Beauty Blog » 2008 » April

Well I know I maybe should have posted about this particular phenomenon a bit sooner, but truth be told I didn’t think this trend would last for too long. I just came back from Las Vegas this weekend and I would like to report that not only is the “Authentic Ray Ban” trend still in full force but that it is trickling down to fashion as well.

If I had a nickel for every guy I saw sporting a fedora and a pair of black Ray-Bans well I would probably have a buck fifty right now! Truth is I don’t mind the look, it’s kinda suave and a throw back to the “Sinatra Rat Pack” generation. It’s swanky.

I also attended the Kanye West Concert on Friday, now the one look I am not fully convinced about is the multi-colored Ray-Bans that the young hipsters seem to be supporting:

While promoting her new film Interview in NYC, Sienna Miller sports two major trends for summer, red frames and Ray-Ban Wayfarers! (Source: People.com)

Drew Barrymore sporting the white Ray-Ban Sunglasses …

Nicole “Miss Trendy” Richie flossin’ the classic black Ray-Ban Wayfarers …

There was literally swarms of kiddies sporting white Ray-Bans at the Kanye concert, but I think it was also due to those white sunglasses with blinds for lenses that he sports that added to the trend. I personally have nothing against the colored versions, they just look really stupid on my pudgy asian face.

More power to you if you can rock them. Myself I am more of a fan of the Classic Ray-Ban Aviators sported here:

(Source: People.com)

What do you guys think? Welcome back vintage Ray-Bans? or Horrible blast from the Past?

This is how Mac Cosmetics describes the new Mac Skinsheen: Legs…bronzed to distraction. Seductive and cruise-worthy. A sprayable lightweight gel that unlike your fancy, never drifts. Brushes lightly and flawlessly over the skin…undetectable. For the ultimate secret application and smoothest sheen, try the 179 Body Buffer Brush. Skinsheen Leg Spray applies like a soft mousse to provide a quick, highly blendable application of colour to legs, arms, shoulders and decolletage.

Hmmm, wonder if it makes your legs ghostly pale like mine are and this model in the photos are?

Finish reading the full article at Talking Makeup Blog!

Well yet again, my year is chalk full of friends tying the knot! Let me tell you it never ceases to shock me the things that can and do go wrong. I am not trying to scare you but when I came across this article about how to create the ultimate “Wedding Day Survival Kit” well I felt it was my womanly duty to spread the word to you lovelies.

See how to create your own Wedding Day Survival Kit at The Beauty Addict Blogspot!

OK HELLO!! Had to say it Joan Collins is looking fierce!! No joke, this lady is 78 years old guys! 78!! What the hell? Umm…whatever magic kool-aide she is slurping she needs to share the wealth. Plus the diva is dating a guy that is 30 years her junior. Nice, now that’s aging gracefully…

Finish reading about Joan Collins and all her gloriousness at MyBeautyMatch Blog!

Meanwhile in the land of Smarter Beauty here is a quick RECAP:

We are all trying to find the magic formula to get rid of these bloody tiger tears in our skin, also known as stretch marks! But before you shell out the dough, let’s discuss what works? Does StriVectin SD work? Read more by clicking the link or image.

In honor of Earth Day I chose to highlight some Organic Cosmetic choices! Check out hemp lipstick, vegan lip gloss and organic hair color kit! I dunno whether to smoke it, eat it or wear it! (click on image or link to read full post)

I share yet another one of my many crazy secrets! Mainly my OCD habits and how they effect my life and work flow. Lucky for me my friend Valentina introduced me to the wonder that is “Gloves in a Bottle” … read full post by clicking image or link.

That’s all Folks!

Michelle

So I have undiagnosed OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) I am not kidding, ask any of my co-workers! I literally have this routine in the morning when I will notice if anyone has touched my desk and will spend the following 5-10 minutes adjusting and re-adjusting my stuff. It drives my peers nuts.

