Give 'em some lip: Votre Vu Champagne Kisses

Sometimes a gal has issues with her lips that just needs to be remedied. Stat. I suffer from dry, chapped lips and sweetie it's not a beauty.

I'm constantly licking my lips and because of that my lips are dehydrated and sometimes flaky. TMI? Thought so. Enter Votre Vu’s Champagne Kisses Lip Balm, a lip balm so smooth my lips feel unbelievably kissable.

Because that's all that matters right?

Champagne Kisses contains sweet almond oil, coconut oil and shea butter all to soothe and nourish your pout in a matter of seconds. I especially love using this before applying lipstick because it prevents it from bleeding and feathering.

As much as I love this bad boy, beware- the cap comes off rather easily and you'll have an opened tube of balm floating around your purse!

When all is said and done, Champagne Kisses has become a staple in my makeup bag and will remain there until the end of time. Exaggeration needed.

Sample was provided for possible review. Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

Don't Call It A Comeback: Noxzema's New Cleansers

Back in the day, my older brother was a teen boy who obsessed over looking good "for the girls". Part of his routine included washing his face with Noxzema and staring in the mirror- a routine that I later picked up (instead I blew kisses at myself while he just scrutinized). As an impressionable young gal, I would sneak into the bathroom and use his jar- all in the battle of preteen acne!

Now, several years and a few dozen pimples later, I have a jar (and tub) of Noxzema that been completely redesigned to call my own. The brand has relaunched their products and updated them so that they have the classic feel and infamous tingle but have been modernized so that the ingredients battle blemishes, breakouts and promote all around beautiful skin.

 For several months I've been using Noxzema's® Original Deep Clean line and have noticed significant improvements in my skin. Friends and beauty bloggers galore have complimented me on my "glowing" ad "beautiful" skin and I must admit that it is with the help of Noxzema (hell after I switched over to St. Ives' Naturally Clear Collection my skin boycotted and broke out. I now alternate between the two).

The Original Deep Cleansing Cream reach deep into the pores to remove makeup, dirt and excess oils without drying my skin or leaving me with that super tight feel after washing. It has the classic Noxzema fragrance- a blend of menthol, camphor and eucalyptus oil- yet isn't overpowering or rough on the nose. Noxzema products are dermatologist‐tested so you know that they deliver!

The Original Deep clean collection is just one of three new lines that Noxzema has rolled out. For those fighting breakouts, they've got you covered with their Noxzema® Clean Blemish Control products, which are specially designed for adult skin. People seem to forget that adults also breakout and the formula for teenage skin won't work as well for those slightly older. This is an oil‐free formula that restores hydration and features salicylic acid and glycerin for moisture. If you're seeking another alternative to fighting blemishes and breakouts, be sure to check out the Triple Clean Product collection as well.

Noxzema products ($3.99‐$4.49) are available nationwide at drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationwide.

Samples were given to me for possible review. Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

The Bare Necessities...

Look in your purse and pull out the four things you use most everyday.

For me it's:

1. Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino bottled drinks: I literally drink at least two a day. I get VERY irritable if I don't have one and you don't want to be in my way. So I keep one in my purse. Tragic.
2. Audio Chi headphones: I feel like one of those cool Williamsburg kids with my ginormously over-sized headphones. And the sound is pretty sick.
3. Blackberry: My life. 
4. MAC Cremesheen glass in Loud & Lovely

et vous???

Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

You're Invited: The Makeup Show NYC

If you are a makeup artist and want to get serious about your career, this is one event not to be missed. Every year, for the past five years, makeup brands have descended upon New York (and Miami) to connect with makeup artists all over the world. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a new kid on the block, this is for you. At The Makeup Show you discover the latest products, sit in on classes taught by some of the best in the industry- for everything from honing skills for editorial beauty, airbrush secrets, FX, makeup for HD TV, film and theater, to the perfect bride.

This year over 70 pro-makeup industry companies will be in attendance, including Make Up For Ever, Inglot and Temptu Pro, Crown Brush and Alcone, Becca Cosmetics, Dermalogica, Korres Natural Products, L’Oreal, M.A.C Cosmetics, and many more.

