chelsea wears
beauty blog
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil - Belle De Jour
After a recent obsession with NARS' Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella (amazing, go get it!), I needed to get more from the range. &qu...
After a recent obsession with NARS' Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in
Cruella
(amazing, go get it!), I
needed
to get more from the range. "Needed to" meant in the compulsive shopaholic sense, not in the actual basic human needs sense, naturally. I started my hoarding with
Dragon Girl
, a long ago recommending shade from my cousin (thanks Tracey!), and rounded it off with
Red Square
. Both are vibrant and beautiful reds and I recommend them all the way. Next up, after a late night Sephora browsing sesh, I caved and bought
Belle De Jour
and
Roman Holiday
. Roman Holiday.. I'm on the fence about and might return, but Belle De Jour (pictured below with no liner underneath the lipstick) is a current obsession.
It's an incredibly easy to apply, gorgeous nude that looks great with virtually any eye look or outfit. So much so, that it's been my go-to lip look this whole holiday season. I skipped over the bold and the beautiful
Lady Danger
and
Eurydice
for this and haven't looked back (this means nothing though -- talk to me in a week and I'll probably be on a hot pink kick again.). I find it fades out somewhat nicely and gives a good few hours of wear before that. My only qualm with Belle De Jour is that, much like
Bolero
(and any light shade for that matter), it shows lip dryness and can settle a little into the lines of your lips. In you were to moisturize your lips well and find a good liner for underneath, I think this would look flawless. I'm still in the market for one -- and got a little swatch-crazy sidetracked during gift shopping at Sephora, to no avail -- so please let me know if you have found the perfect liner match.
[
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Belle De Jour
- $24 ]
Final Verdict:
All in all, a gorgeous and multipurpose shade from an amazing, high quality range. Get a lip liner and exfoliate/moisturize your lips for optimum results -- like any matte shade, really. I put my stamp on it!
What are your favorite shades from NARS' Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Range?
clare vivier
What I Wore: 12.24.12
Wore this to a family holiday party and well, let's just say my dad didn't GET my outfit. It's "office girl meets xena war...
Wore this to a family holiday party and well, let's just say my dad didn't GET my outfit. It's "office girl meets xena warrior princess meets cat lady", duh. It looks ridiculous, and that's what I love about it. Interestingly enough, he thought the necklace was the worst component -- and to think, I was expecting the pants to top his list! Hah! That necklace is my current favorite and was a real steal at Zara, just about $29. Don't be talking trash on my necklace. And I'm not taking any fashion advice from a guy who loves Ireland
so much
he wears green leather tennis shoes 365 days a year! Humpfh!
This
Silence & Noise Boyfriend blazer
is a closet necessity and thankfully
on sale
right now at UO -- oh, you'll thank me.
If you're a little on the wacky side too,
these Topshop "Winter Floral" pants are also on sale on Nordstrom's site
.
Jacket
:
Silence & Noise from Urban Outfitters
Shirt
: Zara
Necklace
: Zara
Pants
:
Topshop
Boots
:
Sam Edelman "Lisle
"
Clutch
:
Clare Vivier
beauty blog
New Year, New Hair -- My Experience with eSalon
I have been toying with dying my hair an assortment of different colors lately -- everyday gravitating between TTH red , ice white blonde ...
I have been toying with dying my hair an assortment of different colors lately -- everyday gravitating between
TTH red
, ice white blonde with grungy roots (lest anyone thing I was going for a playboy bunny look!), or my ole faithful "dark." As you can tell, I went with the easiest (and hopefully most job interview friendly, HELLO HIRE ME!) option. Having been deathly afraid of box dyes and all the friends I've seen end up with dark red hair that's impossible to de-red and recently hearing about
eSalon
, I opted for the most profesh and cheapest option. [ In case this matters to you -- this is
NOT
a sponsored post, I found and bought the dye kit with my own simoleons. ]
Let's rewind.
Scene:
Alone, in my dark bedroom (curtains drawn mid-day) with 10 cats purring around me and a few half drunk milk bowls (some curdling) scattered around the floor.
I happen upon a tweet that catches my eye and reminded me that I was interesting in trying out this
eSalon
service, having read some write up or review of it a few months prior. To break down their service as simple as possible, they are professional colorists that will mix professional dye for you and send it with simple instructions for DIY application. No box dye and you get to tell them what you want. Sold.
I hop on the site and upload some images featuring my hair's natural state and my current color situation. Fill out the questionaire about my hair type, what I'm looking for, what I don't want, coloring history, etc.... Use their color matrix to select color and tone (darkest possible brown with zero red undertones). Search online for a coupon code (duh, and found one!) and check out. Easy enough.
