the glossarie

sonia kashuk soft cosmetic case2

POSTED ON Posted on October 26, 2013 by maggie moore BY maggie moore

i am lo-ving these soft cosmetic cases from sonia kashuk’s target line, not only because of their budget-friendly price of $6.99, but because their smaller size recently forced me to do a major edit of the contents of my (dirty, oversized) cosmetic bag. it wasn’t a good situation – i had old eyeliners, eyeshadows i never wear, three cheek tints (i mean, really) and a variety of other unnecessary goods in that old thing. this perfectly-sized pouch was just too cute to pass up, so purge i did!

the chubby little number is small enough to limit me to my essentials but flexible enough that i can still stick in a few extra products if i need ’em. the adorable prints are a plus – we are loving the floral shown above and this geometric. i might just snag a few more if my makeup starts overflowing again. such a great solution for toting my daily necessities on the go!

do tell us what do you prefer: a large makeup bag that fits everything you might
(or might not) need, or a small, just-the-basics pouch?

shop sonia kashuk soft cosmetic case ($6.99) here >

Posted in bags, tools | Tagged sonia kashuk | 2 Comments

aquaphor healing ointment giveaway2

POSTED ON Posted on October 25, 2013 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

if a picture is worth a thousand words, than a tube of aquaphor healing ointment is worth at least a thousand dollars.

ok, so maybe that’s a stretch, but in fairness it has a minimum of a thousand uses.

i am hard pressed to find a celebrity beauty interview or recall a chat with a backstage makeup artist where this little wonder product isn’t mentioned and the list of tricks and tips that feature eucerin’s famous multi-purpose treatment is endless.

as we know, my skin is temperamental and i find that aquaphor keeps my skin from drying out and overproducing oil. i tend to use it sparingly, on problem areas, but there are certainly people from the school of thought that slathering this stuff on in layers will keep you young.

i keep a small tube handy in my bag, by my bedside table, and always with me on the road and i keep one of the bigger tubes in the medicine cabinet for everyday ailments. here are just a few of the ways that i have used it:

to soothe the world’s worst chapped lips
to condition eyelashes when mascara has sucked all the life out of them
to prevent scarring after a questionable mole removal
to moisturize cuticles
to heal a tattoo (yes, that’s right. we will talk about it later.)
as a nighttime eye cream
on that around-the-nose redness that comes with a nasty cold
to soothe a kitchen burn
slathered on dry heels, under socks, overnight

point blank: this is the best thing that you can put on your skin to prevent moisture loss, but beyond being a problem solver, aquaphor’s healing ointment actually adds some serious pretty to the situation, making it a true makeup bag staple. you can use it to give a beautiful sheen to lashes if you’re going sans mascara or dabbed on eyelids to lock your eye makeup in place and make shadow look more “lived in.” i’ve also found that it serves as a dynamite pre-matte lipstick primer because it prevents dryness and grips on to color.

it is quite literally a cure all and if you’re living without it, well i’m not sure how, but it’s your lucky day! the fabulous eucerin team has offered up a generous aquaphor autumn gift pack complete with a $50 visa gift card. you can enter through the link below and let the beautifying begin!

enter giveaway >

Posted in skin | Tagged aquaphor | 2 Comments

beautycounter lip sheer + lip shine8

POSTED ON Posted on October 24, 2013 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

let me just start out by saying that i love a pretty product. (in fact, i’m partially convinced that a love for beautiful packaging is what led to this makeup and skincare addiction, but that’s a story for another day.) i first spotted beautycounter’s stunning lip sheers on pinterest and that glam gold packaging had me yearning for more. completely shocked that there was a product this pretty that i didn’t know about caused me to click through to get the full story – and what i found was so much more than i bargained for.

the story behind these absolutely gorgeous lip products is a luxurious approach to safe beauty. beautycounter’s products are formulated without anything on the never list, and that alone is a feat to celebrate. to be honest, lots of brands make strives in this area but it’s rare to find a truly effective product that meets such high expectations. not only are beautycounter’s lip sheers and lip shine free from harmful oils, solvents, preservatives (the lists goes on), but they are impressively high performing.

i have been wearing lip sheer in rose ($28) and i’ve been delighted with its lightweight, buttery texture. it glides right on to my lips with a poppy pink color payoff, so perfect for counteracting fall’s darker tones. in the cooler weather, i can feel it conditioning my lips and i love the hint of natural vanilla flavor. it’s as beautiful on my lips as it is in that gold tube and i won’t be letting it go any time soon.

my affections are equal for beautycounter’s lip shine ($24), a non sticky clear shimmer. it reminds me of my very favorite lip gloss ever, but here’s the kicker: i like to test lip glosses on the back of my hands because i can instantly tell how they will behave on my lips. this one doesn’t sit on my skin, making a mess of everything i touch. it soaks in, leaving a moisturized sheen that’s soft and smooth, not a touch of tacky.

you can layer these puppies or wear them alone, but my favorite thing might be whipping them out of my purse for the oohs and ahhs alone. beautycounter has won me over with this duo, along with making me slightly more conscious of what i’m putting in and on my body. you can learn more about them here and shop their full range of gorgeous (and good for you!) products.