Head on over to www.themakeupshow.com to see the full list of who will be there and to register!

Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

IMAN Cosmetics Luxury Radiance Liquid Makeup

Not too long ago, I attended a blogger preview of IMAN Cosmetics' newest baby- IMAN Luxury Radiance Liquid Makeup. When I walked in and saw the mogul herself I nearly keeled over and passed out and quickly cussed myself for not dressing properly. Seriously, the day I meet Iman is the ONE day my hair is a wreck and I'm wearing black skinny pants (H&M).

Iman wearing a dress by DVF

Not only was she present- among a bunch of excited bloggers- she was truly Present. She spoke to us and eagerly encouraged questions. The knowledge this woman holds in nothing short of amazing. It is quite clear that this is HER company and not just a face and a name attached to the label.

Iman pointed out that her products are not just meant for African American women but for ALL women of color. Issues with finding the right foundation aren't reserved only for African American women and she understood this and sympathized. The result is a makeup company with so many shades, it would be nearly impossible for a woman of color to not find a shade.

The new Luxury Radiance Liquid Makeup ($15) contains minerals along with Acai, Magnolia and Vitamin E to hydrate and enhance skin tone. It's oil free and weightless meaning it won't clog pores or feel cakey or heavy on the skin. It's makeup that allows your skin to breathe. For those who fear foundation- for whatever the reason- I urge you to try this because it is honestly a great product. The pure fact that it is easy to blend and matches my skintone without turning reddish or gray has me pretty committed to this foundation at the moment.

More pictures from the event:

 Winner of IMAN's Latina Face of the Day Contest

DO's and DON'Ts according to Iman:
--DO wear bronzer. Women of color often skip bronzer and deem it unimportant but Iman encourages it since it can enhance our skin and liven it up a little.
--DO wear blush. See bonzer above.
--DON'T skip SPF. I don't know what you're thinking but dark skin is just as susceptible to damage from UV rays.
--DON'T fear foundation. You have options.Tip from Byron Barnes, Creative Director and Makeup Artist extraordinaire for Iman Cosmetics: your base foundation should be close to/match your jawline.

Available at select drugstores as well as drugstore.com

Samples were provided for possible review. Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

MAC Superglass

As a member of the Gloss Generation, it's become increasingly hard to stray from lipgloss when companies such as MAC continue to crank out the gloss adding mega watt shine and lasting power for days.

From MAC::

Shattered, decimated, blinded by a fantastic, intergalactic lip light! Just when you thought Dazzleglass was the best-of bright, along comes Superglass, with secret, snowflake-shaped helicone pearls sparkling in three different facets for triple the dazzle! Lips have gone big bang, explosively dimensional, a rare eclipse! Gloss feels slick and sleek on application with no draggy speed bumps, not a hint of grit. Extreme innovation that’s a good reflection on M∙A∙C…and the seductress lucky enough to strike upon it.

Now, I wasn't a major fan of the whole Dazzleglass party (don't kill me). As a girl with big full lips anything, with sparkles or glitter stays as far from my lips as possible. However, I was speaking to a MAC artist at the Soho location (honestly my fave other than MAC Pro) and he told me that the key is not to pile it on. So no double dipping of the wands! With this new found knowledge (and my outrageous obsession with lipgloss) I think know I'll be running to MAC when Superglass launches.

From left to right: Cherry Electric (Bright cherry pink); Disco Blend (Light tan); Fab Frenzy (Deep blue-purple)

L-R: Gift Wrap (a light pinky peach); Sugar Overload (White-beige); Superflash! (Mid-tone yellow-pink)

L-R: Sweet Tart (a pale baby pink); Totally Bang! (Fuschia); Tunnel of Love (Deep blue-brown)

Superglass comes out May 6, 2010 (in North America and July 2010 internationally) at $18.00 U.S./$21.50 CDN.

Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

Purple Lab Tests Your Styling Skillzzz!!!

