The Best Beauty is Altruistic- Stand Up to ALS!

Every 90 minutes someone dies and is diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.  ALS is the progressive destruction of motor neurons that are responsible for body movement and function.  Eventually patients with ALS will lose the use of their arms, legs, necks, speech, breathing, ultimately resulting in death.  There is no available cure for ALS.  Most clinical trials for ALS seek to slow the progression of the disease.  However, an ongoing clinical trial seeks to reverse symptoms by using the patients own stem cells.  Results are particularly encouraging as compassionate use cases have shown reversal of ALS symptoms.  Although the new stem cell transplant is promising, patients in the late-stages of ALS do not qualify for these trials.  Without treatment, these patients will die.  We are supporting a petition that seeks to expanded access of these clinical trials to patients in the late-stages of ALS.  This is an important movement that may save the lives of thousands of people.  Please consider signing and sharing the petition. Click Here To Sign!

Tickle Me Pink-Best Nail Colors for February

Everyone might be going to see 50 Shades of Grey this Valentine's weekend, be we are going to be celebrating 50 Shades of Pink for the rest of the month!

We have found the sweetest and hottest shades of pink for February.

1.  Pale Pink.  

For a subtle and sweet look, try Essie in Fiji.  It is a creamy shade of pale pink.  Cost is $8.50.

 

2.  Sheer Pink.

If you like the natural pink hues of your nail and just want a little something to make them pop, try Sally

Hansen's Hard as Wrap Sheer Pink Gloss (cost $6.49).

3.  Nude Pink.

 For a professional look, it is best to go with a nude pink.  We adore Butter London's shade in Kerfuffle.  Cost is $15.00.

4.  Hot Pink.

Ready to paint the town pink,  streak on some hot pink nail polish.  Check out OPI's That's Hot Pink for $6.90.

 

We also like Nar's nail polish in Vibrant Pink for $20.00. 

Smart Travel #2

On our previous post we gave advice on how to select travel friendly makeup products that would get you through the security check-points faster.  Who wants to wait in line?  You could be sipping on a Mai Tai until boarding.  But what about perfume?  Bringing the entire bottle with you is too risky.  It may break when you carry on or in storage.  Here are a few ideas that will make travel easy.

1.  Solid Perfume

 Solid perfumes are nice for a couple of reasons.  The first being that you won't need to remove the perfume from your luggage for screening.  There is no chance that it will spill on your clothes or other items.  Also, they are not drying to the skin as they have zero alcohol.  To wear, simply press your finger into the solid and apply to your pulse points such as your wrists and neck.  For a more intense scent, apply a second layer.

We like the Rose et Reines Solid Perfume by L'Occitane cost $12 (0.35 oz). 

 

Bella Solid Perfume by The Soap and Paper Factory is another great option.  A mix of bergamont, grapefruit, and black pepper.  This citrus infused scent is available for $18 (0.5 oz). 

If you are looking for a more musky smelling scent, try Diptque's 34 Boulevard Saint Germain Solid Parfum for $50 (0.13 oz).


2.  Rollerball Perfumes

If you still prefer the liquid perfumes, we suggest bring on board a couple of rollerball perfumes.  Sephora has a wide range of perfumes that will capture your perfect signature scent.

We enjoy the Marc Jacobs Fragrance Daisy Rollerball Trio for $44.  This will give you multiple options on your trip.

Be sure to swing by Ulta.  We like the Coach Poppy Dual Rollerball.  Two great scents for $24.

Swift into Style-Get the Look

Taylor Swift might be saying shake it off but fashion isn't it.  Get this casual look in plus-sizes.

1.  Fashion forward black and white strip shirt.  The eye is immediately drawn to Taylor's simple but fashion forward blouse.  To get the top in plus-sizes, check out Lane Bryant's Striped High-Low Tee (in sizes 14-28) for $39.95.

2.  Red Hot Jeans.  Taylor adds a great pop of color by wearing red jeans.  We like the Woman Within 5 pocket jean in Bali Red.  The jeans come in sizes 12-38W for $34.99.

3.  Yellow Headband.  Pile on the color with a thick yellow headband.  Check out L. Erickson 'Bermuda Bow' Headband in Marigold, cost $48.00.

4.  Classic Shades.  If you're out shopping or enjoying the sun, pair this outfit with a nice set of classic black shades.  We like Target's Flat Top Sunglasses cost is $12.99.

5.  Cute purse.  Taylor selects a minimalist crossbody purse.  Take a look at Oasis Sandy Cross body in Tan for $41.69.

Creating an Air Travel Friendly Beauty Kit

We all know that travel through the sky can be stressful.  The long lines, getting to your gate on time, and above all else security check points.  One way to make going through security easier on you and the TSA officials, is to create an air friendly beauty kit with minimal liquid components.  This means less time fumbling through your luggage to collect pesky bottles for the ziplock bag.  Also, learning how to consolidate a few items leaves more room in your carry-on for gifts for your return trip.  Here are a few tips for creating an air friendly beauty kit:

Shampoo and Conditioner

Hotel shampoo and conditioner will never be as nice as the ones you have from home.  Bringing a small amount of your liquid products is too much of a hassle, and may end up spilling all over the inside of your luggage.  We love the idea of bringing solid bars of shampoo and conditioner that can fit into a small soap dish,

We like LUSH's  line of solid shampoo and conditioner bars.  Try the Godiva shampoo bar ($11.95) for a jasmine scent and the Jungle conditioner bar ($8.95).  Can't find a soap dish that will fit the shampoo and conditioner bars.  Have no fear!  Tins can be purchased on the LUSH site and in store for $3.95  An added benefit is that all LUSH items are vegan.






Facial Cleanser

A bar based cleanser is best for air travel.  Mary Kay's TimeWise 3-in-1 cleansing bar creates a nice foam without drying out your face.  Cleansing bar comes with a soap dish for easy storage.  Bar retails at $20.








Face and Skin Lotion

This is rather ingenious.  Pacifica offers lotion towels that can be used for hands, body and face.  We like Malibu Lemon Blossoms available at Ulta ($7 for 30 wipes).

Remember to bring sunblock with at least an SPF of 30.  Even if you are traveling to a place with snow, this is a must as the sun's rays still shine.  Try MD MOMS Baby silk Babysafe Sunscreen Towelettes, SPF 30 ($25.99).


Face Primer

The best powder face primer that can be worn under make-up as a primer (can be work over as a finishing veil as well) is Too Faced's Primed and Poreless Skin Smoothing Priming Powder and Finishing Veil.  This translucent powder is ultra-fine and a small dusting over your face lasts all day.  Available in pressed and powdered  forms for $30 each.



Foundation

It's hard to find powder foundations that equal liquid formulations.  Mary Kay's Cream to Powder Foundation does a great job of providing full coverage.  The Cream to Powder Foundation comes in 10 different shades and runs $18 each.

Another fantastic pressed foundation is IT Cosmetics Celebration Foundation Illumination.  This silky formula comes in five shades for $35 each. 

Blush

We like packing a cream blush.  Tarte's airbrush maracuja blush goes on smooth and is highly pigmented; $26. We also like Clinique's Chubby Stick Cheek Color Balm, available in four colors for $21 each.

Eye Shadow

Your best bet is to bring an eye shadow palette with a combination of neutral and fun colors.  Try the In the Garden palette by Stilla.  Palette costs $20 (orig.$39).

Face Brushes

Travel size brushes are best.  We like Sigma's Color Pop Brush kit.  Kit comes with a contour brush (for foundation and blush), eye shading brush, and blending brush.  Kit sells for $29.  Also a great way to test out Sigma's brushes to see if you want to purchase an entire set.








Lipstick

A solid lip tint that you can build for more intense color is the way to go.  Bring a couple of shades to wear in the day and the night.  Check out the Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm by Clinique.  Chubby sticks cost $17.00 each.  You can also try Revelon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain for $6.84 each or Neutrogena's MoistureSmooth Color Stick for $8.49 each.

Mascara

Bring travel-sized mascara for easy transport.  Look at bringing Benefit's BADgal Lash Mascara for $10.  

How to Further Condense My Makeup?

If you want to lessen the amount of makeup to carry-on further, give Urban Decay's Naked on the Run kit for $54.00.  The kit comes with six iconic Naked eyeshadows, bronzer, blush, lipgloss, travel-sized mascara and eyeliner.  We would try the palette out a week before bringing it on vacation to make sure the look will work for you throughout the duration of your stay. Also, you will still need to bring face brushes with as the kit does not have these.

Flash Sale-Ann Taylor Loft

Ann Taylor Loft has a fantastic flash sale--60% off sale items and select new styles.   We love the Leopard Jacquard Sweater Dress  (cost $33.95; orig. $89.50) available in sizes XXS-L.  Sale ends this Monday Jan. 19, 2015.  Happy shopping!

Baby You're Smokin'

Whether your going to a rock concert or to the office, make your eyes front and center with the Smoked Eye Shadow Palette by Urban Decay.  The Smoked palette comes in a range of colors such as sultry nudes and glamours jewel tones.  These velvety smooth eyeshadows come in a sleek zippered case and includes the must-have full-sized 24/7 glide-on eye pencil in Perversion.  For $20 this deal can't be beat (orig. $49).  The glide-on pencil alone is worth $19.  The palette also includes a step guide book with 12 looks to help you achieve the smoky perfection!