NEW From INGLOT Cosmetics: Rainbow Eyeshadows

Raise your hand if you LOVE INGLOT's Freedom System palettes! Let me tell you...both of my hands are waving excitedly in the air right now! I currently own three of these eyeshadow palettes - a neutral ten pan palette, a bright green/teal duo, and a trio of purples. I just love the vast selection of shades available and their finishes. The mattes, double sparkles, and pearls are all stunning. While I only have eyeshadow palettes, the Freedom System also allows you to create blush, concealer, pressed powder, lipstick, and brow product palettes in various sizes and combinations. I think I hear a blush palette calling my name! All of the Freedom System palettes have magnetic packaging which allows for efficient storage, as the palettes can all stack nicely.

On July 16th, INGLOT is set to launch NEW Rainbow Eyeshadows, a collection of all matte shadows for the Freedom System palettes. These shadows will be available in 20 different shades that run the gamut from neutrals to brights. They will all feature gradients of three hues, running from light to dark. The colors can be used separately or swirled together to create a variety of looks.

The new Rainbow shadows will be available for U.S. customers both online and at the current retail locations in New Jersey, NYC, Newport Beach, Miami, and Las Vegas. A palette of two Rainbow shadows will start at $24.

Weigh in: What are your thoughts on these new additions to the Freedom System family? Are you interested? What are your favorite INGLOT products (or what products would you like to try)?

Now Playing: Urban Decay Friends + Family Sale!

So, I'm a bit late in posting about this (and I'm sure you've heard already!), but until July 10th Urban Decay is holding their Friends and Family sale, offering 25% off of purchases made at the Urban Decay website. To redeem the discount, enter the code FFSUMMER11 at checkout.

*Note: The discount does not apply to the NAKED palette :(

Weigh in: What's on your list?

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.

Mascara Loving: Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

Photo Credit: Sephora Website

I'm one of those girls who has always had a hard time applying mascara to her bottom lashes. I've heard of tricks and tips to help make application less messy and smear-free (think holding a business card under the lashes or turning the the wand vertically), but nothing really seemed to work for me. Regardless of my approach, I would always end up with black smudges under my eyes. Definitely not a cute look. And if that weren't bad enough, in the process of cleaning up, I would wipe off the concealer I had just applied (I guess I could/should have put on my face makeup after finishing my eye makeup, but old habits die hard!).

Recently, I've been hearing a lot of buzz about Clinique's NEW Bottom Lash Mascara, and so I thought "why not give it a go?" The product comes in a cute little tube decorated in a floral pattern. It is definitely much smaller than the traditional mascara tube - .07 oz for $10 - but, then again, it is only meant to be used on the lower lashes, and I really could only see it being used for that purpose. The brush is perfectly shaped and sized (teeny tiny!) to easily coat the smaller, finer lower lashes. I find that I can really get down into the lashes without making a mess. The wand helps separate each lash without obvious clumping (be careful - only a small amount of product is needed on the brush to do the job!).

It is stated that Bottom Lash mascara can be removed easily with warm water. I used an oil-based cleanser to take it off (as I had full eye makeup on), but I am quite sure that it would have washed right off with the water alone.

Overall, I am really enjoying this product. While some may say that it is not necessary to use a separate mascara for the bottom lashes, this is really a godsend for those klutzes like me who may not have the steadiest of hands (or the patience!). While I have often passed on applying mascara to my lower lashes - and not for lack of a desire to add a little more drama to my look - I am confident that I will now take the initiative much more frequently.

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara is available in 2 shades - black (which I have been using) and black/brown - and can be found at Sephora and other locations at which Clinique products are sold.

Weigh in: Have you tried Bottom Lash? Are you interested in trying it? Do you think it's an unnecessary product? Share your thoughts!

NB: I purchased this myself.

China Glaze Crackle - Collection Info

To say that I'm excited about the China Glaze Crackle collection is definitely an understatement. As someone who doesn't often wear polish (I attribute this solely to the fact that I am awful at applying it!), just seeing images of these texturizing polishes makes me excited to try my hand at a self-manicure once again.

