Harley Street Skincare

Skincare is HUGE.  Your skin is the most important part of you.  If you've got bad skin, no amount of makeup is going to cover it up. Trust me--I learned my lesson quite a few times before I started actually taking care of my skin! I like to think of my skin as a blank palette for makeup, and it's certainly something that needs to be given special attention on a regular basis.

Harley Street Skincare is dedicated to making skin look as gorgeous as possible. They have amazing products that cover a spectrum of skin problems including acne, rosacea, and all signs of aging.  The site also offers up some great quality mineral makeup that helps skin breathe, as it doesn't clog pores.  The skincare products really work hand-in-hand with their makeup line.

One of the products I really like is their StemCellution Serum ($84 or £50).  It's an anti-aging serum that keeps skin super hydrated while working to repair and rebuild even the most worn-out looking skin. It uses peptides and pentapeptides to boost and stimulate collagen production which results in plumper, firmer skin--what's not to love?

The absolute best product on the site is their Microdermabrasion treatment with Crushed Diamonds ($42 or £25).  Sounds luxurious, no? I'm always up for anything with diamonds! The product uses real finely-ground diamonds to exfoliate and leaves skin looking absolutely glowing.

Check out the rest of the site for tons of other skincare goodies!

Disclosure: This is a paid post. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

Crayola--Now Does Nail Products??!

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this Crayola Nail Art Pen at a drugstore! I mean, growing up in the 80's and 90's, I've always had a soft spot for Crayola, so the fact that they're now creating nail products definitely tickles my fancy!

I tried out the nail art pen in pink and I'm absolutely smitten! It applies like a dream and the color is fabulous!  I was really impressed with the accuracy of the pen--it worked better than any other nail pen I've ever tried in the past!

Each pen is about $15.  Def worth it for the novelty and the quality!

NEW: Sonia Kashuk Spring Collection

 

I've always been a huge Sonia Kashuk fan.  The spring collection is as fabulous as past ones--super cute packaging and great quality makeup all together!  What more could a girl possibly want?

The brushes are my fave part of the collection. The Small Treasure 5 Piece Brush Set ($14.99) is adorable and the brushes work amazingly well. Plus the pouch that comes with it is perfect for storing the brushes if you need to have them on hand while you're on the go.  The set includes everything you need to beautify--a large brush for blush or bronzer, a couple eye brushes and a small lip/eyeliner brush.  

The Wonder Wooden Handle Kabuki Brush ($12.99) is another great buy.  It blends perfectly and is large enough to even be used as a body brush for applying bronzer to your bod.

My last fave set in the collection is the Blink of an Eye 3 pack Eye Pencils ($12.99).  The set includes a simply gorgeous brown/bronze eyeliner that glides on super smoothly, and two big eye pencils in silver and gold hues.  All the colors are universally flattering.

Check out the entire collection at your local Target,or online at Target.com.

Disclosure: This post contains a sample product sent for consideration by a PR firm. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

Calling All Men: Comfy Stylish Flip Flops for Spring

Usually I'm very anti-flip flop when it comes to guys.  I guess the main thing is that most guys don't take care of their feet and flip flops tend to showcase feet in general.

That said, if you don't have hobbit-esque feet, flip flops are great to have for warm weather--basically a necessity. When you're out and about looking for sandals, you have to be very careful to veer away from anything that looks remotely feminine. That's why I'm having a bit of a love affair with these Designer Flip Flops from Reem Clothing.

They look masculine enough to wear in public, but are also comfy enough for a trip to the beach.  My personal fave is this pair of Havaianas Brasil Logo Flip Flops.  They come in black and white (def go with the black!) and match practically every outfit you could possibly own.

The site has oodles of other great accessories, particularly for men.  The prices are very reasonable; most of the sandals are about $35 (or £20).  The price is great for what you're getting: a great pair of warm-weather shoes that'll last you more than one summer! 

Disclosure: This is a paid post. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

My New Fave Time Saver: Batiste Dry Shampoo

I love dry shampoos. They're great for when you're in a hurry and don't have the extra time to wash, dry and style your hair.  I've tried just about every type of dry shampoo out there (honestly, there are some really awful ones!) and Batiste is my all-time favorite, by far.

