Dolce Beauty - A Beauty Blog

EO Hair Care: Organic Shampoo and Conditioner Review

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:39:00 +0000

As I may have stated before, EO is one of my favorite organic brands. I love the fact that everything is made naturally and that there are no harmful sulfates or parabens in their products.

Needless to say, I was excited when I received an opportunity to review EO's newest line of Shampoos and Conditioners in my favorite French Lavender scent.

First off, EO French Lavender products are very strongly scented with essential oils. No fake fragrance here! That being said, if you don't love lavender, this may be too strongly fragranced for your liking. If you DO love lavender, you're in luck.

I really appreciated the scent and feel of using these products. The shampoo has a good amount of lather considering there are no sulfates to help it foam up. The conditioner has a non-traditional feel, as it isn't loaded with silicones for soft slip in the shower, but it works well nonetheless.

Some additional products that they offer for hair are their Detangling Spray, Pre-Shampoo treatment, and Conditioning treatment.

At the risk of sounding like a commercial, if you're a fan of green living products and healthy organics, try EO - you won't be disappointed! Go on EO's website to find out which haircare products are right for you.

Have you tested any of EO's new hair products?

What are your favorites?

Winter Manicure Trends: Deep, Metallic Nail Polish For All!

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Young celebrities like Blake Lively, Selena Gomez, and Demi Lovato are pairing their skinny jeans with bright nail hues for a rocker edge. Others are trailing to shades of gray, nude and mauve. However, it seems that the hottest and most overpowering trend in nail polish this season is dark, yet gleaming metallics in every shade from merlot to pewter.

You don't have to be a 'tween or twenty-something to sport chic, dark nails. Check out the deep metallic navy hue on Sarah Michelle Gellar (left)!

So, how can you transition metallic nails to the workplace? Want to wear a gray or blue shadow without being too goth? Follow these tips for stylish nails that will sparkle all season:

For a fun, casual look, try shimmery violet nails in a color like Nicole by OPI Virtuous Violet, $7.
Avoid the "over trendy" style and choose a metallic in a "safe" shade of plum, burgundy, or wine. A good staple is Nicole by OPI Star of the Party, $7.
Go all out! It is just nail polish after all. Try a shade like Caviar Dreams by Laura Mercier, $15. to really embrace the metallic trend! Just keep 'em classy by filing nails to a square or sq-oval shape and, of course, not too long!

What is your favorite nail color at the moment?

Let me know!

Gossip Girl Fashion: Blair Waldorf's Peep Toe Booties and Metallic Dress

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:21:00 +0000

In the most recent episode of Gossip Girl, attention was called to the stylish ensemble worn by our favorite fashion-forward prep, Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester).

My sources have just informed me that the python peep-toe boots Blair sported in The Grandfather: Part II, by Alexandre Birman, are available at Bergdorf Goodman for a mere price of $595.

The Oscar de la Renta metallic jacquard dress worn by Blair is available at Net-a-Porter for $2,290.

Oh, to be a Gossip Girl starlet!

Falling in Love: My fave Philosophy Fragrance

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

I took advantage of Sephora's Friends and Family sale and purchased, among other things, the small version of Philosophy Falling in Love e.d.t. tonight.

I don't think Falling in Love is cloying or too sweet, partially because it's lasting power supposedly leaves something to be desired. However, I love this scent because it is light, fruity, sweet and foody. With notes of Vanilla, Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, Musk, and Blackberry, this fragrance is casual, fun, and wouldn't dare give me a headache.

My scent memory with this fragrance consists of traveling to the King of Prussia Mall with boyfriend in tow, and of course rushing to Sephora to see what I had been missing at my local store. I saw the small 15mL/0.5oz size by the check out and had to have it after one spritz. However, the small size seemed to be nowhere to be found, and the large size, oddly, did not smell the same. Needless to say, I decided to put it off until a later date.

I wound up at Sephora tonight and, as luck would have it, a friend offered me her discount! I immediately recalled this pleasant perfume and decided to give it a shot.

Have you tried Falling in Love by Philosophy?

Any other Philosophy favorites? Let me know!

Neosporin Lip Health Review: Heals Lip Eczema!