Of late, crackle polishes have come back onto the scene in a big way. Applied in a thin layer over any contrasting color - glitter, shimmer, or creme - the polish shrinks to reveal a super cool pattern which can "edge up" any manicure. The key is to wait until the underlying polish has dried before applying the crackle. Then, after you have applied the crackle enamel, wait about an additional 5 minutes for the pattern to fully develop (before adding a top coat of your choice to seal).

So here's what you need to know about the collection....

The Six Shade offerings (SRP $7.99 each):

Lightning Bolt - White crackle

Black Mesh - Black crackle

Broken Hearted - Pink crackle

Cracked Concrete - Grey crackle

Fault Line - Purple crackle

Crushed Candy - Teal crackle

Availability: The China Glaze Crackle polishes will be available at Sally Beauty Supply locations starting February 2011 (this month everyone, so be on the lookout!). I've also been alerted via the China Glaze Twitter (@ChinaGlaze), that the polishes are now available for pre-order at the Trans Design website. In addition to their availability in 12-piece displays, there will also be 3-piece kits that will include a base color, a crackle polish (in Black Mesh, Broken Hearted, or Crushed Candy), and a top coat.

I definitely plan on collecting them all Pokemon-style (if I can)! I'm especially looking forward to trying the teal, purple (of course, my favorite color would speak to me), and grey shades. Over a black polish?! LOVE! Check out the China Glaze site here.

What do you think? Are you interested in the crackle polish craze? Will you pick up any of these colors? Have you tried a crackle polish before? Weigh in!

Happy Valentine's Day From KENZO!

Hi all! I just wanted to share with you a special promotion that KENZO is running for Valentine's Day. Through February 11, when you make ANY purchase at the KENZO website, receive FREE 2-day shipping with the code VALENTINE15.

My recommendations: Flower By Kenzo EDP (previously reviewed), KENZOKI Nightshift Cream (so delicious and light...smells subtly of ginger and helps to revitalize your skin while you sleep!)

There is also a new fragrance on the block that you might be interested to try. L'Eau de KENZOAMOUR is a limited edition offering of the popular KENZOAMOUR that is said to be a bit lighter and fresher. The bottle is also quite gorgeous, I might add. (I will be reviewing this shortly)

Perfect time for your guy to treat you to a sweet gift, don't you think? Go ahead, drop those hints!

NEW Bobbi Brown Illuminating Finish Powder Compact Foundation SPF 12

I was really excited to read about a NEW foundation from Bobbi Brown, the Illuminating Finish Powder Compact Foundation SPF 12. Though I haven't yet tried one of her foundation formulas, I have certainly been interested. In this post, I thought I would share some details of the new product with you all.

Illuminating Finish is described as an easily blendable soft, creamy powder foundation. It contains a combination of Coco-Glyceride and spherical powders, and the formula, though lightweight, provides buildable coverage and can be applied wet or dry (interesting!). The product is said to provide a flawless, radiant finish due to the formula's reflective pigments, and minimizes the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles.

The level of coverage is described as easily adjustable, and these are the application suggestions:

Sheer coverage - dust on with a powder brush

Medium coverage - apply with a puff or dry sponge

Full coverage - smooth on with damp sponge

Bobbi says: "It's taken me more than five years to create this foundation. I tested it at shoots, on models, friends and my team until I got it just right. Applied wet or dry, it evens out your skin and gives it a brightness that lasts all day - in any kind of lighting. And because it's so finely milled, it looks incredibly natural."

Illuminating Finish comes in 20 shades and retails for $40. It is available now at Bobbi Brown counters and www.bobbibrown.com.

I wonder how this foundation would perform on slightly acne-scarred skin. Food for thought! Will you try?

Mascara Loving: NEW Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara With GROW-LASH Complex

Photo credit: Rimmel London website

Let's face it. Mascara is pretty important to me. On a daily basis, I don't have the time (or energy!) to do a full eyeshadow look, and most days I'll simply swipe on a few coats of mascara and run out the door. I've found myself purchasing a lot of different mascaras lately (mostly drugstore), many of which are ones that have been getting a lot of attention, trying to figure out what works best to enhance my natural lashes (which on their own, tend to be average length, but rather straight pre-lash curler....thanks dad!).

One mascara that I have really been enjoying over the past couple of weeks is Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara with Grow-Lash Complex. I find that the formula really does the job of lengthening my lashes (I generally apply a few coats, as I normally would with any mascara) and even adds a bit of volume as well (for added volume, I would suggest pairing with a volumizing mascara). I don't have any issues with the formula flaking throughout the day, and the brush is the perfect size for reaching those lashes in the inner corners of the eyes. I sometimes have a more difficult time applying mascara to this area with thicker wands. I would say, however, that with added coats you might notice a slight bit of clumping. Personally, I didn't find this bothersome, but I thought it was worth a quick mention. If it does bother you, combing out the lashes should do the trick. Another aspect of the product that I greatly appreciate is the fact that the wand doesn't pull too much product out of the tube each time. Way too often the openings of my mascara tubes get filled with excess product "crud." Lash Accelerator imparts just the right amount of drama, making it a perfect option for daytime wear.

Rimmel claims that Lash Acclerator helps to promote natural lash growth. On the product page on the Rimmel website it states, "instantly, your lashes look up to 80% longer, but then after 30 days of continued use, they’ll appear up to 117% longer!" While I can't speak to the more long-term effects of the mascara as I haven't been using it long enough, I can say, that, as of now, I don't see a real difference in the appearance of my naked lashes. The exclusive GROW-LASH complex contains Procapil®, to strengthen the roots, in addition to lash-conditioning ingredients such as biotin, keratin, and bamboo.

Overall, I think Lash Accelerator would be a good one to test out if you are on the market for a new mascara that imparts natural length and definition to lashes. It is a great affordable option (I think I snagged mine from CVS for $7.99) and drugstores are always running BOGO sales (makes the deal even sweeter, right?). Try it! I think you'll like it! ;-)

So, have you tried Lash Accelerator yet? Do you like it? Hate it? Indifferent? What mascaras are you currently enjoying?

NB: I purchased this myself.

Backstage Pass: Venexiana SS2011 For Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week

Kati Stern, designer for Venexiana

Venexiana designer Kati Stern debuted her SS2011 collection on September 11th in The Studio at Lincoln Center. The Venexiana line always brings the drama, boasting gowns with intricate detailing and luxe fabrics. The hair and makeup for the show was definitely visually interesting and complemented the designer's aesthetic.


HAIR:

Tela Design Studio was the creative force behind the hair for the Venexiana SS2011 show. Philip Pelusi, stylist extraordinaire and founder of the aforementioned salon and line of organic hair care, was, along with his team, active backstage working feverishly. I was able to chat with Tela's creative director, Jeffrey Reitz (who has worked with Mr. Pelusi for over 35 years), who explained to me the inspiration behind the hair style.


The general concept was for the hair to have a "Boticelli," "neo-renaissance," romantic, feel. A main feature of the style was the crimping of the fringe around the face which was draped and pinned to the underlying shape, a "soft, reverse roll," or a more modern "flip up," constructed flat to the nape of the neck. The key was to showcase mixed texture, while still maintaining a delicate balance. Mr. Reitz described the look as a "traditional 'do, undone."

In terms of the products used, there were no sprays employed to style the hair (in fact, I was told that the working motto is "no gel for spring"). One of the main products used was RefresHair, a "dry cleaner" for the hair that helps to remove debris and odor, from the P2 by Philip Pelusi line.

How to create the style at home:

1. Pull hair back into a messy bun/ponytail (can be high or low)

2. Leave pieces out around the hairline and crimp them

3. Drape the crimped pieces over the underlying shape and pin them

Stylist Philip Pelusi

Photos of the final hairdo


The hair from the back


Another shot of the hair from the back

MAKEUP:

Napoleon Perdis and his team of artists (interestingly this season almost all of them came in from Australia!) beautified the models' faces for the show. The inspiration for the look was the idea of the "Venetian courtesan" (i.e. Venexiana), with the overwhelming feeling of "dark glamour." The focus was definitely on the eyes, "smoky with a metallic edge," which were dark save for gold and teal (China Doll Gel Eyeliner in Teal) pops of color in the inner corners of the eyes and the lower waterline, respectively. The gold was intended to give the look an expensive feel (and I thought it was gorgeous!). Mesmer-Eyes mascara was used on the lashes and falsies were added for drama. As the eyes were kept the focus of the look, the lips were left pretty neutral. NP Set lipstick in Hong Kong was used as a base with Luminous Lip Veil in Gold & the Beautiful layered on top. The cheeks were flushed with China Doll Colour Veil and Mosaic Bronzer.

