Cathedral Style!

Hey Chicas!

 I saw an outfit like this on SoTotallyVlog's channel, and I knew I had to have these leggings! I love how the look is classic and put together, but with a pop of bright, badass printed pants. And how gorgeous is that Helmut Lang blazer??

Jacket- Helmut Lang

T-shirt- Etsy

Leggings- blackmilkclothing.com

Wedges- All Saints

Bag- Chanel WOC ( I want!!)

Necklace- Kenneth Jay Lane

Watch- Marc Jacobs

...

What do you think of cathedral printed leggings? I think I might be placing an order at Romwe.com (they have a cheaper pair) very soon!

xx

Alma

Things I love...

...

January seems to be sucking the life out of my skin so I have been chillin inside addicted to cozy sweaters, extra moisturizing lotions, hot tea, pretty necklaces and playing with the bokeh settings on PicFX!

The Essentials:

Josie Maran Argan Balm

Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve (so good!)

OPI Nail Envy

Revlon Lip Butter in Creme Brulee

What keeps you happy when it's cold??

xx
Alma

Eyebrow love.

Hey guys!

...

...

Just thought I'd quickly show off my brows! I got the Benefit Brow Zing brow shaping kit in Dark and I can't stop using it! It comes with a waxy dark brown cream shade and a setting powder. It is a little warm toned so sometimes I add a touch of MAC Carbon just to deepen the look, using an angled liner brush. After that I just comb out my brows with Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel in Espresso!

My brows are lookin so fierce!

Xx
Alma

Impulsiveness...

I'm not sure what happened today...but I totally got some goodies that I am very excited about!

...

While I was browsing around downtown I ran into this beautiful French dessert cafe named Thierry. The chef at my work recommended this place to me once, so I knew I had to try some macarons. I have to say, every bite is mouthwateringly delicious! Easily the best macarons I've tried in Vancouver. 

...

Next, I picked up some Nailene French Nails & Ardell #120 Demi Black lashes at London Drugs. I am seriously addicted to press-ons and false lashes lately! If you file the fakes to the shape of your nail it looks very natural, as if you got them at the salon.

...

Lastly, I went into Holt Renfrew, with no intention of buying anything... obviously since I'm on a makeup spending diet. Anyway, I guess somehow the deprivation got to me, and I splurged at the Shu Uemura counter on a couple makeup brushes! They are so gorgeous I just couldn't resist! 

Top: Shu Uemura #8HR Angled Eye Shading Brush ( pony hair)
Bottom: Shu Uemura #20 Cheek Brush (sable hair)

...

These brushes are exquisite. Each brush is hand made, where the hairs are individually placed into the base of the brush. The hair is incredibly soft, and is shaped to perfectly sculpt out the contours of your face. I especially love the eye shading brush, recommended to me by the woman at the counter, because of its angled shape. I love the blush brush because of its small size. I have small cheeks and I get more precise application with a narrower brush. It feels like a cat's paw! These brushes are definitely an investment, but I am so excited to purchase more. 

...

I was gifted many samples, including the cult favourite Oil Cleanser. I was also given the opportunity to book a complimentary facial with their personal aesthetician. That is a couple days and I hope I stay strong and don't cave to purchasing more products! My wallet is quite bruised... 

So all in all I think I hauled some pretty great stuff! xx

Alma

FOTD

Hey Lovies! 

I'm seriously late on running my errands today! I don't know why, but I decided I needed a full face of makeup to be out in public...even though I just got a two hour facial and massage yesterday! I think it's just that time of month :P 

...

The Makeup ...

Dior Hydralife BB Cream

MAC MSFN - Medium Plus

L'Oreal True Match concealer- Warm

MAC blush- Style

NARS bronzer- Laguna

Urban Decay Primer Potion

MAC e/s - Vanilla (inner corner and eyebrow area)

NARS e/s Duo - Alhambra (lid) 

UD e/s - Buck (blend crease) 

MUFE eye pencil - Dark Brown

NARS e/s - Galapagos (to smudge liner)

MAC Blacktrack Fluidline

Lancome Hypnose mascara

Quo #803 Full Lashes

Benefit Brow Zings - Dark

Rimmel lip liner- Natural

Rimmel Moisture Renew lipstick- Vintage Pink

MAC Lip Gelee - Luxure

...