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:48:00 +0000

This fall, after a bout with balms and glosses that just weren't cutting it, I decided to test out Neosporin Lip Health. I purchased a dual pack from Rite Aid that included the Daily Hydration Therapy and the Overnight Renewal Therapy.

As some of you may know, my skin is very touchy especially when it comes to the changing of the seasons. For the past two years, it seems that the formation of lip eczema has been my latest sign of changing weather. Basically, lip eczema shows up as super dry lips but in a way that is different from just regular dry lips. Sometimes they can be itchy, too. It's hard to explain, but if you've suffered from this you know what I'm talking about.

Neosporin's Daily Hydration Therapy is a light, lotion-like product that comes in a squeeze tube for easy application. It works to keep lips hydrated while protecting them with SPF20.

The true star of this story, however, is Neosporin Overnight Renewal Therapy. A white petroleum product, Overnight Renewal Therapy deeply hydrates and softens lips. It comes in a little twist top tub and is very soothing to apply. Now, the Neosporin website says you will have visibly healthier lips in three days. Well, this stuff cured my lip eczema in ONE DAY. I reapplied it a few times, and I don't just use it as night. Regardless, relief was well worth it!

Being that this is a petroleum product, I'm not sure if just slathering on excess Vaseline would've accomplished the same thing. But, Neosporin's new products certainly have won my vote. Easy to carry and easy to use, too.

Click here for a coupon for Neosporin Lip Health.

Will you try these products?

Have you tested out Neosporin's Lip Health line?

Let me know!

Get Rid of Ingrown Hairs: Shaver's Choice Review

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:30:00 +0000

I recently received some Shaver's Choice products to sample and review.

Shaver's Choice products come in packaging that could be more appealing to the eye. The vibrant blue-and-yellow coloring is more suited to an As-Seen-On-TV product than a skincare line, but I digress. The products themselves are actually quite pleasant. I think that they do work to prevent ingrown hairs and reduce bumps.

Of course, being that I have a ton of products claiming to reduce shaving irritation and ingrown hairs, I wasn't exactly thrilled at the idea of another product claiming to fight this problem. I was surprised at the quality of the products and will continue to use my trial set. I particularly liked the skin therapy to use after shaving.

Among the products available are:

Shaver's Choice Cleansing Towelettes
Shaver's Choice Slick! Shave Gel
Shaver's Choice Smooth! Skin Therapy

You can purchase the whole set for less than $20 at Shaver's Choice.

What do you use to prevent ingrown hairs while shaving?

Green Hair Care for Color-treated Hair: Louise Galvin's Sacred Locks

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:25:00 +0000

Looking to go green with healthy hair care? Check out celebrity colorist Louise Galvin’s newest line of hair products, Sacred Locks.

Formulated with the modern woman in mind, Galvin says that her hair care line offers “maximum impact with minimum effort,” and that “less is more” when it comes to her products. Louise Galvin’s fashionable clientele includes Sophie Dahl, Patsy Kensit and American Vogue editor and author Plum Sykes, along with countless other women who rely on Louise’s 20 years experience as a colorist.

Best of all, Galvin’s hair products use only natural or naturally-derived ingredients such as essential oils, natural extracts and vegetable-derived moisturizing and conditioning agents in place of harmful, artificial preservatives. They are also free of sulfates, parabens, silicone, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances and polymers. No animals are harmed in the testing of her products and any greenhouse gasses that are produced in their manufacture are off-set by investment in The Carbon Neutral Company.

“There are very few haircare ranges that deliver a luxury experience. With their rich, creamy textures, non-synthetic scents and beautifully decorated bottles, Louise Galvin’s Sacred Locks is one of them. That the products make your hair look and feel great too, almost seems like a bonus.”
Anna-Marie Solowij, Vogue

Sacred Locks product packaging is also beautiful with a mix of stylish and modern accents and traditional appeal. I love the idea that these products are good for color treated hair AND the environment. I really appreciate the brands that put effort into formulating natural hair care because it is so much easier to make a product that doesn’t take certain precautions when it comes to safety and the environment. The extra mile truly goes a long way here.

I have yet to try the products themselves, but they seem to look promising! Have you tested out any Sacred Locks products? Let me know!

