Laura Mercier Flawless Face Review

I have been a long time fan of Laura Mercier products. Laura Mercier is an all around quality line, but they are often are most associated with the “flawless face,” a method of creating a beautiful and smooth appearance with primer, foundation, concealer, and powder. Although I had used various combinations of Laura Mercier products in the past, and liked them quite a bit, I had never used all four flawless face steps in conjunction until now. I found that you can indeed achieve a very nice look using the product line as a whole, and I do recommend all four steps for the best results.

Every Woman Wants a Natural Flawless Look

Laura Mercier makes a number of different products for varying skin types and beauty needs. Since I have combination to oily skin, I tested the oil free products.  For details on learning more about choosing the exact products that will suit you best, see the brand information and links at the end of this post.

Laura Mercier’s oil free primer is a lotion type of primer. I like the lotion texture over that of a silicone based gel because it doesn’t feel as heavy and it blends in nicely. Being oil free, the primer does not leave any sort of sheen on the skin, but it is not drying either. That made it perfect for my combination skin. Overall, it provides a nice, smooth base for the next step in the process–applying foundation.

I love tinted moisturizers, provided that they are oil free, have SPF protection, and provide decent coverage to cover up some of my blotchy areas where I have some hyperpigmentation. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 – Oil Free fits that bill perfectly. I seriously love this product! First and foremost, this tinted moisturizer has real tint. I got good medium coverage with the product as long as I used it over the primer, yet it still felt lightweight. Interestingly, it is more sheer when used alone, and I rather like that flexibility. It provides just enough moisture to keep my dryer areas comfortable, yet I had no issues with it on oily areas . Because I have areas of increased pigmentation, constant sunscreen use is also important to me. With SPF 20 in the form of titanium dioxide, one of my preferred sunscreens, this product is perfect for me.  One note, some people report that titanium dioxide can cause acne. I personally have never had a problem with it though, and I have regularly worn the ingredient for many years. But if you are acne prone and concerned, take a look at one of the other Laura Mercier foundations instead. There are a number of good choices.

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage is one of the products I had previously used and it remains one of my all time favorites for concealer. This two shade pan concealer can be applied with either a brush or fingertips and is best used over foundation. The concealer has a good consistency that gives it both good coverage and staying power. I like to use the darker of the two shades under my eyes, where it covers any dark circles beautifully, and I tend to blend the shades where needed to cover hyperpigmentation. It will blend in nicely and set well when you move to the final step—applying powder.

I had not previously tried Laura Mercier’s powder and was looking forward to doing so, having previously heard some rave reviews of it. The powder is indeed very nice. It is silky smooth, sets everything quite well, and leaves a beautiful matte finish. Although white in the jar, it is indeed invisible on the skin.

In the end, I really do love the Laura Mercier flawless face system. The products obviously are designed to work together, and they do so quite nicely. The ultimate look has good coverage, but doesn’t look overly made up. I recommend that anyone try the products, and especially do so if you have any problem areas where you want good coverage, yet still want a natural look.

Laura believes there are four steps to create a flawless face—primer, foundation, concealer, and
setting powder. Each product has been specifically developed to allow every woman to achieve
an incredibly even, smooth, yet natural-looking complexion.

For more information on Laura’s flawless philosophy and tips on how to use each product within
each step is located here: http://bit.ly/qEdysD

If you are telling others, they can get their perfect products to create their ultimate flawless face
using our flawless face finder: http://bit.ly/eOvLjf

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Laura Mercier via Glam Media. I received a sample to review as part of the program. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Laura Mercier. For more, see our disclosure page.

Photo licensed for use via Fotolia.

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Celebrities’ Beauty Products for Skin, Face and Hair Care

Many celebrities have built their careers on their gorgeous hair, makeup and glowing skin. Many of them, together with their celebrity stylists, spill the scoop about the products that get them so gorgeous. Some have detailed beauty regimens while others have found a few easy secrets to make use of the beauty that they already have.

Skin care secrets

Heidi Klum – Heidi is known for her flawless style and especially for her flawless skin. Whether she is appearing on the red carpet or is snapped candidly while she is out shopping, her skin has a natural flawless glow. Celebrity stylists recommend using aerosolized tanner to get an even tan similar to hers. One of the best options currently available is by L’Oreal and can be found at drugstores nationwide. L’Oreal’s aerosolized bronzer gives natural color without the orange tints. It also can be applied evenly without leaving streaks.

