Summer Scents: Harajuku Lovers Sunshine Cuties

the Harajuku Lovers line of fragrances already feature great scents, but just for summer the little ladies have been decked out in their swimsuits and have fresh new scents (aren't they adorable?).



Love is the romantic scent; for summer her scent has a fruity-floral twist featuring notes of nectarine, passion fruit, lemon blossom, plumeria, osmanthus, rose petals, vanilla orchid, coconut water, sensual musk and sandalwood. Love is one of my faves in this collection.

Lil' Angel is the sassy rebel with a sweet side. for summer she's boasting a citrus-gourmand twist on her original scent. the combination of citrus and vanilla notes makes me thing of creamsicles-- meyer lemon, mandarin, touch of blackberry, pink rose, vanilla orchid, tropical sampaquita blossom, sugared patchouli, vanilla bean, skin musk and golden amber.




Music is typically a charismatic fruity-floral, so for summer she gets to show off a more sensuous side without being overpowering. notes include juicy pear, granny smith apple, dewy freesia, tiger Orchid, jasmine petals, honeysuckle, cashmere woods, creamy musk, and precious woods.

Baby maintains being her sweet, soft self but without the powdery notes for summer. a dewy-floral twist makes her another one of my faves from the collection-- crisp mandarin, wet neroli, bright sunflower, white poppy, living valencia, orange flower, jasmine absolute, soft musk, rich vetiver, and creamy birch woods.




G is as fab as ever and has a fun, creamy-musk twist for summer. coconut water, mandarin, bergamot, white peach, heliotrope, exotic tiare flower, orange flower, vanilla bean, tonka, skin musk, and creamy sandalwood maintains G's tropical vibe, but i prefer wearing this one in the evening.

Harajuku Lovers Sunshine Cuties are limited edition, so when summer is gone, so are they. find the collection at Macy's, Sephora and HLFragrance.com for more info.

xo
products featured were sent to me for review consideration; all pics taken by me :)

nail color of the week: China Glaze Light as Air

i've been wearing this China Glaze polish, Light As Air (from their spring 2010 Up & Away collection), since yesterday, and i have to say, i love it. this cool, opaque, pale shade of lilac is a cheerful in a laid-back sort of way.

i'll defintitely be wearing it a lot (both on my tips and my toes) this summer! :)


xo
pic taken by me :)

Beauty on a Budget: L'Oreal True Match Roller Foundation

drugstore brand foundations have come a long way in terms of formulations and color range. so when they want to make a "better" foundation, i suppose it's in their thinking to come up with a new way of applying it. case in point, the L'Oreal True Match Roller Foundation. this cream foundation was released months ago, and when it it was, i was naturally intrigued to try it for myself. i used a few times before coming to my final thoughts about it...

pros of this foundation:

*the roller applicator feels like a nice massage on the face when applying the foundation.

*the formula is lightweight but offers buildable coverage.

*spf 25

*the shade i bought matched my skin perfectly.

cons of this foundation:

*the roller can be a bit tricky to maneuver around areas around the nose and eyes but is manageable.

*the foundation doesn't last more than a few hours before it starts to look unflattering and needs to be touched up.

*if not careful, you can apply too much product, leaving a cakey look.

*blending is still necessary after application.

*only 12 shades are offered-- this was disappointing since the True Match range of liquid foundations offers twice as many.

while i found the coverage and color match to be good, the fact that this foundation doesn't wear all day makes it a fail for me. sorry L'Oreal, but i need my foundation to last. i love many of your products, just not this particular foundation.

find L'Oreal True Match Roller Foundation at a drugstore near you. visit lorealparis.com for more info.

tell me: have you tried L'Oreal True Match Roller Foundation? did you love it or leave it?

xo
pic taken by me :)

MAC Pret-A-Papier

MAC, as you already know, puts out many (many) collections per season. i myself can barely keep up, LOL!. their newest collection, Pret-a-Papier, is full of neutral tones with a few splashes of fun color, and i picked up a lipstick (Kraft) and nail lacquer (Brown Bag) last week.



