Tag Archives: pretty

Nov30

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Swatch In Smolder

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Urban Decay Eyeshadow Swatch In Smolder

Helloooo! My sister recently bequeathed her Urban Decay Naked palettes onto me, so we are going to go through the Naked 2 and Smoky palettes and swatch some of my favorite colors. Today, we are going to look at one of the standout shades from the Smoky palette – a lovely deep purple called Smolder. Take a gander at these pics and let’s discuss:

^^^ The first heart is the eyeshadow when its wet and the second one is when its dry.

As we all know, I don’t change it up very often when it comes to my eye makeup. I like what I like, I know what shades work for me, and I stick to them like glue. However, one shade that I do like to apply when I’m feeling saucy is purple. Not ultra bright or metallic purple, but a nice, deep shade like the one seen above. Anything too bright looks crazy with my hair, and Smolder is just right. The dark, smoky shade makes my hazel eyes change to green, as purple and green are complimentary colors, and I love using it to make my peepers pop.

What I also like about Smolder is that the purple becomes really evident when the lighting is good. As you can see from the pictures, the eyeshadow looks almost brown in my yellow-ish bathroom lighting. But, as soon as the flash came on, you could really see that sexy, smoldering purple, which is a fun surprise. So, in a darker setting like a candle lit dinner, you get a delicious chocolate brown and, as soon as the flickering candles catch your eyes, you get a striking jewel tone. So cool!

What is your favorite shade of eyeshadow to wear? Which color compliments your eyes the best? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov29

New(ish) Urban Decay Naked Palettes

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New(ish) Urban Decay Naked Palettes

Hiii! On Thanksgiving, I was in for a treat because my sister had some hand me down makeup palettes for me. Kristen is a makeup guru and loves shopping Sephora and Ulta for high end cosmetics. Although there are a few things from Sephora that I couldn’t live without, I tend to stick to the drugstore brands, myself. So, it’s always extra special when Kristen has some makeup that she’s ready to part with because that means I get to reap the rewards! Take a look at my New(ish) Urban Decay Naked Palettes and let’s discuss:

Smoky Palette:

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Naked 2 Palette:

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When it comes to eyeshadow, I wear a minimal amount, at best. I stick to the colors that I like and that’s about it. I don’t know how to cut crease, I’m not the best blender, and doing a proper smoky eye? Forget about it! But, that’s what is going to make having these palettes a lot of fun because I can play around and practice. Plus, having actual makeup brushes instead of Q-tips will be sure to help, too!

Obviously, I’m partial to the Naked 2 palette, because I love gold, bronze, and pink colors on my eyes. In fact, if I felt the urge to spend a decent amount of coin on a palette, this would probably be the one that I would purchase. So, having the Naked 2 palette is nice because all of the shades are basically old standbys. Although, I like to think that I have the drugstore dupe of this palette, already. The Elf Nude Rose Gold palette is an excellent compromise for a ten dollar price tag and I love using it! If you are a fan of the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette, definitely check the Elf dupe out if you’re not looking to spend a lot of cash.

And, as far as the Smoky palette goes…. Well, it will be a learning experience. I actually quite like all of the colors in it, it’s just going to be more of a matter of applying them well. I rarely wear darker colors on my eyelids, so I’m not really sure what it will look like but, I’m kind of excited to try it out. I don’t even think that I would give this palette a second look in stores, so it was nice that Kristen gave it to me so I can test out some new MOTDs!

In the next few daily posts, I’ll be highlighting some of my favorite colors from each palette so keep your eyes out for that!

