Hunger Games Trend! So excited!

I am so excited for the Hunger Games series to come to the big screen, but I am even more excited for all the fashion and beauty trends that it is already sparking!!  2 months ago I mentioned that China Glaze nail polish was doing a color series inspired by the books - and now I see that one of the hottest trends (eyelash art) that I ALSO mentioned 2 months ago, is featured in the movie!!



The ad features Elizabeth Banks (character in the movie!) and she is wearing PaperSelf deer & butterfly lashes!


http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P294802

The nail colors looks amazing


I've also read recently that they anticipate that Hunger Games merchandise will not only be a wider array, but that it will out-sell Twilight merchandise!!!!

Here is a sneak peek at a scene from the movie


Are YOU excited about the Hunger Games?

New Holographic Nail Art is so Simple!

The hottest trend in nail art is the irregular size glitter, which attracts more light and makes nails more noticeable!!  I did a black/silver theme and I literally was stopped in the grocery store to get compliments on my nails!  Its fun, interesting - and totally hot right now!!

How to get the trend:

NAILS INC set in The Wyndham Collection


Its a black.teal color (which I am wearing now and its incredible!) and it comes with a top coat that has hand cut (read: irregular and more light catching) prisms that react with the green in the polish to create an awesome effect


Also available in a black/plum with copper top coat, is the Donmar Collection by NAILS INC


these sets are $20 and can be found at Sephora, and they will surely get your nails noticed!!!

Here is a user trying the Wyndham:


and the Donmar:

Review: B&B Straight

I received a deluxe sample of Bumble & Bumble's "Straight" line, which is the shampoo, conditioner and blow out cream to use on my medium/thick and semi-wavy hair.


SHAMPOO:  The shampoo was nice, it lathered well, but left my hair desperately needing moisture


CONDITIONER:  I didn't like the conditioner at all, the smell was so/so and it didn't give my hair enough moisture.


CREAM:  The cream is heavy, but I will say, it made my hair very straight and easier to blow dry.  I dried it with a large round boar-hair brush, and I hardly needed to run a straightener through it after.


The items sell for $28 EACH, which is steep for most of us - but if you have hair that is stubborn and doesn't want to straighten, this might be the set for you! 

Temporarily Fabulous - Holiday Party Idea

Something totally unique and fabulous that I am personally wearing on the Holiday party circuit this year?  Glam temporary tattoos!!!

Yes!

These aren't your 8 year old cousin's skull fake tattoos....these are artist designed fashion temporary tattoos!

Right now I am rockin Beyonce for Temptu #2 design series


Now on clearance on Sephora.com
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P275312&categoryId=C10214&shouldPaginate=true

This temporary tattoo idea was HOT in Fall 2010, as Beyonce graced magazine ad's showing these intricate hand drawn designs


the public went wild, and the designs were mass produced (note: on a smaller scale)

I will think a little body art is a great way to express yourself - and what better than an adorable 'jewelry-inspired temporary tattoo' to go with your cocktail dress?

I also shared with you last season the Chanel temporary tattoo looks, which will still be great this winter with a dress


Note that the Chanel versions are no longer available, but there are knock-off temporary tattoo designs online (which is ok to rip off from the designer this time - I will give a one time free pass to you!  hahaha)

Beauty Stocking Stuffers!

I've got some awesome stocking stuffer ideas for the beautiful woman in your life!   Check it out!

1. Sephora's interchangeable makeup brush!  This is great for a woman on the go, or even better to tie to the top of one of the awesome kits I mentioned in my last blog post!

For $10, you get FOUR brush heads in one!

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P291406&categoryId=C21850&shouldPaginate=true

2. Tarte's Shining Stars mini collection, which is only $25 and will fit perfectly in a stocking!

You get to try their best selling products in mini sizes - also great for travelling!
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P296608&categoryId=C17603&shouldPaginate=true

3. When it comes to experiencing fragrance, rollerballs changed EVERYTHING!  They are inexpensive, portable and allow us to indulge in various designer fragrances any time we want!  Genius!

They typically run from $10 - $30 and come in all variations!  Check Ulta and Sephora for the selections!

4.   Travel makeup remover Qtips

You can find these in drug stores (Almay Brand) as well as where bare minerals products are sold.  These Qtips are filled with eye makeup remover - perfect for removing smudges and taking makeup looks from day to night!  The slip case will easily fit in a purse!  Trust me, as someone who can't live with out them - for $5 and under - they are a perfect gift!

5. NAIL POLISH!  It's so simple, but overlooked!  Grab up a shimmery holiday shade - or a great dark color that will carry her through the winter season!

TOP 5 Beauty Gift Sets for the Holidays

It's time!  Time for RosaM's Top 5 Gift Sets for the 2011 Holidays!  I've been scouring and scraping every ad, store, display, website, etc - to compile the list of the five best beauty gift sets for you and yours this Holiday!

#5 Sephora's Fragrance Sampler with Gift Card

This incredible fragrance sample has something for EVERYONE, including a great purse atomizer, and it is only $50!
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P299443&categoryId=C17602&shouldPaginate=true

Not only does it ship for free from the website (also available in stores) BUT, it also comes with a card that the recipient can use to redeem a full size bottle of their favorite fragrance from the kit!

This makes the list because:
1. Of the 12 scents, there is something for everyone to like
2. Free shipping - great for out of town gift giving
3. It combines the fun of a fragrance gift, with the excitement of knowing you will get to go into the store to redeem a bottle of your favorite!

Gift Giving Tip:
Include a Sephora gift card to make the trip to the store to redeem the full size bottle even more fun!

#4 Urban Decay's Naked Palette

This incredible palette has been around a few months, but it gets included with the Holiday gifts because it is THAT incredible!


