December Beauty Favorites

December 28, 2018

Happy last Friday of the year and also my last monthly beauty favorites of 2018! There’s tons of skincare going on in today’s post as I discuss my viewpoint on switching from two different skincare sets during the week - which better your skin regimen and its effects. We’ve also got my latest favorite scented candle from Diptyque, a mysterious fragrance from Jimmy Choo, the best liquid eyeliner and only eyeliner I’ve been using these days, and a dark spot corrector that’s so insanely good I had to let you know about it NOW even before it’s available online! Don’t worry though, it will be by next week so check it out and pre-order! Continue reading to learn more about my December beauty favorites!

ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGEN HYDRA-GEL EYE MASK

Only at ULTA! Smoothes, tightens, hydrates. ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks are clinically proven to visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, these refreshing hydra-gel eye masks smooth, tighten and hydrate your delicate eye area. Potent plankton extract, combined with the power of padina pavonica and chlorella, provides an instant skin-tightening effect, while hyaluronic acid hydrates the fragile eye area. Eye contours are left looking visibly smoother and feeling intensely moisturized.

ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGEN CLEANSING BALM

This No.1 Bestselling cleansing balm deep cleanses and leaves skin supremely soft. Luxurious Rose and Mimosa waxes are infused with nourishing Elderberry, Starflower and Optimega™ oils and supercharged with anti-aging algae, Padina Pavonica. For an intensely nourishing treatment, you can also use this product as a facial mask. This powerful, deep cleansing balm is a cult hero, and I can firmly attest to this. It’s the only cleansing balm I’ve been using since I’ve tried it!

ELEMIS SUPERFOOD CLEANSING WASH

This rich and creamy facial wash revives and refreshes while deeply cleansing the skin. Nutrient dense, green superfoods have been chosen to enhance your natural radiance, offering skin lacking vitality, a balanced diet of active ingredients for an outdoor, fresh glow. Broccoli Seed, Avocado and Pumpkin Seed oils are combined with a natural sugar derived Pre-Biotic to help ensure the skin’s precious microbiome balance is maintained while Wheatgrass, Kale, Nettle and minerals are combined to leave the complexion looking fresh, luminous, bright and radiant. Leaves your skin looking radiant, bright and fresh. A green and balanced skincare diet to leave the complexion feeling nourished and replenished. Dull looking skin is replaced by a radiant and fresh complexion. Offers skin the benefits of your recommended daily greens. The integrity of skin’s microbiome is maintained, leaving it feeling balanced and nourished. Vegan Friendly.

ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGEN MARINE CREAM

This is the ultimate wrinkle-smoothing day cream from ELEMIS. Pro-Collagen Marine Cream is clinically proven* to reduce the appearance of wrinkles in 14 days, for skin that looks and feels younger and more firm. Padina pavonica, has been blended with ginkgo biloba, chlorella and precious rose and mimosa absolutes to moisturize the skin and visibly improve the appearance of fine lines, while supporting a feeling of suppleness, firmness and elasticity.

AMORE PACIFIC TREATMENT CLEANSING OIL FACE & EYES

This gentle cleanser for the face and eyes is a blend of botanical oils—including green tea seed, babassu palm, and coconut oil—that dissolves and lifts away impurities and makeup (even waterproof mascara) without stripping away skin’s natural moisture. Upon contact with water, the multitasking formula transforms into a silky, non-oily emulsion that also works to improve skin luminosity and moisture retention for a smooth, glowing complexion. It is further enriched with hydrating green tea leaf extract and a radiance-boosting blend of ginseng root and white birch extract.

AMORE PACIFIC TREATMENT CLEANSING FOAM

Effectively remove makeup and impurities without stripping your skin of essential moisture with AMOREPACIFIC US, INC.'s Cleansing Foam. Formulated with super hydrating Bamboo Sap and firming Red Ginseng Root, this anti-bacterial face wash contains exfoliating Vitamin E micro-beads that dissolve to release antioxidants. I like to use this skincare set along with the Elemis, and rotate them in the week. I feel when you use the exact same products all the time to the skin starts to not have the same effects versus to switching it up here and there. How do you guys feel about this?