Which colors would you like to see swatched from my new(ish) palettes? Do you have a favorite palette or eyeshadow brand? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov27

Making Your Home Feel Christmasy On A Budget

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Making Your Home Feel Christmasy On A Budget

Christmas is just around the corner so it’s about that time where we begin to decorate our homes in a manner that St. Nick would be proud of. Unfortunately, we all know that Christmas decorations can be a bit pricey, which might make you want to say “bah humbug” and promise to decorate next year. But, instead of throwing in the towel, you should get creative and find new ways to still make your home feel like it’s worthy of having Santa Claus and his reindeer park on your roof. Decorating your home can be done on a budget and it doesn’t have to feel tacky or last minute. As long as you stick to the fundamentals, you’ll always find some kind of deal and items that will suit the occasion:

Sparkling light:


What are the most recognized colors of Christmas? Looking at any Christmas tree that is in the center of any notable major city you will see red and green along with gold or yellow. But there’s one hidden color that can make all the difference in the world, and that’s silver. Silver is the unsung hero of Christmas décor, because it tends to blend in and, rather than just look pretty on it’s own, it helps all the other colors come to life; especially red. So consider buying a silver candle holder which you can use to create an effect of sparkling light. It’s cheap, but it’s very eloquent in the way that it spreads natural and manmade light around.

Something for leisure:

Infusing Christmas into otherwise un-Christmasy items can also be a fun way to go when it comes to decorating. Using the ibotta app, you can go onto Etsy and choose a personalized Christmas cushion that has your family name written in the middle of an artistic wreath. If you do, you can stand to get a 6% cash back coupon which can be used as extra pocket money or towards another purchase. It helps to keep informed about these things so that you’re not spending more than you have to.

A tartan home:

Thinking of Christmas clothing, one of the key items we tend to look over is the tartan ribbon. The tartan pattern and style are used in many kids’ clothing such as coats, mittens, socks and scarves around this time of year as well as for adults. Get some tartan ribbons and tie them in a bow all around your home such as around the stairs, around the door handle of the front door or hanging off the kitchen cupboard door.

If you’re on a budget this year for Christmas, then consider style over accessories. Then, use a little imagination, and you’ll have a house decked out for the holidays!

Nov18

New Eva Franco Maxi Skirt

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New Eva Franco Maxi Skirt

Helloooo! It’s funny how your fashion sense continues to develop year after year. For example, when I was 23, I wore skirts on very rare occasions. And, here we are now one year later, and I can’t stop buying skirts to save my own life. My New Eva Franco Maxi Skirt is one that I have had my eyes on for a while but, I couldn’t justify paying fifty dollars for it. So, imagine how happy I was when I snagged it on clearance for twenty bucks! Take a look and let’s discuss:

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Where do I even begin when it comes to expressing my adoration for this skirt? Should I start with the charming color palette of candy colored embroidery against navy blue? Or how about the whimsical layer of the gauzy fabric flowing against the actual skirt? This Eva Franco piece is total fairground fun and I love every minute of it.

The beauty of this skirt, aside from how darn pretty it is, is the styling opportunities that come with it. I consider navy to be a neutral, so you could pair this with almost any color on top and you would create a stellar outfit. I can’t wait to pair this with a hot pink crop top in the spring and summer for an adorably bright look. But, I can also see this skirt worn during the winter with a pair of thick tights underneath and a warm moto jacket to add some colorful delight to the bleak outdoor weather.

My new Eva Franco skirt makes me smile when I look at it and getting it for a bargain price makes the purchase just as sweet as the pastel polka dots adorning it. Love, love, love!

How would you style this skirt? How has your style developed over time? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov14

Clinique Chubby Stick In Woppin’ Watermelon Swatch

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Clinique Chubby Stick In Woppin’ Watermelon Swatch

Hi everyone! Yesterday, I got to show off my freebie haul from Sephora and, I’ve got to say, I’m still basking in the glory of that purchase. Money well spent, amiright?! The product that we are swatching today was compliments of my five hundred point Beauty Insider gift – a goodie box of Clinique products. At first, I was pretty ambivalent about their chubby stick balm in Woppin’ Watermelon. But, after swatching it and putting it on before I showered it off for good measure, I’m a fan. Check it out:

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When I first inspected this balm out of its package, I wondered why the heck whomever was in charge picked that truly watermelon pink color. Surely they know that that shade doesn’t look good on everyone (Especially me!), right? Lil Red never rocks pink lips and, mind you, it’s not because I don’t want to – it’s because pink lipstick looks like ass on me. Truth. So, I figured that I would just give this balm to my sister, because pink suits her really well.

