the glossarie

pretty for a penny: revlon colorburst lip butter12

POSTED ON Posted on November 10, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

drugstore products don’t get me excited very often, but this one is blowing my mind.

you see, the thing about tinted lip balms and moisturizing lipsticks is that they tend to only do one of two things right – they either moisturize fabulously with no color payoff, or the color looks great, but they dry your lips out. well, revlon has created the perfect marriage of lipstick and lip balm with their colorburst lip butters.

these tubes cost all of $7 but behave like a department store lipstick. there are 20 gorgeous shades – each one completely different from the next – and the packaging is adorable. the love affair continues far beyond looks, though, because the pigmentation on these guys is amazing. you get intense full color pay off (no sheerness, here) from what feels like a balm and your lips are gonna love the buttery-ness that comes from moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil, mango butter, shea butter. and coconut oil. i’ve found you can actually apply these to dry, chapped lips and they will feel better. when have you ever been able to say that about a lipstick?

the soothing qualities make these perfect for winter, but i’m also loving the fun shades as a way to take a lipstick risk and go bold with a color you’ve never tried before. bottom line, you need to seek these out at your local drugstore or ulta. revlon has outdone themselves with a super great, super cheap, moisturizing lipstick that wears for a long while so keep your eyes peeled for the rainbow display and snatch a couple up!

Posted in lips | 12 Comments

use me products7

POSTED ON Posted on November 9, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i have reached full hair nirvana thanks to a new-to-me line of hair products by use me. the new england based line is organic, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and eco-friendly but beyond all of that, it works. product names and packaging are straight forward with user-friendly directions clearly stated on each one. follow the instructions to the t, and i promise you’ll be enjoying some seriously luscious locks.

but back to me, and more importantly, my hair.

i’ve fully converted to the get it straight gelee which beats frizz sans stickiness. my hair has crazy bounce and shine, almost like i’ve had it professionally blown out instead of just haphazardly blowing it dry then smoothing it with a flat iron (i have no talent with a round brush). i’ve been alternating the scalp cleanser and hair moisturizer with my favorite drugstore duo and noticed a major change in the health of my hair. it’s less oily with fewer split ends and more volume. as an added bonus, the lovely crop of um, shall we say blemishes, on my back has cleared up remarkably.

these products are absolutely amazing and i can’t get past the fact that they are all natural. for something to work this well and be good for me, well that’s just icing on the cake. to further boost their do-gooder philosophy, use me products are packaged in safe plastic and refillable at their salons (currently just in the new england area, you lucky northeastern beauties, you!).

for us gals in other parts of these fine united states, products are also available online. learn more and get your own – your hair will thank you!

usemeproducts.com

Posted in editorial sample, hair | Tagged use me | 7 Comments

another pretty face: rachel bilson9

POSTED ON Posted on November 7, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

there’s no denying that our girl rbils is a beauty, but this picture truly takes the cake. i love her over-blushed cheeks, pale pink gloss, perfect brows, and curled-up lashes. want to steal this stunning pretty? read on.

to achieve that strawberry flush, try tarte amazonian clay 12 hour blush in natural beauty. it looks garish in the pan but when dusted on the apples, it gives gorgeous color and really stays put. vitamins and other goodies actually improve skin while you wear making it a super star in my book.

rachel’s bold brows balance out her sweet cheeks and my favorite brow tool to date is clinique’s brow lift. the automatic brow pencil on one end fill in your sparse spots while the coordinating highlighter is blended under arches to really make them pop.

her eyes boast a big curl which you can achieve with a curling mascara like clinique’s high impact curling mascara. it gives a dolled up, wide awake look. and her smile is kept simple with a soft pink gloss – try stila’s lip glaze in bubble gum.

are you loving this look as much as i am? think you’ll recreate the rachel?

Posted in another pretty face | Tagged tarte | 9 Comments

name dropping + lovely links8

POSTED ON Posted on November 4, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

have you ever bought something just because it has your name on it? i’m not talking a license plate keychain or a mug at disney world, i’m talking products. i indulged in a little name dropping this week when i scooped up two products bearing my moniker.

deborah lippmann’s lara’s theme is a creamy bright orange from her summer collection. while it’s not the most expected shade for fall, i’m really loving the way it pops against all of the purples and grays in my wardrobe. (fun fact: it’s named for supermodel lara stone who collaborated to create the color.)

nars ‘pure sheer’ lip treatment spf 15 is a super luxurious lip balm with a pretty pastel pink tint. lara is like a little whisper nothing of color that really dresses up an already perfect lip balm.

these two laras could not be more different, but i love them both! are there any beauty products with your name on them in your collection?

{a few lovely links}

this ensemble by just b couldn’t be more of a stretch for my style, but it’s haunting me and i love it
the jewelry at acanthus has taken hold of my heart – especially these rings
have you met beauty army, yet? it’s a sample-by-mail program where you choose the six samples you receive each month for just $12
amazing stella mccartney inspired nails by moveslightly
these sweet and sparkly earrings are on my mind. is it too early for christmas wishes? (ooh, and they’re on sale!)

happy weekend, lovelies!

Posted in lara, link roundups, lips, nails | 8 Comments

prada candy9

POSTED ON Posted on November 2, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

if you read that title thinking that prada has finally created the world’s most expensive box of chocolates, you may be disappointed. however, those of us on the prowl for a new perfume to combat cooler temps will be happy to hear that candy is a new fragrance from the luxury fashion label, and it’s even yummier than it sounds.

candy is prada’s third scent to date, this one feminine and lively, very nontraditional. top notes include remnants of caramel and smoky vanilla paired with musk to bring elegance to what could be overly sweet. however, this confection in a bottle is not at all foodie, in fact something about its woodsiness pushes it deep into the sexy category while still keeping it super comfortable. it’s deliciously smooth and soft, coquettish and flirty but also sophisticated – basically everything i want in a bottle. my love for this one burns deep and i’m smitten by its mysterious complexity.

it’s crazy divine and i keep reaching for it again and again, but prada candy is in high demand, so catch it while you can!

Posted in fragrance | 9 Comments

treat yo self10

POSTED ON Posted on October 31, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

{via}

taking a cue from this little lady and tom haverford today. happy halloween, witches!

Posted in lara | 10 Comments

opi and nicki minaj be like boom, badoom, boom, boom, badoom, boom bass4

POSTED ON Posted on October 26, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

you guys.

this might be most epic nail polish partnering to date. opi and nicki minaj are bringing some major pretty to the scene this january with six limited edition, hip hop goddess inspired shades that are going to give you serious lacquer lust. the lineup is as eclectic as the lady herself. from left to right:

super bass shatter (shatter purple)
pink friday (bubble gum pink)
fly (aqua)
metallic 4 life (charcoal sparkle) – LOVE!
save me (rainbow glitter) – double LOVE!
did it on ’em (lime)

so if like me, you’ve stopped belting out super bass in your car because you just can’t live up to sophia’s rendition, at least now your nails can be blazin’ up.

Posted in nails | 4 Comments

dogeared always beautiful hoop earrings3

POSTED ON Posted on October 25, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i got a taste of full-time style stalker dana’s (aka the possessionista) every day when i went on a full out google rampage to identify these gorgeous golden hoops. i had seen them on new girl‘s mary elizabeth ellis (the wedding episode) and up all night‘s maya rudolph in the same week and had to make them mine.

the illusive hoops are the ‘eye’ from dogeared’s new always beautiful earring collection. i bought the moroccan style in silver last month and now i’m fully craving these beauties. my silver stunners are bold but super lightweight so i have high hopes for this new silhouette.

the objects of my affection, dogeared always beautiful hoop earrings, are $68 at neiman marcus. want a pair? there are so many beautiful shapes to choose from in silver, gold, and rose gold. betcha can’t pick just one!

Posted in jewels | 3 Comments

party pretty: a birthday guest post for liz of ‘so much to smile about’2

POSTED ON Posted on October 24, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

we have a birthday in the house! i’m over at fellow dc blogstress liz’s adorable ‘so much to smile about‘ with my five party-perfect product picks in celebration of her birthday this week. come see!

Posted in link roundups | 2 Comments

october bag + balm11

POSTED ON Posted on October 21, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

bag: hand blocked zipper case from west elm, $7 – $12

balm: pacifica coconut pearls luminizing lip quench, $9

the bag: i am smitten with these patterned, plastic-lined cosmetic cases in three sizes and twelve great prints. each can be monogrammed for an additional $7 and west elm examples sport cute things like “goodies” or “jetsetter.” you have to take a peek at the whole collection. i haven’t seen bags this adorable, functional and price-friendly in a long while.

the balm: love, love, LOVE this over sized buttery, coconut-scented balm from pacifica. it leaves an iridescent shine on lips and is perfect for layering over a matte lipstick for extra hydration and a little shine. this little guy is going to breathe new life into your lip collection

at $16 for the duo, there’s really no excuse not to bring these two pretties into your world. happy weekend!

{a few lovely links}