from on .
Getting your hair to look perfectly straight and sleek - that’s relatively easy. You can blow-dry, flat-iron, sob, etc, but the real trick, the real challenge is how to keep your hair looking fabulous days after you’ve paid a visit to the salon. Today I’m talking about products that will help your blow-out last, while also providing some nourishment. From insta-shine to preventing split ends, I got you covered!

Note: Sorry I sound so nasal! I’m recovering from a head-cold, hence the voice and no make-up.

Products Mentioned in the Video:
•Matrix Essentials Sleek Look Sealing Serum, now $17: Seals split ends and repairs damage in the inner layer of the hair, while helping to protect against future damage, while instantly smoothing frizz and flyaways.
•Avon Advance Techniques Mirror Shine Spray, $4.99: Instantly adds shine without feeling weighted down. It contains Creatine plus technologically advanced Shine Silicones to deliver dazzling brilliance all day long. This product could be used by all hair types, but I tend to mix this with a little anti-frizz serum.
•: This is the ultimate in control for unruly, unmanageable hair. Not only does it provide shine and nourishment, it absolutely tames down the frizz. Your hair will feel smooth and glossy.
•Aveda Brilliant Emollient Finishing Gloss, $24.50: This high-gloss emollient with rice bran oil smooths ends, conditions and makes your hair easy to comb while imparting extraordinary shine.
•Pureology Essential Repair Split End Correcting Treatment, $40: This intensely nourishes distressed hair and seals split ends while protecting color vibrancy, The treatment delivers high-performance thermal protection and defense against split ends from mid-length to ends.

Related Posts:
getting it straight with kerastase: curly hair quest part 2
beauty & styling products that work for curly, coarse hair, really work. part 1: frederic fekkai

You’ve seen them adorned on the lithe arms of runway models and displayed stacked high in spring fashion editorials: the bangle. I love, love, love the bangle, and please know I’ve been praying for the death of the cuff and the rebirth of this delicious bracelet. The bangle is the perfect, affordable accessory that can elevate your look. Bejeweled, tribal, slender gold - the options are limitless, however, this decorative accessory will get your friends talking. My Kenneth Jay Lane deep blue and ivory white giraffe bangle elicits scores of compliments, and everyone seems to be oblivious to the fact that I’m wearing it with the same black cardi and slacks that I’ve owned for years. So if spring shopping isn’t in the cards and you’re seeking wallet-friendly ways to freshen up your wardrobe, consider piling on the accessories. Silk and lightweight cashmere scarves, the envelope clutch, and bib necklace, or my favorite: the bangle. From textured chunky carved wooden to slim, clattering silver, to lucite patterns, I’ve got your choice picks to help you get effortlessly chic this summer.

Leila Chain Bangles, $75
Vita Snakeskin Bangle in Purple Snakeskin, $132
ate Spade “Keswick Caning” Bangle, $195
Burberry Leather & Wood bangle, $795
Amrita Singh 5 Piece Bangle Set, $95
BKE Striped Bangle Bracelet, $15
Blu Bijoux Red Mixed Media Stackable Bangle Bracelets, $45 (pictured left)
Arden B Wide Textured bangle, $14 and Nine Piece Bangle Set, $14
Guess Tri-tone 3 Pc. Bangle Set, $20
Mark Davis Collection Fabiola Bangle, $2,900
Rumor Stackable Bangle, $24
CC Skye Enamel & Screw Bangles in Black , $154
Tiffany Atlas Open Bangle, $5,500, and Elsa Peretti Bangle, $395
Xhil seedbead bangle stack - Multicolor, $10.99
Andrea Cheatham Vintage Feather Bangle, $99
So Bangle Bracelet Set, $8.40
Forever 21 Dozen Asset Bangles, $5.80
Ippolita Rosé Cameo Bangle, $900 (this is STUNNING)
Brass Beaded Bangle by SURevolution, $75 (pictured left)
Fresh by Honora Sterling Silver Multicolor Cultured Freshwater Pearl Bangle, $424.15 (huge sale!)
Marc Jacobs Collection Curved Bangle, $350

image courtesy of Max & Chloe, Vivre

Remember when I shamelessly gushed over the Paul Mitchell Lavender Mint Moisturizing Body Wash & the Barielle exfoliating scrub that smells of mandarin groves? Well, be still my heart because I have both of these products available for a giveaway. More about what you could be snagging:

•Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lavender Mint Moisturizing Body Wash, $9.95: Natural oils and moisturizing conditioners revive stressed-out skin, leaving it silky and smooth, while the creamy, feel-good foam washes away worries and leaves skin refreshed and renewed. Finally, calming lavender, mint and tea tree extracts soothe and pamper mind, body and spirit.

•Barielle 60 Second Mani-Pedi, $25: Dead Sea Salts gently exfoliate dead skin cells while high quality Essential Oil Lubricants nourish, moisturize and protect nails, hands and feet thus enriching a healthier glow. You will experience instantaneous results and feel the difference after only one application.

To enter, simply enter a comment in the space below, and two winners will be selected at random Friday, March 27th, 8am EST. Note: The winner will be randomly selected. Winners are not arbitrarily picked, and location plays no role in your chances of winning. The winners (two) wins one of the two prizes offered. Good luck!

Sometimes I feel like a little bull in a china shop, only the bull is a full-grown woman and the shop is a make-up mecca. Although I realize I’m a tad tardy to the make-up game, I’ve never been one to follow convention, and it feels wonderfully childish to spend hours learning how to apply eye shadow, discover the wonders that are the litany of lip options, and take a moment to feel…pretty. Believe me when I say that I’ve never been a girly-girl. I knock over things, I always ruin a manicure because I’m in a constant state of motion, and my one attempt to apply a full-face of make-up was a horrifying morning in junior high school where my friends solemnly shook their heads and begged me to take that green eye shadow and coral lipstick HOME. And lately it seems I spend most days in front of laptop trying to write away from myself, ticking off things on a task list, and searching for a job that can fit into the life I want for myself - so who has time for make-up, right? It’s frivolous, right? Absolutely not. Because I’m finding when I make an effort to put my best proverbial face forward (researched ideas and a polished look), I feel better about myself. Especially on the days when it feels as if the world around me is propelling ahead at frightening speeds while I’m left standing, motionless, unchanged.

When I was a kid there was only lipstick and Chapstick. Granted, your choices were matte or frost, but for the most part selecting a lip color was a non-event. Enter 2009, where there are technologically-enhanced lip plumpers, glosses, stains, sticks, pencils, what have you. You can almost collapse from the dizzying options and the seemingly endless department store displays. As of late, I’ve abandoned my ubiquitous red lip in favor of going easy on the mouth. Think pale plums, soft roses, and a little shimmer, and why not opt for a little moisture and a little plump? Suffice it to say, I’ve discovered the glory that is the lip plumper and I’m smitten. What’s a plumper, you ask? It’s a cosmetics product used to make lips appear fuller. In appearance, it ranges from translucent to opaque and tinted. So after spending a very informative afternoon at Sephora (as well as sifting through my collection), I’ve settled on a few favorites:

Lorac Lotsa Lip Gloss (Foxy), $18.50: I’m mad for a brush applicator, so sweeping on the lip color was a dream. What I love about Lorac glosses in general is the fact that you don’t feel as if you’re a walking advertisement for Studio 54. The shimmer is subtle (appropriate for someone at 33, because my days of rocking glitter are long behind me) and the color is absolutely luminous and long-lasting.
Lancome Color Fever Plumper (City Mauve), $25: I adore this plumper. The color is radiant and eye-catching, and as soon as you apply the gloss with the wand (terrific for even coverage), you can already feel the tingling of the volumizing properties. My lips definitely look a touch fuller after a single application. And the color, again, is to die.
Purple Lab’s Huge Lips Skinny Hips (Worship Kate), $20 (soon to be available at SpaceNK): You’ve heard me sing the praises of this line, but as soon as it hits stores, it’s a must-snag. Huge Lips Skinny Hips is a collection of six glosses that contain Hoodia, the all-natural appetite suppressant, as well as plump-prompting Vitamin B3 for the perfect, wrinkle-free pout. The glosses are paraben-free, and its non-drying formulation (Meadow Foam and lemon peel oil) keeps lips cool, moisturized and conditioned.And although a plant extract isn’t enough to steer me away from the macaroons because I never met a cookie I didn’t want to inhale, the immediate tingly, fresh feeling from applying the gloss that did indeed plump my pucker, its long-lasting wear, its shimmering, flattering hue (Worship Kate and Red Sole are my favorites), and the gloss’s delicious taste, were enough to make me stockpile.
Clinique Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine (Blackberry Bloom), $17.50: My best friend swears by Clinique and hoards their glosses, stains, lip colors, and plumpers. So clearly I had to check it out. Like most plumpers, Clinique’s Full Potential line contains collagen-producing peptides, and my lips were left luscious for the remainder of the afternoon. And remember the subtle shimmer? Oh, it’s back and fabulous.

images courtesy of Sephora

Are harem pants a passing phase? What seemed like a one season gig is going through fall on reLYME, which are perfect for going out, and when you do, don’t forget to practice your smokey eye as The Coveted gets tips from Benefit Cosmetics! If you wear makeup, it might be a good time to do spring clean your make up kit with What the Pros do… and if your short on cash, Retro Chick give us 5 tips to have fun anyway… and if you do have cash, maybe you’re planning on buying something you already have, Consume or Consumed delves into her multiple habits.

Check out this week’s delicious round-up!

•A Few Goody GumDrop - A Few Goody Gumdrops asks…if you are coming apart at the seems then enter to win torn leggings from LnA!
•Breakfast at Saks - Still sifting through Paris Fashion Week shows? Be sure to make time for Ann Demeulemeester F/W 09.10
•Capitola Girl Jewelry Blog - Check, Please!
•Consume or Consumed - Consume or Consumed Sees Double and Triple: On Buying Multiples
•Couture Cult - CoutureCult.com: Alison Lewis (formerly of Mooka Kinney), Spring/Summer 09
•Debutante Clothing - Missoni is Inspired By Vintage Modernist Necklaces
•Dogmom’s Dish - Desperately Seeking Orla
•Fashion Daydream - What your didn’t see at Fashion Week: A behind the scenes look into fashion week, fashionistas en route to the shows and models being made up.
•Fashion Pulse Daily - reports on the latest colors for fall 2009 — the season isn’t comprised of various hues of black or even bright colors for that matter either.
•Felicia Sullivan - beauty & styling products that work for curly, coarse hair, really work. part 1: frederic fekkai
•fete a fete - Larkspur & Hawk’s GORGEOUS antique and vintage inspired
• - Burnout Aversion Tips From Bloggers
•reLYME - An analysis of the Persian-inspired trend that’s hitting the runway
•Retro Chick - Top 5 Ways to have fun with no money
•Shopping and Info - Shopping and Info found Gossip Girl scarves bags and jewelry oh my!
•Solo Lisa - Sunny fashion picks inspired by Freida Pinto’s character in Slumdog Millionaire
•Studio Purpura Fashion Blog - Shopping Hops in the Far & South East Asia! Photos to Come!
•Style Symmetry - Check out my interview with Jennine of The Coveted!
•Style With Anna - Fashion for Guys: How to Dress Like David Beckham
•THE COVETED - Exclusive Video Preview & Tutorial: Benefit Smokin’ Eyes
•the musings of ondo lady - Get ready for a retro prequel of Gossip Girl which is about the trials and tribulations of a teenage Lily van der Woodsen
•what the pros do… - Spring Clean Your Makeup Kit!

When handmade couture gowns crafted in airless Parisian ateliers cost upwards of a hundred thousand, accessories – sunglasses, handbags, wallets, scarves and fragrances –are the consumer’s entrée to this privileged, elite world. Now, the cost-conscious customer can feel, albeit slightly, that magical feeling of slipping into a couture creation when she carries a wallet donning the luxury brand’s logo or dabs perfume from a crystal bottle on her wrists. Ever notice how accessories are always merchandised at front of store? Accessories or ‘accessible luxuries’ are providing a necessary lifeline to a brand’s bottom line during these bleak economic times while also allowing women their minor indulgences. Because when your closet reality is more Target than Vuitton, yet you’re lucky enough to have a few extra dollars squirreled away, perhaps you can envelope yourself in luxury and incorporate a touch of glamour into your life for a fraction of a red-carpet gown’s cost.

Twenty years ago, with a rack of black dresses (and one red), Parsons graduates and designers for some of the world’s prestigious brands, Mark Badgley and James Mischka decided to launch their own eponymous line. Together, they’ve built a heritage of designing exquisite and luxurious gowns as well as dressing some of the world’s most beautiful and fashionable women such as, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Eva Longoria-Parker, Kate Winslet, Jennifer Lopez, Anne Hathaway, and Sarah Jessica Parker. Their glamorous history and heralded collections inspired the team’s newest fragrance, Badgley Mischka Couture. The designers worked with renowned perfumer Caroline Sabas of Givaudan Fragrances to craft the delicious fragrance. On the new perfume, Sabas notes that it is a “journey of intricacies – it is exclusively designed for the sophisticated woman looking for a couture fragrance experience.” And it is indeed luxurious.

Click here to read the rest of my guest blog post at All About the Pretty!

It’s taken me the whole of two seasons, but consider me a convert: I’m obsessed with the bootie. After spotting scores of the trend shoe on the fall runways, in fashion rags in varying skins (leather to croc) and colors (basic black to psychedelic), and on the chicest of fashionistas (read: my best friend), I’m now an ardent devotee. However, since we’re on the verge of spring, or at least I’m dreaming of milder temperatures, the merger of the strappy sandal and the bootie has me delirious. The multi-strap sandal, the hidden, raised platform, and buttery leather are the sort of shoe that demands attention. It’s bondage meets bootie and it’s supremely delicious for spring. Here are my top picks at all price-points:

Aldo Tap Multi-Strap Sandal, $125
L.A.M.B. Tizzy Strappy Sandal Bootie, $345 (pictured left) - Please know that I nearly wept when I saw these shoes in person. WEPT.
Jessica Bennett Jilt, $149
Giuseppe Zanotti Pebbled Leather Booties, $650
Banana Republic Allison Caged Heel, $140
Kenneth Cole Tart N Soul Leather Sandals, $89
Loeffler Randall Mabel Very Strappy Open Toe Booties, $695
Nine West Kentaro, $89 and Balboa, $89
Dolce Vita Chasity Open Toe Strappy Bootie, $138.60

This just in: I’ve abandoned the red lip. For years it’s been my trademark - a clean, clear face and a pronounced color on the mouth - but really it’s an excuse to conceal the fact that applying eye make-up gives me vertigo. You have the crease, the corner, the lower and upper lid, the brow line, and let us not forget the under-eye, to conquer! And all the rules of engagement! Why wouldn’t I flee to the easier option of a Chanel red and a powdered face? However, as I grow older and perhaps a little more adventurous, I’m realizing that there is something undeniably youthful about a shimmery, glossed lip (plum, anyone?) and a bright eye. And after a two-hour tutorial given to me by my very patient and very capable best friend at the Mecca (aka Sephora), I’m ready to tackle the eye.

