Try: Make Up For Ever Pro Finish

I am a bit of a lazy girl when it comes to make-up, the simpler the better, despite my love of products, since I can't wake up in the morning I can't be bothered with anything that takes a lot of time in the morning. That is why when I first tried powder/mineral make-up I was hooked. However I was soon turned off it for the winter months because my face becomes insanely dry and most powders / mineral make-up has the tendency to make me look chalky and flaky and not at all attractive. So for a long while I switched to tinted moisturizer. A few months ago I was given the chance to try out Make Up For Ever Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation and I had my doubts. I was fearful of looking chalky and gross but boy was I pleasantly surprised to learn that this product seems to be immune to those typical powder make-up failures.

Make Up For Ever Pro Finish is formulated in a unique way using vegetal coated bio-mimetic pigments. This unique formulation makes it customizable to the look that you want. You can apply it dry for a matte finish and moderate coverage or for a satin finish with sheer coverage, apply it wet. The formulation never clumps up or gets cake-y. The powder foundation has a velvety texture that blends in very naturally into skin for a lightweight and natural look. While it can't cover up cystic acne (what really can?), it makes the overall texture of my skin look more even, my pores minimized and I feel that my skin has a natural glow that is often covered up by make-up. If you are looking for full coverage, I don't think this is your answer. However, if you are a lazy make-up girl like myself, or need a touch-up on the run, this is the perfect compact to slip into your purse. This really is the perfect product for those days when I ran out the door so fast that I forgot to put on make-up. It is a product that revives tired makeup before running on a date afterwork and makes a difference with how put together I feel. The compact case has a good sized mirror and a separate compartment to store your foam sponge with air holes so if you use the product wet, the sponge can dry easily without fear of getting moldy. Overall from practical packaging to product quality I am won over. It is the perfect answer for lazy make-up girls like myself who are on the go.

Mani Party with Sally Hansen x Elle Magazine

A couple of weeks ago, I got to watch the Golden Globes in style with the lovely ladies of the Style Coalition. Sally Hansen and Elle Magazine hosted a mani party celebrating Sally Hansen's new Salon Insta-Gel Strips.

We got the chance to walk our own red carpet complete with mani cam after being treated to some gel nail treatments. I had a hard time choosing with 24 different colors and patterns to choose from I really wasn't sure what to pick. In the end I had to try Perfect Poison - a metallic silver snake skin that looks really luxe.

Although a nail technician helped me get my gel tips on, it seemed simple enough. After removing my nail polish and filing down my nails to the desired shape, the nail technician gave my nails a light buff, removed all excess oils with some a cleanser pad (all included in the kit) and then peeled off the nail strips and pressed them onto my nails carefully using an orange stick. She removed the excess strip using a nail file. When all the nails were complete, she did a quick coat of gel top coat before sticking each nail one at a time in the UV light machine where my nails took about 30 seconds each to be cured. The machine turns off the light when finished each nail so it is really easy to make sure you get it right. Once my nails were cured, we removed the excess sticky residue using a cleanser pad, just like at the salon. After that, my nails were fully dry! The whole process took probably 10 minutes or so.



After getting my nails done I had a blast sipping cocktails, tweeting like a maniac about red carpet fashion and hanging with some lovely style and beauty bloggers over some delicious hors' devours including some oh so appropriate golden globe cake pops (which I dutifully avoided). I admired and compared nails with some of the other ladies and found myself really attracted to the Spot On polka dot look color.

At the end of the night, I was gifted a Sally Hansen Salon Insta-Gel Strips starter kit and 2 colors of nail polish so that I can try this on my own - I can't wait to try more patterns.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
I decided to show you the results of the mani that is supposed to last for up to 2 weeks.

The results after 8 days were pretty darn good. If I didn't lift a printer at the office earlier in the day, I don't think I would have caught the edges that lifted from my right index finger and my left middle finger. Otherwise the mani is still shiny and in good shape aside from my nails growing out. Unlike regular nail polish strips or even Shellac, these feel firmly adhered to my nails and don't feel like they will all start peeling if you catch an edge.