This $48 palette was so popular, that Urban Decay had to bring it back to stores!  It looks amazing on any skin tone, and the texture of the shadows is pure luxury!  You also get a brush and an eye primer!

Available at Ulta
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod3150103

This makes the list because:
1. Universally flattering
2. The velvet case makes the user feel glamorous!
3. You can print a coupon off Ulta and use it towards this item!

Gift Giving Tip:
Wrap the palette and then tie a gloss to the top as the bow!
I like the new Urban Decay Stardust Gloss, $19 (also at Ulta)

It has incredible shine and any of the new shades will go great with the shadows in the palette!

#3 Tarte's Starlit Vanity


I don't know what drew me to this incredible palette more:  the amazing shades and texture of the makeup, or the vintage inspired mirror vanity - that is reusable!!

This limited edition palette is worth every penny of the $52 price tag!!!!

You are instantly drawn to the 24 super-soft shadows, but the 24hour Amazonian Clay blush and the great mascara formula deserves praise too!  Tarte's brand is made of all natural ingredients, which is great for green-beauty lovers!

This makes the list because:
1. It screams Holiday Beauty
2. The case is reusable
3. The makeup is all natural

Gift Giving Tip:
Why not include a copy of the book "Making Faces" by Kevyn Aucoin

You can find it on Amazon.com and its a great how-to guide to creating great looks!

#2 Bare Minerals "Box of Gems" Holiday Collection
This is an exclusive to QVC - and better yet - it's on easy pay right now!  What a treat for yourself or for a gift!

Bare Mineral's Holiday Sets NEVER disappoint (I would know, I get the big kit each year from my amazing mother!) and this year's kit was inspired by jewel tones!  How fashionable!

This $80 kit features 5 Buxom lip plumping glosses and 5 Mineral glosses

Then there are 2 sets of shadows to compliment all skin tones!


Why this is on the list:
1. Bare Minerals products are so easy to apply!
2. The color selection is on trend right now
3. The ingredients are all natural
4. The easy pay option makes the 4 payments of $20 great for any budget!

Gift Giving Tip:
Use a bold jewel tone paper (think teal or raspberry) to keep with the theme, and include an eyeshadow brush as the bow

I like a tapered brush for applying loose shadow, like this Bare Minerals one for $14 (Ulta, QVC, Sephora and the BE store)

#1 Make Up For Ever's "Wild & Chic Collector Case"

Beware:  this is for serious makeup mavens!!


I can't stop staring at this amazing assortment of HD-Camera quality cosmetics!

This kit selection was specifically selected by Make Up For Ever's Creative Director, Dany Sanz!  In fact, he signed many of them - and if you purchase this exclusive 2011 kit, your train case might be signed!

This kit is worth over $600, but Sephora (exclusive retailer) will ship it for free at the $330 price.

You would spend $300 in the HD primers and concealers anyway, but with this kit you get 30 products in a snake-print black train case!  The false lashes are a bold exclusive design as well!  Perfect for girl's night!

Why this is on the list:
1. There might not be a more indulgent beauty set out there!
2. If the recipient loves cosmetics, this will make her heart stop with excitement!  (a good thing!)
3. Once you own a train case to carry your cosmetics, you will never go back!

Gift Giving Tip:  Just give this gift with a huge animal print bow on it, trust me, she will appreciate it!

Get matte!

Matte (aka: not shiny) is coming back in style in a MAJOR way!  Far be it for cosmetics and fashion powerhouse CHANEL not to bring you new ways to get matte!  In fact, in addition to their Rouge Allure Matte collection of lipsticks (which, ironically, pair great with super glittery glosses!)


they have also introduced a Matte Top Coat for nails - that makes the polish finish incredible!


take a look at their newest collection of nail polishes (which are all bold and shiny) with the new top coat over them


here they are without the top coat


So this awesome product will allow you to change it up and stay in style, without having to commit to only buying one shade of matte!

What to try:  Try the top coat over a steely-grey or denim blue this fall!

Great Book = Great Beauty!

If you haven't read the trilogy "Hunger Games" yet - well, get on it!  It is going to be the hottest movie since Twilight in 2012!  In anticipation of the hype of everyone's favorite "fight to the death" characters


China Glaze nail color announced they will release shades in early 2012 that represent themes from the movie!

I found some swatches online- and I am totally excited about

"Rebel" and "Fire in Flight" with the "Flaming Gem" overlay color!  Totally HOT!

I told you first!

Nearly 6 months ago I told you all about magnetized nail polish, and the super-cool effects available!  Well now its hit mainstream, and it's time to get on the trend!



Nails Inc metallic nail polish actually uses a magnet on the top of the bottle to move metallic ions in the polish to create waves and various textures on your nails (while the polish is drying)

To create a totally unique look, you can purchase the polishes for $16 at Sephora stores - and follow the steps below


It has been widely distributed in the shade you see above (a deep grey) but there are other shades as well, such as a deep purple, a gold and others.


(personally, I LOVE the purple!)

You're Blushing!

Ladies, I have been on the prowl for an amazing Holiday palette, but something that breaks the typical eyeshadow overload - and I've found it!

Whether you're gifting or adding to your own personal collection, this NARS "All About Blush" Holiday 2011 palette is exactly what you need!


It is an incredible large-size sampler of blush colors that will cover all your bases!  As well as highlighting (upper left).  At $65, it is about $10 a shade, which is a great price.  What's better is that you can toss ONE compact into your makeup bag for a trip or weekend away, and regardless of your tan/eye makeup/lipstick - you will have a complementing shade handy!

It is exclusive to Sephora, and it's limited in production.  Below is the link to order
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P298106&categoryId=B70