My May Favorites!

Hey everyone! It is time to talk about my May favorites! I have a variety of items this month that I'd like to share with you guys.  Let's get started with my beauty faves!

First off I was really excited to try out the L'oreal Miss Manga mascara.  Everyone knows that I love my Maybelline Falsies, but my only problem with that one is that it is so thick and clumpy!! The Miss Manga mascara is AMAZING when it comes to clump control.  And the wand feels comfortable in my hand (it has a certain weight to it, it doesn't feel flimsy... hard to explain!).  And of course, the results are great and it thickens my lashes as well as lengthens.

Next is the INM Out the Door clear top coat.  Recently I had noticed that my well-loved Sally Hansen clear shine top coat was beginning to get all goopy and sticky, and to make it even worse, it was taking hours and hours for my nails to dry.  I wanted to try something completely different so I walked into my CVS looking for something new.  I had never heard anything about this brand or this product so I decided to pick it up (and as far as I remember it was a reasonable price).  Can I just say how much I LOVE this top coat!! Not only does it leave my mani super shiny, it dries so fast!! Usually, I apply a base coat and two coats of polish, so it takes a while to dry.  With the Out the Door top coat, my nails are dry within 20-30 minutes.  I know it's not like a 60 second kind of thing, but as far as fast-drying top coats go, I find that these usually dry without much shine.  Unlike those, this one stays shiny and protects my manicure for a good week :)

Last is the Rimmel Scandal Eyes Gel Liner.  I was looking for a good brown liner and stumbled across this one.  I usually gravitate towards the gel or cream liners that are in a little pot.  I just find that these are easier to apply and makes a better "cat-eye look." I love this product so much that I have found myself wearing it alone on my lids without any other eyeshadow! It's so easy to use (very forgiving) and it even comes with a little brush.  To be honest, I don't use the brush, I mainly reach for my Real Techniques angled eye liner brush.

Last on my favorites list is kind of random.  For my birthday back in February, my mother-in-law sent me a book called "Lady Catherine and the Real Downton Abbey."  It was written by Lady Fiona Carnarvon, who, along with her husband, the Earl of Carnarvon, own and operate Highclere Castle, the real location where Downton Abbey is filmed.  Basically, she tells the story of her predecessor, Lady Catherine and her husband, the then Lord Carnarvon.  I fell in love with the story and was happy to discover that she wrote another book called "Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey," the story that takes place a generation before Catherine and is about Almina, her husband's mother.  These books are SO interesting, especially if you're into history and maybe even a fan of Downton Abbey (which I definitely am!!!!). So check these out if you think you'll like them, because they're great! Lady Fiona Carnarvon also manages a blog, where she talks about her daily life at Highclere which is so interesting (ladycarnarvon.com). I'd love to visit one day :)

Let me know if you've tried any of these products! Thanks so much for reading this long and wordy post!!

Miriam

Graduation Makeup Tutorial Now Live!

Hey everyone! A new video just went live on my channel! Check out how I was considering doing my makeup on Graduation Day! Leave me a comment and subscribe if you enjoyed! <3

Miriam

April Favorites!

Ok I know I'm a bit late on this!! I'm back from a semi hiatus since IT'S THE END OF THE SEMESTER AND I'M GRADUATING! I promise I will also be getting back to making YouTube videos too people! Ok so let's get started on what I was loving this past month!

1: EOS products! I've been loving my EOS Egg for years, but I had been dying to try their other products. Recently I went into Target and saw the hand lotion by the registers and decided to try.  I am in LOVE! I use it every night on my hands right before bed.  It's important to moisturize before bed because our skin regenerates as we sleep so extra moisture is essential.  And it doesn't hurt that the smell is amazing too (I think it's a berry scent). The last time I visited Target I was checking out the dollar section and came across the EOS shave cream and decided to try it (it was only like $1 LOL).  This is a great shave cream because it leaves your skin so soft, softer than any other shave gel.  I'm not sure if these come in a regular size (does anyone know??), but I'd love to have more of it! The only annoying thing is that it takes forever to come out of the tube.

