CREAMY GLOW LIPSTICK EX-20 AND EX-21 AND BLEND COLOR EYESHADOW

I was thrilled to be able to finally try a few items from the Japanese beauty line called Suqqu. It's a brand that's been on my radar for years but it's not easily accessible to those in the US. I was sent a few pieces from the Summer 2016 Collection to try and literally could not contain my excitement while swatching these items. The collection is a UK exclusive that you can find online and in stores at Selfridges. I have 3 items to feature here, but for reference Sweet Makeup Temptations has the entire collection reviewed and swatched on her blog in case you are curious about the other items.

Blend Color Eyeshadow is an eyeshadow quad with some of the softest silkiest eyeshadows I've ever tried. The palette has a mix of different textures including a shimmering yellow, sheer matte white, matte burnt orange and satiny cool brown shade. All the colors are extremely easy to blend and layer together - the white is very soft and while I swatched it with a heavy hand on the arm to show the color, on the lids it's almost translucent when you blend it out. The shades come in a mirrored compact with some of the best compact brushes I've ever tried and are made with excellent craftsmanship (most compacts come with applicators that are completely worthless). I have mixed feelings about this quad due to the colors. Quality, pigment, application and lasting power are all top of the line, but the colors are very warm and quite outside my comfort zone. I know they are designed for a more colorful summer look, but I tried these several different ways and yellow/orange really aren't my colors. Based on my testing I do think the quality, design and pigment are excellent. Now that I've been able to see for myself how good these are I am going to do some investigating on other colors and try to order a few (if you have any recs please let me know!).

Creamy Moist Lipstick is a richly pigmented creamy lipstick and just as the name implies, very moist. Both of the shades I tried are full-coverage colors with an insanely luxuriously creamy texture. I love coral-like shades and usually wear softer peaches but EX-20 is really quite striking even though it's orange. It has a fun summery vibe. There is a tiny bit of shimmer in this one - it's visible in the tube and on the lips but not in an overly frosted way. Lasting power is very good and the color stays put as long as you don't touch your lips.

Creamy Moist Lipstick is a bright raspberry pink. It's medium-deep and bright all at the same time. On me it pulls neutral-cool but still has enough warmth in the base that it doesn't look blueish. If you like lots of bold color this is really quite pretty.

After years of reading so many wonderful reviews on the brand I'm thrilled to finally have been able to try a few items. The quality is top notch - I'm so impressed with the texture of everything. The eyeshadows are unbelievably soft - almost pillow soft to the touch. They blend beautifully but the colors in EX-31 just really aren't my kind of colors. The Anastasia liquid lipstick are everything everyone has raved about - creamy, glowy, moist with full and flawless coverage. The neutral lip lover in me is dying to try some of the more neutral shades - if you have any recommendations on where to start please let me know in the comments.

I do believe the items in the summer collection are limited-edition (I'll update once I confirm), currently available at Selfridges. I'm still in the spring mindset for colors (although I do love a good bronzer year round) but the lip items will be perfect for warmer months when brighter colors feel more in season (at least for me).

BRIGHT + FRESH FRAGRANCE FAVORITES FOR THE SPRING TO SUMMER TRANSITION

I have another fragrance roundup of a few new perfumes I've been trying out combined with a repeat of a few favorites I've been loving right now. I have summer on my mind but it's still spring so I don't feel quite ready to wear full-on summer scents yet. I did my first round up earlier this year here (for him and her). Here are a few more to check out if you're in the market for something new as we transition from the spring to summer season.

Up first are two from Diptyque. The Eau de Sens is the latest fragrance release from Diptyque (my favorites from the brand rounded up here). It's one of the few orange blossom scents I feel I can wear. The combination of orange and floral is usually too powdery for me to wear although I do love orange-based fragrances. Many are great as a home fragrance whether it's a spray or candle but I simply cannot wear a lot of them. Eau de Sens is the first one I've fallen in love with - it's bright and lifts the mood.

Florabellio isn't a new fragrance, but it was recently launched in a Travel Size 30 ml size as part of the Voyage Collection and is cute beyond words. There are select items available in the collection, a few perfumes includePhilosykos, Do Son, L'Ombre Dans L'Eau and Tam Dao. There are a few small size candles available in the special print boxes (jars are still clear glass) and a few minis of the body products. As of right now the entire collection is limited-edition and at most Diptyque retailers if you purchase any 3 items from the travel line you can get a complimentary travel zip pouch. More on the travel collection in a separate post but Florabellio is the most unique sweet floral with apple that I've ever tried. I would have never thought to wear something with apple blossoms, apricot, fennel, sea salt, coffee and toasted sesame - but it's really quite nice, especially for spring.

In general Diptyque fragrances have a medium lasting power. I have a very sensitive nose and can usually detect remnants of the scent many hours later even though often times others around me cannot. The scents do start to fade by hour 4-5 of wear.

