Blazer and Polka Dots

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Hello all! Here is an outfit I’d wear for a day in the city, when I want to dress casual but appear well-put together at the same time. Enjoy!

Blazer- Gap (similar) | Blouse- Express (similar) | Jeans- Gap| Purse- Forever 21 | Watch- Fossil (similar) | Earrings- Forever 21 (similar) | Necklace (vintage)

Anjuli

 

Winter Vest

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This vest was so hard to get a hold of at Target last year! It is a great (and cheaper) alternative for the popular J Crew herringbone vest you see everywhere on Instagram. This is an outfit I would wear for any occasion where I want to be comfortable and warm. Enjoy!

Vest-Target (similar) | Sweater- Target (similar) | Jeans- Gap | Boots- Zappos (similar) | Purse- Forever 21 | Necklace- Gift (similar)

Anjuli

New MAC Cosmetics Purchases

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Hello everyone! Here are a few purchases I recently made at MAC. I’m really starting to love exploring MAC’s line of makeup products, so far I’m impressed!

Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder-Pressed – I can’t tell you how long I’ve been on the search for a finishing powder that doesn’t make me appear lighter in complexion when I take pictures, but this powder does exactly what I want it to! As you can see from the photo, I have already used it a bunch. It finishes my makeup, leaves my skin with a matte finish, and I look normal in photos with a flash (woohoo!). What I also like about this powder is that you can apply as much as you want without overdoing the coverage.

Prep + Prime Lip – I can get some pretty dry lips sometimes (okay all the time) especially during the winter, and this lip primer is very creamy and hydrating! I love putting this on before I apply my lipstick because it helps the formula last. If you want, you could even apply this lip primer as a lip balm if your lips need some hydration.

Lipstick- Captive – I absolutely love this lipstick for everyday use! It has a Satin finish, so it appears both matte and creamy. I do find myself reapplying the lipstick after a few hours, but I personally don’t mind especially if I’m just wearing it to go shopping or run errands.

Lipstick- Lickable – If you’re like me and you’ve never tried any pink lipsticks before, this is definitely a great option. It has a Creamsheen finish, so the color pay off is sheer and not too overpowering. Overall I’m really loving the different types of MAC lipsticks, I think they definitely live up to the hype!

Thanks for reading!

Anjuli

Night in the City

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Hello all! Besides beauty posts, from time to time I will also be posting outfits for inspiration! When I came across this dress in Forever 21, I seriously could not believe my eyes. This dress has such great quality material, so I had to get my hands on it! I think this outfit is great to either wear during the day or for a night out in the city.

Some of the pieces in my wardrobe are either not sold in stores anymore or I cannot remember where I purchased the items from, so I’ll do my best to provide you with alternatives! Outfit info is posted below. 🙂

Cardigan– Old Navy | Dress– Forever 21 | Booties- Payless (similar) | Purse- Nordstrom Rack (similar) | Necklace- H&M (similar)

Anjuli

What I Got For Christmas: Beauty 2014

What I Got For Christmas 2014
Hello all and happy new year! I hope you had a great holiday, here are a few things that I got for Christmas, as well as items that I purchased myself with a gift card!
 Benefit Instant Brow Pencil: Medium-Dark– This brow pencil is AMAZING. The shade matches my eyebrows perfectly, and I love the spoolie at the end of the pencil, it blends really well! This pencil is great if you are just starting out with filling in your brows, and gives you a very natural look.
Bobbi Brown Powder Blush: Pretty Pink– This shade of blush is very nice for every day use, and blends well on the skin. You could build the color for night time as well. I tend to like rosy blush colors instead of peachy colors, so if you’re like me then you will love this!
Smashbox Full Exposure Palette– I have been wanting this palette LITERALLY for the past year, and I was so excited and hyped up about trying this out, but I’m actually a little disappointed with it! I love the matte shadows, but the shimmery shadows are not creamy at all, and they look like loose glitter on my skin. Having the Naked 2 Palette from Urban Decay, the shimmery shadows of the Smashbox palette just do not compare. I will definitely still use the Smashbox palette for the matte shades, but I will most likely reach for my Naked 2 Palette for the shimmer shades. I was also disappointed because I thought I was going to get the free mascara, but I received a free eyeshadow primer instead, which I did not need.
Urban Decay Lipstick: F-Bomb– I have been on a major hunt for a TRUE red lipstick for quite sometime now, and this is a perfect option. If you’re looking for a red lipstick that doesn’t have orange, pink, or blue undertones, this is absolutely perfect. It has a semi-creamy/matte finish, and it is very hydrating!
L’oreal True Match Concealer: Fair/Light Neutral– I originally heard about this concealer from a beauty guru named Suzie (Hello October) and she raved about this so I had to try it! I definitely like the creamy formula, and I LOVE the fact that it does not get patchy or caked if I apply it to blemishes or spots on my face. My combination skin can be super difficult to work with when it comes to concealers, but so far this is working for me!
I’ll be doing a post for my recent MAC purchases, so look out for that soon! Let me know what you got for Christmas 🙂
Anjuli

Gift Guide for the Beauty Lover: Under $25

Beauty Gift Guide: Under $25
Hi everyone! I’ve complied a list of products ranging from $25 and under that I would personally love to receive as a gift, and that I think would be great affordable gifts if you’re shopping on a budget for the holidays. Let me know any other beauty steals under $25!
Anjuli

Blush Review: MAC Pro Longwear Blush

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Yippee my first MAC Cosmetics purchase! Very late I know right? Well I’ve been in need of an all-day blush and I found this gem while I was on the east coast last week. The MAC Pro Longwear Blush in the shade Stubborn actually stays on and doesn’t fade! It was almost 35 degrees everyday where I went to visit (very cold for being California-grown), and my blush lasted from morning until night.

