Category Archives: Beauty

Oblivs Obsessions: Singing the Blues

Beauty, Obsessions, Style June 8, 2012 Comments: 4

The old saying goes “ain’t no cure for the summertime blues.” Between the insanely cool weather, skipping the Radiohead concert for a much needed night in and H going out of town for a week, I’ve been mopping around singing the blues. Just when I was ready to throw in the towel and start a countdown to next Thursday, I embraced the idea of summer blues and found a few delights that perked me right back up.

From top left:
Aiko Metallic Open Back Sweater & Herve Leger Foil Bandage Skirt
ButterLONDON Nail Lacquer in Blagger
Vintage Chanel Denim Cosmetic Case
Aiko Silk Swing Dress
Jonathan Adler Swirls iPhone Cover
Sports Car Needle Point Pillow
Rag + Bone Jasmine Sweater

Oblivs Obsessions: Coming Up Roses

Beauty, Obsessions March 23, 2012 1 Comment

The spectrum of colors in which roses can be found has long interested me. I love how bright and pure the colors of these particular flowers are. The gradation from pastel to brilliant is especially noteworthy and awe inspiring.

For me, this spring roses have proven to be the number one inspiration when shopping for new beauty products. Color, scent and dewey glow is what I was looking for and these are the products I found to fit the inspiration.

1. Tokyomilk/Dark body wash in Yesterday
2. NARS bronzer in Laguna
3. Chanel nail colors in Distraction and Tentation
4. NARS blush in Gaiety
5. LaMer moisturizing gel creme
6. NARS velvet gloss lip pencil in Mexican Rose

Better Press On: imPRESS Press-on Manicure

Beauty January 2, 2012 1 Comment

When I first opened my Influenster Holiday VoxBox I must admit I was slightly taken back with the imPRESS press-on manicure. For starters, I’m obsessive when it comes to manicures and have a polish collection Rachel Zoe would probably envy. Besides that, every time I hear the phrase “press-on” the bathroom scene from Bebe’s Kids’ pops in my head. What, you don’t remember? Let me refresh your memory:

Now can you understand my discomfort with the notion of a press-on manicure?

But like a tried and true professional, I felt as though I owed it to both Influenster  and imPRESS to give their gracious complimentary VoxBox sample a test. Let me just say, I was literally impressed.

The application process was fairly simple:

      • Clean and dry nails with cloth provided
      • Compare each imPress nail to your hand to find the perfect match
      • Line up the nails in order of hand
      • Peel off plastic backing
      • Press on your nails

    

    

While I can’t wear these on a daily basis (it took me 5 minutes to compose a text with them on), it was so much fun to wear them for the night and a quick fix to my  rarely unpolished nails. Best of all, I never felt like they would pop off circa the video above.

There are thirty-six different colors and patterns and at a mere $5.99-7.99 this is the perfect solution to enjoying a professional looking manicure at recessionista pricing. Now if they would only make all the cool patterns via nail covers so I could wear them daily my polishing days would be over. Okay maybe not entirely over, but it would sure be awesome.

To learn more about imPress Press-on Manicure, receive an exclusive coupon and virtually try out all the cool designs click here.

To become an Influenster click here. 

Getting Down and Dirty

Beauty December 14, 2011 Leave a comment

Remember my little shopping spree at Skins 6|2 Cosmetics? Well, I did such a good job shopping, my girl hooked me up with some awesome deluxe samples. This weekend I finally got around to unpacking and organizing everything from the Vegas trip when I stumbled upon the little sample goodies. For whatever reason, this sample intrigued me the most:

[GLAM GLOW sample]

Recently my skin has felt a bit dry, which is not typical for me. I needed a little skin boost to prepare for winter and get back to normal so I reached for my much-anticipated Glam Glow sample. Let’ me just say, this is one sample that did not let me down.

This can’t be just any ordinary mud, there is something magical about it. Once applied, the mask tingles while exfoliating  and the end result is one spectacular glow.  Turns out the mud is packed full of ancient volcanic rock, French sea clay and tiny pieces of green tea. My face felt twenty year old me firm. At one point I contemplated smothering my entire body in the stuff. Who knew dirt could be so glamorous?!

Needless to say I’ll be calling my girl at Skins 6|2 to get a jug (not a standard bottle, king size it!) of Glam Glow. I can’t possibly wait until my next Vegas trip in March. If my skin felt reverted back to twenty after one use, when used regularly it’ll practically be in a toddler state by then.

Oblivs Obsessions: Stylishly Spooky & Spellbinding

Beauty, Obsessions, Style October 28, 2011 Leave a comment

Admittingly, I haven’t felt like celebrating much recently and I’m in need of a serious Halloween spirit attitude adjustment.  My usual gothic glam tendencies that my brother thinks border “Johnny Cash chic” historically shine during this time of year. Instead I’ve been sulking around in leggings and Vince sweaters, comatosed by my roommates and my weekly television rituals.

I woke up today deciding this was 1. extremely unhealthy and borderline depressing and 2. it was time to embrace broomsticks, black lipsticks, and black magic in search of my festive spirit of Halloween past. Did you know I’ve never repeated a costume in my entire life? Not once. So while I’m busy pouring all my energy into making a last-minute costume, carving pumpkins, watching Hocus Pocus and enjoying mulled wine I invite you to enjoy my current Halloween-inspired obsessions that are nothing less than practical magic.

[Candy Corn M&M's]
amazon.com, $9.49

I know, I know what is so stylish about M&M’s? Well, since I’m running late on the trendy candy bandwagon this year and since America’s favorite candy merged with my favorite fall candy, trying to get my hands on these was harder than one would think. And we all know exclusivity makes anything more chic. Instead of going to a few dozen stores in desperate search of these goodies, I recommend ordering them now and enjoying them post holiday.

[Tom Binns Tete De Mort Baguette & Skull Bracelet]
shopbop.com, $297

I’ve been lusting after this gem for weeks and I can’t think of a better excuse to purchase it than rekindling Halloween love. Think of it as a Valentine for Halloween, for those of us who love the darker side and sparkles equally.

[Joie Fanny Scalloped Lace Top in Caviar]
revolveclothing.com, $228

Black lace is everywhere in a big way this season. Perfect to pair back to leather leggings or your favorite broken-in skinny jeans, this top exudes a sexy black magicness with very little effort involved.

[Lanvin Cartwheel Wide-brimmed Rabbit Felt Hat]
net-a-porter.com, $1720

The thought of attempting a cartwheel frightens me. The thought of the perfect cartwheel hat sends a shock wave running through my blood. If you, like me, have been holding out for the perfect hat, look no further.

[Yves Saint Laurent Pure Lip Gloss - No. 49 Black (Limited Edition)]

While this particular lip gloss was on and off the shelves in a nano second circa 2008, with the help of google there are still some places selling their secret stash with prices ranging from $29 up to $70. Luckily I’ve kept mine tucked away in my lip gloss archive. When I bring it out I prefer to layer it over my trademark Armani lipstick in True Red.

Magnifico

Beauty, Travel October 27, 2011 Comments: 2

The Friday we were in Vegas was a day of exploration and adventure. Casie and I set out to have a civilized lunch at STK. When we reached our lunch destination, lo and behold the hostess informed us they don’t open until 5:00 pm. Le sigh. She also recommended we pop next store to Estiatorio Milos for their lunch special. Famished and ready to fall down from exhaustion we found our selves pulling up a chair and ordering a cocktail. That’s what you do at lunchtime in Vegas, right?!

All of this is important because the whole lunchtime escapade is how we ended up in the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, more specifically the shops in the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. While I was busy trying to find the lady’s room, Casie was busy discovering things in the family owned boutique Skins 6|2 Cosmetics. Initially I laughed the store off – literally laughing out loud at what Casie wanted to buy in front of the salesperson – but the second time around was paradise.

image via

It started when I was just going to get a bar of the gorgeous Claus Porto Morning Glory bath soap while waiting for Casie to make her purchase. About that time something click and next thing I knew the sales gal was ringing up TokyoMilk shower gel, Diptyque candles and 34 eau mage fragrance, Creed room spray and one glorious Juliette Has A Gun candle.

At this point I suddenly remembered I read an article about magnetic nail polish on the plane and blurted out to Casie we just had to go to sephora next to check it out. Just as the words escaped my mouth I was pulled to the side of the shop and engulfed in nail polish awesomeness. Among all unique cosmetics, fragrances and curiosities they also stocked magnetic nail polish!  Layla Magneffect nail polish to be exact. I had to act fast when choosing colors so I went with 01 Gun Metal and 09 Golden Bronze.

  

 The polish is 3-free, containing iron particles that react to the magnet on the top of the cap to create a design. I added a based coat to start then applied a second coat, holding the magnetic cap over the nail for about ten seconds. I’ll admit, I was slightly nervous about the whole cap-hovering-design situation, but it was relatively easy. The cap can be positioned vertical, horizontal or diagonal above the nail to create the 3D, tiger eye marble like waves. A picture simply can’t do this technique justice. Magnetic, magnificent, magnifico.

[A terrible photo of an amazing nail effect]

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