Drink Water The Waterlogic Way!

Friday, July 31, 2015


I've been a water lover my entire life.  Thankfully I've never gravitated towards sugary juices or sodas because i simply love the taste of water and more importantly, i love the way it makes me feel.  Honestly, i don't typically struggle with breakouts and i attribute my clear skin to my life long commitment to drinking lots of water.  Now I'm not implying that people whom are prone to breakouts don't drink water, I'm simply saying that it's worked for me!  However, with a recent recall of several water bottle brands for E. COLI contamination (my family and i had already consumed half of a case of Wegmans water that fell under this recall BTW) i needed a new game plan!

My friends at Waterlogic sent over the Hybrid Home Water Purifier!  I was so excited to try it because honestly, I'd had it with my current situation and since i love my water, i was happy to have a new option to look into!  Here are all the advantages to having a Hybrid Home Water Purifier:


  • Because it purifies instantly, instead of filtering and then storing the water, the water is protected from contamination and the growth of bacteria – no other water filtration or bottle can say the same.

  • It uses a carbon block filter and UV light to instantly deliver pure water free of 99.99% of bacteria and viruses.

  • The reservoir and nozzle are treated with an antimicrobial coating – to help prevent the growth of mold an odor causing bacteria.

  • The whole system is BPA free, further adding to the quality of water and reduction in risk of contamination.

I have to say, aside from all the wonderful qualities of this water purifier, the water tastes so so good! I will definitely be getting one of these for work too because lets face it, it will save me tons on water bottles plus will minimize the waste of plastic! Besides, i will never have to worry about recalled water bottles again! For more information on how you can #UpgradeToPurity, click here.

Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM

*press samples - all opinions are my own based on my experience with this product.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!

So i was away last week and didn't get a chance to shop the Nordstrom Anniversary sale until this week!  But with just a few days left, i wanted to share with you some of the things I'm loving!  

These earrings are so fun!  I actually have them in silver but just added the gold to my collection as well!  They're fun, dressy and so innovative! 

You all know i love my Valentino Rock Studs that i purchased in Paris.  These are a way more affordable version ($60) and I'm loving the leopard print! 

I've loved LORAC shadows for YEARS! This palette has a gorgeous selection of hues and only costs $15!!!  Whaaaaat?

I love a great pair of wedges and am still a fan of short booties... this shoe is the perfect transition from summer to early fall!  So getting these!

I love love love my RM bucket bag so much!  I never thought I'd get as much use out of it as i did but i promise i wear it almost everyday of my life.  It holds so much and i love that it has a cross body option because when I'm schlepping my girls around, i want to be hands free!  I wish I'd gotten this version instead simply because i love the tassels so much!  So chic! 

So have you shopped the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale?  What did you get?  Only FIVE days left to shop so take advantage and happy shopping! 

Thank you so much for stopping by.... xo, Carla - FMM

Dauphines of New York

Wednesday, July 29, 2015


I'm an accessory lover... and while i don't typically wear much on my hair, every so often, i have the desire to put on something sparkly and just be fabulous like that!  Dauphines of New York has the cutest selections of hair accessories (omg you have to see this one I'm currently drooling over)!  So the other day, i decided it was time to put my sparkly headband on and play play play!  The wonderful thing about this headband is the multitude of looks i was able to create with it.  I even tucked my hair behind it giving myself a sophisticated yet romantic up do that took all of one minute to create!  Seriously, the possibilities are endless!  Check out their amazing selections here or here!







Hope you enjoyed this fun little post!  Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM

*press sample - all opinions are my own based on my experience with this product. 

My Ulta Packing List: VACATION!

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

My Summer Packing List: VACATION!

So i just returned from a week long vacation in the gorgeous Caribbean island of Sint Maarten... sigh!  While packing and unpacking is always the part of traveling i most dread, i thought I'd share some Ulta faves that make fantastic Summer travel companions. So lets dive right in and see why i picked each of these beauties for my ultimate Ulta Summer packing list! 

When it comes to summer travel, i like to take along make up that A: won't budge, B: isn't heavy or cakey and C: isn't overly bulky!  Speaking of not budging, lets chat about IT Cosmetics' Liner Love! This gel liner is a wonderful option for hot summer days because once you apply it, you can rest assured that it will stay put all day long!  I love the intensity of the black but they offer quite a nice range of colors to please just about any preference! A few other 'no budge' items are Stila's Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Amalfi.  This is easily my favorite summer pop of color!  Yes, it's bold... yes, it's hot... and yes, it's an attention getter!  A few swipes and you can pretty much skip the rest of your face because all eyes will be on your lips!  Bonus, this baby will last for hours! When it comes to lashes, i need length, volume and of course no smudging because ain't nobody got time for that! While i have many favorites, i actually love Revlon's Lash Potion!  This budget friendly water proof option makes my tiny lashes look massive with just a few swipes!

I'm a total IT girl at heart, so when they released the CC Bronze, i had to get my hands on it stat!  This has been my Summer go-to complexion saver!  It gives my skin a beautiful sun-kissed look and evens out my skin tone.  Besides, the SPF 50 keeps my skin protected from the sun which is so imperative! There is no better summer skin situation.. trust me! Stila's new Aqua Glow Watercolor Blush is insanely good!  Dip your finger in the sponge applicator to release just the right amount of color.  Dab on your cheeks for a gorgeous, subtle glow!  Shimmering Lotus has become my summer obsession!  To anyone who says bronzer is out I'm rebelling!  I mean seriously, how can bronzer ever be out?  Everyone loves a beautiful summer glow am i right?  Stila's Stay All Day Contouring Bronzer for Face and Body is a wonderful multi-tasking product.  You don't have to contour with it... simply swipe a little across your cheeks and you're good to go!  Plus, it's true to its name and lasts all day! Anastasia Beverly Hills makes some gorgeous palettes!  Her latest Couture World Traveler Palette is such a fun option for summer!  The colors are fun and totally wearable!  Besides, it's budget friendly in comparison to other comparable high end palettes!   

Sun protection is of the utmost importance to me!  I love a great lip balm with sun protection.  Coola products have never let me down and I'm never without Coola's Liplux SPF 15 Peppermint Vanilla lip balm!  It's uhhhhmazing!  There is nothing better than a cooling spritz on my skin when i'm on a long flight!  But you know what's even better than that?  When that same cooling spritz acts as a primer as well as setting spray!  Smashbox's Photofinish Primer Water has been a major obsession of mine for quite a few months! This beauty is packed with electrolytes to nourish thirsty skin and it feels wonderful on my skin!  I purchased the travel size for my vacation and sprayed my face several times on the plane because lets face it, the air quality on an airplane is less than desirable! 

On to nails... I'm all about turquoise blues and coral options for my summer nail looks!  This Ulta polish in Mint Condition is such a fantastic summer mani/pedi option!  I've said it before and I'll say it again, I've never met an Alterna product i didn't fall madly in love with.  Alterna's Bamboo Beach Summer Sunshine Spray is my hair's BFF during the Summer months because it offers UV ray protection while leaving my hair shiny and never weighed down!  Honestly i love the entire Alterna Bamboo Beach Summer Collection... oh and major bonus, it smells incredible!!!  Lastly, i love a good fragrance.  However, during the summer months, i like to keep it simply and light.  Philosphy's Pure Grace leaves me feeling as though i just stepped out of the shower. It truly smells heavenly! Amazing Grace is also a Summer perfect option.  Need a travel make up bag that's witty and super stylish? Check out this one!

So there you have it, my Ulta Summer Vacation Packing List!  Now that I've shared mine, I'd love to hear from you?  What are your Ulta Summer Vacation Packing List must-haves? 

Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM

Colour Pop Haul

Monday, July 27, 2015


Colour Pop Cosmetics seems to be all the rave these days!  I've seen countless hauls of these generously priced beauties and while makeup is always enticing to me, i just never got around to really give these a go... until now.  I finally caved and placed my first order!  I'll be honest, it was quite difficult to keep my order small being that i wanted to try the products first before committing to a huge haul.  The selection is wonderful and quite overwhelming but after much thought, i ordered the following:

Lippie in Frida
Lippie Pencil in Frida
Eyeshadow in Nillionaire
Eyeshadow in Bill
Blush in Get Leid
Highlighter in Stole the Show

Before i get into my thoughts on each specific product, i want to chat about my swatching experience! These eyeshadows, blushes and highlighters feel so different from anything i've ever experienced!  When you swatch these products, you expect a powdery feel... instead, they feel like a mixture of powder and cream.  If you've ever tried the Maybelline Bouncy Blush, the texture is very similar!  Honestly, they feel amazing and the color payoff is insane for products that cost so little!



OK so lets chat about each product!  The first products i swatched were the lippies.  I chose the color Frida for various reasons.  First, it looked like the most gorgeous neutral... a mixture of peach, pink, beige and coral if that makes any sense!  Seriously, i don't think i could pick a more perfect nude if i tried.  When i placed my order i wasn't sure if i should order the lippie and lip pencil but i'm so glad that i did because the color, although very very similar, is slightly different.  This is perhaps to give the lips a bit more definition when paired together. The color is matte and applies so smoothly.  I'm gonna go out on a limb and say this is possibly the most comfortable matte lipstick i've ever tried!  I wore it out for a day of shopping the other day and was shocked to notice that this baby did not budge... not even after eating! I think i have a new addiction!  I will most certainly be placing another order very very soon! Wow... WOW!  It's also noteworthy that this lippie was created as a collaboration with YouTuber Coffee Break With Dani.  I was actually living in a bubble and didn't really know of her until i stumbled upon a video.  She's so bubbly and super fun to watch! Definitely check her out if you haven't already!



The other star of my order was most certainly the eyeshadow in Nillionaire!  Oh Em Geeeeee!  I used to think Urban Decay's Diamond Dog was the world's most beautiful shadow but i have to say that DD has some competition with this beauty!  Holy gorgeousness!  This color is best described as a warm bronze with tons of gold and multi colored glitter in a metallic finish.  I promise this shadow will blow you away.  The first swatch had me all oooohing and ahhhhing!  And listen, i realize i'm no longer in my teens but this color is definitely wearable!  I pair with a matte crease color and i'm good! The eyeshadow in Bill is also very pretty but much more subdued.  Definitely the winner here was Nillionaire!


I wanted to try a blush so badly and had a very difficult time deciding on a color!  I opted for one of Colour Pop's Summer collection colors in Get Leid! It's a bright corally orange.  I was a bit concerned that it might be too bright but i thought it might be fun for summer paired with a good bronzer. I think i made the right choice because i loved it paired with my Friday lippies! The two really complimented each other! And the texture is everything though i think i've already mentioned that once or twice!


Lastly, the highlighter in Stole the Show.  Ok so when i swatched it i loved the intensity!  I mean it's really gorgeous!  However, i didn't love it as a highlighter.  It's a bit more glittery than i prefer. However, this beauty makes a gorgeous shadow!  Like really gorgeous!  I love to wear it on my lids. It also does a beautiful job highlighting my brow bone!  Thankfully, i still get plenty of use out of it so no loss here!



I completely understand the hype now!  Seriously, i want more lippies and shadows stat!  I am baffled by the price point - think $5 for lippies and shadows!  Whaaat? Do you know what this means?  I can buy MORE!  Shhhh just don't tell the hubby!  Oh and the personalized note is a super sweet touch! So lets chat... have you tried Colour Pop Cosmetics?  What are your recomendations?  Do tell!

Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM

A Little Time Off.... To Relax!

Saturday, July 18, 2015


Hi beauties... i will be on vacation this week somewhere beautiful!  I will be surrounded by palm trees, turquoise beaches and my loved ones so I'm excited!  I have written a few posts though I'm not sure if I'll post them next week or just take the week off and enjoy my vacation.  I will however be on social media.  You can see all of the vacation fun on instagram, facebook, twitter and i will be on snapchat (add me @ fashionmavenmom) if you want to see a bit more of a vlogging situation. For those of you following, thank you for coming on this journey with me!  I will be back to my blogging ventures when i return in a week!  Cheers! Carla - FMM

Giambattista Valli for MAC

Thursday, July 16, 2015


Every once in a while MAC releases a collection that has me glued to my computer in anticipation! Their latest Gimbattista Valli collection had me all like oh my gosh, i need it (channeling my inner valley or Valli girl of course)!  I mean, they brilliantly re-outfitted their lipstick packaging to match the lipstick color!!!!  Ahhhhh could you just die??!!!  So needless to day, i hit refresh about a thousand times on its release date and finally got my hands on the three lip colors i wanted... Margherita, Tats and Eugenie!  They arrived yesterday and i loved them just as much in person as i did online!  The colors are matte and very very very pigmented!  You know the bold lippie lover in me is in heaven right now!  While Margherita is a (bright coral/orange) is a bit hard to pull off, i think i may be able to layer it with lip liner and gloss.  Tats is impeccably perfect and such a me color!  I love bright berry hues!  Eugenie is the most gorgeous color for Fall and you can rest assured you'll see me wearing it quite a bit!  It's deep, dark but you can definitely see the reddish/wine tones which are so sultry and gorge!  I'm so excited to finally get my hands on these!




Wearing Tats!

Did you shop this collection? What colors did you get???  Do share! 

Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM

Brush Love - IT Cosmetics

Wednesday, July 15, 2015


OK, I'll admit that I've had quite a few life changing moments... like the day i married my husband, the day i found out i was pregnant with twins, being selected as a finalist in Allure Magazine's Beauty Blogger Awards (still feels like a dream) and of course the day my makeup brushes met IT Cosmetics' Brush Love! Like wow! Admittedly i washed my brushes way less frequently than i should (bowing my head down in shame)... once every few weeks maybe!  Why you ask? Well because the process was quite involved, plus factor in the drying time and, well... ain't nobody got time for that!  The thing is, it's so gratifying to work with clean brushes!  Besides, dirty brushes will sabotage any sort of skincare regimen you may have because well.. newsflash... bacteria! I'm sure I'm not divulging any new information to you because my readers are quite smart!  But I am hopeful that you can relate to my lack of frequent brush care right?  C'mon... admit it!


Well, lets get back to that life changing situation.  IT Cosmetics Brush Love is easily the answer to my brushes' prayers (yes, they pray... really they do!)  OK so all i have to do is spray, wipe and dry! Seriously, that's it!  Do you know what this means???? This means that i can actually clean my brushes each time i use them which in turn means my brushes are always clean! Whaaaaat?  I'm being so honest with you when i tell you that since Brush Love arrived at my doorstep, I've kept my brushes clean daily.  It's that easy!  I keep a roll of paper towels in my makeup room so all i do is spray my brushes one by one, gently wipe them on the paper towel (you can use a cloth towel too BTW) and that's it! The entire process takes my about 5 minutes versus almost an hour the good old fashioned way! They dry so quickly and look brand new every single time. You can rest assured that your brushes will be completely disinfected and conditioned.  Brush Love is designed to work on all brush types!  Bonus, it has a pleasantly light scent which i really enjoy! I'm so impressed with this product!  I need to stock up by the case! It's that good!

You can purchase Brush Love here!  This version which i have yet to try is available at Ulta. Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM

*press sample - all opinions are my own based on my experience with this product.