AMORE PACIFIC TREATMENT ENZYME PEEL

Forget what you think you know about exfoliating peels - AMOREPACIFIC US, INC.'s gentle, botanical-infused formula is light enough for daily use. When combined with water, the fine powder transforms into a light emulsion that washes away dull, dead skin cells. You'll see a smoother and brighter complexion instantly. I use this enzyme peel twice a week and my face is smoother than a baby’s bottom! Truly amazing product!

CAUDALIE BEAUTY ELIXIR MINI

A natural, innovative toning mist that sets makeup, provides an instant burst of radiance, and tightens the appearance of pores, featuring the same bestselling formula with a new, improved pump to finely and evenly distribute the lightweight mist. Inspired by Queen Isabelle of Hungary's famous elixir of youth, Beauty Elixir is formulated with grape extracts and clarifying ingredients to provide an immediate burst of radiance. The complexion treatment reduces dullness and is infused with toning rosemary, astringent mint, and soothing rose essential oil to prepare your skin for further treatments. Beloved by celebrities and makeup artists worldwide, the Beauty Elixir is the ideal priming base and setting spray between layers of makeup for a long-lasting and smooth finish. Perfect as an aftershave for men too! This mini is ideal for travel.

DIPTYQUE POMANDER CANDLE

If you don’t know by now, my all-time favorite candles are from Diptyque. And this newly discovered scent is all the rage. Pomander is a delicious orange studded with cloves and cinnamon, the spicy scent of winter. It’s the most incredible fragranced candle, and you Diptyque’s candles burn for quite a long time on top of its quality scents. What’s your favorite scent by Diptyque?

JIMMY CHOO FEVER EAU DE PARFUM

Jimmy Choo Fever Eau de Parfum is an addictive and sensual fragrance. Effortlessly glamorous, the Fever woman has a mysterious side, yet always has the ability to shine.

Fragrance Notes:

Top: Black Plum Nectar
Heart: Heliotrope
Base: Roasted Tonka Bean

TARTE MANEATER LIQUID EYELINER

This vegan, quick-drying liquid eyeliner features intense black, lash-enhancing pigment spheres & a waterproof formula to ensure tonight's eyeliner won't turn into tomorrow's smoky eye. The micro brush tip glides on smoothly to create precise definition or drama where you want it & moves with the contours of your lashline for the perfect, one-swipe application. You can use it to sculpt & fill in spaces between lashes for an ultra-black boost in volume or extend it out to a sexy #maneater wing.

DR. DENNIS GROSS CLINICAL GRADE IPL DARK SPOT CORRECTING SERUM

A viable alternative to hydroquinone, this pro-level treatment fights discoloration by removing over-pigmented surface cells, brightening skin tone, and fighting against environmental aggressors. Skin brightness improves in as early as two weeks, while diminishing visible discoloration in eight weeks. Containing lactic acid helps fight acne and I can confirm dark spots are gone even after a month! I started to notice results right away. It will be available online and in stores January 4th. It’s $90 for one 1.0 fl oz bottle, but it’s literally magic potion in a jar so you will definitely be getting your money’s worth.

LOVE & XX’S,

SHOP THE PRODUCTS

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Dollup Beauty Makeup Case

November 17, 2016

WHAT'S INSIDE: DOLLUP BEAUTY SUGARCUBE WHITE MAKEUP CASE | 
LUMIE HIGHLIGHTER SHIMMER | DOLLIPS LIQUID MATTE LIP SPREADS | 
DOLL-EYES ON YOU LIQUID EYELINER | LANCÔME EYE MAKEUP REMOVER | 
LANCÔME NEW VISIONNAIRE EYE CREAM | LANCÔME DRAMA LIQUID-PENCILS | 
LANCÔME DEFINICILS MASCARA | LANCÔME 2 IN 1 SHARPENER

Recently I received a wonderful makeup organizer case from Dollup Beauty. The Dollup Case by makeup artist Nikki Hynek is the perfect way to store your entire beauty look in one place while keeping you and your makeup stylishly organized at home or on-the-road. The hard case design protects and secures your daily essentials – and also comes in several colors other than white. The portable makeup case has a convenient hinge feature allowing the case to open flat for easy access to all your makeup. A customizable naked magnetic palette, elastic holding bands and an interior drop-down vanity mirror completes this amazing case fit for any woman. Dollup Beauty was also generous to gift several of their beauty products along with their makeup case.

