November Beauty Products

I want to start doing this once per month.  I think it's fun to share some of the different beauty products that I am currently trying out.  I am always looking for new ones and love seeing what gives the best results.  I am hoping to film a video of this as well so I can elaborate a little more and give you a better feel for each product, but for now I wanted to make it a blog post.   

Let me know if you would like me to do this each month! 

Urban Decay b6 Prep Spray (here)

I've never used a prep spray before so I am not really sure what I can compare it to, but I've been using this product for several months now and have no complaints.  It's a vitamin-infused complexion prep spray that minimizes pores, reduces redness and absorbs oil.  You are supposed to spray your face before applying moisturizer and then you can also use it during the day to refresh your skin.  It's great for giving your skin a quick dose of vitamins and keeping it hydrated.  It's definitely become part of my morning routine.

Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer (here)

I've tried out a ton of different moisturizers from Clinque, Olay, Aveeno, Ponds, and more but this has been my first time trying out one from Origins. My favorite part about this one in particular is that it's energy boosting and truly helps wake me up each morning.  It contains skin-boosters like Panax Ginseng and Coffee Bean. I apply this to my face and neck and after using the prep spray every morning and then I apply it again at night before bed.  It is so important to take care of our skin and lately I'm becoming obsessed with trying out a ton of different skincare products.  This also smells really good, leaves my skin feeling very smooth and adds a natural glow.  

Make Up For Ever: UpLight Face Luminizer Gel (here)

I bought this a few weeks ago, and so far it's been great.  It's a silky gel that naturally brightens up your face.  You are only supposed to use a little bit and tap it under your eyes.  You can also put a little bit on the inside corners of your eye and the corners of your eye lids on top of your eyeshadow.  It really helps to brighten up that whole area and prevents you from looking tired.  Just be careful not to pump too hard, otherwise way too much will come out.  I made that mistake as soon as I opened it up! The bottle is small, but they said it lasts awhile, so I will soon find out. 

EOS Lip Balm (here)

I'm completely obsessed and use this every single day.  I'm actually surprised I didn't start using these sooner.  I have the pink and red ones.  It's obviously so important to keep our lips moisturized, especially during the cold months.  But I also use this to prevent feathering from my lipstick.  I hate wearing a lipstick color that starts to peel after wearing it for a few hours.  Prepping my lips with lip balm before applying the lipstick has helped make a huge difference! 

I think when it comes to beauty products, things might work differently for everyone.  But if you are looking to try something new, I highly suggest all of these.  If any of you have any recommendations for products that I could try out, please share!

On another note, I'll be co-hosting the "Flirty & Feminine" party tonight in the Poshmark app at 7pm PST with fellow blogger Paulina.  You can shop the closets of thousands of girls and share all of your listings to the party as well.  The app is now available on both iPhone and Android and if you sign up with the code HNFBD,  you will receive a $5 credit.

Have a great day!

XOXO

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My Favorite HairStyle With Neutrogena Triple Moisture

Disclosure: This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and Neutrogena.  This was post was written by me and not edited by any third parties.  It expresses my true opinions. 

I think we can all agree that a good hair day makes us feel great and confident.  That's probably why so many women love going to the salon to get their hair done.  I know that every time I leave the salon, I sort of feel like a new person.  They always make my hair look and feel so healthy. But the truth is that most of us can't afford to have our hair professionally done each week and most of us don't have the time either.  I am all for doing things myself at home and with the right products, we can get that salon feel all on our own! 

I definitely have a love/hate relationship with my hair.  It's really thick and now that it's gotten so long, it takes longer to style.  My hair in it's natural state is really weird... it's straight on top, wavy towards the middle and bottom and curly underneath.  When I let it air dry, it gets a lot of volume but it also gets really frizzy.  I have rarely used any products in my hair so I was really looking forward to trying out the Neutrogena Triple Moisture line.  In this post, I am going to show the step by step process of how I do my go to hairstyle with these products from start to finish.  I think every woman has a favorite hair style that makes her feel confident and beautiful.  For me, it's wavy curls!  

Step 1: In the shower, I used the Triple Moisture Cream Lather Shampoo & Daily Deep Conditioner.  Both products gave an intense moisture to my hair and the scent is amazing. 

Step 2: Next in the shower, I applied the Deep Recovery Mask to my ends.  This is a great treatment to use weekly especially for extra dry and over-processed color treated hair.  I love how smooth my hair was after getting out of the shower. 

