I was in NYC this week for only a few short days working with Macy’s so I didn’t have a lot of down time to shoot all of my looks from this trip, but I did manage to shoot one outfit on the roof top lounge of the Hudson Hotel. I’ll be back soon with another behind the scenes post and travel pictures. Enjoy your weekend! XOXO
Arden B top (c/o)// Forever 21 pants// Zara clutch, heels, & bracelet//
Images by Jesse Ruiz
Today I bring to you a new makeup tutorial all about exploring the vibrant and rich hues of fall. I’m sure we’re all tired by now of the fresh face, no makeup look we’ve all rocked all summer long. I know I am. I’m ready to play with jewel tones and different textures not only with my clothes, but with my makeup too!
The Tools Listed:
- L’Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions Washable Mascara, Black
- NYX HD Studio Photogenic Primer, Universal Color
- Flower Cosmetics Foundation
- Flower Cosmetics BB Cream, BB2
- Coty Airspun Face Powder, Translucent Extra Coverage
- Sonia Kashuk Shimmering Loose Mineral Bronzer
- La Bella Donna highlight
- Smashbox Cream Eyeliner, navy
- Visine Advance Eye Drops
- DUO Eyelash Adhesive, dark tone
- CoverGirl Ink It! By Perfect Point Plus, Black Ink
- L’Oreal Magic De-Crease Eyelid Primer, Nude
- Too Faced La Creme Color Drenched Lip Cream, In the Buff
- 88 Shimmer Palette (colors used marked by *)
I consider my morning skincare and makeup routine like a small 15 minute treat for myself because it’s time that I have to think and mentally prepare for the rest of the day. I love to take my time with each step and make myself feel as if I were at a spa. This is how I make a routine fun and enjoyable!
My Mom has always taught me the importance of skincare and the enormous benefits that your skin will reap when you’re older, if you devote proper time and care.
I had the opportunity of working with Nordstrom Beauty Spot to update a few things of my morning routine. Click here for Nordstrom Beauty Spot Products! … Enjoy!
Below is a step-by-step guide and video on what I do on a typical morning when it comes to my skincare and makeup routine. A few things change, such as lip color and bronzer, but for the most part, it stays the same.
Step 1: I like to start with the Ibuki skincare line from Shiseido. I bought the starter set for $25, which gave me two weeks worth of product so I can test out the line to see if it would be right for me. This skincare line is supposed to help your skin build resistance towards everyday stress such as lack of sleep, diet, stress, pollution, and more.
- I dampen my face with water before I begin. I take the ‘Gentle Cleanser’ and wash my face for about 1 minute using small circular motions.
- Next I take the ‘Softening Concentrate Lotion’ and apply some directly to the palm of my hand. I don’t recommend using a cotton ball because it tends to absorb a lot of the product. It’s thick enough to use from palm to face.
- I skip the ‘Refining Moisturizer’ because I prefer using Lancôme’s Renergie Lift Multi-Action lifting and firming cream (it contains SPF 15).
Step 2: Foundation. I got two shades darker since I came back from vacation so I had to go out and buy a new foundation. A lot of the ones I have tend to make me look ghostly and pale. I gave Clinique a try because they have a “Stay Matte Oil-Free” one that caught my attention. It’s easy to blend and can provide buildable coverage.
Step 3: Concealer: I conceal and brighten up my face with Bobbi Brown warm natural creamy concealer.
Step 4: Powder. I set my foundation and concealer with Clinique’s blended face powder in “transparency neutral” using the Nordstrom face & body brush.
Step 5: Eyebrows. I’ve had this brunette powder duo from Anastasia Beverly Hills for a long time. I fill in my brows using an angled brush. I prefer powder to fill my brows because they look more natural.
Step 6: Eyes. I skip eye primer when I use the Bobbi Brown concealer on my eyelid because it’s quite sticky and holds shadow pretty well.
- I take a matte soft brown shadow and apply it on to the crease for depth and contour using a small tapered eye shadow brush.
- Next, I take a vanilla highlight with shimmer. I apply that right underneath my eyebrows and on my tear ducts. This is going to reflect light and contrast against the crease color.
- I then line my top lash line using Bobbi Brown’s cream liner with a bent brush for precision.
- For mascara I use Diorshow Blackout because the pigmentation is intense. I just make sure to wipe the excess off on a napkin to avoid clumps and build up.
