the glossarie

fix your lips4

POSTED ON Posted on August 8, 2013 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

there are seemingly thousands of available lip balm brands on the market so it can be beyond tough to choose the best one for you. with options popping up everywhere from the grocery store to the beauty counter to the bookstore and even in your favorite boutiques, how’s a girl to decide? i’ve founded up my five favorites to help you narrow the playing field.

1 – boots no7 protect & perfect lip cream, $8.39 – i picked this up at target and i love the way that it works to firm lips as it seals in moisture. the light lotion-like consistency make it a great pre-lipstick primer, too.

2 – coola liplux spf15, $12 – the protecting lip balm bar has been raised a notch with this a j.crew discovery. i’m obsessed with the peppermint vanilla flavor and the weightless waterproof formula. it’s so perfect for the pool!

3 – supersmile ultimate lip treatment, $24 – a genuine surprise from the teeth whitening experts, this one has almond oil and hyaluronic acid to nourish and condition. it feels so super soothing when it goes on and i almost never need to reapply.

4 – elizabeth arden eight hour nourishing lip balm spf 20, $19.50 – where has this stuff been all of my life? this is my go-to overnight lip treatment and i love how it seals in moisture and leaves my lips so soft in the mornings.

5 – eve lom kiss mix, $22 – i love this little tub! kiss mix is the ultimate lip treatment and it’s the best pre-makeup boost. menthol cools and plumps lips a bit and the finish has a touch of shine. you can wear it on its own or throw color over top, leaving lips soft and happy.

Posted in editorial sample, lips | Tagged boots no7, coola, elizabeth arden, eve lom, supersmile | 4 Comments

ysl top secrets flash touch wake-up eyecare3

POSTED ON Posted on August 7, 2013 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

there is nothing worse than puffy eyes. nothing that betrays my upbeat attitude and readiness to face the day than tired little eyeballs. i will not have it.

i splurged on ysl’s top secrets flash touch wake-up eyecare pen a few weeks ago, knowing that these last four days (early mornings, long hours, and late nights in nyc) would be its true test. after i shower and moisturize, i click the pen to release the perfect dose of serum and roll it all over my eye area, concentrating on the brow bone and the unwelcome little pillows that lie beneath my lower lash line. it feels soothing, cooling, and definitely hydrating as i notice that things are slowly reviving.

i’m really impressed with the instant reduction in puff and the longstanding “awake” effects. when i use this little pen, my face looks polish and pulled together for the entire day. the emulsion absorbs quickly and acts as a perfect primer for my under eye concealer, giving me a fresh look that lasts until bedtime.

it’s a pricey magic wand, but i’m willing to spend for something that works. i love the way that this stuff revives my eyes, bringing in light and zapping fatigue, and also the way that it locks down concealer. it packs a lot of punch for its $44 price tag!

ysl top secrets flash touch wake-up eyecare ($44) >

Posted in skin | Tagged yves saint laurent | 3 Comments

smashbox liquid halo hd foundation7

POSTED ON Posted on August 4, 2013 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

it’s been awhile since something truly revolutionary has come along in a foundation, so we are definitely due for a groundbreaking new launch. i believe smashbox has done it with their liduid halo hd foundation.

as a little backstory, i used the halo powder foundation for years and it truly was best in class because, hello, a hydrating powder? so innovative. but, as i’ve crept past 30, i’ve shied away from powders because i think they tend to settle and age. (plus, glowy is in and who am i to fight that?) i’m always searching for the world’s most perfect foundation, one that magically covers all of my imperfections yet still looks like i’m not wearing a drop of makeup. it hasn’t been easy to find, until now.

new halo liquid hd foundation is everything i’ve been looking for. it’s oil free, non drying, and i can wear it all day looking and feeling like i’ve got nothing on. my pesky pimples and acne scarring are completely hidden and my skin looks like it’s lit from within, yet it’s not at all shiny. i had a quick chat with the smashbox lady at nordstrom and i learned that the highly impressive results come from color pigments that are encapsulated in gel so they actually blur your imperfections while evening out skin tone and remaining virtually undetectable. just further proof that gel technology is taking the beauty world by storm.

i think what i love best about this foundation is that i’ve found something that is perfect for everyday, but high performance enough for special events and even the occasional photo shoot. it’s no longer necessary to keep extra bottles handy for different makeup scenarios and that alone is enough to make me want to buy stock in this stuff.

new smashbox liquid halo foundation spf 15 is available at sephora for $42.

Posted in editorial sample, face, foundation | Tagged smashbox | 7 Comments

blinc ultrathin liquid eyeliner pen2

POSTED ON Posted on August 2, 2013 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

you’re probably shocked to see me even talking about eyeliner, let alone dedicating a full post to one, but that’s how good this one is. i adore blinc’s mascaras for their non-irritating, completely smudge proof formula that washes off with warm water and now the brand has taken their expertise beyond the lashes.

their liquid eyeliner pen is virtually goof proof. i have no talent when it comes to eye makeup and after just a few minutes playing around with this pen, i was floored by my own artistry. the beauty of this one is in the thinnest possible brush. it’s extra flexible, so you can dot it between lashes, or drag it along the lash line, building thickness as you go. it’s so easy to use and i was even able to create a cat eye and a winged liner look without much effort. trust me, with this pen in your hand, you cannot mess up.

beyond its idiot-proof abilities, this liner has major longevity. just like blinc’s mascaras it has ultra long wear time. my watery eyes always make eyeliner disappear – this one stays put and it’s surprisingly a piece of cake to remove. this is truly the only eyeliner that i have ever loved. i can’t get enough of the precise control that makes me look like i actually know what i’m doing. add in the fact that it doesn’t smudge or smear, wears all day, and washes off easily – i am full on wowed.

blinc ultrathin liquid eyeliner pen, $26

Posted in editorial sample, eyes, lids | Tagged blinc | 2 Comments

cocktail party pretty8

POSTED ON Posted on August 1, 2013 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i’m over at belle belle beauty blog today talking about my very favorite party products!

Posted in editorial sample, mixed bag | Tagged make up for ever, mark., marni, maybelline, stila cosmetics, too faced | 8 Comments

simple exfoliating facial wipes6

POSTED ON Posted on July 31, 2013 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

can anyone tell me where the heck the summer has gone? june and july were supposed to be my quiet months and they have flown! august is going to be a doozy and i know labor day will be here before i know it. phew!

for me, busy days mean lazy nights and i’m lucky if i can make it into bed with a clean face. i hate the way that my face feels the morning after i’ve slept in my makeup, so in an effort to save my skin, i started keeping a small stash of products in my nightstand. this way i can maintain my routine even when i’m bleary eyed and barely conscious. i rounded up my six nightstand essentials over on refinery 29, but i’m sharing a little extra love for the hero of the bunch, simple exfoliating facial wipes.

facial wipes are tricky because you want something that’s going to effectively remove all of your makeup without forcing you to tug at your skin and something that doesn’t leave any residue behind. i also look for something that’s gentle and non-drying. not surprisingly, simple nails all of those prerequisites and earns major bonus points for the removing of dead cells. that means that i can skip my toner and hit the pillow that much faster, all while preventing break outs and doing something nice for my skin. i love the fact that they work fast and they’re two steps in one. honestly, i’m seriously starting to wonder what i did before these found their way into my life.

do you use a makeup removing wipe? have you given these a try?

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

organix thick & full biotin & collagen9

POSTED ON Posted on July 30, 2013 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i don’t know why i have overlooked organix’s massive line of sulfate and paraben-free hair care until now. with 23 collections, they pretty much have something for everyone. i sought their expertise for a solution to my thin-ish hair and i have been blown away by the BIG results.

organix thick & full biotin & collagen lineup offers a shampoo, conditioner, root lift spray, and amplifying lotion – all for under $6 each. and while the price is pretty impressive, it’s the ingredient lineup that has me wondering if this is real life. these products are high performing, with a blend of biotin, collagen, and wheat proteins that even the spendiest salon options will envy.

the shampoo feels very luxe and it cleanses without stripping, leaving my hair soft. the conditioner is lightweight and when applied to my ends it detangles and hydrates bringing a nice level of balance to my hair. the duo leave my hair feeling clean and well taken care of, but not at all weighed down – kind of like i’ve done just enough to bring it back to life. out of the shower, the amplifying lotion (actually more of a serum) seriously pumps up the volume. it’s not at all drying and it doesn’t make any extra work for me when it comes to my beloved flat iron. it gives my bob body and shape without making me look like jane jetson.

the voluminous results that you get from these products are so good that i can’t use all three of them together. i’ve been alternating the shampoo and conditioner with my favorite pantene styler and then using this shampoo and this conditioner with the amplifying lotion. the results are insane! big, big big.

is it changing my hair for the long term? probably not, but the volume is certainly enough to keep me coming back for more. so, if you’re looking for volume, get to a drugstore and grab these purple bottles. at around $18 for the trio, it’s less than half what you might pay for one volumizing product at the salon!

