Author Archives: Ashley DeLarge

✿ Pastels & Flower Crowns ✿ – A Spring Playlist.

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I can’t even put into words how wonderful it feels to be able to shed my jackets and sweaters and enjoy perfect temperatures (and a recent streak of sunshine!) in my floral dresses or a comfortable pair of flats instead of my usual boots. The pollen? Not nearly as enjoyable- but it hasn’t stopped me from rolling my windows down whenever and wherever I’m driving and enjoying the breeze blowing through my hair while I listen to music.

I compiled this little playlist of songs, some slow and dreamy, others more upbeat and dance-able, but each of them feel perfect for Springtime- and I hope anyone who gives it a listen enjoys it as much as I do!

✿ Tracklisting ✿ 

Fleet Foxes – ‘White Winter Hymnal’

Stephin Merritt – ‘One April Day’

Eli et Papillon – ‘Une Chanson Pour Tout Dire’

Beck – ‘Blue Moon’

Royal Teeth – ‘We Can Glow’

HAIM – ‘Forever’

Cage the Elephant – ‘Take It or Leave It’

Lucius – ‘Turn It Around’

Bombay Bicycle Club – ‘Luna’

St. Lucia – ‘Elevate’

Vampire Weekend – ‘Unbelievers’

Paul Banks – ‘Summertime Is Coming’

School of Seven Belles – ‘Half Asleep’

xx

Cupcakes and Comedy

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Yesterday I headed out to NYC to spend an afternoon gallivanting around the city with my friend Alison before we headed to a comedy show on Broadway in the evening. One of our stops, at my insistence, was Sprinkles Cupcakes on Lexington and 60th- and, specifically- their cupcake ATM, which is exactly what it sounds like. You simply select one or more of the available flavors (which change daily,) of cupcake you want, slide your debit/credit card, and in less than sixty seconds and at $4.25 per cupcake- you have a rich, decadent dessert in a convenient little box in your hands. This is the future, everyone.

Alison indulged in a s’mores cupcake, and I carefully selected a chocolate-peanut-butter one- and while it was a little messy- it might also have been one of the best cupcakes I’ve ever eaten. It was delicious (and filling!) and it took a lot of willpower not to hurry back and try some of the other flavors. I’ll definitely be making another stop at the ATM the next time I’m in New York- and I highly recommend it for any dessert aficionado in the area, or visiting, who is looking for a quick, convenient, and most importantly- tasty– sugar fix.

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The comedy show Alison and I went to was headlined by Nerdist’s Chris Hardwick at Carolines on Broadway. We had seen Chris perform there a little more than a year ago, and he had been fantastic. Last night, he did it again. Chris slayed with his new material and was kind enough to pose for a silly photo between his sets in Carolines’ “Avatar” style lighting that turned everyone and everything in the vicinity a bright shade of blue.

I’m sure I’ve said it before, but I will say it again without hesitation- Chris is one of the nicest and hardest working guys around, and if you haven’t checked out any of his MULTIPLE endeavors with Nerdist or his television shows (@Midnight is entirely too fun to watch,) then you’re really missing out.

Overall, it was a wonderful day, made even more so because I got to catch up with Alison for the first time in months. I’ll be back in the city within the next couple of weeks for some other day-trips/weekend stuff I’ve been planning since the Winter- and to get another cupcake from Sprinkles, of course!

April 2014: In a Nutshell.

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I couldn’t think of a better way to wrap up what has been one wild month than the way I did last night- mixing and mingling with some of the city’s most spectacular bloggers at the Boston Bloggers’ Spring meet & greet event at Highball Lounge! The gathering, which included a raffle with awesome prizes to help raise money for the MS Challenge Walk, as well as really yummy food (tater tot nachos? This changes everything,) and drinks with little rubber duckies in them- was a blast. It was so nice to see some familiar faces, and to meet plenty of new ones, too. I’m looking forward to checking out and following/subscribing to some of the blogs belonging to the talented women and men I got to know over the course of the evening.

The photo above was a shot I stealthily took in The Danger Booth, who were there to capture all the crazy-ness (and with plenty of fun props,) throughout the night. So much fun!

April was a whirlwind. Truly. The month started off with two minor-but-pretty-painful-nonetheless dental procedures (courtesy of my faceplant fiasco back in March,) and my-thankfully- healing like Wolverine. My smile has since been restored- and you bet I’ve been showing it off every chance I get. Almost any and all photos taken of me within the past few weeks have featured my grinning wide like an insane person- but I’m just so happy (and relieved!) that everything is healed up and back to normal.

