Kiehl's To Open Spa 1851 In New York City!

A rendering of a room at Spa  1851

Kiehl's has LONG been a New York City institution from a product sanctuary/apothecary standpoint. And now, the iconic brand is making moves in the SPA space. In the brand's 160th year of service, they're celebrating by opening the first-ever, full-service spa in the city where it all began. For more details, read on...

Read more...

Shellac Flash Mob!

Um, this is pretty awesome. Check out this hilarious flash mob CND Shellac organized at the Premiere Orlando show earlier this month in Florida. S-H-E-L-L-A-C (just a little bit).



Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Guess Who's Maybelline's It Girl? + A Giveaway

Credit: Mr. Newton

Moi, that's who! I'm beyond honored (beyonored) to be featured as TODAY'S Maybelline NYC365 gal. Maybelline New York has unveiled a new website, one aspect of which is the the site’s NYC365 section, which has an editorial feel, with new content updated daily. My photo above (also on NYC 365) was snapped by Mr. Newton for Maybelline in the Meatpacking District. To celebrate my it girl status (if only for a day), I'm giving away a bundle of the following to one lucky winner (U.S. only). The deets:

· Color Sensational Lipcolor in Red Revival Officially one of my go-to reds.

· The Falsies Volum’ Express Mascara The BBJ Official Mascara Correspondent fave.

· Fit Me Blush in Medium Mauve Brushes on, blends easily to warm up any skin tone.

· Eye Studio Color Plush Silk Eyeshadow in Sapphire Siren or "Studes," as Maybelline's Julia M and I call it. This metallic quartet's finely milled texture belies its drugstore pricetag.

· Express Finish 50 Second Nail Color in Grape Times Maybelline polish--I could write a SONNET about it. This hot purple hue is perfect for a progressive purple pedicure when mixed with lighter and darker shades applied to the other toes.

· Shine Sensational Lip Gloss in Watermelon Punch A summer-perfect hydrating pout prettifier.

Want to win? Here's how.

Read more...

Sponsored Post: Pantene And Secret Summer Essentials

Dana Oliver, NAOMI WATTS, myself and Andrea Arterbery!

First, some related Pantene news before we get into the brand's latest summer essential and how to use it. In the pic above is  Dana Oliver, Naomi Watts (Pantene's new face of their Flat To Volume collection), myself and Andrea Arterbery at an event a couple weeks ago where she took the stage to speak about her latest honor and also introduced a short film about the brand's Beautiful Lengths program, which encourages women and men to cut and donate their locks to make wigs for cancer patients. Over 20,000 real hair wigs have been donated to the American Cancer Society so far. How moving is that? And now, onto how to address maintaining your cool in a heatwave--specifically from a follicular and pit standpoint...

Read more...

Free Lumene Blueberry Curl Mascara With $100 Purchase On Dermstore

You guys! One of my VERY favorite mascaras, Lumene Blueberry Curl (read the review here) is FREE with your $100 purchase on DermStore.com.

Get involved NOW.

Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Destination: Procrastination

Enter to win a four-day trip to Mexico!
[The Luxury Spot]

Check this hilarious video of Tamar asking Times Square goers if they like Justin Bieber's new fragrance, "Someday." Props to the girl who thought the celeb behind the scent was George Washington Carver
[MTV Buzzworthy]

Stop the presses: Versace for H&M!
[College Fashion]

How to look summer-spicy--minus a tan
[Already Pretty]

Speaking of spicy, here's a list of eight injuries that can happen in the bedroom
[TheFrisky]

Eight obscure Harry Potter movie facts
[College Candy]

Get a glow without looking like Snooki
[The Gloss]

Julia is a Maybelline It Girl!
[Fashion Pulse Daily]

These red espadrilles are adorable and 51 bucks. Score
[The Cut]

The drugstore beauty items rich women can't resist
[Allure Daily Beauty Reporter]

Festive toiletry cases you'll want to carry separate from your luggage
[The Moment]

Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Get The Look: Whitney Port's Strawberry Waves

Whitney Port is pulling off summer's hottest hair hue, strawberry blonde. She stopped by the John Frieda Destination: Style Salon Tour (visit johnfrieda.com to find out when it's coming to your city!) today where she had her hair styled by celeb stylist and John Frieda International Creative Consultant Harry Josh. The mobile salon (parked at Hollywood & Highland June 24-25 from 11am to 7pm) is open for free 15-minute hair consultations with stylists from the Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon.

