Beauty on the Go

Since there was a plethora of goodies to try, I decided to take them on vacation with me. It was the only way to do it right! NP and Pixi cosmetics are not just super fabulous and easy to access no matter where you happen to be (available at Target for under $35). They are innovative and the hues fit perfectly into any spring wardrobe. Each item was wonderful but I had to narrow it down.

These are my favorites from each line:

NP - Napoleon Pardis

Eye Primer

Basically if you hit the floor running every morning and need to bu sure your eye shadow stays put all day and night.....this is what you need. I don't usually mind if my eye makeup wears off during the day, because I do different eyes in the evening.

However, on vacation, I wanted to keep it simple but long lasting, and was extremely surprised with the results!

......shhhh don't try this at home: not that I condone falling asleep with makeup on - I'm just saying that it happened to me after a few cocktails. My eye shadow actually looked pretty damn good when I woke up. So ya, that's how great it is. Like I said though chicas, Don't try it at home. I'm 100% obsessed.

On the Double Pen

       Transform into a cat-eyed queen with this  wand of jubilation. The other end contains a coral cream blush. It's been living in my purse ever since! The coral is perfect.

        A great tip from Napoleon is to tilt your chin up to see the contour of your eyelid, and apply your pen as close to the lashe line as possible. For a deeper cat-eye, use an eyeliner pencil to mark with small dots where you want the liquid eyeliner to start and end. Close one eye and connect the dots. Finish by lining eyes with a pencil and add a few coats of mascara.

Glamorista Mascara - A thin brush that's on point with extending lashes. Self explanatory. Pretty Awesome. 'nuff said.

Romance Set - On the go. An array of colors for eyes, lips, and cheeks. I like the way it fits perfectly into my purse pocket and the texture of the outside of the set. Sweet packaging and even sweeter hues for application. The deep lavender shadows are complimentary to everything.

Pixie 

Flawless Primer - So I didn't know a product like this was available at an affordable price. I'm ashamed to admit I pay a redic amount of dough for my primer. Pixie's primer absorbed quickly and set the tone for the rest of my transformation from me to moi. It was not oily and filled my fine lines exactly as I expected. I'm still hooked on the fact that it's only a fraction of a fraction of what I paid for my last primer and works just as well!

Lux bronze palette - The bronzer gave me a nice glow. It offers a few shades so that sometimes you can use it as a blush and other times a bronzer. I like to use all the shades together and get well rested glow.

Just for fun I took this pic the other day while shopping. In case you're curious what the aisle that you should be shopping in looks like........

Bargain Lip Gloss

Just in time and in the midst of spring! I'm raving about Mode Lip Glaze Glide On Wet Shine Gloss. It's kind of like the M.A.C.'s Lip Glass. The difference is that Mode's Lip Glaze contains almond oil so its not sticky icky!

Available in fresh spring colors for $4 at www.modecosmetics.com

Happy Birthday and other upcoming news

Due to the arrival of my inevitable  30th Birthday AnD  lovely trip to Cali, I've been under the radar, or under the web? Anyhoo just because I haven't been writing, does not mean I haven't been testing!

Lots of fun reviews coming up including:

Self Tanners, Exfoliators, Cosmetics for less and more. Please forgive me while i was doing this.....

 

   Being 30 on the West Coast

Stila stay all day liquid eyeliner

It's been a while since a Flava Fav came into play around here. In fact this could be the first one of 2010! Mmhmm that's right. Stila's stay all day liquid eyeliner is where it's at. 

The hype is how it stays on aLl DaY and won't sMuDge. The tip allows  precise application void of any mistakes.

Precision is the word that came to mind as I applied it! 

Sure I adore a smudge free all night lasting liner. But the what drew me in is Stila stay all day guided my shaky hand to create some very dramatic eyes - without drawing a line in the wrong place (which I often do and usually have to re-do my eyes before leaving the house).

Apparently it's already causing a stir, completely sold out on the Stila site. 

Sephora has plenty though, so get your but down there precisely right about now to get yours.

