Mink Lashes At Pierre Michel Salon

It's official. I now look at tubes of mascara with the same jaded disgust one would have when looking at a rotary phone. To me, they're just obsolete. WHY would one want gloopy, coated lashes when one can have lashes of wonder that look as if they grow out of your lid that way? AND look that way 24 hours a day? Even better? MINK eyelash extensions. It's so glam, it's like the penultimate glam goal. It's out-fabulousing the fabulous. To me, mink eyelash extensions are a service Zsa Zsa  would get if she were still a spry young thing and Eva would subsequently get criminally jealous and invest in them ASAP.

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Talking Lashes (What Else?) In The New York Times Today!

You GUYS!

 I'm totally kvelling because I was quoted in The New York Times today discussing my favorite subject of 2010, lashes. Thanks to Kayleen Schaffer for including me in her article, which features all the latest ways to get lashes to the sky. Congrats to Beauty BFF extraordinaire Jenn Falik and lash queen Courtney Akai on their mentions, as well!

Read "Batter Up: Eyelashes Enjoy A Spike."

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40% Off Sale At Blissworld.com!

Get involved at blissworld.com!


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My Latest Snow-bunny Chic Lip Concept: Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm

It's simple. It's gorge. It keeps my lips hydrated and manages to look Anne Hathaway-in-every-movie-she's-in natural. It's so quick, you can swipe it on mid-subway ride sans mirror. It's the Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Chunky Cherry and it's freaking fantastic. It's much like my beloved tarte Lip Stain Pencil with Lipsurgence but a little more sheer. And the color. THE COLOR IS PERFECTION. It's so divine, I'm willing to overlook the product's Anglicized spelling of "colour" coupled with its Americanized spelling of "moisturizing."

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Shopbop.com Partners With Sephora To Launch COLLECTION Palette Color Play 5 in 1 Limited Edition Palette

Shopbop.com, a site with which my Visa and I are just a bit too famil, has launched a SEPHORA COLLECTION Palette Color Play 5 in 1 limited-edition palette inspired by Shopbop’s forthcoming “Faces of Fashion” editorial look book.

The 5 in 1 limited fashion edition color palette is currently available on Sephora.com and will hit Sephora stores on December 28. Shopbop’s accompanying ‘Faces of Fashion’ look book will launch on Shopbop.com today as well.

The set looks fun and colorful yet infinitely useful, n'est-ce pas? Looks like a great gift for any gal's makeup collection.


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The Most Gorge Eyelash Curler Ever From Tarte

Sometimes a gal needs to buy a beauty gift for her damn self--like after spending 5.5 hours to travel from Philadelphia to New York City, which should take no more than 2 hours door to door via (Sh)Amtrak. My wonderful Twitter followers, by the by, (are you following me at @glambr?) were so supportive--without them, I surely would have lost my mind.

So my gift from me to me for enduring both the holidays and Snowpocalypse 2010 is this super-luxe limited-edition picture perfect eyelash curler from tarte. It's only $15 (!) and jazzes up my makeup bag by 62% (I measured).

It's beyooo, is it not? What's your holiday gift from you to you?

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Fictionary: Facial Profiling

Isabelle Bellis

Fictionary is a column showcasing beauty-related words that don't exist, but should.

 I review facialists based on whether I see a difference post-facial (either immediately or not) but more importantly, whether OTHERS do. And after a two-hour +  treatment with the fantastic Isabelle Bellis  my skin gleamed in a way in which I wasn't even familiar. Someone now compliments my skin nearly every day. Why? Because Isabelle facially profiled me and prescribed Joelle Ciocco products for me that suit my skin better than anything I've tried yet AND also gave me a list of foods to avoid and choose based on their respective acidity or alkalinity. Per her guidance, I've been consuming more cooked vegetables instead of salads and avoiding items on the acidic list, which includes, among others, berries, pineapple and plums. I've also investigated investing in a water ionizer system like the ones sold by Water Ionizer Authority so I can simply up my alkaline intake via my drinking water.

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The 12 Days of Christmas Sponsored by Proactive Solution + A Giveaway

Seasons greetings, my little Lovey Howells!

In honor of the season of giving, I've partnered with Proactive Solution on a charity initiative and giveaway of 12 of their Proactive Solution Renewing Cleansers! Details within the video.

Best of luck!

