Tag Archives: The Beauty Wall

Scent of a Man

Still looking for a special holiday gift for the man in your life?

Flying under the radar is the must-have fragrance for the new year by famed celebrity photographer John Russo. His eponymous “Photograph for Men” began as a personal gift to some of his better-known subjects like Matt Damon and Brad Pitt before becoming available to the masses. It’s a clean, modern earthy scent with top  notes of mandarin, orange and bergamot, a heart of ginger and leather and a base of smoky tobacco. It’s fresh and masculine all at once, a combo that can’t be beat. Photograph for Men, $65 at beverlyhills.montageshops.com.

…and if you subscribe to the same holiday shopping motto that I believe in (one for you, one for me!) you’ll want to snap up his beautiful woman’s fragrance as well. “Photograph for Women” is a fresh floral with notes of freesia, peach, gardenia and amber. Photograph for Women, $65 at beverlyhills.montageshops.com.

(photography courtesy of John Russo Fragrances)

 

 

Win It! Holiday Gift Giveaway

“Tis the season for giving…which is why 3 lucky The Beauty Wall readers will win one of the following gifts from World Vision:

  • Silver Vines Cuff – adjustable silver cuff bracelet with an intricately laced vine pattern designed by artisans in Old Delhi, India. (photo below)
  • “Prosperity” Cinnamon Box – approx. 3″x 3″ cinnamon bark box with Asian character for prosperity, containing 3 oz. of cinnamon from Vietnam’s renowned Cassia tree. (photo below)
  • Hand-Carved Serving Spoons – one-of-a-kind, approx 11″ olivewood serving spoons presented in a  hand-sewn African fabric gift bag from the Kenyan Kamba tribe.  (photo below)

TO ENTER: Just tell me which of the 3 you’d most like to win. You can write your comment on The Beauty Wall comment section below, on my facebook wall or on my pinterest Beauty & Fashion board. Forward to a friend to receive an additional entry. Winners will be randomly selected and notified via e-mail. Deadline is Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at 5:00pm EST. Good luck!

Make it a happier holiday for all! If you’re also in a giving sort of mood, check out the benefactor of these gifts. This year World Vision is making it easy to give back. Choose from numerous handcrafted gifts, look through World Vision’s annual Gift Catalog or donate directly to the Philippines Disaster Response Fund, created to provide emergency food, water, and hygiene kits to survivors of Typhoon Hayian, the storm that devastated Cebu Island in the Philippines last month.

 

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(photo of gift box courtesy of Pinterest)

Want Healthy, Shiny Hair?

Product Review: Lissea Smoothing Conditioner for Unruly Hair

I hope you all had a wonderful, long Thanksgiving weekend. In the spirit of Thanksgivukkah, my family and I have been stating what we’re thankful for each time we light the menorah. Things like family, friends, good health and our pets top the list, but we’ve also mentioned cupcakes, Harry Potter, football games, rainy nights, British accents, long hikes, great books and even products that do what they promise to do (clearly, that one came from me!).

Lissea Smoothing Conditioner for Unruly Hair is one of those products that does what it promises so if your hair has been a bit more naughty than nice of late you’ll want to try it. Ideal for medium to thick hair it has a nice fresh scent thanks to Ginger, Jasmine and Vanilla plus it also contains Alkekenge extract to smooth and control volume and frizz, Avocado oil to nourish and moisturize, a Thermal protecting complex for anti-humidity protection, Cationic complex and polymers for static control and detangling.

Post-shampoo, comb through and leave on for 2-3 minutes before rinsing for hair that’s smooth, shiny and silky-soft. You’ll be thankful you did!

To purchase:  Lissea Smoothing Conditioner for Unruly Hair, $30 at dermstore.com.

Sole Searching?

Brrrrrr…it’s cold out there! When I’m chilled to the bone, one thing I do to stay warm is to hold a piping hot drink. Works like a charm! Which is why the timing was perfect for an invite to experience Sweet Lily’s Vanilla Latte Pedicure. I had a feeling it would do for my feet what holding said drink does for my hands, and then some.

Upon entering this respite from the hustle and bustle of  Tribeca I was led to an oversized comfy-cushy chair so a skilled manicurist could work her magic. My feet were soaked in a hot whipped cream concoction, scrubbed soft with a coffee bean scrub, wrapped in hot towels and massaged with a fresh vanilla bean body butter before being painted to perfection in a gorgeous plum shade of environmentally-friendly and health-conscious Zoya nail polish. Ahhhhh…sweet bliss!

This was by far the most soothing, relaxing, pampering and sole saving pedi I’ve ever received. I loved every second of it…so much so that it tops my holiday wish list. Maybe I’ll see you there…

Sweet Lily Vanilla Latte Pedicure, $74 / 60 minutes

Sweet Lily, 222 West Broadway, NYC. Call 212-925-5441 to make an appointment or for more information.

