5 More Things I Love Right Now

From time to time, I run across various items that become such a part of my daily life that I feel like I want to scream from the roof top, "Run out and buy this ladies, it is that wonderful." To see previous posts about my favorite can't-live-without-out items (which include Lush Cosmetics BIG Shampoo; Lucky Magazine; Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil; Banana Republic Bejeweled Orchid Hair Clip; Scott Barnes Body Bling; Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream; Smith's Rosebud Salve; Giles & Brother "Chaton" Pyramid Drop Earrings; OPI "Lincoln Park After Dark" Nail Polish; Hairstyle: Two Braids + A Bun; OPI Axxium Semi-Permanent Nail Polish; Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment; Cheap Monday T-Shirts; Bobbi Brown Bronze Shimmer Brick; Garnier Fructis Fortifying Deep Conditioner 3 Minute Masque) click here: http://cbusstyle.blogspot.com/search/label/5%20Things%20I%20Love.  Below is a list of 5 more things that I am loving right now!

Inglot Cosmetics

My BFF introduced me to this cosmetic line the last time we were in Las Vegas. I bought three eye shadows and a lip gloss at the time, all of which I absolutely adore. The AMC pure pigment eye shadows have different colors mixed together that really are so unique and beautiful on.  For instance, I got a gold and plum shadow and a brown and green shadow. While those colors may sound strange, they truly are amazing and unique. I also adore the AMC lip gloss that I purchased -- in the bottle it is lavender but when you put it on it turns pink! It is a great non-sticky gloss with a lovely sheen. And the best part about Inglot is that the products are reasonably priced. The shadows are $14 each and the lip glosses are $16 each. I also just learned to my extreme delight that you can now purchase Inglot online at www.inglotusa.com. I will be stocking up on new products soon!


Nanette Lepore Dresses

I officially have what one might refer to as a "Nanette Lepore obsession."  My collection by the designer is now up to 9 dresses (with 2 more on the way).  Her dresses are seriously perfect if you have a little junk in the trunk like I do.  They are always cut in the most flattering way and are always impeccably made.  The best part is that they also frequently go on sale, so while they may originally be listed around $300 each, you can usually get them for around $150 to $200 if you pay attention to the sales.  If you are considering trying out a Nanette Lepore dress, remember that her sizing runs a tad large, so order one size smaller than you would normally get.  You can purchase Nanette Lepore dresses at www.saks.com, www.shopbop.com, www.neimanmarcus.com, www.bloomingdales.com, and www.nanettelepore.com.     

Boscia B.B. Cream

I discovered this amazing product while shopping with my BFF in Atlanta in a Sephora store.  The Boscia representative happened to be there and her pitch about how amazing Boscia's B.B. Cream convinced me to try it out.  Let's just say that the lady wasn't lying; this product is amaze.  It acts as a moisturizer, pore minimizer, sunblock, and primer all in one.  It is a tinted cream that seriously gives you an amazingly flawless finish and eliminates the need for an additional primer or moisturizer.  I still use foundation with it because I have some dark spots that I like to hide, but if you have pretty good skin, you probably could substitute this for foundation as well.  The cream is $38 and can be purchased here:  http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P288804.
  
World Market "Chase" Jewelry Armoire

I recently decided that I needed to reorganize my jewelry, which was partially stored in a nice chest atop my dresser and partially on a necklace tree that rested on my nightstand (and which constantly tipped over due to the weight of all of my necklaces).  I felt disorganized when I went looking for something and frequently forgot that I even had particular pieces because I couldn't see them.  After a bit of shopping, I purchased the Chase jewelry armoire from Cost Plus World Market.  I couldn't be happier with the results.  It is a nice piece of furniture (that conveniently matches our bedroom furniture) and it houses a ton of jewelry!  My favorite part is that you can hang long necklaces on the sides without them getting tangled.  I also love the cellphone charger at the top of the stand.  Overall, it is great buy and has really helped me to get organized.  The armoire is currently on sale for $139.99 and can be purchased here:  http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3909370.