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Get A Free Sample Of CLEAN Shower Fresh Perfume

Merry Christmas, BBJ readers! To celebrate the season of giving, I've partnered with CLEAN to offer the first 200 of you to "like" the CLEAN fan page on Facebook a FREE sample of CLEAN's new fragrance, Shower Clean. Enjoy!

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Holiday Gift Guide: The Body Shop Spiced Vanilla Shower Scrub & Soften Gift Set

Sparkle, Neely, sparkle: This is the 2010 BBJ Holiday Gift Guide. For more gift-worthy items for everyone on your list, check out my other offerings.

Friends, you'd be hard pressed to find a recipient who wouldn't be tickled to get The Body Shop's famed holiday vanilla sets of glory. This year, the festive stand-by comes in a festive box complete with a red bow and contains a Spiced Vanilla Shower Gel, Body Butter, Body Scrub and Soap. It's only $13, so buy them in multiples and distribute them as hostess gifts. It'll soften the blow when you drain your unsuspecting party-giver of Prosecco. If you know what I mean, and I think you do.

Buy The Body Shop Spiced Vanilla Shower Scrub & Soften Gift Set at thebodyshop-usa.com.

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Eye Love It Giveaway: ACUVUE, RoC, NEOVA and Neutrogena Valued at $144

Girls, this is a great eye-themed giveaway I've got going on this week. One lucky will winner will get a bunch of eye goodies to keep yours looking gorge-tastic in 2011. It includes: 

A month's supply of ACUVUE TrueEye Contacts: Studies have shown that daily replacement is the healthiest way to wear lenses. With this, Acuvue has launched their newest innovation, 1-DAY ACUVUE TruEye.  Breakthrough technology keeps eyes looking naturally white and healthy, allowing eyes to breathe almost as if you are not wearing a lens at all. The use of a fresh lens daily helps to minimize buildup of allergens and irritants while also providing the convenience of not having to clean or store lenses! Value: approximately $60

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Favorite Things of 2010 Video Number 4!

The Tamar and Amber Favorite Things of 2010 Series continues! If you missed installments 1, 2 and 3, check them out here, here and here. Please disregard my drunken behavior and my red-wine stained teeth (it HAD been about 40 minutes of wine at this point). We cover, in this video:

Tamar: Davines Number 1 Finest Oil Non Oil For Wizards
Amber: Keratin Complex Serum
Tamar: Revlon Retro Fire and Ice
Amber: Immunocologie Skin Care (a new Swiss brand I'm LOVING)
Tamar: Miss Pucci Perfume
Amber: CND Effects Line Polish
Tamar: Tom Ford Black Orchid Collection

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Destination: Procrastination

Jimmy Choo's got a fragrance debuting in January 2011

[Hot Beauty Health]

Andy Samberg and Akon are SEO geniuses
[MTV Buzzworthy]

What kind of meeting took place wherein the idea for this skirt was conceived? "I'd like a flippy bottom that looks like a muppet?"
[Fashion Binge]

What to do when you only have a mere FEELING he's cheating
[Lemondrop]

The best beauty products for blustry climes
[College Fashion]

Some more last-minute gift ideas
[Fashion Pulse Daily]

How to do your own fishtail braid for the holidays
[College Candy]

The smarmiest marriage to grace the NYT Style section in a while
[TheGloss]

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Fictionary: New-d

Fictionary is a column showcasing beauty- related words that don't exist, but should.

This week's Fictionary entry, "new-d," comes courtesy of celebrity makeup artist to the likes of Kim Kardashian (among others), Mario Dedivanovic. New-d is, naturally, the new way to rock nude makeup and no one does a better nude lip moment than Mario.  I'm in the process of writing a much more in-depth article for another site using all the new-d makeup tips I've gleaned from him, but in the meantime, this flesh-tone tip will tide you over! In the words of Mario:

"One of my favorite nude looks is to pair a matte lip, matte eyeshadow and bronzer with a sheer highlighter like Eye M Glam by Giella  (Giella.com) swept on the cheekbones.  This look is fresh, pretty and new-d.  

Ladies, please do."

What's your favorite way to new-d?

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Mattification of the Nation: How to Create Faux-bangs With A Winter Hat

I've spent pretty much my whole lifestyle staunchly avoiding hats for the very purpose of salvaging my hairstyle, much to the horror of Carol, who's convinced I'd get far fewer colds if I weren't so vain. So imagine my delight when Sally Hershberger Downtown's Matt Fugate, my stylist, made a house call yesterday (that in and of itself is the stuff of dreams) and shared a tip about using your winter hat at a hairstyling apparatus. In Matt's words, here's what you need to do achieve faux-bangs all winter long.

