I Heart Products

Primers Schmimers

2009-09-30T00:50:00.003-04:00

No I have not suffocated from product overload I have just been...busy...lazy..etc. My cells are reinvigorated and expect a new post regarding the above to come soon. For now I am going to try the new by Terry tinted moisturizer which called Éclat de Rose. In French this means, "I am so sexy my face even smells of crushed roses".

In the interim enjoy this photo of Marion Cotillard that shows why luminescent collar bones are a woman's best friend.

Perhaps It's the Ç Cedilla?

2009-02-01T22:47:00.003-05:00

I think I am like most people. I believe French women are hotter. The French Yé-Yé gals of the sixties are what I envision, but the newcomers like Lou Doillon and Charlotte Gainsbourg are pretty high on my list as well. However, in the end those two are just spawn of the hot women I picture anyways.

Anna Karina, whilst not French, might as well have been. The clip below from Vivre Sa Vie is why.

I want to be this video.
Or this one:

I took it upon myself to buy 2 headbands from French accessory line Hair Design Access. One is all black and the other a deep purple satin with a ribbon. I will be wearing them all the time.

The mouth of a woman speaking French has always fascinated me. It always looks to be in the state of a perpetual kiss, slightly puckered and ready to go. I have come to realize that this is only because of the language and the way you have to form your lips in order to pronounce the words correctly. I choose to learn this method of pursing by singing along to all the Françoise Hardy songs I can find lyrics to.

Perhaps I should just wear A.P.C and Agnes B., prep my face with Darphin, and paint it with Paul & Joe. Writing this has inspired me to clean my closet. I will from now on only wear something one of these lovely ladies might have worn.

I am going on and on. This really should become a more focused post, but who really has time for that. I might just fix this whole thing later. Till then, enjoy. J'espère qu'on se reverra.

Something Smells, Must Be The Man In The Room

2009-01-22T23:14:00.005-05:00

I have never been one for men's cologne.

Wait, wait. Let me restate that. I have never been one for popular cologne's.

The word cologne is not attractive. Anything that ends -gne reminds me of things like foreign meats. Perfume, fragrance, essential oils...use any other noun and it sounds much more sophisticated. Cologne reminds me of Drakkar Noir (which I had no idea was by Guy Laroche) and other items eighth grade boys smell like. Men who wear "cologne" probably spray too much of it and once they do believe they have not spritzed enough.

Recently, I have changed my mind about "cologne". Changed in a way that I now like scents on men but only provided that they are unisex.

Here, a list of my favorites:
-Anything Le Labo
-Anything Dipytque, but only the eau de toilettes...specifically L'Ombre Dans L'Eau (based on the overly popular Baies candle)
-Fresh's Cannabis Santal and Cannabis Rose...yes, it smells good on men

AND THE #1 CHOICE (according to me)
AQUA DI PARMA Colonia.

This scent is popular and it's name is practically the word I have such disdain for. But for me..sigh, well...this scent is heaven. Don't judge my overuse of italics. It is for emphasis. It is also worn just behind the earlobes of an extremely attractive and amazing man I happen to know. Whether it be his natural pheromones or the power of the fragrance, Aqua di Parma has made me embrace the idea of a man wearing a scent. I mean if Cary Grant can wear it there need be no questions.

Like the L'Ombre Dans L'Eau, Aqua di Parma is unisex and has notes of bulgarian rose. I would drink if I thought it would be a good idea, but I am going to stick to Jack and Ginger's.

I Smell...Don't Judge Me

2008-09-08T19:28:00.004-04:00

I have to say my heart starts to palpitate just a little at the anticipation of getting to pick out a new product when one starts to run a bit low. Anyone who knows me knows that I like a lot of options, read into that as you will. There may be 3 shower gels, 5 scrubs, a variety of shampoos and conditioners in my shower at any given time. I have to say, it must be fun to be a guest at my house (or apartment if I have one). When I noticed my Fresh's Mangosteen and Body Shop's Satsuma shower gels were running low I have to admit that got a funny feeling all over. About that time I found myself at Bluemercury.

Molton Brown is a lux-London based beauty line. I think they started with shower/bath, then graduated to skincare, and most recently haircare.

Now I am throwing this product in for the hell of it but I bought the moisture-drench rosella hair conditioner. A few things come to mind when I see the words 'moisture-drench', but they are generally all good, especially when it comes to dry/wavy hair. It has a beautifully light scent and packaging that makes me think I am 45, say the word "lapel", and get manicures only with O.P.I's "I'm Not Really A Waitress" red nail polish.

The other item I picked up was the Heavenly Gingerlily Shower Gel. I am taking my first shower with it tomorrow after I get home from the gym. Now I will not add that the reason I gravitated to this scent versus the other options was because I remembered reading it was the one Mandy Moore likes. What I will tell you is that the one I really liked was called Intoxicating Davana Blossom Shower Satine and that cost $45.

Hair Ala Belle De Jour, Tous Les Jours

2008-08-10T22:23:00.005-04:00

I think I'll preface this entry with this, the hottest hair possible is achieved after sex.

I said it. It's rumpled, languid, full, flouncy, bouncy, messy...I really could add more adjectives here but I don't like writing all that much.

Catherine Deneuve's hair in Belle De Jour is sex. I should remark that this is not so much as Severine, but as her prostitute counter part. Severine's hair is more coiffed and sprayed. The other's is much more used and lazy.

So Saturday morning I got my hair cut. I decided months ago that I am over straight hair, especially on me and really because I don't have straight hair. My hair is perfectly wavy. So let's just go with it. I want it super long so I just trimmed it up, had the back shaped and did a slanty bang because I don't know what I want to do with them.

Where I went they use only Bumble and Bumble (fine with me because I like the smells and the packaging). Ruth used the Surf Spray after she blew it out to give it texture after making it nice and smooth with the round brush.

Honestly, I had used the spray before and ended up giving it to a friend because I thought it dried out my hair. Ruth taught me to put it in once it was dry, twist and tousle, and if I want, follow it with the Brilliantine cream at the ends. So, I bought it again. I haven't used it yet, but I feel more confident with my spraying abilities this time around.

Ruth, I gotta tell you I LOVE my hair AND thank you for letting me know that it is not in fact thinning and I just have an over active imagination.

I'm Not Baking Vegan Cookies Anymore

2008-07-01T16:24:00.005-04:00

So today I went to Bluemercury and bought myself the Trish McEvoy Classic Mini Planner and one Mini Page.

Now this is by far the best purchase of my life. If you notice the picture on the right (trust me it does not do it justice) it holds brushes and has a detachable see-thru kit as well as one for holding pencils. These both have Velcro backings. There is also a mesh zipper pocket that is held in binder style, much like the single page. The pages are plastic sheets that open to hold Trish's shadows, foundations, blushes, etc. The page is smooth and shiny but it is actually a magnet and that's how the products are held in. This is why I decided to start baking.

My friend Tatiana had once told me that there is a way to pry out the MAC shadows from their containers. One would do this to put them in a Pro Palette or turn in the empties for the MAC recycling program. I wanted to put them in my new Trish Page. After a few minutes using my boyfriend Google, I discovered that you can safely bake them in the oven. At this moment I have only 4 left to go. In three's they have gone on a cookie sheet, their lids open, and into a 350˚ oven for just a few minutes. Their sides melt away and their bellies pop up with the glue nice and pliable. Use a flat head screwdriver to help you get the little buggers out. If you want to know what colors are what I recommend peeling off the stickers while the containers are still warm and putting them on the back of the metal. The glue should still be sticky and the label should adhere to it easily.

I am on a roll and just had to spit out the info. I'll post a picture when I'm done.

Here Comes The Sun...

2008-04-24T16:34:00.005-04:00

Or at least a fake tan that is.

