Prada Du Jour 3.29.12

I just randomly found this photo and love it...



xx

Keep Calm and Carry On Du Jour 3.21.12

I stumbled upon this lovely video on You-Tube about the history of one of my favorite, iconic sayings...

Keep Calm and Carry On... 

Watch to learn a bit more about it, love knowing the history behind random things.

My Keep Calm and Carry On book

xx

Matcha Du Jour 3.20.12

You all know I LOVE green tea. Really loving this one currently. Its a green powder called Matcha. Very green and earthy tasting. I highly recommend if you like green tea.


Have you tried Matcha?
What is your favorite brand?

xx

Pinterest Du Jour 3.13.12

Do you Pinterest? I am such a fan of pinning everything. It is an addiction.
Have you tried it yet?

Come follow me on Pinterest, my user name is Dara Kaye.
Don't say I didn't warn you!

xx

Day in the life of... Du Jour 3.12.12

I thought I would share some behind the scene shots of a little about my days and my job (I get asked this A LOT). Everyday is different, but here is a day on set styling for a Jewelry client of mine. The shoot was last Wednesday and Thursday.

 Coolest part? The photographer was an apprentice to one of my idols is fashion photography... Richard Avedon!

How cool? Take a look at his office and him working...

Entrance. Just some of his work. He has shot every super model, designer...you name it. Awe inspiring.

He is creating a book of all of his work. Some of his shots from around the world.

Can you spot Marilyn Monroe in here?

I love Orchids.

Books in his office... lots of Avedon obviously!

Some of the jewels...

Gideon, the photographer at work on set.

One of my favorite necklaces from the group, we are going to call it the Joy Luck necklace- I think...

One of the finished shots on the computer, gorgeous! 

Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did.

xx

Amazing Nails Du Jour 3.10.12

How amazing are these nails?!? I need to know where I can get this done ASAP!


Anyone know?
xx

MAC By Request Collection Announcement 3.9.12

Just got wind of this and wanted to share it, I am not usually a fan of sharing straight up press releases or announcements but I know a lot of my readers will really like this. Heck, I even think this is super cool and a great example of a company utilizing social media and really listening to their fans! Best of both worlds. 

Bravo MAC!

Introducing, M·A·C BY REQUEST 

An upcoming collection with products chosen by you and your readers 

We’re inviting M·A·C fans to vote for their favorite shades starting March 12 on Facebook. 18 popular lipsticks, lipglasses and eye shadows have been selected from past collections; the three shades with the most votes from each category will come back as an online exclusive, limited edition collection.

Voting opens to all Facebook fans March 12-30.

The collection will be available online in North America in August and internationally Fall 2012.

Do you have a favorite shade or two? We invite you to start your own campaign; tweet about it using #MACBYREQUEST

Lipstick:
3N as seen in N Collection (January 2008)
Candy Yum Yum as seen in Quite Cute (April 2011)
Eden Rocks as seen in Eden Rocks (May 2001)
Moxie as seen in Retro Matte Lipsticks (September 1999)
Rocker as seen in Time Rocker (Fall 1999)
Shitaki as seen in Cuisine (March 2001)

Lipglass: 
2N as seen in N Collection (January 2008)
Bait as seen in Lure (June 2006)
Cult of Cherry as seen in Cult of Cherry (September 2008)
Emancipation as seen in Wonder Woman (February 2011)
Flash of Flesh as seen in M·A·C D’Bohemia (May 2005)
Icescape as seen in Love Lace (December 2009)

Eye Shadow: 
Cool Heat as seen in Cool Heat (June 2008)
Guacamole as seen in Salsabelle (May 2005)
Heavenly Bliss as seen in Eden Rocks (May 2001)
Jeté as seen in Danse (January 2006)
Moth Brown as seen in Madame B. (March 2005)
Solar White as seen in Cool Heat (June 2008)

In North America only, TXT a shade name to 898622 and we’ll count your vote. The texter will also receive future sms/mms from M·A·C Cosmetics Online, featuring exclusives and events. Msg&Data rates may apply.

What a great collection idea. How cool is this?

x

Estee Lauder Illuminating powder Gelee Du Jour 3.8.12

Last Sunday night, the usual doldrums roll around and I decide I am bored and want to buy some makeup online. Always, Always, ALWAYS (Did I emphasize that enough?) bad news.

Anyway, Estee Lauder isn't something I usually remember to look at but, every time I get something from Estee Lauder I wind up LOVING it and wondering why I don't remember to look at it more. I wonder why... I think it reminds me of older women because it has been around so long. However, It really is such a great brand with really quality products.

The product I am going to speak about next is Estee Lauder's Limited Edition, Illuminating Powder Gelee in Shimmering Sand. Before I go any further, if this sounds appealing to you, go get it NOW. I guarantee this puppy is going to sell out.