The month also saw an incredible and empowering Boston Marathon, as well as some beautiful, sunny Spring days (although the past couple of cold and rainy ones leave a lot to be desired,) and while things were busy as usual at work- I stayed on my toes outside the office, too: making plans for the coming days and weeks (NYC this weekend!) finalizing all of my Comic-Con stuff, painting the town red with visiting friends from out of state, and spending time catching up with my family during and after Easter.

As tempted as I am to end this post with the traditional Justin Timberlake/”It’s gonna’ be May” photo or .gifs that typically- and hilariously- circulate around social media today (guilty as charged! I posted one this morning!) I’ll just say that May is shaping up to be awesome- and I will definitely have my camera in tow to capture it all.

The Liebster Award: IV.

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My goodness! The past few days have been busy- between work, spending time with my niece, catching up with friends I haven’t seen in a few weeks, and preparing to select a winner for my Spring Giveaway (tomorrow is the last day to enter!) I’m just now sitting down to gratefully accept what will be my fourth installment of the Liebster Award. I was selected as a recipient by Mandi, the beautiful mind behind Razzle My Dazzle, a beauty, fashion, and healthy eating lifestyle blog based out of Indiana. Mandi’s blog is a great read for any beauty blogger looking for informative reviews and fun tutorials, or for anyone on the hunt for tasty recipes.

Thank you so much, Mandi! I’m very flattered!

The rules for the Liebster Award as provided by Mandi’s original post are as follows:

1. Acknowledge the blogger who nominated you.

2. You must answer the 10 Liebster questions given to the nominee before you.

3. You must pick 10 bloggers to be nominated who also have 500 subscribers or less.

4. You must create 10 questions for your nominees.

Now, in past Liebster Awards posts- sometimes the rules stated that the recipient had to list ten (or more) facts about themselves prior to answering the questions posed to them, and sometimes the rules stated that the people they selected to also receive the award didn’t need a specific subscriber amount/cap- but I’m going by Mandi’s guidelines- which means you’re all spared another round of boring facts about myself!

Here are the questions she asked me:

1. What is a current trend that you will be glad to see disappear?

With Coachella recently wrapping up, and with it, the re-caps of the performances and daily fashion reports- I’d have to say one trend that I can’t wait to see fizzle out and die is over-the-top and completely impractical outdoor festival/Summer style, typically seen on hipsters trying to outdo each other with who can look more uncomfortable, or by celebrities trying (and failing) to blend in with the crowd.

As someone who has been to a few outdoor music festivals over the years, my main goal when choosing my wardrobe for the day/weekend was comfort and practicality. Depending on the climate, it’s almost always stifling during outdoor shows- and if it rains- muddy conditions must be taken into consideration. Jeans, shorts, tank tops, and sneakers or waterproof boots are usually the safest, easiest bet. To see people walking around festivals like Coachella with high heeled thigh-high boots, unnecessary layers of tulle and fringe, and being weighed down by tons of jewelry is something I have never, and probably will never, understand.

2. If you had to wear one color of nail polish for a year straight, what color would it be?

Oh, this is a hard one, because I love pretty much any and all nail polishes. Taking my job into consideration, as well as shades that are seasonally appropriate- I’d say I’d probably sport a nude/beige year-round. It sounds boring, but I”d never have to worry about it clashing with anything I’m wearing.

3. Which season do you get excited for?

Fall, most definitely. The weather is perfect, I can break out my sweaters, boots, and scarves. The changing foliage in New England is breathtakingly beautiful. There’s apple cider and pumpkin picking. “The Walking Dead” premieres every October and then there’s Halloween and all the horror movies that come with it. I don’t even mind that Autumn is a precursor to (usually) terrible Winter. It’s my favorite season.

4. What do you look forward to on your weekends?

Sleeping a little later than I do during weekdays! Well, that, and I love having the time to catch a movie, get lunch with friends, watch everything I have saved on my DVR, or just go for a long drive without any real destination in mind. My weekends are when I unwind and recharge for the week ahead and I try to make them count as much as possible.

5. Do you prefer high-end make-up or cheaper versions?

It really comes down to results. I’ve purchased high-end products that were disappointing and a waste of money, and I’ve purchased drug store brand products that completely blew me away. I can’t really say I have a set preference. I try to do my research, read reviews, look at swatches, etc. before I buy- but a lot of times it usually comes down to trial and error.

