Patriotic Pout via ViolentLips

American Flag Violent Lips ..
When I look at this lip tattoo I can't help but think of the term "Freedom of Speech" 

This week has been all about "Patriotic Beauty" , first - there was new Americana inspired designs for your nails via  MINX . The wow factor went up a few notches with the new lip tattoo trend in the design of the American Flag.   Violent Lips , has a 4th of July-worthy lip tattoo design called " American Flag Violent Lips"  which are $14.95 for a set of three - one for each night of the weekend ! These lip tattoos are FDA approved , as well as vegan - so they're safe to use  -  which is a common question given the nature that it is not only a temporary tattoo, but its intended for the mouth.  No worries, they are safe and easy to apply -  the steps are simple : Shape the design to the form of your mouth, peel it, Set it, wet it - you're tattooed !

For more information check out www.ViolentLips.com  . 

Minx nails go Patriotic For 4th of July Weekend !

The most Patriotic day is just a few days away, and what better way to show your love for the "Red White and Blue" then taking your love and devotion to your fingertips??  MINX recently released ( less than a week ago ) - these seasonal designs for the "Fourth of July", and conveniently their debut is on the eve of the Holiday weekend.

I am LOVING the new "Fireworks" designs (above) , I think they would work well  even for a non-Holiday weekend. I am considering getting this design done before the weeks end ..  These designs are like a "party on your nails"  they just scream "celebration", and I personally love having nail designs that make me feel "happy".

Inspiration for the "Flag/French Manicure" ... Beyonce in the "Telephone" video.

The "Flag / French Manicure" (above)  design is inspired by the metallic American Flag design that Beyonce first wore as a custom design in the "Telephone" video she did with Lady Gaga in March of last year. I find this design a bit too "literal" and overkill with the Americana  for my taste, but I know it would be a hit for a lot of other people.  For some odd reason, I can also see Katy Perry wearing this design for a performance - or maybe she has already??

The "Patriotic Dots" (above) is very Americana as well, but done in a way that I prefer more than the "French" design. I love the Red Lightning center, paired with the minxlusion dots design on the top and bottom of the nail.  I would not mind wearing this design on my nails- knowing myself I would choose a non-Holiday weekend to wear something so "patriotic"

The "4th of July Confetti" (above) design is very cute as well,  I can see myself wearing this design with "Silver Lightning" on alternate nails. Like the fireworks design, these just scream party!

Whatever design you choose ,  they will be a conversation piece wherever you go this weekend !

Tarte Cosmetics New Summer 2011 Bronzing Products

Tarte Cosmetics recently unveiled their new summer 2011 bronzing products , and I thought it would be fun to use some suggestions from the new product additions as tools to re-creating Beyonce's new album "4" cover beauty look. It is part hard and strong with the eyes, yet the mouth is natural and bare, and the skin is sunkissed but not overkill with tons of shimmer.

Beyonce cover art for the album "4"

How to recreate this look .....

For the eyes , three items from the product line can be used. Starting with the base color, Amazonian clay waterproof shadow pots in "beach bronze" , "moss" or "seashell pink" (depending on your skintone. Exclusively sold at QVC for $22.

Following the base shadow would be a hint of eyeliner Amazonian clay waterproof eyeliner duo - specifically using either "bronze" or if you want to make it your own look,"green" , also another QVC exclusive for $18.

Then the last step would be to use of the emphasEYES™ Amazonian clay waterproof eyeliner (black is shown) pots in either "bronze" or "brown" - although it is essentially an eyeliner, it smudges beautifully( I really love using this item), and given its packaging, and its texture - it is intended to be used as a multi-purpose item ( as a shadow). The eyeliner/shadow pots retail for $22 , and are available at Sephora/Sephora.com, Ulta/Ulta.com, QVC, beauty.com, tarte.com. You would then follow with the mascara of your choice "lights camera lashes" is always a good way to go.

Cheeks and lips as you can see in the above picture, are pretty bare , so the barest blush or perhaps opting for a minimalist approach and using none at all , for the lips a matte nude / pale pink would suffice. I love the 24/7 natural lip sheer in "summer fling" or "dawn".

The "Pièce de résistance" is the finishing powder - smooth operator™ Amazonian clay finishing powder in bronze ( $28, Sephora/Sephora.com, Ulta/Ulta.com, beauty.com, tarte.com; retail price: $42 w/brush at QVC/QVC.com) is the perfect finishing touch to this masterpiece.

For more information on these fabulous items check out the websites listed above.

The perfect fit!

Its officially summer. Now is the time to go shopping for the perfect pair of fashionable girls shoes for your little one. With so many options out there that are minature replicas of the latest in Womens footwear , its hard to zero in on one specific style. For the budget conscious , its all about getting basic shoes that can be worn a number of places. While their "no budget is the best budget" counterparts , the style and color choice options are endless. Like these cute miniature gladiator sandals (pictured, above), would be a great choice for either group of shoppers. The gladiator style has been current for a while now as far as summer staples go, and having your mini diva in a pair is no where out of the norm. You can also opt for a more classic style something more along the lines of "traditional" kids footwear, if you don't want your little girl to be a fashion maverick just yet .. Another speedbump in the road of girls shoes is finding the perfect fit. A lot of times we dont actually purchase the right size shoe for young children, because they were not properly fitted for the shoe. Something the child in question is not even present during the shopping trip, or we may be shopping online. The key to the perfect fit is that the shoe is not to be too narrow or too wide, there should not be any gaps in the back of the shoe between the ankle and the shoe, there should be a good substantial amount of ankle support as well. The child should also be able to walk, dance and play as usual in the shoes, and they should never be slippery on the bottom - there are items to buy to make any slippery shoes skid-proof. Here is a video which further gives all the tools to making sure your child has the perfect fit.

