Sweet as Honey

Beauty.

It seems like I have spent my whole life in search of the perfect lipstick. Depending on the trends, I am looking for the perfect nude. The perfect pink. The perfect red. And all of these searches have made me forget an oldie but goodie, Clinique's Black Honey.



I remember vividly that when I was 17, the woman at the make-up counter practically had to hold me down to make me try this color. I was convinced that the dark raisin lipstick would turn my fair skinned face into a goth-like creature. But I was SOOO wrong.

Black honey is incredibly sheer and provides what I believe is one of the most universally flattering shades of deep rich color. Your lips will look naturally flushed, not Morticia-like. And if you are still scared, Clinique has released a whole line of honey hues...each with a different tone that suits your particular need.

With all of that being said, I find it is quite comforting to reconnect with my cosmetic friend :)

In Love with Lavender

Beauty.

One of my favorite scents in the world is lavender. It instantly conjures up thoughts of a lovely day at the spa or a sunny afternoon in Provence. But apparently I could also be picturing New Mexico in my day dreams.



The Los Poblanos Farm and Inn near Albuquerque has a line of lavender products that sounds absolutely amazing...and they look pretty fabulous too. With just the right mixture of rustic charm and simple elegance, these beautiful products would be the perfect product to keep out in a guest bathroom...or maybe keep for yourself :)

2012 Spring Beauty

Beauty.

So this past weekend I finally had the time to replenish my dwindling supply of make-up, which of course meant a trip to the make-up counters at Bloomies and Sephora.

I have a love/hate relationship with both of these places. I love products, but I hate the hard sell. And don't even get me started on the DJ booth at Sephora on Saturday nights. I'm too old for clubs now, why do the DJs need to attack me when all I want is answers on which mascara won't smudge all over my face???

I wish I had done a bit of research about the new trends in make-up/beauty for Spring 2012 before shopping. With so much pressure, loud music, and sales people wearing WAY too much make-up, I just retreat to my shimmery brown shadow.

But this is what the fashion world thinks we should do this year, according to Elle Magazine. What do you think?

1. Voluminous Locks.

Dust off those hot rollers.

2. Strong Brows
Drop the tweezers and pick up the eyebrow pencil.


3. Strong Navy Smokey Eye.

Can I really pull this off???


4. Shimmery eyes.

From super dark to barely there.


5. Red Lips
Woot woot!! Still going strong and I have the perfect colors picked out.


6. Cat Eye.

Note to self: Study Adele to perfect this look.


7. Bronzy cheeks.

Oiy Vey. My fair skin always comes off as looking "dirty" when I try bronzer. Guess I'll have to work at this one.


8. Bob Cuts.

Not happening for me this year...I've taken way too much time to grown my hair out to cut it all off. But love the look.


9. Thick, blunt bangs.

Skipping this one too, but dig the retro vibe.

What do you guys think? Would you employ any of these trends in your beauty routine for 2012?

Seeing Red

Beauty.

I've been lugging around my September issues of all the magazines to see what's new in the world of fashion and beauty. And you know what? Red lipstick is still in.



I, for one, am completely psyched that I can still go rouge because I've assembled a cast of 3 fool-proof colors that I rotate for everyday wear. And even though I was hesitant at first to wear them (are people staring at my bright red lips???), I soon got over that. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't get a complement on my daring shades...so I must be doing something right.

So today, I'm sharing my secret weapons with you dear readers. Get out and buy one. You'll love them!!


Chanel Rouge Coco Shine - Rebelle
Slightly coral and sheer. No fuss application for daytime wear. I also layer over other colors to add extra shine.



Laura Mercier Creme Lipstick - Sunrise
Slightly more orange undertone to this creamy red color. I wear this for both more formal day or night occasions. The Chanel color from above looks great layered over this for a glossier look.



Lorac Breakthrough Performance 15 SPF Lipstick - Leading Lady
This is the lipstick that sparked my red love affair. More of a cool undertone, but what I would call a true red. The moisturizing texture feel luxurious when you wear it. LOVE it for evening.

No Chip Mani

Beauty.

I don't know about you gals out there, but I am pretty tough on my nails. So when I get a manicure, I tend to go with neutral colors that don't make a scene when they start chipping 2 days later.

But last month I had two weddings on consecutive weekends in two different states. I definitely wasn't going to have time to go to the nail salon in between. What's a girl to do? The no chip manicure...that's what.

photo courtesy of delodylady

Yes ladies, the OPI Axxium gel nail polish is so flippin awesome that I went a full 2 weeks without a chip AND the top coat remained shiny and gorgeous. Which meant that I could get a fun cha-cha color without fear.

The only drawback (if you can even call it that) is that you have to have it taken off at the salon. Or if you have patience, you can remove the polish at home like this.

And I forgot to mention another fabulous point of the Axxium product. When they apply the top coat and it cures under the uv lamp for .2 seconds (not really...but pretty close) it is completely dry. So dry that they buffed my nails with a cloth and oil right after.

A.MA.ZING.

Ladies, the no-chip mani is totally worth the little splurge for the right occasion.

Gilchrist & Soames BeeKind Collection

Welcome Basket Idea.

One of the first things that I do when I check into a hotel room is scope out the bathroom...and the free products. I cannot tell you how many times even rather high-end hotels have truly disappointed me with their terrible shampoos and conditioners. But I certainly can't fit all of my liquid beauty items in a ziplock bag for airport security, so my nightcream comes with me and I suffer with frizzy hair from crummy hotel conditioner.

And that's why I love to encourage brides & grooms to consider putting nice, luxurious bath products in their hotel welcome baskets...especially if you know your hotel is lackluster on their offerings. A line that I was recently introduced to is the Gilchrist & Soames BeeKind Collection.



Not only does G&S BeeKind have a scent of lemon verbena, extracts of honey, and certified organic extracts of red clover, calendula, lemongrass and chamomile...*ahh*...but it's a good cause. They are supporting honey bee and sustainable pollination research at the University of California at Davis Entomology Department by donating a portion of the proceeds from the sales of the BeeKind™ Collection to the University's Honey Bee Research Program.

And as much as I love honey, I like to do all that I can to help out the honeybee issues that we are having in the US. So what do you think? Wouldn't some of these products BEE a great addition to a wedding hotel welcome basket?

10 Best Beauty Products

Beauty.

In the December issue, Lucky magazine named their Top 10 Best Beauty Products of the past decade. There are a few that I've been meaning to try (YSL Frozen Cherry Lip gloss and Pssst Dry Shampoo) and a few that I didn't know I needed to try (Covergirl LashBlast and Givenchy Mister Light).

Of the rest, I have used and continue to use these two:

Tarte Cheek Stain



OPI Nail Lacquer in You Don't Know Jacques



What I'd like to know is what our readers love. What products can't you live without?

Trend Alert: Russet Lips

Beauty.

Normally on Hip Hostess we talk about ways to make your entertaining process easy and affordable but with the holidays approaching…fashion plays a bigger role in party going. This season the Russet lip is the way to go. I’m not sure what to call the hue? Is it brown, terra-cotta, orange or just a mixture of all? The great thing about it is that it works on dark and light complexions. It is understated yet adds a little color so you don’t look totally washed out. It is going to be my go-to for holiday events. What do you think?

Make Your Own Manicure

Beauty.

I love getting mani/pedi's. It's my time to sit and speed read all of the gossip mags, enjoy a killer massage chair, and make my hoofs and claws look lovely. And after my pamper session, I just feel so much prettier.

But what happens when my perfectly enameled nails start to chip? My digits stay unadorned for at least 3 weeks before I'm willing to make the splurge again. You see...I can push back cuticles, shape my nails, and moisturize perfectly...but I can't apply my own polish to save my life. I might get one coat on perfectly; but somewhere between basecoat, 2 coats of color, and topcoat, I am bound to make at least a couple of mistakes. And then I tried Sally Hansen's Complete Salon Manicure.



I can thank the pharmacist for taking too long to fill a prescription for this one. I wandered around Walgreen's just a little too long and convinced myself it was worth a try...and it was.

This polish goes on very smoothly and the flat brush gives you SO much control. And only two coats gives you the same coverage and results as a basecoat, strengthener, growth treatment, color, and top coat. Sweet!

My favorite color is Commander and Chic (the middle one below). Now my nails can look great all of the time!!!

Pint-sized Pretties

Tiny jewelry.

Lucky Magazine did a small feature on mini pendants that they spotted on some fashionable folk. I like the idea of a having a delicate everyday necklace that has a special meaning that only I might know...whether it be sentimental or silly.

I did a little surfing on CHARM Co and found lots of fun items. These are some of my favorites...they're just so stinkin' cute!!

Hair today, gone tomorrow?

Beauty advice.

To our hip readers, I need your help.

I may have very well been hiding under the proverbial rock of beauty, but I've only just learned about Moroccanoil in the last few months. In fact I've practically been hit over the head with constant mentions in all of my usual beauty mags.

So has anyone tried this so-called wonder product? I've used and do use an oil/gloss in my daily routine and consider it to be essential. But what I'm hearing about this Moroccanoil is that it's a wonder product. Normally I'd just dive right in and buy it, but at just under $40 I can't justify buying a bottle without firsthand accounts...especially because I recently shelled out the same amount for my existing gloss.

So tell me ladies...what do you think about this wonderstuff?

I Should Have Known

Make-Up Tricks.

I have been wearing make-up for many years and consider myself to be pretty adept at most techniques. I can apply red lipstick and maintain a perfect pout. I can do an Audrey Hepburn-esque liquid liner cat eye. But the second I attempt to apply false lashes, I become all thumbs...and left-handed thumbs at that!! After many, many frustrated minutes of trying, I usually give up and become very cranky. Not a great way to start a festive evening.

So when I was reading an article in Glamour Magazine about the "3 Tricks We Should All Know By Now" (no need to rub it in), I finally figured out what the heck I have been doing wrong for all of these years!



Here are the important points that I learned from Glamour's article.

1. You're supposed to look down in a mirror!! Apparently, when you look straight-on into a mirror it is very difficult to get the right angle to position the lashes. Hence my 20 left thumbs.

2. After you apply the glue to the lash (individual lashes or small sections are easiest), you have to wait 20 seconds to let it get tacky. I certainly wasn't waiting long enough before.

3. When you apply the lash with slant tweezers, wiggle it into place instead of just laying it on top of the lash line.

4. Use dark glue instead of white. It will blend into your lashes better when dry.

5. Apply one coat of mascara before applying lashes and then one coat after to up the intensity and make them blend into your real lashes.

6. At the end of the night, press a cotton ball soaked in eye make-up remover against your eyelids. They slide right off (as apposed to pulling your skimpy real lashes off with the falsies)



So with these new tips in mind, I think I am ready to give falsies one more shot. Hopefully it's not too late to teach an old dog new tricks!!

Pool Party Chic

Beauty.

On the streets of Manhattan I have been noticing women sporting a chic new hair accessory. Now truthfully it is not all that complicated…it is in fact a hair elastic with a pre-tied knot. When I first saw it, I thought it would be a great way to incorporate some fun into a situation where you needed to sport a ponytail, for instance, a pool party or outdoor bbq. When I got home, I looked up the bands only to discover that they are called Bop Bijoux and are accompanied by a price tag of $45. That was the last time I thought about the cute hair accessory.

