THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT - VIVALUXURY FOR L'OREAL PARIS

I don't think it's a secret that when it comes to eyelashes, we all want to achieve the longer and bolder look. I know I certainly do. But thanks to Mother Nature, I am stuck with very fine, poker-straight, not -even-remotely-as-long-as-I-would-like-them-to-be eyelashes. Normally, I resort to to eyelash curlers (otherwise known as medieval torture devices) and two to three coats of mascara, a practice which, of course, results in lots of clumps and flakes. So, when L'Oreal Paris approached me to try the new Voluminous Butterfly mascara, I was quite eager to see what it can do for my barely-there fringe!

The first thing I noticed about the Voluminous Butterfly mascara, was the asymmetrical brush with its tightly packed, flexible bristles which helped to lift and extend lashes outward. After applying just one coat, I immediately noticed a difference in the way my eye lashes looked. They were definitely fuller, longer, completely clump-free, and beautifully winged-out, especially on the outer corners - something I could only dream of before. And the effect lasts all day, without any flakes or smudges! Finally, since my eyes are a bit sensitive, they often react quite badly to certain mascara formulas (think red, watery eyes... not pretty at all). I didn't experience any such effects with the Voluminous Butterfly Mascara. So, if you are sensitive like me or maybe wear contact lenses, definitely give this one a try! 

L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Butterfly mascara in "Black", Telescopic Precision liquid liner in "Carbon Black", Colour Riche eye shadow in " Snooze Addict", The One Sweep sculpting blush duo in "Nectar", Colour Caresse by Colour Riche lipstick in "Sheer Linen" | Metalsmiths Stearling earrings & ring | Blaque Label dress

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle

BURBERRY BEAUTY + TACORI CITY LIGHTS JEWELRY

I think I mentioned before that when it comes to make up, my philosophy is less is more and today's look is no exception. I like to choose colors that are soft and natural. I swear, I tried red lipstick so many times, but it just looks wrong on me:) Normally, I skip foundation all together and simply go for a bit of bronzer or blush. The Burberry Beauty blush, I'm wearing in this post, gives the softest, pretties glow without being too obvious. Just make sure you blend well, and build intensity gradually.  

I don't like to wear lip pencils but always apply lip balm under my lipstick and use my finger instead of a brush to apply lip color. I find, this way the product goes on sheer and looks much more natural. 

I do spent a bit more time on my eyes, I'm sure you noticed I am completely addicted to my eye liner! But even so, I like a more understated approach. For a very soft smoky eye look, I like to apply Burberry Beauty sheer eyeshadow all over the upper lid and line the top and bottom of my eye lashes with eye shaping pencil in a very pretty shade of greenish-brown, extending the eyeliner just beyond the outer corners of my eyes to achieve a cat-eye look. And voila! All done:)

Bracelet, ring & earrings via Tacori | Cameo dress | Burberry Beauty Lip Velvet long wear lipstick in "Antique Pink", Light Glow natural blush in "Russet", sheer eyeshadow in "Dark Sable" & Eye Definer eye shaping pencil in "Midnight Ash"

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle

ESTEE LAUDER BRONZE GODDESS COLLECTION

Hey Everyone, I am so excited to team up with Estee Lauder to introduce you to SS13 Bronze Goddess collection. I was lucky enough to try products from this year's collection, and I have to confess, I am now completely addicted to the whole line and especially the bronzing powder. I mentioned before, I prefer matte bronzers because they provide a more natural-looking tan, but the reason I fell in love with Estee Lauder bronzing powder is definitely the color. Last time my tan looked this good was last Summer when I spent 2 straight weeks on the beach, doing pretty much nothing except working on my tan:) Naturally, I love a product that can make me look like that mid March:)

To achieve this look I applied Bronze Goddess bronzing powder all over the face, concentrating on the bridge of the nose and around hair line. I used Pure Color sheer roller lipgloss in "Squeeze" on my lips for a bit of sparkle, and completed the look with my favorite cat-eyes, using Pure Color liquid eyeliner in "Black Sands". Fresh, simple and not over-the-top - just the way I like it:)

