VEGAS Baby!

While those of us in New York fear that March will come in like a Lion....the sexy desert bunnies are in Vegas working on their tans!  Chanel understands your pain, so they (quietly) launched  a Las Vegas collection on their website that is ultra exclusive!

This pricey four piece collection is based around a shimmery gold shade that will make you feel like you "Won Big!"

My favorite item in the collection is the hydrating, sheer and GOLD lipshine $32.50:

wear it alone for a hint of shimmer that boosts hydration, or layer it over reds and corals!
http://www.chanel.com/en_US/fragrance-beauty/Makeup-Lipstick-ROUGE-COCO-SHINE---BRILLANT-128780

The key piece in the collection is of course, the highlighting compact ($95), which is embedded with the same starts as the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign!



The collection won't be sold in any stores near us (just NYC, LA, Vegas and Beverly Hills) but you can purchase items from the collection online for a limited time!

Update your makeup brushes for $5 and under!

Ladies I am totally in LOVE with ELF (Eyes Lips Face)'s new bling brushes!
Kabuki:

Foundation:

Shadow:

Brow/Lashes:


They are all $5 or less, and they are functional, not just fabulous!

You can purchase them at:

http://www.eyeslipsface.com/makeup/tools/single-brushes

Shocking SPLURGE vs STEAL Results!

Today my SPLURGE vs STEAL is a shocking one, because I did not anticipate that I would choose the ___________!  (obviously I am going to make you read on!)

The SPLURGE:
WEN Cleansing Conditioner, $30

PRO's
-Revives unhealthy hair in one use
-If you wear naturally wavy hair, this product works incredibly to fight frizz and make waves more pronounced
-No harsh sulfates or chemicals, so it prolongs your hair color

CON's
-Cost, its an infomercial and QVC product, so its not cheap
-A majority of the scents are terrible.  The only one I find tolerable is the Vanilla Mint
-You are supposed to use up to 20 pumps in one application, which is insane!  Too much product weighs the hair down and makes it greasy!

-Its also difficult to get a second day out of your hair without washing, unless you have a very dry scalp

The STEAL:
L'Oreal's EverCreme Cleansing Conditioner, $6.99

PRO's
-The cost is so cheap!  (and you're getting more than the WEN!)
-The scent is very soft and not over-powering
-Worked great for me when i went naturally wavy or blowed out my hair straight!
-You only need 5-6 pumps for each wash
-Also no harsh sulfates or chemicals

CON's
-A little heavy, if you have greasier scalp, try the EverCreme regular nourishing shampoo and conditioner, it also works great but isn't as thick

So the choice is....the STEAL!  Yes, this $6.99 drug story beauty product busts up the expensive competition! (Sorry Chaz Dean!)


So far I like the entire EverCreme line, and I think it is a great beauty buy!  Have you tried WEN?  Are you going to switch?

I'm stocking up!

I just ordered over 40 packs of eyelash extensions is various natural hair shades and lengths in preparation for my May 5th event at Beyond Natural Health (book a time slot to get some extensions done at over HALF the salon cost!) and for wedding season!

Congrats to my brides that just booked with me for May and June 2011!  I can't wait to work with you!

Why eyelash extensions for your event? 


They open up and brighten the eye area, and they also creat a more youthful look!



They are critical for special events, because your eye area photographs better when you wear extensions


They are an add-on service I do for bridal parties, be sure to ask me about it when you call or email!

MORE Scented Nail Polish

This time from Dior, and sold exclusively at Sephora!  These two Springtime shades are adorable AND scented like Spring!


Dior calls it the "Garden Party" which was obviously inspired by the green stem of a spring flower:

"Waterlily"

and the purple petals on a pretty flower:

"Forget Me Not"

Both shades have a rose petal scent, but they are pretty pricey at $23 each

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P303408&om_mmc=esv103264-GG&om_kwpur=341658592&ppc_crid=6852614177&sbanner=us_search&esvcid=S1330531253_ADOGOE_AGI3733575_CRE6852614177_TID341658592_RFDd3d3Lmdvb2dsZS5jb20%3d

Are you jumping on the scented nail polish trend?!

Mixed Opinions on: Heated Eyelash Curlers

To heat or not to heat?  THAT is the question!!!

Women have been holding a blow dryer on their eyelash curler to "heat" the metal before manually curling their eyelashes for decades - so several cosmetics companies decided to cash in on the concept and produce heated eyelash curlers!  The opinions are mixed, I've read 100s and its a 50/50 split on whether buying a pre-heated element is better than just warming up your traditional curler.

So I break it down for you:

Traditional Eyelash Curler:


Heated Eyelash Curler:


I've ignored the product for quite some time, mostly because my stubbornly straight lashes refuse to conform, so when I really need bold lashes I use eyelash extensions (which are perfectly curled).  But now that Dior has come out with a heated curler, I am very tempted to try it!

Diorshow is one of the best selling mascara lines, so it goes without saying that there will be a cult following of this curler as well.

What you need to know:
-Retails for $25 at Sephora
-Can be used on 'naked' lashes and/or after mascara is applied
-Takes up to 2 minutes to fully heat up!
-Has two selections to control the amount of curl
-Comes with cleaning brush

To purchase:
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P303604


How the price compares to others:
Panasonic (which uses a heat pad instead of heated brush) retails for $20

Japonesque (best knows for their beauty tools, sold at Ulta) $12

ModelCo $50



So, will you be splurging on this new beauty tool?

What's Hot Right Now? Scented NAILS!!!

Yes, you read that right!  Scented nail polish, with scents lasting up to 4 days are hitting the market right now, and women are eating it up!!!!

Right now we have available to us a collaboration between fashion icon Betsey Johnson (known for her quirky and bold style) and the World's leader in everything nails, OPI.



This hot pink polish is available exclusivly at Sephora and is scented with Betsey Johnson's signature fragrence called "Too Too"!  How amazing!  It retails for $9.50 (only a $1.50 more than regular OPI shades!) and is available in Sephora stores and online for a limited time!

The reviews are saying that since it is opaque, one coat is all you need and the scent is soft, not too powerful!

What's even better news is that this polish is just the first in a whole line of Betsy's beauty products that launch this March (Sephora and Lord & Taylor)

these products include nail art, scented and sparkle nail polish and decals that are sure to liven up your nails for Spring!

The rest of the nail collection (coming very soon) will be the following shades


Will YOU be trying scented nails?!

Recap of Oscars 2012 Beauty Trends

It was the year of the white and red dresses, and the incredible beauty looks that went with them!!

The blunt cut and classic makeup:
When Rooney Mara stepped out in a white dress (instead of her usual black) I was shocked, and then I took in the whole look and I was blown away!  This is a fashion YES!


To achieve this look you need to deepen the color of the eyebrows, and color lips with a semi-matte red-orange shade.  Keep the rest of the look minimal with a tan eye shadow and thin black liner on top lids only.

TRY:
Cover Girl Eyebrow Pencil $3

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in #39 "La Sompteuse" $32


Other blunt bangs and classic makeup looks were
Rose Byrne

Katie Homes

Ellie Kemper


"Grace Kelly Classic"
A flashback to soft waves, shoulder length hair and delicate fabrics was also present on the red carpet, most notably:
Penelope Cruise

Miley Cyrus

Mila Jovovich

Natalie Portman


TRY:
Spritzing hair with a setting spray and placing mid-length hair in pin curls.  Run fingers through and shape, then set with a mist hairspray


Try Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray $25

L'Oreal Ellnet Hairspray $15


"Sleek Bun Hairstyle"
I was surprised to see this repeated again so much at the Oscars after it seemed to be on trend earlier in awards season!  But I love it!

Emma Stone

Jennifer Lopez

Shaliene Woodley

And the night's big winner, Octavia Spencer!


TRY:
Sleek back hair and spritz with hair spray and secure pony tail where you desire the middle of the bun.  Twist hair and secure ends with bobby pins and then spray hair with hairspray to finish the style.  Add embellishments like rhinestone flowers or decorated hair combs on top of the bun or on the side.

You can also grab a few styling tools to help you like
Magic Bun $15 online

Goody's Spin Pin and Bun Maker $6 each



"Vampy Nails" The deep berries, navy and black shades were also out in full force on Sunday
Octavia Spencer

Jessica Chastain

Kristin Wig


TRY:
OPI's new color from their Holland Collection pre-Spring 2012 "Vampsterdam" $8

Julep's Oscar Collection in 'Marisa' (as mentioned in a previous blog!) $14


Now you have all the tips to creating your own Oscar-Worthy Look!!!!