Beauty with Heart: The Body Shop Refocuses Select Stores Around Activism, Beauty & Community

25 May

It is said that the coastal cities of NY and LA are the trendsetting cities of America.  These influential cultural hubs are usually the first to create, discover or experience the latest in music, food, fashion, beauty, art, etc.  But sometimes, Vegas gets to lead the pack.

My case in point? Celebrating their 25th anniversary,The Body Shop is unveiling their new PULSE boutiques at three Las Vegas locations, the Miracle Mile Shops, Fashion Show Mall and Meadows Mall. I was invited to experience the new look and feel at the Miracle Mile Shops.  As soon as I stepped foot inside the store, I noticed several changes.

First, I noticed an “Ask for Your Free Makeover” table at the center of the store which looked more like a makeup playground. At these “Story Telling Tables” you can go beyond just playing by learning about the products’ quality ingredients and the Community Fair Trade partnerships.

A second difference I noticed was a beautiful portrait of Lily Cole, The Body Shop’s first ever Global Brand Advocate.  Cole believes “beauty with heart” means trying to achieve beauty in a way that is harmonious with your inner values, LOVE THAT! Together Lily and The Body Shop will be launching a new cruelty-free make-up line, never tested on animals.  This limited edition line will be available in stores and online on June 11th.

L: Global Brand Advocate, Lily Cole
R: Pearl Radiance Primer, $22, Liquid Eyeline in Violet, $13.50, Shimmer Cubes, $22, Lip & Cheek Domes, $15

Lastly, the Communities and Values Wall which visually communicate the stores global campaign work through pictures and words.  The PULSE stores have also decreased energy use by 25% compared to the regular stores. In addition, FSC wood is utilized throughout the PULSE stores and they have gone Wood Positive with their paper and cardboard‐based packaging which means they plant more trees than they use to create packages.

The entire experience was inspiring! Beauty with a purpose does exist.  If you’d like to learn more or get involved, just as one of their Values ambassador next time you visit a PULSE store.

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iBlowdry, A New Blowout Salon Opens its Doors in Las Vegas Today!

19 May

Now this is my idea of a girls’ night out!  The who’s who of Las Vegas’ beauty and fashion industry, media and socialites were in attendance at the media preview event of the iBlowdry Salon, the latest blowout salon to open its doors offering fabulous blowouts for only $35.

We sipped on bubbly and indulged in delicious appetizers while the iBlowdry team debuted the many different types of blowouts from their signature style blowout, “Dandelion” to the super straight “Tulip” blowout.  I especially loved their technique of using pin curls for that extra oomph of volume!

(BEFORE blowouts from L to R: Debbie Hall, Christa Emmer, Krista Darnold, Miss Nevada Alana Lee, Maira Barba Castellanos, Patty Barba)

(AFTER blowouts from L to R: Krista Darnold, co-owner Tasha Jordan, Jenna Doughton with co-owner Melissa Bordinhao, Debbie Hall, Miss Nevada Alana Lee with Arlene Bordinhao, Christa Emmer, Maira Barba Castellanos with Patty Barba)

A special shout out to the other bevy of beauties also in attendance (not pictured): Xazmin Garza, Alicia Jacobs, Laura Coronado, Dayna Roselli, Ruth Furman, Jessica Janner, Lindsay Metter, Dao Vu and Melissa Duran.

iBlowdry opens to the public today! So if you’re in need of some “me” time, this is definitely a great and affordable beauty treat.  The salon is located right off the Strip and is the only blowout salon open until midnight. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter!

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When Science + Skincare Come Together, It’s a Beautiful Thing

15 May

The “one size fits all” approach in the cosmetic industry is almost unheard of because we believe that our skin has specific individual needs, because we are all unique right? Perhaps this is why niche marketing is booming.  The more niche, the more innovative.  There are entire product lines catering to every problem we can imagine – oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, combination skin, aging skin, you get the picture.

NOT!  At a recent beauty breakfast session at Neiman Marcus at The Fashion Show Mall, world-renowned clinical and cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Stuart Kaplan, addressed quite the opposite.  He believes that skin is skin and that we all age the exact same way.  A New York transplant, Dr. Kaplan has been treating his patients in his private practice in Beverly Hills for the past 25 years and has celebrity clients including Marisa Tomei, Ginnifer Goodwin, Colin Egglesfield (my fave), Holly Robinson Peete, Emmy Rossum and Maroon 5 members (none of whom are paid spokespersons).

Dr. Kaplan has spent years researching and has pioneered the latest findings on the three causes of skin aging:

1.     Chronologic Aging

2.     Environmental Damage

3.     Natural Hormonal Progression

His new line, KAPLAN MD, which is available at Neiman Marcus, features only the best 100% clinically tested ingredients in a product line that is formulated for men and women of all ethnicities and ages.

If you’re tired of having to change your products every season, when you’re traveling or moving to a new city where the weather is drastically different, perhaps you should consider trying KAPLAN MD.  Added perk: you can also share with your boyfriend or hubby! I will be trying out the Daily Moisture SPF 30 Concentrate and the Lip 20 Ultra Hydrating Balm, stay tuned for a product review.

