What's in My Bag? Tory Burch Robinson Mini Satchel

Hello there!

I just wanted to let you know I posted another video -- this time, it was a "tag" in the YouTube community called "What's in My Bag?"

I reviewed my bag briefly at the beginning and then went over everything in it.

It's the Tory Burch Robinson Mini Satchel that I reviewed back in June.

I still love, love, love this bag and will continue to wear it around constantly.

I will say this "What's in My Bag?" video doesn't have too much clutter or random "junk" that you may typically expect from this type of video.

But honestly, that's because I'm pretty OCD about things and organizing. So although there's a lot of stuff in my bag, it's not too crazy.

Hope you enjoy :)

October Favorites 2013

Helloooo, November!

This year is flying by. Thanksgiving, I cannot wait to meet again.

Here's a rundown of my absolute favorite products from the last month of October.

• Tigi Bed Head Masterpiece Massive Shine Hairspray (temporary Target sale for $15.59!)
• This smells amazing, makes my hair feel so soft and it does help with shine!
• Freeman Feeling Beautiful Facial Clay Mask, Mint & Lemon ($3.99)
• I love using this mask on Mask Mondays! I also use this as a spot treatment when I feel a big pimple coming. I put this on for 20 minutes on what felt like a potential pimple, and it never came to the surface. AMAZING! (Full review in a previous post.)
• Freeman Feeling Beautiful Facial Polishing Mask, Charcoal & Black Sugar ($3.99)
• My skin feels baby soft after using this. Check out my full review of this in a previous post.
• Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki Brush ($21)
• Lately, it's my go-to foundation brush. Dense and super soft! To get 10% off Sigma products until Nov. 30, 2013, use the online code "NOV2013".
• Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector ($36)
• It keeps my foundation in place all day. However, it does not make me look "poreless." I still love it, though, since it does keep my face matte longer than without it. And it doesn't break me out!!
• Wet N Wild Color Icon Bronzer, Ticket to Brazil ($3.99)
• Like I've mentioned in my last video, this stuff rockssss. There's slight shimmer in the pan, but it's not evident on my skin.
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel ($22)
• I'm one of Anastasia's newest, biggest fans. Her Brow Wiz in Caramel is a MUST for me, and now I have to follow it up with this brow gel. My brows are strange and don't stay put that well, but this brow gel has helped a TON!
• Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter, Sorbet ($5.84)
• It's so pretty and bright. I like blending it out with my finger to make it look more like I've been eating a popsicle. I love Lip Butters.
• L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm, Caramel Comfort ($5.99)
• A great nude lippie for fall! It has some shimmer but it's not gritty on my lips. 
• China Glaze nail lacquer, First Mate (sale right now at Sally Beauty for $5.49!)
• My favorite out of my "Fall Polish Picks" series. Check out the review in a previous blog post!

What have you been loving lately? Let me know in the comments! And please subscribe to my new YouTube channel. I'm planning to post regularly, most likely twice a week!

Thanks so much for reading/watching! xo

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo.

Halloween nails: Candy corn mani

Happy Halloween!

I picked a very simple, yet fun nail design to celebrate the day.

If you're needing a last-minute mani, decorate your nails like candy corn!

I used NYC Lexington Yellow ($1.99), Sinful Colors Big Daddy ($1.99) and China Glaze White on White ($7.50).

Just paint your whole nail yellow and then wait a few minutes to make sure it's relatively dry.

Start the orange two-thirds of the way up. Wait again.

And then finish it off with white for the last third of your nail.

I decided to go free hand instead of using tape because candy corn is never perfect.

I'm a righty, so my right hand (done by my left) does not look that great. (!!)

Oh well. It's a one-day mani for me :)

No costume this year, but I'm looking forward to a Halloween potluck at work.

Hope you have a wonderful, safe day!

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo.

Review, swatches: Maybelline Color Elixir Liquid Color Balms

Hello again!

I just picked up two of the new Maybelline Color Elixir Liquid Color Balms at CVS and had to blog about them ASAP.

Lately, I feel like there are so many new, intriguing drugstore products (especially lippies), so I've been good about buying only 2 shades at most (at least initially).

In this case, I picked up the shades Blush Essence (pink-nude) and Fuchsia Flourish.

There was a surprising 30% off each item (don't know why but can't complain!) and I had CVS Extra Bucks and a coupon... so I only paid $4 total for both of them!

At CVS, they usually retail for $8.99, which I think is too much for a drugstore lip product. But I recommend snagging one of these with a coupon if at all possible.

With that said, oh myyyy. This is one of the BEST lip products I've ever tried.

The scent is slightly sweet but not overpowering. I seriously can't put my finger on it, but it reminds me of something from my childhood. It's driving me crazy.

As for the formula -- WOW. It is not sticky at all. As soon as I put my lips together, I thought, "Yep. I love this."

It really does feel "cushiony soft" like Maybelline claims.

Blush Essence is a nice everyday shade. It's not evident on my lips at all, really. I wish it was a little more pink, but that's OK. I know this will still be a makeup bag staple.

Fuchsia Flourish is VERY pigmented and bright. It's stunning in person, but I don't see myself wearing this often. It may be a fun color to play up at night when going out with friends or a party.

Please don't mind my asymmetrical lips!

Anyway, both of these shades made my lips look really healthy and smooth, even if they've been a bit dry lately. They also felt hydrated and comfortable.

Overall, I'm floored. With a balm formula like this, I'd think deeper the shade, the better because you'll get way more color payoff. But I cannot wait to try other shades nonetheless.

