That little pink sponge

So many YouTube makeup Gurus and celebrity makeup artist, Mario Dedivanovic swear by the Beauty Blender.

You'll notice in my past post of Kim Kardashian's Makeup with Mario series, he uses the Beauty Blender and TiffanyD has an extensive and very helpful review on the product on her YouTube Channel.

Sonia Kashuk® Blending Sponge
Price: $9.99

Target sells this similar, more inexpensive alternative, but I've seen better value in purchasing the Beauty Blender that includes cleaning solution that doubly acts as a good concentrated cleaner for your makeup brushes. It's a win/win.

double duo kit
2 beautyblenders with 5 oz blendercleanser

Price: $39.95

You can purchase the kit on the official site or other stores for $39.95, but some of the other sites can offer Free Shipping (which is always good!)

• Sephora (Free Shipping for purchases over $50) (This is a plus if you already purchase your makeup through their site anyway.)


• DermStore (Free Shipping)


• Beauty.com (Free Shipping for purchases over $25) (This site has a PayPal option if you are generally sketchy about online shopping security.)
  

My April 09 issue of InStyle magazine (the one with Salma Hayek on the cover) featured the "2009 Best Beauty Buys" and personally, I've referred to this issue a lot recently when I've found myself in need to try a different shampoo or when I was looking for new foundation.

"Foundation Applicator- Beauty Blender. Makeup artist Troy Surrat has just one
word to describe this sponge: "revolutionary." Its rounded edges make for
foolproof application. $20; beautyblender.net."-- InStyle magazine, Apr 09 issue

Ombre, Black Egypt or Grecian?

(This, and any dress can be worn for any occassion!)

Beaded Silk Ombre Maxi Dress

$128.00

Most casual of the three dresses in this post, this maxi dress has a flowing chiffon overlay and is lined underneath. I own 2 gorgeous Arden B. dresses and I love the quality! One of my favorite sites- and I do visit every day to check for new merchandise.

Pleated sequin cross back formal
Sale Price: $147.99

I initially visited GoJane.com to check out inexpensive alternatives to shoes, sandals, etc. but had to check out their gowns/prom dresses and this little number caught my eye! And after admiring it, and shopping around, I took note of the similar styles to the Arden B. Ombre (above) and the Grecian dress (below and coming up next...)

This obviously is meant for a formal occassion, compared to the Ombre dress. It also comes in Dark Purple and Black. (shown in: Egyptian Ice) So pretty!

Grecian 30's Style Teal Satin Jeweled Prom Dress

Price: $118.00

The bold blue color of this dress is very flattering- if indeed Blue is your color. (I've been told Red looks good on me- and I've gotten the most compliments when I've worn it. So, whatever works for you.)

If Royal bold Blue is what looks best against your skin tone and brings out your best facial features and hair color, I would go with this dress. Not necessarily because it's the 'prettiest' amongst the three, but because the color of it would be the most flattering on you. The dress compliments YOU- not the other way around ;-)

Ha Ha He He Ha Ha Ho!

Saucy Copper Beaded Strapless Taffeta & Tulle Prom Dress
Price: $118.00

(I would have chosen this one!)

Shimmery Metallic Coppery Beaded Saucy Prom Dress Price: $118.00

Delightful Pink Petal Like Dress
Price: $98.00

I would have totally worn one of these gorgeous dresses if I went to the Britney Spears Circus concert here in the Bay Area. She went to Sacramento, San Jose and Oakland... And a girl friend of mine saw her in Las Vegas!

I know these are "prom" dresses, but with a top hat and a swanky cane, it would have been a hit at the concert! So pretty!! Go Britney!

An Exotic find...

BALI ™ BubbleGum B

Color: Silver Cord with Pink/Purple Jasper Center with Amethyst Accents.

Properties: Purification, Stress Relief, and Balance.

Price: $24.99

BALI ™ Tibetan Turquoise Black A

Color: Black Cord with a Tumbled Tibetan Turquoise as Center and Accents.

Properties: Friendship, Loyalty, Purification.


Price: $24.99

Savage Traders is a site I stumbled upon while browsing on Facebook. Personally, I value authenticity, appreciate culture and like how all these handcrafted accessories are made .

I think their footwear is incredibly sexy, especially if you cherish your feet- like I do ;-P

The items above are my favorites so far!

Britney's shades!

BVLGARI BV6012B SUNGLASSES
COLOR: GRAY GRADIENT\PALLADIUM
Price:$292.00

I love Britney's shades in her Womanizer video. Her limo driver character is my favorite one (besides the steam room character.) Her shades in the video are so sharp-looking and say, "I'm in charge!" Britney's totally HOT!

Cute Yellow Spring Dress

Sunray Yellow Patchwork Sewn Bubble Dress
bevello.com Price: $145.00

OMG, this dress is SO adorable. I have to have it! And it's by 'Hazel'.... I'm sold! I make it so easy for salespeople to love... and I shop by the outfit... what a sucker for a sale!

