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Do you live in a Wrinkle-Prone City? RoC has the answer!

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Are you more apt to get wrinkles based on where you live? You bet. RoC Skincare partnered with independent research firm Sperling’s for the Best Places for the 2016 RoC® Wrinkle Ranking study: a city by city look at the metropolitan areas’ risk for skin damage and premature aging by the year 2040. The analysis is based on factors commonly known to affect skin health – lifestyle, occupational and environmental influences… Living in NYC, I’m well aware I’m at a deep disadvantage due to my lifestyle and pollution levels! Until now though, I had no idea how we ranked to other cities. Did your city make the Most Wrinkle-Prone city list? Find out below and click HERE for the complete ranking.

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Funny enough, I grew up in the Cambridge, MA area (ranked #20) and have spent the past 15 years in NYC (ranked #8). My two cities make the top 20 list by 2040! Good thing I drink a million cups of water, wear SPF and take incredible care of my skin. In shocking news, Denver will hit the #2 rank (maybe it’s the altitude?), just under Philadelphia – who knew they would out wrinkle us all.

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Besides using an SPF everyday (a minimum of 30 everyone!), one of the best things you can do to prevent and help existing wrinkles is adding a retinol into your skincare routine. I have a deep attachment for the RoC RETINOL CORREXION collection. Their Deep Wrinkle Serum first serum I ever used, even though I probably didn’t have single wrinkle at the time. In fact I’ve always called it the RoC Serum and don’t think at the time paid much attention to the Deep Wrinkle title when first using it. My stepmother was actually the one that turned me on to the RoC RETINOL CORREXION collection before my career in beauty started over ten years ago. She’s a 20 year loyalist, religiously using the RoC RETINOL CORREXION Daily Moisturizer and Night Cream (she buys the combo pack from Costco). Those have been two of her staples for the past two decades and since then has added in the Eye Cream and Max Resurfacing Cleanser to her everyday routine. She’s 53 people! Just look at how amazing she looks!

Shape Beauty Awards 2016

shape-beauty-awards-2016-lara-eurdolinaI made it guys! Last night I was running around, my phone died, my hair was array but somehow I still made it to the 2016 Shape Beauty Awards and was able to celebrate so many of my favorite brands! This year marks the publications 14th Annual Beauty Awards, and their editors teamed up with legendary makeup artist Matin, dermatologist David E. Bank, hairstylist Paul Labrecque, and fragrance developer Ruth Sutcliffe to test hundreds of new products and assemble a lineup of the year’s ultimate beauty buys in every category.

shape-2016-beauty-awardsI’m barely scratching the surface of the 87 top picks selected from hair, skin, makeup and more in my above photo. But I would say between the gift bag and my mega beauty stash I’ve tried more than half the winners. In fact everything to the left are products that have been on my radar that I haven’t had a chance to try including the Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Cream, Biore Baking Soda Cleansing Scrub, and L’Oreal La Palette Lip that I’ve been DYING to! And everything to the right I have tried and are complete winners in my book! Mega thumbs up and congratulations on choosing the Clarisonic Mia Fit, Laura Geller Filter Finish Setting Powder, Clarins Booster Detox, Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, Olay Eyes Ultimate Eye Cream and new Shiseido Rouge Rouse lipsticks which are beautiful (the whole range is filled with a 16 piece red lipstick collection that are creamy and full of pigment). Most all of these you’ve seen me post about but it always makes me excited when products I love win.

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The winning brands got to pick up the physical award at last nights ceremony. How cute is it? My photo doesn’t do it justice. The awards are split up into 5 different categories: The Best Fragrances For Every Personality, Drugstore Products Every Girl Should Own, The Best Hair Products On The Market, The Best Skin-Care Products, The Best Makeup Of The Year and The Best Workout-Friendly Beauty Products For Your Body. You can check out the complete list at shape.com/topics/beauty-awards or pick up the October 2016 issue now on stands featuring all the winners.

Also speaking of beauty awards, Glamour Magazine is also debuting their Beauty Awards this month in their October issue now on stands. I actually helped judge the Best New Beauty Products of 2016 category (If you click “read more” you see my name!). Even though there were other categories I’ll go ahead and share the winners in mine since I’m so proud: The Best Creative Face Mask (GlamGlow GravityMud Firming Treatment), The Best Micellar Water (Neogen Real Flower Cleansing Water in Rose),  The Best Color Corrector (It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Correcting Cream), The Best Contouring Product (Nudestix Sculpting Pencil), The Best Strobing Product (Glossier Haloscope), The Best Co-Wash (R+Co Analog Cleansing Foam Conditioner), and The Best Breakthrough Lipstick (The Estee Edit Lip Flip Shade Transformer). For the complete list of winners visit glamour.com/gallery/best-new-beauty-products-2016#8 or pick up the October issue of Glamour!

