Lust Worthy: Urban Decay Electric Pressed Pigment Palette

Source:  Sephora.com

Is it summer yet?  Because the new Urban Decay Electric Pressed Pigment Palette ($49) is sizzling…and making me long for hot summer nights!

Source:  Sephora.com

This bright collection of 10 pressed-pigment shadows is absolutely lust worthy, with its array of vibrant colors that are perfect for summer.  Like all Urban Decay shadows, the colors in this palette are velvety smooth, highly pigmented, long wearing, and easily blendable.

Source:  Sephora.com

Even the packaging is super cute and would look perfect among my other palettes.  This is definitely one to add to the collection. 

On their BEAUTY TALK blog, Sephora swatches the shadows on three different skin tones, showing that the colors would look great on just about anyone.  

Source:  Sephora.com

While I am disappointed that they didn’t think to swatch them on a darker, chocolate skin tone, I am confident that these brilliant shades will absolutely POP on brown girls, as Lupita Nyong’o has proven here in Essence’s March 2014 issue (not using the Urban Decay palette).

Source:  Essence

Source:  Essence

The Urban Decay Electric Pressed Pigment Palette ($49) is available at Sephora.com.

Lush's Sex Bomb Ravishes the Senses

I love a long, luxurious bath.  In the evenings, it is how I wind down…close the bathroom door, light some candles, grab a novel, and draw me a decadent bath.  I have a large stash of bath goodies and I always add a little treat from my arsenal to the experience.  Last night it was Lush’s Sex Bomb bath bomb.

I am in LOVE with Lush’s bath products, whenever I am in a city that has a Lush store, I have to duck inside and fill a basket to the brim with bombs, bars and melts.  They are sooooo delicious!!!!

The naughtily named  Sex Bomb is infused with jasmine absolute, clary sage, ylang ylang, and soya milk, which puts you in a sensual mood while softening you skin.  Not only that, it turns your water a pretty pink!  I also love that the two-toned bomb is quite huge and can be cut in half, if you choose to (and know how to).

After my bath I was calm, relaxed, and ready to snuggle in bed with my hubby… 

This bath bomb is one of my absolute favorites from the brand, one that I will always stock up on.  It relaxes me, warms my senses, and leaves my skin softly scented.  Not only that, the fragrance from the bomb fills up my bathroom even while it sits on the shelf.  

The only complaint I have is the little flower in the middle, which kinda turns to goo once the bath bomb dissolves.  While it’s not a huge bother, I always have to scoop it out of the tub after my bath.  The bomb is so pretty and smells so good that I don’t mind at all…

Sex Bomb ($6.65) can be found at lushusa.com.

Kiki

Trending: The Slip-On Sneaker

Fashionistas everywhere are shelving their clunky sneaker wedges and embracing the latest sneaker trend, stolen straight from the skater boys…the slip-on sneaker.

Created in 1976 by Vans for skateboarders and BMX riders, these sneakers have seen several renaissances since their inception.  I remember how my sisters and I used to rock plain white ones when we were young. 

Over the past few years, these easy, lightweight sneakers have been the preferred footwear of the fashion set from New York City and London to Paris and Milan, with slip-ons being crafted in a multitude of colors, patterns, textures and embellishments.

High end designers like Prada, Givenchy, Celiné, Lanvin, and Saint Laurent have jumped on this emerging trend and are offering the sneakers at $400 and up.  Giuseppe Zanotti even has a studded pair for $1,325!

If you don’t have hundreds of dollars laying around to invest in the high-end brands, here are a few slip-on styles for under $200:

Vans are the blueprint for all slip-on sneakers.  The classic checkerboard print is easily the most widely recognized shoe from the brand.  Now this comfy standard is being offered in a dizzying array of variations and all under 70 bucks… Count me in!  The styles above were found at bloomingdales.com, nordstrom.com, and piperlime.com.

There are even more affordable options available, including these styles at retailers such as ASOS, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, and Piperlime:

Blogger Chiara Ferragni of the Blonde Salad collaborated with Steve Madden on a capsule collection for the brand, which features three styles of slip-on sneakers.  Here are my favorites.  The sneakers can be found in Steve Madden stores, on their website and at piperlime.com. 

This easy beach bum style is perfect for busy summer days and so cool for a low-key weekend or hitting outdoor concerts and festivals.

The versatile style can be worn with everything from cutoff jean shorts and leggings to breezy chiffon sundresses and miniskirts.

I will definitely be getting a pair or two of these fuss-free styles!

Ki