Author: Lindsay

Los Angeles Beauty – Part I

California girls have this natural, all-American beauty that is hard not to envy with their minimal and healthy look. With lots of time at the beach and a more laid back lifestyle, West Coasters can rock a more undone and casual approach to fashion and beauty. But that doesn’t mean it is easy. I asked Liz to research what Southern California gals turn to for a healthy glow and shiny hair.

I’ve always wanted to try La Prairie products, especially after visiting their spa in the Caymans. The little bottles just look so regal! And I took Liz’s advice on the Moroccan Oil Hair Treatment – amazing. The effect wasn’t oily at all and my hair is smooth and incredibly soft. Kiehl’s Double Strength Deep Wrinkle Filler promises instant effects and can be used under makeup. Along with Liz’s positive reviews, this is at the top of my list to try. Arcona has always been a favorite brand of mine, particularly the Toner Tea Bar, so I can’t wait to try something new from the line.

Tomorrow we will look at the makeup products that are popular out West for a natural, clean look.

For day to day humor and updates on #corporatehell follow Liz on Twitter. And check out her tumblr: Office Chic’s Memo. You won’t regret it!

Le Metier de Beaute Fall/Winter Kaleidoscope Eye Kit – GIVEAWAY

We all want to know: “how do I create a smokey eye?” It is the beauty question of the decade. I’ve searched high and low for kits, palettes and individual shadows and concluded Le Metier de Beaute developed the best kit to achieve the smokey eye. The colors are stunning, it is goof-proof and translates from day to evening.

I met with Le Métier de Beauté while I was in New York for Fashion Week for a Fall Trend event. Mikey Castillo, Le Métier de Beauté’s Director of Color and Education, featured the Fall Silk Road Kaleidoscope. It has to be noted that these shadows are quadruple-milled – and this basically translates into incredibly fine, blendable shades. They appear on the eye much less vibrant as they do in the pan. And I think this is a good thing. No need to be intimidated by the bold colors – the look is actually quite neutral.

While these shades definitely can be used on their own, I am sold on the Le Métier de Beauté signature eye shadow application technique, “Couches de Couleur”. “Couches de Couleur” is the layering of color, each hue is selected to evoke one element in a sequence of crescendo: 1. Warm 2. Cool 3. Hot 4. Cold. I use a flat, small eye shadow brush and press in each color from my lash to crease. If I want a more “daytime” look, I skip the final color or only use it right along my lash.

Le Métier de Beauté usually releases these Kaleidoscopes each season, and I have yet to be disappointed. By this Fall’s version is a stunner and by far my favorite. Fall Silk Road Kaleidoscope was inspired by the silk, satin, spice and jewels of the Silk Road in the Far East.

Tapestry—a shimmering, translucent plum.
Damask— a polished brass.
Ikat—a silk-matte pinot noir.
Brocade—a deep chocolate with sequined copper effervescence.

The spread the love, I am giving away one of these kits (retail value $95) to one of my readers. How can you enter to win this contest?

Leave a comment on this post. Make sure to include your email address.

To earn extra entries:

1. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription or though one of the many Google readers – see sidebar at right) or by subscribing to my newsletter.

2. By tweeting this contest. You must include “@bellebellebeau” (without the quotes) and the contest title in your tweet. Only one tweet will be counted as an entry.

3. “Like” me on Facebook.

4. Share the contest info on your Facebook Wall.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, October 8, at midnight central time. The next day, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected.

This contest is open to anyone anywhere however, I cannot insure the prize for overseas shipment.

UPDATE: We have a winner! It is Jenny aka @FashionistaJR. Congrats!

Dior ‘Diorshow Maximizer’ Lash Plumping Serum

I am having a week of rest and renewal with my parents in town. And I figured my lashes deserved a little break while we were at it. I have been mascara-free since Monday – I know, Shocking!

One reason I was intent on giving my lashes some tender loving care, is they have really been through the ringer. I decided to give eyelash extensions a try earlier this summer. It was only a partial application, but they destroyed what were really nice and full lashes. Where the extensions had been applied, the lashes were broken. Now, this is not a testimony to lash extensions in general. It is my experience (and I sure as heck won’t go near them again).

So, back to “Project Lash Renewal”. I always have liked Dior Show mascara, so when I was playing at the counter last month, the Dior ‘Diorshow Maximizer’ Lash Plumping Serum jumped out at me.

The formula is light weight and actually white in color. It is easy to get a full coat on all my lashes. The hydrolyzed soy proteins go to work, conditioning the lashes. This promotes long-term lash growth and strength. Over the last six weeks, my lashes are well on the road to recovery. They do actually look fuller. But I am most impressed that I can really sense they are once again healthy.

Priti NYC Soy Polish Remover Wipes

Selecting the MVP of my gift bag from #LuckyFABB was a no-brainer. Upon returning home, my manicure was in less than stellar shape. I went for the polish remover and not a single drop was left. This is a big problem, folks.

I dug through my stash and found two Nail Polish Remover wipes. They were actually a delight to use. I know – you must think I am crazy. There is nothing delightful about this task. It smells bad, it is frustrating, it is messy, it smells bad (it was worth mentioning twice). But these guys had no scent. They were champs at getting off glitter polish and Nail Polish Appliqués.

While the solution was somewhat oily, it actually hydrated my cuticles rather than drying them out. I could get all the polish on both hands off with just one wipe. These will definitely be in my travel kit from here on out!

Chantecaille Gel Liner Pencil

I am a sucker for innovation. So, it wasn’t tough to get me to try the first ever gel liner in a wooden pencil format. Add in an amazingly high quality brush on the other end and I was sold.

Chantecaille recently released this pencil in two colors: Jet and Hematite. Jet was stunning, but the smokey, metallic grey called my name. The color is quite dark, and full of pigment. But it is a great alternative to black. You definitely can detect the silver/grey when applied, but its effect is still inky.

The application is exactly like a gel liner applied with a brush. There was no pulling, but the application lent to precision. Flipping over to the other side, the brush was perfect for fine-tuning and striking the perfect mini-wing.

Just like other gel liners, the liner stayed like a champ all day. And there is something so retro and rewarding, sharpening that wooden pencil, old-fashioned style.

KeratinEarth

A safe and healthy hair straightener you can do at home? And it is only $99? This is definitely what I want for my Blog Birthday! This formula is Formaldehyde-free and can keep wavy hair straight for three months. (The wavier your hair, the less time the treatment will last). While I am loving my Beach Waves, this treatment would also allow for a sleek look.

The real selling point of this treatment are the safer active ingredients. Urea and sulfite break bonds to straighten hair while wheat and vegetable proteins conditions and softens hair. The chemicals that KeratinEarth use actually help restore the cuticle, rather than destroy it. Hair looks and feels softer and healthier. Words is this leads to only a slight odor – which is fabulous. And you don’t have to wait 48 hours to wash your hair!

KeratinEarth won Allure’s Best of Beauty Breakthrough 2011.