Another Hairy Gathering

I'm heading back to Chicago next weekend for one of my bridesmaid's engagement parties. I've also scheduled several wedding related appointments for myself, including a hair and make-up trial. So I've been searching through my hair inspiration folder as well as gathering new images to bring along to my appointment.

I've had a vision in my head for some time of wearing my hair up in a low loose messy bun with a low veil for the ceremony and a hair flower for the reception. I almost always wear my hair down and I think that a low updo will be boho chic and a little different from the day to day. I would like to have the option perhaps to pull my hair down during the reception if I feel like letting loose without too much hassle. So we'll see what the options are there.

I started with the first inspiration picture I had pulled...featuring Michelle Williams.

And my portfolio has evolved slightly...

via Style Me Pretty

via Style Me Pretty

Trust me...those are just a select 2 from the nearly 50 that I have collected.

I have a couple of requirements from the updo perspective that I'll be passing along as well.

1. Sustainability

I do not want to worry about pieces falling out as we frolic during the first look or walk down the aisle.

2. Modern

I want a modern fresh look - avoid at all costs the prom-style ringlets, severe pull back, or big bushy top of the head buns.

3. Me

I want to look like a fancy version of myself.

What are you hair rules? Are you going up or down?

A Match Made in Mani/Pedi Heaven

I have finally nailed down the PERFECT mani/pedi colors (no pun intended.) I have been really wrestling with finding the perfect opaque pinky color for my nails and after having a spa day with my mom last week I found the one! Of course both are Essie colors (seriously the only nail polish that people should use) and it is called Mini How High. Slap a coat of Fishnet Stockings on the toes and voila. A fantastic mani pedi combo is born.

On the Cusp: Love It

It's official, I am in love. I have not been this enamored with a shop since Barney's Coop. Seriously. Cusp just opened in the mall near my parents' house and of course I had to go the day after opening. And believe me I was not disappointed.

Neiman Marcus group opened Cusp to cater to the younger demographic. The stores are smaller and hipper with an edgy Anthropologie-esque design. While there is no Neiman's branding in the store, shoppers can still use Neiman's cards and expect to receive the same level of customer service.

Many of the designers carried at Cusp are congruent with NM such as DVF, Theory and Marc by Marc Jacobs. Yet Cusp also carries smaller indie labels as well as high end make-up and campy home decor items. After drooling throughout the store for an hour I settled on a Shu Umera eye lash curler and DiorShow mascara, as that is why I had initially come to the mall, yet also snagged an adorable pair of flats for just $105! More to come on those.

Deliciously Diptyque

I am an odd beauty junkie. I love finding those products that look vintage-y and obscure. That was part of the reason I first fell for Diptyque candles and soaps. I realize now that this fabulous Parisian line is really popular and not as rare as I had believed originally. But after smelling the deliciously rich Gardenia Candle I was hooked.

Founded by three friends in 1961, the line specializes in candles, soaps, and L’eau des Toilettes with scents ranging from herbal to floral to spicy. I got my mom two of the soaps for her birthday and she was hooked instantly as I was. There is something about these French products that are just totally enticing.

The line is a bit on the pricey side but I believe it to be worth it. You can find the candles and soaps at most high end department stores, I pick up mine at Barney’s Coop. The Beauty Habit has a trio set of the candles for just $80 here

Saks Beauty Gift and Some Hair TLC

My ever damaged hair is in desperate need of some TLC. After years of chemical straightening, flat irons, and constant blow drying, I am always on the look out for extra hydrating products to ease the constant grief I put my locks through. Happily I found an email about the Saks Beauty Event which offers a terrifique beauty gift after an $85 purchase. It's about time I check out some new products.

This fabu gift includes goodies from Laura Mercier, Juicy Couture, and Trish McEvoy.
Louise Galvin

Sacred Locks Hair Cleanser

$44

Low ph, fragrance-free mild cleansing shampoo--Contains grapefruit, lemon, orange, geranium, tagetes minutiae and mandarin essential oils.

Kanebo

Intensive Hair Mask

$45

Emergency care for severely damaged hair--Contains 10 oriental herbal extracts to hydrate, nourish and aid recovery from within.