Have you tried them? What do you think? Let me know!

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo.

Top drugstore makeup | 10 under $10

Hi there! Hope your week started off on a good note.

I have a different kind of post today: 10 products under $10!

I'd like to expand this series later on with other "10 Under $10" posts, so I figured this was a good place to start.

Instead of focusing specifically on lip products or blushes today, I'm covering a wide range of items that can almost complete our look. I'm just missing a foundation! Not bad, right? I'm all about finding great beauty products for a great price.

In the video, I'm wearing everything mentioned except the lip gloss.

Here's a breakdown of the products:

1. Neutrogena Shine Control Powder ($9.99)
Love this to set my foundation.

2. Wet N Wild Color Icon Bronzer in Ticket to Brazil ($3.99)
This is a great bronzer for contouring.

3. Milani Baked Blush in Rose D'Oro ($8.99)
A beautiful rose gold that's lovely this time of year.

4. NYX HD Photogenic Concealer ($4.99)
Perfect, creamy under eye concealer!

5. Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded ($5.94)
An awesome eyeshadow primer.

6. Revlon CustomEyes Shadow & Liner in Naturally Glamorous ($8.99)
Fantastic shadows in a tiny case that fits in any clutch/makeup bag.

7. Rimmel Exaggerate Eye Definer in Black ($5.99)
Creamy, pigmented and LASTS all day!

8. Maybelline Full N Soft Waterproof Mascara in Very Black ($7.49)
The only one that keeps my lashes curled all day.

9. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Primrose ($4.99)
My go-to lippie, no matter what.

10. NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Beige ($4.99)
I love this lip gloss on its own. It's definitely NOT beige.

------------

I use most of these products every day, so I'm definitely a huge fan of drugstore makeup.

When you find a gem that's also inexpensive, it's that much better!

I hope you enjoyed this post and found it somewhat useful. Thanks for reading/watching!

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo.

Review: Freeman Charcoal & Black Sugar Facial Polishing Mask

Hi there! Hope you're having a relaxing weekend.

For anyone looking to have a lazy Sunday... boy, do I have a recommendation for you.

I tried out another Freeman product: Charcoal & Black Sugar Facial Polishing Mask ($3.99). It was 2 for $7 at CVS.

WOW. WOWOWOW. When I rinsed this off with warm water, my skin felt BABY SOFT. No lie!

My face hasn't felt this nice from a beauty purchase in... forever? I don't even know.

I wanted to initially try the Michael Todd True Organics Jojoba Charcoal Scrub because of the great benefits of charcoal, but it's $18.50 and sold only online. Freeman just seemed like the better/most convenient choice; plus it has great reviews, too.

Well let me tell ya... based on my first try, this stuff is AMAZING! I seriously can't stop using ALL CAPS to describe this mask.

HOW IT WORKS

This is a very interesting product. It's a mask and scrub in one. It feels like a normal sugar scrub but it's BLACK, which makes it unlike any other I've tried. (I know it looks pretty gross in the photo.)

Freeman claims that this mask "works double time to detox skin."

I used my fingers to apply the mask all over my clean face. Heads up: Watch for some product falling off your face since it's not the easiest to apply.

I waited 5 minutes from the time I started putting on the mask. You can feel the mask warming up from the charcoal, which is supposed to absorb oil and impurities.

Then I gently (ever so gently) massaged the mask all over my face, of course avoiding my eyes and mouth. I didn't put pressure on my skin at all. I just moved the product around for 2 minutes.

The black sugar (yes, it's a thing!) helps exfoliate and didn't feel too harsh on my very sensitive skin. Plus this mask has a nice clean scent.

Then I rinsed it off with warm water, and my skin felt very hydrated and amazing! I quickly cleansed my face again with a very mild cleanser to make sure everything came off.

THE RESULTS

Applying toner and moisturizer after all of this felt like a dream!

Just like when I use the Freeman Clay Mask Mint & Lemon, my skin looked calm -- no redness. And there was a glow.

The next day, my foundation applied really well, and my skin felt/looked hydrated and fresh.

For just $4, you seriously cannot go wrong with this. This is good for ALL skin types!

So now I plan to use this scrub/mask toward the end of the week and the Mint & Lemon mask on "Mask Mondays" :) I love Freeman! Great quality and so inexpensive!

Hope you can give it a go if you haven't already. Let me know if you'd try it. Have a great day!

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo.

How To: Dry Shampoo + Review: Batiste, Oscar Blandi

Happy weekend!

Wrapping up another week, I wanted to go over something this working girl depends on: dry shampoo!

It has been not just a huge time-saver but also a way to strengthen my hair because I'm not washing it everyday anymore.

Here's a demo/review:

I used to feel like I needed to wash my hair every single day. Now I wash it every 3 or 4 days. Think about all the stress I'm NOT putting my hair through.

And it allows my hair to take in some of the natural oils and not get stripped of them each day.

THE KIND I LOVE

My favorite (and the reason I can now go days without washing my hair) is Batiste Dry Shampoo ($7.99).

It's a spray that comes in different scents and shades. So although I like the scent of the original formula, I've been using the "Hint of Color Dark & Deep Brown" version ($8.99) to prevent that gray powdery look you could get from the original.

They also carry one for "Light & Blonde" hair.

Batiste has been a big hit on YouTube, and I finally purchased it a couple months ago. I'm so happy I did!

