Tag Archives: pretty

Sep5

Sephora Golden Hour Highlighter In Dusk Swatch

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Sephora Golden Hour Highlighter In Dusk Swatch

Yo! Back in March, I tried out my first highlighter from Sephora. I used my Beauty Insider points to get a mini Becca highlighter in Opal during one of my orders. I’ve been using my highlighter for the past five months and am just about finished with it. And, five months isn’t bad at all for a mini product! While picking up my Mistress Hair Balm by IGK, I decided to get a new highlighter, too. I ended up with a Sephora brand one for a multitude of reasons, but price was definitely the main factor. Take a look and let’s discuss:

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^^^ The alternating pictures are with the flash off and the flash on, so you can see the illumination of the highlighter.

Originally, I had planned on getting another Becca highlighter. I really liked the shade that I was using and, if I was feeling saucy enough, maybe I would try a different one. But, then I realized that one of their highlighters costed thirty-five dollars and I said hell no. That would be the most that I’ve ever spend on a makeup product before and I just wasn’t comfortable with it.

I asked one of the workers if she could show me some of the different highlighters that the brands had and, everything but the Sephora brand, which ran for sixteen dollars, was upwards of thirty bucks. So, the Sephora brand it was. I liked that the color I went with, Dusk, was lighter than the shade that I’ve been using. Opal was nice and warm, which was perfect for summer. But, Dusk is cooler and more subdued, which is going to be lovely for the fall and winter months ahead.

I did like a lot of the more expensive highlighters that were shown to me, but I’m glad that I stuck to my guns and went with the cheapest option. I feel guilt free about my purchase and I definitely think that I would be feeling buyer’s remorse if I bought a thirty-five dollar highlighter. I’m looking forward to playing with my Sephora highlighter once I finish my Becca one in its entirety and will have to take some pictures to show you guys the makeup goods when I can! 😀

What is the most expensive beauty product you own? What about the least expensive? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep4

Small Sephora Shopping

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Small Sephora Shopping

Hello! Literally hours before I fell ill last week, I did a spot of shopping at Sephora to get myself a new highlighter and grab a full sized item that I fell in love with after using a tester in my Play! box. If you remember from my unboxing of the goodie bag, then you will know that the product that I’m talking about is the IGK Hydrating Hair Balm in Mistress. It is absolutely divine and is what we will be talking about in this post, as I will be swatching the highlighter tomorrow. Check it out:

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Now, normally, I would never pay TWENTY-NINE DOLLARS for a tube of hair product, but, then, I remembered that it took me three weeks to finish the tester and sometimes I used it twice a day. So, a little obviously goes a long way. I suspect that I will have this product for close to a year and that makes the initial, somewhat expensive investment, well worth it.

And, the fact that this balm kicks ass makes the investment worth it, too. My hair had three weeks of feeling simply lustrous and I would be a monkey’s uncle if I gave that up! The coconut oil in IGK’s leave in conditioner gives it a rich, creamy smell without being too perfumey or overpowering. It leaves your hair with the perfect amount of sleekness and shine but it doesn’t weigh it down, so your locks will still be able to maintain body and volume. Frizzy days are definitely a thing of the past thanks to Mistress, and your hair will look and feel like you got it done at the salon after styling it with each use.

I put a dime size dollop into my hair after my shower and by the time I’m ready to straighten it, the product is locked, loaded, and ready for action. I love the shine that my hair has from using this IGK balm and it feels so silky to the touch all day. It’s like you don’t even have anything in your hair. So consider it our little secret, okay? 🙂

Tomorrow, we’ll swatch my new highlighter from Sephora’s Golden Hour collection called Dusk. But, for now, what is your favorite hair product to use? What is one of your at home remedies for perfect hair? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep3

Flowers From Friends

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Flowers From Friends

Hey everyone and Happy Monday! To me, there is nothing better than a bouquet of flowers for the kitchen table. Whether they’re store bought, home grown, or picked on the side of the road, it doesn’t matter. Just as long as they’re pretty. And, because they’re flowers, you never have to worry about them not being pretty! This past weekend our wonderful neighbor stopped by with this gorgeous bouquet to celebrate an exciting development in my mom’s health and it’s so lovely that I had to share it with all of you! Take a look:

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There is no sweeter surprise than receiving Flowers From Friends and the above sure are beauties. I am particularly obsessed with the little purple fuzzy ones, even though I have no idea what they are. But, they sure are cute! I love that this bouquet looks like the upcoming fall season in its colors and selections, which makes me very excited because I do love me an autumn arrangement!