By day 14 these are definitely ready to come off.  The nail polish stayed shiny and put for most part, but my nails grew out so much at this point, I wasn't crazy about how they looked. Next time I will try to get the strips closer to my cuticles than the technician did. While the edges I caught on my index and middle finger didn't seem to grow, some spots close to the base of the nails started to flake off a little. However, this nail polish can't be easily removed without an acetone remover, cotton and foil. Armed with these readily available products, you can get your nails clean in about 5 minutes.

Overall I was very happy with my nails. They looked fabulous and I received multiple compliments and people were asking me how I had achieved the unique python effect. It is a much more cost effective and time saving solution vrs going to a salon with results that are definitely comparable.

Maison Martin Margiela x H&M at Columbus Circle

Tonight I was given the opportunity to shop the H&M x Maison Martin Margiela pre-shop event at the brand new sparkly location of H&M on the 2nd floor of the The Shops at Columbus Circle. It was nice to get to wait in line indoors – something to consider if you’re going to be waiting in line tomorrow morning to keep your fingers from getting too numb.  Being the fashion keener that I am, I was in the first 15 people in line, despite the fact that I have a bruised heel bone (due to a failed attempt cleaning up my closet and have been hobbling around for the past few days).
Upon entry to the sale it was chaos as usual as people ran to get their coveted items. In case you’re wondering what they are: the candy wrapper clutch and the disco ball mirrored leggings are the hot ticket and I spotted them in nearly everyone’s arms as they wandered through the sale. If these are on your wish list make sure you hit them up first – I spotted a few random hoarders carrying the clutches 4 at a time. Women’s shoes was also a fast mover with staffers continuously bringing out an armload of boxes at a time.

I struck quickly and soon snagged up everything from my wish list and ran to the change room for final confirmation. I learned my lesson at the H&M x Versace collaboration when I didn’t grab multiple sizes and soon found myself out of luck on the floral print bustier so I grabbed multiple sizes this time and prevailed.

See pictures of packaging and my product reviews after the jump.

This time around I have to really hand it to the MMM attention to detail – Everything from the boxes to the shiny embossed bags to the hangtags, to the fabric zip up garment bag have tone on tone white lettering. Subtle shine on the paper goods that have been embossed for a luxe look. The garments all have these large tags that describe the item and what season it was originally designed for which look really sharp. The only problem with these tags is that they are GINORMOUS and it was rather difficult to try on garments with these flapping about, although with some patience, you can make it work.

As for my buys I tried to stick with only what I love and in the end picked up the “Hitched-Up Dress”, The Mirror Ball leggings and the “Hair Lock Necklace”.

The Hitched up dress is a really nice the fabric is a Viscose wool crepe and not at all itchy. It is a medium weight fabric with good drape and body. The dress itself is surprisingly heavy. The dress is fully lined and although the lining edge is raw edge all of the interior seams have been bound in a satin lining for a luxe finish. The V-back is a bit low so it will require a low back bra/those chicken cutlets that can only be worn for short periods of time. I was torn on this dress and the Sideways Dress but ultimately the color, ease of putting on and silhouette won. I had to get this dress in 1 size smaller than my usual H&M size because otherwise the back hung too far away from my body.

The sideways dress is made of the same fabric, but it is unlined and although there are no body zippers there is a tank dress underneath the sideways shirt dress that make up the upper portion of the dress.  There is only a shoulder zip so that you can fit your head into the neck opening. This piece was a bit fidgety to get on and on my first attempt I managed to get a bit tangled up in the dress. This dress runs true to size, the smaller size resulted in buttons getting bunched up inside the dress. The sleeves are very dramatic looking but I ultimately decided that my budget could only have room for 1 dress.

The mirror leggings are zippered at the ankles – a point that I did not immediately realize as I struggled in the change room to put these things on. After I found the zippers it was much easier. To note the “mirrors” are actually heat sealed reflective plastic bonded to the spandex. This makes them much more comfortable than sequins (yes I have a pair of sequins leggings that constantly poke/scratch me). There is a nice wide interior elastic that feels comfortable. You should also keep in mind that these leggings are not as stretchy or comfortable as regular leggings due to the bonded plastic. Hopefully the plastic bits stay in place as I love these leggings – anything remotely disco ball like get’s my vote.

