Thursday, May 7, 2009

Double Damn

Okay, I want to know the marketing genius who invented Sephora's "Send 3 Samples With Every Order!" Sephora better have paid them a fat freakin' bonus (i.e. not the Jelly of the Month club OR Von Maur goose plate). The accountant/MBA dork in me REALLY wants to know if they track, by customer, the samples the customer selected and if the customer ended up ordering the full-size product after testing the samples.


OK, I know I just got the YSL. Seriously, I know this. But I cannot LIVE without Stella McCartney's Stella perfume that was shipped to me in sample size with Benefit's Bad, Bad Gal-friend mascara from yesterday's blog.


Sigh.... I'm going to think about it for a couple of days (against my will) because it does totally reminds me of Beautiful Sheer but still different because it doesn't time-warp me back to Paris 2004. Yum! Pretty sure this is a MUST HAVE.


Much love!
Ann

P.S. I blame Emilene for turning me to the darkside of fragrance whoreing. I was only mildy fragrance whoreish before that!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Bad, Bad Gal-friend

Apologies for the hiatus. My friends and I suffered a major loss last week that made makeup blogging seem insanely ridiculous so I just couldn't do it. We'll forever be changed and there is really no way to go on livin' life except to just slowwwwly go back to normal.



Back at it...


The lovely blog title is in reference to my friend Molly's favorite song "Bad Girlfriend," by Theory of a Deadman. It's for sure a pretty kick-ass song and I hate all rock except Classic Rock. Oh... and Marilyn Manson. And Poison. ~ANYWAY~




Upon C.'s recommendation, I ordered the Benefit Cosmetics Bad Gal Lash ($19). We all know my severely unhealthy mascara obsession. This a.m., after using the Bad Gal, my eyes went from being all sunken-in, squinty, tequila-sunrise to hello, Oceans 11. It is awwwwwwwwesome with a big fat brush!!!! After you put on tons of coats, you can run up the tip of each lash with the tip of the brush. Hellllllo, FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!! This is a must have. It's everything DiorShow wishes it was plus more :)


Much love!
Ann

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Low Maint Luciousness

For me, there is work cute...and there is weekend cute. Two tooooootally different things.


I am soooo NOTTTTT a morning person. I really think I could be one...IF I didn't have what's known to most people as a JOB. Therefore, my "morning" would start around 7 and I'd have nowhere to be until the mall opened at 10:00 or yoga started at 4:30. HOWEVER, my life revolves around hitting snooze a bunch of times, showering, sugar scrubbing, shaving, drying, off, lotioning, MINIMAL makeup application, throwing on some random outfit and leaving...all within about 30 minutes. I am an accountant and sorry, my laptop screen is not worthy of a one-hour makeup application. I've gotten my workday regime down to 5 minutes. Not saying I look near as cute as I could if I spent the hour, but I feel pretty good considering it only took me five mins! IF you are looking for a 5 minute work makeup regime, meet my army:

#1) Foundation or Pressed Powder. Fine one that works for you and rock it. Buy whatever tool it takes to make it look awesome. It will save you time and you'll be getting full use out of the product.

#2) SPARKLY EYE SHADOW PRIMER. If you are going all out and wearing eyeshadow to work (go girl!), pick a primer that is matte (e.g. Too Faced). If you're rollin' all casual/workish, wear an awesome sparklyish primer as your eyeshadow. This is what I do every day. It brightens your eyes and makes you look more alive! :) All good things! Plus it only takes like 15 seconds. Yay! I had two favorites until today when they became KICKED TO THE CURB: remember I told you about the Sephora samples??? My deluxe sample this time was Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Sin ($17). = TRUE LOVE!



It's like a really thin champagne color with a little bit of sparkle. I love the wand; it's almost like a lip gloss wand! I use the wand to put it all over the lid, then blend it (delicately) with my ring finger. Taaaa-daaa! I also do a thin line under my lower lashes and blend out a little bit with my ring finger (barely touching it). This second step is optional :) Another sparkly primer I dig is Chanel Ombre D'Eau Fluid Iridescent Eyeshadow in Delta ($32). Pretty much the same thing but not as quite easy to use as the Urban Decay and I like the Urban Decay formula mucho better. This is a PERFECT summer look when you don't feel like dragging out the shadows. During Iowa summers, we need to waste NOT our precious outside time primpin' in the bathroom. Before we know it, we'll be scrapin' ice off our windshields again. Ugh!

#3) Mascara!!!!!!!! Get comfy with thick mascara and use LOTS OF IT. :) Big mascara = big eyes. I've discussed on the blog before but my current faves are MAC Plush Lash and Lancome Hypnose. :) I counted today and I do at least 30 strokes on each eye's top lashes and at least 15 on the bottom. My mascara takes me way longer than everything else combined.

