Shake and Sniff

During my last trip to Bloomingdales, I promised myself I wouldn't stop in the beauty department because I was on a mission to find a dress.  Who was I kidding?  I couldn't help but stop at the Benefit counter to check out perhaps the most intriguingly packaged new perfumes that were just begging to be tested.

They have three new eau de toilettes that come in cocktail shaker containers with very fun, clever names.  My favorite is a very seductive scent called "My Place or Yours Gina."  It's an exotic blend with top notes including pink pepper, bergamot and tangerine, middle notes of peony, wild raspberry and white lilly and topped off by patchouli, tonka bean and vanilla bean. 

"Something About Sophia" (shown on left) is pleasantly light and uses notes such as freesia, sheer lily, jasmine sambac, peony petal and musk.  The third, "Laugh with Me Lee Lee," is more of a woody floral with black violet, lily and jasmine surrounded by notes of cassis, melon, and amber.

Benefit's new eau de toilettes are $36 each and can be found here.

 

Maybelline Takes On the Catwalk

Most wouldn't welcome the end of summer, but I can't wait for it due to the upcoming excitement of NYC fashion week. Ever since I began going to the shows a few years ago, MAC was the official cosmetic sponsor and completely took over Bryant Park.  Just announced this week, Maybelline has taken their place for the next two years.

The brand's global makeup artist, Charlotte Willer, will be leading the Maybelline team backstage in creating looks for various designers including Tracy Reese and Charlotte Ronson.

Congratulations Maybelline!  

Summer Strand Savers

Dry hair? Check.  Faded color? Check.  Split ends? Check.  

Summer takes a toll on hair unlike any other season. Keeping it up seems nearly impossible, but thanks to the geniuses behind these beauty companies, we now have hope. Here are some tips that will help prevent and restore dreaded hair damage.

Start in the shower.  Use a shampoo and conditioner that aids in protecting your color or that specifically targets hydrating damaged hair.  Herbal Essences Hydralicious Self Targeting Hydrator cleanses while giving damaged hair a boost of added hydration.  I love the way it smells too.

Always use protection.  Slather the SPF onto your skin and hair but don't forget about your hair!  While I was in Aruba, I religiously used Joico's K-Pak Sun Therapy Protective Milk on my strands everyday before hitting the beach.  

Treat and retreat.  Once a week use a specialty masque that aids in rebuilding your hair's protein structure. Redken Color Extend Sun After Sun Masque replenishes my hair weekly and also provides a UV filter for protection.

Achieve A Dark Tan

I've been hearing so much buzz about the St. Tropez self tanner lately that I had to seek it out and test it for myself. Being that it's only sold online and in spas, I eagerly ventured out this weekend and found a spa that sold it in my area. I purchased the Bronzing Lotion, $40, and smothered my body in the thick, tinted formula before bed. Since my sheets are bright white, I covered myself with long sleeves and sweat pants so the color didn't rub off.

After my shower the next morning I was surprisingly pleased by the even, rich tan I had. This is the color I've been seeking all summer long. I'm used to using Jergens Natural Glow on a daily basis and love it for a subtle tan, but St. Tropez took my summer glow to a whole different level. I am dark.  Being that I'm addicted to being tan, I plan on continuing to use Jergens every night to keep my tan fresh, but I'll be indulging in St. Tropez about twice a week. I highly recommend trying it out.

Win an A-List Trip to NYC

Calling all sexy ladies who are looking to release their inner divas!  Get creative and enter the Huge Lips Skinny Hips online contest to win the most exhilrating trip of your life for you and your bestie to NYC.  Entering is simple and fun, and the grand prize is every girls dream (think being SJP and Samantha in Sex and The City for a weekend... only sexier). 

To enter, visit the Purple Lab website to learn about the inspiration behind each of the six super chic Huge Lips Skinny Hips shades, pick the one that identifies with your personality, upload your best pic and explain why that shade best represents you.  Once you're done, share your entry with your friends.  The most votes wins! 