If you are looking for a deep rose-colored blush to give you that natural “flushed” look, this is a great option. Also you want to add more when you go out at night, the color won’t become patchy or blotchy.

Have you tried MAC blushes? I’d love to hear your opinions!

Anjuli

New Makeup Purchases and Reviews

Did you all have a great October? Spending the weekend in San Francisco and experiencing the SF Giants parade and Halloween in one day was a fun time! I have a very busy month of November coming up, so I made a few new makeup purchases that are mostly “staples” to my makeup collection, and they definitely came in handy this weekend.

1. Makeup Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation in 115 – I’ve been needing a foundation that I can use when I go out at night, especially because my friends and I (mostly I) love to take photos and capture each moment. This foundation is great because it’s smooth, full coverage, and when I take pictures while wearing this, it does not make my face appear lighter than my natural skin complexion. One thing that I truly dislike is when I am wearing a foundation that has SPF in it, and it makes me look lighter than I actually am!

2. Kat Von D Ink Eyeliner – Now that I’ve become a little better at applying eyeliner and creating a winged-liner look (at least in my opinion) I decided I could graduate to trying Kat Von D eyeliner, because I have heard a lot of hype around these liners. Well, all I have to say is that it definitely does live up to the hype! Yesterday when I went to the Giants Parade, it was raining like crazy, and since this liner is waterproof, my liner lasted throughout the entire day! Even after all of the rain and cold weather, my winged-liner still appeared flawless.

3. Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Mattes in Divine Wine – I have been trying to follow fall makeup trends, and I definitely wanted to jump on the bandwagon of the “dark lip look” for fall. I originally wanted to try Mac’s lipstick in Diva, which is a great matte burgundy color, but I wanted to find a more affordable option. I discovered Divine Wine after watching a review and swatches video on YouTube. The YouTube beauty guru said that this specific lipstick was a perfect dupe for Mac’s matte lipstick in Diva, and she was absolutely right! The color pay off is awesome, but if you have dry lips like I do, you should definitely apply a lip balm or lip primer before applying this lipstick. Overall I’m loving this color for fall, and get it fast because it’s selling out like crazy!

Have fun discovering new goodies this month!

Anjuli

September 2014 Favorites

Hello all!

It has been a few months since I last posted. I have been busy with my new job, so here are my favorites for September!

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I’ll start with the candles. I am obsessed with Bath and Body Works candles, so I had to get my hands on the new fall scents! The Pumpkin Cinnamon Bun candle literally makes your house smell like a bakery, it’s absolutely amazing! I just recently bought this during their 2-for-$22 sale, which is a great deal. I also bought the Pumpkin Caramel Latte candle, and if any of you love caramel coffee as much as I do, then you will love this one!

Bath and Body Works Mad About You body mist– If you’re looking for a new fragrance that smells like candy and flowers combined, this is a great choice. I have been wearing this scent before I go out at night or to hang out with friends, and surprisingly the scent lasts throughout the night! If you prefer something that lasts all day, I recommend buying the eau de parfum in this scent.

Boots Botanics Mattifying Gel-Cream– ATTENTION all Philosophy skincare lovers, if you are looking for a more affordable dupe for the Hope in a Jar moisturizer, look no further! This has to be my favorite moisturizer that I’ve ever discovered. I have combination skin, so this moisturizer not only keeps my skin hydrated, but it also keeps it oil-free for most of the day. Boots got me hooked on this one!

Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Natural N9 Lipstick– I originally received this lipstick in the mini size for my free birthday gift from Sephora, and I instantly fell in love! This lipstick color is really good for either every day use or going out at night. It’s such a versatile color and the creamy formula stays on the entire day. I’m definitely going back to Sephora to repurchase the full size.

Ulta Demi Eye Shadow in Brownie– I’ve been looking for a great versatile matte brown eyeshadow that I can blend with a lot of different shadows, and this was a great steal. The color pay off is great, and blends very easily on the eye. I use this with my Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette, and it works really well blended into the outer corner or the crease to create that smoky look.

Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous Pressed Powder Foundation in Light– This is the first time I’ve ever used powder foundation, and I instantly fell in love. You can use this as everyday coverage or even for going out at night. I mostly use this for work because it gives me moderate coverage, which takes me less than 2 minutes to apply in the mornings and it still keeps me looking professional. It gives you an airbrushed look that lasts all day!

Ulta Sculpting Palette in Muse– I’ve always wanted to use bronzer and highlighter but I never had the courage to try it. I decided to buy this palette and it is great for beginners! The bronzer and blush color have great payoff, and the highlighter is great if you just add it right below the outer corner of your eyes and up to your temples.

Urban Decay Ink for Eyes Waterproof Precision Eye Pen– If you’re also a beginner at doing a winged-eye look like me, this eyeliner is a great option. The eyeliner ink doesn’t come out too fast, so that makes it easy to apply and create a look that can be build-able. It also stays on and lasts the whole day, and comes off very easily!

Thanks for reading everyone, I will be back with another beauty post soon!

Anjuli

May 2014 Beauty Favorites

For my first beauty post, I decided to go with what I’ve been loving for the month of May. I initially created this blog for fashion only, but recently I’ve been experimenting with new products. I’m definitely no expert, but these are the items that have not only been making my life a little easier, but they also have been helping me venture out into the makeup and beauty world one step at a time. 

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Bath & Body Works Country Chic Body LotionFor the past few years I have had this bad habit of not putting on lotion, and when I do, I don’t use as much as I should. I decided to hit up Bath & Body Works and buy a body lotion that I can not only use through out the summer, but also use as a transition scent into fall. Country Chic is the perfect summer/fall transition scent for me because it has hints of orange blossom which remind me of summer, and it also has hints of amber wood which remind me of fall. So it’s the perfect combo!

Mario Badescu Skincare Enzyme Cleansing GelAfter my 24th birthday about two weeks ago, I decided I think it’s time that I start taking care of my skin properly, which unfortunately means, that I have to spend a little bit more money on skincare. I went into Ulta looking for a reasonably priced face wash that could match my skin type (Combination/Acne prone) without leaving my skin too oily or too dry. This gel face wash not only smells AMAZING but it does wonders on my skin. I use it twice a day, and it leaves my face feeling fresh, moisturized, and non-greasy. This purchase was definitely worth the money!

Lancome Teint Miracle SPF 15 Foundation– Ladies and gentlemen, Anjuli’s first ever foundation! I have always been afraid of trying foundation, for fear that if I put too much on it wouldn’t look good, or I would get the wrong color, or worse, it would rub off on a guys shirt in the club (I’ve seen this happen one too many times). But, I finally built up the courage to try it, and I got matched to this foundation from Lancome (my color is Buff 5 (C)) and boy was I excited! This formula is great for day or night wear, and it’s moderate coverage so it’s great for beginners like me. Its formula goes onto the skin very smoothly and it doesn’t get caked or flakey.

Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser For the past few months I have heard a lot of buzz around this product, so I thought I’d give it a try (considering how inexpensive it is) and it actually works! I apply this before I put my foundation on, around my cheeks and t-zone, and once I have my foundation on, my skin instantly looks smoother and my pores aren’t as noticeable. Good job on this awesome find, beauty gurus!

Bath & Body Works Endless Weekend Eau de Parfum– Oh my goodness, this was probably one of the best steals I’ve ever gotten from Bath & Body Works! I went in to look for the Country Chic lotion, and as I was at the front desk, there was a little container full of these small Endless Weekend perfume bottles. The sales associate told me they were releasing this scent next week, and advertising the scent with these discounted $4 mini bottles. I decided to try it, and it smells amazing! The thing I love about it most is that it fits in my clutch, so when I go out clubbing I can just slip it in my bag and I’m good to go. 

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette I actually have been loving this palette ever since I got it for Christmas this past December, so I decided to include it because I have been using it literally every weekend. This is my first ever makeup palette and I absolutely love it. It is very versatile, and the eye shadows that I use the most are for a smokey eye look which include Foxy (under the brows), Half Baked (all over lid), Snakebite (outer corner), and Tease (for the crease). This has been my go to look for clubbing and going out at night, and with a little mascara and eyeliner, it really makes my eyes pop!

Revlon Super Lustrous Pearl Lipstick Cherry Blossom 028– I decided if I want to start being adventurous and try new makeup, I need to start trying new lipsticks. This was my first lipstick that I bought last year, but I only just started using it in the past 2 weeks, and it has been working wonders. It glides onto my lips smoothly, and the color is very pigmented. I think my new favorite lip color is red!

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Spot Concealer– This was actually a gift from a friend of mine who is a makeup expert, and she told me to try this under my eyes. I originally had a slightly darker shade of concealer, and thought that this would be too light for me, but it ended up concealing my under eye dark circles completely without making my skin look too pale! My skin tone is already pretty light as it is, so I didn’t need anything to make me look ghostly in pictures (haha).

Victoria’s Secret Beauty Rush Pout Lip Stain in Eternal FlameBefore I ventured out to lipsticks I wanted to try a lip stain, and this was perfect for beginners like me. It stains your lips very softly, and also leaves a glossy look so it’s not too intense. Now that I am used to using it, I like to wear it over lipstick so it intensifies the color. This to me is like a lipstick and a gloss all in one!

That’s it for my beauty favorites for May 2014, thanks for reading!

Anjuli