Whenever the cold weather hits, I immediately reach for all my dark lipsticks. There is just something about the cold weather, the holiday season, and the chill in the air that makes me want to wear a vampy lip -- even more so than the fall.

Just give me all the plums, purples, reds, berries!

I think I speak for most people when I say that the holiday season especially brings out these feelings and when you're out and about at holiday parties and gatherings, you want to have your best lip on.

I know this kind of goes against a lot of beliefs but I love matte liquid lipsticks more in the winter than any other season. I say it goes against a lot because your lips are usually very dry and chapped in the winter so the last thing you want to do is put a drying, matte formula on your lips.

However, I think matte lips are so chic, sophisticated and classic winter. I definitely get the most use out of my liquid lipsticks in this chilly season.

I won't ramble too much longer but I wanted to break down my favorite vampy lip colors and formulas that will work for just about anyone this holiday season.


I've included (in this widget) a lot of Laura Geller lipsticks; from our Love Me Mattes which has a great shade called Coffee Craving to the Fifty Kisses Liquid Lipsticks in Makeout Merlot and our Iconic Baked in Broadway Plum (one of my oldest favorites).

I also have been really enjoying the Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Rock Steady; it's a gorgeous red/berry shade that really screams holiday to me.

Below, you'll find a few other lipsticks that may not be available right now so I've included some dupes.

Kylie Cosmetics Twenty Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencil in Pomegranate (similar) Marc Jacobs Le Marc in Bad Behavior (similar)

I also LOVE the Winky Lux x Betches 'Crazy Pill' lipstick -- it's a very dark plum, that almost looks black and it's stunning.

I have to say one thing: the Kylie Cosmetics 'Twenty' lip kit is probably my favorite lip color of all time. It's deep enough that it feels 'fancy' but light enough that it's casual for every day. The formula is one of the best Kylie's I've had in a while and it's just perfection. I have to stop myself from wearing it every single day.

What are your favorite vampy lip colors for the holiday season?
xoxo
B

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It's finally my season... it's my time to shine and I'm breaking out all my old (and new) favorites!

With the change of season comes a change of routine, whether that's your daily routine, workout routine, or more importantly, a beauty routine.

Usually, it's the skincare side of things that change up drastically once the weather chills out because, without a good skincare routine, your makeup routine means nothing.

I haven't figured out my new fall skincare routine quite yet because the weather is still in the 80s here in New York, but the day after Labor Day, I started changing up my entire beauty regime.

It's time to break out the dark colors, the matte foundations, and warm eyeshadows.. fall is here!

• Laura Geller Iconic Baked Lipstick in Broadway Plum: This is one of my favorite fall lip shades and one that I am constantly applying and reapplying all season long. It's the perfect plum without being too dark or too vampy so I feel like it's pretty universal for everyone. Also, this is one of my favorite lipstick formulas EVER! Very creamy, very comfortable, and simply gorgeous.

• Essie Angora Cardi: There's a reason this is the most popular Fall nail polish season after season on Pinterest... it embodies everything that is Fall. It's the perfect mix of mauve, plum, and brown and every year it's my favorite, most used shade. I'm rocking it now and I've never been happier.

• NARSissist Loaded Eyeshadow Palette: I love a good warm shadow palette all year round but there are certain palettes that just scream fall and this NARS one is it. It has the perfect mixture of greys, browns, and golds with a few plum and pink shades thrown in for good measure. I have hardly worn it all summer because it's just too fall(y) for me! 

• Too Faced Love Flush Blush in Your Love Is King: Once Fall hits I'm all about a full face of glam and I love a good plum blush. This shade from the Too Faced collection is one of my favorites. It's a nice mauve/purple/plum shade without being too much and it adds the perfect amount of color to the cheeks. 

When it comes to makeup, I've never been a full coverage kind of gal. My skin is not that bad and it's pretty dry so I lean toward more medium coverage, radiant foundations. However, during the summer, I usually don't wear any foundation at all.

It melts off my face as soon as I step outside and continues to annoy me as I sit on the hot subway. During the hot months (or even when I'm running super late) I tend to stick to light coverage 'foundations' and tinted moisturizers.

The thing I love about tinted moisturizers is that they can be applied quickly and easily. There is no need for a brush or sponge, using your hands is just fine.

They also provide just the right amount of coverage without feeling heavy or tacky on the skin. I also think there is enough of a range amongst the beauty community that you can find a tinted moisturizer that fits your skin tone and type.

This summer tinted moisturizer was the only thing I wore with the exception of a few days where I went full foundation (or sans foundation completely)

These were my must-have tinted moisturizers of the summer *and pretty much of all time up until this point*




1. Laura Geller Quench-n-Tint: If you haven't figured out by now, I work for Laura Geller (I don't know if I've ever posted that on here but it's public knowledge). When I found out that we were releasing this product, I could hardly contain my excitement. This is for sure one of my favorite products we've ever released. It's a very, very light weight, almost sheer, but really evens out and hydrates the skin. You have to feel this to believe it (go to Ulta now and try it) but when applied, there is a release of hydration and it feels like you're splashing water on your face, and it's amazing. It was my most worn product of the summer for sure.

