This liquid luminizer by Stila is in the iconic shade Kitten; a beautiful golden champagne shimmer.  

Formula

This product is a super lightweight, multipurpose luminizer. As with most illuminating face products, it can be mixed in with lotion or foundation for a boost of luster. 

The brush applicator is convenient for swiping the liquid on the cheekbones, the brow bone, down the bridge of the nose, on the cupid's bow, or anywhere else some shimmer is desired. The product blends out beautifully, and the gorgeous color keeps a decent amount of pigmentation even when spread thinly. The only negative thing I did notice was that start to fade on my oily skin after only a few hours of wear.

The liquid is ultra reflective, making it an ideal highlight that helps to softly camouflage any imperfections such as fine lines or sunspots. It matches endless makeup looks due to it's neutral tone and buildable coverage.

Find

This product is available at Sephora and the Stila website retailing at $20.00 for .5 ounces. There are three other shades available which are Bronze, Pink Shimmer and Rose Gold.

Conclusion

The quality shows through the texture and effect of this luminizer. Although expensive, the dewy and luxurious glow it gives to the skin is unmatched to any other I have tried.

What is your favorite liquid luminizer?

I'm all about following the trends, however when I saw this picture I couldn't help but think, 'Wow, I know probably 20 or more girls who I could say this image looked like...'

It make me wonder how 'personal' style really is. What we wear is obviously dictated by clothing creators, unless you have the talent to thread and needle your own fashions. However, how we decide to design our outfits by accessorizing or altering the materials is based off of our own creativity, inspiration, and of course-trends.

I know the places I tend to get most fashion inspiration from includes street style blogs, Youtube 'gurus', indie magazines, and Tumblr. As with most of the young adult crowd who also lurks these corners of the internet, we all see the same images and want to follow the same trends to stay current. I hate to toss around labels, but the sort of grunge, hipster, pastel goth wave has definitely been taking over these web niches.

It is common see your favorite celebrities either iconic or of peer age dressed almost head to toe in these very defined trends like the Micheal Kors watches, Jeffery Campbell sky high heels, floral headbands, 90's denim shorts, tribal print, rose gold jewelry, and so much more. Whether it be a designer label or a no name thrift store find, the influence of trends is very strong; and I can't help but think of the 80's when I see every part of the body is decked out and styled according to what's 'in'. Each decade had it's relative look, as people wore similar things to flow with pop culture, and maintain a sense of social belonging.

At what point do we credit talented styling versus a mimicked version of a popular fad? It takes a good eye to design a well balanced, yet creative outfit. However, if most of the idea of it stems from a particular trend then how unique can anything actually be?

In my opinion, inspiration is always going to be the basis of fashion, which means nothing ever produced will ever be completely original or fantastically thought up. Dressing the way you want while maintaining your comfort and personality will always be forever trendy. If that means looking like a clone, then so be it.
No one can dictate your fashion, which in itself makes you become individualistic of your own personal choices.

image source


How do you define personal style?

Tokyo-light baby doll pink, Istanbul-bright nude pink, Antwerp-warm coral pink, San Paulo- muted raspberry pink.

Formula

These lip creams are meant to glide on the lips smoothly then dry to a matte finish. The texture can be thought of as a cross between a lip gloss and a lipstick as it has properties of both. It goes on sort of like a light mousse then quickly dries, leaving the lips feeling so silky. Each shade I've tried is nicely pigmented and sets to an almost opaque color.

The doe foot applicator is easy to use, and also allows for a thin layer of product to be applied. I put on about two or three coats of the cream while waiting half a minute in between for each to dry. If you prefer a more toned down lip, then apply just one layer.

The only shade that was a bit difficult is Tokyo, which settled into the cracks of my lips and looked a bit chalky in texture. The matte finish will definitely accentuate any flaws, so the lips have to be exfoliated and moisturized before wear. Despite that, the product left my lips feeling soft and smooth after removing it. 

Other

One of my favorite parts about the product is how soft it makes my lips look. NYX's claims that it 'exudes a sensual glow' and although that sounds a bit dramatic, I'd have to agree. The lip creams have a vanilla cupcake scent that is to die for. There are some red and nude shades in the line that are really pretty too.

Find

This product is $5.99 and can be found at some drugstores, Ulta, and Nyxcosmetics.com. Ulta usually has a buy one get one 50% off sale on the whole NYX brand, which I took advantage of when picking these up.

Conclusion

I am absolutely in love with this product. The shades are so gorgeous, they look great on the lips, have impressive lasting power, and are affordable. Definitely pick these up if you are into a matte finish lip color.

