MARK ZIPPING AROUND BAG

I'm headed out for a business trip this week, and as I started thinking about my "packing plan" I cringed at the thought of yet once again carrying my laptop in a less-than-cute classic bag.  You know what I'm talking about...these drab, boring bags...

So I set out on a mission to find a cute laptop bag that could double as a purse.  I found quite a few, but there was one my problem - my new laptop is pretty massive. Most of the purses I found didn't come in a size large enough for mine.  And then it dawned on me....duh, check mark!

Lo and behold, I discovered the Zipping Around Bag!  It measures 16 1/2" x 13 1/4" W x 4 1/2"  and has an 8 1/2" handle drop.  My laptop fits perfectly and I still have room for folders and work documents as well.  It also has two large front pockets which means I still have space for my wallet, compact, lip gloss, and even some snacks for the trip!

I'm in love with this bag and looking forward to easily (and discreetly) toting around my laptop in it this week.  If you're on the hunt for a great, roomy bag (even if you don't need a place to store your laptop) this is definitely one to consider.  It sells for $42 and can be purchased here.

MINI DRUGSTORE HAUL

Went shopping Friday night for travel products for a business trip this week...ended up leaving with a ton of other stuff I really didn't need, but had to have!

Sinful Colors nail polish in Soul Mate
Zebra print eye contact holder
Duo eyelash glue in clear
Ardell Brow Sculpting Gel
Ardell false eyelashes in #120
Wet n' Wild Color Icon eyeshadow trio in Silent Treatment
Wet n' Wild lipstick in Dark Wine
Moroccan Argan Oil
elf Shimmer Palette in Sheer/Sunrise
elf Lip Stain in Birthday Suit

I am sure you will be hearing more about (and seeing!) most of these in future FOTD/NOTD posts :)

NAILS OF THE DAY

I posted this on Instagram last night and forgot to blog it...oops!  I used OPI's Malaysian Mist with adhesive leopard print strips on my ring fingers.  Very cute!

NEUTRAL PALETTES

It's no secret that I'm a neutral lover, especially when it comes to my makeup shades.  I love bold lips with subtle or smokey brown or black eyes.  I've posted a good many FOTD's using my new Urban Decay Naked palettes, but I wanted to share some less expensive options for those of you who may also love neutrals but be a little apprehensive about shelling out $50 for eye shadow.

mark has some pretty fabulous options...

Touch & Glow Warm Glow, $16 
Our innovative, best-selling palette glows on with nine all-new warm shades, ranging from gold to rose gold, and copper to bronze. With a sweep of a brush, the creamy shades combine for all-over color, or dab individual shades onto eyelids using your finger.  Available tomorrow, 1/25, here.

I'm SUPER excited about this palette and will definitely be putting in my order for it tomorrow!
 
On the Dot Neutral Eye Color Compact, $16
This nine-"dot" limited-edition compact connects trendy shades with a metallic finish for eye-popping color (literally!). 9 hot shades.  Full-color metallic finish.  Available here.

I own this one and really love it!  The shades are great for anyone and can really warm up your whole look!

Star Status Eyeshadow Palette in Earth Angel, $14
For multidimensional looks that are totally out of this world, go for this palette with three coordinating highly pigmented, super-pearlized shades. The baked, wet/dry formula ensures color keeps twinkling for hours and hours! Compact features full built-in mirror; dual-ended brush applicator included.  Available here.

SIGH...

FACE OF THE DAY

Face:

Benefit Porefessional

Mary Kay Timewise Luminous-Wear Liquid Foundation in Beige 3

Mary Kay loose powder in Beige 1

Eyes:

Mac Paint Pot in Painterly all over lid 

Mary Kay Velvet Shimmer in Gold on lid

Copper shade from Elf cream eye palette in crease

Verve (from Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette) on brow bone 

Elf eyeshadow in Charcoal under bottom lash line and in outer corners of eyes

Avon Big Color Eyeliner Pencil in Night Glisten on top and bottom lash lines

Hello Kitty Charmmy Kohl Eyeliner in Happy Cloud on inner corners of eyes

Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express mascara in Glam Black

Brows:

elf Eyebrow Kit in Dark

Cheeks:

mark Just Blushing blush in Afterglow (available here)

Wet n' Wild Color Icon Bronzer in Ticket to Brazil under cheek bones

Lips:

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids lipstick in Shocking Coral (see pictures below)

MARK MAG 2 SNEAK PEEK

So mag 2 launches this coming Friday, January 25th, and there are some pretty cute things I just had to share!  Enjoy this sneak peek! :)

http://www.mymarkstore.com/nikkichapman

FACE OF THE DAY

I wasn't planning on doing a FOTD today, but I was really loving my makeup look today, so here I am!

(Sorry for the not-so-fab iPhone pics...didn't have my good camera handy.)

Face:

Benefit Porefessional

Mary Kay full-coverage foundation in Beige 300

Mary Kay concealer in Beige

Mary Kay loose powder in Beige 1

Eyes:

Mac Paint Pot in Painterly all over lid and up to brow

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette - Snakebite on lid, Blackout in crease & outer corners, Verve on brow bone

Elf eyeshadow in Charcoal under bottom lash line

Avon Big Color Eyeliner Pencil in Night Glisten on top and bottom lash lines

Hello Kitty Charmmy Kohl Eyeliner in Happy Cloud on inner corners of eyes

Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express mascara in Glam Black

Brows:

elf Eyebrow Kit in Dark

Cheeks:

Avon Ideal Luminous Blush in Heavenly Pink on apples of cheeks

Cover Girl blush in Iced Plum on cheek bones

Wet n' Wild Color Icon Bronzer in Ticket to Brazil under cheek bones

Lips:

mark Make it Rich Lip Crayon in Royale (available here) ***GORGEOUS color!!!

EYE MAKEUP REMOVER - NEUTROGENA VS. GENERIC

I wear a lot of eye makeup, so I need a heavy duty remover!  The only one I've ever had a good experience with is from Neutrogena.  It's oil-free and it always removes every trace of eyeshadow, mascara, and eyeliner on my eyes.  Recently, while shopping at Target, I noticed they had a generic bottle that said it was comparable to Neutrogena's version, so I decided to give it a shot.  It's virtually the same thing!

If you buy the Neutrogena remover, you know it can be a little pricey - around 6 or almost 7 bucks for 3.8 oz.  The generic brand gives you a little more product - 5.5 oz. for a few less dollars.  Highly, highly recommend this one!

TGIF!  I hope you all have a lovely weekend! 

CORAL CRAZE

I blogged earlier this week about energizing your winter wardrobe with coral colors, but you can also incorporate it into your makeup looks!  And good news - mark makes it easy with the products below!  (All can be purchased here.)

Clockwise, from top:
Just Blushing blush in shade AFTERGLOW
Lipclick lipstick in shade CORAL FIXATION
Just Blushing blush in shade CAMEO
Glow Baby Glow lip gloss in shade LOTUS LUXE
Make It Rich lip crayon in shade PUNCH

Here's one way to add coral to your lips and cheeks...

SPRING POLISHES

It seems I catch "Spring Fever" earlier and earlier every year.  It's still January and I'm ready to break out the Spring nail polishes!  My husband looked at me kind of funny when he saw my nails today and said they looked like Easter eggs LOL For the record, I wouldn't wear all the colors together like this...just wanted to swatch each for this post :)

I was going to hold off for a while on this, but figured some of you may want to start stocking up on Spring colors now :)

I love pastels and bought these three from Avon last year, but haven't been able to wear them yet, so I'm getting a little antsy.  From L-R they are: Blue Vintage, Cotton Candy, and Sea Breeze.  They are just $6 and can be purchased here.  They have a lot of other pretty colors, so be sure to check them out!

The other two - Lemon Fizz and Spontaneous - are from China Glaze and I bought them at Sally's for around $8 each.  

 

FACE OF THE DAY

I'm on a roll this week with "Face of the Day" posts! :)

 Face:

Mario Badescu Buttermilk Moisturizer

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation in Natural Beige

Foundation applied with Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

Eyes:

Urban Decay Naked Palette - Half Baked on lid, Smog in crease, Sin under brow

Loreal Lineur Intense liquid eyeliner in Carbon Black

Maybelline One by One Volum Express Mascara in Blackest Black

Brows:

elf Eyebrow Kit in Dark

Cheeks:

Avon Ideal Luminous Blush in Heavenly Pink on apples of cheeks

Wet n' Wild Color Icon Bronzer in Ticket to Brazil under cheek bones

Lips:

Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Pink Pout

HELLO KITTY CHARMMY EYELINERS

I just re-discovered something I bought a year ago...the Hello Kitty Charmmy Kohl Eyeliner Kit!   I had forgotten just how much I love it!

I originally bought the kit for the aqua shade - called Blueberry - but ended up only using the black one and unintentionally hid the others away with the rest of my makeup storage.  Now I'm left with these other 6 gorgeous colors that I am dying to experiment with!  I don't wear much color outside of basic neutrals, but it really doesn't get much prettier than the Blueberry shade.  I WILL find a way to wear it soon!  I'm also really loving the light one - called Happy Cloud - and I'm planning to do a 'Face of the Day' post of it soon.

Anyway, before I posted this, I double-checked Sephora's website to make sure this kit is still available - and it is!  (Click here.)  I think $29 is a little pricey for eyeliner, but totally worth it if you will wear all (or most) of the colors.  They are extremely pigmented and glide on with a velvety softness!

(FYI - Sephora's website has the colors listed backwards for the aqua and navy liners.  They have the aqua one listed as Blue Sky and the navy one listed as Blueberry.)

L-R: Blueberry, Blue Sky, Happy Cloud, Chocolate Milk, Bicycle, Grape Juice

L-R: Blueberry, Blue Sky, Happy Cloud, Chocolate Milk, Bicycle, Grape Juice

L-R: Blueberry, Blue Sky, Happy Cloud, Chocolate Milk, Bicycle, Grape Juice