Glamour Every Day

The most glamorous greeting cards evah!

carolyn — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:13:32 +0000

Glamorous Greeting Cards

A friend recently emailed me apologizing for not sending a thank you note. I quickly assured her that I don’t believe in thank you notes. The words are appreciated, but the note is unnecessary. Birthday cards are similar; I give them because it’s expected but it frequently feels like a formality. Perhaps because I relish picking gifts for people; the addition of a card with some pre-written sentiment seems unnecessary. The gift itself says everything about how I feel, always picked out with love and enthusiasm… and never a gift card.

This all changed last week when, while hosting a BBA event at Co-op California in Edison Park, I came across a collection of greeting cards that changed everything.

Pergamino is a stunning collection of greeting cards and stationary featuring cashmere-soft paper paired with gorgeously stylish illustrations and clever messages. I walked out of the boutique with a half a dozen cards, priced at about $4.99 each. (I showed great restraint by not snatching up the entire line.) Now, I’m waiting patiently for a few friends’ birthdays, and, while I buy pretty fabulous gifts, these cards just may steal the show.

What you are looking for can’t always be found in your purse.

A year older…so what?

Looks like you won’t have to stop playing dress up anytime soon! Congratulations on your baby girl.

{Glamorous Greeting Cards}

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New Ways to Zap Zits

carolyn — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:03:10 +0000

Whether you are 16 years old or 36 years old, acne puts a definite damper on your confidence. But when it comes to acne, and treating it, it turns out that some often repeated causes and cures are untrue. Chocolate may not be good for your thighs, but it’s not to blame for blemishes.

And don’t even think of heading to the beach to clear up acne. A tan may temporarily dry out skin, but that same dehydration will cause acne to flare up with a vengeance when the sun goes down. And toothpaste may be easily accessible, but it’s an old wives tale that it will help cure acne. There are, however, thousands of products on the market that promise to improve blemish-prone skin… and a couple I’ve found that actually do.

25% off purchases with code “PrettyCity”

Microdermabrasion at Home

I’m a little bit obsessed with PMD, a personal microderm device that puts the benefits of professional microdermabrasion treatments in the palm of you hand, literally.

Microdermabrasion is an exfoliation process that uses tiny crystals to buff away dead skin cells on the stratum corneum, the outer most layer of the skin. The stratum corneum is home to many of your favorite flaws, including fine wrinkles and pimples. PMD is an at-home microderm, or abrasion, tool that removes dead skin from the outermost layer of skin with several benefits. First, the body rushes to replace the lost skin cells with new, healthy cells causing mild swelling and redness that may last from one to several hours. Second, with the startum corneum broken down, topical creams and serums penetrate the deeper into the skin, finding their way to lower level of the skin where they can potentially be of more benefit.

PMD is incredibly easy to use. The device offers several different “discs” that determine the strength of abrasion; a white disc is included for testing the device, a blue disc for sensitive skin, a green disc for medium strength abrasion and a special order red disc for maximum abrasion. Select your disc of choice, snap it on, plug in the device and the PMD is ready to perform microderm magic at home. Get it for $179 at personalmicroderm.com.

An Invisible Cure for Acne

Anti-blemish Skinetica is one of the most exciting new anti-acne products I’ve tested. Skinetica claims that typical acne products include host of toxic chemicals. Skinetica, on the other hand, is free of toxins and harsh chemicals, does not bleach or transfer, does not harm the skin and has a physical, rather than chemical, mode of action. And by action, I mean apply-it-once every 12 hours, wear it under makeup, no-one will ever know you have it on, blemish bustin’ action.

If your goal is to clear skin without irritating it, this anti-blemish product could be your new super hero. Skinetica works amazingly quickly on a variety of body parts so for those who are blemish prone in areas other than the face, think chest or back, Skinetica to the rescue. Simply apply Skinetica to cleansed skin with a cotton ball. It’s completely invisible with no coating and remains active for 12 hours without washing off. Good things come to those who wait so while you can buy Skinetica online — or even request a free sample – you’ll have to be patient. It takes five to 10 days for packages, shipped from the UK, to arrive stateside. Get it starting at about $17 at Skinetica.co.uk.

Daily Love it or Leave it: Tigi Luxe Lash Mascara

carolyn — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:54:54 +0000

Tigi Luxe Lash Mascara Review

This week’s revelation is that Tigi, the hair product company, also has a shockingly good mascara on the market. In fact, it turns out that the company has an entire cosmetic collection ranging from eye shadows to blush and beyond available at salons. Who knew?!

