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Fresh Start Beauty Products on a Budget

As we say goodbye to January and have completed our first month of 2012; I’ve been thinking a lot about many of the “new year, fresh start” type resolutions we make for ourselves: to look better, feel better, travel more, save money… Taking some of these goals into consideration, I’ve put together some of my favorite travel-friendly on-a-budget products all under $15 to help you on your way. 

1. TRESemme FRESH START Dry Shampoo – Dry shampoo has been all the rage for the past year and with good reason! It’s an easy way to revive your hair in between washes or when you’re leaving the gym and don’t have time to shower. And TRESemme has created an entire line of FRESH START aerosol dry Shampoos based on hair type and need! There is a Volumizing, Strengthening, Smoothing, and even a Moisturizing Waterless Foam version designed to absorb excess oil and remove odor without needing a drop of water. And best part is they are priced under $6 and come in two sizes, 5.7oz and 2oz; which is perfect for travel, and compact enough to fit in your make-up case or gym bag.

2. John Frieda Full Repair Touch-Up Flyaway Tamer (0.5 fl oz/$9.99) – This product is genius! Packaged within a mascara bottle, it contains a crystal clear polish formulated with Inca Inchi Oil that weightlessly takes down flyaways without being sticky. It’s great for on-the-go touch-ups and is safe for color-treated and chemically-treated hair. Just brush the mascara wand against those flyaways and watch them settle.

3. Aveeno Smart Essentials Daily Nourishing Moisturizer with SPF30 (2.5 fl oz/$14.99) – Just because it’s winter does not mean you can stop wearing an SPF! This moisturizer is lightweight, hydrating and protects against sun exposure, free-radicals and environmental toxins (which NYC is full of!). It goes on smoothly, absorbs quickly and is very hydrating. Plus it can be worn under your makeup without making it flake.

4. Clean & Clear Limited Edition Hello Kitty Oil Absorbing Sheets ($4.99/50 sheets) – launching in February, Clean & Clear is teaming up with Hello Kitty to bring you this oh-so-adorable limited edition version

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Avon Celebrates ANEW 20th Birthday with Paulina Porizkova and Alfonso Ribeiro

Look who I got a picture with!

Who knew it took going back to the 90’s to attend easily the hippest party of 2012 yet! Okay provided, it’s barely February so that doesn’t say as much as it should, but Avon spared no detail in their recent 1992 themed party in celebration of the 20th birthday of their prestige anti-aging line, ANEW. Hosted by supermodel and ANEW spokesperson, Paulina Porizkova who announced to the audience, “I have nothing in this face for except what God gave me and Avon put on it”. Quite an accolade to the brand considering at 46, she’s flawless..

Avon packed the Thom Bar with 90’s memorabilia including slap bracelets, Fun-Dip, Warheads, fanny-packs, a photo booth, and tunes that made you want to jump-jump (no literally they played ­­­Kris Kros), along with other hits from the decade.  And speaking of the 90’s, just after Paulina gave a speech to the audience and the brand introduced ANEW’s two latest products; Genics Eye Treatment and Clinical Resurfacing Expert; they announced a surprise guest… On came Tome Jones’ It’s not unusual and out came Alonso Ribeiro (aka Carlton Banks from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air!) doing his iconic Carlton dance.

It was perfect. And naturally, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity for a photo-opp with him.

Thank you for a very fun evening Avon!

Tips to keep your nails healthy and strong

It’s winter and weather we like it or not these tough conditions take quite a toll on our hair, skin and nails. While I plan on posting some regular content on counteract some of these dryness symptoms, Nail Beauty Expert Katie Saxton of Custom Nail Solutions shared some great tips with me on how to keep your nails strengthened and conditioned during these cold months.

DIET RIGHT: 

  • Take in calcium, iron, protein, and vitamins A, B, C and D and your nails will gradually grow stronger and healthier.
  • Eat the right foods. Try fish, chicken, eggs, cheese, milk and plenty of fruits and vegetables. These are also great foods to keep you healthy overall!
  • Take in a lot of biotin.

CONSISTENT NAIL MAINTENANCE:

  • Scheduling regular manicures is crucial during the winter months if you want healthy nails. You can schedule in-salon manicures, or do them at home. Both work as long as you are doing them consistently.
  • File, buff and massage the nails.
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Butter London Celebrates Pantone’s Color of the Year with Jaffa

Pantone Tangerine Tango

I do love me a rich shade of orange (especially when it has a tint of red) so when Pantone announced Tangerine Tango as their 2012 Color of The Year, I was delighted. The shade was all over the runway in the Spring/Summer 2012 shows (check out my photos from the Nanette Lepore S/S 2012 show) and bold lips have been such a strong trend in beauty, that I’d love to see this shade made into a lipstick shade.

And considering Pantone is the international color trendsetter, it’s no surprise the beauty industry was quick to embrace the shade in their collections. butter LONDON celebrated the Color of the Year with their shade Jaffa.

butter LONDON in Jaffa

It’s a very pretty, lustrous juicy orange shade with a lighter formula so while two coats will get you an even application, I prefer to add a third for some extra coverage. The shade also appears to be a little brighter then Tangerine Tango and void of the red tints. None-the-less it’s a very happy and bright orange that I’m thrilled to have in my collection. Plus I LOVE butter LONDON’s packaging, and that all of their formulations are “3-Free” (meaning void of formaldehyde, toluene and DBP). And I appreciate their cheeky shade names — the dictionary definition of Jaffa is a type of seedless orange (and it’s also a British slang word for an infertile man. Live and learn!

butter LONDON Top & Tails Set

Now all you need is a good base and top coat for extended wear and nail protection (I like their Top & Tails set) and your manicure is complete.

Expect to see a lot more Tangerine Tango in the near future. In addition to beauty brands adapting their spring collections to have more orange hues,  it was recently announced that Pantone is partnering with Sephora this spring to present the first-ever Color of the Year beauty collection. I may just get that Tangerine Tango lipstick yet!

For more information on butter LONDON and shade Jaffa 3-Free Nail Lacquer ($14) visit www.butterlondon.com

DISCLAIMER: A complimentary sample of Butter nail shades was given to Pretty Connected for post consideration. Pretty Connected was under no obligation to write this review.

Mane Boost Delivers with Serious Hair Volume

You might not be familiar with the company Mana Products or Xania Labs but they are a source of innovation for the beauty world and work with many top brands to help make quite a few of your favorite beauty products.  Branching out from their behind the scenes station they have created a line of hair care products called Mane Boost that works to volumize your style and give your hair the perk it needs to look full – especially during these cold winter months.

The line is made up of 4 products: Amplifying Cream, Volumizing Foam, Root Lifting Spray, and Defining Paste. They are only available in salons and affordably priced at $12 each.

I have wavy hair and I like to wear my hair curly but am challenged with my curls and roots turning flat by the end of the day.  On the other hand my sister rocks a straight style, so on a recent family trip, I put this collection to the test — on us both.

I used a combo of the moose and the cream. I only needed 2 pumps of the moose and a quarter size dollop of the cream on my shoulder length hair. My sister

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Anything but a Faux Pas: Illamasqua Nail Varnish

Pretty Connected contributor, Elizabeth Borenstein finds a new nail polish line to add to her collection…

Illamasqua shades Kink and Faus Pax

Nail polish changed my life the day it stopped me from biting my nails. This obsession with painted nails took on a whole new level when I was treated to a nail art manicure by the supremely talented Miss Pop of www.misspopnail.tumblr.com (check out her site and prepare to be amazed!).

As soon as I received lllamasqua nail varnishes in shades Faux Pas (blue violet) and Kink (bottle green) I promptly ran over to visit Miss Pop and get the skinny on what she thought about the new formula, which promises a “unique rubbery finish”.

