Lips to love

Please, oh please, stop with the matte lipsticks! Are these really flattering for anyone? They make my lips look like dried, shriveled prunes left out in the sun and feel like my son's school glue. I am all about smooth, hydrating products and generally opt for neutrals. But I do love a pop of color to brighten a look, and these picks are among my favs and stand the test of time.

Beauty Routine: Evenings with kiddos Edition

Since I became a mom a little over 6 years ago, evenings take on an entirely different meaning for me than they once did. long gone are the days of leisurely drinking wine while watching as many shows as I want (I now binge watch on my iPad while the baby sleeps on top of me, and chug wine with one hand while feeding him with the other). Nighttime beauty and sleep are the same way, they need to be fast, efficient, and not too expensive.

I NEVER sleep in my makeup. It doesn't matter if I spent 2 hours unsuccessfully trying to coax my littlest baby into his crib at night, I will not skip face washing. Right now I'm using BeautyCounter's balm ($80), and then Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Micro Cleanse ($30). I tone with a variety of toners depending on the night (Clinique, Estee Lauder, Biologique Recherche) and use eye cream (love this one).

I spend less time on my mattress now than ever. Having a new baby reminds one never to take sleep for granted. So when I actually am in my bed, I need to be comfortable. The Leesa trial is great- 100 nights- so if you chose wrong, no worries. The baby likes it too, since he basically only sleeps on top of me, in our bed. (Maybe Leesa should try crib mattresses and we can trick him into thinking hes still in our bed.)

In My Bag

I've parred down what I tote around on the daily, since I'm also carrying multiple snacks, hot wheels, and at least 1 box of crayons at all times (the joy of having a 5 year old!). My essentials include my Louis Vuitton wallet, Marc Jacobs sunnies, Tory Burch mirror and business card holder (gifts from my hubby), and a few beauty items which I rotate periodically. Currently, I'm loving: 

YSL Oil In Stick in No. 47 'Beige Blouse'

Mac satin finish in 'Faux'

Clinique Chubby Stick in Roly Poly Rosy

Clinique intense lipliner in Sassafras

Tory Burch's roller-ball perfume

Nars gloss in Dolce Vita

Nivea balm for all day hydration underneath any lipstick

Whats inside your bag right now?

Skincare Round Up: Hits and Misses

Its been a while since I talked beauty (perhaps because I'm not feeling  a whole lot of 'beauty' at 6 months pregnant in my home office most days). But I am still a huge fan of products and trying the newest and greatest in skin and makeup. I've added a few things to my lineup over the past few months, and while some are definitely hits, there have been some misses as well.

1. Skin- daytime 

I am a fan of BeautyCounter's Dew Skin ($45) and Tint Skin ($41). I was lured into the cute advertising targeted at me via Facebook, and decided to give Glossier's Perfecting Skin Tint  ($26) a try in the shade light. This my friends was a miss for me. After a few days of barely there color, i started getting huge blemishes in places like my cheeks where I never breakout. I stopped using this right away and they have subsided. I have since read reviewers of the product who experienced the same. So I'd say definitely skip this is you've ever had a breakout.

2. Concealer

We all know I have serious genetic dark circles. I have tried every product known to man, and will continue to do so. For now, I love It Cosmetics Bye Bye under Eye Corrector ($29), layered with BeautyCounter's concealer pen ($32). I tried Glossier's Stretch Concealer when I ordered the skin tint, and sadly this was another miss. It did not break me out, but it dried out any patch I placed it on. Not cute under the eyes at 1pm on a video conference call.

3. Moisturizer and Serum

Clique is a skincare staple for me that finds its way back into my rotation no matter how many others come into the mix. The new Acne and Line correcting serum ($44) is a big hit for me. I layer under the Dramatically Different Moisturizer (gel formula $26) and then add BeautyCounter's Night Cream in the evenings. No breakouts, no lines.

4. Lips

I love the YSL Oil in Stick formula ($37), and the shade Beige Blouse is not to miss for a perfect nude. I have also tried the new Dior 'Addict' Hydra-Gel shine formula ($35) and I like, but don't love it (I am a current fan of the many other formulations). I wouldn't count this a total miss however.

5. Nails

The new Essie Gel Couture ($11.50 per bottle) line is a must have and maybe my favorite new product addition of the season. Unlike the regular formula, this one truly stays put for at least 7-10 days and does not chip.  Try 'Model Chicks' or 'Spiked with Style' for the perfect deep fall plum/burgundy.

Any new fall must-haves that should be on the radar?

Fall Wishlist

This season my Fall wishlist is full of items that make me feel cozy and happy in my house. My little one loves his ice cream, and I can't pass up anything from Kate Spade's home collection so this bowl + scoop set is too cute to miss. Tea and coffee are just more delicious in a decorative dainty cup. And what kitchen table isn't better with a set of fun plates? Booties for me are a highlight of the summer to fall transition, I seem to buy a pair each year. Plum nails are as much a fall staple as the pumpkin spice latte (anyone know the release date this year? Starbucks throws us a bone and usually comes out with it in August!)

What are you eyeing for the cooler temps a few weeks down the road?