Having a neighbor as amazing as ours is a blessing, and these flowers are a special reminder of her surprise stopping over to celebrate my family’s happy news with us. This bouquet will definitely be making me smile for many days to come. 🙂

Who else has a really good relationship with their neighbor? Has anyone ever had a bad next door neighbor? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug24

Posh Polishes Pt. 2: Londontown Haul

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Posh Polishes Pt. 2: Londontown Haul

Hi everyone! I hope that all of you are having a great week and are looking forward to an exciting weekend ahead of you. Londontown is back with a vengeance for their Fall 2019 collection featuring hues that are so rich and vibrant that I promise you’ve never seen anything like it before. And, did I mention that all of their products are vegan and cruelty free so that you can buy their products guilt free? Yeah, I said it! Londontown’s Fall 2019 collection will make you feel so posh and downright sexy, so I better get to showing the shades off before the anticipation drives you mad! Check it out:

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Seen from top to bottom:

Vendetta: This deep scarlet shade is so fetching for fall and sticks true to its namesake, because nothing makes me think of a Vendetta more than a striking shade of dark red. Londontown keeps this color cool with blue undertones but, don’t let that fool you, because Vendetta is red hot.

Kissed By Rose Gold: The slogan for Londontown’s Fall 2019 collection is “Back with a vengeance”, and it sure does it sweetly with Kissed By Rose Gold. This gorgeous metallic shade gives you just the right amount of sparkle and edginess, emulating this past year’s “it” color to perfection.

Jane Austen: A true heroine wouldn’t be complete without a signature shade, and that’s where Jane Austen comes in. This light hued lavender gives you romance, but the smokiness to it adds drama and mystery. Long story short, I’m sure Jane Austen would approve!

Iconic: Go ahead and make a statement with Iconic, an electric blue that’s sure to shock! This shade allows you to bring some brightness to a grey fall day in a way that’s chic and fashion forward. Revel in the stares and compliments, because this shade is totally Iconic.

Can’t settle on one shade? Fear not! All of these colors compliment each other well, so feel free to give yourself an accent nail or two!

And, don’t forget your base and top coat:

Londontown’s Nail Hardener & Base Coat gives you such amazing benefits that is almost seems too good to be true. Not only does it improve the appearance of dry, brittle nails but, it also prevents staining and creates a durable surface to bond your polish for extended wear, which gives you the most bang for your buck. This product is a base coat and treatment all in one and is an absolute must when giving yourself a mani.

And, of course, it’s a necessity to finish off your spa night by applying a Protective Top Coat to your nails. Londontown’s top coat will give your manicure the power to be chip resistant, super shiny, and well protected against damaging external elements, which also gives you the most bang for your buck! Need I say more about how this product is also an absolute must?

Stand in your power and enter each room throughout the day with a vengeance, thanks to Londontown’s stunning fall collection. And, if you can’t think of a catchphrase better than “Back with a vengeance”, then it’s totally okay to let your nails do the talking!

What is your favorite color from this post? Who plans on shopping Londontown soon? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug21

Givenchy Le Rouge Liquide Swatch In Rouge Suedine

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Givenchy Le Rouge Liquide Swatch In Rouge Suedine

Hey everyone and welcome to my last swatch from my sample packet compliments of Givenchy’s Le Rouge Liquide collection! Today, we will be swatching a deep berry color called Rouge Suedine and I am actually lightweight obsessed. Clearly, I saved the best for last, so take a look and let’s discuss:

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After actually wearing this color on my lips, I will say that it’s more matte than I anticipated it being but it still felt and had the semi appearance of a gloss. The application of this product was smooth, even with your basic single use wand, so I could imagine that using an actual tube would be even better!