From Kitty Pole Dancer to Lychee Martini, there's definitely a color to fit any fashionistas personality.  As I mentioned before, Red Sole is my favorite because I'm obsessed with the color red (hence the color palette for BeautySweetSpot) and the soles Christian Louboutins.  Check out my entry above and vote.

Several prizes will be awarded throughout the contest, but the weekend grand prize includes a tour behind all of the inspirations of Huge Lips Skinny Hips colors such as: private pole dancing lessons (Kitty Pole Dancer), lessons on how to make fab lychee martinis (Lychee Martini), a shopping spree for Kate Moss' line at Top Shop (Worship Kate), runway walking lessons in Louboutins (Red Soles) and many more surprises! 

Make A Great First Impression

This morning I woke up in Philly prepared and excited to do a segment on NBC's The 10! Show called "How to Make A Great Impression on A Job Interview."  Currently, almost 10% of the US population is unemployed and being that I've been in the job market a few times throughout my career, let's just say I've had tons of practice and learned a few great tips along the way.  

The host and I spoke about doing research, being on time, getting organized, and sending thank you notes. And of course, we also spoke about what to wear and what not to wear. As I was setting up the segment one of the NBC interns mentioned she loved the sun dress I was displaying as "what not to wear" and said she would absolutely wear it on an interview.  Even though many work environments may be casual, make sure you dress sophisticated and classic for your interview.  A chic, professional black dress or suit is appropiate.  The best advice I've ever gotten was to dress for the job you aspire to have in the future.  

Another great fashion tip I had was if you wear glasses, leave your fashion forward frames at home and opt for a pair of rimless styles like Silhouettes.  They'll allow for better eye contact and less distraction.  Check out their website to try them on for yourself using the Virtual Mirror.  You can customize them up to 64 different ways to fit your face shape.  

Of course, I went to the segment prepared with my hair and makeup done, but always feel relieved when they have time to touch me up before I go on air. As Christina Zarvalas, the NBC makeup artist was layering on coats of blush and bronzer I confessed that even though I'm a beauty blogger and I can inform people on how to do their makeup, I could never do my own, nor do I ever really wear much.  Ironic, isn't it?  

While sitting in the chair I also asked her how I could better do my own TV makeup and she told me for normal TV, the general rule is the more the better. When you feel like you're wearing too much, chances are you still need more blush and lipstick to prevent you from looking washed out.  However if you were preparing to film on HD TV, it's the complete opposite.  Instead, you would do your makeup so it pleases the eye.  Next time I do a segment I'm going to take her advice just in case there's no time for touch ups.

Check out the segment and feel free to share any other great first impression tips you might have learned!

Trust Your AXE Instinct

I've always been a fan of AXE, so I was really excited when I received a package with their new scent inspired by leather called Instinct.  Let me tell you, it's manly and it's sexy. 

Raw-hide leather, spicy pink pepper and warm pepperwood are blended together to create this fresh, sensual sent.  Trust me, you'll know when a man is wearing it as he walks by you on the street.  Follow your instinct and go get him girl!

Available in shower gel, deodorant stick, antiperspirant stick, and body/deodorant spray all for $4 at drugstores.  Check out the AXE facebook page for great deals and updates!

Snake Venom the New Botox

It may sound frightening, but it's not so scary!  When snakes bite, they poison their prey through their fangs, which paralyzes them in the same way that Botox injections paralyze muscles.  One of the proteins found in the venom of an Asian Temple Viper snake was recently mimicked by a Swiss pharmaceutical company formulated into a compound called Syn-ake.

Studies have shown that by using moisturizers that include Syn-ake twice a day for four weeks can reduce fine lines and wrinkles by 52%.  Starlets, Gwyneth Paltrow and Hilary Swank have been known to use it.

To date, skin care companies such as Borba and Sonya Dakar have already begun using Syn-ake in some of their products to offer their customers a more affordable alternative to Botox.  However, being that the compound has such high expectations, the effectiveness of the chemical is still being debated.

What will they think of next?