2. NARS Tinted Moisturzer: I don't know if I would classify this as a tinted moisturizer but I figured I'd mention it anyway.  I have talked about this before in my May favorites and it's stood the test of time. It's a fuller coverage tinted moisturizer but doesn't feel like an actual foundation. It's the only complexion product I've tried from NARS and it's definitely a favorite and must try!

3. Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue: This was a purchase from last summer and it's still a favorite right now. It has SPF in it which is ideal for summer (and all year round really) and is a cross between the NARS and Laura Geller. It has good coverage but feels incredibly light weight on the skin. This can 100% be applied with your hands but if you want a little more coverage, you can build it up with a sponge or brush. This was one of the first tinted moisturizers I really took a liking too and it remains one of my favorites.

What is your favorite tinted moisturizer? 
xoxo
B

July is here and the summer is almost over! We're so close to Fall!

Ok I'll stop now! I don't like when people remind me that winter is ending and spring is coming so I'll spare all you summer lovers!

I'm writing this on 4th of July because my plans got canceled and I haven't been feeling too great this weekend. I was super hungover on Sunday and I was running errands all day Monday so I feel like my body hasn't had a chance to truly catch up with itself. The good news is that I work Wednesday & Thursday and I'm off again on Friday -- this is the ultimate summer week.

As we move further into the summer, the weeks are going to get busier so I need to get my sh*t together. Trips, conferences, and fun things are going to happen within the next few weeks!

For now, however, let's get into my June favorites!



1. J.Crew Drapey Tank Top: I ordered one of these tank tops at the beginning of the season and fell in love with it. It's so comfortable and you can dress it up or down, depending on where you're going. It goes with everything-- jeans, leggings, shorts. I was so obsessed that I went back to J.Crew Factory and bought one in every color. I have purple, salmon, grey, black, and blue. I might have to go get the white one just to complete the collection.

2. Friday + Saturday Brunette Baseball Hat: I've been wanting to get into the baseball hat trend for a while but I wanted a cute, punny one. I saw this one on Shop Riff Raff and couldn't pass it up. It's so cute and makes any outfit a touch more casual and trendy. I haven't stopped wearing it all month long!

3. NARS Liquid Blush in Orgasm: I ravved about this in a post and a video this month but I had to mention it again. It's the only blush I've been wearing and it looks so natural and gorgeous, you could make it the only product you're wearing!

4. Benefit Total Moisture Face Cream: My skin has been on the drier side lately, which is weird for the hot summer but the one product that has been really helping me is the Benefit Cosmetics moisturzer. I talked about it my latest beauty video and while I haven't pulled the trigger on a full size yet, I will soon because I'm running out of the sample. It's super thick and hydrating but doesn't leave your skin greasy or tacky like you'd think a heavy cream would. It's so gooooooood!

What were your favorites this month?

xoxo
B

In the past few months, I have not purchased that much makeup. Nothing was catching my eye and I was pretty much set with everything I had. The new collections weren't as exciting to me as past ones so I was sitting a lot of new releases out.

That is until I saw NARS was expanding their Orgasm collection. Orgasm is one of the best selling blushes in the world and when I first got my hands on it many moons ago, I was drinking the Kool-Aid. It's a gorgeous color that seems like it would be common enough but it is so utterly perfect. It's a shimmery, peach, pink, coral color that flushes your cheeks with the perfect amount of glow. It's an obsession, a lifestyle...

So, when I saw that NARS was releasing a liquid version of their famous blush shade, as well as a lipstick, I jumped on that train immediately.

My obsession with cream products is making a full-force comeback this summer, just as it did last summer, so I needed to get my hands on this LIQUID (not cream) product.

I ordered both products from Sephora the moment they were available and I've fallen in love.

The blush comes in typical NARS packaging; frosted glass bottle and a matte black cap. There is a handy little pump but I kind of like unscrewing the top and dotting the blush straight from the little spatula.




First off, this baby blends like a dream. I suggest blending fast and not leaving to dry on your cheeks but when you do blend, it's very easy. I take a stippling brush and just swirl and dab lightly on the apples of my cheeks and backwards. It leaves the most perfect flush of color and a very light luminous finish.

There is no glitter or real shimmer to the liquid verison of Orgasm. The color is pretty much identical to the powder verison though.




I haven't tried it yet but I think layering the powder blush on top of the liquid would probbaly look amazing.

My favorite way to wear this blush is with a no makeup makeup look; just a perfect flush of color on your cheeks with some mascara and concealer, and you're set!

I talked about the blush in my latest Youtube video!



All in all, I think this is a must-have for everyone. If you're not into liquid/cream products, I do think you'd still like this because it's very easy to work with and doesn't leave a sticky or tacky feeling behind. If you're not into Orgasm, NARS has a few other colors you can try out! If you're hesistant, ask for a sample in Sephora -- or buy from a place like Sephora or Nordstrom because their return policies are GOLDEN!

