the glossarie

urban decay naked skin11

POSTED ON Posted on August 20, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

this foundation is a five-star experience from start to finish. beginning with shade selection, urban decay has thought of everything.

step one: shade selection

if you purchase this product in person at sephora, you’ll be greeted by a stack of handy shade selectors that will help you to choose your perfect match. it takes the guesswork out of a foundation buy and i really appreciate not having to swatch a dozen things (and thus run around looking crazy for the remainder of the afternoon). each shade is numbered, with those ending in .0 being neutral/cool and those ending .5 being golden/warm. so super easy!

step two: application

urban decay has also created the ideal tool for applying this foundation and while you might be quick to assume that it’s a bit gimmicky and a slick trick to get you to spend another buck, i promise you it’s not. the good karma optical blurring brush is $24, almost $10 less than its sephora-brand counterpart, and it is good quality stuff. the bristles are packed just densely enough to easily buff (this or any liquid) foundation on to skin. you can use it to build coverage where needed and even “stamp” naked skin on to areas that need a little concealer. i won’t be so bold as to tell you that the brush is a must if you’re going to go for this foundation, but i do think it will give you some pretty stellar results.

step three: wear

the foundation itself has gorgeous texture. it’s weightless and the closest thing i’ve felt to that “second skin” so many brands claim to duplicate. it still covers nicely, hiding pesky blemishes and discolorations and you can easily build up the coverage in places you need more. for me, the best part is the finish. it’s a demi matte that isn’t drying but really works to fend off shine. i find that it keeps me looking flawless far longer than my favorite drugstore foundation, but that it’s much less dehydrating than my (former?) favorite prestige.

i’m obviously really loving this stuff and would recommend it to anyone who has combination to oily skin and needs light to medium coverage. if you’re curious (and you should be!), i would urge you to watch this great little video and then get your hot buns to sephora for a quick test to see if you like the finish. i can’t wait to see if you’ll be as smitten as i am.

urban decay naked skin is available at sephora for $38.

think you’ll give this one a try?

Posted in face, foundation | Tagged urban decay | 11 Comments

travel pretty: dc-nyc-boston-newburyport-dc8

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

i’m on the train headed back to nyc for a week of fun with hobo at the international gift fair. from new york, i’m training up to boston for a little visit with my family, and then the husband and i will be flying back from mass back to dc.

the trip totals 11 days away from home and comprises planes, trains, automobiles, hotel rooms, my sister’s brighton apartment and my parents’ house in newburyport. as if the length of time wasn’t enough of a suitcase dilemma, it’s also a lot of different climates and activities to prepare for (a trade show, nights out in new york, a red sox game, lazy days at the beach). i like to think that i’ve mastered packing over this last year, but sometimes bringing beauty can still be a real challenge, especially when i’m tight on space and really suck at going without any of my favorite products.

here’s what i have tucked away in the tsa-approved liquids and gels department (all packed inside the clear zip around pouch from my favorite stephanie johnson ml traveler):

1. leila lou perfume oil – which i’ve lately taken to wearing
in the crooks of my elbows, does anyone else do this?
2. use me cleanser for fine hair – a godsend against harsh hotel water
3. somme institute nourishing cleanser, from the pillow pack
4. somme institute double defense spf, from the pillow pack
5. ole henriksen ultimate lift eye gel – completely necessary for the next few early mornings, will be completely unnecessary by the time i reach the beach on saturday :)
6. use me moisturizer for fine hair – see #2
7. nars lip lacquer in baby doll – a super easy daytime lip
8. somme institute serum (full size)
9. perricone md no concealer concealer – most days i’m lucky enough not to need this, but late nights and early mornings mean ugliness for my often-hiding dark circles
10. vaseline lip therapy (impossibly tiny!) – combats dry hotel and plane air to keep lips soft
11. somme instite a-bomb, from the pillow pack
12. clinique all about eyes – i never fall asleep without it!
13. urban decay naked skin (full post coming tomorrow, simply ah-mazing)

as you can see, i monopolize every inch of real estate in that clear plastic pouch – thank goodness for super small versions of my (many) essential products!

Posted in bags, mixed bag, tools | Tagged clinique, leila lou, nars, ole henriksen, perricone md, somme institute, stephanie johnson, urban decay, use me, vaseline | 8 Comments

deco darling: gatsby inspired beauty1

POSTED ON Posted on August 16, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

(carey as daisy via)

the great gatsby is my very favorite. it was my mom’s very favorite and i quickly fell in love long before we were forced to read the story in 9th grade honors english. with the upcoming movie adaptation looming ever closer, i can only forecast that the twenties are going to have themselves a bit of a beauty moment this fall and winter. (because really, who doesn’t want to look like ms. mulligan?)

a few suggestions to help you channel your inner daisy buchanan:

the early twenties beauty look was comprised of cream or ivory face powder, rose or raspberry cheeks and deep brownish red lips applied in an exaggerated cupids bow. eyes were edged in black with painted black lashes. thin, sloping brows, and the coolest manicure – nails were painted only in the center, leaving the bottom half moon and the tip bare – topped things off.

to get a modern-day interpretation, you’ll want to round up some good old fashioned coty face powder, benefit’s benetint, besame’s vintage-inspired lipstick in merlot, bobbi brown’s long-wear gel eyeliner, hourglass’ film noir lash lacquer (you’re actually going for a bit spidery), and opi’s classic red in vodka & caviar.

the result is sure to be one fine flapper.

Posted in another pretty face | Tagged benefit cosmetics, besame, bobbi brown, coty, hourglass, luckymag, opi | 1 Comment

guest gloss for glitter guide3

POSTED ON Posted on August 15, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

pretty tickled to see my own face smiling back at me on one of my favorite sites this morning! click on over to glitter guide and check out a few of my pre-fall makeup must haves.

