"Dazzling Anaconda" Snake-Skin Nail Art!

Hello my darlings!! It's been a while since my last hand-designed nail art and I feel terrible about bypassing my favorite topic. Truth is, my nails just haven't been the same since my trip -- I've damaged a lot of them while peeling Southeast Asian fruits like Rambutan and Mangosteen, so I had to let them breathe without polish so that they could grow back healthy. My nails are still quite short, but they're back to normal and I'm excited to present this festive, snake-skin inspired bedazzled nail art, just in time for Mani-Monday! I'm using emerald polish from Motives Cosmetics (yes, Motives even offers polishes!) topped with glitter and spangles from Inglot's latest nail art collection.

Read more for tips, pix and how-to!

Classic "Glam Purple" Smokey for Autumn

Hello dolls!! Getting back to my regular posting schedule, today's look is an oldie, but a goodie. I prepared it a few months ago along with my Day to Night Transformation look using Anastasia's Catwalk Palette. Now that "Catwalk" is officially on the shelves, I'm eager to show you the looks I created using this awesome palette just in time for fall, so here's the first one!

Read more for pix, tips & deets!

"Sweet-n-Edgy" Fall Look & Makeup

Salut mes belles! Fall is officially here and I'm switching up my beauty and styling routine. The changing of the seasons is the best time to experiment with fashion and mix up new trends. This fall, I'm swaying from the typical earth tones and whipping out the cooler tones instead to complement the cloudier days and the darker nights. I'm letting down my hair, keeping it long, sleek and straight and I'm layering it up with separates. My color palette and overall style is sweet yet edgy, highlighted with accents of pink and doses of sharp edgy accessories.

Read more for deets!

"Coral Sunset" Monochrome Look & Makeup

Hello gorgeous! Fall is almost here and while everyone's talking about scarves and layering, I'm holding on the last bit of summer! Today's ready-to-wear look is inspired by the warm, loving sun that gives us energy and light -- two major forces without which we cannot function. For the sake of keeping true to my inspiration, I'm going for a monochromatic look using coral as my primary color source. After all, it is my favorite color for the summer... ::sob::

Read more for deets :)

"Win a Trip to Paris" Contest Giveaway!

Salut mes belles et Attention!! Some of you may know that Paris is my favorite place in the universe. A few years back, I was lucky enough to live and study abroad in Paris and it was the best time of my life! Having said that, it is my honor to present an amazing opportunity from Lancome to win a trip for two to the City of Lights, plus a package of Lancome's brand new Artliner 24H. Join me and my friends at Lancome & enter your best "Creative Liner" look (like I did here) for a chance to win a TRIP TO PARIS!!! Bonne Chance et Bisous <3

Details after the break!

Autumn Smokey for a Maven

Hello dolls! I've had the most incredible, busy week, so I'm posting this look on my off day, because it just can't wait any longer! I'm using my new favorite fall palette -- Motives for La La mineral eyeshadow palette "La La's Court" -- and I'm bringing back the Autumn Smokey in rich burgundy, gilded olive and smoldering black for a dramatic look that's fit for a Maven and a Queen of her Court. 

Read more for deets, tips & a pictorial-tutorial!

Fashion Week Beauty: "Runway to Realway" Lancome for Jason Wu

Salut mes belles! With New York Fashion Week in full glory, today's post is my first "Runway to Realway" makeup adaptation inspired by the gold glitter look showcased at the Jason Wu show on Friday. The look, envisioned by key makeup artist Diane Kendal for Lancome, focused on the dramatic Marlene Dietrich eye shape and heavy-metal rose gold glitter, featuring bronze shadows from the Bronze Amour palette. To bring this runway makeup to the real way, I stayed true to Diane's vision, but kept the shape smaller and more wearable, while still emphasizing the lid with glitter and bronze shadows.

Fashion Photos: Style.com

Wanna get the look? Read on!

"Sparkling Lilac" with Motives!

Hello my beauties! It's Friday night and NYC is poppin' for Fashion Week!! I'll be busy the whole weekend through Wednesday, so I wanted to get out this special post as a taste of what's to expect in the weeks following FW. With that said, I'm ecstatic to present a Maryam Maquillage debut: Motives Cosmetics -- the award-winning makeup from Loren Ridinger and La La Anthony.

For my first Motives look, I went for "Sparkling Lilac" -- a soft, yet edgy Ready-to-Wear look focusing on lilacs, lavenders and mauves. These purple shades are my favorite "falling-into-fall" makeup colors and work for both day and night. Let's get started!

Read on for deets, tips & a pictorial-tutorial :)

"Pink Glitter Fishnets" Nail Art

Salut mes belles! I'm still in a pink mood, so today's nail post is reflective of my girly theme of the week. This mani is my first hand-painted nail art in almost a month -- I used mostly stickers & appliqués while on vacation -- so I wanted to keep this first one fairly easy and fun. I came up with this bright glittery design, which is not only quick and easy, but also satisfying in terms of my pink theme and craving for Strawberry waffles ;))

Read more for tips, tricks & how-to!

"Tropical Fruit" Exotic Makeup

Hello my darlings and Happy Labor Day! I'm back from my adventurous Southeast Asian vacation and I'm full of inspiration, motivation and new ideas. I've missed blogging terribly and I've missed you all even more! As much as I would've loved to have blogged on location, my itinerary was jam-packed with activities and I simply couldn't find the time (nor the readily available internet access); plus, I desperately needed a break and decided it was my time to escape. Hence, my blog took a stand-still for almost a month (Yikes! but y'all forgive me, right? ;) and I'm excited to return today on a brighter note, a fresher breath, and a more rejuvenated outlook on beauty and life. I've taken home a ton of memories and musings and today's makeup post is based off some of my favorite recollections.

Shall we?