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Lara Eurdolian, Pretty Connected Beauty Blog

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Water Crisis in Boston Ends

Well I picked a great time to visit Boston.  Within a few days of my arrival a pike broke in Weston, MA causing nearly 2 million people in 31 communities in the Boston area (myself included) to lose their supply of clean water. The Mass. Dept. of Public Health issued a warning that tap water was not suitable for drinking, but could be used for bathing, flushing and fire protection.  Mixed with the unreasonably hot, humid weather and all I can say is this trip has been a real pleasure. Fortunately, the water is now safe according to reports, just in time for my flight back to New York.

Growing up in the Boston area, I was so over this song.  However, it’s never felt more appropriate (although I didn’t love that dirty water). Happy Tuesday Everyone!

Ramona Singer for HSN

How does a Real Housewife of New York launch a jewelry line? In style.  Last week, Ramona Singer, alongside her daughter Avery launched her new, estate-inspired jewelry collection for HSN at famed uptown salon, Mizu New York.  Guest enjoyed cocktails by Opici Wines while receiving complimentary hair blowouts and a preview of the collection.

Comprised of real diamond and gemstone pieces the assortment of rings, necklaces and bracelets are priced from $300-$500.  My favorite is the Pink Amethyst and Diamond Rose Vermeil Ring (pictured below).

Ramona Singer’s collection is available at HSN.com

The Talika Challenge: 28 Days to Longer Lashes

Recently, I attended an event at the Hudson Hotel, to hear Alexis de Brosses, President of Talika discuss their latest eyelash treatment, Lipocils Expert.  I wasn’t too familiar with Talika prior to the event, however anything designed to extend, curl and restore color to lashes naturally, I’m interested in learning more about.

As Alexis de Brosses presented the product, I was immediately intrigued by the brands history. Their story began in 1948 at the Paris Hospitals when doctor Danielle Roches developed the first plant-based healing substance to help treat war victims with third-degree burns. In doing so she had an unexpected discovery — the miraculous growth of patients eyelashes.  This uncovering led to the development of the original cult classic Lipocil ($40), which Talika has now reformulated into an even more potent mixture to create Lipocils Expert ($55).

Talika claims that participants using this product on eyelashes as instructed for 28 days garnered 50% more curl, an increase of 50% in color (for lighter lashes), and a 36% growth in length.

So here it is, while I have decent length eyelashes, there’s definitely room for growth (pun intended).  Especially after spending the weekend in DC with my sister who naturally has exceptionally long, glamorous lashes (I’m very envious). So it’s on, I’m taking the challenge and using her lashes as a benchmark. With over 50 years of research, I have high hopes for this product; so bring on strong results! I’ll report back in 28 days.

Price: $55/10 ml bottle. Sold exclusively at Sephora, visit talika.com for more information.

Affiliation: This product was given to Pretty Connected by a company representative.  Pretty Connected was under no obligation to write this review.

Earth Day with Kiehl’s

For the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, I decided to spend the evening at the Kiehl’s Flagship store to partake in the celebration of their ‘Give Kiehls, Give Back’ campaign.

Photographed by David LaChapelle, the campaign features actress Julianne Moore, musician Pharrell Williams, pro-surfer Malia Jone and artist Jeff Koons; all of whom designed a limit edition label for Kiehl’s Acai Damage-Protecting Toning Mist.  For every one sold, Kiehl’s will donate 100% of the proceeds (up to $200,000) to the RainForest Alliance.

With actress Taryn Manning on the turn table, we celebrated Earth Day and Kiehl’s philanthropic efforts in style; great music, fun drinks and snacks (all acai berry based), with an influential crowd of actors, artists, TV personalities, photographers and press.  Guests included Malia Jones, Tinsly Mortimer, Robert Verdi, Parker Posey, Adrienne Bailon, Shiri Appleby, Richie Rich, Heather Matarazzo, Kelly Benisom, Ally Sheedy, Norman Reedus and KAWS.

The collection is available at Kiehls.com

Be Green Jelly Bean

Happy Earth Day Everyone!