But, let’s keep our eyes on the prize, ladies… namely Luxe Lash Mascara from Tigi Cosmetics. The mascara is super buildable; I’m giving it an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most buildable. Luxe Lash is not clumpy at all and boasts a great applicator that really separates and lengthens lashes. The company says the mascara is water resistant although, no tears here this week, so no chance to test that claim out. I’ve been using it for several weeks now and it’s become one of my go-to mascaras.

Luxe Lash Mascara is $20; get it at a local Toni & Guy salon or online at shoptoniguy.com.

{ Tigi Luxe Lash Mascara | Tigi Luxe Lash Mascara Review}

P.S. Speaking of mascara, stay tuned for a great contest this week from Rimmel London including new mascaras, liners and eye shadows for several winners.

Best BB Creams: Instant Perfecting BB Cream Dr. Lewinn Kinerase

carolyn — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:38:34 +0000

If you value healthy skin and want to help avoid sun damage (or worse — skin cancer), it’s time to get on board with daily use of a BB Cream or Beauty Balm.

I am working on an update of our PrettyCity story here about the best BB Creams since so many new brands have hit the market. I won’t waste your time with the ones I don’t like (although they will be included in PrettyCity.com’s final BB Cream story) but I will share the great BB Cream brands I discover along the way.

Like Instant Perfecting B.B. Cream from Dr. Lewinn by Kinerase, an all-in-one-balm that perfects, hydrates and protects skin with SPF 15.

I’ve tried it several times now and I’m really pleased with the coverage and the feel of the product.

Let me break it down for you…

The pros:

-Suited to all skin types.

-Sheer natural coverage that blends well and doesn’t feel sticky like some BB Creams with SPF.

-Non-comedogenic, paraben-free and hypoallergenic.

-No odor.

-Promises to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes. (I haven’t used it enough to confirm or deny this claim.)

-Instantly brightens skin. (Yes, it does!)

-The price: $15.97 at Walmart stores (not available at Walmart.com)

The cons:

-Re-apply every two hours for optimal sun protection. It may not be fair to call this a con because re-application is necessary for many products, but it’s still a pain to have to reapply.

The active ingredients are 6% Octinoxate and 3% Zinc Oxide.

Have you tried a BB Cream yet? If so, I’d love to know which brands you like (or hate).

Mani Monday: Shandy Butter London Swatch & Review

carolyn — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:00:42 +0000

I have to admit, I thought this whole nude nail polish thing was going to be boring.

But, in the name of investigating all beauty trends, I set out to find some new lacquers for this week’s Mani Monday.

Shandy Butter London Swatch

Butter London sent me a collection of their new lacquers for Spring 2013. The one that caught my eye is called Shandy, a light opaque apricot. (Perhaps I am color blind, but I would really classify this as a nude — more tan than peach.)

I’m surprisingly happy with the final finish and thinking that this whole new nude polish trend may just be something I can get behind. And, I apologize in advance for showing you my feet, but I think Shandy will look really great with open toe sandals for spring and summer.

Now, I’m off to get my hands on more nude lacquers.

{ Shandy Butter London Swatch | Shandy Butter London Review }

Freebie Friday: OPI Oz The Great And Powerful Collection

carolyn — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 00:40:16 +0000

Win OPI Oz The Great And Powerful Collection

Better late than never, as they say. I promised this week’s giveaway would be some of my favorite hues from OPI’s Oz collection.

I’ll pick two winners on Wednesday, April 17, and send each several shades from OPI Oz the Great and Powerful collection.

UPDATE: The below contest is now closed and winners have been notified.

#1) Leave a comment on this post. You do not need to post your email address, just leave a comment.

#2) Write a post linking to this contest. That would be super. Be sure to leave a trackback to this post.

#3) Tweet, tweet! Just tweet me @mrsbrundage and tag it #glamgiveaway.

#4) Find and follow me on Instagram (@prettycitycarolyn) and post a comment about anything Tag your post with #glamgiveaway.

Multiple entries are allowed. Winner will be notified on 4/17/13 and packages will be sent out immediately. Sorry, contest is only open to those living in the USA. The winner will be chosen randomly from all entries.

Have a glam weekend!

