19 October 2009
For Once, I Love Being Double Booked!
The Lorac Double Booked Full Face Collection has it all. A $455 value for only $55, it has everything you need for year-round glamour. I love that each side is separated by cool and warm shades. Inside the chic mock-croc silver case you'll find sixteen eyeshadows, two blushes, two lip glosses, one bronzer, one highlighter, one lip liner, and a dual-sided shadow/liner brush. When travelling I live off of Lorac palettes, and this one is going to be a great addition to my collection.
14 October 2009
To Bag, Or Not To Bag?
I have so many cute makeup bags from gift-with-purchases that I refuse to buy them; however, I may make an exception for this Becca leather pouch. Made of soft Italian leather, it's small enough to fit perfectly into a handbag for on-the-go touchups, and the rich reddish-brown color is ideal for Fall and Winter. More than the bag, I am just dying to get my hands on the adorable key chain attached to the zipper closure.
07 October 2009
The Parisienne Life
I once dreamed of living a Bohemian-chic lifestyle in Paris, and Yves Saint Laurent's Parisienne almost makes me believe that I am. It's a feminine scent, with notes of blackberry, damask rose, and sandalwood. It's elegant without being stuffy and is ideal for evenings out. I'm normally not drawn to floral scents, but this has what the French refer to as "je ne sais quoi." It's upfront yet mysterious, and has quickly become my go-to fragrance.
01 October 2009
Full On 80's Make Up
With all the new color collections that have come out recently nothing has really knocked my socks off, but I love the full-face makeup that designers are leaning towards. Dark eyes and lips? It's nearly scandalous after the beachy, carefree look that's been around the past few years. I'm excited about this trend. It's the only 80's look that I'm really embracing. I am totally going to be rocking the Robert Palmer Girl look on weekends this fall. Can't wait!
24 September 2009
Just Call Me Bronzilla
The Product: L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Luminous Self-Tanning Lotion
The Claim: Contains light-reflecting micro-pearls that create a luminous, streak-free, bronze glow immediately upon application. The lotion smoothes on effortlessly and is absorbed quickly. Rich in Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, this lotion replenishes and hydrates while it develops your sunless tan. Apply daily until you get your desired tone and then repeat application once or twice a week to maintain your golden bronze.
The Results: I love the immediate bronze glow this lotion leaves on the skin. The feel of it is nice, too--it's more of a gel consistency than a lotion, and it absorbs quickly. The morning after applying I was shocked at how bronze I was. I looked like I had spent a month tanning in Rio; it was truly amazing. One warning: this product is really pigmented to give such a dark tan, so any streaking is really obvious. I actually think I would prefer it without the self-tanning action, and only as a shimmer product.
17 September 2009
Pony Up With Christian Siriano
The Look:
This is a low, sleek ponytail adorned with a textured bouquet of waves; a play of smooth versus rough. Hair is sleek and groomed on each side of the head and through the ponytail, with a slightly rough, matte finish on top and elegant, textured waves pinned above the pony. The finished look is chic and contemporary with a bit of attitude.
Get the Look/Step-by-Step:
• Step 1: Create a deep side part. Draw a horseshoe-shaped section of hair along the top of the head, from each brow-line. Isolate this section of hair and pin in place with a single-pronged hair clip.
• Step 2: Pull the bottom half of hair into a ponytail and secure with a bungee elastic. Divide ponytail into sections with fingers and spray with Aveda Air Control™ Hair Spray for workable hold.
• Step 3: Use a flat iron to straighten the ponytail section by section, creating a smooth, sleek finish.
• Step 4: Unclip the top section of hair and comb it back and over the ponytail. Sprinkle Aveda Pure Abundance™ Hair Potion and massage into hair to create volume and matte, rough texture.
• Step 5: Working with the same top section, divide hair into smaller pieces and spray with Aveda Air Control™ Hair Spray. Wrap each piece of hair around a ceramic Curl Rod, creating spirals, until the entire top section of hair has been curled.
• Step 6: Brush through spirals, loosening curls into soft waves. Loosely backcomb waves to create fullness, volume and texture, and shorten the length of hair.
• Step 7: Pin the sides and ends of wavy hair against the head, close to the base of the ponytail. Hair is sculpted into a voluminous, undulating chignon adorning the ponytail.
• Step 8: Work Aveda Light Elements™ Texturizing Creme into palms. Smooth hair along the sides of the head and above the ears to create a sleekness and shine.
• Step 9: Finish the look with Aveda Air Control™ Hair Spray for shine and hold.
Aveda Products Used:
Aveda Light Elements™ Texturizing Creme
Aveda Pure Abundance™ Hair Potion
Aveda Air Control™ Hair Spray
Antoinette Beenders Quotes:
Q: What was your inspiration for this look? How did you collaborate with the designer to create the look?
“Christian and I worked together to create a hair look that reflects the inspiration behind his collection: waves and the ocean, with shimmering silks, silvers, and blues. I call this look the “wave” because of the back-combed wave that floats atop the ponytail. Since Christian is a young designer, the hair look is elegant yet very modern.”
Q: How could a woman achieve this look on her own?
“This is an elegant, alternative version of the ponytail—beautiful for evening. Using a fine comb, separate the front/top of hair and part it into a horseshoe shaped section on the top of the head. Tie the rest of hair into a low ponytail. Rake the front/top of hair back with Aveda Light Elements™ Texturizing Creme, and curl with a curling rod. Brush through curls and backcomb slightly, then pin teased hair to the base of the ponytail, creating loose, textured waves. Finish look with Aveda Air Control™ Hair Spray.”
16 September 2009
Sunscreen for Hair
Always a huge fan of sunscreen, my latest obssession is L'Oreal's EverPure UV Spray. It can be used on wet or dry hair, and is lightweight so it doesn't weigh hair down. It has really helped to keep my color from fading this summer. Weeks later, my highlights are still fresh and vibrant; if it wasn't for the dark roots, I wouldn't even need to get my hair done yet.
15 September 2009
Christian Siriano for VS Makeup
I know I'm a little late on posting this collection, but I am loving the Christian Siriano make up collection for Victoria's Secret. The packaging is chic and the colors are bold, a perfect look for fall. My favorite item is the lip gloss in Sublime, and pale pink nude.
04 September 2009
The Acne Saga Continues...
Between the acne and the acne scars, it's hard to decide what to work on first. I decided to start with my acne and deal with the rest later. My dermatologist prescribed my a stronger prescription for my face, and recommended that I use extremely gentle cleansers and creams.
Never one to sit around and wait for my face to clear up, I decided to take a more offensive stance and purchased the Patricia Wexler Acnescription Anti-Acne Starting Kit from Bath and Body Works, which includes a cleanser, serum, moisturizer, and spot treatment. I know you're not supposed to use and exfoliator when you have acne, but I have always chosen to ignore this advice. The Exfoliating Cleanser in this kit is amazing, and has really helped get rid of the dead skin left from previous pimple creams. The texure is that of a light exfoliator, so I only use it at night (still use the Clarisonic in the morning with a gentle cleanser). The Anti-Aging Serum is also great, and I am now using it in place of moisturizer at night.
The Oil-Free Hydrator is just terrible. I swear it made my face greasier, and my concealer slid off when applied over it. Yuck. Not a fan at all! The last item, the Spot Treatment, is great, but not as a spot treatment. I found that it didn't dry on my skin, and would roll of when I went to bed, so I've been using it as a face mask on my trouble areas (fyi, trouble area = entire bottom half of my face).
I've noticed an improvement in my skin which I think is primarily due to the prescription, but is enhanced by the Wexler cleanser and serum. I'll keep you updated on the 'facial developments', but hopefully I'm on my way to a cure. Does anyone out there have any other acne products I should try?
02 September 2009
Eye Am A Believer
The Product: L'Oreal Revitalift Deep-Set Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream
The Claim: Pro-Retinol A® + Fiber- Restoring Complex targets the delicate eye area's intricate fibrous support with 24-hour repair. The AM treatment is a gentle SPF 15 hydrating cream that helps repair and protect the skin with UVA/UVB SPF 15 sunscreen. The PM treatment helps repair and restore broken skin fibers to reduce deep-set wrinkles around the eyes while you sleep.
The Results: This is the best eye cream I've tried in a long time. I actually put away my $190.00 ReVive eye cream that I had been using in favor of this one. I absolutely LOVE the convenience of having an eye duo for day and night that is attached. It makes me feel better having SPF 15 around my eyes during the day, and I love how luxurious the night cream feels. The product is aimed towards a more mature crowd, and the packaging says it's for "deep-set wrinkle repair," but I still loved it for my 27 year old eyes. I don't have enough wrinkles to notice a huge difference, but after several weeks of use the skin around my eyes seems to be more hydrated and firm.
01 September 2009
Collagen For...Your Lashes?
The Product: L'Oreal Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara in Black
The Claim: This Extra Volume Mascara by L'Oreal contains Hydra Collagen which creates up to 12x more volume with no clumps, extra volume brush is twice as thick as traditional brushes. Infused with a complex of collagen and Hyaluronic spheres, clings to lashes and expands to provide lash magnification.
The Results: If you like the DiorShow mascara, you will love this one. It is extremely similar, and at $7.95, what do you have to lose? It adds tons of volume, yet still leaves lashes looking natural. As you know from my previous posts, I don't necessarily think 'natural' is a good thing when it comes to lashes, at least for myself. I like thick, dramatic, almost spidery lashes (I know, it's not for everyone). However, this mascara does what it claims it will--leaves you with lush lashes. It didn't flake, but I did notice that my lashes weren't as full by the end of the day, and the curl had gone out of them. My lashes didn't have the normal stiffness I associate with mascara, possibly due to the collagen. All in all, it's ideal for anyone that wants fullness at a drugstore price.
31 August 2009
Tousle Me Softly
I hadn't used Herbal Essences since junior high, so torn between nervousness and excitement when their new Tousle Me Softly collection arrived in the mail. Nervous because do I really want to return to something I used when I was 13? My hair was awful then! Excited because the cheery purple bottles promised my hair would be scented with a "tousled fusion of wild violet & pomegranate." The main thing I noticed in this collection is that it's fairly heavy and weighs the hair down, which I love, but is not for everyone.
Shampoo and Conditioner for a Tousled Look: I am extremely picky about the shampoo I use, but I found that this one worked well, especially when used with the conditioner. I've always felt that the instructions to use products from the same brand was a marketing ploy, but these really complemented each other and left my hair smooth and soft.
Tousle Me Softly Mousse: My favorite product in the collection! Smelled amazing, held my waves, and really cut down on frizz.
Tousling Spray Gel: I liked it as a 'freshener' later in the day for my hair, but thought it was too crunchy when used on wet hair.
Flexible Hold Hair Spray: I know it's bad for the environment, but I believe that aerosol hairspray is an essential. My beliefs have only been made stronger with use of the Tousle Me Softly hairspray. It comes out in more of a stream than a fine mist, and left my hair looking like it was coated in a glaze.
Finishing Touch Cream: I feel like this product is almost misplaced in this line. It would be better packaged as a smoother/defrizzer than a curl enhancer. Either way, this product is great and adds tons of shine. Just make sure to learn from my mistakes--a little goes a LONG way!
18 August 2009
One Word: Yum
The Product: Caress Evenly Gorgeous Exfoliating Body Wash, Burnt Brown Sugar and Karite Butter
The Claim: New Caress Evenly Gorgeous Exfoliating Body Wash and Beauty Bar have burnt brown sugar and karite butter that gently exfoliate and lusciously moisturize, revealing sensually smooth skin that’s even toned and polished to perfection.
The Results: I don't know if you're familiar with the Warm Vanilla Sugar scent from Bath and Body Works (which I love), but this smells extremely similar. I can't use the Bath and Body Works products because all the fragrance make me break out, but this is a perfect alternative. It's more of a winter scent, but it is just so delicious that I haven't been able to resist using it all summer! Aside from the amazing scent, the body wash has little exfoliating beads in it that gently slough off dead skin. It's really gentle, so it's perfect for every day use. I occassionaly get small bumps on the back of my arms in the summer, but this has completely gotten rid of them. The karite butter also kept my skin nicely moisturized, so I didn't need to use any lotion after. I tried the Beauty Bar as well, but wasn't a huge fan. First, I'm not a huge bath bar fan anyway. And second, it didn't have the same exfoliating and moisturizing benefits as the gel. Bottom line--buy the gel, not the bath bar, and enjoy the heavenly scent.
12 August 2009
Breakout Central
If you've never had bad acne I'm sure this will seem very dramatic; I've always had pretty good skin and before this I would have scoffed at anyone that wouldn't want to leave the house because of their skin. It would have seemed ridiculous. But now I know better. I'll keep you updated on skin situation, but for the near future there won't be many posts on skincare products.
I have tried some great hair products lately, so stay tuned for those reviews!
03 August 2009
Marc and Lola Love Affair
Exclusively at Bloomingdale's, Marc Jacobs latest scent, Lola, smells as fun and whimsical as it looks. The eau de toilette has notes that feature pink peppercorn, pear d’anjou, ruby red grapefruit, fuchsia peony, rose, geranium, vanilla, tonka bean and creamy musk. Described as "a modern free spirit with an irresistible attitude. Lola is an intoxicating swirl of rich layers, wrapping the skin in sensuous florals blooming with a signature note of fuchsia peony. Playfully alluring and irresistibly tempting." It smells very young to me, like something you would buy a teenager--trendy and funky, with a hint of maturity.
Today's Deals and Steals
Sephora has started a program that rewards their 'big spenders' by sending offers for promotions and freebies. If you're not a VIB (Very Important Beauty Insider) you can still take advantage of their latest special by entering code VIBKVD at checkout. This code will send you a free early access to test samples of Kat Von D's fragrance set, Saint and Sinner.
29 July 2009
Attention Shoppers: Gilt without the Guilt
28 July 2009
This Reign Isn't Going To Last Long...
Smashbox's Fall Reign collection was released, and I immediately was drawn to the Reign Fusion Blush in Regal. Described as a peachy nude with both a matte and shimmer side, I ordered it and waited excitedly for it to be delivered. I instantly fell in love with the swanky packaging, and eagarly opened the compact...and stared in horror at the brownish orange shade of blush. What?!?!? I mean, seriously--look how gorgeous the color is in the picture! The blush made my face look dirty, and I can't imagine the shade would be flattering on anyone. I wouldn't have minded so much if the picture hadn't been so misleading. I feel cheated!
24 July 2009
Best Beauty Bargain
In my top 5 products that I can't live without, Q-tips definitely make the list. It's one of those products that you use everyday but don't really think about. I use Q-tips to smudge liner and shadows, apply blemish cream, and fix mascara mistakes; there are truly dozens of uses for them. Q-tips has just launched a campaign promoting their swabs as the 'Ultimate Beauty Tool,' and is backed my famed make-up artists Mally Roncal and Troy Jensen. In addition, they've completely revamped their packaging, coming out with colorful boxes that can be kept on your vanity for easy access. At $3.19 for a box of 285, this is about the best beauty bargain out there.
21 July 2009
101 Uses And Counting...
I have a serious case of chapped lips and have tried hundreds of dollars of lip balms and treatments, and have come to the conclusion that the more expensive products are not necessarily better, they are just more expensive. My absolute favorite for dry, scaly lips: Aquaphor Healing Ointment. This drugstore staple truly does it all. It hydrates and add shine, and is also great on dry elbows, cuticles and heels. I've also used it in a pinch to help with flyaways. If you haven't tried it before, I definitely recommend it--think Vaseline without the gooey texture and bad taste.
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20 July 2009
Butter Me Up
The Product: butter London Hardwear P.D. Quick Topcoat
The Claim: A great topcoat is a necessity for longer lasting manicures. Hardwear protects the layers of colour beneath it, and gives a super-shiny finish. Nails look wet, vibrant, and freshly painted even when they are dry. Of course it’s also 3 Free, like all our products. In case you were wondering, P.D. Quick stands for ‘Pretty Darn Quick’!
The Results: I was in the Seattle airport for a layover last week and they had the cutest pedicure station by butter London. Never one to turn down pampering, I immediately signed myself up for one. When I left the first thing I noticed was how insanely shiny my toes were. Now, I know that matte polish is in style right now, but that is a trend I just can't get behind for toes--I want mine bright and shiny for summer. This topcoat is the best I've ever tried. It's a week later and my nails are still as shiny and chip-free as the first day; they look like they haven't dried yet. Love it! At $18, it's pricey, but can you really put a price on the happiness I get when I look down and see my gorgeous toes?
17 July 2009
Be Still My Heart...
It is quite possible that the Trish McEvoy Simplicity Little Black Card was made with me in mind. It's basically all of my favorite shades combined into one palette. Packaged in a bright pink pouch, it includes Natural Blush, Rose Quartz Glaze Eyeshadow, Iris Eyeshadow, Navy Cream Definer, two shades of Brightening Line Minimizing Concealer, Pink Rose and Jolie lip colors, and Simply Glamorous Lip Gloss.
16 July 2009
Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives
PHYTO Dry Hair Collection-
Love the product line, love the travel bag
MAC Look In A Box in Sweet Tease-
Classic, flattering colors at a great price
Chanel Glossimer in Muscat-
A sparkly neutral gloss
15 July 2009
Living in a High-Def World, and I'm a High-Def Girl!
The Product: Cargo blu_ray Pressed Powder
The Claim: Created to provide flawless results while looking completely natural during high-definition filming, blu_ray™ Pressed Powder contains specialized photochromatic pigments that adjust with the light so that your base makeup always looks perfect regardless of lighting or setting. Photochromatic pigments adjust with the lighting so that you have natural looking makeup no matter what the setting, while ultra-fine micronized minerals fill the look of fine lines and reduce the appearance of imperfections. An irregular particle size creates light dispersion, an effect that softens the look of the skintone. This oil-free powder is perfect whether you are getting married, going to your prom, having portraits taken, or simply want to look fabulous anytime and comes in a sleek black compact for convenient touch-up on the go.
The Results: I am now a full-fledge fan of the entire High-Def line by Cargo. It started with the blush, then the concealer, and now I'm in looooove with the pressed powder. It actually reminds me a lot of the MAC Studio Finish (translation: it's heavy with full coverage), so I wear it primarily at night. It has a very slight shimmer to it that makes skin appear luminous and very photogenic. My only problem with it is that it doesn't come with a sponge or brush, so touch-ups on the go are difficult for me--I hate carrying around an extra brush in my evening clutch. However, I have received compliments on my skin every time I've worn it, so I'm happy.
01 July 2009
Bobbi in the Nude
In my ever so humble opinion (ya right), Bobbi Brown makes the best nude shadows; she has perfected the art of girl-next-door makeup. Her latest palette, the Nude eye palette, mixes three different textures--soft matte, lightly pearlized, and metallic high-shimmer--to let you customize the look you want while still maintaining a natural look. Plus, the pallete can be refilled in customized shades when you're finished!
Included Shades: Navajo Eye Shadow (Creamy Pinkish White), Pebble Metallic Eye Shadow (Silvery Sparkle), Chino Eye Shadow (Medium Brown), Beige Linen Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow (Golden Shimmer), Maple Sugar Metallic Eye Shadow (Medium Gold Shimmer), Caviar Eye Shadow (Deep Black).
30 June 2009
Gypsy Eyes
The Product: L'Oreal HIP High Intensity Pigments Kohl Eyeliner
The Claim: A loose-powder kohl liner that glides on velvety-smooth, in gorgeous, rich, shimmering shades.
The Results: Loose kohl eyeliner reminds me of gypsies with dark smokey eyes and sexy allure. Unfortunately, that doesn't describe me in any way. I found the long handled applicator difficult to maneuver when trying to make a straight line, creating an uneven line that was too thick. I looked like a teenager trying to be Goth...and that was before the liner began to smudge and flake off. The colors I tried, Gold and Navy, were gorgeous and I would have loved them as an eyeshadow, but as far as the kohl liner went, it was just a mess!
From sleek bob haircuts to long layered hairstyles, we applaud this Texan for always changing up her look |
Jessica Simpson could be single handedly responsible for bringing back the blonde bombshell persona with her big golden hair, flirtatious style and whimsical attitude. While she's been known to be a bit clueless (and play that to her advantage), she sure can look smart on the red carpet. Jessica takes her hair seriously and we do too. See some of her hair hits here. |
29 June 2009
L'Oreal HIP Color Presso Lip Gloss
The Product: L'Oreal HIP High Intensity Pigments Color Presso Lip Gloss
The Claim: A fun, innovative way to create custom color...and your signature shade.
The Results: I tried the Trendy and Swanky colors, and I must say that they lived up to their names! These glosses consist of two separated tubes that can be mixed and matched to make your perfect color combination. It was easier for me, however, to either use the same amount of both, or just one of the colors. The blend of the colors was great, as were the individuals colors. Trendy, a mauve/light pink blend smelled delicious and gave a natural shimmer to my lips. Swanky, a bright pink/golden pink blend added a pop of color without being too overwhelming. The glosses are super-moisturizing, and I actually started using them instead of my regular chapstick--they worked that well!
27 June 2009
Quick Beach Waves
The Product: Ceramic 3-Barrel Jumbo Weaver
The Claim: This 3-Barrel Jumbo Waver creates beautiful waves in large sections of hair for a naturally wavy look. The ceramic coated barrels help hair to retain moisture for silky and shiny styles.
The Results: I still love the Remington Emi blow dryer for beach waves, but when I've overslept and don't have time to shower I turn to this curler for large "S" waves. Since my hair is naturally wavy, I just grab random 1" pieces and clamp the curler on the middle-to-end of the hair shaft. It's a quick and easy fix for beachy, beadhead waves.
Flip flops, sundresses, self-tanner and these celebrity-inspired hairstyles -- gotta love the warm season |
Summer is the perfect time to rock a sexy casual updo. It feels great to get hair up off the neck, and a casual updo says "confident" more than any other. Here are several celebrity-inspired looks to try. |
25 June 2009
ChapStick True Shimmer
The Product: ChapStick True Shimmer
The Claim: This season's latest addition to ChapStick lip balm, ChapStick True Shimmer, offers the moisturizing benefits of a lip balm with the added bonus of a subtle, radiat shine, providing just the right accent for your lips on any occasion.
The Results: These chapsticks really moisturized while adding a hint of shimmer and color. This is a great summer substitute for lipgloss; I only wish it came with SPF. The Botanical Berry and Tropical flavors are available now, and the Peppermint Rush and Fruit Sherbet will be available in August. Here's a breakdown of the flavors-
Botanical Berry--This flavor provided a soft pink shimmer, and smelled (and tasted) like strawberry candy. Yummy!
Tropical--I'm actually not the best judge for this flavor. Due to a night with too much Malibu rum (sorry mom) I can not longer stand the smell of coconut. However, if you like the coconut sunscreen smell, you'll love the Tropical flavor. It leaves a pretty pale gold shimmer on the lips.
Peppermint Rush--I love minty, fresh smells on lips, so I was very excited to try this one out. Plus, I was sure the blue with pale silver shimmer would make my teeth stand out and look whiter. Not so much. Instead, I looked like I had a case of hypothermia.
Fruit Sherbet--This one had a light guava flavor, and the purple tint was actually very flattering. This scent was the most subtle of the four, and probably my favorite.
From Angelina Jolie's cat eye to Anna Wintour's iconic bob -- see the looks we love and loathe |
Establishing a signature style can be a great way to make a statement, but it can also turn into a rut. Look to these examples for clues on how long you should stick with your signature style and if it's really right for you. |