hair therapy: Avon Advance Techniques Frizz Control Lotus Shield

frizz is pesky (to say the least) and can easily put any gal in a bad mood. it's a dilemma that can occur anytime of year, but thankfully, there are products to help. the newest comes from an unexpected brand, Avon, and it works really well!



as the "big things come in small packages" saying goes, Advance Techniques Frizz Control Lotus Shield comes in a small bottle (2 ounces), but the formula inside it gives fabulous results. apply the silky creme on damp hair, let hair air dry or style as usual and tresses are protected from yucky frizz. the best part: it continues to work for 3 days, so applying everyday isn't necessary!

not only did i use this on my own hair, but i also used it on my daughter's. as you can see, she has naturally gorgeous soft curls...


my daughter's hair, natural, air-dried after applying Avon's Lotus Shield (and playing most of the day).

i have to say, i am very happy with this product (it's a great compliment to my favorite No Frizz shampoo and conditioner). so much so that i ordered more so we won't be without it when it runs out.

contact your local Avon rep or visit avon.com to learn more and to order.

xo
product featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

beauty on a budget: Maybelline SuperStay 24HR Makeup

long-wearing foundation is a great option for me because i have oily skin. some formulas just slide off of my face no matter how well i prep before applying them. Maybelline's new SuperStay 24HR Makeup promises 24 hour wear and no rub off. so how does it compare to my HG makes-me-look-flawless-no-matter-what-and-doesn't-go-anywhere-until-i-take-it-off foundation, Double Wear by Estee Lauder?

here's the scoop:

i was a bit sceptical, and not really looking forward to using this foundation, but i had to get over myself and just do it (and i did spend my own money on it!). to really put it to the test, i decided to take it through one of my 1 1/2 hour workouts (hey, it says right on the bottle that it lasts through heat, sweat and humidity, i had to do it!).

so, i ran for 30 minutes then took a 1 hour spin class. by the end of both, i was impressed with what i saw. there was foundation on my towel, but my "face" didn't look like it was melting off. of course, the makeup wasn't perfect if you looked at it really close, but i thought it held up well considering what i had just put it through.

following my extreme experiment, i decided to be fair and wear it for a week under normal conditions-- just everyday life. the formula has a buildable coverage, and is a bit thicker in consistency compared to DW. i noticed it didn't always look great by the end of the day, but overall, it kept decent coverage, held up well and removed easily at the end of the day.

one thing i really am not happy about is the lack of shades available (only 12). my shade, Caramel, is the lighter of the only two dark shades. i realize this is a typical issue with drugstore foundations, but this could always change.

have you tried Maybelline SuperStay 24HR Makeup? what do you think?

xo
pic taken by me :)

beauty steal: LORAC Perfectly Lit Luminizing Powder in 'Spotlight'

who loves a fabulous deal? i know i do, so i had to share this-- it's too good to miss!

today through august 10, 2010, LORAC Perfectly Lit Luminizing Powder in Spotlight will be offered for only $9 (originally priced at $32!) exclusively at Sephora stores and online at sephora.com.

if you love an illuminated look, this powder offers users a radiant glow, making it look like you are glowing from within. it also optimizes the effect of the light to diminish imperfections, even your skin tone and brighten your complexion.

happy shopping!

xo

nail color of the week: MAC So Rich So Pretty

when i first saw MAC's So Rich So Pretty nail polish (from the Alice + Olivia Collection), i knew i had to get it. i also knew it wouldn't be at my local MAC counter (which is at Macy's-- our mall doesn't have a Nordstrom, grrr), so i would have to order online.

i'm so thankful i did-- it quickly sold out online. i'm sure that had i driven 30 minutes to Nordie's it would have been for nothing (that's just how things seem to work out for me, LOL!).

in any case, i ordered it (along with the Later pigment, also A+O, which is also sold out online), and now own it-- yay! isn't it gorgeous?


