Too Faced Cosmetics Haul

TOO FACED COSMETICS: MELTED, 

BRONZER WARDROBE, CHOCOLATE PALETTES,

COCOA FILTER & MORE

It's always a great day when I receive an unexpected package from Too Faced Cosmetics (no way of telling when it arrives or what the contents will be, it's always a surprise.) They're AMAZING and the packaging is to die for! From bronzers, to chocolate shadow palettes and lippies; heck even a doggie bowl for my new pup - these packages are stunning!

Last years #CocoaFilter package

May 2013 Too Faced Cosmetics event

Too Faced Cosmetics always hits a home-run and I have been hooked ever-since I attended their "Fake Your Bake" summer collection launch May 14, 2013 (yes, 2 years ago!) High quality and cruelty-free products that melt me, so while I don't wear foundations, I find that either translucent powders or bronzers are my best beauty must-have  (gotta beat that shine). These bronzers give me the glow I need, without damaging my skin with harmful rays, or caking on foundation that will cover my beloved freckles (yep, I LOVE 'EM!) How fab was this event? See for yourself: 

Throwback: May 14, 2013 Too Faced summer event

With that said, check out the latest items sent to me by Too Faced Cosmetics reps and I am so keeping these, lol! NEW Melted Metal liquified lipsticks ($21 each) and how cute is this make-up bag? 

Nails: deborah lippmann summer 2015

NEW DEBORAH LIPPMANN

PAINTED DESSERT SUMMER COLLECTION

Calling my fingertip fashionistas to come check out what's new this summer. Get ready to travel with deborah lippmann on an exotic journey deep into the Sahara where the sun blazes, the sky glows and the sand swelters: PAINTED DESERT! This collection of four full coverage nail lacquers is your ticket to explore the vast, arid terrain. Each shade reflects the desert’s remarkable beauty and rich, earthy landscape.

Get lost in a desert paradise with these new full coverage neutral shades: Shifting Sands, a light khaki previewed at Eva Fehren’s S/S 2015 NYFW presentation, Terra Nova, a warm camel, previewed at Narciso Rodriguez’s S/S 2015 runway show, Desert Moon, a pebble gray and Love In The Dunes, a purple mauve.

Painted Desert is available May 2015 ($18.00 each) online at www.deborahlippmann.com and at Barneys New York, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Sephora stores nationwide.

Dove #RevitalizeMe

NEW DOVE REVITALIZE 

BEAUTY BAR & BODY WASH

A month into spring (supposedly) and while the rest of us wonder why Mother Nature continues to tease and torture us, Dove is here to make us smile with their NEW fragrance to the go fresh collection: Revitalize Beauty Bar and Body Wash! Bring your shower to life with the vibrant and inviting scent of mandarin and tiare flower; making you feel revitalized, while leaving your skin feeling refreshed and hydrated. 

It looks like Dove had the right idea when they sent me these #RevitalizeMe goodies last month. I waited until it actually felt like spring to post, but with the roller coaster temps, it might have taken me longer. Either way, these are simply perfect and had me ready rain or shine: orange candy slices (yum), beauty bar, body wash, umbrella and sunnies (love these, especially the pouch!) I'm Ready and revitalized:

rain...

or shine!

Hair: Kardashian Beauty

NEW KARDASHIAN BEAUTY 

HAIR COLLECTION AT SALLY BEAUTY SUPPLY

Khloe & Kourtney Kardashian

I'm no stranger to the ever-growing Kardashian Beauty line, as I've had the pleasure of meeting Khloe and Kourtney back when the sisters launched their massive make-up line a couple of years ago. It was just recently that I began using their NEW hair collection, so of course I broke them in by test running their Curl Defining Cream Gel and Black Seed Dry Oil. I know curls and let me tell you that not only does the curl cream smell amazing - but gives my curls amazing volume, bounce and shine! 

Kardashian Beauty Curl-Defining Cream Gel & Black Seed Dry Oil

Formulated with Black Seed Oil, an exotic oil known for its rich healing properties that help revitalize hair for soft, shiny results. Black seed oil has been one of the most coveted oils for health and beauty since the ancient times of the Egyptians, known to be used devoutly by Cleopatra and other nobility to promote beauty rejuvenation, wound healing and overall health cures. 