Xen-Tan® Perfect Bronze

It's about that time. We are all pasty pale in the heart of winter. Perhaps I don't speak for everyone but this is the time when I'm tempted to fake and bake. While I can't promise you I won't, I can promise that XEN-TAN has an amazing face bronzer for a perfect compact tan in a zip.

 

It's not really a blush, the color blends in well and I really liked that it camouflaged my pale neck as well!

(lately I've noticed in some pictures that my face is tannish and my neck is horrifyingly in its natural state of winter.)

Actually I got carried away when I wore a halter the other night and spread it all the way down my arms. It's something my cosmetic case has digested and is not ready to let go anytime soon!

Xen-Tan® Perfect Bronze is transparent and creates a natural Finnish over makeup or alone. Visit www.xen-tan.com for more details and purchases.

Mascara Monday: Last minute holiday deal

Anyone who is anyone has been man handled by MOthEr NaTUre this weekend. From the Mid Atlantic to us New Englanders...the snow has been the only subject on the table. Well I got a little cabin fever during the snowfall and went out to get some essentials that I did not need and came across a nifty treat.

Maybeline created a holiday three pack of their fab Stiletto, Colossal, and Define lash Mascaras for $14.99. Please don't mind the impromptu photo that I took with my camera phone - while holding a hot coffee. It was exciting and a great gift for yourself or your like-minded beauty junkie friend!

Tis’ the season to glitter, shimmer and shine

Want to look your best for all your upcoming holiday festivities and New Years Eve?

Celebrity Makeup Artists Sandy Linter and Celebrity Hairstylists Eugene Toye, Ryan Cunningham and Eddie Ngai from the Rita Hazan Salon are sharing the latest trends of the season and how to achieve the perfect holiday look:

MAKEUP

All That Glitters:

* When using a glitter-based shadow, make sure to apply your eye makeup before applying your foundation. This way any residual glitter that falls will not ruin any previous applications. Any remaining glitter can be wiped away with a gentle eye makeup remover and Q-Tip.

* A trick to making glitter shadows stick is to apply a crème eyeshadow all over your eyelid. Than with your fingertips or a sponge applicator, pat on the glitter. The crème shadow helps the glitter adhere to your eyelids

Add A Little Length:

* To transform your eyelashes for a more dramatic look, try Shu Uemura’s False Eyelashes. When applying lashes, be sure to bend the lashes back and forth so the band is not stiff. After applying the false lashes and once the glue has dried clamp you lashes with an eyelash curler to set the look.

* When wearing fake lashes, do not use colored shadows. Instead use a neutral gold shadow on the lid, such as Lancôme Filigree and contour the crease of your eye with a brown taupe shade, such as Lancôme Chic; making the eyes look big and festive but not (cheap!)

Bright Idea:

* Brighter shades of lipstick always work for the holiday season. Check out Lancome’s new lipstick, La Laque Fever in Raze Red or Electric Pink. Designed to have a high potency of color and unprecedented shine; this full cover lipshine will offer you up to 8 hours of vibrant color.

HAIR

The Ponytail is a classic yet fun style for the holiday season. To achieve this look:

* Start by blowing out your hair using a volumizing spray.
* Once the hair has settled, slick back your hair and wrap a rubber band around the pony leaving a few chunks of strands.
* Wrap strand around rubber band to hide the band, and tuck leftover piece into the rubber band.
* To glam it up wear a jeweled headband

Finger Waves, classy just like the 40’s. This style works best on naturally wavy hair although these waves can be re-created on any hairstyle.

* To glam it up wear a jeweled headband
* In order to achieve this look you will need some gel, hairpins and some curlers.
* Once hair is curled under, you will want to pin the curls in place at the nape of the neck.
* Long straight pins are the key to securing your locks and holding this updo in place. Make sure to insert pins in opposite direction.

