1. 6. Grayburn 7.

Wednesday

Spree Vs. Steal! Luxuries on a Budget.

The desire to try many many beauty/cosmetic products can leave our wallets feeling pretty empty and wear out the strip on the back of our credit cards. But don't worry, there are some pretty good alternatives made by budget brands. These "Steal" alternatives all have a popular following and have stood the test of time.

SPREE!
by Terry Light Expert Foundation Brush










STEAL!
Bourjois
Brush Foundation






SPREE!
Chanel Teint Universel











STEAL!
Bourjois 10 Hour Sleep Effect
Anti-fatique Foundation

SPREE!
SpaceNK Spa Seeweed line













STEAL!
The Body Shop Seeweed line





SPREE!
Skinceuticals Retinol 1.0










STEAL!
RoC Retin-Ox Serum Max Plus







SPREE!
MAC N Collection
















STEAL!
H&M Eye shadow palette in Evening Sand




SPREE!
Creme de la Mer Moisturizing Cream














STEAL!
Nivea Creme




SPREE!
Bumble & Bumble Hair Powders










STEAL!
Pssssssssst Instant Spray Shampoo

Stiletto Run - Winner Takes Home 10,000 euros for Shopping!

March 9th on Amterdam's P.C. Hooftstraat (smaller version of Rodeo Drive) will see swarms of women running a length of 75 meters in at least 4-inch heels. The event will be hosted by Glamour Magazine and the winner nails a 10,000 euro shopping cheque!

It will be brutal!


A video of a previous stiletto run in Amsterdam.

Tuesday

T'Estimo Grande Shine Eyes - A Palette to Remember

Cosmetic companies are starting to understand and realize consumers are pickier and know what we want. We want convenience and portability without sacrificing anything on the aesthetics. Products should deliver results fast and without alot of fuss!

Look at this beautiful eye shadow compact from T'Estimo (a line from Kanebo) for example. It comes with everything we need for eye makeup application. It even comes with instructions on application (see picture below) conveniently on a transparent piece of plastic. The plastic fits on top of each section to illustrate their application. The compact itself is silver and light purple with a latch that clicks when shutting.

I got the compact in 01, which is beautifully shimmery (without grittiness), as well as suitable for a natural everyday look.

Numbers on the application sheet:

1
- (pale cream) this one is an eye shadow base. It gives something for the shadows and liners to adhere to and helps them stay put longer.

2 - (pale pink with shimmer) this is applied next, to areas of the eye you would like to highlight. Most of the time, this is applied above the lashline up to the crease.

3 - (chocolate cream with shimmer) this is applied into the crease to give our eyes more depth. It can also be used on the lower lashline.

4 - (deep brown) this is a cream eye liner which can be used on the upper and lower lashline.

Brilliant right? There is no more juggling with different jars and applicators of bases, shadows or liners. To top all of this off, the compact comes with pretty good quality brushes. Eventhough I personally don't use sponge eye shadow applicators, the fine-tip eye liner brush in this compact is one of the best I've used.

Now I want to hear from you what you favorite shade of eye shadow is and which one(s) are you wearing today?


Credit: Grayburn

Monday

New Palettes You Will Not Be Able To Resist. Get them before they are gone!

Look at what is in store for us! All limited edition so be sure to get yours before they are all snapped up - and then you will have to ebay them!

Givenchy Powder & Cream Eyeshadow Quartet

















Guerlain Ombre Eclat 4 Shades Eyeshadow (Fleur De Feu)













Chantecaille Protected Paradise Eye Shdow (3% of proceeds will be donated to Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation)





The Body Shop Blushing Daisies blusher
















Shiseido The Makeup Muli-shade Enhancer














YSL Palette Pop Collector Powder For Face and Cheeks
















Dior Flower Blossom limited-edition Floral Illuminating Powders for Face












Revlon A Floral Affair Sheer Powder Blush
















No7 Tropical Eyes Limited Edition Eyeshadow Compact

Sunday

The Beauty Bowl 2008

This was a painful challenge for me; someone who knows zilch about American football, to be invited to write a Superbowl-themed beauty article. However, I thank Nancy from Beauty411 for this great idea because this is something I would not have otherwise done by myself. I have learned quite a bit from this and I actually found that Superbowl can be quite a beauty-full event!

My research on this game brought me to learn about some scary as well as intriguing facts about the Superbowl. I learnt that alot of men actually "change colors" and many women become what's called "Superbowl widows". Some men apparently forget to talk to their women during this time or try too hard to explain the game to them even when they are not interested. So why do us women put up with this and why has this been allowed to carry on for so long? It is because women really are smarter. We are the ones who always make the best out of any situation. We forgive and see the bigger picture (that we can use this as a leverage at a later stage). It doesn't hurt that there will be men running around in tights and a chance to see the premier airing of Justin Timberlake's (who did his own stunts) commercial on TV. So are you ready?

Here are some quotes that came from football coaches. There is no questioning that what they said is true, but here are my interpretations as a beauty blogger.

Quote I

"One player was lost because he broke his nose. How do you go about getting a nose in condition for football?" (1966 Darrell Royal, Texas football coach)

The problem that we have with the skin on our noses is that the pores are larger and that blackheads are more visible in this area. My advice and answer to Mr. Royal's question is not to use those little pore strips designed for our noses (originally brought to the market by a company called Biore). The fact is that these strips hurt when removed (like pulling off a very sticky bandaid) and we never want to subject our skin to pulling or tearing. The best way to remove blackheads and to make our pores look more refined is to use a chemical exfoliant.