Eye Love a Beauty Gift

I can never resist a beauty gift offering. In fact, I am often looking for any extra incentive to buy more beauty goodies. I am totally going to take advantage of this Neiman Marcus Special! I am definitely in need of some extra eye care as I have been working long hours lately and possibly going out on the town a bit much. I love looking bright eyed and busy tailed so to speak so I think some eye TLC is in order.
Laura Mercier
Night Nutrition Renewal Eye Creme
$45

I love Laura Mercier beauty products. They always smell fresh and are really hydrating


Shu Umera
Eyelash Curler Renovation
$18

I just broke my E.L.F. curler that I bought for $1 and I think it's time for an upgrade. Professional Make Up Artists and Celebs (as well as my girls) swear by this one.



Prada
Reviving Concealer/Eye/Tint
$45

My revlon concealer is just not cutting through the dark circles anymore. A little Prada never hurt anyone.

Foundation Frustration

I have been intrigued with the Bare Minerals line ($25) ever since I first spotted the infomercials. The line claims to have flawless coverage, free of preservatives, talc, oil, waxes, fragrances, and other chemicals that can irritate skin and cause breakouts. Yet I just brushed it off as another wacky TV trick and never pursued my interest further. (Please note: I am often inclined to buy crazy contraptions of infomercials and have learned my lesson way too often. I own the Magic Bullet sadly!)

So I went on my merry way using my Traceless Skin Responsive Tint from Prescriptives. Now this is great because it is really light and almost like a tinted moisturizer which I enjoy. But sometimes it does not provide as much coverage as my skin needs. (I am sometimes blotchy and uneven, ugh.)

I decided it was time for a change yesterday when I went to CVS and noticed Neutrogena Mineral Sheers ($12) out of the corner of my eye. I loved that it was a less expensive alternative to Bare Minerals and touted the same skin benefits. So I scooped up my shade (Light to Medium) and hurried home to try out my new goods.

Now I first tested it on top of my Prescriptives foundation and loved the effect. It offered a smooth and seamless finish to my skin without creating a masklike effect that some powders can. I then tried it this morning alone and found that while it created a soft finish there is certainly not enough coverage to cover some unfortunate blotchiness I am prone to. One other complaint I have on my new found treasure is the packaging. Because the powder is kept in the base of the brush, I had to shake it furiously in order to get the powder started. Certainly not as handy as the separate powder/brush combo of Bare Minerals.

The moral of the story sometimes it takes two.

A Rose Water Tonic A Day

I can spend hours at C.O. Bigelow. I was thrilled when one opened in the Water Tower Place here in Chicago because I do not get to NYC as much as I would like. I love the vintage-y feel of the shop and the ridiculously obscure and luxe products they offer. For some reason I really love beauty products that I don't think anyone else uses. Counter intuitive I suppose, but it makes me feel fabu.

I fell in love with their rose water line when I first walked in. Since last year I have been using Triple Rose Water Tonic religiously both morning and night. The mist is so refreshing and has a really hint of sweetness scent that is so pure. Spritz a little onto a cotton ball and rub across my freshly clean face and it is very soothing.

Smashbox Foundation Primer is My New BFF

Foundation Primer is a funny thing. For the longest time, I believed it was just another ploy by the all knowing Beauty mags to empty more money out of my ever diminishing bank account. Still, that did not stop me from buying my Laura Mercier primer and using it religiously despite barely noticing a difference between my made up face with or without.

My feelings have drastically changed and my skepticism dashed after trying a sample of the Smashbox Photo Finish that is all the rage in Allure and Elle. This primer is a clear gel that looks almost as though it would be goopy but rather it has a velvety texture when smoothed onto my freshly washed face and transforms my formerly uneven mug. According to Smashbox, the magic is in the grapeseed extract that soothes and protects skin and creates a perfect canvas for make up of all kinds.

I recommend that you all check it out. At least try a sample of it because I can almost guarantee you will be as pleasantly surprised as I was. And I am a supreme beauty product junkie who has become jaded by all their empty promises.