April 27, 2013 · 7:12 pm

Butter London Launches “Pitter Patter” in Honor of Royal Baby

Pitter_Patter_HI_RES2

Pitter Patter

The posh polish experts over at Butter London recently launched a new color in honor of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s upcoming royal addition… and the shade is bloody brilliant! To celebrate the mini monarch, the aptly named “Pitter Patter” is a richly royal aubergine shimmer.

This limited edition lacquer is the latest in Butter’s tribute to the crown, following fun shades like “No More Waity, Katie,” a lilac glitter polish launched in celebration of the royal wedding.

Both are $15 and available now at butterlondon.com. Cheerio!

[P.S. Don’t forget to come back Monday to check out the results from the second round of Allure’s Beauty Blogger Awards! If I make it through this round, you can vote for me, Katie McBroom, to help me become Allure Magazine’s Beauty Blogger of the Year! Voting will begin again on Monday at 9 a.m. when the new challenge is posted.]

Leave a comment

Filed under Beauty News, Product Launches

April 22, 2013 · 8:05 pm

Obsession of the Day: Blinc Liquid Eyeliner Pen

eyeliner-pen2Time for another obsession of the day! I’m usually partial to gel liners, but I recently fell in love with Blinc’s water-resistant, no-smudge liquid eyeliner pen.

Blinc, known for pushing the beauty envelope with their innovative products like “tubed” mascara, has concocted another breakthrough formula with this liquid liner. Unlike traditional cosmetic paints, it creates a layer of color that contours to your eyes and actually sits on top of your skin. No fading, bleeding, smudging, running, or flaking!

In the past I have veered away from liquid formulas because I usually find them harder to control than gels or pencils… but not with this baby! The foolproof firm tip applicator (similar to a long felt-tipped pen) essentially forces you to create a straight line. It’s perfect for creating thick, classic winged cat eye looks. blinceyeliner3Thin, natural lines more of your thing? Blinc also carries a smaller eyeliner pen utilizing the same formula with a thinner, more flexible brush applicator (measuring only 0.01 millimeters) for ultimate precision. In the photo, I’m wearing the regular Liquid Eyeliner Pen on my top lid and the Ultrathin Liquid Eyeliner under my lower lash line.

Another bonus is the effortless ease of removal. It “peels” off with just gentle pressure and warm water – no eye makeup remover required. Cheers to that!

[P.S. Don’t forget to vote for me, Katie McBroom, to help me become Allure Magazine’s Beauty Blogger of the Year! You can vote every weekday. Each week a new challenge will be posted on Monday at 9 a.m. It would mean the world to me if you could take a minute to do this! Remember, by voting for me you become eligible to win awesome prizes like a trip for two to Hawaii!]

1 Comment

Filed under Obsession of the Day, Product Reviews

Tagged as , , ,

April 22, 2013 · 6:03 pm

Five Questions: Talking Beauty with Real Housewives of Miami’s Lea Black

leablackEntrepreneur and Real Housewife Lea Black, wife of high-profile attorney Roy Black, recently expanded her beauty empire to include a new line of luxury skincare, appropriately titled Lea Black Beauty. The line is anti-aging focused, but chock-full of quality ingredients suitable for skin types of all ages.

Lea, along with successful cosmetics professional (and Lea Black Beauty President) Melinda Wells-DeRocher, created a signature skincare system which features four core products: Advanced Anti-Aging Serum, Everyday Moisture, Intensive Moisture Renewal Crème, and the Revitalizing Skin Exfoliant. Lea Black Beauty also offers a Non-Surgical Facelift Kit, complete with Lea’s Facial Contour Lift Powder, Facial Contour Lift Gel, a scoop, mixing cup, and fan brush applicator.leablackcollection

I caught up with the beauty maven last week and she boasted some pretty steep product claims about her signature moisturizer. After testing it out myself I discovered she wasn’t kidding! I’ve been using Lea’s Intensive Moisture Renewal Crème for almost a week now and have noticed a significant increase in my skin’s moisture level. The rich cream is infused with a natural extract complex consisting of aloe vera, grapefruit, licorice, cucumber and white tea. It’s also packed with vitamins A, C and E, as well as mango seed, cocoa and shea butters, and a-lipoic acid. I LOVE it. It has a light scent and provides hydration for days.

I also got the scoop on the socialite’s take on beauty, from her can’t-live-without-it product to how long it takes her to primp for her annual charity gala. Here’s what she had to say…

Five Questions with Lea Black 

MM: What inspired you to launch your own skincare line?

