LPLP by Linea Pelle Debuts at Target

I love Target's collaboration collections, despite the difficulty I sometimes face trying to find the pieces I'd been eyeing. I guess that's what happens when items are popular, though!

Now, high-end accessories designer, Linea Pelle, whose creations are coveted by many a celebrity, has teamed up with the Target chain to launch some more affordable options that still embody the Southern California "casual chic" sensibility upon which the brand prides itself. The LPLP by Linea Pelle collection includes a variety of purses, wallets, belts, and jewelry. The handbag styles that are available range from satchels and hobos to crossbodies and those with drawstring closures. Additionally, there is ample use of studded hardware and detailing, similar to that found in some of the pieces in her more expensive line. I'm definitely digging the Crossbody Handbag and the Hobo.

The LPLP by Linea Pelle line is currently available at Target locations and on the Target website. The pieces range in price from $9.99 to $34.99.

Weigh in: Will you be checking out the collection? Are there any pieces that interest you?

Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty!

Hey everyone! I wanted to give you all a heads-up on some very exciting deals happening now at Ulta. From March 13-April 2, Ulta will be featuring an array of special in-store events at which some new and exclusive products/sets will be showcased - both skincare and cosmetics - from bareMinerals, Stila, Smashbox, and more! There will be free gifts with purchases as well.

In addition, different "beauty steals" each day will feature specific products at sale prices. In some cases, an entire brand's products may be offered at a discount.

I urge you to check out the current Ulta ad online to see what will be happening each day (every day is something different!) and to contact your local store for further information regarding the upcoming special events. Stores are currently booking appointments, so don't sleep on it for too long!

Weigh in: Will you be partaking in any of these events/special deals?

IBS New York 2011: The Event

Last Sunday, for the second year in a row, I spent the afternoon at IBS (International Beauty Show) in NYC. The trade show, presented by American Salon magazine, spans three days and showcases some of the best products brands have to offer, many of them at really great discounts that can only be found during the show. The event takes place annually at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC and the convention center is packed with different booths at which products (think nails, hair care, skincare, and beauty tools) are sold and demonstrations are held. The demonstrations run the gamut from hair cutting and coloring to gel nail application/nail design and waxing (don't worry, face only!). The show really caters to beauty professionals - salon owners, hair dressers, nail technicians - with educational classes (some free and some for cost) being given by individuals who are at the forefront of their respective fields as well as brand manufacturers. Though I unfortunately didn't have the chance to take advantage of the classes, I did score some really great things (stay tuned for the haul post!). All in all, it was a great day (even the pouring rain couldn't stop me!). I got to spend some time with my good friend (and fellow beauty enthusiast) Nancy and with Jenny from Beauty and All That. I even got to meet a new blogging beauty, Cristal from Beauty Goodies. Love meeting new beauty lovers!

Here are some pictures from the show. It was so packed!

Some goodies at the Stila booth

One of many hair demos

Mmmm rows of polish at OPI!

Check out this patriotic wig!

Nancy and me

Anatomically correct body painting

More body painting

Jenny and me

I spy Kevin James Bennett at the Royal & Langnickel brush booth!

How cute are these mini polish sets from China Glaze?! These are from last year's Up & Away collection. $6 for a mini 6 pack!

China Glaze's new Anchors Away collection

Gorgeous shimmery pigments from Naked Cosmetics. Check out the middle tower! It's the new Twilight collection and it's already very popular. The teal color when used wet looks AMAZING!!

More shimmery goodness at the Naked booth

Killer lashes on this pink car. I might be just a tad jealous ;)

DermOrganic hair booth. Love that their products are formulated with Argan Oil!

Some rockin' hair

I'm very intrigued by the Supersmile teeth whitening line. My coffee/tea-stained pearly whites are no longer so pearly!

The incomparable Nick Arrojo doing a hair demo at his booth

And finally....need I say more?! ;)

Weigh in: Were any of you also at the show? Are you planning to attend any of the other upcoming beauty shows?

Scrub Loving: Neutrogena Sugar Scrub Body Exfoliator

Photo Credit: Neutrogena Website

I'm so ready for winter to be over. I mean, my poor skin has been ravaged by the cold temps for long enough already. Really. I feel like I'm constantly shedding layers, though I'm pretty sure I'm not a reptile. It's just bad. Bad I tell you. Between the flaking and my skin feeling like a veritable pumice stone, I've just had enough.

Back in the fall, while looking for a body exfoliator in Target (yes, our bodies need a good scrubbing, too!), I came across the Neutrogena Sugar Scrub and decided to give it a go. I had previously been using Ocean Salt from LUSH (which I do still use), but I was interested to try something that I thought might be less abrasive. While strong scrubs are great, they can also be a little bit too rough on raw skin. Let me just say, I think my winter-ravaged skin has finally met its match.

First of all, I love the way this scrub smells. The fresh citrus scent is quite invigorating. The product contains sugar crystals that act to gently slough away dead skin cells without stripping the skin of moisture. What's actually really nice about this scrub is that it is rich in oils that soften and hydrate the skin after the exfoliating crystals have finished doing their job (they really do dissolve into the skin within seconds, which keeps you from overscrubbing your skin). Post-shower my skin feels so soft and lotion is not even necessary. Love that this product does double duty!

Because the scrub is so gentle, it is also great for daily use. The only downside? I wish the tub were bigger! I have been rationing the scrub so I still have some left but, with everyday use, I can see it disappearing rather quickly. I need vats of this stuff! It's that good.

I found the scrub at Target for about $8.00, but you can also find it at a variety of other locations (drugstores, Walmart, online retailers). If your skin is uber dry like mine, or you just want to keep your skin feeling soft and supple, run, don't walk, for this one. Your body will thank you!

NB: I purchased this myself.

KENZO L'Eau de KENZOAMOUR: A Review

Though I may find myself opting out of wearing a full face of makeup on most days, I am one of those girls who just can't leave the house without a few spritzes of perfume. I have found that KENZO makes some of my very favorite floral scents. For quite some time I have really enjoyed wearing FlowerbyKenzo (review here), especially in the warmer months.

For the past few weeks, I have been trying out L'Eau de KENZOAMOUR EDT, a "fresher" take on the brand's popular KENZOAMOUR fragrance (though I have not tried the original fragrance and therefore can't specifically compare the two). Housed in a beautifully girly graduated pink-toned bottle, the scent is rich in florals mixed with citrus, vanilla, and white musk accents. In my opinion, this fragrance pulls a little more fruity on me than FlowerbyKenzo does (which I definitely can't complain about). It smells so delicious and clean, and while the scent comes across as rather light, I find it to be very long-lasting, a quality that I always look for in a fragrance. No one wants to walk out the door in the morning smelling pretty only to have the scent wear off only a few hours later! I can honestly say that I have worn L'Eau de KENZOAMOUR for a period of 12 hours and could still detect it on my skin when I went to shower that evening. That, to me, is pretty amazing.

A few pictures of the stunning bottle. How pretty!

The fragrance notes

If florals are not your thing, I would still highly recommend giving this one a sniff, as it is more understated in its floral tones, especially in the drydown. While I would wear this perfume year-round (obviously I have been using it in the winter months), I think that it is a perfect spring/summer scent.

L'Eau de KENZOAMOUR is a limited edition fragrance and is currently available for purchase at the KENZO website as well as the Sephora site (I don't believe it is available in Sephora stores, however). The 2.5 oz bottle retails for $72.

Weigh in: Have you tried any fragrances by KENZO? What are your current favorite perfumes? What types of scents do you love?

NB: This product was sent to me by a PR representative for my consideration. Though I did not purchase it myself, my review was in no way influenced by my receipt of a sample. I am dedicated to providing reviews that are 100% my own opinions, bias-free. If I ever feel that I cannot give my readers honest feedback on a product, I will not present a review for it. I am here to inform, and publishing untruthful thoughts is neither beneficial to those who visit my blog nor to me.