Get Gorgeous Glowing Skin!!!

Product Review: GlimmerSHEERS, $28 at beautyaddicts.com.

beautyADDICTS has a cult following and with good reason…the products are pretty spectacular! Just ask celebs Zooey Deschanel, Sharon Stone and Zoe Saldana to name a few. I love their GlimmerSHEERS, the ultimate makeup duo designed to highlight the eyes, face and cheeks. Containing skin-healthy ingredients like Green Tea and Jojoba Oil the Glimmer side adds a sun-kissed, luminous glow, the Sheer side makes your skin appear dewy. When combined, it’s out-of-this-world gorgeous!!!

You can use them alone or together to customize your look. I particularly like Express (a golden shade) for my lids and cheeks and I use Seduce (a silvery hue) to make my eyes sparkle by adding it to the inner corner of my eyes. I also like it on my browbone and the bridge of my nose. There’s also a rosy-hued “Motivate” and a lilac-y Glow.

It’s a great everyday look but as with any illuminating product the key is not to overdo it — a smidge too much and you can look greasy. Apply just a bit to the top of your cheekbones, your browbone and down the bridge of your nose. For evening try it on the inner corners of your eyes for some sparkle. Perfect!

 

GlimmerSHEER by beautyADDICTS, $28 each at www.beautyaddicts.com.

 

What are your skin sins? Win $240 worth of Skincare!!!

Finally…a skincare line that doesn’t judge!

You’ve gotta love that takes into account your hard-partying ways! Smoking, sun-damage, a high-sugar diet, stress, lack of sleep, alcohol consumption and more impact your skin as much as your age. A new line of specialty skincare — Sin-Care Booster Serums –takes into account all of these skin sins and addresses these different lifestyle factors with specific biotech ingredients, antioxidants, cosmeceuticals, vitamins and herbs so you can look your best no matter what your vice is. Use any of these 8 booster serums as an add-on to your usual skincare before moisturizing to enhance your anti-aging protection.

One lucky reader will win 3 Sin-Care Booster Serums (Sugar Hit, Sleep Doctor and Party Girl) worth $240!. To enter, subscribe to The Beauty Wall (if you’re not a subscriber already) and simply leave a comment below or on my facebook page or pinterest board. It’s as simple as that. You can also get an extra entry by forwarding this post to a friend. Just let me know you’ve done that in your comment. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, February 5, 2014.

For more information or to purchase a Sin-Care Serum, $80, click on www.sin-care.com.

Good luck! xoxoNancy

New Fragrance Find!

Product Review: Finn & Co. American Beauty White Sand and Black Sand Fragrance Oils. 

The verdict? You’ll love them!!! They both smell really, really beautiful but they evoke very different moods. And the packaging is amazing — rollerball tube applicators make them easy to transport for touch-ups throughout the day. I just toss in my bag and apply when the mood strikes.

After 9/11, Creator/Designer Meg Spencer made a life change and moved back to Maine where she pursued a more holistic educational path than the one she had been on. She became a licensed esthetician and eventually worked with organic oils and custom blends. Knowing that scent is a powerful memory trigger she was inspired by her happy childhood of days and nights spend on Nantucket and the coast of Maine.

The Fragrance Oils:

  • White Sand is light and clean. Honeysuckle, mandarin and a touch of salt blended with jojoba and apricot seed oil will have you imagining yourself, hair pulled back, face warmed by the sun, playing outdoors. Think fresh, natural and sporty, maybe climbing some sand dunes or paddle board in hand…even if you’ve never done that a day in your life.
  • Black Sand is sensual, it’s warm, musky, sexy. Sandalwood and warm vanilla blended with jojoba and apricot seed oil will bring to mind a warm, moonlit night, sandals in hand and a barefoot stroll on the beach. One whiff and you’ll see what I mean.

Finn & Co. White Sand or Black Sand , $42 each or $72 for the gift set at www.thefaceoffinn.com. To see a list of retailers in your area, click here.

(photography courtesy of Finn & Co. American Beauty)

 

Win a Makeover from LIVE with Kelly and Michael!!!

This is the contest of a lifetime!!!

If you or a friend could use a makeover you’ll want to enter “LIVE’s Look as Young as you Feel” Make-Over Contest. Simply submit an entry on “LIVE’s” website, Facebook page or by mail at “LIVE with Kelly and Michael”/ Makeover Contest,  7 Lincoln Square, New York, NY 10023. You’ll need to describe an upcoming special event for which you need a makeover and include a photo of yourself. The deadline is February 6, 2014.