Want to recreate this look? Harry  weighs in on how to do it yourself below.

Read more...

Smurfette In the August Issue Of Harper's Bazaar

Smurfette got quite the makeover. I totally want to borrow that bracelette.

Harper's Bazaar shot the famously blue star of the movie The Smurfs for a fashion spread for the magazine's August issue, showcasing the season's best accessories.

In the spread, produced by Harper's Bazaar features/special projects director Laura Brown, Smurfette steps out in the hottest shoes, handbags, hats and jewelry, dancing in Dolce & Gabbana, looking lovely in Marc Jacobs and Lanvin, and prancing in Vuitton. Pretty Smurfy, I'd say. Even Gargamel would agree.

The August issue of Harper's Bazaar hits newsstands July 12th. The Smurfs opens on July 29.

Photo Credit: Jeffrey Westbrook for Harper's Bazaar. harpersbazaar.com/smurfette

Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Travel Blogging Junkie: The Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort

Check my video review of my room at the Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort below. In short, it's THE SICKEST PLACE I'VE EVER STAYED. You will barely see a soul and will feel like you've dropped off the edge of the world. Which is sometimes the goal, as it was for me last week. Air courtesy of Air Tahiti Nui. More Tahiti posts to come later.

Read more...

Sponsored Post: CoverGirl And Olay Summer Essentials

Summer is OFFICIALLY here and while weeks of BBQs, filmy tops and shorts lie ahead, so do schvitzy makeup situations and, unfortunately, sunburns, if you're not careful. Luckily, I've got some tips from makeup maven Pat McGrath and dermatologist to the stars Dr. Doris Day on how to keep you makeup flawless and your skin clear and glow

Read more...

Phyto Friends And Family Sale

Go to sale.phyto-usa.com to take advantage of the sale, which ends Wednesday.

Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Bauble Bar Seventies Tile Ring

This Seventies Tile Ring from Bauble Bar is officially killing me softly with its SONG. Check out the nuanced carnelian colors, the bling in the middle. At $74, this is one cocktail ring I cannot pass UP.

Buy your own at Bauble Bar.

Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Stila Semi-annual Warehouse Sale: Up To 80% Off

The Stila Semi-annual Online Warehouse Sale is going on now!

I recommend you stock up on the Stila Color Wheel Eye Shadow Palette is going for just $20, a $558 value. Can you EVEN?

The sale ends Friday, July 1 at midnight, PT. Get involved at stilacosmetics.com.

Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Fictionary: Obsessive COREpulsive Disorder (OCD)

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

Does this happen to anyone else during a Core Fusion workout? I suddenly become irrationally fixated Rain Man style on the fact that my mat must be absolutely perpendicular for "thighs." There can be no stray hair shed onto the floor that gets picked up on my pants. There can be no deo marks on my pants from various stretching exercises. Otherwise, I plum can't FOCUS. For more symptoms of Obsessive COREpulsive Disorder, (and to find out if you have it--we're the WebMD of made-up diseases over here) read on...

Read more...

Wipe Out: What's In My Carry-on Bag For Tahiti

So, the flight to Tahiti is ELEVEN hours in total (not counting our LA layover, or LAyover, as I've been referring to it in my head). It's unlikely that I'll arrive bright and impossibly fresh after such a long time cooped up on a plane, but I'll be trying my hardest. I've found that the key to cross-world flights are TOWELETTES, and lots of them. My travel bag includes a wide variety of those, and some other gems I'll need to keep me calm, satiated and rested on my flight. Read on for the full run-down...

