Strange Hybrid Unveiling

Hi All,

I was invited to the Strange Hybrid unveiling at a MAC store in SD. I'm really excited. I've been to MAC Sponsored events but the last one I was at was a bust (let's not talk about that) anywho. I'll have some exclusive coverage of the new collection and will post them on Wednesday.

Tonight I will be at the Cornelius show in LA at the El Rey. I LOVE his music and since he tours every 5 years.. this is an event!

Discontinued 101

Limited edition lines,products, clothing.. are definately good for the stores and make-up counters that carry them ( inventory my friends)and they are bad for you ( wha.. sold out!) You being to wonder... why didnt I get that in the first place.
Have no fear! there are still places you can find your dear NARS Nirvana blush or MAC Bubbles lipstick or the Estee Lauder Azuree collection.

Step 1: Try a CCO ( Cosmetics Counter Outlet)they are located in outlet malls. If there isn't one by you. Look it up and call to see what they have. I'm sure they will be happy to find the product that you like and ship it for you.

Step 2:Ebay Stores. This is the diff between bidding and just buying. With the stores you dont have to deal with jacked up prices..on certain items. Also post a want ad for the item that you are on the prowl for.

Step 3: call the company directly. Let them know that you are interested in a LE item. They may infact have it in stock! and if they don't they can put a call out to a store that may have it for you.

Step 4: Find online support. Specktra and MUA is really good for this. Post a want/ swap for it and hope that someone replies. Usually members are really good with getting back to you on where to find it or if they have it.

Patience is needed for these types of things..Can someone let me know if they run into Ghettoflower lipstain.. thanks!

Nordies Spring Trend Show

This kicked off on Saturday the 21st at UTC. I had the pleasure of being front row, first seat coverage as I hauled and pushed my way to the front ( ok.. no I didn't push).I got my ticket on Friday for $15, and the price went to my purchase and at the door they gave away a travel bag with 2 extra on-the go bags.. yay!
The event was hosted Kari Larsen the Director of Nordies Beauty and the program touched on 3 different trends for the Spring and the new products that the counters had. Mind you, this is my 4th trendshow and my first for UTC. I have to say that their counter is fairly small compared to Fashion Valley.
The Beauty Trends for Spring were:
Delicate Blush
Warm Glow
Vivid Lips
Guest speakers were Jennifer Ruiz with Bobbi Brown
Annie Woo, Philosophy Trainer
Daw Stultz with NARS
Ellis Von Hampton with Prescriptives and
John Stapleton, Pro Artist with MAC

The runway show was GREAT. The models looks were perfect. They had a drawing after every collection highlighting new products or faves of the brands.
I even won something! Just by me having my Squirt lipglass in my bag, I won a Pretty Plush- Plushglass and a Matt Murphy makeup bag.. ( yay cat-like reflexes).
I had a makeover appointment with NARS but when I went to purchase Exhibit A and they were out. :(
Anywho, my aim for this spring/summer is to have the bright fucshia/pink/purple lips. and after my NARS makeover.. someone at the pointed me to Pink Poodle lipglass by MAC. Its exactly what I was looking for.
It was a long exhausting day. I have to say my faves were:
Purity by Philosophy- it totally cleaned my face after the Makeover
Pink Poodle lipglass
Laila Essenence Candles
All about Eve Eye Shadows by NARS

Heads-up: Fashion Valley's Summer Trendshow is June 2nd. See you there.

Nars Sparkley

Would be the name of my Gnarls Barkley coverband... but since I can't sing, well...
Anyways.So I heard from a birdie that NARS is discontinuing their makeup palettes.
Fortunately if you live by a Saks or Nordies, they probably have a few of the older ones in stock ( Rapture is a nice one!) and if you have this thing they call the internet you can get one from Sephora.com yay! It has 2 multiples (Copacabana (glistening pearl) and Malibu (pinkish brown)), 4 eyeshadows India Song (soft butter yellow with a hint of shimmer), Night Star (sheer peach with gold pearls), Night Clubbing (black with gold pearls), Ondine (plum with gold shimmer)and 4 lipsticks (lipstick in Honolulu Honey (satin flesh toned beige), Dolce Vita (sheer dusty rose), Gipsy (sheer warm berry), and Trans Siberian (semi matte ruby rose)).
And it gets your through Airport security too.

Show them toes

With Warm weather comes great shoes and you need some nice feet to match. But what is the au current nail color to wear? We weren't as depressed as we were this fall/winter with the Chanel Black Satin craze but we aren't ready to bust out the MAC YumYam yellow nail color either. So right now I'm rolling with Essie's Mademoiselle- nude bubble color and Chanel Boa nail color- Bright Pink.
Before I do the nails.. I have to do something about my feet,Sally Hensen's feet scrubs are great and under $5. Foot soak- I like to use Aveda's Body salts as soak and for all the maintenance I bought this really cool hand and foot kit from Bath and Body works for $10. Now you can find some great all-in-one kits in BBW.
Check it out. www.bathandbodyworks.com

Classics: Temperley for MAC

Ok, so this is MY classic!
I was a huge MAC addict ( I'm actually in rehab for this addiction) but what I loved about the brand was the celeb collabos and their face palettes that featured coordinating shades for lips, eyes and cheeks. In 2005 my dreams came true and MAC teamed up with Charlotte Tillbury and made the MAC for Temperly palette that summer. It features a vivid pink/ fuschia cream color base ( vivacious), Mocha blush, Olive eyeshadow, teal eyeshadow (Temperley),lavender eyeshadow,light blue eyeshadow, a neutral pink gloss and a plum lipstick (Plumful).
I kid you not- this palette works for everyone, plus the case is just lovely.

