Re-FRESH your dehydrated lips this summer with FRESH's new Sugar Lip Treatment in the color "Tulip"!

This is a new and permanent addition to their sugar lip treatment line just in time for the brightness of summer. For those not familiar with the line, I would describe the sugar lip treatments as a beauty product that treats dry lips with a color payoff between a tinted lip balm and a lipstick. 

What I like about the sugar lip treatments: they smell great, moisturize (without being sticky), have SPF15 protection and add a nice touch of color. They are great for those who want a little more than just a tint but don’t like the look or feel of a full on lipstick.

The new "Tulip" shade is a gorgeous rose/pink hybrid that's perfect for summer. The pigment is heavier than the Rose (sheer) and leaves a light hot pink stain on your lips. I approve! 

Swatch

THE Brow Palette + More!

If you know me…like really know me, you KNOW I’m completely obsessed with wonderfully groomed brows. I’m telling you, I’m all over every new brow product upon its release so, of course I was beyond stoked when saw that Anastasia (Yes, Ms. Beverly Hills) had completely revamped her Brow Pro Palette. The old palette was comprised of a concealer, brow wax and the 6 original shades of two-tone brow powders.  Since then, Anastasia has practically doubled her choices of brow powders. Thankfully, she decided to include them all in the latest version of this palette.  I can’t tell you how amazingly convenient it is for a makeup artist to have all of these options in one, compact palette. She skipped the concealer this time around but, I’m not mad at that. I’m going on record to say this palette is KIT APPROVED! Please get one for yours!

I also decided to order two shades of the ever-popular waterproof, and smudge-free Dip Brow pomades and a concealer. As I mentioned before, I have nearly every brow product but, I’ve been pretty much married to Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Brow (in #30 and #40) for the longest. I do have to squeeze it into a separate container to dry out a bit for a preferred consistency so, I was happy to try out the “ready to use” Dip Brow pomades to try to skip that step. I picked up the Dark Brown and Ebony shades and love them.  I use them both alone and together. When I use them together, I use the Dark Brown shade to sculpt most of my brow, then use the Ebony on the tail. I definitely recommend these – especially if you’re oily like me!  I wasn’t as in love with the Concealer, which I purchased in Shade #4.  Anastasia BH promises that its concealer provides full coverage, long wear and doesn’t settle into fine lines. I think the concealer lives up to those promises but I found it to be thick and paste-like – and while it doesn’t settle in fine lines, it definitely accentuates them as the formula is extremely drying.  I now only use it to perfect the shape of my brows, instead of concealing imperfections on my face.  I won’t say this concealer is a complete fail but, I doubt I’ll be purchasing another. 

Breezy's Brows - Done Using Anastasia BH's Dip Brow Pomade in Dark Brown

Anastasia Beverly Hills' Dip Brow Pomades in Dark Brown & Ebony + Concealer in Shade #4

Love and Lust- MARC JACOBS Sephora 1,000 Point Gift

Marc Jacobs Love and Lust 2 Piece Lip Set- 1000 point Sephora beauty insider gift

Marc Jacobs Lovemarc Lip Gel 'Cabaret' and Lust for Lacquer 'Shooting Stars' 

We have been patiently waiting for Sephora to release a 1000 point gift and they definitely did not disappoint with these exclusive, limited edition shades by Marc Jacobs. The gift contains full sized, rich berry-colored Lovemarc Lip Gel in 'Cabaret' and a Lust for Lacquer in 'Shooting Stars'. This gift will be available for a limited time only- now available in stores.

Lovemarc Lip Gel- Cabaret

This is a deep cranberry color that has the signature silky texture that Marc Jacobs lipsticks are known for. It is very pigmented, with a sleek shine finish and subtle vanilla scent.

Lust for Lacquer Lip Vinyl- Shooting Stars

This is a shimmering, champagne-grape infused raisin berry color. It is a fully pigmented formula that delivers high shine.

                                                                                               Lipstick in 'Cabaret'                   Lip Vinyl in 'Shooting Stars'

Add Hydration to That Summer Glow!

The GLAMGLOW Thirstymud mask is one of the latest additions to the growing GLAMGLOW mask series - tailored to an array of skin concerns. The one common component of the GLAMGLOW treatments is their claim for a fast-acting mud treatment that delivers instant results.

A few weeks ago, I tried the GLAMGLOW thirstymud mask and fell in love after one use. This is probably the most intensely hydrating face mask that I have tried and is truly like a spa experience in a jar. The mask itself is very emollient and applies just like a face cream. You can either apply a thin layer and leave it on overnight or apply a thicker layer for a deep treatment (I like to leave mine on for 20-30 min, 2-3 times a week). Once applied, the mask is so lightweight you barely even feel it on your skin. You can also either wash off the mask once you are done, or massage the remaining product in for continued moisture.

