The summer nails I am dreaming of are exactly the opposite of this picture. As opposed to blood red talons I might die for in the winter, I am envisioning a shiny, pretty french manicure, short to medium length. But who wants to go to all that trouble? I am much too busy sunning myself on my yacht, shopping, and going on glamorous dates. Who has time for all that filing, and waiting for polish to dry? No thanks! So, I have come up with an easy shortcut. It involves 3 products, and they won't break the bank.
1. Start with the Sally Hansen 2-in-1 nail white pencil ($2.59 at drugstores). This genius pencil also comes with a cuticle pusher on the cap. First, file your nails so they are even, and wash them to get all the dirt off. Then, take the pencil and color the underside of your nail tips until they are white. Viola, you now have a pretty french manicure!
2. Next, take your second product, Neutrogena instant nail enhancer ($7 at drugstores). Brush this vitamin rich, not quite polish on-it has a sheen and instantly makes your nails look neat, but washes away gradually (so you never need remover). This also acts as a nail strengthener.
3. Last, keep your nails looking moisturized with a cuticle oil or balm. There are a million of them out there, I have always liked Creative Solar Oil ($7.99 at beauty supply stores), and Burts Bees Lemon Cuticle Balm ($3.99). Apply at least once a day to keep hangnails away.
Well, there you have it! Now that you have taken care of all your nail problems, you can turn your attention to other pressing issues, such as the perfect summer beach read. Let me know what you decided on!
Signature Scents at The Perfume House
During one of my visits to the Perfume House, the owner, Chris Tsefalas, told us about signature scents. He said there are two kinds. For daytime, you need a perfume made from flowers that bloom during the day. Your daytime scent can be changed as often as you like, and is usually eau de toilette as opposed to a longer lasting pure parfum. The perfume you wear in the evening is your true Signature Scent. Made from night blooming flowers, it never changes, you wear it all your life. Truly memorable, expensive as hell, classic packaging, these are all hallmarks of a Signature Scent. It can take years to find. I hope to find mine by the time I am 30, so I do have many, many years to search. For now, I just continue to work on my collection of daytime scents. My favorite is Lanvin Eclat D'arpege, which is a lighter version of the classic Lanvin fragrance. A truly unique fruity floral, the first sensation is that of a sparkling, light scent that starts with lilac leaves and the zest of Sicilian lemon leaves. It then softens with the lightness of green tea leaves, wisteria, peach blossoms, red peony, and Chinese osmanthus, warmed with rich, white cedar of Lebanon, precious musk, and amber.
I encourage everyone to find a signature fragrance, and the Perfume House is THE place to find it. Located at 3328 SE Hawthorne.
I encourage everyone to find a signature fragrance, and the Perfume House is THE place to find it. Located at 3328 SE Hawthorne.
Annick Goutal
Anyone who knows me is aware of the fact that perfume pretty much rules my life. Most people might have a signature fragrance they wear every day. On the other hand, I am never satisfied. I am constantly discovering new perfumes that I just can't live without. As soon as I buy a new one, I can't stop thinking about the next. At this rate I will end up with hundreds of fragrances that I never use. And I know I am not the only one like this. I have a couple of friends who have the same problem (you know who you are)!
On a recent trip to the Perfume House (my favorite place in Portland) my dear friend Lauren introduced me to my new favorite line: Annick Goutal. Available at The Perfume House and Nordstrom, they have the most classic, frenchy, beautifully packaged fragrances ever. I was suprised to find out that it has only been around since the 1970's. You have got to check out the website, www.annickgoutal.com, it is very entertaining. The story of Annick is genius. Raised by chocolatiers, blossoming into a concert pianist, overcoming cancer, and creating this amazing perfume line are just a few of the highlights of her story. Plus, there are amazing glamour shots of Annick and her daughters. These ladies definitely possess the mysterious secret of all french women.
On this fateful day, Lauren, in all her infinite wisdom, settled upon the Petite Cherie fragrance, which we soon realised was even more genius than we might have thought in the store. Lauren would sashay through the streets of Portland, bringing men to their knees, women rushing after her to inquire about the beautiful scent she was wearing. I would even go so far as to say that Petite Cherie is Lauren's signature perfume. I myself think it is the star of the Annick Goutal line.
Some other recent perfume finds have been: Aqua Di Parma Mandorlo, Helmut Lang, and Royal Bain Caron Champagne. I did keep an open mind and try the new Sarah Jessica Parker, but I think its too old lady for me. Not bad though, certainly better than most celebrity scents, most of which smell like Electric Youth by Debbie Gibson, circa 1989.
Polly, Blend Princess!
I was re-reading some old comments the other day, and I realized, not only is Polly my most enthusiastic fan, but I have inadvertently forced her to spend tons o' money on all these new products she couldn't live without. If Polly suddenly finds herself on the streets of San Fran, surrounded by mountains of makeup she bought instead of paying her rent, you have only me to blame. Therefore, Polly gets the title of "Blend Princess of the Month" and free makeup application by yours truly for the rest of her life. Thanks Pols, you are the best!
Choosing a book by the cover
Apparently, things have not changed much since I was three. You can still make me buy something by putting pictures of adorable little baby kittens all over it. Take for instance, the Paul and Joe lipstick I just purchased. So expensive, and the one in the butterfly packaging would probably look better on me, but I didn't care, it was like I was in a trance, those little kittens just got to me. I became a lipstick buying zombie. The entire Paul and Joe line is like that. Everything is packaged in the most I am a glamorous movie star in the thirties way, you just can't resist. I also recommend the loose powder (smells delicious, with the faintest shimmer), and I spritz myself daily with Bleu, one of their amazing fragrances.
For the love of Gucci
Gucci Westman that is! She is one of my favorite makeup artists, and has been designing for Lancome since January 2005. Her new collection for fall is FREAKING GENIUS! I went into the dept. store to spritz on free perfume, and fell upon this genius palette, called Vanite. It consists of four eye shadows: glittery black, dark silver grey, pinky champagne, and a wonderful cranberry reddish brown that I spent all last winter searching for and couldn't find anywhere. And the packaging is so cute, a little black velvet diary, tied with a string, and it comes with a mirror and an eyeshadow brush. The other items in the collection are genius too. There is a great plum liquid eyeliner, amazing creme blush, and many other mind blowing products. Drew Barrymore is the new poster girl, and I think she looks just fabulous. Get yourself to Nordy's immediately, or maybe wait until the anniversary sale (Friday, July 15) when you can get a free gift with purchase. Have fun!
High/Low
I love all beauty products, in spite of their outrageous claims and inflated prices. But as much as I would like to spend $36.00 on my undereye concealer, or $75.00 on skin enhancer, I just don't have the means to do that. So today I will share with you some of my favorite finds, and also their cheaper counterparts. Most of these I found through cosmetics reviewer extraordinaire Paula Begoun. You can buy her book: "Don't go to the cosmetics counter without me", or look up any product on her website: www.cosmeticscop.com for a review. Trust me, it will save you lots of hard earned cash.
MASCARA:
I was totally hooked on Lancome Definicils Mascara ($21.00) because they gave it to me in a free gift with purchase, and it works so well, no flaking or smudging. Then one day, I needed a new tube and realized I must be crazy for spending that much money. Paula recommends Loreal Voluminous Mascara (6.99) and even mentioned how similiar it is to the Lancome Definicils. So I tried it and fell in love! It is exactly the same in my opinion. Plus, people ask me all the time what mascara I use, cause it looks so good.
BRONZER:
Paula does recommend Mac Bronzer ($18.50) because it doesn't have too much shimmer and looks good on everyone, but she also mentions that
Wet N' Wild is exactly the same, and it only costs $2.99! I was being snobby and wanted the MAC, but then I dropped it one day and the bronzer broke into a million pieces. After I dried my tears, the Wet N' Wild became my new best friend. And I have dropped it a million times and it remains intact.
CONCEALER:
Every magazine and makeup artist in the world recommend Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Concealer ($36.00). It contains light reflecting pigments that hide all your flaws and imperfections. I prefer to use Revlon Skinlights Illusion Wand ($8.99). It has the same brush/tube packaging as the YSL, and the same light reflecting properties. I love it!
LIP GLOSS:
Somehow, Lancome has cornered the
market on convincing people to spend way more money than they should! Enter $16.00 Juicy Tube lip gloss. I would much rather spend my dolla dolla bills on Loreal Colour Juice ($5.99). It has the same lovely colors and texture, but has a lovely candy smell as opposed to the mint scent of the Juicy Tubes.
I hope these reviews help save you a few pennies, or convince you to try some new things!
MASCARA:
I was totally hooked on Lancome Definicils Mascara ($21.00) because they gave it to me in a free gift with purchase, and it works so well, no flaking or smudging. Then one day, I needed a new tube and realized I must be crazy for spending that much money. Paula recommends Loreal Voluminous Mascara (6.99) and even mentioned how similiar it is to the Lancome Definicils. So I tried it and fell in love! It is exactly the same in my opinion. Plus, people ask me all the time what mascara I use, cause it looks so good.
BRONZER:
Paula does recommend Mac Bronzer ($18.50) because it doesn't have too much shimmer and looks good on everyone, but she also mentions that
Wet N' Wild is exactly the same, and it only costs $2.99! I was being snobby and wanted the MAC, but then I dropped it one day and the bronzer broke into a million pieces. After I dried my tears, the Wet N' Wild became my new best friend. And I have dropped it a million times and it remains intact.
CONCEALER:
Every magazine and makeup artist in the world recommend Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Concealer ($36.00). It contains light reflecting pigments that hide all your flaws and imperfections. I prefer to use Revlon Skinlights Illusion Wand ($8.99). It has the same brush/tube packaging as the YSL, and the same light reflecting properties. I love it!
LIP GLOSS:
Somehow, Lancome has cornered the
market on convincing people to spend way more money than they should! Enter $16.00 Juicy Tube lip gloss. I would much rather spend my dolla dolla bills on Loreal Colour Juice ($5.99). It has the same lovely colors and texture, but has a lovely candy smell as opposed to the mint scent of the Juicy Tubes.
I hope these reviews help save you a few pennies, or convince you to try some new things!
Pat McGrath's Mix
The probability that one makeup palette will complement all skin tones is slim to none. Enter Cover Girl's Custom Compacts! There are four spaces to fill and 21 lip-color, 14 eye-shadow, and 7 gloss shades to choose from! This collection was designed by top makeup artist Pat McGrath, and if you are having trouble choosing colors, she suggests Pink Chiffon and Aubergine Queen shadows, plus Rose Quartz and Vintage Wine lip shades. The empty compact costs $2.96, but I think that using a cigarette case or a mint tin would be a really cute way to carry the magnetic color pots. Each color pot retails for $3.46. They are available at select Targets and Wal-Marts, so start shopping!
Season Confusion
It happens every year. Just when it gets sunny in Portland, the fashion magazines start showing fall clothes. And all the stores are having summer clearance sales. Some people might say that I should just stop looking at mags, but that is SO easier said than done. They are my bread and butter, my crutch, my one and only. Nothing makes me happier than the new Vogue and some candy to eat while reading it. You can imagine my supreme confusion right now, while it is finally warm enough to pull out my spring skirts and 90201 half tops, all I can think about is the winter coat of my dreams that I just saw in the new issue of SHOP, or if wearing tights with open toed shoes (spied in the new VOGUE) is finally something I can accept in my heart. Jury is still out on that one.
The new makeup for Fall 2005 is inspired by Dutch painters, Vermeer and what not. They are saying to not wear any mascara, but I just cannot bear that. I say use a light mascara, such as Stila in Taupe or, if you have naturally dark lashes, use clear. Also use a lot of blush in hollows of the cheeks, as opposed to the apples of the cheeks.
In the meantime, I will do my best to reconcile my fall feelings with current summer jams. Ciao!
The new makeup for Fall 2005 is inspired by Dutch painters, Vermeer and what not. They are saying to not wear any mascara, but I just cannot bear that. I say use a light mascara, such as Stila in Taupe or, if you have naturally dark lashes, use clear. Also use a lot of blush in hollows of the cheeks, as opposed to the apples of the cheeks.
In the meantime, I will do my best to reconcile my fall feelings with current summer jams. Ciao!
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