Insta-Round Up

baby shower ensemble

dont ever call him predictable

Loft medallion print dress

desk to dinner look

client ball

new Clinique Lip Pop, love!

grey day

Make Up on the Daily

Cooler temps call for not only dark polish and new lipstick, but an update to the daily makeup routine is in order. I avoid as many forms of skin make up as possible when its 90 degrees and humid, but come September, I cant wait to apply a good BB and some cream blush. Being the product junkie that I am, I cant resist trying anything that Birch Box supplies. A few of my daily favorites that still keep my morning routine down to 10 minutes:

1. Skin- I am a big fan of Tarte's BB Cream. I've tried a few brands, but this one does not cause breakout, is all natural, has physical sunscreen (as opposed to the chemical formulas I avoid like the plague), and is relatively full on coverage for a BB. I set it with a tiny brush of the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores power.

2. Cheeks- I love the Nars Multiple in Maui and Orgasm all year long. I add a bit of Benefit Watts Up highlighting stick to the tops of my cheeks in the fall for a tiny hint of office appropriate shimmer.

3. Eyes- You have already heard me rave about It Cosmetics new Bye Bye Under Eye corrector and their concealer on top. I also love the Bobbi Brown concealer duo for a quick touch-up during the day. For my lids, I love the Urban Decay Naked palette, I've used it for over a year and still go to it everyday. I work a small amount of Bobbi Brown chocolate eyeliner into my top lashes, and a light coat of Clinique High Impact Mascara.

4. Brows- I fill my brows with a Trish McEvoy pencil, but really, any brand would be fine. I then use Benefit Gimme Brow to plump and hold them in place all day.

Any new products I'm missing out on? Tell me!

Refresh with Clinique

Refresh with Clinique by christina-villecco

Clinique has always been among my favorite beauty brands. Their new formulas and shades have given me even more reason to rush to Nordstrom for a fall makeup refresh! The Color Pop is much more saturated than other formulas, and reminds me of the Nars Audacious line. I like 'beige' to best.


Linking up with Mix & Match

Swatch It: Lipsticks

I am forever searching for the perfect everyday lip color. Each time I take a lunch trip to Bloomies, I browse the Bobbi Brown, Chanel, mac and Clinique counters, pulling the same rosy-hued, nude colors each time. I've realized that i actually already own the perfect colors for day to day office, meetings, lunches and dinners. So rather than searching, I'm just going to buy multiples of my favorites picks.

From top to bottom, the shades above are Clinique's Beauty (long last soft shine formula), Mac's Shanghai Spice (cremesheen), Mac's Modesty (cemesheen) and Macs Brave (satin). For a bruntee with fair to light skin and hazel green eyes like me, these shades are perfect everyday colors for all seasons. These formulas wear decently long, are soft to apply, and impart some subtle sheen but are not glossy. if youre on the hunt, I highly recommend these. What are your go-to lip picks?

Linking up with Mix & Match!

How to: Facial Cleansing

Whether you're blessed with great skin, or you have to really work at achieving a relatively average complexion (like me), you likely have a skin care routine down pat. I am constantly looking for new products, methods and tools to try. I read a recent post by Brooklyn Blonde on the cons of using foaming cleaners, and after some research when I couldn't sleep last week, I have to say that I'm on board with this claim.

I have stored all forms of foam in the back of my cabinet (where eventually my husband will use them when his current wash runs out), and am thrilled to have received my new wash and toner. The new lineup has been keeping me clean yet soft, with no pesky white flakes or huge breakouts. The tools and techniques have also made a difference for me.

Night

• Take off makeup with Clinique take the day off balm applied to dry skin, and remove with a warm, wet washcloth, which I have to say is a huge game changer in how the makeup comes off (I'm going to try this balm when my Clinique runs out)
• Cleanse with First Aid Beauty cleanser and Clinique sonic cleansing brush
• Tone with Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 (a french product available only from a spa in PA that ships to NY for $10 that I discovered by reading Brooklyn Blonde and has been worth every penny) OR these pads from First Aid Beauty, about 3 times a week
• Finish with Clinique serum and oil free gel, and one of 3 eye creams I have on hand, but am not really in love with either so suggestions welcome!

Morning

• Cleanse with First Aid Beauty cleanser (I only use the sonic brush at night)
• Tone with Biologique Recherche Lotion P50
• Finish with Clinique serum and oil free gel, and eye cream that again, I'd love to replace with a good recommendation

What are some new products or techniques that have changed your routine?

Skin Care Part II

I am the perfect consumer- a new commercial, a great new label, I'm in. I love to try new products, but more than half of the time, I end up tired of them before they are finished. Luckily my husband has easy skin and he is happy to have all my hand me down cleaners and what not so nothing goes to waste. Despite the plethora of new, shiny skin care products with claims ranging form erasing wrinkles and age spots, to plumping crows feet and taking years off your face, I always go back to my first love: Clinique. In middle school, it was the very first make up my mother ever let me try (some rosy blush in 7th grade, followed by some concealer when those pesky 13 year old pimples first appeared). And since then I have always loved their full range of products.

Currently, I swear by the cleanser (I use both the mild formula and the new Sonic Soap, designed to pair with the face brush), the toner (I use number 3), and then have layered in the serum and the oil-free moisturizing gel. For those times when teenage blemishes appear, I still keep a bottle of Proactiv exfoliator and treatment lotion on hand, as nothing works better for acne. I still enjoy the Kiehls Calendula cleanser, so I have held on to that to mix up the washing routine once a week or so. I also love All About Eyes, a cult favorite and in my cabinet since age 18. I may need to add something a tad stronger for the eye area sometime soon as my 33rd birthday approaches in May, any recommendations?