1. LUMIE HIGHLIGHTER SHIMMER

The Lumie Highlighter Powder Shimmer is the best way to achieve that perfect 'glow from within' makeup look that will have everyone asking why your skin looks so amazing! They've crafted their Lumie Highlighter Powder Shimmer out of all natural premium pressed mica minerals, that are so finely milled, they blur out flaws and refract light away from imperfections. What you're left with, after dusting your skin, is a totally brightened & beaming complexion wherever you apply. There are two colors, one more gold based and another rose, but I received the gold one called Lavish: It's a buttery colored luminous shimmer powder with pearled finish. And my new favorite strobing highlighter! TOTALLY obsessed. :)

2. DOLLIPS™ LIQUID MATTE LIP SPREADS

I received 'Peace' and 'Laughter'. 'Peace' has a more nude tone where 'Laughter' is a full vibrant red. I've tried both and am so in love with them! Aside from its buttery, smooth spread across your lips, the liquid spreads dry to a matte finish for a smudge-proof ten hour wear! Score! And what's even better is these lipsticks are enriched with antioxidants, Vitamin E & Avocado oil; all to keep your lips hydrated!

3. DOLL-EYES ON YOU LIQUID EYELINER

You can achieve the perfect 'Doll Eye' look with this line-perfecting brush tip. It offers effortless precision with every winged line, thin or thick. The perfectly tapered brush tip delivers an ultra deep black or deep brown pigment in one seamless swipe. The quick drying formula offers a smudge free application that lasts all day long – even on the oiliest of eye lids! This is something I've been wanting to find for a while and am so happy to have discovered Dollup Beauty and their crazy good products like this fabulous liner!

4. LANCÔME BI-FACIL EYE MAKEUP REMOVER

I received several Lancôme products from Influenster, a great platform where bloggers can test and review products of all kinds, especially beauty products. This travel sized eye makeup remover is an award-winning phenomenon that magically whisks away the most stubborn eye makeup, even waterproof. Simply shake this bad boy to activate the bi-phase formula that leaves the eye area sparkly clean. The lipid phase lifts off eye makeup, while the water phase contains special emollients to refresh and condition skin without a greasy residue.

5. LANCÔME NEW VISIONNAIRE EYE CREAM

Whether you had no sleep or stayed out late (yes, I sometimes still do!), erase the night away with an instant fix for under eye puffiness, crow's feet, and the look of fatigue. This Visionnaire Eye Cream has the power to change the way your eyes look with instant photo-ready correction. I use it as a primer before applying concealer, thanks to its blurring properties your skin will look fresh and rested. And I love the very light but rich cream, it even smells amazing. As does all Lancôme products! :)

6. LANCÔME DRAMA LIQUID PENCILS

Create a sensual, intense eye look with ease. This smudgy, creamy-smooth eye pencil delivers a dose of decadent color that glides on effortlessly and blends beautifully. In an instant, eyes are perfectly lined, defined and contoured for a smoldering effect that's absolutely irresistible. I received two pencils, one in black and the other in purple, and have been applying the black eyeliner on the top lids and the purple for the bottom. It brings a pop to the eye, and any cooler color, such as purple, blue, even a dark green helps brighten brown eyes naturally.

7. LANCÔME DEFINICILS MASCARA

This has been one of my most favorite mascara's of all time. Lancôme carries some of the best beauty products in the world – this mascara has been the number 1 mascara for over 16 years! For lavishly long, perfectly defined lashes, this iconic award-winning mascara provides the ultimate in separation. Carefully selected polymers coat each lash from root to tip, to help lengthen and outline each lash for unmatched definition. This best-selling mascara's unique brush applicator has specially grooved bristles that hold the perfect amount of product for gradual, even application every time. Simply the best!

8. LANCÔME 2 IN 1 SHARPENER

Straight to the point, this durable, quality-crafted design is the quickest and easiest way to sharpen Lancôme makeup pencils. I've been using it on my new pencils and not once have they been overly done or under done. Excellence at its finest.

To see more from each beauty brand, go to Dollup Beauty and Lancôme's website to see more of their products including the ones shared in today's post. Stay tuned for an upcoming outfit post – the theme is around emo/grunge/darker vibes. I can't wait to share it with you! Hopefully I'll have it up by this weekend. Working hard to crank out content for you guys! What would you like to see more of? Beauty? Fashion? Food & Cooking? Travel? I'd love to hear from you down below in the comments! Reading your posts always make me happy and inspired. See everyone soon!

