clinique youth surge night

I. Am. So. Tired.

Exhausted.

Little e has been waking up about every 2 hours for the past week and it was on in full force last night.

Just as I was about to fall into a peaceful slumber, she'd let out a cry that said PICK ME UP NOW, WOMAN!!!

By 4am I was ready to lose it.

I think what's making the whole situation worse, is that I can't figure out for the life of me why she's doing this.

Ugh.

Anyway...getting back to beauty...you'd think that with the teeny tiny amount of sleep that I've been getting, my skin would be looking horrendous.  Right?

Believe it or not, I think my skin's been looking halfway decent...even though I am totally stressing out like a crazy person.

Yes, good genes do play a big part, but so does a good moisturizer.

Clinique's Youth Surge Night for dry combination skin is what I've been slathering on my mug before I hit the sheets.

Time will tell if it "decelerates" any signs of age on my face, but so far it's allowing me to wake up looking refreshed, kinda glowy really, and ready for the craziness that is my life.

That's worth the price of admission in my book.

sure they look cute and innocent...

...but don't let them fool you.

The one on the left?

Well, she's been keeping me up almost all night for the past week, due to some teeth that just don't feel like emerging yet.

The one on the right?

Nothing major going on with him really...he's just getting tired of winter and keeps trying to hijack my laptop to watch monster truck videos on You Tube.

So blame them for my lack of posts.  ; )

beauty buys under $10...sonia kashuk super sheer liquid tint

There are two beauty products that I tend to have too much of, one is blush the other is gloss.

The blush thing can definitely be blamed on my mother.

I can pretty much count on her to ask the question do you have any blush on? before she even says hello.

True story here...my mom was in the hospital recovering from surgery to remove part of her colon due to the fact that she had been diagnosed with COLON CANCER and the first thing she said to me was Jennifer, just put on a little more blush...you look pale honey.

I kid you not.

The woman was literally recovering from life-saving surgery, was about to have to go through even more piles of crap and her only concern was the fact that I didn't apply enough color to my cheeks.

It boggles the mind.

But I love her, even with all of her nutty/bizarre/annoying ticks.

Anyway...getting back to blush.

I picked up this Sonia Kashuk Super Sheer Liquid Tint in peony at my local Target on a whim.  Kashuk's brand is one of the few brands that I've yet to try (makeup-wise at least).

Let me just say that I'm kicking myself for not checking it out sooner.  The tint is fabulous and goes on smoothly.  The color...a pinkish coral with a little gold too...is sheer, but build-able.  It delivers the perfect just-pinched-my-cheeks hue that I love.

You don't need a lot either.  The tiniest of dabs gives you color to last a good long time.  

I'm cheating just a little here being that it's priced at $9.99, just bringing it under the $10 mark...but you get a boatload of product for the money.

Love it.

new york fashion week fall 2010...tarte for beauty.com at lela rose

Lela Rose Fall 2010 

Makeup Artist: 

Tina Turnbow

Inspiration: 

Nature's celestial landscapes-

think of the nighttime sky and imagine

a full moon peaking behind the clouds.

The look: The moonlit eyes are mysterious, while the complexion and lips have a cloudy, hazy feel.

How-tos:

Eyes: Silvery, moonlit eyes-a silvery/black smoky eye without edges and just a touch of blue. The eye is almost 3D, rounded and mysterious. Think of the eye as a rounded sphere or planet.

The inner crease of the eye is darkened up to the brow with the shimmery deep blue gray (eyeshadow in Luuucy I'm Home).

The outer area is rounded, softly muted blackness. The center of the eye is the lightest, with darker edges (inner and outer corner of eye) ending in black (Eye Couture Palette). Apply Blue Lagoon only in the center of the top and lower lids. Blend the blue into the gray and then into a bit of the black. There should be a bit of the blue and silver gray (Eye Couture Palette) blended in the center of the lower lashline.

Apply smolderEYES in the inner rim of the eyes.

Top it off with a coat of Lights, Camera, Lashes! mascara on the top and bottom lashes (no curling needed).

Leave eyebrows as they are-do not fill in.

After finishing the eyes, clean underneath with the Eraser 4-in-1 Natural Concealer.

Face: It should feel muted like a hazy, cloudy sky. Matte and toned skin.

· Smooth Operator Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20 (one shade lighter than model's complexion)
· Provocateur Pressed Mineral Powder
· T-Zone Travel

Cheeks: Just a touch of healthy blush.

· Blissful Natural Cheek Stain (warm peachy pink)
· powder over blissful with Provocateur Pressed Mineral Powder


Find all products at beauty.com.

today only...chris benz is signing chris and tell lipsticks at saks in nyc!

In case you've been looking for uber popular Chris Benz Chris and Tell lipstick, this is one of your last chances to get it.

Chris is doing a personal appearance at the Saks Fifth Avenue Lancôme counter in Manhattan tomorrow.

He’ll be signing lipsticks and sharing the inspiration for his Spring 2010 collection.

Saks is the official retailer for Chris and Tell and this is one of the only counters that has any lipsticks left (and only because a special batch was reserved for Chris’s personal appearance!).

Chris and Tell, was created specifically for the Chris Benz Spring 2010 presentation held in September.  Since its debut earlier this month, it’s become one of the fastest-selling lipsticks in the Lancôme Pout-à-Porter designer lipstick series.

How fast?

Well...six hundred of those babies sold on lancome-usa.com in just 48 hours. Beauty aficionados have already snatched up most of the supply and some have already popped up on eBay.

Chris is happy to sign previously purchased lipsticks too, so if you're one of the lucky few who already snagged one, feel free to stop by.

Joining Chris will be makeup artist extraordinaire Daniel Martin, co-creator of the gorgeous peachy coral lipstick, the Lancôme team and some of his favorite models, who will be wearing the clothing and the makeup look from the Spring show.

Here's the details...

Chris Benz Personal Appearance

Thursday, Feb. 18th

Saks Fifth Avenue Lancôme counter

Fifth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets

5 to 7 p.m.

If you do end up going, let me know how it goes in the comments!

new york fashion week fall 2010...stila at rebecca minkoff

I'm literally crying here as I type this because I wasn't able to attend this Rebecca Minkoff show, even though I was (so unbelievably) invited to the presentation and the after party.

Okay...maybe not crying...but really really really sad.

I guess it's for the best though because I would have had a major panic attack trying to figure out what to wear.

Anyway, here's the 411 on the makeup from the show...

Makeup: Sarah Lucero for Stila

Inspiration behind the look: Effortlessly chic and pretty with a very sexy femininity. Sarah Lucero created a strong graphic cat eye paired with a fresh-faced lip and cheek flush.

What was used:
· Stila Eye Shadow in Dune

· Stila Eye Shadow in Java

· Stila Smudge Pot in Brown

· Stila Convertible Color in Peony

· Stila One Step Makeup


I totally have that Convertible Color in Peony btw...gorgeous color.  I think that came about due to an awesome trade I made at Makeup Alley.

Stila, in all of their fabulousness, has even put together these products in an easy to buy set.  You can check that out here.  There's also see some behind-the-scenes videos and images.

new york fashion week fall 2010...nars at thakoon

Nars Cosmetics was behind the makeup look at the Thakoon Fall 2010 show.  I am so in love with the makeup that I've been seeing at these shows fyi...it's totally wearable and something that I could totally see myself sporting.

Read on for more info on the inspiration behind the look, how-tos, what was used, and a face chart.

Inspiration...Chopinot and Gaultier’s Le Défilé.

I was inspired by the costumes used in this show and wanted to create a collection that reflected that same era but without the goth element. 

-designer Thakoon Panichgul.

The makeup look...The look is fresh, beautiful, luminous and quite confident said lead NARS artist Diane Kendal about the look.  We focused on a strong brow and highlighted the eyes to show depth and boldness in a way that wouldn’t fight with the various textures, layers and colors of the collection.

Here's what was used...


Face: 


Douceur Blush (NEW for Fall 2010); try Lovejoy or Madly Blush for a similar effect.


Eyes:

Coconut Grove Single Eyeshadow (NEW for Fall 2010); try Bali Single Eyeshadow for a similar effect.

Tzarine Duo Eyeshadow (NEW for Fall 2010); try the Orgasm Illuminator on brow bones for a similar effect.

Portobello Duo Eyeshadow


Lips:

Tashkent Pure Matte Lipstick (NEW for Fall 2010); try Belle de Jour Velvet Matte Lip Pencil for a similar effect.


All products...except those mentioned as not being available yet...can be found at your local Nars counter and at narscosmetics.com.

new york fashion week fall 2010...bobbi brown at yigal azrouel

Good morning all!

I'm totally awake this morning, because I just finished my 2nd cup o' coffee (Dunkin Donuts French Vanilla Ground Coffee with French Vanilla Fat Free Creamer from Safeway is the only way to go around my house) and I'm feeling all right now.

Good thing too.  I have a boatload of emails that I need to go through and catch-up on.

So....

This came in yesterday.  It's the face chart and some info about the look created by Wendy Rowe for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics at yesterday’s Yigal Azrouel Fall 2010 show.

Here's the inspiration...

Youthful, fresh but chic makeup with heavy focus on brows...

-Wendy Rowe for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

Inspired by a collection rich in texture, the makeup for the Fall 2010 Yigal Azrouel collection is about the texture of the skin. Chic, yet effortless, skin is bronzed with emphasis on cheeks, and eyes are softly defined in beige and brown tones. Nude lips complete a fairly monotone, natural look, with the exception of a strong, linear, defined brow.

Here's what was used (with a little bit of how-to)...

Skin: Hydrating Face Cream ($50), Hydrating Eye Cream ($45), Foundation Stick ($40), Creamy Concealer ($22), Corrector ($22)

Eyes: Suede Long-Wear Cream Shadow ($22) all over lid, Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Sepia Ink ($21) applied lightly and smudged on upper and lower lashline

Cheeks: Bronzing Powder ($40)

Lips: Hot Cocoa and Salmon Lip Color ($22 each)

Brows: Clean and brushed up with a touch of Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Sepia Ink ($21)

Also, here's a link to NY Mag's slideshow of the Yigal show, so you can see the finished look.

julia roberts' look at the valentine's day premiere

So Valentine's Day is this weekend. Are you prepared for it?

I'm totally not.

Big L's birthday is also on Monday and I'm so not prepared for that either.

Needs to get to the store ASAP.

In other news, the new movie Valentine's Day is out today and it has gobs and gobs of celebs starring in it.

My thought...whether you want to hear it or not...is that it has the potential to be either really really great, or really really He's-Just-Not-That-Into-You mediocre.

Just saying.

Anywho...

At the recent premiere of the movie, Julia Roberts showed up looking all Julia Roberts cool and chic and perfect.

Here's what was used and what was done...

Celebrity makeup artist Genevieve wanted to balance sexy, lined eyes with a muted mouth.

Genevieve lined Julia’s eyes with Lancôme’s Artliner in Noir. Next, she swept Sweetie, a sheer pink shadow from Lancôme’s Color Design Eye Shadow Quad in Haute Sunset, along the lids. Dirty Pink, from the same quad, went on the crease. Loads of Hypnôse Drama Mascara in Excessive Black completed the eye look.

For the lips, Genevieve lined with Lancôme’s Le Lipstique in Fraichelle followed by the new Color Design Matte lipstick in Pink Preview (coming in March). To dilute the lipstick color, Juicy Tubes in Tickled Pink was applied for a soft pout.

stila valentine's day set and date night makeup how-to

J'Adore this set from Stila.

Stila has created an exclusive Valentine’s Day Set  featuring four of their best selling products for only $34 (retail value $90).

The set includes...

· Stila Black Diamond Mascara - black with shimmer
· Eye Shadow in Kitten
· Cherry Crush Lip and Cheek Stain
· All Over Shimmer *1

I totally want to check out that Lip and Cheek Stain soon.  Considering the stain alone is $24, you are getting one heck of a deal here.

Here's a little makeup tutorial from the Stila Beautytube...stilacosmetics.com/beautytube.asp.  It's short and cute and one of several videos that you can check out there.

Enjoy.

a little preview from hourglass...

For those of us who can't attend Fashion Week, here's a little preview of two looks that Hourglass will be creating for La Perla's Fall 2010 Collection Preview.

Both looks are from Hourglass Makeup Artist Michael Pierce.

Tomorrow, I hope to bring you some photos from the show.

Stay tuned.

i am so sick of the snow (part deux) and i so want to check out this new product from nars

For the love of God, it is snowing again.

AGAIN!

On top of the huge accumulation that occurred this past weekend, it's now starting to snow.  The proof is right outside our kitchen window.

S-N-O-W.

Something that I used to love, I'm now beginning to resent immensely.

Bring on spring.

As soon as weather permits...mama's planning on hitting the mall and doing some serious window shopping.

Checking out the new color collections is definitely on that to-do list as well.

One new product that's captured my attention, is the Nars Orgasm Illuminator ($29).  It's brand new and only available at Sephora stores and sephora.com.

Containing the same gorgeous peachy-pinky-golden glow in fluid form, the possibilities are endless.

Add a touch to your foundation for an all over glow.  Dab it along your cheekbones, or use it on your brow bones for highlighting.

Whatever you like.

Just what the doctor ordered to get you out of the cold weather blues.

i am so sick of the snow...

Let it snow.  Let it snow.  Let it snow.

Let it snow.  Let it snow.  Let it snow.

Let it snow.  Let it snow.  Let it snow.

Let it snow.  Let it snow.  Let it snow.

Let it snow.  Let it snow.  Let it snow.

(*needle scratches*)

And they're calling for more today and tomorrow around here....like 10-20 inches more on top of the over 20 inches that's on the ground already.

Ugh.

All I can hope for is that our power won't go out AGAIN during this next wave.

Yes, our power went out for a little over a day and that was torture enough.  I can't imagine those people that are still without power and may not get it back until Friday.

I love snow, but totally draw the line at loss of electricity.

Enough is enough, Mother Nature.

You've unleashed your wrath on us poor Mid-Atlanticans and have made your point.  

No more snow lady!

*picture above was taken by me in front of our house

covergirl's fab new online tool

Have you ever stood clueless in front of a drugstore foundation display and wondered aloud will this shade be a match?

Well wonder no more.

CoverGirl has come up with a positively genius online gadget that allows you to find your CG match using the name, category and shade of your favorite department store beauty product.

A great way to save a few bucks, don't you think?

And we're not just talking foundation either.

They have matches for your favorite lippies, blush, eye shadows, concealers, etc.

The possibilities are endless.

As if that's all not enough, it also features application tips directly from CoverGirl makeup artist, Molly R. Stern.

Can you stand it?

They're still in the process of adding new matches everyday (they already have over 600 matches!), but you can definitely check it out right now. Just head on over to covergirl.com/standup/.

glee hair how-tos with sarah potempa and aussie

I have to admit here, I have never seen Glee.

Well, that's a little bit of a lie, I watched like 5 minutes of the pilot episode and then kinda went about on my way.

I'm not ruling it out though, I plan on checking it out either during repeats, online, or Netflixing the season.

I do know this...people are literally freaking insane for this show.

So for those Glee-maniacs...or if you just like to try some new looks...here's a few hair how-tos from the ever fabulous Sarah Potempa (Aussie's celebrity stylist).

Read on to find out how-to to get some Glee hair looks minus the Slurpies or Slushies, or whatever they keep throwing on everyone.

High Ponytail with Curls

Who wears it?  

Quinn and all the Cheerios 

This is fun and sassy way to look strong and soft at the same time. Start by applying Aussie’s Mousse + Leave-In Conditioner all over the roots and brushing the hair into the ponytail TIP: Always look up when making a ponytail to create a tight, smooth back. Then separate hair in ponytail into four sections and curl
each with a 1’curling iron and secure with duckbill clips until cool. Brush to blend the curls together for a polished finish.

Fabric Wraps and Headbands

Who wears it?  

Quinn, Mercedes, and Rachel

At one point or another, all the girls of Glee have sported a headband or a thick fabric used as a wrap in their hair. This is a casual way to add color to your look. We love how Mercedes uses excess fabric to hang down like a scarf, while taming her natural locks. To get Mercedes’s look, apply Aussie’s Shine Enhancing Gel to damp hair and lightly diffuse. Then wrap the fabric tightly around your forehead and tie in the back. Slowly, push the fabric back to tame the front. TIP: You can use a scarf, an old dress you cut up, or go to your local fabric store and find your favorite pattern.

Shiny and Smooth Pinned-Up Bangs

Who wears it?  

Rachel

The perfect girl needs the perfectly polished hair. Rachel often is seen with a soft, shiny bounce to her hair. This starts by having a moisturizing foundation and using Aussie’s Moist Shampoo and Conditioner. TIP: Aussie’s 3-Minute Miracle is a great weekly deep conditioner to add shine, moisture, and smoothness to your hair. Then, using a large 1 1/2 “ curling iron, bevel the bottoms of each section inward to polish the ends. Final step to keep the hair off your face is to take a triangle-size section and comb it back and twist at the root. Secure with bobby pins that match your hair color.

Twisted Fringe with “Aussie” Waves

Who wears it?  

Quinn

This is a great take on the Jennifer Aniston Oscar 2009 braid, but with a twist.  Spritz Aussie’s Leave-In Conditioner Spray on the fringe that you will twist. Take two pieces and cross one over the other (and, surprisingly, do NOT twist). With each piece, add a little hair from the root of the loose hair. Follow half way down and secure with 2 bobby pins or a clear elastic underneath the top layer of the hair. Curl the hair with a 1” curling iron and spray with Aussie’s Sprunch Spray.

the pinkler

When I watched the Grammy's on Sunday and saw Pink perform, two thoughts went through my head.

One was that it was pretty cool/brave to do that without a net or a wire attached.

Really.

Two, I would NOT want to be underneath her...after she drenched herself with water...and get soaked myself ESPECIALLY after probably spending HOURS getting ready beforehand.

Right?

So, I was up late last night and this was on Jimmy Kimmel. It's honestly hilarious and so spot-on with what I was thinking.



The Pinkler?

How funny is that?  Genius.