pict pict pict: September 2010

Video of the Week

Rick Ross feat. Drake and Chrisette Michele: Aston Martin Music
Enjoy.

x and o's

In my last post, I told you about Pure Matte Lipstick from Nars. I just got more info from the good folks over at Nars on how to use their products to get some awesome looks. Here's a fun celeb/fashion/beauty read for you to start your day:

To celebrate The Town’s debut in theaters with Rebecca Hall, Blake Lively, John Hamm and Ben Affleck, NARS highlights Rebecca’s looks from the film’s recent premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Venice International Film Festival. Created by Stephen Sollitto for NARS Cosmetics, below are details on what she wore!

Venice International Film Festival (September 4, 2010)
To complement her printed Prada dress during the day, Stephen kept the look pretty but simple. For her evening premiere, Stephen turned to Pure Matte Lipstick, taking her effortlessly from day to night and complementing her teal Vionnet dress.
Products used: Sheer Glow Foundation, Douceur Blush, Daphne Eyeshadow (on the outer corners), Coconut Grove Eyeshadow (“a brilliant brown” to line lids) and Red Square Velvet Matte Lip Pencil lightly dabbed onto lips. For her evening look, Stephen added a mix of two shades to her lips: Vesuvio and Terre de Feu Pure Matte Lipstick.

Toronto International Film Festival (September 9, 2010).
Stephen kept her black and red Yves Saint Laurent look “modern and monochromatic for a vibe reminiscent of Studio 54.”
Products used: Sheer Glow Foundation, Douceur Blush, Melusine Duo Eyeshadow (NEW for Holiday 2010! For now, try Daphne Eyeshadow in the outer corners for definition), and Larger Than Life Lengthening Mascara, and Tashkent Pure Matte Lipstick, “ideal for her sleek look.”

Reminder! To win a set of all 6 Pure Matte Lipstick shades, head to the Nars Facebook Page and take the Pure Matte-Inspired Dream Getaway Poll

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Drake Concert @ Radio City Music Hall

Yet again another concert MOB's missed *sigh* well at least bring you photos/footage so you guys shouldn't be complaining. Yesterday Drake SOLD OUT Radio City Music Hall , I believe for his first real solo concert( by the way which some of my friends attend and said it was a great show).He bought out special guests Tyga, J.Cole, and Young Jeezy as the show openers before he came out to give the sold out crowd of 6000+ the show of their lives. Mack Maine and Francis and the Lights were special guests of his set for the night.

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Boardwalk Empire's Michael Kenneth Williams in GQ

As the legendary Omar from The Wire, and now the backstreet Kingpin on Boardwalk Empire, Michael Kenneth Williams brings charmed confidence to the screen. Here he hits the lumber of Atlantic City in the kind of three-piece suits that'll make anyone look like the boss. For the full article and more photos from GQ, click HERE.

Product Lust: Pure Matte Lipstick

There are some cosmetic companies that can seemingly do no wrong. And Nars is one of those brands. They always seem to have new products that are instantly lust-worth. Their latest offering, Pure Matte Lipstick, is on my "must try" list and it's getting some rave reviews from A-listers.

Here's what Dita von Teese had to say about it: “Matte red lips are always chic and also easy to keep in place! Right now I love Nars Pure Matte lipstick in Vesuvio which is the perfect classic cherry red,and Terre de Feu which is a beautiful rich burgundy for wintertime.”

Here's some info about the new matte lipstick:

Bright. Bold. Vividly Matte. This innovative, matte lipstick has intense, stay-true color so lips look lush and vibrant. An exquisitely blended formula strikes a perfect harmony between optimal color, an ultra-matte finish and hydration.

A super-rich, super-pampering, super-sexy lipstick in six sumptuous shades. Pure drama.
Glides on effortlessly, without drag or resistance.
Defying traditional long-wearing lipsticks, Pure Matte will not dry out lips
Wild Mango Butter’s advanced moisturizing properties work to repair lips from dryness and scaling, leaving lips supple and soft.