Urban Decay NAKED Smoky Palette Video Tutorial

Tuesday, July 14, 2015


I love the Urban Decay Naked palette series... i have all three (now four) and both Naked Basics Palettes because the color scheme is beautiful, the shadows are impeccable quality and i find myself reaching for any one of these palettes often!




Naturally, when Urban Decay released the Naked Smoky palette on their site this past Wednesday, i knew i needed to snatch it up stat!  Yesterday i posted my first impressions video and promised you a tutorial so here it is!  For this video, i created a smoky eye using this palette.  I'm seriously crushing on this beauty!  See how easily i created this fun look.  Please take a few minutes to check it out.  If you like the video, please give it a thumbs up and if you enjoy my channel, please subscribe.  It would mean the world to me!


Thank you so much for taking the time to view my video!  Xo, Carla - FMM

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Urban Decay NAKED Smoky Palette First Impressions!

Monday, July 13, 2015


You know when Urban Decay releases a palette in the NAKED series, i simply must get my hands on it!  So when they released their latest NAKED Smoky palette on Wednesday on Urban Decay's website, i quickly snatched this baby up and waited patiently for its arrival.  Two days later, it arrived at my doorstep and i immediately took to my camera to film a first impressions video for you!  I know many of you are debating whether or not it's worth it so take a look at the video and decide for yourself if you think these colors suit you!  I'm not sure why my hair color is off in this video but it may have to do with my lighting or camera settings.  I'll figure it out eventually but i didn't want to keep you waiting so here it is!!!!  Enjoy! (BTW you can now purchase your palette here too).



BTW Don't forget to enter my Butter London GIVEAWAY!  Seven lip crayons valued at $140! Open internationally!  Enter HERE!

Thank you so much for reading and viewing!  Xo, Carla - FMM

Butter London Bloody Brilliant Lip Crayons Review and Giveaway!

Friday, July 10, 2015


A few weeks back, these gorgeous Butter London Bloody Brilliant Lip Crayons showed up at my doorstep and i fell madly in love with each and every single one! Seriously, the instant i laid eyes on the spectacular array of colors, i immediately began swatching! The formula is so creamy and the color is soooo wonderfully intense!  They wear so comfortably and interestingly enough, every single color looked great on!  That's rarely the case here but I'm not sure what it is... but i loved every single one!




From left to right:

Ruby Murray
Teddy Boy
Toff Bloody
Primrose Hill Picnic
Disco Biscuit
Trout Pout
Tea With The Queen

*swatches are in the reverse order so the first color on the left is Tea With The Queen.

They swatch so beautifully!  I wore Primrose Hill Picnic in my June Favorite's Video if you want to see it in action!  I think I've found my new favorite lippies!  I love these for summer because they are bold which i love yet feel so amazing on my lips!

So I'm totally excited because Butter London generously sent two of each of these beauties so I'm passing one set (that's all seven lippies - bag not included in the giveaway) on to one lucky FMM reader!!!  YAY!!!!

OK so this giveaway is open internationally!  You must follow all the required entries on the rafflecopter widget!  Winner will be contacted via email and will have 24 hours to respond or new winner will be selected!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you so much for entering and GOOD LUCK!!!

Press sample - all opinions are my own based on my experience with these products.

Pixi Faves!

Thursday, July 9, 2015


Ok so i adore Pixi!  Clearly if you read my blog you already know this!  This month's selection is filled with some of my favorites so lets get right to it! The Pixi Eye Bright Liner is easily my favorite eye brightening pen for the waterline.  It's water proof and does not irritate my sensitive eyes.  I can also attest to the fact that this baby lasts!  A simple swipe across my waterline and it instantly brightens my eyes!  Pixi's Endless Silky Eye Pens have an amazingly smooth consistency.  Their intensity is unsurpassed!  They pack on the color and last for hours upon hours without budging!  I love wearing them as liner but often use them as shadow!  They glide on the lid so easily and blend beautifully!  Copper Glow is so my thing right now!