Hello blogettes!

It's been awhile since I wrote a post just to chat with you all and share some updates. I feel like summer is flying by like always, with little time for beach days, road trips, or simply laying out in the sun. I enjoy being busy and I am so appreciative for all the opportunities floated my way this year, however sometimes I wish time would slow down a bit. 

Anyway, I have many new reviews coming up that I am so excited to share, including some makeup from Makeup Forever, Too Faced, Maybelline, and a few indie beauty brands I recently discovered.
Look forward to more face products, and lots of must-have neutrals!

If you'd like to, take a second to vote in my poll which I placed on the bottom right of my sidebar. I am curious to see what posts of mine you all would like to see more of.

Surprise!

I am officially announcing that I will be having another giveaway when my blog reaches 600 followers!
I've already started shopping for it which is so much fun to do. It will be a mix of things from Sephora, drugstores, and a few other hard to get items since it will be international.

Yesterday I spent the beautiful day at the zoo with my mom and best friend. It was full of laughs, ice cream cones with sprinkles, and fun memories. I don't care how old I get, I'll always love visiting there.

Hope you all are having peaceful Sunday.

What prizes would you love to win in a beauty giveaway?

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The photos shown above at not my own, and can all be found on Tumblr.com.

Visit My Tumblr
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Where do you find your fashion inspiration?

Pink and White Powder Gel with Square Tips

As a part of my feminine vanity, I just don't feel like myself without lengthy nails. I like them to look perfectly square tipped, polished, and ultra shiny. This, however, is a pipe dream seeing as I am a chronic nail biter.
"Just stop biting them", you say? I wish it was that easy.
It's like a stubborn habit embedded in my brain; and it comes out mostly when I'm overwhelmed, stressed or nervous. It's something I've battled with ever since I can remember.
Luckily there are certain ways I can help to prevent any more biting to let my natural nails start to grow again. One of these options is getting a set of gel nails.

Experience

I went to one of the most inexpensive salons that there is in my town, which happens to be the Regal Nails salon in Wal-mart. Not the classiest or most upscale place to get a manicure, however the prices are low and I have always been extremely satisfied with how my nails turn out.

If you're looking for a relaxing day at the spa, this type of environment definitely isn't for you. It's more like an 'in and out' type of place where the manicurists talk on their cell phones in a foreign language and spank their children with nail files right in front of you during filing. I love kids, and didn't mind them running about and coming over to look at me curiously; but I know it would be bothersome to others. If you don't mind the  casual atmosphere, then cheaper salons are a great way to go if you're on a budget. Sometimes they do get a reputation for not being clean, however every place is different. I always take it upon myself to make sure I get clean, newer looking tools used on my nails. Never be afraid to speak up and ask for them if you're unsure.

Details

I was originally just going to get simple white tips, however I ultimately decided on the pink and white gels that not only look pretty and elegant, but also will make the manicure last longer. It cost $45 for the initial set which took about an hour and fifteen minutes total. It seems expensive for nails that will last about a month at most; however it's something I like to get done every so often as a special treat. You can also carefully take off the first couple layers of top coat with polish remover and paint over the gel with your own nail colors.

The picture taken above is how the nails looked after 2 full weeks of wear. Since my natural nails underneath are starting to grow and become more visible, I will soon paint the gel an opaque color until I decide to soak them off.

Despite the lack of hospitality at the salon, the manicurist really did a great job; making sure to sand down every imperfection and recheck the nails to make sure they all matched. She knew what she was doing, and in result my nails turned out flawless.

How often do you get a professional manicure?

These pretty tubes from Too Faced Cosmetics are called Glamour Gloss Volumizing Lip Gloss.

Barely Legal is a nude pink with a slight peach tint. It's a very milky color with no shimmer described by the Too Faced website as "marshmallow pink".

Sex Pot is a medium mauve color. It also is a flat color described as "sheer lilac".

Formula

Both of these lip glosses are very smooth and don't feel sticky. They glide on nicely in a thin layer, which makes them buildable for more color payoff. I found both of them to be very sheer when applied, and neither of them looked like the shade inside the tube.

The website claims them to be "richly-pigmented", however I wouldn't agree with that description. They are gorgeous glosses, but aren't a bold pop of color that most would classify as a pigmented lip product.
The wet, sexy look these colors give along with the light payoff make them perfect to pair with a bright makeup look. 

