Hello, Spring!

Yesterday was officially the first day of Spring! Monterey weather was actually nice last week and for once, it felt like Spring, too. Yesterday, I decided to celebrate the first day of Spring with a nice pedicure to get ready for sandal weather!

BTW, later in this post I talk about my favorite foundation and newfound mascara-love. Scroll down if you want to see those topics!

I tried a polish from OPI's Fall 2009 Spain Collection. The color I chose is "Conquistadorable Color." In the bottle it looks like a pretty, dark fuschia color. On me, the red tones really come out, though its still a really pretty color and is perfect to take me into Spring with pretty feet :). You can purchase it here, on this site, they describe it as a "take no prisoners, vibrant red" (I thought it was pink! what can I say!?)



I also recently made a big haul from Sephora as part of my preparation for moving to China. I use Make Up Forever's HD Invisible Cover Foundation.

I love this foundation - it provides flawless coverage and over all just works great with my skin. It doesn't leave me oily or dry, its a perfect balance.

For a more affordable option, many people recommend Revlon's Color Stay as the best drugstore foundation. Many of you guys already use this or have heard about it.

It is said to be very comparable to MUF HD foundation. I'd try it myself except I learned that if something isn't broken, don't try to fix it! After The Great Hair Fiasco of 2009, I am sticking with what I already know works for me.

One of the things I was most excited about from my Sephora haul was actually the free stuff I received with it! Because it was my birthday month, I not only received my little birthday gift, but I also had 500 beauty points saved up and I decided to use them on the current perk - the Tarte Insider Collection 7 Piece Sampler.

I was mostly excited for this perk because it includes 3 different types of mascara. I have been on the hunt for mascara that works for me for a really long time. I've tried from drugstore brands to higher end designers, and many times I end up dissatisfied. Including disappointment with DiorShow, and YSL Faux Cils.

Since then, I'd been trying a bunch of different drugstore mascaras - my favorite, Max Factor mascara, though it will be discontinued in the U.S. pretty soon. I also tried L'Oreal Collagen Mascara which I know many people rave about - it was an absolute mess on me - the messiest, clumpiest mascara I've ever dealt with!

So, I was excited when I received the 7 Piece Tarte Sampler. And, it just so happens I found a mascara that I love... that just works for me. It has passed all the tests - it goes on nice, lengthens and separates my lashes, gives them volume, and doesn't clump, smudge, or flake off throughout the day. It also doesn't irritate my very sensitive eyes.

Its Tarte's Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara, and it is also a NATURAL mascara.

On the Tarte site, it describes this mascara as:
This is what we call a push-up bra for your lashes™ a 4-in-1 (lengthening, curling, volumizing and conditioning) dermatologist tested mascara that gives dramatic, thick, sexy lashes and is clinically proven to increase lash volume by 424%.

Here is also a before & after picture from the Tarte website - and you know what, I think its real! I would say this is what I experienced, too.

You can also find it at QVC at a pretty decent price as far as "designer" mascara goes - 2 for 25 dollars.

Stay tuned - I love this mascara so much, I want you guys to try it out, too! I am planning to do a giveaway with a full-size tube of this mascara as the prize! But, you have to be a follower, so make sure you sign up and officially follow. :o)

I also have some new MAC purchases to share later this week!

Well that is going to be it for tonight - I have my final Chinese listening test tomorrow, and the final reading on Tuesday! I need to go study!

In the meantime - what nail polish colors are you loving for spring & summer, and what is your newest makeup product that you love for spring?

Steph