January 2014 Favorites

Hi Ladies!

I have compiled a list of my favorite products for January 2014. While I have been using a TON of new products, there are some that stand out in the crowd more than others. I have reviewed some of these products while other I am still trying out.

Valentine's Day Collaboration: One Palette Date

Hi Ladies!

My beautiful beauty blogger friends (BBBF! Did I just make that up?!)  Lily from Beauty with Lily and Jackie from Five Two Certified decided to create a fun Valentine's Day collaboration. They were nice enough to ask me to join. Each one of us had to create a full face look along with an OOTD (outfit of the day) on Polyvore. The twist to this collab was that we each could only use one eye/face palette to create our look. However, we could add in other face products for the rest of the look (foundation, blush, mascara, etc).

The Grammys

Hi Ladies!

Below are my favorite red carpet looks from the Grammy Awards. Red and Metallic colors seem to be the popular theme of the night.

Tamar Braxton in Michael Costello

This dress is simple but fits Tamar's body very well. The neckline adds a unique flair to the dress.

Miranda Lambert in Pamella Roland

This was my favorite dress of the night. Another simple yet stunning dress. I love the color and plunging neckline on Miranda. It emphasizes her tiny waist and her other assets. I think a nice dainty necklace would have been a great addition to this look.

Chrissy Teigen in Johanna Johnson

This dress is the definition of glam. I love the slit in the front of the dress and the train. 

Taylor Swift in Gucci Premiere

Although I think this dress is a little bit mature for Taylor, she still looks beautiful in it. I love the shear metallic layer over the dress. 

*All of these celebrity images were taken from E! Online. 

What were your favorite looks at the Grammys? Post your comments below!

Tag: What's In my Purse?

Hi Ladies!

Jackie from FiveTwoCertified and I were discussing makeup and such and she told me I should do this tag. Check out my video below!



I'm tagging the following beauty bloggers to join in on this:

Jackie-Five Two Certified
Liz-My Pretty Obsessions
Lily-Beauty with Lily
Shalunya-Shalunya and Boyet
Sissi-Beauty4Free2U

If you don't feel comfortable making a video,  a post on this tag is cool too!

Keep this tag going ladies!

What's in your purse? Post your comments below!

-Tanya xoxo

Review: Urban Decay Naked 3

Hi Ladies!
Here is another product that I received for Christmas. The highly anticipated Naked 3 Palette! After reading the reviews of other beauty bloggers and YouTube sensations I was kind of unsure if I wanted it anymore. To my surprise, I got both the Naked 2 and Naked 3. I will be reviewing the Naked 2 and creating looks once I experiment with it a little.

 Back to the Naked 3....many people said that this palette has a lot of fall out and just nothing special. I feel that the colors are pigmented and pretty. I don't wear pink as often as brown neutrals so this probably won't be my #1 go to palette however, I have used it twice so far in the past week. I understand that pink shadow isn't for some people. For me, I think I can make these colors work. I like the darker colors more than the lighter but saw some beautiful tutorials of looks you can create with a mixture of the darker and lighter shadows.

Makeup Tutorial: Pretty in Pink

Hi Ladies!

Here is a makeup tutorial for a look that I did a while ago and forgot about it!

The colors I used were Urban Decay in Sketch, M.A.C. shadow in Tempting,  M.A.C. shadow in Texture, and M.A.C. shadow in Ricepaper.

Step 1: Use Sketch(or pink color) on the lids.

Step 2: Take a crease brush and use Texture(or a light brown) on your crease. 

Step 3: Next, take Tempting (or a darker brown) and smudge into your outer crease and a little bit on your outer lid. Go back in with the pink on the inner part of your eyes following the shape of your nose bone.

Step 4: Highlight your brow with Ricepaper (or an off white/white).

Step 5: Use a blending brush to lightly sweep over the areas where the different colors meet. You want the colors to blend gradually without any harsh change in color.

Step 6: Using a shadow liner brush, line your bottom lashes with the pink on the inner corner of your lower lashes and both browns on the rest.

Step 7: Finish off with a few coats of your favorite mascara (I used Zoomlash by M.A.C.).

For my lips I just put on some light colored lip gloss.

What do you think of this look? Post your comments below!

-xoxo Tanya

Review: Maybelline Baby Skin

Hi Ladies,

So I have heard many good things about Maybelline's new product Baby Skin. I went on a search for this stuff and 5 stores later, I found it! If you are unfamiliar with this product, it is a pore eraser. It does not fill in your pores but rather blurrs them to make them less noticeable. You use this kind of like a primer under your foundation. You mainly use this in the areas where you have larger pores. On me that is on and around my nose, on my forehead, and on my chin. 

Review: Nyx Lip Glosses

Hi Ladies! 