Find the length at the top of your hair that works for your bang, then you want to backcomb your hair a bunch so that it stays together, so you can control it more. Also, when you backcomb your hair, it makes the ends more wispy, so it looks more like a genuine fringe. If your layers are long, you can sort of pile your hair on top of your hair and twist it under the hat so that it fits. 

Genius! Don't miss the rest of the Mattification of the Nation series.

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Nineties Nostalgia: The Latest From Redken and Napoleon Perdis

Guys, I've been having a '90s-themed holiday season in general, and it's not just me. From the first time I witnessed a fellow pedestrian rocking Doc Martins again next to me on the street a couple months ago, I started to feel my inner 17 year-old dying to employ her favorite hair and makeup tricks (and even fashion, we'll cover some of those trends in the coming weeks). Longtime BBJ readers know my theory about '90s fashion (if you don't, read up on it here) and why it was so heinous, but even my plaid-hating heart loves the modern take on the formerly unfortunate period from an aesthetic standpoint. Plus, to fully set the scene sans Clinton Administration, Andrea, Dina and I have even been back in touch with select '90s beaus of yore, purely by chance. Smells like Teen Spirit in here, n'est-ce pas?

Here are some new nineties nostalgia beauty products that will make you feel as glamorous as a supermodel circa the David Fincher-directed Freedom '90 video.

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Ted Gibson Gets Lash Extensions With Courtney Akai

My mane man, the hilar Ted Gibson has long been a fan of my lash extension addiction. We talk about them at length (HA!) every time I'm at the salon (which is often, as it's a mere few blocks from my stu-stu-studio). Ted has been wanting to take the plunge and get them himself and I'd hesitated only because they're massively addictive and I don't want to be the peer who pressures. But friends, eventually, I had to take Ted for his "gateway lash experience" at the fabulous Courtney Akai Lash Boutique, where we filmed his maiden lash voyage, along with his reaction and an explanation from Courtney about how exactly the process works. I was so psyched to be able to take a video of the whole process as I never get to see it. Because my eyes are always closed. Obv. Here's the video:



Check out Ted's thoughts on his new cils on his brand new blog, In His Beauty Universe!

And Ted, don't be mad at me when you wind up having a once-monthly lash habit, k?

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Fictionary: Massterpiece Theatre

Credit: Makeup Alley

Fictionary is a column showcasing beauty- related words that don't exist, but should.

BBJ readers, I'm nothing if not at your service, so when many of you said that drugstore reviews are something you'd like to see more of, I hopped to it. This week's fictionary entry is Massterpiece Theatre and it refers to a drugstore gem that feels uber-luxe and brings the drama. I.e., you have to be ready to wear it and not let it wear you. Also, when you're wearing a lip color that's bright, a moisturizing formula makes all the difference--especially in this Arctic weather we're undergoing.

So my Broadway-worthy pout-definer of choice? Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Color in Fuchsia Fever, a lush pop of Nicki Minaj-meets-Barbie hue. I command you to rock it to your holiday parties, drink too much Prosecco, bust out your most scandalous hemline and pity anyone with the misfortune of standing next to your dramatically decorated diva dollface. Why? Because no matter who is in attendance at the affair, with those lips, YOU'RE going to be the phantom of THAT glamorous opera.

Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Color is sold at drugstores nationwide.

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Favorite Things of 2010 Video Number 3!

Ohai!

So Tamar and I have guided you through our favorite things epidodes 1 and 2. Brace yourself for the third installment below. Two more to go!

Here are the products we covered in the above video:

Tamar: Top Shop Lipstick and Lip Crayon
Amber: Stila Smudge Pot in Kitten
Tamar: Urban Decay Naked Palette
Amber: La Prairie Advanced Marine Biology Tonic
Tamar: Sulwahsoo Concentrated Ginsing Cream
Amber: Juliette Has a Gun Fragrance Set (Lady Vengeance)
Tamar: Honore de Pres Va A New York
Amber: Napoleon Perdis Lipstick in Calypso
Tamar: Burberry Effortless Mascara
Amber: La Prairie Anti Aging Eye Cream SPF 15
Tamar: Maybelline The Falsies Mascara
Amber: Alterna Kendi Oil


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Favorite Things of 2010 Video Part 2!

Oh, and in case you missed Part 1 of Tamar's and my journey through all the best in beauty this year, here it is. I warn you, we get progressively more drunk as the videos go on, thanks to fearing looking awkward while the other is rattling off one of the things on her "faves" list.