If you’re overwhelmed with products and need me to talk through anything shoot me a snapchat or instagram/tweet/comment me @prettyconnected and we can chat it through. xoLara

FREE NYC Event! Meet NARS Makeup Arist, Uzo

Uzo Nars W Hotel

It’s been over a decade since I left my first corporate job, working in International at NARS Cosmetics. It was an impressionable era for me and one where I had the pleasure of watching and getting to know one of the most impeccable makeup artists of our time, Uzo. Ten years later (although let me be clear she was just as major back then) Uzo will be at the W Hotel on September 14th from 3-5pm as part of the W Hotel What She Said event series.

Uzo will provide the What She Said audience with an insider’s look in the beauty industry and her advice on success that every woman can relate to.
WHEN:  Wednesday, September 14th 3:00PM – 5:00PM
WHERE: The Great Room at W New York – Union Square, 201 Park Avenue South at 17th Street
This event is free and open to the public. RSVP at eventbrite.com

Uzo will also be hosting a makeup master class and beauty workshop held in the hotel’s studio space. Uzo will share her tips and tricks on achieving a flawless face in a very product-driven demonstration. This master class will take place in an intimate setting at the hotel

WHEN: Thursday, September 15th 6:00PM – 8:00PM
WHERE: Studio at the W New York – Union Square, 201 Park Avenue South at 17th Street

Tickets are $150 and can be purchased on everbrite.com

ABOUT UZO: she started her career as a resident makeup artist at Barneys New York in Beverly Hills. Her artistry is now known throughout the world and her work has been featured in advertising campaigns, music videos, runway fashion shows, and fashion editorial. Her talent and personable nature has earned her a long list of clients that includes Naomi Campbell, Ava DuVernay, Allison Brie, Kim Kardashian, Alessandra Ambrosia, and Edie Falco. Uzo has also worked with contemporary urban artists like Nicki Minaj, Toni Braxton, FKA Twigs, Will Smith, and Eminem on music videos. Learn more at traceymattingly.com/artists/makeup/uzo/bio

Beauty 411: Sephora Collection Rebrands, Oribe Launches makeup, Fresh turns 25, It Cosmetics goes small and more!

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It’s been an exciting few months of events, launches and rebrands! I’ve been on the road so much it’s been hard to keep up but here’s some of the highlights!

FRANCOIS NARS Book– The founder and Creative Director of NARS has launched his photo-autobiography. A three year passion project that captures the most defining moments and images from his career as a makeup artist, photographer and creative director. The book is a stunning collection of visuals filled with our favorite NARS campaigns and iconic models who have worked with the brand. The book is $85 and available at lordandtaylor.com

Space NK “Autumn Beauty Edit” – Coming to every Space NK location in the US and online, mark your calendars for September 9th for their Beauty Edit event. It’s your chance to meet the experts behind the brands for makeovers, advice and tips. And exclusively for the event and online, while supplies last, shoppers that spend $250 or more you will receive the limited edition Space NK Cosmetic Bag filled with over $400 worth of must have beauty product samples from 29 brands they carry including Hourglass, Kevyn Aucoin, Diptyque, Smith & Cult, Lipstick Queen, Ouai, R+Co, Rodial, Sunday Riley and more!

Sephora Collection Rebrand – I love Sephora and I’ve being using their liquid lipsticks forever! The brand hosted a re-launch party last night and announced an exclusive Instagram handle for their namesake brand, @SephoraCollection. After launching 18 years ago — can you believe it’s been that long?!?! You’ll see new packaging, products and fun website features all broken down on their site, HERE!

It Cosmetics has gone mini! It makes me so excited they have launched a travel size of all their top sellers. Don’t get me wrong, I never want to be without their Your Skin But Better CC Cream with SPF 50+ but the monster size has been a makeup bag challenge. And with how much I travel I’m so pumped they have launched a travel size collection! Also in other big It Cosmetics news (which you probably heard), L’Oreal bought them!

DevaCurl Rebrand – My favorite (yup, I used the word favorite) curly hair brands has new packaging, and website update that now includes a blog and youtube channel. We’re a family of loyalist to their No-Poo Original and Gel for as long as I can remember — my sister, the curly hair queen, more so then me. She has been exclusively using their products for over a decade and anytime I try to get her to test out other curly hair products for me she’s utterly uninterested. DevaCurl also debuted a new product, the Wave Maker Touchable Texture Whip, which is designed to add texture and volume and frizz free waves when applied to damp/wet hair. I just got it and will try it soon and report back.

