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 

DIOR NUDE AIR SERUM

Dior might not always be the first in everything, but once they get on the bandwagon, they NAIL IT!! You might wonder what could be so groundbreaking about this foundation??? Well, in a nutshell, it's pretty awesome. 

The packaging of Dior Diorskin Nude Air Serum is lovely, as most IG members seem to agree on. Remember to shake the bottle before usage. Here is a tip: hold the dropper down while shaking the bottle and release once you're finished. This way, you use freshly-mixed foundation. Once I've moisturized and prepped my face with primer, I drip several drops on the back of my hand and use my fingertips to place it on my face. I use a stippling brush to apply it (beauty blender usage would result in less coverage - depends on your preference). Sometimes, I do alternate between the two. 

Dior Nude Air Serum offers a velvety matte finish and medium coverage with an incredible (not overpowering) scent. You seriously have to feel this liquid gold, in order to believe me!! If you have no obvious imperfections, you can probably achieve flawless skin while skipping concealer all together. The formula is seriously long-wearing. I have tested it without a primer, it has lasted about 7 hours; with a primer, you're looking at about 10+ hours usage.

While the finish on this foundation is more on the matte side, I do not find the formula dry or drying. I have normal skin (during summer months, I do have a slightly oil T-zone). I did not see any shine come through while wearing it. I cannot speak for any other skin types, but if you're normal, I think you'll like this!!

What are your thoughts? Will you check out this foundation?

Xo,

Anxhela

NARS RADIANT CREAMY CONCEALER

To be honest with you, I have heard plenty of great feedback from top notch makeup artists regarding NARS Creamy Radiant Concealer, but I've been holding out in purchasing it as I didn't want to get on the bandwagon. Well, well - my curiosity finally got the best of me!! 

I decided to purchase this concealer about 2 months ago and have been in love with it since. They were right!! It has been great to my under eye area (other sites as well)

I got the shade "Honey," which has been perfect for my undereyes during these cold, long winter months. I simply use the applicator and dot it on - undereyes, around the nostrils, or any blemishes - and simply use my finger to blend in or a small brush. 

It does not feel heavy whatsoever and leaves behind a really really good coverage. I can honestly notice a difference in how my overall skin looks after this concealer gets applied - definitely recommend to give it a chance.

TOP 5 WINTER SKINCARE ESSENTIALS

I try to keep a ritual in place with my skincare whether it is summer or winter months. I believe that being consistent with skincare is important - time will show if a product is beneficial to your skin and consistent with what it claims to accomplish. 
But, sometimes, I can't help by detour from it depending on my skin's behavior - nothing remains the same, isn't that the truth?!?
Here are a few of my current daily/weekly skin care products :

1. Obagi AM/PM Foaming Gel - I've been using this product for about 2 years now, and it certainly does what it claims. It leaves my skin completely clean from any makeup residue and non-dry. 

2. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Mask - definitely love this product when my face feels dry or just a bit blah. It is light, clear and easy to apply. I'll apply it before going to bed and wash it off in the morning. 

3. Caudalie Premier Cru Eye Cream has anti-aging effect and aids in reducing dark circles by leaving behind a more radiant skin and works in hydrating the skin towards a firmer and smoother canvas. Call me biased, but I truly love most of the Caudalie products that I have used in the past and present.

4. Chantecaille Retinol Intense Cream - I have been using this cream for about a year at this point and I can say that my pores are less visible and my skin overall, looks brighter and more even. Overall, I do enjoy it and will continue to use it.

5. Caudalie Divine Oil - D I V I N E indeed!! I looooooove this product. I use it mainly during winter months and not only does it smell "to die for," but also my skin looks quite radiant and soothed in the morning. Definitely give it a try. Did I mention that I looooooove it?!?? *wink*

Have you used any of these products? What are your thoughts? If so, any holy grail products that you would recommend back to me?

xo,
Anxhela

IT LIST

We all hold several statuses in this life ... let it be your lovely, irreplaceable, fashionista self, wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend ... (the list goes on and on).

With all that being said, there are a few items that I must or need to have around the house, in my bag, in the car (heck, any place with storage). They have become either a necessity or a genuine pleasure - they help in making life feel easier during times of stress.

What are some of your "necessities" during the day or after a long day? Leave me a comment down below as I would love to hear from you.

xo,
Anxhela

St. Tropez Self Tan Mousse

Tom Ford Black Orchid

Diptyque

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream

Ban.do iPhone Charger