Beauty Countdown: Marc Jacobs Beauty- August 9th

Can.Not.Wait

Just in case you beauty bees have been hiding under a rock and/or missed Sephora's 48-hour exclusive shopping window ( I know I did!),  one of our favorite New York sportswear designers , Marc Jacobs is launching a beauty collection in less than 2 weeks! The collection will be exclusive to Sephora and MJ stores and will consist of  122-products ranging from lips to tips (nail tips). If you want to check out all that will be available check out POPSUGAR Fashion's photos to start tallying your dream list. 

I'm really excited about this launch! I think its brilliant that MJ will literally be a "one-stop shop" for all of your needs. Got your dress- check, got your duffle ready and then you need some gloss and liner, done and done. If you are in NYC, this can all be achieved in a mere one block stretch in West Village. 

On my wishlist?  Lux Beauty Enamored Hi-Shine Laquer and the Strange Magic Love Marc Lip Gel as they are both references one of my favorite films TheVirgin Suicides, a movie directed by MJ bestie Sofia Coppola.
Swatches to come soon!

DIY: Rodarte's Ombré French Manicure

Rodarte inspired Ombré Metallic French Manicure

Rodarte Fall 2013 nails- photo from Allure.com

If there is one fashion show from NYFW that I look forward to, its Rodarte. Yesterday as I checked my Instagram and Twitter, I started to see what the look was for Fall 2013 but what really caught my eye was the Ombré metallic French Manicure at Rodarte's show. In the Fall Rodarte will team up with Sally Hansen to debut the nail colors that were exclusively used for the show but " I ain't got time for that" so I went into the trusty nail color stash for some good 'ol Chanel.

Colors used: Chanel Beige, Diwali and Graphite.
Other products used: Toothpick, a napkin and Sephora OPI 3-in-1base, top and strengthener.

The workstation

Simple Steps: I first used the Sephora OPI Base then used Chanel Beige. After the Beige dried I placed a small pea-sized amount of Diwali on a napkin and dipped the toothpick in the color. Next, lightly press Diwali onto your Beige just at the top of your nail. Next, do the same step with Graphite but use the other side of the toothpick ( or another pick if yours is one sided). When nail is dry, coat with clear base. Voila!

Rodarte nails ready!

Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush Twill 618 reviewed

New Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush in Twill 618

Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush Twill 618 swatched

 In the past I have fallen into the lipstick-like lip balm trap. Where the lipstick color was supposed to seamlessly blend with your lip color and the texture was to feel gel-like or sheer. Nevertheless those lipstick/balms are in the garbage.

Now here comes Dior's Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush lipsticks that deliver a similar promise, a lipstick-like lip balm feel that hydrates, plumps and smoothes your lips. Also, this new lipstick comes in 10 shades that complement the warm and cool blush tones in our individual skin tone. Yes!

I am completely satisfied with this lipstick, it delivers as promised! The formula allows for you to pick up the lippie, apply and head out the door sans mirror.

Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush is now available at Sephora and Dior.com . I hope it sticks around for a while!

50 Grades of Shea - part 2

Hello there, In part 2 of the 50 Grades of Shea, we will learn that Karité is another word for Shea.

Here are another 10 favorites as we continue on in our series.. If you are looking for 50 Shades of Grey cosmetics.. sorry, its not here. But what we can offer are a slew of moisturizing body, hair, skin and beauty products to usher you into fall. Here we go!

Deborah Lippmann Rich Girl

Tokyo Milk Rose Shea Butter Soap

Cantu Shea Butter Leave in Conditioning Repair Cream

Kiss My Face Hot Spots SPF 30

Philip B African Shea Butter Shampoo

Sephora Collection Nano Eyeliner

Dr. Hauschka Quince Day Cream

If you have sensitive skin, fear not! Dr. Hauschka does a great job at soothing even the most irritable skin.

**Dr. Woods Pure Black Soap with Organic Shea Butter

Dare I say this is a Brooklyn favorite? Many of my friends seem to have this little-goes-a-long-way liquid soap. Plus, it seems like Black Soap is having a moment, cleansing without stripping natural oils. Dr. Woods just so happens to have the best of both gentle cleansing and the right amount of shea moisture

 Soap & Glory Hand Food Hand Cream

**Rene Furterer Karité

RF's Karité (Shea) is a wonderful line! I was saddened with Sephora decided to discontinue it in stores but the nourishment lives on.. on-line! Though you don't get to instantly touch the creamy-yet-light goodness in your hands. Take my word for it, its worth the UPS and USPS stalking to get your package.

Givenchy Hydra Sparkling Magic Lip & Cheek Balm Review

While checking out the summer collections at Sephora on Broadway, I tested Givenchy's new Hydra Sparkling Magic Lip & Cheek Balm.

This sleek new balm claims to hydrate your lips and cheeks with sheer color, a la Givenchy Gloss Poetique Natural Color Enhancer .

The formula is sheer and glossy thanks to Luffa Oil, which replenishes the lipids. the consistency is light compared to the Givenchy Gloss Poetique Natural Color Enhancer, which was more of a gel formula.

As for the color changing conundrum that left me discouraged from Givenchy Gloss Poetique Natural Color Enhancer the rose hue really comes through on the Hydra Sparkling Balm.

Givenchy Hydra Sparkling Magic Lip & Cheek balm is a Sephora Exclusive

Photo: Sephora.com

10 Influential Beauties of the Augties: Hikaru Utada

photo:utada.com

I'm taking this time as we round out the end of the Aughties to praise some of my favorite influential beauties of this decade. Their art and inspiration is well beyond just these ten years and I certainly hope to see more of them in the near future.

First up- Hikaru Utada.

Upon receiving the invite from Sephora to see Utada perform at Sephora for her upcoming album, fans spent the night in hopes of seeing the Best Selling Japanese Artist.

She prompted the 5th Ave Sephora shutdown in Spring 09 in which the fire department was called because of crowd control.

In 2002 she broke in the US with “Simple and Clean” from Kingdom Hearts video game.
Seriously, I could write about Utada for at least 2 days but will only capture a glimpse of her greatness.

Sephora's Friends and Family + New Holiday Stuff!

Today is the day for Sephora's Friends and Family 20% off discount on-line, the promo runs until Novermber 2nd.

Not only that, but there are new Goodies on Sephora.com!

NARS has three 15 year anniversary palettes!

One Eyeshadow palette ( Day and Night) the other two are full face palettes complete with Eyeshadow, blush, Multiple, lipstick and gloss. Each cater to either the smoky eye/Red Lip combo ( Wild at Heart) or the Colorful shadow/ Nude lip combo ( Everlasting love). Plus there is a Multiple Coffert featuring 3 mini mulitples!

Also on Sephora.com- YSL's Holiday set! Trial Size #1 black liner & #1 Luxurious Mascara, #1 Touche Eclat and #2 Golden Praline Golden Gloss.

I have a laundry list of replenishments before I can get a hold of this new Holiday stuff- I can't believe its around the corner!

What do you plan on getting from the F&F Sale?

Sephora's Friends and Family Sale!

Thank you Adina of Kraseybeauty for the heads up!


From Monday, October 19th- Tuesday, November 2nd Sephora will take 20% off all cosmetics when you use the code FF09 !

Dior Iconic Diva To Go- Sephora Exclusive

How I love thee….
I recently ordered this kit and am in love with it. Dior Iconic was a mascara I was trying to avoid- why? I love my Givenchy mascara and could do without another- or so I thought.
Dior Iconic separates and curls- fine and dandy with me, but this kit has a mini Dior Addict High Shine lipstick in Catwalk Mauve- a sheer plum color that is universally flattering ( I seriously thought I was going to have to either give it away or toss it because my initial thought was “ ugh, this isn’t going to work”).

To be honest and frank- I have been on the fence with Dior Cosmetics. They don’t offer a wide range of foundation tones ( more on that later). And Glitter and Sparkles scare me.
Now after trying the Addict High Shine Lipstick- I love it! Its not as glittery and scary as the tubes suggests and the colors [lipstick] are flattering.

Dior Diva to go is available at Sephora for the price of a Dior Iconic Mascara.

Kimora Lee Simmon's Sale at Sephora

When I first checked out this brand, I was really excited! But then I realized that it can only be found on the Sephora.com website and not in any stores around Southern or Northern California.
Back then ( about a year ago) I noticed that the prices were kinda high, I mean like Chanel and Dior high and no real review of the product.

Well.. I think someone got the hint, now all of Kimora's makeup line is up to %50 percent off the original price!. Way to knock the price down without it going to the Clearance bin. So I think there may be some longevity...

check it out here http://www.sephora.com/browse/brand_hierarchy.jhtml?brandId=5833&searchString=kimora%20lee%20simons