Just a heads-up on The Body Shop's new line of body products that aim to take care of our inner and outer selves. I have been to their store and tested most of the products myself. Granted, the wellness approach is nothing new, but I think they have done a convincing job at creating some lemming-worthy items to treat our body and soul.
The line is divided into four categories (see image above) and is driven by ingredients that do double duties in terms of provoking a state of mind via scent and active properties. I think I am going to have to get something from each category since I suffer from each one of them at different times. For example, I could really use some of that Total Energy Exhilarating body wash (state #1) during that one time of the month when I can use a kick of energy at that time. Or, I could hand over that bottle of Divine Calm Relaxing Massage oil (state #2) to BFOG when life is stressing me out. And when I feel like getting some detox action, I would probably give the Rejuvenating Bath Soak (state #4) that contains wasabi (!) a try.
As soon as I get my hands on these, I will let you in on the scoop!
Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use), thebodyshop.com
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Sunday
Which Category Do You Fit Into?
Thursday
7 Days Of Summer Beauty Classics '08 - Day Six
A little spritz here and there with a facial spray really gives a welcoming relief to a hot, sticky complexion. I love to carry a facial spray in my purse during the hotter months simply because of that.
The MAC Fix+ spray contains ingredients that draw moisture onto the skin and to help makeup adhere to the skin. Not only is it a handy freshen-upper, it is my must-have because I use mineral foundation. The smell of the product isn't half bad either. Three spritzes on my face after the application of mineral foundation takes away that powdery look and prepares the skin for the next step: setting powder. I know that many use mineral or spring water sprays such as Evian or Avene however, my personal preference is for MAC's because of the extras on their ingredients list. I sent BFOG for a few bottles of this while he was in New York earlier this week. He returned only with one bottle (the last on the shelves) after having visited 3 different MAC counters there.
Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use)
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Feeling The Heat
Even with being all the way over here in Europe, I am certainly feeling the waves of heat from New York's Fashion Week. I have been bitten by the fashion bug again. At another location in NYC on September 11th, the Nolcha Fashion Week will kick off to present 35 independent international fashion designers. How much better can it get for the people of the city of style and fashion?
Check out the selected 8 makeup looks for the Nolcha shows created by makeup artist Robert Moulton using DEX Cosmetics' mineral makeup. I am loving the hairspray technique from the Carolina Brasil face chart and want to imitate the lips from the Celestino show. Click to follow Robert's instructions on how to recreate the looks or to see them in more detail.
Carolina Brasil
Celestino
Eva
LanVy
Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use), DEX Cosmetics
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Wednesday
7 Days Of Summer Beauty Classics '08 - Day Five
Just look at these two posing for the camera. They both belong to spot # 5 on my Summer Beauty Classics '08 list because they go hand in hand when it comes to creating a dewy summer flush.
Nars The Multiple in South Beach
Putting aside jokes and obvious adult-only choices for names in Nars' products, this brand constantly put out products that are at the top of my list for quality and universality.
Pictured left is The Multiple in a shade called South Beach. If you notice the fine shimmer it holds, you can imagine that this does not produce a sweaty glow but rather a surreal one. It may not have as much of the cool tones as in MAC's Emote blush, but it is not to say that this has overly warm tones either. Nars describe this shade as a "shimmering apricot" but on me, it translates to a gorgeous tan.
I dab on this color with my MAC #190 foundation brush which in my opinion, has great cushiony bristles. I usually place and blend the color on the protruding parts of my face where the sun naturally places color (cheekbones, top of the ears, bridge of the nose).
Tarte Cheek Stain in Tipsy
A firm favorite of mine and always low in or out of stock at Sephora, this Cheek Stain from Tarte smells like Summer to me because of its fruity peachy/apricot sorbet scent. It seems that Tarte's Tipsy is currently sold out on their website and I caught wind that this is one of Salma Hayek's favorite products!
Don't let the brightness scare you. To me, this has the perfect combination of flush and warmth. The stain applies as a sheer wash of color. Rather than swiping this over my cheeks (which I feel disrupts my foundation), I pat this on with a brush in the same manner as with Nars' Multiples. It may initially apply slightly sticky, but it manages to dry off into a long-lasting stain.
Leave it as is for a natural glowy flush on the cheeks, or lightly dust over it with some powder blush to set and ensure that there is color on your cheeks the entire day.
Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use)
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Monday
7 Days Of Summer Beauty Classics '08 - Day Four
I had frizzy hair when I was younger partly because I was clueless in the haircare department and didn't think that it went beyond shampoo and conditioner. The other part of the reason was that I didn't have extra money to invest in quality hair appliances.
Now a little older and perhaps a tad wiser (thanks to being kept up-to-date by information from other bloggers), I have found quite a few Holy Grail-title worthy haircare products/appliances. One such appliance is the T3 hairdryer from Bespoke Labs. Thus this is the one that wins spot #4 on my Summer Beauty Classics '08.
I have the T3 hairdryer in the overnight version because I live in Europe. It is also handy since I know I can bring it with me anywhere I go with its dual voltage capability, is lightweight and folds in half! What makes their hairdryers work so well is that their insides are fitted with tourmaline, which emits a stream of negative ions onto the hair. That is the secret to drying our hair dry faster and smoother, without boiling the hair dry as conventional hairdryers do. What I have noticed while using mine is that it doesn't release a strong/big flow of air. I find that that is a good thing since too strong of an air flow creates frizziness. The funny thing is, it has cut down my drying time and my hair is looking healthier than before.
I found my Bespoke Labs T3 Overnight Hairdryer at Misikko
Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use)
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Friday
7 Days Of Summer Beauty Classics '08 - Day Three
The Body Shop Vitamine E Moisture Serum
Hanging around in the intensity of summer's heat wilts the best in me. What makes it more uncomfortable and at times unbearable, is that greasy feeling some moisturizers leave on my skin. I know it is tempting but this is not the time to skip moisturizers as it is always important to keep our skin hydrated.
This is where skin serums come in. They nourish and feed the skin and generally gets absorbed so well by our skin that they almost become undetectable. The texture of the Vitamine E Moisture Serum is somewhere between a gel, serum and a lotion. The liquid applies firstly like that of a lotion and when it is warmed up by the skin, it becomes a gel. Finally, when it is fully absorbed, it feels like you only have a serum on the skin. The Vitamine E in the serum is a nice bonus because of its anti-oxidative properties. The fluid also contains Wheat Germ Oil and Tara Bush seed extract.
This potion is a firm Summer Beauty Classic of mine and it keeps my skin well-hydrated, soft to the touch and fresh. It also works well at night under a heavier moisturizer or under makeup during the day.
Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use)
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Thursday
7 Days Of Summer Beauty Classics '08 - Day Two
Using Aveda's Pure Abundance Potion definitely takes practicing and a lot of getting used to. I think the initial learning phase scares people away. Well, at least it did me. The pale green powder delivers Ooomph (package states 17% thicker) and that is why it takes a spot on the 7 Days of Summer Beauty Classics '08 list. But using it meant that I had to enlist my baking skills.
The cap flips open on this tiny bottle to reveal a single hole that lets the powder out. One has to be careful to not shake the bottle too much as unnecessary motion turns its content into liquid. It is a 3-step process: gently turn the bottle upside down, sprinkle a small amount of the product directly at the roots by gently tapping on the bottom of the bottle (think dusting powdered sugar over a cake without the proper sifter), work the powder in by tousling and teasing the area where you want the Ooomph. As soon as the powder touches the skin, it feels cooling, as if fine ice dust has touched it. Set the volume you have just achieved with a flexible hairspray (Though I was advised against using the one from the same collection).
It brings the Va-Va back into my mostly straight but somewhat wavy medium-thickness hair. I have found it to be great at creating volume for messy buns, as well as when I leave my hair down (to past my shoulders). This is a definite Summer classic product because it also helps to fix humidity-induced greasy roots.
Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use)
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Wednesday
7 Days Of Summer Beauty Classics '08 - Day One
It is sad to have to almost say goodbye to Summer. Seeing that I am not quite ready to do that just yet, I decided to do a series on the products that saw me through Summer this year. All of these products have been tried & very much tested and are absolutely my favorite go-to's. I am calling it 7 Days of Summer Beauty '08 Classics.
Looking back, I realized that I had (and still am having) a lot of fun with beauty this Summer. I discovered bright colors this year, and found products that kept me hydrated, dry, glowing, and ones that helped me get ready fast. Knowing how to be ready fast is a real plus especially when we cannot tolerate spending tonnes of time getting ready, or when we get a last minute invite to a BBQ.
Without further delay, let me introduce you to Day One of 7 Days of Summer Beauty Classics '08
Day One: Cheerful Summer Colors of the MAC Neo Sci-Fi Collection
Spaced Out (blush)
This is a true peach blush. It may not be one that is usable all the year round but it looks damn good on sun-lit cheeks. It is the color of happiness and hugging someone you love on a sunny day.
Magnetic Fields (eyeshadow)
The coolness in this color comes from the sprinkling of silver shimmer. In a base of blackened taupe, the pearlized shimmers show up as random fine diamond dusts. This shadow gives great cool contrast to the warmth in this collection.
Evening Aura (eyeshadow)
Such a beautiful shimmering peach champagne color. It is sheer but stunning if packed on the lids. The frostiness makes this color unique and different from the warm peaches out there. It is lovely!
Pleasure Seeker (lipstick)
A nude and sheer peach jello color that is so easy to wear. This is no MAC 3N lipstick (which is my personal ultimate nude lipstick), but wearing this with Evening Aura is gorgeous. They complement each other so well and the result is soft, pretty and sophisticated.
Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use)
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Tuesday
On A Positive Note, The Launch Of Summer 2008 Beauty Classics
So I let the copycat dampen my mood. This blog has been around for almost a year now so I guess if this is the first horrible thing to happen to it, it isn't so bad. I want to thank all of you who lend me an ear and support. Your advice came in the form of everything from links to useful resources, sweet sweet words, to encouragement to give his behind a kick. I drank up your words until I hit the bottom of the glass!
I love how when a wave gets thrown my way, that I become stronger and even sometimes learn to surf that wave. Gaining new experiences and friendship is something that is well worth the challenge (as long as I survive it!).
So in the attempt to revive my mood and my fellow bloggers', who have also been affected by the copycat, I am launching a series of posts to sum up the Best of the Best beauty 2008 Summer classics. I hope that you are as excited as me and will feel the need to contribute what your Summer '08 beauty classics are as well!
The song to kick off the event is "Superwoman" by Alicia Keys. I love the positivity in the song for women.
Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use), youtube.com