Since I have never been tan I have decided to give the gradual tanning products a try. Now mind you I am WHITE. I am generally close to, if not the lightest shade of foundation by any brand out there. I fall into the "never tans, always burns" category.

For the face I got Neutrogena's Color Boosting Sunblock with SPF 30 in Fair and for my hot bod I bought Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer.
I am not looking forward to the stench known as dihyroxyacetone (the chemical that will make me hopefully not orange). I am however hoping for the best regarding the firming action. I really don't want to be forced into buying the $250 MBT shoes.

Should I post a before and after photo? Hmm...maybe of my forearm or something. Cross your fingers my face turns out okay cause I might just have to call out of work if something goes awry.

Piss Water Never Smelled Sweeter

2008-04-17T19:18:00.005-04:00

This past weekend I went up to BK to have my friend Gabe entertain my ass. Last time I saw him he told me how he had gotten a scent from Le Labo in NYC. Now here is the thing about that, before he told me about Le Labo my interest had already been peaked from a blurb I had read about them. After I read the short I was on their site (Le Labo) and I knew I had to obtain a perfume for myself. My mind was blown when I learned Gabe got there before me.

The store is cute. I have to say it's not anything amazing and I didn't get the help I thought I would get, but I suppose I didn't need it anyways. I ended up going for the Ambrette which I later found out is meant for infants. It smells like pear and liquor which I find intriguing because it's meant for the wee ones and all. It had the sweetest base out of all of them and that is what made it right up my alley.

For some reason I felt the need to buy two fragrances within 3 days though and so I quickly found myself in Sephora and in front of the Fresh display. Now I love the smell of their Cannabis Santal, but on me it just smells like bad cologne. When I heard about the new Cannabis Rose I immediately crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. I LOVED it! I bought the small set which included the fragrance, body cream, and body wash. I have never had a scent that I liked so much that I kept smelling myself and smiling, but now I do. I think that's why people have been standing noticably closer to me at work, however I am also just that charming.

Days Off = Less Money

2008-03-03T16:04:00.008-05:00

Yes, I know, I haven't posted in a while. It is called Seasonal Depression (or just the general kind) or just laziness. Anyways, I just had a three day weekend and my bank account has shrunk as a result of some new purchases.

Here it goes:
1. Cutler Protectant Treatment Spray (Haircare)

2. Best of Stila (Makeup)

3. Shikai French Vanilla Body Lotion (Body)

4. Kiss My Face Vanilla Earth Moisture Shave (Body)

5. Tigi Catwalk Headshot Recontructive Intense Conditioner (Haircare)-BTWs I am most excited to try this because it smells like a
concoction of chocolate-raspberry-mint

6. Sally Hershberger Supreme Head Style Primer for Wavy Hair
(Haircare)

Ok, so seeing it listed like that makes me think I maybe went a smidgen overboard. However, 6 Stila products for $40 is amazing! You might also be thinking, "Crazy lady, your products can't hold you at night". However they can and they do. So there.

Holiday Gifts

2007-12-17T13:39:00.000-05:00

I have been awful with getting gifts this season. I am actually not in the mood for it at all. However, relatives still come over so I finally had to hunker down and start shopping,

Naturally I buy everyone products.

Here is my list thus far:
Aunt- Clarin's Renew-Plus Night Lotion
It smells nice, very baby powdery. The girl told me that whatever gives it the scent is natural, no added fragrance. It's a nice light exfoliating lotion. Perfect for my 60 something year old aunt. I also got a ton of samples which is great because I couldn't afford to buy the Beauty Flash Balm for her.

Cousin-Smashbox Gloss-N-Go Mini Lip Gloss Kit
I got her a mini set of their glosses last Xmas too and she loved it. She carries a very teeny Coach purse making these miniature glosses the only things that fit besides a credit card.