LORAC Muliplex 3-D Lip Gloss

LORAC's multiplex 3-D lip gloss is probably my favorite lip gloss of all time.  It is not sticky at all and the sparkle that it gives off is unmatched.  I have found that it particularly looks good with a peachy lip stick (I like MAC's "Sandy B" frost lipstick).  It is a bit pricey at $22, but the bottle is big and a little gloss goes a long way!  You can purchase LORAC's multiplex 3-D lip gloss here:  http://www.drugstore.com/lorac-multiplex-3-d-lip-gloss-3d-3d/qxp241306?catid=12885&fromsrch=lorac+3d+lipgloss&N=0. 

5 More Things I Love Right Now

From time to time, I run across various items that become such a part of my daily life that I feel like I want to scream from the roof top, "Run out and buy this ladies, it is that wonderful." Last July I posted about five of those things: Lush Cosmetics BIG Shampoo; Lucky Magazine; Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil; Banana Republic Bejeweled Orchid Hair Clip; Scott Barnes Body Bling. Click here to see that post: http://cbusstyle.blogspot.com/2009/07/5-things-i-love-right-now.html. Last November I posted a list of 5 more of the things that I use, wear, love, and recommend: Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream; Smith's Rosebud Salve; Giles & Brother "Chaton" Pyramid Drop Earrings; OPI "Lincoln Park After Dark" Nail Polish; Hairstyle: Two Braids + A Bun. Click here to see that post: http://cbusstyle.blogspot.com/2009/11/5-more-things-i-love-right-now.html. Below is a list of 5 more things that I am loving right now!

OPI Axxium Semi-Permanent Nail Polish

Like most women, I love getting my nails done, but I hate spending the money only to have the polish chip off after a couple of days. At long last OPI has solved this age old dilemma by releasing its Axxium semi-permanent gel polish. The polish currently comes in 35 different shades including some of OPI's most popular colors like You Don't Know Jacques!, Lincoln Park After Dark (my fave!), Russian Navy, Big Apple Red, Dulche de Leche, Barefoot in Barcelona, and Cajun Shrimp. Six sparkly holiday shades are also currently available for a limited time! The Axxium polish typically lasts about 3 weeks (for me about 2 weeks). The process takes a little bit longer than a normal manicure and costs a tad bit more as well (usually about $15 more). I've had the Axxium applied quite a few times now and I can tell you that it is well worth the extra time and expense. You can seriously do anything to your nails and they won't chip or peel for at least two weeks (usually longer). Once you do notice the chipping you have to go into the salon to have the polish soaked off (although I admittedly have just peeled the polish off myself)!!! If you are looking for a nail salon in Columbus to try out the Axxium polish I would recommend the Nail Retreat in Dublin located at 5793 Karric Square Drive. Be sure to ask for the manicurist named "Q"!!!

Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment

Since I am not a lipstick or lipgloss girl, I am always on the hunt for a nice moisturizing tinted lip balm. Hands down my favorite is Fresh's sugar rose tinted lip balm because it is so soft, it smells lovely, comes in an adorable dispenser, and I find that the shade is extremely flattering. In fact I have fallen in love with this lip balm so much that I recently decided to try the new sugar plum shade for fall and I am also really loving it as well (although I still prefer the rose shade the best). And if you fear tinted lip balms Fresh also makes a non-tinted sugar lip balm as well. These balms are pricey at $22.50 each but I swear you won't be disappointed! Fresh products are available at Sephora or on www.amazon.com or www.beauty.com.

Cheap Monday T-Shirts

I am constantly looking for affordable but good quality soft lightweight t-shirts to wear with my jeans and I always end up disappointed for whatever reason. I find that most of the t-shirts that I like cost upwards of $60 each, which seems ridiculous to me to spend on a t-shirt. Recently, however, I decided to try out the t-shirts by Cheap Monday and I am officially in love! They are super lightweight and super soft and they are priced at about $32 each. I own each of the t-shirts above (from left to right: "Ella" 3/4 length tee; "Jasmine" long sleeve tee; "Regina" tee). Cheap Monday tees can be purchased at Urban Outfitters or on www.80spurple.com (which is where I bought mine -- use code "luckybreaks3" for 30% off!).

Bobbi Brown Bronze Shimmer Brick

I have tried quite a few bronzers in my day, but once I tried Bobbi Brown's bronze shimmer brick I have not since strayed! It doesn't go on cakey and depending upon your skintone (mine varies greatly depending upon the time of year) you can use the top of the palette for paler skin or the bottom of the palette for darker skin. Again, it is a little pricey at $38, but one brick lasts me for well over 6 months. Bobbi Brown's shimmer brick is available in the makeup section at most department stores.