Hollywood's Leading Men Take on Two Roles

When I think of good looking men, three words normally come to mind: tall, dark and handsome.  However, it's come to my attention that there are two aesthetic trends that seem to be dominating Hollywood's leading men lately and tall, dark and handsome isn't one of them.  Meet the boys:

Type A: 

Chase Crawford, Zac Efron, Cha Somerhalder

This group of gentlemen are fairly new to the scene, young in age (and at heart), and are very particular with their grooming routine.  They can almost loose their identity to their hair, which most like to identify as the "messy" look, however each strand is carefully placed in its own chaotic direction until it looks neatly messy. 

Type B:

Paul Walker, David Beckham, Adrian Grenier

Welcome the grown and sexy.  They've been in the industry for a little while, if not years and don't rely on their look to help translate who they are.  Far from clean cut, but nicely groomed, these studs have full eyebrows and just enough stubble to let any passer by know, "I'm a man."

Which look do you like better? 

Miley's New 'Do

Miley Cyrus said sienora to her extensions and is showcasing her fresh new style on the August cover of Elle.  

She opted for a more sophisticated cut with sexy, face framing layers and side bangs.  The warm, brunette shade with golden highlights really compliments her skin tone.  

Is this new look the start of "adult" Miley?  I wonder what the Disney channel would have to say about that.   After all, she is still only 16!

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

The first thing I did when I got to Aruba this past Friday was indulged in a pampering manicure and pedicure at my hotel's spa.  The color selection was limited, but I found myself debating between two natural looking OPI shades for my mani.  As soon as I noticed one was called “Mimosas for the Mr. and Mrs.” I put it down. 

It wasn’t the shade I didn’t like, but the name turned me off. Being a 26 year old single girl, watching my friends drop left and right into engagements and marriages I wasn’t about to toast when I didn’t have to.  

I’m not normally one to get a nail color because of its name, but I know many of my friends do.  Before a bachelorette party this past May, it was coincidental that a few of the girls showed up with Essie’s “Bachelorette Bash” on their fingers and toes to celebrate.  I think I rocked "Rockstar Skinny," one of my faves (and yes, I do like the name too)!

It turned out, my manicurist told me “Mimosas for the Mr. and Mrs.” would look really nice on my skin tone and encouraged me to get it despite the name.  I took a deep breath and swallowed, agreeing to let her coat my nails with this celebratory shade.  And she was right, it looks great with my skin tone and I absolutely love it.  It may actually even be my new go-to for manis. 

It just goes to show you can't judge a book by its cover.  Next time my friend tries to introduce me to a guy who wears Vineyard Vines whale belts, maybe I won’t be so quick to say, “He’s so not my type.”  Cheers!

I'm A Survivor

TGIF.  I’m relieved to announce that today is the last day of my cleanse.  The only reason I’m so anxious for it to be over is so I can regain my social life. I got used to the way the 16 oz. concoctions tasted and instead of trying to gulp them down as quickly as possible I began somewhat enjoy them appreciate the health benefits. 

However, being the only one sober at happy hour with the girls on Wednesday and walking past Dunkin Donuts on my way to work every morning has been extremely painful. (I can smell the DD coffee from the second I step out of my apartment.)  The side effects weren’t bad, but I did do an “easy” cleanse.  I had slight headaches in the mornings, but I think they were due to the coffee withdrawal and my level of energy has been low. I did get to sleep early and slept like a baby every night though, which was nice.   I wouldn’t recommend cleansing during a busy week.

Overall, I’m glad I was introduced to Organic Avenue and do plan on trying different levels of cleanses a few times a year to keep my body in check.  I also feel it helped me build a better awareness of what I’m putting into my body and I plan on being more careful about what I’m eating.

Spotlight On: Purple Lab

After eating one-too-many hors d'oeuvres at a Fashion Week party Purple Lab Creatrix, Karen Robinovitz thought, "If only I could put something to my lips that plumped them instead of my hips."  And woo-la!  Just like that Purple Lab was founded and just this spring launched its first product, Huge Lips, Skinny Hips at Scoop.

