TARTE Colored Clay CC Primer Stick Review

You know the story.....you walk into a store not needing anything and walk out wanting everything! My friend Diana and I made an Ulta run the other day because she needed to pick up a few items. Usually, I would be excited/scared/anxious when walking into Ulta and Sephora and stores alike because I get overwhelmed with so many fun products and I tend to want everything or I overspend but THIS DAY, I felt cool as a cucumber because I didn't need anything and I wasn't aware of anything I had to have so I figured while my friend shopped for what she needed, I would browse and walk outta there safely. 

Ha. >insert sarcastic sigh here< Ahhhhh it still shocks me how naive I am sometimes.

Long story short, almost everything she tried on, I fell in love with and had to have. Funny how that works out, huh? We went back to her house and played with all of her goodies and of course, I ended up making an order online. (Shout out to Ulta's 8%  on ebates!)

This is what I used/bought and it's result:

(No camera filters, and in natural daylight)

I started with the TARTE Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Waterproof Concealer in "light".

I dabbed it in with my finger and it melted into my skin effortlessly. I really like this concealer and that's saying a lot because I don't really ever wear concealer because I dislike that "concealer" look - that  "white", chalky look under the eyes and you can just tell that you have it on. 

Now, because I have a tan, I thought the "light" color wouldn't cover enough but surprisingly it did. I might have to play with different colors as my skin color changes with the seasons.

I really like this product.

Then I swiped on the  TARTE Colored Clay CC Primer.  Again, the cream just melted right into my skin with the warmth of my fingers. I love low maintenance products that don't require a million different brushes. So that's another plus. It looked like I wasn't wearing anything at all! My skin looked even and pretty and glowy. I had no idea until after I wore it that this product is marketed as a primer! Apparently, I never read the packaging. lol 

I saw "CC" and just assumed it was to even out your skin. The good news is, it can be worn alone (which is how I prefer it) and as a primer underneath your usual face makeup.

The purple is for brightening, the green is for reducing redness and the color is for even skin tone and light coverage.  

I really feel like these two products have changed my makeup routine. Easy, convenient and I know I will appreciate the cream texture when the colder months roll around because powder on my Winter skin can feel and look less than attractive.

Also, because of the finishing "airbrush" satin look it gives you, I didn't have to top it with any setting powder. Just bronzer on my temples,  blush on the apples of cheeks and touches of highlighter.   On lips I used "Pretty Social" and "Rosette".

Diana used it the same exact way on herself - we used all of the same products and she felt like it worked with her skin perfectly as well.

 Run into your nearest Sephora or Ulta and try it out for yourself!
Hope these make YOUR  have to have list!

 - V.V.

V.V. Lately....

Hi world! How is everyone's Summer coming along? I don't have too many spectacular things going on but since it's been a while, I figured I'd do a "V.V. Lately" blog and share some fun things happening with me. If you follow me on Instagram you might recognize some pictures. Sometimes it's easier to post a simple picture and a fun caption rather than making a whole to do blog about it. Not that I don't love big to do's! (That's why you should follow me on all channels!  Ya might miss something! *hint* Hint*) 

Ok! So let's catch up!

Nothing like a morning selfie to get the day started! I don't know about you, but I tend to have a section in my wardrobe that's not allocated to any particular season. Take this sweater for example; It's a beautiful, fun yellow color, light weight knit, but it's a long sleeve. Too hot for your typical Summer day, too bright for Autumn. On days like this where it's pure sunshine outside with no humidity and a nice breeze, I can utilize gems like this! I paired it with dark skinny jeans and tan leather flip flops. It's true, a color like this makes me instantly happy just looking at it. xo

This past Sunday I attended a Chanel inspired bridal shower for my co-worker and let me tell you - it was super fab! I'm going to do a full blog post about that with tons of gorgeous pics. 

In the meantime, check out this amazing Chanel bag cake and Chanel cupcakes!

I honestly don't know what took me so long, but I am a total Madewell convert! Love their stuff. I've always liked their stuff but I just never ventured over to that side of the street I guess..... I was in the mall and decided to pop in and I was delighted and now I want everything! 

Had to have this Arrowstack Necklace and I also purchased online the 

The Berkeley Tote in "burnished caramel" for Fall. 

I might just make a Madewell wish list blog......

Been hangin' out at the beach....took some "me" days to just decompress, read and relax!

Spf 50 slathered on of course but I still look pretty golden if I don't say so myself....

Some recent Fall Gap purchases I totally adore:

Accessories just make everything better! Totally forgot I had this triple gold stacked MK ring. 

I found it cleaning out my jewelry drawer the other day. I was so happy! It was like I purchased it for the first time all over again.

