BH Cosmetics has earned mad respect in the makeup community for providing affordable (dare I say cheap) makeup that’s great quality and has high pigmentation. So when I ran across their Valentine’s Day sale, I decided to try out some of their makeup. For less than $11, I got my hands on this FABULOUS Party Girl Palette which is perfect for creating looks for everyday or going to a party (duh!)!

Not too long after, I decided to do a look I’ve been dying to try for a while now…a yellow and bronze eye. As with any eye look, I recommend using an eye shadow primer like Urban Decay’s Primer Potion. I applied M.A.C.’s Painterly Paint Pot to my lid space to create a blank canvas for the eye shadow to really pop.

I also picked up the 10 Color Professional Blush Palette which has a pretty universal color selection. It has a nice array of peach, pink, bronze and coral blushes! On my brown skin, I don’t find these to be extremely pigmented, but then again I really don’t want anything more than a light wash of color out of my blushes anyway. If you’re trying build up your makeup collection, this would be perfect. And did I mention that it was less than $11 also?!

Have you heard of BH Cosmetics? If so what are your favorite products? Do share!

Today’s tutorial is inspired by my love of jewelry and obsession with organization. My philosophy is to surround myself with as many beautiful things as possible. So displaying my statement necklaces on a wall in my bedroom was not only functional, but beautiful! It’s super easy to make this DIY necklace holder. All you need is:

• cork board
• pushpins
• assortment of necklaces/bracelets

This cork board is by RoseArt. I got it at TARGET! You can use any size/color/style of cork board you want. Get creative and coordinate it with your decor.

I used clear push pins because I wanted them to disappear, but there are many colors/styles to choose from!

Storing your necklaces this way encourages tangling!

STEP 1:

Line up push-pins along the top of the cork board. I placed mine about an inch from the top and 2 inches apart. I ruler placed along the top edge will make this process a piece of cake.

STEP 2:

Now for the fun part. Start hanging your necklaces! The arrangement is up to you.

To utilize the area below the first row of necklaces, I place jewelry in the empty spaces where I wanted it to hang, THEN secured it in place with a push-pin. You can also put bracelets in the smaller blank spaces if you’d like.

STEP 3:

Once you’re done hanging your necklaces on the cork board, it’s time to place it on the wall! Be sure to secure the nail in a stud or anchor for added security.

WHAT CREATIVE WAYS DO YOU DISPLAY YOUR JEWELRY? LEAVE YOUR ORGANIZATIONAL TIPS BELOW!

Step 1: Apply two coats of OPI’s A Butterfly Moment (Mariah Carey Collection). Let dry completely.

Step 2: Paint random blobs of light gold or brown shimmer polish. The more random in shape and placement, the better!

Step 3: Outline the random blobs with a black nail polish. I placed a few drops of OPI’s Black Onyz on a plate and dipped a sharpened pencil in the black polish to create my outline. If you’ll notice, I didn’t completely surround the entire blob. It’s more like I put them in parenthesis!

Step 4: After allowing the black nail polish to dry a bit, I applied a gold glitter to the center of the spots for added glamour.

Step 5: Add a shiny top coat and you’re done! Make sure to let the black polish dry completely before doing this step or you’ll get streaking!

LIST OF PRODUCTS I USED:

(L to R) : OPI Black Onyx; Malani 36 Mr. Sandman; Victoria Secret Supercharged; Out The Door Super Fast Drying Topcoat; OPI A Butterfly Moment; Essie Billionails Fortifying Basecoat

As a varnish fanatic, it’s hard not to pick up nail polish anytime I run into ULTA. Roaming the isles earlier this week (which is not a good idea if you’re trying to save money by the way), I ran across the new Mariah Carey and O.P.I. collaboration. From what I had seen online, I didn’t plan on picking up anything. The collection is chock-full of textured glitters which I honestly love, but don’t collect due to the hassle of removing them.

