Check Out My Concealed Weapon...

I get a steady stream of emails, tweets and messages from girlies all over the globe asking about how to conceal under eye circles, and what products I really use.

My absolute favorite of all is a pro product available to everyone through Sephora.

Its the unbelievably amazing MakeUp Forever HD Invisible Cover Concealer.

It looks like something James Bond should whip out of his inside pocket and talk to China on, but is actually technologically the most advanced, high performance concealer on the market.

The main issues women have with concealers are that the grey blue under eye color shows through, and that the texture of the product sits on the surface of the skin.

The HD Concealer color choices are based on color theory, as opposed to that maniac concept of "picking a color one shade lighter than your skin tone" nonsense.
Color theory in this case means that you are using a shade that cancels out the problem color. So they have these beautiful peachy-pinky shades that actually cancel out the blue/grey that we're all trying to hide in the first place.
(Going one shade lighter than your skin tone is still going to let the blue show through...)

There is all kinds of magic in the formulation too that works with product texture.

One of the main attributes of the MakeUp Forever HD line is that these products are designed to be virtually invisible to the human eye (and to HD cameras). You blend this product with your finger (patting it gently) until it disappears.

It has hydrating properties in it that stop it from drying out, cracking and creasing, which are the normal under eye concealer side effects. After 6 hours your under eye area will still be 74% more hydrated than you would be without the product on. This is important ladies, as the first signs of aging and tiredness show up under the eyes!

It also diffuses the light and instantly brightens the eye area.

It comes in 14 shades, because you and I dont fall into the light/medium/dark category. We are a tad more complex and spectacular than that!

(BTW, I got this pic from www.studiomariepierre.com)

It comes in a wind up pen form, with a cool silicone applicator. (I think its silicone anyway. Super soft & gentle)

Just figure its a revolutionary HD compatible concealer that brightens, camouflages, moisturizes, firms, stays invisible and helps reveal the Goddess that you really are.

Love that!

xo

C

Such Fragrant Loveliness

I so totally live by such a firm set of rules, but you know what they say about rules - they're meant to be broken!

At this time of year I only ever wear deep, sultry, sexy wintery fragrances. Never anything light and breezy and floral.
Actually I'm not really the breezy, floral type at any point in the year.

However.

Last week I was rifling through my makeup drawers looking for an elusive lip gloss, when I found one of those sample perfume vials they give you in the department stores.
I have no idea how old this one is, or how long it had been hiding there, but I put some on anyway, and was so completely surprised and, quite frankly, delighted!

Its a delicious little flowery blend from Gucci called, coincidentally, Flora.
And I love it!
The sample I have is only an eau de toilette, but it seems to linger all day, in a sweet and lovely way. It doesn't over power you when you put it on, and is very fresh and feminine.

I googled the bottle for you. Its kinda cool really don't you think?

Anyway, I just thought I'd clue you in on it.

Now I have to go deal with the rule I broke (a thousand times over, no less) about eating carbs & not working out.

It appears I have to do some dramatically significant exerciseto get ready for some upcoming on-camera pieces that I'll tell you about soon.
(Assuming this whole "trimming back down" thing happens.....)

xo!

C

P.S I only just found this centering the text button on the blog a few days ago. The novelty will wear off soon, and I'll be back to all the text on the left...

Friday Nite Happiness!

I ripped this one directly out of InStyle magazine - no creativity here on my part!
But doesn't it just look like a fabuloso evening???

They recommended starting with home made neopolitan pizzas. To accompany them a light refreshing drink called an Orange & Lillet Cocktail.

So here we go:

Orange & Lillet Cocktail


2 cups chilled white Lillet
2 cups chilled vodka (I recommend Grey Goose)
1 cup orange liqueur
1 cup chilled orange juice (not pulpy kind)
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 bottle chilled Prosecco
orange slices for garnish

In a large pitcher or carafe combine Lillet, vodka. liqueur, and orange and lemon juices.
Chill til ready to serve
Before serving add Prosecco

Pour into ice filled glasses & garnish with orange slices.







Lillet is an aperatif from Bordeaux made of 85% wine and 15% oranges.

Update Your Look For November

Its easy to get stuck in a rut when it comes to your look.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, what better time to infuse a little something new into your makeup routine?