I love a good berry lip for fall, and I enjoyed having blackberry stained lips for the day when I gave it a try. The only disappointment was that I must have reapplied the lippie at least three times between the morning and early afternoon, because the color in the center and corner of my lips faded drastically. Had that not been a factor, I would consider buying Rouge Suedine, because the color really is lovely. I’ve never experimented too heavily with berry lips, so this is a good starting point to find the perfect shade and brand for fall.

What is your favorite shade of berry lipstick? Which brand of lippie do you think is best in terms of all day wear? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug17

Giving Any Look The Wow Factor

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Giving Any Look The Wow Factor

An important event looms near. It could be a first date, a job interview, or a presentation at school. You’re mentally prepared and feeling confident, but you know that the right look will give you that extra boost you need to turn the tables of success in your favor. But how to get the look right eludes you. You’ve got a pretty good idea of what you want to wear and maybe how you’d like to arrange your hair, but for some reason your look doesn’t pop. It needs a little something extra. Something that will turn heads and get you noticed. Something that will give your look that elusive wow factor.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways that you can do this. Don’t worry, none of them are bank breakers!

It’s all about the eyes:

The eyes are the windows into the soul and whether you’re on a date or in a job interview they play a huge part in how you are perceived. Drawing attention to your eyes and making them look bigger and sparklier communicates openness, honesty, and approachability. But the eyes also command attention and, if you want them to, they can steal a heart. Be sure to shape your brows well to create a flattering frame for the eyes, and never underestimate the power of a good mascara. Also remember to use the color of your eyeliner to your advantage and you’ll have eyes that pop in an instant.

What’s a girl’s best friend, now?

Diamonds are not just gorgeous, but they’re extremely versatile. They can dazzle, mystify, and imbue you with an air of class and sophistication. When they catch the light they can draw the eye wherever you want it to but, perhaps the most beneficial thing that a diamond brings, is the sense of prestige. Check out http://yourdiamondguru.com/reviews/james-allen/ for information about how different colored diamonds can be used in different settings to add an extra wow factor. Diamonds can either create an aura of success or an air of allure. It’s all about how you use them.

The shoes!!!

There’s a reason why one can never have too many shoes. The right pair can make you command attention as soon as you walk into a room. They can change your height, the way you walk, and the way you stand. They can make you seem formidable and imposing or sultry and seductive. Just make sure that you wear shoes that you feel comfortable in. Wincing with every step won’t wow your prospective new boss or your potential new beau!

Belt up!

The humble belt may spend a lot of time unused in your closet, but it’s the perfect way to tie any look together. Plus, it can help to lend you a more flattering shape and prevent a layered look from swallowing you whole. Find a belt that gives your outfit a pop of color and see how it transforms any look.

Now, you’re ready to dazzle with the extra wow factor in all of your looks!

Featured Image By: Good Free Photos

Aug11

Posh Polishes

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Posh Polishes

Hey everyone and happy weekend! Lil Red is the ultimate girly girl and nothing pleases me more than caring for my tresses, skin, and having gorgeous acrylics on my nails. But, gorgeous acrylics need gorgeous polishes to top them, which is where Londontown comes in to play. Londontown features a wide array of colors, treatments, and goodies to keep your nails looking lovely one fab shade at a time. Including some of the following:

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And, if the colors Chim Cher-ee, Briolette, and Opal look familiar, that’s because they’re on my acrylics as we speak! Experimenting with different nail polishes is always fun, especially if you can’t find the shade you’re looking for in store or at your salon. That’s why it’s such a treat to enjoy some new colors exclusively at Londontown. And, to make the feeling of luxury even sweeter, the website frequently offers wonderful promotions to save you money. And that’s something Lil Red can always get behind! 😀

What is your favorite shade of nail polish? What color is on your nails today? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug7

Dress Obsessed: BCBG Edition

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Dress Obsessed: BCBG Edition

Hellooo everyone and a happy Tuesday to all of you! I would never call myself a “label whore” by any means. I’m happy as a clam in any brand, as long as the price is right and it looks cute. But, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t more high end brands that I admire from afar. One of them being, BCBG. What I love the most about that brand is that they do sexy clothing in a way that’s still really tasteful and chic. The silhouettes in BCBG’s clothing are always form fitting but it’s done in the way that it should be: it shows your body’s shape without the garment clinging to you for dear life!

