Mom and me, circa 1979
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by CoverGirl.
Mother’s Day is this Sunday and I’m so excited. Not just because Mr. Spoiled Pretty and my son, Westley, are treating me to a decadent brunch. But because it’s an opportunity to celebrate my hero, Andrea Stamps.
I must admit that until two years ago, Mother’s Day was just another CONTINUE READING
At Christmastime, I agonized over what to get my son's daycare teachers. There are 12 of them - and even though he has his two main teachers, they all have interaction with him and take excellent care of him. So I needed to buy 12 gifts to show my appreciation, without breaking the bank. $10 each seemed doable, except CONTINUE READING
As a beauty expert, I’m embarrassed by how late I am to the BB Cream party. In the past year, so many friends and colleagues have asked me about BB Creams—what’s the buzz, which brands are the best, etc. —and they would look at me funny when I admitted to not having tried BB Creams yet. I mean, they CONTINUE READING
I’m very fickle about my fingernails. Before I paint my nails or get them professionally did, I spend a inordinate amount of time pondering my polish options. I consider the season, recent trends, my wardrobe that week and anywhere special I might go. But despite all of this planning, I’m usually over my polish choice before it even dries.
Not CONTINUE READING
After beauty products, handbags are my secondary addiction. But when it comes to arm candy, I have discriminating taste. For me, the perfect handbag seamlessly marries fashion with function, is handcrafted from high-quality materials, has really unique hardware and is classic but edgy - all at the same time. I don't like to carry the of-the-moment "it" bag. I CONTINUE READING
Earlier this month, Kate Spade (aka creator of cuteness and the reason why I can't seem to keep money in my wallet), launched a brand new line called Kate Spade Saturday.
Kate Spade Saturday is a new global lifestyle brand created to channel the spirit of Saturday seven days a week. This younger, more accessible sister to kate spade new CONTINUE READING
I used to think that truly translucent powder was a thing of myth…like the Yeti. I’ve finally found one (powder, not Yeti) – and I’m hooked!
Trae Bodge, Creative Director and Co-Founder of Three Custom Color Specialists gave me a jar of their Translucent Powder when I visited her in February. My parched face didn’t need it then, but I’m starting to need it now. And come summertime, this will be my secret weapon against Philly humidity and the greasy face that typically results.
No matter your complexion, this product has you covered…literally. But thanks to the ultra-light and extraordinarily sheer formula, all anyone will see is you. Given that most women are one shade in the winter and another during the warmer months, save some time and money and buy one powder that works year-round.
Three Custom Color Specialists Translucent Powder is available loose or pressed, and can be worn on bare skin or over makeup.
For what seems like forever, I’ve heard beauty editors go on and on about Jo Malone. I had yet to hear someone find fault with the products, which I thought was a bit fishy. So I tried their new White Jasmine & Mint line to see if the brand merits all of the rave reviews. OMG. I am completely enamored with Jo – you don’t even know. The products absolutely deserve every accolade I’ve read and heard. They deserve more, in fact – thus my subsequent stellar appraisal.
Last fall, Jo Malone debuted White Jasmine & Mint Cologne – a fragrance “inspired by a tranquil moment in an English garden when the sun emerges, the dew gently lifts and the blossoms are at their most fragrant. Notes of just-picked white jasmine, chamomile, wild mint, rose and coriander are entwined in this lush combination.”
The quality of these products is beyond compare. If I were to search my mental lexicon and come up with a phrase that best describes Jo Malone, it would be sumptuous indulgence. And the fragrance…where do I begin? The White Jasmine & Mint scent is an elegant, crisp recipe that is decidedly feminine – womanly, not girly.
The White Jasmine & Mint Home Candle is without a doubt, the best candle I’ve ever smelled. Every night this week, I’ve lit the wick immediately upon returning home. It fills my apartment with the most enchanting aroma…I could wax poetic about it all day long. Once you drink in the scent of White Jasmine & Mint, you’ll be a convert too.
So without having heard anything about Ojon’s new Rare Harvest Tunu Elastik Hair Tamer, I picked it up on a whim during a recent trip to Sephora. Ojon has yet to disappoint me, so I took a chance on this $25 leave-in hair relaxer/de-frizzing balm.
Here’s what the package promised: * imparts a soft, flexible smoothness to all hair types * naturally seals the cuticle to stay sleek * eliminates frizz caused by humidity * provides a moisture barrier * formulated without alcohol and silicone * perfect for all hair types – straight, curly, permed, or relaxed
Does it deliver? You betcha! I took the bottle to Erik, my hairstylist, when I went to the salon yesterday evening. We were both surprised by how smooth and glossy my hair was after blowdrying – and its gel/mousse hybrid texture doesn’t weigh my fine hair down. Best of all, it’s snowing/sleeting/freezing raining here in Philly – but you wouldn’t know it to look at my hair. Even one of my co-workers remarked this morning. My hair has been looking seriously jacked up for weeks…so I was super excited to get a compliment – you don’t even know. I was doing the happy dance. And I have Ojon (and Erik) to thank.
Bottom line: Go get this stuff right now. It’s $23.50 on QVC, but if you buy it at Sephora and you don’t like it for whatever reason, returning it is a breeze. But chances are you won’t return it, cuz I know you’re gonna love it!
Urban Decay’s main ingredient must be crack, or some other controlled substance. Because that’s the only explanation I can find to rationalize my addiction to their products.
