Best of 2012 Tag!

Best of 2012 Tag

Now that 2012 is over, it's time for favorites of the year. I'm so excited for 2013, let's hope it's one of our best years ever!

I got this tag from hkitty1122's video. If you haven't seen it, check it out!


Now, on to the favorites!

BEAUTY

1. Face product
I would have to say my Mabelline Dream Matte powder in medium Honey. I use it with a powder puff to set my undereye concealer and on my t-zone. Amazing. Stays matte all day!

2. Cheek product
I'm not a huge fan of blush or highlighters, so I am going to go with my Two Faced Chocolate Soleil bronzer. I love that it smells like cocoa, and it isn't orange at all. Perfect for contouring!

3. Eye product
DEFINITELY rediscovered my love for the Urban Decay Primer Potion. Many nights I went to bed without taking my makeup off [ I know, tisk tisk ], but when I woke up in the morning my eye makeup didn't move at ALL! It's too legit to quit :]

4. Lip Product
The Revlon Kissable Just Bitten balm stains. My favorite is Honey and they are amazing. Can't say anything better than amazing.

5. Skincare Product
My Aveeno Positively Radiant moisturizer. I have semi-sensitive combination skin and this works great. Other moisturizers either make my face oily or clog my pores. Not this one.

6. Nail Polish
Anything Sinful Colors. I have almost all of the colors. They have great staying power, and I can go a good week plus without them chipping. A favorite is their color Easy Going. It's a perfect light pink that just make your hands look polished and put together. As for a top coat, this will never change - Seche Vite!

7. Hair product
My Dove Hair Therapy Oil Care detangler. I have a full review post on it if you want to check it out!
DOVE REVIEW

8. Body product/Perfume
Versace Bright Crystal perfume! I also got Lady Gaga's Fame for Christmas and I'm really enjoying it.

FASHION

9. Clothing piece
My Old Navy Rockstar skinny jeans! They are so comfortable and don't choke my ankles. I got them in every color. I lived in them. Also, any type of legging.

10. Accessory
Scarves! This year is the first year that I really got into them. They add pizazz to any outfit. I wear mostly black and neutrals, so having a choice of pops of color was awesome.

11. Pair of shoes
I have 2 - my Uggs and my riding/combat boots! Both look so cute with skinny jeans.

RANDOM

12. Favorite TV Show/Movie
The Dark Knight Rises! Need I say more?

13. Favorite book
I'm going with The Hunger Games series. I know there was a lot of hype about the 50 Shades series, but I LOVED and was completely engrossed in the Hunger Games. The movie did the book no justice. The book wins hands down.

14. Food
I love food. No way I can pick.

15. Beverage
Coffee. Crystal Light To-Go. Tangerine margaritas.

16. Favorite song
This I can't answer. I have SO many. I love music. Hmm, honorable mentions? Locked Out Of Heaven by Bruno Mars. I'm Different by 2Chainz. Anything Lindsey Stirling. She's amazing.

Well that was easy. I hope you enjoyed, and I tag everyone! I love seeing what everyone else liked for the year. Like I said, I'm glad 2012 is over and I'm ready to start fresh in 2013! I wish a good year to all of you :]

Lots of Love,
XOXO Mary

What's in my beach bag [and NOTW]

Unfortunately the summer is coming to an end, and this is a very late post. However, I finally got myself to the beach and I figured I would give you a peek into what I bring for my basic, bare minimum essentials.

I have a 6 year old so most of the things I bring to the beach are pails and shovels, so here is what I stick in the bag to stay comfortable and enjoy the day along with my little one.

The wicker/bamboo bag is SEASONS old, but it works and it's beachy so I still use it.

Looking into getting a Victoria's Secret Pink one for next summer :]

So, in my bag is:

- my inhaler [if I do a little too much underwater swimming]

- a Dovebody mist [gotta be fresh]

- my phone

- a camera

- facial wipes [they are so refreshing]

- my 50 spf Chapstick [ever had burned lips? I have. OUCH.]