BATISTE VS. OSCAR BLANDI

I've been using the Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo ($21) for a few years now. It's a powder, not a spray. I like this for touch-ups around the hairline, but I don't think it's great for taking you through several days without washing your hair.

I don't get that same "clean" feeling from Oscar Blandi's formula. It may be because of the powder vs. spray. This one is also a lot more expensive, so I guess it works out that I prefer Batiste!

Please check out the video if you're interested in seeing my quick demo. I know my hair doesn't look super healthy yet, but I'm hoping it gets better over time. I just recently started using the dry shampoo regularly, so this is a pretty new routine :)

Thanks for reading/watching! I'll be posting about another facial mask I love very soon.

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo.

Ipsy October 2013 Glam Bag "Unboxing" + Review (My first!)

Hi there!

I'm happy to say I'm now an Ipsy Glam Bag subscriber!

To change it up, I uploaded a YouTube video showing my "unboxing"! I figured this would be the most effective way truly get an idea of my initial reaction since I made sure to avoid spoilers about what was in my bag.

For anyone not too familiar with Ipsy, it's a monthly subscription beauty bag that you get in the mail for $10/month. You get several beauty products each month, which is a great way to try new things. Plus they come in a fun makeup bag! It was created by YouTube beauty guru Michelle Phan.

I signed up for the waiting list in late August. It took a little more than a month to get an email letting me know a spot opened up. So October was my first month -- and I'm already pumped for November!

Here's a breakdown of what I got in my Glam Bag:

• Coastal Scents Medium Shadow Brush ($2.49)
• I love trying new brushes, so more the merrier, I say. And this is my first Coastal Scents item!
• Zoya polish in Neve (full size $8)
• This is a sapphire blue/purple metallic with what appears to be multi-colored shimmer. Very, very subtle shimmer. Can't wait to swatch it!
• Style Sexy Hair Spray Clay (travel size $8)
• I didn't know what this really was when I opened it haha. But it's a texturizing spray with a dry, non-waxy hold, according to ULTA. I'm looking forward to playing with this on days my hair has too much slip.
• Nourish Organic Coconut & Argan Body Lotion (1 oz. -- full size of 8 oz. costs $9.99)
• Although it says coconut, this lotion doesn't have the traditional coconut scent. Bummer! But I'm still planning to keep this in my handbag or maybe on my nightstand to moisturize my always-dry hands. It wasn't too greasy and my hands felt nice. I honestly can't describe the scent... it's like a strange type of candy? No, I have no flippin' clue.
• Bella Terra Mineral Cosmetics Shimmers in Emotion (2g -- full size of 2.5g costs $14.99)
• Such a pretty purple! I initially thought this was just used for eyeshadow, but it's apparently an 8-in-1 product, including creamy eyeshadow, mascara (by dipping clear mascara into the shimmer) and body glitter, according to their website. I'm not familiar with loose pigments, so I'm excited to play!

Overall, the worth of my Glam Bag isn't too high, considering I've seen reviews from previous months saying bags were worth about $70! But I'm still thinking anything more than $10 is good for now. Plus this is my first bag, so I have nothing to compare it to. More than anything, I enjoyed the "surprise" factor :)

But that's about it! I hope the video was a nice change of pace. Thanks so much for reading/watching!

Did you get the October 2013 Ipsy Glam Bag? Let me know what you got in the comments! xo

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo.

Review: Sally Hansen "Gold Roses" rose gold nail polish

Happy Sunday, lovelies!

I'm back with my Fall 2013 nail polish pick #5 -- a beautiful ROSE GOLD!

Rose gold has been my thing lately. I think it's the perfect fall staple, a great way to wear pink in the fall without going the pastel/spring route.

The Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Fall 2013 collection includes a beautiful polish called Gold Roses ($8 at CVS, I believe). I had a coupon and CVS Extra Bucks, so the polish was $2-ish!

I've been searching for the perfect rose gold polish for a while now, and this one nailed it!

It's a chrome polish, which gives it a slightly edgy look, yet it's still subtle and classy because of the nude/rose gold hue.

I only needed ONE coat for it to be opaque.

As for the brush, I do love big polish brushes, but Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure brushes may be TOO large for some. I had to tilt the brush a bit to get the edges of my nails. Just a heads up if you've never tried this line!

Otherwise, this polish is perfect. What do you think of the rose gold? Have you picked this up or any others from the fall collection? Let me know in the comments.

And if you're interested, I've linked my last 4 fall picks below.
Fall pick #1 | Fall pick #2 | Fall pick #3 | Fall pick #4

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo. Thanks for reading! Have a great day!

Review + swatch: China Glaze First Mate - Fall 2013 nail polish pick #4

Hello lovelies! I finally have Round 4 of my Fall 2013 Nail Polish Picks on this beautiful Sunday. (I'll link my other picks at the bottom.)

First Mate from China Glaze is a gorgeous mid-toned navy with gray undertones. I've been looking for this kind of polish for a while, and I ended up getting it at Sally's Beauty Supply for $6.99 (slightly better deal than ULTA's $7.50).

This polish is actually from the China Glaze Anchors Away Collection, which I believe was for Spring 2011. But to me, navy is a great pick for the colder months. And none of the China Glaze Fall 2013 Collection stood out to me.

I think First Mate is a very sophisticated way to rock dark polish in the fall.

It also shot up toward the top of my list of favorite polishes because of the way it applied!

It's a cream, no sparkle and opaque in just ONE coat! Yes, just one. Not streaky at all -- just perfection.