SRSP outdoors

So Rich So Pretty was a bit hard for my camera to capture in direct sunlight-- it seemed to do this weird, blurry, sci-fi-looking thing-- but the pics above are pretty accurate. in person, it's just as described by the brand, a bright purple frost. it's such a fun, fabulous shade that is great for summer. if you can get it, definitely do-- it won't be around forever.


xo
pics taken by me :)

Christina Hendricks Wears New NARS Pure Matte Lipstick to Mad Men Premiere

Mad Men star Christina Hendricks looked as gorgeous as ever when she made an appearance at last week's season 4 premiere event (did you watch the show last night? the episode didn't disappoint!).

to create her look, makeup aritst Vanessa Scali worked with NARS Cosmetics. one of the stand-out products used was the new NARS Pure Matte Lipstick --"Christina's sultry Dolce & Gabbana dress inspired a softer version of the 'La Dolce Vita' makeup look," says Vanessa. "we kept it modern by using Bangkok Pure Matte Lipstick, which is a soft matte rose color for her lips."

Christina's overall look was achieved using the following NARS products:

on her face:

Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
Skin Smoothing Face Prep
Sheer Glow Foundation
DouceurBlush

on her eyes:

Black Moon Eyeliner Pencil
Coconut Grove Single Eyeshadow
Cayenne Cream Eyeshadow
Skorpios Soft Touch Shadow Pencil
Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara


on her lips:

Bangkok Pure Matte Lipstick (available september 1; for a similar effect, try Catfight Lipstick)

xo
info and image courtesy of NARS

Beauty Blog Network Weekend Read

how has your weekend been? i can say i have had a very pleasant one thus far. too bad it goes by so fast, huh? now it's time to grab your latte, sit back, and catch up on some beauty reading-- it's short and sweet today...


Phyrra's Indie Spotlight for July is with the sizzling hot Whimsy Beading! Learn about the woman (and man) behind the jewelry.

*The Painted Ladies are giving a way a bottle of Perricone's High Potency Eye Lift!

Beauty Girl Musings shares details for getting Vanessa Hudgens' beachy-chic look!

The Pink Sith admits to a torrid affair with NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base!


xo
giveaway!

what i'm reading: What to Wear For the Rest of Your Life

Kim Johnson Gross' book What to Wear for the Rest of Your Life: Ageless Secrets of Style chronicles the journey of the author's own re-discovery of her sense of style and helps the reader find her own by offering practical tips to create a wardrobe that begs to be worn.

every woman's closet-- no matter the size-- is a room of her own. in that space hang side by side the special occasions and the everyday, the triumphs and the disasters, the memories we want to keep and those we should jettison.

i like the advice in this book and the personal stories really help made me feel like i was getting to know who the author was. though this read is geared at an older audience (40+), any stylish gal can pull tips and learn from it.



divided into four main parts, What to Wear for the Rest of Your Life begins with part one, "How Should I Look?", which is divided into 10 sections covering everything from evaluating your clothes to assessing how we truly look in our clothes to getting your closet in feel good condition.

part two, "What Do I Want to Wear?", Gross encourages the reader to choose style mentors, while part three, "How Do I Look?", brings up that our closet is always evolving-- especially as we age. makeup, hair styles and shopping advice are also addressed in this section.

in the fourth section, thoughtfully titled "Clothes Meet Life", advice is given about jewelry, dressing sexy, and dressing for special occasions. Gross then ties everything together with a wrap-up section, Wardrobe Wisdom, which gives book recommendations and highlights the women the author interviewed in the book-- loved that!



if you're looking for a style-themed, how-to, semi-memoir book, you might find What to Wear for the Rest of Your Life quite enjoyable-- i know i did! you can find it at amazon.com.

xo
book featured was sent to me by the publisher for review consideration.

Get Her Look: Vanessa Hudgens

Vanessa Hudgens attended the beach-side kick-off for Neutrogena's Wave for Change campaign recently in malibu. her look was polished and fresh thanks to makeup artist Karan Mitchell.

Vanessa wanted her makeup to be "golden and whimsical", perfect for the sunny california day, so Karan made sure to "use products that were not only beautiful but were packed with SPF protection."

