Victoria's Secret Sugar Scrub

My newest favorite purchase is completely a result of cabin fever and the insanely long winter we've had. Victoria's Secret has walls of intoxicating fragrances and lotions and their Lemon Sugar & Coconut Body Scrub is a perfect mix of sweet lemon and perfectly subtle coconut.  And how freakin' pretty is that packaging?!?  I bought the scrub, the lotion and will probably go back for the body spray - if that's any indication of how much I like it. :)

VS lotion (scrub in stores) • collage • destinations

red necklace sequence

I just purchased the best red beaded necklace from Denise Jewelry Designs on Etsy. I thought I'd give you a little sneak peek at what usually happens in my head when I get excited about a new purchase. Let's just say... I won't deny being a big dreamer. ;)

necklace  •  fashion set  • paris pics 1 2 3

Tanya Burr Inspired

I've been watching Tanya Burr's beauty makeovers and tutorials on YouTube for a few years now. It's been SO exciting watching her become more and more popular and well known because she's such a genuinely sweet person. Watching her tutorials completely confirmed and re-energized my love of makeup. Seriously just listening to her say (in her awesome british accent) that a product was "comPLEEtlee lov-lay" and I was scribbling it down on a piece of paper and heading to the store. :) 

But super cool accent aside, she's very talented and beautiful so it only made sense that she would be my next illustration inspiration. :)

Watch more Tanya Burr videos HERE. :)

beauty phases

Just like a relationship timeline, I feel like I go through phases with makeup. It starts with that first impression and that "ooh, not bad" moment. After that comes the addictive, can't get enough phase. And if it's meant to be, it moves into the last phase of being your all-time favorite go-to that you just can't go wrong with. The kind that, if you found out they were going to discontinue, you MIGHT just go out and buy the rest off the shelf before it's too late ;) 

BONUS: All products below are under $10 :)

L'oreal Caresse Wet Shine Stain in Rose On

Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balms in 'Quenched', 'Cherry Me' and 'Melon Mania'

Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes in Blackest Black

pretty faces

Things have been so hectic lately that it felt really therapeutic to sit down with a sketch pad and pencils and draw this week. I thought I'd share a face that I was playing around with. I think it's really interesting to combine different mediums and then also incorporate more technical designs. I love the endless possibilities and can't wait to explore more.

SeeByChloé Perfume

Let's be honest. I don't need more perfume. Yet, the nose wants what the nose wants and right now that is the new fragrance, See By Chloé. I loved my time sketching this because I had the magazine tear off under my nose the whole time and it was.. amazing. It's a playful, floral, fruity scent that's PERFECT for spring. Apple blossom, vanilla and jasmin notes are mingling in there too and in typical Chloé fashion, it comes in a gorgeous glass bottle and have I mentioned it smells amazing? Because it does. ;) 

get glowing

One of my favorite makeup looks is that luminescent, gorgeous glow. Minimal yet radiant. I know water, sleep and exercise are key factors to get this naturally, but sometimes it's not that easy. Here's my go-to tips for cheating reality a bit and achieving that look.

LC (source)  •  Highlighter  •  Blush

When in doubt, one tip that I’ve found really helpful is to study photos of your favorite celebrities in their most radiant moments. Notice where their cheeks are flushed, areas that catch the light and how exactly their makeup is done. 

candy store

My husband said he didn't know it was physically possible for someone to spend as much time in a makeup store as I had. I didn't mention to him that that particular stop was actually quite quick for me. :) What can I say - those little stores of gorgeous vibrant color gradations, sweet smells and sparkling shades of ... Everything... are intoxicating - like my own version of the candy store. :)

Sephora (photo courtesy of mallhopper)

Sephora

rosy birthday

hey hey! It's my birthday! I'm feeling pretty good so why not add a bit of rosy-flushed-glow to my makeup routine this morning. 

1. Revlon skinlights (limited) or great alternative
2. Benetint lip & cheek stain   3. Maybelline SuperStay 10 hr stain gloss

beauty favorites

I can't tell you why I love makeup so much. I think it goes hand-in-hand with my love for painting. How you can create contours and highlights – make things stand out or less noticeable. It's like girly-magic :)  Another huge bonus to mastering makeup tricks, and a wise cousin of mine might agree, when you LOOK good, you FEEL good ;).

Here are a few of my fayyyyvorites... seriously love these little gems. Don't be afraid of the dark stains - they all come off so natural and pretty. Leaving gorgeous flushes on your pretty little cheeks. :) 

Laura Mercier matte eye colour in Buttercream 

Pixi Sheer Cheek Stain in No. 2 Sunkissed 

Anastasia Brow Wiz - Brow Pencil in Medium Ash 

Lip Smackers - Dr. Pepper

Tarte Blush: in Flush and Natural Beauty

holiday glow

I just wanted to take a minute to wish everyone Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! The season is finally winding down here and we feel so lucky to have so many great friends and family surrounding us. We've enjoyed our first Christmas in our new home immensely. If our house wasn't "warmed" at our housewarming party, it is now :)

Here's a little card I photographed and designed a little bit ago. In an odd way, it kind of makes me excited for 2013. :)  

Sending lots of warm wishes out to all of you!

Christina :)

lucky MAC girl

I asked my mom how long I've loved makeup and she said she first noticed it when I was 3 years old and she found me on top of the table, carefully attempting to put on mascara :) (I think there MIGHT be a photo out there of this event). Anyways, so it was no surprise, I felt extremely lucky to win a raffle basket of beauty goodies late this summer. Included was a MAC eyeshadow palette and also a set of MAC cosmetic brushes. It's one of those things that you think "eyeshadow is eyeshadow - brushes are brushes".. well, not to this girl anymore. The eyeshadows are buttery smooth and the brushes are so soft and luxurious - like feather pillows for the face. I feel a little bit pampered using them. :)

Below are the color swatches. It's a great neutral set and I really love when a palette includes matte colors along with the shimmery ones. 
yep, I'm a fan :)