It’s a Hairy Situation

Completely Bare knows that the worst situation is a hairy one! Do you empathize with them?

Tell the hair removal specialists at Completely Bare about your hairy situation and how their services will have a positive impact on your life.  For sharing your story, you could win $2,500 worth of laser hair removal treatments, free waxing services, or Completely Bare products! To enter, send a video or blog post about your personal hair horrors to cbpromotions@completelybare.com.

And hurry up, the contest ends September 5th.  Good luck!

Rosie Huntington-Whitely as “The BODY”

Burberry continues to make the world a more fragrant place with the launch of its newest scent, Burberry BODY.  British model turned actress Rosie Huntington-Whitely is the face (and body) of the sinfully sensual campaign.

Huntington-Whitely as the first Burberry Body

The scent exudes notes of green absinthe, freesia and peach, and will be available September 1st in over 150 countries world-wide.

“Burberry Body is the most exciting launch that we have ever created and captures the iconic spirit of the brand today in a striking and sensual way,” said Christopher Bailey, chief creative officer. “Rosie’s effortless style and her staggering beauty made her the natural choice as the first Burberry Body.”

Check out this just-released behind the scenes video of the ad shoot starring Huntington-Whiteley as “The Body!”

Burberry Body Perfume

Images courtesy of: Burberry

Glamour Envy Hosts Dior Pretty Party for Lucky Magazine

As an Alpha Blogger for Lucky Magazine, it was my great honor to host a “Dior Pretty Party” at Bloomingdale’s Roosevelt Field Mall this past weekend.  It was a chance to gather ten friends to learn about the hottest makeup tips from three of Dior’s Master Makeup Artists! The theme? Girls’ Night Out, of course!

We found ourselves in a swanky “Dior Lounge” in a private area of Bloomingdale’s.  Ads of Kate Moss, the face of the new Dior Addict lipstick collection, flashed across a television screen in the background and vibrant makeup palettes were strategically placed everywhere.  As part of the Girls’ Night Out crash course, we learned to apply the coveted smoky eye and a rich, ravishing lip.  And let me tell you, Dior products are the absolute best!  Not only do their mascaras bestow the fiercest lash (my favorite is Extase, $28) but their foundation products are superior to all others. Diorskin Airflash Foundation ($60) creates the most seamless palette- I swear my pores were invisible!

If there’s anything I learned from the Dior Master Artists, it’s that there are times when it really is worth it to spend more for high quality products.  I’ve tested a lot of foundations and lipsticks in my day, and Dior formulations are out of this world.

As a thank you to my guests for making it out to the “pretty party,” I held a trivia round and provided winners with incredible Dior prizes.  Here are the questions- let’s see how well you do (answers below)!

Q1: How many years was One Essential (a skin boosting super serum) in R&D for?

Q2: Dior Skin Perfect penetrates beyond the surface to revitalize the third layer of skin.  What is that layer called?

Q3: Dior just launched which two new shades of DiorShow mascara?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A1: 15

A2: Hypodermis

A3: Green and Violet

Each guest walked away with samples of DiorShow Mascara and Maximizer (lash primer), the most recent issue of Lucky (my most favorite read!), and a freshly painted face for a night out on the town.  A big thanks to Lucky and Dior for inviting me to host this fabulous event!  Cheers to hosting many more!

Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself by François Nars

François Nars, makeup extraordinaire and founder of NARS Cosmetics, recently launched Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself, a picture book illustrating the transformative power of makeup through instructional diagrams and sketches. This is Mr. Nars’ second book and represents the joining of his two loves- makeup and photography- for a brilliant, mesmerizing outcome.  Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself (and Makeup Your Mind) are must-haves for any beauty junkie!  Here’s an exclusive Q&A with Mr. Nars about the launch of his new book.

GE: Why did you decide to create a sequel to Makeup Your Mind?
FN: We originally planned Makeup Your Mind as a three-part book set. The first book featured models, the second showcases real people, and the third will feature notables, tastemakers and celebrities. This felt like the perfect moment to come out with a book focused on real women and men wearing NARS. It was nice to have the opportunity to showcase NARS on every-day beauties—to make NARS feel more accessible.

GE: How is this book different from the original book?
FN: While Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself is a continuation of the first book, it features more inspiring and complex looks. The difference lies in the people featured: they’re everyday beauties hand-picked from the streets of New York City. They represent a range of ethnicities and ages, as one of my main goals this time was to capture as many different people as possible.

GE: How did you come up with the looks for each subject?
FN: Instead of crafting each look based on what suited the individual’s personality, I focused on bringing out her or his natural beauty rather than concealing it. Ideally, you want someone to say to you, ‘You look great!’ rather than, ‘Your makeup looks great.’ You should always see the person first and the makeup second.