But let’s take it slow. Baby steps, slow. Mascara first. And what serendipity to learn that one of my covetable brands, Kiehl’s, the venerable New York-based purveyor of fine quality skin and hair care, introduces Marvelous Mineral Mascara: a luxe mascara that not only delivers glossy, refined color, but offers the ultimate in lash conditioning and care. The mascara contains minerals that are pulverized into a very fine powder to impart a smooth and even application (translation: no clumps!). When combined with thickening Acacia Senegal and conditioning Jojoba Oil, this paraben-free formula will leave your lashes beautifully soft. And what makes this mascara so utterly magical? Scroll, my friend:

•Mineral pigments add natural, rich color
•Acacia Senegal thickens for length and volume
•Paraben-free, clump-free, fragrance-free
•Tug-free brush is ultra-soft to the touch
•Opthamalogist tested and allergy tested
•Safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers

I applied this mascara in the early afternoon, prepping myself for a long-evening of dishing with the girls, chatting, and snacking on tasty eats. Not only did it glide on incredibly smooth, it lasted into the evening, and the saving grace: no clumps, no clumps, and cue the chorus: No Clumps!!

Click here to snag this from Kiehl’s, now!

My home is my sanctuary. It’s my refuge, the sweet place to which I can escape the stresses that lie beyond the front door. It helps me shudder less when I learn that the job for which I’m interviewing has 2,000 eager applicants, or the consulting project that was assuredly mine dovetailed to a rate negotiation that was nothing short of insulting. And even though my bathroom is a woeful explosion of bubble gum and the décor is lacking, my home is warm, quiet, and wholly mine. So I try to make my little space a blissful one. Whether it’s freshly-baked Irish soda bread cooling on metal racks, the softest of towels beckoning in the bathroom, or a burning candle that evokes a mood of delirium, everything in my home is lovely, comforting, and useful. Even though my bathroom is pink. But I digress.

Recently, I discovered the joy that is the Delirium candle and all of its aromatherapeutic properties. Inspired by two idealistic periods in history - Blue: a remembrance of European splendor and male chivalry, and Silver: a sultry time in American cinema when raw beauty co-existed with strength, vulnerability and femininity, harkening back to silver Screen Legends Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly - Delirium & Company is a romantic and stylish home fragrance line that ushers in a touch of elegance and sophistication in any space. Encased in a unique, hand-made tranlucent reflective glass and housed in a chic modern box, these delicious, soy-blend candles evoke a mood of lushness and tranquility.

For me, the Delicate Bouquet ($38), was love at first scent. I tend to eschew powerful, daunting scents, because if my home is enveloped by a pungent fragrance, regardless of how lush, it’s stifling and distracting. Your candle should relax you not overwhelm you to a point where you have to crack all the windows in a thirty degree New York evening. However, after striking a match and settling into my sofa with a tome, I was greeted with a subtle, melodic weave of lilac, lily of the valley, white jasmine, and just a hint of peach. So if you’re seeking a fabulous home indulgence, I can’t recommend Delirium & Company’s candles enough!

Call me crazy, but I’m moving ahead, full-throttle with this amazing clothing donor drive/fashion event, which I’m calling Fashion For All. Fashion For All’s mission is to provide an annual day of dignified shopping for residents in low-income communities across the country. Our partnerships with local community activist and outreach organizations, as well as prominent fashion and beauty brands, enable us to provide a day of luxury shopping and white-glove, personalized service for residents in low-income communities. Granted, I’m not saving the world or curing cancer, but it thrills me that I can provide relief, albeit briefly, to struggling families who are having a hard time meeting basic needs. For a mother or wife who spends a great deal of her time wondering how to make ends meet, providing for her family, and working exhaustive hours, it means a lot to me to provide this incredible woman with a day of pampering, a day with other equally wonderful women, and a day where she can be treated like royalty.

Our inaugural event will take place in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn on May 16, 2009. While my initial idea was quite grand (thousands! kids!), I’m scaling it down. We’re slated to host 250 women from low-income areas, and they’ll shop from terrific pieces that come courtesy of generous donors (some of whom will donate at our donator soiree - we’re partnering with MINT Jodi Arnold, while we’re making arrangements for individual pick-ups, mailed shipments). Already, we have Old Navy to Balenciaga. Suits to vintage gowns. Wedding dresses to chandelier earrings (300 pairs courtesy of the supremely generous Nicole Tondre of Circa Now), and I’m already thrilled with the generosity and support.