6. What inspired you to begin blogging?

Back when I was in my teens and I first started keeping an online journal (oh, LiveJournal- how I miss thee,) it was mainly a way for me to connect with other people around the world who were my age and going through the same things I was: classes, boys, worrying about college, hopes and dreams, etc. It felt nice to just write out my feelings without consequence or judgment. I also used my online diary as a means to connect with others who shared similar interests and discover new things like bands and books, since a lot of people in my school weren’t necessarily into the same things I was. I met a lot of really great, interesting people through keeping an online diary- some of whom I still stay in contact with today and even see from time to time.

As I got older, blogging became less about teenage angst and more about my life as an adult and my interests as I grew up and developed into the person I am today- but making and maintaining connections was always the motivator. I love to network, and now that I have a little bit of knowledge on how to do it properly- I’ve been introduced to so many fascinating people. Blogging is such a wonderful creative outlet that has opened so many doors to so many cool opportunities for me.

7. Lip Gloss, Lip Balm, or Lipstick…which can you not leave the house without?

I’d have to say lipstick. I’m pale, so I need some sort of long-lasting color on my mouth to keep me from looking overly washed out at any given time during the day/night. Bonus points if the lipstick has a built-in moisturizer in it, though!

8. How often are you willing to try out new beauty products?

All the time. I love to experiment and play around with different products and brands. You never know what is going to work really, really well for you- and what won’t. That’s why I love my Ipsy and GlossyBox subscriptions. I’m constantly being introduced to new products- and even though some of them may not end up being my favorites, or even something I particularly care for at all- it’s still fun to try them.

9. What is your favorite post that you’ve posted?

I’d like to think I’m proud and/or pleased with all of my posts, because I do put a lot of effort into writing them and piecing together content- but I think my all-time favorite post to date is my June 2013 post, “I’m Not Crazy- I’m Coping,” in which I detailed my struggle with coming to terms with my father’s untimely death and the resulting anxiety that came with it. The reason it’s my favorite post isn’t necessarily because it’s a fun, happy-go-lucky topic, but because it was one of the hardest, and most personal things for me to write about- but it felt really, really good to share- like lifting a weight off of my shoulders. Completing the post was cathartic for me, and the responses I received via e-mail and on social media were so positive and inspiring that I knew I had done the right thing by publishing it.

10. All time favorite beauty product is….?

Clinique’s ‘Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief Gel.’ I can’t go on without it. It’s a cooling, oil-free gel- suitable for all skin types- that makes my face feel so intensely refreshed and hydrated but NOT greasy. I apply it morning and night and my skin looks and feels healthy, smooth, and soft. It’s incredible.

And now, here are the ten bloggers I’ve selected for this edition of the Liebster Award:

Rainbows & Polka Dots (my latest follower- so I’d love to know more about you!)

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A Work of Artifice: A Beauty Blog

Red Lips Ritz

Clicks Beauty Blog

Alison in Geekland (this is my attempt to get Ali back into blogging!)

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Beautyburgh

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And finally, my ten questions for each of these wonderful bloggers:

1. What is your most regrettable/embarrassing style moment and/or makeup mistake?

2. Who is your style icon, and why/how do you draw inspiration from them?

3. What is your favorite part about blogging? Your least favorite?

4. If you could travel anywhere in the world- where would you go, and why?

5. What is your one must-have, can’t-leave-home-without-it beauty product?

6. What is your favorite piece of clothing/jewelry, and why is it your favorite?

7. Apart from blogging, what are some of your favorite hobbies/activities?

8. If you could bring back any discontinued beauty product- what would you bring back, and why?

9. If you could raid any celebrity’s closet- who would you choose?

10. And finally, what advice would you offer those who are looking to start blogs of their own?

Thank you again for the nomination, Mandi- and good luck to everyone who takes on my ten questions!

xox

Loot Crate: April 2014.

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I have so much fun with Loot Crate. Subscribers learn the coming month’s theme fairly early on via e-mail announcements, but there’s rarely sneak peeks or spoilers- so you never know what you’re going to get until it arrives in the mail. It’s always a surprise.