Posted in link roundups, mixed bag | Tagged glitter guide | 3 Comments

august bag + balm6

POSTED ON Posted on August 14, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

bag: thursday friday moto here bag in rose, $35

balm: burt’s bees lip shimmer in rhubarb, $5

it’s hard not to fall in love with thursday friday’s cheeky line of anti-status symbol bags. they each feature a well-known and uber spendy “it” bag – one look at their adorable new line of pochettes and you’re sure to see some familiar faces. the nylon lining and metal zip closure help you keep it all together inside a bigger bag or they also double as a great evening clutch!

this month’s balm was taken directly from my makeup bag. a recent burt’s bees tweet celebrated that their lip shimmer in rhubarb is the #1 shade for lips in drugstores, beating out all other brands. color me impressed, i had to get my hands on it! i picked it up at target last weekend and it hasn’t left my lips since. after ten days of nonstop wear, i can tell you that the shade is perfection (a deep fuchsia) and the formula is minty and moisturizing. at $5 it’s saving me a trip to sephora for a more expensive option for fall. love!

Posted in bags, lips, tools | Tagged burt's bees, thursday friday | 6 Comments

from the pages of my lucky mag4

POSTED ON Posted on August 13, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

lucky’s september issue was bursting with beauty and the magazine’s monthly arrival in my mailbox is always a huge source of inspiration. the tear sheets were just too good to keep to my self this month! here are a few of the new-to-me beauty discoveries that i’m lusting after:

givenchy’s le gloss révélateur de liv magic lipgloss lipcolor revealer may look clear (and also be a mouthful to say?) but once you brush it on, the formula reacts to your ph balance and turns to a custom pink. my custom pink is always an electric neon, but these products are so fun to try that i can’t resist a new one.

shiseido lacquer rouge in disco can be applied to lips and cheeks for what jean godfrey-june calls “gorgeous and alive and not like you have bright pink lipstick on your cheeks.” she also touts its long-lasting vibrancy. uh, sign me up, please.

lucky is daring us to keep blush bright for fall and they recommend dabbing this revlon photoready cream blush on the fattest part of our cheeks. a bright pink glow? i am so sold.

finally, yes to tomatoes blemish clearing facial towelettes and philosophy’s clear days ahead fast-acting salicylic acid acne spot treatment work together as what lucky claims to be a clear skin miracle. the towelettes cleanse, tone, and treat keeping breakouts at bay removing makeup insanely fast, without drying or stripping skin. for extra oomph, philosophy packs a punch with this ultra-effective spot treatment. lucky says it zaps zits overnight – we’ll see about that, but i’ll try anything!

have you tried any of these? any of them that you’re longing for me to review in more depth?

Posted in mixed bag | Tagged givenchy, lucky magazine, luckymag, philosophy, revlon, shiseido, yes to carrots | 4 Comments

if this blog were a pair of earrings6

POSTED ON Posted on August 12, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

wanna wear the glossarie on your ears? buy ’em here.

Posted in jewels | 6 Comments

buxom passport collection ‘the jetsetter edition’2

POSTED ON Posted on August 10, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

sporadic posting on this here blog can only mean one thing: it’s the time of year when i’m hustling back and forth between nyc and dc twice monthly. don’t get me wrong, i love the city and the fact that i have a dozen or so reasons to be there annually, but the travel (and the packing) starts to wear on a girl! more than ever i am seeking out travel-friendly options for my toiletries and cosmetics. i’m finding that it’s not completely necessary to pack up my entire routine and take it with me every time, especially with options like this pretty palette from buxom on the market.

the patent leather zip around case holds a pink blush (with brush) that’s perfect for perking up tired skin; four eyeshadows to mix, match, blend; buxom lash mascara (lengthens, volumizes, defines, thickens, doesn’t clump); and a plumping peach lip polish – all for $49.

if you’re a gal on the move and these are your colors, i would encourage you to snap this up quickly. i love the cute case and the way that the shades work together – all you need is your fav foundation or tinted moisturizer, maybe a lash curler, and you’re good to go.

buxom passport collection the jetsetter edition for eyes, lips & cheeks is available at sephora.

would this simplify your your travel routine? how do you pack your beauty products?

Posted in palettes | Tagged buxom, luckymag | 2 Comments

on my lips for fall6

POSTED ON Posted on August 9, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i think the only thing that rivals my lip product obsession is my earring collection. call me crazy, but nothing makes me feel like a new girl more than a killer new lip color or shiny pair of chandeliers. ear adornments aside (that’s a whole different blog post!), i am building up my lip wardrobe for fall. top to bottom, here’s what’s on the list:

korres lip butter in mango, $12

bite beauty luminous creme lipstick in fig, $24

perfekt lip perfection gel in vine, $24

youngblood mighty shiny lip gel, $25.50

urban decay super-saturdated high gloss lip color in naked, $19

what’s on your lips?

Posted in lips | Tagged bite beauty, korres, luckymag, perfekt, urban decay, youngblood | 6 Comments

this or that: double-ended brows6

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

my brows are moody. i find that they need different things on different days. some mornings i can get by with a quick swipe of brow gel to tame a few unrulies and some mornings they are mostly well-behaved, but a few sparse spots need filling in. of course there are the days when they need both (little brats) and instead of stocking two brow products in my beauty bag, i save precious real estate with one of these brow duos. they each boast a tinted, soft-hold gel with spoolie brush and an angled waterproof pencil for definition – a bratty brow owner’s saving grace.

top: smashbox brow tech to go, $26

bottom: pixi beauty natural brow duo, $18