tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91540754708828657662024-03-14T05:34:14.986-07:00Beauty MaRx The Spot!A Beauty Blog!SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-36259155322218999112013-03-18T10:08:00.001-07:002013-03-20T13:08:53.227-07:00BB Creams: What's the 411?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyKAb2DMNC99MojNwX3jKPII_jNNgtF273cIjzA9K-GPpRu37SpblpZc_0JRB49hyphenhyphenpItBwZmKt4sfgDK5f7cGvUY92e643sj2BRJg8Vw2kpxlu3u85AN1leXbxiBM2k-9-_oz4k0qIBmB/s1600/61200-2173-7a94c-picture_client_format_0-bb-cream-by-garnier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyKAb2DMNC99MojNwX3jKPII_jNNgtF273cIjzA9K-GPpRu37SpblpZc_0JRB49hyphenhyphenpItBwZmKt4sfgDK5f7cGvUY92e643sj2BRJg8Vw2kpxlu3u85AN1leXbxiBM2k-9-_oz4k0qIBmB/s200/61200-2173-7a94c-picture_client_format_0-bb-cream-by-garnier.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
To BB or not to BB (bad pun aside)....that is the question! lol :) Or at least that was the question I was presented with by my good friend & hair stylist extraodinare, Lawana Stewart of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Moods-Attitudes-Too/136406896846" target="_blank">Moods & Attitudes, too Salon & Day Spa</a>. And I have to tell you, I was stumped! I have seen the countless television commercials for this BB cream but I honestly assumed that it was a hair product and not one used for the skin (think Bumble & Bumble). So, I immediately took to my iPad and started doing some research.<br />
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What are BB Creams you might ask? BB Creams (short for "beauty balm" or "blemish balm") are a pretty nifty mixture of skincare and cosmetic coverage with the added bonus of an SPF - all in one handy tube! Depending on the level of desired coverage, these creams can be worn alone as a tinted moisturizer, over serum and moisturizer (to serve as a foundation), and/or under powder. As many of my readers know, I am a HUGE fan of tinted moisturizers. In fact, my daily beauty regimen pretty much consists of that and a pressed mineral powder. So, although BB Creams sound pretty magical, I still had questions. For starters, how are they much different from a tinted moisturizer?<br />
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The BB Cream formula was initially created by a German dermatologist as a post-procedure cream for patients who had gone through laser surgery, due to its soothing and skin-regenerating properties. These creams had been used cosmetically in Asia for decades before gaining popularity over here in the States this past year. In short, BB Cream is like tinted moisturizer on steroids! <br />
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<strong>General Product Features and Benefits</strong>:<br />
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<em>*Like a foundation, it provides perfect coverage without clogging the pores</em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>*Produces a very natural, "no makeup look"</em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>*Has healing properties that soften, smoothen and refine the skin</em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>*Encourages skin regeneration to create and maintain youthful skin</em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>*Contains UV Protection for heathly skin (SPF levels differ by brand/ product)</em><br />
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Sounds too good to be true, right? Well yes, there is a slight downside. While most formulas are designed to match all skin tones, finding an exact match may be a little tricky. Since they were initially formulated for the Korean and East Asian markets, BB Creams tend to target fairer skintones and are generally offered in a limited number of hues. However, there are a few companies like Maybelline and Smashbox that cater to darker skintones, so make sure to check them out!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQt3x_zXNSYEkybPvRa4-UnsyF9dFFeh6kqX2wlIePbSvDuwKcwQqVFWxyuXqsfoON_zavwV3tpVgD4evDgav8r6BRcEn8eKav1Be_SdbGB7Gkp9qv_tS882yaQBqOsPRU3RWdj8Vbj_8n/s1600/BB+Creams.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQt3x_zXNSYEkybPvRa4-UnsyF9dFFeh6kqX2wlIePbSvDuwKcwQqVFWxyuXqsfoON_zavwV3tpVgD4evDgav8r6BRcEn8eKav1Be_SdbGB7Gkp9qv_tS882yaQBqOsPRU3RWdj8Vbj_8n/s400/BB+Creams.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Best of the Best:</strong><br />
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<a href="http://www.maybelline.com/Products/Face-Makeup/BB-Cream/Dream-Fresh-BB.aspx" target="_blank">Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB Cream</a>: Maybelline considered all skintones when making this product. While most brands only offer three tones, Dream Fresh offers 5 ranging from Light to Deep. Doubling as a primer, this BB Cream is lightweight and contains SPF 30 to protect skin from harmful UV rays. $8, <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Maybelline-Dream-Fresh-BB-Cream-Sheer-Tint-8-In-1-Skin-Perfector-Light-Medium/20658859">walmart.com</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.smashbox.com/product/6032/21835/Face/SMASHBOX-CAMERA-READY-BB-CREAM-BROAD-SPECTRUM-SPF-35/Studio-Artist-Favorite/index.tmpl">Smashbox's Camera Ready BB Cream</a>: Who needs foundation when you have Camera Ready in your makeup arsenal? Available in 5 shades, this BB Cream contains SPF 35 and offers a natural coverage and matte finish which is ideal for those with oily skin. Not to mention that it leaves the skin feeling silky smooth! $39, <a href="http://www.sephora.com/camera-ready-bb-cream-spf-35-P300339">sephora.com</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.toofaced.com/p-1118-tinted-beauty-balm-multi-benefit-skin-care-makeup.aspx?" target="_blank">Two Faced Tinted Beauty Balm</a>: With light-diffusing pigments, this hypoallergenic formula provides a natural, healthy looking glow. The light coverage formula helps to make skin look and feel smoother. It also contains Vitamin A which helps to even skin tone and reduce wrinkles over time. <em>Note:</em> You may notice a bit of a shimmer on your skin with this product. $34, <a href="https://www.toofaced.com/p-1118-tinted-beauty-balm-multi-benefit-skin-care-makeup.aspx?" target="_blank">toofaced.com</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.imancosmetics.com/bbcreme">Iman Cosmetics Skin Tone Evener BB Creme</a>: This beauty balm cream is great for women of color! And out of all of the BB Creams that I tried, this one provides a moderate-to-heavy coverage. It evens the complexion with Skin Tone Evener Complex enriched with Acai, Licorice and Grape Seed, protects with an SPF 15 (kind of on the low side), and hydrates with Almond Oil and Aloe. Not recommended for acne prone skin!. $20, <a href="http://www.imancosmetics.com/bbcreme">imancosmetics.com</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.clinique.com/product/1675/19517/Skincare/Deaging/Protect_Prevent/Age-Defense-BB-Cream-Broad-Spectrum-SPF-30/index.tmpl" target="_blank">Clinique Age Defense BB Cream</a>: Perfect for uneven skin, this blemish balm cream behaves more like a lightweight foundation. It contains caffeine to soften lines, and Vitamin E and seaweed extract to control oil production, which will help makeup stay on longer. A little of this stuff goes a long way! $37, <a href="http://www.sephora.com/age-defense-bb-cream-broad-spectrum-spf-30-P293010?skuId=1362540" target="_blank">sephora.com</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.esteelauder.com/product/4194/20671/Landing-Pages/DayWear/DayWear/Anti-Oxidant-Beauty-Benefit-BB-Creme-Broad-Spectrum-SPF-35/index.tmpl">Estee Lauder Daywear BB Anti-Oxidant Beauty Benefit Creme</a>: Mature Beauties will surely appreciate this BB Cream which works to treat age spots, minimize pores and conceal discolorations to keep you looking younger than your years. $38, <a href="http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/estee-lauder-daywear-anti-oxidant-beauty-benefit-bb-creme-broad-spectrum-spf-35?ID=638010&CategoryID=33610#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D147%26ruleId%3D2%26slotId%3D34">macys.com</a><br />
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Well beauties, that's the 4-1-1! I hope that I was able to provide a little insight into the world of BB Creams. While the use of this cream sounds like a no-brainer, I'm not completely sold on them just yet. However, out of the brands that I mentioned above, my personal fave was Smashbox's Camera Ready BB Cream. Its "Deep" shade matched my skin perfectly and I was impressed with the level of coverage that it provided. So, I will definitely give this one a try to see what all the fuss is about and maybe just maybe my <a href="http://beautymarx.blogspot.com/2011/10/laura-mercier-tinted-moisturizer-sheer.html" target="_blank">tinted moisturizer obsession</a> will become a thing of the past! :)<br />
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XOXO<br />
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~TiajaSimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-68118655256017528042013-02-25T13:04:00.000-08:002013-02-25T13:05:18.902-08:00Oscars 2013 - My Favorite Dresses to Hit The Red CarpetAs an advid movie-goer, the Oscars are pretty exciting! I am always eager to see if any of my favorite movies and actors/ actresses win the coveted golden statue. But before the awards are handed out, the biggest stars in the world hit the red carpet bringing the glitz, the glamour and the gowns! Here are a few of my faves from last night's red carpet (in no particular order):<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EOollYD2ptO3eZ2RF2UDr1EMbGBUw_YZABnjyiZMGcGRQG8823lOZQlFGopjvUkE5LQGM8fgfsj1dlLbpnya8KhOWv_f4JmV2gkdjK0tICfIURsfGAOpcN4IujHL4vX6RCy8OyS_Ls7G/s1600/Halle-Berry2-jpg_005225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EOollYD2ptO3eZ2RF2UDr1EMbGBUw_YZABnjyiZMGcGRQG8823lOZQlFGopjvUkE5LQGM8fgfsj1dlLbpnya8KhOWv_f4JmV2gkdjK0tICfIURsfGAOpcN4IujHL4vX6RCy8OyS_Ls7G/s400/Halle-Berry2-jpg_005225.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halle Berry wowed in this silver & black <br />
metallic Versace gown</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YqKxXtTzQbnDH0EwKzHkSMP7zw5wy7PEPsc_MnVzLKETlMUBTBL-oZNigwbR9KZ_Ydlkdkz8b6Vf3JUsHyrVR-SUpEngzdtd34NRkJN7HgJ1ivyVduHyuFKm5fkO2C9G2qKzj3HahTsw/s1600/CharlizeTheron-jpg_020104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YqKxXtTzQbnDH0EwKzHkSMP7zw5wy7PEPsc_MnVzLKETlMUBTBL-oZNigwbR9KZ_Ydlkdkz8b6Vf3JUsHyrVR-SUpEngzdtd34NRkJN7HgJ1ivyVduHyuFKm5fkO2C9G2qKzj3HahTsw/s400/CharlizeTheron-jpg_020104.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlize Theron in a structured Dior Couture<br />
column gown </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOt6yikSFyZbM49KUDRM86tCWJ9uKrw2c6jSgiL0Zl1M3dGxz012g2mzooeh0roydW4b0Yfo2x1wY1vpThNcurgN8fAMJNJHqrk8jzek1ehGjlPvvuerV0HMzNkCdhdVhIUogSpixE0YM/s1600/JEnniferLawrence-jpg_235108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOt6yikSFyZbM49KUDRM86tCWJ9uKrw2c6jSgiL0Zl1M3dGxz012g2mzooeh0roydW4b0Yfo2x1wY1vpThNcurgN8fAMJNJHqrk8jzek1ehGjlPvvuerV0HMzNkCdhdVhIUogSpixE0YM/s400/JEnniferLawrence-jpg_235108.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jennifer Lawrence looked stunning in<br />
Dior Haute Couture</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLR-UgfmSpGytj2lMhbYF1a0EXJ4Do0VtCs_gOjwMCAr34rEowvQ6AltolgsqbEn3aWuCu4zB_GARxUjex6E26YtgqEVpbgZd0c4HzKB_XwoDtGz9feQH0GQ8RlmlgkW8BWRZ5pkgF9aVb/s1600/JaneFonda-jpg_001039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLR-UgfmSpGytj2lMhbYF1a0EXJ4Do0VtCs_gOjwMCAr34rEowvQ6AltolgsqbEn3aWuCu4zB_GARxUjex6E26YtgqEVpbgZd0c4HzKB_XwoDtGz9feQH0GQ8RlmlgkW8BWRZ5pkgF9aVb/s400/JaneFonda-jpg_001039.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jane Fonda in Versace - LOVED<br />
this color choice!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DZOzeaIhTbgUSGGhYFtKeyA7mCqq4A8jcfEZ156gZn9mTwC18nahHmV0UPdOxlMXt21SBkDZ-H084A_KHthfgjAfFuCJ0dts5aOtUFVhnDeI5qw1RHwAdRvzxevU4lnAcw6XeE9JlLap/s1600/KellyRowland-jpg_010310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DZOzeaIhTbgUSGGhYFtKeyA7mCqq4A8jcfEZ156gZn9mTwC18nahHmV0UPdOxlMXt21SBkDZ-H084A_KHthfgjAfFuCJ0dts5aOtUFVhnDeI5qw1RHwAdRvzxevU4lnAcw6XeE9JlLap/s400/KellyRowland-jpg_010310.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly Rowland worked this black and white gown <br />
by Donna Karan Atelier</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvchx3Wz1KRdfS1WBRY6DQ6D7ZQlB5vWy-swlbmupas139oyHAgGfjQdeKfMZJKEj7Y6TAbAw30jG2Rl5TXog1qTezTPCYIGQULVcMGs55t38spPn5RzJCleYUa-mNMAkjOTBXm-uRTvxb/s1600/JenniferGarner-Oscars-jpg_041929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvchx3Wz1KRdfS1WBRY6DQ6D7ZQlB5vWy-swlbmupas139oyHAgGfjQdeKfMZJKEj7Y6TAbAw30jG2Rl5TXog1qTezTPCYIGQULVcMGs55t38spPn5RzJCleYUa-mNMAkjOTBXm-uRTvxb/s400/JenniferGarner-Oscars-jpg_041929.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jennifer Garner wore a raspberry column dress<br />
by Gucci w/ an embellished train</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEL9QqUBBxda9zWYcyA7vXxw6uBns7NWInN4BTcX7eQRDK3sCn0PB_WDExGrE6dKaWt5qhjUoYLiCAiMFFjbPP-0D3u2FlGHc5gwObUqkIRVca2UYd2Fuju4aO7sfbhHdFAGTj9JJ5OlWO/s1600/Quvenzhane-Wallis2-jpg_233957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEL9QqUBBxda9zWYcyA7vXxw6uBns7NWInN4BTcX7eQRDK3sCn0PB_WDExGrE6dKaWt5qhjUoYLiCAiMFFjbPP-0D3u2FlGHc5gwObUqkIRVca2UYd2Fuju4aO7sfbhHdFAGTj9JJ5OlWO/s400/Quvenzhane-Wallis2-jpg_233957.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quvenzhane Wallis looked adorable in Armani Junior</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Jlnqgotm8qo58PtgX2tcKLoDGgtC3ZgQ7TvQmpyu-vmeAPJa4K4BPZDpo3TxiJ1B5SMNaJGRIABfZe1rCz2JkZJILoBL92KB8EXwGWo7MJYxMQXzTalDF3lHCYM9PUuWeEkZFri615aX/s1600/NaomiWatts-jpg_004937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Jlnqgotm8qo58PtgX2tcKLoDGgtC3ZgQ7TvQmpyu-vmeAPJa4K4BPZDpo3TxiJ1B5SMNaJGRIABfZe1rCz2JkZJILoBL92KB8EXwGWo7MJYxMQXzTalDF3lHCYM9PUuWeEkZFri615aX/s400/NaomiWatts-jpg_004937.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naomi Watts rocked this silvery sequinned gown<br />
created by Armani Prive</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YGm9Fa-R2PVG8CRQg5d5nI4wP07E_LSfgFPhBr1emENvR1GHphzLDgxyNS_QkGLllYrFCh-jH09gqwzge_clDK-eAvXgQ4UZzIeRtn5B6B5gV1AMsYWMLvxB0mb8-vkde1ijKG2-XyuN/s1600/JessicaChastain-jpg_231704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YGm9Fa-R2PVG8CRQg5d5nI4wP07E_LSfgFPhBr1emENvR1GHphzLDgxyNS_QkGLllYrFCh-jH09gqwzge_clDK-eAvXgQ4UZzIeRtn5B6B5gV1AMsYWMLvxB0mb8-vkde1ijKG2-XyuN/s400/JessicaChastain-jpg_231704.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessica Chastain looked glamorous in <br />
this nude Armani Prive gown</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4tyI1GLm43cRO0XatmKPs6gxjmuUh4lT90Til6DnnHStmj3aqFtVIB48J7uipQ43DqgLFA3SximDSOhBLOvTDyI_u7uECHp8MvTvhVl3_Hnk2jjisja2oh2lsuG12uS9f9h4FIXh-l9h/s1600/StacyKeibler-Oscars-jpg_040450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4tyI1GLm43cRO0XatmKPs6gxjmuUh4lT90Til6DnnHStmj3aqFtVIB48J7uipQ43DqgLFA3SximDSOhBLOvTDyI_u7uECHp8MvTvhVl3_Hnk2jjisja2oh2lsuG12uS9f9h4FIXh-l9h/s400/StacyKeibler-Oscars-jpg_040450.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stacey Kiebler looked very elegant in this<br />
studded gown by Naheem Khan</td></tr>
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XOXO<br />
<br />
~TiajaSimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-8548185829051168422013-02-20T11:56:00.001-08:002013-02-20T13:45:23.521-08:00Are You Ready for a Rihanna & MAC Cosmetic Collabo??<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAn3XYuRx_YIDlcVJyv695ZEyDQO9ZkHMossSRov8Bn280H8XVessb2Y_VqSzZM2FJykqfXDk8QkpzJ5AJR8pESvv1VnJgzEDpnsCsCru-CS7KEbHfF0HsihwQ9X_K8lv5enQS1kj6-yO/s1600/tattoo-rihanna-lindsay-lohan-1-59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAn3XYuRx_YIDlcVJyv695ZEyDQO9ZkHMossSRov8Bn280H8XVessb2Y_VqSzZM2FJykqfXDk8QkpzJ5AJR8pESvv1VnJgzEDpnsCsCru-CS7KEbHfF0HsihwQ9X_K8lv5enQS1kj6-yO/s320/tattoo-rihanna-lindsay-lohan-1-59.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The answer to that question is YESSSSSS!! It appears that just about everything Princess RiRi touches turns to platinum and I am sure that her latest venture with MAC Cosmetics will do the same! <br />
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While Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga and Lil Kim (to name a few) have been the "Face" of MAC's Viva Glam campaign, Rihanna is the first artist to be a "creative partner" for the brand. A deal the singer called "a no-brainer" and I would have to agree! My only question is what took so long? Ever since "Good Girl Gone Bad", I have considered the Barbadian beauty to be a style icon and trendsetter so this partnership just makes sense!<br />
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The first product to launch will be RiRi Woo, inspired by MAC's cult fave Ruby Woo and is set to hit shelves and counters around the same time as Rihanna's Diamonds Tour concerts on May 4 and 5 in NYC. With four collections on deck, to be known as RiRi [Hearts] MAC, the current plan calls for 31 products total:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<em>The summer collection also includes two additional lipsticks, a Lustre Drops shade and a powder blush duo. Fall’s 16 sku’s include four lipsticks, a deeply pigmented Lipglass version of RiRi Woo, two multishade eye shadow palettes and false lashes. (“She likes to wear two pairs at a time.) Holiday will bring another 10 items, including nail polish, a makeup bag and additional lipsticks.</em> </blockquote>
The Unapologetic singer, who turns 25 today, took to Instagram to share the exciting news with a photo of the first makeup sets in her collection and the caption:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNksH9kuDu_KRoP0m_11T04rnjUO-2-6NZaIU8hl9gjgPZ2tSsH5ddagZk0PBoIGPn5-hmt_loKFYVaCzsykkatlGBChMw0X0J7usMMMtnWlpPNi_IuCcJ8XnOglcPccY7kLMO0pBZFmdE/s1600/Rihanna-Mac-Cosmetics-Deal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNksH9kuDu_KRoP0m_11T04rnjUO-2-6NZaIU8hl9gjgPZ2tSsH5ddagZk0PBoIGPn5-hmt_loKFYVaCzsykkatlGBChMw0X0J7usMMMtnWlpPNi_IuCcJ8XnOglcPccY7kLMO0pBZFmdE/s400/Rihanna-Mac-Cosmetics-Deal.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<em>That's right baby, I'm a #MACgal now! Get into it, package designed and products created from scratch by yours truly! Thanks to the EPIC team at #MAC for giving me the opportunity to play and share my favorite shit with my fans and yours!</em></blockquote>
If you are wondering whether MAC is concerned about the ongoing media fascination over her relationship with Chris Brown, the company had this to say:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<em>She's a grown woman, and whatever makes her happy makes us happy. Life's complicated. Far be it for us to judge.</em></blockquote>
