the glossarie

show me your lip bomb, cait0

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

name: cait
internet home: pretty & fun
number of products: 8
she says: my standard stash that I carry around on a daily basis – a pop of lip color is the easiest accessory a girl can add!
the bomb:

NARS heat wave, $24
revlon colorstay overtime lipstick in stay currant, $7.99
burts bees lip balm, 2 for $5.49
revlon just bitten kissable stain in lovesick, $7.49
eos lip balm in summer fruit, $2.99
sonia kashuk lip gloss in precious, $8.99
LUSH liquid lipstick in believe, $18.95
revlon matte lipstick in really red, $7.99

i absolutely adore cait! her blog, pretty & fun, was one of my first and favorite discoveries on the ‘net. she and i finally connected in person at ifb a couple of years ago. i was completely taken by her bright, sweet personality and her most perfect top knot. she is an absolute doll and she is always rocking a flawlessly stunning bold lip. let’s just say that i’m taking some very careful notes on her #lipbomb.

Posted in lips | Tagged burt's bees, eos, lush, nars, revlon, sonia kashuk | Leave a comment

bite beauty matte creme lipstick3

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

i am craving bold, bright lips – especially rich fuchsias and electric violets. i should have known that my favorite lip line would deliver the goods. bite beauty’s new matte creme lipsticks are pure velvet. the four crazy fun shades deliver lush, moisturizing color that lasts for hours and their signature ingredient, reservatrol, ensures your lips are hydrated and nourished. for a matte finish, these are surprisingly comfortable to wear and i can’t say enough about the pigment-rich color. i’m particularly taken with lilac (the vibrant fuchsia on the top right) and violet (bottom left). just gorgeous.

have you delved into the world of bite beauty yet? do you think you’ll be giving these a go?

shop bite matte creme lipsticks ($24) >

Posted in editorial sample, lips | 3 Comments

day to night: dark circles4

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

i don’t know what is happening to me, but i have developed a crop of dark circles. they’re not so terrible, but definitely noticeable and it’s a minor imperfection, but certainly something that makes me look much less polished and put together than i feel. i’ve taken to fighting them day and night with a one-two punch of treatment and concealer, a combination that provides 24-hour moisture.

during the day, i cover them up with benefit’s new fake up, an ultra hydrating under eye concealer in stick form. the formula blends seamlessly, covers completely, and does not crease or wander. even though i’m pretty fair, the medium shade conceals my dark circles better than the light version, which was a surprise to me. it’s refreshing to swipe on in the mornings and it doesn’t cake or settle, keeping my under-eye area looking bright all day long.

at night, i’m hooked on yes to grapefruit dark circle correcting eye cream. it’s creamy and non-greasy and one application will have you instantly feeling its nourishing effects. after a long day, it’s a soothing addition to my bedtime routine and it provides an instant boost of moisture to the under-eye area. i can’t tout any miracle capabilities in the disappearance of dark circles, but i do think that the skin under my eyes looks a touch brighter and my dark circles and puffiness are definitely held at a minimum the morning after a healthy dose.

how do you fight dark circles?

Posted in concealer, editorial sample, eyes, face, skin | Tagged benefit cosmetics, yes to grapefruit | 4 Comments

hold me baby bag13

POSTED ON Posted on March 14, 2013 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

it takes a lot to impress me in the beauty bag department. with the multitude of options available everywhere i turn, a company has to be bringing something really new and different to the table in order to catch my attention. when the hold me company reached out to me with the new, smaller scale version of their original hold me bag, i couldn’t resist giving it a try. i have to have everything in its place, especially my beauty products, especially when it comes to travel. my biggest gripe in the travel cosmetic world has been the lack of a product that will keep my stuff organized for a quick overnight (or even a two night) stay. when all i’m packing is a duffel, i don’t want to have to lug a huge hanging organizer or train case around for my makeup and skincare.

the hold me baby bag is the perfect solution. it offers at-a-glance organization complete with brush protection (one of my favorite features!) and it holds a ton, before folding up to a compact size. the high performance knew-suede fabric is easy to care for making me worry much less about spills and explosions. the wrap-around cinch tie means that i can close the bag efficiciently regardless of how much stuff i’ve shoved inside (no velcro, magnet, or metal snap that would restrict the number/shape of products).