Parissa Wax Strips Review: Do It Yourself Waxing At Home

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:00:00 +0000

I recently received a sample of Parissa Wax Strips to review. I mainly used these to wax away facial hair, but they are for all areas of your body.

The strips come in three sizes, and each strip can be used multiple times.

Using the strips is very simple. You start off with unwashed skin, and prepare the strips for waxing. The strips are clear plastic and are pre-waxed, so all you have to do is rub the strip in your hands to warm the wax before using. Then, just peel the strip apart to expose the wax, and press on in the direction of hair growth. Be sure to press the wax on firmly, then pull off quickly in the opposite direction of hair growth.

After the hair is removed to your liking, apply the Azulene Oil (included) to help protect your skin and prevent ingrown hairs.

Parissa truly does make waxing simple, although it may take some practice to get the results you're looking for. I would not recommend waxing on broken skin or for people prone to acne.

You can find Parissa Wax Strips for about $12 at Target stores.

Have you tried waxing? What do you think of Parissa strips?

Vaseline Sheer Infusion Body Lotion Review

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:00:00 +0000

I have recently been testing the Vitamin Burst version of Vaseline's newest lotion, Sheer Infusion. This lotion was provided to me by a PR company to review, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.

I don't normally go for Vaseline products, aside from their Cocoa Butter Vitalizing Gel Body Oil. I feel that Vaseline is overlooked at the drugstore for fresher, more exciting products. You can definitely tell that they are trying to change this, however, by their new line of Sheer Infusion lotions.

Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotions are formulated with Stratys-3, which is supposed to enable better moisture suspension and penetration. The light scents of Sheer Infusion, which comes in Vitamin Burst, Mineral Renewal, and Botanical Blend formulas, are pleasant and non-cloying.

Overall, for around $7, this lotion works to prevent dry winter skin and is a nice update from Vaseline's normal formulas.

Get your $1.50 coupon for Vaseline Sheer Infusion and find out more now!

Have you tried this product? What do you think?

L'Oreal The Color of Hope Cosmetics Bag: Beauty for Hope

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:08:00 +0000

L'Oreal has released their special edition "The Color of Hope" Cosmetics Bag filled with inspirational shades of their best-selling products. According to L'Oreal, this limited edition cosmetics collection highlights the universally flattering shade of mauve with vibrant teal accents (the color symbolizing ovarian cancer awareness).

Best of all, L'Oreal Paris will donate $5 from the purchase of each bag to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF).

The Color of Hope Cosmetics Bag signifies their ongoing commitment to the fight against ovarian cancer.

Included in the L'Oreal Cosmetics Bag:

L'Oreal Wear Infinite Pressed Eye Shadow Quad in Petals of Promise 515
L'Oreal Wear Infinite Pressed Eye Shadow Quad in Bouquet of Strength 215
L'Oreal 6 Hr Never Fail Lip Gloss in Color of Hope 531
L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick in Color of Hope

The Color of Hope Cosmetics Bag retails for $29.95 and is available at drugstores nationwide and Drugstore.com.

I think it is an excellent idea, but L'Oreal must keep in mind that it is a bit pricey (especially considering their items are occasionally BOGO). For the same $30, a makeup-lover could get two items from MAC!

Would you purchase this bag?

Yves Saint Laurent Parisienne Eau de Parfum Review

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:58:00 +0000

Oh my goodness.

YSL's new Parisienne scent is a beautiful fruity floral that will definitely fair amazingly with the under-50 set! I love this scent. As I've stated before, I'm no perfume critic, but this one really hits the spot. To be honest, my untrained nose finds similarities between this to Victoria's Secret Love Spell, but almost like a more "grown up" and pleasant version of it.

An added bonus: the hints of blackberry and cranberry in Parisienne truly help it stand out from a sea of "too sweet" fruity scents by adding a kick of tartness.

Have you tried Parisienne? Let me know!

Hard Candy Cosmetics at Walmart: Bargain or Bust?

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Hard Candy fans rejoice! The stylish, trendy brand has returned and can be found at a Walmart near you!

