Quite Apeeling- V. I. Diaries

The V.I. Peel that I just had at the spa has a few at home components to fully complete the process. After I got the peel (on Saturday), I had to apply a towelette soaked with retinoic acid to a clean dry face an hour before bed. The next night I repeated this same step which left my skin quite feeling itchy. A good trick when that happens is to gently tap the skin with your fingertips or even tap with q-tips if you're being good & keeping your hands off your face! The 48 hours following the peel, I felt like I had a rather intense sunburn (you can see the pink near my eye). Not painful in that way, but my skin felt hot to the touch & very tight(& looked rather tan- which never happens for me!) During the entire peel process, it was incredibly important to be wearing SPF whenever outside. As an esthetician, I wear an SPF 365 days a year. For anyone considering a high strength peel, it is imperative to follow the home care protocol and protect the new skin that will be unveiling itself during the process. Otherwise it will become just as damaged as the layers you're trying to shed! Tomorrow take a peek as the peeling begins!

Peace. Love. Peels. M

Quite Apeeling- V. I. Peel Diaries

The whole staff at La Papillon -I've always thought is quite appealing(if I do say so myself!) Lately however, we've been truly a-peel-ing! When working in a spa, you need to put your best face forward. So what do we do? We do a chemical peel. Last week I tried out our newest peel- the V.I. Peel and I'll be giving you a peek behind the scenes as to what to expect. I do an intense peel at least twice a year. I love them. You can get results in under a week with a medical peel that would take a very good quality home skincare regimen at least 9-12 months to achieve. It is perfect for a girl like me who's rather impatient! A blend of high strength AHA's is applied to the face, in 4-6 hours it is then topped with retinoic acid(a form of vitamin A). The V.I Peel offers a reduction in fine lines, lessening of hyperpigmentation and proven collagen stimulation. In short your skin looks and feels like a baby's behind! I highly recommend a peel to anyone who is serious about changing their skin. Yes you will be literally peeling for about 3-4 days, but it's so worth it! Brides-to-be, are you listening? Find the time, you won't be disappointed. Just work backwards from any specific big events. Once the actual peel is applied, peeling will start around 48 hours after and will take @ 4 days to taper off. Allocate a total of 7-10 days just in case. Stay tuned this week for my personal peel diaries + pics!

Peace. Love. Peels. M

Make-Up Must Have Monday

This little themed make-up collection is just too hysterical & fabulous! Too Faced's Walk of Shame make-up bag comes complete with everything a gal needs to spend the night at a beau's & still look glam while leaving his place in the morning!

Universally flattering shades fill the shadow & bronzer compact.
Top is Totally Toasted(a previous favorite) shadow, then Silk Teddy shadow, then Sun Bunny Bronzer Light, then Totally Nude lipstick from kit.

What made me go back & actually buy the kit? The lipstick's packaging, that was topped with a bit of bling! The actual shade is called Totally Nude- however I would say it's more a cappuccino color, complete with the faint scent of coffee. The color pulls a smidge orange on me, but it's easily remedied with a swipe of peach or pink gloss to liven it up. Too Face's beloved Shadow Insurance, a sample of their primer, mints & a travel toothbrush round out the offerings housed in a super cute black satin clutch. I think this is a steal of a deal at $38 & would be the perfect gift for bridesmaids or a friend with a great sense of humor!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Fabulous Finds Friday

Girleens, I'm not going to lie. When I discovered this fabulous find, I was slightly bitter.

Why you ask? Because these Target Merona gold flats are pretty darn close to my Tory Burch Reese flats at almost 10x the price! I almost drove my shopping cart right into the aisle upon discovering them!

