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The Long and Short of It.

Tuesday, March 19th, 2013

This post on Into the Gloss last week really had me thinking about chopping my hair off. I have never really been one to fear this kind of change, especially that one time in college when I decided to try a version of the adorable Meg Ryan “You’ve Got Mail” cut and found out it’s NOT a good look for girls with thick dark brown hair. Best left to waifs with blonde locks. But hair grows, and soon it was super duper long and then cut it again when I donated to locks of love after my wedding. It’s not crazy long now, but that annoying in between length and I have to decide which way to go. Hmmmmmm.

As the article brings up, it seems as though most men find short hair less “attractive” than long hair. I blame Victoria’s Secret models. In a world where almost every celebrity has extensions in, it’s covet-able to have really long hair. But there is something so freeing about cutting it off! And I know there are many men out there who think short hair is sexy on a lady- confidence and quirkiness abound, right? :) But I think it keeps a lot of people from taking the plunge and shopping it off. Thoughts??

The looks I’ve been admiring and considering: Not crazy short a la Hathaway, but a shorter angled wavy bob- like these. I am especially liking that second one with the ombre color. But seeing as my grey hairs are multiplying like baby rabbits I’m not sure…

Supermodels Daria Werbowy and Karlie Kloss both cut their hair into bobs this year….

The center part looks sleek and pretty.

Olivia Munn’s hair looks great wavy or straight. A smidge shorter than I think I’d be ok going.

And it looks pretty AND cute when up… granted, it also helps WHEN YOU LOOK LIKE OLIVIA MUNN.

I have some time to think about it…but am loving that I could do something fun (possibly traumatic) for myself and support others by getting my hair cut on April 28th for the HAIRraising Cut-A-Thon for Children’s Hospital Boston! My salon is participating (Salon Marc Harris Newbury) but you can check here to find a participating one. From a trim to a chop, it’ll feel good to help someone else out.

Posted in beauty | 56 Comments »

Fashion Friday: Best of Beauty Picks

Friday, December 7th, 2012

It’s that time of year where not only do you have to get dolled up for lots of events and parties but it’s also happens to be cold and dry- which wreaks havoc on skin (my skin at least). So in an effort to help with both issues here are some of my all time favorite products for holiday season (or really any season!) And some of these make excellent gifts for other who might be beauty product obsessed too!

1. I have been trying to find a replacement for years for my beloved (RIP) Chanel Teint Innocence foundation and Urban Decay’s Naked is the first product I’ve found that I’ve liked enough to buy twice! A really amazing texture, light yet layer-able without looking like heavy makeup. Plus it has good for your skin ingredients too. I have been hearing RAVE reviews for Armani’s Maestro foundation so I’m going to try that next!

2. I’m all about eyeshadow palettes because they are so fabulous to travel with- this new Bobbi Brown one is my new favorite with a collection of the very best colors that can create a neutral work look or a glitzy party one.

3. The best mascara out there bar-none! No clumps, super dark and incredible volume and length.

4. I am not a lipstick girl and I only use things I can apply without a mirror- this Plum shade of Fresh’s famous balms ads a pop of natural color while keeping lips conditioned (plus it smells and tastes amazing). The coral color is super fun for holiday parties too!

5. I have been a dedicated user of YSL’s Touche Eclat for a decade- but I did try Givenchy’s Mister Light pen the other day and was tres impressed! It took my tired eyes from sad to sparkling in an instant.

6. My favorite product for skin as of late…. Josie Maran’s Argan Oil is just heaven for the skin- moisturizing and imparts a lovely glow without making skin greasy at all. And all natural with the bonus of being awesome for hair and cuticles too!

7. I am totally obsessed with Paul Mitchell’s Wild Ginger Awaphui shampoo, conditioner and styling oil. It had made an insane, noticeable difference in my dry hair by deeply moisturizing without any weight. Floored.

8. For “just went ice skating” flush try Nars blush in Mata Hari. So pretty.

9. For seriously glam, sparkly, metallic eyes nothing beats Armani’s Eyes to Kill shadows.

10. I have yet to use a treatment eye cream that truly makes a difference in the appearance of my undereyes- so instead I have turned to just looking for fabulous moisture and I love Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment for winter months. Simple and does it’s job- plus easy on eyes for us contact wearers.

11. THE BEST. Tons of hype, but oh so worth it. Nothing keeps skin supple in the dry winter months like this stuff. Nothing. The makeup artist who worked on me in LA said it was her fave product ever invented and has kept her skin wrinkle free (and girlfriend looked GOOD.)

12. & 13. I don’t use eye liner pencils or pens, only cake liner and a skinny flat eyeliner brush. I feel it gives a softer line but can be done wet for more dramatic liquid look.

14. For those who love outdoor adventures in the winter (or summer) this UV/ SPF protector is amazing! A liquid that feel fresh on skin but really works at protecting from the elements.

Posted in beauty, Fashion Fridays | 17 Comments »

Bathroom Organizing: Product Showdown.

Tuesday, August 28th, 2012

Moving is a great excuse to reduce clutter. And in no place do I have more clutter and crap then in my bathroom. This right now is what’s happening in my bathroom cabinet. No cleaning up for you, just the brutal truth. Too much crap. I always say that CVS and Sephora are my two favorite stores because I can’t leave either one without picking up multiple new products to try. In my new bathroom I want to get rid of the crap I’ve bought and hate, old stuff, free samples I used once and unnecessary stuff. Why do I hang onto some hair product I didn’t like or a tube of face cream just because it was free? Enough is enough. So here is my plan to organize and only buy the products I love- better stuff, but LESS stuff!

What the hell.

Since I have a new vanity with drawers I am going to have to get me a SLEW of these acrylic drawer organizers first off, so I can keep thing neat and tidy.

I have this amazing jadeite set at work but I think I’m going to bring it to the house and use the pencil cup for brushes and the covered dish for bobby pins and hair elastics on the counter.

As far as products go I am having a major love affair with Malin+Goetz- the smells, the good for you ingredients and the fact that they make my skin feel great. I especially love the grapefruit face wash (anything grapefruit scented I will huff like it’s illegal- the scent is my FAVE) and the peppermint body scrub. Another scent that makes me high.

The B5 Body Lotion is expensive but my skin has never felt smoother of softer. Granted, I have a stockpile of hotel size samples that I dole myself out like rations during a famine, but the whole point of this “less but better” thing might get me to spring for the big bottle. Also important in the body arsenal is self tanner. I have been splurging on this St. Tropez foam all spring and summer and it’s such a natural color people always comment “you got some sun!” No I didn’t. I’ve been hiding in my apartment writing this blog, actually. But thanks. I also hear Xentan in awesome. Anyone tried it?

I love me some Kiehls too- especially their Amino Acid Shampoo and Olive Conditioner. Until last month I had four different shampoos and three conditioners in the shower. I want ONE OF EACH. So it’s down to these, also curious to try Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy stuff (nice on the wallet) and of course, I love the Malin & Goetz Peppermint Shampoo and Cilantro Conditioner (you gotta love cilantro though, like me. It IS a polarizing herb).

Kiss My Face Moisture Shave in Cool Mint has been a fave for years- less irritation, more moisture, fewer nicks therefore less of a Dexter-ish crime scene after a shave. For smoothing of another kind, I do really like my Clarisonic, although I am depressed that I did not get this leopard one.

I have tried everything to tame frizzies and the only thing I come back to is Moroccan Oil Treatment. And my clipless 1″ curling iron! You just take 1-2″ sections and wrap around it for beachy waves. It’s hot as hell though, so be careful where you wave that thing (I hit Andrew in the chest once with it by accident and branded him). I have three other curling irons. I need to cut that out.

Josie Maran Argan Oil is amazing for the face- lightweight, not greasy and adds such a glow. Not to mention organic and totally paraben free. Have any of you tried the famous Olio Lusso? Dying to try, I have to say I love the packaging, but want to know if it’s worth it. I have yet to find an eye cream I love, but the reviews for this Laura Mercier one sound awesome. I’d love to hear your favorite eye cream!

For day lotion with sunscreen I’ve been using this drugstore CeraVe SPF 30 for a while since my mom recommended it and I saw it in a magazine. Simple and does the job. For night cream I have started using prescription Renova. Hey, I’m 33 now. And I sunbathed for years. It’s time.

I am still cursing the day Chanel stopped making the world’s most perfect foundation, Teint Innocence. It was THE BEST and I have not found anything like it at all. Any suggestions would be welcome- I’ve been using Lancome Teint Miracle and it’s not cutting the mustard. The only face product I am now devoted to is still YSL’s Touche Eclat. Looking for any other concealers you guys love too!

For face color, I need me a little bronzer and I have two and I can’t reduce further- one being matte (Guerlain Terracotta in Brunette) and one with kick ass shimmer (Bobbi Brown’s Shimmer Brick in Bronze- I have always had one of these for the last 5 years- it’s awesome).

For cheek color I still have not found “the one”. I do like Bobbi’s Sand Pink or Tawny as a fall back. I also became pretty obsessed with the Chantecaille blush in the New Classic’s Palette but am BUMMED to find out I can’t buy it individually. :( It’s a great palette though!

Speaking of palettes, for eyes I end up with 8 million colors, which is why I like the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette, it keeps tons of colors in one tin. However, like most palettes, I find my favorites and then those disappear first, like the base color. Which I why I also love to have a full size Bobbi Brown Bone Eyeshadow for all over, the best base color for my skin tone. I also love Bobbi’s other full size eyeshadows- great formula, great colors.

For eyeliner I only use a wet skinny flat brush and Laura Mercier’s Tightline. I cannot deal with pencils or liquids. This is so great because depending on the amount of water you put on your brush it depends on whether the liner is more liquid looking and defined or more blendable like a pencil. I am not a mascara snob and usually grab some Great Lash (with curved brush), although I recall LOVING Chanel’s Inimitable Mascara.

For brows, all you need is a good pair of Tweezerman tweezers and Anastasia’s Brow Wiz pencil which is amazing (because as I get older my former bushy brows now take longer to grow in…argh).

I never wear lipstick, just glosses or balms. I love Chanel Glossimer and Chantecaille for gloss but the makeup artist on the Oprah shoot used Lipstick Queen Matte Gloss on me in Minor Crisis (PERFECT NAME) and it was good stuff. She swore by it.