From the entry pool, a team at LIVE with Kelly and Michael will select the top three most-deserving entrants, who will travel to New York for their hot, new look plus a shopping spree. There, they’ll meet with “LIVE” fashion guru Lawrence Zarian, who will transform their wardrobes and Clairol Color Director James Corbett for a great new hairstyle. All three finalists will appear on “LIVE” during the week of February 24th to show off their new looks where viewers will vote to determine the grand prize winner. It will be announced on Friday, February 28th on “LIVE.” The lucky grand prize winner and a guest will be treated like A-Listers with exclusive seats at the Academy Awards red carpet and VIP tickets for “LIVE’s” After Oscar Show.”

Now that’s a contest!!!  Good luck!!! xoxoNancy

For more details click here.

(photo courtesy of livekellyandmichael.dadt.com)

 

Heliocare

It’s cold and it’s snowy and I’m talking sun protection. Why?

Damaging UVA rays are around all year. They trigger the release of free radicals and can age your skin significantly. Sunscreen protects your skin but most people don’t apply during cold or cloudy weather or they don’t apply enough, miss spots or fail to reapply. That’s where a little insurance can come in handy. In addition to your usual topical sunscreen containing at least SPF 30 I highly recommend you get some added protection like Heliocare, a natural anti-aging oral supplement with antioxidant effects on the skin. Antioxidants help eliminate free radicals before they have a chance to do damage. Heliocare contains Polypodium leucotomos, an antioxidant extract shown to help maintain the skin’s ability to protect itself against sun-related effects and aging. It helps eliminate free radicals produced by sun exposure. Less free radicals means younger, healthier skin.

Heliocare, $29.99 at  drugstores nationwide and walgreens.com.

 

Review: The Woodhouse Day Spa

I was recently invited to experience the The Woodhouse Day Spa in downtown Summit, NJ. It couldn’t have come at a better time. I was stressed, had knots in my shoulders and had lost my inner calm and my outer glow — turns out this little window of “me time” was the cure-all I needed.

I was greeted by Chuck Marr, the warm and welcoming General Manager, who offered me a choice of teas from my favorite brand (Harney & Sons) and directed me to the changing room where I slipped into the coziest robe I’ve ever had the pleasure of wearing and a comfy pair of Sensi Spa Sandals. In the Quiet Room down the hall my tea was waiting and I was given a heated, herbal neck wrap. Being a new guest, I filled out a brief form of my personal preferences and health information.

After a sip or two of tea I realized I was already relaxed. The plush robe, subtle aromatherapy, low-key spa music and the Quiet Room (dimly lit and furnished in pale hues, luxurious chairs, chaises and couches, plus healthy snacks for the taking) had done the trick…and I hadn’t even had my treatment yet. Clearly, they knew what they were doing!

My therapist, Luba, greeted me and led me to a private room where she worked her magic during my Advanced Anti-Aging Facial with a Microdermabrasion Facial Enhancement which included cleansing, extractions, toning, strategic massage, glycolic acid, microdermabrasion, skincare plus a shoulder, head and foot massage. Not only was I left glowing but I felt pampered, taken care of and nurtured…like I’d been at a destination spa for a week rather than a day spa for less than two hours.

After my treatment I was introduced to Veeran and Madhuri Reddy, co-owners of the spa. They excel at attention to detail and live and breathe the Woodhouse philosophy of  “give your guests one step beyond what they need.” Mission accomplished!

You can even bring a little bit of your experience home…the Naturopathica products (known for being extremely gentle and super effective) used throughout the treatments are available for purchase as are the robes, tea, aromatherapy and more. This is more than a day spa, it’s a sanctuary…and I plan on becoming a regular!!!

The spa is open for business so feel free to book now and enjoy your treatments before the official Grand Opening on Saturday, February 8, 2014. For more information, to book an appointment or inquire about special packages: The Woodhouse Day Spa, 420 Springfield Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901 (908) 608-1120. Click here for their spa menu.

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Biggest Beauty Trend Right Now? A Bold Red Lip

Red Lips are a massive trend! This classic red carpet staple grabs attention for all the right reasons. Just ask Drew Barrymore, Sofia Vergara, Zoe Saldana, Jennifer Lawrence, Taylor Swift, Lupita Nyong’o and all the other major players that chose bold, red lips at the 71st Annual Golden Globes.

Physicians Formula’s Celebrity Makeup Artist, Joanna Schlip, shares her expertise on getting red right and making it last. She says it’s all about starting with smooth lips, choosing the proper red shade and layering your color.

