Archive for August, 2010

The 14 Hottest Hot Styling Tools

Meet your new BFFs — these straighteners, blow dryers and curlers

This is a TotalBeauty.com hair care article Total Beauty readers share their can’t-live-without hot styling tools. Read their testimonials then pick up (not by the hot end) one of these flat irons, hot rollers or blow dryers. See tools

No. 14: TIGI Bed Head 1875W Active Ionic Dryer, $69.95

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.4

“I absolutely LOVE this blow dryer …”

No. 13: Remington Wet 2 Straight, $29.99

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.4

“This is such a wonderful straightener …”

No. 12: T3 Bespoke Narrow Duality, $99.99

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.7

“Basically, I can’t live without it …”

Want to see what other products made the list? Click here!

Hey Glossies,

Over the past few months, I have been excited by neutral looks. (Don’t get me wrong, I still love my greens, purples and pinks!) After listening to Beauty Talk with Illusions Cosmetics on Thursday, I wanted to try a more naked look than what I am normally do.

So a couple of years, I purchased NARS Voyage e/s.  The color is a soft sandy matte with flecks of gold shimmer.  I was rather excited about the possibilities of this shadow.  A great  shadow for a naked/neutral look.  Ok the problem…no primer/base would allow the shadow to NOT be blotchy looking.   I have sobbed a time or two in my face wipes mumbling “why can’t I make this shadow work?”  Then one day I heard a voice from on high or maybe it was Milan Rouge‘s post about using NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk that gave me inspiration. Four months later, I purchased pencil.  I finally gave it a go and it worked well. *Pop lockin’* Definitely a must-have!

My next challenge is to make NARS Night Star.  Stay tuned!!!

Face

• Primer
• Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse foundation – Caramel
• NARS Sheer Glow foundation – New Orleans

Eyes

• Cosmedicine Oil-Free Lotion
• NYX Jumbo eye pencil – Milk
• NARS Voyage
• Purely Cosmetics CTP – Bronzed Brown
• NARS Mekong
• Tarte EmphasEYES™ Waterproof Clay Shadow / Liner – Black
• Maybelline Falsies mascara

Cheeks

• Natural Glow

Lips

• Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss Stick – Wild Plum

Mix Maven

Rite Aid is having a 40% off sale on all Maybelline products, if you do not what to try, check this out… Best Maybelline Beauty Products

From lipsticks to foundation to mascara, see which products Total Beauty readers applaud

This is a TotalBeauty.com beauty products article Read testimonials from real women about the Maybelline products that they love. See products

No. 16: Maybelline New York Mineral Powder Finishing Veil Translucent Loose Powder, $9.99

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8

“This one is inexpensive and the payoff is fantastic …”

No. 15: Maybelline New York Cool Effect Cooling Shadow/Liner, $5.99

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.1

“It looks great for day and night …”

No. 14: Maybelline New York Lip Polish Lip Gloss, $5.79

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.2

“It’s not too sticky or too shiny, and has just enough color in it …”

Want to see what other products made the list? Click here!

The Priciest Facial Creams

Would you ever drop a grand on an anti-aging moisturizer?

This is a TotalBeauty.com skin care products article This round up of the nine most expensive facial products will make your jaw drop. See what makes these creams so special that anyone would fathom spending their entire paycheck on a tiny tube. See products

Hey Glossies,

I was reading the current issue of Glamour magazine and I spotted an ad with Kim Kardashian rocking a smoky brown eye look.  My favorite thing about Kimmie  is her makeup because it always classic and flawless.

I am so all about using color and having fun that I forget about the dignity and elegance of brown.  I decided to recreate a softer look using NARS Pleasures of Paris palette.  (Sidebar: I love NARS palettes because the colors are quite functional for daily use.  I believe that Francois Nars really thinks about his customers (clients) and packages colors that they can really use.)

Fez e/s is a “velvety cocoa”  which is a tad deeper in person.  Mekong e/s is an “espresso infused with gold.” <— is my favorite dark brown shadow.  When it come out in the Fall ’09 collection, I scooped it up right away.  Definitely a must-have for all eyes!!  The Cordura e/s in the palette is actually part of a duo.  I think it is similar to Mekong (slightly redder and darker than Cordura).