Bronze Goddess bronzing powder, Bronze Goddess luminous liquid bronzer, Pure Color sheer roller gloss in "Squeeze", Pure Color liquid eyeliner duo in "Black Sands", Pure Color nail polish in "Absinthe" all via Estee Lauder | Fun times jacket via Lovers + Friends | Rebecca Minkoff heart ring stack, pave watch band bracelet & horn pendant { similar here } | ASOS Spike rings, linked bracelet & skull stretch bracelet 

Keep on smiling,

Love,

Annabelle

WIN TOM FORD BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Hey Everyone, I am super excited to team up with Bal Harbour Shops for a New INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY! This time, one lucky reader has a chance to win Tom Ford Ultra Shine lip gloss & Powder Blush cheek color. As always, the rules are simple:

THIS GIVEAWAY is open to everyone,

OLD FRIENDS AND NEW and it will SHIP INTERNATIONALLY

TO ENTER:

1. FOLLOW Bal Harbour Shops on Facebook by CLICKING HERE

2. FOLLOW VivaLuxury on Twitter by CLICKING HERE OR BlogLovin by  CLICKING HERE

3. Twit the following message "International Giveaway with @vivaluxury - win Tom Ford make up, to Enter --> http://vivaluxury.blogspot.com!"

Please leave a comment here including your email address so I may contact you if you win! This Giveaway will last for 7 days, until Thursday February 28, 2013. I wish everyone the best of luck!

Tom Ford Ultra Shine lip gloss in "Sugar Pink" & cheek color in "Love Lust" via Bal Harbour Shops | Zara blouse | House of Harlow pyramid wrap ring | Nordstrom bangles { similar option here } | J Crew chain worn as a bracelet { similar option here & here } | Essie nail polish in "Peach Daiquiri"

Keep on smiling,

Love,

Annabelle

HOLIDAY MAKE UP IDEA - LAVENDER SMOKY EYES

"City Lights" Clear quartz over green onyx cocktail ring via Tacori | Rachel Pally chiffon dress - old { also loving this one & this one } | ASOS handcuff ditsy necklace & cross necklace | Zara Clutch

 Products I Used:

EYES: Lancome Color Design eye shadow palette  in "Lavender Grace", Sephora long lasting 12HR wear eye liner in "Navy/Black", Chanel Le Volume De Chanel mascara   

LIPS: YSL Rouge Pur Couture lipstick in " Pink Coral"

CHEEKS: Bobbi Brown bronzing powder in "Golden Light"

One of my favorite holiday make up looks of all time is the smoky eye. A big change from my usual minimal approach, I think smoky eye look adds drama and helps to transition your make up from day to night. A big fan of the classic black or dark brown smoky eyes, sometimes I like to have a bit more fun and recreate this look using bright colors. Since, lavender happens to be my favorite color at the moment, lavender smoky eye look was an obvious choice. Now, even though it’s such a bright hue, it actually works great for any eye color. For me the key to a bright eye make up is blending, playing with lighter and darker shades and keeping the rest of the face neutral. Let the eyes be the focal point of your face. 

To achieve this look I applied bright medium blue purple shade all over my upper eye lid, adding just a bit of light pink purple closer to the corner of the eye. Next, I applied matte deep gray to the crease to add dimension and dept. Finally, I applied deep purple shade along upper lash line and crease extending slightly beyond the outer corner to visually elongate the eye. I finished the look with 2 coats of volumizing mascara and  dark navy eyeliner for my beloved cat eye look.

To balance the bright eyes, I kept then rest of look fairly neutral. Adding just a bit of bronzing powder to my cheeks and bridge of the nose and a coat of pink/ coral lipstick. 

P.S. I tried a lot of bronzing powders before and for me the best ones are matte. I find that matte bronzers look a lot more natural. And if you really want sparkle you can always add some later to very strategic places rather than having an all-over sparkly face:)

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Keep on smiling,

Love,

Annabelle