Beauty Giveaway: Remington Be You Glam Collection

My new favorite collection? The Remington Be You Glam Collection, of course! Not only does the word "glam" just make me feel special and pretty, but the fact that every piece in this collection is dressed up with gold and silver spots? Glam indeed!

And now I'm giving one lucky winner three pieces from the collection -- the three that have me head over heels in love! One winner will get the following products, valued at $49.97!

1875-watt hair dryer

Flat iron

Paddle brush

Just enter your name and email address in the box below for your chance to win. Good luck!



This giveaway ends on Sunday, July 10 at midnight. One winner will be chosen AT RANDOM on Monday, July 11. Multiple entries will be disqualified. Giveaway is open to US residents only.

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The Chanel Fall 2011 Nail Polish Collection is Here!

If you love Chanel nail polish as much as I do, then you'll be super thrilled to know that the fall collection is now available -- and features some of the most amazing colors Chanel has put out in quite some time. Three colors make up the fall collection:

Quartz (a gorgeous shimmery taupe-ish greige)
Peridot (glimmering golden green)
Graphite (sparkly charcoal silver)

Which colors are calling your name? I'm pretty sure I'll be snapping up all three!

Each of the Chanel Fall 2011 nail polishes retails for $25 at chanel.com. They're limited edition, so be sure to buy them before it's too late!

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Mani of the Week: Dior Blue Denim with Essie Lapis of Luxury

I am in love with my manicure this week! I went to see the fabulous Erica Marton, the resident nail guru at Face Place (more on that fabulous spot in a later post!), and she made my nails look absolutely awesome.

I brought in my new bottle of Dior Blue Denim, which is part of the brand's new tuxedo-inspired Blue Tie collection for fall. (It hasn't launched yet, but hopefully will be soon!) Erica fell in love with the color (and I love it too), but we wanted to spice things up a bit. She suggested Essie Lapis of Luxury for my ring fingers, and I think the contrast of blue hues is just so super cool!

What's on your nails this week? Let me know in the comments!

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Trend-Spotting: Safety Pins

As a little girl, I was obsessed with kilts. The short silhouette, the plaid, and especially the oversized safety pin that held them together fascinated me -- and, as a result, I had no less than 5 in my closet before I turned 10. I guess you could say my fascination with safety pins has never really gone away ... and thank goodness, because there's been a resurgence of them as of late! Safety pins are popping up on T-shirts, shoes, jewelry, bags ... you name it, there's a safety pin covering it. (The Tom Binns Swarovski Crystal Safety Pin Earrings, $189 at net-a-porter.com, above may be some indication.) Check out some of my favorites after the jump.

BEN-AMUN Mixed Coins On Pin
Antique bronze, silver and gold coins hang from a large safety pin that looks perfect on any black blazer.
$52 at stylebop.com

Tom Binns Punk Pave Safety Pin Necklace
A studded safety pin hangs from a delicate silver chain. Seriously, Tom Binns, can you do no wrong?
$121 at shopbop.com

Moschino Cheap and Chic Slogan Cotton-Blend Jersey Top
From the cutesy saying to the gold safety pin motif, this is one top I need in my closet.
$270 at net-a-porter.com

Sissi Rossi Shopping Tote
Nappa lambskin leather, a sleek silhouette, an oversized safety pin detail ... what more does a girl need?
$615 at barneys.com

Disney Couture Tinker Belle Charm Bracelet
Delicate ladybugs and butterflies meet tough safety pins in this unique take on the trend.
$90 at endless.com

Loeffler Randall Alice Safety Pin Flat
Rows of safety pins toughen up an otherwise demure silhouette.
$197 at zappos.com

Evil Twin Pins & Needles Acid Wash Asymmetric T-Shirt
I'm totally waiting on pins and needles to get this tee.
$51.72 at asos.com

Maison Martin Margiela Pearl Pin Pendant Necklace & Brooch
A safety pin necklace that actually doubles as a pin? Now that's ingenious.
$235 at saks.com

Sauce Safety T
A slouchy silhouette, deep hem vents, a safety pin detail ... what's not to love?
$59 at revolveclothing.com

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First Look Fridays: Makeup Artist Stephanie Flor

From Eliza Dushku and Kendra Wilkinson to the Real Housewives of New Jersey, makeup artist Stephanie Flor’s got a long list of celebrity clients calling her name. Not only that, her makeup artistry has appeared in US Weekly, Women’s Wear Daily and InStyle, just to name a few! Read on to find out which eyeliner she can’t live without, her trick for looking skinnier in seconds, and so much more.

How did you first become interested in makeup, and what led you to become a makeup artist?
I first became interested in makeup when I was 14. I would come into NYC on Halloween and admire all the drag queens with their glitter and lashes. I became obsessed with the art of transformation ever since then.

What are your top 5 makeup essentials?
1) YSL Mascara
2) Dior Brow Pencil
3) Make Up For Ever Flash Palette
4) Stila Kajal Eye Liner in Onyx
5) RCMA Shinto Palette

What are your top 3 makeup tips?

1) Always use white liner in the inner rim -- it makes your eyes appear bigger.

2) Lashes are a girl's best friend, even if you add a few at the ends.

3) Contour makes the biggest difference. Focus on your cheeks and temples -- look skinnier in seconds.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?
Doing what I love every day. I love to work with all kinds of women, from real models to real people. I'm truly blessed to meet great people with great stories and living their best life as well.

Being a makeup artist must be fun -- but what do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I'm a documentary junkie. I don't watch any television but cultural documentaries about life, UFOs, conspiracy theories and success. I love to read motivational books, and I'm always doing some kind of art projects.

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Search and Rescue: Molton Brown Desert Bloom Intense Hand Rescue

I'm obsessed with hand cream. Really, I have bottles of it all over the place -- in my bathroom, on my nightstand, on my desk at work, rattling around in my purse. But as of late, I'm only using one -- Molton Brown Desert Bloom Intense Hand Rescue.

This rich, luxurious hand cream leaves skin so soft, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. That's thanks to ingredients like antioxidant-rich South African desert plant extract, Myrrh extract (which targets cuticles and nails), Candletree leaf extract (provides photo-aging protection and minimizes the signs of age spots), and both Moringa and shea butters (which moisturize and condition the skin). It also sinks into skin immediately upon contact, so there's no unsightly greasiness or residue to contend with.

And here's the best part: it smells fantastic. Light, fresh, feminine ... absolutely beautiful.

Molton Brown Desert Bloom Intense Hand Rescue retails for $30 at saks.com.

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A Few of My Favorite Things: Tocca Cleopatra Eau de Parfum Rollerball

If anyone told me a couple months ago that all my favorite things would come together in one pretty little package, I wouldn't have believed it. But the Tocca Cleopatra Eau de Parfum Rollerball has managed to incorporate everything I love into one tiny delight.

For starters, Cleopatra is one of my all-time favorite scents. Perfume, laundry detergent, candles ... I have Cleopatra stationed in my apartment in all its forms! The blend of grapefruit, lush greens, white jasmine, tuberose, patchouli, golden amber and rich vanilla musk create a scent that's sensual, feminine and completely exotic.

And, in case you weren't aware, I have a long-standing love affair with the rollerball. I love that I can throw it in even the tiniest purse and touch up my fragrance throughout the day. This one, with its swirling golden flower design, is absolutely gorgeous.

The Tocca Cleopatra Eau de Parfum Rollerball retails for $20 at either tocca.com or sephora.com.

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Beauty Question: Do You Clean Your Makeup Brushes?

You're probably going to judge me when I tell you this. Heck, I judge me. In any case ... I am really bad at remembering to clean my makeup brushes. I know, I know ... I'm a beauty writer, why don't I clean them more often? Well, to be honest, there's just so much else going on that it slips my mind!

But it got me thinking. Do you clean your makeup brushes? And if so, how often? Let me know in the comments!

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Alexis Bittar Sale!

Who's my favorite jewelry designer? Most definitely Alexis Bittar. And I'm super excited right now, because there's a MAJOR sale happening both on Alexis Bittar's website and in all of the retail stores! Snag huge deals -- 30 percent off! -- on beautiful, covetable pieces.

Simply head to alexisbittar.com or any of the locations below. But hurry, or I may have bought everything!

Happy shopping!

NEW YORK:
Soho: 465 Broome Street
West Village: 353 Bleecker Street
Upper East Side: 1100 Madison Avenue

CHICAGO:
1710 North Damen Avenue

LOS ANGELES:
8383 West 3rd Street
1612 Abbot Kinney Boulevard

SAN FRANCISCO:
1942 Fillmore Street

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Salon and Spa Directory: Haven's Naturally You Naturally Radiant Facial

Last month, I was treated to an absolutely divine facial at one of my very favorite NYC spas, Haven. While I normally go there for mani-pedis, this time I experienced the Naturally Radiant Facial -- part of Haven's brand-new Naturally You line of treatments.

This facial is a classic but with a modern twist -- because it uses only Ecocert and Organic products. It features luxurious products by Patyka, which are imported from France (ooh la la!). And that's not all -- since the facial is individually tailored to meet your skin's needs, the esthetician begins with a super thorough skin analysis.

I have to say the 60 minutes I spent at Haven for this treatment were some of the best I've spent in quite some time. Cleansing, toning, steaming, extractions, a custom-tailored mask ... I was in complete heaven! Plus, the facial includes a hand massage and a nourishing hot mitten hand treatment, so my skin was super, SUPER soft.

The Naturally Radiant Facial at Haven is $195 for 60 minutes. For more information and to book an appointment, visit havensoho.com.

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In Which I Get a Haircut and No Longer Hate My Hair

Back in March, I got a haircut. I thought I was going in just for a little trim and cleanup ... and came out with weird, uneven, super choppy layers. As if that weren't enough, it looked like I had a grown-out mullet on top of a longer cut. WHY WOULD A STYLIST DO THAT TO ME?

Needless to say, the past few months have been tedious. Growing out a bad haircut is never fun, and it just never makes me feel pretty. Luckily, the situation has started to be remedied, thanks to my gal J. She came over this weekend to save me from a summer of ponytails. After a little trimming of the ends and a little blending of the layers, my hair no longer looked awful and terrible!

I'm really pleased with the cut, and can't wait for the next couple months to zoom by so I can even it up even more. Yay for not hating my hair!

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Trend-Spotting: Skulls

Want to introduce a touch of the macabre into your look? Why not add a skull or two into your wardrobe? Tanks, earrings, necklaces ... there are a host of scary choices out there for you, regardless of whether Halloween is anywhere close (like these Iosselliani Filigree Skull Earrings, $245 at barneys.com). Check out some of my favorites after the jump.

Illustrated People Big Skulls Oversized Top
Totally cartoonish, totally cute.
$50 at topshop.com

Bing Bang by Anna Sheffield Skull and Cross Bones Studs
Rose gold gives these an Old World quality.
$48 at bingbangnyc.com

Pamela Love 5 Skull Necklace
Because five are better than one.
$120 at barneys.com

Fenton Neon Tribal Necklace
Claws. Neon. Feathers. Spikes. Skulls. Is there anything this necklace doesn't do?
$625 at charmandchain.com

Jessica Kagan Cushman Brass Skull and Crystals Ring
A bold cocktail ring with just a touch of sass.
$125 at maxandchloe.com

Sauce Gaga Open Back Tee
An unassuming tee, made utterly cool with a wigged skull and back cutout details.
$62 at shopbop.com

Me&Ro Tiny Skull Stud Earring
As if skulls couldn't get any cooler, this ruby-eyed earring is sold by itself -- so one ear will make such a fun statement.
$295 at barneys.com

Alexander McQueen Flesh Enamel Skull Bangle
Enamel and gold finish sweeten up this bangle's dark side.
$275 at alexandermcqueen.com

Rachel Rachel Roy Skull Drop Earrings
Faceted jewels for eyes and gleaming worn gold? Sign me up.
$40 at rachelroy.com

Lauren Moshi Butterfly Skull Trixie Open Shoulder Tee
Cutout shoulders and a skull made out of butterflies make this soar to the top of my most-wanted list.
$96 at revolveclothing.com

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Mani of the Week: Chanel Rose Confidentiel

I decided to go a little more tame with my nail polish choice this week. Chanel Rose Confidentiel seemed perfect -- a little bit mauve, a little bit pink, a lot chic and sophisticated.

What's on your nails this week? Let me know in the comments!

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First Look Fridays: Makeup Artist Kindra Mann

Audrina Patridge. Katharine McPhee. Who's responsible for making these lovely ladies even lovelier on the red carpet? It's none other than makeup artist Kindra Mann! Read on to find out the tweezers she can't live without, her all-time favorite concealer, and so much more.

Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
I grew up in the small town of Yakima, Washington, about 2 hours outside Seattle. I was 19 and halfway through my first year of college when I decided it was time to move to Los Angeles. I really wanted to pursue my dream of becoming a makeup artist, so I packed up and drove down 3 weeks later and enrolled in classes at Elegance International Academy in Hollywood.

How did you first become interested in beauty, and what led you to become a makeup artist?

I knew I always wanted to do something creative for a living. As a child, I loved to paint and draw and do anything crafty. In high school I really fell in love with makeup and the whole beauty process. I would get all my friends together a give them makeovers. I would tear pages out of magazines and then try to recreate the looks.

What are your top 5 makeup essentials?
1) Stila #33 One Step Complexion Brush

2) Smashbox Photo Set Finishing Powder SPF 15

3) Cle De Peau Concealer

4) Shu Uemura Glow On Blush

5) Shu Uemura Slant Tweezers


What are your top 3 beauty tips?
1) Take care of your skin. Wash your face morning and night and remember to moisturize.

2) Sunscreen and eye cream will go a long way in taking care of your skin.

3) Be kind to others and you will always look your best. Maya Angelou said, "People will forget what you did, people will forget what you said, but people will never forget how you made them feel." I think that is such a powerful statement and very important to remember.


Being a makeup artist must be fun -- but what do you do in your spare time?
I love to travel whenever possible and spend time with my husband Josh and our rescue dog Cooper. We bought our first house less then a year ago. A lot (okay actually all these days) of my spare time is usually spent fixing up and remodeling the house. We just planted our first organic garden, which has been really fun watching develop and definitely gives you a new outlook on where food comes from.

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Beauty Question: Do You Twirl Your Hair?

Back in high school, I had a friend named Amy who was a chronic hair twirler. She basically always had a lock of hair in her hand, incessantly twirling and twirling and twirling...

I thought about her today as I noticed a guy in my office twirling his hair. And so I wondered, do you twirl your hair? Let me know in the comments!

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Bite Me: BITE Vitamin Gel Trio

Want to wear lipgloss that's actually good for your lips? Well, then, you're in luck -- because the BITE Vitamin Gel Trio is here to help.

Choose from pink grapefruit, blood orange or mint -- such a great combination of flavors that works for a variety of different moods, wouldn't you say? Each of the three glosses in this trio not only smells and tastes fantastic -- they moisturize, soften and condition the lips, too! This is thanks to antioxidant-rich resveratrol and good-for-the-skin Vitamin C.

And what you won't find in these glosses? Parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs and Triclosan. So you just know they're good for your lips!

The BITE Vitamin Gel Trio retails for $28 at sephora.com.

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Size Does Matter: M.A.C Sized To Go

I travel pretty frequently, both for work and for pleasure. And since I absolutely despise checking a suitcase, I usually find myself pretty fed up with the TSA's ridiculous 3.4oz or less policy when it comes to beauty products. Thank goodness M.A.C Sized To Go just hit the shelves!

Every item in this collection is 30ml or less, and it definitely includes M.A.C skincare staples and some of my very favorite products (Fix +, Demi-Wipes and Pro Eye Makeup Remover among them). It's everything you need to keep your skin cleansed, refreshed and hydrated in totally handy sizes. And the best part? Every product is $15 or less! See the entire collection after the jump.


Studio Moisture Cream ($15)


Strobe Cream ($15)


Pro Eye Makeup Remover ($10)


Oil Control Lotion ($15)


Green Gel Cleanser ($10)


Fix + ($10)


Demi-Wipes ($15)


Cleanse Off Oil ($10)


Cleanse Off Oil/Tranquil ($10)

M.A.C Sized To Go is now part of the permanent collection. It's available at all M.A.C locations and at maccosmetics.com.

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