Archive for the ‘maternity beauty’ Category

Guest blogger: Lara of The Glossarie

Monday, June 20th, 2011
Hi there! My name is Lara and I curate a little beauty and accessory obsessed wonderland called The Glossarie. I’m a huge fan of 101 Things and so thrilled to be guest posting for Johanna who is hopefully snuggling up to miss Olivia – is she not the cutest?!
I thought that my take on a mom-friendly five minute face would be the perfect way to chat up a few of my favorite products while also giving Johanna some simple ways to stay pretty while tending to little Livie, so here goes:

Tinted Moisturizer

This stuff is a summertime secret weapon! Just a pea-sized amount (or less depending on your coverage needs) applied with a stippling brush is a quick and easy way to a flawless finish. My favorite brand is Laura Mercier Oil Free but if you’re looking for a budget friendly option, I recently tested Wet N Wild’s $4 version and was very impressed.

Under Eye Brightener

Smashbox has created Photo Op Under Eye Brightener for those of us who don’t get as much sleep as we require. I’ve tested about a billion under eye brighteners and this one is the best around. I do three little dots under each eye and blend with my ring finger for absolutely invisible dark circles – a must have for sleep deprived mommies.

Lip Stain

Let’s just say that the combination of sticky lip gloss and adorable smooch-worthy babies is a recipe for disaster. Thankfully, lip stains have come a long way and deliver the longest-lasting absolutely budge-proof color. I love the Josie Maran Magic Marker. It glides on and you can layer any lip balm on top to prevent drying. Now Johanna can give Olivia endless kisses without worrying about leaving any lip color behind!

Hair Cream

When trying to sneak a shower during naptime, it’s so much easier to skip the heat styling. I’ve wanted to feature this Fresh Sake Hair Cream on the blog for awhile now because I think it’s so amazing. If you scrunch it in after towel drying your hair and then leave it (no brushing or blow drying), it somehow works with what your hair naturally does and just amplifies it – frizz free. A total miracle product!

Then, just brush on your favorite blush or bronzer, swipe on a bit of mascara if you so desire and you are one hot momma!

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Posted in cosmetic line, eyes, hair, Lips, maternity beauty | No Comments »

A little treat that goes a long way.

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

Yesterday I experienced my first prenatal massage. If I was held at gun point and had to describe it in one word, it would be: heavenly. I’m pretty sure that upon check out I made zero sense standing there in a haze. It was that good!  Massage in and of itself is truly an art form and when you have a big, ol’ pregnant body…it’s a skill. If money were no object, I would be back weekly to visit my new bestie, Clara. But since it is, I wanted to spread the word that not only is massage the most rewarding and relaxing gift you could give a male OR female but it’s also a huge brownie point for the big and uncomfortable…like moi.

Prenatal massage is different because there only so many positions one can achieve. Sitting and laying on both sides. And if you’re curious about the benefits, this is not scientific but they include: improved circulation, swelling comfort, lower back sciatic nerve relief, reflexology for the aching feet and the approval of public drooling. I experienced all of these…thank you very much.

And for my local plug…if you’re stumped for Mom’s Day, dial this place up! You’ll be in good hands. Pun intended.

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Posted in body, maternity beauty, Pretty City | No Comments »

Mama Mio!

Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

With names like “Tummy Rub” Stretch Mark Butter and “Boob Tube” Bust & Neck Firmer…it’s hard to deny Mama Mio Skincare a permanent space in my medicine cabinet. Sure, I’m focused on a very specific chapter in my life however their products are some of the fastest working moisturizers I’ve ever encountered. And the good news? They are launching a new face skincare line any minute now!

Here’s what I love about this brand. First, they have their own distinctive scent. It’s called Gravida and it combines ingredients like shea, rose hip, sweet almond oil, vitamin E, borage and wheatgerm oil. Second, the sole purpose of this product is to increase elasticity. Sounds obvious but now more than ever, I need that skin to stretch. In fact, entering my final trimester has made my burgeoning belly as tight as a drum! Third, it absorbs in 20 seconds or less which is impressive given the rich consistency this product offers up with each application. And finally, it helps shrink your stretched tummy post-pregnancy and if that isn’t music to a mama’s ears…I don’t know what is!

Guess what else needs the same TLC? The girls. Yup, it’s official. They  get stretched out, too and for that I am hedging my bets on the Boob Tube. Think glowy, dewy, firmer and fitter. Did you ever think those words would work in the same sentence as…well, your northern hemisphere? I didn’t but the older I get, I appreciate a multi-tasking product as much as the next gal.

It’s official – put these two products on your Spring Beauty Wish List, your skin will thank you!

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My beauty wishlist…from Benefit Cosmetics

Thursday, March 24th, 2011

I  have a Spring Beauty Wish List. Yes, I do. A beauty blogger’s work is never finished. And…on that list is Benefit’s ”confessions of a concealaholic“. I’ll tell you why this made the cut. Is $36 a bit of a splurge for concealer. Yep. BUT…it has all the necessary ingredients to conceal AND brighten my soon-to-be weary eyes and complexion. It even has a built in eye lid primer for those pesky, crease lines we get in warmer weather when we are sweating and dragging strollers and car seats up 4 flights of stairs. Ahhh…city livin’.

All of that said, I’ve never splurged on a concealer before so this seems like a value-pack to me. It travels easy so that you can throw it in your work or diaper bag. Plus it has 6 different products all self-contained in one pretty package.

Something tells me that it’s time to up my concealer game and the Benefit boutique down the street is calling my name.

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Posted in cosmetic line, eyes, maternity beauty, skin | No Comments »

The inevitable

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

Basq stretch mark butter

On this blizzaster of a day, there is one thing I crave…moisture. I know I have written about it before but I am going through tubs and tubes of body butter like it’s going out of style. And as my belly swells each month, I would say it’s accurate that I have developed an unhealthy fear of stretch marks. Maybe they’re hereditary, maybe they’re not. I am not willing to “wait and see” so here’s a new product that I am soaking up like a sponge: Basq stretch mark butter cream. It contains rosehip, jojoba and shea oils but really, it smells so good. Fresh roses, really. And whatever is left over…I just blend into my hands, elbows and heels. Plus Heidi Klum used it for all of her pregnancies so being the sucker that I am, I figured…why not? It retails for $34 but sometimes you can find it on sale at Motherhood Maternity or Pea in the Pod. Truthfully, you don’t need to be pregnant to enjoy the results. Having tested it myself, I would be happy to continue indulging in this product post-pregnancy. xo

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Golden Globe Glow

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

Nicole Kidman

Jane Krakowski

Natalie Portman

The 2011 Golden Globes quickly acquired a new theme – it’s the year of the “mama”. Stars sporting bumps and doing it fashionably. Gotta love that! Despite the harsh reviews, I loved Natalie’s look. I thought her hair may have been a bit severe but the dress was a winner in my book and followed the ballet color palette she became famous for this year. This is her year!

Nicole became a mama, too in December 2010. They say she had a gestational carrier but I’ve been noticing a baby{ish} bump as of late. Maybe she finally indulged around the holidays like the rest of us! Although her dress is safe, I am a sucker for sparkly, tailored formal wear.

And our dear Jane. 42 and very pregnant. I love it. I think she looks the best she’s ever looked, seriously. That color with her blonde waves is gorge and I thought her hair balanced the whole one shoulder dress lovely.

Who were your faves?

PS – if you want to meet Natalie’s stylist, read about her here!

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Posted in celebrity, fashion, maternity beauty | No Comments »

New title, same woman.

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

 Blogging has been an amazing creative outlet and an environment to connect with other like-minded beauty addicts. I quite enjoy it.  Confessions of a Lipgloss Junkie has allowed me to test many products related to skincare and color cosmetics however it’s going to take a slightly different, enhanced path shall we say!? What do I mean? Judging from the image above you can probably take a guess that I am a soon-to-be multitasking mama who has now become acutely aware of the ingredients in my daily product regime as well as all the hard-to-pronounce copy on the back of my shampoo bottle. Who knew going green was going to happen so fast for me? I suppose this is the first lesson towards becoming less selfish and putting the bun inside as priority #1 – and I am glad to do it!

So really, it’s the same old me poking, testing, sniffing and glossing – the only difference is that I am going to straddle the proverbial beauty fence a bit more and try products that are good for me AND baby! The toughest part is figuring out where to start so I call upon you fellow mamas and glamazons. What do you recommend? What are your favorite product companies? What’s a multitasking product that you adore for you and baby? Share the deets and I promise to wave my pregnancy wand and give each one a shot.

Cheers and happy holidays! xo

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Posted in maternity beauty | 1 Comment »