Nail Jelly: American Apparel Sheer Nail Lacquer

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American Apparel’s “Sheer” Nail Lacquer collection offers six beautifully bold glosses named after beloved California beaches. While the shades are uber vivid, they are sheer enough to layer, mix and match.

Moonlight Beach: royal blue

Redondo Beach: sky blue

Pacific Beach: turquoise

Zuma Beach: green/chartreuse

Manhattan Beach: fiery coral

Summerland Beach: light peach

The formula is thin but very pigmented. In about three coats – you can get full coverage. However, I love the one-two coats for a sheer jelly-like effect and sheer wash of color. Drying time is quick with a glossy finish. The formula has an average lifespan… a couple days – but chips are easily corrected with a brush-over as this polish is great for layering.

The new sheer lacquers are cruelty-free and available in retail American Apparel stores or online here.

Know Your Zones: Dermalogica Face Mapping

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Take the guesswork out of your skincare regime with Dermalogica’s Face Mapping®. This process takes no more than five to ten minutes and provides insight into your skin’s past and present, allowing the subsequent prescription of a targeted home care regime. Face Mapping® is available at authorized skin treatment centers, salons, and spas worldwide. To find one nearest you – HERE.

Developed by The International Dermal Institute, Dermalogica’s Face Mapping® is a zone-by-zone skin analysis tool which provides insight into individual skin types and skin concerns. With your very own personalized analysis and prescription, you will discover how to treat your skin with the right products and professional skin treatments.

Rather than analyzing the skin in general terms, a Dermalogica Professional Skin Therapist uses Face Mapping® to divide the facial landscape into fourteen zones. Each zone is thoroughly examined inch-by-inch through touch and site, and findings are notated on a prescription sheet.

This prescription sheet serves as a customized visual guide for you, outlining on an actual facial landscape illustration where conditions including congestion, breakouts, dehydration, and/or hyper-pigmentation are present. Face Mapping® maintains an accurate record of your skin, which provides you and your Dermalogica Professional Skin Therapist an objective view into the results of any professional product recommendation.

If you don’t have time to see a Professional, Dermalogica offers Speed Mapping online. In just two quick steps, the process will identify your top concerns, then provide a personalized product prescription. Get started: HERE.

This analysis is a wonderful tool for those questioning their skin type or experiencing changes to their skin. Skin changes seasonally and Face Mapping® can be a useful and detrimental tool to solving your skincare concerns. Of course, Dermalogica will prescribe their brand of products in this analysis, but the information received applies to all brands of skincare.

Dermalogica’s Face Mapping® will put you on the road towards your healthiest skin ever!

Bejeweled: Rebecca Minkoff Jewelry

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Rebecca Minkoff debuted her first jewelry collection last week. The 52 – piece collection features horns of pave crystals, bracelets and spiky bangles, rings, and chain-link earrings. Accented with Swarovski Crystals and Art Deco-inspired glass stones, there is something for everyone.

The designer was inspired by the downtown girl who dresses for her “desk-to-dinner lifestyle.” Portrayed in the collection with great layering pieces and sparkling statement pieces.

The collection ranges from $48-$498 and is currently only available for pre-order – ready to ship on October 19th. It will then be available at select Bloomingdales stores and online at www.rebeccaminkoff.com.

Chain Drop Earrings – $78.00

All Pave Thinnest Bangle – $128.00

All Metal Thinnest Bangle – $98.00

Deco Multi Chain Necklace – $198.00

Pave Horn Necklace – $498.00

Jet Square CZ Earring – $68.00

Heart Bracelet – $98.00

The Classics: Black Pump

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The classic black pump. Perfect for day or night, work or play. A shoe that will never, ever go out-of-style and with the right cobbler, will last forever. They might all look very similar, but not all pumps are created equal.

The iconic black pump is truly an “investment piece”. When considering the purchase of the perfect pump, there are several points (pun intended) to consider, including craftsmanship, quality of leather, toe shape, heel height and arch support. This is not an item that can be purchased online, one must kiss many frogs before finding a prince.

From a power suit or LBD, to a favorite pair of designer jeans, the classic black pump instantly creates a chic, put-together look. The reliable shoe is a vital component in every women’s closet. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Jimmy Choo ~ Anouk Patent Leather Point Toe Pumps: $575.00

2. Christian Louboutin ~ Decollete Calfskin Pointed-Toe Pump: $625.00

3. Manolo Blahnik ~ Manolo Blahnik BB: $595.00

4. Prada ~ Leather Point-Toe Pump: $620.00

5. Zara ~ Leather High Heeled Court Shoe: $89.90

Summer Makeup Collections 2012

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Summer Makeup Collections are my absolute favorite. The bright colors and fun, free-spirited nature embody what the summer should resemble. The color-palette in these collections are always inspired by some exotic destination and being swept away to a beach with blue skies, hot sun, pristine white sands and tropical surroundings. The following six collections embrace summer with delightfully sunny shades, bronzed/sun-kissed skin and vibrant bursts of color.

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Summertime De Chanel 2012 is currently available online and at your local counters. Peter Philips, Creative Director of Chanel Makeup, replicates the natural glow of radiant, sunbathed skin. The collection includes two bronzers, an eyeshadow duo, eye crayons, lipsticks, lipglosses, and nail polishes (all limited edition). It is saturated with luminous bronze, gold and copper shades with a pop of coral perfection.

Must Have: Soleil Tan de Chanel & Rouge Coco Shine in En Vogue (bright coral)

Dive into summer with Yves Saint Laurent Summer Collection 2012. Available online and at department store counters May 2012, the collection features both limited edition and permanent collection items. The collection consists of universally flattering hues that aim to boost the radiance of the complexion and emphasize natural beauty.  The collection combines discrete nudes infused with subtle shimmer and pops of aqua blues.

Must Have: Mascara Volume Effets Faux Cils Waterproof in Majorelle Blue

Dior Summer 2012 Croisette Collection is a magnificent compilation of limited edition and permanent items available May 2012. La Croisette is French for Little Cross Drive, the name of a prominent street in Cannes that stretches along the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. This collection is inspired by a walk down the famous La Croisette, the colors of the seaside mixed with the glamour of the French Riviera. The Croisette Collection interlace tranquil aquatic shades with soft pastels and shimmering silvers.

Must Have: 1-Couleur Eye Gloss in Sunset & Tan

Guerlain + Emilio Pucci Terra Azzura Summer 2012 Collection is now available and is exclusive to Sephora and Nordstroms. Guerlain teams up with Italian fashion house, Emilio Pucci for a new color range that is inspired by “summertime on the Italian Riviera”. The collection features a bronzer/blush palette, an eyeshadow quad, a mascara, three lip glosses, two nail polishes, a blush brush and Guerlain’s famous powder pearls (Meteorites Perles d’Azur) packaged in and designed by Pucci.

Must Have: Meteorites Perles D’Azur

NARS 2012 Summer Collection is available now online and wherever NARS is sold. The collection features intensely pigmented earth inspired hues that are spiked with a bit of shimmer to illuminate the complexion and create a healthy glow. From icy peach to terracotta this collection is extremely chic and versatile.

Must Have: Liberté Blush

Thakoon for NARS Founder and creative director Francois Nars has partnered with fashion designer Thakoon Pachnigul to develop a limited edition nail polish collection inspired by Thakoon’s Spring 2012 collection shown at New York Fashion Week. The new polishes include 6 bright colors that were inspired by the spices found on Indian markets – bold, spicy and vibrant.

Must Have: Koliary Nail Polish  (cyan blue)

Set sail for summer with MAC Hey Sailor! Summer 2012 Collection. Available May 24 (North America), May 2012 (International) this entire collection is limited edition. Hey Sailor! is a nautical-inspired collection combining vintage pin-up looks with nautical/aquatic shades. Decked out with stylish sailor-striped packaging the collection features a fleet of eye shadows, lipsticks, lipglass, powder blushes, pigments, Powerpoint eye pencils, Pro Long Wear lip pencils, nail lacquers and a new mascara – Zoom Water Fast Lash. Also featured in the collection are a boat-load of bronzing powders, Pro Long Wear bronzing powders, High-Light powders, MAC to the Beach body oil, Suntints and a new face blender brush 167SH.

Must Have: Zoom Water Fast Lash Mascara

Tried & Tested: Micellar Cleansing Waters

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Micellar Cleansing Water is used to remove impurities, tone and hydrate the skin without the need of water. These delicate waters immediately eliminate makeup, dirt and oil from the skin with one sweep.

Based on a micelle principle, these technologically advanced products release softening agents to hydrate and calm the skin while effectively removing all traces of make-up on face, eyes and lips. Gentle enough for sensitive skin, (some brands provide a separate sensitive-skin formula) these refreshing waters cleanse and tone the skin without irritation.

The difference between Micellar Cleansing Water and simple makeup removers…

According to Bernard Pochic, Bioderma’s National Trainer, “Micellar Cleansers dissolve the bond between cosmetic pigments and your skin so you can wipe it off.” Doesn’t sound all that different, simple makeup removers primarily smear the cosmetic pigments allowing an easy removal when you wash your face. The Micellar Cleansers is a one-step process that eliminates the need for a second cleanse.

Simply apply product to cotton pad and wipe gently where needed. These products will dissolve even the most stubborn or waterproof product.

Primarily made by French skincare brands, Micellar Cleansers are now popping up everywhere. Here are a few of my favorites, all but one (Bioderma) can be found online, in drugstores or beauty supply.

Vichy – Purete Thermale Cleansing Micellar Lotion, Avene – Micellar Lotion Cleanser and Make-up Remover, Embryolisse – Micellar Lotion , La Roche-Posay – Physiological Micellar Solution, Bioderma – Sensibio H20 Micellar Solution