I love it! And Happy Birthday, Princess Ri!!<br />
<br />
Via <a href="http://www.wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/color-cosmetics/mac-joins-forces-with-rihanna-6780854?src=twitter" target="_blank">WWD</a><br />
<br />
XOXO<br />
<br />
~TiajaSimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-29988531678572998192012-05-23T14:54:00.000-07:002012-05-23T14:54:36.867-07:00MAC's Latest Collection: Hey, Sailor!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AkV5KNXfwheUI-m-1BvZGfeuLb5-DfIMjEZTavKWJHOXsn5NV5iaElyLqzr1uGXg-JuQT_UtWwjdAlaIEq5pQ0PUILaTGv7_Ua61InIGjHdH6TQT4QtE-KQeNk65CgPxv5eerOS5hR2g/s1600/MAC-Hey-Sailor-Makeup-Collection-Summer-2012-promo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AkV5KNXfwheUI-m-1BvZGfeuLb5-DfIMjEZTavKWJHOXsn5NV5iaElyLqzr1uGXg-JuQT_UtWwjdAlaIEq5pQ0PUILaTGv7_Ua61InIGjHdH6TQT4QtE-KQeNk65CgPxv5eerOS5hR2g/s320/MAC-Hey-Sailor-Makeup-Collection-Summer-2012-promo.jpg" width="264" /></a></div>
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How cute is this latest collection by MAC Cosmetics? I love pretty much everything from the color choices to the adorable navy blue & white packaging. I may be a little biased since navy blue is one of my absolute favorite colors! :) Set to hit North American makeup counters tomorrow (May 24th), the Hey, Sailor! limited-edition collection is comprised of 38 pieces which includes a wide range of bronzers, single eye shadows, pigments, blushes, lipsticks, lipglass, pencils, shimmery body oils, nail polishes and more. And if that wasn't enough, this collection will include two maritime makeup bags - the $35 Gone Sailing Makeup Bag Set and the $45 Gone Sailing Tote!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWullMw6vMo1kDj8tvQ9GZ-y2I6mn65pKBUZHF-A9nvu7ImoRnHqFoN6AF3iq3OhnsD63fnXqW3pyr56OyZBJAY-3Ky3vNQsgBKP2umXd3aWY-ZLmQZOzkyBSaUS6Byg-gCoeIAeqvGl1_/s1600/MAC-Hey-Sailor-Summer-2012-Collection-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWullMw6vMo1kDj8tvQ9GZ-y2I6mn65pKBUZHF-A9nvu7ImoRnHqFoN6AF3iq3OhnsD63fnXqW3pyr56OyZBJAY-3Ky3vNQsgBKP2umXd3aWY-ZLmQZOzkyBSaUS6Byg-gCoeIAeqvGl1_/s320/MAC-Hey-Sailor-Summer-2012-Collection-12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #990000; font-size: xx-small;">Hey, Sailor! Make-up bags & Tote</span></em></td></tr>
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I must say that this is one of the more visually appealing collections of the year. How can you resist that navy blue and white striped packaging, for starters? And product-wise, Hey, Sailor! ranges from pretty corals and reds on the lips to deep sea blues and greens for the eyes. This collection is very playful and fun...reminiscent of vintage pin-up girls! Some standouts include the pigment in Naval Blue (a navy blue satin), Throw Me A Line lip pencil (bright red), Orange Tempura lipglass (a pale peach), and To Catch a Sailor lipstick (a frosted tan). I can't wait to get my hands on these!! :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5S3XFAplkngCK5qS5Iaj5hd7IfyRzAT2751vp0hnMpjzrTizc7NKFnXTIwts2enN3xvktBMApOZmnrX9PRP9e5cjZ-Qdp4jYpJVMwmVVOcpSNXrydqX9GODHYGcsQ8TeuG8ln7M1QUQWo/s1600/Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5S3XFAplkngCK5qS5Iaj5hd7IfyRzAT2751vp0hnMpjzrTizc7NKFnXTIwts2enN3xvktBMApOZmnrX9PRP9e5cjZ-Qdp4jYpJVMwmVVOcpSNXrydqX9GODHYGcsQ8TeuG8ln7M1QUQWo/s1600/Collage.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #990000; font-size: xx-small;">My Faves!</span></em></td></tr>
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The complete collection includes:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Lipsticks in Salute! (a neutral peach with an amplified finish), To Catch a Sailor (a frosted tan) Red Racer (a bright yellowish red satin) and Sail La Vie (a bright mid-tone orange Satin, $15.50 each</li>
<li>Lipglasses in Cut Loose (a white gold with pearl), Orange Tempera (a pale peach), Riviera Life (a bright tangerine), Blessedly (a rich pale coral), Send Me Sailing (a bright yellowish red), $15.50 each</li>
<li>Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in Saunter (a pale nude beige), Throw Me a Line! (a bright true red) and Shore Leave (a light vibrant coral), $19 each</li>
<li>Eye Shadows in Crystal Avalance (a white with reflects with a veluxe pearl finish), Barefoot (a tarnished gold veluxe pearl), Jaunty (a light frosty yellowish beige), </li>
<li>Feeling Fresh (a frosty bright green) and Nautical (a navy blue satin), $16 each</li>
<li>Pigments in Old Gold (a high frosted tarnished gold) and Naval Blue (a deep frosty smoky blue), $21</li>
<li>Powerpoint Eye Pencils in Handforged (a metallic yellowish gold), Emerald Sea (a kelly green) and Blue Stripe (a dark navy), $16 each</li>
<li>Zoom Waterfast Lash, $15</li>
<li>Bronzing Powders in Soft Sand (a golden bronze with fine gold pear), Refined Golden (a finely spun golden with soft pearl finish), $24 each</li>
<li>Pro Longwear Bronzing Powders in Nude on Board (a bronzy, yellow tone) and Sun Dipped (a dirty red tone), $28 each</li>
<li>High-Light Powder in Crew (a soft peachy cream with fine shimmer), $28</li>
<li>Powder Blushes in Launch Away! (a true peach with a satin finish) and Fleet Fast (a pinky, golden coral with a satin finish), $21</li>
<li>Nail Lacquers in Vestral White (a creamy white) and Touch of Red (a creamy bright yellowish red), $16</li>
<li>MAC to the Beach Body Oils in Seaside (a dirty blush pink with multidimensional sparkles) and Man Rays (a glowing an with multidimensional golden shimmer), $22.50 each</li>
<li>Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lip Balms in Sea Mist (a peachy nude with multidimensional pearl), Abalone (a see through hot pink with no pearl), Au Rose (a poppy coral pink with golden pearl), $16 each</li>
<li>Brush in 167SH Face Blender, $34</li>
<li>Gone Sailing Makeup Bag Set, $35</li>
<li>Gone Sailing Tote, $45</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7A4UNYxOkyhv29U2HQ38wTlX7l7fXfzvikkueG355HWVigH4UcnVLNUM8_m9L69CsqwyiHJ5UIUH5G6jResid5zIavjE4nV4sn5jdne4lnmXHIpch1FKzar_OGJUxsera_4RcXC2Y8fQc/s1600/31388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7A4UNYxOkyhv29U2HQ38wTlX7l7fXfzvikkueG355HWVigH4UcnVLNUM8_m9L69CsqwyiHJ5UIUH5G6jResid5zIavjE4nV4sn5jdne4lnmXHIpch1FKzar_OGJUxsera_4RcXC2Y8fQc/s400/31388.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: xx-small;"><em>The Collection</em></span></td></tr>
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Happy Shopping & try not to go Overboard! :)<br />
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XOXO<br />
<br />
<em>~Tiaja</em>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-80930427373741355252012-05-11T13:08:00.002-07:002012-05-11T13:24:59.838-07:00Beauty Tip: Sun-Kissed Skin<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrZLkYBpt1Q6m7ZYoxO9D9Eh2mfQ_RoJv8SikVgu1n04dvlrHxyB0F8tz4AQrRGJewdp9P9Ub0wklyqIK6bI4DSOrLCPsVmGgbFnj4ST6OijMoVRqX60EIoFBU_9CParJz_eJ0Cpu6T1Q/s1600/050312-Christina-Milian-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrZLkYBpt1Q6m7ZYoxO9D9Eh2mfQ_RoJv8SikVgu1n04dvlrHxyB0F8tz4AQrRGJewdp9P9Ub0wklyqIK6bI4DSOrLCPsVmGgbFnj4ST6OijMoVRqX60EIoFBU_9CParJz_eJ0Cpu6T1Q/s200/050312-Christina-Milian-400.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Summer is right on our heels (SO thankful) but why wait until then to look like you have been kissed by the sun? I absolutely love the sun! Maybe it has something to do with me being a summer baby but whatever the case may be, I can never get enough of it. There is nothing like a good tan! I absolutely love the bronzy glow I get after laying out. However, you don't need a trip to the beach to illuminate your skin. A sun-kissed appearance can be achieved by mixing a touch of gold highlighter with your foundation or tinted moisturizer. This little trick will give you a natural glow! And if you are opting for the bronze goddess look like Christina's (<em>see photo</em>), keep the rest of your makeup in the same color family and this will give you a natural effect. Try using a matte bronzer on your cheeks, a natural color on your lids (like a taupe), and tie it all together with a swipe of gold-flecked lipgloss! <br />
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My highlighter of choice is <a href="http://josiemarancosmetics.com/shop/face/argan-illuminizer" target="_blank">Josie Maran's Argan Illuminizer</a>. The Argan Illuminizer is described as an ultra light skin brightener with a hint of bronze giving the skin a radiant, luminous, lit-from-within glow that lasts all day. And I can vouch...it does just that! :) If that wasn't enough and as the name suggests, this product contains Argan Oil. Commonly referred to as "liquid gold" or "The Gold of Morocco", Argan Oil is an incredibly rich source of Vitamin E and essential fatty acids. It has astonishing healing, conditioning and anti-aging properties to help keep your skin nourished and revitalized. The Argan Illuminizer can be purchased online at <a href="http://www.josiemaran.com/">http://www.josiemaran.com/</a> and at <a href="http://www.sephora.com/argan-illuminizer-P281607?skuId=1308196" target="_blank">Sephora</a> (retail - $28).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lkn7dE3iY52xKMHjKp9sDoycED4fLsxHTTCB7fQQ_YQ6CUA4vNNvAUo55R9urAc0H2UkD3O6wW5TqJIPB5Zxf-aOITgdEnX4RRiuq9CAf-MW1PC-8wGi-IR1S4OhOPjuEgups7sgdCOe/s1600/illuminizer_30ml-470x470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lkn7dE3iY52xKMHjKp9sDoycED4fLsxHTTCB7fQQ_YQ6CUA4vNNvAUo55R9urAc0H2UkD3O6wW5TqJIPB5Zxf-aOITgdEnX4RRiuq9CAf-MW1PC-8wGi-IR1S4OhOPjuEgups7sgdCOe/s320/illuminizer_30ml-470x470.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #990000; font-size: xx-small;">Josie Maran Argan Illuminizer</span></em></td></tr>
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<em>Added Benefits of Argan Oil:</em><br />
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<ol>
<li>Soften dry skin - Argan Oil's naturally high concentration in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids work to alleviate dry skin and rough patches.</li>
<li>Help Minimize fine lines - Smooth Argan Oil over skin and under your eyes for intense moisture and to reduce appearance of fine lines.</li>
<li>Help heal acne blemishes and scarring - With regular use, Argan Oil is widely reported to heat existing acne blemishes, prevent the occurrence of new breakouts and help reduce scarring.</li>
<li>Give skin a fresh, youthful look - Argan Oil easily absorbs into skin to give you a youthful, dewy glow.</li>
</ol>
Glow forth & be merry!! :)<br />
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<br />
XOXO,<br />
<br />
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<em>~Tiaja</em>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-61620217046788668102012-04-25T13:44:00.001-07:002012-04-25T13:44:13.119-07:00What's up, Ombré!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNASpA-skE8wUYY04qtMtfD_TG1ZiRrzVdXfaPUW7Iw9E43a6AXEaYkuns6gIrYMdA4v5I2zDjMSClmIvsKpoZuH_GWFIa86o1tpTTU-MkPw3RxltwbFBezqYSh9EXa0PhyvcZbAftom2/s1600/ombre_lips.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNASpA-skE8wUYY04qtMtfD_TG1ZiRrzVdXfaPUW7Iw9E43a6AXEaYkuns6gIrYMdA4v5I2zDjMSClmIvsKpoZuH_GWFIa86o1tpTTU-MkPw3RxltwbFBezqYSh9EXa0PhyvcZbAftom2/s200/ombre_lips.png" width="200" /></a></div>
Unless you are living on another planet, Ombré is everywhere. From hair, eyes and even nails....there is no escaping! So, it was only a matter of time before this trend made it the the lips. What is Ombré (you might ask)? Ombré is French for an effect with a gradual colour transition, usually from light to dark. For example, with hair, the ends are deliberately lighter than the roots....in a good way. lol It is completely different from the look of a dye-job "regrowth" which is just dreadful! But unlike fashion and hair, when you apply this concept to makeup, it's all about color choices and shading which usually creates a 3-D effect making lips look fuller.<br />
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<strong><em>Here's what you'll need:</em></strong><br />
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Find two contrasting colors that are in the same family. To achieve this effect, one will obviously need to be lighter than the other.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<strong>Tip:</strong> It is better to use fairly opaque lip colours for this effect because you want to get enough coverage both with the first dark layer, and then again with the light layer on top.</blockquote>
Once you have picked your color choices, fill your entire lip with the darker shade. Matte finishes generally work best, so try a matte lipstick or lip liner. When using matte lipsticks, it is very important that your lips are in the best condition possible and not chapped. Make sure to condition them, beforehand!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRXSUBV3SOapr_UkzFCv-eEELUDU-pbkHID-Z5d1jvglvmAguMzksuu68C_eGWzAR1A5QUi9IIanJrPbD1RezCxOeNqhDOZCuafNN5GJTHadrqFj3ilbKw6gr65XQAjn2KP73m4BC5nNT/s1600/step-1-mac-up-the-amp-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="138" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRXSUBV3SOapr_UkzFCv-eEELUDU-pbkHID-Z5d1jvglvmAguMzksuu68C_eGWzAR1A5QUi9IIanJrPbD1RezCxOeNqhDOZCuafNN5GJTHadrqFj3ilbKw6gr65XQAjn2KP73m4BC5nNT/s200/step-1-mac-up-the-amp-1.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: xx-small;"><em>Photo courtesy of Makeup and Macarrons</em></span></td></tr>
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Next, you will add the lighter shade in the center of your lips for a pop of color. You can apply straight from the tube, with a lip brush or even with your fingers. Whichever works best for you! The lighter shade can be a matte finish, as well. But you can absolutely use a shimmer or slightly metallic finish. I find that the latter adds even more dimension, making lips look fuller and bigger. Once you have applied the lighter shade, blend it into the darker shade. Be careful to leave the edges darker than the middle. And it's probably a good idea not to press your lips together too much or else you may lose the Ombré effect that you are trying to achieve.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsr4XFndS2J_-FKLs8nUIi2vXsccGIDELQlNEdt-iIk4rOkxGrpXe9c0gztCLKsDgH1PXPgaANT1qG9tO4PQ7U01TDic8bVp7hIt5PJ3kqIXL_zouVpqjzKd-MAkoKQ_e6ifJvsspwqrdp/s1600/step-3-blend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsr4XFndS2J_-FKLs8nUIi2vXsccGIDELQlNEdt-iIk4rOkxGrpXe9c0gztCLKsDgH1PXPgaANT1qG9tO4PQ7U01TDic8bVp7hIt5PJ3kqIXL_zouVpqjzKd-MAkoKQ_e6ifJvsspwqrdp/s200/step-3-blend.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #990000; font-size: xx-small;">Photo courtesy of Makeup and Macarrons</span></em></td></tr>
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Adding a clear lip gloss for more of a modern edge, is completely optional and a matter of choice. Remember that matte lipsticks can make your lips feel a little dry.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwlCuPMn8SRpkclulEj2foB83P7qZGkUFKaDm7do9aTbhBxvKd6gudm3LPuwQuVZt59BAHTnSrWbMBulFV0nMscc79GHzF9hhK1CJ9OCSVYCEbi0mXhJdpxMdpHQfCf7xUiV8MereTymG/s1600/ombre-final-lilit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwlCuPMn8SRpkclulEj2foB83P7qZGkUFKaDm7do9aTbhBxvKd6gudm3LPuwQuVZt59BAHTnSrWbMBulFV0nMscc79GHzF9hhK1CJ9OCSVYCEbi0mXhJdpxMdpHQfCf7xUiV8MereTymG/s200/ombre-final-lilit.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #990000; font-size: xx-small;">Photo courtesy of Makeup and Macarrons</span></em></td></tr>
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What do you think...Are you a fan??<br />
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XOXO<br />
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<em>~Tiaja</em>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-6130064849529010852012-04-05T11:15:00.000-07:002012-04-05T11:27:09.747-07:00To Whiten or Not To Whiten?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieLpVITDKpwpbbQVbcxzbW3mwsRBPwAVe2Sc08-aRQXmhF3y6rMbb_mtA-Dotwl-82CcZd55zWA17lkdY3Cbz2PcP51V7Gght6ooybQxHZ1BAZPNJg2c022h0YkuiAKcdSFvNeFbml4TS5/s1600/imagesCA7QOKHX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieLpVITDKpwpbbQVbcxzbW3mwsRBPwAVe2Sc08-aRQXmhF3y6rMbb_mtA-Dotwl-82CcZd55zWA17lkdY3Cbz2PcP51V7Gght6ooybQxHZ1BAZPNJg2c022h0YkuiAKcdSFvNeFbml4TS5/s200/imagesCA7QOKHX.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Whatever happened to the teeth whitening craze??? Seriously!! Six or Seven years ago you could not escape the pressure of keeping your pearly whites BRIGHT! Ads splashed across your television screens with all of the latest products and techniques that would "guarantee" you a whiter and brighter smile. And nowadays, not so much! There are still a few ads out there but they are few and far between. <br />
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I have to say that I am kinda sadden that this craze has died down. To me, there is nothing like a nice smile. And teeth are definitely apart of that equation! I mean let's be real....with the help of braces and whiteners, there is really no excuse for not having a nice "grill" especially if you can fit it into your budget. Am I right or am I right?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJqToe9AM8s_PHvmVeRhdAhdXklhyVADZetCS1WwnR-kiEJFkn4zG28zpB5DbzVPeswUIj-oUgz2OcsBaaqxbjovtzpMaR3Rv1ohuw5Eg5aPyqGD49kE0d7ZSQ7SpSa29eAbL3su3pfa8/s1600/imagesCA5CVUNO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJqToe9AM8s_PHvmVeRhdAhdXklhyVADZetCS1WwnR-kiEJFkn4zG28zpB5DbzVPeswUIj-oUgz2OcsBaaqxbjovtzpMaR3Rv1ohuw5Eg5aPyqGD49kE0d7ZSQ7SpSa29eAbL3su3pfa8/s200/imagesCA5CVUNO.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #990000;">Zoom! Whitening Procedure</span></em></td></tr>
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What brings me to this subject, you might ask? A recent visit to my dentist! I've been going to my dentist for about four years now and recently, I've noticed that he has really been pushing their teeth whitening procedure down my throat!! Almost to the point where I had to question whether or not my teeth were white enough. lol Had me looking in the mirror every five secs just to make sure! Now granted, it has been a few years since my last <a href="http://www.zoomwhitening.com/" target="_blank">Zoom!</a> whitening procedure and I could probably use a touch-up but my teeth are still a nice shade of white, in my opinion.<br />