April’s theme was “Dragon,” and while I suspected there would be something ‘Game of Thrones’ related inside (it just goes without saying-) I had no idea what else I’d receive, and couldn’t wait to tear the box open when I came home from work yesterday and saw it sitting at my door. This month’s mini-magazine featured a brief history of the folklore of dragons- from the Middle Ages to more modern interpretations in video games, television shows, and movies. The mini-mag also included a Q&A with YouTube’s Panser, and a review of Elder Scrolls Online.

With my mini-magazine and my monthly collector’s pin, I also received two 20-sided die- one, an actual “Dungeons & Dragons” polyhedral dice which I plan on giving to my friend Stef (it’s an ongoing joke and reference to one of our favorite movies, “Wet Hot American Summer.”) The other, a larger, squishier 20-sided dice shaped stress ball, has already found a home at my desk at work.

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I did a double-take when I first saw the package of (GREEN!) beef jerky in this month’s crate. I’ve eaten plenty of jerky in my life (New England has more than enough fairs and farmer’s markets, after all,) but it’s never looked so reptilian before. I plan on bringing it to the office to chew on with my co-worker within the next couple of days, although part of me wants to save it for just a little while longer because it’s so damned cool looking.

And although I’ve never slayed a dragon outside ‘World of Warcraft,” I thought the ‘Dragon Slayer’ dog tag was a fun addition to April’s box. I’m thinking I’m going to give it to one of my friends, who have undoubtedly become used to my passing along various knick-knacks and odds & ends over the years.

Finally, and maybe the most useful item in the crate, was the dragon shield microfiber screen cleaner. I have a smartphone, and no matter how careful I am, the screen is always getting smudged and smeared with my fingerprints throughout the day. This washable and re-usable cleaning pad conveniently sticks to the back of my phone for whenever I need it, and re-sticks right back into place after I get my screen looking brand new again.

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As I had predicted, April’s Loot Crate did feature something GoT-related in the form of one of these mystery mini vinyl figures from Funko. I received The White Walker, which I know is supposed to be scary and everything- but I cannot stop squealing for the life of me over how cute it is. I love Funko figurines, and this one is definitely joining my collection.

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The last item I received in my April Loot Crate was this exclusive “The Nord” Elder Scrolls figurine with removable helmet and weapons. I never made it particularly far whenever I played ‘Skyrim,’ mainly because I ran around picking fights and murdering everyone and everything I could instead of actually attempting to accomplish goals in the game (kind of like when I play ‘Grand Theft Auto-‘) but it was still a lot of fun. This figurine, much like the Funko one, is pretty adorable- and I’ll be passing it on to my friend Sean, who will surely appreciate it as he is a big fan of ‘Skyrim.’

Another month, and another Loot Crate that was a blast to unbox. I really enjoyed April’s ‘Dragon’ theme, and I’m looking forward to getting my next e-mail as May approaches to learn the theme of the next one.

Want a chance to win 3-months worth of Loot Crate for yourself? Enter my Spring Giveaway!

Marathon Monday.

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Anytime any runners came by that looked tired- this guy held up this sign for them to see. Inspirational? You bet.

Anytime any runners came by that looked tired- this guy held up this sign for them to see. Inspirational? You bet.

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Yesterday was Patriots’ Day here in Massachusetts, and more importantly- it was the 118th Boston Marathon. After stopping by my office in the morning to sort through the weekend mail and make a couple of phone calls, I met up with some friends to grab lunch and head down towards the finish line a short time after the race had started to cheer on the participants still making their way to Boylston Street. The sun was shining, it was warm and breezy out- and you truly couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day to have such a celebrated (and this year, an especially poignant) event.

The anniversary of the 2013 Marathon bombings passed last week, and I had contemplated writing a reflective post re-visiting the courage I had witnessed that day (even through the initial fear and uncertainty,) and have continued to witness every day since then- from the stories of survivors who had been horrifically wounded taking their first steps on prosthetic limbs and with their heads held high, to the families and friends who had lost loved ones in the blasts rallying together to show the world that despite the unthinkable happening to them- they would not yield or cave to fear and hatred- that they still had love and strength in their hearts, however broken those hearts were/are in the wake of their loss.

I decided to wait on the post, however- not only because I believe others who shared their thoughts and feelings on the anniversary did so infinitely better than I could have ever hoped to do, but because I wanted to experience this marathon, first.

