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

fall beauty 2014: butter LONDON Brick Lane Collection

inspired by a creative melting pot of color and texture, featuring shades inspired by exotic spices and bold street art, Brick Lane is butter LONDON’s newest collection and begs for experimentation and exceptional bespoke style.

"east london provides creative inspiration for artists all over the world, and beauty is no different," says Katie Jane Hughes, butter LONDON global color ambassador. "the seemingly dark colors are blendable if you’re looking for a softer look."

the Brick Lane Collection can be purchased at ulta.com and butterlondon.com.

take a look:

CHEEKY Cream Blush in Ruby Murray

LIPPY Tinted Balm in Jaffa 

LIPPY Tinted Balm in Tramp Stamp

 LIPPY Liquid Lipstick in Ruby Murray

WINK Cream Eye Shadow in Coriander

WINK Mascara in British Racing Green

WINK Mascara in Cor Blimey

WINK Eye Pencil in Cor Blimey 

WINK Eye Pencil in Busker 

and of course, the collection includes new shades of their fabulous Nail Lacquer:

Dubs

Brick Lane

 Cor Blimey

Bric-A-Brac

East End {set exclusive}

Chocka {set exclusive}

Brick Lane lacquer set

everything in the Brick Lane collection looks fabulous ~ bold, daring and uber feminine; all of the rich shades are so inspiring and fall can't get here soon enough! what do you think?  any products stand out to you?

visit butterlondon.com for more info!

info and images courtesy of butter LONDON

5 lippies i'm loving right now...

you may have noticed that it's all about the lips right now. no matter your preference, it's summer, so experimenting is completely allowed. bright, glossy, bold, matte; neutral, pink, purple, orange, red…

the following lippies are fabulous and i think you would love them as well. take a look...

City Lips
these lippies are a gloss-but-better {each is actually a treatment for your lips that you can wear anytime ~ including to bed ~ for added lip-pampering benefits}! they offer high shine without stickiness and a fuller-lip look without sting. i already have naturally full lips, so i don't really see much of a difference in the plumping department, but the high shine does offer a fabulous illusion. the smell and texture are truly beautiful and, unlike some glosses, these beauties never leave my pout dried out hours later.

Palladio Herbal Lip Lacquer
these bold, bright shades you see are amazing both in color and finish. the creamy texture keeps my lips smooth, glossy and they blend beautifully with other lip products. vitamin E helps to hydrate and protect from free-radical damage while coconut and sunflower oils aid in nourishing by forming a protective layer to prevent water loss in the delicate lip area.

NYC City Proof Twistable Intense Lip Color
not quite a lipstick, not quite a gloss, these creamy lippies have a pleasant, slightly vanilla scent that delivers a gorgeous color payoff. while these aren't super long-wearing, they last longer than typical glosses. i love that the color is buildable and the crayon form makes it easy to line the lips a bit before filling them in. 

Lacqa & Co Fat Lip Pencil

this smooth, buttery lip pencil is called Lambchop {pictured with one of the brand's nail polishes called Bobby Dazzler} and  it's an overachiever! it coats lips in stunning color like a lipstick and the finish is slightly matte; it's long-wearing and is the perfect pink to suits many skintones. i love the packaging, too. fyi, all LAQA & Co's packages are designed by up and coming designers, with a percentage of the product profits going directly to the artist. love it!

Essence Longlasting Lipstick

bright shades are definitely hot for summer, but i love a low-key look year round. these shades, Dare to Be Nude and Wear Berries! are great for grab-and-go application {no mirror required!}, feel fabulous and have been uber-pampering on my lips.


what lipsticks and glosses are you loving right now?

Dolce&Gabb​ana Passion Duo Lipsticks for Summer and Beyond

Dolce&Gabbana's best-selling Passion Duo Gloss Fusion Lipsticks have some new shades in the family for summer thanks to a new collection, Summer Pleasures, created to keep you looking fab for the rest of the {hot!} season and transition you seamlessly to fall {my fave time of year!!}.

these vibrant, vividly rich hues include juicy reds and oranges inspired by luscious summer fruits, neutral nudes and beiges to compliment all sun-kissed, light to dark skin tones, as well as deep fuschias, rich browns and pinks that capture the allure of sunsets seen in the late-summer and early fall.

i have three shades that were sent to me, and i'm happy to report, they are gorgeous! take a look...

Exotic {an intense fuschia}, Tropical {vibrant, warm orange} and Royal {a rich berry} are moisture-rich, highly pigmented and gorgeously glossy. i wouldn't normally wear any of these shades, but as you can see from the pics, they're quite flattering {if i do say so myself ~ smile*}.

10 fusion duo shades are in the Summer Pleasures collection {other shades include Natural, Intrigue, Fatale, Imperial, Feminine, Sensual and Vivid} along with 5 nail lacquers {Grey Pearl, Passione, Royal, Fire and Cosmopolitan}, making for the perfect on-trend beauty accessories!

you can find the Dolce&Gabbana Summer Pleasures collection in select Saks Fifth Avenue stores and online at saksfifthavenue.com

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

support a good cause with Shiseido Shimmering Rouge...

bonjour beauties! hope all is well in your neighborhood...

i've been under the weather for the past couple of weeks {and i'd say stuck out in the weather for all last week and weekend ~ it's not been fun, but i'm staying positive!}, so i'm a bit late in sharing this. i did, however, share this fabulous Shiseido lippie for breast cancer awareness via my tumblr and twitter accounts when i received it {weeks ago}, but with life, comes distractions and interruptions...

in any case, i'm here now to inform you that you should to not only visit your local Shiseido counter and take advantage of being able to donate $5 to a great cause {CEW's Cancer and Careers, an organization that helps women in the workforce coping with cancer}, but to treat yourself to a gorgeous Shimmering Rouge Lipstick in Iron Maiden {RS308}!

seriously, how divine is this color?!

not only a fab color, but it feels amazing on the lips ~ its silky, smooth texture pampers lips with moisture but still manages to wear well and lasted longer than i expected.

it's definitely a new fave...

visit shiseido.com for more details.

product sent for the purpose of review; all pics taken by me :)

MAC Viva Glam Gaga & Viva Glam Cyndi

have you purchased the latest MAC Viva Glam lipsticks, Viva Glam Gaga and Viva Glam Cyndi yet? i did about a month ago and since 100% of the purchase price goes to the MAC Aids Fund, i had no problem buying both-- it's for a good cause!

here are pics of me wearing the new shades...

Viva Glam Gaga



i definitely think this cool pink shade looks better on me in this pic than the way i see it through my own eyes, lol!



Viva Glam Cyndi


this bold shade is better suited for me, but i wouldn't wear it often.



both shades blended together:



so much better, don't you think? :)


find MAC Viva Glam Gaga and Viva Glam Cyndi at your local MAC location and online at maccosmetics.com.

xo
pics taken by me :)

MAC Viva Glam "From Our Lips"

i shared this fabulous announcement with you this past november, and the time has arrived my gorgeous readers-- MAC Viva Glam "From Our Lips" featuring Cindi Lauper and Lady Gaga has arrived!

Viva Glam, if you are unfamiliar, is a line of lipsticks and lipglasses that are sold with 100% of its retail price donated directly to the MAC AIDS Fund, a charity that supports men, women and children living with HIV or AIDS. every couple of years or so a new shade (in this case, two shades) of lipstick and/or lipglass is created and features a celebrity as its campaign spokesperson.

this year one of my absolute favorite artists from my childhood and my newest favorite musical artist are together to spread the importance of AIDS awareness and the fabulous charity that is the MAC AIDS FUND. the Viva Glam Cindi lipstick is named after, you guessed it, Cyndi Lauper and is a light coral-red in high-lustre finish. Viva Glam Gaga is a cool, blue-pink shade, also in a high lustre finish.

MAC interviewed both women, and among other things, they each shared their thoughts on their new Viva Glam shades, how they feel about working together and what means to them to be part of this year's campaign...




Lady Gaga:

you used to sing to Cyndi Lauper as a little girl and now she is a big fan of yours. how does it feel to be working with her on the new MAC Viva Glam campaign?

she has such a beautiful spirit, and the best thing about her is that she's a really genuine person. She gave me some pointers at the Viva Glam shoot. we have so much in common, and we just really enjoy one another. it's surreal.

tell us about your new Viva Glam lipstick color?

my new viva Glam lipstick color is amazing. it's a bluish pink, great for everyday. it's a little bit '80s, which is very me. it's for the everyday woman- anyone can wear it and feel great about themselves and embody what viva Glam is all about. i hope that women buy this lipstick, and honor themselves and honor the cause.

women account for almost half of the HIV/AIDS cases around the world. You and Cyndi are both strong, vocal women, and the two of you create one very powerful voice. what would you say to young women today about HIV/AIDS?

use protection, and be selective and strong about those you love. your body is sacred, and it’s ok to say no. make your partners get tested, go together: it will only make your relationship stronger and healthier.





Cyndi Lauper:

you are a music icon with fans from all over the world. you are a fan of Lady Gaga’s, and she is a big fan of yours. how does it feel to be doing a MAC Viva Glam campaign together?

i am really looking forward to it. Lady Gaga is the undisputed breakout star of the year, and i have been cheering for her. she's a very cool and different artist. as far as working together on this campaign, we share a passion for fashion and music and performance. and yes, cosmetics. i think we are going to have a blast.

tell us about your new viva glam lipstick color?

it's a really fabulous red...and it's called Cyndi. how cool is that?

women account for almost half of the HIV/AIDS cases around the world, and your new Viva Glam campaign will focus on helping women living with HIV/AIDS. you and Lady Gaga create one very powerful voice. what would you say to young women today about staying safe from HIV/AIDS?

