Sensible Stylista

Sensible Stylista x Capolavori: Win Any of These Gorg Earrings!

I'm beyond pumped to partner up with Capolavori today on SS for a fabulous giveaway.  One VERY lucky winner will score earrings of his or her choice from the lovely selection pictured below!  Now, there are a number of marketplaces that sell artisanal goods, but none of them can assure the quality of their products.  The fine folks at Capolavori however have a direct relationship with the artisans themselves, so they can guarantee quality since they're buying pieces straight from the source and personally sending them to their final destinations!

If you're looking for serious craftsmanship straight from the artisan's workshop, hit up Capolavori stat. They sell everything from jewelry to bags to home decor.  Oh, and did I mention that each product is HAND-MADE? Yeah, nothing's mass produced so you're getting a totally unique item each and every time you shop their site.  They're the perfect place to buy gifts for your family & friends (...or you, if you want to treat yoself) this holiday season!

As always, entering is simple!  All you have to do is follow Capolavori on instagram via rafflecopter below.  There are also several bonus entries available to up your chances of winning!  Good luck, guys.  This giveaway ends on Dec. 1st and is open to residents of the US.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Editorial: Shades of Grey

Excited to share yet another classy editorial with you guys!  I'm partnering up with the fabulous Jared Wolfe again on SS for today's latest.  We took these shots a while back at Strathmore Mansion - if you missed our other collabs, no worries!  You can check them all out here: "In Search of an Emerald Sky" and "Dress to Impress."
For today's post, I wore a super affordable maxi dress courtesy of Amiclubwear.  I wanted to fancy things up so I accessorized with a bold statement necklace and threw on gold heels to match.  
Other fabulous maxi dresses (varying price points):

Heels:  Wild Diva || Dress:  c/o Amiclubwear || Necklace:  JWholesale

My Everyday Make-up Essentials

Alright everyone, today's post is all about beauty. I've gotten a lot of emails from you guys asking about my favorite products so I thought it'd be good to share my everyday makeup essentials with y'all.  I've used many of these for years now, and I swear by them!  Sooo, without further ado, let's get to it:
My brow game is strong:

1.  L'oreal Brow Stylist Prep & Shape Pro Kit in Light to Medium ($14.99):  This product is an absolute must-have in my book.  Groomed brows ooze polish so I always make sure to take care of 'em.  With this kit, it takes less than 2 minutes.  I brush them quickly before shaping them with wax, then fill them in with eyebrow powder.
2.  Smashbox Brow Tech Shaping Powder in Taupe ($25):  After using my L'oreal kit to give my brows a solid base, I fill in sparse areas with this procut.  The applicator's hella easy to control so shaping's a breeze.  

Eyes are the windows to the soul:

1.  Estee Lauder Artist's Eye Pencil in Softsmudge Black ($24):  I've been using this liner for years!  I like to line the bottom of my eyes with it first before tackling my lids.   I always go bold on top, but I STILL don't feel comfortable just going for it with liquid liner so I sketch out my lines in advance to make sure everything's straight and even.  That way, I can "correct" whatever goes wrong easily.
2.  e.l.f. Intense Ink Eyeliner ($3.90):  Hands down my favorite liquid liner - it works super well, and it's hella affordable.  The applicator's really easy to use so it takes less than 3 minutes to execute.  If you're a fan of cat eye or dramatic eyeliner, you'll want to pick this up STAT.
3.  Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara ($23):  Get serious volume without clumping!  Slowly coat each and every lash and experiment with layering if you're looking to up your eye game.
4.  Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler ($25):  The best lash curler you'll ever use!  Many use it pre-mascara, but I like to curl them after application - just make sure your lashes are completely dry before getting your curl on.  Simply place it as close to your eyelid as possible (without pinching your skin) and gently press.  Hold for 5-10 seconds and work outwards for perfect peepers.
Getting flawless skin:

1.  Nars Blush in Orgasm ($30):  I own SO many blushes, but this baby's my go-to - it's an oldie but a goodie for sure. The peachy pink shade has just the right amount of shimmer, and I love its natural finish.
2.  Anastasia Contour Kit ($40):  This kit's pricy, but it's worth every penny IMHO.  Sculpt your features with ease with these 6 beautiful + blendable shades.  There are two kits available:  light to medium & medium to tan.  I own the former, and the colors complement my asian skin tone perfectly.  Havana's my favorite bronzer, but if I'm in the mood for something more subtle, I go with Fawn.  Banana's the perfect highlighter, and Vanilla + Sand help mask zits and/or red marks.
3.  e.l.f. Brushes:  Obsessed with these brushes!  I own several of 'em, but my favorites include:  the small tapered brush (for foundation + highlighter), the stipple brush (for bronzer), and the powder brush (for blush).  
4.  NYX Concealer ($4.99): This has been a staple in my beauty routine for years now.  It's honestly one of the best concealers I've ever used!  I don't like wearing a full face of makeup on the daily so I mask my imperfections with a swipe of this.  It's easy to blend, lasts all day long, and is super affordable so it's a must-have in my book.

Totally kissable lips:

1.  Vaseline ($4.49):  As much as I love fancy moisturizing lippies, nothing hydrates my pucker more than a tub of vaseline.  I always make sure to slather some on before bedtime!
2a.  Mac Lip Pencil in Spice ($17.50):  Alright, so these next three go hand-in-hand because their colors work SO well together.  As I'm sure many of you know, I'm all about nude lips.  I like experimenting with different shades for special occasions, but this is def. my go-to everyday color.  I start by lining my cupid's bow.  Do NOT try to execute this in one stroke - I've found that small dashes work best.  I then carefully overdraw my lower lip to create the illusion of a fuller pout.
2b.  Kate Moss for Rimmel London Lipstick No. 47 ($4.97):  After errthang, I fill in my lined lips with this lipstick!  I seriously can't get enough of this lipstick.  The lasting power's impressive, and it keeps my mouth hydrated throughout the day.
2c.  Too Faced Melted Lipstick in Melted Chihuahua ($21):  If I want to step things up a notch and add intensity, I layer a bit of this matte gloss on top!  
3.  NYX Mega Shine Lip Glosses ($4.99):  I own a bunch of these glosses, and they're literally the BEST because they're hella affordable and look super pretty.  Sweetheart and Pink Frost are my favorite colors!  If you're looking to experiment with new lippies, I highly suggest checking these babies out at your local Ulta.  You're welcome in advance.

What are some of your everyday makeup essentials?  Do you guys use any of these items? If yes, which ones? Leave me a comment below! I'd love to hear from y'all.