Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Guest Post: The Healing Effects of Beauty

a Guest Post by Blogger Jackie Clark

One of the most significant psychological effects of cancer diagnoses and subsequent treatment on women is the sense of a loss of control.   The process of cancer recovery can involve the loss of self-esteem as well as depression.

As women, we all know that when we look good, it gives our mood a boost.   This can be especially important for those diagnosed with cancer.

The skin is one of the organs most affected by cancer and the treatments involved to cure it. One common side effect of  mesothelioma cancer is increased skin sensitivity.  During this time, it's important to avoid direct sun exposure and to cleanse your skin with warm water rather than with hot, and to use a gentle cleanser such as Cetaphil.

Eye brightening creams and definition of lashes can make a remarkable difference in how you look.  A good product to try is Eminence organic eye cream for dark circles.  Another product that works well for dark circles and under eye puffiness is One Hundred Percent Pure organic coffee bean eye cream.  It has the added benefit of a pleasant but slight and non-overwhelming coffee aroma.

To define your lashes and help your eyes to stand out, consider using brown mascara rather than a harsh black one.  Or, if you've got green or hazel eyes, a soft plum colored mascara can do wonders to bring out their color.   A good, organic mascara to try is Honeybee Gardens Truly Natural Mascara.  

The skin itself should be kept clean and well hydrated.  While it's important to drink plenty of water, there are foundations that can improve your skin's moisture content.  One of the best products for this that I've found is Organic Moisturizing Liquid Foundation by a small company called Nvey Eco. More importantly, while undergoing cancer treatment it is especially important to use organic make up and lotions. Your body has so many harsh chemicals attacking it that the complementing of organic makeup can help a patient both look and feel better.

A well tended and pretty face, coupled with classic, comfortable clothing, should really be included in the treatment that doctors provide for cancer patients, but unfortunately it's often overlooked or considered a superficial aspect of that treatment.   But as more research is done on the healing effects of looking good, health professionals are becoming aware that attention to beauty and fashion can have a significant impact on the prognosis of their patients.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Drugstore Spotlight: Kate Moss for Rimmel Lipstick #08

Let it be said that I love Kate Moss. The supermodel is as iconic to beauty as she is to fashion. When I heard the bombshell was not only just a pretty face for Rimmel London cosmetics, but releasing her own line of lipsticks for Rimmel, I was pumped! Kate Moss for Rimmel Lipstick #08 is a fantastic mauve pink hue. The texture is creamy and soft with no shimmer but a slight shine.  The lipsticks range from 15 shades, from dark deep violet to fuchsia to red, and retail at about $6 at your local drugstores. The packaging is a black bullet tube with Kate's cutesy signature sprawled on the top (complete with drawn on heart). I adore the finish of these lipsticks and #08 is such a universally flattering shade. It almost reminds me of MAC's Viva Glam V without the shimmer. I only wish there was a little more Kate in these lipsticks besides just her signature and face plastered onto the ads. It begs the question- what sets these Kate Moss Collection lipsticks apart from Rimmel London's already stellar lip products? Maybe I wish these lipsticks were a little more personal (perhaps the names of the shades, things like that). The availability of this product in the US is not easy to come by, but the full collection launched this January. The weartime on these lipsticks are above average considering the creaminess of its texture. I love my #08 lipstick, and would love to get my hands on more! Bottom line? I havent seen much of these in the states but pick up what you can get your hands on! Pictured below is my FOTD and swatch of Kate Moss for Rimmel Lipstick #08. Do you own a Kate Moss for Rimmel lipstick? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Buzzworthy: Burberry Lipstick in Devon Sunset

I had the hardest time even trying to put on my new Burberry Soft Satin lipstick in Devon Sunset. The plaid imprinting on the lipstick is just so exquisite that I want it to look new forever! The sleek grey  packaging, equipped with magnetic closure, is imprinted with the plaid as well (and quite fingerprint prone!) The best way to describe Devon Rose is a coral that leans more pink. The application of these Soft Satin lipsticks are incredibly smooth and creamy. The texture reminded me of Chanel's Rouge Coco line, moisturizing yet opaque in color. The lipstick is a warm coral pink that would look lovely on most skintones. The color is also pretty close to MAC's famous limited edition lipstick, Ever Hip.  Even living in Los Angeles, Burberry makeup is hard for me to come by. It is only available in two Nordstroms in my area and the hefty price tag ($30) makes you want to at least see the makeup in person before purchasing (as it is available to purchase online). This lipstick was definitely worth the drive and the money. Soft, creamy and subtly beautiful, Devon Rose is a beautiful addition to any lipstick lover's collection. Pictured below is my FOTD using Burberry's Devon Rose, along with the swatch. Have you tried Burberry's makeup line? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Dupe this Look: Jessica Szohr (New Years Eve Edition)

