Post Contour Trial & Hourglass Makeup

I have been busy for the past few days was not able to upload my blog. I wish I had a nice picture of me with the Motives contour palette. Sad news bears, I had a small allergic reaction to it around my chin and mouth area. I didn't get to apply it as much once I started to feel the tingly sensation.

 I am almost sure it was due to the fragrance. The make up was very easy to apply and looked awesome until my allergies kicked in.

After letting my face breathe and I went to my favorite retail therapy store ever, Sephora. I was on the hunt for a fragrance free, oil free and paraben free foundation. I came across Hourglass and it has been smooth sailing since. I purchased the Hourglass "Veil" mineral primer, the Hourglass "Immaculate" liquid powder foundation "Nude" and the Hourglass "Hidden Corrective" concealer in "warm". I feel my skin softer and more comfortable in it, especially with the primer. I do have a powdery finish which is a nice change during the week. I will continue to alternate this with my Makeup Forever HD foundation.

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I ended up snagging the "Sculptor Contouring Face Slenderizer" pencil from Tarte.

This will be for my Holiday trial, I will update you all how it goes! Wish me luck and no allergic reactions. :-P I love

NoMakeUp MakeUp

MI recently purchased a blush palette from Toofaced called "NoMakeUp MakeUp". I've been using it for work as a way not to use so many products each day. So far I love it, it's simple and quick! I might need a darker concealer for under my eyes (thanks to recent acne scars, dark circles and bags) but besides that everything I need is on it! 

Morning Make up routine at Work! 

My Daily Make Up Routine :)

My daily make up routine for work involves a few items from NYX Cosmetics. I love NYX because I can find it at my local Rickys store. I have a few matte lipsticks like Butter , Forbidden, Pale Pink, and Whipped Caviar to name a few.

Forbidden

"Nude 02"

I love using Forbidden daily because it's light and it's not too bold for my office. I also use the Beauty Balm (BB) cream along with the Stay Matte Foundation. What I like about this foundation is that it did not give me an allergic reaction (SCORE!), it's water based and that it blends well with my skin tone compared to many others that I have tried before. I apply my foundation with a Beauty Blender sponge-which I love. I feel very confident and comfortable when I use it. I no longer feel self conscience if the sun light is making me look like an Oompa Loompa.

 

I don't add anymore makeup after my foundation besides my Cover Girl mascara. I prefer this mascara for my daily use because it does not clump up and it's gentle to remove at night. I have very long natural eyelashes and I have had some mascaras harden my lashes by the time I got home to wash my face. I do also add a tiny bit of blush. I am looking into a new blush book, any suggestions? This NYX blush pallet definitely caught my eye, it's called BUTT NAKED-TURN THE OTHER CHEEK. This is should be in my hands by this weekend!!! 

 I like keeping my daily makeup routine very simple and easy to do with my crazy mornings. What is your morning routine? Do you use make up everyday? Which is your favorite liquid foundation? 

Eyebrows...Thick or Thin?

I always had full eyebrows as a child. That was until sophomore year in high school when I decided to go wax them for the first time with my cousin (without my mother's permission)-yikes! 

During that time thin eyebrows were "in". Once I graduated college I began to thread them in my neighborhood since waxing always left me a bit of irritation or acne. Threading became my life! I found a great eyebrow lady near my office and never looked back. She helped me grow them out and shaped them along through out the process. This helped me not look like Oscar the Grouch.

Unfortunately my eyebrow lady no longer works at the same salon and I can't find her anywhere. She was my eyebrow guru! I tried out a few new places and one did decent work but, it's not the same.

I decided to start growing them out a bit more and tweezing the unwanted hair myself. As of now I am still going through the growing out phase🙈.

This is how my eyebrows currently look.

I am now hunting for a great eye brow kit that's affordable but, does nice work. So far I use my brow brush from Maybelline and tweezer from Tweezerman.

I am now looking into Tweezerman's "Mini Brow Rescue Kit" in Sephora. I think this would work perfect for me since I usually don't have time to do my makeup at home before work. I can pack it in my purse and work my magic in the ladies room. Sometimes a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do. 

Let me know your thoughts on thick eyebrows. How do you maintain your brows? Do you use an eyebrow kit? If so, which one?

Blushers & Brownzers

I have yet to decide on a favorite blush or find the perfect brownzer that goes well with my face. I have always switched on and off from #BobbiBrown to #Tarte when it comes to blushes. I use Bobbi Brown's "Apricot" blush on a daily bases for work. When I feel like I want to add a bit more blush I switch to Tarte's "Rosy Red". I am beginning to get a new blush itch and try some new colors that compliment me.

Bobbi Brown "Apricot" Blush

Tarte's "Rosy Red" Blush

As I await my #MotivesComestics contour pallet in the mail I want to make sure I have all the right components. I use to wear #Nars "Laguna" brownzing powder all the time until I felt that my skin tone was too fair for it and didn't match so well during the winter. As the winter is now approaching NYC I want to have all the right tools for my holiday face. Does anyone know or have any suggestions for a good  brownzer? I totally see a stop a Sephora this weekend!

Nars' "Laguna" Brownzing Powder

I also have an eye on Tarte's "Smooth Operator" finishing powder. Have you tried it before? What do you think? This is definitely on my shopping list. I am on the edge of my seat waiting to try my new look.

Tarte's "Smooth Operator" Finishing Powder

This is how I usually do my make up for work each day. Very simple and I use a touch of the Bobbi Brown blush. 

Contouring & Highlighting...I so want to try!

Lately it's been non stop news about contouring and highlighting in all of my social media feeds. I am always very hesitant when trying a new foundation or just about anything that goes on my face. I have very sensitive dry skin and it has been a journey of trial and error. My next face adventure will be contouring and highlighting. I doubt I will be able to do this everyday before school drop off and joining the morning rush hour train ride to work. I definitely want to try this as my weekend look and my go-to for special occasions!

So far my following inspirations came from finding Teni Panosian's Contour YouTube Video a few days ago on contouring & highlighting-I am so a new fan of hers. When I saw Teni work her magic using #MotivesCosmetics contour pallet,  Motives® Mavens Sculpt Series I made my decision to go for it. I placed my contour order today and I am looking forward to trying it out and sharing it with you all. I am no where near a makeup artist but, I do tend to apply simple makeup each day for work and fun events.

My boyfriend always says I look better without makeup but, I begin to feel exposed. I have minor adult acne that has improved over two years -thank goodness for my dermatologist. I consider myself very lucky not to have this as a huge burden but, I can't ignore it.  Makeup comes in handy when it helps me cover a few tiny blemishes and old scars. I can honestly say I still look exactly the same just not as tired around my eyes. I haven't been this excited about trying new makeup in about a few months!

Please leave a comment below on your thoughts or advice on contouring and highlighting. Have you tried it yet? Is it true that once you start contouring there's no looking back?

-VanillaPaella (Vanessa)

Manicure & Nail Polish Faves.

One of my closest bloggers posted a manicure she had during fashion week with @polishjoey from #primpandpolish. 

I loved the nail art design that @polishjoey created on her and I had to try! I called and made my appointment right away and took it from there. I went on an early Thursday morning and saw #Winnie. She was a very nice and good technician who gave me a nice gel manicure. After that day in Brooklyn I never went back to my old East Village salon for a manicure.

I continued to head over to their Driggs Avenue location in Brooklyn where I felt comfortable, calm and happy to be there. I am even more excited that they just opened a new salon in Manhattan where I no longer have to travel to and @polishjoey is also there now. Feel free to check out some of my manicures below. 

#ellen #primpandpolish #opi #youresovanilla #essie #matte

#joey #gel

VanillaPaella Intro

Hello Everyone :)

Quick Facts About Me:  My name is Vanessa and I am from NYC.  I have a fun little girl. I work full time. I love anything that's bright and girlie! I am still in my 20s.

I've decided to create my first blog as a way to connect my personal interests, ideas and questions within my day to day VanillaPaella life as a mom/daughter/sister/girlfriend/cousin/friend/young Latina/New Yorker with the world.

There are so many great things that happen each day that I don't get to write down, save on my iPhone, Pin, Instagram  or post anywhere else. I continue to see so many cool trends from beauty, health care, food, fashion, crafts, kid activities and entertainment that I can't manage  to go through in one day. It kind  of seems like a big bright cool display of fireworks when I scroll down my phone. I'm always double tapping, clicking "like", re-tweeting so many things such as a pretty nail polish color, makeup, an awesome pair of shoes or something to cook/bake  with my seven year old etc. 

I hope to create something new and exciting within this blog. My goal is to utilize this blog as a fun way to connect with my family, friends and anyone else who has a love for what I enjoy.

Let the blogging begin!

-Vanessa