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.

Do you "like" my blog on Facebook? Click HERE to join the fun!

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

First of all, I would like to apologize for the infrequency of my posts. I have been traveling and moving and all around crazy busy.  Secondly, I would like to announce that H&M IS GOING ONLINE!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOO! It's like they read my mind (or my blog).

And now, on to a few of my favorite products:

YSL Automatic Eyeliner
My friend Margaret told me about this product, and it is amazing! It is fool-proof liquid eyeliner.  The applicator is a teeny tiny brush that gives a perfectly defined line.
 

L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara
My friend Anna had this in New York, and by the end of the trip all of our friends were stealing her mascara.  It lengthens, thickens, AND defines.  I also love that you can layer it pretty easily for a more dramatic look (buh-bye spider lashes).



Aveda Wooden Paddle Brush
I don't know what it is about this brush, but I'm completely obsessed.  I have long thick highlighted hair that is almost impossible to detangle when wet. Not anymore! This brush glides right through with very little effort. 




Do you guys have any products must-try products? Share the love.


xx,



Erin



 

Stormy Weather

There is nothing like jazz music and a bath on a rainy day.

(via myvintagevogue.com)

Here are a few of my favorite bath time necessities:

I prefer lavender and rose bubble bath over bath oils and salts. Lavender because it will always remind me of my first trip to Provence, and rose because it reminds me of my grandmother. I love almost all lavender and rose scents, but Johnson & Johnson's Baby Bedtime Bath is very soothing.

 

I love face masks. I really like Queen Helene's Mint Julep Masque and Neutrogena's Clear Pore Mask. I love the cooling sensations of both.

When it comes to body wash I'll always love Neutrogena's Rain Bath. It smells so unusual, like spices from India.

I love listening to jazz when is rains. Here are a few of the artists on my playlist:

    

Hope you are enjoying your day!

xx,

Erin