GE: What’s your advice for real women reading this book?
FN: Regardless of what look you are trying to achieve, less is more. Always go for transparency no matter what—even with very intense colors.

Book signing of Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself

Visit makeupyourmind.com to take part in the global gallery NARS created to showcase looks from the book, and to compete for your chance to win a trip backstage with NARS at New York Fashion Week!  To purchase the book, visit narscosmetics.com.

Images courtesy of: Nars Cosmetics

ELIZABETH ARDEN BRONZE IN BLOOM SPRING/SUMMER ’11 COLLECTION

This season it’s all about awakening the senses with color and Elizabeth Arden’s “Bronze in Bloom” spring/summer collection is bringing it back with flirty, sophisticated shades of their newest shadows, glosses and pencils.

I’ve long been a fan of Elizabeth Arden High Shine Lip Gloss and am loving their newest shade, Tropicoral ($15). A nude coral with flecks of gold, it’s the perfect springtime hue.  But if you’re more of lipstick gal rather than a glosser, their new Ceramide Ultra Lipsticks ($16) bestow brilliant colors and are infused with Volulip, an advanced peptide complex with intensive moisturizing abilities that also plump the lips.  Ah, the beauty of science!  I had the great fortune of catching up with Elizabeth Arden’s celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman, who hand selected a shade to compliment my olive complexion.  Brett selected Flame, a sheer, golden red that works well with my coloring since it is a warmer bright with a touch of gold.  Needless to say, I love it!

Tropicoral High Shine Lip Gloss and Ceramide Ultra Lipstick in Flame

Check out the entire spring collection at shop.elizabetharden.com.

Stay tuned for more on how to apply the perfect bold lip from Elizabeth Arden’s celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman!

Images courtesy of: Shop.ElizabethArden.com.

Interview with Celebrity Makeup Artist Marylin Lee

I recently caught up with the very lovely and incredibly talented celebrity makeup artist Marylin Lee, former makeup department head at E! Television who paints the faces of several of Hollywood’s leading ladies.  At a hair care event hosted by her client, the gorgeous Brooke Burke, I jumped at the chance to interview her on her career, favorite products and what she used on Brooke earlier that morning!

Brooke Burke glowing in Temptu foundation and Korres blush

Q: Would love to hear a little bit about how you got to where you are today.  How many years have you worked as a makeup artist for?

A: About 12 fabulous years!
Q: Did you receive your training in school, or are you self-taught?
A:  Several years ago I went to a school named Make-Up Designory (MUD) where I met a lot of great people and received a top-notch education.  I took the Journeyman Program (which includes character makeup artistry and fashion makeup artistry).
Q: Does MUD have a career center to place students with jobs?
A: Yes, they kind of hook you up, especially with student films.  I started off that way- doing a lot of films- and then I hooked up with a couple of photographers and did a lot of testing with modeling agencies.  Eventually, I ended up working for E! Television and when the department head went on maternity leave, I took over.  I was there for about seven years and while running the department, I met Brooke.  She took me onto the set of her shows Rockstar: INXS and Rockstar: Supernova, and since then I’ve done most of her television work.
Q: Very cool, and inspiring!  What advice do you have for someone trying to break into the industry?
A:  The one thing I didn’t know back then is that you can actually earn a living as an assistant.  Call agencies and try to assist as much as possible because I know a lot of people who started as assistants and had jobs passed down to them.  And you can learn so much from other makeup artists, don’t just do your own thing. There’s always something to learn from other artists, actors and talent.
Q: Is assisting a full-time job?
A: It is a full-time thing.  Always be available and never turn down a job, even if you’re working for free because one job will lead to another.  I know people who did low budget independent films and then worked with an actress who just happened to move on to be the next big thing.  Be nice to everybody, and don’t be a diva.  Remember, it’s not about you, you’re there to provide for your talent.
Q:  Do you have a particular brand that you favor?
A:  Hmmm, there’s not one particular brand, every brand offers something good.  Right now I really love the Temptu airbrush system sold at Sephora.  I’ve been airbrushing for years and this is a no-brainer system.  There’s no mixing and no cleaning up because everything comes in easy, convenient cartridges.  I’m loving it!
Q: Can you talk about the products you used on Brooke today?
A: I used so many different things, a lot of mixing.  Her foundation is Temptu airbrush, and on her cheeks and lips I applied Korres, a natural line.  The blush is shade 44, an orange.
Q: So you really like Korres.  Do you favor eco-friendly and natural lines?
A: Yes, I do.  I prefer eco-friendly lines and Korres has really gorgeous shades.
Q: What mascara did you use, because Brooke’s lashes look fierce!?
A: Thanks! Her lashes are called Fairies.  They’re strip lash and I like them because they’re not a thick, solid lash, but more sparse and fluttery.  I get them online (madamemadeline.com) and I’ve seen them at beauty supply stores. I’m all about finding tools online and at 99-cent stores!
Q: Thanks so much, Marylin! It’s inspiring to hear how you’ve made it so far- thanks for the advice!