I LOVE how this mask makes my skin feel and look. The first thing you notice when you apply this mask is the cooling effect it has on your skin. I wouldn't describe it as tingling, just a cooling sensation on your skin. Next, you notice is its delicious scent- it smells like honey, coconut and vanilla. It is just so relaxing and addicting and leaves my skin incredibly hydrated, calmed and glowing.  This mask definitely performed and up to its claim of delivering instant hydration!

Make Me Blush! Review: MUFE HD Blush

The ever-brilliant line, Make Up For Ever,  recently launched their new HD "Second Skin Cream Blushes" - and they've quickly become my new favorite.

Prior to discovering MUFE's cream blushes, I never wore creams - for several reasons: 

1. I have oily skin so, cream blushes never dried right or felt tacky

2. I found that most cream blushes were too ‘dewy’

3. Others had a heavy application and were difficult to blend since I prefer powder foundations over liquid

None of this is the case with MUFE's blushes. The new HD blush formula has a cream to powder finish - the cream allows you to sheer the blush out on initial application or build it up for a bolder color pay-off.  This blush applies evenly, smoothly, and blends easily, even on top of powder foundation. It dries as a powder, yet maintains a natural, airbrushed finish and lasts about 8 hours. The best part is that you can mix and match colors for a unique, personalized color. The MUFE artist who trained me showed me how up to 3 colors can work together to contour and create a unique flush. 

For example, I have fair skin so I use #220 (pink sand) to contour with and then layer #210 (cool pink) on top for a pop of color. The blush line has 16 different shades so you have plenty to choose from. If you aren't sure which shade would be best for you, Sephora’s MUFE gondola display makes it easy to figure out by breaking the blushes down into fair, medium, and deep skin tones.

What I love about MUFE products is that almost every product has multiple ways to use it. 

                        Artist tip: These blushes can be applied to the eyes and lips as well. 

Best Applied with:

Sephora Collection Pro Angled Blush Brush #49 ($32)

MUFE Double Ended Sculpting Brush #158 ($53)

                                                                                                                                             xo Lana                

Nordstrom Rack - Now ONLINE!!

Anybody else hate combing through bargain stores like TJ Maxx, Marshall's, Loehmann's; etc? *Raises Hand* I do love a bargain but, feverishly looking for them isn't my favorite activity.  In that respect, I have exciting news:  Nordstrom Rack has saved us from this kind of "luck of the draw" shopping - It now has its own website (separate from Nordstrom.com and Hautelook.com).  Of course, I've already placed my first order.  Happy shopping to you all! 

www.nordstromrack.com

That time I met the Queen of the Brow!

So...my crew and I had the honor of meeting the QUEEN of the brow - Miss Anastasia (Oh em gee!) - at this year's Makeup Show in NYC.  A full post is on it's way but, I HAD to share this photo with you all.  This woman is EVERYTHING! So humble and gorgeous. LOVE her! 

Raccoon Eyes, Be Gone

As busy women with careers, family and LIVES – the one thing we do NOT have time for is mascara that travels down your face. The most common complaint that I hear from my friends and clients is that they just cannot find reliable mascara that won’t flake, smudge or run. One of my best friends recently said to me - “With every mascara I try, I end up with raccoon eyes!" Here are my tried and true tips to eliminate this issue:

1. Primer: Some women have oilier lids than others. Using an eyelash primer or/and eye primer is key. 

Lash Primer: Coating your lashes with lash primer does the prep work for your mascara and helps mascara adhere to your lashes.

 Here are my favorites: 

MAC Prep + Prime Lash ($16)

Clinique Lash Building Primer ($15)

Lancome's Cils Booster XL ($24.50)

Eyelid primer: If you have oily skin, placing a primer under makeup on your eyelid (and under your eye) can help prevent mascara transfer to your skin. *Tip: follow with a powder to keep skin dry and mascara on your lashes instead of on your face.

 Here are my favorites:

Urbay Decay Primer Potion ($12-$20)

Laura Mercier Eye Basics ($25)

NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base ($25)

MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pots ($20)

2. Go waterproof

If regular mascara, lid and lash primers don’t work or you want to avoid them altogether, you can try the waterproof version of your favorite mascara. Waterproof can sometimes be a pain to remove but here are some fantastic makeup removers to make waterproof mascara removal stress free:

Clinique take the day off ($28.50)

Lancome BI-FACIL ($28.00)

Nuetrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover ($5.99-$6.99)

General tip: let your skin and other makeup products, like moisturizer and foundation, dry and set before applying mascara. Also, remember to keep a blotting or setting powder with you throughout the day to refresh your under eye makeup.

Here are some of my favorite mascaras that I have experienced great staying power with:

Lancome Hypnose mascara ($27.50)

Benefit "They're Real" Mascara ($23)

Tarte - Lights, Camera, Lashes ($20)

HOURGLASS Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara ($28)

Maybelline Volum' Express The Colossal Waterproof Mascara ($6.99)

Finding the right mascara, to a certain degree, comes down to trial and error and personal preference but, I guarantee that my recommendations will have you on your way to Raccoon-free under eyes! 

xo Lana