the glossarie

bare escentuals skincare giveaway!45

POSTED ON Posted on March 23, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

good morning, sunshines! i am so excited to announce the glossarie’s first giveaway (it only took me two years, right?). two lucky readers will win a pair of products from bare escentuals’ new skincare line – deep cleansing foam + purely nourishing moisturizer.

as we discussed on monday, deep cleansing foam is a rich deep cleanser that gets the job done well without stripping your skin of all its moisture. a tiny pearl-sized amount will do the trick and the amazing lather will leave your complexion soft and smooth.

purely nourishing moisturizer is a lightweight hydrator perfect for all skin types. its “smart” electrolyte delivery system keeps your skin totally balanced – dry spots are moisturized and oily spots stay matte. it provides a really nice palette for makeup as well, actually helping it to go on smoother. overall, this stuff makes your skin look and feel amazing.

quite the dynamic duo, wouldn’t you say? if you want your piece of the bare escentuals skincare action, leave a comment below to win both products (valued at $48)! for an extra entry, tweet about the contest and be sure to mention @theglossarie so that i can keep track.

winners will be chosen at random on wednesday, march 30th at 12:00 p.m. winners will be contacted by email and must respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. open to residents of the u.s. with a valid street address.

Posted in body, natural beauty | Tagged bare escentuals | 45 Comments

new! bare escentuals purifying facial cleanser + deep cleansing foam1

POSTED ON Posted on March 21, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

my combination skin is always on the hunt for a gentle, yet effective facewash and i am recently impressed with two cleansers from bare escentuals. part of their new skincare line designed to deliver smoother and brighter skin, both of these “cleansers with benefits” earn top marks from me.

first up, purifying facial cleanser is a total upgrade from my favorite cetaphil. its lotion-style strips off makeup (including pesky liner and mascara) and impurities but leaves skin feeling hydrated. if you’re looking for a grown up face wash to add to your evening routine, this is it. now, if you’re having trouble justifying the $20 pricetag (as opposed to cetaphil’s pocket-friendly $9) all i can tell you is that cleanser actually gives something back to your skin, improving it over time. you’ll feel a difference – i promise.

i know not everyone loves a lotion cleanser, so those looking for a deeper clean will love deep cleansing foam. a pearl-sized drop of this stuff explodes into rich lather and gives pores a deep clean without leaving skin tight and dry. it’s definitely not as gentle as purifying facial cleanser (i would not recommend getting this one in your eyes!) but those who need a heavier duty facewash will be very pleased. bonus: the “little goes a long way” dosage means this tube will last for-ever making the $20 totally worth your while.

are you in the market for a new cleanser? think you’ll give one of these a spin?

Posted in body, natural beauty, skin | 1 Comment

opi’s i lily love you15

POSTED ON Posted on March 19, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

is it bad that spring is barely peeking out from behind winter and i’ve already got my sights set on summer? with vibrant collections like opi’s nice stems! pinks in bloom, you really can’t blame me. the anchor polish in this foursome is i lily love you – a sheer pink tint with bright sparkle. it’s super youthful yet softly subtle, it whispers “barbie” and i totally love it. now to await its june 2011 arrival …

hope you’re having a springy saturday, wherever you are!

Posted in nails | 15 Comments

in lieu of green, garden florals2

POSTED ON Posted on March 17, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

happy saint patrick’s day!

i hope you’ll forgive me for forgoing the obligatory green makeup post. i want to celebrate the amazing weather we’re experiencing in dc with an ode to garden florals. here are a few pretty blossoms that have caught my eye and will surely translate spring’s girliest trend into season:

top to bottom: guerlain meteorites illuminating & mattifying pressed powder in teint rose, $56; sunday market tunic, $154; gorjana jade stud earrings, $50

what do you think: will you opt for blooms and bouquets this spring? do tell!

also – just a little note to let you know that the glossarie will be quiet tomorrow in participation with one amazing blogger project: for japan with love. tons of bloggers (who have already raised over $12,000 to impact relief efforts!) will pledge their support in silence and i am honored to be among them.

hope you all have an amazing weekend!

Posted in accessories, face, link roundups | 2 Comments

l’occitane one minute hand scrub0

POSTED ON Posted on March 16, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

there is nothing better than the polished perfection of hands that have been whipped into shape by a pro. manicures may be a girl’s best friend but i don’t have the time or funds to settle in at the spa nearly as often as i’d like. thank goodness for the sweet people at l’occitane who have brought back their shea butter one minute hand scrub. it truly brings the best parts of getting a mani into my own bathroom. this two phase formula (meaning that the grains and oil are separate and need to be stirred together) is part organic sugar, part shea oil, and all expert exfoliation in one little tub. when applied to dry hands, the two ingredients work together to nourish dry skin, neaten nails, and clean cuticles in one fell swoop. i’ve been pairing it with my favorite shea butter hand cream (also by l’occitane) and voila! salon-style softness at-home.

l’occitane’s one minute hand scrub is, like all good things, a limited edition. you can find it in stores and online for $22.

Posted in nails, natural beauty | Leave a comment

march bag + balm6

POSTED ON Posted on March 15, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

bag: mountain peaks cosmetic bag in grey, $38

balm: phoenix botanicals organic lip balm (in eco tube), $6

my day job (that would be the one that pays the bills) is keeping me busier than i’d like this week and it is exhausting all of my energies, leaving little for my favorite past time – posting pretty for you. in other news, i’m thinking about a new monthly post that includes two of my most favorite things – a cosmetic bag and a lip balm, different every time. let me know how you feel about this first pairing and if you like the concept. then perhaps i’ll do it again in april then may then june, you get the idea : )

hope you lovelies are having one fantastic tuesday!

Posted in bags, lara, lips, tools | 6 Comments

blog crush: this is glamorous8

POSTED ON Posted on March 12, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

where to begin on this wonderland of wonderful? {this is glamorous} is like a bottomless savings account for all things beautiful. i am so inspired by all of author roseline’s pretty posts, but most in awe of yesterday’s braided brass hex nut bracelet diy.

how cool?! in roseline’s words, this look is rock’n refined and i absolutely love it. if you’re feeling adventurous this weekend, give this little project a whirl and if your everyday could use a boost of beauty, make sure to add {this is glamorous} to your daily reads.

Posted in jewels, link roundups | 8 Comments

a different sort of friday link love2

POSTED ON Posted on March 11, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

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i had all intentions for a friday post on bobbi’s new creamy concealer kit or kerastase’s chroma sensitive balm but as you know, there’s bigger things going on in the world today.

on days like these, i feel blessed to live the charmed life that i do. if you’re as lucky as i am, please take a moment to help others much less fortunate.

american red cross

global giving

americares

lots of love and safe prayers to japan (and to you!) this weekend.

{a few lovely links}

the sweetest family photo shoot
this might be the most stylish apartment ever, ever
aqua + coral + gold + navy + my friend adiel
bite beauty launches at sephora and i think you’ll like it
own products lip therapy has peaked my interest

Posted in lara | 2 Comments

thursday purseday0

POSTED ON Posted on March 10, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

(fear not, for i haven’t forgotten to commemorate the very *best* day of the week!)

when i spied the candy buckle clutch in anthro’s most recent catalog all i could think to myself was “please don’t be $300, please don’t be $300…” but wouldn’t ya know, it’s $300. however, that’s the beauty of a blog. i can post it here to share with you and it’s almost as fulfilling as buying one.

almost.

i will acknowledge that i’ve been extremely clutch-happy lately with the thursday purseday posts, but at least this one is a slight advancement with its long cross-body chain option, right?

the supple leather pouch with the apple green resin buckle and super cool crisscross lining is available exclusively online at anthropologie for $298.

Posted in accessories | Tagged anthropologie | Leave a comment

another pretty face: blake lively2

POSTED ON Posted on March 10, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

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i have fallen hard for blake’s perky makeup at the chanel dinner held in her honor (rough stuff, right?). she is sporting the most perfect of-the-moment shimmer peach rimmed eyes and a bright pink lip that can’t be ignored. she’s also got the right dusting of pinky bronze on the apples of her cheeks, long luscious mascara and precisely defined brows. ahh, perfection.

want to recreate this pretty? some product suggestions: