Latest Beauty Products
Staying up to date with the beauty industry whether it’s makeup, skincare or haircare can be a chore. Lucky for our readers, we have a staff of guest bloggers dedicated to discovering the latest trends and styles taking shape in the beauty industry.
Guerlain Terracota Skin
13 years ago
This summer has been one of the best ones for me, I’ve been to the beach or outdoor events two or three times a week and the sun has been shinning in San Diego all summer long. Even though I do put on sunscreen, my tan is very uneven and when I wear something strapless you can see several straps on my shoulders. Fortunately I received and tried a sample of Terracota Skin from Guerlain.
Guerlain’s first healthy glow foundation, TERRACOTA SKIN, offers the texture of both a foundation to even out the complexion, and a bronzing powder for a natural second-skin tanned effect. In just a few seconds, its magical texture melts into the skin to reveal a perfectly even complexion that simply glows with natural beauty.
As for my personal experience, the consistency feels very luxurious and creamy and it did leave my face feeling smooth, but since it’s already tanned it darkened my face more, which I didn’t like too much. Instead I used it on my shoulders and it did even out the non-tanned parts and the effect did not wear out. They offer the foundation in two shades, for blondes and for brunettes.
This product in particular is pricey at $49 for a 1 oz tube, but a little goes a long way. Guerlain has an ample selection of brozing products. Looking at their Terracota line it offers bronzing powders and spray that will help you either keep the tan you already have or give you a tan if you have none.
So if this summer you spent your time between cubicle walls or if you live in an area where you can’t get a good tan even if you want to, then try out these products and give yourself a well deserved glow.
Terracota Bronzing Powder
Terracota Light Sheer Bronzing Powder
Terracota Mineral Flawless Bronzing Powder
Terracota Spray SPF 10
Oliveology Shave Gel review
13 years ago
I’ve been using a shave gel that I just love, it’s called Oliveology and for now you can only get it online. Among the gel’s ingredients are primarily Olive Oil, as well as aloe vera, sap from the sangre de grado tree, and antioxidant Vitamins A, D and E.
These ingredients are meant to condition, lubricate and moisturize the skin. It helps the razor so slide on smoothly and truly gives a close shave. It has a very slight soapy like smell, so it can be used by men without them feeling like their using a “girl’s product”.
My personal experience with it has been a good one, I have very fine body hair and can be up to a week without shaving my legs and not only is it not noticeable but the hairs don’t threathen to shred my sheets. So in my arms and legs I didn’t notice a big difference.
So here comes the time of a little TMI. I’m the biggest chicken when it comes to getting a wax, I’ve never done it and unless I’m sedated I never will. So instead of getting a bikini wax, I shave, even though I know the result is not the same. Now here comes Oliveology and this shaving gel really does the trick, I love how smooth my skin “there” feels and it works just as well on my arm pits. It’s awesome!
I was lucky to get a 2 fl oz as a sample (I paid for the shipping), so far it’s lasted me several months and at their website this size costs $5 and the 8 oz bottle costs $12. This is a great deal for a very good product.
Another thing about the company is that Oliveology Gives Back, 30% from every purchase goes to the foundation of your choice. The programs you can support are The Brent Shapiro Foundation which helps people in the fight against drug and alcohol dependence and A Chance for Children which works with homeless and disadvantaged youth. As I mentioned, you can only purchase Oliveology online and I wish them the best of luck for their product to eventually be offered in stores as well.
Tarte Eyelash Curler
13 years ago
As many readers may know I’m obsessed with big and curly eyelashes, especially since I was born with small and straight ones. When I first started writing for Style Bust I posted a review on an Eyelash Enhancement Serum, which has worked great, I do have longer lashes, except they’re still straight.
I regularly try and review mascaras and even gave my Top Four Mascaras chosen from ten different ones I tried. Now my new obsession is to purchase an amazing eyelash curler that I think is not on the market yet. I was at a cousin’s house and I don’t recall how, but the topic came into eyelashes and my woes. She proceeded to boast about a curler that was too good to be true so of course, I had to try it. She got it from one of those promotional goody bags you receive at Macy’s after buying a certain amount of product. I used the curler and after a few seconds and with a light touch my lashes were huge and curled! I put on some mascara and the effect remained intact the rest of the day. The only thing that identified the maker of the curler was the Lancome rose.
Armed with that knowledge, I’ve been searching for the curler physically in stores and online to no avail. So earlier this week I submitted a note to Lancome asking about it, no word yet, if they respond I’ll update this post.
In the meantime I found this one from Tarte which has the same shape as the one my cousin has.
I bought this one at Sephora site, it’s the Tarte Picture Perfect Duo. It works well, the lashes get a nice curl that in my case lasts about an hour before they go back down. With this said if you have eyelashes that easily curl, then this curler from Tarte is awesome and will make your lashes look great! In my case, I’ll keep searching.
OPI: I Love DKMS
13 years ago
I had another post ready for this week, but I just read an article on Vogue and wanted to shared it with our Style Bust readers. An article called “The Fighter” on the August 2011 edition of Vogue.
From the article I learned that Katharina Harf’s mother was diagnosed with acute leukemia when Katharina was thirteen. The family got working and within a year recruited 68,000 people who got swabbed looking for a donor match. Even though Harf’s mother passed away, she still continues the efforts by being the co-founder and executive vice-president of DKMS Americas. DKMS is the German acronym for German Marrow Donor Center, which is the largest bone marrow donor center in the world.
The way to become a donor is by visiting DKMS Americas site, you register and get do-it-yourself cheek swab kit. You will collect your own sample and send it for the lab for tissue typing. It is very difficult to match donors, maybe you will be called to donate, maybe you won’t but by registering and getting swabbed you may be potentially saving a life.
To honor and further the cause, OPI has come out with I Love DKMS, a limited edition nail polish duo in cherry red and shimmery, sheer white at $8.50. Proceeds will benefit DKMS’s efforts to register new donors. This polish is available in select Ulta locations, but I wasn’t able to find the color online or through the OPI website, so if you find a location drop us a comment!
hey! not so fast…before you toss that bouquet to your entourage, read this.
13 years ago
BRIDESMAIDS may have been a raunchy R-rated movie title last spring but its also today’s blog topic.
We all know, hiring a PRO Makeup Artists makes a huge difference as a bride preps for her BIG day, but do bridesmaids need to shell out to get their makeup done too?
My answer: Yes! if you want to remain friends and don’t want the bride flipping out (Jeffrey Lewis style) just kidding! Honestly, most brides are low maintenance these days. Despite the ratings of Bridezilla, how many brides do you know that actually rage out like that…In fact, I find today’s trend is just the opposite – BRIDES are leaving the glam up to the person but in doing so, could leave a lot to chance – absolutely!
In my professional-humble-opinion let’s explore why you should take a stance on the matter.
a.) booking a PRO, you’ll have a consistent makeup look throughout your group photo’s.
b.) booking a PRO, is a treat for your entourage party
c.) booking a PRO, eliminates stress to your wedding day – picture your bridesmaids driving around town to from salons to makeup counters trying to get some eye-candy & lash action only to show up 45 min late, add to it – what if she goes extreme with the makeup and meanwhile back at the ranch, the others are only wearing mascara & chapstick, “see the risk?”
Bottom line, we all know, “blank” happens — especially during a wedding so ladies if you’re honoring your girl for her biggest day, don’t act up, don’t try and steal the thunder just ac·qui·esce; support the blissful union and go with the flow — get your makeup done by the PRO – “remember it’s not your day but rather hers”.
Now Brides to be, I think I’ve spelled it all out – “put your girls in the trusted hands of a trained professional” don’t leave anything to chance…hello, especially glamor!
Fishtail it!
