Favorite Fall Things

dark lipstick + colorful infinity scarf + leather jacket

1.  NARS Pure Matte Lipstick - Volga ($25) get it @ NARS
Bought this lipstick on a whim at Barney's in Chicago.  I love it.
2.  BDG Popcorn Knit Ribbed Eternity Scarf ($29) get it @ Urban Outfitters
Probably my favorite purchase of the season.  Almost bought it in gray, but some girl stole it right as I was walking to the scarf rack.  I never would have bought a color if given the choice, but now I'm happy it stands out against all of my clothes (black).
3.  Charles & 1/2 Men's Leather Bomber Jacket (no longer available)
I bought this men's jacket a couple years ago because I was hating all women's leather jackets that season.  This was also a time in my life I was obsessed with motorcycles.  Lol.

...

ZARA November WOMAN Lookbook

I'm a sucker for ZARA's monthly lookbooks...

 

 

Maxi dress and pencil skirt: you are mine.

This is inspiring me to do a closet clean-out.

...

Clothing/Accessories Wish List

*wink wink*

Some cute things :D ...

1.  Juicy Couture TXT Me Gloves ($98) get it @ ShopBop
I'm not usually a Juicy Couture kind of girl, but I think these are adorable.
2.  Madewell Mapscape Storyteller Scarf ($60) get it at @ Madewell
A beautiful silk scarf--also, I love maps.
3.  Rebecca Minkoff "Benjamins" Wallet ($110) get it @ ShopBop
This wallet has been on my wish list for over a year.  It makes me laugh :)
4.  David Smallcombe Large Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet ($72) get it @ Exit Art
I lost my beloved handmade silver twisted rope cuff last month.  Replacement?
5.  Sydney Evan White Gold & Diamond Love Ring ($860) get it @ Sydney Evan
I'm obsessed, though this one will probably never happen.
6.  Pour La Victoire Nolita Boots ($395) get it @ Pour La Victoire
I've worn my Frye boots to death over the last couple years.  This is the one thing on the list I actually do need.
7.  J. Crew Heart Me Sweater ($88) get it @ J. Crew
I die.
8.  Oliver Peoples Shean Round-Frame Acetate Sunglasses ($360) get it @ Net-A-Porter
Love these.
9.  Jack Wills Ashvale Loungeshort ($54) get it @ Jack Wills
Cute and Christmas-y :)

...

Daytime Skincare

I'm serious about skin care.  Okay, so that sounds like the language of a PSA about forest fires, but I do spend a lot of time any money investing in my skin.  I really believe that taking care of my skin at 21 will set me up for a more graceful 41, 51 and 61.  For me, the point of thorough skin care isn't so you don't have to wear makeup--it's essential body maintenance.

I take a pretty scientific approach to buying skin products.  I try to avoid brands that over-perfume their products.  I'm not sensitive to fragrance or dyes, I just think they are non-essential to skin care.  As for packaging--I try to save my love for product design for makeup packaging.  Skin care above all things should work for you.  Save the frills for your compact.

DISCLAIMER:  I work really hard to keep my skin in good condition.  I am, however, blessed with a "normal" skin type.  I am neither dry nor oily (except in slight variations throughout the year--nothing extreme enough to sway me from the middle).  That being said, nobody I know with normal skin has "perfect" skin.  Breakouts, dullness, unevenness are all skin issues I use products to prevent and treat.

So here are the products I use in the daytime:

And here is the breakdown:

CLEANSER
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel ($33 / 8.4 fl oz) get it @ bluemercury
It took me a long time to find this product.  Actually, I tried a sample of the Alchimie Excimer Purifying Facial Cleanser last night and promptly dumped the rest of the rather generous sample because I was so revolted by something else cleansing my face. This cleanser is HG worthy for me.  I use it in conjunction with my Dermalogica Face Brush (a toothbrush for your face).  It foams from a clear gel base and thoroughly cleans your skin without over drying.  Dermalogica as a brand simplifies its products down to the bare bones.  No frilly or pretty packaging.  The products work and speak for themselves.

