October 2011 Archives

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Millions of people are afflicted with this terrible disease each year. To help in the fight against breast cancer, many beauty companies have teamed up with organizations that support breast cancer research and will be donating a portion of their proceeds toward finding a cure. Throughout the month of October, when you buy the products featured in this series, you’ll be doing your part to find a cure too.

SpaRitual in Pink Clarity Nail Lacquer
Micro glitter in BCA’s signature color, pink, makes your nails sparkle like never before. 20 percent of proceeds will be donated to Cancer Schmancer.
$10 at beauty.com

Seche Vite Breast Cancer Awareness Collection
This collection includes China Glaze Lacquer in Go-Go Pink and the cult favorite Seche Vite top coat. A portion of proceeds will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
$8.99 at sallybeauty.com

Avon Nailwear Pro Nail Enamel in Pink Power
The prettiest pale pink that really makes a statement. 100 percent of proceeds will be donated to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade.
$2.99 at avon.com

Essie Raise Awareness Nail Polish
Chic, sophisticated and perfect for any cocktail party. A portion of proceeds will be donated to Living Beyond Breast Cancer.
$3.75 at amazon.com

It’s not something people like to talk about, but it’s something that affects 85% of women: facial hair. Whether yours is fine or medium, there’s finally a hair removal system that really works, without the tell-tale redness or irritation that many other facial hair removers can leave, Olay Smooth Finish Facial Hair Removal Duo.

This specially formulated two-step system is designed to gently, yet effectively, remove fine to medium unwanted facial hair on the upper lip and jaw line, while minimizing irritation. This is great news for the 96% of women with visible facial hair that remove it five times a month.

Easy to use, the system includes:

Step 1: a Skin Guarding Balm which helps prepare skin for removal by providing a thin guarding layer while still exposing hair.

Step 2: Hair Removal Cream with a fresh, light scent is applied over the guarding balm to weaken and effortlessly remove fine to medium hair.

The results? Skin is immediately hair free, with no signs of redness and irritation and you’re ready to face the world with confidence.

$22.47 at amazon.com

*statistics according to 2011 Olay global survey

Over the years, I’ve tried many cosmetic lines, but the one that I inevitably come back to is Laura Mercier. In particular, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer and Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage concealer, by far two of the best products available for natural flawless-looking skin. According to Laura Mercier, the key to making your skin look perfect is to enhance your natural beauty. Here are her 4 simple steps to the flawless face:

Step 1: Prime the Skin

Laura Mercier’s Foundation Primer creates the perfect canvas for makeup application, ensuring freshness and long-lasting color. There are 5 formulas to choose from based on your skin’s needs (I have dry skin, so my favorite is the Hydrating formula). Laura’s tip: place your primer in the refrigerator before use to help refresh skin and reduce puffiness.

Step 2: Apply Foundation

There are several types of foundation available, but the key to looking as natural as possible is to use only where needed or in layers to provide buildable coverage. My favorite is the Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 which provides sheer, natural-looking coverage — just enough to eliminate redness while letting my natural skin show through. Plus, it keeps my dry skin looking soft and dewy.

Step 3: Conceal

Laura Mercier’s famed Secret Camouflage and Secret Concealer are loved by almost every makeup artist I’ve ever met — and with good reason! When applied with a concealer brush, undereye circles and skin imperfections vanish.Laura’s tip: Apply concealer in the best available natural daylight.

Step 4: Set with Powder

Translucent Loose Setting Powder has no color so it won’t distort the color of your makeup. A light dusting helps set your makeup for a longer lasting finish. (Note: since my skin tends to be really dry and flakey, I typically skip this step in the fall and winter.)

After happily rediscovering these tried and true favorites, they’ve earned a permanent spot in my daily makeup routine!

Laura believes there are four steps to create a flawless face—primer, foundation, concealer, and setting powder. Each product has been specifically developed to allow every woman to achieve an incredibly even, smooth, yet natural-looking complexion.

For more information on Laura’s flawless philosophy and tips on how to use each product within each step is located here.

Find your perfect products to create your ultimate flawless face using our flawless face finder.

  

If we had a choice, we would honestly never file our nails. The sound and feel of it is akin to nails on a chalkboard … and, honestly, the two aren’t so far removed from one another. But if we have to keep our nails looking groomed and gorgeous, the least we could ask for is an adorable nail file! We’ve rounded up the three cutest nail files we’ve ever seen for your viewing (and purchasing!) pleasure. Now there’s no excuse not to sport a perfect 10!

And remember that you should always file nails in one direction, rather than going back and forth—this will keep nails from splitting and becoming unhealthy.

Charlotte Russe Glittery Nail Shields & File
Not only does this file sparkle and glimmer like none we’ve ever seen, but it comes with matching nail stickers so your tips will be super glam!
$7.50 at charlotterusse.com

Forever 21 Ditsy Cupcake Nail File Trio
Solid, glittered and cupcake-printed … and all for under two dollars? Sold.
$1.80 at forever21.com

Flowery Wild Styles File Catty
An animal print file that comes with a coordinating case—so undeniably chic.
$4.99 at ulta.com

With her newest film, ‘My Week With Marilyn’ receiving lots of praise, Michelle Williams is poised to tackle the world. And at the 49th Annual New York Film Festival she certainly looked ready. Going for something a little less Marilyn Monroe-esque, her short, golden blonde, pixie cut looked perfectly styled and pretty, and her softly glowing cheeks and shiny lips looked natural and light.