Happy Valentine’s Day! Today is a holiday I will always embrace. I’m an ultimate girlie girl and feel like this holiday was made for me! I love wearing, red + pink, sparkle, the works. But instead of going straight to the heart-print dress, this year it’s more fun to play with themes in a classic way. Go for either red or pink, base with black, and sparkle in gold or silver.
In college, my sorority had an ‘NBA’ dinner- No Boys Allowed. Regardless if you were single, or taken, we spent one night just us girls to celebrate having fun and the love in our life, romantic or not. I suggest sending a special note, calling a friend, or baking something sweet for someone unexpected! Let them know they’re an important person in your life… and you can look cute while doing so.
Click the above link to see the stores my picks are from. Essie’s Fifth Avenue + Maybelline’s Red Revival are my go-to colors year round and are perfect for this holiday. Nine West’s new Love Fury line not only has an amazing scent, but a fierce heel to go with it. Love them!
It’s finally winter here in New York City. I haven’t taken my beanie off in three days now and yet all I can think about is Spring. The pretty pastels and allure of each day being warmer until it’s sundress weather again!
Here are two pastel packs that are currently on my mind. The first, the EOS trio holiday pack, I received over the holiday. The little balms come in the cutest pod packaging perfect to slip in any clutch or bag. The flavors: strawberry sorbet, sweet mint, and passion fruit give the allure of sweet summer. And well, they’re fun. Any time I pop one out of my bag I get at least one boy-stare confused as all hell to what it is.
The second, not yet released, Spring collection from essie. We all know my absurd obsession with nail polish and I want every. single. color. This collection is ‘Wall Street inspired’ but from what I know, my finance girl friends can choose clear or pale pink as their choice hues but I won’t complain given that I’m most excited by the green in this collection!
The green is much paler than Mint Candy Apple, my other favorite essie. I’ll skip the purple, assuming it’s similar to Lilacism and go straight for the dynamite orange. Pantone’s color of the year is Tangerine Tango and I am fully embracing it!
As soon as the digits dropped a bit, my skin and hair instantly flipped. Just like with a wardrobe, it’s important to switch up your beauty routine with the seasons. Thicker moisturizers, hydrating masks for both face & hair, and soothing formulas to treat drying skin. Especially when testing new products, I’ve never been much of a splurger on beauty. I think most formulas can be remade in a wallet-friendly version. These are my cold weather picks for budget beauty buys…
Mario Badescu Flower & Tonic Mask: I swear by all Mario Badescu products but especially their night creams & masks for affordable but lxue hydration.
Mondays are rough. We wake up early to the sound of an unwelcome alarm, have to wear appropriate clothing when I much prefer baggy sweaters and leggings prior to my morning coffee, and rush through the morning commute. I will admit, some Mondays I’m excited, ‘leap’ out of bed, and can’t wait to tackle the day. But now that it’s football season + Sundays are a bit busier, I’m finding Monday mornings to be a bit more difficult.
Lately, I’ve been tricking my friends + coworker’s eyes by falsifying a put together look. Here are a few of my tricks:
Cozy- a bright scarf, especially in this on-trend pumpkin shade, can jazz up a basic long sleeve tee, or casual look.
Polish- pearls will add a classic touch to your look, despite how tired you may look.
Height- heels help your posture & will add a bit of feminitity even with a grumpy attitude.
Drama- one quick swipe of liquid liner will make your half-opened eyes pop.
Lips- my 1 must is a bold lip. A bright lip, my personal favorite being Maybelline’s Fuchsia Fever, is ‘caffeine for the face’ and the perfect distraction from any tired eyes.
If you’re feeling super lazy, try the below bun tutorial from Lauren Conrad’s site, The Beauty Department.
I’m so excited to be partnering with the Bobbi Brown team today on an amazing campaign and giveaway. Bobbi Brown is such an respected, industry leader. Bobbi worked her way up starting as a freelance makeup artist in NYC the way every other artist did, but built her talent, contacts, and business slowly and is now a leading name in the industry. Bobbi believes that all women are pretty, and can become ‘pretty powerful’ with the touch of a little makeup. We need that confidence, that drive, and it’s stronger when we feel good about ourselves. A little pressed powder, mascara, or lipstick gives us that extra boost when we need it to be pretty and powerful.
When I was asked to be a part of this project I immediately thought of my mother. This gorgeous, confident, strong woman who has never for one day let me down. She supports me, my dreams, my passions, and she supports her own, choosing to leave a high power career to spend time with her children while we were growing up, a choice I will always be grateful for. I will forever see her as the luckiest part of my life, and I am so grateful to have such an amazing role model to look up to. My mother was also the one to introduce me to Bobbi Brown makeup and how to wear makeup in a way that looks natural (after a few too many middle school years sporting purple & blue shadows). She knows the importance of putting out a great image to show that you love and take care of yourself and I agree.
{back in my brunette days on Capri in 2008}
The Pretty Powerful campaign is a way for women to share why they’re powerful in their own way. There are amazing entries, from women who value their smile after battling Bells Palsy, to veterans of war, and women who are proud of their curly hair, their womanly hips, the entries are absolutely amazing. I encourage you to click here to read a few, and enter yourself! The awesome prize includes: a feature in her latest campaign, a trip to NY, private makeup lessons, and $500 of product, a-mazing!
After you’ve clicked through, it’s time for the giveaway!! I am giving away 1 of Bobbi Brown’s Pretty Powerful palette. I have been using it non-stop since receiving it- the neutral shadows, pop of blush, and shimmer lips are great go-to’s for day to day. In order to win:
1. Comment below with what makes you feel pretty powerful. Can be a person, an attribute, a product, anything!
-OR-
2. Tweet @everyday_runway with your answer using the hashtag #prettypowerful. (Must be following to win!)
3. Contest ends, Sunday, October 2nd at 6 pm. Check back on Monday, October 3rd on my Facebook page to see the winner!!
I’m so excited for this campaign, empowerment, and giveaway, and I hope you are too!
NOTE: THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED, CONGRATS TO BROOKELYN ON WINNING THE PALETTE!
