the glossarie

essie resort collection 2012: sure shot0

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

essie captures a sure shot of dc's cherry blossoms

essie’s new resort collection polishes are all named after camera-worthy phrases. from the iridescent lilac ‘she’s picture perfect‘ to moody violet ‘no more film‘ – the four lacquers are a home run, but the winner of the bunch for me, is sure shot. in the words of the brand, it’s an irresistible, glistening magenta and it perfectly captures the essence of dc’s cherry blossom season, peaking right now. if you’ve never seen it in person, it’s a seriously gorgeous sight to behold. the blossoms bloom in the hundreds of thousands around the tidal basin painting this kind of puffy white and pink backdrop for all of the monuments.

to tie in with essie’s photographer theme, i am sharing a photo of the blossoms snapped by my talented friend meg. if you’ve just got to have a little cherry blossom cheer in your world, you can purchase her images here. and if you’ve just got to have a little blooming magenta on your nails, you can purchase essie’s sure shot here.

a very happy 100th anniversary, cherry blossom trees!

Posted in my DC days, nails | Tagged essie, nail polish | Leave a comment

kate spade florence broadhurst compact8

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

* * *

this little compact mirror has a lot of character. it’s covered in florence broadhurst’s japanese floral wallpaper print in black and cream meaning it will create an impact the second you pull it out of your purse. but pop it open to find the words “hello beautiful” inscribed inside and consider your day permanently brightened.

trust me when i say, if you treat yourself to this treasure, you will fall in love with its vintage sweetness at very first sight.

this small wonder is available at kate spade for $18.

Posted in tools | Tagged florence broadhurst, kate spade | 8 Comments

josie maran argan matchmaker powder foundation spf 206

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

for a smaller beauty brand, josie maran has been cranking out winner after winner in my book. the former model-turned-makeup-mogul has now created a self-adjusting powder foundation with the nourishing and hydrating benefits of argan oil … and there are so many things right with this product, i’m not quite sure where to begin!

first of all, it feels like heaven and magically disappears onto skin, creating the best powder match of any product to date. it mattifies my complicated combination bits, but isn’t drying or itchy like other powders. the coverage falls perfectly between sheer and medium and i just can’t stress enough what a pleasure it is to wear. pile all of those compliments into a formula that also comes complete with spf 20, and josie just hit gold with this flawless face in a compact.

note: this product is flying off shelves (my sephora was already out of the two lightest shades and they are currently out of stock online – make sure to request an email for when they’re back in action!) and while i don’t hesitate to gamble it will be around for awhile, you’ll want to get your hands on one of your very own asap.

josie maran argan matchmaker powder foundation spf 20 is available in three shades for $34 at sephora.

Posted in face, foundation | Tagged josie maran, sephora | 6 Comments

deborah lippmann the stripper to go12

POSTED ON Posted on March 24, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

it’s a gloomy day where i am, so that means cheering things up with a new watermelon pink manicure over my morning latte.

i don’t know about you, but i find the art of removing nail polish to be such a chore, so when i discovered deborah lippmann’s nail lacquer remover finger mitts, i wanted to kiss the woman! never in my life have i seen a beauty breakthrough so genius as these.

inside each pouch is one finger mitt soaked in aloe vera and lavendar laced remover. (these ingredients prevent dehydration and protect your delicate cuticles with anti-bac properties.) each mitt easily cleans all ten nails and because it wraps all the way around the finger, it makes things completely mess free! gone are the days of your finger turning red from one of these or dipping your finger in a sponge like this. no more spilled acetone in the living room from soaking your nails in the cap (i know i’m not the only one who uses that method!) or dripped on the floor from a remover pad too awkward and bulky to use.

see them in action here, here, and here. i’m telling you, they will change your at-home manicure.

deborah lippmann stripper to go nail lacquer remover mitts are 6 for $12 at nordstrom.

Posted in editorial sample, nails | Tagged deborah lippmann | 12 Comments

march bag + balm2

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

bag: stephanie johnson mini pouch in malibu crinkle patent, $30

balm: sephora color reveal balm, $12

this month’s bag is a staple for me. it lives in my handbag and travels from work to play, stashing my pill box, headphones, lip balm, hair tie, mints, and business cards. it’s so versatile that it could serve virtually any purpose and it even works well as a wallet to carry cash, cards, keys, phone, etc. it’s no secret that i adore stephanie johnson and this pouch is just one of many reasons. she’s made it in a slew of colors and textures (i believe i count a whopping 47 listed!) and she’s also created this genius wristlet that you can purchase as an add on. i’m digging the six colors in malibu crinkle patent for their bold brightness and laid-back vibe, but the beauty of steph’s line is that there’s something for everyone.

this month’s balm is rocking my world. lip balm is the finishing touch to my morning makeup routine, but the naked lip can make me look a little washed out first thing in the am. sephora’s color reveal balm has vastly changed all of that. after swiping it on (and smelling it’s yummy vanilla scent), it blooms into a customized pink shade that’s not the normal nuclear fuchsia that these types of products tend towards (not flattering on anyone, let alone everyone). it’s a sheer wash of pink that’s not too soft, not too bold and it takes my look up a notch, making me look just a bit more lively than a clear balm would. i’ve bought two of these, keeping one in the bathroom beauty basket and one in my mini pouch because i love it that much. rumor has it that this little beauty is limited edition, so hustle on out to get your own if you must have!

