What I've Been Loving: Beauty & Fashion

 Just  thought I would do a quick post of what I've been loving lately...

Skincare:
Lately I've been sticking to the following products. I  must say all four would be a definite re-purchase (in fact, I re-purchased the Origins VitaZing during Sephora's Friends & Family Sale - next post).

1.) Pangea Organics Facial Toner- I love this toner. It's cool, soothing, and feels great on my skin. I use this both day and night. I love the clean feeling it leaves my skin. It doesn't make my skin feel tight or dry after I apply it.

2.) BeFine Exfoliating Cleanser with Brown Sugar, Sweet Almond & Oats- I first discovered this while watching one of my favorite beauty YouTuber (missglamorazzi - check out her channel, she's awesome).
I have to admit I was a bit concern about the exfoliating grains in this cleanser. Because of my oily and sensitive skin, I can't use any harsh products that will aggravate my skin even more. That said, I really liked this exfoliating cleanser. I mainly use this at night time. I think the trick is to apply a nickel size amount and put in a bit of water and apply to skin in circular motion. No rubbing or scrubbing against the skin, but a slow, gentle circular motion. Skin feels soft and clean. Hmmmm....should have just dedicated a full post on this.

3.) Origins VitaZing SPF 15 my new favorite moisturizer. I started using this over the summer when I had a really bad tan and a sunburned forehead while vacationing in LA. I didn't want to use any foundation so I decided that a slightly tinted moisturizer will do and dusting a finishing powder on top is good enough for me.

4.) bareMinerals Deep Cleansing Foam - I absolutely love the bareMinerals skincare line. This is my second tube of the Deep Cleansing Foam cleanser. It feels very gentle and clean on the skin. It's perfect for my oily skin. Unlike some Deep Cleansing Foam that I have tried, this one doesn't leave my skin feeling tight or dry. A permanent staple in my cleansing routine.

 Perfect Pairing: Pangea Organics and Origins VitaZing SPF15

 I have also been doing some serious cleaning of my makeup brushes. I had put it off for a long time.
So, here they are nice and clean. Sad thing is this is not even half of the brushes I own. On the other hand, I have come to realize that I really like the affordable $1 ELF brushes. It's the one item I keep coming back to whenever I apply eyeshadow.

 This is an Instagram post. I had dedicated a post of OPI's Casino Royale  earlier - here  I really, really love this color!

I went to Sephora last week and decided to cash in 500 of my points and this is the item I chose. I really need a travel size of the All Nighter long lasting makeup setting spray.

 Not the best picture of me. I was at a work event last week and it was at the end of the night. After a very long and exhausting day, I had to sit. I hate my pose on this but I was so tired I didn't care.

A run down of my outfit:
Blazer: Target
Dress: Kirna Zabete for Target
Purse: Coach black wristlet
Tights: Hue? I think, I forget
Lipstick: Dior 'Diorific - Le Grand Bal Holiday Collection in Diva
Nails: Dior 'Diorific- Le Grand Bal Holiday Collection in Diva
Bracelet: JCrew
Shoes: Bandolino Booties (see below)

 This is an Instagram pic of my latest favorite shoes: booties. I wore this with the Kirna Zabete dress for a work event and I absolutely love it. It's quite chic look with the subtle studs on the side of the boots. The only thing I had to get used to is the heel - it was at least 3 inches high and something I had to get used to since I'm in flats most of the time.

Shameless plug here: Follow me on Instagram: lenzelenz

And I'm also on Bloglovin': jolenzbeauty.blogspot.com

So that's it! Until next time!

xoxo,
Lynn

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xoxo,

lynn

OPI's James Bond Collection + Nail of the Day ft. Casino Royale

Long time, no post. Life has been extremely busy in the last two months-with work moving offices, navigating a new database, work events, and deadlines, deadlines, deadlines...sadly left no time for blogging. Not to mention taking work home just added more things to my never-ending to-do lists...

BUT....nothing like a movie-inspired nail collection to have me come out of hiding;)

Welcome Bond, James Bond Collection from OPI. There are 12 new shades from OPI to coincide with the release of the new James Bond movie Skyfall, but also to celebrate the 50 year anniversary of the franchise.

Of the 12, I chose 4 colors:

James Bond Collection: L-R: The Spy Who Loved Me, Casino Royale, Skyfall, and You Only Live Twice

It's no surprise to me that I gravitated towards the reds and berry tones of the collection- it's my favorite shade. The colors fit right in with the season. I will do a separate nail of the day post with eachof the nail polish above.

My first choice is Casino Royale below. Love the movie, Love the polish. It's a beautiful shade of berry with a hint of purple...Depending on lighting, the color could come out looking very berry or more purple. Either way, it's a gorgeous color!

The flash shows the polish true color!

I might go back for GoldenEye and The World is Not Enough....

I didn't get a chance to see the new James Bond movie, Skyfall this past Friday. But I'll hopefully see one of my BFF next weekend. Girls night in the city: Dinner, Martini and Skyfall...perfect night.

For now, I will catch up on re-runs and polish my nails with Skyfall!

Happy Saturday everyone!

Fashion's Night Out Wrap Up

Above Photos: Westfield Shopping Center : Under the Dome

Inside Zara. I spy studded clutch and wallet - so hot for Fall!

Trying on open-toe nude Jimmy Choos

 Inside Saks Fifth Avenue. Gorgeous Alexander McQueen clutches.

