Beauty Snob - Beauty Secrets and Tips

Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick

2009-11-06T17:00:56Z

I am one of those people who hoard things in their car (I could never live in Taipei or New York again because where would I put all my STUFF?). Open my console and you'll find a make up bag with a spare set of my can't live without items for times I need freshening up. My problem is the heat in Texas melts everything so I only keep lip gloss, handcream and sunscreen in there during the summertime. Now that it's cooler, I can stash up again-- with items like this Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation from Shu Uemura. This is a stick version of the cult favorite featuring a new formulation that's supposed to make it more flawless-- it looks the same to me though I do like the convenience of a stick foundation. I played with this at Shu Uemura and loved how easily it glides on! It comes in 13 shades which confused me, I actually need two different colors to make the perfect shade but then it'd cost almost $100 so I just walked away and will wait until I'm out of my current stick foundation. You should try this if you're looking for a stick foundation-- $42.00 at Shu Uemura.com

Feerie by Van Cleef & Arpels

2009-11-06T11:00:13Z

Isn't this the prettiest fragrance you have ever seen? Well of course it would look so gorgeous because it's from Van Cleef & Arpels who has the most beautiful fine jewelry. Now I'm not a big fragrance girl. I think it's because there are many times I walk past women and am gagging on their over spill of perfume and didn't want to be one of those people. But I saw this new fragrance called Feerie Eau de Parfum in a Lucky magazine last holiday and thought it was the prettiest thing I had ever seen, so the next time I waltzed through the cosmetic department at Neimans I decided to take a whiff of it. Wow, let me tell you, it smells as good as it looks! The smell is almost fruity to me. On Neimans site it notes these blends of fragrances.

• Top notes: Violet, Red Berries (Black Currant) Italian Mandarin.
• Middle notes: Bulgarian Rose and Egyptian Jasmine.
• Bottom Notes: Iris Butter and Vetiver.

They also have a new fragrance that came out over the summer called Feerie Eau de Toilette which I hadn't tried yet but really want to. I'm assuming it's very similar in scent, but is just a bit lighter. I really just want it because the top is a different design and I just want to have them collected for that sole purpose. It's just a plus that they also smell so wonderful! The SA told me I could just them as a ring holder also, but I don't think I want to clutter it and ruin its beauty. You can get it Exclusively at Neimanmarcus.com for 1oz for $110 or 3.3oz for $150. I got the larger size, because really? More then 3 times the amount for $40 more. I think it's worth it.

Web Snob November 6, 2009

2009-11-06T10:00:00Z

Cutting Edge or Questionable? eye4style tells all about a new plastic surgery iPhone app.

Stiletto Jungle explains how to blowout hair at home, perfectly.

Bag Snob reminds you that a great way to get out of a funk is to shop vintage.

The Shoe Goddess is obsessed with Christian Louboutin's latest black patent pump!

The Fashion Bomb finds hundreds of coats, shoes, boots, and accessories to fabulously update your Fall / Winter Wardrobe.

Couture Snob has Donna Karan dresses on sale for a limited time.

Bag Bliss loves the reduce-recycle-reuse concept behind Novella Royale Handbags.

Is your tot ready to move on from eating with fingers? Tot Snob has the ideal mealtime solution.

All About the Pretty is coveting this new bag for her winter travel jaunts thanks to Lululemon .

All Lacquered Up has the scoop on cover girl Blake Lively's nail color direct from her Marie Claire photo shoot.

Fab Sugar has Paige Novick's colorful baubles - well worth the splurge.

Allie is Wired has the scoop on the Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart Bazaar cover.

Coquette wants to get bundled up in one of Soïa & Kyo's coats.

Fashion Pulse Daily provides a sneak peak at the fabulously affordably world of Charlotte Russe, the holiday collection

Real vs. Steal: Sienna Miller's faux fur look. I'm Not Obsessed will show you both options.

KRISTOPHER DUKES is wanting, wearing, and hating Halston draped-back top.

Second City Style thinks that footwear often holds more trend-setting influence than the clothes in Strutting With Style.

SheFinds is ready to get you perfectly dressed in time for any and every holiday event with their guide to an array of festive attire.

Shopping and Info wants this ruffled shearling coat on sale from Diane Von Furstenberg.

StyleBakery.com created the ultimate fall shopping list with some help from their favorite fashion bloggers and editors.

Stylehive found lots of boyfriend-inspired looks for less than $50, because stealing from your boyfriend's closet all the time isn't nice.
The Beauty Stop shows how to get an easy 3-color eyeshadow look.

Getting married in June?

2009-11-05T14:04:23Z

Getting married in June? Renée Rouleau shares skin tips for the bride.

