SWIMWEAR RESORT READY

The winter is dreading (it always does) and I find myself several times, within 24hrs, day-dreaming of a vacation on a white sandy beach, with crystal blue ocean, and sunny skies while having a bubbly cocktail in my hand ... heck, 80 degree weather would suffice right about now!!

I have a few bikinis that I rotate during each summer (thankfully, they still fit), but I'm on the look-out for new swimwear as styles and preferences change and evolve. 

Nowadays, I have come across several websites that carry beautifully made and orchestrated swimwear - from low to high end cost. This season, print is a big hit amongst different designers and I cannot lie, that I seem to like it as well. Thumbs up!!

Topshop Scalloped One Piece ($68) via Nordstrom

Braided Bandeau Bikini ($48) via Target

Clover Canyon Abstract Garden Neoprene Bikini ($194) via Bloomingdale's

Coco Rave Bandeau Monokini ($80) via Nordstrom

Black Tie Dye Embellished Bikini ($35) via Target

PilyQ Patara Diamond Triangle Bikini ($144) via Bloomingdale's

Mara Hoffman Sunspoke Navy Bandeau Bikini ($244) via Bloomingdale's

Which one is your favorite? 

Xo,
Anxhela

LONG-LASTING WATERPROOF EYELINERS

I'm quite confident when I say that we've all been there ... whether it is a hot & humid summer day or a long work day, the eyeliner that you placed in the morning on an impeccable face, starts to go rouge and migrate south within a few hours. 

I've been down that road before and thought that it would be a good idea to share some of my favorite black long-lasting waterproof eyeliners that I've encountered to be successful and true to their promise. 

Hopefully, these come handy to some of you. The rest, please let me know if you have a different favorite than the rest for me to try out.

Stila All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner

The Stila All Day Waterproof Liquid eyeliner ($20) is my current favorite that I use on a daily basis. It has a felt tip pen-like applicator, which makes it precise in applying it whether it is the top or lower lashes. This liner does not smudge or smear when wet and it comes off very well when you're washing your face. 

Chanel Waterproof Long-lasting Eyeliner

The Chanel Waterproof Long-lasting eyeliner ($32) is smudge-proof, waterproof and long-lasting (all that it's promised). Do not consider me biased because of my true love for Chanel - this is an excellent eyeliner to own in your makeup collection. 

Sephora Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner 

The Sephora Retractable Waterproof eyeliner ($12) is easy to use and only smudged on me a bit after an all-day usage (8-6 day) and exposure to water. The removal of it was easy with the face-wash products. 

Marc Jacobs Precision Waterproof Pen 

The Marc Jacobs Precision Waterproof Pen eyeliner ($30) features a certain tip that draws thin & thick precision lines with a shiny and blackest black. This liner does not fade, transfer or smudge and it really does last all day. 

Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner

Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl liner ($20) stays sharp after each use without needing to sharpen it manually. It's application is easy and the lines are sharp and jet black. This liner allows you to either leave it in place after applied or smudge it out.

Have a lovely evening dolls!! 

Xo,

Anxhela 

TOO FACED NATURAL MATTE EYESHADOW PALETTE

The new Too Faced Natural Matte Eyeshadow palette ($36) for Summer 2015 is loaded up with matte, natural shades for fresh & classy eye looks during spring/summer. The "story" has it that a minimal, yet sophisticated face with a lot more contouring might be THE thing this summer!! I say ... style above trend.

The shadows come gently packed within a tin box with a magmatic closure - easy to open and just as easy & gentle to close. 
Take a peek below...

As with all Too Faced Eye Collection Palettes, this palette includes a how-to look guide (neatly and tightly packed against the mirror) as well as nine shades of eyeshadow. 

The shades have beautiful pigmentation. They're smooth, creamy and buildable. Although they might seem slightly soft in the palette, while they dust off a bit as well, I'm confident as I say that it does not transfer to the eye.  

You can locate this beauty at Ulta via their website or store.  

Let me know your thoughts below if you have already tried or want to try it asap. 

