Inspiration Du Jour 6.2.10

Some Wednesday inspiration.

I love beautiful photo's that evoke a sense of feeling.

Obsession Du Jour: Shiseido x Alexander Wang 6.1.10

Do I have to even explain this?

You all know how obsessed I am with Alexander Wang.

Well he collaborated with Shesiedo on their Maquillage line. Unfortunately this is an Asia exclusive, however it is on e-bay for ridiculous prices.

Has anyone tried? Is it worth the e-bay prices?

I NEED THIS!

x

PS- Happy June you all!

NYTimes Article on Tom Fords Lipsticks 5.31.10

Vain Glorious | Tom Ford’s Luxe Lips

Tom Ford Beauty

Who: Tom Ford

What: His new Private Blend Lip Color Collection, which consists of 12 “perfect” shades that range from Vanilla Suede (shown here) to Black Orchid, a naughty-looking deep plum.

Why bother: Sex in a stick best describes Ford’s lush, creamy and richly pigmented new lipsticks. Full of performance-enhancing ingredients like soja seed extract, Brazilian murumuru butter and chamomilla flower oil, these lipsticks smell and feel as good as they look. And because this is after all Tom Ford we’re talking about, the packaging is as sublime as the product. Public touch-ups suddenly seem mandatory, not gauche.

How much: $45.

Where: Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue.

http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/13/vain-glorious-tom-fords-luxe-lips/?ref=fashion

Check out my previous thoughts on the Tom Ford lipsticks. Loving them!

x

Obsession Du Jour: Natalie Decleve 5.28.10

Hi Ladies and gents!

As usual, I was in a cab the other day with my eyes glazed over staring at the annoying TV that is now in all cabs. My eyes un-glazed when a Bobbi Brown video came on. I love Bobbi Brown products, it was about their new campaign and all of a sudden I screamed. The cab driver stopped short and yelled at me. Obviously! They are always so rude. Anyway, my friend Natalie was in the campaign!

Let me tell you a little about Natalie before I get into the Bobbi Brown shoot.

First of all, I met Natalie Decleve a few years ago when we worked together. Rewind back to when i first met her. In walks a stunning blond. Not just any old cheese ball pretty blond. TRULY stunning natural beauty! Immediately thought, why is this girl not a model? Why is she working? Does she have mental problems?

Well after working and talking with her a lot you realize why, she is ambitious and smart! Not that models aren't but she had additional goals in life. I know, how shocking! On top of being gorgeous and smart she also happens to be funny and nice. I KNOW, HOW ANNOYING?! All I want to do is hate the girl for being so freakin' pretty but YOU CAN NOT. It is impossible, she is insanely nice. Fast forward to current day, after my initial faux- hatred died down we became friends. We went to LA on a business trip together and quite a lot of silliness prevailed, such as almost dying in an intersection in Venice, California topless trying to pick up cookies for Lindsay Lohan...Don't Ask! Point blank, Natalie is one of the coolest and most stylish people I know.

Oh wait, let me add some more salt to the wound... her boyfriend, Neal is adorable and equally as nice. You might recognize Neal from his roles as Tyler in Ugly Betty and Kevin in the new SATC 2.

Where are these people made?

Let me move onto the pictures so you can all understand what I am talking about!

Natalie and Neal

Nat

As soon as I saw her mug on the Bobbi Brown Video, I immediately asked more about it. I wanted to get her perspective on the campaign, to know how she got involved and how she liked it.

See below what Natalie had to say:

"This spring, Bobbi Brown's launched their "Pretty Powerful" campaign to promote Bobbi's core concept of natural beauty. The basic idea was to feature a range of "real" women, and highlight their various individual looks using Bobbi's spring makeup collection. The project involved about 45 women shot over 3 days, who were all invited by members of the Bobbi Brown team (friends, family etc). I was invited by an ex colleague of mine who now heads up the Bobbi Brown PR department, and of course I jumped at the chance to get involved!