Garnier Fructis Fortifying Deep Conditioner 3 Minute Masque

I have long thick hair that is naturally wavy and is prone to frizz. Because my hair is super thick I do not wash it every day, but on the days that I do my routine consists of blowdrying my hair upside down and then with a flat brush, followed by a flat iron. All that heat takes its toll on my hair so I recently decided to look for a hair masque to add some moisture to my hair. I didn't want to spend a lot of money since my hair isn't in horrible shape and after doing a couple of searches online I decided to try Garnier Fructis' fortifying deep conditioner 3 minute masque. I've been using it for about a month now (once a week) and I must say that I have been pleasantly pleased by the results. The day of the treatment my hair is silky, smooth, and shiny! The effects last until the next time that I wash my hair. However, if you have fine hair be warned that this product adds a lot of moisture so I would imagine that it may make fine hair look greasy. But if you are looking for an inexpensive moisturising hair masque, this one gets my thumbs up!!! It retails for under $8 and can be found at most drugstores and grocery stores.

5 More Things I Love Right Now

From time to time, I run across various items that become such a part of my daily life that I feel like I want to scream from the roof top, "Run out and buy this ladies, it is that wonderful." In July I posted about five of those things: Lush Cosmetics BIG Shampoo; Lucky Magazine; Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil; Banana Republic Bejeweled Orchid Hair Clip; Scott Barnes Body Bling. Click here to see that post: http://cbusstyle.blogspot.com/2009/07/5-things-i-love-right-now.html. The following is a list of 5 more of the things that I use, wear, love, and recommend.
Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream
I've been using this glossing cream for the past few years now and thus far I have not strayed! This cream is constantly on the fashion mags' top beauty product lists so I must not be alone in loving this product. I have naturally wavy hair and use this cream right before I blow dry my hair straight. I squirt about a dime sized dollop into my palm and smooth it through my wet hair and then blow dry, followed by a quick flat iron. The result is straight shiny and very healthy looking hair that I constantly get compliments on! The 7 ounce bottle costs $27.50 and the 4 ounce bottle costs $20.00. You can purchase Frederic Fekkai products in Columbus at Saks Fifth Avenue, Sephora, certain Bath & Body Works, and Bigelow Chemists.

Smith's Rosebud Salve

I have tried quite a few lip salves over the years and this one is by far my favorite! The reason I love it is not necessarily for its lip-soothing qualities, but more for the way that it looks after you apply it. If my lips are in need of moisture, I usually apply a moisturizing chapstick of some sort, and then apply this salve on top. Its consistency is such that, for me, it essentially serves as a lip gloss. And because I am not a big lipstick wearer, it is all that I need before I go out the door. Unlike many lip glosses that I've tried it is not sticky in any way. I am such a huge fan of this product I remember basically freaking out a few years about when a salesperson at Sephora told me that it was not going to be produced any longer so I started stocking up on what they had left in the store! Thankfully that salesperson was misinformed and you can purchase the salve in Columbus at Sephora and Urban Outfitters.
Giles & Brother "Chaton" Pyramid Drop Earrings

I have been obsessing over these earrings by Giles & Brother for at least the past month. There is just something about their look that is so chic but slightly edgy that I love. A few weeks ago I finally caved and bought them. And as if their look isn't hot enough as is, the post portion of the earrings actually detaches, so that you can wear the hoop portion at the top by themselves. So it is like two sets of earrings in one! These earrings retail for $113 and can be purchased on www.shopbop.com.

OPI "Lincoln Park After Dark" Nail Polish

Ironically enough, I first discovered this delightfully blackish plum color of nail polish while visiting one of my girlfriends in Chicago! Shortly thereafter it started popping up on all the fashion mags' top beauty product lists and it appears to be staying there as I recently spotted it on In Style's 2009 Best Beauty Buys. When I first tried the color, I remember one of the girlfriends that I was with stating that she didn't think it would look good on her because she is on the paler side. After some peer-pressure from the rest of us, she tried it and admitted that it looks great on her! So if you too are on the paler side and fear that such a dark color will look too stark on you, fear not! I now own my own bottle and bring it with me frequently to the nail salon. A bottle of the polish retails for around $7.50 and can be purchased online at www.amazon.com or in most drugstores and nail salons here in Columbus.

Hairstyle: Two Braids + A Bun
I recently saw this hairstyle in an issue of Lucky Magazine and one morning before work I decided to give it a try. After a few attempts, I finally got it right and now this hairstyle has become a weekday staple for me, particularly on the days that I attend my kickboxing class after work. It is great because the braids keep any fly aways or longer bangs out of my face. At the same time it is sophisticated enough for the workplace while remaining girly and fun. To recreate this style, part your hair on the side. Make two small braids starting at the top of your head and secure them individually. Then take the two braids and the rest of your hair and twist it all into a bun at the nape of your neck. It should only take about 5 minutes!

5 Things I Love Right Now

From time to time, I run across various items that become such a part of my daily life that I feel like I want to scream from the roof top, "Run out and buy this ladies, it is that wonderful." So the following is a list of 5 of those items that I use, wear, love, and recommend.

Lush Cosmetics BIG Shampoo

I first discovered this shampoo on a trip to Chicago and I have been hooked ever since. It retails at $21.35 for 11.6 oz., so it is not cheap, but I truely believe that it is worth every penny. It is admittedly an odd shampoo; the texture is grainy and you don't squirt it out of a bottle. Rather, you take about a quarter size scoop of it out of the pot and rub it into your scalp. The results are amazing. My hair (which I have a lot of) is shiny and bouncy for the duration of that day. Because it is on the expensive side, I alternate it with various other less expensive shampoos, but if I am going out or just feel like having a great hair day, this is the shampoo that I turn to. It is available online here http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/hair/bottled-shampoos/big. There is also a lush counter in the cosmetics department at the Macy's at Tuttle Mall in the C-bus.
Lucky Magazine

One of the things that drives me crazy about fashion magazines is all the crap that they throw in that has nothing to do with fashion. Like that section in one of the magazines (can't remember which one) called "It's Okay to..." and then they list about ten things below it like, "It's okay to eat two pieces of chocolate cake instead of just one." The whole thing takes up an entire page that could've been devoted to showing me the latest handbag trends or bronzers. Well, there is none of that in Lucky magazine; no advice columns, no stories about how to improve your sex life; just pages and pages of fashion advice, trends, and options. And unlike some of the high end magazines like Vogue, the editors always provide cheaper options alongside the expensive designer pieces. That is why Lucky magazine is the only fashion magazine that I actually subscribe to. While I may pick up other magazines at the drugstore from time to time, because the editors at Lucky have managed to make fashion accessible to the average woman, I consider it a must-have.

Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil
I am sure that by now most of you have heard of, if not already tried, the bare minerals product line from Bare Escentuals. I am a huge fan of the mineral veil translucent powder. I have normal to oily skin, and this is the first powder that I've used that provides coverage throughout the day and doesn't wear off. It also hides imperfections (like the sun spots that I've accumulated over the years) nicely. It retails at $19 and is available online at http://www.bareescentuals.com/. There are also Bare Escentuals stores in the malls at Tuttle and Polaris. It is also available at Sephora, also located at Polaris mall, and on QVC.

Banana Republic Bejeweled Orchid Hair Clip

I seriously am in love with this hair clip. Whenever I don't feel like doing my hair for work, I twist my hair up into a bun and put in this hair clip and am ready to go. It is currently available at Banana Republic and retails for only $16. It adds instant femininity to any outfit that I put on!
Scott Barnes Body Bling

This is the best body bronzer that I've found and believe me I have tried quite a few. It doesn't have any self-tanner in it so it actually smells very good unlike many body bronzers that I've tried. The bronzer itself is quite dark even on my medium skin tone, so when I apply it, I mix it with equal parts body lotion for a more natural sun-kissed look. Note that you have to let it fully dry before you put your clothes on though or else it will rub off onto your clothes. The sheen that this bronzer provides though seriously is the best. Retailing at $49, it is not cheap, but one bottle will last you quite a while, particularly when mixed with body lotion. Unfortunately, I just ran out of mine and when I went to purchase another bottle I learned that it is sold out everywhere. The website indicates that it will be relaunced soon and you can sign up to be notified for when you can pre-order it here: http://www.scottbarnes.tv/news/2009/03/26/the-relaunch-of-body-bling/