Case in point: this past weekend, I went to Sephora – for writing inspiration; I didn’t intend to actually purchase anything. But you know how it is – you start playing with the testers and soon enough, you’ve convinced yourself that you can’t live without some new beauty goodies. Well, that’s exactly what happened to me. I couldn’t walk away from the Urban Decay display without tossing three of their 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils into my basket. I already owned Deviant (bold blue), but she was lonely. So I bought Bourbon (brown w/ teeny gold glitter), Covet (peacock green), and Rockstar (dark purple) and took them home with me.
So the next day, I’m all excited to start experimenting with the pencils…but guess what happened. I opened up the Covet eye pencil box, and there was nothing inside!
How could I have walked out of the store with an empty eyeliner box? Here’s how: I’m an idiot. It obviously weighed much less than the other boxes (cuz there was nothing inside – duh). But I guess I was so giddy, and fiending for an Urban Decay fix, that I had a momentary lapse in judgment.
Luckily, Sephora has excellent customer service (shout out to Robin at the Willow Grove, PA store). I explained the situation, and they’re shipping me my liner. Don’t ya just love happy endings?
So the moral of the story is check the package before you leave the store. Well, that and Urban Decay must have crack in it.
Every 8 weeks, I visit my hairdresser Erik to get my roots relaxed. And for the next 4 weeks, my hair does whatever I want it to – and I revel in straight-haired bliss. But once my curly roots start growing in, my hair goes up in a ponytail and I mentally count the days until my next salon appointment.
Any gal with relaxed hair knows what I’m talking about. There’s nothing worse than your roots sabotaging a potentially good hair day.
Luckily, Editorial Stylists Kevin Ryan and Frank Rizzieri have gotten to the root of the problem, and created an innovative styling tool that has me loving my locks – even in week 7.
Root Control is designed to allow quick, safe, and effective straightening and styling of all types of hair. It’s great for touching up hairlines and roots in between blowdries and relaxers. It can also be used to redirect cowlicks and style bangs. Plus, its combination of ceramic barrel and double comb allow you to style the hair while keeping the heated barrel away from the scalp.
Product features include: *Dual Styling / Pressing Combs *Ceramic Heating Barrel *Instant Heat Up *Advanced LCD Digital Programming *Up to 430 degrees Fahrenheit Pro High-Heat *9ft. European Jacketed Line Cord *Heat Resistant Storage Pouch with Embroidered Logo
At $179.00, Root Control is kinda costly. But can you really put a price tag on a good hair day?
Not yet convinced? Watch this video of the tool in action, then be prepared to pull out your credit card. Trust me. It’s worth every penny.
5) The rich foam gently melts away makeup and pollutants 4) Doesn’t strip the skin’s natural hydration 3) Helps maintain normal pH balance 2) After cleansing, your face feels refreshed, not dry or tight 1) Because I said so (and because it’s one of the best cleansers I’ve used in a very long time)
T’Five Moisturizing Facial Cleansing Foam contains Bergamot Fruit Oil, to act as an anti-bacterial; Orange Peel Oil to smoothe skin; Lemon Peel Oil softens; and Ylang Ylang Oil controls sebum production.
If you have very dry and sensitive skin – like mine – you’ll give T’Fivve Moisturizing Facial Cleansing Foam five enthusiastic thumbs up.
After reading countless rave reviews, I jumped on the T3 bandwagon. And let me tell you – I’m gonna ride it ‘til the wheels fall off.
T3 Bespoke Labs Featherweight Dryer is what ‘good hair’ dreams are made of. Every time I use it, I fall deeper and deeper in love with this hair dryer. How do I love T3? Let me count the ways:
*1800 watt, 2-speed/heat settings plus cool shot *Tourmaline technology and infrared heat reduces static electricity *Negative ions add moisture and sheen *Eliminates the frizzy, “blow dried” look *Seals hair cuticle – resulting in sleek, glossy hair *Evaporates water in the hair faster, cutting drying time by up to 60% *Super lightweight (13 ounces) *Quieter than traditional hair dryers *Chic bejeweled handle
With my old hair dryer, I would mix 2 or 3 different leave-in conditioners/hair creams in my hands, slather it on – then spend 20 minutes blowing it dry. Mind you, it only takes 10-15 minutes to dry my hair completely, but I had to dry in shifts because my arm and shoulder would start to give out. Once I was “finished,” I would apply a serum to make the cuticle lay down, then spend another few minutes sealing in the shine with another blast from the dryer. And after all that, my hair still looked puffy and parched.
Before T3 came into my life, blow drying was an exercise in endurance. Now, I actually look forward to drying my hair, because the end result is healthy looking hair – not wrecked and ravaged like before. Plus, I find myself applying less hair products because I just don’t need them anymore.
I am such a T3 convert that when I went to see Erik, my hairdresser, a few weeks ago, I took along my Featherweight. You heard me right. And guess what? Erik fell in love too. He used the T3 Featherweight in conjunction with 360 Plump (a weightless, non-sticky hair plumper created by T3 and Orlando Pita) – and nothing else. After Erik was finished styling my hair, he was absolutely blown away (there I go again) by how thick, bouncy, and naturally lustrous my hair looked.
The only downside to this dryer is its $200 price tag. But trust me – and I’m not exaggerating – it’s a steal considering the time and hassle it will save you. Plus, it’s kinder and gentler on your hair than the dryer sitting in the cabinet underneath your sink; and if you care about your hair, sooner or later, you’ll need to start taking care of it – or you won’t have any left.
Bottom line: a T3 hair dryer is a solid beauty investment, with rich dividends.
No matter your complexion, this product has you covered…literally. But thanks to the ultra-light and extraordinarily sheer formula, all anyone will see is you. Given that most women are one shade in the winter and another during the warmer months, save some time and money and buy one powder that works year-round.