6 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

Find a reputable skin care professional. Six months is the perfect amount of time to ensure that your skin is clear, smooth and glowing for the big day. It's important to find a skin care spa or clinic that offers a wide range of skin care services to give your skin everything it needs.

Schedule a consultation. What may be fabulous for your friend may not be right for you. Be sure to ask a lot of questions; particularly the cost of treatments, side-effects and the results they can guarantee.

Fit it in the budget. Generally, a good skin care plan (both professional and home-care products) can range from $1000-$2000. Tip: If the budget is tight, let your maid of honor know that getting your skin in good condition for your wedding day is a priority and she may plan a shower where everyone pitches in to give your skin care services as a gift.
]]> Patch test your skin. When starting a new skin care program, be sure to do a patch test if you're trying out new skin care products as allergic reactions can take up to four weeks to heal. Rub a small amount of product on the side of your neck and wait 24 hours. If redness or irritation occurs, avoid using the product.

Follow the plan set forth by your skin care professional. A variety of skin care procedures such as ultrasonic exfoliation, microdermabrasion, light therapy, facials, oxygen treatments, micro current and chemical peels will all be beneficial in getting your bridal glow.

FOR BREAKOUTS:
-Exfoliate well. This will keep off dry skin cells to lessen clogged pores and blemishes, and help fade post-breakout scars. Look for products with exfoliating acids and enzymes.
-Keep the skin clear of bacteria. Products using ingredients such as Benzoyl Peroxide and Tea Tree help to eliminate bacteria and prevent the spread of breakouts.
-Be sure to keep the skin hydrated. If you're prone to blemishes, your skin needs water-based moisture to keep cells healthy to discourage dead skin cell buildup. Make sure to use an oil-free lotion.

FOR DISCOLORATION AND BROWN SPOTS:
-Use a skin lightener. By combining exfoliation, skin lighteners and daily use of sunscreen, the pigmented cells will slowly start break down and fade their color. Exfoliation is beneficial for breaking up the pigmented cells while a skin-lightening agent like Vitamin C or Kojic Acid will suppress the melanin cells and accelerate the fading process.

FOR REDNESS AND ROSACEA:
-Avoid washing your skin with hot water. Cooler temperatures will keep reduce redness and keep the skin calm.
-Use soothing ingredients in your products. Chamomile, Azulene and Sea Whip all help to comfort the skin and reduce redness.
-Make sure you get facials that cater to sensitive skin. Although facials can be extremely calming for red skins, you must make sure that your esthetician has experience in caring for this very delicate type of skin. Avoid strong chemical peels as they will only exacerbate redness.

3 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

Make a commitment to not pick at your skin. Acne breakouts usually last just 3-5 days, but when you pick at a blemish, the red mark that lingers can be there for three months! We know it's tempting, but you can make problem skin much worse by forcing bacteria deeper into the skin, resulting in scarring and further break outs. A better solution for problem skin is a regular facial schedule, where your pores can be cleaned professionally.

Cut back on the invasive skin treatments. If you have been having laser treatments or a series of skin peels, now is the time to start cutting back on those. You need to start going into maintenance mode. Hopefully, those aggressive procedures helped to clear up break outs, post-breakout acne scars and discoloration and now the focus is on maintaining the results. Get a professional facial every 3-4 weeks for the remaining three months.

1 MONTH BEFORE THE WEDDING

Go easy. Now that you're on the home stretch, it's not the time to be experimenting with new products or services. Keep everything gentle by backing off aggressive professional treatments.

Avoid dairy products if you're prone to acne cysts. Many people have heard that greasy foods and chocolate cause breakouts. Breakouts, especially those that are cyst-like in the chin and jaw line area, most often are related to too much ice cream, yogurt, milk and cheese. Try cutting back and watch your skin clear up!

Get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. Sleep is not only important to keep dark circles at bay, but it is also the time when your body is most metabolically active, ridding itself of toxins which would otherwise wreak havoc with your skin. Sleep also reduces stress, the #1 aggravator of acne! Keep your skin care products cold. When nerves are at their highest, it can cause increased blood flow to the skin. Try keeping your skin care products in the refrigerator. Cleansing, toning and moisturizing with cool temperature products keep the skin calm and soothed.

3 DAYS BEFORE THE WEDDING

Get your final facial. The facial should focus on skin smoothing via exfoliation and hydration. Keep extractions to a minimum to avoid unnecessary redness.

Don't experiment with any new products. You don't want to risk having an adverse reaction to anything--stick with tried and true.

Avoid shell fish. Especially for those who have travelled to a tropical island for their wedding, you'll be tempted with all the wonderful seafood that is there. Many people are allergic to iodine commonly found in shell fish which can result in very serious skin and body reactions, so now is not the time to be eating foods you have not tried before.

