Introducing NARS Makeup Cleansing Oil

if you didn't already know, great skin is achieved when your skin is clean, like a fresh canvas, entirely free of any makeup residue. NARS has created Makeup cleansing Oil, a new technically advanced formula, to be the first and most important step in the cleansing process.

this weightless, silky solution eliminates makeup traces and flushes out pores, prepping the skin for cleansing. excess oil coating the skin surface is washed away, and clarity is visibly improved. NARS' formula is unlike most facial oils, in that it can be applied with wet or dry hands, and rinses off effortlessly with absolutely no residue. it is both gentle and effective enough for use on the eyes and lips.

NARS Makeup Cleansing Oil will be available in september 2009 on narscosmetics.com

xo
info courtesy of NARS

Beautiful Reading

hey beauties! this is the last week i have to prepare for my upcoming trip. i'm leaving for new york a week from tomorrow!! i'm beyond excited, nervous, and everything else one can expect to feel knowing they are going to finally visit a city they have been wanting to visit for years...

enough of my babbling (you'll be hearing much more about new york next week, count on it), let's catch up on some reading shall we?




Beauty Anonymous reviews the new NARS Tropic Eyeshadow form the Fall 2009 collection.

Face Candy has a new maust have: Josie Maran's Argan Oil Moisturizing Stick!

Fabulous Over Forty shares a fun video of Estee Lauder's new DoubleWear Lipsticks!

Sicka Than Average gives you the low down on products to give your hair some TLC.

Hot Beauty Health shares fabulous on-trend bags for the Fall season.

The Informed Makeup Maven looks at Givenchy Phenom' Eyes mascara dupes.

Marta at Talking Makeup wants to know your thoughts on supermodel Miranda Kerr's new haircolor.

Visit All Lacquered Up for a review and swatches of the Orly Matte Cotoure Collection.

xo

Get Ready for TheFairest.com!

hello my fabulous readers! just wanted to share with you (quickly) about a new beauty private sale website (much like the very popular Guilt and Ideeli) launching this tuesday, september 1st, called The Fairest.

what is The Fairest? it's a beauty site brought to you by a group of beauty lovers who are looking to make the way you shop for beauty brands easier (thank you!). at The Fairest you will be able to shop the brands you love-- like Stila, Jurlique, Tarte, Korres, etc.-- at up to 75% off!

so head over to TheFairest.com this tuesday and sign up-- it's free!-- and i'll see you at the much-anticipated launch!


xo

review: L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Luminous Bronzer

when it comes to self-tanners from the drugstore, i think L'Oreal has done a fabulous job of creating some of the best. their newest concoction, Sublime Bronze Luminous Bronzer, is a gradual tanner that leaves skin looking luminous thanks to it's micro-pearls.

i think this is perfect product to keep your summer glow going, but in a more subtle way. the formula dries quickly, leaves skin feeling soft, and allows you to decide the level of bronze you want to go. as far a s shimmer goes, it isn't too glittery, but you can tell that it's there, especially in the sun. the overall result looks golden brown without a hint of orange.

pick this up at your local drug store or mass retailer and visit lorealparis.com for more info

xo
pic taken by me :)

beauty on a budget: Mila Kunis’ Extract Premiere Look

monday night's premiere of "Extract" attracted many of hollywood's young celebrities, but it was Mila Kunis' fun, laid back look stole the show.

Mara Roszak, TRESemmé Celebrity Stylist, created Mila's gorgeous hairstyle-- for under $15! Mara proves that you can look red-carpet ready without spending a fortune.

follow these simple steps to achieve Mila Kunis' show-stopping hairstyle:



**apply TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Foaming Mousse on damp hair from roots to ends. rough dry hair until it is completely dry, parting hair slightly more to one side.




**using a 1" curling iron all over the head, rotate the direction of the waves. spray each section with TRESemmé Frizz Shield Finishing Spray, and tousle waves with fingers.

**pull hair into a low ponytail toward the opposite side of the part, securing with an elastic. twist into a loose bun and secure with crisscrossed bobby pins.



**finally, leave soft pieces around the face and around the bun, keeping one side cleaner with fewer loose pieces. finish by misting TRESemmé TRES Two Ultra Fine Mist Hairspray for a long lasting look.

find all of these TRESemmé products at your local drug and mass retailers!

xo
image source

hair therapy: Rachel Zoe's Must-Haves

like me, and probably many of you, Rachel Zoe thinks of her hair like a security blanket. she also likes to wear her hair tousled, shiny and big (i love her hair). in one of her Zoe Report emails this week, Rachel shares her absolute favorite, must-have products: Byron Williams' Spirulina Hair Spray and Illuminating Shine Spray (she says they are "life-changing", so naturally i'm intrigued).



Rachel says: these are the two products i urge you to try for that frizz-free, running-out-the-door tousled look from home. i use both every day as a final step in my ever-challenging hair regimen. Spirulina, which is the key ingredient in the Hair Spray, is something you'd typically find in a smoothie...good for your body, great for your hair! to quote Byron (pictured with Rachel, above), "it holds everything without getting sticky, and the Shine Spray is a remedy for over-processed hair and split-ends." i have many hair secrets to share, but this one is a sure thing—just roll out of bed and spray!



if you're on a budget, try Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Ultra Strong Anti-Humidity Hairspray and TRESemme Smooth Ultra Light No Frizz Shine Spray (one of my personal faves!)

xo

Kiehl's 40th Anniversary Lip Balm #1 Set

a must-have for many celebrities-- including John Mayer, Gwyneth Paltrow and Halle Barry-- Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 is the most well-known and beloved formula worldwide. infused with squalene, sweet almond oil, allantoin, aloe vera and vitamin E, this rich and highly emollient balm is fabulous for all skin types and particularly beneficial to those with dry, parched lips.

in honor of the 40th anniversary of this legendary lippie, Kiehl's has created Limited Edition Lip Balm # 1 Set which gathers the original balm, plus each of the scented formulas in one set, offering 6 balms for the price of 4. each balm in the set is individually boxed and each box features notable historical facts from the year of it's "birth", 1969.

visit your local Kiehls or kiehls.com for more info and to purchase.

xo

Anna Wintour On David Letterman

is Anna Wintour, the mysterious editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine, anything like the main character in the book and movie "The Devil Wears Prada"? i personally think she's probably somewhat like the person her reputation suggests and, in some ways, nothing like it. watch a snippet of her Letterman appearance as she addresses her icy reputation.




xo

SensiClear Acne System

i consider myself to be a positive attitude type of girl. when it comes to my attitude towards acne, i would say it's anything but. there's nothing worse than having pesky little blemishes popping up like uninvited guests. thought my skin has been relatively clear these days, i've been using SensiClear, an acne treatment system with a patented ingredient called Retextra-- this ingredient, i am told, makes this system the most advanced for acne available without a prescription-- and i have had ha good experience with it.

although i only used this system once a day, i have to tell you that i found SensiClear to be extremely gentle-- my skin never dried out, and each product left my skin feeling refreshed, never tight or irritated. i do, however, believe that there is potential for a more harsh reaction to the products simply because the use of salicylic acid used a couple of times a day can be harsh on the skin. here's the run-down (from my experience) of each product:




Purifying Cleanser
this cleanser cleans my skin and leaves it feeling soft. i use this after first cleansing and removing most of my makeup with Philosophy's Purity Made Simple. i found that this was not only an aid in removing excess oils from my skin, but also any makeup left behind.




Balancing Toner
after cleansing, i use this toner all over my face and neck. isn't a liquid, but a gel, which, at first i thought it was strange, but once i discovered it left my skin feeling refreshed and clean, i was a fan.




Blemish Free Acne Treatment Lotion
the final step in this system helps to treat and prevent blemishes in a gentle and effective way. i didn't use it every night, but every other since i had no major breakouts to combat. this lotion lightweight and absorbs beautifully.




Blemish Free Acne Spot Treatment
to speed up the process of getting rid of a pimple, this spot treatment does the trick. i only had to use it a handful of times, but after each time i did (usually a couple of days), those little zits were running for cover.


i recommend you research this line for yourself. like i said, this review is simply based on my own experience. overall, i think these are good products-- not amazing, just good. they did help keep my skin on the clear side, but since i don't have severe acne, i don't know how this would work for that.

visit SensiClear.com for more info.

xo

My Review of Stila's Mango Crush Lip & Cheek Stain is on A Girl's Gotta Spa!

i have been using Stila's Mango Crush Lip & Cheek Stain, and as you can see from the pics below, it creates a natural-looking flush to cheeks and a fabulous stain on the lips.





what i'm most excited about is the fact that my "official" review is on the fabulous beauty blog, A Girl's Gotta Spa! written by the amazing Shannon Nelson.

click here to read my thoughts on this new multi-tasker!

xo
pics taken by me :)

Kiehl’s Introduces Imperial Body Balm

Kiehl's has a new product with a new and very interesting-sounding ingredient, Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil, known for its skin regenerative capabilities. the product, you ask? it's called Imperial Body Balm, and it has been dubbed Kiehl's richest all-over body moisturizer.