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE PRODUCTS

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Everyday Makeup Tutorial

May 20, 2016

Hi, everyone! Happy Friday! I'm back with another post, weekly video included, and I'm focusing on my everyday makeup! I wanted to show you guys that I do NOT wake up looking like this and it does take a little bit of 'grooming' before I head out the door (unless it's a rollerblade sesh with MaQ).

To be honest, I was hesitant, at first, to show my face to the world without any makeup on, but the reason why I did this is to, one, step out of my comfort zone, and two, to show you a different part of my everyday lifestyle. I'm all about 'sharing the wealth' and 'tricks of the trade.' Nothing is more off-putting than a woman who isn't about this. Prime example? When you complement a woman on something she's wearing and you ask her where she got it from; her answer? 'Uh, gee, I don't really know. It was a gift.' Nice talkin' to ya. Buh-bye.

So today I'm sharing my everyday makeup look and some tips/tricks along the way! Lately, before applying any makeup on, I wash my face with coconut oil. I'll have to do a post on the wonders of coconut oil because it's not only used as a butter substitute but more especially as a beauty regiment! After thoroughly cleansing my face, I apply an ultra moisturizing cream from Kiehl's and then a primer from Hourglass.

Once that sets in after about a minute, I begin with color correcting and foundation. I know a lot of women start with eye makeup, but I do that later, especially with everyday wear. With a Beauty Blender, I apply a BB cream from the Body Shop to even out my skin tone. It's got a really great light coverage with a sheer tint to it. I don't normally use heavier liquid foundation for everyday makeup because my skin is super sensitive and a combination of oily and dry, so I try to keep the coverage to a minimum to let my skin breathe. I use a green color corrector from the Sephora Collection to cover breakouts and acne scars. I continue by buffing in the green with the Beauty Blender, only then using a more high-coverage kind of concealer from Anastasia Beverly Hills. Right now, I'm using a warmer tan-colored concealer in 1.5 because being out and about so much now that the weather's been better, my skin color is starting to change. I again put the concealer over where I put the green corrector on my face, including a little bit under my eyes. Goodbye, dark circles! I then like to use a brightener from Benefit under my eyes down to my dimples, forming a triangular shape. This continues to help with any color correcting.

The next step is contouring. I use L'Oréal Infallible Pro Contour Palette in Medium. The brush that comes with the palette is amazing and really efficient in getting all the contouring in the right place! With my bareMinerals face brush, I complete the contouring with a little bit of blush. I use a coral/peach color from Cargo in Laguna. My last two steps to finish applying face makeup is a creamier highlighter from Benefit called Watt's Up. It's the best highlighter. EVER. Lastly, to set everything in, I use a perfecting powder from New York Color with a No. 2 face brush from Hourglass.

To complete my everyday look, I fill in my brows with an eyebrow palette from the Sephora Collection. I've had it for years and it's the only brow product I use with it comes to perfecting my eyebrows. Sadly, they no longer carry it, hence the no-link. :( I also use a little bit of liquid eyeliner to open up my eyes a bit with L'Oréal's Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner in Carbon Black 591. To brighten the lower lids of my eyes, I use the Naked 2 from Urban Decay in the color 'Verve', which is a wonderful silvery-metallic tone. I never use black eyeliner around the entire eye because it makes your eyes look smaller! BIG no-no! Try using a white color base for the bottom of your eyes to give it that extra pop. For my mascara, I use the Lash Domination by bareMinerals. It's small and compact, and great for travel use. I always curl my lashes with my trusty eyelash curler from Sally Hansen. And last but not least, my lipstick from Almay. Its color is, 'teaberry', but I've had this for so many years, they no longer make it. I love the color so much because it's kind of nude but kind of peachy. It's a great color for my lips as I like to keep my everyday lipstick pretty neutral.

You can watch the full tutorial on my YouTube Channel. (Click down below to start watching!) And please feel free to leave a comment to let me know what you thought about this tutorial! Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to see more weekly videos! Thanks for stopping by. We hope you have a killer weekend!

videography, director, editing, styling, hair + makeup by Suzanne Spiegoski

Today's video is my very first makeup tutorial focusing on everyday wear. Check down below for shopping links to products. I hope you enjoy this makeup tutorial! xo.