2: Eyeshadow sticks.  I got really excited recently when they started stocking NYX products at my CVS, so I decided to pick up some of their eyeshadow sticks.  These are great!! I used Strawberry Milk (a shimmery pink color) on my sister's lids as a base color when I did her engagement photo makeup look.  These sticks are a great way to add color to your lids as a base or worn alone! Also pictured is NYX Yogurt (toupe-bronze color) and Rimmel Scandal Eyes in Bulletproof Beige.

3: Lastly is the Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion skin exfoliator.  I got this in last month's Ipsy bag and it is probably my favorite product from the whole bag.  It smells like lemons and leaves your skin SO soft and radiant after using.  Basically, after washing your face in the shower, rub the exfoliator onto your skin for about two minutes and then rinse.  I wanted to purchase a full size bottle of this product, but it was way too expensive, so I guess that's the only downside!

Have any of you guys tried these products? I'd love to hear your experiences with them! Or what are some products that you have been loving this month?

Thanks for reading,

Miriam <3

NEW Beauty Haul and April Ipsy Bag!

Hey everyone! New video now live on my channel! See what I have bought recently and what I got in my April Ipsy bag.  Also, I'm planning on a NYX Faux Lashes Mascara review coming soon to the blog, so keep an eye out for it!  Thanks for watching :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPd4Rvsqo08

Nominated for the Liebster Award!!

So I have been nominated for the Liebster Award by two very lovely ladies: Bekka and Jasmin! Thank you guys so much for nominating me, this is so much fun! The Liebster Award is a great way to reach out to other bloggers, while promoting smaller blogs!

So here goes:

The Liebster Award is an award given from blogger to blogger to help get recognition for blogs with less than 200 followers, and it is the perfect way to get more involved in the blogging community by passing the award on.

Basic Rules
1. Link back to the blogger who nominated you.

2. Tell us 11 facts about yourself.

3. Answer the questions that the blogger who nominated you asked

4. Nominate 11 other blogs that you love.

5. Create 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate.

11 Facts About Me:

1. I have two cats named Jasmine and Lexi.

2. My family is Cuban.

3. I was born and raised in Miami, went to school in Orlando, then NYC, now live in Philadelphia.

4. I got married on April 13, 2013.

5. I met my husband, who is from the UK, online in October 2007.

6. I am obsessed with Greek yogurt.

7. I have an MA in Art History.

8. I get really bad allergies, especially when the seasons change (and I'm allergic to cats of all things!!).

9. Spanish was my first language, but I can barely speak it now (but I understand perfectly).

10. I love to cook, and I basically taught myself (okay, and a little help from hours of watching the Food Network).

11. I LOVE daytime TV talk shows!

Bekka's Questions:

1. Your favourite quote? Probably the one I used for my high school senior year quote: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." It's from the BEST movie ever, Ferris Bueller's Day Off :)

2. Your top 3 favourite books? The Ruby Ring by Diane Haeger, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie and The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer (kind of not a "book" but it counts!)

3. Why did you start blogging? I was inspired by my favorite bloggers, and I thought it sounded like lots of fun! And I was right haha.

4. What is your favourite thing about blogging? Meeting new people who love all the same things as I do :) Oh and having an excuse for buying lots of makeup!!!!

5. Do you have any pets? Yes sir two cats.

6. List 3 tips you have learnt from blogging. Always try to be entertaining, be honest, and develop good camera skills because you will need it!

7. Who inspires you? Tanya Burr is definitely my favorite blogger/YouTuber.  She is just perfect and played a huge role in my inspiration to become a blogger.

8. Something you cannot live without. My husband, family, pets, makeup, clothes, and my computer.

9. Favourite beauty product I'd have to say foundation.  It's so important to start out with a good base for any makeup look. And you have to figure out which one works best for you! I cannot stress how important that is.  Oh and I am obsessed with cream eyeliner.