Karan shares how she created Vanessa's look:


on her face:



"even bare, Vanessa's skin looked soft and bright. she's been using the new Neutrogena Wave Sonic Power Cleanser and her skin felt incredibly smooth as i applied her makeup."

"i prepped her skin first with Healthy Defense Liquid Moisturizer SPF 50. this liquid moisturizer "sinks right into the skin so it wears beautifully under makeup." the foundation Karan chose to use was Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup SPF 20 in Tan. for her eyes, Karan perked up Vanessa's eyes with the Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector in Medium.

"on her cheeks i used the bronze shade of the Healthy Skin Custom Glow Blush & Bronzer in Natural Glow which i also used under the cheekbones for contour."


on her eyes:



"i started with the peach base color from the Nourishing Eye Quad in Butter Creme and applied it all over her eyelid, up to the brow. it has an spf of 15, so it protects delicate eyelids from the damaging effects of the sun."

"next, i used the copper shade on her lids from the Nourishing Eye Quad in Copper Glow. i also applied the golden shade to the middle and the inside corners of her lids with a dampened brush."

following the shadows, Karan applied liner only to the top of her eyelids using Nourishing Eyeliner in Cosmic Black . some individual lashes were added for intensity, followed by two coats of Healthy Lengths Mascara in Carbon Black.


on her lips:



"for a peachy pout i used MoistureShine Lipstick, with spf 20, in Peach a Boo, and layered the MoistureShine Gloss in Healthy Peach over top of it for a glassy finish."


Vanessa looks fab, don't you think? very beach-chic! btw, you can learn all about the Neutrogena Wave for Change campaign by visiting facebook.com/neutrogena

xo
all products by Neutrogena; image: Startraks

Pat McGrath's Beauty Must-Haves

Pat McGrath-- the amazing makeup artist, who literally creates makeup trends each season and serves as global creative director for Procter & Gamble-- has a few items she loves, and of course, being the very giving person i am, i'm sharing with you. :)



to keep her eyes looking refreshed for her many hours of flying and traveling, Pat uses SKII Signs Eye Mask: "i carry these to pop on during long-haul flights. they plump the skin around the eye and get rid of dark circles and simply feel refreshing when in the drying environment of the plane."

to pamper lips and give them a healthy look Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm is what Pat reaches for: "this lip balm appears to be colorless, but when applied gives the lips a healthy color and slight sheen. it works on all skin tones."



Emergen-C Packets are what Pat uses "to keep colds at bay. they also provide a nice natural source of energy."

for a luminous glow Pat can't get enough of CoverGirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Minerals Bronzer: "i brush this onto my cheeks and brow bone to warm up my complexion. the formulation has a subtle highlighting sheen which will give the face a radiant look."


to read the full list, visit NY Mag's fashion blog, The Cut


xo
source: The Cut

hair therapy: Pantene Curly Hair Series Light Conditioning Detangler

if you have curly hair, you know it's not hard for it to become a tangled mess. conditioning is the most important factor in taking care of your hair not only to ensure great-looking curls, but also to give them manageability. moisture also makes combing through hair easier and prevents breakage. Pantene's new Light Conditioning Detangler, part of their Curly Hair Series, gives curly hair the weightless conditioning it needs so you can have the curls you love.

as with all Pantene products, i am in love with the smell. the product itself conditions nicely. it makes combing (whether with a wide tooth comb or just your fingers) easy and helps hair look great. i've used it on my own hair as well as on my daughter's, and we both agree this is a really good product for curly hair. p.s.-- it even works to refresh curls during the day! :)

find Pantene Curly Hair Series Light Conditioning Detangler at a drugstore or mass retailer near you and visit pantene.com for more info about the Curly Hair Series.

xo
product featured sent to me by the brand's pr for review consideration; pic taken by me :)

Beauty Blog Network Weekend Read

happy saturday, beauties! has it been hot where you live? it certainly has been here! i'm talking triple digits. then on thursday afternoon, there was a thunder and lightning storm with pouring rain-- and it was still 100 degree outside. seriously crazy. the days since have been a bit humid-- not fun. so i'm trying to stay cool, and funny enough, looking forward to the coming week of weather in the 80s. ahh...that will be nice, LOL!

let's do some beauty reading shall we?



*Enter Phyrra's Summer Giveaway! 2 Winners, Great Prizes, Open Worldwide!

*Enter for a chance to win Personal Microderm, an at home microdermabrasion system worth $179 at Beauty and Personal Grooming

Summer heat leaving you a bit too shiny? Beauty Girl Musings shares her picks of shine-control products to keep your skin's oil-production under control.

Sheila from Painted Ladies experiences the Inclusive Health Program at Murad's headquarters.

Elke finds a new nail polish to gush over.

Beauty Anonymous hearts Tom Ford Private Blend Lip Color in Pink Dusk.

Pink Sith has gone Taupe Crazy over Chanel Ombre Essentielle Eyeshadow in Taupe Grise.

*Check out The Makeup Divas reviews of Tarte's New ReCreate Primer and Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler and enter to win both.

Classics never die, as The Makeup Blogger reviews and explains her love of Smith's Rosebud Salve



xo
*giveaway!

Sephora Exclusive: NARS Limited-Edition Lip Gloss Collection

available now and exclusively at Sephora, NARS Cosmetics is offering five new glossy lippies named after some of their most-loved signature blushes. these shades are distinctively playful and come in a variety of finishes. each can be worn alone or over any of your own favorite lip products.

shades:

Albatross-- luminous glow
Angelika-- cotton candy pink with gold and silver sparkle
Oasis-- sparkling pink champagne
Super Orgasm-- peachy pink with gold glitter
Luster-- sheer golden apricot


lip gloss, in the makeup world, is like the perfect accessory. with these you can mix and match, or if you're a true die-hard NARS fan, keep one in every handbag along with its corresponding blush!


xo
info and image courtesy of Nars

nail color of the week: Finger Paints My Art Belongs to You

pink is my absolute can't-live-without color. seeing it puts me in a good mood, even if i'm already in one. i just love it! this shade by Finger Paints, called My Art Belongs to You, is new from their summer collection. i love that it's not a typical bubblegum pink-- it has a hint of shimmer to it and it's bright and cheery without stepping into neon territory.

this is my first experience with Finger Paints, and i have to say, i'm really liking the way the formula applies. it wears very well and i love the bottle it comes in, too-- so cute! exclusive to Sally Beauty Supply, i'll definitely be picking up more colors from this brand to try in the future.

xo
pics taken by me :)

Summer Beauty: Shine-Control Products

with summer comes skin that has a nice glow...

oh, who am i kidding? it's crazy shine! combination and oily (sometimes even dry) skin types can act, um, differently in the summer (i like to call them oil fits). i know i'm especially prone to glowing more-- can you relate? to control this, mattifying or shine-control products applied before applying tinted moisturizer, foundation or powder is critical for keeping your (and my) oily skin in check.

here are some to consider:




MAC Shine Control Lotion is a light, oil-free formula designed to keep skin in balance. it contains antioxidants to give skin a treat, and it absorbs beautifully into skin. for the rest of the day it keeps skin balanced, preventing oil production from going into overdrive.

Dermelect Cosmeceuticals Pore Revolution & T-Zone Mattifier (pictured at top) is a powdery cream that works to control shine, reduce the appearance of large, clogged pores, and also contains salicylic acid and watercress extract to keep skin clear.




Philosophy Never Let Them See You Shine Primer works best when patted onto skin. the soothing product helps control shine during the day and can even be applied over makeup.



Smashbox Anti-Shine offers skin to a cool, refreshing, water-based option. this gel-to-powder formula gives skin a natural, matte finish that lasts through a 6-8 hour day.



