Beauty Inspiration: Princess Tiana

Over the weekend, I took my 3-year-old niece to see The Princess and the Frog. While enjoying the film with a theatre packed with singing, laughing, smiling children and parents. I was saying to myself- Exhibit A!

Call me crazy, I was watching this cartoon film and thinking- Princess Tiana is totally wearing NARS' Exhibit A blush.. I really need to stop.

Princess Tiana's makeup was flawless, while adjusting my niece on my lap and trying to figure out the animated equivalent of the rest of her beauty routine- I was amazed by the film itself.

Set in Jazz-era New Orleans, the story featured un-princessy issues, some of which we face today and other Disney film's haven't tackled. One being, independent women who are dreamers and do-ers vs. immature boys who just want to have fun- ladies, can you feel me?

Now, I'm going to have to watch it again sometime this week, between the bathroom and cookie breaks - I have to catch up on a musical number (or two) and figure out Princess Tiana's plummy eyeshadow shade and bordeaux lippie.

Disney's The Princess and the Frog released on Friday, December 11th

disclaimer: makeup suggestion is soley my interpretation, paid to see film.

photo: fanpop.com

Body Scrubs: The Gingerbread Man vs. Hot Chocolate

VS.

Its Giovanni Cosmetics vs. Philosphy's The Gingerbread Man in a faux battle of the scrub. Who is worth your bathroom beauty time? Who needs to stop runnin'? Which scent will conjur your latte decision at the coffee house?

A few years ago I discovered Philosophy's holiday seasonal friend, The Gingerbread Man. The highly covetable scrub is still highly praised and one of the best-selling body scrubs to date.

Recently while in Duane Reade, I discovered Giovanni Cosmetic's Hot Chocolate Scrub. A simple magazine run turned into a spa experience. An organic body scrub in Duane Reade? That's almost as good as NARS being in Marshall's!

I decided to compare both, it has taken me some time but finally on to the results:

1. Scent- I'm not a fan of smelling like either Chocolate or Gingerbread but initially, I am drawn to the scent. While in use, you want to feel relaxed and not think of a Mocha or Gingerbread Latte but I have to say- the Gingerbread scent quickly wore while being used. My bathroom didn't retain the lovely scent that drew me to buy it, while the Hot Chocolate Scrub retained its scent and made me want to grab a Mocha post beautification.

Giovanni's Hot Chocolate Scrub

2. Performance- This could differ with shelf life but while experimenting I did find that the Gingerbread Man was in a " Can't catch me" mentality of being quite well- runny. Again, who knows if the contents just melt with shelf life but being that this was one of Oprah's Favorite Things in 2003- it probably didn't make it to the shelf due to its wait list.

The Hot Chocolate Scrub was "meatier" if that is the best way to describe it. Its contents- effective and polished- a definite thumbs up.

3. Perks- The warming sensation claim, thats great but if you rub your hands together, doesn't that friction create warmth? When trying both out, I found Giovanni's Chocolate Sugar scrub to perform better on the warming side than that of The Gingerbread Man- and without the claim. I chalk it up to the consistancy of the latter product.

Price was not considered as these both are around the same price per oz. -roughly less than $1.

The Winner? Giovanni's Hot Chocolate scrub- now I'm off to get that Mocha.

disclaimer: Both Giovanni and Philosophy products were purchased by me for use and reviewing.

photos: Sephora.com and personal photos

DIY: Concealer

I've been running low on some good cover-up and adventured out to the Sephora on 5th avenue to see if they had some new goods. Unfortunately- A. either my shade or the product is discontinued or B. I am in-between shades. For example- Illamasqua's concealer, my shade is in-between CC320 and CC325. That's a hugestretch in tones!

So, I decided to take matters into my own hands and whipped up my own concealer with the materials I had in my Ikea office furniture- turned 6 drawer traincase.

I broke out the following:

NARS Balanced Foundation in New Guinea

NARS Firming Foundation in Benares

NARS Concealer in Chocolate

YSL's Temps Mejor Yeux

and put all 3 to work.

