Posts Tagged ‘Product Review’
Banana Republic’s Wildbloom Vert launch (& chance for you to win it!)
**Giveaway! Tweet this post for a chance to with Banana Republic’s new Wildbloom Vert which launches today!**
Banana Republic's new Wildbloom Vert
I’m just saying…for someone who’s pretty accustomed to a 10AM-6PM schedule, waking up at 7 for Banana Republic’s new Wildbloom Vert fragrance launch was no easy feat. But once I stepped into the Gramercy Park Hotel terrace, which was flooded by sunlight, I instantly woke up. If only every morning can begin like this…
Gramery Park Hotel terrace
Table setting
Wasn't kidding about the sun...PS, for those of you asking about my updated ombre, here it is
To learn about the fragrance, we were in good company: we were joined by BR’s creative director, Simon Kneen, and world-renowned perfumer, Ilias Ermenidis, who helped develop the scent.
Simon Kneen
Breakfast!
If you don’t know about them, you SHOULD: It Cosmetics
My friends often ask me about my favorite brands, and I gladly rattle off on the topic. I experiment with so many things that I tend to stumble upon a lot of brands that are not always found on the shelves of Sephora or at your drugstore. One popular up-and-coming brand in particular I’ve been obsessing over in the past year is It Cosmetics (you may remember, I profiled founder Jamie Kern in a past Beauty on the Streets feature). It boggles my mind why more people don’t know about them yet!
Makeup from It Cosmetics
“IT” cosmetics stands for Innovative Technology Cosmetics. The company works with the top plastic surgeons to create high-performance makeup with anti-aging technology. I feel this is one of those small brand has been growing like crazy because the stuff they make is AMAZING. Last year, they won the prestigious Cosmetic Innovator of the year Award and I wouldn’t be surprised if they stacked up more. I met Jamie last year when I was first introduced to the brand, and since then, her makeup has remained some of my staples favorite staples, beginning with her Bye Bye Under Eye Anti-Aging Concealer.
Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer, $24
Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer
Normally, I’m not a huge fan of liquid concealer, but this one is rich in texture and (what I love) brightens at the same time. The color match (I use Tan) is amazing and a little goes a long way. I don’t really have a huge dark circle issue, but I like to use this just to lighten up around my eyes on occasion. (This comes with a retractable concealer brush for $26 on qvc.com).
Hello Lashes 5-in-1 Volumizing Mascara Duo, $30
The lazy girl’s guide to faking pretty hair
My hair is “swavy” — it’s not quite straight and it’s not totally wavy. And when I wake up, my hair is typically all sorts of confused…like so:
Yup. That's my morning hair.
Another thing is, I feel like I’m constantly on the go, go, go. I wake up extra early to write, run to work, to events, to dinner…you get the idea. And while I am still obsessed with beachy waves, I often don’t have the time to set my hair like that. Instead, it’s just easier to make my hair sleek and straight. Recently, a friend of mine and celebrity hairstylist Kristan Serafino endorsed the Kiss by SalonTech Silicone Protexion 1″ Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron. She works with some of the best, so if she’s allowing a company to put her seal of approval on their product (no literally, her face is on the box), I know it’s something worth trying. The other issue I have with mega-expensive irons is that they break or burn out so fast. Trust me, I’ve spent the $200-something on flat irons that worked fantastic…while they still worked. This one? $50.
The Kiss by SalonTech 1 inch flat iron with its red silicone bars
Back to my morning nest mess of hair, it’s precisely times like these when I need a flat iron fix. This specific flat iron has silicone bars which minimize heat damage. The ceramic plates allow for even heat distribution so you don’t have to go over the areas as many times. I will say that compared to the more expensive ones, this one doesn’t glide as easily through my hair…but that’s kind of the point. The red silicone bars on the plates make sure the clamp isn’t totally frying out your hair, but the silicone coating also helps seal the cuticles for lots o’ shine. This is what I got, less than ten minutes later:
After using the Kiss flat iron. PS whoever told you taking pics of yourself was easy lied.
Victoria’s Secret limited-edition Hypnotic Beauty Kajal
OK, I totally get that there’s a hurricane coming outside. But truth be told, the first thing I really wanted to do this morning was test out the new Victoria’s Secret Kajal Eye Liner I just bought yesterday. Is it sad that these are my priorities? :-/
Victoria's Secret Hypnotic Beauty Kajal Eyeliner
I came across this kajal eyeliner from their limited-edition Hypnotic Beauty Collection first when scouring their website recently. If you remember, the last kajal eye liner I tested (and loved) was Guerlain’s Kohl Kajal which costs about $36. But if you don’t have that kind of dough to shell out, get this: VS’s costs less than half that – $15!
Victoria's Secret Hypnotic Beauty Kajal Eyeliner
I’m a sucker for packaging, and the royal blues box design and gold case that it comes looks like it’s ready to take a trip down the runway itself.
Kajal Eyeliner stick
Lipstick reviewing on the street
You guys, I think I really impressed myself yesterday. I did my first ever lipstick review while I was walking down the street…like literally busted out my new ruby red Covergirl Lip Perfection lipstick in Hot Passion, tried it on for the first time on my way to dinner, and began snapping these pictures away while my friend (who will remain unnamed) obnoxiously started yelling out “OHMYGOD Shyema, I can’t believe you are SOO into yourself that you’re standing here in the middle of the street, taking pictures of your lips…seriously who DOES that?…” Just to embarrass me, of course. Cuz you know, my friends are awesome. But I remain steadfast in my pursuit of awe-inspiringly scarlet lips, and this lipstick ROCKS.
Covergirl lipstick in Hot Passion
Covergirl lipstick in Hot Passion
Lipstick testing..
Lipstick testing..
…ROCKS. This was also the quickest lipstick test I’ve ever done. I think I need to do it more often. Sans obnoxious friends (who also totally jacked this lipstick from me right after…true story).
x
Shy
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In search of a won’t-kiss-off-on-my-boyfriend lip color
By Archana Ram
The contenders, CoverGirl Outlast All-Day, Lipstain, and Illamasqua
I’ve been pretty proud of my minimal makeup routine of eyeliner plus concealer for years (12 to be exact), but once I hit my mid-twenties, I wanted to step up my game. Eyeshadows quickly proved to be too tricky, leaving me looking like I got a black eye. And with my already-rosy complexion, too much blush makes look like I’m trying to channel Bozo. Instead, I’ve recently become enamored by lipstick. But with a voracious appetite and a boyfriend I’m not afraid to smooch in public, I needed one that was long-lasting (for food) and wouldn’t rub off (for him).
And so was my mission. I tried three highly recommended lip colors: CoverGirl’s Outlast All-Day Lip Color, CoverGirl’s Outlast lipstain and lipstick by U.K. brand Illamasqua. For all three, I wore them for about four hours, which included a dinner.
