Naked Advanced Skin Cream Fixes Everything!

Well!  Despite my best efforts to marinate in SPF 50 baby sunblock at the beach this weekend, I've returned with a bit of a sunburn.  I'm at a loss as to how it happened; I am vigilant about sunscreen, you guys.  Luckily I have a new miracle cream that fixes nearly any skin woe!

At a trade show last fall I picked up a huge jar of Naked Advanced Skin Cream and really, it is the BEST product to have on hand year round.  It's chock full of super healthy vitamins, amino acids, honey, botanicals, and a zillion other luxurious, healing ingredients.  It's also formulated without mineral oil, petrolatum, parabens, and other nasty chemicals.  Plus they don't test on animals!  Naked is a fabulous company and this cream is truly a must have product.

Another unique thing about Naked cream is that, instead of water as the main ingredient like in most creams, Naked's main ingredient is aloe.  You know what famous celebrity endorsed product also has aloe as a main ingredient?  Creme De La Mer!  Except Naked is way, way better for your skin.  It's healed my sunburn extra quickly!  This is day three and it's barely visible.  My skin hasn't even peeled because this cream is so hydrating.  It's amazing for your face and your body as well.  I don't think I've ever used anything so moisturizing! 

Naked Advanced Skin Cream is available online in a giant 9 oz. container!  It lasts forever.  Plus you'll also get two 1 oz. travel sized creams.  It's a fantastic treatment for sunburns and dry scaly skin, and great as a moisturizer year round.  My skin has never looked better!

Sephora by OPI Betsey Johnson Scented Nail Lacquer

Is there anything more gorgeous for spring than sporting bright hot pink lacquered nails?  My current obsession is this Betsey Johnson It's My Pink scented (!!!) nail polish for Sephora.  It is a must for any Betsey fans as this shade appears in a TON of Ms. Johnson's designs!  Annnnd once it's dry, the polish smells like her new fragrance Too Too.  It's a clever spin and smells fun and frivolous, but the scent is very, very subtle.  It's not going to overpower any regular perfume, but it does linger for several days.  I'll definitely be wearing this through August!  Betsey Johnson's It's My Pink is a perfect 2012 trend for spring and summer!

This nail polish also inspired me to dust off some of my old Betseyville by Betsey Johnson purses!  I'm looking forward to carrying them again.

Matching my nails to my handbag with this tiger print satchel!

This amazing and kitschy patent telephone purse was one of the first indulgences I bought with my very own paycheck back in...2007?  My best friend thought I was nuts but I still love this bag!

Do you own any Betsey Johnson creations?  What nail polishes are you loving lately?

InStyle March 2012 Beauty Must Haves

I'm so inspired by this gorgeous beauty editorial in the March 2012 issue of InStyle!  The latest trends of spring and summer are pictured amid piles of indulgent sweets.  Don't the fuchsia nail polishes, violet eyeshadows, and coral lipsticks look even more fun and decadent? 

 

 
Which trend do you like best?  I've got fuchsia nail polish and purple eyeshadow in spades, now I want to find a great coral lipstick!  Got any other recs for me?

P.S. Happy Easter to those who are celebrating!  Another reason I love this candy coated makeup spread so much? I haven't eaten sweets since February!  It's Easter candy time you guys X-D

NARS To Launch Andy Warhol Collection!

Remember how excited I was over Daphne Guinness collaborating with MAC?  Well!  This is even better than that! 

It has been announced that NARS inked a deal with The Andy Warhol Foundation to create a limited edition collection!  It will debut in the United States October 2012 and hit the rest of the world in November.  We'll be treated to all new unique packaging, shades, and formulas!  I'll post more details as soon as they become available.

What else do you think we can expect in the collection?  I'm thinking lots of colorful, bright shades, and of course something silver like the Factory itself.  I'm picturing makeup inspired by the Flowers painting, the iconic Marilyn portrait, and a nod to Edie Sedgwick and other Factory Susperstars (Ultra Violet? Nico? Holly Woodlawn?).  Who loved cosmetics more than the Factory crowd, where everybody tried to out-shine each other?