I then topped it off with my newly restored Seche Vite. (I posted about using nail polish thinner in my Saturday blog, if you want to check that out.)

After giving it 5 out of 5 stars, I highly recommend First Mate!

What polish are you rocking right now? Let me know in the comments :) Hope you enjoy your day!

Fall pick #1 | Fall pick #2 | Fall pick #3

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo. Thanks for reading!

How To: Beauty Secrets Nail Polish Thinner for Seche Vite + review

Hi there! For all you nail polish lovers, I wanted to post a quick tip.

Since my Seche Vite top coat was getting thick and unusable (happens every time halfway through), I decided to invest in a nail polish thinner.

Buying another Seche Vite for $10 is so lame when you have so much product left!

So I looked up some reviews online and saw a lot of love for Beauty Secrets' Nail Polish Thinner.

It was $4.29 for 4 fl. oz. at Sally's Beauty Supply, which I think is amazing. OPI's thinner costs $9 at ULTA.

The bottle cap is quite convenient. Some people complain about the packaging, but I thought it was really easy to put a few drops of the thinner right into the bottle of Seche Vite.

I put in about 8 drops and shook the bottle.

After moving the brush around, I could tell the consistency of Seche Vite was much like it was when I first purchased it.

I love this polish thinner! Can't believe I didn't get it sooner.

So if you're having the same problem with your polishes, I highly recommend this thinner from Beauty Secrets. I'm looking forward to reviving some of my older polishes next!

Sunday's post will be on Fall Nail Polish Pick #4. See you then!

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo. Thanks for reading!

Review + swatches: Urban Decay Vice 2 eyeshadow palette

Happy weekend!! Hope you all had a great week.

To celebrate a weekend of relaxing (and playing with makeup apparently), I picked up the limited edition Urban Decay Vice 2 eyeshadow palette ($59) at ULTA.

After eyeing it for weeks, I just gave in.

Although this palette is a tad pricier than the Urban Decay Naked palettes ($52), I felt it was justified when I swatched the shadows in store! Wow. More on that in a bit.

Plus the Vice 2 comes with 20 shadows vs. 12 in the Naked palettes.

Anyway, can we just quickly mention... This. Packaging.

It's so pretty and STURDY. So basically, it's PURDY.

Purples have been screaming my name lately (must be a fall thing), so this packaging, of course, made it all the more appealing.

You push the button pictured (that says Urban Decay), and the palette slowly opens. It might as well have a light shining down on it. It's THAT beautiful.

Now onto the shadows themselves.

Ahhhhh... divine.

This palette comes with 20 exclusive shades. It does come with 8 more shadows than the Naked palettes, but they are 0.03 oz compared to the 0.05 oz of Naked.

But for now, I'm OK with that.

I swatched 10 shadows on my left arm at a time. They are buttery and some are EXTREMELY pigmented. Others not as much. But I'm LOVING them overall.

Out of all the shadows, I'd have to agree with other reviews about Lovesick NOT swatching well. As you can see in the photo below, it just doesn't look that great. Dry and patchy.

Everything else in the first 10 shadows are amazing, especially the metallics on the far right. That silver, though I don't know what to do with it yet, is SO pigmented.

As you see (or NOT see) in the 2nd half, Habit is invisible... or so it seems. It's a light nude matte, pretty much like Naked in the Naked Palette, so it just completely blended into my skin.

The shimmery shadows like Stash, Betrayal and Ambush are especially pigmented and gorgeous.

Here's a full description of each shadow based on the Urban Decay website:

First half
--Smokeout (dark taupey-black satin)
--Prank (deep navy matte with turquoise floating pearl)
--Radar (metallic brown shimmer with iridescent micro-glitter)
--Dope (warm champagne satin)
--Lovesick (black matte with iridescent micro-glitter)
--Madness (bright metallic blue shimmer with blue micro-glitter)
--Damaged (bright metallic emerald shimmer)
--Toxic (metallic copper-pink shimmer with tonal micro-glitter)
--Shellshock (bright metallic silver)
--Strike (antique gold shimmer with silver micro-glitter)

Second half
--Voodoo (metallic purple shimmer with iridescent purple micro-glitter)
--Habit (light nude matte)
--Coax (medium metallic pink with golden iridescent micro-sparkle)
--Stash (deep olive green shimmer with iridescent micro-sparkle)
--Betrayal (bright purple satin with blue shift)
--Ambush (metallic brown satin)
--X-Rated (baby pink satin)
--Poison (charcoal satin with iridescent micro-sparkle)
--Derailed (medium metallic taupey-brown shimmer)
--Rewind (medium brown matte)

The palette also comes with a dual-ended shadow brush and BIG mirror that takes up the whole top half of the case.

If you were on the fence about getting this palette, I hope this review was somewhat helpful! And if you didn't even consider it before, it may be a good investment to consider!

Seriously, I'm seeing this palette taking me far with so many different looks. Can't wait to play.

Thanks for reading!

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo.

Review: Freeman Facial Clay Mask Mint & Lemon

Hi there! Happy Monday/almost Tuesday.

I'll be honest -- I felt quite tired today; anyone else?

Hate when that happens even after a weekend! And since I felt like doing nothing after work but put on a face mask and relax... I decided to do a little research.

I don't use masks often or a scrub, for that matter, like I used to. Just when I get facials every two months. (Boy, has this turned my skin around!)

At home, I use a Glycolic Acid moisturizer at night and figured that's more than my sensitive skin can handle.