So let me just say this:

Yesterday’s Boston Marathon, from each and every sweat-drenched runner who crossed the finish line, to each and every attendee who came to show their support, cheer themselves hoarse, yell words of encouragement like “you’re almost there! You can do this! We’re proud of you! Keep going!” and “don’t give up!” at the participants passing by on the course who had slowed their pace to catch their breath. To the police and fire departments, some of whom came in from out of town to help, and who kept a vigilant eye over things- and to the people I saw shaking hands, high-fiving, and hugging anyone and everyone they came across who were wearing their medals- some with their silver thermal blankets still draped around them- while congratulating their accomplishment with wide, genuine smiles: THAT is the personification of this event. THAT is the personification of the city of Boston.

“Boston Strong” is more than a catchphrase or a slogan on a t-shirt. It is a rallying cry, birthed from a horrible tragedy last Spring, that represents the unity of an amazing city filled with some of the best and bravest people you could ever hope to meet- people that band together to support one another during the tough times- and come together to rejoice together during the good times.

Congratulations to the runners in yesterday’s marathon. You were all spectacular and I can only imagine how exhilarating it must have felt to cross that finish line after so many of you couldn’t do it last year. You helped take the marathon back and you helped restore it to what it should always be remembered as- a beautiful, uplifting, and inspiring event.

I look forward to cheering you all on again next year!

Ipsy Bag: April 2014 Review.

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Happy Easter! Before I head out to spend the afternoon with my family and eat half my body weight in chocolate rabbits and Cadbury cream eggs, I wanted to write about April’s Ipsy bag, themed “Beauty Rocks!” (just in time for festival season.) Included in the samples and products I received this month was the Coastal Scents Medium Eye Shadow Brush. Since I already have enough makeup brushes to last me a lifetime (and then some,) I opted to give the brush to a friend instead of only using it once- solely to write about it- and passing it on. Hence, there won’t be a review for it in this post.

Makeup brushes are pretty easy to review, anyway- so even though this post will be short by one of the usual five products I typically receive with the Ipsy subscription service- the other four products I did keep for myself were still a lot of fun to try!

What I Received:

dr. brandt microdermabrasion

Elizabeth Mott pop! goes the shadow in “Champagne” (*FULL SIZE!*)

Starlooks Luscious Longwear Lip Pencil in “Naked” (*FULL SIZE!*)

Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil in “Black Velvet”

Not Pictured:

Coastal Scents Medium Shadow Brush (*FULL SIZE!*)

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Product # 1: dr. brandt microdermabrasion ($78)

Every night, after I remove my makeup and before I go about my usual skin care regimen, I use a gentle cream-based exfoliating scrub to clear out my pores of any dirt or makeup my facial towelettes may have missed. When I first opened this small tube of microdermabrasion cream, with a subtle lemon scent and a texture similar to my daily facial scrub- I anticipated achieving the same results.

After massaging this cream into my cleansed (and slightly damp) skin for a few minutes, as directed on the tube, I rinsed my face and was pleasantly surprised with how much more soft and smooth my skin felt- and how my pores seemed to have shrank in no time at all! While I do still love my scrub, this is a great product to use every few days/nights for extra exfoliation without drying or stripping my skin the way masks or harsher scrubs tend to do.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! While the $78 price tag is a little staggering, I really liked the results I had with this product, and I wouldn’t be opposed to buying a full-sized tube for weekly use. I love the crisp, clean fragrance of the cream, the easy application- and most of all- how great my skin feels and looks after each time I use it.

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Product # 2: Elizabeth Mott pop! goes the shadow in “Champagne” ($12.99)

Even though I have some truly beautiful eye shadow palettes in my collection that include lighter, brightening shades- I can never have enough highlighter shadows- especially for the days where I don’t want to wear a lot of eye makeup but don’t want my eyes to look dark and dreary, either.

Enter this shimmery, nude, single powder shadow from Elizabeth Mott. “Champagne” applied easily- with no flaking or creasing- and stayed put all day and well into the night with a primer. I’ve been wearing it all over my lids and up to my brow for the past few days at work and while running errands- and it definitely brightens up my eyes without making me look too glittery. It’s just a nice, natural shade that I plan on incorporating with my palettes.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! The “POP!’ collection features two other, darker colors as well- both of which look nice for achieving a dramatic eye- but I think “Champagne” will be one of my go-to’s when I ultimately decide to re-stock on eye shadows and highlighters in the future. It’s just a beautiful, complimentary shade on me.

