the glossarie

a day with le metier de beaute4

POSTED ON Posted on October 20, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

the lovely and talented meg of mimi + meg and i had the opportunity to experience the full on pretty of le metier de beaute recently at neiman marcus. our host was none other than director of makeup for the brand, mikey castillo, who took us on a tour of le metier’s truly luxurious skincare and cosmetics before treating us each to a spin in his chair for a full makeover.

{the view from my seat}

mikey used this shadow-based champagne pencil on my water line to reduce redness. he then turned a shadow brush upside down to pat and blend a deep blue shadow called teal tweed from the limited edition (and sadly no longer available) oscar de la renta ready to wear kaleidoscope and stuffed liquid liner onto the lash line which really made my eyes pop. to brighten and highlight my cheeks, mikey used the flawless face kit (above) and my lips were done using the red chiffon lip creme lip gloss from the oscar palette and topped with lip creme lip gloss cafe creme.

{showing off my finished look with the makeup master}

all photos courtesy of meg biram – thanks, lovely!!

Posted in lara, palettes | 4 Comments

kick-ass red lipstick21

POSTED ON Posted on October 18, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

‘beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin.
that, or a kick-ass red lipstick.’ – gwyneth paltrow

red lipstick has some kind of power. for one, we see it season after season and it never seems to go out of style. it looks good on everyone and from mac ruby woo to nars jungle red, we all have our very favorite red lip. i was inspired by gwynnie and the perfectly painted pout up above to suss out and share my two go-to’s, one for beauties on a budget and one for the addict in us all:

steal: wet’n’wild silk finish lipstick in hot red, $3
splurge: yves saint laurent rouge volupte in red muse, $34

now, if all your accessories lay dormant for the remainder of this season because, who needs ’em with your new rockin’ red lips, you can totally blame me.

ps – i obviously want to know what ‘stick creates your favorite red lip, so spill!

Posted in lips | 21 Comments

nars ‘the multiple’ in g-spot + lovely links8

POSTED ON Posted on October 14, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

meet my blush pick for fall: nars ‘the multiple’ in new (and naughty) g-spot. as the weather gets cooler and i transition to a tinted moisturizer from my summertime powder foundation, i’ve been looking for something that will let my skin show through. i like a little darker shade this time of year but not so deep that it looks garish on my fair tones. this particular berry hue gives a really seasonally stunning and, dare i say, sexy flush. if you haven’t given these sticks a spin, you’ll find that they go on sheer, flatter everyone, and really last. hint: apply and blend with fingers and keep a lip brush handy to paint some on your pout for a super pretty lip look.

nars ‘the multiple’ in g-spot is new for holiday 2011 (the rumor is that it’s not a limited edition and will become a permanent shade) and currently available at neiman marcus for $39.

{a few lovely links}

remember this post? h&m created a real hair cuff!
alexa’s looking ladylike and it becomes her
loving this concept from sequins & stripes: pretty rooms paired with prettier looks from j.crew
completely obsessed with these best friend rights & regulations written by the readers of mindy kaling’s blog
meet stunning makeup artist sid bekers and soak up all of her amazing beauty advice – seriously. read it twice.

Posted in blush, cheeks, link roundups | 8 Comments

thursday purseday: hobo jude bag + lucy wallet6

POSTED ON Posted on October 13, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

{hobo jude bag, hobo lucy wallet}

hi strangers! i’m on the road with the day job this week and wanted to share a little love for the two hobo styles keeping me company as i travel throughout the mid-atlantic.

my bag is jude and i’m obsessed with the chunky silver hardware. it hangs so perfectly on my shoulder and i’ve been throwing my keys and phone in that fancy zip access pocket on the front. love!

the super sassy leopard lady is the lucy wallet and i don’t know why i haven’t gravitated toward the zip around style until now. it’s so functional and very easy to stay organized. plus, who doesn’t love pulling something leopard out of their satchel?

i’d love to see what you’re carrying this week. link up below if you decide to take the thursday purseday plunge!

Posted in accessories | 6 Comments

jane iredale roses & lollipops + lovely links8

POSTED ON Posted on October 8, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

october is the month when things go pink! the beauty brands are among the best supporters of the pink ribbon which promotes awareness and education about the dangers of breast cancer. products from moisturizer to the beloved clarisonic, perfume and beyond are all dedicating proceeds to this amazing cause. there’s endless pretty to choose from, but my personal favorite is this lip duo from jane iredale.

roses & lollipops features two best selling colors in one little keychain locket. jane’s puremoist lipcolour in roses is hydrating with beautiful color pigment and awesome staying power. her puregloss for lips in lollipops plumps lips slightly and is chock full of botanicals like green tea and pomegranate. both products stay safe and secure inside a sleek compact and 100% of profits goes to living beyond breast cancer.

ps: if you’re looking for a lip brush to apply this gorgeous pair, i’ve been using jane’s retractable lip brush and loving it. the brush head fully retracts inside the case and it’s super small – perfect for throwing in your bag.

{a few lovely links}

calling all brides: someone needs to rock this and these
great review of maybelline’s new baby lips balms from the muse
cutlery trays as jewelry storage? genius.
totally inspired by these galaxy nails
they’re here! bareminerals ready eyeshadow

happy weekend to you!

