freckles show through it looks like a "me but better" version of my face and I'm not sure I'll ever try another face makeup again.*

Looks like totally the wrong color, but is perfect blended in.

*if you're looking for heavier coverage that covers everything, this may not be for you.

The smoothing face mist is pretty awesome, I guess, but I have to admit I'm not much of a face mist person. I have heard of people using it to set their makeup or simply to feel more awake during the mid-day slump (ya hear me, 2 p.m.?!), but I haven't  decided when it will be my go-to. To be continued...

The balm dot com is pretty much the bomb dot comb, as to be expected with any petroleum-based product. You can use it literally anywhere; I use it on my lips, eczema patches on my elbows, under my nose, tops of cheekbones for a glow, etc. I compare this to Elizabeth Arden's infamous Eight Hour Cream; it's a product you never want to leave home without, even if it basically is just glorified vaseline in a tube.

The do-it-all product

The tote and padded plastic travel bags the came with the goods. Not pictured: the cute, quirky stickers included as well.

Who was I before Glossier?! These products have quickly become essentials and I don't think I can ever live a day without them again. Word on the street is that Glossier will be debuting more products, including makeup, this year and I can't wait to see what my new favorite beauty brand has in store!

santa baby

Is it too early to start talking about Christmas? Probably. But I'm going to do it anyway because I can't keep my beauty wish list to myself anymore!

This is Part One of the beauty products I want pray to find in my stocking or wrapped up under the tree this year:

all images from www.sephora.com

• Clinique All About Eyes - I have used this before at the Clinique makeup counter, and nothing even comes close for me. I don't struggle with super dark under-eye circles, but often lack sleep and need some help with "puffy eye bags." I don't even care if this stuff doesn't make me look more awake because I feel more awake. And that's all that really matters, right?

  
  
• Stila Stay All Day liquid eyeliner - I've come back full swing and am obsessed with mastering the cat eye, once again. It's a classic look, looks awesome during the day AND night, and is simply pretty. I usually buy super cheap liquid liner from the drugstore, but I think a higher-quality liner stays on longer and will ultimately look better. Meow.

• Benefit They're Real! mascara - This is my holy grail mascara to date. I got it by surprise for Christmas last year and fell head over heels for it (don't tell my boyfriend), and have to have it for my stubby/short eyelashes.

I will probably add half of Sephora to my Beauty Wish List before Christmas, but these are the three products I have to have. I'm going to be extra nice the next month...

purple lips or die

Do not fear purple lipstick. Or, do not fear lipstick in general if you're anything like me (the fear is real).

I have always loved the dark lips for the Fall/Winter, but have only been brave enough to sport red lips on occasion -- and by 'occasion' I mean a couple times a year.

I'm trying to be more open to lipstick, so I picked up The Body Shop's new Colour Crush Lipstick in 240 Damson in Distress. It says 'matte' but I would say it's more 'almost-matte'. This means it is not a shiny lipstick and is mostly flat but has a touch of sheen to it -- it's pretty normal for "matte" lipsticks to have a tiny bit of sheen to them.

Not too dark, not too bright - "all you need is a light jacket!" Kidding.

Verdict: I'm obsessed! The color looks super dark and plain in the tube, but the purple/dark fuchsia/I-don't-even-know color really comes alive once it's applied. And as always, it's important to take it easy on the rest of your face when rocking a bold lip.

Have you tried dark lips for Fall yet?

my newest obsession: Bumble and bumble

I recently went on a trip to New York with my parents to re-visit my Summer stomping grounds. We had a ton of fun but the coolest part of my trip was visiting the Bumble and bumble corporate office. I met a woman who is in charge of marketing there when I attended Parson's School of Design Fashion Campus NYC event in July. I got in touch with her and was super pumped when I was lucky enough to get a meeting with her and a product developer at Bumble. It was awesome talking with both of them and getting a better insight into the beauty industry -- also the office is amazing!

view from the 4th floor of bumble's 8-floor building

After visiting Bumble's corporate office, I immediately went to Sephora to check out their latest products. I feel in love with their spray chalk! I have always loved hair chalk but haven't found one that doesn't require a lot of time to apply - until now. This spray is so easy to use AND has the best color payoff - not to mention it comes in four different shades. FOUR!

can't wait to buy this

true life: I have eczema

I have had eczema since I was a baby and countless prescription creams later (applied every day), the eczema that covers my ankles is still there. It's gross, embarrassing, and worst of all -- itchy. 