LB: I started it the mid ’80s because I always admired my grandmothers’ flawless skin and I learned a bit about the business in California, so I decided to do my own thing.

MM: What is your favorite look for a night out in Miami?

LB: Fabulous jeans, chic top and lots of jewelry with one of my blinged out handbags which you can check out at www.worldofleablack.com

MM: How long does it take you to primp for your annual charity gala?

LB: Honestly, I got dressed including hair and makeup in about 45 minutes.

MM: What is your cant-live-without-it beauty product?

LB: Lea Black Beauty moisturizer which increases moisturization in your skin 440 percent in 2 days.

MM: Do you have any beauty secrets or tricks you’d like to share?

LB: Lots of water, sleep and staying out of sun.

GROUP SHOT 2142013 DSC_9680_53395.new copy

Want to test out some of her new products too? Lea Black Beauty is available online via www.theworldofleablack.com/leablackbeauty.

[P.S. Don’t forget to vote for me, Katie McBroom, to help me become Allure Magazine’s Beauty Blogger of the Year! You can vote every weekday (voting closes each Friday at noon). Each week a new challenge will be posted on Monday at 9 a.m. It would mean the world to me if you could take a minute to do this! Remember, by voting for me you become eligible to win awesome prizes like a trip for two to Hawaii!]

Leave a comment

Filed under Celebrity Interviews

Tagged as , , , , ,

April 22, 2013 · 9:52 am

I was voted Buzzworthiest of the week in the Allure Beauty Blogger Awards!

buzzworthyfirstchallenge1Thanks to the votes, likes, tweets, and shares from all of you guys, Allure Magazine has dubbed me the Most Buzzworthy of the first challenge! My “My Beauty Obsession” challenge entry from the first week of the contest was the most viral and I couldn’t be more thrilled about that. Thank you so much to all of you who made this possible – please keep it coming! I’m super excited about being the Buzzworthiest for the first week, but this is still anybody’s game. Your continued support is appreciated now more than ever… especially since I took a real creativity gamble in the new challenge!Revlon Box

Round two of the contest began this morning with The Revlon Beauty Box Challenge. The fine folks at Revlon and Allure sent us a giant box of Revlon products and we were instructed to get creative and use our favorites to use in a video – using only the products they sent us in the box.

In my entry, I explain how to do a springtime smoky eye, and how to punch it up with a quick technique for achieving the two-toned ombre lip look. I did it a little unconventionally… so here’s hoping the judges think it’s creative and not too chongalicious! Click here to see what I mean. And don’t forget to vote while you’re there! Thanks again so much. Let’s keep this buzz going!! Bzzz…

[P.S. Don’t forget to vote for me, Katie McBroom, to help me become Allure Magazine’s Beauty Blogger of the Year! You can vote every weekday. Each week a new challenge will be posted on Monday at 9 a.m. It would mean the world to me if you could take a minute to do this! Remember, by voting for me you become eligible to win awesome prizes like a trip for two to Hawaii!]

1 Comment

Filed under Allure Beauty Blogger Awards

Tagged as , , , ,

April 18, 2013 · 11:02 pm

Obsession of the Day: LUSH Sweet Lips Lip Scrub

sweetlips2The experts at LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics pride themselves on offering products created with organic fruit and vegetables, fine essential oils, and safe synthetics. They are all about happy people making happy products – and they even put their employees’ smiling faces on each product to prove it! Paired with comic illustrations of each Compounder (the title of each product whipper-upper on staff) is an expiration date to prove product freshness.

I’m a huge fan of what LUSH stands for and have fallen in love with many of their freshly crafted cosmetics. One of my fav offerings is the Sweet Lips Sugar Scrub. It utilizes castor sugar as its main exfoliant and is also infused with other quality ingredients including organic Jojoba oil, Cocoa, and Vanilla extract. The combination provides major softening properties (and fills the air with the aroma of gooey baked cookies). Just mix a pea-sized amount with a splash of water and apply with a circular motion to create buttery smooth lips. The scrub transforms flaky chapped lips into supple perfection. Sweet Lips is also reasonably priced at $9.95.

The best part? IT TASTES LIKE CHOCOLATE. I kid you not. Buff it on and lick off the rest! It’s entirely edible and equally effective. Yum!

[P.S. Don’t forget to vote for me, Katie McBroom, to help me become Allure Magazine’s Beauty Blogger of the Year! You can vote every weekday. Each week a new challenge will be posted on Monday at 9 a.m. It would mean the world to me if you could take a minute to do this! Remember, by voting for me you become eligible to win awesome prizes like a trip for two to Hawaii!]

