Ellis Faas ~ Makeup Not War

Makeup Not War

One of my favorite Makeup Artists in the world, and one of my favorite makeup brands in the world, both have the same name, Ellis Faas.

I have no affiliation with Ellis faas, I just love their products. 

While clicking away on their website this week I found their Makeup Not War campaign.
This campaign helps raise money for War Child, an organization that protects and supports children affected by armed conflict.


Between now and October 31st Ellis Faas will donate $1 to War Child from every Ellis Faas product sold. You can order products online at EllisFaas.com

Ellis has also created a super cool Makeup Not War T shirt, available in 3 different styles.
Each T shirt sold will generate 5 euros for War Child. 
I have ordered mine and hope you will order one too.
You can order a Makeup Not War T shirt here



The website is a little tricky to navigate, so please be patient. To order your Makeup Not War T-Shirt hover your cursor over the style of t-shirt you like, and the sizes will show up. Click on the size of t-shirt you want and it will take you to the shopping cart.

Here is the official Ellis Faas information on Makeup Not War

Every day thousands of people around the world read this blog. I am hoping I can use my voice to help raise awareness and generate sales of these shirts to help War Child.
I have ordered my shirt, I hope you will order one too.

HELP US TO HELP WAR CHILD

Just like makeup, life in general should be based on freedom: freedom to be who you are, freedom to show the world who you are – without boundaries or rules and most certainly without being condemned, hated or prosecuted for being yourself.

Every day we are confronted by the volatile times we live in, filled with disrespect and downright hatred. That is why we have to make a stand. We can’t just look into the mirror and hide behind our make up. For us at ELLIS FAAS, Make Up Not War is not a political, let alone a cosmetic plea. It is a call for humanity. We all have to look at ourselves to see how we can play our part in making this world a better place. And in order to break the negative chain of hate and war, we feel we must especially take care of the children who fall victim to the conflicts in this world, and to prevent them from falling into a vicious circle.

As part of our plea to Make Up Not War, we are donating €1 to War Child for each product that we sell via ELLISFAAS.com between now and October 31. To encourage you to help us raise as much money as possible, we are also waiving the shipping costs during this period. Plus we have created Make Up Not War t-shirts of which all net proceeds will be donated to War Child.

If you want to learn more about War Child, please visit: warchild.org or any of  their local sites, through which you can also make a direct donation to this wonderful organisation.

Thanks for your support,
ELLIS FAAS

Every day thousands of people around the world read this blog. I am hoping I can use my voice to help raise awareness and generate sales of these shirts to help War Child.
I have ordered my shirt, I hope you will order one too.

Four Safest Travel Destinations In Mexico

I swore (emphatically) that I would never, ever set foot in Mexico again.

Last year while in Mexico I was pulled over by their state police and they took all my money. 
Technically I guess it wasn't at gunpoint because they weren't actually pointing their war guns at me, but these were super scary motherfuckers who weren't going to take no for an answer. Suffice to say there were several of them posturing away with their guns and doing their best to be as intimidating as possible. 
Frankly it really was pretty scary, to say the least.

The sad thing is that I have always believed that when going to Mexico, because everything is so inexpensive you need to bring cash to give to the vendors on the beach. I saw it as a vacation tax. So I had about $100 in small denominations so that we could buy stupid plastic sunglasses and beads and whatever junk the vendors would be selling. Because this is how they feed their families. And really, it is only pure luck that I was born into a better socio-economic space than they were, and it could just as easily have been me in their place.

Allianz Global Assistance Travel Insurance. Get a free quote.

So anyway, fleeced of my cash, they got nothing. And they told me it happens every single day. 
The US Border Guard on the way back home went ballistic at me, gave me some horror stories about what happens there every single day, and told me to go on the various government websites warning tourists not to go there. 
Basically I am completely cured of any desire whatsoever to go to about 99% of the tourist spots in Mexico.

But there is always that remaining 1%...

image via www.toursofcancun.org

Oyster.com sent the following post to my inbox recently. If I were to plan a trip to Mexico again, it would have to be to one of the following four places. 
(this post does contain affiliate links)

The Four Safest Destinations In Mexico 

via Oyster.com

Mexico has been getting a bad rap. Yes, some areas are dangerous. But more than a few cities are not only beautiful vacation spots, but perfectly safe as well. Mexico has plenty going for it for U.S. tourists, from easy flights to bargain prices to cultural standouts. 

First off, it's important to know the difference between the two different travel advisories the U.S. State Department issues: travel alerts and travel warnings. A travel alert is a short-term caution, signaling events that should be over fairly quickly: tumultuous elections, labor strikes or protests, and viruses, among other things. Travel warnings are more long-term, signaling overall red flags for entire countries. While Mexico is currently under a travel warning, the State Department acknowledges that the tourist resort cities below are generally safe for U.S. citizens.

