Obviously, the best part of going back to school has always been shopping. Now that "going back to school" for me really means "moving to Paris for a year," I'm going to need some sturdy yet stylish shoes, a chic nail color (or five...), and my ever-loved paper planner. Lucky for me, pairing athletic footwear with pretty much anything is totally on trend at the moment, and dark polish is always good for fall. And with my visa finally being put into action (huge sigh of relief) I can actually start writing in that planner! Cheers to grad school.
drugstore dimes
Clockwise from bottom left: Mrs. Meyer's Bar Soap in Geranium / Essie Marshmallow / Essie Bahama Mama / Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream / Maybelline Baby Lips Dr. Rescue Lip Balm in Too Cool / Trim Emory Boards / Maybelline Great Lash in Noir Intense / Tea Lights / Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser
While I am a firm believer in high quality makeup and skincare products, nothing beats drugstore beauty finds. These are a few of my trusty CVS staples - and yes, I do wind up getting suckered into a new Essie color (or two) every time I set foot in a drugstore.
Mrs. Meyers Bar Soap in Geranium: I'm a sucker for packaging, so the fact that this soap smells amazing and is made from a 100% vegetable base is just a nice bonus.
Essie Marshmallow & Bahama Mama: I've been pinning both of these colors for ages now, so when they were finally both in stock it was a sign that I should finally make that $8 leap. Perfect for the transition from January to February!
Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream: cuticles are often overlooked in favor of lips, face, and body when it comes to moisturizing, but I find it makes such a huge difference in nail bed health. Plus this cream gives your hands a clean, fresh scent.
Mabelline Baby Lips Dr. Rescue Lip Balm in Too Cool: This is a new discovery of mine, and quickly becoming my new favorite lip balm. Minty, super-soft lips and perfect packaging!
Trim Emory Boards: pack of 10 for $1.99...need I say more?
Maybelline Great Lash in Noir Intense: I have been faithful to the green and pink since the tender age of twelve, when I bought my first tube and proceeded to smear it all over my eyelids. My technique has improved since then, and so has their mascara...you could say we've grown up together.
Tea lights: I am a candle fanatic, and while I love luxury brands like Diptyque, I can't exactly afford to populate my room with $60 candles. I love to scatter tea lights around on windowsills and surfaces for a cheap, candlelit effect. It's also worth investing in an essential oil diffuser.
February Vogue: because Lena Dunham.
Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser: this cleanser is a lifesaver for those with sensitive, combination skin. It's light, unscented, and not too drying. Plus who doesn't love playing with foam?
maquillage d'hiver
{ MAC Odyssey & Essie Chinchilly / Benefit My Treat & Love & Beauty Taupe / Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet 38 La Fascinante & Revlon 670 Love That Red / YSL Rouge Volupté 15 Extreme Coral }
Packing for 3 months in Paris on a tourist visa meant I had to find a way to fit 90 days of luggage in a 50 pound suitcase and one carry-on. This meant narrowing down my makeup choices to the bare essentials - including a handful of lip and nail colors that would cover all potential occasions, from French class to an evening for drinks in Paris to a New Years party.
1 - wine colored lips are one of my favorite fall trends, and when paired with a soft grey you get the perfect juxtaposition of neutral and bold appropriate for drinks and dinner.
2 - this pink might look a little too bold for fall, but it goes on sheer and much lighter than it appears. Paired with this Love & Beauty taupe (one of my favorite bargain brands), it's the perfect daytime look for shopping or brunch.
3 - I bought this Chanel red lipstick the first time I was in Paris in Summer 2012, and it has served me faithfully since then. It's the perfect classic bold red, and as such should be paired with a similar classic bold red. For some reason this Revlon shade is my absolute favorite red polish, and embarrassingly goes on brighter and shinier than designer counterparts I've tried.
4 - everybody needs a little holiday sparkle. I absolutely love the layering trend, so I like to wear this silver glitter polish over a cream, black, or white nail, but it's also strong enough to stand on its own. Paired with this coral pop of color it makes the perfect party look for when you're trying to be a bit more festive than your classic red look.