Make-up Obsessions for September

As I mentioned earlier this week in my mood board post, the make up obsession is back and in full force. I was so happy to go home over the summer to buy all the hot and now make up that I see my favorites on YouTube talking about at reasonable prices. Yes, I can buy almost every piece of make up here in Abu Dhabi but the prices are outrageous. So imagine my excitement, and my debit cards hatred, of my almost month home with my girls Sephora and Ulta. These are my current loves and I highly recommend them to my fellow make up fans.

+++The Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar eye shadow palette. Not only are the colors beautiful and a nice mix of shimmer and matte, but the smell = HEAVEN!! I can't wear make up that smells funky so the bonus of this palette smelling like chocolate is a definite win.

+++Tartelette eye shadow palette. I am normally not a palette girl but I am loving the colors in this palette for a quick, fresh face that keeps getting ready to go and quick. I do like that it has all complementary colors so it will be great for travel. 

+++Two-Faced 'Born this way' foundation. I cannot praise this foundation enough. The coverage is semi-full coverage but feels light so you don't feel all cake face. It has a dewey finish which is great for me since I have dry skin and I live in an unforgiving environment. I love the finish because it makes my skin look absolutely flawless. Go buy this foundation. 

+++Bare Minerals 'Loud & Clear Lip Shear' in Amped Pink. My lips hate all lip color. I found this one in Ulta and I decided that I would give it a whirl. I am so glad that I tried it because I love it! My lips are handling the lip color well and I am loving the color. It is just like a clear coat on my lips that isn't gooey (HATE!!) and it gives just a hint of natural pink color. It also has a really nice scent.

+++Benefits 'Gimme Brow' gel. I don't know how to really do my eyebrows because I get them waxed/threaded maybe twice a year since they don't grow much. This gel was a nice find to help keep the shape of my brows without the crazy filling-in trend. The thick, super-filled in brows are not for me but I needed something to keep them in shape. This does a nice job and is virtually fool proof. 

+++Last, but never least, Beccas 'Champagne Pop' highlighter by Jaclyn Hill. This will totally not be a fangirl review (I LOVE Jaclyn Hill!!!) but this highlighter is the business. I stalked Sephora when I went home over the summer and made a special trip when the delivery came to the store. My Sephora here in AD doesn't carry Becca (the horror!!) so I knew I had to grab this while I was home. I may have bought two. This highlighter is creamy, goes on smooth, and has little to zero fall out. It makes you look extremely sun-kissed and catches the light beautifully. I can't recommend it enough!

I'll be reviewing some new products over the next few weeks and I'd love to know what products you are loving. Clearly, I need more make up to try! Make sure to comment with your must haves.

#BTS2015

Happy BTS! My Princeton said no, Please don't go to work!!

Those eyes are a bit hard to resist! But alas, he hasn't gotten a job yet so off I went. He does have to eat after all.


I am such a nerd. I know that most of my colleagues were dreading today but I was SO ready for Back to School! I love preplanning week when you get a chance to reconnect with friend that you haven't seen in almost two months. I was excited even more so today because everyone I work with travels so I wanted to hear about all the fantastic places that they visited and, of course, get some new travel 411.  I knew that preplanning would be so different this year because I am used to a foo-foo agenda, games, a large breakfast, and all sorts of other fanfare that happens on the first day of preplanning but this year was different. As admin we go back to school the same day as the teachers do to begin preplanning (the horror!!) so we don't get a chance to do all those things. I mean I am thankful for the extra two weeks off but I would really like to incorporate that planning into the end of this year. How is that for forward thinking?

Today was a blur of counting students, trying to arrange classes, and fighting with the computers. Very similar to my days back in the states on the first day of school. Of course no printers in the administration office were working, thanks software updates!! Apparently Murphy's Law is prevalent in the Middle East as well. So we did what we could and hopefully we can finish up some things tomorrow, Inshallah. We have a big meeting at Jumeriah at Etihad Towers tomorrow so I am really looking forward to seeing that venue. I haven't been there as of yet so I am all geeky about new places in Abu Dhabi.

I went without my Abaya to work today, which is quite uncommon for me seeing as it is easier and since I work in the office it is fool proof to ensure that I am wearing something that is appropriate at all times in case of a VIP coming to the school. I decided to switch it up today to a simple dress and cardigan (in 114 degrees mind you).  Everyone loved my OO necklace since they are not available here. I also did my make up which I completely slacked off last year and just went with moisturizer and mascara most days. I had several compliments and then someone says, 'You are glowing!!'  I smiled because I was wearing my new highlighter from Becca in Champagne Pop (by the Uber talented Jaclyn Hill, Ahhh-Mazing make up artist). However, she quickly followed that sentiment up with, 'Are you Pregnant?!' .... #HighlightOnFleekFAIL  Now normally this statement would have really upset me  but here that is just normal. I just said nope, not today! I am just wearing a great highlighter! It is all good and I couldn't help but laugh.

Hope my fellow teachers have an awesome #BTS2015