04.13.2012
Beauty Rebellions! (and why I’ll never bleach my eyebrows, hate eyelash curlers and why I wear makeup to the gym)

Everyone has them…they’re your dark little beauty secrets that you don’t share with anyone.  There are certain things that a woman has to stick to, even when society (or a highly acclaimed stylist/makeup artist) tells you differently, and guys, I’ve somehow convinced some of the top beauty and style bloggers to share their dark secrets right here on my blog.

As for me?  Well, I absolutely REFUSE to bleach my eyebrows or use an eyelash curler…oh, and I wear makeup to the gym.  Yeah, I said it.  Let’s start with eyebrow bleaching.  I’m not a natural blonde (and it is NO SECRET) but, for some reason, certain colorists become obsessed with trying to convince me that my brows need to match my hair color.  NO, just no.  Back in my formative blonde years, I let myself get convinced once or twice and every time, you know what I got?  Orange eyebrows.  So now, whenever some celeb colorist tried to change my mind I just simply ask “have you ever heard of a little rock star/fashion icon named Gwen Stefani?  Thank you and, yes, I’ll take another glass of champagne.”  Eyelash curlers – I consider them modern day torture devices.  I always thought that I just didn’t really know how to use one or the one I had wasn’t good quality — NO.  I bought the Shu Uemura version that everyone raves about and you know…I still hate curling my eyelashes.  Granted, I am blessed with naturally long, dark lashes (poor me, I know) so perhaps I would deem it necessary to curl them if I was in a different sitch BUT, for now, I’m down on eyelash curling.  Lastly, I look my derm straight in the face when I tell him that I wear makeup to the gym.  Countless derms and beauty editors will tell you not to do it.  “It will clog your pores!”  “You will break out!”  Well you know what?  I have rosacea and post-acne marks (aka hyperpigmentation) and there are hot dudes at the gym.  So what if I wear a little mineral foundation or a tiny bit of tinted moisturizer (with SPF!)?  Last night’s eyeliner is only included by default, mind you.  In the famous words of Deena from Jersey Shore, “Get off me.”

Aly Walansky, MyGloss.com:

I have a million cleansers I could/should use, but two or three nights a week, I come home tired/drunk/lazy and don’t wash my face before going to bed. (Shameful, I know!)

Amber Katz, BeautyBloggingJunkie.com:

I RARELY wear body lotion. Only when I know I’m making out or on the weekends when I have time to let it fully absorb before putting on clothes. Jeans over damp lotion makes me want to DIE.

Andrea Arterbery, GlamazonsBlog.com:

I refuse to wear blush. I hate it. I will highlight the shit out of my cheeks with bronzer and illuminating powder but that’s about it. I feel like that’s all I need in life anyways. Blush just makes me look clownish. Ew.

Andrea Lavinthal, UsMagazine.com:

I wash off everything but my eye makeup when I have a sleepover with my (newish) boyfriend. I don’t know if seeing me without my eyelashes curled and whatnot is a dealbreaker for him, but I’m not taking any chances. #freshandsexy

Anne Fritz, TheJetSetGirls.com:

I hate conditioner. My hair is fine and without a little texture and damage, it can’t hold a style. I have relented a bit and use it on my ends, but woe to the person who comes near me with a hair mask.

Annie Tomlin, BellaSugar.com:

I get manicures only when I really have to. I just don’t have the time or inclination. L-A-Z-Y, I ain’t got no alibi.

Dina Fierro, Eye4Style.com:

I’m admittedly blessed with hair that just sort of does what it does, if you know what I mean. That said, I DO use a flat iron on my bangs daily, and god forbid I ever a) use a heat protectant or hey, b) wait for them to dry. Patience is not a virtue in my world.

Jeannine Morris, BeautySweetSpot.com:

I rarely ever wash my makeup brushes (ew, I know).

Kaitlyn Dreyling, BeautyBlitz.com:

I never use hand cream. I’ve self-diagnosed myself with hyperhidrosis, so I fear adding any hydration to my already clammy palms, thus my cuticles suffer, but acetone is the best.

