Influenster YSL Vox Box Review

August 18, 2015August 14, 2015Leave a comment

Bonjour bon bons!

Can you imagine how overjoyed I was when I found out I was being sent the YSL Vox Box via Influenster? I literally peed and couldn’t sleep for a week. Then, a couple weeks later I received this little box of majesty containing the YSL Touche Éclat’ Blur Perfector and the Touche Éclat Blur Primer. I DIED.

First, let’s discuss the Perfector.

The packaging. OH LAWWwww the packaging. Perfect in everyway. Here’s to you, Yves! If you’ve ever felt the consistency of the Mally Face Defender, than you are familiar with this kindof product. The idea is that you can use this before OR after you’ve applied your makeup. And I have tried both methods. The box recommends using a sweeping motion (from the interior to the exterior of the face) when applying it before makeup, and then using a blotting motion for touch-ups.

My thoughts on this product should first be prefaced by the fact that I have fairly decent skin. I do not have large pores, oily skin or any issues with my foundation breaking-up on me. That being said, I do like using this product as a touch-up OR as a primer, but I think I prefer to use it as a touch-up. When I need a quick face refresh I will ALWAYS reach for an oil-blotting sheet, a makeup mist or a product like this before I’ll ever reach for a powder. I find that I tend to look more cakey (read:OLD) with the more powdery products I apply (which is why I love the It Cosmetics Celebration Illumination Powder!).

The product itself is kindof like a balm and has that silicony feel to it, which I do not hate. It does provide a nice, smooth, even base on which you can apply foundation. However, I really love using it as a touch-up product after work when I want my skin to look a bit more fresh. I find that the claims to “blur”imperfections aren’t totally false, as it does tend to smooth out the skin quite nicely.

The second product I received is the primer and YES, it has tiny gold sparkles in it and crazy enough, they don’t transfer too much on the skin. At first I thought I was in for a glitter bomb, but they pretty much dissipate once you smooth it over your skin.

Again, I am not the best at reviewing primers simply because I do not need one necessarily. However, if I want my makeup to last long and still look awesome, I will use one to ensure it is as locked-down as possible. This primer definitely does the trick but I am not sure if it’s worth the price. Whereas the perfector is more of a niche product (with GORG packaging), this primer is something I would pass on. It works nicely as a base for foundation, but so do many other primers which cost much less.

So there you have it – my review on the new goodies from YSL! Have you tried these products?

Happenings

August 17, 2015August 14, 2015Leave a comment

Hellllllo my little limoncellos!

Like. HOW good does limoncello sound rn? So good.

I have literally had the busiest BWG summer everrrr. Babies, weddings, showers and the like have kept me in the car every weekend and I don’t know how much more Redbull I can take. I’ve tried books on tape, singing intense power ballads, rolling all the windows down, pinching and slapping myself – nothing works except Redbull. I’m disgusted with myself, but alas, a girls gotta stay awake!

In beauty news – I bought hot rollers due to a lovely co-worker of mine (Hi Kristi!) loving hers but I am having some major issues with getting mine to hold a decent curl.

YEP

Additionally, I FINALLY got to try the Glam Glow mask a couple weeks ago when my pal Elizabeth let me try it out. And canijustsay, I TOTALLY get why people shell out 75 bones for this stuff because my face was literally beaming and I was the most beautiful person in the world.

Lastly, I tried to perform my own root touch-up with this stuff, and I think I did a pretty decent job:

One of my recent trips took me to lovely Spokane, Washington for my best friend Holly’s bachelorette party. Anytime spent with these hussies is time well spent.

Had to snap a pic of the Alma Mater!

Dinner at Durkins!

This happened

Crab Cakes!

Sis Pic

Me and Peeves

I’ve also been busy experiencing all that Portland has to offer, including but not limited to:

SOCCER GAMES!

TRIVIA NIGHT!

DOG PARKS WITH ZOE AND ELIZABETH!

PAINTING MY OWN FACE LIKE A GD 7-YEAR OLD

RUNNING DOWN THE STREET FOR 5 SONGS

And lastly, food news! Lately, my food intake has been ON POINT.

Dinner

My trash can at work at the end of most days

ok, actually I did eat two healthy things this month –

Homemade granola – Thanks Jamie!

Coconut water force fed to me by Holly

Annnnnd, that’s all ~~she~~ I wrote. Cripes it’s going to September soon – you guys ready?!

Megan’s Baby Shower

August 13, 2015Leave a comment

First and foremost, I would like to point out that ZERO gross baby shower games were played at Megan’s shower and this was no fault of mine.

Ok. Now that that’s outta the way – let’s talk about this baby shower!

I have to give all the props in the world to Nan and Barbara for doing the bulk of the work for this shindig. You see, the night before the shower I ~~accidentally got drunk~~ was indisposed and therefore wasn’t as much of a help as I should have been the day of the shower. Thank God for G2 and some chips & salsa in the mornin’ amiright!?

