Wednesday, September 30, 2009

The Perfect Red Lipstick

Gwyneth Paltrow said it best when she said, "Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick." Today, I'm focusing on the red lipstick.

Every lady needs a go-to red lip color for a night out. Granted, none of us want to the the person who wears bright orange-red lipstick constantly during daylight hours, but there are so many festive occasions that simple call for the perfect red lipstick.

DuWop has done it. I love all of their lip products, but their Private Red lipstick is def one of my new faves.
The formula actually adapts to each person's unique chemistry and adjusts, providing the perfect red color to complement each person's coloring. Amazing, right?

Plus, the lipstick also addresses one of my main red lipstick concerns: it actually stains the lips a bit so that you'll never be stuck with that faded reddish hue on your pucker--just a constant bright red.

Private Red retails at $22. A bit on the pricey side, but I'd be willing to pay a pretty penny for such a fab color!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Blue Suede Shoes on SALE!

I love flats...especially when they're on sale! American Eagle's Suede Studded Flat is currently on sale for a mere $19.95.

American Eagle is known for having the cutest, comfiest flats and this pair is no exception. Personally, I'd pair these with anything from jeans to a mini skirt with tights. The teal color is unique yet stylish and the studs toughen up the look a bit. I'm swooning here!

You can also grab a pair in black if you're a lady who likes to play it safe.

Benefit Lipstick Sale!!!

Everyone needs a go-to nude lipstick. Benefit's Full-Finish Lipstick in thrillin' brazilian is a great shade for almost everyone. It's a shimmery hue that looks gorgeous and glossy on.

For a limited time, it's 50% off! So, you can grab this perfect lipstick for $9. Not bad, eh?

Green Beauty Tools

Mini brushes are one of my many weaknesses. Since I basically carry around a makeup bag all day, it's pretty helpful to have some portable brushes.

Eco Tools' Mineral Brush Set from Target is the perfect set. It includes only the essentials: a concealer brush, small eye shadow brush, blush/powder brush, and a kabuki brush all in a cute totable pouch. Despite their mini size, all the brushes work amazingly and smoothly apply makeup.

The best part? The entire set is made with natural and recycled materials. AND it's only $10!

Gorgeous Nail Polish Without the Wait

I love painting my nails. But I'm a fairly impatient person and I hate waiting around for my nails to dry. I've tried just about every type of quick drying nail polish out there and have had little luck. For some reason, the quicker the polish dries, the easier it chips. Not something I'm wicked excited about.

But, I decided to give Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri a go. And now I'm obsessed. This is literally the only nail polish I've ever used that needs only one coat. The brush is shaped in such a way that it applies so smoothly and beautifully and I love it. After about 60 seconds, it is dry to the touch. Seriously. It is like some sort of miracle nail polish and I can't say enough wonderful things about it.

The colors are great--I love the bright pinks they've got--AND you can buy a bottle for under $3. Stock up, ladies!!

Sunday, September 27, 2009

This Balm is 'Da Bomb!

Ew. That blog title is leaning towards the way-too-overly-cheesy side. But whatever, it had to be done.

My skin is dry. So when the weather starts becoming crazily cold, my lips generally are chapped. More so than is socially acceptable. Unfortunately, this means that many of my super cute glosses cannot be worn, as they just make my lips worse and exaggerate the problem. Usually, I'm forced to just throw on chapstick or some other colorless balm until they have healed enough to tolerate normal products.

This year might be different. L'Oreal's HiP Jelly Balm is the answer to my prayers. It delivers a touch of color and is so moisturizing that it may just find a permanent spot in my purse. The balm is not sticky at all and even tastes like caramel (but please refrain from eating the pot 'o balm).

My fave color is Ripe, which delivers a sheer red that looks super natural and shiny and gorgeous.

The best part is that you can pick one of these pots up for under $7! Yippee!!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Quickie Hair Fix

I have ridiculously thick hair, so washing it is a huge ordeal. If I want to flat iron it, I need an extra half-hour or so before I can even leave the house. That being the case, I've figured out a weird trick that allows me to skip shampooing daily (which is bad for your hair anyway).

If your hair feels a little greasy at the roots, spritz on some hairspray (Aussie's Opposites Attract spray does a good job) and blast with a blow dryer for a few seconds. The result is cleaner-feeling locks that stay in place an extra day!

This is a great tip for anyone who doesn't want to shell out the money for dry shampoo--it can be pretty pricey. Hairspray is always a bit cheaper and often you can find a bottle that smells scrumptious.

Chic Cozy Cardigan

I'm definitely feelin' the cold weather creep up in New Hampshire. I'm starting to go into hibernation-mode and am longing for comfy knits and hot chocolate.

Old Navy is a great place to go for big comfy sweaters. Their Shawl-Collar Cardigan is roomy and cozy, yet has a slimming effect on the body. A cardigan like this is great for fall because you can wear it over anything. I like taking a particularly glitzy top and pairing it with a warm oversized sweater like this for an ultra-flattering unique evening look. Plus it means you don't have to pack up all your shimmery summer tops for a couple more months! Win-win.

The cardigan is $29.50 in stores or at oldnavy.com.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Pretty Flats for Fall

I went apple picking with my fab boyfriend today and had an epiphany: my cute strappy sandals are going to have to go into hibernation. New England is getting windy and chilly, and I simply can't justify wearing sandals any longer.

Enter these cute tweed flats from Payless. Lela Rose's Newell Ballet flat is perfect for cozy autumn strolls. I actually don't even own one pair of sneakers...I know, I'm probably the only one, but I can't find anything cute. So my alternative is to wear insanely comfy flats during the chillier seasons and a pair like these would def do the trick.

The great thing about these tweed flats is that they can easily go from to office to weekend outings to bar hopping. Who says cute shoes can't be comfy?! The flats retail at about $30.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Little Black Bag

Every gal needs a cute black evening bag. It's even more important than owning the coveted Little Black Dress. You can pair it with practically any outfit from dark wash jeans and a flowy top to a vintage ballgown. What's not to love?

White House Black Market has the cutest black wristlet I've ever seen. No lie. Their Bow-Shaped Cafe Bag has everything you need in an evening bag: a removable wristlet chain with lobster claw clasp, magnetic snap closure...plus it's adorable. This is a bag that channels Miss Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany's and brings class to all those who carry it.

The bag is reasonably priced at $28. Not bad, and quite frankly, it's sure to get tons of use.

Sephora's New Ultimate Blockbuster Kit

JSKhfidosohgfdjkgnjfkth. Okay. Let me pull myself together...I am overloaded with makeup delight.

For me, applying makeup is an art. I don't think that I'm particularly hideous sans makeup, but I just get a great deal of pleasure out of trying out new looks. Sephora's new Ultimate Blockbuster Kit lets me do just that. The set supplies endless color combinations and forces the creative juices to flow. This kit is a great idea for anyone who is scared to try bright colored eye shadow, or even for someone who is stuck in a makeup rut.

Here's what's included:

- 84 x 0.04 oz eyeshadows
- 3 x 0.19 oz blushes
- 60 x 0.03 oz lip glosses
- 2 x 0.03 oz lip liners
- 3 x 0.03 oz eyeliners
- 6 x 0.02 oz cream eyeliners
- 6 x 0.02 oz matte eyeshadows
- 6 x 0.03 oz sparkling eyeshadows
- Double-ended eyeshadow applicator/ eyeliner brush
- Double-ended sponge-tipped applicator
- Lip brush
- Powder brush


Personally, I do not suggest using the brushes that are supplied. Otherwise, go crazy! Sephora is well-known for having decent quality makeup and for $48, you really get a lot for your money.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Animal Print Satchel on the Cheap!

Animal prints are huge right now. While they can be super cute on a wrap dress, or on a cardigan, I personally like to keep trends like this mainly to my accessories. Patterned purses are a great way to do this and appear trendy without spending oodles of cash.

Trust me, with the animal print trend all over the place, you're bound to see some weirdos sporting leopard printed leggings paired with a zebra striped top. That look is way too ridiculous for anyone over the age of 6. And even then, it's iffy.

Handbag Heaven has this gorgey Giraffe Print Canvas Satchel that I'm practically in love with. Plus, it's only $45.86. It's super cute, roomy, and stylish to boot. How can you lose?

Monday, September 21, 2009

Mini Beauty Basics

I love makeup. Clearly. And the only thing I love more than makeup is mini-sized makeup. Sephora has really made me swoon with their latest deluxe sample kit, My First Makeup Kit. It's like they took all of my fave products and made them tiny enough to fit in my purse. How can you not love this set?!

Here's what you'll get:

- 0.21 oz Korres Lip Butter in Pomegranate (sheer coral)
- 0.12 oz Givenchy Gloss Interdit in Rose Taboo (rosy mauve)
- 0.7 oz Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Pout
- 0.04 oz LORAC TANtalizer Baked Bronzer in Bronze
- 0.06 oz LORAC Eye Shadow in Serenity (shimmering light bronze)
- 0.16 oz Sephora Nail Polish in L15 Chamallow (cotton candy)
- 0.17 oz Tarte Cheek Stain in True Love (sheer watermelon)
- 0.1 oz Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara in Black
- 0.13 oz Korres Deep Colour Mascara in Black

Speaking from experience, all of these products are amazing. You get a lot of bang for your buck, and a set like this makes it easy to try new products without shelling out a ton for a full-sized item. The kit is valued at $89, but you can grab it for a mere $32.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Fashion Faux Pas: Beyonce at the VMAs

I know, I know...the VMAs are old news. But I've been sick, so I only recently had a chance to take a gander at the various outfits that made their way down the red carpet.

Mainly, I'm concerned about Beyonce's dress. Clearly there is some sort of attached fancy-designer-fanny-pack on the front. Not flattering. At all.

Thoughts?

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Alarmingly Ugly Trend: Shoulder Pads

It's official. Shoulder pads are back. I am actually sickened by this. When the whole 80's look made a comeback, I didn't hate it. But for some reason, the trend is now taking off in a hideous direction. It seems like everything we hated in the 80's is somehow fashionable.

I just don't get how someone can look at themselves in shoulder pads and feel that they look appropriate enough to gallivant around town. Shoulder pads are not feminine, not flattering, and certainly not functional. So, what's the point?

If you like the idea of looking like a football player in an otherwise cute outfit, be my guest. But I for one, will not be embracing this trend!

Monday, September 14, 2009

LORAC Sale!!!

Yes, the rumors are true. Hautelook.com is currently having a LORAC sale! Eeeeeeee!!! Some of their best products are up to 80% off!

I love sales! The pictured palette is $17.50 (50% off), and let me tell you, it works amazingly. The blue shimmery shadow in particular is gorgeous for doing a smokey eye.

Act fast! The sale is only going on for another day!

My New Lip Love: Jouer

Alright, alright. I fully realize the fact that I own roughly 576897474836549 lip products. And that I constantly claim to have found a new amazing one at least once a week. BUT, I really am in love with Jouer's products.

I hadn't actually heard of the brand until last week. Apparently, they've been around since 2004 and are rapidly gaining popularity. The line is great--they've got everything from lip products to blush to eye shadow. And everything looks super natural.

I gave the lipstick and gloss a go and loved 'em both. Currently, I'm wearing the Hydrating Lipstick in Elizabeth and the Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Mirage. They can be layered or worn alone. Both colors give me lips that "look like mine only better", which is exactly what you want in a daily lip product.

Most of the products can actually connect together. This is so handy for gals like me who dig through their purses to find things on a regular basis.

The website is great, too. With each product, you can virtually try it on four different faces (with varying skin tones) to see how you'd look in it. One page lets you even combine all products to create your very own look.

Can you tell how obsessed I am? Has anyone else tried this brand? Thoughts?

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Go Green!

Okay, so I've been overly obsessed with nail polish lately. I admit it. But literally everyone is talking about Chanel's new Jade Nail Colour. First seen on the Fall '09 runway, the shade has become an instant hit.

Greet nail polish is tricky to pull off--trust me. But the tone of this polish is perfect. Not too pale and not too neon, Jade works for most skintones.

I can't wait to get my hands on a bottle! There's a waiting list (of course. ugh.) so, it'll be a while before any of us normal gals can grab some.

SO, I did some investigating and She Finds has come up with a brilliant way to mix up an almost identical polish. Mix about 1/6 a bottle of OPI's Green-wich Village ($8.50) into a bottle of Essie's Babys Breath ($8) and the shade is ridiculously similar. And cheaper. Win-win!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

The Perfect Party Plum Polish

Plum is always a good color for Fall. It's dark enough to draw attention, yet feminine enough for us girly girls.

NARS has come out with my new fave: Tokaido Express. The color is deep and shimmery and perfect for a night out. If you feel that the color is too dark for you, it also looks amazing on toes!

The thing I like about this polish is that the hue is not too warm-toned or cool-toned. The gold shimmer balances out the cool plum for an interesting and unique look.

NARS nail polish is a bit pricey--$16 a bottle--but it applies incredibly smoothly and lasts a lot longer than drugstore brands. Plus, I haven't seen anything even vaguely comparable to this shade. Def a Fall staple.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Roll-up Flats


Rollasole has come up with a brilliant product: cute metallic ballet flats that roll up. In the UK, they're being sold in vending machines at clubs, which is genius. Just think of all the times you wanted to take off your stilettos, but didn't want to go barefoot. These are fashionable, cheap (about $8), and compact.

The shoes haven't made it over here yet, but you can buy 'em online here. So cute, no?

Thursday, September 10, 2009

What's In My Makeup Bag: September

Like I've said, I constantly go through my makeup bag and change it up. I have two train cases and a few bags full of makeup, so I like to rotate it rather than spend my time digging through everything daily. In September, I try to throw in some good transition products that work in between Summer and Fall. In New England, September can go from ridiculously hot to freezing cold in seconds. Here's what I have for this month:

CVS Gentle Skin Cleansing Towelettes: These are the best thing I've found for removing makeup. They are fragrance-free, which is good for me, as my skin is the most sensitive skin in the world.

Jemma Kidd Show Stopper: This is a great year round body glow. Shimmery enough without making you look like a disco ball. It adds a little color, but not a ridiculous amount that makes you look orange.

CoverGirl Clean Makeup in Creamy Natural: My staple foundation. I hardly use foundation, but when I do, this is it. It's the one foundation that I've found that comes pale enough to match my skintone and delivers a good amount of coverage without appearing cakey.

L'Oreal True Match Concealer in Fair/Light: My staple concealer. I use this daily everywhere that needs it.

Avon Ideal Shade Smooth Mineral Foundation in Transparent Glow: a subtle powder that leaves your skin looking better than ever. I use it as a finishing powder to set all my makeup.

Jane Shimmering Bronzer in Tahiti: A great shade for me. It's light enough for my pale skin, but def adds enough color to warm up my skintone. It's good for transitioning from summer to fall.

Fake Bake Babe Tool in Legal Sunburn: This neon pink blush/highlighter duo goes on surprisingly natural. It's sheer enough that you can build up to how dark you want it, and the color is just a nice bright pink that mimics the shade your cheeks are when you're blushing.

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in Rosy Glow: It does what it says it will—delivers a perfect rosy glow.

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in Hazel: This is great for filling in my brows. The color is lighter than my eyebrows (which is what you want) and the pencil is quite blendable. Plus, there is an attached brush to the tip.

ELF Shimmering Facial Whip: This stuff is great. You can use it anywhere on your face, but I choose to use it as a cream eyeshadow. It's a great base for anything sheer and shimmery.

Bed Hed Cyberoptics Eyeshadow Palette: Eight pigment-packed shades. I could probably survive with only these colors for the rest of my life, but I love playing with different shadows too much.

NP Set Eye Palette in Atlanta: Three of the best brown-based hues. All pigment rich and long-lasting.

Sonia Kashuk Eye Shadow Quad in Striking Jewels: Jewel tones are big for fall, so this is fabulous. I particularly like the deep green shade.

Flirt! Dream Eyes Eyeshadow in Funny Honey: This is pale lavender and shimmery (NOT glittery). It brightens up the whole eye area.

Very Sexy Silky Eyeshadow in Heartbreaker: Works similarly to the above shadow, but this is a pale pink. This is better for under the brow and on the inner corners of the eyes.

Very Sexy Silky Eyeshadow in Fierce: The perfect eyeshadow for going out at night. It's a very blendable black shade with fine glitter. I use it to create a smokey eye. Best black shadow I've ever found.

Jane Eye Zing in Browny Points: The deepest matte brown eyeshadow I've found. This works well for a more natural looking smokey eye.

Sexy Little Things Douse Me With Diamonds Wet/Dry Eyeshadow in Purr: A shimmery deep purpley brown shade. It makes my green eyes really stand out.

Jemma Kidd Eye Color in Vintage: SO pigment rich. I'm trying to save it up because it's a little pricey, but it is the best shade for the inner corner of the eye. Shimmery-ish, but certainly not glittery.

The Balm's Overshadow: Another great, expensive shimmer. This one more white, I only use it for nighttime, otherwise I look overdone.

Prestige Cosmetics Liquid Eyeliner in Black/Brown: This is mainly the only liquid liner I use. It's the darkest I can go for day, but it also works for night. Good coverage..doesn't “chip” away like lots of others.

Milani Infinite Liquid Eyeliner in Endless: I only use this for fun, but the purple shade lasts forever...

Jillian Dempsey for Avon Professional Kohl Eye Liner in Bronze: Sooooo Blendablle and an amazing color.

Almay Intense I-color Eyeliner in Raisin Quartz: A purpley-brown shade—works well for bringing out the green in my eyes.

Korres Eyeliner in Black: The most blendable black liner. Perfect for a smokey eye.

Avon Smooth Minerals Eyeliner in Earth: A great dark brown, perfect for daytime.

CoverGirl Lash Blast Luxe in 845: This is a (surprise, surprise) purpley-brown shimmery mascara. Again brings out the green in my eyes without being obvious.

The Body Shop Super Volume Mascara in Black: A good-quality mascara for anytime.

Avon Supercurlacious Mascara in Brown: This formula is great; it really holds a curl.

Rimmel Glam'eyes in Midnight Black: my “going out” mascara. Looks almost like you're wearing falsies.



Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Clinique Winter '09 Collection: Black Tie Violet

Clinique has released images of their Winter '09 collection: Black Tie Violet. I got the above image from Temptalia, who is great at posting the latest new in beauty.

I'm not so sure about this collection, however. The colors seem to "Spring-y" to me. Lots of lavenders and pinks...I get that maybe they're trying to be original, but personally, I'd prefer to see something completely different rather than a revamp of past Spring collections.

All of that said, The lip gloss and lipstick do look gorgeous and I am partial to violet eyeshadow. The lipstick looks like a bubblegum pink with a little shimmer, which is fairly flattering especially for my fair skin. But I'll probably save the gloss and lipstick for next Summer.

Thoughts?

Anna Sheffield For Target

Squeal of delight!!!! I am so ridiculously happy! Anna Sheffield has collaborated with Target on a jewelry collection for Fall. The pieces are flirty and vintage-inspired, and I'm just obsessed with 'em. The price range is $19.99 to $79.99, which is amazing for the good quality and gorgeous designs.

My fave piece is this charm bracelet:











It retails for $39.99. The picture doesn't even do it justice. I got one yesterday while i was on an impromptu trip to Target (I meant to only buy cleaning supplies). I just couldn't let it sit there. The bracelet is so fabulous and combines three different metal finishes, which is really in right now. It also makes the piece easier to match with your other jewelry.

I wouldn't be surprised if I went back and bought every single piece.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Clinique GWP at Bloomingdales!

Famed designer Michelle Smith for Milly has teamed up with Clinigue for this awesome Fall 09 gift with purchase.

With any $25 Clinique purchase at Bloomingdales, you get this fab 8-piece set complete with a particularly gorgeous makeup bag.

Here's what else you'll get:

  • 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula
  • Even Better Skin Tone Corrector
  • Long Lasting Lipstick in Blushing Nude
  • Long Lasting Glosswear SPF15 in Tenderheart
  • Blushwear Cream Stick in Rosy Blush
  • Color Surge Eyeshadow Duo in Pink Slate
  • Lash Doubling Mascara in Black
Love it!

New Layout!

My blog has a gorgey new layout! I'm obsessed with it...I've had the same one ever since I started this blog in 2007, so it was really time for a change. What do you think?

Smokey Eyes in Every Color

Nothing looks better than the classic smokey eye. The problem is that a lot of people tend to think that you can only do a smokey eye with black and grey shades. Though that look can be great for night, you can do a smokey eye with virtually any color shadow.

Pixi's Smokey Eye Palette is great for this. It contains basically all the colors you may be missing in your makeup kit because you were too scared to try them. Each shade is very highly pigmented and goes on smoothly. Each color, other than the black, have a little shimmer to them, which makes blending easy (matte shadows generally are tricky to apply and make to look even).

You can create countless looks with this palette. Mix the two purple shades, try the electric blue with the gunmetal grey to tone it down, do a sheer wash of the deep green...I played with this for about an hour last night and came up with some great looks. Hopefully I'll do a tutorial on colorful smokey eyes soon (I need a decent camera though).

All of these tones are surprisingly flattering and simply gorgeous. The palette is $28 at Target.

Stamp on Your Lipstick

Hmm...here's an interesting idea. Alcone has developed a Lipstamp Kit. The kit comes with 10 different lip stamp shapes (so you can pick one closest to your own) and the actual stamp itself--not to mention a handy built-in mirror. Each set is $24.95.

All you do is apply your fave lipstick to the stamp, line it up with your lips, and stamp it on. An additional bonus is that the stamp apparently applies exactly the right amount of your shade, so you don't end up with that cakey look, that is oh so glamorous.

In all honesty, I'm not too sure about this. I like the idea, but I have a couple issues. 1.) How are you supposed to clean the stamp? I suppose makeup remover, but I assume that some residue must linger. And that's gross, and may change the color of the next shade you apply. 2.) What if my lips do not match up with one of the 10 lip shapes included? I can't imagine that all the ladies of the world fit under the category of 10 lip sizes.

What do you think?

Monday, September 7, 2009

The Perfect Black Peep-Toe Pumps

Every girl needs a classic pair of black peep-toe pumps. It's a scientific fact.

Lela Rose's Halsey Satin Peep Toe for Payless is a great choice. The pumps are an elegant mix of satin and leather. You can wear them with a pair of dark wash jeans for going out, a business outfit for the office, or a dress for a special occasion. They are one of the most versatile pairs of shoes in the world. Wow, that's quite the statement I just made. Alas, I am not ashamed because it is true.

You may want to stock up and buy a few pairs for when you wear 'em out. Which you will.

My only complaint is that the pumps are not available in my size (a tiny small 5...and even then, I need padding).

You can pick these bad boys up for $29.99.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

NARS Fall 2009 Collection

NARS always delivers well-made, beautiful makeup. I'm a big fan of their new Fall collection. The colors look perfect for colder weather, and seem as though they'll transition nicely into Winter.

My fave pick is the Brumes eyeshadow duo (pictured). The colors are matte charcoal and blue slate, two pretty shades for any skintone. The colors combined would work well to create an interesting smokey eye--rather than the predictable black, or could also be used separately as a liner.

The duo is $32.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Lookin' Pretty Sans Water

I've been the victim of having to get ready waterless a few times now, so I've picked up a few tips. Whether you're going camping, traveling somewhere weird without showers, or simply have had your water turned off, I've got some helpful products that you should have with you.

One of the best things to have is a dry shampoo. They make your hair look clean, fresh, and fabulous. Not to mention, most of them smell great. Jonathan's Green Routine Dry Shampoo ($19) is my number one pick. Though it's pricey, it works amazingly and the packaging enables you to apply the stuff without making a huge mess. You just click the brush, brush over your scalp, and go about your life.

Another great thing to have is any kind of daily facial wipe. They're fairly cheap and leave your skin feeling great. Boots No 7 Quick Thinking 4-in-1 Wipes ($6.99) work really well. You can use them at night to remove even the most waterproof makeup, and in the morning to moisturize and tone your skin.

Probably the most important thing to have on hand is a way to brush your teeth. They are constantly on display, unless you are some sort of creep who never smiles. I suggest Colgate Wisp Mini Brushes ($2.49). You need no water, simply brush and go. The result is a fresh mouth and a gorgeous smile! That's the most important accessory you own (cheesy, but true).

Friday, September 4, 2009

Final Weekend to BOGO!

Payless is probably one of my favorite places to buy shoes. I know--it used to have a bad rep for carrying cheap shoes for kids and old people, but now they've got tons of designers doing collections for them, and honestly the styles are amazing.

The great thing about Payless is that they're constantly doing BOGO sales (buy one get one half off). Usually if you see some shoes you like, you can wait a few weeks and there will be a BOGO sale.

Right now, this weekend is the last weekend to BOGO for this particular sale. it's a great idea to stock up on some Fall shoes. I'm partial to these American Eagle Marley Flat Boots. Slouchy boots are always great to have (especially if you live in New England), and look cute with anything from tucked-in jeans to dresses. The boots retail for about $40, but if you BOGO wisely, you might just be able to get them for $20.

A Dress That Goes With Anything...For $8!

This gorgey City Style Sleeveless V-Neck Dress from New York and Company is the perfect go-to dress for any occasion. I love it paired with opaque black tights.

It's stretchy enough so you'll get a good fit, but cut very well to avoid unwanted lumps and bumps protruding all over the place. The dress is available in a bunch of colors and, yes, is only $8!!!

My advice? Buy it in every color you can! This is a classic dress that won't go out of style.

Unauthorized Use of My Writing and Pictures

Thanks to everyone who reads my blog! I love writing it and helping gals everywhere with style and beauty thaaangs.

Just a quick word to all, in a non-bitchy (hopefully) way...

I don't know what the deal is, but I've been finding my pictures and writing all over the internet being used without my permission. I've even found pictures of my face, or entire posts of mine! I work hard on each of my posts. If people just asked me, chances are I'd say yes, I'd just want a link to my blog on there too. At the bottom of my page, I have a VERY specific copyright section and it has been there since I started this blog.

Here it is just as an FYI:

All images on www.sassy-fashionista.com are readily available on the Internet and believed to be in public domain. Images posted are believed to be published according to the U.S. Copyright Fair Use Act (title 17, U.S. Code.)

Copyright © 2007-2009 Sassy Fashionista. All text herein is property of the author and may not be copied or reproduced without explicit permission.

Liquid Liner Without the Hassle

L'Oreal's Extra Intense Eye Liner rocks my socks off. I love wearing liquid eyeliner, but sometimes the stuff is tricky to apply. Even a makeup guru such as myself has off days and flawless application of liquid liner is simply out of the question.

L'Oreal's liner is actually a pencil, but it acts like a liquid. With one sweep across your lashline (top only), you'll look as if you've applied some amazingly perfect liquid liner to your peepers. It drys in about 20 seconds and doesn't budge all day--probably my fave benefit of liquid liner to begin with.

Precision and staying power without the hard work? Sign me up.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Fashion Faux Pas: Overpriced Trash Bag Purse

Marciano, the upscale brand owned by GUESS, had a lot of great handbags. Granted, they're all in the $200-300 range and up, but some are really cute.

Unfortunately, I also found this gem: the Martha Cutout Tote Handbag. This huge trashbag-esque purse horrifies me. It's not that I find it that repulsive, but the bag is a steep (for me) $350. I feel like I could find a similar bag at Wal-Mart. In the cleaning department. For a couple bucks.

Adding a cute studded handle and chain strap does not make a trash bag look fashionable. Nor does the randomly ruched seam down the center.

If you have that kind of cash to blow, I suggest this cute Marc by Marc Jacobs handbag instead.

Butter LONDON On Sale!!

Butter LONDON's nail polish is superb. For starters, they do not contain Formaldehyde, Toluene, or DBP. The polish itself works really well too. It goes on smoothly and is long-lasting. The colors are to die for.

For a VERY limited time, the brand is on sale at The Fairest for 50% off! Personally, I'm a fan of Crumpet, a beige color. Nothing is more classy than beige nails. Check it out!

Get Gorgeous Waves

Herbal Essences always has great products for a gal on a budget. I haven't tried a product yet that I haven't liked. My latest obsession? Tousle Me Softly Tousling Spray Gel.

First of all, it smells amazing. Kind of a violet-ish smell, but mostly it just smells fresh. The consistency of the product is great too. Just to give you an idea of my hair, it usually frizzes out a ton. In the summer, I tend to just leave it curly most of the time, as flat ironing it would be pointless due to frizziness. Without any product, I usually describe my hair as wavy-frizz-grossness. So it's a big deal when something works.

I followed my usual shower routine and followed it up by smoothing in some of my anti-frizz serum (I use a ton of it; BioSilk works best). I brushed out all my tangles--and believe me, there are always lots of them. Finally, I proceeded onto the spray gel.

I sprayed a thin layer all over my head, then went back through spraying more on the ends and scrunching as I went along. The result was great: non-frizzy waves with just enough hold and very little crunchiness that is oh so unappealing. I'd almost say it resembles "after-sex-hair" (sorry if that's offensive) because it causes hair to look a bit messy in a good way.

You can buy the gel at Target for $2.99.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Tutorial: New Avon Fall 09 Collection

I just tried out a bunch of Avon's new Fall products, and I have to say that I'm pretty impressed. From the packaging of the products to the quality, they seem much more expensive than they actually are.

The new collection focuses on jewel toned eyes and soft pink lips. It's a great look for Fall, and jewel toned hues generally make your eyes pop. The shadow pallet is pigment-rich and easy to blend, so it's quite "user friendly".

Here's how to apply some of the new goodies:


First, apply concealer over the lid (this makes the eyeshadow stick throughout the day). Then, grab the Nocturnal eyeshadow quad ($7). Start with the lightest shade, tempted, and apply it under the brow and to the inner corner of the eye. Then take the light brown shade, Suede, and smooth it on only from the crease down, blending upwards.


Next, apply the plum shade, nocturnal, to the inner half of the eyelid (not into the tear ducts). Blend well.






Then, apply the deep green shade, celadon, to the very outer corner of your lid. Again, make sure to blend well, especially blend into the plum shade. This creates a flawless, almost airbrushed, look.




Line your eyes (top and bottom) with Professional Kohl Eyeliner in Bronze ($6). The line should be thicker as it goes outwards.






Finally, apply some mascara. Avon's new Supercurlacious ($7.50) is divine. And your look is complete!








To locate an Avon Representative call 1-800-FOR-AVON or visit online at www.avon.com.

An Ice Bag For Us Fashonistas!

How many times have you had to pull out yet another bag of frozen veggies to throw on your head to aid with a terrible headache? GalPal has a great Retro Ice Bag that I'm just smitten with.

Whether you're hungover, or have migraines (like myself), this bag almost makes having a headache fashionable. I wouldn't mind people seeing me with this cute bag, whereas when I'm forced to cover my head in frozen corn, I hide from the world.

Just fill the reusable bag with ice and a little water and you're good to go. The ice bag is $15, but it's definitely a good investment!

Beauty Boo-Boo: Stick-On Eyeshadow

I have never seen a more disturbing eyeshadow technique than this. ColorOn has developed Eye Envy in a new Exotic Kit.

I'm sorry, but these are way too similar to those lick-and-stick tattoos that I used to wear when I was a kid. It simply doesn't seem like a good idea to wear on your eyes. Furthermore, who the hell wants to have zebra striped eyelids??!? Is this some sort of trend that I've missed? Because the result is not flattering and should be avoided at all costs. This isn't even acceptable for Halloween makeup.

The worst part is that each kit retails at $25 for 5 applications.

Don't we have better things to spend money on?

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Caught In The Act: Harem Pants

Someone didn't read my blog about how hideous harem pants are...

A local Newscaster [I've spared her the embarassment of posting her name], was photographed in sparkly harem pants. She looks like a genie in a bottle. Not in a good way.

Note to fashion victim: How low is your crotch for real? Because it looks like you've got quite the impressive package.

That is all.

Beauty.com Gift With Purchase!

JHklfdhsjkfhdskjth. That is how excited I am right now (a lot). I'm obsessed with cute gift sets, and even more obsessed when they are free [ish].

Beauty.com just started their Fall GWP today!!! It's valued at $140 and includes the following "prestige" samples:
  • Arcona Night Breeze Heal/Protect (PM)
  • Urban Decay Lipstick in Sellout
  • BVLGARI Omnia Jade Lotion
  • NICK CHAVEZ® Beverly Hills PLUMP 'N THICK® Thickening Spray Gel with Collagen
  • Origins Modern Friction Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion
  • BORBA Açai Skin Balance Gummi Bear Boosters
  • Caudalíe Paris Vinoperfect Night Correcting Cream
  • ALTERNA® Caviar Anti-Aging Seasilk® Color Hold® Moisture Shampoo
  • TALIKA PARIS Eye Therapy Patch
  • DIANA B. Green Tea Desert Grapefruit (or) Peach Frangipani Flower
  • LORAC TANtalizer Baked Bronzer
  • Jane Iredale® Longest Lash Thickening and Lengthening Mascara
  • Paula Dorf Perfect Primer®
  • RareMinerals Purely Nourishing Facial Moisturizer
  • Dr. Brandt® pores no more vacuum cleaner® blackhead extractor
  • PHYTO Phytodéfrisant
Oh, god. I think I'm in love. Yes, again.

More Stila Sale Items!!

For only the next two days, The Fairest is selling a ton of Stila products at ridiculously low prices.Everything is 50% off, like this Cool Palette in Noir (pictured). It's currently going for $16!!

How pretty does this palette look? I love the packaging and all the colors are very wearable.

Oodles of other products are also available--many of Stila's well-known faves, and a few blockbuster sets.

Sign up on The Fairest to purchase; it's actually a good idea as they have constant killer sales and you can be notified by email of upcoming deals.

Face Freshening Beauty

With the weather changing constantly (thanks New England), my skin has been ridiculously dry. No amount of moisturizer has helped me avoid looking like my skin is falling off at an alarming rate.

It's sickening, I know.

Luckily, I've found a solution. Cororescience has come out with a line of face fresheners called Achromatherapy Gem Spritzers. Their On The Mend face freshener is superbly amazing.

Each Gem Spritzer uses pharmaceutical grade and organically grown aromatherapies to accommodate different skin types and mood swings. Each bottle contains a specific gemstone to enhance aromatherapy energy. You can even mix different sprays for a unique treat.

After a long day of sitting at my desk with my skin whithering away, this spray really worked wonders. After a couple spritzes, my face immediately felt refreshed and I felt a shot of energy.

The sprays cost $35, but it's a small price to pay when the outcome is gorgeous hydrated skin.

[Edit: The only downside is that when I went to kiss my boyfriend, he asked, "What is that awful smell?"...soooo, I may have to try another scent. He thought it smelled like pine needles.]

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