Purple Lab is hosting yet another fantabulous contest ladies so make sure you get in on it! The contest launched today on www.closetcouture.com/purplelab and will run through Saturday, May 1. Go ahead and enter now!

Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

Take Me to Rio!! Carlos Falchi teams up with mark. girl

This summer mark, Avon's younger sister, is determined to take you to Rio. The brand partnered up with Brazilian designer Carlos Falchi to create a wardrobe all of its own. The pieces in this collection are multi-functional and consists of a dress, bikini, two bags, sandals, hat, necklaces and earrings- all priced at 40 bucks and under.

"Rio is a vacation!" declared Falchi at a recent press event. The colors are evocative of a true summer in Rio with bright as the sea blues and rich greens- even the colorful lining of the bags (which were inspired by the Copacabana boardwalk). There are bright florals on the bikinis and sundress and ethnic inspired jewelry- all on trend for summer 2010. According to celeb stylist Britt Bardo, the pieces are "effortless, easy and versatile".

The fun and bold colors of the collection also inspired the Rio makeup collection, and the two unique fragrances "Rio Rhythm" and "Rio Bikini." Rio Rhythm smells absolutely DIVINE and is definitely a scent to be worn during the summer nights. It tantalizes the nose with an intoxicating blend of jasmine petals, fresh gardenia, warm woods and fragrant vanilla. If you were to only get one item from this entire collection, make it this one.

But then again, why limit yourself on such an amazing collection?!

The Carlos Falchi for mark collection is available through mark Reps, online at www.meetmark.com and the shop tab on the mark. girl Facebook Page.

Disclosure:: Samples were given for possible review. Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

Shop This: Grace by Molly Sims

Supermodel turned actress Molly Sims knows a thing or two about style and substance. Having been around the proverbial fashion block, she has seen what quality means. Combine this knowledge with her intense love of jewels and baubles, it's only natural that the stunner launches her own line of jewelry.

Sims at the launch of Grayce by Molly Sims at Henri Bendel

She celebrated the launch of her line at Henri Bendel's not too long ago and now everyone can shop the line with the launch of her new site. GraycebyMollySims.com, which launched today, takes you inside the world of Molly Sims- designer and entrepreneur. The site with shows us her inspirations, a blog (we know I love a good blog!), and online shop. I've been browsing the site and am quite shocked at how AFFORDABLE the pieces are (prices range from $75-$250...hello!!?).

Colored Cushion Crystal Ring in Purple, $85.00

Braided Metal Bracelet in Gold, $145.00

Other than knowing where my paycheck(s) will be going over the next few weeks, I think we have a winner friends.

Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

Scent-Sational! Aromachology Tackles the Art of Perfume Done Right!

I've been a bad blogger. I really honestly have. For the past couple of weeks I've been indulging in a perfume so amazing and I never shared the deets with you. The most amazing part is that the scent was created for me and by me.

Sorta.

Eons ago I stopped by Bendel's for the Aromacholgy event (I posted about it here) where I met the founders of the brand, Kirsten Menkes and Ashlee Firsten. Firsten and Menkes were friends who decided to leave the corporate world and venture out on their own doing what every woman is determined to do- create the perfect scent for themselves. Only this duo is determined to help us regular folks out (becuase honestly how many of us can tell the difference between bergamot and sandalwood??)

To begin my quest, Ashlee asked me to fill out a brief "What Is Your Fragrance" questionnaire that would reveal what base notes suited me. Now we all know that I love a woodsy and sometime floral scent so I went into this "knowing" that I would have notes such as sandalwood, musk and patchouli. Turns out I'm destined to be the Clean and Fresh kinda gal. No complaints here! I should have known otherwise (I'm the one who calls Elizabeth Arden's "Pretty" my staple haha).

Clean & Fresh is designed for the girl who loves being outdoor and is described as "light-hearted introvert, as you prefer yoga, listening to music or going for a walk along the beach over a crazy night on the town."
Sounds about right to me. The notes in this scent are White Tea, Bergamot, Green Tea, Cardamom, Lemon Balm, Precious Woods. It's just the right amount of fresh out of the shower clean and sweetly sexy.