Manicure by Miss Pop

After sampling the nail varnish and working her artistic magic Miss Pop gave her seal of approval,

“Great brush, polish applies evenly, and the color is rich and unique-you only really need one coat (although they recommend two). The finish is not matte or shiny it falls somewhere in the middle, it’s like nothing I have seen before.”

I agree. I love the shades (I’m so into muted jewel-tones at the moment) and the finish, and after wearing the polish for a few days I noticed my nails felt stronger and grew faster than with regular polish.

Illamasqua Nail Varnish ($14) is available exclusively at Sephora

DISCLAIMER: A complimentary sample of Illamasqua was given to Pretty Connected for post consideration. Pretty Connected was under no obligation to write this review.

Tips on What to Eat and Avoid for Healthier Skin

There’s always all this chatter about how stressful the holidays are, however for me it’s usually the period right after new years that gets me. Something about adjusting back into work and getting myself on a schedule after a weeks of over eating and sweat pants shocks my system.

However, the holidays are over, and hopefully my not-so-great eating habits have gone with them. I’ve already taken the first step and joined Equinox, now I just need to pay more attention to my diet. Skin Expert Dominique Tinkler (of OMIC Skincare) shares her tips  on what foods to eat and avoid for healthier skin:

For Breakouts

What to eat – Bright red and orange fruits and vegetables have beta carotene which your body converts to oil reducing Vitamin A. Green leafy vegetables contain Vitamin B6 which minimizes swelling, so pimples are reduced.

What to avoid – Iodine rich salt, shrimp and seaweed stimulate oil glands, inducing irritation of pores.

For Stress-Induced Wrinkles

What to eat – Fruits rich in color (such as berries) have Vitamin C which help to promote anti-aging, skin firming collagen and

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Last Minute Holiday Gifts

1. Two Faced Sweet Dreams Makeup Collection – $52 ($186 value). Exclusive to Sephora, this whimsical makeup set is a dream! Filled with 15 of their best-selling eye shadow shades, a full-size Prime Anytime eye primer, two shades of blush, bronzer and highlighter and their signature “How To’ Cards to learn how to apply gorgeous looks with step by step instructions. Every girl in my office bought this palette (it’s that good).

2. Rebecca Minkoff Collaboration Timepiece with Baby-G ($200) – Here’s your chance to own Rebecca Minkoff’s first watch and as of now there are only 500 of these Baby-G watches being made!

3. kai bubbles & light holiday set ($49) – The gift of relaxation is always a winner in my book. This limited edition set comes in a sheer gift bag and is filled with kai’s bubble bath and all-natural fragrance candle.

4. ALEX & CHLOE for FOREVER 21 -Alex and Chloe designed a full collection of jewelry for Forever 21 all under $20!! I’m all about mixing their Rhinestone Bangels (set of 3 – $14.48) with their thicker  Rhinestone Hexegon Bracelet ($14.80), pictured above, and am very excited to welcome them into my jewelry collection.

5. Pantone Mug – offered in a variety of Pantone colors ($15.95 each or $90/set of 6), this mug is a full proof present for any creative-types or coffee addicts on your list.

6. Clinique Chubby Sticks Trio ($45) – I love these hydrating color balms! They offer a soft tint of color and shine with every application. This set includes shades Super Strawberry, Chunky Cherry and Whole Lotta Honey. They are also available individually (in a variety of shades).

7. Sock it to Me knee socks ($9) – offered in a variety of funky prints and colors, forget buying underwear this holiday and go straight for the socks!

8. CND The Plum Truffle Collection – This duo nail polish set includes CND shades Plum Truffle Colour and Plum Truffle Sparkle Effect. Designed to be worn together, apply two coats of Plum Truffle Colour, followed by one coat of Plum Truffle Sparkle Effect (don’t forget your base and top coat!). Makes a great stocking stuffer! This set is available on timetospa.com.

9. Parker Pens Ingenuity Collection ($190)- I was recently at an event for Parker Pens and fell in love with them. Pick a pen based on the way it writes, looks and feels, and Parker has a grand collection of pens. However if you need a guidance, check out their new Ingenuity Collection (my favorite is the Large Daring Black Rubber and Metal pen). Everyone can use a quality ink pen, especially right around the holidays — just think about all of those ‘Thank you’ cards you’ll have to fill out. Plus it makes you feel so fancy!

10. Martha Stewart Crafts Set Your Own Stamp Case ($20.59) – If you’re looking for a gift for any of your craft friends/family, check out Martha Stewart Crafts collection. I have my eye on her Set Your Own Stamp Case which lets you create your own message on cards, invitations, tags, scrapbook pages… and includes upper and lower-case letters, numbers, punctuation marks, icons, phrases, and circular border stamps. Includes 318 pieces to be used with any colored ink pads (sold separately).

11. Victoria’s Secret Party Perfect Makeup Kit ($18) – A medley of 20 must-have VS eyes and face shades, including 16 eye shadows, blush, bronzer, eye applicator and face brush. What more can you ask for from a beauty kit?

12. “Blowout in a Box” by Living Proof and T3– $200 ($258 value). Don’t you love it when two quality brands that compliment eachother partner together to bring you a value set? Exclusive to Sephora, this set has everything you need to create the ultimate salon quality blow-out from the comfort of your home. The “Blow Out in a Box” contains a T3 Featherweight Hair Dryer, Living Proof Straight Styling spray, and a Shine & Volume Application Kit which contains Neo-tortoise shell comb to detangle the hair when wet and Ceramic barrel brush for styling.

Holiday Gift Guide: Fab Finds Under $65


1. Tocca Gift Sets! Featured above is the  Tocca Eau do Parfum Viaggio set ($45) – which features 3 beautifully packaged mini-Tocca signature fragrances (0.5 fl oz), including Colette, Giulietta and Bianca. The Tocca Candele Da Viaggo set ($42) is also a great set for any candle connoisseur. This luxurious set  includes an assortment of travel size votive candles (1.2oz) in four of Tocca’s most popular scents: Cleopatra, Grace, Havana and Kyoto. Also included is a signature Tocca matchbox.

2. BOBBI BROWN Ultimate Party Collection ($65) – This double decker limited edition palette includes eight Matte, Metallic, Simmer and Sparkle Eye Shadows, 4 Glitter Lip Glosses and a mini lip brush and mini eye shadow brush. It’s really is the ultimate high quality convenience palette that packs everything you need for a night out. It’s easy to pull out the lip shade base with minimal pressure preventing any messy accidents or breakage. All the lip gloss shades are on the sheerer side for a light tint.

3. Shiseido Shimmering Cream Eye Color ($25) – A variety of lightweight cream eye shadow that come in 12 shades and offers a radiant pearlish, lustrous finish that can easily with your fingertip (I recommend dusting over with an eye powder brush for darker shades), for an even finish. The formula contains Super Hydro-Wrap Vitalizing DE to help hydrate the skin, which is great for people like me, who have dry eyelids. Shades featured above are my two favorites, Caviar and Moss.

4. Jo Malone Christmas Cracker set ($30) – Crackers are a traditional british party favor so naturally our favorite brand from London has packaged the perfect mini-set in one. Crack open this set and you’ll find their signature mini-sized Grapefruit Cologne (9ml), Lime Basil & Mandarin Body & Hand Wash (15ml) and Pomegranate Noir Body Creme (15ml) perfect for any sophisticated male or female on your list.

5. Kate Spade Portola Valley Passport Holder ($65) – If you saw what my passport looked like at the moment, you’d understand why this is on my list! This chic passport holder is crafted of luxe ostrich-embossed leather and finished with the signature Kate Spade woven dot lining. Available in two shades, fresh green and mauve.

6. Bumble and Bumble Pin Tin ($15) – I love this tin! And my bobby pins can be found in the most miscellaneous places so for the sake of getting organized this makes a great gift. The box contains 50 winter white styling pins neatly packed in Bb. engraved tin.

7. Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Runway Essential Makeup Kit ($35) – Because deep down we all want to be an angel… or at least look like one! This set is the next best thing. Get the fashion show look with their top 4 VS Makeup essentials straight from the runway. The set includes VS Loose Shimmer Shadow in Gold Dust, Triple Drama Mascara, Sparkling Lip Gloss in Delight, and All-over Shimmer Powderin Candy Girl.

8. Tarte puttin on the glitz limited-edition color collection & clutch ($48) – Inspired by Old Hollywood glamour, this clutch includes three interchangeable palettes which snap into the clutch for a total of 18 eyeshadows, 1 Amazonian clay 12-hour blush, 1 Amazonian clay shimmering powder and 1 park ave princess Amazonian clay bronzer, and a maraca-infused lipgloss in the entire set. The reusable case is so hot! It’s a metallic silver clutch with 4 credit card slots, a removable mirror and strap to convert it into a full on evening purse. This set is a $406 value, so snag it for $48 while you can!

9. mark. Power of Change Necklace ($28) – As part of the m.powerment by mark. collection which is a philanthropic initiative committed to breaking the cycle of dating abuse and partner violence, these necklaces are loaded with their iconic symbols of support (and a portion of the sale is this campaign). The two goldtone necklaces are meant to be worn layered- or keep one and share the other with a friend.

10. MAKE UP FOR EVER Wild & Chic Palette ($39) – Available exclusively to Sephora inside Jc Penney stores nationwide, this chic palette includes a miniature Aqua Eyes Liner in black and the 6 Eyes Shadow shades: Bronze, Khaki, Pearly Light Pink, Brown Black, Metallic Copper, and Beige. Packaged in anthracite grey snake print I was spotted using this palette at my office and it’s so hot that half my colleagues now own it. MAKE UP FOR EVER makes one of the best eye liners and strong pigment eye shadows on the market. This is the perfect evening palette and makes a great gift for any makeup junkie.

11. Avon Makeup To Go Palette ($9.99) – this palette may fall apart long before you’re done using it, but for the price and what it has to offer, it’s worth the risk. Containing 8 eyeshadows, 4 lip glosses, and 1 blush, it has everything you need for anyone on the go in the most lightweight compact you’ll likely ever own. Makes for a great stocking stuffer or secret santa gift!

12. Avon Sequin Cross-Body Bag ($19.99) – I was pursuing the Avon site when I saw this hot number! Get it for Christmas, wear this mini sequenced bag for New Years. Features a foldover flap and turn lock closure with detachable cross-body chain-link strap. The bag can be worn three ways: cross-body, handbag or clutch. The dimensions are 4 1/2″ H x 6 1/4″ W x 2 1/2″ D.

13. Aveeno Baby Essential Daily Care Gift Set ($29.99) – Mom’s love Aveeno. And I should know, everyone around me is having babies. So if you’re looking for a great joint new moms and newborns gift this set is a great (and affordable) find! The set includes Aveeno’s Soothing Relief Moisture Cream, Soothing Relief Diaper Rash Cream, Daily Moisture Lotion, Wash and Shampoo, 100% organic cotton blanket, and reusable basket.

14. Give Bag ($7.99 – $9.99) – Who says the gift wrapping can’t be the gift itself? Or at least your eco-chic solution to wasteful & disposable gift packaging. It’s infinitely reusable because of its innovative, patent-pending erasable/rewritable Give Tag gift tags, that saves you the trouble of also buying a card and easily slides into the transparent pocket in the front of the bag. Additionally it features an interior material flap that covers the gift enclosed, eliminating the need for wasteful tissue paper. Plus, each Give Bag features its own unique tracking #, allowing gift-givers to register their Give Bag’s location & view their Give Bag as it travels around the globe. And it’s the gift that keeps on giving considering you’re encouraged to re-gift it once you receive one. Give bags come in two sizes and several colors and patterns.

15. Sally Hansen Salon Effects Limited Edition Holiday Prints ($9.99) – What better way to get into the holiday season then with Sally Hansen’s 5 new limited-edition holiday prints of their cult favorite Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips. The new prints include Plaid About You (red and black plaid), Peppermint Twist (red and white candy stripe), Snow Bunny (white with red snowflakes), Prep’s Cool (black and silver argyle), and Winter Funderland (black, silver and blue glitter). The strips are made of already dried nail polish, so all you have to do is peel and apply for perfectly manicured nails. No mess or fuss, just fun prints!


WWD 10th Annual Beauty Inc Awards

WWD Beauty Inc Awards winners. Photo Credit: John Aquino/WWD Beauty Inc

This morning, I had the great honor of joining Beauty Inc, a Women’s Wear Daily special-issue magazine as they announced their 2011 Beauty Inc Awards winners. WWD/Beauty Inc are the beauty industries bible, so to be in a room full of executives that regularly fill their headlines and are the talent behind the leading mass and prestige beauty industry is as you can imagine, a beauty bloggers dream. I was surrounded by greatness… literally! Seated in the Oscar de la Renta section, I sat next to Alexander Bolen, CEO of Oscar de la Renta and now Beauty Inc Awards winner for the Newcomer of the Year Award. And besides being a rising icon of this industry, he was also an incredibly gracious and lovely neighbor. Also at the brands table, was ever so chic, Erika Bearman, known to 96,445 of us who follow her on twitter as @OscarPRGirl. I hope she tweeted a picture of her outfit, it was gorgeous — back buttoned sweater paired with a long off-white skirt. And however she did her hair, I want a tutorial!

Highlights from the awards ceremony included a special tribute to Evelyn Lauder, for her commitment to this industry and courageous work in raising awareness and funds (over $350 million!) in the fight against bread cancer.  Appropriately, even with her passing this year, she and the Estee Lauder Companies were awarded the Corporate Social Responsibility’ Award, which was accepted by her son on her behalf. Beauty Inc. did a lovely piece on her this morning titled The Incomparable Evelyn Lauder consisting of quotes from those closest to her, sharing their most enduring memories.

Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, gave an inspirational video speech after being awarded the Visionary Award, sharing memories from his trial and tribulations in the beauty industry. “If your going to be a visionary you need to start from the ground up. There are no short cuts”, this from the man that began his career in the industry at the age of 23 and now reigns as the Honorary Chairman of L’Oreal. To learn more about the man, who graces the cover of tomorrow’s issue of Beauty Inc visit WWD.com.

I’ll admit, I haven’t tried many of the winning products, however two awards I can absolutely vouch for are Bumble and Bumble’s Straight line — it could be my favorite shampoo, conditioner and straightening balm of all time and Sally Hansen Complete Salon 5 in 1 Manicure nail polish — it’s easy to apply, has great coverage and is exceptionally convenient. I’m also very partial to Dior Addict Lipstick, the color range they’ve developed is to die for and the formulation is very smooth and hydrating.

And without further adieu, the winner are:

• Visionary Award – Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, Honorary Chairman, L’Oreal

• Corporate Social Responsibility Award – Evelyn Lauder & The Estee Lauder Companies. Inc.

• Creative Influencer Award – Peter Philips, Global Creative Director for Makeup, Chanel

• Eco Awareness Award – Pantene Nature Fusion

• Ad Campaign of the Year –

Prestige – Paco Rabanne Black XS

Mass – John Frieda Precision Foam Colour

• Newcomer of the Y ear –
Prestige – Alexander Bolen, Chief Executive Officer, Oscar de la Renta

Mass – Julia Goldin, Executive Vice President, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Revlon

• Product of the Y ear –

Prestige – Color Cosmetics – Dior Addict Lipstick

Skin Care – Lancôme Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector

Hair Care – Bumble and Bumble The Straight Line

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