Tag Archives: sparkle

Fab Finds in June…

4 Jul

imageWelcome to summer, Sassinistas! Sun, warmth, cool shades, top down, shorts up. What a great time of year. Although the elements can be somewhat unpredictable–ranging from warm to very hot, dry to oppressive humidity, sunshine to thunderstorms–this doesn’t have to stop us from looking our best at any time in any weather. In June, I was lucky enough to stumble upon some great “must haves” that aren’t just perfect, but also have extra punch on these warm days when keeping your look fabulous is more difficult. You may want to check these summer-friendly items out:

imageModel in a Bottle: This is one of those items I stumbled upon at The Makeup Show in NYC. I knew I wanted to try it as soon as one of the speakers said it was a must have for anyone wanting an all day look that stayed put. When I spoke to the Model in a Bottle company, they were very generous to send me a full-size bottle to try. There are days when I start at 8 am and don’t stop till midnight. From running around at the tattoo shop, handling personal appointments, meeting with clients and prospective recruiters, then finishing my night spinning fire with my local fire jammer, some days can be day non-stop. Other than refreshing my lipstick occasionally, I don’t have a whole lot of time to do big touch ups or even redo my makeup look completely. Model in a Bottle is simple but great! A few spritzes on my face with my eyes closed for a few seconds and my look gets locked in with all-day hold. No eyeshadow creasing or glitter fallout, stay-put blush and steadfast foundation… for almost 24 hours! I can see how models would need something like this is for a photo shoot but even simple glamouristas like me find this to be a necessity. No matter what life throws at you (including surprise weather changes!), Model in a Bottle will keep you looking amazing all day and night.
modelinabottle.com, $18.00
(This is also available in a sensitive skin formula too, but my easily irritable skin had no problem with the original formula!)

imageEye Kandy Glitter: Although I am an independent fashion & glamour writer, living the simple life in a loft around a historic area of NY, that doesn’t mean I still don’t love anything fancy, frilly, glittery and sparkly. I still adore my sequined tops, shimmery shoes, and sparkly makeup. This was another “must have” Makeup Show item that I fell in love with as soon as I tried it on at the show. With 60 colors available, this makeup item it great alone or over your favorite shadows for a dramatic, dimensional look. What I love about this glitter is it goes on with a specially designed brush and an adhesive made with liquid sugar that creates a strong hold without harsh chemicals around the eyes. Use the different degrees of fine grinds to give you a soft, all over shimmer or use it only on certain areas of the eyes for a look that makes your eyes pop. I’m still experimenting but I already know I’m in love with this product! With my circle of activities, glitter is something I will always feel I need. Eye Kandy gives me endless colors and combos for a bold eye look!
eyekandycosmetics.com, $24.95 for a complete starter set with one color glitter; additional glitters are $7.50 each.

imageTarte’s tartiest lash paint mascara: Usually when you hear the term “lash paint” you expect to find a coloring lash gel that just gives your a hint of color. Not Tarte’s. This mascara is made from black pigments that nourish the lashes while it coats them with a glossy volumizing formula. The soft yet defining brush coats each lash giving them a 2700%+ increase in volume. Plus the formula is super water resistant which helps keep your lashes strong all day without smudging or flaking. When I wear this mascara, one rich coat then a hit with the eyelash curler gives me the look of full, fake lashes! If I DO decide to wear false eye lashes? This mascara is great for an extra level of oomph to coat them. This may actually be a mascara that I will have no hesitation buying again…. it’s that good for what I want!!
tartecosmetics.com, $23.00