TONER
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil Free Toner ($16 / 8.4 fl oz) get it @ bloomingdale's
Exposure to the elements AND cleansing your skin changes its natural pH.  Toners remove excess dirt and grime you may have missed cleansing, but more importantly, they restore the natural pH of your skin.  This toner does it without oil, alcohol, silicone, parabens, or fragrance.  That sentence alone should catch your attention.  THIS STEP IS ESSENTIAL.  When you forget to tone your skin, your other products are less effective.

SPOT TREATMENT
Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment ($7 / 0.75 fl oz) get it @ CVS
I don't break out consistently, I break out periodically (you know what this means).  During a breakout, I apply this spot treatment to the entire affected area.  The name "spot treatment" is a misleading product name.  Applying the product to the entire affected area (instead of "spot treating") decreases risk of re-contaminating existing inflamed acne with surrounding bacteria.  This product is a 2% salicylic acid gel.  Salicylic acid works by actually going down into your pores and breaking down any debris while also exfoliating at the surface.  If salicylic acid does not work for you, this product obviously won't work for you.  For me, however, I can put this on a spot before it breaks the surface and it will never "erupt."  That's pretty magical if you ask me.

SUNSCREEN
Clarins UV Plus Day Screen SPF 40 ($38 / 1.7 fl oz) get it @ bloomingdale's
Because I don't use a moisturizer with SPF (reasons and details below), it's essential that I use one during the day.  Even though I have never burned in a day in my life, UV exposure cause wrinkles, discoloration and skin cancer (duh).  So use a sun screen.  This step is non negotiable.

MOISTURIZER
LUSH Imperialis Moisturizer ($24 / 1.5 fl oz) get it @ LUSH
I use a moisturizer without SPF (even though there are great products w/ SPF on the market) for a few reasons.  Firstly, it's not as effective as just using a single purpose sun screen + moisturizer.  Secondly, I have a tendency to slap on whatever moisturizer no matter what time of day it is.  This has caused embarrassing flash-back in nighttime photographs due to titanium dioxide found in many moisturizers and foundation.  Titanium dioxide shatters light rays (that's how it protects your skin).  Unfortunately, it doesn't discriminate between sunlight and flash-light.  Hello, Whiteface Tanbody.  This SPF free moisturizer has a light lavender, neroli oil, and lily fragrance and is formulated for normal or combination skin.  I know I said I try to keep fragrance out of my skin care, but I like this moisturizer, so sorry.


And that's it!  I know that was rambly.  Nighttime skin care soon :)

...

Beauty Wish List

A few things I've been lusting over these past few months/weeks/days:

Clé de Peau de Beauté Concealer - Beige

One of the best (and most expensive - $70) concealers on the market.  I believe that it is generally marketed as a full coverage under eye concealer.  I picked up a sample at a Saks Fifth Avenue in New York in early October and fell in love.  Too bad every time I think about buying it, I feel guilty.

The Balm - Nude 'Tude Eyeshadow Palette

A recent addition to the sea of neutral palettes that has swamped the beauty industry since the arrival of the Urban Decay Naked Palette.  This palette has a wider variety and a few more matte shades (and is more versatile) that the UD palette.  The "Naughty" packaging with the implied nude ladies is cute and sassy (also comes in a "Nice" version with no ladies).

Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil - Kenya

This is probably one of my favorite eye products of all time.  I have three colors (Surat: a light shimmery taupe, Pointe Noir: a matte black, and Epernay: the pale champagne highlighting color).  These do not crease when blended, but I use them over a MAC Paint Pot anyway because I'm like that.  Surat is a super easy eye for the lazy busy girl.  Kenya is a dark matte brown that I imagine would be great for a daytime brown smoky eye!

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters - ALL OF THEM!

The product that has taken the online beauty community by storm over the last couple weeks.  70% lipstick + 30% lip balm/gloss = everyone's ideal lip product.  With 20 new shades, I really think Revlon clinched the market for an affordable "Dior Addict Lip Glow" and "Yves Saint Laurent Volupte Sheer Candy" dupe product, but better.  I've been eyeing Pink Truffle, Peach Parfait and Red Velvet (quickly becoming a cult favorite).

And that's all for now.

...