CoverFX Clearprep FX Matte Foundation Primer and Anti-Acne Treatment uses its dermaveil-matte technology to control shine and treats problem skin with willowbark extract (a beta-hydroxyacid), salicylic acid, and natural fruit alpha-hydroxy acids. smooths skin to prep for makeup, but can be used alone.



tell me: what is your favorite shine-control product?

xo

Get a Flawless, Glowing Look Like Jennifer Hudson

when Jennifer Hudson got together with Sam Fine, celebrity makeup artist and creator of The Basics of Beauty, for a shoot showing off her gorgeous new, slimmed down physique, he gave her a gorgeous, glowing makeup look. below, Sam shares his insider advice on how you, too, can achieve the same flawless and glowing face at home in just a few easy steps.

begin with coverage.

Sam says: "every great look begins great coverage. Jennifer has beautiful skin, but like many women of color, she has varied tones. i use foundation to unify those varying tones. one of my favorites is the (CoverGirl) Queen Collection Natural Hue Compact Foundation because it's cream- to- powder, so it dries down to a powdery finish and looks really natural."




use a bronzer.

"bronzer is always a must for all women to illuminate their complexion. it's important to choose a bronzer that's one shade darker than your natural skin tone and apply it to the outer perimeter of your face to warm the skin and create a halo of glow. after applying bronzer, you can go back and layer over blush to give the skin a pop of color. on Jennifer, i used CoverGirl Natural Hue Mineral Bronzer and Cargo's Matte Blush in Laguna.

the eyes have it.

"to create Jennifer's classic, natural eye, i used a brown shadow. Shu Uemura makes a great pressed eye shadow in an array of shades – in this case, their Matte Taupe with Golden Flakes Eyeshadow works perfectly. for this look, i didn't use a ton of liner, and totally avoided lining underneath her eyes to keep them soft. we used tons of mascara to enhance her look – my favorite is CoverGirl LashBlast. i always like to apply a coat of mascara, and then move on to something else to let the first coat dry. i'll come back a few minutes later, curl the lashes, and then layer on a few more coats of mascara to really build the lashes. this makes them much more dramatic and makes the curl hold well. it's like spraying your hair with a coat of hairspray before using a curling iron."



finish with a pretty nude lip.

"to complete her look, i gave Jennifer a beautiful nude lip. the key to a nude lip is to begin by lining the lips with liner that is one shade darker than your natural lip color. don't worry about matching the liner to your lipstick-- if you match it to your lips, it will look great with any shade of lipstick. after lining the lips, feather the liner towards the center of the mouth to great a base for the lipstick. next, apply your lipstick. on Jennifer, i chose IMAN Cosmetics' Luxury Moisturizing Lipstick in Citron. i finished by slicking on a golden gloss add dimension and shine. CoverGirl Shine Blast Lip Gloss is perfect!"

she looks fabulous, don't you think? if you want to learn more from Sam Fine, check out his best-selling dvd, The Basics of Beauty.

xo

Video: What's In Joanna Coles' Handbag?

this video is so fun! Jonanna Coles, editor-in-chief of Marie Claire magazine, recently made a spoof of sorts regarding what items were in her handbag (which is a Celine boston bag, in case you were wondering)-- you've seen those types of videos online, right?

in any case, i love her even more for doing this!

enjoy...




xo
source: MarieClaire.com

Total Beauty Quiz: What's Your Summer Beauty Style?

i was driving the other morning and saw a woman in full-makeup-- she looked like she was going out for a night out on the town! all i could think was, this is summer. even i'm toning it down a bit. browns and bronzes are my faves this time of year and i like to add pop of color to my eyes for variety. also allowing my skin to glow (within reason, of course, since i have oily skin) is something i'm doing more than i would in the fall.

do you have a particular look you like to go with this time of year? Total Beauty has a fun quiz to give you some inspiration based on what you're already doing. my result was Retro, which surprised me, but it's inspired me to pull out my liquid liner and false lashes! :)

enjoy...

Do You Know Your Summer Beauty Style?

