makeup

August 21, 2018

Ask Emily: Blowouts & Makeovers in the City

I’ve been thinking about starting a new series on the blog. I get questions from my readers & city visitors all the time asking for my advice about a certain Philly thing. Whether it’s ideas for where to take your parents, what you must see on a trip, or actual physical help with finding a job, apartment, or realtor, I love that people read my blog and trust my opinion enough to help shape something they plan to do!

I thought by answering these questions on my site (with permission from the asker, of course), it could serve as a resource for other women who may have the same inquiry. But, since I have not experienced everything there is to do in this city of ours (shocker), if you’ve been somewhere I haven’t, share what you know in the comments! I’d love these posts to become the ultimate guides with opinions from a lot of experienced Philly ladies.

Let’s jump in to our first reader question!

January 18, 2018

My 8 Favorite Health, Beauty, & Laundry Must-Haves from Amazon

Like any other good millennial out there, my dependency on Amazon Prime is real. There are actually so few things I need in life where a 2 day turnaround is not sufficient, so it’s become my real BFF over the past few years.

I’m a big believer in trying what’s out there on Amazon, and the internet in general. If I can get free shipping (and free returns, obviously), I’m always up for trying new brands, new sizes, new products, etc. I know it’s easy to get overwhelmed living this life, but I’ve found being up for trying something new is worth it (and the cash hold on your credit card) in the long run.

June 29, 2017

My Latest Sephora Buys

As I’m sure you know by now, I have a thing for makeup. The moment I discovered YouTube hauls and tutorials in college (I can still remember the first DulceCandy87 videos I got sucked into), it was all. over. Whenever someone new comes to my house and uses the bathroom, they’re truly always in shock at the amount of “products” I own. It’s my thing, and I’ve accepted it.

Adding to this obsession, one of my goals last year was to get in both the Sephora and Ulta VIP loyalty programs. These programs are achieved by spending a certain amount in one calendar year, and are rewarded by promos the next year. Sephora offers a free Beauty Insider program (I sincerely hope you’re already getting that free birthday gift at this stage in your life, ladies), and the VIB level, achieved when you spend $350/year, offers the same perks, plus a free makeover.

January 19, 2016

Prepping for Your Big Night in Philly

Back in November, I attended the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Gala at the Loews (1200 Market Street). The stage was set to be a really special night: the guest of honor was my friend HughE Dillon (read about HughE’s story here – it’s incredible), I was attending with my boyfriend and his parents, and, frankly, this was the first “gala” I’d ever be attending. I knew I’d be waiting til the last minute for my dress (which turned out to be a rental gone wrong), so I wanted to plan out the other aspects of completing a “gala appropriate” look in advance. After a full day of frantic, last-minute shopping at KOP, I found my dress (now on sale for half the price – NBD), and all that was left was to enjoy my day getting ready around the city.

April 18, 2014

Make-Up Shopping in Center City {#ClarinsGlow}

There is something really special to me about shopping at a make-up counter. Growing up going to Macy’s with my mom and sister (what seemed like at least once a month), I remember loving when we parked by the beauty department (instead of the men’s department, obviously). Walking through all of those beautiful colors, scents, and perfectly made-up women was enough to set the foundation of a very dangerous addiction in my life: a love of all things products.

I still find myself popping in Macy’s (1300 Market Street) whenever I get the opportunity. Not only is the building one of my favorites in the city, but their beauty selection is a breath of fresh air away from the bustle of the city. Earlier this month, I was graciously invited by Clarins to attend their #ClarinsGlow event, held right at their Center City counter.

We were led through a presentation of each of the colorful & inventive products from the Clarins Spring 2014 collection by celebrity make-up artist Jean Fayard. The goal of the line is, very appropriately after the winter we’ve had, to bring radiance back in the skin.

Some of my favorite products were the Golden Glow Booster ($30) for adding subtle color to your face, the Multi-Blush Cream Blush ($30) which Jean described to us as the “perfect taxi cab make-up” due to all of its uses, and the Sun Care Oil Spray ($35) for protecting your body and hair from chlorine and salt water.

I was really impressed with the quality of the products and their beautiful packaging. Because my skin is a little volatile, I have been adding in each product to my routine slowly, and I haven’t had a chance to try everything yet. Some of my friends from the event (like B of Just B Beautiful and Ashley of The Bronzed Bee) have been raving about the Double Serum ($85), and I really think I am going to like the Radiance Boosting Complexion Base ($37) to even my skintone.

Even though I like to think I live large, I obviously can’t buy everything I want right now. So I keep a list on my phone of every beauty product I’m seriously interested in. Then, when a site or store is running a sale, or I have a coupon, or can get a sample, instead of buying something spur of the moment that I haven’t looked into, I consult my list. This method has resulted in me picking up some really great products I have already researched and love immediately after buying. If any of these items spark your curiosity but turn out to be a little out of your price range, do a little research, and add them to your list. You won’t be disappointed! xx

Disclosure: I was gifted several products from the Clarins line in my gift bag from the event. All opinions are my own. (I just really love make-up . . .)

May 2, 2013

Makeovers at Sephora Philadelphia

Looking for a fun girl approved activity for the weekend? Philly’s local Sephora (1714 Chestnut Street) is the perfect place to hang with a girlfriend and get a fresh new look at the same time!

My friend Kenya & I recently stopped by Sephora for some Sunday afternoon makeovers. Sephora offers a few different options for makeup applications at their Beauty Studio (the stand in the middle of the store), each with a different minimum purchase. If you’re going on the weekend as we did, I recommend making an appointment a day or two before, either over the phone or at the store. You might also be interested in this Sephora Gift Card if you ever want to stop by and treat yourself.

We chose the Customized Makeup Application. We were each seated in chairs at the Beauty Studio and began to chat with our own Beauty Expert (the Sephora makeup artists) about what we were looking for.

After our chat, our Beauty Experts were off – hustling around the store to find products they wanted to try on us. Once they were finished selecting, it was time to get started! We went through skincare (a quick cleanse & tone), primer, foundation, concealer, powder, bronzer, blush, eyebrows, lips & of course, the eyes! As they worked their makeup magic, our Beauty Experts answered each & every question Kenya & I had. They talked over our specific problem areas & enhanced our best features – while showing us how to recreate the techniques at home.

I had asked to stay neutral on my eyes, but my Beauty Advisor tried to break me out of my shell with a deep green/blue eyeliner from Urban Decay. After telling her I had never tried orange blush before, she found me a gorgeous shade that worked super well with my skin. It was great to be taken outside the box with my makeup options.

After about an hour of being pampered & learning about makeup, we were finished!

Kenya & I were both very happy with our makeovers. I walked out with an the Urban Decay liner, Anastasia Brow Wiz (hello – I’ve never done anything to my eyebrows before!), Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, and a new foundation brush. Some of Kenya’s items were out of stock at the store, so Sephora gave her a Free Shipping coupon for the website. I love that!

I think I will definitely be back for my foundation and concealer (and mascara, and blush, and lipgloss . . .), but I needed to spread out my purchases a little bit. Thanks to my Beauty Expert Haneefah – you were great!

Here is a little more of my finished face in the light of Anthropologie soon after.

The makeovers were a great experience. I highly recommend the service if you need a new look for an important night out (like your birthday!) or just want to learn more about the whole wide world of makeup! You can get more information about the Sephora Beauty Studio on their website.

What are some of your favorite beauty products or techniques? I’d love to hear them! xx

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