These glosses contain Too Faced's "lip injection comfort plump" that gives your lips that pouty, luscious look. There is a slight cooling, tingling sensation that lasts about an hour after application. It's not at all uncomfortable like other strong lip plumpers and is actually a bit refreshing. Packed with natural moisturizers such as avocado oil and omega 3, my lips looked and felt hydrated for a "youthful appearance". 

Other

The lasting power is great for this thin gloss.
Even after wearing off, my lips felt plump and moisturized hours later.

There is a vanilla candy scent.

Each one comes with a faux crystal on top for a glamorous feel.

Some of the ingredients have anti-aging properties.

Find

There are 12 sexy shades of Glamour Gloss to choose from which can be found anywhere Too Faced is sold. This includes their website, Ulta, Sephora, and more retailers.
The full size is $19 for .12 ounces.

Conclusion

Despite the expensive price tag, I think these glosses are worth trying. They are high quality and look so nice on the lips; all while hydrating just as well as a lip balm. The perfect muted gloss for any makeup look or with a natural, bare face. 

Do you like to wear plumping lip gloss?

There is nothing that exudes luxury and regality like diamonds. Precious stones are not only classic, but are also effortlessly fashionable and appropriate with basically any outfit imaginable. 

I was kindly asked by Anjolee Jewelry to review a custom piece of sparkling jewels from their website. I chose a pair of silver stud circular diamond earrings that caught my eye immediately. I waited anxiously for them to arrive, and when I received the package I was already immediately impressed. The cherry wood box that enclosed the earrings was gorgeous, and made me even more excited to see what was inside. 

Quality

The quality of the earrings is superior and exceeded my expectation. The stones in the earrings are so bright and luminous that they almost glow in the light. At first when I saw them I thought they might be a bit too small for my taste, however after trying them on I really liked the way they looked. The size is so delicate and adds just the right amount of sparkle to be paired a necklace and not look too overwhelming. Each one has a little bit of weight to it, which to me reassures that they are of good quality and could withstand a lot of wear.

How to Style

They are ideal to wear with everything from a casual day outfit with leggings and sandals to a dressy night out at the casino in a little black dress and high heels. They simply look beautiful with anything, and I will continue to enjoy wearing them for any occasion. You can't get any more timeless and elegant as a diamond stud earring.

Customize Your Jewelry

The wonderful thing about the Anjolee jewelry company is that their site is catered towards customization. This makes for endless unique options that will fit your personal style and budget. For fine jewelry such as wedding or anniversary rings, being able to choose different design elements is a useful feature that allows you to create the perfect piece.The convenience of an online store makes shopping effortless, and nothing can top the vast selection.  

Conclusion

A custom piece of designer jewelry makes for a thoughtful gift, whether that be a stunning bracelet for a friend, a tennis necklace for Mother's Day, or a matching bridal set for the special day.

If you are looking for high quality fine jewelry for a certain occasion, or just want to treat yourself or a loved one to a designer piece, then definitely check out Anjolee - The Art of Jewelry.

Coupon Code

Use the coupon code MP591 for an extra 5% off all orders, including weekly specials!

Disclaimer- The earrings were provided in exchange for a review. All opinions are solely mine and are always completely honest.

What is your favorite piece of fine jewelry? 

One of the most simple and effective ways to grow your blog is by commenting. It not only exposes you to a lot of people, but it also supports and strengthens the blogging community. It's always nice to get feedback on a post that took time and effort to create, so leave some love on other's blogs and it will come back to you.

It's important to leave your blog link along with the comment so that others can find you if they are interested. I find it annoying when I go to click on a username and instead of linking me to their Blogger profile page (which sometimes has a blog link on it), I get sent to Google+ or somewhere else without any information to find their website.

Also, a clickable link is so much more appealing and easy than a copy and paste link. 
Make it effortless for people to reach you.

Here is how to create your own!

Text and Link

text<a href="http://www.yourlinkhere.com/"><br/>name of link</a>

Looks like:

Link Only

<a href="http://www.yourlinkhere.com/">name of link</a>

Looks like:

All you have to do is change the text in bold. You can label the link anything you like, however usually your blog name is best.

Just copy your filled out code and paste it underneath your comment each time. Make sure the comment box allows HTML so that it will show up correctly.

I keep mine on a sticky note on my computer desktop so it's easily accessible each time I want to leave my name and link back to Boho Vanity. If you use a Windows computer, you can find the sticky notes in the accessories folder.

If you would like more blog tips and tricks in the future, let me know and I'd be happy to do more!

How often do you leave comments?