If you're looking for a gorgeous lip balm that feels amazing on and gives your lips a subtle glow, Tinted Brilliance Balm in Lucent Glow is just what the doctor ordered!  I find myself reaching for it often, particularly this time of year when I don't necessarily want to pack on a strong lip!  Pixi's Quick Fix Bronzer in Velvet Bronze is my new obsession.  This beauty made it to my June's Favorites list for a reason... actually for various reasons!  First, it applies so beautifully leaving your skin with the most perfect sun-kissed glow!  Second, can we please chat about the awesome packaging?  The sponge applicator makes for a mess-free application!  Think about it, this is the perfect makeup bag situation!  I mean, you don't need a brush to apply so you can simply toss this beauty in your make up bag and you're good to go!



Lastly, i love a good setting spray! Setting sprays really help prolong the life of makeup on your skin. Pixi's Makeup Fixing Mist is infused with rose water and green tea protecting and balancing skin for a fresh face.  You don't just have to wear this after makeup... splash it on before as a primer or anytime really that you just want to refresh and hydrate your skin!  It's so good!


So lets chat... what are your Pixi favorites?  I've chatted about the Glow Tonic a million times but if nothing  more, you need that in your life!  Trust me!

Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM

*press samples - all opinions are my own based on my experience with these products.

Fab Fit Fun Summer Video Unboxing!

Wednesday, July 8, 2015


My long awaited Fab Fit Fun Summer box finally arrived and i could hardly wait to open it so i quickly hopped upstairs to shoot a video of my unboxing!  I'm quite pleased with this month's box! The standout for me are definitely the gorgeous rose gold dipped heart necklace (which retails for $100 btw), but there were so many wonderful products that I'm excited to use!  I hope you enjoy this video!  Wanna sign up for the seasonal Fab Fit Fun box?  You can get $10 off your first box simply by clicking here.  Boxes ship every season (4 boxes per year) each costing $49.99.  However, by clicking this link you'll get your first box for only $39.99!  The summer box is valued at well over $200!  Just wait 'til you see the gorgeous necklace, or the Tarte lip gloss!


Please be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and give this video a thumbs up.  Your support means the world to me!  Thank you for visiting.  Xo, Carla - FMM

June Favorites - Video!

Tuesday, July 7, 2015


Hi beauties... so i finally decided it was time to get a new camera.  I was sick of my videos looking dark and blurry so i bit the bullet and upgraded.  I decided to test it out with a June's Favorites video. While the quality is way better, i apologize in advance for not looking directly at the screen as i mistakenly looked at the view finder while filming.  Hey, I'll get this right eventually!  OK back to favorites!  I had so many to chat about... but this is the list of the products I'm LOVING right now!

Dove Dry Spray
Living Proof Curl Defining Styling Cream
Bumble and Bumble Don't Blow It
Bath and Body Works Maui Mango Surf
Simple Skincare Cleansing Micellar Water
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water
Emjoi Micro-Pedi
Butter London Lippy Bloody Brilliant Lip Crayons
Pixi Quick Fix Bronzer in Velvet Bronze
Forever 21 Cocoa Shea Butter Makeup Wipes
Deva Curl Towel
Bella NYC Magazine

Check out my video and see why I'm LOVING these products so much! Please be a doll and subscribe to my YouTube channel and if you like the video, please give it a thumbs up!  Your support means the world to me!


Thank you so much for checking out my June favorites.  If you enjoyed this post let me know and I'll continue to post monthly favorites! Thanks for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM
*contains affiliate links.  Some products were sent for consideration but most were purchased by me.  All opinions are my own.
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Get Glowing!

