redken sheer straight

About 3 weeks ago I stumbled across this product from Redken...Sheer Straight. Which is a lightweight straightening gel for fine hair.

It is suppose to add touchable smoothness to fine hair, weightless feel won't leave hair flat or lifeless, helps protect from heat damage, and features something called Straight-Out Complex. The Straight-out Complex provides lasting smoothness while caring for hair and has proteins help build internal strength and support to reinforce the hair's structure. And also features coconut and olive oils, which help condition and moisturize for flawlessly soft, shiny locks. As a result, the hair is amazingly straight and frizz-free.

I haven't always been a huge fan of Redken. There have been a couple products here and there that I enjoy, but for the most part the line seems too heavy for my hair. I saw that this was specific for fine hair and also helps protect against heat damage which I need desperately since I blowdry almost everyday and usually flat iron some section just as often.

To use this product, first I towel dry my hair and then apply some volumizing something or other to my roots and then I apply a small amount of the Sheer Straight just to the ends - actually from my ears, down to the ends. Whatever is left in my hands I run through the rest of my hair since I have little baby flyaways and layers. And then blowdry, and flat iron if I need. First, the smell is lovely. It's like a high-end salon product smell. I have noticed my hair is straighter, with less crazy flyaways. The other little tip I will pass on, is that a little goes a long, long way. And if you end up using too much, you will have that nice overdone, slick look going on.

Check out redken.com for more info. The Sheer Straight sells for around $12-$13, depending on where you can find it. I know Ulta carries it.

Christine

what i'm loving...lola by marc jacobs

Hello from the land of diapers and spit up.

How's it going in your neck of the woods darlings?

Well I'm finally back from being out of town. Big L's dad passed away earlier in the week, so we had to leave immediately for that (really devastating and totally unexpected...still can't really talk about it....LOVED that man).

Christine's been hella sick and basically I'm sooooo over this whole season right now. It's officially going down as the worst summer on record...save for the birth of little e, our daughter.

Being it's a Saturday and I'd much rather chat about a couple of things I'm loving lately, here's a couple of things I'm dying over.

First up...

The Rebecca Minkoff "Knocked Up" Bag ($695). I am loving this for a myriad of reasons...one of which is the name, could you just die over it?

The second of which is the fact that it's a diaper bag with full on baby necessities...coated canvas interior, stroller straps, changing pad and baby-friendly compartments.

Plus it doesn't have some corny-ugly pattern all over it, it's leather, and it can leave you looking all chic and whatnot.

The only problem?

Well, there's 695 reasons why I won't be getting this anytime soon, but a girl can dream can't she?

Moving on...Marc Jacobs Lola Eau de Parfum ($85 for 3.5 oz) is something that I'm so ready to buy for fall. It has notes of pear, peony, and rose...with hints of warmth that make it cool weather perfect.

I sprayed it on while the whole fam was visiting Nordies recently and Big L was ga-ga over the scent.

So that definitely makes it a winner in my book.

The ridiculously adorable bottle with the flower on top just clinches the deal...does it not?

Try nordstrom.com to purchase.


Jennifer

5 minutes, 5 questions with anthony barrow

In light of the fact that we've both been majorly MIA these past few weeks, somehow we were lucky enough to score an interview with Avon Fashion Week hair stylist Anthony Barrow.

Anthony is a five-time British Hairdresser Awards finalist. He's a regular at New York Fashion Week and the London ready-to-wear shows.

He recently appeared on Bravo's Make Me a Super Model (which I totally love since they got rid of the incredibly blah Niki Taylor) and is known for his innovative styling and his work with A-list celebrity clients!

Anthony took some time out of his uber busy schedule to answer some questions and here's the result...


What are the hottest hair trends for Fall?

This season is all about loose hair with great texture and movement. Take the path of least resistance and celebrate your natural look. If you aren’t loving the final look, find the right styling products to help.



Can you tell our readers how to achieve the sleekest and sexiest looks step-by-step at home?


One look I am loving for Fall is natural waves. It’s also a look that’s very easy to achieve at-home.

1. Start by using a towel to remove any excess water from your hair. Blow dry hair until it’s just slightly damp.
2. Divide hair into a few sections and apply a pea size amount of Advance Techniques Shaping Gel to each section of hair. Next, twist each section and secure to the top of your head with a bobby pin. Leave in for about 30 minutes or until hair is dry.
3. Remove the twists and run your fingers through each section to tousle the pieces. You can set the style with the Advance Techniques Hair Spray.