Step 3 & 4: After showering, I applied the Silk Touch Leave-In Cream to my wet hair focusing mostly on the ends.  This really helps manage frizzies and helps to smooth out those damaged strands.  

Step 5: After applying the cream, I brush my hair with a paddle brush to get out all of the knots and prep for drying.  

Step 6:  Time to blow dry!  Since I am curling my hair, I don't blow dry with a round brush.  I just want to make sure that my hair is as dry as possible so the curls will hold.  

This is pretty much how I feel every time I have to tame my mane lol 

Step 7:  After my hair is dry, I separate to start the curling process.  I always start with the bottom half first and work my way up. 

Step 8: I use a 1-1/2" wand from Remington and always use it at it's highest temperature (410).  I hold the wand down, wrap my hair around in an outward motion and hold for about 10-15 seconds.  

Step 9 & 10: I continue this process until all of the pieces are curled always going section by section with the wand down.  

Step 11 & 12: Since I'm going for more of a wavy curl look, I like to separate the curls with my fingers.  It creates more volume and won't make your hair look "too curled."  I do this all around my head and then use hair spray. 

The end result! I have to say that usually when I curl my hair right after washing it, it doesn't hold as well.  But styling my hair before with these products really helped to keep the curls.  Overall, I really do like these products and will continue to use them. They didn't make my hair dry or greasy as some hair products tend to do. They make my hair smell so good and look shiny and healthy.  It's so much more manageable to style now :) 

You can learn more about these Neutrogena products HERE. 

Hope you enjoyed today's post and thanks so much for taking the time to check it out. I'd love to know which hairstyle makes you feel confident and in control!

<3

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HANA PRO REVIEW

It's been awhile since I did a beauty post or a review and since it's raining outside, I thought today would be the perfect day for both :)

 For the past month, I have been trying out the HANA PRO 1" ceramic flat iron from Misikko.  It's been featured in Marie Claire and RedBook magazines and now I know why! I hadn't used a flat iron in awhile so I was really curious to see how this one would work for me. I obviously knew that my hair had gotten really long, but after using this I saw it's true length (I seriously need a trim!)  Up until now, I've mostly just been blow drying with a jumbo brush because I like having a little bit of volume.  But after using this straightener, I saw that it didn't leave my hair too flat which I really like! A little trick that I have learned to do after using a flat iron is to tease your roots a bit with either a comb or even your fingers.  I only use my fingers and do it just enough so that it lifts a little bit. I know that there are also products like root lifter sprays which help of course too.

Sometimes when using a flat iron, it can make your hair look dry and damaged.  I am happy to say that I did not have that problem with the HANA PRO.  As you can see in the photos below it looks somewhat shiny and even healthy.  I did not put any products in after straightening.

Top: OASAP/ Necklace: Shop Lately 

SOME HANA PRO FEATURES 

- Curved plate edges for versatile styling so you can curl, flip or straighten 

- Advanced tourmaline ceramic plates for accelerated ion generation and maximum free-frizz, conditioning shine 

- Floating 1" plates auto-adjust to glide over any hair texture 

- Adjustable temperature dial 

- Ergonomic handle design with no-slip grip 

- Two year warranty 

PRICE

 Currently on sale $128.98 

The flat iron came with a heat proof pouch and this silicone mat.  I have never put a mat on my bathroom counter when using flat irons or curling wands, so I am really happy I got this.

It's only been a month, but so far I really love this flat iron and truly don't have any complaints.    It didn't take me long to use either, only about 10 minutes or less.  I highly recommend this one! 

 You can check out more info on the HANA PRO here. 

<3

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Lipstick Lover: Urban Decay

With the fall season approaching, one of the things that I love to do is wear bolder/darker shades of lipstick.  You may have noticed that lately I have been wearing a different shade in almost every post.  Since I received the fall collection of Urban Decay's Revolution lipsticks, I wanted to start trying them out as soon as possible.  Here are 4 shades that I am absolutely loving at the moment for fall! 

Top Left: SHAME 

This one is a deep berry with subtle hints of brown shimmer.  Even though it's dark, it goes on lighter than what you would expect.  I absolutely love the color, but when putting it on I did notice that it was a little streaky.  It seemed as though I had to apply a little more than normal to make sure that it looked even.  However, I didn't have any issues after wearing it and I think I am putting it on again today!

