currently obsessing...

just some of the items that i "can't" go a day without...

elizabeth and james - nirvana black

fell in love with this perfume over the holidays.

it comes back to sephora just in time for my brithday *subtle hint, subtle nudge.

until then, tester rollerball it is.

control of communicable diseases manual

this semester i am taking an epidemiology course and this little manual has quickly become my bff.

 

pitch perfect (movie and soundtrack)

i was gifted this dvd from my friend, lisa and am obsessed.

and, now want to join an acapella group

maybelline big eyes mascara 

i used to swear by benefit's "they're real" mascara until i stumbled upon this gem.

not to mention, it's 1/3 the price. 

mac blush - "sweet as cocoa" 

a natural, cocoa shade with very subtle shimmer.

perfect for everyday wear.

opi polish - "peace & love & opi"

 a duochrome polish that shifts to a blue/aqua, dark green or pinkish/purplish.

nars radient creamy concealer - "amande"

all these late nights/early mornings have begun to show. 

dab a little bit of this under my eyes and voila.

aldo rescue wipes (i couldn't find an image of the wipes)

 i can handle snow. 

i can even handle temperatures below freezing.

but the salt stains that appear on your boots during the winter irritate me to no end.

these little sheets help rectify the situation.

rosebud salve 

a staple in my makeup bag, especially in these cold winter months.

urban decays' eye pencils - deep end ultraviolet 

because who doesn't love a little coloured liner?

urban decay's naked 3 palette 

a christmas present to me, from me. 

what are some items you've been loving recently?

i'd love to hear!

:)

vanessa

how do i live without you? (skin care edition)

i had a lot of fun putting together my first post in my "give me your clothes" series.

so much so that i decided to start another one called "how do i live without you?"

(yes, this series is named after that trisha yearwood/leann rimes classic...)

basically, the purpose of this series is going to be to share the items i can't live without.

**i use the word can't for dramatic effect...

now, i've never been one to use creams and serums.

but after reading an article that explained that what you do (or don't do) in your 20s can affect what your skin will look like in the future, i've since changed my ways.

so, i'd like to start off this new series by talking about some of the skin care products i've been loving recently!

1 - fresh start eye cream (ole henriksen) 
i've always heard great things about this eye cream but the price was just not right.
but after receiving a sample from sephora, i decided to take the plunge.
with a couple dabs of this creme, dark circles and/or puffiness under the eyes disappear!

2 - clarisonic mia 
♫♫ all i need in this life of sin, is me and my clarisonic (me and my clarisonic) ♫♫
seriously, hands down, the best little contraption ever - my skin is brighter and smoother than it's ever been.
plus, i love that you can use any cleanser with it.

3 - rosewater toner (burt's bees)
i have very sensitive skin, so most toners and astringents burn my skin - no bueno.
i picked up this toner at my local walmart as it was on sale and have been using it ever since.
it contains gylercin and witch hazel along with rosewater to tone skin and tighten pores.

4 - tea tree oil (body shop)
it smells terrible but it works wonders on any old blemishes you may have on your skin.
i just put some on a q-tip, plug my nose, put it on my face and watch any dark marks disappear.

5 - apricot scrub (st. ives)
i've been using this scrub since i was 13 and will use it until i am old and grey.
it's cheap and effective and can be used as a full body scrub as well.

6 - boo boo zap (benefit)
even after using all the products mentioned above, i still do get the odd pimple.
which is when i pull out my trusty boo boo zap it as it helps reduce any redness or swelling.
it also goes on clear which means it can be worn under makeup.

so, those are some of the skin care products that i'm loving right now.
i'd love to hear about any products you've tried and swear by.
particularly, any good moisturizers as i have yet to find one that i love.

:)
vanessa