Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Obsession Du Jour, FOTD, OOTD Etc 3.31.10,

Hello lovely ladies (and gentlemen) I have a new love and her name is Penny Lane. Just a warning, this is going to be a longer post because I want to incorporate my new love Penny, a quick OOTD and an update on my 30 Day Shred status. By the way, off topic but Almost Famous is one of my favorite movies and Kate Hudson's character Penny Lane is the ultimate.

Anywho, this Penny Lane is a nude pink cream blush by NARS. The cream blush's consistency is a bit different than every other one I have tried. I love MAC's CCB's but they tend to be a bit greasier as well as Illamasqua cream blush. Penny lane is very soft and smooth but with a drier texture, not hard just almost silky. the color is a perfect pink nude. Why is it perfect? I will tell you.
In compact

Swatched

Blended in.

  1. The color on your cheeks is a nude flushed color, very natural but gives you a glow from within color.
  2. The PERFECT color on my lips. It is a nude but with a slight pink undertone. Reminiscent of a softer more wearable Fleshpot by Mac. However, if your lips aren't well moisturized I would try this, it will define the dryness. A layer of lip balm solves that quickly.
  3. Eye base color or eyeshadow. I used this on my eyes today as well, gives a warm nude finish. Great for that monochromatic look that is so in right now!
Next up, my outfit of the day. I have gotten some emails requesting more outfits of the day. I love doing these, however, I usually am rushing out of the apartment in the morning I don't have time! I am going to start making time! Anyway, Here you go, a very simple outfit. My style is very basic, easy with a lux twist. Skinny blue jeans, a white t-shirt and a black blazer. To make it ME, I added a huge statement necklace and some fun heels!


Finished face with Penny Lane on cheeks, lips and eyes. Talk about multi-purpose! Very economical! Excuse the tiredness and half opened eyes... the 30 Day shred has been making it quite a feat to wake up in the morning! Shredders, I know you feel me!

Close up of the necklace. Okay, a little about this necklace. First of all, i am in love with it. I love huge jewelry. This bad boy looks luxurious and expensive. But guess what? Its not! Its from Madewell down here in Soho, NYC. it was $88. YES! Can you believe that. I love Madewell, it is J.Crew's little sister company which I also love!

My nails, painted with Essie's Lollipop, its a fun corally red. Very old school, very Mad Men. Love it!

Last last last thing... status update on the 30 day shred. Well I am now on day #5. It has been quite a time. This workout is INTENSE. What do you expect for a 20 minute workout. I personally love Jillian Michaels, I think she is hysterical. She has some amazing one liners she throws out during the 20 minutes, such as "These abs don't come for free", "The neck isn't invited to this party" and "I have 400 pound people that can do jumping jacks, SO CAN YOU!". Anyway, the first day was great and then the INTENSE pain and soreness came on. I pushed through it and I can finally say I am not in pain anymore. I am really looking forward to reaching level 2 on day 10 to see what is next. I can feel my body changing within these 5 days which is great. I will be sticking to this plan and I will be updating you along the way. A bunch of you on twitter have joined me in my 30 day shred adventure, I hope some more of you will too!

Well that is about it for today! Thoughts?

x

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Obsession Du Jour: The Braid 3.30.10

The. Braid. Is. Back.







And if those aren't enough braids to convince you. Take a look below!


Everyone from my favorite, Alexander Wang to Miu Miu to Rachel McAdams is rocking the side braid. I, for one love this look. So great and easy for the hot weather. The braid however isn't your grandmothers braid. Its messier, sexier and all around HOTTER.

Some tips on how to achieve this:

1. Preferably braid your hair on unwashed hair, give it a day. You dont want that shiny soft feel to it.
2. Side Part your hair.
3. Tease it at the crown a bit.
4. Bring all your hair to one side and start plaiting.
5. One the braid is done. Messy it up a bit!

VOILA!

I for sure will be rocking this... will you?

x

Shu Uemura to Exit US, Dissapointment Du Jour 3.30.10

Devastating.

L'Oreal has announced that Shu Uemura will be exiting the US beauty Market yesterday via WWD article. Shu was acquired by L'Oreal in 2000. However, apparently you will still be able to order via their e-commerce site.

Shu is one of my very favorite beauty brands so this is a big bummer for me. This must be why I couldn't find my favorite Shu lipstick ANYWHERE!

Just Added Article: http://ny.racked.com/archives/2010/03/30/bye_bye_shu_uemura.php

What are your thoughts?

x

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Join me on my adventure...du Jour 3.27.10

Hi All, today I am embarking on a new adventure. Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. The ever lovely and sweet Gemma of Gemsmaquillage.com and I had been chatting about the 30 day shred and I was convinced to join along in her journey. I have heard so much about Jillian, she scares me a bit but I am excited to try and see how it goes after 30 days!

A little about my love/ hate relationship with exercise. I have always been active and athletic, growing up I danced and did gymnastics. In high school I was on tons of sports teams, tennis, track etc. I was always very thin and trim throughout college. However, in college my activity level dropped due to um...partying and eating a lot. I never gained much weight. After college when I joined the workforce my activity level dropped even lower due to sitting at a desk and I found I put on about 10 pounds. I love outdoor exercise and activities, I love working out but I hate gyms, they are boring and smell. I love Yoga, dancing, walking outside, tennis, and basically playing any sport. I am at 110 now. My goal is to get back down to 100. I am very little (5'1) and small bones and am most comfortable at this weight.

About one month ago I started the Tracy Anderson Method, which I LOVE. She is fabulous, if you don't know about her you should check her out here @ http://action.tracyandersonmethod.com/site. I have her Mat workout dvd and her cardio. I am just doing the mat now. She is Gwyneth Paltrows trainer and formerly Madonna's. She is a former ballet dancer and is all about toning and making you "teeny-tiny". She is cute and easy to listen to, she doesn't talk much but I love that because I just blast my own music. her workout's are INSANELY hard. Its lots of repetitions. It burns and kills and you think you cant get through it but you can and when you do you feel great. My muscles have gotten more toned and I have seen a lot of changes. I will never not do her mat dvd however I want to try something else. That it where the shred comes in.

Today will be my first day, I will be taking pictures along the way and letting you all know how I am doing.

Health and exercise is very important to me. You have one body in life, you better treat it right! Anyone want to join on the journey?

What exercises do you do? What do you feel about it? Love to hear your thoughts!

x

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Obsession Du Jour 3.25.10

Don't you just love when you have something that you completely forget about and you fall in love with it all over again? That is what happened on Monday with me and my Illamasqua Sheer gloss in Rouse.



This lip gloss is superb, i might even go as far as to say it is my favorite of my collection. I will tell you why, it is a combination between, quality, color, texture, formula and packaging. I guess that is everything then isn't it?

The color is a bright but soft bubble gum pink. It is a gorgeous pink, but what is so fabulous about the color is that it is sheer but pigmented. I know that makes no sense. The only way I can describe it is to relate it to Jello. You know it is a bright color but its sheer. Its like jelly almost. Its so perfect. It makes your lips look... JUICY. Another facet is the feel of it on your lips, its very cushion-y feeling and lasts for hours, which for me is a huge plus because usually lip gloss is gone within 30 minutes for me, no matter what. I think its because I talk so much (Eunice, If you are reading this, I know you love that comment)!





Anyway, What is your absolute favorite gloss?

x

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

YouTube Du Jour 3.24.10

Check out my first YouTube mention from the gorgeous Diana in London. I am happy to have found her blog and channel. Ah, the world of beauty!

Here is her Channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgraWHySJbo&feature=sub

x

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Woops Du Jour 3.23.10

Okay, so I said I would stop buying so much makeup, I knew that wouldnt happen. I do not know why I lie to myself.

I have wanted Penny Lane by NARS forever and I kept thinking about all the reasons I needed it, so that was what started this. Secondly, I was in Bloomingdale's last weekend with Steph and we tried the blue Estee Lauder liquid eyeshadow are were gaga over it. I couldn't think where I would wear blue eyeshadow and I still don't know, but I do know that I needed it. Even if I could only wear it around my apartment. While I was ordering the blue one, why not add the others? The formula was remarkable, it lasted on my hand for 2 days, with scrubbing!! Lastly, I blame Tali, AGAIN for the Dior diamond shimmer powder.

Dior 'Diorskin' Shimmer Star Pressed Powder

Size: One Size
Color: Amber Diamond 002
Style: 216596




Item(s): Qty Order Total Status
Estée Lauder 'Bronze Goddess' Liquid Eyeshadow

Size: One Size
Color: Aqua Flash
Style: 295254




Item(s): Qty Order Total Status
Estée Lauder 'Bronze Goddess' Liquid Eyeshadow

Size: One Size
Color: Molten Bronze
Style: 295254




Item(s): Qty Order Total Status
Estée Lauder 'Bronze Goddess' Liquid Eyeshadow

Size: One Size
Color: Sand Shimmer
Style: 295254




Item(s): Qty Order Total Status
NARS Cream Blush

Size: One Size
Color: Penny Lane
Style: 35310

What is on your summer beauty wish list?

