Fall is Beautiful

Love that chill in the air? Want to curl up with your hunny and a PSL? Do you use the Christmas decorations at Phipps as an *excuse* for a Tory Burch shopping spree?

Yeah, me too. Fall is here and I am SO excited!

Like, I want to actually rake leaves and bale hay kind .. that kind of excited.

And the season change inspired some change in me and now I'm back to blogging. I hope you're as thrilled as I am!

Lately, I've been on a beauty binge. In my quest to become a VIB Rouge member at Sephora I sort of went overboard and bought literally everything.

I'd thought I'd quickly share my favorite products as of late:

1. YSL Babydoll Mascara

I'm always in search of a great mascara. Diorshow just doesn't do it for me. I know, I know.

Babydoll is the only YSL mascara I've tried, but I see no reason to tread further. I've found a safe haven in this formula.

photo: thefitgirlsdish.com

It lengthens and separates lashes like nothing I've ever tried before.  It is VERY build-able (I do 3 coats). Some others are great, (Givenchy, Benefit They're Real and Bobbi Brown Lengthening come to mind), but Babydoll makes my lashes look like bombshell lashes.

And um, who doesn't want to look like a bombshell? 

Try it out, it'll make more than your lashes flutter. Hearts beware.

YSL Babydoll Mascara at Sephora

2. Urban Decay Naked Palette

After all the hype I've heard about this product, I gave in and bought it. You know, anything for those Sephora points.

I thought about it for some time and had previously decided it wasn't worth the money ...

I couldn't have been more wrong.

It's worth the price and then some.

photo: thebellebeautyblog.blogspot.com

First, the color payoff is HUGE. These shadows are heavily pigmented and long-lasting. I'm not kidding. Your shadow will be there after your two glasses of chardonnay have come and gone.

Second, the colors are GORGEOUS and I believe would work for any skin-tone variation. 

Third, you can create myriad looks with this thing. Anything from a day look to a sexy smokey eye is possible with this palette. 

Fourth, when you buy the palette at Sephora, a eyeshadow primer comes with it ... that primer is my life. It's everything.

Fifth, it's FANTASTIC for travel. Throw this in the bag, you're good to go. No little eyeshadows pinging around the makeup bag in danger of breaking and getting everywhere.

Urban Decay Naked Palette at Sephora

3. Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Invisible Skin Foundation

My story with Guerlain products starts with a trip to Paris in 2007. I went to the Guerlain flagpship on the Champs Elysees and learned about the brand and how darn fabulous it really is.

butterboom.com

When I discovered that Guerlain had foundation I knew I had to try it. It was time for a new foundation and I read reviews for Lingerie de Peau. 

I can't say enough good things about this foundation. If you're like me and you enjoy coverage that evens your skintone and STAYS PUT, then you should try this. The coverage is medium-full and is build-able.

I use 1 or 2 pumps each application depending on what look I'm going for or the weather conditions that day. It's not even half-way empty and I've had this for about 3 weeks. 

This foundation is wonderful for people with dry skin (like me) because it's hydrating and silky. I'd say it's very similar to the Laura Mercier silk foundation, but more liquid-like in texture, making it easier to blend. 

I'm obsessed with this foundation, it's absolutely beautiful and leaves a seamless finish. It disguises EVERYTHING. It really does. 

I've also noticed it doesn't transfer onto clothes, which is a plus for me. I can't tell you how many white oxford shirts I've ruined because of foundation.

Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Foundation at Sephora

4. Benefit Hoola Bronzer

As an Italian, the need to look tan and bronzed is eerily similar to my need to eat and drink water to survive. 

I've tried all the bronzers it seems. MAC, Laura Mercier, Too Faced, Bobbi Brown, Chanel.

Some are good, some make me look muddy. It depends.

photo: amodelrecommends.com

Enter Benefit's Hoola Bronzer. This bronzer is perfection. It's great for bronzing or for contouring. It's highly blendable and is not muddy or harsh. It works for every skintone.

The packaging is cute. It comes with a brush.

What more could you want?

Join me, all bronzed and beautiful, at my next luau courtesy of Benefit.

Benefit Hoola Bronzer at Sephora

5. YSL Rouge Volutpe Shine

I've only recently ventured into the world of lipstick. I look best  feel the most comfortable in neutrals (which aren't as exciting as bright red)  and I tend to forget to apply lip products so lipstick hasn't always been my game.

photo: hudabeauty.com

That was the case until I met YSL lip products, particularly these lipsticks.

They are expensive, I will grant you that. But they are beautiful.