sounds so yummy, right?

inspired by russian honey-based remedies and infused with deeply hydrating cocoa and shea butters, this new body balm was created to nourish skin like no other. it also contains honey and fruit glycolic acids to accelerate surface skin cell turnover, delivering a renewed smoothness and youthful radiance to extra-dry, dull skin (i'm already dying to try it!). with a warm, sweet and spicy fragrance, this balm should add a bit of luxury to your everyday.

for a unique companion to this new body treatment, Kiehl's is also introducing this balm with a fragrant Kusmi Tea, featuring Sea Buckthorn Berries, developed especially for the brand, which will be available in september exclusively in Kiehl's free-standing stores and Kiehls.com.

be sure to visit the website or store to discover these new goodies for yourself!

xo

video: Add Volume to Your Curls

if you have curly hair, you know that the top of the hair can go flat while the rest of your gorgeous ringlets stay full looking. want to know an easy trick for giving your roots a lift? watch this video from the curl expert herself, Ouidad!




visit the Oudad YouTube channel for more great-for-curly-hair tips!

xo

Gustto Donna Torsa Satchel

Eva Longoria Parker's ensemble of light, breezy tones are perfect for warm days. each piece is basic, but pulled together with one statement piece: a taupe Gustto Donna Torsa Satchel.



love this bag! it's definitely pricey, but i found out it also come in pink, yellow, orange and green-- *sigh*...

in the words of Rachel Zoe, i die...

xo

hair therapy: L'Oreal Paris EverPure UV Protect Spray

if you color your hair and want to prevent color fade, using the appropriate products are essential. L'Oreal's line, EverPure, has a full product line that helps prevent haircolor from looking dull and lifeless after a few weeks, and their UV Protect Spray is one i think you'll want to try.

this spray can be used on hair that is wet or dry, and leaves hair protected from the harsh rays of the sun (love that) while also leaving it more conditioned (multitasker!). i love the smell-- rosemary mint-- and the way my hair looks after using it. it's not heavy and doesn't leave a weird feeling behind. what i did expect more of was shininess, but it didn't deliver quite as well. the good news is, my hair is left looking healthy and feeling soft. :)

so, while i haven't dyed my hair since last year, i'm happy to protect my hair with this anyway. it's a great product, and who knows, i may start coloring it again...

visit your local drug or mass retailer to purchase L'Oreal EverPure UV Protect Spray or find it online at drugstore.com

xo
pic taken by me :)

H2O Plus Suncare Collection

summer may be coming to the end, but that doesn't mean forgoing the sunscreen or faux tan. H2O Plus has introduced a full line of products for face and body to keep you looking great and staying sun smart!




SPF 45 for Body glides on silky smooth, absorbs beautifully and is water-resistant. the lotion-like consistency left my skin feeling soft and the smell is fresh and light.

SPF 30 for Face is hydrating, oil-free and didn't irritate or cause my skin to break out. like the Body formula, this absorbs nicely, smells light and left my skin smooth.




Sunless Tan Body is a self tanner that gives skin a bronzy glow without being orange. another great benefit of this tanner is that it's already tinted, and results are almost instant-- no need to worry if you may have "missed a spot".

Sunless Tan Face is light-textured and gives a "touch of sun" look. this cream is white, but dissolves into the skin. it can be used to build a deeper tan look, but looks more natural if used every few days.




After Sun Body Serum is excellent for soothing skin after being in the sun, but i found that it also works great without having gone out. the light gel formula moisturizes without being greasy and leaves skin feeling refreshed-- love this stuff!

thanks to H2O Plus for the opportunoty to try these new products! be sure to visit h2oplus.com to discover more from the brand.

xo
pics taken by me :)

Beautiful Reading

this past week was the first full week my kids had of going to school. by friday, i was having to pull them out of bed-- LOL! but they weren't the only ones feeling a little pooped. i didn't think it would effect me so much, but boy was i wrong! yesterday morning i felt like i got hit by a truck: so tired and achy. thankfully all i needed was a day off. i feel great today. :) tomorrow we do it all over again...

while you enjoy the rest of your sunday, check out some fabulous reads from some great beauty blogs!



Beauty Anonymous reviews La Mer The Treatment Powder Foundation SPF15.

Alison of the Advice Sisters has discovered Fragrant Waters by Bath & Bodyworks cool rollerballs and regular flacons that will surprise and delight you!

Face Candy interviews purse designer Katherine Kwei about her beauty routine. Plus, WIN A $920 Katherine Kwei purse!