Mentioned in this video:

Tamar: Stila Raspberry Crush
Amber: Paul and Joe Palette
Tamar: Clarins Holiday Palette Barocco
Amber: Chanel Nail Polish in Riva
Tamar: Deborah Lippman Bad Romance Polish
Amber: Carmindy All Over Brightener

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Favorite Things of 2010 Part 1

So Tamar and I recently gathered at her apartment in Brooklyn to film a five-part video of our favorite beauty items of 2010. Here's the first installment. I'd like to thank the academy and Tamar's husband Matt for filming us. Check it out!

Here's the list of items we cover:

Tamar: Paul and Joe Undereye Concealer

Amber: Tokyomilk Bon Bon Shea Butter Hand Cream

Tamar: CO Bigelow Protein Rich Conditioner for Dry and Damaged Hair

Amber: Panthera Ultraflesh Mascara

Tamar: MAC Haute and Naughty Lash

Stay tuned for more installments!


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Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson Split

I'm having a very Tevye reaction to the news about Ryan Reynolds' and Scarlett Johansson's split. On the one hand, my worldview is more positive in general when Ryan Reynolds is single. On the other, ScarJo was one of the few people I thought was good enough for that adonis.

What do you guys think?

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Giveaway: P&G Beauty & Grooming Deep Moisture Gift Set

Friends, this week I've teamed up with P&G to offer you guys the chance to win one of five holiday kits. Banish the winter skin and hair blues like Romeo to Mantua with the Deep Moisture Collection from P&G Beauty and Grooming. Olay Body Wash and In-Shower Body Lotion hydrates and softens, while a Venus Embrace Razor keeps it smooth and hair-free. Pantene 2-in-1 Classic Clean works double-time for soft and moisturized hair.

You can enter by leaving a comment about your most annoying winter skin woe... i.e., dry, flaky skin, staticky hair, etc. I'll choose a winner tomorrow at 5pm ET.

Best of luck! 

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Not That Complex: Keratin Complex Express Blow Out

Truly. It's not that complex. The deal? In exchange for a hungie ($100) and an hour of your time, you get perfectly smooth, hydrated locks that last six weeks, they DON'T make you look like you're in an Axel Rose lookalike contest in the beginning, AND you can even wash your hair after a mere eight hours instead of playing that stringy, dirty hair game for four days. Oh, and the best part? My hair has just as much volume as it ever did and holds a curl just fine, unlike with other keratin treatments I've experienced.

I underwent the service at one of my favorite beauty sanctuaries, Ryan Darius Salon, where one of my fave PEOPLE, Ryan himself, administered the juice. Ryan, you may recognize from LOGO's A-List, or Gay-list, as I like to call this hilar show that also features Ryan's bestie TJ, one of the most fabulous people I know. I so recommend you get the process done here, friends. Ryan's blow-out technique is so epic, my hair had move volume than it did prior to the treatment. When can you say that? We also used the opportunity to catch up and have a quasi biz meeting. He even supplied me with samples of the accompanying Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner and Repair Therapy Intense Rx Ionic Keratin Protein Restructuring Serum, the combo of which made my hair look smooth and lustrous.

Make an appointment for the service at Ryan Darius Salon at 212-255-3579. The salon is located at 8 West 12 Street, on the corner of 6th Avenue. For the love, call up. It's not that complex.

Disclosure: Service provided gratis for editorial consideration.


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Holiday Gift Guide: Fekkai Shine. Shine. Shine. Gift Set

I can think of few gals who wouldn't be dazzled to find this glossing gift in their respective stockings. The Fekkai Shine.Shine.Shine. Gift Set ($27) includes a Brilliant Glossing Shampoo, Brilliant Glossing Conditioner and Brilliant Glossing Cream features the brand's encapsulated olive oil technology to ensure she'll shine through NYE. This gift is worth $41 and retails for only $27. The perfect gift for your friend who's so vain about her hair, she thinks EVERY song is about her. (Like me).





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New: L'Oreal Youth Code

L'Oreal skin care always exceeds my expectations of a mass line's glide and capacity to improve my skin's texture. And while I'm a fan, Carol is a super L'Oreal Paris skin care fiend. She'll rebuff my offers for her to try much more high end, expensive potions and creams in loyalty to her coveted Skin Genesis. So while I've been loving my introduction to the brand's latest skin care gem L'Oreal Paris Youth Code (the product's easily spreadable and quick-absorbing texture really is impressive), I know our time together will be short-lived, as Carol will no doubt snap them up when I'm home in Philly over the holidays. In the meantime, let's discuss the new formula, shall we? Let's DO.