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A Little Eyelash Magic!

6 Apr
Every once in a while I come across a product that’s a bit magical.  I only have a handful and I’ll write a blog about those soon, but in the meantime, I wanted to share with you a little bit of eyelash magic in a tube.  And no, it’s not mascara!
Ready to Wear Lash Extension is a treatment made up of dry cellulose fibers that darken, lengthen and add volume to your lashes. There are many reviews out there that give this product a low rating because it’s not for everyone. If you don’t use it correctly, you won’t get the best or desired results – so try to follow the instructions carefully or do I what I do.
Here’s my method:
1.      I first curl my lashes.
2.      Apply one coat of my favorite mascara.
3.      Apply one coat of Ready to Wear Lash Extension.
4.      Apply second coat of mascara to seal the fibers in.
I then repeat these steps until I get my desired look.  In this picture below, I applied two coats of Ready to Wear Lash Extension along with two coats of mascara. Try to avoid getting the tiny fibers inside your eyes and brush away the ones that fall onto cheeks.  Here’s the result for my “day” look at the office.  What do you think?
Image

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NAIL POLISH TREND ALERT: Nuts about Pistachio

3 Apr

Lately it seems to be all about the nails with so many colors, designs and lacquer alternatives to choose from.  I recently picked up a pastel pistachio color from Butter London aptly named Bossy Boots.  I love the pastel trend for spring/summer but I couldn’t resist not adding my own little twist to it.  So I applied two coats of Bossy Boots and one coat of Essie Luxeeffects in Set in Stones and here’s the final look! What do you think?

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Launching in Las Vegas: Topshop Make Up Collection

10 Feb

I was so excited to learn that Topshop is opening a store at the Fashion Show Mall next month to be exact! I’ve been lucky enough to visit the only other two stores in the U.S, the New York and Chicago locations. What’s even more exciting is that the Vegas store will also carry the Topshop makeup collection. Thank you dear Sir Philip Green.

Topshop’s PR team sent me samples of some of the collections’ most popular picks, from trend driven shades to coveted must-haves, I’m excited to give you a sneak peek.  Believe me, you’re going to want more!

Topshop Nails, $10

Fast drying, extra long wear with lasting glossy wet look finish. I’m looking forward to wearing some of these bright and metallic shades poolside at Red Rock this summer!

L to R: Pool Party, Bees Knees, Hyperreal

Topshop Eye Crayon, $12

I am absolutely in love with Eye Crayon! It’s a chunky eye shadow pencil with glitter for shading, lining and defining eyes. I personally love it to add a little twist to smoky eyes, perfect for a night out at the Lady Silvia or 1 Oak.

Eye crayon in Black Jack

Topshop Cheeks, $10

This is a lightweight cream to powder blush which melts into the skin leaving a luminous finish. Don’t fret, it’s brighter than it looks and spot on for spring.

Blush in Pinch

Needless to say, the Topshop makeup tickled my fancy indeed.  Make sure to stop by the store to see the entire collection once they officially open their doors in Sin City on March 8th!

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French Tip Dip Review: A Real Mani “Cure”

31 Jan

As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been a nail buff, no pun intended. I’ve sported all sorts of manicure trends, from the long claws to acrylic fill ins.  And much like how fashion trends go in and out of style, so do manicure trends.  Sometimes, I look back at old pictures and question myself why or question my mother and wonder why she let me out of the house with those nails!

In recent years, I’ve favored the short, square-edged all natural nails polished in black, blue or a metallic shade. I’m currently loving the appliqués. But in the late 90’s and early 2000’s I was a French manicure fanatic, with and without the help of acrylic.  I haven’t donned the clean Parisian look since then until I received French Tip Dip from a local rep who sent me a kit to try.

I let my nails grow a bit before I tried this out this weekend. Upon first impression, I was a bit overwhelmed by the kit and all its components, it all looked a little complicated.  But to my surprise, it was easier than it looked. The tool works amazingly well.  I’m not ambidextrous so I must admit, my left hand was much easier to do than my right.  But nevertheless, my French mani looks great and flawless! In fact, the girls at the office asked me where I had them done!

The instructions that come with the packaging are long and wordy in my opinion, so here are quick steps to a salon quality French manicure at home using French Tip Dip:

  1. Start with clean, freshly buffed nails
  2. Pour the white nail polish into one of the glass pots
  3. Take the dipping tool and choose one of the tips that best fits your nail beds
  4. Make sure to dip the tool with the back side facing you so you can measure the dipping, don’t dip too deep as that is width of the white tip on your nail
  5. Gently press the tool onto your tips, do all of the tips at once
  6. Apply nude color
  7. Apply fast drying top coat

I just wish I had this little handy dandy tool back in the day, it could’ve saved me hundreds of dollars. I guess it’s never too late. If you’re a French manicure devotee, you must try this! Check them out on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for more information.

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