Mother's Day Gift Guide

I originally had a different post planned for today, but while looking at the calendar yesterday I realized Mother's Day is a week from Sunday! I thought I would put together a little gift guide if some great options for your Mom. Hope you enjoy!

1. Earrings

2. Picture Frame

3. Sunglasses

4. Perfume

5. Pajamas

6. Wallet

7. Handbag

8. Coffee Mug

9. Candle

LWD (Little White Dress)

Hey y’all!

So we all have our favorite LBD (little black dress), but I also love a good LWD (little white dress) and think it’s a great alternative in the spring and summer months.

 I have more than a couple in my closet and I am always on the lookout for more. When shopping for white dresses there’s a few things to keep in mind, as white can present some challenges. (These are good tips to keep in mind when buying anything white.) For starters, many white dresses are ETREMELY sheer! Don’t let this discourage you from a dress, just be aware. I like to check the dress out in very bright light to test this. If it is sheer, invest in a good slip and you’ll be good to go. Another thing to be aware of with white clothing, especially if it’s on the tighter side is that it is NOT forgiving. If black conceals everything white does the exact opposite. With that being said, don’t be afraid to go up a size when it comes to white.

I love adding bright accessories to white dresses. I think it gives them a real summery feel as you can see below with my teal statement earrings and pink lips.

Unfortunately, my dress is no longer available but I have linked a TON of other LWD options below.

Dress: Old (similar here, love this, this, this, and this) | Bag: Nordstrom | Sunnies: Rayban | Shoes: Lulus currently out of stock (available here) | Earrings: H&M not available online (similar here) | Lipstick: Urban Decay currently out of stock (available here *all Urban Decay Lipsticks are currently 50% off making them a steal at only $11)

I appreciate you stopping by and hope you find the perfect LWD for your summer parties!

Today I'm linking up with Walking in Memphis in High Heels &  The Fashion Canvas for the trend spin linkup! 

New Beauty Products

Hey y’all!

I have been trying some new beauty products/tools lately and thought I would do a review on some of them. Forewarning: this post might be a little lengthy but I want to make sure I tell you as much as I can about why I love or don’t love the product. Plus, I’m saving my new favorite/holy grail/can’t live without it item until the very end so you should at least read that.

Let’s start with this Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water. I was so excited to try this but unfortunately, I am not a fan. I tried it as a primer, didn’t like it. Tried it as a finishing spray, didn’t compare to my Urban Decay setting spray so, I didn’t like it. I even tried it as a makeup refresher and still didn’t like it. The main thing I didn’t like when trying this product all these different ways was I just didn’t see a difference. This one will probably be making its way back to the store. However, if you have used it and loved it I am open to tips to sway me.

The next product is Sephora Collection Cushion Glossy Eyeliner. I have seen these cushion eyeliner pots a lot recently and have wanted to try them. This one is nice because it comes with a brush and the price is good. It goes on great and stays all day. I also find it extremely easy to do a cat eye with it. The reviews online said the brush became hard and hurt when applying. I agree with the review, but to fix the problem, I just rinse the excess product off the brush after each use.

Let’s talk about lipstick. If you know me, you know lipstick is kind of my thing. During Ulta’s 21 days of beauty Urban Decay Cosmetics Sheer Revolution Lipstick, were half price making them a steal at $11. I typically go for matte because I like the way matte stays on longer. I think the key when buying anything new is to know what you are buying. I knew these were sheer so I wasn’t expecting them to stay all day. While I may have to reapply a couple times a day, I really love these. They pack a good punch of color and don’t dry out my lips. (That’s a big plus with any formula of lipstick in my book!) If you follow me on instagram, you have probably seen me talk about my “new favorite lipstick” which is Ladyflower. I also got F-Bomb, which is a great red color.

This next product was a very new formula for me. Eyelash primer. I would say next to lipstick eyelashes are a big deal for me. I have really blonde lashes so I sometimes don’t feel like a real person without mascara. (And a lot of it for that matter.) I have seen a lot of other bloggers talk about primers and what a difference they make so I thought I would give one a try. Clinique makes one of my favorite mascaras so I decided to try their primer. I can really notice a difference. I typically use 2-3 different mascaras applying 3-4 coats total. With this, I can use my favorite mascara, apply 1 maybe 2 coats, and get the same great effect. It makes my lashes extremely full which I LOVE!

Next, I have not 1 but 2 foundations to review. One I absolutely love and the other I just feel so-so about. Let’s start with the one I love. I decided to try Estee Lauder Double Wear after seeing a TON of other bloggers rave about it. It’s a medium to full coverage, which I normally avoid because of the Florida heat and because I’m more of a light to medium coverage kind of gal but this one I actually like. I definitely have to blend it well but as long as I do, I think it gives great coverage without being too heavy. It also still looks pretty great at 6pm after work. 

The other foundation I recently tried is the CLINIQUE Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer. This one I am not the biggest fan of. It’s also a medium to full coverage. (Again, I like light to medium coverage and the makeup counter girls always try to talk me out of the medium to full coverage but I NEVER listen. Maybe next time.) The main thing I don’t like about this is the bottle. It’s hard to get out and I can’t ever tell if I’m shaking it up before I apply it. It’s also very thick which can make it hard to blend. I had chalked this one up to a complete loss until I recently found my Holy Grail product. (Here’s a little hint it obviously helps with foundation.)

Lastly, let’s talk about tools. I recently discovered Real Techniques brushes and let me tell y’all I love them. I’m not one to spend a lot of money on brushes (shocking because I definitely don’t fell that way about makeup) and these are great quality for a GREAT price. I have the Stippling Brush , which I love for my double wear foundation. It really gives the airbrush look/finish, which I love. I also picked up the Sculpting Brush for my contour. I’ve been looking for the perfect contour brush for a while now (not about dropping $55 on the NARS ita brush although, I was almost there) and this one has been pretty great. It’s not to stiff which makes it easy to blend and its super soft which is always a plus when it comes to makeup brushes.

And finally without further ado my new favorite/holy grail/ can’t live without item is the Miracle Complexion Sponge by Real Techniques (aka a beauty blender). I know these are nothing new but I have been putting off buying one for a couple reasons. I finally decided to give one a try and I am so glad I did. It gives me the perfect airbrush look with ANY foundation (even that Clinique one I’m not crazy about) and the one by real techniques is a fraction of the cost of the real one. I also love it for applying my concealer. I feel like helps it not settle into the creases. Seriously RUN to your nearest Ulta and pick one up.

(All the Real Techniques brushes at Ulta are currently BOGO 50% off!!!!!)

I hope y’all enjoyed this review. If you have any questions about these products or any other products I use please feel free to leave them in the comments or shoot me an email at fashionablylateblonde@gmail.com

I appreciate you stopping by and I hope you have a great weekend!

If you love it so much, why don't you marry it?

Remember when everyone used to say this in Elementary/Middle School? Well I always hated it but, thought it made a cute blog title.

Anyway, y’all already know how much I love leopard print, but today I’m telling you about another print I love…camo.

My love for camo actually taught me a good lesson when it comes to style and really, life in general. In college, Michael Kors had a whole camo print collection and there was a wallet I absolutely loved; but all my friends were like N-O! I still think about that wallet to this day and wish I had bought it. I’m not one to usually care what people think, but that definitely taught me if you like something BUY it!! Who cares if your friends don’t like it or think it’s ugly. Who cares if it’s not trendy or in style. If you like it you should buy it because a. you will regret it if you don’t and b. we are not all meant to like the same things. It’s part of what makes us unique. Moreover, your style should be as unique as you are. Therefore, while you won’t see me wearing it that often (I’m pretty fussy about the type/print the camo is) I do have a soft spot in my closet for it.

Top: Target old (similar here also love this) | Jeans: Lulus old (similar here, here, and here) | Purse: Rebecca Minkoff old (almost identical here also love this) | Shoes: Lulus currently out of stock (available here) | Sunnies: Ray-Ban | Earrings: Old (similar here and here love these) | Lipstick: Urban Decay Sheer Revolution Lipstick in Ladyflower 

What about you, do you have any pieces everyone hates but you love?? If so, I would love to hear all about them. 

Today I'm linking up with Walking in Memphis in High Heels, The Fashion Canvas, & A Good Hue for the Trend Spin Linkup.

March Glam Bag Review

Hey y’all! Sorry I have been MIA on here. I haven’t been able to shoot any outfit looks lately but thought I would do some makeup posts this week. I should be able to shoot some styled looks this weekend so, be on the lookout for those next week.

Today I am reviewing my March Glam Bag from Ipsy.

I was very pleased with this month’s bag.

Let’s start with my favorite item from this bag, which is Precision Ink liquid eyeliner from ILLAMASQUA in Abyss. I was a little weary at first because the applicator intimidated me but I have since perfected my cat eye skills with it. Seriously perfect cat eye every time. I am obsessed and so thankful. (No more tape.) I will be purchasing this when I run out.

 The second item was the Dead Sea Wash Off Mask by Global Beauty Care. I love trying new masks. This one made my skin feel so soft and refreshed after. I’ve only used it once but will definitely be using it again soon!

 The third thing in this bag was a Loose Powder Brush by Me me me. I really need to up my brush game so, I am always thankful when I receive one. This one is a little small for my allover powder but perfect for my banana powder, when contouring. It’s the perfect size for getting under my eyes and it’s so soft.

 Item number four was LIP LACQUER Lip Gloss from Model Co in Socialite. I’m not a big lip-gloss person but this one isn’t bad. It’s not extremely sticky like most glosses. (That’s always a win in my book.) It’s goes on almost clear and has a watermelon flavor to it. Honestly, it takes me back to my middle school days in a good way!

 The last item in my March Glam Bag was Baked Bronzer in Heat Wave by Be A Bombshell Cosmetics. Since its “baked”, it definitely has some sparkle in it. That being said I tend to stay away from makeup with sparkle in it. I like the product overall and would possibly use it in the summer when I’m a little tanner.

 I hope you enjoyed this review. I really can’t recommend the Glam Bag enough. I might not always like everything I get but there are at least 2-3 items every month that I LOVE. It’s a great way to try new brands, formulas, and products. If you’ve been thinking about a subscription, I would highly suggest this one.

 I’ll be back Thursday with another makeup review on products I have bought lately including my new holy grail, can’t live without makeup item.   

I hope you have a great Tuesday and as always thanks for stopping by!