Fluorescent Makeup!

Yet another cool thing I just discovered on thefancy.com - blacklight makeup! 

Vincent Longo La Riviera Sun Bronzer - Love at First Swipe!

I am a huge fan of bronzers and have probably tried most of them out there.  I have fair to medium skin so I'm always on the lookout for something not too dark and with not a lot of shimmer.  I recently tried Vincent Longo's La Riviera Sun Bronzer in Golden Glow and instantly fell in love.  It was truly the perfect color bronzer with just a tiny bit of sheen.  I love how it provided enough coverage but didn't make it look like I was wearing makeup. Not to mention the smell! I wasn't really expecting the bronzer to even have a scent but this one was like a breath of fresh, fragrant air - like I was on a beach!

I also loved how beautiful it was - Vincent Longo is known for great packaging and this bronzer is created by "pressing several shades together in a unique dispersion pattern."

The bronzer is available in four shades: Beauty Sin, Golden Glow, Copper Kiss and Cassata.  It retails for $32 and is available here!

Disclosure: This product was  provided to me from Vincent Longo to test.

Great Headband (and it can be found in your local drugstore!)

I just was randomly looking for a good plain black headband and stumbled across everyone's go-to headband brand - Goody.  As I was looking on the website, I found these amazingly cute satin headbands (and extremely reminiscent of the $10 American Apparel headbands).  While the AA headbands are certainly not a bank breaker, you really can't go wrong with these at roughly $3.99.

DiorSkin Airflash Spray Foundation - Perfect Skin In Less Than A Minute

I was a little wary to try this Dior "airbrush-like" foundation since I had never experimented with a spray on foundation before.  There was about a two second adjustment period after my first spray and the rest is history.  This is probably the only foundation I will ever use again.  It's that amazing.  What's so amazing about it? You shake it (it sounds a little like a spray paint can), hold the can approximately six inches away from the face and spread an even layer.  I like to do the forehead first and then move in a "Z" direction ending at the chin.  Then I may do a little extra spritz on the cheeks (I try to contour even though I'm not great at it).  Then I just rub it in a tiny bit with either my fingers or a foundation brush and voila - finished! A flawless face in about 30 seconds.   I've found that this stays put all day.   I usually put a little bronzer and blush on following but that's really all I need in terms of face makeup.

Two things to note when using this product:
1)  I make sure to wear a headband (or at least pull my hair back) when spraying as it tends to get on my hairline
2) Since the foundation inevitably gets on my eyelashes, I always apply mascara following.

Although the price is a little steep at $62, you're really paying for perfect skin.  Available at Dior.com and Sephora.   I can't say this about most products but this one really has changed my life (and my morning routine)!

2 Perfect Moisturizers

I was never such a moisturizer addict until very recently, probably due to my skin's ability to produce oil very quickly.  Low and behold, I've found two extremely effective moisturizers for my combination skin that seriously don't leave behind a bit of greasiness - just smooth supple skin.

1) Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion - Yes, I'm aware that this has been on Allure's Best Of Beauty list for the past hundred years however it wasn't until recently when I was just browsing in a Sephora and the ubiquitous little yellow tube caught my eye.  I just thought I should really give this another chance.  It's now my go-to moisturizer each morning before makeup.

I purchased the 1.7oz airplane friendly tube for $13 at Sephora and suggest you do the same. 

2) Pond's Dry Skin Cream - Another oldie but goodie that's been around for centuries (literally!) and yet I hadn't given a second shot until tonight.  Even though the jar says it's formulated for dry or sensitive skin, my normal to combination skin soaked the cool cream right up with not a hint of oily residue left behind.

At less than $5 for a 3.9 oz. jar, your face (and wallet) will thank you.  Find it here.

Dr. Dennis Gross Friends and Family Discount!

One of my all time fave skincare brands is giving everyone 25% off from now until Monday!

Theatre of the Nameless Collection by Illamasqua

Last month, I attended the launch for Illamasqua’s fall 2011 launch for their “Theatre of the Nameless” collection.  Inspired by 1920s Berlin, Germany, the collection evokes exotic clubs, dark sophistication and “underworld subcultures, actors and anarchists.”

The collection is full of rich, opulent hues, from Precision Ink eyeliner that doesn’t wear off even if you were to swim across the Atlantic to Pure Pigments of dark and light shimmer that are sure to please even the most distinguished tastes. 

My favorites from the collection include the Nail Varnish ($14) which dries to an almost rubber-like finish (note: do NOT use a topcoat or else the finish will be glossy).

I also love the Pure Pigment, especially in Beguile ($24) which is the light shimmer, perfect for a festive evening occasion that gives an almost angelic look to cheekbones, eyes or even shoulders.

The Intense Lipglosses ($20) come in a beautiful bright berry pink (officially, Belladonna) and a really pretty nude, mushroom-y color (Façade).  They’re really thick so a little definitely goes a long way but they have this intense shine to them but the color is very opaque.  

Scrub A Dub - Kiehl's Soy Milk and Honey Body Polish

I know I've been on a scrub kick recently but there are just so many great scrubs out there and each deserves a mention.  Unlike the Fresh Brown Sugar Scrub I wrote about in my last post, the Kiehl's Soy Milk and Honey Body Polish  leaves your skin with a more matte-satin finish, if that makes sense, but still super soft.  I like to use this when I want to exfoliate prior to self-tanning (one of my fav activities), whereas I like to use the Fresh scrub when I want my skin super moisturized.

The scrub contains a blend of Shea and Jojoba Butters and Sweet Almond Oil with ground luffa fruit as the exfoliant.  And no, I do not know what luffa fruit was before I wrote this but I looked it up and it is actually the same as a loofah (as in the sponge).  Cool, right? Had no idea that a loofah sponge came from a fruit.  Got a little off topic but, all in all, this is a great basic exfoliator.  I use it about 3 times a week.  It retails for $28 and you can find it here!

Pour Some Sugar on Me

Really though, Def Leppard's got nothing on Fresh.  Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish is one of my favorite scrubs around.  It leaves your skin smelling amazing and super moisturized but not greasy at all due to a unique blend of various essential oils, ginseng extract and peppermint.  The whole Brown Sugar collection is actually addictive and aside from the body polish includes a body cream, lip balm, lip scrub (amazing btw!), face scrub, fragrance, shower gel and hand cream.  I have tried everything but the hand cream and can attest that they all are delicious and leave your skin feeling...well... fresh!

TheFancy.com - A Site For Materialists. Can I Say Yes?!

TheFancy.com is a photo blog where more than 5,000 tastemakers and celebrities upload and tag images of their possessions, as well as the stuff they'd like to own.  Now they've expanded it to be open to anyone who wants to post pics of stuff they think is cool.  Then, if other people think it's cool too, you "fancy" the pic and it becomes part of your library. It's such a simple concept and according to the site's creator, Joseph Einhorn,  it's a "catalog of everything in the world."  As you can see from the pic above, I "fancied" this Deobrah Lippmann matte nail polish but I especially love how it's a little bit of matte and a little bit of shine.  This is totes going to be next big nail trend. 

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner - The Name Says It All!

I don't have enough good things to say about Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner! I purchased this at Sephora a few weeks ago, and every time I use it, my face literally feels like a vacuum cleaner sucked out all of the dirt and grime from my pores! I hate to admit that I have large pores but I do and this product really does the job of making my pores appear smaller whilst making my skin feel smooth and clean after using it.  Twice a week, I apply a light layer of the gel-like substance all over my face, wait 3-5 minutes until it turns a very light blue color and then wash it off using a muslin cloth and voila, pores no more! It costs $45 but really, how can you put a price on great skin?!

Christabelle's Closet - You're One Click Away From A Better Wardrobe

Click immediately! Christabelle's Closet is a great online designer re-sale boutique that has everything from a chic YSL Muse bag to Jimmy Choos for a fraction of the retail cost! This is a great site because it's easily organized by category and the descriptions for each item are extremely detailed - always a plus! I highly recommend this site to anyone looking to amp up their fall collection

Bag I Need to Have Right Now - A. Wang Marion Mini Flap Bag

I'm currently in love with the Alexander Wang Marion Mini Flap Bag - especially the rose gold hardware.  Although this bag comes in many colors (especially the new ones for pre-fall), the classic black is my favorite.  It retails for $650 and you can find it here!

Kind of obsessed with the Large Emile Tote as well :)

SodaStream Soda Maker: Eco-Friendly And Delicious

For all you non-water drinkers out there, I HIGHLY recommend SodaStream's sparkling water maker.  It gives your water that little something extra and it also lets you control how bubbly your water is with their patented fizz chip!  Better yet, the flavors are all natural and free of high fructose corn syrup.  I've only tried a few of the flavors since I'm more of a purist and like good old plain seltzer ehem, sparkling water with a squeeze of fresh lemon.  Of the flavors though, I really enjoy the ginger ale and cherry cola flavors and I am really excited to try the energy drink flavor.  They require a small CO2 tank that you can bring to select stores like Williams & Sonoma and they will refill it and charge you half the retail price.  A pretty good deal if you ask me.


