Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Charitable Cause with Celebrity Flare

Kiehl's is a wonderful company that has been around forever, and started as an apothecary in NYC. 

Needless to say, this brand KNOWS what works, and they use all natural ingredients!  (even better!)

I've tried several items in their line up over the years, and I haven't been disappointed.  Now they have two celebrity endorsements for their powerful and natural masks, and part of your purchase goes to charity!

Chloe Sevigny and Michael C Hall have teamed up to design packaging for the Rare Earth Mask


Each designed their own packaging, and 10% of the purchase price goes towards the Waterkeeper Alliance


the Waterkeeper Alliance is an organization dedicated to protecting the World's waters from pollution, and they do this through people patrolling the lakes, rivers, oceans, streams, etc all over the globe to detect and stop pollution!


This rare earth mask is AMAZING, it detoxifies skin and minimizes pores.  Its great for nearly all skin types (especially this time of year) and its gentle enough to use a few times per week.

And what's better?  Its only $23!!  What a steal!

You can find it on http://www.kiehls.com/ and other nationwide retailer sites.

Monday, June 27, 2011

My Inspiration for Friday Night

I came across these photos of Sienna Miller with a wonderful hair style and a red-lip that I thought was totally glam for my big event on Friday.  I loved how her eye makeup was so subtle, so it almost made the look natural!



I managed to sneak a photo of my look from Friday, where I tried to copy the deep side part and the natural eyes with red lips!



my husband really liked it too!

So, here is what I did for hair:

For my hair, I usually find that I get much smoother strands when I blow dry it while its still pretty wet (if you let it air dry too much it tends to frizz).  I used a very heavy duty conditioner, WEN, to make it smooth, then blow dried on medium heat with a large natural hair brush



then I curled it in 2 inch sections with a 1" barrel curling iron, and used shine serum and LOTS of humidity protecting hair spray

After moisturizing I used a great primer and eye brightener:

My eye brightener is Benefit's "Ooh La Lift" which I apply around the eye area

For my primer I used Victoria's Secret Professional Makeup Primer with SPF 15

For my makeup I applied the Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (my favorite)

and I did the Bare Minerals Faux Tan Matte Bronzer with a large blush brush in a circular motion to give a natural looking tan glow


Then I applied individual false lashes with temporary (1 day wear) glue


combined that with a VERY thin line of black eyeliner, for which I used Bare Essentuals Big and Bright Eyeliner

Then I used a silvery/black Chanel eyeshadow with an eyeliner brush to create some smudging at the corner of the eye, and blended it to a soft shimmer

"Black Magic" is part of the Spring 2011 collection and is still available at Chanel counters.  Its a great black that blends easy into a shimmery grey.

I also darkend my eye brows a bit with Cover Girl brow pencil in dark blond


Then, before applying blush and highlighter, I applied my lipstick (because the lipstick is so bold, I wanted to apply it first before deciding how much blush I needed)

I went with Bare Essentuals Pretty Amazing Lipcolor in 'Strength"

which is a super bold red!  PS- This color lasted FOREVER and looked great all night!  Here I am hours in, and no lipstick lines on my martini!


To work with the red lips, I applied a bright pink cream blush to the apples of my cheeks (I tried Make Up For Ever's HD Blush in "#6")

Then I used a highlighter to blend the bold blush and give a shimmer to my cheek bones, I am a huge fan of
Benefit "That Gal" highlighter


To give my neck and arms the same great highlighting I used Victoria's Secret "Rockin' Body" moisturizer, which has a tint to it, which event skin tone and gives a very subtle sheen


A good amount of work, but its fun to get all glammed up (my favorite past time besides shopping and blogging to you fashionistas about my favorite products!)

Keep in mind I do makeup for special events, and I CAN travel to you!  Send me a message for more information!

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Perfect Lip Color for a Wedding!

Truth be told, when you're a bridesmaid in a wedding...you are generally so busy that your lip gloss you applied while getting ready has probably worn off 3 hours ago after the champagne toast!  Who has time to re-apply?


But to keep your look glam all night (and to look great in photos and make your bride proud) consider a lip stain product that also gives you some shine!

What I'm trying now is Revlon's "Just Bitten" stain and gloss in Passion ($7.99 at Drug and Grocery Stores)


I chose that color because Jessica Biel looked so amazing in the ad for the product in that color, that I had to have it!

What's unique about this product (as one blogger I found below discovered) is that it is enhanced by the balm that is on the other end of the product


The balm also makes lips feel smooth, rather than cracked or dry as some stains can do!

And a stain is meant to do just that, stain the skin on your lips with color, so that through drinking, eating and talking, your lips remain beautiful!  (at least enough that your lips won't dissapear in photos)

For tips and tricks on lip stains from Revlon, click:
http://www.revlon.com/Revlon-Home/Products/Lips/Lipcolor/Revlon-Just-Bitten-Lipstain-and-Balm-By-Colorstay.aspx?DCMP=KNC-sogDwnzi3-pcrid-8045184816&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=revlon%20just%20bitten&utm_campaign=Brand_Virtual+Wall&utm_content=sogDwnzi3_pcrid_8045184816#

An Adorable Gift for Your BFF!

It doesn't get any cuter than these awesome ballet flats from Henri Bendel!


Not only are they plush leather and fold able, but they come with an adorable carrying pouch that matches!


"Miss Bendel" Ballet Flats are sold at Henri Bendel, and are total indulgence!  Henri Bendel has been a luxury leather goods designer since 1895, and their signature brown/white stripe is their calling card!  It's totally "New York City Chic!"

You can find them at:
http://www.henribendel.com/shop/pretty-bendel-things/miss_bendel_ballet_flats

The "light pink" are by far my favorite
Miss Bendel Ballet Flats gallery 0

Think of treating your best girlfriend, because at $98 they are the perfect mini-luxury gift!
Miss Bendel Ballet Flats gallery 0

Because they are fold able, they are perfect to stash away in a purse for a long night out (when you just can't take the stilettos anymore!) 

They are also wonderful and luxurious bridesmaids gifts! 

PS- They have the flip flops available too for $58
Henri Bendel Flip Flops in Pouch

Saturday, June 25, 2011

For those that can't help but pick at their polish

For those of you with natural nails that pick and peel their nail polish, or even if you love wearing nail polish but after a few chips you never seem to find time to remove the polish and re-do, listen up!  I've got a great product for you!

Its Sula Peel off Nail Color!
http://www.sulabeauty.com/catalog/17/paint-peel-duos

These "Paint and Peel" Nail Colors are like 'makeup for your nails' and peel off easily when you are sick of the color or experience chipping!



These $9 dual-ended polish colors come with a top coat to increase the life of the color

the colors in the "paint and Peel" collection are great for summer


But there is also the original formula in individual bottles


Sula claims that both formulas are considerably easy to peel off in one strip


which would mean changing up your color would be a snap!  I can see this being a fun product that you can keep in your purse for impromptu color swapping!  What a great gift for teens too!!!

My favorite color is "Dove"


I love the grey shade, it works with all skin tones!

Available at Ulta stores and on Amazon.com for under $10!

Also launching this month (the 27th) is Sula's line of cosmetics for $8 and under!

get more information at
http://www.sulabeauty.com/content/home

or http://www.ulta.com/

The Future of Lash Extensions



Ladies, be prepared to have your mind blown, because the future of eye lash extensions is HERE!

It's "LashDip" which is a semi-permanent treatment that mimics the look of mascara for up to SIX WEEKS!

Dubbed "the modern woman's mascara" LashDip promises six weeks of amazing lashed with no makeup hassle!  LashDip eyelashes are:

-Waterproof!
-Smudgeproof!
-Long and curled
-Voluminous

It WILL hurt your wallet however, at about $200-$300 for the initial application!  The LashDip site recommends having a "refresh" performed halfway through the six weeks, and you will have to apply a "lash seal" every 2-3 days to keep the product looking its best.

The testimonials are amazing, women are loving this service!

Where can you find it?  There is one technician in Syracuse:

MARISKAS

Syracuse, New York
Mariska van Emmerik
Free call 855-MARISKAS (627-4752)
http://www.mariskas.com/
lashdip@mariskas.com

The next closest to Syracuse is the Luxe Spa in Rochester:

Luxe Spa

2541 Monroe Ave
Rochester, Ny 14618
Katie Lee
585-256-1050
http://www.luxespa.com/

LashDip also works in conjunction with lash-growing products (like prescription Latisse)!!

Read more about it at:
http://www.lashdip.com/index.html

Friday, June 24, 2011

Have a Mimosa!

No, not the [fabulous] drink!


The yellow-orange (think: sunshine yellow) has gone from teenage to fashion house trendy this month with the introduction of Chanel's "Mimosa" nail color!



I was shocked when I saw this color on the trend list for Chanel, who generally doesn't go in this direction when it comes to color, but I love it!


Other fabulous shades are in the lineup as well


including this great pink called "Morning Rose"


As you can see, the Summer 2011 palette for Chanel is actually a bronze-based palette with fun pinks and yellows to brighten up your look in the sun!




Everyone at the Chanel counter is raving about it!  Would you try this funky yellow shade on YOUR tips!?