January Favorites ♡ Twenty Fourteen

With February just around the corner, January was an incredible start to 2014. I'm finally back in Manhattan and am so far loving all aspects of this semester. This month I decided to go with mostly all makeup for my favorites, seeing as February will be a very fashion focussed month with NYFW coming up (yaaaay). 

Makeup

01. Benefit's Total Moisture Facial Cream- I spoke briefly about this in my Nighttime Routine Post, but it has most definitely made it's way into my January Favorites as well because I honestly cannot stop raving about it (ask any of my roommates- I've been non-stop talking about this). This moisturizer is by far the best I think I've ever used (beating Neutrogena by 4000% and more). Not only does it have a clean, soft, and refreshing scent, the consistency of this stuff is incredible. It is very 'whipped' to the touch and although the cream itself feels thick, it blends onto your skin pretty airlessly and effortlessly. Like I discussed in my night-time routine,  it will not leave your skin too greasy or dry- it feels truly calming and cold during and after use. If you're in search of a new moisturizer, I most seriously + highly suggest going to your Benefit counter and picking this up. (Manyyy thanks to Miss Lindz for introducing me to this stuff- it's INCREDIBLE!) 

02. Benefit's Porefessional Agent Zero Shine Powder- You can check out my review of this product here  & I'm happy to say that this powder also made it into my January Favorites. I'm loving this on my T-Zone after applying my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer and Makeup Forever Concealer. This does wonders at making those pores magically disappear and works as a great counterpart to Benefit's Porefessional Balm. Matte face makeup has been an extremely popular trend and this product is key to achieving the perfect matte makeup! I got a question about applying this all over your face as well, and you absolutely can, the brush just may not be able to pick up the enough product needed for a whole face. Although the powder is extremely mattifying, and it's meant to be pretty concentrated in one area as opposed to an overall "setting powder."

03. Mac's Vintage Selection Paint Pot- One of my favorite paint pots by Mac, I've been wearing this stuff nearly every day of January. It's a gorgeous creamy champagne-light brown, and looks great for an everyday eye. I've been putting this all over my lid recently, and defining my crease just above it with Mac's Soft Brown. I then go in with Mac's Brulé as a highlight, and finish with Mac's Antiqued just below my lash line.  

04. NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Iced Mocha- Nearly a dupe for the consistency of a paint pot, Iced Mocha is a deeper brown that I have also been using underneath my lash line. I've been recently loving a smudged- shimmery brown to define my eye. The line created is not too harsh, complements many different eye looks, and brings out the color of just about any eye.

05. Stila's In the Garden Palette- In addition to the smudged brown for the lower lash line,  I've also been loving a deep blue or purple shadow in that same spot with a neutral eye look. My go to colors would have to be Freesia & Rosette (both found in In the Garden) because they are absolutely crazy pigmented and gorgeous! Freesia is a strong majestic blue with shimmer and Rosette is a powerful purple with pink undertones. Sure, I wouldn't use these colors on my lid everyday, but to spice up a neutral eye, these pops of purple and blue on the lash line will really make your eye makeup stand out.

06. Mac's Mineralized Blush in Warm Soul- I have literally been wearing this blush everyday of January and I've rediscovered it's magic. It's a beautiful warm pinky-brown that is absolutely perfect for Winter and gives your cheeks the most gorgeous sheen. If you do not already own this blush in your makeup collection, you should definitely go pick it up because it is absolutely gorgeous on any skin tone. 

07. Mac's Soft & Gentle- As for highlight, I've rediscovered my love for Soft & Gentle. It's super pigmented and is great to use as a face highlight or inner corner and brow bone highlight. I really also like this highlight more for winter than summer, because it is a purely champagne-like glittery beige. I prefer highlights with undertones for the warmer months because I find that they add to and enhance tans very well, while I find that the more icey shades are suitable for winter.

08. Mac's Diva- I am truly obsessed with this color and have been wearing it nearly every day this January as well (I did not swatch it below but click here for a swatch of it in my November Favorites). It's a gorgeous deep red matte which has been a total trend this winter, and really gives a bold flair to any makeup look. You can be super dramatic & pair this with a smokey eye, or you can tone it down to just being a bold addition to a neutral makeup look. Although striking, it is a shade of versatility. 

Purchase

09. Fujifilm Insta-Mini 8- My favorite purchase this month would have to be my new poloroid! I'm so excited to start using this and from what I've seen so far, I loooove it. It's super adorable and sleek. 

Instas

01. 205 Club, NYC

02. Room Service, NYC

03. Brunch @ The Four Seasons, Boston, MA

04. Miss Amanda & I ringing in the New Year!

Here's to February!

