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Gosh I love orange this season. It’s kind of been a sick obsession, but I’ve been going CRAZY over finding some really lovely orange lipsticks. I haven’t been QUITE bold enough to rock a BRIGHT orange, so I’ve been obsessed with finding the perfect blend of bold but subtle. Truth be told, I’m a little shy about venturing beyond beiges and pinks for my lips.

But since orange is still holding on as the most wanted color for summer, I had to try it.

If you’re wondering how you can add a splash of tangerine to your look:

Sephora Tangerine Tango Lip Cream ($18)

www.sephora.com

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On the heels of my love affair with Amazonian Clay, Tarte Cosmetics has tapped into another skin-nourishing ingredient found in the depths of the Amazon: maracuja oil, derived from the maracuja or Brazilian passionfruit.
Featured in the May issue of In Style, this Best Beauty Buy topped the editors’ lists and it has made it’s way into my handbag for quick touch ups!
Tarte Maracuja Blush and Glow ($32)

The maracuja fruit boasts some little-known beauty benefits, which Tarte discovered thanks to its long-standing relationship with women in the Amazon. When cold-pressed, the oil extracted from maracuja oil was found to hydrate, smooth, and soften skin — all thanks to its high concentration of linoleic acid, which maintains the skin’s integrity, protects it from environmental aggressors, and prevents moisture loss; along with its vitamin A, which boosts cellular regeneration, and vitamin C, which brightens the complexion and protects it from UV exposure, content.

The tints are packaged in squeeze tubes with twist-off caps, accompanied by separate caps featuring domed solid cheek color tints covered by clear tops.

Ideally, you’ll want to twist off the original cap and replace it with the cap containing the cheek color so that both products will be self-contained into one tube. When you want to illuminate your skin, you can squeeze out the liquid color inside the tube and blend it along the cheekbone or the apples of cheeks.

I like to squeeze a bit into my moisturizer and  then blend together and apply to my face for an all over glow.

In addition to maracuja oil, which hydrates the skin and alleviates inflammations, the formula contains: aloe leaf extract, which is known to boast antiseptic and healing properties; beeswax, which seals in moisture and stimulates collagen production, contributing to less visible wrinkles and aging signs; soybean extract, a protein-rich emollient containing vitamin A and E; collagen-boosting vitamin A, a vital ingredient in any anti-aging treatment; brightening vitamin C, a natural antioxidant; and vitamin E, a moisturizer and skin conditioner that protects the skin from environmental scavengers ranging from UV rays to pollution.

The dual purpose Blush & Glow is available in three shades:

Moonlight, a pearly pink hue with lavender undertones

Candlelight, a golden, champagne-like color with a hint of warm coral

Sunlight, a Midas-ready yellow gold hue with copper tones

www.tarte.com

 

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If you are a fan of MUFE Aqua Liners and Aqua Creams the new Aqua Shadows that just launched are sure to thrill you!

Makeup Forever Aqua Shadow ($20)


MUFE suggests that the Aqua Shadow formula is an “intensely pigmented, waterproof formula provides immediate, rich color that will not smudge, crease, or fade. Created with silica powder, its ultra creamy texture glides effortlessly on the eye lid and blends easily for an even result. Incredibly simple to use, Aqua Shadow quickly creates a multitude of dynamic and colorful looks.”

This is formulated to be applied to the eyelid with fingers or a brush.


Aqua Shadow is available in 12 hues from neutral to smoky with matte or pearly finishes.  I think Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow in 20E is pretty stunning. I like that it is a pearlized, mid-tone color – it shines brightly, but it has too much color to be just a highlight shade. Who knew taupe could be so versatile and interesting!

