One of the things I tend to do after a birthday is start asking myself what still works and what doesn't. Without proper warning, I engage friends in deep conversations (usually about me…and usually when they're in places like doctors' waiting rooms or supermarket check out lines). I also start cleaning out drawers and closets.
Today I tried on a blouse to see if I still like it. I don't.
I know that a blog about makeup and skincare should generally stick to discussing…um… makeup and skincare; but every now and then something else pops into my head right before it’s time to discuss products. (But just so you won’t worry; I still have plans to tell you how fabulous today’s hair care items are.)
The reason I’m rambling about a blouse right now, though, is because buying it was kind of a turning point. It was the first thing I’d bought in a long time that made me feel pretty (and a little bit sexy). Before then, I had spent a long time hiding out from the world; and when I tried on that blouse (and actually bought it); it seemed like I was telling myself to step out of my comfort zone. When I finally wore it to work (and got compliments); it felt like something was beginning to change. It seemed like a huge step at the time. Since then, my life has opened up more than I ever dreamed possible; and it feels like the coming year will bring even more miracles.
Seeing that piece of clothing in my closet used to give me a happy jolt. But lately it’s just been sitting there and I’ve barely noticed it. And it no longer fits (literally or figuratively). That makes me a little sad; but I know that it’s time to appreciate it, then let it go and make room. I have a lot of decisions coming up about relationships, singing, writing, and things I want to deepen or change. I hope that a year from now I look back on another twelve months of amazing transformations (both in my closet and in my heart).
Did you think I forgot this was a beauty blog? Ha - I most certainly did not!
One of the more noticeable transformations in the works is my hair. Right now, letting my hair grow long again feels a little bit like re-igniting a spark. More importantly, it feels like a tangible commitment (as well as a surrender) to growth, openness and change. It also reminds me that however new-agey, touchy-feely and abstract I get, there are still practical matters to think about. Which leads me to a pair of extremely practical (and wonderful) products from Moroccanoil.
Moisture Repair Shampoo
Blurb: Cleanses while infusing hair with argan oil, keratin, fatty acids, proteins and other nutrients. Creamy lather helps repair chemically treated hair. Leaves hair soft, shiny and full of body. Improves hair’s overall health. Safe for color treated hair. Paraben, sulfate and phosphate free.
Moisture Repair Conditioner
Blurb: Gently detangles and reconstructs hair while infusing it with argan oil, keratin, fatty acids and protein. Helps restore moisture. Repairs damaged and chemically treated hair. Conditions hair back to its natural health. Safe for color treated hair. Paraben, sulfate and phosphate free.
There are a lot of reasons to love this shampoo and conditioner. For starters, the lovely fragrance and rich texture make washing my hair feel like a luxurious, pampering experience. I love that both contain argan oil, protect my color, and have a list of ingredients that support long-term resilience.
What I love most, though, is how soft, shiny and conditioned my hair feels. Even in the July humidity; my hair is pretty and manageable – and the frizz is calmed. The shampoo cleans well, and adds nourishing oils back without any heaviness. The conditioner instantly detangles and makes my hair shiny and soft. It even works well as a leave-in. I get both silkiness and bounce!
Take a browse on the website and look at some of the products and recommendations. There’s also special promotions page, a page of events, and the locate a salon feature.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
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(ftc disclosure: sample/product received from manufacturer or representative)
Today I tried on a blouse to see if I still like it. I don't.
I know that a blog about makeup and skincare should generally stick to discussing…um… makeup and skincare; but every now and then something else pops into my head right before it’s time to discuss products. (But just so you won’t worry; I still have plans to tell you how fabulous today’s hair care items are.)
The reason I’m rambling about a blouse right now, though, is because buying it was kind of a turning point. It was the first thing I’d bought in a long time that made me feel pretty (and a little bit sexy). Before then, I had spent a long time hiding out from the world; and when I tried on that blouse (and actually bought it); it seemed like I was telling myself to step out of my comfort zone. When I finally wore it to work (and got compliments); it felt like something was beginning to change. It seemed like a huge step at the time. Since then, my life has opened up more than I ever dreamed possible; and it feels like the coming year will bring even more miracles.
Seeing that piece of clothing in my closet used to give me a happy jolt. But lately it’s just been sitting there and I’ve barely noticed it. And it no longer fits (literally or figuratively). That makes me a little sad; but I know that it’s time to appreciate it, then let it go and make room. I have a lot of decisions coming up about relationships, singing, writing, and things I want to deepen or change. I hope that a year from now I look back on another twelve months of amazing transformations (both in my closet and in my heart).
Did you think I forgot this was a beauty blog? Ha - I most certainly did not!
One of the more noticeable transformations in the works is my hair. Right now, letting my hair grow long again feels a little bit like re-igniting a spark. More importantly, it feels like a tangible commitment (as well as a surrender) to growth, openness and change. It also reminds me that however new-agey, touchy-feely and abstract I get, there are still practical matters to think about. Which leads me to a pair of extremely practical (and wonderful) products from Moroccanoil.
Moisture Repair Shampoo
Blurb: Cleanses while infusing hair with argan oil, keratin, fatty acids, proteins and other nutrients. Creamy lather helps repair chemically treated hair. Leaves hair soft, shiny and full of body. Improves hair’s overall health. Safe for color treated hair. Paraben, sulfate and phosphate free. Moisture Repair Conditioner
Blurb: Gently detangles and reconstructs hair while infusing it with argan oil, keratin, fatty acids and protein. Helps restore moisture. Repairs damaged and chemically treated hair. Conditions hair back to its natural health. Safe for color treated hair. Paraben, sulfate and phosphate free.There are a lot of reasons to love this shampoo and conditioner. For starters, the lovely fragrance and rich texture make washing my hair feel like a luxurious, pampering experience. I love that both contain argan oil, protect my color, and have a list of ingredients that support long-term resilience.
What I love most, though, is how soft, shiny and conditioned my hair feels. Even in the July humidity; my hair is pretty and manageable – and the frizz is calmed. The shampoo cleans well, and adds nourishing oils back without any heaviness. The conditioner instantly detangles and makes my hair shiny and soft. It even works well as a leave-in. I get both silkiness and bounce!
Take a browse on the website and look at some of the products and recommendations. There’s also special promotions page, a page of events, and the locate a salon feature.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
.
(ftc disclosure: sample/product received from manufacturer or representative)
Blurb: Foundation Primer is a lightweight, creamy gel meant to be used prior to foundation, creating an invisible layer that acts as a buffer to outside elements. The colorless gel leaves makeup looking fresh and colour-true the entire day. Ideal for normal and combination skin. Vitamins A, C, and E act as antioxidants and protect the skin from harmful, aging effects of the environment.
Blurb: The perfect solution for those on the go! Lather up with Shower Fresh Bath & Shower Gel. Then layer on Shower Fresh Soft Body Lotion for freshly-scented, smooth & hydrated skin. Use the puff to lightly dust Original Moisture Absorbent Fresh Body Veil to stay dry all day long, even under a silk blouse. Then sprinkle in the Original Dry Shampoo on the days you don’t have time to wash and blow dry your hair! The light soapy shower fresh scents layer perfectly.
Just log on to the VEET Facebook page (at 
MASTER TIP BEFORE YOU DIP: Swimming in chlorinated water is a big concern for blondes as the water has the tendency to turn blonde locks into shades of green. Add extra protection to your hair before taking a dip by mixing a combination of water with a leave-in conditioner like Privé's Leave-in Treatment. Mix in a small spritzer bottle you can tote in your beach bag and spray on hair while lounging poolside to minimize the absorption of damaging chemicals in chlorinated water.
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Blurb: Eyeshadow that makes eyes come alive. Versatile 5-color palette allows you to play with intensities, mix and blend shades, express different attitudes-soft to bold. Holds 5 varying color intensities and finishes: matte, satin, shimmer or metallic. The highlighter is the magic touch. Use it to brighten the look and widen eyes instantly. The deepest shade structures and defines the eyes. Ophthalmologist-tested and Fragrance-free.
I've been branching out and trying some new things, which means a bunch of new people have come into my life this year. Even with all the adjustments (and awkwardness) that comes with meeting new people; this has been one of the most exciting years of my life. And I suspect this is just the beginning. One thing I've learned this year, is how much I still have to learn…and how much fun it can be to do things differently.
In addition to all of the caring and sharing, there's been a heck of a lot of fun. I had a surprise party on the weekend! And it was an actual surprise! I'm pretty good at sensing when something is up; but my friends managed to keep everything under wraps (literally) until the minute they yelled "surprise!" And the dear, dear person who planned it all thought of ingenious ways to divert my attention at the right moments.
(This picture features the design, but in a different color scheme – mine is bordered in red, with a green background instead of gold.)
MmmmWAH to you, my adorable scarfy friend! I'm wearing it tied today, but here I have it draped around my shoulders. When the weather gets cooler, I can spread it out a little more.
I also got a really pretty rainscarf – perfect for the ridiculous thunderstorms that have been showing up all of a sudden!
