the glossarie

benefit bathina body oil mist4

POSTED ON Posted on January 21, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i don’t know what it’s doing where you beauties are today, but it is absolutely dumping snow in the suburbs of our nation’s capital. it’s been coming down pretty heavy since about 8:30 am with no sign of stopping until late this evening. the view from my window is white, white, white and let’s just say that i’m not braving the cold anytime soon!

on a day like today, my skin is dry as a bone and all i can think about is dunking my entire body into something super hydrating. that being said, i am the worst when it comes to applying body lotion. it’s right up there with waiting for my nails to dry, i just really hate the process. miss maggie had the opportunity to test benefit’s bathina bath oil recently and i’m so sold by her experience that it’s got me running out to buy a bottle of my own!

here’s what she has to say:

“benefit’s bath oil mist is truly a luxurious post-shower treat that feels much more special than your average body lotion. this version is a delightfully perfumed mist and it leaves me feeling moisturized all day. it soaks immediately into skin (i will warn you: use a light touch to avoid feeling greasy) and stays there. i absolutely love how i get whiffs of the scent hours after using it – which makes me feel like i just left the spa.”

have you tried the body oil trend?

benefit bathina body oil mist, $34 >

Posted in body | Tagged benefit cosmetics | 4 Comments

tatcha gold camellia nourishing lip balm2

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

i may have a myriad of lip balms littering up my life (a small army at the bottom of my purse, at least one in my car’s cup holder, and i’m constantly unearthing them in desk/dresser drawers), but i’m slightly more selective when it comes to choosing my “home base” balm. i tend to stick to one really good splurge-worthy lip balm that i use in the morning to set the tone for the day and then for a good healthy dose of hydration before bed.

tatcha’s camellia lip balm is the most recent recipient of this worthy title. the jelly-like texture has a nice slip, but goes on pretty matte, keeping things unfussy once you get past that gorgeous gold leaf. (the gold layer does make the first few applications extra fun with just a hint of a metallic finish.) it has the look and feel of a truly luxurious product (and it is!) but when it comes to formula, this stuff is all business. glycerin is combined with all natural oils to create a feeling that’s intensely hydrating once it hits your lips.

a twice-daily application has left mine feeling extra kissable (a serious feat when the words over your state on the weather map read FRIGID) and i absolutely delight in dipping my fingers into that gold and purple pot. at $36 i know that this is not an impulse buy, but i can tell you that a little goes a long way and that tatcha’s generous helping will last you a very long time. balm lovers won’t be able to resist adding this one to their collection.

tatcha gold camellia nourishing lip balm, $36 >

Posted in editorial sample, lips, skin | Tagged tatcha | 2 Comments

trish mcevoy’s makeup planner system4

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

i’m no stranger to trish mcevoy’s beautiful and impressively effective range of products, but what i haven’t really taken the time to explore is her makeup planner system. i may have makeup ADD, but i can fully appreciate the notion of committing to one (fully customizable) line and packing it all up inside a miniature traveling vanity. essentially, that’s what trish allows you to do. by selecting one of her planners (i find the petite to be more than enough space) and filling it with pages that you can pop any trish pan product inside, you can create a fast and easy way to put your face on each morning. each planner has a bunch of slip pockets for pencils and brushes and a removable zip pouch for tubes and tools. i’m so smitten with this concept!

here’s what’s inside my personalized petite planner:

1 – makeup wardrobing petite page (left to right: translucent finishing powder, blush face shaper 1, highlight face shaper 1, bronzer in golden): i’ve been using the blush (high on the apples) and setting powder (dusted all over) religiously, swiping the highlighter shade onto my eyes (it’s the perfect neutral) and saving the bronzer for sunnier months.

2 – instant eye lift: this product absolutely banishes puff and fatigue if you follow trish’s “triangle of light” as opposed to the half-moon approach that most of us use.

3 – eye base essentials: primes and brightens beautifully!

4 – high volume mascara: the best mascara ever, i wiggle the wand from base to tips for naturally plentiful lashes.

5 – shadow liner in smoky quartz: creamy and shimmery, i concentrate this raisin shade in the center of my lid and blend outward for slighty smoky effect.