Lea Michele – Lea uses the DermaQuench Oxygen Treatment available at certain skin clinics in Los Angeles. Hyoluranate is used to fill in tiny lines in the face to make it look softer and younger. An at-home option is to use steam. Using a home humidifier or even just a pot of steaming water for five to ten minutes can help moisturize skin according to Kate Somerville who owns these Los Angeles clinics.

Kelly Rowland – Kelly uses products similar to Vaseline’s Cocoa Butter Gel body moisturizer to achieve beautifully soft skin even in the middle of winter. Cocoa butter is a natural way of adding moisture to the skin. It also provides a barrier to keep the moisture in place.

Cameron Diaz – Cameron has proven that stars can have beautiful skin at any age. To do this, she protects her skin from premature aging by using a powdered sunscreen by Colorescience. This powder comes in two colors to match most skin types and it is waterproof.

Makeup secrets

Zooey Deschanel – Zooey looks fabulous in her new sitcom. Her makeup artist Jorjee Douglass shared her tricks. To provide the fresh glow on the cheeks, she used Nars Blush in a fresh peach color. She then used a coral color of lip liner and lip gloss to give an easy finish to the look. With a swipe of soft brown eye shadow, the star’s look is complete.

Diane Kruger – Diane has a talent for looking classically gorgeous. Recently, she was spotted wearing a medium red shade of lipstick that matched her dress perfectly. Coordinating clothing with lip color is a new trend that is catching on quickly. To get Diane’s look, one can try Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Certainly Red.

Mila Kunis – Mila’s stylist, Tracey Levy, recently revealed how the actress manages to look well-rested even when traveling non-stop around the globe. The key is to use a creamy concealer such as the one by Bobbi Brown as well as a corrector stick such as that by Giorgio Armani. Using these can hide blemishes and brighten under eye circles and bags.

Eva Longoria – Eva uses Tarte’s Mineral Powder Bronzer to give a glow to her already lustrous skin. Of course, bronzer is a much healthier alternative to tanning beds. Tarte sells bronzer in two shades that will coordinate well with most women’s skin tones.

Hair care secrets

Heather Morris – Heather debuted gorgeously voluminous hair at this years Emmy’s. Stylists revealed the secret to getting a luxurious updo. The key is to start with unwashed hair. This will provide extra texture. Next use a volumizing mousse such as Pantene Pro-V to lend even more lift. Part the hair horizontally from ear to ear and pin this section of hair up. Finally, separate the remaining hair into small sections and loosely pin them to the back of the head. Finish with an extra strong holding hairspray.

Vanessa Hudgens – Vanessa achieves an effortless pieced look to her flowing hair by using texturizing pomade. Garnier Fructis offers a budget-friendly option that provides texture without a greasy shine. The best options are those that are water-based.

Using these beauty tips will give skin a soft glow and hair beautiful shine. Anyone can take advantage of these tips directly from celebrity stylists and celebrities themselves. From budget-friendly bargains to department store brands, there are options for everyone.

Cindi Lewis writes for glossy.com a skin care and beauty products online retailer.

Disclosures: Girl Gloss at times reviews products provided by a representative of the company. When we do so, we specifically state so. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page

About the Author: Carleen Coulter

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The Strangest Spa Treatments

Around the world there are many a strange treatments that different countries and cultures endorse, from the small remote villages in the far east to new contemporary treatments that have made there way into the mainstream treatments found on the high street.

1.       Fish Pedicure

Were they not in every shopping centre, hairdressers and nail salon, we would look at the treatment of having small fish known as garra rufa, also known as doctor fish, exfoliate your feet by soaking your feet in a small tank full of these fish, allowing them to just eat away the dead skin.

This treatment is slightly surreal but when you take a step back to consider the health and sanitization implications of the treatment is when it seems like a bad idea. The fish are reused, sucking on one persons feet, then as they are impossible to clean and sanitize and replacing the fish would be too expensive, you are left with fish that have been sucking on how many other people’s feet.

2.       Israel Snakes

Tension in your back and shoulders? Forget the Swedish massage to relieve it, a spa treatment centre just north of Tel Aviv will place several non-venomous California and Florida snakes on your back. The slithering up and down the back is reported to help with stress and tension in the back.

3.       Golden Facial

Cleopatra and the Ch’ing dynasty are just a couple of the ambassadors for using gold to rejuvenate and revitalize the skin. A Japanese beauty company have developed a 24-karat gold facial treatment, to many positive reviews and endorsements from health officials around the globe. Expect it to cost you a fair amount though.

