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Easy Beauty and Hair Looks to Take You from Day to Night


Thank you, Target, for sponsoring this post!

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Something I look forward to every holiday season is gift sets! It’s a great time to score some awesome deals on brands you love and try new products at a fraction of the regular price. The only downfall is the hustle and bustle that goes along with the season.

In a perfect world, I would wake up early enough to give myself an extra hour to do my hair and makeup routine to its fullest, and then again before having an event in the evening. In reality, I have a fraction of that time to get out the door and look presentable.

Today, I’m sharing some easy hair and makeup looks that can get you out the door in five minutes and take you from weekend casual to date night. All of the products I used are from the Pixi by Petra makeup line that just launched at Target. The all-stars are their two new holiday sets: the Endless Silky Eye Pen Quartette and Mattelustre Lipstick Quartette, which include four shades of lipstick and eyeliner pens in their respective sets.

MORNING MAKEUP LOOK:
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Here’s a very pretty, soft weekend-brunch look for when you’re going for that natural I-woke-up-like-this look, but everything is flawless. Contouring and highlighting play a large role in the look to define cheek bones and overall brighten your complexion.

How to Maximize your Beauty Routine While you Sleep

mattress5_lowresIt’s no secret that getting a good night sleep is essential to good health. I for one am cranky and can have my entire day fall apart if I don’t prioritize quality sleep. From my physical energy to the bags under my eyes, every part of my body is affected if I don’t get a good nights rest.

When you are sleeping, your body is in repair mode. Everything from your hormones, immune system, brain function and skin is affected. This is the most important time to prioritize your skin and beauty routine so that the effects are magnified during this stage of rest.

Join Kiehl’s President Chris Salgardo for the Launch of MANMADE at Saks

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On Thursday, November 19th, join Kiehl’s President, Chris Salgardo for the launch of his new book, MANMADE: The Skincare & Grooming Reference for Every Man at SAKS FIFTH AVENUE, NYC from 6-8pm.

saks manmade chris salgardo book launch inviteI have known Chris a long time and he’s a wealth of knowledge when it comes to mens skincare and grooming. This book lays it all out in an easy, digestible manor. There’s been a really great focus on men over the past year to really take care of themselves and I think the timing of this book is great. No Kiehl’s products are mentioned in the book so don’t expect a sales pitch, just a culmination of answers to questions men want to know. Does eye cream really work? Do you shave up or down? Or how do you get that best shave? All will be answered and more.

Hair Goals with Living Proof

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After traveling the past five weeks my hair needed some serious love. I took the quiz on Living Proof’s site and rounded up an arsenal of products I’ve been dying to try as well as some favorites that are my tried and true. As someone who travels a lot and hates committing to a large size of any product before knowing if it works for me, it makes me so happy that Living Proof offers a lot of sets and multiple sizes in their product line. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve started with a travel size product and then upgraded to the largest size after testing.

living-proof-productsWhat I’ve always loved about Living Proof is their approach to hair. They develop products from the molecular level and utilize advanced scientific technologies that originated from MIT to solve the toughest hair problems. Their site is a wealth of information with tutorials and how-tos for just about every hair style. They also offer a quiz to understand your hair type and hair goals. I have thin hair, but a lot of it (so it appears thick) so I get greasy at my roots and dry at my ends. I needed a shampoo that cleanses thoroughly that lifts and doesn’t wear down my hair. After that, I need a conditioner that would hydrate my bleached ends back to life. From there I want what every girl wants, healthy, shiny, frizz-free hair — right?

Holiday Must-Haves from Kevyn Aucoin

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Last night I attended a fabulous Retrospective Gallery Showcase of Kevyn Aucoin’s career. From his artistry, drawings, signature quotes to the first products he launched and celebrity notes it was a beautiful presentation of his work and words.

“I’m not saying that putting on makeup will change the world or even your life, but it can be a first step in learning things about yourself you may never have discovered otherwise. At worst, you could make a big mess and have a good launch.” – Kevyn Aucoin

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The event also served to showcase the fall and holiday collection. Some of the new products I’m absolutely dying over:

The Contour Book Volume II The Art of Sculpting + Defining ($65, $225 value) – The perfect follow-up to Volume I. If you happened to own the original you know the formulas were perfect but the circular shapes of the compact made application a bit challenging. Volume II is the solution to all. A Sculpting Cream, Sculpting Powder, Candlelight Cream, Candelight Powder to perfectly sculpt and highlight and four eye shadow shades, two matte and two shimmer to shape, define and sculpt eyes. The most convenient contour kit in travel size.

Youtube Giveaway: Clarisonic, Soap & Glory, Mario Badescu and more!


Great news everyone! I have FINALLY launched my youtube channel! And to kick it off I’m talking about and giving away my favorite shower products. The giveaway is valued at $280 and includes all of the products featured in the giveaway!

To Enter the GIVEAWAY…

Subscribe to my youtube channel: youtube.com/prettyconnected, watch the video and leave a comment under the video! I’d love to hear what types of videos you’d like to see, or what products you’re most interested in trying.

Here’s what we’re giving away!

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Entries will be accepted until November 21st 2015 at 11:59pm. US residents only. All local, state and federal laws apply.Thank you so much for your support! Special thank you for Deepica for helping me film this!

xoLara @prettyconnected

Must Do: L’Occitane En Provence Factory Tour

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For any skincare lover, one of my must-do’s if you’re headed to the South of France is to visit the L’Occitane En Provence factory. Located in the Manosque region of Provence the location is home to the skincare brand’s factory, museum and garden. It also houses the factory store where visitors can enjoy a 10% off discount on all products.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Re(marc)able Foundation & Under(cover) Perfecting Coconut Primer Review

marc_jacobs_coconut_primer_2I’m long overdue for this review! I’ve been playing with the Marc Jacobs Beauty Re(marc)able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate and Under(cover) Perfecting Coconut Face Primer since they launched in July. They are truly remarkable products worthy of their names if you use them correctly. For starters the foundation is a concentrate which means it’s about as full coverage, and as potent as they come — so you only need a little bit! Apply it to your hand first and then with a brush, beautyblender or your finger blend onto skin for maximum coverage. Unless you like a lot of coverage this may be too heavy or concentrated which is way it launched simultaneously with the Under(cover) Perfecting Coconut Face Primer. Together you can adjust these two products for your perfect weight and coverage level.

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Celebrates 10 Years with This Special Set

viktor & Rolf flowerbomb setIt’s hard to believe It’s been 10 years since Viktor & Rolf launched their first fragrance, Flowerbomb. Over the past decade this has become an iconic fragrance which I think everyone I know has owned at some point in it’s lifespan.

Colbert MD’s Latest Launch: Sheet Masks

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Revolutionary skincare line Colbert MD has expanding their product line to introduce the brand’s first face masks – illumino Anti-Aging Brightening Masks – developed and researched by esteemed dermatologist and Founder of the New York Dermatology Group, Dr. David Colbert. The concentrated Bio Cellulose anti-aging brightening masks deliver brighter, smoother, plumper looking skin using patented QuSome technology.