Tag Archives: www.thebeautywall.com

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)

 

 

In 2014 I Resolve to…

2013 flew by in the blink of an eye and I’m so grateful for the resolution I made last year–Just Do It. It might not sound like much of a resolution to you, but to me it was a life-changer. Instead of talking about what I want to (or know I should) do, my brain goes right to “just do it.” When I thought about starting The Beauty Wall, it’s Just Do It that got it going. When I come up with excuses to skip the gym or go for a run Just Do It gets me off the couch. When I’m afraid to try something new or procrastinating Just Do It serves me well and inspires me. I highly recommend you try it yourself.

This year my resolution is a little different. I’ve been under a bit of stress (who hasn’t been!!!) and I find that marathon book-reading or hours-long Facebook or Pinterest sessions can help calm me and keep me from thinking about things too deeply. It does the trick but the downside is that I’m not living as mindfully and in-the-moment as I could be.

In 2014, when I’m with my family and friends I want to really hear what they’re saying and appreciate our time together. I want to soak up as much joy from each moment that’s possible. I want to experience more…so this year I resolve to Be Present.

What’s your resolution?

xoxoNancy

Sticky Shoes!

I’ve discovered a genius product that I wish I’d found years ago. Sticky Shoes shoe tape is a double sided super-strong adhesive tape that keeps your shoes right where they’re supposed to be, securely on your feet!

No more slipping and sliding out of heels that are slightly big. Simply peel the backing on each double-sided strip and and firmly press down on the inside heel portion of your shoe. Done! Those shoes aren’t going anywhere you aren’t. Walk, skip and run with confidence–you won’t leave those shoes behind!

Sticky Shoes, 12 pairs/$8.95, www.stickyshoes.com.

 

(photo, courtesy of Pinterest)

These are a few of my favorite Things…

Are you a “wait-until-the-last-minute” kind of shopper? If so, you can still make someone very, very happy! Here’s what I’m hoping to unwrap:

Sweet Dreams One taste and you’ll be hooked for life! Nordstrom Makers Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels, $20 at nordstrom.com

Rock On Diamonds, sapphires, chalcedony and white gold. Hey…a girl can dream. Nam Cho Blue Sapphire Armor Ring, $6,825 at fragments.com.

To a Tea When a good friend went to China she gifted me with the most delicious fruit and flowers tea. So delicious in fact that I wouldn’t share and was heartbroken when my stash was gone. It took me a while but I found tea just as wonderful. Washi Tin, $12.95, Rock Sugar $8.50 per 16 oz. and Opus Rouge Rooibos Tea, $7.98 per 2 oz. at teavana.com.

Face Time Ultra-plush, high-performance makeup brushes in a pretty silver box. It CosmeticsLimited Edition Luxe Blurring Micro-Airbrush Brush Collection with Stand, $59.50 at QVC.com.

Warm Up Because cashmere is always in style and vertical stripes never hurt anyone’s figure. Aqua Cashmere Sweater, $106.53 at bloomingdales.com

Twinkle Toes Gold silk velvet, leather and Swarovski crystals adorn these flats worthy enough for any royal. Emma Hope’s Regalia Ballerinas, $498 at anthropologie.com.

Let It Snow I’m coveting these snow globes because they work with any decor and they’re just as magical now as they were when I was a kid. Snow Globes, $13-$17 at www.westelm.com.

Play On For the child in all of us.  Striped Ukulele, $29.95 at paper-source.com.

Smooth Operator My husband would love this…there’s something very James Bond about a luxury shave set. Jack Black Luxury Shave Set, $200 at getjackblack.com and Nordstrom.

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)

 

 

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.

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)

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