January 2009 Archives

It is very difficult to achieve the flawless face that you see on the runways and in glossies.  I have about 10 bottles of foundation in my make up stash right now but have yet to find the perfect fool proof make up for photo shoots and television appearances (I always look like a grease ball!). Until I received a sample of M·A·C Studio Sculpt Foundation.

Creamy but not oily, it glides on the skin flawlessly-- without the weird caking in pores/lines. I tried it on my wrist first and when I saw how easily it blended in, I smeared it all over my face. You will not believe how easy and smooth this foundation is! Once again, M·A·C has shattered expectations for foundation performance with its debut of Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation. The gel-based cream formula is the final result of an extensive collaboration between M·A·C's Product Development experts and PRO team of makeup artists.

Backstage at fashion week provides the perfect testing ground for M·A·C's new products and our artists, working tirelessly at countless fashion shows, were eager for a foolproof makeup they could apply quickly and easily. Studio Sculpt is the answer to their prayers. It glides on smoothly and blends effortlessly for a flawless satiny finish--even when additional layers are needed for extra coverage.

The water-resistant blend leaves complexions perfectly even-toned and hydrated, while providing all-important broad-spectrum sun protection. Try it for yourself when it hits M·A·C stores and online on Feb. 7th. (Jump for more details!)

One of the latest ways celebs are spicing-up their traditional black looks is with white metallic nail polish. Never would have thought this! I'm currently all over a vibrant red from essie called escapades, but I have to say Kate Winslet (pictured above with Oprah), makes the color look tempting. Kate's nails were done by Deborah Lippmann who used a shade from her collection called Rhapsody In White. Kate also wore this shade on her fingers and toes when she picked-up her two Golden Globes!

Bag Snob Celebrates The Year of the Python! 55 Secret Street loves Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil Deeply Repairative Hair Pak .

Stiletto Jungle- fabulously affordable spring cardigans.

Couture Snob- get sexy with Ferragamo Marigold Platforms for Valentine's Day!

Fab Sugar wants to know how easly you are persueded by sales people. Take our QUIZ and find out!

All About the Pretty interviews  Carol's Daughter.

Faye Dunaway thinks "Hilary Duff isn't a real actress" - Allie is Wired

Bag Bliss: Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Beauty Snob shares her perfect brow secret from Cees Penning- The Brow Master!

KRISTOPHER is wanting, wearing, hating homeopathic-based Korres face makeup.

Coquette loves the look of short rompers.

Fashion Pulse Daily spotlights its favorite look from the Spring 2009 collection of Jason Wu.

Second City Style gave out their own awards on the SAG Awards red carpet.

StyleBakery.com found great Valentine's Day gifts for less than $25

Stylehive is in love with Marlies Dekkers' imaginative lingerie, just in time for Valentine's Day...

The Beauty Stop test drives the Ionic White teeth whitening system.

TheMakeupGirl is head over heels for Bobbi Brown's latest - Pure Romance - Blushed Pink.
The Shoe Goddess describes her love affair with a pair of hot pink satin YSL pumps!

 
Photos from Instyle.com -- from left Rihanna, Katie Holmes, Selma Blair

I love that so many celebs are going bold with short hair! I'm even more into this look now that I've looked at pictures from the Giorgio Armani Prive show where a few of the models came-out wearing these wonderfully sculpted black cropped wigs! I could never pull this look off myself because my hair is naturally frizzy and when it's short -- which it was when I was younger -- it takes way too much maintenance. These ladies however rock it! Selma Blaire and Katie Holmes are my fave -- Katie because I think short hair is the best possible complement to her angular face and Selma because she has such a sweet innocence about her that looks great with her tomboy-esque cut. Rihanna is gorgeous, but I don't think that this particular short crop is her best. I wish there was just a little bit more hair on the side of her face! Who do you think pulls off cropped hair best?