Until…I was checking out one of my favorite blog reads Yellow Brick Blogspot and saw that Lyndsy had found a variation of the same hair tie for $5.80 at this website. Now everyone can be poolside chic without having to take out extra insurance for their hair accessory.

L'Oreal Elnett Obsessed

Product love.

I'm certainly not a beauty expert, but this Hip Hostess has to share my newest obsession with you. Once unavailable in the United States, L'Oreal Elnett Hairspray is now readily available in many stores. I've been reading about how superior this hairspray is to everything else on the market, but I was so skeptical. I have never really found a hairspray that I loved...and I certainly couldn't comprehend finding something that would be SO much better. Well I was wrong. This stuff is amazing!!



With an ultra fine spray and non-sticky finish, L'Oreal Elnett holds your hair in place without feeling like a helmet. Not to mention the fact that you can comb through it and it will still hold your waves in place...how did they do that?!?

Now that I have this new not-so-secret weapon, I'm going to practice some of these 'dos for big parties. Before Elnett, my baby fine hair would have been a messy, frizzy, falling nightmare. Not anymore.

Giella

Holiday Gift Idea.

We've all had it happen to us. After years of trying on every shade of lipstick in existence, you finally find the perfect shade in the perfect formula...only to have it discontinued shortly there after. All of those hours of searching and dollars spent just go *poof*.

Enter you solution: giella.com. This company can take leftover lipstick, lip gloss, or nail enamel and create a perfect match. Genius!! What could be better than that? How about giving your BFF the gift of what she thought was a lost make-up treasure? Now that is an original holiday gift that keeps on giving. After all...us girls have to stick together.

Photo courtesy of Popartmachine.com

Mad About Mad Men

Beauty.

Every once in a while I open a magazine and become god smacked by the beauty of the images that I see. The September issue of Vanity Fair elicited one of those moments. The photos of Mad Men stars January Jones and Jon Hamm just ooze glamour. I've decided that my Fall/Winter 2009 party looks are going to be entirely based on these images.


And for a little help in perfecting the red lip/dramatic eye liner look, I'm going to seek the expert advice of my local Sephora make-up artists. The "Cat-Eye" is one of their signature Fall Looks as well. Maybe they'll help me find the perfect red lipstick...

Life Altering at $15 and Under?

Bargains.

Every once in awhile, the everyday ordinary things that we use have an extraordinary impact. Hence what I'm going to share with you today. In NYC our local convenience chain, Duane Reade, has given a face lift to some of its stores. Because of the new clean and higher-end look, I was compelled to peruse my usual store for a bit longer than I normally would...and I ended up with some amazing products that have knocked my socks off. Check these out:

Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Instant Hair Repair

I color my hair on a regular basis due to some pesky premature silver strands that keep sprouting up. So I try to deep condition on a weekly basis. I previously was using a fancy brand that I had to special order...not anymore! This product packs in an amazing amount of moisture without weighing my fine locks down. And the light coconut scent gives your shower a subtle reminder of a wonderful tropical vacation without leaving you smelling like a Pina Colada all day long.

Slipper Genie
Go ahead and laugh if you must, but these puppies are a multi-tasker's dream! Switch these out with your normal slippers every other day, and your wood floor will thank you. Plus, I don't have to bend over to pic up that scary dust ball that somehow appeared in the corner. The slipper can take care of that...

L'oreal Bare Natural Mineral Makeup
I know so many people that have been on the Mineral Makeup kick for awhile...and I've been skeptical. I didn't think there was anyway that it could cover occasional redness or the unexpected Mt. Olympus pimple. Scoffing at the more expensive options at department stores, I decided to take a less costly risk on the L'oreal option. Love it! The coverage is easily adjusted from light to medium. It actually stays on my combination skin when other foundations dissipate. And the color range worked on my fair and hard to match skin. This is a keeper!