The moment I placed ‘A butterfly Moment’ next to my skin I was IN LOVE. Leave it to MC to create a nude that’s as glamorous as any glitter out there. It’s a nude with a rose-gold tint and micro pink shimmer. The application was smooth and it was completely opaque in two coats. I was a little worried that it might dry streaky because the polish is a tad bit frosty. However, the streaks seemed to disappear!

One Coat

Two Coats

Mariah Carey’s collection is made for two different occasions. There are 4 polishes for the stage and 4 for the studio. The “Stage” polishes also introduce O.P.I.’s new  Liquid Sand Lacquers. I have to admit that I’m not too fond of them on their own, but with a topcoat…gorgeous. If you do like the textured look though, it’s like getting two polishes in one!

Top Row (L to R) “Studio Collection” : A Butterfly Moment; Sprung; Pink Yet Lavender; Anti-Bleak
Bottom Row (L to R) “Stage Collection” : Stay The Night; Get Your Number; Can’t Let Go; The Impossible

Check out the design I’m rocking this week!

Want to re-create this look?  (Click Here For Tutorial)

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK OF MARIAH CAREY’S NEW COLLECTION? WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE O.P.I. COLLABS? COMMENT BELOW!!

Last year I introduced you ladies and gentleman to Glossybox. When I found out about the Man Repeller & GLOSSYBOX, Winter Survival Edition I flipped my sh*t (as my former college roommate used to say). The Man Repeller has expensive taste and Glossybox is all about luxury. I knew this box was for me. The cost is $21 and it ships FOR FREE. Why am I so excited about THIS box in particular? I’m glad you asked :-) Retail value is included next to each product. In parenthesis, is the size that will be included in your box. The lipsticks alone more than pays for it!

• OPI Nail Lacquer in Can’t Let Go, $8 (FULL SIZE)
• Estée Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volume Mascara, $25 (deluxe sample)
• Le Métier de Beauté’s Replenishing Daily Solution, $225, 1.5oz (sample size)
• Fresh’s Umbrian Clay Mattifying Serum, $35 (deluxe sample)
• Narciso Rodriguez For Her eau de Toilette, $77 (sample size)
• Living Proof’s Prime Style Extender, $20  OR Professional Sebastian Potion 9, $19 (travel size)
• Tarte Glamazon Red Lipstick, $26 OR Vincent Longo Red Lipstain, $23 (FULL SIZE)
• PLUS two lucky people will find a $1000 Shopbop giftcard inside their Glossybox!!!

*Photos taken from Man Repeller.com

Anyway, enough with the rambling. Bottom line is:Click here ——->  ORDER THIS BOX RIGHT NOWWWWW! It’s a great deal and  if you’re not interested in continuing the monthly subscription, then just cancel it before Feb.1st. Also, check out The Man Repeller blog if you haven’t already. It’s very cheekie…I think you’ll love it ;-)

BONUS: Enter the coupon code ‘LIPS’ and receive a free lipstick with your purchase!

Although I’ve been M.I.A. for so long that you might have thought otherwise. In the last 3 months, I’ve moved and changed (daytime) careers. I won’t even try and pretend that I’ve figured this whole adult thing out, but hopefully I can find the time to continue something that brought me so much joy last year. For 2013, I plan on keeping things simple. Doing what makes me happy and eliminating things (and people) that don’t.There were countless beauty products I discovered last year that have become staples for me this year also. Maybe you’ll love some of them too :)

Clarisonic Mia Sonic Skin Cleansing System, $119

Worth EVERY DIME! I finally gave in and tried the highly celebrated Clarisonic and I must say it has truly made a difference in my skincare routine. It’s easy to use, gentle on my face and in conjunction with my cleanser has improved the texture of my skin. I literally despise cleansing my face any other way.

