4.07.2009

Try Almay at Wal-Mart This Saturday

There are few drugstore brands that I haven't tried but honestly, I haven't been intrigued by the Almay brand to try it. However, this Saturday, that might change! On April 11th, join Almay at select Walmart stores for on-site demonstrations of the new Almay pure blends collection. Buy any Almay pure blends product and send the receipt to Allure to receive a limited-edition eco-friendly makeup clutch. Color your world. Naturally.

You can send your receipt to:

Allure
Promotional Department/ Allure
4 Times Square, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10036

Click here for a participating store near you. Have you tried the new Alway pure blends? If so, your thoughts?

4.05.2009

Cheri Keating on Male Grooming with Head and Shoulders

Male grooming is a complicated subject, isn't it? To help decipher the code behind this topic, Head and Shoulders Grooming Expert Cheri Keating has quite a few tips that will definitely help the Mars in your life!

How to prepare your scalp for shampooing: Deeply, but gently massage the scalp to stimulate blood vessels and help encourage a healthy scalp and hair. A gentle shampoo and conditioner system such as Head and Shoulders Classic Clean.

Make sure to never scrub the scalp because it promotes irritation and damage. This can deter scalp and hair health.

To keep a groomed and suave appearance between haircuts, trim unwanted hair on the neck and around the sideburns with trimmers and a pair of scissors. Round tipped one works best.

Investing in a natural wooden brush with wooden pins is a smart idea if you're serious about healthy hair and more importantly, a healthy scalp. Not to mention, brushing the hair is similar to a scalp massage!

Need ideas for looks? Check out these tips:

NATURAL BUT TEXTURED: The less blow drying, combing and brushing the better. Use matte wax or pomade. Warm a small amount in the palm, working it through barely dry hair. Pull it through the ends of the hair, combing with your fingers from the back of the crown toward the front.

EDGY: After adding wax, move small sections of the hair in different directions keeping the primary movement forward.

SIDE SWEPT: Again using the fingers as a comb to retain the natural texture of your hair, sweep across the forehead to one side and lightly smooth with a finishing cream.

FINE: Use a spray wax to add texture and lift. Lifting sections of hair with the fingers, spray a small amount into the hair, allow to “set” for a minute and then style lightly with the fingers.

With tips like these, it's safe to say that Cheri knows what she's talking about when it comes to male grooming. She has worked with Luke Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, James Marsden, Seth Rogan, Judd Apatow and Jonah Hill, helping them look their absolute best before they walk down the red carpet.

3.19.2009

New Product Alert: Estee Lauder Nutritious Vita-Mineral Makeup SPF 10

It seems like Estee Lauder has finally jumped on the mineral makeup wagon. They have just released their new Nutritious Vita-Mineral Makeup with SPF 10 ($33.50). One of the attractive features about this product is that it is available in loose powder (SPF 15) or liquid (SPF 10). Furthermore, it's being touted as "skin-loving mineral makeup" which I hope is true. Of course, Estee Lauder provided the following reasons why you should be hyped up about this product:

*Minerals: Minerals boost energy and help protect and fortify to build up skin's natural defenses.
*Healthy Radiance: Nutritious creates an energized look, erases signs of fatigue and enhances skin's beauty with a natural, vibrant finish.
*Pomegranate: Infused with Pomegranate Extract - known as a super-potent antioxidant - to help protect against daily free-radicals assaults.
*Vitamins: With a blend of vitamins to help improve skin's overall condition and maintain its radiant, healthy look.
*Ultra-gentle: Nutritious makeup is gentle enough for even sensitive skin.

The shade selection is categorized by intensities - 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 - for both the liquid and powder foundations. Each product yields a radiant finish. They are oil-free, dermatologist-tested, ophthalmologist-tested, fragrance-free, non-acnegenic, and photo-friendly. I am so glad to hear that this product is photo-friendly because I recently tried Estee Lauder's popular DoubleWear Stay in Place Makeup SPF 10 . I was so disappointed when I took a picture. This foundation, in my opinion, is not photo-friendly. It showed up a ghastly white in photos!

Are you psyched about Estee Lauder's new mineral makeup foundation?

