Gotta have it: Maxi Dresses!

Maxi dresses SCREAM Summer to me! On one hand, they're flowy, breezy, give just enough room to be comfortable without being too baggy. And then on the flipside, they are elegant, sophisticated, and give a bohemian-ethereal vibe. They are perfect to throw on for any occasion from a cookout to a formal event. There are so many fun styles out now and so many color choices, so there really is something for everyone.
I think everyone should own at least one maxi dress that compliments them, shape and color wise. I think I found a really solid option online at Target's website.

Isn't it gorgeous?!?!

I loooove the shape of the dress. It seems like it is loose but still flatters the shape with the elastic band under the chest. The V-neck is not too wide, but it is deep. That can be fixed with a simple needle and thread. I just love how flowy it looks. It's also made out of polyester, rayon, and spandex which means it will feel good on the skin. I feel like cotton gets uncomfortable in the heat! When you sweat, it kind of sticks to you! Well, it does that to me. I know exactly how these fabrics will feel, and trust me: it is perfect for those muggy, humid, July days. 

Last but not least, the colors. Look at that green. JUST LOOK! The color selection of these dresses is so fabulous. I bought three- Lush Moss (pictured above), Duchess Blue (It reminded me of Kate Middleton!), and Viking Purple (Badass name, and a deep lovely eggplant shade.) Even though I've been on a neon hunt for the past few weeks, the jewel tones of these dresses won me over. And the reviews are literally 99.9% positive aside from the fact that they run large, so you should order a size smaller. Slam dunk.

Here's the link: http://www.target.com/p/mossimo-womens-kimono-sleeve-maxi-dress-assorted-colors/-/A-13565009#?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink

Let me know if you purchase one, or show me your favorite maxi dress for Summer!

xxx

Makeup in TV Shows!

Does anyone else get makeup ideas from TV shows? The makeup is literally one of the first things i notice regardless of what I'm watching! Some of my favorites include:

-Gossip Girl (Very youthful, dewy skin, bright lips)

-True Blood (Neutral, and then a 'just bitten' lipcolor for most)

-Keeping Up with the Kardashians (They LOVE their makeup- smoky eye ideas, gloss, the works)

-Smash (Marilyn-esque makeup, very bold and dramatic, but then neutrals for the majority)

-Glee (Strong contours and long lashes for all! I'm a particular fan of Dianna Agron's makeup)

These are just a few of the looks I've been loving! As you can probably tell, I love a good neutral face with a pigmented lip. What are your favorite TV show makeup looks?

***All images used from Google***

Mrs.Doubtfire- The Horror Movie!

I saw this and HAD to share it! Whoever made this is genius!!!

http://www.vulture.com/2012/06/mrs-doubtfire-recut-as-a-horror-film.html

I'M BACK! For real this time!

Hello, beautiful people! I did it again...I have completely neglected this blog. I just finished up my sophomore year at college and things got a little (well, a lot) more hectic so I did not have time to devote any time to the blog! HOWEVER, summertime is finally here and I cannot wait to share some new products with you all! And expect more FOTDs (Face of the Day) pictures/tutorials, and maybe even videos! Exciting stuff coming soon!
I've also been thinking about broadening the blog up a bit. I LOVE the idea of the Powder Room- freshening up your makeup and all that jazz. But, not everyone relates to makeup. The Powder Room is also a place you go to take a breather from whatever hectic is going on. I know, as a girl, sometimes the powder room is where you go with your friends to gossip (don't lie, you do it too!) So, I will be writing about more than just makeup on this blog. Expect random rants, celebrity gossip, fun quotes, ideas, recipes- the list goes on and on. I have a lot of random thoughts through the day, and hopefully sharing them here will give you something to think about as well! I can't wait to start writing and hopefully connect with some of you on here. Oh, the magic of the Internet. :) Stay tuned!

I'm back! Wish List!