organix thick & full biotin & collagen collection >

Posted in editorial sample, hair | Tagged organix | 9 Comments

shu uemura tokyo lash fiesta s eyelash curler8

POSTED ON Posted on July 29, 2013 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

most of you are familiar with my obsession over shu uemura’s eyelash curler. i used it for years and then it all but disappeared from the us markets without explanation. i’ve been happily plugging away with my replacement chanel, but it has always left me wondering what those japanese masterminds have been up to! then, over the weekend, allure teased this new (?) tokyo lash fiesta s eyelash curler and i cannot stop thinking about it.

allure was able to get their hands on one of these mysterious beauties and they are claiming that it’s better than the original because of its open sides and virtually no risk of pinched eyelids. now, the original shu lash curler is beautifully shaped and never pinches, so the notion that they might have improved on that further is kind of exciting.

honestly, i don’t even care if it’s better, i just need it.

i have searched all ends of the internet and there is not a stitch of information on this bad boy. i’m bewildered and forced to wait (not at all) patiently for more news to break on the fresh update, so obviously the only solution to my dilemma was to share this kind-of news with you so that i’m not alone in my misery.

happy monday :)

*update! the powers that be at shu uemura have let me know that the tokyo lash fiesta s eyelash curler will be on sale on their website starting september 3rd!*

Posted in tools | Tagged shu uemura | 8 Comments

fake it ‘til you make it6

POSTED ON Posted on July 28, 2013 by maggie moore BY maggie moore

i love a good beach tanning session as much as the next gal, but it’s hard to ignore the health hazards that laying out in the sun can bring. to keep my dermatologist happy and my skin bronze for bikini season, i’m turning to these tried and true products.

jergen’s natural glow daily moisturizer ($8.69) – i’ve used this for years and its non-sticky application and subtle glow always carries me through. i use it every other day, and right after a shower to ensure smooth coverage. jergen’s now has an unscented, firming version as well.

sonia kashuk chic luminosity bronzer/blush duo in glimmer ($12.99) – this is the perfect combination of bronze and pink, and though it’s called “glimmer” it does not contain any trace of shimmer or sparkle, which i appreciate.

benefit watt’s up! highlighter ($30) – i’m loving this little treat that was part of my free birthday gift from sephora. a few swipes of this luminizing stick under my brow bones and along my cheekbones is a gorgeous finishing touch to my makeup each morning.

mark’s just pinched instant blush tint in cheeky ($8) – i have to echo lara’s praise for these cute little cheek tints; they have just the right amount of pigment and are super easy to throw in your clutch or purse.

bareminerals marvelous moxie lipgloss in trail blazer ($18) – moxie leaves my lips feeling refreshed and cool (but not in that tingly, painful lip-plumping way). even more so than the sensation, i appreciate the color – a rich, glossy bronze that pairs perfectly with everyday makeup or as the neutral component to a smoky eye.

Posted in blush, bronzer, cheeks, lips, mixed bag, skin | Tagged bare escentuals, benefit cosmetics, jergens, mark., sonia kashuk | 6 Comments

friday favorites10

POSTED ON Posted on July 26, 2013 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i found myself faced with too many amazing products to count this week (always a good problem) so i’m sharing a handful of bite-sized reviews. as always, let me know if you want more : )

dermablend skinperfector blemish and oil clearing primer, $45
summer always means more breakouts for me, but i’ve been combatting the dreaded acne flare up with this primer from dermablend. it goes on light, like a lotion, but it dries perfectly matte, stopping shine dead in its tracks – even when the “feels like” is 107.

real techniques expert face brush, $8.99
seriously where have these brushes been hiding? this one applies bb/cc creams and liquid foundations like a dream and i have not seen one hair out of place. the finished effects are pixel perfect, giving this spendier option a run for its money.

jouer lip sheer spf 15 in santorini, $22
these little lippies are gorgeous and this new rosy pink shade is a creamier counterpart to my favorite from the fall. santorini is the perfect finishing touch to an everyday makeup look, leaving lips flawlessly pink, extra soft, and protected from the summer sun.

lumene time freeze eye perfecting treatment, $15.99
now this is really brilliant. i could kiss whoever thought to pair an eye treatment with a flexible lip gloss applicator! this cooling, fine-line reducing gel is actually fun to apply each night before bed – and the firming / de-puffing effects aren’t bad either!

maybelline volum’express the falsies big eyes, $9.49
i adore this dual ended mascara. with two formulas and brush sizes to separately address your top and bottom lashes, this guy gives excellent volume. it doesn’t smudge or flake and it lifts my lashes up and out, rivaling its beauty counter competitors.