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Giveaway: Womanity by Thierry Mugler

As I mentioned earlier today, Womanity by Thierry Mugler was just named the winner of the WWD Beauty Biz Breakthrough Product of the Year for Prestige Fragrance. If you missed it, check my review of this groundbreaking fragrance. In celebration of this major major win, Thierry Mugler is offering five lucky BBJ readers a signature Thierry Mugler Black Clutch and 30ml bottle of Womanity as a thank you for all of the support in Womanity's launch year.

Want to be involved? There are 3 ways to enter...

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WWD Beauty Biz Awards

Few things inspire me to bound out of bed at the ripe hour of 6am, but celebrating the WWD Beauty Biz Awards (arguably the most prestigious in the industry) with the likes of major execs from my favorite brands like Estee Lauder, L'Oreal and P&G (among others) is certainly at the top of the list. Yesterday's breakfast was held at the Four Seasons where guests dined on mini morning delights like teeny French toasts before gathering together to attend the awards ceremony.

It began with a tribute to Leonard Lauder, whom any layperson, Jewish or not, would ONLY describe as a mensch. He talked about the magical journey through which Estee Lauder has endured and discussed the importance of having future vision--seeing yourself, your brand, your company as having achieved that which you desire. He also confessed that he'd have been able to do none of it without the help of so many people in the company. It was truly inspiring. Read the full article on this industry figurehead on WWD.com.

Here's the full list of winners:

Read more...

Clarisea Friends and Family Sale

Take advantage of this offer for a Face Starter Set valued at $42 for just $29.40! Get involved at clarisea.com.

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tarte Cosmetics Friends and Family Sale

Redeem at tarte.com. You're welcome!

And what are you getting?

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Lady Gaga Looks FABULOUS In MAC Cosmetics' Viva Glam 2011 Campaign

Right? I just covered this for MTV Buzzworthy, but you're cra if you think I'd leave my BBJ readers out of this major MAC Cosmetics/Lady Gaga for Viva Glam 2011 news. Check the excerpt below:

We respect a random act of Lady Gaga looking glam. Because these moments without cigarette glasses, outrageous Tim Burton-esque platforms and, you know, meat dresses are so fleeting, it makes them all the more special and BUZZWORTHY.

So we really have to salute Lady Gaga for looking so "regular-girl-pretty" in her latest partnership with MAC Cosmetics. WWD confirmed today that Lady Gaga is MAC's Viva Glam spokeswoman for the second year in a row, as  Last year, Gaga teamed up with Cyndi Lauper for MAC's 2010 campaign, which launched early this year. The Gaga-Lauper duo proved the most successful for the MAC AIDS Fund, which has raised more than $190 million for the cause since its founding in 1994.

Read the rest at MTV Buzzworthy. And tell me: What do you think of Lady Gaga's Viva Glam look? I'm INTO It.

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Destination: Procrastination

The witty Jennifer Wright got her hands on Marilyn Monroe's diet in full detail. If you don't think I'm on it starting now, you don't know me at all
[TheGloss]

A completely arbitrary graph of sexy and unsexy dude vocations
[The Frisky]

A review of the Clarisonic Mia
[College Candy]

It may smell like something you'd consume on Mulberry Street, but apparantly, Kaplan MD Cell Renewing Microfoliant is where it's AT (and worth ending a sentence with a preposition for--AND I DID IT AGAIN. Okay, I'm done)
[Naag]

I felt the need to discuss Justin Bieber's My World collection and how it involves dog tags in varying pastel shades. VERY tough, Bieb. Very tough
[MTV Buzzworthy]

Karen's review of the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil 15-Year Anniversary Set is giving me the VAPOURS
[Makeup and Beauty Blog]

Do you enforce the one-date rule?
[How About We]

A Barbie giveaway? Yes, please
[Crushable]

This weather sucks, but some tips on how to style that heavy parka don't
[College Fashion]

Dr. Doris Day discusses wrinkles and how they're caused
[Philips Crystalize]

Vera Wang to launch a beauty line for Kohl's
[Glamour The Girls In The Beauty Department]

Successful people are nicer to those who may be jealous of them. So lose the 'tude!
[Lemondrop]

Sarah gets cozy with DKNY (all up in your eye)!
[StyleIt]


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Fictionary: Shampoo Sorbet

Fictionary is a column showcasing beautyr-elated words that don't exist, but should.


