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This week I finally did a major overhaul to my beauty routine–one I’d been planning for a while. The major changes? First, I decided it’s time I started wearing foundation to even out my skin tone. I went with Bare Minerals classic foundation in “fair” after reading many glowing reviews. I also purchased their stroke of light concealer/brightener due to the same reviews. I tried it on in the store (I went to Ulta) and the neither the stylist or I could believe the difference it made. One of the biggest factors was choosing a hue with a bit of pink in it (“Luminous 1”), as my cheeks tend to be quite rosy. I also replaced my old shade of the classic Age Rewind Undereye Concealer with a pinker hue (“120 Cream Ivory”), and layering the two together virtually eliminates any dark circles. #happiness
The biggest other change I made was to start filling in my brows. As a fashion blogger, you can imagine that I look at pictures of myself frequently, and lately I felt like there was just something missing. Comparing myself to my favorite bloggers really highlighted the issue: sparse brows. I took the stylist’s recommendation at Ulta and went with this (rather expensive, I thought) Brow Zings palette from Benefit Cosmetics. It does a great job of really bringing out my brows without making them too dark and heavy.
Finally, I’ve decided it’s time to take the bull by the horns in terms of my nail color. Generally, I never wear nail color because it’s too expensive to get regular manicures and too frustrating to paint my nails at home only to have them chip three days later. That said, I love nail polish, so I’ve been in a bit of a conundrum. Enter Vinylux, a brand I discovered after scouring the internet for help. Their polishes plus top coat are akin to getting a gel manicure at a salon (they claim) and they promise their polishes to last a full week without chipping. Well, I’m half a week in and I can tell you that they seem likely to go the full week. The key is the top coat, which coats the nail in a somewhat thick gel-like layer. I’ll let you know if I make the full week.
And on a final note, I wanted to mention that I’d never been in an Ulta before, but I really liked my experience. I was helped by two very friendly and knowledgeable stylists and the overall abundance of selection I found there was a real treat. I’ll be going back.
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Links I Love:
> I may have to dig out my sewing machine to make this DIY lace bralette. So cute.
> This week Toni Morisson won the PEN/Saul Bellow Award for achievement in American fiction. If you haven’t read her work, I urge you to pick up one of her many excellent novels.
> These block-heeled elastic sandals are perfect in every color. Seriously, which one should I buy? I need help.
> Here’s the definitive guide to air dryer your hair correctly, with tips for each hair type.
> I love this pink peplum jacket worn by Blushing in Bows. Perfect for spring!
> The nine struggles of caring too much about grammar.
> These 29 recipes show just how delicious clean eating can be.
> ModCloth’s new spring arrivals are on. point. My favorites? This bright green stripe hem dress, this lavender floral bow-neck blouse, and most of all, this gorgeous black and white gingham dress.
> As everyone knows, The Oscars were this past weekend. Glamour rounds up the best looks, starting with my favorite.
> Here’s one more gorgeous red carpet look from this year’s Oscars. I seriously want this dress.
> For your weekly dose of cuteness: chick cuddles with cat (be sure to wait for the surprise ending).
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Weekly Blogger Linkup:
Share your favorite post this week, and check out other bloggers for inspiration. Share the love!
Loving your blog!! Happy to partake in the linkup and definitely will continue to in the future ;) PS adore your beauty picks, too!!
Xox Dana Ivy // http://www.iadorewhatilove.com
Thanks so much, Dana! Glad to have you as part of the linkup! I love your beach towel picks, especially the Mara Hoffman terry towel. So cute!
Right?! I am CRAVING warmth so I thought in the midst of the freezing temps, why not think about ways to be chic at the beach! I want them all!! Xox
Thanks, Dana! Dreaming of the beach is one of my favorite winter activities. It helps to get me through!
Definitely with you that brows make a HUGE difference. Ever since I’ve started filling in my brows a bit and using a little brow gel, I feel like a new person!
I added my link for my “Top 10 Fitness Blogger’s to Follow” to the link up. Although today is my 5 year Blogiversary, so hey, that’s something to cheers about, too, right?
Champagne CHEERS to a gorgeous Friday!
XO, Jessica
http://www.semiswseettooth.com
Happy 5 year Blogiversary! That’s definitely something to celebrate! I hope you had a great weekend.
Great roundup! I’ll have to try that nail polish.
Thanks, Kendra! I can tell you that I started seeing chips after six days, so it didn’t last quite a week. Still, that’s better than regular polish!
I love using Burt’s Bees. And I loved being apart of the linkup!
Abbie E / abulouslife.blogspot.com
Thanks, Abbie! I’ll be hosting another next week–would love to see you there!
I love the Burt’s bees lipstick! The color is perfection.
Rock.Paper.Glam.
Burt’s Bees is seriously the best. I’m loving my new spring lip crayons!
This is such a cool post! xo
https://alliesfashionalley.com/2016/03/amiclubwear-lace-dress/
Thanks, Allie!
I am a big fan of the BareMinerals collection! It’s the only make up products I use! Glad to hear you had success with it! Have a great weekend!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Thanks, Rach! It’s seriously made a huge difference using BareMinerals. I don’t think I’ll ever go back.
I love the CND Vinylux varnishes, they apply beautifully and have a fab choice of colours!
Elizabeth xo Elizabeth-Daisy.com
I can’t wait to try the coral color I purchased. I used the nude color first and it was beautiful, though it did take three coats to really look opaque.
Really wanting to try that Butter London lip pencil!
x Sarah
http://www.bohochiccafe.com
I was surprised how great the Butter London lip pencil looked, though I will say that it went on really thick–much thicker than my Burt’s Bees lip crayons tend to.
That lipstick (nr 11) looks very good!
xo.
http://www.fromhatstoheels.com/
Thanks, Larissa! That lipstick is my go-to most days.
Wow you have to keep up updated with how the changes in your beauty routine are! Love the picks and thanks for sharing!
Stephanie ● Sartorial Diner
Thanks, Stephanie! I certainly will pots updates to let you know how I’m liking the products and any other changes I’ll make in the future.
I love the Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser – great product!
xo, I
http://www.linandlin.com
Yup, the Maybeline Agre Rewinder is pretty much a requirement for everyone, I feel. It works so well.
Wow I love it!
http://the-renaissance-of-inner-fashion.blogspot.co.uk
Love this roundup! I think your blog is lovely, let me know if you would like to follow each other!
adelelydia.blogspot.com
Hi, Adele! I would love to follow each other! I just followed you on twitter, instagram, and tumblr.
Nice post! I love the lip crayon!
xx
Mademoiselle Coconath
http://mllecoconath.com
Love all these beauty items! I’ve been using the CND Vinylux top coat and I love it! I’ll have to check out all the other stuff. Thanks for sharing!
Xo Raina
themamaqueen.com
The vinylux top coat is amazing! How do you find that it works with your nail polishes that aren’t vinylux brand?
The Maybelline age rewind stick is one of my alltime fave drugstore buys! XO
It’s one of my favorites too! I’ve been using it for years.
I love the Benefit Brow Zing, but the Gimme Brow Eyebrow Gel is legit! Oh and you should get your brows done at a Benefit Brow Bar (The one on Armatage is my fave, you can get your brows shaped and dyed!
-Lephan
http://www.macaronsandlavender.com
Thanks for the recommendation, Lephan! I like Brow Zing, but I don’t LOVE it. I’m definitley going to give the Gimme Eyebrow Gel a shot!