I think that Walmart and Hard Candy are a perfect fit. The brand offers slightly above average cosmetics picks targeted at the "tween" set that want to go beyond Bonne Bell. Hard Candy's line also fits perfectly with the new Miley Cyrus & Max Azria culmination that is also stocked on Walmart's shelves.

The price point is, of course, bargain-friendly at around $5 to $8 per item, with edgy black-and-white packaging and cool names.

Some items to be on the look out for:

Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer, $8., seems to be winning rave reviews on both the Walmart site and MakeupAlley.
Hard Candy Just Nails Nail Polish, $5., holds Hard Candy's iconic plastic ring around the bottle neck. Available in trendy, bright shades!
Also, an array of lip products that smell/taste sweet and last a while all for around $6.

What do you think of Hard Candy's new lineup? Any favorite products? Let me know!

Donate Unused Makeup, Cosmetics, Skincare and Hair Products - Cosmetics for a Cause

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:28:00 +0000

I'm writing today to introduce you to a new campaign I am launching with Dolce Beauty and N.J. Creative Media, my design company. I have decided to spend this holiday season giving back to the community and helping those in need the best way I know how... by bringing the gift of beauty to a cause close to my heart.

I have started an organization called Cosmetics for a Cause which collects new, unused beauty products, skincare, and hair products to donate to various women's shelters. I am working with a few needy organizations and would love if you could help me to support their causes.

Please check out the Cosmetics for a Cause website at www.donatecosmetics.org, or help me out by placing one of the following badges on your site:

There are three badges to choose from, here.

If you have any additional comments or suggestions on ways to help, or would like to donate directly, please contact me ASAP!

Thank you :)

Cool Gadget: SimpleHuman Sensor Soap Pump

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:00:00 +0000

You, too, can now have your very own sensor soap dispenser to help avoid germs around your home or office.

How awesome is this?! This is the perfect gift for a germ-o-phobe (like myself) or just as a new gadget to protect against the spread of germs this fall and winter. Another option would be to fill it with waterless sanitizer to use at your desk!

“We’ve always believed there is a place for sensor technology in the home, but it’s been really rewarding to see how people are using our sensor soap pumps to help prevent illness,” says simplehuman CEO and Design Director, Frank Yang.

How does it work? As SimpleHuman states:
"A small blue LED display flashes when the sensor is activated and blinks when the batteries need to be replaced. The sensor soap pump is engineered to save power, so the four AA batteries should only need replacing once every six months."

Best of all, SimpleHuman's automatic sensor soap pump costs under $30! Check them out online or at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

By the way, check out the cool new site I created here: NovaCleaningSystems.com

Clinique's Best Products: How to Shrink Pores and Smooth Skin

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:00:00 +0000

Trying to find the right foundations and concealers to cover up your skin is hard enough. Instead of trying to cover up, why not try to take care of the skin underneath to guarantee a better look once you apply the other odds and ends in your cosmetic bag.

I have been fed up with trying foundation after foundation and not finding one that applies smoothly and appears natural. I finally realized that my pores have significantly enlarged from the lack of exfoliating and washing I have been providing for my skin. After visiting the Clinique Kiosk I have found solutions to my problem and this post is giving direct guidance and perhaps even promoting the Clinique Brand a bit.

Here are some tips I learned and products I picked up while having a make-up information session with one of the Clinique saleswomen.

Removing your make-up (whether it be with a make-up remover solution or make-up remover wipe) is not a substitution for washing your face. After using these products residue is left over that can clog your pores and cause you to break out. Always use a face wash after to clean your skin properly along with removing your make-up every night.
Exfoliate once or twice a week to minimize pores and get rid of dead skin cells. I just started using the Clinique 7-day scrub and its’ wonderful. Your face truly feels fresher and cleaner after using the product.
Pore Minimizer Refining Lotion from Clinique is a continuous treatment to minimize pours. This is great to use and has significantly helped downsize my facial pores.
CLINIQUE’S BEST KEPT SECRET - Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector. This product, as the Clinique woman told me, “shellacks over your skin.” It instantly fills in enlarged pores to make your skin looked polished, smooth and natural. The refining lotion is a continuous treatment but if you want to instantly minimize the appearance of your facial pores and get a smooth finish with your make-up this is an essential tool.
The Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion from Clinique is also great to put on before you apply foundation or other types of make-up to your face. These nourish your skin and prevent it from drying out.
Superfit Foundation-they sell golden/pink undertone choices so you can find a perfect fit for your skin color. The ladies at the Kiosk are more than happy to help you find the right color and there is bound to be a shade to match you perfectly. It can be so frustrating going into a drug store and having your entire hand covered with every brand/color of foundation which in the end you can’t tell if they match and what swatch the product belonged to. The foundations also come in what is ideal for your skin type- for oil, normal or dry skin.

Another great tip - Use a Foundation Brush when applying foundation. Sponges absorb your foundation. Ever wonder why your product seems to get finished so quickly? Perhaps, it’s because most of it you aren’t even using for your face but just for your sponges’ absorption needs.
Bronzer - I stay true to a little golden glow year-round, and Clinique has 3 different shades that allow you to pick and choose how dark and how brown or red you want your glow to be. I tried on the lightest one today and it was a subtle brown that gave me the color I wanted without looking really fake for the fall season.
Final tip- Always ask for samples! Clinique products can be expensive and although they are worth it, if you buy the entire skincare line you are looking to spend $100s. The women at Clinique departments will put dime size amounts of products in little containers for you to try and see if you like a product. They also have tons of free gifts throughout the year and are known to give away the moisturizing lotion, the 7day scrub and many lipstick and blush shades. I just got the latest free gift and got so many fun goodies! Totally worth purchasing a product for $21.

What are your favorite Clinique Products?

Boyfriend-approved Skincare: Every Man Jack Review

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:00:00 +0000

I am a fan of Every Man Jack products for several reasons.

First of all, they market toward men without overtly sexual campaigns. I think all that AXE and Tag stuff is just getting old. They are a laid-back company that men can feel comfortable about buying and using products from. Also, their products are all explained in a way that men can understand and feel good about buying. And, they aren't loaded with nasty smelling "manly man" fragrances.

The reason I am saying all of this is because I actually got my boyfriend to test and use Every Man Jack products! He NEVER wants to try anything skincare related, so this was a very exciting feat.

Some worthy notes:

The Skin Clearing Collection (Clever slogans include: "Will this stuff make you look like a swimwear model? Definitely - if you already are one") contains salicylic acid as well as skin soothing ingredients to soothe skin while treating blemishes.
Every Man Jack also offers many, many shave products, including their "Cooling Gel" post shave products.

Ladies, buy this line for the man in your life! Gift sets are available at Target.

Chloé Eau de Parfum: Love!

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:00:00 +0000

I absolutely adore my latest lux purchase, Chloé perfume! When surfing the web, I came across this rather nasty review by Chandler Burr noted Perfume reviewer (what a title!):

"Not only is Chloé an uninteresting, clichéd floral — why are houses still launching saccharine, vaguely unidentifiable composite flowers? — it smells like a perfume masquerading as a fabric softener." - Scent Notes

To be honest, fabric softener smells good! But, Chloé doesn't smell anything like that. I definitely notice a warm floral housed in elegant, designer packaging. I'm not really a perfume wearer, but I'm trying to be one! It actually reminds me of an unidentifiable scent from my childhood.

OK, so it's pricey. But, sometimes, a splurge is worth it. It was to me!

Are you a fan of this fragrance by Chloé? Let me know!

Np2: Selena Gomez and Jill Zaran Shop for Nail Polish to Benefit Breast Cancer Awareness

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:00:00 +0000

When I found out that Selena Gomez and Jill Zaran love Np2 Nail Perfection Polishes, I just had to try them for myself. Each polish retails for $22.50 and comes with a clear top coat built into the brush handle! Cool!

While the clear coat area makes it a bit difficult to operate the brush for the colored base coat, I think that this is an innovative idea. The polish itself seems to be long lasting, and the formula is easy to use.

For Breast Cancer Awareness month, Np2 is donating 25% of their sales of pink polishes to benefit charities.

Have you tried Np2?

Check out their website, here!

L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara Review

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:30:00 +0000

Telescopic Explosion is a new mascara by L'Oreal. I generally feel like most of L'Oreal's mascaras are too similar to compare via review, but since this was sent to me by Total Beauty's Sneak Peek program, I just had to comment on it.

This mascara comes in a somewhat cheesy, red and black telescope shaped tube. It is trying to play on the "telescopic" angle, but it truly just takes away from a classy appearance. Regardless, that is the least of L'Oreal's worries here.

The "innovative" brush at the end of this wand is a rubber brush, similar to that of Max Factor mascaras, with the only difference being the size. L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion's brush is like a little ball at the end of the wand. This makes it harder to control (surprisingly, unless there is a learning curve I don't know about), and because of the thickness of the brush, easier to make a mess.

I wasn't really a fan of this mascara. If you can apply it without smudging up, it seems to wear pretty well with minimal clumping or flaking.

What do you think of this mascara? Let me know!

MintGlaze FX Review: New Beloved Gloss

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:18:00 +0000

I totally am loving MintGlaze FX, Cover FX's Fortifying Lip Treat-mint Primer with SPF15!

There are many things that thrill me about this product. First off, it is a soft mint flavor that imparts a glossy shine without being sticky. It comes in a weighty clear and white tube that is stylish and sleek, and softens lips as you wear it. The gloss/balm retails for $22, and is sold at select Sephora and Nordstrom locations.

Usually all mint flavored balms kind of blend into one category for me, but this is truly a stand out product, IMO. I love that there is sun protection in this product, and that it tastes, smells, and feels so good.

Cover FX claims MintGlaze FX:

Is a protective, volumizing and fortifying glazed balm to maintain youthful lips.
Is a pout perfecting primer that hydrates & softens the appearance of lines.
Contains lip freshening peppermint

And can be used by:

Anyone requiring a sun protecting balm.
Anyone who have chapped and fine lined lips

I wholeheartedly agree!

An Update on Finance and My Shopping Obsession

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 03:01:00 +0000

Wow, I can’t believe its October already! I have been working my butt off trying to start saving money, and I’m sure this holiday season is not going to help me out on that. With car payments and insurance costs, I feel like I can’t really spend carelessly as I’m used to doing.

Of course, this doesn’t stop me… because instead of worrying about my bills I will still do go shopping! I just bought a few things the other day, including an awesome winter coat from Marshall’s that is made by a green company that recycles coats (you can send back your used coat and they will recycle the wool), and the Michael Kors purse I’ve been eyeing for months! Since I still live at home, I don’t have to worry about heating costs or paying rent… which allows me spend freely sometimes.

I think that even in these tough times, shopping for yourself is important. I know I get cranky if I don’t buy anything for a while (sick, right?). But, I’ve never gone as far as to get one of those payday loans or any sort of cash advance just to go spend money. I do have excellent credit, though.

So, this winter, instead of worrying about where to find cheap presents to buy your friends, you shouldn’t feel guilty if you splurge a bit on yourself and the important people in your life. It is important to save a bit of money, but more important for everyone to feel appreciated, loved, and happy… gift or no.

What are you doing to save money this holiday season? Anything on your wishlist yet?

N.J. Creative Media - Stylish Web and Print Designs

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 03:00:00 +0000

Things have slowed down on this blog, and I just want to let my readers know that there is a pretty significant reason why.

As many of you may know, I have recently started doing some freelance work by starting up my own full service graphic and web design company, N.J. Creative Media. I have gotten a few job leads lately by posting ads on Craigslist, and one of the jobs was surprising for a business card design.

The company that contacted me originally wanted me to do a website for them, but ultimately we decided it would be best if I worked with them to instead design a new business card for their medical spa. When I asked about printing, they claimed they would use an online service to print out their business cards and other potential print materials.

I can usually recommend many online printing services that I have used in the past for my regular job (Marketing Manager of a small corporation in New Jersey), and I am quite familiar with printing requirements like CMYK color and bleed margins.

If you are in need of any print materials like invitations, postcards, business cards, or posters… don’t hesitate to let me know! I’d love to design something for you. Also, feel free to check out my company website for more printing and web design ideas. If you’re looking to get anything printed, check online first! You can usually get better deals on bulk printing as opposed to the prices Staples or Kinkos and fast turnaround, too.