This is for sure my favorite product for summer!

What's your beauty product for the summer?
xoxo
B

I can't believe May is over and it's basically, officially summer. I'm excited for summer (yes, seriously) and excited for it to be over because that means FALL. Will you ever get sick of me saying that? Probably!

This month was a whirlwind with many trips, lots of business at work, and a few personal milestones that I won't share. It was an exhausting month but now that the month is over, and after this week, everything will calm down.

I'm making plans for the summer and I can't wait to travel and get out there to see what's waiting for me!

I feel like I didn't have many favorites this month but here's what I did enjoy:





1. Louis Vuitton Cosmetic Pouch: I bought this little adorable baby on Tradesy and it's in perfect condition. I was very nervous to use it but I really started using it this month and I have fallen head over heels. It's so gorgeous and versatile, and the pink interior is so girly and chic. Of all the things I bought pre-loved Louis Vuitton, this is my favorite. I highly recommend purchasing it!



2. NARS Tinted Moisturzer: I did not need a new 'foundation' type product but I was really feeling NARS this month. They popped up at Ulta and I was on an Ulta spree this month. This tinted moisturzer is more like a foundation because it's thick and covers a lot (I can't just rub it in with my hands, I need to apply it with a beauty blender or brush) but I've never loved the way my skin looked more. It evens everything out, covers every imperfection, and leaves a radiant finish on the skin. It's the ultimate lazy girl product (you almost don't even need concealer with it) and I think everyone would love it.

3. Too Faced Hangover RX Primer: This is a primer I purchased years ago, loved, and never got again. I felt the need to have it in my aresnal and boy am I glad I repurchased. It's just as good as I remember because it feels so good on the skin and it doubles as a moisturzer. In the summer, I don't like putting too many layers on so I think this is a great summertime product because you can moisturzer and prime in one step!

4. Nature's Bounty Hair Skin & Nails Vitamins: I received this in a subscription box last month and finished the bottle. I've since went out and purchased a new, bigger bottle because I've never loved vitamins more. I always thought I never needed Biotin because my hair is thick and long, and my skin is decent; my nails always could use some help. Because I never thought I needed these vitamins, I never bothered to purchase them but since I had them, I used them. I noticed a huge difference in my nails and skin -- I don't know what it is, and I don't know if I could explain it, but to me, there is a difference. These vitamins are gummies and taste so good, I could eat the entire bottle in one sitting. Also, they are on the less expensive side (at least in my drugstore) so I highly recommend these, even if you don't think you need them!

What are your favorites of the month?
xoxo
B

January is the time when a lot of beauty brands release their mid winter & spring collections. It's also the time when the new trends start popping up and things are beginning to change throughout the beauty industry.

It's truly an exciting time and probably one of the most exciting months. It's exciting behind the scenes as someone who works in the industry but also truly exciting as a consumer. During the holiday season, brands don't usually release new items because they're releasing value sets & limited edition packaging.

Now is the time when we no longer see the same old products & shades; everything is new and I'm so excited!

Browsing the Just Arrived section of Sephora, Ulta, and Nordstrom is my favorite pastime and it's even better this time of the year. I have my eye on a few buys and am waiting to hit the "Place Order" button, only because I'm trying to be good and not shop too much.

In January, a lot of brands put out their complexion products, so foundations, primers, and concealers are usually all the rage. That being said, I'm super excited for a lot of items in that range.

I'm also excited for a lot of the trends this year: athleisure beauty & fresh skin (no makeup makeup look) are two of the hottest trends this year & I'm PUMPED.

I want to dive into a few launches I'm really excited for and need to purchase ASAP. They have great reviews and they're all in my cart. They are for sure definite beauty buys for this month!

Nars Radiance Primer with SPF Bite Beauty Agave Lip Balm GlamGlow Plumprageous Nudes Collection Skin Fitness Kit Sephora Micellar Cleansing Milk Tarte Lifted Sweatproof Mascara Urban Decay Optical Illusion Complexion Primer

It's the 3rd day of the sale and I already shopped it... because I'm an overachiever when it comes to shopping. And I also don't want my favorite must-haves to sell out. Last year was the first time I ever truly shopped the sale and got some staple pieces. I knew this year wouldn't be so different.

For those who don't know, the sale comes once a year and starts in the month of July. They have incredible deals on designer items and exclusive items to the sale. The best part is that these aren't items from last season or summer items on clearance; they're fall items that are for THIS SEASON.

It's the perfect time to stock up on some great sweaters, or staple items like boots or coats. I wasn't that impressed with the shoe selection but I quickly racked up the items in my cart; some I was looking for and others were a surprise:

The sale is open for Nordstrom cardholders until July 22nd and then it opens to the public. If you are a cardholder, I recommend shopping sooner rather than later. I was looking at a sweater yesterday and it already sold out.








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