Limit your intake of alcohol. Alcohol leads to skin and under eye puffiness, so for every alcoholic drink, follow it with a 4-8 oz glass of water. This will help prevent unnecessary morning puffiness.

Avoid crying (if possible). With all of the celebratory speeches that are given, it's only normal that a few tears may be shed. If at all possible, try to avoid crying since it causes the eyes to swell resulting in excessive morning under eye puffiness.

WEDDING DAY

Apply a gel mask. Gel masks are water-based so they won't add any oil to the skin and interfere with wedding day makeup. They calm the skin from wedding day nerves, and gives your skin a smooth, healthy glow.

Drink a lot of water. To prevent skin from puffiness due to shedding tears or alcohol intake the night before, drink cold ice water throughout the day. This will also help prevent your mouth from getting dry due to nerves.

Practice deep breathing. There is nothing better to calm the nerves than frequent deep breathing. Relax. Enjoy. Your day is here.

Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals

2009-11-05T11:00:00Z

I went to the Eco-Luxe Expo a few weeks ago and stumbled across Jane Iredale. I mean how could I not be intrigued by this liquid mineral foundation!? Priced at $46 it comes in 18 shades and the beads you see suspended in the packaging are liposomes entrapping liposomes (basically small bubbles that contain active ingredients to treat skin). So in addition to imparting color to your face, the foundation helps minimize the size of pores and helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (think Freeze 24-7). The spheres are suspended in a gel of aloe vera, lavender flower water, and vegetable glyucerin. The whole thing looks pretty sci-fi, but it applies just like regular foundation and the formulation is surprisingly lightweight and soothing (maybe it's the lavender...). Jane Iredale is pretty widely available, so I would suggest heading to a store and playing around with this foundation to find your perfect color -- with 18 colors to choose from odds are you can definitely hit the nail on the head and match your complexion.

The Cure Serum from Natura Bisse and September Giveaway!

2009-11-04T18:00:11Z
CONGRATS to Teresa W. of Portland, Oregon for winning this give away! Enjoy your products!!!
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I am a creature of habit, and no matter how many new products I add to my repertoire, Natura Bisse remains one of my mainstays. The innovative team behind the brand are constantly formulating new products to challenge the skin and reduce its biological age. My favorite new product from Natura Bisse is The Cure Serum ($250), an anti-aging treatment that effectively slows the aging process. This exceptional formula contains SIRT-AP, a cutting-edge and advanced peptide complex obtained from Soy and the Oryza Sativa rice which prolong the lifespan of cells, repair the damaged cells and protect them from oxidation. I've used The Cure Cream $190 on and off as my day cream for a year now and love it's lightweight but highly hydrating texture.

I know many of you love the Diamond collection from Natura Bisse but we want you to try The Cure collection so we are going to give away the Cure Serum and Cream to celebrate Fashion Week! All you have to do to win is tell us why your skin is stressed and deserves to be pampered by The Cure Serum and The Cure Cream! Leave your answers in comments please! We will run this until October 10th for a full month and announce the winner by October 30th! (Jump for rules!)

If you can't wait a month to try The Cure-- Natura Bisse is offering a cash back program this month, for every $250 you spend, you'll receive $25 towards your next purchase! Go here to shop! Enjoy FREE ground shipping this month, too!

To win The Cure Serum ($250) and The Cure Cream ($190)- Tell us why your skin is stressed and deserves to be pampered by The Cure collection! Leave you answer in comments please! Contest will run from September 10th-October 10th 2009 at midnight. One entry per person. Winner will be contacted via email, please include a current email address in your entry.

Urban Decay Lingerie and Galoshes

2009-11-04T17:09:20Z

I have not found my Holy Grail mascara yet. There are many mascaras that I really like, but they just don't hit all points for me. I know DiorShow is some of many people's HG, and I love it too...the first month or two. After that it seems to get really dry and clumpy. The closest to my HG mascara right now is Fresh's Supernova, but the only problem, for me at least, is that it raccoons very easily. So I decided the way that I could fix this problem was by waterproofing it. I had heard about the Urban Decay Lingerie & Galoshes Double-ended Mascara and liked how it had a primer on one side, and the waterproofer on the other. The consistency was a little thicker then a gel, and I think that really helped to prevent it from making the mascara look dry. Using the waterproofing side really did help my mascara stop from running and didn't make it look any different then it was before. And I felt that since it's the waterproofer coated over my regular mascara then it wasn't going to hurt my lashes like regular waterproof mascara does. I did feel like I got half gypped though, because I do not like the primer side at all. It was so fibrous that it made my mascara look spidery and would make my lashes turn in every which direction. I wish I could buy the waterproofing side by itself, but they don't sell it that way. The next product I may try to waterproof is Benefit's She Laq which actually comes with several brushes to waterproof nearly all your make up. The only thing I'm weary of is how water the concoction looks. I'm afraid it would look so drying. You can get Urban Decay Lingerie & Galoshes Double-ended Mascara for $18. What's your Holy Grail mascara?

