IMATS New York

Hello everyone, and thank god for the 70 degree weather that is making this Monday slightly more bearable. 

This past weekend I went to the International Make-up Artists Trade Show in New York! 

This was the first year that the show has ever taken place here, and it was the first time in the history of IMATS that the show has been completely sold out, probably because of the size of the venue. From what I've seen on the IMATS website, it seems that the New York show was one of the smallest ones, and the list of exhibitors was not quite as impressive as some of the ones in other cities. 

Nevertheless, the event itself was super fun and I'm glad I got to go. It was nice to see so many people - make-up artists, enthused consumers, and the occasional boyfriend or two - gathered there for the same reasons (aside from the boyfriends maybe?). The overwhelming amount of people meant that it was physically impossible for the sales people to pester you while you shopped, but it also meant that fifty other people were trying to make their way through to have a look at the same things you were. Yes, it got a little crazy at times, but all in all it was a great time, and I always love any excuse to spend a day in Soho. 

Here's some pictures from the event:

Student competition 

Jane Iredale

Inglot

Royal & Langnickel 

Winner!

And the outfit I wore for the day:

Outfit: Top - H&M; Blazer - Urban Outfitters; Skirt - Forever21; Tights - American Eagle; Flats - Steve Madden; Bag- Zara; Watch - Lucien Picard

I had an awesome day, and I really recommend you go to an IMATS show if you ever get the chance!
Of course I walked away with a few goodies that I am so excited about, which I will probably be blogging about in my next post.

Hope you're all doing well =)

~Vida

Hot for Spring

Thank you everybody for supporting me and entering my giveaway, and hello to all my new followers!
I loved reading all your comments and discovering new products. In the responses that I have gotten so far, I've seen some obvious trends in the things that people want and like in the spring and it inspired me to make a collective list/wishlist for myself of the things that you guys think are hot for spring:

1. Facial Sprays - I purchased MAC's fix+ a while ago at a CCO, but I haven't really been using it lately, because it is just an extra step that I often forget about. I really do like the effect that it gives though, and after seeing many people say that they liked using it in the spring, I realized how perfect it is to freshen up the face and keep your skin looking glow-y and healthy. You probably know this trick, but I like to spray it on my face and then blowdry it - it works amazingly!
A few to try: MAC Fix +; Evian mineral water spray; Evan Healy Lavender facial tonic

2. Bright Blush - Sometimes the brightest, scariest blush colors are the ones that I end up loving the most. That is why I am always on the lookout for bright, unique colors and I got some really good suggestions from you guys. A few that I really want to try are MAC dollymix, NARS desire, and Milani luminous, which isn't really very bright, but still pretty nonetheless.

3. Coral lips - Of course. Coral is the color for spring and it is everywhere.
A few to try: Chanel Sari Dore; MAC Costa Chic; Revlon Coral Reef

4. Spring Scents - I am so bad with matching my perfume to the seasons. Most of the time I just wear whatever I think smells good, but I'm glad you guys gave me some good ideas for perfumes and body sprays.
A few to try: Bath and Body Works Bali Mango; Burberry The Beat

And now I want to share a few things that I have been absolutely obsessed with this spring:

Essie's Boat House Nail Polish

This is the perfect true coral color. It is one of the more "watery" formulas, which I tend to like more because they are easy to apply and any mistakes that you make disappear as the nail polish spreads and dries. It makes your nails pop, and adds interest to any outfit.

N.Y.C. Blushable Creme Stick - Plaza Pink

I just got this, but I can already tell that I am going to love it, and have already planned to get more. I was pleasantly surprised when I popped open this 3 dollar blush stick, and witnessed the creamy smoothness and pigmentation of the swatch on my hand. Because of the pigmentation I recommend using a light hand or getting it on a brush first before dabbing it on. The color is like a watermelon pink, much more like the bottom picture than the top one which makes it look more coral.
I think these are great, especially because there aren't many cream blushes available at the drugstore.

NYX Orange Soda

This is one of my all time favorite lipsticks, which is great because it is dirt cheap. I have already gone through one tube of this, and I love having it in my purse and throwing it on without worrying about using it up or messing it up. I mostly love this because of the color. It is an orange peach sherbet color that always makes me feel spring-y, even though I wear this year round. I think it is a truly unique color that I haven't been able to find in other lipsticks, except maybe one by Illamasqua, which is way out of my price range.
I usually dab a light layer of this on and then rub it in with my fingers. It gives the perfect nude lip with a hint of pale peachyness, and doesn't look like lipstick when it is applied like this.

Just Mascara

I used to wear eyeliner practically every time I wore makeup. Recently I have gone for a lighter look, skipping the liner and just putting mascara on my top and bottom lashes. It makes such a big difference - my eyes look less heavy and my lashes look longer and stand out more.

Cognac Leather

Cognac leather anything always catches my eye. I think it looks especially good in the spring, against a white top and accented with some brightly colored jewelry. Actually it goes with a lot of different colors and patterns and is so easily worn for a classic, put together look.

So these are the things that I have been loving this spring. The warm weather always makes me pay more attention to the little things that make me happy =)

~Vida

100 Follower Giveaway! CLOSED

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well.
I am so happy to say that I reached 100 followers this weekend! I want to thank each and every one of you for reading and leaving wonderful comments on my blog. I started this blog sort of on a whim, but it has become a big hobby of mine, and I have so much fun thinking up posts and talking to you guys.

I don't know if you guys ever think about this, but I always wonder when I'm looking at other people's blogs, "how many tries did it take them to get that amazing picture?" because I sure as hell know it takes me about 1092384 shots sometimes before I get one that I am happy with. Maybe I am a big of a perfectionist, but yes, I put a lot of effort into my blog, and it is an awesome  feeling when I write a post that I really like, or I read a really sweet comment.

So, I wanted to do a little giveaway for you guys, as a token of appreciation, and because giveaways are fun.
I picked these products out with a "things for spring" theme in mind. I'll be giving away:

1. Hard Candy Baked Blush in Honeymoon - this blush is just too cute. It is a peachy pastel pink, with lilac veining running through it. It reminds me a lot of the new Quite Cute collection from MAC.
2. MAC lipstick in Ravishing - this is a coral red color that is perfect for spring.
3. Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Color in Mint Sorbet - I really like this and I talked about it in my last NOTD post, so I decided to give one away.

Rules of the giveaway:
1. You must be a public follower on GFC
2. For one entry, leave a comment below telling me what your favorite products are for spring, along with your e-mail address.
3. For +2 entries, link this giveaway anywhere on your blog (If you do this, please include a link in the comments).
4. This giveaway is open internationally.
5. Giveaway ends on May 1st.


Thanks again, and good luck!
~Vida

I Got Sunshine

We finally got some beautiful warm weather -no jackets required - it was about time!

It was a pretty lazy today, I slept in, went out for lunch, and spent the day with my boyfriend. 

Here was my outfit for the day:

Outfit: Tank - American Apparel; Cardigan - Forever21; Leggings - Unknown; Scarf - Zara; Boots - Nine West; Earrings - Asos; Rings - Topshop and H&M; Sunglasses - Ray Ban

~Vida