Crazy for Corals

The Coral Craze

Coral is one of the hottest colors this spring/summer. If you don't own any coral nail polishes, lip glosses or lipsticks it's not too late to add this beautiful color to your collection. Whether you're in the mood for a pink based coral or a orange based coral you are sure to find a beautiful coral to compliment your outfit and accessories. Corals are everywhere this season and not hard to find. If you're looking for an inexpensive coral polish check your local drug stores for Essie in Cute as a Button or Peach Daiquiri (pictured below). If you have more of a taste for high end polishes I highly recommend Estee Lauder's Coral Cult (pictured below) I am currently wearing Coral Cult for my weekend mani and I have received tons of compliments. Coral Cult is the best of both worlds when it comes to Corals. At times it appears more pink based however in some settings depending on lighting it comes across as a juicy pink-ish tangerine color. Estee Lauder's Coral Cult is by far my favorite coral with Essie's Peach Daiquiri right behind it. Whatever coral you choose I'm sure you will be pleased!!

Lipstick pictured below is Revlon's new Super Lustrous Lipstick in Lover's Coral and gloss in Kiss Me Coral. I have not worn either color yet as these beauties were just purchased yesterday. Be sure to follow me on Instagram to see what the color looks like on!

With Flash

True Color with no flash

Mary Kay

3C23 One Woman Can
3A17 Celebrate
If you're a Mary Kay fan I'm sure you have heard about these awesome products!! But if not I promise you won't be disappointed. I have never ordered Mary Kay and was under the impression that Mary Kay had nothing for me, nothing current. I was wrong!! The lip stick is by far one of the creamiest formulas I own. The gloss, OMG the gloss!! You've all seen these glosses before with the swirl that promises to add a little punch to the gloss only to find out that the little swirl does nothing but make the packing look good. Not the case with "Celebrate"! This gloss is the perfect mix of a gorgeous nude pink with stunning microscopic gold flecks that are sure to compliment every skin tone. I love the lipstick as well but I must admit the gloss has fast become a fav. Perfect for everyday wear!

If you are in the market to try these products or any Mary Kay products please contact:

Raquel Ford
www.marykay.com/msraquelford
Msraquelford@marykay.com
(708)271-2489

Classic Red Lip

NARS...Dragon Girl

Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

I've never met a NARS product that I didn't like. The quality of their products is exceptional! Let's talk red lips. A bold red lip color can be intimidating. I definitely think you have to really have a certain level of confidence to really rock a "siren red" lip. While I fit the part even I still have reservations when it comes to a bold red lip. There's the fact that I have birthmarks on my lips (no I'm not a smoker, LOL they really are birthmarks) and I really have to be careful with certain lip colors as some colors enhance the appearance of my birthmarks. Red being one of those colors. When I first tried on this color I fell in love. I didn't even care about my birthmarks anymore. The color is absolutely stunning! The formula is matte without being drying to the lips. I would say it falls into the lip stain category. You can pair it with a gloss for a little shine but I prefer it as is. This lip pencil retails for $25 and is well worth every penny in my opinion. You can purchase NARS products at many retail locations. Here is the link to NARS official website: http://www.narscosmetics.com/color/lips/lip-pencils/

Be Bold, Be Confident, Be You and rock your red lips!!

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Mad about BLUE!!

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure....Water Color

This blue literally blew me away when I first swatched the color on my nails. This is a gorgeous vibrant color that's as blue as the ocean. Hence the name; Water Color. I received so many compliments when I wore this color. This is my first experience with this brand and I can truly say I am impressed with the formula and will purchase more colors from the line. I did experience staining but I did not use a base coat. Check your local Walgreens or Target for this cheerful blue!!

With Flash

Without Flash

What's On Your Face?

Skin Care

Dare I say I have FINALLY found a regimen for my face that is effective. I think so!! I have combination skin, oily and dry. Most of my breakouts occur on my chin or nose. I wouldn't say that I have severe acne but definitely the occasional breakout. I have tried so many products for my face and everything has been unsuccessful until now. While I cannot say that my breakouts have ceased. I can say with confidence that I have had significantly less breakouts and when I do have a breakout it does not last as long. Recently I noticed that if I have a pimple trying to surface and I immediately start to treat it, it will go away. The only product I have not used yet is the All-One Hemp Tea Tree Pure- Castile Soap. I have heard amazing things about this soap and I am eager to try it. I will do an updated skin care post once I have used it enough to give a fair review.

Dickinson's (original witch hazel )Oil Free Pore Perfecting Toner: I use this daily at least 2-3 times per day. Once in the morning, again when I come from work and again before bed. My face feels refreshed after using this, never dry. I absolutely love this!! I highly recommend this product.

Yes to Tomatoes Daily Balancing Moisturizer:  I use this product at night only as it is very moisturizing and almost too moisturizing to wear during the day especially in the heat. I feel like it's too heavy for day time wear but a great treat for the face at night before bed. I do not use this every night but at least 2-3 nights per week.

