Bring on Summer Baby!

It's finally somewhat warm and somewhat sunny! Sandals and beach trips are surely but a few short weeks away!

I don't know about you, but when the weather changes, my makeup game also gets antsy. And this season, I am relying on some tangerine dreams, an industry favorite and one amazing new kid on the beauty block.

Sephora Orange Pop blush: This looks a little bright in the pot, but once applied, gives a light, flattering, long lasting pop to cheeks. I was relying on rosy pink for so long and this provides a much needed, yet still natural jolt. 

Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Girls Just Want to Have Fun: I saw this color and had to have it. It's punchy, it's fun and it lasts. Lippmann's colors always go on smooth, opaque and are never clumpy. DEFINITELY worth the higher price tag!

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat: Loved by models, celebs, editors and makeup artists everywhere, this luminizing pen "brings light and radiance to the skin."  I have been without this gem for some time- hey, it's a bit difficult to justify the price tag- but I forgot how worth it it is. You really can SEE the difference. I was feeling and looking a bit tired (pregnancy problems!) and just a little swipe under the eyes after concealer changes the game. I even had a co-worker comment on how fresh I looked! Money well spent if you ask me.

Smashbox Full Exposure Waterproof Mascara: This new mascara offering is the JAM. I wasn't used to such a large brush, but once I figured out how to work with it (Tilt head all the way back! Start with the tip!), I loved the long, non clumpy, dramatic lashes it left me. Plus, it didn't even smear an inch after a good cry (again, pregnancy problems!). My new summer lash staple indeed.

Nail Down 2014's Easiest Beauty Look

What's that I hear? Ah, it's the death knell of nail art!

Goodbye tiny bowties! See ya later zig zags!

And for anyone without wizard hands and three hours to dedicate to painting your digits, the latest nail trend is a welcome reprieve.

A matte nail looks velvety, fresh and just plain cool. Plus, it's a freakin' snap to achieve. Just buy a matte top coat to create a matte nail with the endless colors you already have. There are many great, affordable options out there including Orly Matte Top and Essie Matte About You.

I received the latter for Christmas (shout out to Beth & Kyle! Woot!) and went to town with a vibrant purplely blue cheapie I've had forever. I applied a clear base coat followed by two coats of color and allowed those to dry. Then I added one topper of Matte About You (use two if you can see shine coming through). The results? Flat, matte and definitely different. Dig it!

The tools

In progress- two coats of color. Notice how shiny the polish normally is.

The three nails on the right have been matte-d.

Ta-dah! All done!

Essie Matte About You retails for $10, and is available at ULTA Beauty and other selected beauty and retail stores nationwide.

One Stuffed Stocking

Santa was exceptionally generous this year and 

filled my mantle-hung booty with all sorts of irresistible products!!

Check out what the big guy gifted me:

TIGI Dual Bronzer- This combo pack provides whatever you need on any given day! Feeling like you need a bit of bronze? Hit up the right side of this gem! Simply looking for a highlight to your cheek bones? Use the left! For a perfect, sunkissed glow, blend the two together!! This is a must have-especially during the winter when our skin lacks a bit of mother nature shed vitamin D.

Essence, Stay All Day Concealer-Santa really did think of everything!! I love this long lasting stick that hides my facial imperfections. It's easy application and beautiful blendability (is that a word? it is now!) make it a new key player in my arsenal of products!!

Lady Gaga, Fame- When she isn't belting out kick-butt pop and dance jams, abusing the piano in the best possible way, or rocking a meat-suit, Lady Gaga is designing perfumes! Contrary to popular belief, this is not a bottle of blood and semen scent, but rather a feminine fluid with notes of saphron, honey, and apricot!

Essence, Color & Go- Any super busy gal on the go who also loves a fresh manicure needs this polish in her life!! These cute little bottles of fun come in endless hues and really do provide a quick drying, professional finish.

Avon, Luxe Clutch Eyeshadow-This adorably packaged, mirrored compact contains 10 tempting shades of shadow, ideal for day or night! I plan to make this my go-to for eye lid hues at home or travel!

Essence-Stay All Day Long Lasting Eye Shadow-Santa knows I'm a hard working chick, who often puts in some long days, so this delicate yet powerful shadow is a must have to keep looking fresh faced throughout it all! I'm loving the shade "For Faries", but per the usual, Essence has an eye shadow in every flavor imaginable!

Deborah Lippman Discounts

Sheswai Nail Lacquer

Formaldahyde-, DBP-, & Toluene-free nail polish.
Thin enough to go on smoothly, but substantial enough to give good coverage.
The wooden bottletop is awesome, and I have a new nail polish love.

Stoked-- A blue somewhere between Tiffany's and robin's egg. This may sound ridiculous, but I swear it makes my fingers look longer & thinner.

Fersure-- Red! A deep cherry, can get to bordeaux with a few more coats. Such a rich red, so elegant.

Sonia Kashuk~Nail Polish in Starry Night

If you're looking to add a little something to your classic black manicure, you must get your paws on Sonia Kashuk's polish in Starry Night! Slap on two coats of this hue, and you'll find your digits donning the perfect black, with a subtle sparkle. This delicious color is just enough to make your claws feel extra special!

Borghese Rapido Fast Dry Nail Lacquer

First off, let me say, I LOVE this shade. It's not the shade here in the picture. It's a lovely, of-the-moment mint green. An oh so flattering shade on just about anyone. It dries in 60 seconds which is perfect for any on-the-go lady (aren't we all?). I put it on my toes last week and it's still looking shiny and minty. Adding it to my nail polish collection right now.

Sally Hansen~Crackle Overcoat

Have you tried this stuff yet??? For a while, I could not find this Sally Hansen product ANYWHERE!!! Paint Crackle Overcoat over your favorite hue of polish and watch as it almost magically dries into a two tone crackle finish! Try as many color combinations as you can fathom! Your nail look can go from gothic to girly, depending on what duo you choose! Watch out for off-brand copies of this product. Stick with Sally-she knows her stuff!!

Deborah Lipmann, nail genius

As much as I hate to think about impending fall (back to school= back to work), Deborah Lipmann has given us a Fall Collection that is, simply put, AWESOME!

• Billionaire: moody hunter green (creme)
• Brick House: shimmering rust (shimmer)
• Single Ladies: flirtatious red (creme)

She has also teamed up with designer Narciso Rodriguez for Stormy Weather. I think Lena Horne would have totally rocked it.

Get your digits ready for a new season

Loving the new spring/summer colors from Deborah Lippmann!

From Left to right: Girls Just Want To Have Fun, I Know What Boys Like, Yellow Brick Road, Lara’s Theme

• Girls Just Want To Have Fun– A smooth, vintage coral that everyone can wear because it’s bold yet velvety – a sort of carefree, creamy coral.
• I Know What Boys Like– A creamy periwinkle that credits to both the 80’s and my clients. Several of my clients have asked for interesting blues. This one is a blend of blue and purple with a creamy finish, which gives it a slightly retro look that is so playful and hip.
• Yellow Brick Road, a sheer mellow yellow with a jelly finish. The proof that it wears beautifully on all skin tones: it complements me and Lady GaGa, who wore it first for her “Born This Way” performance at the 2011 Grammy Awards
• Lara’s Theme was created with supermodel Lara Stone is Deborah Lippmann’s newest celebrity collaboration. It’s a dare to wear shade of hot-hot orange

JESSICA Nail Colour in Coquette

Although I'm not the coquette-type, this polish color is my new obsession.

I am all about gray, except in my hair.

Can't wait to put it on, although am enjoying just looking at the picture...

JESSICA always makes a fabulous product!

Prabal Gurung for Everyone

Super Lux designer Prabal Gurung (see Rachel Weisz in one of his gorgeous dresses) is working with Sally Hansen and Belvedere Vodka!

Even the New York Times is excited about this!

I love it when I can afford a top designer!

Sula Paint and Peel Nail Color

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2011

Click Here

The Dove color is fabulous and very of the moment. I was geeked to open it and find out it didn't smell horrible either. I did 3 coats and then the top coat. I waited for about 7 minutes to do much of anything with my hands. Alas I reached for something and a few of my nails smudged and peeled instantly. The packaging said the color should last about 2 days. I'm disappointed but will admit that peeling the polish off was sort of wonderful.

JESSICA Muse collection

From creamy caramel to scarlet red, celebrity trendsetters including Drew Barrymore, Jessica Alba and Sandra Bullock have nailed the hottest manicure trends.

With the JESSICA Muse collection, you too can get the look just like your favorite Hollywood starlet!

Perfect with her complexion and hair hue, Jessica Alba lacquers her

tips

in a creamy caramel color.

Get the look: JESSICA Nail Colour in Bittersweet ($7.50)

Drew Barrymore adorns her nails in a modern mauve shade. This soft purple color is perfect to

complete any outfit – even a sparkly sequin top like Drew’s!

Get the look: JESSICA Nail Lacquer in Intrigue ($7.50)

Add a hint of glamour to a casual look by wearing pure red nail polish as seen here on Sandra

Bullock. The bright pop of color adds the finishing touches to her ensemble.

Get the look: JESSICA Nail Lacquer in Scarlet ($7.50)

Jessica Cosmetics, Custom Nail Polish

This nail polish junkie was recently given the opportunity to indulge in sampling several bottles of natural, custom nail color by the infamous Jessica Cosmetics. Jessica's philosophy is based on the realization that just like our skin, hair, and at times perhaps; our sometimes slightly irrational emotions, nails have individual special needs. Jessica Cosmetics identifies nails by type and has created precise products to treat and correct each type.
In addition to this nail product's super, sweet, science technology, their color paints on thick and smoothly, only requiring a coat or two, and dries in a reasonable time frame-good if like me, you often find yourself touching up your self manicure in the car, on your way to dinner.

After a summer of neon or ocean blue nails, I personally got really excited about a few of Jessica's softer tones. This fall is all about "greige", or gray-beige, and I found it's shade family members "Intrigue", "Victorian Crush", and "Bittersweet" just as toasty and comforting.

Reason 10million-32 why I love Sephora

Sephora by Opi presents Just a Little Bit Dangerous, part of the new Rocker Chic Collection.

It's like a violet gone metal.

Beautiful.

I am eagerly & impatiently anticipating my Sephora getting it!

Sally Hansen Nail Color Pen

From brownsquared:

I am a girl who will never be caught with naked nails. So on the day that I was introduced to Sally Hansen's Nail Color Pens, I knew my life would never be the same. It is very rare to find a life-changing product, and for me, Sally has done it. I paint my nails regularly and am a busy, busy lady, so the ease of these pens and the super-quick dry time of this color has made my life easier and prettier. Nail Color Pens come in every cool Sally Hansen color and are a a convenient, easy, and fast way to keep nails looking amazing on the go!

One tip: treat this nail color just like any polish bottle, as the pump-and-paint action can sometimes spray a rouge splash or two. So, keep your nail polish remover and cotton balls handy!

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure

No time to get a mani/pedi? No worries! Sally Hansen has created a line of nail polish that combines all 5 steps of a manicure in one simple bottle. This great little bottle contains a base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, color, & top coat. I love the brush; it makes application easy. The other bonus is that it dries fairly quickly and doesn't chip easily. There are 42 fun colors to choose from. I tried (and loved): Yellow Kitty, Haute Chocolate, & Wine Not. Yellow Kitty is fun, bright and different from any other color I have ever tried. Not used to it quite yet, but I have gotten several compliments. Haute Chocolate is a rich brown color great for special occasions or every day wear. Finally, Wine Not is a fun and flirty deep color perfect for summer. How could it get any better?!

Sula Paint and Peel Nail Polish

It's true, you can peel this right off when you are bored!!!

Totally my new favorite hobby;)

Novelty aside, Sula has made a low-to-no odor polish.

Goes on easily, nice coverage with one coat.

Color deepens with subsequent coats, but stays true.

No freakish over-shine!

I tried Tango (from the Bright Collection) and Teal (from the Rich Trio).

Teal is a great spring/summer color. Nicely blue.

Tango is a strong red-orange, sort of a deep coral.

I'm a little obsessed.

Tip: Don't paint before you take a hot shower & wash your hair. Not that anyone is silly enough to do that, but sometimes the mornings are not great for rational decisions...

Lippmann Collection Contest!

Lippmann Collection is celebrating their 10 year anniversary next month!

To kick off the celebration, they are giving away a $50 gift certificate to every 10th customer who makes a purchase on www.lippmanncollection.com on September 1, 2009.

The promotion only lasts one day so act fast!

To commemorate this milestone, fashion manicurist to the stars Deborah Lippmann created a limited-edition collection of glitz and glamour shades available for just $35.