So I went on a Nyx lip gloss craze in December and January. I had originally purchased two Mega Shine Lip Glosses in Tea Rose and Sponge Cake and was really eager to try more colors and other lip products. Below I will be reviewing and swatching the types and shades that I purchased.

IPSY GLAM BAG JANUARY 2014

Hi Ladies,

Below is  my review of Jaunary's Glam Bag. If you have never heard of Ipsy and want to learn more you can read my first review HERE. I can say I definitely liked last month's bag better. I do not like getting skin care items because I am happy with the products I currently use and do not want to change that. I don't mind getting an occasional mask or things like that. But lotions and acne treatments do not interest me. I would way rather get all make products in my bag. With that said, I was happy when I looked at what other  people got. I got two makeup products out of the five items so I was happy about that. Some people got one makeup item or all skin care. So in that sense, Ipsy did a good job listening to what I like.

Bloggers Made Me Buy It

Hi Ladies!

The amazing Shalunya from Shalunya and Boyet tagged me in a fun post going around called "Bloggers Made Me Buy It". Basically you tag which bloggers have influenced your purchases and what those products were. Once you tag those bloggers, they would do the same post and keep the chain going.

The Beauty Crown Awards that I participated in with a bunch of these ladies was DEFINITELY a big factor in my current and future purchases below.

Freeman Feeling Beautiful Facial Clay Mask Avacado & Oatmeal

Shalunya from Shalunya and Boyet

Liz from My Pretty Obsessions 

The Resolute Beauty Blogger Jan 2014

Hi Ladies!  Beauty Bloggers Shalunya from Shalunya and Boyet and El from Glossy Glam Blog teamed up to create The Resolute Beauty Blogger. They wanted to do this to not only stay on track with their Beauty Blog Resolutions for 2014 but also to give other beauty bloggers the chance to join in on the action. 

On the 8th of each month they will give updates on how they are doing with their resolutions and also post a question to keep us on track with our resolutions.

The other beauty bloggers that would like to join would (on the 15th of each month) first post their resolutions and then respond to the question that the ladies post that month.

Ok, so to get started...

My Beauty/Fashion Blogger Resolutions:

Create more YouTube videos-I have created a YouTube channel and have made 3 videos but plan to do some makeup tutorials and maybe Haul videos. I do enjoy writing and am not a very "bubbly" person so some may find me boring but would like a decent amount of videos to add to my credentials.

The Golden Globes

Hi Ladies!

Here are my favorite dresses from the Golden Globes:

Maria Menounos in Max Azria Atelier

This dress was very unique and fit Maria very well. I loved the peek-a-book sheer design in the dress. I also love the vibrant color. It has me wanting spring to be here already!

HAUL: JCREW & BANANA REPUBLIC OUTLET STORES, TJ MAXX, & SIMPLE ADDICTION

Hi Ladies!

So over the holiday break I decided to do a little shopping with money that I got for Christmas. I decided to hit the Wrentham Outlets to see what sales that had going on and boy did I hit the jackpot!

First off, J.Crew...I have never shopped in their regular store because of the prices but decided to see what they had to offer in the outlet store. The day I went they had 50% off everything plus an additional 20% off. Some of these shirts were normally $75.00, $70.00, $50.00 which I normally wouldn't pay. The shirts below I got for about $30-35.00 (button ups shirts) and $15.00-$20.00 (for the cardigans). I wouldn't consider these items "cheap" or "inexpensive" but for the quality you are getting it was a great deal! 

I do apologize for the mediocre photos below. I decided to do this at the last minute at about 10:00 p.m. the other night, so hangers and tags are in most of the pics.

I'm So Thankful for My Blog Buddies (Tag)

Hi Ladies!

I came across Ashley's "Im So Thankful for My Blog Buddies" Tag on her blog Ashley Maria . I really enjoy learning more about the fantastic women that I interact with on a daily basis so I decided to do this tag as well!  If you'd like to participate in the tag, just publish a post answering the questions below about your blog, about yourself, and then tag some other great blog buddies you're thankful to have so they can do the same!

 About My Blog 

How long have you been blogging?

I've been blogging since September 2013. 

Are there any bloggers who helped you out/encouraged you when you first started your blog?

There are so many lovely ladies that have helped me out and that I truly appreciate! 

Here is the list!

