12.12.2013
Holiday Gift Guide: 25 Gifts Under $25

holiday gifts under $25

holiday gifts under $25 2

holiday gifts under $25-3

Holiday gifts under $25-4

1//Corkcicle ($25)

2//Nate Berkus Black & White Box ($25)

3//Tipsy Vase ($22)

4//Burt’s Bees Beeswax Bounty Classic Lip Balm Holiday Gift Set ($15)

5//Flavor Infuser Water Bottle ($15)

6//NUANCE Salma Hayek Beautiful Blends Eye Quad ($9)

7//Capwell + Co. Gold Snake Bangle ($24)

8//Rodial Glam Balm Lip Ornament ($16)

9//The Cheap Chica’s Guide To Style ($15)

10//Anthropologie Homegrown Monogram Mug ($8)

11//Jouer Puttin’ On The Glitz Collection ($25)

12//BCBG Spike Ear Cuff ($24)

13//BCBG Eyelashes Coin Purse ($16)

14//Sugar Paper Polka Dot Journal ($16)

15//C. Wonder Monogram Cheese Board with Spreader ($22)

16//Deer Earrings ($12)

17//Kiehl’s Spray-N-Play Cleansing Spritz ($13)

19//Knotted Yarn Pillow ($25)

20//Too Faced Jingle All The Way ($25)

21//Kitty Cat Tree Ring ($12)

22//J.Crew Snowflake Socks ($16.50)

23//Drybar The VIP Pack ($25)

24//Kate Spade Literary Glasses Notepad ($10)

25//Essie Winter Cube Collection ($17)

12.02.2013
Holiday Gift Guide: For your beauty know-it-all friend

too faced Beauty Editor Darlings Makeup CollectionI figured I’d start with something easy: your know-it-all beauty expert friend (e.g. ME).  I love the fact that Too Faced took it upon themselves to create a kit with products deemed “amazing” by beauty experts…hence, the Too Faced Beauty Editor Darlings kit.  This is honestly one of my favorite gifts to give since every product is beauty editor-approved/Jamie-approved and, get this, it’s only $19.  Sure the products are small but once your friend tries them out, she’ll definitely become a repeat customer.  I’m especially into the Primed & Poreless primer and the Lash Orgasm mascara, FYI.

11.18.2013
Beauty Products that I’m Using (and Loving)

best beauty products

 

1. Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water: I know what you’re thinking…spa water?  Really?  But it’s just soooo good.  The Cleansing Spa Water is actually Koh Gen Do’s bestselling skincare product and is easy and gentle to use for all skin types. Made with mineral-rich hot spring water, it’s basically infused with six essential herbs to protect and nurture skin. White birch sap, harvested only three weeks each spring, adds minerals and Xylitol as it removes makeup, oils, and residue.  The formula includes the extracts of essential herbs including: rosemary leaf, sage leaf, lavender, artemsia princeps leaf, perilla ocymoides, and ginger root…so yeah, it’s not actually JUST spa water.

2. Jouer Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner: Aside from the awesome animal-themed color names (Panter, Lynx, Fox, Leopard, Mink and Sable), this liquid liner is just ridiculously good…and more importantly, easy to use.  The subtle shimmer in each shade offers extreme wearability while the water-base formula allows for a little extra dry-down time; it’s also rich in vitamins A and E…bonus.

3. Boscia Konjac Cleansing Sponge: This sponge is serious business.  The Japanese have traditionally used konjac root as a dietary staple that helps to detoxify and calm the skin so it makes total sense that it now comes in sponge form.  Konjac Root is naturally alkaline, and balances the acidity of the skin’s impurities and oils while being naturally enriched with protein, carbohydrate, iron, phosphorus, copper, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and folic acid.  Interesting fact: Konjac was originally introduced to Japan as a medicine in the sixth century, and continues to lend its incredible benefits to health foods as well as skincare. Today, it is grown wild and in farms at very high altitudes, which help to keep the sponge extremely pure and free of pollutants.

4. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara:  First of all, I LOVE that this mascara is inspired by the curves of a woman’s body; the hourglass-shaped brush was designed with extra stiff bristles to maximize the performance of this carbon black, collagen-fueled formula. All it takes is one coat and your lashes are full and defined…this is definitely a mascara winner in my book.

5. Olie Biologique Rejuvenating Oil: I love a good face oil, let me tell you.  This product boasts a blend of eight organic plant botanicals and floral extracts that provide all-natural skin quenching properties with lightweight, healing potency. Anti-oxidants, fatty acids and naturally occurring retinoic acid preserve elasticity, plump lines and improve firmness. Oh, and it’s non-greasy for anyone worried about that.

08.14.2013
Three Questions With Maria Menounos

Maria Menounos-1

Q. What made you decide to partner with Philips Sonicare and Zoom?

I believe in the product and am obsessed with the toothbrush!

Q. If you could give your 22-year-old self any advice, what would it be?

Life and career is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Prepare yourself mentally and physically AND BE PATIENT while running the race.

Q. What are your top three must-have beauty products and why?

Cargo face powder, L’Oreal Paris mascara, and Too Faced cream blush. These are great to have while on the go, because with just a little bit of each (including using the cream blush also as a lipgloss), you get a fresh look instantly!

07.24.2013
Top 10 prettiest beauty product packaging

2-prettiest beauty product packaging

I’ve expressed my obsession with pretty beauty product packaging before, so it should come as no surprise that I decided to round up the top 10 prettiest beauty products, according to moi.  What are your favorite beauty products for packaging?

1. Too Faced Pink Leopard Blushing Bronzer

2. Physician’s Formula Talc-Free Mineral Wear Correcting Powder

3. Bottega Veneta Eau de Parfum

4. Paul & Joe Cat Collection Blusher Sticks

5. NARS Yachiyo Brush

6. YSL Volupte Sheer Candy

7. Guerlain Meteorites Powder For the Face

8. Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm

9. Tokyo Milk Octopus Bubble Bath

10. CHANEL Ombres Fleuries