NARS Douceur

NARS Douceur · $28

NARS Douceur is commonly known in the beauty and blogging world as the "instant model cheekbones" blush and I've got to say, that's pretty much true.

NARS describes this blush as a "soft pink-brown" and in the pan it looks like a beautiful dusty pink — but on the face? It's the most perfect rosy shade to give you both a hint of color and a natural contour. I love wearing this on days where I don't want to do too much with my makeup but I do want a little something to pull my look together. One of my favorite things to do is to pair this up with Tarte Exposed; using this to add a little definition while wearing Exposed on the apples of my cheeks.

I love this blush to bits, especially because it gives your cheekbones a bit of a boost while still doing it's job as a blush. This is most definitely one of those blushes you have to have for autumn and winter. It looks beautiful with a bold berry lip color as well as a more natural looking lip. It kind of gives you that I just walked in from the cold type of look and I really think it's just one of the most beautiful (and flattering) blushes out there!

What do you guys think of this color? What are your favorite autumn blushes?

Glossybox USA: October 2012

Glossybox · $21/month

I'm sure it's not a surprise that when it comes to beauty boxes, Glossybox takes the cake as #1 in my heart. Since subscribing I haven't received a box I didn't like; not even a little bit. This one is no exception! The theme of this month's box is Spa Luxe — Let Go, Unwind, Restore. As the harsher weather approaches, having some products that allow you to get a relaxing night in, is a perfect idea.

The Shea Soufflé by Carol's Daughter is absolutely divine. Coconut is one of my all time favorite scents so they really hit the nail on the head with this one. It's a super rich moisturizer and the sample size is huge so this should last quite a while.

Next up is the Alessandro Pedix Heel Rescue Balm aka something I totally need. For some reason my feet get really dry in the winter so having a little help on that front is definitely something I'm up for. 

As a sucker for lipsticks, I was excited to see that one was thrown in with this box. ModelCo's LIP DUO is a cute little gloss-and-lipstick-in-one type deal that has a super fruity scent to it. I'm not all that into glosses but the idea behind this is cute — it even has a little mirror on it!

The Alterna Bamboo Luminous Shine Mist is supposed to help control frizz and flyaways while adding a gorgeous shine and gloss to hair. I've actually never used a shine mist (I'm more of a serum girl) so I'm pretty excited to see what this stuff can do.

Last but not least is this pretty unique little loofa. It's by Heartland Fragrances and it's a loofa with hand poured soap inside. I'm pretty interested to see how this works, so I'll try and report back!

All in all I'd say this box is pretty awesome. Huge products in this box, definitely can't complain about the size and I'm really excited to use everything here. Let me know what you guys think of this months box and what your favorite products are!

Anastasia Lash Genius Waterproof Topcoat

Anastasia Lash Genius Waterproof Topcoat* · $21

If you're like me, you prefer non-waterproof mascara for various reasons. That said, it is nice to have that little extra something to help hold your mascara whether it be from rainy/foggy/misty weather, crying due to sappy romance movies (I can't be the only one), and any other reasons why you'd want to avoid those dreaded mascara tears running down your face.

The thing I love about Lash Genius is that it gives you the option to make your already loved non-waterproof mascara(s), waterproof. You don't have to stick to the same 'ol mascara and you can switch it up if you want, as you just apply this right over the mascara you're already wearing. Going to a wedding or maybe you're in the wedding? Prime example of when this little baby would be perfect to use. 

Another thing that's great about this versus normal waterproof mascaras is that not only does this work like a dream (yes I tested it) but it's a breeze to remove. Yeah, we all know how much of a chore it is to remove waterproof mascara and everyone has their own technique, but with a little cleansing water and a cotton pad this stuff comes off super easy! Go figure. This stuff totally exceeded my expectations and if you want to check it out, hop over to Sephora or to an Anastasia counter and have 'em try it out on you. 

What do you guys think of this product? Are you a waterproof or non-waterproof kind of gal?

Grey Days

Jumper · Topshop

Disco Pants · American Apparel

Coat · H&M (old)

Wedges · H&M (old)

I'm happy to be posting outfit posts again. I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to after the 50mm disaster I had last week, but alas, my knight in shining armor came through with a new one (to my surprise!). I've kind of turned into a jumper addict  as of late— you can't blame me though. That said, it's finally autumn in California so I'll use that as an excuse for my latest obsession.