Obsession Du Jour: Nudge 3.23.10

I have been overloaded with Pastel nail polishes and to be honest I am already a bit over them. As is life... Anyway, the lovely as ever Alex from Illamasqua and the voice behind their blog sent me a bottle of their new Pastel Nail Varnishes in the color Nudge.

Anyway, she sent this about a month or so ago and I had been staring at it for quite a while and never really tempted to put it on. Last week, I was urged by the gods above to paint my nails with it. I am SO happy i did. This is my absolute favorite nail polish color I think maybe ever. I know I know, that is a bold statement and possibly a bit of a hyperbole but I really am obsessed with it. It is a pastel but a bright pastel, it is a cross between aqua and mint, leaning toward aqua more. On the Illamasqua website they describe this as a "creamy mint ice cream". I do not find this to be accurate as I have tried China Glaze "Re-fresh Mint" and that is a true mint green, this definitely has a dash of aqua in it. The mint green color looks sickly and yellow next to this.

The formula is a very creamy opaque color, no shimmer or glitter and easy to apply. This might be one of my favorites to apply. I put it on with 2 thin coats and it is completely opaque. Something about this color is flattering on my beginning to tan skin.

The color is VERY hard to exactly capture. I took a few pictures in different lighting to give you an accurate idea.

Here it is on the Illamasqua website, it is the third from the left.


Here is a bottle on my messy counter with night lighting.


And lastly, here it is 1 week after application in the cab this morning... practically chip free, which for me is a huge achievement because I am rough on my hands and I love to pick at nail polish!


Thoughts? Will you be trying out Illamasqua Pastels?

Welcome Du Jour 3.22.10

I wanted to quickly welcome all my new readers! I am so glad you found my little piece of the interwebs that I call my own. I would love to hear what you all would like me to review, write about and generally babble on about.

Anyway, Welcome!

x

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Trending Du Jour 3.18.10

Bonjour ladies, now that spring is officially here (it is 70 degree's in NYC today), I wanted to do a bit of trending for you all. Below are the big hits of the season and things to look out for in spring summer 2010! I am sure being the beauty mavens you all are, you know about 95% of this information. Heck, we start the trends here!


#1 The Ocean Rules.


Everyone from Lancome to La Mer to Laura Mercier is using sea derived extracts to up up thier beauty products. Examples of this are sea water in Laura Mercier's face cream, sea weed extract in Lancome's Face Bronzer and algae in Catwalk's mousse. Dive in!

#2 Blossoming Gardens.




I found this trend to span from fashion to beauty. First, Liberty floral prints made its way across the pond to Target and MAC. H&M is putting out a garden collection. In beauty news, Tweezerman is putting out a garden edition with dragonfly's and lady bugs. Super Cute! Dior is taking it a step further by using flower extracts from jasmine and roses in skin care. It even jumps into fragrance, Jo Malone is re-releasing their exclusive Rose Collection.

#3 Jewel of the Winter, Chinese Apple, Apple of Grenada... Pomegranate.


We all know the health benefits and the delicious factor of a pomegranate. Now beauty titans are calling on the ancient fruit for its restorative and protective quality's in skin care and fragrance. Marc Jacobs has a new splash perfume called pomegranate (I will be picking this up for sure!) Origins has a brightening peel pad using the acids from pomegranates. This even is trickling down to drugstore brands such as Aveno and Dove in the forms of body washes and body mists. I am in the mood for a Pomegranate now!

#4 On the Go.



It is all about women on the go, who have a fast pased, mulitasking lifestyle. The modern day Olympiad. Natura Bisse has the "Cure Sheer Cream", its tinted, deflected AVA, has water binding ingredients to hold moisture in and a silicone to smooth. Multipurpose at its best. Slap it on and you are out of the door. Bobbi Brown has a Brightening Face Base which is a lightening complex, and sun block (UVA and UVB). The drugstores have some great products in this category, Garnier has a brush delivering system that combines cell renewal with cleanser. Very cool! Neutrogena has a new face wipe cleanser, love them, that combines salicylic acids with menthol to cool you down and clear at the same time with a great new packaging.