Xo,
Anxhela

MATTE-LY IN LOVE WITH TARTELETTE

When I first got a view of Tarte's Tartelette palette, it was love at first sight!! First thoughts were NEED, MUST, NOW!!!!!! Well, by the time I got to Sephora to grab one for myself, there were none remaining and zero left in stock (as if that's a shock!!). Made my way into Ulta as well, but left the store with disappointment (and teary eyes) again. 

Well, my search wasn't over - I couldn't give up that quickly!! I located the palette on Sephora.com, which caused me to place an order for the Tartelette and MORE pretty, glossy beauties ... it worked out grrrrrreat at the end (not so much for my hubby...hehe). 

When it comes to eyeshadows, I do mainly wear a neutral base. I am a fan of a shimmer eyeshadow, but I also, very much, enjoy a matte lid. Being a big-eyed girl, the matte lid together with a dark crease, makes my heart pound harder. The overall appearance of it is beautiful and lady-like. 
The palette retails for $44 and includes a total of 12 shades - each arranged in rows according to color family. The shadows are smooth, pigmented, creamy, and apply evenly - something that it unique amongst matte shadows. 
I definitely recommend Tartelette to any matte-shadow lover. It's a safe selection shades that can create some beautiful looks, as well as act as matte face powders. 

FEBRUARY FAVES

Well, February has come to an end - time to roll up the sleeves and showcase all my favorites for the month. I hope you had a wonderful month and that Valentine's Day was lovely to you (no matter how you spent it). 

Some of these products below have been long time favorites and the rest, recent purchases that made the "love...definitely will keep" list. 

Waxelene - I've been a user of different kinds of lip balms in the past ... from low to high-end brands. I was introduced to this brand by a fellow IG green-beauty doll (@mylucitedreams - check her out) and while out shopping one cold day, I came across this balm and decided to purchase it and give it a try. Sure enough, it didn't disappoint one bit. I feel the difference compared with my previous lip balms. The ingredient list is clean, containing only: organic soy oil, non-gmo vitamin E oil and organic rosemary oil. I would definitely recommend trying this balm ... unless you're a fruity-loopy-sweet-tinted balm doll.

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine - these lippies are to die for!! Never have enough of them. The first swipe on your lips and you'd have thoughts that you might have applied butter on them. Antioxidants help condition and soften the lips, while the hyaluronic acid helps seal in moisture for 8 hours of hydration. Wide color variations that will not disappoint. They are a bit on the hefty price range, but you get what you pay for. Give them a try - you'll thank me later.

Jimmy Choo perfume - it is a sweet and spicy, mildly floral scent. Pear and orchid are the first nuances that you'd pick up, but they fade into a woody and light floral within the hour. I have been wearing this perfume for a few years now and I continue to repurchase. 

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer - I have raved about this concealer several weeks ago and I will continue to stress its perfection in coverage, color-match and consistency. It is not heavy once applied and blended and leaves a fabulous coverage.

Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation - I have been using this oil-free face cream for a little over a year now and I'm very impressed with the results. Once applied, it feels silky and it's fast absorbing. I have noticed my skin to be more radiant and noticeably brighter. Look into this moisturizer and allow your skin to benefit from these sheer transformation results. 

Have you had the pleasure to use any of the above products? What are your thoughts on them? Any holy grails that you'd recommend to me? 

Xo,
Anxhela

STATEMENT NECK JEWELS

With spring approaching (somebody, please pinch me!!), we shed off some of these heavy layers of clothing that winter puts upon us. Lighter clothing, more jewels!! More bold, eyes-on-my-neck jewels!!

I wanted to showcase a few pieces that are not only statement necklaces, but also "needed" in my own personal collection (a different piece of jewelry for every piece of clothing we own, no?!?! *wink*)

Let me know what you think of them.

Xo,

Anxhela

Oscar de la Renta Ivory Coral 

 Lulu Frost Cactus Flower 

Lizzie Fortunato Muse Statement 

Moon and Lola Southern Living 

Alexis Bittar Lucite Bib