Tracie Martyn Super Skin Care

One of my absolute all time favorite skin care systems is the combination of
Tracie Martyn's amazing
Enzyme Exfoliant and Firming Serum
In fact, I'm re-ordering them today, which is what made me think of telling you about them.

So, first up is the Enzyme Exfoliant

Powerful enzymes, botanical skin lighteners and balanced fruit acids
gently resurface the skin, soften fine lines and wrinkles, minimize large pores
and safely lighten the complexion.
This product also calms the skin and reduces redness and sensitivity.
It contains a natural antibiotic action that prevents breakouts,
it oxygenates the skin, which really revitalizes it.
Cell renewal is stimulated and vital nutrients restore a youthful skin.
All in one magic little jar.

After the Enzyme Exfoliant is done, you applythe Firming Serum.



This one lifts and firms, strengthens the collagen network which improves elasticity,
does all kinds of repair work (you see instant results),
it hydrates the skin by minimizing water loss,
it contains a powerful antioxidant
It transforms and brightens the skin,
and improves the texture of the skin.

It actually does a bunch of other things too, but you get the picture.

And don't just take my word for it.
Here is a list of celebs who use and swear by these products too:
Madonna
Sandra Bullock
Kate Winslet
Renee Zellweger
Susan Sarandon
Liv Tyler
Rachel Weisz
Kelly Ripa
Sharon Osbourne
Julieanne Moore

not just for the ladies, Brad Pitt also loves them.
And things seem to have worked out quite well for him...

Apparently Sandie B likes to give the set as a gift.
My introduction to these fabu-products was as a gift too.
And I've never looked back.

www.traciemartyn.com


Enjoy

XO

C

How To Keep Your Wedding Makeup Gorgeous On A Hot Summer's Day

I have my own beauty column and write articles for several bridal magazines,
so I got to thinking that maybe we should devote some space here on the blog
to our lovely brideys.


The great thing about everything to do with bridal makeup, is that it all also applies to those of us who are not about to take the matrimonial plunge.

The same tricks that bring magic to a wedding makeup are sensational for any type of event.

So even if you are like me, and would prefer water boarding to another spin at holy matrimony,
don't dismiss the Bride's Corner postings - you'll learn some cool
and very useful tricks.


So here are 10 Tricks To Keep A Bride Looking Cool On A Hot Summer's Day

1. A great facial the week of the wedding will remove dead cells and debris from the surface of the skin, nourish and hydrate it, and leave you looking and feeling fabulous!

2. Drink TONS of water throughout the week leading up to the event.
It will help with bloating, stress and stress headaches, help alleviate under eye circles, and really help to keep your skin hydrated - one of the most important keys to a really beautiful complexion and gorgeous makeup.

3. Make sure your skin is well moisturized at least 20 minutes before makeup (if not more).
If your skin doesn't have enough moisture it will go after the moisture in your makeup, leaving it looking patchy, dry and separated.

4. Use a primer.
After your moisturizer has soaked all the way in, and before you apply foundation, apply a primer, taking special care to make sure your T Zone is well coated.
This will help makeup to adhere, stay even, and last much longer. It also helps you to stay a little more matte and a little less shiny for much longer.

5. Hire a professional makeup artist who uses airbrush makeup.This is the most technologically advanced, high performance makeup available. Why settle for anything less? It will last all day and night, won't melt or sweat, gives perfect, even coverage leaving you flawless with a super sheer finish.

6. Use a finishing spray to double down on your base staying flawless and set for hours on end!
My faves are Face Atelier's amazing Face Finish and Makeup Forever's Mist & Fix

7. Keep blotting papers or rice papers with you to lift away any surface oil or shine should it still make it through. If you keep adding powder to take away shine you'll just create an unnecessary layer of makeup that becomes increasingly visible.

8. Invest in a killer waterproof mascara and a sealing product to make eyeliner waterproof. Even if you're not the weepy type, the area around the lower lash line does tend to get extra moist, thus tempting your liner and mascara to go wandering or just disappear. I swear by Makeup Forever's Eye Seal.

9. Keep an eye on your lips. Bubbled up, gooey or broken down lipstick just look plain icky. If your lips look anything less than kissable, remove your lipstick/lip gloss with a folded kleenex, and reapply, making sure the inner line where your lips meet is clear, and doesn't have any build up.

10. When all else fails, smile! No matter how hot and humid it is, no matter how uncomfortable you are, nothing lights up the room quite like a dazzling, gorgeous smile!

More Nars Fabulosity

Here are two new products from one of my favorite lines, Nars.
Both of these items are on the "Must Have" list for spring/summer
you just need to choose your color.

First up, the new season's shades of The Multiple.



You've heard me talk about The Multiple a lot over the past year.
This product is a make up artist favorite
as it is so incredible versatile.
Cheeks, lips, eyes - wherever you want to use it.

Although these new shades look fierce, they are in fact very translucent.
Sheer buildable color that you can use to enhance other products,
like building a stain under a lipgloss,
or adding some dewy power to an existing blush.
And really quite lovely worn just on their own.

Perfect for hot summer days when you're not wearing a full makeup,
but need a little extra love in your cheeks,
or an extra something special on your lips.

The colors are:
Beverly Hills - red
Cadaques - fuschia
Turks & Caicos - orange

Completely brilliant.

The second product I want you to meet today is Nars new super sheer SPF lip treatment.




Now, there are tons of pretty lip glosses out there for a girl to choose from.
This one is a little different, because it really is a lip treatment, with color.
It is extremely sheer, with a very soft balm-like texture to it.
The most color is in the shades Angelique and Paloma.
My personal fave? Aurore.
Bianca, Greta and Lara are super pale, super sheer.

These lip treatments have fabulous ingredients such as wild mango butter, acai oil, cloudberries, and vitamin E, all hard at work
keep your lips soft and supple,
while the SPF 15 gives your kisser some relief from the sun's burning rays.

The new shades of The Multiple are available for a limited time only,
so jump on this one while you can.

Hope the sun's shining where you are,

XO

C

Helena Christenson Reebok Ad

So all I have to do is buy some of those Reeboks, and I'll look like that??

I wonder if she's cold?

Madonna's Undies

Second only to my love of high heels
is my love of gorgeous lingerie.
Which is why I follow Frou Frou Fashionista religiously.
I also follow them on twitter @fairefroufrou
The name alone suggests great things are ahead!

I did have a particularly witty post for you today,
but after seeing what they posted, it felt somewhat anit-climactic.
So I'm re-posting theirs.

Check out their blog
If you're in my old playground, Studio City, go see them.
(I think you can order their sensational goodies online too)
Follow their blog, and follow them on twitter.

But for now,
enjoy!

P.S. Madge: LOVE the makeup, love the hair, love the styling.
Perfection again...

Wednesday, May 5

Madonna Makes Her Debut

Falke tights, L'wren Scott dress, Hakaan shoes

Falke tights, Prada shoes

bra & panty, Madonna's own

Dolce & Gabbana corset

dress & corset Dolce & Gabbana
Interview Magazine, photographers Marcus Piggott & Mert Alas

Madonna makes her debut...on our blog, that is! The following are images from the May 2010 issue of Interview magazine. Of course we expected to see her wearing Dolce & Gabbana intimates, but we were surprised that she wore one of her personal lingerie sets (no brand mentioned) for one of the pictures (though it's does look kind of bra from Macy's). The fishnet stockings are from Falke, which is really what captured our attention in the first place. Truly, stockings can make all the difference in an editorial.
For the full range of images, click here.

Its The Mighty Aphrodite!

So we're in that interesting spacewhere the cold weather is mostly over,

we're wearing lighter, more fun clothes,
but we don't yet have that lovely summer color to our skin.


In other words, time to bring out the bronzer.

Bronzer is one of the most divine, yet hideously misused makeup products ever invented.
So bad it makes you cringe.

So here are some tips for truly gorgeous bronzer.




1. Bronzer is for a quick summer overhaul. Its all about a lighter, fresher, sun-kissed look,
not a dark, "colored in" look.

2. Always be very light handed when applying bronzer. Its easy to add more, but trickly to take away if you've put on too much.

3. Bronzer should be lightly applied to the areas that the sun would naturally hit if you were outside all day. Your forehead, across the upper cheekbones and bridge of the nose,
and over the flat part of your chin.

4. Use a densely packed brush, like a kabuki brush, and after tapping the excess product off, use a swirling motion to apply, working from the outside of the face in toward the middle.

5. Your choice of product is as crucial as your application technique. The heavy yellows and browns that make up the average bronzer can really make the skin look dull, lifeless and aged. (especially if over-applied).


I just HAD to put in a pic of the beautiful Kim Kardashian!

My personal faves??


I have used Guerlain's Terracotta Powder in my kit since the beginning of time.
And for the past few months I've been loving all over the amazing Aphrodite by Julie Hewett.



This one is particularly fabulous because of the way it wears (beautifully, evenly and long lasting) the color, which is exquisite - not too heavy, not too brown, and also because of the faint shimmer it has. It's like a bronze shimmer of glamor and gold.
The shimmer is extra fab as it stops the skin from looking dulled, and instead makes it look fresh and alive.
And skin that looks alive, also looks youthful.

So bronze up beautifully ladies!

XO

C

I never seem to run out of things to want.
Well, more like things to pine for.

Look what I found on The Bag Snob :

Loewe Amazona Handbag, in many divine colors...

Loewe Amazona Bag

By Man Snob Jim on April 29, 2010

Under the direction of its creative director Stuart Vevers (of Mulberry fame), Spanish label Loewe (parent company: LVMH) is making a big push in the U.S.--and, in particular, New York. After an initial launch at Bergdorf's last November, this spring the brand will be carried at Jeffrey and Hirshleifer's as well. What's more, Loewe is touting its Amazona bag, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Twenty models of the bag will be sold exclusively at Bergdorf's, some lined in fabric ($1,800), others in leather ($1,950). "The silhouette is very classic," said Vevers Wednesday night at a dinner he hosted in Manhattan. "I wanted to go back to the essence of what makes this brand special."

For the anniversary, Vevers tapped artist and photographer Nigel Shafran to shoot the Amazona in six locations around Madrid; the resulting photos will be used for Loewe window and store visuals. One look at the bag and it's easy to see why it's become a beloved holdall. It takes 10 to 12 hours to make each one, first off, and the modern hardware is super chic. The Amazona, available in colors like lemon yellow and red, makes for a great day bag for the stylish working woman. The bag is in my favorite shape: one part-bowler, one-part briefcase--but all utility. The top zipper zips open both ways almost completely, ensuring the user full access and maximum use of the bag. A stylish gym bag? Why not?

Loewe

Is it not perfect?
Wouldn't life be extra super fab with one of these?
I.
Need.
One.
(or more...)