Posted in editorial sample, lips | Tagged beautycounter | 8 Comments

kerastase volumifique8

POSTED ON Posted on October 23, 2013 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i want to talk about big hair.

is it so much to ask? all i want is hair that looks thick and full, with some shape and slight hold. i want it to look like they’re my god-given strands and i don’t want it to look like a helmet. i know that all of you thin-haired gals can relate to my troubles and so, this post is for you.

in truth, very few products have given me what i want over the years. sure, there are volumizers that have fluffed things up, but by mid-afternoon my hair is normally laying pretty flat again. there are sprays that have given it shape which gives the illusion of big, but i’m normally left with a semi-sticky head and hair that you cannot get your fingers through. there are root boosters that give me height on top but do nothing for the rest of my hair, leaving the ends straight and sticking to the side of my face.

does anyone else see the problem here?

so when kerastase contacted me with news of their newly revamped volumifique line, i couldn’t get in for an appointment fast enough. i went to progressions (for all you dc gals, kevin is a magician! do not pass go, do not collect $200, get yourself an appointment with this man stat.) and settled in for the full treatment. the line consists of a shampoo that can only be described as luscious, an innovative gel treatment that seriously might be the coolest thing i have ever put in my hair, and a styling mousse that whips things up for long-lasting volume.

the results were extra good. my blowout was round and smooth, with a bigness that was silky and not at all stiff. i could play with my hair, getting my fingers through with no problem, and the “memory” that the mousse gave to my hair meant that it settled back into the intended style even after i was messing with it. i could easily reactivate the lift throughout the day by tousling the roots. we’re talking hair nirvana here, people.

i think the magic is in the in-shower gel treatment that works as a conditioner and volumizer. you leave it in for three minutes and then rinse it out for tons of amped up fluff. the mousse is also no slouch and i’m still impressed with how great my hair looks using only one product as opposed to my normal cocktail. let us just say that this is the good stuff.

if you’re ready to bring on the big hair, you can shop the kerastase volumifique line here.

Posted in editorial sample, hair | Tagged kerastase | 8 Comments

mario badescu aloe moisturizer3

POSTED ON Posted on October 20, 2013 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i’m sitting poolside soaking up a few last florida sunrays before jetting back to virginia tonight and i am completely in awe of how well my skin has behaved on this little getaway. normally flying alone is enough to send my face reeling into a chaotic breakout, let alone traveling to a hot and sweaty (although beautiful!) climate. before i left, i switched my moisturizer to mario badescu’s aloe version with spf 15 and i’m thinking it’s made all the difference. i had been craving something a bit richer than the one i have been using and the mb team was quick to recommend the aloe option. this moisturizer is so ultra soothing. i slather it on morning and night, my skin completely drinks it in and is left feeling hydrated, smooth, and not at all sticky. the addition of spf 15 means that i am protected from those aforementioned sunrays and the aloe vera gel has already made a visible difference on my acne scars, just leaving things looking more calm and even. i’m a BIG fan of this newfound drama-free face and you can bet i’ll be repurchasing this little mint green bottle.

mario badescu aloe moisturizer spf 15 ($22) >

Posted in editorial sample, skin | Tagged mario badescu | 3 Comments

julep mighty nail and cuticle serum0

POSTED ON Posted on October 17, 2013 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

my nails have kinda been through the ringer lately. with the nail art campaign and then prepping for the man repeller book signing, i don’t think that they’ve been without polish for a solid month. i notice a distinct difference in color and texture when i don’t let things breathe, so i went in search of a little sweet salvation for my precious nail beds.

i discovered julep’s mighty nail and cuticle serum on a cruise through sephora and was intrigued. i bravely used the click pen and brush tip to apply the good stuff to my left hand and went about my shopping. (i say bravely because most cuticle products are on the greasy side and don’t soak in very well – not the case with julep mighty!) my nails and cuticles drank up the light liquid and it all but disappeared in seconds, leaving me with instantly healthier looking nails. the shine factor showed a major difference between my left and my right hand and even now i can tell that the cuticles on my left hand are much cleaner and far better behaved than those on my right.