- a mini pouch for cash, keys, whatever.

- a hair tie

- a hair clip

- an spf lipstick [i have Stila's "Charlotte"]

- a towel

That's what I bring to the beach with me. I feel like it's everything I need and I'm not lugging around a 50lb bag! I feel like most people bring the same things.

Now, my nails of the week!

Revlon's "Dreamer"

It's a slightly deeper sky muted blue. I've had it on my nails for a week and I have no chips.

I'm having really good luck with Revlon's nail polishes, they are staying looking freshly painted for a week if not longer. I know it's the polish because it's the only thing that changes when I do my nails.

I'm impressed :]

I can't wait to start bringing out the fall polishes. What are your favorite fall nail colors?

I hope you all had a fab week, and an even better weekend!

Lots of Love,

XOXO Mary

Tag! Most Worn Things - Summer 2012

I love this tag! I see it all the time on youtube and the fabulous and amazing Samantha Schuerman tagged all of her subbies to do this tag. Since I don't have a youtube channel that I post videos on, I've decided to take the blog route - I'll be answering the questions and inserting pictures~

I tag all of you to do it as well, and if you do, leave it as a comment so I can check it out. I'm always down to read other blogs and get other ideas for makeup! Who isn't?!

Here is Sam's original video if you haven't seen it yet :)

Alright, on with the questions ~

1. Most Worn Nail Polish: Sinful Colors "Easy Going"
[i love this color. it goes awesome with a tan and it gives your nails a very 'clean' look]

2. Most Worn Hair Product: The whole Dove Nourishing Care Line
[my hair has never been softer or smoother. great for post-pool hair]
- read my review on the leave-in spray here -

3. Most Worn Bag: My DKNY metallic wristlet
[great for bringing just the essentials to the pool, beach, anywhere!]

4. Most worn Shoes: Old Navy flip-flops
[super cheap, basic flip-flops. every single color you can imagine, i'm partial to black]

5. Most Worn Accessories: Diamond studs and my sideways cross bracelet
[i like having everyday jewelry. jewelry i never take off. makes accessorizing easy]

6. Most Worn Clothing Item: Old Navy lounge shorts
[i have them in white, black and coral. easy to pair with a cute tank and you're done]







7. Most Worn Foundation: None!
[maybe a little concealer, but a huge noooooooo to foundation in the summer]



8. Most Worn Blush/Bronzer: Smashbox Softlights Bronzer
[i use bronzer as a blush in the summer. i'm not any sort of blush fanatic year round either]

9. Most Worn Lip Product: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Stain in 'Honey'
[i really don't like things on my lips either, so this is perfect and the color stays ALL day]

10. Most Worn Mascara: L'Oreal Carbon Black Curved Brush
[all time love. and it curls my lashes since i don't. my lashes grow better when i don't]

11. Most Worn Eyeshadow: Urban Decay Naked Palette
[depending on my mood, i wear a highlight, a whole look or nada]

Ta-da! There are my answers :]

I really hope you guys do it too,

this was kind of fun!

Lots of Love,

XOXO Mary

Too Faced Lemon Drop Review and NOTW!

Happy Sunday my loves!

Today I am going to post my thoughts on Too Faced's new Shadow Insurance in Lemon Drop and show you my nails of the week!

The new Shadow Insurance Lemon Drop Color Correcting Eye Shadow Primer is quickly becoming my favorite shadow primer. I still love, love, love the original Shadow Insurance, however I find myself reaching for this one more.

This primer has a lemon yellow color to it that is supposed to reduce redness and "ruddiness" while making your shadows vibrant and budge proof. I agree.

The yellow really does help the veining and the natural darkness I have on my lids [thanks Italian dad!]. The primer is actually yellow, and dries to a smooth, SLIGHT shimmery finish. Unless someone is examining your eyelid, it's barely detectable. However, golds and highlight colors do seem to look more amazing on top of it.

