Currently Loving - Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil

Thursday, December 13, 2012


There’s no surprise that I LOVE the beauty benefits of olive oil, but beauty oils –facial or otherwise—worry me a little. I gave argan oil chance after chance and was left disappointed each and every time. While my hopes of enjoying the wonders of beauty oil were dashed, I hadn’t given up just yet. Through my work I came across Tarte’s Pure Maracuja Oil and it stopped me dead in my tracks. If the beautiful packaging and design weren’t enough, I’d done my proper research and was sold.

This luxurious liquid promises to firm, soften and better the appearance of skin all while diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, pretty hefty promises right?  Being a girl that suffers from serious combination skin that gets super shiny throughout the day, the thought of layering on an additional layer of oil was bizarre to me. So in the sake of beauty – I gave it a go.






Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil

Starting as a nightly treatment, I’d coat my skin in a VERY thin layer of this wondrous oil. Every morning my skin would feel incredibly soft, unbelievably hydrated and left supple and glowy. I loved the way my skin started to look better after each passing day. Soon enough, I decided to ditch my usual moisturizer and layer on Maracuja in its place. The silky consistency soothingly glided on my skin and sank in. My skin was free of any greasy film or stickiness, just a perfectly hydrated canvas ready for a flawless foundation application.

I’ve been using Maracuja oil for about a month and boy has it lived up to its promises. My skin has healed, my frustrating blemishes have cleared (a pleasant result) and skin looks lively and rejuvenated. If great skin wasn’t enough, my regular shininess has lessened dramatically.  Maracuja is a major miracle product and completely understand everyone’s love with oils – especially this one! If you had to invest in trying one, try Tarte. They have found an absolutely winner that will transform your skin.


Ask and Tell Beauty Tips
Who said Maracuja was just for the face?

*Mix some of this with your favorite body lotion for an additional dose of hydration & luxurious feel. This is extra helpful now because the current cooler temps tend to dry out skin far more than those in the warmer months. 
*Rub a dime sized amount of oil in your hands and thoroughly apply to hair before a blowout. It will ease any frizz and leave hair looking shiny and smooth. 
*Extend hydrating properties of this oil by mixing it in with your foundation. It will thin out the consistency and provide a more flawless application all while healing your skin. 



Currently Loving Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil

Seeing Red - The Perfect Holiday Pout

Friday, November 30, 2012





There's no beauty look more glamorous than the red lip. It instantly brightens up your face, looks dazzling on every skin tone and is absolutely holiday appropriate. A season welcoming sparkling glitz and frilly extras, a beautiful red pout is just the thing to tie up the classic holiday look. From satin finishes to deep, rich hues, the options to finding your ideal red are endless.

While you may find yourself under the mistletoe more than once at your holiday festivities, I do advise you to keep the kissing at a minimum when sporting this daring shade. An intense kiss may leave you and you kissing partner's mouths looking like intense, bloody crime scenes. Beware but have fun with this color and embrace the shade of the holiday.

I took the guess work out of finding the perfect red lippie and rounded up some of the newest and best around. Whether its a classic matte red, a cheeky red or a classic fiery shade -- give this festive lip a go this holiday season.


Ask and Tell's Beauty Professional Tips 
*Use a lip liner in a similar hue before your choice of lippie and apply the lipstick with a small lip brush. This helps you enhance the shape of the lip and keeps it lasting much longer than a standard swipe from the tube.
*With a small concealer brush, precisely apply concealer to the corners of your top and bottom lip. This cleans up any smudges or mistakes that might of leaked on to the skin, prevents bleeding of the color and highlights a clean, perfect pout.
*If you want to intensify the color and give it some more dimension, take your favorite shadow or blusher in a similar shade and pack on the powder onto your lipstick with a small flat shadow brush. Hold a tissue under your lip as you apply to catch any fallout that may fall. You're then left with a richly colored, matte red lip. How chic!


Be bold this holiday season -- Sport your red lip in style. 
Lipsticks (clockwise):  Illamasqua | Benefit | Sephora Brand |

x

The Secret To Beautiful Hair

Wednesday, November 28, 2012



The biggest beauty question I always get asked is how I keep my hair in tiptop shape and looking the way it does -- here is my answer..



