Quick Post: Current Beauty Obsessions

Happy November, everyone! Whoa, LA, was it really 90 degrees today? Lucky me for working in the valley--it was extra warm out there. If it weren't for the fact that it gets dark so quickly these days, I'd think we were still in summer mode. If only! :)

Anywhoiee, things have been... busy and outrageous. Save for still doing some stumbling as a newbie at work, life has been pretty good! I haven't had time to take some good outfit photos, but thought it'd still be fun to write a quick post on some products that I've been using (and LOVING) lately.

1. MAC Viva Glam Cyndi Lauper Lipstick: Anyone that knows me, knows that I have always been deathly afraid of wearing color on my lips. I once went to the Chanel counter, denied all efforts to try on a red, and walked away with $60 worth of "nude" lipcolors that were no different than... my lipcolor. MAC colors, especially, scared me. When the makeup artist whipped out a dark wine lipliner (MAC Lipliner in Currant), I was ready to run. Good thing I didn't! Who knew that this combo of Currant + Cyndi was going to become my favorite lip combo ever? Alone, the Cyndi lippie is a pretty coralish-red, but combined with the Currant, it's gorgeous. I love that I can play around with how dark or light I want it to be just by altering how much lipliner I use to fill my lips with. I recently wore the combo out on Halloween and the staying power is pretty great too (we were Mario and Wario). I don't even top it off with anything because it's got the right amount of glossiness. All the beauty bloggers' raves are completely warranted--you need this lipstick in your life!

2. Aquaphor Healing Ointment: Okay, this is not sexy at all, but what great lip is achievable without ultra soft and smooth lips? Despite attempts to gulp down jugs of water during the day, my lips are dry... and chapped. Again, not sexy. I've tried every lip balm ever created and still, no real winners (although I do love the spiffiness of the EOS balms). This ointment was originally purchased to combat another horrific chin rash caused by overuse of MB's drying lotion. It didn't help my rash, but I remembered PAG mentioned that she uses Aquaphor before putting on lipstick as well, so I figured I'd give it a shot. Ding ding, it worked like a miracle! I love that it's non-scented, absorbs well (use a tiny bit so you don't end up eating any excess), and makes my lip products glide on smooth as butter. Plus, $5 for a tube that's going to last me forever? Yes, please. Also, I promise you can wear it alone and it's kissable (the boys will not be able to distinguish what it is). I can't believe it took me so long to find this product!

3. Essie Nail Polish in Neo Whimsical: Janice already mentioned her new obsession with nail polish and I am definitely a fan, myself. A friend of mine has over 40 polishes in her collection, but my Essie stash only stands at 15. It's become a fast and cheap addiction, thanks to Ulta's buy 2, get 1 free + $5 off promos. My favorite of late has been Neo Whimsical because it's a milky pinkish-lavender that goes with everything! Although I alternate between Chinchilly for the fall, I actually like the refreshing lightness of this shade against my darker outfits. I brush on two coats and top with the ever-necessary Seche Vite Top Coat and am all set to go. Another favorite of mine from the Art of Spring Collection is Van D'Go.

4. Witch Hazel: For less than $5 for a TON of product, this is an absolute beauty steal. I've heard countless recommendations to use witch hazel as a toner, but never really got around to trying it out until now. I've been using it morning and night for the past two weeks and my skin is so soft and smooth. My sensitive skin loves that it's non-drying and basic. There is one con to mention, however. I really hate the smell and almost choked on it the first time I used it, but it's totally worth holding your breath for the few seconds it takes to wipe on. My Clarisonic gets my skin squeaky clean so there's no extra debris picked up by the witch hazel (proof that the Clarisonic DOES work, btw), but I think it's soothing to use before I put on my AHA at night. I don't think toners are a necessity, but this is a nice and cheap addition to my skincare routine.