this product is convenient and easy to use which means that i’ve been swiping it on regularly to enjoy healthier, less dry, and less brittle nails. i’m giving this one top marks and can confidently recommend that anyone whose nails need a little love will enjoy fab results from julep’s mighty serum.

julep mighty nail and cuticle serum ($22) >

Posted in nails | Tagged julep | Leave a comment

simple foaming cleanser9

POSTED ON Posted on October 16, 2013 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

in the evenings, i need a gentle but effective cleanser that is going to obliterate my makeup, dissolve my mascara, and make my lip color vanish without stripping or irritating my skin. i’ve recently been turned on to foam cleansers because i like the way that they instantly turn into an airy foam that just needs a drop of water to make history of the day’s face.

you’ll be happy to know that i’ve tested several and my absolute favorite version is just $7.99. simple foaming cleanser is light, refreshing, and everything that you need to prevent breakouts and even your complexion. if your skin tends to be sensitive but you need a thorough cleansing before bed, this is your holy grail. when i use it, i get a deep down clean that somehow leaves my skin slightly moisturized. it brings balance to things and it’s a nice home base for when my makeup experiments wreak havoc on my face – which, as we know, is all the time.

if you’re in the market for a new nighttime wash, i’m strongly recommending this impressively affordable (and surprisingly luxurious) option.

simple foam cleanser ($7.99) >

Posted in editorial sample, skin | Tagged simple | 9 Comments

butter london color favorites0

POSTED ON Posted on October 15, 2013 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i have fallen pretty hard for the butter london color cosmetics collection. i was fully introduced to the line at the ny now market in august and was shocked then to find myself drawn towards blue eyelashes, electric green eyeliner, and balmy black cherry lips. now that i’ve had the time to really play with some things, i have honed in on two clear favorites that i’ve been reaching for daily: cheeky cream blush in pistol pink and lippy tinted lip balm in black cherry. the vibes of these two products could not be more different, but i’ve found that they work beautifully together.

cheeky cream blush ($20) is silky and sheer, easily buildable, and pistol pink is a serious fuchsia that can go from subtle to fierce with the swipe of your fingertips. i’ve taken to applying it with this duo fiber buffer from morphe because the size is perfect for picking blush up out of the pan and it creates the perfect cheek effortlessly with just a few stipples. (also, you can’t beat the price!) now, the color is bold but i love a pop of hot pink on my cheeks!

for lips, lippy tinted lip balm ($20) is your new best friend. these formulas are light and sheer, feeling really nice once they’re on, and wearing a surprisingly long time for a tinted lip. the black cherry shade is a fall must, a wine red with just a touch of edge. i’m the first one to shy away from a vampy lip (i think it looks mean!) but this color has stolen my heart and i like the way that it adds a little attitude to my oft-understated makeup look.

have you tried the butter london color cosmetics yet?
think you’ll give either of these beauties a go?

and ps : can we just give a small round of applause for
amazon’s new luxury beauty department?
they never cease to amaze.

Posted in blush, cheeks, editorial sample, lips, tools | Tagged butter london, morphe | Leave a comment

movie magic with mark.6

POSTED ON Posted on October 13, 2013 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

in august i spent an afternoon at the mark. offices filming a handful of videos for some of their exciting new products. i had the absolute best time hanging out with the mark. team who are, not surprisingly, an insanely fun group of girls. they made me feel so comfortable on camera and i loved getting my hands on all of the new products and accessories a full season ahead of the masses. i easily identified several favorites and we shot my thoughts on why they’re each so fab. if you’re finding yourself with a little time in your rainy sunday, click on through to take a peek at my youtube debuts! i’m super proud of them :)

mark. wonder glow blush & glow

mark. great finish pressed perfecting powder

mark. earn your metal liquid shimmer eyeliner

mark. on the dot lip color compact

Posted in face, lids, lips | Tagged mark. | 6 Comments

bobbi brown ‘old hollywood’ eyeshadow palette11

POSTED ON Posted on October 11, 2013 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

holy gorgeous, this eyeshadow palette from bobbi brown is everything. i don’t even like eyeshadow all that much (i’m kind of afraid of it, it’s fine.) and i know that i need this palette in my life. for one, bobbi’s shadows are the business. they are beautifully formulated, with a wide range of flats and glitters, they blend easily and they stay put. the color combination in this set of nine has every shade that i’m certain i would need for the rest of my life, including eclipse (a dark black matte). the remaining eight neutrals are just my speed and they include three mattes (ivory, fog, and beige), two metallics (golden pink and candlelight gold), and three serious sparklers (chocolate bronze, gold, and opal). i’m thinking that these possibilities are beyond endless and that this palette is sure to be a longtime friend. get your hands on this one before it goes, gals.