Read more...

Get The Look: Kristen Stewart At The LA Film Festival

Celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles created Kristen Stewart's gorgeous makeup look last night at the LA Film Festiveal. P.S. Quelle scandale! She's with TAYLOR LAUTNER and Robert Pattinson is nowhere to be found... Here, the deets on her makeup look, at least (none on her love live, unfort) in Fiona's words.

Read more...

tarte + True Blood Collection!

Tarte has teamed up with True Blood (season premiere of which is Sunday, June 26--get excited) and HBO to create a stunningly sexy collection of vampy makeup with which to glamour with glamour. I love the corsety vampire packaging, but most of all? The shades are insanely wearable and prove just as fabulous during the daylight hours as they are for night. You'd be a fool not to get involved. It was also created with some help from True Blood Makeup Artist Head Brigette Ellis (whom I've interviewed about the looks of the show in the past). Read on for more pics...

Read more...

Sponsored Post: Juice Beauty Free Gift With $30 Purchase

I wish I could draw a Venn diagram showing how many efficacious products are organic and natural, but alas, I'm not that savvy a designer. So I'll lay it out in the written word: Organic beauty products that do what they're supposed to are rarer than a unicorn. But Juice Beauty manages to achieve that near-impossible balance of effective skin care comprised entirely of organic ingredients. Read on...

Read more...

Sparkle Neely, Sparkle Now Available On MAC's Website!

My MAC Cosmetics eye shadow, Sparkle Neely, Sparkle is available for purchase today (!) on maccosmetics.com. If you buy it, take a pic of you wearing it and send it to me and I'll post it here!

Eeeeee,
Amber

Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Travel Laundry Essentials

I think I've mentioned that I've recently had a travel schedule that would make Carmen San Diego weary with jetlag and exhaustion. In the last week, I'll have been in Fort Lauderdale, New York, Rhode Island, Long Island's North Fork and TAHITI. In order to make my deadlines, be a good friend (the North Fork trip was for my good friend Nicola's bachelorette bash) not get mono and generally not turn into an asshole, I had to find a way to make my clothes-cleaning process and general efficiency run like a well-oiled machine, nearly on the level of Pee-Wee Herman's famous morning automated set-up. Have you seen a better multitasker? Check it:

Read more...

New: Boscia B.B. Cream SPF 27 PA++ Review

B.B. creams are GIGUNDA in Korea and Japan--the name is part of their everyday cosmetic lexicon, like eye shadow or primer. It's a tinted moisturizer-esque substance that that conceals imperfections while hydrating, firming and, most importantly, HEALING the skin. It's essentially a moisturizer, concealer, foundation AND sunscreen in one.

B.B. creams are popular with Korean actresses
like Hye Kyo Song, above.

Now, at first, I wasn't sure what B.B. stood for. Through the pop culture filter that is my mind, B.B. connotes (in this order) the gun, B.B. King and Jeff Bebe of Almost Famous fame. Read on...

Read more...

Destination: Procrastination

Jordan Knight gets asked when he checked in his V-card on Vh1's Ask Anything video series. Does he answer? Find out
[MTV Buzzworthy]

Win one of my FAVE brands, Malie's Orchid Home Collection via this giveaway (P.S. I'm currently LOVING the Malie Orchid Body Scrub!
[The Luxury Spot]

Check out these coupons and sales (including Banana Republic AND Express)
[College Fashion]

Captioning the Jersey Shore crew's last night out in Florence
[Crushable]

Nicole Scherzinger does thigh-high boots at the Capital FM Summer Ball. Yay or nay?
[College Candy]

Oil vs. oil-free skin care
[Philips Crystalize]

Does your hair need SPF? Find out
[Daily Glow]

A delightful banana scented hand cream I need, stat
[XOJane]

Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Fresh Kiss & Tell: Get a Free Sugar Lip Treatment!