5. Chloe Eau de Parfum: Last, but not least, is my new Chloe perfume. Everything about this perfume is perfection. In addition to the beautiful and classy packaging (perfect shade of nude pink ribbon), the scent is light and airy. I'm no perfume expert, but it's been hard for me to find one that I like enough to want to wear everyday and that actually lasts. An old accounting co-worker used to walk into the room wearing this and the scent would emanate from her. I couldn't buy it back when we were working on a project together and then decided I might as well wait for the Sephora sale to pick it up at a discount since it's rather pricey. It was completely worth the wait. I am in love. I don't wear it everyday since I think it's a little much for work, but I would if I could.

And those are my current top 5 favorite products! Please share your own current obsessions so that I can stock up on more favorites.

MAC Sumo Sale: 25% Off All Products!

Oh MAC, why are you so tempting?! I've missed all the previous F&F; sales, but this time the internet is abuzz with the upcoming Sumo sale on June 16-18! During these 3 days, MAC is offering 25% off all its products (excluding Viva Glam) and I'm muy excited! I've been itching to pick up some MAC staples and this is awesome timing!!! In my bag so far:

-Fix+ + Rose (the addition of rose is such a great idea)
-194 Concealer Brush
-150 Powder Brush
-187 Stippling Brush (love it so much that I need another one!)
-Pro Palette Quad x4 Eyeshadow
-Bronze, Ricepaper, Era, and Satin Taupe pro palette refills
-Uniform Technakohl Liner (a must-have in my daily routine)

I want morreee!

Enter code: SUMO at checkout for 25% off and free shipping! Enjoy. :)

In the Bag

What's in the bag? See for yourself..

Yes, this is the Hayden-Harnett Conrad bag from this post! I luurrrve it; it works both as a classic black bag for the office, AND dressy enough for meeting up with friends afterwards. The leather is super supple and soft (look at the shine on this baby!), and now I completely understand girls' love affairs with purses and handbags because I am officially OBSESSED. This marks several milestones - my first HH, and my first black bag.

The lining is gorgeous! I love peeking into my bag.

Compared to other girls' purses I've seen, I consider myself a light packer O.O Inside, I carry:

• small notebook with weekly to-do list and for jotting down random notes, + pens
• Lacoste wallet from Century 21
• Longchamp makeup bag with 1) Prescriptives Virtual Matte pressed powder, 2) Lancome Juicy Tube in Fruity Pop, 3) MAC Hello Kitty lipgloss in She Loves Candy, 4) MAC SlimShine in Ultra Elegant, 5) Kiehl's #1 lip balm, and 6) sample size of Prescriptives Virtual Matte foundation which are for emergencies but I've never used. I bet you can't tell I love lip stuff =)
• Neutrogena handcream
• 3G iPhone (I waited 4 hours in line the 2nd day it came out)
• elbow-length gloves to keep my phalanges warm, essential for NYC winter
• earmuffs - useful in theory but I don't like how they mess up my hair since they go around the head

Not shown but still in the picture is my Blackberry, which fits perfectly into the right external pocket, and my Metro card which lives inside the left outside pocket. When it comes to bags, I still need function in addition to fashion, so I love that this bag has so many pockets. Along with my building keycard and work keycard, sometimes I transfer my phone into the ingeniously magnetic (!) back pocket for easy access.

I must say, my first foray into the realm of purses was a success, and converted me into a believer.

Helloooo Kitty!

Much to my boyfriend's chagrin, one of my slightly childish unexplainable obsessions is Hello Kitty. After opening an account at BofA last month and triumphantly whipping out my Hello Kitty bank card, he half laughed half choked, and made me vow never to use it while paying for dinner. Anyway, he needn't have worried, because I ended up cancelling the BofA account (but kept the card!)

I digress. Of course I had to prove to him that there were indeed grown-up Hello Kitty things sold by grown-up stores. Exhibit 1: (thank you Neiman Marcus):

Eee! Super adorable! The Neiman Marcus collection is designed by Kimora Lee Simmons, so it's a little flashy flash, but there's nothing wrong with some bling, (if you can afford it since it is $$$....*one day!*). I think the ring would be fun and cute to wear with a little cocktail dress, and I looove the Hello Kitty White Ceramic Watch . . . too bad I don't wear watches or have a spare $1k lying around.

