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NARS & MARC JACOBS COME TOGETHER FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Believe it or not, Christmas is right around the corner, and I have to say that I found my favorite stocking stuffer! How genius is this partnership? 

Marc Jacobs Gloves Set with NARS Nail Polish ($52)

It’s an easy gift idea for everyone and anyone who loves when beauty comes together with fashion (aka every girl in the world), and it’s just in time for the holidays! Get it exclusively at NARS Bleecker Street boutique on 413 Bleecker Street.

BTW, the black gloves above are paired with the nail color ‘Night Clubbing’ named after an eye shadow off of the NARS ‘Night Series’ collection. Read more about NARS nail colors and the ‘Night Series’ collection here.

What do YOU think of the NARS and Marc Jacobs collabo? 

MAKEUP DO’s AND DON’Ts: EMMY AWARDS EDITION

DO: Modern Family star Sofia Vergara looked absolutely stunning in a red (seemed to be the theme of the night) Vera Wang gown and chandelier emerald stoned earrings. I love the way her eyes pop because of her full lashes (used CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara, but I’m sure some fake lashes helped do the trick too!) and her lip color (CoverGirl LipPerfection Lipcolor Rapture #280) looked as if it was made for her dress. #perfect

DON’Ts: I feel like don’t is an understate for this look. Boardwalk Empire star Paz De La Huerta looks as if she doesn’t own a mirror. I want to give her a napkin to wipe that lipstick off of her lips and I don’t even know where to begin with her eye makeup (or lack thereof). I can’t think of a red carpet look that has gone worse in a very long time, and what’s with the pose? You’re at the Emmy Awards- try to be, or atleast pretend, to be a little happier! I get the smoulder look for the red carpet and all, but she took it to another level! #disaster 

THINK RED LIPS ONLY WORK WITH BLACK OUTFITS? WRONG!

I am loving the recent trend of color blocking. It not only applies to your outfits, but believe it or not, it can be applied to how you do your makeup too! It’s allowing me to combine outfit colors I love together with red and pink lipsticks that I normally would not have paired. For all the non-believers, check out below to see how clashing colors are in this season: 

Red and pink lips no longer have to just go with black or white outfits (I’m guilty of this too). Use the color blocking trend to your advantage! This is your time to put together colors you never imagined would work without looking awkard. The combos are ENDLESS:

• Red lips with a pink skirt (the red and pink combo is my fav-who would’ve thought these two colors would be paired besides on Valentines Day?!)
• Pink lips with a yellow romper
• Red lips with an orange dress
• Pink lips with a green outfit

BE BOLD.

What do YOU think of the color blocking trend? Are YOU a fan?

BEAUTY OF THE WEEK: SELENA GOMEZ

Has anyone else noticed how hot Selena Gomez is? Where did this even come from? From the streets of Waverly Place to roaming the beaches of Hawaii with Justin Bieber, Gomez has come a long way since her Disney days. She really caught my eye recently, (esp since the papz has been photographic her with her new boy toy- Bieber Fever duh). Her red carpet outfits are glamorous and way above her age (I feel like she’s become a major fashion trend setter for people that are way out of her age bracket!). Her makeup always makes her youthful skin look flawless, but what I love about her most is how genuine she seems. I love how her features are so innocent and soft- goes well with the stars personality! Gomez has always done her part to give back to society and seems to really stick to her moral beliefs- atleast for now! Let’s hope this lasts and she doesn’t follow down the same path as her fellow Disney co-stars such as Vanessa Hudgens and Miley Cyrus- we can only hope!

BEAUTY OF THE WEEK: CHERYL COLE

If you don’t already know who Cheryl Cole is, you will very soon! My obsession for her started last semester when I studied abroad in the UK. She is basically their number one singing sensation and tabloid craze, especially after her controversial split with English soccer player Ashley Cole (in order of power it goes Queen>Victoria Bekham> Cheryl Cole..I guess Kate has to go somewhere in there now huh?). She started her career as a member of UK’s number one girl group Girls Aloud then went off to start her own solo career and be a judge on UK’s version of American Idol called ‘X Factor’. The show, created by Simon Cowell, has become a cultural phenomenon in the UK. With the immense success of the show, Cowell decided to bring it to America. After Cowell’s contract ended with American Idol, he went to work to bring ‘X Factor’ to the states, hoping to duplicate its success in the US market. After much buzz and anticipation, Cheryl Cole was announced as the 4th judge for the US version of ‘X Factor’ along with Simon Cowell, Paul Abdul, and LA Reid. 