Peace and happy days to all of you!
The blues and purples in the collection are iconic colors for autumn and winter. I like to give women choices in the way that they look. From a neutral to a smoky to a fashionable, strong look, these shades can be used with them all. – Tom Pecheux, Creative Makeup Director, Estée Lauder
Highlight and illuminate your eye look with four new shades of Pure Color EyeShadow in Twilight Rose, Sepia Sand, Enchanted Meadow and Emerald Star for a standout pop of color.
Super Chic, Luxe Shades For Nails: Complement lustrous lips with perfectly polished nails in mythical shades. Estée Lauder’s Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Blue Dahlia and Surreal Violet perfectly pair with the collection to finish off nails and toes in dramatic, fearless color.
Dynamic Complimentary Shades For Lips: Give your pout a punch of color with a deep berry shade of Pure Color Gloss or Pure Color Gloss Stick in Midnight Bloom.
Blurb: The TrimStyle razor is a great two-in-one razor: a shaving cartridge with four ultra-thin blades on one end and a waterproof, battery powered bikini trimmer on the other. The trimmer has an adjustable comb which gently guides the hair toward the trimmer blade to achieve desired hair length (a choice of three length settings), and can also be removed completely for an even closer trim.
Blurb: Add some color and fun to your shaving with your favorite Skintimate Signature Scents Moisturizing Shave Gel. These moisturizing shave preps come in six enticing fragrances that have 11 moisturizers, vitamins, an antioxidant to replenish your skin’s natural moisture and a burst of fruity freshness.
Blurb: In just 2 minutes, this nourishing creamy mask improves the condition of dry, dehydrated hair. With the appeal of a light refreshing fragrance this formula helps replenish hydration and detangle hair leaving it silky-smooth and shiny without weighing it down. Fortified with exclusive Ojon® oil, an ancient native secret to naturally beautiful hair from Central America’s Tawira tribe, known as "the people of beautiful hair.™" Enriched with 9 exotic oils and butters (Murumuru Butter, Shea Butter, Mango Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Babassu Seed Oil, Passion Flower Oil, Jojoba Oil, Sesame Oil, Avocado Oil) that infuse directly into the hair shaft to condition and nourish dry, dehydrated hair. Each of these oils is carefully selected for their high content in essential lipids. These lipids mimic the ones naturally present in hair.
No need to actually be a good person. Who’s got the time for that nowadays anyway! Urban Decay’s Good Karma Brushes are high performance, artist-quality, cruelty free, vegan, and eco-friendly! Each brush comes encased in a magnetic box fashioned out of recycled egg cartons, and embossed with the Urban Decay logo in purple foil. The super-soft synthetic brush hair (doesn’t hold on to stinky bacteria the way porous animal hair does…gross) is made from recycled PET bottles, and the sleek gunmetal brush handles are recycled aluminum. Tell your Birkenstock wearing, granola eating, non-carbon footprint leaving boyfriend to put that in his pipe and smoke it!
Custom designed by Urban Decay, Urban Lash offers false lashes suitable for any and every situation, whether you’re accidentally seducing an elder Republican, or at home dancing in your underwear with a fan blowing your hair back a la Demi Moore in Striptease. Varying styles and widths (1/4, 3/4, and full) so easy an eight year old could put them on, will boost your confidence and add as much or as little drama to your lash life as you please. The 18 different styles offer up a wide range of different and beautiful lashes…most are everyday wearable! The handmade, cruelty-free, synthetic fibers make each pair affordably guiltless. Every ornate, little box comes with latex-free adhesive in a bottle with a built in applicator wand, ensuring no lash or glue snafus and total peace of mind.
Office-appropriate and smoldering all at once, our long and lean Naked Palette houses 12 eyeshadows, including 7 of our best-sellers (Gunmetal, Half Baked, Naked, Sidecar, Sin, Smog, and Toasted) and 5 new saucy shades (Buck, Creep, Darkhorse, Hustle and Virgin). Matte, shimmer, satin, or sparkle, we’ve upped the ante with these essential shadows. And as if that wasn’t enough, our sleek chocolate brown velvet box features gold foil detail complete with a mirror, plus we’ve included a never-before-seen, exclusive, double-ended version of our award winning 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero (black) and Whiskey (a rich brown new shade similar to Bourbon, without the sparkle). Also included is an essential, travel-size Eyeshadow Primer Potion. We’ve gone all in…it’s your turn to take it all off!