Kristen Turner, GlitterNGlue.com:

Sometimes I get lazy and instead of removing my nail polish, I just paint over it. By the time I get to the salon the manicurist is shooting me major side-eye as she’s removing layer upon layer upon layer of different nail polish colors.

Kristin Booker, FashionStyleBeauty.com:

I will never get laser hair removal on anything but my face – Someone told me that Kim Kardashian gets her whole body lasered. YIKES. No, the chin and jaw line are enough for me, thanks. I cannot image the pain. You’d have to dip me in aloe vera from my armpits afterwards. NO THANKS.

Nadine Jolie, NadineJolie.com:

I haven’t used shaving cream since college. Back when I was younger and more precious about my skin, I’d run a hot shower, let the steam and water do its thing, use a fresh razor every 2 or 3 shaves… Now, I swipe the razor (inevitably a month and, like, 20 uses past its prime) all over in about 8 seconds and then call it a day. My thighs, meanwhile, have not been shaved since I was 16 (thank God for blonde hair). I haven’t downgraded to shaving in the sink yet, but it’s probably the ghost of Christmas future.

Rachel Adler, BeautyHigh.com:

Even though it’s a major faux paus, I always leave my apartment with my hair wet. Hardly ever sopping, but always a tiny bit wet. I have curly hair and spending time diffusing it in the morning is just time I don’t want to waste.

Sydne Summer, SydneStyle.com:

I refuse to use eye makeup remover. I don’t even own any! I secretly love waking up with night-before-makeup. I just wipe the smudges under my eyes away and bam! It’s a Kate Moss smoky eye without trying.

Tell me and the girls, what are YOUR beauty rebellions?

11.05.2010
A Jersey Shore Halloween

So this year for Halloween I decided to just conform and be the infamous Snooki from “Jersey Shore.”  Yes, I know it was the most popular costume this year but people, I don’t buy costumes in a bag, ok?  100% real, honest effort went into my Snooki costume and I have to admit, it was a pretty big hit among the West Hollywood crowd (and at the West Hollywood Halloween Block Party).  I mean, I think the test of a good costume is when people ask to take pictures with you…man, maybe I should panhandle down on Hollywood Blvd. with the randoms dressed as Michael Jackson and Spiderman, no?  We’ll see.

“Jersey Girl” wig

Sunglasses: Steven Madden purchased from Marshall’s for $9.99 (I hot glued the rhinestones on myself, purchased at Michael’s)

Hoop Earrings from Forever21 (no longer available online)

Cross Necklace

Frederick’s of Hollywood Exxtreme Cleavage Limited Edition Fall 2010 bra (only full figured sizes left online)

Black beach cover-up from Target (no longer available online)

Fuzzy Frog Slippers (which Snooki will wear in the 3rd Season)

Kiss Limited Edition Halloween Press-On Nails (no longer available online)

And now…for the makeup

To get that true “Jersey Shore” glow is no easy feat for a pale whitey like myself.  I started by applying my go-to self-tanner, XenTan followed by Sally Hansen’s Salon Airbrush Legs in “Deep Glow,” aka the darkest shade they make.  I have to say, I was a bit nervous about this product because it was either going to make or break my Snooki look.  Well I say it MADE it.  As I sprayed on the makeup, it was quite shocking to see how dark it was but being that I was trying to be the “Princess of Poughkeepsie,” it was working for me.  I also didn’t melt any off through out the night and not gonna lie…I’m definitely going to pick up a bottle of this (in a MUCH lighter shade) to spray on the next time I have to go to a wedding or any other big event.  It’s good stuff and came right off in the shower with just a little water and shower gel.

As for my face, I dusted a little of Benefit’s Hoola Bronzer onto my face for that extra tan since this bronzer is normally waaay too dark for my natural skin color.  For my eyes, I tried out the Hard Candy Eye Tattoos I’d been saving for just the right night- and they’re purple leopard print to match my bra.  My lipstick is Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in “Indluge.”

