Thursday, March 28, 2013

Thursday's Three: Spring Essentials

Thursday's Three: March 28, 2013

       The denim jacket is timeless piece.  Confession: I have owned the same one since I was 10, it is a kids large from the Gap! I have been living in mine this past year and know I will get even more use out of it as the warmer months approach.  Because you can get many years of wear out of these gems it's okay to splurge a little for a good quality piece.  
       If you know me well you know I wear hats much more than I should.  According to my mother, I have been this way since I was little; in preschool I wouldn't leave the house without one.  Floppy hats are perfect for Spring and Summer.  Maxi dress, big sunnies, and a floppy hat...the perfect beach outfit.  
       You don't need to cover your face with loads of foundation during spring and summer since it will either end up the pool or smeared all over your towel.  Concealer is the only must to cover any problem areas.  This MAC concealer is super hydrating and won't dry out. 

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Quick & Easy Springtime Makeup


Spring has officially sprung! So put your smokey eye shadow palettes away and bring out the bright and bold.  Springtime is all about bright, pastelly colors.  I know brights can be a bit intimidating and usually have correlations to clown make-up, but incorporating brights in ONE part of your look will keep it understated. 

I have been particularly loving this look because it is quick and easy but still plays with color.  
It is the perfect natural beauty makeup! 

Step 1: Using your fingers or brush (I recommend the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush) to apply Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Perfecter B.B. Cream ($11.99) all over your face, blending it into your neck.  B.B. Creams are the perfect face makeup to use when in a hurry, it is basically a glorified tinted moisturizer that gives you light to medium coverage with a healthy dewy finish. 

Step 2: Apply an iridescent eyeshadow or highlighter, like theBalm's Mary Lou-Manizer ($24), to the top of your cheekbones (Tip: above where you would apply your blush), the end of your brow bone, the inner tear duct, and down the bridge of your nose.  This will give you skin an instant glow, especially when the sun or light hits you. 

Step 3: Curl your lashes and apply your favorite mascara.  I am currently loving Rimmel London's Lash Accelerator Mascara ($9.99)! 

Step 4: To bring the "springtime" into this look, make your lips and cheeks the focal point.  Using Maybelline's Color Whisper in Coral Ambition ($7.49) swipe it across your lips for the perfect pinky coral.  Then make a small dot, the size of a penny, on the apples of your cheeks and use your fingers or brush to blend it in and slightly upwards towards your ear. This will pull the whole look together and give you a dewy finish. 


Thursday, March 21, 2013

Thursday's Three


        I have had these Madewells tucked in the bottom of my denim drawer for quite some time.  I decided to give em a go and don't now they sit will sit at the top of my drawer.  Super comfy, perfectly skinny, and the high rise waist is very flattering and looks super cute with any top of sweater tucked in just on the side. 
2.  Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam - price varies
       HOLY GRAIL product! After 19 years of frizzy curly hair, I have found the one product that manages to get rid of it completely.  This Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam is my hair savior.  The added conditioning gives my parched strands the moisture it needs to stay frizz free and smooth.  
      Winter has finally passed, but my pale skin hasn't received the memo quite yet.  Instead I took matters into my own hands and got the Jergens Natural Glow line for both face and body.  I have received great results and this has now become my daily moisturizer. The added bonus...no self-tanner smell!  Now you really can fool everyone in thinking you spent your weekends sun bathing on the beach. 

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Inside My Beauty Boxes: March

Welcome to the first monthly feature post on Zeal, Inside My Beauty Boxes! 
Each month I will tell you the products I received and my honest opinion about each one.  Today I found out that I am now going to receive an Ipsy Glam Bag each month.  Ipsy is a monthly beauty subscription like Birchbox, created by the Youtube famous, Michelle Phan.  I plan on comparing the two on my blog each month, so that you can see the difference and maybe even get a subscription for yourself.  I hope you enjoy!
*Note: My Ipsy Glam Bag will come in April, so this post will only include my Birchbox products.

$19 for 6
I received the silver headband in my Birchbox this month.  I have gotten the hair bands before and absolutely LOVE them! The silver is super cute for accessorizing with you hair down, but I would not use this as for an up-do or a pony because it slips out easily. 

$20
This shave cream uses only eco-friendly products and has no parabens or harmful chemicals.  Because of it's all natural ingredients it does not foam up.  The cream does give a close shave and leaves your skin moisturized, as promised.  For myself, I wouldn't spend $20 on a shaving cream especially because I get the same shave with water.  If you have particularly sensitive skin and are willing to shell out twenty bucks, then this would be a great buy.  They come in great fruity flavors as well!