Yes, my Torys have the tassel & signature medallion at the back- but if you walk quickly, no one will know the difference! My loss is your gain my beauties. Have a great weekend & happy shopping!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Hershey's Better Basket: Blog Hop

Ahhh Easter is just around the corner. Screen doors are left open to let in fresh air... The sun tempts us with her beautiful rays while creating a smidge of fear that skimpy clothes season draws near! Easter baskets overflow with all sorts of goodies to sabotage all hopes of cutting out carbs! The best treat(calorie free!) I'm getting for Easter? My favorite girl Laura of Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom bestowing her Virtual Better Basket to yours truly! Not only am I feeling the love, but due to this blog hop money is being donated to the Children's Miracle Network. It's a win win! Who do I pass the torch (ahem basket) to? Actually two lovely ladies: (1)The fabulous Kelly of Gouldylox Reviews who besides becoming a good friend(we're both obsessed with movies & make-up)- gives back to our local community through her amazing organization Karma Dogs & (2) The lovely Jennifer of Sky Blue Events- not just because she can whip up a fabulous cocktail or throw an elegant event(well that doesn't hurt), but because she's been instilling a philanthropic nature in her young daughter ever since I've known her.

• HERSHEY’S BETTER BASKET BLOG HOP RULES*

Copy and paste these rules to your blog post.* Create a blog post giving a virtual Easter Basket to another blogger – you can give as many Virtual Baskets as you want.* Link back to person who gave you an Easter Basket.* Let each person you are giving a Virtual Easter Basket know you have given them a Basket.* Leave your link at BetterBasket.info/BlogHop comment section. You can also find the official rules of this #betterbasket blog hop, and more information about Better Basket with Hershey’s there.* Hershey’s is donating $10 per each blog participating to the Better Basket Blog Hop to Children’s Miracle Network (up to total of $5,000 by blog posts written by April 4th, 2010).* Please note that only one blog post by each blog url will count towards the donation.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

In the Blink of an Eye

I have been somewhat obsessed with lid primers lately... I had never really used them very much before, but now I turn to them to keep my shadow vibrant throughout the day. I love intense eyes & nude glossy lips! I've tried quite a few lately, & here are my thoughts... Too Faced's Shadow insurance definitely offers more longevity than without. You can also use it to secure some glitter on your lid( you know mama loves her sparkle!)

Probably the most well known shadow primer is Urban Decay's Shadow Potion. It has gotten rave reviews, so what did I do? I went out and bought, in the XL or super sized version no less. Alas, the love affair wasn't there for me. It's not that it didn't work in holding the shadow in place, the issue was I actually thought that it made my lids look more 'crepey' than in reality. Anyone who knows me has heard me say that I'm allergic to aging, so no thank you to crinkly texture!

Trish McEvoy's is still by far, my favorite. It offers smooth coverage, with opaque coverage so you can wear it all by itself. I have it in 5 different shades- need I say more?The only tip, is that it sets quickly, so you need to work quickly to blend it!

Peace. Love. Primer. M

Hope for Hyperpigmentation

Out, Out Damn Spot! Hyperpigmentation has been the bain of my existence for quite some time now. Freckles have always been deemed adorable by loved ones, but it wasn't until my friend took some professional photos of me that I saw them up close. Needless to say, I felt like Gorbachev & declared war on them. Now studies, recently reported in Allure magazine, are showing that it's possible to lesson skin discoloration by taking a supplement! A significant reduction was shown when test subjects took a pill with vitamins A, C, E and the antioxidant procyanidin in it twice a day for eight weeks. Procyanidin is found in apples, red wine, chocolate, pine bark extract and grape seed extract. This supplement is only available in some Asian countries right now, however 48 milligrams of procyanidin and a multivitamin could provide similar results! Get thee to a vitamin shop!

Peace. Love. Freckles. M

Alice in Wonderland Make-up

Last night I finally got to delve into the fantastical world of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (3D no less). It was truly a feast for the eyes. And the make-up, oh the make-up!!!

Johnny Depp's the Mad Hatter was definitely over the top, but his character's make-up had a little bit of a 'put together by a committee' feel. It was almost a bit much (which I know is Tim Burton's style), but it lacked a cohesive feel.

