5 Best Skincare Products to Revive Your Skin This Winter

Saturday, December 7, 2013


As the days grow shorter and colder, our skin is left longing for the warmth of the summer sun. With the change of the season, our skin care routines should shift accordingly. Whether it’s harsh weather conditions or the drying properties of the season’s air, our skin requires a nourishing revival to properly prepare for the colder months ahead. Skin routines are often times lighter in warmer months and require less maintenance. While the same cannot be said for the fall and winter seasons, skin requires a different measure of care and attention in the opposing seasons. From cleansing to treating and every protective boost in between, I've rounded up the best skincare products to help you revive your skin during this seasonal transition.

Cleanse & Exfoliate 
Light enough to use everyday, Goldfaden MD's doctor scrub is an ideal skincare product that heals skin in a multitude of ways. Coveted among many, GF's scrub features perfectly round ruby crystals which promotes cell renewal by gently exfoliating away dead skin. Consisted of a rich blend of hyaluronic acid, seaweed and organic red tea extract makes for a luxurious scrub that soothes, hydrates and promotes long-lasting skin benefits.
Goldfaden MD Doctor's Scrub, $75, goldfadenmd.com
A cure for distressed skin, FAB's Oatmeal Mask is formulated to reverse battered skin and restore the radiance that was previously lost. A soothing blend of oatmeal and oat bran with botanical antioxidants help repair damaged skin and helps achieve a healthier, smoother appearance of skin.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask, $22, sephora.com

Nourish 
Along with moisture, cold weather is known to strip the skin of its radiance. While restoring nutrients and hydration is essential to parched and battered skin, Bliss labs have created a an exceptional product that revives the glow skin lost in the winter months. Infused with both Vitamin E & C, Bliss Triple Oxygen cream helps restore skin's youthful radiance and heals rough skin.
Bliss Triple Oxygen Ex-‘glow’-sions, $64, blissworld.com

Treat 
We all know taking care of skin is just as important at night as it is in the daytime. Arbonnes's innovative genius pads have taken nightly skin care to the next level. Clinically proven to enhance skin's elasticity and firmness in two weeks, this brilliant product helps skin behave in a more beneficial fashion. Focused on diminishing stubborn dark spots and fine lines, Arbonne's pads also work to eliminate uneven skin tones.
Arbonne Intelligence Genius, $95, arbonne.com

Protect 
Prided on being a fully natural skincare brand, Tata Harper's Restorative moisturizer is a natural skincare solution to tackling dry, cracked skin, Upon application, skin is left feeling supple, soft and radiant from within. Natural ingredients like cocoa, mango butter, raw honey and rose heal weak, distressed skin and promote healthy skin regeneration.. A true skin ally that is a must-have this upcoming winter season.
Tata Harper Restorative Moisturizer, $100, tataharperskincare.com

Winter Beauty Staples - 5 Must-Have Hair Products You Need Now

Friday, December 6, 2013




Hair is a tricky thing to manage all year long. Whether it’s hot or cold, hair is likely to get damaged by harsh weather conditions. In the summer, hair becomes a victim to humidity, sun damage and heat, whereas wind, unpredictable snow falls and low temps damage strands in the winter. When transitioning from one season to another is important to prepare your hair for the season ahead. The best way to help hair maintain good hair heath all season is to treat the damage experienced in the previous season, treat weakened strands and mask hair for a season long worth of luxurious locks. I’ve rounded up the best products you need to revive your hair and keep it looking its best all through the fall and winter seasons.

Repair 
Moving into the fall, it is important to revive hair and restore the moisture that was lost early one. Keratin Complex’s INTENSE Rx revives damaged hair from the inside out. Using pure Keratin protein, INTENSE Rx penetrates hair and work’s to rebuild its strength whilst reducing breakage.
Keratin Complex INTENSE Rx, $61,keratincomplex.com

Treat
The hair mask you’ll need to prepare hair for the seasons ahead should be both moisturizing and effective in restoring damaged locks. Alterna Hair Care’s Anti-aging Replenishing Moisture Masque does exactly that and so much more.
Alterna Hair Care Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Masque, $52, alternahaircare.com