Jonathan Beauty Water Shower Purification System

2009-11-04T11:00:04Z
I recently went off birth control which has caused me to have some hair loss, so I've been paying extra attention to taking care of my hair. My dad swears by Jonathan hair products so I actually heard about the Jonathan Product Beauty Water Shower Purification System
($95; $55 for replacement filters) through him. Basically it's an advanced shower water filtering system that uses the "highest grade filters to change ordinary shower water into pure, pH-balanced water that is free of hair-stripping, skin-damaging chemicals and metals." Sooo it's like showering with bottled water! The whole thing seemed a little excessive to me; I mean I'm not Paris Hilton after all! Plus NYC is known for great tap water. That said I spoke to my dermatologist about it and she actually told me that the filter could be beneficial for my hair (and she noted that it's especially good for those that live in rural areas with particularly harsh water). More after the jump!
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A shower water filter may seem excessive, but I'm totally convinced that it's worth the investment for those with hair-management issues/color-treated hair. I've already picked-up one and sent it to my best friend in Paris for an early Christmas present:-)

Snob or Scam? Lancôme Oscillation Power Foundation

2009-11-03T17:00:46Z

Ôscillation Power foundation, Lancôme's latest vibrating makeup, is self touted do-it-all foundation. I bought into the vibrating mascara last year but realized after 3 uses that the vibration actually made the mascara dry. Granted, this has SPF 21-- among the highest on the market but does a vibrating applicator make it a smoother more natural finish?

The applicator delivers 7,000 micro-oscillations per minute, which is said to help spread the powder evenly across your skin and buff it down to a matte finish. I will have to try this out to see if it delivers as promised. Have you tried this? What do you think? Lancome 'Oscillation Powerfoundation' Micro-Vibrating. Polishing. Mineral Make-up. SPF 21 here. $48

"Hand"ling Age With Grace???

2009-11-03T14:00:31Z

Can you guess these celebs hands?

Have you heard? Injections for the hands are all the rage right now-- what will they think of next? Spas and clinics around the world are offering hand rejuvenation treatments-- IPLs, fillers, etc! I've seen hands that have been pumped with injections and they do not look younger! They just look bloated, distorted and grotesque-- how is that better than a few wrinkles? I don't know about you but I think this is so lame and I think I'd rather wear gloves and buy really good hand creams (I'm working on a list of my favorites for you this week!). What about you?

Answer the above correctly and win a Beauty Snob T shirt! Winner will be chosen randomly via computer drawing on Friday, 11/6 at midnight.

Frugal Snob: Uni K. Wax

2009-11-03T11:00:00Z

I don't think I've ever spent less than $50 for a bikini wax, so I was a very wary about Uni.K.Wax Centers and their $19 full bikini wax. Would the room be clean? Do they double-dip? How in the world is it under $20!? Well -- there is NO double dipping and every customer has their own individual canister of wax. The wax is made in-house which helps keep costs down and it's specially formulated to be all-natural and elastic so it acts as the strip itself. The wax is also applied at your body temperature, so there is no chance you will get burned which brings me back to my initial question - how do they keep their prices so low? Volume! The Midtown NYC salon waxes about 600 people A DAY!!! It's super-clean and the woman who waxed me had 10 years experience. As long as you don't mind elastic wax (versus strips), there's no difference between this spot and Completely Bare, Bliss or any of the comparable spas. If you're still not convinced to try this frugal wax, the fact that Beyonce and Cameron Diaz are fans might sway you:-)

There are 20 Uni.K.Wax Centers locations including ones in New York, San Diego, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and all parts of Florida including the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area, Palm Beach County, Tampa, Orlando and Gainesville.

Snob Worthy Links November 3, 2009

2009-11-03T10:00:00Z

Nitrolicious has the Christian Siriano for Payless Holiday 2009 Collection

The Find has found Time to Play.

The Recessionista Blog has the dress that can help keep you dancing till dawn!

Tot Snob has ThreeJars, an online piggy bank that tracks your tots allowance in a fun and interactive way.

Bag Snob has an easy Marc Jacobs piece to incorporate into one's bag wardrobe.

Fab Sugar features Madeleine Thompson's cashmere goodies in her Spring '10 collection.

Couture Snob is majorly obsessed with Faraone Mennella jewels.