And in case you were wondering…the U.S. State Department shares everything it knows about where is safe to travel -- and where isn’t -- on its website. The press representative we spoke to assured us that staffers don’t have any insider knowledge they hold back; that’s what the “No Double Standard” policy ensures. 

Of course, whenever you are traveling internationally (or in the U.S., for that matter), certain common-sense precautions are necessary: Keep cash and electronics out of sight, stick to areas tourists frequent, and don't go out alone at night. 

Here are four tourist destinations in Mexico where you can generally feel safe.

Cancun

Why It’s Safe: Besides petty thefts, which virtually every tourist destination deals with, overall crime -- like homicides -- is almost non-existent, at 1.83 murders per 100,000 citizens.

Why It's Great: Great snorkeling, 20 miles of beautiful beaches, and pretty sunsets are all draws. The nightlife is also appealing to 20-somethings, though in recent years Cancun has shed its spring break rep for a more family-friendly vibe. 

The U.S State Department Says: Currently, there is no travel advisory for Cancun. Of course, because it’s a very hot tourist spot, the general rules to staying safe apply: don't wear expensive jewelry or conspicuous designer accessories, and never walk by yourself late at night.

Hotel Pick:

Gran Caribe Resort Cancun 4.0

Mexico City

Why It’s Safe: Mexico City has one of the best police-officer-to-citizen ratios in the world, with one officer for every 100 residents. The murder rate -- 8.4 for every 100,000 citizens -- is also lower than some cities in the U.S., such as Atlanta’s 14.8.

Why It's Great: The Mexico City metro, the second largest train system in North America (who knew?) makes it inexpensive and easy to get around the entire area. Zocalo, a vast square deemed to be the heart of Mexico City, is surrounded by cathedrals. The street food, including tacos and tortas, is as cheap as it gets, and so, so good.

The U.S State Department Says: Currently, there is no travel advisory on Mexico City.

Hotel Pick:

Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico 4.5

Playa Del Carmen

Why It’s Safe: Playa Del Carmen is located in Quintana Roo, a state that is known for its lack of crime and prevalence of high-end tourist resorts with excellent security. Just like in Cancun, visitors to Playa should practice standard tourist precautions, but can be basically free of the fear of major crime.

Why It's Great: Playa del Carmen has great nightlife, arguably the best shopping in the Riviera Maya, and wonderful restaurants, but it has kept the essence of Mexico, as well as a laid-back ambience, in a region where mega-resorts and mass-tourism are the norm.

"We love Playa," shares Gaetana Holtje of Richmond, VA, who's vacationed there twice with her husband, Bill. "It has a quaint, walkable-town feeling that we didn't have when we visited Cancun. We don't feel nervous about safety at all. Bill worries more about my shopping when we go," she laughs.  

The U.S State Department Says: There is currently no travel advisory for Playa Del Carmen.

Hotel Pick:

Fairmont Mayakoba

Cabo San Lucas

 4.5

Why It’s Safe: You have the options of flying into Cabo San Lucas International Airport or arriving by cruise ship. Most of us would be unlikely to try driving there, but in case the thought does cross your mind, don't. Carjacking can happen, especially at night. But otherwise, you can relax in this favorite tropical hideaway of tourists and Hollywood glitterati alike. 

Why It's Great: At the southern tip of Mexico's Baja Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas -- a beach town on the stretch of coastline collectively known as Los Cabos (The Capes) -- has long been a popular vacation spot for sun-worshipping party seekers. (Hence, the nickname Cabo San Loco.)

The U.S State Department Says: There is currently no travel advisory for Cabo San Lucas. Stick to toll roads if you absolutely must drive and only do so during daylight hours.

Hotel Pick:

Solmar Resort All-Inclusive 3.0

For more travel articles and hotel recommendations check out Oyster.com

Should You Sign Up For Global Entry And TSA Pre Check?

Have you been thinking about getting either Global Entry or TSA Pre Check?

If you fly internationally at least once per year, or if you travel domestically several times per year, Global Entry or TSA Pre Check is a great idea.

Global Entry is the US government's immigration program for frequent travelers that lets you skip long lines at customs and immigration when you arrive back into the country, instead you get to go directly to the Global Entry kiosk, expediting your exit from the customs hall. 

It enables you to get out of the airport quickly, or to your connecting flight speedily.

This is especially beneficial when you are flying into an airport like JFK in New York which is notoriously slow.

It costs $100 for five years, and also gives you TSA Pre Check most of the time.

(apparently around 75% to 80% of the time)

TSA Pre Check allows you to keep your shoes and belt on, your laptop and liquids in your carry on bag, and instead of waiting in long lines you get to zip through the much shorter, quicker Pre Check line.

If you are not an international traveler you can apply for TSA Pre Check for $85.

The process is relatively simple. You fill out your Global Entry application online, pay $100 for Global or $85 for Pre Check (remember Global covers both) and then wait for GOES to notify you of your interview date.

You need to bring your passport and another form of ID as well as a print out of your acceptance email.

If accepted you will be assigned a Known Traveler Number that you put on all your flights when you book them, and that acts as your concierge.

It can take months for you to get your interview, so start the application process sooner rather than later. I have my interview in a couple of weeks, so I'm pretty thrilled!

In December I flew from Milan to JFK. I had a long layover before my flight to Phoenix which was super lucky for me because the lines at customs was long and slow. At JFK you have to completely exit out into the main terminal and then go back through security to get to your connecting flight. (You would think that New York would have modern, functional airports like other major cities around the world, but JFK and La Guardia are both archaic and somewhat of an embarrassment as far as international airports go).

To make matters worse, the TSA security lines were S-L-O-W. People around me were in tears because they were going to miss their flight, and the Airport workers at JFK are notoriously hostile and angry. It was miserable! 

When I finally got to my gate for my connecting flight I saw other people from my Milan flight who had missed their connections to their home airport because of the long lines, and were desperately trying to find ways to re-route. After a long international flight that is an even bigger nightmare than usual.

So I decided right there and then that I was going to apply for Global Entry. I have another Glam Italia Tour heading out in just a few weeks, and the Glocal Entry plus TSA Pre Check is going to be fantastic!

Allianz Global Assistance Travel Insurance. Get a free quote.

Also, before you travel, especially out of the country, I cannot stress enough the importance of having travel insurance.

Should anything go wrong prior to leaving your home country you need to be able to get the money you have already spent on airfares, accommodations, tours etc back. Should anything go wrong while you are away (lost luggage, medical emergency etc) you need to be prepared and taken care of. I always use Allianz travel insurance, and get coverage that pays for a nurse to fly back to the USA with me in case of catastrophic medical emergency. Luckily nothing has ever gone wrong when I've traveled, but it's definitely a good idea to be prepared.

Save big on your next purchase thanks to these great offers. Low fares are available to all your favorite destinations!

The Best Selling Lipstick Shades

Do you follow Rachel Zoe and The Zoe Report?

For the most part she is my favorite reason to open my inbox each day. 

The Zoe Report is always filled with fantastic info, from wardrobe styling to beauty to travel.

 And don't even get me started on the Rachel Zoe Box Of Style - I always get sooooo excited for it to arrive. 




So far each time the Box of Style has come out I have been overseas and I have to wait to get home and open it, but I get so geeked out over it that I have made it into an event. Because let's face it, if you are an average girl like me, how often do you get to open a luxe box of individually wrapped presents, super chic statements for the new season ahead? ( try 4 times per year!)
You can subscribe to the Box of Style here

Anyway, The Zoe Report posted this cool story for National Lipstick Day. They polled the biggest beauty brands from MAC to Charlotte Tilbury to find out their best selling lipstick shades.
It's time to stock up on your lipsticks ladies, and here are the best sellers to choose from:

From MAC 

MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo $17
MAC Lipstick in Velvet Teddy $17
MAC Lipstick in Diva $17
MAC Lipstick in Whirl $17
Available online at Nordstrom.com

From Nars

Audacious Lipstick in Dominique $32
Semi Matte Lipstick in VIP Red $28
Sheer Lipstick in Dolce Vita $28
Satin Lipstick in Rosecliff $28
Available at Nordstrom.com

From Charlotte Tilbury

Hot Lips in Secret Salma $32
Hot Lips in Kim K.W. $32
Matte Revolution in Bond Girl $32
Matte Revolution in Walk Of Shame $32
Available online at CharlotteTilbury.com

Anastasia Beverly Hills

Liquid Lipstick in Vamp $20
Liquid Lipstick in Vintage $20
Liquid Lipstick in American Doll $20
Liquid Lipstick in Pure Hollywood $20
Available at AnastasiaBeverlyHills.com

Marc Jacobs Beauty

Le Marc Lip Cream Lipstick in J'Adore $30
Le Marc Lip Cream Lipstick in Slow Burn $30
Le Marc Lip Cream Lipstick in Infamous $30
Le Marc Lip Cream Lipstick in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang $30
Available online at MarcJacobsBeauty.com

From Tarte

Tarteist Creamy Lip Paint in Mauve $20
Tarteist Creamy Lip Paint in Namaste Nude $20
Tarteist Creamy Lip Paint in Frenemy Burgundy $20
Tarteist Creamy Lip Paint in Bae Red $20
Available online at TarteCosmetics.com

The Zoe Report has some other brands on their list too. Check them out here

Reves De Sabine

I have discovered the most fabulous new line of all natural face, body and hair products, called Reves de Sabine (Sabine's Dreams).

Sabine lives in Ventura, where she handcrafts her products from the finest natural and organic ingredients. No parabens, no synthetics, no animal testing.  Even her packaging is earth friendly and recycleable.
But these aren't your average handmade products. They are sensational. Sabine's inspiration for these products came from years of summers spent with her family in the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain, where life was simple
 and beautiful. You can read about it here

Love and poppies! Reves de Sabine

I was super excited when I received mine. The packaging is gorgeous! Don't you think that any of these pieces would make a beautiful gift? Perfect for end of year and business gift giving. (I'm giving these beautiful bath and body oils this year!)
I love the poppy detail - it felt like I was opening a present! I actually kept them on my bathroom counter unopened for several days just because they looked so beautiful.

I'm kind of obsessing over the bath and body oils. This past weekend I had a photoshoot outdoors in 115 degree heat. By the time I got home I just felt like hell, so after a swim and a long shower I put on the Bliss body oil. It was so fabulous - not only was it super soothing and nourishing to skin that had been outdoors in insane heat, but it's aromatherapeutic benefits were wonderful too. Calming, refreshing and chill. I just love it!

Reves de Sabine has gorgeous body products. I have the foot scrub and foot balm ( I wear sandals all the time so love these products to keep feet smooth and moisturized), body balm, hair elixir, deliciously flavored lip balms and a lovely face and neck serum.

Reves-de-Sabine-lip balm and face and neck serum

eves de Sabine Hair Elixir

Sabine's packing says Handmade With Love In Ventura. Everything about these beautiful products indicates that they absolutely are made with love.

Spoil yourself with a set of Reves de Sabine products. They are not at all expensive, so you can get yourself several, if not the entire set! 

Stock up on them too for gifts - receiving a poppy wrapped bottle of body oil is just divine is it makes a very chic gift.

You can find Reves De Sabine online at Sabine's website here or at her Etsy Store here

Happy Birthday Jackie O

Today would have been the 87th birthday of one of the most iconic women of all time, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

I have always loved her, her innate sense of style, her presence, and the glamour that her years with Ari Onassis implied.

Jackie and Aristotle Onassis

I have written about Jackie O before here. 
When I take the travelers on my Glam Italia Tours to Capri I take them to meet the man who made her sandals when she would visit the island, Aldo Schettino, so that they like me can buy Jackie O sandals. Read about it here.

Jackie and John John sitting outside Aldo's sandal shop in Capri

To celebrate her birthday, here are some images of iconic Jackie O

barefoot on Capri with Valentino

arriving in Capri

Jackie o in Capri

Jackie with kids in Capri

Jackie O, Capri

Capri

Chanel Le Rouge Collection No. 1

Color me obsessed.



The brand new collection from Chanel's brand new Global Creative  Makeup and Color Director, Lucia Pica is now available online.




Pica, who is known for her signature red lipstick, has infused the collection with red, red, red!

There is, of course, a red lipstick. But there are also other red products. Dynamic, exciting, sensational red products.

My favorite is the Illusion D'Ombre Eye Shadow in Rouge Brule.

I love red eye shadow - in fact I just taught a pro makeup artistry class on how to do red eye shadow. On top of that I just finished shooting 2 separate fashion editorials with red eye shadow. It's just the greatest thing ever! Red eye shadow brings out the color in green eyes, hazel eyes, blue eyes, brown eyes. It is just stunning. I normally balance it with gold or bronze, but this Chanel shadow has that balance already built in.
In case you a freaking out at the thought of red eye shadow, just know that it wakes the eye up and adds vibrancy to the entire face. It is divine.

Need a little more excitement? 
How about the Stylo Yeux Waterproof in Eros?


Pica has created a red based eyeliner that is just crazy gorgeous and super, super flattering on everyone. (In the same way as their Rouge Noir Vamp mascara is the greatest thing to ever happen to lashes)

The thought of red blush may feel a little extreme, but it is just beautiful. Refreshingly, tantalizingly beautiful.




Joues Contrast Powder Blush in 320 Rouge Profond is going to be your favorite new blush.

Le Vernis Nail Gloss in Rouge Radical


This redefines the sexy yet elegant manicure. It's a see through glossy red polish with just a hint of red. The new way of wearing red polish. It's everything!

The limited edition collection isn't available yet at Nordstrom.com
but you can get it at Chanel.com