Outside of hair masks, treating hair with oil prior to styling or washing can greatly benefit hair’s health. Biolage’s Exquisite Oil Strengthening treatment gets into hair and boosts its ability to build a resistance against breakage.
Biolage Exquisite Oil Strengthening Treatment, $22, matrix.com

Protect
To keep hair fortified and resistant to winter damage, styling hair with a product rich in protectants is essential. Keranique’s Amplifying Lift Spray combines beneficial treatments (keratin) and technologies (hydrolyzed rice protein, keratix cilqua seed extract) to help hair maintain its strength and richness throughout heat styling with texturing products.
Keranique Amplifying Lift Spray, $19.95, Keranique.com


The Must-have Set You'll Love Throughout The Season 
Keratin Complex’s Holiday Getaway Tote will keep your hair in tip top shape all throughout the holidays. Featuring their coveted vanilla bean deep conditioner, the travel tote also houses a travel sized shampoo and condition and their Infusion Keratin Replenisher. My favorite bit in the set is their 2” Thermal Round brush which makes for super smooth blowouts on the run.
Keratin Complex Holiday Getaway Tote, $34, keratincomplex.com

The Makeup Show Announces Exclusive Luxury Holiday Pop-up Shop


Owner and beauty mastermind behind The Makeup Show, Shelly Taggar has taken beauty trade shows to the next level. For the past seven years, Shelly and her creative team have brought together the greatest in the beauty industry for special trade shows specifically targeted to industry professionals. Having begun in the home of fashion and beauty, New York City welcomes yet another glamorous event produced by The Makeup Show. Beginning December 7th, The Makeup Show is excited to present a holiday pop-up shop featuring a number of note-worthy products and favorites from celebrated beauty brands. The exclusive luxury sample is one of the hottest beauty shopping events to hit the city in quite some time. Open to the public, the ticket-only event is to run the full weekend (Dec. 7th and 8th) and is to feature far more than just shopping.

The Makeup Show Holiday Pop-up Shop is to feature exclusive seminars that help attendees nail that holiday look and featured holiday trends, get the scoop on insider secrets, and can sit in on an informative class detailing the proper building of a makeup kit and cosmetic bag. Attendees can shop over forty beauty brands in glamorous style while sipping on cocktails and witnessing runway/celebrity beauty secrets shared throughout the event.

Read more about this exciting event here!



You can purchase tickets to the event on their websiteTwo day passes are listed at $50, single day tickets are listed at $25
Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 West 18th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 1001

Sephora Collection BCA Palette

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

I don't think there is anything better than beauty that gives back. 
This Pinktober Sephora Collection has launched some lovely products in support of BCA month and restoring hope in those affected. One of the products featured in the limited edition range -- the Makeup Made Simple Palette. 

A good palette that incorporates the major areas of makeup—eyes and cheeks—can cut any beauty routine in half. Sephora Collection Makeup Made Simple Palette is a creatively mastered collection of products that will take you from average to glamorous in a few simple picks. The kit features three expertly chosen palettes that focus on specific tones and colors. From cool to warm tones to a medley of pinks, this palette can create a variety of show-stopping looks. Best of all, the palettes comes with a travel sized case to pop in a palette of your choice. Carrying around your bronzer, blush and shadow has never been easier or more chic.



The color payoff of the eye shadows is pretty phenomenal. True to Sephora quality, the shadows featured in the palette can be easily blended and you don't experience annoying fallout upon application.The blushes are equally lovely and work well a range of skin tones. 

Sephora Collections Makeup Made Simple Palette, sephora.com


Bobbi Brown and Katie Holmes Collaborate on New Beauty Collection

Bobbi Brown x Katie Holmes Palette
This season brings the exciting collaboration of  Bobbi Brown and Katie Holmes. The palette which features an ultimate range of universally complimentary products enhances a range of faces. Created for today’s modern woman, the two beauties have created an eyes, cheeks and lip palette that serve as a foundation for a creative variety of looks. From natural to dramatic this palette meets both form and function. Small enough to tote around in your makeup bag, the Bobbi & Katie Palette tackles all high points of the face and is sure to liven you up on the dullest of days. Following Bobbi’s effortless aesthetic of beauty and Katie Holmes flawless approach to fashion and beauty, this palette allows you to enhance your unique assets. If you need a single all-in-one, go-to palette this season, make it this, as it houses a gradient of colors that can boost your face from lackluster to lively in a few swipes of color.

