Beauty is as beauty does.

You are currently browsing articles tagged Beauty is as beauty does..

I have been a little MIA this week. I have so much on my mind that there hasn’t been a whole lot left over for creative thought, but never fear: I have a whole list of stuff with which to bore you when I get those creative juices flowing again!

In the meantime, here is a mish-mash of stuff I think is very important right this very minute.

1. TONIGHT: Young Professionals of Atlanta American Cancer Society EventThe Ginger put this one together so it has to be cool!

He says, “Come join the Young Professionals of Atlanta for the American Cancer Society as we begin our fundraising push for the 2010 Relay For Life, being held April 9th. Our free networking event will give everyone a chance to mix and mingle while your suggested donation will allow you to be eligible for our prize drawings, including merchandise from our Relay for Life partner, Banana Republic/GAP.

100% of the Straits Happy Hour donations will be donated to Relay for Life. Relay for Life is an all day event designed to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. Each team has a member walking the track during a 24-hour period to symbolize cancer never sleeping.

Visit our ACS Young Professionals Relay for Life page by clicking here.”

I think it sounds like an awesome time for an awesome cause. Just go, OK?

2. Jenn Falik
Are you following Jenn Falik on Twitter and/or reading her blog? If you’re not, then you should. Jenn is genius. I’m not just saying that because she’s my sister’s cousin by marriage, Jenn is an actual style and beauty expert (for real, y’all. Check it) and really knows her stuff.   Whenever Jenn recommends a product or an article of clothing or whatever I will most likely buy it the next day: Fact.

Case in point: today I had the most amazing shower and my skin feels incredible because of this phenom product she recommended the other day:

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil

I can safely tell you that I would never have purchased this on my own because ordinarily almond scented ANYTHING makes me want to hurl but I figured, if Jenn is this into it, it must be awesome. And it was.

Read her post here. Everything she said is true. Brilliant.  Falik for president! Plus, she is so cute, right?
3. LuckyFest is SATURDAY. Don’t forget $5 off with promo code “kraselsky” (no caps) The weather isn’t going to be great, but less than great weather = a great excuse for GREEN WELLIES!
4. I will be performing in 2 more performances of A Sunday Afternoon at Loehmann’s. 03/21 and 03/28 both at 2pm. www.ansleyparkplayhouse.com for tickets (or email me at thequickanddirtydirty@gmail.com)

Camo Baby will be there too

I think that is it for today. I am off to get my spray tan on so I can be dazzling at this cute couple’s wedding this weekend:

Can't wait! I heart the future Paridys!

Happy Thursday, y’all.

xx, L

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

SO here’s the thing: I have a very specific idea of how I want my hair to look. The hair I WANT is like Cameron’s:
Or Jessica’s:
Or Reese’s:

The hair that grows out of my head, however? Something more like…

Sideshow Bob.

Over the years, I’ve learned how to beat my mane into submission, but between the straightening irons, curling irons, hot rollers, velcro rollers, blowdryers, highlights, lowlights, bi-yearly Keratin treatments and products, products, products My poor hair takes a LOT of abuse.

Eventually, it starts looking and feeling well, a little like…

you know what I mean.

Friends, I have FOUND A MIRACLE PRODUCT:

Redken Smooth Down Butter Treat

Here’s the Q+DD: You can use this product either as a leave-in conditioner OR a masque-type treatment. The instructions say that if you are using it as a leave-in, to apply a dime sized amount to towel dried hair before styling. If you’re using it as a treatment, apply liberally to your hair and leave in for 10-15 minutes before rinsing.

But being from the school of “More is Better”, I have been sleeping in gobs of this stuff for the last 3 nights and my hair did a 180!

No lie, I picked Linds up last night and she asked me if I had in extensions. My hair isn’t any longer, it’s just healthier and shinier and fuller.

If you are having haystack head problems, I am begging you to run out to your nearest CVS and pick some up. Just so you don’t have sticker shock, it’ll run you about $20, which seems like a lot for something you don’t get at a fancy-pants salon, but just do it, ok?

In short: Celebrity Hair, HERE I COME!

…and just in time for the Oscars!

xx, L

Tags: , , ,

***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

Tags: , , , , , ,

…But Do Not Need.”

Alternate title:

“An Open Letter to Anyone Who Wants to Buy Me a Present”

Or:

“Irresponsible Purchases I am Seriously Contemplating”

1. I ADORE my “play” watch. It’s the gold menswear Michael Kors:

Boss.

BUT: since I purchased it, he’s come out with one I want a little more:

I had been eying the tortoise shell version for a little while, but the deal was sealed for me on Saturday night: I developed a somewhat serious girl crush on one of The Ginger’s superchic and fabulous girlfriends visiting from Nashville.

f.a.b.

When she mentioned this watch, I decided it was love. Peer pressure works every time…

So, yesterday, I went to go visit the watch in the MK store with my mom and almost convinced her to buy it for herself (with the old bait-and-switch in mind) but, alas, she was on to me. So with a stick of the MK Leg Shine in my bag…and the watch still in the case, I made my way out the door. Ssssssigh.

2. As you may remember, I wear 2 perfumes. Either Ralph Lauren Blue or Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom and Honey. I have big bottles at home and small bottles in my purse and honestly? That’s more than anyone needs to be spending on fragrance, in my opinion. However, I am seriously considering the following as an addition:

Vintage Gardenia

It goes great WITH my current two, or alone, as Jo Malone is designed to do. It’s floral but not sickly sweet and I WANT IT.

3. Louis Vuitton  Speedy 30
I officially covet this classic bag. Before my mother starts hyperventilating while reading this post, I need to mention that I WAS once in possession of one. DK had one in the late 80’s – early 90’s (as many stylish suburban housewives did) and generously (and, as it turns out, foolishly) bequeathed it on to me while I was in college.

Since I am an idiot and and since I was overly concerned with ridiculous teeny tiny baguettes at the time, when I moved to Manhattan, the bag somehow stayed in Austin. (Sidebar: To whatever Hill Country Hippie or Spoiled Sorority Girl who is currently sporting my….well, DK’s… Speedy – YOU’RE WELCOME.)  Although, if I were to purchase one now, I’d go with the Damier:but wouldn’t turn down the monogrammed version if you wanted to buy me one :)

OK. Other than an appointment with local Atlanta Dog-Whisperer, Ian and a standing blow-out appointment with Wael at Jamison Shaw, that is it for today.

“If wishes and buts were clusters of nuts, we’d all have a bowl of granola.”
- Strangers with Candy


xx, L

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

As you may know, radical and visionary designer Alexander McQueen passed away Thursday.

McQueen with SJP

McQueen was immensely talented and served an important voice in fashion. Obviously, it is devastating to lose such an influential designer in his prime…and if you’re looking for some carefully crafted words about McQueen, please, allow me to Google that for you: LMGTFY. (Thanks, Linds.)

Now let’s look at some pretty pictures of his work:

“Clothes and jewelry should be startling, individual. When you see a woman in my clothes, you want to know more about them. To me, that is what distinguishes good designers from bad designers.” -Alexander McQueen

RIP to the self-proclaimed “pink sheep” of his family.xx, L

Tags: , , , ,

Y’all!  I just bought the most powerful hair dryer known to (wo)man!  It’s love.

this blows!

best hair dryer ever

Here’s the Q+DD on my Elchim 2001 Professional Hair Dryer (aka Elchim Classic):

The Elchim Classic 2001 is a high pressure hair dryer – the only hair dryer in the world that reduces drying time by 50%.  It also protects hair by producing a high flow of air that does not overheat to the point of harming the hair.  The dryer is fitted with top quality components that include a very long-lasting double balanced motor and a Swedish Kanthal wire heating element.  Elchim Classic’s exterior is made of shock and flame resistant polycarbonate plastic which is non-aging.  The dryer has been manufactured according to EEC specifications with double insulation.

Features and Benefits:

  • Seven switch combinations for ranges of fan speed and temperature
  • 1800 watts of power (yowza!)
  • Lightweight
  • Air flow of 40 liters per second
  • Concentrator nozzle
  • Removable lint filter

This hair dryer actually makes me look forward to getting ready in the morning! :)

I don’t have the longest hair in the world (although I am trying), but I have a lot of it.  My new Elchim has cut down my drying time by roughly 5 minutes!  Swear to it.  It’s like a leaf blower.  And, we all know that time is money…  My Elchim + an excessive amount of Biosilk + my new Sebastian “Drench” shampoo/conditioner = silkier hair than I’ve had in years.  

Pick up an Elchim at www.folica.com for a Benjamin or use a Bed Bath + Beyond coupon, like I did, and get it at BBB in Buckhead Station for only $78.  (I am sure you can find an Elchim other places, but these are the two I know of off-hand.)  Your hair is definitely worth it. 

Happy hair days to you! 

xx, L

Tags: , , , , , ,

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

Tags: , , , , ,

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

Tags: , , , , , ,

A colleague and I treated ourselves to a little slice of heaven the other day: manis + pedis @ The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta.  AMAZING!  It was amazing.  I was not at all surprised that Atlanta Magazine recently rated it the city’s best luxury spa.

The Spa is incredibly luxurious and feels a bit European.  It is not cheap, either, as they use some of the finest spa products available by names like Arcona, Karita, Bulgari, Kai and Sodashi.  They will even let you tailor spa services to your specific needs.  (Love ordering “off the menu!”)  However, I might feel a little ridiculous booking a 60-minute appointment for someone to just rub my feet, although that = my heaven…

The Spa, itself, is relatively small in size, but that makes it feel more intimate - not like you are at a factory.  And, it’s open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  and you only need to give them an hour or so notice for most services.  How nice - a spa that works around your schedule!

Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta Spa
The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta

Here’s the Q+DD on The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta:

The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta reflects the ultimate in luxury and serenity.  The tranquil setting allows your stresses to melt away and promises to replenish your total being. Designed for peace and privacy, the facility’s ten treatment rooms, including the nail suite, are soundproofed for a secluded retreat.  The colour palette throughout the Spa, including the couples suite, aesthetics room and nail suite, mirrors nature’s calming influence. Materials reflect a dedication to beauty and excellence.

Services are performed by highly trained, intuitive staff who bring you to a place of complete relaxation and renewal.  Indulge your senses.  Whatever spa services you choose, the experience will be beyond compare. Complimentary fresh fruit and juice are available in the quiet room where guests unwind before and after treatments.  Guests can also enjoy a light spa lunch while sunbathing just steps away on the sun terrace.

A list of spa services + prices can be found here:
http://www.fourseasons.com/atlanta/spa.html#image-atlanta-hotel-ATL_083

Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta Spa

The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta

The nail technicians used the most incredible polish on our fingers and toesies made by SPARITUAL.  I loved it so much – I couldn’t leave without a bottle of my own.  SPARITUAL is a vegan nail lacquer free of DBP, formaldehyde and toluene.  They have about 80 different colors and are only sold at the Four Seasons and Callaway Gardens in and around Atlanta.  The color I used and purchased was “Flower Child” shimmer – it’s a perfect purple-based color for winter. 

Find out more about SPARITUAL here:
http://www.sparitual.com/nail_lacquers/

earth-friendly nail polish

earth-friendly nail polish

Fight the winter blues by treating yourself to a little spa splurge at The Spa at Four Seasons Atlanta.  And, make sure to ask for SPARITUAL nail polish!  It’s just divine, dah-ling.  :)

xx, L

Logo_F_1

The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta
75 Fourteenth Street
Atlanta, GA  30309
404.253.3848
www.fourseasons.com

Tags: , , , , ,

I have impeccable hygiene.  I bathe every day – sometimes twice a day.  I regularly use deodorant and lots of lotions and perfumes that smell ah-mazing, if I do say so myself.  I brush my teeth constantly.  Haircuts and pedicures are my favorite ways to spend time – and money.  HOWEVER, I am a horrible flosser…

floss

The problem is that I’ve been blessed to be cavity-free for 27 years.  I didn’t need braces or a retainer – even though I wanted one like all the other kids.  I brush and use a tongue scraper multiple times a day.  But, I’ve never really developed a steady flossing habit because everything has been just fine so far without it.  I know what you are thinking…ewwwwwwwWell, shut up!! 

(Fine.  I don’t really mean that.)

090307-flossing-teeth

I recently decided that it was time for me to finally develop the habit.  I take excellent care of my skin beacuse I want it to look good when I am older – why wouldn’t I want the same for my teeth?  After some serious thought, I realized what I don’t like about flossing has much less to do with forming the habit than it does with the actual floss I’ve been using.  I’ve never liked traditional floss.  I always take too much or too little.  I don’t like the way it cuts into my fingers or stretches my cheeks.  Soooooo, I bought this kind the other day and I love it:

Crest Glide Floss Picks

Crest Glide Floss Picks

TADA!  Crest Glide Floss Picks are totally the way to go.  They are so much easier to maneuver and they are stupid cheap (20 for around $3.99) for something that will actually encourage* me to floss.  I am going on five days straight of flossing now, too!!  Pick them up at your local CVS or Publix. 

Happy hygiene to you! :)

xx, L 

*I am embarrassingly needle shy and as a kid my mom used to encourage me to get shots at the doctors office by bribing me with treasure trolls.  It worked, but I am absolutely terrified of them now.

Tags: , , , , ,

Let me introduce you to my friend, Romi.
romiRomi is one of those girls who just has an inherent sense of style. She’ll effortlessly throw on an outfit that is understated, but so impossibly chic that it would take us mere mortals hours to attain the same effect.

In fact, the first time I ever spent any real time with Romi was at Amy’s Atlanta bachelorette weekend back in 2006. I am here to tell you that after dinner on the first night, 3 of us all ordered the watch off her wrist by noon the next day and I was already scheming on how to copy the rest of her ensem. True story.

The girl’s just got a gift.

So you can imagine how excited I was when I heard she decided to channel all that fabulousness into her very own line of jewelry!
lolajamesPredictably, it. is. GORGEOUS.

When I asked her what inspired her to start her line she said, “I took a jewelry making class in high school and another one after college and just fell in love with all the aspects that go into creating each piece… from designing to choosing the colors to making the piece myself. I love fashion and keeping up with the trends. Mostly I wanted to make cute jewelry that is affordable!”

Here are a few of Romi’s favorites:

Positive Energy

Positive Energy

Love Letter (features hand-cut initial and heart detail)

Love Letter (features hand-cut initial and heart detail)

Crazy in Love (the center heart charm features a single 1 pt. diamond accent)

Crazy in Love (the center heart charm features a single 1 pt. diamond accent)

Romi hearts Josh!

Flutter (24K gold plated filigree butterfly)

Flutter (24K gold plated filigree butterfly)

Instant Shimmer (stretch to fit most wrists)

Instant Shimmer (stretch to fit most wrists)

Lola James Jewelry (lovingly named after Romi and husband Josh’s sweet pup) is available at a handful of boutiques in Miami but never fear: we Atlantans are able to purchase online at the recently launched www.lolajamesjewelry.com.

Now to decide which pieces…

xx, L

Tags: , , , , , ,

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

Tags: , , , , , ,

« Older entries