Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Cool Hand Blue.
Okay, you're awesome anyway.
So, I'm a mascara junkie, but I am also a nail polish junkie, in the worst possible way. Wherever I go, I always manage to find nail polish. I prefer my nail polish to be heavy chemical-free. Formaldehyde is for dead people, not my nails.
One of my favorite "clean" nail polish brands is Essie. They have some of the most gorgeous and vibrant hues as well. The price point is very fair as well. You get a high quality formulation for relatively little bank.
My current Essie obsession? smooth sailing. essie.com describes this shade as "a breezy lavender blue with a reflection of pearl", and I must admit, that is right on point!!
It definitely looks more blue when on the nail, but as with most polishes, it looks different in different lighting.
[see photo below for what I am talking about.]
I think the second photo is a more true depiction of what the color really looks like.
Regardless, it's a gorgeous color! I typically do two coats of polish, and this particular shade lasted me about five days without needing a touch up or reapplication. This color is perfect for breezy summer days at the beach, and is equally as elegant for a fun night out on the town with friends, or even a date night! I am very happy with this shade, and other Essie shades, and at about $8 a pop where can you go wrong?
Have you used Essie? What's your favorite Essie shade? Let me know!!
xoxo
bri
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Thursday, May 26, 2011
A good Foundation is the Secret to a Flawless Face.
I take that back. I am a fan of Almay's smart shade smart balance makeup.
It is light and goes on sheer and blends with my skin perfectly. I have to use the light shade because my face skin is fair, but tans easily. I'm weird, I know. Olive undertones help with that issue I suppose.
[photo c.o. http://www.almay.com]
Anyways!
My all-time favorite foundation, without question, is Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals Original SPF15 Foundation. I have yet to try the Matte formulation, but this is my standby. It blends away imperfections effortlessly and leaves a flawless complexion, and when applied correctly, does not leave a trace of looking "makeupy" or caked on. I use a smaller blush or q tip to blend away blemishes and then I use a powder blush or kabuki blush to apply this all over my face. Then I highlight my face with either a blush, like NARS orgasm, or a bronzer. After all is said and done, I set my makeup with their Mineral Veil. Mineral Veil sops up any remaining shine, and the combination of products leaves my face with a rosy and dewy complexion. I have been using these products since I was in middle school, I am definitely a lifer!!
[photo c.o. http://www.bareescentuals.com]
I would like to know what your favorite foundation is! So please vote in the poll below. If there is one I didn't mention please comment and let me know. Thanks so much!
xoxo
bri
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Tuesday, May 24, 2011
art museum .
This was taken while wandering the expansive art museum grounds. They really take care of the property. The marble is unbelievable! The architecture of the building is really beautiful as well. This is yet another favorite location of mine. I used a unique editing process on this one too, I wonder if you can tell what I did..
1960s cleveland clinic.
This photograph was snapped after the second shoot of the day, on my way home. The Cleveland Clinic is an internationally-known and respected hospital system with various location. In downtown Cleveland, it's massive. It has its own zip code! [just a fun fact for those who didn't know.] This is part of one of their buildings. Since it has been around for many years I decided to edit it to look like this was taken during the 1960s, one of the coolest decades to have been alive!
staircase edited.
This is a photography of the stairs leading up to the doors of Severance Hall. My high school graduation took place here. It's one of my favorite buildings in Cleveland. The interior architecture is even more exquisite than the exterior architecture. I edited this to look creepy, which I happen to be a big fan of. The darker, creepier, and more macabre the better!
doors edited.
I like unique looking doors. That might be a weird thing to find intriguing, but it's one of the things I'm looking for when I'm walking around a city or I'm at a friends. This is the first time I have ever seen blue doors, so I had to take a picture. This was also taken by Dave's Market. If you look in one of my other Urban Landscapes albums you will see a closeup of the door on the right. The lock is really cool too!
orange edited.