Satisfying all of my Vegan beauty needs in one fell swoop, the Vegan Palette is an affront to myself, and the rest of my whiny vegan brethren, because now we have NOTHING to complain about! Boasting six best-selling vegan eyeshadows, travel sizes of Sin Eyeshadow Primer Potion and Zero 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, this palette leaves me speechless, and gorgeous! Featuring saturated colors, Minx, Urb, and Gunmetal, alongside sexy neutrals Twice Baked, Smog, and Half Baked, this slim palette even appeals to the carnivores among us (you don’t want to be fighting HER for the last one on the shelf!).
Our luxe mint-flavored formula is laced with Maxi Lip, a key collagen boosting ingredient that moisturizes and actually plumps lips an average of 40% when used daily for a month! Being an addict has never looked so lovely.
Best Beauty Looks for Summer Music Festivals: 
I also got a yummy collection of nail polish colors for Summer: 
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Blurb: A botanical rich, oil-free, tinted moisturizer provides sheer, natural coverage to minimize the appearance of minor flaws and imperfections while letting the natural beauty of skin shine through. Unique, water-free formulation utilized Stabilized Bamboo Sap in lieu of distilled water for improved skin vitality. Ideal for all skin types, even Sensitive or Oily. Available in 4 shades.
Happy summer! With more fun in the sun, packing lightly and staying smooth is as necessary as ever. Schick and Skintimate want to help you stay prim and proper – even with the summer heat!
The Skintimate Moisturizing Cream Shave for Dry Skin locks in moisture that you can instantly feel. It’s a non-aerosol, luxurious cream shave with unique technology that creates a moisture-locking barrier on skin to protect and seal in moisture. The bonus for your skin? It’s enriched with moisturizing Olive Butter, Soy, and antioxidant White Tea.
In 2002 I was diagnosed with breast cancer, the same disease that took my mother's life. Fortunately, I was treated and made a full recovery, but I vowed to never let recovery be the end of my battle.
Blurb: Eww! Take one big whiff of Hand and Foot Cream - and you know this works. Grandma’s highly, aromatic Camphor is so potent you can feel it’s going to work hard while it provides an immediate cooling sensation that alleviates discomfort . This is your prescription for chapped, calloused, dry, rough hands and feet. An intensive treatment to soothe, soften, protect, and deeply nourish the skin.
Our stable formula Vitamin C serum contains 12% Ascorbic Acid to create a topical formulation that provides more than twenty times the Vitamin C typically found in the skin. This powerful antioxidant is combined with Aloe Vera, Algae Extract and Orange Oil to fight free radicals, stimulate collagen production and aid in cellular repair.
Naomi Watts seems to keep getting more beautiful. At the premiere of Salt last night she looked beyond fabulous as she wore a shorter, dramatic new blunt bob with layered side-swept bangs. Inspired by the lines of the metallic strapless Gucci mini-dress that Naomi wore, stylist Robert Vetica created a sleek look that referenced 60's British pop and a Studio 54 vibe refined by a soft, natural mood.
All eyes were on Angelina Jolie at the international press junket for her highly-anticipated film, "Salt," in Cancun, Mexico today.
Forty years after the closing of Dr. Erno Laszlo’s original Institute on Fifth Avenue in New York, a new Erno Laszlo Boutique in London’s Covent Garden has opened, promising the same unrivalled treatment and service that gained the Doctor the trust of some of the most beautiful women in the world.
If you want to experience the same attentive care and photo finish results as the great Greta Garbo or attain the beauty secrets of the untouchable Marilyn Monroe, then this London beauty oasis is the place to be. In sync with the heritage of the brand and improved with all the contemporary additions to the line, the Erno Laszlo London Boutique has everything a modern, sophisticated beauty could ever desire.
Blurb: Long wearing color in a cream base that allows for effortless application and ultimate control. Provides intense color for precision lining, blending or a lash thickening effect. Small, easy-to-use brush included.
Up to 70% Off Summer Sale ends July 22nd
On Thursday, July 22nd Estée Lauder will kick off its largest sampling program to date – America’s Night to Repair. To anniversary the success of last year’s first annual America’s Night to Repair, for 4 synchronized hours – from 5:00pm – 9:00pm (all local times) – Estée Lauder Beauty Advisors will be distributing a total of 360,000 deluxe samples.
Borghese’s annual online Summer Savings One Day Sale will be taking place tomorrow, Wednesday July 21st, 2010. Use the promo code SUMMER30 for 30% off YOUR ENTIRE borghese.com purchase. The promotion will be running from 12:01am EST to 11:59pm PST.
- 1st ever non-aerosol mousse!!
- Perfect for textured beachy waves for women, matte styling for men and short hair, and intense volume for everyone.