Bobbi herself did my makeup, and she and the rest of the gang from Bobbi Brown were really gracious and lovely to work with. All of the women chosen were just stunning, and had such varied looks - from a green-eyed Asian woman who was 8 months pregnant, to a redhead with more freckles than not, to a woman with striking white/grey hair and huge dark eyes. It was an honor to be included in this group of incredible women, and to work with such an iconic artist and business woman. I would have to say that the campaign is appropriately titled - as seeing such a varied image of beauty is truly, Pretty Powerful!" How cool?

If you are interested in checking out the campaign you can watch it on You-Tube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPnA5xtsNOY Check Nat out talking about under eye concealer! Congrats to Natalie for being part of something so important and great, making women feel better about themselves.

Let me get back to Natalie's style. It is not very often that I am bowled over by someones personal style. It takes a lot to impress me, not that I am a walking fashion plate but I have very specific likes and dislikes. Natalie's taste is spot on! We have extremely similar tastes in clothing. If I like something, Natalie usually does and vice versa. You can usually catch Natalie in some thing loose and flowing in a natural neutral color or in something super chic.

The reason I bring this up is because Natalie actually left where we work to pursue styling (modeling is a side gig) but not only styling, she does a whole plethora of services to make you as chic as her, as if that is possible! Check out her website and have a look around. If you are in NYC and are looking for help with your fashion sense call or email her and let her know that Dara sent you! I guarantee she will get your style looking on point! Check her website out here at NatalieDecleve.com

I know for sure, If I was ever going to hire a stylist it would 100% be Natalie, she is one of the only people I would truly trust to go out and shop for me.

Lastly, even better, she has a personal blog that is fun, stylish and smart, just like her! I highly recommend checking it out here: http://www.nattystyleinthecity.blogspot.com/

Have you seen the Pretty Powerful campaign? What do you think?

Check out Natalie's blog and website and let me know what you all think!

x

Obsession Du Jour: Tom Ford Lipsticks 5.27.10

Alright, Alright...I know these are expensive at $45 a pop, but if you are like me (crazy, obsessed with Tom Ford, obsessed with packaging, nudes and lipsticks) then these are pretty much a must have in your book.

I am in love with Tom Ford to begin with, ever since he designed for Gucci back in the day. He is a fashion god and beyond sexy. Everything he does drips with sex!

When I first heard about his foray into lipsticks I knew I would spend whatever it was on them and then I saw the pictures and I knew I would be waiting patiently until the day these were released to quickly scoop up the nude colors.

I picked up Vanilla Suede and Blush Nude. In the photo below you cant really tell the colors, Vanilla Suede is the very light nude and Blush Nude is the pink nude. They are both extremely pigmented. Vanilla Suede has a slight ultra refined shimmer to it, which I quite like as sometimes a Matte Nude is very hard to wear. This nude is glossy and easy, no flakiness or dead looking lips. Blush Nude is more of a matte but still has a very slight sheen. They give me about 3-4 hours of wear which is good for me because I talk a lot and am always drinking a tea or coffee! They smell like MAC's lipsticks, but less strong.

The packaging is to die for its a lacquered white metal with gold framing. Now, this is the weird part, when you close the top of the lipstick you hear a click. It is the most expensive click. I know this sounds odd but if you have ever slammed a Mercedes door you will know what i mean. Its a tight low sounded click. very expensive feeling and sounding. Now you all probably think I am crazy! Its okay!

Anyway onto the pictures:

Blush Nude on left and Vanilla Suede on Right.

These are available online @ Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.
They are also available in store. Pick them up now if you want because I hear that they are limited edition and were not sold in a mass amount!

Will you be picking any up?
Do you think its crazy to spend $45 on a lipstick or do you think it is fine? Love to hear your thoughts!

x

Obsession Du Jour Barry M Nail polish 5.26.10

No Words!

This is my favorite color right now. I picked this up in the UK on my last business trip in Superdrug (Why don't we have this store in the US?! Unfair! )

Anyway, This is Barry M in Racing green. It is a shimmery Forest Green with a Teal undertone, very peacock! LOVE! I have looked for a dupe of this and there is not one to be found!