4.       Cactus Massage

Mexico’s most famous flora has also been utilized into one of the country’s most effective treatment of rehydrating and detoxifying your skin. It is common knowledge that cacti have the sharp prickles to defend their precious insides. Cactus meringue and cactus blossom, massaged in by prick free cactus paddles is the treatment. Cactus overload, but Mexicans have been using this for many years and is a favored treatment in the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita.

5.       Wet Hay Wrap

The smell of wet hay isn’t something you particularly associate with detoxifying yourself, but the notion of body wrap treatments get pushed further, where you will be soaking in a water bed heated to 100F degrees and wrapped in hay harvested from the beautiful meadows of Alpe di Siusi. With claims that it fortifies your immune system and stimulates your metabolism, many people, including Victoria Beckham, have taken part in this treatment.

These treatments, whilst they probably have some positive effects on the body, they aren’t quite as tried and tested as other treatments that have been around for a millennia.

Andy is a travel advisor for Sanctuary Spa Holidays specialising in Detox Spa Holidays so he hears about all the new and upcoming treatments. Follow him @andym23.

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Fashion Trends for Fall and Winter 2011

The temperatures are falling and that means a new season of fashion featuring warmer fabrics, colors and styles. Take a look at the upcoming trends for this season that will keep wardrobes hot all winter long.

1. Large Sweaters
What could be cozier than snuggling up with a mug of hot cider and a book in an over-sized comfy sweater? Not only are these sweaters all the rage this season, they’re also super comfortable whether lounging around the house or strolling the evening streets. Pairing them with jeans, leggings, or skirts makes large sweaters very versatile all season long. The trend seems to be neutral colors, which means they can be accented with bold belts and jewelry in any favorite color.

2. Tuxedo Jacket
Thanks to the continuing trends of 70?s fashion and the great Tom Ford, women’s tuxedos are making a comeback. But these jackets are more flattering to women with darts and side seams that accentuate curvy torsos and waists. Best of all, black is never out of fashion, so a tuxedo jacket can complement almost any color. Because they are fitted, they pair best with black pants or tight sheath skirts.

3. Over-sized Clutch
Lots of large purses are being toted around this season in a variety of textures and colors. These are great for hauling around personal items from party to party and they’re great accessories to any outfit. Because many of the clothing items this season are featuring neutral tones, a brightly-colored clutch and really complement the outfit and give it a pulse of bold color.

4. Large Bracelets
Another return item from 70?s fashion, big bracelets and chunky bangles are more popular than ever. It seems that big accessories are back! From rhinestones to colored plastics to silver and gold, the name of the game with jewelry this season is huge. And don’t be afraid to mix and match – this year, any bangles, large or small, delicate or chunky, can be paired together on each arm.

5. Bold Color-Blocking Pants
Yes, this style from spring and summer is carrying over to fall and winter with a slight change. This season is focusing on bold, bright colors like fire-engine red and royal blue. Of course, classic for the cooler months, black is always in style as well.

6. Exotic Prints
Looks like snakeskin is coming out of the desert and onto the city streets this season in all kinds of pieces, from shoes to pants to jackets. That’s not the only exotic print on the runways this time of year – African and tribal patterns are also big this year, so look for prints that lean toward the wild side.

7. Wide-legged Jeans
The days of skinny jeans are coming to a close and they’re being replaced by their free-flowing counterparts, the wide-legged jeans. Other wide-legged, harem-style pants are also vogue this year and can be paired with tighter tops and high heels. These pants are great for making legs look longer and the whole body taller, especially with high-waisted styles which are also coming back.

8. High boots
Especially in bold colors, high boots and shoes with ankle straps give shoes center stage in any outfit. They can be worn with pants or skirts for an audacious and daring look.

Nicole Rodgers has been blogging in the fashion, technology, and business for three years. When Nicole was preparing for fall season she decided to purchase some accessories as well. She found a great deal on accessories, one for one, at her favorite shop.  She was able to get all jewelry and accessories necessary for the fall season.

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Makeup Must-Have CoverGirl Foolproof 5

Disclosure: This is a paid sponsored post. For more, please see the disclosure page.