Le Metier de Beaute

2009-11-02T17:00:33Z

I'm obsessed with Sharpie fine point pens, nothing writes as smoothly or easily! That is how I felt about Le Metier de Beaute's felt point liquid liner when I tested it out (exclusively at Neiman Marcus!) today. The tip makes a very smooth line (not jagged like some felt tip liners can get) and it will not budge unless you wash it off with make up remover. I got the BLEU cuz it was just so fun and funky-- very Valley Girl circa 1985. The NOIR is a deep deep black, blends really well with fake lashes and look striking on its own. Have you tried this line? Tell me what you think!

Bobbi Brown Chrome Collection

2009-11-02T11:00:56Z
"Chrome is cool and icy- it's a very modern, but still pretty way to illuminate the skin." - Bobbi Brown

I flew home last night to a mound of mail and packages (24 days worth of mail and blogger packages is a sight to see!) I opened each and every one of the (10) boxes from cosmetic companies and when I saw what was inside the Bobbi Brown package I got a bit miffed. Not to be ungrateful and all but hello-- I so could have used this CHROME palette during my trip to Asia! It's a tri-fold compact that has 10 eyeshadow shades, 4 lip shades, plus mini brushes to boot. It would have saved me a lot of room in my luggage!

I played with the shadows after the hubby and boy went to bed and was surprised how subtle the shadows are on the lids (considering how dark they look in the palette). I used the "Iron" matte shadow as a base and highlighted the brow bone with "White" matte shadow. I then put "Charcoal Haze" along the lash line to smoke my liner (may be used as a liner itself) which made for a really pretty daytime look. To test out an evening look, I lightly dusted "Cyber Grey" and "Storm Cloud" sparkle shadow over the entire the lid-- smokin' hot! I love playing with make up and can do this all night long!
Bobbi Brown Chrome Palette ($75) here.

The collection also has three new limited edition lipsticks: Port Lip Color, Chrome Metallic Lip Color and Plum Pearl Metallic Lip Color. I did not get any samples of these so will stop by Neiman Marcus later this week to test out.

The collection also includes Bobbi's holiday Chrome Mini Brush Set- the perfect present for the beauty-junkie in your life (wait, that would be moi!). The set, which comes in a chrome zip-around cases features a Mini Face Blender, Bobbi's new Mini Angle Eye Shadow Brush and a Mini Eye Liner brush.

Also available at Nordstrom. Bobbi Brown Chrome Palette $75, Bobbi Brown Metallic Lip Color $22, Bobbi Brown Chrome Mini Brush Set $55.

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NEW Luxury Anti-Aging Line from SK-II

2009-10-30T16:00:00Z

Asian women are obsessed with SK-II-- the brand introduces the new SKIN SIGNATURE SERIES for Fall 2009, founded following a dermatological study revealing that each individual's skin has a tipping point, where elasticity and resilience begin to decrease more rapidly (I think that point is between 40-50 for most women). To help stave off the onset of tipping point effects, SK-II researched a bounty of ingredients, and introduces Oli-Vityl, derived from Tuscan olives to increase anti-oxidant activity and further promote elasticity and resilience.

The new line sounds promising, we will have to hit the counters to test it out next month!
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SK-II Skin Signature Series includes:

* Skin Signature Cream - "Power cream" designed for superior hydration while prolonging firmness.
* Skin Signature 3D Redefining Mask - Two-piece stretchable mask designed to simultaneously address the needs of both the upper hemisphere of the face, tracking horizontal brow lines; and vertical sagging at the jaw line.
The new SK-II Skin Signature Series will be available on www.sk-ii.com and at select Saks Fifth Avenue SK-II locations beginning November 2009.

L'Occitane Moments of Africa Soap Set

2009-10-30T10:00:00Z
I did a double-take when I was at L'Occitane's holiday preview a few months ago -- a set of three soaps for $8? From L'Occitane? Whaaaat!? Moments of Africa Soap Set is indeed only $8, comes in a ready-to-gift box, and 100% of the proceeds go to charities fighting blindness. The soaps in the set depict moments of African life and they were produced entirely in Burkina Fasco by co-operatives of entrepreneurial women to promote cooperate efforts. They smell light and fresh -- they're perfumed with essentials oils of orange, eucalyptus and lemongrass and they've been colored with pigments of natural origin. Stocking stuffer, anyone?

Web Snob October 30, 2009

2009-10-30T09:00:00Z

55 Secret Street weighs in on Newsweek's Zahara Jolie Pitt hair controversy and wants to know, "Are We All Really "Team Zahara?".

Stiletto Jungle thinks a wrap sweater you can wear 6 ways is perfect for fall.

