Wow!

Wow. I haven't posted in forever! Forgive me- life took hold. Law school applications (I got into Harvard! I'll be going in August) and a full-time PR/Advertising job have kept me super busy. Luckily, I'm finished with my job at the end of June so I'll have two months to relax! Please check out my very new column at mahogonybutterfly.com: All That Glitters!

The first story is a trip review, but I will be mostly writing about how to inject a dose of glamour into your everyday life. I hope you love it!

African Beauty: I'm in Ghana!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been in Ghana for the past 2 weeks. Will be returning to the States in a couple of days. Can't wait to tell you about my travels!

Everyday Beauty: Dove Energy Glow

I'm a huge fun of luxurious feeling stuff. I bought Dove's Energy Glow moisturizer because it was on sale and I'm so glad I did. It's thick and creamy and it has the most light, pleasant scent. It's intended for normal to dry skin. As far as it's luminating properties, I think there are better luminating creams out there but for an everyday moisturizer, this is great.

Brow Beauty: M.A.C. Brow Set

I use M.A.C.'s Brow Set in Girl Boy (a light golden brown) to complement by honey blonde hair color. It keeps your brows looking tame and neat and gives them some color. I usually bleach my brows, but since I've been away at school I haven't had the time. This has worked great for me and I'll continue to use it even when I do bleach. It's such an easy way to enhance your look and it's also so simple to use.

Update: Honey Blonde Beauty

Just wanted to give you an update on Dark and Lovely's Honey Blonde dye. This picture was take this summer (the little girl is my cousin Kennedy). As you can see, I only dyed the top portion. I colored it in April and the color has faded into such a brilliant and pretty hue.

Radiant Beauty: Mizani Spradiance

Ok, so I'm absolutely obsessed with my hair and I love products that make it shine. I'm always looking out for the next best glosser, but I don't know if I'll find one to top Spradiance by Mizani. I love it because it's lightweight and you only need a little bit. But, the best thing about it is after I apply, I feel like I just stepped out of the hair salon. It has this rich, lovely professional product kind of scent that just screams luxurious and pampered. I purchased my 5 fl oz bottle for $19.99. It's not cheap, but it'll last you a very, very long time. Indulge!

I'm Back!!!

Forgive me, once school started back up, things got a bit crazy. The good news is, I'll be a college graduate in 4 days so I have the next 8 or so months to mess around before law school....so....Let's talk beauty!!! I've discovered a lot of great products that I can't wait to share with you all. I've also discovered an excellent new website called Totalbeauty.com. It's like a dream come true- real reviews from real women. It also has beauty tips and products customized to you. Take a look, fill out a profile and to become a member of the soon-to-come Totalbeauty.com community. Fun fun fun stuff....I could go through reviews all day!

Hair-free beauty: No! No! Hair Removal System

We've tried it all...and if we haven't we vow to once we save up enough money- shaving, waxing, depilatories, lotions, lasers...All the money, time and effort spent to rid of hair, icky icky body hair. If you're like me, you've often times rolled your eyes at the fact that man can walk on the moon yet scientists still haven't come up with a permanent solution to hair removal. If you're like me, you also get excited at any new prospect of permanent hair removal that comes along- no matter how gimmicky. So of course, when I came across the soon-to-be-released No! No! hair removal system on Sephora.com, I was thrilled. It's supposedly a professional strength hair removal system that uses a gentle heat-wave to destroy hair without pain and it's said to reduce hair growth by 64%. Will it work? I certainly hope so. One thing's for sure, I'm going to be in line at a Sephora store as soon as this baby's available.

Yummy Beauty: L, a L.A.M.B. Fragrance by Gwen Stefani

I love Gwen Stefani's style and I couldn't wait to smell her new scent L. The scent is lovely, not exactly as complex as I expected it to be, but I really, really like it. It's kind of a really simple smell, but I couldn't stop sniffing my wrist all day. Like she says in one of her songs, I was feeling "yummy head to toe." L "has top notes of sparkling green freshness, leafy water hyacinth, white freesia, fresh pear and violet leaves; a heart of jasmine petals, rose, lily of the valley, sweet pea and orange blossom, and a drydown of frangipani blossom, peach skin, heliotrope flower and sensual musk." I'm sure tons of people will be wearing this, as it's a celebrity scent, but I will definitely be adding it to my collection anyway.

Flawless Beauty: Bare Escentuals Prime Time Primer

Bare Escentuals just released their new Prime Time primer so I had to be one of the first to buy it. I've always loved the idea of a primer but brands like Smashbox charge entirely too much. I was so pleased to learned that Prime Time was only $22 (Although, after trying it, I would be willing to spend more). As soon as I applied, my skin became incredibly silky and smooth, filling in pores and creating a more even skin texture- I couldn't stop touching it. I applied my Bare Escentuals make-up on afterwards and the results were lovely! I can't believe I never used a primer before!