Swipe your favorite color across your lid for a quick and easy look, or create a multicolored effect by layering on additional shades. Apply Aqua Shadow directly to the upper or lower lid and blend with the fingertips or a brush. Allow the product to set for five seconds before blinking. Aqua Shadow is compact and portable, making it great for on-the-go application.

www.sephora.com

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Throughout my childhood, teenage years and twenties, I went mad trying to get a tan on every holiday. I did stupid things like wear really low SPF  and let myself get burnt thinking that the redness will turn into a tan.  I was- in fact- a tanorexic. It wasn’t entirely my fault. My mom and her girlfriends would all sit in the sun holding their aluminum sun reflectors a la Pauly D- because back then, we didn’t know how harmful those rays were.

 For those of you who don’t know… May is Melanoma Awareness Month.

According to a new survey by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)

  • While half of Americans are concerned about their weight, only 1 in 7 are concerned about their skin health.
  • Only 1 in 7 Americans (14 percent) wear sunscreen daily.
  • Only 1 in 10 has ever checked their own skin for signs of sun damage..

Awareness/knowledge of melanoma is the greatest blind spot for women age 18 to 34, with only 83% recognizing that it is the deadliest form of skin cancer. It’s a sad truth, but most women go about their daily lives without lathering on sun protection. Worse yet, that number goes up significantly when talking about men and children.

Babes… sun protection is a year round necessity…and not just something to slather on when beach bound (though we’ve all been guilty of that).

MDSolarSciences is the first physician-driven, skin cancer prevention and sun protection company committed to education, early detection and saving lives.  With skin cancer rates rising annually, a physician driven primary skin cancer prevention company, recognizes the need for a broad range of state-of-the-science and state-of-the-art ultraviolet radiation protection products. MD Solar Science is really ahead of the game as it already complies will all of the FDA changes for SPF that will turnover in June – it is as healthy as you get for sunscreen.  For the month of May, if you buy any two MD Solar Science products, you’ll get an SPF Spray free.

The products in the lineup go on smoothly, are odorless, stay non-sticky, and apply invisibly without any of that chalky film you often get with sunscreens. They also pull double-duty as a moisturizer, so there’s no excuse to not applying your daily SPF!

Get it? Got it? Good!

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Happy Monday morning babes!

While at a party Saturday night, the conversation turned to unwanted body hair. I have tons of friends who wax, shave and laser. Some of them even have their husbands manscape which is probably a really good idea especially with bathing suit season around the corner. Let’s face it babes, there is nothing more disturbing than a hairy guy exposing his manliness on the beach for all to see.

I got to thinking about how much money the unwanted hair business makes. If I get my eyebrows waxed every 5 weeks, it adds up and the laser hair  removal business really racks it the dough. It costs about $1000 to laser both armpits and it’s painful. For $500 a pit, there should be no pain!

TRIA Laser Hair Removal System ($395)

The FDA-cleared TRIA Hair Removal Laser is the first and only laser for hair removal available for at-home use. Easy to use and with 5 comfort settings, TRIA’s laser for hair removal is guaranteed to deliver permanent results. Unlike other at-home hair removal methods, the TRIA Hair Removal Laser uses the same laser technology used by professionals for in-office laser hair removal for permanent results in the comfort and privacy of the home, at a fraction of the cost.

See results with just two treatments; and imagine permanent freedom from endless shaving and waxing in as little as six months.

  • Dermatologist recommended for permanent results.
  • Clinically proven to eliminate the need for regular shaving and waxing.
  • FDA-cleared. Proven safe and effective.

 

Think about how nice it would be to slip into a swimsuit or put on a pair of shorts without having to think if you are properly groomed?

www.neimanmarcus.com

 

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Mother’s Day…. Yours Or Mom’s?

by blushing on May 11, 2012

Ask any mother to show you their Mother’s Day drawer. You know, the one filled with all the kids projects made in school next to their handmade cards. In my drawer,  and I have tons of handprints and tissue  paper flowers along with last minute scribbles that say “I love you”.

I come from a family that is big on small celebrations, and Mother’s Day was the day I made the kind of curly-ribboned fuss over my mom that she regularly made over me.

