simple ways to wear Pantone Marsala

bonjour, beauties! the first month of the new year is almost over ~ can you believe it? if you didn't notice, i took a bit of a break... hope your 2015 is going well for you thus far!

in any case, i'm sure by now you've heard that Marsala is the Pantone 2015 color of the year. described as a stirring and flavorful shade for apparel and accessories that is flattering against many skin tones, this shade, appealing to men and women, encourages color creativity and experimentation; if you're like me, you've already adopted it. it's a fab go-to color in your beauty routine as well; you can highlight your cheeks and eyes in Marsala, give the perfect pop of color on nails and lips, and will make a great tint for your hair as well!

this hue all over the place, beauties, and i hope you you'll have fun with it {btw, one very cool thing i'm loving about this year's color selection is that it's so very close to my daughter's main school color, maroon. she's on the basketball team, so i already have an excuse to incorporate this color into my lifestyle…you know, school spirit. ;) }.

here are some items of inspiration i found across the web...

as perfect examples of how to make Marsala part of any ensemble, Jennie Mai rocks leather pants while and Taylor Swift dons a lady-like handbag. 

more examples:

1. Oasis Embellished Textured Lantern Dress
2. Oasis Heart Print Three Quarter Sleeves Top
3. Oasis Plain LS Skater
4. Visible Interest Rainbow Quartz Pendant Necklace by Lumo
5. Jamberry Pomegranate Pop Nail Wraps
6. Jamberry Red Currant Nail Lacquer
7. Jamberry Vintage Deco Nail Wraps
8. Prescriptives Medium U-Pick Refillable Compact (shown: Eye Shadow in Canyon and Campfire, Cheek Color in Wine)


...and here are some items i own:

i found two cropped jackets at Forever 21 {decided to buy the one on the left, and the top, btw}…

 this e.l.f blush palette {in dark} is a fabulous example of how Marsala can be incorporated into your beauty game…

and of course, nail polish! pictured: wet 'n' wild Haze of Love {left} and SpaRitual Fall in Love* {right}.

Marsala is a fabulous shade to incorporate drama, but still keeps an earthy, grounded vibe. how will you be making Marsala part of your life in 2015, beauties?

product sent to me by the brand for feature consideration; pics taken by me :)

Cargo introduces new Matte Top Coat

if you're a fan of the matte lip trend, you can create the look with any of your favorite lippies thanks CARGO’s new Matte Top Coat!

i admit, the matte look wasn't a trend i adopted right away, but recently i've been playing with the look. i've found it to be a fun way to freshen up my look and it works as a nice compliment to a dewey or sparkly eye makeup look.

to get the matte look simply apply your favorite lip color, blot gently and swipe on the top coat to create a fashionable, matte finish.

hello, gorgeous!

the new CARGO Matte Top Coat is currently available at Ulta.com, Nordstrom, Kohl’s, Macy’s and CargoCosmetics.com

expert tips for creating a perfect at-home bath

did you know that immersing the body in water has been medically proven to be a very relaxing, therapeutic and a complement to a healthy lifestyle? you can find luxurious baths the Lapis Spa in the Fontainebleau Miami Beach where they offer water therapy in various ways and at varied temperatures; the deep muscle relaxation associated with a good hot bath helps to reduce cramps, tension headaches and improves muscle elasticity. this process is similar to a massage and beneficial for everyone, from athletes to those who sit at a desk all day. it has even been said that taking a bath takes you back to a time when you were in the womb, thus creating a comforting and relaxing environment.

with winter in the air and the stress of the holidays just around the corner, a bath is certainly something that will aid in relaxing. i admit, i don't remember the last time i took one, but since receiving the following tips i have to share with you, i'm thinking it's about time i take one soon…

many thanks to Josie Feria, director of Spa at Lapis {located at The Fontainebleau Miami Beach}, for  sharing these helpful tips to create the ultimate at-home soaking experience. take a look…

bath temperature 

a warm bath is best for relaxing the body with the ideal water temperature being 92 degrees fahrenheit. "test the water by using your wrist, not your hand, as it's a better gauge of how the water will feel once your entire body is submerged."