Nars Pure Matte Lipstick is available online, for $25 per tube. It comes in six awesome shades, each named for far off places (like Tonkin, Volga, etc.). If you want a chance to enter to win Pure Matte Lipstick, head over to the Nars facebook page.

REVIEW: Marie Louise Cosmetics' Moistraiser α-VC (Moisturizing Toner)

Moistraiser α-VC (Moisturizing Toner) - $81.00 (plus tax) for 100ml

I was aproached again by a Marie Louise Cosmetics (MLC) reprensentative to try one of their other products: the Moistraiser a-VC -- their moisturizing toner. I've had had such a wonderful experience with their other two products (the Restoration Clear Gel and the Cleansing Clear Gel) that I couldn't say no. BUT when I checked the price of this ~3.5 US Fluid Ounces --$81!!-- I almost said no.

I love toners, I always use them to get off my skin the last trace of makeup. I then apply my moisturizer while my face still moist to achieve a higher degree of hydration on my skin. I expressed my concerns to the MLC representatives about the product qty. vs. cost. I mean, so much for a toner? Why? I've tried other H.E. toners and never been impressed --and I still remember I was so sad when my Nivea Moisturizing toner was discontinued--. Of course, they mentioned fine ingredients and their use of nanotechnology on their products (read more HERE). After reading about all of it, I decided to give it a try. I wasn't let down.

I began testing this skincare product like I always do: all my products that work for my skin remain the same, this toner was the only change. Boy, was I surprised about the results!

The Moistraiser a-VC has to be hands down the best toner ever. To say that I'm completely amazed by this product wouldn't make justice to it. This is not your typical liquid toner. It's a bit more dense, a touch more viscous if you will, and I feel like I'm applying a combination of toner/serum.

To be honest, when I read about what this product was all about, I just expected my skin to feel more hydrated at a deeper level. I got that all right. I wasn't sure about if it was going to appear or feel more "vibrant". Well, the biggest difference I noted on my skin was the texture: it changed within two weeks of using this toner! You know when you exfoliate your skin and it feels incredibly soft for a few days at most? I started to notice my skin feeling amazingly soft and even-textured all the time! I remember thinking...Well, I know I did not exfoliated my face today so what is this?... Vibrant indeed, lol.

I tend to have "rough skin" on my face with huge pores and dry patches that are inevitable while aging --at least with me. This toner is a life saver.

I noticed I was touching my face all the time (big no-no for my skin acne) because it felt so amazing. No worries, I stopped doing that. ^__^

I'm glad I decided to try this. I've come to the conclusion that there is a small price to pay when a product does delivers what it claims to do. The ingredients in this toner include ceramides, glycerin, vitamins and hyaluronic acid. Amazing combination that really works for a younger looking skin that feels AMAZING. Love, love, love this.

I would truly recommend this product to ladies with all skin types, as it is absorbed quickly by the skin. It hasn't cause me any allergic reactions or broke me out. And I can tell you that because I've been using this product since mid-July and all is good. Oh, and I still have a little less than half the product left. In my experience, not much is needed to achieve results. I just follow the instructions on how to apply.

After trying three of MLC products, I decided to buy first the travel size kit to finally try their moisturizer. Curious note: Amazon wanted to charged me $30+ USD for shipping the $28 kit! Since that was ridiculous I wrote to MLC and the service was amazing. They shipped the product for about $6 USD through the USPS. It arrived in perfect conditions (Psssst...loving it so far!). Yes!

RATING: 5/5 (delivers what it promises, excellent overall; be careful no to let the glass bottle fall on the floor!)

**I've noted Marie Louise Cosmetics normally has monthly sales of their products at great discounts, so check out their website if you're interested.

