makeup loves me

review: nivea skin firming hydration body lotion.

2013-05-23T07:05:00.000-04:00

{ready for the day in splendid shorts from shopbop}

i've recently lifted my self-imposed lifelong ban on shorts, and all the credit goes to flywheel spin class and nivea skin firming hydration.

i'm not tiny on bottom; my body type would more be described as "little in the middle but i've got much back". any extra weight goes to my hips, thighs, and tush. this is something i love about myself, as long as i can keep the cellulite in check. after a few months of spinning twice a week, and after two weeks of semi-daily use of nivea skin firming hydration body lotion my legs, particularly my thighs, are subtly, but noticeably firmer.

what i love about the lotion: sometimes after using it i get that slightly tight skin feeling you get from a mud masque, that makes me think "i know this is working!".

i'm planning to continue my regular application through summer. the temporary lift and smoothness are all that makes shorts possible for me.

to join in use #DARETOBARE to share your photos and experiences on instagram or twitter with nivea for a chance to win a bottle. contest goes through the end of may.

to visit the rest of legs week click here, and prepare to have your stems ready for summer.

{how i keep it tight}

editor's note: please be advised makeup loves me is a brand influencer for nivea. but worry not, all opinions expressed are my own.

new: gilette venus + olay sugarberry razor.

2013-05-21T08:52:00.000-04:00

{me, chrissy teigen, and aly walansky}

{lounging on the rooftop}

chrissy teigen, the spokeslegs for venus razors, is getting married!

to celebrate venus threw a shaving-themed shower for the swimsuit model/outspoken tweeter. the shower was held last week on the top of the strand and featured a bathtub cake surrounding by razor cupcakes. chrissy looked predictably gorgeous and leggy. her legs may be the entire length of my and aly's bodies.

the brand also took this time to celebrate their new razor, the gilette venus + olay sugarberry. the newest venus razor has 5 blades, tons of built-in hydration (so much that so that no shave gel is needed) and sugar sweet scent. the high moisturization leads to legs that are hairless and shiny in one step -- the key to summer legs. available now at mass retailers nationwide.

to see other leg week posts click here.

{hey, sugarberry!}

new: caudalie divine legs: tinted body lotion.

2013-05-20T07:56:00.000-04:00

{bottle of magic}

welcome to leg week!!! as temperatures rise so do hemlines (what an old fashioned word!), making maintained and meticulously groomed legs of tantamount importance. this week i'll be focusing on all the products that lead to stems that are befitting of being shown off.

caudalie's divine legs is the ideal quick fix for the pale, scaly leg skin that winter creates. this lotion hydrates and bronzes leaving legs golden, then stays put until it's washed off. also, it smells like french riviera. caudalie's unique divine scent combines grapefruit, rose, pink pepper, vanilla and cedar. it's a magical smell, unlike anything else. i'm using this lotion to hang on to what remains of my hawaii glow. $38.

{before and after}

review: ritz carlton kapalua spa.

2013-05-16T07:01:00.000-04:00

{women's jacuzzi}

just a week back from my hawaiian honeymoon, and i miss it deeply. we visited both kauai and maui, two beautiful islands with distinct charms. but for me, the highlight of the vacation was staying at the ritz carlton kapalua in maui. it's truly luxurious.

my husband (still getting used to that word) and i visited the spa during our time at the ritz for that requisite honeymoon treatment, the couples' massage. while it sounds romantic, couples' massage usually just means a somewhat-distracted-massage because someone else is also getting a massage right next to you at the same time. however, this one particular massage did not disappoint. the spa has a private garden hut exclusively for couples' treatments that felt at once - embedded in nature, private, and comfortable. the massages themselves were perfect -- loosing up all the knots in my neck and shoulders that lingered from wedding planning and the long flight.

the service was the on the pricier side -- approx $340 with tip included. however that price includes full day access to the spa's facilities - jacuzzis, steam rooms, saunas and relaxation areas. after 3 hours there it's hard to even remember what stress is. can i go back now?

five things to try this may.

2013-05-13T07:08:00.000-04:00

1. rebecca minkoff sunglass pouch in shady lady - often times i find inexpensive sunglasses that i like, only to have them clobbered to death by the other items in purse. this adorable sunglass pouch prevents that sad outcome. $75.

2. aveeno protect + hydrate lotion sunscreen with broad spectrum SPF 30 - this sunscreen applies like a lotion, and taking out the sticky factor makes me a million times more likely to use SPF. repeated daily applications of this product saved me from sunburn on my hawaiian honeymoon.

3. roux maison essential laundry detergent - a little bit goes a long way with this ultra-concentrated detergent. loveable because it's residue-free, hypo-allergic, and for it's sleek packaging. available in ambrosia, sweet tea, and fragrance-free.

4. revlon lash potion mascara - combines all the major mascara formulas into one - lengthening, volumizing and clump-free. also, i'm pre-disposed to like anything described as "potion".

5. clinique a different nail enamel for sensitive skins - clinique has added a line of quick-drying, eye- and skin-safe polishes, including 7 limited edition shades for summer. to see a sample mani using the polishes, visit my recent instagram posts @makeuplovesme.

how to create the NARS lip for spring 2013.

2013-05-10T11:49:00.000-04:00

{look #3, A train stop}

as the season changes, i always look to NARS head artist cindy rodriguez for ideas on how to create the best lip looks for the months ahead. then i usually test out the brightest one, and take selfies in the subway station to share!

1. natural light lip: apply puerto vallarta multiple stick on ring finger then gently pat onto lips and top with orgasm lip gloss for a peachy bronzed look.

2. mid-tone lip: shade papua lip liner pencil lightly along natural lip line, fill lip with tolede lipstick and finish the look with gold digger larger than life lip gloss for added shine.

3. bold summer lip: apply jardin des plantes satin lip pencil over entire lip then pop paris follies larger than life lip gloss just in the center for added shine and dimension.

see the winter looks here. all products mentioned available at narscosmetics.com.

my wedding beauty details - nails and bathroom basket.

2013-05-08T15:14:00.003-04:00

{nail close-up}

{nails with a magnolia cupcake sent to the bridal suite by husband-to-be}

{bathroom basket #2}

my wedding nails were my "something blue" -- blue hearts, flowers and a script "bride" on my ring finger where mixed with scattered rose gold glitter nails. i visited marie nails soho the day before the wedding for the calgel design - which ended up costing around $67 and lasted my whole honeymoon (i'm sadly on my last day in hawaii now).

the first bathroom basket offered nivea lip care products and scope in multiples (see it here), the second basket covered the many other anticipated needs of guests - from bobby pins to bandaids - and all of my favorite sample sized products. i spent months building it and was happy to see it was nearly empty by the end of the night!

wedding prep: lash extensions at courtney akai.

2013-05-06T16:03:00.001-04:00

{ultra close-up}

in the weeks leading up to my wedding there were many beauty rituals that required fulfilling, but my favorite glamor extravagance is always lash extensions. for the past year i've told anyone who asked that the only place i trusted to do my extensions for the big day is courtney akai lash boutique. i've visited the boutique in it's previous location on 3 occasions (within the past year it moved to a bigger space in soho), and their attention to detail and superior lash glue makes the extensions last at least twice, and usually three times, longer than any other extensions. to read about my prior experiences with courtney akai click here.

two days before the wedding i had a date with courtney akai lash specialist tamara, and despite that fact that my wedding jitters were starting to kick in, her gentle touch nearly put me sleep. in order to maximize my pre-wedding time manicurist/reflexologist selena gave me a pedicure during the first hour. we went with a shiny rose gold polish to peek out of my miu miu wedding shoes. the combination of lashes and pedicure was perfect - relaxing and time efficient. in a hectic week my visit to courtney akai salon was a pink oasis. plus, my pre-wedding lashes are still pretty much intact for my honeymoon - keeping my pretty with minimal effort.

my wedding day makeup and hair.

2013-05-01T15:26:00.001-04:00

{waiting to walk down the aisle}

{down the aisle i go!}

after months of makeup trials with all my favorite brands i hired kristine cruz to do both my hair and makeup -- plus, my mom's as well. i met kristine briefly in february. she did my makeup at a beauty touch-up lounge for fashion week. even though it was brief encounter i loved her approach to creating a look -- she seemed to really get how to highlight my structure and features.

i didn't want my makeup to seem too overdone, but i didn't want it to be too simplistic either. a gentle smoky eye, coral lip, and sculpted cheek struck the perfect balance. similarly, i looked for a hairstyle with a bit of intrigue - i wanted a bun, braids, and a little bit of height. kristine had no trouble understanding what i was going for and creating a look to match it. i ended up looking exactly as i'd pictured.

i'm married!!!!

