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

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?

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?   

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?

Trend: Rose Gold

It seemed rose gold was EVERYWHERE on the runways at New York Fashion Week.  Constant reports kept coming on my Twitter feed about this gorgeous shade that's appearing in hair, on nails, and eyelids.

The rose gold highlights at Peter Som were especially eye catching, with bold streaks and more subtle elements.  Ask your hairdresser about getting your own!  It looks like this could be stunning mixed in with any hair color.  I'm especially intrigued with how it would look in my ginger locks.

MAC PRO Pigment in Rose Gold Metal was also spotted on the runways.  Unfortunately it can be difficult to find, as it's only available in MAC PRO stores and nowhere online.  If you can get your hands on this precious shade, you're golden (ha!).

More than anything, I can't wait to get this metallic shade on my nails.  Nail polish is the easiest way to rock the rose gold trend, so keep your eyes out for Orly's Rage!

I also tracked down a few other ways to wear rose gold...my favorite is still the nail polish!

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Lip Gloss In Rose Gold, £15
Stila Glitter Eye Liner in Kitten, $16
Bobbi Brown Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow - Rose Gold No. 08, $18 
Urban Decay Duotone Eyeshadow in X, $17
Nails Inc. Nail Polish in Old Park Lane, $10
NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Kuala Lumpur, $33

What do you think?  Will you amp up your fall beauty routine with rose gold shades?

Fall 2011 Trend: Blue Period

NARS Fall 2011 Campaign

 It seems a little strange to start thinking about fall trends already, but if turquoise was a hot color for summer, this fall's color is a deeper blue.  More primary than midnight, this sapphire shade is popping up everywhere!  Only fitting, as sapphire is September's birthstone and the primary blue evokes back-to-school art supplies.  Perhaps it also has a bit to do with Kate's iconic engagement ring?

Wearing blue has benefits: it makes your eyes look brighter and your teeth looker whiter!  Throw on Elvis Presley's "Blue Suede Shoes" and check out these true blue picks to stay on-trend this fall!

NARS released the fabulous bright blue shade Outremer for fall 2011; models for the campaign show you how to keep it modern and artistic (see first picture, above).  Other great blue shadows include Sugarpill's Afterparty, a metallic blue, and MAC's frosty Corn Flower pigment.  If blue eyeshadow is a bit much, try Urban Decay's 24/7 Eyeliner pencil in Deviant, a bright electric blue for a hint of color on your eyelids.  For the most subtle eye brightening trick, try a blue mascara like this one called Blue Noir from Buxom Lash!

Another simple way to wear the blue trend?  Nail polish, naturally!  Essie Mesmerize is a gorgeous primary blue and Sephora by OPI Midnight Mambo amps it up with chunky bits of glitter.

The easiest trick of all is Benefit's California Kissin' lip gloss; it has the slightest aqua sheen to make your teeth look extra white! 

Finally, pretty up your vanity with one of these beautifully blue packaged products.  Van Cleef & Arpels's Midnight in Paris perfume is decorated like the night sky and is one of the most gorgeous bottles I've ever seen.  And don;t forget your complexion!  This enzyme mask from Ole Henriksen is loaded with antioxidant rich blue-and-blackberries to keep skin young and glowing. 

So what do you think?  Will you participate in fall's blue makeup trend?  Which product would you most likely wear?  Let me know!

Spring Trend: 1970s Inspired, Naturally Gorgeous

It's all over the pages of every March issue...the Seventies are back!  The daytime makeup look of that decade was all about health and natural beauty.  Heavy foundation, eyeliner, and false eyelashes were decidedly out of style.  Women now wanted sheer, effortless makeup shades to compliment a "healthy" tan, and when it was time to go dancing, pearlescent eyeshadows in pinks and blues were as ubiquitous and necessary as a disco ball.  Want to try the trend for yourself?  Here's how!

Skip foundation and instead use a tinted moisturizer, preferably one with sunscreen like this one from Sephora that's SPF 20.  Dust a little translucent powder over it for a modern touch or if you're feeling a little too greasy. 

Eyes are amazingly simple, especially with these eyeshadow palettes.  The one from Urban Decay comes with a shimmery eye primer and has shades in gorgeous browns, greens, and blues.  Another plus is that it's vegan!  Malibu Barbie made her debut in 1971 and Stila put together this collection in her honor.  It features pale lip gloss and sheer eyeshadows, plus mascara for a modern take on the Seventies look.  Mascara actually declined in popularity back then, so use a clear version to subtly define your eyes if you'd rather be authentic. 

Add blush and bronzer on your cheeks for a sun-kissed glow, like you just got back from an afternoon of tanning (please, please don't actually go tanning).  NARS has the perfect duo of both in a convenient compact featuring Orgasm blush and Laguna bronzer.   Finish with some clear lip balm like Rosebud Salve and you're set!

Side note: also pictured is Glamour magazine's July 1971 cover featuring a then-unknown Cybill Shepherd, my mom's personal 70s makeup inspiration :)

Katy Perry for OPI

Mrs. Russell Brand has collaborated with OPI to bring us five new nail polish shades!  As you can see below, most of them are standard glittery fare and rich, bold shades you'd probably expect from Katy Perry.  From left to right:  Last Friday Night, Not Like the Movies, The One that Got Away, Teenage Dream, and Black Shatter.

The real standout from this collection is Black Shatter.  I adore black polish on other women's nails and not so much my own, but this black polish is particularly unique in that it dries to create a "shatter" effect (as the name implies).  You apply it over any nail color and the black will crackle in different ways to reveal the polish underneath.  This looks SO cool, I can't wait to test it out for myself.  Luckily, the wait is nearly over:  Katy Perry's nail collection will arrive at Ulta stores January 23rd!

To see the shatter effect in action plus the rest of the colors, check out this video from OPI: