Prep Yourself For V-Day!

I know it's a tiny bit early to think about Valentine's Day, but since it's one of my fave holidays, I'm getting started early!

There are a few things you can do before the big day to get yourself ready.  Here are a few fun and fabulous ideas:

• If you're going to be touched, you def want to prep your skin with some ultra-hydrating body butter. Tip: anything vanilla scented is total man-bait!
• Stock up on some minty lip balm.  Not only with it moisturize your lips pre-Valentine's Day, you can also use it when you're giving your main squeeze a smoocharoo for a yummy mint sensation.
• If he loves to bury his face in your tresses, make sure they smell ahhh-mazing. This mango-scented shampoo is beyond heavenly. 
• A little bit of shimmer will give you just enough glam to make you look special in a way that he won't be able to figure out (as long as you don't go overboard and look like a disco ball). Use some shimmer on your collarbones and anywhere else you want to stand out. 
• Grab some massage oil (duh) for a bath or for a V-Day massage! 

Once you get some of these lovely goodies, you should be all set for a romantic day!

Fashion Faux Pas: Junderpants for Men

Yes, this is real.  Apparently, wearing Junderpants is an amazingly hip trend that's come our way from Tokyo. Exactly what we were missing in men's fashion! Basically, Junderpants are boxer-briefs that look like jegging cut-offs.

Umm...This is way worse than jeggings.  Any man who wants to don a pair of these bad boys has some serious issues.  I mean, would you run around the house in these? Word to the wise:  these jean briefs may seem more appropriate to wear on their own since they have a denim print. But it's actually worse than wearing briefs on their own. They just look like super tight cut-offs that show off your junk.  Kind of creepy.

The site to buy them off of is currently under construction (clearly because jundies are so popular that they're having a tough time keeping up).  You can sign up to receive an email when the site is up and running.  I do know that each pair of Junderpants costs about $50...which is pretty ridiculous, no?

I did a quick search online and found a few alternatives, in case you just can't bear to wait!!

P.S.: NO, this is not a good Valentine's Day gift to get for your main squeeze!

That is all.

"Like" Sassy Fashionista on Facebook!

I've had my facebook page for a while, buuut I thought it'd be fun to remind all my lovely readers that it's there waiting for you! It's a great way to instantly see my latest updates, AND I'm also thinking of doing some "facebook fan only" giveaways in the near future.

So what are you waiting for?!  Click here, here or even here to "like" Sassy Fashionista on facebook! You know you want to!

Smooches!

Coasters That Say it Like it is!

I have a weird obsession with coasters in general.  I love finding them in flea markets, or even at my good ol' friend, Goodwill!  Even though I'm not really used to spending more than 30 cents on a stack of coasters, I'm absolutely in love with these Douchebag Indelicate Doily Coasters from Knock Knock.

Umm...what an awesome way to force people to use coasters in your home! Plus, the faux doily look is super appealing to me.

Currently the site is out of stock until April...I know, very disappointing. You can have the site automatically notify you when they're back in stock.

OR take advantage of my crazily awesome search skills and buy them right now, ON SALE  on Amazon.com! You can get a pack of eight coasters with assorted sassy sayings for about $8!

They are AMAZING!!




Huzzah for having a clean and fabulous home!

How To: Ombré Nails

Ombré nails are an easy way to spice up your nails without too much effort. You literally just dab and go! I was taught this effect by the lovely Glossy Gurl.  Once I tried it out for myself, I became obsessed!  I tried out tons of colors, but so far, blue hues create my fave look by far.

To create this look, it took me about 45 minutes.  It's the perfect thing to do while watching a movie, or even when you're just bored and want to try something new.  The end result is gorgey and looks like you had your nails professionally done at an expensive salon!

What you need:

• a base coat (I used OPI's Ridge Filler.)
• at least three polish shades varying from light to dark (I used Essie's Coat Azure, Mezmerized, and Sally Hansen's Navy Baby.)
• a shimmery polish (I went with Essie's Pure Pearlification.)
• a top coat (Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat is fabulous!)
• a makeup wedge

Once you have everything set up, you can start creating this amazing look!

The first thing you want to do is apply your base coat.  The ridge filler is great because it creates a smooth base for the design.  Next, paint the entire nail bed with the lightest polish shade. 

Once that's dry, take the medium hue and paint it onto the smallest edge of the makeup sponge (the little end).  Take the sponge and stipple it onto your nails, covering the top half of your nail.  You basically want to dab the sponge in order for it to look blended.  Even after the color stops coming off of the sponge, keep dabbing for maximum blending.

Next, take the darkest shade and do the same thing, only to the tip of the nail.  Use the side of the makeup wedge to paint the color onto.

