Beauty

ACUVUE Introduces An Eye-Opening Trend in Beauty

November 19, 2014

There’s an eye-opening innovation about to sweep the beauty scene.

Forget liners, shadows, false lashes and mascaras—ACUVUE’s 1-Day Define Contact Lenses with Lacreon Technology is the latest way to enhance eyes. Creating a well-defined dark line around the iris (limbal ring), these lenses provide dimension and depth without compromising one’s natural eye color. The iris-inspired designs have light-effect patterns that make eyes look brighter and more defined.

They’re the first brand of contacts to provide this unique, beautifying quality to eyes in the U.S. In fact, they’ve been popular overseas for over a decade, but now it’s finally our turn to hop on the eye-catching trend.

1-Day ACUVUE Define Contact Lenses prices vary by doctor, but are approximately $75 per month. Click here for more information.

Last month, I had the opportunity to try them on during a press preview and was blown away by how much of a difference they made. Even though I wear glasses and aren’t familiar with contacts, they were a breeze to put on and surprisingly comfortable. They instantly gave my eyes a deeper appearance that I liked. Granted, it’s a subtle change, but definitely noticeable. It’s one of those beauty tricks that will have people guessing what you did differently (in a good way)!

If you’re looking to accentuate your eyes’ natural beauty, give these lenses a try. Don’t get them confused with those cheesy colored-contacts from back-in-the day because these aren’t colored lenses.

They’re available in three styles: Natural Sparkle, Natural Shimmer and Natural Shine (the ones I tried). Plus, they provide UV protection by blocking 81% of UV-A radiation and 97% UV-B radiation.

Me standing in front of the eye-inspired mood board at the Acuvue 1-Day Defined Contact Lenses press preview in New York City.

Me standing in front of the eye-inspired mood board at the ACUVUE 1-Day Define Contact Lenses press preview in New York City.

Would you try these eye-hancing lenses? Do you prefer contact lenses or glasses for better vision?

Category: Beauty, Featured, Features | 2 Comments

Product Review: Spa Sonic Skin Care System Face & Body Polisher

November 10, 2014

If you’re on the market for a good facial and body cleansing brush without breaking the bank, keep reading.

Last month, I was asked to review Spa Sonic’s Skin Care System Face & Body Polisher 7-piece offering of the popular pampering tool. Unlike other brands, this particular brush includes interchangeable heads for usage on your face, body and even feet!

Although I was unfamiliar with the brand, I was excited to give it a try. Prior to testing the Spa Sonic, I’d only used more expensive brands that boasted many of the same features, but didn’t include multiple heads. That’s why for a fraction of the price, I was anxious to see if it would work as well as the luxe brands.

Spa Sonic Skincare System Face & Body Polisher available here, $40

My first impression upon opening the box was not good. To be honest, the packaging was a bit flimsy and cheap for lack of a better word. Luckily, I didn’t let that stop me from giving it a spin. First up, I attached the small brush for my face. The bristles were softer than I’m used to, but still seemed to slough away dead skin. Pleased with the results, I was happy to move on to my body. The large brush worked beautifully leaving my skin incredibly softer. The only downside was that I couldn’t apply too much pressure otherwise the interchangeable head would come off. Next up: feet!

Since bi-weekly pedicure season has passed (for me at least), my heels were in desperate need of some TLC. The pumice stone attachment delivered just enough power to polish my feet effortlessly. The rotating stone nicked away stubborn callouses revealing a smoother surface.

For the affordable price and the perks of multi-usage, it’s a great alternative to more expensive facial and body cleansing tools.

Do you use face/body/feet cleansing brushes?

Category: Beauty | 1 Comment

Lupita Nyong’o Graces Glamour Magazine

November 3, 2014

Lupita Nyong’o, one of our favorite BGs, is covering the December issue of Glamour magazine.

The actress and Lanôme beauty ambassador, 31, is not only the magazine’s cover girl, but is also named as the Woman of the Year by the popular glossy. The annual Women of the Year issue honors women who have made significant contributions to society throughout the year. In celebration of the issue, the magazine will host its 24th annual Women of the Year awards ceremony in New York City November on 10th.

Lupita talks to the Condé Nast title about her meteoric rise in Hollywood and how she uses her platform to help redefine success and beauty standards.

Photo by: Tom Munro Be sure to check out more pics here!