Blushing Beauty: Bare Minerals Joyous Jennifer

So since I'm now a die heart Bare Escentuals fan, I figured it was time for me to switch my blush over too. I must admit this was a hard because I've been using the same MAC shade for sooo long. I hate getting stuck in those make-up ruts! So, I made a visit to the counter, asked for a shade of blush and she recommended Joyous Jennifer. It looked so subtle in the container so I wasn't sure I would like it, but when she put it on me it gave me a beautiful, slightly shimmery pink glow. LOVE IT! They also have some shades that are more dramatic and sparkly...great for evening. I also bought their new Prime Time Primer which I will be reviewing today after I do my makeup. I'm so excited!

Mineral Beauty: Bare Escentuals

I haven't updated in so long...please forgive me. I'm so compelled to write today because I discovered an amazing beauty product- Bare Escentuals. Yesterday was my last day working at Nordstrom so I decided to take full advantage of my discount. I knew I had to have make-up and I stopped by the Bobbi Brown counter to browse...I wasn't too excited about anything so I started to leave when my eye caught a glimpse of Bare Escentuals. Yes, I'd heard of it before but I was super skeptical. As someone who likes medium to full coverage and a dewy radiant glow, I was skeptical about how a bunch of "powders" could give me the look I wanted. But I decided to plop down in the make-up chair and let the make-up artist do her work. The make-up felt weightless, it looked incredibly natural and it provided full, dewy coverage. You can even sleep in it!

I decided to buy the full bareMinerals Getting Started kit for $75 (not including my discount). Which includes three make-up brushes (the kabuki brush really does give full coverage!), two shades of bareMinerals® SPF 15 Foundation (I got Medium Tan/Tan), Mineral Veil, bareMinerals® Warmth All-Over Face Color, bareMinerals® Clear Radiance All-Over Face Color, bareVitamins Skin Rev-er Upper, bareMinerals® Refillable Mirrored Compact, and a how-to DVD with beauty tips. All this is worth $220.

I left the store, bag in hand, worried that I wouldn't be able to pull it off. The next morning, I opened the box and began applying. When I was done, I couldn't believe how great my skin looked. I can't believe I'm admitting this, but I couldn't stop myself from looking in the mirror all day. I'm thrilled with this product and I definitely recommend everyone to go out and try it. I haven't been so excited about a beauty product in a long time.

UPDATE: I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH I LOVE LOVE LOVE THE WARMTH ALL OVER FACE COLOR. FANTASTIC!!!!

BUSY!

Super super busy...when will the madness stop????

Pure Beauty: Shower Purification System

I don't know about you, but I've heard my grandmother complain many 'a times about the hard shower water in California. She claims the water is better in the midwest...If you're like my grandmother and you've had enough of hard water (which strips the skin and hair of it's natural protective oils and fades hair color) than look no further than hair stylist Jonathan Anthin's Shower Purification System. For $95 it's supposed to filter tap water to free it of dulling minerals. Sounds cool, but I wonder if it will really make that big of a difference.

Busy...

Been busy busy busy...will update tomorrow

Upcming Beauty: MAC C Shock

Hitting MAC counters on June 14th is a vibrant, colorful line for the bold and the brave. The not so brave (like myself) will get a kick out of just admiring the blindingly bright Skittle-like colors on display. I haven't been so excited about a MAC limited edition line since Barbie Loves MAC!

Lipstick

Blast O’Blue sheer mid-tone blue (lustre)

Overrich creamy silver pink with white pearl (glaze)

Out To Shock soft metallic coral with silver pearl (frost)

Vivacious sheer mid-tone pink with silver pearl (lustre)

Pomposity bright raspberry with silver and pink pearl (frost)

Lip Gelee

She-Boom! creamy magenta (cream)

Lil’ Sizzler metallic peach with pink and white pearl (frost)

Mega soft metallic lavender with silversparkle (frost)

Sugar Shock sheer red berry (cream)

Eye Shadow

Going Bananas soft lemon yellow (frost)

Eyepopping soft lime green with gold and yellow pearl (satin)

Wondergrass intense kiwi green (frost)

Big T intense aqua with green pearl (frost)

Fab & Flashy mid-tone orange with gold pearl (frost)

Bang On Blue royal blue with pink pearl (frost)

Romping Rich magenta with pink pearl (frost)

Passionate bright clean red (matte)

Bobbi Brown Beauty II: Extra SPF 25 Tinted Moisturizing Balm

My friend confessed to me the other day that she dropped $48 on Bobbi Brown's Extra SPF 25 Tinted Moisturizing Balm...and I have to say, her skin looked flawless! I did apply the cream to my hand to feel the texture and it was amazing, but I wasn't sure if it was worth the money. Now, I think I'm going to stop by the counter and give it a try. My only issue with it is that it's light coverage and I think I may prefer medium. Of course, I've already found a fabulous foundation by Revlon but curiosity may get the best of me...

Glam Beauty: Whish Body Products

If you're like me, you're always looking for ways to inject a little bit of glamour into your daily life. Even if that means doing something as simple as applying lipstick instead of lipgloss or, of course, there's the more mundane task of shaving. A brand named Whish is helping to make shaving not so much of a chore with their line of glam shaving products that include Shave Crave shaving creams, Body Brushes and Shave Savour (an after shave for the ladies). The luxurious, pre-foamed shaving cream comes in yummy scents (pomegranate, lemongrass and almond) and the brushes are Swarovski crystal bedecked and to-die-for (not to mention they're handmade in England)! Use the brush with the Shave Crave to exfoliate the skin and to transform the cream into a rich texture. After you're done shaving, apply the Shave Savour (it comes in the same scents as the Shave Crave) which contains natural antiseptics to help soothe irritated skin. Of course, glamour doesn't come cheap- these products are definitely a splurge. The brushes alone are $105 or $180 depending on the style.

Nosy Beauty: What's In Your Make-up Bag?

A make-up bag is unique to every individual- that's what makes their contents so intriguing. So here it is: I open up the contents of my Chanel make-up bag to you.

1. MAC Lipstick in Underplay: A delicate peach caramel...the perfect nude.

2. MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack: My latest obsession! A gel eyeliner that's easy to apply, smudge-proof and dramatic.

3. Revlon ColorStay Makeup in Toast: I love this foundation. It's cheap and natural looking plus it lasts all throughout the day.

4. Prescriptives Camouflage Cream Concealer in Yellow/Orange: this is a good make-up line because they'll blend the foundations and concealers to a personalized shade.

5. Bloom Aromatherapy Lip Balm Luscious Lips: I mostly love the luxe glass jar this comes in but the vanilla essential oils are definitely a plus. I dab this on my lips after I line and fill in my lips with lip liner.

6. MAC Eyeshadow in Humid: A pretty, shimmery emerald green that I never use.

7. MAC Eyeshadow in Surreal: A shimmery, seafoam green that I use occasionally.

8. Drugstore Lip Liner and Eye Pencil: I use the black pencil to line my bottom lids (but, now that I've discovered Fluidline, I only line my upper lids) and I line my lips and fill them in with the brown lip pencil. I also use it to fill in my brows.

9. Barbie Loves MAC Beauty Powder in Pearl Sunshine: I apply this on my cheeks for a pretty glow.

10. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Shimpage: I use this on my cheek bones as a highlighter. It's so pretty and it lasts forever. Unfortunately, it's been discontinued.

11. MAC Blush in Dessert Rose: A pretty pink shade. I've had this case forever and it's nowhere near being empty.

12. MAC Eyeshadow in Amber Lights: A gorgeous golden bronze shade that I use often.

13. MAC Eyeshadow in Black Tied: A gorgeous black sparkly shade that I use when I'm going out and I want a dramatic, smokey look.

14. MAC Eyeshadow in Sketch: A pretty brownish, burgundy shade that I use occasionally.

15. L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black: This gives me dramatic, plump eyelashes instantly.

16. MAC Eyeshadow in Retrospeck: A very pretty champagne color that I haven't used yet.

17. Revlon Slanted Tweezers: Essential.

18. C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine No. 502: Love this stuff! Gives a nice tingly sensation, freshens breath and provides a glossy look.

19. Makeup brushes: A Sephora eyeliner brush, a really expensive foundation brush (I'm so glad I splurged on this), a Lancome eyeshadow brush and a blush brush and loose powder brush that are of an unknown brand.

• Not pictured: MAC Loose Powder in NC45; MAC Hyper Real Foundation in Gold: It's discontinued which makes me so sad. I use it as a primer under my foundation and it fills in pores and gives me a luminous glow. They have a product now by the same name, but it's NOT the same.

Willing to share the contents of your make-up bag? If so, email me a picture at kmaury7453@hotmail.com with the subject line "Make-up Bag" and tell me why you love your products. I will feature your make-up bag on my blog. Can't wait to hear from you!

Informative Beauty: Allure Magazine

Just in case you didn't know, for all things beauty read Allure magazine. I can't tell you how excited I get when a new magazine arrives in the mail- A WHOLE magazine devoted to beauty! No stupid articles with titles like "100 ways to wow a man" or "200 new sex tips" (It should be called "200 recycled and obvious sex tips"). As far as pleasing a man, I mean really, is there anything new under the sun? But when it comes to beauty, there's always something new and that's why I LOVE allure! The June 2007 issue features the Readers' Choice Awards. Among the winners are:

• M.A.C. Lipstick in Viva Glam V


• Nars Blush in Orgasm (I've still got to try this one)


• M.A.C. Fluidline Eyeliner Gel in Blacktrack (see my past entry)


• L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Make Up


• Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Foundation


• Bath and Body Works True Blue Spa I'm in the Mood for Scrub

and many, many more...