the glossarie

dr. lipp original nipple balm for lips13

POSTED ON Posted on August 3, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

for those of you who think i’ve lost my mind, bear with me here. i promise i’m going somewhere with this – and it’s going to be good.

beast feeding moms have been hip to the greatest beauty trick for years and someone (finally?) got smart and packaged nipple balm for lips. i was a total skeptic, but my momma friends have long been telling me that the stuff is great on your lips.

i believed them, but their raves didn’t exactly send me running to the drugstore to stock up on nipple cream. this little tube, though, was designed with me in mind. it looks like lip balm and it’s even beauty bag sized to make this whole situation feel more appropriate. however, i’m fully aware that even if it does look good in the package, not everyone is brave enough to slather nipple balm on their lips. but lucky for you, that’s why i’m here. and I’m telling you, you need to try this.

not just for its all natural, ultra rich, insanely long-lasting lip moisturizing goodness or even for the beautiful (i mean gorgeous!) shine that it leaves on your lips, but i mostly need you to try it for its incredibly strong grippy-ness and awesome functionality as a like-glue lip primer of epic proportions.

a word of warning, this formula is intensive and some may say sticky, but i am so sold on dr. lipp’s secret ability to latch on to lip color and hold tight for hours upon hours while still leaving lips crazy moisturized. it has turned some of my favorite shades of drying lipstick into complete winners because my lips are soothed and my color stays opaque and creamy. (ever notice how some lip balms thin out your lip color, making it more sheer than you’d like?) the best way i can describe it is that it almost acts as a barrier: lip moisture is sealed in place by the balm, and the balm holds on to your lip color for dear life.

i’ve already squirreled away several tubes, so if you want to snap one up before i get to your sephora next, buy dr. lipp original nipple balm for lips here for $14.50.

are you on board yet? had you tried this little gem of a beauty secret way before me?

Posted in lips | Tagged dr. lipp, luckymag | 13 Comments

looks good for your guy: kiehl’s facial fuel ‘no shine’ hydrator4

POSTED ON Posted on August 1, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

guys have to change up their skincare routine for summer, too, and in my condo, it’s mandatory – as i’m running a bit of a beauty dictatorship here. lucky for mr. ramos, he doesn’t have to put much thought into it. the right products magically land on his dresser. the latest installment into his man routine is this ‘no-shine” hydrator from kiehl’s facial fuel line. it gives skin a refreshing boost of hydration while reducing shine and zapping oil. this is especially handy for portuguese husbands with mediterranean skin. the product acts like micro-sponges and absorbs oil and sweat keeping the face clean and fresh. the formula absorbs quickly, feels lightweight, and leaves no residue. skin feels hydrated and moisturized without looking shiny. it’s your basic summertime secret weapon.

kiehl’s facial fuel “no-shine” hydrator is $21 and available here.

Posted in skin | Tagged kiehl's | 4 Comments

glossybox july 20126

POSTED ON Posted on July 31, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

these are just a few of the things i’m loving from this month’s glossybox. if you’re not familiar, glossybox is more than just another sample subscription service. this particular pink box of pretty delivers deluxe travel-sized products for serious addicts. the brands represented are the creme of the crop of international brands – all of which are at the cusp of global beauty trends. i like to think of it as beauty discovery at its finest.

this month, my box boasted a full size double-sided lip gloss from senna ($22 value), a travel-size heel balm from alessandro (salon quality!), and a lip balm by figs & rouge (sweet and delicious – also, sold out everywhere). i’ve already tucked all three into my makeup bag for my trip to nyc on friday. can’t wait to sip a few rooftop cocktails in that lip gloss and use the heel balm to soothe my barkin’ dogs after three long days at the accessorie circuit (trade shows are fun, but they are murder on my feet).

to get in on the most luxurious of monthly beauty action, visit glossybox and sign up for $21 per month.

Posted in mixed bag | Tagged glossybox | 6 Comments

guest gloss: dr.jart+3

POSTED ON Posted on July 30, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

click on over to dr. jart’s tumblr blog where i’m revealing the secrets of my five minute face!

Posted in mixed bag | Tagged dr.jart+ | 3 Comments

sephora collection pro airbrush #554

POSTED ON Posted on July 28, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

we have much to discuss in terms of this brush.

for starters, it is the highest quality brush i think i’ve ever used – holding it makes me feel like a professional (and we all know that couldn’t be further from the truth!). not a single hair has come loose from use (a miracle) and it comes with a protector cap that makes traveling a cinch.

for a bit of a backstory, before this brush, i was considering buying new foundation because i was having major mid-day breakdown. on a whim, i decided that maybe i should upgrade my old stippling brush and go for something sturdier. perhaps the problem wasn’t with my foundation, but in the application.

well, the purchase saved my routine! the dense bristles of this brush are ultra soft and buff my favorite makeup on for an airbrushed finish. i don’t know how to describe it, but this brush makes my skin look better. it’s glowy, but not greasy. my foundation lasts longer and the results are flawless. if you’re a liquid foundation girl, this brush might just change your world.

the sephora collection pro airbrush #55 is $34.

