Got Greige?

It’s the hottest new color this Summer and I’m sure it will last into early Fall.  What’s with the name you ask?, It’s the combination of grey and beige. Funny huh.  Well, every company has come out with their own version.  I love it because it’s totally wearable all the time, especially on your fingernails. Perfect for the workplace and the weekend.   No big noticeable spots if it should chip.  It goes with everything and looks awesome with or without a tan.  The color is selling out like hot cakes, here are a few greige colors for you…..

Chanel – 505

OPI- You Don’t Know Jacques

Rimmel- Steel Grey

Deborah Lippmann- Waking Up In Vegas

A little Bit Of Beach In Every Spray

One of the things that I love about Summer is sunbathing.  I know too much sun isn’t good, but I do wear sunscreen.  I absolutely love the smell of coconut/tropical sunscreen, you know, like the smell of the old school Malibu Barbie.  What a great aroma!!  Well, lucky for me, I actually found a perfume that smells exactly like it,  Beach by Bobbi Brown. I only wear it during the Summer months and If I don’t make it to the beach  I can always spritz some on and feel like I did.  The blend of sand jasmine, sea spray, and mandarin is absolutely fabulous. I love my Bobbi Brown Beach eau de parfum.  Oh, and if you’re not too into perfume, you can get it as a body scrub, shower gel, lotion or oil.

Eau de parfum  $55

Body Scrub $35

Shower gel $23

Body Oil $28

Body lotion $35

A Little Bronzer Goes A Long Way…

A number one must have for Summer skin is bronzer.  We all know that we should be using at least an SPF 30 on our face everyday, especially during the Summer, so we definitely need a little bronzer for that sun kissed effect.    You can apply it over your clean skin right after your moisturizer or you can use it right after your concealer and foundation on the days you wear make-up.  You can put on your blush and eye make-up after you apply the bronzer.  Make sure you use a bronzer brush to get the best coverage.  I love my NARS bronzer.  It never makes me look orange, just beautifully sun kissed!! Here are some other great ones……

NARS Bronzing powder $32 (neimanmarcus.com)

LANCOME Flash Bronzer for face $30 (Nordstrom.com)

Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder (InStyle Best Winner)  $47 (saksfifthavenue.com) The original bronzer!!!

Milani Bronzing Powder $5.99 (cvs.com)

Physicians Formula pressed bronzer $14.99 (cvs.com)

Bobbi Brown Bronzing Brush $50 (Bobbibrown.com)

You’ve Got To Try ‘Queen Of…’

Ladies, if  the packaging doesn’t get you to switch, the smell alone will make you never want to buy another brand of shaving gel again.  What is it you ask?  ’Queen of…’, the sister line to the ‘King of Shaves’ shaving products.  King of Shaves was founded in the UK in 1993 by Will King.  Since then it has become one of the world’s fastest growing brands of men’s and women’s shaving products.   I must say  ’Queen of…’ shaving gel made my legs super soft and smooth.  The aroma is invigorating, what a way to start my day!!  Even my husband asked “what’s that smell?”.  This low foam formulation significantly reduces razor burn and skin irritation.  It comes in two great gels, Ooh La La! and Ta-Da!, both created to make your skin extra soft, smooth and sexy (I like that!).   King of Shaves is already available in major stores like Target and CVS.  ’Queen of…’ will be available at select Target stores Spring 2010, but we have 2 free tubes to giveaway to two lucky winners.  Head over to our giveaways page and sign up now!!!

Fun Colors For Summer Nails

I love nail polish.  Since I was little I have always loved painting my fingernails and toes.  That is why after 4 years in the advertising and marketing business I went back to school.  Not just any school. Beauty school. It was time I really became that fabulous nail tech that I always wanted to be.  I spent 3 years doing nails at one of the most elite salons in Rhode Island.  Then after my first baby was born, I decided that doing nails would have to be put on the back burner.  That doesn’t mean I don’t give myself an amazing pedicure once a month.  With an amazing pedicure comes really fun and colorful polish.  One of my favorite lines of nail polish is Essie. They have super pretty colors and always come out with a new collection every season.  The Summer collection comes out on June 1st and you can bet that I will be picking up some bottles.  Here is a sneek peak of the Essie Summer Collection 2010…

Your Wedding Day Makeup Questions Answered by Yadira Alexander

We once again have the honor of working with brow,skin and makeup guru Yadira Alexander.  This month, Yadira answers your wedding day makeup questions. With hundreds of weddings under her belt, she is known for her beautiful and timeless wedding makeup applications.  Yadira travels around the country to make sure her brides are absolutely stunning on their big day.  Please contact her for more information on wedding day makeup at 401-919-7546 or on the web at www.skincarebyyadira.com.

