Hazore Vol. 1 Launch Party

Two minutes from my apartment in Bushwick is the Body Actualized Center on Troutman St. For the first time a fashion event was actually close to me! This never happens. Downside to living in Bushwick. My friend Tamara and I went to the launch party for Hazore Vol. 1, a lifestyle clothing brand created by two best friends with art and design backgrounds. The collection features printed blouses, graphic tees, and dresses and skirts. Most of the pieces feature colorful geometric patterns, one of the stand out aspects of the brand. Notable pieces include: a babydoll dress with a grey tulle skirt and screen printed basic t-shirts with various celebrity and animal faces.

The launch party was brought to you by the ladies of Danika Daly PR. We even got a few goodies: a cool screen printed tote, Jamberry nail wraps, and graphic t-shirt. I think I really lucked out with mine, don’t you think?

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NYX Parallel Worlds

I know I always rant about how great NYX is, but believe me when I say they are one of the best beauty brands on the market. A few weeks ago I posted about NYX’s collaboration with The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones movie and how I was obsessed. Having looked everywhere for the Parallel Worlds kit I broke down and ordered it from Ulta. It was worth it. The quality of product for the price is insane. I’ve already used the matte lip cream (in Istanbul) a bunch of times this weekend. The color is great and long lasting. I think I should also add that I started reading the books around the time that I discovered this collection. I’m on book 4, and I’ve embarrassingly become a total fangirl. I can’t wait until the movie comes out but for now the make up and books will have to last until then!

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Cast of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

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July Birchbox

Birchbox is a cool program. I look forward to my present each month. They always encourage people to upload pictures of their Birchbox. I’m lazy but lately I’ve been trying to take more photos for PWD. What’s cool about BB is that if you update your personal profile they try to send you items that are best suited for you. Here’s what I got this month:

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It’s Potent Eye Cream by Benefit

Birchbox Bobby Pins

Super Comb Prep & Protect (leave in conditioner) by Number 4

Acne Control Treatment by DDF

Powder Staining Blush by The Balm

Bauble Bar x PopSugar Event

Thursday night I had the opportunity to attend an event for BaubleBar x Popsugar at BaubleBar’s Soho pop-up shop. I walked in and they handed me a $10 off coupon. Winner. The store was incredible and filled with people snapping photos, sipping Godiva cocktails and admiring the jewelry. I actually have done a lot of research on BaubleBar because I recently wrote a piece on the company and their dive into brick and mortar (I’ll post it once it’s up). The company and their business model is really cool. They’re a part of the new wave of technology-inspired retail experiences. But again more about that in a different post. Back to the party: I found myself overwhelmed by the amount of merchandise the store had but I’m not surprised because the shop is supposed to carry everything that’s on the website. That’s a lot of baubles. After being indecisive for 45 minutes I decided on a bracelet and earrings. I think it was a good choice. Check out the shop if you’re in NYC!

BaubleBar Soho 131 Greene St.

Check out their calendar of events here.

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The chevron earrings in the middle were a gift with purchase. They look a bit preppy for my style so I think I’ll give them to my sister for her birthday (Ali, if you’re reading this: happy early birthday).

Drugstore Favorites: Summer Edition

 

 

One of my stranger hobbies is shopping drugstore makeup aisles. Store of choice: Target, for obvious reasons. These are my new favorite drugstore products that I’ve become obsessed with. url

Essie “Sugar Daddy”– Cheeky name. Perfect color. Would work well as the base for a french manicure (do people still do french manicures?). Ok so I didn’t just pick this up randomly, I have to confess that I read an article on xovain (my current favorite beauty site) about a girl using this color for her wedding because she liked Giada De Laurentiis’ nails and this is one of the colors she apparently used. So I bought it too. url-2

eos lip balm– I think I have (self-diagnosed)  chronic chapped lips. It’s either that or I’m weirdly addicted to chapstick. Eos has now glamorized chapped lips. I have 2 of these babies: strawberry sorbet and pomegranate raspberry. I have to have one within reach at all times. Addiction at its finest.

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Maybelline’s The Colossal- I was a strictly Maybelline Falsies girl until I picked this up. I saw some magical formula on Pintrest that suggest something like 2 coats of Falsies followed by 1 coat of Colosial. Anyways, I’ve been venturing out lately in the mascara dept. and I wanted to try something new. And I was at Target. Done.

You can be a drugstore maven too. Just hit up your local Duane or CVS (they sell Katy Perry false eyelashes). Or shop at drugstore.com.

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I finally went over to elf store and made actual purchases. I’ve been in there a couple other times and have been in a hurry so I’ve never taken the time to really look around. elf is very much a cult favorite beauty brand. It’s super cheap but somehow the products are actually amazing quality. I bought 3 things, as you’ll see, and my total was $9. That’s insane. For the most part, I’ve only ever seen the brand at Target. And in NYC, Target is hard to come by. Plus the selection is usually picked over. I’m so happy that elf has a store, now I need NYX to open up shop!

