and i'm off to miami!
beauties,
by the time you read this i'll be in miami, or at least at the airport.
but i shall return on monday (and post pics!), in the meantime i'd like to know:
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
avon pro 3-in-1 lip wand is a chimera.
beauties, i know you hate when i do this - but i'm going to talk about a product that isn't available until july.
why would i do that? because it is the absolutely perfect vacation tool. there are many lip products that are 2-in-1s - gloss and color, color and liner, etc - but avon has created a lip wand that contains all three. liner on one side, color on the other, and gloss in the middle.
starting july 2009 the pro 3-in-1 lip wand will be available for $9.50 from avon reps in the following shades:
- berry
- bronze
- coral
- delicate rose
- frozen rose
- nude
- nude pink
- red
- solar rose
- vamp
read more...ped egg.
beauties, my feet are a mess. i wear ridiculous shoes, then walk like 40 blocks a day, and now, i have the worst feet in america. and i need to fix it before miami.
meanwhile, all over the internets people have been waxing poetic about the ped egg. at some point yesterday i decided i needed one. no amount of pedicures, exfoliators or lotions seemed to be healing the perma-calluses.
for the unacquainted, the ped-egg is like cheese grater for your feet. it's what you've always wanted to do, but never dared.
and after one use, my feet are noticeably softer. they aren't totally cured (keep in mind i still have blisters, cuts, etc all over them), but they are on their way. a few more ped-eggings and lotionings and i'm hoping they will look like human feet.
now i'm off to get a pedicure in a bright color that will hopefully distract from the blister on the side of my foot (t-1 day to miami)! the ped egg is available at most drugstores (i got mine at duane reade) for $10.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
clinique spf 50 is a must pack.
beauties -
the countdown to my trip to miami is definitely on. i leave this thursday! this is the first trip (besides atlantic city) that i'm taking with the new beau. so i'm quite excited.
i'm trying to coordinate all of my last minute mani/pedi/waxing appointments in between packing. since i'm terrified of coming back looking like ms. lobster i will definitely be packing clinique's new spf 50 face cream ($20) and spf 50 body cream ($17.50), as well as their after sun rescue balm with aloe ($20).
even though clinique's sunscreen is a bit more expensive than drugstore brands, it covers UVA and UVB rays. this is important for a beauty girl, because while UVA burns skin, UVB ages it. all of clinique's new SPF products are available at clinique.com and clinique counters. and, stop back for more packing updates over the next couple days!
Monday, May 25, 2009
two blushes with brushes - clinique vs covergirl.
blushes with brushes are popping up everywhere. these tubular blushes each have an applicator brush in their cap, and they are easy to slip in your bag. i've found you one for $21.50 and one for half that price.
clinique quick blush comes in 6 shades, is available at clinique counters and clinique.com, and will run $21.50.
covergirl trublend microminerals blush comes in 2 colors, is available at drugstores nationwide, and runs about $11.
the choice is yours, beauties!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
total beauty weekly web tour.
The Informed Makeup Maven shares highlights from the NYC Makeup show and talks mineral makeup with Obsessed Minerals founder, Michael Huwe. Don't forget to join IMM's facebook group!
Beauty Anonymous loves the fresh floral scents of Bond No.9 Astor Place Eau de Parfum.
Kyl at The Beauty Couch is seriously loving the new By Lauren Luke My Smokey Classics palette.
Get serious coverage that is no joke with these 2 fab concealers that Beauty Junkies Unite tried, even tattoos better duck and take cover!
Boutique Flair reviews the Kiss My Face Potent & Pure line.
A Little More Beautiful has 2 giveaways going onUrban Decay Primer Potion in Sin and Max Factor Lash Perfection Volume Couture ending in May and June.
Fabulous Over Forty has a mineral makeup giveaway. Contest ends soon!
The Makeup Divas reviews the new Prescriptives Exhilarating lipgloss in Guava and lipstick in Raspberry.
Neon Bible's new guy writer talks about how to get your guy to get a haircut that costs more than $9.00.
Lipgloss Break has a double giveaway - Enter to Win Wrinkle Arrest DermaScyne & healthDropz!
StyleBell reviews the latest Damp to Dry Flat Iron by HAI Elite, the HaiDraStik. Read if StyleBell gives it a thumbs up or a thumbs down.
Beautè Noire discovers how to get the smoothest, softest, glossiest legs ever!
Jamie, The Working Girl, from Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog, shares her after-work spa regimen.Lipstickaddict makes a review on The Body Shop Products from Spa Wisdom Line, Yes Yes Yes Tantalising Lip Butter and Body Focus Bust Firmer!
Alison at The Advice Sisters (follow her on Twitter - advicesisters) tempts you to try Treats for Summer by TARTE.
makeup loves me gives you the swatches you need to decide if MAC's new style warrior collection is right for you!
eye4style is glossy and fabulous, thanks to the Brazilian Blowout at Maria Bonita. Read about it here!
Hot Beauty Health show us how Shea Butter enhances women beauty.
Monique at Beauty Girl Musings reviews the Rx for Brown Skin Absolute Radiance Intensive Exfoliating Serum.
Beauty in Real Life is having a giveaway with Beautyfix, click here to enter to win one of 15 sets up for grabs!!
LA Pretty is giving away a Fruits & Passion pedicure set for a luxurious, at-home foot treatment. Click here for contest details.
Maria at Beauty is Within reviews Eye Majic Instant Eyes.
addicted to lipstick is having a Kiss My Face Giveaway for Oily and Acne Prone Skin be sure to enter to win!
Summer Fun Locks easy fun curls get the scoop!
read more...Friday, May 22, 2009
beauty & the beach giveaway.
two of my pet brands - hayden harnett and tarte cosmetics - have gotten together for a beauty & the beach giveaway.
all you have to do is enter your name and email address for a chance to win a formidable prize pack. click here to get involved.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
sam fine's basics of beauty DVD.
a couple weeks ago i had the opportunity to pre-screen sam fine's new DVD, the basics of beauty. for the unacquainted, sam fine is a celebrity makeup artist has worked with literally dozes of famous faces, including iman, lauryn hill, oprah, and jada pinkett smith.
the DVD is so soothing to watch - it's truly is like seeing an artist at work -- a sort of bob ross for beauty addicts. it goes through 3 makeovers with real women in their 20s, 30s and 40s. at the end they each achieve a very different, but equally beautiful, look.
and sam fine himself is absolutely charming and radiant in person (yes, he was at the screening). quote of the day? in discussing lip color sam said, "there seems to be a lot of debate about whether or not to use lip liner, but i always line." and i totally agree! if your liner matches your lip color it should look fantastic!
the basics of beauty is available through samfine.com and amazon.com.
preview of essie's lovie dovie.
wondering what the new essie colors will be like? lovie dovie - true flamingo pink - is on my nails right now. this shade is part of "here comes the sun" and will be out in june 2009.
and yes, i realize how incredibly unphotogenic my hands are. in brighter news, i don't have to buy anymore of the pictured espressos - the new beau bought me an espresso maker yesterday! my dream of running a coffee shop out of my kitchen begins today.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
votre vu - royal treatment.
this stuff is my pearl jam.
the royal treatment by votre vu is an organic scrub made of refined pearls in a soothing, exfoliating emulsion. unlike most exfoliators, you apply it to dry skin (rather than wet), paying extra attention to dull or damaged area, then you rinse with warm water and voila! renewed skin is exposed.
$32 at votrevu.com.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
MAC style warrior - swatches!
MAC style warrior hits counters tomorrow - but MLM has a sneak preview of the animalistic packaging and some of the collections most coveted shades!
left side of hand (top down): bright future and vibrant grape eyeshadow
middle row: style warrior lip glass, gold rebel lip glass, purple rite lipstick and brave new bronze lipstick
right side of hand: pink rebel lustre drops
the entire line is inspired by the tribal prints seen on runways. products include:
LIPSTICK
- Sunsational
- Brave New Bronze
- Purple Rite
- Tribalist
- Style Warrior
- Liberated
- Gold Rebel
- Fierce & Fabulous
- Bronzescape
- Scatterrays
- Impassioned
- Eversun
- On A Mission
- Soft Force
- Bright Future
- Vibrant Grape
- Tempting
- Night Manoeuvres
- Mercenary
- PeaceableViolet
- Fire
- Smolder
- Coal Black
- 242182
- Pink Rebel
- Bronze Hero
- Sun Rush
- Refined Golden
- Solar Riche
- Medium
- Dark
- Deep Dark
- Golden Bronze
dashing diva gelife.
"are you gelin'?"
dashing diva has introduced a new nail technology, gelife. gelife is a soft, removable gel that is painted on top of the nail. it sits somewhere between fake nails and the traditional manicure. it is much healthier than acrylics because it lets the nails breathe, and it gives the nail a longer-lasting and shinier finish than a regular manicure.
gelife premiered last week and is available at all dashing diva salons in clear, cool pink, warm pink ($45) and french ($55).
i was livin' the gelife for a week and a half and i have to say-- it was good. my nails looked super-shiny and finished. only after 6 full days i started to notice only very minor chipping. i definitely want to get it done again before vacation (i leave for miami next week!!!). check out my be-geled nails below, along with my amazing felix rey for target clutch.
read more...Monday, May 18, 2009
if you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it...
i wish i was kidding when i told you this is what i spent the last $100 in my checking account on, the dereon dream shoes. shoes designed by beyonce, of all things. the green is way more neon in person, and i kinda just thought i need them. tomorrow, i start budgeting.
shobha threading gives me a new arch.
i'm normally very strict about letting other people touch my brows, i mean you have to be, right?
but anjali, at shobha, is a brow phemon (she even had her own show in india!), and she told me to just trust her, so what else could i do? i normally maintain a sharp arch and keep my brows a bit thick, but according to anjali that's wrong and wrong for my face. because i have a pointed chin, my brows should be a bit rounder (so i don't look too pointy) and because i have "delicate" (read: small) features, thinner is better.
to make a long story short: i loved the results and am planning on maintaining the new shape. see my new shape in the picture below, taken at happy hour a few days later.
the bad news? anjali isn't in the salon much, so appointments with her are hard to come by. the good news? that's because she is busy training every new shobha threading technician to use her technique. shobha threading has three locations in nyc and the treatment costs $20.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
clinique gift with purchase, including a trina turk bag!
beauties, it's time you get gifted. from may 20-june 6, 2009 the trink turk for clinique gift will be free with any purchase over $25 (a $65 value!), exclusively at nordstorm's clinique counters. i'm getting the sense these trina turk/clinique makeup bags are becoming a collectible set.
the gift includes:
- exclusive trina turk for clinique cosmetics bag
- lash doubling mascara in black
- different lipstick in tenderheart
- blushwear cream stick in rosy blush
- superfit makeup (choose from three shades)
- dramatically different moisturizing lotion
- colour surge eye shadow duo in sunburst
- take the day off makeup remover for lids, lashes & lips
to botox or not to botox? that is mara's question...
you beauties are getting used to mara by now, right? good. i sent her to a botox conference and here's the latest installment:
does anybody want to get me BOTOX as a wedding gift? seriously, i never thought i needed it until a leading aesthetic dermatologist told me that just few little injections around my mouth could turn that perma-frown upside down for my big day. and since allergan, the maker of botox cosmetic, is celebrating 20 years of safety and efficacy, i say why not? now i just have to figure out how to include it on my registry...
editor's note: mara promises to be a beautiful bride, even sans botox.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
i met essie weingarten!
last nite, i met essie weingarten, founder of the essie polish line.
in my usual star-struck fashion, i managed to say very little, while my sweet friend charu spoke to her at a mile a minute.
essie told us that, in terms of polish, she loves to layer lighter shades on her fingers and go bold on her toes. she then proceeded to serve us cupcakes during our pedicures! i kid you not. i broke my south beach diet because i simply could not refuse her.
essie will have two collections for summer 2009 - bright lights, big city/essie neon collection 09 and here comes the sun.
the neon collection is a take-off of their wildly successful neon collection from last summer, with four new shades, available starting this may:
punchy pink - delicious berry icicle
flirty fuchsia - flaming hot magenta
funky limelight - brilliant day-glo yellow
perky purple - electric boogie violet
here comes the sun has six with more romantic, softer summer shades, which will be available starting in june:
lovie dovie - true flamingo pink
chubby cheeks - sunset coral
luscious lips - sultry pink
not just a pretty face - naturally nude
cute as a button - juicy persimmon delight
funny face - provocative fuchsia
both collections will be available through essie.com and at nail salons nationwide.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
for kings and queens soap.
for kings & queens can do no wrong in my book.
first, i adored their body wash sampler set - royal favorites. now, i'm hooked on their soaps. i don't use bar soap in the shower, but i do use it to scent my clothing drawers - and i'm on an endless hunt for the best scents.
for kings and queens has unique, fusion-y scents that usually cost $12 a bar, but for $6. i'm loving king of sumatra pepper bergamot, but at this price, i'm planning to get all four soaps, which includes aztec king vanilla, caspar myrrh, and nefertity honey.
visit them on the web at forkingsandqueens.com (yes, it looks like forkings and queens...).
Monday, May 11, 2009
a new "essentials of summer" winner - is it you?!
second time's a charm!
we have a new "essentials of summer" giveaway winner.
the prize pack is going to claire k! congrats, claire. i can't wait to send you what promises to be the best products for summer 2009 (want to be reminded of what those are? click here)!
seychelles and smashbox collaboration.
two LA based companies have collaborated - seychelles and smashbox. shoes, meet shadow. am i in heaven?
the seychelles for smashbox pretty in peeptoes palette will be available through may 30th, 2009, exclusively at nordstrom's.
bonus, when customers buy the palette and a summer shoe by seychelle's they will receive a free tote bag filled with smashbox samples - not a bad way to start the summer, eh?
prescriptives exhilarating summer collection.
prescriptives summer collection, exhilarating, is filled with the citrus colors of summer.
the key piece of the collection is a new twist on their signature scent, calyx sheer exhilaration - which has a punched-up fruitiness for summer.
the collection also includes: exhilarating lipgloss, exhilarating lipcolor and new shades for the u-pick eyeshadow compact (including a kiwi shade called calyx green). i love the raspberry exhilarating lipcolor - it's a soft, but noticable, cool pink.
see it all at prescriptives.com.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
happy mother's day.
happy mother's day to all the mommies and expecting mommies!
i hope it's a beauty-filled day for all.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
essentials of summer winner - last call!
well, beauties, ms. linda g stein has not written me to claim her prize in the "essentials of summer" giveaway.
which means, a new winner will be announced on monday if i don't hear from her. linda, if you're reading this, write me, so i can give you your prize!
total beauty weekly web tour.
The Informed Makeup Maven raves about Stila's #5 brush, Covergirl Smoothers Pressed Powder and Bobbi Brown's Custom Palettes.
Visit The Beauty Couch to enter the Softlips PURE Giveaway for a chance to win one of four Softlips PURE organic lip balms. Contest expires May 12th at 12am EST.
Beauty Anonymous takes a look at Lavshuca's new Lip Gloss.
Beauty Strokes was so pleased with the success of the previous giveaway of its brush collection at More Than a Pretty Face that it's provided a complete set of its Mineral Optics brushes for a new giveaway! Mineral Optics brushes are great for applying loose mineral powders. The prize consists of six brushes, including three optic brushes with natural and synthetic bristles, and a nylon brush roll. Enter now!
Meilily reviews and swatches Gabriel Cosmetics Lipstick with 100% natural ingredients.
Monique at Beauty Girl Musings is giving away 15 (yes, fifteen) Beautyfix 2 kits! Click here to enter!
Hurry on over to The Makeup Divas blog and enter to win Barielle Sugar Rush Nail Polish Collection.
Fabulous Over Forty talks with dermatologist Dr. Doris Day about what we really need for skincare.
Check out Beauty in Real Life for a fabulous neuLash and Anastasia giveaway!
Head on Over to A Little More Beautiful to check out the Great Skin for Spring/Summer series as well as Tips to Prevent and reduce the signs of aging!
Beauty Banter is doing a brow kit GIVEAWAY! Enter to win!!!
Boutique Flair reviews the Sunsilk Captivating Curls line.
Alex McCord, Luanne Delesseps, Ramona Singer and Jill Zarin from the Real Houseives of NYC, Mario Cantone, Simon Doonan, and Allure's Linda Wells are all in the Advice Sisters Post of the Cosmetics Executive Women (CEW) Awards with links to all the winning products.
eye4style is giving away a gorgeous pair of Current Elliott Boyfriend Jeans. Enter now to win!
Daily Dose of Coffee is giving away five copies of the tip-filled anti-aging book How Not to Look Old by Charla Krupp. Enter now for your chance to win!
Beautè Noire Blog gives Halle Berry’s new haircut two thumbs up!
image and style news dishes on all the 2009 summer makeup collection.
Addicted to Lipstick shows us swatches from the Mac A Rose Romance Collection.
Beauty Junkies Unite shares supermodel Alek Wek's look by Lancome from the Met Ball!
Beauty411 shares the details on the new Guerlain Terracotta Mineral Collection for summer bronze beauty!
LA Pretty is giving away a pair of lucy activewear short shorts. Pants are so 2008!
Beauty Blogging Junkie scored an exclusive interview with Star Trek Makeup Department Head Mindy Hall. Click hereto read it!
Spoiled Pretty is partnering with Bath & Body Works for a giveaway - to protect you from Swine Flu. Three winners will receive Anti-Bacterial Gentle Foaming Soap, Foaming Sanitizer, and PocketBac Deep Cleansing Hand Gel.
Butterflydiary is giving away a bottle of Lancome's Genifique and Charla Krupp's book "How Not to Look Old" to one incredibly lucky winner.
Hot Beauty Health is sharing the best beauty products from Self Magazine's Healthy Beauty Awards.
makeup loves me gives you a preview of the hot summer makeup by MAX factor.
Beauty Am Eye shares a Root Awakening experience.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
mother's day gift: simply face & body special.
for you jersey beauties, or beauties with jersey mamas, consider sending mom to simply face & body spa (located in ramsey,nj,) (where i had the most relaxing treatments of my life!) for a mother's day facial and massage, specially priced at $128. call 877-57-SIMPLY to book her treatments.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
elizabeth arden's ceramide gold capsules mother's day train set.
elizabeth arden's ceramide gold capsules mother's day train set is the gift of choice for a mom who's skin needs a little tlc.
if you have one of those stubborn mamas, that try as you might, cannot be goaded to share your love of skincare, this is the kit, because i can tell you from personal experience that the ceramide gold capsules make skincare fun.
the whole kit is $75 (a $137 value) at elizabetharden.com.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
train du nuit
this "new york is london" weather has got me in the mood for artful, romantic stories accompanied by captivating visuals.
perhaps that's why i'm laying in my bed and watching chanel's short film, train du nuit, on repeat. starring aubrey tautou and directed by jean-pierre jeunet (both of amelie fame), it tells the story of a young woman's train trip to istanbul and the romantic encounter that ensues as a result of this trip.
the film debuted today - and it could not be a better fit for the weather. watch it online at chanelno5.com, and fall in love with istanbul, trains, tautou, and perhaps, the classic fragrance, chanel no 5.
mother's day gift: a trip to spa chakra fifth avenue.
spa chakra fifth avenue officially opened last weekend (on may 1st).
for their second weekend, the spa will be hosting a special open house for mothers and daughters on saturday, may 9th from 12-4pm. Guests can sip champagne and nibble on chocolates, tour the spa, learn more about the June Jacobs collection and learn June’s secrets for beautiful skin and overall wellness.
and the following deals with be in effective mother's day weekend:
· stop by the open house and receive a june jacobs discovery kit filled with deluxe product samples to enjoy.
· for this weekend only, stock up on a selection of june jacobs’ best selling products in professional value sizes at wholesale prices. consumers can save up to 35% .
· one for you, one for mom. book any combination of spa services totaling 3 ½ hours (or more), and receive a complimentary companion pass (which is valid for the same treatments) and a free june jacobs lip kit.
spa chakra is located at 663 fifth avenue, ny, ny. they can be reached at 212.871.3050.
Monday, May 4, 2009
essentials of summer giveaway winner is...
linda g stein!
congrats, linda! your "essentials of summer" prize pack (including MAC, philosophy and clinique) will be on it's way as soon as you email me your address.
and thank you to all my email subscribers. i love to know who my regular readers are and fear not, i'm planning more giveaways in the near future for you!
max factor's newest for summer 2009.
mara's back, and she's better than ever, for mlm this monday, mara's here!
remember guest bloggist, mara? well, she's back to share her adventures with max factor. and doesn't she look pretty?!
she writes:
i just tried out some new MAX factor products with jake bailey, celebrity makeup artist for katy perry (!).
first, we tried 2,000 calorie extreme lash plumper ($11, drugstores nationwide), which is great for my campaign to fatten myself up (catch up on that here). i got a little concerned when he asked me to take out a credit card, but i soon learned that its purpose was to be placed behind my lashes during application, allowing for a full slathering-on without all the mess. nifty!
he then applied vivid impact lipcolor ($8, drugstores nationwide) in sweet tart to both my cheeks and to the more traditional location. the lipstick has a high moisture content, and made my lips feel soft and pretty enough to kiss a girl... and like it.
mother's day gift: les fleurs du chocolat truffles.
mother's day is this sunday. in line with this realization, mlm will be featuring unique and mom-friendly gifts all week.
not sure whether to go the flowers route or the fine chocolate route for mom? les fleurs du chocolat truffle collection by my beloved vosges, accomplishes both. floral infused truffles are topped with actual flowers:
- siam citron: jasmine tea + lemongrass + fresh coconut + white chocolate + organic marigold petal
- mirabelle orange: mirabelle plums + orange flower water + 65% dark chocolate + organic nasturtium petal
- rose vert: tarragon + rose water + 65% dark chocolate + organic red rose petal
- platanos y orchidus: orchid vanilla + caramelized bananas + Jamaican rum + 41% deep milk chocolate + organic purple orchid flower
in a square box with 16 truffles, $42. in a heart shaped box with 16 truffles, $44. at vosges.com and vosges stores. read more...
Friday, May 1, 2009
free skin cancer screening in nyc by aveeno.
beauties, if you can't make it to this event on monday in nyc, make sure you have your skin checked before the summer starts!
WHAT: the official kick off for the launch of the skin cancer foundation’s road to healthy skin tour presented by aveeno and rite aid will take place in front of the tour’s 38-foot customized RV. free full body skin cancer screenings by board-certified dermatologists will be offered in a private room inside the RV for the public.
WHERE: pershing square (90 east 42 at park ave)
WHEN: monday, may 4th, 12:00 – 4:00 PM
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