Monday, July 6, 2015


I will shamefully admit that I'm horrible about hydrating my body (bowing my head as i type).  Truth is, i pay close attention to the skin on my face and on my hands, but when i come out of the shower, i often go without any body lotion or anything of the sorts.  As as result, i have horribly dry skin, particularly on my legs.  It's so sad but it's something I've vowed to change about my routine. After all, summer is here and i certainly don't want the world to know that this beauty blogger is miserably neglecting her skin!  A few weeks ago, Ren's Moroccan Rose Gold Glow Perfect Dry Oil arrived at my doorstep and i knew this was just what my body needed.  First, i love that it's a spray!  LOVE! It's so easy to just spray this all over my body and massage it through (though be warned, your floor will get slippery so it's best to apply while standing on a rug or carpet). I don't know why but i find myself reaching for this way quicker than a standard lotion.  A few weeks in and I've already noticed a significant difference in the texture of my skin which I'm thrilled about.  Second, yes it's an oil and yes it will leave your skin glistening like an oil is expected to... however, this will not leave you feeling like a greasy mess.  It absorbs quickly and seamlessly into the skin making it another major plus for me! Now lets chat scent... i actually love the scent.  It smells like a beautiful bouquet of roses and it doesn't feel over powering to me at all.  However, if you're sensitive to scented products, this is something to be aware of.  Another thing i love about this product is it's versatility... you see, while it works wonders on my body, i find that massaging a little through my hair makes it super silky and shiny!  Basically, when i finish massaging this product through my body, i rub my hands through the ends of my hair and i love the way it leaves my hair so shiny! While i realize the price tag is a bit hefty for this sort of product, it's important to remember the versatility as well as the benefits. Besides, a little goes a long way so this baby will last you for quite some time!  It certainly doesn't hurt that it looks gorgeous on sun kissed skin!


Another product that I've mentioned many times here as a favorite is the St. Tropez Self Tanning Mousse.  Honestly, it leaves my body with the most gorgeous glow and never streaks or looks orange! It's self tanning at it's best!  Since I've dedicated a few blog posts to this product already, i won't spend too much time on it but did want to let you know that i tried the new bodyblender as a form of application and wanted to share my thoughts.  Now i will mention that i prefer using the St. Tropez Self Tanning Mitt for application in the major parts of my body (legs, arms, stomach). However, i liked using the bodyblender on my face and neck.  I found that it was easier to work with and allowed me to better access areas that i wouldn't have done so as easily with the mitt.  The key differences with the bodyblender and the original beautyblender is that the bodyblender is bigger (about the size of the palm of my hands).  It's also flat unlike the original bb. Now, I'm a huge fan of beautyblender and use mine daily.  Do i think this is a must have product?  No. I like how it applies in the smaller parts of my body but in all honesty, i wouldn't trade the mitt for the full body application. The traditional beautyblender however, is a MUST!


Have you tried these products yet?  I'd love to know if you had a different experience from mine... leave a comment and let me know!

Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM

*press samples - all opinions are my own based on my experience with these products. 

Summer of Smooth!

Thursday, July 2, 2015


Summer time equals feet in the sand, salty kisses, sandals, splashing in the ocean and beach waves! For me, it also means dry, stressed feet from so much exposure.  So when Alessandro's Pedix One Minute Pedicure showed up at my doorstep, i immediately put it to the test!  In just 60 seconds, this foot scrub promises to remove rough skin while intensively nourishing it.  It's packed with essential oils and natural sea salt crystals to relieve stress.  In the shower, i gently massaged this beauty into my feet using a circular motion for 60 seconds.  Then i rinse with warm water and voila... soft, sandal ready feet!



After scrubbing all the yuckiness way, it's time to paint my nails.  First, i prep my nails using Tweezerman's Neon Hot 4-in-1 File, followed by the Buff Smooth and Shine Block.  Honestly, I'm LOVING these!  Not only are they effective but they're so cute!  Plus their size makes them so travel friendly!  Once my nails are ready for polish, i reach for Alessandro's Nail polish in Sparkling Lime. This shimmering yellow is just so perfect for dipping my toes in the sand!


So you see, just a few tools and my tootsies are summer ready!  What are your go-to summer tootsie tools? Do tell!

Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM

*press sample - all opinions are my own.
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