Fresh Turns 25! Can you believe it? At the beautiful 25th Anniversary party for the beloved skincare brand they the launch of a new range, Vitamin Nectar — starting with the Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask. It smells like citrus and exfoliates and brightens to wake it up skin.

The Red Door by Elizabeth Arden update – They have a new name, from Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa they are now The Red Door by Elizabeth Arden and have a new logo which you’ll see as part of the rebrand. They have also partnered with omni-channel to offer guests the best in beauty and wellness, in and outside of the salon and spa locations. Whether you’re throwing an office party or bachelorette,  Elizabeth Arden can host your next event or come to you. Mani’s, facials, massages… cushy robes, gift bags and all they are ready to help you plan it all or come to you! This service is currently available in NYC, Chicago, Boston and coming soon… DC! Learn more partybeautiful.com.

Oribe launched makeup! The award winning hair brand recently launched a makeup collection consisting of two illuminating face palettes, three nail lacquers, and three cream lipsticks, Lip Lust. Okay it’s been about a month so it may be old news to some of you but I finally got my hands on the Lip Lust, The Violet shade (which is more of a wine shade then violet) and could not be more excited!!! Also stay tuned for more — rumor has it a skincare, body products and hair tools are on the next!

Smith and Cult – From a nails brand to adding in lippies, now for fall Smith & Cult is expanding to an eye range which includes the Book of Eyes Eye Quad eyeshadow palettes in 4 shades, B-Line Eye Pen in 3 shades — Still Riot (charcoal), Rush to Whisper (Steel) and The Shh (Deep Sable), and Lash Dance Mascara. The 411 on Allure.com.

Tweezerman got a makeover on their website and sent me an engraved brush with my name to celebrate. Thanks Tweezerman! Check out the new site at tweezerman.com.

In case you missed it Max Factor is back in a limited capsule collection. You can read my review HERE.

Lastly all I want in life is Pat McGrath’s Lust 004 Lipstick Kit. From BryanBoy to Naomi Campbell, every celebrity thats rocked the soon-to-launching lip has me so jealous!!!!!!! It’s available at Sephora starting September 8th for commoners, and September 6th for Sephora VIB and VIB Rouge members. Sign up for notifications at Sephora.com.

Kat Von D Lock-It Fall 2016 Collection

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I’ve been a long time fan of Kat Von D so to meet her a few months back, was such a big moment for me! She hosted a beautiful presentation of her Fall 2016 collection which recently launched. Included in the collection is a relaunch of  the Kat Von D Lock-it Foundation, Kat Von D Lock-it Concealer Creme, Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Powder and a range of brushes. I’ve been playing with the collection since receiving it and here are my thoughts!

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Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation in Medium 52 Warm,Lock-It Concealer M29 Neutral, White-Out and Setting Powder

Kat Von D Lock-it Concealer Creme ($26) – love the new concealer! It’s creamy, easily blends and offers full coverage. I use it under my eyes and areas that need more coverage. If you’d like to splurge on multiple shades they can be used to contour, especially since they launched shade “White Out” as part of the range which can be used from anything to contour, lighting a foundation or brighten under eyes — I even dab a little on my lips to create a slight ombre effect.

Kat Von D Lock-it Foundation ($35) – The relaunch of her best-selling foundation, carries the same thing, long wear formula in a new packaging and more shades. Now available in 30 shades, it’s a full coverage formula that you only need a little bit of since it’s so thick.It’s the opposite of the concealer that’s so blendable. With the foundation you only need the tiniest bit — one small pump, takes out discoloration, stops shines and hides blemishes, scarring and just about anything else. It’s ultra matte and lasts all day but can be hard to work with since it’s so thick, I usually cut it with a primer (I’ve heard hers is really good but I’ve been using Marc Jacobs Coconut Primer). It’s a very intense foundation otherwise and one you need to shade match correctly. There’s no budging with this foundation. It doesn’t move and it also doesn’t adjust to your skin tone so make sure you get your correct shade!

Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Powder ($30) – I absolutely love this powder. The new translucent loose powder helps sets makeup and blends beautifully. I’ve been shiny all summer and it absorbs all my oils and leaves skin so soft. No weird white cast, it’s weightless and contains micro-blurring technology for an instant soft-matte finish. I hope they launch it in a smaller size as well for when I travel.