Finally, that hair necklace. It’s a little ridiculous and over the top but also very simple and Margiela too. The hair is held together nicely in a metal cap on a waxed cord with metal tips and metal namesake tag.  The hair of course is not real but synthetic so you have to beware of wearing with static inducing fabrics or you get fly aways on your necklace – which is more than a little hilarious.
My deepest disappointment came from the oversized jeans which with their wide legs and bleached out denim wash were exactly up my alley. They are a little tricky to put on but you can adjust the slouch factor by adjusting the overlap with hooks that are in the front. The front looked every bit the beauty that I thought they would. My problem came when I turned around. Literally my butt looked HUGE, which I don’t mind but not only was my butt large, it was flat and poufy which is not ok. I contemplated ways to  fix this in the change room but ultimately I sadly put them back on the shelf for someone else to adore.

Not sure what you’re after but I hope you find the Margiela of your dreams tomorrow morning!

Product Review: SodaStream

For some reason or another I really wanted to try this contraption - so after grabbing dinner with Erin earlier this week, I bolted to my local Bath Bed & Beyond to pick one up.  SodaStream is a carbonation system which lets you add CO2 to regular H20 from the comfort of your own home. Headquartered in Israel, this company sells its gas infusing machines in 43 countries and is big on being green by reducing consumers' carbon footprint. 

Enough of the technical garb - and on the the review...

Honestly, this machine just looked fun - which is why I got it (I'd like to say that I wanted to be "greener" but that just isn't true).  The model I ended up getting is called Fizz - and it sort of reminds me of a fire hydrant that sits on my counter (it was the only model left at the store). The unit itself is pretty tall but doesn't take up a lot of counter space which is key for kitchen appliances in NY.  The kit came with the actual unit, one tank of carbon dioxide, a reusable bottle/cap used for the actual carbonation and a whack load of sample soda flavors.  What it didn't come with was instructions - which was a bit odd (there are instruction for how to assemble and replace the gas tank but not on how to use the actual machine)...I ended up looking online and found that a lot of people were missing instructions from their kit.  Anyways, after watching a couple videos online on YouTube, I was ready to test it out and make my own fizzy drink!

Step 1:  Fill the carbonation bottle up to wavy line marker (1 Liter capacity) - it's easiest to use cold water here so your drink doesn't have to chill afterwards.

Step 2:  Place the bottle into the machine and screw it in until it's secure.  You want it to be sealed here so that gas doesn't leak out while you are carbonating your water.

Step 3:  Push the lever 3-5 times and watch the bubbles go!  Every time you push down on the lever, the machine will make this loud noise like it's broken which is fine -  just let up on the handle once you hear that noise. 

Step 4:  Release the bottle from the base unit.

Step 5:  You're done! Seltzer water in about 20 seconds from start to finish!

The starter kit comes with a bunch of soda syrups which you can add to the bottle AFTER you carbonate it (you want to keep the aerating tube free from gunk).  Personally, I'm not a big fan of the flavors I tried but I'm also not a big soda drinker to begin with (I got this more to make seltzer water vs cola).

The bottle that you use to carbonate the water doubles as a storage unit and comes with a cap that you can use to cover your carbonated beverage and stash in the fridge.

Overall this is great contraption that does exactly what it says it will do.  What's even better is that you can customize and control the outcome of your drink.  If you like your soda really bubbly, just add another pump of gas when you're aerating the water.  Also, any flavoring that you do add is up to you in terms of what, how much or how little which is a great feature.

  

You can make your own syrups, buy the pre-made SodaStream stuff or use anything else that suits your fancy....like this local ginger syrup from Morris Kitchen (which makes a KILLER ginger ale).  

Another plus of the SodaStream is if you do drink a lot of carbonated beverages, this gadget will save you money in the long run.  One CO2 tank will set you back $15 and will last you 150 liters (i.e. 10 cents/liter carbonated) which is significantly cheaper than anything you can pick up at your local bodega.

In terms of cons, some of the mechanisms on the unit are a bit awkward to use.  The front part of the machine needs to be angled to secure the bottle to the hose and while there is a lever to help position the nozzle, it's still a bit awkward.  There are however, a couple other models on the market that don't have this issue since there is enough room to just adhere the bottle without angling the machine.  The only other downside for me was the lack of instructions - seriously who does that... 

All in all I'm happy with the product and if you're a fan of soda/seltzer this is a nifty thing to have!  PS. If you sign up for email notifications at Bath Bed & Beyond, you can get a 20% coupon that you can use towards your purchase (which is what I did!).   

Product Review: Neosporin Eczema Essentials

I recently had the chance to try out the new skincare product line Neosporin Essentials thanks to a sample sized set they recently sent me.  When I think about it, it's quite surprising that Neosporin never had a skincare line until this point.  Neosporin is the name that you know and trust with your cuts and scrapes so why wouldn't you trust them to heal your skin.  Eczema is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition characterized by dry, itchy skin and visible skin rash. Over 35 million Americans, both children and adults, suffer from eczema. While I personally don't have eczema, I do have psoriasis - a genetic skin condition that can at times bring about flaky patches of dry skin.


Neosporin created this product line after extensive research and clinical studies were conducted to better understand how eczema works and how it can be treated.  Each product in the line has a unique RELIPID™ formula, which contains a lipid, humectant, emollient and botanical blend to help retain moisture that is essential for healthy looking skin.  Packaging is simple and in simple flip top containers for the moisturizing cream and body wash but with a screw on lid for the anti-itch cream.

NEOSPORIN® ECZEMA ESSENTIALS™ Daily Moisturizing Cream - While this lotion is clinically proven to restore healthier skin in 3 days, I noticed an immediate soothing effect thanks to the colloidal oatmeal.  There is not much of scent and it looks a little more like a light gel than a lotion.  A little goes a long way and it spreads easily.  The product sinks into skin easily but has a slight dry tacky feel, that feels almost like a protective barrier for the skin.  I don't mind the feel on my body but it doesn't feel great on the fingers.  My skin however did like the lotion and I notice that my skin is well moisturized and not at all itchy over the next few days of use.

NEOSPORIN® MOISTURE ESSENTIALS™ Daily Body Wash - Also has a bit of a non-scent to it. It looks milky as lotion and has very low/no lather. While the lack of lather and scent didn't make me feel like I was showering as per normal, my skin did feel clean still and my skin does feel smoother after using it without any weird after feel.

NEOSPORIN® ECZEMA ESSENTIALS™ Anti-Itch Cream - I didn't end up using this one as much but it has a rich creamy texture and nice feel.  It seems to sink right into the skin with a gentle rub.  Again the product not scented - probably as it is more of a clinical/medical sort of product rather than a beauty product.  It does however contain hydrocortisone and simultaneously moisturizes and stops itching.

Overall I like the products especially the Daily Moisturizing Cream for it's soothing qualities.  While it's definitely not the type of product line that feels luxurious or like you're pampering yourself with something special, if you are a sufferer of eczema or any other type of dry skin condition taking care of your skin and relieving the symptoms can make you feel a lot more relaxed and a lot more beautiful too.  I hope in the future Neosporin considers creating some lightly fragranced items for those of us who like to take care of themselves and smell something pretty too.

Product Review: Clarisonic Mia 2

A few weeks ago, I was walking around 5th Ave when I noticed the Clarisonic Mia 2 on display.  Up until that point I have never heard about the device but based on what my friend told me about it, I made the purchase.  The product has amazing reviews and everyone my friend knew who has one absolutely loves it.  To sum it up, it's a electronic face brush that vibrates and helps remove dirt, makeup, oil and and dead skin. After contemplating for 30 minutes I decided to bite the bullet and pick one up at Sephora.  At $149 (for the Mia 2), it's not the cheapest thing on the market but I ain't getting any younger! I just kept telling myself to consider this as an investment...an investment for my face.

After making my purchase I ran home to try it out - only to find out that you need to charge the unit for 24 hours prior to the first use!  The unit itself comes in a few colors but I opted for white.  The Mia 2 comes with a travel case, brush head (to be replaced every 3-4 months), and charger.  One of the great things about this device is that it's cordless so once it's charged you can take it wherever - be it the sink or shower.  For me that was an added bonus, since I wash my face in the shower. 

After charging the unit for about an hour I got uber impatient (surprise surprise) and decided to give it a go - and here's the results (before and after shot from the very first time I used the product)...

Before

After

I was honestly floored after the first use because I could actually see the difference - which is rare with skin products. AMAZING.  The most noticeable thing was the evenness of my complexion and how soft my skin was after and how clean it felt.  I kept touching my face afterwards! I've been using the Mia 2 now for a few weeks and I am completely sold.  Other people have commented on how great my skin looks without me even mentioning anything about using the Mia 2, so I know it's working!

One of the great things about the brush is that you can use any face wash you want - just apply to the brush head (or all over your face prior to using the brush which I find works better) and you're set to go.  The Mia 2 has a built in timer and each use lasts for 60 seconds (20 seconds for your forehead, 20 for your chin, and 10 for each cheek).  The brush makes beeping noises so you know when to move to the next area. It just takes a minute (or two if you use it twice) a day to have cleaner radiant skin.  Easy peasy!

Honestly, this gadget is worth every penny and if you want to try it out, I recommend picking it up at Sephora - they have an amazing return policy so if you don't like it after testing it out you can return it! 

Marni x H&M–The Keepers vrs The Returns

Marni is without a doubt one of my favorite designers - bold, quirky and different without having to be overtly sexy. The new collaboration with H&M had me certain I would break my budget - and in the end it still held true but it will be worth it down the road.  What I wanted more than anything was the jewelry which eluded me.  Perhaps I will have to make a trip to the bead store to DIY some pieces in the near future.

Fortunately, I was still able to snag some of my beloved pieces from this collaboration.  Since I never sleep enough as it is and the launch this morning fell on a work day, I wasn't sure I had the energy to even attempt to snag any pieces.  I originally contemplated asking my friends in London to scope out the scene for me since I had better luck there when the Lanvin collection launched.  However the closer the launch date became, the more and more my determination and will grew.  I'm not one who will spend the night or even wake up at the crack of dawn, but I still came out feeling victorious.

This morning I woke up at my ordinary time, but left the house much faster without a shower, minimal grooming and outfit consideration.  My first stop was H&M Soho and I arrived there about 8:25am and I snagged a wristband for a 9:45am time slot - since work called, I decided to stop by Herald Square and upon my arrival at 8:48am I managed to snag the last wristband for the last time slot and escape for an early lunch.

Since I was on a tight timeline, having to get back to the office, I cashed out quickly without trying anything on.  I also picked up a couple extra items at the request of my co-workers - since none of these items worked out for me I will be returning them tomorrow as I make my rounds to scour additional pieces after work.  I plan on returning these around 3:30-4pm at the Rockefeller Center location at 51st & 5th Ave in case you are interested.


 The Winners:
1) The Silk Front Cardigan was one of the items I had been coveting since I first saw the collection online.  This is a mix media cardigan with 100% silk panelling on the front and 100% cotton knit trim, sleeves and back.  The fit of the cardigan is a bit boxy so I ended up having to size down from my usual H&M size.  The knit has a slight scratchy feeling (like rayon) but is not uncomfortable.  The silk front is very thin but acceptable blouse weight.  I think it will make a great summer cardigan for the office - perfect for fending of air conditioning breeze.

2) The Stripe Socks are very sporty and simple but feel quintessentially Marni.  Not a bad trade to have that for $10.  They are fairly thin, I can see my knee through the top rib if I look closely.  80% Cotton/20% Polyamide Blend has a smooth cool hand that is again reminiscent of rayon.  The side stripes are a little bit beefier and have a slight puffy feeling.

3) Silk Scarf is actually half of a silk scarf - it's a bias triangle that looks like a square might have been cut in half in production and the inside edge is left raw.  It's 100% silk twill and has nice substantial hand.  The fact that it's a half triangle doesn't detract from it's end use and in fact makes it less bulky.