The solution seems so simple. People tell me all the time, people who don't have eczema, "don't itch and it'll go away." It's not that simple. It's not an itching like a mosquito bite that is on the surface of the skin, it's deep under my skin and lasts for hours. If I don't itch it makes my skin crawl because it's such an uncomfortable sensation. 

The itchy reality

I hate despise when my eczema is visible. Kids are brutally honest and the little swimmers I used to coach always asked me what's wrong with my feet; adults do it too. It doesn't seem like a huge issue to be self-conscious about, but I am. Sure, the issue is exaggerated in my mind, but don't all physical issues seem worse to ourselves than anyone else? It's not a secret that nobody is perfect, yet we're all guilty of focusing on our imperfections. 

Eczema is just one of my physical imperfections. Even Miranda Kerr has physical imperfections (I think?), so we should all have more self lovin' and not focus on trivial things no one else notices!

"Beauty, to me, is being comfortable in your own skin." -Gwyneth Paltrow

lust at first sight

I am completely lusting over Smashbox's CC Cream. I want it. I have to have it. 

I have been using my current BB cream generously so I can run out and have an excuse to drop $42 on this CC cream. It's a ridiculous amount of money for a tiny bottle of essentially tinted face moisturizer, and I think this may be a contributing factor to the reason why I feel like I can't live without it (even though I don't even own it yet).

I've read countless reviews of all the best CC creams and tried on Smashbox's CC cream one day at Sephora. It had good coverage, but also felt lightweight on my skin and my face didn't turn into an oil factory like BB/CC creams usually do! I am trying to justify to myself that spending so much money on CC cream when there are a lot of cheaper options, but I have been using a cheap drugstore BB cream and it does nothing for my skin.

Always on my mind now-a-days

I am so in lust with this product because I actually think it will help to even out my skin tone and actually provide coverage. I guess there's only one way to find out...

Has anyone used a CC cream and seen results?

back to basics

American Pie is gracing my TV screen tonight. In between attacks of laughter, I notice how simple, natural, and pretty the girls look and I'm inspired by the fresh-faced 90's look.  These girls have got the ' 'no makeup-makeup' and the 'girl next door' looks perfected.

Mena Suvari in all of her innocent-teen goodness.

Buying a LipSmackers Dr. Pepper chapstick ASAP.

"hire me" beauty

I had my first Big Girl interview yesterday! (Big Girl = job)

I was really nervous for it. I wasn't nervous about what to say or what to wear, but what the right move for my hair and makeup was. I think I nailed it -- the interview AND the beauty. 

It's difficult to decide how to do your hair and makeup for an interview because you don't want to look too conservative and boring, but you also don't want to look like you spent more time preparing your beauty regime than your interview material.

Strike a balance by erring on the conservative side, but still aim for pretty! Looking good will also give you a confidence boost that will show when you're speaking. Here's what I did:

• Aim for simple: this is not the time to experiment with hairstyles or makeup! I wore my short hair plain-- down and straight. Wearing your hair in a clip half-up, or in a low non-messy bun works too (especially for my curly-haired friends).

• Keep it neutral: only use makeup products that enhance your natural beauty-- we're going for the "no-makeup-makeup" look here. This means no color. No blue eyeliner, no red lipstick, no shimmer. I wore BB cream, concealer, a hint of blush, thin brown eyeliner, mascara and lip balm.

• Less is more: if you're deciding whether to add more eyeliner, blush, or whatever the answer is: don't. Even if you feel like your face is more bare than usual, you want the interviewer to be listening to you and not be distracted by your looks. Put enough makeup on so you look pretty and feel confident, but don't overdo it.

Have you ever given thought to interview-appropriate hair/makeup before?