sephora collection brush wand4

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

hermione’s not the only chick who can carry a wand.

i love a tool with tricks and now, for the cost of a drugstore shadow, you can snag this magnetic snap-together brush wand which features four detachable brushes perfect for creating your favorite eye looks. how cool?! you can change the tip out depending on if you need to smudge, line, define, or sponge and while i’m admittedly not *super* adventurous (or talented) when it comes to eye makeup, i find that it meets the challenges i’ve thrown its way. the compact size and added cap (seriously, all brushes should come with caps!) make it super easy to toss into your makeup bag or purse without worry of it getting dirty or spreading shadow all over your other treasures.

like it?

find this little beauty at sephora for just ten bucks!

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statement piece: anthropologie moche necklace8

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

i’ve been searching high and low for a bold necklace to dress up my white tees and simple sundresses. i must say i’ve fallen hard for this strong contender from anthro. i’m slightly obsessed with the color palette (feel like it would go nicely with lights and darks) and the different textures – those wooden coral teardrops? gorgeous, gorgeous. the reviews say that it’s also very lightweight which i love.

so, what do we think? too loud? just right? other suggestions?

the moche necklace and all of it’s delightful drama can be yours for $78. and ps – if you like this look, there’s matching earrings!

you’re welcome.

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benefit they’re real! mascara3

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

there hasn’t been a mascara to capture my attention in almost three months (and i’ve tested dozens) but this gunmetal tube from benefit has me smitten. the buzz around they’re real! is, well, unreal, however, it’s totally well deserved. the resulting lash amplification from the unique brush and too-cool formula is darn near false-worthy.

here’s why it stacks up to prime glossarie recommendation status:

the brush’s staggered bristles help grab lashes at the root (you can actually feel it latching on) and the rounded spiky tip can be used to give outside corners that flirty upturned look. the glossy, jet black formula thickens things right up without clumping and one coat instantly delivers amped up volume, length, and curl – i don’t think i’ve ever seen faster results! the staying power is just as incredible without a single flake or smudge for me to complain about.

what more could a girl want? bottom line, it brings lash potential to a whole new level and you’ve just got to see it to believe it.

benefit’s they’re real! mascara is now available in stores and online. i promise you won’t find better looking lashes for less effort at the $22 price mark. bring on the glossy bigness!

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Posted in eyes, lashes | 3 Comments

bumble and bumble surf spray10

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

dear blow dryer: it’s not me, it’s you.

thanks to my husband’s new dedication to daily 7 am workouts, i am sudsing up and heat styling (for me that’s blow dryer + flat iron, double whammy) my locks twice as often as they’re used to and, even though we’re only two weeks in, it’s absolutely frying my tresses!

it dawned on me that i need to break up with my blow dryer, at least for the summer. but i needed the perfect product that would help my hair amplify what it does naturally.

my new favorite person, casie mace from whipped style, recommended bumble and bumble surf spray. i almost groaned because i’ve been seeing the matte black bottle absolutely everywhere and for some reason i’ve been super skeptical. the blogs are raving, but i had to see for myself. casie’s testimonial pushed me to buy and try.

the results?

soft and pretty, frizz free, beachy waves with impressive hold.

the trick is not to let your hair dry too much before you spray, then spray liberally and do not touch it – don’t diffuse it, don’t scrunch it, just leave it and let it do its thing until fully air dried. it allows me to skip the heat styling and feel just as polished and put together as i do when my hair is sleek and straight.

so have you tried this?

got any other tips on how to style hair sans the dreaded blow dryer?

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Posted in hair | Tagged | 10 Comments

true beauty arrives in dc: nectar skin bar2

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

district guys and gals who have an eye for all things pretty are going to swoon over the newest arrival to wisconsin ave: spa-and-retail-boutique-in-one, nectar skin bar. owners amy and brian thomas are the sweetest people ever and talked me through their desire to create a cohesive brand. needless to say they totally nailed it, from the expertly curated skincare and cosmetic brands on hand to the adorable staff uniforms (uber flattering wrap dresses from banana republic – lucky girls!), they considered every detail.

as you can see, nectar is gorgeous, but more than just a pretty face, we are not talking about just another boutique spa. the skin bar carries several things exclusive to dc which will give guests a reason to return again and again. from chocolate sun organic spray tanning and lashdip (can we just pause on that one? lashdip. has come. to DC!), to brands like paul & joe, glamglow, and prtty peaushun, the spa menu and retail shop are so perfectly curated that you won’t find anything like it. to tempt you further, manicures are polished up with butter london and sparitual and makeup artist, adrian avila – who is a total doll! – will make you red-carpet-ready with color from becca cosmetics. when you leave, retail specialist, caitlyn, will introduce you to the yummy brands in store and even make up samples for you to take home if you ask nicely.

this place is pure perfection and if the glossarie were a spa – this would be it.

so…i know what you’re thinking, and i already asked.

no, you can’t live there.

but you can visit brian, amy, adrian, and my new friend caitlyn at 1633 wisconsin avenue nw anytime. i promise you’ll be totally delighted with what you find.