ps – this little series is one year old this month! happy birthday, bag + balm

Posted in bags, lips, tools | Tagged sephora, stephanie johnson | 2 Comments

chanel precision eyelash curler7

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

if i had to choose, i’d say that the three discerning characteristics of my finished face are bold, defined brows, a perfectly sculpted cheek, and lots, and lots of lash. i like a long, luscious fan of fringe that looks home grown but in all reality takes some serious curling and two coats of artfully applied mascara.

my lashes are entirely unfortunate in their natural state, they just don’t live up to my bambi-like expectations. in my efforts to suck every bit out of their wispy length and visor shape, i need big guns in the lash curler department. after the demise of my beloved shu uemura curler (2004 – 2012, rip) and its all but disappearance from the us market, i hunted for the best possible replacement.

my friend karlasugar recommended the chanel precision eyelash curler for its superior shape and spongy pad. the shape allows you to get super close to the lash line so you’re not curling just the tips of your lashes, and the spongy pad means no more “crimping” your lashes into that unnatural L shape. the fit against the eyelid is perfect so you won’t pinch yourself, plus the resulting curl is natural and really holds.

i thought i would have to settle for less than perfection in my next lash curler, but i actually like my chanel better than the shu and found it very easy to use from day one without any need to get used to it or break it in. and it’s kind of sexy in that carbon black finish, no?

at $34, it’s on the very high end of lash curlers, but if it lasts me eight years, i don’t mind the investment. you can find the chanel precision eyelash curler at the beauty counters and online at nordstrom.

Posted in tools | Tagged chanel, shu uemura | 7 Comments

sunkissed bronzer for spring18

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

* * *

i don’t know about you beauties, but my sallow complexion is screaming for some sun. some of my favorite powders and potions for warming things up:

in the center: josie maran bronzing powder, $30

clockwise from top, center: givenchy poudre croisiere, $50

benefit sunbeam, $26

smashbox fusion soft lights baked starburst, $30

sonia kashuk illumunating bronzer, $14.99

estee lauder bronze goddess luminous liquid bronzer, $28.50

lancome star bronzer magic bronzing brush, $33

physicians formula bronze booster glow-boosting season to season bronzer, $14.95

nars illuminator in orgasm, $30

Posted in bronzer, cheeks | Tagged benefit cosmetics, estee lauder, givenchy, josie maran, lancome, nars, physicians formula, sonia kashuk | 18 Comments

rms beauty un cover-up0

POSTED ON Posted on March 17, 2012 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i’m always looking for that perfect allover concealer: one workhorse formula to cover under eye circles and mask imperfections. it’s tough to find one that isn’t too thick, too heavy, too dry, and finding the right shade? can be damn near impossible.

the beauty of rms un cover-up is that it’s packed with natural moisturizers and disappears onto skin. it blends flawlessly and melts in, brightening the bags and buffing away my post-acne discolorations. it also wears like a dream, feeling featherweight as it lasts all day.

i’d recommend this pot of gold to anyone. if your skin is in mostly good shape with a few problem areas, you could use this to hide them, and set with translucent powder for a very fresh-faced look. if you’ve got lots to cover, pair this under your favorite foundation. while i haven’t tried it yet, it can also be used as a light foundation all on its own.

if you’ve got stuff to “un” cover, you can find rms online at spirit beauty lounge.

Posted in natural beauty | Tagged rms beauty | Leave a comment

new hair ties and headbands from mane message1

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

it’s about time we chat about mane message again.

miss olivia has been cranking out some seriously gorgeous hair ties and headbands to sell in her etsy shop and my love affair deepens. if you aren’t hip to the bracelet-slash-hair-tie trend, you should know that they’re an essential accessory. i love wearing one on my wrist even when i have no intentions of putting my hair up that day. it adds a pop of color to my outfit and looks way better than your typical black band. when duty does call, these cuties pull serious weight in the ponytail holder department. my hair is incredibly fine and soft, but these wear really well during normal daytime activities and again, they make my pony look so much better than a plain old elastic. i’m loving the coral and mint headbands for yoga, the bright package and the petal package – all so on trend for spring.

mane message elastic hair ties are less than $2 a piece – get your own!

Posted in hair | Tagged etsy, mane message | 1 Comment

bare escentuals bareminerals ready blush0

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

gorgeous weather always sends me strolling in the beauty aisles for a new blush and there haven’t been many big developments in the world of cheek color in recent seasons. it’s cream or powder, matte or shimmer, but leave it to bare escentuals to shake things up in a good way.

the new black compact is a fresh addition to my beauty basket, trumping regular old powder blush with the addition of camellia flower oil which helps to keep its solid shape without the addition of fillers and parabens. the camellia oil also it to swirl on nicely and gives them an almost creamy feel. it’s the first time i can say that there’s something between cream and powder, and it’s this.

formula being a winner, it’s icing on the cake that the color run in this collection is one of the prettiest i’ve seen, from light nude to bold blushing pink. i’m highly pleased with the pigment and a finish that falls somewhere short of entirely matte, thanks to a slight sheen. this makes them all the more blendable.

the tiny brush, normally the first thing to go when i open a new blush, is especially great if you’re a gal who likes to take her blush on the road. it’s the high quality we’ve come to know and love from be in the brush department, but pocket sized.

all in all? pretty darn irresistible.

bareminerals ready blush, $22 at nordstrom and sephora.