Get yourswww.sephora.com, $68

YSL Fall Collection

It's arrived and boy is it stunning.
To me fall beauty means deep colored manicures, autumnal lippies and metallic smoky shadows -- exactly what YSL delivered this season.

Much like their fashion collections, YSL Beauty emits a sense of luxury unique to the Saint Laurent name. Clothed in their signature gold packaging, YSL has launched a collection that will leave you looking glamorous in a multitude of settings all season long. Featuring two new variations of their classic blush radiance in an irresistible shimmery peach and soft mauve with plum accents allows cheeks to be the center of attention day or night. If you desire to achieve a perfected synced look, the collection also features four new lipsticks in the Rouge Pur Couture line in complementary shades. One can remain demure and pair a lipstick in a light shade reminiscent of tangerine (51) with blush 9 or dare to be bold by pairing a deep plum lippie (54) with blush 10.

Also debuting in this seasonal collection is a duo of limited edition eye shadow palettes that will have you itching to experiment with color. The Drive Arty palette features a quad of daring greens and blues whereas the Drive Classy quad features muted neutrals of warm and cool metallics. Liners of both the liquid and pencil variety in unexpected shades will allow you to play up your eyes in a way you may have not before. The Baby Doll liner is offered in a shade that can serve as a beautiful accent shade under the waterline or tear duct of the eyes. Top it all off with YSL’s signature Shocking mascara and your eyes will be the beauty highlight of your season.



If you’d rather prefer to experiment with the latest shades of the season with manicures, YSL’s Fall nail varnish offerings are on another level. Keeping with the cool and plum tones seen throughout the collection, the three polishes in this collection translate a cool and chic tone that will keep your nails looking modern and extravagantly posh.

Get yours: www.yslbeautyus.com, $25-$55
Stay in the beauty know -- Instagram: @AmnaAnn

Edward Bess - Edward’s Best Lip Collection Palette

THE ULTIMATE LIP PALETTE
This palette really lives up to the hype -- perfect texture, colors and wear.
Universally flattering, Edward Bess clearly killed it with this collection of lipsitcks.


A brand dedicated to creating the very best, Edward Bess delivers the utmost quality and luxury in each of his products. These characteristics of excellence are certainly evident in the Edward’s Best Lip Palette. A generously designed palette featuring eight large pans of opaque shades in fall appropriate shades that dress your pout in a silky, satin veil of color. An homage to Edward’s famed Ultra Slick Lipstick; this palette packages the best of the lippie range. Named the master of lip color, Edward knocked it out of the park with this collection of colors. From muted neutrals to a luxurious red and blends of peach and roses, this palette features color free of any glitter, shimmer or sheen, just straight, creamy lipsticks. Begging to be mixed and blended, these beautifully created colors can be masterfully mixed to create a unique color made just for you. For on-the-go precision, the set comes with a perfectly designed lip brush that allows for a precise application every time. Whether you’re playing up a smoky eye with a kissable neutral or feeling like sporting a darling red, this palette will surely have your lips doing all the talking.
Get yourswww.edwardbess.com, $75

Giorgio Armani Beauty Rouge Ecstasy Lipsticks

Monday, September 9, 2013

Happy NYFW !

While I'm in the middle of writing a million fash week related posts -- this little post needed a bit of spotlight.

While fashion and beauty brands have turned to catchy video clips in the past, this lipstick gem by Giorgio Armani Beauty blew me out of the water.  To celebrate the launch of their new Rouge Ecstasy CC (Color&Care) lipstick -- Armani creatively chose three perfectly pouted ladies to sport the new lipstick in various shades (Four Hundred #400, Gio #301 and Eccentrico #500& beatbox an incredibly catchy tune. Although the beatboxing skills were pretty killer, the impeccably creamy, richly hued lipsticks caught & kept my attention throughout. Cannot wait to get my hands on these amazing lipsticks.

You be the judge...



I love to collect pretty red lipsticks but still shy away from wearing this daring shade outside the comfort of my own home. I think this line may just change my red lipstick fear.