All Lacquered Up takes you backstage at Carolina Herrera where made its runway debut.

Heidi & Spencer dress as Jon & Kate for Halloween - Allie is Wired has the pictures.

Fab Sugar has the metallic jacket Trend Alert!

Bag Bliss loves the latest arm candy by Felix Rey.

If you are looking for just one all around great piece for the season or for the year, Bag Snob has it!

Coquette wants to dress up her MacBook and iPhone in the upcoming new Mulberry accessories for Apple products.

The Daily Obsession shares a never published before beauty tip.

Fashion Pulse Daily has teamed up with Manhattanite to give away a Nip & Tuck Hollywood Basket, full of Foot Petals, Miss Oops, and Hollywood products!

The Jet Set Girls pick the black nail polish for Vegas.

KRISTOPHER DUKES is wanting, wearing, and hating the Salvador Dali "Bird In Hand" compact.

Second City Style takes a look at Where The Wild Things Are on the runway and the real way.

From ankle height to over the knee, SheFinds has all the best flat boots to let you walk, run, and skip through fall in style and comfort.

Shopping and Info found the best black cashmere cowl neck sweater.

The StyleBakery.com editors share their Top 10 Picks for Fall, totaling over 100 must-buys for every budget

Stylehive is thinking the basic little black dress has been a bit too nice lately, and is loving black leather dresses for fall...

The Beauty Stop dishes about Reese Witherspoon's beauty secrets.

The Shoe Goddess has fallen in love with this pair of amazing Azzedine Alaia Buckle Boots!

V-Style Loves Thakoon's Mirror Mosaic Booties for fall.

eye4style has the scoop on what's next for New York City's legendary Limelight (hint: it involves shopping!).

Tot Snob has this ingenious booster seat that safely straps your tot to any chair, or to you while sitting on your lap!

Snob Steals and Deals: Laura Mercier "Renaissance" Collection

2009-10-29T16:00:54Z

Laura Mercier is a great line of cosmetics for a natural look. This Laura Mercier 'Renaissance' Collection is great because it is such a good value. And it's like they compacted everything as well as they can for traveling. They made the concealer brush double ended, so that it's two brushes in one. And they have their fabulous secret concealer in a pot, with the setting powder underneath. It also comes with their Flawless Skin Day Creme with an SPF 15 in a deluxe sample size, a mini Black Thickening and Building Mascara, Pink Champagne Lip Glacé, and an eye color duo, all in cute cosmetic bag. Of course, kits are always a great value, but what's even better is that it's also on sale. So for $167 worth of product you only pay $38.90 for all of it. I mean, when does Laura Mercier really go on sale anyways?

Flecked Nail Polishes

2009-10-29T10:00:00Z

I am completely obsessed with flecked nails! Deborah Lippmann has been coming-out with the most AMAZING shades. I already told you guys about her 10th Anniversary set of three colors ($35) which comes with Rubby Red Slippers (super-dark taupe with red flecks), Superstar (dark brown with copper flecks), and Funky Chunky (black with black flecks). Now Lippman has come-out with Happy Birthday ($18, sheer with multi-colored flecks), and Marquee Moon ($16, silver with silver flecks). I can't tell you how many people ask me about my nails when I wear these shades. They're so fun and different without being too goth/tacky. Plus the play on light/dark and sparkle/matte is great for winter/fall.

Do you like flecked nail polishes as much as I do?

*On a side note, if the shade you're looking for is sold-out online, check-out Barneys New York. They have a great selection of Lippman shades at their NYC uptown store.

Review: RMK Extra Deep W Mascara

2009-10-28T16:08:22Z

It's hard not to laugh when standing at Asian cosmetic counters-- with products named "Happy Butter Lips" or "Shiny Face"-- do you blame me? When I saw this mascara at RMK-- the "Extra Deep W" (directly translated, they really mean extra long), I stifled a giggle and let the SA put it on me. Holy crap! Remember my Awake "Stardom" mascara obsession? I vowed to buy the company if they ever discontinued it and when they did-- I bought a dozen tubes! And if you must know, I did try to buy Awake but my hubby refused to comply. Anyhoo, I've been searching for something comparable and guess what-- RMK has made something even better! I bought several tubes at Mistukoshi in Taipei. Just praying they never discontinue this! Here is my review-- if you don't move moutains to try and get your hands on this mascara you are no beauty snob! Rated from 1-5, 5 being best.

Wand- 5: My biggest compaint about mascaras are the large bristles, it gets messy and it's hard to reach the inner corner lashes. There are mascaras made for the inner corner lashes but then they don't provide the same lengethning/thickening. This wand is perfect, I feel like Goldilocks every time I use it!