So here is what I bought:

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Volume Plumping Mascara: I like this product but it’s not great. Worth the $3 I spent for maybe a casual weekend look. I like a dramatic looking mascar and this is definitely creates a more subtle eye.

Rose Red Matte Lip Color: I am in love with this color. I’ve worn it twice and have gotten so many compliments on the color. It’s a great formula too, it’s long lasting and  not drying.

Retractable Lip Brush: Haven’t opened this up yet (lazy) but I’ve been wanting to try a lip brush for when I use darker colors.

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Me wearing the red matte lip color

Modeling for Refinery 29

A little over a month ago I had the amazing opportunity to model for Refinery 29. I am a religious reader of their site and jumped at the chance to work with them. The shoot was sponsored by Cover Girl and I got to have my hair and make-up done. I’ve been waiting patiently for the picture to come out and now it’s finally here! Right now, it’s on the home page of Refinery 29! Go check it out.

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The Body Shop’s New Scent

I’ve been meaning to hit up The Body Shop. It’s truly a place that you take for granted when you don’t live near a mall. #NYCProblems. There is one near my work so I decided to drag my friend into the store with me. I had my eye on a tea tree oil product I was sidetracked by the line of Absinthe scented products. I was expecting a licorice scent because I’ve actually had absinthe and it’s derived from anise. Though the smell wasn’t quite as licorice-based as I hoped, it still smelt very refreshing and clean. I think it’s a great unisex scented product. I really wanted to purchase the hand wash but spent too much this morning on Drake tickets. I know, priorities.

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this or that?

Sephora Beauty Essentials

As I made my weekly trip to Sephora I found myself lingering around the Super Stars Beauty Essentials kit. It’s basically a round up of the cult favorites Sephora has to offer. And did I mention that they are all full-sized products? But the fact that they’re full-sized means a full-sized price. The Essentials will cost you. I had to decide in that moment whether all these amazing products were worth $75. Of course they were, but I had already racked up a sizable debt that weekend, spending my weekend budget at Topshop and Aritzia before I even got to Sephora. On the bright side, the kit looks like it may be around for a while so I probably have a little while longer to deicide. Here is what it comes with and my thoughts:

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  • 0.035 oz Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder
Never tried this product but have only heard amazing things. I have a friend who uses it as dry shampoo.
  • 0.06 oz Sephora Collection Microsmooth Baked Eye Shadow Trio in Black Light
I think these colors look amazing, but I’m not a huge eye shadow person so this product isn’t making my decision.
  • 0.16 oz NARS Blush in Orgasm
Of course this is my go-to blush but I also just bought a new one not that long ago and it happens to last forever.
  • 0.5 oz Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment
I’m not a huge skincare guru, but my roommate is. He called dibs on this product.
  • 0.5 oz Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil
Huge fan of Josie Maran, but I’m not sure what I’d do with the oil. Maybe use it in my hair. I have the oil stick for the winter. I could just save it for then.
  • 0.33 oz Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer
I recently ran out of my Hourglass primer and have been lively solely off sample-sized primers. I’ve been using the NARS primer but also have a small Hourglass sample.
  • 0.3 oz Benefit They’re Real! Mascara
I bought the mini- They’re Real to try from Sephora. I actually really like it.
  • 0.15 oz BUXOM Big & Healthy Lip Polish in Sandy
Not a huge fan of the color of the lipgloss, but hey, who doesn’t love lipgloss. Maybe it goes on sheer.
  • 0.016 oz Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
I haven’t had luck with eyeliners lately. Nothing is working for me. Either my eye reacts badly or it just goes everywhere
  • 0.33 oz Kat Von D Saint Eau de Parfum Rollerball
Tried this at the store, could not believe how amazing it smells. I want to buy the actual perfume.

NYX Parallel Worlds

I love NYX for so many reasons. Aside from making the best and only concealer that works for me, they make amazing make-up kits. Not to mention the fact that they are extremely affordable, that is –if you can find their products. New York doesn’t have an Ulta and before moving here that was my go-to place to find the brand. Now living in NYC, Ricky’s has just started carrying NYX and occasionally you can find a few things at Urban Outfitters. Urban was where I found and regrettably did not purchase the Dark Shadows palette.

NYX just announced a new palette inspired by the upcoming movie The Mortal Instrument: City of Bones staring Lily Collins, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Jamie Campbell Bower. Here is a look at the kit and the products it comes with:

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Available at Ulta for $24.99

-6 color Smoky Eye Palatte 

-Volumizing Mascara

-Pink Blush 

-Pink Matte Lip Creme

-Black Liquid Liner 

-Vibrant Jumbo Eye Pencil (white)