FOTD - Face of the Day

FOTD (Face of the Day)

Eyes: Mac e/s in 'Embark' as liner
Lashes: Max Factor 2000 Calorie in 'Rich Black'
Lips: 'Tango' lipliner by Prestige Professional
'Nude Lustre' l/g by Revlon on top

I was so excited to try out my new lipliner. It's bright pinky red, falling on the side of fuchsia. I'm crazy about it. I purchased it because I was inspired by the magenta lips at the Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring 2010 show.

Image courtesy of Imaxtree. Click the link to see more backstage at Marc by Marc Jacobs http://www.elle.com/Runway/Ready-to-Wear/Spring-2010-RTW/MARC-BY-MARC-JACOBS/MARC-BY-MARC-JACOBS/%28view%29/2/%28imageIndex%29/4

Missing Domino magazine? Hello Lonny!

When I heard that Domino magazine was going to be canceled, I was crushed. I really loved their mix of high and low interior design, and loads of color. Apparently the creative team behind Domino is launching a bimonthly web magazine called Lonny, (a play on London/New York, the name). So Domino lovers, make sure and Google it on October 1st, they day of the launch. I'll be posting a review after my first read through. And if it pleases, I will post a link as well.......

Fashion Week Looks Spring 2010

Ralph Lauren Spring 2010, vests are coming back! I am so happy!!!
I love this suit from Donna Karan. The fringe hem, the casual belt, the non-color.......

I always favor tangerine in the spring. Luca Luca Spring 2010. So pretty.....scalloped waistline, printed top, and slightly disheveled hair. I love volume.
This top reminds me of a skyscraper, or an old lighting sconce.
Behnaz Sarafpour Spring 2010.
Black is half of my wardrobe, so this dress paired with tweedish trouser leggings takes basic black somewhere new! From one of my favorite new (to me!) collections, A Detacher Spring 2010.

Tracy Reese Spring 2010. These kind of pockets are great for girls like me who fidget! And the shoes and hair give it a little bit of ballerina chic.

Vivienne Tam Spring 2010. I love what she does with color. The strong eyes are something I might want to try as well. What do you guys think?

Fashion Week is over, but I'm still sifting through tons of images! More posts to come. And a special feature on makeup and hair looks from last week..........magenta lips at Marc Jacobs, wavy ponytails at Christian Siriano.........

If you'd like to see more, check out elle.com or coutorture.com All images via Getty Images.

Benefit High Beam

I am writing about Benefit simply because it rocks! I love their products, but this one in particular really delivers. I love High Beam! I was drifting through Macy's one day and the SA pulled me aside and before I could say no slapped this pinky shimmer on my cheekbones. It comes in a bottle that resembles nailpolish, complete with the little brush applicator. At first I was skeptical, but after she rubbed these two streaks of goo across my cheekbones, I stared in amazment. I looked like I had just slept 9 hours and run two miles and drunk from a glacial river!! It was instant healthy glow. My bottle is now 3/4 empty and I will definitely be repurchasing. It's a little on the pricey, but worth it, because the hunt is over for a GREAT highlighter.

Okay just one more..........

Elie Tahari Spring 2010 - Check out the cut of this jacket.......much more forgiving than those tight motorcycle jackets......

Photo via Getty Images

Fashion Week Spring 2010

I am so excited when it's Fashion Week. Thank you internet for supplying me with a virtual front row seat. I wanted to share with you a couple of my favorite looks so far. We're only 3 days in, so more to come!! All images via Getty Images.

This is from Charlotte Ronson Spring 2010 collection. I love the long vest and if I had the gams for those sheer tights under the shorts, I would rock that look too.

Cushnie Et Ochs Spring 2010 - This is dead sexy. I luvs the shoes.




Erin Wasson X RVCA Spring 2010 - Check out the tough bronze skin and smoky eyes.

I must be feeling earthy today because all three looks I chose are neutrals......hm......

Top 5 face products

I will be featuring lots of 'Top 5' lists, short and sweet.

Here are my Top 5 HG (Holy Grail) face skincare products and why:

1. Dove Soap - Sensitive Skin

This soap has been around forever, (my grandmother has used it for years, and her skin is so amazing!). It is cheap, available at almost any drugstore in the US, and if you don't leave it in the shower, it will last months. I sometimes clean my makeup brushes with a bar of Dove soap. Wet the brush, swirl it onto a cake of soap, it instantly dissolves all the grease and product. Rinse and lay flat. Clean brushes. Love it! It does the same thing for your face, and you can skip the makeup remover, if the water is warm enough. I always follow with a moisturizer immediately, I hate that tight after soap feeling.

2. Burt's Bee's Baby Bee Shampoo and Wash

For your face?? Huh?? I know, I know, but hear me out. What I discovered about this product has changed my skin forever. I start by putting a nickel sized amount in my palms and then I work it all over my face, WITHOUT water, to start. Dry face, dry hands, just the product undiluted, straight on the skin. Yes, it feels kind of goopy and thick, almost like you're rubbing your face with Elmer's Glue, but then it really digs up all the makeup and oil from the day. Then I wet my hands and get a little lather going, rinse it off and I am completely clean. Sounds crazy, but it really works. Think of degreasing the stovetop. If you put too much water with the 409, it doesn't cut the grease. Same thing with your face. Try it! Tell me if it works miracles for you too!

3. EarthScience Almond-Aloe Moisturizer spf 15+



Picked this up in a health food store. In the description it states the ph level is 5.5, which ladies, is the ph of your skin, on a good day. I'm not sure if that's why my skin loves this stuff so much, but I have emptied my SECOND bottle, and about to purchase Numero Tres, a testament to my loyalty. I use it in the winter, summer, spring and fall and it never breaks me out. It is on the creamy side, like your typical sunscreen, so oily girls beware, if that is not to your liking. Also, the fourth ingredient down is dimethicone, the same ingredient used in most makeup primers, so maybe you could skip that expense and get an awesome moisturizer, primer, and spf all in one product! Okay, that sounded really gimmicky. But I am always excited when a product does double, or in this case triple, duty.

4. EarthScience Apricot Intensive Night Creme

My fav night cream, but I don't rub it in, just pat it on, and take it off as soon as I wake up. If I walked around with this stuff on all day, it would definitely give me the oilies. Yuck. But this cream, plus a good night's rest is my best recipe for a fresh face in the morning.

5. Equate Daily Renewal Cream

I don't usually endorse some generic brand, but I haven't actually used the Olay version of this cream, so I can't vouch for the original. This is the Wal-Mart brand equivalent of Olay Age Defying Daily Renewal Cream. Unfortunately it is no longer available. It is a beta hydroxy cream, which I think shouldn't be used every night. AHAs and BHAs (beta hydroxy) are chemicals that exfoliate. Best used in a product that is actually going to sit on your skin for some time and do what it's supposed to do. I've never purchased an AHA or BHA face wash or bar of soap, because how effective could it be? It's only on your skin for what, like 10 seconds? If my skin looks a little sallow, I've lost my glow, I use this in place of the Apricot creme. But just for one night. And always, always completely wash it off in the morning. It's strong stuff. I'll be on the look out for a dupe once this jar is done.

Honorable Mention:

Murad Age-Diffusing Serum - does a great job, but didn't make the list because it retails for $79. I'm using up a little sample. I'm a frugal gal.

Sorry for the crappy images. I'm sure I'll figure out how to make my blog glossy and publisher perfect in no time!

NYX

Okay, I was in a certain mall the other day and so thrilled to find my favorite NYX products. For those of you who haven't tried NYX, check out cherryculture.com. My favorites from the line? The eyeshadows, the lipgloss, (specifically Goddess of the Night), outstanding lipsticks for the price, even if the staying power isn't as great as MAC. 'Circe', one of the round lipsticks, is outstanding for those who desire a nude, truly nude lip. I'll post pics using some more of my favorite NYX products. You can find a NYX display at most Ulta's. Please forgive the nasty prison lighting, it doesn't do this color justice!!