Smell like a woman

Hey guys!

Sorry I have been gone for a while, I have been really busy lately. One thing that every woman should LOVE and always wear is perfume! I love perfume, and I am always looking for the one that I can't live without. A perfume is a girl's signature and it should represent her. When a person smells your scent, they should be able to tie it to you. It is important that a girl tries as many perfumes as they have to in order to find the one that works perfectly with their body chemistry.

REMEMBER...a woman never tells their scent! If some one else, simply say "now that's a secret I'll never tell!"


Simonie : )

My French Manicure - I Did It All By Myself (with a little help from Incoco)

I sang at a wedding today and wanted to make sure my nails looked classy but not too flashy. But I'm on a student budget so it's called "do-it-yourself."

Anyway, last night I was browsing the makeup aisle of Rite-Aid for a new nail color and found this new "Dry Nail Applique" by Incoco. The best part is it was on a closeout for 3.99. The kit contains the complete kit for a French manicure which includes 20 color strips, a cuticle stick, a mini file and a nail polish remover cloth. At first I didn't think I could do it but it just takes a little patience. I also went to YouTube and found a virtual instruction manual.

They look like tips but they're my own nails (no chemicals used) and my French manicure looks great (if I do say so myself). I used "Fairy Dust," but Incoco makes a bunch of different colors of these dry nail appliques. I want to try them all. The box says that the manicure lasts for two weeks. I'll let you know.

In the meantime, au revoir for now! :)

www.incoco.com

Quite Possibly the Cutest Snack Ever Made!

Okay, did I tell you guys that I am totally obsessed with hummus these days? Just can't get enough of it.

Anyway, I found these adorable little individual hummus snack packs at Target. They're made by Sabra which is one of my favorite hummus brands. A little expensive for a college girl at 1.99 a pack, but they were just too cute to pass up and they fit perfectly in my dorm fridge. :)

www.sabra.com

I (Heart) My New Mug!

I WAS FEELING BLUE, BUT NOW I'M HAPPY AND GREEN!


Confession time. I have been so homesick lately. I couldn't wait to live at college and be all on my own. Now, the things I took for granted (like my own private bathroom) seem so special and privileged!

Anyway, if you know me, you know that I'm a "tea-totaller." Love my teas. Especially my green teas. So, my mom sent me a green mug for my green tea (works for coffee and hot chocolate too).

Great thing about this new Aladdin Sustainable Mug is that it's recycled. And my dorm room theme is pink and you guessed it - green!

It's also a neat little "ice-breaker" and that's pretty cool for meeting new people at college. Aladdin makes so much cute stuff!

No Makeup Today - I'm Nursing a Cold :(

Well, I guess college life is catching up with me. Just when I thought I was getting adjusted to being in a new place, living with new people, new classes and whole new world, I come down with this icky cold.

I haven't felt much like putting on any makeup at all. I do make sure to continue with my regiment of keeping my face nice and clean (love you Juice Beauty) and I'm wearing my hair naturally curly (thanks, Carol's Daughter).

I brought a nice little stash of tea to college with me. All my faves. Used my last Lupicia Golden Honey Dew this morning. It's so sweet and light and soothing to my throat. I called my mom and said, "Hey, can you stop by Lupicia in San Francisco and mail me a pack of Golden Honey Dew tea bags."

UPDATE: Lupicia does still carry the tea - but it's available in stores only! YAY

Simonie

Happy Halloween! Here's to all treats and no tricks!

I was so excited about my first Halloween at college. One problem. It's raining outside. Good thing we have a great rec room in my dorm. Maybe we'll "trick or treat" inside. We're not too old for trick or treating, right?

Anyway, I found the cutest "ringmaster" costume. Kind of like the one that Britney Spears wore on the cover of her album.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy halloween. Remember, have fun - but not too much fun!

Things I'm Currently Obsessed With!