I have mixed feelings about Cheryl Cole being a judge for ‘X Factor’. Yes, she is a HUGE pop star in the UK, but I worry that the US will not respond positively. For one, she has a HUGE British accent. It’s not even a normal one like the Beckhams- it’s full throttle! I think Simon should have gone with someone that the US is more familiar with such as Mariah Carey, Jessica Simpson, or Nicole Scherzinger (who were all in the running as judges). I guess Simon thought this was the best way to help Cole launch her career in the US and bring a similar vibe to the show that it had in the UK. 

There is one thing that I cannot argue and that is Cheryl Cole’s beauty. She is STUNNING! Her face is basically flawless. What I love about Cheryl is that she always experiments with different colors and looks on the red carpet and manages to look breathtaking while doing so. Rihanna even branded Cole as “the most beautiful woman” she has ever seen. The Barbados beauty along with Will.I.Am have both said that they would love to help Cole kick start her career in the US. With a support system like that, I have no doubt that she will do big things in the US. She is a trend setter/style icon in the UK and will be a new, fresh face in Hollywood. I am so excited to see what looks Cheryl has in store for the US!

Have you heard of Cheryl Cole? Do you think she will fit into Hollywood? 

UPDATE: CHERYL IS NO LONGER GOING TO BE A JUDGE ON THE AMERICAN X FACTOR. SHE IS BEING REPLACED BY NICOLE FROM PCD. TO READ WHY SHE GOT THE BOOT, CLICK HERE. 

HOT TO NOT: CANNES FILM FESTIVAL

The Cannes Film Festival kicked off yesterday, and I am already obsessed with so many of the looks! Several of my favorite celebs were out on the red carpet. Some of these looks put the Met Gala gowns to shame! The world’s best designers dresses were worn such as Marchesa, Gucci, Versace, Jason Wu, and many more. 

I was excited to see a few actresses in particular who I haven’t seen on the red carpet for awhile now. I noticed they made some good decisions and bad decisions at Cannes this year. It amazes me how celebs can go from looking absolutely stunning to a complete train wreck with one wardrobe change. It makes me wonder if they have multiple stylists that dress them throughout the day. I mean, it’s the Cannes Film Festival. This is where you’re suppose to bring it with EVERY outfit! As a celeb you have the pick of any designer dress in the world- take advantage of it! So how do you go from hot to not at Cannes? Ask these celebs: 

RACHEL MCADAMS: HOT in Maxime Simoens to NOT in Marchesa    

I love how fresh Rachel looks in the white floral Maxime Simoens gown and nude pumps. Her light makeup and blonde hair color compliment the look well. Her simple gloss accents her natural lip color great is a great Spring time look. I’m sure people will disagree, but I’m not feeling the Marchesa dress. The Fall 2011 Marchesa is a bit too flowy and dramatic for my taste. I’ve said multiple times, I am all about being different and try new looks, but this dress crossed the line. I will say that her hair and makeup was done beautifully and accented her features well. I love that her shadow and liner is in shades of brown/neutral as opposed to black/dark ones. This made the dress color look less harsh and compliments her fabo shoes. I do love lace, but the dress just had TOO much going on.

SALMA HAYEK: HOT in Gucci Première to NOT in Gucci                                                        

When you’re married to the CEO of PPR aka the the company that owns Gucci Group aka home of the world’s most sought out designers, you have every luxury brand at your finger tips. It’s only fitting that you have your wife wear the brands under your company. Salma Hayek takes advantage of just that. She wears not one but two Gucci dresses at Cannes. I don’t know what she was thinking with the red leather Gucci dress on the right. What’s with the matching shoes, belt, and flowery ensemble? I know it’s Spring and the floral look is in, but she def went overboard. Her hair, makeup, and over all look was just off. The beaded silver dress is more the look I am used to seeing Salma in. It’s elegant and gives off the old Hollywood feel with her face glowing and locks flowing (I am LOVING the retro waves look that seems to be big at Cannes this year).  She should have changed up the designers for different events during Cannes. How about some Balenciaga and McQueen loving? Salma, stick to what works and use that hubby of yours to get some killer dresses! 

Do you like Rachel and Salma’s looks? Which is YOUR fav? 

HOW TO ROCK IT: PINK LIPS

Heres a few tips to follow when wearing pink lips:

• MAKEUP: Pink lips work with the same rules as red lips or anyone other dramatic lip color. You can’t overdo the eye or face makeup if you’re wearing it or they look will go from glamish to clownish. 
• CLOTHES: When picking out an outfit to go with your pink lips, try something different too! You’re already going out of your comfort zone, so why not go all the way? I like how pink lips look with leather items (leather jackets, tights, or accessories). If you’re feeling really bold, mix and match the pink lip with a different color outfit rather than the standard white or black pieces. Pink lips with an yellow blouse? Pink lips with a green jumper? The sky is the limit!
• HAIR: This depends on the occasion, but if you really want the pink lips to stand out, wear your hair up. This will bring more attention to your face and specifically to your lips. If you are still trying to get adjusted to the look, wear your hair down but try something different. If you normally wear a side part, change it to the middle. If you always wear your hair straight, do some soft waves.

