Beauty

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***Sorry, men…  Y’all will probably want to skedaddle over this post.***

Sooooooo, I’ve been using mineral make-up for several weeks now – and I’m totally sold on it.  I love how it sits on my face and doesn’t feel heavy.  I love that it is so easy to apply.  I love not feeling like I need to wear concealer in addition.  My only complaint, though, was that I felt like the amazing coverage that mineral make-up was initially giving me upon application was seriously fading over the course of the day.

All I want to know is:

1 – Who, exactly, do my minerals think they are?

2 - And, WHERE do they think they are going??

I went back to Ulta @ Buckhead Station and explained my situation to one of their make-up specialists:  I’m constantly on the go and sometimes don’t have time or the opportunity to reapply make-up after work and before one of my bajillion obligations or social commitments.  But, I still want to look like I have make-up on!  She recommended that I start using this bad boy under my make-up every day:

my secret weapon

She told me that SMASHBOX’s Photo Finish Primer is silky + lightweight and will increase the longevity of my make-up.  In fact, it’s frequently used in photo shoots – make-up artists and photographers love it, apparently.  She said Photo Finish will also reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores and it’s oil-free.

I told her that products with a name like “SMASHBOX” were most likely going to be wayyyyy too sexy for my really sensitive skin.  She told me that she, too, has very sensitive skin and she’d never broken out from it.  I was skeptical. Most of my make-up comes in organic-looking packaging and is plastered with “dermatologist approved” or “hypoallergenic.”

(So what, I have allergies…) :(

Alas, I tried it and I am pretty sure this product was made by angels – totally heaven sent!! It’s holding onto my minerals and giving me great all day coverage even into the evening, without irritation.  Now, I put it on each morning after my moisturizer.  It seeps into my skin almost immediately - and then I start working with the minerals…

Ooh ooh ooh – as far as eyeliner is concerned, I really need for it to stay on all day, too.  No time to reapply! I swear by Revlon’s Colorstay EyelinerSwear by it! It’s pretty cheap and will stay on all day long.  Fact.

Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner

Finally, I used L’Oreal’s Telescopic Mascara for the first time today and I really like it.  It has a teeny tiny application wand that I think is supposed to help you avoid getting clumps.

L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara

I’ve been known to jump around from mascara to mascara with no loyalty whatsoever.  For the last few months, I’ve been using Maybelline’s XXL Volume + Length Microfiber Mascara and have been very pleased with it, but it definitely gets clumpy quickly.  I absolutely looooathe that!

Maybelline's XXL Mascara

I’m seriously considering a semi-permanent (at least) switch to L’Oreal Telescopic after using it this morning.  It just looks so natural and came out very evenly on my lashes.  I am impressed with the length of my lashes, too.  I’m definitely not married to it, but I think I’ll at least switch to it for a few months.  Will let you know how it goes…

That’s all!  :)

xx, L

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I’ve finally done it!  I went to ULTA @ Buckhead Station yesterday and switched over all of my make-up, aside from a few favorite standbys, to Bare Minerals.  EXCITING!!  Among other things, I bought three gorgeous eye shadows + the Starter Kit:

Bare Minerals Starter Kit

Bare Minerals Starter Kit

I have to admit that I am a teeny-tiny bit skeptical, but I am hopeful that Bare will be everything that it touts in all of its advertisements.

Bare Minerals

Bare Minerals

I used it for the first time today - following all of the steps detailed in the Starter Kit DVD.  Immediately, I could feel a difference between using mineral make-up and the junk I’d previously slathered on my face for years.  My favorite item so far is the mineral veil; it leaves such a pretty glow.  We shall see how this goes…  It just may be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. :)

xx, L

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I’m on the run. Constantly. If it weren’t for Olive…
OliveGirl!.. I don’t know if I would EVER see my condo. From meetings to happy hours to dinners to cocktails…I’m type A+ and I just can’t help it. I’m hard-wired this way. I’m happiest when my Outlook calendar looks like a rainbow of appointments and plans.

When your day starts at 5:00 and ends at midnight or later…the hardest part is not showing it on your face. What’s the use in going anywhere at all if you look like something the cat drug in? (I can’t be the only one who feels that way?)

Plus, there are those mornings when you hit “snooze” a few too many times or you remember your 7:45a breakfast meeting at 7:15a…we’ve all been there.