L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Makeup Review

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:57:00 +0000

L'Oreal True Match and I go way back. I tested this foundation when it first arrived on the scene, then gradually it moved out of my traincase. I was wondering why this occurred when Total Beauty contacted me to do a review on True Match as part of their Sneak Peek program. I decided that I would test out the "Natural Buff" shade, and see how L'Oreal's reformulation worked.

Well first off, this product contains an SPF 17, which is nice to protect skin from everyday sunlight. It is, as it states, super blendable... no harsh lines and it really evens out the skin. It did not oxidize on my combination skin at all when I tried it. I've found L'Oreal foundations to be extremely hit or miss. In this case, I noticed that it settled into dry skin a bit, and tended to smudge around if I was blowing my nose or touching my face.

I also did not really appreciate an increase in acne that may or may not have been related to the use of this product.

Overall, I feel that L'Oreal True Match is a great blending foundation with excellent sun protection. It is readily available at drugstores nationwide for just about $9 a bottle. I would only suggest staying away from this product if your skin is noticeably dry, acnegenic or oily.

Pureology SuperSmooth System Review: Calming Hair Naturally

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:17:00 +0000

Pureology, one of my favorite brands, has unleashed a new line of amazing smoothing hair products called SuperSmooth. There are four steps to the system: Cleanse, Condition and Detangle, Nourish, and Fortify.

All products from Pureology's SuperSmooth line contain:

Natural Derivatives:
Camella Oil - To tame frizz and flyaways
Sesame Oil - Improves shine and flexibility
Organic Shea Butter - Adds softness and moisture
Organic Botanical:
Geranium - Conditions and hydrates, increasing manageability and shine (also great for scalp)
ThermalAntiFadeComplex
ZeroSulfates

I am anxious to test out this product, as all of Pureology's systems are usually awesome! The pricing is as follows:

SuperSmooth Shampoo $27.
SuperSmooth Hair Condition $27.
SuperSmooth Smoothing Elixir $24. <----LOVE this
SuperSmooth Relaxing Hair Masque $50.

Pureology's SuperSmooth line is available starting in October 2009 at salons nationwide!

Frugal Beauty: Four Makeup Finds Under $4!

nicole@dolcebeauty.com (Nicole) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 08:00:00 +0000

In the spirit of saving money, I've put together this list of four of my favorite frugal finds! These products are not only cheap, but also readily available. Nothing feels better than a steal under $4!

NYC Kiss Gloss:
This gloss by NYC comes in a small and simple squeeze tube. It feels moisturizing on the lips and is not overly sticky. Kiss Gloss offers juicy and sweet scents while imparting more color (depending on your shade) and than it's Bonne Bell equivalents. Best of all, it's a lot longer lasting.

Try Cherry, $3, for a sweet and sheer red pout!
Stay away from Mint, $3, as reviews have claimed that the taste is not so sweet.

So Easy Stripe-Rite Nail Polish:
Let out your inner artist with these slim, water-based nail polishes, perfect for making delicate lines or designs on your mani-pedi. Available in an array of stylish colors and glitter shades.

Try Gold, $3.99, for a fancy manicure that rivals any salon!
Stay away from White, $3.99, which sounds classy but doesn't offer enough opacity to create the bold looks you'd want.

Sinful Colors Nail Polish:
Speaking of nail polish, Sinful Colors has this market cornered with zillions of gorgeous, trendy shades for cheap! They don't offer any extra chip protection, but what do you expect for this price?

Try any of the shimmer or matte shades, $2.50, because they're all awesome!
Stay away from the sheer glitters, which not only are cheap, but LOOK cheap.

Sally Girl Eye Shadow:
Available at Sally Beauty Supply for $0.99 each, you really can't go wrong with these soft and blendable shades. Sure, they're on the small side, but how much vibrant teal and bright green shadow does a girl really need? These are awesome for testing out that daring color "just for a night" without shelling out too much cash.

Try Latte, $0.99, for a soft, natural look.
Stay away from any dark (black, purple) shade, as it will appear too sheer to have the impact you want.

Do you have a frugal favorite?