Disclosures: Girl Gloss at times reviews products provided by a representative of the company. When we do so, we specifically state so. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page

About the Author: Carleen Coulter

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Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme Foundation Review

Do you have problems with dry skin and find that your foundation just sinks into wrinkles and pores? Or perhaps it flakes off with your powder?  Try a moisturizing foundation! One good choice, and personal favorite of mine, is Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme Foundation. This Estee Lauder foundation provides both  lifting and moisture, along with sunscreen protection.

I purchased my Estee Lauder foundation in the shade Linen. I normally wear the second lightest of any foundation line and Linen worked quite well for me. Resilience lift has a really good balance between moisture and coverage. It feels much like a tinted moisturizer when applied and it blends nicely. But, unlike tinted moisturizers, the foundation has rather good coverage—much more than the sheer coverage you would get with a tint. It also wears well.I had no problems with dryness or flakes, and it stayed   on all day for me. Only a small amount is needed, as the product is creamy and covers well without using a whole lot of it. The foundation comes in a pump dispensed, glass bottle. I appreciate the better packaging since there are less worries about spillage or breakage.

As for the “extreme lifting” benefit, I wouldn’t call it “extreme.” the foundation does provide a bit of tightening and, since it is moisturizing,  it does help smooth out the appearance of wrinkles a bit. Or certainly it does so better than a non-moisture product would on dry skin. But don’t purchase Resilience Lift for the lifting claims. that isn’t it’s strong point. Instead, purchase it because it is an all around quality foundation for all day wear on dry skin.

I will likely use Estee Lauder Resilience Lift in the winter when I am dry and move to something different in summer, as my schizophrenic skin often gets oily then, making me switch from moisturizing foundation over to powder foundation.

Comparison Shop for Estee Lauder Cosmetics

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How To Shop For The Perfect Umbrella

It may seem like one of the most mundane items in your hall closet, but an umbrella is an indispensable accessory when the sky turns dark and the rain, as they say, comes down in buckets. Recently, I was going to the grocery store, and as I parked my car the skies opened. I am not talking about an inconvenient little shower. I’m talking about a deluge – the kind of downpour that soaks you to the skin before you can get ten yards.

It was my lucky day. I remembered that I had tossed a small, folding umbrella into the trunk of my car the night before. I dashed out of the driver’s seat and threw open the trunk, grabbed my umbrella, and within seconds I was dry again.

The best part came as I walked toward the store, comfortable and dry, and jumping over fast-growing puddles. The awning in front of the store sheltered a knot of shoppers, all looking exceedingly miserable. None of them had an umbrella. They were standing there, in an uncomfortable huddle, with shopping carts in front of them. All of them wanted to get back to their cars and home. But none of them wanted to step into the parking lot and get absolutely drenched before they reached their cars. So there they stood, wasting time and feeling sheepish, I imagine. I must confess, I felt just a little bit superior as I edged my way through, making a show of closing my umbrella as I did so, and declaring “excuse me” in a jolly tone, as I worked my way through the small crowd.

By now you may be ready to rush out and buy an extra umbrella to keep in your car. But before you go, here are some tips on how to shop for an umbrella.

First, you have to ask yourself, what is the purpose of the umbrella? Do you want an umbrella for walking to work? To keep in your purse? To keep in your car for emergencies? To take to your kid’s soccer games? Once you have defined your purpose, you will be better able to choose the right umbrella (or umbrellas – you may want to keep several on hand, for different situations).

Here are the typical features of an umbrella, to keep in mind as you shop.

Type.

There are two basic types of umbrella: the stick umbrella and the folding umbrella. The stick umbrella cannot be folded down to a compact size – it looks sort of like a walking stick, and it stays that way. Mary Poppins’ umbrella is a great example of a classic stick umbrella. The folding type is perfect for smaller umbrellas, while the stick is more appropriate for a giant “golf” umbrella.

Opening Mechanism.

Both the stick and the folding umbrella can have an automatic opening system or a manual opening system. The auto opener is where you just press a button to open it, the manual type is where you slide or push the umbrella open with your hand.

Style.

This is an area where you have lots of choices. There are three typical styles, but within those three categories you’ll find lots of variety. The standard style is the “one-person” cover – the slightly curved, standard style (Mary Poppins again!). Second, you might prefer the “dome” or “bubble” style, where the sides of the umbrella are deep and vertical, and cover the owner’s head, and part of the torso also. For this reason, they are usually transparent. It’s a style frequently seen in kid’s umbrellas. Third, you can opt for the giant “golf” umbrella, which can provide shelter for 2 or even 3 people, depending how cozy you want to be.

Size.