imageLumene Bright Now Vitamin C Sleeping Cream: I found this product through a campaign from Influenster. They gave me a coupon to try out a Lumene product then tell them what I thought. I had purchased other Lumene products way back in my blogging days, but my favorite product–an eye makeup remover–was no longer available at my local drugstore so I strayed from the brand. With a two coupons in hand, I hit the store again with not even an idea of what I may want to try. While looking at the limited amount of products they had, I did find this little gem. I have my daytime skincare routine down, but my evening routine was lacking just a bit. I have a great serum I use faithfully but I wasn’t happy with the evening moisturizers I had tried. This one had specific things I knew were important to my skin: it contains Vitamin C to help brighten my skin during cell renewal overnight; essential oils such as sweet almond, cloudberry seed, olive, and sunflower seed to provide anti-aging hydration; and hyaluronic acid to bind and retain water for maximum moisture to reduce the signs of fatigue and fine lines. All that in one nighttime moisturizer?… that didn’t irritate my sensitive skin? Perfecto! So far I have noticed a great difference with my skin being firmer, softer and definitely brighter in the mornings–almost to the point where I can use very little foundation for an even look. Just what my skin needs!
Walgreens, $18.49

imageGarage Cold Shoulder Bodycon Top: Working in a tattoo shop gives me the opportunity to get some great ink done by my fabulous artists. One piece, currently a work in progress, is a beautiful arrangement of roses and vines that was inspired by a picture taken by someone close to me. It took me a long time to get up the nerve to do something on my arms. I knew if I did, this would pretty much put the nail in on ever working in corporate America ever again. I was already writing for “fun” but as soon as my first article was published for money, I knew I had found my calling. At that point, I didn’t care where my tattoos were and how many I had. I was now a professional writer! So now I have great tattoos to show off and I need a way to do it with a little fashion sense. That is what is great about “peek-a-boo” shoulder tops. You can show a bit of skin without looking unbecoming, enabling you to jazz them up with accessories to fit your mood. These tops are simple, great fitting and come in go-with-anything colors. Find them online (with a coupon code) or in a store near you!
Garage Clothing, $19.99

imageNo Boundries Junior Crochet Shorts: It is definitely shorts weather, and the style that’s in right now is the crocheted look. These pretty, feminine style bottoms come in several colors and sizes and can be dressed up for a casual dinner out or dressed down for a laid-back breezy feel at a picnic. It is a no-brainer that if you need to keep cool but stay classy on a warm day, this is a great fashion item to have close by. Me? I got them specifically for one reason: I plan on wearing them with two chained/charmed black scarves tied at the hip that will will be perfect for jingling when I perform with my hula hoop or for fire spinning. Sexy, reasonable and very comfortable!
Walmart, $9.88

So let’s welcome July (safely!) wth a bang and get ready to rock the summer. Sassy has A LOT going on in the next few months so you are going to want to stay in touch to get all the details of what adventures I’ll be taking. All of this will be new to me so I can only imagine how a fashionista will make this happen with style. Am I worried? Hell no. I can flash my style anywhere, anytime! Do you have any plans for the summer? How are you going to style them up? Let me know! I’d love to hear about your adventures and how YOU rocked them!!

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I Spy, With My Little Eye, From The Loft….

11 Nov

RainyFallI’m sitting here at The Loft staring out the beautiful picture window, filled with grey fall clouds above and red brick on the building next door, darkened by the passed rain. As dreary as some might think it is, to me it’s beautiful. The colors blend beautifully with a darkened hue of autumn’s best. Even though I appreciate the vibrancy of it all, the fact still remains that I will be wearing the usual black and white fall-back colors to the tattoo shop for the day. My closet is filled with shades of the season and I’ll still dress like a newspaper. I’m so ashamed.

As I look at all of the colors outside on this cloudy, dismal day, I can’t help but think of some great quotes as well as some fabulous song lyrics that fit the view that I see. Songs and poems come to mind that flow beautifully even with the overcast sky above. It also reminds me that the sights and colors that may seem bleak to many are actually vibrant and bright in my glamour collection. This goes far beyond the colors in my 64 pack of Crayola crayons as well. There are hues that only Mother Nature can create. Nature’s beauty seriously takes my breath away.

