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Summer Must Have: Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs


{Disclaimer: Compensation was provided by Sally Hansen via Mode Media. Opinions are my own}

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If there’s one product that always makes my summer must-have list, it’s Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs. I’ve written about it for years and with good reason, it’s every tan-loving beauty expert and makeup artist’s not-so-secret cult favorite for an instant tan.

While I travel a lot and want nothing more from each trip than to bring back a tan, natural tans just aren’t in the cards given all the damage UV rays cause. I’m literally never without an SPF 30 or above if this skin is seeing the light of day. Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs is my easy, affordable solution. Available in lotion (5 shades) and spray (6 shades), both are water- and transfer-resistant so they won’t get on your clothes. They also help even skin tone and cover any imperfections as well as freckles. For me, their saving grace is that they cover my annoying spider veins.

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The lotion offers a more matte finish and provides medium-to-full coverage. The spray has more of luminous, shimmer finish and is ideal for a light-to-medium coverage. However, one of my favorite features of the spray is the control I have over it and the fact that you can layer it to full coverage. I’ve always been partial to the spray since it’s the original and I like the control, but I’ll use both interchangeably.

While it’s really tempting to spray it all over your legs, it should be applied to your hand first (same with the lotion) and then massaged onto your legs. Don’t forget to shake it first! With the spray, I will do some small spritzes if there’s an area I want more coverage on – usually around my spider veins, and then rub the product in. However, it’s really meant to go on your hand first.

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Gillette Venus World Shave Headquarters Tour

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Last week, I took a 24 hour trip to Boston to go behind the scenes at the Gillette World Shave Headquarters and take a tour of the facility. This was especially exciting for me since I’m from Boston and they were the first razor I ever bought. I’m also a loyalist today, especially with the Venus Snap which I’ve probably featured in every travel story and post since it has a permanent home in my travel case.

gillette-timeline-evolution-of-razors

As we toured the facility, one of my highlights was walking the timeline wall that featured the evolution of the Gillette brand and the razors they developed along the way. It is there listed under the 1990s that I spotted her. The Sensor For Women, the first razor designed by a woman for women, and the first razor I ever owned. This razor was the start of Gillette getting serious about women’s razors and after 100 years of razor experience, the officially launched the Gillette Venus line in 2001. Since then Gillette Venus has become the #1 selling female razor brand in the world.

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After a walk through the timeline gallery we had breakfast with the Gillette Venus team and took a deeper look at three of their top selling razors, the Venus Snap, Venus Swirl and Venus and Olay. Some key points:

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Venus Snap

The portable, mini-razor, with a full-size refillable Venus Embrace blade head offers an instant smoothness for anyone on the go. The Venus Embrace blade cartridge has 5 blades surrounded by protective ribbon of moisture for glide. I’ve been using the Venus Snap razor since it was in blue packaging, now it’s in pink with the included matching portable plastic compact. For anyone who used the blue in the past, it’s the same razor, just a new color. Compact in it’s case, this is the razor you want for your travel and gym bag.

Venus Swirl

With high precision engineering for the next generation of pivoting, the Venus Swirl features FLEXIBALL technology (the silver ball you see in the middle of the razor) that moves in multiple directions to give a unique multi-dimensional glide from side to side. It took 5 years and over 7,000 legs shaved to develop this razor, which moves with the contours of your body to help you effortlessly shave over tricky areas like knees and ankles. It also features thinner blades so it requires less force to cut more hair for a comfortable shave. And automatically adjusts to different levels of shaving pressure and body contours, helping to further increase shaving comfort.

Venus & Olay

Taking convenience to a whole new level, the Venus & Olay features five blades and a built-in Olay shave gel bar for the ultimate 2 in 1 razor that’s great for anyone that still just uses water to shave. This is actually the same blade used in the Venus Snap just with the added Olay Moisture Bar which has skin-conditioning elements found in Olay products: Petrolatum and Glycerin help lock in skin’s moisture. No other shave cream is required.

Venus Breeze

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Gillette Venus also offers the Venus Breeze razor which is a similar concept to the Venus & Olay in that it has a built in shave gel bar. The main difference is the Venus Breeze has a 3 blade razor vs. Venus &Olay which has a 5 blade cartridge. General rule, more blades offer a smoother, safer shave. And the built in moisture bar doesn’t use the Olay technology. On the upside it’s a little more affordable than the Venus & Olay razor.

Some shaving tips I picked up…

  • Change your razor heads every 10 to 12 shaves.
  • Use moisturizer pre and post shave to prep skin. Some women even use mens pre-shave oil to loosen the hairs and prevent irritation.
  • Thinner, finer blades like the one in the Venus Swirl are ideal for the bikini area
  • Use shaving cream (or at the very least body wash, conditioner or something!) when shaving. Straight water does not give as close of a shave and isn’t as good for skin/hair removal.
  • Store your razor outside the line of water (it can be in the shower but keep it out of direct contact with the shower head, especially the Venus & Olay razor).
  • Going with the grain is recommended for shaving, but going against the grain results in a closer shave so it’s up to personal preference.

To develop any of these razors, there’s a lot that goes into the research phase — they actually go into women’s homes to watch how they shave.

