Monday, April 30, 2012

Strawberry Fields Forever: The Body Shop Strawberry Hand Wash

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The scent of summertime to me will always be fresh-picked strawberries. There's nothing better than the aroma of strawberries that have just come in from the sun (and nothing tastes better, either). So it's no wonder that I'm totally enamored of The Body Shop Strawberry Hand Wash.

This soap seriously smells exactly like sun-ripened strawberries. I like to keep it in my kitchen to make my hands smell sweet after cooking and cleaning.

I'm continually amazed by how fantastic each and every product by The Body Shop makes my skin feel. This hand soap is formulated with Community Trade organic honey to hydrate and condition the skin. Moisturizing glycerin helps to create a fantastic foaming lather.

Unfortunately, this product is no longer available.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Nails with Daniella: Stained Glass Manicure!

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nails, nail polish, nail art, polish, lacquer, nail lacquer, mani, manicure, mani of the week, manicure of the week, Nails with Daniella, Daniella Cestone, NARS, NARS nail polish, Thakoon for NARS Koliary Nail Polish, Dolce & Gabbana, Dolce & Gabbana Nail Polish, Dolce & Gabbana Passione Nail Polish, Chanel, Chanel nail lacquer, Chanel Vernis, Chanel nail polish, Chanel Graphite nail polish, OPI, OPI nail polish, OPI Blue Grotto, Mattese Elite, Mattese Elite nail polish, Mattese Elite White Nail Art PaintIntroducing a new feature on The Beauty of Life ... Nails with Daniella! My friend Daniella C. is a seriously talented nail artist (check out the Disney Princess manicure she did for me before my trip to Disney World), and we'll be collaborating once a month to bring you some fun, intricate, interesting nail designs. First up? This awesome stained glass manicure!

Before we started this design, Daniella asked me (half jokingly, I think) if I minded having crazy nails. I think my response was somewhere along the lines of, "You're kidding, right?" And, as you can see, the result is a little crazy ... but in the absolute best way.

Once we decided on the design, it was time to pick the colors. Our brains must have been in sync, because both Daniella and I were thinking about using pinks and blues with hits of silver and white! We narrowed down our choices from about 20 to the five you see here:

OPI Blue Grotto (the dark blue)
Thakoon for NARS Koliary (the turquoise)
Dolce & Gabbana Passione (the dark pink)
Chanel Graphite (the silver)
Mattese Elite White Nail Art Paint

Daniella really wanted to make every nail different, and I agreed. I like that every nail shows a unique stained glass effect. To create the look, Daniella carefully painted both straight and angled stripes, lines and blocks in each color. We also stayed away from using the same color combinations on each nail or even using every color on every nail, so you really have to look at all ten to get the final effect!

I like that while every nail is so different, they create a seamless experience. The blocks of color meet in similar patterns, and the constants of white and silver running throughout give it continuity.

Stay tuned for more manicures with the fabulous Daniella! I can't wait to see what she creates next!

Friday, April 27, 2012

First Look Fridays: Makeup Artist Veronica Lorenz

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The creator of the super-cool, super innovative beautyblender. A makeup artist on such fan favorites as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the fan favorite The Hunger Games. Chock full of amazing makeup tips and tricks. Oh, and let's not forget makeup artist to such celebrities as Sofia Vergara and Diana Ross. That's makeup artist Veronica Lorenz. Read on to discover how beautyblender came to be, how to make your lashes look thick and lush, and so much more.

How did you first become interested in makeup, and what led you to become a makeup artist?
I grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, where I started figure skating at age 7. I also did ballet and gymnastics, but kept with skating because it was the most challenging. When I was 12 or 13 I started competing nationally, and at 17 I began skating professionally as a troupe member of “Holiday on Ice.” I like to say I “ran away and joined the circus,” we went from city to city performing and even had clown and dog acts. I traveled with the show in Europe for 6 months. We had to do our own makeup and the other girls loved the way I did mine so I was being asked by a lot of them to do theirs as well.