Classic Chignon (Messy Version), perfect for holiday rushing and party hopping. To create this look:

* To give hair just the right amount of movement and keep it from being too close to the head, use a volumizing cream and apply to freshly washed and well-towel-dried hair.
* Comb product through hair and put a deep side part in hair.
* Blow dry hair with a medium round brush for added body.
* Then, brush hair back into a low ponytail and fasten just above the nape of the neck.
* Begin winding the hair around the base of the ponytail, securing it underneath and on top with bobby pins as you go. Leaving the ends out.
* It’s more modern to have pieces out for a look that’s slightly undone. Use gold or colored bobby pins to spice it up for the holidays.

Attitude: Scope out the nearest mistletoe and drink in moderation. Who am I kidding? Drink lots of champagne and push the nearest hunk under the mistletoe....Don't let all that lip gloss go to waste!

Mascara Monday: Loreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara

No, Loreal is not leading a conspiracy in weapons of mass destruction. It's more like weapons of mass seduction that their after.

First of all they couldn't have picked a more beautiful woman to model for their ad. I heart Penelope Cruz.

Anyhoo, the Loreal's Telescopic Explosion Mascara is pretty fierce and def explodes your lashes into seductress ranks. What I like most is the small shape that gets those inner lashes with out poking your eye.

 
A great drug store find!!! Woot! The drug store are really carrying some great products these days!

Candy is Imminent for Spring

Goody goody gum drops! If I had a roof top that was flat, I'd shout it out. There's a storm a brewin and it's full of sprinkled hues of the pastel variety.

 As I snack on Jolly Ranchers, let me tell you.....Spring is going to be about a positive outlook on the FAshIoN scene. And I'm all on baord to leave the depression behind...even if means hurting on the inside but never shedding a tear in my powder pink shadow and violet mascara.

If Versace, Nanette Lapore, Dior were any indication of what's to come, then bright candy colors are inescapable. Each season's palette does get plucked off runways, after all. Check out how Donatella displayed her darling pieces with matching faces. Can't wait for new colors to get here so I can review them.

Images courtesy of Style

Hello, Bye Bye

Well well well, saying hello to something called Bye Bye is just unheard of. On the other hand, you may have heard of It Cosmetics. One of the most aMaziNg lines around, able to transform a random torsos into bikini ready abs and create cleavage where non existed before. The latest are two products that with my amazement, am totally blown away!

One is Bye Bye Pores Micro-Finishing Powder. It contains Vitamin K that reduces discoloration, anti-aging vitamns A, C & E and also includes line smoothing Hydro-Collagen. This paraben-free translucent powder finished off my makeup session yesterday morning. It truly helped on my forehead area, where it tends to be shiner.

But the spot light is on Bye Bye Under Eye. There was no doubt in my mind that this concealer would work. However, I was weary of the claim that there would be no caked up creasing after a few hours. I applied it at 9am and did not remove my face until 10:30 pm. The entire day went by with no trace of creasing and it just looked so natural! Hooray for Bye Bye Under Eye.

Bye Bye Under Eye was developed with leading plastic surgeons and include vitamin K as well. The more you use the concealer the more K gets into your skin and slowly reduces discoloration for good, over time.

It is also clinically proven to reduce puffiness, while the Hydrolyzed Collagen smooths out lines. I don't have a ton of lines around my eyes yet, but I do usually notice creasing after a few hours with other concealers. This was not the case with Bye Bye Under Eye.....it bears repeating. Here is a video for some more information. It comes in a shade for every skin tone. Visit www.itcosmetics.com to purchase!

Mascara Monday: Too Faced Lash Injection

Planning on those botox injections for the future is costly and time consuming. Save on the dough and the adDed sTreSs, by injecting some oomph and boosting your lashes instead (at least for now, to tide you over). This is perfect for those with blond or thinning lashes. Fully lashed girls are still welcome, though; Too Faced may talk about you behind your back, but doesn't discriminate!

Too Faced Lash Injection uses a 3D technology that individually plumps and stretches each lash to luscious perfection. It has never smudged on me and lasts the whole day. Pretty much sold everywhere, but I get mine at Sephora and sometimes online at toofaced.com

Custom Made MakeUp

That Etsy site seems to always have something fabulous up its sleeve. If you are in the search of mineral makeup that can be custom made or even a safer version of heavy Halloween makeup, check this out from Pink Quartz Minerals!

