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Stila Beauty Haul Review: Huge Mascara, Cushion Eye Liner, Stay All Day Bronzer and more!

stila_huge_mascara

Stila has had a non-stop reign of really amazing product launches. I’ve literally loved everything I’ve recently tried. And on top of that they have launched two beauty boxes that everyone should have on their radar as it can get you 50% off retail! (I’ll get to them at the bottom of the post), but first here are some new winners in my beauty arsenal:

Huge Extreme Lash Mascara – Very similar to the Too Faced Better than Sex mascara, this mascara lives up to it’s namesake and makes my lashes huge and thick. It curls with tons of volume with a creamy formula that doesn’t flake and is long lasting. 1-2 coats is all you need (let it dry between coats!) and it’s a show stopper.

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Clarisonic For Him: Welcome the Alpha Fit

clarisonic for men alphafit

Clarisonic recently launched Alpha Fit, their first device specifically engineered for men. Introducing the product was Dr. Robb Akridge, President of Clarisonic Global and one of the original founders of Clarisonic. The campaign slogan ‘It’s Your F-Ing Face” hopes to inspire men to take their regimens more seriously and take care of their skin. For the event I brought my friend, Dan Ralph, someone who has worked in skincare for over a decade and my #1 tester when it comes to mens products. He also happens to be the person who bought me first Clarisonic a million moons ago. Here’s his review on the new device:

Robb Akridge, clarisonic founder at the alphafit launch party
Dr. Robb Akridge, President of Clarisonic Global introducing the Alpha Fit

I have been a big proponent of the Clarisonic since 2010 when I first started using the Clarisonic Plus. This is a three speed model for face and body. Typically when purchasing anything, I prefer the one with all the bells and whistles and the Clarisonic Plus was that. Even though I love this device, I only ever used one speed on my face. Here we are 5 years later and my Clarisonic Plus works just as good as it did when I first got it. Maybe it needs to be charged more often but I can not fault it for that, I find that I need more sleep as well than I did 5 years ago too.

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Dove Launches Oxygen Moisture Range to Give Women Hair Confidence

Dove

Did you know? 99% of women have resorted to hair “tricks” – from teasing, to fluffing, to tying hair back in a pony or bun – to get the volume they crave? But what do these “tricks” really convey to others about us?

With a little insight from body language expert Vanessa Van Edwards, we learned how to show our most confident selves:

(1) As humans we recognize highly confident individuals by their relaxed, unruffled presence. ‘Hair tricks’ such as flipping, teasing and fluffing, derail a collected demeanor and make women appear frazzled, rattled and out of control.

(2) Most (women) don’t realize that over 60% of our communication is nonverbal, so the more self-assured our gestures and body language are, the more confident we appear and feel.

(3) A strong presence helps others take our ideas more seriously. Without realizing it, women need to know that mindless hair tricks come across as weakness or low-power body language.

(4) Women who rely on hair tricks not only come across as unprofessional, but can also send the wrong signal and indicate flirtation.

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Our favorite Paris Fashion Week Looks by Guido for Redken

When it comes to backstage hair looks, Guido is the king! He’s one of the most sought after hair stylists and one many of us look to for upcoming hair trends and looks. During Paris Fashion Week he created a variety of looks using Redken ranging from everyday looks to once in a blue moon. Here’s a quick recap of some of our favorites!

celine hair by guido for redken paris fashion week

“It’s a bit boyish and inspired by Sade, who was an English singer in the 80s, but it’s got some height in the font and it’s kind of squared off, meaning it’s not a pulled back, round ponytail. I started by blow drying the hair very smooth using Redken’s guts 10and shape factor 22, which I applied at the forehead and just raked through with my fingers because it’s got that great hold and adds a little bit of lift. Then, I pulled it back into a ponytail in the middle of the head and used Redken’s braid aid 03 to create the very clean braid and really hold it in place. Overall, the look feels quite tomboyish, but still super polished and modern, which is very Celine.” – Guido

