1. Colorblocked Shift Dress | Forever 21 | $19.90: I bought this on a whim from the Foreve21 site not knowing how it would look and it turned out to be great. I love that they have so many inexpensive, easy to wear dresses.
2. Hampton Heeled Sandals | ASOS | $67: I came across these on the shopstyle website and thought the heel was so interesting.
3. Racerback Camisole | J. Crew Factory | $24.50: I got this in black and ivory and it’s SO nice. J crew has another version for $89, but you can’t beat the price on this one.
4. Simple Strap Heels | Daily Look | $39.99: I bought these last year, and have been reaching for them every time I head out after work. I like that they’re not glossy and I can wear them with something more casual. They’re so easy and they match everything.
5. Silky Strappy Jumpsuit | J. Crew | $128: My friend Jevata wore this to her birthday party in navy and it’s gorgeous!
6. Palm Leaf Print Round Neck Blazer | Pink Queen | $27.82: This jacket is so pretty. I find collarless fits to be so flattering. I’m not sure about this website though. I’ve never ordered from it or even heard of it before.
7. Double Windowpane Barcelona Cami | Express | $44.50: I wore one like this here, and loved the way it looked. I have this cami in plain white too.
I think Erno Laszlo’s Hydra Therapy Skin Revitalizer is just perfect. I bought it to use as a serum, under my moisturizer. Now that it’s summer , I use this in place of moisturizer for something super light that still keeps my skin hydrated. Here’s what they have to say about it:
“A powerful thirst quencher for skin. Our lightweight emulsion is a serious hydrator, capturing and locking in moisture—drawing it into the deepest levels of skin. Completely immersed, skin feels plumper and softer, and fine lines and wrinkles look smoothed away. The hydration serum is perfect for summer for all skin types. An added boost for those who are dry, and an oil free hydration for those who are oily.
Hydrates: Used alone, provides for oily skin’s occasional moisture needs and used with moisturizer, offers intensive hydration for normal to dry skin.
Rebuilds: Restores elasticity and increases firmness and tone.
Nourishes: Botanical phosphatides mimic skin’s own lipids, delivering nutrients to weak cells.”
This is one of the many, many products I’ve been trying out from Elements. Get 10% off your purchase in their Carytown store or at ElementsBeautyShop.com with the code TIRAMISU.
The lovely Jevata and Lenise of Canvas the Salon are teaming up with Renata, a makeup artist, to bring a beauty brunch concept from DC to Richmond. The theme is Wanderlust, and the brunch will be all about travel and beauty. My friends at Elements Beauty Shop will be there along with a panel of beauty experts. We’ll have mimosas and a delicious menu (soon to be announced, stay tuned!). Find out more about it on Facebook, and use the code TIRAMISU to get $10 off tickets here. In the spirit of this fun event, I’m rounding up my travel essentials. I’ll be sharing my beauty favorites next, so be sure to check back. I would really love to see you at the brunch! Post in the comments if you’re coming! 
1. H&M Plaid Throw: The last time I was traveling, I noticed someone in the airport had a throw/scarf draped over their bag and I thought it looked so chic. I picked up this cream plaid one It’s sold out now, but here’s a similar one. If you want to get really fancy, try this cashmere throw.
2. H&M Striped Woven Top: I’m wearing it here.
3. J. Crew Pixie Pants: These are a staple. I wear them almost every weekend all winter. I also thing they’re cute with a silk cami and a blazer. I love these with a sweater or long sleeve top for a plane ride. Maxi dresses with a sweater overtop are also great for long trips.
4. Tortoise sunglasses: I bought my round tortoise sunglasses from LOFT a few years ago, but these and these are similar. I also love these leopard ones.
5. Floppy Straw Hat: I love this for the beach. I have a black one, but this white one would be so pretty.
6. Fresh magazines are the best. I get Real Simple, Better Homes and Gardens, InStyle, Allure and Glamour. I try to save them when I know I have a trip coming up so I have something new and fun to read on the plane or in the car.
7. Kate Spade Saturday Square Down Perf Tote: I bought this last season and I’m still using it everyday. It’s sold out now but there are similar ones here and here.
8. Hue No-Show Socks: Socks! If I’m not in boots for winter, I’m usually not wearing socks. I like to carry a spare pair so I can take my shoes off and lounge for long trips.
9. Starbucks 24oz Cold Cup: I love having this with me on the plane or in the car to encourage me to drink more water. Traveling can take a lot out of you and
Meet Jacqueline Gellner, she’s a make-up artist in Washington D.C. with 8 years of experience and a stunning portfolio. Let’s see what this expert has to say about beauty, skincare and style:
Tiramisu For Breakfast: What’s your favorite beauty brand?
Jacqueline Gellner: I’m a MAC girl at heart since it’s where I started my career in makeup artistry and to date, it’s been a major go-to brand when I’m stocking my makeup kit. MAC has been around for so long, I feel that they’ve really mastered having a wide range of color choices for different skin tones, and because they have so many shades, it’s always easy to mix products and create custom colors if I need to! Lately however, I’ve really been into Tarte Cosmetics’ new products, including their Marajuca Creaseless Concealer, their Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Foundation, and their new cream eyeliner, Tartiest Clay Paint Eyeliner. The eyeliner comes in a squeeze tube which allows the product to be more pliable so it’s easier to move across the lid, but still dense enough so that it doesn’t slip and slide around everywhere when you’re trying to make a smooth line! I’ve also been loving Hourglass Cosmetics lately, specifically Hourglass Cosmetics’ Ambient Lighting Powder. It’s not quite a highlighter, but more of a finishing powder to use and set makeup. It reflects just the right amount of light so your skin looks like it’s glowing from within!
TfB: All time favorite beauty product?
JG: Lashes, lashes, lashes. I LOVE faux eyelashes! I might have a problem. While I don’t wear them during the week, if I am going out on a Friday or Saturday, you better believe I have a pair glued on. Unfortunately for those around me, straggling eyelash bands have been found in some bizarre places since I wear them so much – in the crevice of my friends’ sofas, stuck in between a car door – a couple of years ago, a friend found one stuck to her back. (Sorry, Pilin!)
Ardell Demi Wispies are my favorite if I need to make a quick drug store run, but I absolutely love Flutter Mink Lashes for special occasions. They have so many gorgeous styles and since they’re mink, you can wear them up to 30 times. http://flutterlashes.com/shop/category/mink/
TfB: Favorite beauty look/trick, and what product have you been using the longest – your tried and true?
JG: My favorite beauty look/trick, is in fact, winged eyeliner. No matter how many times I’ve tried to go without it, I can’t seem to stop my hand from creating a flick on the end of my lid! Winged eyeliner to me is such an amazing beauty look – it really enhances and accentuates the shape of someone’s eye and really gives focus and lift. I love it! Specifically, my all time favorite product for creating winged eyeliner, hands down, is NYX Cosmetics’ Liquid Black Liner. It’s super, super dark and creates almost a “patent leather” type of finish. The brush is super thin so you’re able to create a very sharp and defined wing, and if you make a mistake, it’s easy to clean up with a makeup wipe. If you prefer a matte looking eyeliner, you may not love it as much as me, but personally, it is absolutely my favorite product to create winged eyeliner.
TfB: Who’s your beauty inspiration?
JG: My beauty inspiration comes from other makeup artists who I look up to. I follow so many on social media and I’m so intrigued with everyone’s personal makeup style. My current makeup artist obsession is with Natasha Denona (@natashadenona) who is a European and internationally known makeup artist /owner of Natasha Denona makeup products. I haven’t had a chance to purchase any of her products yet as she is based overseas, but I certainly intend to when I can figure out which products I want to try first. It’s not easy because all of her products look amazing!
TfB: What’s in your makeup bag right now?
JG: Since I’ve been doing makeup for nearly eight years now, and so often on others, I’ve really taken a step back from doing full face makeup on myself these days (at least Monday – Friday…the weekends is a different story). In my “week day makeup makeup bag,” I of course have my NYX liquid eyeliner, MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Concealer, (while I love Tarte’s concealer, I don’t usually have to set MAC’s Prolongwear with a powder since it tends to set itself which saves me an extra step in the morning), L’Oreal Voluminous mascara, Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk foundation , MAC Cosmetics Refined Golden Bronzer, Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow in Dark Brown to fill in my brows (which are very sparse and patchy in real life!) , Glossier’s Balm Dotcom, which is an all purpose skin salve but I use it specifically on my lips to keep them hydrated and soft! (It’s amazing!)
TfB: Favorite skincare products/Skincare philosophy or skincare routine?