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So, during my last visit, without fail, the dentist compliments me on my teeth and tells me that "a whiter smile will make it that much better"! At this point, i'm really beginning to consider his "recommendation". For a mere $300, my teeth can be white again and up to my dentist's standards. And just when I was about to hand over my credit card, in walks the dental hygenist. After overhearing the conversation (and making sure the coast was clear), she asks me do I have a Costco card? I replied, "Yes"! She then tells me to go to there and pick up some <a href="http://www.3dwhite.com/crest-products/3D-white-whitestrips-professional-effects.aspx" target="_blank">Crest Whitestrips</a>. Not only are they cheaper but with patience, they provide the same results! Now why hadn't I thought of this?? lol Not only did she stick her neck out for me but she also saved me money in the process. So, I thanked her and went on my merry little way!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8DWCkQwyavLd2DAUBqE4OvTse_qvOxJgxEeil7ImVb67k6LyO08IliOxaT7z6TsO8zqV6bn2eznjGLNLHteDkdHGwxkr4Xp0fj1WCE535R5stFwqzVAM926nOuJfDA1i6pHdZ55iiItV/s1600/imagesCA3CXQKV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8DWCkQwyavLd2DAUBqE4OvTse_qvOxJgxEeil7ImVb67k6LyO08IliOxaT7z6TsO8zqV6bn2eznjGLNLHteDkdHGwxkr4Xp0fj1WCE535R5stFwqzVAM926nOuJfDA1i6pHdZ55iiItV/s200/imagesCA3CXQKV.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #990000;">Crest Whitestrips Procedure</span></em></td></tr>
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As I sat in my car, again I asked myself....why didn't I think of this? It's not like I wasn't familiar with Crest Whitestrips. During my days as a cheerleader, I used them religiously thanks to my teammate, Shonte, who had/ has THE whitest teeth that I have ever seen. lol I asked her one day how did she get her teeth so white and she put me on to the strips. As I mentioned before, you will not get immediate results like you would by using a professional whitening treatment, but after about a week of using the Crest Whitestrips I definitely noticed a difference. Simply apply the strips for 30 mins a day until you see your desired results and voilà! Now it would not be fair if I did not mention that you may experience some <a href="http://www.3dwhite.com/teeth-whitening/sensitive-teeth/tooth-whitening-sensitivity.aspx" target="_blank">tooth whitening sensitivity</a> but it's just a small price to pay for pearly whites. And another good thing is that you don't need a Costco membership to purchase them. You can buy Crest Whitestrips at any major retailer and they run anywhere from $39 - $60 depending on which kit you choose to purchase. And in my case, that's a savings for up to $240!! <br />
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So in answer to my own question....why wouldn't you whiten?? <br />
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XOXO<br />
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<em>~Tiaja</em>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-18541842118244048072012-03-27T12:10:00.000-07:002012-03-27T12:53:09.068-07:00Champagne Wishes & Caviar.....Manicures??<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZQFjBlyEXbAbZEO90wrVEEHxhi5h9O3HLE9aY6ozPBnEXQHrejqnBOqQ1_4LsLLeEL0-2zMdSYubsym9yXimEnEiiH89buTfEJUyEkMeIfEIRH4aeO557jhP9eJGGqnbCV2jGz0JETiF/s1600/Screen-shot-2012-03-19-at-4_40_47-PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZQFjBlyEXbAbZEO90wrVEEHxhi5h9O3HLE9aY6ozPBnEXQHrejqnBOqQ1_4LsLLeEL0-2zMdSYubsym9yXimEnEiiH89buTfEJUyEkMeIfEIRH4aeO557jhP9eJGGqnbCV2jGz0JETiF/s320/Screen-shot-2012-03-19-at-4_40_47-PM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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As of late, nail art has become just as much of a fashion accessory as let's say a piece of jewelry! Last year was all about the crackle top coats and magnetic polishes. And this year, we are still kind of waiting for the new trend to drop. Well, that wait may be over! <br />
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UK nail polish brand, <a href="http://www.ciate.co.uk/caviar-manicure.html" target="_blank">Ciate</a>, will soon be launching their Caviar Manicure kits which is sure to have nail art lovers ABUZZ! Seen first on the runway at <a href="http://www.fash-eccentric.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/ciate-caviar-manicure-cushnieetochsfall2011.jpg" target="_blank">Cushie et Ochs' Fall 2011</a> show where nail artists used beads from the designer's collection to create this three dimensional look, Ciate has decided to make achieving the look a lot easier! By creating a kit which will combine nail lacquer <em>and</em> beads, making it a one-stop-shop. The Caviar Manicure kit is set to make its US debut at Sephora stores in April and will be offered in three colors: multi (rainbow), white (mother of pearl) and black (black pearl). And I am pretty sure that more colors will follow with increased demand!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9d0nqWBVvaRC17-EooW4vfz6GweMspMhpceTp8g5tDQCsi_6QaQ6xX2t5k1zlBphN7fhABZ3bfFIg3eItTx104vF4LNi90XDAk9nPyif7ivtNvwHeDgK4CudD5RooanCHdhOST_GOx8U-/s1600/ciate.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9d0nqWBVvaRC17-EooW4vfz6GweMspMhpceTp8g5tDQCsi_6QaQ6xX2t5k1zlBphN7fhABZ3bfFIg3eItTx104vF4LNi90XDAk9nPyif7ivtNvwHeDgK4CudD5RooanCHdhOST_GOx8U-/s400/ciate.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
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I actually like this look and I think the Caviar Manicure Kits will take off once they hit the shelves. However, I worry about how easy it will be to apply. This will probably be a job left for a trained professional (aka my nail tech, Cindy) as I just don't have a steady enough hand to apply without making a mess. I could probably apply to my left hand without incident but my right hand is another story! lol And lastly, while I think the Caviar Manicure is very festive, pretty and sophisticated, even, I would more than likely leave this for special occasions or to create an accent nail as seen <a href="http://www.mozzypop.com/2011/07/nice-nails-03-accent-nail-trend.html" target="_blank">here</a>....but that's just me! :)<br />
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What do you think.....will the Caviar Manicure be the new glitter??<br />
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XOXO<br />
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<em>~Tiaja</em>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-59297370203902567832012-03-22T14:49:00.000-07:002012-03-22T14:49:45.401-07:00Coming Soon: OPI's Spider-Man Nail Polish Collection!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLe8DU_EEow9COwtpICAP0ESc12IKporhlhur-UZIL5pgyrRmZHO10LwNLMW5V3XKeor1sBHBsPzHZVj68DSV1PZ25t0MPb5Wg8z0S_1F1we6BtWBiHPamNcRW1VD4irudeS_13VlKjdX/s1600/First-Look-OPI-Amazing-Spider-Man-Collection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLe8DU_EEow9COwtpICAP0ESc12IKporhlhur-UZIL5pgyrRmZHO10LwNLMW5V3XKeor1sBHBsPzHZVj68DSV1PZ25t0MPb5Wg8z0S_1F1we6BtWBiHPamNcRW1VD4irudeS_13VlKjdX/s400/First-Look-OPI-Amazing-Spider-Man-Collection.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><br />
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With the July 3rd release of <em>The Amazing Spider-Man </em>on the horizons, <a href="http://www.opi.com/">OPI</a> is launching a nail polish collection inspired by the movie! There will be seven heroic shades including one color inspired by Emma Stone's character and Peter Parker's first love, Gwen Stacy, named "Call Me Gwen-Ever". By the way, I love OPI's word play when naming their colors! :) When asked to decribe this latest collection, Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Executive VP at OPI, says, "the colors in this line capture the movie's exciting atmosphere, and the new chapter this film covers is both dark and sexy". And from the looks of it, she's exactly right. The colors range from a flirty pink to a smoky slate and with nail polishes & lacquers being my latest beauty obsession, I am definitely excited to try out this new collection!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUciJa5b17DC844Xr5jktzVV_vNInoExpro4jP1PcA9BWucN12OjWNILCk7mv9Hq1Fn2WQxLYYn-JpP7-zL1dLuGlNMHIf3eVQcP-vfiHmjXqsqUj977yRF94pGyPjYhgPZOkomAL6DQvL/s1600/6850083008_49a109189a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUciJa5b17DC844Xr5jktzVV_vNInoExpro4jP1PcA9BWucN12OjWNILCk7mv9Hq1Fn2WQxLYYn-JpP7-zL1dLuGlNMHIf3eVQcP-vfiHmjXqsqUj977yRF94pGyPjYhgPZOkomAL6DQvL/s400/6850083008_49a109189a_b.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Meet the Collection (</strong>from clockwise<strong>):</strong></div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Just Spotted the Lizard:</strong> <em>a reptilian-inspired, holographic green</em></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Number One Nemesis:</strong> <em> a sexy slate</em></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Shatter the Scales</strong>: <em>a teal shatter which creates a web-like effect when dry</em></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Into the Night:</strong> <em> an iridescent shade of navy blue</em></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Your Web or Mine?:</strong> <em>a flirty shade of bright pink</em></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>My Boyfriend Scales Walls:</strong> <em>a bright white</em></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Call Me Gwen-Ever:</strong> <em>a fiery orange</em></div></li>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While there is no official release date, these lacquers are expected to hit stores in May! They will retail for $8.50.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><em>What do you think of this new collection? Will you become entangled in this latest web of colour?</em><br />
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XOXO<br />
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<em>~Tiaja</em>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-59118551498840630672012-03-16T11:28:00.003-07:002012-03-16T14:09:12.916-07:00Benefit's Boo Boo Zap is B-A-C-K & Revamped!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lj_J6nUMcaDKhEGPBJarj-00vwI5_FAWLWR6tlPqa06VATmu-1mYgD0qxVj2JtLFUQKyr1263JrZvBjIvN9TmIGZ2oGMhQ3PDrD5hq2xE6CcmBsCdMoCEvG1tTcXiEf6qJot8xiBng6c/s1600/picstitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lj_J6nUMcaDKhEGPBJarj-00vwI5_FAWLWR6tlPqa06VATmu-1mYgD0qxVj2JtLFUQKyr1263JrZvBjIvN9TmIGZ2oGMhQ3PDrD5hq2xE6CcmBsCdMoCEvG1tTcXiEf6qJot8xiBng6c/s320/picstitch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This news has literally made my day! I swore by this stuff for years and then out of the blue and without warning, <a href="http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/">Benefit Cosmetics</a> decided to discontinue the product. I was heartbroken!! The product that I speak of is <a href="http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/product/search?q=boo+boo+zap">Boo Boo Zap</a>, the magical zit zapper! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPj5hsr41ctyHA4uYSsxtdIstW7Ys8kSVHk08m6fwsfRcjypU4LuqC_aLpIfjUirEJ8n5pB44uIIm7oaqn1jlNczXpldn9GmWQIZb_VOmDNz-DIagtM6WSrRmYookDPSD54LfvIFhhxipK/s1600/boo-boo-zap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPj5hsr41ctyHA4uYSsxtdIstW7Ys8kSVHk08m6fwsfRcjypU4LuqC_aLpIfjUirEJ8n5pB44uIIm7oaqn1jlNczXpldn9GmWQIZb_VOmDNz-DIagtM6WSrRmYookDPSD54LfvIFhhxipK/s200/boo-boo-zap.jpg" width="110" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #990000; font-size: xx-small;">Old Boo Boo Zap</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I was first introduced to this wonder product by my close friend, Cole, who worked for the company at the time. And it was love at first try! I loved everything about this product, from it's comic book packaging with the zit-fighting superheroin leaping across the SF skyline <em>(see Right),</em> to it's compact size & more importantly, how effective it was at getting rid of my zits.....with this stuff, they did not stand a chance! I carried Boo Boo Zap with me everywhere I went. A dab of this stuff and my blemish/ acne problem was zapped away! So, imagine my horror when I visited the Benefit counter and was told that the product was no longer available. But today, that all changed with the announcement that this wonder product was back on the market!<br />
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Meet the revamped, reformulated and repackaged Boo Boo Zap! Although there have been a few changes made, its objective remains the same - to banish blemishes and reduce the appearance of redness and swelling. While it still contains salicylic acid, they have removed the witch hazel and camphor, and added glycolic acid,<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><span style="color: #660000;">bisabolol</span> (an extract of chamomile believed to soothe flaky dry skin), PPG-26 and PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, <span style="color: #660000;">a compound some folks try to avoid</span>. Sounds like a MAJOR overhaul, huh? I just hope that these changes will not compromise the effectiveness of a product that I feel was perfect the way it was.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iXlSyscxC2lPenJ81TWfZI5wDvTcQqd1Invu6p4oh3R6Sz7KX2tGe3JR5zJXHo_1mcSju4x2KPzr8nqhL2laPq_Jl2F5LTaBPxJlgeU4mw7t7uBq54zWEw-XRf9yQXaWaaSKadHw8OpJ/s1600/BBZ.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iXlSyscxC2lPenJ81TWfZI5wDvTcQqd1Invu6p4oh3R6Sz7KX2tGe3JR5zJXHo_1mcSju4x2KPzr8nqhL2laPq_Jl2F5LTaBPxJlgeU4mw7t7uBq54zWEw-XRf9yQXaWaaSKadHw8OpJ/s320/BBZ.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnPJkibySB5c2iuIT8PX_DMHieEk4M0S-QnJTzU7zSI2MGkMlntU9E1ZsWXb5haDkfGXXxPwkfi20YZe6HZO4Q2wY4ncKYa4L1yy7zRd7uQHFePoChWnC3ZP_pcDeKInvoUWP-Q_h3P1v/s1600/benefit-boo-boo-zap-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnPJkibySB5c2iuIT8PX_DMHieEk4M0S-QnJTzU7zSI2MGkMlntU9E1ZsWXb5haDkfGXXxPwkfi20YZe6HZO4Q2wY4ncKYa4L1yy7zRd7uQHFePoChWnC3ZP_pcDeKInvoUWP-Q_h3P1v/s320/benefit-boo-boo-zap-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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While doing away with the comic book theme, Boo Boo Zap has been added to Benefit's <a href="http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/product/category/skincare/brightall" target="_blank">b.bright SKINCARE line</a> and has adopted its lighter more sophisticated look of green, tan and white packaging. In addition, you get more product and a lower price tag (which is always an added plus)!! The new zit zapper will contain 7.4 milliliters and will retail for $16, while the old one held 6 milliliters and retailed for $20. A $4 decrease is pretty substantial...that's a grande Mocha Frapp at <a href="http://www.starbucks.com/" target="_blank">Starbucks</a>!! :)<br />
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I have yet to try this revamped formula. And while i'm excited that Benefit Cosmetics has decided to bring one of my favorite products back, I am equally nervous that it will not live up to its predecessor. My fingers are crossed with this one!<br />
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The new Boo Boo Zap is scheduled to hit Benefit stores and counters in May. However, if you cannot wait to get your hands on this product, I have good news! It is currently available online at <a href="http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/">http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/</a>!<br />
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XOXO<br />
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~<em>Tiaja</em>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-83264061203896474482012-03-08T11:36:00.002-08:002012-03-09T10:59:26.347-08:00Beauty Alert: Chanel's Fall 2012 Nail Laquer is causing a "Frenzy"!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52OWzMWNuSzc9rjcUhme4tSnssY2GIGstOqmSbO9mcqndezCgEkfKMWBG6GO0lLWJfbWgfApV7R4BC_e-6dSt-7v_YNWVDsAoJJ307a-z2Y0dgWRZ4FLCl6C6-j60v7W_cOpWqQ4xzHTm/s1600/Chanel-Frenzy-Nail-Polish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52OWzMWNuSzc9rjcUhme4tSnssY2GIGstOqmSbO9mcqndezCgEkfKMWBG6GO0lLWJfbWgfApV7R4BC_e-6dSt-7v_YNWVDsAoJJ307a-z2Y0dgWRZ4FLCl6C6-j60v7W_cOpWqQ4xzHTm/s400/Chanel-Frenzy-Nail-Polish.jpg" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
With Paris Fashion Week in full swing this week. fashion enthusiasts are over-dosing in all of the latest fashion looks and trends & loving it! Not only does Fashion Week dictate what will be on the racks in our favorite boutiques and department stores for the upcoming season, but it also gives us a sneak peak into the beauty world, as well. Everything from hairstyles, to eye brow shapes, to nail polish hues all receive their stamp of approval on these runways. And each year, Chanel's Global Creative Director, Peter Phillips, is notorious for debuting a new and soon-to-be-coveted nail color in their shows and this season was no exception!<br />
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This new "It" color is aptly called "Frenzy"! According to <a href="http://www.glamour.com/beauty/blogs/girls-in-the-beauty-department/2012/03/heads-up-chanels-aw12-runway-n.html" target="_blank">Glamour</a>, Phillips describes the shade as a "lavendar-taupe-gray hybrid" nude polish. And each model received two coats of this opaque nude before taking to the runway. Per Phillips, "It's a very beautiful, delicate pastel". And the polish matches the blush used on the models during the Fall 2012 runway show. <br />
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But sorry ladies, the nail polish and the blush, which are apart of the Les Essentials des Chanel collection, will not be available until September. The anticipation is sure to send beauty lovers into a full-fledged frenzy....pun intended! ;)<br />
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XOXO<br />
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<em>~Tiaja</em>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-84051588921868313452012-03-01T06:15:00.001-08:002012-03-01T06:15:00.590-08:00Product Preview: MAC Chenman Collection - Love and Water, Yin and Yang<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR846WeaaqwKUv960n0FEzDeHZ6VcZeolCM8I8TsM9MWszXh1vnYRNx8Dew80JGuztr1kmUs3zcJF4KOFbyxe1obsJwS47F4lwdfWd7KzORLlIM4SfXf9M_yINM8J4GBBXuZiGg6YXKwNm/s1600/M.A.C+Chenman+Love+&+Water+Press+Release.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR846WeaaqwKUv960n0FEzDeHZ6VcZeolCM8I8TsM9MWszXh1vnYRNx8Dew80JGuztr1kmUs3zcJF4KOFbyxe1obsJwS47F4lwdfWd7KzORLlIM4SfXf9M_yINM8J4GBBXuZiGg6YXKwNm/s400/M.A.C+Chenman+Love+&+Water+Press+Release.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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MAC Cosmetics has partnered with Beijing-born fashion photographer, Chen Men, to create a sensual colour collection inspired by her infatuation with love and water, yin and yang, pink and blue. This hot new limited edition collection hits MAC counters today! <br />