First

We like breakthroughs and we love those who raise the bar for the rest. Illuminare liquid mineral cosmetics is just that; leader of the pack! Founder Ruthie Molloy has paved the way for the rest by creating mineral makeup in liquid form - with SPF 21, that double both as foundation AND concealer.

I loved that the Extra Coverage stayed on all day and did not drip off my face. Most of all I loved being able to use it as a concealer under my recently (due to much late night callouping) dark circle stricken eyes. If you have not been using THIS, and have been out all night with little sleep, then cover up those circles and prep your beautiful face for makeup application with the same product. You will have the same results as me. Flawless.


The foundation/conceler that offers superior anit-aging protection agianst sun damage comes in three finishes:

Fantastic - A dewy meduim coverage that evens out skin tone and can be set with translucent powder for more of a matte look.

Ultimate All Day - This is an oil-absorbing and water resisting foundation that lasts ALL DAY even in the muggy weather. It will not disappear with perspiration and is perfect for water sports. I used it this week during our nevner-ending humidity festival here on the East Coast. It lasted all night.

Extra Coverage - A semi-matte finish aka...my favorite. It's great for blending in if you only have a few areas that need coverage, such as hyperpigmentation and redness.

Illuninare also has Blush, Mineral Lip Gloss and Eye Liner on their list of fab products. For a complete list of retailers click here. For more general information visit www.illuminarecosmetics.com

BECCA

I love a cult... 'Not the put your sneakers at the end of your bed in hopes of leaving the galaxy via suicide kind' I'm talking about cult favorites like Pulp Fiction and BECCA cosmetics. Founder of BECCA, Rebecca Morrice Williams, is a hot Aussie who has developed a line that is simple, innovatively packaged, and goes on smooth with a natural look.

BECCA Crème Eye Colour is what we're raving about here. And although it's flying-saucer shape is very appealing, it's meant to work in this galaxy - so keep your sneaks on and head out to Luxe BeautiQue or Prep Cosmetics for a selection of: Aishmertirne, Antique Gold, Bronze Gold, Graphite, Nickel, Patina, or Quartz.

I've been using the Graphite and am having a love affair with it, as it fits neatly inside my purse for touch-ups and looks more natural once applied. Applying with fingers gives you more control over how much your putting on and knowing that BECCA Crème Eye Colour glides on easily over foundation is a plus, not to mention that the Gold shades of Quartz or Bronze can double as face highlighters as well! BECCA also offers products for lips and and array of tools.

Visit www.beccacosmetics.com for the deets. And for an other one of my Aussie Fav's click here.

Pulse

I thought is was amazing enough back when Gillette arrived at the idea of a vibrating razor. Now Maybelline NewYork has followed suit with a motorized mascara. How's that for an M&M?

The brush pulses 100 times a second! My result was sexy lashes and now I know what it feels like for a man to buy a new power tool. Only instead of a toolbox made of tin, my tool goes into my purse and cute cosmetic case : )
Pass Go and collect information from www.Maybelline.com for more deets

Colors right on Target

If your on the East coast then your skies are probably gray. It's the brutal truth. Summer seems to have escaped the eastern seaboard. I for one am appalled and that's why I'm writing from Greece right now where the sun is shinning brightly. Oops didn't mean to brag. But here are some products to cheer you up and add color to your day! All are under 30 bucks: available at Target and Target.com

Supposing we can't all have our own make up artist at our side each day- What we can have is Napoleon Perdis's, go-to Make Up artist to the stars, Multi-Use palettes in an easy to carry compact, that will help u create an inspired look in no time. The Denim Set pictured below is just one of three that are available.
....and thinking about back to school or back to work (it's never to early to think about first impressions), Napoleon is not the only one with colors up his swanky sleeve. Pixi Beauty also has some goodies for you available at our favorite Mass Retailer. See blue energy and cocoa below.