FOTD

Face:

• MAC Select Cover-up – NC50
• Iman foundation stick – Earth 2 / Clay 5
• MAC MSF – Dark

Eyes

• Cosmedicine Oil-Free Lotion
• MAC Indianwood p/p
• NARS Fez e/s
• NARS Mekong e/s
• NARS Nepal e/s
• Maybelline Gel Liner – Black
• MAC Haute and Naughty mascara

Cheeks

• Lorac  TANtalizer Baked Bronzer

Lips

• Random Sephora lip gloss
• MAC Corps-de-Ballet lipglass

Mix Maven

Hey Glossies,

NARS Rajasthan and I are going to be booed up all season long.  It has to be one of my favorite NARS duos of all time.  I have worn it twice already and I plan to wear it again very soon.  Rajasthan definitely can be used for day and night.  The metallic beige on the lid can spice up any work (day) look and the deep green/blue/black on the lid will glam up the night.

FOTD

Face:

• Laura Mercier Primer
• MAC Select Cover-up – NC50
• NARS Sheer Glow – Cadiz
• NARS Sheer Glow – New Orleans
• MAC MSF – Dark

Eyes

• Cosmedicine Oil-Free Lotion
• MAC Indianwood p/p
• Purely Cosmetics Cream-to-Powder – Bronze
• Revlon Shimmering Sienna e/s
• NARS Rajasthan e/s
• MAC Deep Dark p/g
• Tarte EmphasEYES™ Waterproof Clay Shadow / Liner – Black
• Covergirl Exact Eyelights mascara – Black Pearl

Cheeks

• Lorac  TANtalizer Baked Bronzer

Lips

• Chanel Glossimer Coral Love #146

Mix Maven

Hey Glossies,

China Glaze created a special collection for Breast Cancer Awareness month (October) called “Fight Like a Woman.”  The three colors are Encouragement – “a baby pink shimmer that brings on the cheer”, Endurance – “power through punches with this raspberry shimmer,” and Empowerment “stand up tall with this cotton-cotton creme on your nails.”

A portion of the processed will go to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).  This agency is apart of the World Health Organization that is “dedicated to the science of cancer and promotion international collaboration in cancer research.”

I really like this collection because 1) proceeds go to a great organization and 2) the colors are pretty.

My favorite color is Encouragement. Do not let the baby pink fool you, the tiny flecks of glitter and hint of pink add elegance to the polish.  Two to 3 coats and top coat will yield the best results.

Endurance is a shimmery raspberry color.  It appears red in the pic, but it is more of a red fuchsia pink.  The color is bold, yet sheer.  4 coats and top coat will reduce the sheerness of this polish.

Empowerment is a pretty cotton-candy shade. This creme delight, a sophisticated pink, is a great addition to any polish collection. Two coats an top coat are all that is needed.

This collection will be available in stores in September and is very LIMITED.

Mix Maven

China Glaze products were provided for review from the manufacturer. Please see Pumps and Gloss disclosure policy for more information.

Hey Glossies,

I am very excited about the China Glaze fall collections,  the Halloween collection (called  “Awakening”) that includes glitter, glitter and more glitter and Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) (called “Fight Like a Woman”) that includes various shades of Pink. These collections are LIMITED!!!

Mummy May I is a “vampy, wine colored purple with flecks of hot pink glitter” shade. I absolutely adore this color. Pink glitter and purple polish are a match made in heaven. Two coats and a top coat will yield the best results.

Zombie Zest is  “a mossy green shade with gold flecks of micro glitter” and  more sheer than I imagined. The gold glitter is more pronounced than the mossy green shade, which is cool, but I was hoping than the green shade would be more dominant. To combat the sheerness, I suggest 4 coats and a top coat.

Ick-A-Body is “a dark green base chock full of orange glitter” shade.  This shade melts my heart every time I see it. lol  Even Dorothy would change her shoes from red to this precious orange glitter. The dark base really highlights the orange glitter. Two coats and a top coat will result in pure ecstasy!

The “Awakening” collection will be sold ONLY at Sally’s Beauty Supply Stores.

Mix Maven

China Glaze products were provided for review from the manufacturer. Please see Pumps and Gloss disclosure policy for more information.

Get More Bang for the Beauty Buck

See how to make things like manis and highlights last longer

This is a TotalBeauty.com beauty tips article Beauty treatments are expensive, right? But we picked the brains of everyone from brow to makeup experts to give you insider-y tips on how to make them last longer — consequently saving you money. See tips

Tarte Cosmetics is at again…this time offering 40% off all items (sitewide). Tarte Cosmetics uses natural ingredients ( e.g. botanicals, clay) when formulating products.

My favorite products are the Eye Couture day-to-night eye shadow palette (the double-ended brush is FAB), Lights, Camera, Lashes!4-in-1 clinically proven natural mascara

Remember to use code FFAUG to get the 40% Off. The sale runs from now until August 9, 2010.

Stock up early!!!

Happy Haulin’,

Mix Maven