Here are a few quotes from the interview with the Oscar winner:

Nyong’o on winning an Academy Award earlier this year…
“I don’t think I will ever be able to really articulate how bizarre it was to hear my name at the Academy Awards. I’d watched in my pajamas the year before! I felt numb—dazed and confused. I remember feeling light—weightless. More like limbo than cloud nine.”

Nyong’o on how her life has changed after winning an Academy Award…
“This is actually a conversation I look forward to having in 10 years, when all of this is behind me and I have some real perspective on what happened—because right now I’m still adjusting. I guess I feel catapulted into a different place; I have a little whiplash…. I did have a dream to be an actress, but I didn’t think about being famous. And I haven’t yet figured out how to be a celebrity; that’s something I’m learning, and I wish there were a course on how to handle it. I have to be aware that my kinesphere may be larger than I want it to be.”

Nyong’o on the standards of beauty that she grew up with…
“European standards of beauty are something that plague the entire world—the idea that darker skin is not beautiful, that light skin is the key to success and love. Africa is no exception. When I was in the second grade, one of my teachers said, ‘Where are you going to find a husband? How are you going to find someone darker than you?’ I was mortified. I remember seeing a commercial where a woman goes for an interview and doesn’t get the job. Then she puts a cream on her face to lighten her skin, and she gets the job! This is the message: that dark skin is unacceptable. I definitely wasn’t hearing this from my immediate family—my mother never said anything to that effect—but the voices from the television are usually much louder than the voices of your parents.”

Nyong’o on her role models growing up…
“Oprah played a big role in my understanding of what it meant to be female and to really step into your own power. I wouldn’t even call her a role model; she was literally a reference point. You have the dictionary, you have the Bible, you have Oprah.”

Nyong’o on her mother’s influence…
“I come from a loving, supportive family, and my mother taught me that there are more valuable ways to achieve beauty than just through your external features. She was focused on compassion and respect, and those are the things that ended up translating to me as beauty. Beautiful people have many advantages, but so do friendly people.… I think beauty is an expression of love.”

Nyong’o on “The Lupita Effect”…
“I’ve heard people talk about images in popular culture changing, and that makes me feel great, because it means that the little girl I was, once upon a time, has an image to instill in her that she is beautiful, that she is worthy—that she can… Until I saw people who looked like me, doing the things I wanted to, I wasn’t so sure it was a possibility. Seeing Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah in The Color Purple, it dawned on me: ‘Oh—I could be an actress!’ We plant the seed of possibility.”

For the full interview visit Glamour.com or be sure to pick up the December issue which hits newsstands November 11th.

Want to see more Lupita? Check out this behind-the-scenes footage from her cover shoot.What are your thoughts on the cover?

Category: Beauty, Fashion, Featured, Features | 3 Comments

Palmer’s Goes Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 28, 2014

Although October is almost over, I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

This disease has devastated my family, which is why I feel compelled to raise as much awareness about it as possible. Despite losing several aunts to the disease, I know that it doesn’t have to be a death sentence. Thanks to early detection, my sister is living proof that you can be a survivor!

That’s why I wholeheartedly appreciate and support companies and brands who donate portions of their proceeds (from certain products) during this month to help raise funds towards finding a cure.

Instead of only giving back during the month of October, Palmer’s, the popular cocoa butter line will donate 15% of the sales prices (with a minimum of $100,000) from specially-marked bottles of its core Cocoa Butter Formula products to Susan G. Komen from now until June 2015!

I’ve been a huge fan of Palmer’s for years, but the fact that they’re going pink and donating funds well beyond October makes the brand even more appealing.

Palmer’s is available at most drugstores nationwide

**For more information on breast cancer, please click here.

Have you purchased “pink” products this month? Have you been personally affected by breast cancer?

Category: Beauty | 1 Comment

GIVEAWAY: Take the Dove Body Wash #OneShowerChallenge

September 30, 2014

When I think of quality body washes for sensitive skin, Dove is the first to come to mind.

Its signature, creamy formula is now improved to provide an even more luxurious shower experience. The new body washes are infused with a milder cleanser (Glycinate) coupled with super moisturizing components making it a great choice for those with sensitive skin like me.

NEW Dove Body Washes are available at food, drug, mass, value, club and online retailers, $6.99.

Also, unlike most shower cleansers that boast a gentler formula, the lather I’ve come to love is pretty non-existent. Luckily, that’s not the case with these washes. I can suds up and still leave the shower feeling clean and moisturized all without compromising my easily irritated skin. Oh and did I mention, I felt an immediate difference after ONE shower! Usually, results aren’t noticed until after a few uses, but my skin was smoother and softer following my first use.

If you like milder body washes and looking for a new one, definitely give Dove a go! Plus, who doesn’t love how the brand uplifts and encourages women to just be our naturally beautiful selves?

Check out their latest video, “Legacy,” that speaks to how we mothers pass our beauty ideals and insecurities on to our daughters:

**GIVEAWAY: Simply tell me how you inspire the little girls or young women in your lives to embrace their natural beauty for your chance to win a Dove Body Wash along with a necklace. One lucky reader will be randomly selected and announced (and contacted) next week, Tuesday, Oct. 7th.

Category: Beauty, Featured, Features | 13 Comments

A ‘Beautiful’ City Night Out with Jane Iredale

September 24, 2014

Recently I was invited to a lovely evening with Jane Iredale, the founder of jane iredale—The Skincare Makeup to celebrate the launch of her latest collection for fall, City Nights.

Held at New York City hotspot, Butter, editors and bloggers mingled and ate delicious food while receiving a sneak peek of the stunning collection.

Unexpected forest green and deep purple shades replaced ordinary black eyeliners for an updated autumn look. These gel liners (Jelly Jars) are great for days when you want to have a little fun with color without verging too far from basic black. Plus, the chemical-free natural formula won’t irritate eyes.

jane iredale-The Skincare Makeup ‘City Nights’ collection available here, starting at $28 (all items are sold separately).

The collection also includes a trio eye shadow palette of dreamy earthy hues to provide the perfect smokey eye. To top off the “city nights” look, there ‘s a sophisticated mahogany matte lip color (“Katerina”) and a shimmery red plum gloss (“Kir Royale”) for a bold, statement lip.

As if the evening couldn’t be anymore delightful, Jane personally thanked us for our support and treated us to the Broadway musical, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” as a token of her appreciation.

It was certainly a beautiful city night that I won’t soon forget!

How will you change up your makeup look for fall? What Broadway shows have you seen recently or looking forward to seeing?

Category: Beauty | 2 Comments

End-of-Summer Must-Have Beauty Buys

August 18, 2014

Although summer’s end is closing in, technically there’s still a little over a month left to bask in the beloved sunny season.

Luckily, CVS Beauty buys have kept me looking summertime fresh all season long and will continue to be my go-to as I savor these last few weeks of summer.

My summer beauty loot compliments of the CVS Beauty Club.

From exclusively sold scent-sational shower gels to eye-catching lipsticks to must-have mascaras, CVS Beauty products for summer have helped make me feel…well, beautiful!

While there were many items that I loved from the popular drugstore, below are a few of my faves that you should try before fall or beyond:

Essence of Beauty Shower Gel “In the Tropics” available here, $6. This body wash smells divine without over-drying skin. Plus, the tropical scent lingers making it an alternative to wearing perfumes.

Maybelline New York Eye Studio Master Kajal Eyeliner in “Onyx Rush” available here, $8. If asked to describe my signature look, I’d have to include my ever-present cat eye. This smudge-proof precision eye liner is a dream come true for those of us who love clean, intense, dark-rimmed lids that take little effort to achieve. The thickness of the applicator makes lining eyes essentially fool-proof.

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in “AsYou Want Victoria” available here, $7. This brilliant mix between pink, red and coral creates the perfect pucker for summer. Not only does it provide a highly pigmented color, it also provides a bit of moisture without feeling greasy.

L’Oreal Voluminous Miss Manga Mascara available here, $8. If there’s one thing I can’t live without when it comes to makeup, it’s mascara. I’ve tried ones that claim to thicken, lengthen, and curl, but none that provide a flexible applicator. Thanks to this unique design, covering those hard-to-get lashes just got easier.

If you’re beauty buff who enjoys trying new products without breaking the bank, consider joining the CVS Beauty Club because the perks are pretty fantastic.

Here’s a quick rundown:

You’ll get 10% off beauty shopping pass at enrollment and $5 ExtraBucks® Rewards for every $50 cumulatively spent on qualifying beauty products, $3 ExtraBucks® Rewards on your birthday and tons of exclusive emails with coupons, tips and new product info. For example, currently members can receive awesome benefits such as free shipping (with NO limit!) on all items sitewide until August 30th. Plus, sign-up is easy in-store or online!

What have been your go-to beauty buys this summer?

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