With the ever-changing weather in my neck of the woods, let me give you a little insight into what I’m seeing outside my window today, and how it relates to the products that I am partial to when I see them. I’ll even throw in a nice quote or song lyric to make it a bit more fun:

WetRedLipstick* Wet Brick* – “The rain stains the brick a darker red” gives you a great visual. It is a line from a song by singer/song writer Ani DiFranco. It’s definitely not the most uplifting song, but it gives you images you can’t erase. Looking across the lot from my window shows me that color in all its glory. A dark, rich, warm red with almost a charcoal undertone with a feeling of gloom. That’s the color. Is it easy to find? Absolutely not. But is it beautiful to wear if you find it? Hell yeah. Especially in a lip color for the cooler seasons. Sassy’s find: Sephora’s Rouge Cream Lipstick in “Deep Brick Red”, $12.50. Sephora stores and Sephora.com

YellowNails*Yellow Maple Leaves * – “Some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot, others transform a yellow spot into the sun.” ~ Pablo Picasso. Wow, that makes you think, doesn’t it? The lemon-painted growth has left its home on the tree and fallen to a beautiful death to cover the ground in magnificent colors. The blanket of yellow leaves on the grass outside of The Loft covers the greens of the grass with a vibrant shade of yellow. Although the day is dreary, the color of the leaves warms the land with its intensity. No matter what the sky is doing, you can’t help but smile. Sassy’s find: Formula X Liquid Crystals Nail Polish in “Highlighter”, $12.50. Sephora stores and Sephora.com

GreenShadow*Green Pine Trees* – “…your soul could never grow old, it’s evergreen.” That is from another great song, this one by Ed Sheeran. What a fabulous way to describe something that stays strong with time, never changing over the years. The intense, bold greens that give an earthly background to the other colors of the season create the perfect canvas to the bright shades pictured on it. This green is perfect for a smoky look with some color. Add a touch of glitter for a bit of pop. Sassy likes: Kat Von D Metal Crush Eyeshadow in “Iggy”, $21.00. Sephora stores & Sephora.com

CloudShadow*Grey Fluffy Clouds* – “Nature is a mutable cloud which is always and never the same.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson. I think this quote applies to so many things in life. Just when you think everything is going the same, it changes. Don’t get too comfortable on your path—you’ll see a detour soon enough. The same goes for fashion and for glamour. In fact, we have an entire WEEK—twice a year!—that tells us what changes are happening to the norm in this industry. And like the clouds that are outside my window right now, I’d be willing to bet they will change their shape, their color, their type, their size before I look outside at them again. A brilliant performance by a simple mass of condensed water, in colors from white to gray to black. Amazing! Sassy likes: Rimmel London’s Glam Eye Shadow Quad in “Smokey Noir”, $2.99. Ulta stores or Ulta.com

NYXGlitter*Shiny, Wet Pavement* – “The road that leads to nowhere for others might just be the road that leads to somewhere for you!” ~ ildan. Wow, I can seriously relate to that one! Most people cringe when they realize they need to drive at night during a rainstorm. You can’t see the lines on the road, the pavement is blacker than black. This morning, the road outside the loft was still wet from the rain last night, but it had a slight shine and glimmer to it. A gothic gloom with a hint of glitz. Yeah, that works. It was definitely dark, even during the day. It was the kind of look I love in a good eyeliner. Especially one that can withstand water and rain–which is what I will be facing today. Sassy likes: NYX Slim Sparkle Eye Pencil in “Black Sparkle”, $3.49. Ulta stores and Ulta.com

This is a just a little taste of what life looked like outside of the window of The Loft this morning. It may not have been the brightest, most sunny of days but it still conveyed a mood, a feeling with its colors and contents. It is nice to look into my glamour drawer and see items that remind me of the beautiful things that can surround me every day or at any given time, no matter what the season. I encourage my readers to step outside of their box once in a while and look at products in shades that they may not normally wear but still look amazing. Just look around–if nature can capture the beauty of these colors and hues, why can’t you?