Has anyone tried this?

x

Obsession Du Jour: MAC Lip Gelee 5.25.10

Okay, so I have been on a lip product kick lately. I went to the MAC store recently and a picked up a few items, one that I have been reaching for daily is MAC's Lip Gelee in Gemshine. Gemshine is a nude colored gloss with a very refined bronze shimmer.



I never took notice of MAC's Lip Gelee's before and I am upset, because now they are discontinued and I love them. They come in a squeeze tube and are completely stick-free! :) Totally not sticky and smooth. I am so crushin' on the shimmer and gloss they give the lips. They make your lips so SHINY but not sparkly, its a very ultra fine shimmer. It is a very sheer wash of nude with bronze shimmer. I don't think these will impart any color on pigmented lips. They are not meant to be pigmented glosses. And yes, they have the distinct vanilla smell to them, which I am a huge fan of. If you don't like that smell I would advise to shy away from these. I love how the application is goof proof due to the squeeze tube applicator.



I am disappointed that I didn't try these out until now. Oh well, I will make it my personal mission to snap up as many as these as I can. They are fabulous to throw in any bag and slick on. No mirror needed!

Who has tried? Who loves it? Who Hates it?
x

Obsession Du Jour: Prestige Skin Loving Minerals Gloss 5.24.10

Hi Ladies, I am very picky about lip gloss. This is probably because I am not a big "lip gloss girl" too high maintenance and don't forget the fact I have a massive amount of long hair. Lip gloss and long hair is an awful mix. Anyway, when I find a good lip gloss that I am head over heels about I am a happy camper. I do love myself a nice pair of glossy lips. Now add to the equation a lip gloss under $10. FABULOUS! (Plus I got two compliments wearing this lip gloss, including from a makeup artist at the The Make Up Show, they were all shocked when I told them it was from the drugstore!)



Okay, so I was in the drugstore perusing the aisles and I went to the Prestige display. I love prestige's mineral makeup, the glam tan is a fabulous bronzer with shimmer for the summer golden goddess look. ANYWAY, I digress, I saw a tube of nude gloss. I LOVE NUDE. We all know that, but upon closer inspection, I saw ultra refined shimmer in it. It is a pale nude with very very refined gold duo chrome shimmer. It is absolutely gorgeous. Okay, so that obviously was enough for me to buy it. But even better? It is such a GREAT gloss is all ways.

The gloss cost $7.99. Awesome! The formula is so soft, cushion-y and jelly like. I love cushion-y glosses! They feel lovely on the lips. It is a very soft formula, no grittiness whatsoever. It also is not sticky! I find MAC lipglass to be a bit sticky. It is a moisturizing formula, it happens to be called "Lasting Moisture Lip gloss". That gives it bonus points in my book. Also, the smell is gorgeous, it smells like Fresh's lemon sugar scent which I love. Very fresh and clean, not saccharine sweet and nauseating.

Now onto the color...perfection. It is called Soft Peach (MMG-02). It is a very soft nude, running a bit warmer than cool, however I find it to be neutral. It is pigmented enough to wear on its own as a nude but not too pigmented that you cant wear over other glosses. It pales down my natural lip color beautifully!

Lastly, I love the packaging, it doesn't look cheap. It reminds me of Josie Maran packaging. It is a tube with a gunmetal top. Very nice!


All in all I am super impressed and happy with the Prestige Skin Loving Minerals lip gloss line and for SURE will be picking up some more.

Have you tried? Will you try it out?
x

Obsession Du Jour: Pale Sky Blue 5.20.10

If you know me and you have been reading this blog for any amount of time you know I think very bright eyeshadow are a big NO NO in my book. However, i think I need to specify it is not the colors per se but its the combination's that people do.

Do I think "Sunset theme" eyes are elegant or classy? Hell to the NO, I think they are the opposite of that. Tropical Eyes? Oh boy, do not get me started. Oh wait, matching your outfits to your eye combination's? Gag me with my MAC 242 brush! However, do I think a sheer wash of Lilac across the eyes are? Yes. Maybe an electric blue liner accenting your lower lash line? Yes. A deep smokey green to subtlety highlight your eye color? Gorgeous! You get what I am saying, I think color needs to be done in a certain way for me to like it. Obviously, everyone is different and I completely understand and respect that!

