Color Me Pretty: Make Up Travel Kit
February 23, 2011
Hellooooo color! My favorite accessory to pair with a clean and simple neutral toned dress is a bright splash of colorful makeup. Lately I have been really enjoying some subtle (but bright) pink blush, a soft nude eye with mascara, and rich pink lips. It is a fun doll-like youthful look that goes with just about anything.
My favorite killer find has been this makeup set from Cameleon. It isn’t a fancy expensive kit, but boy does it have a lot of color in the convenience of one stylish package. What has surprised me the most is how great the color applies! Usually inexpensive makeup kits lack pigment, but this has been beyond my expectations. The lip glosses included look exactly like the color when applied to the lip, too. I love it!
GET THE LOOK:
CAMELEON MakeUp Kit available on yesstyle.com
Sets like this make me want to experiment, so late at night before I wash up for the night I like to dable in color and see what I discover. Some looks are winners, some need some work but I get a feel of what I want to do for another day. Then I wash up and go to bed with a clean face and lots of inspiring ideas to go to bed dreaming about.
Because this is an inexpensive find, it is the perfect travel companion. The size and packaging are perfect, too. You never know what will happen when you are away from home, and there is nothing like that feeling of “Oh no! I have that color at home, I wish I brought it with me” when you are getting ready to go out. Kits like this are a life savor in these incidents. You are always prepared!
As you can see I have already been playing with this kit (I couldn’t wait!). I’m so happy with it, it is a no worries all fun little gift. With a kit like this there is never an excuse not to be looking your best. I’m already tempted to buy another so I’ll always have on on me (one at home and one in my travel bag).
Be sure to use your own brushes. Keep in mind that the brushes included in kits (any kit, even super expensive compacts and kits- doesn’t matter) are pretty much for emergency use only. You want to have your own set of brushes that you take care of (yes, shampoo and condition your brushes, too!). The felt-like brushes that are usually included in kits are notorious for absorbing everything (icky germs/bacteria included) so you don’t want to be reusing them on a regular basis.
Having a nice set of brushes makes your make up go further, too. Application is better and the overall quality of your make up experience is all the more beautiful. Using the right tools is part of the look. And it makes colors like these work at their best!
A Dose Of Liquid Hair, Part II
September 14, 2009
After taking my dose of “liquid hair” as described in the previous post, I am now sitting back just enjoying the luxurious results. And they are luxurious, wow. I think even my kitties are jealous!
Sooo shiny, so much stronger and softer to the touch. I keep wanting to just play with my hair, it feels so fabulous- I love it! The keratin oils really made a difference (and these pictures don’t do it justice). I would highly recommend the treatment to anyone wanting drop-dead gorgeous hair.
It moves beautifully and feels like silk- every time I move my hair or grab it to put it up in a pony tail, it seems new and truly revived. It is a GREAT experience!
Check out the original post with information about this treatment here.
A Dose Of Liquid Hair
September 10, 2009
When my stylist handed me this tiny bottle containing a golden like liquid, I couldn’t help but feel like I had gotten away with the treasured item of a heist. He had mentioned its contents to me before, but at the time he handed it to me, it was quiet and done so in a manner that seemed like it should require a secret handshake. Love it.
So what is this intriguing item? “Liquid Hair” is what my stylist referred to it as, and the reason being that it is a bottle of Keratin oil. Keratin is the protein that our hair mainly consists of, thus the “liquid hair” term.
The idea is to distribute the oil evenly throughout the hair and allow it to penetrate through the porous zones of the hair- adding nutrition and shine. Keratin is an essensial oil to the hair, so it is a direct source for reviving the hair.
This is my first time trying this treatment out and I am looking forward to seeing the results tomorrow. After washing my hair and having it damp, I distributed the oil all throughout my hair- starting in the middle and working my way out, combing constantly until I was sure each and every spot was reached.
My stylist, Clemente Javier of ClementeJavier.com, gave me several options to consider for use of this product. His initial instructions to me was to coat my hair in the oil and comb thoroughly throughout my hair, then leaving it overnight to soak in the nutrients. Then in the morning I would wash my hair normally and see the results. But with my hair being as thick as it is, it would be wet for an unpleasantly long time. So instead, we decided to add a touch of heat to seal the oils in.
I began the process the same, covering my hair in the keratin oil, this one being from System Professional’s Wella line. After letting it rest, I then used my dryer to straighten my hair dry in my normal fashion. I never rinsed out the oils, just let the heat gently seal it in (very careful not to go overboard on the heat- just enough to do the job). So far I’m feeling pretty luxurious, like my hair is having its own cocktail or glass of champagne. Much needed, too.
