Friday, December 5, 2014

Facial Fillers Fab + Expensive: How Many Syringes To Greatness?

Could Facial fillers be the secret to the high, full, razor-sharp cheekbones we all notice on glamorous celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Christie Brinkley, Jada Pinkett Smith, Halle Berry, Mariah Carey, Sofia Vergara?

Kim Kardashian, Dec. 2014
Kim Kardashian, 2006

We certainly CANNOT prove that any of these high-profile celebrities receive cosmetic enhancements like fillers to add beautiful volume + contours to their facial features. But if you ask us.....YES...of course--- they are probably frequent clients.

Jada Pinkett Smith, before + after

So, let's look at the hyaluronic fillers---Voluma, Juvederm, Restylane, Perlane, to name a few.

These injectables are NOT cheap and DO wear off after 4-6 months. One syringe can cost between $500-$700 and more

And the OLDER you are, the MORE syringes you need. We did not know that.

Here's what Dr. Brandith Irwin, a board-certified dermatologist, explains at her educational website, SkinTour.com:

"Depending on your facial type, a good way to think about this is .....approximately one syringe per decade.   (This is true for Sculptra also),  So... if you're 53......a base would be about 5 syringes with probably about 2-3  annually after that.  I would vote strongly for doing those 5 syringes in 2-3 sessions about 2-4 weeks apart.  The quality of the work will be better."

Interesting information. Expensive beauty treatments for the average person, but not so much for a wealthy celebrity.

So, are these facial fillers worth the big dent in your beauty budget?

Or is makeup contouring cheaper + the best way to sculpt a face?

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Like Fine Wine: Marsala Is Pantone Color Of The Year 2015!

Bottoms up, everyone!

MARSALA is THE color for 2015!

Says who?

The Pantone Color Institute, which defines the color trends of the year. And marsala, this warm, earthy, brick brown red is the new winner.

Orchid was so 2014.

We all know about marsala wine. But to get a look at how it translates to fashion, take a look at Blake Lively in the sexy shade:


We like the color marsala when it's more red than brownish, as in the glam photo of Blake, the new mama-to-be.

The color institute says the shade will be popping up on clothing + makeup, sofas, cars, etc.

To learn a lot more about Pantone's color of the year, click this from the WallSt.Journal.

We think a marsala-colored handbag, wallet or shoes would make for a sophisticated fashion accent.

As far as beauty goes, marsala shades of lipstick + nail polish would be very nice.

Essie's Bordeaux comes under the color category of marsala ($8.49, at Target).


We think marsala is a good choice.

Will you invest in the color marsala for 2015?

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Set It + Forget It: New L'Oreal Infallible Makeup Extender

Whether your complexion is dry, combination or oily, there is nothing pretty about stale-looking, old makeup.

 And when you're busy at work or running around for hours, or just hanging out being you, makeup wears down by the end of the day or night. Plus, for some of us, our makeup doesn't last for more than 4-6 hours.

So, the beauty geniuses at L'Oreal Paris have developed a new, clever makeup setting spray that E-X-T-E-N-D-S your face, eye + lip color perfectly.

It's called L'Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray and Set Makeup Extender Setting Spray ($14.99, at Target). It's a light-weight, translucent spray that helps you avoid smudging eye shadow + liner, feathering lipstick, dry or oily foundation, etc.


And it's simple to set that gorgeous face of yours with a few, quick spritzes:

Shake well. Hold 8”-10” away, close eyes and spray 4 to 6 times in an X & T motion. Avoid spraying in eyes.

Makeup expert Tati explains all about L'Oreal Infallible's new makeup extender here on YouTube.

Will you try a makeup setting spray to hold everything in place + re-fresh?

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

It's New: Lovin' The Nudes Palette By Maybelline

For $12, you can have a ball creating infinite looks with Maybelline's new The Nudes Palette.


We are lovin' it because of the natural brown based family---beiges, bronzes, sands, taupes, etc.

As the great model Cindy Crawford likes to say:

A brown shadow palette is your best friend.


