Beauty

There’s a few things I absolutely LOVE about traveling…seeing new places, meeting new people, eating new foods and sharing all of that with my wonderful travel partner-in-crime, my hubby! But one of the things I hate is being away from all of my stuff.  I have a horrible problem of over-packing in both the beauty and fashion departments so on this trip, I decided to pay particular attention to the items that kept making repeat appearances throughout my 12 day journey. Here are my travel beauty all-stars that I could not have made it without…

John Frieda Volume Refresher, $6.49

ProActiv Makeup Cleansing Wipes, $16.75

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (in Nude), $42

NARS Laguna Bronzer, $33

Becca Butter Balm SPF 20, $20

The holidays are upon us and with them comes a multitude of memorable festive gatherings–all filled with plenty of photo opps! You’ll need to put your best face forward and trust me, that face does not come with shine…trust me…

I was recently on a girls’ vacation where we took tons of pictures and like most girls, I couldn’t wait to see them…well cut to me opening my Facebook page only to find a heap of bad pictures of me and my gleaming forehead!!! Yikes!

Ladies, pictures are worth a thousand words and now that they show up all over Twitter, FB and Tumblr there has never been a better time to look your best! One of my best friends is a trainer for MAC and after I recovered from my Facebook horror, I called her up for some no-shine tips and she had one word (ok, three) for me…PREP AND PRIME.

I opted for the compact because it works better with my on-the-go beauty routine but they also have a loose powder version in case that’s more your style. It’s super sheer, so you can put it over any color or wear it on all its’ own. It absorbs all that excess shine (yes, lots of it) and keeps your over-tired, holiday partied-out skin looking fresh and fab.

And since it is transparent, it can be used year-round regardless of your changing skin tone. Better yet, it is totally non-comedogenic (and I have super sensitive skin!) so you can slap it on and go with no breakout worries. At $23, you really can’t beat it.

This little compact does the job of at least two different products from anywhere else so do yourself a favor and this Holiday season don’t shine on! Get your Prep and Prime on!  And if you’re a beauty junkie like us, here’s our picks from the entire Prep and Prime collection…

More M·A·C…

With the holiday season in full swing, I find myself having more and more occasions to dress up…and for a girly girl like me, that’s not a terrible thing.  The season calls for a more dressed up look both fashion and beauty-wise.  I love sparkly, lace-y and flirty when it comes to clothes and lately I’ve been loving everything red when it comes to beauty…here are some of my personal favorites that will leave you feeling festive and fabulous:

L to R: Caress Fine Fragrance Body Elixir in Scarlett Blossom, TARTE for True Blood Cheek Stain, butter LONDON polish in Come To Bed Red, Make Up Forever Rouge Artiste Intense in Moulin Rogue (#43), ARMOUR Beauty Lip Gloss in Barracuda, Urban Decay Super Saturated High Gloss Lip Color in Fbomb,

I’ve noticed a trend in my bathroom recently and it has nothing to do with clothes and everything to do with color.  For some reason, purple products are turning up in my shower, in my make-up bag and in my fragrance arsenal.

This time of year, as the temperatures cool down I reach for richer scents and richer colors so I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite beauty buys to share with you…

Stila Eye Shadow in Dahlia: My favorite thing about Stila is the intensity of their eye shadows…this one does not disappoint and pigment is the perfect tone for a purple based smokey eye!

Caress Fine Fragrance Elixir in Sheer Twilight: If you want incredible fragrance in the shower, I can’t recommend this product enough.  It delivers long-lasting moisture and leaves your skin silky soft! You’ll fall in love!

MAC Shadow in Purple Haze: For a hint of brightness without too much color, this color is by far one of the best purples out there!

DIOR Vernis in Purple Rev: I’m an Essie loyalist, but every once and a while I’ll get tempted away by another brand and this season I’m loving all the rich shades from Dior…most of all this rich color.  And I went three whole days w/o a chip!

Thierry Mugler Alien Eau de Parfum: I’ve been mixing it up lately when it comes to perfumes and this one seems to make a very regular appearance in my fragrance rotation–and with good reason.  It’s a much more grown-up scent than Angel and one I think you’ll really enjoy!

YSL Golden Gloss in Purple: I’m a total lip gloss addict and the YSL glosses are a way of treating myself to something very special on those bad days.  I’ve never been a fan of purple on my lips, but this shade is subtle yet sultry!

More Stila…

The one thing I love most about Fall beauty is my willingness to experiment with rich shades, especially when it comes to my lips.

I ventured into previously unknown territory this past summer with shades of pink and coral but for Fall I’m all about the deeper darker pout.  It just feels so right on and sultry!

I’ve been trying out several shades at my local Sephora but one clear winner has finally emerged…Urban Decay’s Super Saturated High Gloss Lip Color.  The collection includes five scorching hot shades, but I favor Crush (hot pink) and F-Bomb (bright red).

First—the opacity is out of control! The color glides on with a super smooth finish and it’s just so rich once it’s on your lips.  And a little goes a long, long way which means more bang for my buck.  Both colors gave me complete coverage without the use of a lip liner but next time around I may opt for Urban Decay’s lip primer so they stay in place a little better.

Now that being said, these colors do not fade.  Out of habit I kept checking my compact to see if I needed to reapply but the overall wear time for something this creamy was fantastic.  I also love the fact that the finish is somewhere between a matte lipstick and a lip gloss…perfect for those of us who tend to be a little indecisive about the finish of our lips.  It’s the best of both worlds!

If you’re looking to try a bold (red or pink) lip for Fall I can’t give you a better recommendation than these…they really are one of the best new lip products I’ve tried in a long time!

With Labor Day fast approaching, summer is coming to an end, which inevitably brings the NO WHITE AFTER LABOR DAY rule…but as far as nail trends go, I totally disagree.  White nails are a hot trend seen on the likes of Khole + Kim Kardashian, Ciara (pictured here), Gwen Stefani and Scar Jo this summer and now it can be your end of summer look too!

When it comes to nail color I’m a bit of an Essie snob–their colors are my faves! For this trend I like Blanc, but they have a whole collection of whites for you to choose from. You can go for a more sheer version or even a color with shimmer if that’s more your style!

The key to pulling of the look is in the technique of application–this is best left to your manicurist but we have some tricks that will make the DIY much easier…

For a basecoat, use OPI Ridge Filler. This will ensure an even application of the color on your nail, make the white whiter and help its true color shine through. Careful application of the white is also must, so don’t rush it girl. Apply two coats and be careful to let them dry for about 2 minutes in between coats to prevent streaks (not cute). Finish with a topcoat for a shiny or matte finish.

Now when it comes to what to wear with your new pearly whites, go for solids and keep the overall look simple and classic a la Coco Chanel.  IMO, white nails are beyond chic when worn with an LBD and a black clutch and white toes peeking out of  your black peep toes…we say yes!

Now if white isn’t your thing, then you must check out Essie’s brand new Fall 2011 collection, it’s TDF and I’ve already picked up Ladylike, Carry On and Glamour Purse! Pure polish perfection!

For more from Jammie, be sure to visit her blog, faithfullyfabulous.tumblr.com!

It’s taken me a very long time to find my beauty comfort zone, but I’m finally in it  thanks to a few products that I just can’t live without.  With the help of these incredible beauty products, I’ve finally learned how to achieve that “no makeup, make up look” that’s oh-so illusive and also been able to use these products as a foundation for any make up look I may want to experiment with.  So without further ado, here they are:

Moroccan Oil Luminous Hairspray: It’s essential in the humidity. Light, but still holds my Hot Tools waves.

Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in Nude: I don’t know what I did before I found this.  It gives  you dewy, soft coverage better than any other one I’ve tried.

Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer in Golden Bronze: You know that “glow from with in” people always say they want to create with make up, well if you don’t have it naturally, this will give it to  you.  The shimmer is soft and luminescent, not at all glittery like may others out there.  It’s pricey so split it with a friend because a little goes a long way.

Josie Maran Argan Blush in Passion: Bright cheeks are an essential.  This lovely shade of pink works perfectly year-round and always makes me look awake and refreshed!

CoverGirl Nature Luxe Mascara in Black: I’m in love with this formula and the wand.  It’s taken the place of my tried and true LashBlast and that’s saying a lot! This is one product I never splurge on, there’s no need!

Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner in 2L (Brown): Hands down the smoothest, stay-put liner on the planet.  I use it to line my eyes both on top and on bottom– it’s even soft enough for your waterline.  Black is too dark for the summer so I switched to this deep brown shade instead.

Urban Decay Naked Eye Palette: I mean, need I say more.  Find it and buy two.  It’s the only palette I will ever need.

Armour Lip Gloss in Gazarri’s: For that flush of bright pink that says I want to wear lipstick without wearing it there’s no better gloss! It delivers lots of pigment but still feels soft yet punchy! This is my new favorite color for the summer!

Essie Nail Colour in Peach Daiquiri: I was never a orange-y nail girl until I discovered this color.  It’s just the right blend of pink and coral and it’s perfect for a pedicure.

Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets: I don’t leave home without them.  Unlike powder, this really absorbs all the oil on my face and even (I think) below the surface.  Blotting with this helps my make up last all day and I don’t have to deal with all that powder build-up after a long day of shooting outside.

MAC 188 Small Duo-Fibre Face Brush: It works for everything…powders, highlighters, blush, bronzer, you name it.  I love how it delivers just the right amount of product and blends flawlessly.

ROC Multi-Correctional Exfoliating Cleanser: Your make up will never look good if your skin doesn’t.  This product has changed the texture of my skin and invigorated it with brightness like no other cleanser has.  With my Clairisonic Mia, it’s a winning combo!

Essie has to be one of my favorite nail polish brands and the one consistent beauty brand I constantly rave about. I’ve been patiently to see what they had in store for summer and this week Essie just released their latest line of colors for Summer 2011 and as usual, I am obsessed!

Nail polish is an accessory that is often over looked but it can elevate any look or totally downgrade one…nothing says grunge-y like chipped nails.

When it comes to what polish to choose for your weekly manis its easy to go with a color you already have or “the usual”, but summer is begging for a fresh change and Essie’s Summer Collection is where you will find that!

For no more than $8 you can buy one of summer’s best accessories and have it last for months! Every color packs a big punch–from Super Bossa Nova to Too Too Hot to my favorite Brazillant, you cannot miss! And don’t you just love the names?!

Buy them all online or pick a bottle up at almost any drug store…What’s your favorite Essie Summer color?

Bold, bright colors like fuchsia, orange and berry tones are all the rage on celebrity’s lips. This trend started in the winter, but is really gaining momentum as the weather warms up!

We have all seen bright red lips on celebrities, but let’s face it; it doesn’t work on everyone. Now with larger ranges of colors and hues, everyone is sure to find the prefect bold shade for their pout.

Designers like DVF, Zac Posen and Marc Jacobs had their models spotting bright lips and fresh bare faces at their runway shows so it’s not surprise that this trend is now making its way to your beauty aisle.

And since most of us are not walking a red carpet, you can try this look at your friend’s wedding, a fabulous date night, or an evening with the girls! Just have fun with it and use it to spice up a plain dress or something as simple as jeans and a t-shirt…but keep in mind that your lips are now your accessory, so don’t go overboard other places.

Remember ladies, all women need is love and a good shade of lipstick…here are our top “pink picks”:

L to R: CoverGirl Lip Perfection, Eternal; L’Oreal Color Riche, Intense Fuchsia; MAC, Show Orchid; Givenchy, Sunrise Fuchsia