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Product # 3: Starlooks Luscious Longwear Lip Pencil in “Naked” ($14)

When it comes to lip liner, I rarely (if ever) use it. I’m very much a lipstick-n’-leave, gloss-n’-go kind of girl, and lip liners are reserved for special occasions or formal affairs where I know I won’t have time for mirror checks or touch-up breaks. I decided to give this creamy liner from Starlooks a go, however- and while I was pretty impressed with the overall pigmentation (the color was WAY more pink than nude, though,) it didn’t seem to last long before it eventually pooled towards the outer edges of my lips- creating a ring of sorts around my mouth- and then faded completely.

The photo above was taken shortly after I lined my lips with “Naked,” filled them in with the color, and then applied a light layer of neutral gloss to try and tone down the garish baby doll pink. It didn’t work too well, and ultimately this liner washed me out.

Would I Purchase?: No. Between the unflattering color itself, and it’s inability to stay in place or last longer than an hour at the most- I’ll pass on this liner and just keep on with my usual way of wearing lip colors. This product was, unfortunately, a dud for me.

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Product # 4: Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil in “Black Velvet” ($20)

When it comes to eye liners, one of my favorite brands to turn to is Urban Decay. Their pencil liners are soft, pigmented, and they last a really, really long time- much longer than competitors brands. I’d heard of the “Black Velvet” liner, but had yet to try it, so I was pretty excited when I received a travel-sized pencil in April’s Ipsy bag.

Much to my surprise- the pencil was hard, almost rough, against my eyelid, resulting in the color not applying evenly at all. Not only that, but within a couple of hours, the liner had flaked down so badly from my lids onto my cheeks that when I unconsciously brushed  the back of my hand along my face to push some hair away from my eyes, the flaked eyeliner smeared all over my cheekbones- giving me weird black flecks and streaks on my skin.

Not even before the end of the day, the liner had run down the outer corner of my eye, flaked something awful, and was pretty much everywhere on my face except for where I had initially applied it. To say I was disappointed was an understatement.

Would I Purchase?: No. Absolutely not- which is a shame considering how much I like and swear by Urban Decay’s products. This liner was just terrible. I’d advise staying far, far away from the “Velvet” stuff and just use a black pencil from one of their regular “Glide-On” liner collections, instead. You’ll get better application, pigmentation, and longevity from those.

So April’s bag featured two great products, two not-so-great ones, and a nice gift for a friend. Overall, I wasn’t blown away with this month’s assortment of products, although I may be a bit spoiled since the past couple of Ipsy bags I’ve received this year have been beyond great. I’m just hoping May’s bag picks up the slack from April’s.

And my April Loot Crate and GlossyBox should be on their way shortly!

P.S.- Have you entered my Spring Giveaway yet?

Spring Giveaway!

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With a few beautiful days behind me and the promise of even sunnier, warmer ones ahead- I thought I’d celebrate this beautiful and much-anticipated season by doing a giveaway for one lucky U.S-based “Legally Redhead” reader to make their Springtime even more sensational!

I am giving away a pre-paid three-month subscription to one of the following subscription services:

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For The Beauty Buff:

The Service: GlossyBox

The Price: $21 per month.

What It Is: GlossyBox is a beauty and makeup subscription service. They send out 4-5 deluxe and full size beauty products each month.

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For The Geek & Gamer:

The Service: Loot Crate

The Price: $19.37 per month.

What It Is: Loot Crate is monthly subscription service “for geeks and gamers.” Each month they send you collectibles, stickers, (sometimes t-shirts) and other fun items.

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For The Foodie:

The Service: Yumvelope

The Price: $21 per month

What It Is: Yumvelope sends out some of the best-tasting artisanal food products to their customers monthly. $21 gets you a large USPS padded envelope sent to you filled with a minimum of six full-size products, including snacks, drinks, desserts, and chocolates.

Sound good? I certainly hope so!

This giveaway is going to run from today (April 15th) through Tuesday, April 29th at 11:59 P.M. EST., after which a winner will be randomly chosen via the giveaway’s Rafflecopter page. From there, I will contact the winner privately so I can set them up with the three-month subscription of their choice (please remember: the choices are between GlossyBox, Loot Crate, and Yumvelope.)

And now, for the most important part:

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Comment on this post with your first name, your e-mail address, and which of the three subscription services you’d like to try the most. (comment moderation is turned on to avoid spambots- but rest assured I will absolutely approve yours a.s.a.p!)