I found this lovely wall while walking outside by Dave's Market. I just really love the texture of the wall, the color, everything. By utilizing Picnik I was able to really increase the overall vibrancy of this image. It was a mild orange, but I'm personally a fan of brighter colors, and I think I accomplished this!
A note to my tweeps: I also use this blog for a class, so from time to time [like right now!] you may see some of my photography. I happen to think it's beautiful, which goes along with the theme of beauty!
Beauty Swag Giveaway!!!!
I have a beauty bag stuffed with AMAZING beauty products/samples from various companies that can be found on Sephora.com as well as Beauty.com.
How do you get a hold of this awesome freebie?
Well, it's easy as pie!
The beauty bag has an insane amount of goodies, and the bag is very cute too! I might throw in some full-sized products as well..we shall see!!
There's no time limit on this giveaway, but the sooner the better!
AND GO!!
xoxo
bri
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Josie Maran: Argan Beauty.
"What it is...
Argan Oil is an all-natural, 100% organic, chemical-free beauty marvel that really works.
Produced from the Argan tree in semi-deserts of Morocco, Argan Oil has been used by Moroccan women for centuries for it's nutritional and cosmetic benefits.
Commonly referred to as "liquid gold" or "The Gold of Morocco", Argan Oil is an incredibly rich source of Vitamin E and essential fatty acids. It has astonishing healing, conditioning and anti-aging properties to keep your skin and hair nourished and revitalized and to keep you looking beautiful from head to toe. Argan Oil is not only a "super food" for the skin and hair but for the whole body. Having twice as much Vitamin E as olive oil including vital antioxidants, Argan Oil plays a major role in a healthy diet and is commonly used in traditional Moroccan recipes.
Monday, May 23, 2011
The Best Blush..EVER.
The truth is most women are looking for a pretty, universally-flattering color that can be worn day to night, like most makeup products. We need versatility. We need something that complement our bone structure, our skin color, our skin tone, and our skin texture. We need a blush that makes us look alive, even when we're walking around with no sleep and a three shot espresso in our systems to try to get us through the day. We need a color that adds a healthy dose of color. Women need a blush that looks good at the office or at school, and looks good while on a date or out with the girls.
I have a few blushes that I like, but my ultimate favorite is NARS blush in Orgasm.
According to Sephora.com's description:
" Blush
What it is:
A soft, sheer pressed powder blush.
What it does:
NARS Blush offers a range of translucent, natural shades, each with a subtle pink for natural blush undertone, created to highlight the complexion.
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:
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."
NARS Orgasm Blush is the perfect blush, in my book anyway. Just a light sweep gives you a healthy dose a color, or you can layer it on if you are looking particularly pale and/or pasty. I have been using it for a few years now, and I don't ever tire of it. I will be buying NARS Super Orgasm soon, because I haven't tried it and I have been so thrilled with the original blush, and their other products!Tweet
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Always remember.
Pretty, pretty.
As I take more and become more familiar with photo-editing software I will share more with everyone.
Here's the link to my Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/63125076@N05/
Enjoy!
xoxo
bri
Own Natural Skincare: Acne Treatment Line.
They have pretty much all-natural products with excellent ingredients. Not only that, but you can opt for a 30 day risk-free trial, all you have to pay is shipping. I selected expedited since this was a breakout emergency of epic proportions. I have been using the product line for about two weeks and my skin looks AMAZING! All the products smell yummy, but my personal favorite is the Calming Facial Toner. It's soothing and invigorating. It tingles as you sweep it over your face. It has also helped clear up some blackheads.
"Calming Facial Toner
This ayurvedic-herbal toner soothes even persnickety pimples, calming agitated areas and preventing acne from aggravating you and your complexion. "
If you are not a fan of chemicals, heavy synthetics, man-made ingredients, etc. I highly recommend this line. If you have tried other acne products and have been let down, give this a shot. What do you have to lose? You lose out by not trying, in my opinion.
My skin also looks more radiant, more refined, my larger pores have reduced in size, and some very fine lines have been reduced as well! I am very happy with this product line and all it has to offer.
To be 100% honest, as I will ALWAYS be in all of my blog posts and reviews, it did seem like my breakouts got a little bit worse AT FIRST/the first two or three days. This is typical, in my opinion, when you begin any new skin care regimen. Your skin has to adjust to the new products, and products like these help bring out impurities, toxins, makeup, etc. so seeing more inflammation it pretty common.
Own Natural Skincare also has several other product lines. These include an Anti-Aging line, a Sun Care line, and a Lip Therapy line. I look forward to trying more of their products and they have definitely found a new devotee!
If you have tried this regimen, or any other Own product that I have or have not mentioned, please share your thoughts and opinions with me! If there is an acne product you love and can't live without, please tell me!
Thanks for reading boys and ghouls.
xoxo
bri
P.S.- photos c.o. http://www.ownproducts.com/acne-products.html/
Friday, May 20, 2011
Tattoos: Taboo?
Thursday, May 19, 2011
smashbox LASH DNA MASCARA.
TALK ABOUT MASCARA PERFECTION!
"Long lashes not in your genes? Our revolutionary new scientifically-engineered mascara is packed with proteins and amino acids that bind to lashes for genetic defying length and strength. The unique double helix brush grabs each lash, no matter how small, for the ultimate fanned out effect. Dramatic jet black shade intensifies and defines. Defy genetics with Lash DNA Mascara.
Revolutionary Double Helix Brush
- Delivers intense, jet black lashes in just one coat
- Lashes instantly look bigger, bolder, longer & more defined
- Sweeps lashes up & out for a gorgeous, doe-eyed effect:"
The product description, taken from smashbox.com, delivers exactly what is promised, and a whole lot more. I really love the brush, it is unlike any of the other brushed out there. I am not sure if it is my true favorite, Christian Dior's Diorshow Blackout Mascara has been a favorite of mine for years, but this is right up there with that. I don't use many smashbox products, but this has definitely opened my eyes to the quality of their products.
I have relatively long lashes to begin with, but LASH DNA made it look like I had a pair of faux lashes on, no clumping, perfect separation, irresistible length, AND curling. I was shocked. and for $19 a pop, relatively affordable compared to other high-end brands out there. Absolutely worth every penny. People go to salons and pay $50 and more to get lash extensions and other treatments. Why go to that extreme when you can have the exact same effect from a tube?
If you have tried this product, I would LOVE to hear about it!
Thanks for reading, have a lovely weekend boys and ghouls.
xoxo
bri bri
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
A few of my favorite blogs....
Some of my favorite blogs:
I have a tumblr [not really sure if that is bloggy-enough for this clas..but I will include it anyway]. I haven't posted in two weeks, but I follow quite a few people. One of my favorites is http://fyeahtattoos.com/. It's a blog that showcases all different kinds of tattoos from all over the world, user-submitted images, etc. It's pretty awesome. [I love tattoos and have quite a few myself.
http://luckymag.tumblr.com/
I love anything fashion-related and this particular blog incorporates various mediums to showcase some fantastic fashion finds. They show videos from fashion shows, offer deals/steals from stores and their web stores, etc.
http://vanityfair.tumblr.com/
Who doesn't love Vanity Fair? It's one of my favorite magazines, so naturally I love their tumblr.
http://funnyordie.tumblr.com/
One of the funniest websites out there has a tumblr..need I say more?
http://lindsayloublog.com/
My favorite store in the whole world. She hasn't blogged in a while, but it is full of great stories and information!
I have a few other favorites:
http://www.celiacchicks.com/
http://glutenfreegirl.com/
And one of my guilty pleasures is celebrity gossip, so any of those blogs/websites I usually fancy.
Welcome! :)
I look forward to maintaining this blog and I also look forward to learning more about my followers/fellow students through their blogs!