january beauty

it's been a while since i've done one of these collages! rounded up some new and old products for this month. more details after the jump! 

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01 | TATCHA luminous overnight memory serum concentrate -- the latest addition to the luminous collection, this is a hydrating gel-like serum that uses red algae for more luminous skin. the deep hydration eye firming serum is also new to this line with a unique ceramic applicator to reduce puffiness and fine lines. i have been using both of these for the past few days and loving it! review coming soon.
02 | Hourglass ambient strobe lighting powder -- Hourglass makes some amazing powders, like my beloved blush in luminous flush. strobing is all the rage right now, and here we have four colors: iridescent, incandescent, euphoric, and brilliant. these powders use micro-fine pearls to create #thatglo. amazing swatches and comparisons by Sabrina @thebeautylookbook. her picks are euphoric and brilliant. 
03 | surratt beauty artistique blush in rougeur -- i've heard some good things about this brand and i think the first item i would try is a blush. i only have three blushes (gasp!) and this would be such a unique one to own! described as "classic rouge." 
04 | OPI avoplex cuticle oil (to go) -- during the wintertime, my cuticles get really dry. i've done nothing about it and probably should starting with this. also comes in a full size version.
05 | CHANEL sunkiss ribbon blush (spring 2016, L.A. sunrise collection, limited edition) -- an interlaced ribbon design with all blush colors, great for those who can't decide!! pink, beige, coral, orange, magenta! it is so stunning to look at. swatches on Christine @temptalia
06 | Sephora formula X Aimee Song collection in nude for you -- when @songofstyle collaborates with any brand, you check it out. she's such an inspo to so many women, but here is her formula X #colorcurators release in three shades: a girls best friend (pink), mintfluencer (mint), and nude for you (nude). from what i've seen, the nude seems to be a universal flattering shade.
07 | INM out the door top coat -- introduced to me by my BFF who is a nail polish guru. WOW this thing drys so fast and stays so shiny for days!! love her and this introduction! a must have!! also sold at Sally Beauty supply. 
08 | invisibobble hair ties -- i discovered this at last my hair cut with my amazing stylist @cystalvainatx. yep, it looks like a telephone cord. it's not really invisible. but it's supposed to put uneven pressure around the circumference of your ponytail meaning no hair marks/kinks. this also means no tugging/pulled hair and the most important part is no hair breakage or split ends. works well for everyday use, but it doesn't have a super strong hold so i use two for work outs one to put my hair in a ponytail and then the second to secure it into a bun. comes in a variety of colors!

the burgundy pleated skirt & crop top

burgundy everything please. 

i don't think i can stop wearing this color right now! call it what you want, oxblood, burgundy, wine. it's all good, we get it. in my last post i paired it with grey. in this post we go with my favorite color, BLACK (if it were actually a real color). this pleated skirt is very flattering (not to mention it comes in so many colors) and again, y'all know how much i love midi skirts. i would also pair this with a fitted long sleeve turtleneck and perhaps some black booties, but it was pretty hot that day so i went with a black high neck crop top. you can't lose with the midi + crop top. TRUST ME. the platforms add a fun, playful vibe and somehow the mini bag just blended in with this color palette and look. 

this was one of the most memorable shoots for me because a riot started to form in front of the courthouse (my fav place to shoot), the lighting was horrible because it was daylight savings and i didn't account for time correctly. oh, and i fell on my butt in front of the security camera (probably flashed it in the process)!! my photographer thought i was going to bust out crying but i ended up laughing for the rest of the shoot. yea, it happens to all of us. okay, maybe just me. i lost my balance with these platform heel thing-ma-jigs. plus, i think i mentioned before, my feet are untrained to heels. the only downside to these platforms is that the surface area of the base is actually smaller than the shoe itself which makes it a little unstable (i've linked other options after the jump). #mypainisyourgain. thank goodness i didn't twist my ankle! 

currently on my playlist: lay it all on me -- Rudimental ft. Ed Sheeran. hope y'all are having an awesome week and thanks for reading!

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top | H&M high neck crop top (old) -- similar (wearing it in white here) / similar but textured / similar but scalloped
skirt | ASOS pleated midi skirt in oxblood -- also available in nude, black, and navy
bag | Tory Burch robinson mini dome satchel in dust storm (old) -- similar / similar / similar
shoes | Target Mossimo coco platform heels in black suede -- similar / similar but closed toe / similar and on sale
earrings | Kendra Scott elle gold earrings in slate
bracelet | BaubleBar athena grid cuff
rings | Kendra Scott daisy ring in slate / BaubleBar tri bar ring (sold out) -- similar / BaubleBar ice chevron midi ring (sold out) -- similar / Etsy stacking & midi rings
lips | MAC amplifed creme lipstick in brick-o-la
nails | OPI nail lacquer in lincoln park after dark

rock everythanggg burgundy,
JD