2. You can also tweet about the giveaway- but please provide a link to this post in your tweet.

3. Visit the giveaway’s Rafflecopter page to verify you’ve commented and/or tweeted. This is essential, because I am choosing the winner via Rafflecopter’s random selection process- and I want to be sure everyone gets a fair chance by having their entries show up accurately!

That’s it! Good luck to everyone who enters!

Side note: Don’t fret, readers outside the U.S! When this giveaway is done, I will be having another one (with a similar prize) especially for you shortly afterwards. I am in the process of researching subscription services that provide shipment to other countries (and I always welcome suggestions!)

Any questions/concerns can be sent to me directly at AshleyDeLarge@gmail.com

xox

Spring Forward.

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You may not be able to tell from the photos above, since the flowers and trees have not quite bloomed yet, but this weekend’s weather was nothing short of heavenly. Sunny, clear, and the perfect temperature- not too warm- but not too cold. If it could stay like this year-round, it’d be ideal.

I had gone to a casting call in South Boston yesterday afternoon, where I soaked up the sunshine and met some really, really nice people while waiting for my turn to go inside to meet with the casting company. I also had dinner plans much later on with my Canadian friend, Frank, who was in town for PAX East- so in between the two obligations, with no errands left to run- I had a few hours to kill.

I may have already said this in the past at some point, but one of my favorite things to do in Boston (weather permitting, of course,) is wander aimlessly on foot. I know it sounds strange, since there are 1,001+ things I could do instead- but with all the time I spend driving, or riding the T, going from place to place, appointment to commitment and back again- it’s nice to not have any set destination and to just roam freely. Boston is a beautiful city, and I find myself falling in love with it all over again whenever I go for long walks and take it all in at my own pace.

I spent a good portion of my evening people-watching in the Common, iced green tea-lemonade in hand, and snapping photos of Beacon Hill at sunset before I met up with Frank and the two of us headed to Assaggio in the North End (one of my favorite places!) for a delicious meal.

I can’t wait for the flowers to begin showing themselves around here. We have the beautiful weather. Now we just need the beautiful colors, too.

xx

Just For Redheads Beauty Products Review.

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If my pictures (or at least the title of this blog) weren’t enough of an indication, I have bright red hair and very fair skin- and while I love the head-turning combination of the two, it makes buying flattering cosmetics a little tricky at times. It’s easy for some beauty products to wash me out- or worse- make me look orange. It’s even easier for certain colors of eye shadows or lipsticks to cause me to not only stumble, but trip and fall completely over the line between “natural’ and “character out of a Tim Burton movie” with little to no effort at all. I have to tread carefully when trying new cosmetics, as made evident by my beauty box subscription reviews over the months.

I was recently contacted by Just For Redheads Beauty Products, a cosmetics company based out of Arizona that specialize in skincare, hair care, and makeup for- you guessed it- redheads. Founded by Paula Pennypacker in 1993, Just For Redheads, or “JFR” for short, have a wide array of products at reasonable, affordable prices for fiery-haired females like myself to help us achieve both natural, everyday makeup looks, as well as less-harsh dramatic looks, too. Their hair care is col0r-safe, and the nourishing shampoos and conditioners contain sunscreen to help protect sensitive scalps and prevent reds from fading. Not only that, JFR have an assortment of nail polishes, brushes, and beauty tools, too. They’ve been featured in PEOPLE Magazine, the LA Times, and on the Lifetime Network, among other media. Best of all? They ship internationally- so lovely redheads outside of the U.S. can get their hands on these products, too!

I was asked if I’d be interested in trying some of their products, and of course I jumped at the chance! My bundle of stuff arrived quicker than I anticipated, and I was beyond excited to dive right in and use everything. All of the products I received were full-sized, and came with an emery board and two pencil sharpeners (which I’m especially thankful for, because I have a habit of misplacing my sharpeners constantly.)

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Cream Shadow Eye Lighter in “Antique Brass”

First things first- I loved the silky texture of this combination nude/soft gold shadow. It wasn’t too hard or too “crumbly” the way other cream shadows can be on contact. It applied smoothly, and gave me just enough color where I could wear it on it’s own for a subtle hint of shimmer, build it to a slightly more noticeable smoky eye, or use it as a base to create a different look all together. I DO recommend using a primer with this product, as I do with all shadows (even the cream ones.) My eyelids are more on the oily side, so wearing this shadow all by itself with no primer caused it to crease in no time at all. With a primer, however- it stayed in place comfortably for hours without budging or fading.

This particular formula of shadow comes in ten different shades, all of them lovely, but I feel “Antique Brass” would also be most suitable for highlighting he brow bone, too. It’s just a great, versatile color.

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"Baroque"

“Baroque”

"Sienna"

“Sienna”

(*PLEASE NOTE: I’m wearing my green contact lenses in the photos above. The colors of the liners appear similar against the natural blue of my eyes, as well.*)

Ultimate Gel Eye Liners in “Baroque” and “Sienna”

Give me gel eyeliner in a pencil form, and I will give you my money. Like the cream shadow, these pencils were incredibly silky- and not at all irritating on my delicate eyelid (they have Vitamin E and Jojoba Oil in them, which may explain that.) The colors: “Baroque,” a beautiful, shiny pewter shade, and “Sienna,” a less shiny, deep brown- applied without fuss or smudging. If the pigmentation of the shades or mess-free and smooth application weren’t enough to win me over, then the lasting power definitely did it. These liners stayed in place all day without fading, flaking, or running down underneath my eye. I was thrilled.

This type of eyeliner only comes in these two shades right now, but I’m hoping JFR add more selections soon because I love these  so much. Between the two, I’d have to say my favorite shade is “Baroque,” if only because of the shimmer it has and the way it seems to brighten my whole eye area- but I’ve been wearing both colors regularly since I’ve received them.

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Mascara Voyage in “Ginger Auburn”

While I have overall fair features, my eyebrows and eyelashes have always been on the darker side. As such, I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to wear dramatic amounts of black mascara and pull it off (at least I’d like to think so.) From past experience, I need quite a few brush strokes of brown or brown/black mascara to get it to show up on me. This mascara, a medium-brown, and with a tapered brush to get to those pesky corner lashes, did require more than a couple swipes- and the result was a very natural, very subtle look I thought would be appropriate for work or for those “au naturale” makeup days.

Application wise, this mascara didn’t clump or flake everywhere, and although I’ve become so accustomed to the dramatic, false-lash look, I can see myself wearing this during the day in the office. This formula comes in four shades, and I think if I were to purchase one in the future- I would probably go one shade darker, just to match my eyelashes a little more closely.

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Brow Tint in “Auburn”

When I first unscrewed the cap of this brow tint, I was a little concerned with how light it appeared on the mascara-style-brush. As I’ve mentioned, my brows and eyelashes are on the darker side, so I was worried that this would make them look strange. Even still, I wanted to try it. I applied the tint gingerly, gradually adding more when I saw how well the color blended with my brows. When I was done, my eyebrows looked fuller, even, and most importantly- natural. There was no weird residue left behind, or stiffness to the touch. I think out of everything I received in my JFR care package, this product was the most pleasantly surprising. At first glance, I never would have guessed the color would have looked so good.

This formula comes in three shades, “Auburn” being the medium between the other two available colors.

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Clockwise from top left: Beachy, Sultry, Chestnut, and Desir.

Clockwise from top left: Beachy, Sultry, Chestnut, and Desir.

Auburn Mineral Lipstick Kit

Finally, to go with my assortment of eye products, JFR sent me this lipstick/balm compact that fits perfectly in my makeup bag. The colors, selected specifically for those with Auburn hair, are universally flattering and range between the light nude “Chestnut,’ to the subtle pink “Beachy,” to the deeper, more dramatic “Desir,” and finally, the bold and bright “Sultry.” The lipsticks, applied with a brush, were hydrating and non-sticky, and lasted for a really long time. I only had to re-apply once or twice throughout the day, and my lips didn’t feel dry or cracked even after the color wore off. These balms didn’t leave behind any kind of stain or ring around the edges of my lips, either- which is always a plus.

There are two types of these compacts: “Auburn” and “Strawberry Blonde” (lighter shades.) From the “Auburn” compact, I think my favorite color by far is “Chestnut.” I love a good nude color, and this one was fantastic.

Overall, I am so, so pleased with everything I received from JFR. This is a great line for women with red hair and/or fair skin who have been searching for alternatives for more natural-looking, quality beauty products that won’t break the bank or give undesirable results. I’m so appreciative for the opportunity to write up this review. I greatly enjoyed trying everything that was sent to me- and look forward to making purchases from the brand in the future. Thanks, JFR!*

*I do not work for Just For Redheads Beauty Products, nor am I being paid by JFR for this review. All opinions in this post are entirely my own.*

xx