Archive for February, 2010

And I just can’t hide it…

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

To say that I’m so excited about this year’s Green and Gorgeous campaign is a huge understatement.

The 2009 campaign, featuring spas and salons across the nation offering eco-friendly services and lowering their negative impact on the environment, was a huge hit.

And I think that’s because most of us want to do right by the environment, but we don’t have the time to make a j-o-b of it.

I’m a big believer in making small steps to make the world a prettier place. And it looks like you guys are, too.

Green and Gorgeous doesn’t begin until June 5, but we’re already planning for it at PrettyCity and that has me thinking eco-chic. Watching the news of late, I can’t help but notice all the fuss about what really makes certain beauty products eco-friendly. And while I don’t know it all, I can tell you that very question is one of the many mysteries we’re going to be working on unraveling for Green and Gorgeous —with the help of environmental experts, natch.

In the meantime, here’s what I do know about a fabulous product from h2o plus called Sea Pure Cleansing Body Oil ($22 at h2oplus.com).

Sea Pure Cleansing Body Oil from h2oplus.com

1) It’s 100% Vegan and Biodegradable

2) It does NOT contain parabens, synthetic fragrances, sulfates, petrochemicals or phthalates (aka plasticizers, yuk!)

3) It’s winter skin’s best friend; acting as both a cleanser and moisturizer in one. It leaves my skin soft as silk and it’s so gentle, I now swear by it for bathing my two boys as well.

This is just the thing you need when winter has beat your skin up, and you’re ready to fight back. And best of all, it’s quick and easy. Just cleanse skin in the bath or shower, and with one small step, skin emerges fully moisturized.  Because you want do right by your skin, too, but your life is waiting.

Posted in Glam Ramblings | 1 Comment »

Battle of the Beauties: Best Hair Detangler

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Johnson’s No More Tangles

I’m always comparing products, declaring which ones I adore and which to leave at the store.  But while it’s easy for me to choose between drugstore mascara and my favorite not-cheap-but-worth-every-penny designer mascara, this week I tested two products that have a lot in common and won’t break the bank.

Tangle Out, the Detangler from FX Special Effects is an “Instant Conditioning Silk Detangler Spray” that promises to heal, hydrate and replenish hair and sells for about $6 for 6 oz. at Walgreens. Being a curly-haired girl, battling tangling and knotting is a constant struggle so a great detangler is worth its weight in gold. This product detangled my hair with ease… but was it better than the classic Johnson’s No More Tangles that I’ve counted on for years?

Johnson’s No More Tangles currently sells for about $3 for 10 oz. at Walgreens, and at about a quarter  of the price, detangled just as well as Tangle Out.  On the flip side, Tangle Out does boast some hydrating ingredients that Johnson’s No More Tangles lacks, including Coconut Oil and Vitamin E.  And as every woman with curly hair knows, our hair tends to get really dry, so added moisture is a plus.

So the question is, save or splurge?  Because, without an unlimited budget, every dollar spent or saved in the name of beauty adds up.

What bargain beauty products do you swear by? And which products are you willing to break the bank for?

Posted in Good, Glam Hair Days | 3 Comments »

NYFW’s Hautest Hues

Friday, February 19th, 2010

While New York Fashion Week has style watchers buzzing about the hautest clothes, I’m all about the beauty baby.  (Check out PC’s round-up of top NYFW Beauty Trends here). 

Here are some of my favorite new manis, all paired with fabulous clothes, and all from Dashing Diva at NYFW. 

At the The Heart Truth’s Red Dress Collection (Feb 11) celebs including  Kim Kardashian and Jordan Sparks got gorgeous manis before the annual Red Dress fashion show which helps raise awareness about women’s risk of heart disease. (This is the same organization that PC partners with each year for Love You.)   Favorite litte red polishes included Dashing Diva’s  Apple Red, The Red Carpet, and Love Hate Relationship. 

That's So Raven, aka Raven Simone, backstage at the Red Dress Collection.

Naomi Campbell is fighting again, but this time it’s for relief for Haiti. 

The supermodel was joined by Diane Von Furstenberg, Donna Karen, Kelly Osbourne, Chris Brown, Helena Christianson, Sarah Ferguson and more this week at Naomi Campbell’s Fashion For Relief fashion show.  The show was styled by Rachel Zoe and white nails, painted with Dashing Diva’s Diamond District ruled the red carpet.   

Actress Malin Ackerman sports a White hot mani.

Remember when PC mentioned  here that ombre was a hot new trend? Well, the masses are catching on and at Christian Cota’s Fall presentation Pattie Yankee used a frosted iridescent light blue polish, Water Taxi, as a base coat paired with Ur Standing on My Dress, to create a rich ombre effect.

Ombre manis at Christian Cota’s Fall presentation. Photo Credit: Eric Yu

I didn’t expect to like this hue, described as mushroom, but at Tibi’s Feb. 16 show the unexpected combination of polishes Astor Place and West Village lended a groovy taupe color to the models’ manicures. Suprisingly wearable! 