Speaking of jumpers, this is easily the softest one I've ever owned and I seriously never want to take it off. The disco pants are getting a ton of love as well. I'm really glad I took the plunge to get them because I absolutely adore them and wear them constantly (seriously, almost daily). The jacket is something I forgot about since we moved to our new place; I wore it tons when we were in the city but since then it's been sitting in the back of my closet, not seeing the light of day. Kind of glad I rediscovered it because I love the color and look for fall.

Another thing I've been all-about lately is super mellow, great-for-autumn music. I've gathered a bunch of my favorites which you can listen to on Spotify here. Hope everyone else is enjoying the chilly weather with happy music, tea, and their favorite tv shows.

P.S. Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin'  — once I hit 100 followers I'm doing a huge giveaway (worth $100)!

Laura Mericer Silk Creme Foundation in Medium Ivory

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation · $43

I get a decent amount of compliments and on my skin — and while yes, I have nice normal skin and am not prone to blemishes or spots, I owe a lot to my trusty foundation.

Before this I wore MAC foundation but could never find the right color or coverage. On a trip to Sephora this past April, I was introduced to the lovely Laura Mericer brand and was immediately interested in the foundations. For a while I was going back and forth between two shades but settled for Medium Ivory.

Laura Mercier's Silk Creme foundation is (for me) medium coverage with a natural and dewy finish. It lasts all day and doesn't leave me oily or dry. I've tried other foundations but nothing else has compared to this so I just can't seem to pry myself away. It blends like a dream and is buildable, so on days where I feel like I need a little extra coverage, I just add another layer. It never looks cakey or fake which is one of the things I love most about this foundation.

What do you guys think of Laura Mercier's foundations? Do you have a fav?

TokyoMilk Femme Fatale Collection Lip Elixirs

TokyoMilk Femme Fatale Collection Lip Elixirs · $7/ea

After seeing these on Sephora's website a while back I was really intrigued by the packaging and scents they had to offer. I love my lip balms and always have one (or three) in my purse as well as some just laying in different rooms of the house. These are made with aloe, vitamin E, jasmine and bee balm, so you know they're some of the silkiest balms out there. I opted for this duo, though I definitely want to try out some others after I run out of these.

Clove Cigarette No. 18 (left), smells of crushed clove, lavender rose, saigon cinnamon, and vanilla bean. The name is a little off putting, but with the teeny Eiffel Tower it's obvious that this one is Parisian/French inspired. There's the perfect amount of sweet and spice and it's truly a wonderful scent for fall.

Coco Noir No. 60 (right) is a mix of dark rum, maraschino cherry, sweet milk, and cacao bean. If you're a fan of rum or rum cocktails you definitely need to get a whiff of this. It's my favorite of the two because it's a little less strong but also quite sweet and relaxing. The rum and cacao are a lot stronger than the other scents but it's the subtle hint of cherry and the dullness of the milk that really makes this such a perfect combo.

All in all I think these are such lovely products. So nice on the lips and great scents as well. I'll definitely be looking into their other products since these were so great. Have you guys tried any of TokyoMilk's products?

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle · $29

I love a little bit of highlight every now and again — though now and again is more like every other day. As the summer fades, so does my tan and sometimes Benefit's Sunbeam is just a bit too bronze for what I'm looking for. That's when I reach for this gorgeous little highlighter.

MAC MSF in Soft and Gentle is the most perfect, perfect, and did I mention... perfect highlighter. Why? Because it looks good on basically all skin types all year round. Not to mention that it lasts forever. I've had this one for a few months now and it looks like I've barely touched it. It's pretty subtle when applied to the cheeks and cheekbones (hence the swatch I did), but still gives you the most gorgeous natural glow. Every time I use it I'm reminded why it's a product that most bloggers/beauty junkies adore and use on the daily. 

What do you guys think of Soft and Gentle? What are some of your favorite highlighters?

Bumble and bumble Straight Blow Dry

Bumble and bumble Straight Blow Dry · $28

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I have extremely curly hair. Actually, as I write this, my mane is in an extremely huge topknot cuz god knows I just can't be bothered to mess with it. I'm already planning to do a post dedicated to my frizz-filled locks and how I clean, nourish, and style — but until then I'll let you in on a few kew products I use to get the straight look. 

Bumble and bumble's Straight Blow Dry is a heat activated balm that helps tame fly-aways and frizz. At first I was a bit skeptical on how well this would work and how it would make my hair feel. Thicker balms and lotions tend to give my hair a greasy, weighed down feeling; this definitely doesn't do that. Instead it leaves my hair feeling extremely soft and smooth, while adding a bit of shine. It's definitely one of my all time favorite products for helping achieve my everyday straight hair style. With this stuff, a little goes a long way.

After sectioning my hair off to blowdry I apply this mid-shaft to ends and brush through. Using a round (boar bristle) brush I then blowdry depending on how I want my hair to look — higher heat + more concentrated = sleek and straight, or lower heat + lots of brush twirling for a more tousled look. I then follow up by straightening where needed. The end result is totally polished look. I use this most when I know I'll be more prone to frizz: when it's humidy/muggy/raining/etc. It really does an amazing job of helping to keep my hair under control!

What do you guys think of the Bb Straight line? Do you recommend any products for us ladies with curly hair?

The Longest Week

I used to not like the whole instagram post thing, but I think I'm starting to like it. We'll see if this sticks, ha. This week feels like it's been never ending! That said, I've been loving the weather lately — super gloomy and overcast with a bit of rain. I'll take it.

• Amazing bookstore which happens to be next to my favorite bookstore. Rereading one of my favorite classics, The Great Gatsby. Had my first proper ramen and now I think I'm addicted! Yum!
• Richard taking a photo of me with his snazzy new phone. White wine for me, coffee for him and a desert to share while I blog and he works. I've fallen in love with wearing his shirts with my disco pants; the most effortless but cute outfit ever!
• Gorgeous skies and turning leaves. Peppermint tea love affair. My Gryffindor outfit (though I'm 100% Slytherin).
• Reading a bit of What Shall I Wear Today? by Fifi Lapin. Had sandwiches at Stanford (Ike's I ♥ you). Discovered the super crazy counters at the Nordstrom close to my house aka bad news for the wallet.

Super excited for this week. Awaiting a loooot of packages, working on a super secret project with Richard, and lots of other fun things happening! Hope everyone had a lovely weekend!

PS. You can find me on instagram here: @chels

Nu Disco

Sweater · American Apparel

Disco Pants · American Apparel

Shoes · Jeffrey Campbell

So excited for this post — mostly because I'm so excited to finally own a pair of disco pants. I've wanted them for ev er but finally buckled down and bought them! I was a little scared since they were  kinda tight when I first bought them but now they've seemed to chill out and they fit wonderfully and are so comfortable! My only issue is that they bunch around my ankles and a bit around the knees, but otherwise they're perf!

I saw this sweater when I walked in the store and was thinking about it the entire time I was in the dressing room sooooo I made Richard grab it so I could try it on as well. It's soooo soft and looks super cute paired with the pants, so I'm a happy bunny!

I've had these Jeffrey Campbell wedges since last Christmas but never really got the chance to wear them in SF since, um, well have you seen the hills? I've gotten a bit more wear out of them since we moved but of course now it's rolling around to autumn and my toes get a little too cold. That said, I'm totally going to pair them with some wooly tights soon enough!

So glad it's Thursday because I can't wait for the weekend. Feels like this week has been dragging on and on... and on. Here's a little nu-disco to brighten your day (which also happens to be one of my favorite songs as of late). Anyway, what do you guys think of the disco pant trend?

P.S. Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin'  — once I hit 100 followers I'm doing a huge giveaway (worth $100)!

L'Oreal Infallible Le Rouge: Tender Berry, Rambling Rose, & Bold Bordeaux

L'Oreal Infallible Le Rouge in 519, 212, & 741 · $10.49/ea

I've heard a lot of good things about L'Oreal's lipsticks lately and thought I'd try a few out for myself. As my obsession with lip products grows, so does my collection. I wanted to pick up a few autumn and winter colors as most of what I have at the moment is more for spring and summer.

Tender Berry (519) is a light pinky rose color that is perfect for daily wear — subtle enough to not be in-your-face but still a nice splash of color that is absolutely perfect for pulling a look together.

Rambling Rose (212) is a reaaaally gorgeous in-between type color. I feel like this would be an amazing shade to just throw on and not have to think about. That said, I'm not a fan of the shimmers! The other two colors don't really have shimmer at all and I think the shimmer makes the color a little less classy. That said, I'm still a fan of this one.

Bold Bordeaux (741) is way brighter than it looks in the tube, I can assure you that. At first it kind of scared me as I'm not used to bright red/maroon lipsticks but the more I wore it, the more I love it (and I've got to admit it's my favorite of the three! For someone who used to never wear lipstick, I feel like I've made such a huge transition, ha. This color is perfect for gloomy days when you just want a little somethin' somethin', or for nights out and fancy occasions. I would totally wear this out during the day too! It's just such a beautiful color!!

Overall I love these lipsticks. They're semi-long lasting and don't feel as drying as some lipsticks can. They do seem to leave lip marks on cups but even with that I don't notice much of a difference on my lips. There are a lot of shades out there so I'm sure I'll be looking around for more that catch my eye!

What do you guys think of these? Have you tried them yet?

Kerastase Specifique Densitive GL

Kérastase Specifique Densitive GL · $40

So this is a little different than my normal product posts buuuuut sometimes different is good. 

I purchased this little bottle on a whim (but also with a recommendation) after getting a haircut last week. When my hair is in its natural state aka curly and big enough to double as a lions mane, I have no issue with volume and body at all. When I straighten my hair which is most of the time, my hair tends to lay flat and not really do much of anything. When I went in for my cut and style, I told the stylist what products I use, told her what I was looking to achieve when styling my hair, and she recommended this. 

Kérastase Specifique Densitive GL is a thickening spray which is supposed to soothe the scalp and stimulate micro-circulation while also adding texture and volume to thin/lifeless hair. You spray it on — roots to ends — and blow-dry for the finished effect. What you're left with is natural looking volume and body. I normally spray this roots to mid-shaft (leaving out my ends) and massage into my scalp before blow-drying. I feel as though my ends don't really need it/there isn't really a purpose for spraying them because I want most of my body at the top and middle! You can also spray this on dry hair and blow-dry for a nice and even more voluminous effect. Overall I'm really happy with this so far and it's definitely helped me use less product in the long run while doing my hair. I really want to check out the Kérastase Résistance shampoo and conditioner which is supposed to be amazing for weakened and fine hair. 

Have you tried any Kérastase products? Which are your favorites?

Anastasia Want You To Want Me Eye Shadow Palette

Anastasia Want You To Want Me Eye Shadow Palette · $34

I've been looking for a new palette, preferably one that would have colors to compliment all the berry/wine colored lipsticks I've been wearing lately. Upon searching the depths of the internet, I came across this limited edition holiday set and knew I had to have it.

The set comes with a palette of 9 colors, a sleek black liquid liner, a clear brow gel, and a little bitty brush. I already own the Anastasia Brow Wiz, so the brow gel will definitely compliment that on days where my brows are a little unruly. I've strayed away from black liner completely as it seems a bit harsh on me lately but I'm still excited to try this one (possibly for nights out). The whole kit is supposed to be a "nod to the glam and decadence of the 1970’s" hence the names of the colors, and I think it's such a cute idea.

The palette itself is full of gorgeous purples, mauves, pinks, and tans which are so perfect for this season considering the trends. The colors blend effortlessly and seem to stay on well with no issues at all. They're velvety smooth and just lovely to use. For the price it's honestly a steal, so if you're looking for a little something new, try and get your hands on this! My only qualm about this is that it's made of that velvety fabric (like the UD Naked palette) so it's already full of fuzzies! Oh well. Still worth it ;)

What do you guys think of the set? Are you loving the colors in the palette as much as I am?

P.S. Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin'  — once I hit 100 followers I'm doing a huge giveaway (worth $100)!