My Choice - Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel



Quote II


"If you aren't fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm." (Vince Lombardi)


There are many products out there that claim and promise the world. You know the ones I'm talking about. I'm sure you still have many of them in the back of your beauty cabinet or have tossed them out. There is one product that comes to mind that not only doesn't fire me up with enthusiasm (other than the enthusiasm to write about it), but I have happily dismissed with enthusiasm from my beauty stash. This company does make some good products, however this one just didn't make the cut.

Fired! - Sally Hansen's Diamond Strength Nail Strengthener

Quote III

"Go big. That's a reference to doing a big jump and catching big air, but it applies to everyday life, too. I talk about the importance of going big in whatever you do. Don't do it halfway." (Kristen Ulmer)

Ms. Ulmer definitely is right on this. I don't know if she knew that this applies to skincare as well. A good skincare regime is one that you enjoy using everyday and is suitable for your skin type. The advice about not to do anything halfway is essential here. Not removing your makeup at night is a half-hearted skincare practice. The bare essentials of a good skincare regime include a broad spectrum sunscreen that screens UVA and UVB, a booster or serum, a facial treatment/mask, a separate moisturizer for day and one for night-time, an eye cream/gel, and a good cleanser (I talk about my search for the right facial cleanser here). There is a common misconception that you have to choose products from the same brand or series. My advice is to have some fun and experiment. With enough time and experimentation, you will find the right combination of products best suited for you.

Go Big! - Try out lots of different skincare products!

Quote IV

"A successful leader has to be innovative. If you're not one step ahead of the crowd, you'll soon be a step behind everyone else." (Tom Landry, NFL coach)

I most definitely agree with this comment from Mr. Landry. This describes the cosmetic industry very well from my perspective. We all have our favorite beauty brand that has proved itself time after time. However, I find that it is important that a favorite brand continues to stay abreast with the latest trustworthy research findings. This is not to say that the brand must always join the hype, but it must use the opportunity to re-examine their products; to see if they continue to meet changing standards and demands.

I commemorate Ren for being one of the first few companies who believe in being "green" . They have reliably and steadily helped many of us keep our skin healthy and their products are always a pleasure to use. They also boasts some of the best and cleanest product packaging known to me.

A brand that is a step ahead of the crowd - Ren Skincare


I hope you have enjoyed reading my take on the Superbowl. Please share any thoughts you may have about my interpretations. Also, be sure to visit the other players in the Beauty Bowl Lineup:

  • 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic

  • A Touch of Blusher

  • Beauty411

  • Canadian Beauty

  • For the love of beauty

  • Grayburn

  • Steeping Beauty

  • The Beauty of Life

  • Urbane Girl

  • Thanks for reading!

    Friday

    The Beauty Bowl 2008


    In light of the Superbowl, a bunch of us beauty bloggers are getting our gear together to bring you The Beauty Bowl 2008.

    Don't miss it!

    Last of the Pictures from the Joline Jolink AIFW '08 Show

    Here are my favorite looks from the Joline Jolink show. There are some looks here that I am excited about playing with this year....

    SLEEVES
    The width and length of the sleeves are played with in so many ways this year. Long, 3/4, short, sleeveless and puffy. My favorite is the one-piece body suit without sleeves. How I will get it to stay up is a different issue but imagine how easy it is to not have to match what we wear on the top and bottom anymore?

    I will definitely be investing in one of 'em one-piece this year!
























































    WAISTLINE
    The waistline was emphasized in many different ways as well. Mostly, models walked out in high-waisted skirts and pants. This is a trend that we haven't seen for eons that I am still not sure about. Don't get me wrong, I gladly wear something cinched in at the waist but I have yet to see this look good off the runway. What do you think?






































    Video summary of Joline Joline AIFW '08 show



    Credit: S. Baldi

    Thursday

    Joline Jolink at the AIFW 2008 - MAKEUP

    The Joline Jolink runway show had so many fantabulous looks and ideas. Each one of them really deserve its own spotlight. The show in general was immaculately presented. I have really come to appreciate Jolink's distinctive eye for the collection as a whole, as well as the attention she pays to the finer details.

    During this show, I had the chance to work with a good friend of mine, S. Baldi who has an excellent eye for photography. Special thanks to her for her efforts, support and I hold her responsible for the Jolink fashion photos!

    Makeup Looks:

    The makeup looks were sponsored by Lancome. This book held about 20 makeup looks that the makeup artist and the clothing designer had put together for their particular show.

    The makeup artist described the look for the Joline Jolink show as "sandy".

    Dark-rimmed eyes smudged slightly outwards. Air-brushed skin and a pale lip to match. All the models looked as if they had a film of nude hosiery over their skin.






    The lip color was intensified slightly with orange when the outfit called for a stronger color as such.










    Hair was combed back and left loose with curls at the back. A modern twist on the headband look.















    Credit:
    1st photo- www.360fashion.net
    next 3 photos- S. Baldi

    A Closer Look at Accessories - Joline Jolink AIFW "08

    The Joline Jolink show was such an incredible one because there was no way I could have fit all of the information into one post. The accessories are lemming worthy and deserve a closer look! These accessories took on an origami-vibe, worked well in contrast to the softness of the fabrics on the clothes.

    Key Look: Bold-colored tights, folded clutch.
























    Key Look
    : Color-matched gloves.

    Key Look: Oversized dress shirt, cutout belt.














    Shoes Look: Striking mix of delicate details versus graphical blocks.

    Worn with skin-tone hosiery.




















    Shoes Look: Block platform heels, intricate contouring.















    Key Look: Body-conscious soft layering, high-waist detailing.














    Key Look: Japanese origami inspired patterns for belts and bags
















    Photos: S. Baldi, the Netherlands