fall beauty: start fresh with Laura Mercier, nyakio and RéVive

the best thing about a new season {or anything for that matter}, is the idea of a fresh start. it's the opportunity to begin again, reinvigorate and/or try something new. in this case, i'm dishing products for your skin, an important subject in my life and i'm sure certainly high on your list as well.

a few innovative, season-appropriate offerings from Laura Mercier, nyakio and RéVive have been put on my radar that are fabulous picks for starting off fresh this new season...

to smooth things over, consider RéVive Intensité Line Erasing Serum. described as an ultra-luxe serum, this product promises to help reduce wrinkles instantly and overtime. the secret ingredient  sounds a bit odd, but technology these days is crazy good, so i can imagine that the cone snail venom extracted from marine, freshwater snails, really works. it's pricey, but if you have the money to spend... 

 Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide will amp up your coverage and give your skin a gorgeous, natural-but-better look. i've been using this beautiful new foundation and it's a game-changer. the buildable, medium-to-full coverage does exactly what it says: delivers a smooth, seamless complexion that lasts. available in 24 flawless lightweight, oil-free shades, this is a gem i can't recommend high enough.

keep your "eye" on the prize. nyakio Firming Eye Balm with Baobab Complex is a balm  that utilizes baobab oil, from the African "tree of life" to help skin feel instantly firmer, reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles and brighten the eye area. i've not tried this myself, but every nyakio product i've used has given me beautiful results. hopefully i can try this next!

visit the respected sites for more info and here's to a happy, healthy, gorgeous fall season!

info and images provided to me by PR; Laura Mercier foundation was sent to me for review consideration

refreshing beauty products for summer...

as if you hadn't noticed, summer is in full swing. if you enjoy the high temps, i'm sure you've been in heaven, but if you're like me, the heat isn't your favorite. there are ways to make the best of it, of course. 

those things include {but are not limited to} cool drinks, staying indoors as often as possible, and taking advantage of extra pampering {because the heat really does take a lot out of me}. 

speaking of cool drinks and pampering, here's a fun list some fab parings featuring the most refreshing drinks of the summer. as a compliment, check out products from Laura Mercier, ReVive and nyakio ~ you'll be more than happy to treat yourself with one of these luxurious products while you sip your favorite drink.

take a look...

if you like iced coffee:

you should try nyakio Kenyan Coffee Face Polish ~ it blends naturally energizing and exfoliating kenyan coffee extract with jojoba to gently remove dull skin while providing antioxidant benefits. lemongrass and neroli oils also play a role, making this a unique fusion that leaves skin toned, moisturized, soft and immediately radiant.



if you prefer banana mango smoothies:

ReVive Moisturizing Renewal Serum, made with key ingredients coffee, mango pulp and banana pulp extracts to hydrate, gently exfoliate, and kick start the anti-aging benefits of skin-repair, is a luxurious formula that also boasts RES Technology that aids in smoothing and re-texturizing skin.



if strawberry lemonade is your drink of choice:

Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Lip Colour in Strawberry Sorbet will give lips the ultimate in color, texture, and finish. this gorgeous, creme formula lippie envelops lips in rich color with a semi-lustrous finish in one smoothing swipe.


if green juice with ginger is your summer fave:

nyakio Hydrating Face Oil with Kola Nut  is a blend of light, non-greasy african kola nut and 8 essential oils, including ginger, ximenia, chamomile, and trichina oils. these promise to invigorate and hydrates for over 12 hours while aiding in softening, toning, creating more even look and reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, leaving all skin types more youthful-looking.


tell me: what skincare products help your skin look its best during these hot summer days?

info and images courtesy of brand PR

mother's day gift ideas from Laura Mercier, Nyakio and ReVive skincare

mother's day is just days away {can you believe it?}! if you're still looking for a gift, i have to recommend that you consider some of the following beauty goodies ~ because, come on, it wouldn't be right if i didn't!

take a look...

for the mom who loves to give back:

100% of the profits from the sale of Laura Mercier Bonne Mine Healthy Glow for Face & Cheeks Crème Colour Palette are donated to the Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund, not only beautiful, but also helps to save women’s lives. brighten up your mother’s special day with this ultra-sheer, blendable palette that provides skin with a natural "no makeup" glow that looks soft and gorgeously sun-kissed.