Here are a few little lifesavers I have picked up over the years:

1. Dry Shampoo

1(a). Unite 7 Seconds Dry Shampoo
unite7secondsdry
Ok, I JUST discovered Unite 7 Seconds Dry Shampoo

It’s an alcohol mist and here are the campaign promises:
“1. Aids in preserving hair color
2. Removes excess oil
3. Increases Volume
4. No visible powder
5. Refreshes hair without the use of water
6. You’ll never be late for Happy Hour again!”

All true. In an effort to keep my superblonde hair from looking like a haystack, I’ve been making an effort NOT to wash my hair daily and this product has really helps. Unlike powder dry shampoos, my hair really does feel cleaner and genuinely refreshed.. Plus, skipping my normal blowdry session has awarded me an extra hour or so every other day….which is HUGE.

Available at Studio Todd G in midtown…which may or may not be my new hair salon. OK, fine. It is. But if all of y’all start going there and I can’t get an appointment, I will be u.p.s.e.t. Nobody wants that. Trust.

1(b). Powder dry shampoo

For YEARS I have used the following:
burtsbeesBurt’s Bee’s Dusting Powder. I know it’s old-school, but when I lived in NYC I could make a good blow out stretch almost a week! I would just dust a little baby powder on my roots and voila! Good as new. Now, this is not a solution for everyone, but if you happen to be nearly platinum, such as myself, I recommend it.

However, Bumble and Bumble makes the gold standard in dry shampoos for all hair hues: Hair Powder
brownhairpowderIt comes in 4 shades: blondish, brown, black, and red. Available wherever Bumble and Bumble is sold. (Such as Natural Body Spas, Michele Coulter Salon, and James Madison Salon.)

2. Click-Stick.

Yves Saint Laurent had the original, I believe.
toucheeleclatYSL’s “Touche Éclat” is a pen that distributes a bright, light concealor. It’s not for blemishes – You want to use a concealor that matched your skin color for those, obvi. This is just for brightening and giving your tired mug a little lift.

You just slick it under your eyes, on top of your cheek bones, and in your t-zone for INSTANT results. It truly is like 8 hours of sleep in a pen.

FYI, YSL’s is available for $40 but almost everyone, Bobbi Brown ($38), Chanel ($38), Trish McEvoy ($38) has a version of their own.

3. Portable perfume.

Listen, I am in no, way, shape, or form condoning the use of perfume in lieu of a good old fashioned shower. However, I have miniature bottles of my 2 signature perfumes in a Ziploc my handbag at all times for when I’m in need of a post-work spritz!

Ralph Lauren Blueralph lauren blueJo Malone – (I use Nectarine Blossom and Honey)
jomalone
OK, once you have these things, all you need to do is master the perfect day-to-evening wardrobe and bada bing-bada boom, you’re fresh (-ish) as a daisy!

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go. I have an afternoon meeting, 239481 post-work errands, dinner with the girls, then drinks...

Happy Friday afternoon, everyone!

xx, L

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Aside from 7th grade and the two-week-long bright red lipstick phase I went through my junior year of college, I’ve never really been that into lipstick.  But, I LOVE lip gloss! I’ve tried a number of designer lip glosses for years - particularly a variety of Trish McEvoy ones – but was never head-over-heals for any of them.

However, this past year I finally found “the one.” Now, my boss, my mom, my aunt, my roommate and a number of my girlfriends all use it – and, although it is found at the drugstore, it feels like I’ve always imagined designer lip gloss should feel.  Fo’ reals.

***Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Gloss***

I use #20 "Dreamy"

I use #20 "Dreamy"

Product Description: Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Gloss brings long-lasting shine and sheer color to lips, without the stickiness.  Actually moisturizes, softens and smoothes lips because each shade is packed with moisture-boosting emollients and nurturing botanicals.  Lips look healthier and feel softer.

Pick it up for around $8.00 at your local CVS.  I hope you love it as much as I do!!

xx, L

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…it’s not easy being the new girl in town.  Especially, when you are the new girl who is trying to start off her career in a city that’s been hit hard by the economic downturn.  So, I’d like to try to help her out a bit…

huge.0.160

Her name is Kelly Conarro and she is a hairstylist/ colorist fresh from Athens and working at the fabulous Studio Todd G Salon in Midtown.  When I called the salon to make an appointment and they told me about a new stylist, all they had to say was that she was (1) from Athens and (2) previously worked at a funky + prestigious salon.  I like hairstylists/ colorists with a hip point of view, so I was thrilled to meet Kelly.  We spent a good three hours together last Wednesday and not only did I love my haircut + color, but she’s got a super cool, down-to-earth personality that I really enjoyed.  We had some fun conversations that I could actually follow – unlike previous stylists…  Kelly was patient with me as I showed her approximately 37 photos of how I wanted my hair to look and described to her how important it was for her to cut my bangs a very specific way or else I would start crying.  Anyone who can deal with me in a salon chair deserves a medal, but Kelly easily surpassed all others.