So lets check out a couple of cool tips for November.

First up, add a little berry toned eyeshadow.
I have been using and loving to pieces the Reign Collection from Smashbox.


The soft velvety pink and the deep berry of the Majesty palette are perfect tones for most skins. They add a warmth and dimension to the eye, and if you have blue or green eyes, you will really see that color come to life and look super vibrant!




Another great way to soften up the eye is to step away from the traditional liner concept, and do a soft earthy smudge instead.




Using the Monarchy palette from Smashbox and a smudger brush like the CorinnaB smudger, get a small amount of the center circle of the dark brown, work it into the back of your hand, or a kleenex, then smudge through the lash lines. This will give you a much softer look.

Lastly, go for a softer brow. Instead of the harsher, more defined arch to the brow, let your eyebrow grow in a little, and have a slightly more natural look.

I'm going to put last week's video back up so you can get another look at how to pull this one off.







Have a gorgeous day!

xo

C

Bringing Me Joy In November

Do you ever just stop and think about what brings you true joy?
What makes you smile, warms your heart or just makes you feel really, really good when you look at it?

I decided to invite you to my November, with a few things that truly bring me joy this month...

Starbucks Non Fat Cinnamon Dolce Latte.
Welcome back!
I love you in November...

Rhonda Allison Grape Seed Oil.
Every night I use this to keep my skin divinely hydrated.
The fountain of youth in a pump pack bottle.
Can't live without it!

My new Drag Strip Girl hoodie will be with me at every shoot.
I so love their clothes - cool designer cuts plus I love the logo. Even if you're not a race fan, their shirts and hoodies are edgy and cool.
There's only a limited number of these hoodies, so get in quick! www.DragStripGirlDesigns.com

I am obsessed with Julie Hewett Lip Lush in Tish.
Worn alone, over Bibo (pictured) or over any other lip color it gives the perfect golden sheen.
Golden lip gloss? Endless hours of happiness!

November sunsets over my lake are so beautiful! They fly by me too quickly. They begin by turning the palm trees gold and green

They wait a mere moment...

then plunge the mountains into a crazy cool, fabulous purple that I wish I could breathe in...
And then it's night.

Chris Cornell's acoustic cover of Led Zeppelin's Thank You.
I am playing it over and over.
And I give thanks.

Red things bring me November joy.
A handbag of red roses...

Soulful deep red candles burn throughout my home.
Tubereuse, such a deliciously deep, heady, sensual scent

All I want for Christmas, ALL I want, is this cat mask from Agent Provocateur.
What a life I could lead in that mask...

OK, so I want the boots too. I want them so bad it hurts!
And I don't want to wait for Christmas.
I want them in November...




And there are a million joyful secrets in my soul
for which
this lovely November
I give thanks


XO

C

Monday Foot Love.

Dear Christian,
Honestly there are no words spectacular enough to describe how just looking at these boots makes me feel.
I would wear these everywhere.
I love you.

Love from C

Thank you Michael Kors.
I am sooo feeling it!
This sandal is perfection.
With a lean pencil skirt.
With a killer cool jean.
With half the fun dresses in my closet.
Were you thinking of me when you created this gorgeousness?
Regardless, I thank you.

xo

C

The One And Only Posh

How crazy cool would it be to be Vicky B???

I was looking back through the Emporio Armani campaign from the summer, and started wondering what it must be like, to be Victoria Beckham.

If I were Posh, I too would spend my days leaning against walls in sleek undies, with this kind of killer hair and makeup.

So fierce and so fabulous!!!

Is she just hot or what???

I'm thinking I might start doing this every morning too...

Posh not only has the wardrobe to die for, neverending clothes and shoes and bags, constant travels, the luxe life, but she also gets to completely stretch the boundaries of extreme fabulous with this dude, David Beckham.

I wonder if their Sunday mornings look like this?

I'm thinking that rope wouldn't be too comfy to lounge around on...

Everyone I know who knows Victoria B says that shes hilarious and fun and awesome and cool.


And when she feels crappy and tired or if she's having a bad day, she still goes home to this:

The David.

Life can't be too bad for Vicky B, always Posh Spice to me.

Love her.

xo

C