Fun Fact: While I was playing around with it, I decided to see how it would act as a primer to my under eye concealer since I have the same color issues under there. It worked! I feel like I have found a real gem and this primer is well worth the investment.

Here are the stats and what Too Faced has to say about their product:

Price: $18
Size: .35 ounces
Paraben free

From the Too Faced website:

        

Corrective Formula: Our lemon-yellow, formula creates the perfect neutral canvas for any eye shadow.

Long Wearing: Exclusive blend intensifies pigments and guarantees shadows won’t crease, smudge or fade.

Soothing: Our vitamin enriched formula glides over lids, smoothing sensitive skin while leaving behind a feather-light, cashmere finish.

Don't let the price scare you, a little goes a very long way, and I feel like this will last me forever! If you're in the market for a new primer, give this one a try. If you do try it, let me know how you liked it!

Now, my nails of the week!

Every Sunday I give myself my weekly manicure. This week I used Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails in "No Hard Feelings" and of course Seche Vite as my topcoat, ALWAYS. If you'd like a post on how I do a professional mani at home, just let me know :]

I hope you all had a good weekend, and good luck on your Monday's ;]

Lots of Love,

XOXO Mary

[also, follow me on twitter @xMiSSMARYMACx https://twitter.com/xMiSSMARYMACx]

[add me on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mmuscari ]

I F for F :]

Spring Beauty VoxBox!

~SPRING BEAUTY VOXBOX~

YAY!

I got the e-mail at the end of March saying I had been selected to receive Influenster's Spring Beauty VoxBox and I had been checking my mail everyday. I am so excited! This box was definitely full of goodies! In this post, I'll tell you everything that is in ^that box!

This first thing is by far in the top 3 of things I received - Sheer Cover concealer! I LOVE concealers, I can never get enough, and it's amazing. It's so creamy and blendable. Mine came in medium and it's perfect. I use it under my eyes and over some pigmentation on my face and so far... LOVE!

Next, I got a FULL SIZE Bath & Body Works fragrance mist in Japanese Cherry Blossom. I swear they were in my head when they made this box. This scent is my favorite permanent collection scent. I can see myself going through this quickly.

Next is a chapstick. Not just any chapstick, but an SPF 50 balm. Now, if you've ever felt the pain of sunburned lips, this is going to save your summer! I unfortunately have and I can't wait to wear this to the beach!

I also got an Aveno daily moisturizer. I love Aveno, it's a simple moisturizer and I love it. Now I have a backup :]

I also received Sally Hansen's Nail Effects... Cheetah print! I'm going to use it on my toes since I have gel nails. How cute for summer right?! Cheetah toes and flip flops? Adorable.

I gave 2 things to my mom because she uses them both! I got a soyjoy snack bar, and Dr.Scholl's ball cushions. She wears heels to work and swears by them, and I have her the bar because I can't have soy. But in any case, these are pretty good inserts to this box.

So that's all. I think it is an AMAZING box. And no, I'm not just saying that because I was picked to get this box. I really, really love the concealer and the chapstick. And the body mist. And the nail effects. Lol, I loved it all and thank Influenster very much for selecting me!

Lots of Love,
XOXO Mary

My nailpolish bucket list.

Ok, let me first address the fact that I didn't do a classic Christmas look. 

I'm sorry! I just didn't have the time. I have a 6 year old and Santa was coming.

Enough said. Next series I do will be bomb and on time, lol.

So today, I wanted to go to Sally's so bad and just buy all of the polishes I wanted. However, since Christmas especially, I am broke haha.

So here are the top 5 polishes I am going to collect first. One by one. Enjoy :]

#5 - "The One That Got Away" by OPI

So gorgeous. I love metallics, I love purple, it's opaque and I want it.

#4 - "Emerald Black" by Models Own

This is part of their "Beetlejuice" collection. I LOVE this color. I have no idea where I can get Models Own, but I need to find out and order this online asap. I like having dark colors on my nails (i'm natural and square), but I like to switch it up every few days and this could be an 'all the time' color for me. I love the duo chrome.

