Bond No. 9 Andy Warhol Union Square Fragrance Review
May 30, 2008
“My favorite smell is the first smell of spring in New York,” Andy Warhol once said.
Maybe that’s why he developed a portfolio of vibrant colored flowers screen prints at the first of his two studios on Union Square.
His work, and the location of these studios inspired Bond No. 9 to create Andy Warhol Union Square, the latest in Bond No. 9’s series of collectible Warhol fragrances, out now.
The scent, the second perfume in a collection produced under license from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, is a “seductive green floral” and includes notes of Lily of the Valley, Green Stem Notes, Sweet Blue Freesia, White Birchwood, Amber and Silver-cloud Musk Accord.
It’s really hard describing this scent, because the way I see it, it is art – and I remember how hard it was critiquing pieces in Art class! The scent is definitely a floral, but a bit sweet as well.
Marisa Miller’s Look for the Maxim’s Hot 100 Party
May 29, 2008
Marisa Miller was declared No. 1 in Maxin’s Hot 100, with magazine editor James Kaminsky saying that she represented the return of the great American supermodel.
When she arrived at the Hot 100 party, her makeup artist Christy Coleman and hairstylist Jonathan Hanousek worked to get a “girl next door, sexy” look, which you can recreate with these products and tips from them:
FACE: Chantacaille Future Skin all over face for an even, fresh complexion. Add concealer under eyes to highlight the eye area. lastly, apply Translucent powder to set foundation and concealer.
CHEEKS: “I wanted to add a little blush to the apple of the cheek. This adds just the right amount of color enhance her cheekbones,” said Christy. She used Shimmery pink blush by Chanel
EYES: “I didn’t want her to look overdone. I played up the eyes to give her a Bridgette Bardot look, but using iridescent eye shadow makes it less dramatic.”
How to Spot Natural Products
May 29, 2008
I’ve been hearing ‘natural’ this, ‘natural’ that; and the demand for natural products are on the rise with companies making environmentally-friendly, ‘natural’ products.
But how would a shopper like you and me know what is natural, and what isn’t?
The Natural Products Association just unveiled a new certification program that defines natural and includes an easily-identified seal. Brands that are already approved are Burt’s Bees, Weleda, Aubrey Organics, Badger Balm, Farmaesthetics, and Trilogy Fragrances.
Us shoppers can expect the seal to begin appearing on certified natural personal care products as fast as this summer.
The companies that have joined in this effort with the Natural Products Association are not required to do this by any federal agency but these brands got fed up with seeing other companies call their lines “natural” when they were exactly the opposite – this seal will help educate consumers on what products are really natural.
Bond No. 9 Fire Island Fragrance Review
May 28, 2008
“Imagine freshly baked skin, doused with a coating of premium Euro-sunscreen then warmed up by a midday siesta by the beach – and the sensual stirrings of a body in heat.”
No, this is not an excerpt from one of your secret romance novels! ;) It’s the premise of Bond No. 9 fragrance Fire Island, said to “summoned forth the distinctive spicy-sweet aroma of the most sought-after of vintage Euro-bronzing oils”, and is a “reminder of skin sniffed up close.”
Fire Island is exactly that, it is sweet and spicy, and includes notes of Cardamom, Neroli, White Musk, Skin Musk, Tuberose and Patchouli.
Kim Kardashian’s Favorite Makeup Products and Tips
May 27, 2008
I have a confession to make. Keeping Up With the Kardashians, a reality show on the E! Channel, is currently my guilty pleasure.
I randomly saw the show one day from channel-surfing and it was strangely intriguing and very, very funny. The family calls themselves the modern-day Brady Brunch, and one of the daughters, Kim, is quite the jack of all trades, as Wiki told me. She’s Paris Hilton’s best friend, a model, stylist, socialite, party girl… everything!
What really caught my eye (eyes?) were the fashion and makeup of the 3 older daughters, Kourtney, Khloe and Kim. They have amazing dress sense (they own a store called Dash) and their hair and makeup always looks perfect. The girls have an Armenian background, so they are very exotic with dark hair and dark eyes, which they always accentuated with with dark, smokey eyes.
Allure Reader Choice Awards 2008
May 22, 2008
If you are truly beauty obsessed like I am, you would’ve already picked up the new issue of Allure and flipped straight to page 142, where the Reader Choice Awards are ‘held’.
Whether some are there for advertising sake or not, I do agree with quite a few of the picks:
EYESHADOW – Drugstore – Revlon ColorStay 12 Hour Eyeshadow Quad in Coffee Bean.