Kat Von D also launched a range of brushes as part of the collection, the Lock-It Edge Foundation Brush ($34) and Lock-It Edge Concealer Brush ($24), Lock-It Setting Powder Brush ($38), and Lock-It Precision Powder Brush ($32).

As always, all Kat Von D products are 100% vegan and cruelty free. And available exclusively at Sephora. Learn more at Sephora.com

Jane Iredale Launches Cream Primer Eyeshadow

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For fall Jane Iredale has launched a range of creamy, blendable eye shadow/primers, Smooth Affair for Eyes as well as three Retractable Brow Pencils and a new addition to the PureMoist Lipstick — shade Cindy, named for longtime fan Cindy Crawford.

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The brow pencils (swatched above) comes in Blonde (golden brown),  Dark Brunette (rich chocolate brown), and Brunette (Reddish Brown) and has a thin, ultra fine 1.7mm retractable precision tip making it easy to fill in and create hair-like strokes. The new Cindy PureMoist lipstick is a classic, bold red that is ultra-moisturizing. The formula features antioxidants as well as Avocado and Sunflower Seed Oils to help protect and condition lips. Cindy joins the PureMoist Lipstick range which now includes 26 shades.

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Lastly, they have launched what I’m most excited about, Smooth Affair for Eyes, a line of smudge-proof, cream to powder eyeshadows that double as a primer. It’s a really light tint on it’s own or great as a base to layer your eyeshadow on top. Swatched above in order are shades: Gold, Lemon, Canvas, Naked, Iced Brown and Petal.

The collection is now available at JaneIredale.com and Dermstore.com

Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection

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I was just about ready to pop some champagne bottles when the new Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection arrived at my doorstep. I mean over 10 years in beauty and it’s collections like this that still take my breath away. becca-cosmetics-#champagneglow-collection

You’re looking at 4 Champagne Splits Shimmering Skin Perfector Mineral Blush Duo compacts (Prosecco Pop/Pamplemousse, Champagne Pop/Flowerchild, Champagne Pop/Hyacinth, and Prosecco Pop/Amaretto), 3 Shimmering Skin Perfector Slimlight (in Pearl, Champagne and Topaz) and the Champagne Collection Angles Highlighting Brush. becca-cosmetics-champagne-pop-duo-blush-review-and-swatches

The shades are swatched above, the Shimmering Skin Perfector Slimlight to the left and the Compacts to the right. I’ve been traveling the last week and grabbed the Prosecco Pop/Amaretto along with the Champagne Collection Angled Highlighting Brush for the road. It’s the one you’ve seen all over my snapchat, I literally can’t get enough. Especially of the Prosecco Pop, I highlight my cheeks and under my brows and use the slightest amount on the cresent of my upper lip. I’ve been in every climate from NYC heat wave to ocean breeze and it lasts all day and doesn’t melt off. You need a very little bit to get that perfect glow. becca-cosmetics-champagne-pop-blush-duo-brush-sephora

Learn more at sephora.com

Chic Essentials

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It’s amazing how trends come and go but a Little Black Dress remains a timeless staple. I’m on the road a lot so versatility is key for me. I love a dress I can refresh to go from day to night – like this one from Pure Navy I found on Gilt.
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Wear it open during the day like a vest jacket or all buttoned up for after work drinks. With the right accessories and makeup I can transform any look to get more wear out of my clothes.

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Gilt is partnering with Dole Dippers, the LBD of sweet treats to elevate the everyday with decadence and by curating a collection of drool worthy designer Little Black Dresses at a fraction of their retail price. Both are gilt-free indulgences whether you’re shopping the collection or biting into any of the three chocolate covered flavors of Dole Dippers: Strawberry, Pineapple or Banana.
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I have confessed more then a few times on the blog that my guilty pleasure (slash terrible habit) is late night snacking. And my favorite dessert is chocolate covered strawberries so the ease of Dole Dippers Dark Chocolate Covered Real Strawberry Halves in my fridge is kind of the best ever – which is only enhanced by the fact that they are only 60 calories a bag! Made with real frozen fruit and 67% cocoa dark chocolate, day or night, and especially in this heat wave, it’s the perfect way to satisfy those chocolate cravings. Just be sure to give them about 3-5 minutes out of the fridge to thaw – although sometimes I can’t wait and take the tooth freeze.

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Gilt is also hosting a Chic Essentials Sweepstakes where you can enter for your chance to win a style upgrade which includes a $500 Gilt gift card and a Gilt shopping consultation.