Leave a comment

Filed under Obsession of the Day

Tagged as , , , ,

April 17, 2013 · 1:11 am

Relaxation Roundup

In honor of National Stress Awareness Day, I’m presenting a product roundup of relaxation!

These may not all technically be classified as beauty products, but your emotional state can certainly have an effect on your appearance. Happy, well rested people generally have better skin, less noticeable under eye baggage, and more frequent smiles. When I feel stressed to my breaking point, I bust out my relaxation kit, chock full of goodies like this. Here are some products that will get you looking and feeling beautifully relaxed:

destress21 Drops De-Stress Essential Oil Rollerball

21 Drops offers 21 different portable and collectible rollerball variations containing oils for common ailments. The comforting De-Stress blend is a combination of frankincense resin oil, lavender flower oil, ylang ylang flower oil, and German chamomile oil. Roll on your wrists and temples to stay calm and collected.

Crabtree & Evelyn Lavender Body Creamlave

The texture of this stuff is seriously like soft whipped butter in the best way possible. The rich emollient cream smells divine and creates velvety smooth skin. It’s like a big moisturizing hug.

gloomOrigins Gloomaway Grapefruit Body Wash and Bubble Bath

Bubble away your troubles with the fresh scented Gloomaway bubble bath. The mood-boosting grapefruit scent will promote happiness while the creamy cleanser gets you feeling squeaky clean. Gloomaway is formulated with essential oils of grapefruit, field mint, and sweet oranges. Just try to step into a feel-good foam bath like this without soaking away the sad. Not possible. There’s no crying in bubble baths!

Dermalogica Stress Relief Treatment Oilstress-relief-treatment-oil_88-01_590x617

Not only does this treatment oil counteract the negative effects of stress, but it can also help combat acne and soften the skin. The soothing, multifunctional blend combines advanced organic silicones with calming essential oils of sandalwood, lavender, orange and sage. Naturally-purifying extracts of tea tree, lemon, and ylang-ylang add to the team of stress fighters and skin conditioners. Use it as a scalp treatment for ultimate relaxation, add a few drops to your bath or lotion, or smooth it on directly. No matter how you decide to apply this versatile treatment oil, it will amplify your relaxation level. Now, who wants to give me a scalp treatment?

sleep

Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Lavender and Chamomile Pillow Mist

A soft mist of this combo of soul soothing lavender and sleep enhancing chamomile on your pillow will send you to slumberland in moments. I’m falling asleep just thinking about it! Zzz…

[P.S. Don’t forget to vote for me, Katie McBroom, to help me become Allure Magazine’s Beauty Blogger of the Year! You can vote every weekday. Each week a new challenge will be posted on Monday at 9 a.m. It would mean the world to me if you could take a minute to do this! Remember, by voting for me you become eligible to win awesome prizes like a trip for two to Hawaii!]

Leave a comment

Filed under Product Reviews

April 16, 2013 · 8:25 am

Dove Launches Powerful Beauty Campaign

Dove wants you to know that you’re more beautiful than you think. I just had to share this “Real Beauty Sketches” video with you guys. I’m not going to describe what’s in the video because I want you to experience it yourself. It’s a beautiful message and I hope you can take the three minutes out of your day today to check it out. If you’re anything like me you’ll need a tissue…

[P.S. Don’t forget to vote for me, Katie McBroom, to help me become Allure Magazine’s Beauty Blogger of the Year! You can vote every weekday. Each week a new challenge will be posted on Monday at 9 a.m. It would mean the world to me if you could take a minute to do this! Remember, by voting for me you become eligible to win awesome prizes like a trip for two to Hawaii!]

2 Comments

Filed under Beauty Advice, Beauty News

April 15, 2013 · 11:09 pm

Get the Look: Selena Gomez at the MTV Movie Awards

Selena GomezAs I mentioned yesterday, the golden glam Selena Gomez rocked my favorite look of the MTV Movie Awards Red Carpet last night. I LOVED the juxtaposition of the fringy, but elegant Julien Macdonald mini-dress with the edgy disconnected braid. So fun! I got the scoop on how celeb stylist Marissa Marino of the Nine Zero One Salon in West Hollywood created that awesome pomp and cascading braid. She utilized all UNITE hair products on her tresses to get it done. Here are Marissa’s steps for Selena-style hair funkification:

1. To create the pompadour, section off hair from the front of your hairline and sprinkle it with the UNITE Expanda Dust ($25) throughout. Tease it back, using a comb. Next, pin this section with a bobby pin to secure it in place.

