How To Buy Fragrance For Your Man

Buying fragrance for your man can be tricky, but here are a few tips to set you off in the right direction.

image MarieClaire.com

1.) Dudes typically fall into one of two categories when it comes to fragrance. They tend to either like something more woody & spicy ( with notes like cedar, oak, cardamom or pepper) or they prefer a smell that is more clean & light. (light scents smell more crisp,  and fresh from the shower)

completely gratuitous...

2.) If you're not sure which of the two camps he falls into, google his current colognes and see if the notes are more deep or more citrus.
Alternatively ask a fragrance specialist. Describe how he dresses, (is he a crisp suit type, a laid back surfer dude, a rugged jock?) and tell her what fragrances he already wears, so that she doesn't duplicate his current colognes or choose something too far out of his comfort zone. Most men don't want to stray too far from what they already use.

3.) Look at the biggest sellers at the top retailers.
 In general those that sell the most do so for a reason. Have the sales associate show you the top sellers in his category, and whittle it sown from there.
The best sellers at Sephora for 2010 (courtesy of Allure.com) are as follows:

1. Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme (shown here), a blend of neroli, patchouli, and marine notes
2. John Varvatos Artisan, a citrusy clementine-and-ginger combo
3. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme, a fresh blend of bergamot, pepper, and mandarin
4. & 5. Carolina Herrera 212 Men, which combines sandalwood, guaiac wood, and musk, and its spicy spinoff, 212 Sexy Men, a mix of amber, cardamom, and vanilla

  4.) If you're really stuck, marine tones tend to be universally loved, or if he has a giant ego or sees himself as a "scented salamander" look for something along the lines of Sean John I Am King















5.) If you are introducing him to the concept of smelling fragrant, a full blown cologne maybe too much for him. Look instead at lightly fragranced aftershaves, or fragranced soaps and shower gels.

image from MarieClaire.com

 6.) Avoid anything promoted by an athlete. In all likelihood they wouldn't be caught dead wearing it themselves, and it probably smells overwhelming and borderline toxic.

Do you really believe Giselle lets him even bring this shiz inside the house???

Gaga For MAC

As a rule I don't follow anything that Lady Gaga does, but when she wears a meat dress or hooks up with MAC, it invariably crosses my desk.

And I really love the new campaign she shot for MAC's Viva Glam.

Gaga previously joined forces with Cyndi Lauper for the 2010 Mac Viva Glam campaign, which went on to become the company's most successful ever. For 2011 she will go it alone, and no doubt bring in huge revenue for the cosmetics giant.
The 2011 ads were shot by Nick Knight and styled by Thierry Mugler creative director (and Gaga stylist) Nicola Formichetti.
All profits from Viva Glam go to the MAC AIDS Fund.

Backless And Beautiful

Now that party season is not only here, but is in full swing, its time to check out exactly what it is that you're flaunting in your sexy, fun party dresses. Typically you're going to be showing  a little more skin, with bare arms and varying degrees of backless staking their claim to fame.

Everyone remembers to get a facial, or to do facial treatments at home, but many forget to work with the skin on their upper arms and back. After weeks of wearing long sleeves, backs and arms start to look lackluster, dry and lifeless.






Just as the skin on our face needs a little pre party sprucing up, backs and arms do too.

One of the lovliest treats you can pamper yourself with is a back facial.

For those with blemishes or back acne it is a must, for those with clear skin on their back it is a party dress essential.

An in-spa or salon service can be a decadent treat.
As with a facial, your skin will be cleansed, steamed, exfoliated and massaged.

A mask will be applied, giving you a deep cleanse and detox.

 followed by a relaxing rubdown

giving you skin that is soft, smooth, glowing party perfection

Kim Kardashian backless dress

(If you are in the greater Phoenix area, 

The Skin & Makeup Institute's Violet Clay back treatment is to die for).

If you don't have the time or the budget for an in salon service, do a quick 4 step at home back facial.

1.) Dry brush your skin

2.) Soak in a warm (not too  hot!) bubble bath

3.) Use a salt or sugar scrub

4.) Moisturize with a dense, heavy body cream

Halle Berry, backless at the Golden Globes

3 Quick Ways to Get Party Perfect Skin

So the festive season is here, and a girl's dance card is looking pretty full. Her party clothes are lined up, she's shopped for naughty undies, new lipstick and heels, now she has to make sure her skin is party-ready, glowing and gorgeous.

Here are  3 quick options to last minute party perfect skin.