6 – precision brow shaper: delivers a fully defined brow. my new favorite trick is to leave the inner corners slightly unkempt for a more natural look.

7 – sheer lip, in vibrant pink: the prettiest pop of peony! color is weightless and conditions lips while you wear, providing color and care in one step.

8 – instant pick me up lips, shimmer: a blooming lip gloss that transforms into a lasting stain. i love the way this shade transforms differently depending on your skin tone.

even with all of that, there’s still room for my favorite foundation, lash curler, and roll-on perfume. this is a brilliant way for gals on the go to bring their beauty on the road, don’t you think?

Posted in editorial sample, mixed bag | Tagged trish mcevoy | 4 Comments

two brand new products from simple2

POSTED ON Posted on January 16, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

while my official run as a brand ambassador for simple wrapped up at the end of last year, my skin is still completely smitten with their products. the thing i like best about the line is that the product range is limited (…although i would not be mad if they released a lip balm, hand cream or body lotion!) which takes a lot of the guesswork out of finding something that will work for your particular skin concern. not to say that i’m not one for exciting new launches, but i find comfort in knowing that the lineup stays consistent.

now, the way i see it, if it ain’t broke – don’t fix it, but simple surprised even me with the release of two fabulous new products for the new year. i tested them both with some hesitation, but was nonetheless surprised when the results were beyond wonderful.

ultra-light gel moisturizer is extremely innovative. it’s a completely clear gel that gives skin a burst of hydration on contact. it smooths on without irritation and absorbs quickly, leaving my skin super soft. its very best quality is the way that my makeup glides over top of this stuff and hangs on all day. call me crazy, but i feel like my foundation wears better and my skin looks fresher, longer, without primer or powder.

nourishing 24 hr day/night cream is absolute unfussy, non-greasy perfection. at night, i don’t want to layer any unnecessary chemicals onto my skin but i do want something to help recharge and moisturize while i sleep. simple’s newest is all of the above and more. my skin drinks it up each night after washing and toning, and in the morning, i’m rewarded with calm skin that’s free and clear of clogged pores.

in even bigger news, both of these products are paraben-free (something that you’ll be seeing come to some existing simple products as well)! if you’ve been hoping for some freshness from the simple camp, i think you’ll be thrilled with these two newbies.

Posted in editorial sample, skin | Tagged simple | 2 Comments

vocé haircare0

POSTED ON Posted on January 15, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

my hair regimen has needed a change for the longest. for what seems like months, i have been testing things from the drugstore to the salon with very little to show by way of results. i’m just so underwhelmed by the options out there and was beginning to give up hope when an email from the vocé team landed in my inbox. this brand-new-to-me line intrigued me with its simple, clean packaging and a promise of user-friendly products that deliver professional results.

i’ve been consistently using the lift it shampoo and lift it conditioner for the last couple of weeks and i’m noticing a serious difference in my hair’s behavior. for one, i’m growing it out which always presents problems, but the vocé line has kept it looking better than ever with a lifted volume that easily lasts for two days. the shampoo gives a nice lather but does not strip my hair, and the lightweight conditioner is the exact right amount of moisture for my thinnish strands. neither product leaves my hair flat or limp and for someone who is ashamed to tell you how long it’s been since she’s had a haircut, my ends look shockingly healthy.

along with the in-shower duo, i’ve been rotating two styling products: smooth me cream and volume mist. the styling cream is lightweight, yet ultra nourishing thanks to the addition of argan oil – which as an added bonus, leaves my hands insanely smooth. it’s the perfect precursor to my blow-dry and flat iron routine as it works to reduce frizz and smooth things out, leaving a touch of extra shine. the volume mist features collagen and delivers major non-sticky fullness. it doesn’t dry things out like other volumizers and the addition of some botanical extracts help to strengthen my fine hair and protect from heat damage – these two things give it a big leg up over its counterparts.

all in all, i am super impressed with this lineup and it has kicked all other haircare products out of my shower and off of my vanity. the results from these four workhorses are so good that it has definitely set a new standard of quality when it comes to what i will let touch my hair. if you need a change and you’re up for paying salon prices, i think you’ll be blown away by what you find from vocé.

the entire vocé haircare line is available online at dermstore.

Posted in editorial sample, hair | Tagged voce haircare | Leave a comment

green eyed lady: kaley cuoco sweeting6

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

did you watch last night’s red carpet before the golden globes? i thought the beauty gazing was very ho hum, with one major exception: kaley cuoco’s beyond-gorgeous, green, slightly smokey, winged-out cat eyes.

i mean, stop the presses, what is even happening here?

after i collected myself from the excitement, i got down to the business of learning more about this beautiful phenomenon and was not at all surprised to find that kaley’s longtime makeup artist and friend, jamie greenberg, was responsible for the mastery. i became intimately familiar with jamie’s work over the past year while working with mark. and i have fallen madly in love with her youtube channel – which you must visit. she’s adorably hilarious and you just want her to crawl out of your computer and be your bestie.

but anyway, back to the beauty. here’s what jamie used to craft kaley’s stunning emerald eyes:

mark. please hold eye primer, $9 (a personal favorite of mine)
mark. on the dot smokey palette, $16 – using the top right 2 green shades
mark. keep it going longwear eyeshadow and liner in entourage, $11 – on the top lash line
avon glimmersticks in emerald, $7 – on the lower lash line

the result is stunning, stunning, stunning and the eyes are perfectly paired with a nude lip (mark. make it rich in naturally, $11) for ultimate impact.

think you’ll take a note from jamie and kaley and play with green shades around your eyes? are there any other beauty hits that i may have missed last night?

Posted in eyes, lids | Tagged mark. | 6 Comments

clearasil daily clear superfruit cleansers #wintheday6

POSTED ON Posted on January 10, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i don’t talk much about my day job here in the glossarie, but the truth is that i have a really fun one. i manage the mid-atlantic territories for hobo handbags and anna beck jewelry – two of the best and most gorgeous accessory brands on the planet. my job is all sales, 100% commission, very independent, and while i wouldn’t trade it for anything, it can certainly be a roller coaster.

the most intense part of accessory sales account management is the fashion trade shows. i travel to nyc seven times a year for big trade shows where you will find everyone from your favorite major denim lines and big brands like rebecca minkoff, all the way to talented handmade jewelry designers who are just starting out. the shows are crawling with buyers from the big guys like nordstrom and zappos to the owners of your sweet neighborhood boutiques, all making their buys for the upcoming season.

needless to say, the days are long and i have to be on my A game. that means well rested, high energy, sparkling attitude, and of course i have to look presentable. for me, i can pull together a comfy chic outfit fairly easily. i worry less about my fashion when i travel and more about my skin’s behavior – because the second i leave the comfort of my own home, it always falls apart.

this trip, i was armed with clearasil’s new line of daily clear cleansers and man has the line changed and evolved for the better since the last time i gave it a try (circa 1998). the new products are sophisticated and gentle with 1% salicylic acid (enough to be effective on a daily, preventive basis, but not enough to tear your face up like you might remember). these cleansers tackle the blemishes that you have fast and prevent new ones while improving skin’s radiance, thanks to raspberry and cranberry extracts. as an added bonus, these smell so-o good and there’s no question that perfect skin helps me #wintheday.

i am so impressed with how the brand has reinvented itself and created products appropriate for adult acne sufferers like me. if you want to give this new generation of products a try (the exfoliating pads are a must!), clearasil is running an amazing free rebate offer on the daily clear superfruit collection. anyone can take advantage and clear skin awaits!

*special thanks to refinery29 and clearasil for sponsoring this post and thank you for supporting the brands that make the glossarie possible.

Posted in editorial sample, skin | Tagged clearasil | 6 Comments

mario badescu herbal hydrating serum4

POSTED ON Posted on January 8, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

updated january 2018: i rediscovered this wonder product in my own medicine cabinet and slathered it on in desperation last night. this morning my skin is soooo soft and happily hydrated, i can’t believe i forgot about this gem and its existence as a cold-weather, dry skin solution. if you live anywhere that there is snow on the ground, run out and grab a bottle ASAP. it layers beautifully under your favorite moisturizer or works almost as a sleeping pack on its own overnight. smooth into place and you might actually hear your skin sigh an expression of thanks.

i’m in nyc this week, land of life threatening wind chill. i can’t remember the last time i saw a single digit reading on the thermometer and those kind of elements do not do nice things to my sensitive virginia skin. thankfully, i thought to pack my new winter obsession for this trip into the polar vortex: mario badescu herbal hydrating serum.

i’m not the biggest serum gal in general, but this one has changed my way of thinking. for one, it’s less of a serum and more of a gel. secondly, it’s the most lightweight burst of (lasting!) hydration that i have ever felt. i have been putting it on morning and night, out of the shower, and right before bed. it instantly soothes that tight post-face-wash feeling and while it would probably be enough to wear without a moisturizer during other times of the year, i have been layering my current favorite over top for a double-duty level of moisture that cannot be beat.

it’s one of those versatile products that i predict will be joining me on many a dry flight and hotel stay in the future because i now realize how much happier my skin is when it’s properly hydrated. as opposed to thick and heavy moisturizers, i love how the serum is completely non-greasy, sinks right into my skin and has not caused a single breakout or irritation. it has saved my skin on this jaunt to the big city.

if you need to supercharge your skincare routine for added winter protection, i would move this little blue bottle to the top of your list.

mario badescu herbal hydrating serum, $30 >

Posted in editorial sample, skin | Tagged mario badescu | 4 Comments

pur minerals big blink mascara4

POSTED ON Posted on January 2, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i find myself to be the harshest mascara critic. you name it, i’ve tried it – and chances are, i didn’t like it. most of them disappoint me in the flaking and smudging department. (i swear, there is nothing more frustrating than leaving the house with perfect lashes and coming home with raccoon eyes.) as i’m getting older, i’ve also started looking for mascaras with a little something extra in the ingredient list that gives back – because, in truth, mascara is terrible for your lashes, suffocating them and leaving them brittle and dry. it just so happens that the mascaras with the best “for you” ingredients, tend to be the worst performers. so, imagine my surprise when a mineral-based mascara stole my heart!

pur minerals big blink mascara brings extreme drama to your lashes. the crazy length and volume rivals any mascara that i’ve tried and the thick, black, glossy formula is pure perfection. i normally find large brushes to be awkward, but this one coats each lash easily and doesn’t deposit any unwanted mascara onto my brow bones. it glides on without clumping and the results are very va-va. this mascara wears beautifully all day long, until you take it off (at which point, it dissolves easily with cleanser and water) and the addition of argan oil nourishes my lashes so that they don’t feel dehydrated.

basically, it’s a breeze to use, wears like a dream, and makes your lashes insanely long. is there anything else you could possibly want in a mascara?

pur minerals big blink mascara, $20 >

Posted in editorial sample, eyes, lashes | Tagged purminerals | 4 Comments

kat burki glossy lip treatment0

POSTED ON Posted on January 1, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

it’s a brand new year (!), so let’s start it off with a bang, shall we? i’ve got your first must-have product of 2014 and it’s a good one. kat burki glossy lip treatment has got everything and more that you are looking for in a balm/gloss. for one, it’s beautifully packaged in a squeeze tube that locks and unlocks to avoid any messy wasting of product while kicking around in your purse. the tip is a ceramic rollerball that feels kind of (ok, very) luxurious whilst rolling across your lips. it’s got a cooling sensation that wakes up your circulation and helps your lips to soak up all of the goodness in kat’s ingredients. the hybrid gloss-balm itself is super soothing and non-sticky, packed full of nourishing coconut oil and hydrating vitamin e. it’s unlike anything that i have ever tried and it looks gorgeous on bare lips (hello, shine!) or over your favorite lip color. it also feels incredible, zapping any hint of dryness but also adding the life back into my lips that the winter tends to rob them of.

i’m pretty obsessed with this little wonder product and am promptly tossing all of my other clear glosses to make room for this queen bee. how’s that for a new year’s resolution?

kat burki glossy lip treatment ($28) >