i could have gotten many more products tucked inside this hold me baby, but i wanted to show you how perfectly sized it is for my daily routine. the high-quality, unique bag comes in 12 different liner color options ( each done in a wipe-clean cotton print) so there’s definitely something for everyone. i’m curious: do you have a hold me bag? is there something else that works well for taking your beauty on an overnight adventure?

shop hold me baby bag ($55) >

Posted in bags, editorial sample, tools | Tagged hold me | 13 Comments

living proof weightless styling spray9

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

i feel compelled to affirm that i test hair brands beyond living proof. it’s just that the lp products always rise above the rest – and who am i to withhold good, quality information from you only for fear of beginning to sound like a broken record?

living proof’s weightless styling spray is yet another winner. it completely stops frizz and blocks humidity without causing buildup or weighing hair down with silicones or oils. a good all-over head spray before drying is enough to smooth out my curls and prep hair for the flat iron. my croc glides through without resistance and i love the added shape and hold that i get from this product. i tested it in yesterday’s rainy weather without any puffiness, kink or curl making an appearance – the smoothness held up far above my expectations. then today, as i was running late and had to skip my shower, i was completely impressed with how clean my hair still looked since yesterday morning’s wash and blow dry. the lightness of the spray gives hair a matte, natural finish and the formula works to actually repel dirt, keeping my hair cleaner longer.

i’m crazy about this stuff and will definitely be working it into my regular product rotation. it’s a great option for girls who have fine-to-medium hair and anyone whose hair texture needs smoothing or straightening, but can’t handle anything heavy.

shop living proof weightless styling spray ($26) >

Posted in editorial sample, hair | Tagged living proof | 9 Comments

bareminerals blush in the natural high2

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

part of the ready collection, this new blush from bareminerals comprises all of the mineral goodness from your favorite bare escentuals blushes in a solid form. antioxidant sea minerals help to smooth and soften skin while enhancing cheeks with an ultra flattering pop of color.

the blush itself is smooth and sheer, very easy to build and blend. i get an easy eight hours of wear without any added shine or extra attention to pores or imperfections. it’s just the right amount of glow in a color that’s perfect for my fair skin, but it’s a shade that will definitely flatter olive and caramel tones as well. the golden petal gives me a windswept flush and doesn’t accentuating the touch of redness that i get on my cheeks and around my nose this time of year (an impressive feat – i have to be so careful with blush color). i apply it using this brush in swirling circles and the finished look is pure perfection.

if you, like me, tend to collect these peach-gold-shimmer-rose toned blushes, this will be a welcome addition to your menagerie. note: it’s nearly sold out everywhere, get this one while you can!

shop bareminerals ready blush in the natural high ($22) >

Posted in blush, cheeks, editorial sample | Tagged bare escentuals, bareminerals | 2 Comments

show me your lip bomb, tierney4

POSTED ON Posted on March 10, 2013 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

name: tierney
internet home: the preppy leopard
number of products: 5
she says: my lip bomb is nowhere near as fancy as yours (*oh please!), but here’s the pic!
the bomb:

maybelline colorsensational lip color in red revival, $7.49
such a great take on the classic red lip.
it’s a little darker than my normal red lipsticks

mac matte lipstick in diva, $15
a dark dark wine color that seems intimidating in the tube, but is really pretty on.
i love wearing it with smoky eyes–instead of being 1980’s overwhelming,
it’s actually very sultry and vampy.

chapstick moisturizer, $1.59
i honestly can’t beat a $2 tube of chapstick.
plus, I don’t feel guilty when I lose it.

nyx pump it up lip plumper, $5.49
bought on a whim from UO. it’s a pretty gloss,
but i don’t really believe in lip plumpers.

jouer lip enhancer conditioning lip treatment, $14
it feels so nice when I put it on, but i don’t think
i’ll buy the full price one when my chapstick is so darn amazing.

tierney and i have been blog friends for the longest. i wish we got to hang out in person more often as our love for beauty products (lips, in particular) always sparks insightful convo. her lip bomb says a lot about her and i could not be more appreciative of her thoughts on each product – plus, most of these are new names for the #lipbomb project, which is fun to see.

if you want to see your #lipbomb in the glossarie, send it over to theglossarie@gmail.com – the more the merrier!