MAJOR NEWS. You will have a chance to get yourself a FREE Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment--something I've personally spent about $300 on the past few years restocking and testing new flavors.

Read more...

Makeup MacGuyver: NARS Cosmetics Duo Cream Shadow In Camargue Doubles As Bronzer!

This past weekend in Fort Lauderdale, I found myself without a VERY vital product. Actually, two vital products--I'd arrived sans blush AND bronzer. Quelle disastre! Even more annoying? Andrea Lavinthal and I BOTH forgot cheek enhancements on this trip. What to do?

Well, I improvised and makeup Macguyver'd out--I used the mauvey-brown cream shadow in my Nars Cosmetics Duo Cream Shadow in Camargue. It's a sheer, creamy finish that works just as well as cheeks as it does on lids. I'm so glad I discovered it; I've been intentionally wearing it to enhance my cheekbones since--despite owning as much blush as Alexis Colby Carrington no doubt did on Dynasty. Use it and surely there's no way anyone "will take [you] to bed and to the cleaners in one night." P to the S, Camargue is a lovely region in France, Francois Nars' native land.

Nars Duo Cream Eye Shadow in Carmargue retails for $33 at narscosmetics.com.


Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

New: By Elizabeth Dehn Face Spray

When the going gets schvitzy, the skin care savvy get spritzy!

To that end, the lovely Elizabeth Dehn (if you're not reading her fantastic blog Beauty Bets already, you absolutely should be) has come out with her own line of natural, gorgeously packaged skin care made from super-for-your skin ingredients called By Elizabeth Dehn. I'm most loving her By Elizabeth Dehn Face Spray, on sale on byelizabethdehn.com for only $20 through the end of the month. Check out my video on it below and get involved yourself.

The collection also includes a serum and a shea cream. Purchase By Elizabeth Dehn products at byelizabethdehn.com.

Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

BOUGHT: The Anthropologie Nimbus Duvet

FACT: I received a 15% off coupon during my birthday month for being a card-carrying Anthropologie shopper and therefore rationalized some retail therapy in the form of the Nimbus Duvet I've been obsessing over for months.

Yes, it was an overpriced little bitch. But know what? I slept better than I have in MONTHS last night, thanks to its jersey goodness, which was like a million little bunny noses kissing me good night in textile form, to paraphrase the sage words of Elle Beauty Director Emily Dougherty (who once described La Mer's texture to me that way).

So WHAT that I just spent $44 each JUST on the pillow shams? I'm comfortable with my purchase.

Yours in home decor splendor,
Amber

Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Official Mascara Correspondent: SheerCover Extra Length Mascara

Official Mascara Correspondent Ashleigh Ciucci tests SheerCover  Extra Length Mascara. How does she fare? Read on for her review...

Read more...

Kerstin Florian Sale

Take advantage of the sale at kerstinflorian.com.


Like this post? Don't miss another one!
Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Get The Look: Olivia Wilde's Beachy Waves

Is it just me or is Olivia Wilde having a personal beauty BEST these days? And how does one even improve on the most superlative beauty?

Well, I got the deets on how to at least get Olivia Wilde's beachy waves straight from stylist David Babaii. Here, the beauty breakdown:

Read more...

20% off Bare Escentuals

Bare Escentuals' Friends & Family "Sharing The Love" event is this Thursday, June 16 through Sunday, June 19. The coupon above will get you 20% off all purchases at any Bare Escentuals Boutique location or at BareEscentuals.com. Enjoy!

Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

'The Nine Lives Of Chloe King' Premieres Tonight

Friends, I make no secret of my love of YA novels (like The Fug Girls' Spoiled) and teen dramas (like The Vampire Diaries. I was already planning on catching The Nine Lives of Chloe King tonight, even before my gal Emily Katz (former LOST makeup artist) emailed me and told me she was the MakeUp Department Head for the show. What an amazing gig! I can't wait to talk to her about the looks on the show, starting with that metallic fruity pink Chloe's wearing on the promo shot.

