I think I've mentioned this before, but as a reminder, I am NOT a makeup artist nor do I claim to be fully capable of doing even my own makeup a lot of the time. This means that if I suggest something makeup related on this blog, it's probably [almost] idiot-proof.
That said, I've gone a little outside of my makeup box (again). I have a manager at work who's always wearing bright pink lipstick. I admire this for a couple of reasons. First, she can pull it off. Second, we work in public accounting...and approximately 3% of the office gives a fuck about what their faces look like, so the people (women) who make an effort definitely stand out.
A group of us went out for dinner/happy hour and somehow the topic of makeup, specifically lipstick, came up (of course?). At some point, it was suggested that I should try lipstick. So I naturally found myself at the Nars counter at Nordies...here are my favorite finds:
1) Best Pink - Carthage: I love this color because it's not too Barbie (though the photo may look it). It's a true, matte, bright pink - not a baby/bright pink (which is what I would call "Barbie") and no tacky shimmer. I love the matte lipsticks because they tend to be a little more subtle but can be played up with a layer of gloss on top!
2) Best Red - Vesuvio: I chose this red because it's not too "classic" red. When I think of a traditional red lip, I think of a fire engine, a holly berry and/or a street walker. This is not THAT color. It's rich, but not in-your-face bright red.
3) Best Coral - Torres del Paine: I've been seeing a lot of coral these days, especially on lips. My fear was that I wouldn't be able to find one that didn't scream orange, but this is the perfect combination of a summer pink and a summer orange - and I'm in LOVE with the lip pencils. They go on super smooth and are so easy to apply!
4) Best Neutral/Pink - Tolede: This is a much more subtle hue, which I love for an natural/daytime look. It appears a little more mauve in the photo than it is in person - "neutral pink" is the best way I can describe it!
5) Best Nude - Isola Bella: Again, I love this for a more natural look, especially for summer. It's super smooth and what I would describe as a "sophisticated' color.
So it only took me literally two years to commit to investing in s few statement necklaces, but I finally took the plunge. Isn't it funny how a weekend of studying for a CPA exam can really get you to dig deep into that to-do list?
This past weekend I took one of my study breaks at the Beverly Center (which I seriously visit once a year, usually for Bed Bath and Beyond) and found myself some pretty awesome accessories. And the best part? I only spent $65 on FIVE pieces of jewelry. How did I do this? I stepped inside a Forever 21. I usually avoid Forever 21 at all costs - most of them are so unorganized and overwhelming that I just cannot bring myself to spend more than 20 minutes browsing. However, if you live in Los Angeles, I definitely recommend the Beverly Center store. Things are actually (on average) in some type of order and they have a designated jewelry section that's maneuverable! The other option is to shop online - the only problem being that all of their jewelry is final sale, so you won't be able to try it on or see it in person before you commit. Considering 90% of the necklaces I looked at were under $10, you might not have a problem with that.
As I mentioned, I've been meaning to find statement necklaces for a while now. Usually when I find one I like, it's at J. Crew and costs $200 so I can't bring myself to buy it. This is a much cheaper alternative, and chances are that you're not going to keep these pieces forever anyway! A statement necklace is a great way to pull together or spice up an outfit. It makes even the simplest ensembles look instantly
polished and planned. I am the QUEEN of wearing nice black pants and a
tucked-in t-shirt to work, so the addition of a bright and shiny
statement piece has certainly been helping me look more put together
lately (especially with the summer temperatures about to heat up)!
Here are a couple more treasures I found (and I'm loving them all!):