Keeping your hair healthy, shiny and thick and is a daunting task for many. From expensive hair masks, to pricey treatments and every remedy in between, many of us (me!) ring up the quite the bill in the quest for luscious locks. While many of these tips and tricks can help your hair, many lose their luster rather quickly and hair falls right back into its unruly habits.  The answer to beautiful, healthy hair has been sitting your pantry this whole time – Olive Oil.

This extraordinary golden liquid packs a punch and has a multitude of beauty benefits. My favorite way to use it is as a hot oil hair treatment. Mix in a little bit of lavender in warm (not super hot!) oil and massage onto the scalp, working all the way to the tip of your hair. Once done wrap your hair in plastic wrap and towel over and let it sink in for about 20 minutes.  Wash your hair after as you would normally and can skip conditioner if please.  




Beautiful hair starts at the roots and a nourished scalp promotes stronger, healthier hair. Substituting the lavender with peppermint oil in your hot treatment can help stimulate the scalp as you massage it in.  Dryness is often times more apparent with longer hair and is furthered in the colder months.  This once a week treatment will do wonders for your tresses and keep them softer and full of shine.

This wondrous ingredient could also be used as substitute for shaving cream and an extra moisturizing additive to your body lotions and creams. I usually add a few drops of essence oils like lavender or rose to add a little pop. Also, if you are running low, dip a cotton ball into you oil mixture and use it as a gentle alternative to makeup remover.

Norma Kamali was definitely on to something when she enlightened the fashion masses on the benefits of olive oil and let me tell you, I’m certainly on board. She looks absolutely stunning and so full of life, that same energy and liveliness could be given to your hair, skin and body with the magic of nature’s golden treat. 

The Beauty of Giving: Holiday Gift Sets

Monday, November 26, 2012



Whether she's a super cosmetic fan or just dipping into the beauty pool, gift sets are such a treat to gift during the holidays. All nestled in one neat, beautiful packaged box, tin, or bag, gift sets include the best of a brand or collection. With so much variety, sets have become shopper-friendly and cater to every beauty need. I've rounded up some of my favorites and think they'll be sure winners during this season of giving.

1. Too Faced LoveSweetLove Set -- $46, toofaced.com
Too Faced knocks it out of the park with every collection, and their newest Confection Collection was no exception. With dreamy, candy inspired names and colors, this collection just screams holiday. The Love Sweet Love set is my absolute favorite set for gifting (or to buy for yourself!).  A $130 value, this set includes a the Book of Love which features 6 eyeshadows, 2 blushes, 2 lip glosses, Lashgasm Mascara, a deluxe shadow insurance primer, a deluxe Perfect Eyes Eye Liner in Perfect Black, Primed & Poreless Face Primer, a gorgeous super soft, tote-friendly, multi-purpose face brush and it all comes perfectly placed in a luxe powder blue and gold makeup bag.

Why I love it: All the products and the overall presentation is true to Too Faced whimsical and playful philosophy and delivers quality products. All the colors featured in the Book of Love palette are fool-proof and can be worn for both day and night. This set also includes tried and tested, A+ classics (Lashgasm Mascara, Primed & Poreless Primer &  Perfect Eyes Eye liner). Too Faced Perfect Eyes liner is one of the blackest liners I've ever worn and glides on like silk.

2. YSL Holiday Set -- $65, sephora.com
YSL cosmetics are a glamorous addition to any makeup bag but can run up quite a pricey bill. This glamorous holiday set features some YSL's greatest products and values at $107.  The ultra luxurious products included in this set are a shimmery pink gloss, Dessin Du Regard Waterproof long-lasting Eye Pencil in Black Ink, Touche Eclat highlighter in 2 Luminous ivory, and Volume Effet Faux cils Shocking mascara all in a sleek, YSL black makeup pouch.

Why I love it: Like their garments and accessories, YSL's standard luxury and class extends to their beauty line. From exciting mascaras to beautiful packaging, YSL products are highly coveted by many. I chose this set for one of my faves because it includes the cult favorite touche eclat, their amazingly pigmented eye liner and the ever flattering golden pink gloss.

