Author: Lindsay

Wednesday On The Web

My hair is getting crazy long and I just keep procrastinating my trims. With the growing length, I am often tempted to throw this mane up in a bun. But during a fun birthday celebration a couple weeks ago, a friend challenged me to “embrace the crazy” (my hair’s general state if I don’t dry it) and wear my air-dried hair down. You know what? It is liberating. So much so that I am striving for this above by next summer. I’ve been washing with my favorite Kerastase shampoo, skipping conditioner and using my most beloved leave-in spray … liberally. And my “undone” look is surprisingly pleasing. What do you think about wild untamed long hair?

Some sales and goodies from around the web this week:

There is some crazy sale business happening over on ASOS with up to 70% off. Particularly love the bow detail on this dress.

I’m on a bit of a health kick and I am embracing these five tips to healthy living.

J.Crew is running an extra 40% off of sale with code SHOPMORE. Loving all the swimwear – now’s the time to stock up!

This recipe is crazy simple and celebrates my favorite summer ingredient, tomatoes!

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Best Bronze Sunless Tan Self-Tanning and Illuminate Spray & a GIVEAWAY

They may have suffered a loss yesterday, but Brazil is still a winner in my book when it comes to being bronze. So leave it up to our bronzed friends to come up with my new favorite self-tanner. A favorite among Brazilian models and celebrities, Best Bronze is landing on shelves here in the US this month.

First and foremost, I love the way this self-tanner is dispensed. The micro-fine spray evenly covers skin with very little mess. Just hold the nozzle eight inches away from skin and have at it. I used plastic gloves to rub product in to ensure evenness. My first application was a pretty light layer of product and I was left with a light-to-medium tan. I am a huge fan of buildable self-tanner, so I liked the option of repeating a couple days in a row until I achieved my desired color (note: two days in a row is the perfect shade for me).

Now for the color: don’t expect any unnatural orange here. The shade is truly bronze and natural looking. And it appears within three hours. I applied before a dinner and saw the tan appear before my appetizer was served. And I didn’t get any product or stains on my black and white dress.

The directions indicated this can be used on your face as well. I don’t foresee a problem – the formula is non-irritating, without any detectible smell and leaves little detectable residue. Right now, I am working on my hyper-pigmentation so self-tanner on the face is kind of pointless.

The tan lasts about a week on me which is what I expect of a luxe self-tanner. I love the way it disguises cellulite and bruises. But that’s not all these guys do well. I have also fallen for their Illuminate, a spray that hydrates and adds a golden glow with Kukui Oil. Kukui nourishes skin while delivering anti-aging ingredients. I love spraying down my shins and on my collarbones. And it also looks great on hair for a shine.

I am really excited to partner with the brand to share one set of Best Bronze and Illuminate with one lucky reader (value $100!). This giveaway is open to those in the US. Enter using the widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

is a quick and easy application that enhances and hydrates both the skin and hair. It provides the skin with an elegant golden glow and is ideal to use after the Best Bronze Sunless Tan Self-Tanning Spray. It also adds a beautiful shine to hair. Its formula contains Kukui oil, an anti-inflammatory oil from Hawaii, which provides nourishing and anti-aging affects. It will leave your skin soft and smooth, while drying quickly. – See more at: http://bestbronze.com/luminate-3-5-fl-oz-luminizer-for-the-hair-and-body-with-kukui-oil.html#sthash.TrTLlM68.dpuf

Available at BestBronze.com and Ricky’s NYC.

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AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Favorite Masks For Radiance

I’m in the midst of another hyper-pigmentation treatment and have been using some pretty hefty stuff to battle the sun damage that has returned with the summer months. While I am loving the results (more on that in a couple weeks), I have noticed that all the strong ingredients can leave my skin a little dull. And there is nothing worst than dull summer skin.

Good thing I had my beauty closet to raid. I’ve been rotating two hydrating and radiance-boosting masks over the past couple of weeks and found two winners – depending on your skin type. The first I like for drier or more mature skin. The second is great for normal to oily skin.

First up, Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Radiance-Boosting Mask is luxe and rich. The gummy texture sounds like a mess but it is surprisingly soothing. Technically a gel, this mask was designed to be used before makeup application. Shhh… don’t tell… I have been using it in the evenings before bed. Auto Pilot Radiance-Boosting Mask smooths skin and adds softness while blurring lines with Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E.

The first thing I notice is this gormound, cozy smell that I can’t quite put my finger on. The gel applies evenly all over the face and doesn’t budge. After 20 minutes, my skin has a velvet soft feel and my skin looks more even and glow-y. While you can tissue this off, I felt a little weighed down and went ahead and rinsed with water. While the product is technically for all skin types, I think those who are looking for a moisture/nourishment boost will be happier with this mask.

For those looking for something a little more “deep” and/or “active”, check out June Jacobs Spa Collection Radiant Refining Brightening Masque. This often overlooked line of skin care uses plants and extracts to revive stressed skin. How’s this for a little fruit cocktail?: bearberry, mulberry, licorice, lemon peel extracts and gigawhite nourishes and clears skin. Meanwhile, lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide rejuvinate. And white, red and green tea extracts, goji berry, pomegranate and grapeseed extracts protect skin from the environment by neutralizing free radicals.

This milky cream goes on smooth and dives deep into skin. I get just a slight tingling but my skin isn’t left looking red. I can’t really detect a strong scent. And skin is immediately left more even and glowing. I apply with my fingers and keep on for around five minutes. Then rinse and pat dry.

My Summer Makeup Look With NYC Cosmetics and a GIVEAWAY

Looking for a way to change up your summer makeup look? And even better… at super prices? Look no further than NYC Cosmetics at Wal-Mart. This brand is inspired by the city that never sleeps with great sophisticated shades that are affordable. Below, you’ll find my steps for how I am using NYC Cosmetics to change up my summer look.

While I can’t say dating in the forefront of my mind right now, I am loving this smokey eye – something new for me. And you know my new found love for a bold lip. Here is my how-to for Date Night (or an evening on the town with the girls):

Starting with the Individual Eyes Custom Compact in Smokey Charcoals, I apply the included primer. I like using the lightest shade all over my lid and then the third shade in my creases for a natural looking eye. But as you can see in the video, if you want to amp up the effect, the four available shades allows for that.
Using the Show Time Velvet Eyeliner in Noir, an intensely dark, pigmented eyeliner, I line my waterline. I then follow up with the High definition Liquid Eyeliner in Extra Black along the lash line.
It wouldn’t be date night without bold lashes, so next I apply Big Bold Volume by the Lash Mascara in Extreme Black. My new favorite budget mascara for intense, full-bodied lashes.
In the summer, bronzer is my jam. So I like to use the Color Wheel Mosaic Face Powder in All Over Bronze Glow. It is easy to sweep across cheeks, temples and jawline for a natural looking glow.
Last but certainly not least, lips that can withstand a date – dinner and maybe a smooch or two. The Expert Last Lipstick, Traffic Jam lasts for hours on me and is the perfect summer red.

Now is the ideal time for a complete update because on the NYC New York Color page you can watch NYC makeup artists show you how to five different looks for under $20. Bonus: when you’ve watched a video you’ll be eligible to download a coupon for $1 off any NYC New York Color product! Here’s the NYC makeup artist’s Get Date Night Ready video tutorial for a slightly different take than my go-to look!

And who can resist a giveaway! One lucky reader will win the products used in one of the five looks and a $50 Wal-Mart gift card. Enter using the widget below:

#NewYorkColorMakeover

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Lunchbox. All opinions are my own.

Fourth of July Sales

Happy Fourth of July! Happy Birthday, America! Hope everyone is gallivanting around the pool/lake/beach today. That’s the plan for me! And I am sure to manage some online trolling because this is the summer weekend for sales. Check out some of my picks:

ASOS is having a huge sale with up to 50% off select styles.

Anthropologie is offering an extra 20% OFF sale items through 7/7 with code BUZZ20.

Beauty lovers: B-glowing is having a huge clearance sale for up to 75% off.

Banana Republic has 40% off online and in stores through 7/7 with code BRJULY.

Looking for luxe? Barneys has up to 60% off regular prices and free shipping & returns on all U.S. orders.

Amp up your glam with an order from BaubleBar and get $10 Off orders of $30+ through 7/6 with code JULYRS.

Gap has up to 60% off in stores and online.

J. Crew is clearing the rack with 40% off Final Sale through 7/8 with code SHOPMORE.

Need a summer wardrobe revamp? Piperlime has up to 50% off 150+ summer styles.

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Eve Lom Sheer Radiance Translucent Powder

Usually during the summer, I am all about bronzer, bronzer, bronzer. But leave it to Eve Lom to convert me to a Translucent Powder. A brand that I have only known for skin care, Eve Lom is known for using technique to reveal luminous and radiant skin. Not surprisingly, their color cosmetics are beautifully simple and natural-looking.

As someone with dry skin, I am a little weary when it comes to powder. But this version is luxurious and velvety. My skin is left incredibly soft and hydrated thanks to the fruit stem cell extracts. The light weight is thanks to its micro-find texture. And each particle is rose-shaped (how glam even if we can’t see it!).

I’ve been wearing Eve Lom Sheer Radiance Translucent Powder in Dawn which is surprisingly transparent on me. A little goes a long way, and it is easy to get over zealous with the included brush. So I sweep across skin quickly and then blend with a bigger brush (or sometimes, actually my hands… shhh). My dry skin soaks up its hydration but I think the formula is balanced enough that it would work for normal to oily skin as well. I’d probably caution those with very oily skin to try out at a counter first. The finish is radiant and the light-diffusing properties conceal fine lines (and even some hyper-pigmentation!).

I love the packaging even if the product comes out quickly. In my opinion, better than the alternative. Perfect to throw into your summer clutch to add a mid-evening glow. Plus, it just looks so pretty.

Samples generously provided by Neiman Marcus as part of the Beauty Ambassador Program, but as always, opinions are my own.