What do you wear and pair your pink lip with?

THE PERFECT PINK LIPS

I LOVE fun lip colors! I’ve always been a fan of red lips on my skin, but it’s been a struggle to find the right shade of pink to match my skin tone without making me look silly (by pink I mean a BRIGHT shade not a nude toned). I know a lot of my friends want to explore with different lipsticks too. Because they can’t find a shade that fits their skin, they resort to the typical nude lip look. 

This set me on a mission. I went to Macy’s to try on an assortment of colors and play around with the different brands. I wanted a color that fit the season. It had to be vibrant, fun, and scream fierce. I’ve been noticing lately that celebs are going beyond the red lip color on the red carpet too. Here are some of them rocking the perfect pink lips: 

   After being on the hunt, I found three great shades! They really make me feel like Barbie and work well with my skin. Here are my recommendations for the perfect pink lips:

1. L’Oreal Colour Riche Paris Wild Plum (Pink) 2. MAC Gulabi Bright Fuchsia 3.  YSL Forbidden Burgandy

These colors look VERY different your lips than they do just by looking at them. I was surprised to see some shades that appeared to be way too bright ended up fitting my skin color and some that looked really dark showed up super pink. Make sure to try the shade on and NOT purchase online. Also, they are listed in price from cheapest to most expensive. If you are having fun and just want to try a new color out, go for the cheaper one and see what you think, but keep in mind the pigmentation will not be as high.

I hope you guys try out these shades or other fun pink lip colors. They are great for spring and summer. Get out of your comfort zone and dare to be a trend setter. You will be surprise to see how many people admire you for taking risks and being different! 

What do you think of pink lipstick?

OVERRATED VS. UNDERRATED: MASCARA EDITION

Being the makeup addict that I am, I have tried all sorts department store and drug store mascaras. I am def a sucker for a good marketing campaign.  L’Oreal Paris, CoverGirl, and Revlon have some great commercials and brand ambassadors that draw me to their product (I wonder if the celebs endorsing the products actually use them?). I’m also a sucker for glam packaging which most of the luxury mascaras dominate over the cheapo mascaras (YSL, how are you SO beautiful?). 

Although ads and packaging are fun and great, a mascaras quality is what truly matters. Everyone is generally looking for a mascara that 1)thickens 2)lengthens and 3)curls their lashes. Here is just a few I’ve tried and my thoughts:

• Clinique High Impact Mascara- The formula was WAY too dry for me.
• Maybelline Falsie- It clumps my lashes together and hard to get off.
• Maybelline Great Lash- This mascara is always in magazines as a celeb/beautician fav. and is also super affordable.
• MAC Zoom Fast Black Lash- You would think for a brand that was known to be dramatic, they would produce one quality mascara!
• L’Oreal Paris Voluminous- It used to be my fav. but I realized it clumped my lashes more than making them voluminous.
• Revlon Grow Luscious Waterproof- I am NOT a fan of waterproof mascaras.
• YSL Volume Effect Faux Cils- What perfect packaging right? The whole idea behind this mascara is the “fake lash” look but doesn’t do much for thickening of lashes and focuses on lengthening. I think it is way too expensive too!
• Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara- I tried it because a friend suggested it and didn’t think it gave me length or volume. All this mascara gave me was a headache because it wore off super fast!
• Lancome Hypnose-I’m a fan because it makes my lashes look even longer than they already are, but for the price? No thanks.
• Lancome Definicils-It separates lashes well, but I would use Hypnose before Definicil.

Everyone reacts to mascaras in different ways depending on the type of lashes they have. That being said, I think it’s important to describe my lash type before sharing my picks for most overrated and underrated products. I have long, thin lashes so when I am in search of a mascara I look for one that will make my lashes more voluminous. It’s important to pick a mascara that caters to YOUR individual lash needs and NOT just by what your friend or favorite celeb wears for the best results. 

OVERRATED: DIORSHOW BY CHRISTIAN DIOR

It’s not that I don’t think this is a good mascara, it’s just that I don’t think it is worth the price. DiorShow is more about showing off the Christian Dior brand name than anything. Also, the mascara dried out fairly quick within the tube (so annoying). Although this mascara doesn’t flake or smudge, I find it useless for lash thickening. All in all, this product has been way too hyped up by magazines and the world. I just don’t get/agree with the obsession. 