As my children are getting older, the scribbles gave way to actual cards, and even gifts- last year, my son went into Blue Mercury and bought me a Fresh Sugar Lip Balm:)

In our family, Mother’s Day has never belonged to mothers — and there’s no spa day or “me time” on my schedule this Sunday. It’s about children, young and grown  taking a little time to own and appreciate all their mothers do or did for them, or at least to show their love with a drippy glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and a little burnt toast, heavily buttered and served in bed.

I’m not entirely sure that’s the way it ought to be (a spa day sounds pretty good), but it’s the way things have played out around here.

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OPI Real Gold Top Coat- For Real Life!

by blushing on May 10, 2012

OPI has done it once again. It’s like they have a direct connection to my mind with this new top coat. As a lover of all  things glittery, this takes the cake. LOVE!

Sephora by OPI It’s Real 18K Gold Top Coat ($30)

 

This  exclusive top coat consisting of hundreds of gold flakes suspended in a clear base. OPI lacquers are long-lasting, chip-resistant, and ensure flawless results with each application.
First, shake bottle well to evenly distribute the gold flecks. Apply as a top coat over your favorite polish. It’s best showcased with rich base colors, but can also be worn alone for ultimate sparkle. Apply two to three coats.
www.sephora.com

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My absolute favorite look of the night…Hello Mad Men meets that 70s glowing skin look!

Not to be all loving NARS these days but have you tried-

Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF30/PA+++($42)

 

Infused with lush, naturally derived ingredients, this lightweight tinted moisturizer immediately helps thirsty skin feel hydrated. It has been proven to help reduce the appearance of discoloration and dark spots caused by hyper pigmentation for a clearer and brighter complexion in just four weeks. Oil-free and luxurious, it obscures the appearance of lines, wrinkles, pores and other imperfections. SPF 30/ PA+++ adds a translucent veil of protection.

www.sephora.com

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I am a sucker for eyeshadow collections.

Sephora really likes to create these huge eyeshadow palettes from time to time (great for you, not-so-great for my swatching arm), With  63 shades in 21 color-coordinated trios, you may have trouble getting out the door because of all the color options.

Plus it even has a small travel palette that fits three trios too.

Sephora Smoky Studio Customizable Eye Palette ($34)

Match your smoky eye to your mood with this massive set of expertly coordinated shadow trios. The blendable, high-payoff shadows come in an expansive range of colors, from subtle nudes to vivacious pinks and blues, and in fabulous finishes from matte to super-shimmer. Click your favorite three trios into the portable compact and take them anywhere for glamorous smoky eyes on-the-go—the mini-mirrored compact makes application simple and sweet.

www.sephora.com

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Can you feel summer in the air? I can!

All the kids’ activities are winding down (thank goodness). Mother’s Day is in a week and then you know what’s around the corner…Memorial Day:)

Kinda doubting a repeat of last year’s Mem Day, though.  Man, that weekend was as beautiful as they come. The ocean was….I’m going to say it even though I lived in Florida for 3 years during college…refreshing. The 2 days of sunny skies were a gift, right?

So in my summer mode, I was sifting through some new colors recently sent to me and came across my NARS samples. You will completely freak like I did over these colors. My fave is…..

NARS Soft Touch Shadow Pencil Calabria ($24) Summer 2012

Dear NARS,

With summer around the corner, this is my new go-to for a quick pop of color on my lid.

Your soft touch pencils line is what Crayola is to my 5 year old. How do you  keeps coming up with all these gorgeously luscious shades that glitter:)

The big question on everyone’s mind is have you finally made one of these that lasts all day without fading or creasing?  I found a trick that works. I like to take El Dorado, one of your shimmer shades and put it around my entire lid before I add my pop color. The colors are lasting  and I’m sticking to my story.

xo,

beblushing

 

www.neimanmarcus.com

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