Calling all Bliss fans! You can now shop your favorite Bliss skincare products at select Kohl’s locations and Kohls.com! To help celebrate the launch I grabbed my sister over the weekend and we scooted (it’s so good to be back in NY and reunited with my Vespa!), and headed to the Rego Park shopping center. It’s the hidden gem in Queens filled with awesome department and discount stores that are never over crowded where you can find the best deals!
Hi loves! I’m excited to share Modeliste Magazine included my “Lara’s Lust Haves” for Valentine’s Day on their site. You can see the post HERE and why these items below made the cut!
Last night, my lovely intern and peeked the new LOFT location in Rockefeller Center that will be the brands first NYC Concept Store. Officially opening today, LOFT has a series of events this month and partnerships happening in celebration.
Filled with fun printed shorts and maxis, silver metallic knits, colorful accessories and easy basics, the store offers an affordable and fun range of summer essentials.
June 1st OPENING DAY – Get a LOFT summer tote with purchase of $75 or more.
June 8th: GRAND OPENING EVENT HOSTED BY REFINERY29 – Get styled by a Refinery29 editor and receive a Fall 2012 LOFT Collection necklace with purchases of $100 or more.
June 15th: Get a LOFT dip-dye clutch with purchases of $100 or more.
June 22nd: Get a Bliss Spa manicure and exclusive LOFT nail polish with purchases of $100 or more.
June 29th: Get a Drybar blowout with purchases of $100 or more.
And in case you’re wondering what $100 can get you at LOFT — scope this great outfit I picked up with the gift card they gave me. Lucky for me the sweater and sandals we’re 50% off keeping me on budget.
Disclaimer: a complimentary $100 gift card was given to Pretty Connected by LOFT. Pretty Connected was under no obligation to write this post.
Having lived in major cities my whole life, I never much subscribed to home shopping networks like QVC — which I associated with stay-at-home moms and consumers that didn’t have immediate access to stores at every corner. Living in a place where there is a Sephora on every other block, TV is the last place I look to make a beauty purchase (although they do sell online as well).
However, after attending a recent QVC event, I could not have been more wrong — given the amount of beauty brands out on the market it’s a challenge to pick which product is worth the investment; QVC offers consumers that educational component and the opportunity to learn about the products beyond just staring at the packaging straight from the expert behind the brand.
I was shocked by the amount of prestige brands they are currently showcasing — Perricone MD, Bliss, Algenist, Clarisonic, Fresh, Tarte, Lipstick Queen, Make Up For Ever, Go Smile, Josie Maran, Mally, Laura Geller (to name a few) as well as retailers like Space.NK, and Sephora are now partnering with them as well!
And they certainly got my attention. Walking the isles of the QVC event, I got to meet Dr. Perricone and hear first hand why I need to drop everything and try his Vitamin C Ester 15 (QVC Item #A221548) — which has a high 15% concentration of vitamin C fused a with fatty acid derived from palm oil that’s going to brighten my skin and give me a glowing complexion. And then there was Poppy King (THE LIPSTICK QUEEN!!!) — who I’ve been obsessed with for some time now. Her lipsticks are so luxurious and rich and offer this perfect combination of hydration and pigment without being messy or flimsy. She’s launched the Lipstick Queen Liptopolis Lipstick Collection ($48/QVC Item #A226460) which has this super cute packaging that includes 3 lipstick shades, Central Park (peach), Soho (red) and Upper East (nude hue). What can I say… I’m so Soho — I haven’t stopped wearing this shade since I got the set. I met Josie Maran, Ken Paves, Laura Geller… and hearing first hand from these experts what makes their products so great and the best way to use them adds such a value and educational component that I’m a total QVC convert. Plus you can expect a medley of specials and exclusives from these brands only available on QVC.
{Ken Paves gives Cheryl of The Fashionista Stories his signature Hairdo extensions — looks so natural!}
{Sarah Potempo demoed her “The Wrap-Up” ($24/QVC Item #A323424) on a model, instantly giving her the perfect bun in seconds!}
{Fresh co-founder Lev Glazman introduced us to their hand blended (in a monastery) ancient remedy to the fountain of youth, Elixir Ancien + Face Treatment Oil ($50/QVC Item #A226364), which is being offered exclusively in a .5 ounce size on QVC}
{Former super model Josie Maran has more then one reason to be glowing — we suspect it’s part baby-bump, part her latest Argan Illuminating Body Butter ($30/ QVC Item #A224383) which combines her lightweight, hydrating body butter that’s infused with her signature ingredient, argan oil and a delicate luminzers that offers a subtle shimmer for that perfect summer glow.
For the complete list of beauty offerings, visit QVC.com
For all of you obsessive lip balm appliers, lip plumper connoisseurs, compulsive scrubbers or general lip enthusiasts, I have some exciting new for you! Bliss’s NEW Fabulips in-spa treatment and at-home kit ($45). Designed to recreate the professional in-spa experience, this kit perfects your pout in just four easy steps:
1. Refresh: Lift impurities with our one-of-a-kind foaming lip cleanser
2. Retexturize: Exfoliate with our deliciously sweet and gentle sugar lip scrub to remove dead skin
3. Rejuvinate: Follow up with our visibly volumizing instant lip plumper
4. Replenish: Seal the deal with our luscious moisturizing softening lip balm
So whether you’re trying to wash away the kisses of a fizzled summer romance and refresh your pout for fall or give your lips some well deserved TLC, Fabulips
Brutal winters, like the one we’re currently experiencing with harsh winds can affect and damage our skin. You may have noticed your skin is increasingly more dry, dull, or flaky this season. Here are some tips on how to get your skin back on track and prepared for the winter months ahead.
Water temperature: Be sure your water is lukewarm when taking a shower or bath–hot water is very. Pat skin dry instead of harshly rubbing with a towel.
Choose a Hydrating Cleanser to help deep condition and rebalance dry skin. Ideal for normal/dry skin, I like ARBONNE Hydrating Cleanser + Freshener ($25) when my skin gets ultra dry–it’s very rich and creamy. I’m also a fan of Mario Badescu Orange Cleansing Soap ($20), which is a light, non-drying gentle cleanser which works for all skin types, and serves as a makeup remover as well. Same rule with washing your face as with showering, use warm (not hot) water.
Exfoliate 1-2/week: Exfoliants help remove dead skin cells and restore a healthy complexion. Plus, it makes moisturizing more effective when applied to exfoliated skin. Just be sure to do so at night when you’re skin is not exposed to the sun –you don’t need that added risk of UV exposure. Apply in a circular, upward motion to get your circulation going. I recommend Mario Badescu Almond & Honey Non-Abrasive Face Scrub ($15), it gently buffs away dead skin cells. If you’re skin type is oily and you prefer a stronger exfoliant, try Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash ($22), although I recommend following up with a rich moisturizer after.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize: Especially right after showering for a more hydrating effect. I swear by Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream ($24.50), it’s lightweight with a great cooling effect and just glides right into my skin upon application. For very dry skin try Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief ($34). It’s an amazing gel moisturizer that feels like a tall glass of water going directly into your skin and offers immediate moisture. If you’re skin type is oily, try Clinique Different Moisturizing Gel with Pump ($24.50) as an alternative. If you prefer a heavyweight, rich cream, Dermalogica Super Rich Repair ($77), with Shea Butter and Oil of Evening Primose is ultra hydrating.