Yes to Tomatoes Acne Control Gel Cleanser: This stuff is amazeballs. I use this at the first sign of a breakout and everyday in the area of the breakout until it is gone. If I do not have any breakouts I only use this if I feel like my face needs a good cleansing which is usually 2-3 times per week. I highly recommend this product.

Vitamin E Oil - I use vitamin E oil almost daily, mainly at night. Vitamin E oil helps to soften skin, moisturize and is a natural antioxidant. My skin feels extremely soft after using. I highly recommend this product.

If you have used any of these products, what was your experience?

All about Essie!!

My love hate relationship with Essie...


Is it just me or does Essie have some of the prettiest colors? I think so, HOWEVER their formula can sometimes be a bit streaky. Take one of their new colors, Boom Boom Room. I absolutely love the color. The perfect girly pink but the formula on this particular polish is very thick and hard to work with in my opinion. On the other hand another of my favorite Essie colors is Cute As a Button. It is thin, streaky and requires at least 3 coats for complete opaque coverage. Now let's talk good Essie..."Butler Please" a cult favorite, this beautiful blue polish is almost completely opaque in 1-2 coats depending on preference. All in all Essie offers an awesome range of colors but for me the formula is hit or miss. What are your favorite Essie colors?

RiRi Woo, RiRi Boy, Heaux

UPDATE: As many of us thought (myself included) the long anticipated line of Rhianna MAC lipsticks will not be June 6, 2013. In a release from MAC earlier today via different social networks the release date is set for June 18, 2013. RiRi Woo, which was first launched May 2, 2013 will be re-released along with 2 additional colors in RiRi Boy and Heaux. If you ladies plan on getting your hands on any of these be prepared to stalk MAC's website. You guessed right, these are online exclusives ONLY! You cannot purchase these in any of the MAC retail locations. RiRi Woo sold out online in 3 hours. There were reports of computers freezing up, wait times upwards of 30-45 minutes plus and MAC's website was extremely slow due to all the traffic. I had my work computer on lock down and my cell phone and was still unable to get RiRi Woo. I guess Rhianna really does have a NAVY.......

Rimmel London SHOW OFF Lip Lacquer

Recently released in the U.S. these lippies were hard to come by. After shopping around at several of my local Walgreens, I found them. I decided to pick up 5 of the 8 available shades. The color payoff is amaze-balls!!! These lip lacquers are crazy pigmented. On first impression they don't seem to be drying on the lips at all however I think it's safe to say they fall in the category of a lip stain. I had to vigorously wash my arm with warm water and soap to remove the swatches. I would also recommend wearing a coordinating lip liner. When applied to the lips I did notice some of the color bleeding outside of my natural lip line. All in all I think these are well worth the $4.99. If you are in the market for new lippies this spring and summer these are definitely a go. And let's face it, you can't beat the price....PUCKER UP!!

Nicole Lee Premium by Suzy Han

What can I say....The bag is fab!! Sparkles, girly and all the right colors. Nothing says spring and summer like a colorful purse. I fell in love as soon as I laid eyes on it. I am drawn to beautiful colors and patterns. This purse had it all and I had to have it. I lucked out on the last one. This is my only Nicole Lee purse but since purchasing this one I can say for sure this will not be my last. Her purses are so unique and well made and worth the price. I can't tell you how many compliments and comments I get every where I go. If you're sick of the same ole black or plain Jane brown purse check out her purses online. I have heard that you can find Nicole Lee purses at some TJ Maxx locations. My purse was purchased from a boutique in Lake Geneva, IL. Be bold, be brave....Get some color in your life!!!

Inside lighting (no flash)

Outside lighting

A Touch of Pink

With Spring/Summer on the horizon I can't help but be excited about PINK!! What girl doesn't love a splash of pink on the lips, nails or toes? In this post I highlight 2 of my favorite Essie Polishes for Spring/Summer. These colors are beautiful and will go with any skin tone. I also picked up two lippies from the Covergirl Lipperfection Jumbo Gloss Balm line in #220 and #215. The colors are vibrant without being too bold and have a nice smooth finish. Essie Polish and Gloss Balms were purchased at my local Walgreens. Now on to this divine soap that I purchased at Ross. This soap has a very fresh and clean scent. The scent is not overbearing but does leave a refreshing scent on the body. If you're interested in the nail polish or lippies click the links below!

www.covergirl.com
www.essie.com

Watermelon Twist

Haute Pink Twist

YSL Wish List

Wish List!!! 

I love drug store brand cosmetics however I have had my eye on these two YSL products below for some time now. The color coral is definitely on trend for spring/summer 2013 and I know I will get lots of wear from both of these products. Aren't they beautiful?? The lipstick is in the color 36 Corail Legende and the nail lacquer color is N 5 Corail Divin. To purchase these YSL products or any products from the YSL brand click the link http://www.yslbeautyus.com