the glossarie

mischo luxury nail lacquer2

POSTED ON Posted on October 28, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

when it comes to nail polish, i want shine, strength, and no streaks – and i want it in two coats that dry lighting fast. mission impossible? maybe – but it’s certainly not an order too tall for mischo beauty. i am way overdue on giving this local brand a try, even after seeing all of the amazing press, but better late than never! i met kitiya, the face behind the brand and just about the sweetest human being you will ever meet, a couple of years ago right before her polishes were about to launch. since then, i’ve kept my eye on her booming beauty empire until i just couldn’t stand it any longer.

this season, mischo’s collection is called ‘brave is beautiful’ and the four shades represented are trend-right and super sophisticated. there is not a dud in the bunch! i got my hands on catwalk, a creamy concrete gray, and gave myself a quick diy manicure. the color applies evenly without effort, but my favorite part is how easily it wipes off of skin! my hands are not at all steady, so any manicure requires some cleanup. with mischo’s lacquers, i can use my fingernail to wipe away any mistakes without having to break out the q-tips and polish remover. perhaps the second-best thing about these lacquers is how quickly they dry. my hands were ready to scoop lou up from her nap within seconds and i didn’t experience any smudging – no topcoat necessary. (although, i did add one on day two for insurance.)

these polishes are beautiful in the bottle, effortless to apply, and a pleasure to wear. they are all 5-free and if kitiya keeps nailing the color collection each season (which i have a feeling without doubt that she will!) she has got a come-back customer for sure.

mischo beauty luxury nail lacquers, $18 >

Posted in editorial sample, nails | Tagged mischo beauty | 2 Comments

clarins instant light2

POSTED ON Posted on October 27, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

sleep deprivation has a direct impact on skin, mostly in the radiance department. since sleep is a precious gift around here, lately i’ve been feeling like my go-to foundation just isn’t cutting it. no amount of bronzer or trickery can bring the life back to my dull skin, so on a recent and particularly desperate morning this past week, i reached for clarins instant light.

it’s a moisturizing base meant to be worn alone or under foundation and one very thin layer veils all of my imperfections and brings in some major brightness. worn alone, it’s a great product for when you want to run around town or go to yoga looking like you’re not wearing a stitch of makeup. layered under foundation and whoa baby! we are talking some seriously flawless, beautiful and luminous skin.

once brushed on, it corrects skin tone, masks redness, hydrates, and soothes all while brightening and luminizing without adding shine or shimmer. skin is fresh, glowing, clear and smooth – a much more refined version of what i wake up with each morning. in short, this tube is pure perfection, making me look and feel like i’ve got it all together, when nothing could be further from the truth.

clarins instant light, $38 >

Posted in editorial sample, face, skin | Tagged clarins | 2 Comments

eve lom cuticle cream4

POSTED ON Posted on October 20, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

ragged cuticles and hang nails galore are more than a cosmetic issue – they hurt! for me, these are the two tell-tale signs that it has been way too long since i’ve sat in a manicure chair, but as much as i love a little pampering, it’s just not always convenient to dash off to the salon at unruly cuticles’ notice. i was desperate for some relief a couple of nights ago, so i went digging through the glossarie test lab and uncovered eve lom cuticle cream.

sweet relief!

a dab of this intensive moisturizer on each nail instantly improved things tenfold. my fingers went from red and angry to smooth and clean. not only does what’s in the pot help with the appearance of neglected cuticles, it made them feel better – fast. the formula absorbs quickly, doesn’t leave my fingertips greasy, and it locks in moisture, helping to protect my cuticles from environmental factors (like incessant hand-washing, thank you motherhood).

this may be a luxe solution to a simple problem, but for less than the cost of a gel manicure, i can keep my natural nails in top condition, increasing the time between visits to the salon.

eve lom cuticle cream, $24 >

Posted in editorial sample, nails | Tagged eve lom | 4 Comments

olay fresh effects {acne control scrub!}2

POSTED ON Posted on October 17, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i love fall and all of its new beginnings, but as soon as the weather cools down, my face starts to get dry, sealing off my pores and causing breakouts. this year, i am battling the effects of post-partum hormones on top of the change in climate – all while preparing to attend my ten-year college homecoming later this month.

it has taken me a couple of years to learn that i cannot treat adult acne the same way that i did when i was in school. i can’t reach for the same products that i did then, so it’s a good thing that the products have evolved along with my skin.