SSS-What are your top must-have products for bridal makeup?

YA-The must have products for bridal makeup are:  Waterproof mascara, foundation, loose powder and lipstick or lip gloss. Waterproof mascara is a must have product to prevent mascara from running down our cheeks in case we get emotional and cry. Foundation will give the skin a flawless appearance, even if you do not wear any on a regular basis a bride should wear foundation on this special day. Loose powder for touch ups throughout the day and to prevent a shiny forehead for pictures. Last but not least, lipstick or lip gloss. Brides get so busy entertaining their guests, eating and drinking that they can easily over look the importance of keeping a fresh pout for those ever lasting pictures.

SSS-I want to look radiant in my wedding pictures. What can I do to brighten up my skin?

YA-It is most important to prepare your skin months in advance for this special day. Scheduling monthly visits with an Esthetician (www.skincarebyyadira.com)  is a must in achieving luminous skin. I always advise any future bride to incorporate regular facials with an at home skin care regiment 6 to 9 months before their wedding day. If you can’t incorporate regular facial visits try this to prepare your skin the night before the big event…  Cleanse, exfoliate, tone and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize your skin all before going to bed. This prepares the skin the morning of the wedding and gives the makeup artist a better canvas to work on for makeup application. I have met many brides who do not exfoliate or moisturize properly the day before the wedding and the makeup never applies as smoothly as those who do. Proper care and maintenance of your skin always leads to a lifetime of beautiful, healthy  and radiant skin!

SSS-Are there any rules for wedding day lip color?

YA-There are no rules for wedding lip color but please remember the importance of still looking like yourselves ladies. I personally think a bride should wear a soft and natural lip color but if shes feeling a bit sassy, she should go for the classic red lip. It’s very Marilyn Monroe! Hot pinks and other bright colors can look unflattering and outdated so I strongly advise staying away from them.

SSS-Should I be wearing lipstick or lip gloss?

YA-It is completely up to the bride and a matter of preference.  A lipstick will last longer on the lips because it is much drier than a lip gloss. Lip gloss can make the lips appear pouttier and modern but keep in mind that it will not last as long as lipstick so reapplying often is a must. To prevent your lipstick from fading quickly try this tip: Apply face powder to your lips before applying your lipstick, now apply lipstick,  then apply face powder once again over the lipstick and apply lipstick once more. This trick works ladies and helps to dry your lipstick therefore making it last longer. Sadly there is no way of making lip gloss last longer, so ladies, reapply, reapply, reapply!

SSS-How do you keep makeup fresh during the day?

YA-I can’t encourage enough the importance of touch ups as a requirement in keeping your makeup fresh, so remember to have at the least the following product with you: Loose powder to prevent shine and a Lipstick or Lip gloss to keep your lips looking moist, kissable and fabulous.

SSS-I’m worried I’ll cry on my wedding day and ruin my eye makeup. How can I make sure it stays all day?

YA-As mentioned above it is important to wear waterproof mascara to prevent streaking  and bring some makeup with you to the venue for touch ups. Unfortunately, makeup can fade in some areas of the face therefore touching up once or twice during the event is key in keeping a fresh look.

SSS-What are the classic bridal makeup mistakes to avoid?

YA-The classic bridal makeup mistakes are applying too much makeup. Ever heard of the term less is more? A bride should always looks fresh and clean, never dated or gothic. Rule of thumb to always remember is, if you want your eye makeup to pop and be the the focal point, the lips should appear subltle and natural. Same in reverse, If you want your lips to be the focal point (a strong bold color) then your eyes should be soft and natural.

*Skin Care by Yadira offers at-home makeup services for the bride who want to truly feel like a queen, do not hesitate to contact us and let us pamper you and your bridal party on this special day! 401-919-7546 or on the web at www.skincarebyyadira.com oh, and if that’s not enough, she’s on Facebook too!!

*To get all your skincare  information and advice please go  to www.skincarebyyadira.com or call 401-919-7546.  Skin Care by Yadira is located at 18 State St. Bristol, RI.

The Eco Luxe Life!! Going Green Can Be Fabulous!!