10. What is your favourite joke of all time? What do you call a pile of kittens? A MEOWNTAIN!! :P

11. If you had all the money in the world, what would you do with it? Definitely go on vacation for like a year!

Jasmin's Questions:

1. What is the one makeup product you couldn't live without? Probably cream eyeliner.

2. What did you want to be when you were growing up? First I wanted to be a teacher, then an astronaut, then a doctor.

3. Favourite brand of makeup? Drugstore: Milani or Rimmel, High End: Benefit.

4. Favourite brand of skincare? Genove for sure.

5. What are your hobbies? Blogging, yoga, nail art, cooking.

6. What country would you most like to visit? It was always Italy, but I finally went there! Now probably Germany.

7. Favourite film? Marie Antoinette, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, A Knight's Tale.

8. Why did you start a blog? Because it sounded like a lot of fun, and I was looking for a new hobby!

9. Favourite thing about yourself? My creativity.

10. Are there any blogs that inspire you? Tanya Burr, Zoella, Clothes Encounters, Inthefrow...

11. If you could live off one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Probably pizza (I know, I'd be dead within a year lol).

And here are my questions for my lovely nominees:

1. What was your favorite vacation?

2. What is your favorite season?

3. How would you describe your style?

4. What was your favorite cartoon growing up?

5. What do/did you study?

6. Which blogs inspire you?

7. Where do you love to shop?

8. Gold or silver?

9.  What is your best childhood memory?

10. If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

11. What is your favorite beauty product?

aaaaannnnndddddd *drumroll* ......... my nominations are (click on their URLs to visit their blogs):

1. http://beautyosauruslex.blogspot.com/

2. http://www.thesassyblogger.com/

3. http://leblogdemimipompon.blogspot.com/

4. http://amorinmay.blogspot.com/

5. http://www.youwishyou.blogspot.com/

6. http://www.helloemma-xo.blogspot.co.uk/

7. http://officialflowerbusiness.blogspot.com/

8. http://simplecharmbeauty.blogspot.com/

9. http://lyuscorner.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

10. http://curiositesduciel.blogspot.com/

11. http://prettylittlethingsmcr.blogspot.co.uk/

Again, thanks to Bekka and Jasmin who nominated me! Remember to check out their blogs, as well as my nominations. Thanks for reading :)

Miriam <3

You Guessed It..... New Video!!

Hey y'all! New video up! Just showing a bit of what I bought during birthday shopping last month! Let me know if you want me to do a beauty haul too :) 

Watch here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-jayroOyDk

Like the video and leave the comment if you enjoyed it! And don't forget to subscribe :D

Miriam

Battle of the Highlighters & New Video!

Hello readers! Today I thought I would feature my favorite part of my beauty routine: highlighters! I love to highlight my cheekbones, especially in the spring and summer.  I usually achieve this look by using a moisturizing foundation with brightening effects such as Almay's Wake Up foundation (featured in my Spring Makeup Look video tutorial HERE).

In the picture above I have some of my favorite highlighters (I rotate them and use different ones each time I apply makeup).  So, if you're on the market for a new highlighter, these are some to consider:

1. NYX Liquid Illuminator: As you all know, I'm a huge NYX fan. Their products are seriously so good for the price and you can never go wrong with them.  This is a good one for a subtle glow, just use underneath foundation, and remember -- don't apply powder on top, it'll mattify it and that defeats the purpose!

2. Victoria's Secret Ultimate Glow Face Trio: I love this little compact for traveling.  It includes a bronzer, blush and highlighter (and a mirror), so it's super easy just to chuck in your travel bag and you don't have to worry about bringing too many separate products! Also, the blush color is BEAUTIFUL.

3.  Benefit High Beam: I really like this little thing, but I always pair it with the Benefit Posietint because they look beautiful together.  These two products are great for a subtle flush and glow (a lot of times, I add a powder blush and highlighter on top for a better effect). Also, as I've mentioned before, make sure you apply it on top of foundation, never on top of powder! It will not blend well and it'll just look weird.  This also goes for any other Benefit tint.

4.  Milani Illuminating Face Powder: I love this product so much, I even included it in my February Favorites video (if you want to watch, just click HERE).  This powder is great alone or over a liquid highlighter.  It's a beautiful combination of pinks and golds that work perfectly to create a natural glow. I like to apply it on my cheekbones, chin, nose, and cupid's bow.

5. Boots No. 7 Skin Illuminator: This is my FAVORITE highlighter!! Most of the time I apply it before (or after) foundation and then I go in with the Milani powder right on top.  It also has a really cool applicator.  When you open the cap, it'll reveal a brush applicator.  You just squeeze the tube and apply it using the attached brush.  Just a tip: a little goes a long way with this product, so don't go too crazy! I am obsessed -- I really suggest trying it!! 