use scented bath oil 

Feria recommends floral scents like lavender, jasmine, iris and rose since they are associated with relaxation and can help to ease you into a relaxing state quicker. "adding oils to the tub {when the bath is halfway full} will help them disperse evenly throughout the water."

body scrub 

most people are used to being active all the time, so when they get in the tub their minds start racing and they become unable to relax. engage your mind by gently massaging your body with a sponge and body scrub; as the scrub buffs away dryness, your thoughts can move to something less stressful.

closing your eyes 

it's important to close your eyes during the bath to enter deep relaxation, so anything that forces you to keep your eyes closed is a great. "try cold cucumbers, an icy compress or eye pads which have been soaked in chilled chamomile tea."

bath salts

if you've had a tough workout, bath salts are like external muscle relaxants. soreness, pain or swelling are reduced, along with inflammation and stiffness, when using bath salts. they also help detoxify skin and increase circulation which helps to ease tension and revitalize the body.

candles

bright bathroom lights tell your body its go-time ~ not bath time. instead, light a few candles and place them around the room and on the edge of the tub.

cold water

if you’ve set your water temp right {somewhere between steamy and very warm}, you should be feeling quite toasty in the tub. a warm bath raises your body’s core temperature, so you’ll start sweating. Josie says, "before getting into the tub, set a bowl of ice water and a washcloth next to you and use it as a cold compress on your forehead or the nape of your neck to help keep you refreshed throughout the bath time. i also grab a tall bottle of San Pellegrino and force myself to drink the whole thing to hydrate."

bath robe/nice bath sheets
 "nothing jolts you out of a zen state like going from a warm, luxe bath to a measly, threadbare robe or old dingy towel. get a plush terry cloth robe or fluffy towels that allow you to feel warm and comfortable."

multitask
make the most of your bath by using the time to also give yourself a face and hair treatment. both the skin and hair respond very favorably to the moist environment created by a steamy bath. to cleanse your face, apply a clay mask to the skin avoiding the eyes, allow to remain on the skin for 7-10 minutes then remove gently with wet washcloth. to soften and hydrate your hair, apply conditioner or hair mask to wet hair then cover in plastic cap and hot towel and allow the conditioner or mask to remain on hair for duration of bath for 15- 20 minutes. wash and rinse thoroughly.

music
"play relaxing music to sooth your mood and aid in the process of relaxation. visualization is also a great tool to enhance relaxation in the bath," says Josie. complimented by music, visualization exercises can transport you to your own private nirvana…caribbean beaches anyone?

relax afterwards
leave the smart phone alone for an hour or so and just enjoy time for yourself. get a glass of tea and read or listen to music. want more coziness? "heat a towel in the microwave and wrap around your neck and take a deep and well-earned nap."

 thank you again to Josie Feria for these fabulous tips!

 if ever i'm in miami…

so, tell me ~ which of these suggested tips will you, {or maybe do you already} incorporate into your bath time? any fave products you include in your ritual? share in the comments!

info and images courtesy of pr representing Josie Feria of Spa at Lapis {located at The Fontainebleau Miami Beach}

Foolproof Fall Makeup from butter LONDON

bonjour, beauties! it's a pretty busy time in my life currently, and since there are no signs that things will slow down, especially with the holiday season right around the corner, saving time wherever possible is truly helpful…

so when makeup artist and butter LONDON global color ambassador Katie Jane Hughes offered some tips for a foolproof fall makeup look that anyone can achieve in about 10 minutes, i was more than happy to learn more, and of course, share the tips with you!

Katie says: "bold lips are always a fall makeup staple, but you don’t have to spend hours in front of the mirror trying to create a look that’s worthy of the red carpet. for a foolproof fall makeup look, i suggest pairing a bold lip with a soft eye." 

 follow these steps below for the perfect fall look that’s sure to get you out the door faster:

skin:

"always start with a clean base. use one of the new Scrubbers Makeup Remover Wipes to remove excess makeup or oil from the skin. apply moisturizer {like Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream} followed by foundation {Laura Mercier Silk Creme} over the T-zone and concealer {Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage} as needed. dust a bit of pressed powder over the face.

eyes:

take a brown pencil, like WINK Eye Pencil in Twigged, skim the pencil around lash line and blend so it looks lived-in, like a natural smokey shadow. {tip: the striking metallic effect will look great against a matte lip!} finish with a few swipes of mascara {WINK Mascara in Union Jack Black} being sure to separate each lash.

lips:

"for a fall lip, i love matte lipstick. my current favorites are LIPPY Moisture Matte Lipstick in Old Blighty and Ruby Murray. to maximize your matte, press your finger into the lipstick bullet and dab onto a puckered lip, applying until most of the lip is covered. finish by gently pushing your lips together. if you want extra definition, use the highest point on the lipstick bullet to line lips or use a brown liner {WINK Eye Pencil in Brown Sugar ~ this product is genius, i've even used it to contour!} to blend in added color and create an ombre pout."

cheeks:

fall doesn’t require too much color on cheeks, but a barely there pop of color is nice. take a blush brush and lightly dab into CHEEKY Cream Blush in Ruby Murray and gently brush over the apples of your cheeks. Your skin will look fresh and natural.

for the overachievers:

if you have an extra few minutes, a liquid-lined eye is a gorgeous addition to this fall makeup look. take your liner {try WINK Matte Liquid Eyeliner in Brown Sugar} and start with the wing, working out from the edge of your lash line where the top and bottom lid meet. work up and outward and then back toward the lid. stop here if you want an Angelina Jolie inspired cat eye. if you want more of a doe-eyed Zooey Deschanel look, continue to line the length of the eye towards the inner corner.

thanks, Katie! and to you, dear beauties, i hope this info will keep your life easy and allow you to be your fabulous self in minimal time {and if you're interested, take a look at Katie's own bold lip look on Instagram}.

you can find butter LONDON at Ulta, Macy's and online at butterlondon.com

info and images courtesy of butter LONDON

Project Runway winning look: Bold Metallic Eyes by Mary Kay

for the Project Runway Season 13 finale, one beauty trend captivated the runway…

 bold metallic eyes!

Mary Kay global makeup artist Luis Casco created glowing silver eyes for the models of Project Runway winner, Sean Kelly, which is so simple to do! it easily transfers from runway to real life, and i would know this because i did it!

 this winning shiny metal look is playful and sexy enough for the catwalk, but absolutely fabulous for daily wear by regular gals like me {and, if i'm being honest, the closest "runway" i get to walk is a grocery isle or hallway in my house, LOL!}.

in any case, here's how to get this metallic eye look:

1. generously apply Mary Kay® Cream Eye Color in Glacier Gray all over eyelids as a base with brush.
2. sweep Mary Kay® Mineral Eye Color in Sterling on to inner halves of eyelids and build out under inner thirds of bottom lashes until you see it disappear. take color left in brush and sweep across brow bone to brighten eye.
3. line along creases and outer thirds of lower lash lines with Mary Kay At Play™ Eye Crayon in Purple Smoke and blend slightly.
4. intensify lashes with two coats of Mary Kay® Lash Love Mascara in Black to top and bottom lashes.
5. apply Mary Kay® Mineral Cheek Color in Golden Copper to apples of cheeks in an upward diagonal toward brow bone.
6. pair eyes with a neutral lip by applying Mary Kay At Play™ Jelly Lip Gloss in Teddy Bare to center of lips.

told you it was simple! and, as always, i love all the products {full disclosure, i've been a huge fan of the brand for many years}. the shadows are fabulously pigmented, the blush silky and the mascara is among one of my faves for creating defined, lush lashes. the gloss is creamy and leaves my lips feeling great without being too sticky.

so, what do you think of this look? if you watched Project Runway, what did you think of this season? were you happy with the choice of Sean as the winner?

be sure to visit marykay.com for more info about the products featured. and be sure to watch Project Runway Allstars, currently underway. Mary Kay is the beauty sponsor for this new season as well. 

products sent to me for the purpose of creating the winning Project Runway look; pics taken by me. :)

beauty how-to: JINsoon halloween nail art

looking for some halloween nail ideas? Jin Soon Choi, founder of the JINsoon Nail Lacquer line {and Jin Soon Hand & Foot Spas in new york} has created two fabulous designs that are perfectly suited for the occasion! take a look...

