The Glammies

Happy New Years beauties! Can you believe how quickly this year flew bye? So many beauty products, so little time. Speaking of time, it's time for my annual Glammies Awards, where I pick out the products that have impressed me the most this year. While not a new launch, Paul & Joe Beaute's Eye Gloss is like Tinkerbell's Magic Wand to moi! Normally I would shy away from anything creamy on my lids since I have such oily skin. This product imparts the most angelic, Celestial(which is my favorite shade) glow when gently patted on the lid. Anyone I show it to falls in love with it & you can't beat its ease of use!

Revlon's PhotoReady Foundation is my new go to everyday foundation personally & professionally. I have every shade in my kit & always turn to it for brides. The light texture doesn't break me out, gives great coverage & is specially formulated with light reflecting pigments to ensure it photographs well. It's a steal at just under $14, but often you can find it on sale. I wear shade 003, with a dollop of 004 in it.

I use my foundation with the Beauty Blender Sponge. I'll be honest, I bought this once before & never read the instructions, so I wasn't that impressed for a $20 sponge. Yes there are instructions, you dampen the sponge with water and pat it on your face with your foundation and pure magic happens. A flawless, airbrush like quality can be achieved with any liquid foundation that makes it worth every penny.

Yes it looks borderline neon pink, but both the Powder Pink & Peony shades of blush from Bobbie Brown give the most lovely "just came in from the cold" flush. I turn to these shades so much when I'm doing cool toned looks, think smokey grey on the eyes, that I've hit pan.

Nothing will ever replace my beloved Joey Antioxidant Lip Pencil (RIP), but I have come to grips that I need to move on & start dating again. Who's the latest to woo me? Too Faced's Perfect Lips Lip Pencil. It has a beautiful soft natural lip tone color that's the perfect base for gloss & lipstick. If you are familiar with the Joey lip pencil, this one has more pink undertones.

Last year Make Up For Ever's HD Powder took the slot for finishing powder in the 2009 Glammies. This year it's Mally's Poreless Perfection Skin Finisher. It goes on like air & is the perfect finishing touch to set your make-up. The first day I wore it, literally 3 people commented on what gorgeous skin I had- score! Note: it does have silica in it, but it has not broken me out at all the way some primers with silicone have in the past.
So tell me girleens, what new product made you swoon this year? I'm dying to know, I might need it:) I hope everyone has an amazing 2011!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Wishlist Wedesday

I've always been a girl who loves the pretty. I still would rather sip orange juice out of a delicate flute rather than a boring old glass! Of course there will be bubbles when I ring in the New Year- so I might have to scoop up these streamlined beauties. It's hard to see, but "Cheers" is etched onto them in 6 different languages! They come from Room Service Home, one of my absolute favorite catalogs.
I saw the master of all things entertaining, Colin Cowie, on Martha Stewart last week. The things that man can do with double sided tape- it's not even right! I hopped right over to see his collection of home decor after I spotted these damask goblets.
They are on their way!

I scooped these dainty stemless flutes up last year. They are hardier than you would expect, I even throw them in the dishwasher. I love that they are a little unusual & unexpected. They feel great in your hand. So link me your favorite flutes beauties & while you're at it- what is your absolute favorite bubbly? We had Cristal on Christmas & all I felt like doing was rapping!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Stockings Hung by the Chimney with Glee

I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas with their families! How is it that there's so much preparation that goes into the holidays & then it's over in a flash? I will be posting some of my favorite baubles that I got from Santa this week, but first I wanted to show you some family stockings that my mother made.

She's amazing at needlepoint- seriously people offer to pay her to do work for them. The boys in our family keeps her busy year round though on making custom belts for birthdays & Christmas. Here are my sister & brother in law's.

Her latest creation? This adorable ornament stocking for my niece, Lila. I love it, it almost like candy it's so whimsical. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next year for our newest addition to the family, Georgia!
Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Great Gifts that Give Back

Tis the day before Christmas.....and every one is scrambling around like crazy people. Ahh the holidays! If you're like me, every year I panic that I haven't done "enough." What enough is I don't know exactly, but I'm really going to try to relax a little bit more around this time of year *ahem* next year. One of my favorite charitable organizations to donate to for gifts is Heifer International. For people like my dad or grandparents who have everything + tons of gadgets(think electric pepper grinders with lights) -it's an amazing gift to someone in need that also gives loved ones a warm fuzzy. For a couple last minute tangible gift ideas, try Nest's Blue Garden Autism Candle. The hyacinth & fresh greens scented candles will fill your home with fragrance, while knowing that 100% of the proceeds benefit Autism Speaks will fill your heart.