for the mom who loves  {or would love} to escape to the french countryside:

inspired by her hometown of provence, Laura Mercier's new Eau Fraiche: Verbena Infusion Collection {pictured, above} captures the crisp freshness of verbena. give your mom a journey to the french countryside with one {or all} of three refreshing formulas: Laura Mercier Verbena Infusion Gel Body Moisture, Laura Mercier Verbena Infusion Crème Body Cleanse, and Laura Mercier Verbena Infusion Eau de Toilette.

for the mom who cherishes family history:

Nyakio Kamoche Grieco created the nyakio brand to pay homage to her own family’s heritage;  offer these beauty rituals and traditions that Nyakio’s family passed down to her by giving your mom one of the luxurious products from the collection: nyakio Hydrating Face Oil with Kola Nut, {a fave of yours truly ~ read my thoughts about it here}, nyakio Kenyan Coffee Face Polish  or nyakio Kenyan Coffee Body Scrub. 

for the mom who loves all things luxury:  

RéVive Moisturizing Renewal Cream, the secret behind the youthful glow of the jet set. the brand, founded by renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. Gregory Bays Brown, features this cult-classic, anti-aging moisturizer and promises to work overtime during sleep, helping to eliminate imperfections and visibly diminish fine lines. she'll love her new glow!

so, what do you plan to gift your mom this year?

info and images courtesy of featured brands PR company.

spring beauty: new High Coverage Concealer by Laura Mercier

if you have dark under eye circles, you're probably no stranger to concealing products. you no doubt feel better when you look in the mirror and see bright more flawless skin. if you always find yourself on the hunt for the perfect concealer, i'd like to suggest a product that has been brought to my attention: Laura Mercier High Coverage concealer. 

for under eye circles, blemishes, unwanted dark spots and uneven skin tone, High Coverage concealer offers a medium-to-full, buildable coverage formula that is highly pigmented, blendable, and promises to give skin a flawless finish. the formula is a blend of honey, vitamin E and fruit acid meant to nourish and smooth skin. it comes in 12 beautiful shades.

i will be trying this out soon, so stay tuned for my thoughts…

visit lauramercier.com for more info!

new solutions for 2014 resolutions

2014 is hours away, so i'm sure you've been thinking about your resolutions in the past few days, if not weeks…

and because there are many resolutions, i want to focus on some of the most common and encourage you to consider, if any are relevant to you, a more positive way for creating new practices and/or turning those hard-to-break habits into things that are more manageable and under your control.

for example…

 want to quit biting your nails?
purchase a gift card for your local nail salon and get a manicure every week. you may find it less tempting when you invest money to have your hands pampered and to ruin such gorgeous looking tips!

want to get more organized?
set your timer for 10 minutes and start clearing out a small drawer. don't stop until the timer goes off and when it does, walk away {chances are you won't want to. so by all means, continue if you have the time, but if you don't pat yourself on the back, and move on with your day}. do this daily and you're that much closer to your decluttering goal.

see? many "bad" habits can be transformed into beneficial-for-you habits, and new practices can be developed with a little help. remember to try and resist the need to put a ton of pressure on yourself to change all at once {it's the perfect setup for failure}, and with time, consistency and diligence, you'll look and feel better about yourself and your accomplishments!

 let's look at more ways to change the way we approach those common resolutions...

cut out coffee:
 it’s not an easy fete to give up coffee. so when you're trying to cut back, create a new fix with the nyakio Kenyan Coffee Collection, a naturally energizing and exfoliating skincare range. the collection contains a perfectly-balanced face polish and body scrub that promises to reveal fresh, more youthful-looking skin and provide antioxidant benefits. cheers!

rock a new look:
even the curling iron novice can create sexy, glamorous curls that will turn heads! try the Infiniti Pro by Conair Curl Secret ~ the Curl Secret automatically draws hair into its curl chamber, heats it from all sides, and beeps to let you know when to release perfect, bouncy, long-lasting curls. the results come with no more burns from an exposed heat element, no more struggling to wrap hair around a barrel, the Curl Secret does the work for you.

read more books:
 to make reading easy, consider a membership to Scribd, an eBook subscription service featuring more than 100,000 books, including bestselling and new release titles. at just $8.99 per month, Scribd is available across all Apple and Android phones, tablets and laptop/desktop computers, so you can read most anywhere! by the way, the first month is free!!