 

#3 -  "Golden Green" by Models Own

From what I've seen online, I am really liking Models Own polishes. This is also from the "Beetlejuice" collection, and literally took my breath away. I have been looking for a green metallic for a long time. Everything was always too lime, or blue. This is GREEN. Hmm, I wonder if they have an army green...

Here it is :]

#2 - "Pros and Bronze" by OPI

I grew up on OPI. I've tried to convert so many times, but I always find myself back to them. I love the brush, I love the formula, just my favorite brand! This color is beautiful. I would consider this a neutral color for me. I wear a lot of bronze and golds. I'm Italian, what can I say ;]

Take a look-see...

#1 - "Sweet Peacock" by Orly

LOVE IT! I really love blue nails, but it has to be the right kind of blue. The milky ones look odd, and I don't like the robin's egg color, or easter colors... I don't know, I'm picky with blues and this is amazing. I love metallics, they make your nails really pop. My nails are my #1 accessory!

So here is this amazing blue. I've never tried Orly, but this is soooo pretty...

 

So yeah, I hope you liked this post. 

The colors are by no means in any particular order. They are all a part of the many colors I want to add to my collection. I am going to look more into Models Own. If you like nail polish like the ones I showed, I think you will like them. I can't vouch for anything physical about it since I've only been stalking it online, but the colors are amazing.

I hope you all had a merry Christmas, or happy holidays. Whatever you celebrate, I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!

XOXO, M

 

Nails of the Moment - "Flirty Rockstar"

I am really, REALLY loving the Sally Hansen Xtreme wear polishes. I think I have... 8 now? Anyway, I painted my nails with "Flirt", and added a coat of "Rockstar Pink" on my accent nails. 

This is my "nail bye week". The week where each nail gets to the perfect shape and length. Next week, check my blog for my pre-Halloween "Candy Corn" nails. Eek! It's such an awesome concept. We shall see.

THEN, for the week OF Halloween, I'm going to experiment with nail design art. I have some ideas :]

Is anyone else incorporating the spooky holiday into their fashion?

I'd love to see!

XOXO M

Q of the Day...

I am very excited about the coming of fall.

I have my leggings prepped, my jackets in sight, and boots waiting impatiently to be worn.

Now, I have my constant 3 fall nail polishes. I WANT NEW ONES!

What is a good fall nail polish?

I want a nice, blood red too.

And an army green, but not a cream... 

does that exist? Lol...

Sooo, can you girls share what you're favorites are? What your staples are? 

I'm so sick of my colors at the moment.

Lots of Love,

XOXO M

Tiffany Blue?

I went to go buy hair dye today because, well, I'm dying my hair. Anyway, of course we browse the rest of the store before leaving. 

BTW, anyone know a good, non-sticky frizz serum [not frizz-ease]?

So yeah, at Sally's and I saw Turned Up Turquoise by China Glaze. It was sold out the last time I went, so I snatched it this time. It's this really beautiful color, a deep emerald-y blue type of color. So I bought it and put it on, then got crafty and put little jewels. Well, the color looks like this...

But photographs like this...

"Turned Up Turquoise" by China Glaze

I have no idea how it went from a gorgeous greeny blue in person, to this on camera. I know alot of people love the Tiffany color, but I don't. I'm really disappointed I can't show what it really looks like but it's gorgeousssss.

Really pretty, this is my first China Glaze. I like this one, I give it a 4 out of 5, just because it changed to this awful color in EVERY light when I was trying to take pics...

I'm sure there will be a look up after I'm done dying my hair. I also have a request that I need to jump on. School starts very soon, so we'll be back to the old schedule :]

Lots of Love,

XOXO M

Gold/Purple Nails

I guess I am subconsciously impatient for fall! My nails are such fall colors :]

Purple nails: 1 coat OPI "Lincoln Park After Dark", 2 coats Zoya "Faye"
Accent gold nail: 2 coats Sally Hansen "Mellow Yellow", 1 coat Zoya "Tanzy"

I loveeeee the gold microglitters in these Zoya polishes. And just for reference they are from Zoya's Summer Collection 2011

Lots of Love,
XOXO M

Pink Wednesdays & AOTD!