Cargo lip box set

get it exclusively at Sephora.com. This is a four piece set that includes 2 100% compostable lipstick case with the carton that makes for a wildflower garden (incroyable!), a reversible lip-liner ( in a natrual color), Cargo's lipgloss all coordinated for the Berry set or the Pink set. Individually these would retail for $70 together but you can get them now for $40.

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P178215&categoryId=RP&shouldPaginate=true

Imitation of Christ lips

Happy Friday the 13th.
I was browsing the Target and found a great lipcolor that matches the one the models wore on the Imitation of Christ runway. Low and behold Milani Cosmetics Black Cherry lipstick is it. Though there is an Imitation of Christ lipstick out there ( bound to be sold out or on Ebay) this one will suffice. Plus its $3, can't beat that.

Being green: American Apparel

I first discovered this store in San Diego about 2 ½ years ago after attending a fashion trend show in San Diego. I received a free shirt and was “stoked” I then went to the Hilcrest location and fell in lurve. As of this year they have over 100 stores world-wide. I can’t get enough of their vintage 70’s photo shoots that look straight out of the [booty] basement. I love the fact that all of their creations from planning to manufacturing to shipping is made right in LA. Nothing is un American about this brand and I love it. I heard that the pay to work starts about $10 per hour. Not bad. When I first fell upon it I did have an issue with the prices but.. I can’t complain now. At least their products aren’t produced by a child in horrendous working conditions.. its made by people right here who are as hard working as you and me. My faves: Sheer Jersey Scarf – you can check out the website, it shows you how to make tops out of the scarf, $15. Mini Shift Dress- I wear it alone or under jeans, $30. Pencil Skirt- Keep in your purse or bag for emergency going out purposes, $30. you find these and more at www.americanapparel.net

Being Green: Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps 18-in-1 Lavender Pure Castile Soap

Straight from Escondido , CA is this wonder. Its 100% vegan, Supermild castile, not- animal tested and all major ingredients are in Fair Trade. WOW that’s super.. what’s even better is its 18 in 1. So I tried to find all the ways you can use it:
-Hand and Foot Soap
-Facial Steam
-Hair and Scalp Massage
-Body Soak
-Face Wash
-Shaving
-Deodorant
-Aftershave
Not quite 18 but enough..I bought mine’s and Longs. An 8 oz bottle was $5. but they have a great website with the rest of their products www.drbronners.com

Electric Boogaloo

Have you seen make-up colors so shocking in the tube or package but complement your skin tone? Isn’t it great!
A few years back I was browsing the MAC store in Fashion for something new when a MA there suggested that I try their Orange Eyeshadow as a blush…come again?
She also mentioned that Erykah Badu loves to wear the shadow as a blush too. I was sold. I let her try it on me and to my surprise ( not to hers) it looked great on my ( NW 45 MAC) skintone. It looked like a natural flush. I just use it on the apples of my cheeks and to have a tone on tone look, sweep some bronzer over the top of it ( and also use it to contour). I’m really happy the MA taught me a technique and not to be afraid of color instead of just trying to sell me a product. I appreciate that. Other colors that are bright but nice: try NARS Exhibit A blush.
Another bright but nice is MAC’s Squirt lipglass. In an issue of Lucky Magazine back in 2002 it was featured as a favorite of an up and coming designer’s favorite lipgloss. She mentioned that she loved the color because it was lime green in the tube but when on it was “peachy’. I figure it looked unique- I should try it. Needless to say I still love Squirt but unfortunately it is discontinued by MAC. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel! MAC is releasing Tenderstones potted lipgloss in May and they will have a shade called Shush! that is described as a lime-green. For now I find that a great way to use Squirt is layering it over my Victoria’s Secret lipstick in Melt. It’s a beautiful wearable peach shade.
Thanks to my friends at Specktra I hear that in June MAC will have a collection that is basically Primary and Secondary colors- which means there are bright blues, yellows and greens. This summer is going to be so bright, its going to be an electric boogaloo.

Beauté du Jour: Bjork

I seriously don't know where to begin.. and for that matter where to end.
Her B-day is a day before mine ( though 16 years older), headliner for Coachella on Friday, April 27th ( see you there), her new singer drops on April 9th- "Earth Intruders", her Album drops in May... I can go on.

She is a Powerful, Beautiful, Delicate Farce!