BUT... today, I really wanted a pick-me-up.

On MakeupAlley.com, one mask that stood out for me was the Freeman Facial Clay Mask Mint & Lemon.

RAVE reviews!

I had purchased another Freeman mask earlier this year (Facial Revealing Peel-Off Mask Pomegranate), so I felt comfortable trying out the Mint & Lemon version.

Oh my goodness, more than the peel-off mask (which I liked but was hard to peel), I think this CLAY mask is what my skin has been needing!

It makes sense -- I should've known. I have extremely oily skin that's prone to breakouts. That's exactly what this mask targets.

I love the consistency of the mask. I applied an even layer (not too much) all over my face and left it on for 20 minutes. It smells nice and not overly minty.

It dried nicely (to the point I couldn't move my face whatsoever) and I rinsed it off with warm water. I then washed my face with my usual cleanser and followed that up with a toner and moisturizer.

My skin looked GREAT! No redness and very even. My face was clean, calm and soft. I don't know how much tighter my pores really look after one use, but hopefully this mask will help over time.

So I gotta say... if this mask continues to deliver without giving me problems (who knows? Breakouts or something), this could become my holy grail mask.

The only down side is the parabens, so this isn't a perfect mask. But it otherwise delivers!

Plus it was BOGO FREE at ULTA today. This is perfect because I have a feeling I'll be using it all.

They are BIG tubes, too -- 6 fl. oz. for $4 (actually, $2 each with the sale). $4 is already a great deal, but $2?! AMAZING.

In the reviews, I also read some people use this mask as a spot treatment. I will have to try that out.

Later on, I'll try to come back and add an update to this post to see if I still like it.

If you have oily skin like me, please check this out! And let me know in the comments what masks you recommend.

I may make this a Monday ritual, so Mondays don't seem so bad. Mask Mondays! Who's with me?

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo. Thanks for reading!

RiRi Hearts MAC review: RiRi Woo lipstick + lip pencil photos

Hi there! Today was the first day the RiRi Hearts MAC fall collection became available at all counters, so I went straight to Nordstrom after work.

I had a feeling I only wanted RiRi Woo lipstick ($16.50) because I didn't get it the first time she had it.

Plus, I wish the line was more fall-themed. They re-promoted several items, based on what I've heard, read and seen.

The eyeshadow quads also seemed quite ordinary and not worth the $44!

So back to RiRi Woo... definitely in love right now.

I haven't worn it out, so I can't say how long it wears, but the product itself is gorgeous.

One of the MAC girls convinced me to also get the RiRi Woo Pro Longwear lip pencil ($21.50) at the last minute. Such a good saleswoman...

I first lined my lips and filled them in with the lip pencil. This felt very creamy and easy to apply.

Then I put on the lipstick, right from the bullet.

This is a Retro Matte finish, which I've never tried before, but it felt just fine! Not too dry. I applied lip balm beforehand like usual.

Since I wanted to get a red lipstick from MAC anyway, why not get one in the amazing rose gold packaging, right? Such a great decision.

I highly recommend this combo.

Have you purchased anything from the RiRi Hearts MAC fall collection? Let me know in the comments!

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo. Thanks for reading!

September Favorites 2013

Happy October - the start of my 3 favorite months of the year!

Now if we can just get past the 90-degree weather and onto the 70s in Phoenix, it would really feel like fall.

September was a pretty successful month for trying new things. I conveniently have 9 favorites for the 9th month of the year.

They cover quite a few categories, so here we go~

SKINCARE:

• Epionce Lytic Gel Cleanser ($36): I bought this from my esthetician after my bi-monthly facial. She used it on me right at the beginning, which felt so nice. It has menthol, so you get a minty feeling on your skin. I'm not usually a fan of that for my face, but this one is gentle enough. This brand's products have great online reviews; this is my first purchase. The website says the cleanser is "formulated to actively remove oils, dead skin cells and help eliminate harmful microbes, while relieving inflammation and smoothing the skin." It's ideal for oily/problem skin - right up my alley. I use this at night, and it instantly removes makeup. As soon as it hits my skin, my foundation falls right off. Love, love, love.
• Trader Joe's Nourish All-In-One Facial Cleanser ($5.99): I'm still adoring this cleanser! I blogged about it at the beginning of September, only a week into using it. Since it was early, I was hoping it would continue to impress me. So far, it has yet to let me down! I use this one in the morning. Read my blog post about it for more information.

HAIRCARE: 

• Batiste Dry Shampoo ($7.99): "YouTube made me buy it," is basically all I can say. So many YouTubers rave about this, and I finally gave in and picked it up at ULTA. I love it!! Well, obviously, since it's in my monthly favorites. I've been using the Oscar Blandi powder formula dry shampoo, which I still like using, but Batiste definitely gives me the volume I want. Dry shampoo has been my savior. I wash my hair every other day, and my Day 2 hair looks and feels amazing, if I do say so myself.