Jo Malone: Scent-sational

In a city of skyscrapers, I often find myself cramped into crowded elevators with women wearing offensive and overpowering scents.  Thankfully, Jo Malone, the fragrance authority, and her light, airy and versatile limited-edition Tea Fragrance Blends have ushered the fragrance category into a whole new era. A truly modern take on scent, they epitomize elegance and sophistication, and what’s more, they’re actually designed to be layered and combined for a greater, more enticing variety (without overpowering).   Available in five scents- Assam & Grapefruit, Earl Grey & Cucumber, Fresh Mint Leaf, Sweet Lemon, and Sweet Milk– each one heightens style and femininity.  Accustomed to having to pick a favorite fragrance, I felt torn (and a tad anxious) at first, but remembered that her fragrances are meant to be blended, and I don’t have to settle for just one.  A mood lifter and style augmenter, Jo Malone’s fragrances are the ultimate accessory.

Tea Fragrance Blends:

Assam & Grapefruit Cologne: Invigorating and upbeat, captures the qualities of that first cup of morning tea. Refreshing grapefruit and herbaceous Assam are blended with undertones of warm patchouli, spicy cardamom and almond.

Jo Malone Fragrance Combining Tip:  Add a creamy richness with a splash of Sweet Milk to deepen and sweeten the scent of black tea.

Earl Grey & Cucumber Cologne: A playful twist on the British tradition of high tea distilled into a modern, intriguing scent. Fresh and fruity bergamot is cooled with cucumber and warmed with a base of beeswax, vanilla and musk.

Jo Malone Fragrance Combining Tip: Refresh and uplift by layering with zesty Sweet Lemon.

Fresh Mint Leaf Cologne: A refreshing tisane of freshly picked mint, translated into a crisp, clear cologne.  A blend of mint, basil and maté infuses this cologne with a green, leafy clarity, while a warm base is created by the partnership of cedarwood with musk.

Jo Malone Fragrance Combining Tip: Think pretty and fresh by adding a mist of zesty, fruit-infused Sweet Lemon.

Sweet Lemon Cologne: Mirroring the custom of adding a slice of freshly-cut lemon or a sprinkle of sugar to a cup of just-brewed tea, Sweet Lemon is given a fruity twist with pineapple, peach and fresh green cypress.

Sweet Milk Cologne: Utterly English, a dash of sweet, creamy milk gives tea a rounded richness. The unique milk accord combines star anise, almond and vanilla to create a warm, comforting scent. Addictively sweet and unexpectedly fresh.

These limited-edition scents launched this month, so test them out for yourself!  They’re available for $55 at any of the following retailers: Jo Malone Shops, jomalone.com, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and Bloomindales.  Enjoy!

Images courtesy of: Jo Malone

CEW Swag-ger

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Cosmetic Executive Women, CEW, it’s a beauty trade organization offering events, awards, charity funding, etc.  Every year they host the CEW Beauty Awards to recognize brands boasting the hottest new products, and every year, they provide attendees with colossal goodie bags!!  After testing each and every product in my mammoth pouch, I’m sharing my absolute favorites!

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Gentle Exfoliating Facial Scrub: So gentle, yet so effective.  For lack of a better saying, after just one use my face felt as soft as a baby’s bottom! $10, Drugstore.com

Obagi ELASTILash: I’m sick of having “lash nubs” and have been dying to try Latisse, but it’s a little out of my price range.  At $37 a pop, thank goodness for ELASTILash.  I don’t have results to report yet, but will be sure to share shortly.  $37, Obagi.com

Calvin Klein Beauty: Love, love, love this scent!  It’s soft, florally and very feminine…(and it’s full-size!) $85, theperfumespot.com

Dalton Colour Crème Lip Gloss: Gorgeous nude shade with a smooth, richy, creamy consistency sans stickiness.  Glides on-oh-so easily for a flawless application! QVC.com

CEW Beauty Award winners will be announced in May, so stay tuned for the list!

Images courtesy of: indulgentbeautyreviews.com, beautycheap.com, thebeautyreviewexpress.com, daltoncosmetics.com

DON’T MISS OUT ON KINERASE MARCH MADNESS!

Don’t miss  your chance to save 25% off on your favorite Kinerase products! Get your skin refreshed, moisturized, and ready for spring; sale ends March 20th!