What Warhol inspired makeup would you love to see? 

Estee Lauder for Mad Men Spring 2012

As super crazy ridiculously excited I am about Mad Men's season five premiere this weekend, I'm just as excited over the TV show's collaboration with Estee Lauder.  The Cherry Lipstick and Creme Rouge Evening Rose blush in Estee Lauder's Mad Men collection for spring 2012 are perfect for recreating popular makeup looks of the Sixties.  Whether you're a Betty or a Joan, fans of vintage inspired makeup will also appreciate the vintage inspired packaging as well.  The jeweled gold blush compact and gold tubed lipstick will look even more gorgeous when extracted from a clutch purse for a discreet touch-up.  Pair with red or light pink nails, liquid eyeliner, a tumble of curls, pearl earrings, and a vodka gimlet.  Cheers!

What are your thoughts on Estee Lauder's Mad Men inspired lipstick and blush?  I'll be getting the lipstick for sure!  Like the TV show, the collection also debuts this month.  Are any readers Man Men fans?  Who else will be watching Sunday's premiere?

Ch-ch-changes! A New Banner + What Would You Like To See?

Yo!  What's new in your life lately?  Get cozy and let's chat!

Me?  After a year of pastels on the blog, I'm ready for some COLOR!  Some zest!  Some panache!  So you may notice a brand new banner on Applied Glamour!  Please admire; I'm way proud of it.  I'm also playing with fonts and link colors, so let me know if you have any awesome suggestions or if something isn't displaying properly.  I've been inspired by a ton of graphic design blogs lately and am ready to spring forward (!) by making each post more visually interesting.  I plan to eventually learn Photoshop like everyone else but for now I'm cheating with Polyvore and Paint ;-)  Not bad though, right?!

Also updated: my navigation bar links!  You'll find brand spanking new lists of all my favorite products.  I got so carried away, the former "Favorites" section got split into separate pages for makeup and skincare!  So now there's Best Makeup, Best Skincare, and Best Bargains.  I had a lot of fun working on these.  Check 'em out!

While I haven't been here on the blog much lately, I have been lurking around the interwebz and guest posting!  Here's what you might have missed:

I spent an evening discussing Edgar Allan Poe with my friends Buddy and Sarah over at The Cobalt Club.

I put together an inspiration post all about how to create a DEBBIE HARRY (!!!) makeup look for mi amiga Christina at Red Lip Gloss.

And it's a little late now, but I wrote about how I spent Valentine's Day (you might be surprised!) for my girl Elle at her blog Elle Sees. 

And finally:
I'll be updating Applied Glamour waaay more frequently than I have the last couple of months.  I'm finally on the other side of some serious demotivation.  So yay!


What kinds of posts would you most like to see?  More interviews, more inspirations, more how-tos, just more in general?  Let me know!  I'll also be unveiling a new feature soon, so stay tuned!

Sephora + Pantone: Tangerine Tango Collection!

Sephora has let us sneak a peek at their collaboration with Pantone!  The Color Universe designed a collection of makeup, nail polish, and accessories based around 2012's Color of the Year:

I'm surprised at how wearable this collection seems to be!  Everything about it is gorgeous, I can't wait to get my hands on a few pieces.  The nail polishes and lip glosses are beautiful, but I'm really dying for that eyeliner collection!  Tangerine eyeliner--can you believe it?  I thought it was absolutely kook at first but I played around with a bit of orange eyeshadow as liner and it actually looked cool.  So I'm most excited about that one, weirdly enough!  I also want to check out the blush duo.  Those shades look perfect for my red haired self.  I'm on the fence about that lipstick.  It's pretty, but I want to try it in person first.

That actually sums up how I feel about the whole collection, honestly.  It's super cool but I definitely want to try it all in person before I buy!

Luckily the Sephora + Pantone Universe collaboration launches later this month for a limited time.  If the makeup isn't your thing, a bag, brushes, eyelashes, and eyelash curler are also available! It's not crazy expensive for either, and seems to be priced on the low end for Sephora. 

So what do you think?  Anything in the collection look wearable to you?   

How to Get BIG HAIR

 All that really needs to be said about Nick Chavez's Horsetail Root Lifting Spray is that it made my limp, fine hair look like a LION'S MANE.  I am not exaggerating in the least.  For those who have dreamed of huge Texas-sized pageant hair and tried every trick in the book: This. Stuff. WORKS.  You just spritz the product all over the roots of your hair and fluff it with your hands or a teasing comb.  Magic!  I'm not prone to vanity any more than your average beauty blogger, but I can't stop fluffing my hair into ever greater proportions and admiring my handiwork in every mirror possible.  I'm roaring at the cats and practicing my best "World Peace, ya'll" speech and whipping my hair around like I'm an extra in a Robert Palmer video. 

You'd think I could have remembered to snap a picture, but alas.  Just trust me when I say the end result after all that fluffing was not unlike this:

Yes!  Glorious Adele hair you can achieve without a team of stylists.  What could be better than that?

Inspiration: Vampira

I first discovered the glamorously ghoulish beauty that is Vampira through Tim Burton's incredible biopic Ed Wood, an inspiring tribute to the Worst Director of All Time.  Vampira stole every scene the way only a vampy vixen can and I had to know more about the character.

This siren made a name for herself by slinking across television screens as a late night horror movie hostess on The Vampira Show.  Her waspy waist, eyebrows that exist nowhere in nature, and fingernails more resembling claws were just three of her trademarks.  At the beginning of every show Vampira would sulk toward the camera, let out a bloodcurdling scream, then seductively purr "Screaming relaxes me so!"

She provided sarcastic and double entendre commentary on the films, talked to her pet spider, sipped cocktails from her Poison bar, and encouraged viewers to write her for "epitaphs instead of autographs."  Vampira was all at once witty, spooky, and glamorous, and the audience loved her for it!  In the middle of America's conservative and uptight 1950s, the vamp was a hit.  

Feeling a little glamour ghoulish yourself?  Here are a few modern day beauty essentials to vamp up your vanity.

NARS Trio Eye Shadow, $45
For smoky, beguiling, glittering eyes in vampy colors
Too Faced Close-Up Coverage Foundation, $36: 
Flawless smooth skin in a gorgeous bottle
Hourglass Onyx Film Noir Lash Lacquer, $24: 
To emphasize your long, spidery lashes and accentuate and define your dark eyebrows
NARS Cruella Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, $24: 
Blood red lip crayon inspired by another iconic villainess
Bvlgari Jasmin Noir Eau De Parfum, $98: 
What's a vamp vixen without a seductive scent?
Boscia Detoxifying Black Cleanser, $28
Requisite black and strong enough to dissolve your stage makeup
Chinoise Nail Polish by Rescue Beauty, $18
For glorious blood red talons
Shahnaz Husain Shaeyes Herbal Kohl, $5.98
Line your eyes with cosmetics the ancient Egyptians used...spooky

Maila Nurmi, the woman who created and acted as Vampira herself, explains her inspirations in molding this iconic femme fatale.  Theda Bara, Snow White's Evil Queen, and Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard were all influences.  Maila also explains her theory on Vampira's appeal and how such a scandalous character thrived in the conservative climate of 1950s America.  This interview is a treasure!

The Best Rose Scented Goodies

Roses aren't my favorite flower (that would be tulips), but for a while now I've been obsessed with anything that smells like the gorgeous blossoms.  This current obsession has nothing to do with Valentine's Day, but the timing is definitely appropriate!  Here are some of the best rose-scented goods I could get my hands on.

Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Treatment, $22.50:  The cult favorite lip balm with a beautiful rose tint.  Read my glowing review of the balm here.
Le Labo Rose 31, $145: Originally formulated for men, this fragrance smells just as amazing on the ladies.  Get a sample yourself from LuckyScent!
Korres Wild Rose Face and Eye Serum, $41: Nothing could ever possibly replace Elizabeth Dehn's now discontinued signature rose-scented serum, but I'll grudgingly settle for this version by Korres once I run out.  It smells like roses, too.
Dr. Hauschka Rose Body Oil, $25: Incredible moisture for dry winter skin, either after a shower or poured directly in your bath
Love & Beauty Rose Extract Make-up Cleansing Tissues, $2.80: Thirty cloths for under $3? This is one of the best bargains I've ever found!  It removes makeup just as well as more expensive versions and smells lovely, in addition to calming skin.
Lush Turkish Delight Shower Smoothie, $33: Lush does it best when it comes to bath products.  It's expensive but gives you the softest skin you'll ever have.  And you (and your bathroom!) will smell like roses long after the water has drained.  I wish I could bathe in this stuff!
Pacifica Persian Rose Perfume Roll-on, $12: The best portable rose scent.  Soft and simple.  I just wish it lasted longer.
Demeter Pruning Shears Perfume, $10: I looove the edgy metallic element to this otherwise traditional rose scent.
Lush Rose Jam Bubbleroon, $6: Just half of this bubble bar is enough to fill up your tub with a mountain of glorious rose scented bubbles.  Relax in fragrance while your skin softens to perfection.

2012 Trend: Bright, Bold, and Neon Makeup/Accessories

Since Pantone named Tangerine Tango the color of the year for 2012, the bright trend has been surging again in anticipation of warmer weather.  Bold, punchy lipsticks and nail polishes are debuting in makeup collections everywhere in addition to colorful packaging and accessories.  Here are a few ways to get in on the trend yourself!

 The extra bold can play with bright unusual eyeshadow shades or orange-red lipstick.  For less of a statement try out an orange-pink or sparkly neon purple manicure.  If bright makeup just isn't your thing, you can still get in on the trend with a Tangerine Tango-inspired makeup bag, metallic hot pink eyelash curler, or bright yellow face mask (bonus: it's hibiscus!).

Sephora Eyelash Curler in Rose Quartz
Kat Von D High Voltage Lacquer in Wonderchild
Balm Balm Organic Hibiscus Face Mask
Iris Apfel for MAC Nail Lacquer in Oriole Orange
Sugarpill 4 Color Eyeshadow Palette in Burning Heart
Iris Apfel for MAC Matte Lipstick in Scarlet Ibis
Sephora Hot Hues Orange Bag Collection

Putting this post together brightened up my mood so much I think I need to add a little more color in my life!  What about you?  Will you be in on the bright makeup/accessories trend this year?

Indulge: Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments

 
I've always scoffed at Fresh's cult favorite Sugar Lip Treatments.  I mean, $22.50 for a lip balm?  How great can they be?!?  Well...now that I've finally given them a whirl, I can safely answer: greater than any drugstore lip balm ever.  Cherry Chapstick is so dead to me.  The contents of those little metal tubes are magical!

You know the silly things you indulge in for yourself?  The completely unnecessary yet totally luxurious whatsits that never fail to make you feel like a queen (or maybe Kate Middleton)?  That's exactly what Fresh's Sugar Lip Treatments are.

Frivolous?  Yes. 
Outrageous?  Kind of. 
Decadent?  Definitely!

If you find yourself lacking in a little indulgence lately, or are suffering from the bane of winter beauty, chapped lips, I highly recommend you pick up one of these lip treatments.  Without a doubt, I've never come across any formula as nourishing and moisturizing.  For those who like their lip balm with a bit of color, there are also tinted versions in addition to the original formula. 

If you're dying to try them but the price point freaks you out (as great as these are, $22.50 is pretty steep), never fear!  Become a Sephora Beauty Insider and they'll send you a voucher for two mini-size lip treatments during your birthday month!  It's how I got mine, seeing as my birthday is this weekend (!!!).  Whether it's for your birthday or a year round indulgence, Fresh's Sugar Lip Treatments are exactly that: a treat.

Link Link, Hooray! What Interesting Things Have You Missed Lately?

If you visited Applied Glamour yesterday, you were directed to the SOPA Strike page and given an opportunity to contact Congress.  I usually avoid politics on the blog, but censorship is deeper and far scarier than party lines or lines on your face.  If you feel as passionate about this issue as I do, I hope you contacted Congress yesterday.  I hope you're involved and aware and contacting your Senators and Representatives on any issues that are important to you.  As dangerous as censorship is, apathy is even more lethal.  As little as you may think government and politics affect you, I assure you, they do.  Stay informed!