I tried both the original as well as the Blush scent and both are amazing.  The thing about dry shampoo, is that most brands smell horrible. I was initially worried about trying the Blush scent, as flowery smells tend to be a bit over the top when it comes to hair products.  Luckily, it added only a hint of a fresh floral smell behind.  The original spray was virtually unscented, and I actually gave a bottle of it to my pastor, who loves it.  It's totally unisex and is great for guys with longer hair.

The spray went on smoothly--I sprayed a bit throughout my hair and kind of "hand-combed" it through to make sure it was on evenly. After waiting a few minutes, I brushed out the white residue it left behind and was left with gorgeous hair that looked as if it had just been washed.  The whole thing took literally five minutes.

This is the perfect product for anyone who wants to save some time and freshen their hair in between washings.

Each bottle goes for about $8.  They even have an adorable travel size can that is perfect for freshening up on the go for $4.  I'm in love with this stuff!!

Disclosure: This post contains a sample product sent for consideration by a PR firm. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

Introducing Victoria's Secret's New Collection: VS Attractions!

Lindsay Ellingson amps up the glam in this clip for VS Attractions, the latest body care collection from Victoria's Secret Beauty.

Be on the lookout for more about this fab collection!

GIVEAWAY for Curly-Haired Girls!

Being a curly-haired girl myself, I know how difficult it can be to control your mane. NaturallyCurly.com has everything possible to assist with your curly needs (including an awesome "Frizz Forecast")!

The site has teamed up with Sassy Fashionista for a fabulous giveaway.  It's literally a huge box filled to the brim with hair products from some of the best lines out there. I can't even list everything on here--it's basically a crazily large mix of shampoos, conditioners and styling products from some of the best brands out there.

My fave goodies in the giveaway include some fab Twisted Sista products (like their de-frizz shampoo and concidioner as well as oodles of their styling products).  The line is absolutely amazing and definitely defines all types of curly hair.

To enter this HUGE giveaway, send an email to sassyalana@gmail.com with the subject line reading "NATURALLY CURLY".  The giveaway ends 4/25 and the winner will be alerted via email.

Good luck!!! And be sure to check out NaturallyCurly.com for great tips, products and info on all things curl-related!

Disclosure: This post contains a product sent for giveaway consideration. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

Jewelry Fit for a Queen (or a Princess!)

I've always liked to think of myself as a princess.  Though I don't get any of the benefits that come with being an actual princess, I love accessories that give off, what I like to call, the "royalty vibe".

These adorable Crown and Baton earrings are my latest find.  Mismatched earrings are totally in style right now; especially if they look as if they belong together like this pair.  Each earring is made with Swarovski Crystals and is of the best quality.

While the earrings definitely make a statement and stand out, they're actually quite delicate in size (each earring is between 12 and 15mm).  They're dainty enough to wear for any occasion, yet are fabulous enough to grab the attention they deserve!

Each pair is about $34.  Isn't is worth it to be a queen (or princess) for a day?

Gorgeous Spring Dress from Chadwicks!

I love love love this Shape Benefits Drape-Neck Dress from Chadwicks.  It's super pretty and is perfect for spring.

What really impressed me was the fact that the dress actually has a built-in stretch slip for total 360-degree slimming. That alone is amazing.  I totally felt like my body was streamlined and there were no lumps or bumps anywhere on my bod. Yay!

On top of that, the dress itself is amazing.  I have it in the color pictured (pink passion), obviously because I'm obsessed with everything pink!  But the dress comes in a handful of other fab colors: dark red, black, blueberry and royal.  All the colors look great.  The black one would make a perfect LBD and would be acceptable for nearly any occasion.

Each dress is about $60.  Not bad for such a flattering, unique dress!

Also, Chadwicks has teamed up with Sassy Fashionista for a fab discount. Just enter the exclusive promotional code CHSP6 at the checkout and you'll receive $20 off any $60 purchase. The promotional code ends April 30, 2011, so get your shop on!

Disclosure: This post contains a sample product sent for consideration by a PR firm. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

New OPI Texas Collection!

Eeeee!!! I get so excited everytime OPI comes out with a new collection! Their latest Texas collection is definitely no exception.

 

The colors include:

• San Tan-tonio - A “honey” of a ten-gallon tan!
• Suzi Loves Cowboys - But she loves this campfire chocolate shade s’more!
• It’s Totally Fort Worth It - A shimmery lavender grey that’s so worthy of you.
• Don’t Mess with OPI - A lean, mean, kick-grass forest green.
• Austin-tatious Turquoise - Cowgirls love this bodacious blue-green.
• I Vant to Be A-Lone Star - You won’t want to share this starry Texas-sky blue.
• Y’all Come Back Ya Hear? - This Texas tangerine will be waitin’ for ya!
• Big Hair…Big Nail - A rosy pageant peach.
• Guy Meets Gal-veston - An “engaging” coastal coral.
• Too Hot Pink to Hold ‘Em - A red-hot pink-red that deals a winning hand.
• Do You Think I’m Tex-y? - A “berry” sexy bloom of Dallas dahlia.
• Houston We Have a Purple - A galactic red-violet that’s ready to “rocket roll”!

I love them all so much!  Per usual, the names are half the reason I'm so obsessed. But the shades themselves are utterly fabulous.  While the collection includes a lot of bright hues, 6 of the 12 colors (including Guy Meets Gal-veston, Ya’ll Come Back Ya Hear?, Too Hot Pink to Hold ‘Em, Big Hair…Big Nails, Do You Think I’m Tex-y? and Houston We Have a Purple) have a new “sorbet-style” formula. I think those shades are perfect for spring.  And the bright colors are perfect for pedicures in the summer.

Definitely a collection worth buying!

You can find the collection at Professional Salons, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA Beauty , for $8.50 per bottle.

Disclosure: This post contains a sample product sent for consideration by a PR firm. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

New Kamibashi Ganbare Bear String Doll!

I think it's fair to say that I'm obsessed with all of the Kamibashi String Dolls in general.  But when I saw this cute Ganbare Bear, I immediately fell in love!

This little doll is utterly adorable.  But that isn't even the best part! The entire net profit from sales of the Ganbare Bear will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross to benefit the Earthquake Relief Fund.  How cool is that?!  As a side note, ganbare is a Japanese term that means to "persevere during challenging times".

I love that you can buy something super cute while helping others! Each doll is a mere $10.  They're only available until June 30, so act fast!

Fashion Faux Pas: Ridiculous Jumpsuits

This jumpsuit makes me want to puke.  There's really no other way to put it. I'm not a fan on jumpsuits in general, just because it's difficult to find one that looks good.  I mean, everyone has a different shape and distance between their top half and their crotch right? So, how is it possible to create a jumpsuit that works for everyone?

I think that designers are starting to realize this.  And that's why they're just adding, what I like to call, "extra crotch" to all jumpsuits.  The one pictured is a great (horrible) example of this.  The model is clearly in great shape, but the jumpsuit makes her look like she has a beer belly! And possibly a penis!

Here's a tip for everyone out there: don't wear jumpsuits. They are ugly and unflattering. Also, if the outfit looks like crap on the model, chances are it won't look good on you.

Oh, and P.S.: if for some ungodly reason you want to buy one of these, you can get them here for about $200.

That is all.

Pure'ity GIVEAWAY!!!

You might recall the post I did about a month ago reviewing Pure'ity Shampoo and Conditioner products.

Basically, I love the brand and found the products to be amazing for my hair and scalp!

The company has been super generous and has given me a full-size Citrus shampoo and conditioner to give to a lucky reader!  These products are great for moisturizing dry and brittle hair and I promise you'lllove them as much as I do!

To enter the giveaway, send an email to sassyalana@gmail.com with the subject line reading "PURE'ITY".  The giveaway ends 4/3 and the winner will be alerted via email.

Good luck!!!

Disclosure: This post contains a product sent for giveaway consideration. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me. 

My New Fave Mascara

I probably own 7584395734 tubes of mascara.  No joke.  And that's even with abiding with the whole "throw it away after six months" rule. It's just one of those products that I constantly wear, even if I'm in a rush and need to forgo everything else.

My latest find is Hard Candy's 1,000 Lashes Fiber Mascara. I've been pretty much in love with all the latest Hard Candy products, but this particular mascara is simply fantastic! There are actual synthetic fibers in the mascara that cling to your existing lashes making them look longer and fuller in just a couple coats!

I also love the fact that it comes in tons of different colors.  Black is great for an everyday staple, but the bright purple or indigo blue is great for an added punch of color.

Each tube is a mere $6.  You can grab one online, or at any Walmart.

Repair Your Winter Damaged Hair!