3. Sonia Kashuk Gilded Cage Six-Piece Holiday Brush Set -- $24.99, target.com
I'm such a fan of Sonia's brushes. Quality doesn't necessarily mean spending lots of money and her brushes are quality beauty tools at wallet-friendly prices. In addition to the flawless bristles on all her tools, Kashuk brushes never skimp on the style and this set was a perfect example.

Why I love it: The glitzy black and gold fishnet design is such an eye catcher. From the clean gold to the shimmery accents this set is so holiday appropriate. Not to mention, this set of 6 beautiful brushes comes in a must-have clutch, which is sure to amp up your party ensembles this festive season!

4. Le Metier de Beaute -- $95, lemetierdebeaute.com
LMdB just spells luxury in every way. Whether its polish, beauty tools or lip products, I have yet to find a product that doesn't demonstrate richly hued pigments and great quality  Although this isn't part of a holiday release, their eye kaleidoscope is still a favorite of mine.

Why I love it: With lovely warm hues that can create irresistible eyes, this subtle collection of shadows is a certified winner with me. With cold temps blanketing the city, it's refreshing to warm up the spirit of the holiday season with this set of shadows. 

5. Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus Essentials -- $70, jurlique.com
Jurlique really knows how to intermingle the goodness of nature and science and create amazing products. From creamy lotions to highly coveted skin concoctions, Jurlique products are such a treat for the skin.

Why I love it: It's no surprise that I adore Jurlique's rose products (the shower gel is my fave!) and was thrilled to see it featured in a holiday set. This luxurious set valued a at $86 comes beautifully packaged in a festive holiday box and features some of its star products: moisturizing cleanser, rosewater balancing mist and a moisturizing cream. This combination of products is a gift that surely keeps on giving in the form of glowing, hydrated and healthy skin.

6. NARS Andy Warhol Edie Set -- $75, narscosmetics.com
This is the ultimate gift for the fashionista in your life. A match made in artistic heaven, NARS Cosmetics released a perfect collection inspired by Andy Warhol's most memorable muse: Edie Sedgwick. Being a fan of the brand for as long as I can remember, I immediately swooned over this set of soft pinks and light hues.

Why I love it: The presentation alone makes this set so iconic. The must-have products snuggled inside help you achieve that signature 60's look. From the perfect 60's nude pink lipstick to the shadow and liner, this set gives you the essentials for Edie's superstar beauty style. Also included in this set is a mini blush duo in deep throat and amour--the perfect couple of peachy hued blushers.

So whether its a luxury collection, beautifully designed brushes or cozy, hydrating treats for your skin, sets will be always be a great gift idea. Get more for your money and those opening these treats will find not one but multiple items to use with post-holidays. From glam girls to boho babes, find the perfect compilation for your giftee.

Happy Holiday Shopping! 

Holiday Must Haves: Nail Polish

Monday, November 19, 2012

With all the outings and clinking of glasses this holiday season, your nails have to be in tiptop shape. With that begin said, nothing spells the holidays quite like rich red polish. Whether its a clean pop of red, a deep berry shade or a hint of Dorothy red sparkle, a luxe red manicure is surely the way to go during holidays.

With so many lovely shades flooding the markets at all price points, I've gathered a few of my favorites into a merry little nail wreath. Pick up a jolly red this holiday and embrace this daring shade. Also, don't forget to hydrate parched cuticles. The winter wind and harsh temps tend to dry out skin quicker and cuticles are no exception. I'm such a fan of Julep's cuticle oil, it's fast drying, sinks right in and leaves a lovely sheen.



On the wreath (clockwise): O.P.I | Dior | Butter London | Jin Soon | Julep | Nails Inc  

Holiday Gifts: Jewelry

Friday, November 16, 2012

  
1. Bauble Bar,  $28 | 2. J. Crew, $150 | 3. Miriam Haskell, $680 | 4. Lulu Frost, $230
5. Kenneth Jay Lane, $169 | 6. Kate Spade, $68 | 7. Lulu Frost x J.Crew, $85
8. J.Crew, $95 | 9. Isabel Marant, $95
10. C. Wonder, $78


The holidays are a time for fun get togethers with family, friends and your special sweetie. It also happens to be a perfect time for giving, gifting and spreading cheer! I know I'm not the only one that has trouble finding gifts for some of the special ladies in our lives. Who gives the girl that has everything? The answer: a good sparkler!

When it comes to gifts, jewelry is always a winner! From shiny cocktail rings to embellished necklaces, every girl loves the gift of sparkle. These ten picks offer different styles of holiday staples and includes a luxe box to hide away all your treasures. This beautiful C. Wonder jewelry box comes in every letter of the alphabet in a choice of four rich colors.

If your stumped on gift selection this year, remember, you can never go wrong with a pretty piece of jewelry (just keep her style in mind when shopping!)

Holiday Must Haves: Eye Palettes

Thursday, November 15, 2012

    1. Dior, $65 | 2. Too Faced, $42  | 3. Bare Minerals, $54
4. Bobbi Brown, $47.50 | 5. Lorac, $59

The holiday season is my absolute favorite time of year! Along with cozy nights and sparkly party attire, holiday palettes and glitzy beauty looks are always something I look forward to year after year. 

From shimmery lids to deep smoky hues, dressing up the eyes for your holiday festivities is a must! These five palettes (my faves!) include an array of colors and textures that make your peepers pop and are equally beautiful well after this celebratory time of year! 

Get The Look: Bond Girl Beauty with Votre Vu

Friday, November 9, 2012


If you’re familiar with the Bond films, then you know that every bond girl is an immediate scene stealer.
Whether it’s dramatically dressed eyes or attention grabbing lips, all bond girls have a signature beauty look.



In celebration of Skyfall (in theaters today!), the latest installment in the James Bond film franchise, French cosmetics brand Votre Vu  has debuted a mini Bond-esque film showing you how to achieve that highly coveted bond girl look. In the five minute film, professional makeup artist, Kristina Brown walks you through the full look with an array of versatile Votre Vu products. Subtle smoky eyes, fresh skin and kissable lips are essential in achieving the glamorous bond girl look!  


If you want to steal the look of a specific bond girl, the lovely ladies over at Pixiwoo have got you covered. These two gorgeous makeup artists have detailed makeup tutorials on all your bond girl beauty needs. Check out their tutorials here

These two are my absolute faves! 





Take a break this weekend and go watch the film in bond girl style! 
x

Currently Loving - GOLDFADEN MD Skin Care

Sunday, November 4, 2012


The perk of working in beauty is getting the chance to test out a multitude of products.  From cosmetics to skincare and everything in between, my poor skin is sometimes but through the wringer. My skin tends to be on the sensitive side and when I find a product that cooperates with it, it’s a certified winner! To keep my skin in tiptop shape, I’ve tried a plethora of brands and products with weak results and have finally found the answer to beautiful, revived, healthy skin—GOLDFADEN MD.





Being a scrub junkie, I couldn’t wait to get my hands around a jar of GF’s Doctor’s Scrub! My first spin with this exfoliator was all it took to get hooked. Made with perfectly round ruby crystals and a pleasant, refreshing scent, my skin truly felt cleaner and super soft with this scrub. After using it now for a full month, my skin looks brighter, more even and clear! Pesky scarring left from old blemishes has also lightened.  While most scrubs strip the skin of moisture and leaves it feeling tight and dry, Doctor’s Scrub keeps skin hydrated and glowing all while getting rid of dead, dry skin – a problem I suffer with lots in the colder months. It really is a dream in a jar.




The folks at GF really got this one right. I’ve looked high and low for a daily moisturizer that doesn’t leave my face greasy and really hydrates my skin. Vital boost sinks in and primes my skin perfectly for a flawless foundation application. Like the scrub, this has also worked in the process of evening out my skin tone and rejuvenated the overall appearance and texture of it.  This moisturizer is like silk on skin and keeps my makeup from sliding off my face midday. In LOVE with this!



We all could benefit from a little more sleep in our lives, but who has the time? From work to school and every daily activity in between, our skin begins to really suffer, especially the delicate skin under our eyes. After taking off the brightening concealer hiding my dark under eye circles, it really became evident that I needed to give my under eyes a little TLC. It was no surprise that I turned to Bright Eyes. And boy did it do exactly what it says! It lightened up my Herman Munster dark circles and reduced my puffiness.


I am truly obsessed with the quality of this skincare line and how well it responded to my skin. 
I’ve officially have my sister’s hooked to it as well!

Give GOLDFADEN MD a go and tell me how you like it! 

(Photos via goldfadenmd.com)

Law Breaking Manicure

Friday, April 27, 2012


ATTENTION ATTENTION – Your current manicure may be breaking the law!!

The very on-trend and exciting brightly hued tips that have appeared all over the runways this past fashion week may very well be illegal.  While neon polishes are popping up in drugstores and beauty shops all over, these eye popping delights are actually illegal to produce in the U.S.

Ever walk around a beauty supply store and notice that all the truly neon-colored polishes are sitting in bottles of unfamiliar brands?  Well, Jan Arnold, co-founder and creative director of CND Colors got has your answer.  He explained to MORE that all true neons in the U.S. are by imported brands and those created by American companies are just intense brights, which are much more wearable in life off the runway.

Polish is always a safe and fun way to test new treads without falling in head first, so why not try out a bright polish for this weekend’s manicure?  Break out of your traditional polish routine and pick one!

Latest Bright Collections

Essie – Poppy.razzi Collection
Each retail for $8, can be purchases at drugstores and select salons



Thakoon for Nars
Inspired by the colors seen at Indian spice markets, this limited edition collection retails for $14 a bottle, Nordstrom, Nars beauty counters



Spring Trends: Diffusion Lines

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

It always feels like a victory when you find a great designer piece for a steal.  But the days of digging and shuffling around vintage shops, fleas and markdowns at department stores to score a designer item at an acceptable price are over.  It’s becoming more and more common for top, celebrated designers to team up with popular mass market outlets to create diffusion lines.  These lines target a much larger audience and create limited edition pieces that are affordable but don’t skimp on the style.  Luckily this spring gives way to some noteworthy lines: Marni for H&M, Doo.ri for Macy’s and Aldo Rise.

Marni x H&M

Popular store H&M has been a budget friendly and trendy go-to fashionistas all around, however it’s anything but new to the designer collaboration game.  Housing popular diffusion lines with Jimmy Choo, Versace and Lanvin in the past, this Thursday (March 8th) H&M is to debut its latest collaboration with Marni.  The celebrated brand has bought its funky, quirky and feminine aesthetic to H&M at affordable prices ranging from $9.99 to $149.  The line will include accessories (bags,belts, shoes, etc), jewelry, clothing and swimwear.  This line is to debut in select stores this week. As learned by the horror of mad shoppers during past designer collaborations, I suggest heading over to H&M’s website and plan accordingly to avoid lines and madness--as I’m sure it will be around NYC, especially the stores in Herald Square (yikes!).



Doo.Ri for Impulse at Macy’s

I love that a major department store, like Macy’s is also trying its hand at diffusion lines.  Working successfully in the past with Matthew Willamson, Karl Lagerfeld and Giambattista Valli, Macy’s has paired up with established, Korean-American designer Doo-Ri Chung.  The line is currently at Macy’s and features comfortable and trendy creations in cool colors all retailing under $85.  This has to be one of the better diffusion collections I’ve seen  and personally must purchase the painterly a-line dress ($65) and the geometric printed wrap dress ($75). Luckily, this line can be shopped online from the comfort of your own home here

image: refinery29.com 


ALDO Rise

Shoes are always a tricky area for me, as quality is always preferred.  But quality doesn’t always mean more money.  I’m especially excited for this project because it celebrates designers, their ideas and bringing them to audiences that wouldn’t otherwise purchase or see.  In the Aldo Rise project, designers like Christian Cota, Preen, Cushnie et Ochs among many others, collaborated with ALDO and created shoes that frequent the runway and brought them to the streets where style is truly born.  Shoppers can get their hands on these designer styles on aldoshoes.com, asos.com and Aldo stores worldwide starting Thursday, March 8th.  The shoes sell for $155 (Usa, Canada) and 125 pounds in the UK.  I love the Mark Fast Cregger cutout pumps; they’re such a trendy update to the classic court shoe and happened to be the highlight of his SS’12 show. 

image: aldorise.com
  
So whether it’s a piece of jewelry, an accessory or garment that you’re after, remember that it doesn’t have to cost much.  Diffusion lines are a great way to own a fun designer piece at a reasonable price.  More and more stores are starting to join in on the designer collaboration fun and broaden its customer horizons, and hey it’s a good price break for us shopaholics.  Happy shopping all!!! 

Go RED For Women

Thursday, February 23, 2012

 Y

February is a month devoted to all things related to the heart, and I’m not talking love and heart shaped treats for Valentine’s Day.  February also happens to be American Heart Health month.  A highlighted effort is shown during this time to raise awareness about heart health and actions to move towards living a safer, stronger heart healthy life.  

Heart disease and stroke claim more lives than any other disease, especially in women.  Surpassing breast cancer, heart disease remains the number one killer of American women.  

Heart disease is an equal opportunity killer and everyone should take additional steps to care for their hearts. I cannot stress enough how important it is to pay attention to your heart & keep it healthy, even the most unlikely of individuals can be targeted. 


Here's to shinning a little light to subject 



stop by and familiarize yourself with helpful information heart health

Dial A Dilemma: Winter Lip Rescue

Thursday, February 9, 2012



Like all pretty paintings, your lips need to be a smooth bare canvas before any color application.  However, maintaining a perfectly hydrated, smooth pout during the winter season is sometimes complicated. Harsh temperatures, strong winds and snowy showers can do a number on the condition of your lips, but fear not, there are simple solutions to get the pop back in your pucker and make them picture perfect. Familiar items like petroleum jelly and other interesting mixes can transform you lips from cracked and dry to hydrated and full.

How do I keep my lips hydrated and fuller during the winter? 

Sugar and Spice

Prep
Classic lip softening tactics involve a trusty dry fighting product: petroleum jelly.  Start with lathering bare lips in jelly and take either a towel or toothbrush and work onto lips in a small circular motion.  When done gently wipe away.  Both items are perfect for this task as they are tough enough to get the job done but gentle enough to not hurt the surface. 
Another sweet trick to combating chapped lips is sugar.  Functioning as a scrub, sugar fights seasonal dryness and pairing it with petroleum jelly helps gently pull way dry bits of skin without irritating the lip itself.  Start with coating a finger tip in petroleum jelly and dip into some sugar, once coated pull to lips and gently scrub. If you want to avoid a slight mess, just apply jelly to lips, take a cube of sugar and work on lips in gentle circular motion, then wipe away with a towel. Another plus to using sugar, it leaves a yummy taste after use. J

Plump
Now that you have a perfectly prepped base, it’s time to boost that pout.  Of course there are countless lip plumping products on the market, but you can concoct a little mix right at home (recipe on bottom). Including skin nourishing oils, the main star in this product is a little spice (cayenne).  While there is a multitude of health benefits to this pepper, like boosting your metabolism and lowering blood pressure, cayenne pepper adds a little pumping property to this lip mix.
With a simple prep and little plump, your lips are ready to be coated in a hue of your choice.  If these alternatives are not your thing, there are a few products that get the job done sans any effort.  I’ve always been drawn to Fresh lip products, as they get the job done and come in array of alluring colors. 

Shop 
Lip Scrub --  Fresh Sugar lip polish (fresh.com, $22.50)
Lip treatment (with SPF 15) – Sugar Rose (fresh.com, $22.50)
Lip Gloss – Sugar kiss (fresh.com, $18)
Best lip plumper -- Dior Creme de Rose Lip Balm SPF 10 (Bloomingdales.com, $26.50)


Natural Lip Plumper
Combine:
Vitamin B3, B3
Cayenne
Cinnamon leaf oil
Clove oil and honey to Coconut oil

One completely mixed – apply a thin layer to lips and let the tingle plump your lips J



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