I’ve had this for almost a year, and it is still half full. The colors go well alone on your lid, or all mixed up for a sexy, brown Smokey eye. A very simple palette of eye shadow colors, but we love it.
MASCARA – Drugstore – Maybelline Great Lash .
I don’t particulary love this mascara, but I understand why others would love it – it’s affordable, very easy to apply, and it doesn’t clump, as the formula is very smooth and wet.
Jean Paul Gaultier Monsieur Makeup Line for Men
May 20, 2008
Jean Paul Gaultier’s long-awaited line of man makeup, Monsieur is now out!
Monsieur has ‘officially’ come out this month, although it is a re-launch of the same idea from 2003(makeup for men) and I read it was called everything from Tout Beau Tout Propre to Skin Styling. (Don’t blame me! The only makeup I knew about 5 years ago was glitter nail polish!) Anyways, the man makeup is back, five years later, renamed and repackaged.
In fact, they say, ‘A Monsieur lies hidden in every man. Monsieur is sophisticated and elegant without fuss or complication, but of course not without humor’.
The line includes “aesthetic enhancement” products like a cleanser, toner, shaving products, concealer, eyeliner, brow grooming gel and a bronzer.
M.A.C. Liquidlast Liner Review
May 18, 2008
Since summer is pretty much here, it is time to bring the water-proof, smudge-proof, whatever-proof makeup out!
M.A.C.’s Liquidlast liner is one of their products I swear by and “combines long-lasting wear with a non-smudge, non-flake precision line. Goes on effortlessly.”
One thing about M.A.C. is that their products live up to what they claim. The eyeliner is very hard to get off and does not smudge at all.
Jennifer Lopez Deseo for Men Fragrance
May 16, 2008
Jennifer Lopez will expand her fragrance expire this September with the release of her first men’s fragrance, Deseo.
“I wanted to capture the intimate and personal nature of a man who is sexy, yet strong,” Lopez said.
“’Deseo’ means desire. Desire is a universal word that expresses passion between two people. I wanted to take this meaning and put it behind the idea of one desiring another. The smell is warming and creates a provocative and sensual texture.”
Giorgio Armani Bronze Mania Collection 2008
May 15, 2008
I went to Milan last year, and since then I’ve been obsessed. One-way ticket for one, please.
Since then Italian culture has mesmerized me. The buildings, the culture, the design, and the food - everything looked so deep, dark and sophisticated. Sign me up! As far as Italian-made goods go, I always think that it’s always made to perfection, be it a suit, a building or a makeup bag!
One of the stores I went into while in Milan was the huge Armani building (did you know there’s an Armani Cafe?!) and there was the debut of the Giorgio Armani cosmetics line. While nothing wowed m
e at that stage (it was brand new so there were only the ‘basics’ there) I saw a post on Can’t Live Without My Lipstick on the new Bronze Mania Collection, and I just had to post about it. LOOK at it!
Summer collections always excite me because that’s my most favorite look - dark bronzed Smokey eyes, metallics, bronzer, nude lips…all the works.
This collection includes the new Skin Tints, that are water-soluble bronze tints that give you color with its smooth, gel texture. Colors range from a subtle summer glow to a deep Mediterranean tan, and the tint is said to be lightweight and give a natural and translucent look.
Summer Makeup Tips from Stila Cosmetics
May 14, 2008
Have a Stila Summer this year!
Stila artist Sarah Lucero explains how to use some of Stila must-haves for the season, as well as Summer makeup tips.
Sun Bronzing Powder SPF 15
Now formulated with SPF 15, this Stila classic blocks the sun without leaving you pale, giving you a natural glow. Provides full protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays and imparts a radiant glow.
“This is a must–have for the summer and for all skin types and tone—it leaves your skin looking healthy and luminous,” says Lucero.
“For a light, sun-kissed look, apply Stila Sun Bronzing Powder SPF 15 Shade #1. Dust over the nose, tops of cheeks and forehead – wherever the sun naturally first touches the skin. For a tanner look, use Shade #2.”
Victoria’s Secret Heavenly Kiss Limited Edition Fragrance
May 13, 2008
Victoria Secret has released a new limited edition fragrance to their award winning Dream Angels fragrance collection.
Heavenly Kiss is said to be “fresh, sexy and totally of-the-moment” and is “perfect for spring time romance” and is a fruity vanilla-oriental eau de parfum.
Notes include base notes of soft vanilla, creamy woods, English toffee, marshmallow, sensual musk.
Top and middle notes are fruity florals such as freesia petals, apricot nectar, jasmine and watermelon.