Yes To Carrots Body Butter
Body Butters are great because they pack in so much moisture when lotions can sometimes fade into nothing. My only negative is that body butters can often be a bit greasy...especially in the Summer months. This particular brand combines the best of both worlds - intense moisturizing that leaves a non-greasy finish. And the scent is light and subtle so it won't compete with your perfume.

Skin Smoothing Citrus Bath

Pampering.

Hip Hostess provides you essential information and tips on how to entertain cost effectively, gracefully and impressively. One of the things we don’t talk about much is the day after the party. Just as important as all of the pre-planning is the post-party wind down. You should definitely pencil in a little pampering for yourself, the next day. In case a spa trip does not fit your time frame or pocketbook, Hip Hostess has a home remedy that is skin smoothing, relaxing and revitalizing. This recipe is adapted from the Citrus Spice Aroma Bath at the Ritz Carlton Spa in Grande Lakes, Florida.

With a few simple ingredients you will be on your way to total relaxation in no time.

Skin Smoothing Citrus Bath
1 Navel Orange
1 Cup whole cloves, divided
1 Cup pulp-free orange juice
½ Cup soy milk
2 teaspoons lavender essential oil

How to make it:
Cut orange into even slices; insert ½ cup cloves into slices. Fill tub with 90 to 95 degree water (experts recommend using a cooking thermometer when testing the water temperature. Expectant moms: talk to your doctor before indulging); add oranges, remaining ½ cup cloves, orange juice, soy milk, and lavender oil.


Why it’s good for you:
Rich in antioxidants and vitamins A & C, citrus fruit acids are natural exfoliants. Circle a washcloth over your body while soaking to slough off dead cells loosened by fruit acids. Cloves enhance the sensory experience. Citrus has been proven to make people feel happier and lavender abates stress.

Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up...

Beauty.

I love to browse the make-up counters at department stores. I get sucked in by packaging, and then I stare at the vast array of color choices in lip glosses, lipsticks, blushes, eye shadows, highlighters, bronzers...OMG...there is too much to take in! I usually end up making a few impulse buys to add to my collection of products that I have no idea how to use. I'll try to "spice-up" my look for about a week and then revert back to my old routine. What's a girl to do?

Then I came across Face Time Cosmetics' Beauty in Box. Genius! The make-up artists at FTC have created three classic looks - romantic, stunning, sultry - and provided all of the products necessary to perfect each look. Also included are a face chart with step-by-step instructions and tips. If you have a specific look that you want to achieve, you can even have a custom box created as well. Finally...I can figure out how to properly do a smoky eye...

Did I mention that the packaging is amazing? This could make the perfect gift for any girlfriends on your holiday shopping list...AND right now there is a 40% off sale on all products through November 15th. So get shopping and start looking fabulous! --a

Meet Celebrity Hair Stylist-Frank Arcabascio

Beauty.

For those of you who don’t know me personally, I don’t have the best track record for lengthy relationships with the opposite sex. But I can now say proudly that I have three exceptions to that statement; my husband, my dentist and my hair stylist.

My hair stylist, Frank Arcabascio is one of those true hidden gems that I consider myself extremely lucky to have happened upon. Seven years ago I lived in Astoria, Queens, and decided to stop into the salon on the corner called The Saloon. Without an appointment or a clue, I was fortunate enough to get Frank’s chair. Frank promptly received a consult, advice and then one of the most meticulous hair cuts of all time.

I didn’t find out until at least a year later that not only is Frank the proprietor of The Saloon but also a trusted stylist to the likes of Rosario Dawson, Paula Abdul and The Gastineau Girls to name a few. What I love about Frank is not only do I get star treatment without the attitude but he is always searching for the latest and greatest, whether it is trend, equipment or products.

That is why Hip Hostess is very excited to introduce Frank as a guest blogger on our site. Frank will be giving tips about products, styles, trends, color and helpful hints such as when and how you should start preparing your hair for the big day.

Stay tuned for Frank’s blog entry in the next couple of weeks… --b

Photo Source: theknot.com