The packaging is so beautiful I feel like a Hollywood starlet from the 50's when I apply it.

It's like I was Sabrina the chauffer's daughter and then I apply this and I'm Sabrina dancing at the Larabee mansion a la Audrey Hepburn. I'm saying this stuff is transformational.

Like a good pair of Louboutins.

To be honest, I bought it for the packaging but the colors are very pretty and stay put all day long.

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine at Sephora

I can't wait to share more posts and happenings to come on the blog (and other writing prospects to come as well).

Stay beautiful this fall!! xx

B

My Beauty Hot List Right Now: Top 10

I don't know about you ladies, but it's always kind of a big deal when a beauty product is worth buying again. Let's put it this way, if I think about how sad I'd be if the beauty devil cancelled production on one of my products and I realize I'd cry or need therapy then I know it's a keeper.

Here are some products that have been there for me lately. They are really something to talk about.

My Beauty Hot List Right Now by aslongasitssouthern featuring a shiseido eyelash curler

(From Left to Right, Top Row then Bottom):

1. Benefit "They're Real!" Mascara:
     Um, this mascara formula REALLY (like really) makes my lashes look like I have fake lashes on. I absolutely love the wand on the mascara, too. It helps get in there and separate those bad boys to make your eyes look oh so pretty.

I got a sample of this for my birthday from Sephora. Best sample ever.

2. YSL Touche Eclat Concealer:
     There's no mistaking the gold color of the container - it's expensive. But I have to tell you, it's worth every penny. This stuff hides it ALL! I love love love it. I just bit the bullet and bought it a while ago and this thing has lasted at least 5 months. It's the most perfect concealer/highlighter/magical potion known to me.

3. Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster Anti-Fatigue Cream:
     My SA at Woo Cosmetics introduced me to this product a week ago and I have been just amazed with what it can do - and how well it does it. It's a moisturizer, hydrating facial mask and makeup primer all in one, depending on how you use it.

     Daily, I apply this (dime-sized) amount as a primer prior to application of foundation. It really helps foundation in place and allows your skin to radiate and stay moisturized. For nights when your skin is fatigued from makeup wear, or allergies, or perhaps a weekend spent in the sun, apply a concentrated amount as a mask for 15 minutes, or apply a more liberal amount as a moisturizer to wear overnight. Your pick. It's amazing and I've honestly noticed a difference in a skin within the week I've been using this product.

4. Simple Makeup Cleansing Wipes:
     I love that these wipes are cheap, unscented and safe to use on sensitive skin. I also love that you can get them at Publix or Kroger. These are fabulous little things that help clean your makeup without having to use a hand cloth to get all of it off. Much more gentle.

5. Shiseido Eyelash Curler:
     This eyelash curler does wonders. I use it everyday before I apply mascara. I love it.

6. Dermalogica Ultra Calming Concentrate:
     My SA at Woo Cosmetics also introduced me to this product and it's a powerhouse of a serum. A little goes a long way, it truly calms skin and restores brightness. I have had the driest skin recently and this stuff has completely reversed the damage.

     I like to apply it in a very concentrated manner around the eyes. It is my favorite thing to use to moisturize and restore the delicate skin around the eye. This product has helped my skin so much, and it's made by dermatologists, assuring you that it's friendly to sensitive skin.

7. Ardell Eyelashes:
     I love that eyelashes can instantly make your look glamorous. These are just the ticket for feeling a bit more fierce before you head out for a date, or a cocktail soiree, or whatever it may be.

     Duo eyelash glue works great with these lashes, just a little bit goes a long way. I like to steady the strip of lashes with a tweezer and voila! These lashes blend in effortlessly with your actual lashes, and guarantee a pep in your step when you go out. I love them.

8. Bond No. 5 New York "Scent of Peace" Bon Bon:
     Bond fragrances are ubiquitous with the chic, crisp feeling of New York. Their fragrances are very fine, very beautifully created and smell absolutely amazing. A bit pricey, ($200-300/bottle) Bond fragrances are the creme de la creme of the fragrance world.

     The bon bons are more reasonable ($95ish), and fit in your bag. Perfect for any occasion. Scent of Peace smells divine.

9. Trish McEvoy Bronzer:
     This product requires little explanation. It's just the best bronzer I've ever used. Guerlain is a closed second in my book. I just love Trish products.

10. MAC Eyeliner in Coffee:
     Coffee is the PERFECT color eyeliner (well, for brown haired people). It really makes my eyes pop and isn't so harsh. This eyeliner applies very easily and stays put.

Cheers, darlings!

Hope your day is beautiful!
B