"It's less harsh than black, it goes with everything, and it's impossible to mess up. For day, I do variations of brown shadow, either matte or shimmer," Cindy has said.

And that's exactly what you get with The Nudes Palette---metallics, mattes, shimmers and more, packaged in a slim, sleek compact, about as wide as an iphone.

It's a lovely, 12-shade collection in its convenient, carry compact.

You can create a nice, smoky eye, too, or use a lighter touch for a cool, nude eye.

YouTube's EmilyNoel83 gives a super review of the new nudes palette. Click here.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Great Bang For Your Buck: Sally Hansen Colorfast Tint + Moisture Balm $5

Let's get real.....At this time of year, cold, crisp, very dry air plays havoc with the skin for sure, but it also does a number on the lips.

You DO need a lip balm of some kind daily, and we've got a super tinted, hydrating balm for $5. You get the moisture and a pretty, sheer wash of color.

Great for on-the-go and especially, "Great bang for your buck!"

We're talking about Sally Hansen's Colorfast Tint + Moisture Balm ($4.99, at drugstores). They're getting harder to find lately in-store, so you might have to search around a bit.

We don't believe the product is discontinued, because the balm is amazing, and Sally Hansen still features it on their website.

It looks like a twist-up, chunky lip crayon. Plus it comes in 10 shades, like Plum. Mauve. Nude. Pink.



There is nothing heavy or peppermint oil-irritating about these jumbo chapsticks. In fact, "the lightweight formula smooths and hydrates lips, for 30% more moisturized lips, instantly!".

And it features a buildable sheer to medium sheer tint for the lips. And it has a nice, vanilla scent.

This is a good beauty budget buy!

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Crazy For Cranberry Lipstick? Rihanna + Ariana Wear It


Cranberry lipstick is NOT an easy lipstick shade to wear. But as we can see here on Rihanna, the bold, dark red color is a recent fave she's been putting on.

Cranberry lips are a HOT trend at the moment. And the appeal has NOTHING to do with post-Thanksgiving.

Are you game?

We are on the fence about it, and yet when we observe Rihanna in cranberry lips, it looks so good! Plus, we love how the rest of the superstar's makeup is understated.

And Ariana Grande also debuted a cranberry lip shade + darker hair color at the AMA's last Sunday. So pretty.


Cranberry lipstick is both elegant + edgy. And the hue can go purple-ish or more burgundy-ish. But you will have to sample a few to find the perfect cranberry.

Here's a nice one by Rimmel London for LESS than $6:

Lasting Finish Lipstick-Kate Moss Collection



So, ladies....Do you have a cranberry crush you're waiting to try?

Friday, November 28, 2014

'Fraid Of Facial Oil? Even Olay Promotes New Oil Treatment For Radiant Skin

Okay....We have OILY skin, so we've been hesitant to get on the BIG beauty trend---which is facial oil for a clear, balanced complexion.

We STILL find it hard + bizarre to believe that oil on the face + neck doesn't have to be greasy or pore-clogging.

In fact, the beauty science shows us that facial oils like Olay's new Regenerist Luminous Facial Oil Daily Treatment really BALANCE the complexion, clean out pores and regulate oil production, halting excess sebum.



Well, you gotta believe.

We have tried deep cleansing facial oils to take off makeup and wash the face. Er...we DID apply it and remove the cosmetics, but after cleansing with the oil, we then resorted to our regular, facial bar soap and removed the oil remnants....LOL.

We just didn't trust the oil on an ALREADY oily complexion.

But Olay's Regenerist Luminous Facial Oil ($ 25.99, at Olay.com) promises a radiant, healthy, clear complexion, thanks to their unique, 9-blended oil formula, some of which includes---coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, tangerine oil, grape seed oil, etc.

So...how do we use the new Olay facial oil treatment?


"Apply 4-5 drops onto the palm of the hand. Use your finger to dab the facial oil in small dots over freshly cleansed skin. Then use your hands to gently massage Olay Regenerist Luminous Facial Oil smooth across your face or neck. Olay Regenerist Luminous Facial Oil can be used morning or night."

What do you think?

Are you in on the latest beauty, facial oil trend?