Posted in editorial sample, lips, tools | 8 Comments

clinique (top and) bottom lash mascara8

POSTED ON Posted on October 6, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

clinique bottom lash mascara is not new to this here blog, but i had to revisit this small wonder because i’ve been using it in an unconventional way and it’s been delivering BIG time. it’s no secret that i’ve long been on the search for a mascara that will last all day on my overly watery eyes and it’s near impossible to find one that doesn’t smudge or flake but still washes off with warm water as i detest eye makeup remover. i’ve been having such great results with this tiny tube on the undercarriage of my lash line, that i decided to get a little crazy and start using it on my top lashes and…

…HELLO, GORGEOUS!

why didn’t i think of this sooner? the result is insanely long and beautifully defined lashes! the ones i’ve been looking for since i was about, oh, seventeen. the tiny brush gives each lash almost individual attention so the final product looks home grown but glossier.

it takes a teensy bit longer to apply because let’s be honest, the brush is miniscule. but something about applying mascara in detail brings out fringe that i never knew i had. i can lengthen and define from left to right without missing a beat or a single lash and the glam lasts all. day. long.

now i’m not sure if bottom lash is an existing clinique mascara that they paired with a dwarf brush and packaged in a tube the size of my index finger, but i’ve thought this through and feel confident that the magic lies in the combination of the itty bitty brush with the budge-proof formula. it’s a dynamic duo that has taken me on serious journey of lash discovery and i am not in kansas anymore.

seriously. HOLY LASHES.

but best of all? clinique bottom lash mascara is a bite size $10.

Posted in eyes, lashes | 8 Comments

guest posting: stila loves old and new2

POSTED ON Posted on October 5, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

makeup junkies: do you remember the brand that started your addiction? the product that fueled the fire?

i’m guest blogging for stila today and telling all, from my entry to the brand with their baked cheek duo to my latest stila love, the brighten and correct concealer. click on over to the stila blog to read more!

Posted in link roundups | Tagged stila cosmetics | 2 Comments

modcloth statement of the art necklace6

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

if this is the sole item that i add to my wardrobe this fall, it will still be one fantastically fabulous season. talk about an outfit maker! i’m dying over the palette of greens and the messy tangle of beads with shiny gold wire. plain black dresses and white tees living in my closet, beware. you’re about to make a statement.

the modcloth statement of the art necklace is available online for $49.99.

Posted in jewels | 6 Comments

a diy tuxedo mani + lovely links4

POSTED ON Posted on September 30, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

when i spied this yves saint laurent matte and glossy mani at the neiman marcus fall beauty event a couple of weeks ago, i couldn’t wait to get my paws on the parts to make it happen. inspired by the black on black texture of a tuxedo with its powder black suiting and satin lapels, ysl brings us a killer manicure couture duo for holiday. the resulting look is smoky matte black nails with super shiny french tips and it’s surprisingly chic and sophisticated.

now i don’t have the steadiest hand when it comes to painting my own nails so tackling a project like this one is a bit daunting. clumsy gals like me will love my latest find: this kiesque’s liquid palisade fast drying skin protector. just swipe it on the skin around your nails, paint, and then peel away whatever gets outside the lines. it’s an uncoordinated perfectionist’s dream and a total must for the at-home manicurist.

if you’re bold, brave and want to give this ultra sleek look a try, manicure couture in terriblement noir will be available later this month for $30 and kiesque liquid palisade is available online now for $22.

{a few lovely links}

the kaboodle girls are some of my absolute favorite people and they’ve featured me in their community buzz blog today
have any of my fellow thin-haired beauties tried the sock bun? i think it’s kinda genius.
i fell hard for this vintage 1920’s ring, what do we think about this one as a substitute? can’t beat the $1.50 price!
fall has arrived at hobo and it is looking omgorgeous – take a peek at yummy new arrivals
on a personal note, my wedding was featured in the washingtonian this week! 11/27/10 was a 40 degree day with 20 mph winds, so pardon our shivers and frozen faces :)

Posted in link roundups, nails | 4 Comments

september bag + balm10

POSTED ON Posted on September 29, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

bag: stephanie johnson nevis fiona dome zip pouch, $30

balm: eos lip balm, $3

lips and handbags, rejoice! i’m back with another bag + balm duo, this one slightly inspired by the missoni for target insanity that i avoided at all costs (but what can i say, something about knitted rainbow brights is appealing and i can *almost* see why the masses were hypnotized by all the zig zaggy-ness).

bag: as you know, i met uber goddess stephanie johnson in person at lucky fabb and she might be my new favorite human, we had the best time girl talking! her fiona dome zip pouch in nevis is slim but spacious with plenty of room to pack up your touch-up polish, fave new lippie (see below), and any other necessities that you need to keep handy. the yummy sherbet stripes were inspired by stephanie’s recent family vacay to nevis – they’ll be so easy to spot in your satchel!

balm: for reasons unbeknownst to me, i never tried this allure best of beauty winner until nudged by a recent post over at cult of pretty. i picked it up in summer fruit on a recent drugstore run and could kick myself for not doing it sooner. i felt like i had gotten to a point where none of my lip balms were working but this little game changer needs just one application and it lasts a long, long time. plus – the packaging? so stinkin’ cute and practical, too (you can apply it to both lips at once!).