What products and tools are essential to create these styles?

The Advance Techniques Shaping Gel is essential to enhance the hair’s natural wave and unique texture. Advance Techniques Hair Spray is a great tool to set the style in place. Bobby pins are also an inexpensive tool to help you create detail.


How can I repair summer hair damage?

At home, the Advance Techniques Moisture Sleek Collection is a great way to restore the lost moisture from the Summer. In salon, Cutler offers Keratin Treatments that repair summer damage for up to four months.


How do you recommend women prepare their hair for Fall?

It’s the little things that can make big changes for the hair. Use warm, not very hot water, when washing the hair. Hot water may be drying to the scalp and hair. Give your hair a break from the blow dryer and flat iron and let your hair air dry to reduce styling damage.


To find out more about the products mentioned in the interview, check out avon.com.



Jennifer

new mac collections

So, here's the deal.....again. I got home on Sunday after a week in Florida visiting my parents. Friday night before we left for our 2 day, 15 hour road trip home, little MJ woke up around midnight with a raging fever and cough...any who has ever dealt with croup knows what happened for the next 3 days. He went to bed at 8 p.m. and woke up every night at midnight and was up until 5 a.m.. He finally slept in Monday night, but the hubby and I now have whatever viral crap he had. So sickness on top of 3 nights of no sleep make me want to cry but mostly stay in bed.

And you may be wondering about Jenn's whereabouts. Well, she is doing better from her sickness last week, but she has had a death in the family and is currently out of town dealing with all of that. So, it's been a weird couple of weeks to say the least. I'm going to try to post the rest of the week, but depending on how the sickness works out it may not be every day.

So...back to beauty news.... I have had info on the last 5 or 6 MAC collections that I keep meaning to put up here, but something always seems to come up. There is one that I want to talk about real quick only because I was literally just talking about this with my parents, while I was drooling over there new fancy HD flatscreen TV. I noticed how horrible some of the guys looked on preseason football and when my dad would switch to a non-hd channel, you totally couldn't tell this one guy had bloodshot eyes and wrinkles all over the place. And I was saying how now makeup companies are coming out with HD worthy makeup.

And what was waiting for me in my inbox when I got home?

Info on MAC's new In High Def Collection. The new Collection consists of 4 lipstick shades, Mineralize Skinfinish, and Body and Face Foundation. The whole idea behind HD makeup is to blend, blend, blend so it looks like you have nothing on but still look fabulous. Any little cakey spot or line is going to show and that's a big no-no.



LIPSTICK
Close To Real Light neutral peach pink (Lustre)
High Def Mid-tone neutral coral (Amplified)
Sharp Focus Deep brown plum (Lustre)
Resolutely Red Deepened claret (Lustre)
Suggested Retail Price $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN

MINERALIZE SKINFINISH/NATURAL
Light Soft pale beige
Light Medium Pale golden beige
Medium Soft creamy beige
Medium Plus Tan beige
Medium/ Dark Caramel beige
Medium Deep Rich golden tan
Dark Deep caramel
Deep Dark Rich golden bronze
Suggested Retail Price $25.00 U.S./$30.00 CDN

FACE AND BODY FOUNDATION
C1 Soft ivory
N1 Soft alabaster
C2 Golden creamy beige
N2 Porcelain beige
C3 Golden sandy beige
N3 Creamy natural beige
C4 Golden natural beige
C5 Pale golden honey
N5 Caramel beige
C6 Rich golden honey
C7 Warm caramel
N7 Warm bronze
N9 Deep warm bronze
Suggested Retail Price $32.00 U.S./$38.00 CDN

BRUSH
188 Small Duo Fibre Face Flat topped, full circular brush used for lightweight application and blending of any face or cheek formula
Suggested Retail Price $34.00 U.S./$41.00 CDN

187 Duo Fibre Face Large full circular brush used for lightweight application and blending of face products Suggested Retail Price $42.00 U.S./$50.50 CDN

M·A·C In High Def will be available for a limited time starting September 10th, 2009. Check out your nearest MAC store, counter or online at maccosmetics.com

love this...nars cream eyeshadow in corfu

I'm basically between feedings and toddler toys here, so this one's going to be on the short side.