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Always traveling may seem glamorous when I’m snapchatting beautiful hotel rooms and new scenery but in actuality not having access to your everyday closet and having to plan so much ahead as to what you want to wear can be a challenge. Which is why versatile fashion items and accessories are makeup play such a key role. If you pop open my makeup bag my chic essentials include:dole-dippers-chic-essentials

The new Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation stick which is probably the most perfect foundation I’ve ever used. It’s a creamy texture that offers full coverage, easy to blend and makes your skin look flawless. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage and Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed are staples. The Secret Camouflage takes any tired eyes away and the Skin Perfector is the finishing touch that by the time I’m on this step my skin looks flawless and illuminated. Dior Show Mascara and Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner I’ve been using forever. I love a big comb mascara to volumize and fill out my lashes and the Stila Liquid Liner is so easy to apply and doesn’t move. My latest discovery is Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat (lipliner) in shade Bad Romance, is the perfect wine to match Tom Ford’s limited edition Black Orchid Lip Color, which is a definite splurge, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel like a million bucks every time I put it on.

Thank you to Dole and Gilt for partnering with me on this post!

I Interviewed and worked out with Dominique Dawes and Tide Pods

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Last week I took a gymnastics class with Dominique Dawes as part of the Small But Powerful Tide Pods event. She’s one of the Magnificent Seven and was literally one of my child heroes. Coupling that with my major Olympic fever I consider it a win that I managed to not pass out during my interview with her — although her workout had me sore for two days. Tide is a sponsor of the Olympics and of Dawes and Simone Biles who both appear in their The Evolution of Power video. Drawing parallels on how detergents have evolved from large amounts of powder, to a cup of liquid and now Tide Pods. It illustrates how the amounts of detergent have gotten smaller over time and more powerful.  Biles exemplifies this #smallbutpowerful message, ruling the sport at 4 feet 8″. Check out their campaign video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y0qluMUHQs

I think it’s great, since at 5′ 9″, I now have an excuse as to why my splits looks like this…

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Dawes led us in a stretch and gymnastics 101 class before the instructors took over to have us use the facility at Chelsea Piers, while we rotated having 1 on 1 interviews with her. dominque-dawes-tidepods

My Interview with Dominique Dawes:

PC: What would go through your head when you’re competing at the Olympics?

DD: I try to take myself back to my home gym, the gym that I started at in Wheaton, Maryland… Because that was where I started, where I fell in love with the sport, and where it was fun. It wasn’t a back job then so I would always have that vision in my head when I was competing.

PC: What are your top 3 beauty products?

DD: My top three are water, Black African Soap and natural, organic Shea Butter. (Brands were not specified).

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PC: What is your best stress management tip

DD: Breathing. Relax, take a deep breath and count to 10. Because when you’re not relaxing and you’re not breathing, and you’re not just taking things in and putting them into perspective, you over analyze. And that’s when paralyze yourself from doing things.

PC: What is your biggest stress management tip?

DD: Taking one step at a type. I used to be very type A and it was all about productivity, productivity, plan, plan, plan. But now as a mother of two and being a wife it’s about taking one step at a time and if you don’t get it all done, oh well there’s going to be another day ahead if you’re blessed.

For anyone that missed Biles Small but Powerful Tide Pods commercial it’s worth a watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRdleKwYeAY

Thank you Tide for this truly special experience!

OXiGEN water, beach bags and cliff walks

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Splendid Crocheted High-Neck Swim Top and bottom (on sale!)

Ray-ban Gatsby Tortoise Green Mirror

Sudio Sweden Earphones Vasa Rose Gold White

Abaco Beach Company Beach Hair Don’t Care Beach Hat and Beach Blanket

Ban.do Love Potion Flask

 OXiGEN water and shot

Neutrogena CoolDry Sport SPF 50, Moroccanoil Sun Lotion SPF 30, La Prairie Cellular Swiss UV Protection SPF 50

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My goodness does it feel great to be back in Newport!! Not much has changed since last year, it’s still perfect. Today we hit up the beach and it’s not an exaggeration when I say at any given time I have three sunblocks on me. One for my face, another for the body and then Neutrogena CoolDry Sport SPF 50 because it’s great for quick application and isn’t messy. Lately my body SPF of choice has been Moroccanoil Sun Lotion SPF 30 it feels so luxe (it’s more of a wet liquid consistency) and smells amazing. And La Prairie Cellular Swiss UV Protection SPF 50 for my face, since when in Newport, be fancy. It smells like their signature moisturizer and doubles as a primer that works to repair past sun damage while preventing any future damage. Beach Hat, sunnies, a book, water and headphones make up the rest of my beach bag staples (all listed above).