Mom-MAC and Bobbi Brown Brushes
My mom kept saying that she needed good brushes. So, I got her good brushes. She had had a MAC mini set, they were shit. FYI MAC does not give you the same quality of brush in their small brush sets. The bristles come off on your face and they are just crap anyway you want to put it. Individually sold their brushes are great. I got her one for eyeshadow and one that would be good for blending her under eye concealer (larger compared to her actual concealer brush). I made my dad get her the Bobbi Brown Foundation brush. It's a quality brush that can also be used to apply her Pale Pink Pot Rouge (which, BTW's everyone should own).

I Don't Know Karate, but I know Karazee

2007-12-05T20:01:00.000-05:00

So Monday night my friend handed me a new shampoo. I read the label which announced the stylist's name, "JAMES BROWN". WHAT?! I don't want James Brown's hairdo. Is this a joke?

Apparently, I have had my head up my ass for a while. This James Brown is the man that gave Kate Moss her lovely post-breakup bangs. For this, I thought, I will try his shampoo. So I did. It is excellent.

I used the shampoo for Chemically Treated Hair. It left my hair clean, smooth, and ready conditioner. I also had no static for once. Something mos def needed during the winter hair months.

In case you have not guessed, I am a product nerd. Once I hear about a new line or product I have to read everything about it. So like a good junkie I immediately went to his website. He won me over with his choice of music (The Clash's "London Calling") and with a shampoo that from what I can tell is one of the most innovative since those powder shampoos.

This shampoo is for Combination Hair.

Excuse me? What? For years people have talked about using 2 different shampoos, etc. to handle the oily scalp/dry ends debacle. James' shampoo uses 'liquid talc' to absorb excess sebum (ewww) whilst wheatgerm oil hydrates the ends. The liquid talc is supposed to continue working through the day and absorb away.

I do not have this hair issue. I will not try a product that doesn't work for my needs so I am encouraging someone else out there to try it and let me know how it goes.

In the meantime I will wash with James Brown and listen to James Brown.

CHANEL. Not For Just The Heavily Perfumed Afterall

2007-11-19T09:54:00.000-05:00

So call me crazy, but for some reason I have always been weary of buying cosmetics from CHANEL. I think it was for the same reason that I shied away from Lancome. I don't know why, but both their counter artists are always garishly made up (not in a cool MAC way) women who reek of perfume and look at you funny if you actually want to purchase something and are under the age of 30 (phew that was long). They tend to be the stereotypical make up artist (no offense), the one you wouldn't want to touch your face.

Anyways, back to CHANEL. Again, I have avoided them, but then I saw this:

Sigh. I am in love. This is the Collection Essentielle De CHANEL (shown in Lumiére Naturelle, $85). I just received this as a Birthday gift and it is awesome. It comes in a pouch that also houses an eye shadow applicator, lip brush, and blush brush. The brushes are crappy, but so are all brushes that come with things of this nature. I used the sponge to apply the shadow and was amazed. The sponge picked up the color. When I tried to use my Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow brush nothing happened. The shadows are in wearable super silky shades that (when used with the sponge) go on almost creamy. The colors show up, which is great since too many companies today are doing consistencies that are so sheer they take 20 strokes to actually look like anything.

The lip colors are all pretty hues of different natural pinks, some with shimmer. The blush is a tanner looking version of NARS' Orgasm. Today I just used my fingers (clean ones mind you) to apply to my cheeks and it worked out very well.

I wanted the palette because I wanted something I could travel with. Now I need to get some mini brushes.

And The Ridiculous Cost of Creams and Potions Pt. 2

2007-11-04T09:54:00.000-05:00

For about a millisecond I was impressed with the line Natura Bissé. From Spain-exclusive to stores like Neiman's, Barney's-they are known for two lines, The Diamond line and their Glyco Peeling products.

These are okay if you have the money, but why spend $225 for the Glyco Extreme when you can buy something that works exactly the same by MD Skincare for under $100. They say it has 60% exfoliating ingredients. This sounds very impressive because you think "Wow! That is so strong, like something in a doctor's office". Yeah, no. This is just a gimic because with a pH of 4.5 it doesn't actually do much. Spa can do peels above a 3.3, doctor has to do anything lower. When they say 60% exfoliating ingredients, they mean 60% of the ingredients listed are exfoliating NOT that they have a 60% strength.

It definitely makes your face tingle, which is what most people look for. If you like to feel like it's "working" buy it and waste $225. Or get Appleseed Resurfacing Peel by Fresh for $145 and feel better that you weren't scammed in the morning. Okay, maybe you'll still feel scammed.

Their Diamond line which is 3 different weighted creams, all supposed to do everything you would want a cream to do is another disappointment. Their key ingredient is Artemia Salina which they tout as Marine Extract and don't you know? It's supposed to re-energize the skin to give it a glow. What they don't tell you is that by Marine Extract they actually mean Sea Monkeys. Look it up on Wiki, seriously.

If you want to spread some Sea Monkey's on your face and don't feel like spending $300 buy an EcoSphere, drain it, and break out the pistol and mortar to create a paste of the little buggers. I am of course joking though, but it is the same thing.

Thank You Kim!

2007-09-28T17:48:00.000-04:00

Kim (being a good friend) sent me this lovely posting direct from DailyCandy NYC. I certainly hope everyone takes advantage of it. By the way it reads I believe is starts Sept 30th, but I am usually wrong about such things.

Bliss Blowout Sale
What: Up to 80 percent off scrubbing, bubbling, polishing, and exfoliating products.
Why: Gimme a little Bliss, will ya, huh?
When: Thru Sun. Times vary by location. Info at 212-219-8970.
Where: 12 W. 57th St., b/t Fifth & Sixth Aves., 3rd flr.; 568 Broadway, at Prince St., 2nd flr.; 541 Lexington Ave., at 49th St.

YEAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

The Hair Masque Costs WHAT?

2007-09-10T11:13:00.000-04:00

After visiting my friend whose job allows her to walk away with free amazing products I became the proud owner of some Kérastase hair care.

The two products I received were from the Soleil line (it's intended as after-sun care for color treated hair) . I got a shampoo (Bain Apres-Soleil) and weekly deep conditioner (Masque UV Défense Active). My previous reaction to Kérastase had been lukewarm. When I first tried their Bain Satin 1 it was $22, now it has gone up to $32. I bought it after InStyle had named it best shampoo, however I did not find it anything other then a basic shampoo with a slightly offensive odor.

Their Soleil line is much better and actually worth shelling out the $32 and $58 for the shampoo and masque (luckily I did not have to do that, but if I could throw that kind of money around I would). My hair (which is a lot of fine and dry strands with a frizzy wave) was left feeling healthier after rinsing out the shampoo. The masque looks like a thick honey and not too much was needed to coat my shoulder length hair. The scent of both is very pleasant, like a strong smell of the wash area of a salon.

Maybe next visit I'll get to sample the Réflection line! The bottles are pretty and purple. I can not wait!

Love In The Time Of Grad School

2007-09-09T17:21:00.000-04:00

Recently my adorable boyfriend moved to Brooklyn. Sigh. Not because my products had pushed him out of the City of Brotherly Love, but because he is advancing his education at NYU.

While distance is annoying due to spending money on bus/train fare (something I equate to that of purchasing socks-I need them because of the hole in my toe, but they are an unrewarding loss of funds), this new every other weekend adventure has introduced me to a great 2-year old beauty spot in Brooklyn.

I initially found Miomia online. I think I looked under "Brooklyn Beauty Products" and immediately was welcomed with their website, www.shopmiomia.com.

Miomia is located at 318 Bedford Avenue. It is a store I have now visited twice. It really is a breath of fresh air with all the Sephora's there are (they are the new Starbucks). The owner carries lines that for the most part are based out of New York and are also natural. She has also avoided the trap of carrying lines that are easily found elsewhere. Some of the well-known lines she does carry are Mario Badescu, Ole Henricksen (a personal favorite of mine), and Sharps (for the boys). I walked straight past these to the ones I had only ever read about in magazines, Malin + Goetz, Håkansson, and Julie Hewett.

I must tell you, the first time I went in I could not spend a lot and settled on buying some Art of Shaving Sandalwood Shaving Cream for my boyfriend. He loves it and now smells a lot better then when he was using one of those awful shaving foams. I have used it on my legs and they were left baby butt soft and not irritated (mine tend to get bumps from anything with a fragrance).

My more recent visit allowed me to purchase a product from the Håkansson line that has intrigued me so much. Whether it is because it was created by a Swedish lady (I am half-Swedish) or because of their simple packaging I went into Miomia knowing I wanted something from Håkansson. Having browsed the line's website several times I knew I wanted to get The Scent. The Scent is a liquid fragrance that is alcohol free. You use it by putting a little on your pulse points (and hair) and rubbing it in. The Scent really does have a pleasant, light, and unusual fragrance. So far I have introduced it to four friends and all agree it was a good $38 bucks well spent.

I also bought the Bergamot Body Wash from Malin + Goetz. Basically, I liked the scent of this and just wanted something else to open when I got home. No regrets. The line is gender neutral and the scent is a deep citrus, hence Stash's Earl Gray with Bergamot Tea.

I can't wait to go back. My plan is to buy one of Håkansson's The Color, a duo cream multi-purpose colors that come in a variety of shades.

Miss Priss Goes to Jersey City

2007-09-09T16:31:00.000-04:00

This weekend I saw my good friend (and fellow PW) Kim in Jersey City. She is still new to the area and so we walked around after a delicious brunch. We did not have to walk to far before we made our first (and best in my mind) Jersey City find.

Right across the street from where we ate was Skin Organix, 297 Grove Street. This is an AMAZING small boutique where they also do facials using the line Naturopathica. They sell the full line of Dr. Hauschka (a popular name in holistic skin/body/hair care and make-up) and smaller organic and all natural product lines. You can buy anything here and know you are doing something good for your body.

I chose to buy the Green Coffee and Yerba Maté body scrub by TerraNova (I actually have been out and needed to purchase one) . It smells heavenly and uplifting, plus it is supposed to help cellulite (I'm crossing my fingers).

My second choice (because it's best done in pairs) was Miessence Jaffa Lip Balm. It smells like creamsicle due to the organic sweet orange oil and organic vanilla extract.

Skin Organix will definitely see me back and I might even get a facial.

Definition of a Product Whore

2007-09-09T15:50:00.000-04:00

On any given day you can go into stores like Sephora or Bluemercury, and find a person like myself. I'll be the one with a product jammed into my nose breathing deep, grinning from ear to ear. I'm not alone. There are a bunch of us out there. You know us by our medicine cabinets, cosmetic train cases, and showers.

If one of your friends has 8 different sets of shampoo and conditioner it is a good sign that they are one. By one, I mean a Product Whore.

It is a label I am not ashamed of. Sure my friends make fun of me. They attempt to drag me out of beauty boutiques after minute 35 rolls around and I have picked up my fifth bottle of liquid satisfaction. Some spend money on handbags, shoes, and even clothes. I buy product. I love them and I love it.

When I write, "It", I am referring to the act of walking into a store and having my olfactory system bombarded by whiffs of lip glosses, deep conditioning hair masques, and perfume. "It" being the purchase of a tangerine scented refreshing spray and keeping the box it came in for days longer than is truly needed.

When a Product Whore acquires an Esthetician License and gains discounts at beauty supply stores all hell breaks loose.

Take a look at my vanity and you can see what all hell breaking loose looks like.

As much as it pains me to admit, products are not a panacea. They occasionally fail me, but I never have to squeeze my tush into one or ask if it makes me look fat.