Ok, I have to admit, I am not the most eco-friendly person around.  I don’t have a cabinet filled with eco-friendly cleaners, I don’t buy “green” make up and skin care,  my children don’t wear cloth diapers and my Range Rover is definitely increasing the size of my carbon footprint, but that doesn’t mean I don’t try. I use cloth bags for the grocery store, I use hand towels instead of paper towels, I do use some eco friendly cleaners and I absolutely recycle.  Baby steps people.  My thinking was always that eco-friendly products just don’t work as well as my trusted chemical based products and some of  these “green products” are just plain expensive.  I guess maybe I never looked into the “green” lifestyle enough to know that I can find some great products that work just as well as my trusted ones and they don’t all have to break the bank.  What made me come to this conclusion you ask?  A  website called www.theecoluxelife.com Just the name makes me want to buy everything on it.  Run by three eco-trendy ladies, this website is absolutely fabulous and has made going green super simple and super chic at the same time.  Not only do they sell everything under the sun for the eco friendly consumer, but they actually ask their customers to contribute their opinions of the products to their website. Customers are also able to sign up for a special program that allows them a bag full of fabulous eco-friendly luxe products to sample 4 times per year.  www.theecoluxelife.com specializes in everything under the sun for a greener lifestyle, including clothing, baby care products and pet products too!!  This is one website that will make you rethink everything you ever thought about going green!!  Oh, and one more thing, we are doing a giveaway with www.ecoluxelife.com!!  Go to our giveaway section and sign up to win “Trilogy Travelers”, a great travel case containing four products essential to Trilogy’s daily botanical skin care routine. The Eco Luxe Life can also be found on Twitter @theecoluxelife.     Here’s our Q & A with the fabulous ladies of  The Eco Luxe Life:

SSS-What inspired you to start this website?

ELL-Life, really.  My partners and I loved shopping but really had started to turn to greener products over the years, mostly for health reasons.  The problem was that we really couldn’t find one location to find everything we could possibly want where we didn’t have to compromise on quality or style.  We wanted the jewelry to be chic and fun, not necessarily hippie granola and made of hemp. We wanted the cosmetics to work as well as their toxic counterparts and our clothing and household needs to have less of an impact on our health and the environment.  We searched and searched, but couldn’t find what we were looking for. So we decided to just make it ourselves! Girls love to be the envy of their friends and find new, cool products. We love that we can do it for a living!

SSS-We love the fact that we can sign up  and test a bevy of products 4 times per year, how has the feedback been with all your eco-friendly products?

ELL-You know, the funniest thing about our sample pack has been the varying responses we have gotten from everyone.  Some people loved the dryer sheet or the biodegradable trash bag that they saw in their local grocery store but never tried before.  Others loved the lip glosses and eye creams.  That is what is so nice about the program, there is something for everyone and it allows you to check new things out before you drop your hard earned dollars on a full size product.  Because most cities (other than certain very green sophisticated markets located mostly on the west coast) have very few eco boutiques, we tried to create that same excitement and feel, accessible in your own home.

SSS-What are some of your favorite eco-friendly beauty products?

ELL-I love so many but if I have to pick a few, here are my desert island must haves:

1) Eyes and Lips… A perfect way to add some flare is to brighten up your eyes and lips.  Go crazy and use bright reds or pinks for some extra funky puckers.  I love Stript’s lipstick pencil (http://www.theecoluxelifestore.com/product/Stript_Lipstick.html).  Use it as a liner or a lipstick or both.  Not sticky or goopy, easy to tote, and vegan!  For eyes, I love the Zosimos Eye Pencils (http://www.theecoluxelifestore.com/product/ZOS_031.html).  These shades are far from bland and go on silky smooth to give my eyes that extra pop at a very reasonable price.

2) SPF.  Sunscreen is a must.  I definitely don’t want to get wrinkles and sunspots and the only ways to avoid them is to wear sunscreen or stay out of the sun completely.  Although I have a very cute hat, I choose SPF.  One of my faves is Melansol.  It is an all natural sunscreen that blocks 96% of rays, and can be used on face, body and the kiddies.  http://www.theecoluxelifestore.com/product/Melansol_SPF25.html

3) Skincare. I love love love my Tata.  Tata Harper Skincare, although expensive, does wonders to rejuvenate my skin after my crazy days.  And, as an extra perk, she has a bedtime treatment that I use every night to help me mellow. Find her entire line here http://www.theecoluxelifestore.com/TATA.html.

SSS-Do you find it a big adjustment to go from everyday products to using ecofriendly?

ELL-One of the most important aspects of being a more responsible consumer is not to up and trash your whole wardrobe, makeup bag and cleaning bucket.  Instead, phase green products in as you need them.  For me, that is exactly what I did.  As my Armani foundation or drugstore lip gloss ran out, I replaced it with a healthier choice.  However, the most amazing part of the transformation has been how much I have actually love the replacements.  We did this thing in our office called the Lipstick Test.  The challenge is to use an all natural lip gloss or lipstick for two weeks and then try and go back to your original chemically filled one.  We promise you will be surprised by the results! You’ll never buy a Chanel lip gloss again.

SSS-What do you want to tell our readers who are still skeptics about the effectiveness of eco-friendly products vs. their trusted chemical based products?

