the glossarie

november bag + balm3

POSTED ON Posted on November 6, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

bag: hobo alex cosmetic, $88 – $98
balm: jouer spf 15 lip sheer in st. barths, $22

what can i say, i’m going a little luxe with this month’s bag and balm. my beloved leather bag brand (and favorite employer, full disclosure here) has added the most darling cosmetic clutch to the line this holiday season. hobo’s alex is a slim silhouette with a side kiss-lock closure for extra quirk and tucked inside is the teeniest of mirrors, ideal for lipstick checks. the bag is skinny but sizable with plenty of room for your best lip products and whatever else your touch up kit requires. alex comes in two vintage leathers and two spunky holiday prints (shown in mosaic). it’s the ultimate little luxury.

in balm land, i’m seriously digging jouer’s spf 15 lip sheer in st. barths. it may be slightly summer-esque, but the orange coral is super sheer and brings the perfect juicy pop to my no makeup look. the slim stick is surprisingly moisturizing and really brings a lot of hydration game to the table, without sacrificing a bit of color impact. the combination is light and results in a nice sheen that enhances your natural lip. if coral’s not your thing, you can scoop these up in three other colors. (fun fact: jouer’s website shows swatches on models of different skin tones so you can really get a feel for what will flatter you.)

ps – happy election day! i can’t get this song out of my head…

Posted in bags, editorial sample, lips, tools | Tagged hobo international, jouer | 3 Comments

nars soft touch shadow pencil in empire6

POSTED ON Posted on November 5, 2012 by maggie moore BY maggie moore

new favorite product alert!

i am obsessed with the nars soft touch shadow pencil in empire from the new nars andy warhol collection. this black liner stick is incredibly thick, so you can apply it as either a standard eyeliner, or as a shadow base for a fabulous smoky eye. i have a feeling this is going to become an everyday staple for me as i have already been carrying it with me everywhere i go since purchasing two days ago.

i’m also extremely tempted to buy the liner in aigle noir, a black shade with flecks of gold – perfect for the slew of holiday parties that come with the season. isn’t it gorgeous?

both shades of the nars soft touch shadow pencil (and nine other luscious options!) are available here for $24.

Posted in eyes, lids | Tagged nars | 6 Comments

my mario badescu skincare regimen8

POSTED ON Posted on November 2, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

at my wits end with my skin (yet again), i turned to the experts at mario badescu for a customized regimen. as i ran through my laundry list of complaints (acne-ridden, tight after washhing, oily in the afternoons, sensitive and all around miserable to deal with) my expectations were low that the brand could deliver anything that would improve the situation. i was pleasantly surprised to receive a warm and friendly “let’s get you cleared up!” and a note that my new skincare was en route.

the products that landed on my doorstep (complete with personalized instructions) were simple and no frills. i fully appreciated that they were completely non intimidating and after following the instructions to a tee, i noticed a quick response from my skin. from the very first wash, i felt pretty confident that this system could really work for me. things were clearer, but also healthier and more nourished. the routine wasn’t just ridding my face of bacteria and clogged pores, it was giving something back, but without extra ingredients that my skin doesn’t need. this is very difficult to achieve. knowing that the line is botanical-based and fairly priced has only fueled my love affair.

here’s the system that’s working for me:

AM glycolic foaming cleanser, $15 – lathers and exfoliates dead skin chemically (which i’ve learned is so much better for my sensitive skin that manual scrubs and brushes)

AM oil-free moisturizer, $22 – light and soothing, a pea-sized amount hydrates my entire face without clogging pores, it also leaves my skin so soft and works as a great base for makeup

PM orange cleansing soap, $12 – oil-free and soap-free, removes all makeup and dirt without stripping skin

PM seaweed cleansing lotion, $15 – super gentle, non-drying, catches any traces of makeup that i may miss with my cleanser and includes anti-inflamatories to help with redness

PM a.h.a. & ceramide moisturizer, $20 – oil-free with lemon extract, revives my oft-congested skin, non-greasy and really helps to restore everything (since acne treatments can be super dulling)

it’s the exact right amount of steps, the exact right combination of formulas. all together, it’s not too gentle, and not too harsh. my skin has never been happier!

am i way late to this party? have you tried mario’s miracle workers?