Top Right: VENOM 

This is a bright plum with a violet and fuchsia shimmer.  It has more of a purple tint than Shame.  I had it on for several hours and it left a stain so I didn't have to keep applying.  As much as I love my reds, I really loved wearing this purple shade with my all black outfit.  Purple just might be the new red next season when it comes to lipstick, at least for me.  

Bottom Left: F-BOMB

This is a classic shade of red that has replaced my previous favorites, MAC Russian Red & Ruby Woo. I can't even believe I am saying that because I have been obsessed with those 2 shades for the longest time, but it's the truth.  I wore this all day and not once did it smear or come off.  Even at the end of the day my lips were still stained with red which proves how intense the pigmentation is in this entire collection.  Wearing a bold red like this tends to scare off some girls because they don't want it to get messy during the day while they're out eating/drinking etc.  But you don't have to worry about that with this one! 

Bottom Right: 69

This is a bright red but it has a pink undertone so it's not as bold/deep as F-Bomb.  It has a creamy finish which I loved because it gives it that "glossy" look.  It lasted for hours and also left a stain behind.  I didn't have any issues with eating or drinking while wearing it.  I think it's a great shade when you want to wear red but don't want something that's too dark or bold.  

Which one is your favorite? 

XO

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Urban Decay Revolution Dinner Party

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a dinner party at Rayuela in NYC for

  Urban Decay's Revolution lipstick launch.  It was so great to be in a room filled with such amazing Latinas!  All of the women there were so inspiring and I am so happy that I got to be apart of it.  It was a night filled with delicious food, yummy cocktails, great conversation and of course a ton of cosmetics from UD's new fall collection.  Does it get much better?  That's my kind of dinner party! 

I've been using Urban Decay's Naked 1 & 2 palettes for close to a year now and they are my every day eye shadows.  I've also been using their eye primer for awhile as well which I absolutely love. Their fall collection includes 22 revolution lipsticks that are all to die for! There's such a great variety of shades from every day nudes, to bright pinks, deep reds and bold corals.  You're sure to find a favorite.  Each lipstick is intensely pigmented with a super creamy texture.  They have a nourishing blend of jojoba oil, avocado oil, cocoa butter and shea butter keeping lips soft and moisturized all day long. They also hydrate the lips while making them look plumper and fuller with their special technique, Maxi-Lip.
 For me, I prefer going light on the eyes and using a bold lip color so I was in lipstick heaven!

In addition to the lipsticks, they also came out with 24/7 Glide-On lip pencils.  One of the things I loved the most was that the names matched the same name as the lipsticks.  That just makes things so much easier.  So far I've tried out 3 different lipsticks and liners and I have to say that they're all amazing.  I didn't have to keep reapplying through out the day even after eating and drinking. I will be doing reviews soon on my favorite shades.  They also showed us some of their ultra definition finishing powder, anti-aging eyeshadow primer potion, B6 prep spray, brow box and nail polishes. 

This drink was so badass which is why they called it Badass Luxury. Ha! It was infused with rose petals.

I want to go back to that restaurant just for this! Tuna filled with crab meat and shrimp.  Too good.

With half of the group posing with our lip straws lol

I attended the dinner with my two Jersey blogger babes Nadia and Erika.  It really was such a fun and fab night!

They gave us all the most amazing gift bags.  I think I am set with makeup for a long time now! I can't wait to share my reviews with you all.  I am seriously so appreciative and very thankful for all that has been happening for me and my blog.  The best part about blogging is building new relationships and friendships with incredible people.  It's inspiring and motivating to connect with others who share the same passions and interests as I do.  It makes me want to challenge myself and to continue to be the best that I can be. For that, I am extremely grateful.  These are experiences that I will never forget.

A special thank you to Maria Ramirez from Alison Brod Public Relations and Urban Decay for having me at this fabulous event!! 

<3

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BrushLove Makeup Brush Review

If you follow me on twitter, then you probably saw I posted a photo of some new make up brushes.  I loved BrushLove's hair brushes so much that they sent me some of their makeup brushes to try out and review.  The brushes I have been using are from MAC and Sonia Kashuk.  I love all of them, but I've had them for awhile so it was nice to get some new ones to test out.  I decided to pick all of their brushes meant specifically for the face and not the eyes.  

Some Info:

Their VOA brushes are all made with animal friendly materials.  The bristles are comprised of ultra-soft, two tone, premium synthetic fibers.  They are all makeup artist designed and developed.