Cosmetic Giant Lancôme Has a Blog!

Finally, Lancôme has joined countless other beauty bloggers in delivering beauty news and such. Their blog, written by Kerry Diamond, the Vice President of Lancôme Public Relations as well as a former beauty editor, will feature "news and buzz about the brand, so this is it. It will feature their Lancôme faces and experts, from Kate Winslet and Anne Hathaway to star makeup artist Aaron De Mey and our consulting dermatologist Dr. Tina Alster, plus lots of our favorite editors, bloggers, models and beauty experts. We'll give you the scoop on our newest products and an inside glimpse at Fashion Week, Lancôme events, photo shoots and more.

I can't wait to see what else Ms. Diamond will feature on the blog! Don't forget to subscribe, follow and it to your Google Reader.

3.18.2009

Salma Hayek to Launch Anti-Aging Cosmetics Line

Salma Hayek, inspired by her late grandmother Maria Luisa, a cosmetologist, will be launching her own anti-aging skin care line and cosmetics. Luisa, who died at age 96, had sagging skin but "didn't have any wrinkles," says Hayek in her interview with InStyle magazine. "She made her own creams using secret ingredients you can only find in Latin America." Hayek plans to cater to the woman on a budget - the line will be sold in drugstore and will carry her late grandmother's name. 

Would you consider buying Salma Hayek's products? Tell me in the comments!

3.15.2009

Beauty Tips from Makeup Artist Bobbi Brown

Recently, my copy of Bobbi Brown's latest masterpiece, From Everyone from Beginner to Pro: Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual, arrived in the mail. I knew that once I started reading some of the chapters, I wouldn't be able to go back to sleep. And I was so right! Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual is both educational and entertaining. Check out the tips that Bobbi Brown gives Middle Eastern beauties:

Use a corrector to brighten very dark under-eye circles.

Sometimes you have to layer a few correctors (pink over peach), and then add concealer.

Find a yellow-toned foundation that exactly matches the skin. The right foundation often has a bit of orange as well.

Line the eyes with black liner or a charcoal shadow. Never go lighter than mahogany.

Use blush in deep rose and pink shades. Don't be afraid to find your pop of color.

Deep lip colors look wonderful on those with darker lip tones.

Avoid colors that turn ashy.

Do you have any beauty tips for Middle Eastern beauties? Please share them in the comments!

2.24.2009

Heidi Klum at the 81st Academy Awards

81st Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Have I mentioned how much I love Victoria's Secret beauty products? I'm still a virgin when it comes to their lingerie but I was able to find a Victoria's Secret outlet near me and I hope to visit soon! Anyway, Heidi Klum was made up by celebrity makeup artist Linda Hay for Victoria's Secret Beauty. Serge Normant did her hair. 

Inspired by Heidi's Roland Mouret gown, Hay decided to create a softer, natural look to compliment the graphic and bold red silhouette. There was no need to compete!

Hay wanted to bring out on Heidi’s dramatic eyes and also incorporate the powder pink color of the coral and diamond Lorraine Schwartz jewelry on the lips and cheeks. Linda sought to create a look that was light and dewy while still modern and sexy.

Eyes. Linda began by lining the top and bottom lashes with Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy Eyeliner in Dark Chocolate and highlighting the inside triangle of the eye with a shimmering nude eye shadow in Champagne. She then used the Victoria Secret Spring Look Eye Shadow Quad to highlight the eyes and make them pop. Using a large shadow brush, Hay applied Rich to the crease, Devoted to the eyelid and Champagne again as a highlighter under the brow and the inside corner of the eye. Using a smaller point shadow brush she blended a soft line under the eye from the outside corner to the tear duct. To finish, Linda applied three coats of Victoria’s Secret High Definition Mascara in Blackest Black.

Cheeks. On the cheeks, Linda used the new Victoria’s Secret Highlighter/Blush Duo in Flesh to the apple of the cheek to create the allusion of more defined bone structure.

Lips. Linda lined the lips with the Perfect Lipstick in Whisper followed by Victoria’s Secret Lip Gloss in Blush for subtle pink finish.

(Makeup credits courtesy of The LookBook)