Kraft is creamy and a great better-than-nude-on-me lip shade. i love that i can apply this without a mirror! Brown Bag is a pretty brown nail lacquer that has a hint of shimmer. i love that it almost gives me a mannequin hands look. overall, this is a great group of products sure to keep your look polished and fresh this season.





take a look at the entire collection:




Chromagraphic Pencil (sold out online)
NC15/NW20
NW25/NC30




Impeccable Brow Pencil
Dirty Blonde-- blackened dark-neutral brown
Taupe-- mid-tone dirty taupe



Studio Fix Lash
Black Fix-- black




Sheertone Blush
Instant Chic-- mid-tone muted coral
Garb-- light golden suntan




Mineralize Blush
Light Over Dark-- light yellow brown/dark peach (frost)




Paint Pot
Coral Crepe-- soft coral
Groundwork (out of stock online, but will be available again soon)-- mid-tone neutral taupe




Lipstick
Archetype-- sheer light gold (lustre)
Dressmaker, Dressmaker-- creamy-light peach-coral (lustre)
Made to Order-- creamy mid-tone dirty coral (lustre)
Kraft- creamy mid-tone warm brown (amplified)




Lipglass
C-Thru-- peachy-beige with shimmer
Fold and Tuck-- mid-tone bright coral w/soft pearl
Prêt-à-Papier-- dark reddened bronze w/pearl





Eyeshadow
Gazette Grey-- dark green-grey with gold pearl (velvet)
Memorabilia-- dirty purple (matte)
Tissueweight-- frosted pale peach (frost)
Bamboo-- light beige with peach (matte)
Cut to Fit-- frosted red-bronze (frost)



Nail Lacquer
Brown Bag-- mid-tone warm-dirty beige (cream)
Originality-- sparkly copper bronze (frost)


as noted, some products are sold out or on back order online. my suggestion to you, if those are products you're looking to buy, is to call your local MAC store (or counter) and ask if they have what you're looking for in stock. :)

Pret-a-Papier is available until july 2010. visit maccosmetics.com for more info.


xo
info courtesy of MAC; images, unless marked otherwise, courtesy of MAC

Kate Hudson Named New Brand Ambassador for ALMAY

in recent beauty news, Revlon, Inc. announced that their Almay brand has signed one of hollywood's hottest stars, Kate Hudson, as its newest global brand ambassador!

"Almay is known for its fresh, effortless approach to beauty", said Kate Hudson. "i share that philosophy and i'm honored to be partnering with a brand that believes cosmetics should bring out the natural beauty inside every woman. at the end of the day we all want to have fun and feel beautiful-– that's what Almay is all about."

in her new role, Kate will become the face of new and existing Almay products and will appear in global multi-media campaigns, including television, print, in-store and internet placements. the first television and print campaign for the brand is set to debut later this year.

congrats Kate! i'm looking forward to seeing the new ads and products, aren't you? :)

xo
image source: zimbio.com

Video: Rebecca Minkoff Summer 2010

though i don't own a single Rebecca Minkoff bag, i have been a huge fan of them for years. for summer 2010, Rebecca's designs have wowed me again. check out this video showcasing the new details and colors of her classic bags, as well as the introduction of a fabulous crop of new creations.



visit rebeccaminkoff.com and minkette.com for more info and news regarding all things Rebecca Minkoff.

xo

Body Beautiful: Superfoods to Help Flatten Your Tummy

regardless of the weather, the stomach is always a "problem area" that people want to fix. in addition to daily workouts, eating the right (healthy) foods will help move you down the right path. i was reading my june issue of Self magazine and came across a great article all about foods that help uncover a flatter tummy that will be summer-ready, any time of year.

avocados:

these fabulous fruits contain monounsaturated fats that help your body prevent the storage of unwanted fat around your middle caused by spikes in blood sugar levels. a half of an avocado contains 10 grams of the healthy fats. mix with 2 tablespoons of your favorite salsa to make a quick guacamole dip and enjoy with raw veggie slices as a midday snack-- yum!


green tea:



you may already know this, but green tea is not only good for keeping you looking younger (it's high in antioxidants), but it helps boost metabolism, too. studies have shown that drinking 3 cups will eliminate an extra 30 calories daily.



blueberries and blackberries:



these little berries also contain antioxidants which, in addition to all of the many health benefits, help to improve blood flow. when this happens, more oxygen is delivered to muscles which, in turn, allows you to work out a bit harder during your workouts, to burn the fat hiding that six-pack.


bulgur:



whole grains are so much better than refined ones. bulgur is a whole grain low in calories and high in fiber to keep insulin levels low-- researchers speculate that this may help shrink fat cells. eat 1/2 cup with some blueberries for breakfast!


chocolate milk:



no you didn't read that wrong. chocolate milk contains protein and carbs which help aid in muscle recovery. drinking this within 30 minutes of ending your workout to ensure your muscles rebuild properly and keep your metabolism in high gear. mix 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder or syrup that conatins less than 20 grams of sugar to a glass of milk.

want more helpful fitness and nutrition tips? visit self.com


xo
source: self.com

QVC's National Makeover Day

QVC has declared that tomorrow, may 20 will be its National Makeover Day – a 24-hour celebration devoted to helping women create positive change inside and out.

all day QVC will feature beauty and hair makeovers from Bobbi Brown and Chaz Dean, along with fashion makeovers from Bradley Bayou and Gretta Monahan. you can also expect to see beauty experts sharing how QVC viewers can achieve similar results at home.

in addition to being able to shop for amazing goodies, QVC is also doing this with its vendor community to help raise awareness for Dress for Success Worldwide, an international non-profit dedicated to helping disadvantaged women achieve economic independence. through this event QVC will be making a collective contribution of $250,000 to the organization*.

this will be going on all day, so be sure to tune in!

here's a little sampling of items scheduled to be presented throughout the day:

Bobbi Brown Downtown Beauty Six Piece Collection (pictured above; will be tomorrow's Today's Special Value-- if you know and love Bobbi's makeup, you will love the price for this set!)




Bradley by Bradley Bayou Dress with Removable Necklace



WEN by Chaz Dean Four-Piece Replenishing Discovery Collection


xo
*contributions received by Dress for Success in connection with National Makeover Day are not related to, or affected by, the number of viewers of a program or the quantity of product purchased, and no endorsement by DFS is intended.

My New Favorite Gloss: Avon Glazewear Lip Gloss

i have been introduced to my new favorite lipgloss...

and it comes from a brand i haven't used in years.

i admit, i didn't expect too much from it, but as it turns out, it's america's #1 best-selling lipgloss-- and for good reason!

since it's in the title (and, well, there's a picture), you already know i'm talking about Avon Glazewear Lip Glosses.

when i applied this to my lips, they became oh-so happy (as in a Carrie Bradshaw, "hello, lovah" kind of way). the formula is silky smooth, glossy and not sticky in the slightest. they come in Intense, Sparkle and Shine shades as well as Clear. the sparkly, nude shade of Mirage (a Sparkle shade) looks fab alone and over any lipstick, and Intense Plum (part of the Intense range of shades) is the perfect color for giving my lips the perfect berry tint.

fyi, until the end of this month (may 2010) you can snag your own Glazewear Lipglosses for less than $2 each! trust me, you will not be disappointed. to find your very own Avon rep, visit avon.com.

xo
products featured were provided by representatives of the brand for review.

Marilyn Monroe Birthday Bash in NYC

Erno Laszlo has something really special coming up for the month of June, and i thought you fabulous beauties would want to know about it!

you may already know that the legendary skincare leader Erno Laszlo has been adored by countless hollywood starlets since its inception in 1927, but did you know the brightest star-- and most fabulous-- among them was Marilyn Monroe?!

as a devoted user and personal friend to Dr. Laszlo, Marilyn has become a very important part of the Laszlo legacy. so, to honor her memory, the brand has decided to throw her a birthday bash for her 84th birthday!

and...

they're calling on all Marilyn look-alikes and fans to attend!

if you're in the nyc area on June 4th, be sure to head over to Madison Square Park, dressed up like Marilyn, to celebrate!

for more info, visit facebook.com/ernolaszlo

xo

Get Jamie Lynn Sigler's Casual Hair Look

last week, Jamie Lynn Sigler rocked the red carpet at the launch of Jonathan Adler for 7 for All Mankind jeans. her shiny, playful hairstyle complimented her casual jeans and tank top look. Cutler/Redken stylist EJ Hausman created this easy look and shared her tips on how you can achieve this style at home:

first, prep damp hair with a heat protecting spray, like Cutler Protective Treatment Spray to protect from heat styling, then spritz on a volumizing spray, concentrating on the roots of the hair to the mid-length (Hausman used Cutler Volumizing Spray).

give hair extra volume by blowing hair dry upside down until about 80% dry, then take big sections of hair and smooth out ends using a medium-round brush.

once completely dry, spray hair with a flexible hold hairspray-- to hold and prevent frizz-- with a product like Redken Workforce 09 throughout hair, then use a 1 1/4" curling iron to wrap random sections around the barrel, forward and back, to create soft waves.

set the look in place with Redken Workforce 09.
visit cutlersalon.com and redken.com for more info.

xo

CoverGirl Smoky ShadowBlast Kit Giveaway Winners!!

drumroll please....

the winners of the CoverGirl Smoky ShadowBlast Kit giveaway are:

Jeanine D.

Crystal S.

Zoe L.

Vanessa S.

Aisha O.

Cynthia E.

Janet F.


congrats ladies! your info has been sent to the brand rep and your prize will be sent out later this week.

thank you again to everyone for entering the giveaway and sharing your favorite trends of the season-- you're all so stylish!

thank you to CoverGirl for the awesome prize. stay tuned for the next giveaway!

xo

Dr. Denese SPF 30 Eye Defense Cream

daily sun protection is a must. adding a bit extra around the delicate eye area can be irritating. thanks to Dr. Denese, now adding extra sun protection around the eyes without irritation is possible with her SPF 30 Defense Eye Cream. it not only treats the skin around the eyes with peptides*, but also conceals and protects skin from harmful uv rays.



the silky texture of this eye cream goes on smoothly and can be applied on the eyelid in addition to under and around the eye (because i was wearing makeup, i show it applied under my eye). the color is a light beige, but as it is promised, the color adjusts, so it acts much like a lightweight concealer. i found it blended in easily and made my eyes looks more rested. this is definitely a must-have!

Dr. Denese SPF 301 Eye Defense Cream can be found on qvc.com and drdenese.com

xo
*peptides are protein fragments that can stimulate the production of collagen and elastin and can thicken the dermis (the layer under the skin that gives skin its plumpness) without any harsh side effects.

Trend Alert: Ruffles

spring is one of my favorite times of the year. it's warming up, but there is always a coolness to the air. i love that this change of season brings on the opportunity to wear more feminine pieces, and right now, ruffles are bringing the charm.



Rachel Bilson wearing Express Ruffle Front Jumpsuit

one store that has a great variety of ruffled clothing right now is Express. their pieces work to create many looks-- from frilly to flirty, feminine to funky (Rachel Bilson is a fan). whether you choose to give your edgy look some softness, dress up your ruffles for evening or dress them down for day, this is one trend you can make your own.



left, Escalating Ruffle Strapless Dress; right, Ruffled Halter Dress, both Express

adding bold accessories really adds a fabulous contrast to soft ruffles. you could also add a leather jacket over either of the dresses pictured above for the perfect amount of cool edginess.



left, Lea Michele wearing floral French Connection dress; right, similar Express Ruffled Sweetheart Neckline Dress


visit your local Express or express.com for more info and to purchase.


tell me: will you be rockin' the ruffle trend this season?

xo
first two images: Valentino FW2010, left; Cynthia Steffe SS2010, right. both images via style.com

Lela Rose Linen Beauty Clutch for Beauty.com

as of yesterday, may 4, you can receive a new (and quite fabulous, if i do say myself) custom Lela Rose clutch and 16 deluxe samples with a Beauty.com purchase of $100 or more. this slim linen purse features the signature feather painted Lela Rose print (see pic of model below) from her spring 2010 collection and is accented with a wooden closure. the clutch unfolds to reveal a bright citrine lining and two zippered compartments.