Ghoulish Nails {pictured above}:

1. prep nails by applying a coat of JINsoon Power Coat

2. apply JINsoon Nocturne on each nail

3. draw ghostly shapes with JINsoon Kookie White at the tips of the nail {feel free to use your imagination with the shapes!}

4. dot JINsoon Nocturne where you would like the eyes to be with the very tip of the brush

5. finish by applying a coat of JINsoon Top Gloss. 

Bloody Nails:

1. apply a coat of JINsoon Power Coat to prep nails.

2. apply JINsoon Kookie White on each nail

3. with JINsoon Coquette, wipe off all the liquid from the brush on the neck of the bottle and with varying short strokes, apply polish from top to bottom of the nail. tip from Jin: change up how long the strokes are for a more realistic effect and don't be afraid to blot it in a few places.

4. go over the strokes you made with JINsoon Coquette using JINsoon Audacity in the same way, but apply it in fewer places. the goal of this step is to create depth to make the JINsoon Coquette look more realistic.

hope you're inspired to try one of these manicures, beauties! be sure to visit jinsoon.com to see the entire range of nail products and discover more fabulous tutorials.

info and images courtesy of Jin Soon

get her look: Felicity Jones at Theory of Everything nyc premiere

while i've only seen three of her movies {Chalet Girl, Albatross and Breathe In}, i'm a huge fan Felicity Jones. she's a fabulous actress and i'm thrilled to know she has another film being released. for last week's red carpet premiere of the film, The Theory of Everything, celebrity makeup artist Sabrina Bedrani used Orlane products to create an edgy look that is still romantic and pretty.

Felicity wore a full-length, black Elie Saab gown with lace at the top and midway to the bottom, so Bedrani wanted to create a look that was "more edgy with a strong smokey eye ~ not too romantic as to contrast the lace." 

to create the look, applying Orlane Absolute Skin Recovery Care Anti-Fatigue Serum to Felicity's skin was the first step. this was followed by applying Super-Moisturizing Light Cream, giving her skin a boost, hydrating and creating a smooth canvas for makeup application.

while the serum and moisturizer were absorbing in the skin, Bedrani began the eye look. the Pale Gold shade from Antonym Eyeshadow Quattro in Noisette all over her lid. on the corner of her eyes,  Moiré from Votre Vu Palette Play  in Violette was used and blended inward to create a gorgeous gradient effect. Black from Antonym Eyeshadow Quattro in Croisette was applied on the outer corner and blended inward again, stopping just shy of the purple shade. a lining on both top and bottom rims of Felicity's eyes was smudged out with Antonym Ecocert Certified Natural Waterproof Eye Pencil in Noir, followed by two coats of Orlane Volume Care Mascara to finish the eyes.

Orlane Vitality Radiance Care Eye Contour was applied to hydrate the under eye area and Dior foundation to even out the skin tone; Orlane Transparent Loose Powder was lightly dusted all over to set the look

for radiance and definition, Bedrani brushed Antonym Ecocert Certified Organic Baked Blush in Peach on the apples of the cheeks along with Orlane Bronzer in Soleil Cuivre 02 underneath the cheekbones, using Antonym Contour Brush #3.

lips were kept natural as to keep the focus on the eyes. first moisturizing Felicity's lips with Orlane Extreme Line-Reducing Lip Care for the base, lipstick was then applied on top.

this a gorgeous look, don't you think?

Orlane products are available at orlane.com.
Antonym products are available at antonymcosmetics.com.
Votre Vu products are available at votrevu.com.

LE Mary Kay® Midnight Jewels Sapphire Noir Eye Color Palette + fotd

smoky, sapphire eye looks were widely seen around NYC last month during fashion week. inspired by this trend, Luis Casco, Mary Kay celeb makeup artist, created a soft, smoky doe-eyed look he calls Blue Smoke. it's perfect since MK currently has a limited-edition eye shadow palette available {called Sapphire Noir} that can create this fall-friendly look.

these gorgeous blue and silver shades {worn in any combination} make for fabulous day looks, and are stunning for night by simply applying a couple more products.

here's how you can get Luis' fashion week-inspired look at home using the following Mary Kay products:

~ start with an eye primer for serious lasting power.
~ sweep a shimmery champagne eye shadow onto lids as a base and across brow bone to highlight.
~ using limited edition Mary Kay® Midnight Jewels Eye Color Palette in Sapphire Noir, smudge the darker blue shadow along upper lash line and outer third of lower lash line; apply the lighter blue shade from lash line to crease and blend upward to create a rounded shape.
~ to really get that doe-eyed look, curl eyelashes before applying two coats of lengthening mascara to top and bottom lashes.
~ focus on the eyes and keep the rest of the face simply glowing by lightly sweeping bronzer all over the face and applying sheer peachy blush on the apples of the cheeks.
~ apply a nude lipstick like limited edition Mary Kay® Midnight Jewels Semi-Matte Lipstick in Pink Moonstone. keep the look fresh with Mary Kay® Makeup Finishing Spray by Skindinävia.
~ to take this fabulous look from day to night, use black gel eyeliner on your upper lids and add an extra coat of black mascara for some extra drama!

here's my variation of the sapphire blue smoke look using the MK products mentioned, including the  Sapphire Noir limited-edition palette:

i really love this palette! like every other eye shadow from MK, the pressed shadows are highly pigmented, silky in texture and long-wearing. get in touch with your local Mary Kay rep to try it for yourself!

i'm also happy that i had the opportunity to ask Luis a couple of questions about the current fall beauty season and he graciously responded...

bgm: what trends you're loving for fall 2014?

LC: "this was one of the most elegant seasons that i've seen in a while. american and european designers seemed to be embracing a sense of opulence and the makeup reflected that. i loved seeing this elegance that was achieved by using different textures, for instance, by combining a matte lipstick with a shimmery eye shadow.

as far as eye shadows, it was all about jewel tones! purples, greens and smoky grays combined with quartz look amazing on any skin tone. the key to make it look modern is to combine a matte shade with a shimmery one for an overall eye 'glow' and not go for a 'goldfinger' look!

the limited-edition Mary Kay Midnight Jewels Collection is right on trend as it features some extremely wearable shades that are the perfect combination of shimmer and matte. i was at 15 shows during NYFW and this combination was extremely popular. i saw a lot of metallics on the eyes and a combination of matte skin with a carefully placed facial glow."

bgm: what are future trends we should look forward to for 2015 and beyond?

LC: "the wave of the future of makeup in my opinion is the development of products that are quick to use and all inclusive, meaning things that are easy for women to carry in their purses and that deliver quick and multiple results. as far as skincare, i think some of the new developments in science are really exciting and the fact that color cosmetics are more and more also combining skin care qualities will make this a very exciting time for all beauty lovers."


thank you, Luis!

and thank you, dear beauties for visiting me today…here's to a gorgeous fall season!

products featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

hair therapy: 2 easy styles for every occasion

bonjour, loves! need some hairstyle inspiration? try these fun and easy bun variations that will make you look chic and put together for any occasion…

to turn heads and make a statement, this Polished Sleek Top Knot Bun is a sophisticated style commands attention and exudes confidence.

get the look:

~ blow dry hair smooth with a light, nourishing oil
~ flat iron the hair
~ mix the light oil and a pomade in your hands and apply generously to the hair
~ use a Mason Pearson Brush and smooth out the hair, gathering into a high ponytail
~ create a loose braid and wrap it around the head
~ anchor with bobby pins.
~ finish with a flexible hold hairspray {such as Oribe Superfine} for shiny, soft control.

the Textured Loose Ballerina Bun is a perfect go-to when you don't have time to rock a polished look but still want your hair off your face in an effortlessly chic way.

get the look:

~ brush out hair; apply a light oil {such as Oribe's Gold Lust} to prime the hair with moisture and help with styling
~ bring hair back to create a low ponytail and secure with a hair tie; keep it loose on top to preserve the texture {key for this look and makes it versatile enough to work for many hair types}
~for a more sculpted, sleek look, add some pomade {like Shu Uemura Shape Paste} to hair 
~take sections of hair and wrap around the base of your ponytail; anchor loosely with bobby pins
~when all hair is pinned, brush the bun gently to pull out a few tendrils of hair


many thanks to Butterfly Studio Salon stylist Jason J. Dougherty for providing the how-to regarding these styles and product recs.

here's to a gorgeous week… :)

backstage beauty: makeup artists share their skincare must-haves

when you want to know which skincare products are the best, makeup artists are among the best people to turn to ~ they deal with skin all day after all, and know how important well-prepped {and taken care of} skin is to the result of every makeup look.

at many ny fashion week shows this season Weleda Skin Food was spotted being used backstage, including Greg Lauren, Meden and Rebecca Minkoff, among others. this multi-duty beauty product was used as a primer and as a "skin gloss" on the cheekbones; Sarah Lucero, Stila makeup artist and global director of education and artistry calls Skin Food a must-have staple in her team's makeup kits.