Although the Mia is the smaller/simpler version of all the Clarisonics offered, I think it’s more than what the average person will need.  It’s compact and perfect for travel. A full charge will provide you with about 3 weeks of use. It’s waterproof, so it’s perfect for the shower. Using the Clarisonic Mia for just 60 seconds a day will bring you your best skin ever!

When I was considering whether or not I wanted to purchase the Clarisonic Mia, my biggest concerns were price and a possible “skin purging”. Despite several reviews that said people broke out initially, I didn’t experience any breakouts at all. And to combat the price, I waited until my Birchbox points granted me $30 off. Add the coupon code they were promoting at the time and I got it for about $65! If you want to save money, I suggest waiting until ULTA or SEPHORA puts on their annual friends & family sales.

LUSH ‘Roots’ Hair Treatment, $19.95 (8.5 oz)

You all know my insatiable obsession with LUSH fresh handmade cosmetics. For the new year they came out with a ton of hair products to add to their already fabulous line. Roots Hair Treatment is THE BEST moisturizer I’ve ever used! It leaves my hair ridiculously soft and the mint infusion they use is very refreshing. Formulated for fine, thin hair it won’t weigh your strands down one bit. As a matter of fact, it’s formulated to give you tons of volume!

The instructions say to massage into roots and apply throughout your hair, leave on for 15-20 minutes and then shampoo and condition. I personally use it a little differently. After washing and conditioning my hair, I apply it like a deep conditioner and leave it to sit for at least 30 minutes. Then I rinse it out for hair that’s PERFECTION. Now I can’t prove this, but I swear it’s making my hair grow faster…The Theory: Mint increases blood flow to the scalp and in turn increases hair growth.

Anastasia Brow Wiz in Brunette, $20

Thanks to my Father’s genetics, my brows are light brown and sparse. So basically I need want to balance out my face and fill them in. Right at the very end of 2012, I found my holy grail brow product. Anastasia is already known as the far most authority on eyebrows and her products are just as fabulous. I once meet Anastasia in Chicago at a beauty event at Nordstroms. She even plucked my brows!

Well if you don’t have the luxury of flying her out to do your eyebrows like Oprah does, then you can use Brow Wiz to get perfect brows at home. The pencil is super fine which makes it easy to draw hair-like strokes to fill in your brows. There’s also something about the texture of the actual product that’s just a dream to work with. It’s slightly waxy so that you don’t have to worry about it rubbing off throughout the day. The deluxe spooly brush on the other end makes it super easy to blend everything in for a natural look. And did I mention it’s quick?! Perfect brows in minutes.

WHAT ARE YOUR 3 FAVORITE PRODUCTS FROM 2012? DO THEY MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER? ARE THEY MULTI-PURPOSE? EXPENSIVE BUT TOTALLY WORTH IT? LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW!

M.A.C. Cosmetics is holding a job fair on Thursday, October 11th, 2012. They will be interviewing for all locations and positions in the Atlanta and surrounding Georgia markets. The interviews will be held on a first come first serve basis, so prepare yourself to wait if necessary. Make sure to bring a current resume and any other information you would like to share with them (photos of your work would be helpful, but is not mandatory). If you have attended a MAC job fair within the last year you do not need to attend this time.

Here’s the details:

What: M.A.C. Cosmetics Interviewing Session

When: Thursday, October 11th, 2012

Time: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (no appt. necessary! Come anytime between 10am & 6pm)

Where: W Hotel Midtown - 188 14th Street, NE Atlanta, GA 30364

*Note: You will be responsible for any parking or incidental cost you incur to attend. I suggest looking for street parking. Valet parking will be AT LEAST $15.

Important:

Please note that candidates selected to continue after the interviewing process on Thursday, October 11th will be invited back for a makeup interview the following day on Friday, October 12th at a location to be specified. Those selected candidates will also need to provide a model for this second day session.

If you currently work for an Estee Lauder company, Macy’s or Nordstrom’s you will need to notify your Department Manager and Account Executive prior to the interview session.