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Maybelline Color Sensational Loaded Bolds Lipstick Collection

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Maybelline is launching 20 incredibly lipstick shades as part of their new Color Sensational Loaded Bolds Lipstick collection. High pigment, creamy finish with high intensity, opaque nudes, browns, reds and a series of dark purples to navy. I’m especially excited about shade #750 Wickedly White which is a great base for any dark shade you want to lighten and have pop! It’s also an amazing tool to help ombre your lips –and can give almost a lip liner effect with only one shade on top. I’ll do a video soon since there’s a lot that can be done with a white base coat.

Pictured above I’m wearing shade #810 Fiery Fuchsia (you know how I love a good fuchsia!). The collection officially launches in stores July 2016 for $7.49 but is currently available on Ulta.com. Swatches below of the whole collection!

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Bluemercury opens in TriBeCa

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Last night, Charlie and I had a blast at the Bluemercury store opening in TriBeCa! The beauty mecca had an incredible turnout and the store is beautiful.  I’m a huge fan of their founder and CEO Marla Malcolm Beck (photoed above with me) and remember when they first opened in NYC.

inside-bluemercury-tribecaThis store marks their 96th location in the US — it’s just incredible what she and her team has done. While I’ve been in my fair share of their stores, this may be my favorite location yet; it’s one of their bigger ones at 2,000 square feet with tall ceilings and that clean, open boutique feel that they are known for.

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What makes Bluemercury so great in addition to the feel when you walk in, and wonderful staff is the product curation –it’s fantastic! They have so many of my favorite brands from NARS, Nest, Chanel, Moroccanoil, Mario Badescu, fresh, skinceuticals, smith+cult, Bliss… the list is endless and spans makeup, skincare, nails, hair, tools bath and body. But there is always more to discover! Charlie and I played at the Georgie Beauty Lash Bar — and picked up the

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Women’s Health #WHSocialMoments 2016 Beauty Award Winners

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For the fourth year in a row I joined Women’s Health magazine for their annual #WHSocialMoments Beauty Awards breakfast where they celebrate their beauty favorites based on key social moments — the best beauty products at work, after hours, at the gym, on vacation and for every social moment.

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NYX Cosmetics Opens Store in Brooklyn

NYX Cosmetics store opening with Noelle Downing and Lara Eurdolian

While I’m aching for NYX Cosmetics to open a store in NYC, the state of New York should rejoice that we’re one step closer with the brand’s first store in this state landing in Brooklyn.

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On Wednesday night, myself an a few blogger friends ventured out deep into BK for a sneak peek at the store. Now when I say deep, I’m talking the most southern point (like way farther then Ikea) to a place called the Kings Plaza Mall for a tour and to shop the store before it’s grand opening today!

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2016 CEW Beauty Award Winners Announced

Enjoying the @CEWinsider Beauty Awards with @DermStore - sharing the winners live on Twitter and will post to the blog tonight. #CEWAwards

Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) held beauty’s biggest celebration of innovation today, recognizing the year’s best beauty products at the 22nd annual CEW Beauty Insider Awards. Hosted at the Waldorf Astoria, I had the pleasure of sitting with one of the event sponsors, Dermstore. With over 800 entries, 212 finalists the top products were announced across 37 categories including hair care, fragrance, skin care, cosmetics, and more.

Hosted by Tony Award-Winning Actress, Laura Benanti, the 2016 CEW Beauty Insider Award winners are:

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At Home Devices Worth Investing In: NuFACE, Dermaflash and Nailbliss

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It’s not every day that an at home devices make us go WOW! In fact before this year most of the ones I used were just okay at best. While I’m still on the hunt for an at home laser hair remover that actually works, I’m no longer as concerned about it thanks to Dermaflash! Here are three devices that conquer everything from at home gel manicure, anti-aging, and hair removal that I’ve been highly impressed with!

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Dermaflash – Inspired by dermaplaning, a procedure available only in medical spas or doctor’s offices that exfoliates your skin to remove the dead skin cells and gets rid of the peach fuzz at the same time comes an at-home version. Dermaflash Facial Exfoliating Device is a first in class, patented, safe, hygienic, exfoliating device for at-home use. The easy-to-use device refinishes skin by removing dead skin cells and built up debris, while also gently removing facial hair (aka peach fuzz) for smooth, luminous, and youthful-looking skin. Use weekly and watch your skin be noticeably softer and glow after treatment. Follow the instructions and use it at an angle to shave all unwanted hair off your face and get ready to be shocked by how much facial hair you never knew your always had comes off your face. Note: You can only charge the device without a blade, so don’t immediately snap it in when receiving. You’ll know the device is charged when the light goes off. Each blade should only be used once (for whole face) before being disposed of.