If that isn't enough grown-up HK fun, in February 2009, the geniuses at MAC are coming out with a Hello Kitty makeup collection!!

Zomg so excited for this 2-parter: One is a Mild/Wild Kitty collection, and the second is a higher-end Kitty Kouture collection. I haven't bought MAC in awhile, but this might cause me to break that pattern. Particularly, the Kouture items are splurge worthy-status. The collection showcases 2 MAC Dazzleglasses, which I've heard rave reviews about its great formula for getting shimmery and glossy lips.

This is the second time MAC has partnered with a childhood icon (the first was the Barbie loves MAC collection), but I am so much more enamored with this one than Barbie. These collaborations are smart for MAC to re-invent themselves and offer their customers something new - not an easy task for a company whose permanent collection has the biggest rainbow of colors of any makeup line.

Hello Kitty hits stores in February. I know what I'm hinting for for Valentine's Day!

Coasting from Los Angeles

I am going to reiterate Janice's great enthusiasm for the start of our blog as we have been chit chattering about this since our senior year in college! Despite being swamped with recruiting, papers, exams, and fitting in all the "lasts" of our college careers, we have always looked forward to writing about one of our greatest shared passions: beauty!! I'm glad that we're finally giving it a real go. Work will not get in our way!

So let's see... how about a little about myself? I'm a native LA girl who loves the hustle and bustle of the city, but STILL hates the traffic. I love dressing up, but would choose lounging around in sweats and a ponytail any chance that I got (it's a luxury much missed now that college is over...). Being a true nerd at heart, I love reading, writing, and Photoshop. IMDB is one of my favorite websites aside from celebrity gossip blogs. Things that don't quite get me excited are awkward silences, clutter, windy days, and driving to the mall with a mission, only to be disappointed because I can't find what I'm looking for (doesn't this always happen, though?)

I've been trying a bevy of products on and off, but the ones I've stuck to for now are:

Cleanser: Aveeno Calming Cleanser (morning), Origins Clean Energy Cleansing Oil (night), Mario Badescu Glycolic Cleanser (every other night)

Moisturizer: Korres Cinnamon & Echinachea Moisturizer (daytime), Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Treatment (night)

Mask: Murad Exfoliating Fruit Enzyme Mask (I was recommended this after getting a facial at their spa and now use this every Sunday. Like their facial, I LOVE THIS!!)

Make-up: Murad Oil-Free Sheer Tint SPF 15, Everyday Minerals Intensive Foundation, MAC Peachykeen, Too Faced Shadow Insurance, MAC Uniform Technakohl Liner, CoverGirl Lash Blast

Live from New York City

Unfolded laundry sits in the hamper, work is in 7 hours, and yet I'm too excited about this blog that I'd rather be posting!

In Amelie style - Janice is a former Californian girl recently moved to New York City with a long-instilled appreciation of beauty as art and creative release. Janice dislikes neck sores from being in one position for too long, holes clustered together, and static-y hair. She likes microfiber sheets, the smell of new tennis balls, and emptying her traincase reorganizing it and putting everything back.

This is actually the second attempt at a beauty/fashion blog for Michelle and me. The first ended with acceptance that we were too busy with work to keep up posting, but this second try is a stubborn refusal to give into the doldrums of working life. The goal is to not only report on the happenings in the beauty/fashion industry (new collections, sales, etc.) but also to offer insight and commentary on how marketing and promotions has affected us and our mentality as consumers, and specifically as young professionals. Aaaand of course these posts will be punctuated by entries about recent impulse buys and great purchases that we just have to share those who can share our excitement =)

For the record, here are the products currently in rotation:

Cleanser: Neutrogena Oil-free Acne Wash or Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil in Light

Moisturizer: Olay SPF15 Oil-Free Moisturizer during the day, Lancome Aqua Fusion Moisturizer at night

Eyecream: 100% Pure Coffee Bean Eye Cream*

Makeup basics: Prescriptives Virtual Matte Foundation, Cargo Medium Matte Bronzer, MAC Stereo Rose Mineralized Skin Finish*, MAC Uniform Technakohl eyeliner

* denotes loooves