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Joie de Vivre: Voutre Vu Launches French Accents Color Collection

July 14th is a day of celebration to commemorate the storming of the Bastille in France; a day to remember the end of the French Revolution and the beginning of a new era in French history. This past Bastille Day marked the beginning of a new era for those of us in the beauty industry as well. I was joined by beauty writers and addicts alike at the Bakehouse Bistro & Café in the West Village to celebrate the recent launch of the Votre Vu French Accents Premier Color Collection. Known for their high quality makeup made with plant-based ingredients (and no animal testing!), this was my first introduction into the brands cosmetic line — I know them more for their skincare.

The event could not have been any more fabulously Parision — the venue was perfect, the staff was dressed in Marie Antoinette-esque wigs and berets, delicious cocktails were served, and (most notably) there was a beautiful showcase of the French Accents premier color collection on display for all to admire.

Smashbox Launches Fall 2012 Image Factory Collection

Fresh for fall, Smashbox has launched their Image Factory collection. Consisting of products for eyes, lips and cheeks, the limited edition collection is straight from a modern-day image factory, AND I CAN NOT WAIT TO TRY IT! The reviews are steller at Sephora, unfortunately I’m currently road tripping through the west coast on my way to Burning Man, so I’m going to have to wait until I’m back in NY to get my hands on this collection!

Smashbox is also partnering with People StyleWatch to launch the Image Factory contest! If you’re an up-and-coming photographers, makeup artists and/or stylists (or aspire to be one), you’re invited to upload three photos of your best work to ImageFactoryContest.com. Fans will vote on their favorites, and three finalists from each category (photography, makeup artistry and styling) will be chosen to be flown to the Smashbox Studios in Los Angeles to work on a real shoot for a Smashbox Cosmetics advertisement that will appear in People StyleWatch. To enter and learn more, visit ImageFactoryContest.com by September 15th!

Now for the Image Factory Collection! 

China takes a que from Blue Man Group all in the name of sun protection

If wide-brimmed hats and sunblock just aren’t enough for you and the idea of just staying indoors is less appealing then putting on a full on face mask before hitting the beach, well congratulations we found you a solution! Meet the latest craze to hit the shores of China, the “Face-Kini”, the beach-friendly swim mask guaranteed to protect from harmful sun rays.

{This could be you!}

I really hope this trend doesn’t catch on.

Available in a multitude of colors, the Face-Kini sells for 15 to 25 yuan ($2.50 – $4.00). Read more at dailymail.co.uk

You Have the Power: Choose Your Mood with Lifetherapy!

What if I told you that during a stressful moment at work or an unnerving time at home, you could instantly transport yourself to a place of relaxation and happiness? Seems like an impossible feat at times, no? Lynette Lovelace, owner and creator of the lifestyle brand, Lifetherapy, will tell you otherwise.

Lynette’s story is inspiring. Hardship fell over her family in 2001, when her 2-year-old son was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and needed major surgery. Fortunately her son recovered, but sadness hit again in 2008, this time with her 12-year-old daughter falling ill. As someone who values her family more than anything, I can’t imagine all that Lynette has been through and I have so much respect for her ability to stay so strong throughout both ordeals. 

Hourglass launches Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick

Hourglass Cosmetics has launched their latest lip range, Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick. The applicator and packaging resemble a lip gloss, but the finish is undoubtedly a highly pigmented, full coverage, matte finish lipstick. It’s incredibly long lasting (although it claims 14 hours and I like to reapply after about 5-8h hours), and best of all it doesn’t budge! You can drink your coffee and salvage your lipstick! It probably one of the least messy lipsticks I own.

The formula is infused with skin-conditioning emollients, antioxidant fruit extracts and Vitamins A, C and E to help protect the lips. It goes on smooth, however, my lips are on the drier side so throughout the day my

PC named Top 100 Beauty Bloggers to Bedeck and Bedazzle with Gifts by Sparkah!

Every morning it’s always the same routine, half wake up, reach for my iPhone and before even getting out of bed, check my email, twitter, and instagram before starting my day. This morning I woke up to a tweet from Robert Kim, marketing expert, social ninja and author congratulating me on making the list with a link!

When I clicked through, Pretty Connected was listed as Top 100 Beauty Bloggers to Bedeck And Bedazzle With Gifts, Literally by Sparkah. Such a compliment! Sparkah is new media business growth consultancy that develops strategic marketing alliances and exposes business to the top bloggers in their industry.

And there I am!! The bio they used is from my twitter profile from my handle @prettyconnected.

So if you’d like to shower me with gifts and compliments, you have Sparkah’s approval! Although I have to say that’s a slippery slope. Yes, it’s the blogger dream to be showered in beauty products,

La Prairie Introduces Cellular Power Serum

La Prairie fans take note! Come September, the skincare brand is adding a new product to their highly efficacious Cellular Power skincare collection; welcoming their new Cellular Power Serum. This potent, plant-infused serum packs a triple threat against aging by working to defend, restore and energize skin, while loading up on antioxidants to prevent free radical damage. Think of it as the creme de la creme (or rather serum) of skincare bodyguards.

The inspiration for this product came from fans of their Cellular Power Charge Night, looking for a comprable day product that encompassed the benefits of their cellular power infusion. However, unlike most products in a collection they are not recommended to be used simultaneously (it’s like power overload) — plus both should

Busting Beauty Myths with Kelly Rutherford and Dr. Lily Talakoub

Yesterday, I headed downtown for a discussion with Dr. Lily Talakoub and actress, Kelly Rutherford as we examined some of the most popular beauty rumors in search of answers.

Kelly Rutherford was our questioner and hilarious host (looking all amazing and svelt in her Valentino dress and Louboutins) and Dr. Lily Talakoub of Mclean Dermatology Center was our myth buster.

So here we go… TRUE or FALSE?

1. Running for 15minutes with a garbage bag on will make you 5lbs thinnerFALSE.

We checked. There was a volunteer who stepped on a scale, then ran 15 min and then stepped back on the scale– she gained a pound. Myth busted!

Funny enough, I’ve heard this rumor but in the rendition I’m used to it’s garbage barrels (not bags) that shed those pounds.

Heather Thomson and Yummie Tummie at Curve NYC

Curve Expo NYC was hosted at the Javits Center in NYC to showcase designers’ Spring/Summer 2013 lingerie and swimwear lines. And like any major trade show, it can be overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for, so I headed straight to the booth of shapewear expert, Heather Thomson, founder of Yummie Tummie and the newest cast member of the Real Housewives of New York.

The history and concept behind Yummie Tummie can be traced back to the birth of Heather’s first child. She began searching for shapewear that was comfortable, but also styles that made her feel sexy, or “yummie”, at the same time. Unimpressed with what she found in stores, Heather took it upon herself to design a line that would make every woman feel her absolute best at all times. “Fashion and function” are not typically words spoken in the same sentence, but Heather succeeded in changing the concept

{Giveaway} Win L’OCCITANE’s Fantastic Provencal Basket filled with $200 worth of product

This giveaway is now closed

Skincare brand, L’OCCITANE has compiled an oh-so-giftable basket of products inspired by the natural beauty of Provence! Filled with regional specialties and $200 worth of L’OCCITANE products, we’re giving away a set to one lucky winner that leaves a comment under this post telling us why they’d like to win — any non-spammy (happy) comment, automatically enters you.

{Win me! Leave a comment under this post to enter. (Pssst: L’OCCITANE is giving away 10 additional sets on their Facebook page)}

**Extra entry will be given to any fan that follows @PrettyConnected on Twitter and tweets about the giveaway, for example: Want to win the @LOCCITANE Fantastic Provence skincare set ($200 value)? To enter leave a comment HERE: http://bit.ly/Nwl7mz

Additionally, there are 10 extra chances to win through L’OCCITANE’s Facebook page!