I haven't done a pink Wednesday in a while, so I decided to do a little 2 in 1 post today :] 

First, here is the pink I chose today - 

OPI's "Don't Socrate-tease Me"

2 coats of polish, Zoya top coat

I know it looks a little red in the picture, but in reality, it is a red/pink base with a reallllllly pretty pink iridescence. Click on the picture, you can see it better :]

Now, my AOTD (Accessory of the Day) - 

Hello Kitty Bling Ring

Again, if you want a better look, click on the picture. I don't get why the pictures I put on here always load smaller than they are! Anyway, I LOVE this ring. Another e-Bay purchase. If you are smart about e-Bay, you can get anything you want. I always check the boxes for top rated seller, free shipping, buy it now, and new. Then I browse! 

Back to the point. This ring was $4 from Beijing. No shame in my game, I don't care. I will buy something from China, everything is made there anyway ;] This is fun, costume jewelry. My friend said she'd punch me if I ever bought this with real diamonds. The ring is Swarovski crystals. The actual detail of the ring is amazing, looks just like Miss Kitty! I love it.

Have any of you e-bayed?

Lots of love,

XOXO M

AOTD: nails and bow

I think the reason I don't post on here all the time, is because I barely wear makeup and think of this as a makeup blog. Yeah, sometimes I feel like doing it all special and stuff, and that's when I do the looks :] 

So, I'm making up my own little title for some posts! AOTD.

Accessory of the day.

I change my nails everyday, I get jewelry, so I am going to expand from just makeup to nails and jewelry and such too :] I basically live online, so I order everything I get, I don't actually go outside my house. Like, ever lol. I do have a life though, but I'm a wicked homebody.

Anyway...

So, we are going to start today! 

I'm really wanting a teal color for my nails, and until I have money, I can't get the one I want. Which is from Zoya, so here is one I have in my stash already

Sally Hansen "Insta-Dri" in "Co-Bolt blue"

Obviously, this isn't teal, but I looooooooove the color. I had my friend be the guinea pig the day I got it so I could see what it was like. Epic fail, really amusing. However, this nail polish has a brush on it that's like a mini flat brush. The brush is dense, and doesn't have the same tapered rounder brushes that other companies brushes do. It's literally a mini flat, paint brush. It really makes it challenging to get the polish on the nails... it has no curve, so you can't get the sides of the nail that great. As you can see in the picture, I got a lot on the sides of my nails. Plus, because the brush is so hard to work with, AND it's Insta-Dri, it's like a cruel joke! But it's pretty :]

Well, learned what Sally Hansen Insta-Dri brushes are like. Won't buy this again formula again.

Now, I got a ring in the mail yesterday that I got from e-bay. Let me start by saying, I have no money. So, I don't mind if it's coming from China and .99 cents on there. This is disposable jewelry. And China makes some good disposable jewelry. It's really hit or miss. Anyway, I have my basic, never take off jewelry and then I have free space. I can't afford an everyday piece. I be broke. Here is the ring though - 

I don't care what anyone says, THAT ^ is good for .99 cents. It's not going to last forever, but it's gooood now! It's so cute. It is really sparkly and the gold parts are really shiny, some of it is hammered looking. It's just good.

So, yeah! I hope you guys like my idea for my blog, and hopefully I can get some more followers so I can follow some more blogs! I really do read the people's blogs. Weird, I know lol...

Love you all,

XOXO M

Zoya arrival!

Ok, so it's the beginning of the holiday weekend, and my Zoya came in the mail today! I will SO be painting my nails soon. There is this orange color that I can't wait to try. I know, I know, not pink, but the excitement can't be stifled!

Look up Tangy, people ;]

Also, look 1 of a Week of Looks will go up tonight or tomorrow. I haven't decided yet!

Lots of love, 

XOXO M