Hello, gorgeous! It's been FOREVER since I've posted! I love makeup and knew that I could write about it forever, but it's hard to keep up with writing every single week no matter how much I love the topic! Anyway, I am back with tons of new posts and ideas headed your way, so welcome back to the Powder Room!
I've been keeping an eye on the new collections and products that have been coming out lately. Some of these things look good, so I thought it would be fun to share my own personal wish list for skincare and beauty with you all! Maybe you'll get some ideas and look into products you didn't necessarily know about.
To start off, I want to start with skincare. You can have the priciest, thickest, most luxurious foundation in the world, but it won't give you the same glow as a clean and healthy complexion! Starting and maintaining a good skincare regime not only looks good, but it good for you!
 A product I've been eyeballing is the Obagi Vitamin C Cleansing Gel. Vitamin C does wonders for the skin, especially for acne scarring, which is a big issue for me. Obagi is a well-known brand and I want to see if it live up to the hype. The Obagi line is available at dermatologist shops and skin specialty stores. I haven't really seen it in a drugstore, or even department store. It is available on amazon.com and other online stores.

Obagi C- Cleansing Gel

Another product I was looking at was the Clarisonic MIA Facial Cleansing System. It's an electronic device with attachable brush-heads that cleanse deep into the pores for ultimate cleansing and exfoliation. I have heard amazing things about this, and how it transforms peoples' skin. The system runs for about $130, but it lasts a lifetime. You can buy these at ulta.com , sephora.com , or amazon.com . Ulta and Sephora sometimes do promotions or special deals, so if you catch them at the right time you could get a good deal!

Clarisonic MIA

One of my 2012 resolutions was to have healthy skin, and hopefully be able to be confident without ANY makeup on! WHAT?! Healthy skin is happy skin! I would rather take time to fix my skin rather than try to cover up every little blemish or imperfection. Besides, makeup is meant to enhance beauty, not cover you up so much that you feel uncomfortable without it (I'm guilty of this....!) Of course, achieving healthy skin also means maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating right. Half of the year is almost over, and I feel like I've made some progress...but still have a long way to go! Maybe these products will help me. :P What products do you swear by/are interested in trying? Let me know! Leave me a comment! 

Until next time,

xxx

MAC Mineralized Skinfinishes

Welcome back to the Powder Room, beauty lovers! This week, we're talking all about one of the most well-known brands in the beauty industry: MAC Cosmetics. MAC makes some really unique products. MAC, in my opinion, is hit or miss with their products. You will either find something you're obsessed with and buy it forever, or you'll find something that is mediocre for such a respected brand. One product I love: The Mineralized Skinfinish powders!

Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade ***Image by Temptalia.com***

Some people like a matte, non-shiny look on their face. Other people like their skin to look luminous and dewy. If you fall into the latter category, these powders might be the answer! They are meant to be used as a highlighting product, applied only on areas of the face where the light hits (cheekbones, bridge of nose, Cupid's Bow.) However I find that applying them as blush (including the apples of the cheeks) gives you a pop of color in addition to a flattering shine.

They come in a variety of colors: browns, pinks, champagnes. Unfortunately, most of the pink/coral colors come out in limited edition collections, which tend to sell out rather quickly. However, there are some great neutrals available permanently to get you started with these powders! Soft And Gentle is my favorite- it is a very light, shimmery champagne color. I like to apply it on my cheeks and then layer my blush- this gives a subtle glow to the entire face.

Mineralize Skinfinish in By Candlelight ***Image by Temptalia.com***

As great as they are, these powders can be tricky. If you over apply, it can sink into your pores and enlarge them. Also, there is a fine line between looking dewy and looking shiny/oily, which is not a good look for anyone! You also need to check up on it through the day to make sure it does not look any different if you do have oily skin, like I do. Sometimes towards the end of the day, I'll see the powder has moved a bit because of the natural oils on my skin. Just carry a light face powder with you to keep from looking like a melted oil painting (again, not a good look!)