Black Seed Oil Benefits:

• Moisturizes hair
• Protects against environmental damage
• Promotes healthy hair
• Strengthens hair
• Reconstructs damaged hair
• Rejuvenates hair for soft, supple and shiny results

You can find the NEW Kardashian Beauty Hair Collection at 

--> Sally Beauty Supply. 

RECAP: Dove #LoveYourCurls Events

DOVE QUENCH ABSOLUTE

#LOVEYOURCURLS, EV'S HAIRCUT

Hey curl~friends, it's time for a curl update (long overdue.) It's no secret that I love Dove products not just for my face (I grew up washing it with their beauty bar), but my body and hair. It's my pleasure to share with you the whirlwind of Dove events this year, thus far. It kicked off with the launch of the #LoveYourCurls campaign in January and Quench Absolute Curl Collection (see it again here), leading to the 2015 Grammy preview party, The Today Show and recently: cutting my curls with Dove curl expert Cynthia Alvarez (yes, I cut my long curls!) 

HAIR: Moroccanoil Curl Care

MOROCCANOIL® CURL DEFINING CREAM 

& CURL CONTROL MOUSSE

As the "curl~gurl", it's probably no secret that I have used every curl care product under the sun (and I do, trust me.) Another fact is that not every curl cream product works well on my mane. I need control that won't weigh my hair down and I usually prefer a serum/gel-based product to tame frizz, and I didn't do too well with mousse in the past. Well, here are two cream/mousse picks, on this Editor's list: Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream and Curl Control Mousse. I used both products and honestly loved the shiny, bouncy ringlets achieved - and my hair smelled amazing!

PREVIEW: Pikolinos Shoes & Handbags

PIKOLINOS A/W 2015 

PRESS PREVIEW

Three weeks ago, I attended the Pikolinos AW15 Men & Women’s Press Preview, where I spent my morning pouring over an exquisite collection of leather footwear and handbags which captivated me. I kept gushing over the shoes worn by the reps and I simply couldn't decide which was my favorite (love them all!) With unique designs, the Pikolinos brand embodies the laid-back attitude of the Mediterranean lifestyle, with naturally treated and exceptionally detailed leather accessories; meticulously crafted in rich colors and finishes. The shoes were lightweight, supple. Overall: absolutely stunning!

My faves: Salerno & Belleville

Fall/Winter 2015

Colors - Two main inspirations:

Birchbox Mother's Day Box

BIRCHBOX LIMITED EDITION 

MOTHER'S DAY BOX

Birchbox has curated a Limited-Edition Mother’s Day box, which will have Mom playing favorites in no time!

Available April 14th for $62, you’ll find a decadent shower gel, a luxuriously creamy lipstick, a French serum that will leave your complexion glowing, and more! And of course the chic packaging and top-notch ingredients don’t hurt either. 

If you want to Mom to get more than one box... go ahead and give mom the gift that keeps on giving and treat her to a Birchbox subscription! We see no reason why every day shouldn't include an indulgence or two.

NEW jane iredale

JANE IREDALE: EYE SHERE LIQUID SHADOW, 

MYSTIKOL EYELINER, JUST KISSED LIP PLUMPER

 

jane iredale products are one of my favorite beauty collections, as I can easily take my beauty look from minimal to dramatic "beauty with brilliance"; an inspiration seen at many Fashion Week shows in February. (ICYMI, check out my review from jane iredale's 20 Year Anniversary last spring here) Minimalistic makeup look did have their moment, but designers brought back a much more dramatic look this season, with dramatic eyeliner, metallic shadows and color. jane iredale has the perfect beauty essentials to help you achieve wearable runway looks at home: Just Kissed Lip Plumper, Eye Shere Liquid Eye Shadow and Mystikol.

1. Just Kissed Lip Plumper in Montreal

2. Eye Shere Liquid Eye Shadow

3. Mystikol 

 

GILDED LIDS

Metallic lids looked effortlessly chic at Zac Posen and new jane iredale Eye Shere Liquid Eye Shadow ($17) allows you to recreate this glamorously gilded look with ease. 