Before the shenanigans the night prior, we somehow convinced Meg to let us make a paper mache mold of her belly and OMG you guys, it was hilar. First of all, she had to borrow a pair of Amy’s basketball shorts and that, in itself, was funny. I had the exciting job of smothering Vaseline all over the tum before we went in with the strips of fabric and it truly was a dream, realized for me.

And really, what can I say about the shower? It was blue. There was cake and punch. Megan got baby sh*t and we did NOT play the poopy diaper game.

Had to try the belly on

I just still can’t believe that my sister is going to birth a baby. I mean, I felt him move around in her belly and it is just INSANE. I really can’t handle it.

Tiny UW Sweater!

Blue dranks because little boys

It was also an exciting weekend because I got to see Nan and Gare’s new digs. I am so excited for them to get into the new house and for my Dad to have an actual recording studio. I plan to drop my first album this time next year, so look out for that.

Summer Sephora Haul

July 27, 20153 Comments

G’Day Chickadees!

I have a few odd and ends recently purchased at Mecca and so I thought it was time I let you all in on what I got because well, I know you’re DYING to hear.

Sephora Summer Crushes Kit

I had to get this thing because it has SO many of products I have been dying to try. Just feast your eyes…

The Via Liberata tanning mousse alone was reason enough for me to purchase this set. Y’all know I am self-proclaimed tanning product whore and shelling out the $50 to buy the full size just can’t happen right now.

Everything else in the set I cannot WAIT to try. Especially the Lavanila Labratories fragrance, the Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray (mermaid hair HERE I COME) and Caudalie Divine Oil which is a HUGE-ASS bottle.

Sephora Classic Mini-Multitasker Brush

Seriously just go to Sephora and feel this puppy. I feel like it could do anything. I plan to keep it in my purse and use it in the following situations:

I get to work and realize my blush def aint on fleek
my aging skin is making my foundation settle into my wrinkles
touch ups! Because duh.

Annnnd for the CROWN JEWEL of this haul….

THE BECCA SHIMMERING SKIN PERFECTOR IN CHAMPAGNE POP

You guys have no clue how excited I am to own this. Think of the most excited you’ve ever been in your life (acing an exam, jumping out of an airplane, etc.) and multiply that times 1,000 and you might begin to understand how freakin’ excited I am to dust this powder sent from baby Jesus on the tops of my cheekbones.

Jaclyn Hill collaborated with Becca on this stuff and she is def one of my all-time favorite YouTubers so this just adds to my excitement.

You guys, just loooooooooooooooooooooooook at the majesty.

I am so in love with this product that I am going to swaddle as if I would my own baby. I’ll sing to it. I’ll raise it to be an individual. This highlighter and I will have a long, loving relationship together.

The Weekend & a Haul

June 9, 20151 Comment

Ello Poppets!

Why I am talking in pirate, I do not know.

I do however, know how to rock Kelly Kapowski hair, as evidenced above.

So last weekend I bought some sh*t and per usual, I thought I’d share!

Let me also congratulate the Huz on taking the CFA no.3 – it is no easy feat these GD tests and I for one, am glad it’s over! Saturday night we popped a little champs and I gussied up REAL NICE.

I decided to put on falsies because I’m so fancy (you already know).

The next day we wandered around Mississippi and HOW have I not been on that street before!? I wore polka dot shorts and my new shoes from target!

And thennnn I went shopping. For BEAUTY PRODUCTS.

I decided to finally try the Fake Bake Flawless after much deliberation. I determined that for the price ($26) and the fact that it’s a high-end product, I ought to give ‘er a go.

I went into Mac with the intention of being a good girl and just looking. A new collection came out so I just felt like swatchin’ up my arm. And then I realized I need more Fixed+ and the girl convinced me I needed Warm Soul. So I broke down.

This color doesn’t look like much but it is beeeautiful on the cheeks and I can’t wait to smother this all over when I have a bit of tan happening.

And lastly, I went to Ulta. Where I decided it was ludacris I didn’t own the Real Techniques Sculpting Brush. And thennnn they were Buy One Get One 50% Off, so I also got a little shading brush.

And maybe the most exciting thing ever happened, but first a little background. My little sister Amy is getting married in September and I am bridesmaid. They have instructed us to get long, gray dresses and I thought I had found one from a gal at my work but it turns out that my mom cannot alter it so I was on the hunt again. I reallllly didn’t want to go the David’s Bridal route but was pretty sure that was my only option. Well folks, I found this little number hanging in the sale section at The Rack for $109 – my size – AND Monique Lhullier!

PLEASE NOTE: To anyone that thinks I walk this earth sporting a full face of makeup everyday, I encourage you to take a long gander at my mug below. Evidence, people. I do not.

Anyweeeez that was my weekend! Til’ next time, I remain your humble, mascara-obsessed internet friend.

How to: Headband Curls!

