Shu Uemura Gets Shooed From The US — No Joke!

Apr 1, 2010
C17302_hrdNext time you’re in a department store, stop by the shu uemura counter because its days are numbered. L’Oreal, who owns international rights to the high-fashion beauty brand, just announced it’s phasing the makeup line out of the United States (snif, snif). Stock up now on shu uemura makeup artist favorites like the phenomenal eyelash curler, avant-garde lashes and luxurious cleansing oils.Carol Hamilton, president of L’Oreal’s US luxury division states: “Going forward, we decided that L’Oreal USA would be better served by focusing on our other strategic luxury brands like Lancôme, Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, Kiehl’s, and fragrances.”It’s a bummer we’ll no longer be able to dilly dally at the makeup counter to try on the new shades and see if we prefer the cream versus powder shadow, but shu fans will still be able to purchase products at www.shuuemura.com. The PR director for the brand assures that, “We will continue to introduce new products on the Web site and these changes will not affect Art of Hair, which will continue to remain in top-tier salons across the country as well as online at www.shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com.”Sianara shu uemura! We’ll miss you at the makeup counter.

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Rihanna’s Makeup At The Kid’s Choice Awards

Mar 31, 2010
-4Rihanna was smokin’ at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards this past Saturday. To create her fresh-faced makeup look, artist Mylah Morales stuck to pink and bronze shades to warm her face and complement her cream getup.She used the new Nars Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base to keep Rihanna’s look long-lasting throughout her red carpet appearance (available at Sephora May 1), Angelika Blush, a cotton-candy pink with gold flecks, on her cheeks and the ever popular Orgasm Illuminator to impart a glow.

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Tuesday’s Giveaway: Red Door Spa Mani & Pedi

Mar 30, 2010
Red Door Spa - robeI’m giving 3 readers the chance to indulge in the new Champagne & Rose Manicure and Pedicure at the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas. This $122 spa service, created in honor of the spa’s 100 years, includes a skin-smoothing exfoliation, decadent hand and foot rub, hydrating paraffin treatment and all the mind/body benefits that come with this deserved me time. Click here to find a Red Door near you.To enter this contest, comment below and click the Twitter tab on the top left column of the page to follow me. Send me a tweet and let me know that you’ve entered! Twitter.com/NPTheBeautyGirl

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Trend To Try: Orange Makeup

Mar 29, 2010
3.1 philip lim 2010 Spring fashion show

3.1 philip lim 2010 Spring fashion show

Orange isn’t the most popular color. Perhaps that’s why those who favor it don’t just like it, they love it. My friend Ann is gaga for orange. If something comes in that color (watch band, scarf, bedspread), she’ll wrap herself in it. The question is, how far would she, or you for that matter, go if I were to tell you this sunset shade was as talked about during fashion week as the temporary tattoos that debuted at Chanel.Would you swathe your eyes, lips or cheeks in this hue? Your initial reaction, like Ann’s, may be eww! Before you bypass this trend, note that the rest of the beauty world has gotten on board with an orange-based palette for this spring and beyond. Call it coral, apricot, peach, sunburnt orange (you get the picture) brands including Make Up For Ever, MAC, and Bobbi Brown are making the shade as approachable as a neutral. From here on out, think of orange as the new brown.
Prada 2010 Spring fashion show

Prada 2010 Spring fashion show

To ensure you get it right (the goal is to enhance your face, not look like you’ve OD’d on carrots), I asked education manager Erin McCarthy from Make Up For Ever, their Lipstick #201 was layered with Glossy Full Couleur #2 to create the sassy pout at Prada’s Fall fashion show (shown right), for her best tips. Orange ya glad?You wouldn’t wear a floral print head to toe and the same rule of thumb applies here. Make one feature the star.Eyes Don’t be scared. Orange will make your eyes pop just as beautifully as bronze and gold. Medium and dark skin tones can pull off pure and neon oranges. The brighter the better. Fair skin types look best in muddy yellow/orange tones (my favorite is Mally Beauty New Naturals Twin Shadow in wheat/autumn, which has a beautiful burnt orange). Keep the rest of the face simple. “A bronzer on the cheeks and transparent gloss on the lips is all you need to finish this look.”
Rebecca Taylor 2010 Spring fashion show

Rebecca Taylor 2010 Spring fashion show

Lips You don’t need much to balance a tangerine mouth. Just a light peach or apricot blush swiped high on the cheekbones with a soft brown shadow or black mascara, says McCarthy. To replicate the lip look at Rebecca Taylor, apply MAC lipstick in lady danger. If you need help picking your color, remember that fair skinned ladies can play it safe with pink-based oranges like coral whereas bold oranges show up best on darker skin tones.Cheeks If you have fair skin, “a peachy blush applied on the apples in light circular motions is the trick to achieving that ethereal glow.” If you have a darker complexion, this is your chance to throw caution to the wind.

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Win over $1,900 worth of prizes from Purple Lab

Mar 24, 2010
Yours truly photographing myself wearing the lip-plumping Luvah lip gloss duo in Mama's Boy, a color combo that's perfect for creating a sexy nude lip look that won't wash you out and will show up in pics

Yours truly photographing myself wearing the lip-plumping Luvah lip gloss duo in Mama’s Boy, a color combo that’s perfect for creating a sexy nude lip look that won’t wash you out and will show up in pics

If you haven’t heard of Purple Lab yet, let me be the first to introduce you to this fledgling beauty brand. It’s comprised of a small selection of double-duty products (like the lip gloss shown left) that beauty insiders have been savoring. Since its launch last year, the company has been simmering under the mainstream radar. It was only a matter of time before something big would blow it up, which leads us here today. Purple Lab has created a giveaway of Volcanic-size proportions. They’re offering three coveted swag bags full of amazing styles (Grand Prize below). Click here to enter the sweeps, which ends on March 31. download Here’s what’s in store for the grand prize winner…

  • Huge Lips Skinny Hips in No Panty Lines!
  • Eugenia Kim’s Max straw fedora with a black braided leather band.
  • FALLON Hell’s Angels earrings
  • FALLON gold studded cuff
  • Genetic Denim’s skinnies! “The Shane” cigarette style in Finn (a deep blue denim)
  • Brian Atwood’s two-tone suede rose and burgundy platform open-toe pumps. A 140mm pure stunner!
  • IntelliWHiTE Pro Whitening Kit
  • A $100 gift card for shopping on ideeli.com

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Tuesday’s Giveaway: Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil

Mar 23, 2010
Picture 2The Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil is the perfect example of a product that proves why “Beauty Shouldn’t Be A Bitch.”1. It’s simple to use (think of it like a crayon). Draw the shadow on your lids to wear as an everyday look or just along your upper and lower lash lines to create a simple smoky eye.2. It glides on beautifully and is easy to manipulate and blend, thanks to the smudge tip on the opposite end.3. The formula is water-resistant and doesn’t crease or crack no matter how many squints or glares you make throughout the day.Once you try it, you’ll see why this product from makeup artist Sue Devitt (drop a celeb name from Eva Longoria to Hilary Duff and she’s done their makeup) is a cult favorite.I’m putting 5 of the Eye Intensifier Pencils in the best-selling shade black widow black lavender (a universally flattering plum that’s so deep it’s just shy of black) up for grabs. To enter this contest, comment below and click the Twitter tab on the top left column of the page to follow me. Send me a tweet and let me know that you’ve entered! Twitter.com/NPTheBeautyGirl

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Maidenform Giveaway Winners Announced

Mar 22, 2010
Congrats to the 10 winners of the Win Oscar’s Fashion Secret Giveaway! You know who you are and can expect your Maidenform wardrobe to arrive soon.Thanks to everyone who entered the contest! More Tuesday Giveaways to come.