After whipping up my scent (a drop here, a drop there), I was handed a tiny plastic tube of something quite magical. Indeed when I let my girls Kristin (FashionStyleBeauty) and Jaimie (The Beauty of Life) sniff my wrist both inhaled deeply and proclaimed "Oh that IS you!"

Can I get an AMEN!!

The compliments I've been getting have been something along the lines of "OHMIGOD WHAT are you wearing!" to "mmm you smell yummy"- the latter being a random dude on the L train in Brooklyn. :)

For a scent that is truly all your own head on over to Henri Bendel's to check out Aromachology or visit their website to fill out your own questionnaire and get your own delicious scent!

Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

Meet Sally Hershberger Today!

To kick off the launch of her partnership with Duane Reade, hairstylist Sally Hershberger will be making a personal appearance on later on today at the newest Duane Reade location in Chelsea.

The event starts at 4pm, with Sally coming out at 6pm. Go there to meet Sally and her expert stylists for a free consultation, styling tips and a chance to win a haircut at the Sally Hershberger Downtown Salon in the meatpacking district. A complimentary full size Genius Spray Wax will be given out to anyone who comes to meet Sally.

Here are the deets::

When: Today, Arpil 27

Time: 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Where: The New Duane Reade Store in Chelsea

8th Avenue between 16th Street & 17th Street

Have fun!

Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

MAC Prêt-à-Papier Collection

I was a wee bit hesitant in posting about MAC's Prêt-à-Papier Collection primarily because Temptalia and every other ogger worth their keyboard has ranted, raved, reviewed and dissected Prêt-à-Papier to its very core.

However, when a collection is as beautiful and crafty as this one, it deserves to be posted about- no matter who has dished beforehand.

The Prêt-à-Papier collection seems like something out of a Project Runway challenge. Inspired by all things paper- yes, paper- the shades range from a matte parchment to a vellum blush. Clean and simple this is one collection that I'm not trying to pass up.

The Rundown:

Chromagraphic Pencil $14.50 U.S./$17.50 CDN

NC15/NW20
NW25/NC30

Impeccable Brow Pencil $15.00 U.S./$18.00 CDN

Dirty Blonde: Blackened dark- neutral brown
Taupe: mid-tone dirty taupe

Studio Fix Lash $13.00 U.S./$15.50 CDN

Black Fix: Black

Sheertone Blush $18.50 U.S./$22.00 CDN

Garblight: Golden Suntan
Instant Chic: mid-tone muted coral

Mineralize Blush $23.00 U.S./$27.50 CDN

Light Over Dark: Light yellow brown/dark peach (FROST)

Paint Pot $16.50 U.S./$20.00 CDN

Coral Crepe: soft coral
Groundwork: mid-tone neutral taupe

Lipstick $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN

Dressmaker, Dressmaker: creamy light peach-coral (LUSTRE)
Archetype: Sheer light gold (LUSTRE)
Kraft: creamy mid-tone warm brown (AMPLIFIED)
Made to Order: creamy mid-tone dirty coral (LUSTRE)

Lipglass $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN

C-Thru: Peachy- beige with shimmer
Fold and Tuck: mod-tone bright coral with soft pearl
Prêt-à-Papier: dark reddened bronze with pearl

Eye shadows $14.50 U.S./$17.50 CDN

Bamboo: light beige with peach (MATTE)
Cut to Fit: frosted red-bronze (FROST)
Gazette Grey: dark green-grey with gold pearl (VELVET)
Memorabilia: dirty purple (MATTE)
Tissueweight: frosted pale peach (FROST)


Nail Lacquers $12.00 U.S./$14.50 CDN

Brown Bag: mid tone warm-dirty beige (CREAM)
Originality: sparkly copper bronze (FROST)

The Prêt-à-Papier Collection is currently available at MAC Counters, stores and online at http://www.maccosmetics.com/.

Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.