I love me some Anne Hathoway. She's smart & talented. Her White Queen was fluffy & frilly & fabulous. The interesting decision was the make-up artist using bold brows & vibrant lips. My interpretation would have been softer- have everything glisten & glimmer & reflect the goodness of the character. The Brow Whisperer in me also wanted to fix her right brow in the movie(I'm telling you it's not just my job- it's my obsession!)

What was perfection? Helena Bonham Carter's Queen of Hearts. It was amazing to see the transformation. Her brows were covered with spirit gum & redrawn higher. Her hairline was brought up as well. What they were able to create visually with her character was a true testament to the talent of make-up artistry. Though the actual story was a little bland, I still feel it is definitely worth seeing in 3D just for the special effects- if that's your cup of tea!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Fabulous Finds Friday

Happy Friday my Beauties! It's amazing what a little sunshine can do for one's mood- I think I forgot what it looked like, but I'm glad it's back! What can I say. but I 'heart' this week's find!

It's the tiniest little 1 & 1/2" speaker! You can throw it in your purse or keep it at your office & it gives off great sound. This is genius & perfect for me since whenever I travel I hate lugging a speaker with me(music is mandatory for my morning make-up routine!) They'll be arriving at the boutique just in time for summer.

Anything fabulous going on for your weekend plans? I'm finally going to catch up with Partner in Crime & have a little belated birthday celebration. I'm so looking forward to it-we crack each other up & she puts up with me(even humors me & tries on silly hats!) Yes, a girl's night is just what the doctor ordered!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

I'll Have A Cup of That Please!

I'm not talking about a traditional cup of coffee- have my beauties ever heard of Theracupping? It's an ancient Eastern therapy that La Papillon's new massage team introduced me to recently. Due to my back issues, I have turned to massage therapy to literally keep me mobile. I am so passionate about it since it's helped me so much-both mentally & physically.

Gwenyth Paltrow brought media attention to Theracupping after being spotted(pun intended) with round spots down her back at an awards show. Cupping or Theracupping involves basically creating a suction within a small glass or plastic cup. This increases blood flow to an area that is inflamed (such as my herniated disk.) The result is reduced pain, increased circulation to the area and movement in lymph which is a healing lifeforce within the body. It is an amazing way of getting incredibly deep results into loosening tightness, without being invasive or aggressive on the body. Cupping is also being used to help with lymphatic drainage, which has detoxifying benefits. We are even looking into facial & body treatments using the therapy since it has a contouring effect! The sensation can be at times intense but the results are worth it& I highly recommend you trying it! I'll take a cup of it any day!
Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Congrats to Jules of Chic & Pink for winning the giveaway!

Files From the Brow Whisperer

Happy St. Patrick's Day my beauties! Every year we have a "Do You Feel Lucky" retail sale at the boutique that's really fun. This year our boutique manager came up with the cutest take on an Irish saying for a brow waxing special we're running- I just had to share it!

So in keeping with the theme, I figured I'd share another client from the brow files! This client has very deep set eyes. When the brow lacks any definition, you're missing out on the 'lift' that a brow can have visually for the face. It would also help open up the eye area and bring her deep set eyes forth.

What a difference! This is why I love doing what I do- instant gratification! Already the entire area looks more youthful- yes? Be the 'After', not the 'Before' girls! Staying on top of your brows gives an overall more groomed appearance & you just feel better about yourself. It puts a little a Spring(& we're all ready for Spring!) in your step!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

All That Glitters

"You know you're putting a good thing out into the universe when you put on glitter"

-Drew Barrymore

I couldn't have said it better girleens! I got a gift certificate to Sephora for my birthday & I think it was redeemed within an hour of receiving it! If Tinker Bell was really flitting around- do you know what would be in her sparkle arsenal? Tarina Tarantino. I seriously can imagine her delicately spritzing the Sparklicity Fairy Dust (ahem Shimmer Dust) over the land. It's like a spritz of subtle magic & I had to have it. The bottle is divine in it's own right.