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Posted in my DC days | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

test drive: opi i lily love you manicure5

POSTED ON Posted on July 11, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

so the #2 search phrase that gets people to this blog (after “the glossarie” – thank goodness”) is three little words: “i lily love you.” perhaps you remember this post i did back in march about opi’s ‘nice stems’ collection? well, apparently i lily love you is one popular polish! since it’s brought so many new visitors to my blog (hello!) i just had to choose it at the nail salon today. the manicurist tried to talk me out of it with a look that said “ma’am, this polish is for five year olds who ride princess bicycles – with training wheels.” but i insisted. the resulting mani is super cute – a sheer pink stain with tons of sparkle that, as predicted, screams barbie, but in the best way.

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july bag + balm5

POSTED ON Posted on July 11, 2011 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

hello, lovelies!

i’m here to bring some pretty to the start of your week with july’s bag + balm duo. i really love this month’s pair – a gorgeous summery cosmetic bag from tokyo milk and the absolute best lip balm i’ve discovered in a long while by malin + goetz.

the bag: this is just one of seven whimsical bags from tokyo milk – each more adorable than the next with precious vintage details (check out the butterfly zipper pulls!). your makeup stash will ride in style in any of these perfectly sized pouches, just $14.

the balm: i’m in serious lust with this balm. the formula does daily maintenance for dry lips and evening glamor – dab on a little for soothing, restoration and a little shine, or apply more generously for a yummy clear gloss to be worn alone or over your favorite ‘stick. your lips will think it’s happy hour – even if you’re still stuck at your desk! get it while you can for $12 at urban outfitters.

happy, happy monday.

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Posted in bags, lips, tools | 5 Comments

lovely links for your saturday6

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

{image via strikes our fancy}

happy saturday!

i’m enjoying a few quiet moments, latte in hand, before the husband’s precious baby goddaughter and her two big sisters arrive for a sleepover. should be fun!

what’s on tap for your weekend?

{a few lovely links}

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Posted in link roundups | 6 Comments

blemishes fear this: the body shop tea tree oil4

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

alright, universe.

can we please discuss the 8th-grade-like breakouts i’ve been experiencing lately? it’s really unfair as i am practically knocking on 30’s door and i take excellent care of my skin. i even wash my face before bed after too many mojitos and if i must remind you, i did my time with retin-a and clindamycin and all of that terribleness, don’t you recall?

eesh.

i suppose, that if i must break out like a teenager, at least i can count on one of my favorite little beauty spots from middle school and beoyond (bath oil beads anyone?) to keep its shelves stocked with hands down, the best zit zapper on the planet. i had totally forgotten about tea tree oil from the body shop until their products popped up in sephora a few months ago. in desperation and total pimple paranoia, i ran to the black and white mecca with intentions to pick up bliss’ no zit sherlock but walked out instead with an old friend.

it seems that simple, unassuming tea tree oil is the only thing that worked for me in the 90’s and it’s the only thing that works for me now. it’s super potent against the angriest zit but it won’t irritate your skin – in fact, it’s oddly soothing. i dab a drop on a q-tip then treat the affected area (er…the many affected areas – seriously universe!) before bed and i wake up in the morning with happy results. in one treatment, you can expect pimples to dramatically reduce in size and redness, and in two treatments? kiss those suckers goodbye.

tea tree oil is available at the body shop or at sephora for $9.

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Posted in skin | Tagged | 4 Comments

pretty practical: the balm frat boy shadow/blush0

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

i have a fave new summer trend to share with you and it’s sheer multi-tasking genius. the ladies at birchbox tipped me off to wearing the same color on my eyelids as on my cheeks! now, i know – using blush as eyeshadow? i wasn’t so sure, but trust me – there’s not another trick in the book that will make you look as naturally fresh-faced as this one. plus it lightens your makeup load, using one product in two big ways for major impact.

and lucky for you i’ve scouted out the perfect product to help you achieve this double-duty beauty:

cheeky brand, the balm was on the ball way before i was! they’ve sold these “all-in-one” powders forever and hot mama! is actually my long-standing favorite blush of all time (didn’t work for me as an eyeshadow, though). frat boy is one of three other shadow/blushes churned out the balm. it’s the ultimate matte apricot and was made for pulling off this same-shade technique. the balm powders are quality and completely wearable. we’re talking finely milled and full of pretty, pretty pigmentation. i think they’re priced exactly right at $21, giving you tons of product for your dollar and also – could you die over the adorable packaging?

if you’re looking for a gorgeous new blush plus wanting to try this clever trick, frat boy is your new love. bonus: it blends really nicely over tinted moisturizer and lasts forever making it even more perfect for summer.

so, tell me: will you try matching cheeks and lids?

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Posted in blush, cheeks, eyes, lids | Leave a comment