Wellington Boot Lust

In true mid-Atlantic autumn fashion, Washington, D.C. has been a huge sloppy mess for the last few weeks.  On days when there isn't a torrential, apocalyptic downpour, the air is so thick with humidity you can hardly breathe.  Anyway, having just moved to an urban/urban-accessible setting for the first time in my adult life, I find myself doing a lot more walking.  This time of year, it's an unfortunate necessity to have a pair of rain boots (also known as Wellington boots).  I have a couple pairs that I force myself to wear so as not to ruin my nice shoes even though I detest them from the second I wiggle my heel into their unforgiving footbed.  Naturally, I've been doing some research to try to find a pair that I can bear wearing for longer than the 2 block commute to school.  Here are my results:

Loeffler Randall Rain Boot with Back Zip ($195):

  

Loeffler Randall Rain Bootie ($165):

 

J. Crew Weatherby Rain Boot ($80):

  

Aigle Ecuyer boots ($189):

Hunter Regent Nylon ($150):

Hunter Watling Lace Up Full Knee Boot ($175):

I've had a pair of J. Crew rain boots before (purchased 2008).  I thought it would be prudent to point out that J. Crew, along with Hunter have narrow calf widths.  Hunter does make a Wellington model with an adjustable shaft that is featured on their UK website.  You would probably just have to do some trolling to find one that fits your legs if you, like me, have ever played a sport in your life.

If I could choose now, I'd probably go for the Loeffler Randall booties.  While they aren't technically Wellington boots, I think that model is refreshing and unique.  You definitely wont be trudging down the street saying, "Shit, she's wearing the same pair of ugly polka dot Target rain boots.  At least she knows how miserable I am right now."

...

HOLY GRAIL MAKEUP

Some days you don't feel like being creative or thinking about what you want to put on your face (i.e. for a morning class, most days for work, shopping, lunch, errands, seeing your parents, lol).  These are my no-fuss-no-worries products that make me look like a million bucks without giving it one second of thought.  **Concealer is my beef.  I hate all of them.

Face //
Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation - #127 Dark Sand
Sephora Collection Pro Foundation Airbrush - #55
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush - Blissful
Dior Ultra Shimmering All Over Face Powder - #002 Amber Diamond


Lips //
Covergirl Lip Perfection Lip Liner - #210 Seduce
Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Glow - #236 Satin Peach
Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick - #620 Spotlight Beige
Carmex!


Eyes //
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner - #13 Mat Black
Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil - Surat
Diorshow Waterproof Mascara - Black

mah face

...

DIOR CAPTURE R60/80 XP

I have been dying to revamp my skin care regimen.  Still on the hunt for a cleanser, makeup remover and toner; but look what my mom got me!

I know I'm 21.  I know I don't need this.  But I also know that for the 2 weeks I've used this, my skin has looked amazing.  Also, there is nothing like an expensive skin-care-regimen to make you feel glamourous and actually follow through with said skin-care-regimen.

The Breakdown

+Dior Capture R60/80 XP Ultimate Wrinkle Correction Serum $130

+Dior Capture R60/80 XP Wrinkle Correction Eye Creme $82

+Dior Capture R60/80 XP Ultimate Wrinkle Correction Creme $110

According to Sephora

Discover Dior's new 21st century anti-wrinkle skincare. Inspired by the latest dermatological breakthroughs and derived from revolutionary research, Dior Capture R60/80 XP Ultimate Wrinkle Creme reinvents anti-wrinkle care by protecting and relaunching skin cell activity to encourage faster, healthier regeneration, eventually "pushing up" the depressed wrinkle for a smoother, more even look.

...

ZARA

I'm sure everyone and their cat-lady-aunt knows this, but Zara is opening their US online store on September 7.  I have it better than most Americans--I live an accessible distance from two Zara stores, but I find that their stock is different (between each other) and not consistent with what is shown on the website. Zara's whole business model revolves around taking a trend to stores in 2 weeks (or so they claim).  Maybe I miss items because of the turn over, or maybe they aren't as consistent in the United States as they are in Europe.


Regardless, I am still stoked about the online store.  These two pairs of shoes have been out for a whole season, but if they are available on the 7th, I will definitely scoop them up...

 ZARA T-Strap Sandal

ZARA Vamp and Heel Shoe

...