I had every intention of giving this to Kristen, until I swatched it for this post, that is. Because, upon swatching, I realized that the chubby stick left very little of that shocking pink pigment on. Rather, it was more like a gloss with the tiniest hint of pink to it. After seeing that on my hand, I was interested to see what it would look like on my lips and, I’ll be damned, because it actually looked alright on me!

Woppin’ Watermelon left my lips with a slightly more pink color and a glossy shine that looked very sweet and simple. It might not necessarily be the best shade for winter, but it will be darling in the spring and summer time. I liked how moisturized the balm left my lips feeling, too, even if it was only on for a handful of minutes! Lil Red never thinks pink, but, I guess it’s okay just this once. 😉

What is your favorite brand of lipstick, gloss, or balms? Which type of lip product do you prefer to wear? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct10

Target Haul: A New Day Kimono

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Target Haul: A New Day Kimono

Howdy! I have never been a fan of kimonos, because it’s difficult for me to find one that doesn’t make me look pregnant! Lol, there’s something about them that just looks like maternity clothing to me, so I avoid them like the plague when I go shopping. So, I definitely wasn’t expecting to purchase one during my extravaganza at Target! Fair warning that this A New Day number doesn’t photograph well, because it’s all black (Shocker!). But, you’ll get the idea! Take a look:

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My major qualm with ninety-nine percent of the kimonos on the market is that they are shaped boxy and then they hit at the waist. For a short girl, this is so not flattering. I always try to find clothes that lengthen me, as opposed to making me look like I lost five inches and gained ten pounds! So, I was instantly attracted to this kimono, because it was longer and more fitted.

My new kimono from Target’s A New Day collection falls all the way down to the middle of my calves and is smocked in the back so it isn’t flowy, like a typical duster kimono. Rather, the gathered fabric lays closely but comfortably on the body so that you are not swallowed whole by what does seem like a lengthy piece of clothing. I have never seen a kimono with this shape before and, if I did, I would have bought them all, because it is the perfect shape for me!

The subtle, embroidered flowers on the silky but muted fabric makes for a sultry look when paired over a long sleeved sweater, skinnies, and heels. This kimono can completely modernize your standard date night outfit and will look edgy and chic when wearing it while out and about. How you style it is up to you, but you will look shamelessly cool no matter what in this A New Day number.

Are you a fan of the kimono? Why or why not? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct7

Target Haul: A New Day Mustard Yellow Cardigan

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Target Haul: A New Day Mustard Yellow Cardigan

Hi! As you can tell from yesterday’s post, mama went a little bit crazy at Target. But, that’s just my cross to bear, I suppose, and each thing I got was well worth it. One of my favorite things that I got was a cardigan by the relatively new Target brand, A New Day. It also happens to be in my favorite color, other than black, MUSTARD YELLOW! Take a look and let’s discuss:

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Mustard yellow is a color that every red head should have in his or her arsenal. There is nothing that makes your red locks pop quite like this color and I wear it as often as I can. Therefore, this gorgeous hued cardigan was an absolute must. I love that it’s long, but not too long. Don’t get me wrong, I love a duster cardi as much as the next fashionista, but there’s something about a cardigan that hits just below the waist that is so flattering on every figure.

Cardigans of all levels of heaviness are appropriate and amazing for fall in their own right, but I much prefer a lighter one over something super chunky. This A New Day number offers the option to layer, which is my preferred autumn style. I also adore the sweet, fine ribbed detail and the double dots traveling down the back of the cardi.

This sweater will instantly transform any autumn OOTD from “oh” to “oh yeah” in a matter of seconds. Button up a thin flannel, throw this little number on over it, pair with black or dark rinse skinnies, and complete the look with your favorite boots. Rinse. Repeat.