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Here's a sneak peak into the new collection:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XQsqadH8c49XCUpFDPalHIIpS13ybwCd_NbcvP_KQfFoNWeI23R0T1Bn6fmnV9nndzWe4h2-mjaYCRq8mzQgJb_4yWJSMhVqk2cDO-IA7i7SwRL9dCFuneCEGXW_g9nLYl5oOIFtRSBn/s1600/MAC-Chenman-MineralizeEyeshadowDuo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XQsqadH8c49XCUpFDPalHIIpS13ybwCd_NbcvP_KQfFoNWeI23R0T1Bn6fmnV9nndzWe4h2-mjaYCRq8mzQgJb_4yWJSMhVqk2cDO-IA7i7SwRL9dCFuneCEGXW_g9nLYl5oOIFtRSBn/s400/MAC-Chenman-MineralizeEyeshadowDuo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b><br />
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<b>Mineralized Eye Shadow Duo</b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px;"><em>Supersweet Duo</em> – half bronze, pink, gold mélange/half solid golden pink (frost)</span></b></span></em></span></b></span></em></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px;"><em>Pink Union Duo</em> – half taupe, lavender, brown mélange/half solid dark violet (frost)</span></b></span></em></span></b></span></em></span></b></span></em></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px;"></span></b></span></em></span></b></span>Love Cycle Duo</em> – half light blue, white, dark blue mélange/half solid dark royal blue (frost)</span></b></span></em></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHv0U-WwVkwUKOjg3qRTnfWLAamc6rlkNmJM_x7hoD9KFyw2Ciiw21EVzYJiqgo00RgPpcKPP4dWOBoeIddeyhpOmLrKRwhAXTqz8MHaZTcnqJe3kqLSPlKVjW4rX7j2-3LbBcfB1ii5OX/s1600/MAC-Chenman-Pigment.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHv0U-WwVkwUKOjg3qRTnfWLAamc6rlkNmJM_x7hoD9KFyw2Ciiw21EVzYJiqgo00RgPpcKPP4dWOBoeIddeyhpOmLrKRwhAXTqz8MHaZTcnqJe3kqLSPlKVjW4rX7j2-3LbBcfB1ii5OX/s320/MAC-Chenman-Pigment.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><br />
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<b>Pigment</b> - $20<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Naval Blue</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> Deep smoky blue</span><br />
<b>Glitter</b> - $20<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Reflects Blue</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> Sparkling blue</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4DYmRDoZH6wZkiVb_cBpfPZ4eDEShbnn5s302hofEH5PgrMb_h6USWOuSSH5pNqQxVYEXBThx_x9YGgQQSVpHA8yeXT36k3wQaKn7WGzJcI91Y16dVAOY0LODZfSzu6_87FQT-2Aw1I3/s1600/MAC-Chenman-Lipstick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4DYmRDoZH6wZkiVb_cBpfPZ4eDEShbnn5s302hofEH5PgrMb_h6USWOuSSH5pNqQxVYEXBThx_x9YGgQQSVpHA8yeXT36k3wQaKn7WGzJcI91Y16dVAOY0LODZfSzu6_87FQT-2Aw1I3/s320/MAC-Chenman-Lipstick.jpg" width="309" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<b>Lipstick</b> - $14.50<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><em>Force of Love</em> Vivid honeysuckle pink (matte)<br />
<em>Budding Love</em> Pale lavender (lustre)</span></span></b><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4HwQ_IY2hDnr6wMifIhRGLG_X5dpiBGpEriZmrcGpNFGwhPhmPFkCRBe5fAWdA9RTiz_fFtrC05RArjwVbpKcX-n89enUsqfYaegF-ok-fh6seSUOO771r-JCluKF__IvAJHEecIkwfN/s1600/MAC-Chenman-NailLacquer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4HwQ_IY2hDnr6wMifIhRGLG_X5dpiBGpEriZmrcGpNFGwhPhmPFkCRBe5fAWdA9RTiz_fFtrC05RArjwVbpKcX-n89enUsqfYaegF-ok-fh6seSUOO771r-JCluKF__IvAJHEecIkwfN/s320/MAC-Chenman-NailLacquer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><b>Nail Lacquer</b> - $16<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><em>Breezy Blue</em> Dark blue<br />
<em>Pinkly Fresh</em> Mid-tone blue pink</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EgRZuovKlzn2fvzO2zxpydF4ke7xoHpXxAMMS3OO9tEhVoE3KDiGPom8E2LI2kpujggXK3UMe5ClIf-UWZk2FMPPpSUe62sfjd0tO-2oKSFm1UDC9P2VAAnFznNrDlRNT8M3jFiixrcz/s1600/MAC-Chenman-BeautyPowder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EgRZuovKlzn2fvzO2zxpydF4ke7xoHpXxAMMS3OO9tEhVoE3KDiGPom8E2LI2kpujggXK3UMe5ClIf-UWZk2FMPPpSUe62sfjd0tO-2oKSFm1UDC9P2VAAnFznNrDlRNT8M3jFiixrcz/s320/MAC-Chenman-BeautyPowder.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><br />
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<b>Beauty Powder</b> - $23<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><em>Play It Proper</em> Pastel soft pink with sparkles</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNWS95f3GhEsZvqknUo_xaSzWg1cRd2GgGvE_anXVLCogOmAR1yfc3uU-wmLMoCaztZUken02hfiJMDQa3Mm35STSZeFlvc8kfujdgm35Uw1T0Knx5sfNnwpR9mm7CfH0PX18nxCYgl5b/s1600/MAC-Chenman-Fluidline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNWS95f3GhEsZvqknUo_xaSzWg1cRd2GgGvE_anXVLCogOmAR1yfc3uU-wmLMoCaztZUken02hfiJMDQa3Mm35STSZeFlvc8kfujdgm35Uw1T0Knx5sfNnwpR9mm7CfH0PX18nxCYgl5b/s320/MAC-Chenman-Fluidline.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Fluidline</b> - $15<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><i>Blacktrack Solid flat black</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><i>Waveline Navy blue with low level gold pearl</i></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Chenman Collection will be available at MAC Stores, counters and <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.com/whats_new/8540/index.tmpl?cm_mmc=google-_-ENG_ENG%7cVanity%7cBrand%20Product%7cPhrase%7cPC-_-TM%7cX%7cX%7cX%7cChenman%7cChenman%20Collection%7cMPP%7cOK-_-mac%20chenman" target="_blank">online</a> from March 1, 2012 through April 5, 2012 (or until they sell out).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">XOXO</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>~Tiaja</i></div>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-90651491273924149952012-02-28T11:41:00.001-08:002012-02-28T16:04:17.881-08:00Introducing The Brightening Nudes Collection by Bobbi Brown<blockquote class="tr_bq"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUR1D8sNOdU7R1S9_obeAJPIWBQz1OrsX2tqzurECPfIq_AXny0F0YUbu1U2-LqmZLwyO-fB-8mGfs5pBiWHJoUoy1mkiuPIy5cPu665gFVymldwY0E40PhSK3e1AOg5aHSCYBc1WI9aV/s1600/bobbi-brown-brightening-nudes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUR1D8sNOdU7R1S9_obeAJPIWBQz1OrsX2tqzurECPfIq_AXny0F0YUbu1U2-LqmZLwyO-fB-8mGfs5pBiWHJoUoy1mkiuPIy5cPu665gFVymldwY0E40PhSK3e1AOg5aHSCYBc1WI9aV/s320/bobbi-brown-brightening-nudes.jpg" uda="true" width="198" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>The key to a youthful appearance is a healthy glow and the <a href="http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/products/8653/index.tmpl" target="_blank">Brightening Nudes Collection from Bobbi Brown</a> will give you just that. With an illuminating finishing powder, shimmering eye shadows in sheer pastel shades and brightening lip gloss, this collection is sure to give your skin the appearance of a beautiful, healthy glow!<br />
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<strong>Brightening Finishing Powder</strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0fmr4Gr-AnvQM8T_WeGFQ8IcJ9rN25umgLFwHT3aqCGKmk9V-MiOQTZnuvhmlhuO-ipTTguEzdfGXlIbSxs2yacp9FJWtoWc1v6OelW5_wTWobSQGM8McBC9OUB9JwCOLzMx4e4syPpb/s1600/powder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0fmr4Gr-AnvQM8T_WeGFQ8IcJ9rN25umgLFwHT3aqCGKmk9V-MiOQTZnuvhmlhuO-ipTTguEzdfGXlIbSxs2yacp9FJWtoWc1v6OelW5_wTWobSQGM8McBC9OUB9JwCOLzMx4e4syPpb/s200/powder.jpg" uda="true" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>As the central piece to the collection, this sheer and silky powder features six shades that, when blended together, illuminates the skin for a beautifully natural and healthy finish. Infused with Mulberry, Grape, Scuterlleria and Gentian Root Extracts, this innovative formula instantly brightens the skin with a wash of skin-tone correct color, while the soft texture perfectly sets makeup without feeling heavy or weighted down. This powder can be used on the cheeks, forehead, nose and chin for an all-over radiance! (Retails for $50)<br />
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<strong>Brightening Lip Gloss</strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbASQo8FCEUnB-J5fNAZEmp98UIjSGHQ9IQtfJYaTgpzOKyJZ-cRnsID_Vj3Ecb5wL9Jz_MbJYPjFzb_v6yA1w3fdyhFMGkwq6ApZg8PEP4iZYg2d9g4y-jloVI0WZZUTcKPDTQejAX6o7/s1600/lipgloss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbASQo8FCEUnB-J5fNAZEmp98UIjSGHQ9IQtfJYaTgpzOKyJZ-cRnsID_Vj3Ecb5wL9Jz_MbJYPjFzb_v6yA1w3fdyhFMGkwq6ApZg8PEP4iZYg2d9g4y-jloVI0WZZUTcKPDTQejAX6o7/s1600/lipgloss.jpg" uda="true" /></a></div><br />
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This sheer & highly reflective formula wakes up the face and instantly helps create the illusion of fuller lips. With names like Pink Opal and Lilac Pearl, these new shades will leave lips looking perfectly pearlescent and have been formulated to provide an extra dose of shine! Wear alone or on top of your favorite lipstick. (Each retails for $23)<br />
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<strong>*Pink Lilac:</strong> Pale Icy pink violet<br />
<strong>*Pink Opal:</strong> Pink with opal pearl<br />
<strong>*Lilac Pearl:</strong> Lavender pin with pearl<br />
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<strong>Sparkle Eye Shadow</strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswE0cpcHJ4UEpVKEbgdyftqX0J3mZ6dHs6nuMGc6_5G67kvoj3VfR1v4zahj9T8Bg2qM6pOZKVx9CM_6G2rxwGNRd08r5zGUVxOPAb4N-5zZVLcVyiVxRzeRIqlAVl-HmRRpkbW5wq0J4/s1600/shadows2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswE0cpcHJ4UEpVKEbgdyftqX0J3mZ6dHs6nuMGc6_5G67kvoj3VfR1v4zahj9T8Bg2qM6pOZKVx9CM_6G2rxwGNRd08r5zGUVxOPAb4N-5zZVLcVyiVxRzeRIqlAVl-HmRRpkbW5wq0J4/s320/shadows2.bmp" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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These eye shadows are packed with the perfect combination of shimmering pearls and glitter in a translucent base. The Brightening Nudes Collection includes four new, sheer pastel shades that will illuminate the eyes with a subtle shimmer and shine. Making these shadows pefect for day and night! (Each retails $28)<br />
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<strong>*Ballet:</strong> A light pink glitter<br />
<strong>*Silver Moon:</strong> A light silvery glitter<br />
<strong>*Sunlight:</strong> A warm golden glitter<br />
<strong>*Mica:</strong> A deep heather grey<br />
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<strong>Crystal Glitter Lip Gloss</strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_bkpQQcmGsLRHiNpd2nTZVg1epdRtm20n4dWFIgaghIa88GJ2XhjOpASmi_Cm4aWQfTmoMVmNI0pRve0gsjuLTt0Yer1nty_X7a94Y8dl0XNRRqLR3JtQPJugi8jMJdQOPtNSxIl2qcl/s1600/bobbi-brown-brightening-nudes-collection-21022012-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_bkpQQcmGsLRHiNpd2nTZVg1epdRtm20n4dWFIgaghIa88GJ2XhjOpASmi_Cm4aWQfTmoMVmNI0pRve0gsjuLTt0Yer1nty_X7a94Y8dl0XNRRqLR3JtQPJugi8jMJdQOPtNSxIl2qcl/s320/bobbi-brown-brightening-nudes-collection-21022012-5.jpg" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
An updated version of a Bobbi Brown favorite, Crystal Glitter Lip Gloss is infused with fine, light reflecting flecks giving lips a glimmering shine. The clear, high shine formula is the easiest way to instantly enhance lips! Wear it alone for a naturally luscious look or layer it over your favorite lipstick for an added brilliance. The easy-squeeze tube makes it ideal for at-home or on-the-go application. (Retails $18)<br />
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The <strong>Brigtening Nudes Collection</strong> is available March 2012 at all Bobbi Brown counters and <a href="http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/index.tmpl" target="_blank">online</a>!<br />
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XOXO<br />
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<em>~Tiaja</em>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-89265801484304202392012-02-09T09:17:00.000-08:002012-02-09T09:17:52.443-08:00Eyebrow Trend: The Bold & The Beautiful!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSQVdJ2lxxIMxeC7grzv2IuHbWlEL4dNmxsNCvGdA3jAsWGBL_qoFipFfqt3OMAwdRCPZk5hmm5b-cmzcDQlDWHAaNuLMcWlxFl-SQk_XrM7iT0SxOQdW3brYvElr2yMSjwky7xVznF0X/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSQVdJ2lxxIMxeC7grzv2IuHbWlEL4dNmxsNCvGdA3jAsWGBL_qoFipFfqt3OMAwdRCPZk5hmm5b-cmzcDQlDWHAaNuLMcWlxFl-SQk_XrM7iT0SxOQdW3brYvElr2yMSjwky7xVznF0X/s200/images.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>I'm a bit obsessive when it comes to eyebrows!! Am I the only one who feels like this?? I mean, to me, there is nothing like nicely shaped and arched eyebrows. I cringe when I see women with thin lines where their eyebrows used to be. Or, how about the women who shave their's completely off, only to draw them back on for a "brow" that looks anything but natural? Never quite understood that "trend". Eyebrows are a very important facial feature! They help define bone structure and provide a natural frame for the face. Not to mention, great brows are the key element for a polished look! <br />
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We all know that brow trends can vary from season to season and year to year. For all of us who are old enough, i'm sure you remember the thin eyebrows of the 70's, the bushy brows of the 80's (a la Brooke Shields) and the 90's being somewhere in between. Well today, the look dominating the runways during the Fall/Spring 2012 shows at Fashion Week were strong and sculpted brows! Designers like Donna Karan, Derek Lam, Diane Von Furstenburg and Versace all showcased models with well defined eyebrows strutting the catwalk in Haute Couture (see below).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51R2uoo8bEIoNPTrDf-OLRZ0B3xonKiuf4H3rGtikgIByem8QURsDjMsVDy6OPyvmbfs5PJ2xMfaW4k9UudnpKpxITXOfDS3yPZmuxIAL8ayJErr-lqAk7DlN_5fYIp666qZnxQBLmijs/s1600/picstitch2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51R2uoo8bEIoNPTrDf-OLRZ0B3xonKiuf4H3rGtikgIByem8QURsDjMsVDy6OPyvmbfs5PJ2xMfaW4k9UudnpKpxITXOfDS3yPZmuxIAL8ayJErr-lqAk7DlN_5fYIp666qZnxQBLmijs/s400/picstitch2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #990000;">Clockwise from Top Left: Derek Lam, DVF, Donna Karan & Versace</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
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<strong><em>How To Achieve This:</em></strong><br />
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*Step away from the tweezers and allow your brows to grow in.<br />
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*Make an appointment with someone specializing in eyebrows (Beautician, Aesthetician, etc.) Once you get the perfect line and shape you want, you can maintain it.<br />
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*Stick to your natural shape! Eyebrows should follow the line of the bone just above your eyes.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3P_lXJAqg1DpVXKs5dU85pw0bUsZ9UdHroqn_fWccmoOhrU4MBu7i0dI1adZw2CMwm7l7hdO_Sff_dbYEhcHAzlewWmmVYk7wZi71Id10VGNT5ypsDvD9x6-EjyWfJOMrLWKT3DPT0IGf/s1600/EyebrowGuide.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3P_lXJAqg1DpVXKs5dU85pw0bUsZ9UdHroqn_fWccmoOhrU4MBu7i0dI1adZw2CMwm7l7hdO_Sff_dbYEhcHAzlewWmmVYk7wZi71Id10VGNT5ypsDvD9x6-EjyWfJOMrLWKT3DPT0IGf/s1600/EyebrowGuide.bmp" /></a><br />
*Place an orange stick in a straight line from the side of the nose to the inner corner of the eye; this is where the eyebrow should begin<br />
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*Place an orange stick from the side of the nose to the outer corner of the eye; this is where the brow should end<br />
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*Use a brow pencil or powder to add extra color and definition. For a statement finish, take brows a shade darker than their natural color.<br />
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*NEVER pluck above the eyebrows & just take away the odd strays.<br />
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Hope these tips help!!<br />
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XOXO<br />
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<em>~Tiaja</em>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-14383070758329606222012-02-02T10:11:00.000-08:002012-02-02T10:11:25.384-08:00Beauty Trend: Orange...the HAWT color for 2012!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYr-bLeGnTi3dplf510IUVQViLT0TIqjJ9OyvW8wCgFQiNvvPLif2Z8vQgSHVoGubc88ji5O5GBrKUJ-f27lxCLZ2OroIZ33xc9pNSl_M80w0V53w15nKfh1F15j46UynWGmAsW2sFgvLx/s1600/Orange1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYr-bLeGnTi3dplf510IUVQViLT0TIqjJ9OyvW8wCgFQiNvvPLif2Z8vQgSHVoGubc88ji5O5GBrKUJ-f27lxCLZ2OroIZ33xc9pNSl_M80w0V53w15nKfh1F15j46UynWGmAsW2sFgvLx/s200/Orange1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Ask just about anyone in the Beauty & Fashion industry and they will tell you that orange is the "It" color for Spring 2012....Tangerine Tango, to be exact! Ever since <a href="http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/index.aspx" target="_blank">Pantone LLC</a>, the world authority on color in the design industries, declared <a href="http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/category.aspx?ca=88" target="_blank">Tangerine Tango as the color of the year for 2012</a> a little over a month ago, celebs and designers have taken a serious liking to this vivacious hue! Splashes of this citrus shade was seen in various shades on the runways of New York Fashion Week and can be spotted on red carpets and in fashion mags, alike.<br />
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Tangerine Tango is described as "a spirited reddish orange" that's sophisticated, seductive and, most of all, dramatic. It is a sunnier and warmer alternative to the traditional red and what makes it even better is that this hue flatters just about every skin tone. I personally love the color orange. It evokes warmth and vitality which remind me of my favorite time of the year....Summer! And I am definitely looking forward to playing up my features with this regal tint. If you are not as eager as I am to jump right into this trend and would like to play it safe with sheerer shades of orange and tangerine, there are tons of makeup options to choose from. That's the fun part about makeup....you can play around with it until you find what works for you. And be sure to choose one feature to focus on or else you might right looking like the <a href="http://suathletics.syr.edu/sports/2001/8/8/mascot.aspx" target="_blank">Syracuse mascot</a>! :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_U6NmlTOffAmCNbjj7F7UcqewwAB-Qgh1n7NqrTDZXbdUf82buPZvd7Sz7EEo7RYCepehK3MTL9FRhCq8Oc68kW7mP87MYEAQF0FALW0cHefjws4gBonKYjcPfsFrIGkawfyLnmPEl_f/s1600/Blog_Orange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="341" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_U6NmlTOffAmCNbjj7F7UcqewwAB-Qgh1n7NqrTDZXbdUf82buPZvd7Sz7EEo7RYCepehK3MTL9FRhCq8Oc68kW7mP87MYEAQF0FALW0cHefjws4gBonKYjcPfsFrIGkawfyLnmPEl_f/s400/Blog_Orange.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Pictured above: 1) <a href="http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306418163&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446479817&R=888066011822&P_name=Tom+Ford+Beauty&N=4294912320+306418163&bmUID=jkX60Vk" target="_blank">Tom Ford Beauty Nail Lacquer in Ginger Fire</a>; 2) <a href="http://www.narscosmetics.com/color/eyes/duo-eyeshadow/scorching-sun" target="_blank">NARS Dual Eyeshadow in Scorching Sun</a>; 3) <a href="http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/product/view/coralista" target="_blank">Benefit Cheek Powder in CORALista</a>; 4) <a href="http://www.lauramercier.com/store/shop/Lip-Gloss_Lip-Glac%E9_prod190018" target="_blank">Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Bellini</a>; & 5) <a href="http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/products/8396/index.tmpl?cm_sp=" target="_blank">Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Atomic Orange</a>.<br />