Therefore what I am about to say is going to be odd, with that being said, I have been recently very into the pale sky blue color! I don't know what it is but I have been feeling inspired by spring! I a loving sky blue from nail polish to eyeshadow.

Please see below inspiration:
















Please follow me on my next journey to find the "Ultimate" Pale sky blue eyeshadow and nail polish! I already have my eye on a few! ;)

x

Obsession Du Jour Milk Soy Creme 5.18.10

This has been one of my long time favorite beauty items. My best friend Stephanie and I found this in a random store in Syracuse when we were in college. Its by the brand Archipelago Botanicals and the specific product is Milk Soy Creme. It is a tad pricey, not expensive but not cheap, the tube retails for $18.95.

This body creme comes in a plastic tube, I love the packaging. Anywho, it is very moisturizing and travel friendly. However, the best part is the smell. I don't know if I can even describe it. It is the most amazing smell ever. Its a very soft, clean and subtle smell but its beyond delicious, I could smell this all day long. I use it all the time just to smell it.

Onto the product itself, its moisturizing without leaving behind the greasy feel that I hate. Personally, I will never be without a tube of this!

Will you pick this up? Have you tried anything from this line?

x

Obsession Du Jour: Plink and Lush Lip balm 5.17.10

Two things I am absolutely obsessed with right now.

MAC Plink! lipstick and Lush None of Your Beeswax Lipbalm.

Plink! is a warm toned yellow pink with a shimmer, very glossy and soft. One of those colors that are beyond easy to slap on and go! Very glossy! Lush None of Your Beeswax is an oily ish lip balm. I love it though, usually i like something thicker but this is fab. It lasts on your lips for a long time and has a nice herbal lavender-y scent. It is VERY moisturizing. I wear it under lipsticks and use it as an overnight treatment.

Heaven!

I just heard MAC is discontinuing Plink!.. WHY?! MAC, sometimes I really hate you. If you want plink! grab is now before its gone for good!

Have any of you tried these?

x

Illamasqua Lipsticks Du Jour 5.16.10

Ok I have waxed poetic many times for my love of Illamasqua. I did a haul and review on my collection on You-tube. I wanted to give better swatches here in better light.

Their lipstick range is fabulous, beyond pigmented, long lasting and the colors are great. I am in love with the colors I have. Perfect nudes, peaches, corals and pinks! They are mostly matte so they can be drying but that is easy to solve for. Put a balm on first and pat on color!

If you are interested in the video, head over and check out the video.

Swatches from clockwise, left to right:

Sonnet, Liv, Avenge, Over and Obey. Bottom: Salacious

Testing the staying power. Soap, then rubbing, then rinsing.

Still on... Woah!

Love these lipsticks! Do you have any?

x

Inspiration Du Jour 5.16.10

just some random beautiful inspiration pictures... no rhyme or reason.

just beauty.

x

Finallyn on BlogLovin Du Jour 5.14.10

I have been getting a few emails asking me if I am on bloglovin' and now I am. I wasnt even aware people were already following me on it. Cool!

Follow my blog with bloglovin'

or see that cool widget thing to the left? Click away!

x

Tutorial Du Jour 5.12.10

Hi Guys, so I did this look on You-tube and wanted to post my inspiration pic here. I know I know, Mary Kate Olsen, such a teeny bopper thing to do but I really love her make up here. I personally think she is adorable in general. Regardless of what you think of her style, she definitely is a style setter.

Anyway, I love the golden copper eye and nude lips she has here. Her skin looks glowing, the eye makeup is very flattering and I love the nude lip. I obviously love her hair here also!

If you guys are interested in how to achieve this look then watch HERE

x

Obsession Du Jour 5.11.10

I have been on a natural and organic kick lately and this is the product that started it. I was wondering around in the East Village and walked into a shop called Flower Power. Cute name right? Anyway, I found this product. I love lavender and usually anything that has lavender in it, I buy it. So we all know I have very dry skin, so I always am interested in Shea Butter products. Okay, i digress. The product that I found is called Dr. Amikole's Shea Butter.