Lumira Paradisium is also another one I adore. This is the perfect spring to summer kind of scent that makes me feel very much put together. It has bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, fig nectar, guava, vetiver, sea moss and cedarwood. It's a fig scent I can actually wear. I love fig scents for the home but whenever I try it in perfume form I feel like I'm wearing a sweet dessert. The bergamot, vetiver and cedarwood give this a slightly raw feel that balances out the sweetness. I've been wearing this one for a couples years now and I hope it's here to stay forever. In terms of lasting power this is one of the best and longest lasting. It's up there with Tom Ford and Frederic Malle.

Maison Margiela Replica scents are simply incredible. I first tried Beach Walk in a rollerball and it's definitely one of those perfect summertime scents. Lipstick On is a classic feminine blush kind of scent that smells like vintage urban decay makeup. If you don't really care for the makeup-like vibe Lipstick On has but do like the level of intensity/feminine quality it has, you might want to check out Flower Market or Promenade in the Garden. Both florals that are very wearable.

Flower Market smells just like a flower market. It's a soft bright floral that has freesia, sambac jasmine, Egyptian jasmine, tuberose, rose, peach, cedarwood and oak moss. To me it smells primarily of jasmine and with a hint of tuberose and moss.

Promenade in the Gardens is more green and less floral. It has a mix of green accord, freesia accord, coriander oil, turkish rose oil, peony accord, sambac jasmine, patchouli, vetiver and Australian sandalwood. It's clearly feminine to me, but it's not girly like Flower Market or Anastasia liquid lipstick On if that makes sense.

The Replica scents are medium to long lasting on my skin. They're strong enough to notice hours after but aren't overpowering when you first spray them which is nice.

To me it resembles a more green + lily version of Diptyque Florabellio so it's no surprise this is one I like as well. I can smell the white tea and green mandarin and lily of the valley. It has a refreshing bright feel like jasmine even though there aren't any jasmine notes. If I had to describe this one in one word it would be fresh. You can buy items individually but they have a few sets that are beautifully packaged. The Fragrance Gift Set has the shower gel, body lotion and perfume at a value price. Lasting power of the Eau de Toilette is medium to long.

Last but not least is the Tom Ford Soleil Blanc which I know many would designate as a summer fragrance. It's a white floral that has beachy summer vibes but it's not so summery that I can't wear it right now (I've actually bought this months ago and have been loving it). In my experience Tom Ford fragrances are among the ones that last the longest on me from morning until late evening - but it does vary a little bit per scent. Some are stronger than others, but even the lighter ones still last a long time.

Savannah Guthrie Gave Her Guests A Wedding Favor They'll Actually Keep

"Today" show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie is an inspiration to busy brides everywhere.
The 42-year-old and her now-husband, communications strategist Mike Feldman, somehow found time to write personalized, handwritten notes to each of their roughly 80 wedding guests. The notes were accompanied by leather luggage tags.
An insider told People magazine that the couple spent the weekend before their March 15 nuptials crafting the heartfelt letters. If Guthrie wrote the letter, Feldman added a postscript and vice-versa.
"It was a sweatshop of letter-writing," the insider joked to People.
The couple -- who dated for four years before Feldman popped the question last May -- tied the knot in Guthrie's hometown of Tucson, Ariz. Guests included fellow "Today" show hosts Matt Lauer, Al Roker, Hoda Kotb and Willie Geist. Jon Bon Jovi and his wife Dorothea were also in attendance.
At the reception, Guthrie and Feldman also announced that they are four months pregnant with their first child. Extra congratulations go out to the happy couple!

Wedding dresses with different trains

Most girls have dreamt that she will get married in a church, wearing a long train wedding dress and slowly walking towards the one she loves. And it depends personally how long the train would be. Different length train wedding dresses are for brides with different figures and for different wedding ceremonies.

dresses with different trains

1. Sweep Train
The length of the train onto floor is shorter than 30cm. Usually the back hem is only a few inches lower than the front hem. It is perfect for an elegant informal or semi-formal wedding gown.
2. Court Train
The length of the train is 30cm to 50cm. This kind of dresses could be used for semi-formal wedding ceremonies.
3. Chapel Train
The train length is 50cm to 80cm. It is perfect for a semi-formal wedding gown but could be used for a formal or informal wedding gown as well.
4. Cathedral Train
Usually the train length is 80cm to 130cm. This is usually used for a formal wedding. These dresses often come with a bustling option or a removable train to allow for better movement on the dance floor.
5. Royal Train
The train length is over 130cm. Also called a Monarch train, this train is only used for the most formal wedding.
6. Watteau Train
This is the train attached to shoulder of the wedding dress. It could perfectly show the fabric lightness of your dress and bring much charm to you.

