Actually I don't know if it's new or not, but it's new to me.

After I FINALLY tried Essie last year I became a complete convert after my first bottle.  I loved pretty much everything about it (except the price), and I have happily picking up a bottle here and there.  Until recently.

I heard through the grapevine that L'oreal's new polish collection was kind of awesome and that it rivaled Essie.  That's all it took for me to give it a try.  I picked up a few pastels for spring, and love is an understaement. The pigmentation is great and the formula is smooth, but the brush is what I love the most.  It's wide and thin and lays down the polish perfectly on the nail bed.   Oh and let's not forget the price, $3 cheaper than Essie.  

Sold.

PS.  I also recently tried Butter London nail polish when it was on sale at Ulta.  I'll be honest, I don't think it is at all worth the $16 price tag (or even the $9 I shelled out).

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Happy Friday Friends!

I hope you had a good week!  I am constantly emailing myself articles and I thought I'd share a few things I've run across recently.    

Woah! Do you know how much American women spent on nail polish last year??  I know I did my part...

(<- p.s. how cute is this watercolor)

I'm totally crushing on Seersucker and Saddles.  Have you seen her blog?  She has a lot of the same clothes that I do, but actually wears them, and is totally inspiring me to get out of my leggings rut.  I'll be trying this (->) and this very soon.  Like this weekend.

When I'm on a running schedule, I love it.  When I'm not, it is so hard to get started again.  So hard.  Hopefully, this article with the top 10 places to run a marathon will provide some much needed inspiration to lace up my running shoes!

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After seeing macarons e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e (except my local bakery), I've decided that I'm going to give them a try myself.  I'm not sure why, I don't love baking, and they don't sound (or look) particularly simple.  Hopefully this article will help?

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And let's just talk for a moment about those amazing flower mandalas (above).  They are the kind of thing that makes my brain explode with happiness at their mere sighting.  

Flowers + Color + Pattern = LOVE

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Have a great weekend!

buy or diy | eye makeup remover

One of the few real successes I've had with my bazillion pins on pinterest has been DIY eye make up remover.  I LOVE it.  It is just as good, if not better, than any store bought product (drug or department store) I have tried.  I used this recipe and I've made several batches over the last few months.  It's simple, inexpensive, and successful. 

I say DIY.

PS.  I use the lavender scent, and it smells amazing.

a little secret

I've noticed recently that I'm starting to look my age, so on a recent visit to my dermatologist* I asked what I should be using to combat this pesky aging problem.  I was a bit shocked by his answer.  

"Have you heard of Cetaphil?  Use it"

He went on to explain that the anti-aging industry is a multi-million (billion?) dollar industry and all you really need is sunscreen and moisturizer.  My product loving self was a little sad.  I mean really, I wanted a miracle cream, or vitamin, SOMETHING.  Anything.  But my sensible** self was kind of relieved.  

Cetaphil it is.

*If you follow me on instagram, you can see all his credentials (he's even a #1 Dad!)

**On a sensible note, have you heard of eBates?  You can earn cash back on stores you probably already shop at.  Such as drugstore.com, where you can get Cetaphil for 20% off + another 6% from eBates.

beauty basics

These items are pretty much my holy grail products that I use daily.  As you can see it's a pretty even mix of drug and department store products.  

• I always start with Boscia BB Cream.  I have pretty decent skin (as far as blemishes go), so I don't need (or like) a super heavy foundation.  This one is perfectly sheer and natural.  I mix it with ELF Shimmering facial whip for a dewy look.  I've tried several highlighting creams and I really like this $1 version the best. 
• I am really loving the new Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette.  It's nice and compact and has everything I need on a daily basis.
• Next, I always heat up* and curl my lashes with my Shu Uemura eyelash curler that I've had for 20 years.  I love it, and wouldn't think of using another.  After trying every mascara made, I've finally settled on Loreal's Voluminous in waterproof carbon black.  Fair warning--it is very difficult to remove.  I love it so much, however, I'm willing to deal with that.  
• Finally, I my favorite lipstick/gloss is Maybelline's superstay stain/gloss.  The formula is amazing, and it never creeps anywhere it doesn't belong.  And when all else fails, I just slap on some lemon drop EOS lipbalm, and call it good.

*I use my hair dryer to do this for about 10 seconds and then test it on my hand before I touch my eyes with it. 

fall beauty bucket list

There are a few items I have on my bucket list this fall that I would love to try. 

Here is my most current list:

1.  YSL Glossy Stain

I love my other YSL lipstick and all the lip stains I already own, so I'm pretty sure I'll love this too!  I'm thinking of picking up this drugstore dupe as well.

2.  Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

I heard rave reviews about this specific color for quite some time now, and I think it's about time I give it a try myself (along with this drugstore dupe)

3.  Loreal Color Riche le Balm

Once again, this seems very similar to another tinted lip balm I already love, so I want to see how this one compares.

4.  Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick

This is supposedly THE highlighter.  For $40, lets hope so.  Or maybe not, I probably don't need to get obsessed with another high end beauty product.

5.  Live in Love

I'm almost out of my Gucci Guilty perfume, and with the holiday gift sets on their way, I think I'll try this one next!

6.  Essie Don't Sweater It

Over the summer I bought my first Essie nailpolish, I am now hooked.  I don't even bother looking at any other brands.  This one is the perfect nudy/mauvey everyday polish.

7.  Essie Bobbing for Baubles

A dark, almost black, navy for winter's moody blues.

If you have already tried any of these products, I'd love to hear.

Am I missing anything?