College is a lot of hard work and it's a big adjustment from high school. I just finished my mid-terms. Here are a few things that I am loving right now. Came home for the weekend and had my mom take me to Target to stock up on my current passions, which include:

Swiss Ice Sweet Tea - OMG - this stuff is amazing. They sell it in the store on campus, but it's about half the price at Target.

http://swiss-tea.com/

Bear Naked Granola - There are several flavors but I like the original. Can't have my yogurt in the mornings without it.

www.bearnaked.com

Kraft Easy Mac - Yup - a must have in any decent dorm room.

www.kraft.com

Snyder's Pretzels - love 'em. Ultimate brain food.

www.snydersofhanover.com

MAC Disney Venomous Villains Collection

As you know, I'm in college now, so I don't have a chance to do much shopping. I'm just at school - day and night. Which is a good thing. And aside from the fact that there's little time to hit the mall, there's also little money (cuz I'm a starving student - LOL).

But, I did come home this weekend. My mom "bribed" me by telling me that the MAC Store has a new Disney collection. I want the entire collection!! The colors, the packaging - amazing!

I did manage to score a lip color - and oh, there's this new Mascara from Mac that's like 2-in-one - got that too!

Who would have thought that Cruella de Ville could look so good?

www.maccosmetics.com

New From Vera Bradley - Gotta Have This Twirly Pink Bag!

Dear Mom and Dad:

College is great. Learning a lot, making friends, having fun. Please send snacks and a new Vera Bradley Twirly Pink Laptop Bag.

Love,

Simonie

www.verabradley.com

It's Getting Hot In Here - Thank God for My Dorm Fridge!

It's not even noon and it's already nearly 100 degrees. That's outside. Forget the temperature in my room which is near boiling.

I'm so happy that my Dad convinced me to get this particular refrigerator. After much comparision shopping, we settled on the this Emerson fridge with the freezer compartment. Can't wait to give you the "full dorm tour," but for now, take my word for it, there's nothing better for keeping your Coke Zero cold!!!

Zero Calorie Butter (Honestly!)

I'm anxiously checking my mailbox for the new Body Butters by Pacifica. And these are tubes - not those jars or tubs.

Stay Tuned for my YouTube review. . .coming soon!

Pacifica Body Butter Tubes come in the following scents:

Hawaiian Ruby Guava, Tuscan Blood Orange, Malibu Lemon Blossom, Lotus Garden, Brazilian Mango Grapefruit, Tahitian Gardenia

$18.00 for each tube.

Order online at:

www.pacificaperfume.com

You can also find them at Sephora stores.

Back to School with Juice Beauty (TM)

It's kind of hard to switch from summer mode to back to the books mode. One thing that's at the top of my list of must-have school supplies is this Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Serum (TM).

I swear this is like having a "genie in a bottle." I'm so prone to breakout and have tried everything you can imagine over the years. This is the first thing that has actually worked. It's a major confidence booster and with starting a new school and meeting new people, I need all the confidence I can get!

This organic solution is seriously off the charts.

What The Best Dressed Nails Will Be Wearing This Fall!

Essie has a whole array of new fall colors that are SO hot. . .like this "Little Brown Dress"

Dorm Room wish-list

Hey Guys!

I am getting ready to go off to college and there are a lot of things I need, (and want) : ) to make my room look and feel like home. I am excited to decorate and make the space my own so here are some things that I want to make my room...ME!

1.) Mr. Coffee® Single Serve
The quick and convenient Mr. Coffee® Single Serve uses a state-of-the-art brewing system to deliver the perfect brew of the moment – coffee or tea – in less than 3 minutes, utilizing patented single serve K-Cups®. Ideal for satisfying families and gatherings with varying tastes, this innovation ensures each 8-ounce brew is authentic and robust.
MSRP: $79.99
Available beginning October 2010 www.MrCoffee.com and other retailers

2.) Bed risers

3.) Slouch Back chair

4.) Laptop sleeve

5.) A NOOK

6.) underbed storage bags

7.) "Vornado Flippi" V6 fan

8.) Bed Bug and Allergy Relief Duvet Cover-twin

9.)Malden Mills Polar Fleece Sorbet TXL Size Sheet Set

The list goes on and on.

Simonie : )

Summer Dream kit!

This is exactly what every girl needs this summer! I looooovvvvveeeee all three of these products!

Simonie :)

Juice Juice Baby!

