Tocca Graciella - A True Pleasure for the Senses

Graciella is Tocca's most recent fragrance launch that "pays homage to the unparalleled beauty and sophistication of Grace Kelly."  I must admit that I'm extremely picky when it comes to fragrance. I don't like anything too sweet nor too musky.  Graciella was the perfect combination of a fresh, perfect-for-daytime scent that has subtle undertones of a musk that makes it just a tiny bit sexy.  I have to say that I just love this fragrance. It's become my daily go-to and the bottle looks stunning on my dresser.

About the fragrance:
Top Notes: Bitter Orange, Asian Pear, Watery Apricot
Middle Notes: Casablanca Lily, Ylang Ylang from Comoros Islands, Karma Fleur, Rose de Mai
Bottom NOtes: Creamy Iris, Cashmere Musk, Benzoin from Laos

Retails for $68 and is available at Sephora and www.tocca.com

Disclosure: samples were provided to me to test

SMASHBOX HALO HYDRATING PERFECTING BRONZER

I think what I love most about Smashbox's Halo Hydrating Perfecting Bronzer (aside from the golden glow) is the packaging. You can twist the top so and "shave off" however much you want so you get a perfect, even application every time. It's also great for travel! You never really have to worry about cracking or breaking and although I've only had it for about a week or so, a little goes a long way.  It just gives the most gorgeous bronze color that's not too matte but has very little, if any, shimmer.  It is perfect if you want a natural look and it doesn't feel or look cake-y, which is oh-so-important.  As Travis from Clueless would say, "two very enthusiastic thumbs up!"  It costs $39 and is available here!

Disclosure: samples were provided to me to test

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 :)