First, I started with a small empty sample jar I received from Sephora.

I added a scoop of the Temps Mejor and cut a 1/16th disk of Chocolate concealer from the stick.

Chocolate is long since discontinued from NARS . Its darker than toffee and is without the yellow undertones. I then mixed New Guinea in the jar to get the concoction to my skin tone.

For further blending, heat a pot of boiling water and a small plastic bowl. Add water to the plastic bowl and add your jar of concealer contents.

When the concealor melts, take the jar out of the bowl, take a cotton swab (remove the cotton) and mix the contents. After this, place your new concealor is a cool-try area and watch the concealer's consistancy thicken.

Voila! you have a new custom made concealer with all of your own goods and just saved up to $20 in the process!

disclaimer: materials used were purchased by me except for the Sephora Sample jar.

It's Glaze-y Shade of Winter!

A few weeks ago a friend had asked me how she could "jazz up" her locks without the maintainance of color treatments and spending a bunch of dollars. Especially because the count-down for all Holiday related gatherings are just around the corner despite it being the 6th day of December.

I immediately started to think back to when I decided to experiment with hair color in Jr. High and how to minimize damage, my mom recommeded a clear glaze to enhance my hair.

Back in the day I used Clairol's Jazzing- that was my solution for my friends hair debacle.

Now, after thinking about how the weather has been hovering around the lower 40's and the snow flurries yesterday, the wind today and the 3 holiday parties next week ( and a partridge in a pear tree, j/k)- I need to whip my hair into shape as well!

Since Ricky's was all sold out of Jazzing's Clear, I was recommended Kiss's Express Colors in Crystal Clear. Like Jazzing, it is great for chemically treated and natural hair.

After my sunday evening blowout , I'm happy with my results and am excited to have saved some doll-hairs for some holiday shopping !

disclaimer: both Clairol Jazzing and Kiss Express Colors were purchased by me.

Sonia Rykiel for H&M!

This morning was the launch of Sonia Rykiel's lingerie collection for H&M and I got up bright and early for it.

With no line to wait in, I waltzed into the 51st St and 5th Ave store and went directly towards the body suit in Grey and Blue. When I tried it on, I had to go up a size- wha? what a way to give a girl a complex! The real reason for the sizing? because the bralette is a size or two smaller than the bottom. So if you wear a certain size in H&M panties and want to get this body suit? Go a full size up!

Over all the suit is comfy the fit is well, the satin and details remind me of ( I reference this waaay too much) the Jean-Paul Gautier airline attendant suit from The Fifth Element.

Finally got one!

photos: 42nd St H&M and my purchase at home

Finally! YSL Rouge Volupte Gloss in #4

For my birthday I received quite a pleasant surprise! I received YSL's Rouge Volupte Gloss in #4 and I'm in love!!!

The gloss has the coverage of a lipstick, the consistancy is much like Clinique's Black Honey Almost Lipstick BUT the color is much bolder and lasts much longer. I would say Black Honey is like #4's little sister in that respect.

The pumping effect is pronounced because the moisture and coverage making your lips fuller.

This is officially my new holiday lippie and FINALLY you can get it at Sephora.com.

disclaimer: product received as a gift from friend (no affiliation to YSL or Sephora).

WeSC Sample Sale starts today!

If you are in Orange County, you are in luck!

WeAretheSuperlativeConspiracy is having their annual Holiday Warehouse sample sale! Joining them is Paul Frank, Modern Amusement Eyewear and Generic Surplus Footwear.

Thursday, December 3rd from 10am- 6pm and Friday, December 4th from 10am- 8pm.

Get up to 70% off all past and current collection pieces including men and women's core and premium denim, outwear, knits, samples and headphones. Gear will range from $10-$150 for Jackets, sweaters, jeans, tees, hoodies, headphones,etc.

Visit TODAY and mention the WeSC mailing list and receive a WeSC Friends & Family Discount of an additional 10% off your purchase!

Location: The Boathouse, 1640 Pamona Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

I wish I were out in California now, enjoying the sun and stalking up on some goodies!

info from WeSC press release