The box arrives and while I would like to show you guys a picture of the beaut, it has my full name on every bottle (a la "Mixed Especially for Chelsea BlahBlah") and don't feel like putting that shit out thurr in the interwebs. You get a few YT comments that say, in no simpler terms, "I want to anal rape you, violently" and you try to keep your true identity on the DL. Ya know? But it's essentially like any perfume gift set comes, with each developer and dye bottle fitting into a perfect shaped developer and dye bottle sized dent in the plastic. It's all white. Super sleek.
My kit cost me just over $19 (shipping included) and contained a coloring brush, 2 bottles of developer, 2 bottles of dye, 2 sets of gloves, stain remover, stain guard, color safe conditioner, instructions, safety warnings,... and I think that's about it? I open the safety instructions and read about the possibility of an allergic reaction and the need to do a patch test for 48 hours prior to usage. I disregard those because I'm a rebel/idiot. I impulsively decide to do it at night, in poor lighting. Because I wouldn't be me unless I was constantly making impulsive decisions.
The instructions were incredibly easy to follow and the whole process took about 30 minutes from opening the box to getting yelled at by my mom for getting dye all over the shower. [
Disclaimer
: Do not get dye everywhere. Your mom will be
SO
mad! It all washed off very easily so seesh, lady.. calm down! Except that small bit on grout. But I'll get a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser! (Internet research leads me to believe that this wonder product will get my mom off my ass and my dye off the grout, fingers crossed.) ] Section your hair in 4, pour dye into developer bottle, shake, and squirt it out along your roots. Set timer for 15 minutes. Set up new bottle of dye/developer. Start working dye down all the rest of the hair and once the 15 minute timer you set after the roots were completed goes off, it's time to wash it all out.
Side note:
It baffled me that the last bit of hair that I completed just minutes before the timer went off could have been dyed enough compared to the hair that had been soaking for twice the time but alas, it was.
Washed it all out (queue the getting it all over the shower) and I was a new woman! Yup, totally true. Brand spankin' new.
Final Verdict?
Try this if you want to dye your hair yourself, but are scared of box dyes/want to have more input on the process. It's more affordable than going to a salon and much quicker. Hopefully you aren't allergic and dye (get it, get it! Okay, that joke was a little off color. HA! Did it again. Hair stylist humor, typical in the industry.) Honestly, I'd really recommend it -- it was easy and the color turned out EXACTLY like I wanted. What else is there to say?!
[ this is
not
a sponsored
rev
iew
/
post
, there is
nothing
in it for me if you do or don't click on the link or try this service. ]
babette
What I Wore: 11.16.12 // Sam Edelman 'Lisle' Bootie
I should really quit it with these outfit posts because I dress too basic in day-to-day life. Booorang . A shirt, some pants, and some boot...
I should really quit it with these outfit posts because I dress too basic in day-to-day life.
Booorang
. A shirt, some pants, and some boots! What a novel idea! Copyright that! It's never been done before! Though, I actually remember just being so angsty about my clothes that day and hating everything I put on, so I should be happy enough that I look half okay. But really, this post is because I just wanted to show off my new
western-ish booties with rose gold zips
. Ta-da! They clang when I walk, instant spurs! (I actually find that really annoying and a con for these shoes -- so take note, potential buyers.)
Top: Vince
Vest: Gap
Jeans: BDG from Urban Outfitters
Booties:
Sam Edelman "Lisle"
Bag: Longchamp
Necklace:
Babette
from Etsy
beauty blog
Essie - Good as Gold
Essie recently released a metallic range of polishes and naturally, I made a bit of an impulse splurge at the drug store... and then promptl...
Essie recently released a metallic range of polishes and naturally, I made a bit of an impulse splurge at the drug store... and then promptly walked out feeling guilty and mad at myself for paying full price (imagine a Gollum vs. Sméagol
moment in the parking lot of RiteAid
.
My precious!
). Just buy your polish on Amazon, damnit, it's much cheaper!
Good as Gold is a pretty gold (duh) metallic, but I'm not sure it's right for my coloring. Despite some difficulties in achieving an even application, it wore well.. as per usual with Essie polishes. Unfortunately, I just never liked how it looked against my cool toned skin. I honestly wish there was some sort of invention or dial on our bodies where we could change our skin colors each day (and before you say it, I don't mean tanning beds!) because I'd honestly like to change up my skin color as much as I change my polish and my lipstick. Having said that, I think this would look BALLER on really dark or super tanned skin -- you win this time, ladies! Until I get a skin machine that will let me look like Grace Jones, I think I'm just going to keep this around as a tip color for more colored tip looks. In truth, I don't think I'll ever wear this alone on my nails again, so join me in remembrance of my $8.
RIP $8.
I should have listened to Sméagol.
[ in direct sunlight ]
beauty blog
Monthly Beauty Favorites: November 2012
Another month, another favorites video... Products Mentioned: Bobbi Brown Long Wear Even Finish Foundation SPF 15 in 00 - Alabas...
Another month, another favorites video...
Products Mentioned:
Bobbi Brown
Long Wear Even Finish Foundation SPF 15 in 00 - Alabaster
Essie
"Master Plan" Nail Polish
Tarte
Maracuja Creaseless Concealer in Fair
Clinique
Airbrush Concealer in 01 - Fair
YSL
Rouge Volupte Lipsticks in 1 and 2
MAC
Lip Pencil in Brick
NARS
Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella
Ilamasqua
Lipstick in Eurydice
Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Creme in Iced Gold and Rose Gold
NARS
Cream Blush in Enchanted
Kevyn Aucoin
The Sculpting Powder in Medium
Honorable Mention: MAC Lipstick in Innocence Beware! (Limited Edition)
nike
Getting Fit: Womens Nike Free Run 4.0
Hey, these are shoes... they count.. I "wear" them! It's time for me to get back into being a healthy, fit member of society. ...
Hey, these are shoes... they count.. I "wear" them! It's time for me to get back into being a healthy, fit member of society. I used to play sports and run... and even spend time outdoors (what a novel idea).. but I've become quite lazy in the past few years. I try to avoid outdoors on the East Coast thanks to either really hot weather or really cold weather.... and I hate gyms... and I didn't own running shows...
annnnd
these are all excuses so I will shut up.
While my diet and lack of working out has not really negatively affected my body size/shape/etc... it's important to be fit just for my own general health. It really would be so much easier to get my ass on the pavement if vanity or an inability to fit into my expensive jeans were my motivations, but alas just the abstract idea of "health." What can I measure to see results?! Nothing!
Borringg
.
I PROMISE to never run a marathon (like everyone else and their mothers endlessly brag about doing on Facebook. My FB newsfeed is awful... what is it was marathons and mid- to late- 20 somethings and early-30 something people?!? Why sync it to FB?! I. do. not. care. that. you. run. around. in. circles.). And this probably marks the end of me ever talking about running and fitness because I find it very boring -- but my new shoes are cute, huh?!
[
womens nike free run 4.0
- $69.98 - $89.99 ]
beauty blog
FACE: Tarte Smooth Operator Tinted Moisturizer in Agent 00 (8.27.12)
A "no makeup" look featuring tons of.. makeup products... wait.. what? Products Used: Tarte Amazonian Clay Tinted Moi...
A "no makeup" look featuring tons of.. makeup products... wait.. what?
Products Used:
Tarte
Amazonian Clay Tinted Moisturizer in Agent 00
Bobbi Brown
Corrector in Porcelain Bisque
MAC
Studio Fix Powder in NW15
Smashbox
Photo Set Finishing Powder SPF 15
Urban Decay
Afterglow Glide on Cheek Tint in Quickie
NARS
Illuminator in Copacabana
MAC
Paint Pot in Painterly
MAC
Eye Shadow in Quarry and Vapour
Make Up For Ever
Smoky Lash
Stila
Smudge Stick in Silver Dollar
MAC
Eyebrow Pencil in Spiked
EOS
Balm
boutique 9
Boutique 9 Justine Suede Pumps
I could give you a whole backstory about how I discovered an awesome pair of sparkly black Boutique 9 'Justine' pumps at my local S...
I could give you a whole backstory about how I discovered an awesome pair of sparkly black
Boutique 9 'Justine'
pumps at my local Saks outlet and blah blah blah, but really... no one cares. Fact of the matter is these shoes are a great and look far more expensive than they are. I got my first pair at about 50% off retail and the two pairs I'm talking about now were both discounted as well.
Dis bitch loves deals.
Having said that, I HATE when people will buy something
just
because it's a deal. ONLY buy something if you LIKE it or LOVE it
and
it's on sale. I really hate deal chasing for the sake of deal chasing -- you're not saving money... you're losing it. You're spending money you weren't going to spend anyways. You only save money when you would have paid full price otherwise. *Drops the mic and steps off coupon code soapbox*
[
boutique 9 'justine' pumps
- $84
+
]
I'm having such a trouser/pants/bootie/pump/blazer phase right now that I just feel frumpy and unhappy in anything else. Given that, these
Justine suede pumps
are a favorite shoe of the moment. I'm really an all black errethang kind of girl at heart and generally prefer to relegate crazy colors to the lower half of my body (wacky pants or shoes) or on my lips (NYX - Shocking Pink, MAC - Lady Danger, etc..). Hence, where these guys come in.
They are slightly high for easy, comfy walking, so beware if you're not a heel girl. I've been looking for clean, simple, and colorful pumps for a while now and was even willing to settle for non-suede shoes.. but alas, my mission is complete. There are a few other colors I have my eye on -- the dark purple ones and a black suede pair to replace my ehh ShoeMint ones -- so my eyes are peeled for those on sale in size 7 in the future. Thankfully I had a Shopbop credit from a price matching credit I got a month back, so the pinkish pair only cost me ~$30 bucks and the blue pair was purchased from
Zappos
for ~$85!
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