be smart, be careful, protect yourself, practice safe sex and look out for your sisters to make sure they are doing the same. but there are also huge populations of women in many places like south africa and in the congo who are becoming infected through rape. for them, i ask the world to stand up and get involved. they are all sisters, mothers and daughters, and they need our help.



to date, MAC AIDS Fund has raised over $150 Million in 67 countries exclusively through the sale of MAC's Viva Glam lipstick and lipglass. it's truly made an impact in the lives of so many! for more info, visit maccosmetics.com or macaidsfund.org

xo
info and images courtesy of MAC

Organic Glam Lipstick & Glossy Lip Plump

i love products that make me look good and are good for my skin. case in point, The Organic Pharmacy's lipstick from their makeup line, Organic Glam Lipstick and their Glossy Lip Plump lipgloss.

infused with shea butter, vitamin E, green tea, grape extract and orange, the Lipstick (pictured in Red) is incredibly creamy, and the Glossy Lip Plump (pictured in Passion Sparkle) is super shiny, goes on sheer and is not too sticky or thick. the formula uses light-reflecting particles, hyaluronic acid spheres and ginger to give lips a more full look (no painful stinging!).

definitely more luxe than less, Organic Glam is exactly what the name implies: a fabulous organic line of makeup that is far from bland or boring. each product is designed to add glamour to whatever look you want to achieve. so if you prefer using natural makeup lines, visit organicglam.com to discover this great new line of makeup.

xo
pic taken by me :)
products sent to me by representative of Organic Glam for the purpose of this review

Whitney Port is Cargo's Newest Lipstick Designer

this fall, a shade of hot pink lipstick created by Whitney Port will be available in an eco-friendly 100% Natural PlantLove lipstick, called "Eve Pinky". the trendsetter and star of mtv's The City joins the ranks of fellow celebrity lipstick designers Courteney Cox, Evangeline Lilly, Angie Harmon and Denise Richards. it was the importance they placed on protecting the planet that led all of these women to partner with CARGO.



more importantly, CARGO will be donating two dollars from the sale of every lipstick to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the world's premier pediatric cancer research center.

fyi-- the PlantLove line is the only prestige make-up brand to be designated ECOCERT®, a global designation signifying that all product, process and packaging meet the strictest standards for natural, organic and environmentally friendly content. ECOCERT® designated products dramatically reduce their environmental footprint.

Whitney's "Eve Pinky" shade will be available next week at all Sephora locations and online at sephora.com

xo

Fall Beauty 2009: Nars Cosmetics

for fall 2009, Francois Nars wanted to create "a collection that reflected the modern woman - very fragile and strong at the same time." as inspiration, Nars referenced both the coquettish innocence of Lolita, and the sophisticated sensuality of Catherine Deneuve in Belle du Jour to conjure a beauty formula that is "very sexy, but at the same time ultra-elegant."





Nars says: "the fall colors can be used in a multitude of ways; to create strong eyes and muted lips, or the opposite, pale eyes and a strong pout. i don’t tell women what to wear; i provide different options for them to choose from."

check out the collection...



Fast Ride Lipstick

NARS doesn't shy away from dramatic color innovation. this seemingly dark purple may intimidate, but swipe it across the lips and its true shade is revealed: a sheer mulberry. a color that falls somewhere between an intense plum wine stain, and a moody, deep violet. the glossy grape hue is a playful, cool alternative to more common dark lip color options - as Nars himself once quipped, "makeup shouldn't always be so serious."





Tokaïdo Express Nail Polish

this new hue is a cult classic in the making. named after Japan's most heavily frequented high-speed rail route, this lacquer is an opulent blackened amethyst doused with ultra-fine gold dust particles. a chic alternative to the traditional polish palette, and a more current option for longtime devotees of black nail lacquer. hip but elegant, artistic but wearable.




Silk Road Duo Eyeshadow

this new shade mirrors the hues from traditional damask fabrics. classic meets edgy in this new duo-- an icy pink is paired with a warm rose gold with golden flecks. when applied to the lids, the effortlessly exotic effect is part old school byzantine empress, part modern-day "it" girl.




Brumes Duo Eyeshadow

these new hues perfectly capture the moody shades of a cool twilight sky. brumes pairs a velvety matte charcoal with a sparkling, blue slate for a smoky eye that is both confident and serene.




Indian Summer Duo Eyeshadow

a typical indian summer comes as a surprise, balmy sunshine meets brisk fall. swipe the summery, frosted champagne shimmer up to the brow, and line the upper lid with the autumnal deep, matte mustard for a striking look, appropriate for every season.




Mekong Eyeshadow

the perfect addition to the NARS woman's adventurous palette. the intense, blackened espresso hue scattered with rose gold is a study in contrasts. applied liberally across the lid it exudes a sexy attitude, or applied lightly, a simple, fashion-forward sophistication.

visit your local Nars counter or narscosmetics.com for more info and to purchase.

xo