Pure Magic? Sparklicity Pure! It is a pure dose of glamour & light. You can build intensity or sheer it down. I've been putting it on my lids, for just an added oomph. The container will last you a long time & when I wear it, I just feel special.

Here are both products on my hand. The straight line is of Sparklicity Pure, while I spritzed the more delicate Sparklicity Shimmer Dust lightly on top. It is beautiful on the decollete. So don't be afraid at any age to add some sparkle back into life, a gal never wants to be dull!

Peace. love. Glimmer. M

Make-up Must Have Monday

It would have been wrong of me not to use a $20 coupon from Sephora- right? I keep saying I'm going to try & cut back on my make-up purchases in 2010...I seriously don't need another eyeliner for probably a decade, but oh how I love them so!

I had already purchased Illamasqua's cake liner in Mislead (jet black-bottom), and loved it so much I went back for Danger, a deep grey navy(top). I so wish they would hurry up, add more shades of the cake liner & get the entire line in our Sephora so I could play with everything!

As I've mentioned before Clinique's All About Eyes is pretty amazing, they just need to add some more shades. I picked up 02 & that one's a smidge light, and the other one(04) I have is too dark- such a Goldilocks I am! I have to blend them, but it's worth it since it offers full coverage, without being cakey. One little tube lasts forever. I also picked up Benefit's Some Kind of Gorgeous since I had been wanting a more full coverage foundation than my beingTrue minerals for when I went with a strong smokey eye. Unfortunately, the product smelled intensely of melted crayons ( I have a ridiculous sense of smell) & made me hesitant to apply to my acne prone skin- so back it went! So the search continues for a foundation that won't look mask like or break me out, but I'm thrilled with the cake liner & concealer!

Peace. Love Lipgloss. M

Don't forget the Clinique contest winner will be picked Wednesday

Files from the Brow Whisperer

Look at this intriguing contraption from Billion Dollar Brows that promises to deliver the most perfect of results. Really? It looks like a compass I used in geometry class- someone could poke their eye out with this... In my career, I have had to do a lot of tweezer interventions over the years on clients self shaping their arches. By accident you take a little more than you intended, try to even out the other side to match & pretty soon you've taken a lot of your brow off!

In terms of establishing a brow shape, I take an eyeliner & line it up with where a client's eye begins. This is where the brow should begin. The arch should be when you line the eyeliner in the center of the tip of the nose & angle it towards the hairline (see illustration). It's important to know that placement of an arch varies for everyone & you can't cookie cutter it. This is just the school of thought, since everyone's face & brows are different. I rarely if ever shorten the 'tail' or end of the brow, I just clean it up. It's important to be be conservative, since brows can thin as you age. I wax for a clean crisp shape, then tweeze to further customize the brow for the face. I truly think it's best when trying to define your brow shape to invest the money in having your brows professionally done. It's important to have an objective eye & an experienced technician that knows what works best on your face. Trust us!

Peace. Love. Brow Whisperer. M

Feeling Smitten Bath Cupcakes

This was the spread of goodies at La Papillon's Pamper & Peels Party last night! Our yummy nibbles covered the table, but at the top were another type of cupcakes. These cupcakes look good enough to eat, but have no calories!

A miracle you say? I wish, they are actually bath bombs. Plunk one in a hot bath and you're in heaven! These have been such a hit with girls of all ages at the spa, from my 6 year old niece to a 50 year old co-worker. This 'flavor' is called Hot Mess which features a delicious blend of magnolia, peach, hibiscus, and musk.

White Chocolate Vanilla. It's all in the name. When you smell it you can see it and taste it. With its unique blend of tart cherries, buttery vanilla, and silky white chocolate, its absolutely irresistible.

