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Archives for March 2012

Exuberantly Sunny Roberto Cavalli Eau de Parfum

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When the new Roberto Cavalli Eau de Parfum practically knocked the wind out of me with its pink peppercorn, orange blossom absolute and tonka bean charms, I had been on a two-week fragrance bender with happy-go-lucky L’Eau de Chloè, dousing myself with its light floral fragrance every single day.

Just like that, I went from floating high above the countryside without a care in the world — L’Eau de Chloè — to the raw grace of a 450-pound tiger, its striped fur glistening in the sun — Roberto Cavalli.

Equal parts powerful and delicate, ambery floral Cavalli officially sings the following notes…

Official fragrance notes

  • Top: pink peppercorn
  • Middle: absolute of orange blossom
  • Base: tonka bean

I love how it conveys femininity in a bad@ss way. Like, if I were strutting down the hallowed halls of Vogue’s corporate headquarters (in stilettos, of course), Cavalli is what I’d want to be armed with. It’s what mama wants to wear when she BRINGS IT! — or, when it’s already been brought-en. 🙂


Note to self: wear this dress with Roberto Cavalli Eau de Parfum
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Intimate or Not, I Have to Share How Much I Like Sunday Riley Blush in Intimate

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sunday riley intimate blush

I imagine it’s just a phase, like wanting a pony or collecting rainbow Lisa Frank stickers, but this particular phase — my obsession with blushes that perfectly balance pigment and shimmer — has lasted, oh, about 10 years so far. 🙂

In that time this phase has led me down the road to radiant cheeks many times before, a road marked by MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes, NARS Blushes and lively, glowing cheeks.

And now, there’s a new stop on the road (yay!). It’s called Sunday Riley Blush in Intimate, and it’s a find that should be shared.

One of those “Ohmigosh! I think I look 10 years younger!” colors, the $30 blush is one of six new shades sweeping into beauty departments at Barneys New York and Bergdorf Goodman stores (and also online), alongside the rest of the Sunday Riley makeup collection.

Like Sunday’s Prismasilk Eye Colors, the blushes, which apply with a super smooth, even texture on me, employ silica particles painted in pigment.

Intimate reminds me of a slightly pinker, more neutral version of NARS Orgasm, with a soft, candlelit sheen, as opposed to a high-shine golden shimmer.

I love it, and I have a strong feeling it’ll look lovely on a wide range of skin tones.

With Intimate on my cheeks, I feel like I look refreshed and better rested (and maybe even a little younger…like I’m of an age where I spent my awkward teens years listening to the Spice Girls on CD instead of Debbie Gibson and Tiffany on tape).

sunday riley blush in intimate

sunday riley swatch
Swatch of Sunday Riley Intimate Blush on the left and NARS Orgasm on the right
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Will Your Lips Take a Shine to Dior’s Addict Extreme Lipsticks?

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dior addict extreme incognito
Wearing Dior Addict Extreme in Incognito

Like a pretty beach bikini, Dior’s shiny new $30 Addict Extreme Lipsticks are saucy and bold, but still leave a little something to the imagination. Lightweight and glassy, they provide just enough pigment and coverage to stand out without overpowering the sheer blushes and eyeshadows we’ve been seeing so much this spring.

Available in 17 moderately moisturizing shades, they’re just the kind of lippies I like to wear around this time every year, when I grow a little weary of fall and winter’s heavy mattes and full-coverage products.

Designed to go the distance with a long-wearing formula, they’re also supposed to have a lip-plumping effect, but per usual, my lips must be immune…

dior addict extreme lipsticks
From the left: Incognito, Lucky and Black Tie

dior addict extreme swatches
Swatches from the left: Incognito, Lucky and Black Tie

One thing I do notice about these is how great they feel. I love the texture! They’re so smooth that I almost forgot about the $30 price, and they’re pretty hydrating, too, although I do like to layer a little lip balm underneath.

If I had to compare them to something, maybe the Chanel Rouge Coco Shines, except I think those are a little more moisturizing.

dior addict extreme black tie
Black Tie
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I’ll Wear These Sunday Riley Eyeshadows Any Day of the Week: The New Prismasilk Eye Colors From Sunday Riley

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sunday riley little black dress
Sunday Riley Eyeshadows in Siberian Sable, French Press and Little Black Dress

I keep meaning to ask you about Sunday Riley! They’re a relatively new beauty brand, pretty high end (prices ranging from $26 for an eyeshadow single to $295 for a skin care serum), and available at Barneys New York and Bergdorf Goodman stores.