This Week In Nails - Classic Red Manicure

Friday, August 16, 2013

As you can tell -- I've been a bit MIA for A LONG TIME, but I'm back!
Hey, when life gets in the way -- you really can't do anything about it. 

We all know I love a good manicure and reds happen to be one of my all time favorites. 
From orange red to true blues and pink based shades, a rich red polish always looks classic and goes with absolutely everything (and looks lovely on all tones!) I've flipped through photos of my last few mani's and rounded up some notable reds that certainly deliver beautiful color. 


Essie -- Lacquered Up

Essie -- Snap Happy 

NARS -- Dovima 

Essie -- Fifth Ave

Essie -- Lollipop

Hope this inspires you to get a fun red for your next manicure! 
Have a fabulous weekend! 


Dial A Dilemma: Blowout Basics

Friday, April 5, 2013



Nothing makes a girl feel more pretty and glamorous than getting her done exactly the way she wants it. Whether it’s sleek and glossy or big and full of body, a luxurious blowout is the easiest way to achieve that glorious feeling. While we may not have the luxury of getting a daily blowout  by your go-to hair stylist, you can always grab a few must-have products and get that lustrous look from the comfort of your own home, all you need are the right tools and products.

How do I achieve a professional quality blowout at home on my own? 


Here’s the skinny on getting great hair:



Protect:

Repeatedly using harsh heat and extremely hot hair tools directly on hair does quite the damage on your tresses; protecting the hair is crucial. Whether it’s a spray, cream or serum make sure to coat your strands in a heat protecting product to ensure a safe base for styling and can combat some of that damage (no one wants dried out ends!). I like to apply a protectant in my hair while it’s damp and shuffle/scrunch it onto the hair. GHD Thermal Heat Protect Spray ($17) has been my go-to product for years and never disappoints. It’s light enough to layer additional products and sufficiently protects hair from the damage and stress from hair tools and additional heat.

Prime & Fluff:

Once your hair is all washed and protected, it’s time to lather on your favorite hair products. Whether you’re aiming for the sleek, polished city look or want to be a few inches closer to god with big, glamorous locks, here is where you have to use styling products strategically. Choose a hair oil or serum (Keratin Complex Styling Oil, $25) if you want your tresses to remain extra smooth with silky sheen and a great mousse (Drybar Southern Bell, $25) for extra volume. I should also point out that since its launch, Living Proof’s Hair Primer ($20) has been a hair styling staple for me and makes hair extra smooth and ready for any styling ahead.

Hair Styling Tools:

I can’t say it enough; invest in a REALLY GOOD blow dryer. You’re going to get loads of use out of it, it will last you far longer than a basic one and nice dryers often times come with settings that reduce the amount of harsh heat on your strands and other goodies standard dryers skimp on.

Make sure your brushes are free of any loose, tangled hair from your last use and bristles are clean and ready for your next twirl.  Please make sure to replace any brushes with bristles that are overly used, burnt or broken. The lifespan of brushes varies from brush to brush and depends on its bristles and how often it is used (we all know when a brush is beyond saving!). 

With these must-have products and quick tips, you're sure to achieve that perfect blown out, just out of the salon look without ever stepping out of your home. Happy styling! 


The Next Must Have Manicure

Monday, February 18, 2013





Pantone, the world’s color authority, has announced this year’s color to be Emerald. This rich hue flatters any skin tone and dazzles in each and every light. While this gives me an excuse to bust out all my emerald jewels daily this year, I of course thought about how to incorporate this regal color into my beauty rotation. Being the nail polish enthusiast that I am, my mind immediately thought of nails. From strong opaque picks to shimmery stunners, an emerald manicure is a must this coming spring.

If last year was any indication, I am sure to exhaust this lovely color over many, many manicures. Tangerine Tango (last year’s color) was an absolute hit and I’m looking forward to numerous beauty and various other collections decked out in this luxurious green color.

In the meantime, I’ve rounded up a few beautiful polishes that will delight any girl seeking an emerald shade this upcoming season. Whether it’s a light green or a true sparkly shade, your emerald manicure will surely have others feeling green with envy. 


Starting from left:



From Left:

A Few Tips for Kissable Lips

Thursday, February 14, 2013


If you haven’t noticed already, it’s Valentine’s Day and if you’ve got yourself a cutie to smooch up to on this day of love, you have to make sure your pucker is in tip top condition. From smeared lipstick to chapped horrors, these tips are sure to keep you looking perfectly kissable for your Valentine festivities.

Exfoliate & Prep
Nothing says “please don’t kiss me” like a set of dry, unsightly lips. A good exfoliation the night before or a few hours before your night out can make all the difference when it comes to a beautiful pucker. In order to get a flawless foundation for lipstick application and pillow-y soft lips, use a lip scrub like Fresh Sugar Lip Polish (cannot get enough of this miracle product!) or mix your own Brown sugar & olive oil concoction at home for a DIY quickie. To get an extra oomph and va-va-voom factor try this natural lip plumper recipe here.



Prime & Line
I always feel iffy about lining directly onto lips without a proper coat of primer. Whether it’s your favorite lip balm or a quick swipe of a soothing lip treatment, make sure you have something on your lips before any color application. My go-to pout primer is DuWop’s Lip Venom Lip Plumping Balm – I love lip plumpers and yes, this does give a bit of that minty, tingly feeling once applied—for those who shy away from pouty lips or that classic tingle you may want to use this product sparingly.
Whatever colored lipstick you will be choosing for your sweet evening, choose a liner of a similar hue and line your pretty lips evenly & neatly.

Stain & Color
Choose a stain in a similar shade to that of your lipstick, and apply to your lips. You will thank yourself for this tip as the night goes on. After multiple sips of your drink, bites of food and quick smooches, your lipstick will begin to breakaway but your stain will provide just enough color to keep up with your full look and the wear will look really pretty as well.  
Make sure to apply your lipstick with a lip brush as it will be extra precise and look perfect.

Blot & Final Touches
After any lipstick application it is always, always recommended to blot with a tissue. It neatly takes off any excess product and leaves behind just enough color and sheen. Make sure to clean up the corners of your lip of any uneven lines and perfect your shape.

Hope everyone has a super sweet Valentine’s Day & if you’re single on this day of love, grab a few girl friends in the same boat, throw on your highest heels & prettiest lipstick and go out to dinner or drinks! There’s no reason to be alone on this stupid holiday. 

Fix Beauty Bar Hearts SoulCycle

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, everyone is beginning to feel the love. From heart shaped candies to sweet cards lining stores all around the city, it's hard not to think of this sweet day. While many will be thinking of ways to make V Day special for their significant others, don't forget to love yourself a little extra too.





The charming duo (Karol Markowicz & Michelle Breskin) at Fix Beauty Bar have collaborated with SoulCycle NYC and are on a mission to get you looking picture perfect from the inside out. This Valentine's day you could either walk away with a free sesh at SoulCycle or strut on to your romantic date with a killer blowout and manicure courtesy of Fix Beauty Bar. Here's how:

Option One: A Free Ride at SoulCycle
Stop by Fix Beauty Bar, 847 Lexington Avenue (between East 64th&65th streets,2nd floor) and pick up a pass for a free ride at Soul East 63.

Option Two: Complimentary Beauty Services at Soul East 63
Enjoy a little beauty TLC post workout! Come ride at SoulCycle (140 East 63rd Street) on February 14th and be treated to free blowouts & manicures on site courtesy of Fix Beauty Bar.

If these two attractive options aren't enough to bring you over to the Upper East this Valentine's day, Fix Beauty Bar has an entire package menu devoted to this day of love! Fit for the girl on-the-go or the special lady that loves a little extra luxury, you are sure to find something for the lucky lady in your life. Check it out here! (AND you can schedule appointments on their website or have sweet packages delivered all around Manhattan--same day delivery for only $20!) 


Get the Look - Beyonce's Inauguration Nails

Monday, January 21, 2013

While most of us will have our eyes on the President during this morning's inauguration ceremony, the fashion and beauty obsessed are already buzzing about the choices the notable ladies in attendance are sporting. From perfectly styled tresses to pops of color in their winter ensembles, nothing really caught my attention like Beyonce’s bright orange manicure.

(Image via Zimbio)

The songstress, who sang the national anthem at today's events, brought a bit of spring to this frigid winter morning with a beautiful hot orange manicure. The refreshing manicure-- created by celebrity manicurist, Lisa Logan--looked beautiful against her festive black and emerald (Pantone's 2013 Color of the Year) outfit.

When deciding a color for today’s events, the choice was pretty simple for the singer. "When Beyonce walked in, she just plainly said, 'I want orange.' So orange it was!" says, Logan.

Ulta Beauty, $9.99


To get this fun look at home, Logan recommends Red Carpet Manicure’s “Tangerine on The Rocks.”  <b> Red Carpet Manicure's</b> unique LED Gel Polishes deliver salon quality gels at home and it's rich, ultra glossy finish leave nails looking picture perfect every time. 

You can pick up the RCM LED Gel Polish Starter kit here

Take a break from all the deep plums and dark hues you've been sporting all winter and try a fun, spring hue for your next manicure.

What did you think of B’s Choice? 

The Basics - The Fool-Proof Manicure

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Many girls love to take an indulgent break from their busy schedules and sneak away for a quick manicure, but what's a girl to do when there's no salon open during her free time? While some love all the extras that come along with manicures (luxurious, hydrating massages, masks and wraps), a quickie mani at home can leave your nails looking just as fabulous in a major time crunch.

The Perfect Manicure
I skipped right to the basics and compiled a fool-proof step-by-step guide to getting fabulous nails in a flash.






Step One: Stripping it ALL off

Soak a piece of a cotton ball (never drench the whole ball, its unnecessary and wasteful) in your favorite acetone-free nail polish remover and wipe off all traces of your old polish. I love this nourishing Cutex ($2.99) remover for its nourishing qualities and pleasant smell. If cotton balls are too messy for your liking, these lovely individually packaged Deborah Lippman  remover wipes ($12) are the best to get the job done. Best of all, one sheet gets rid of all the polish on all ten nails.







Step Two: Buff and Shape Your Nails

The perk of doing your nails at home is getting the perfect shape you desire at that very moment. You may want to round off your nails if you're wearing an elegant neutral shade or square your tips to give a little edge to a daring shade. These Tweezerman printed filemates are such beauties; they smoothly shape your nails and feel comfortable in the hand. I always look forward to fun Tweezerman collections  -- how irresistibly cute are their designs. 

True course buffers can be quite intimidating for newbies. I suggest trying a "safe" buffer that features multiple textured sides which help you achieve salon quality nails in a few minutes. The curved design of this exceptional Tweezerman nail tool ($3)  is a must for ever nail girl and becomes a secret weapon in achieving the perfect manicure.




 Step Three: Polish your nails (THE.BEST.PART!)

Between the glitters featured in The Glitz Gift Set ($39) to the irresistible metallic mixtures in The Ritz ($39) trio, NCLA has all your polish concerns covered this season. The winter allows you to break out of your neutral polish rut and shine in these textures in stunning, cool hues. My absolute favorite is smokey gray with multi-colored flecks of silver sparkles and the beautiful large flake rose gold glitter (what a beaut!).






Step Four: Finishing Touches 

After your nails are perfectly polished, dress them in a final coat of extra shiny top coat. Jin Soon Top Gloss ($18) top coat is the ideal choice! A coat of this quick drying, ultra glossy polish leaves every manicure looking professionally done and sparkling. For the final touch, drench your cuticles with a good essential-rich oil. Julep's Cuticle oil ($18) is my go-to product; the size is small enough to throw in a cosmetic bag, smells lovely and leaves cuticles extraordinary hydrated. If you're on the go, the Essie Cuticle Pen ($14) is a must. This nourishing shea butter concoction soothes and heals battered, dry cuticles and also works as a great hand moisturizer. You'll thank yourself for this step as cuticles tend to dry out more than usual in the harsh, windy, cold winter months. 

Now that you have the blueprint to a perfect at home manicure, there is not excuse to sport  less than fab nails in 2013! Get polishing!


On another note: 
Happy 2013 my dear readers! 
Thank you for stopping by! I am so excited to have you lovelies along for the beauty ride! 
Looking forward to the exciting posts ahead!

Stay tuned x






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