Messy hair, sweatshirt ...and a whole lotta makeup! Classy lady :) 

In The Mail

Hey everyone!

So Rebecca Minkoff is having a huge sale right now on her website and I'm so ecstatic because my shipment has finally arrived!

Introducing my new Mini Nikki with gold hardware. It's actually a perfect bag. The quality of leather is amazing, and it sits very comfortably on your shoulder without sliding off.

Expect an updated 'What's in my bag soon.

Alma

2013 Makeup Diet

Hey everyone. 

So if you have been keeping up with my blog you will know that I have planned a fairly restrictive makeup spending budget for this year. You might be interested in this plan if you: 

- have way too much makeup and want to prevent accumulating more.

- want to use up your products before they expire.

- want to save money.

- feel guilty about being a consumerist-beauty-junky-whore.

Since I categorize under all of these, I am especially in need of this makeup cleanse. It's quite simple really... All I'm going to do is allow myself just one extra blush/lipstick/gloss/highlighter/bronzer/eyeshadow purchase this year. But if I manage to use up a product, I can replace it with another. 

...

I do have a few exceptions...  I'm allowed to break my plan for:

- limited edition products.

- filling my MAC eyeshadow palette. 

- Drugstore makeup. 

This may seem like a huge cheat, but it's really not since I'm not usually tempted by limited edition products and drugstore makeup. As for the MAC palette, I feel like having the gratification to select the 5 odd shadows will fill that shopping void at a reasonable price as well as finally complete the palette I've been meaning to fill. 

On a last note, this whole ban won't be including basics like foundation/concealer/powder/eyeliner/mascara because I don't hoard them like I do the others.

...

So that's the plan! What do you guys think of it...and who's with me?!

P.S. Holla at me on Instagram... or leave me a comment of your name and I'd be happy to follow you! I'm obsessed :)

xx

Alma

Sneaky

I really needed to blow off some steam the other day, so obviously I strolled by the mall to do some window shopping. For some reason I was compelled to try on those uber trendy, freaky platypus feet type shoes such as Jeffrey Campbells or Uggs (normally not my style). That's when I came across these: 

Seems like everyone is wearing the wedge sneaker... despite all the 'hate' they get for being too casual and unflattering. I'm usually not one for trends but I really think I could rock these out.

I'm still on the fence, but who knows...maybe for the right fit and the right price I might take the plunge. They definitely intrigue me.

Let me know what you think! 

Blush

I have made the decision to commence an official 2013 Makeup Diet. It may sound like a nerd thing to do, but I created strict guidelines to keep me on track. The purpose, like most spending bans, is obviously to save some dough, but also to 'shop your stash' so to speak. I don't have a ton of makeup, but I do feel like I have enough to the point where products are expiring before I can use them up.

Anyway, more about the Makeup Diet later, but what inspired this whole decision to halt on makeup spending is my blush collection. I realized I have a solid range of colour tones and finishes, and what I don't have...my sister does (that is a bit of a cheat now isn't it?). I'm quite proud of what I have, it definitely takes some time and research to develop a thoughtful collection...

Since I won't be adding many new blushes to my collection I figured I'd share what I'm working with. I'd say most of these are popular, if not cult favourites. They all work wonderfully with my skin tone at any time of the year. 

Swatches: 

NARS Sin
NARS Orgasm
NARS Taj Mahal
NARS Liberte
Tarte Tipsy
MAC Pet Me (Mineralize)
MAC Style
MAC Gingerly

MAC Peaches

MAC Pink Swoon

Illamasqua Glint

My all time favourites would have to be NARS Taj Mahal, MAC Peaches and Illamasqua Glint, although I do love Pink Swoon, Sin and Gingerly very much as well.

And if I had to choose...I suppose I could do without MAC Pet Me, NARS Liberte and Tarte Tipsy.

Stay tuned for info on my 2013 Makeup Diet. Who's with me on that?

xx
Alma

My Top 12 Beauty Products of 2012

I have been so busy lately with life that I have been such a bad blogger. I really do intend to be more active with my posting, but without further adieu, here are my favourites of 2012! 

