OOTD: lace and skulls

Hi ladybugs,
I worked again today. Thought I'd share my outfit :)

Top: Victorias secret
Shorts: F21
Shoes: old navy
Bag: Betsey Johnson
Sunglasses: Jessica Simpson


Have a happy Saturday!!

Stepping outside my MAC comfort zone..

Hi Beauties,

I've been in a makeup rut lately. The kind of rut when you feel like your makeup is always the "same old- same old", and your itching to try something new. Now I'll be the first to admit that I'm a MAC girl through and through. Sure, I'll venture out into the realm of Urban Decay and Revlon, but my heart will always belong to MAC. That was, until I started a love affair with NYX, with a little bit of Milani on the side.

I saw on twitter from the GORGEOUS Melisa Michelle that Cherryculture was having a 60% off NYX sale. Yes, you read that right: 60% OFF! I knew right away that  I needed to give it a try since I've been hearing incredible things about NYX products. (Shout out to Melisa Michelle for tweeting about the sale. If you haven't checked out her videos then you are missing out. I'll link her youtube here: [link]

It took awhile to get to me, seeing as though they were probably swamped with orders and it came from California. (I'm a KY girl!) But the box was packaged very nicely and nothing was broken when it arrived to me.

Here's what I ended up with + a mini review on the items that I've tried so far. (P.S: Sorry for the icky dark lighting. It has been absolutely gloomy here for days now. Grey skies and rain that just won't quit!)

So sorry about the sideways photo. Blogger has been giving me nothing but trouble with the picture uploading!

[L-R] Milani Luminoso, NYX Glow, NYX Boho Chic

My first swatching attempt. :) 

So far I really like the cream blushes! (Glow & Boho Chic) I haven't quite figured out the best way to apply them yet. I've used both my fingers and a Sonia Kashuk stippling brush, and found both left the blush (and my foundation) a bit streaky and disheveled. I like applying the Milani Luminoso blush over the cream blushes to add a bit of an extra sparkle, or "sumthin sumthin." :) I saw on a video that the GORGEOUS Estee aka Essie Button (CLICK THIS LINK NOWISH) applies her cream blush with a Real Techniques brush, which obviously means that I HAVE to have the same brush, because lets face it, If she purchased dirt, and said it made good eyeshadow, then you better believe I would be doing the same! (I can be so dramatic at times eh? - see what I did there? She is Canadian.. how awesome is that?)

NYX trio in "In The Woods", and NYX palette in "Champagne & Caviar".

I purchased the trio for my mom, because I love buying her makeup, and she hasn't tried it out yet, but when she does, I'll be sure to let you know what she thinks. I however have tried (and loved) the Champagne & Caviar palette, which I somehow accidentally refer to as the "Vodka & Caviar" palette. Why? I don't know! You can basically do any type of look from a smokey eye to a simple daytime eye with this lovely product. WIN!

 [T-B] NYX Long Pencil Lip (Strange name say what!) Prune, Natural, Pinky, Red

 [L-R] NYX Mega Shiny lipgloss in Salsa & Sweetheart. Love the smell so far, but they dry out my lips a bit. :(

Milani Liquif'eye eyeliner in "Brown" and NYX Push-Up Bra for your eyebrows.

Haven't tried these out yet. Will let everyone know thoughts sooner than soon!

Have you guys tried out any of these products? What are your thoughts on them? Any product recommendations? 

Have a happy Wednesday!

xoxo,

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday! I have supportive friends edition

I know this is supposed to be a wordless post, but I just have to say thank you to my wonderful (and gorgeous) friends who have shown so much love by shouting out my blog on their facebook and twitter. I LOVE YOU GUYS!

The one that got away. Part 2: Rainbow Connection

Hi beauties,

Basically, I completely missed out on the OPI Rainbow Connection polish that came out with the Muppet collection. I literally STALKED my local Ulta, and could not find one single bottle! Since then, I've been on a hunt for a "dupe" of the highly sought after Rainbow Connection. I purchased two polishes which I thought looked like exact matches, only to realize that they aren't really that similar at all. Although one comes a lot closer than the other.

Here's a photo of what I've found.

On the left we have a glitter polish in the color Galaxy by American Apparel. On the right a glitter polish in the color Gems by Milani. From what I've gathered by reading reviews and such, the actual Rainbow Connection polish is a clear polish with rainbow glitter in all different sizes. American Apparel's Galaxy is a clear base with really large flecks of rainbow glitter, while Milani's Gems is a clear base with really small flecks of rainbow glitter. I've come to the conclusion, that if Galaxy and Gems had a baby, it would probably be really close to Rainbow Connection. *Sigh* Rainbow Connection will always be "the one that got away."

Has anyone found an exact dupe? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this!

XOXO

Stylish & Sweet: Salted Caramel Dulce de Leche cheesecake bars

Happy Monday beauties,

Oh the things on Pinterest. My mom found this yummy recipe on Pinterest for Salted Caramel Dulce de Leche Cheesecake bars, and we spent the morning of Mothers Day making them together. The results = heaven in your mouth. Seriously, these cheesecake bars aren't overly sweet, but have the "just right" combination of salty and sweet flavors that make them truly irresistible. I'll link the blog that first posted the recipe!

Here's our results:

You can find the recipe here: [link]


Let me know if you try it out, and what you think.

xoxo
Erin