Hit the Town with Nars

In my last post, I told you about Pure Matte Lipstick from Nars.  I just got more info from the good folks over at Nars on how to use their products to get some awesome looks.  Here's a fun celeb/fashion/beauty read for you to start your day:

To celebrate The Town’s debut in theaters with Rebecca Hall, Blake Lively, John Hamm and Ben Affleck, NARS highlights Rebecca’s looks from the film’s recent premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Venice International Film Festival. Created by Stephen Sollitto for NARS Cosmetics, below are details on what she wore!

Venice International Film Festival (September 4, 2010)

To complement her printed Prada dress during the day, Stephen kept the look pretty but simple. For her evening premiere, Stephen turned to Pure Matte Lipstick, taking her effortlessly from day to night and complementing her teal Vionnet dress.

Products used: Sheer Glow Foundation, Douceur Blush, Daphne Eyeshadow (on the outer corners), Coconut Grove Eyeshadow (“a brilliant brown” to line lids) and Red Square Velvet Matte Lip Pencil lightly dabbed onto lips. For her evening look, Stephen added a mix of two shades to her lips: Vesuvio and Terre de Feu Pure Matte Lipstick.

Toronto International Film Festival (September 9, 2010).

Stephen kept her black and red Yves Saint Laurent look “modern and monochromatic for a vibe reminiscent of Studio 54.”

Products used: Sheer Glow Foundation, Douceur Blush, Melusine Duo Eyeshadow (NEW for Holiday 2010! For now, try Daphne Eyeshadow in the outer corners for definition), and Larger Than Life Lengthening Mascara, and Tashkent Pure Matte Lipstick, “ideal for her sleek look.”

Reminder! To win a set of all 6 Pure Matte Lipstick shades, head to the Nars Facebook Page and take the Pure Matte-Inspired Dream Getaway Poll

Product Lust: Pure Matte Lipstick

There are some cosmetic companies that can seemingly do no wrong.  And Nars is one of those brands.  They always seem to have new products that are instantly lust-worth.  Their latest offering, Pure Matte Lipstick, is on my "must try" list and it's getting some rave reviews from A-listers. 

Here's what Dita von Teese had to say about it: “Matte red lips are always chic and also easy to keep in place! Right now I love Nars Pure Matte lipstick in Vesuvio which is the perfect classic cherry red,and Terre de Feu which is a beautiful rich burgundy for wintertime.”

Here's some info about the new matte lipstick:

Bright. Bold. Vividly Matte. This innovative, matte lipstick has intense, stay-true color so lips look lush and vibrant. An exquisitely blended formula strikes a perfect harmony between optimal color, an ultra-matte finish and hydration.

A super-rich, super-pampering, super-sexy lipstick in six sumptuous shades. Pure drama.

• Glides on effortlessly, without drag or resistance.
• Defying traditional long-wearing lipsticks, Pure Matte will not dry out lips
• Wild Mango Butter’s advanced moisturizing properties work to repair lips from dryness and scaling, leaving lips supple and soft.

Nars Pure Matte Lipstick is available online, for $25 per tube.  It comes in six awesome shades, each named for far off places (like Tonkin, Volga, etc.). If you want a chance to enter to win Pure Matte Lipstick, head over to the Nars facebook page.

Getting Health, Another Update

Me, Sept. 2010

In August, I mentioned that I'm currently on a health kick.  Although, to be honest, I am not sure I'd call it a "health kick."  That seems to imply that I'm just making temporary changes, and that's not the case. I've been working very hard on making changes, and in doing so I've noticed that I'm overhauling major aspects of my life.

I said I'd check in monthly to tell you how I've been doing on my quest to get healthy...to lose weight, to eat better, exercise, and adopt healthier habits.  Here's my latest update.  Since my August getting healthy update, I...

• Lost another 15+ pounds
• Have had to buy a lot of new clothes--my pants were falling off and almost everything in my closet is too big.  Go me!
• Continue to love exercise.  I generally exercise 5 to 6 times a week and I credit exercise to major changes in the shape of my body.  I can see the muscles in my arms bulking up (in a good way) and my leg muscles seem longer and leaner.

I feel good and eager to get out and do new things.  I'm still following the Weight Watchers program because...well...it works.  And I like that you can eat "normal" food and still lose.  My portion sizes have come way down and I don't feel like I'm deprived of anything.