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Check out the celebs below rockin' varying shades of orange lipstick:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNd7kE2_kbtbQPK1R9Wrg0w2WRmCynOVldBoQ93GmuJAK9N3_h9QTMrFo7MzdnqAkh8TQ6W1MaGV_9egKCXHwF1uJOlOtVBGYG42sbX8PZBW6rD-o2FTVNQ_taZFhyphenhyphen1TzeElqrCKKmANv/s1600/picstitch+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNd7kE2_kbtbQPK1R9Wrg0w2WRmCynOVldBoQ93GmuJAK9N3_h9QTMrFo7MzdnqAkh8TQ6W1MaGV_9egKCXHwF1uJOlOtVBGYG42sbX8PZBW6rD-o2FTVNQ_taZFhyphenhyphen1TzeElqrCKKmANv/s320/picstitch+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Will YOU be wearing orange makeup this year??<br />
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XOXO<br />
<br />
<em>~Tiaja</em>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-51228415161393929042012-01-26T13:04:00.000-08:002012-01-26T13:04:01.958-08:00Has Your Makeup Expired??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSwSHqq0jPCBCd0i9oEr0zyxhhcNNOWJegfd1HCehTBy3L4lvRo" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="200" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSwSHqq0jPCBCd0i9oEr0zyxhhcNNOWJegfd1HCehTBy3L4lvRo" width="146" /></a></div>If you are anything like me, your vanity cabinet and/ or makeup bag has a few items that have been there since who knows when! I am so guilty of this. It's like I have some sort of attachment to my beauty items....even the products that I rarely use, and in some cases, never use! Sad, huh? Well, I know that I am not alone and since makeup companies are not required to post expiration warnings on their labels, I thought I would help you out a bit.<br />
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Please keep in mind that unopened, well-formulated cosmetic products can remain in fairly good condition for a couple of years at room temperature. However, when you open the product and the air hits the formula, certain ingredients start to degrade and bacteria begins to grow. Not to mention, every time you touch your makeup you transfer germs to them which can spread, fester and infect everything it touches...YIKES! And although convenient, the bathroom is not the ideal place to store your cosmetics. Heat and humidity promote the growth of mold and yeast.....a more ideal place would be a cool, dry linen closet.<br />
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With that said, here is a quick guide on the shelf life of your typical beauty products (in alphabetical order). Bear in mind that this is just a guideline. If your products start to smell, separate, change color or texture then chances are it is time to throw them out!<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #990000;">BLUSH</span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRsQtQHid-5KsAMiTHpMCeWRZ-OBv36Gl_xo4il0z_paODhQ6_c" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRsQtQHid-5KsAMiTHpMCeWRZ-OBv36Gl_xo4il0z_paODhQ6_c" width="172" /></a></div><br />
Since it does not contain water, Blush can usually last for up to 2 years. Cream blush, however, should be discarded after a year. Cleaning your blush brush regularly will prolong the life of your blush! It is best to wait a couple of minutes after applying foundation or moisturizer before putting on blush. The oils cling to the bristles and will transfer to blush causing a dull gray film to form on powder formulas or a white, chalky layer on cream formulas.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #990000;">CONCEALER</span></strong><br />
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With concealers, a tell-tale sign that it has gone bad is when the color starts to shift or change. But overall, concealers in a pod or in stick form can last for up to two years. Whereas, concealers in liquid form or wand form should be tossed out after one year. Your money is better spent on a compact, squeeze tube or push up style concealer.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #990000;">EYELINER</span></strong><br />
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Liquid liners should be replaced every three months because, like mascara, bacteria tend to flourish in liquid-eyeliner tubes. Also, when liquid liners begin to go bad, they will dry out and become flaky. Pencil liners have a longer shelf life because each time you sharpen them, you create a fresh, clean surface. A pencil liner can last 2-3 years! Just be sure to regularly sanitize your sharpen with rubbing alcohol. And if you have used your liner while experiencing an eye infection, you should probably toss it to be on the safe side. Wouldn't want you to re-infect your eyes!<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #990000;">EYE SHADOW</span></strong><br />
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Cream shadows should be tossed after six months. Powder shadows, on the other hand, have a shelf life of approximately two years. Like pressed powders, powder shadows are less prone to contaminate because they lack water. However, if you wet them, you should probably toss after six months! Aging shadows will have performance issues. They get packed down, making it harder to pick up pigment with your brush.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #990000;">FACE POWDER</span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRbpvHw90wrCZsFUhOxNirlfDAiIGvbZFdqN2yYEqQJ0ZVmxlSv" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="200" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRbpvHw90wrCZsFUhOxNirlfDAiIGvbZFdqN2yYEqQJ0ZVmxlSv" width="149" /></a></div>Like Blush, Face Powders have longevity. Bacteria can't grow where there is no water and so face powders tend to last up to two years! However, some powders contain small amounts of water from botanical extracts such as chamomile, oat extract, aloe, green-tea extracts and bamboo. If your powder contains one or more of these ingredients, there is a risk of it growing bacteria if you leave it in a damp environment like your bathroom. Also, powders containing botantical ingredients become harder to blend and more likely to crumble as the trace amounts of water begins to evaporate.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #990000;">FOUNDATION</span></strong><br />
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Most foundations are water based (except for the powder formulas) making them prone to bacteria. Once the seal is broken or the package is open, foundation can last up to one year for water based formulas and 18 mos for oil-based. (You will know if your foundation is water-based or oil-based if the first ingredient listed on the product is water or oil.) As a foundation ages, oils rises to the top, thickening the consistency and causing it to go on unevenly creating a streaky finish. If you notice a change in color and/ or smell it is probably best to assume that it has expired. Applying old foundation can cause irritation or breakouts!<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #990000;">LIPSTICK AND LIP GLOSS</span></strong><br />
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Lipstick and gloss should generally be thrown out after a year or two. Lipsticks tend to dry out with age, making it hard to spread the pigment on your lips. While lip gloss will feel globby when you try to apply it. If either of these products begin to smell rancid, it is probably spoiled and needs to be thrown out. In addition, if you have recently been sick, you should think about replacing your lipstick with a new one to prevent being re-infected! <strong><em>TIP:</em></strong> If you store your lipstick in the refrigerator, it will last longer.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #990000;">MASCARA</span></strong><br />
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This is the one makeup item which expires the fastest. You should probably replace your mascara after 4 mos! A mascara tube is a dark, wet environment which is perfect breeding ground for bacteria. This is the main reason why you should be diligent about replacing this beauty item. As the brush is taken out, applied and put back in the tube, it brings with it any bacteria that has been collected along the way. This lingering bacteria can cause redness and itchiness and possibly even sties & pink-eye (conjunctivitis)! <strong><em>TIP</em></strong>: If you don't want your mascara to expire faster than it's shelf life, avoid pumping the wand. The pushes air into the tube causing it to dry out faster.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #990000;">NAIL POLISH</span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRATrH27plEIWdnhIHvBqXFCMtCM3ahpfR6A9t48xP5k6SANYTMnQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="200" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRATrH27plEIWdnhIHvBqXFCMtCM3ahpfR6A9t48xP5k6SANYTMnQ" width="200" /></a></div><br />
One good thing about nail polish is that it will not go bad from bacteria! Nail polish generally last from one to two years, depending on the quaility. As polish gets old, it will dry out and become thick and gooey. And often times you will notice that the pigment has settled along the bottom of the bottle. Try shaking it and if it remains separated....it's a wrap! <strong><em>TIP:</em></strong> Formulas are sensitive to temperature and humidity so avoid storing your bottles in the bathroom.<br />
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Hope this helps! :)<br />
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XOXO<br />
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<em>~Tiaja</em>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-91515110001797820822012-01-23T09:14:00.000-08:002012-01-23T15:29:45.401-08:00Product Review: Nicki Minaj OPI Nail Lacquer Collection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPLk1lv4MAPphMcHm-xaClHYaOGBkdaQYlQQb1AAkeEvuloCdZ33IV-7HrQRiKTdPLptCqUNkRSBl_Ib8Z-jq-YchH5ooNr3_tFmAqRDXZfZXiwK-dnYHKiZKQl6I31qukirdz2FT4UZn/s1600/NickiMina-med.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPLk1lv4MAPphMcHm-xaClHYaOGBkdaQYlQQb1AAkeEvuloCdZ33IV-7HrQRiKTdPLptCqUNkRSBl_Ib8Z-jq-YchH5ooNr3_tFmAqRDXZfZXiwK-dnYHKiZKQl6I31qukirdz2FT4UZn/s320/NickiMina-med.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
The highly anticipated Nicki Minaj OPI Collection hit the stores earlier this month with 6 new colors (3 creme polishes, 2 glitters and a new shade of Shatter) embodying the over-the-top personality of it's namesake. When I first heard that Ms. Minaj was teaming up with OPI, the first thing that came to mind was OUTLANDISH! However, I was pleasantly surprised with the color selection. With names like "Super Bass Shatter", "Metallic 4 Life" & "Fly", this collection is cute, flirty and fun with my personal favorite being "Pink Friday"!<br />
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"Pink Friday" is the opaque, bubble-gum pink shade that I have been searching for high and low! I absolutely LOVE this polish and thanks to Nailtiques (<a href="http://beautymarx.blogspot.com/2011/10/achieve-nail-envy-with-nailtiques.html" target="_blank">see my previous blog post</a>) and my Manicurist, Cindy, I can not stop looking at my nails. There is something very girly yet very adult about this shade of pink that makes it truly irresistible. And the compliments are never-ending (see swatch below)! ;)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIhy9aUOn3As3nBZEb4wuZtT6miO-B7YBmqjFkJKxrDMWQklKy77fA8fx-W41b108E2Hrwuzrjod8VfEyk5GKbqohzGln3RnLSXycVFg1kNTQX6yNNyBCXZsqjZMFi9oqvLMCMmzyskqh/s1600/swatch_me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIhy9aUOn3As3nBZEb4wuZtT6miO-B7YBmqjFkJKxrDMWQklKy77fA8fx-W41b108E2Hrwuzrjod8VfEyk5GKbqohzGln3RnLSXycVFg1kNTQX6yNNyBCXZsqjZMFi9oqvLMCMmzyskqh/s1600/swatch_me.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: xx-small;">Me wearing Pink Friday! <3</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
So far, Pink Friday is the only polish in the collection that I have tried out. And because of this, the swatches that I used below are courtesy of <a href="http://www.thepolishaholic.com/2012/01/opi-nicki-minaj-collection-swatches.html" target="_blank">The Polish Aholic</a>.<br />
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"Fly" is a pretty shade a teal that I am kind of eager to try. It is a definite Spring-y color that I will try on my toes first and then possibly on my hands (not sure it would fly at the office...no pun intended!). <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoowZVxB3U4L3znl2jMHCJqDrVf73SK8NJp9RqCsAQEhvwKiLZ3WsIhhYb1hv_FLuujOOBAfMgk_tjWT1pQ-8r4ij8341QUeR1wZgQraoHe9ZhyphenhyphenbvBYkzQ6TXfeTpcII9SnzP3LDSeB7X/s1600/Fly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoowZVxB3U4L3znl2jMHCJqDrVf73SK8NJp9RqCsAQEhvwKiLZ3WsIhhYb1hv_FLuujOOBAfMgk_tjWT1pQ-8r4ij8341QUeR1wZgQraoHe9ZhyphenhyphenbvBYkzQ6TXfeTpcII9SnzP3LDSeB7X/s1600/Fly.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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"Did It On 'Em" is a yellow-y green shade which I was initially drawn to and will definitely try in the near future. This shade is almost on the neon side and is definitely a fun shade that will be perfect of the Spring & Summer. I can just picture walking on the beach or in the grass with this color on my toes!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysNKngxi88U8IY7sz2wQ9TtltkjCv7nLBJpZPnh9Q42LLHCClaKquGYVhoVNqWk5eDuP4dI7yUhU1lxFCasqyQK6_5m8FFQC8zOUHHQrCeBrxwM-tcBDgiETksRlgSx0eNNT3bE3TeWmP/s1600/DidItOnEm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysNKngxi88U8IY7sz2wQ9TtltkjCv7nLBJpZPnh9Q42LLHCClaKquGYVhoVNqWk5eDuP4dI7yUhU1lxFCasqyQK6_5m8FFQC8zOUHHQrCeBrxwM-tcBDgiETksRlgSx0eNNT3bE3TeWmP/s1600/DidItOnEm.jpg" /></a></div><br />
"Metallic 4 Life" is a black base with a mixture of silver hex & square glitter. This one is pretty Bad Ass and perfect for a night out on the town or when you are wanting to channel your inner-Rock Star!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneEajgOQ5MqlUngi3hAzSSn8WYP6Qn5z3ReFY9qWJMCS5R9O7czbwgf9iTZ-6VvWY_AcReRFo8PJCOoMUITWvu7G6xodyisPz27wDRG8QmSrMftOg893edG2wFaDVlBziPpny6-cYRgS8/s1600/Metallic4Life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneEajgOQ5MqlUngi3hAzSSn8WYP6Qn5z3ReFY9qWJMCS5R9O7czbwgf9iTZ-6VvWY_AcReRFo8PJCOoMUITWvu7G6xodyisPz27wDRG8QmSrMftOg893edG2wFaDVlBziPpny6-cYRgS8/s320/Metallic4Life.jpg" width="171" /></a></div><br />
"Save Me" has a clear base with silver glitter and blue & holographic confetti mixed in. I am not really feeling the confetti look as I prefer the glitter polishes better. However, I think this polish would pretty cool layered on top of another color.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtp3crnFhZDYo1fCqbhDtMADmQTUlgFLKAv7UAaTDmNBuBk2ihCiiiZgnj_1RI9z_AFHBXhts8S1QCpiQvNPRLWB0C_-2c5P-Ba7fQcI9twc7SqU-H1psvNev328sWufDw8O2SExsbk5D/s1600/imagesCANL4Q79.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtp3crnFhZDYo1fCqbhDtMADmQTUlgFLKAv7UAaTDmNBuBk2ihCiiiZgnj_1RI9z_AFHBXhts8S1QCpiQvNPRLWB0C_-2c5P-Ba7fQcI9twc7SqU-H1psvNev328sWufDw8O2SExsbk5D/s1600/imagesCANL4Q79.jpg" /></a></div><br />
And last but not least is "Super Bass Shatter". This a metallic magenta shatter which is a slight variation of the usual matte finishes of most shatter polishes. While I think shatter polishes are fun, I was never a true fan. I have tried it a few times but the novelty wore off for me a LONG time ago. As you will notice in the picture below, "Super Bass" has a slight glitter to it which a nice touch!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0bH3Lqwfkv6gE6UYH6qSfO_-_zFJ1rDnf2MAb7bAQQFqOUTC0_QHy68FFDDJEdb7G_uABgmEhdV7uWHpchoJuyZb6ST0KxU-pky6Nl7GnpF1m5LHncvTydebT4l8zdhyphenhyphenLJEBykGLjAJW/s1600/imagesCA42UIDQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0bH3Lqwfkv6gE6UYH6qSfO_-_zFJ1rDnf2MAb7bAQQFqOUTC0_QHy68FFDDJEdb7G_uABgmEhdV7uWHpchoJuyZb6ST0KxU-pky6Nl7GnpF1m5LHncvTydebT4l8zdhyphenhyphenLJEBykGLjAJW/s1600/imagesCA42UIDQ.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The Nicki Minaj OPI Collection is in stores now and can be purchased at selected beauty supply stores and even online at <a href="http://amazon.com/">Amazon.com</a>. And I must say that this collection appears to be doing VERY well....so if you see a shade that you like, you better act fast as this is sure to sell out!<br />
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XOXO<br />
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~<em>Tiaja</em>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-84069114322440969182012-01-06T15:53:00.000-08:002012-01-06T15:59:40.000-08:00Saving Face....Buh Bye, Pimples!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqgeDXZraQGBipVTFeZSUYQvRb2xgJ0W2P5UEJ2DtGTkewC2DbqgytEI57A8ucaOmCcRkapsQsGsHcstdbhyTDZ-rblqLrEuWyhC4zpM4D1b4H-9SxOXeRibXJljqJ1GPlcfhulHAOkgw/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqgeDXZraQGBipVTFeZSUYQvRb2xgJ0W2P5UEJ2DtGTkewC2DbqgytEI57A8ucaOmCcRkapsQsGsHcstdbhyTDZ-rblqLrEuWyhC4zpM4D1b4H-9SxOXeRibXJljqJ1GPlcfhulHAOkgw/s200/untitled.bmp" width="200" /></a></div><br />
For the past week I have been contemplating on what my next blog topic would be. I mean really racking my brain! And this morning, I awoke to the North Star on my forehead & instantly reached for <a href="http://www.peterthomasroth.com/p-79-beta-hydroxy-acid-2-acne-wash.aspx">Peter Thomas Roth's Beta Hydroxy Acid 2% Acne Wash</a>; giving me an "Ah Ha" moment. Why not write about a product that I swear by and have been using for years? That's what blogging is all about right, sharing thoughts, opinions and in this case...beauty secrets!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I rarely cheat on LaMer but when I wake up with a huge zit anywhere on my face, I am definitely moonlighting with this Beta Hydroxy Acid 2% Acne Wash! Around the time that I turned 30, I discovered <a href="http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/features/adult-acne-why-you-get-it-how-fight-it">Adult Acne</a>...or should I say it discovered me. I never really had a problem with my skin except for the occasional breakout here and there. So, it came as a complete shock when I began to breakout more regularly as an adult. I was cheerleading at this time and i'm sure the fact that I was wearing makeup more than normal contributed to my acne issues. But the bottom-line was that I had to deal with it and QUICK! I tried going to an Aesthetician on a regular basis which really helped me out alot. However, it was hurting my pockets! This is when I discovered <a href="http://www.peterthomasroth.com/p-79-beta-hydroxy-acid-2-acne-wash.aspx">Peter Thomas Roth's Beta Hydroxy Acid 2% Acne Wash</a> and was thoroughly impressed with the results.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimneWzauZIiHGsEs93GtAqPRfSqwLybuFjaE_ibsvEY7uMVjZL4JNQwgqU0IfkXZTkzT2Z7xd0tVaNyB0lsCK0zIbea8pUCfv7iD81fQ4AZGIOyduoPRUfNUhCIK05v_oN2_yUjtckfUt4/s1600/imagesCANS9WEY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimneWzauZIiHGsEs93GtAqPRfSqwLybuFjaE_ibsvEY7uMVjZL4JNQwgqU0IfkXZTkzT2Z7xd0tVaNyB0lsCK0zIbea8pUCfv7iD81fQ4AZGIOyduoPRUfNUhCIK05v_oN2_yUjtckfUt4/s1600/imagesCANS9WEY.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Most acne medications are geared to target teenage oily-skin which is a bad choice for adults who tend to have drier skin. The Beta Hydroxy Acid 2% Acne Wash is oil-free, alcohol-free, fragrance-free and gentle enough to give you a deep cleanse without over drying your skin. At the first sign of a pimple, I use this wash and my annoying little friend is significantly smaller, if not gone, the next day! Now granted, my breakouts are generally not that bad. I usually get a pimple here and there especially during that wonderful time of the month. But who wants to be bothered with pimples?? Not me! Which is why this product comes highly recommended. Everyone's skin is different and I would suggest that you get a sample and try it first before you buy. Although, I think you will be pleasantly surprised just as I was!<br />
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You can purchase Peter Thomas Roth's Beta Hydroxy Acid 2% Acne Wash on their website, <a href="http://www.peterthomasroth.com/">http://www.peterthomasroth.com/</a>, <a href="http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=prod2076993">ULTA</a> and <a href="http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P3553&categoryId=B70">Sephora</a>. It retails for $35.<br />
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XOXO<br />
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~<em>Tiaja</em>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-9837338178794538692011-12-28T11:07:00.000-08:002011-12-28T11:07:33.555-08:00Holiday Hangover Survival Tips - Skin Edition!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0XDCL5sdEbU/TvtoG3RF19I/AAAAAAAAAQU/Wv8-hi-7wTo/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0XDCL5sdEbU/TvtoG3RF19I/AAAAAAAAAQU/Wv8-hi-7wTo/s400/untitled.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Social calendars definitely fill up during the holidays. Which can mean lots of parties, drinking and going to bed WAY past your bed time. All of which can do a number on your skin, leaving you looking and feeling less than perky the next morning. However have no fear, there are a few things that you can do and use that will have you looking like your normal self in no time! (The 'feeling' part may be another story)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RSnUcNLLPcA/Tvos3iVvPVI/AAAAAAAAAO0/aWl4YfV8vP0/s1600/imagesCAB3TC3D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RSnUcNLLPcA/Tvos3iVvPVI/AAAAAAAAAO0/aWl4YfV8vP0/s200/imagesCAB3TC3D.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The key is to stay hydrated! The combination of an over-consumption of alcohol and scrimping out on sleep generally has a dehydrating effect. So the next day it's best that you not only hydrate your skin with moisturizers but also hydrate your body by drinking lots of fluids and drinks containing electrolytes, such as Gatorade or even Pedialyte. I also read somewhere that drinking a little lemon juice squeezed into warm water or tea does wonders, as well. Not only does it help to re-hydrate but the lemon juice reportedly helps to balance the pH levels in your body.<br />
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Now what about that dull-looking skin? When I wake up hating life because I should not of had that last martini the night before, there are a few products that I run to the next morning!<br />
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<strong>*Clarins Beauty Flash Balm</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xr4uT-vTus4/TvtbdAjnJbI/AAAAAAAAAPY/LUbT6y38TW0/s1600/Clarins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xr4uT-vTus4/TvtbdAjnJbI/AAAAAAAAAPY/LUbT6y38TW0/s200/Clarins.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>I was very pleased the first time that I used this product and understand why it is a cult favorite. The product literature states that this is the ideal beauty pick-me-up to erase signs of fatigue and/or stress and they did not lie. It goes on like a lotion minimizing pores, hydrating the skin and leaving a soft, dewy finish. The directions are a little confusing however, I applied the balm after washing my face and before my moisturizer & makeup and definitely noticed a difference. Packed with Olive extract and Witch Hazel, the <a href="http://www.clarinsusa.com/Beauty-Flash-Balm/C010405004,en_US,pd.html?cm_mmc=LS-_-GoogleBrand-_-Face-_-clarins%20beauty%20flash%20balm">Clarins Beauty Flash Balm</a> works to instantly diminish the appearance of fine lines giving you a fresh, revived look. And as an added benefit, it can also be used as a facial mask for an extra boost! This product is perfect to use throughout the day or whenever you want to refresh your appearance.<br />
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<strong>*LORAC Oil-Free Neutralizer</strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a_WAbQHKzJI/TvtbtbuilWI/AAAAAAAAAPk/GnSxwyS2KAI/s1600/LORAC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a_WAbQHKzJI/TvtbtbuilWI/AAAAAAAAAPk/GnSxwyS2KAI/s200/LORAC.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>If you ever want to know how someone is feeling, just look them in the eyes. The eyes are a dead giveaway which is why I target my eye area when i'm not feeling 100%! Usually after a long night or even when I am feeling sick, I notice that my eye lids often times appear reddish in color. To combat this, I apply the <a href="http://www.loraccosmetics.com/p-30-oil-free-neutralizerbrfont-size1color-correcting-makeupfont.aspx">LORAC Oil-Free Neutralizer</a>. Its yellow tone is great for counteracting any redness that I may be experiencing. In addition, it is infused with Aloe, Comfrey and Chamomile which helps to calm and soothe the skin. I use a very small amount of the neutralizer, gently patting (not rubbing) onto my eyelid until it is fully absorbed and Voila! <br />
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<strong>*Ooh La Lift by Benefit</strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JPCxDGqsiM4/Tvtc8fbWKFI/AAAAAAAAAPw/5RPKw6bZG08/s1600/Benefit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JPCxDGqsiM4/Tvtc8fbWKFI/AAAAAAAAAPw/5RPKw6bZG08/s200/Benefit.jpg" width="148" /></a></div>Again targeting the eyes, I apply <a href="http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/product/view/ooh-la-lift?ext_id=psad_Ggl_US&siteID=qBNKlhsBsB4-tFG4rBjdHOVc4mfsPrjqlA">Ooh La Lift</a> as an under-eye brightener. It has a cooling effect which helps to reduce any puffiness that you may be experiencing. Infused with light-reflecting pigments and raspberry extract, this eye cream works as an instant eye lift in a tube. I have been using this product for years and absolutely love it. It is a staple product in my make-up bag and I apply it throughout the day or anytime I need a little "lift".<br />
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So there you have it, my little secrets on maintaining a "fresh"looking appearance on limited or no sleep. With New Years Eve in less than 3 days, I wish all of you a very safe, healthy and prosperous 2012! And remember, if you unleash your inner-Rockstar on the 31st and wake up feeling a little less than your fabulous self the next morning, these 3 little tricks are your friend! :) <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LOj2EcFXRB0/Tvtl67zjeeI/AAAAAAAAAP8/yADnqLAFI2c/s1600/eyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" height="84" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LOj2EcFXRB0/Tvtl67zjeeI/AAAAAAAAAP8/yADnqLAFI2c/s320/eyes.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: xx-small;"><em>Eye on the left has been prepped w/ LORAC Oil-free Neutralizer & Ooh La Lift by Benefit</em></span></td></tr>
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<div align="center"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Holidays!!</span></em></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><em>XOXO</em></div><div align="left"><em>~Tiaja</em></div>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-90918518120677230162011-12-14T09:53:00.000-08:002011-12-14T15:10:56.820-08:00Violent Lips: Hot Trend or Bad Fad?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ET85HLyRVrgLyxehxgtClZ0LgQWrBGixS5YHx49zqCCG1qZ782Xq7-CzbHvU1pwhOvmPWIA7SBIfFl2-Zh7SFG0oYL9Lc6L5p_22LR3tJQ6YQmkqUIN4Pg-H36My3IY45KVs9p8WwTrp/s1600/ViolentLips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ET85HLyRVrgLyxehxgtClZ0LgQWrBGixS5YHx49zqCCG1qZ782Xq7-CzbHvU1pwhOvmPWIA7SBIfFl2-Zh7SFG0oYL9Lc6L5p_22LR3tJQ6YQmkqUIN4Pg-H36My3IY45KVs9p8WwTrp/s200/ViolentLips.jpg" width="183" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Recently, I have come across pictures of celebs wearing what appears to be the latest craze....<a href="http://www.violentlips.com/">Violent Lips</a>! One picture, in particular, was of Keyshia Cole wearing the leopard print appliques (similar to the ones in the photo above) during a recent television interview. And for the life of me, I could not make a decision as to whether or not I liked the look or not. I was however, intrigued and being the beauty addict that I am, I HAD to check it out!<br />
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You are probably wondering what the heck are Violent Lips? Described as "the ultimate form of self-expression", Violent Lips is a line of temporary lip appliques offering a pretty wide variety of patterns ranging from animal prints to black/ white checks to a 'Glitterati' sparkle and are supposed to last up to 8 hours! These vitamin-enhanced temporary lip tattoos are FDA approved, made in America and as stated on their <a href="http://www.violentlips.com/">website</a>, 'tested on supermodels, not animals'. <br />
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Interested, yet? Well, I was! lol I was more curious in finding out how they worked & how they would look on me. So, I headed down to <a href="http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P295486&categoryId=B70">Sephora</a> (where else) and grabbed a pack of the Red Glitterati which were on sale for $8 (original retail is $16) and headed home to bling out my lips! After reading the directions, I realized that these appliques work just like the temporary tattoos found in your Cracker Jacks box when you were a kid! lol And while it sounds fairly easy, I would say the tricky part is the placement and making sure that you get the right measurement (horizontal & vertical) for your lips!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZxq3YUJgAjljQt67dZAMVGCPAt7opMdGNEBtEYDQfA9bCKFjpY77OwNrg31368fam3lXQu7YmSjz1WHRrWeu5R4vNzibKb2ke1j5vSpk9vvnS_QBJ4ude2iex67n37OmA0TNP6ox5kFH/s1600/VL_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZxq3YUJgAjljQt67dZAMVGCPAt7opMdGNEBtEYDQfA9bCKFjpY77OwNrg31368fam3lXQu7YmSjz1WHRrWeu5R4vNzibKb2ke1j5vSpk9vvnS_QBJ4ude2iex67n37OmA0TNP6ox5kFH/s1600/VL_1.jpg" /></a></div>After successfully applying the appliques to my lips, I have to say that I was not that impressed! While they looked decent from afar, they were pretty disastrous up close. Perhaps I didn't apply them properly but whatever the case may be, I did not find these to be practical in any way, shape or form. Everytime I closed my mouth, the appliques would lift at the corners and they did not lay flat on my lips. In short, the celeb photos looked WAY better than mine (see below)! And, I can't for the life of me begin to understand how Keyshia made it through an entire interview wearing these. I give here major props! lol However, I will say that they were fairly easy to remove. After rubbing my lips with an oil-based makeup remover, the appliques began to break down and peel off fairly quickly.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYUDA3WKxmmcvaqwTuUIYX6aWKzf91SsvYnSlH3EEGMevCdenAzTgZEJIzqigy6VHWB64KMw5ixulGexsBYMPGMhQGEXf6CZmF_ySedM_BTBDCcF1A9u2MJVcuxvNqFEVvV5uvjsC6JuS/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYUDA3WKxmmcvaqwTuUIYX6aWKzf91SsvYnSlH3EEGMevCdenAzTgZEJIzqigy6VHWB64KMw5ixulGexsBYMPGMhQGEXf6CZmF_ySedM_BTBDCcF1A9u2MJVcuxvNqFEVvV5uvjsC6JuS/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #990000;">Kardashian/ Jenner sisters wearing Violent Lips</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #990000; font-size: xx-small;">photo courtesy of bellasugar</span></em></td></tr>
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My final thoughts....In theory, the temporary lip tattoos are a great and fun concept. Would I wear them for a photo shoot...Yes! Would I wear them for a night on the town, date or just because....NO WAY! Granted I may give them another try since it comes with 3 in a pack and just maybe I will get better results. But at the end of the day, you know what they say about first impressions....<br />
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XOXO<br />
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~<em>Tiaja</em>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-82070737385151247382011-12-06T09:51:00.000-08:002011-12-08T11:11:58.068-08:00Holiday Make-up Trend: Be Bold In Gold!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYt9jo3x41tcovyiqGXAK2hhfNMlr-UQzNxT4UnM0KA3Xzlds9gJVqdhack-WBH6EA5BVuR9fIq0JF9gNXZ0CRcaxe3r5TndBGGTUiGcnhiN4KjmeS0z0NWXb-_UczAE_d9QxoEILhWgy/s1600/imagesCAT3F15L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYt9jo3x41tcovyiqGXAK2hhfNMlr-UQzNxT4UnM0KA3Xzlds9gJVqdhack-WBH6EA5BVuR9fIq0JF9gNXZ0CRcaxe3r5TndBGGTUiGcnhiN4KjmeS0z0NWXb-_UczAE_d9QxoEILhWgy/s200/imagesCAT3F15L.jpg" width="154" /></a></div>As I peruse through my magazines, I noticed a definite trend for this upcoming holiday season. It appears that contrary to popular belief....all that glitters is GOLD! From the runways of Fashion Week to Celebs on the red carpert, everyone is gleaming in gold makeup (and nails). And surprisingly, it looks REALLY good! I think I mentioned in one of my previous blogs, that I am pretty conservative when it comes to my make-up. It's my belief that less is more! Make-up is like an accessory...it should enhance your look and natural beauty, not take away from it. With that said, you could probably imagine my inital adversion to this new trend. I mean you could either nail this look or get it really really wrong, right? However you choose to incorporate this trend into your make-up routine, the bottomline is Have Fun (and try not to go overboard)!!<br />
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You, too, can be bold in gold with the following products:<br />
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<strong><em>Eyeliner:</em></strong><br />
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Not only does gold eyeliner look nice and festive, it can make tired eyes POP! By lining the inside corners of your eyes, the metallic shade will provide a more wide-open look as well as brightening up the skin. I would suggest trying <a href="http://www.urbandecay.com/24-7-glide-on-eye-pencil/122,default,pd.html?start=3&cgid=1_500">Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Eldorado</a>. This pencil goes on really smooth, is highly pigmented and lasts a long time (see my previous <a href="http://beautymarx.blogspot.com/2011/11/helpmy-eyeliner-is-running.html">blog post</a>). If Eldorado is too bright for you, maybe try a more antique gold like <a href="http://www.narscosmetics.com/color/eyes/eye-liners/larger-than-life-long-wear-eyeliner/campo-de-fiori">NARs Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Campo de'Fiori</a>. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Od1xCIMXrAfyUlI1WgyrN5B1-1lVavtYTyDQtU1sM2XT6oh2HzKKfuJVTu5oLXpF85ZD4sbw_bgOLFzuB-RQlCbrTfrKI7ODuLTi0wbQFR6HigTW0Pa5BhTZU-H4mImxurY1UVKiCmk-/s1600/UDEldorado_bottom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Od1xCIMXrAfyUlI1WgyrN5B1-1lVavtYTyDQtU1sM2XT6oh2HzKKfuJVTu5oLXpF85ZD4sbw_bgOLFzuB-RQlCbrTfrKI7ODuLTi0wbQFR6HigTW0Pa5BhTZU-H4mImxurY1UVKiCmk-/s320/UDEldorado_bottom.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #990000; font-size: xx-small;"><em>Nars Campo de'Fiori (left) & U/D Eldorado (right)</em></span></td></tr>
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<strong><em>Eyeshadow:</em></strong><br />
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I've always been a fan of gold eyeshadows and the pinky-gold shades are my absolute faves! Being the make-up conservative that I am, I generally apply the gold shadow to my lid and blend with a brown or bronze shade in my crease. I know I should play with color more and that is on my "to-do" list for 2012. :) So, don't limit yourself! Gold shadows can be mixed with a variety of shades ranging from navy blue, maroon and army green...it really depends on your comfort level. So, just get in your make-up bag & PLAY! :) And while you're at it, check out these shadows: <a href="http://www.urbandecay.com/eyeshadow/14,default,pd.html?start=2&cgid=1_502">Half Baked by Urban Decay</a> is packed with pigment and this true shade of gold offers lots of shine. Others to try are <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/154/363/Eye-Shadow/index.tmpl">All That Glitters</a> and <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/154/363/Eye-Shadow/index.tmpl">Amber Lights</a> by <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.com/index.tmpl">MAC Cosmetics</a>! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkua2AIqRI_7jBpf8-5x684DwaJV6ZYgSA9UB9xrWOquQfkB-h_TCS9cUe2boBTyHk5kOP4TotLL-lFbYao_U9J_k0eVFUT_ImCQEZiZUWQ7wqFFNYJ1UHXzuG1EoVRBx4TfbVp8GLqZu/s1600/Shadows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkua2AIqRI_7jBpf8-5x684DwaJV6ZYgSA9UB9xrWOquQfkB-h_TCS9cUe2boBTyHk5kOP4TotLL-lFbYao_U9J_k0eVFUT_ImCQEZiZUWQ7wqFFNYJ1UHXzuG1EoVRBx4TfbVp8GLqZu/s1600/Shadows.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #990000; font-size: xx-small;">All That Glitters by MAC (left), Half Baked by U/D (mid), Amber Lights by MAC (right)</span></em></td></tr>
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<strong><em>Nail Polish:</em></strong><br />
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Looking for the Midas Touch? Try applying a gold polish to bare nails for a subtle jeweled effect or over your favorite nail color for an added sparkle. Who needs jewelry when you're rockin' gold nails! ;) I really like Glitzerland by <a href="http://www.opi.com/">OPI</a> w/ an accent nail in Bring On The Bling also by <a href="http://www.opi.com/">OPI</a> (shown below). Or you may also try <a href="http://lippmanncollection.stores.yahoo.net/allproducts.html">Boom Boom Pow by Deborah Lippmann</a>. This glamourous & glittery shade contains 24K Gold Dust! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmQIR_6jdvkMMcffGhF7mSo8FBisvEOodkrl_vOSN5YDHTM1UGKTvNMjDj6TD6b40kyGREV8FcEYmmgpEKtgIhnAvUL_aFc2oiY0lRUkD4uLwVOm0EzuGHkKxlCPopQFX7C6xi-qtXBUl/s1600/Nails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><em><span style="color: #990000;"><img border="0" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmQIR_6jdvkMMcffGhF7mSo8FBisvEOodkrl_vOSN5YDHTM1UGKTvNMjDj6TD6b40kyGREV8FcEYmmgpEKtgIhnAvUL_aFc2oiY0lRUkD4uLwVOm0EzuGHkKxlCPopQFX7C6xi-qtXBUl/s1600/Nails.jpg" /></span></em></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #990000; font-size: xx-small;">Glizterland w/ one nail accented in Bring On The Bling by OPI</span></em></td></tr>
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Go forth and be B-O-L-D!<br />
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XOXO<br />
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~<em>Tiaja</em>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-70760153950565769942011-11-23T10:19:00.000-08:002011-11-23T20:23:35.231-08:00Tis The Season: Beauty Steals, Deals & Splurges!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I absolutely love this time of year!! But it never fails that I procrastinate terribly when it comes to holiday gift shopping. Each year I tell myself that I will not wait until the absolute LAST minute to get into the malls but every year, I fail. lol And it kind of sucks because I end up missing out on some really great deals. Not to mention, that by the time I make it into the stores everything has been picked over. This year will be different, my cycle of procrastination will be broken! *fingers crossed*<br />
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So on my quest to "do better", I have been spending a lot of time web-surfing and window shopping in search of the best beauty steals, deals and splurges of this holiday season! Here are 10 wonderful gift & stocking-stuffer ideas that I found!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Gift Ideas for Her</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmQxkzaZznNF_tgnoX0_2V-jZAQ0LAT-y7bw119fwWbjr4fNe-0ReZUU4G1QnD27CtQMo86Wx_oLcjDdVlZ43k6QEbNXcorM1LE7AlX7BRGoXU4cK-Mu_-QPFFtQnZISGbx_kiI3r_70i/s1600/NARSOrgasm3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmQxkzaZznNF_tgnoX0_2V-jZAQ0LAT-y7bw119fwWbjr4fNe-0ReZUU4G1QnD27CtQMo86Wx_oLcjDdVlZ43k6QEbNXcorM1LE7AlX7BRGoXU4cK-Mu_-QPFFtQnZISGbx_kiI3r_70i/s1600/NARSOrgasm3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Yorokobi Super Orgasm Set by NARs </strong></div><div style="text-align: left;">-This three piece limited-edition set features <a href="http://www.narscosmetics.com/">NARs</a> signature shade Super Orgasm. The set includes a Blush compact, Nail Polish and a Lip Gloss. </div><div style="text-align: left;">-This set is valued at $49 and retails for $39 at <a href="http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P298105&categoryId=B70">Sephora</a>!</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYPqq1N7BkRPcw2dVXwiN5Yxp43lXETdWdUrcWm6d3ajRQdffCiWq7ExlXOrbUlsUd3Ux7L-Jb23WBCvmj1AeCMVhSB7xoCmqQUGAiB6baY1vJtJzPpT0_4SLIxvMKWzPRvGPDg46STSY/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYPqq1N7BkRPcw2dVXwiN5Yxp43lXETdWdUrcWm6d3ajRQdffCiWq7ExlXOrbUlsUd3Ux7L-Jb23WBCvmj1AeCMVhSB7xoCmqQUGAiB6baY1vJtJzPpT0_4SLIxvMKWzPRvGPDg46STSY/s200/untitled.bmp" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>L'Occitane "Blockbuster" Shower Gel Collection</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;">-This sampler set includes the following best selling shower gels (2.5 oz ea) from <a href="http://usa.loccitane.com/FO/Home.aspx">L'Occitane </a>: Lavender, Cherry Blossom, Pivoine Flora, Rose and Almond. And thrown in for good measure is the Shea Milk Ultra Rich Shower Cream for a deep and moisturing cleanse.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Valued at $48, this set retails exclusively at <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/loccitane-blockbuster-shower-gel-collection-nordstrom-exclusive-48-value/3234024?origin=category&resultback=0">Nordstroms</a> for $34!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTpuoSOOhikNT-IGfBkMJbqS4sBBcRvdg_0D_sV0aHpEcRpK__3neJEtO97Rm6VOfXiotPiOx8fZivpOqVIS1-PP8X_xG8AjfMmCJCspZQh04Lr9cu7RnVe_7EyPtsyrDDnGg4QOx5JRV/s1600/Bendel.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTpuoSOOhikNT-IGfBkMJbqS4sBBcRvdg_0D_sV0aHpEcRpK__3neJEtO97Rm6VOfXiotPiOx8fZivpOqVIS1-PP8X_xG8AjfMmCJCspZQh04Lr9cu7RnVe_7EyPtsyrDDnGg4QOx5JRV/s200/Bendel.png" width="200" /></a><strong></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Little Bit of Bendel Candle Trio</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;">-With this set, you get a trio of Henri Bendel signature candles.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Each candle is 2.25" in height and you have a choice between the Fig, Pomergranate, and Peony trio. Or, the Vanilla Bean, Tuberose and Lemon Verbena trio.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-Exclusive to <a href="http://www.henribendel.com/shop/candles/candle_trio">Henri Bendel</a>, this candle trio retails for $20!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWC8S5WWHPtlsfW4xg1vFAdS6qTJSjXm0fxjygAVFw2Drthx4kH0T0p0z6vE-xGmClWBn7QlIOyClDJcOaGwmi3i-A6JCcwfjRt6TeZ0SanILOOZ5khyphenhyphenJfcwZ3S5YrymR1EOIbwsWnJcg/s1600/Tarte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWC8S5WWHPtlsfW4xg1vFAdS6qTJSjXm0fxjygAVFw2Drthx4kH0T0p0z6vE-xGmClWBn7QlIOyClDJcOaGwmi3i-A6JCcwfjRt6TeZ0SanILOOZ5khyphenhyphenJfcwZ3S5YrymR1EOIbwsWnJcg/s1600/Tarte.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>The Starlet Limited-Edition Makeup Vanity by Tarte</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;">-Designed, by <a href="http://tartecosmetics.com/">Tarte</a>, to be reused as a keepsake jewelry box, this limited-edition mirrored makeup vanity contains 24 eye shadows, Mineral Powder Bronzer in Park Avenue Princess, Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Glory (shimmering peach) & Starlet (shimmering rose), Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder in Rose (soft petal pink), multiplEYE Natural Lash Enhancing Primer & Lights, Camera, Lashes! Clinically-proven Natural Mascara in Black.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-This makeup vanity is valued at $505 but retails exclusively at <a href="http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml;jsessionid=UBU3XNC0TOTIOCV0KRTQX0Q?id=P296604&categoryId=B70">Sephora</a> for $52!!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsnSQqDfiY2O2MYv3OQw4_gaYFL9asyfSX49eRVsVmrB9Gui-_X40zV3F4DegzhJ8BxnMHm78zr0ktiGttc42lYfLi3F9MS3iS_8bzG8bKI8LfGNUmjtlaUOgFWFY07uKJIrvLy1T62v3/s200/Bond.jpg" width="175" /></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Perfumista's Perfect 10 by Bond No. 9</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;">-This cute box set comes with 10 of <a href="http://www.bondno9.com/shop/gifts/view/perfumistas-perfect-10">Bond No. 9's</a> most popular scents: Andy Warhol Union Square, Bleecker Street, Bond No. 9 Signature, Chelsea Flowers, Chinatown, Eau de New York, Hamptons, Nuits de Noho, The Scent of Peace and Wall Street.</div><div style="text-align: left;">-For 10 5ml bottles, this set is available at <a href="http://www.bondno9.com/">http://www.bondno9.com/</a> and can be yours for $250!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxuWM5-Wor9CCm24eC2p5W1im1R2TgFctXtk2LN67chJUFKn8HTxP5ssABYGmWONkZC7hY1-Avt6YZyFQiTzXJ1XSCgWw4rs-nqn4I4oWlZKGdN_mbNi7c1L-l00Wm55zWjWrjzx8m6g2/s1600/Stila.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxuWM5-Wor9CCm24eC2p5W1im1R2TgFctXtk2LN67chJUFKn8HTxP5ssABYGmWONkZC7hY1-Avt6YZyFQiTzXJ1XSCgWw4rs-nqn4I4oWlZKGdN_mbNi7c1L-l00Wm55zWjWrjzx8m6g2/s200/Stila.bmp" width="200" /></a><br />
<strong>Dream In Full Color Palette by Stila</strong><br />
-This Holiday Palette features 29 eye shadow shades, 7 blush shades, Stila's top selling smudge stick, and a 12 page step-by-step artistry look book to show you how to apply a variety of looks like a pro.<br />
-Valued at $366, this wonderful palette retails for $39 and is available on <a href="http://www.stilacosmetics.com/product_detail.asp?PMID=1012&dept=8&cat=37">Stila Online</a>, <a href="http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P295202&om_mmc=Googlepla&_requestid=42976&cm_mmc=us_search-_-GG-_-pla-_-{keyword}&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=1008572">Sephora</a>, & <a href="http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod3880595">Ulta</a> Stores.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Gift Ideas for Him</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Vcx1X0Yaj3srwjP1jVzDyBpPwwNv4CaYVVjd6TAj-rAITg4WI8CqFTwaGO_O8SAxN0OVaroUMQWldfFXmWvz8XtZH_6acZpEcbuqql6YfA7p5sXDVbhQMV9aluAUOmUXX_PvR3eMLPAN/s1600/DG2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Vcx1X0Yaj3srwjP1jVzDyBpPwwNv4CaYVVjd6TAj-rAITg4WI8CqFTwaGO_O8SAxN0OVaroUMQWldfFXmWvz8XtZH_6acZpEcbuqql6YfA7p5sXDVbhQMV9aluAUOmUXX_PvR3eMLPAN/s200/DG2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b>Dolce and Gabbana The One for Men Gift Set</b><br />
-This delicious fragrance dedicated to the Dolce & Gabbana man: charismatic and seductive, elegant and sophisticated. Dolce & Gabbana The One is for the man who never goes unnoticed.<br />
-With this set you will get: Eau de Toilette Spray (3.3 oz), Deodorant Stick (2.5 oz), and a signature Toiletry Bag.<br />
-Valued at $100, this set retails for $80 at <a href="http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/dolce-gabbana-the-one-for-men-gift-set?ID=615795&CategoryID=30088#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D938%26ruleId%3D57%26slotId%3D4">Macy's</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEp-sCFiE7CKetk9QghLcMiCg_V5jWwdasvYtvRlnSCC5bE5USC7tdK9lG0JsLn5-WJRI7ZejYkkdWbt8lgX7dww_S2AfZZSpPwlFAoDK9EAsRgNOD0VC78pohtbBVJTcRsP5RxNJ1Yh94/s1600/kiehls2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEp-sCFiE7CKetk9QghLcMiCg_V5jWwdasvYtvRlnSCC5bE5USC7tdK9lG0JsLn5-WJRI7ZejYkkdWbt8lgX7dww_S2AfZZSpPwlFAoDK9EAsRgNOD0VC78pohtbBVJTcRsP5RxNJ1Yh94/s200/kiehls2.jpg" width="200" /></a><b></b></div><b>Kiehl's Ultimate Man Holiday Set</b><br />
-This set comes with the classic <a href="http://www.kiehls.com/">Kiehl's</a> formulas for men: Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash (8.4 oz), Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream - White Eagle (5.0 oz), Facial Fuel Energizing Moisture Treatment for Men (2.5 oz), "Ultimate Man" Body Scrub Soap (3.2 oz), Lip Balm #1 (0.5 oz), and Ultimate Strength Hand Salve (1.0) oz.<br />
-This set is valued at $72 but retails at www.kiehls.com or <a href="http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod140620186&parentId=cat40630752&masterId=cat40630751&index=2&cmCat=cat000000cat000285cat40630751cat40630752&isEditorial=false">Neiman Marcus</a> for $50!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMXrehX0ka1QygY8OIDExXtpVqb-1WO9e9BYz_8MaDBuoUy8-1DqhHjfN415-WYyV34rSe6BxF7b65HO8Yn1rBXnEf-90RFQFeuZHU-i7V7bkTx6oENLNte3B6V93EfQFAVnpI8sKv6sq/s1600/kilian.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMXrehX0ka1QygY8OIDExXtpVqb-1WO9e9BYz_8MaDBuoUy8-1DqhHjfN415-WYyV34rSe6BxF7b65HO8Yn1rBXnEf-90RFQFeuZHU-i7V7bkTx6oENLNte3B6V93EfQFAVnpI8sKv6sq/s1600/kilian.bmp" /></a></div><b>Kilian Straight To Heaven Eau de Parfum</b><br />
-Created by Kilian Hennessy, heir to the Hennessy cognac family, this luxe fragrance is described as having a "rum scent deepened with nutmeg, Brazilian rosewook and cedar. Inspired by rum, a life-giving alcohol blending the heat of the Carribean".....sounds Heavenly!<br />
-<a href="http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/WorldOfDesigner.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306439808">Kilian</a> is available at <a href="http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306418051&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446203772&R=3760167021047&P_name=Kilian&N=4294912237+306570922+306418051&bmUID=jfelOa5">Saks Fifth Avenue</a> and retails for $225 (1.7 oz). <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianeDPZf2x8EtBRh68vtnSmdpOriKDwrDVU8nN5l5kUbhXeCaB4bL4sNGBJnp5RKwy-oubjwXWDHb1ndJ1Lv3NhCP3qJWt65ac2zjtPl_9wQZJU8FJMv9eQSO1OjiB2MiSlqQU4du9FIia/s1600/AOS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianeDPZf2x8EtBRh68vtnSmdpOriKDwrDVU8nN5l5kUbhXeCaB4bL4sNGBJnp5RKwy-oubjwXWDHb1ndJ1Lv3NhCP3qJWt65ac2zjtPl_9wQZJU8FJMv9eQSO1OjiB2MiSlqQU4du9FIia/s1600/AOS3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<strong>The Art of Shaving Starter Kit</strong><br />
-Get "The Perfect Shave" courtesy of The Art of Shaving. The <a href="http://www.theartofshaving.com/shop/shaving-products/shaving-kits/98034">Starter Kit</a> includes: Pre-Shave Oil (0.5 oz), Shaving Cream (1 oz), After-Shave Balm (0.5 oz), Trial Size Badger Shaving Brush and $25 OFF FULL SIZE KIT CARD redeemable at <a href="http://www.theartofshaving.com/retail/locations">The Art of Shaving</a> stores.<br />
-This product comes in Unscented, Lemon, Lavendar, & Sandlewood and retails for $25 at The Art of Shaving stores or online, <a href="http://www.theartofshaving.com/">http://www.theartofshaving.com/</a>!!<br />
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HAPPY SHOPPING!!!<br />
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XOXO<br />
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~<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tiaja</span></i></div>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-44308711341374753162011-11-16T09:31:00.000-08:002011-11-23T20:24:19.673-08:00Easy Tips for Choosing & Wearing Red Lipstick!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVes9wz7w1ScrWNu74-uXh00j3_bgDMXkQMxZWQswfAgYtZzHU9auBVNmUIQXyZp9AX56Y8ITjwyeIUcaLJdoK2nSh4meqtDYi_VUpiPHjomMBE16iTfg90R5EwMMQRNGXymqZy9NS0Nn/s1600/redlipsandheart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVes9wz7w1ScrWNu74-uXh00j3_bgDMXkQMxZWQswfAgYtZzHU9auBVNmUIQXyZp9AX56Y8ITjwyeIUcaLJdoK2nSh4meqtDYi_VUpiPHjomMBE16iTfg90R5EwMMQRNGXymqZy9NS0Nn/s1600/redlipsandheart.jpg" /></a></div>When I think of red lipstick, 4 words come to mind: Bold, Timeless, Glamourous & Game Day! lol During my cheerleading days, red lips were a mandatory staple on game day....they were pretty much apart of our uniform. In fact, we had "lip checks" before walking out of our lockeroom onto the field. Pretty serious business, huh? :) And if you're are anything like me, finding the perfect shade of red can be a pretty difficult task. I think I had a different red for each of the years that I cheered and even then, I cannot say that I ever found one that I truly loved! Back then, it was more of a "need" than a "want". I have always been one who tends to stick to the more natural colors. Lately, however, this has changed! I see more and more women wearing red lipstick and I absolutely L O V E it! Especially when it's done correctly.<br />
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<strong>The Basics - Finding the right RED for you!</strong><br />
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LaToya Anthony, Make-up Artist & Founder of <a href="http://www.makeupyourmindonline.com/">Makeup Your Mind Hair and Makeup Professionals</a>, says that anyone can wear the perfect red lip and the key is "choosing the right shade of red that compliments my clients complexion". With that said...there are no real 'rules' to finding the right shade. It's really all about what you are comfortable with and what makes you feel absolutely FABULOUS! However, here is a suggestion you may follow when making your selection:<br />
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Simply ask yourself this question: Do you look better in gold or silver necklaces?<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0uKQ1aYyvSkTShMJedB-FBAo4caKf-wcF3mqBoFCWGLrcmatlcJ37_T9eJwOWo-RyidmrjiGE-AhoiKXc86lHaOb8TSzXaX9R66puu7wrSKnVKzUxCw3xo4gc9tegA7uGZ_iUcP-auj7/s1600/mac-russian-red-lipstick-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0uKQ1aYyvSkTShMJedB-FBAo4caKf-wcF3mqBoFCWGLrcmatlcJ37_T9eJwOWo-RyidmrjiGE-AhoiKXc86lHaOb8TSzXaX9R66puu7wrSKnVKzUxCw3xo4gc9tegA7uGZ_iUcP-auj7/s200/mac-russian-red-lipstick-2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>MAC Russian Red</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
If you look better in gold, I would suggest trying a warm red lipstick. The warmer reds have orange, peach, or coral tones and generally look better with olive or yellow undertones. Ones to try: <a href="http://www.dolcegabbanamakeup.com/en/lips/classic-cream-lipstick/">Iconic by Dolce & Gabbana</a>, <a href="http://www.narscosmetics.com/the-latest/artist-favorites/~/jungle-red">Jungle Red by Nars</a> or <a href="http://www.revlon.com/Revlon-Home/Products/Lips/Lipcolor/Revlon-Matte-Lipstick.aspx">Revlon Really Red</a>.<br />
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If you are like me and look better in silver, you probably want to lean more towards a cool red. Cool reds have blue tones and compliment those with pinkish or reddish undertones. Side bonus? Blue based reds tend to make your teeth look whiter!! Ones to try: <a href="http://www.spacenk.com/product/shop+by+brand/lipstick+queen/300001130+sinner+90+percent+pigment.do">Sinner by Lipstick Queen</a>, <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/168/310/Lipstick/index.tmpl">MAC Ruby Woo</a> (which is my personal fave) or the cult classic <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/168/310/Lipstick/index.tmpl">MAC Russian Red</a> (worn by Madonna during her Blonde Ambition Tour in the 90s).<br />
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<br />
<strong>The Application</strong><br />
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<strong><em>Step 1:</em></strong> Line your Lips <br />
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Unless you can find a red liner that matches your lipstick perfectly, I recommend using a neutral tone lip liner. Otherwise, you will be left with the two-tone effect!<br />
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<strong><em>Step 2:</em></strong> Fill in Your Lips<br />