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NuFACE Mini – The portable mini facial toning device version of NuFace’s original Trinity Facial Trainer, utilizes soft wave microcurrent technology to provide a five-minute facial-lift by gently stimulating the underlying structure of the skin tone facial muscles.  As we age, our body’s natural current begins to slow down leading to sagging skin loss of contour and wrinkles. This device mimics this natural current and goes beyond skin deep to tone facial muscles and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. And yes, you can feel the current (it’s super gentle though) as you use it on the contours of your face. Great for travel, it’s pocket size! Although I have to disclaim if you’re ready to invest consider going for original NuFace Trinity which is larger but compatible with two attachments that aren’t available for the mini. The NuFace Trinity Wrinkle Reducer which uses red, amber and infrared light to combat fine lines an wrinkles and the Ele attachment which targets the eye and lip area to attack eyebrow furrows, crow’s feet and fine lines around the mouth. I’m waiting patiently for them to come out a mini version since I’m dying to try both!

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Nailbliss One Step Gel Polish + LED Lamp – If you love the stay power of a gel manicure but are over the price, I have found the at-home device for you. Super compact and powerful, the Nail Bliss LED Lamp is specially designed to cure all types of UV/LED gel polishes in 60 seconds flat.  While the One Step Gel’s say “one step”, they mean one coat for darker colors and 2-3 for lighter shades. Be sure to apply polish in thin layers and do one nail at a time because the polish is extremely thick and will not last as long if applied in thick coats. If you especially like dark shades on your nails, this is easy to use! And the pink, portable LED lamp bed is the cutest! Paint and cure each nail one at a time for added perfection.

European Wax Center® Launches Strut 365™ Product Portfolio May 1st!

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by European Wax Center® through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about European Wax Center®, all opinions are my own.

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During the winter, I’m terrible about waxing and general hair grooming with the exception of my eyebrows. I’m a sloppy shaver at best unless there is a special occasion or I’m traveling somewhere warm where my skin is exposed. Then come’s April when the weather starts to get nicer and my annual trip to LA which kicks off pool parties, music festivals, shorts, and my waxing season. And I want everything done — legs, bikini, underarm, and eyebrows (well, maybe not everything, but the basics).

This year I partnered with European Wax Center®, to ring in wax season and celebrate the launch of their new brow and skincare collection! When I went in center, I felt that they have a great waxing process that leaves my skin smooth and doesn’t make my skin sensitive! Plus, they have locations everywhere, which is really convenient for me since I travel so much.

I’m very excited that a European Wax Center® just opened in my neighborhood in New York, but I waited until I landed in LA to get everything waxed since I wanted it to be as fresh as possible for my trip. Walking out of the center knowing I can put my hands up and not worry about any stubble is a huge confidence booster and time-saver since the last thing I want to deal with is hair growth while on vacation.

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For the trip I also packed their new Strut 365™ portfolio which launched May 1. Comprised of three collections – Strut Smoothly, Strut Lavishly, and Strut Boldly – and spanning the bath, body, skin care and brow care categories, the portfolio has everything you need to reveal beautiful skin and maintain your wax. All 27 products in the range are paraben and mineral oil free. Here’s the collection breakdown and my mini reviews:

Strut Smoothly – This five-piece face and body collection designed to restore and replenish skin while maintaining your wax includes the Reveal Me Body Exfoliating Gel, Reveal Me Face Exfoliating Gel, Renew Me Restoring Serum, Smooth Me Ingrown Hair Serum and Smooth Me Ingrown Hair Wipes.

The Smooth Me Ingrown Hair Wipes have been a lifesaver for me. It works to help with the appearance of bumps and ingrown hairs while slowing down the regrowth of hair in between waxes. I get bumpy, especially around my bikini line since I have such thick hair but so far it’s been smooth sailing.

I’ve also been playing around with the Reveal Me Face Exfoliating Gel and Renew Me Restoring Serum. The gel you apply to dry skin and massage in circular motions and rinse off after usage. I think it’s really gentle (no exfoliating beads) and was one of my must-have post-music festival beauty products. I needed a deep but gentle exfoliation treatment to take all of the sand and dust off of my face. I follow with the serum, which has a thicker consistency than most serums. It is soft-to-the touch and makes my skin feel the same way.

Strut Lavishly – The body collection consisting of the Body Lotion, Body Wash and Body Polish available in three scents: Cheeky Strut (mandarin, naarjie, mango, soft peony and violet), Graceful Strut (freesia, white rose, muguet and white musk), and Sensual Strut (vanilla, amber, apricot, nectar, jasmine and lily). It’s a really generous portion and I love the body polish. It has exfoliating granulars which makes you feel like you are pampering yourself and it’s not abrasive, which creates a really beautiful experience..

ewc_4Strut Boldly – Six-piece eyebrow collection consisting of the Browfection Brow Liner and Shaper (available in 6 shades), Browfection Brow Powder Duo (available in three shade combinations), Brow Pals Dual-Ended Brow Brush, Sucha Tweeze Slant Tweezer, Oh My Brow! Brow Highlighter and Ready. Set. Brow! Perfect Brow Groomer.

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My Coachella Beauty Checklist on Real Simple!

 

coachella-beauty-must-haves-5As far as I’m concerned, the only person that can pack light and still look beyond on point everyday for Coachella, is Patricia Field. I could definitely take a cue from her organizational skills from our trip together last year. At least I’ve picked up a few tricks of my own when it comes to packing my makeup — I finally found the winning combination between LeSportsac travel pouches and this Caboodle traincase.

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