#4) Blush! Find an awesome blush you can't live without and an awesome blush brush to be your new blush's BFF. See Thursday's blog for an orgasmic blush recommendation :) :) My fave blush brush is still Chanel's #7.

#5) Some type of fabulous lipstick or gloss (I do this in the car)! I had a "must-have" neutral recommendation in Thursdays's blog. BUT if you are wearing more of a pink blush, like my other favorite blush, NARS Mata Hari ($25), by all means please wear this awesomely awesome Lancome's Color Fever Gloss in Volcanic Pink ($25).

Agreed. It does look semi-hideous. But you will LOVE IT!!!! Let it be known this is the VERY FIRST makeup item my husband has every complimented me on. He's a typical guy so he just doesn't care/notice makeup (unless it involves disorganization in my makeup cabinet - then his OCD kicks in). He goes, "I really like that lipstick on you." Ha! I about DIED. So now I try to wear it as often as possible when we go out to see if he'll say it again. :) He never does :( Oh well! ha.

So, that's it! :) It took me much longer to write this blog post than to use my regime.

Is this helpful whatsoever? Ridiculously boring? Mega-lame? I hope not!

Until next time, "Just Hold On Loosely, but don't let go... If you cling too tight babe, you're gonna loose control. Your baby needs someone to believe in...And a whole lot of SPACE to breathe in..." (As performed by 38 Special)


MUCHO AMOUNTS OF LOVE! :)

xoxo,

~ann~

Thursday, April 23, 2009

The Big O

Yah, the big O...I said it. This is a grown up blog. :)

I mentioned in a prior post that I'll forever mourn the discontinuance (waaaaahhh!) of my beloved Chanel Fantasia blush. R.I.P.!! In this pic, it's the pinkish peachish gorgeousness on the left...


But, alas...another day, another dollar, and seriously it's time to move on. I mean they discontinued it like three years ago. Eventually my stockpile from Ebay will run out. And I really need to save one just for brides b/c it's a great bride color. I've been crawling through the trenches (i.e. at makeup counters and online), desparately searching for something similar but a maybe little more pink, little less peach...or maybe the other way around...I don't know...

Anyway, I've mentioned being a big fan of Sephora's lists Best of Sephora 2008, Best of Sephora 2007, whatever year you wish. Just type in Best of Sephora 2008 (or whatever year you want) in the search box of Sephora.com and you'll find the lists! It's so interesting to click around, see their picks (obviously they know what they're talking about) and read the reviews.

Yahhh, sooooo...I was about to search Ebay (again) for more Fantasia when...

"That's when I saw her, ooo I saw her, she walked in through the out door out door..." (Prince)

Best of Sephora 2008 Winner for Cheeks:

Behold NARS Blush in Orgasm *<--click that link!* ($25). OMG!!!! Apparently, this blush has been the "cheeks winner" for FIVE straight years!!!! Who am I to say Sephora doesn't know their stuff? Of course they were RIGHT, of course I LOVE IT! Here's what the Sephora description says (other than "BUY ME!! BUY ME!!! SERIOUSLY!!!!"):

What else you need to know:
Designed to be worn alone or layered together for more depth, NARS Blush provides a healthy glow to flatter any skintone.
.
-Orgasm Blush:Winner of best of Sephora for the past 5 years! NARS Orgasm makes cheeks blush a perfect pinky-peach flush and subtly highlights with accents of golden shimmer. The perennially pleasing, universally flattering shade is again and again a makeup artist and beauty editor favorite.
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It's awesome, I agree! I can't imagine who this blush wouldn't look great on...similar to my beloved Fantasia! I love you NARS! I have another blush of theirs that I adore, too.
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Until next time, "She wore a RAAASSSSPBERRY BERET. The kind you find in a second hand store..." (Prince, obviously, again). :)
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Much love,
~ann~
P.S. This blush goes awesomely with a couple products I mentioned in my first blog: Make Up For Ever Aqua Lip lip pencil in Rosewood 2C $17. Lightly line your lips then color them in with the pencil, too. You may not think you're a "lip liner type of gal", but trust me on this: you are! It just takes a little practice. Just start by lining lightly, then make it darker as you improve. Anyway, so after you color it in, cover it with Stila Plumping Lip Glaze in Melon Mint $24. Voila! God, I love these two products together! If you want to know what they look like, see pic in my first blog.

P.P.S. All of the above suggestions will work on EVERYONE. These are all gorgeous neutral colors that are great for summer or any season. :) Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!! For a quick summer look, use the blush, pencil and glaze with a bunch of mascara and HELLO, BEAUTY QUEEN!!!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Yo, Yves!

Warning: Emilene, do not read! :)


So here's the deal: Sephora doesn't know me. But I tell everyone how wonderful Sephora is ALL THE TIME. Why? Because they are. Freakin' geniuses.