  1. Prep: Start with a smooth slate. Exfoliate lips to remove dry skin which can be exaggerated with red. Make your own lip fix with 1/2 tsp of moisturizing honey and a pinch of sugar. Gently rub over lips to exfoliate.
  2. Layer: For staying power, begin with a go-with-everything lip stain like Physicians Formula Sexy Booster Sexy Glow Glossy Stain in Red, $9.95 at physiciansformula.com.
  3. Color: After your stain has set, layer your red lipstick on top and you’re good to go for hours of eating, drinking and what-not. It’s crucial to choose a shade that flatters your skin tone. If you’re fair (like Taylor Swift) opt for a blue-based red like BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Call the Shots, $18 at sephora.com. If you’re medium-toned (like Jennifer Lawrence) try a bold, brick hue such as Make Up For Ever in Red Brick, $20 at sephora.com. Darker-complected girls will look great in bright, orange-based reds. Try Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Raven, $28 at  sephora.com.

(photography courtesy of Pinterest)

The Must-Have Body Shaper!

Right on the heels of the holiday season comes the first of the year’s many awards shows for those in “the industry”–The Golden Globes. Once again, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler rocked it! They gently and not-so-gently poked fun at the celebs in the room driving home the point that they’re all only human. But, for being so close to the holiday season, the majority of the actresses in that room sure looked great in those gowns. Maybe they didn’t indulge as much as some of us, but maybe they did. And if they did indulge maybe their little secret is the Almighty Cincher by Amia.

If you have a special dress you’d like to squeeze into or want to rediscover (or find for the first time) your hourglass shape, this body cincher can help you do it in an instant. It will dramatically whittle your midsection so your tummy is gone, gently support your spine and lengthen your torso to relieve back pain and some users even report a 1-4″ reduction in their midsection from wearing it for 8-10 hours a day for 30 days.

But beware…it’s snug! So snug that if you’re between sizes and want to breathe I highly recommend you size up when ordering. Give it a shot. You’ve got nothing to lose, except a few inches!

Almighty Cincher by Amia, $54 at www.hourglassangel.com or www.amiashapewear.com.

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Finally…an at-home trainer you’ll actually use!

Recently, I was at a Joyus.com event that featured different stations for beauty, fashion, fitness and other lifestyle products. If you haven’t heard of Joyus.com you’ll want to check out this online shopping site that helps you find great products via 2-minute videos. At the event one product really caught my eye: the Joyus Elliptical Trainer.

The Joyus Elliptical Trainer is a low-impact cardio workout with a resistance knob so you can make it as challenging as you want. You can work in forward or reverse to target different muscles and it also has a monitor that tells you how many calories you’ve burned, how many steps you’ve taken and the elapsed time, plus it’s sized right to store easily under your desk, bed or on your closet floor. It’s even light enough to tote from room to room.

Since I’ve been hibernating a bit more than usual (hello Polar Vortex!) I’ve been putting off my usual outdoor run. Luckily, my new  elliptical trainer arrived before too much damage was done. When I need a quick break from the computer I’ll do it in 15-minute intervals or I’ll put it in front of the tv and before I know it my show is over and I’ve gotten my workout in. Even the kids have been sneaking in mini workouts without even realizing that they’re exercising…they think they’re just having fun! Shhhh…I won’t tell if you won’t.

To purchase: Joyus Elliptical Trainer, $125 at joyus.com.

 

 

Pantone’s 2014 Color of the Year?

Though I know I’ll still be wearing Emerald (Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2013) in 2014 you can expect to see lots of bright, gorgeous, Radiant Orchid! This new “it” shade–a purple with fuchsia and pink undertones–flatters most skin and hair tones and is already saturating the market in beauty, fashion and home decor. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute  says “it inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health,” and she goes on to describe this flattering-for-all shade as “surprisingly versatile.”

Whether you’re a purist and will stick with Radiant Orchid as is, or you prefer purple, pink or fuchsia, you’ll have lots of choices. Check out some of my favorites, and get ready to turn heads.

Shiseido Lacquer Rouge in Diva, $25 at shiseido.com. Liquid lipstick with intense color. It’s moisturizing, non-bleed and has a gorgeous lacquer-like finish.

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Orchid, $26 at sephora.com. Glides onto lids easily (no tugging or pulling) and really brings out the green in my eyes.

Laura Geller Beauty INKcredible Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Pencil in Purple Rain, $20 at Ulta.com. Highly pigmented color won’t smudge, smear or run.

Sinful Colors Professional Nail Enamel in Dream On, $1.99 at walgreens.com. An inexpensive, easy way to be on-trend!

Voda Swim “Sports Illustrated” Bikini in Fuchsia Shimmer, $66 (top), $44 (bottom) at vodaswim.com. Called thus because it was featured in Sports Illustrated! It doesn’t get much sexier, for those who find themselves poolside.

Proenza Schouler Mini Pouch Crossbody Bag, $1325 at Saksfifthavenue.com. If money is no object, this crossbody is the must-have bag of the year!

H&M Fleece Top, $29.95 at hm.com. Because you want to look good while working hard for that body.

(image courtesy of Pinterest)