...

SKIN CARE:

Overall, this year has been all about luxury skin care as I was introduced to brands like Caudalie, Dior, Avene and Josie Maran (in my world I would consider these luxury brands). I have noticed such an improvement in the radiance and texture of my skin since upgrading from drugstore brands, which makes the investment totally worth it. The following four products in my opinion are the creme de la creme: 

1. Dior Hydralife BB Cream.
2. Josie Maran Argan Oil.
3. Caudalie Beauty Elixer.
4. Caudalie VinoPerfect SPF 15

I want to do a proper review on the Dior BB Cream, it is easily my holy grail every day foundation/base. I used to mix Chanel Vitalumiere with Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer and the Dior is essentially the equivalent. The Josie Maran Argan Oil is expensive, but makes my skin look top notch. I love that it is a pure oil, so there are no additives or preservatives which tends to make my skin congested. I have reviewed some Caudalie products here, but I love using the elixir to freshen my skin as a more hydrating alternative to my beloved Lush Tea Tree Water, and the VinoPerfect is beautiful for diluting foundations, transforming it similar to a BB cream.

...

MAKEUP:
This past year I have really perfected my 'signature' look. Since I haven't strayed too far away from my normal colour palette, I've been able to indulge on the high end goodies.

5. Tom Ford Lipstick Spanish Pink

6. MAC Eyeshadow in Vanilla
7. Lancome Hypnose Mascara

8. Illamasqua Bronzing Duo Glint & Burnish

I know $50+ for a lipstick is way to excessive, but the texture Spanish Pink is so creamy and I absolutely love the packaging so I couldn't resist. I finally got around to trying the cult favourite Lancome Hypnose and it is definitely deserving of it's hype because it makes your lashes look very full but also natural. I have also been into matte highlight for my brows and inner eye corners... life changing! I just don't look as oily throughout the day because I'm not adding excess shimmer through the center of my face. Lastly, the Illamasqua Bronzing Duo I rediscovered in my collection earlier this year, and I have been using it every day. It makes my skin look effortlessly sun kissed.

9. MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner in Calm Mode (Picture not shown) - I had to include this in my top favourites even though I lost it a couple months ago! I'm a sucker for tinted lip balms because they are so easy to apply and give your lips some life, and Calm Mode was one of my favourites for its pretty colour and rich moisturizing consistency.

...

HAIR, NAILS, BRUSHES:

10. Aveda Dry Remedy Shampoo 

I got into Aveda products this year, and I must say that I am thoroughly impressed with the brand. My favourite product I tried has to be this shampoo. I love how it cleanses without being abrasive or drying my scalp. It smells great and best of all, it lasts forever! 

11. Deborah Lippmann Base Coat

I finally took the plunge on Deborah Lippmann nail polish and I am so glad I did. The quality is the best I have ever tried in terms of wear and application.  While I do love all her sparkly polishes and her range of bright and nude colours, the stand out product is easily the Deborah Lippmann Base Coat. Unlike most base coats, it applies on the nails a nude colour and dries matte. This creates a canvas for the best, true to colour polish application, and makes the polish last forever on your nails! I'm tell you it is life changing...

12. MAC 168 Large Angled Contour Brush

This brush has been so amazing for applying blush and bronzer. The goat hair is soft on your skin, and is densely packed enough for uniform and easy application, but unlike the MAC 109, is not so intense that you end up looking like a clown. I also use it for powder and sometimes highlight, so yeah it's just a great versatile, must have brush!

Thanks for reading!
xx
Alma

Organized Mess

Happy 2013! I hope everyone had a relaxing holiday... 

I decided to start off the new year by organizing all the jewelry on my dresser top. My storage is a mix of stands from Urban Outfitters, thrifted trays and a three-tiered stand. 

Newest addition to my collection is the Gold Cuff Necklace by HRH. Can't wait to wear it!

My perfumes sitting pretty on a silver plated vintage tray I found at the thrift store. 

...

I plan on writing up my 2012 best of beauty so stay tuned....

xx Alma