Thickening- 3: There are two sides to the tube, the base side provides thickening but not as well as DIOR Show. The only downside is this is waterproof-- I abhor waterproof mascara because it's so difficult to remove! What's the point? I don't bathe nor swim with make up on!

Lengthening- 5+: The other side of the tube is the reason I love this mascara. This is by far the most superior fiber mascara out there, the fibers are tiny so they don't look obvious or get messy. You can also keep applying (I do 3 coats) without clumping, a major plus! In fact, my lashes were so long that my dad (who never notices these things) asked me if I was wearing fake lashes!

I paid NT$1,250 (roughly $38USD)-- very pricey but worth every penny! Extra Deep W Mascara at RMK counters in Asia and Selfridges in London.

Celeb Trend: Braided Ponytails

2009-10-28T10:00:00Z

I'm all about braids on a bad hair day: pig tails, French braids, braided ponytails -- whatever. On the red carpet however -- when you're a celebrity like Blake Lively and have had professionals fussing over your hair for hours -- I don't understand why you would opt for this look. If you block out Lively's face, jewelry, and outfit and just focus on her hair, wouldn't you think she was heading to the gym!? I vote slob on this trend. What say you -- Snob or Slob?

Anastasia Brow Enhancing Serum

2009-10-27T16:00:38Z

There is so much talk about lash enhancers, but what about the brows? In my opinion, brows are what frame the rest of your face. I have a full shape to my brows, but the hairs are on the sparse and thin side. I usually fill them in, but at the ends of the brows, since its so thin, not much product is picked up into them making them look kind of wimpy. I've heard about Anastasia Brow Enhancing Serum for quite some time now and over the summer finally decided to get it. I used it religiously, applying it day and night. After the 2nd week I noticed the hairs getting longer, faster, but didn't really see any new hairs growing. After about 4 weeks, that's when I noticed some stray hairs growing in. My brows did feel fuller, and the end of my brows did seem more pronounced, so I think this product was a success. I stopped using it for about a month to see if it would stay that same thickness, but just like lash conditioners, if you stop using it, your hairs will grow back the way that they were. You can get it at Nordstroms.com for $36.

Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Happiness Collection

2009-10-27T10:00:00Z
I have a feeling that with the economy the way it is, this holiday season is going to be amazing for gift sets. I've already begun seeing the great deals at Sephora and among them is the Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Happiness Collection ($54). It's a limited edition exclusive to Sephora and while I know that it's gimmicky I love that it's infused with "mood-boosting Happybelle, a complex containing a natural plant extract believed to mimic the effect of endorphins and induce a sense of happiness" (such a fun little touch if you're looking to give this as a gift...no?). The nine-piece kit has 100% pure bareMinerals eye and cheek colors that are free of preservative, talc, waxes, binders, and fragrances. Jump for more!

]]> This set contains:
bareMinerals Glee Radiance All-Over Face Color infused with Happybelle
bareMinerals Euphoria Eyecolor infused with Happybelle
bareMinerals Happiness Eyecolor infused with Happybelle
bareMinerals Hallucinate Liner Shadow infused with Happybelle
bareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara in Black
bareMinerals 100% Natural Lipgloss in Berry Rush
bareMinerals Feather Light Brush in Limited-Edition Hot Pink
bareMinerals Double-Ended Complete Tapered Shadow Brush in Limited-Edition Hot Pink
Happy Clutch

Snob Worthy Links October 27, 2009

2009-10-27T09:00:00Z

Nitrolicious has the Rich & Skinny Spring 2010 Look Book including some new washes and distressed denim.

Couture Snob loved this Robert Rodriquez leather jacket so much, she gave it to her best friend and is now buying another for herself!

The Find was looking for some over-the-knee boots to wear with leggings and a chunky knit sweater and found these Jimmy Choo Yams.

Bag Snob has Lara Bohinc, one of fashion's most dynamic jewelers, who is also a bag designer worthy of a look.

Fab Sugar has a Sneak Peak! Jimmy Choo for H&M.

Tot Snob has this season's three favorite pieces in the color of fall.

Recessionista Blog found these hot boots from Free People for only $98!

Press: Beauty Snob in InStyle November issue

2009-10-27T05:20:36Z
So excited about being in one of our favorite magazines this month! Love the company we are mentioned with-- especially our friend The Make Up Girl who alerted us of this piece!