These powders definitely take practice to master, but the result is worth it. I haven't felt the need to buy any other highlighting products since I have tried these. And for about $28, it may seem expensive but these powders last forever! It is an investment, in my opinion. On days I don't wear makeup (foundation), I apply a Mineralized Skinfinish just to keep my skin looking healthy and glowy. This is a great product to start with if you want to get into MAC cosmetics, too. So, if you want glowy, dewy skin, try these powders!

You can buy it here:
http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/869/782/Mineralize-Skinfinish/index.tmpl

Or here:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/sr?keyword=MAC+mineralize+skinfinish&origin=keywordsearch

Want to look at shades from the past? Temptalia has reviews of many of them- with pictures!
http://www.temptalia.com/?cat=0&s=mineralize+skinfinish&x=0&y=0

Revlon- I've been bitten!

Hello, everyone! Welcome back to The Powder Room. This week, I'm going to be reviewing one of my favorite products from the past year- the Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain+Balm.

Let me just start out by saying that I am extremely picky about lip products. I hate most lipsticks (except for my favorite red, which I will blog about later) because I think they require too much time and attention. You have to line your lips, then put on the lipstick, blot, reapply etc. If you do not touch up through the day, it dries out your lips and can look bizarre.
Lipgloss is a sticky mess. I've tried so many brands, colors, formulas- you name it. I cannot seem to find a good, non-sticky gloss. I also like my lips to be fairly pigmented, so the sheer look of gloss does not do the trick for me.

Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stains

I came across the Just Bitten variety at the drugstore, where there was a "Buy one, get one 50% off" promotion. I was intrigued by the bright colors and the dual-sided stain and lip balm. I picked up Passion (hot pink) and Flame (a bright, pinky-red).
As soon as I used these two shades, I was hooked. They are so pigmented and flattering! The only worry I had was that the stains would dry out my lips- which the balm helped with. The result is a luscious, colorful pout.

There are Cons to this product, however. The balm does not screw up/down- what you see is what you get. Be careful of the cap to the balm as well. I accidentally sliced off the balm of Flame while putting the cap on. Also, the color of the stain does not last very long. It leaves a stain for 3 hours at most, and then you have to reapply. Also, the balm fades within the first hour, so I always layer another balm, like SoftLips, on top to lock in the moisture.

Use another lip balm as well for best results!

There are so many colors to chose from in this collection. There are neutrals, purple/mauve shades, pinks, and reds, which all look natural and wearable. My favorite is Frenzy- it is the perfect red with a hint of pink. I like my lips to be dark but not completely red, so this is the perfect shade.

There is no perfect lip product, but for me, these come pretty close. There are so many different colors and they all have great pigmentation. The wear is not great, but for about $7, I think this is still a great deal. If you do not mind reapplying and touching-up through the day, I would definitely recommend these stains!

You can buy them at stores like Wal-Mart: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Revlon-Just-Bitten-Lipstain-Balm-by-ColorStay/16676971

Or places like Ulta, where they often offer coupons and discounts: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2218986&productId=xlsImpprod2330029&navAction=push&navCount=1&subdoc=61440offrevlonwk3210&categoryId=cat80062

Or Walgreens/CVS, where they do "Buy one, get one 50% off" deals: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/revlon-just-bitten-lipstain-%26-balm/ID=prod6080247-product

Welcome!

Hello, beautiful people!

Welcome to The Powder Room!

Through this blog, I'll be sharing beauty tips, tricks, reviews, and products that I have come across that I cannot live without! To kick things off, I'll jump right into one of the most hyped-up products of 2012 thus far: The Naked2 palette by Urban Decay.

The Naked2 Palette

This palette was released in late December by Urban Decay. It is the follow-up palette to the widely acclaimed predecessor, the Naked Palette. Temptalia, one of the biggest beauty bloggers on the Internet did a great review of the original, as well as pictures and swatches. You can read the review to the original here: http://www.temptalia.com/urban-decay-naked-eyeshadow-palette-review-photos-swatches-for-fall-2010

People went crazy over this palette! I mean, it is twelve FULL-SIZED, pigmented, neutral shades from Urban Decay, who are known for their high-quality eyeshadows. It also came with a travel size of the Primer Potion (eyeshadow primer) and a double-sided 24/7 eye pencil in the colors Zero and Whiskey. The pencil was a huge hit with customers- a pencil with black and brown- what could be better? They later replaced the pencil with a small eyeshadow brush. The Naked palette was sold out everywhere for months, and people paid triple the price on Ebay and Amazon to try and get their hands on it. This extreme supply-and-demand case prompted Urban Decay to release another palette: The Naked2.

This palette has 12 full-sized colors as well, and comes with a mini Lip Junkie lip gloss in the color Naked. It also comes with a double sided brush with an eyeshadow and blending side, which I think is genius. It is the perfect brush to apply the base color, and then blend in a crease. They are marketing this palette as a "taupe+greige" collection (Greige is grey and beige.) This description is completely accurate. The colors are definitely lighter and more on the taupe side than the original. The Naked palette contained darker browns and shimmery golds and cocoa colors. They had a warmer tone to them, while the Naked2 definitely has a more neutral base. I feel like the Naked2 would suit a wider variety of skintones because the colors are a bit lighter, and a but less dramatic. Let's go through the colors:

(Left to Right)
Foxy- A matte, off white with a bit of yellow. This is a great highlight, as well as a blending color.
Half Baked- This is in the original palette, too. It is a bright, yellow gold.
Bootycall- A peachy, frosty highlight. I LOVE this color! It really brightens up your eyes when placed on the brow bone and inner corner.
Chopper- A shimmery coppery-orange color. Don't let the color fool you- this color looks AMAZING when blended in between the crease and brow bone. It really warms up the eye and adds a pop of color to the taupe and brown shades. Plus, when used on the lids, it does wonders for brown eyes. It would look amazing on blue and green eyes, too.
Tease- A matte, purpley-grey. It reminds me of a matte version of MAC's Satin Taupe eyeshadow. It is a good lid color, and is extremely pigmented.
Snakebite- A dark, shimmery bronze. Perfect crease color.
Suspect- A neutral taupe. This on the lid, paired with any color in the crease, creates an effortless smokey eye.
Pistol- A dark grey with a tinge of brown. This is one of the more unique shades in the palette.
Verve- A bright silver with a shimmer finish. This is another great shade that brightens up the eye.
YDK- A very shimmery, bronze shade with some copper tones. It looks like a penny. On the eye, it is very flattering, and does not really show up orange like many coppery shades do.
Busted- A solid, dark brown. It isn't the most unique color in the world, but it is a basic staple in any neutral palette. It pairs beautifully with any color in the palette, and can be used as eyeliner for a soft, natural look.
Blackout- A matte black. Very dark, and another staple for a neutral palette, as it can be used for a black smokey eye, or to add drama to a lighter color.

Now, the question is: If I have the original Naked, do I really need this one?
The answer: It depends on your preference. The original Naked has darker, bronzey colors. They are shimmery and look beautiful day or night, but can be a bit dramatic if you like softer, more natural eye makeup. The Naked 2, on the other hand, is lighter, and I find that because the colors are lighter, they are very illuminating. This is a great daytime palette because the light captures the shimmer without looking over the top. This is a great palette if you want to enhance and brighten your eyes without looking too "done up." And, if you want to take the look a little darker, there are great dark shades to add some drama.

I think everyone who loves eye makeup needs a good, solid neutral palette. The Naked2  is a great choice- you get twelve extremely pigmented eyeshadows, a brush, and a gloss for $50. It is a great deal, and I guarantee you'll be reaching for it everyday! If you have the original, I do think they are different enough if you want a lighter variety of shadows.

You can buy the palette at Urban Decay's website: http://www.urbandecay.com/Naked/14,default,sc.html?src=PPCBRANDED&gclid=CJaN7abN7K0CFYPc4Aodshax5g&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=naked%202%20palette&utm_campaign=urban%20decay%20naked%20palette%20branded

And Sephora: http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P302916

The Naked 2 is a great addition to any neutral lover's collection!