Proust has madeleines. I have Bonne Bell Ten-O-Six, Noxema, Love's Rain Scent perfume, Yves Rocher Shower Gels and my go-to shampoo when I become immune to my regularly-scheduled one, Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo. 

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End Your Buyatus: StyleFind.com

InStyle's launched a new shopping site called StyleFind.com, a quick and easy shopping experience, presenting the most relevant, on-trend merchandise from 150 hand-picked retailers and over 2,000 brands, with plans to add more in 2011.

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And the Winner of the Random Acts of Clarisonic Giveaway is...

Cindy! Congrats! Email me your full name/address at beautybloggingjunkie[at]gmail[dot]com and I'll have your gifts sent to you. Thanks to all who entered and to Clarisonic for sponsoring the Random Acts of Clarisonic giveaway!

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How To Ensure You Project a Glambiance of Gorgeosity At Your Weeknight Holiday Parties

Bar none, the hardest thing about holiday parties (well, those that occur mid-week) is managing to look fly at them--when you're coming right from the office. As someone who worked at many a conservative day job environ where every night came down to a choice between looking appropriately boring at the office and dowdy post-work OR totally tarty at the office and glamazing after hours (I always chose the latter, obv), I've mastered this art. Actually, it's a science AND an art. 

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Get The Look: Michelle Williams At The Premiere of "Blue Valentine"

Celebrity makeup artist Jeanine Lobell worked with Michelle Williams at the New York premiere of Blue Valentine on Tuesday, December 7. Here,  Jeanine's tips on how to get Michelle's fresh, modern red carpet look.

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Robert Verdi's Holiday Gift Guide

Beauties, I've shared a bunch of my ideas for holiday, but I believe we can all benefit from the wisdom of Robert Verdi's chic-as-hell recommendations, as well. Here, he shares his comprehensive guide of haute holiday gifts for everyone on your list. Plus, Robert Verdi's 2010 Holiday Gift guide video features his gift picks for each of the celebrities on his naughty & nice list like Beyonce and Eva Longoria, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo and Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson and more.

 Check it out below.

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Movie Set Pop Up Shop in NYC

This may be the coolest sale I've ever heard of. It's a MOVIE SET POP-UP SHOP. And according to the blast, there are 100s and 100s of items from movie set wardrobe departments.

Brands:
Chanel
Christian Louboutin
Cynthia Rowley
Diane von Furstenburg
Jimmy Choo
Marc by Marc Jacobs
Michael Kors
Miu Miu
Prada
Ralph Lauren
Valentino
Yves Saint Laurent
And many, many more
- All items in New or Like-New Condition
- 50% - 70% off retail
- $50 and up


December 9th and 10th
9:00AM to 7:00PM
December 11th
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM


60 Vestry Street (at Washington)
Ground Floor

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Holiday Gift Guide: What To Buy The XY-Chromosomed Set

Dudes (and math) are a mystery, but what to buy them for the holidays ISN'T. Here, the best gift sets for everyone from your father to your coworker to your significant other.

VitaMan Travel Kit
The perfect travel companion, this pack offers every grooming product necessary to keep dudes looking their best. The set includes 50ml tubes of the VitaMan Shave Cream, After Shave, Face Moisturizer, Shampoo, Conditioner, and Body Cleanser.  A bonus dopp bag houses everything so guys can stay groomed at the gym or on the road.

$99 at vitamanusa.com



Every Man Jack DIY Kits

Every Man Jack is a men's brand that's a standby in my BBJ Holiday Gift Guide year after year. It's so reasonably priced but effective and clean-smellingly fragrant. This year, you can create a custom “Totally Stuffed Toiletry Bag” by logging onto www.EveryManJack.com/holiday.  Choose five items from a dozen different hair, skin, shave and body products in a variety of fragrances including Signature Mint, Cedarwood and Citrus. And for the sensitive hombre there is a bevy of fragrance-free options to choose from.  Everything is packed in a premium duffel bag featuring a large main compartment, zipper side pockets, and smaller pockets on the outsides.

$25 (Gift Value $50) at EveryManJack.com

American Crew Shave Duo Gift Set 
When your dude is FAKAKTA unkempt, surreptitiously gift him with this inexpensive little gem. It contains a Precision Shave Gel, Post Shave Cooling Lotion, and a Stainless Steel Nail Kit which includes scissors, tweezers, nail file and nail clippers. 


