Inspiration: My friend.

This is my dear friend Tanya. Tanya and I have known each other for nearly a decade, and I've had the privilege not only to be her friend, (and at times her makeup artist) but to be there for some of the big, key moments in her life.

This week Tanya has been awaiting the big "go", the delivery of her second child, due today, August 28th! In thinking about my history with Tanya and all our times together, I recalled our very first meetings, the early photo shoots, (as seen above) and all the fun we've had playing, supporting, consoling, laughing, crying, and being there for one another with love and friendship over the last ten years.

Now with the newest addition to her family on the way, things are changing once again, in the best possible way! In the spirit of love and good wishes for all things future, here's a look back on ten years of friendship past and present, and all the love and creativity that's gone with it.

We got to make art and dreams together. Thanks for ten great years T, and here's to many, many more!

 

May you all have friends who inspire you the way mine do!

With Love,

Noa B

Be-jeweled, on sale!

I love jewelry. I really do. I LOVE mixing high and low, ethnic and classic and street, all in one shot. So it's no surprise that the online, membership brand of JewelMint.com, has been my regular, monthly indulgence. Their range of products and designs range from the hip and chic, to the trendy and vibrant.

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, they decided to have a big, fat, summer sale! Since I've been getting so many compliments on my jewelry lately, I thought I'd let you in on a few of my favorite items that you can order today for the fractional figure of $9.00 per piece! (At least, while they last)... Here are my top picks!

The Gabrielle Earrings, (I just ordered them last night)!

The Nordic Treasure Necklace, (another one I scooped up).

The Massai Tribal Bangle

 Thunderbird Earrings: I paid full freight, you pay 9 bucks!

 

 Ooh, cuffs! The Rodeo Drive Bracelet and the Silver Gehry Cuff! Gorgeous, 9$ splurges!

 
And you can grab these beauties simply by becoming a member at JewelMint here, and there's no obligation to buy. Simply "opt out" within the first 5 days of each month and you'll never get charged the membership, monthly fee. But if you're like me, you'll find a way to want to buy a thing or two just about every month!

With Love,

Noa B

Makeup Giveaway: Fall Eyes!

Hi Lovely Ladies, It's almost Labor day and time to freshen up the old makeup bag with a few, choice items here at Sunset and 5th! This week's giveaway?

The "Ultimate" in eyes, from Becca Cosmetics. Read on for a chance to win a $100 in new, fall colors!

I confess, I've been a HUGE fan of this innovative, luxury line of Aussie products for years, (about 10 to be exact). And I love their smouldering yet soft approach to eyes and skin. This fall is all about chocolates and browns, ox-bloods and suede, and I'm delighted to be able to bring you a few goodies that will keep you on top of the trend reports. Read on for your chance to win!

For a head-start to fall, nab these must-have's!

 Two, gorgeous shadows for highlighting and shading, a combined $48.00 value!

 My favorite, eye makeup brush, #10, a $33.00 value!

And a highlighting, portable, shimmer powder, a $20.00 value!

And now for the rules:

Official entry rules:

1: You must become a follower of Sunsetand5th via Google friend connect, (found on the upper, right hand corner of my blog).

2: Once you have, (or if you already are) comment back here about your favorite makeup tips for eyes, or tell me why you'd love to try this luxurious line.

3: For an additional entry, visit my website at www.noabolozky.com and let me know what your favorite look is.

4: For another entry, check out Becca's website here and tell me the product you'd most like to try.

Entries are open for US and Canada submissions.

Deadline is Labor Day, 9/3/2012, 11PM PCT.
 

With Love,

Noa B

(Not 50) Shades of Grey...

It's a cloudless day, but I'm feeling a twinge of grey...

Soft, dove grey to be more exact.What a pretty color for summer's end.

Beading details make this mini feel semi-Grecian. Perhaps I should've worn gladiators too... 

But in this slowly transitioning weather boots serve just as well.

Pretty dangles and it's off for to a lunch date with the gal who gave them to me. (My bridesmaid gift from last week, in fact)!

Dress: MM Couture, Sweater: California Bloom, Booties: 7 For All Mankind, Bag: LAMB, Earrings: Kendra Scott

Have a pearly, dove grey day!

With Love,

Noa B

Weekend Score: Hangbag Galore!

Oh happy day! Look what I found yesterday at my favorite thrift store around the corner?

The perfect, cognac, brown bag, and just in time for fall with all it's rich brown and oxblood color trends!

Ummm, gasp!!

Jacket: Charlotte Russe, Jeans: Seven for all Mankind, Shirt: Trade, Wedges: MIA, Bag: Thrift, Fedora: F21

Secondhand may not be for everyone, but where else can you find a perfect-conditioned, on-trend, leather handbag with the discreet, Cole Haan label stitched on, for $5.00!?

With Love,

Noa B

Perfect Beach Wear

Oh my gosh, I cannot get OVER these rad, vintage pants I just found over the weekend! How awesome are these to enjoy the end of summer with?

They're got the perfect mix of Venice Beach style chic and vintage flare.

They're such a cool print, and so incredibly current too! Plus I'm loving the high waist right about now...

And if you like the vibe too, come find them this week on my ETSY store, LOSTFOUNDLOVE. There's so many fun, fall items appearing, but as summer wanes away, these won't last! As always, Blog readers receive 15% off all items with the coupon code: SUNSETAND5TH.

Happy Monday!

With Love,

Noa B

YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat: Review

As a makeup artist, I try to always test new, innovative, (or simply pretty) products as they come across my path. A few months I ran out of my key, favorite product, my Becca Pressed Powder. Unfortunately, (and given it's popularity) my color was back-ordered indefinitely... Which is when I tried and fell head over heels in love with YSL's loose/pressed complexion powder.

 

Hot on that trail, I decided to have a go at their new foundation, Le Teint Touche Eclat, a follow up to the cult-classic, Touche Eclat concealer pen. (Seen below)...

 

Now I'm not a big foundation gal. (If you read this blog you know I'm all about the primers, highlighters, BB Creams and tints). But I do LOVE having a variety of bases in my professional kit. And every now and then there's one I would deign to wear myself for that extra bit of nighttime polish!

I've got my current faves: from the delicate and sheer Becca Luminous Skin, to the full-matte finish of Makeup Forever's HD, the airbrush delicacy of TEMPTU, as well as M Misha, Dr Jart BB Creams, Koh Gen Do water-based makeup, RCMA palettes, and the like. Let's just see how YSL lives up...

First thing's first: When testing a foundation that's not water based, use a combination of fingertips and brushes. For this particular formula, I opted for a "buffing brush".

Apply finger tap size "dots" of foundation evenly throughout the face, focusing on the T-Zone, the bridge of the nose and the chin. Gently buff the base into place using a large, fluffy brush with semi-spiked tufts of hair. The circular motion with a buff brush will allow the makeup to blend evenly over pores without looking caked on, ensuring an even finish and no streaking.

Once more or less on, move the brush in a circular  motion to blend away excess product.

And Voila! A virtually airbrushed finish. Set immediately with setting powder. My new favorite of choice? YSL of course!

The perfect mixture of loose/pressed form and finish.

Because I was testing a formula that was one shade lighter than my own skin tone, I added an overall sweep of bronzer across my face to deepen the tone. In the event that you end up with a foundation that's a bit lighter than your current undertone, this is always a good way to bring it back to life. Just make sure to opt for a truly brown bronzer as opposed to a reddish color, (which can leave you looking a bit "orangey").

 Yup, I'm loving this new base. I may even have to buy a few for the old kit and caboodle!

 Foundation: Touche Eclat BR 30, Bronzer/Blush: NARS Casino/Orgasm, Gloss: Jouer Monsoon

And you can too! Discover your shade at YSL here and receive 10% off when you register to join the site!

With Love,

Noa B