BEST FACIAL IN MIAMI- CAUDALIE, BRICKELL CITY CENTRE

I recently visited the Caudalie boutique at Brickell City Centre in Miami. The boutique, located on the second floor near Zara, has a quiet and zen treatment room.  The spa offers facials and body treatments by trained estheticians who exclusively use Caudalie products. This is an honest review of my experience getting what I consider to be one of the best facials in Miami. 

MIAMI NEW TIMES BURGER FEST 2018

The first annual Miami New Times Burgerfest is here! This 21+ over event will take place at Soho Studios, in Miami,  on Saturday, July 7, 2018.  It will feature all-you-can-eat burger samplings from Miami's best spots. Restaurants will put a creative spin on their burgers, allowing you to taste and vote on who you think makes the best burger in town.  The event will feature over 20 local South Florida restaurants, and have a cash bar for beer and cocktails.  The fare will not just be limited to beef burgers; guests will also be able to snack on veggie burgers, fried chicken burgers and more. 

Confirmed restaurants include: 

• El Rey de las Fritas
• Yarumaba Restaurant
• Fifi's on the Beach
• Salt Kitchen and Lounge
• JR's Gourmet Burgers

Ticket details:

VIP Tickets: VIP admission starts at 5PM; tickets are $55 and include unlimited burger and drink samples in a VIP area. 

General Admission Tickets: GA entry starts at 6PM; tickets are $30.

The event runs until 9PM. 

Restrictions: must be 21 to attend this event, no infants or babies allowed. 

Follow the link below to purchase your tickets and if you want a special discounted ticket rate, use my online promo code FASHIONABLE to save. 

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

#BurgerFest2018

#Bommia

MALLY BEAUTY MALLYWOOD COLLECTION

When I received this package from Mally with their Mallywood collection, I was really excited. Years ago, when Mally first debuted on QVC, my mom and I would watch her promote her products. She's really fun, vibrant and has so much passion that she pours into her brand. She really stands behind her products, and if any of you have ever tested items from her line, you know why.

The Mallywood spring collection is limited edition and available online at Ulta, and the Mally website. It features:

• highlighting blush ($28)
• smokey mama mascara ($20)
• wazza wazzup ombre highlighting trio ($32)
• limited edition eye shadow palette ($29)

Swatches after the cut: 

Uptown Work Chic with Lafayette 148 New York

Lafayette 148 New York is a line of perfectly crafted clothing, with a super luxe feel. Made up of pieces that feature clean, crisp lines and classic silhouettes, shopping at Lafayette 148 New York means you'll find something perfect. Closet staples like pencil skirts and easy blouses make finding a modern, professional look a breeze, but you'll also find chic pieces for lazy summer days.

Fellow fashionable ESQ's and 'nine-to-fiver'ers' will find beautiful blazers as well as workwear pieces that will help take your office look to the next level.

Miami locals: a new Lafayette 148 New York boutique has opened in Brickell City Centre! Check it out and shop the pieces I'm wearing in this look, specifically, my beautiful, light blue jacket, that's exclusive to the Lafayette 148 New York boutiques and website.

This look was shot in collaboration with Lafayette 148 New York. Hope you love it. 

All photos by Gissi.

Magique at Faena, Miami, Date Night Outfit

The Faena Hotel has brought an entirely new feel to Miami's nightlife and arts scene.  I mean, when Baz Lurhman helps design the interiors of your hotel, I think you're in good shape! Just saying. Faena, and its umbrella developments that span over six blocks of Miami beach water front, have been credited with breathing new life to the area south of 30th & Collins. Faena Theater is located inside the hotel. It's a throwback to the 1970's, when dinner theaters were having their moment (that's what Wikipedia says). It's a pretty interesting place. Every now and then, we make our way to the hotel and theater, to check out what new shows are playing. It makes for a great date night. 

Wearing: Rolla's Delilah Blouse here // DVF leather skirt // Steve Madden Clutch //

Mossimo Daphne Sandals / /Lips: Mac Retro Matte Lipstick in Carnivorous

Playing currently is Kevin & Caruso's Magique; a not-so-ordinary magic show, filled with illusions, handmade costumes, and lots of sequins (on show girls). It's set to the tune of some 90's jams, with some current Top Ten stuff throw in, which makes it fun. Because the dinner theater is small and intimate, you're guaranteed a good seat. It's a fun and unique experience that I recommend for a fun night out. 

Ticket Info:
Bonus: two drinks, complimentary with each ticket purchase.
Magique runs through the end of may, every Tuesday and Sunday.
Tickets: available here.$65 adults / $45 for children (although, it's not much of a gig for kids in my opinion) or you can e-mail for reservations: faenatheater@faena.com.

Laser Facial Risks And How A Caudalie Facial Helped Save My Skin

As bloggers, we are oftentimes invited to try out new local experiences. I write about fashion and beauty, and as a result, I'm always scoping out the newest skincare/beauty launches and treatments in Miami. In February, I had a "laser facial." Lured by the promise of renewed, glowing skin, I went in for my appointment with high hopes. The truth is, I should never have done anything because there was nothing wrong with it. At the time, I had a great routine going; my skin was already healthy and hydrated. I've never had an issue with dryness...until this "facial." The results were terrible. As you can see, I ended up with squares imprinted on my face, from the laser nozzle. After the red square patterns faded, I was left with extreme dry patches all over. I also have lots of texture that I never had before. 

It's now May, three months later, and my skin is JUST getting back to normal. 

I credit Vanessa (a great aesthetician) over at Caudalie Brickell City Centre, because she gave me an incredible, hydrating facial. I have plans to go back next months! Below, I've got a full breakdown of the products she used, plus outfit details. 

Caudalie Brickell City Center: 701 S. Miami Ave

Spa Facial Menu here.

E-mail to book a facial at Caudalie

Outside the Caudalie boutique and spa - Brickell City Centre

Kari Gran Lip Whip - Lip Swatches

Today's post is all about the natural and hydrating, Kari Gran Lip Whips, some of the most nourishing colored glosses that I've come across.  Kari Gran has a back-to-basics approach to skincare and makeup. Named after the brand's founder, they seek to combine a love of makeup and beauty with a no-fuss,  organic, chemical free list of ingredients that make for a great line. 

Kari Gran Lip Whip in Shimmer

Kari Gran Lip Whip in Suji Red

Below, I've got the shades swatched for you, but first, here's why I love the lip whips:

No.7 Match Made Makeup

As far as affordable makeup goes, No.7 is a great line to check out. The brand is established, and reasonably priced. They recently launched the Match Made app and product line, a group of products that are tailor-made for your skin tone and type.  Download the Match Made app online, and get started. Here's how it works:

• Pick up the Match Made card at your local drug store (free)
• Download the Match Made app (also free) 
• Rinse your face of all makeup 
• Hold the card up to the side of your face
• Snap a photo
• A few shots later, and your done!
• You can also find a Walgreens store that matches you right inside the store. 

The app reveals the correct, color matched No.7 products for your skin tone, including foundation and lipstick.  I think this is a great idea because part of what makes shopping for drugstore makeup difficult is that you can't test it out. With the app, there's no more guess work. 

Edit for 2024: the brand has now updated this app with the Shadefinder page.

Click through to see some new makeup launches with swatches from No.7

January Beauty Board

December brought some hefty expenses, so in January, I tried to "live off the land." Ha. If I ran out of a product, instead of purchasing a replacement, I cracked into the beauty closet and sought out alternatives.  I still continued to use my all time favorite Clarin's Multi-Active night cream - my favorite moisturizing AND firming night cream.  I also continued to use the Korres Rose Oil to help brighten and fade brown spots. I revisited an old favorite: Bobbi Brown Radiance Boost mask. Still an awesome product that helps to gently exfoliate skin.

My trusty Maybelline Matte and Poreless Foundation started to become harder and harder to dispense (bad packaging, no pump and glass bottle). To replace it, I opened the Estee Lauder Cushion Stick foundation. This is lighter coverage than I'm used to compared to the Fit Me but it offered an easily blendable and buildable alternative that gives a luminous finish. So far, so good.

I ran out of the Maybelline Age Rewind concealer and tried a Cover FX sample from Sephora. That didn't work out. It was cakey, very thick and a poor color match (X-Tra light is not my shade). I stopped using it and switched it out for Tarte's Marajuca Creaseless Concealer and that's been very good. Great coverage and blends easily.

Bobbi Brown has a few new products! For the woman who is always on-the-go, you can't beat the convenience of the Cheek Glow Palette. The compact contains a mirror, Bobbi's best selling cream blush (Pot Rouge), and the Cream Illuminator. Both products give a beautiful, creamy, dewy look to the skin. They apply best with fingers or a stippling brush.

The Kiesza for Mac Collection features two vampy, chocolately lip shades, evocative of 90's grunge. I've been wearing the matte lipstick in Dearly Beloved topped with Thunderkiss Vamplify gloss when I go out at night and love it. They launch now, in February.

{photo by @Pipsbeaut}

ReVive Light Therapy: this at-home, portable, FDA cleared device targets skin issues in a flash. No pun intended. Acne? The Repair system is for you. Wrinkles and discoloration? Then try the Renew system. Muscle and joint paint are addressed with the infrared technology in these products. I've been using the anti-aging system. I'll check back in in a few months when I have been using it more religiously so that I can give a proper review.

Tan-Luxe: When this tanning system arrived, I just loved the clean, simple lines of the containers and bottles. I like these products because they're natural self-tanners.  The products don't smell like chemicals. They contain Aloe, Vitamin C, E, and Raspberry seed oil. The face and body drops are really concentrated so you don't need to use a lot of product. They're very easy to apply, just add the drops to products you already use, like your favorite face serum or moisturizer. You'll see your tan start to develop within four hours of application.  They're also sold on HSN where everyone loves them. Read the reviews here.

All products mentioned above were sent to me by PR, except the Maybelline products mentioned and the Korres oil.

Bird and Bone, Miami

This month, The Confidante Hotel on Collins and 40th rolled out some new programs that were part of a welcomed revamp at the mid-century modern hotel. Bird and Bone is the new restaurant on the hotel grounds. You will also find a wellness program that includes ocean-side yoga classes, bootcamp and more. The wellness program is complimentary for hotel guests and $20 otherwise.  The hotel, which is part of the Unbound collection by Hytatt, boasts retro, vintage charm. Think Americana meets Art Deco.  

Eager to try out Chef Richard Hales' newest venture, Bird and Bone (mostly because I love Blackbrick, his other successful Miami restaurant), we made our way to Miami Beach to try out some country cooking and cocktails from Nina's House.

Click the link below to read all about it!

From The Office To The Party

Amid massive buzz and hype generated from the appearance of YouTube and beauty blogger sensation, Camila Coelho, Caudalie opened in Brickell City Centre, Miami.  Below is what I wore to the opening.

What I Wore:

Dress: Joie (similar here and here)  // Shirt: Ann Taylor 'Perfect Shirt' (the best work button down, get 40% of using Ann Taylor Promo Code TOPS40)// Shoes: Banana Republic Green Suede 'Canta' Heels // Clutch: Banana Republic Floral Clutch 

Eye Look: Urban Decay Moonstone Palette

Urban Decay sent over the Moondust palette for me to play with and it's been non-stop fun ever since I opened the package. It's a very colorful, sparkly palette with 8 shadows. The palette has a large, hinged mirror.  A definite plus!  As usual, Urban Decay packaging does not disappoint!  Each shadow packs high shine, and can be worn wet or dry. The swatches below are dry swatches, swiped once, with no primer. They're pigmented, but do take some getting used to because there is fallout with certain shades. I personally don't mind that too much, but it's worth mentioning. When you wet these, they become more opaque and almost take on a cream to powder texture. Wetting them is the best way to get full-on lid color, but it does change the tonality of the shades a bit. That's actually the fun in this palette, because the shadows shift color with the light. Keep reading below for full swatches and to see a look I created with the palette. 

Bobbi Brown 2016 Holiday Launches

I love getting to preview new makeup launches and give you guys a first look! Today, we're talking about the Bobbi Brown Wine & Chocolate Collection and Bobbi's Party Picks from the Holiday 2016 collection. 

Super luxe gold packaging and mirrored, hinged compacts.

Bobbi Brown Wine & Chocolate Collection, inspired by everyone's faves!

Mac Lipsticks: Liptensity Swatch Video and Blog

Mac Liptensity in Mulling Spices 

I was thrilled to receive a beautiful PR package from MAC a few weeks back. Inside, were 24 of MAC's newest lipsticks - the MAC Liptensity line. Lipstenisty was created with the help of a tetrochromat. Basically, she has like 40 retinas that allow her to perceive otherwise imperceptible colors and shades. I'm exaggerating but you catch my drift. Because of this theme, upon first glance, you'll think two lipsticks are the same. In reality, once applied, the subtle color differences show up. The color range is beautiful, especially the reds.

They retail for $21 each, and are available both online and in-store. 

6 of the 24 shades are limited edition. They are: Galaxy Grey, Stallion, Life's Blood, Fireworks, Lobster, and Double Fudge.

Bobbi Brown Retouching Collection

Bobbi Brown will soon be launching a new set of concealers, and contours which are part of the Retouching Collection (look out for them in the next week, some already available online).The new Retouching Wand and Retouching Face Pencil. Check out swatches and their review below.  

Not A Fashion Blogger

Rebecca Minkoff Julian Backpack 

New Urban Decay

Urban Decay has recently launched some new products. Their new eye shadows, Urban Decay Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid, and the Naked Skin One and Done Hybrid Complexion Perfector.

On Repeat

Jumped around a lot for Swim Week. Loved getting to spend time with my friends and having more intimate gatherings with brands. The shift from shows to presentations has been more prominent this year, but it's a welcomed change when you think about battling the crowds and the other general chaos that comes along with Swim week in Miami. 

Such attention to detail at Billabong

Pics by +Gissi Jimenez at SoHo for the Tash & Dev (A Bikini a Day) brunch.

Pics by +Gissi Jimenez at SoHo for the Tash & Dev brunch.