Clueless about SOPA?  Here's a nifty infographic that will give you all the nasty details.

Whew.

Onto the beauty stuff, right?  In the spirit of our free and open Internet, I've rounded up some fascinating and clever links.  I hope you enjoy them! 

• I can't wait to try this hair tutorial from Elle Sees on how to get perfect waves without heat styling tools! Just look at those pictures!  Gorgeous!

• Have any of you ever tried a fragrance from CB I Hate Perfume?  This scent, At The Beach 1966, sounds heavenly!  I love the smell of sunscreen.  And the concept of smelling like I spent an afternoon cavorting in the waves with a Mr. Don Draper...!

• Were your school supplies bedecked with unicorns, rainbow leopards, psychedelic butterflies, and anthropomorphized ballerina bunnies?  I was a Lisa Frank addict of the highest order.  You too?  Check out this tutorial for some Lisa Frank inspired nail art.  Send pics if you try this! 

• Gil Elvgren often worked from photographs to produce his alluring and innocent renderings of pinup girls.  These pictures of his models reveal just how much artistic license he took in creating his pinups!

• You guys.  Elizabeth Taylor's Cleopatra is up on YouTube in its entirety.  This is a must see!  (So is Cleopatra Jones, if that's more your thing.)

• Makeup and Macaroons put together a piece on celebrities who have influenced her style, hair, and makeup.  I love reading others' style inspirations!  Who are yours?

• Speaking of inspirations, I can't believe I'd never seen these photographs of Marilyn Monroe meeting the Queen of England before!  Look at that curtsy!

• Yes, we're all Pinterest addicts now, aren't we?  I especially love this Grown Up Goth style board of sophisticated black clothing, gorgeous nail polish, and metal accessories. 

• I can't stop playing this blast-from-the-past song by the Stefani Germanotta Band.  So catchy, so good!  Recognize the singer/keyboardist?  Yeah, she grew up to be Lady Gaga.  Impressive!

• Last summer's "feathers in the hair" trend is making its way down south...and no, I don't mean geographically.  The guy (guy?!?) who invented vajazzling now offers feather and fur options, too.  Why is this A Thing?  Seriously, who is having this done to themselves?  I wanna know!

• And because I couldn't just leave you with vajazzling: French confectioner Laduree, famous for their macarons, is expanding into a cosmetics line as well!  I can't wait to see the packaging.

What awesome links and news have you discovered as of late?  Let me know!

Daphne Guinness for MAC: Red Dwarf Lipstick & Interior Life Eyeshadow Quad Swatches

I've lost count of how many times I've mentioned Daphne Guinness on Applied Glamour.  As regular readers are aware, I hold her style and aesthetics in the highest regard.  Ever since details for her collaboration with MAC were announced, I've been plotting and scheming exactly which pieces of the collection I wanted in my hot little hands.  During a trip to the MAC counter the day after Christmas, this is what I came away with: Red Dwarf Pro Longwear lipstick and the Interior Life eyeshadow quad.  I knew I wanted Red Dwarf but Interior Life was something of an impulse decision and I'm so, so glad I bought it.

Stratus, Bruised Sky, Interior Life, Heather Belles

The cool toned colors of the Interior Life eyeshadow quad are lovely neutrals without being shades of brown.  There's a LOT of versatility in this palette.  You can use all four colors for a vampy evening look or use the three lighter shades for a dreamy, subtle daytime look.  They're extremely easy to apply and go on very well.  Apologies for Stratus being nearly invisible on my skin, I assure you it's there!