Weleda Skin Food is a unique, ultra-rich whole-body cream that deeply hydrates, restores and protects the skin. when applied, skin is left looking soft, supple and has a healthy glow. sounds fabulous, right? you can find it at usa.weleda.com

in another part of the beauty world, Emmy award winning makeup artist, Sarah Woolf uses L’dara Advanced Anti-Aging Serum to prep the skin of contestants on Dancing With The Stars every week!

Sarah raves about the anti-aging serum, stating that "L’dara Advanced Anti-Aging Serum works better than a primer, it evens out skin tone and you can literally feel and see the difference." celeb fans include Candace Cameron Bure and Peta Muragatroyd.

L’dara Advanced Anti-Aging Serum is an antioxidant-rich serum that works to reduce discoloration and the visible effects of sun damage. it boasts a light-weight texture, promises to smooth the complexion and work to dramatically decrease the look of fine lines and wrinkles. if you've ever watched DWTS, you know the the makeup always looks fabulous, so i'm curious to discover more about this one! visit l’daraserum.com for more info.

info and images courtesy of featured brand's pr representative

nyfw spring '15 {trend}: glossy, natural nails

new york fashion week has wrapped up, and i'm sure i'm not alone when i say i'm still absorbing it all; so many looks and trends were created for the runway that will shape and influence what we'll be wearing in the spring and summer of 2015. and not just the clothes, but everything from hair and makeup to nails and accessories…

 one trend that stood out to me was that of glossy, nude, natural nails. this is something every beauty girl has obsessed over, including me; creating the perfect nude, shiny nail ranks up there to finding that  fab LBD, a pair of amazing-fitting jeans and goes-with-everything-but-still-makes-a-statement handbag in your wardrobe.

the nail looks are far from bare, but have a base color on the nail on the natural side. any added art or texture is subtle and simple ~ good news for me since i rarely have time to spend on elaborate designs. let's take a look at some of these interpretations, shall we?

at Prabal Gurung models' tips were coated with wispy stripes as they prepared to walk the runway.

 Katie Jane Hughes created a nude nail using a Butter London nude base and completed the look with a diamond embellishment at Lela Rose.

the graphic nail art at Tibi was created by Jin Soon Choi using Georgette ~ a nude color ~ as the base with Chamonix used to finish the look.

Michelle Saunders for essie created a classic pink nail for the hands and an opaque pale pink nail for the toes {classics mademoiselle and fiji, respectively}, which paired perfectly with the colors and prints found throughout the Diane von Furstenberg collection.

for Altuzarra, Michelle Saunders created a delicate, feminine nail by using spaghetti strap on both the hands and feet. the sheer pink hue, reminiscent of rosy cheeks, completed the overall look.

for BCBG Max Azria the models took the runway in nude, natural nails that perfectly complimented the airy, boho ensembles.

to compliment Proenza Schouler's american sporswear-inspired collection, a minimal, glossy nail was worn by the models both the hands and feet

Julie Kandalec for essie used fiji to create a nail look to represent the Naeem Khan girl ~ elegant and done up, but not too glamorous.

at Rachel Zoe, butter LONDON polishes were layered {first Tea with the Queen, followed by Nail Foundation, topped with 999 Base Coat} to create a glossy, creamy effect.

Jin Soon created a soft, glossy nude to complement the sheer romanticism of the Vera Wang collection

a "new nude" by Deborah Lippmann coated model tips at the Narciso Rodriguez show

a high-shine nude nail was creed using Jin Soon Tulle to complement the cool, utilitarian aesthetic of the Rag & Bone show.


will you be wearing the glossy, natural tone nail look come spring 2015?