Smooth and creamy, these liquid eye shadows are quick drying so they won’t smear. Available in Pink Silk, Brown Silk, Gold Silk and Opal Silk at janeiredale.com

 

GRAPHIC EYELINER
Make a dramatic entrance with an updated and edgy alternative to the century-old cat eye by mastering the graphic eyeliner look from Oscar De La Renta. jane iredale Mystikol ($20) is a totally innovative kind of eyeliner and highlighter in one that effortlessly creates definition around the eye. The creamy formula won’t fade, crease or smear and creates the look of kohl naturally, without chemicals or synthetic ingredients. Available in Onyx, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Dark Topaz, Citrine, Smoky Quartz, Malachite and Lapis Lazuli at janeiredale.com

 

RED LIPS
Red lips never go out of style, but this season they got a reboot as deep burgundies took the place of cherry reds at Phillip Lim. jane iredale Just Kissed Lip Plumper in Montreal ($25) is formulated with cool mint and ginger plus special peptides to give moisture and visible plumping that lasts. Available at janeiredale.com
 

NEW Cynthia Rowley Beauty

CYNTHIA ROWLEY BEAUTY

BIRCHBOX.COM 

Check out the latest and exclusive products live on Birchbox.com today from Cynthia Rowley Beauty: the On The Go Multi-Blush & Bronzer Duo and the Beauty Brightening Illuminator - and there is already a wait-list! Cynthia Rowley Beauty is inspired by Cynthia's personal quest to create products that are easy to use and get long lasting looks that are bold, fun and perfectly-styled, and these two new products are no exception!

On The Go Multi Blush & Bronzer Duo - $24
This is your makeup bag’s new best friend. With a unique “cream to powder” finish, these sticks blend into skin flawlessly without the stickiness of most cream products or the dryness of powder products. In true Cynthia Rowley fashion, both sticks are multi-purpose: The matte pink blush can add a pop of color to your cheekbones or lips and the bronzer has just a hint of shimmer to create the perfect sun-kissed glow on cheeks or eyes. The convenient sticks, designed in Cynthia’s signature gold deco, can be applied without a brush directly onto the face or with your fingers for more control, and can be layered for bolder payoff.

Beauty Brightening Illuminator - $28
This universal highlighter works for all skin tones and can be layered to achieve the perfect glow that fits your style. The light, water-based formula easily blends into skin without feeling sticky. Designed with Cynthia Rowley Beauty’s signature gold deco, the click pen applicator and built-in brush tip allow for targeted application, making the illuminator a breeze to use at home or on the go.

Bond No. 9 Celebrates Earth Day

BOND NO. 9 NEW YORK FIRST 

RECYCLING GLASS BEAUTY CAMPAIGN

Bond No. 9 New York Announces Recycling Initiative First Beauty Company to Embark on Glass Recycling Effort  - Initiative to Support Urgent Environmental Issue in New York and Around the World Luxury, niche perfumer Laurice Rahme will open her Bond No. 9 New York boutiques and Saks Fifth Avenue doors to anyone wishing to recycle their empty perfume bottles. Well known by fragrance connoisseurs for her exquisitely crafted collection of artisanal neighborhood scents, Rahme will put her efforts towards recycling the glass that houses them, as well as any of her competitors’. Recycling is just one way this quintessential New Yorker can give back to the city she loves and make a difference in the fight to save the planet. 

“As I become more aware of the issues facing our environment, I feel compelled on a personal and business level to participate in the green movement – and assume a leadership role" said Laurice Rahme, creator and CEO, Bond No. 9 New York. Rahme possesses a collection of vintage furniture finds and perfume bottles, serves organic tea in the flagship boutique’s tea salon, says no to plastic bags, lights her home using compact florescent bulbs and is now recycling empty perfume bottles. She walks the walk. And since it’s the new black, being green is easy for this New Yorker.

La Roche-Posay SOS Campaign

LA ROCHE-POSAY SAVE OUR SKIN CAMPAIGN

#SKINCHECKERUS

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the La Roche-Posay event at L’Oréal USA Headquarters, to discuss amazing new additions to the Anthelios skincare line. At the dalmatian-themed ("be a skin (spot) checker") breakfast, we learned about sun safety: skin checking for suspicious spots and deadly skin cancers such as melanoma from Dr. Mona Gohara, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of K&J Sun-protective Clothing.  

"Freckles" went home with me

Cute manis by essie (peep the # on "Hydrants" collar)

Please take a look at this adorable "Become a SkinChecker" video from La Roche-Posay's SOS Campaign, and you can help others! How? La Roche-Posay is donating $1 to the Mollies Fund (melanoma awareness and education) for every share!