1.) Glycolic Peel
Sounds scary! In fact I only started having them myself a few months ago, as I was sure I'd have red, crusty, chemically blasted skin. Not so! This is an amazing high speed skin rejuvenation. I recommend having it done at a reputable salon, with a facialist you know and trust, but thats just me.
The Glycolic Peel's job is to improve, renew and smooth the texture of facial skin by using a chemical solution that causes dead skin to slough off and peel off. The peeling is minimal and you are left with fresh glowing skin.
It also gets rid of blemishes, brightens, and is the fast track to gorgeous skin.

2.) Microdermabrasion

This is another high speed, instant result remedy for dull, lifeless looking skin. It falls under the category of mechanical exfoliation, and in 2010 has been one of the top 5 non surgical procedures.
This one is performed in a salon(spa/dermatologists/plastics office) by a trained specialist who uses a microdermabrasion machine to mechanically remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells, with adjusted vacuum pressure to lift away the debris.
This is a good one to have done 2 or 3 days before the party, as sometimes you may have a little residual flaking.
If your salon uses DermaSweep you can have the treatment same day, and your skin will look divine.

3.) Enzyme Mask
This one you can either have your facialist do in salon, or do yourself at home. An enzyme mask uses fruit enzymes to eat away the top icky layer of dead, lifeless looking skin, pac-man style,  leaving you with a fresh, healthy, glowing complexion.
Celebrity favorite Kate Sommerville's ExfoliKate is an excellent, high speed option.

Make sure you keep your newly polished, beautiful skin nourished and moisturized, and balance out all those party drinks with tons of water throughout the day.

12 Days of Christmas

Here's a little slice of holiday shopping fun!
My friends at katie m designs have cooked up 12 fabulous days of designer shopping with their 12 Days of Christmas earring collection.

Here are my favorites

From the 5th day of Christmas Ruby Red Quartz faceted briolette drop earrings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jet Black Czech Glass Chandelier Earrings (8th day)

7th Day of Christmas Swarovski Pearl Chandeliers

So who is Katie m Designs? Hailing from Hollywood, one of the Industry’s Leading Jewelry Designers,
Katie m designs is worn by many celebrities, graced the Hollywood Runways, many Red Carpet events & has appeared in a number of Films & Television Shows. Katie m designs have also been seen on the Oscars Red Carpet as well as the Emmy's.
Her handcrafted beaded jewelry collections feature handmade beaded earrings, bracelets, necklaces and chandelier earrings using Sterling silver, Swarovski Crystals and pearls, fine imported glass as well as semi precious stones.
With meticulous attention to detail and superior craftsmanship, Katie m designs offers quality pieces that you will love & treasure for years to come…

Check out the 12 Days of Christmas here at Katiemdesigns.com

Get Caught Looking Gorgeous

 Want to look extra gorgeous this holiday season? Here are five quick steps to looking super fabulous!

Charlize Theron looking gorgeous

1.) Refresh and revitalize your skin by misting Hylunia's incredible Colloidal Silver with Lavender Water onto your freshly cleansed face before starting your makeup routine.

The time-tested curative powers of colloidal silver and lavender flowers are blended in this sensational tonic and healing floral water. Its antiseptic power may be used to reduce infections caused by acne, cuts or burns. For all skin types, it awakens, enlivens and soothes the skin.

2.)Replace  a dull, lifeless complexion with a healthy glow by giving your winter skin some extra luxe loving via fast absorbing, super moisturizing Zensation Super Hydrating Cream with SPF 15.

3.) Light your skin from within by mixing a drop of Nars Orgasm Illuminator into your foundation to magically transform lackluster winter skin into a lustrous glowing complexion.

If you're looking a little on the tired side and need to boost your makeup for an office to happy hour transition, mix a tiny amount of Nars Orgasm Illuminator, eye cream and concealer together, pat under the eye and be instantly, (orgasmically!) transformed!

4.) Replace your dull powdery blush with a beautiful cream blush from h.wood.beauty.com

Cream blush will softly catch the light and lift and mold your cheeks, keeping you fresh faced and lovely!

5.) Add a little gold to the inner corner of your eye and lower lash line to illuminate and brighten your eyes

Holiday Happy Hour!

Its Friday and we are officially in holiday season, so why not offer up something festive and seasonal at happy hour?

This one is from No.9 Park in Boston, and is quite fabulous!

Dieci E Lode

Ingredients

0.5 oz. Campari
2.5 oz Gin
1.5 oz. Grapefruit Juice
Lime Wedge

Directions

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add Campari and grapefruit juice and shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with lime wedge.

Bottoms up!!