If you haven't already heard about Huge Lips, Skinny Hips listen up, because it's an absolute must-have for every woman.  It's a lip gloss that contains Hoodia to suppress your appetite and Vitamin B3 to plump your lips.  Karen named each of the six colors after her favorite icons and philosophies.  Being that I know her, I can truly say they reflect her personality to a T! I have one in every bag.

My favorite is Red Sole because it's named after the sexy soles on Christian Louboutin stilettos (my favorite shoes in the world).  What's sexier than pairing red lips with black patent leather Louboutins? And the plumper doesn't even tingle.  Other colors are: Love Your Thighs, Lychee Martini, Worship Kate, No Panty Lines and Kitty Poledancer.  There's one for every personality.

Purple Lab will be releasing a new gloss this fall to support Breast Cancer Awareness and the company will continue to release chic double-duty products so stay tuned. Check out the Purple Lab blog to get updates on new innovations and Karen's adventures.  You would never believe half of the things she's experienced! 

Gossip Girl Inside Scoop

Spotted: BeautySweetSpot's own, Jeannine Morris, inside the hair and makeup trailer on the set of Gossip Girl.

No kidding, I was freaking out inside, but totally playing it cool while I was there.  Gossip Girl was filming all day outside of my offices and yes, the whole crew was there.  Naturally, on my lunch break a coworker and I decided to casually stroll over to the taping to check out the scene.

Standing outside Japonais waiting anxiously to get a glimpse of Nate or (OMG) Chuck Bass were a bunch of girls, but the filming was going on inside.  My coworker and I found ourselves amongst the group until she had the brilliant idea to find the hair and makeup trailer and drop off some of the brands we rep at our PR agency.

We simply knocked on the door and the head makeup artists and hairstylists invited us in.  There were some photos of Chase up on the wall, everything was very neat and clean and I've never seen so many hot tools in my life. Kerastase and Bed Head were two of the brands that were all over the hair table.  Jennifer, one of the hair stylists who did Blake Lively that morning said Blake requested David Babaii's Wildaid Bohemian Beach Spray so they've been using it on her to create beachy waves.  

My sneak peek inside Gossip Girl's hair and makeup trailer was even more exciting than it would have been if I saw Blair in person.  

My Five Day Cleanse

I've been toying with the idea of doing a cleanse for quite some time now, and after much debate, I found one that was right for me and conquered day one.  Saturday afternoon one of my good friends took me to Organic Avenue in the West Village to sign up for a five day cleanse that she did a few months back.  Being a vegetarian (ok, pescatarian, but no one knows what that is so I just say vegetarian that eats fish), I was really into the store and all of the prepared vegan food.  

This morning, promptly at 7a.m. I had a bag delivered to my apartment with my meals for the day (more like juices and tiny raw snacks).  Anxious to taste my first out of seven steps I took a big sip and couldn't believe it could be as bad as it was.  I managed to convince myself that I'm cleansing my mind and body and that if I was able to do this today, I could get through the next four.  

Day one, done.  And thank God for that.  I feel relaxed, a bit hungry, but great knowing that everything I put into my body today was healthy, natural and providing me with all of the nutrients I need.  I'm not looking forward to some of the side effects that I may experience, especially since I'm used to having about three cups of coffee a day and at least one glass of wine every night, but I think it will be worth it.  

Have you ever done a cleanse?  How was it?

Hot New Celeb Fragrances

Credit is given to Jennifer Lopez for her first scent, Glow, back in 2002 for starting the celebrity fragrance craze.  Since, everyone from actors, models, athletes and musicians have jumped on the bandwagon in creating inspiring blends that reflect their personalities. The trend took off and so did fragrance sales.

However, the New York Times recently reported that since last year the sales from celebrity fragrances have dropped 20%, but the economy isn't the only thing to blame. "Fragrance sales have never rebounded to what we saw before 9/11," stated Karen Grant, an analyst with NPD.

Despite the downfall in sales, WWD reported that sales of celebrity fragrances are estimated to about $30 to $40 million worldwide at retail for the first year.  Not bad!  No wonder celebs are still mixing!  

Here are some of the latest:

• Power by 50 Cent -  "It smells like success," comments 50.  Top notes include lemon leaves and black pepper, middle notes include the heart of dark woods, coriander and nutmeg, and bottom notes are patchouli, musk and oakmoss.  
• In Bloom by Reese Witherspoon - Partnered with Avon.  (Due out in November.)  Top notes include jasmine, gardenia and magnolia, then paired with  peach tree leaves and  a hint of amber and wood.  
• Halle by Halle Berry - A sexy oriental scent.  Top notes are Sicilian bergamot, fig leaves and pear blossom, over freesia petals, hibiscus flower and ultra mimosa and dried down with amber.

Jay Z, Queen Latifah, and Rachel Zoe all have scents coming out later this year as well.  Let's hope the popularity of the stars will help with fragrance sales.

LC's A Brunette?!

Reality TV star, Lauren Conrad, stepped out in West Hollywood this weekend sporting a brunette bob.  I was shocked when I saw the photos.  It reminded me of when Cameron Diaz went brunette and it was a sexy, new look.  The brown hair makes LC's baby blues pop and really compliments her skin tone. Too bad it was only a wig she was wearing for a Harper's Bazaar photo shoot.

What do you think?  Do you like The Hills star better as a brunette or blonde?

A Very Vampy Venom

Listen up Twilight fans, DuWop is giving you another thing to get excited about that's almost as hot as Robert Pattinson with his shirt off.They're releasing a limited edition version of their famous Lip Venom in celebration of the film called Lip Venom V.

When DuWop's origional Lip Venom was first released I was hooked because it really made my lips plump up in a matter of seconds.  (Now if I could just get a hold of Robert Pattinson's lips...)  This new version is not only a lip plumper, but also a conditioning lip stain the color of blood.

But that's not all Twilight fans, since DuWop is the makeup sponsor of New Moon, they're planning on launching a whole cosmetic line around the sexy vampire theme later this year.  

Pre-orders for Lip Venom V are now being taken online, but it won't become available on July 1st.

My New Found Love: e.l.f.

If you don't already love e.l.f. cosmetics, I'm going to give you five fabulous reasons to familiarize yourself with the line asap.  Trust me, you'll thank me later.

1. Everything from their original line is only a dollar! No lie, you can get a full face of makeup without breaking the bank.
2. Their website is always offering great promotions. Currently, e.l.f. is celebrating their fifth anniversary and are giving 50% off their mineral line.
3. They recently launched a prestige studio line that's chic and cheap.  (I'm talking $3 cheap!)
4. Their makeup brushes are super soft and you can get five for $5.  
5. They have a bright red mineral lipstick called Cheerful Cherry!  

My current go-to e.l.f. products are the Hypershine Gloss in Vixen and Mineral Booster. Have you ever tried e.l.f. cosmetics?  What do you think?

Win A Tropical Vaca for Four

What makes you feel comfortable in your skin?  How does laying on a beach in Aruba with three of your best friends sipping skinny girl margaritas sound?  That would make me feel comfortable!  As long as I was smothered in SPF of course.

Cetaphil just launched an online contest called "Comfortable In My Skin," where you can enter to win a tropical vacation to either Aruba, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, Grand Cayman and many more destinations.  The choice is yours.

All you have to do is tell Cetaphil what makes you comfortable in your skin, then you get to make a fun collage by choosing photos of the tropical destination you'd like to visit, a bag by Kate Spade, your beach essentials and favorite Cetaphil products. (That's my entry on the left).

The grand prize is the trip for four, your choice of a Kate Spade bag, Cetaphil products (including their new UVA/UVB Defense SPF 50 for the face, which you'll need to bring with you) and a $500 gift card to purchase all of your vaca essentials. 

After you enter, pass your entry along to your friends and have them vote for you.  Go to http://comfortableinmyskin.com to enter and view other entries.  Good Luck!