Hey guys!

I have fallen in love! I am totally and completely in love! I have fallen in love with "Juice Beauty" products. Juice Beauty is an organic beauty solution line that takes natural products and makes beauty products. The two products that I have been using are the "Sensitive Green Apple Peel" and the "Blemish Clearing Serum." Both products are treatments and have drastically changed my skin for the better. The products have cleared my forehead and the peel has helped my acne scars fade.

I have struggled for such a long time with my acne, and I think that I have finally found a solution to my problems. After I wash my face I put a thin layer of the serum over my face, underneath my moisturizer, day and night. I use the Peel once a week.

I HIGHLY recommend this product!

Simonie : )

Are you bikini ready yet?

Hey guys!

So a few post back I talked about being bikini ready for summer and what types of bikinis I like. I am not fully ready to go to the beach in a bikini yet, but I am on my way. What I realized was my biggest downfall was my diet. Some easy changes to make to speed up your metabolism and get rid of that belly fat are:

-Drink caffeinated green tea
-Eat more spinach
-Eat more raw foods
-Drink water instead of juice, soda, and coffee
-If you love coffee and must have it, drink skinny lattes
-Eat Almonds
-Stay regular! (if you know what I mean)


I hope this helps! Share some of your tips for staying bikini thin!

Simonie :)

Bat those lashes!

Hey guys!

Something that I have really gotten into this year is false eyelashes. False lashes aren't meant to be worn all of the time, but for the right occasion they add a great pop! I like really full looking lashes more than I like really long lashes. Even though I said lashes are not to be worn at all times I think that if you find the right lashes that look natural enough, you can wear them whenever you feel like it.

Some of the lashes that I have tried that I really like are:
-ELF cosmetics: natural looking full lashes
-ELF cosmetics: dramatic lashes
-Ardell: 109
-Ardell: fashion lashes
-MAC: 04
-MAC: 07

Some of the lashes that I would like to try:
-Shu Uemura
-Laura Mercier
-MakeUp Forever
-Revlon

Let me know if there are any lashes that you like!

Simonie :)

"Oribe" moisture control shampoo and conditioner

Hey guys!

As some of you may know, I have very thick and curly hair. Since my hair is so thick it is really difficult to make sure that it all gets moisturized. My hair is very dry in the middle and I have been trying to find a product that can control the moisture and make it so that my hair is evenly moisturized all throughout.

I really like this product! Not only is the packaging beautiful but the quality is great. The shampoo really cleans and gets rid of all of the dirt and then the conditioner restores moisture and balance to the hair. Even though this product is expensive I would highly recommend it to anyone who has dry hair.

To see my review on youtube you can visit my page under the channel name: MAKEupCRAZYgirlie

Simonie :)

"I simply remember my favorite things..."

Hey Guys!

I wanted to tell you guys about my three favorite products at the moment! I am loving these three products right now and I have been using them everyday. The three products that I am loving right now are:

1.) "Clinique Acne Solutions foundation"
2.)"Sonia Kashuk" stippling brush
3.) "Covergirl Lash Blast fusion"
My review:

1.) For prom I needed to get a new foundation that would provide me with full coverage and that I could use all the time and not for just one night. I have light to medium acne on my forehead and I have been trying to keep it under control. I am looking to get rid of my acne scars and so I was considering getting the "Clinique even better foundation" but the woman at the Clinique counter let me know that only when used with the rest of the "even better" line will the foundation work to clear scars. The woman then let me know that the "Acne Solutions" foundation would help to clear my skin and provide me with medium to full coverage without clogging my pores. I have fallen in love with this product and I can use it everyday without it breaking me out. I can honestly say that it monitors my acne and I have had a lot less, but it does not eliminate it. To get a nice smooth finish I use...

2.) My stippling brush! I have wanted a stippling brush for a while now and since I can't afford the one from M.A.C. I decided to try the Sonia Kashuk one because I heard great things about it and I like her other brushes. This brush is great to provide that airbrushed looked that looks so flawless.

