Blog Archives
Stocking Stuffer: Kate Spade Lip Crayon Box Set
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GLOW-T GIFT GUIDE
The Kate Spade Lip Crayon Box Set is the perfect stocking stuffer, hostess gift and/or thank you gift for that special lady in your life.
Small, festive and feminine, this box set features three lip shades: dark red, bright red and pink. The lip crayons are created by cult-favorite – Lipstick Queen. Closely related to the Chinatown Glossy Pencil by Lipstick Queen, these crayons have a glossy finish and feel moisturizing on the lips.
Pick up a box or two for last minute gifting. Any girl will love this ultra-girly gift.
Power of Pink: Kenra Volume Spray 25
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The hairspray choice among professionals, Kenra Volume Spray 25 has been awarded the prestigious Stylist Choice Award for Favorite Hairspray – 8 TIMES. The Stylist Choice Awards are among the most prestigious and influential awards in the salon industry. Each year, Kenra sells over four million bottles of Volume Spray 25 throughout the United States and Canada.
Kenra Volume Spray 25 is a the perfect styling tool. This do-it-all spray has build-able hold providing maximum hold for updos and/or soft hold for loose waves. Style will stay-put all day, even in wet, humid conditions. It never feels sticky or crispy and will not leave any residue on the hair. Additionally, it leaves hair with an element of shine and luster and smells clean and fresh.
Power of Pink:
Supporting breast cancer awareness and other philanthropic causes is fundamental to Kenra’s philosophy of creating inner and outer beauty – a belief that begins with helping others. To make this message resonate, every October Kenra offers limited edition pink packaging for it’s best-selling Kenra Volume Spray 25. Sales support breast cancer research, early detection, support services and more.
Help Kenra support great-looking hair and breast cancer awareness with the purchase of Kenra Volume Spray 25.
Tried & Tested: Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF 35
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The newest BB Cream to hit our counters is Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF 35. Exclusive to Nordstroms, the formula combines moisturizer, skincare, foundation and SPF into one.
Features & Benefits: Water-attracting molecules boost hydration. Light-reflecting pearls brighten dull skin. Botanical extracts and caffeine reduce discoloration and redness. Pore-reducing peptides minimize fine lines. Broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and antioxidants fend off future damage.
Bobbi Brown’s BB Cream SPF 35 is available in five shades: Extra Light, Fair, Light, Medium and Medium to Dark. I was certainly intrigued by this, due to the fact that Bobbi Brown Cosmetics are primarily yellow-based shades. Many BB Cream (especially asian brands) are based on cooler-tones, such as pinks and greys.
As I sampled the different shades, I was persuaded by a sweet Bobbi Brown representative to try the darkest shade, Medium to Dark. This shade looks quite dark, almost bronzer-like. But, I took her advice and purchased.
APPLICATION: Smooth and easy to apply. Goes on quite dry, but feels nice and extremely light on the skin. (Unless you have very oily skin, a moisturizer is needed in addition to this BB Cream.)
COVERAGE: Sheer.
FINISH: Skin appears matte with a subtle sheen. Very healthy-looking. However, like most BB Creams, after a couple hours the oils will come-out and skin will look too glowing. A finishing powder is recommended.
COLOR: Initial application, the color appeared too dark. Let dry and after a couple minutes, the color adapts to the skin and the color is perfect. It might be a smidgen too dark – but I am loving the subtle-tan look for summer.
VERDICT: Like many of the US BB Creams, this is much like a tinted moisturizer. But, I love the finish it leaves on the skin and the feeling is remarkably lightweight. For a high-SPF product, this cream wears like you have nothing on. The shade choices are great and warm-up the complexion beautifully. Leaves skin looking fresh and healthy. A great option for the summer months – SPF, lightweight, easy.
(When testing these BB Creams, before deciding on a shade, I suggest waiting at least 5 minutes for the color to oxidize and adapt to your skin tone.)
For other BB Cream reviews:
How To: Bright Eyeliner
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Bright eyeliner is a dramatic accent with minimal effort. A pop of color can “glam up” a makeup look instantly.
With this look, you want to tone down all other parts of the face. However, if daring enough, my favorite party season look is cobalt blue eyeliner paired with a fuchsia lip. Create your favorite combination with these easy steps.
Needed:
✒ Eye primer (Favorite: MAC Paint Pots)
✒ Matte White Eye Pencil (Favorite: NYX Milk)
✒ Bright Eye Liner (Favorite: Urban Decay 24/7 Pencils)
✒ Matching Bright Eye Shadow Shade
✒ Mascara
How To:
✒ Prime the lids and under-eye with eye primer.
✒ With a matte white pencil, draw a baseline where the bright color will go. (this will inhance the vibrancy of the color and help with the shape of the line)
✒ Trace over the white pencil with the bright eye liner.
✒ For a more dramatic look, make the outside line a bit thicker than the inside and extend it just beyond the lash line.
✒ Optional: Apply the bright eye liner to the lower lashes, keeping as close to the lash line as possible.
✒ Dip the bright pencil into the matching eye shadow and trace over these lines to increase brightness and ensure longevity.
✒ Apply two heavy coats of mascara to add definition and emphasize the look.
This look can be altered depending on preference and eye shape. Experiment with color and thickness of the line. If intimidated: Start by lining the lower lash line with a bright color only and leave lid neutral. Bright eyeliner is a great way to change-up your makeup routine and attain instant drama.
Great color combinations:
BLUE: Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil: Flipside & NARS Eyeshadow: Outremer
PURPLE: Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil: Ransom & MAC Eyeshadow: Purple Haze
GREEN: Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil: Mildew & Urban Decay Eyeshadow: Mildew
TURQUOISE: Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil: Electric & MAKEUP FOREVER Eyeshadow: 72
PINK: MAKEUP FOREVER Aqua Pencil: 13L & MAKEUP FOREVER Eyeshadow: 75
Tried & Tested: MAC Paint Pot in Morning Frost
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MAC Morning Frost
This holiday season, MAC Cosmetics teamed up with ice skater Johnny Weir in creating it’s Glitter & Ice collection. Sparkles and frost are the constant in this collection, with shades that resemble a winter wonderland.
The Paint Pot in Morning Frost immediately caught my eye. The shimmering champagne taupe color is a beautiful hue that will accentuate any eye color. In different lights it manifests gold, bronze, taupe and pink shades.
MAC Paint Pots, in my opinion, are the best eye primers. They can be worn on their own or as a base for eyeshadow. They do not crease and provide eye-makeup with long-wear durability.
Couture Collaboration: Karl Lagerfeld for Macy’s
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Pictures from the Karl Lagerfeld for Macy’s press preview were unveiled yesterday. The collection hits 235 stores on August 31 and are priced from $50 – $170.
Karl Lagerfeld has been a freelance designer for many fashion houses, Balmain, Patou, Chloe, Fendi and Chanel. Currently, Lagerfeld designs for three companies, his own label, Chanel and furs for Fendi of Italy.
Karl Lagerfeld for Macy’s is comprised of dresses – floral and structural, tweed separates – shorts and vests, and faux leather jackets. All of the 45 piece collection is in black and white, with subtle pops of pink.
Collection is available online and in stores August 31.
Mix & Match: Splendid “Marcel” Reversible Bikini
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Splendid 'Marcel' Reversible Bikini
Splendid “Marcel” Reversible Bikini is a great versatile suit for the summer. The pink and navy nautical stripes reverse to solid navy for easy transition.
The plunging neckline and triangle top is comfortable and flattering. String ties create alluring cutouts on the sides of this bikini bottom, insuring a perfect fit.
This changeable swimsuit is fun and flirty. Mix and match, top and bottom for even more options and this will be the only suit needed for a weekend get-away.
Punch of Color: Deborah Lippmann: Girls Just Want to Have Fun
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Deborah Lippmann
Deborah Lippmann, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, nail lacquer is a creamy coral/pink-colored varnish required for summer sandals. Named after the popular Cyndi Lauper tune, released in 1983, Lippmann developed this shade from 80’s inspiration.
Deborah Lippmann nail lacquers are innovative and on trend each season. The formula is velvety and creamy and applies like a dream. The colors are pigmented and intense, in which one to two coats is all that is needed. The performance of these nail lacquers are adequate, manicure lasts about five days.
This vibrant nail polish compliments all skintones. The coral/pink-hue accentuates the skin instantly, fabricating a sun-kissed glow. The bold punch of color in Deborah Lippmann Girls Just Want to Have Fun nail laquer is universally flattering and essential for Summer 2011.
Glow-T 