2013-04-30T15:35:00.002-04:00

{bathroom basket #1}

friday night was surreal -- it's truly a wonderful experience having a room of people you love celebrate your relationship. now my husband and i are in beautiful hawaii for the next 10 days. i plan to put up some more pictures and details throughout the week of the details and beauty regimen that got me ready for the big night.

naturally i had to have an over-the-top amount of products for the guests to sample in both the men's and women's rooms. thanks to nivea lip care and scope for supplying all the guests with the ingredients for fresh for kisses throughout the night. mahalo!

review: kiehl's skin rescuer.

2013-04-22T08:22:00.000-04:00

{stress release in a bottle}

in preparation for the wedding i've been on a pretty strict skincare regimen, but somehow i managed to squeeze testing kiehl's skin rescuer to my routine -- and my skin got even better.

skin rescuer is a daily hydrator for fighting the signs of stress, with 3 steps:

treat, calm and hydrate the skin - with chamomile extract, glycerin and shea butter.
limit the release of stress signals to the skin - with rosa gallica extract.
protect the skin barrier from future reactions - with mannose, squalane, and blend of unique ceramides.

the effect is smooth, soft and happier looking skin. and it's not just me who thinks so, 100% of those in the kiehl's clinical trial showed improvement in their skin. this lotion has the refreshing effect of making the user look like they've just returned from vacation. $40 at kiehls.com.

new: sephora holograhic bag collection.

2013-04-19T07:52:00.003-04:00

{a rainbow of bags}

sephora hit on everything that's hot for summer 2013 with their holographic makeup bag collection - transparent, prismatic, and rose-gold edging.

i've been thinking a lot about what i'll be packing for my hawaiian honeymoon in just a little over a week. as regular readers know packing is a bit of a challenge for me. -- my rule for this upcoming trip is no more than 5 lipsticks. whatever makeup i end up deciding to bring, i'm definitely packing all my makeup in this bag. i adore this bag - and i think it could even double as a clutch for a quick trip the to the poolside bar.

five sizes/styles ranging from $20-32 at sephora.com and sephora stores.

review: axe anti-dandruff styling cream.

2013-04-16T07:06:00.001-04:00

{man's new best friend}

beauties, today we hear from my fiance, ariel about his new favorite from axe.

he says:

axe anti-dandruff styling cream makes me feel cooler than an astronaut.

axe recently had the clever idea of taking dandruff fighting out of the shower and into their styling products. as one would expect from an anti-dandruff product, it keeps hair flake-free -- even hours after application.

what one might not expect from an anti-dandruff product is that it smells great. it still manages to give off the signature axe masculine scent, rather than a clinical one. another plus is that it's highly effective -- it gives good hold -- even for curly hair. like marina, i'm starting to think a lot about what i'll be packing for our honeymoon in hawaii -- and i think this gel can definitely stand the heat. i've also been checking out www.stand-out.net for some wardrobe re-ups -- looking our best on this honeymoon is an absolute must.

available now from mass retailers for approx $7.99.

new: NARS summer 2013 color collection.

2013-04-15T08:14:00.000-04:00

{bird of paradise}

{the collection}

if i had a inspiration board for my summer 2013 makeup look, NARS new color collection would feature heavily. francois nars created this collection with the idea of putting a modern spin on the futuristic glamor of the 1970s. it offers the perfect interplay of bold colors in warm and cool tones.

the collection includes:

fashion rebel duo eyeshadow - dandelion and african violet; $34
euphrate single eyeshadow - frosted mint steel; $24
barrow street larger than life long-wear eyeliner - seafoam green; $24
puerto vallarta multiple - shimmering tangerine; $39
tolede lipstick - pink rose; $24
tender night velvet matte lip pencil - iridescent lilac (limited edition); $25
paris follies larger than life lip gloss - pink flamingo; $26
madness nail polish - electric orange (limited edition); $19

the tender night velvet matte lip pencil is unlike anything else -- i don't think any brand has created an iridescent matte before. the hint of multi-dimensional color is both easy to wear and utterly unique. it pairs especially well with the puerto vallarta multiple.

love the shades but unsure how to create looks with these bold hues? check out this video that turns the vibrant yellow and purple shadow into a wearable look.

the entire collection is available on narscosmetics.com today, 4/15/13.

vegas night out makeup.

