Make-Up Must Have Monday

Hard Candy has been revamped and officially relaunched at your Local Wal Mart! Transitioning was relatively smooth due to Hard Candy taking real estate previously occupied by Max Factor.

Vibrant colors still abound in fresh & funky packaging.

Clever phrasing like the Nobody's Perfect Concealer Palette bring smiles.

I used restraint and picked up just a lipstick(#189 Perfect 10) & eyeshadow trio(#018 Dream Boat). The lipstick is a great peachy nude that goes shiny & sheer. Compared to the original line, the eyeshadow trio lacks pigment intensity. This can either been seen as a negative by those who loved the predecessor's payoff(color deposit), on the plus side with the texture being more subtle- it offers a more goof proof formula for those seeking more wearable colors. Any way you see it, with all products coming in at under $9- it's a steal!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Fabulous Find Friday

Are these not the cutest? When I saw these adorable cocktail candy cane twists I had to have them at the store! The perfect adornment for any holiday fete!

Either place on the rim of your cocktail for decoration or plunk it right in to flavor your vodka! What a great little hostess gift- a steal at $7.95! Cheers to your holiday weekend!

Peace. Love. Peppermint. M

Thankful.

The other day, I blustered into work in a frenzy...running late, having been stuck in traffic, thoroughly irritated. A fabulous client of mine, who is a yogi or yoga instructor/guru, had been waiting for me. Before I could launch into my rant, she stopped me dead in my tracks & said "Breathe."

So simple a word, yet so profound. I took a moment & things fell in to place, I got my perspective back. When I take a step back, I can see the abundance in my life.

I'm so thankful to have a passion for beauty that has turned into my profession. I'm blessed to be able to own my own business & love coming to work everyday. I have an amazing group of women who have become family, not just friends. A home, my health, my family, my animals-I could go on & on. It's all right in front of me...I just need to remind myself- don't forget to breathe.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Wishlist Wednesday

In my professional kit, I actually have some cases from a company called Japonesque that I've scooped my never ending assortment of lipsticks into. Bobbi Brown recently launched this limited edition concealer palette.

A different color for every day of the month! I'm curious...I love experimenting with palettes, but to be honest I find that I don't use them on an everyday basis. Maybe it's me be lazy, since in the morning I grab whatever's convenient(to say I'm not a morning person is an understatement.) A bulkier palette is stored elsewhere from my day to day arsenal of beauty choices. What about you my beauties? Big Palettes- love them or leave them & which are your favorites?

Peace. Love. Palettes. M

Wrinkle Reliever!

Look out Botox! New studies are showing that when a frozen probe is inserted at the same sites as where Botox would be injected, there is a similar effect. The cold relaxes the muscle, just as the Botox inhibits muscle contraction. Cheers might be heard around the world. This means pregnant women wouldn't have to sacrifice their beauty while expecting & nursing. Those who have been hesitant about botulism, now can have a drug free alternative. Those afraid of needles- well, you're still out of luck! Would you try it?

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Make-Up Must Have Monday

What am I loving from my recent Sephora VIB beauty splurge?

Bliss' original Lemon & Sage body butter is definitely a luxury at $35 a pop. However, I'm obsessed with any and all things with Verbena or Lemongrass. For Bliss' birthday they have a 2 for $49 special- quite a steal!

Fresh's Sugar Lip Treatment has a cult following & now I know why! In the Star Light, Star Bright kit I picked up there was the famed balm in Sugar Rose. The scent alone is intoxicating, add to it the sheer tint, light moisture & a SPF of 15 - I was sold!

This Duality Brow Highlighter from fellow brow guru Anastasia is by far my favorite pick. Meant to be used under the brow bone to accentuate your arches, it includes both a shimmer & matte option. I'm finding it to be much more versatile than that! The shimmer can be place above the lip, high on the cheek or down the bridge of the nose...The matte I have been using a shadow base for eyeshadow- definitely two thumbs up! For the rest of the beauty loot, I'll keep you posted as I'd like to use them a few more times before I give my verdict!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Fabulous Finds Friday

Having to give my dog a combination of the little remaining kibble on hand+ crackers for breakfast led me to run into WalMart this week. In my haste to get to the dog food aisle, I caught a blur of purple to my right. What did I stumble upon? Miley Cyrus' line of apparel.(I admit I've been jamming out to her Party in the USA tune, as well.)There were actually some cute pieces! Granted she had help by partnering with the divine Maz Azria, but still I was impressed! I scooped up 2 t- shirts that were a mere $7 each!

I tried to keep my focus on the dog I swear I did, but what else were they hiding in this super store? None other than Norma Kamali- that's who! I've always loved her classic style. She had a range of casual wear like this fabulous dove long sleeved t (blue plate special at $10!!!!)

As well as some hip, edgy pieces that would work for the office or a night out on the town. This boyfriend jacket is an absolute steal at $20! I personally love it when high end designers partner with mass retailers to experiment & be able to offer more affordable wear. I think it makes them more approachable to the masses... Do you feel the same way or do you feel that the designers are actually diluting their own brands? Happy Friday!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Silly for Sephora

Do any of my other girleens giggle with giddiness when their Sephora catalog arrives? Seriously, I squeal with delight!

Movie Girl & I went to Sephora's VIB event and skipped up & down the aisles scooping up our beauty loot! Several of the sales staff had tried to replicate the glitter eye from the catalog for the holiday event.

I had been wanting to try Tarte's infamous blush sticks+limited edition sparkle=sold!

We looked like kinder gardeners we had tested so many products on our hands, perfumes on our wrists, gloss on our pouts!

What can I say? I'm doing my part to stimulate the beauty industry! It's the least I can do, right? Stay tuned on Monday Must Haves for a review of the products!

Peace. Love. Products! M

Wednesday's Wishlist

Granted when I read the word Trousseau, images of me running around in a petty coat flooded my head. This deluxe offering from Jo Malone features candles from her top 10 selling perfumes. It is the epitome of luxury. I have always held a passion for scent. Fragrance transforms a house into a home. It can dramatically affect one's mood, in fact scientific studies even show that it can help with depression. How divine would this be lined up near your bubble bath? Be sure to drop Santa a note that you'd like it! All for a mere $595 at Saks

Peace. Love. Perfume. M

Philip B. Haircare

After Lucky magazine raved about the Philip B. haircare line, I was intrigued. When they offered 30% in their Lucky Breaks section, I decided to try it out. The Peppermint & Avocado shampoo is invigorating. You have to create the lather in your hands, then apply to the scalp or there will be no bubbles. It leaves the scalp tingly, and my hair smooth as silk. The Deep Conditioning Creme Rinse is nice & light, but it doesn't smooth & detangle as much as I'm used to. Those with curly or long hair might not be a fan. The Rejuvinating Oil is really hydrating, I just keep forgetting to use it! You apply it to dry hair & let it stay on for 20 minutes. To be honest, I'm usually in a hurry & used to using masks in the shower. I'll put it on my Sunday beauty regimen for when I'm watching my shows, I promise!

This I was told, was the Holy Grail of shampoos. I, on the other hand, had the Holy Crap(sorry to be crass) reaction to the price tag. At $140, I had high expectations & frankly wanted it to help out around the house!

The Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo just smells rich. It has a heady fragrance that really stays with you. It's consistency is interesting...like a thick, dense honey. You scoop some into your hand & have to work this into a lather as well before applying. Does it result in perfect hair? No. My dreams were slightly dashed, but maybe I had unrealistic expectations due to the review. Does it cut down on my styling? Absolutely. My biggest struggle was actually the container. Slippery hands + expensive product + screw off top + spoon for product=frustrating! Heaven forbid if I dropped the container, I would be quite bitter! I promise you my beauties, if I ever launch a line I will make it fabulous + easy to use! All in all, the products are good quality, but not life changing. I will admit to the irony of me balking so much at the price, considering how much money I spend on my face. In my defense, the skin is an organ! On the other hand, I don't flat iron my face every day so my hair deserves this luxurious treat!

Peace. Love. Perfect Hair. M

Make-Up Must Have Monday

There is nothing better than coming home to a Sephora box on your doorstep! Cue Angels singing after a rough day at work! I take full advantage of their Friends & Family discount when offered to scoop up products from my wish list! Even better? Scoring this beautiful Kat Von D palette as a VIB beauty bonus! The texture is very wearable & perfectly on trend for the season with the rich purple.

I had read rave reviews about both of these products & I must admit they didn't disappoint! Dior's Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm is sheer & hydrating. And let's face it, every girl feels more glam pulling Dior out of their make-up bag! Fekkai's Ironless Straightening Balm is light & smells amazing. I put a little on wet hair & it makes my hair much more sleek.

This is the make-up I selected... I must admit I'm becoming a huge fan of Illamasqua! Their black cake liner is divine, I'm going to grab every color. I tried their eyeshadow in Shiver, which is a perfect golden nude highlighting color. Kevin Aucoin's Flesh Tone Lip Pencil was a smidge too dark in color for me thought the texture & staying power was great. Duwop's DoubleGlow 7 was as I feared not the right fit for my oily skin. Nice texture, nice glow- it just didn't stay put. I guess I was hoping upon application I would have Mandy Moore's perfectly dewy cheeks! The hands down winner of the group is Make-Up Forever's HD Powder. Don't be frightened by the clown white of the powder, it just makes your skin look better. Light as air on the skin, a few swipes on the face & everything looks more refined. I think all skin types will be happy with it- I know I was! What's your favorite new product my beauties?

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Soup's On!

If you're a regular reader of my blog, I've made it known that I'm no Holly Homemaker! My weapon of choice is lipgloss, not a spatula! That being established, I love soup all year round. I especially love it when it's cold out. My favorite is Corn Chowder & I actually make it! Alright it's a mix from an amazing little company called Frontier Soups.

I guess I'm not alone since it's their bestseller. Their mixes make great stocking stuffers, hostess gifts & I love to give them to new moms to have on hand for quick & easy meals. Always one to spread the love & the savings- this month there's free shipping on all orders of $25. Enjoy!
Peace. Love. Potlock. M

Oh Happy Night

I have quite a fun night ahead of me, girleens! First Movie Girl & I will be headed to the December launch party for Maryland Life Magazine. It's being thrown at the Maryland Historical Society and will feature a wine tasting & nibbles.



Afterwards(nope the night doesn't stop there) we will be headed to Sephora for a special event for VIB's. That stands for Very Important Beauty memebers, or people like myself with an addiction to beauty rpoducts. In other words if there was a Black American Express of Sephora cards- I'd have it! Then we'll grab dinner and when I go to sleep tonight I will have visions of products galore dancing in my head!
Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Wednesday's Wishlist

I could never draw very well on paper, my canvas has always been skin. Even when I was a young girl I loved playing with make-up, transforming myself. How I would love to add this 25th anniversary collection from Make-Up Forever to my paint box! A pencil for every year of the company's history- it's like the crayola crayon box equivilant in eyeliners!

Shocked that lipgloss is on my wish list? I can never get enough! Though I'll try anything I can get my hands on, I am a goldie locks of sorts. Some are too sticky, some too sheer- some just right! Stila Lip Shines have great texture and I'm always partial to brush applicators versus 'doe foot' or sponge applicators. You can dispense more product with more presicion. A different gloss for every day of the week & then some = heaven! Maybe Santa will put one or both under the tree for me!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Images courtesy of Sephora. Find products here

Cancer Schmancer

Fran Drescher launches her Fran Brand skincare line tonight on HSN. The cancer survivor wanted to create an all natural, carcinogenic free collection that featured organic ingredients. All of that skin goodness is housed in eco friendly packaging consisting primarily of glass & aluminum. The line is very affordably priced from $16- $35, with a portion of the proceeds going to Drescher's Cancer Schmancer Foundation which promotes women's health care education & reform. I'll be curious as to product reviews. I'm vowing not to buy any new products(it tests every ounce of my willpower) until I finish up some of my lotions & potions that are taking over my bathroom. I'm all for a great cause- hopefully her line turns out to have great products. Beauties, tell me what you think if you pick some up!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Make-up Must Have Monday

Wow. Why didn't someone think of this before? This is a must have present in every young woman's stocking this holiday-sisters, daughters, a must for college students. You know I love my lipgloss, my beauties. This particular 2 Love My Lips Lipgloss could possibly prevent date rape and comes complete with a strip to test your drink for GSB. Yes, now when concerned that your cocktail has been laced with something, you can know for sure. This gloss should be in every girl's evening clutch when going out for a night on the town. Hopefully when a girl really needs it, she'll be sober enough to use it.
Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Friday's Fabulous Find

Oh Girleens, I love baubles almost as much as beauty! Yes you're seeing a general pattern in terms of being addicted to shopping. There's nothing better than adding a little sparkle to your day, by way of jewels! While I'm not usually a pink stone kind of girl (more of a pink lipgloss fan) I loved the delicate setting of this pink amethyst ring & had to have it!

Carol Brodie, best known for creating the original Bennifer's infamous pink diamond engagement ring, has launched her own line of jewelry called Rarities. It is most fabulous! The collection is just a hop, skip and a click away on HSN.

Though she made a name for herself working for Harry Winston, her own line is surprisingly affordable. This is the ring that first grabbed my attention. I call it my gumball ring since it's almost 11 carats! The stone is called Prasiolite meaning "green light" in Portuguese. I fell in love with the stone after seeing a client's David Yurman ring.

I really am a fan of almost every piece in the Rarities line. She uses semi precious stones such as Smokey Quartz and Pink Amethysts while mixing in exotic touches like sprinkles of red, blue and chocolate diamonds. Unusual and classic at the same time. I say treat yourself my beauties, never wait for a man to buy you jewelry. You deserve it!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Illamasqua

Uh Oh. Sephora's brought in another make-up line that I might become highly addicted to!

Introducing the UK's much adored Illamasqua, a line prized for having vibrant pigments. I love their creative ad campaigns, but the Brow Whisperer in me wants to tame this model's arches!

In press releases, it keeps mentioning that the line is designed to be worn at night...um where's the fun in that?!

I say get a little crazy and experiment with an unusual kelly green eyeshadow or come hither patent red lips! I just used my friends & family discount to try their cake liner- you know this girl can never have enough!

I love the unique packaging. Go ahead scoop some up & illuminate your inner wild child with Illamasqua!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M
Available at Sephora. All images courtesy of Sephora.

Wishlist Wednesday

Wow! What better way to introduce my new blog segment, Wishlist Wednesday, than this? My make-up addiction is well known. I'm not ashamed anymore, I know I have a problem. It's obviously not hurting people in my life. In fact, friends have been known to disappear into my bathroom and come out looking like celebrities!

That being said, I know I can't have every little product in the universe- there's simply not enough time, bathroom space or money in my bank account! So Wednesday's feature will be about coveting- pure and simple. Maybe this time of year it will also be helpful to loved ones for gift giving (hint hint.)

Smashbox's Holiday Launch is amazing. A great collection of value priced kits with colors you'll really wear. What's even more amazing? A portion of the proceeds go to the Children's Miracle Network. So you can help with someone's wish of good health while feeling pretty on the inside & out!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

All images courtesy of Smashbox. Products available here.

Ta Ta-rrific Benefit

Last week we held a breast cancer benefit( insert last week's pics of the pink delicious desserts into this event) Great cause & a great way of meeting new friends + catching up with some old ones. Here Movie Girl, Partner in Crime, Moi & Miss Events share a smile.

Here's part of the La Papillon Beauty Team that was on hand to dispense beauty tips & complimentary brow shaping. Lisa(we need a blog name for her!), Money Penny & Miss Patient.

All of our guests left with a bevy of loot. From skincare & bodycare to Lilly Pulitzer- oh my! Who doesn't love a good swag bag(especially when tucked into the cutest of Paul & Joe bags)?

The absolute funniest part of the evening was during clean up. I had been a genius during set up, removing the caramel apples from their wax paper and displaying them on the cake plate. No one could loosen their suction from said plate to eat them, thus they were mainly decoration. This was somewhat infuriating since they were such a pain to make. Then Partner in Crime ran around pretending to trip & spill them though they wouldn't budge. They were worth the hassle just for the laughs we had!

Peace. Love. Laughter. M