MAKEUP: 

• DiorSkin Forever Fluid Flawless Perfection Fusion Wear Makeup SPF 25 ($47): What a name! So could it be? Did I find my holy grail foundation? This stuff doesn't cover EVERYthing (medium coverage), but I've been loving it as a lightweight go-to foundation for everyday wear. A lot lighter than Estee Lauder Double Wear but a bit more coverage than the Garnier BB cream that I've been loving. It also smells really good. I'm not used to that, but I'll take it. I buff this in with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush, and it blends so well into my skin. I use shade 20, Light Beige. The packaging is also beautiful, which always helps :)
• Physician's Formula Mineral Wear Bronzer ($12.79): This is an awesome bronzer for contouring. Ever since I bought it, I've been using it every time I wear makeup. It never turns orange on my skin. By the way, I believe the shade I use is called "Bronzer" so that made things confusing for blogging. It's a bit pricey for a drugstore bronzer, but I think it's worth the money. I've been using it daily, yet you can't even tell in the photo!
• Milani Baked Blush in Rose D'Oro ($8.99): Can't believe it took me so long to discover this one! I purchased 4 baked blushes from Milani a few months ago, and I was more drawn to the other 3 shades: Luminoso, Dolce Pink and Corallina. For some reason, it took me a while to get to Rose D'Oro, but I think the saying goes... I saved the best for last! Seriously! I've been extremely drawn to rose gold ANYTHING recently, so this works out wonderfully. This is a beautiful rose gold blush that is very pigmented. Gahhh! Can't say enough good things.

RANDOM:

• Furla Glasses ($150-ish?): For the first time EVER, I now wear prescription glasses. I'm slightly near-sighted and need them for driving, watching TV, etc. I went to Costco for an eye exam because I've been having issues with extremely red eyes. Turns out they are super dried out and scratched up ***reaches for eye drops*** so I was told to get Refresh eye drops at the drugstore and... yeah, I also need glasses. Oh, OK! I was actually pretty excited because since I was little, I thought wearing glasses was so cool. I luckily found the perfect frames that fit my face just right AND were adorable. Pink bows on the side? So me! I get compliments quite often from strangers, which I really appreciate. It's not even like they're complimenting me because they're actually new and I've never worn glasses before. Strangers don't know that! So I know these were sure winners :)

• Soy-Blend Large Jar Candle in Heritage Pumpkin at Target ($10): I think I just converted. If you love pumpkin, this candle may be your new best friend. If the other candles in this line are THIS good, I'm no longer buying candles from Bath and Body Works. And that's saying a lot! It's currently burning near me as I type, and it just smells SO YUMMY. Since I loved this so much, my boyfriend and I picked up several others at Target, including one called Red Velvet. A Target.com review on the Red Velvet candle pretty much sums it up: "Love it, I want to smash it into my mouth is smells so good." That's a good sign! I haven't burned the others yet, so I cannot wait. Go, go, go. Pick this up right now. Heritage Pumpkin is limited edition.

• Vanity Girl Hollywood Broadway Vanity Mirror ($399): Ahhh, yes. My beautiful new vanity mirror. This was such a great online shopping experience! I bought this on the website and it showed up at my apartment less than a week later, I believe. It was VERY stressful figuring out which table to put this on and then actually assembling that (cough, IKEA, cough), but otherwise, this vanity mirror has been fantastic. I know the price seems very steep for a mirror, BUT this is top notch and makes my life so much more convenient. Stress-free living is priceless at times. I wanted a place where I can put on makeup with good lighting and have all my products right next to me. My boyfriend was amazing with helping me rearrange things, and now my setup is looking pretty good! I wanted to blog about this, so this worked out well.

This concludes my September Favorites post. Rather long, but I wanted to explain each thing well. More to come!

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo.

Fall 2013 nail color idea: OPI Wooden Shoe Like to Know

Hi there! More fall nail picks... I've been looking for a great milk chocolate brown polish for fall.

OPI's Wooden Shoe Like to Know ($9) is a nice brown, but it's not what I've been searching for. It's more of a dark chocolate with a purple tone.

Either way, it's still pretty so I wanted to blog about it.

It has very, VERY subtle gold shimmer. It's not really evident on my nails, actually.

Wooden Shoe Like to Know went opaque in 2 coats, and it wasn't streaky at all.

I topped it off with Seche Vite.

Ulta has a 2 for $15 sale this week for OPI, so I may try out a couple more.

Please let me know what polish you're loving lately. I'd love some recommendations. Thanks for reading!

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo.

Sonicare HealthyWhite: Review + photos

Hello! Today, I'm blogging oral hygiene. Exciting, I know.

After using a manual toothbrush for years, I got tired of the plaque I could still feel toward the back of my teeth. And my teeth were also suffering from my love for tea.

I finally gave in and initally purchased the Philips Sonicare HealthyWhite rechargeable toothbrush at Target ($113 during a sale; usually $120) in hopes of getting them cleaner and brighter.

I saw that Costco carried a set of TWO for $109 (after an instant rebate of $40!) but it was sold out online.

Well, thankfully, a dear friend and I went to a Costco nearby after learning they carried the sets in store. Boom! A better deal right before my eyes.

So I returned the other one to Target and gave my boyfriend the second toothbrush. Such a great deal!

I have to say my teeth have never felt cleaner!

Sonicare HealthyWhite claims to make your teeth whiter in just 1 week, and I'm already starting to see change after a few days.

Without adding additional pressure, gliding this brush along my teeth makes such a big difference.

They feel polished every time, like I just went to the dentist. I know that sounds cheesy, but it's so true.

It comes in 3 modes: Clean, Sensitive, and Clean and White, which is what I like using the most so far.

It's timed, so after 2 minutes of regular brushing, there's an added 30 seconds of "White" mode to focus on your front teeth.

The package deal from Costco comes with the following:

--2 HealthyWhite handles
--2 DiamondClean brush heads
--1 UV Sanitizer (which the Target version did NOT have) with an integrated charger, cord wrap and brush head storage
--1 multi-voltage, compact travel charger
--2 travel cases

You just have to change out the brush head every 3 months or so. At Costco, they sell a pack of 6 for $50.