2013-04-12T07:41:00.001-04:00

{mini sidecars from my recent bachelorette in new orleans}

two of my longtime beauty blogging besties recently had the opportunity to visit las vegas. judging by their instagram they had a magical trip -- filled with multi-course gourmet meals, bottle service, and light gambling.

inevitably, it made me daydream about planning a trip to vegas with my fiance. we both enjoy whirlwind vacations, bright lights and a little bit of texas hold'em. we've been to atlantic city - "the vegas of the east" - on many occasions. it's one on my top 5 weekend escape destinations. i've heard vegas can be a bit more expensive than atlantic city, with a quick weekend easily costing thousands. we'll have to look into some practical ways to save money in vegas. but, then i start fantasizing about my packing list.

lucky-7 vegas makeup must-haves:

hard candy eye def glitter shadow in disco - this multicolored glitter shadow in a liquid silver base looks like an actual disco ball for your eyelids.
all my craziest false lashes - there are maybe 40 pairs of false lashes in my beauty closet. i have some vintage shu uemura lashes from when they were still sold in the US department stores. one set that looks like ornate owl feathers.
nars velvet matte lip pencil in dragon girl - this will always be my ultimate red.
thematic nail art - i'm thinking something a queen of hearts design.
lush cosmetics lustre - this is a gold powder that is scented like my favorite perfume, lust by lush cosmetics. i'm never sure when the right time for a gold powder is, but i'm guessing vegas is high on the list.
batiste dry shampoo - smells amazing. a great way to refresh hair after stale air exposure.
noxzema clean moisture makeup removal cloths -are my latest favorite way to remove my makeup without water.

new: l'occitane la collection de grasse.

2013-04-10T08:26:00.001-04:00

{new notes}

l'occitane has a new perfumer in the house, karine dubreuil, and she's masterminded 4 new unisex fragrances for the brand. the scents are inspired by southern france, with each perfume taking a note from the grasse region and a second note from a exotic locale.

jasmin + bergamote - floral jasmin
magnolia + mûre - fruity chypre
vanille + narcisse - floriental
thé vert + bigarade - citrus aromatic

the fragrances are unique and sophisticated. the supposedly fruity and vanilla scents are not the stereotypical cloying versions of either. i usually cannot stand the smell of either scent category - both carry a forced sweetness that conjures images of teens' first perfume - but the vanille + narcisse is spicy, mature, and even sexy. the magnolia + mûre is lighter than most fruity fragrances -- reminding me of a raspberry iced tea on a hot day. however, true to form, my favorite is the floral jasmin, jasmin + bergamote which offers a twist on favorite fragrance category.

i attended a launch breakfast at rouge tomate for the scents, which included menu items inspired by each perfume (see menu below). i'm not a breakfast food person usually, but i wish that i could wake up to that menu every morning. like the fragrances themselves, it was an inspired way to start the day.

{i'd like to always wake to an amber palmer}

look for the scents on l'occitane shelves in the next few weeks.

bridal makeup looks.

2013-04-08T07:26:00.002-04:00

{putting my many bridal faces forward}

i can't believe my wedding is now less than 3 weeks away!

one of the best things about being a beauty blogger preparing for a wedding is the opportunity to try out different looks for the day with some of my favorite brands. over the past year, 6 of my favorite cosmetic lines created bridal looks that transformed my face.

each look was so different -- and i loved each in their own way. but i'm curious, beauties, which was your favorite? answer choices start with the top left corner and go clockwise!

poll by twiigs.com

dove truth files partners with samantha bee (interview).

2013-04-05T07:16:00.000-04:00

{truth sleuth, samantha bee}

dove invited me to april truth day (celebrated on april 2nd, as a sort of antidote to april fool's day) to celebrate the truth that their body products offer superior skin care. dove's truth files campaign is aimed at spreading the word that when compared with their competitors, dove's formulas are less harsh and more nurturing for skin's outer layer.

it was a mesmerizing evening -- tarot card readers, dove-shaped bite sized snacks, a cocktail called truth serum, and a hilarious speech from the daily show correspondent samantha bee. funny lady, bee, is a spokeswoman for the truth files, and i had the chance for some one-on-one q+a:

me: what inspired you to partner with dove?
bee: i've used dove my whole life, so it was very natural.
me: what's your favorite dove product?
bee: just the classic beauty bar.
me: and what is your beauty truth?
bee: hrm...don't do too much. like, less is more, you know?
me: yes. the cocktail of the evening is called "truth serum", what's your truth serum?
bee: champagne -- i love the champers!
me: will you be having some tonight?
bee: maybe after i speak!
me: are you wearing lashes? did you put them on yourself?
bee: i love lashes, but someone else put them on for me.
me: i love lashes, too! you look great!

after my wonderful discourse with samantha, an auspicious tarot card reading and many a care-tini (see picture below), i won the evening's raffle -- dove is sending my fiance and i to the hamptons for a weekend in june! i am overjoyed and can't wait to share pictures.

{a dove-shaped pear perched on a care-tini}

{the white party set-up}

new manicure secret: aquaphor.

2013-04-02T07:09:00.001-04:00

{manicure essentials}

i have especially curvy nail beds. i'm not saying this to brag. in fact, quite the opposite. curvy nails aren't easy to work with; on numerous occasions its been pointed out by manicurists that since my nails aren't flat it's hard to get the polish to stay put. in fact, it's what makes me "not an ideal candidate" for sally hansen's new at home gel polish strips -- those strips just aren't designed for my curves!

it was recently suggested to me to apply aquaphor healing ointment to my cuticles before i begin polishing. doing so has the dual effect of softening my cuticles and protecting my skin from the polish run-off. this is now the only way i'll DIY a mani -- it saves me the cuticle clean-up step at the end, which i never do anyway. it's also slowly healing my worse-for-the-wear nail beds, which have suffered from the recent weather schizophrenia.

in the manicure shown i'm wearing china glaze neon + on + on from their sunsational line for summer 2013, not yet on shelves -- but it is comprised of 12 of my favorites brights of all time.

five things to try this april.

2013-04-01T07:19:00.000-04:00

1. odin new york candle in 03 century - even with spring in the air, i love burning a dark smoky candle in my living room at dusk. this modern chypre scent is rounded out by musk and amber. the black glass and wax make it extra seductive and man-friendly. $65.

2. west elm rose gold flatware 5-piece place setting - i recently added this whimsical set to my west elm wish list, which serves as an informal registry for my fiance and me (wedding guests, take note!). it's just impractical enough to be perfect. $39 per set.

3. clinique moisture surge CC cream - is being introduced to the market this month. this blendable, multi-functioning product comes in 6 shades - from light to deep. all them have lavender at their core, which i learned at the launch event, brightens every skintone. $35.

4. dial skin therapy exfoliating body wash - uses pink himalayan salt as an exfoliant. i cannot say no to an exotic salt, in any form. SRP $4.99.

5. butter london's spring 2013 nail lacquers - look like they stepped out of a french patisserie. each shade is quintessentially spring. $15/bottle.

new and review: ardell color impact lashes.

2013-03-28T08:08:00.001-04:00

{hint of color}

ardell's color impact lashes are perfect. they offer just enough color to create intrigue, and not so much that it makes the wearer look like an insect. each lash shade comes with a suggestion about which eye color it best compliments:

blue enhances brown eyes
plum enhances green and hazel eyes
wine enhances blue, green and hazel eyes
green enhances brown and hazel eyes

this makes color selection easy, but doesn't limit one's options -- i still want to give the green a try. but as a blue (grey) eyed girl, i had to start with the wine wispies. they were just enough wine (something that can be hard to balance) to make my eyes pop, yet not so much that anyone commented on my "red lashes". not too long, not too colorful; they felt like a secret weapon that made me feel extra pretty all day long.

all 4 hues come in 6 styles. available at beauty supply and drugstores nationwide.
PS - for best affect use with duo lash adhesive. i've never had a less painful and more effective lash applying session in my life.

new and review: by terry sheer inspiration.