ELL-Eco isn’t about compromise anymore.  We set out to prove that exact fact.  There is a way to be stylish, chic, fabulous, practical and green, all at the same time! We’ve learned that people tend to feel safe with brands they know. It’s our goal to make eco-brands part of our everyday vernacular.  With a commercialized product, such as a deodorent – you may prefer Secret to Dove. People feel that one works better than another. The same is true with eco-brands. Products we buy for ourselves and our home are very subjective, so you just have to find what you like and go with it! While we recognize that the environment is not important to all people, health generally is. And green living is as much about health as it is about the environment. There’s something eco out there that will work for you, we promise! We’re trying to make it less difficult for you to find.

Putty Perfection

It’s the new alternative to nude polish. It’s just a little darker, a little more grey, a little like, well, putty.  This is a great color because it’s totally neutral, so you can wear it to work or out for a cocktail!  Every nail polish company is coming out with their own version. Go out and buy one, it’s looks super cute on toes too!!  Here are my favorite versions…..

Essie nail colour Polish, Mink Muffs $8 (beauty.com)

Lippmann Collection Nail Lacquer Satin Doll $16 (dermadoctor.com)

Sally Hansen Commander In Chic $7 (cvs.com)

Chanel Particuliere $23 (nordstrom.com)

SEPHORA by OPI nail colour Metro Chic $9 (sephora.com)

Help Electrolux Fight Ovarian Cancer

Visit Kelly-Confidential now through February 20th and cast your vote for your favorite cake from Kelly’s Cake Off. For every vote cast, Electrolux will donate $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

Advice with Brow Guru Yadira Alexander

We’re super excited to have Yadira Alexander (eyebrow guru) back for another informational Q & A about eyebrows.  A few weeks ago, Yadira answered our readers questions about winter skin and how to take care of it.  Since then we have come up with some great questions about brows, and who better to ask then the East coast brow queen herself, Yadira.  Yadira is the owner of Skincare by Yadira, located on the beautiful waterfront of Bristol, RI.  She has been featured on the Style Network television show “Ambush Makeover” and in in numerous magazines.  She was voted best skin care in New England by Grace Ormond Wedding Magazine.  Now to the good part. Yadira, help us with our brows!!!

SSS- What is the best way to determine what shape your brows should be?

Y.A.- I have been shaping eyebrows for almost nine years and often find that many of my clients do not know how to properly care for their brows. They either over tweeze or do not give their brows the right shape to compliment their features. Many people come see me and ask me to re create a shape they either saw in a magazine or give them a high arch that is unattainable because their brows do not have a high arch naturally. It is extremely important to always work with the natural shape of your eye brows and never, ever create a shape that is unnatural. Always keep in mind that  eyebrows are a very important feature because they are such a focal point of the face. When shaping your eyebrows always create a subtle yet natural looking arch and never make them too thin. Thin brows are a thing of the past.  A fuller and natural looking brow is modern, clean, classy and does not draw the wrong attention to your face.

SSS- What is better to do, wax or tweeze?

Y.A.-I strongly believe that waxing is much better than tweezing. Waxing removes every hair completely off, all at once but there is also a bonus, hair also grows in thiner after having it waxed.  Tweezing can be time consuming and we  tend to miss those fine hairs that are very hard to see.

SSS- What should I do if I tweeze at home and take off too much and there is a bare spot?

Y.A.- If you are going to tweeze at home, always remember to do so near a window. Natural light is always best when tweezing because it allows you to see every single hair unlike indoor lighting, it can create shadows and this is when we start over tweezing.

If you over tweeze DO NOT PANIC! There is hope. Fill in your eyebrows with a powder base filler that is as natural looking as possible. Pencils are out and soft, natural looking powder is in. The main objective is to define not create over-powering brows. To fill in, comb first, then use feather like strokes to fill the brows. Always remembering to stay within the natural shape of your eyebrows (stepping outside the natural shape can make them look too thick). Youngblood designed “Brow Artiste” an excellent mineral powder brow filler which is outstanding and gives you excellent results. It has two colors, a dark and a lighter shade to adjust the color of your eyebrows.  A tweezer and and a brush (an angled brush on one side to define your brows and a brow brush on the other end).  It also has a brow gel to keep your brows in place all day. I personally can’t live without my “Brow Artiste”.

SSS- How often should I come for brow maintenance?

Y.A.- It is recommended that you come in for a brow maintenance every two weeks to keep a clean, well maintained look. However,  people who have light hair such as natural blondes can wait 3 weeks to wax their eyebrows since their hair is much lighter.

If you are afraid of shaping your own eyebrows, always seek professional help or please schedule an appointment with me. Shaping eyebrows is one of my passions and I strongly feel it can make every woman look younger and more refreshed!

Lastly always remember to have a quick consultation prior to having your eyebrows waxed with whom ever is shaping them to give them a better understanding of what your goal is.

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