13 years ago
I’m a loyal supporter of braids: french, side, small, large, crown, you name it. While I have been stalking the fishtail braid for months–it always looked too complicated for a hair novice, like me, to even attempt–I recently tried it and was pleasantly surprised to find it’s a piece of cake! There are several tricks for successfully fishtailing one’s hair. Firstly, I suggest having semi-dirty hair: if your hair is clean, it will slip right from your hands. Wait a couple days and try braiding in between washes. Secondly, the longer the hair the better. While it is certainly possible with medium length hair, the fishtail braid will look more distinct with longer hair. Plus, the standard fishtail braid hangs from one side–it is much easier to bring all the hair to one side when there is longer hair to bring. Thirdly, it helps to add some wax for texture, or Marakesh oil for smoothing fly-aways and adding some shine. As for the process, I suggest watching some online videos, which detail every step.
1. How To: fishtail braid video by Foxy Locks Extensions
2. Tutorial How To Do a Fishtail Braid by BebeXO
If you’re up for the challenge (it’s easy, I promise), watch the tutorials and take a look at these photos, and you’ll be fishtailing in no time.
More OPI Shatter and Nail Art
13 years ago
Not long ago I posted about OPI’s Shatter nail polish (OPI: Black Shatter for Katy Perry and Serena Williams), the cool thing about this type of nail polish is that it shatters as it dries creating a very unique look. It was great, but only came in black; not anymore, OPI is now offering six new colors that Shatter and give you the coolest look.
Another great thing for your nails created by OPI for Sephora is Nail Art by Sophy Robson. It gives you a step-by-step guide and videos on how to create the coolest nail styles. All the materials you need to create the looks can be purchased at Sephora.
After checking out the looks and the how-to videos I was so excited I just had to try them, so using the nail polishes I already have in my collection I re-created Wild Giraffe and Punk Cheetah. Of course they don’t look as great as the do on the pictures, but I liked them. I used my cat as background for my nails.
The Nail Art Guide is very easy to follow and now I’m looking forward on trying the Cherry Blossom look.
Drinkable Skin Care
13 years ago
If you have a bottomless bank account that can buy you every beauty elixir known to man, then this post is not for you. If, on the other hand, you find yourself strapped for cash every now and then, like the rest of us, have I got something for you.
I was doing a little research for a series of nutrition articles I’m writing and I found I was reading my resources like grocery lists. It didn’t take me long to conjure up visions of heart healthy salads and stir-frys ready to combat PMS.
Can you say one-track mind?
Not surprisingly, this drink sprung to mind quite quickly. So, without further ado I give you Strawberry Mango Green Tea Limeade. I know, it has a long name, it’s sort of like royalty and believe me, you’ll want to treat it as such. This delicious drink you see before you is not only wonderfully refreshing (even in 94% humidity) it also soothes, protects and repairs your skin while you drink. I know! You can thank me later; now let’s get down to brass tax. How is this miracle achieved?
The major players in this drink are all beneficial to the skin in their own way. Mango is an excellent form of skin care, because it contains a large amount of vitamin A, which helps your body repair skin cells. It is ideal for people with dry skin, but we all could use a little vitamin A love. Strawberries are loaded with antioxidants including Vitamin C, which your body cannot produce naturally. Vitamin C has been proven to improve, repair and protect your skin’s collagen, giving your skin more elasticity. Green tea contains polyphenols, which act as an anti-inflammatory, so say goodbye to those under eye bags. Polyphenols also keep harmful bacteria at bay. And the benefits of drinking Green tea do not stop there. Green tea is one of the few teas that will not dehydrate you and it is helpful to your digestive tract as well. So, drink up!
This drink will cool you down, quench your thirst and give you a glow even pregnant ladies will envy. So, don’t waste your time buying another expensive (and inedible) moisturizer you can’t afford. Why not indulge in this refreshing and cost effect beauty regime.
Happy sippin’!
Strawberry Mango Green Tea Limeade: Serves 6
1 cup of strawberries, hulled and quartered
1 cup of mango, peeled and cubed
1 cup lime juice
4 cups brewed green tea, chilled
¼ cup simple syrup
Directions:
In a blender or food processor puree and blend the strawberries, mango, lime juice and simple syrup.
Pour puree over ice in a large pitcher.
Add chilled green tea and stir.
Pour into glasses and garnish with lime wedges and fresh strawberries.
*I also added grapefruit for some reason.