Go buy it: //www.esteelauder.com/product/8642/21172/Applications/Seasonal-Looks/2012bronzegoddess/face/Pure-Color/Illuminating-Powder-Gele/index.tmpl

No.... I don't get anything if you buy it, just go do it. I am looking out for you guys by telling you to go buy it! TRUST ME!

Anyway, back to the review, okay so this is a really smooth, gel like, powder. It is definitely a powder but the smoothness and softness is what makes it gel- like. At first, I thought it would be similar to one of my favorite products of the year which is, Laura Mercier's Rose Highlighting powder, which is a metallic-y rose gold. However, this is different, this could be a highlighter on darker skin, but this imparts a lot more color and pigment than Laura Mercier's product which is definitely a highlighter. 

Estee Lauder swatches a beautiful rose/brick with a metallic edge. It would be a beautiful blush just swiped on and even a shadow or lip color. Yes, I use powders on my lips, I love it. Anyway, but what i LOVE LOVE LOVE this for is a bronzer. I know this might sound a bit odd, but this has that red undertone that a natural bronze/ sunburn has. If you put this product on the outer edges of your face, like a bronzer and buff in well, the shimmer goes away and this becomes the PERFECT bronzer for that tropical look.

I used it today and WOW! it transformed my NYC pale pasty winter skin into almost looking like it was mid-summer without having a fake orange tan look. VERY impressive. I am even thinking about picking up another. I love it that much and at $42 that aint a cheap-o pick up!

I will let the pictures speak for themselves!

Take a gander at this beauty!

Rich Pigmentation, swatched and then lightly blended below.

Blended and Buffer in. You can see the metallic fades a bit to a perfect sun burnt looking bronze.

Are you going to pick up?

Thoughts? Comments?

x

PS: Catch all my sneak peeks on instagram @DaraKaye

Armani Spring 2012 Du Jour 3.4.12

I wanted to get this review up very quickly as these Limited Edition eyeliners from Giorgio Armani tend to sell out pretty quickly.

Let me start off by saying, I do not get the hype over Giorgio Armani Beauty in general. Yes, I have't actually tried EVERYTHING but everything that I have tried I haven't been overly excited nor impressed by (Hey! Eyes to Kill Mascara, I am looking at you).

Well, I clearly am about to go against exactly what I just said above. I am over the moon over these eyeliners. These blow all of my other eyeliners out of the water.  The below eyeliners are SO creamy, and SO metallic and completely budge-proof which is quite a feat. Most eyeliners do not work as well for me as for everyone else, Urban Decay 24/7 stay on my eyes for about an hour until they are half way down my face and smudged all over. These two that I have stay put. The colors are so beautiful, I got Copper and Antique. Copper is a rose gold color and Antique is a darkened gold. One swipe of these and you have full opacity.  I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

Let me also put out there, that these suckers are very expensive for liners. They retail at $27 USD.

Antique on Top and Copper on bottom

With Flash: Copper (Left) and Antique (Right)

With Flash: Copper (Left) and Antique (Right)

If you think you would want to try these out, I suggest you go try them out sooner than later. My counter at bloomingdales was sold out and I had to order online.

Check them out here: http://www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com/waterproof-eye-liner-pencil/

Let me know if you have tried these and what you think!

xx

New Product Du Jour 3.4.12

I have been trying out some really amazing new products. This week on my blog I am going to feature a new product review per day.




First review will be up tonight. Get ready, get set, Go!

Xx

Ps: Have you tried anything from the Josie Maran range yet? I'm loving.

Changes Du Jour 2.29.12

Big changes over here!

First, you will notice all the design changes on my blog. How do you like? I tweaked a lot of things to make it easier to find things and obviously changed the design to reflect my aesthetic.

Additionally, now you can get to my blog easily by www.belledujournyc.com

Big things, big things!

Xx

Le Metier De Beaute Eyeliner Du Jour 2.27.12

So... I have a love/ hate relationship with liquid liners. Why you may ask? Not because they are hard to apply, but because sometimes I think it looks chic and other times I think it looks overdone and like I am trying too hard.

I was a Lancôme art liner devotee for years but something happened and I fell out of love. Hey! It happens. I still think its a great product. I just suppose the bloom is off the rose... That's the saying right?

Anyway so I had moved to pencil liner and was loving it, minus the terrible staying power for me.

I went to Bergdorfs to pick up Le Métier De Beaute's fresh creme tints ( that's for another review) and some how the LMDB's liquid liner in Noir wound up in my little bag and back home with me in my apartment.

I didn't unwrap it for a few days pondering if I should return it, it is pricey at $42. I decided to keep it and THANK GOD I did.



Wow is this product rave worthy! It comes in a tiny tube, but boy does it pack a punch. This liner is ready to go right out of the box and it can make the finest finest thin thinnest line ever. I am SO impressed. On top of it, it lasts all day. I am so sold. This is my new must have eye product for sure. You can do a thick bold cat eye or the most natural line that just makes your lashes thicker without giving your secret of using liner away!

