Beautiful Stranger

Do you ever see a girl and wish you could ask her extensive questions about her style and beauty tricks? I do!

This website does it for you...interviewing people on the street. A stalker's dream!! Just kidding, but it's fun to play around on and get an idea of other people's style.

beautifulstranger.tv

Fall Musings

I am craving fall.

I really hate rain, being a Californian who doesn't often experience it. But, these umbrellas have me excited. My current umbrella is about 9 years old, has been used about seven times and is shoved under my front passenger seat in my car.

It would be so much less practical to have a long handled one, but they are so much cuter! (All from Target)

Target, $16.99 Target, 12.99



Target, $21.99

Heidi Klum doesn't miss

Not only does she pick stunning dresses, but knows what features to play up in combination with her hair. Pretty freaking amazing.

The Perfect Red

Not too bright, too orange, too washed out, too pink, etc. Just right. Classy.

I'm Baaack

I got home from Missouri last night at 11pm, and am so incredibly tired.

Something inspiring me today--the grown out bob look (as modeled by Gwyneth Paltrow and Anne Hathaway.) Not that I would consider chopping off my hair, but this is such a cool look.

Hot Roller Tutorial

I got this email today on how to use hot rollers. Check it out:

Total Beauty

Good things come to those that wait

About two years ago, I read about Styli-Style lipstains in People Style Watch magazine. They raved about the "Hudson" color...the perfect rose pink stain. I looked up reviews about it, and everyone agreed it was amazing. While it is a felt tip stain, it isn't nearly as drying or garish as other stains.

For over six months, I stalked the only website that sells it, CosmeticMall.com. It was backordered over and over again. I checked ebay, but there were none. The longer it went that I couldn't get my hands on one, the more obsessed I became.

Over time, I lost my obsession. But then, a couple of weeks ago, happened to check on ebay and found a bunch of them (brand new, of course.) I decided to purchase.

Let's just say, the hype is worth it. It definitely doesn't stay on all day, but it is a great color...like having a long lasting liner. It is just a little darker than my lips, but can be layered for more pigment. It isn't drying, and wears off nicely without feathering. And, with shipping, was $10.

Perfect for under glosses or balms. I have found most stains so annoying and drying...and peel off my lips instead of fading gracefully. This is so different.

MIA

Sorry I've been a very negligent blogger. Beauty products and techniques, clothes and inspirations are still very much on my mind.

The difference is that I am in a long distance relationship that consumes quite a bit of my evening time...whether it's talking to him, or trying to update all of my friends (most of them also long distance) about that situation. I leave to visit him in Missouri this week...bringing all of my California-ness to the Midwest!

In fashion-related musings, lately I have been longing for fall. I want a pair of dark purple tights, as well as charcoal gray. I would like to wear these tights with ankle lace up boots, and bring back out my beloved J. Crew coat from last year. I say these things while the weather is still in the 90's!

So, when I saw this picture of Claire Danes, I was happy to feel content with sundresses again...for now.

Jessica Biel

Wow!!! I love this dress, shoes, earrings and her hair. Great, great combo.

As for me, trying to figure out what shoes I'm going to wear to work. Normally, have to wear heels to really go with most things I have...but I have a strange yoga injury. My entire left calf and foot hurt so badly.

Updates on Purchases

Ok, so I am even more obsessed with my Lubriderm Triple Moisturizing Lotion. It makes my skin SO soft. Try it!!!

And still in love with my OPI nail color "You Don't Know Jacques." A few people at the bank have run out to get it...also in love with its unique color.

Today, during my lunch break, I stopped and finally got the Ped Egg...the pink breast cancer awareness one. So cute. I can't wait to try it.

Just wanted you guys to know.

Cheaper and Better

I have been a huge fan of Biolage Ultra Hydrating Conditioning Balm for over a year now. I have carefully hit up sales to get it Buy One, Get One Free in order to afford it. So, have been getting two tubes for $15, which isn't bad. But, I finally decided to try Neutrogena Daily Deep Conditioner to see if it could possibly replace my beloved Biolage. It is $5 a tube.

Not only did it work just as well at getting the tangles out of my rat's nest, but it smells even better...a hint of sweet almond oil. I love it, and can't wait to find ways to get it even cheaper!

Steal

I've already written about my current obsession with Bath & Body Works Wild Honeysuckle scent. I purchased two more products. One, the Eau de Toilette, is a total miss. The scent fades so quickly. The body spray lasts much longer surprisingly.

And the gradual tanner lotion is also a winner. Mostly because it was on sale for half price. It has the perfect amount of shimmer in it and smells a bit like wild honeysuckle. It has the dreaded self tan smell, but I have never found a self tanning product without it...no matter what other fragrances are in it. I used to use Victoria's Secret gradual self tanner and really loved the smell of that. But, at $18 for a smallish pump...I'll pass up on it this winter.

Speaking of winter, I am getting SO excited to bust out some tights when the weather cools off. I'll have to see what colors I can get away with in the bank. Maybe some dark purple ones if I wear a very conservative skirt and blazer...

Hit and Miss

Hit: Elegant, understated

MISS: cheap looking, overstated

Labor Day new favorite lotion!!

A new product that I am in love with already. I was running out of my HUGE bottle of Vaseline Cocoa Butter lotion (the best smelling lotion I've had in a while) and needed to do some research for something new. I had previously used Lubriderm Extra Strength for a few years before the Vaseline switch last winter.

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you know my passion for all things made up of AHA's (the exfoliating acids.) Well, finally a lotion with AHA in it! I love knowing my lotion is exfoliating, smoothing AND hydrating my skin. Can't wait to see if it makes my whole body that much smoother, and prevents ingrowns and bumps (like my other fave glycolic products do.)