Within all the styles, you will have a range of sizes. The classic umbrella size is about 40 inches in diameter when fully opened. Smaller, kid’s size umbrellas, can go down to about 30 inches. And the larger golf umbrellas can be anywhere from about 48 inches, up to the giant 60 inch umbrella.

The Look.

After you’ve narrowed it down so you know how you want to use your umbrella, and you know what type and style you want, you can choose the look. This feature is entirely up to your fashion sense! There is just about every color and fabric under the sun to choose from. You can be demure, or you can make a big statement. Either way, you’ll be comfortable and dry, the next time a big downpour comes along!

Courtesy of Jennifer Wenger, who has written frequently on fashion, travel, and design.

Disclosures: Girl Gloss at times reviews products provided by a representative of the company. When we do so, we specifically state so. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page

About the Author: Carleen Coulter

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Beauty Blog Post Roundup

Here is a list of great articles from one of the beauty blog facebook groups. Read up and enjoy!

Cosmetically Challenged Show’s you how to become a “Spoiled Brat” Using Wet N Wild and NYX

Royal Beauty Designs 6 Reasons Why I Love My New Cargo Laguna Blush

Midnight Manicures My Second Julep Maven Box

Nailfiled Glitter Galore: Tony Moly Galaxy Collection

Polish Fixation Prevail: Concrete Jungle…Hello Holo!!

Beauty and Fashion Tech: The Best Cheap Mascara and How to Wear it

Girl Gloss: 2011 Fall Fashion Trends

I have been sucked back into the Cult!  Cult Nails Hypnotizing + Cult Nails Awakening = AWESOME SAUCE!

Polarbelle Store your precious products in a wonderful cosmetic bag embossed with your name

Nailderella Nails Oops! My nails are on fire thanks to Nfu Oh 45!

Purple Eye Diamond- Eye Of The Day

Red Hair And Black Nailpolish Do you like Candy?

Glitter.Gloss.Garbage  Evil Eye Quad Swatches From The MAC Me Over Collection

Addicted To All Things Pretty Adele Inspired Nails

Disclosures: Girl Gloss at times reviews products provided by a representative of the company. When we do so, we specifically state so. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page

About the Author: Carleen Coulter

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Cosplay: Creative, Theatrical, Sexy!

Halloween – it’s an excuse for everyone to dress up and have fun. But Halloween only lasts for one day out of the year. So what are people to do with the other 364 days when they feel the need to get into costume and wear a different face? Most people just accept the fact that they have to wait for next Halloween or for friends to throw a costume party. Some decide that waiting is not enough.

Cosplay (known to the out-crowd as “costume play”) is a popular, world-spanning phenomena that allows people of every age, race, religion, gender, sexual preference, and nationality to come together in the guise of their favorite fictional characters and interact together. Sources of character inspiration range from movies to anime to comic books and cross all genres. The haven of these hobby-actors is traditionally at gatherings of like-minded individuals, such as sci-fi/fantasy conventions, comic book conventions, anime conventions, gaming expos and the like. In these places, the atmosphere becomes as alive as any stage.

Cosplay carries some social prejudices in the way outsiders perceive it. The ignorant public often views cosplay as a geek hobby, filled with socially inept people who dress up in ridiculous costumes and attend pointless pop-culture events. What the uninitiated fail to realize, however, is that most cosplay is no different from the theatricality that one might see on the stage or the big screen. The art of choosing the right character and finding (and often making) the perfect costume is an act that most cosplayers do not simply jump into blindly. The character that one chooses has to be a representation of what he or she wants to portray, often for several days at a time. And while every gathering of cosplayers has its fair share of slave-outfit clad Princess Leias, for a veteran cosplayer the choice is made very carefully.

The types of costumes that people choose to adopt as their temporary identity are infinite. Some choose famous super-heroes while others choose characters that they identify with on a personal level. Still others make their decision based on the quality of the art-design that went into the way a character looks. And there are always those that choose based purely on the sexuality of the character. Just like Halloween, the personality is in the costume – an opportunity to show the world (or at least a small portion of it) what one is on the inside.

For those devoted to the lifestyle, cosplay represents more than just costumes and acting. It is the true creative experience and the chance to live out one’s dreams of being a person that reality has no place for. Characters from movies and books have inspired the imagination of young and old alike for thousands of years, driving them to understand things about themselves that they might have otherwise never known. Cosplay is a walk in the shoes of the author’s mind; a merging of the physical form and the unreal; a way to touch a unique, spiritual part of one’s self.