For the same DiamondClean brushes at Target, you'd have to pay $30 for just 2!

I haven't used the UV Sanitizer yet, so I can't complain about it if it doesn't work since this whole package is still SUCH a better deal than Target.

The product comes with a 2-year warranty, and then you can sign up for an additional 6 months online by registering your toothbrushes.

The instant rebate at Costco expires on Sept. 29, 2013, so I highly recommend grabbing this in-store deal if you're a Costco member (or if you have a friend/family member who is one)!

And even if this is long after the instant rebate, it's still a way better deal at Costco.

Do you prefer manual or rechargeable toothbrushes? Let me know! Thanks for reading.

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo.

Fall 2013 nail color idea: OPI's Berlin There Done That

Welcome to Fall Nail Picks 2013!

I took a week-long break from polish to give my nails a breather.

So to get back into fall nail color picks (my last one was OPI's Lost on Lombard), I have to go with OPI's Berlin There Done That ($9).

It's a lovely taupe from OPI's Germany Collection with slightly purple undertones in natural light.

It's a beautiful everyday "nude" for fall, instead of my lighter go-to nude nails in the summer, such as OPI's Bubble Bath.

The formula for Berlin There Done That is a bit watery, but it wasn't streaky at all.

There are no shimmers - just a beautiful, creamy finish.

It took two coats to get it opaque, and I topped it off with Seche Vite, my ultimate top coat.

Sorry my hand looks so red in the indoor photo - don't know why!

Anyway, I'll post more fall nail colors in the coming weeks.

Let me know in the comments what sort of polishes you love in the fall. Thanks for reading!

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo.

Makeup organizing ideas: Brushes + lipgloss storage

Hi there! Since I've been on an organizing kick AND my Vanity Girl Hollywood mirror arrived (post on that soon!), I've been looking for more ways to spruce up my beauty storage.

Just wanted to quickly share a couple additions:

1. A pretty dish (Skurar bowl 7") from IKEA ($4.99) to store my lip products. This keeps my favorite go-to items in an easy-to-reach place in an adorable way. I love it! I also picked one up in red for the holidays. I think it'll look cute with some candy on the coffee table.

2. A glass cookie jar from Target ($7.69) for makeup brushes. So excited about this one! I also picked up 2 bags of filler beads from Michaels ($5.99/bag; used a 25% off coupon) to keep the brushes in place. Since I started storing my brushes in a large acrylic organizer from The Container Store (previously mentioned in my organization post), I haven't been loving the idea of dust getting on them. With this jar, my problems are solved.

After finally figuring out a vanity situation with my mirror and an IKEA desk (that took a while to put together), I'm going to enjoy my new set-up and blog about it. More soon!

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo.

Makeup organization ideas: Getting inspired + trying new things

Hi there! Today is all about organizing.

As my makeup/beauty collection grows, I realized I need a better way to sort everything.

First of all, I LOVE to organize, so this will be a fun project!

I currently have some acrylic pieces from The Container Store (one of my favorite stores EVER), including lipstick holders. Lovvve them. I could definitely use more!

The one in the photo actually came with a Large Acrylic Makeup Organizer, which retails for $34.99 but I'm pretty sure I got it on sale. This was a couple months ago. Target also sells similar ones.

I love displaying lip products like this because 1. They're colorful and fun to look at, and 2. Seeing them all displayed this way will encourage me to use them all, so they don't get lost in a drawer.

So now, I'm considering Muji drawers! They're a big hit among beauty bloggers/vloggers, and the thought of ordering them excites my sad, organization-loving self. The Acrylic 5 Case Drawers go for $27.95.

I definitely prefer organizing all my makeup in clear cases like these. Like the lip products, seeing everything makes me want to try different products I own, so they don't go to waste.

There isn't much room at my current apartment for too much display, so the drawers could be a huge help.

And last but not least... I'm getting a Vanity Girl Hollywood mirror soon! So so so excited. Ahhhh.

I'll definitely blog about it when that happens. This will allow me to transform my desk into a vanity. I use a laptop (currently typing in my dining area), so the desk will be more useful by transforming it into a makeup station. That way, I don't get stressed out by shoving my laptop/office supplies out of the way while getting ready, or carrying products back and forth between my bedroom (where I store everything) to my bathroom just to put makeup on. And with the lights, I'll be able to apply makeup in my room any time of day without having strange shadows.

Revamping everything will hopefully inspire me to blog more and try new things.

I'm looking forward to organizing and utilizing the small space I have. More to come!

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo. Thanks for reading!

Pumpkin Cupcake Bath & Body Works review: Candle, soap and wallflower

Mmmmmm... I lit my first fall candle of 2013!

This is a good day.

As a lover of pumpkin scents (and cupcakes in general!), I was immediately drawn to Pumpkin Cupcake at Bath & Body Works.

I... kind of went pumpkin crazy.

After checking out the store's website, I purchased 12 items, which is pretty easy to do with Bath & Body Works because of their good deals.

I ordered six Pumpkin Cupcake wallflowers and six Pumpkin Cupcake anti-bacterial deep cleansing soaps.

Then I figured 12 wasn't enough (ha!) so I got six more Pumpkin Cupcake wallflowers and two 3-wick Pumpkin Cupcake candles. I luckily had some good coupons. I highly recommend looking for them before purchasing.

WALLFLOWER FRAGRANCE BULB ($6 but currently 4 for $20 or 6 for $24)

We have three wallflower plug-ins in our apartment: one in the dining area, bathroom and bedroom.

After plugging one in the dining room, I quickly decided this is a scent I only want in the kitchen/dining area. It's quite strong and... foodie?

It's just not something I want to wake up to in the bedroom. But I think it's a great fall/winter scent!

I exchanged six of the 12 wallflowers for Heirloom Pear. I'll use the other six Pumpkin Cupcake wallflowers in the dining area.

As I mentioned in my August Favorites post, Heirloom Pear smells just like Pure Seduction from Victoria's Secret!! So good.

DEEP CLEANSING SOAP ($5.50 but currently 5 for $15 or 7 for $20)

Pumpkin Cupcake as a soap is another story. I realized I don't like this scent as a soap. It doesn't smell totally like the candle or wallflower. It's a strange, soapy fake aroma. Blah.

My boyfriend doesn't mind it, so it's being used in the kitchen. I am planning to return the other five soaps and exchange them for something else.

My favorite Bath & Body Works scent EVER is Peach Bellini, but I believe that's only available in the warmer months.

I may pick up the Heirloom Pear soaps... Yes, great idea.

THREE-WICK CANDLE ($20 but often 2 for $20 or $22)

These are divine! I'm happy I picked this one up. Another pumpkin scent that I bet I'll love is Creamy Pumpkin. Wow, if I smelled that BEFORE getting Pumpkin Cupcake, I may have picked that instead!

Do they have it in a candle? I haven't seen it, but they should.

The throw on the Pumpkin Cupcake 3-wick candle is great! I have one candle going in the kitchen and it makes the whole living room/kitchen/dining area smell AMAZING.

We had to run out for dinner earlier, so we put it out for a bit. When we came back, the apartment smelled like we had baked pumpkin cupcakes.

I really have baked pumpkin cupcakes before, so I know how lovely it is. *swoon*

I highly recommend Pumpkin Cupcake as a candle more than anything. I'm looking forward to trying out other fall fragrances!

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo.

Sunday Pinks: Lipstick photos + swatches

Baby pink lipsticks are a staple in my makeup bag.

They're quick, easy and flattering on almost anyone, if not everyone.

Since Sunday is a perfect day to kick back, have brunch and feel pretty... thought I'd swatch three of my favorite baby pink lippies of the moment.

And even if you're working today, these are perfect for the workplace.

They're subtle pinks that won't look garish. And you can definitely pair these with a natural makeup look, as well as a dramatic smokey eye. Gotta love versatile products!

I picked out (from left to right) MAC's Creme Cup, Revlon's Primrose and Rimmel's Pink Blush for this Sunday.

Why I love...

• MAC Cremesheen in Creme Cup ($15): I mentioned this in my August Favorites blog post because I reach for it quite often. This is the nude-pink out of the three, very similar to MAC's Angel but warmer and (obviously) creamier, in the way it feels and looks. It has a nice sheen to it. It doesn't accentuate dry parts of my lips, which I appreciate a TON because my lips are constantly dry. I wear a clear lip balm underneath, as I do with all my lipsticks. It lasts about three hours on my lips, I'd say, before reapplying. It's not great, but it's not that bad for me either. I never mind reapplying lip products. 

• Revlon Super Lustrous in Primrose ($5): This is probably one of my absolute favorite lipsticks of all time. I fell in love with it a couple years ago, and I've been raving about it since. Primrose is unique in the sense that it's a baby pink, but (maybe because of its blue-ish undertones) it really POPS. It just brightens up my look and makes me feel glam, but in a pretty/classy way. For a glossy look, I like pairing this with Revlon Colorburst Lip Gloss in Crystal Lilac. (Note: I'm NW20)

• Rimmel Lasting Finish in Pink Blush ($5): For sure, this is one that doesn't get nearly enough love from me but I still love it so much. This blog post is inspiring me to wear it today, actually. It's a beautiful lippie that goes on creamy, feels creamy and doesn't accentuate dryness on my lips. It looks pretty bright in the photo above, but I don't find it to be that way on my lips. I think it definitely brightens up my look but NOT in an overbearing way. I'd say it was more of a bubblegum pink than the other two lipsticks, yet subtle enough for everyday wear.

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo. Happy Sunday!

OPI Lost on Lombard: Review + photos (San Francisco Collection)

It's not quite fall yet, especially in Phoenix with the 110+ degree heat, but I'm ready for the next season to arrive!

To get in the mood, I've been thinking about fall nail colors. I'll review some in the coming weeks, so hopefully, it can give you ideas for your next polish purchases.

My first dark polish of the season is OPI's Lost on Lombard ($9) from the San Francisco Collection, the brand's 2013 fall and winter lineup.

This polish is beautiful and easy to apply. Not streaky at all, and this is why OPI is my favorite.

With just one coat, it was opaque. But to make sure it was nice and rich, I added another coat. (I wait several minutes between coats to make sure I don't end up with bubbles.)

There's no shimmer. It's just a deep, deep red/burgundy, which I love for the cooler months. (My favorite summer red is OPI's Cajun Shrimp.)

Then I topped it off with my usual Seche Vite.

I highly recommend this polish to get you in the fall mood!

Score: 5 out of 5

For more beauty and lifestyle posts, please subscribe or "follow by email" on the top right hand corner of the page. I'm also on Instagram @erisaxo.