I was lucky enough to snag two BCBG dresses from TJMaxx for forty dollars apiece, which is still cheaper than the original price of eighty-eight dollars per dress. Take a look at the little number we’ll be discussing today and swing by tomorrow to look at my other new favorite dress:

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Before we even talk about how gorgeous this dress is, I really need to commend BCBG’s sizing. It can definitely be intimidating when you order things online, because you always have to factor in the “what if it doesn’t fit” element. That’s why, I’m pleased to say that this dress fit me like a glove.

I looked up BCBG’s sizing chart before ordering and went with a size small, which is for sizes four to six. I am a true blue size four and that really is what I got with my new purchase. It fit me beautifully without being overly tight or clingy. It showed my shape without showing it in its entirety through a modest knee length and long sleeves. Like I said earlier, it’s sexy done right.

Now, we can talk about the simply charming nod to 70’s flower power in the long sleeves and the netted black carving a gorgeous shape throughout the fabric. From the color combinations and pattern to the varying degrees of texture, this dress is interesting to look at both on and off the hanger! I feel like I’ve never seen anything that looks like it before, and I’ll definitely be scouring the TJ’s website monthly for more BCBG gems like the dresses from today and tomorrow’s post.

My new BCBG dress really doesn’t need accessorizing, because it’s a fairly busy piece. But, I do plan on pairing it with my pearls and wooden Steve Madden heels for a sexy but still sweet OOTD.

What are some brand names that you admire from afar? How would you style this dress? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul26

Butterflying Away

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Butterflying Away

Hi everyone and happy Thursday! We are so close to the weekend that I can taste it, but with that sensation can come a case of the blahs, because two sweet days off seems so close yet so far. So I decided to brighten up everyone’s newsfeed today with some pictures that my dad took of a big, beautiful Monarch Butterfly that was fluttering around the garden. And, soon, we will be Butterflying Away to the weekend in no time!

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^^^ Our butterfly friend isn’t in the sunflower picture, I just really like it! 🙂

There are so many different meanings that can come from spotting the gorgeous Monarch Butterfly. From good luck to a friendly hello from your guardian angels or a loved one that has passed on, Monarchs only carry the best vibes. That’s why it was so exciting for this little carrier of good news to be hanging around our garden, besides for the lovely pictures taken by my dad, of course!

I hope these pictures brighten your day and carry you to the weekend with a smile on your face!

What is one of your favorite surprises to find in nature? What is your favorite insect? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul20

From Paris, With Love

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From Paris, With Love

Hi everyone and TGIF! If you know Lil Red, then you’ll know that I am an avid lover of all things French. The language, the fashion, the architecture, the food – I am a huge fan of all of it and it is my dream to spend a few months there. Unfortunately, that dream hasn’t come into fruition yet, so the closest that I can get to Paris is practicing my French on Duolingo. Disappointed doesn’t even begin to cover my emotions about that!

But, the brilliant surprises of exploring a new country can take place right where you are, if you have an awesome mom, that is. Over the weekend, I was called downstairs from working on my French by my brother so that he could tell me something. While we were chatting, my mom went into my room and replaced my sad, old bed sheets and comforters with this gorgeous set:

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Upon returning to my chambers, I couldn’t believe the fantastic surprise that my mom had for me. This new bed set is absolutely stunning, and it looks like illustrations and writing taken straight from someone’s travel journal. And, did I mention that my new blankies are the epitome of comfort? They are so soft but light, and are perfect for wrapping yourself in during a warm summer night.

I might not be in Paris any time soon, but at least my new bed set will take me there in my dreams! Thanks, mom! ❤

Where is your dream travel location? How do you bring some of your favorite country to your home? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah