Contrast

I love red. I love it as a base color. I love it as a signature color. I love it when it's done right.

It Never Goes Out of Style

Hey everyone, I'm back from an eventful couple of weeks. I have tried to keep up with my beauty musings, but have a backlog of products I've tried, etc.

First of all, I have re-fallen in love with a few products, including the Glossing Cream (based on my one weekend without its amazingness.) I have acquired a couple of new products that I will have to write about.

I have been wearing my ear warmer (that I wrote about with uncertainty here) nearly any time I am not at work. It has quickly become a very practical seasonal signature accessory.

I am in awe of how long my spa birthday pedicure has lasted. It is blowing my mind. Seriously, still shiny 5 weeks later. I NEVER leave nail polish on that long usually, but with the cold weather and busy schedule, I didn't get around to changing it. I will write more about what I think the secret to its longevity is!

But, this evening, I am just thankful for pure aloe vera gel. I tend to be so freaked out about any sort of blemish or breakout, that I load up my already sensitive skin with harsh anti-acne products...causing peeling or redness. I have been trying to be more self-controlled about overapplying that stuff. Still, with the cold and dry weather, I have been having a bit of flaking around my skin. My favorite moisturizer--pure aloe vera gel. I know it doesn't make me break out, doesn't make me greasy and is incredibly cheap.

"Twilighted" Hair

I get the weekly Glamour beauty and fashion email update. I find it very helpful--full of tips and new trends. This came today and I immediately starting wanting twilighted hair:

Twilight-ed hair

Here's a new term to add to your hair dictionary: twilights. L.A. celeb colorist Stuart Gavert created the multidimensional hair colors you've see on Kristen Stewart and her co-stars in this winter's vampire flick, Twilight, and now he's coined a new color term after the flick. Unlike highlights or lowlights, twilights are achieved when very subtle lighter and darker tones are painted in to give the hair a sparkly effect without changing its color. Rachel Weisz and Eva Longoria Parker are just two A-listers who have already copied the Twilight look. There's no major root-dying, which means it's OK to skimp on color if you need to pay off your Visa bill. Ask your colorist to crib the effect!

Whoops

I went away in a hurry for the weekend and forgot my Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream (made with olive oil.) Let's just say that my hair was not the same. Normally I need a serum (I used BioSilk) and Glossing Cream. Other products are optional. If I'm diffusing my naturally wavy hair, I use Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam or some other texturizing spray/cream.

But many times I just toss in my two staple products, and my hair dries on its own--sans frizziness and with tons of shine.

Not so this weekend. It made me SO appreciate my Glossing Cream, and I needed to share it. It is very pricey, but worth it. Sephora and Bath and Body Works both sell a mini bottle for $9 that lasted a few months even on my super long hair. I sprung for the full sizer when I had a Sephora Beauty Insider coupon.

I love Cameron Diaz

This dress is SO 90's-retro. Remember when every dress had that ruffle at the bottom?

Tim Gunn would hate the length of this dress, but it fits her perfectly and she rocks it somehow.

Tarte Lock'n'Roll

I happened upon this on the Sephora website a month or so ago. And I'm so glad I did! I love very glossy lids, ala Bare Escentials Glimmers (when you apply it wet,they call it "foiling.") I ordered the Tarte Lock & Roll Creaseless Eyeshow in bronze. I tried it without my trusy Urban Decay Primer Potion (the one miracle product that keeps my eyeshadow from creasing) and I cannot say that I was impressed. However, I loved the sheen of the cream, and the staying power of the shimmery powder. I love the two step process; that must be why it can stay on so long without fading. So, I tried it over the UB and it stayed on beautifully all day. Perfect glossy eyelid look without the creasing.

8 Unboring Ways to Wear a T-Shirt

I came across this slide show of t-shirt ideas while browsing Glamour.com. While I'm not usually much of a t-shirt wearer (apart from college shirts to bed), I think these ideas are great.

8 Unboring Ways...

Dry Shampoo

It is so cold here. I'm talking the 40's during the day. This is tough for me. I feel cold most of the time. Especially immediately before and after showering. In fact, it makes me want to shower even less than my normal every other day. I have actually had to start drying (diffusing) my hair because I don't want to catch my death with wet hair in arctic temperatures (I exaggerate slightly.)

So, I was pleased to remember my love affair with dry shampoo. I haven't been using it lately, ever since I grew out my bangs. I have posted about it before here.

But, this is a great instruction list for dry shampoo virgins. It makes me want to stretch my hair washing out over another day.

Allure Blog

Tell me, tell me!!

Please, time for some feedback.

I have been itching for change in the face makeup department. Everytime I think I want to change, I remember just how much I love Bare Escentuals. But, I am curious as to what other people wear. I like to look like I'm not wearing face makeup, when I laugh secretly at how I actually do!! Mwahahaha...

Seriously, though, what do you wear?

I am contemplating trying Colorescience mineral makeup in a pressed powder. The makers of Bare Escentuals split back in the 90's and this is the company the other partner started. It is pricier than BE, but is amazingly waterproof. And the packaging is more convenient, with either a pressed powder or a brush applicator.

Other than that, I love tinted moisturizers.

But I usually go back to BE, for three years now!

Mid Week

All around me, everyone is falling victim to colds (or maybe it's one virus, who knows.) Tonight, my throat is feeling a bit sore and scratchy. I am loading up on my immune supplements, and those things have fought for me quite well. Here's hoping.

Anyways, here are some things I am loving right now:

Kristen Stewart's outfit


Benefit Primpcess (if only I didn't already own their Big Beautiful Eyes kit.) This thing looks so efficient and travel-friendly.


Just got this from Urban and can't decide if it works for me or not. I feel like my hair is a pouffy at the top. I may need to exchange it for this:

Clothes That Fit

I love super flattering clothes. The actual style and trend pale in comparison to a perfect fit, in my opinion. I love seeing people--whether they're celebrities, friends or strangers--wearing the perfect color, with the perfect fit, in the perfect level of appropriateness for the occasion.

Jessica Biehl does this more and more. I love the unexpected color combination and the perfect fit.

And she gets Justin Timberlake.