3.) "Lash Blast Fusion" PERFECTION! "Lash Blast original" length plus amazing volume. Pure perfection! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!

check out my reviews on my youtube channel: makeupcrazygirlie

Love ya guys!

Simonie : )

Benefit Cosmetics "Brows a-go-go"

Hey guys!!

Something that is new to me that I have gotten really into is filling in my eyebrows. I never even thought about filling in my brows but a lot of magazines have been talking about it recently so I thought that I would give it a try. I went to "CVS" and I bought a two pack of "L'Oreal" brow pencils that comes with a dark brown/black pencil and a light brown pencil. I found that this duo was a little too dark for me and made my eyebrows look really harsh.

I have always LOVED Benefit Cosmetics and I thought that their "Brows a-go-go" kit would be great for me. The kit comes with two brow powders, a brow wax, mini tweezers, highlighting cream, highlighting powder,a precision double headed brush, and a mini black eyeliner. This kit is FULL of goodies and is still compact enough to carry around in your purse. Everything you need for perfect brows is in this kit. The kit also comes with a step by step guide, and for someone who is new to filling in their brows the guide makes it SO SIMPLE!
(not to mention, the packaging is TO DIE FOR!!)

The colors, along with the wax, make my eyebrows look natural and perfectly groomed and really just make my make-up look complete. I would HIGHLY recommend this product! You can get the kit at any Benefit Cosmetics store or online at www.benefitcosmetics.com the kit retails for $38.

Simonie : )

Keep your face beautiful

Hey guys!

Sorry I have been gone for so long. I got one of the lead roles in my school's musical so I was very busy the past couple of months. What I want to talk to you guys about is SKIN! Taking care of your skin is so very important because when you get older you want your skin to take care of you. It is important to do little things in order to make sure you are doing everything you can for your skin.

Here are a few tips to healthy skin:

-DRINK LOTS OF WATER!
-wash your face morning and night
-use sunscreen daily (even if it is overcast outside)
-Remove all of your makeup every night (even if you are tired)
-Use a mask once to twice a week.
-Remember to exfoliate

I hope these tips help!!

"Baby let your hair hang down!"

Hey guys!

Sorry I have been gone for soooo long! I have been really busy lately.

I got the "Pureology Texture Twist" a few weeks ago from my local news. Every friday my local news station offers coupons for free products on their website. I entered to get a free bottle of the "Texture Twist" and forgot about it never thinking that it would actually ever come. I didn't think about it anymore and a few weeks later it popped up in the mail and I was really surprised. I washed my hair last night and used it for the first time and I really like it. The product comes out as a thick paste and it smells amazing! The product reduces frizz and makes my hair soft and easy to manage.

Simonie : )

Alexander McQueen

Hey guys,

So I am here to talk about a very sad subject. I am sure that you all know that yesterday the very talented designer Alexander McQueen took his own life. My mother called me yesterday morning to let me know what happened. When she told me, I told her that a few years ago he had a collection for M.A.C. My mom has a CCO in her building and so she went down there with my dad and got me two of the eyeshadows from his collection because when the collection was out I didn't get anything from it. I got the colors "Haunting" and "Nile", which are both satins.

I am so saddened by this news.

Simonie

There goes Alice, right down the rabbit hole!

Hey guys!

So first of all I would like to start this post of by saying...GO SAINTS!! WHO DAT??

Ok, so I want to tell you guys about a product that I saw today that I really want. I went to Sephora to take back my "Too Faced shadow insurance" and pick up an "Urban Decay Primer Potion." I love "Too Faced",but this product just didn't work for me. While I was at Sephora I saw the " Disney Alice in Wonderland Palette. This product is amazing!! On the top there is a pop up picture of a scene from the movie, and inside there are 16 eyeshadows, a mini primer potion, and two mini "24/7 eye pencil in zero and flipside." The colors are BEAUTIFUL and the palette is simply amazing. There is only one problem, it is $55. I will get paid from a job I did this weekend, and if it is enough, I am going to get this palette.

You can buy this at "Sephora.com" or in "Sephora" stores

Simonie : )

Get ready...here comes summer!!

Hey guys!

So summer is right around the corner (and you know what that means) time to get fit for those swimsuits. I will be providing tips on how to get fit for summer every now and then, (because I need to get back into shape also). I wanted to talk about some different types of swimsuits, and let you guys know that now is the time to get your bathing suits because they are a lot cheaper now then they will be in a few months.

The first type of swimsuit that I will talk about is the tankini. The tankini is the type of swim suit, with regular bottoms and a long tank top style top.

The next type is the stylish one piece, the one piece is always classy and classic. I highly recommend having one of these in your collection.

There is also the bikini, the bikini can vary, but it is usually the more stringy version of the two piece.

I consider the two piece different from the bikini because it is usually less stringy and can have a halter top or a different type of top.

I hope this helps!

Simonie : )

If you just "Blinc" you might miss it!

Hey guys!

I recently got the "Blinc" liquid eyeliner that is known for coming off with warm water and pressure alone. I really like this eyeliner. The packaging is very nice and it almost looks like the product that is now on the market that is supposed to make your eyelashes grow. I got the eyeliner in black and at first it is a rather soft black, but with more layers, the color becomes darker. The liner has a long brust and it is a lot more pencil like compared to "L'oreal linear intense", which I like.

I really like this product because all of it really does come off with water and pressure, leaving behind no residue. The product will only come off with warm water and can't be remove from crying or rubbing your eyes. If you have the $24 dollars to spend, I would HIGHLY recommend this product, it is very high quality.

Simonie : )

"Too Faced"-horrible quality in a friend, GREAT in your make-up

Hey Guys!

Ever since I have started using primer I have used "Urban Decay Primer Potion." I love that primer, but I went to "Sephora" a few days ago because I needed some more. I was all set to get my replacement and then my mom told me that I might want to try something different for a change. I told her that I had heard a lot about "Too Faced Shadow Insurance" and I wanted to try it. I used the tester on the back of my hand and the consistency was great so I decided to go ahead and try it.

GREAT PRODUCT!

This is an amazing primer and it keeps my eye shadow free of fading and creasing all day long. The primer blends right into my skin and leaves no residue or flaking. I love this product and I highly recommend it.

Simonie : )

"One beauty kit to go please!"

Hey guys!

I recently got some products from "IMAN", a cosmetics company which specializes in rich, deep, beauiful tones and colors. Yesterday was the first time that I ever used these products so I was very excited! I honestly have nothing but good things to say about these products, they are very high quality.

First, I looovee the packaging of all of the products. Everything is so compact and ready to go, which is great for me. I am always rushing to get out of the house in the morning so with these products I am able to pick up what I need and get going.

Second, I love the lip products! I got three lipsticks in: "Red", "Oh Natural", and " Bare Bronze." I also got three lip glosses in: "Honey", "Chocolate Diamond", (which is my personal favorite), and "Impetuous." The "Red" lipstick is really impressive because it is true to its name. A lot of the time you will see a lipstick and it is supposed to be red and it will end up being a peach or a burnt oragne color once you apply it. Not this one. This lipstick is a very true read with an extremely creamy and smooth texture. Next is "Oh Natural", this color is a beautiful nude color that looks great under any of the lipglosses or on its own. This is a great color to pair with any dramatic eye look. Last is the "Bare Bronze", which is a beautiful soft metalic color that is similar to that of a penny, but not as extreme. BEAUTIFUL!

The lip glosses are all amazing but the "Chocolate Diamond" is my favorite. A dark chocolate bronze, that goes on dark and lightens up.

I also got two individual eye shadows in "Mixed Metals" and "Safari." "Mixed Metals" is two colors side by side, a pearl and a copper. "Safari" is the eye equilivent to the "Chocolate Diamond" gloss.

However, the coolest products that I got are the three "Luxury Eye Defining Powders". I got three beautiful colors: "Wicked", a dark slver/taupe, "Black Magic", a deep black with gold reflects, and "Bewitched", a bronze brown. The eye powders are so cool because they are similar to a pigment and the color last all day. The powders are very blendable and easy to work with.

I think that this is an AMAZING product line for not only women of color, but all women, and they make quality products that are fun and beautiful. If you haven't checked out "IMAN's" line, I would highly recommend it. And if you already have some of these products, buy more!