June 5, 20151 Comment

I recently had a request for a little tutorial on the curling of hairs. And a’course I am more than happy to oblige.

I curl my hair often and in a variety of different ways. It all depends on what I am doing, i.e – a girl’s night out curls are not going to be the same as office curls or I-want-to-look-like-a-Victoria’s-Secret-model-curls. You get it.

Perhaps this blog post will spark a series of blog posts on different types of curls and the ways I attain them !? A plethora of ways I can teach you all to essentially bend your hair in different directions which is both aesthetically and emotionally pleasing.

Maybe I’ll dive into the depths of curling irons and wands and once and for all determine that the two quite simply, CANNOT be compared. Like Rainbow Chip Frosting and Funfetti – they’re two vastly different things.

A wand tends to produce more mermaidy, swirly curls – like this:

A curling iron will give you a more classic curl, like this:

And while the curling of hairs is all well and fine, one hard-pressing (haha get it) fact remains true. You must use heat. And heat, my friends, is no friend to a delicate strand of protein filament.

Enter, headband curls. Like your ex-hippie aunt who still doesn’t wear a bra, the headband method of hair curling is like sooo groovy because it involves NO heat. So here we go, headband curls!

Please bear in mind you have to do this overnight with DRY hair and you WILL look like a Grandma. Don’t expect anyone to think you look good when headband curls are processing because you just won’t, see pictures below as clear and non-negotiable proof.

And since describing this miraculous method in words is very near impossible, I thought it might be easier to just SHOW you. Yes, my friends, I got in front of a camera again.

Annnnd part 2:

Btw, this is the tutorial that showed me the way (ALL HAIL SOUTHERN BELLES):

Kayaks, Sore Throats and Jersey Girls

June 3, 2015Leave a comment

yyyello!

MAC St.Germain and Oversized Pearls for the WIN

How are all you BBs doing this week?

I’ve been singing in the car waaaay too hard lately. I accidentally took the following selfie when I was trying to capture a funny man in teensy biker shorts the other day:

Mid Power-Ballad

Also, I had quite the weekend! My bestie Holly and her fiance Matt came into town, I developed a horrendous sore throat and lastly, I found it ridiculously easy (dare I say, scarily) to speak in a New Jersey accent.

It allll started on Friday night where we met up with the Dweedles (Dee and Dumb that is, hehe, jk) at Bamboo Sushi in NW 23rd. It was hilar that Holly suggested this place because we have taken many of our outta town friends there.

Holly ordered saki which to me is ball sweat, but whatevs. The sushi is always solid and then you have the Salt & Straw option next door!

The next day I picked up Holly, wet hair and all, from her hotel and we ventured out to the reason for their visit (other than me, amazing me), a kayak demo put on by Next Adventure in Sellwood park.

Closed-mouth smile!

The day was absolutely GORG and I loved the fact that there was nothing I even remotely wanted to buy! I also learned that SUP stands for Stand Up Paddleboard, go fig, right!? Anyweeez, Matt hooked us up with awesome NRS t-shirts and other swag (such a celeb rn) and then we headed to my friend Aliese’s house for her daughter’s bday!

It was a princess theme so obvi I died.

Mini Elsa omgaosiedas9q23j9!*(&@

More SWAG

The princess costumes of today are sooo legit compared to the ones they had when I was a kid. My mom made the most killer Rainbow Brite costume everrrr but my sister Megan got to wear it. I was always stuck being Mickey in Fantasia, which was basically a hole cut out of a royal blue plastic table cloth #klassy.

Later that night we all met up for pizza and beer (or wine if you’re me and hate beer) at Lucky Labrador in NW.

I literally inhaled 3 pieces and 2 glasses of wine and felt just GRAND.

Matching shirts, don’t currr

Then we went to this little bar down the road that served about 40234890723 different kinds of bottled beers in little chalice cups. Very hipster. And Portland. We sat outside and that was when Holly and I decided it was high time we practice our Jersey girl accents. So we did.

We made a rule that you couldn’t talk in a regular accent, it HAD to be Jersey. So everyone was just spittin’ out imaginary stories of “the shore”, deadbeat boyfriends, and classy joints. My stomach hasn’t hurt so hard from lauging before IN MY LIFE.

Holly as a 18th century british man

It was then, that the dull sore throat I had been complaining about the last 4-ish days decided to rear her ugly head. We moved to Blue Moon, a bar down the road where I regretfully ordered a hot toddy to try and soothe my throat. It LITrally tasted like vom, but somehow I choked down 87% of it and then wisely moved to vodka+sevens. MY LIFE.

Then I dared Holly and Matt to switch shirts and they freaking did .

The next day I slept in until 11 am and my body was like, “Awesome job Natalie! But I’m still tired.” So I slept more. And more. 5 pm and I was still in my jammies. My throat felt sooo bad, so I went to Zoom Care to make sure I didn’t have strep and thankfully I don’t.

So that’s where we’re at guys. Hit me up for all the Jersey flaves.