Fabulous Over Forty has a week long review of the Fall 2009 Beauty out in stores now.

Beauty Mix shares the Bobbi Brown treat that comes right in this beautiful little bottle.

Sicka Than Average curtsies and bows down to the Essie Loves Diamonds by Judith Ripka collection. Give your fingernails a regal touch!

Dao at My Makeup Blog found a way to create marvelous curls without using heat.

A Little More Beautiful takes a look at some eye catching Makeup tools and storage for Makeup junkies and aspiring artists.

The Informed Makeup Maven reviews Three Custom Color Specialists new creme blush, Morning after. Check out her verdict.

xo

Stila Weekend Special: Free Standard Shipping!

hey all you Stila girls! today and tomorrow the fabulous brand is offering free standard shipping on any order. head over to the website and stock up on your faves. use code SURPRISE01 at checkout (one time use only*).

enjoy and happy shopping! :)

xo
*offer details:
how does it work? in order to qualify must buy something. simply enter the
coupon code SURPRISE01 during checkout. free shipping applies toward the $7.95 ground shipping only (express shipping is not included). offers cannot be combined with other promotions or discounts; no more than one coupon can apply per order. sorry, there are no rain checks on out-of-stock items, and this offer is not applicable to previously placed orders. offers are not combinable with the purchase of gift certificates. to prevent abuse, Stila reserves the right to cancel any order at any time. this offer expires at 11:59pm pacific on sunday, august 23, 2009

WWD: Buying Beauty

want to know what brands most women are buying? yesterday's Women's Wear Daily listed the top beauty and skin care brands among affluent consumers for the first half of 2009. these women (whose household income is $250,000 or higher) are spending money on prestige brands Clinique, L'Occitane, MAC, Chanel and Nars, while in mass retail stores thier buying up Olay, Maybelline, Covergirl, L'Oreal Paris and Nivea.

read the entire article here

do you agree with the lists? are those the brands you buy the most?

xo

Emily DiDonato at 'The Septemeber Issue' Premiere

Maybelline spokesmodel Emily DiDonato exuded her sunny and spirited personality at the new york premiere of 'The September Issue' with the help of makeup artist Jo-Anna Lynn for Maybelline New York. Jo-Anna was inspired by Emily's inner radiance and glowing personality and created a look using Maybelline New York's latest and greatest products. Jo-Anna kept Emily's makeup fresh but added a touch of color to her eyes and lips.

here's how to get the look:



for face:
Jo-Anna created a flawless glow with Maybelline New York Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation in Nude. she then used a lighter shade– Porcelain Ivory– as a highlighter on the upper cheekbones and brow areas. Jo-Anna finished the look with Mineral Power Naturally Luminous Blush in True Peach, applied just to the apple of the cheeks for a touch of color.




for eyes:
Jo-Anna added a light wash of gray smoulder on the lids with Maybelline New York Expert Wear Quad Palette in Natural Smokes. she applied and blended the deeper shades of shadow, and finished the look with Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Mascara in Very Black to add length and drama to her eyes.




for the lips:
Color Sensational Lip Liner in Nude was applied only to the upper lip and the corners for a little definition and pout. Joanna used Color Sensational Lipstick in Totally Toffee. to add some shine, she finished the lips with Color Sensational Lip Gloss in Touch of Toffee.

xo
photo credit: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com

StyleBakery.com: Establishing a Shopping Buddy

when it comes to things like sticking to a workout or diet plan, everyone needs a trusted friend to rely on for advice and encouragement. the same holds true when it comes to shopping. StyleBakery.com has a fabulous article about how to choose the right friend to shop with who will give you advice on what looks good (on you) and will keep you sane when sale psychosis sets in.

some traits for choosing the ideal shopping buddy are: honesty (you need the truth, no matter what), enviable style sense (she should be someone who has a wardrobe you'd love to shop through), and budget equality (don't shop with someone who can afford designer if you can't).

read the entire article here

xo
source

review: Juara Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner

thanks to Beautyfix, i was able to try Juara Skincare's Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner, the most moisturizing toner i have ever used. this toner is unique in that it provides hydration and moisture without oil, while also soothing and leaving my skin feeling amazingly soft! if your skin needs hydration, this is perfect. if you are looking for a toner with calming benefits, this one will work for you too.

the ingredients in this toner are fabulous: tamarind provides skin with hydration, an infusion of white, green and black teas calm the skin, vitamin-rich rice bran extract minimizes redness and any signs of stress your skin may have; nourishing antioxidants fight off free radicals, and moisture-binding hyaluronic acid keeps moisture in the skin. this is one amazing skincare product, to say the least!