It's officially springtime!! I don't know about you ladies, but my hair is totally damaged from all the winter dryness it has endured.

Couture Colour has come out with this fabulous Pequi Oil Treatment that instantly makes hair look and feel amazing! It's alcohol-free, which is a huge bonus, as it doesn't dry out hair any further.  The oil also contains oodles of moisture-restoring antioxidants--Vitamins A and E, proteins, and lipids--which help make dry, color-treated hair noticeably softer, shinier, and smoother.

The Pequi fruit has been known for centuries as the beauty secret of the Amazon rain forest. The oil can be used before shampooing, as a pre-blow-drying treatment for smooth, sleek hair, or post-blow-drying to calm frizziness and flyaways. 

I tried this out after washing my hair.  I applied a small amount prior to blow drying and then again after flat ironing it, and found that my hair looked luscious and super healthy.  I loved the shine that my hair seemed to have and I will definitely be using this product again.

You can purchase your own bottle of this magical oil for $32--not bad, considering that a little goes a long way! 

 
Disclosure: This post contains a sample product sent for consideration by a PR firm. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

Bronzing Rocks!

As I've written roughly 5473857349 times, I'm so pale that I'm basically see-through. I'm not even kidding.  And with the weather getting warmer, my pasty skin just isn't going to cut it. 

I've tried various self-tanners, and usually end up looking orange and streaky, which is only slightly better than pasty white.  Recently though,  I've tried out the range of St. Tropez Bronzing line.  I'm pretty impressed with all they have to offer.

My fave product they've got is their amazing Bronzing Rocks.  They have just enough shimmer to them to make skin look like it's glowing (without looking disco-ball-esque), and adds as much of a tan as you'd like.  You can build up color easily, or leave it at one light layer.  The rocks work well on the face, or on the body.  I'm totally obsessed with them!

You can buy your own Bronzing Rocks for $40--a pretty great deal since the rocks should last you a season or two!

Disclosure: This post contains a sample product sent for consideration by a PR firm. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

I MOVED!

Sorry, ladies! I know I've been totally MIA for the past couple weeks...but I have a good reason! I moved!  My fiance and I finally found our own fabulous apartment.  It's great, except that we haven't had any sort of internet.  So, I'm super sorry for the lack of fashion insight. 

This week, you can look forward to tons of great posts and a few giveaways! So keep checking the site for updates. 

Thanks, ladies!

EV Jewelry Design GIVEAWAY!

A girl can never have too much jewelry. Though my fiance seems to think that me owning piles of bracelets is less than awesome, accessories can make or break an outfit--so having the right ones makes a huge difference.

EV Jewelry understands that.  Their baubles are classy and timeless; perfect for any woman.  I'm especially a huge fan of their bracelets.  Their Aphrodite cuff is unique and gorgeous.  It's adjustable, so anyone can wear it, and the look of the bracelet is perfect for any occasion.

I have one of these fabulous cuffs to give away to a lucky reader!

To enter the giveaway, send an email to sassyalana@gmail.com with the subject line reading "APHRODITE".  The giveaway ends 3/3 and the winner will be alerted via email.

Good luck!!!

Disclosure: This post contains a product sent for giveaway consideration. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

6.5 Reasons Why Bloggers Make Better Lovers

HAHAHA! I found this and just had to share!

6.5 Reasons Why Bloggers Make Better Lovers

Don't Forget to Take Your Vitamins!

I'm constantly getting sick. I probably get around 50 colds a year.  And wintertime is the absolute worst.  Everyone has been telling me to take a multivitamin for years.YEARS! And I just never wanted to.  Sometimes I'd try...I'd buy a bottle and take one a day for a couple weeks.  But it never lasted.  Now I have a solution.

Thanks to my lovely sister-in-law to-be, I found these amazing Hair, Skin & Nails vitamins.  Now with a name like that, you'd think that there really wouldn't be much of what your body actually needs daily nutrition-wise.  Well, you're wrong.  These vitamins have most of the same ingredients as a normal, everyday multi-vitamin.  They just also happen to make you more beautiful at the same time.

So, I've basically "tricked" myself into taking these.  Since they're beauty-related, I never forget to take them.  And since they have all the nutrients that I need in a daily vitamin, I haven't gotten sick since I started taking them. It's a win-win!!

Each bottle is about $15 and is totally worth it.