What I wore:
Pants: H & M Burgundy patterned pants - the details on this one is gorgeous! Get it here !
Shoes: (Taken inside dressing room) Purple Suede Hush Puppies
Shoes: Worn at event: Via Spiga kitten heel sandals
Bag: Steve Madden Satchel in bGambit- Get it here!

Overall, my first Fashion's Night Out experience was fun. I look forward to next year and hope to see more and take more pictures. Of course I did some light shopping which will be posted next!

Hope you're all having a great weekend!

Fashion's Night Out 2012 - San Francisco

Tonight all the fabulous fashionistas will come out in full force around the world to celebrate Fashion's Night Out!

I look forward to tonight as this will be my first since I missed it last year.

A post dedicated to tonight's event around the city will be posted this week.

So, who's going???


xoxo,
Lynn

NARS Joie De Vivre Cheek Palette and Dior's Purple Revolution

Well, this is a long overdue post:(

No excuse here but I have been busy in the last 3 months with work, family visits, weddings, travel and vacations, and more work (future posts to come). But I didn't want to miss out posting my latest beauty finds from Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale back in July. I feel pretty proud of myself with selecting items that I really love. Dior is fast becoming one of my favorite brands - specifically loving their nail polishes.

During the Anniversary sale, Dior's Purple Revolution Collection (so appropriately named and eye catching for me because purple is my favorite color), caught my attention. So, before going in to the store for the preview sale (Early Access for those with Nordstrom debit or credit cards which include a personal shopper...woo hoo), I had already made my list of items to buy.

There weren't many items that I felt the need to really have in the Beauty department with the exception of the items below.

What I had my eye on when I first saw it in the catalog is the Nordstrom NARS exclusive Cheek Palette in Joie De Vivre. I was disappointed that I missed out on the NARS palette from Sephora last year that I made I grabbed this palette.

The palette is gorgeous and includes 4 cheek colors, 1 highlighter and 1 bronzer. I think this is a great palette if you've always wanted to try a NARS blush (the famous Orgasm) or their highly coveted Laguna bronzer- which is included in this palette. There are 2 pink shades in the palette: Gaiety (flat pink, no shimmer) and Angelika (a bright, shimmery pink shade). Of the 2 pink shades, I liked Angelika the best.

I swatched all colors on the back of my hand. The only color that wouldn't show was the Laguna bronzer as the shade is so close so I had to swatch using my pinky finger.

I highly recommend this palette as it gives you the opportunity to try NARS blushes and bronzer.

Group shot: Nordstrom Exclusive: NARS Cheek Palette in Joie De Vivre, Dior's Purple Revolution Nail Lacquers in # 996, 783 & 981, Dior Addict Ultra Gloss #582

My other favorite pick from the Nordstrom sale is the DIOR Purple Revolution nail polishes.

My favorite is #783 in Shadow. Shadow is a very pretty purple with gold shimmers throughout. I will dedicated a blog post on this color soon. Orchid #981 is a berry/purple shade. Poison # 996 is a dark bluish purple. All colors are pretty and perfect for the Fall season.

And last, I love this gloss from the Dior Addict line. I love the pink/berry shade. Perfect on it's own or over your favorite lipstick. 

Joie De Vivre swatch top L to R: Albatross (highlighter), Gaiety, Luster               

                                 bottom L to R: Laguna (bronzer), Orgasm, Angelika

In other news: a recent trip to Canada for my cousin's wedding, I finally decided to try a Shellac manicure. I love it! I love how glossy my nails look. Definitely something I will get done again.

What is it about being away from the comforts of home that makes us try new things???

Hope you're all having a great week!

Aren't you glad the weekend is almost here???

xoxo, Lynn

Nail Rave: Dior Vernis in St. Tropez

Sheeessh...talk about being gone from my blog. 

I have no excuse except that work has taken over my life. The most exciting was that my family came to visit- yay!!! Anyway, I won't make any blogging promises because I've done that and so far I've failed:( 

I have lots of exciting things coming up in the next few weeks that posting on my blog about those is very likely.

To make up for lost times, I thought why not start with a nail polish post? I meant to post this review a while ago as I was on a Dior polish kick (I still am). 

I am a big fan of Dior nail polishes. The formula and texture is just awesome. I have since this picture was taken acquired a few more nail polishes (which I haven't all tried but will post about them as soon as I do).

I love this color. It's a perfect Tiffany blue shade. This is a perfect color for summer.The application is creamy and applied on smooth. 

Excuse the ugly application here as I was in a hurry to put this on. The best part is the longevity of this polish.  With a good base coat (I used CND Stickey base coat) and top coat (CND Fast Air Dry top coat), my polish lasted for 8 long days without chipping! Awesome! I applied 2 coats here. 

Dior St. Tropez

Studded Boots!

The weather has been less than perfect a couple of weeks ago. It's raining and really, really cold. The weather called for some serious warm footwear. I busted out my boots and decided to do a shoe outfit post. 

I bought these boots last year during Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale. I have been putting off buying boots for the longest time and finally caved. No idea why I took so long...these boots are awesome!!!

The boots are from B.P. shoes brand. I bought it on sale $69 USD ( I think, it's been a while). It's the best investment ever!!! I was looking for boots with style yet comfortable at the same time. 

What's to love:
Rounded toe (important for comfort level for me!)
Comfortable low stacked heel, yet still provides a bit of height
Just a bit below the knee
Love the Cognac color

Still more to love:
The studded details of the boot that run on the outer side. It gives the boots an edgy, stylish feel
The double buckles adds the extra cool factor

These boots are a definite hit! For the outfit, I wore my Levi's dark denim jeggings. It went perfectly!

Hope you all are having a great weekend!