When you buy stuff from Sephora, for some reason you get to pick 3 free samples of whatever. They have tons of options. Also, if you're a "member" you get to pick a "deluxe sample," which I think means a bigger version than a normal sample. Does this make sense? I usually just click whatever but this time I really thought about it, realizing the blog/helpful potential!

Alright. So one thing I must have selected for a sample was Yves Saint Laurent's "elle" fragrance. I put this baby on at 7:00 this a.m. and it's 10:53 p.m. and it's in my shopping cart and I'm ordering it as soon as I hit "Publish Post" on this blog. I HAD TO HAVE IT. I've been trying to be in a bad mood all day (bc of school) but I can't because I keep smelling this perfume and it makes me happier! :) Also, it has woodsy undertones which I didn't think was my gig UNTIL NOW. I want to marry this perfume.

Here is what the description says:

elle Yves Saint Laurent Yves Saint Laurent presents a new fragrance for women. Unpredictable and unique, Elle is the essence of femininity which embodies Yves Saint Laurent. It's a vibrantly feminine, audacious fragrance that blends dazzling floral and woody
notes, including peony, pink berries, and patchouli.

Notes:Cedrat, Peony, Lychee, Pink Berries, Freesia, Jasmine, Patchouli, Vetiver, Ambrette.

Style:Adventurous. Modern. Feminine.

***Sigh*** What is NOT TO LOVE, seriously!?!? OMG I cannot wait to get this awesome, awesome, awesome bottle of awesomeness. Yay! This is a fragrance that everyone would love, for sure :) so definitely order if your fragrance cabinet needs spruced :)

I also must have selected the fragrance sample for Versace. It is "okay" but I'm definitely not ordering it.

Until next time, "I know it's only rock 'n roll but I like it like it yes I do..." (The Stones)

Mucho love and xoxo,
~ann~

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

It's Arrived! It's Arrived!!

Hark! My box o' Sephora arrived today!

Unfortunately, I have to finish my two projects for my master's classes and can't scope the goods. ANNOYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, will post reviews SOON!

xoxo,
~ann~

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Sunday Funday Shower Scoop

My poor husband. He's LITERALLY the greatest guy in the world but he's also counting down the days 'til we no longer share a shower (we're moving in September). :) His neat-freakness doesn't really go 'hand-in-hand' with the shower and bathtub walls being lined with random product. He tries to neatly stack them up, card-house style, labels forward! But of course I go all anti-establishment on him and grab the bottom body scrub and knock it all over again, then randomly line everything up again ...like as in, this happens every single day. If you've seen Sleeping with the Enemy, you know how we live: cans perfectly aligned, labels facing forward, etc. I just throw the shiz in the cabinet, shut the door and call it good. Oddly enough, next time I look in the cabinet, it's labels forward, organized by size, pure perfectness. *rolls eyes* :) This used to really make me mad until I realized that I'm pretty lucky to have a guy who actually likes to clean.

Anyway, I actually take two showers per day, every day (unless I have the flu/think I'm dying). So you can imagine I take it pretty seriously. I also take post-shower lotioning up even more seriously.

THEREFORE, I will share some of my body faves. Comments section is obviously open to suggestion.

I have been a Victoria's Secret lotion fan (the crazy, obsessive kind) for YEARS. Since junior high or high school, seriously. I still love the VS scents but I discovered the H20+ line at Von Maur a couple years ago. Yummo. There's not as big of a selection (especially at Von Maur) and there are no 7/$35 deals. Hah! But these are for sure the best lotions and body scrubs I've ever used. The lotion formula is just wayyyyyyyyy better and they smell sooooo good!

My everyday faves are Raspberry Guava Moisture Boosting Body Balm ($11.50) and the Rasberry Guava Body Buffer ($14)


Look what it says about the body buffer for gods sakes:

"Natural apricot seeds, jojoba beads and pumice help remove impurities and dead surface cells. Extracts of kiwi, apricot, orange, and lemon peel help nourish and soften skin. Provitamin B and Allantoin add additional hydration and nourishing protection." = Love!!
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My all-time fave was the holiday line Sugar Plum Body Butter (no longer around = sadness) and Sugar Plum Triple Butter Sugar Scrub (was $25, apparently is now $10!) It smells soooo yummy!
In scoping out this H20+ website, I cannot believe it! They have all different kinds of products: tons of face product lines including anti-aging, sun protection, sensitive skin, etc. Of course like of body products and even shampoo and conditioner! Von Maur definitely doesn't carry all of this stuff! Von Maur has a few different scents and the website has a ton, if you're not a raspberry kind of gal.

Okay, I better go shop this site some more... 'Til next time..."S'why I'm easy ..... easy like Sunday mornin', It's why I'm easy ..... easy like Sunday mornin'." *Sigh* Love you, Sundays.

Much love.

xoxo,
~ann~