2013-03-27T07:05:00.000-04:00

{pretty enough to eat, but don't}

by terry's spring 2013 collection, sheer inspiration, is aptly named. i'm hoping wearing these popsicle shades on my lips and tips can inspire spring to come. for those among us with spring fever, sheer inspiration offers no shortage of options. the collection introduces 10 shades of hyaluronic sheer rouge hydra-balm, 3 new nail colors (1 base and 2 lacquers).

{kiss me!}

my favorite new hyaluronic sheer rouge hydra-balm lip color is hot spot, which actually looks a lot like it's cartoon lip version. it's a poppy coral red.

both the lips and nails come in luxe, substantial packaging that knows how to make a girl feel special. get your hands (and lips) on the line at spaceNK.com.

{candy coated fingers}

new and review: covergirl outlast stay fabulous 3-in-1 foundation.

2013-03-25T08:32:00.003-04:00

{stayin' fabulous}

last week i put covergirl outlast stay fabulous 3-in-1 foundation to the test. on tuesday i wore it in the sleet, through my workout at core fusion, and to my blowout to test aveeno's dandruff products (which i reviewed here). and this is how i looked at the end. no touch-ups. pretty good, right?

covergirl's newest foundation promises a matte finish that lasts all day. it's a combination primer, foundation, and concealer. it's also SPF 20. that's a lot of things for one bottle! but it rises to the challenge. while the formula is designed to be full-coverage, i found it to be very buildable. if you're more comfortable with a medium coverage, it's easy to achieve.

available in 14 shades at mass retailers nationwide. SRP $9.99.

my mario badescu bridal skincare regimen.

2013-03-20T08:58:00.001-04:00

{perfect masque trifecta}

beauties, with my wedding 5 weeks away, my skincare routine has become my religion. the words of irina, my esthetician at mario badescu, are my gospel. i saw her for my 6 week pre-nuptial facial last week, where she gave me the following edicts:

do an at-home masque 2x/week: which is actually not nearly as cumbersome as i initially imagined it would be. it takes 2 minutes to apply, then i have 15 minutes to watch tv or blog, then a quick 2-minute rinse off. easy! i've started alternating between the above 3 to focus on my specific skin challenges -- preventing build-up in my pores and maximizing my glow.
apply eye cream 2x/day: again, this not that hard once one gets in the habit. i just make sure to include it in my AM and PM beauty routines, which i admit i haven't always done in the past. however, as my 30th birthday lingers nearer and nearer my eye area needs extra care and attention.

these two small steps have made a huge difference - my skin looks fresh daily. but irina's advice is customized to my skin needs, so in order to get your own pre-bridal plan there is no substitute to visiting the mario badescu spa.

in addition to my home work, irina and i have also set up an in-spa schedule to insure my skin is at it's best on april 26th:

6-week facial: at my facial last week irina did deep extractions. this gives the skin plenty of time to recover before the big day. per irina, a facial with major extractions should be done at least 4 weeks out from the wedding date.
3-week facial: at this time i'll be coming in for minor extractions, oxygen treatment, or "whatever it is the skin needs" (in the words of irina). i like to think of it as a fine tuning session.
week of facial: no extractions, no major peels! this is session is about just treatments to maximize my radiance, such as the gold mask (see my review here).

i can't wait to share pictures with you beauties of my skin, hair and makeup from the big day!

new and review: bobbi brown lilac rose collection.

2013-03-19T07:47:00.000-04:00

{like a garden party}

here's the thing about lilac, it's the best color. i'm pretty sure it's my favorite. soft purple is universally flattering. in bobbi brown's newest collection, lilac rose, the springy purple hue is complimented with heather grey and bright pink. the collection is made to work with spring's floral trends.

after playing with the line here are my stand-outs:

sparkle eyeshadow in lilac (limited edition) - is a departure from the traditional bobbi look -- it screams of color, iridescence, and shimmer. i love it with black liquid liner for a night out. $28.
lilac rose eye palette (limited edition) - offers 8 shades of springy neutral shadows. great for everyday or for building evening looks. also, just beautiful to gaze at. $60.
lilac rose shimmer brick (limited edition) - in the below video link bobbi suggests wearing a sweep of this sheen on top of blush. this is the perfect use for this super high sheen product -- it's ideal for getting a glow, no need to go overboard. $42.

click here to check out bobbi's youtube video where she introduces the collection and gives tips on how to wear the line. the whole collection is now up on bobbibrowncosmetics.com and at bobbi counters nationwide.