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After lining your lips, fill them in completely using the same liner. This will provide a nice base for you lipstick, helping it to stay on longer. When lipstick begins to fade, you will still have the lip liner base underneath. Anthony believes "a good liner allows definition to the lip that can really bring out your lip color of choice"!<br />
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<strong><em>Step 3:</em></strong> Apply Your Lipstick<br />
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Whether you choose to apply straight from the tube or with a lip brush, apply your lipstick to the top and bottom lip and gently press your lips together lightly to blend. Do not rub your lips together. Rubbing your lips can cause the lipstick to smudge outside of the lip line. Many Make-up Artists will suggest using a lip brush for a more controlled and precise application.<br />
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<strong><em>Step 4:</em></strong> Blot Your Lips<br />
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Using a tissue, gently press against your lips to remove any excess lipstick. Apply one more coat of lipstick and you're set!<br />
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<br />
<strong>Tips for Wearing Red Lipstick</strong><br />
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* When searching for your perfect shade, test the color directly on your lips! Most women try out lipstick on the back of their hands which is often times a different shade than your face.<br />
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* Avoid deep reds if you have thin lips. They tend to make lips look smaller.<br />
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* Apply red lipstick to a clean & exfoliated canvas. For a gentle exfoliant, try <a href="http://www.fresh.com/skincare/lip-care-skincare/sugar-lip-polish">Sugar Lip Polish by Fresh</a>. <br />
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* Using a lip primer can be helpful if color tends to bleed into the cracks of your lips.<br />
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* For a clean and professional looking lip line, take a small brush dipped in a small amount of concealer and trace around the outstide edge of your lip line.<br />
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* Glossy or Matte? Anthony says, "for the glamour girls, you can finish it off with a nice gloss or simply leave a matte lip for the pin-up girl look". Either way, they both look great!<br />
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* To avoid getting lipstick on your teeth, put your finger in your mouth (after applying), gently press your lips around your finger, then slowly pull your finger back out. This will get rid of any excess color and avoid getting lipstick on your teeth!<br />
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Lastly, when wearing red lips I prefer to keep my other makeup subtle (especially for everyday red lips). Opting to go light on my eyes, mascara, a soft blush, a well shaped brow area and dust the face with powder. Otherwise, you may risk looking a bit clown-like and we don't want that! ;) <br />
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XOXO<br />
<div align="left"><br />
~<i>Tiaja</i></div>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-10336046509189820882011-11-09T11:43:00.000-08:002011-11-23T20:24:57.179-08:00HELP......My Eyeliner Is Running!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXA22D9nSBEcYv-YwyoTA9FxnzKrrIw9Jr86anWudeKd7LpFvsZD6bi_3Jt0GfAQRzkeKlr6M7ttUOianLEeobPs0EuUMVTBN-8pzle_1qutfhjfvtn2uhaYQLoFN3qpTy7C0x3QZe777/s1600/smearedliner.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXA22D9nSBEcYv-YwyoTA9FxnzKrrIw9Jr86anWudeKd7LpFvsZD6bi_3Jt0GfAQRzkeKlr6M7ttUOianLEeobPs0EuUMVTBN-8pzle_1qutfhjfvtn2uhaYQLoFN3qpTy7C0x3QZe777/s1600/smearedliner.bmp" /></a></div><br />
I received the following question from one of my loyal readers, Meshelle. She wrote:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" data-ft="{"type":3}"><em>Hey Tiaja....I truly love reading your blog page </em><a href="http://www.beautymarx.blogspot.com/"><em>http://www.beautymarx.blogspot.com</em></a><em>. I have bought several products you have suggested. Do you have any suggestions for eyeliners. I have been searching to find one that doesn't run by 2pm.</em> </span></blockquote><br />
Thank you, Meshelle...I appreciate your support and you are not alone in your quest for an eyeliner that last. I'm sure we have all experienced the case of the "runaway eyeliner"! I can count the number of times that my eyeliner has expired on me. It never fails....you think that your makeup is flawless only to look in the mirror and discover that your eyeliner has run, leaving you with the infamous raccoon-eyes! Make up is supposed to last. What is the point of wearing it, if you have to do a mirror check every 20-30 mins....that's no fun. So in answer to Meshelle's question, I have found a few eyeliners that have passed the test!<br />
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<strong>Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil</strong><br />
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<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1S0KjoGy_dcOB5BFyewBmN9aTAaGxW9tH4nPgVJlzllmcVkdY9BSvcFA5Zt-UNE5avfh1KnsI7HktbE9YsdxGsZE7sRVaSkzsUIaBl0y_DsW33g4jfAvzdm9A1lDvg1Xuqei05cdg9Rf/s1600/247eyepencil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1S0KjoGy_dcOB5BFyewBmN9aTAaGxW9tH4nPgVJlzllmcVkdY9BSvcFA5Zt-UNE5avfh1KnsI7HktbE9YsdxGsZE7sRVaSkzsUIaBl0y_DsW33g4jfAvzdm9A1lDvg1Xuqei05cdg9Rf/s200/247eyepencil.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>These pencils go on smooth, are waterproof and have a great level of pigmentation. They are ideal for lining along your water line because this waterproof formula definitely stays put! In fact, you will more than likely need an oil-based eye makeup remover handy to get this to come off completely (<em>Side Note:</em> Meltdown Makeup Remover by Urban Decay removed this liner with no problem.). However, aside from the "stay-put" action that this pencil delivers, the color selection is pretty much to die for! There are currently 23 colors ranging from Lucky (brilliant deept cooper) to Zero (matte black) to Ransom (bright iridescent purple) and they are BRILLIANT! So whether you like to play it safe or tend to venture on the wild side, <a href="http://www.urbandecay.com/24-7-glide-on-eye-pencil/122,default,pd.html?start=4&cgid=9999&prefn1=isBestSeller&prefv1=true">UD 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil</a> is probably right up your alley! Retailing for $18, you can find these eyeliners at Sephora, Ulta and of course on-line at <a href="http://www.urbandecay.com/">http://www.urbandecay.com/</a>. (Rating: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">A</span>)<br />
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<b>NARS Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner</b><br />
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8b-JjoRFxHUHRxNVT6NddnNYvqrrHZ1tvvlhbUD61_iT5BEuUBfv7tdJ5PCqkxJUAG3R-zN-F0onFT6fVMijIbCBm4GqPqxD6jvbHigXl8mbmsY3kmbnFr5gZChyphenhyphenUV0yrJL_XsaJ8mLcI/s1600/Nars2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8b-JjoRFxHUHRxNVT6NddnNYvqrrHZ1tvvlhbUD61_iT5BEuUBfv7tdJ5PCqkxJUAG3R-zN-F0onFT6fVMijIbCBm4GqPqxD6jvbHigXl8mbmsY3kmbnFr5gZChyphenhyphenUV0yrJL_XsaJ8mLcI/s200/Nars2.jpg" width="200" /></a></b>The latest in the brand's eyeliner collection, this creamy liner deposits an intense level of color to the eye. I did notice a small amount of flaking when applying but for the most part the application is fairly smooth on the skin. And despite being smudge-proof, it is easily removed with make-up remover. I used an oil-free remover and it worked just fine! The <a href="http://www.narscosmetics.com/color/eyes/eye-liners/~/larger-than-life-long-wear-eyeliner">NARS Larger Than Life Long-Wear liner</a> has a twist up delivery with a built in sharpener is now available in 11 colors ranging between matte and shimmery finishes! The colors tend to stay in the safe zone with such staple colors as Via Vento (black) however, there are a few "fun" colors like Abbey Road (Blueish-teal w/ a soft blue shimmer) and St. Marks Place (bright violet w/ a soft shimmer). These eyeliners can be purchased for $23 at Sephora, Nordstroms and <a href="http://www.narscosmetics.com/">http://www.narscosmetics.com/</a>. (Rating: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">B+</span>)<br />
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<b>Smashbox Limitless Eyeliner</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdATZyccrbumUPyYsE63RNevNYloKuKoCDfrKsZn3ghvhmu5rTRC6o-XnthaurmK13KiX_E0xKN7skG_MuOPFSCcQ5Tu4p8HtCeaqNdAuT3DJ8Y21PJg4vhEYRu7h9axUQ5WNKgaUtr4M/s1600/smashboxlimitless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdATZyccrbumUPyYsE63RNevNYloKuKoCDfrKsZn3ghvhmu5rTRC6o-XnthaurmK13KiX_E0xKN7skG_MuOPFSCcQ5Tu4p8HtCeaqNdAuT3DJ8Y21PJg4vhEYRu7h9axUQ5WNKgaUtr4M/s200/smashboxlimitless.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>This long wearing, waterproof liner promises to provide "bold definition for up to 8 hours". Although it did not go on as smooth as the previous liners but once set, this liner was definitely smudge-proof and lasted for a fairly long time. It stayed put on my lash line for hours however, I did notice that it tends to fade with time on my waterline. But the good thing is that it did not run! The Smashbox Limitless Eyeliner is available in 8 vibrant shades with such stand-outs as Indigo Ink (dark navy), Black Violet (deep purple) and Golden Ivy (deep green with golden pearl). And the cap houses a unique built-in sharpener for your convenience! This liner can be purchased at Sephora, Ulta and at <a href="http://www.smashbox.com/">http://www.smashbox.com/</a> for $19. (Rating: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">B</span>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<strong>L'Oreal HiP Chrome Eyeliner</strong> <em>**Special Mention**</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuM07qi14ppBHZZKQvbGyRUmF3VUCdQyZVn-p8mfiddnycWrl78Cj9x3CmTUP6O69qznVM4Ichrd59IASpk9QQgqSr-7sXI_TC655SdAoAbh4KZp_SM34nN9XN0WqcX4OubEv7T9oA8st/s1600/loreal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuM07qi14ppBHZZKQvbGyRUmF3VUCdQyZVn-p8mfiddnycWrl78Cj9x3CmTUP6O69qznVM4Ichrd59IASpk9QQgqSr-7sXI_TC655SdAoAbh4KZp_SM34nN9XN0WqcX4OubEv7T9oA8st/s200/loreal.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I have yet to personally use this product but have heard very good things about it hence, the 'Special Mention'. Often compared to UD 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, I am told that these liners are pretty impressive! They are soft and smooth, allowing for them to simply glide onto the lash line. And in additon to its smooth texture, users raved about the color pigmentation stating that they are ammazing and very true to color. L'Oreal HiP Chrome liners come in 4 colors each with an intense metallic finish (thus, the 'Chrome' effect), making them bright and bold! In reference to its staying power, I am told that these liners wear well throughout the day with little or minimal smudging. You can find the <a href="http://www.lorealparisusa.com/_us/_en/default.aspx#/?page=top{userdata//d+d//|diagnostic|main:pdp//objectid+Cos41o_1//{pdp_tab:pdp_overview//objectid+Cos41o_1//}|media:_blank|nav|overlay:_blank}">L'Oreal HiP Chrome Eyeliner</a> at Walgreen's or your local drugstore for $8.49 (prices may vary). They can also be purchased at <a href="http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod1810177">Ulta </a>or online at <a href="http://www.lorealparisusa.com/">http://www.lorealparisusa.com/</a>.<br />
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I hope the above reviews were beneficial in helping you to find an eyeliner that will stand the test of time! Although my focus was mainly on eyeliner pencils, I did want to make mention that liquid and gel liners are great alternatives that generally last longer on the skin than most pencils. It's just a matter of preference! Also, remember that many cosmetic brands have eyeshadow primers which helps to maximize the longevity and intensity of your eye liners and shadows.<br />
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XOXO<br />
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~<i>Tiaja</i>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9154075470882865766.post-44054735297861093942011-10-31T18:00:00.000-07:002011-11-23T20:25:35.170-08:00Luminizing Lotions - A Trick of the Trade & Treat for the Face!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmSaG81HADhliMuHIbOjzpZJYgJZbslLuw5_CgTQpMX_PshiS_KCBf8lSBNmGPv0kWX9sOQNSEw9ysaeznz6Q9eyy2omgMeHEwQVws-7V-PMx0399s2M-00Isvc8FAry90sbppHsvV-uA/s1600/imagesCAIB3UP9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmSaG81HADhliMuHIbOjzpZJYgJZbslLuw5_CgTQpMX_PshiS_KCBf8lSBNmGPv0kWX9sOQNSEw9ysaeznz6Q9eyy2omgMeHEwQVws-7V-PMx0399s2M-00Isvc8FAry90sbppHsvV-uA/s1600/imagesCAIB3UP9.jpg" /></a></div>Although Halloween has come and gone, it's never too late for a little trick-and-treating of the beauty kind. So, I thought that I would provide my readers with a beauty trick of mine that I personally think of as a pretty awesome treat! :) When I first heard about illuminizing lotions, I was definitely intrigued to find out what they were all about. I mean, realistically, the name alone should tell me ALL that I needed to know. However, my first experience using one of these lotions was an EPIC FAIL! I remember taking the cap off, squirting a pretty sizeable amount into the palm of my hand and rubbing the "lotion" onto my face....BIG mistake! To my horror, I looked like a Glo-worm. I was literally luminescent and glowing but not in a good way! lol And because I used such a large amount, it took about 2-3 washes for my skin to look like normal again. I had thoughts of returning the product to the store but decided not to and it sat in my bathroom for a week or two before my "A-Ha" moment!<br />
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One day while getting ready for a night-on-the-town, I came across this luminizing lotion again and decided that I would give it another try. Only this time, I decided that <strong>a)</strong> I would use a much MUCH smaller amount and <strong>b)</strong> I would try mixing it in with my tinted moisturizer. Ooh La La.....Magnifique! The combination of my tinted moisturizer and the luminizing lotion helped to even out and brighten my skin, while giving me that J-Lo glow (which i'm sure all of you ladies are familiar with). I was hooked and have incorporated this technique into my beauty routine and especially when I need an added boost for lackluster skin!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRcGyGIgZ82BiwACe-WbB2Tg7i7CZJRWmoxNVxN7pBCSwwernvPD7WuTrmkB6z7PwUaB1B9Z-NW2j7HHVKz1_eYyWYLjeL5EM9xa8wBHkwlrAme9RoDIbvkf07ZdKJ4FPxOYWBynVFUnX/s1600/Revlon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRcGyGIgZ82BiwACe-WbB2Tg7i7CZJRWmoxNVxN7pBCSwwernvPD7WuTrmkB6z7PwUaB1B9Z-NW2j7HHVKz1_eYyWYLjeL5EM9xa8wBHkwlrAme9RoDIbvkf07ZdKJ4FPxOYWBynVFUnX/s200/Revlon.jpg" width="200" /></a>I currently use<a href="http://www.revlon.com/"><span id="goog_275009433"></span> Revlon Age Defying Spa Face Illuminator<span id="goog_275009434"></span></a> in Gold Light. Not only is this product reasonable, retailing for $13.99, but it works just as good as any of the illuminators that the higher-end brands have to offer. Equipped with a brush applicator, this product comes in 3 shades: Pink Light, Gold Light and Bronze Light and is formulated with an SPF 18. In addition, it is oil-free so it won't clog your pores or cause breakouts (which is always a plus)! I am usually able to find and purchase this illuminator at Walgreens but I must say that sometimes it can be hard to find. I truly hope that Revlon is not thinking of discontinuing this product....I would be heartbroken! </div><br />
Here are some other illuminators that I have used and come highly recommended by yours truly:<br />
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<strong>Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion by Smashbox</strong><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vzx5g-Z-jQVYF6pWu5pPMvkMZc7dkLfVdHp3Qrs-d6kPDZ6qrFbF-n2gouwUACQ3_HIYjAq48lXxgJgEE3q5homvqdwlAEQNr32h1Iu42glwbEpoqC95D9NyI4mK5nbXDRoGT6mah0ab/s1600/smashbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vzx5g-Z-jQVYF6pWu5pPMvkMZc7dkLfVdHp3Qrs-d6kPDZ6qrFbF-n2gouwUACQ3_HIYjAq48lXxgJgEE3q5homvqdwlAEQNr32h1Iu42glwbEpoqC95D9NyI4mK5nbXDRoGT6mah0ab/s200/smashbox.jpg" width="149" /></a><br />
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The gorgeous shimmer of this luminizing lotion softens the way light reflects off of the skin to add radiance and help hide wrinkles and imperfections. <i>Caution:</i> Use a very tiny amount of this product or you may experience the Glo-worm effect that I spoke about! This <a href="http://www.smashbox.com/">Smashbox</a> Luminizing Lotion is available in Diffuse ( luminous pearl), Glow (luminous bronze) and Flash (luminous peach). (Retails for $26; <a href="http://www.smashbox.com/">http://www.smashbox.com/</a>)<br />
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<strong>Illuminator by Nars</strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xiSKi236VHgOXazUa7wHDYH-8WtvDYOueIvzY7xo5eXJ8jh5EniKulkQMJZxX-38G6WrZRsYXnbYI8rL4CXsUTUQ-jLpPKnFjElNfklSI12mSROrYNFvUqTUWjKp_NnjhhSGgvowN5w6/s1600/Nars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xiSKi236VHgOXazUa7wHDYH-8WtvDYOueIvzY7xo5eXJ8jh5EniKulkQMJZxX-38G6WrZRsYXnbYI8rL4CXsUTUQ-jLpPKnFjElNfklSI12mSROrYNFvUqTUWjKp_NnjhhSGgvowN5w6/s200/Nars.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>This light-reflecting liquid glides on to refresh and enhance the complexion, creating a shimmering incandescence. Wear it alone, or pair it with makeup to transform your skin from ordinary to extraordinary. The <a href="http://www.narscosmetics.com/">Nars</a> Illuminator is available in Copacabana (glistening pearl), Laguna (brown w/ golden shimmer), Orgasm (peachy pink w/shimmer) and Super Orgasm (peachy pink w/gold glitter). (Retails for $29, <a href="http://www.narscosmetics.com/">http://www.narscosmetics.com/</a>)<br />
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In addition to using these illuminators on your face, don't forget that they can also be used on your shoulders, neck & decolletage for a sexy, chic look and added glow!<br />
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XOXO<br />
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~<i>Tiaja</i>SimplyTiajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260879328739628425noreply@blogger.com0