Simonie : )

Count your blessings, and take some time out for the Lord

Hey guys!

As it says on my blog I am a Catholic girl that loves God. I first want to say that I am respectful of what everyone believes and I am in no way, shape, or form, trying to force my beliefs on anyone. I just like to share what I believe and express my gratitude for the blessings that I believe the Lord has given me.

Personally, I am a fan of organized prayer. I love just talking to the Lord, but I also like set prayers already written down somewhere.

Right now I am applying to colleges and I am getting ready to leave the nest. :( I have been trying to pray a Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the prayer to my patron Saint, St. Monica, everyday. I really want to tell you guys about the Chaplet of Divine Mercy because I believe that it is really beautiful.

My Great Aunt, whom I adore, told me about the Chaplet about two years ago and gave me a beautiful pair of wooden rosary beads of hers to use when I pray it. I only use these beads for the Chaplet because I feel that there is a special connection between the beads and the prayer. The prayer consist of five "decades" and on each bead before each decade you pray:
"Eternal Father, I offer you, the body and the blood. Soul, and divinity, of your dearly beloved son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins, and those of the whole world." One each of the other beads in the decade you pray "For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us, and on the whole world."

The prayer is very beautiful and I wanted to share it with you. There is also a CD that has people singing it and I will ask my Aunt where she got it and let you all know. Also, the prayer comes on Catholic television on digital cable.

God Bless!

Simonie : )

Away, away, with the pains of the day!

Hey guys!

So I wear eye makeup pretty much everyday. When I get home, I always want to make sure that I remove it all giving me a clean canvas for the next day's master piece. lol. I feel like A LOT of eye makeup removers out there burn, iritate, and scratch the eyes. Some of the removers out there don't do their job AT ALL and take the make up off only a little bit or only in some places.
"
I have found a product that removes all of the eye makeup that you may wear-waterproof or not. "NEUTROGENA OIL FREE EYE MAKEUP REMOVER." This is any amazing product that when used with a cotton ball will remove all of the eye makeup from your day.

After using the product my eyes don't feel like they are burning or as if they have a bunch of little cuts on them. The one problem with this product for me is that I feel like it goes very quickly, (but I think that it is only in my mind!)

This product also comes in the form of pre-moistened pads, but I think that the liquid with cotton balls is a better idea, but that is just my opinion.

You can find this product at any drugstore that carrier "Nutrogena" products or "Target."

Simonie : )

"Baby come back!!!"

Hey guys!!

My granny came to visit for Christmas! When she got here she told me that she had a "St. Ives" face mask that she wanted me to order for her off of the internet because she doesn't know how to do it. (HOW CUTE!!)

Anyway, she showed me the mask and told me that she can no longer find it in any of the stores where she lives, so my mom and I looked it the stores around here, and still, it is no where to be found. The mask is the "St. Ives Peel off Hydroxy Masque." Since she couldn't find the masque she ended up purchasing another one that was by "St. Ives" but not the hydroxy masque, and she left the hydroxy for me.

I LOVE THIS MASK

#1-I LOVE PEEL OFF MASK! -Simple, easy, no mess
#2-THIS MASK REMOVES IMPURITIES-all of the gunk that is down in your pores is brought to the surface by this mask
#3-MY SKIN TONE LOOKS MORE EVEN AFTER USING THE MASK

I love this mask so much that I am here to ask,no, beg, "ST. IVES, please bring this product back!"

Simonie : )

My winter friend

Hey guys!!

So during the winter my skin gets EXTREMELY dry. If I don't moisturize my skin after I shower I will be itchy for the rest of the day. This particular lotion that I am going to talk about is great for any time of the year. However, I especially love this lotion during the winter. The lotion that I am talking about is the well known, well loved

"AVEENO"


I love "Aveeno" so much because it really does sink down into the skin, leaving skin feeling soft and smooth. I especially love using "Aveeno" after I shave my legs because it relieves them of that itchy feeling that you sometimes get when once you shave.

I would also recommend the "Aveeno" shower gel!

Simonie : )