Confession - I think I cheated on my week long challenge today. I did my eye makeup just a touch bit darker than I intended and I just don't feel right rocking a smoky eye with a bold lip, well I don't feel right doing it for a day at the office. So to balance it out, I went with a lovely mauve-berry shade:
Edward Bess' Forever Yours Ultra Slick Lipstick:
It looks a bit dark in the tube but on my lips it almost registers as a nude, okay a nude with mauve tones.
And here it is on my arm (NC 42 for reference):
I love Edward Bess' lipsticks, I just wished it was easier to buy. I was lucky to buy this in person last time I was at Bergdorf Goodman in NYC, where I had the pleasure of getting my makeup done by Mr. Bess as a birthday treat, and now my only option is to buy this online or as a phone order via Neiman Marcus (Beverly Hills) or BG.
Maybe it is a good thing that EB cosmetics aren't easily available. Well it is for my bank account!
This lipstick has a great amount of slip and even though that this line of lipsticks are Ultra Slick, it's anything but that. It's got a great amount of pigment and it has a pretty good wear time, well depending on how many liquids you drink between applications. I also, love the fig scent.
So is this a darker nude shade? Did I cheat?
Technically, no but it does look like a darker nude shade that I would normally wear. Okay, a minor fail.
If there is one thing Mr. Lex more than anything, aside from his NY Giants, bacon, Baseball, his girls, it's EFFICIENCY!
I hope he's proud of my efficiency creating several looks from just one palette: UD's latest, NAKED 2.
Today, I embrace another glitter bomb shadow - YDK, a cool mocha bronze loaded with chunky golden, microglitter.
(MAC NC 42, for skin tone reference)
Once again, Tease (taupe) is used in the crease, Snakebite (golden brown, bronze shimmer). I complete the look with Foxy as my brow high light shade (yes, again!). This time I went with my favorite golden bronze liner, UD 24/7 Waterproof Eye Liner in Smog on top and bottom lash line. I gently smoke my lower lash line by smudging with my MAC #219 brush. Eyes are finished with layers of GA's Eye to Kill Mascara.
And here's what the rest of my face looked like:
Today I went with on of my favorite Chanel Glossimer in Mystic (described as a shimmery copper red but it almost takes a pink tone on my lips). Blush is NARS G-Spot Multiple and I contoured with Edward Bess Bronzer in Daydream.
Like with Chopper, have makeup remover within arm's reach...there will be some fallout. But this is not the glitterbomb that Chopper can be!
Since I failed to produce a September favorites post, I have done a piece that I enjoy seeing on my fellow blogging sites: a peek into my makeup bag for the week of Oct. 16.
It's looks pretty small, right?
Surprise! I actually pack quite a bit into my small Marc by Marc Jacobs makeup pouch.
1. My favorite nude/neutral lip pencils from MAC - Cream O'Spice and Whirl
2. Chanel Glossimer - Pagoda, brownish, golden pink sheen and fine silver glitter
3. Dolce and Gabbana Passion Duo - Poetic (reviewed here)
4. Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait De Gloss - Impertinence, a plum brown gloss.
5. A black elastic in case my hair stays a complete mess after a workout.
6. Edward Bess All Over Seduction Highlighting cream - Afterglow, a warm champagne gold
7. Chanel Joues Contraste - Rose Tourbillon (reviewed here)
8. Seche Vite Top Coat - my FAVORITE top coat in purse size
9. NARS Gilda Blush, my all time favorite coral blush
10. Kiehl's lip balm #1 w/SPF 4 - Mango scented - this is my favorite lip balm and I usually buy different scents when it's time to replace a tube.
11. Eye liner/pencils - UD 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil - Underground, metallic taupe/MAC Impeccable Brow pencil - Taupe/UD 24/7 Waterproof liquid liner - Smog, sexy bronze brown.
12. Cargo bronzing brush - I use this a lot for bronzer but also to diffuse any harsh lines from my blush - the bonus - I got this for free for participating in a Cargo Marketing Study group at Sephora headquarters years ago!
13. Edward Bess Ultra Luminous Bronzer - Daydream, a meduium golden brown without any red/orange tones. It does have a little bit of shimmer but it isn't overkill.
14. Fragrance - I always have to have a fragrance sample in most of my bags - Bond No. 9 signature and Tom Ford Black Orchid. Two very sensual fragrances that keep me feeling good even if I look really tired!
Not only was this a surprise that I can pack this much in what looks like a small pouch but it also helps me edit what I need to bring with me. It also lightens my purse!
A side note:
I work as an administrative assistant, a modern day secretary, so my mornings consist of mindless report preparation for my bosses. I usually pop my ear buds in and listen to some music to get me by.
Last week, I turn to one of my favorite music blogs and was turned to this Chilean rapper. I looked her up and I'm now watching and listening to her videos on you tube.
Ana Tijoux, you make me want to brush up on my Spanish skills. Your flow and beats are that dope. Yes, I did say dope because I am that old!
Today I turn 37 and I'm still trying to get use to saying that because I think 36 sounds much better than saying, "I'm 37" then again saying "I'm 35" sounds even better than that. But I'm a good sport, I will play along and age just like everyone else. For the past year I have been really diligent with wearing sunscreen, applying under eye cream at all times and applying firming lotions to my neck and I've been doing this daily. At the moment, I am trying to find the best anti-wrinkling serums for under $100 and it's a challenge.
Now I just need to remember to take that daily multi-vitamin!
I like to buy birthday treats for myself and of course it's in the form of makeup. Last year I was in NYC so I blew $200 at the Edward Bess counter at Bergdorf Goodman but the best part was Edward did my makeup personally for my birthday dinner that night at Balthazar. It was truly an awesome birthday. Edward taught me how to use his products properly - I love using his Daydream bronzer as an everyday powder - right on top of my tinted moisturizer.
(Edward is SERVIN it up!)
This year I opted for a STAY-CATION because it's been a tough year and our pockets are a bit thin. Plus, not being at work for a week is like a great birthday gift from my work! We'll have lunch today, somewhere outdoors to celebrate the arrival of Indian Summer here in SF - the best time here, in my opinion. I'll try to fit in a manicure/pedicure today. Tonight will be drinks with my husband, sister and our good friend - expect pics!
On to my birthday treats:
My first LMdB products - an eye shadow and lip gloss. The Nordstrom counter was a bit slim in the Lip Cream department but I will be back for that! Yes, another glossimer because they are awesome and I am an extremely weak, WEAK girl when it comes to Chanel.
Shadow - Alexandrite (Joey - Corinthian and JoJo were both sold out! BOO!!!), Gloss - La Belle, Glossimer - Pagoda
I cannot wait to play with these babies!
I look forward to this day - as a little girl, I knew it meant new Barbie dolls and as an adult it means celebrating with my girls and my husband with a fabulous dinner and cocktails. The greatest gifts have been my daughter, my husband, my family and friends. I try to wake-up everyday with a smile on my face honoring these people. It's hard to do most days but once I am up and think about them, I know everything will be okay.
And I am wonderfully blessed by you, the readers, for just stopping by and reading my thoughts, looking at my not so greatly lit photos and leaving wonderful comments.
Thank you for making it my birthday everyday!
However, I think if my husband surprised me with this BARBIE doll I would squeal with delight like a 5yr. old!
She would also need a collection of shoes since my biggest pet peeve was losing a shoe!