Give her a try – or at least pass along her information to friends, family or colleagues looking for a new stylist.  Kelly’s cuts are just $50 and I believe her color services starts around $90+. 

xx, L

logo

Studio Todd G Salon
 - ask for Kelly Conarro
587 Virginia Ave. NE, Ste. 3B
Atlanta, GA  30306
404.892.3835
www.studiotoddg.com

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I walked into Gus Mayer on Monday and my friend (and long-time Chanel makeup consultant) Terry suggested I pick up some matching luggage to coordinate with the bags I was sporting under my eyes.

The horror!

Truth is, I’ve been doing a lot of running around and very little sleeping. No complaints – I’ve been having a blast, and as DK says, “you can sleep when you die!”

…but when it starts showing on my face, that is a problem.

Never fear: Terry Hooked. Me. Up. He dabbed a dot of this magical product under my eyes and I was a new woman. Run, don’t walk, to the nearest Chanel counter and pick up some Lift Lumière Concealer ($45). It’s a concealer AND a treatment all in one!lift lumiere

The Q+DD is this (per Chanel’s website): “This silky glide-on formula does more than mask your skin’s imperfections. A special LIFTOPTIC™ complex visibly diminishes the look of wrinkles and fine lines, while a Tetrapeptide targets the fluid that builds up under the eyes and makes them look tired. The appearance of puffiness and dark circles is measurably reduced, so your eyes look beautifully refreshed”

Listen, I don’t know what a Liftopic complex is and I certainly don’t know what a Tetrapeptide is, but what I do know is that I stayed up way too late last night giggling and drinking delicious Shiraz with some girlfriends and today my eyes are as bright as if I got my full 8 hours: Fact.

Bonus: T also turned me on to Chanel’s new Lip Lacquer ($32)

lip laquerIt looks and feels like a gloss, but it’s a full-coverage long-lasting lipstick. It comes in 8 gorgeous colors, from fire engine red to a subtle brown. I opted for a muted pink (“Ming”) Love!

There you have it: Bright eyed and bushy tailed in 5 seconds flat. Terry and I told you so…

xx, L
Terry Hamilton- consultant
Chanel at Gus Mayer
604 Colonial Brookwood Village
Homewood, AL 35209
205-870-3300

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“I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe in kissing. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.”

- Audrey HepburnaudreysunglassesLike Audrey, I take my cuticles very seriously. Even if I am broke as a joke, my manicure and pedicure are the last thing to go. You’ll never catch me without neatly lacquered nails. Fact.

If you’re like me, you probably have a go-to manicurist in your neighborhood. For me (and Linds and Mer…), it’s Lily’s Nails on the top floor of the two story strip mall at Monroe and Piedmont. You don’t need an appointment (which is key for last-minute girls like myself) and my fabulous $10 manicure lasts at LEAST a week. Plus, Lily, the owner, is adorable and will occasionally serenade the entire salon with Top 40 songs as she bustles around the place. Fab. If that is convenient for you, I suggest you try them.

Lily’s Nail & Spa
1529 Piedmont Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30324
(404) 249-8080

BUT: We have all been stuck outside of our ‘hood in desperate need of a mani. Never fear. I enlisted a glossy little group of girlfriends (Linds, La, EZ, Stephanie, Stefani, Christine, Cari, Meredith and Stacey) to help make a handy-dandy list of our favorite places around town!

However, if we have somehow missed your favorite place, PLEASE kindly leave the address and phone number in a comment.

Buckhead:

Both Stephanie and Stefani recommended Sugarcoat (www.sugarcoatbeauty.com)
sugarcoatAnd when I lived in the Eclipse, this was my go-to as well. It’s the cutest salon ever. It’s pink and girly and PRISTINE. It’s also the best place to get an adorable gift, they offer fabulous products (Haviana flops, Hanky Panky, Lollia, etc.) and Sugarcoat is owned and operated by the cutest duet of ladies (well, besides L+L, of course), Christie and Colette, who are PERFECT to consult with on gift options or polish colors! C+C – I miss you!
Note: You DO need an appointment, though, they book up quickly.

Sugarcoat
256 Pharr Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 814-2121

Stefani also recommends Eminence (on the top floor of the two story strip mall in Buckhead Loop) She says the massage chairs are to die fah!

Eminence Nail & Spa
3495 Buckhead Loop NE Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 846-1555

EZ is faithful to Nail and Toe. (They do a great job and offer a fabulous shoulder massage with every manicure…)

Buckhead Nail and Toe Spa
3210 Roswell Rd NW # B Atlanta, GA 30305-1822
(404) 869-8999

Christine goes to Glamour Nail (in “The Peach” shopping center)

Glamour Nail
2900 Peachtree Road NW Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 239-0717

Midtown/Highlands:

If you can’t make it to Lily’s, Christine recommends Highland Nail (off Amsterdam)

Highland Nail
1190 N Highland Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30306
(404) 249-6245

Sandy Springs:

You can find La at her weekly Friday 3:15 appointment at Hammond Nails (off Roswell Road)

Hammond Nails & Spa
4279 Roswell Rd Atlanta, GA 30342
(404) 250-9698

Recently, she has been getting “Gel Nails” which is a new process by OPI. For $25, they will paint your own nails with a similar solution as acrylic nails. The benefit? It lasts 2 weeks without ANY chipping and does not harm your nails. Note: you must have them “soaked” off a la acrylics as well. As far as I know, Hammond Nails is one of the only places in town offering this service.

Cari loves Nail Talk and Tan (in the Target Shopping Center by Perimeter mall.)

Nail Talk Tan & Spa
90 Perimeter Center Pl NE Atlanta, GA 30346
(678) 320-0400

Stacey either goes to Hammond Nails or Fancy Nails (She said Fancy Nails is cheap + good but not actually Fancy.  Which is funny because conversely, Stacey herself is fancy + good, but not cheap.  Interesting?)

Fancy Nails
6125 Roswell Rd NE # 10A, Atlanta
(404) 257-1205

Please stay tuned for a post regarding polish color. For now, I’ll leave you with a quote from the American cinematic masterpiece, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde (2003):

“Never underestimate a girl with a French manicure and Harvard Law degree.”

(Listen, I don’t have one of those things, but don’t you underestimate me, either.)

xx, L

PS. Thanks, ladies!

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If you’ve ever flipped through a women’s health or fashion magazine (and who hasn’t – even you, boys), then you all know that it is recommended for us – as twenty-somethings who care about how we look - to start using eye cream ASAP.  Yesterday.  Last week.  Especially, if you spend time in the sun AT ALL.  You only have one face, people! After growing up in the hot Texas sun, I take this beauty note very seriously.

There are countless varieties of eye creams to choose from and I’ve tried more than a few.  My favorite, however, is made by a brand that does not have a reputation for being sexy, but instead, it’s known for it’s reliability, excellent products and for being hypoallergenic (God Bless it.). Clinique. It’s probably the cosmetic line where you got your first mall makeover or where you purchased your first eye shadow or lipstick as a tween.  There isn’t bumping music blaring from behind it’s counters.  The white employee get-ups aren’t particularly attractive.  But, Clinique is a brand you can trust(I hope that was infomercial enough for everyone…) I have sensitive skin and have tried a number of cosmetic lines over the years, but I always end up back at Clinique.  And, lately, they’ve gotten hipper.  Promise! Back to their eye cream…

All About Eyes from Clinique

All About Eyes from Clinique

I love All About Eyes. It’s great for every day and nighttime wear, is incredibly moisturizing and has a lot of mileage.  It doesn’t aggravate my sensitive skin or cause my make-up to run.  The Clinique product description says All About Eyes “diminishes the appearance of eye puffs, darkness and fine lines.”  Just use a pea-sized amount under your eyes and on your lids every morning and evening.  You’ll be able to feel the difference of the skin around your eyes within a few days.  (The .5 oz bottle retails for $28.50/ 1 oz. for $47.00 – which isn’t bad at all for an eye cream.)

I strongly recommend Clinique’s All About Eyes and encourage you to drop by your local Sephora (Lenox Mall) to try it out.  What do you have to lose?!  Keep your face happy! :)

xx, L

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Although I love to use Pureology products, my true hair heroin is Biosilk Silk Therapy.  I’ve used it for years and it never builds up in my hair = incredible. 

We used  to abuse my mom’s fake hairsytlist ID (don’t ask) to stock up on all our hair goods, but now it’s just easier to get everything directly from our local CVS.  Even Pureology (love) is sold there now! 

CVS at Ansley Mall retails the 12 oz. bottle of Biosilk Silk Therapy for $35.99.  It’s a pretty penny for the drugstore - if I do say so myself.  Well, let me tell YOU, about the deal I stumbled across (fate, obviously) at Tar-jay in Atlantic Station yesterday:

TBDE! (the best deal ever)...

TBDE! (the best deal ever)...

$26.99 (total) for 12 oz. bottles of the Biosilk Silk Therapy, Shampoo AND Conditioner

Seriously, run – don’ t walk.  This is an incredible deal!  And your hair needs all the help it can get with six more days predicted of this horrendous weather…  Yuck and Ick!

You’re welcome. :)

xx, L

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For my birthday (01/21…write it down) my fabulous colleagues gave me a gift certificate to Bliss Spa…which has Atlanta locations either in the W Midtown or W Downtown.
blissI had been saving it for a special occasion, but it was this Saturday when I finally got around to noticing how dull and tired my skin was looking after all of this running around, so I booked an appointment in Midtown for the “triple oxygen treatment™” immediately.

Y’all. Now THIS is a spa.

I walked in to their adorable reception area and my ADD kicked in at once. Their products have the cutest packaging, they really suck you in. (But bonus: they’re also amazing. I have been purchasing their skin masks for eons at Sephora. DK turned me on to them and homegirl does NOT mess around when it comes to her skin.)

blissreception
The bubbly and gracious receptionist led me to their lounge area and showed me where I would wait for my esthetician – a bright, cheery, lavendar-scented room where an array of herbal teas, chilled water, and snacks (brownie bites, cucumber slices, wheat crackers, and a cheese tray!) awaited me.

She then directed me to the bathroom where I found a spacious locker in which to store my stuff and a velvety robe and “spa slippers” in my size. (The “spa slippers” were a pair of blue Havianas. I slid my silver ones off and theirs on…) She also showed me their pristine showers (complete with a eucalyptus button and a steamer) and their sauna. Oh, and the sinks are equipped with pumps with every kind of Bliss product you could ever wish for. I’d move in tomorrow.

Anyway, I sat reading all my favorite magazines (they even had Oprah!) for a few moments and then Tamiko, my esthetician, came to get me.

Then I proceeded to have THE BEST FACIAL OF MY LIFE.

Ok here’s what Bliss has to say about this facial:

the triple oxygen treatment™
Our most famous (and red-carpet-revered) facial!

Get your glow on with this perennially popular all-around complexion reviver. It includes an intensive cleansing, exfoliating fruit acid wash, pre-extraction oxygen wrap, necessary extractions, calming oxygen milk mask, hydrating enzyme pack, and vitaminized oxygen spray. It’s like a breath of fresh air for your face, literally.

I had to really try to stay awake for all of it, I was so relaxed. All of the treatments felt (and smelled!) divine, you also receive a neck and shoulder, scalp, hand, and foot massage over the 75 minute treatment.

Oh and my skin? Amazing. I’m a new woman for real.

At the end of my treatment, Tamiko discreetly mentioned that she remembered that I said I felt like my skin was dull and suffering from my stage makeup, so she suggested I try the “Steep Clean” masque once a week to combat that problem.

steepcleanmaskI decided to purchase this product, but I really appreciated the fact that my facial did not feel like a prolonged marketing presentation, as it sometimes does with other spas. I’m picky about my skincare and while I appreciate suggestions, I don’t want to come out of there feeling pressured to buy an entire new skin regimen and…I kind of don’t want to talk while I’m having my facial. :) Tamiko was perfect. I adored her personality and she really knew what she was doing.

It IS a little pricier than most facials around town ($160 as opposed to $130 for the custom facial at the Spa Intercontinental at the Intercontinental Hotel in Buckhead, my other favorite, or $85 at Natural Body which is also lovely) but it really was fantastic and amazing and precisely what I needed. I recommend Bliss 110%.

Happy spahhhhhhh day! (oh, and thanks again for the gift, girls!)

xx, L
schedulesomeyoutime

Bliss Spa Atlanta
www.blissworld.com
188 14th St NE
Atlanta, GA 30361-2003
(404) 685-3510

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