 

Think you can’t wear red lipstick? Think Again!

Every makeup artist I’ve ever met says there’s a red shade for everyone. That might be true but a bold crimson lip isn’t something I ever do. I love the look on others but for me, it feels like too, too much.

The way I wear red? Blotted so that it looks like I’ve been eating cherries. I still get the same flattering color but the intensity is toned down to the natural look that I prefer. Truly, it’s a look that works for all!

3 ways to do it:

  1. Apply just a bit of your favorite red lipstick, then rub into your lips with your fingertip.
  2. Swipe on your red the way you usually do. Blot down with a tissue.
  3. Use a lip-stain product. You’ll like Josie Maran Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain in Flamenco  or Benefit Benetint.

 

(photography courtesy of Pinterest)

Maybelline & Cosmo Kisses for a Cause

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Click here for more information and to send kisses. xoxoNancy

 

(photography courtesy of Pinterest)

Nancy Answers: How can I prevent flyaways?

Dear Nancy, What is going on with my hair? Whenever the temperature drops my hair sticks up in every direction. Help! Sincerely, C 

Dear C, ‘Tis the season…for flyaway hair that is. Cold air, low humidity and the process of one thing rubbing against another is the perfect storm for static electricity. When you run a brush or comb through your hair or remove a hat that’s been on your head, electrons are transferred from one surface to another giving your hair a negative charge and causing your strands to repel each other like the ends of a magnet. But fear not…you don’t have to keep your hat on all season.

  • A humidifier is your best friend right now. Keep it running in your home and/or office to cut down on dry air.
  • Yes, you need to be groomed and warm but do keep brushing, combing and hat wearing to a minimum.
  • Use conditioner after every shampoo and deep condition weekly.
  • Add a leave-in throughout the day if necessary.
  • Hand or body lotion will work in a pinch. Too much and you’ll end up with the greasies so only apply a small amount to your hands and rub them together before lightly running them over hair.
  • Spray hairspray or Static Guard onto a brush before gently brushing to tame flyaways. You can even spray them onto a toothbrush, perfectly sized for those tiny, broken strands by your part.
  • A dryer sheet works well. Simple run it from roots to ends.

xoxoNancy

(photography courtesy of Pinterest)

 

Broken Beauty

I love this little trick that I learned about years ago!

With a little alcohol (the rubbing kind) and a butter knife you’ll never have to throw out a broken blush or eyeshadow ever again. Add a few drops of rubbing alcohol directly to the broken, dusty pieces of makeup until it’s soft. Then, take the butter knife and spread it across the container so it’s flat and smooth. Within a day or two days the alcohol will completely evaporate. When completely dry it’s good as new and ready for use.

(photo courtesy of ybskin.com)

Royal Blue Baby Fever…

I love William and Kate! I love that they were friends first, I love that they dated a long time and I love that they truly seem to adore each other. And the recent christening of Baby George has me in a blue mood all over again. Royal blue!

gorjana studded leather wrap bracelet, $65 at charmandchain.com.

vegan leather oversized tote, $59 at urbanoutfitters.com.

Each X Other Limited Edition Robert Montgomery wool top coat, $1178 at barneys.com 

belgium cotton/velvet pillow, $60 at etsy.com.

overdyed blue wool rug, $2165 at rugsusa.com

(photography courtesy of barneys.com)

Nancy Answers: What can I do about bedhead?

Dear Nancy, I wash my hair at night and end up pulling it back in the morning because of crazy looking bedhead. Any suggestions? Sincerely, K

Dear K, Pillowcase friction is the culprit! Since you’ve been pulling it back I’m assuming you don’t want to just shake it, add a little product and own it, sometimes a good decision. Either way, you do have options:

  •  You can invest in a silk pillowcase. It won’t rub hair the wrong way so you’ll wake up with smooth, like-you-just-styled-your-hair in the morning hair. Check out the LovaSilk Pillowcase set, 2 for $75 at amazon.com and the NK Home Silk Pillowcase, $30-$60 each at cuddledown.com.
  • Pulling it back might not be such a bad thing to do if you switch things up a bit with ponytails, braids, chignons and topknots for a bit of variety.
  • If your hair is naturally curly, get rid of the morning frizz by using mousse to get back some control. Comb it through your hair and scrunch or twirl it and allow to air-dry before touching.
  • If your hair is straight or wavy and and on the shorter side you might wake up with it sticking in every direction. Rub a bit of gel in the palm of your hands and gently work it through your hair into your desired style.

Good luck! xoxoNancy

 

(photography courtesy of pinterest)

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