Posted in lips | Tagged chapstick, jouer, mac, maybelline, nyx | 4 Comments

tata harper aromatic treatments0

POSTED ON Posted on March 9, 2013 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

lately i find myself in a state of entrepreneurial mania. as an independent sales representative working with two national brands and one budding fragrance company, a blogger and brand ambassador times two, it’s easy to feel like my head is spinning in many different directions at any given moment. i’m also getting ready to launch another exciting project next month and while i am beyond thrilled with everything i have going on, it can start to feel like a bit too much on one plate. i know this feeling is not unique to me so i had to share just one of the ways that i’m keeping calm and carrying on.

tata harper is a 100% natural organic and nontoxic anti-aging skincare company. rooted in the belief that stress is one of the leading causes of premature aging, the line is complete with an aromatherapy line of mood treatments that promote wellness, stability, and vitality. their trio of essential botanical oils help to maintain a sense of calm, balance, and wellness. when applied to the pulse points on the insides of your wrists, behind your ears, and on the sides of your neck, they work to help you relax, reduce irritability, and de-stress.

bedtime treatment: mandarin (calms the mind and acts as a mild sedative), melissa oils (inner contentment), clary sage (deep relaxation), lavender (soothes, relaxes, calms)

irritability treatment: roman chamomile (comforts, calms), bergamot (relieves irritation and anger), patchouli (stabilizes and grounds)

stress treatment: linden blossom (calms), rose otto (alleviates anxiety), fresh neroli (uplifts and soothes nerves), frankincense (deepens breathing)

i haven’t always been the biggest holistic healing believer, but i will say that whether it’s truly psychological or a bunch of hooey, taking thirty seconds to calm down and center myself daily is an essential part of my beauty routine. tata harper’s aromatic treatments come in perfectly portable glass rollerball bottles that look beautiful on my bedside table and are a cinch to pack up and take on the road. i can’t recommend them highly enough.

shop tata harper aromatherapy ($60 each) >

Posted in editorial sample, fragrance, natural beauty | Tagged tata harper | Leave a comment

bobbi brown pretty powerful pot rouge0

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

happy international women’s day, beauties!

to celebrate the day, i am pleased to announce a new initiative from bobbi brown cosmetics. the brand is launching its first ever charitable initiative: the pretty powerful campaign for women and girls. the worldwide movement is dedicated to empowering women and girls with education, resources, job skills and work experience and will aim to help them “be who they are.” the campaign will raise funds through the sale of a limited-edition pretty powerful pot rouge ($25) and via globalgiving.org. in the u.s., every cent of the proceeds from sales of the pretty powerful pot rouge will go to dress for success, which bobbi has worked with for years.

i love bobbi’s pot rouge – it’s a makeup bag essential for both lips and cheeks and i absolutely love the way that it blends. i always feel like it brings out a natural-looking flush, but i can’t get enough of this new universally flattering pink shade. the pretty little pot is the perfect way to update your look for spring while supporting an important cause.

shop bobbi brown pretty powerful pot rouge ($25) >

Posted in blush, cheeks, editorial sample, lips | Tagged bobbi brown | Leave a comment

anastasia brow wiz10

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

image via the fashion spot

last week i was in sephora, staring at the anastasia section all forlorn when a product consultant asked me if i needed help with my brows. “YES!” i think i shouted. “you-see-i’m-trying-to-grow-them-out-a-bit-but-there’s-all-these-holes-and-i-try-to-fill-them-in-but-then-they-look-too-dark…” she laughed and sat me down for a little lesson in arch support.

i had been looking at the anastasia brow powder duos which she quickly steered me away from. she put brow wiz in medium ash into my hand and walked me through how to properly fill in my brows. first, she told me that you have much more control with a skinny pencil than you do with a powder and a brush. this was music to my ears, because i have been frustrated by the unnatural look that i’m left with when using brow powder.

she taught me how to use diagonal strokes to fill in all of my brows, using the way that they naturally grow as a guide and going all the way down the tail, then brushing them out to blend a little. the results were gorgeous and the compliments have been pouring in. my previous mistakes had been 1) using a brow powder that was too dark for me and 2) not filling them in completely so i was left with this crazy uneven mess.

if you want to take spring’s bold brow trend for a spin but yours could stand to be whipped in to shape, the anastasia brow wiz pencil is going to be your new best friend. the application is smooth and easy, just stay inside the lines of your natural arch and you’ll be golden.

shop anastasia brow wiz ($21) >