This is my favorite & it was the inspiration for our red velvet cupcakes at the event! Imagine biting into a fat, juicy peach. You know the sweet nectar that drips out? Well that's what You're a Peach smells like - sweet, ripe, and juicy. These make the cutest little birthday gift, but I say-go ahead & treat yourself!
Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

cupcakes available here

Award Winning Beauty Products

Alright Girleens, here's a better peek inside the CEW Beauty Awards swag bag. Hair products were plentiful - I'm looking forward to trying out the No Frizz line by Living Proof when it gets humid here(developed by MIT students no less, there's some serious science behind it!)

Neutrogena was in full force with a product from almost every category in the gift bag. I'm intrigued about the Tone Correcting SPF with Retinol, but as an esthetician I recommend using any type of Vitamin A at night since it tend to break down in sunlight.

There were also lab samples (less pretty versions of product launches for us peeps in the industry) to try out including Bebe's fragrance & Gap's latest scent Close.

Here a peek at what's up for grabs! Over $400 worth of beauty loot! This week it is Clinique's Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder. Just enter in the comments section your must have beauty product(not just lipgloss for example- but brand, type & color!) Good Luck My Beauties!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

This swag bag was gratis from a paid event I attended.

Winner will be announced on St. Patty's Day!

Award Winning Beauty Products

Last week a professional organization I belong to- the CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women)had their annual Beauty Awards Event in NYC. Over 50 brands submitted a specific product, which as members we will vote on and decide who receives top honors. In addition...

Tons of vendors displaying the latest and greatest skincare & beauty launches + a swag bag to die for? I was doing a happy dance! Cherry on top? Catching up with my good friend from high school who was also attending, as she heads up marketing for some seriously lux brands.

The place was a mad house. The lines around the building indicated they might be giving away clones of George Clooney. However, it was a great night to network with other industry professionals and learn about some brands that I had never heard of(rare, but it does happen!)

Now to the part you are all dying to see- the swag bag! It did not disappoint, let's just say that. Prestige and Mass Market brands were included in the bag sponsored by Allure. Just to name a few: Murad, Nars, Suave, Estee Lauder, Clinique & Neutrogena. Tomorrow I'll do a further breakdown of the loot and my first review!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Oscars Glamour

Yes it's that time of year! Any girl that loves glamour, loves the Oscars. It's the female equivalent of the SuperBowl. Who were my picks of the night? Amanda Seyfried was stunning in Armani. The potential in this young actress is huge. Such talent, I knew both her & Kristen Bell were special way back when in their Veronica Mars days. I loved the clean lines of this dress, though it still had a great Cinderella feel to it. Flawless skin & make-up (with that alabaster skin-you know she wears her SPF!) + sleek hair = perfection!

Elizabeth Banks rocked it out in an incredible form fitting grey frock that fit her like a glove. Her diamond headband, grey smokey eye & nude glossy lips were the perfect finishing touches on the stunning look. You gals know I heart that look make-up wise!

Sarah Jessica Parker wore one of the most unusual dresses I've ever seen & I was captivated by it. Some didn't like it, but I thought it was true art as only Chanel Couture could do. Her make-up was gorgeous up close with her bright blue eyes heavily rimmed in sparkly black liner. The obsessive girl in me would have liked to smooth her hair a bit(I wasn't the only one on Twitter!), but for the most part- right down to her chunky bracelets, she was fashion personified. So who were the best & worst dressed of the night in your opinion my beauties?

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Speaking of Oscars, stay tuned this week for news about the NYC event I attended that's pretty much the Oscars for beauty products. Let's just say I was in heaven & I'm going to share the love!

Cute As a Button!

I mean how cute are these? Since babies are so sweet, here's the perfect treat to celebrate their arrival!

These are little onesies that are folded to look like cupcakes!

They are the perfect little something to take to the hospital for a newborn (what I'm planning to do since it seems there's something in the water and a bunch of my friends are preggers at the moment!)

In keeping with the food theme, there are also onsies folded to look like lollipops!

I seriously can't get over how perfect these would be instead of a bow on a shower gift! Scoop them up & watch the smiles these adorable gifts bring!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Available here

PS- I look forward to meeting some of you at the SITS blogging event & check back next week for some great swag bag giveaways!