Its all about having CONTROL

Ever since the "Bandage Dress" by Hervé Léger made its way back into our fashion closets a few years back, they've never left. The last time "Bandages" were done with precision and great form was in the days of the "Mummy's" back in Egypt. These dresses are effortlessly chic , and can be both dressed down or up according to what you accent them with. There has been countless knockoffs that have gone into the market, but none of them can compare to the "original" . One accessory that is mandatory while wearing these one-of-a kind creations (whether it is the real deal or the less expensive counterparts is : the proper form of ladies underwear that provides maximum control. There is no way you can wear such a figure hugging, no room for any VPL (visible panty lines) type of dress sans any form of shapewear after all. For the "stick figure" types - maybe this is not as mandatory , but anyone with a ounce of curves it is highly suggested. The biggest faux pas is to have one of these dresses on with lumps, bumps, and lady multiple humps - it depreciates the look all together. The lace control maxi (pictured, above) has a full brief silhouette , which features graduated zoned compression that targets the tummy and rear. Ideal for these style of dresses pictured above. If you feel you need more control than what a brief can offer, opt for a full on slip under your dress. As long as you have your shapewear in tact, you are sure to make a splash in your Bandage Dress !!

Sex and The City Star Kim Catrall reveals Beauty Secret Weapon - It's under $2 !!!

Kim Catrall (from the Smash Hit Television Series and Movies Sex and The City ) filled us in on one of her major tools to staying beautiful. On a recent interview, she was asked by Joy Behar to tell the audience some of her beauty secrets, and Kim's response was " I basically take (those) gloves and I exfoliate every single day."

Of course we don't have the exact brand of exfoliating shower gloves that Kim actually uses, but I have a great suggestion. T.Taio Stretch Bath & Shower Gloves these gloves are a tour-de-force.  These super durable , long lasting gloves gently exfoliate while providing a deep cleansing to the skin. Another amazing  benefit is it stimulates blood circulation ( you can't beat that!!).  I personally used these gloves , and my skin was left impeccably smoother than usual, it was the same result as if I used a sugar/salt scrub.  The best part about these gloves is that they only cost $1.86 per pair !!! Yes! under $2.00 for an item that has so many benefits!!! If Bath and Shower gloves are good enough for Kim, they are surely good enough for you!!  You can go to www.ttaio.com for more information .

Happy Exfoliation !!! 

Nails Dipped in Glitter and Chrome

Summer nail trends range from bright neons, out of this world nail designs, nail coverings, embellished nails, etc.. You think of it, and it has been done in the nail world.  One look that has and in my book will forever be "timeless" throughout all of the four seasons is Metallic "Chrome" nails, and also Bling "Glitter" encrusted nails.  No matter what your weapon of choice is , whether its press on nails, nail coverings, nail appliques, or the classic- just plain ol' nail lacquer - it is a trend that is easy to achieve.  Here are some colors which are in my current "nail lacquer playlist " . 

Katy Perry for OPI Collection 

Last Friday Night

Loving this BBB (Bottle of Blue Bling)  !!  This glittery blue color  reminds me of  the beach  - not the American beaches, yet the beaches where the water is beautiful and you can see the little schools of fish swim by.  This color needs no base coat at all, but if you'd like - I would use a white shade as a base.

Not Like The Movies

This picture does not do this shade any justice.  This green/gold/orange metal  fusion  looks great on the nails,  it almost gives the nails a hologram effect. Looks great especially on darker tones - which we all will be this summer once the tans set in.  For an edgy boost, top this color with OPI Shatter Top Coat in "Black" , or a more subtle "Silver" . 

Teenage Dream

I like to describe this color as an "party in a bottle" ,  the delicate pretty assortment of colors in a glitter form are great alone or layered on top of another color for an extra luxe feeling.  

Mattése Elite Nail Polish - Sugar-Kissed Foils Collection 

This collection of foil shades is chrome meets pastels, its actually the Spring 2011 collection - but the chrome effect is hot for summer as well !  

Macadamia Mosaic

You can never go wrong with some green nails to make everyone else  "green with envy" when they see your  fabulous nails! 

Midnight Swirl

I absolutely LOVE this color on my nails! It looks great on your  toes as well, its like a little  having bejeweled  toes!

Raspberry Star

Pink is my favorite color - and of course a shade of pink would be on my list.  Its pink chrome nails that are affordable  (in comparison to other nail options to achieve the same look )  -  under $10 for this polish !!! 

Golden Peeps

Nude nails have been a fashion forward option for the past couple of years.  To have a metal finish like this color is avant garde as far as I'm concerned.  I love this color - and it is highly recommended. 





All of these fabulous colors from OPI and Mattése Elite from Rickys NYC stores and website 

Happy Shopping !!!! 

Pamper Dad With the Cologne for Fathers Day

Father's Day is this upcoming weekend, and you can never go wrong with getting your dad the ultimate staple in his wardrobe - cologne. Below you will find my two favorite choices for that special man in your life for this upcoming fathers day. 

For the low-key sporty dad ...  

Pure Nautica Discovery

($65; Macy’s and other fine retailers)

Bold and lively yet undeniably crisp and masculine, this scent is for the man who seeks the extraordinary adventure in the everyday and challenges himself at every pass.

For the debonair daddy.... 

David Beckham Instinct

 ($33.50; most mass and drug retailers)

Indicative of the modern man, this masculine, sexy, exceptional scent blends distinct top notes with a soulful heart and primal, sensual base.