$26 at mensroombarbershop.com


LUSH Chillin' With My Gnomies
Aw, doesn't the name take you back to Elton helping Tai at the Val party in the kitchen (Rollin' With The Homies)? So they're not exactly gnomes but blue-clad Santas, and they grace the wrapped box in which this natural set comes. It contains a Snow Globe Soap and a Whoosh Shower Jelly.

$15 at lushusa.com

What are you buying your boy for the hols?

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Holiday Gift Guide: StriVectin Gift Of Discovery Kit

Sparkle, Neely, sparkle: This is the 2010 BBJ Holiday Gift Guide. For more gift-worthy items for everyone on your list, check out my other offerings.

 Though her skin magically looks at least 20 years younger than her age of 90, my grandmother does next to nothing to keep it that way. She moisturizes but--would you BELIEVE--hasn't used eye cream until I shrieked that she get involved at the age of 89? I can't help but wonder if her skin would mythically get even younger like the effects of the youth drink in the Puffalumps movie where the main characters escaped via their mirror into a world of whimsy  (which I credit for my obsesh with mirrors and why I have approximately 25 in my stu-stu-studio) if she were to get on a for-reals anti-aging skin care regimen like StriVectin's Gift of Discovery Kit.

It contains the brand's Instant Retexturizing Scrub, Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles and Intensive Concentrate for Stretch Marks and Wrinkles.

It'll be a great experiment to see how she fares with the power of peptides on her side.

The StriVectin Gift of Discovery Kit retails for $79 at Sephora

Disclosure: I was provided with a press sample for editorial consideration.

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Q&A With "Burlesque" Makeup Department Head Cindy Williams

Happy Monday, friends! It's been a while since we've done a little Q&A with a movie makeup artist and those are my fave features, so I've remedied that situation right up and chatted up the gal responsible for the theatrically gorge cosmetic concepts on Burlesque. I saw the movie over Thanksgiving and left the theater with a massive urge to recreate Christina Aguilera's perfectly highlighted pin-up cheek. Burlesque Makeup Department Head Cindy Williams so graciously agreed to answer my many questions about designing the magnificent makeup looks for the movie to which everyone's inner gay needed in their respective lifestyles. Without further ado:

Beauty Blogging Junkie: Tell us a little about your background!

Cindy Williams: I moved to LA from Minnesota 20 years ago. I went to hair and makeup school in there and became an assistant makeup artist for films like Hot Shots, Benny and Joon and What's Eating Gilbert Grape. My first department head make up job was on The Jungle Book, then I went on to do Beautiful Girls, Something About Mary, America Sweethearts, I did Catherine Zeta Jones in Chicago, Intoleralble Cruelty, Oceans 12. Then I did GI Joe, and Burlesque, just to name some of my movies.

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Emma Stone Goes Blonde

Credit: Just Jared

Emma Stone recently returned to her roots (literally--she is actually a natural blonde) for her upcoming role in Spiderman. In it, she'll play Peter Parker's love interest, Gwen Stacy. It took me a while to get used to her new look, but actually? I think I LOVE it. She looks completely different in the way that Olivia Wilde does when she goes from blonde to brunette--equally gorge, but totally like a genetic mutation of herself. I love, love, love her dark red locks, but I think she radiates a crazytown kind of allure with this bebanged '60s moment she's unleashing on the world.

What do you think? Do you prefer Emma Stone as a blonde or as a redhead?



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Smooth and Groomed or Au Natural?

Keep It Hairy? - watch more funny videos

Remington and BroBible.com have teamed up to create, “Keep It Hairy?”-- HILAR a rap video that wittily ponders the age-old question, “to groom or not to groom?” Check out the video above and watch Shaved and Hairy (played by Kirk Ward and JR Reed, respectively) face off on  smooth vs.stubble and vote for #TeamShaved or #TeamHairy on Facebook and Twitter!


And, if you need a gift for your man, now would be a great time to go to remingtonproducts.com for 25% off the Back & Body Extendable Groomer.  Enter the discount code Bro123 at checkou, good through December 31, 2010.


So what say you? Team Shaved or Team Hairy? For me personally, unless it's a Chewbacca situation, I'm not put off by hair. What bothers me more than hair is a dude who's better groomed than I. And the real question: Why is Hairy's chest forest shaped like the continental U.S.? I don't find THAT under "sexy" in the dictionary.

