Anna Sui Beauty review

The dark horse, under dog.. I don’t know why they have references to animals. But I can truly tell you that Anna Sui’s beauty line is under-rated. I first discovered the line when it was at my Sephora in Fashion Valley. A friend faithfully used her face powder and I was shocked that they had it in my shade too, since they didn’t have my shade in stock – I went to Ebay. I love the boudoir packaging and the rose scent of the powder brings me back to when I played with my granny’s make-up ( a very good memory). I love everything about Anna’s line- The lip colors are gorgeous, the consistency is like butter..everything my only qualm would have to be its limited availability in the US.
The only place I have found it thus far is the Victoria’s Secret Forum shops in Vegas, this is my only chance to see, the colors in real life. Back in 2003, I stopped by her store in SOHO and found they carried the line there ( quite naturally) and Sephora no longer carries her beauty products. I like to test and try prior to buying and sometimes Ebay is not 100% accurate when it comes to authenticity . If anyone could help me out- it would be much appreciated. Until then, I will cherish the few items I have.

Beyoncé in Balenciaga

so, when I saw these leggings on Style.com- I concluded that they had no function and upon hearing that after the runway show one of the models had to be cut out of the gems.. it made me fearful. Last night turned it around for me. at the 2007 BET Awards Beyoncé rocked the Balenciaga gold leggings and did her futuristic performance of "Get me Bodied". So $80,000 leggings do serve a purpose! Though I think C3PO's armor costs much less.

Shine-Free Summer

take some shine off, but how.. I know its hard. the sun the suncreen the tinted moisturizer..etc. I wash my face and it gets oily after 3 minutes :( and I used to have to continually blot the day away until I was oil-free... but I have to say that this method is better that having your forehead as a reflector.

I've tried some other methods to make my day "grease-less" and they have worked but I don't think that there is anything in the world to make super oily skin fail safe.
For a cleanser Ivory Soap is good, basic and cheap. I have oily yet sensative skin and it takes the oil away and balances the moisture of my skin.
My fave toner ( that works almost a little too well) is Kiehl's Blue Astringent. I don't like to use this during the day because it takes all of the oil out of my skin and actually makes me have to use a moisturizer! so I reserve this for going out at night so that my foundation or tinted moisturizer can add some balance. ** if you are sensative to alcohol the Kiehls Tea Tree works too**

Blot powder was my friend not too long ago too. I still have MAC Blot Powder stashed away somewhere. I like the fact that I could powder my nose, reduce shine and have little to no pigment weighing it down which meant no cakiness.

Last but not least are Blot films.Clean and Clear, MAC and Victoria's Secret all make great ones. they dont remove makeup just the oil..

Don't be fooled..

the Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss name is not what it tastes or smells like. My case in point- I LOVE these things and they just so happen to have a sale going on now and I mosied in there and checked out some new ( and discounted) stuff. The assumption about these tasty treats is that it the label conveys the way it will smell and taste just like my coveted "I Want Candy" and "Strawberry Fizz", well I was duped on my newly purchased " Ma Cherry Amour". Yes, it was my fault I didn't test it out- I assumed based on the color ( cherry) and label ( see above) that it would be Cherry.. well, when it hit my lips I got a blast of..chocolate?
Someone from VS, can you please explain? I know you have another cherry flavor but this threw me for a loop.

Eve's MAC looks

from her Tamberine video are up now on macosmetics.com and catch the live chat with her and her makeup artist JJ on Wednesday the 27th!

New MAC: Novel Twist

MAC's exclusive collection for Nordies is Novel Twist. Judging from the pictures, it looks fun. Last year's Patternmaker was a bit disappointing, the lipglasses were too frosty for my skin tone and the packaging looked like art deco that went off the deep end. Before Patternmaker was Tailor made which was the mod houndsooth collection.

Novel Twist will have the usual: coral, beige,tan and plum lip palettes, a warm and cool eye shadow palette, lip glosses, blushes and Pro and face brushes. And the not-so-usual: paint pots,beauty powder, pearlizers and kabuki brushes.

Expect to see this collection online at www.nordstrom.com or in you local store.. no Nordies in your area? Call and order- they will ship!

I'm interested in seeing the campaign images.

Thanks: SPECKTRA

Roberto Cavalli is next

To Design for H&M!Yes they are the next designers to follow Viktor & Rolf, Stella McCartney and KArl Lagerfeld. I anticipate beautiful holiday gowns and full fledge sexiness.

Thanks Fashionista.com for the tip
We love Faran and Allison!

Gisele on July '07 W

I love the 80's throwback shot. I think these colors are vivid and amazing on Gisele and she hasn't showcased in brights since... well I can't think of when.
When she blew-up on the scene, she was known for the 90's natural with a twist of 80's Glamazon with out the shoulder pads and high rise swim suit.
But with July's cover and June's cover with Naomi..could this be a resurgence of the Model on the cover of magazines again..hmm.

Set the Date: MAC for McQueen

Sept 10th is the date floating around for McQueen for MAC.
I'm excited! ( When am I not..)about the collabo but I'm just wondering..
Is this look feasible for non-runway folks?
I don't think most can pull off the crulean shadow and heavy liner. AND.. MAC Customer Service still has not answered my burning question.
WHEN WILL THE NEXT FACE (8X) PALETTE BE AVAILABLE???
I love my Temperley, like my Y & Kei and Desire the Oscar Template.. someone full-fill my wishes.. Hell! I created my own face palette that I will unveil soon..

Photo: Style.com

Eve- Tamborine Music Video

I guess the perk of being a MAC spokes woman pays completely off.
Can you guess how many MAC products are in this video?
and isn't this an advertisement for MAC's new C-Shock collection?
and where can I get those teal leggings?.. so Aquadesiac

Lipstick SPAM

This is what I received from my mother today in my inbox...
Note to Mom: DON"T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ!

Thought this was kind of interesting and might check it out for yourself...




Something to consider
Next time you go shopping for
Lipstick......

This comes from someone
W ho works in the breast cancer unit at
Mt. Sinai Hospital, in Toronto .

From: Dr. Nahid Neman
If there is a female you care anything about,
Share this with her. I did!!!!!

I am also sharing this with the males on my email list,
Because they need to tell the females
THEY care about as well!

Recently a lipstick brand called "Red Earth"
Decreased their prices from
$67 to $9.90. It contained lead.

Lead is a chemical which causes cancer.

The lipstick brands that contain lead are:

CHRISTIAN DIOR
LANCOME
CLINIQUE
Y.S.L
ESTEE LAUDER
SHISEIDO
RED EARTH (Lip Gloss)
CHANEL (Lip Conditioner)
MARKET AMERICA-MOTNES LIPSTICK.

The higher the lead content,
The greater the chance o f causing cancer.

After doing a test on lipsticks,
It was found that the Y.S.L. Lipstick
Contained the most amount of lead.

Watch out for those lipsticks which are supposed to stay longer.

If your lipstick stays longer, it is
Because of the higher content of lead.
Here is the test you can do yourself:

1. Put some lipstick on your hand.
2. Use a Gold ring to scratch on the lipstick.
3. If the lipstick colour changes to black,

Then you know the lipstick contains lead.

Please send this information to all your girlfriends,
Wives and female family members.

This information is being circulated at
Walter Reed Army Medical Center

Dioxin Carcinogens cause cancer,

Especially breast cancer.



Ok.. so someone is out to get all of the luxury brand lipsticks.
I'm sure the FDA checks for Lead and other harmful ingredients...wasn't lead poisioning how some egyptians died?
But I know this is false because.. Chanel doesn't make lip conditioner

The Hang Over Kit

It's kinda odd posting this on Tuesday.. assuming this week was not a 3 day weekend.Aww the start of summer! In comes the warm weather, late night parties, drinks, dancing.. ( ok, you get the slippery slope here) but have you thought about the morning after? Probably so.. The bag in your car that contains flip-flops to wear in case your heals hurt ( especially for Vegas), the extra shirt for when you someone bumps into you with their drink, even a perfume sample before heading over to Denny’s…you get it.

Me and my friend Kim compiled a list of items to get us through the next morning when you don’t feel so great ( and the way you feel accompanies the way you look). And what’s so great? It can all fit in a plastic bag .



MAC Studio Touch-Up stick
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
Chapstick
Brush and Hair pins
Clean & Clear Blot films
Mints/ Gum
Pepto Tablets
Stain Remover Pen ( Tide)
Facial Wipes
Extra undies.

Party on... and on.

Creme de nuit

This weekend was great. To end it, yesterday I went to see Interpol and Kings of Leon for FM 94.9's Independence Jam. Needless to say, I was beat.

This was the perfect opportunity to test out my stash of face cremes I have collected from trendshows. Makeover's and Demos. Having oily skin I'm not partial to thick cremes but I remember a while back using Philosophy's Hope in a Jar and being happy,so I recaptured the magic and used it last night.I love
the foamy-creme texture and its distinctive smell plus hearing all the raves about it, I figure- "Why not". I think I'm going to have this one on hand for late nights out. My friend Kim approached me today and said that I need to list products for a " Hangover kit". My Response, Kim. "Will do"!

Ok Back to cremes.. Dior Capture Totale is my fave for now. I love how my face feels afterward- velvety and replenished as if I got a good nights sleep.

Back in the day ( I say 8+ years ago) Clinique Total Turnaround was my candy. I used it every night because my skin would break out alot. It worked very well and helped heal my acne scars, it helps "turn around" your skin and it did just that.

Nordstom Summer Trendshow Pics

Blogdorf Goodman's Poll

This afternoon I took Blogdorf Goodman's Poll. You should take it too!


Mood: Restless

Lipgloss/Lipstick: NARS Metis


Eyeshadow: MAC's Fake and Purple Haze

Nail Polish: Essie's Mademoiselle

Fragrance: YSL’s Young Sexy Lovely

Music: Brazilian Girls “Don’t Stop”

Current Book: Le Petit Prince

Best Beauty Find of the Week: Dior Capture Total serum

Lemming of the Week: Wu Tang Clan performing in Paris this summer

Drink of choice this morning: Vitamin Water Power-C

Thanks blogdorfgoodman.blogspot.com

..Living my life like it's Golden..

An update on the trendshow.. it was great!
I've been in recovery mode from all the excitement last Saturday ( I will post pictures soon).
I got my make-up done by YSL and I met a very nice lady with their Beauté group named Cherry. I was overall impressed and loved what she had done.
I'll highlight all the products later because I am on a YSL kick and I don't want to be too biased. But I will mention Yves Saint Laurent's Golden Gloss #9. I'm in love again..even after my massive Moonbathe MAC haul a few days prior ( that's another story).

This gloss is great. The color through the packaging can look a bit challenging because it has gold flecks( it contains 0.2% 24K gold) in it and can be mis-inerpreted as glitter. Fret not my friends..the flecks are subtle when they hit your lips. The color and consistancy is fantastic. Mid-makeover, Cherry applied the gloss over #13 lip pencil and the color held. But everyday ( like today) I just wear the gloss alone and it has a great berry/fucshia sheen to it. Lastly, the smell is delicious- smells like red wine and roses when I went to give my boyfriend a bisou..he mentioned that my gloss smelled good ( french boyfriend approved).

Needless to say I racked up lots o' YSL goodies from this event. With my purchase I got a sweet gift. Lately GWP ( gifts with purchase) hasn't impressed me since my Clinique days back in the 8th grade when you bout $16.50 and got a 7 piece set.
Though I spent well over $20 for the YSL GWP.. it was worth it, I can acutally use all of the goodies! It came with YSL's Teint Parfait Oil-free Complexion enhancer in #3. A Rouge Vibration mini lipstick in #8, Bronzer in #2 , lip pencil in #8 , a face brush and a pretty pink bag.

Anyone working for YSL beauté please contact me. I would love to learn more about your products!

Shiny Happy Healthy Hair

Two weeks until the official kick-off of summer. Temperatures are high and humidity, frizz, bugs.. LET’S GET IT INTO SHAPE!

For me, I have relaxed, shoulder-length dry hair and on top of that, I’m learning to surf this month (I can hear the breakage already). But, I’m determined to turn this into a positive.
How? For starters, I got some great info from the Nordstrom Trendshow I attended on Saturday. I spoke with Scott from Phyto regarding some hair care products for a friend and quickly the convo was about my relaxed hair and how they had relaxers ( really?) to restore moisture and improve the strength of my hair.. Now, just before I dish out the money for a relaxer by Phyto.. I decided to start out small.. how about Shampoo or Conditioner.. or even styling spray.. I started with the spray.

2 and a ½ days later, I’m proud to say that Phyto has changed my hair.. I had little to no breakage. I used PhytoSpecific Intergral Haircare.
Another Leave-in that is great is the Pantene Relaxed and Natural and the Oscar Blandi Protein Mist.

Since I will not subject my hair to flat irons , I need to keep my strands shiny and frizz free. So far I am liking Aveda’s Light Elements Smoothing Fluid Lotion, and Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy Serum.

So now I can check off hair on my “to do” list for maintenance.

Max Factor: Naughty and Nice Collection

SO I have never tried MaxFactor before. When I think of the brand- I think of the pancake foundation they had in the 50's.
Last week I was checking out Page Six and saw these ads- I didn't understand. Are they selling jewelry? but the lipgloss looks really good...
Low and behold in my inbox is a Naughty or Nice e-mail... Before I shoved it to spam, I opened it. To my surprise these Maxilicious lip glosses look appealing. Since these are found in the drugstore, it may be some time before I actually get to see them in stores... so I'll give these by mid-month to be at my Longs.

Music: Charlotte Gainsbourg

Last week I checked out Charlotte Gainsbourg's 5:55 album. I love it.
I enjoy the Air infused "Set yourself on fire" and the "Night Time Intermission" is melodious.
Check out her video for " The Songs that we Sing"

Libertine for Target: August '07

As part of Target's Go International, next up is Libertine.
Though I wasn't too excited about Patrick Robinson's collection - they grey pants are great. Its my "summer skinny pant" that I can wear confidently with bright shoes or accessories. Black skinny jeans in the summer... maybe for dinner.
I love Libertine's take on Victorian/ School Prep. When I was in Paris last year having some coffee at the Lourve, I distinctly remember a gentleman wearing a jacket that was Libertine. How did I know? Their horse print on the side of the jacket.
I'm also happy that the models for the collection ( thus far) don't look like they are 13 years old- that was a gripe I have about PR's collection... yes, its Grecian inspired, brown, blue and reds but come on.. should a 25 inch waist line fit a size 5 pant? I think not.