"i love incorporating elements from the collection into these bags," says Lela Rose. "the linen clutch is a fresh, lightweight spin on the cosmetic travel bag that women can use whether they're packing for a weekend away or just stepping out for the afternoon."

each Lela Rose Feather Painted Linen Beauty Clutch arrives with 16 deluxe samples from some of the top brands in prestige beauty including:

*tarte emphasEYES High Definition Eye Pencil, Black
*Origins Checks and Balances™ Frothy Face Wash
*NUXE Crème Fraiche 24 Hour Moisture Emulsion
*Jack Black Supreme Cream Triple Cushion Shave Lather
*Bliss FatGirlSlim
*Caudalie Vinoperfect Night Correcting Cream
*ARCONA Reozone 40
*PHYTO Phyto 7 Daily Hydrating Botanical Cream
*CLEAN Simply Soap Eau de Parfum, Roller Ball
*Laura Geller Travel-Size Kabuki Brush
*Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip Plumper, Madrid
*Nick Chavez Beverly Hills Amazon Infinity Mist
*Borghese Insta-Firm Platinum
*Urban Decay DeSlick in a Tube Mattifying Gel
*Rene Furterer Volumea Shampoo
*Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner


this is an amazing steal, beauties! you can purchase some products for yourself and give the clutch as a gift or vice versa. but act fast-- this won't be around forever!

visit beauty.com/lelarose for more info.

xo

Fragrance Gift Ideas for Mother's Day

mother's day is literally days away. if you are thinkning of an aromatic gift, here are some ideas for the mom in your life:




the fashionista mom:
if she's a fashion-forward mom, you may want to consider Balenciaga Paris Eau De Parfum. this delicate floral embodies french mystery, balancing style and luxury.




the garden-loving mom:
don't waste your money on flowers-- they'll only wilt and die. instead, give her a bouquet of Chloe Eau De Fleurs. the trio of scents pays homage to the essences of lavender, nasturtium and neroli.






the gourmand mom:
give her a Parisian retreat that includes a "taste" of Marc Jacobs Patisserie Splash Collection. the scents are available in Apple, Pomegranate, and Biscotto; each limited-edition scent will leave taste buds craving more.




the classic mom:
if your mom, or the mom in your life, is the epitome of elegance, Chloe Eau De Toilette is a fabulous choice. the timeless scent boasts notes of crisp mandarin orange zest and fresh freesia.


xo

Celebs Wearing NARS at the 2010 Met Costume Gala

NARS seemed to dominate the red carpet on celebs at the Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Gala. makeup artists created a variety of looks ranging from the subtly neutral to gorgeous, full-on drama. one product standout: the new NARS Pro-Prime Face Prep and Eyeshadow Base, which were essential in combating rainy makeup meltdowns and ensuring long-lasting perfection.

check out this recap of the celebs who were shining in NARS and the makeup artists who made them glow.




Blake Lively
NARS Makeup Artist Elaine Offers
products used: PRO-PRIME Skin Smoothing Face Prep & Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, Goddess Soft Touch Shadow Pencil, Beverly Hills Multiple Tint, Love Devotion Lipstick





Zoe Saldana
NARS Makeup Artist Vera Steimberg
products used: PRO-PRIME Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, Turks & Caicos Multiple Tint & Cadacques Multiple Tint (blended!), D. Gorgeous Eyeshadow, Aigle Noir Soft Touch Shadow Pencil, Orgasm Illuminator, Lara Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment





Jessica Stam
NARS Makeup Artist Fabiola ·
products used: PRO-PRIME Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, Ashes To Ashes Eyeshadow, Abyssinia Eyeshadow, Belle De Jour Velvet Matte Lip Pencil





Elizabeth Banks
NARS Makeup Artist Fabiola
products used: PRO-PRIME Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, Pandora Duo Eyeshadow, Amour Blush, Bettina Velvet Matte Lip Pencil





Vera Farmiga
NARS Makeup Artist Francelle
products used: PRO-PRIME Skin Smoothing Face Prep & Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, Cadacques Multiple Tint, Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment in Greta, Orgasm Illuminator





Erin Fetherston
NARS Makeup Artist: James Boehmer, NARS international lead makeup artist
products used: PRO-PRIME Skin Smoothing Face Prep & Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, Orgasm Illuminator, Gilda Blush, Skorpios Soft Touch Shadow Pencil, Misbehave Lip Gloss


NARS is available at Sephora stores and online at narscosmetics.com.

xo