After the ice show I was hanging out on the street corner with my punk rock friends when a casting director came up to us and said, “Hey, do you wanna get paid to do what you’re doing now?” So I went down to the set of a show that turned out to be the pilot for 21 Jump Street and hung out in front of the camera. I ended up working as an extra throughout the whole series and soon after decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue acting.

In L.A. I realized that while I loved being on set it was the behind the camera stuff that interested me the most, particularly the visual elements. At the same time a surgery I underwent caused nerve damage in my right hand and arm and I had to learn how to do everything left-handed. After some soul searching, learning how to do makeup left-handed seemed like a challenge for me. So I decided to quit acting and go to Cinema Make Up School. My decision paid off almost immediately, the first job I got was during my first month of school assisting the owner of the school on a commercial.

You've worked on some really interesting TV shows and movies, from Buffy to The Hunger Games. Do you have any favorite looks you've created or moments that have stood out?
The Hunger Games was certainly a standout moment. As a makeup artist who works the full spectrum, sometimes I’m reminded to “rein in” a little bit. For instance going from a "real people" type of movie like Bridesmaids to something like Star Trek requires two very different types of makeup. With The Hunger Games, there was no need to “rein in,” which was very liberating. And working with Diana Ross and Sofia Vergara is always exciting.

I absolutely love beautyblender. What inspired you to create such a fun product?
Thanks! I created beautyblender out of necessity. I first started using that shape of sponge, hand cutting it myself, in my FX work, but with a different type of sponge material. I was airbrushing all of my beauty makeups at the time and didn’t have a portable tool to touch them up on set. So one day I came up with the idea to use the teardrop shape with a softer, smoother material, and after a few years of research and development, voila! beautyblender was born.

What are your top 5 favorite beauty products?
1) beautyblender and blendercleanser. For obvious reasons. It’s the ultimate applicator. You can apply 75 percent of your makeup with it. It’s environmentally sound and you can recycle it!

2) Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler. Does not fail. Ever.

3) Revlon ColorStay Makeup with SoftFlex Foundation. It does what it says it does. It stays. I’ve used this on everyone, especially with dancers who sweat a lot, and it still stays. Touchups are minimal. You can also thin it down for a sheerer formulation. Still stays!

4) Dior eyeshadows. Beautiful colors and the formulation is lovely. You don’t get any fallout from it.

5) Make Up For Ever Genevieve False Lashes. So beautiful. You could almost get away with doing no other makeup than putting these on and look completely done.

What are your top 3 makeup tips?

1) Set your foundation, concealer and creme blush with loose power and your damp beautyblender (no need to wash it between steps). Then dip your (same) beautyblender in loose powder, tap off the excess, and stipple over your makeup. It leaves your makeup with a fabulous satiny finish that lasts longer, so you don’t have to touch up as often.

2) Apply powder to eyelashes before curling and applying mascara for thicker, more luscious lashes.

3) Blend, blend, blend! And then blend some more!

Being a makeup artist must be fun -- but what do you do in your spare time?
Being a makeup artist is fun! I’m very lucky to be able to play with my toys, work with incredibly talented people and get paid for it! In my spare time I play housewife and mother. I have a daughter, Tesla, who will be 3 in July, and my husband, Pat, who at times acts the same age, so my spare time is all about my family. I’m also working on cool new ideas for makeup tools ... stay tuned!

Click here for more information on beautyblender. Visit Veronica's personal website here.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Fashion Giveaway: A Pair of Shoes from the Havaianas Soul Collection

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I am truly excited to bring you my latest giveaway. One lucky winner is going to receive a pair of shoes from the Havaianas Soul Collection, valued from $38-$68!

I'm totally enamored of this collection, not only because it's by the ever-fabulous Havaianas, but because they're perfect for wearing on the hot summer streets without getting your feet dirty. The closed-toe styles range from espadrille flats to lace-up sneakers and come in such a fun variety of color combinations. And, of course, they're finished with the signature Havaianas rubber sole!

To enter, visit the Havaianas website here to check out the various Soul Collection styles. Then leave your name, email address and the style, color and size of the shoe you want to win in the box below.



THE RULES:
This giveaway ends on Sunday, April 29 at midnight. One winner will be chosen AT RANDOM on Monday, April 30. One entry per person and email address. Multiple entries will be disqualified. Giveaway is open to US residents only.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Salon and Spa Directory: Jeff Chastain Parlor

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Jeff Chastain Parlor, Jan-Marie Arteca, NYC, New York City, hair, hair salon, salon and spa directory, haircut, beauty, review, haircolor, hair color, colorist, hairstylistI've been on the hunt for a New York City salon that feels like home for almost 10 years. And, finally, I found it. I recently discovered Jeff Chastain Parlor and, after only one appointment, I feel like I've been going there all my life.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Mani of the Week: RGB Pink

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RGB, RGB Cosmetics, RGB nail polish, RGB Pink nail polish, RGB Cosmetics Pink nail polish, nail, nails, nail polish, polish, lacquer, nail lacquer, mani, manicure, mani of the week, manicure of the weekWhile I normally choose crazy colors for my manicures, I went for something a little more normal this week -- pink! RGB Pink, to be exact. I had been wanting to try RGB nail polish for quite some time, and during a manicure at tenoverten (stay tuned for a review of the hip Tribeca nail salon!), I finally got my chance.

I chose RGB Pink for its super saturated, crazy bright pink hue -- for, while I wanted to try a color more normal than blue or green, I still needed a little sass. I love the creaminess of the polish and the ease with which it applied. Two coats were utter perfection. Plus, the hot pink hue is perfect for spring!

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

Friday, April 20, 2012

First Look Fridays: Makeup Artist Georgia Allen

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"I enjoy being able to transport people into a moment, whether it is exciting, scary or fantastical," says makeup artist Georgia Allen. She's worked on some very big projects, from the upcoming The Avengers and The Hobbit to Breaking Bad and The Lion King on Broadway. Read on to discover the foundation she swears by, her number one tip for good skin and so much more.

How did you first become interested in beauty, and what led you to become a makeup artist?
I was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico. My mom put me in theater classes at 8 years old and I imagine it all started there. I attended a performing arts theater high school and participated in theater troops outside of school until I was too old to do it. I was always doing makeup and hair for whatever show I was in. My mom has pictures of me doing makeup for the other actors at a very young age. After high school I spent a year studying photography and art history at a liberal arts school.

Having a career focused education was important to me, so I moved to L.A. and attended Westmore Academy for Cosmetic Arts. There is not a day that I don't go to work and thank Michael Pack for all that he taught me at school. I believe education gives you the confidence to compete in this cutthroat industry. It's not easy breaking into the film industry, so I spent the next few years moving around the east coast working on plays, operas, indie films and Broadway. I spent a year and a half working at Sephora, I believe I owe a lot of my speed and product knowledge to that job. I also did freelance makeup for M.A.C, Shiseido and Cle De Peau.

I was hired for a film shooting in New Mexico of all places, so my work brought me back home. After shooting there for the summer I decided to leave the theater world behind. My time working in theater was probably the most valuable to my career because Cookie Jordan took me under her wing and taught me how to Ventilate. Ventilating is tying individual hairs into lace to create wigs or false facial hair. This ultimately would be what would separate me from the majority of makeup artists in the business, and open lots of doors into the film world. I joined the Local 480 union when I moved back to New Mexico and worked in union film and television for nearly 5 years. Lots of westerns and post apocalyptc films! One of my most memorable shows was The Men Who Stare at Goats, I owe a lot of my facial hair knowledge to Ken Diaz who never ceases to amaze me.

At some point every makeup artist that wants to join the big leagues has to make the move to L.A. Union cards don't transfer to L.A. so after spending many a day back on indie sets and loads of persistence, I got my 706 Union card on OZ the Great and Powerful. OZ introduced me to Howard Berger who for many years has inspired me with his work and the work of his and Greg Nicotero's FX Makeup shop KNB. Howard has shown me that love and grace belong in the film industry no matter what department you are in. He has taught me that having fun with what you do is the most important part of doing this job. Beauty makeup will always play an important role in my career but I'm afraid special effects makeup holds my heart.

What are your top 5 favorite beauty products?
1) Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. It comes in 4 shades, all of which I love for priming eyes. Eyeshadow stays put all day and will not crease. I personally wear the color SIN on my eyes everyday for a great natural work look. The original formula remains my favorite.

2) M.A.C Acrylic Paints. M.A.C makes the acrylics in a range of 10 colors that are great for lining the upper and lower shelf of the eye. They will not run down and cause raccoon eyes. They stay put for hours. I love this trick for prosthetics makeup as well, it takes the human look out of the eye for creature makeups. Certain colors are not suitable for the eye so check the color out first. Of course the acrylics can be used in lots of other ways, this is just my favorite.

3) KohGenDo Cleansing Spa Water. Well, really, anything made by KohGenDo is amazing. It was really hard to narrow it down to one product. This can be used for makeup removal and is great for waterproof makeup as well. I love to use it around the eyes for beauty and FX makeups. It is oil free and alcohol free. It will dissolve glues and adhesives so you don't have to use a solvent around the eyes.

4) Kanebo Sensai Fluid Finish Lasting Velvet Foundation. This foundation is amazing! It comes in 9 magnificent shades and has an SPF of 15. Every actress I put it on goes out to buy it for themselves!

5) Philosophy Microdelivery Peel Pads. Deep cleansing and exfoliation is an important part of a skincare regimen. It also goes hand in hand for anti-aging and sun damage. These pads improve clarity and texture while brightening and removing unwanted oils and blocked pores. I found that at night weekly is the best use for brighter, more youthful skin.

What are your top 3 beauty tips?
1) I am a huge fan of coconut water for drinking but I bet you didn't know that it is amazing for your skin! Its mass amounts of electrolytes, sodium, chloride, and phosphate make it super hydrating for you inside and out. Coconut water is naturally isotonic so it helps balance your PH, as well as being sterile and having antibacterial properties so it is wonderful for blemish problems. It's wonderful for boosting your immune system, regulating blood pressure and cholesterol. With the crazy long hours I work, I believe coconut water gets me through it and keeps me healthy with nice skin! I recommend drinking one every day and splashing a little on your face every night.

2) Wearing sunscreen is probably one of the best things you can do for your skin on a daily basis. Even when we are inside we are exposed to UV lights and free radicals. Remember the SPF should be multiplied by ten to give you the amount of minutes you can spend in the sun before damage. Broad Spectrum Sunscreen is best because it protects chemically and topically. Use sunscreen specified for face to avoid breakouts and eye irritation.

3) Using quality brushes and tools will make your makeup look that much better. Better blending edges, better fine lines. Doing a smoky eye with a sponge tip applicator versus brushes will yield two totally different results. Invest in good brushes and they will last forever. Cleaning brushes daily or weekly will keep oils from being reapplied to your skin and keep your colors true. Sephora makes a daily spray brush cleaner that I adore -- at $14 it is affordable, it smells nice and does not have oils in it. When washing your brushes, lay them flat off the edge of a counter or table so the air gets 360 degrees around the bristles. It will keep the water from dissolving the glue and prolong the life of your brush. Take good care of your brushes and they will take good care of you!

Being a makeup artist must be fun, but what do you do in your spare time?
Time off? What is that? Well I suppose if I'm not at work I am cooking. Cooking for my roommates makes me happier than you would imagine. I enjoy sleeping, dirty gin martinis and going to the movies.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

My Friend's Mani of the Week: Urban Outfitters Crowded and Smush

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Urban Outfitters, Urban Outfitters Crowded Nail Polish, Urban Outfitters Smush Nail Polish, Urban Outfitters UO Nail Polish, nail, nails, nail polish, polish, lacquer, nail lacquer, mani, manicure, mani of the week, manicure of the week, Urban Outfitters manicureI love when my friends have cool manicures. And this week, my gal Christy is sporting two different colors by Urban Outfitters that complement each other so well and just look awesome together! She's wearing Crowded (a fun greyish bluish purple) and Smush (a bright, peppy mint green). Both colors are so perfect for spring. I simply had to take a picture and show you!

Best of all, Urban Outfitters UO Nail Polish retails for $5 a bottle at urbanoutfitters.com. What's not to love?

Monday, April 16, 2012

Salon and Spa Directory: Moonshine Spa

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Moonshine Spa, Moonshine Spa at Le Parker Meridien, spa, facial, massage"Not a speakeasy. A spa." That's the motto of Moonshine Spa, and they're sticking to it! But along the way, you'll be offered a shot of moonshine before your treatment (beware: it burns going down) and get a massage or facial in treatment rooms named after drinks from the Prohibition Era. All of this is happening in what's now known as the Underground at Le Parker Meridien, a collection of beauty and fitness spots (with Tenoverten, Drybar, Petit Blue Dog and Gravity Fitness, in addition to Moonshine) that's become a haven for beauty enthusiasts.

Moonshine is definitely a unique spa experience, Prohibition theme aside. The treatment names sound basic -- facial or massage -- but the actual treatments are anything but. Everything is completely customized to your needs, so you feel unique and special. I chose the 60-minute facial and 60-minute massage, and was completely smitten with both. The therapists have in-depth conversations with you prior to your treatment so they can fully understand what you want.

In addition, all of the facials use Tata Harper products, which are created on a farm in Vermont and are both natural and non-toxic.

So if you're looking for a truly unique spa experience in New York, this is it. In all my years of spa-ing, I've never found another like it!

60-minute facials and massages are $120, while 90-minute treatments are $180. For more information on Moonshine Spa and to book an appointment, visit their website here.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Mani of the Week: Essie To Buy or Not to Buy

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Essie, Essie nail polish, Essie mani, Essie manicure, mani, manicure, mani of the week, nail, nails, nail polish, polish, lacquer, nail lacquer, Essie Spring 2012 Collection, Essie To Buy or Not to BuyYou know those nail polishes that look amazing in the bottle, but once you put them on, you're just not as thrilled as you were a moment before? Well, that's how I'm feeling about Essie To Buy or Not to Buy, one of the colors from the Spring 2012 collection. In the bottle, it's a gorgeous pale lavender with lots of blue shimmer. On the nail, it's chalky, streaky and looks more white than lavender -- and the shimmer is basically non-existent, even in sunlight.

So why am I even showing this color to you? Well, I chose it for the week and don't have time to redo my nails before I go to Pittsburgh for work -- and I think it's important to show the good and the bad nail polish choices I make!

What's on your nails this week? I hope you're liking it more than I'm liking mine!

Friday, April 13, 2012

First Look Fridays: Clairol Professional Celebrity Colorist Kiyah Wright

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The woman behind the fabulous hairstyles of Jennifer Hudson and Ciara? Clairol Professional Celebrity Colorist Kiyah Wright. Kiyah is one of the most fascinating women in the business, always creating unique and interesting looks for her clients -- and, of course, chock full of fantastic beauty tips and tricks! Read on to discover her favorite look of Ciara's, her trick to remove color from your hairline and so much more.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Trend-Spotting: The Peplum

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2012 is most definitely the year of the peplum. The short ruffle attached to a skirt, dress, top or even pants has caused quite a stir in the fashion world, with celebrities like Emma Stone (in Giambattista Valli) and Olivia Palermo (in Mulberry) taking to it in spades. Jason Wu, Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang, Alexander McQueen, Tibi, Rodarte (and even more!) ... all embraced the peplum and incorporated it into their collections this season. Below, my favorite takes on the trend.

Thakoon Tiger Lily Makado Peplum Top
A resplendent shade of kelly green is emblazoned with a gorgeous reinterpretation of classic paisley.
$990 at net-a-porter.com

ASOS Peplum Dress With Ribbon Trim
Bright cascading tiers are so sweet and fun.
$81.81 at asos.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs Flavin Striped Peplum Blouse
Bold sailor stripes in patriotic hues, shot through with hot pink accents.
$198 at shopbop.com

Mulberry Metallic Crepe Peplum Top
The same top as Olivia Palermo's, but in a muted champagne hue that goes with absolutely everything.
$600 at net-a-porter.com

Tibi Peplum-Waist Striped Cotton Jacket
Equally as perfect over skinny jeans or an LBD.
$495 at net-a-porter.com

Nanette Lepore Yearbook Peplum Top
A very subtle peplum accents bold tangerine faille, creating a flattering, cinched-in silhouette that looks good on everyone.
$198 at bergdorfgoodman.com


Friday, April 6, 2012

Taking Baby Steps Toward Ombre Hair With Jan-Marie Arteca

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Well, my fabulous colorist, Jan-Marie Arteca, has done it again. I went in for a (long overdue) appointment with her at her brand-new salon, Jeff Chastain Parlor, about a week ago -- and came out with, of course, the best color ever.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

My Recent Mani: Disney Princess Nails Inspired by Cinderella!

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I am beyond excited about my current manicure. My family is off to Disney World tomorrow to celebrate my mom's birthday, and I simply had to do a manicure inspired by the Disney Princesses. And what better Disney Princess to choose than the most iconic one of all, Cinderella? My friend Daniella and I had been talking about her doing my nails for awhile (she's an incredible nail artist whose nails always look incredible) -- and, finally, we set a date.

Now, you might think choosing a design for a manicure like this would be easy. Well, you would be wrong! Daniella and I emailed, texted and IMed back and forth for days trying to decide on the perfect design. It was actually difficult to decide which character to do -- Belle, Ariel, Rapunzel and even Tinkerbell were thrown into the mix before we decided on Cinderella. One thing we didn't want was for the manicure to look cheesy -- so we immediately threw out the idea of painting faces or dresses on my nails.

Once we chose Cinderella as our muse, we finally settled upon this amazing design -- inspired by Cinderella's beautiful blue ballgown, of course! Daniella and I decided to do a modified French manicure using the blue for the dress as the tip and a thin-tipped white as the scalloped lace underneath, accented by lots of shimmer and sparkle! Here's how Daniella did the design:

1) We started with one coat of CND Teal Sparkle as the base. We liked that it added some shimmer but wouldn't overwhelm the overall design.

2) Daniella freehanded the French tips using one coat of China Glaze For Audrey. We tried mixing different blues with white first, but finally decided that this Tiffany box blue on its own would suffice.

3) The real fun began! Daniella very carefully outlined the blue and then drew scallops underneath using Mattese Elite White Nail Art Paint. We liked that this nail polish had a thin-tipped brush, making it much easier to do detailed art. The scallops represent the scalloped lace tiers underneath the ballgown.

4) Daniella filled in the space between the blue and white with Milani Art of Silver. Again, we just wanted to add dimension here and make the two colors stand out more against one another.

5) We finished with one coat of OPI Gone Gonzo!, a blue glitter from this year's Muppets Collection. This made For Audrey look more blue instead of teal. Daniella was careful to only use the small flecks of glitter in the polish instead of the big silver chunks.

6) For the grand finale, Daniella carefully picked out the big, square pieces of glitter from Deborah Lippmann Marquee Moon and placed them into the center of the nail tip.

I am so in love with this manicure and am completely indebted to Daniella for her artistic skill and willingness to spend almost two hours doing my nails! Now on to Disney World!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Seeing Is Believing: Dove VisibleCare Toning Body Wash

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Dove, Dove body wash, Dove shower gel, Dove VisibleCare Toning Body Wash, body wash, shower gel, shower, soap, Dove soapThe first soap I ever used? Dove. When I was growing up, we always had the White Beauty Bar in our shower. And for years, that's all my skin knew. Since I was about 16, I've gone through myriad body washes and shower gels, but all of a sudden, I'm back to Dove. And while I've graduated from the Beauty Bar to Dove VisibleCare Toning Body Wash, the end result -- smooth, soft skin -- is the same.

This body wash is creamy, thick and lush -- definitely more of a shower cream than a typical body wash. It forms the most fabulously rich lather and even seems to shimmer a bit as it falls upon a washcloth or pouf. It's formulated with NutriumMoisture and Vitamin E to make skin feel nourished and conditioned.

And let's not forget the fact that it smells amazing! The scent is fresh and clean, yet not cloying -- so you'll feel luxuriously cushioned in perfume all day long.

Dove VisibleCare Toning Body Wash retails for $8.29 at drugstore.com.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

My New Love: Clarisonic Mia 2

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Ah, the Clarisonic. Every time I think my love affair is ending, it just reels me back in! I love every product in the line, but recently, I've been consumed by the Clarisonic Mia 2.

Monday, April 2, 2012

My Recent Mani: Chanel Gold Fingers and OPI I Don't Give A Rotterdam!

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OPI, Chanel, OPI Holland Collection, OPI I Don't Give A Rotterdam!, OPI nail polish, OPI nail lacquer, OPI mani, OPI manicure, Chanel Gold Fingers, Chanel nail polish, Chanel nail lacquer, Chanel Le Vernis Nail Lacquer, Chanel mani, Chanel manicure, mani, manicure, nail, nails, nail polish, polish, lacquer, nail lacquerI visited some friends in Bloomington over the weekend (my alma mater, Indiana University, is there! Go IU!) and I simply had to give myself a fabulous manicure for the trip. I decided on Chanel Gold Fingers and OPI I Don't Give A Rotterdam!, and I really like the combination of the bold gold with the shimmery dusty blue. I like that the flecks of gold glitter in the OPI perfectly complement the bold gold of the Chanel.

I actually meant to paint different nails with each color on each hand, not to have the middle and ring fingers be the same -- but by the time I realized my mistake, I had already applied a top coat!

Each of these colors went on smoothly and evenly with no streaks. I applied two coats, but they both looked fantastic in just one. I'm especially loving the Chanel, which is so different than all the other golds Chanel has come out with. It's liberally packed with sparkle and is a true opaque gold, unlike Gold Fiction (a yellow gold) or Illusion D'Or (more of a finishing coat than an actual polish).

Truth be told, I painted my nails on Wednesday and still haven't changed them for this week, because I just love them so much! But I'll probably be changing them right after I finish writing this post ... so, now!

Review of Brookline's Beauty and Style and Nail Polish Haul

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While in Boston visiting my best friend last weekend, I had the chance to visit a very fabulous beauty store in the Coolidge Corner neighborhood of Brookline called Beauty and Style. Now, I'd probably walked by this store at least 50 times in the past few years, as it's around the corner from my brother's apartment. But on this occasion, I actually went in -- and, lo and behold, a new favorite store was born! Watch my video below for my review and check out everything I bought while there.



Seen in this video:
Zoya Remove+
CND Stickey
Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
Essie Lapis of Luxury
Essie Love & Acceptance
Essie Who Is The Boss
OPI I Have A Herring Problem
OPI I Don't Give A Rotterdam!
China Glaze For Audrey