when shopping for fall skincare, i want something serious enough to treat the acne, but not so harsh that my skin will react to it. as a new mom, i also want something super simple. this season, olay is saving the day with fresh effects {acne control scrub!} salicylic acid acne & blackhead treatment.

for me, the combination of salicylic acid, exfoliation and hydration is essential to treating my adult acne. olay fresh effects delivers with this exfoliator and i have found that it unclogs pores, revealing new, healthy skin cells and leaving my face smoother, softer, and clearer.

what i love best about this treatment is that it is effective at zapping the offending areas of my face, but gentle enough to treat the rest of it with care. salicylic acid is the perfect weapon because it’s preventative and nondrying and the addition of green tea calms and protects my sensitive skin.

i love knowing that my seasonal skincare game is all figured out with this tube from olay fresh effects- because with all of the gorgeous trends that fall has to offer, fresh and glowing skin is my very favorite!

disclosure: this post was sponsored by olay fresh effects through their partnership with POPSUGAR. while i was compensated by POPSUGAR to write a post about olay fresh effects, all opinions are my own.

Posted in skin | Tagged olay | 2 Comments

fekkai full blown volume shampoo + conditioner0

POSTED ON Posted on October 13, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i’m a spendy shampoo skeptic. if i’m going to invest, it’s certainly not in something that sits on my hair for two minutes before i rinse it down the drain. so, fekkai full blown volume shampoo and conditioner were not on my radar when two tiny sample packets (sent by influenster) have already sent me running to purchase the full-size versions.

these products are a gorgeous experience from start to finish. out of the bottle, the shampoo smells delicious – a fresh and citrusy combination that my research tells me is lime and mint) – and washes my hair clean without stripping it or making it feel squeaky. the conditioner is feather-light, but it coats my hair easily, detangling, and drenching it in hydration without weighing it down in the slightest.

out of the shower, my hair smells heavenly and the good vibes continue straight through my blowdrying routine (which, i should confess is no routine at all – i flip my head around, using only my fingers, there is no strategy or talent…i should really take a class). after i finish, i am shocked to find that my hair is really polished and smooth. it looks so impressive that i consider forgoing the flat iron altogether, but i run it through for extra credit.

here’s the bottom line: since using this pair, my hair looks and feels amazing. i am still really surprised to find results like these from products with sulfates in them, but i cannot argue with results. my grueling hair straightening routine somehow now feels effortless and the resulting hair? it’s better than ever.

fekkai full blown volume shampoo ($16) and conditioner ($17) >

Posted in hair | Tagged fekkai | Leave a comment

mark. wonderfleur eau de toilette spray0

POSTED ON Posted on October 3, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

when i shop for fragrance, i look for something feminine and unexpected – because i don’t like to smell like everyone else. new mark wonderfleur eau de parfum has hints of nontraditional notes like meadow dew, wild freesia, and dandelion feathers accented by seasonally appropriate apple blossom, delicate mandarin flower, and grounded with pillowy musk. the combination is cool and different, just perfect for early fall and not at all ordinary.

if you’re in the market for a perfume that’s wildly feminine, a little whimsical, and freshly floral without being over the top, then wonderfleur is for you. mark impresses me once again with their ability to create a scent that’s equally sophisticated and fun – this one is garden-inspired and all grown up. it’s so wearable that i can spritz it on when i’m in my pajamas (oh, motherhood is a treasure!) and not worry that i’m overpowering the nostrils of my newborn, but i also know that it’s going to make a gorgeous addition to my fall wardrobe when i return to work (and play!) in a couple of weeks.

mark. wonderfleur eau de toilette spray, $28 >

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treat collection in shimmery stars0

POSTED ON Posted on September 28, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

this soft and shimmery midnight blue from treat collection is so, so good. i love an opaque cream nail as much as the next girl, but there’s something totally unexpected about a moody and silvery blue. it’s dark enough to be fall appropriate, but soft enough to still be a bit sophisticated. i’m in love!

if you haven’t tried treat polishes, they are fast drying, 5-free, glossy, and long lasting. it can be tough to find a high-performing nontoxic nail lacquer and not only do these deliver a shiny, flawless finish that lasts, but the elegant bottles look extra gorge sitting in my beauty tray.

if you’re looking for nail polish that’s all grown up, these are going to be your new favorite. i’m already contemplating my next selection and battling between french vanilla (a stunning light taupe) and the girls (a muted plum) – but…who am i kidding, i’m buying both!

treat collection polish, $18 >

Posted in nails | Tagged treat collection | Leave a comment

bite beauty matte crème lip crayon2

POSTED ON Posted on September 27, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i basically believe that bite beauty can do no wrong, but they have really outdone themselves with their latest effort. their collection of matte lip crayons are supremely hydrating, something that i didn’t think was possible. i find almost every lipstick on the market to be drying in some regard, so for bite to offer up major moisture in a matte formula? well, that’s just kind of mind-blowing.

i hunt and gather for my makeup wardrobe like most people piece their closet together at the start of a new season. i had fall all nice and sorted, but one key element, the perfect rose-colored lip, just wasn’t coming together. when i laid eyes on tatin from bite, a pinky rose that wasn’t at all nude, i had high hopes.

i have tested a lot of lip colors in my day and very rarely do they blow me away, but this one is a game changer. the color pigment is so creamy that it kind of melts onto lips and covers beautifully. i apply it over lip balm that has been blotted off which keeps my lips comfy, but this technique does have a tendency to compromise wear time. not the case with this little beauty! staying power is amazing (hours and hours, and hours) without any dryness or flaking.

just a few swipes of tatin makes me feel instantly more put together, but those of you who like to go bold will have a field day with shades like fraise (a vibrant red) and framboise (a fierce fuchsia). bottom line, the balance of matte and moist from this skinny stick is beyond impressive and anyone with lips who likes color is going to want one (or more!) of these creamy crayons.

bite beauty matte crème lip crayon, $24 >

ps – if you’re a fan of limited editions, bite created two bright shades of the matte crème lip crayon exclusively for j.crew!

Posted in editorial sample, lips | Tagged bite beauty | 2 Comments

l’oreal paris visible lift blur blush0

POSTED ON Posted on September 25, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

windblown cheeks were all over the fall runways in february. in my opinion, this is one of the most fun trends because 1) it involves color and 2) when done right, the look gives you an instant facelift. if you’re looking to adopt the fresh-from-a-hike flush, i’m recommending l’oreal’s gorgeous new anti-aging blush. arriving in three colors, visible lift delivers sheer color and instantly erases the look of any fine lines.

out of the tube, the pigments are a bit shocking, so a little (and i do mean a very little) goes a long way. unlike other cream or liquid blush options, this goes on very even without any patching or blotchiness (meaning, it doesn’t fight my foundation). i like to start slow and build up with light layers until that punch of pink is just perfect. when i’m done, any dullness is blurred away and the finish is dewy, fresh, flawless. if you have visible pores, you’ll find that this truly does hide them a bit and oily skinned gals will really appreciate the 8-hour wear.

i haven’t fallen this hard for a drugstore blush possibly ever. i’m loving the combination of skincare and pure fun, beautiful color from l’oreal.

l’oreal visible lift blur blush, $11.99 >

Posted in blush, cheeks, editorial sample | Tagged l'oreal | Leave a comment

murad transforming powder2

POSTED ON Posted on September 22, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

nearly all products designed to treat acne irritate the heck out of my skin. it bugs me that brands who claim to be acne experts keep creating and marketing things that damage the most stressed-out skin type there is – but, that’s a story for another day.

in truth, i’m lucky that my skin is mostly clear at the moment (thank you, pregnancy hormones), but i always know that my next breakout is looming right around the corner, so maintenance is crucial. when murad shared news of their new transforming powder, an exfoliating product designed specifically to go easy on acne-prone skin, i was completely intrigued. in essence, the dry powder is a cleanser that you activate with water and massage onto your face. now, my first impression was that the whole process seemed kind of fussy, but one wash and i quickly realized that not only is it pretty easy, but it works.

just a dime sized mound of powder mixed with wet hands creates a foamy wash with gentle granules that smooth and soften skin as you move it around with your fingertips. after rinsing, my skin feels super clean and far less greasy, but not at all dry or tight. for an acne product, this is near revolutionary!

while i am sad to report that my first (glass) bottle of transforming powder fell victim to my tile shower floor, this is definitely something that i am adding to my weekly routine. i love the way that it left my skin feeling soft and cleansed – and i swear it went nuclear on a nasty little jawline breakout that i was fighting on friday (all but disappeared as of yesterday).

murad transforming powder, $30 >