Can one ever really go wrong with Tory? These simple, yet hip bracelets give back to the designer's very own foundation. The Tory Burch Foundation is committed to providing economic opportunities to women & their families in the United States- love that it's focused here.

Half the proceeds from this trio of delicate heirloom rose fragranced candles will go to St. Jude's Hospital. These candles would look quite fabulous on a bedside table, near the bathtub or on your vanity. You could even break the trio up & give with some bath salts- for three perfect gifts! Regardless of where you are in the mayhem of the Christmas Countdown, remember beauties that this will all be over in 48 hours- take a moment to stop, breathe & savor the magic of the season.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Wreath Making at Crimson & Clover

I love spending quality time with girlfriends, add to it some vino + nibbles+ a wreath making class = a genius idea! My fabulous friend Classic C & I took a holiday wreath making class at my favorite local floral shop, Crimson & Clover. Here is the "fixins" bar that we could grab garnish from- I was in heaven!

The store was decked out in its Christmas finery, with adorable decorations like these whimsical nutcrackers tucked in every corner.

Our delightful instructor, Nancy showed up how to build our wreath onto a wire form using boxwood & other greenery.

Here's my ever adorable friend in the midst of her making her huge wreath. She's an interior decorator, but it looks like another profession might be in her future as hers turned out so beautifully. Living up to her nickname, she stuck with simple greenery & a classic red bow.

Here I am with my wreath, before I began blinging it out.

The majority of my Christmas decor is all white & silver. My tree has all white lights with that theme, as well- so I wanted to carry it through to my wreath. I wove glittery silver branches and clear lucite drops through the greenery at the top & bottom. Our instructor, Nancy whipped me up a soft gray silver bow & we found a perfectly matching ornament to place in the center of it. Not too shabby for my first go around, if I do say so myself. It was such fun, that next year I'm going to grab a bunch of girls & make it a real party!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

PS- Happy Birthday to our Diva of Dermatology, Noelle!

Tartans & Tidings

Last Saturday we sipped delish signature cocktails, nibbled delectable hors d'oeuvres & mingled with good friends at the Tartans & Tidings holiday event!

La Papillon, along with our Diva of Dermatology, Dr. Noelle Sherber were thrilled to be premiere sponsors of the event. Besides throwing some absolutely fabulous goodies in the VIP goody bags, we had our signature lip balms and Kate Somerville's Exfolikate out for guests to sample.

As the name suggests, the overall decor and tables were decked out in classic tartan plaid.

Band members of Burnt Sienna, my new favorite local band, regrouping between songs. They had everyone on their feet the whole night- catch them if they're ever in your town!

Allergan was in the house that night, as well. Their fabulous representative, Heidi showed her support at the event that gave back to Baltimore's chapter of Squashwise. They also donated Latisse for each & every swag bag! Latisse is responsible for my long lashes & retails for $120.

Where normally we're in gloves & protective goggles getting our clients gorgeous, Noelle & I finally got to get glammed up for the event!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Super Stocking Stuffers & Small Gifts

I know for me it's hard to stay on budget around the holidays, especially when your gifting list grows by the minute! If you have a good amount of co-workers or clients, what do you do without breaking the bank? Homemade is always a lovely gesture, but I have realized between time spent & money on ingredients- it can be just as expensive! I often tend to stay on theme with what I do & often make a play on my mantra Peace Love Lipgloss. I have been saying it for over a decade, and it meshes well with the fact that I'm an esthetician & make-up artist. I often grab a set & break it up, like this Stila holiday lip gloss set. A cute card & one of these glosses is a perfect little gift which breaks down to only $3.12 a piece!

On the same page this Korres shower gel & body butter sampler is perfect to split up! I would put one of the shower gels together with one of the body butters with a mesh body sponge as the bow(you can find them at the dollar store.) You have a practical, yet pampering without being too girly gift for right around $5!

I heart Philosophy's packaging. Their play on words is truly one of a kind. This set gives the best of both worlds- a little bath care & lip gloss. I would garnish each set with an actual item relating to the flavor. I'd stick the bubbly items in a champagne glass(again from the dollar store), actual peppermint bark, candy canes, etc. This price would be a smidge higher, but still rather affordable at around $10 a piece. What thrifty, yet fabulous gift ideas have you come up with this holiday season beauties?

Peace. Love. Presents. M