A model wearing the finished makeup look

Models with hair and makeup:

*Other makeup products used:

Napoleon Complex Skin Renewal Serum
Auto-Pilot Pre-Foundation Primer
China Doll Foundation
Pro-Palette Camera Finish
China Doll Gel Eyeliner in Equinox
Colour Disc #29, Queen of the Night
Bronze Cream
Loose Dust #1, Contrary Canary

Saving Skin with SK-II Skin Signature

By Skincare Confidential



Sometimes our skin needs a little extra attention and pampering to help stave off the effects of the daily grind. Cult skincare brand, SK-II, has a delectable anti-aging skincare range, Skin Signature, which features a moisturizer designed to restore and strengthen the skin, improving overall radiance and smoothness. SK-II Skin Signature ($205) is a lightweight luxe cream that contains Vitamin B3, Pitera and Oli-Vityl which work to condition the skin while delivering long lasting moisture. Vitamin B3 is important for overall skin and cellular health, while Pitera and Oli-Vityl are derived from yeast and olives respectively, to help improve the skin’s clarity and provide hydration.

I have been trialling this cream and have found that it has done a great job at keeping my skin soft and supple, especially at the end of the day, after thoroughly cleansing the day’s grime, grease and sunscreen off with a heavy duty cleanser.

Under makeup, Signature provides a good silky base over which foundation can glide. I recommend allowing at least 3 minutes to let it sink in so that skin is really hydrated before applying foundation. If it hasn’t absorbed fully, makeup can get a bit streaky. No time to wait? Add a drop of foundation to a pea-sized amount and make your own delectable tinted moisturizer.

What I love most about this cream is that it did a good job helping my skin cope with the roller coaster humidity and heat of this past summer, which had the ability to wreak havoc on even the most normal skin. Over the period of testing the product, I noted my skin didn’t dry out or turn flaky by the end of the day. Nor did it turn super shiny or breakout when humidity levels climbed. In terms of clarity and tone, it was a bit hard to tell. During the summer months, my skin generally has a more “even” tone due to my natural mocha hue.

I recommend Skin Signature to everyone as it is lightweight, provides lasting hydration, and doesn’t contain anti-aging ingredients that can irritate sensitive skin. This product is an ideal addition to any basic skincare regimen.

Caudalie Friends and Family Sale!

Hi everyone! 'Tis the season for Friends and Family sales!

From October 21 - October 25, Caudalie is offering 20% off on all purchases made at www.caudalie-usa.com. Enter code FF2010 to redeem.

Sooo, I have a confession. I have actually yet to try Caudalie skincare products (hangs head in shame). Do you have any favorites? Share with me!

Will you be indulging?

Backstage Pass: MIK CIRE SS2011 For Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week

On September 11th, designer Eric Kim sent his MIK CIRE SS2011 collection down the runway at The Studio at Lincoln Center. The inspiration for the show was "90's grunge" a la Kurt Cobain. A peek backstage revealed that the overall look was messy, rugged, and very sexy.

*HAIR:

Here are the steps that key stylist, Sean James/Fred Segal for PHYTO followed to create the intended style:

1. For long hair, Phyto Professional Intense Volume Mousse was applied for a nice sheen and natural gloss.

2. Hair was blown dry. Phyto Professional Glossing Cream was applied to finish.

3. For short looks, a pea-sized amount of Phyto Professional Matte Texturizing Paste was added to the hair.

3. Hair was taken piece by piece to create definition.

4. Phytolaque hairspray was used to finish the look.

Stylist Sean James in action styling a male model's hair

Some shots of the models mid-coif:









The products used

GROOMING:

Key makeup artist, Priscilla Rangel for Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, stated that the models were meant to uphold a rugged, manly look, and thus, little makeup was used on the face. OCC Skin: Primer was applied as a "makeup alternative," to even out pores and create a smooth canvas. Brows were kept natural, and a balm was used on the lips.

The finished looks:

Photo credit: PHYTO

Photo credit: PHYTO

Photo credit: PHYTO

Photo credit: PHYTO

*Step-by-step provided by PHYTO

**PHYTO products are available for purchase at Sephora locations, www.sephora.com, Ulta stores, www.ulta.com, www.beauty.com, www.drugstore.com, and select salons.