2. Take the rest of the hair and make five small ponytails down the center of your head.Expanda_Dust_.21oz

3. Create a French braid using all of the ponytails together.

4. Spray the UNITE Session Max Hairspray ($29.95) all over to tame frizzies and smooth the sides around the hairline.

5. To make the braid look undone, pull it apart and pin these pieces down, using bobby pins.

6. Finish the look with the UNITE Max Control Hairspray ($27.50) to tame down any flyaways.

Love love love that Marissa used the Expanda Dust to pomp her bangs because I am so into teasing with mattifying powders rather than sprays these days. It gives serious height, but more flexible hold so you don’t have that sticky shiny spray residue thing going on.

Back to Ms. Gomez, I think this is the most glamorous and grown up I’ve ever seen her. Definitely a look worth using as inspiration. Take that, Biebs!

[P.S. Don’t forget to vote for me, Katie McBroom, to help me become Allure Magazine’s Beauty Blogger of the Year! You can vote every weekday. Each week a new challenge will be posted on Monday at 9 a.m. It would mean the world to me if you could take a minute to do this! Remember, by voting for me you become eligible to win awesome prizes like a trip for two to Hawaii!]

Leave a comment

Filed under Get the Look

Tagged as , ,

April 15, 2013 · 9:15 am

Allure Beauty Blogger Awards officially launched this morning! Time to vote (and drink Midori!)

DSC_0861

Wearing products I gushed over in the challenge! I primed my face using the Smashbox primer and I also have a sweep of bareMinerals’ Soiree on my lids. Love!

Today is the big day! After much anticipation and many sleepless (but excited!) nights, the first challenge in the five week contest was published this morning. I flip flopped several times deciding what to choose for my beauty obsession (I have so many!)… and ultimately ended up selecting… the color green. It sounds weird, but hear me out.

Not only is emerald the official color of the year, but the color green has been a secret weapon of mine for years. Check out my reasoning here (and see the national unveiling of me with no makeup and a big ol’ pimple). In the name of beauty, I bared my makeupless face (my acne prone skin still gets angry when I’m stressed) to prove that green based primers and concealers really can neutralize even the brightest red discolorations.

See, it disappeared didn’t it? I’ll drink to that! In honor of my fav color and today’s official contest launch, I’m declaring today Midori Monday. Fun fact: Midori is Japanese for “green.” Read on to learn how to shake up an Emerald Martini, courtesy of the fine folks behind my favorite melon liqueur. Cheers!

img_emerald-martini-l

Emerald Martini

1 ½ oz Midori

1 ½ oz SKYY 90 vodka

Shake over ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with cherry.

[The voting period has started! Click here to vote for me, Katie McBroom, to help me avoid elimination in the Allure Beauty Blogger Awards. You can vote every day! Each week a new challenge will be posted on Monday at 9 a.m. It would mean the world to me if you could take a minute to do this! Remember, by voting for me you become eligible to win awesome prizes like a trip for two to Hawaii!]

Leave a comment

Filed under Allure Beauty Blogger Awards, Beauty News, Cocktail Recipes

April 14, 2013 · 7:23 pm

Obsession of the Day: Violent Lips

violentlipspolkaI scooped up a ton of the Violent Lips temporary lip appliqués at the IMATS and have been obsessed ever since. The Violent Lips collection features a variety of lip patterns ranging from solids to fishnets and even glitterized options for ultra glam looks! These smudge-proof lip treats are perfect for special occasions like birthdays and holidays, but also super fun for a change of pace on a daily basis. Why not? The polka dot pout police sure didn’t stop me when I wore my lip tat around running errands earlier.polkavio

The application process is effortless  – it only takes seconds and a little water, just as you would put on an old school temporary tattoo. Just cut the design to fit your lip shape, press the colored side to your lips, add water and soft pressure for a few seconds, peel away and you’re done! Easy breezy. The print and color lasts on the lips for up to 8 hours and can withstand food and drink as well. No lipcolor residue on your martini glass!

I love the pink polka dot variation I wore today. Here are a few more of my fav patterns:

Red Hearts

Red Hearts

fruitpunch

Fruit Punch Glitterati

pinkcheetah

Pink Cheetah

Violent Lips are priced at $9.99 per pack (each one contains 3 lip appliqués) and are available for purchase here. So fun right?!

P.S. Want to read about some of my other obsessions? Tune in tomorrow as I dish more for Allure in our first challenge (appropriately titled “My Beauty Obsession”)! And don’t forget – starting tomorrow you can vote to help me win Beauty Blogger of the Year… and also become eligible to win yourself awesome prizes like a trip to Hawaii! 🙂

Leave a comment

Filed under Obsession of the Day