And now to the eco-friendly part -
According to SodaStream:

• 460 billion beverage cans and bottles are manufactured worldwide each year 
• Recycling rates hover just under 25% nationwide 
• 141 billion beverage cans and bottles go to landfill each year 
• It takes over 400 years for a plastic bottle to begin decomposing - That’s enough to keep 1 million cars on the road for the entire year!

After reading these stats, I want to encourage everyone out there to buy a SodaStream and stop wasting plastic bottles.  The SodaStream comes in many styles and price points so there really is something out there for everyone! The website even has a video tutorial which I found particularly helpful.  Find it here!

Disclosure: Some of these products were provided to me from SodaStream to test.

Meet Crabtree & Evelyn's La Source Extreme Foot Therapy

Although I'm a sucker for anything with shea butter, Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Extreme Foot Therapy separates itself from the other foot creams in that it doesn't smell minty.  Don't get me wrong because I love the smell of mint (especially in the form of C.O. Bigelow's body wash), but I just feel like ALL foot creams have a minty smell.  La Source Extreme Foot Therapy is refreshing and light and makes your feet SO SOFT.  I personally recommend putting on socks after applying the cream so that your feet retain the moisture for longer (and so that you don't slip and fall!).  It retails for $25.  Find it here!

The Coveteur = new site I visit everyday

I recently read about The Coveteur (I think it was in Elle a few months ago) and I became instantly obsessed!! This site gives you a peek into the lives of really cool people. Most of them are in the fashion industry and a lot are celebs but it's so fun to see what's in their closets, how they decorate their houses/apartments.  Highly, highly recommend this site.  Warning: you can get lost in it for hours.

Introducing Bresh - The Disposable Toothbrush

I recently got to try Bresh disposable toothbrushes which are perfect for the girl on-the-go.  Each brush is biodegradable and loaded with all-natural, spearmint flavored, Xylitol toothpaste.  To use just push your thumb on the cap and toothpaste is released into the bristles.  Buy them here!

Disclosure: samples were provided to me to test

Dr. Brandt Detoxygen Experience

I just tried dr. brandt's detoxygen experience and it was truly an eye opener! Though a bit tickle-y feeling on the skin, my pores felt thoroughly cleansed after a quick 5 minute application.  It's definitely a quick fix if your skin is feeling a little claustrophobic. I also love how the lotion you apply after the mask is actually attached to the bottom of the bottle.  It contains hyaluronic acid to help the skin retain moisture and special Oxygen Spheres to maximize oxygen transportation into skin cells (so technical, I know!).  It retails for $75 and you can find it here!

Latest Jewelry Obsession: Monique Péan

I love how Monique Péan takes raw, gorgeous gems, surrounds them with diamonds and makes them look gorg. Her jewelry is sustainable and inspired by indigenous that is socially and environmentally conscious, which I like to think makes it worth the pricetag :)

 

Birchbox - Why You Need This!

If you’re a beauty junkie like me, you need to know about Birchbox.  For just $10 a month, you can get deluxe-sized samples of the latest and greatest beauty products in an adorable little box every month! Each month, you'll receive a selection of 4-5 samples ranging from skincare to makeup to cult beauty tools, from well-known brands as well as emerging gems.

Check them out here

Product Review: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pads

I tried the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pads after I asked my friend how she was so tan (knowing she hadn't been on vacation)! After years of using a variety of self-tanners, I have yet to find a good face one...until now. 


These glow pads contain exfoliants as well as anti-aging ingredients like AHA's and antioxidants to keep your skin glowing and wrinkle-free.  I still use a mild exfoliator before using these but it's nice to know that it's not necessary.  Better yet, the smell really isn't that bad! If my boyfriend doesn't notice that I have self tanner on, I consider it to have no smell; though I encourage everyone to find your own benchmark.  I've also found that these have a cumulative effect so the more you use them, the tanner you are and I like that it doesn't feel like the DHA is building up on your skin.  


I recommend using them every other day or every two days.  In the words of Kenny Banya, they're the best Jerry, THE BEST! 

$32 for 20 towelettes, available at Sephora.  

Good Clean Fun With Dermalogica

I recently tried the "three steps to healthy skin" from Dermalogica which includes the Special Cleansing Gel, Daily Mircofoliant (exoliator) and Active Moist (moisturizer).  The cleansing gel made my skin feel very clean but not tight at all (which I was afraid of because this was the "oily skin" system).  After spilling half of the Daily Microfoliant powder all over my bathroom which disappeared into the air like a cloud of fairy dust, I found it to be a great gentle exfoliant once mixed with water - NB: always read the directions on product packaging! The Active Moist was moisturizing, but very light and not greasy at all which I loved.  The only thing missing from this product is an SPF.

I've always regarded Dermalogica products very highly, probably because they were always in the higher end spas and their freestanding stores look very clean and medicinal (that's a good thing!).  I recently found out about the Dermalogica Academy located in NYC's Chelsea neighborhood where anyone can make an appointment to get their complimentary signature face mapping as well as a targeted facial for your skin type at a reasonable price.  I'm excited to try this out.  Check out more info about the academy here!

Product Review: Tatcha Blotting Papers

I first fell in love with these Tatcha blotting papers about 6 months ago when a makeup artist introduced me to them.  They're amazing for eliminating the inevitable midday shine but doesn't mess up your makeup and dosen't steal moisture from your skin! At $12 for 30 sheets, these blotting papers are clutch in every clutch! Find them here.

Of A Kind

One of my favorite shopping sites, ofakind.com just posted this great men's toiletry case by Matt Singer.  There were only 30 made so get them while they're hot! My favorite part?  It comes with a red comb imprinted with “CUT THAT HAIR YOU HIPPIE” and an art book with a letterpress cover that features Matt’s favorite New York barbershops, as illustrated by Jason Polan.  Loves it!

Get it here: http://www.ofakind.com/editions/79-TOILETRY-KIT

Beauty Trend Alert: Go Neon with MAKE UP FOR EVER

This Spring, it’s all about the neon and Make Up For Ever has your whole face covered- literally! Whether it’s eyes, lips or cheeks MAKE UP FOR EVER has a neon shade for everyone.

A few great tips when using neon colors that I learned from MAKE UP FOR EVER makeup artist Damian:

• When using a colored eyeshadow and/or eyeliner, if you line the inner rim of your eyes in black, it helps both your eye color and eyeshadow pop!
• When applying liquid eyeliner, start in the middle of each eye, then go from the outer corner to the center and then inner corner to the center to help with dimension and symmetry of the application
• Apply lip liner over gloss to create a stain – perfect for daytime. Then, to transition to an evening look, apply liner and then gloss!

A few of my favorite MAKE UP FOR EVER neons include:

• Aqua Eyes in #7L: Aqua Eyes eyeliner is one of my favorites because it’s long lasting, smudge-proof, tear-proof and waterproof! ($18)
• Lab Shine in #S26: This lip gloss delivers color plus shine ($18)
• Aqua Liner in #4 and #8: Like the Aqua Eyes liner, this liquid liner guarantees water-, tear-, and smudge-proof color. #4 is a gorgeous, shimmering emerald green color and #8 is an iridescent electric purple.

All products are available at the MAKE UP FOR EVER Boutique at Sephora, Sephora.com and Sephora stores.

Disclosure: Some of these products were provided to me from MAKE UP FOR EVER to test.

NARS Launches Interactive Social Game

NARS just launched a cool new interactive game to support the launch of Francois Nars' new book - Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself. Visitors to the site are encouraged to replicate various looks and upload them to the site. The more looks you upload, the more bonus "♥" points you get.

The NARSissist who receives the most ♥s overall on the website for a submitted look by August 31st 2011, will win an all-expense-paid trip for you and a friend to New York City for Fashion Week in February 2012.

12 Special Prizes will be given to each NARSissist who receives the most ♥s for each individual look. They will receive an exclusive gift set, created for the launch of the book Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself. For more info: http://www.makeupyourmind.com

Australian Scent

A few weeks ago, I visited the Green Products Expo in NYC and found out about a great organic skin care company - Australian Scent. I sampled one of their soaps "OATS GOATS N' BEES" and it smelled AHHHHMAZING! According to their website, the soap is made from organic oats, goat milk, raw honey and tangerine. I found it to be extremely moisturizing and nourishing. Find it here: http://www.australianscent.com/products/soap/oats-goats-n-bees.html