The Nine Lives Of Chloe King premieres tonight at 9pm/8pm Central on ABC Family. Will you watch?

Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Travel Blogging Junkie: Acqualina Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

What did I do this weekend? Held hands with a
purple cat and hung out with Katy Perry. Obv

Gals, this weekend I had a fantastically relaxing time at the Acqualina Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on a recent spontaneous trip sponsored by Schick Quattro for Women, which I used on Friday night and it kept my gams glamorously smooth throughout the remainder of the trip. A better weekend could not have occurred.

A massive group of scheduled-to-the-minute New Yorkers (online beauty gals are BIZ, friends) were forced to chillax and literally never be prepared for the next activity, to which we would be invited each time via a printed invitation. The list of events included: Wave-running, the most amazing dinner in history, beach and pool time, a cabana convo worthy of a teenage sleepover, a Katy Perry concert from a private box and then a MEET AND GREET with Katy herself. Okay? By Sunday, we were ready to spontaneously COMBUST. In a good way. The less delightful result is that all this spontaneity led to a come-to-Jesus convo with a long-time friend Sunday night which effectively ended our friendship, though it's for the best. But that's a story for another time.

Check my tour of my room (video help by Andrea Lavinthal) below, then my review of the fantastic restaurant we ate at on Friday night, The Forge.

Read more...

Lancôme And Chris Benz Partner On Limited Edition Gift With Purchase At Saks

Whimsical designer Chris Benz (parenthetically, every time I say his name, I want to sing "mansions and benzes, givin' ends to my friends and it feels stupendous," BTW) will be collaborating with Lancôme for a limited edition gift with purchase from June 14-25, to be sold exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue and saks.com. For details, read on...

Read more...

Giveaway: Napoleon Perdis Rock On Collection

Confession: I'm typically not a fan of mineral makeup.

That market's as oversaturated with poor imitations as beauty blogging is. But every once in a while, a new beauty blogger comes on the scene who doesn't pluralize things with apostrophes--and a beauty brand makes minerals MAJOR. And one who's doing it (the latter) is Napoleon Perdis, a man who only knows how to formulate magical makeup. His new Rock On collection is comprised of minerals includes Napoleon Perdis Advanced Mineral Makeup SPF 15 and Mattifying Mineral Primer. Read on and find out how to enter to win your own Rock On set below....

Read more...

Ashley Greene's Makeup At The 10th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball

Mark Brand Ambassador Ashley Greene looked stunning at the 10th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball. Mark celebrity makeup artist Mai Quynh shared her makeup tricks for creating Ashley’s stunning look. Here, the deets straight from Mai on how to recreate Ashley's makeup look yourself.

Read more...

Fictionary: Sheeritating

Not the goal. Would be better layered over a bright shade.
 Credit: Polishmayhem.blogspot.com

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

You know when you're REALLY excited to try a new glitter polish? You envision what your life will be like with your new opaque sparkly talons. Obviously, you'll be 77% more attractive. Except!
You brush a little onto your first nail (starting at the pinky, the way your nail tech does) and it's SHEER. Read on...

Read more...

Catch Me On The Martha Stewart Sirius Station Tomorrow!

Dolls, tomorrow morning,  I'll be a guest on on Martha Stewart Living on Sirius discussing Father's Day grooming gifts.

Listen and call in with questions at 8:30am EDT!

Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Coroso Como Soiree Flats

Loving these Corso Como Soiree golden flats. They're $109 on Piperlime. It's rare that something without a heel can provide that much "party," n'est-ce pas?

Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Hanky Panky's DIY Panties

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of its Original Lace Thong, Hanky Panky is offering a Do-It-Yourself Kit with ribbons, bows and flowers to sew onto white lace panties. Are you a diligent DIY diva? The company is also launching its "Make The Original Your Original" competition, where you download a thong template and create your own design. The worthiest panty-maker receives a $1,000 cash prize and a Hanky Panky Limited Edition 25-Thong Box. Panty personalization of the nation!

Read more...