Posted in tools | Tagged sephora collection | 4 Comments

fall trends from kure bazaar nail polish5

POSTED ON Posted on July 27, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

from top, middle: hipster, catwalk, scandal, bohemian, rock star, sofisticato

i am so ready for fall. bring on the boots, the sweaters, and, most importantly, bring on the fall nail trends. i’ve got six top picks for the shades that i think you’ll be wanting to wear all season, but before i get into that, you might have noticed that the color wheel of autumnal tones up above features a new brand of polish.

kure bazaar debuted its eco-friendy line earlier this summer and they’ve really been making a splash. not only are these vibrant colors 4-free, but they’re 85% of natural origin. the formula is based on wood pulp, wheat, cotton, potatoes, and corn – but, the dramatic reduction in chemicals doesn’t compromise performance. these colors deliver a chip-resistant, high-shine, and quick drying manicure all while keeping your nails healthy.

as for the trend forecast, i’m loving the variance in shade and texture that the runways are predicting – from creamy teal to metallic purple, neutral gray to bright foliage-inspired oranges. i was thrilled to find that kure polish could cover all of my needs for the upcoming nail season. it’s rare to find an eco brand that’s so on trend and these six are going to be in constant rotation for me, starting with hipster.

you can shop kure bazaar ($16 each) at spirit beauty lounge.

what do you think of kure bazaar?

which fall shade is your fave?

Posted in nails | Tagged kure bazaar, luckymag | 5 Comments

rahua jet setter kit5

POSTED ON Posted on July 23, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

this travel-ready family of four is the latest addition to my carry on. with two trips to nyc on my agenda for august, the timing of finding a new hair savior under 3 oz couldn’t be any better!

rahua (ra-wa, named for the restorative oil that anchors its product line) has based its formula on the secrets of the long, strong, flowing hair belonging to the women of the amazon rain forest. the result of their efforts is outstanding results from 100% all natural ingredients.

the jet setter kit features both of rahua’s shampoo-conditioner duos in a plastic pouch and, after scraping the bottoms of each bottle, i can tell you that they leave my hair clean and nourished, with a little extra shine and bounce. in a pinch, each conditioner doubles as a smoothing styling lotion (seriously amazing – does this work with all conditioners?!) and as yet another added bonus, something in these products actually works to keep my hair cleaner longer. i get a full two days out of each wash without a need to douse my head in dry shampoo. (this is huge for me!)

all in all, i’m highly impressed and plan to make some room in the shower so that i can move the full-size voluminous versions into my caddy. if you want to give these natural wonders a try, pick up the jet setter kit from anthropologie. your hair can thank me later.

Posted in editorial sample, hair | Tagged rahua | 5 Comments

maybelline dream bouncy blush10

POSTED ON Posted on July 21, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

now i know that this blush is nothing new. the blogs raved about it months ago but i was too timid to give it the old college try. you see, i couldn’t for the life of me figure out how you were supposed to apply it. i love maybelline, love the color range, love the idea of a powder-gel formula…but how to get it onto my cheeks?

well, i dedicated my morning to playing around with it and found that the consistency is less bouncy, more mold-able solid. after a few attempts to apply it with my fingers (you need like four layers to get any pigment showing) and a brush or two (nope, just don’t even waste your time), i flipped the case upside down, held it by the lid, and stamped the color directly from the rounded dome onto my cheek.

the result was amazingly beautiful color, no brush needed. huzzah!

i highly doubt that’s the way that the fine people at maybelline intended it to be applied (also, i may be the only person on the planet with chunky chipmunk-y enough cheeks to pull it off…) but it is working for me and i adore the end look and feel.

so anyway, please carry on with your saturday. i’ll just be over here continuing my mad love affair with this blush (in orchid hush) and patting myself on the back for my super sleuth-y beauty problem-solving skills.

happy weekend!

Posted in blush, cheeks | Tagged maybelline | 10 Comments

wet n wild juicy lip balm spf 159

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

i ran into cvs on a whim after a particularly long day yesterday and a casual breeze by the wet n wild end cap (on a search for olive eyeliner, obvi) revealed a four-sibling group of huge, bright, and positively scrumptious-looking lip balms. i don’t think i have ever plucked something off the shelf and marched myself to the register so quickly as when i spotted the wild cherry flavor. $3.14 later i was sitting in my car staring at my lips in amazement.

holy gorgeous creamy coral-red tint and scrumptious cherry flavor!

we’re talking popsicle-like yumminess and color that could easily be mistaken for this far more expensive option. it was all i could do not to dash back into the drugstore and pick up the red raspberry version. (i held back, but it’s totally on my agenda for today.) i may just ditch all of my other lip products for the remainder of summer. this one is light and refreshing, hydrating and protects with spf. well done, wet n wild. well done!

wet n wild juicy lip balm is available in drugstores for $2.99.

Posted in lips | Tagged wet n wild | 9 Comments

recent beauty buys: july 128

POSTED ON Posted on July 19, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

1 – i’m embracing my natural curls in the heat by tucking my wet
hair back with these and letting it air dry; goody mini spin pin, $5.66

2 – softer than a scrub, this pink pad exfoliates my skin gently
yet effectively; sephora collection pore cleansing pad, $5

3 – the rose gold trend continues and i’m so excited to
wear it on my nails; essie penny talk, $7.79

4 – this blush is fiercely hot pink with swirls of gold shimmer, it’s not for the
faint of heart and it’s really testing the skills of my often-heavy hand
(but i love it!); mac ‘heavenly creature’ mineralize blush, $23.50

5 – stumbled on the sweetest group of tiny perfumes on a recent
boutique shopping trip, they’re perfect for travel and the scents
are so unique; love+toast little luxe perfumes, $9 each

what’s new in your beauty bag?

for more of recent beauty buys, keep an eye on my
‘in my beauty cabinet‘ pinterest board!