I'm glad I'm finally waking up and paying more attention to food, to exercise, to how I respond to stress...to life in general.  It's amazing for me to look back on myself before committing to getting healthy--I feel like I was sleepwalking through my life.  Now that I am waking up and making changes, every day is an adventure...a chance to learn, to improve, to grow.  It's nice!

I'll give you another update next month.  Like I said, doing so makes me a little bit more accountable.  Also, if any of you are fighting the battle of the bulge or if you're also on a quest to get healthy, leave me a comment.  What's working for you?  What are your setbacks?  Leave me a comment and let me know--maybe we can all help each other in this journey!

Money, Money, Money...

My grandmother, Gaga, looking fabulous as always!

Gaga, my grandmother, used to say that if money (or lack there of!) was your only problem, you had no problems at all.  In some respects, I tend to agree with Gaga's sage words.  But when I'm trying to balance my checkbook or if I'm saving up for a large purchase, it seems like money is the only problem...and it's a big one. 

Anyway...

Last week, I had a poll where I asked you how much you spend each month on beauty products--and just products.  I didn't ask about hair cuts, nail care, facials, etc. 

Most people said they spend between $51-$100 a month on cosmetics/skin care products.  While that may not seem like a ton of money, over the course of a year, you'll spend $612 to $1200 to buy products to make yourself look pretty.  Again, that may not seem like a ton, but it does add up.  I wonder how much money a woman spends in her lifetime on lipsticks, eye shadows, etc....wait!  Maybe I don't want to know.

The amount of money I spend each month on products varies wildly.  Some months, it's well over $100.  Other months it's closer to $0.  You'd probably be surprised that I don't buy tons of beauty products and that I, a beauty blogger, sometimes feel like it's all just too much.  When I feel that way, I ask myself: do I really need another bottle of nail polish?  But then there are other times when I can't get enough--I have to have every new product hitting the market.  And I justify my purchases by considering them "research."  So sad.

But I digress--I'm glad to see that you aren't spending insane amounts of money on makeup.  In the long run?  I think you'd do better investing in Estee Lauder stock than buying Estee Lauder products.  What do I know?

Beauty Quote for a Crazy Week

Wow--this week has slipped by.  I don't know what I was doing, but apparently blogging was not a priority.  Sorry about that!  I'll get back to normal soon...once I get my head screwed back on straight.

I'm getting ready to head out for a long weekend at the beach.  Perfect way to spend the first weekend of fall, don't you think?  Here's a great quote to round out the week from the late, great, and always fabulous Kevyn Aucoin (oh, and since I love Tori Amos, I've included the photo above--all makeup done by Aucoin for Tori's Strange Little Girls):

“Beauty is about perception, not about make-up. I think the beginning of all beauty is knowing and liking oneself. You can't put on make-up, or dress yourself, or do you hair with any sort of fun or joy if you're doing it from a position of correction.”

The Finances of Beauty

Here's something I've been thinking about lately: How much money does the average person spend on beauty products (makeup and skin care products) each month?  I have no clue how much I spend...it seems to vary wildly.  Some months, I spend very little.  Other months, I revamp my entire beauty kit.  There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it.  And I have no idea if I am spending more or less than the average woman.

So...to try to get an idea on makeup spending, I thought I'd put a handy-dandy little poll on my site (I hope this works!).  It only takes a second to provide an answer, so click away!

How much do you spend each month on makeup/skin care products?
	Less than $25
	$25-$50
	$51-$100
	$101-$150
	$151-$250
	More than $250
Free polls from Pollhost.com

On another note: my blog updates may be sporadic this week.  For some reason, I'm feeling stressed out and writing is falling to the "I'll get around to it when I have time" category...and my time seems limited.  So hang in there with me...I'm still around even if I'm silent for a couple of days!

Do or Don't: Celebrity Endorsed Products

It seems like every time you turn around (or, I should say: every time you turn the page of a fashion magazine!) a new "celebrity" perfume hits the market.  Whether it's Sarah Jessica Parker's Lovely, Prince's Get Wild,  JLo's JLo Glow, or Miss Piggy's Moi, it seems like if you're a celebrity in any form, there's going to be a scent marketed with your name and face on it.  Because they're so prevalent...and because there's probably a ton of money involved in the celebrity fragrance world...it doesn't seem like the trend of celebs hawking scents is going anywhere anytime soon.

Recently, Total Beauty ran a piece about the best and worst celebrity perfumes.  The fave?  Hilary Duff's With Love (a scent I have in my collection--one that I actually kind of like!).  The worst? M by Mariah Carey.

Here's my question for you this week: does celebrity endorsement of a fragrance help or hurt?  Or does it depend entirely on the celebrity?  My take?  I normally shy away from celeb scents. I want to smell like classic, good things...like flowers, nature, woods, etc....I don't want to smell like Britney Spears, thank you very much.  I avoid celebrity perfumes and never really give them a chance.  I'd rather have the scent speak for itself without putting me in the "OMG, I'm a huge Gwen Stefani fan so of course I wear L.A.M.B." camp.

Ultimately, fragrance selection is hugely personal and who am I to judge? If you love, love, love Electric Youth (Debbie Gibson!), then rock on with your bad self.  Me?  I'll stick with my non-celebrity endorsed scents.

More Fall Trends!

As I mentioned yesterday, a new season means it's time to make some changes and to adjust your beauty routine to reflect the new season ahead. For whatever reason, it seems like the move into fall brings with it the most change...and it makes me want to update my beauty products and clothes more than at other season changes throughout the year.

No matter what season we're in, I think we all want the basics: glowing skin, kissable lips, rich hair color and perfectly styled strands.  Here are some tips and beauty buys to keep you looking effortlessly chic throughout the fall season from the folks over at Proctor & Gamble (don't laugh--they're the home of some of your favorite beauty products like Pantene, Cover Girl, and Olay!).

Hair Color
Variations of warm reds, red-auburns and strawberry will be the color looks of the season. Whatever your hair color, fall looks will be fresh - the days of visible roots are over! Get the vibrant fall color you want with Clairol Perfect 10. The AminoGlycine technology creates depth and dimension using high-gloss, high-shine color for flawless gray coverage in just 10 minutes. (No visible roots!  Ah!  I need to get to my salon ASAP!)

Hair Style
Flat hair is so last season! Fall is all about making a statement with your look – including your hair style. Boost strands to reveal ultimate volume and bounce with the NEW Pantene Pro-V Fine Hair Triple Action Volume Mousse. It is formulated to keep hair from falling flat, creating effortless volume by lifting at the root and extending through strands. (I could really use this stuff!  My hair has seemed a bit too flat lately...)

Skin
This season give your skin a fresh start and a firmer, younger look. The Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum is a super concentrated serum clinically proven to help firm skin’s appearance across three key zones – the face, neck, and décolletage after only five days. Containing Olay’s most concentrated amino-peptide complex, this hydrating serum is the perfect pre-makeup skin solution.  (I love Olay.  For me, they can do no wrong!)

• Insider tip from Olay Celebrity Makeup Artist Bruce Grayson: “Great makeup starts with great skincare. The key to prepping and hydrating the skin without overdoing it is using a product that’s powerful yet lightweight.”

Lips
Complementing all skin tones, sheer lipsticks in rose, pink, peach and beige will be seen this fall season. Soft color gloss will mimic nude lips and add fullness. COVERGIRL Outlast Lipstain gives lips a natural look and the innovative formula delivers precision application and color that lasts without the sticky, heavy layer of many traditional lipsticks. Lips feel bare and look beautiful – what more could a woman want from her lip color?  (I am currently on the hunt for a killer fall lip product and will happily accept any suggestions you want to throw my way!)

• Insider tip from COVERGIRL Celebrity Makeup Artist Molly R. Stern: “To achieve the perfect pout and smooth lips, start by exfoliating your lips with warm water and a wash cloth, then apply an emollient lip balm to deeply nourish lips throughout the night.”

Embrace Fall Colors Sephora

I LOVE the fall.  It's my absolute favorite season.  I love the weather, the way the trees change colors, and all the new fashion and makeup trends.  It's the best time of the year.

Now that summer has met its end for 2010, it's time to start easing into fall beauty trends. With the virtually unlimited product selection at Sephora, incorporating fall colors and fragrance is effortless!

Here's a selection of fall beauty must-haves available at Sephora:


Sephora Collection Colorful Palette in Kiss From 10 ($24) - Give the neutral eye a twist using this natural toned palette perfect for all skin complexions. The four shadows and matte liner featured are all formulated with a color-intensifying HIBOOST complex to ensure a look that lasts.

Sephora Advanced Lash Booster ($17) - The first lash booster mascara that doubles as a cosmetic AND treatment product. It works to improve the four most important lash characteristics - Length, Thickness, Fullness and Strength - for healthy, beautiful lashes.


Sephora Ultra Shine Lipgloss in Dazzling Violet ($14) -This lip gloss combines form and function with a new generation of “multi-holigraphic” shimmers, a special “ultra hydrating complex” to help stimulate hyaluronic acid synthesis in the lip, and an elegant, transparent tint that showcases the perfect shade of violet that will give lips an overall boost.

Sephora by OPI Nail colour in Just A Little Dangerous ($9) - Purple is the trend shade for fall. The dramatic eggplant purple will add an edge to any look.

Kat Von D Adora Eau de Parfum ($55) - This new fragrance from Kat Von D exudes a sensual and passionate aura with notes of lychee, boysenberry and thyme, the perfect mix for transitioning your scent to the new season.

Want Free Stuff from Revlon?

Lately, I've been telling you about a fun new site called Free Beauty Events. The site offers info on free makeovers, free samples and a chance to win beauty products in their monthly contest.

This month, they're having another great giveaway: a Revlon Beauty Package. For the month of September ten winners will win an assortment of Revlon products - Revlon Powder Brush, File-n-Smooth Nail File, Age Defying Concealer, Lipstick, Grow Luscious Mascara, and PhotoReady Foundation. Website visitors have until 9/30 to enter and winners will be chosen on 10/5/2010.    Head over to the Free Beauty Events Contest page for all the details and to enter.

Best of luck!

Fall Nails from Essie

I'm a bit late on this one, but I'm a nail color fanatic, so sue me!  Anyway, Essie's Fall 2010 Collection is out now and features six lovely new shades for us to paint our nails this season.  I must say: I like all six of these shades and think that they'd look great as we get into the cooler months.

Here are the colors:

• In Stitches: cheeky blush pink
• Limited Addiction: racy garnet red
• Sew Psyched: cashmere-soft sage pewter
• Merino Cool: sensuous autumn mulberry
• Velvet Voyeur: intense chocolate amethyst
• Little Brown Dress: beguiling black coffee

Essie nail polishes retail for $8.00 each.  What do you think of the collection?

Beauty Product of the Week: Boscia Luminizing Black Mask

What is it? Boscia's Luminizing Black Mask is, "A groundbreaking, mineral-rich "peel-off" mask that delivers powerful detoxifying, purifying, and brightening effects. This innovative treatment dramatically improves skin clarity, radiance, and texture. The unique peel-off action offers gratifying physical exfoliation—as you peel, you actively remove dirt, toxins, and dead skin layers. Exceptional deep-cleansing and exfoliation draw out impurities, bacteria, and excess oil, refining and minimizing pores. Recover smooth, even skintone as pre-existing melanin levels diminish, fading the appearance of dark spots. Inflammation, roughness, lines, and wrinkles fade, revealing younger-looking skin.

Formulated without parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, etc.

Contains powerful antioxidants that help prevent free-radical damage and work to counter lines, wrinkles, dryness, and dullness.

This product delivers best results when applied generously. Smooth on to create a dark black base on your skin and wait until completely dry before removing. Keep the product at least one inch from eyes." Available at Sephora for $34.

What did you think? The first and most important thing to know about this mask is that you have to put a THICK layer on for it to work properly.  You also have to be careful NOT to get it in your hair or anywhere near your eyes.  When I've used this, it initially makes my eyes burn.  I think it's the witch hazel.  Anyway, this burning is not strong and doesn't last long.  It makes my skin tingle and feel clean.  It doesn't feel unpleasant as it dries--some masks flake, feel hot, or tighten up as they set.  This one doesn't. You just leave it on 20 minutes or so and then peel when it's ready.

Peeling off a mask is so much fun!  I love the way that feels, and though it can be tricky to get this mask going, peeling it off is satisfying.  As I said, it leaves my skin feeling smooth, evened out, and cleansed.  I do find this mask to be messy, and I don't like needing to put so much on.  Oh well!

The final verdict?  I'm on the fence with this one.  While I did find it messy, I also liked the feeling of pulling the mask off.  My skin felt good after, but I am not entirely sure if was more luminous or not!

Do or Don't: Big Hair

I've been flipping through what feels like (and probably is!) thousands of pages of fashion magazines lately (thanks to all the September issues).  In my reading, I've been bombarded with trends for the fall and winter.  In one of the mags, they featured big hair. 

To get big hair, the magazine (I think it was Glamour) suggested boosting hair by doing the following:

• Add volume, carefully.  Instead of making hair wider or higher, pick just one.  They suggest going with wider hair if your face is long; higher hair if your face is round.
• Add width by making spirals with a curing iron, working from the bottom layers up.  Follow this by fingercombing and letting top hair fall flat.
• Add height by teasing the crown area with a fine-toothed comb.  Smooth out the front up and over the teased section--pin the sides back and spray.

If none of these work, I suppose you could always pick up a Bumpits.

So: what do you think of the big hair trend?  Is it something you would try out?  Or do you think it looks ridiculous?  Here's my take: I prefer the high look over the wide look, but I don't think I could personally rock either look.  Big hair can look cool on the catwalk and if done right for an event, but for every day?  Meh.  It's too fussy.

What do you think?  Leave a comment!

I'm A Sucker For A Palette!

Last month I gave you a list of super cute beauty products that are coming out this fall.  In looking over this list, it seems that I'm a sucker for a palette.  Then as I flipped through a few September issues, I noticed a lovely new palette from Estee Lauder: their Blue Dahlia Pure Color palette.


I am not usually a fan of blue eyeshadows, and I don't know if I'd actually wear any of the five shades included in the palette.  However, I find them to be just lovely.  If you're a fan of blue, check this out.  If you're like me and don't love blues, check out the Surreal Violet version--it includes five purple shades that rock.  Both the Blue Dahlia and the Surreal Violet palettes cost $42.

I always think of skin care products when I think of Estee Lauder.  In fact I don't think I've ever tried anything from Estee Lauder, apart from a tube of lipstick.  Still, this palette is lovely.  I can't wait to check these out in person.

Beauty Product of the Week: Naked Palette

What is it? Urban Decay's new Naked Palette, "features 12 eyeshadows that have a distinctly Urban look, yet work for everyone. These neutrals won't leave you naked. THIS is how Urban Decay does neutral: Far from boring, the Naked Palette includes 5 new shades (with names like Buck, Darkhorse, and Virgin) in addition to seven of the brand's most addictive best-selling eyeshadows. This is a shadow palette that everyone will want, everyone can use, and everyone will buy. Experiment with office-appropriate neutrals, summertime bronzy looks, or sultry smokiness (achieve golden, brownie, or grey-hued shade combos). Plus, you get an exclusive double-ended version of the award-winning 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero (black) and Whisky (a warm brown shade without sparkle) and a mini genie bottle of Eyeshadow Primer Potion. With all this at your fingertips you'll hardly need clothes at all."  Available at Ulta and Sephora for $44.

What did you think?  I picked up this palette after hearing way too much buzz about it...surprising since I'm not usually one to give into hype.  Also surprising because I am not the world's #1 fan of Urban Decay--I find their eyeshadows to be a bit too sparkly for me as a rule.  But this palette?  OMFG!  I love  it!

I wear neutral eyeshadows almost every day, so I love having so many options to pick from.  I also like that UD didn't include a winky-dink brush with the palette and instead threw in a double-ended eyeliner that, quite frankly, rocks.  Also nice is the added bottle of primer, a product I rarely use but one that's good to have on hand.

The final verdict?  Love it!  I love that there are so many colors to play with...and that UD included several non-glittery shades that are, as they mentioned, work appropriate.  I'm glad I gave into the hype and picked up this palette.  Give it a try for yourself!

Do or Don't: Fake Lashes

Something weird has happened: suddenly, everyone seems to be wearing fake lashes.  All the time.  You see women on TV and in movies with insanely long, thick, and amazing lashes.  Lashes that are obviously fake.  Whenever a mascara ad comes on, I have to laugh because the models lashes are so overdone.  You'd never get that look with mascara alone.

But it seems like the fake lash trend is not just for ads, tv shows or movies.  Now, when I'm at a special event (like a wedding) or out someplace fancy (the hubs and I go to the opera and theater whenever we can!), women are sporting very fake, very overdone lashes.  Even when I'm out running errands I see women with insane lashes.  Really?  Since when did going to Target require wearing false lashes?  Ugh!

Fake lashes are a trend I have a hard time with because I wear glasses.  Shocking, right?  I can't stand contacts and actually LIKE the way I look in glasses...I don't care if it's fashionable or not.  But for me, wearing fake lashes and glasses doesn't seem to work.

I do like the look of long, thick, healthy lashes.  I can also see why women would want to wear fake lashes at certain times.  But all the time?  It seems like a whole lot of effort to me.  I adore mascara and would be interested in some of the products to thicken (or "grow") natural lashes.

What do you think?  Are fake lashes so awesome that they should be worn all the time?  Just for special occasions?  Or not at all?  Let me know what you think!