Posted in editorial sample, skin | Tagged mario badescu | 8 Comments

on my lips4

POSTED ON Posted on October 30, 2012 by maggie moore BY maggie moore

jouer moisturizing lip gloss in hamptons, $20
a perfect gloss for daytime, this peachy shimmer has been my daily go-to gloss either on its own or layered on top of lipstick for extra shine. the shade is a sheer tangerine, not as orange in real life as it looks!

ellis faas milky lips in l204, $35
don’t be alarmed by the slightly sci-fi look of this liquid lipstick discovered from glossybox. the super-pigmented gloss glides on incredibly smoothly and feels amazing on lips. application is with a brush, giving you tons of control over how much or how little you want on your pout. i love to add a swipe of it over a moisturizing balm or aquaphor ointment as a finishing touch to wake up my look a bit.

mary kay nourishine plus lip gloss in inspiring, $14
a conditioning and soothing gloss that transforms your lips with a pearlescent shimmer. perfect to layer over dark lipsticks and matte shades while ingredients help to soften and calm skin. best of all, your luxurious new lips come with a benefit to a great cause as mary kay will donate $1 from every sale to their ‘beauty that counts’ initiative which raises awareness to help end domestic violence.

smashbox reflection high shine lip gloss in firecracker, $19
high impact shine with the feel of a moisturizing balm (thanks to supercharged hyaluronic acid), this shade is a bright strawberry red with pink pearl and gold glitter for reflective shine. the thick, non-sticky formula leaves a sheer finish that’s gorgeous on its own or great over your favorite under layer for deeper color payoff.

revlon colorburst lip butter in cotton candy, $6.49
these are still a big hit with me and i’m loving this shimmery medium pink shade. recently, it’s always with me and i’m constantly putting it on. the softness in color is such a nice contrast to fall’s dark tones and i really like the way it lightens the mood.

nars velvet gloss lip pencil in new lover, $24
silky shine, universally flattering golden rose color, all in the most convenient package ever. what’s not to love, here? i have been wearing this day and night to the tune of many compliments, so don’t mind me while i stockpile this little lady.

what’s on your lips?

Posted in editorial sample, lips | Tagged ellis faas, jouer, mary kay, nars, revlon, smashbox | 4 Comments

koh gen do cleansing spa water5

POSTED ON Posted on October 28, 2012 by maggie moore BY maggie moore

between you and me, cleansing spa water is really just a fancy and chic way of saying makeup remover. good for a quick clean up, cleansing waters are super easy to use, making makeup removal completely painless. they’re great for beauty minimalists who don’t need the overkill of a nightly regime and for night owls who tend to get a little lackadaisical about face washing.

as a longtime vaseline user for removing my eye makeup (i know…but it works!), i must admit that koh gen do does the trick even better than my trusty petroleum go-to. a few swipes with a cotton pad removes it all without irritating my eyes or leaving a greasy residue. it’s oil-free, alcohol-free and safe for those of us who wear contacts. as an extra bonus, it has six herbal extracts that nourish your skin, meaning that it gives a little something back while it cleans your makeup away.

koh gen do cleansing spa water is available in two sizes at sephora.

do you use a cleansing water to remove your makeup?

Posted in skin | Tagged koh gen do | 5 Comments

covergirl + olay tone rehab 2-in-1 foundation4

POSTED ON Posted on October 26, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i love a drugstore discovery and this one comes courtesy of my friend lindsay. foundation is probably one of the toughest products to nail down at a drugstore, but covergirl’s tone rehab is department store quality goods at a very nice price point.

the formula mixes a creamy foundation with a hydrating serum (perfect as we move towards cooler temps) and the result is pure gold. i have been applying it with it cosmetics dual airbrush foundation concealer brush finding that the silky texture absolutely glides onto skin, light as a feather, feeling just like skincare.

coverage is pretty customizable (although I’m not sure if we can attribute that mainly to the foundation itself or the brush) so you can apply sparingly for a light finish or build for a more medium one. after one overall application, i use the bottom of the it cosmetics brush to do some spot concealing. when i’m done, my skin is the best i’ve seen it in a long while, looking flawless and feeling soothed.

i knew i liked this stuff, but the unsolicited compliments on my skin since i’ve been using it have really sealed the deal. i can’t say that it would be the solution for all skin types, but for those of you who like the feel of a tinted moisturizer but prefer the coverage of a foundation will certainly be in high heaven.

covergirl + olay tone rehab 2-in-1 foundation is available in drugstores and online for $13 – $16.

Posted in face, foundation | Tagged covergirl, it cosmetics | 4 Comments

victoria’s secret moisture luxe hand cream3

POSTED ON Posted on October 25, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

these tubes have a luxe appeal that i can appreciate. i love the extra detail of their twist top, giving them an apothecary feel, but also the fact that they are plastic, not metal. this means that there’s none of the oh-god-how-do-i-stop-the-lotion-from-coming-out panic moments after you squeeze to apply. but as good as these hand creams look on the outside, it’s what’s inside that’s really got me singing.

the lotions that live inside these tubes are deeply nourishing, boasting a trio of unique scents. not only do they glide on and sink right in, leaving skin intensely soft, but they offer up their subtle perfume throughout the day making me smile every time i touch my hair (which is a lot). shea butter and avocado oil make these ultra rich and gorgeous and i feel like they really soothe my skin, restoring and moisturizing – perfect for fall and the colder months to come.

victoria’s secret moisture luxe hand cream comes in three scents, each available for $14 here.

Posted in body, editorial sample | Tagged victoria's secret | 3 Comments

this or that: red lip fix4

POSTED ON Posted on October 23, 2012 by maggie moore BY maggie moore

it’s been a bit since we talked about the red lip, and although it takes a certain dose of confidence to rock the look, there’s no better way to boost your mood. we soaked in a little red lip’spiration and searched far and wide for two bold, deep red shades to serve as the ultimate way to glam up your look this fall.

rouge d’armani comes at a higher price tag but literally lasts for hours (with impeccably saturated color), while kate moss’ creation is of surprisingly high quality for a drugstore find, with a creamy, moisturizing texture and smooth finish.

this: armani beauty rouge d’armani lipstick #400, $30

that: rimmel london lasting finish lipstick – kate moss collection 001, $4.64

which begs the question, what’s your favorite red lip of late?

Posted in lips | Tagged armani beauty, rimmel london | 4 Comments

jouer customized makeup palettes2

POSTED ON Posted on October 22, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

jouer is one of the very first beauty brands to fuel the makeup obsession that drives the glossarie. what used to be a little-known brand available only at the henri bendel counter in nyc has grown into a makeup phenomenon with a serious following. i was originally drawn to jouer because of their intelligent packaging. they were the first to create the custom palette in a click-together format that is impossible to resist. jouer offers ladies the opportunity to get exactly what they want in terms of color in a makeup palatte, and, well, i totally dig that.

beyond the cool design are quality formulas in wearable colors that are just plain pretty. the result of whatever combination you put together is an effortless beauty that jouer refers to as the truly essential beauty wardrobe. just like the lbd, they offer up the perfect fit for everyone, for every occasion.

after investing in your favorites, you’ll find that jouer’s products click together side to side and back to back, meaning that you can break things up any which way you like, taking as much or as little of your beauty routine with you as you travel.

my must-haves:

moisturizing lip gloss in hamptons, $20
powder eyeshadow in meringue, $20
oil-free mineral powder bronzer in sunshine, $28
lip and cheek tint in petal, $20

the products are timeless and have quickly become key pieces in my otherwise overwhelming collection of beauty. i get instant chic whether i’m at home or on the go making jouer a true glossarie mvp.

to start customizing your own essential palette, shop the full jouer cosmetics color range ($14 – $38) online.

Posted in blush, bronzer, cheeks, editorial sample, eyes, lids, lips, palettes | Tagged jouer | 2 Comments

sephora collection perfecting ultra-smoothing primer4

POSTED ON Posted on October 18, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

products coming out of the sephora camp of late have really exceeded my expectations, but two of them have weaseled their way into my everyday beauty basket: my new favorite moisturizer being one and this primer being the other. the primer was a surprise sample in my sephora bag, but after one application, i couldn’t get back to the black and white mecca for a full-size version fast enough.

what makes this primer different from others is the slip in its texture which does more than cover skin and mute imperfections. it smooths and perfects, preventing makeup from sitting directly on your skin and creating the perfect canvas. when i apply it, i use less foundation because makeup goes on more evenly and looks more natural. it hangs on longer and keeps shine away (especially on my nose, whose oil glands are insanely persistent).

i have shied away from primers in the past because they have felt heavy and seemed like an unnecessary step in the process, but the lightweight feel and instant absorption on this one really improves my whole makeup look and the subtle hydrating properties feel so good on the skin.

if you’re looking for an impressive primer to improve skin tone and texture while masking minor imperfections, this is your best bet. get it at sephora for $15.