#5 Get your Glow on.


Glowing Glowing Glowing. However, This is now the trend but I consider this a rule! Everyone from NARS, with his new Orgasm Illuminator to the new Tarina Tarantino Pearl Glow Primer to Sisley's Radiant Glow Mask. Everyone wants to look bright and glowing for the season. I am on board. I am interesting in trying out Avon's new Anew illuminating eye system, which is supposed to have short term and long term effects. I will be using my NARS multiple in Luxor and MAC MSF By Candlelight to get my glow on!

#6 Sugar Lips.


Its all about the Lips, but as if we didn't know that already. Lancome is out with thier L'Absolu Creme de Brilliance, Givenchy has a new lip stain, Chanel released their Coco Lip Color, Tarte's has a new Gel Lip Stains. We already have Illamasqua's super bright pigmented lipsticks and MAC staples. Pucker up, its all about bright color!

#7 Sweet Clementine.
Orange. EVERYWHERE. Where it be in the form of a coral or a peach nail polish. All shades, tones, derivative of orange colors are everywhere for this season. Lips, Nails, Shoes and Accessories. I am particularly fond of the cult classic Hermes Orange and my Illamasqua Over lipstick.

#8 Naked Nudity.

Neutrals! While orange is everywhere it is just an accent upon Neutrals. This again is spanning through bueaty to fashion. MAC's neutral centric collection called "Pret-a-Papier" to every designers palette of cement, cream, blush, nude, ivory, taupes and dove greys. I have been on the bandwagon for quite some time as have many of you with Nude Lipsticks and nude eyes.

What are you seeing as trends?
x

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Inglotting Du Jour 3.17.10

You all are so interested in Inglot! Here is the rest of the Inglot purchases (minus what I have already showed you).


I really am loving this brand. I love the affordability, the range and the quality. I think this brand has a great opportunity to grow and expand in the US. I would liken it to a MAC sensibility. It has the same range of colors and finishes, however, I have not delved into the skin products and I highly doubt I will (I vowed to not test new foundation products to give my skin a well needed break after months of testing new products and wreaking havoc on my skin).

Lets start with the Lip products. I wanted to test out a range of products so I got the Sleek lip gloss, lipsticks, a holographic lip gloss and lip paints.


The three lip paints are on the left hand side and the two lipsticks are on the right. With one, lonesome, liquid eyeliner on the bottom (So pretty!). The lip paints are packaged similar to NARS lip lacquers but these blow NARS out of the water. Number 1 the smell is tolerable, even nice and pleasant, sort of a sweet something. I haven't quite put my finger on it. I am uber sensitive to bad smells. The pigmentation on these are out of the world, they are actually unbelievable. They also have a huge array of colors. I just picked up three.. FOR NOW!

Next up, lipsticks. The packaging is nice, nothing otherworldly, just plain black casing. The color array makes up for that. The colors and finishes are huge! I picked up two pinks, a medium cool toned pink and a very light baby pink. They have finishes that range from creams, sheers, to mattes and shimmers. The pigmentation is great, and the lasting power is fabulous. However, I do not find them very moisturizing. This is solved with a layer of a light lip balm underneath. My favorite for layering under lipsticks is Rosebud Salve. It absorbs really quickly.

Lastly, the holographic lip gloss. This needs its own post to accurately show the gorgeous-ness of this product. It is like a rainbow in a tube, my best friend and I were oooh-ing and aah-ing over it. I don't need more lip gloss but I needed this one because it was SO pretty. Its a pink color, and gives a sheer 3d effect, almost a plumping effect. This does not last a long time on your lips.

I will show you more of the lip products later on.


The hugest standout product is the eyeshadow. Wow, buttery smooth and soft, like silk. The pigmentation is UNREAL. The color array is VAST, dare I even say rivals MAC? They also have an amazing "freedom system" you can build your own palettes basically however you like, circle pans, square pans, 3 pan palettes, 5 pan palettes and of course singles. Look at the payoff from one swipe! On top of that, the price of a 5 pan FILLED palette is $22. You can not beat that. The brush is $8 extra, and I was initially like "Eh" as brushes in palettes are usually junky, but this one is great for touch ups on the go and the inner corners of your eyes.




PS- I finally found my perfect Gucci Purple!
Major Score!

What are your thoughts on Inlgot?
x