"Nothing can come of nothing"

[King Lear 1.1]

Cheers, x

Check out my latest post on U-la-la! & ♡ PS- big shout-out to Katherine & Molly, the co-founders of 

U lala who I got the privilege to have coffee with this past weekend! ♡

PPS.... obsessed with this..

Winter Nighttime Routine ♡ Twenty Fourteen

With the brutally cold weather, high winds, and snow that we've been trekking through in Manhattan, a nice relaxing nighttime face routine is needed! I was super inspired by my girl Lindsey's College Night Time Routine, so I decided to share my own. 

I start by using my Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes. These are my staple wipes that I will always always always use! I find that these are the most delicate on skin, and do not burn the eye area like other makeup wipes tend to. I would recommend these for any skin type, they do an excellent job of getting rid of all face and eye makeup. 

Next, I love to cleanse my face (morning and night) with my Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Cleanser. This stuff is perfect for sensitive skin and is super gentle. It's refreshing and does not dry out your skin too much, and I've totally noticed a difference in the brightness of my complexion after merely a week of this stuff! 

The consistency of this cleanser is super light and delicate, and shimmery as well. 

If I'm looking for a deeper clean, I'll usually opt to use Ocean Salt by Lush. This is an incredible exfoliator, packed with sea salt, avocado butter, and vodka infused- lime and grapefruit. This scrub can be used either on the face or body, but I would recommend only using this scrub once a week on your face. It's deep cleaning, but definitely too harsh for everyday facial use!

Ocean salt is by far the best exfoliator I've ever had, and does wonders with keeping your skin bright and clear!

Next, I brush my teeth using Crest's 3D White toothpaste, I adore their 3D white collection, especially the white strips! After months, and now years of use, the 3D white collection keeps my teeth sparkling!

One of the worst aspects of winter would have to be chapped lips, so before bed, I love using my Popcorn Lip Scrub by Lush. This is my savior over winter months especially since I'm not a huge Chapstick-lover!

Popcorn also tastes absolutely amazing as well! (Even though you're not technically suppose to eat it...)

After my facial cleansing, I like to moisturize with my Total Moisture Facial Cream by Benefit. This moisturizer was recommended to me by Miss Lindsey, and it has literally become my favorite moisturizer even though it's only been in my collection for three weeks. 

The consistency of this cream is thick and fluffy, but smooths out super lightly and effortlessly. It's not greasy or drying, and leaves your skin feeling super hydrated and healthy.

Finally, the last product I use on my face right before bed is the Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector. I've been using this product since June, and I have gotten amazing results. It has a very light and delicate consistency (similar to that of the Aveeno cleanser above) and brightens your complexion by shades. I recommend using this all over your face (even where there is no acne scarring) because it also helps prevent new scars. Also try to avoid using this close to your under eye/eye area, it's not meant to be used on that more-delicate skin.

After my routine, I crash, read a book, or play Candy Crush. (Or, watch Gossip Girl since my roommates and I are binge-watching since it's now on Netflix)

Happy nights!

"The fashion of the world is to avoid cost, and you encounter it."

[Much Ado About Nothing 1.1]

Cheers, x

Winter Weekly Wear ♡ Twenty Fourteen

Today I've put together a cute ensemble for the snowy weather, who says you can't dress up on a blizzardy day in NYC? I also wanted to do something a little different with this weekly wear and include the makeup products I'm wearing today as well!

Makeup

Face

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Fawn

Makeup Forever Full Cover Concealer #8

Erase Paste M2 (under eye concealer)

Makeup Forever Pro> Finish Powder #128

theBalm's Betty-Lou Manizer

Mac's Mineralized Blush in Warm Soul

Brows

Anastasia Brow Powder in Brunette

Great Lash Clear Mascara

Eyes

Mac's Vintage Selection Paint Pot

Mac's Soft Brown (crease)

Mac's Mulch (outer corner)

Mac's Espresso (outer corner)

Mac's Brulé (highlight)

Mac's Antiqued (lower lash line)

Bobbi Brown Gel Liner- Black Ink

Mac's Fascinating Eye Kohl (water line)

Benefit's 'They're Real'

Lips

Mac's Diva

Outfit

For my outfit today (which deceivingly resembles a dress), I'm wearing a black skate skirt from Forever 21 and a lace peasant top from Free People (which is not tucked in). My tights are from Lord & Taylors, and my boots are from Hautelook. 

Mixing textures is probably my favorite part of this outfit-- I love the pair of the black lace and lace detail of the cranberry tights, broken up by the solid black. Mixing textures is a really unique and unexpected way to add some dimension to any outfit. I love doing this in the winter with heavier clothing, because it is usually more textured, and the layering can keep you warm as a bonus!