I would be lying if I said I missed Vanessa Abrahms on Gossip Girl, but I'll be damned if her alter ego, Jessica Szohr, isn't an all out smokeshow! The former Gossip Girl actress was the inspiration for my New Years Eve party look with her aqua blue smokey eye and liner. Even peaking out from behind her messy firnge, those eyes are piercing! I started with my usual primers (Too Faced Shadow Insurance and Nyx Black Bean Jumbo pencil) and patted Urban Decay's Deep End eyeshadow onto the lids. Using my MAC 217 brush, I blended out Urban Decay's Ace in the corner and out v of my eye (on top of Black Bean) and Urban Decay's Half Truth in the crease. I  lined my entire eye with Clinique Cream Liner in black  and just like Szohr's smokey eye, swiped on Urban Decay's Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner in Air Guitar under my lower lashline to create a dramatic blue outline. Who doesn't want to sparkle during the holidays, right? I found the fluffiest, most lush lashes I could get my hands on (Miss Ardo falsies in 100) and finished my look with a nude blush ( Rock and Republic's Foreplay) and nude lipstick (MAC's Bare Again Sheen Supreme lipstick). The aqua blues and violets would look exceptionally beautiful on girls with blue/grey eyes like Jessica's. What did you rock this New Years Eve? Leave your thoughts in the comments. 

Thursday, January 05, 2012

Buzzworthy: Daphne Guinness for MAC & Tour De Fabulous

Kicking off my Christmas haul are the MAC holiday pieces I picked up. Daphne Guinness for MAC and Tour De Fabulous hit MAC counters on December 26. Fashion icon and socialite Daphne Guinness put her hand in the makeup world by collaborating with MAC for their winter collection. The hues are mostly deep berries and plums perfect for the cold weather season. Most of the items were limited edition with a few repromotes thrown into the mix. You might recognize the two blush ombres from the Spring Colour Forecast in the spring of 2010. While both Azalea Blossom and Vintage Grape caught my eye, I had to get my hands on Vintage Grape because I own nothing like it! Vintage Grape (retailing at $26) is a deep violet blush swirled with pink. When you mix the colors together, you get a lovely and vibrant wine color. This is a very pigmented blush so fair toned girls will want to use a stippling brush and build the color to their liking. Bottom Line? If  you didn't get it the first time, now's your chance to own this gorgeous blush!
I've always been drawn to a bright pink pout so I grabbed Style Packed lipglass ($14.50) and Embrace Me  lipliner ($14) from Tour De Fabulous. If any of you honey bees own Nars Schiap or Funny Face, MAC's Girl About Town or Spitfire, Milani's Rose Hip, or any fuschia lipstick Embrace Me is essential for you. This is exactly the lipliner that MAC has been needing in its arsenal. They'd be foolish to not make this a permanent. Style Packed is a very blue based pink lipglass that Barbie would approve of. This would look great layered ontop of your favorite lipsticks, or worn alone for a sheer but bright pop of pink. Pictured below is my FOTD using Vintage Grape ombre blush and Style Packed worn on top of Embrace me lipliner. What did you pick up from MAC's winter collections? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

Swatches: Dark, Light and Mixed Vintage Grape, Embrace Me, Style Packed

Monday, January 02, 2012

Weekend Haul: Christmas Edition

Happy New Year Honey Bees! I've been a very bad blogger. My apologies on the late update (I haven't updated since LAST YEAR!), but it has been a very busy holiday season for me! I am hoping everyone in the blogosphere has had a very happy holiday! I happened to pick up a few amazing things over this holiday season, and I haven't even used all my gift cards yet! Pictured below is a preview of the major haul I made over the last few weeks I've been MIA. I'll have swatches and reviews for each of these this week! What did you pick up this holiday season? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

Chanel Blushes in In Love & Horizon, Burberry Lipstick in Devon Sunset, MAC Style Packed, Embrace Me and  Vintage Grape, Revlon Lip butter is Strawberry Shortcake