4) Leather Zip Front Shirt - H&M calls this a shirt but it seems almost like a jacket to me.  It has a stiff feel and the patent leather I was surprised to discover is actually real patent leather.  The white patent has a high glossy modern look that is lined while the sleeves and back are heavy knit cotton that has some weight.  It again is a little boxy and I wish I had sized down, but even though it's a little roomy, it does not look bad zipped up or open.  It is a little sculptural on the body and is a little boxy but in a very flattering way.

The Returns (From top left in a circular direction)

1) Knit Tie - Is quite skinny and a high quality heavy cotton knit made in Italy, but not distinctive enough to earn a place in my wardrobe
2)The Patterned Button-Up Shirt (Size Large Mens) I originally purchased this thinking that either Jeff or my boyfriend might want it, but closer inspection showed me that it was cut like the women's collection very generously and is therefor much too big.
3)The Cardigan (Size 6) - I bought it for my co-worker or myself if the smaller size didn't work out, but since it did, this one is going back to the store.
4)The Applique Tee Shirt (Size Medium) - With it's bright colors it's quite a fun whimsical t-shirt that I thought my co-workers might like but it was apparently too bright for them and it's going back.  The blanket stitch around each of the motifs is a nice touch.
5)The Tie Waist Tank (Size 8) - I bought it thinking it might work for my co-worker who is usually a size 6)  She loved it, but unfortunately since this collection runs big, it did not work for her.  The armpits were too low and it was too baggy.
7) The Illustrated Tee (Size Small)- This tee-shirt is absolutely adorable and 25% of the proceeds go towards the Red Cross Japan.  It was almost a keeper but I don't wear that many tee-shirts and I needed to cut back.
8) The Patent Jacket (Size 4) - On the right person this might look fabulous (someone taller than 5'3"), but since I was already keeping the Patent Zip Front Shirt I decided against this.  It has a heavy stiff feel that is also slightly more awkward feeling because the leather is in both the front and the back of the jacket and the knit is kept on the sleeves only.  The jacket is not only heavy in the fabric, it weighs quite a lot too.  The advantage this jacket offers is it has pockets and full sleeves that might be more practical in a wider variety of weather conditions.
9) The Polka Dot Silk Scarf - Scarf is the same construction and material as the one I'm keeping but I figured I had the dots covered with my cardigan.  The print looks a little bit dull compared to the other dot prints in the collection.
10) The Plastic Tote is a very cool piece, the colors are fantastic and although it's a plastic, it does not look cheap.  The downside is that the strap is not long enough to wear as a shoulder bag and it can only be carried on the elbow, wrist or hand which is a big no no for someone like me, who may accidentally misplace bags at a sample sale.

CND Shellac–18 Days of Near Flawless Nails

I first tried CND Shellac last year and loved the long lasting, super shiny formula that was ready to go the instant it's completed with no additional dry time required upon exiting the UV lamp.  I had a chance to get a complimentary manicure at a press event recently and was loving all the new colors that had been introduced.  During my first round there were only 12 colors in predominantly classic shades.  The collection now consists of 30 colors and is available in new fashion forward shades.  With the ability to layer and build color through layering the color possibilities are are endless. Shellac is 3-Free with no formaldehyde, toluene or DBP.

I previously tried the super sophisticated and deep color Fedora.  This time around, I decided to have fun by layering 2 layers of the pearlescent mermaid green tone Hotski to Tchotchke with 1 layer of the subtle holographic glitter shade Mother of Pearl.

The photos speak for themselves, can you believe my nails were done 18 days ago? Aside from minor chopping on my right index finger and ever so slight edge wear you can only tell by how far my nail has grown from the nail bed in 2.5 weeks.  Perhaps because it is a lighter color and pearlescent instead of matter there are no signs of even surface scratches or dulling.  I even was painting furniture and I found a leaky bottle of nail polish during this time that I had to clean up during this time.  Nothing except time ruined my polish.

After spending the weekend out of town, I need to hit up a salon to get the polish removed using special nail wraps.

Shellac manicures are great if you don’t have time to do your nails often and want to get the maximum look for minimal salon effort.  It’s also great if you’re headed on vacation and won’t have access to a salon.  Use the Salon Locator to find a Salon near you.