IMPORTANT NOTICE! This review was possible thanks to a sample product sent for my consideration by a PR Agency/Marketing Firm/Brand Representative. My reviews are based on my personal experience with each product. I don't get paid to do my reviews, I do get to keep the samples the companies send me. Also, any link provided in the review is for your convenience only, I don't get paid if you click on it. I will tell you the day I do.

Working girl!

Yes, I know I have not blogged much lately. Some of you may remember that I was looking for a job. At least one that pays in $$ and not only in "Thanks Mom!" currency, LOL! All my energy was on getting a new job.

Well, I got it! These first few days have been kinda crazy and hectic, but so far I'm loving it. Yes!

Image: Masterfile.com

I guess I will be posting mostly on weekends, maybe schedule my posts so there is continuity in this blog. As always, I love to read your comments and messages, so don't be shy!

¡Vivan, amen y rían!

Getting Health, Another Update

Me, Sept. 2010

In August, I mentioned that I'm currently on a health kick. Although, to be honest, I am not sure I'd call it a "health kick." That seems to imply that I'm just making temporary changes, and that's not the case. I've been working very hard on making changes, and in doing so I've noticed that I'm overhauling major aspects of my life.

I said I'd check in monthly to tell you how I've been doing on my quest to get healthy...to lose weight, to eat better, exercise, and adopt healthier habits. Here's my latest update. Since my August getting healthy update, I...

Lost another 15+ pounds
Have had to buy a lot of new clothes--my pants were falling off and almost everything in my closet is too big. Go me!
Continue to love exercise. I generally exercise 5 to 6 times a week and I credit exercise to major changes in the shape of my body. I can see the muscles in my arms bulking up (in a good way) and my leg muscles seem longer and leaner.

I feel good and eager to get out and do new things. I'm still following the Weight Watchers program because...well...it works. And I like that you can eat "normal" food and still lose. My portion sizes have come way down and I don't feel like I'm deprived of anything.

I'm glad I'm finally waking up and paying more attention to food, to exercise, to how I respond to stress...to life in general. It's amazing for me to look back on myself before committing to getting healthy--I feel like I was sleepwalking through my life. Now that I am waking up and making changes, every day is an adventure...a chance to learn, to improve, to grow. It's nice!

I'll give you another update next month. Like I said, doing so makes me a little bit more accountable. Also, if any of you are fighting the battle of the bulge or if you're also on a quest to get healthy, leave me a comment. What's working for you? What are your setbacks? Leave me a comment and let me know--maybe we can all help each other in this journey!

Money, Money, Money...

My grandmother, Gaga, looking fabulous as always!

Gaga, my grandmother, used to say that if money (or lack there of!) was your only problem, you had no problems at all. In some respects, I tend to agree with Gaga's sage words. But when I'm trying to balance my checkbook or if I'm saving up for a large purchase, it seems like money is the only problem...and it's a big one.

Anyway...

Last week, I had a poll where I asked you how much you spend each month on beauty products--and just products. I didn't ask about hair cuts, nail care, facials, etc.

Most people said they spend between $51-$100 a month on cosmetics/skin care products. While that may not seem like a ton of money, over the course of a year, you'll spend $612 to $1200 to buy products to make yourself look pretty. Again, that may not seem like a ton, but it does add up. I wonder how much money a woman spends in her lifetime on lipsticks, eye shadows, etc....wait! Maybe I don't want to know.

The amount of money I spend each month on products varies wildly. Some months, it's well over $100. Other months it's closer to $0. You'd probably be surprised that I don't buy tons of beauty products and that I, a beauty blogger, sometimes feel like it's all just too much. When I feel that way, I ask myself: do I really need another bottle of nail polish? But then there are other times when I can't get enough--I have to have every new product hitting the market. And I justify my purchases by considering them "research." So sad.

But I digress--I'm glad to see that you aren't spending insane amounts of money on makeup. In the long run? I think you'd do better investing in Estee Lauder stock than buying Estee Lauder products. What do I know?