Snob Steals and Deals: L'Occitane Amande Shower Oil

2009-10-26T16:00:09Z

L'Occitane 'Amande' Cleansing & Soothing Shower Oil is by far my holy grail body wash. When the SA told me to try this i was skeptical because I had never tried a shower oil before and was afraid it would leave a greasy film on my skin after using it. When you look at it in the bottle, it totally looks like oil. But to my surprise, it lathers up a bit and doesn't leave me with a greasy feel, but like a soft layer of hydration. The almond smell is also wonderful but subtle. This is a great body wash to use if you don't have enough time to moisturize every day or you want an extra boost of hydration for the winter months coming ahead. This set from Nordstrom's Anniversary is even greater because you get two for $29.50, which is like paying for one at $22 and getting the second for nearly free at $7.50.

Odorless, Organic, Reki-Charged Nail Polish Remover

2009-10-26T10:00:00Z
When it comes to beauty products very few things come close to the noxious smell of nail polish remover, so when I went to a showcase a few weeks ago and came across G2 Organics I was very intrigued. The company's nail polish remover is a non-toxic, odorless, 95% organic gentle nail polish remover that also comes enhanced with Reiki-charged quartz crystals (Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction). How is this the first time I've come across an odorless remover? Genius! The formulation is acetone-free, free of harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, and colors. The ingredients are simple -- aloe vera extract and Vitmanin E, butyl diglycol (derived from corn), an embittering agent, and ethyl alcohol (derived from grain) -- and that's it! The only catch is it's on the pricey-side as you might have expected. The remover comes in two styles: Brown Label 4fl. oz. ($9.95) in an unbreakable, plastic bottle and the Luxury Glass Bottle 4fl. oz. ($15.95), in a clear, glass display bottle with genuine quartz crystals.

PHYTO Phytocedrat Sebo-regulating Shampoo

2009-10-23T16:00:17Z

My hair seemed to be getting oilier and oilier to where I almost felt like I had to wash it morning and night. I know, that's a horrible thing to do to my hair, but what my hair is doing to skin is horrible! I started looking around to find a shampoo to help with my oily scalp but it seems that the majority of shampoos cater to dry scalps. So I had to do some deep searching before I found the one right for me.

When functioning normally, the sebaceous glands of the scalp lubricate hair with sebum. However, excessive sebum can make the hair weighed down and difficult to manage, a phenomenon that can worsen if the right shampoo is not used. The best prevention is to use a shampoo that is specially formulate to restore the balance of natural secretion of the scalp.

This is what PHYTO has discovered and has brought the most potent active ingredients from the botanical world to your hair through Phytotherathrie, the science of haircare through plants. They have made the PHYTO Phytocedrat Sebo-regulating Shampoo specially for these oily scalps. After using this about two months I noticed I could go every other day without having to shampoo my hair. The only thing that you have to remember to do is shampoo first at the scalp and then again at the tips because it takes the second time to really get it to lather up. Also it is very watery so I put it in a sprayer to apply so that I don't waste any of the product and have it just fall straight down the drain. You can get it at Beauty.com for $24.

Estée Lauder Introduces: Holiday 2009

2009-10-23T10:06:13Z

Estee Lauder sure is pumping money towards the holiday collections this year. I was at Mitsukoshi department store in Taipei yesterday and the busiest counter (amongst the 100 Japanese, Chinese, European and American brands) was Estee Lauder. I was quite surprised and wandered over to take a look-- turned out they were offering a discount plus gift with purchase! The women were lined up three rows deeps-- Asian women love a good discount and a free gift is even better! I don't use anything from Estee Lauder (other than the ones sent to me for review) but the two new collections- Ultimate Red Color and Holiday 2009 Compacts will make great gifts for my relatives this holiday.

The Ultimate Red Color Collection is a luxurious, opulent collection that my aunts will love (I'm just not into such fancy and gilded packaging). The classic navy blue, Signature Estée Lauder packaging has been transformed to a holiday gold, encasing jewel-inspired shades of lavish plums and gold flecked caramels. At Estee Lauder here.

The classic Estée Lauder collectible compacts are back again this holiday season with stories such as: Asian Opulence, Draped in Jewels and Wrapped in Red-- all detailed in enamel and Swarovski crystals. More fancy schmancy stuff to give as gifts. What about you, are you a fan of Estee Lauder?

Get the Look: Bold Nails

2009-10-23T10:00:28Z

From sky blue to mint green and periwinkle to navy...New York Fashion Week was seeing green & blue this season. Regardless of which designer's fashion show you sat through this September Fashion Week, there was one bold trend that you must have noticed and that is... BLUE & GREEN nails. Seen on both the models walking down the runway and the celebrities sitting in the front row-- bold nails were everywhere! The coveted Chanel Nail Color in JADE debuts as a limited edition this month but you can still celebrate the trend and be a recessionista with Milani & Jordana Cosmetics!
Milani Nail Lacqer, Bolting Blue - 1 Ea

Milani Nail Lacqer, Pool Party - 1 Ea