Sneaker shopping for my husband last week and I ran into these while holding my bag. I almost died. I didn't buy them because I know I don't need them and I have to learn that I can't just "have" anything I want and like! I need to restrain myself! But goodness were these perfect....

And on the homefront aspect of things..... I'm STILL working on closet/fashion room. Here's a sneak peek of what it's looking like these days. So many boxes to go through and things to get rid of. How can one person accumulate so much stuff?!?! I still need a new chandelier pendant, a rug and some little accessories for the final touches and THEN I will finally do a blog. 

These are a constant in my house - they just make such a clean and pretty look to my table.

Sometimes I put them in the bedroom or on the living room coffee table.

and last but not least. Some of you might know and some not, but I have been a bit "throw pillow crazy!" - meaning I couldn't for the longest time find the right pillows for my couch. I went into Homegoods around Springtime and settled for pillows that were not necessarily my taste but had nice color. I thought I could live with them and ended up hating them within a week. I just think my furniture and the print of the pillows clashed?
So after frantically searching the internet, I found these lovely beauties at Urban Outfitters and I could not be happier! The whole look of my apartment is... greige. lol
Lots of gray and cream. I thought I would be happy adding in splashes of bright color but it turns out, apartment wise, monochromatic is the way to my heart! I happen to think keeping in the same color scheme looks cozy. So what I've learned is, color is not necessarily always the solution to a drab look. Bringing in different textures changes the whole game up!
These pillows have a 3 dimensional woven outside which makes my couch pop and I am thinking to pair it up with a chunky cable knit throw to hang over the arm of the couch.
Texture, my friends is your friend!

So...enough about me....whats new with YOU??

 - V.V. 

FALLIN'!

I wouldn't be me if I didn't give you some October in July! Now, maybe some of my fellow fashies can attest to this....once I am in full swing of a season, I'm already on to the next season. Particularly with Autumn. October is absolutely my favorite month of all time which happens to kick off my favorite season. Once  the end of June is upon me, automatically, like clockwork, I start itching,  the leaves start swirling in my mind.  I'm dreaming of boots, sweaters and jackets. While everyone else is at the beach tossing the frisbee and eating potato salad, I'm in the fashion lab planning my fall purchases, scouring the internet for ANY and I do mean ANY hint or preview of Autumn. 
I am become obsessed! Of course it's only the middle of July so I'm limited in my findings but I must not be the only one with the same mindset because this glorious thing we call the internet has supplied me with more than enough evidence to believe that October is in fact a-comin'!
Put down pina colada and check out what I'm fallin' for.....

Bernardo brown leather jacket / Dolce Vita leather booties / Steve madden booties / Wallet / Clare V fold over clutch / Coach purse / Anna Beck yellow gold ring / Michele stainless steel jewelry / Scarve / Smashbox lips makeup / 3-Wick Candle


Side Bar:

The "Sweater Weather" candle by Bath and Body Works has become my favorite candle in any and all of their collections. My friend Danielle had it burning in her home one evening when I walked in and like a moth to a flame....I darted right for it and HAD to have it. Of course they were sold out so I held my breath and prayed it would return this year. It seems the October gods have answered my prayers (and so early, thank you kindly!). It is back in stock along with a small collection of other Fall candles on the B&BW website. Just the other day, they were on sale for 2 for $22 so I snatched two of them up! If you love this scent or have been waiting for it's return, it's here - now watch for those sales!

The Steve Madden boots I also just got on super sale - they are currently en route to my job. I will give a nice review on those when they come in should I like them in person as much as I do right now! *Fingers crossed*

Aren't those Marc Jacob polishes so gorg for early Fall? I think they are a nice alternative to very dark and saturated colors that we are used to around this time of year. These are quite the opposite, just as pretty and still say "Fall".


Trick or treat!! ....err.....Happy shopping! :)
 - V.V.


P.S. How wonderful would that be to ring a doorbell, scream "trick or treat!" and collect sweaters and lip glosses in lieu of candy?
 *sigh*  
When will they make me President of this country already?!?!

Pops of Pink!

I had a dinner date with my husband this weekend and was feeling very....pink!
What better time than Summer time to display vivid shades of my favorite color?

Gap sunwashed pink button down (old)

Gap Rayon tank (old) but almost exact here

Necklace

Sandals

Sunglasses

Watch

Bag
Lipstick YSL "Fuschia Innocent"





BTW, it was the first time I wore my birthday gift (March! What was I waiting for?!)
 - my Burberry watch  -  and my husband happened to wear his as well so I took a shot 
of his n' hers Burberry watches. Maybe next time he will let me take a pic of his outfit!
He looked so adorable - he's shy. lol

Since it was a date night - here's a little snippet from dinner. 
Coconut shrimp in mango sauce - yum!
Looking for a great Spanish restaurant in Queens?
Try El patron!

Tell em' V.V. sent ya!