Blue Energy

Coacoa

Jemma Kidd, the beauty that has graced many a magazine cover has a palette that will sexify your eyes. Personally I love batting my eye lashes when they are smokey.


All available at Target.com, I like to spice my summer up with affordable cosmetics and these fit the bill!

Cosmoholic

An addiction to Cosmopolitan magazine? Well not quite, but I do have a new addiction to Cosmoholic lipgloss/lipstick. My lip regimen is sort of ludicrous but a girls-got-to-do, what a girls-got-to-do. Normally, I first apply a natural lip balm, next a plumper, then a hint of color, then lip gloss, and then because I’m so insane I apply a sealer of shine. This Pandorific routine takes place several times a day.

So if you are one of those gals with a lip gloss in every crevice of your home, car, or school bag, or just equally obsessed with your pout....then listen up.


Comsoholic is perfect for every girl of every age! What is it???? It is lip gloss with color included. One step instead of two. (Err..I guess for me I can erase about three steps.) So you don’t need to get out the whole cosmetic bag to prepare you luscious lips.

The staple colors of Jody Cohen’s, the creator of Cosmoholic, paraben-free sassy line will not go out of style and is perfect when you are on the go. The gloss comes in a stylish cylinder tube with a built in brush applicator. Vitamin E is in the gloss to protect lips and sorry if you have a peanut allergy becuase macadamia nut oil is the specialty ingredient that provides moisture to your grin liner.

Cosmoholic comes in seven shades - I really like the glitzy Gold Digger, it’s clear with a bit of sparkle. Their other shades that come complete with personality are : Prudish Pink, Rock Star Red, Bossy Berry, Mysterious Mocha, Passionate Peach, and Promiscuous Pink.

For only $20 you can have a passionate pout full of personality too! You can purchase Cosmoholic online at www.cosmoholiconline.com

Here in Boston you can find the devine Cosmoholic line at several stores, see website for a complete list of locations but I will just mention that you can definitely get it at Crush Boutiqe 131 Charles St., Boston. Seriously, is there anything that Crush has in stock that is not fabulous? Most likely not. I feel like I write about them more then I check my facebook. Shout out to Crush!

Laszlo just got better

The wonderful Dr. Laszlo doesn't only deliver the highest quality skin care products: Erno Laszlo also has a full resume of make up goodies compliment his long list of celebrity followers.

My flava favs are the MULTI-pHASE BRONZER and the MULTI-pHASE BLUSHER. EspeCiALly the Bronzer... applied to brow bones, nose and cheeks it brings out the "sun kissed look" in all the right places. There are five hues in several shades to cook it up without actually sitting in the sun.
For more info visit www.ernolaszlo.com or drop into your nearest Neimans or Nordstrom

For the latest info on what's happening in fashion click here

Pure delight

UltraPure Cosmetics creates fabulous mineral based products. They are made without harmful chemicals such as dyes, fillers, parabens, carmine, bismuth oxychloride, or petro-chemicals in any formulations.

UltraPure Cosmetics is just what the Dr. ordered for those with sensitive skin, acned skin, rosacea conditions, or for those who have recently undergone plastic surgery. UltraPure Cosmetics is recommended by the National Rosacea Society and Dermatologists. And more importantly...ahem...I aprove as well. I'm a huge fan of the eye shadows since I tend to have a bad habit of rubing my eyes half way throuhg the day they usually turn red. Not so with Ultra Pure, my eyes are less irritable to begin with!

Ultra Pure Cosmetics have an array of foundations, eye shadows, and vegan lipsitcks. Visit www.ultrapurecosmetics.com for more information and to shop!

My own formula

Last year I was on the hunt for a cheap and easy liquid eyeliner for a trip. Born without a steady hand, the less liquidness the better. However I still love the liquid look. That's when I found Physicians Formula Eye Definer Felt-Tip eye marker.

It's basically like a pen so it won't ever accidentally drip onto your eye lid! The drug stores around my area have ceased to carry it but you can purchase it online for $6.95 at www.physiciansformula.com