Step 7: Next I apply bronzer from the Nordstrom makeup palette on the hallow parts of my cheeks and add a highlight right above on the cheekbone.
Step 8: Lips. Last but not least I apply lipstick and top it off with lip-gloss. This is the one step that changes everyday depending on my mood.
The list of products used:
Clinique Stay-matte oil-free makeup in 15 Beige
Shiseido Perfect Foundation Brush
Clinique Blended Face Powder and Brush Transparency Neutral
Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit Warm Natural
Lancome Renergie Lift Multi-Action Lifting and Firming Cream SPF 15
Dior ‘Diorshow — Black Out’ Mascara Kohl Black 099
Clinique Long Last Glosswear Clearly Pink
Nordstrom Dual Fiber All Over Eye Brush None One Size
Watch the video!
Today’s look describes my style the best; fun, playful, and feminine. I started with this colorful maxi dress that I bought from Burlington Coat Factory a few months back and I paired it with gold jewelry and my favorite straw bag which was a major score from a thrift store. The bohemian feel of the dress also inspired my “Milkmaid Braids”.
Dress:Burlington Coat Factory//Bag:Thrift Store//Necklace: Old Navy//Shoes:Aldo (old)//Cuff: Arden B//Lips: Nuance by Salma Hayek in Coral (LOVE!)
Images by Jesse Ruiz
Products Used:
- Mac Paint “Bare Canvas”
- Lancome (Jason Wu Collection) “Excuse My Beauty” palette
- NYX Gel liner & Smudger in “Jet Black”
- Sigma Flirt Extended Wear Eyeliner
- Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen “Black Noir”
- Maybelline Great Lash Mascara “Very Black
- Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer
- Nuance by Salma Hayek Liquid Foundation “Medium/Deep Warm” (OBSESSED!)
- Nuance by Salma Hayek Front & Center Concealer & Highlighter
- Airspun Loose Face Powder “Translucent”
- Sonia Kashuk Shimmering Loose Powder Bronzer “Golden 47″
- e.l.f Baked Blush “Rich Rose”
- e.l.f Matte Lip Color “Natural”
- Lancome Gloss In Love “302″
Watch the tutorial here!
Today I felt inspired by the Marc Jocobs s/s 13 collection to play around prints in my wardrobe. It can be a bit tough to pull off the combination of two prints in one outfit, but the simplest way to do so is by mixing black and white geo prints together. At least, that’s where I like to start.
P.S.
I used baby oil on my legs for moisture & shine 
“Spring / Summer 2013.” MarcJacobs.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2013.
Zara sweater f/w 13′ //Love Culture skirt //Steve Madden heels //Rebecca Minkoff purse //H&M Necklace// Lashes: Lilly Lashes in London
Images by Jesse Ruiz
In today’s video, I was inspired by the comedy series I Dream of Jeannie, so I decided to re-create a 60′s mod look. This video has sat on my computer for the past few months, and I thought that since Halloween is next month, it would be a great time to upload it onto my channel. Clip-on hair pieces are fun because you can achieve a look almost instantly with out much work. As a full-time mommy, this is golden because I can look chic in minutes! Hope you guys enjoy it and please leave your honest suggestions below. ^_^
To re create this look you will need:
- Hair serum
- Hair spray
- Hair tie
- Teasing brush
- Paddle brush
- Ponytail extension (if you don’t have enough hair for a luscious pony)
Today I want to share with you a brief overview of a new palette from Too Faced cosmetics called “A few of my Favorite Things”.
This palette contains 20 eyeshadow, 2 blushes, 2 bronzers, 1 mascara, 1 lip product, a how-to guide, and a pouch.
Retail Price: $56.00 USD
(value if purchased individually: $436.00 USD)
I think it makes a great gift for the holidays because you get the best of everything for $56. There’s also great diversity with the finishes.They range from matte to shimmery.
The Eyeshadows:
Blushes and Bronzers:
I’ve had Chocolate Soleil individually for a while now and I’ve included it in a monthly favorites before. It smells wonderful and it has a great color pay off. I bought it in the spring time when it went great with my skin color, but lately it’s been giving me more of a “dirty” look. I think it’s because it’s clashing with my foundation because alone it looks great.
