beauties, my 2011 is all about taking care of me. i'm making it a point to seek out both new and old favorite spa treatments, and indulging in them.
why? because at the end of 2010 i used an app on facebook to see what the #1 word i used in my status updates was, and it was "work"! this year i want it to be "spa break".
in order to get started on this resolution, the very first week of january i went to my very first overnite spa experience (above you'll see me snow shoeing with my friend stefanie!). highlights of the trip included a eucalyptus steam room and a hot tub with a waterfall spilling into it. i'm hoping this will be one of many spa firsts. i'm ready to seek out the new and exotic! the most unique treatment i tried in 2010 was acupuncture -- and while it wasn't my favorite treatment i'd definitely do it again!
and as for old favorites? there are many! as of 2011, i'm back to getting lash extensions (my all time favorite because no one can ever pinpoint exactly why my eyes look so gorgeous), and cal gel manicures. this year, as in years past, i hope to continue my regime of regular facials and massages. these spa classics are the necessities if you want to feel your best and glow your the inside out. i'm also a firm believer in eyebrow threading for a neat and maintained look.
what spa services or activities have you always wanted to try but never gotten around to? which are your old favorites? with valentine's day just a couple weeks away, whether you're looking at pamper days for 2 or riding solo, there are deals all over the web, so indulge your secret spa goals!
beauties, there's a new infatuation on the block - blue liquid liner.
i swear to you, a girl i work with wears only this - she is otherwise barefaced - and it's shockingly stunning and not at all ridiculous (important note: she is a strawberry blonde). enamoured with her look, i test drive two of the most luxury blue liquid liners on the market:
editor's note: in accordance with the ftc regulations, please be advised that MakeupLovesMe.com received a samples of both these products for this review.
read more...
beauties, over the last few months my hair has evolved from red, to brown, to kardashian!
after trying a preview of clairol nice'n easy color blend foam (their newest line due on shelves this february) in medium ash brown (doesn't sound too dark, right?) i have the raven colored tresses of kim k. while it was darker than i planned, people are loving my "striking" new color.
if you're into at home color, foam is the wave of the future - it's easier to apply than the goopy hair color of the past. rather waiting until february (when the product hits shelves) and pay $9.99 to get your box, you can win a box on facebook this week! so go ahead and "like" clairol on facebook to claim your free box. details below.
editor's note: in accordance with the ftc regulations, please be advised that MakeupLovesMe.com received a sample and salon visit to try this product for this review.
beauties - mara's stopping by -- and she's tried every towelette on the market. here's her thoughts:
i've been using a lot of makeup removing/cleansing towelettes lately. they are gentler on my dry skin that most facial cleansers, they are safer for my eyelash extensions, and they spare my white (!!!) bathroom towels from makeup mess. i've accumulated so many different brands and become so committed to my towelette lifestyle that i decided to systematically search for the very best cleansing towelette, using a standardized test (think of it as the cleansing SATs).
the system: i used each product for at least three days. contenders were rated using a 10 point rating scale,
with 0-3 possible points for cleansing power (does it remove makeup, including mascara? does it feel clean, or do i feel the need to follow with a rinse? can i visibly see the dirt on the cloth?),
0-3 points for after-affects (does my skin feel moisturized? does it smell nice? is it free of oily residue?),
0-3 for cost (lower cost=more points),
and 0-1 possible points for packaging (is it easy to re-seal the package, thus preserving the moisture of the towlettes until they've all been used?). and now for the results! drumroll please....
6.Biore Blemish Fighting Cleansing Cloths (7 points). Perhaps it's best not to mix business and pleasure. The blemish-fighting cleanser leaves my skin feeling dry, with a residue to boot. My skin is extra-sensitive though, so you may not have the same issue. These wipes received points for fragrance but lost for packaging--the re-seal doesn't pass the test of time. The price is good at $6.79.
5. Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes (7.5 points). Neutrogena's product is priced right down the middle ($7.99), and the same could be said of its performance. Makeup removal was good, but not strong enough to remove mascara without a scrub. There was no oily residue, but I was left with a slightly dry feeling.
4. Olay Daily Facials (8 points). Daily Facials earn their name! The texture of the cloth is more fibrous than most... giving the feeling of a gentle scrub as opposed to just a wipe. And at $5.99, the price is right. DF's lost a point for packaging, though (I'm afraid they're going to prematurely dry out because of the lack of a good seal), and one for a slick residue that makes me follow with a water rinse.
3. Proactiv Makeup Removing Cloths (8.5 points). These cloths deliver an amazing moisturizing feeling... I love that I get the clean without the dry. They were docked a half a point for cost ($16.75), and one for the fact that I'm not able to visibly see any foundation in the wipe... which makes me wonder a little if it's actually all coming off. A+ for packing, with a snap-shut lid. All around, a good wipe.
2. MAC Wipes (9 points). Who doesn't love the luxurious feel of a MAC product? These wipes were almost perfect in that they visibly remove makeup without leaving any residue and offer a silky, moisturizing feel. Packaging is good with a fancy snap lid. The cost may make you balk at first ($18), but consider that you get 45 wipes instead of the usual 20-30.
1. Boots No. 7 Quick Thinking 4-In-1 Wipes (A perfect 10!) Legend has it that one in three British women has a Boots product in her handbag... and I believe it. This wipe removed in one stroke all makeup, including my waterproof mascara (what?!?!), with no residue afterwards. It hasn't dried out or irritated my skin, and has a nice, subtle, clean fragrance. The packing is smart with a snap lid, and at $6.99, you can't complain. Congrats to the winner!
honestly, the packaging alone sold me on the crabtree & evelyn lip butters, but the flavors are what has me hooked on them -creme de menthe, vanilla creme brulee, and citron et miel.
also, they remind me of these shoes that me of the bass loves rachel antonoff shoe collection for spring 2011 - which i'm somewhat fixated on. see the resemblance?! it's all about pastel petite flowers in spring 2011.
$7.50 a piece at crabtree-evelyn.com or crabtree & evelyn stores. shoes not yet released, grrr.
editor's note: in accordance with the ftc regulations, please be advised that MakeupLovesMe.com received samples from crabtree & evelyn for this review.
improving my oral hygiene is one of my (less glamorous) resolutions this year. part of this effort includes always have gum or a toothbrush on my person.
lately my purse has been holding trident's new gum for 2011 - trident vitality. trident vitality introduces three new flavors to the trident family - awaken, rejuve, and vigorate. my preference is awaken - a flavor which combines peppermint and ginseng.
also, trident vitality clicks shut - as in it makes an audible sound when it is closed - like a little clutch made just for gum.
if this isn't at your drugstore yet, it should be rolled out nationally by february.
editor's note: in accordance with the ftc regulations, please be advised that MakeupLovesMe.com received samples and attended a fabulous press event to introduce her to this line.
MAC cosmetics is collaborating with none other than wonder woman this year. this promises to be on the level of past MAC collaborations with barbie and hello kitty. the collection will include super-sized mineralize skinfinishes, eye shadow quads, pigments, opulash, lipsticks, oversized lipglasses, jubo-big powder blushes, penultimate eye liner and nail lacquer. as well as accessories - including makeup bags, makeup brush utility belts, a tee shirt and a mirror.
check MAC counters february 10th, 2011 for this collaboration.
my dear friend amber, from beauty blogging junkie, tagged me to win $100 for a charity of my choice from the proactiv 12 days of christmas campaign. watch the video to learn more!
miracle skin transformer is what you always want to a tinted moisturizer to be - it leaves skin extra soft, extra glowy, and has spf, which makes sense because the 3 pillars of the product are hydrate, enhance and protect.
to hydrate the product contains saw palmetto extract, passion fruit, co enzyme q10, vitamin k, and vitamin a. for enhancement, there are naturally devired silicones, mica and color minerals - which gives a matte yet glowy finish that blunts imperfections. finally to protect, the product finishes you off with a solid spf 20.
available in 7 shades - colorless (ideal for men), light, medium, medium tan, tan, dark, and deep dark. i wear medium. $48 at www.miracleskintransformer.com.
UPDATE: enter promo code "eleven" at checkout for 11% off today only - 1/11/11.
editor's note: in accordance with the ftc regulations, please be advised that MakeupLovesMe.com received a sample from this line for possible review.
true story: i once knew a girl that, rather than select a dress for her bridesmaids, told the attendants at her wedding to wear any dress they wanted, as long as the color could be found in a peacock's feather.
MAC cosmetics newest collection, peacocky, hit shelves last week. the collection is consists of 15 mega metal shadows($19.50 a piece) and 12 kissable lipcolours ($18 a piece) - all inspired by the beauty of the peacock. a metallic shadow is always hot, but the lipcolours are the real gem here - non-sticky, shiny lips, with a ton of color payout. exxxibitionist (a red toned coral) is my newest go-to!
right before christmas i had the great privilege of having napoleon perdis do my makeup (unfortunatley this picture is not of me, but it does feature him!).
what you should know about napoleon:
he's a heterosexual, australian, makeup genius (apparently, this is not an oxymoron)
the man is a makeup genius (did i say that already?)! i'm so sorry i don't have a picture from that night, because i looked like an updated mod delight, complete with black liquid liner on top and white pencil liner on my inner rims.
he's the father of triplets!!!
he's the creator a fabulous makeup line, which shares his name, napoleon perdis - that is sold many places stateside, including my personal favorite place, target.
if you buy three things from the napoleon perdis line, make it these:
editor's note: in accordance with the ftc regulations, please be advised that MakeupLovesMe.com attended an event and received samples from this line for possible review.
read more...
how it works: you pump and smear oil all over your dry face (which feels so wrong that it feels right). next, you add a small amount of water to your fingertips and run them over your face to create a milky lather - this step is called "lift and lock" by the brand. finally you rinse, leaving your face free of all makeup and grime, yet also super nourished.
bonus: it has that rich, heady, rose scent that i can't get enough of.
editor's note: in accordance with the ftc regulations, please be advised that MakeupLovesMe.com attended an event and received samples from this line for possible review.
Salon uniforms don’t have to look like lab coats. Brighten up beauty uniforms with a splash of bold colour. Choose from our stylish beauty tunics and beauty tabards in a range of colours, or opt for the classic black or white.
Salon uniforms don’t have to look like lab coats. Brighten up beauty uniforms with a splash of bold colour. Choose from our stylish beauty tunics and tabards in a range of colours, or opt for the classic black or white.
Whatever your business, we’ve got the workwear to suit. Kit your staff out in protective clothing, or provide them with workwear trousers. If you’re buying in bulk, we offer great deals on wholesale clothing.
Keep the entire team looking smart and presentable with our extensive range of tasteful office wear. With work suits for men and women, as well as work shirts, knitwear, and work ties and scarves, we’ve got corporate clothing covered.
Work uniforms help present a united front to your customers. Plus, with quality business clothing, robust and hard-wearing medical scrubs made from high quality fabrics, and smart and stylish maternity work clothes, workers can look sophisticated in any situation.