Astor Place and West Village from Dashing Diva. Photo credit: Eric Yu

And the winner is…

My favorite look, hands down, is this to die-for-burgundy mani at Georges Chakra on Feb. 13.  Best of all, even I can manage this mani –  it’s simply a few coats of Dashing Diva’s Central Park After Dark and I say it’s simply divine.

Central Park After Dark at Georges Chakra. Photo Credit: Ann Lawlor

Posted in Glam Colors + Glam Cocktails | 5 Comments »

Secret Lovers

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

"Love" undies from alottosay.com

I’ve fallen in love with these adorable panties from alottosay.com. They’ve got everything I look for in a partner:

1) They’re Responsible: Crafted of 100% Recycled Bottles using a No Water Dye Process.

2) They’re Flattering: I Love the attractive and comfy low rise boy cut.

3) They’re Discreet: They know how I feel, but they don’t have to shout it to the world.

4) They’re Inspirational: They don’t make me a better person, but they do remind me how fabulous I already am.

True Love

Get ‘em for $11 at alottosay.com

Posted in Glam Gifts | 2 Comments »

Daily Love it or Leave It: Bright Eyes

Friday, February 12th, 2010

When I posted my great hair day hair picture here, several of you asked how I got that bright eyed look. It’s easy! And all you need to get the look are these two “love it” products.

Pay attention, ladies, because this stunning look is so simple; it’s all going to happen pretty fast.

Step one: line the inner corner of your upper and lower eyelid with Sue Devitt’s Eye Illuminator Pencil  in Epernay ($22), a champagne-colored pencil that swipes on sheen at the corner of eyes or brow bone.  (Disclaimer: I’m not a fan of the too hard blending end of the pencil– I never use it, but I love the liner itself.)

Sue Devitt Eye Illuminator Pencil, $22

Next, using a tapered shadow brush, apply “Gilded” shadow from Mirabella Cosmetics, a richly pigmented powder that I adore because it’s gorgeous and it lasts all day. Apply the shadow generously from brow bone to lower lid.

Finally, use a thin shadow brush — I like MAC’s 219 Pencil Brush – to apply the Gilded shadow at upper and lower lash lines, blending until it meets the Eye Illuminator you applied to the inner corners of the eyes earlier. Apply your favorite mascara, and you’re all set.

This is a pretty and easy-to- apply look for days you’re running short on time… and beauty sleep.

Posted in Daily Love it or Leave it, Glamorous in No Time | 3 Comments »

This one’s for the boys

Thursday, February 11th, 2010
 
Valentine’s Day Gifts She’ll Love
 
With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, I’m happy to lend a woman’s perspective on which Valentine’s Day gifts she’ll love… and a few you’re sure to find pleasure in as well.

Glossed Over

Rock & Republic’s Rock The Cure Lip Gloss is a not-to-be missed red that serves up sparkling, long-lasting shine with heart. That’s because 100% of profits generated from sales of the fashion-forward gloss benefit City of Hope—a center dedicated to the prevention, treatment and cure of cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Get it for $45 at Nordstrom or RockandRepublicCosmetics.com.

Rock & Republic

The Language of Love

Valentine’s Day may be Sunday but she’ll feel sexy all week long with these oh-so-pretty undies from Mary Green, a San Francisco based lingerie company whose tagline, “lingerie conquers all,” I fully agree with.

The “7 Ways to Say I Love You” set includes seven silk knit panties in a selection of gorgeous hues. Each panty is embroidered with “I Love You” in a different language. Get the set for $123 at MaryGreen.com.

 

Mary Green Silk Knit Panties

 

Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend

Show some love for the woman who does it all with a piece of stunning jewelry from the Sydney Evan collection.  Created by designer Rosanne Karmes, the Sydney Evan line of necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets was named after Karmes’ two children and is inspired by the designer’s passion for spirituality, sentiment and simplicity.

My favorite, the Om, Eye and Hamsa Charm Necklace is crafted of 14 karat white gold, sapphires and diamonds ($1,015 at ylang23.com).
 
 

Sydney Evan

Naughty Girls Need Love Too

Warning: If you’re partner is sensitive, you may want to pair my next gift suggestion with one of the more sentimental picks mentioned above.

Any woman with a healthy libido and keen sense of humor will get a kick out of this pocket-sized love makin’ guide from Edward Jaye, The Cookie Sutra ($8.95 at amazon.com). Billed as Kama Sutra meets Joy of Cooking, the front cover says it all, “Where imaginations are fertile, love will never grow stale, nor crumble.”

These perky and portable books feature an adventurous gingerbread couple in a step by step guide to the most affordable entertainment you’ll find anywhere come February 14th.

The Cookie Sutra

Posted in Glam Gifts | 6 Comments »

I’m having a great hair day, and here’s why.

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

First of all, I got a “gloss” yesterday (my stylist swears that this is the same treatment as a “glaze” although Oprah disagrees). It’s the second gloss I’ve gotten since the New Year and I have to say, the results are spectacular.

