One of my fave products? Definitely Molton Brown Relaxing Yuan Zhi Sleep Mist. Every time I use it, I'm out for the count within 15 minutes. And now one lucky reader has the chance to win a full-sized bottle of this miraculous mist, valued at $38!
Entering is easy. Simply enter your name and email address in the box below. The winner will be selected on Friday, November 6 and notified by email. It's that simple!
This giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway runs until Thursday, November 5 at midnight. One entry per person, email address and IP address. Multiple entries will be disqualified.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Beauty Giveaway: Molton Brown Relaxing Yuan Zhi Sleep Mist
Blow Continues to Blow Me Away. (Check Out Their Shower Cap!)
I've stated before how in love I am with Blow. It's one of my favorite salons in the city -- they give the absolute best, most meticulous blowouts that last for days and days. So what better way to keep the blowout going than with my very own The Perfect Shower Cap?
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Hey Baby: NARS Lip Lacquer in Baby Doll
I'd been curious about NARS Lip Lacquer in Baby Doll for quite some time before I tried it. The shimmery pale pink hue, the chic pot, the gooily delicious texture. So I was truly hoping my hopes would not be dashed when I finally got my hands on a tub.
Party Time: Bobbi Brown Extreme Party Mascara
Cry if I want to, cry if I want to
You would cry too if it happened to you
--It's My Party, Lesley Gore
Trust me, there has been no crying over my recent acquisition of Bobbi Brown Extreme Party Mascara. Ever since I started using this gleamy little tube, it seems like my lashes have perked up about a thousand times more than normal!
My Latest Obsession: Dior Addict Lip Polish in Fresh Expert
I feel like my whole life, I've been searching for that one perfect pink gloss. The one that's not too light but not too dark. The one that's not too shimmery but not too creamy. The one that looks amazing both on its own and layered over every other lipstick and lipgloss in my collection. Well, I've finally found it -- and its name is Dior Addict Lip Polish in Fresh Expert.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Pucker Up: Eve Lom Kiss Mix
Monday, October 26, 2009
Beauty Question: What Will Your Halloween Beauty Look Be?
Halloween is just around the corner, fellow beauty chicks! I'm repurposing my costume from last year and going as a totally rockin' 80's chick -- complete with blue eyeshadow up to my eyebrows, hot pink lipstick and a huge side ponytail. Check it out:
So tell me: What will your Halloween beauty look be? Tell me your Halloween makeup plans in the comments!
Why Was Space NK Seduction Discontinued?
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Feel the Hydration: Laura Mercier Hydrating Foundation Primer
When it comes to my skin, I look for moisture wherever I can get it. So when I came across Laura Mercier Hydrating Foundation Primer, I figured it was worth a shot. And you know what? Ever since I started using it, my face has never looked better!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Beauty Giveaway: Fragrance Memories by Christine Dimmick Dreams of Marrakech Home Ambiance Candle
Very exciting news, fellow beauty chicks! It's time for another giveaway here at The Beauty of Life. And this time I'm giving away a deliciously scented candle -- the Fragrance Memories by Christine Dimmick Dreams of Marrakech Home Fragrance Candle, to be exact! Inspired by the mystical city of Marrakech with notes of amber, Moroccan spices and vanilla, this candle has three wicks and a burn time of 40-50 hours -- and it's valued at $42!
Entering is easy. Simply enter your name and email address in the box below. The winner will be selected on Friday, October 30 and notified by email. It's that simple!
This giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway runs until Thursday, October 29 at midnight. One entry per person, email address and IP address. Multiple entries will be disqualified.
Best Extractions Ever: Stella at Exhale Spa
This past Sunday, I headed to Exhale Spa (the Central Park South location) for a facial. My skin was looking the worse for wear, so I decided to do a little something about it! I visited Stella for a 60-minute True Facial, and wow does my skin look amazing now!
Most of the facial was standard issue, but the real kicker here was the extractions. Stella made them so painless, I wondered whether she was actually removing all the gunk and dirt from my pores. Imagine my surprise and delight when I looked at my skin afterward and every single pore was clean and tight! Kudos to Stella for an amazing job on the extractions -- I've never had a more attentive facialist who caused less pain.
Unfortunately the spa wasn't on my list of favorites overall, though. While I love the Boston location, this one seemed a bit rundown. Rooms were small and, while clean, not as inviting as I'm used to in Boston. The receptionists were also quite short and snippy with me both on arrival and departure, which didn't make me feel too relaxed.
For more information on the different Exhale locations or to book an appointment, visit exhalespa.com.
Good Lovin': Philip B Lovin' Hand & Body Creme
Oh, to find a good moisturizer. I can't tell you how many I've gone through that were too greasy, too cloying, too wet, too smelly ... just too "too." Not so with Philip B Lovin' Hand & Body Creme. No, this baby has been keeping my hands feeling soft and smooth even with the horrific temperatures the weather has been throwing my way.
Utterly Ladylike: Michael Kors Eau de Parfum
Once in awhile, I come across a fragrance that just makes me feel sophisticated, chic and ladylike. Recently, that fragrance has been Michael Kors Eau de Parfum. Every time I spritz on even the tiniest bit, I instantly feel like the best version of myself.
An exotic array of notes make up this luxurious fragrance. Notes of creamy florals blend with exotic spices before being tamed by Moroccan incense, creating a sexy, sensual experience. One spray and you're whisked away by a combination of dewy freesia, tamarind, Chinese osmanthus, incense, fresh tuberose, white wings peony, blue orris, arum lilies, cashmere woods, musk and vetiver Haiti.
And the best part? It's not overpowering. A simple spritz on each wrist and you'll be pleasantly enveloped throughout the day without that cloying, headachey feel.
Michael Kors Eau de Parfum retails for $70-$90.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Combination Perfection: La Mer The Moisturizing Gel Cream
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Get Naked: Bliss Naked Body Butter
Saturday, October 17, 2009
The Pumpkin Pedicure at Just Calm Down Spa = Pure Bliss!
Quick post from my phone, fellow beauty chicks -- because I simply couldn't wait to tell you about the amazing Pumpkin Pedicure at Just Calm Down Spa! Part of the Sweet Shoppe series -- which I love due to the old-timey spelling -- it's absolutely delectable and mouth-watering. After soaking my feet in a tub of marshmallow-filled pumpkin goodness, my gams were scrubbed and buffed to perfection before two coats of SpaRitual's The Giving Tree (a gorgeous mulberry) were painstakingly applied. And the new space, with its overstuffed wicker armchairs and garden terrace feel, is totally adorable to boot!
The Pumpkin Pedicure at Just Calm Down is $50 during Spa Week. It normally costs $85. Visit justcalmdownspa.com for more information.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Beauty Question: Do You Wear Makeup Every Day?
I'm what some people may call a makeup collector. I love it, I use it, I play with it ... but on a day-to-day basis, sometimes I just can't be bothered. It may mean I run out the door with some visible imperfections, but hey -- that's me.
So my Beauty Question of the day is this. Do you wear makeup every day? Why or why not? Let me know in the comments!
Lash Flash: Chanel Inimitable Noir Obscur Mascara Multi-Dimensionnel
I've been trying to find a mascara with wow factor for quite some time. I've searched high and low, trying every mascara from the drugstore shelves to the beauty counters. And I've finally found the right one -- Chanel Inimitable Noir Obscur Mascara Multi-Dimensionnel.
Aside from the way-too-long name, this mascara has it all. I look for a mascara that curls, lengthens, thickens and darkens my lashes in just one coat. This is harder to find than you might imagine -- my lashes are pretty long to begin with, so to find one that actually makes them look longer is quite a feat. But this one does all that in spades.
I love the rubbery brush -- it's thin but not miniscule, and somehow captures every single lash with ease. Even the baby ones at the corners! In just seconds, my lashes went from ho-hum to fabulous. And with a second coat? They started hitting my glasses. I honestly couldn't ask for anything more.
Chanel Inimitable Noir Obscur Mascara Multi-Dimensionnel retails for $30 at chanel.com.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Intense Hydration: La Mer The Hydrating Facial
Anyone who knows me knows I love a good face mask. (Just click here for proof.) Well, La Mer has most definitely upped the ante with the brand-new The Hydrating Facial.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
No Rinse? No Problem. Klorane No Rinse Care with Pomegranate
After seven years of not coloring my hair, I recently took the plunge. (Thanks, Naomi Knights of the fabulous ION Studio!) And now that my locks are a deeper auburn, I need to take proper care of them. No more sulfates or products not formulated for color-treated hair are coming near these tresses! Luckily, I had just picked up a tube of Klorane No Rinse Care with Pomegranate.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Quote of the Day: Kristen Wiig in Whip It
"You can never have too much eyeliner. Or LashBlast." -- Kristen Wiig's character, Maggie Mayhem, in Whip It
Redken Hair Files Giveaway: Don't Forget to Enter!
So it seems many of you are camera shy when it comes to submitting a picture of yourself for the Redken Hair Files Giveaway. Never fear ... I'm changing the rules so as many of you can enter as possible! I'm making it more like my normal giveaways with the entry box format -- but with a twist, of course. You must answer the question in the box correctly to be entered into the contest.
How to answer the question, you may ask? In the "Hair Files" video shown below, you'll learn how to transform your hair from unruly to smooth and sleek (and get the answer you're looking for!):
Now that you've watched the video -- and hopefully learned some tips and tricks for straightening and sleekening your hair! -- this is where the fun part comes in. One person will win a ton of amazing products! You'll receive some of the products featured in the video, in addition to Sam Villa's brand-new "Sleekr" flat iron -- valued at $250! So that means you're getting all of the following:
Redken Power Tame 16
Redken Glass 01
Redken Iron Silk 07
Redken Mineral Elixir
Sam Villa Sleekr Flat Iron
The total prize package is worth $300! Entering is easy. Simply enter your name and email address in the box below. The winner will be selected on Saturday, October 17 and notified by email. It's that simple!
This giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway runs until Friday, October 16 at midnight. One entry per person, email address and IP address. Multiple entries will be disqualified.
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Royal Treatment: Kiehl's Imperial Body Balm
A moisturizer has to be many things for me to give it a seal of approval. It must smell nice. It must not be greasy. It must sink into the skin immediately. But above all, it has to turn my dry, ashy, flaky, scaly skin into a thing of beauty. Kiehl's Imperial Body Balm does all this and more -- making it one of my all-time favorite moisturizers.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Feel Like a Rock Star: Lipstick Queen Fifteen Minutes of Fame Pop Art Gloss
I've found a new favorite lipgloss, and it hails from the land of Lipstick Queen. Because, let's be honest, who doesn't want to swipe on a gloss named Fifteen Minutes of Fame Pop Art Gloss? These fabulous glosses, created by the equally if not more fabulous Poppy King, were inspired by Pop Art prince Andy Warhol. His prediction in 1968 that "In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes," inspired Poppy to create a collection of -- you guessed it! -- 15 glosses named according to the minute. They deepen in intensity with every passing minute, ranging from the palest pink to the deepest red.
I love the clickable pen style of this gloss. The miniature attached brush sweeps on just the right amount of color, leaving lips with a high-gloss shine that isn't at all sticky or tacky -- and, surprisingly enough, lasts for hours. The 15 available shades are:
1 Minute (pale ballet pink)
2 Minutes (watermelon pink)
3 Minutes (smooth apricot)
4 Minutes (naughty nude)
5 Minutes (pale peach)
6 Minutes (bright melon)
7 Minutes (tropical pink)
8 Minutes (super strawberry)
9 Minutes (luscious scarlet)
10 Minutes (feisty fuchsia)
11 Minutes (vibrant purple)
12 Minutes (deep rose)
13 Minutes (pretty raspberry)
14 Minutes (gorgeous grape)
15 Minutes (sexy wine)
I'm totally in love with 4 Minutes, which makes my pout turn a gorgeous creamy nudish pink. It's the perfect everyday lipcolor.
Lipstick Queen Fifteen Minutes of Fame Pop Art Gloss retails for $18.
Direct from the Runway: Badgley Mischka Spring 2010
The combination of Tom Pecheux for M.A.C and Peter Gray for Redken is always a winning one. And for the Badgley Mischka Spring 2010 fashion show, it was no different. "I felt this season the clothes were very international," Tom told me backstage -- "Very inspired by many different cultures and also by different periods of time." The hair and makeup, therefore, referenced many different time periods as well. Get all the details after the jump.
Tom Pecheux for M.A.C was inspired by both Audrey Hepburn and synchronized swimmer Romy Schneider. He drew upon Hepburn's winged eyeliner and strong eyebrows, while Schneider's glowy and sunkissed look inspired the models' skin. "It's a very 70's glowy skin with that chicness of the eyeliner and the perfect eyebrow," he said. A liquid eyeliner and mascara on the top lashes gave dimension to the look. He finished with M.A.C Lip Pencil in World -- "I did like the name of the color because it goes well with the collection!" he told me. He wanted the lips to look matte, so he colored them in with the pencil.
And from past references to futuristic ones! Peter Gray for Redken was inspired by everything from the 1950s to futurama and The Jetsons. "We wanted an odd, futuristic head shape," he told me as he worked on shaping a model's ponytail. While trying to work in Badgley Mischka's "Hollywood red carpet aesthetic," he created a base with Redken Mousse 07. He then pulled the hair into a high ponytail that was close to the head "to get that almost alien head shape," he said, before taking a needle and thread and sewing it into three distinct sections! The idea behind it was to both give the models an instant face lift and to "take you somewhere modern, somewhere interesting, take you away from the retro," he said.
Gray finished by backcombing the top, brushing it through to create a bulge -- "A little bit of a Mohawk kind of look," he told me, "a funky kind of space-y feeling." He then cleated the ponytail, finished it with hairspray and shaped the end into an angled point. "Hairdressing is a lot art," he said. He most certainly rediscovered it with this entertaining look!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
I Got Minxed! The Fabulous Minx Manicure Experience by Tracylee Percival
Suffice it to say, I've been dying to try Minx for the longest time. Seriously, what gal doesn't want her nails totally blinged out? Never one to shy away from crazy nail endeavors (remember my experience at Sakura?), Minx seemed the next obvious choice for a fun, totally out there mani. Luckily, the fabulous Tracylee Percival was there to create one of the most amazing designs ever.
Now, for those of you who aren't familiar with Minx, the basic idea is this. Minx are sticker-like coverings that are made out of a flexible film. Read very closely -- they are not liquid! There's no drying time, no smudging and chipping, and they're definitely not for the faint of heart. Just look to celebrities like Beyonce and Eve, who have been known to wear Minx on multiple occasions. Get the full scoop on my Minx experience after the jump.
Tracylee actually provides Minx applications at two different salons -- Suite 303 and Damone Roberts. I visited her at the former location -- located on the 3rd floor of New York's Chelsea Hotel -- and the space is so fun! Guitars and music memorabilia decorate the walls, loud music fills the room and every stylist is totally rocker-chic. As soon as I settled into my chair, Tracylee set out about 50 different designs for me to choose from. Each set of Minx comes on a sheet of 10-12, with different nail sizes on each. Just as I thought I had decided on a herringbone pattern, she said, "You know you can mix and match these, right?" I did not know that, which of course made me take about 10 more minutes to make my final decision! Luckily, Tracylee was very patient throughout the process.
I finally decided on a combination of Black with Gold Swoosh and Ball and Golden Lightning with Black Fishnet. I told Tracylee to make the assortment as random as she wanted -- I left the creativity up to her! This is where things got interesting.
Tracylee decided to make each hand different -- "I like a little asymmetry!" she told me as she held the coverings up to my nails. After prepping my nails with an Essie Crystal File, she placed my hands under a heat lamp -- it gets up to 120 degrees! -- and went to work. She selected each Minx nail covering according to my nail size and shape before curing it under the lamp for about 10 seconds. She then painstakingly and meticulously placed the coverings onto my nails one by one, ran over them with a pusher, folded the ends over the pads of my fingers and allowed them to sit under the lamp for a few minutes. This was followed by careful, precise filing to ensure that each covering was exactly fitted to my nail. The process was finished with a short hand massage.
The end result? Gorgeous, blingy nails that will make me the life of any party! And the best part? They should last for at least eight days with the proper care. Tracylee told me that to extend the life of Minx, they should be blasted with a hair dryer or held over a boiling pot of water and then pushed down with the cuticle pusher. This should be done every couple of days. To remove Minx, simply blast them with the hot air and then push from the cuticles forward.
More pictures of my Minx nails:
For more information on Minx or to find a Minx artist in your area, visit minxnails.com. And to follow Tracylee Percival on Twitter, click here!
Get That Bling: M.A.C Glimmerglass in Bling Black
Okay, I know what you're thinking. Black lipgloss? This girl has finally gone off her rocker. Well, I'm here to tell you one thing -- This. Lipgloss. Is. Amazing.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Amazing Alliteration: Peter Thomas Roth Botanical Buffing Beads
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Squared Away: M.A.C DSquared Tinted Lip Conditioner in Fuchsia Fix
I have a confession to make. I'm in love with M.A.C DSquared Tinted Lip Conditioner in Fuchsia Fix. And here's why:
1) The packaging is genius. I totally love the slim tub emblazoned with the logo emblazoned across the front.
2) The color is GORGEOUS. Not too light, not too dark, not too bright -- it's just right.
3) A few quick swipes and not only do my lips take on a beautifully flushed look and feel, but they stay conditioned and moisturized for hours. Case in point: I wore it to a movie over the weekend, drank a huge Diet Coke and ate lots of tasty popcorn, and it stayed on through the entire thing!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Direct from the Runway: Betsey Johnson Spring 2010
What a flurry of fun backstage at Betsey Johnson this season! Peter Gray for Redken (hair), Sarah Lucero for Stila (makeup) and Nonie Creme for butter LONDON (nails) created a rocker-chic look that was "good girl gone bad with the bad boy from town," as Sarah so brightly put it. Get all the details after the jump.
Better Late Than Never: My New Obsession with Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes Mascara
I'm super late to the Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes train. I tried to like it for a long time. Seriously, I did. I kept trying to apply it and trying to apply it, and every single time I would poke myself in the eye with the curiously shaped, spiky round applicator. I just couldn't get the hang of it, and finally I gave up. But recently I decided to give it one last go -- because I don't give up in the name of beauty! And guess what happened...
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Beauty Question: What Are Your Beauty Impulse Purchases?
The impulse purchase really doesn't happen for me at the grocery store or the drugstore. I don't find myself needing candy or gum. But step into any beauty store, and chances are I'll have to add on at least something before I check out. The one impulse purchase I always seem to come back to again and again? Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour. I've amassed quite a collection over the years, mainly because every time I walk by a Chanel makeup counter I find myself saying, "Oh, okay, I'll just buy one more."
My most recent polish purchase was going to be Chanel Jade Rose, which I actually did end up buying. But just one? No, no, no. I simply had to have Intermezzo too. Oops, fed my polish addiction again!
What are your beauty impulse purchases? Let me know in the comments!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Thank the Hair Gods: Klorane Hair Mask with Papyrus Milk
Imagine my surprise and delight when I discovered a hair mask that left my locks so soft, so sleek, so unbelievably lush ... and in only five minutes. "Impossible!" you say. "It can't be done!" But it can, thanks to Klorane Hair Mask with Papyrus Milk.
First Look Fridays: Perfumer Maria McElroy of aroma M Perfumes
I've long been entranced with aroma M Perfumes. So when I started following the brand's creator, Maria McElroy, on Twitter, I was super excited. And lo and behold, it led to a chance to interview her for The Beauty of Life! Read on to discover how she got her start in the fragrance business, the scent she can't live without, her favorite place to spritz her fragrance and so much more.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Beauty Giveaway: Murad Skincare Collection
It's been awhile since I had a giveaway here at The Beauty of Life. So it's high time I had another one, wouldn't you say? I totally agree! Which is why I am now giving away a Murad Skincare Collection. One lucky winner will receive three Murad products, valued at $171.50! Pretty amazing, right? Here's what you could win:
Murad Pomegranate Exfoliating Mask ($22.50): This antioxidant-rich mask restores, revitalizes and balances combination skin.
Murad Active Radiance Serum ($89): This unique formula provides superior all-day protection against environmental aggressors that assault skin every day.
Murad Essential-C Day Moisture SPF 30 ($60): This powerful antioxidant-rich sunscreen shields and restores environmentally stressed skin.
Entering is easy. Simply enter your name and email address in the box below. The winner will be selected on Friday, October 9 and notified by email. It's that simple!
This giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway runs until Thursday, October 8 at midnight. One entry per person, email address and IP address. Multiple entries will be disqualified.
Heaven in a Tub: Trish McEvoy No 9 Blackberry & Vanilla Musk Body Polish Sugar Scrub
Want to know what heaven in a tub smells like? Well, I'll tell you. It smells exactly like Trish McEvoy No 9 Blackberry & Vanilla Musk Body Polish Sugar Scrub. Yes, it's a long name -- and it's worth every single syllable.
It's rich. It's fragrant. It's decadent. And, most importantly, it's undeniably sexy. The beautiful aroma wafts out of the tub as soon as you unscrew the cap -- and from there, it only gets better. The scrub is rich, thick and lush without feeling heavy or greasy. And your skin? It will be so soft, so smooth, you'll be amazed!
Trish McEvoy No 9 Blackberry & Vanilla Musk Body Polish Sugar Scrub retails for $55 at neimanmarcus.com.
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