Lip Injection Color Bomb “Bee Sting”
I’ll be doing a more in dept review on this lip injection including before and after shots.
Better Than Sex Mascara
I’ll also be doing an in dept review on this product to show the application and results.
The pouch:
I’ve had the honor of being featured in the November issue of People StyleWatch. It’s one of my favorite magazines because it’s all about affordable style and I get tons of inspiration for my own personal wardrobe. I feel so blessed and I’m incredibly humbled. Thank you People StyleWatch!
This week started with some light rain. Just one of those days where you want to cuddle in bed with your favorite blanket drinking your favorite hot beverage. We just got home to a toasty 79-degree house, and have no plans to go back outside. I’m finally sitting in my living room with the fireplace going, watching a taping of The Wendy Williams Show, and drinking hot cocoa. Watching Wendy is a daily ritual of mine, I just LOVE her!
Anyway, this afternoon I paid a visit to a thrift store near my area because of their competitive prices and large selection of home décor. Since the weather has been cold lately, and the seasons are changing, I’ve been in the mood to make my home feel cozier. I can’t wait to show you guys my new décor once it’s done. I’m going for an eclectic/vintage feel, so lots of color, prints, vintage furniture, and knickknacks.
I wore this outfit today to run errands and do a bit of shopping. The dress has a great 1920’s drop waist silhouette, which is something new in my closet. I wore this dress to the Katy Perry album release party last week too, but in a dressier way. Think bare legs, laced up black heels, and no vest. This dress is so comfortable and warm, especially when layered with stockings. I don’t know about you guys, but these thigh-high socks sure make a girl feel sexy! I’m pretty much obsessed with them and are definitely a staple in my fall/winter wardrobe every single year!
I hope you guys enjoy my new outfit of the day. I’m finally back from recovery of my surgery. You might notice my eyes are still a bit red from the hemorrhaging but it’s almost gone. YAY!
Dress, Vest, Necklace,Boots,and Bag: Forever21// Studs & socks: Target//Lips: Maybelline Limited Edition Violet Intrigue
Images shot by my husband Jesse Ruiz
Halloween is coming up this Thursday. If you need some last minute inspiration or guidance, check out my new tutorial inspired by this Gypsy costume I’ve had for the past two years.
On a slightly different note, this year I’m dressing up as a dead bride, Izek is going to be a cute little fire fighter, and Jesse will be a zombie (I’ll be doing his makeup). If you guys celebrate this holiday, what will you be dressing up as? I would love to know!
Products used to create this look:
Face
MAC Prep+Prime Face Primer
L’Oreal Paris Magic Nude Liquid Powder Foundation
Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Corrector
Old contour and highlight palette
Eyes:
Benefit Brows a go-go
MAC Painterly Paint Pot
Scotch Tape
Global Goddess i-Divine Eye Color “Darjeeling”
Sigma Beauty Creme De Couture Macaron Eyeshadow Palette
Make Up For Ever Techni Color Eyeshadow Palette
NYX Glam Shadow Stick GSS16 ” Illuminating Topaz
Ardell Eyelashes 101 Demi (Also love these!)
DUO Eyelash Adhesive “Dark-Tone”
L’Oreal Paris Power Volume Collagen Mascara “Blak/Noir”
L’Oreal Paris Voluminous® Smoldering Liner
L’Oreal Paris Lineur Intense® Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner
All rhinestones where purchased at Michael’s Craft Sore
Lips:
Styli-Style Line & Seal Lip Liner “1120 Pinkster”
NARS Larger Than Life Lipgloss “Odalisque”
Shop this post!
Today I remixed a pair of trousers that have an excellent fit on my petite frame. When something hits every single point like it should, it’s only mandatory for me to wear it again and again. Not only do I save a lot of money wearing clothes in different ways, but it also narrows down my selections in my wardrobe, which makes it easier for me to get dressed in the morning. This time, I took the look up a notch and paired the printed Forever 21 trousers with a fitted (red) blazer in a fun and vibrant color. I polished it off with some black pumps and a purse in a classic shape.
Loft Blazer//Target Tank Top//Forever 21 Trousers//Hendrik Brun Pumps//Aldo Handbag
Images shot by my lovely husband Jesse.
Jumpsuit: Infineteen (c/o)//Watch:Target//Clutch: Unknown// Heels: DailyLook (c/o)
Images by Jesse Ruiz