Below are a couple of photos of my hair, still soaking in the oil but after having been sealed with the heat of the blowdryer. After a day with the treatment, I’ll be rinsing it out tomorrow, washing it and styling it in my normal manner.
I’m looking forward to the morning to see the difference- and I will be certain to let you know the moment I do, too!
The Stylist Perspective: Guest Blogger Clemente Javier On Kerastase
July 28, 2009
Guest Blogger and renowned Hair-Stylist, Clemente Javier, gives us the inside-scoop perspective on what we can do for pretty, fabulous, and gorgeous hair.
He is my personal stylist- I credit him with the condition of my hair, keeping it long and healthy with a beautiful shine. I asked Clemente what the best option would be to survive the humidity, lose the frizz, and not sacrifice the texture of our hair. As always, he has the answer and this is a refreshing one!
Clemente Javier:
I’m generally not a big fan of hairspray, especially on longer hair. Shorter hair sometimes requires the shape to be set and held into place, sometimes. But on longer hair I believe the hair should be movable, touchable, and feel soft.
The problem is hairspray is often necessary, as in more humid climates where my arch nemesis humidity haunts all hair types. It threatens any blowout, taunts straight hair, and down right mocks curly tresses.
“FRIZZ!” I scream waking up in a panic, its a nightmare. I’m not a fan of hairsprays, because I’m not a fan of stiff untouchable hair, but I despise frizzy hair.
Luckily Kerastase makes a spray that cares: Double Force Controle Ultime. This is a wonderful product. Double Force is actually a protective spray, with its UV filter and Ceramide, as well a unique control spray. I say it’s unique because of the way that it does the job of controlling frizz and maintaining shape while not making your hair stiff or robbing your hair of its touchable soft feel.
Just as important to acknowledge is the protective benefits I mentioned. The UV filter technology protects your hair from sun damage, a very important step in maintaining beautiful hair.
While ceramide is a synthetic version of a chemical by the same name naturally produced by your hair follicle to maintain the hair structure. When the hair shaft becomes damaged this is lost, synthetic Ceramide replaces the lost natural Ceramide .
A genius product made by an amazing company. So, if you too are not a fan of hair spray or you just want to love your hair the way it deserves to be loved find your local Kerastase salon and pick up a can of Double Force Controle Ultime.
To discover more about Clemente Javier, visit his site http://www.ClementeJavier.com
Chic Coral Hidden Treasures: Collection Disovery Part II
May 12, 2009
If you loved the first entry on Sonia Kashuk’s Coral Reef Hidden Treasure Brush Collection from TARGET, you are really going to love this!
My fiancee is wonderful and always thinking of me- after making a quick visit to TARGET to pick up a couple items for us, he brought me back a surprise. Look and see how lovely it is:
This is the Highlighter Brush, a continued piece to the limited edition Coral Reef Hidden Treasure Collection from Sonia Kashuk, a TARGET exclusive. Another beautiful gem to add to your collection!
It is very soft like the other brushes from the collection, with the same coral detail as you can see in the photos. We stopped by TARGET again today to see if there were other brushes or pieces to the collection, however this was the only notable addition I could see.
There is a highlighting powder available with the same box decor, but the actual piece itself does not match the coral. The case it is in is just a smooth silver triangle with smoothed edges- nice but doesn’t grab me nearly as much. I’d just as well keep my brushes and use them with my existing make up collection I have at home.
I thought this was fabulous- gorgeous brushes at affordable prices at one of my favorite shopping locations. I love this!
A Chic And Coral Hidden Treasure
April 19, 2009
Hidden treasure never looked so fabulous- and for something as common as this, I love when a designer has fun and adds a bit of luxury into the most simple items we use. Suddenly getting ready in the morning has a much more glamorous feel, and I know I am excited to be using these lovelies.
And possibly the best part, beyond their gorgeous appearance and feel, is the price and location of these gems… Target! They are only 19.99, and are a limited edition so be sure to pick them up while you can. This is an incredible deal for brushes of any kind, let alone fabulously designed ones such as these. It is definitely a steal I had to act quickly on myself, and wanted you to be aware of them as well.
The collection comes from Sonia Kashuk and is called the “hidden treasure” limited edition brush set, the name is perfect. It includes six beautiful brushes and a travel case to match. All the brushes are very soft against the face and very nice, especially for the price. Love it!
Playing with my make up in the morning has a whole new look and feel; fabulous brushes? Can’t go wrong there, a beautiful and stylish move from Sonia Kashuk for Target.
Keeping your hair shiny, silky, and nourished
January 29, 2009
This is something I have been using recently-for the past few months now at least, on a regular basis. I love this product, not only is it light and silky in texture itself- it smells radiantly gorgeous!
Seriously, I love the subtle perfectly scrumptious scent of this product. It is such a beautiful smell! It is very light and feels weightless in my hair- I cannot stand it when I can feel the product, let alone with a product is sticky and gunky. None of that from this one- it is smooth perfection.
I asked my stylist to recommend something I could use for days that I do not wash my hair- something to keep my ends nourished and smooth but without the gunky feeling. This is what he presented to me and I couldn’t be happier. It is truly what I wanted.
This particular bottle is the ends express from wella’s System Professional Line. Look for the SP symbol; this bottle cost me about $24 from the salon- though prices I am sure could range. It is well worth every bit of it and honestly I was surprised by the low price for such a product (I was expecting a little over $100 honestly as some of these items can be about that much). Even then it would be worth it to me, but I’ll take the pretty price of twenty four dollars for it any day.
A little goes a long way, so the little bottle will last quite a while. Just a small pump and my hair feels cleaner than clean and moves so freely with a beautiful and healthy shine. I definitely recommend it and will continue to use it over and over again!
Floral Scents Of Beauty
January 19, 2009
Lately I have been feeling refreshed and pretty with floral and feminine scents. I don’t like something that is too heavy or carries such a musk you feel as though you are living in a swamp- small doses are in order with heavier scents.
But I do like something light and crisp with maybe just a hint of a bite, something that gets your curiosity and attention going and says “ooooh.”
I love Viktor & Rolf, they are creative and inspiring to me. With a name like FlowerBomb and such a delightful presentation, I was anxious early on to see the results. I find it to be lightly feminine and bold with that bite that is just right. And it definitely has it- bold and feminine bottled in such a pretty little bottle of a bomb. Its one I keep in supply at all times.
Now this one is perfectly feminine and sweet. It is light with a nice balance- a noticeable and welcome presence that is not at all overwhelming.
In fact, how I came to find it and love it is a story of itself- completely unintended at that.
A couple of years ago I was at work one day, standing in the entry way bored with a few other girls. It was that time of day where nothing happens, the calm before the storm if you will. It lasts an eternity it seems.
Anyway, there was a magazine I had been flipping through when suddenly a scent got my attention. I instantly smiled and sighed, tore the page and started fanning myself. Then, I proceeded to fan the girl next to me.
She instantly smiled and sighed. There we were, fanning ourselves and smiling. Now the third girl was looking at us quite strangely, it wasn’t as though it was hot in the room or anything. We motioned and offered to fan her, she shook her head giving us the notion that we were indeed insane.
We laughed and began to fan her when she too- instantly began smiling. She got it at that point, and in fact was so in love purchased the perfume the next day.
We always could tell when someone was wearing it- it is just so lovely. Whenever I wear it I always think of that day when I first discovered it. Anyone watching us must have thought we were mad!
Oh well, I still enjoy Calvin Klein’s euphoria blossom today as the perfect refreshing scent for my day.
Beauty in the Mud
July 25, 2008
When it comes to luxury and gorgeous skin, I find when a little pampering at home is involved- it is truly never a bad thing. Borghese Fango Active Mud for Face and Body is just the thing. Now, I’ve been using this particular product for years and have enjoyed the many rewards. Its not just the nutrients and cleansing that I love though- its the feeling experienced from usage. What I mean is taking the time to just relax and take care of the little details and melt away any horrors or stresses of the day.
There is something magical for me when I have relaxed with the mask (if only for a few moments) and then remove it with a wet towel or sponge- Instant Reviving my skin and my mood. It is like starting over every time- that feeling of ultra clean and something of royalty. Its beautiful.
About once every two weeks for my face has become my routine, and as I said previously for many years now with much reward. My skin is healthy, radiant, and glowing. Very nice save for the mornings when I must get up and go on an unexpected dash-little to no make up looks fine. More so, I feel great and that is really what counts.
Once a month or so I like to take a leisurely bath and reward the rest of my body with a little mud mask. There’s nothing like taking the time for yourself and for your skin.
The best part is your skin thanks you the rest of your week with a radiant healthy glow.
Do be warned though, a first time use can be a bit tingly as its rids of all the junk buried deep beneath. Afterwards you are great to go though and the experience can be much more enjoyed. Results are pretty instant but continued use for maintaining is recommended.
Never over do it, as with any product. Your skin needs time to create more dead cells and ‘trash’ for you to take away, if its done too often you may be taking more good than bad- after all you want to keep your skin in tact!
Balance is key. Drink plenty of water to rid the toxins and nourish the skin within.