Once the nail looks blended, apply the shimmery polish.  This makes the colors look even more blended and beautiful.  Also, how can you go wrong with a little shimmer?!

Finally, apply a thick layer of the top coat to seal everything in.

Personally, I had to try this a few times before I got the hang of it. You can try it with even more colors to intensify the ombré effect. 

I love love love the result!  Try it out for yourself--I think you'll be surprised at how easy it is!

AMAZING Valentine's Day Collection from ELF for $2!

Eyes Lips Face (ELF) is one of my fave makeup brands.  The products are crazily cheap and the quality is top notch.That's pretty rare in the makeup world.

Right now, ELF has a crazy sale going on in honor of Valentine's Day.  Their adorable Sweetheart Collection is only $2, with any $20 order. Really.  A whole collection.  I almost passed out from sheer delight.

The collection itself is fabulous.  It's full of great makeup products for the season and comes in a super cute bag (which is always my biggest weakness)!  

Here's what's included:

• Studio 32-Piece Endless Eyes Pro Mini Eyeshadow Palette in Cool
• Essential Eyelid Primer in Champagne
• Mineral All-Over Eyeshadow Brush
• Studio Shimmer Palette
• Studio Glossy Gloss in Pink Candy
• Essential Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Ruby Slipper
• Essential Nail Polish in Fair Pink and Medium Red
• Dump Storage Bag

The set is usually $30, which I would gladly pay for such a pretty set of makeup.  All you have to do is spend $20 on the site, and you get it for $2. That's a HUGE savings! It's like getting tons of makeup for free!! LOVE it!

Need some ideas on what to buy? Check out their new Shimmer Sheets and stock up on some new brushes!

Once you have $20 in your cart, enter the code SWEET to get the deal.  This is only going on until 1/30, so get this fab set now, ladies!!

Fashion Faux Pas: the [Not So] Trendy Top

I'm so sick of the ridiculous products I keep seeing on TV.  My hatred for the Trendy Top is probably similar to my hatred of Crocs.  That says a lot, as Crocs basically make me want to vomit all over the place.

First of all, any piece of clothing that has the word "trendy" in its name simply isn't trendy.  When something is actually trendy, it isn't advertised in the name itself!  FYI: calling something trendy does not legally make it trendy.

I'm also bothered by the fact that this product is called a top.  It's literally a band of fabric that goes around your waist.  Last time I checked, a top is a shirt (which is confirmed by Thesaurus.com).  A shirt is defined as: a long- or short-sleeved garment for the upper part of the body. The Trendy Top does not fit that description. At all.

Soooo it's not trendy and it's not a top...  Basically this product is just a huge, fat lie!!

Now beyond that, the whole idea of the Trendy Top bothers me.  I get the concept.  You can wear it under another shirt to avoid the horrible embarrassment of showing some skin between your shirt and your pants.  But guess what?? You can wear a cute cami or tank top instead!! AND you don't have to worry about it moving around or falling off your hips since it's an actual shirt!

Another point?  The fact that you can order these at the low price of $10 (for four "tops") shows me that it is not a quality product.

Wear a god damn tank top under your tee if you're so worried about unwanted skin popping out!!

That is all. 

Glossy Gurl Giveaway!!!

One of my absolute fave beauty blogs, Glossy Gurl, is having a fantastic giveaway that I just had to share with you ladies!

First of all, the site itself is super adorable and is chock-full of reviews, tutorials and fun beauty loveliness.  It's definitely worth checking out.

If you need an actual reason to go, I've got the inside scoop on the site's latest giveaway.  It's an early Valentine's Day set, perfect to get you in the mood for some lovin'.

Here's what's included:

• NYC Big Red Apple Creme polish
• Mini Dove revive pomegranate and lemon verbana body mist
• Revlon lip butter in Red Velvet (sooo pretty!)
• Mini Softsoap Juicy Pomegranate and Mango Infusion body wash
• Fabulously cute makeup bag

All of the products are really great to have.  The red products included are perfect for the season and look perfect on nearly all skinetones.  And the makeup bag is, of course, phenomenal. You know me--if there's a cute bag involved, I'm in!

Check out the post for details on how to enter.  All entries must be in by February 1st, so get to it!

Get Your Glow on Year-Round!

I'm crazily pale.  Like see-through white.  In the summer, I sometimes tan, but usually I end up just getting tons of freckles and turning beet red.  Not fun!  That's why I really love St. Tropez. The products they offer are amazing and you don't need to bake in the sun to look bronze and fabulous!

My skin has severely pink undertones, so usually when I use any type of self-tanner, my skin ends up looking bright orange and hideous.  But the St. Tropez products really cater to that and leave all skintones with a goegey bronze hue.

I am love love loving their Skin Illuminators.  They're perfect for wintertime, if you don't want to go full-on bronze, but still want your skin to glow.  The Gold Illuminator, as it really packs in the shimmer and delivers a glowy look that is perfect no matter what the season is.

Currently, the brand is selling this fabulous Golden Glow Kit at Sephora for a limited time.  

The set includes:

• 4 oz Self Tan Bronzing Mousse
• 1.67 oz Gold Skin Illuminator
• One Application mitt

I can tell you from my own experiences that the products are amazing!  This kit is just the thing to keep your skin glowing, even though it's totally freezing outside.  You can buy your own set for $35, which is awesome since it's actually a $59 value!

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

Luxury Lust: MAC Jeanius Eyeshadow

Even though I'm all about finding deals and cheap ways to look fabulous, there are some pricey products that even I can't resist!

This is totally the case with MAC's Jeanius Eyeshadow.  It comes in four colors that replicate different denim hues.  My fave is Motorhead; the color is just like my fave pair of jeans.  The color is bright, but it's really worth trying out because it surprisingly goes with most outfits (especially if you're wearing denim).

Now logically I know that this adorably-crafted shadow won't hold its shape forever.  After a few uses, it won't even resemble a piece of denim.  So in all honesty, this might be one purchase that is bought merely to have in my collection just for show.  But there's nothing wrong with that, right?!

Each shadow is about $20 and is part of a limited edition collection, so if you want it, get it now!

Dr. Carlo's Corner: Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Procedures

Dr. Carlo Honrado, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Hello all!  Alana was kind enough to ask me to stop by and give you a quick primer on something just a bit different: some of the latest minimally invasive cosmetic procedures.  Mind you, this isn’t a post about face lifts or anything of the sort – these are a few quick things you can get done in an afternoon if you’re looking for a quick “refresher” that falls somewhere between daily makeup and a permanent procedure.  Hope it helps!

Fillers
No, this doesn’t refer to the things we say when we’re beating around the bush.  Cosmetic fillers include things like
Juvederm ™, Restylane®, and Botox® – you know, those blockbuster quick fixes you see all over makeover shows.  Want to know how to tell them apart?

• Juvederm ™ is great for adding fullness to your cheeks, forehead and eyes
• Restylane® is usually preferred for the lips because of its organic softness
• Botox®, of course, is the granddaddy of the crew, widely used as a gentle muscle relaxer to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. 

Ultherapy
And then there is a new kid in town: Ultherapy®.  This brand new approach uses ultrasound waves to stimulate the growth of your face’s natural collagen, creating a younger appearance that lasts about six months.  All you feel is warmth, and then you’re done.

Quick, Cheap, Safe
The benefit of these minimally invasive cosmetic procedures is that they go fast, heal quickly, cost less, and last for quite a while.  Plus you don’t get that dreaded “operated-on” look.

Feel free to drop by my blog for a more detailed look at these and other cutting-edge facial cosmetic procedures.  I am always happy to answer any questions!

Dr. Carlo Honrado is a board-certified Los Angeles facial cosmetic surgeon.

Pretty Winter Hands

Eeeee!! I am head over heels in love with this adorable Juicy Couture Nail Polish & Hand Warmer Set.

This amazing set combines two of my absolute fave brands--Juicy Couture (of course) and Deborah Lippman (best nail polish ever!)

Let's start with the hand warmers.  Of course I'm a huge fan of the blingin' bow detail.  It dresses up the hand warmer, so it's acceptable to wear with any outfit.

The nail polish that comes in the set is fab as well.  Not only is the bottle blinged out,  the shade is a super shimmery gold!  LOVE it!

The set also comes in black, which is equally gorge--I have no idea which I like more!  Each set is $44.90 (marked down from about $70).  A little pricey, but just think of it as a post-Christmas gift for yourself!

Lip Balm Made Better

Wintertime for me means crazily chapped lips.  There are a bunch of lip balms out there, but the ones that actually work are never cute.  So I was super excited when I found Maybelline's Baby Lips Lip Balm.

First of all, I love love love the packaging.  I know I shouldn't judge a product based on what it looks like, but I simply can't help it.  The bright colors are adorable and made me want to try each one.  And that's exactly what I did.

The balm works fabulously.  My lips felt really soft after the first use, and after I had been using the balm for a week or so, my lips felt even better.

Here's what the balm boasts:

• Visibly renewed lips and 8-hr hydration 
• Exclusive lip renew formula with SPF 20 
• Protects and moisturizes lips for a full 8 hours 
• After 4 weeks, lips are visibly renewed and  reborn

It also comes in six different shades.  The clear version is nice, but personally I prefer the tinted ones.  Cherry Me is a red tint.  It's super sheer and adds the perfect amount of color while it heals your lips.  Pink Punch is gorgey too.

You can find the lip balm at most pharmacies and beauty stores for under $4.

Get the Look for Less: Shimmery Champagne Eyeshadow

Almost everyday, my makeup routine includes applying a shimmery champagne-hued eyeshadow.  I use it as a base, as well as on the inner corners of my eyes to make them look wider and more awake.  It's a fabulous technique that I've been using for years.

The problem is, to get the desired effect, you need an eyeshadow that is highly pigmented (meaning that you can use a tiny bit of it to get a full burst of color).  Most drugstore shadows simply aren't of the best quality and the pigmentation isn't there.  It's also tough to find something cheap that is packed with shimmer.  And we all know how obsessed with shimmer I am!

Until now, I've been using Stila's eyeshadow in Kitten.  It's around $20, but works amazingly.  I've never had a problem shelling out the money since it lasts basically forever and looks so gorge.

The other day, I saw L'Oreal's Infallible Eyeshadow.  They have a color called Iced Latte that is almost identical to Stila's Kitten. I tried it out and the pigmentation is great--AND it's packed with shimmer!  It's practically the same product!  The only difference?  You can get it for $7.99.

I was pretty shocked at the sheer awesomeness of this.  I think I'm going to try out a few other colors for fun.  That said, I'm pretty sure that I'm completely switching over from Stila to L'Oreal, at least for this product!!

Super Cute Top You Can Wear Now and Later!

Once the holidays are over, I'm totally ready for spring.  I don't buy any new sweaters, mittens or huge cozy scarves because I like to pretend that springtime is almost here.


On that note, I love looking for fabulous tops that have a spring-ish feel to them when I get the winter blues.  This Embellished Push-up Bra Top from Victoria's Secret is perfect for that.  It'll look amazing when the weather warms up, but in the meantime wearing it with a cute black cardigan makes it winter appropriate. 


The color of the top is also a good hue to wear year-round.  Burgundy looks amazing on almost every skintone, and works for all seasons.  The embellishment is great too because you can dress it up or down.  Pairing the top with a pair of well-worn jeans is a great casual look, while wearing it with a black pencil skirt and your highest heels dresses it up for any occasion.


I actually just bought this top for myself (eeeee!!) because it's currently on sale.  I mean really on sale.  Originally, it was about $60.  Now, you can grab it for under $20.


Exciting, no?

Beauty Boo-Boo: Nail Polish for Dudes

It's finally happened.  There is now a line of nail polish that is specifically geared towards men.  Needless to say, I'm absolutely horrified.

Alpha Nail (clever name, eh?) claims that wearing the manly polish will attract women and make men look super macho.  There are oodles of ads showing buff guys with gorgeous models draped all over them.  This is ridiculous!!  If I ever saw a guy wearing nail polish, I would most likely punch them in the face, or issue them a hefty Fashion Citation.

To make the polish sound as masculine as possible, each color has a super manly name.  A few of the best ones? Gasoline, Burnin' Rubber, and my personal favorite Cocaine (yes, it is a white hue).

The site claims that the polish is ideal for use in the ring, the pool, and the club. REALLY??!!? Are you kidding me?? I'm pretty sure that if a guy wore nail polish to a club, he'd have a horrible time.  Not only would it freak out the girls, guys would probably kick his ass too.

Here's an example of a beefcake wearing a baby blue shade "in the ring": 

Not really a good look. 

I will say that the pen-esque tube does make application a breeze.  It works very similarly to Nicole by OPI Nic's Sticks. That's pretty much the only good quality the product has.

If for some reason you feel the need to try the polish out on your main squeeze, you can pick up a tube for about $10.  That's right.  It's more expensive than almost every single other nail polish out there. But hey, if you're going to paint your guy's nails, you might as well go all the way, right?

Beauty Routine Time Savers

Getting up at 5am in order to get through your entire beauty regimen isn't fun.  At all.  So here are a few time savers to help you get super gorge in a hurry!

Skip the shampoo
Unless your hair is extra oily, there’s no need to shampoo every day. On the days in between, sleep with your hair in a high ponytail to add some volume, then spray the roots with a dry shampoo to soak up extra oil and freshen your tresses. You’ll shorten your time in the shower and skip blow drying, so you cut out two steps with this one trick.

