v-day lip gloss that oozes sex appeal.

on this cold nite, i offer you some makeup porn to get you in mood for v-day.

nars' cosmetics ophelia (a strawberry nectar) & easy lover (an ultra-sheer hot pink) are oozing sex appeal.

$24 a pop at narscosmetics.com

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katy perry for proactiv.

proactiv recently launched their newest product add-in, micro-crystal benzoyl peroxide. they also announced katy perry as their new celeb spokeswoman (i'm not sure if that's instead of, or in addition to, jessica simpson). i just love katy perry - i wish she was rocking her signature bright pink lip in this video.

in this video she talks about how it's embarrassing to talk about having acne, but she says that proactiv has helped her and how she wants to share that solution with others. what do you think?

poll by twiigs.com

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living proof full thickening cream review.

i've got the curse (or blessing - depending on who you ask) of having super straight hair.


this means my hair doesn't have a lot of body on it's own, so i'm always looking for ways to pump up the volume (yes, i know that's a cheesy thing to say, but i still like it). out of my latest bag of products i've given a test-drive to, i've a nickel-sized amount of living proof's full thickening cream rubbed into my wet roots and is the best fix.

the best part? it works all day long - no drop in height even after 12 hours.

the down side? it works so well, you have to be careful. i rubbed it into my bangs and it wasn't necessarily a good look...

1.8 ounces for $14 at sephora.com.


editor's note: in accordance with the ftc regulations, please be advised that a sample of the products mentioned was provided to MakeupLovesMe.com.

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courtney akai lash extensions with a side of humor.

beauties, i'm off the wagon.

after a three month break, i have new lash extensions. this time applied by courtney akai of courtney akai boutique salon.

before:

courtney was one of the first makeup artists in nyc to get trained in applying extensions, plus she has an impressive clientele list (including football players wives and makeup company founders!) - so you know she is a real expert. which may be why extensions with courtney are on the pricier side - $400 for a full set.

is it worth it? courtney uses a stronger glue and a closer and tighter application technique that makes lashes hold for up to 8 weeks. having paid $180 for a full set that mostly shed within a week, if your looking for long-lasting lashes and beautifully applied lashes for an upcoming occasion, courtney's your girl. i've had my lashes for 5 days and haven't seen a single one shed yet!

after:

bonus: if you've ever gotten lash extensions before you may recall that it is a two-hour application process, so going through it with someone who has a sense of humor and a wealth of knowledge in pop culture makes all the difference. courtney's thoughts on jersey shore, "sam is the best girl on the jersey shore?! wake up, ronnie, sam is the worst girl at the shore." our entire time together was filled with gems like this that make courtney your new bff.

visit courtney on the web at courtneyakai.com to learn more about her services and visiting her 5th ave salon.

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urban decay's alice palette available by sephora phone.

tim burton's remake of alice in wonderland is already a source of beauty inspiration. urban decay has created an alice in wonderland book of shadows, complete with colors inspired by the cast and scenery and a detailed pop-up of alice's voyage through the mushroom forest.

the palette sold out within hours when it was launched on urbandecay.com last friday. but all hope is not lost for alice collectors, starting tomorrow sephora will be taking phone orders from 6am - 9pm PST at 1-877-SEPHORA.

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get gossip girl hair with herbal essences.

last week i sat down with leighton meester's mane man, charles baker strahan. in addition to living in meester's building -so that he can be at her hair's beck and call - charles is the celebrity sylist for herbal essences.

truth be told, i haven't given herbal essences much thought since summer camp, with the exception of their cleverly named long term relationship line for long hair. but when i sat down with charles he gave me a blowout using only herbal essences products, to show me that this mass brand can perform just as well as a prestige brand, and i have to say, i'm convinced. he may be blair's mane man, but the body-ful blowout i ended up with was definitely serena hair.

to the best of my memory, the products used were: hydralicious reconditioning shampoo and conditioner, body envy volumizing mousse (applied to wet hair), and toussle me softly flexible hold hair spray (applied to dry hair).

try this magic formula for your own serena hair.


top image credit: beautystylewatch.com

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new calgel nails from sakura - glitter gradations + a 3D bow!

this past weekend i visited sakura nail spa's upper east side location for a new set of calgel nails topped exquisite japanese nail art.

this time i got:
1. clear nails with black and gold glitter gradation tips.
2. then my nail artist, megumi, created white 3D bows for my ring fingers.
3. to finish off the look i brought some rectangular black rhinestones for the bases of my other fingers.

and the grand total? $72 ($60 for gradations, $3 for each 3D, $6 for rhinestone application).

i can't stop looking at and touching my nails - i love them! and my last calgel nails lasted for 3 straight weeks without a chip or a blemish.

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affordable escape: juvenex day spa.

escaping the cold is my newest obsession. i've already planned vacations to new orleans, the caribbean and barcelona -- but none of those things are happening soon enough.

two nites ago i escaped winter - and life as we know it - right here in my beloved nyc, at juvenex day spa. juvenex is a spa unlike any other - it's open 24 hours and has a jade igloo sauna, a steam room and three different relaxation pools - cool, warm and hot. you can visit the spa for services, or just to relax in these amenities. when it's zero degrees out nothing feels better than escaping for a couple of hours in a place that worships warmth.

during the day the spa is open just for women - making it a unique destination for a bachelorette party - and at nite it's open to both men and women - creating a romantic, affordable getaway for couples. it costs $65 to relax your way through their saunas, pools and steams - or $35 with a treatment, so you might as well get a scrub while you there.


editor's note: in accordance with the ftc regulations, please be advised that my trip to Juvenex day spa was provided to MakeupLovesMe.com for review.

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my 2010 red lip.

the only good thing about this freezing weather is that it's perfect for red lips.

i've been getting my red lips on all week, and while i professed my love for all reds by nars in 2009, covergirl's outlast lipstain in coy coral is my current red of choice.

what you should know:

• coy coral is not a true coral - it's a bright orange red (think poppy)
  
• the felt-tip pen style applicator is a great way to apply a red lip because it's easy to make small strokes.
• you will need to apply about 2-3 coats to get the true shade - but the product is weightless and leaves no residue on lips.
  
• the outlast lipstains are long-lasting on lips, but the pens themselves dry up in a couple months.

$7.49 at drugstore.com.


editor's note: in accordance with the ftc regulations, please be advised that a sample of the products mentioned was provided to MakeupLovesMe.com.

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live twitter with bobbi brown today!

isn't this a genius idea?! bobbi brown will be answering your beauty questions on twitter during your lunch break today -- just make sure you're following @askbobbibrown. i can't wait to hear her answers!

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clinique youth surge night to defrost my face.

if i've been a little slow getting posts up in 2010 perhaps it's because i have been living in an ice cube. i don't know how eskimos do it. it's been a solid week of cold weather here in nyc and my skin is raging at me.

i've been using clinique's newest anti-aging cream, youth surge night, to undo the frostbite/windburn damage i get from my daily walk to the subway. the cream is supposed to accelerate the skin's natural repair process - which is perfect for the environmental damage i'm suffering. plus, like most anti-aging products, it's super hydrating. it's so thick it feels like i'm putting my fingers in a vat of butter. so each morning i've been waking up to perfectly renewed skin.

the only problem? by the end of the day i have new windburn and i have to start over. where are you, spring? clinique's youth surge night is available in three varieties: one for dry to very dry skin, dry combination and oily. $48.50 at clinique.com.


editor's note: in accordance with the ftc regulations, please be advised that a sample of the products mentioned was provided to MakeupLovesMe.com.

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preview it here: NARS spring 2010 collection.

NARS spring 2010 collection is inspired by catherine deneuve’s role as lucille in la chamade, with soft, sexy shades that are as elegant as they are versatile.

“i love catherine’s makeup look in this movie,” says françois nars, founder and creative director of NARS cosmetics, who chose supermodel amber valletta for the campaign. “it’s very sophisticated and bourgeois in a parisian ‘16th arrondissement’ way. she is the perfect reference for this collection, and apropos for spring, a time to embrace color and get noticed.”

nars spring collection will be hitting their website on january 15th, 2010.

lipstick- $24

• cruising subtle, sexy pink lipstick hue
  

lip gloss - $24

• easy lover ultra-sheer hot pink lip gloss
• ophelia high-shine strawberry nectar lip gloss
  

nail polish - $16

• purple rain gothic purple
  

single eyeshadow-$23

• d. gorgeous dusty lilac powder eyeshadow
  

duo cream eyeshadow-$32

• camargue named for the deep, dancing, sun-cast hues found in the french river delta, this pairing of golden moss and sienna

duo eyeshadow-$32

• kuala lumpur like its malaysian city namesake, this perfectly harmonized gold infused rose and boysenberry
  

glitter pencil-$24

• bains douches bright sky blue, silver glitter-infused hue
  

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catchin' my eye: MAC in lillyland.

MAC and lilly pulitzer have teamed up to make a collection so floridian, you'll forget it's 20 degrees out.

yes, it's a designer/makeup line collaboration, which one could argue i'm always a fan of - but this particular collaboration does a fantastic job of showcasing pulitizer's style.

lipgelee:

• lush & bright bright pink yellow-coral with pink pearl
  
• preppy blue-pink with pink pearl
  
• shift to pink light violet with silver pearl
  
• resort life off-white with pink pearl
  

pearlmatte eyeshadow:

• white, green and pink in a flower pattern (shown above)

pearlmatte face powder:

• four shades in a flower pattern (shown above)

cremeblend blush:

• joie-de-vivre peachy coral
  
• florida bright fuchsia
  
• optimistic orange bright coral
  
• so sweet, so easy Light yellow pink
  

nail lacquer:

• coconut ice Light yellow peach pink
  
• steamy hot n steamy pink

paint pot:

• rubenesque golden peach with gold pearl
  
• bare study soft beige with gold pearl
  
• fresco rose pink with matching pearl

technakohl:

• graphblack rich graphic black
  
• purple dash intense aubergine

the collection is available at maccosmetics.com.


editor's note: in accordance with the ftc regulations, please be advised that a sample of the products mentioned was provided to MakeupLovesMe.com.

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beauty girls best of 2009!

We may be saying goodbye to 2009, but our favorite beauty products from the year will be carried over into 2010.

Marina from makeup loves me shares her favorites from the past year in her Best I Ever Had series.

Teri from Beautiful Makeup Search shares her 2009 Best in Beauty picks.

Lianne from The Makeup Girl shares her Best of 2009 favorites from skincare, beauty, fragrance, bath & body.

Amber from Beauty Blogging Junkie shares her Best of 2009.

Daneen from Spoiled Pretty dishes on the products that spoiled her prettiest in 2009.

Beauty Blogging Junkie @Glambr

Makeup Bag @makeupbag
TheMakeupGirl @themakeupgirl
All About The Pretty @aatp
Makeup Loves Me @makeuplovesme
Beautiful Makeup Search @beautyblogger
Spoiled Pretty @spoiledpretty

The Beauty Girls @thebeautygirls

Join The Beauty Girls official Facebook Fan Page!

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