ManGlaze Nail Polishes

I'm on the other side of the world again, so along with some posts that are scheduled during the days that I'm gone, I'm having some guest posts from some of my favorite bloggers, just to spice things up a bit!

Today's post is from Olivia at The Unknown Beauty Blog. (you can follow Olivia on twitter @fauxlivia)
She is going to tell you all about her favorite nail polishes:

Man, Eyes Glaze over ManGlaze Nail Polishes

I know I am late to the game purchasing ManGlaze polishes ($6.66USD and $13.13USD) but better late than never right?  The polishes are all matte which may have you thinking what makes them different from other mattes?  I can just buy a matte topcoat and have the same effect.  Well, yes and no.  Yes, the effect is the same, but the personality is not.

When I first opened my little box (which my USPS guy decided to keep for himself overnight instead of delivering on the day of delivery), I noticed the funky and crazy labels.  Reminds me of Mad magazine meets Ren and Stimpy which is probably in the same realm but you get it.  Very original and eye catching! 

As I applied these polishes I noticed that the texture is made for a guy to apply which means they are easy to apply.  It really doesn't take skilled and dainty hands to apply these.  The colors go on smoothly without being runny or drippy.  There is ample time to apply a smooth coat on the nail yet dry quickly enough to walk out the door within 15-30 minutes.  (This estimation is for ample drying time.) 

Although, all are matte they do contain shimmer (with the exclusion of Hot Mess which is pure bling).  It is soft and hidden almost like the butch side is trying to get in touch with its feminine side.  Hmmmmm.

Matte is Murder looks like a rough emery board only black.  Nothing is rough about it, just a smooth polish that gives that illusion. 

Mayo or Mayonnaise doesn't look anything like what it is named after.  I keep thinking I have doughnut glaze on my nails and want to lick them.  Maybe, someday ManGlaze will come out with flavored polish.  That would be something! 

See the shimmer in both?  Very nice.

Fuggen Ugly (top picture) reminds me of concrete yet it has that mercuric glaze.  You know the stuff that leaks out of the shapeshifters in Fringe.  And it also has the same doughnut glaze look.  Yes, I am stuck on doughnuts when I look at my ManGlaze nails. 

Hot Mess is pure silver bling in a clear matte base.  (Top picture)  I applied two coats alone on a natural nail.   If Liberace were alive, he would be buying this by the box!   Applied on top of Mayo and Matte is Murder (bottom picture),  Hot Mess takes on a whole new personality.  As I see it, on top of Mayo it looks like lace and chains!  Ooh la la!  And on Matte is Murder, I feel I need to get a pair of motorcycle boots-leather and chains! 

MatteAstrophe is interesting.  It is a matte topcoat but depending on the polish it will crackle.  I found this best on top of glossy polishes to clearly see the effect.  Here, I used this on top of Illamasqua Scarab-a deep shimmery blood red.  The result reminds of a scab or a reopened scab where the blood starts seeping again.  Yes, gross and oh so cool!

Those are the polishes by ManGlaze so far.  New colors will mean, I will have to get them because I like them too much not to have them all!  I will build a shrine for my ManGlaze Polishes!  Rock On! \m/

 Don't forget to add The Unknown Beauty Blog to your list of blogs to follow!

Beat The Heat With Facial SPFs

I'm bringing this one back out of the archives because it really is so very important. And because my new readers may not have seen it yet.
Its all about staying youthful. And melanoma free.
My dermatologist loves me for it :)

Beat The Heat: SPF

We just shot a really important segment for the Daily Dish on SheKnowsTV that was all about facial SPFs.
Here are some of the key points we covered, and the product details.

*Facial SPF is a crucial component in your skin care regimen, possibly the most important component. 
*Up to 90% of skin aging comes from sun damage. This damage won't necessarily show up immediately. 
In the years ahead you will start seeing dark patches, or hyper-pigmentation, which are very difficult and expensive to remove.
*The sun breaks down collagen, which in turn leads to a loss of elasticity, leaving you with saggy, lifeless looking skin. 
*Lack of sun protection also opens you up to the dangers of skin cancer.




*Regular sunscreen that you use on your body will frequently break your skin out and leave it with a coarser, thicker texture, so it is important to have a separate facial SPF product.

*Sunscreen needs to be applied liberally. You should coat your face, throat and decollete every single day with an SPF of at least 30.

* Although there is debate as to whether or not an SPF higher than 30 is actually more powerful or not, it is generally accepted that the higher the SPF, the longer the protection.