Contact Info:

Liz Segalini

Regional Recruiter, Southeast

lsegalin@maccosmetics.com

Like myself, coconut oil is a staple in her beauty routine. Australian Cosmopolitan reported that it was the key to her clear skin, shiny hair and trim figure. Apparently, she ingests four tablespoons a day, either on salads, in her cooking or in her cups of green tea. As a person who struggles with my own health goals, I really admire the fact that she’s dedicated to a wellness lifestyle. She eats a healthy diet of fresh fruits, steamed vegetables and fish. Throw in her A-list husband (Orlando Bloom), adorable baby boy and a solid career, I’d say Miranda Kerr is #winning.

Rebecca Minkoff is known for her luxury handbags…but what many people don’t know, is that she started out in apparel design! During New York Fashion Week, she showed her true talent for designing ready-to-wear. Rebecca Minkoff’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection is for the modern day socialite who wants to capture the glamour of the 60’s and 70’s. Below I chose three looks that you can easily pull off next season. Enjoy!

Sundresses: 2 Are Better Than 1

Sometimes to revamp your spring/summer wardrobe, you don’t have to look any further than your own closet. What better way to get extended use out of that trendy high-low dress, than to throw it over another sundress! The possibilities are endless! Have fun mixing and matching patterns or materials. Remember to keep the fabrics light and airy. It’s true that great things come in pairs!

Closer Look…

Source: bloglovin.com/c/rmimages

Keep It Controversial: Graphic Tees &Tanks 

The key to pulling off a graphic tee over the age of 25, is to keep the element of surprise. Avoid cheesy or offensive sayings and stick to elaborate prints. Neutral colored tees/tanks are easiest to pull off and will look casual-chic with everything from twill suits to maxi skirts. A graphic tee like the one below, would look fantastic tucked into a sexy pencil skirt. Add feminine accessories and you’re good to go!

Closer Look…

Source: bloglovin.com/c/rmimages

Night Out: White Is The New Black

It’s time to give that trusted LBD a rest sister! For Spring/Summer 2013, white is the new black. You’ll be a breath of fresh air when you step in the room glowing and looking like you just got back from a fabulous vacation. Take a hint from Rebecca Minkoff and keep your accessories to a minimum. This will ensure that you and your LWD take center stage!

Closer Look…

Source: bloglovin.com/c/rmimages

Complete The Look: California Desert Beauty

I think that Rebecca Minkoff and Stila did a FABULOUS job of complementing her Spring/Summer 2013 Collection. They chose a color palette that’s polished and looks great on every skin tone! Models were adorned in Terracotta and  carmel hues with a pop of mint green around the eyes that added simple complexity. Nails were given shiny ‘Mint Candy Apple’ manicures courtesy of Haven Spa team for Essie. I personally adore mint and I’m happy to see that it will be sticking around for another season! 

Closer Look…

Source: realbeauty.com

Rebecca Minkoff Spring/Summer 2013 Face Chart (minkette.rebeccaminkoff.com)

Like what you see? Well how about $500 to spend towards your Rebecca Minkoff wish list?!! CLICK HERE for your chance to win a $500 shopping spree at rebeccaminkoff.com!

BONUS: Runway Show + Photos

Celebrity Sightings (L to R): Shenae Grimes; Ryan Lochte; Lauren Conrad; Tika Sumpter –Source: Zimbo.com

Source: refinery29.com

Source: refinery29.com

Source: refinery29.com

Source: refinery29.com

Source: refinery29.com

Source: Style Bistro

Source: refinery29.com

She finishes her look with a perfectly tousled mane and the occasional well-placed messy braid. Her makeup is soft and feminine but polished. For all of those new to fashion, might I suggest grabbing a copy of her book, ‘Lauren Conrad Style’. It has step-by-step instructions on everything from building a wardrobe to packing for travel! Her new book ‘Lauren Conrad Beauty’ is due out October 14.