Also, I have a new video up on my channel! Watch it HERE. Don't forget to subscribe and to leave me a lovely little comment :D

Thanks for reading! I'd love to hear some of your favorite highlighters... I'm always up for trying new ones :D

Miriam <3

New YouTube Video!

Hey everyone! I've got a new video now live on my channel! See how I created this beautiful Spring time makeup look.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zlW55LgkiA&index=2&list=UUE9lmK5FkyzJbG1LBsKNDsw

Don't forget to subscribe and leave me a comment :D

Miriam <3

Benefit Feelin Dandy Lip & Cheek Kit Review

Hello everybody! So recently I bought my very first Benefit Cosmetics kit! My sister and her boyfriend generously got me a gift card for Sephora for my birthday and I just couldn't resist.  I was so excited to finally try it so I decided to use it the other night when I went out for a casual dinner with the hubs.

So what comes in the kit exactly? You get a mini version of Posietint, High Beam, Dandelion blush, and the Dandelion Ultra Plush lip gloss.  I have tried Benetint before and I have to admit that I didn't like it.  But, I also have to admit that it's because I used it wrong!! When I finally learned, I was amazed! It was a beautiful little flush of color on the apples of my cheeks and combined with the High Beam, it brightened up my entire face.  Just in case you were thinking of trying any of the Benefit tints, remember to apply it BEFORE your powder.  Layering it on top of the powder will make it look streaky and it won't blend very well.  Also, as a warning... they dry really fast so make sure you blend it out with your fingers as quickly as possible!

And as always, the Dandelion blush is a beautiful color and perfectly compliments the Posietint when layered on top of it.  If you want the entire effect, don't forget the lip gloss! I am definitely not a lip gloss type of girl (I prefer lipsticks) and I was really surprised by this one.  Yes, it was sticky and felt like a gloss, but the color was beautiful and went perfectly with the rest of the look.

So to summarize..... TRY IT! It's actually a pretty good deal, I think it was like $28 and you get all these products in a cute little box.  Benefit products are always housed within the cutest packaging, don't you agree?

Have you tried this kit? Let me know in a comment if you have or if you're interested in trying! As always, thanks for reading :D

Miriam <3

New Video Live on my Channel!

Hi guys! I just uploaded a new video to my channel! Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think. Don't forget to subscribe!!

youtube.com/miriamcpratt
<3 Miriam

My Top 5 Favorite Lipsticks!

Hello there readers!! Today will be a simple yet very important topic: LIPSTICKS.  I have developed a recent obsession with these things (you'd think that I had like 12 sets of lips in order to wear them all lol).  It was a very difficult process, but I have come up with my top 5 lipsticks, and here they are in no particular order (except for #1 because that's legit my favorite one):

5:Kate by Rimmel in #101: Pinky nude shade that works great for everyday wear and even with a more dramatic smokey eye.

4: Deborah Milano Atomic Red matte lipstick: beautiful bright red matte color that is perfect for special nights out, especially in the fall and winter time.

3: Wet n Wild in #511B: I could have sworn this color was called like Fuschia something or the other, but apparently not.  It's a few years old, but it's a bright fuschia color that I love using in the summer and spring, but I will definitely still wear it all year round :)

2: Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick in Deepest Cherry: this is a beautiful dark cherry/wine color that I love for the fall.  I basically wore it everyday a few years ago around Oct/Nov/Dec and I think it looks beautiful against lighter skin tones.

1: EM Cosmetics lipstick in Violaceous: If any of you guys read my blog, you will know this is my favorite lip color!! It is so creamy and so moisturizing, it feels so luxurious when you apply it.  The color is perfect, it's like a lilac/purple shade.  I received it in my Ipsy bag a few months ago and let me tell you, I wasn't too sure about it at first.  I had never tried any plums or purples on my lips before, but I am now a lilac lover!!

I hope I have inspired you to try these colors or something similar! It's always great to try things outside of your comfort zone -- you will never find products you love if you don't (ok and maybe products you hate)!!.

Side note.... I am starting YouTube videos soon.  Let me know what you think and what kind of video you'd like to see!

Thanks for reading!!
<3 Miriam

PS: If you're interested.. my makeup bag is from VS PINK. I got it at the Semi Annual Sale last month :)