 

11.05.2010
A Jersey Shore Halloween

So this year for Halloween I decided to just conform and be the infamous Snooki from “Jersey Shore.”  Yes, I know it was the most popular costume this year but people, I don’t buy costumes in a bag, ok?  100% real, honest effort went into my Snooki costume and I have to admit, it was a pretty big hit among the West Hollywood crowd (and at the West Hollywood Halloween Block Party).  I mean, I think the test of a good costume is when people ask to take pictures with you…man, maybe I should panhandle down on Hollywood Blvd. with the randoms dressed as Michael Jackson and Spiderman, no?  We’ll see.

“Jersey Girl” wig

Sunglasses: Steven Madden purchased from Marshall’s for $9.99 (I hot glued the rhinestones on myself, purchased at Michael’s)

Hoop Earrings from Forever21 (no longer available online)

Cross Necklace

Frederick’s of Hollywood Exxtreme Cleavage Limited Edition Fall 2010 bra (only full figured sizes left online)

Black beach cover-up from Target (no longer available online)

Fuzzy Frog Slippers (which Snooki will wear in the 3rd Season)

Kiss Limited Edition Halloween Press-On Nails (no longer available online)

And now…for the makeup

To get that true “Jersey Shore” glow is no easy feat for a pale whitey like myself.  I started by applying my go-to self-tanner, XenTan followed by Sally Hansen’s Salon Airbrush Legs in “Deep Glow,” aka the darkest shade they make.  I have to say, I was a bit nervous about this product because it was either going to make or break my Snooki look.  Well I say it MADE it.  As I sprayed on the makeup, it was quite shocking to see how dark it was but being that I was trying to be the “Princess of Poughkeepsie,” it was working for me.  I also didn’t melt any off through out the night and not gonna lie…I’m definitely going to pick up a bottle of this (in a MUCH lighter shade) to spray on the next time I have to go to a wedding or any other big event.  It’s good stuff and came right off in the shower with just a little water and shower gel.

As for my face, I dusted a little of Benefit’s Hoola Bronzer onto my face for that extra tan since this bronzer is normally waaay too dark for my natural skin color.  For my eyes, I tried out the Hard Candy Eye Tattoos I’d been saving for just the right night- and they’re purple leopard print to match my bra.  My lipstick is Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in “Indluge.”

 

09.01.2010
Meet Vinny from “Jersey Shore” at C.O. Bigelow’s Fashion’s Night Out!

So it seems that Fashion’s Night Out in NYC is all the rage this year.  Personally, I get a little overhwhelmed at events like this…but when I heard that Jersey Shore’s very own Vinny Guadagnino will be making a cameo at C.O. Bigelow’s event, I had to let my readers know.

Head down to the C.O. Bigelow store at 414 6th Avenue in New York City between 7 and 8 PM on September 10th for a little meet and greet with Vinny.  Now what does Vinny have to do with Fashion’s Night Out and especially C.O. Bigelow, you ask?  Well, the reality star will be showcasing his grooming product essentials as well as his favorite products that he likes the ladies to wear.  Oh boy, start swooning now and don’t forget your cameras.

08.13.2010
“Jersey Shore” Halloween costumes!

So the gods have answered my prayers.  Yes, friends, a company had the brains to create Jersey Shore Halloween costumes.  I’ll admit that I was thinking about possibly dressing up as JWoww because really, who doesn’t want to essentially dress like a stripper on Halloween?  But now that I’m seeing the Snooki WIG for the first time, I might just change my mind.  I’m still laughing at the Pauly D wig, by the way.

03.01.2010
JWoww gifts Too Faced Tanning Bed in a Tube

So I’m absolutely obsessed with MTV’s Jersey Shore and I just got word that Jenni “JWoww” Farley gifted Too Faced’s Tanning Bed in a Tube to all her friends that attended her birthday party this past weekend at Moon nightclub in Las Vegas.  Now, with the wonder lotion that adds an instant bronze glow with a gradual sunless tanner, JWoww’s friends can get their GTL on with out the scary side effects that tanning beds cause.  Happy birthday, JWoww.