{ Win OPI Oz the Great and Powerful Collection }

Buy this! My shoe shopping secret, revealed…

carolyn — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:57:04 +0000

You won’t find The Shoe Box, an NYC boutique, mentioned everywhere like Zappos.

And while this East Coast shoppe is not unknown by any means, the word doesn’t seem to be quite out that the website, www.shoptheshoebox.com is one of the best places on the Internet to find gasp-worthy deals on really rockin’ heels.

Case in point…

The Baron Sandal by Vince Camuto. was $139, now $19.99

Baron Sandal

2) The Laser Cut Pump by VC Signature. was $195, now $19.99

Laser Cut Pump

3) The Malaya pump in black pebbled leather by Vince Camuto. Was $119, now $19.99

Malaya in Black with Studs

I also discovered a 20% off sale items offer (with restrictions) that customer service confirms is active on eligible items, “SALE20″

I hear you gasping! Tell only your very best friends and only those who do not wear the same size shoe as you =)

Try This! The Newest BB Creams

carolyn — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:43:45 +0000

It’s been about a year since I first discovered BB Cream (or beauty balm) and almost as long since we posted our “Love it or Leave it” BB Cream story on PrettyCity.com here.

Since that time, tons of new creams have become available (let’s not even talk about CC Creams or the rumor of DD Creams in development) and I’ve been trying many new brands for the past few months for a PrettyCity update story I am working on.

But, just when I thought I had corralled most of the new BB creams, I discovered several more this weekend which I am now off to purchase in the hopes of wrapping up PrettyCity’s BB Cream update this month.

Even more new BB Creams to buy and review!

Here are the BB Creams I now have added to my list of products to buy and review:

If you’ve tried any of the above, I’d love your feedback! Do tell…

Mani Monday: OPI’s Oz the Great and Powerful Collection

carolyn — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 16:49:41 +0000

Happy Mani Monday!

This week, I’ve been playing with OPI’s “Oz the Great and Powerful” collection which includes some great nudes as well as sparkling top coats and a polish in OPI’s new “Liquid Sand.”

The collection includes three sparkling top coats (best for layering); Lights of Emerald City, When Monkeys Fly!, Which is Witch? as well as nude hues in shades of white, beige and pink, specifically Don’t Burst My Bubble, Glints of Glinda and I Theodora You. Lastly, there is Liquid Sand in a deep olive/bronze hue called, What Wizardry is This? that dries to a matte, textured finish.

OPI’s Oz the Great and Powerful Collection. Image via OPI.

I really like the nudes, especially I Theodora You, a sheer pink which I have on below (four coats).

OPI “I Theodora You”

The Liquid Sand is interesting but I need to play with it a bit more to decide if I really love it or not. I experimented a bit with an accent nail in What Wizardry is This? paired with I Theodora You. I used the edge of a round sticker to accent the base color with a touch of Liquid Sand. Interesting. For a great review — and swatches – of every single hue in OPI’s “Oz the Great and Powerful” collection, check out this post from Beauty Junkies Unite.

OPI Liquid Sand, “What Wizardry is This?”

Whatever lacquer hue you choose, hope your week sparkles. Stay tuned… on Friday I’ll host a giveaway of several products from the “Oz the Great and Powerful” collection.

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Choices

carolyn — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:58:53 +0000

I’ve always subscribed to the “more is more” mantra. It’s not that I am indecisive, because I’m actually extremely adept at making decisions and making them quickly. I think it’s greediness more than anything. I want to be an actress. And a blogger. And, a fashion designer. Oh, a party planner, too. Let’s not forget stay at home Mom.

When it comes to style, I can take anything too far if left unchecked. Got a red dress? I’m the woman who finds the perfect red clutch, red heels, red lipstick, and red nail polish to go with it. I force myself to curb my natural urge to coordinate by always limiting myself to three matching items, including makeup. I follow this rule steadfastly lest I turn into my alter ego who would have been a big hit as a country singer circa 1970.

Thankfully, matching is making a comeback and while I promise here and now to continue to obey my three-of-a-kind rule, I’m loving the idea of matching my lipstick to my lacquer, my shadow to my shirt and my heels to my dress this spring.

The classic match, lips & lacquer via lacquerlookbook.tumblr.com

Coordinating accessories and lids at Versus Spring 2013 show. Image via beautyeditor.ca.

My kind of matching by Gucci; from head to toe. Image via fashiongonerogue.com.

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