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VIP Shopping Event at Henri Bendel

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Jennifer Lopez to be L'Oreal's Newest Brand Spokesperson.

It should come as no surprise that the very well-tressed Jennifer Lopez is the newest member of the L’Oréal Paris family. In 2011, the multi-talented entrepreneur will begin appearing in makeup and haircare advertising campaigns, the first of which will be for the EverSleek Sulfate-Free Smoothing System, a haircare collection for smoothing unruly, frizzy hair. 


What do you think about this gig for Jennifer Lopez? Are you into it? Yay or nay?

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Carol's Column: "Life," by Keith Richards: a Review

By Carol (my mother) 


What a trip! I finished reading Keith Richards’s tome of a biography last week and I miss him already.  He’s great company – funny, eccentric, a terrific raconteur with a passion for living.  He’s also (with the help of James Fox) an engaging writer.  He tells the truth, even the unsavory bits, and believe me there are plenty of those.  He’ll deign to explain, but he doesn’t make excuses.

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Hair Handiwork Video: LiQWD

A video review of one of my favorite volumizing/defrizzing combos. Have you used the LiQWD line of hair products? Let me know how you fared in the comments.

You can purchase LiQWD products here.

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Get Involved: Mario Dedivanovic Is Teaching A Makeup Class in LA!

Diva dollfaces, if you are in LA, you are in LUCK. 1. I am officially MAC Pigment green with jeal because the weather here in NYC just took a turn for the frigid and 2.
Makeup guru to the likes of Kim Kardashian (among others) Mario Dedivanovic  is teaching an epic makeup workshop and you will have the opportunity to learn how he creates two of his signature looks. And that man can sculpt a cheek like no one I've ever seen before. True story.

The class takes place on December 5, 2010 from 11am-5pm and includes a catered lunch. Mario will demonstrate the looks in front of you and offer you the opportunity to glean his coveted tricks of the trade. He'll answer questions, share his story and will give you the option to do a look yourself on your own model, so you can build your own portfolio.

Check out Mario Dedivanovic's website for more info and to register.

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Can't Make It To The Derm? Get a Free Skin Analysis With Philips' Crystalize!

Gals, 2010 has been the year of side-hustles for moi, so recently, in addition to MTV Buzzworthy and Brilliant Color and Beauty Today, I've recently started contributing skin care articles and videos for Philips' new skin care site/active online community Crystalize. On the site, I discuss my best skin care tips, ingredient spotlights and brands to know. Other contributing experts include Kit Rich and Dr. Doris Day. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Also of major note is their new Crystalize skin camera which a professional at one of the many Duane Reade Look Boutiques in Manhattan will use to analyze your skin completely for free. It's almost like a trip to a derm gratis. The camera quickly captures and combines five close-up images of your face. Philips' unique technology views skin under multiple lighting and angle settings, measuring skin in four categories:
Skin Type
Redness
Pigmentation
Texture

It can be more exacting and reliable than even a trained human eye. Then? Crystalize helps you choose the right products for your exact combination of skin concerns by generating a custom list for your needs. I went to the Duane Reade at 36th and Madison and learned that my skin is more sensitive than I thought and that irritation and patches are an issue of mine. My skin care expert prescribed me (from the list of products generated by my pal Crystalize) Vichy Purifying Foam Water Cleanser, Lierac Soin Exfoliant for Face and Avene Ystheal Lotion with retinol for night. The combo has made a marked difference in my skin. Just today, I mused that there was no need for foundation. Can you even? This is also due to my new technique and combo of Joelle Ciocci products in the mix as well, in addition to the life-changing (certainly epidermis-changing) facial courtesy of the fantastical Isabelle Bellis. More on that in a separate post.


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Holiday Gift Guide: A Fashionable Ingredient In An Uber-chic Design

Sparkle, Neely, sparkle: This is the 2010 BBJ Holiday Gift Guide. For more gift-worthy items for everyone on your list, check out my other offerings.

Bringing a nice bottle of Beaujolais to your holiday party? Always appreciated. Toting a beautifully designed simple olive oil gift set? Unexpected but always deeply necessary and will be sure to garner you an invite back for holiday 2011 (not that I can remotely think about that yet without DRY heaving). But guess where this gorge gift can be found? It's a Norma Kamali design, friends! Come one, Kamali to her Wellness Cafe which boasts a treasure trove of culinary, beauty and health delights, located in her flagship New York City store at 56 West 56th Street. For more deets, read on...

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