This quiz has the answers to which celeb beauty look will work best on you

This is a TotalBeauty.com beauty tips article Are you into the whole dramatic, smoky eye thing or do you barely make it out of the house with mascara on? Our quiz will point you to your celeb summer beauty icon and suggest wallet-friendly products you can use to get her look. Take quiz

xo

Beauty Blog Network Weekend Read

happy saturday beauties! hope your week went well and you're treating yourself to an enjoyable weekend. today my daughter's bff is coming to spend the night-- she is beyond excited!

one thing i love about the two of them is that they are almost complete opposites-- both 10, my daughter is a nail polish-wearing, dress-loving, "mom, does this purse go with this outfit?"-girl while her bff is a baseball-loving tomboy who would only wear a dress for a special occasion (she does like nail polish, though!). they love each other so much and seeing them grow up has been such a treat (they have known each other since they were 2).

in any case, the night should be interesting-- full of giggles, games and maybe some nail polish... :)

for now, i'm reading some posts from the past week from some fabulous Beauty Blog Network bloggers-- join me!



Beauty Girl Musings is inspired by a new hair product from BE Beverly Hills-- it adds shine, conditions, and protects tresses from harmful heat styling. Read about it here!

A Touch of Blusher reviews Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Body Lotion SPF 15.

*The Makeup Divas is giving away 5 TUBES of Kymaro Fix My Roots to 5 lucky winners! Giveaway ends July 13th so hurry and enter today.

*Raging Rouge and Cosmetique have teamed up for a Jean-Michelle beauty giveaway.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic checked out Completely Bare, a do it yourself facial scrub and finally found the 4th scrub she likes!

Sheila from Painted Ladies breaks down a basic lip color application.

Elke shares how to create the 'minx' effect with your eye shadow, thanks to a little help from Courtney of Phyrra.

Beauty Anonymous is looking forward to Jill Stuart's fall 2010 makeup collection.

The Makeup Blogger is grateful for the amazing new HD primer Nurturing Force Blot Out Offensive Shine and Oil Control Cream


xo
*giveaway!

Ojon Introduces New Volumizing 2-Minute Hair Mask

if you have fine, thin hair that's looking lifeless, you'll be happy to know that one of my favorite hair brands, Ojon, has just launched a product to get you out of your hair rut.

the new Volumizing 2-Minute Hair Mask is designed to restore hair, giving it fullness without leaving it feeling flat or heavy, and doesn't contain silicone or unnecessary fillers. it does contain carefully selected essential oils that spread effortlessly, improving the condition of thin, lifeless hair by up to 80%-- in just 2 minutes! the lightweight formula works for even the finest of hair types, and rinses "clean" for a soft, volumized feel.

the formula is also enriched with brazilian melscreen coffee, sesame seed oil and creatine to help fortify and condition. meadowfoam oil, babassu, shea and mango butters are used for their high content in essential lipids.

sounds fabulous, don't you think? i can't personally review this product, but hopefully, one of you beauties with a fine hair type will pick this up and let me know what you think!

find Ojon Volumizing 2-Minute Hair Mask at ojon.com

xo

mark Totally Balmed SPF 15 Tinted Lip Balm and Glowdacious Illuminating Powder

it's summer, beauties-- time to get your glow on! right now i'm loving mark Glowdacious Illuminating Powder-- it highlights and adds a pretty sheen to my skin. in addition, i have been pampering my lips with mark Totally Balmed SPF 15 Tinted Lip Balm in Totally Bare. the hint of color is perfect under any sheer gloss.

other than my face, i like to add Glowdacious (pictured above in Shimmied Up) to my decollete and shoulders for day, and have been known to add it to my legs at night (makes me feel like a celeb to some degree, LOL!). i love that the finish isn't uber glittery, but looks just right when it catches the light. i apply it using Eco Tools Bronzing Brush-- the perfect, big brush (and so soft!) for applying the powder to my body.



Tinted Lip Balm is a bit stiff in the tube, but manages to glide on smoothly. the color isn't the least bit intense, so there's no worry about feeling like you're too made up when you're just at the beach or spending time lounging by the pool.

find each at meetmark.com

xo
samples featured were sent to me by the brand for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

Beautiful Removal: LAshX Lash Cleanse

if you wear lash extensions you know that wearing mascara is a no-no. removing it with regular eye makeup removers can loosen the glue holding the hairs in place and your gorgeous lashes won't last very long. if you are tempted to wear mascara, now you can-- this remover, LAshX Lash Cleanse ,was created especially for lash extensions, but those of us with natural lashes can use it, too!

created by celeb eyelash extension expert, Amanda (Mandy) Jacobellis, this gentle, and very effective, eye makeup remover contains conditioning ingredients like pure aloe, silk fibers and chamomile extracts along with panthenol, a pro-vitamin B, that helps strengthen hair.



one thing you should know first is that the box directions are different than those on the bottle-- follow the directions on the bottle, as this is the method that works best, and especially so for you extension-wearing beauties (see pic, above).

my personal experience with LAshX is that it's not the best at removing waterproof or stubborn-to-remove mascara (like CG LashBlast, which is my go-to mascara). while it does a good job removing other regular mascaras, i've found that i mostly prefer to use it after my typical cleansing routine to remove the last traces of mascara that get left behind. the formula is silky and doesn't sting or irritate my eyes and my lashes are left feeling soft-- love that!

visit makeupmandy.com for more info and to order.

xo
a full-size product sample was sent to me for review consideration

nail color of the week: Chanel Paradoxal

Paradoxal from Chanel comes from their new fall collection, and if you haven't already heard the buzz about this color, listen up.

you need to get this.

for fall 2010 the must-have shade-- it's unique and falls in perfect line with the taupe-grey-purple trend going on.

if you hadn't already gathered, i really love this new color...



that aside, the shade is a bit hard to capture on film. it even looks different on the nail than it does in the bottle. while it has an iridescent sheen in the bottle, it doesn't appear to be so on the nail. it's shimmery, but this dark grey-violet shade is not a glitter, and, in some light, even appears to be a creme. it's in a class by itself, i have to say. as you can see in my pics, it looks more purple, but trust me, in person, it's not. i bought mine at Macy's, but it's also available in fine department stores and online.

for some color comparisons with other nail shades, visit my friend Michelle at All Lacquered Up (of course).

tell me: do you plan to purchase this new Chanel shade?

xo
pics taken by me :)

Get Her Look: Vanessa Minnillo

Vanessa Minnillo was recently spotted getting primped before a day out in the hamptons at the Maybelline New York & Garnier Surf Salon that was located at The Surf Lodge in montauk. the look was casual and beachy, but still very pretty.

here's how to get her beach-ready look:

makeup artist Kerry Malouf prepped Vanessa's skin with Garnier Nutritionist's new Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream Moisturizer, then used brand-new products from Maybelline New York to give her a pretty, beachy glow, including Dream Smooth Mousse Foundation, Eye Studio Color Gleam Cream Eye Shadow in Blue Freeze, andThe Falsies Mascara, which Vanessa could not stop raving about. she loved how fab The Falsies made her lashes look-- it's her new obsession!

next, hairstylist Danny DiMauro smoothed Vanessa's hair with Garnier Fructis' new Sleek & Shine Blow Dry Perfector foloowed by Color Shield Instant Color Sealer Lightweight Leave-In to add shine and UV protection. finally, he finished the look by creating, sexy tousled waves, perfect for a day in the hamptons.

new products are so exciting, right?! Maybelline has been releasing some greeat products lately-- i just purchased The Falsies yesterday (will be bringing you my thoughts soon)-- and that Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream Moisturizer sounds like it could be amazing. i'm keeping my eyes peeled...

xo
info and image courtesty of MML PR

Total Beauty Quiz: Test Your Salon Etiquette

do you have bad salon manners? did you know that here was even such a thing? yes, when you're paying for a service you should always leave happy, but there certainly other things you should know. like, is it ok to cheat on your hairstylist? what's the rule of thumb for tipping? should you expect your hairstylist to fix a bad haircut for free? Total Beauty has created a fun quiz to test your knowledge-- take it and you'll also get some great advice!