For example: if the UV index today is 10, the average person has about 10 minutes before their skin will start to burn. If you wear SPF 30 you will have 30X 10 minutes, or 300 minutes before you will burn.

The clock starts when you apply the product, so if you apply SPF 30 at 7am when you're getting ready for work, it has probably run out by noon, or at least lost significant potency. So go for the highest SPF you can find.

* We get most of our sun damage just doing our regular daily things, such as walking to and from our cars, which is why dermatologists want everyone to wear sunscreen every single day.

Here are the products I discussed on the show:

For Everyday use

Rhonda Allison Zinc Protection Cream

This is a fabulous daily SPF that can be 

used alone or over moisturizer.

Great for all skin types

www.rhondaallison.com

Kiehls Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50
This very lightweight, translucent, oil free and 
water resistant sun protection leaves the skin 
with an ultra matte finish. It has powerful,
long lasting broad spectrum UVA and UVB
protection, which is photostable. (maintains
the level of protection) 
www.kiehls.com

For A Day In The Sun  

Heading to the beach? A picnic or a BBQ? Or maybe you're doing an outdoor activity? Anything that's taking you outdoors for the day requires an even stronger formulation. Here's what I recommended:

I love this SPF 58!

Cotz is free of chemical sunscreen filters. Its water and sweat resistant, dries clear and is fragrance free.

www.beautyatskindeep.com

I love this one too!

Individual sachets, each containing one SPF 30 towelette. What I especially love about this is that it is fragranced. Tocca's beautiful Stella fragrance. So when you've been out in the heat and need to reapply your sunscreen, the convenience of a single serve sachet combined with something that doesn't smell like coconuts and pineapples is so refreshing!

Probably more for the body than the face, but I had to include it - its so lovely!

www.tocca.com

 How fabulous is this??

SPF 30 in crushed mineral form. (Also available in SPF 50)

Great on its own as a facial SPF, Colorescience Sunforgettable also makes the absolute perfect touch up SPF product, for everyday use or for the big day out.

Super convenient to slip into your handbag, lightweight and easy to apply and reapply over makeup, you can top off your sun protection before heading out to lunch, before going out for after work drinks - anytime you need to add more facial sunscreen.

Perfect in both humid and dry climates, the sheer convenience of it will keep you reapplying.

Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

                                                                          www.colorescience.com

Teva High Heels

This one came to me via @Dramilione on twitter, and I just had to blog it!

The original article was on Bit Rebels.com, and was written by Diana Adams. (not me)
You can follow Diana on twitter @adamsconsulting. 

Well hallelujah! What took so long for someone to design this? You are familiar with Teva shoes, right? Where I live, we refer to them simply as “Tevas” and most outdoorsy people have them. I wear mine whenever I’m outside camping, hiking, walking through a river or creek, gardening, etc… They are the perfect sandals for almost all outdoor activities, and I love mine. I put a picture of a standard Teva below in case you don’t know what they look like.

The only problem with Tevas is that, up until now, they’ve looked the same whether they are for men or women. Sure, they come in a couple of different colors, but for the most part, you can’t represent your girl side with a pair of them. That’s all changed now. Introducing… Teva stilettos! Ladies, now we can climb that mountain in style. Gone are the days when going on an outdoor adventure meant we had to forget our fashion. To create these, Teva teamed up with the clothing company, Grey Ant. As you can see in the pictures below, there are two colors. You can get them in either black-and-white or tan.

Men, I know what you are probably thinking, “How would you be able to get down and dirty outside wearing such high heels?” Trust me, any cosmo girl out there knows that when we want to look good, we can make it work, regardless of how high the heel is, right ladies? You can buy them at the link below, but let me forewarn you, they are ridiculously expensive. But then again, most Tevas are.

 Teva Grey Ant Stilettos $330

Introducing MAC Glamglass

I do love MAC lip products!

Here is a new release, on its way from MAC:

MAC Glamglass available July 28, 2011 through September 22, 2011

GLAMGLASS

Sshhh…Lips speak louder than words. You’re invited to experience glamour that’s strictly word-of-mouth. NEWLY FORMULATED, this super-silky gloss delivers the perfect amount of Knockout colour with its innovative NEW brush applicator. Encounter a Lasting Sensation of hypnotically intense, pure colour with a vividly alluring shine that leaves lips looking lush for hours. Mesmerizingly minimal, non-sticky texture feels comfortable…featherlight. Eight tantalizing Lip Pencil shade extensions round out a collection that positively whispers Embrace Me.

GLAMGLASS

Casual Air Frosted pale pink
It’s a Wow Mid-tone blue-pink (“rose pink”)
Check This Out Coral with ‘transforming’ yellow-pink pearl
Rich & Witty Neutral dirty pinked beige
Comfort & Joy Mid-tone frosted dirty mauve
Famously Fab! Purple-lavender, slightly pearled
Tour de Fabulous Clean/bright yellow pink with pearl
Style-Packed Bright, vivid fuchsia Knockout Red with pearl
Rich Bounty Deep red-brown with pearl
Real Posh Deep berry, slightly pearled $14.50 U.S./$17.00 CDN




 


LIP PENCIL

What Comes Naturally Pale peachy beige
Hip ‘n’ Happy Dirty blue pink
Have to Have It Soft warm beige
Just Wonderful Dirty mauve
Entertain Me Clearly orange
Lasting Sensation Bright coral
Embrace Me Vivid pinkish fuchsia
Just My Type Intense warm brown
$13.00 U.S./$15.50 CDN

Be Travel Ready With 3floz.com

If you a travel a lot (like me) or even if you only travel a little, this is a fabulous website to know about.

3Floz.com offers more than 50 well known brands' skin care, hair care and sun products in TSA friendly
3 fluid ounce mini packs, that meet the guidelines for not only domestic, but also international air travel carry on items.

If you're not one for taking skin care/hair care/sun protection products on board with you, they are also ideally sized for vacation and business travel.

Airlines are enforcing strict restrictions on baggage weight and size, with hefty fines attached, so any opportunity you have to effectively downsize your packing can end up saving you a fortune!

I don't recommend starting a new skin care regime while traveling (with the exception of rescue products) as travel stresses your skin out anyway, and new products can exacerbate a freaked out complexion.

If you don't see your existing brand of skin care on the 3Floz.com website, purchase small, plastic containers to put your own products into.

On 3Floz.com you can purchase pre-made kits, or simply buy items individually.

Check out some of the cool products and travel solutions available on 3Floz.com

Lulu Powers Party Planning

I just got back from spending a few days in Hollywood, where all work aside, I got to go to some completely fabulous parties.

Lulu Powers is one of Hollywood's premiere celebrity party planners and caterers. Her events have a very distinct flair to them, and thanks to her gorgeous book, Lulu Powers From Food To Flowers, they are also quite duplicatable.
One of the events I was at this week was a Lulu Powers inspired event. This got me thinking (over several of her famous Bambootinis) now that we are in the summer party season, that some of you may be interested in her tips for how to throw a last minute party.

Lulu Powers From Food To Flowers is my entertaining bible. I constantly pull ideas from her book, whether it is flower arrangements in my house, cool drinks to serve at my pool parties, or fantastic finger foods that keep people talking for months to come.
If you are new to entertaining, or if it feels overwhelming to you, Lulu has lists of what to keep in your pantry for last minute entertaining, timelines for how to structure your day so that everything runs smoothly, even creative serving ideas.
On her blog, amongst other things, you can find playlists to download for your party. Its fabulous!

Here are a couple of ideas for a little impromptu summer bash a la Lulu.

Flowers
Bypass fussy arrangements in favor of plants that live in your garden. Try positioning low bowls of one color flower offset with moss on tables and shelves at a variety of different heights.

Sweet and Spicy Tacos

Lulu's recipe for sweet and spicy tacos is both quick and easy, and everyone loves them! (you'll find it in her book on page 232)
She also has delicious recipes for chips and dips that are not only divine, but make your event so memorable.

Watermelon

In hot weather you can't beat icy cold wedges of watermelon for dessert.
Sprinkle with sea salt, a dash of lime and a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Lulu's book has some fantastic recipes for her signature cocktails too.
I haven't put a cocktail recipe on the blog for a while, but this one is refreshing and totally perfect for a summer get together.

The Lulu Powers Key Lime Martini

1 cup pineapple juice
3 tablespoons Torani vanilla syrup
3 tablespoons sweet and sour mix
juice of one lime
1 cup vodka (I use Grey Goose)
Jolly Rancher Lollipops

Shake the pineapple juice, syrup, sweet and sour mix, lime juice and vodka in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Serve in martini glasses garnished with a Jolly Rancher Lollipop.

(or make a carafe of them and place next to a bowl of crushed ice, and let your guests pour their own!)

You can find Lulu Powers From Food To Flowers in bookstores, or for instant gratification, here is the Amazon link.
Make sure you check out her blog, Living A La Lulu