That name is all kinds of awesome, isn’t it? Sunday Riley… Sounds like one of Katniss Everdeen’s friends/adversaries. 🙂

(SIDE NOTE: I’m so excited about that movie! I started re-reading the first book last night.)

sunday riley eyeshadows

There really is a Sunday Riley behind the brand, and she’s from the Lone Star State. Sunday started the line back in 2009 with a handful of anti-aging products containing plant extracts believed by Native Americans to possess medicinal properties.

Being from Texas (her family traces its roots to before it was part of the United States), she spent summers with her grandma learning about some of the most useful plants.

Years later she took that knowledge and created the NV-5 Ageless Complex, a blend of five botanicals that, according to the company, detoxify, heal and recharge the skin. Now, it’s the secret ingredient in her skin care products.

Sunday recently expanded the line to include color cosmetics, and I spent some time with a few of her Prismasilk Eye Color eyeshadows last weekend.

If what they say is true — that variety is the spice of life — these eyeshadows are hot! They’re available in 28 shades spanning matte, satin and iridescent finishes, cost $26 each and can be worn either wet or dry.

I’ve been playing with Siberian Sable (a cool brown satin), French Press (a brownish taupe satin) and Little Black Dress (a sheer black satin)…

sunday riley prismasilk eye color
Eyeshadows clockwise from the left: French Press, Siberian Sable and Little Black Dress

sunday riley swatches
Swatches from the left: Siberian Sable, French Press and Little Black Dress

sunday riley siberian sable
Wearing Siberian Sable
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Sleek and Chic: 3 Easy Party Hairstyles

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This post is part of a series sponsored by Walgreens.

It used to seem like I had endless amounts of time to get all dolled up for different things, like parties, dancing and baby showers, but now? What I wouldn’t give to have a whole afternoon to get ready.

These days, on the rare occasions when I actually do have something to get dressed up for, it seems like I’m always rushing. I’m lucky to have enough time to fill in my brows, let alone do something special with my hair.

Still, even when I am rushing, running ragged and far behind, the last thing I want to do with my ‘do is just throw on a hat and call it a day (although I am totally guilty of doing exactly that more than a few times).

When all I can swing is 5-10 minutes on hair, I’ll shoot for one of these three quick party hairstyles. Each one is light on muss and fuss, and can be done with styling products from the drugstore.

First things first: the prep work.

This stuff is güd

Assuming a shower isn’t completely off the table, I like to start with one, and lately I’ve been bringing two products by güd from Burt’s Bees with me.

I love how citrusy Orange Petalooza Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner smell ($6.99 each), and the combo leaves my hair feeling silky soft, lightweight and conditioned.

If I had my druthers, I’d always air dry my hair, but sometimes that’s not an option. Hair dryers do speed up the process, and when I’m going to use one, I try to work in a heat protecting product, like the new Suave Keratin Infusion Heat Defense Leave-In Conditioner ($3.49), to protect against heat styling damage.

When I can’t squeeze in a shower at all, well, that’s when I turn to dry shampoo. Definitely not ideal, but the good ones do freshen my ‘do and give some lift to my roots. I really like Suave Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo. It’s designed for all hair types and costs just $3.49.

With the prep work done, it’s time to pick our hairstyle! 🙂

1. Retro in a rush

I’ve been wearing my hair a lot like this lately. I call it my “Ode to Mad Men,” and it’s kind of a rushed take on an old-school beehive.

I start by parting my bangs to the side, but if you don’t have bangs, just take about a two-inch chunk of hair in that same area, and part it to the side. Then, to get the look of long side-swept bangs, secure the chunk in place with bobby pins, like the Styling Essentials Bobby Pins by Conair ($1.39).

Next, I put my hair into a low ponytail secured with an elastic ponytail holder in a color that matches my mane. I like Goody Ouchless Gentle Hair Elastics, 1) because a pack of 27 costs just $3.99, and 2) they don’t break my strands when I pull them out.

To build some height at my crown, I grab a pencil (here, I’m actually using an eyeliner), stick it into the roots up there, and then gently pull up to loosen the style and create some height.

I don’t usually worry about it looking too neat, because with this style, I kind of like how it looks a little undone.


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