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Get Skinny for Summer & The Skinny On Degree Natureffects

Mar 19, 2010

Do you recognize any of these scenarios? 1. You tell yourself you’ll go to the gym tomorrow and then a few too many tomorrow’s later your time has run out and the big event is here. 2. You’ll be shedding your sweaters before you know it (I pray) and have realized that all those Home Run Inn pizzas you scarfed down when you were too lazy to bare the cold are starting to show. Suck in! 3. Your days are filled to the brim so there’s no time for a sweat session. Whatever your reason (ahem) excuse for not working out, The Biggest Loser’s ball buster Jillian Michaels has an at-home workout video that makes it impossible to justify not getting in shape. JIAM13DVDI first heard about her 30 Day Shred DVD ($10.99) from a friend of mine who is a new mom (she did the video 3 times in one week and lost 5 lbs!). My friend heard about it from her friend who said it helped her lose her baby weight. Having discovered a workout video that only takes 20 minutes and is actually making a difference, it’s no surprise that word is quickly spreading from the playground to girls around town. I was sold by the idea of being able to exercise in less time then it takes to get a mani and tried the workout for the first time with my sister, who of all things, is also a new mom to her second son Luke. The video has three levels (we challenged ourselves starting on level 2). My initial thought was, “It’s ONLY 20 minutes. I can handle it.” Once we got into it I soon realized how the combo of strength, cardio and ab training for 20 minutes nonstop can kick your ass. I wouldn’t call it fun (I’m not the type who would ever describe a workout as “fun”) but it is efficient and effective. Like any workout DVD, it can start to feel monotonous, but no one ever said losing weight was all that and a bag of chips. degree1On that note, if you’re like me and don’t wake up motivated to work off the calories, here’s some food for thought. Degree’s new Natureffects deodorant claims to put a positive spin on your mood. The deodorant comes in three scents (honeysuckle and tea tree oil, orange flower and cranberry and olive leaf and pink pepper), and according to a Degree Women Survey, these nature-inspired scents are uplifting and can relieve stress. So, the next time you need some help turning your pre-workout frown upside down, it may just be worth giving these sticks a try.

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Tuesday Giveaway: Trendsetting Hair Products!

Mar 16, 2010
They say two is a coincidence and three is a trend. I’m going out on a limb and predicting the newest trend in the hair aisle – hair care for your haircut. So far, two companies have launched lines around this premise. HerCut, available exclusively at Sephora, and Revolution in Cut, available at CVS Beauty 360 locations. The latter is the brainchild of celebrity hairstylist Ric Pipino (if you’re not head-deep in the who’s who of the salon world, you may know him as Heidi Klum’s first hubby).Both brands introduced shampoos and conditioners, but what makes each stand out is their stable of hero styling products formulated to meet the needs of specific haircuts rather than hair types.
Celebs including Ali Larter, Jamie Pressly and Bridget Moynahan are fans of Revolution in Cut.

Celebs including Ali Larter, Jamie Pressly and Bridget Moynahan are fans of Revolution in Cut.

Revolution in Cut calls their key styling aide a primer, and Pipino formulated six to go along with six different cuts: the bob, the layered bob, the crop, short layers, long layers and the blunt cut.P251001_lgHerCut’s standout product is named the catalyst, and the line includes five catalysts, each designed for one of five different haircuts: the bob, the pixie, the shag, the blunt cut and long layers.Think of it this way…if you have a shag, you don’t want your hair to fray out in every direction. The shag catalyst uses a technology (the details are still under wraps) that gives locks controlled separation while the catalyst for long layers creates flexibility so hair is bouncy and the pieces move together.Want to be one of the first to try out these new products? I’m giving 3 readers the chance to win a complete HerCut hair care set (shampoo, conditioner and catalyst specific to your haircut). To enter this contest, each prize is valued at $72, comment below and tell me which of the 5 haircut types you have. P.S. Click the Twitter tab on the top left column of the page to follow me. Send me a tweet and let me know that you’ve entered! Twitter.com/NPTheBeautyGirl

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Elemental Herbology Giveaway Winners Announced

Mar 15, 2010
Congrats to Amber, Deanna and Shaim! Thank you to everyone who entered to win the body cream.

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