@LaRochePosayUSA #SkincheckerUS

NUDE Skincare

NUDE SKINCARE: DETOX BRIGHTENING FIZZY POWDER WASH, PERFECT CLEANSE OMEGA CLEANSING JELLY

Skin care has always been important to me, an obsession that began when I was 11 and I would spend all of my weekly allowance on drugstore products to keep my skin looking great. When I received these two products from NUDE Skincare, I couldn't wait to get to testing, especially the powdered cleanser (a first for me.) Introducing NUDE Skincare Omega Cleansing Jelly ($38) and Detox Brightening Fizzy Powder Wash ($42), 

NUDE Skincare delivers only the most premium formulas that are rooted in nutrition, each luxurious treatment harnesses the very best nutrient-rich omegas and effective natural actives, because "your face craves it!" Formulated without: parabens, silicones, PEGs, TEA, DEA, propylene glycol, phthalates petrochemicals, synthetic color, synthetic fragrance, mineral oil or silicones - yet it keeps your skin looking radiantly youthful!

Fragrance: NEW Bond No. 9

NEW BOND NO. 9 NEW YORK

PARK AVENUE SOUTH

Spring 2015 - NEW Bond No. 9 Park Avenue South the once iffy fringe thoroughfare that's morphed into New York's latest happening turf full of condos with pools, of-the-moment restaurants, chic hotels and frenzied real estate panache; hit counters March 21st and captures the neighborhood's fresh, flirtatious, assured, insouciant spirit. In other words, on-the-go Park Avenue South - neither as traditionally elegant as the Upper East Side, nor as relentlessly hipster-driven Williamsburg - is an updated slice of quintessential, career-driven New York; our very own St. Germain just minutes from the Empire State Building!

Bond No. 9 sample

The pristine white bottle display captures all the happy- high-energy diffusion with a wham-bam display of contemporary, oversize random polka dots, with one bright red dissenter, along with the Bond No. 9 circular logo at the lower right. Fragrance notes: Crisp and fresh green apple flower with a sassy tang, spirited yet so-seductive jasmine, luscious peach, provocative musk, and dry-warm-earthy amber. Dynamic, energizing contemporary floral blend that creates the perfect springtime mélange.

Price: 100ml: $295, 50ml: $200, Body Silk: $135, candle: $115

Swarovski Limited-edition: $340

Park Avenue South is sold at Bond No. 9 New York Boutiques, Saks Fifth Avenue nationwide, select Nordstrom stores, Harrods UK and www.Bondno9.com. 

REDKEN: Launching May 2015

NEW: REDKEN LUXE BLUR
#SpreadTheBlur

Launching May 2015, the first-ever hair color technique created by Redken Artists, Blur is revolutionizing the industry once more with the introduction of the NEW! Luxe Blur, three new blending techniques: Midnight Blur, Champagne Blur and Rose Gold Blur – that transform brunettes and blondes alike by providing more dimension and radiance than ever before.

“For nearly everything in today’s society, customization is seen as a necessity rather than a privilege. The introduction of Redken Blur has provided colorists with incredible flexibility and room for creativity, enabling them to create customized looks for clients that are both wearable and unique,” says Redken Celebrity Colorist Tracey Cunningham. “The NEW Luxe Blur techniques are an ‘organized chaos’ that speak to a range of looks and techniques, from the romantic Rose Gold Blur and glistening Champagne Blur to a bolder Midnight Blur!”

NEW SoCozy Salon Formulas for Kids

SoCozy HAIR CARE COLLECTION FOR KIDS

AVAILABLE AT TARGET

"It's all about the hair" and that also applies to kids, so check out what launched a couple of weeks ago at Target: NEW SoCozy! What is it?  It's a professional hair care collection for kids! SoCozy is the brainchild of bestselling author and beauty veteran Cozy Friedman. 20 years  after opening her first salon, Friedman is introducing SoCozy Professional Hair Care Collection for Kids - the first ever premium line of hair care products made with the finest ingredients gentle enough for kids of all ages, and best of all, this kid hair collection is available at Target! 

SoCozy salon quality kids’ hair care collection is made free of: parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic colors, propylene glycol, gluten, wheat and nuts. Each product is infused with fun scents that will delight children of all ages. The natural formulations and sophisticated packaging will appeal to parents.

The SoCozy collection comes in three key categories: