Sunday, July 24, 2011

Missing In Action!

I've been scarce this week as I've started a new job and managed to get in a four-car accident on the freeway. Fortunately, I'm fine. Poor Lilith (my car) on the other hand sustained 7k worth of damage. In case you ever find yourself in a car accident and lacking your car, make sure to get a rental on a weekday. I learned the hard way that car rental places close super early on Saturdays and most aren't open on Sundays!

Fortunately, I was able to acquire myself a car. My week has been taken up between the two.

I have several posts in the works though! And I managed to organize all my beauty stuff into six shoe boxes, one drawer and one cabinet!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

ARC's Ladies in Waiting, Versailles and le Chocolat

Last week I flashed some swatches of the eye shadows I got from Antoinette's Revolution Cosmetics along  with the adorable packaging. Since then, I've actively been putting Ladies in Waiting (sheer white-pink with shimmer), Versailles (copper with metallic sheen) and le Chocolat (espresso brown with light shimmer) to good use. The brown/copper/sheer pink combo is great for green eyes that are tinged with yellow (versus blue).

Final product.

Lots and lots of photos after the jump...


Saturday, July 16, 2011

What I missed this week...

I've been spending the last half hour or so catching up on my favorite blogs. I have to admit that while I enjoyed lounging in Vegas reading magazines, they didn't compare to blogs. Magazines are rarely bought at this point (with the exception of Vanity Fair) and it doesn't seem I'm missing much. I'll take We Heart This over Lucky any day!

The aforementioned We Heart This featured a review of Juara's Invigorating Coffee Scrub. I'm a sucker for scrubs (and exfoliating in general) and this looks great for an early morning wake-up. I also dig their Surprise Day Off piece. 

Doesn't Sara look adorable in purple? It's my favorite color!

My Beauty Bunny featured a scrub too: Pure Sugar Scrub. Not as hyped about this one as the coffee scrub. They are also running a Bed Head Curling Iron Giveaway. Nine more days!

Musings of a Muse flashed some photos of Urban Decay's The Revolution High Performance Lash Curler. Erm. Torture Device? 

Posts about blogging by bloggers are always enjoyable from my perspective; Modesty Brown conceded to being a bit burnt out. The comment section made for good reading as well.

Product Girl has me convinced I need NARS Vestale. I don't own any nude polishes and am on the hunt for a  light pink/peachy tone. 

Vegas was great, but I missed my favorite reading material. I am definitely happy to be home!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Sneak Peak: Antoinette's Revolution Cosmetics

Christmas in July! At least that's what my package from Antoinette's Revolution Cosmetics felt like. Here's a sneak peak at what I ordered:

***Edit*** I should mention that they are running a sale this weekend for orders over ten dollars!


It came adorably wrapped in black tissue paper with a blue ribbon and a pin as well.



The five samples (75 cents each!) came packed in a black envelope with a silver foil and business cards. Each sample is individually labelled with its name and the ingredients in each color. I had opted for their vegan eye shadows. While I'm not a vegan, the less animals I harm or utilize, the better. I had actually ordered only four samples, but they threw in a fifth: Gangrene. That would be the bright green on the bottom.


Here's a close up of the colors. Versailles (copper with metallic sheen) is my favorite. All are quite pigmented and from initial playing around, apply true to the color in the bag. Only Ladies In Waiting (pink with heavy shimmer) applies a little sheer, but that is to be expected from such a light color.


Swatches in artificial light. From left to right: Revolution (matte black), Gangrene (neon green with more of a yellow hue and shimmer), Ladies In Waiting (sheer white-pink with heavy shimmer), Versailles (copper with metallic sheen) and le Chocolate (espresso brown with light shimmer).


The same colors in natural light. Much more pigmented and true to what they look like in person. I am excited to experiment with them!