What is your favorite fall color? How would you style this cardigan? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct5

Blush, Baby – Maybelline’s Dream Bouncy Swatch In Candy Coral

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Blush, Baby – Maybelline’s Dream Bouncy Swatch In Candy Coral

HELLOOOOOOO! Having a sister is awesome because, other than having a built in BFF, you basically get to double your collection of makeup and clothing. Am I the best at sharing said makeup and clothing? Not always, but that’s neither here nor there. Whenever I’m not really using a product anymore, I always send it Kristen’s way and she does the same for me. Take the blush that you see below, for example. I gave it to Kristen and, probably one year later, she gave it back to me. So, now that it’s back in my possession, you can check out the swatch:

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My favorite non powder blush is definitely the Dream Bouncy collection by Maybelline. It’s creamy, goes on easily, and the pigments are always lovely. Shade 30, Candy Coral, is an underrated member of the Dream Bouncy crew, because it’s not the typical pink or brown blush. But, there’s nothing wrong with trying something a little different, especially when it’s so darn pretty!

Candy Coral is a good layering blush to make whatever shade you put over top of it really pop. It also is the perfect option for a no makeup makeup look if you rock it solo. It has just enough shine and oomph to it that it still takes a natural MOTD to next level fierce. Is this color absolutely necessary in your makeup arsenal? Perhaps not, but it is fun to have and it certainly brightens things up on a no makeup or full face day.

Do you use a cream or powder blush? What is your preferred blush color? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep17

Fall Flowers

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Fall Flowers

Howdy! In my neck of the woods, there’s a really awesome garden center called Graf Growers. They have farmer’s market events, workshops, a garden store, and a market filled with fresh produce. Every week during the fall, you can get a Market Basket that comes filled with fresh fruits and veggies along with recipes and a surprise gift. In the basket that we just got, all of the vegetables that were included could be used to make pico de gallo. Yum!

Normally, the surprise gift is an extra selection of produce but, this week, we were treated to a beautiful bouquet from their gardens. Check it out:

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What I love about this arrangement is that it looks like fall. The deeper colors that are used are so striking, and they look so lovely against the white roses and snap dragons in the arrangement. There is nothing like a fresh bouquet of flowers to make you smile, especially one that was a surprise! And, this special treat certainly displays all of the glory of autumn in one small bunch. So pretty! :*)

What is your favorite fall color? What is your favorite flower? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep10

Shopaholic Styles: All Autumn Everything OOTD

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Shopaholic Styles: All Autumn Everything OOTD

Hello one and all and Happy Monday! In all of the blogging world, there is one special gal who always comes to mind first. And, that is Nida from Shopaholic Blogs. Nida was the very first guest blogger that I ever had on lifewithlilred and she has become a staple on my page every time I host a guest bloggers series. She is funny, fashion forward, and downright fabulous! Not only that, but it’s impossible not to smile while reading her posts and watching her videos.

Nida creates a mean OOTD post and her take on a fall themed look can be seen below:

Shopaholic Styles: All Autumn Everything OOTD

Hola companeros blogueros ❣️

Welcome to a fabulous fall inspired 🍂 post courtesy of my long time blogging BFF Sarah of lifewithlilred 💞. I love collaborating with Sarah on guest posts, because she gives me so much creative freedom and she is always so appreciative of my work that it pushes me to do better every time.✨ So, for this fall themed post, I decided to put together an autumn OOTD (Which, by sheer coincidence, happens to be my favorite kind of post💓).

Technically speaking, there really is no fall season here in Dubai since summer ☀️ lasts all the way to November and then we jump straight into a very mild winter. However, just because we don’t get to experience actual fall 🍁 doesn’t mean that we can’t dress up for it! 😉

My take on fall included a bright, flowy top in a gorgeous yellow color, which I think is reminiscent of the splendor of autumn. I paired it with statement crop pants in a deep forest green 🍃 and beautiful foliage in all shades of green, yellow, and orange.

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Both pieces are from the Loft petites collection, which is my go to store for trendy, affordable clothing. ✨ I finished the look with these charming (Though extremely uncomfortable 😳) sandals by Jessica Simpson.

I hope that you guys enjoyed this fall inspired OOTD! 🍁 Sarah and I look forward to your comments. 😘

Thanks to Sarah for this fun opportunity and until next time loves xoxo❣️

How do you style a fall OOTD? What is your favorite store to snag affordable, on trend clothing at? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah