Botkier Clyde in Acid Yellow

for summer, i love bright accessories. it keeps me in a good mood for starters, and keeps my mind off the fact that i'm not a fan of the season (ha!). while perusing a new website called shopdressonline.com, i found this bright little number...

Botkier's Clyde in "Acid" Yellow Cowhide is a perfect bag to add that pop of color to any look, not to mention the shape is classic.

fyi, shopdressonline.com is the online boutique for an actual store called Dress in san fransisco. the site itself is much like the store, mixing a collection of basic pieces with more trendy items, giving the customer the range to keep her wardrobe functional, yet current.

stay tuned, as i will be sharing more fabulous things from Dress with you!

xo

Alicia Keys at the 2009 BET Awards

there were many gorgeous hair and makeup looks at this past weekend's 2009 BET Awards. Alicia Keys' style was one of my favorites-- especially her hair! i loved the full, shiny curls!

want to know how she got the look? read on...



Tippi Shorter, Pantene celebrity stylist, whose clients include Jennifer Hudson, Rihanna and Keri Hilson, began by using Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Smooth Vitality Shampoo & Conditioner to make Alicia's tresses smooth and more manageable to style.

next, she used Ego-Boost Leave-in by Bed Head to detangle Alicia's curls, followed by Pantene Pro-V Curls Anti-Frizz Cream-- this was the foundation for making those big curls last throughout the heat without frizz or fly-aways!

using a curling iron "about the size of my pinky to refine her curls", Tippie added Ojon Serum to separate and fluff her curls for all-night body, and finished the look with a strong holding hairspray to keep the curls in place.


what do you think of Alicia's curls?

xo
image source

Coming soon: Beautyfix 3

hello beauties! i am thrilled beyond words to tell you that Beautyfix 3 (yes, another fabulous group of products) is being launched on wednesday. for the past week or so, we have been getting hints on Twitter (are you following me?), via @Beautyfix, and guess what?

i guessed one of the products correctly!

want to know what it is?

are you sure?

really?

ok...


it's Bliss' The Youth As We Know It Concentrate!



i'm not sure if it will be full size or a deluxe-size sample, but i do know that the formulation is based on one of the spa's best skin treatments, The Youth as We Know it Facial. this serum is said to be an extraordinary anti-aging concentrate that doubles as a lightweight moisturizer, and from the reviews on the site, i can't see how anyone wouldn't want to try this.

be sure to sign up for Beautyfix 3, available this wednesday, july 1 on beautyfix.com and i'll be posting the full line-up of goodies in a few days.

xo

Don't Miss This: CEW Winners on QVC Tonight!

if you love beauty products and QVC like me (and many other of my fellow beauty bloggers), you won't want to miss what's on tonight: 2 hours of CEW award-winners and finalists!

on the premiere of the CEW Beauty Insider's Choice Awards show you'll be able to purchase the best in beauty-- some QVC favorites, as well as some new-to-the-channel products.





a few products that i have been wanting to try are Ysl's Rougue Volupte Silky Sensual Radiant Liptsick, Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara Duo (both products are availble on easy pay!), and bareMinerals 100% Natural Lip Gloss Duo.







other products being featured include Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Eye Treatment, Ojon The Ball, Living Proof No Frizz and others (see the line-up here)

the show begins at 10pm eastern-- don't miss it!

xo

Tarte Launches YouTube Channel!

i'm so excited to share with you that the very fabulous beauty brand, Tarte, has recently launched their very own YouTube channel. through their videos, brand staffers not only give viewers product info, but also offer tutorials on how to use them.

the video below is a great tutorial on how to use Tarte's best-selling Cheek Stain-- enjoy!



visit tarte.com to discover more products and be sure to subscribe to their channel-- there is so much more to come!

xo

Beautiful Reading

The Informed Makeup Maven talks Stila, MAC and Terra Firma Cosmetics giveaways and reviews Make Up For Ever's HD primer and Camouflage Palette, and MAC's Moistureblend Foundation.

The Clinique Bamboo Pink Collection Giveaway at An Indian's Makeup Blog - ENTER TODAY !

Check out A Little More Beautiful for great giveaways like a LUSH Sweetie Stack Gift set and BB Dakota Pink Dress-Perfect for Summer!

If you are a blondeyou'll want to check out The Advice Sisters review of Redken's Blonde Glam salon treatments and at-home products they are a must-have for Summer and all year long!

Beauty Anonymous gives you a look into the latest haute couture-inspired makeup collection by Chanel.

addicted to lipstick is having a Mac Honey Collection Giveaway hop on over to enter for you chance to win.

Fabulous Over Forty falls in love with a new Dior Designer Eye Palette.

eye4style loves the long lasting shine of Dashing Diva's new Gelife manicure!

Dao from My Makeup Blog found a good dupe of the coveted MAC 188 brush for cheap!

Glossypink shows you how to get The Hills' star Audrina Patridge's smoldering makeup look!

The girls over at Beauty in Real Life have another fab giveaway this week. Head on over to enter to win Perricone MD's Advanced Face Firming Activator, valued at $120!!!

Visit Lipgloss Break and enter to win Barielle Summer Sugar Rush Nail Polish Collection!

xo

The September Issue Trailer Released

i'm so excited the trailer for the film The September Issue has been released-- it has made me even more eager to see it.

watch...



The September Issue will be released august 28, 2009 in new york, and nationally on September 11.

so what do you think? will you go see The September Issue when it's released?

xo

Fall Beauty: Bobbi Brown Nudes Collection

hello beauties! Bobbi Brown has created another collection for us to fall in love with-- her 2009 Fall Nudes Collection.

Bobbi says: "nude makeup doesn't mean monochromatic, barely-there makeup. it means makeup that's right for your skin." and good thing too-- i'm not the best when it comes to creating a nude makeup look, LOL!

the Nude Eye Palette features 3 eyeshadow duos that are a sophisticated and universally flattering selection of shades and textures. the shadows come in the customizable 3 Pan Palette which can be filled with your choice of any Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow or Blush shades.




Bobbi also introduces a new shade to her iconic Shimmer Brick collection- the Nude Shimmer Brick (isn't it a gem?). it features five pure pearl pigments in pink, gold, bronze, beige, and caramel-- shades that are designed to be blended together to give all skin tones the appearance of a soft, nude, "lit from within" glow.





in addition, the Nudes Collection includes Caviar Ink Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner-- the best-selling liner now in a rich, deep brown shade-- and four new shades of Bobbi's popular Creamy Lip Color that will work as a beautiful compliment to the Nude Eye Palette and Nude Shimmer Brick.


i don't know about you, but this collection looks amazing, and i can't wait to check it out myself. a nude makeup look is definitely not the easiest to do, believe it or not, but Bobbi is the best at helping us create it!

find the Bobbi Brown Nudes Collection on counter and online at bobbibrowncosmetics.com july 2009.

xo

Too Faced Sizzling Summer Sale!

check this out, ladies and gents-- Too Faced is having a sale just in time for summer! but you need to act quick-- it will only last until this sunday, june 28. here are the details:

-20% off ENTIRE purchase
-promotion code is SIZZLE
-free Mini Pinpoint with $35 dollar purchase
-free shipping with $75 or more purchase

not sure what to get? i recommend you try the new Lip Bronzers. they combine two colors-- one of them being a more bronzy shade-- to give your pout a pretty, glistening look. i also really like the Smoky Eye Palette . it comes with all the shadows you'll need and three instruction cards that make it easy to create variations of the classic, but-oh-so-fabulous smoky eye look.

in any case, be sure to take advantage of the sale, especially if you're a Too Faced fanatic!

xo

Get Beachy Waves Like Megan Fox

Megan Fox attended the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen premiere looking amazing and truly summer-ready. from her white dress to her beachy waves, her overall look was definitely much softer than her recent red-carpet looks.



to achieve her hairstyle, stylist Renato Campora for Frederic Fekkai started out using the Fekkai Summer Hair Marine Beach Waves to create surf-sexy texture and sexy tousled waves. using the Fekkai Round Brush, he then blow-dried her hair and used a one inch curling iron to refine the waves, giving the hair a modern and fresh feeling.

once the whole head was curled with the iron, he pulled the top and the sides back and secured it with bobby pins. a long rubber band that goes around the head was then used to create a little bit of height so it was not too flat and not too high--it was important to find the right balance. he then spritzed the hair with Fekkai Glossing Sheer Shine Mist and finished with Fekkai Sheer Hold Hair Spray to hold it all in place.

Fekkai products are available at Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Fekkai.com

xo

Boutique 9 Itala Sandal

browsing the Piperlime website, i came across these violet t-strap Boutique 9 Itala sandals. aren't they amazing? purple, in my opinion, works in any color combination, and this style is the perfect way to add a bit of glam to an otherwise casual look.



i love that this shoe uses a mix of textures (glossy straps and a woven midsole are complimented by a wooden heel and platform), so they can really be worn with everything from your favorite slim-fitting jeans to a fun flirty dress.

visit piperlime.com for more details

xo

Fekkai Salon Offers Complimentary Travel Kits

ahh traveling-- isn't it a wonderful thing? well, not always, but on the bright side, it gives you an incentive to get little travel-friendly versions of your favorite products (and i think they always look so cute in a smaller size).

Frederic Fekkai has created some very useful travel kits featuring some of his best-selling products, and now his salons are offering a complimentary Travel Kit of your choice, with any service package purchase.

the following salons offer Fekkai Travel Kits (be sure to contact the salon for service package details):

5th Avenue
SoHo
Greenwich
Dallas
Beverly Hills
Melrose Place
Palm Beach

xo

fabulous & frugal: Forever 21 Marisella Dangling Earrings

i love chandelier and bigger, dangling-style earrings-- they give any ensemble an added punch of pizazz! i especially love finding inexpensive pairs that will add a pop of shimmer or color to what i'm wearing...

that's where Forever 21 comes in. i can always count on finding great accessories there that won't break the bank. these Marisella Dangling Earrings, for example, caught my eye on their site, so now i need to get to the store to see if i can see them in person. they seem oh-so-perfect-for-summer to me-- like i could wear them with a maxi dress and some huge sunglasses-- don't you think? ;)

xo

hair therapy: my journey back into a stylist's chair

five weeks ago i went to Element Salon in temecula to participate in the Kerastase hair treatment promo. i knew my tresses were starting to look shabby and were dying to get some professional attention.

Nicole, the stylist who i was scheduled with, voiced her concern for my poor ends and promised to only snip a little, if i would let her (i told he my whole hair nightmare, and turns out she had the same thing done to her, so she understood my hesitation). so after a deep conditioning treatment and a little snip-snip, my hair was on the road back to happyville. :)


after my first visit to Element Salon


i went in again today as i am determined to get back into the habit of regular trims regardless of how scared it makes me. Nicole not only teased me about my tension (i'm still a little scarred, can you blame me?), but reminded me, after trimming my ends, that my hair was looking so much better-- yay!


today's blowout. no i didn't color my hair it's just the lighting


back of the hair shot-- thanks hubby :)

so, just to let you know, the back of my hair is almost the same length as it was before last august's fiasco, and all of the layers are a tolerable length (see what the back of my hair looked like before the thinning and extra layers were added). i'm happy my hair grows fast, and hubby is happy he doesn't have to see me sulking around anymore, LOL! i still plan to do a "one year later" post complete with pics of the dreaded cut (i shudder and feel sick just thinking about it), so stay tuned...

xo

review: Soft & Beautiful SKIN Exfoliating Body Polish

body scrubs are a fabulous way to exfoliate dead skin from your body to help cell turnover, and reveal healthy and more even-looking skin. i was sent a few Soft & Beautiful SKIN products to test out for review, and decided the Exfoliating Body Polish would be the first one i'd try out.

this scrub infuses sugar crystals and safflower oil to give your body a softening exfoliation. if you don't already know, exfoliation is necessary to not only slough off dead skin cell to encourage a more healthy, even skin tone, but it also stimulates circulation, leaving the skin looking like it has a glow.

upon first opening the packaging i noticed something missing that i have come to expect from most sugar and salt scrubs: a heavy, slippery oil separated from the scrub. this was a welcome difference, as it's sometimes not always easy to mix a scrub before using it, especially if the product is new.


after scooping out a bit from the side

after using it a few times, i highly recommend this scrub as one you ought to try-- from its wonderful scent, to how soft it left my skin feeling, to the fact that i didn't have a slippery shower floor after using it, Soft & Beautiful SKIN Exfoliating Body Polish is now at the top of my favorite body scrub list. if you see it, get it-- you will love it, and your skin will too!

find Soft & Beautiful SKIN Exfoliating Body Polish at a drugstore near you and online at (you guessed it) drugstore.com

stay tuned for more Soft & Beautiful SKIN product reviews!

xo

Interesting And Beautiful Indian Girls

Have you ever taken a look at India? India is known for unique people and a culture that is rich. Indians have their distinct culture that makes them stand out. There is no denying that it sets them aside from everyone else (in a good way, of course). The Indian women are amazingly beautiful. In India, it is normal to see beautiful Indian girls. Within this article, we are going to discuss beautiful Indian girls as far as what they wear, their features and the one's in Bollywood.

When you look at an Indian girl, you will see amazingly beautiful eyes that signify diamonds. Their eyes are full of sparkle. It seems as if you are able to see their soul whenever you look into their eyes. They have some wonderful facial features that look full of innocence. They even respect their elders, addressing - Bhaiya, Auntiyji, Uncleji, etc. However, apart from it all, many of them are harassed, abused and even discriminated against each and every day. By who? Mainly by people who do not understand them and look down on them.

They have a tendency to wear some of the finest jewelry in India. It seems body jewelry and costume jewelry are famous amongst the Indian girls. The Sari is a piece of clothing that is popular amongst the women of India as well. They are generally made out of light silk or cotton with wonderful color and patterns to them.

Amongst the beautiful Indian girls of Bollywood, you have Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoer, Sushmita Sen, Vidya Balan, Preity Zinta and many more. All of these girls we just named are wonderful actresses with wonderful looks. The next time you decide to down any girls of India for their culture, you may want to learn a bit about them.





NEXT INFO

Beauty Girl TV: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

i've never used eyeshadow primer, but i finally took the plunge and bought the one i've heard is the best. watch this episode of Beauty Girl TV to find out what i think of Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion!



Eyeshadow Primer Potion can be found at Sephora, but you can also find it at your local Urban Decay makeup counter and online at urbandecay.com

xo

hair therapy: Barex Intensive Care Mask

one thing i admit freely is my love for deep conditioners-- i'm always on the hunt for the latest and greatest. while i have my favorites, i still find myself curious to know if there is still something better. Barex Intensive Care Mask can now be added to my (somewhat) short list of favorite deep conditioners.

one thing that absolutely love about this deep conditioner is the fact that it isn't thick, but coats my hair beautifully, rinses clean and leaves my tresses feeling light and looking shiny-- love that!

Intensive Hair Mask was developed for and is recommended for dry, weak hair, but i think this would be great to use if you color your hair on a regular basis and are looking for a monthly deep treatment that won't break the bank. for less than $30 this mask is definitely a steal!

visit oloffbeauty.com to learn more about Barex products and beautyhabit.com if you are interested in purchasing.

xo

Get the Grey Luxe Look Courtesy of Modelinia.com

summer is officially in full swing and Modelinia.com has some fabulous videos to give you tips on the hottest makeup trends to keep you look great now and into the fall season. one of those trends just happens to be one i've already been incorporating into my routine-- grey and silver eye makeup.

greys and silvers are a fabulous way to do a "neutral" eye because it works on all skin tones and can really give your look a dramatic feel without overpowering your whole face. this trend has been seen on the runways of the Marc Jacobs and Matthew Williamson fall 2009 shows, as well as on celebrities like Kristen Stewart, Hilary Duff and Alicia Keys.



Johnny Lavoy, Maybelline's resident makeup expert and the host of Modelinia.com's series Get the Look, offers a step by step tutorial on how to get this classic look in the below video using Maybelline products, but it can really be done using any brand-- you'll need shadows in light silver, deep charcoal, and almost white shades as well as a dark grey eyeliner, your favorite black mascara and a sheer lipgloss.



btw, Johnny's clients include JLo brand, Angie Everhart, Ethan Hawke, Rosie Perez and Laura Peron and his work has been seen in the pages of Vanity Fair, Elle, Glamour, Ocean Drive, Seventeen and Stuff.

for more videos, visit modelinia.com

xo

review: Elizabeth Grant Vitamin C Cleanser

finding a cleanser that is gentle enough to keep skin looking great, but tough enough to remove what you don't want on it anymore (dirt, makeup, etc.) isn't always easy. Elizabeth Grant's Vitamin C Cleanser, however, is a silky smooth cleanser that is gentle on skin and still works well at removing dirt, oil and makeup-- all without stripping skin of precious moisture.

one thing i think could be improved upon with this is the scent. the very faint orange smell came and went so fast when i used it, i was left feeling a bit disappointed (you know i love the smell of citrus!). so, maybe sometime down the road, the fine folks who add the fragrance to EG's Vitamin C Cleanser will add a touch more-- just for me. :)

Vitamin C Cleanser can be found at elizabethgrant.com

xo

Beautiful Reading

hello beauties! happy father's day! today hubby is working, so i'm taking the kids down to san diego (where he works) to surprise him-- sshhhh...don't tell him! :)

since you're here, why not catch up on the latest dish from Total Beauty's fabulous bloggers? take a look...


The Informed Makeup Maven discovers Votre Vu and Terra Firma Cosmetics, talks summer faves and hosts MAC, Stila and Maybelline giveaways.

Beauty Anonymous shares a preview of Jill Stuart's upcoming 5th Anniversary Collection for fall 2009!

Boutique Flair is offering 2 chances to win some swag. Enter here and here by 06/21/09!

The Beauty Couch shares some ideas for getting that sexy 60's Star Trek-inspired look.

Meilily talks Fitness Shoe Skepticism: Are FitFlops & MBTs Just Glorified Platform Shoes?

Neon Bible experiments with Japanese nail art

A Little More Beautiful is giving away 1 LUSH Sweetie Stack Gift Set which includes 3 of their most popular soaps.

eye4style keeps her tootsies in tip top shape with THIS Farmhouse Fresh product.

Dao from My Makeup Blog has a gorgeous makeup tutorialfor nighttime and clubbing.

The Makeup Divas reviews Philosophy Beach Party.

Beauty Banter gives you the secret beauty tips and products of Parisian ladies... straight from 2 gorgeous frenchies!

Beautiful With Brains reviews Clynol Play With Me Powder Punch.

The girls over at Beauty in Real Life want you to have the perfect at home pedicure. Click here to enter their giveaway with Ms. Pedicure and China Glaze!!

LA Pretty is having two giveaways of new releases from Target beauty lines Pixy by Petra and Napoleon Perdis. Get the details here!

Monique from Beauty Girl Musings reviews LaVaque Tweezers!

Enter to Win Several of Lipgloss Break Giveaways, including Borghese B Gloss in sold out Fuchsia!

Hot Beauty Health shows you 5 organic hair care products that works and stylish pics of Rihanna at Carol's Daughter Spa in NYC.

The Advice Sistersreviews Beauty Fix a season's worth of beauty bargains in a box!.


xo

beauty on a budget: CoverGirl TruBlend Microminerals Bronzer

did you know bronzer isn't just a summer essential anymore? it's ok to get your glow on year-round! CoverGirl TruBlend Microminerals Bronzer gives just enough of a sun-kissed glow to warm up any makeup look without making it look like you're trying too hard. i love that it comes with its own brush, and it adds a gorgeous radiance (think shimmer not glitter) when worn alone or swept over my favorite matte blush.

find CoverGirl TruBlend Microminerals Bronzer at any drugstore and online at covergirl.com

xo

Model From Pakistan Very Beautiful

news

Fashion show in Islamabad.

Perricone MD Giveaway Winner!

thank you so much for all of your entries. i knew this was a buzz-worthy product, but wow! you definitely wanted this one.

if your name is Amanda Sandico, congrats, you're the winner! you will be receiving your product soon.

stay tuned for the next giveaway!

xo

Going on Now: Rebecca Minkoff Online Sample Sale

ever wish you could get in on the great deals that go on at sample sales? well, Rebecca Minkoff (@RebeccaMinkoff on Twitter) has one that started last night, and will continue until sunday. click the image to see a larger view of the invite.



visit rebeccaminkoff.com for the sale!

xo

Inside Scoop from Lancome: Arlenis Sosa and Lake Bell at the CFDA Fashion Awards

as promised, here are details on the fabulous Lake Bell and Lancome ambassador, Arlenis Sosa from the CFDA Awards...


Arlenis Sosa with designer Esteban Cortazar

Lancome national makeup artist Tarek Abbas is Arlenis' go-to makeup artist, so it's no surprise that he created the look for Arlenis on monday evening. to create a polished complexion, Tarek applied Dual Finish in Matte Dore III and then added a touch of color to her cheeks using Color Design Cream Blush in Chic Cassis. to define her eyes, he used Le Crayon Khol in Black Ebony on the lower lash line and applied Artliner in Noir to the upper lash line starting at the outer corner. Tarek wanted to give Arlenis a soft, shiny pout so he lined her lips with Le Lipstique in Sheer Chocolate, applied Le Rouge Absolu in Bordeaux, and finished with a touch of Juicy Tubes in Dreamsicle.



Lake Bell

celebrity makeup artist Dara Klein created the look for actress Lake Bell. to prep the skin, Dara moisturized with Aqua Fusion Cream Moisturizer SPF 15 and Progres Eye for a soft, fresh surface. to accentuate Lake's bold eyes, Dara applied one of her makeup artist techniques and created what she refers to as the "reversed catliner." she first blended Le Crayon Khol in Black Ebony and High Definicils mascara in Black to the lower lash line, and finished by lining Hypnose Waterproof mascara in Black to the outer corner of the eye. to finish the look, Dara applied Le Lipstique in Ideal to the contour of her lips giving her a beautiful natural pout. for more details on this look, read Dara's blog post about it, here.


both ladies looked sensational, don't you think?

xo
source

Lauren Conrad at L.A. Candy Book Signing

Lauren Conrad has made her mark on the world, and it's not only as a reality tv star or as mark spokeswoman, but as an author. for the launch of her new book, L.A. Candy, and her first book signing at the Grove in los angeles, Lauren looked absolutely beautiful as she met and signed books for the 1,000-plus fans who had waited over 8 hours for the chance to see her.

her makeup artist Amy Nadine shared how she achieved Lauren's radiant look:

eyes: "for Lauren's fresh look, i swept mark I-Glimmer Illuminating Eye Color in Polished across her entire eye lid, then lined her top lash line with mark On the Edge Hook-Up Liquid Liner in Cleo and finished by coating her lashes in mark Scanda-Lash Hook-Up Mascara in Blacklash."

face: "Lauren and i wanted to create a look that was still her signature style with even more sophistication as an author. we applied mark Get A Tint Tinted Moisturizer Lotion in Buff/Natural and highlighted under her eyes and above her cheekbones with mark Get Bright Hook Up Highlighter in Light/Medium. to create her california glow, i used mark Bronze Pro Bronzing Powder in Pro Glow under her cheekbones, temples, along her hairline and under her jawline, then dusted the apples of her cheeks with mark Good Glowing Mosaic Blush in Chica."

lips: "i finished the look with mark Chic Duet Color and Shine Lip Gloss in Halo Baby."


thanks Amy! i love that mark products work so well and yet are so affordable-- every makeup lover's dream. :) btw, if you're in the nyc area, you can see Lauren in person tonight, june 18, 2009 at the Barnes & Noble in Tribeca from 7–9pm.

tell me: do you plan to read L.A. Candy? let me know in the comments!

xo