I was initially drawn to the small hexagonal glass travel packaging and the gorgeous scent. The smell is pure natural lavender. Gorgeous. The product is a creamy shea butter that is fabulously moisturizing and will not irritate the most sensitive of skins. I have been carrying this with me everywhere as it is travel friendly.


I also picked up the Oil version for next to my bed. I have been slathering this on every night before bed. This is intensely moisturizing as all. If pure shea butter is too heavy for you, I would go with the Shea Oil. It absorbs very nicely and smells like heaven. Shea Oil is made from 100% pure shea butter, essential oils, and herbs. Shea oil is a "fractionated oil" meaning that it is the oily fraction of the pure butter.

I found Dr. Amikole online too! The prices are VERY reasonable. $11 for the jar and $15 for the oil.The product for the Shea Butter from Dr. Amikole's website is:

"Amikole's Lavender Butter combines two of the world's best kept secrets: organic African Shea Butter and organic French Lavender flowers and organic Lavender essential oil (not a secret anymore!). Beneficial for a myriad of skin issues, this combination can help with burns, eczema, scarring, and the adverse effects stress and aging have on the skin. Psychologically, Lavender oil has "calming and soothing effects" and the flower extract has "a more markedly narcotizing" effect. "Lavender is ruled by the planet Mercury. In this respect, lavender is a wonderful essential oil for inducing the deep, relaxing sleep we need for analysing our situations… our mental clarity will increase and we will find life a lot more enjoyable." Use Amikole's Lavender Butter to moisturize and soothe the entire body, easing tension and creating serenity in your daily life. Amikole's Lavender shea butter is made with organic shea butter that has been extracted using cold press extraction methods."





If you are interested you can order here: http://www.sheabutter.net/

I absolutely love this all natural product.

Let me know your thoughts and if you will be trying it!

x

Obsession Du Jour: Vapour Organic Beauty 5.7.10

Hi All, I am really excited for this review. If you watch my videos on YT you might know what I am going to talk about. Last night I reviewed Chanel Universal bronzer with Vapour's Solar Bronzer, but I want to let you guys know about it too!

What I am excited to share with you guys is the Vapour line, we all know and love Chanel but not all of us know about Vapour. I sure as hell never heard of it and I consider myself somewhat of a beauty connoisseur. Anyway, I was sent a few products from their line and the stand out product for me wast the Solar Bronzer. Therefor that is what I will be talking about. I have been using this as a travel beauty item, easy to throw in a bag and great for touch ups.

Before I get into the actually product, I was to chit chat a little about the brand and why I like it. First of all, the ingredients are Organic and natural. If you know me, you know I love anything that is organic and/ or natural. There is a cool story behind the brand as well.

Anyway, enough about that, lets get into what we care about...the product.

So, this is a bronzer in stick form, it is not quite a cream because it is a lighter formula, and it doest dry to a cakey powder. You can think of it as similar to the NARS Multiple. But I like this even better, shhh...dont tell anyone! The ingredients are better for you and the packaging is more environmentally sound. The color is a brown bronze, its nice because it is pretty matte and not orange at all! The formula is made of vitamin- rich organic shea butter. It also includes protecting anti oxidants from pomegranate, green tea and acai berry. We all know how obsessed with Green Tea I am. All in all, the bronzer is 100% chemical free!

Solar Bronzer in Simmer

Straight onto the arm, top part, and then the lower part is blended in. You can see this is not orange at all!
Let me know if you liked this post, if you did I will review the rest of the stuff I got. This was my favorite product so far!

You can do your own research here!

Will you try out vapour organic beauty?

PS- If you haven't checked out my video on Chanel VS Vapour, look here.

PPS- I was sent this product for free, but you know me, my opinions are all my own and I ONLY speak about things I love, have tried and would buy with my own money. No BS blog posts here! I pride my blog on talking about things I am interested in, not a bunch of stuff I was sent and would never go out and buy myself! That would be boring and phony!