Juara Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner can be purchased at juaraskincare.com and visit beautyfix.com to learn more about their sampling program.

xo

Estee Lauder Wants to Play Makeover!

have you ever wanted to see what you'd look like wearing a certain shade of lipstick, blush or eyeshadow before buying it? then you're in luck, Estee Lauder has just launched their new Virtual Makeover Widget-- the first-ever branded makeup widget of its kind that allows online customers see how makeup products will look on their own face before buying.

working with TAAZ.com to create the most realistic visual experience, this new state-of-the-art technology enables you to play with the entire Estée Lauder makeup collection. from customizing looks product by product to instantly applying 'one click looks' from current advertising campaigns and new color collections, you'll discover what the shimmer of the brand's eyeshadow or the wet shine of their lipgloss will really look like on you.

you can download the Estée Lauder Virtual Makeover Widget to your desktop or social media page, upload your own photo and do anything from finding the right foundation and lipstick to discovering your best blush and eyeliner-- the possible looks are endless!

so what are you waiting for? head over to EsteeLauder.com and have some fun!

xo

Do You Have Questions About At-Home Hair Color?

i'm so excited! i get to go to nyc next month (!!!), and among my many adventures, i will be visiting L'Oreal's Technical Center which will include a session on at-home hair color. since this subject is very important to so many women (and men), i would love to get answers to your questions about at-home hair color so i can share with you the answers following my visit.

so, let me know your questions concerning at-home hair color! do you want to color your hair at home to save money, but don't know what to do first? have you colored your hair at home in the past, but it didn't turn out and want to know why?

there are no dumb questions-- ask away!

xo

fall beauty 2009: Prescriptives Well-Suited

good makeup is always a good thing. good makeup in fabulous packaging is even better! i'm loving Prescriptives newest collection, Well-Suited, not only because the products are great, but because each product is "dressed" so well.

moving on to the products...

Eye Color Compact
suit your mood and your attitude with five tailored shades for you eyes. wear one, wear five, mix and match to your liking! the darkest shadow is perfect to line and define.

Warm:
new Silk (limited edition)
new Bean (limited edition)
new Olive (limited edition)
new Moss (limited edition)
Espresso

Neutral:
new Sultry (limited edition)
Champagne
Clove
Storm
Jet

Cool:
new Velour (limited edition)
new Pintripe (limited edition)
Shell
Cassis
Blackberry



Finishing Powder
this translucent, silky pressed powder helps set makeup, gives skin subtle luminosity and a smooth finish. with antioxidants C & E, it's the finishing touch for every well-dressed face.

Longwear Kohl Liner
this soft, color-rich, automatic kohl eyeliner glides on then sets for long, smudge-resistant, waterproof wear. goes from inner rim to outer lashline for a look that lasts all day.

Black Kohl
Slate Kohl
Brown Kohl
Blue Kohl


Colorscope Lipcolor Shade Extension
a moisturizing and lucious formula in shades of mocha, bronze, and plum. Colorscope glides on smoothly, feels lightweight and provides extraordinary shine, leaving lips looking glossy and feeling moist.

new Posh Nude (limited edition)
new Posh Pink (limited edition)
new Posh Honey (limited edition)
new Posh Ginger (limited edition)


this is a collection that i highly recommend you check out. the Finishing Powder is great for all skin tones and makes my skin look gorgeous! the Kohl liner (in black) applies smoothly and is perfect for tightlining my eyes and finishing the perfect smoky eye look, as well as it blending easily and being really long-lasting!

the Cool eyeshadow palette is gorgeous, to say the least. i can't get enough of the colors-- they wear well and blend so beautifully.

visit prescriptives.com for more info on this fabulous fall collection or go to your nearest Prescriptives beauty counter to see it in person.

xo

Fabulous (and Flat) Shoes

i have a friend who is 5'9, and since her husband is about 5'11, she never wears heels (that to me is such a bummer!). i've tried convincing her that it would be ok, but she isn't into being taller than her guy, thus her shoe wardrobe consists of only flat shoes.

while on the Piperlime website, i was inspired to search for-- and found-- some fabulous, yet still flat, shoes i thought she, and those of you who love flats, might love to wear...





Seychelles Square Dance flat has an almond-shaped toe, brushed hardware accents and snake embossed leather. these would be great to wear with everything from jeans to a fun dress.



to add a bit of preppy fun to an otherwise casual look, these flats by Restricted are perfect.



this pair by BCBGirls is ultra-feminine and can be worn with almost anything thanks to its neutral color.


xo