Wash without water
Wash your face without the fuss. Use waterless cleansing cloths to wash away last night’s dirt and grime, even if you’re nowhere near a sink. These wipes work a lot like baby wipes, getting rid of oils and dirt in seconds, leaving you refreshed. Best of all, you can use them wherever you are, making morning multi-tasking even easier.

Simplify your 'do
The next time you go for a haircut, ask your stylist for something easy to maintain. A cut that falls between your chin and shoulders is easiest because it dries fast, but is still long enough to pull into a ponytail when you’re really short on time.
 

Multi-tasking products

Since you can multi-task, your products should, too! Look for beauty products that can pull double-duty, such as blush that works as lip gloss or a anti-frizz shampoo. You’ll save both time in your day and space in your bathroom.

Minimize make-up
If you’re really pressed for time, stick with the make-up steps that are going to make the biggest difference. Freshen your face with a tinted moisturizer, then apply two coats of a lengthening mascara to help open up your eyes. Finish the look with a tinted lip gloss, applying it to your lips and adding a dab to your cheeks to gain a healthy glow. You’ll be ready to face the world in no time flat.

Skip eyeliner
Eyeliner takes time to get right. If precise application doesn’t fit into your morning beauty routine, try faking it with your mascara. When you apply your mascara, wiggle the wand against the base of your lashes. A tiny bit of mascara will be left behind, looking a lot like eyeliner. To make it look cleaner, blend with a cotton Q-tip.

Dry in a hurry
You had to paint your nails, but now you don’t have time to let them dry. When painting, apply two thin coats instead of one thick one – it’ll look better and dry faster. Let your nails air-dry for the first two minutes, then dip them in ice water for 3-5 minutes to finish. They’ll dry in half the time with the cold water boost.

How Could Anyone NOT Want a Garden Gnome Purse?

Normally I'd be making fun of something like this.  I mean, in all honesty, it's a pretty big fashion faux pas.  The bag looks like something a lady in her 70s would carry and the embroidered gnomes make it almost creepy.

That said, I've somehow found myself in love with this Garden Gnome Shirred Shoulder Bag.  It's the perfect size--16"x10"x3.5".  You can easily fit all your essentials in there, but the bag isn't HUGE so it won't be ridiculously heavy.


There's just something about the gnomes that I absolutely love.  Granted, I am partial to gnomes in general ever since I "borrowed" one from a neighbor when I lived in Portsmouth...actually he still lives with me and sits prominently next to my fireplace.  Also his name is Barnaby.


So yeah...I might be a little gnome-obsessed.


If you're like me and think this bag is super cute, you can get it for under $70.  Kinda steep, but I can't think of an outfit that wouldn't benefit from the addition of garden gnome accessories.

Beauty Boo-Boo: Lip Tattoos

I'm so upset by this product. I used to love temporary tattoos when I was a kid.  I remember getting adorable butterfly ones (which is funny since I now have a real butterfly tattoo), and waiting patiently while my mom applied them.  I felt pretty cool at the time.

Then I grew up. Temporary tattoos no longer appeal to me.  So when I saw these Temporary Lip Tattoos by Violent Lips, I was alarmed.  They sell tons of different designs and they are applied exactly like the old school temporary tattoos we used to wear.  Supposedly they last for up to 48 hours, but I imagine that if you eat anything or even rub your lips together too roughly, the tattoo would flake off.

The site shows pictures of the individual tattoos being worn...and there isn't one look that is flattering.  I specifically hate the one pictured above.  The result is looking like you have some sort of lip disease with bumps and scabs.  Not attractive.

Below are some of the more ridiculous designs:

 

The American flag tattoo is particularly ugly.  Though the denim design is right up there. Prices range from $10-$15 for a pack of three tattoos.

Am I the only one who finds this crazily stupid??! Although on the other hand, they might be good for Halloween...

GORGEOUS Necklace on Sale for $21!!

I have way too much jewelry.  It's kind of ridiculous.  I even have a jewelry armoire.  It's completely full of necklaces, bracelets and earrings galore.  But I just can't stop feeding this addiction!

It doesn't help when I see amazingly gorgeous pieces like this Black and White Diamond Pendant from Szul. I love the classic look and the fact that it can go with literally every outfit.  You can wear it with a fancy cocktail dress, or with jeans and a cute t-shirt! That's the mark of a great piece of jewelry.

Oh and the name of the necklace isn't a lie--there are real diamonds on it. Yippee!!

Here's the most incredible part:  Originally, the necklace was over $200!! And now it's on sale for $21! Can you even believe that??! I almost fainted from the sheer awesomeness of the deal.

The site is also offering up free shipping.  So there's no excuse not to buy it!  The sale is only for the weekend, so get this amazing deal while you still can, ladies! Happy shopping!