won't make brown eyes blue: L'Oreal Double Extend Eye Illuminator Eyeliner

the beauty industry always has little gimmicks they like to throw out at us, the consumer, to pique our interest and hook us into their "newest" idea; in this case, i'm referring to the whole "only these colors enhance these eye colors" talk...

yada-yada...

it's all well and good, but let's face it-- it's not completely true. so much so, that i rebel when it comes to the only-stick-to-these-colors-if-your-eyes-are-this-color philosophy. yes, green and brown eyes look fabulous when wearing shades of amethyst and purples, while blue and grey eyes look remarkable when wearing shades of mauve and coppers, but skin tone and hair color also should play a role in choosing makeup colors.

but i digress...

so i bought L'Oreal's Double Extend Eye Illuminator Eyeliner color enhancing duo liner in Black Sapphire, intended for blue eyes.

and i love it.

though my skin tone is cappuccino and my eyes are definitely espresso {clearly, i have coffee on the brain}, this liner's shade is a fabulous compliment to them.

the lesson, in my opinion? have fun and experiment with your makeup; ignore what the brand says you should wear-- if you want to try the liner/shadow/palette for green eyes and yours are blue/brown/hazel, go for it. chances are, you'll find it stunning. if not, always know that you can wash it away if it doesn't work out. :)

pics taken my me :)

currently loving...

happy monday and valentine's day, beauties! how was your weekend?

my weekend was gorgeous, and i enjoyed it so much. walking the dog, dancing, sipping tea, doing ballet (as a slower-paced-but-oh-so-challenging workout, it's fabulous-- haven't tried it? you should!), cooking yummy meals, running, reading (one book i'm reading is about Marie Antoinette-- wow), going to the park to play basketball with my family, and enjoying absolute perfect weather (73 degrees with a cool breeze)-- it was fabulous, and i admit i'm sad that's now over.

thankfully, i have some things that i'm currently loving that aren't gone with the weekend! take a peek...

for fun picture sharing Instagram is my new love. i'm having so much fun editing pics on my iPhone with fun effects, like these you see in throughout this post (look forward to more in the future).

to encourage my resolution for saving more money in 2011, i've been using coupons.com. download the software to your computer to print out great coupons each week (i've even had a few for magazines)! target.com also has this great feature, and since i'm there a lot, i'm always printing, LOL!

L'Oreal Youth Code is hello, fab-u-lous. seriously, they've created an amazing skincare collection that i can't get enough of. it includes a serum, eye cream, day/night cream and a day cream with spf. for me, it's improved the look and texture of my skin. though i hate to admit it, i had very fine lines appearing a few months back and sometimes a, a-hem, "expression" line across my forehead when my skin is dehydrated. those have diminished since i've been using these products. merci!

because the weather has been cool and dry, and i'm already a total hand-washing diva, my hands crave nourishment and moisture. Aquaphor Healing Ointment to the rescue! i also use this on my kids' parched skin as well. at night i slather it all over my hands and feet for perfectly supple skin come morning.

what are you currently loving? do tell me in the comments! :)

Beauty Must-Have: L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base

if you're looking for a new makeup primer that won't break the bank, i suggest you try L'Oreal's new Magic Perfecting Base, part of the new Studio Secrets Professionalline. it gives skin a beautiful finish and smooths out any rough appearance your skin may have.

while a little bit on the pricey side for a drugstore product (yes, i bought this myself), i think Magic Perfecting Base is completely worth it. it can be worn alone to give skin a better-than-bare look, and of course, under makeup. i love how the mousse-like consistency makes my foundation look so much better and last longer. i also notice that it controls shine with its matte finish-- such a fab thing if you have oily skin!



the only thing i'm not really a fan of is the fact that it's in a jar. it would be great if they would switch it over to have a tube instead (so much more sanitary, and if you're a germ-a-phobe, you probably agree).

other than that, based on results, i think it's a beauty must-have. next time you're at your favorite drug or mass retailer, grab it. i've noticed it's been sold out more than a handful of times, and for good reason! :)

visit lorealparisusa.com for more info.

xo
pics 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 :)

Leighton Meester's L'Oreal Liploss of Choice

L'Oreal's Infallible Plumping Lipgloss, like the original, leaves lips glossy and actually lasts on lips longer than most lipglosses. Plumped Tawny and Plumped Rose are the colors i like to wear the most, but i don't find that it adds any fullness to my lips. i can, however, feel the cool tingling when i wear it.

Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester also likes this gloss, finding it gives her that little something extra.:

"L'Oréal Paris' Infallible Plumping Lipgloss
in Plumped Red gives me that extra little color
and boost when i really want my lips to pop."

visit lorealparis.com for more info. find it at a drugstore and mass retailer near you.

have you tried Infallible Plumping Lipgloss yet?

xo
info courtesy of L'Oreal. product featured sent to me for review.

Demi Moore Celebrates Helena Rubinstein's New Fragrance, All You’ve Ever WANTED

on thursday night, Vanity Fair, L'Oreal and Demi Moore celebrated Helena Rubinstein's launch of the century--All You've Ever WANTED, the new fragrance inspired by Demi.

Demi was joined by Ashton Kutcher (of course), Zac Posen and an elite group of very important people to toast the debut of the fragrance at Monkey Bar in nyc.



All You've Ever WANTED reflects Demi's modern love story and captivating allure and is also a contemporary expression of her daring appeal. the intoxicating fragrance blends an enveloping sensuality of magnolia with iris-cream, magnified by a charismatic touch of cedar extract for an irresistibly feminine and intense potion.

this new scent will be available exclusively at Macy's starting november 5th.

are you looking forward to smelling this new fragrance?

xo
info courtesy of Tractenberg & Co.

Beauty Girl TV: L'Oreal Paris Telescopic Explosion Mascara

L'Oreal Paris Telescopic Explosion Mascara is the brand's latest offering to the world of mascaras. if you're a mascara junkie, you see it's quite similar (and not so similar) to Givenchy's Phenomen'Eyes. so what do i think? watch the video and see for yourself!




visit lorealparis.com for more info about Telescopic Explosion. it can be found in drugstores and mass retailers nationwide, and ordered online at ulta.com

xo
pic taken by me :)

L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray

L'Oreal Paris Elnett Satin is a hairspray used by hairstylists around the world and, until now, hasn't been available in the states. now that it has made its u.s. debut nationwide, there is an excitement from both those who have experienced its fabulousness overseas and those who have only heard about it.

i recently started using Elnett, and have to say i now understand why it is so loved and obsessed over!

"hairstylists around the world have been using Elnett Satin for years. it is truly the hairspray of choice for on-set styles, red carpet looks, or anytime you need your hair to hold without looking stiff. it's also very gentle on color-treated hair," says Christophe Robin, renowned hair expert and consultant to L'Oreal Paris.

Elnett Satin hairspray provides amazing hold yet manages to disappear when hair is brushed. hair is left clean, shiny looking and soft to the touch. micro-diffusion technology allows for even application to set any style, while humidity protection lets it stand up to the elements.

if you haven't already used Elnett, this is one you must try a-s-a-p!

find Elnett Satin Hairspray wherever L'Oreal products are sold and online at target.com

xo

L'Oreal Revitalift Deep-Set Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream

eye creams have become a beauty staple for me, so i appreciate that L'Oreal has created a duo that will keep the skin around my eyes looking their best. one part of the duo has spf 15 for day and the other contains retinal for night.

definitely travel-friendly, L'Oreal Revitalift Deep-Set Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream comes in a slim two-sided package. the day formula is creamy and light, and absorbs nicely into my skin. the night formula never stings, and it too absorbs rather quickly.

i've noticed a little bit of change in my eye area since i began using this about 3 weeks ago. i hadn't been getting the best sleep (it was my bed, but i got a new mattress, so i'm looking forward to restful slumber again), so my eyes were showing it...

while it has been keeping the skin around my eyes moisturized and looking refreshed, it's also keeping them extra protected from the sun. this is key when using any retinol/vitamin A-derived product (found in the night eye cream), since the skin will become more prone to burning-- thanks to L'Oreal for that!

find L'Oreal Revitalift Deep-Set Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream at your local drug and mass retial stores, as well as online at drugstore.com

xo

Beauty on a Budget: L'Oreal Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara

i love mascara. maybe a little to much, but hey, whatever. i could have worse addictions you know. with that said, it's no surprise that i was uber-excited when L'Oreal's new Extra Volume Collagen Mascara showed up on my doorstep.



this mascara contains a hydra-collagen formula (includes collagen and hyaluronic spheres) that promises to deliver full-volume lashes. the wand is big and voluminous itself, so the expectation is high-- so does it deliver?

in a word: yes!

see the pics below? voluminous, don't you think? if these don't convince you to try it, you should know that it doesn't clump, flake or smudge as the day goes on. my lashes stay relatively soft, and it's easliy removed. plus, you can get this at your local drugstore for a fabulous price-- love that!


before



after


Extra Volume Collagen Mascara also comes in a waterproof formula, and can be found at drugstore.com

xo
pics taken by me :)

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 :)

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 :)

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