My Thoughts Both Pros & Cons:
 I love the sleek design with the black and white handles, but it took some time for me to get used to the width.  All of my other brushes have small cylinder handles and I guess I have just been used to that.  It's really just a personal preference though.  The powder, blush and contour brush were all super soft which I loved.  The powder brush is actually bigger and softer then the one I was currently using from Sonia Kashuk.  I felt like my powder went on much smoother and even, but because the bristles are so soft it seemed as though I had to apply a little more than usual.  This was my first time using a contour brush so I don't really have anything to compare it to, but I like the size and it seemed to do the trick.

The foundation and concealer brushes are different from what I was currently using from MAC.  The concealer is much smaller and the foundation is actually wider and shaped a little differently.  Because of the shape and the handles, the white part got dirty really quickly.  Obviously that can be cleaned, but it's a little pet peeve of mine.  I did like the foundation brush though and it seemed to apply everything evenly.  I liked using the concealer brush for little touch ups and blemishes during the day instead of using it for the initial application and under my eyes.

Would I Recommend:
 Yes, but I think it really just comes down to personal preference.  It might take a little time getting used to the width of the handles or the softness, but they all do what they're supposed to and I think their prices are just right.  I am no makeup artist so I am not super picky when it comes to beauty products as long as they're affordable and work well for me. There's always going to be something that I like and dislike about a product but if the good outweighs the bad then I think it's worth trying.
My favorite would have to be the powder brush and I think using the concealer for touch ups is good too.  I carried a few of these with me in my makeup travel bag through out the day so they definitely came in handy.

Listed below is each individual brush with it's price and direct link in case you want to learn a little bit more or try them out for yourself.

CONCEALER BRUSH $9.00

FOUNDATION BRUSH $16.00

ANGLED CONTOUR BRUSH $14.00

BLUSH BRUSH $18.00 

POWDER BUFFER BRUSH $20.00 

Thank you to BrushLove for sending me these!  You can follow them on twitter and facebook.



I hope you found this review helpful and if any of you decide to get them I would love to know your thoughts! Have a great day :)

<3

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*These brushes were sent to me for review and all opinions are my own.  This was not edited by any third parties.

MAKE UP FOR EVER VIEWING

For this week's beauty post, it's all about makeup!
I was invited to a private viewing of the new MAKE UP FOR EVER boutique in New Jersey that opened today at the Garden State Plaza Mall!  This is the first and only MAKE UP FOR EVER boutique in NJ and the 4th in the United States.  They gave me a little tour, educated me on their products, and also did my makeup while teaching me some new tips and tricks.  Continue through this post to learn some interesting facts about the new boutique, brand and photos from yesterday visit :)

This new boutique will offer clients a unique shopping experience with over 1600 different products available in every color imaginable.  I literally felt like a kid in a candy shop!  This MUFE boutique will also be offering a series of personalized make up sessions to educate their clients on application techniques.  Their artists will do half of the client's face and then help them to do the other half so that they are really learning the process.  Lesson prices will range from $50-$100.   But it doesn't end there. They have an enclosed room where consumers can record their personalized lessons.  The make up station mirror has a built in HD video camera so the client can take the lesson home with them.  How amazing is that?! AND the shop comes equipped with iPADS featuring how-to videos, inspirational face charts and easy access to social networking sites.  

Dany Sanz, originally a painter and sculptor, created MUFE in Paris, France in 1984.  The brand came over to the US in 1995 and is now exclusive to Sephora, available in over 175 stores.  I have always heard such amazing things about this brand but have to admit that yesterday was my first time trying it! It's safe to say that I am in love, especially with their HD foundation, because it's super lightweight, oil- free and extremely smooth.  It's a new favorite product of mine that I will continue to use going forward. 

A special thank you to Rachel for doing my make up and teaching me some amazing tips!  You've made me look at concealer in a whole new way :) 

And thank you so much to Katelyn for having me! 

Thank you MAKE UP FOR EVER for this experience and my amazing gift bag!  

Wearing: Furor Moda Skirt & Top/ Derng Necklace/ Prabal Gurung For Target Shoes 

Make sure to check out the new MAKE UP FOR EVER boutique at the Garden State Plaza in NJ located on the top floor near Neiman Marcus and H&M, if you live in the area.  These pictures do not even do it justice and I guarantee you will love it! I can't wait to go back :) 

<3 

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