Second to that is my fixation with washing my hands, I can imagine thousands of little germies just hunkering down and making condos on my fingers. (I’m warped right?)

The unfortunate side effect of all this hand washing is that my hands get super dry and cracked. Depending on my mood and level of dryness I have an assortment of lotions in my desk drawer to suit my mood.

My friend Valentina recently told me about Gloves in a Bottle lotion and gave me a bottle as a gift.

Turns out the stuff is pretty cool, here is what I like about it:

• it’s not sticky
• it really does moisturize my hands without feeling greasy as other lotions that moisturize do
• non -scented - so it doesn’t compete with my lovely natural scent (aka my current fave perfume dujour)
• they have this whole scientific formula that basically boils down to bonding with your outer layer of skin, locking moisture in thus preventing dry cracked hands and nail beds
• plus it doesn’t wash off when you wash your hands so for someone like me, its a dream

It works, if your like me and can’t stop washing your hands every few hours or you just like to keep you hands moisturized, give it a shot.

Retails for $12.95 for 8oz of Gloves in a Bottle

That’s the bottle up there next to “Sammy” the Samurai salt fish dispenser on my desk. What? I like salt on stuff?

To purchase or check out Gloves in a Bottle, click here.

So in honor of Mother Earth and all her green goodness, I decided to dabble into the realm of …

ORGANIC BEAUTY PRODUCTS

My first observation in regards to organic makeup products is that it seems that hippies don’t care too much for packaging. Sort of makes sense, if you go out of your way to make sure that your makeup is made of wheats and oats, I doubt you would appreciate it if the packaging was made of plastic and wasteful bi-products. Hahaha, I kid, I kid!

Well here are some interesting organic choices if you’re interested:

Hemp Organics Lipstick

Hmmm, made with hemp seed oil and organic beeswax. Made in the good ol’ USA and contains no F, D and C dyes. The lipstick is lead free and contains no petroleum, wheat or gluten.

Makes one wonder how they go about creating the color huh? Maybe it’s magic. Well regardless they offer a wide assortment of colors for you to choose from, and from their description I think the overall effect is very light and sheer. Sounds nice.

Retails for $13.99

Check out their site at Vashon Organics, click here.

I recently got a haircut and color so I found this item particularly interesting.

Simply Organic Hair Color Care Kit

Simply Organic Color Care Kit is a 4-piece Color Care Kit for those looking to protect and care for their hair and scalp after a professional color service. The kit includes a Simply Organic Moisture Rich Wash, Simply Organic Moisture Rich Rinse, Simply Organic Rejuvenating Hair & Scalp Sealer and Simply Organic Color Therapy Treatment. Everything you need to protect your color investment. (Click on link above or image to purchase)

Retails for $72.00 at Hair Care USA

Aubrey Organic Lip Gloss

This looks promising and at a price range I can deal with (turns out much like organic veggies and clean living, these organic beauty products are pretty pricey). Aubrey Organic lip gloss is 100% vegan and is made of sunflower and jojoba oil, as well as African butters to make a base that soothes and moisturizes lips.

Contains no artificial colors or synthetics of any kind. Also made with a long list of rich emollients, plus natural food-grade PABA (SPF for sun protection. (Click the image or the link to purchase)

Best part is it retails for only $5.21

Happy Earth Day!

Now get out there kick off your shoes and go hug a tree!

I have been hearing about this StriVectin SD cream for quite some time now. Reportedly it is the best selling stretch mark and anti-aging over the counter lotion available.

Well with claims like that, I can almost forgive the price tag. Almost. The only problem is I have been in this beauty business too long to fall for the advertising hype just yet, if it works then I don’t mind shelling out $63 dollars for 2 ounces of product. But given my gut to product ratio I am going to need some feedback before I invest.

On top of magically reducing stretch marks StriVectin also claims to reduce the length, depth and volume of wrinkles. Here’s a direct quote:

“StriVectin SD was originally developed to repair stretch marks but has grown in popularity as a wrinkle reducing cream and claims of being “Better than Botox.” “

To shop or purchase the StriVectin SD lotion, click here.

Well that pretty much seals the deal, if I was a cat I would be sitting here dead! My curiosity has reached it’s peak! Has anyone tried this stuff? Does it work?

Ohh Yeah! Bring on the interesting…

Hollywood actress and fashion icon Chloë Sevigny is launching Japan’s UT, a high street collection.

The Summer 2008 collection of T-shirts are said to be designed in collaboration with iconic Australian artists Keith Harring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. If you’d like to check out the designs, just visit www.uniqlo.co.uk.

(Source: CelebrityBrands.net)

SugarShock Beauty Blog features a great post about Bumble and Bumble conquering hair fashion! To promote this big-hair-getter hairspray, Bumble’s first new product in two years, the brand created a very cool street-meets-couture website featuring the transformations of a bunch of L.A. street hipsters.

(Source: Sugar Shock Beauty Blog)

MEANWHILE…IN THE LAND OF SMARTER BEAUTY…

When guys sport makeup, are they Rockstars, Freaks, or Geeks? See what others have to say regarding the issue. See the horror for yourself and finish reading by clicking here.

*Shudders* swimwear season is right around the corner, time to mow the lawn ladies! Read about my personal experiences with the female growth patch hair removal options and what I recommend to get you nice and smooth for Summer! Share your methods with others, the more you know… the more you know!

Well first of all, if my abdomen, hips, thighs and bikini area looked like this ladies I would consider just walking around in a thong! Yep, that’s right, it would just be me…in my white thong prancing around the office, going to church, hitting the supermaket.. Ha!

Well back to my pale blubbery reality. It’s warming up, we are in the midst of Spring and on the cusp of SUMMER! So… time to get the ol’ bikini region funderwear friendly.

I started shaving my zone sophomore year in high school, prior to that I use to let my garden grow wild and free. Well like every other novice the only advice I had to go on was my friends. Who told me to just use a regular shaving razor and soap. Ugh!

Horrible advice, this may work for some ladies but all it got me was razor burn and stubbies. Yeck! I guess my skin was super sensitive and I don’t know if it is just me but the hair would grow back within 2 days and be really short and harsh. I really didn’t like the outcome.

My solution was to start getting waxed at my local nail salon. Which in high school became an expensive and let’s face it semi-humiliating experience. At sixteen you are pretty self conscious of your stuff, when in hindsight it was probably the prettiest it will ever be, go figure. As it were I tried some home remedies;

I tried Nad’s Hair removal kit thanks to the infomercial. Let me be the first to tell you that stuff is utterly bogus. Here is the lowdown:

• It’s messy, it’s sticky, it sucks!
• It doesn’t work and I nearly scalded myself when I applied the gel.
• Plus when left unattended the stuff morphs into this crystallized science project.
• Don’t get it!

I finally settled on Nair’s Bikini Cream and have been using it for years. What I like about it is it’s very easy to use, it leaves your area silky smooth and I swear through the years that the growth has dwindled. I have been trying to convince my best friend to use it instead of shaving, and on her last trip to Cancun she finally did and she loves it too. It’s just my personal recommendation. All you do is apply it to the desired growth, leave it on for about 5 minutes (recommended is three, I do five) and wipe hair off with a hand towel. Leaves your skin really smooth and stubble free, plus in my experience it does not grow back as quickly. Price - $5.95

Well that’s my recommendation, what do you gals use? Sharing is caring, let’s all help each other!

Boy oh boy, do we live in confusing times! Not only is it becoming increasingly more and more difficult to make the distinction between metrosexual and just plain ol’ gay: but now we have to worry about our fellahs stealing our eyeliner - Stop the madness!!

To be clear I realize that men who work in the industry (ie. TV, movies, music) often have to become camera ready before getting in front of the lens. However more and more of these chaps are sporting the makeup off camera and in everyday life. Which brings us to the question at hand, Makeup on Men - Rockstars, Freaks or Geeks?

Wow! To think there was a time I would lay awake at night and dream that someday I would become Mrs. Jordan Catalano!! (My So-Called Life) Now he just looks like a greasy jerk with a Marilyn Manson fetish…

First of all what exactly is Pete Wentz famous for? What does he do? Anyone?

Well regarding his excessive eyeliner use, I couldn’t tell you who or what this guy does BUT I do know every time I see him in a photo he is wearing eyeliner. I guess we all have to be known for something?…

Lastly this is my friend Welfrey who is a makeup artist for M.A.C. makeup. Now granted he is of the gay variety and I give him some slack because I feel his makeup use is an extension of his craft, however would you not die if your man wore this much makeup?!?

Am I wrong ladies? I am a very open minded gal but I just can’t get behind men wearing makeup! The occasional tweezing of the unibrow is fine, lotion and cologne is a-ok, but I draw the line at eyeliner and face powder.

I need all the bathroom counter space as it is, and by god if I have to fight a man early in the morning for bathroom beauty time, well folks there will be bloodshed is all I am saying!

What do you guys think? Makeup on Men - Rockstars, Freaks or Geeks?

Stila created a whole new summer collection which is pre-launched on their website: www.stilacosmetics.com . It’s not available on the counters yet, so make sure you check out Stila’s website to shop for their hottest products this season.

The new Stila Summer Collection includes: Summer Eye Shadow Palette Limited Edition: The one item you can’t live without this summer. Stila’s palette features shimmery, summery golds and bronzes, and includes best-selling and Stila shadows.

(Finish reading full post at Talking Makeup Blog - The New Stila Summer Collection

Geez! Must be so nice to be a celebrity kid and have doors of opportunity just swing wide open for you!!

The latest celebrity spawn to join the modeling ranks is 18-year-old Dakota Johnson, daughter to Melanie Griffith (in photo) and Don Johnson, signing with IMG models.

Ummm..no offense but if they weren’t her parents, NO WAY this girl would ever be a model. She ain’t cute…

(Original post is from Makeup Beat - Dakota Johnson Joins the IMG Models )

New mom “Beauty Chick” from the Beauty Hatchery Blog discovered Bella B’s Tummy Honey Butter that helped ease her itchy stretching skin and stretchmarks! It’s a thick butter designed to prevent stretch marks and alleviate the itching of stretched-thin skin. In the tub, it’s a solid - think of a true butter, not a cream-described-as-butter.

(Read the full post at Beauty Hatchery Blog - Honey from Tummy to Toes)

Editor’s Note:

Well my loves just another beauty week! Hope all is smashing with you and yours, keep the comments and ideas rolling…

Michelle

I know she looks like the Crypt Keeper, but she’s only twenty-one!!! WOW!

She is living proof why we should all invest in sunscreen, ASAP! Well in all honesty who didn’t see this coming? I have a teeny confession though, I actually liked her when she was little and felt not only was she a decent actress with plenty of potential, but that she was cute. Boy did I bet on a losing horse, huh?

Keep in mind this was circa:

Way before she became a freckled, crack smoking, belligerent, prostitute …

Honestly though I am fair skinned myself and everyone knows natural red heads are the fairest of them all. I always cringed when I would see photos of her donning a bikini in full sunlight completely unprotected from the SUN! She was either tangerine fake bake orange or tomato red or crack head gray. All I am saying is we aren’t living in the 70’s anymore, its a whole new planet kids. Minus a protective ozone layer, coupled with the green house effect of gases means sunscreen isn’t a selective beauty notion, it’s become a necessity! For all ye’ doubters, please refer to La’ Lohan gorgeous and fresh 21 year old face, I rest my case. Remember I preach because I care…

LESSON OF THE DAY:

+ + =

Excessive Drinking + Heavy Drug Use + No Sunscreen = Premature AGING

Class Dismissed!