Beauty

BESTBUYS SIDENOTE: If you’re looking for the bag pictured right, click here. The link isn’t working when you click the pic!

Not to beat a dead horse, I know I’ve said it before: nude/neutral and just soft tones in general are huge for spring 2010, and as sunnier days slowly inch closer (although you’d never know it considering the snow we’ve had in the Northeast lately!), start thinking about how the idea of…

nude nail polish sounds.

I can see how some might have their doubts, but… I’m into it, I’ve decided. Look at it this way: you’ve tried sparkly whites and barely-there pale pinks. Why not give something a bit more unexpected a chance?

Oddly enough, picking this (sometimes considered to be) “boring” shade as your nail color could be seen as quite… daring!

Gotta love the logic of fashion.

The best CheapChica option is probably OPI’s Over-the-Taupe shade (a little over $5.00)… unless you don’t mind shelling out $23.00 for Chanel’s not unsurprisingly gorgeous Particuliere.

Nail polish trends are so great… it’s never been cheaper to make a runway-inspired statement…

Lily Allen, Gwyneth and Kate Beckensale have already jumped on board, you could be next!

I can’t contain my excitement anymore…in less than 24hrs I’ll be getting on a plane headed to my favorite winter get-a-way…MIAMI!  I can literally hear Will Smith singing in my head and for the first time, I don’t mind it one bit.

I’m over all the snow, the cold, the season…all of it, so this trip can’t come at a better time. I think I even had fun packing!  I had to dig out all of my warm-weather clothes, but I’m most excited to finally get to wear my Rodarte for Target bandeau bikini and my new Vitamin A reversible bikini I got at Loehmann’s for $25 (pictured left)! If you’re in need of designer swimwear for your upcoming Spring Break or vacay, you have to hit up Loehmann’s…they have an awesome selection and a great run of sizes!

In my quest to look like the model pictured here, I need all the right beauty tools (and maybe a boob job but I don’t have time or the money for that!) so I started with Molten Brown’s Shimmer Oil to give my pasty white winter skin some much needed TLC. It not only hydrates my skin amazingly, but it gives you that not-too oily, J.Lo sheen that we are all desperate for in the middle of February.  I have naturally olive skin so I don’t get too pale, but this added just a hint of color and it really made my skin glow!

I don’t believe in tanning beds and as a woman on the verge of turning 30, I’m trying my best to not believe in laying out either but that’s really hard. To make my face match the rest of me, I dialed up my favorite 1-2 punch…Stila Bronzer (with SPF!) + Convertible Color in Peony.  I live and die by this bronzer because it’s the perfect color and it has just a touch of shimmer.

Stila’s Convertible Colors are one of my favorite items in the line, but the Peony shade is not something I would have normally bought.  Lucky for me, a travel sized version came in this “On The Glow” set and it’s seriously the perfect sun-kissed shade for your cheeks!

BTW, if you’re looking for an incredible beauty value, you have to get this set…you get the Bronzer, the Convertible Color, a Mascara and even a Lip Glaze for only $23.99!

Hopefully the overall effect of all these items will have me looking like a local and not like a Northeaster desperate to escape our nuclear Winter!

South Beach here I come!

Getting my housewife on and watching DVR’d Oprah is one of my favorite guilty pleasures. In one episode entitled “The Science of Beauty,” Oprah’s own medical guru Dr. Oz spoke about what you should really be looking for in your beauty products as far as ingredients go and what really works.

He advised that using products containing glycolic acid on a regular basis is an ideal way to both exfoliate your skin and render fine lines less noticeable. Sounds good to me, I thought. But… now: what product to buy?

Well, let me tell you: I have fallen for DDF’s Glycolic Exfoliating Wash (and I’m not the only one, check out the reviews on Sephora).

This amazing cleanser is a combination of ultra pure glycolic acid and gentle foaming action, which at the same time reduces fine lines and softens your skin.

It’s true, after I use this minty wash I feel refreshed and my skin is super smooth. Love it.

The other thing I love is that you get so much of it: $35.00 will buy you 8oz (that’s a lot, girls!) and considering you only need about a dime-size amount for each use (if not less), the thing will last you months.

One very important thing to remember: when using any products containing glycolic acid, always use sunscreen as the acid makes your skin more susceptible to the sun and thus prone to sunburn (which would kind of defeat the whole anti-aging thing, right?).

Check out last week’s BMH post for the perfect compliment to your new, fabulous glycolic cleanser.

Blame it on Valentine’s Day or on the fact that I’m kind of bored with my make-up routine, but lately I’ve been fascinated with ruby red lips.

I came across this picture of Ashley Olsen-who love or hate her- looks undeniably gorgeous in this photo…

Problem is, I don’t have her coloring in any way, shape or form so I’m at a total loss when it comes to finding the right shade. Every counter person I’ve ever been too has made me look like a clown instead of the 50’s pin-up girl look I oh-so desire.

So I’m asking yall for help…if you’ve got olive skin, blond hair and brown eyes, is this a look you can even try?  What are you favorite red lipsticks?? And more importantly, how do you make it last all night??

I found this one above from Victoria’s Secret that looks really pretty but when it comes to shopping online for lipsticks, I don’t recommend it…this is one of those times to hit up your local drug store or a Sephora!

I always love a smart and fabulous drugstore beauty find, and this one might be my all-time favorite. If you haven’t realized that wearing SPF everyday (that’s right: everyday) is just as imperative as wearing a daily moisturizer, you need to wake up and smell the o-zone, girls. If there is one thing I remember my dermatologist saying (over and over and over and over) it’s that the best way to protect and preserve your skin’s overall quality, it’s wearing a broad spectrum SPF of at least 30 at all times and yes, that even means when it’s cloudy.

Now, if you’re like me, you don’t want to be bogged down with a daily facial routine that takes forever and you certainly don’t want to be lathering layers of creams on your face every morning, especially in the summer. The solution? Buy a moisturizer with a broad spectrum SPF already built in…and let me tell you: Eucerin Everyday Protection is an ideal choice.

Not only does this product come highly recommended by my dermatologist (and that woman knows her stuff), it’s incredibly easy to find (almost any supermarket or drugstore will carry it), affordable (only about $10.00!), and will last you up to several months. It’s also wonderfully light, non-comedogenic, and fragrance-free, so if you have sensitive skin like I do, you can use this product without worrying about adverse reactions. Everyday Protection is also widely available on the Internet and since it’s so affordable, I just go ahead and buy mine from drugstore.com in orders of twos and threes and I’m set for the year!

Who knew preserving your skin’s quality was as cheap and easy as wearing SPF daily? Believe the hype, it’s true. If there is one beauty must-have you should not go without, this is it.

Ahhhh….Spring!  It can’t come soon enough…and one way to hold you over until you can break out the short-shorts and sundresses is by having some fun with your nails.

I’m totally head over heels for this new Rose Cocktail color from YSL! It’s the perfect shade of lilac and it’s totally going to be my signature for the next few manicures.

And while it may cost $17, these polishes last forever and they don’t chip as easily as an Essie or Drug Store brand.  I’ve had my YSL colors for almost two years and still haven’t run out.  Which BTW, is it even safe to have nail polish for two years…someone help, please!

And in my quest to find a cheaper alternative for this YSL polish, I came across this really cool feature on OPI.com :

Their Nail Studio let’s you try out hundreds of colors to see how they would look on your hands…you can even adjust your nail length and skin tone to get the closest match possible. Now you don’t have to dab on different colors all over you nails at the salon to see how you like it! I love fun (and useful) technology!

BTW, what do you think of the OPI Significant Other Color I tried on above?  Pretty close to the YSL one and way cheaper…this might just give my YSL loyalty a run for its money!

You all know that I love a good drugstore beauty find and this week’s must-have is not only unique, it’s as easy to attain as running down the street to CVS: Eos Lip Balm.

An acronym for evolution of smooth (how can you say no to this, seriously…), I had never heard of the brand until I spotted one of its print ads in last month’s Elle. The ad itself wasn’t particularly eye-catching and in fact, the page was almost empty save what appeared to be a nest of tiny green eggs in the corner. What…what was this?, I marveled…

It turns out those little eggs were actually vessels for what Eos describes as a 95% organic, 100% natural lip balm that’s petrolatum & paraben free, just like you. You all know I have a soft spot for green beauty products, so of course I was immediately sold, and with flavors like sweet mint, honeysuckle honeydew, and summer fruit how could I say no…. plus for under $5.00? Please. And everyone always says that all-natural is too expensive…

A fun gift for Easter too, don’t you think?

I was looking around for a portable speaker system to go in my bathroom…a girls gotta have tunes when she’s getting ready…when one of my very in-the-know GF’s suggested that I look into The Makeup Player by Stila. This “train case” comes with a speaker system and your own private makeup artist all in one! How you ask…

Well, all you have to do is download FREE how-to videos direct from Stila’s makeup team onto your iPod/iPhone, plug it into the makeup player and follow along with their step by step tutorials…no more guessing on how to get that perfect smokey-eye!

The makeup player also comes with some of Stila’s best selling items: the One Step Makeup Foundation, Eye Shadow Trio & #7 Eye Shadow Brush, Convertible Color for cheeks and lips, and their Lip Glaze in Grapefruit…and just products those alone would add up to more than the price of this genius idea.  You can get it at Zappos.com (w/FREE shipping!) for $69.99!

Once you’re done with your lesson, you can use the player to listen to you favorite playlist while you’re in the shower or while you’re finishing your hair for a big girls night out!

People sometimes ask me how I can continually get blond highlights on the regular yet still manage to maintain soft hair that’s not damaged into oblivion. My answer? Dr. Hauschka’s Neem Hair Oil. Yes, most tend to shudder when I couple the words “hair” and “oil” together, but the answer is a resounding NO! it doesn’t make your hair slimy and YES! it washes out super easy, leaving locks smooth but grease-free.

I use this product about once a week—I like to look at it as a regular at-home “spa treatment,” if you will. I would recommend it to anyone who wants stronger, healthier hair, but especially to those who subject their hair to thermal heat on a daily basis. Neem oil (derived from neem leaf) will not only protect it pre-styling, it will simultaneously infuse it with repairing essential oils.

I simply put a quarter-size dollop in my hands and then I gently work it into my hair, especially the ends. If I want to go extra-long in between blowouts, I’ll refrain from putting it on the top half of my head and concentrate on the tips. The 3.4 oz bottle will only cost you about $30.00 and trust me: it lasts… forever. I think most girls know that a little oil (of any kind!) goes a long way. I can’t even remember when I bought my last bottle it has lasted so long! Of course, this all depends on how much you use, how damaged your hair is, and how long it is, but just know that this is definitely a smart chica buy.

Oh, and might I add that celebrity fans of  Dr. Hauschka include Nicole Kidman, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, and Chloë Sevigny? Mmmhhhm. I think we’d all agree that if it’s good enough for Brad Pitt… it’s good enough for us, ladies. Am I right?

Looking for a mascara that doesn’t just lengthen and thicken but which also brings out your eye color? Who would say no? Especially for under $10.00. A few weeks ago, a friend of mine clued me into CoverGirl Exact EyeLights Mascara when I was complaining about how expensive my current product at the time (which will remain nameless) was, but I told her that I loved it so much… I bought it anyway. My friend insisted that Exact Eyelights truly made her eyes pop like no other. I have green eyes too, so I thought I would give it a whirl– if anything, to save money that week.

Boy am I glad I did. Not only is it affordable, it works. I guess I was a little…surprised! Well, I can only speak for the green eyes formula, but I’m sure the others are just as effective. I always wore purple eye shadows and sometimes plum liner to bring out the color of my eyes, so why not have the same tint built into my mascara? It’s brilliant!

In addition to green, you also have the choice of formulas made especially for brown, blue, and hazel eyes. And if you like how the mascara works for you, I’d also recommend purchasing the Exact Eyelights liner as well. I use the two together when I am in need of a look that’s extra fierce.

I’m not just frugal about my clothing/accessories…that mindset also applies to beauty/hair products so I typically avoid any brand names and go for the basic drugstore items like Pantene Shampoo and Infusium Conditioner.

But I got my hair colored (I am so far from a “natural blonde” it’s not even funny) last Thursday and since that involves 4 hours at Marc Garrison and lots of bleach, my hair can feel super dry and brittle after.

So, I thought this would be the perfect time to try out this Bumble & Bumble Creme de Coco product I got in a gift bag a few weeks ago. I’ve always been skeptical of high-priced hair products…I used to work at W Magazine and when we would try out various (pricey) items from the beauty closet I was typically disappointed with the results.

Well, not today!  This Creme de Coco Masque is incredible.  It took my dry and lifeless hair and made it feel soft and silky…not to mention it smellls amazing!  I have super long hair so I worked the product from roots to end and then literally massaged the product in to make sure I was covering every strand.  I left it on for about 5 minutes in the shower and I’m totally loving the results.

I ended up using quite a bit of product since my hair is so long but this is something I would only use once a week, not every day so it’ll probably last me about a month or so which isn’t bad considering the price.  The 5oz. mask is $25 and while that may sound steep, at $5/use that’s way better than paying for a deep conditioning treatment at my local salon!

If you’re looking for a intensive moisturizing product this is definitely it!

That special time of year is upon us, and you know what that means! Joy—check. Good cheer—check. Anxiety about whether to give that one chick at the office a little something for the holidays because she might get you something—CHECK. You know what I mean. You have your list, oh, you’re checking it twice, but there are always some people…well, you just don’t know if they even belong on the list to begin with. Never fear!

There is a beauty must-have out there that will solve all of your holiday woes: Korres’s “Never Too Many” holiday gift set. I’ll tell you what I do: I buy lovely bath/beauty gift sets, such as this one, and I make “goodie bags.” All you have to do is buy some party favor-esque bags, some holiday candy (or put in homemade cookies!), decorative gift tags, and throw in one or two lovely-smelling body lotions or bath gels and PRESTO: you officially have an “acquaintance” holiday gift.

I do this for all of the girls in the office, some neighbors, my hair stylist, etc. It also makes a great gift for your babysitter, your manicurist, anyone really. And believe it or not, there are even some guys out there who are indeed stoked to finally have a travel-size anything on-hand. Just thought I’d throw that out there…

This particular gift set is one of the best values I’ve seen in a while: for only $39.50 you come away with six shower gels *and* six of the brand’s famous body butter, all in a variety of flavors (basil lemon, jasmine, guava, clementine, melon, and mint), all totaling in at a $99.00 value. This means you’re spending roughly 3 bucks per person—not bad, right?

Plus, Korres is one of the hottest new beauty labels out there. The Greek brand prides itself on creating products that embody the idea of “natural luxury” through the use of ingredients containing active natural extracts and antioxidants. Hear me when I say, their body butter will bring you to your knees.

So Happy Holidays to you, smart girl. You made your list, checked it twice, and slam-dunked your holiday “acquaintance” gifts. Look at you. Now pour yourself an extra glass of eggnog.