After locking myself in my bathroom for two minutes of sanity...totally not kidding there...I started glancing through the latest issue of Lucky with Mandy Moore on the cover.

Inside she talks about some of her favorite things and this is one of them.

NARS Cream Eye Shadow in Corfu ($21) is a shade that she uses year round...definitely because of the fact that it's a great neutral with a touch of sparkle (it's described as a shimmering taupe on the NARS site).

The cool part is that I've had this in my bag a few months now for exactly the same reason. It's perfect for quick all over color, especially on those I'm-feeling-really-makeup-lazy-days.

Just swipe it on with your finger, add some mascara and go.

Done and done.

Try narscosmetics.com or sephora.com.


Jennifer

P.S. If you haven't already, you must get the September Lucky on newsstands now. It's all about fall fashion and there's some great stuff in there from the beauty editors. Love.

alright...here's the deal...

Seems Christine has gone on vacay yet again and I'm manning the ship.

Anywho I had the grandiose idea that I was going to do a couple of postings a day because I had some things to chat about when...wham!...I got dealt the Mastitis card on Monday and literally felt the sickest I've felt in years.

Try a 103.5 temperature, a breast (or boo-boo as my son refers to them) infection, headaches, aches all over, and fatigue.

BTW the boo-boo infection made my right one feel like it had gone 10 rounds as a punching bag for a prize fighter...we're talking serious pain,

And to think that all of this came from our new addition's teeny tiny mouth.

After my doctor diagnosed it...after spending an insane 1 1/2 hours waiting in his waiting room sleeping in a chair that wasn't exactly comfortable (grrr)...his nurse gave me a shot (in my behind thank you very much) that actually burned like hell, and gave me a prescription that (sorry for being so graphic here) makes me poo.

Sooooooo...that's been my couple o' days.

Good times.

The point of this whole thing is I will return us to our regularly scheduled postings as soon as I can get my act together...now that I'm feeling more like myself.

So...thanks for hanging in there.


Jennifer

new lashblast length mascara by covergirl

Speaking of mascaras we'd love to try...

Considering that both Christine and I love the original LashBlast Mascara by CoverGirl, this is great news-new LashBlast Length Mascara will be available in store beginning in September for $7.49!

The mascara contains nylon for lashes that are 80 percent longer and they won’t flake or break all day.

In case you'd like to get your hands on one for early purchase, there’s a presale taking place today with limited quantities available.

Check out covergirl.com/lashblastlength starting today.

We're planning on testing out this one, so tune in down the road for a review.



Jennifer

nars larger than life mascaras

You all know by now, that I love mascara. I wear it every day regardless of where I'm going or even if I'm just being lazy around the house. I usually try to use just 2 or 3 at a time so they don't go bad before I use them up. Well, all those mascaras are about down and it's the perfect time for someone to be coming out with some new mascaras. Thanks NARS!! They have 2 new mascaras, Larger than Life Lengthening and Larger than Life Volumizing. I have not had a chance to see this in person, I have not been anywhere near a Sephora lately, but I see a trip out to Tyson's Corner soon. I think the Larger than Life Volumizing Mascara has my name all over it.

When it comes to lashes, NARS knows that bigger is always better, and the new NARS Larger than Life Mascaras do not disappoint. Boasting formulas enriched with Vitamin E and Macadamia Nut Oil, these luxuriously rich, deeply pigmented mascaras go on silky smooth with lavish volumizing or lengthening effects. While sumptuous, they dry quickly and beautifully, with no smudging or flaking. NARS Larger than Life Mascaras will bring high definition and over-the-top drama to every fringe.


NARS Larger than Life Volumizing Mascara (pictured right):

It features a signature, square brush with fibers called honeycomb, designed for maximum product pick-up and perfectly even distribution. With lash volume and curl instantly boosted with every stroke, NARS Larger than Life Volumizing Mascara’s results are dramatically dense.


NARS Larger than Life Lengthening Mascara (pictured left):

The unique conical wand of high-tech fiber bristles encourages separation and definition, and unique nylon fibers cling to lashes for pronounced lengthening. NARS Larger than Life Lengthening Mascara is transformative, leaving lashes visibly sculpted, elongated and defined.




The Larger Than Life Mascaras are currently available in Black for $25.00 at Sephora and sephora.com.


Christine

dear beauty in real life...

Here's a question from one of our readers...

Dear ladies,

I am also a mother. I have a 17 year old daughter with long hair that is breaking at the ends. She is a professional singer who has a great career. She now has to work long hours and still keep her locks looking good. One hairstylist on set used a curling iron and damaged the ends. This damage has shown up on the video. I want help to keep up her appearance. What do you suggest?

Thank you,
Fashion Mama


Here's what I think...

First off, congrats to your daughter for her career! How amazing it is and how proud you must be!

Alright, let's get to the nitty gritty. While I'm not a hairstylist, I have been to a million of them and I always read up on this topic when it comes up in my favorite monthly reads. Plus I had a friend back in the day whose hair was so overly processed (bleach overload) that it was literally falling out in chunks.

Her fix was a huge trim for the extremely damaged ends and deep conditioning for the rest of her remaining hair until it could grow out.

Thankfully, I don't believe that your daughter's state is that bad off...the fact that there are no chunks missing is a great sign.

It sounds like her big issue is damage due to heat styling. Which could happen if either the stylist did not use a heat protectant on your daughter's hair before using the curling iron, or if they were constantly restyling her hair during the shoot. Weather could have even played a part if it was really dry...assuming it was shot outside.

Depending how damaged the ends are, I would think that she probably needs a little trim. It shouldn't have be a major one though. I know the last thing someone wants to hear is that they might have to cut their hair, but unfortunately with some damage, there really is nothing else that you can do.

In the meantime (and then after the trim) I definitely suggest that she start using a deep conditioner as well as a shampoo and conditioner for dry/damaged hair.

A couple of my favorite brands are Pureology and Kerastase.

Also, she might want to start giving her hair a break from any heating tools during her downtime or at least on the weekends. Just wash, condition, use a leave-in, and then air dry. If she has to use a blow dryer, use it after she's let her hair air dry for a while and make sure that she uses a heat protectant before.

Hopefully with these tips, your daughter's hair will be looking healthy and gorgeous again!


Jennifer

P.S. You've read my tips, now what do you suggest? Leave your tips and/or favorite products that keep your hair looking its best in the comments below!

bobbi brown ivy league collection

Pencils are back in a big way for fall. They’re quick, mistake-proof and can go from subtle to bold in one easy stroke.” – Bobbi Brown

This August, Bobbi introduces her new Ivy League Collection which features a couple new items and some other fan faves in some great new shades. All excellent for Fall. Items in the Collection feature and new and improved Creamy Eye Pencil, Lip Crayons (which they have decided to keep permanently!), a new shade to the Ink Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, 2 new Eyeshadows and a brush.

I actually have the Creamy Eye Pencil in Hunter. It's a deep green, at first I was a little hesitant to try out green eyeliner, but I actually really like it. It's dark enough that there is just a hint of green popping through. I am also loving that it comes with a built in smudger - I always smudge out pencil eyeliners. And as if that wasn't enough, it also comes with a separate pencil sharpener. It goes on really well and smudges great. And lasts all day.

The Lip Crayons also come with a custom-sized sharpener and comes in 6 shades. The Lip Crayon will be available in six shades: Honeysuckle, Coral Pink, Raisin Berry, Posey, Dusty Nude, Wild Rose.

To check out the rest of the Collection, head to your nearest Bobbi counter or to bobbibrown.com. Click on the image above for a bigger picture!

Christine

megan fox at the teen choice awards 2009

I have to admit, I generally don't bother to watch the Teen Choice Award show.

Pretty much because...well...I'm not a teen.

That and the fact that I cannot keep up with these shows that are (obviously) so scripted and the winners are notified in advance so that they show up.

This one at least stands out to me because winners get a surfboard as an award.

Which begs the question...if you're a multiple winner, where the hell do you store all of those boards?

Anyway, award shows are fun in that you get to see celebs all dressed up and fancified for the red carpet.

Here's one look on Megan Fox...she of the insanely gifted genes...done by Renato Campora for Frederic Fekkai.

Read on to see what he did and which products he used...

In order to achieve Megan Fox's soft and sexy summer look, Renato started out by using Fekkai Coiff™ Strong Hold Volume Mousse ($23) on damp hair to create sexy texture that holds.

He then air-dried her hair his fingers and used a one inch curling iron to make long soft waves and give the hair a modern and fresh feeling. He then spritzed the hair with Fekkai Glossing™ Sheer Shine Mist ($23, pictured) to add shine and finished with Fekkai Sheer Hold Hair Spray ($23) to maintain the look.


Try your local Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks, and fekkai.com for more info or to purchase.


Jennifer

covergirl's newest face...dania ramirez

CoverGirl announced earlier this week, that television and movie actress Dania Ramirez will be the newest face of the iconic cosmetic brand.

If you watch NBC, you might recognize her for her role as ‘Maya Herrera’ on NBC’s Heroes. She will also soon be seen in two independent films entitled Ball Don’t Lie and Brooklyn to Manhattan.

Here's what Dania has to say about it...

Being a CoverGirl is about recognizing internal and external beauty, regardless of age or background. As a role model, I hope to inspire women to be confident enough to achieve everything they want to achieve.

CoverGirl print and television advertisements featuring Dania will launch in January 2010.

Dania joins other famous faces including Ellen DeGeneres, Drew Barrymore, Queen Latifah and Rihanna as the newest face of the brand.


Jennifer

christine's nail color of the week.....or month

I bought this bottle of Essie polish about a month ago with the intent of doing a pedicure before I went on vacation....it has been staring at me every day reminding me how lazy I have been. Finally, yesterday I took a stand and opted for a manicure instead. Jenn and I just had a girl's morning this week while the boys were at camp and went and got pedicures.



The color is from Essie's Summer Collection...Cute As A Button. The color caught my eye immediately at Ulta when I was scoping for some new colors. I think in the future I would rather put this shade on the toes, but it is a perfect compliment to summer. I also think my nails could have been a tad shorter but what are you going to do?


For more info head on over to essie.com.

Christine

cibu sticky rice pomade

This has to be one of my favorite finishing products.

Cibu's Sticky Rice Pomade ($17) became an instant number 1 after my hairstylist used it on me a couple of years ago.

It's perfect for my chin length bob because it delivers the pieciness and light hold that takes my style from meh to perfect.

Plus the scent is absolutely divine...kinda unisex, so it's not too flowery or sickeningly sweet.

As with anything else, a little goes a long way. Trust me, too much will leave your hair looking and feeling weighed down and gloppy.

For my hair length, I start off with an amount that's about as big as the tip of my index finger.

I then emulsify it in my hands until it's clear, then apply it to my strands here and there for texture and definition...dragging my fingers from roots to ends each time.

Perfect.

The container will also last you eons. I swear that I've been working on the same product for the past year.

Check it out at any Bubbles salon, or online at cibuinternational.com.


Jennifer

20% off at select Lancome boutiques

Calling all beauty junkies in New York, New Jersey, California and Texas! Lancôme boutiques are offering our readers an exclusive Friends & Family discount. Enjoy 20% off everything you love at the Lancôme boutiques. This is a great opportunity to stock up on your favorite products or try something new, such as our limited-edition fall collection Declaring Indigo.

All you need to do is head on over to www.lancomeboutique.com to find a location near you, then print out the above flyer (click on the pic and it will open another page with a bigger image), and head on over to a Lancome boutique between 08/01/09 – 8/08/09.

Unfortunately this offer is only good at the boutiques...not other Lancôme locations, counters or lancome-usa.com. Lucky New York, Cali, New Jersey and Texas!!

Jennifer and Christine

new trailer for the september issue

Hello from Sleepless in Suburbia!

Yes, it's me...thanks for hanging in there while I work out the kinks and try to get our newest addition on some sort of schedule.

I'm also starting to feel the effects of my C-Section and I've been ridiculously sore.

Add in a 3 1/2 year old all-over-the-place toddler and you can pretty much figure out why I'm beyond exhausted.

But, what are you gonna do huh?

Anyway, coming soon to theaters is The September Issue, the movie that all fashionistas are drooling for.

In case you have no clue what it's going to be about or why people are insane about its release here's a 2 second summary...it's basically going to be a behind the scenes peek at the inner workings of Vogue and features the infamous Anna Wintour.

Here's the newest trailer that just entered our inbox...



Alright, can I just say that I adore Anna Wintour?

I mean, she would probably freak me the hell out if she was my boss...but I adore her none-the-less.

Unfortunately though, we're all going to have to wait for September 11th for the awesomeness that is Wintour...it won't be released nationally until then (although it's due for an August 28th release date in NYC).

At least that'll give me time to plan a girls night.

Lord knows I'll be needing one by then.


Jennifer