If you are at all interested in donating gently used women’s clothes/accessories, new & unopened beauty products, or cash to fund our rental fees, please let me know. We can also take donations via mail if you don’t live in New York City. If you’re interested in donating your time to help out with any phase of the event, do let me know. Alternatively, if you volunteer at a community group in Brooklyn where you feel we can get the word out, let me know! And finally, spreading the word is so gratefully appreciated.

For the past two hours, I’ve been hitting the phones pretty hard calling community groups, local activist organizations, and churches, in an effort to raise awareness. And I won’t be blue that I experienced several rude interactions with Target when I attempted to phone and ask for donations for my event. Cold calling is brutal.

Note: the above video is of the space where the drive will be held!

from on .

Simply put, Kerastase is the crown-jewel of hair straightening. If you have curly, coarse, unruly hair, Kerastase offers a personalized line of styling products that are formulated to treat varying levels of dryness and textures, as well as providing deep nourishment from root to tip. Sometimes, I kind of have to laugh when I read magazines where editors evangelize Frizz-Ease as the product to tame frizz and smooth kinks. I mean, maybe this would work for girls who have straight, fine hair who happen to catch a bad day of humidity, have that errant flyaway. However on planet earth, where people like me who have the ability to supply a small village with hair (it would shock you how much hair is on my head), I find myself shouting to said magazines: ARE YOU KIDDING ME? ARE YOU FOR REAL?

And then I discovered the gospel that was Kérastase and this kinky-haired girl has never looked back. I don’t care that the products are mildly expensive, they work. I may need a weedwacker to get through my hair, but it’s healthy and shiny. The Oleo Relax Treatment is incredible - not only does it deep condition your tresses, it actually makes it easier to blowdry (faster, too), and the texture of your curl is markedly different. I have the whole “orange” line in my bathroom, and I would sooner cut an intruder for robbing me of my product rather than actual valuables (laptop, jewelry and the like).

Products Mentioned in the Video:
•Bain Gommage Shampoo, $39: “Gently cleanses the scalp and hair. Helps to eliminate dandruff and slows down its reappearance. Nourishes dry, sensitized ends. Soothes and calms the scalp.”
•Oleo Relax Masque, $58: “Provides detangling ease, softness, and shine. Hair is left extra smooth with long-lasting frizz protection.”
•Oleo Relax Elixir, $34: “Ultimate control for extremely unmanageable hair. Perfect smoothing of the hair from roots to ends. Provides anti-frizz protection.”
•Nectar Thermique, $34: “Protects hair from the harmful effects of heat-styling tools. Nourishes, softens and moisturizes hair. Gives hair optimal shine from roots to ends. Improves hair straightening and drying performance.”
•Oleo Relax Voile Fixateur, $34: “Provides long-lasting smoothness, frizz control, and anti-humidity protection. Hair is left with supple hold, enhanced shine, and a silky touch.”
•Serum Nutri-Sculpt, $29: “Immediately restores ends to a healthy looking and brilliant finish while helping to protect the hair from further damage. Provides instant detangling and lightweight shine.”

Notes: First off, I realize the Kerastase line is not wallet-friendly. Consider this the high-end of hair and heat styling products. And although my hair is rather unruly, it’s incredibly healthy and strong; I have very few split ends and minimal breakage. I should note that my hair is considered “virgin,” which is to say that I don’t color it nor do I add any chemical processing agents, which helps in terms of hair health. Additionally, I only wash my hair once a week because I find that washing more than that tends to weaken my hair and strip it of it’s moisture.

So if you’re considering an investment in Kerastase and you can’t afford the whole line, my essentials are: The Oleo Relax Masque (I use this every two weeks), The Nectar Thermique (adding a sealant/protectant to your hair before heat styling is critical), and the Serum Nutri-Sculpt, which adds incredible sheen. You can mix this in with your lower-priced shampoo & conditioner for dry/curly/coarse hair.

Learn how my friends are ‘Getting it Straight’ after the jump!
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