"Picture yourself wearing this dress in a field of wheat clutching a bouquet of fresh daisies! Tan floral yellow fabric is discreetly sewn with yellow and white stripe fabric in all the right places. The bottom is a girlie bubble siloette.
An additional heathered gray gathered fabric at the bottom gives the dress additional depth. A gray canvas ribbion ties twice in front and back ending in a row in the front. This dress is pieced together in such a unique fashion! You'll
be sure to put the simple beauty your daisies to shame! ( 100% cotton)"

Lunabag

White Hot Leather
Price: $222.00 USD

When I'm on Facebook, some times the ads on the side column do catch my attention, and at times I come across sites that carry really cute accessories: jewelry, cute affordable belly dancing wraps, cool new websites etc. And since I'm not too into carrying a purse when I go out, I did notice this ad for Lunabag.

Studded Utility Belt

I'm always on the look-out for hands-free purses because if you don't know, I'm not a purse-person. I'm not in favor of lugging anything around, and I love pockets!

Over time, I'll add stylish "pouch-like" bags. Like this one:

Free People Clothing Boutique-Studded Utility Belt
$58.00

Purseket – Purse Organizer with Pockets - The Original Purse Organizer!

shown: Medium Panther Purseket
CODE: 005-M
Price: $20.00

I am NOT a purse-person per say, (enough Ps in there?), and I actually prefer to be completely hands-free when going out, BUT a girls gotta do what she must, and yes, I dig through my bag for everything from lip gloss to my car keys. This is the reason why I prefer satchel-style bags over hobo-style bags: satchels stand up-right and you're not digging through floppy fabric. A little sack like the Pursket can make the bag switch a little easier with all the items you never leave your home without! When I visited South Carolina, one boutique called Pink Azalea had this item for sale-- wish I had bought one back then. But no worries, here's a demo =)

As seen on TV - Purseket, the Original Purse Organizer. A panel of pockets to
load with stuff in your designer purse or handbag. Large purses or small purses
the Purseket conforms to shape of your handbag. Make your purse and handbag
bright with
Purseket!

Nude Pumps

Christian Louboutin Patent Pump
Price: $595.00

Ok, these Nude Christian Louboutin pumps are totally HOT. They'd go well with almost anything and everything: jeans, dresses, jumpsuits, by themselves in your birthday suit, you name it. And I am confident that with all that usage in mind, that anyone would get their $565.00 worth every step in these beauties.

BUT, I know that $565.00 is not a practical buy, especially in these economic times. Here are some alternatives that may fulfill your fix and pull off a similar look:

BCBGMAXAZRIA Women's Daja Platform Pump

Price: $210.00

Jessica Simpson Almond-toe Pump (Victoria's Secret site)

Price: $Orig. $75. Sale $50.

ALDO Blogg - Women Pointed-toe Pumps

(This one is probably the one I'd go with!!)

Price: $80.00

Makeup with Mario- Kim Kardashian... and extras (info overload!)

Here you'll find Kim Kardashian's Official Site, Celebrity Makeup Artist- Mario Dedivanovic's Official Site, direct links to the 3-Part Makeup with Mario series, a list of all the products used from the video AND links to two YouTube Guru Makeup tutorials that achieved the Kim Kardashian inspired look. When I said info overload, I meant it! (...in a good way)



















Well, we've got to start somewhere, so since it was indeed socialite, Kim Kardashian that inspired me to hunt for her makeup products when I first discovered her, it is with she that I will begin this 'beauty' journey.


Since Kim K. has an official site of her own, and over time many requests for her fashion sense and makeup tips have been requested, she and celebrity makeup artist, Mario Dedivanovic created a 3-part series of How-Tos on her site to compliment Kim's photoshoot for Vegas magazine (which Mario did an intesified version of the look for that project.)

• Kim/Mario Video, Part 1



• Kim/Mario Video, Part 2



• Kim/Mario Video, Part 3
  
  
  

Since I became so familiar with this 3-part series, I took notes for you. =) Here's a Shopping List of the Products (w/Color):

• Kiehls culture facial moisturizer
• Georgio Armani foundation
• Beauty Blender
• Translucent powder
• MAC pencil- Cork
• Max Factor- no color/natural
• MAC shadow- Vanilla
• Urban Decay shadow- Vapor
• Stila brush- #15 (2-sided)
• Urban Decay- Chopper
• MAC eyeliner- Smolder
• Smash Box brush-#20
• Shemura eye lash curler (Mario also recommends Billy B.)
• L'oreal Voluminous msacara- Carbon Black
• Beauty Tech- concealer
• Make Up For Ever lift concealer (Mario also recommends Shemura concealer)
• Estee Lauder sheer translucent powder
• Giella- Be Dazzle (loose powder for tear duct)
• Smash Box matte bronzer
• Kevin Aucoin blush - pink
• MAC lipliner- Ginger root
• MAC lipstick- Brew (center)
• MAC lipstick- Hug Me (outside)
• MAC lip gloss- Glamour OD
• MAC lip gloss- Sugar Rimmed
• Estee Lauder- Crystal Clear (lip highlight)

In addition to Mario's official Instruction on the Kim K. Vegas inspired look, here are two more 'takes' on it by YouTube Gurus: TiffanyD and Lauren Luke. (click links)









Lauren Luke

"Practice makes Improvement."-- I forget who told me that.