UNDERRATED: LASH BLAST BY COVERGIRL

Not in a million years did I think that I would find my fav. mascara from my local CVS. CoverGirl Lash Blast mascara perfectly separates my lashes, thickens them, and gives just the right amount of curl. It is SUPER affordable and doesn’t dry up easily. The formula is wet but not runny at the same time. It doesn’t smudge and is not a pain to get off. For those of you who have the same issue as me and need a mascara that will thicken your lashes without leaving any sort of clump, this is the one! P.S I’m not a fan of the waterproof version because it is much harder to get off. If you are trying this product for the first time, make sure to get the original one (NOT the waterproof) and see if it meets your needs.

COMING SOON: 5 MUST-KNOW TIPS WHEN APPLYING YOUR MASCARA

What mascara works for YOUR lash type? 

MET GALA GLAM!

The 2011 Met Institute Gala was last night and celebrities were out in full swing bringing their fiercest looks. I love when celebs step out of their comfort zone and experiment with new, daring colors. Here are a few of my favorites of the night: 

TAYLOR SWIFT: classic and elegant                                                              

JESSICA ALBA: pregnant and glowing                                                            

RIHANNA: loud and bold

To see more A-Listers looks, go to E!Online.

Who was YOUR fav. look at the gala? 

BROW TRENDS: THICKER THE BETTER

Isn’t it crazy how much better you feel after getting your eyebrows done? I feel like it makes the biggest change on my face. It makes me feel so well kept! It’s the WORST when the eyebrow lady messes up. I guess I’m pretty anal about my eyebrows. I tell the lady ten times before she starts exactly how I want them done, and I warn her ahead of time that I will freak out if they become too thin, short, or lose their shape. I know hair grows back, and it shouldn’t be a big deal, but if I’m paying anywhere from 6-20 dollars to get my eyebrows done, I want them done right! I’ve been noticing a recent trend with celebs these days of having thicker than usual eyebrows. I was watching American Idol the other night and noticed it on Jennifer Lopez, and I have to say that I LOVE it! Here are some celebs that have moved towards the thicker brow look: 

MEGAN FOX

LAUREN CONRAD

JENNIFER ANISTON

OLSEN TWINS

THE ART OF THREADING: I have to admit that I wasn’t always a fan of thick eyebrows. I remember the first time I got my eyebrows done was with my mom. She took me to the salon to get my eyebrows threaded. Threading is a hair removal technique that originated in India. I have found it to be the best way to get the PERFECT arch and add definition to your brows. For those of you who pluck or wax, I recommend trying threading out. I guarantee you will love the shape it gives you. Unlike plucking, the hairs don’t grow back thicker and unlike waxing, you don’t accidentally remove parts of the brow you didn’t want touched. I remember hating my mom for not letting me get my eyebrows thinner (this is when thin everything was in…I remember getting my hair thinned too…BIG mistake!), but she kept saying that  I would thank her when I was older. She said that she regretted getting hers thinner because it’s hard to get the original shape back once you mess with it. Lesson learned: Moms are ALWAYS right (how do they do it?).

COMING SOON: What’s the best way to keep brows looking neat? What’s the best brow shape for YOU? 

Are YOU a fan of the thicker brow look?

LOOK AIRBRUSHED: THE PERFECT FOUNDATION

I’m not personally a fan of foundation, especially on a daily basis. I think my powder gives me enough coverage (without looking caked on). That being said, there are some occasions where it’s fun to add a little more makeup on your face! I was in search for the perfect foundation. I wanted something that 1) was light 2) provided full coverage 3) matched my skin tone 4) made my skin look flawless/airbrushed. Here are a few that I went through: 

1. MAC Satin Finish 2. L’Oreal Paris True Match 3. Origins Stay Tuned 4. YSL Perfect Touch

When I worked at L’Oreal last summer in NYC, I got the opportunity to experiment with so many different brands and products that I had never tried before. That is when I came across my favorite foundation. Here it is: 

MY FOUNDATION OF CHOICE: GIORGIO ARMANI FACE FABRIC

This foundation feels like a mousse and blends unbelievably well with my skin. It feels SO light and easy to apply with your fingers. I know that’s probably against the makeup gurus rules, but I love using my fingers to apply makeup. It does what no brush can do for me (and is more affordable!). I love the matte finish, and the coverage is phenomenal. When I look at pictures of myself the nights I wear this foundation, I really do feel like I’ve been airbrushed. The downside of the product is that it is pricey, but because I only wear foundation on rare occasions, I still have the original bottle I got last summer in NYC! 

Do you wear foundation?

KIMMY POUTS RED!

Kim Kardashian, known for her signature nude lip color, showed off a new look on her blog today. Kim’s hot and can pull off any look, but I have to say that I’m a bigger fan of the nude lips over the red! To read the full post, check out Kim Kardashian’s official blog page.

What’s your fav. look on Kim—nude or red?!