save money:
download Shopular, a free app that automatically pushes relevant deals to your device as soon as you walk into your favorite retailer or mall, and never pay retail or clip a coupon again! with over 40,000 locations around the country, Shopular's database contains popular stores, including Lord and Taylor, Home Depot, Sephora, and CVS, among others, addressing all of your shopping needs at a discount. love that!

commit to a new workout routine:
i'm all about overall health, and workouts are definitely part of that equation. at Opensky.com you'll find everything from comfortable and fashionable work out gear to the latest workout DVDs and equipment! oh, and i'm thrilled to report that it's a social shopping marketplace. you can help people discover, buy and share unique goods that match their individual taste, and you as a buyer can connect with merchants and friends directly.

keep in touch more:

it's always my intention to stay in touch with friends and family, but life tends to get in the way. Skype is an easy way to stay in touch with friends and family throughout the year. thanks to unlimited worldwide calling, group video calls and screen sharing, connecting with loved ones every day is not just easy but also inexpensive {and that encourages the saving money habit, so it's win-win!}.

give up sweets:
indulge in sweets sans calories with one of my favorite brands, Laura Mercier. inspired by the aromas of french patisseries, Laura Mercier has created the seductive, warm and comforting Crème Brûlée collection, featuring a blend of gourmande ingredients {including succulent notes of warm caramel, spun sugar and french vanilla bean} for a sensual and enchanting experience. delish without the guilt…yum!

what are your resolutions? share in the comments!

here's to a fabulous new year!

info and images courtesy of respected brands featured

fall beauty: products to get {and keep} skin hydrated & healthy

this time of year brings a whole new set of skin challenges ~ it's important to give it extra special attention with products that will nourish and moisturize, from head to toe. since there are so many products out there, i thought you'd like to know which of them i'm loving {not because i'm so important but, hopefully, because you think of me as a good friend and you want my suggestions}, then decide which, if any, of them would be worth trying out for yourself. 

take a look…

it's always a great idea to incorporate an exfoliating product in your skincare life, year round. that said, i like to change the type of exfoliation i use from season to season. because my skin is changing {i'm not getting any younger, you know, LOL}, it's important that i get as much hydration and moisture in my skin to keep it looking fresh and smooth. one product i'm loving for this is Zensation Ultra Silky Rose Exfoliating Cream; it boasts key ingredients like sunflower seed oil, lavender, shea butter, and rose flower extract; the texture is like a fine sand, and leaves my skin feeling pampered, smooth and looking radiant and glowy.

made with a high concentration of biotechnological water rich in proteins, acids, vitamins and minerals {extracted from spirulina, a harvested green algae}, Natra Bisse Oxygen gel is an uber-luxurious facial gel that i fell in love with {and am now completely out of}. it came to me by way of a SpaceNK bag of samples {also offered to consumers} that was part of a promo for one of their celebratory beauty events earlier this year. the small sample i received in that bag of goodies lasted many weeks, and my skin is better for it. it will be a splurge, but i definitely plan to purchase it for myself!

RoC Skincare offers many amazing, highly effective treatments, creams, serums and the like. three i'm loving the most over the past several weeks include the Daily Resurfacing Disks {dual-sided and self-foaming for cleansing and light exfoliation}, which have really helped even out my skin tone {thanks to its retinol-infused formula}. they're also for diminishing fine lines and wrinkles, but since i'm kind already minimally wrinkled, didn't notice a difference in that area. 

i've also been using RoC Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer and Night Cream, which sounds like a waste of time {minimal wrinkles, remember?}, but the Day Cream has an spf 30 and the Night cream is just rich enough to aid in moisturizing and hydrating my skin as i sleep. plus, they both also contain retinol, which isn't just for wrinkles, but fabulous at treating and combating skin discoloration and uneven tone.

Laura Mercier ultra-whipped scented souffle body cremes provide luxurious all-day moisture protection without being too heavy or greasy. these are so incredibly delish smelling, and my skin always feels beyond divine after i use it. there are five scents that are sold separately, but currently four of these lovely gems are offered as set in the holiday 2013 Sampler Collection featuring Laura's fave scents: Almond Coconut Milk, Ambre Vanillé, Fresh Fig and Crème de Pistache. yum!!!

the Pangea Organics Indian Lemongrass with Rosemary body lotion and Italian White Sage body oil have been pampering my skin for a couple of weeks now and i am in love. not only are all of the ingredients all-natural, but there's nothing in them that don't have a purpose. the scents are invigorating yet relaxing and antioxidant-rich…love, love, love…

Waxelene is a petroleum jelly alternative that has been working overtime for me because it's such an incredible multitasking product. i received some in a purse-friendly tube, but it's also offered in a jar {little goes a long way!!}. from treating dry my lips and cuticles to keeping rough heels and elbows away, this smells-like-fresh-honey balm is a must have!

Bare Love Body Luxury Body Fuel is a non-greasy treatment formulated with the brand's exclusive OlioLove Technology to transform and give skin the essential nutrients it needs, especially if it's dehydrated. the fast-absorbing body fuel can be used it at any point of your day, but is best when used right after a shower for fabulous moisture and added skin protection.


what skincare gems have you been {or always use} to keep your skin feeling its best during this season?

all products featured were sent to me for review consideration; all opinions are my own; pics taken by me :)

beauty review: Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - Protect Broad Spectrum SPF 30

 Laura Mercier Foundation Primer recently got a boost ~ it's now available with broad spectrum spf 30!

 for a lasting makeup look, we beauty mavens know a good makeup primer is key.  Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - Protect Broad Spectrum SPF 30/PA+++ not only provides this, but also boasts spf 30/PA+++ to protect skin from the harsh rays of the sun and the damage {premature aging, discoloration, uneven texture} that comes with it. since the original formula {as well as the other varieties} has such a great reputation for working so well, it's fabulous to know skin can now be prepped, primed and protected everyday, year-round...

from the product description on the LM website:
lightweight, oil-free creamy gel creates perfect canvas for makeup application; provides uvb/uva spf 30 protection; helps prevent signs of premature aging due to sun exposure features “colour true complex” to keep makeup looking fresh and colour-true all day; forms an even, invisible layer that acts as a buffer to outside elements and expertly holds foundation; visibly minimizes the appearance of imperfections and pores for a smooth, natural finish.

i used Laura Mercier Primer - Protect with a few different foundations, and it made each look and last beautiful all day. i love the silky texture and the way it gives an even, smooth surface for my skin. unlike some products that contain sunscreen, it has no scent, feels weightless and leaves no white cast residue after application. and because i love a multi-tasker, this primer/sunscreen is perfect for both eliminating a step from my skincare routine or being the bonus to it {for me, it's typically the latter}.

you can find all things Laura Mercier via Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and YouTube. Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - Protect Broad Spectrum SPF 30/PA+++ is available on counter and online at major department stores {Nordstrom, Macy's, Neiman Marcus}, Sephora and of course, lauramercier.com.

product featured sent to me for review consideration; opinion my own; pic taken by me :)

fall beauty 2013: the easiest eye makeup look

i can't say it enough: i love the fall season!

and for good reason: cool, crisp air; beautiful color-changing leaves...

when it comes to beauty, earthy, vibrant colors inspire the creation of warm, golden beauty looks; grounded in hues that are uber-flattering, these shades work for everyone, not to mention they're simple, pretty and beyond easy to incorporate into your every day makeup routine.

Total Beauty recently created a pinboard on their site and it features the easiest makeup recipe that you need to be wearing now {product suggestions added by me}:

1. sweep a light golden shadow over the base of your lid {mark. I-mark Goldi Luxe wet/dry shadow is a gorgeous option}.

2. tap a deep, rich brown into the crease and down to the corners of your eyes {my current go-to shade is found in the Jasper combination of Prestige cosmetics' Shimmering Trios Mineral shadows}.

3. use a blending brush to smudge the colors evenly.

4. trace a chocolate brown eyeliner pencil over your top lid {try Laura Mercier longwear creme eye pencil in Espresso ~ it applies smoothly, smudges effortlessly and locks in place all day}.