How many products claim to make your skin healthy as well as prevent common signs of aging? Yeah, can't be helped but I'm a bit of a skeptic. Seems like a lot to ask from a few products, but I am impressed by the Freeze 24/7 Daily Essentials Skincare System. I am hooked, I must admit, after using this for a week. There are three steps to this skincare system: Cleanse, Exfoliate, and Hydrate. You begin by using the Skin Glace Daily Detoxifying Cleanser and Mask. You would not think that this gentle and thin cleanser would be so powerful in actually removing your every day make up so thoroughly, but it does. You then go on to the IceCrystals Anti-Aging Prep and Polish, which I absolutely LOVE! This exfoliate has tiny crystals that you massage over your face that instantly give you the tingling sensation that let's you know things are working. Once you rinse and dry your face you will instantly notice the deep cleaning that leaves your face so soft and pure. The IceCream Double Scoop Intensive Anti-Aging Moisturizer completes this mini facial experience by rejuvenating the cells. You will go to sleep a very happy girl knowing that a lot was accomplished! After only a week, I have noticed my skin healthier, brighter and smoother. Freeze 24/7 Daily Essentials Skincare System, $150, also available at Henri Bendel, Fred Segal and Saks Fifth Avenue (in store only).

Bag Snob- Roberto Cavalli finds Utopia... At the rodeo?
Couture Snob- is enchanted with the Chanel Haute Couture.
Tot Snob- has the best Flip video mino HD camcorder!
Purse Blog- Chanel represented right!
Bella Sugar has secrets of Japanese skincare-- the Japanese Skincare revolution book!

The beauty trend of late is definitely spiritual wellness and awareness. If you are on the coasts, especially the west, this is no longer a trend but a way of life. The Naturopathica line is all natural, all organic and formulated to lift your spirits in more ways than one. I am doing a juice fast that requires a detox of the skin and my go to product is the Naturopathica Bamboo Lemongrass Body Scrub. It will sluff away dead skin and renew your with nutrients and moisture. Even if you are not on a crazy fast or diet, exfoliating your skin is the quickest and easiest way to detox your entire system, after all, your skin is the biggest organ. Trust me, after a night of heavy drinking, doing something as simple as a body scrub will help the recovery much faster. Of course, it also makes your skin baby soft! Get it at Skin Botanica or at your favorite organic spa, $42.

If sticky gooey black sap from the depth of the ocean doesn't sound appealing to you what about velvety rich skin? I received a sample of this goo from Givenchy and was hesitant to use it at first-- it's not the most appealing of color, texture or smell but vanity won out. After using it for a week, my skin had a velvety texture but my finger nails did not fare as well. They had a gray/black tint to them! I didn't want to stop using this so I did what any beauty obsessed snob would have done-- I made it work and bought surgical gloves in order to apply it.

The reason for the dark color is the Vital Black Algae Sap Concentrate-- an ingredient found in the depths of the ocean rich in vital fatty acids. This rare black algae extract been shown to protect skin cells' DNA from light-induced aging and wrinkles, and repair itself to form smoother, younger skin. Just make sure you wash your hands immediately after applying! Givenchy Le Soin Noir 1.7 oz $360 At Sephora.com Gimmick or miracle ingredient? Have you tried this?

Molton Brown celestial maracuja bathing nectar, $65; Molton Brown celestial maracuja body souffle $60

My love of Molton Brown cannot be easily described with words. I use the shower gel, bath gel, hand soap, lotion, candles and if they made food, I would change my diet. But my latest purchase of the celestial maracuja bathing nectar pretty much launched me to the stratosphere of an insane person. The bathing nectar is a mixture of oils and moisturizers, it does not bubble or foam, it works like a bath oil and turns your bath into a milky paradise. This scent is beyond heavenly, it is a mix of passion fruit and light florals like gardenia, tuberose and jasmine - it is not too sweet and not too floral. It is the passion fruit that is maddeningly divine though! Molton Brown is known for their over the top scents that pretty much pervades throughout your house once anyone uses it. Well, I want the entire world to smell like this. There are the 2 products featured here, a perfume and a sugar polish but they need to include every product in this scent just so I can have every part of me covered in it!! Celestial maracuja bathing nectar and body souffle at Spa Look, use code NT10 for $10 off and free shipping.