There is a lot that we can learn from Bjork. That's all I have to say about that.
Here is one of my favorite videos Alarm Call( too bad I can't find this version of the song anywhere..even sephora has it.. jeesh. If anyone knows where to get it PLEASE send it my way)

Spring's GWP

Spring's Gift with Purchases! starting now in stores at Macy's and online with a $21.50 purchase get a bag full o' stuff for free.

What can you buy to get the freebie?
Clinque classics: Dramatically Different lotion ( if you have dry skin)
Their Clarifiying toners, Turnaround creams ( my absolute fave!), nail polish.. you know the deal.

Fashion Fair classics: Lipsticks, Toner ( my fave), cleanser, lip pencils.

MAC Summer Preview

2006's Bait, Hooked, Lure brought us aqua packaging, Blues, greens, bronze and silver pearl and frost finishes.

2007 utilizes 2 other elements,Earth and Sun(..I guess Moon doesn't count) for Sunstrip and MoonBatheSummer Collections!
Like Last years collections- this years will feature LE cream encasing. More info below thanks to thinkfashion.com:

Sunstrip:
The Complete Collection

Charged Water

Revitalizing Energy
Renewal Defense
Youth Aura

Price: $19

Bronzing Powder

Bronze – Muted bronzed-brown with golden shimmer
Refined Golden – Muted golden tan-beige with golden shimmer

Price: $20

Studio Mist Foundation

Summer – Rich caramel bronze
Sun Rays – Peachy bronze with golden nuances

Price: $28


Moonbathe :

The Collection:

Lipstick

Sunmetal - Warm bronze with silver pearl

Honey Moon - Warm pink bronze with gold pearl

Eclipse - Deep rust with gold pearl

Price: $14

Lipglass

Crescent - Soft maple with gold pearl

Moonbathe - Sheer tangerine with white and gold pearl

Dark Flower - Warm plum pink and gold pearl

Elaborate - Soft low karat gold with pearl

Price: $14




Small Eyeshadow

Cosmic - Warm yellow gold with gold pearl

Saturnal - Deep olive with gold pearl

Firespot - Intense orange with gold pearl

Cranberry - Reddish plum with pink shimmer

Claire de Lune - Soft cream with pink pearl

Price: $14

LiquidLast Liner

Molten Sol - Rich gold with intense metallic pearl

Point Black - True black

Price: $16.50



Sheertone Shimmer Blush

Afterdusk - Sheer neutral pink with gold pearl

Other Worldly - Warm yellow gold with gold pearl

Price: $17.50

Glimmershimmer

Astral Rays - Sheer gold with white pearl

Ritzy - Peachy Bronze with gold pearl

Price: $16.50

Nail Lacquer

Fireball - Intense tangerine with gold and orange pearl

Golded - Soft peach with gold lay down

Price: $10

Lash

Sunsational Lashes - Red metallic color

Price: $11

So ready for Summer

I'm so tired of the overcast in the morn. When I get up its so cold I just stay under the covers for an hour...

So I was cruising my Vogue and Bazaar's and I'm really feeling this fuschia/ hotpick shade I have been seeing of the late. I posted one of the Dior ads I happen to fall upon with this shade and yesterday's post with Beyonce in a nice fuschia perfect vinyl gloss.

This is one look I really would like to pull-off ( challenge myself with something new) with my NARS multiple in Palm Beach and my Dior Unlimited Mascara.. what do you think?

Spring Bold Lips

I love the color Beyonce is wearing when she performed on the Today show yesterday.
Mally really kicked it up a notch and it works for spring/summer! With a lip this bold all you need is some bronzer and mascara and you can become "Sasha" too.. ok maybe you can just be your alter-ego... but hey, its good lip service.
My guess for the color:
Nars Damage or Nars Schiap

Classics: Aveda Brilliant

I was first introduced to brilliant by my cousin who has relaxed thin medium-length hair. I wondered why her hair was so shiny- and she told me that this product took the cake.

Fast forward 10 years. I still like it but it was definately a first of its kind. My cousin being from the eastcoast was more subject to humidity than I ( we get more Santa Ana in Daygo) but the condition and shine was a plus. Your hair shines like glass, stops frizz and smells great.. you can't go wrong, especially when spring showers and summer heat and humidity hits while at the beach

Hello Destiny!

Lancome Destiny cube was all over the Fall '07 runways thanks to Gucci Westman.
In august Lancome will release the cube nation-wide. What's inside? A charcoal eyeshadow and a pink highlighter. It's cute!
It will retail for $55. I hope its worth it. For that price you can get Dior's Flight palette that includes a smoky black eyeshadow, coral blush and a pink gloss. The colors are universal.
let's see about the Lancome cube.. I'm a skeptic

Happy April!

I checked out the April Issue of Nylon and I have to say I'm impressed. I love how Nylon in general is not that snobby, uptight, cliquish hipster like so many zines try to be. Its nice to hear about new artists and find out where to purshase things instead of the cold shoulder towards you actually wanting to by products.meh.
This issue definately takes the cake for the cartoon heroine's beauty profiles. who would have thought! Betty and Veronica from the Archie comics and Storm from X-Men!
This mag inspires me to get off my butt and design again..I'm getting there...believe me.