Ashes of Laughter: Product Love!

1. Mac Cranberry Eyeshadow
Fantastic for green eyes, really makes them POP! My lovely friend Blair introduced me to this fabulous shade.

2. Origins Clear Improvement Mask
The active charcoal draws out impurities and actually leaves your face looking visibly better. It also has a nice tingly feeling on your skin.

3. Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me
My new favorite lip balm. A little color, a little flavor, a lot of goodness. People on a regular basis have asked me what I have on my lips when I wear this. Such a nice subtle color.

4. FACE Nail Polish in Gold Sparkle
I won this at a dirty santa party and have been wearing it ever since. The perfect full coverage sparkle polish.

5. Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pale Pink
I tried this while visiting my friend Rachel and knew I had to get my own. It's a very natural glow for day, but I layer it with powder blush at night. Also great for lips too!

6. Hard Candy Balmination in Vampire Bite
Very similar to the Maybelline Soft Lips, but not as glossy. This shade is also a little more neon. It looks fabulous with a tan.


What are your favorite products??


xx,


Erin

Ashes of Laughter: Product Love

A couple of weeks ago, the folks over at Misikko sent me one of their Hana Professional 1.5" Hair Flat Irons to try out and review.

Seeing as my only encounter with straightening irons was really the Chi I used to use in high school, I was up for the challenge (especially since it has been featured in Marie Claire and Redbook).  

The iron arrived quickly, and there were also a load of goodies in the package!  They sent me the iron, a carrying case, a sleeping mask, a nail kit, eyelash curler, eyeshadow,  eyeliner AND a fabulous selection of bath products (major brownie points in my book). 

Not only did I give the Hana a go, but so did my roommate (the straightening iron queen).  We were both pleasantly surprised by how quickly the Hana straightened our hair and also loved the added shine we got from this iron. 

It has large ceramic plates that allows you to straighten hair more quickly than I could in the past with my Chi.  It also has adjustable heat settings which I found extremely important seeing as highlighted hair like mine can tend to be fragile.    Overall I think this is one of the best flat irons I've used, and my roommate also agrees. Now I'm off to see if I can use it to curl as well! 

xx,

Erin

Ashes of Laughter: July Product Love

1. Bed Head Ego Boost Split End Mender and Leave-In Conditioner , $16

Have been using this for years.  First of all, it smells heavenly.  Secondly, it makes your dry ends feel amazing if you apply it before blow drying.

2. Benefit They're Real Mascara

Hands down the BEST mascara I have ever tried (and that's saying a lot). My friend let me borrow her sample and I high-tailed it to Sephora to purchase it the next morning.  Much to my dismay they won't officially be selling it until next month, but you can get a Sephora Beauty Point sample for 100 points (so worth it). It provides amazing length and volume, and also curls my lashes without an eyelash curler. It also doesn't budge. Which is  a huge plus in my book. 

3. Not Your Mother's Girl Powder Volumizing Hair Powder, $4-5 (depending on the store)

Seriously? Body without teasing? Genius. Salon brands have been carrying this stuff for years with a $30 price tag and now it's available at Walmart and Ulta for just a few dollars.  Just sprinkle on your crown and tousle with your fingers, and you're good to go...for hours. Just re-tousle to lift again and again!

4. Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Color in "Blue-Away", $4.59
Love that this polish dries in seconds.  Look at how cute the color is!?

5. E.L.F. Studio Eyebrow Kit in "Light", $3

Perfect for light brown to blonde eyebrows.  I use the gel side to shape my brows, but it also comes with powder as well.  Great product, and only $3! 

6. Chloe Eau de Parfum Spray 2.5 oz., $110

My roommate had this perfume a few years ago and I found myself stealing it so much that I went out and bought my own over Christmas.  Such a perfect summer scent.

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xx,

Erin

Ashes of Laughter: Product Love



E.L.F. Studio Kabuki Face Brush

This brush is perfect to apply Bare Minerals.  It's also anti-bacterial which is a MAJOR plus in my book. The bristles aren't rough, but not too soft either.  Perfect mineral makeup application right here.  Biggest plus, it's only $5.00!!



Nars Blush in Mata Hari

Although the color looks intense, it's very pretty on and looks great with a summer tan.

Hot Shot Tools by Helen of Troy Tourmaline Ceramic 1-1/4" Curling Iron

I love hot rollers when I'm wanting mega-volume, but I almost always use this curling iron to style my hair.  It's inexpensive as far as curling irons run, and works perfectly on my hair.  It heats up very quickly also and my curls last for hours.  You can find it at Sally Beauty Supply and it's a whopping $32.99!

Tri Aero Body Infusion - Spray-In Volumizer 

Best root booster there is, period.

Hair Art Hair Bun Rats Blonde 10"

Looks pretty scary huh? Well you use this to get Blair Eadie's adorable bun below.
 

Tutorial HERE!
 
 
Any favorite products that I must try?
 
 

xx,

 

 

Erin

Product Love

1. Revlon Gumdrop Scented Nail Polish: This nail polish is actually scented which is a little weird, but the color is definitely worth it. A nice light lilac and perfect for spring.

2. NARS Duo Eye shadow in Kuala Lumpur: If you have blue/green eyes like me, this product it’s the one for you. It makes the green really POP, and has the perfect amount of shimmer. I’m a fan of all NARS products, really.

3. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua: A couple of weeks ago I was at the Chanel counter getting a eye shadow brush (theirs are the BEST, along with Trish McEvoys) and the lady at the counter stuck a sample of Chanel’s Vitalumiere Aqua in my bag. I tried it out, and OHMYGOODNESS I’m obsessed! It’s extremely light weight, as in I felt like I was wearing air. It evens out your skin tone, and the smell is incredible. It makes your skin look flawless. Definitely recommend this product.

4. Banana Boat Summer Color: If you are one of my friends you know that I have a serious obsession when it comes to Jergen’s Natural Glow Express. It’s the only sunless tanner that makes me dark and streak-free. The only downside, the smell. Weeeeeeell my friend Maggie recently recommended Banana Boat summer sun. And let me tell you a little something about Maggie, this girl HATES sunless tanners. So for her to give it a star of approval is feat in itself. Anywhoo, this sunless tanner has a brown tint so you can see where you apply it, and the smell isn’t bad at all. It gives you nice, brown, even coverage and it lasts for almost a week.. I would definitely go try this on before summer.

What are your favorite products? Anything I need to try?

xx,

Erin

India Love

Today I bought a Deepa Gurnani headband.  They are from India and each piece is slightly different and unique making me love it all the more.

My camera happens to be on the fritz so I apologize for the grainy photo booth pictures.

Oh, and I just painted my nails last night and wasn't sure how I felt about the yellow.  Turns out all I needed was a little sleep because I woke up in love.  I can't stop staring at my fingers.

Which way do you prefer to wear your headbands?



xx,

Erin

Save Me San Francisco

"Save me, San Francisco" by Train has seriously been on repeat in my car for two weeks.  The perfect song for summer a drive.

This is an outfit that I wore out last night.  Very casual.  I have been doing that a lot lately, dressing casual. I'm thinking it's due to the sweltering weather. Busted out my new Cynthia Vincent wedges for Target (don't worry I had to go to three to find them).  Hope you enjoy!

Lace Top- Moda International

Jean Shorts- Forever 21

Wedges- Cynthia Vincent for Target

Rings and Gold Cuff- Forever 21
(Mother of Pearl Ring-??)

Oh and I really need to tell you about my newfound obsession.  If you are like me, you ALWAYS have chipped nail polish or none at all.  Well I came across this little lifesaver and am already building a collection of colors.  

(via prettyconnected.com)

It dries almost right after you apply it and also comes in a full spectrum of vibrant (amazing) colors.  Oh and did I forget to mention, the brush is flat and the tip is circular for perfect application!

Tell me what you think!

xx,

Erin

Recent Obsessions

Benefit's Benetint.  Such a great product.  I have rather light colored lips naturally and this gives them the perfect semi-permanent bee stung look.

(via productsifter.com)

These new open-toed oxford heels and they're only $25 for a pair! Great with any summer outfit.  I have recently paired them with denim shorts, gold jewelry and a frilly white blouse.

(via forever21.com)

I tend to find a hairstyle and stick to it.  For winter I'm very into hot rolled, Brigitte Bardot locks.  For hot weather, I have recently decided that two twists pinned back at the crown is a perfect summer do.  The messier the better, who needs fuss when it's so steamy outside. 

(via images.teamsugar.com)

(via ?)

And my last but not least recent obsession, asos.com.  This site is filled with wonderful clothes and swimsuits.  Here are a few of my picks:

(via asos.com)

(via asos.com)

(via asos.com)

(via asos.com)

(via asos.com)

(via asos.com)

Tell me what you think!


xx,

Erin

p.s. I'm trying to beef up my following so please follow if you like what you see!