For arm candy, I'm sporting a few mix of bracelets that are gold, grey and leather on my right hand, and my Michael Kors studded-wrap watch is on my left.

♡ Photography : Avery Bart ♡

"We are such stuff as dreams are made on

and our little life is rounded with a sleep."

[The Tempest 4.1]

Cheers, x

Product Review: Porefessional Powder ♡ Twenty Fourteen

One of my all time favorite primers is Benefit's Porefessional Pro-Balm, so naturally, I jumped at the chance of getting Benefit's brand new counterpart to the balm, the Porefessional Powder. 3 Sephoras, and a 3 hour train ride to Boston later, I found this product at the Benefit location on Newbury Street.

The perhaps most initially attractive element of this product would have to be it's unique packaging. The powder comes in this cylinder tube with two "caps" on each end. The very top houses the twist-open portion that releases the powder. This design is extremely useful for carrying this powder on the go, for it's less likely to explode or break in a purse or bag. 

The bottom half is another extremely innovative feature, for the base houses a kabuki. This idea is simply brilliant for on-the-go use as well as travel. This product was designed for the "modern girl" and it is clear that a ton of thought was put into it as well. 

The powder itself stands out amongst many other rival setting powders. It's consistency is light and delicate, without being too loose or transparent. It also swatches and wears with long-lasting matte power, and truly compliments and works wonders on oily to combination skin. This powder is meant to  be used mainly in the T-zone, where redness, pores, and oil tends to be at their worst.  

I decided to show you guys the difference the Porefessional Powder truly makes using my lovely roommate and model, Vic. 

As you can see, the powder truly masks any redness or shine on Vic's nose-cheek area. Both of these photos were taken with flash, and I solely used the powder on Vic's face (no concealer, tinted moisturizer, etc). While the Porefessional Balm works to minimize pores through daily use, the Porefessional Powder essentially banishes them. I love the packaging, concept, and outcome of using this powder, and I would recommend it if you are looking for a setting powder that will reduce shine, redness, and pores. I do wish there were some more shade options (this powder only comes in a peachy-tone shade) because my skin is a bit more olive, but that is solely the only criticism I think I have.

Check out the Porefessional Powder & Porefessional Balm via Benefit! As counterparts, they make an incredible team.

"For I can raise no money by vile means"

[Julius Caesar 4.3]

Cheers! x

MET Costume Exhibit: Charles James ♡ Twenty Fourteen

[Taken from Vogue]

As an avid fan of the MET's Costume Institute, I'm so excited to address this year's fashion focus, Charles James. Unlike last years more general theme, "Punk: Chaos to Couture," the Costume Institute decided to select a single designer, reminiscent of previous years, such as Alexander McQueen (2011). Though his name is unfamiliar to popular culture bred in the latter half of the 20th and 21st C, James produced some of the most recognizable designs of what we call "haute couture." Unlike the European couturiers of his time, such as the Italian Elsa Schiaparelli and Lucien Lelong of France, the English James fathered a kind of "American couture." He married the European art of dressmaking and the progressive American spirit. 

[Taken from the MET]

James treated each garment as a work of art, and held his creations under the same guardianship as a Renaissance sculptor would over a sculpture. According to Vogue, Cristobal Balenciaga called James "the world's best and only dressmaker," and "Christian Dior described James's designs simply as 'poetry.'" Perhaps the most astounding feature to James's work is the mathematical and precise approach he had in creating his works. James is renown for his ability to tailor and construct gowns and garments with such ease and effortlessness. 

Some of James's most famous works, "Four Leaf Clover," "Butterfly," and "Tree" will be featured in this year's Costume Exhibit. 

"Four Leaf Clover" [Taken by the MET]

I simply love this concept of creating a clover from bird's eye view. I adore the layers of dimension in this piece, from the three-dimensional shape of the garment, to the two-dimensional contrast between the stark black and the glossy satin.

"Butterfly" [Taken by the MET]

I love love love this gown! Not only do I adore the symbolism behind the dress's "cocoon" and "wings," I love that it's a true example of traditional haute-couture, yet still has fashion forward innovation. 

"Tree" [Taken by the MET]

I think perhaps my favorite part of "Tree" would have to be that gorgeous progression at the bottom. I can totally see the current "mermaid" bottom as a derivation from this original James design, but I love the deeper "tube" part at the front. This dress seems like it would flatter any body shape that would have the privilege to wear it!

[Taken from Pins and Needles]

All in all, I'm super pumped to see how the MET recreates James's romantic haute couture world. Check out what the MET has published about the exhibit so far here, and check out Charles James's history via Vogue here.

Here's to American Couture!

"Such as we are made of, such we be"

[Twelfth Night 2.2]

Cheers, x