GET THE LOOK
  1. Start by spraying Redken pillow proof blow dry express primer all over damp hair and comb through.
  2. Apply Redken guts 10 volumizing spray-foam to damp hair from roots to ends.
  3. Using fingers, apply a nickel-size amount of Redken shape factor 22 sculpting cream-paste just to the crown of the forehead, raking back into the hair.
  4. Use a flat brush to blow dry the hair straight, lifting the roots at the crown for added for height.
  5. Create a short side part with a comb, and then emulsify a dime-size amount of Redken shape factor 22 sculpting cream-paste in palms and work into the front of the hair to define the part.
  6. Pull hair back into a clean ponytail, securing in the middle of the head with an elastic.
  7. Work a nickel-size amount of Redken braid aid 08 defining braid lotion into the length of the ponytail, and then braid hair to the ends, securing with a small elastic.
  8. Finish with a thorough spray of Redken triple take 32 extreme high-hold hairspray all over for lasting hold.

valentino how to hair backstage with guido and redken

“The look at Valentino this season is very cross-cultural. The clothes have some tribal inspiration, so the hair has that feeling as well, but in a way that’s still very Valentino with the softness around the face and ears. It’s a bit influenced by the 60’s and 70’s when girls used to travel and they would bring back inspiration from other places and cultures, which is kind of an eclectic way of styling yourself. The hair almost has a Grecian feel to it as well.  Redken’s braid aid 03 is my main product, which I used to create the cornrow twists, and then I used Redken’s triple take 32 hairspray to finish the style and hold everything in place. The silhouette elongates the neck, which is a bit Egyptian and very elegant and attractive.” – Guido

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PFW: Backstage Beauty Look at Carven S/S 2016

carven_beauty_look_makeupBackstage at the Carven Spring/Summer 2016 show lead makeup artist Nina Haverkamp for MAC Cosmetics created a “healthy, pure and sporty, no-makeup look”. The Carven girl is a very natural girl who knows how to dress and doesn’t need anything else to be a complete show stopper.

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It’s that ‘I woke up this morning beautiful and healthy’ look we all wish we actually woke up looking like. And while it plays off the ‘no makeup makeup’ that’s been such a big trend for the past season there is a uniqueness to this look in the transparency in the skin and technique.

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Watch Alex Box Create the Beauty Look Backstage at Issey Miyake

mac cosmetics pigment backstage at issey miyake

Backstage at Issey Miyake all eyes were on lead artist Alex Box who individually painted a beautiful eye design on every model that walked the runway. Leading the show for MAC Cosmetics, Box sat every model down on the ground and custom painted/blew an eye design using MAC’s Pigments. Alternating between bright colors she mixed the pure pigment with MAC Pro Mixing Medium Water Base then dropped them on the sides of the eyes blowing with a straw the access color so it created a unique design and then went in with a makeup brush to refine the look.

{Watch Alex Box create this beautiful eye!}

Box took inspiration from the tropical jungle, mainly butterfly’s and birds of paradise but not just as stills but how they move. Trying to create that intense flicker you see in the corner of your eye as you peek them in the corner of your eye.

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NARS x Steven Klein Color and Holiday Gifting Collections

NARS Steven Klein A Woman's Face Nude Lip Set

It’s never too early to start planning your holiday wish list. First up on my list: The NARS and Steven Klein Color and Holiday Gifting Collections. Iconic visionaries François Nars and photographer, Steven Klein have joined to create a stunning 13-piece color collection and 10-piece gifting collection.

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Best Color Treated Shampoo & Conditioners

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Even as a natural blonde, bi-monthly coloring is a must for my ashy roots. After my regular visits to the Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon in Chelsea, is top of mind. When you spend the money and time on color treatments, maintaining that long-lasting vibrancy is a priority. With over thirteen years of color care product testing under my belt, I can recommend these products with confidence!

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The Do’s & Don’ts of Hair Extensions

SalonEvery girl has that moment where they chop of their hair and have an ‘Oh Shit’ moment. For me, that was six months ago when I got the lob that every blogger was raving about. Stepping out of the salon I felt like a new woman and then two days later, without the help of a professional stylist, I was lost and confused. Where had my beautiful blonde locks gone? Why hadn’t anyone stopped me from making this horrific mistake?

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Diptyque La Collection 34 New Arrivals

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Last year Diptyque launched their collection 34 scents reminiscent of the very first shop of Diptyque’s founders Christiane Gautrot, Desmond Knox-Leet and Yves Coueslant, who have always displayed their textile creations alongside limited editions of objects unearthed here and there. This season, Diptyque has added three new 34 Collection eaux de parfums, one limited edition Essences Insensées Eau de Parfum, the La Proveresse Ceramic Candle, and three limited edition glass candle holders.

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