5. finish with a volumizing mascara {Rimmel London ScandalEyes is my current fave}

voila! you're beautiful ~ i told you it was easy... :)

this post contains affiliate links

ny fashion week f/w '13: Laura Mercier at Pamella Rowland

 Matin Maulawizada, lead makeup artist for the Pamella Roland fall/winter '13 show, was inspired by the collection, a visual narrative of the history of the tzar and russian court. deep green and purple cocktail dresses as well as spun pale gold and metallic brocades were used in capes and coats fit for a czarina. leather, peplums, metallic tweeds, ruffles and beaded fur were also fabulous elements used throughout the collection...

to compliment, he developed a flawless makeup look that showcased the simplicity of women's beauty in tandem with the "opulence of st. petersburg."

flawless face:
 the fresh, "no makeup look" was key to balancing the collection's bold accents. to achieve this, Matin first applied Foundation Primer, creating the perfect canvas for makeup application. depending on the model’s complexion, he then used Crème Smooth Foundation or Laura Mercier Silk Crème Foundation to hydrate and protect the skin; Secret Camouflage was used to conceal any problem areas. then set using Translucent Loose Setting Powder.

Matin brushed Crème Cheek Colour in Blaze and Second Skin Cheek Colour in Sweet Mandarin onto the cheekbones followed by contouring on the apples of the cheeks with the use of Bronzer Veil from Bonne Mine Healthy Glow for Face & Cheeks Crème Colour Palette {100% of the profits from its sales are donated to the Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund}.

enchanting eyes:

varying shades of gold to highlight the eyes were used, including Illuminating Eye Colour in Gilded Moonlight, Shimmer Bloc in Golden Mosaic and a coat of Gold Mascara, created exclusively for the Pamella Roland show, to dramatically lengthen and define lashes.

lustrous lips:

deep wine lips created a modern look that “tied all the colors together”; Lip Silk on the lips created a smooth and nourished base. Coffee Bean Lip Pencil contoured and shaped lips, while Deep Wine gave lips the final touch to the bold, modern look.

all products by Laura Mercier. visit lauramercier.com for more info.

info and images courtesy of brand PR and style.com

on the red carpet: Primetime Emmys 2012

if you tuned in to this year's primetime Emmys ceremony this past weekend, you were witness to some gorgeous gowns and fabulous hair and makeup looks. i could go on and on about my favorites, but i i'd rather just share the images.

ok, and maybe some key beauty details...

best lead actress in a drama winner Claire Danes glowed with her smoky eye look, created using products by Laura Mercier {Eye Pencil in Extreme Black, Creme Eye Colour in Burnished Copper, Creme Cheek Colour in Oleander and Smooth Lip Colour in Angelic, just to name a few}, and shiny waves, created using Frizz-Ease products by John Frieda.

Kat Dennings' romantic look was stunning thanks to loose curls, a bold lip and her gorgeously glam scarlet J.Mendel gown.

perfect, sultry waves, crimson lips {Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Icon} and flawless skin gave Mad Men star Christina Hendricks {wearing a custom Christian Siriano gown} her always fabulous  look.

with face-framing fringe and a low chignon, Zooey Deschanel was true to her personal vintage style {dress by Reem Acra}; her makeup look was glowing and soft {Hourglass Aura Sheer Cheek Stain in Flush, topped with Dior Rosy Glow in 001 petal was used on her cheeks}. a gorgeous striking pout ~ courtesy of Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Ballet ~ finished this red carpet look.

Kerry Washington was simply stunning; from her classic updo, smooth skin {Diorskin Nude Foundation #060} and lush lashes {some individual lashes were added then topped with black Diorshow Mascara}...and her sparkly Vivienne Westwood gown? love!

a deep side part, a loose braid and soft waves, paired with winged eyeliner and a pretty pink pout, gave Kate Mara a soft-meets-edgy look; this was a gorgeous compliment to the fresh-off-the-spring-2013-runway gown by Badgley Mischka.

shimmery eyes, tousled curls and a refreshingly cool Balenciaga slip dress...i loved Kristen Wiig and her simple yet polished look.

it was all about the eyes for Ginnifer Goodwin {wearing a beautiful orange Monique Lhuillier brocade dress}  thanks to a classic, thick line on the top lids and lush, full lashes created using mark Keep It Going Longwear Eyeliner & Shadow in Entourage winged at the outer corner of eyes and mark Lash All You Want High-Volume Mascara in Black.


who were your picks for best hair/makeup/overall look at this year's primetime Emmys? leave a comment and let me know!