JG: Beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin and it hurts my heart that many people don’t take care of their skin like they should! Often times if I am working on a client and I ask them what their skin care regimen is, I’ll hear some pretty crazy things (crazy to me, at least!). For example, they may cleanse their face with regular hand soap or have never exfoliated a day in their life (*cringe!*)
Without taking care of your skin first, under no circumstance will your makeup look on point! I have a number of favorite, must-have skin care products that I use on a regular basis.
My Clarisonic. Made with the same philosophy behind the Sonicare toothbrush, the Clarisonic removes all traces of makeup, clears pores and reduces pore size, exfoliates, and allows your serums and moisturizers to penetrate into your skin much better. To this day, all of my friends use a Clarisonic, and one of them even convinced her boyfriend to get one too – it’s that good. I love to use my Clarisonic with Obagi’s foaming cleanser to get rid of all traces of makeup, especially since I wear so much on the weekends o_O.
Peter Thomas Roth’s Firmx Peeling Gel. I can’t say enough great things about this product. I just discovered the gel a couple of weeks ago and it is revolutionary. I’ve been using it about twice a week now and I’m amazed every single time! PTR’s Peeling Gel uses fairly new “technology” called Multiaction enzymes. After cleansing and drying your face, you apply a decent amount onto your skin and literally watch before your own eyes, dead skin peel off to reveal fresh, radiant skin underneath.
NuFace Trinity is another one of my favorite skin care tools and you can see the benefits as soon as you use it. It’s really the only thing I asked for Christmas this year and it’s been one of the best gifts I ever received! Celebrities and celebrity makeup artists have been using this “secret” tool and it’s often called the “five-minute face lift.” While I’ve always been relatively petite, I’ve always struggled with sort of a round, full face. The NuFace uses microcurrent technology to send tiny little shocks to the muscles in your face to tighten them up – almost like a work out. Over time, and even after the first use, you’ll see improved facial contour and skin tone. Even if you use the NuFace on one side of your face, you’ll see the difference! Make sure to remember to do the other side before stepping out, of course! 😉
My favorite moisturizer right now is Embroylisse Lait-Crème Concentrate . In fact, it serves multiple uses including use as a makeup remover and primer. It’s super hydrating, creamy and wears beautifully underneath makeup. It’s a favorite amongst some of the top makeup artists in the world!
G.M. Collins’ Instant Radiance Anti-Aging Eye Patch. As I’m getting a little bit older and more tired, I’m noticing increased puffiness and bags underneath my eyes – not a good look! I throw these on for 20 minutes before I do my makeup and eye bags are gone. Infused with hyaluronic acid, which plumps the skin, it helps me look like I’m super hydrated, so well rested and inflates any fine lines, wrinkles so your under eye area is super smooth!
In the area? Jacqueline is available for booking! Check out her site for details.
1. Clinique Acne Solutions BB Cream
2. Buxom Full-On Lipstick in Dolly
3. Lancome Le Lipstique Lip Crayon
5. Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask
6. Somme Institute Transport Pads
Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet
Too Faced Natural Matte Palette
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RBBs4dHEnU&w=420&h=315]
So I got some new shoes:
My black pumps wore out at the toes, so I upgraded to these Trina pumps from Gwen Stepanie’s L.A.M.B. line. Yaaass. They’re just as gorgeous in person – super tall and chic. I also ordered the Adelia pumps in blush from Banana Republic, but I’ll be sending them back. They aren’t as pretty in person as on the site and I just didn’t love them compared to the Trina version.
I discovered a cute little lingerie store in Carytown, Fiamor, when shopping for a bridal shower gift. They have the prettiest sets and several lines I’d never heard of before. When I checked some of them out online, I came across Journelle and Blush, two sites with tons of options. Journelle has several brands ranging from super high end to affordable. When I ordered the purple set below at Christmastime, I joked that I had bought a present for my self because the packaging it came in was so beautiful. The Blush brand is carried in a lot of stores, including Fiamor and Nordstrom, but you can catch a lot of good sales if you shop from their website directly. Here are a few of my favorites Fiamor, Blush and Journelle:
1. Montelle Lace Coquette Demi Bra | Matching Underwear
2. Montelle Keyhole Balconnet Bra | Matching Underwear
3. Blush English Rose | Matching Underwear
Sheer Desire Demi Bra (black one from the first photo)
