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Tatcha

What's In My Bag

Inside My Bag

January 6, 2015

Here’s a peek at what’s inside my bag this week (another shot here @beautylookbook). Truffle  Clutches are keeping my bags streamlined and organized. I like to use the Clarity Clutches for makeup because I can see what’s inside (nude is shown). The Privacy Clutches for me are used to keep card cases, wallets, notecards and keys in (blush shown). I ordered a bunch of these for Christmas and gave them out as gifts to friends. They put them to use immediately and it brought a smile to my face seeing that they were well received – everyone has been sending me pictures of their pouches in action.

As usual, I have too many lip products in my purse. Left to right is NARS Dolce Vita Lip Gloss (review), Charlotte Tilbury Lip Lustre in Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (swatched), Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Étourdie (swatches), and Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask in Champagne (review).

I’ve been carrying the Tatcha’s Original Aburatorigami Beauty Papers to blot. They are packaged in a slim compact sturdy paper case making them easy to carry with me, although the new Travel Sized Papers-To-Go Tube is now on my wish list. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Powder in 20 stays with me these days for refreshing makeup although I often forget to bring a powder brush with me so having it in my bag is kinda pointless.

Two last beauty items I’ve been carrying with me include Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black mini and L’Occitane’s Shea Butter Hand Cream (from the limited-edition holiday L’OcciBox).

What’s in your bag this week?

The Truffle Blush Clutch and L’Occitane Hand Cream were press samples. All other items purchased by me.

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Roundup

Best Beauty Discoveries and Highlights of 2014

December 29, 2014

2014 has been a very exciting year and I feel incredibly blessed in so many ways. I am grateful for each and every one of my readers. Without your passion for all things beauty this blog would not be a possibility for me to keep up. Each week I am touched by the kindness some of you have shown through e-mail and comments. I think the internet and social media is amazing with the way it enables us to connect with each other across the world. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for following me through this blog 🙂 

I have a roundup of beauty highlights in 2014. There have been so many great beauty releases and innovations this year. I think the holiday sets this season were the best ones I’ve seen to date. I’ve linked previous reviews of my favorite beauty discoveries for 2014 below. Please let me know what your top beauty discoveries were as well, I’d love to hear what your favorite picks were!
This year marked the year for a number of brand launches and store openings. New beauty brand launches in the US that I was really excited about included Gucci Beauty and Charlotte Tilbury. A number of brands added new stores and boutiques. Diptyque on Larchmont opened in Los Angeles. In Venice Beach Caudalie and Hourglass Cosmetics opened up boutiques. Another highlight for me was finally visiting the NARS Boutique on Melrose (although it opened a few years ago).

Additional highlights include a couple special features for The Beauty Look Book. In January I was really excited to be featured on Barneys New York – The Window. In March of this year I was beyond thrilled to discover that InstyleUK included me in their Top 50 Websites (thank you!!).

The best thing for me this year though was being able to connect with some bloggers and YouTubers in person (in beauty and fashion). Meeting them was incredibly inspiring. There are few things that give me that warm fuzzy feeling like seeing women support other women and I value their friendship, advice, encouragement and positive outlook on life. 

What were your top beauty discoveries this year?

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What's In My Bag

Inside My Bag

December 21, 2014

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! I have a few things to share that I’ve been loving lately – all of which are compact in size making it easy to slip into a flat leather clutch.

First, Elizabeth and James just released a new Solid Perfume Compact for Nirvana Black and White. It’s the prettiest solid perfume compact I’ve seen. It comes in heavy duty a mirrored compact with the same detail as the full size bottles. It’s currently a VIB/VIB Rouge Exclusive at Sephora.com through 12/27 and will be officially launch in the new year. The solid Nirvana Black smells just like the Eau De Parfum and Rollerball (full review on those here) with decent lasting power.

Next, I’ve been really enjoying the Tom Ford Lips & Boys clutch-sized lipsticks. I have posted a few sneak peeks here and on my Instagram, I’m working as fast as I can to get the full review and swatches up this week. Below is William, a sheer glossy nude peach shimmer.

NARS is a regular go-to these days with their Dual Intensity Eyeshadow in Dione (review) and Audacious Lipstick in Barbara (review). I’ve been shopping my stash with both formulas.
For the dry winter weather, I’ve been using hand cream and lip balms religiously. Two I really like at the moment is L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand cream mini that I got as a gift with purchase at the boutique (always a classic) and the Malin + Goetz Lip Moisturizer.

Full clutch contents this weekend:
1 / NARS Audacious Lipstick in Barbara
4 / Chocolate Mints Tin
5 / Louis Vuitton Key ring
6 / L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
9 / Charlotte Tilbury Lip Lustre in Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds (review soon)
10 / Tom Ford Lips & Boys in William
12 / iPhone

Hope you have a lovely Sunday afternoon!