If you are in the market I highly suggest you check out the liquid liner in Noir by Le Métier De Beaute! I am going to go back and see what other colors they have.

Have you tried? Thoughts?
Love? Hate?

Xx

Oscar Party du Jour 2.23.12

Fun news! I will be hosting a twitter party this Sunday starting at 7pm with NYC Fashion PR firm, Wunderlich Inc and on-air trends and style expert Brittney Levine. I will be tweeting about all beauty and obviously I will throw in some of my style comments as well. Its a really fun way to see what everyone is talking about and from an insider perspective of an on-air style expert and a NYC Public Relations Firm about what goes on at award shows.

The Oscars always are the most beautiful to watch as they are the most prestigious award to win!

Brittney is an on air trends and style expert, she has on segments for Fox, E! News and things like that. I will put her blog link below for anyone that wants to check it out. She will be pointing out upcoming spring and summer trends as well as talking about celeb styles! Fun! Britt's blog is IN HER SHOES...

Make sure to follow everyone @WunderlichInc @BrittneyHLevine and of course me, @belledujourNYC.

Xx

Arm Candy Du Jour 2.22.12

Okay I know I have been a bad blogger but please forgive me! I have been super busy but thinking of you guys.  I wanted to share the most amazing examples of accessory stacking. I love some good arm candy! These photo's made me drool. I posted a few on my twitter and instagram (follow me @DaraKaye and DaraKaye on Instagram) last week but these were too good to keep to myself!

Gold Stacking, love the unexpected turquoise thrown in. I love the pave cone bracelet, it is by Eddie Borgo and has been on my wish list forever!

Gunmetal stack in case you don't like Gold and get bored by the typical silver look. More Eddie Borgo.

And of course, the typical silver stack but opposite of typical with these gorgeous pieces. Again a lot of it is Eddie Borgo. I see his pyramids and cone bracelets. Love Love Love!

(All of these images were taken from www.NeimanMarcus.com ).

If you aren't in love with Eddie Borgo by now... I don't even know what to say. I am tempted to go on his site and order EVERYTHING.

I also found a great article on The Coveteur on a retrospective of Eddie Borgo. Check it out! http://www.thecoveteur.com/Eddie_Borgo

If you want to check it out it is, www.eddieborgo.com.


Thoughts? Love? Hate?

xx

Jewels Du Jour 2.4.12

Arm candy of the day.

Follow me on twitter @BelledujourNYC and on instagram, DaraKaye for daily style updates!

Go NY Giants!

Xx

Nail combo Du Jour 1.28.12

I'm am really loving this nail combo. I am pretty mesmerized by it actually. I couldn't stop staring at it during dinner. I bet my boyfriend thought I was quite annoying.

Anyway it is Revlon's Sparkling ( which I am so impressed with alone- I have worn three coats on my nails for about a week now and am smitten) and Deborah Lippmann's Shake Your Groove Thing. I believe Sparkling is a DL dupe too! Honestly though, $20 for DL vs. $6 for Revlon, I can't lie, I live you Deborah Lippman, but I will go for the Revlon! I have over 10 DL's and I love love love but for $6 and great quality it's a no brainer.

Soooo... This is 3 coats of Sparkling with 1 coat of the DL over it. The DL gives a metallic finish to it, like gold pailletes. I believe Milani has a gold dupe for this as well if you don't want to splurge.

Thoughts? Comments?
Xx

Revlon Lip Butters Du Jour 1.24.12

So this isn't a review yet because I just wanted to share something quickly. I know you are probably sick and tired of hearing about these suckers but i wanted to share a juicy online tidbit I found! I was on the hunt for these FOREVER. I finally found a few at my CVS back home by families house on Long Island. I picked up Cupcake and Tutti Frutti, they weren't my first choice but I love them so much. Cupcake is HG material for me, perfect baby pink! You can see quick swatches on my hand below and cupcake on my lips. Naturally, I went on the hunt for more. They are non-existent in NYC.

Anyway, lo and behold, you can order them on www.CVS.com. I don't know why no one has spoken about this yet! Go order! Hurry! That was the juicy tidbit, by the way.

I just placed my order for Sugar Frosting, Creamsicle and Gumdrop.

Do any of you have? Do you love/hate?

Xx

Studs an Stones Du Jour 1.23.12

Scenery Du Jour 1.21.12

Wanted to share some Long Island scenery with you...

And some Riley!

Enjoy.

Xx

Drugstore Products Du Jour 1.18.12

My go to mascara all the time, have been trying out Armani's Eyes To Kill... Eh! Not impressed, back to L'Oreal for $7.99 vs $30.

Now, let's talk a new found Love for $13.99, Sally Hershberger's hyper hydration! Beyond loving, if you have dry hair, go get this. It smells fab and softens hair immediately. It's tag line is "rehab for stressed hair", hello, that's mine. I have very long, dry, highlighted hair. It totally needs rehab! It also contains keratin which I love!

Anyway have you tried either? Love/hate? Tell me!

Xx