Beautiful veils for your big day

How to choose and to wear the veil beautifully in your big day? Here are some tips about choosing and wearing veils:
Firstly, the length of the veil needs to match with that of your wedding dress.
If you choose a floor length wedding dress, you could wear a veil of 9-13 feet which will make your dress much royal and formal. But if you have chosen a long train dress, you’d better not choose a veil that is too long. Usually, long train dresses will be embellished from waist and hips to the bottom. Thus, a long veil will cover these embellishments. You could choose a veil just above your waist.

beautiful veils for your big day

Secondly, veils of one layer and multiple layers have different effects.
These two style veils could present different feelings. Short, multiple layers veils are suitable for lovely and petite brides and could make their faces smaller visually. But for full brides, these will only make their top too big.
Single layer veils are almost suitable for every bride. And what’s more, this kind of veils could produce a visual effect of lengthening brides’ full bodies.
You also need to take your hair style into consideration when you are choosing veils. You’d better choose a concise veil to match with a complicated hair style. Otherwise, you could wear a quite delicate veil and let it be the visual focus.
Thirdly, the position wearing the veil should match with your hair style and your figure.
How could you wear a veil rightly? You need to wear it according to your hair style and your figure. If you are a little short, you’d better not wear the veil in a too low position which will make you shorter visually.
If you just like your hair hanging down naturally, you should wear the veil on the top of your head, which could create a magical atmosphere of a princess.
Remembering these basic tips of choosing and wearing veils, you could make the big day much more perfect.

Principles of wearing and matching wedding wraps

Five ways to wear wraps:
Hanging wraps down.
This is the most classic, common and tremendous way to wear wraps. People let two ends of wraps symmetrically hang on shoulders and flow down naturally in front of chest.
Buttoning wraps.
People will let wraps round over shoulders and fold the ends in front of chest and then stitch a delicate brooch. This way is a little formal. You could also pull the joint to one shoulder or the back, which will make you more charming and show your own personality.
Wrapping wraps.
You could wear large square or wide long wraps or wraps with slits in this way. Just let wraps rounding around your shoulders and arms and it could present the feelings of ease, satisfactory and quietness.
Wearing wraps like capes.
You could wear large or semicircular wraps in this way. It will give others romantic feelings which could be produced with large square or wide long wraps. But you’d better not choose any wraps made of heavy fabrics.
Creative ways to wear wraps.
You could dress up with your imagination. You could make a tie, pin some flowers into wraps or just wear them aggressively.
Tips of matching wraps:

1. Wraps will match better with strapless or spaghetti straps wedding dresses. They’d better be made of the same fabrics which can present the better matching effects.
2. If wedding dresses are complicated, you need a simple wrap to match with it. Otherwise, you could wear a luxurious wrap.
3. It could make brides more elegant and graceful when new prom dresses match with white or cream-colored wraps. While it could lengthen the proportions of brides figures if they choose some designed wraps.
4. You need to choose wraps according to your figures: petite brides could choose wraps in pink and of high deflection; while tall brides should choose ones in heavy colors and of soft fabrics.

A dress for Sarah the wedding guest virgin

"Dear Outblush, One of my closest friends from college is getting married in August (Poughkeepsie, NY) and this is my first wedding that I will be attending since I was 7 and I'm completely at a loss as to what would be appropriate! I've scoured the malls since May and I can't seem to find anything! The ceremony is going to be at 3pm with a reception that will go into the night so I'll need something that can be worn both during the day and night. The invitation did not mention a specific dress code, but knowing Rebecca it definitely is not black or white tie. I'd like to buy something that I'll be able to wear again and if it can make my former college boyfriend's jaw drop while looking like Grace Kelly all the better!
Here's the skinny:
1. I'm 5'2" (33-24-33) and usually a 0 or 2 depending on brand sizing
2. Maximum budget: $150 (maybe $200 if it's a classic investment)
3. I'd like something that would be flattering to my shape and about knee length. Probably something that would define my waist; preferably not strapless, but I won't rule it out; maybe something with a v-neck? I definitely do not want something black, brown, navy, or extremely dark. I fell in love with this dress's watercolor floral pattern, but I can't find it in my size. My old roommates used to tell me that my style is classic and girly. I shop at J. crew and Kate Spade the most often.
I know this is super last minute, but if you could help I'd be over the moon! Thanks again. "
Dearest Sarah! Carlota here and I'd love to help you! Weddings are awesome and I'm so excited you want to wear color! You'll actually stand out in the sea of black at the reception. And all of these styles will transition very well from ceremony to reception. Since you loved a watercolor dress, I've chosen a few dresses with pretty watercolor prints in all different silhouettes as well as other blue prom dresses. Hope this helps! And have a great time at the wedding!