Get the Look for Less

Look 1: Michelle Monaghan Print Skinny Pants

Jersey Leggings $24.95 at H&M

 Look 2: Hilary Duff Plaid Sweater and Leather Jeggings

Standout Plaid Sweater $11.40 at Forever 21

Halogen Plaid Sweater $41.40 at Nordstrom

Flannel Shirt $24.95 at H&M

Imitation Leather Pants $34.95 at H&M

Look 3: Gisele Bundchen Aztec Jacket

Out West Draped Jacket $52.80 at Forever21

Look 4: Amy Poehler Cut Out Dress

Mossimo V-Neck Pointe Dress with Faux Leather $19.59

Look 5: Sarah Michelle Gellar Leopard Print Knit Sweater

 

Reversible Leopard Jacquard Sweater $59.90 at Express

Color Block Leopard Jacquard Tunic Sweater $35.94 at Express

Look 6: Jessica Alba Long Colored Coat

 Wool Blend Coat $69.95 at H&M

*All of these celebrity images were taken from E! Online. 

What are your favorite looks from above? Post your comments below!

-Tanya xoxo

Review: Too Faced "A Few of My Favorite Things" Holiday 2013 Palette

Hi Ladies!

Since many of you have already read reviews on this palette I will be brief. This was the #1 palette that I wanted for Christmas. Too Faced is one of my favorite makeup lines. Their palette shadows are always super pigmented, reasonably priced, and the packaging is always so cute!

Besides the palette, the kit also comes with a cute travel bag, the new Lip Injection Color Bomb Moisturizing Plumping Lip Tint in Bee Sting, and a travel size of the Better than Sex Mascara.

Review: Tarte "The Tarte of Giving" Holiday 2013 Set

Hi Ladies!

I was very fortunate to get MANY MANY palettes and makeup items for Christmas this year! Over the next couple weeks I will review the items I got (some in more depth than others). I will also include a look or two that I have created with the palettes/sets.

First up is the Tarte of Giving Holiday 2013 Set. I originally overlooked this set since I tried a Holiday kit a few years ago and wasn't impressed. After watching Marlena (Makeup Geek) review a bunch of holiday palettes for 2013, I changed my mind. I was SO excited to get this. The colors are super pigmented and beautiful. The quality of these shadows are much better than they were in 2009 (I think this is the year I got the previous one). 

Favorite Fragrances

Just like clothes, I have always felt that fragrances can reflect your personality or feeling of the day. Below are a list of my all time favorite fragrances. 

Miss Dior Cherie by Dior:



This fragrance is sweet yet sophisticated. To me, it smells like cherries. I recently have found out that this is discontinued. I am SO upset about this. This is my all time favorite perfume. If you are lucky, you may be able to pick this up online somewhere such as Fragrancex.com or at an outlet store. For some reason Dior decided to keep the same packaging, drop the Cherie, and completely change the fragrance.  Don't be fooled...it is not the same fragrance.

Reb'l Fleur by Rihanna:






I feel like Rihanna has done a really good job at helping choose her fragrance scents. Although I'm not a fan of the original perfume Rebelle, I absolutely love this frangrance. It is more edgy and bold than Miss Dior Cherie. 

• Top Notes: Red Berries, Purple Plum, Peach
• Middle Notes: Hawaiian Hibiscus Flower, Violet, Tuberose, Coconut Water
• Base Notes: Vanilla, Patchouli, Amber, Musk

$59.00 at Macy's

Nude by Rihanna:



This is one of Rihanna's newer fragrances. It is more of a subtle scent but is lovely. I tend to wear this during the work week and save the stronger (and more favorable) fragrances for going out or special occasions.

• Top: Guava Nectar, Mandarin, Pear
• Heart: Orange Blossom, Gardenia Petals, Velvet Jasmine Sambac
• Base: Sandalwood, Second-skin Musk, Vanilla Orchid

$59.00 at Macy's

Viva la Juicy by Juicy Coture:



VLJ is more of a fun, flirty, seductive fragrance. Like the others it is a sweeter smelling fragrance. It is less bold than some one my other picks so I tend to wear this more during the week as well.

• Top: Wild Berries and Mandarin
• Heart: Honeysuckle, Gardenia, Jasmine
• Base: Amber, Caramel, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Praline

$90.00 at Sephora

Euphoria by Calvin Klein:



Euporia is one of the more unique fragrances that I have come across. To me, it smells mysterious and daring. Rihanna's Reb'l Fleur reminds me a little of this. I would put them in the same category for type of scent. I don't wear this scent very often but I would like to add it back into rotation.

• Top Notes: pomegranate, persimmon, lush green
• Middle Notes: lotus blossom, champaca flower, black orchid
• Base Notes: liquid amber, black violet, cream, mahogany

$85.00 at Macy's

What are your favorite fragrances? Post your comments below!

Hair Tutorial: Triple Braid

Hey Girls,
So I came across a quick braid tutorial on Facebook and tried to replicate it. The photos are kind of vague and there are no written steps so I kinda winged it. 

Here is the tutorial:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/five-minute-hairstyles-for-busy-mornings?sub=2570234_1610174