Ombre' Nails

All Images by Mary E.

I'm getting ready for a girls weekend and like any normal girl, the night before I'm doing laundry, packing my bag, getting all of my hair and beauty stuff all lined up on the bathroom sink so I wont forget anything tomorrow morning, and of course doing my nails! I was going through my basket of nail polishes, and realized that I have quite a few oranges and pinks. Not knowing which one to pick I decided to use the ones that could create a nice ombre effect with. Some of the colors are so similar in shade that some of them look the same-overall I think it looks pretty darn good! Now I'm ready to relax and get away for the weekend!

Acrylic Makeup Case

Image Courtesy of Squiddo

Image Courtesy of E! Online

Image via Luuux

As any girl I know that watches any of the Kardashian shows, would love to own one of those fabulous acrylic (or possibly lucite??-they could afford it lol) makeup storage cubes that you always see in the background during any episode. They certainly do not come cheap- I have been on the online lookout for quite sometime and the cheapest I've come across was around $150++. Here are a few sites that sell them if you are interested...

Foundation: Fingers, Sponge or Brush?

Image by Mary E.

Image via Beauty Editor 

HD Sponge by Make Up Forever

Pro Foundation Brush #47 by Sephora

MAC Kabuki 180-RIP you will be missed
Image courtesy of MAC Cosmetics 

I wish I could be that girl who only needs to put on some blush, a little mascara and walk out the door, but unfortunately I have dark circles (for being a night owl), and sallow looking skin (thanks to never going out in the sun-I keep telling myself that my skin will thank me when I'm older). I need to wear foundation to create a nice even looking finish, so for my everyday wear, I use my favorite MAC Kabuki 180 brush that gives me full coverage (this is the best brush out there IMO-but they have discontinued it-bummer!), or if I'm in a super rush, I'll use my fingers which gives a medium coverage. However if you are one of those beauties that are blessed with a great complexion, than a sponge will work great as it provides the lightest of coverage. 

What method do you use to apply foundation?

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Homemade Scrubs

Image via Fit Sugar

Now that it's going to start getting warmer soon, I am more aware of making sure my skin looks smooth and even. I always love making my own scrubs as yet again it saves $$$!. I came across this *great article from Fit Sugar and I have been using this recipe ever since. It smells so amazing and really makes your skin so soft and smooth; I tend to make a few batches and I store them in mason jars that I buy at my grocery store. 

You'll need:

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup sweet almond oil
1 teaspoon fresh tangerine juice
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon fresh grapefruit juice
3 to 5 drops of peppermint oil

Mix the sugar and almond oil first. Then add the juices. Lastly, mix in the peppermint oil. Store in a sealed container.

BTW-You can use the rest of the citrus juices for a Mary's Margarita!!

Do you like using scrubs?

*Source: Fit Sugar

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Signature Fragrance

Urban Musk by Tom Ford
Image via Nordstrom

Gucci by Gucci eau de parfum
Image via Gucci

Oud & Bergamot by Jo Malone
Image via Jo Malone

Opium by Yves Saint Laurent
Image via Sephora

I have been in search for the perfect signiure fragrance for years. I am drawn to the more muskier scents as I don't really care too much for floral-y types. I love notes of pachouli, musk, sandalwood, and amber and even leather and tobacco. There are a few out there that I would love to buy, but it's just one of those things that always gets pushed to the back burner for other things. Tom Ford makes some a-ma-zing fragrances that are right up my alley, but I'm going to have to save my pennies for that purchase.... 

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Nail Strips

Image by Mary E.

Lately every time I walk down the beauty aisle, I always come across those nail stickers and think, "Those look really cool but I dont know if they're for me." I pick up a box or two to examine the colors and patterns, and then I put it back and continue shopping. For some reason I just couldn't justify the purchase, for the same price I could buy a brand new bottle of nail polish and use the bottle over and over again, whereas the nail strips are a one time thing. So when my friend gave me the Sephora for OPI Laquer Strips in Gold and Purple Ombre, I got super excited!  See how I did after the jump.