$25
I have tried a couple dry shampoos with no luck in any and this one was just like the others.  It left my hair dirtier and greasier.  The whole concept of dry shampoo rubs me the wrong way anyways, but I will try and use it as a volumizing spray on clean hair and see how it does.  I will have to say that the smell is very nice and much better than other dry shampoos I have tried. 

$5
Madewell has collaborated with Birchbox this month to get them ready for spring with their new collection.  This Emery Board is just like any other but features Madewell's spring collection floral print.  

$10
I have never tried nail polish strips before, so I was very excited to get these in my Birchbox this month.  Though I am not very jazzed about the design, it will be a nice pattern to ring in Spring. These appliques apply very easily and have no dry time which is a great bonus for quick nail polish changes.  They also last for a super long time! I usually become very indecisive with my nail colors, so hopefully I will keep these on longer than 3 days like my usual nail polish. 

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Thursday's Three: On My Wish List


I have been drooling over these three things for a while now (the first one especially).  Though the first one will stay on my wish list for a while, I hope to get the next two very soon. 

1. Celine Bag - $300 and up
      If you have been looking in magazines, tabloids, or blogs recently, then you know that the Celine bags are the new "it" bag.  The structured style looks professional but the assortments of colors and combinations, you even pair it with a more casual look as well. 
      I have naturally curly hair and it has a mind of it's own.  I lean to hair masks to help de-fuzz my hair and make it look somewhat normal on days that I don't use hot tools.  This Hair Moisturizer uses a uses a "blend of moisturizing olive oil, cognac oil and beer gently flattens down the surface cells to smooth and add shine to unruly manes."  I am crossing my fingers that this will become a "holy grail" product. 
       I have been hearing rave reviews by many beauty gurus on Youtube about these new lipsticks and I have decided I need to give in (and I received a coupon in my magazine which made the decision easier).  I really want to get the coral.  I have never tried a coral color because I have been too scared, but this one is more pink than orange so I think I can pull it off with my fair skin.  The great thing about the Vivids is that they are SUPER pigmented.  One swipe is enough to last all day and they are hydrating as well; the perfect combination to any lipstick. 

What fashion, hair, and makeup products have you been craving?

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

On Trend: Colors



Pastels, florals, and all things flowy and light are what comes to mind when you think of springtime colors.  But this spring bolder colors are coming into the mix. Black, white, and tomato red.  Make some room in your closet for these on trend items.


Tip: Pants are an easy way to incorporate bold looks.  But remember to keep the top simple and accessories at a minimum, let the print or color do the talking. 

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As you may have seen, my blog is officially under construction. 
A few more changes are in process and will hopefully be complete soon, but until then I hope you are enjoying my new beautiful header, made by the very talented Meghan Klein of Floataway Studios.
Go check out her personal blog and see her amazing wedding photography, film series, and many more fun things through her lens.



Thursday, March 7, 2013

Thursday's Three

Sorry for the lack of posts this week; it's midterms week and it leaves me little time to do anything other than study.  But I can see the light, there is only 2 more days until Spring Break! 
 (which will no doubt fly by like it always does) 
*sigh*
Brainstorming some new things for the blog that I am really excited about 
and hopefully giving my site a complete makeover soon.  
Can't wait to share! 
Now onto Thursday's Three...


      White and black are not the usual colors you would gravitate  in the spring, but this year it will be seen everywhere.  The Spring '13 runways were filled with black and white ensembles.  The stark contrast is somewhat refreshing.  This black and white polka dot dress is super cute in cut and pattern.  Through any color cardi or pair it with colorful heels or maybe the flower crown in the next picture. 
      I have many fashion bloggers wearing this girly accessory for a while now and each time I see one I want one even more.  This crown from Urban Outfitters is super affordable (unlike the others they have that break the bank at $100+).  I will definitely be picking up one on my next Urban outing and will probably wear more than I should. 
3. LUSH Oatfix - $6.95 (in-store only)
      I bought a pot of Lush's Oatfix this weekend because I was looking for a good nourishing mask.  This one is particular has "bananas, vanilla, ground almonds, and oats to cool and nourish irritated skin."  Whether it is dryness, acne, oil, and any other skin problem, LUSH has a face mask for it.  I picked up this one specifically for the smell.  It smells like oatmeal cookie dough, when I am slathering it on my face I am very tempted to eat it, it smells that good! I will definitely be purchasing this in the future.