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Sparkle On…. Sparkle Off….

30 Dec

glitter-kiss4‘Tis the season for all things that sparkle. Trees, windows, fresh fallen snow. Oh and let’s not forget the glamour industry too. Tops, bottoms, dresses, eye shadow, lip colors, and of course the ever popular manicure. Glittery, sparkly makeup is a major “YES!” this time of year, and glamour department is exploding with all kinds of dazzling products to give your fab look an extra bit of pop. Just recently I won a contest on Twitter, thanks to Cosmopolitan magazine and their beauty editor, Leah Wyar Romito. Leah was great enough to answer questions from readers about holiday glitz and I was lucky enough to have mine answered:

Cosmo Photo(picture screenshot from Cosmopolitan’s article “Cool Trends for 2013” from their online edition, found here.)

Just what I needed to know. I actually went out and found myself a great eye primer for my glitter shadows as well as a good base for my makeup and blushes. For my eyes? I fell in love with LA Minerals “Eye Fix” which is available in two skin tones. Not only does it hold on my lid shadows, but it is great to dot under the eyes to hold any sparkles against the lower lash line. FAB! It is only available online, so check it out here. FairEyeFixFor my face? I absolutely love L’Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base. The Perfecting Base gives your skin a smooth, flawless finish with a silky, lightweight formula that is matted and holds your glamour look all day. L’Oreal’s Magic Perfecting Base is available in most drug and retail stores. More information on the product can be found here at their website.PerfectingBase

When going with glitter, it is best not to overdo it on your face. Pick one feature and do it up good. Whether it be eyes and lashes, lips or cheeks, find one feature then dazzle it up big! But no matter what feature you choose, you can add an extra bit of sparkle to your look with some glitzy nails. There are all kinds of sparkle/glitter polishes available. I am a big fan of essie’s “leading lady” (a supreme deep red with glitter), Sally Hansen’s Gem Crush Nail Color in “Big Money” (gold and silver sparkles) or my latest win in my Cosmo Swag Bag, OPI’s “Pink Yet Lavender” (pink glitter with lavender shimmer). Although it looks its best over a coat of white polish, I decided to go it alone for more bling. Nice, fun look on my fingers!
OPINails

One of the most difficult things about a sparkly look on my nails is getting it off to put on a new look. Isn’t removal of glitter polish a pain? UGH, the fuzzies get caught in the sparkles, the glitters won’t come off the nails or they just move and get stuck on the fingers. OH, it is such a PAIN! How do these beauty professionals do it? How do they take off the most dazzling finger designs without losing their minds? I decided to ask a professional…. a REAL professional—Leah Wyar Romito, Beauty Editor for Cosmopolitan Magazine—to see how she suggests to remove the most stubborn shimmers on the nails. Leah answered me right away with a super easy way to get the job done right:

“Remover-soaked cotton balls on each finger, cover each in foil for 5 mins!”

That’s it? That’s IT? Easy peasy! I can do THAT! No more sparkle nail polish removing headaches. In just 5 minutes I can transfer from one holiday glimmer look to another on my nails—fingers and toes! Thank you, Leah!

So now that you have the edge on a glittery new year, what do YOU plan on doing in your glamour routine to give your look a little edge? Sparkly red lips? Glitter gold nails? A sequined party dress? I want to know…. and see! Share your pictures with Sassy so I can see how you SHINED this new year!

Here’s wishing all of my fellow Sass-inistas a fierce and fabulous 2013!! happy-new-year-animated

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Hmm…. Makes You Think:

7 Sep

Never really thought of it this way:




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Great Finds In February…

6 Mar

Let’s face it—people are sick and tired of winter. Living in Upstate NY myself, I am so done with the cold air and the snow. Not that long ago, we actually saw temps in the 50’s which felt like a heat wave to us. The only bad thing about that is it melts only SOME of the snow, which runs into the roads, which splashes against the cars, which turns everything outside into a grey, dingy, dirty landscape. If the sun isn’t shining, it is “blah” at its best.

This starts to become the time during the season where we know spring is around the corner and we are getting antsy. Spring fashions are dribbling into stores, fresh fragrances are being introduced, and makeup colors are becoming brighter and fresher. Even though it is still way too early to break out the sandals and sundresses, it doesn’t mean we can’t add a few springtime teases to our lives. Here are a few things I picked up to get me in the mood:

“Carried Away” Select-A-Shimmer Body Lotion – Time to stimulate the senses! I have always been a big fan of body lotions. Not only do I get a light scent that isn’t too overpowering, but I also moisturize my skin at the same time. With key fragrance notes of red raspberries, white jasmine and whipped vanilla, Carried Away is a romantic fragrance with a playful side. Plus, the Select-A-Shimmer lotion allows me to add a little or a lot of sparkle to my skin when I get out of the shower just by a click of the cap. Add more glitz to your arms when wearing a cami, or maybe a little glow on your legs if you’re wearing a skirt. Nothing says fun more than a sweet scent with a little bit of shimmer! (Bath and Body Works retail stores & bathandbodyworks.com, $14)

L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolour in “Tickled Pink” – When people think about spring, they usually think about the colors of the flowers that fight their way up towards the sun as the weather begins to warm. Tulips, lilacs and roses do not just put beautiful scents into the air, but also show us new colors to delight our eyes. Putting those colors into your makeup pallet can really give your look a lift and break you out of the winter blahs. “Tickled Pink” is a soft, elegant baby pink that works on almost everyone. Plus, the L’Oreal’s Colour Riche formula goes on smooth and creamy, keeping lips moist with conditioners like Vitamin E. A nice, long-wearing lip color that doesn’t just look luxurious but also won’t break the bank! (local retail stores, $9)

Katy Perry Nail Colours by OPI – Okay, fact is fact: advertising sells. When I first saw the ad for Katy’s new nail colors in my daughter’s teen magazine, I fell in love with them. They were bright, fun, whimsical and… well… oh, so Katy! And if you think this “29+” mom wanted to wear them, you should hear the teen girls talk about them. Especially my daughter! Twice when we went to the retail store that carried them, they were sold out. But then finally… we struck gold! My daughter purchased the “Teenage Dream” which is a true pink glitter polish with all the glitz and glimmer that a girl will love. I myself got “The One That Got Away” which is a deep, dark berry with lots of shimmer. There is also “Not Like The Movies” which is a rich silver with an edge, “Last Friday Night” is a bright blue with fierce glitter, and of course the uber-popular “Black Shatter”–a black top coat with a broken-glass effect which is so chic! Katy’s colors are hot, fresh and in demand by ladies of all ages! (select retail stores, from $5)

Ruched Sublimation Top by Body Central – An airy top with cool shades of mauves and pinks make this pullover easy to wear and a must-have in your closet. A deep v-necked front keeps it sexy, the long-waisted length keeps is practical. Finally, imagine the top being immersed in shimmery silver dots and you have this top that is great for day or nighttime wear. Still a little too cold outside to wear this short-sleeved top alone? Just throw on a lightweight cardigan without it losing its jazzy appeal! (bodyc.com, $19.80)

Believe it or not, the weatherman has predicted I will be getting 6-10” of snow for this evening. No… really. This is not going to deter me from thinking about the brighter days of spring on their way, however. My new scents, shades and fashions will look great when the pastel tulips and the green grass begin to show their weary heads. But until then… *sigh*… I will see what I can do to match up my new February finds with some winter-friendly boots and some warm and cozy gloves. Who knows–maybe I’ll even paint my snow shovel pink. With flowers.

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My Top Five Drugstore Finds of 2008…

18 Jan

Hitting the high-end makeup counters as well as the ultra chic glamour stores can be the best type of retail therapy there is. No doubt, it can make you feel like a princess as you try on all the glitz and leave with little bags stuffed with tubes and tissue paper. But it is also a fact that they can drain you of your last dollar you had saved for your children’s lunch money. It’s no doubt there are things that you will pay a bit more for simply because you just love it or because your skin needs it. But are there any drug store steal-of-a-deal items out there that won’t break your bank? You betcha! Here are my can’t-live-without items I discovered last year that keeps me looking slammin’ without making my wallet cry:

· cleanserAveeno Active Naturals Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser

There are times, especially in the colder months, when my skin is easily irritated. It can be dry one day, normal the next, shiny the day after that. This soap-free foaming cleanser is perfect for every one of those days. It cleanses and softens even dry skin and has calming ingredients to help reduce redness. Your skin is thoroughly cleansed of all makeup without stripping moisture and making your face feel tight. A little goes a long way too. Price: $7.50

· lumene1Lumene Absolute Away Eye Makeup Remover

My eye makeup is the one thing I am very particular about. I am precise about lining, shading and making sure my mascara gives me spider-lashes. I also make sure if I’m spending that much time to make my eyes look good, then it better stay put all day Come bedtime, it doesn’t usually come off willingly with my simple face cleanser. I need something strong with a few cotton balls. Lumene’s remover is a miracle worker for just that. It takes off all types of eye makeup including creams, glitters and waterproof mascara. It looks like salad dressing, so you just shake it up to blend. It’s safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers so you get no irritation from it. And it’s cheap! I must have on my bathroom counter. Price: $6.50

· L’Oreal Paris HiP high intensity pigments Shine Struck Liquid Lipcolor

lipssWhen it comes to all… and I mean ALL… of the lip products in my diva drawer, this is the one item I grab for when I want a no-brainer lip color. The majority of the time, I am a lip gloss girl. I love the flavors and moistness of glosses, but sometimes I wish I had a bit more pop to the color. Lipsticks tend to fade fast on me and dry my lips out like potato chips when I use them. This product gives you the coverage of a rich lip color but also the high shine and moisture of a lipgloss. And the scent/flavor? Sweet vanilla cake batter. Yum! The shades range from simple and neutral (Spledid) to bright and bold (Distinct and Tainted). Easy to carry tube and great curved applicator makes it easy to apply even without a mirror. Price: $7.50

· Mary Kate & Ashley Liquid Color Shadow Cosmetics in Top Coat Silver

sparklesSometimes you need just a little bling to make your eyes stand out, keep you feeling young at heart. And right now, eye shadows with glitter in them are a dime (or a c-note) a dozen. The problem with most of them is that they have terrible “fallout” which means more of the sparkles end up on your cheeks and face than on your eyes. Mary Kate & Ashley’s top coat has the consistency of nail polish. You put it right over your favorite eye color to glitter it up. Then what’s nice is it keeps the eye shadow waterproof and keeps the sparkles from moving. You can even put more eye shadow over it to tone it down while still keeping the dazzle in place. With the easy to use soft, slanted applicator, the fun is endless with this! Price: $4.50

· Garnier Fructis Style Brilliantine Shine Glistening Drops

hair-dropsBelieve it or not, I fell in love with this product after trying a sample in a magazine. Yes, I said that right. They put a hair styling product sample on a page in a magazine. I didn’t think it would be enough to see what it did, but it was! Just a drop or two really makes your hair soft and shiny. If you apply it to your hair while it is wet, it is fabulous for smoothing and detangling. Another drop or two after your hair dries keeps the frizzies away too. It’s not heavy at all and the scent, like most Fructis items, is yummy. This hair product definitely runs with the big (expensive) boys and gives you the same, if not better, results for a lot less money. Price: $3.50

You don’t have to go broke to be beautiful. Don’t always be lured in by the ads on TV or in the magazines. Check online drug stores and beauty websites for consumer reviews to see if it is something you might like. And if you want? Feel free to email and ask me! If I have any ideas or input, I’d be happy to share!

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