Test Your Salon Etiquette

Take this true/false quiz to see how good your hair manners are

This is a TotalBeauty.com hairstyles article Should you tell your stylist if you don't like your haircut? How much should you tip? Can you expect to get a free bang trim? Take this quiz to get all these burning questions and more answered. Take quiz

xo

Beauty Blog Network Weekend Read

if you hadn't already noticed by the new badge to your right, i was invited (and i accepted!) to join the Beauty Blog Network a few weeks ago. this came as such a shock to me-- i never thought i would ever considered, to be honest!-- but i am so excited. not only am i part of another great network, but this has allowed me to discover even more amazing blogs and the people who write them.

so now, each weekend, i'll be sharing a web tour from an assortment of bloggers from the BBN network-- hope you enjoy!


Phyrra compares 10 Top Eye Shadow Primers for you. Find out which ones are her favorites!

Beauty Girl Musings shares her thoughts about Janson-Beckett's Sun Block Daytime Moisturizer.

Elke gets the hottest hair trend for this fall from Redken.

Beauty Junkie in SF found a great simple summer fragrance, a rollerball from Royal Apothic.

The Pink Sith overcomes an old misconception about Estee Lauder and discovers Pinkberry lipstick, now one of her new favorites!

A Touch of Blusher is in love with Shiseido Integrate's fall 2010 makeup collection.

Painted Ladies shows you how to maximize your powder eyeshadow with a layer of cream eyeshadow underneath.

Beauty Anonymous reviews Paul & Joe Protective Powder Compact Foundation from Paul & Joe's spring/summer 2010 base makeup collection.

Beauty and Personal Grooming wonders whether stuffing oneself with too much of superfoods and food supplements gives beautiful skin.


xo

Hair Therapy: BE Beverly Hills Inspired Shine & Repair Serum with Argan Oil

BE Beverly Hills recently launched their flagship product, Inspired Shine & Repair Serum, the first in a line of luxury haircare products with argan oil. since i'm always game to try a new hair product that promises to keep or improve my hair's look, i was thrilled when the company offered to send me a bottle to try.

once it arrived, i was excited to try it right away. i was happy to discover that the Inspired serum wasn't greasy at all and left my hair looking very shiny. this was thanks to the star ingredient, organic argan oil, which is high in vitamin E, omega-6 fatty acids and has antioxidant effects on the hair. this includes fighting aging (yes, hair ages too), reducing frizz and keeping fly-aways at bay, all while increasing shine and vibrancy (hello, multi-tasker!). other all-natural ingredients are in this serum (including avocado and jojoba oils) to help renew, rehydrate, repair and protect hair.

i have to stress that this serum goes beyond just adding added shine to hair. it also lightly conditions and protects hair from the damaging effects of heat styling. i love that i can run this through my tresses any time of day, wet or dry, and i'm left with hair that looks and feels great. plus, the light scent of lavender is fabulous-- soothing and invigorating at the same time.

visit bebeverlyhills.com for more information.

xo
a full size product sample was sent to me for review consideration.

Beauty Prep: Sorme Under Shadow Eyeshadow Primer

with so many eyeshadow primers on the market theses days, it's hard to know which ones are worth your money. i'm here to tell you Sorme Cosmetics' Under Shadow eyeshadow primer is fabulous!

like many, i am a huge fan of Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, but i found this primer to work just as well while also having skin-friendly benefits-- the creamy formula is enriched with hydrating botanicals, vitamins, and antioxidants-- love that! it glides on smoothly, creating a smooth surface for any shadow (powder or cream), and also works great as a concealer for any darkness or redness you may have on your lids and below your lower lashes.



one thing i noticed when using this is that it really makes whatever eyeshadow shade i decide to wear look more true-to-color on my skin and keeps it looking that way all day (perfect of sweltering days). to apply, i use a small brush to get the product out of the pot, swipe it over my lids, then use my finger to blend (if i'm in a hurry, i just dip my ring finger in the pot), let it dry for a few seconds, then proceed to apply my eyeshadow of choice.

find out more about Sorme Under Shadow eyeshadow primer and their full line of makeup (reviews of more products coming soon!), as well as where to purchase the brand, at sorme.com


xo
pics taken my me :)