Ralph Lauren Summer Romance

After a long winter, spring is finally here and I’m ready for a change.  I think most people feel that way around this time of year.  A great way to start is with a new fragrance, and Ralph Lauren’s new Limited Edition Summer Romance Eau de Parfum is really doing it for me.

With notes of mandarin, passion fruit, hibiscus, exotic woods, and apricot musk, Summer Romance is really an exquisite fruity/floral combination that makes for a lovely day fragrance. Ironically, I’m not generally drawn to fruity or floral scents (let alone mixed), mainly because

The Anti-Hitch

Somewhere in Iowa, someone’s getting a good laugh. That someone is probably Will Smith’s alter ego in Hitch, Brad, Founder of iDUMP4U, a website where he does just that, breaks up with people (over the phone) on your behalf.

In the age of text, twitter, Facebook, email, instant messenger, is this really necessary? Apparently for some cowards out there, yes!  Maybe coward is the wrong word; perhaps customers of this service are just too busy to be bothered.  Breakups can be a real time commitment.  Plus iDUMP4U averages a 24-hour turn around time (pending the availability of the dumpee to pick up their phone).  Either that or someone can’t afford to leave a paper trail.

iDUMP4U charges $10/breakup ($25 if you’re engaged, $50 if you’re married).  I can think of a few inconvenient breakups where $10 would have seemed like a bargain to just be done.  However, I

Origins Hooks You Up for Earth Day

Earth Day is almost here and I’ve enjoyed watching so many beauty brands get involved to help raise awareness.

Recognizing that ‘product packaging accounts for 1/3 of all landfill waste,’ Origins is encouraging consumers to recycle.  They are even willing to do it for you.  Bring in your empty cosmetic and toiletry products to any origins store or counter nationwide (any brand) and they will recycle it.  Origins will even treat you to a free sample for your environmental efforts.

As if that’s not nice enough, as part of their Origins Rocks Earth Month initiative they offering some additional really amazing incentives to recycle:

On Earth Day, April 22nd bring in an empty bottle (any brand) to your local Origins store and they will give you a new full-size Origins Cleanser (A Perfect World or Checks and Balances).  Get there early, it’s only while supplies last!

Live (or frequent) NYC? Origins is offering 2 FREE tickets to see Grammy-Award Winner Macy Gray at Webster Hall in NYC on

Tarte’s Natural Lip Stain with LipSurgence Technology

I was flipping through last months Sephora catalog when I came across Tarte’s new Natural Lip Stain with LipSurgence Technology pencil, and immediately went out and bought it.  If it was anything like their award winning, iconic cheek stains I needed this in my collection.  Apparently I wasn’t the only one since half the colors were sold out at my favorite Sephora located on 5th Avenue.  No matter, the nice thing about Sephora in New York, you can trip and stumble across another. I ventured to an alternate location only to find my first choices (Charmed, Lust and Moody) we’re yet again sold out.  To their defense, I recognize that most of us die-hard Tarte fans have been waiting for this product for a long time so it was somewhat to be expected.

I gave up (I’ll be back for those colors), and took what I could get. I’m a firm believer in trying new things and with spring here I was willing to experiment with a bright pink; I purchased Amused.  I went home to try my latest discovery and all I can say is WOW! Being used to ‘conventional’ lip stains, this was not what I was expecting.

I have a confession; while I do appreciate lipsticks and lipgloss my real passion is for lip liners and stains.  My only issue with both is generally they dry out my lips.  However, if you handed me a lip product, had me close my eyes and asked

Sixth Annual Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest

Ready, set, roll! It’s time for the Sixth Annual Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest! From now until May 15th all you visionaries and creative types have the opportunity to show us what you got (I’m looking at you Earth Day brides). However be warned, you are competing against some talented individuals.  Just look at this picture from last years winner! I’m so impressed.

Here’s the deal using only toilet paper in combination with your choice of tape, glue, needle, and thread (or all of the above) create a wedding dress.

To enter, submit some digital photos (front, back and side) to [email protected]. Video clips are welcome as well, but not required.

There’s no entry fee. Grand prize winner receives $1,000, 2nd place $500 and 3rd place $250. Contest runs from now until May 15th.  The winner will be announced on June 4th.

For more information and official rules (plus more images from past winners) visit www.cheap-chic-weddings.com