Disclosure: All of these were purchased by myself. In no way am I affiliated with Antoinette's Revolution Cosmetics.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Boscia Pore Purifying Nose Strips

As a pre-teen, my father would buy Biore Nose Strips and it was always so much fun seeing what got pulled out of our pores (yes, my father would use them as well). I was stoked when I saw the new Boscia Pore Purifying Nose Strips being offered as a sample on Sephora. On the box, it states that there is charcoal powder for pulling out dirt and oil from the pores, silica for excess oil, and witch hazel extract to tighten the appearance of the pores.



I will refrain from publishing a photo of what got pulled out in the strip I used, but there was definitely some small particles and residue. It also pulled out the tiny millimeter length hairs that are on your nose (I didn't even realize there was any!). It was not as exciting as it was at age twelve when I could see visible whiteheads. Thankfully, those are (usually) no longer an issue. Ultimately though, my pores didn't look any smaller nor less visible. In addition, it left a stinging sensation for the next half hour. For someone with clear skin, I am not the target audience. Fifteen dollars for a pack of six of these is not worth the novelty of getting to see what is in my pores. It is a product for people with problematic skin (especially on the nose area). I'll be using the second strip in the sample set to see what I can pull out of my boyfriend's nose! They are certainly fun.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Wishlist: Terranea Spa

This is a multipart series of the places I hope to visit at some point! I've been hardcore crushing on these spas for a while now. If money was no option, these are the Los Angeles spas I'd run (not walk) to try.

The Spa at Terranea has been on my coveted list for some time now. Set in an ultraluxe oceanfront resort on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the 50,000 square foot spa overlooks the ocean. Literally. Every description I read makes me foam at the mouth: reviews/articles mentioning sightings of dolphins and whales while lounging poolside, heated saltwater pool, cold-plunge pool, fitness center, sauna, steam room, whirlpool and a few other amenities. This is the type of spa where you are meant to spend the day at. I don't think one could rationalize the price tag otherwise.

The amenities alone aren't what strikes my eye (a day pass could be had for sixty dollars). The Circadian Rhythm-inspired treatment menu looks divine. While the menu describes these in a much more lavish manner, I'll spare you the verbosity on the two treatments I'm eyeing:

Oil and Water: A laminaria oil massage followed by a sea salt exfoliation and ending with a cold-friction rub. 90 minutes/ $245/ morning or early afternoon treatment

El Segundo Blue: A 'rhythmic' aromatherapy massage proceeded by a sea blue mineral clay wrap. Finishes with a head and scalp massage. 90 minutes/ $245/ late afternoon or evening

They are offering a Summer Spa Sampler through August 31st that gives you the choice of two mini-treatments for $125! Available Monday-Thursday.


Disclaimer: I have no connections to Terranea in any manner. I just really want to check them out! None of the links provide any compensation or affiliate bonuses for myself. The links are purely for information purposes.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Dilemma: Undesired two-tone hair!

I hate going to salons. I really do. I feel like an ugly duckling outsider stepping into this secret world inhabited by stylists in five-inch heels, perfect makeup and sleek hair. I haven't gotten my hair colored in a salon in FOUR years. Hence, for my color and cut last Wednesday I came armed with photos of what I wanted as well as being versed in how to articulate it.

The cut came out exactly as I wanted. It's perfect.

The color is, well, the opposite of what I wanted.

Photos and more after the jump.


Sunday, July 3, 2011

Indulgence Day and Med Spa

Tucked away in an unassuming shopping center in the middle of suburbia, is my favorite place to unwind and have a massage: Indulgence Day and Med Spa. I discovered this gem a little over a year ago and have returned at least three times for a variety of massages. What they lack in spa amenities, they make up for in service, quality and value! Thus far, it is my favorite Los Angeles spa (technically, Long Beach).

Taken from their Facebook page.


Friday, July 1, 2011

Skincare: Then vs. Now

The amount of effort being put into my current skincare regimen (as well as makeup) has exponentially increased in the last month. Benefits include: 

-reduced undereye circles
-diminished pore size
-no more tight/itchy/dry feeling to my skin
-my skin is so effing soft!

And, maybe I'm deluding myself, but I swear there is almost a glowing effect. So, the question begs: what has changed?