Stratus, Bruised Sky

Interior Life, Heather Belles

Day: Stratus on brow bones, Bruised Sky on lids, Interior Life in creases

Day

Night: Same as above, with Heather Belles blended into outer corners

Night

The eyeshadows pair wonderfully with the lipstick I chose, Red Dwarf.  MAC describes it as a dusty blue-pink shade, but in different lighting it can look quite dark and vampy, even more brown than blue-based.  It's the perfect color for day or evening, and I'm wearing it in both the eyeshadow looks I did above.  Red Dwarf is a Pro Longwear lipstick and while for me it didn't last the promised 12 hours, I didn't need a touch up for at least seven.  As with most long wearing lipsticks, toward the end of those seven hours my lips are feeling pretty dry and looking a bit flaky, so I keep lip balm on hand to lock in moisture before reapplying the color.  Aside from that, I adore this lipstick!  I may even get another tube of Red Dwarf for backup, I love it that much. 

Red Dwarf

 

Despite being obviously cool toned colors, I think these shades could work on any skintone, really.  Especially the lipstick, since it looks so radically different depending on the lighting (I wish I had thought to show this in the photos!).  Interior Life and Red Dwarf can be as vampy and dramatic or as light and airy as you want them to be.

The words "limited edition" strike fear in my heart but as of yet, none of the collection has sold out online.  If you really want these or anything else from the collection though, I'd act fast!

Parabens- What's the Big Deal? Guest Post on Everblossom!

By now it seems like everybody and their mama is aware that parabens are bad, bad, bad and should be avoided as much as possible. Yay for awareness! Yay for making healthier choices! But have you ever wondered exactly WHY we’re avoiding this chemical in our personal care products? What are parabens, anyway? Are they really that dangerous? How can they be avoided?

I explain all these in a guest post over on Everblossom!

Read the rest of the article!

Buxom Amplified Lash Mascara

At one time or another I've been suckered into every single mascara gimmick on the market; some work, most don't, but this Amplified Lash mascara from Buxom is in a league all its own.  You may recall my glowing review of Buxom's original mascara formula (aka the BEST mascara I've ever tried) and just when I thought this mascara could not be improved upon, those Bare Escentuals geniuses have topped themselves with something even better.

I never fully realized just how much mascara brushes affect the application until I used Amplified Lash.  It features a twistable cap to make the wand long with widely spaced bristles for volume, or short with tight bristles for definition and length.  It's like having two mascaras in one!  The difference the adjustable brush makes is incredible.  I never would have believed it until I tried it.  Want to make your very own eyelashes look like falsies?  You need this.  No mascara has ever, ever impressed me this much!  That's extremely high praise.  Seriously, quit reading this and try it for yourself.

I wonder how the Bare Escentuals people will top themselves next?  I can't wait to see!

How To Curl Your Hair With a Straightener

I’ve finally figured out a method to style my hair into full, bouncy, Rita Hayworth-esque curls.  And gorgeous movie star ringlets.  And beachy, bohemian waves.  I’m letting you in on the technique and the best part is that you probably have exactly what you need in your hairstyling arsenal right now.  Yes!  All you need is a straightener.  How do I curl my hair with a straightener, you ask?  Here are step by step instructions!

The straightener I'm using is a 1-inch flat iron by ProFashion.

Step one: Start heating up the straightener!  I like to use it on the highest heat setting since my hair naturally resists curl, but set it to whatever temperature works best for you.  Separate your hair into workable sections.  I gather one side of my part at a time, pin up the top layers, and start working from the bottom on one side.

Step two: Take about an inch (or half inch) bit of hair and clamp the straightener VERTICALLY at the root, close to your scalp.  This is the key.  Holding it vertically will give you curls and ringlets; holding the straightener at a more horizontal angle results in loose, beachy waves. 

Step three:  Next you give the straightener a 180 degree turn.  Twist it to the right so that the back plate is now facing front and your hair is wrapped around the plates.  Pull your hair through until you reach the ends, as if you were straightening it like normal.  It helps to go a little slowly and hold the lower end your hair even with the hair that’s already passed through the iron.

And tah-dah!  Volume and curl, right before your eyes!

Step four: Continue taking each section of hair at a time until your head is all bouncy, magnificent curls!  Style however you please!  Keep the definition of the curls with hairspray, pomade, or your hair product of choice.  For loose glamour waves brush your hair very, very gently.