My stylist applies the honey colored gloss to my tresses and 30 minutes later my hair is shiny, smooth and –  dare I say –  commercialesque. I got a blowout as well before joining some old friends and my husband for dinner. For me, there’s nothing like a professional blowout; great hair can cure so many of life’s little ailments.  Don’t you agree?

An oh-so-easy good hair day

So while yesterday’s look was smooth and sleek, this morning I washed my newly glossed locks and applied a tablespoon of Thermafuse Heatsmart Serum  ($20 for 2 oz.) to the ends and roots.  I’ve been using this product for months and I’m ashamed to admit, I’ve been holding out on you, my pretties. This is the holy grail of hair care products.

Believe it or not, this dry oil treatment makes my naturally curly—and naturally oily hair—just gorgeous.  I’m talking about impossible to fake, I just rolled out of bed looking wavy and windswept hair. The product calls upon certified organic oils, thank you very much, and can be used on dry or damp hair to prep, style, finish or treat hair.   To get this wavy ‘do, I simply applied a bit of the Heatsmart Serum to my damp hair and twisted a few sections around my fingers.  Seriously.

Thermafuse, 6 oz.

Find a salon near you that carries this secret weapon here, then go and conquer the world.

Posted in Good, Glam Hair Days | 6 Comments »

Daily Love It or Leave It: Sue Devitt’s Amplifying Mascara in “Hong Kong”

Monday, February 8th, 2010

 

Sue Devitt Studio, $28

Love It!

When I think of the Sue Devitt Studio collection, I think of vibrant hues, such as the “blue waters” and “green isles” of Devitt’s Destination Eye Palettes. So, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the black as night Amplifying Mascara housed in a non-descript tube with the name Sue Devitt in simple script on the side. Shame on me!  

Pricey — $28 here – and worth every penny, the mascara is designed to take the place of false lashes, serving up length and thickness, thanks to a proprietary formula featuring Beeswax, and a special brush that the Devitt website says lengthens and  lifts lashes at the root (oh, yes it does).

Strangely, after a few uses, my lashes appear nourished, soft and malleable yet surprisingly long and luxe with never, ever a flake in sight.

What’s your favorite mascara?

Posted in Daily Love it or Leave it | 3 Comments »

How much does “cool” cost?

Thursday, February 4th, 2010
Christian Louboutin, Neiman Marcus

Christian Louboutin, Neiman Marcus

There are a few things I can’t get enough of.  

1) Shoes, for one; I mean, I wear them every day, right?

2) Cocktail rings, but I think I made mention of that once before here.  

3) Makeup—I’ve been collecting gloss, shadow, liners and more for years and frankly, I just don’t have enough yet.

And if you added up the value of all of my shoes, rings and makeup, you still wouldn’t have near enough money to buy the car that my husband has become infatuated with, the Lexus LFA Super Car.

First, my hubby went to Miami to drive the car. Lexus picked him up in that the airport and transported him by limo to the racetrack where he met up with his driver, Nascar’s Scott Pruett.  That’s right, his driver. Apparently you don’t actually test drive a $375,000 super car, you just sit in the passenger seat while a professional driver tools around the track with you at his side.

And that’s just the beginning of the sales pitch.

Last night, we attend a Lexus LFA event at River East Art Center in Chicago. As you can imagine, vino and gourmet food flowed freely (nibbles were courtesy of Tru Chef Tramonto).  Men outnumbered women, probably 8 to 1, and the guys all gawked at the LFA, which held court in the middle of the room, doors ajar.  (I should have brought my single girlfriends.)

The Lexus LFA

And as my husband mulled over what he’d have to sell to buy the LFA (he better not even think of touching a shoe in my closet), I had to give credit to Lexus for the genius behind their sales pitch. See, it turns out you have to be deemed hip enough to spend more than the median price of a new home on a Lexus LFA…

“The brand, which plans to manufacture just 500 of the cars at a rate of twenty per month, is requiring prospective buyers to submit to a kind of coolness background check before being “approved” to buy the vehicle.”  The Huffington Post

And while the price tag seems shocking, it’s really all about prestige; it’s the same reason some women drop hundreds of dollars on red soles or dream of owning a $40,000 “Birkin” bag.  

I have to admit that (sorry, honey),  I don’t really get the appeal of the oh-so-expensive LFA, but I do get the idea that some days, we find great joy in the things we own. Even though material things don’t define us, they don’t make us better people or parents or global citizens, every time I slip into my one —  and only — pair of Louboutins, I walk a little taller and I try a little harder to be the type of person that deserves all of the good things that life has to offer.

And that is pretty cool.

P.S. February is National Heart Month, and the month of National Wear Red Day!  You probably already know that PrettyCity supports the cause through our Love You campaign, but this year we’re also giving away a pair of red Christian Louboutin (pictured above) pumps as well – plucked right off the shelves of Neiman Marcus. You’ll have to be a PrettyCity subscriber by 2.8.10 to get contest details.

Posted in Glam Gadgets | 6 Comments »