The Elizabeth & James solid compact was provided for review consideration. The mini L’Occitane hand cream was a gift with purchase in store. All other items purchased by me.

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Gift Guide

Holiday Gift Guide: For Those Who Already Have Virtually All Things Beauty-Related

November 23, 2014

I’m usually really good at finding gifts for close friends and family. I like finding new things for people to try in beauty, food, home and various accessories. I do have a few friends who are a bit more challenging to shop for. Many of my friends are beauty lovers themselves, these are women very much in-the-know with all the latest and greatest so they own virtually all the cool things beauty-related. I’ve put together a gift guide for the beauty lover who already owns virtually all things beauty, but these really could suit a number of different tastes. I do have some friends who like beauty items but aren’t really into them. Here are some options for them as well.
  1. Charlotte Tilbury Holiday has literally just launched in the US, chances might be that your friend might not have these yet, the Fallen Angel Eyeshadow Quad and Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds Lipgloss look amazing.
  2. Diptyque has a Full Sized Photophore + Feu De Bois Set this year, I’ve featured some photophores before, they are usually a boutique exclusive, but for the first time you can get these at Diptyque counters like Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, any of the three new holiday scents in Spice, Winter and Pine are beautiful as well (review here) and would make good gifts even if they are duplicates of what someone already owns these scents.
  3. Gray Malin makes some really fun iPhone cases (5, 5S and 6 options) with some of his amazing photos printed on them, I have the pink umbrellas one and really love it, I’m constantly asked about it from random strangers.
  4. 2015 Desk Calendars are always a nice gift, this Sugar Paper Black and Gold version is super chic but simple and elegant.
  5. A super soft scarf is always a welcome gift, I adore the Nordstrom Tissue Weight Wool + Cashmere blends for myself, but I’ve given at least one as a holiday gift every year for many years, they come in a multitude of colors.
  6. Tatcha Deep Hydration Lifting Mask is the ultimate luxurious gift for the skin, I’ve purchased several boxed sets in the past and split them with friends to try and they send me selfies with the mask on (also with raves). You can purchase individual packets or a set of four. It’s also available in a number of holiday gift sets and travel sets.
  7. Kate Spade has a number of coaster sets during the holiday like this Silver Street Set of 4. They are fun to pair with a bottle of wine or champagne.
  8. Truffle just released some new colors for clutches. There is a new Nude, Black and limited-edition Metallic Rose Gold for holiday. (There are new color additions for the Clarity Clutches too.)
  9. Tory Burch has a number of metallic Rose Gold and Silver stocking stuffers. This Measuring Tape is just too cute. The Lipstick Case and Cheers Key FOB also look really fun.
  10. Garance Dore Stationary is always a hit when I send out cards. The card set or notepad set can make easy no-fuss gifts.
  11. Smythson makes some of the most luxurious leather covered notebooks. The pink Inspiration and Ideas or navy Notes books are classic and chic.
  12. For the coffee lover, Nespresso machines are amazing. The year the Pixie Machines came out, I purchased four (one for myself and my husband, three as gifts). The new Inissia Espresso Machine is more compact and modern looking. It is perfect for small spaces and the espresso lover who is particular about flavor and intensity.
  13. Clare V Flat Clutches are always a chic and fun option to give as a really nice splurgy gift.
  14. Urban Decay Naked on the Run was just released online last week, it’s not yet available in stores, so if you have a beauty-lover friend, this one might not have made their radar yet.
  15. This Fashion Memoires Book Set can make a nice addition for the home, coffee table or workspace decor. I have many of these book sets on my wish list and have been slowly adding more and more fashion books into my collection.
Shop more ideas:

Also check out:
What do you usually get friends or family who already own almost all things in the beauty world? Or who maybe aren’t beauty lovers at all? I’d love to hear your ideas. I’m always looking for creative options that are different and new.
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Uncategorized

Holiday Gift Guide: Travel and Trial-Sized Beauty

November 19, 2014

Here is my first gift guide for the holiday season. This time of year always brings about tempting value sets and travel-sized beauty gifts. I think these travel-friendly sets are a great way to try new skincare without committing to the full-sized options. For color, if you’re one of the types that takes forever to use up an eyeliner or lipstick, minis are the way to go and get more options for the same price. Here are some gifts this year that I think look like great samplers.

2 Sephora Favorites Glitz and Glam Party Essentials Sampler
6 Diptyque 5 Piece Mini Candle Set
8 Fresh Sugar Cravings Kissing Trio 
12 Marc Jacobs Beauty The Sky-liner 7 Piece Mini Set
13 NARS Virtual Domination Cheek Palette

Have you bought any good sets this year yet? I’d love to hear what you’ve been eyeing and any loves so far. I’m always up for recommendations on what is the latest and greatest on the market for the holiday sets and gifts.

Some more gift set ideas below:

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Loving Right Now

Loving Right Now

November 18, 2014
iPhone case by Gray Malin, bracelet by Celine

November is flying by faster than I expected it to. The holiday season is just starting and I’m not prepared at all. This weekend I’ll try to start making to-do and shopping lists to try and get an early start. I think most of my holiday shopping will be done online this year to avoid crowds and lines. Our new place is slowly coming together as we get all of our furniture delivered piece by piece. Our coffee table and some bookshelves finally arrived and I’m excited to start decorating and adding personal touches.

Right now, I’m loving a mix of new and old beauty items.

I’m all about flat zip pouches, I’ve been loving this Black Croc-Print Small Clutch (1) by Whistles, (similar here, white here) which is the perfect size for a makeup bag or a clutch. This newly released all-black Privacy Clutch by Truffle is also calling my name.

For cheeks, I’ve been using soft bronzers non-stop. The Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder (2) has been raved about for quite some time. Several of my blogger friends told me to get it. I listened, bought it, and I love it. I’ve been using Bronze 02.

Pinks have been my go-to lately for lipgloss. I’ve been loving the Dior Pink Excess (3) for holiday and Laura Mercier Pink Pop Lip Glacé (also in this mini 5 piece set) (4).

On the eyes, I’ve been using the Laura Mercier Mini Caviar Set (5) almost daily. Amethyst is a really pretty soft purple mauve that goes with virtually every lip/cheek look I’ve tried. If you gift yourself one beauty item this season, I would highly recommend this set (unless you already own all the colors).

Charlotte Tilbury’s Powder and Sculpt Brush (6) is a tool I keep reaching for. It’s perfectly shaped for contouring and highlighting. The bristles pick up just the right amount of product. (Review here.)

NARS Audacious Lipsticks (7) are still a huge hit with me (swatches of my picks here). Every color I’ve tried is amazing. I’ve been loving Anita a neutral pink.

Lumira released a new collection called Paradisium. The Eau de Parfum (8) is to die for. It has Bergamot, Grapefruit and Lemon, Fig Nectar and Guava, Vetiver, Sea Moss and Cedarwood. It’s the most unique scent I’ve smelled. It’s refreshing and uplifting and soothing. The closest thing I can think of is Jo Malone’s Wood Sage and Sea Salt which I liked but wore during super humid weather where it turned on my skin (in a bad way) and did not work well with my body chemistry. It was too earthy and after having it turn once, I can’t wear it anymore (thank goodness I got a sample to test before splurging). The Lumira Paradisium is a better alternative, it has enough sweetness in it to keep it from turning on the skin. the lasting power is phenomenal. A dedicated post on the line to come soon.

My Tatcha love continues. I’ve been loving the Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm (9) and Indigo Hand Cream Mini (10). Be sure to check out the holiday sets, these two products are included in a number of beautiful gift options this year.

Burberry’s Effortless Liquid Liner (11) is a beautiful classic liner. I’ve been experimenting more with this liquid liner and although it still takes me some time to get a good even line, practice is improving my liner skills.

I know it’s fall/winter season now where darker scents are in season, but I’m still loving the florals like Diptyque Geranium Odorata (12). It’s a brightening scent that I find refreshing. (Original review here.)
I hope your week is going well so far! What have you been loving this week?
The Lumira EDP, Diptyque Geranium Odorata and Burberry Liner were provided for review consideration. Rest purchased by me.

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Uncategorized

On My Radar

November 14, 2014

A few things on my radar this Friday:

  1. Lumira launched a new line called Paradisium with an Eau de Parfum, Hand & Body Cream and Candle. I’ve been wearing the fragrance for the past few days and am in love, more on this soon.
  2. As cooler weather is starting to arrive in Southern California, I like to keep warm with a lightweight wrap, these Nordstrom Tissue Weight Wool and Cashmere Wraps make it to my list every year, I’ve gone through several different colors, this year I’m eyeing the greys.
  3. Tatcha Holiday Gift Sets are absolutely gorgeous, this Golden Glow Beauty Set looks like a winner (note quantities are limited).
  4. Diptyque and Tomas Maier have collaborated to create three new limited-edition candles, they will be available at all the Diptyque boutiques and Tomas Maier store on Madison Ave in New York. The three scents are reminiscent of places dear to him, where he spends part of each year. These include the barrier island of Palm Beach (PB), a coastal north Atlantic island in Maine (WDR), and a bluff top lair at the extreme point of Long Island (OMH). Available soon. More info on Architectural Digest.
  5. By Terry has a set of five lip items in the Baume de Rose Color Collection – Rare Edition set. Available at Barneys and Space NK.
  6. This Tory Burch compact zip leather pouch looks perfect for storing the essentials on-the-go. Also loving the fun colors in this colorblock version.
  7. Violet Grey has a multitude of boxed gift sets for the holiday that come packaged in a sleek patent zip pouch and beautiful white boxes.
TGIF! Hope you have a great weekend 🙂

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