All this may sound a bit like a cult, but if one sits by and listens to football fans talking about their passion, one might begin to suspect them to be a cult as well. Everyone has something that is important to them, be it their job, their family or dressing up and being someone else. The cosplayer is the next evolution of actor, in character and ready to go, with no need for anyone to yell “Action!”

Jason Rizzo is a marketing specialist for Sci-Fi Stuff. When not showing his creative side via cosplay, he can be found posting in their Science Fiction Forums.

Disclosures: Girl Gloss at times reviews products provided by a representative of the company. When we do so, we specifically state so. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page

About the Author: Carleen Coulter

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Beauty Blog Early October Roundup

Below is a group of posts from the Facebook Beauty Blogazon group. Enjoy!

Beauty and Fashion Tech-Choosing the Best Curling Iron

Girl Gloss- Blinc Kiss Me Mascara Review

Polish Insomniac- Dupe Search: Orly Fowl Play vs. OPI Merry Midnight

Nails and Noms- NYX Girls Polish- Dreamy Glitter and Gilded Glitter Swatches and Review

Polish Pauper- What the !? (Color Morphing)

The Style Page- TouchBack- Allure Best Of Beauty Award Winner

Creatively Yours- Fresh Faced Beauty- Get The Look, Tika Sumpter

Nailfiled- The Face Shop BK901

Nailderella- Dark Purple Holo by Glitter Gal

Glitter.Gloss.Garbage- Three Custom Specialists: My Beauty Bunny Lipstick Swatches

Addicted To All Things Pretty- Beyonce Countdown Video and Mod Style Breakdown

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Kimono Inspired Western Fashion

Women worldwide, whether they live in the eastern or western world recognise the alluring, gorgeous and mysterious nature of the Japanese kimono.  The beautiful silk material, the unique patterns, the vibrant colours and the exquisite fabrication have all combined to make the kimono a force to be reckoned with in the fashion world.  I absolutely love the kimono style and now, with many designers in the west using the kimono as their inspiration for new fashion collections there is a whole new phase hitting the western world… and this time it’s a good one!

The Traditional Kimono

The traditional kimono has a very recognisable look and is worn by both males and females and adults and children in Japan.  There are various kimono styles but they are traditionally made from one piece of fabric.  The sleeves are made to be very wide and there is very little if any form to them.  The form of the kimono is created with the use of a belt (usually in the form of a wide sash) which is then folded into a very large and ostentatious bow.

Kimono Fabrics

The traditional kimono is made from silk although there are some Japanese versions that are also made from cotton – these are traditionally worn during the hot summer months.  However the western designs that were inspired by the kimono vary in their fabrics with some also being made of high quality silk but others being made from alternative materials including cloth and spandex.  Not all of the western designs are a close match to the traditional garment with many being tailored or sexed up for an evening party or club style outfit.

Highly Popular

This year we have seen a number of top fashion designers including Marc Jacobs and Roberto Cavalli creating entire ranges inspired by the traditional Japanese garment.  Even top catwalk models like Kate Moss and stylish celebrities like the Olsen twins and Nicole Richie have been seen sporting the look both as daytime casual wear and as an evening ensemble.  Some companies have also brought out some fascinating kimono dressing gowns which really are a style hit!  Aside from the designers, many high street fashion stores have followed the trend and brought out a number of affordable yet no less stunning kimono inspired ranges.

Kimono Dressing Gowns

I know the towelly fabric of a traditional British dressing gown is comfy and warm but we all know that they are anything but attractive.  The kimono style dressing gowns that are increasing in popularity are a truly stylish way to lounge around in the evenings and should be worn by any fashionista who wants to look beautiful first thing in the morning… trust me it is almost impossible to do this when wearing a flannelette gown.

Many kimono dressing gowns are styled in the traditional Japanese way and they come in a variety of colours and patterns so you still have a lot to choose from.  Both long length gowns and minis can be purchased and matching jewellery is also available from many department and high street stores as well as from designers.

About the Author: One of the best stores I have found that sell kimono dressing gowns is LoveKimono.  They have a beautiful selection of gowns available and trust me… they will make you not only look beautiful but feel beautiful too!

Disclosures: Girl Gloss at times reviews products provided by a representative of the company. When we do so, we specifically state so. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page

About the Author: Carleen Coulter

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Natural Makeup for Asian Skin

Finding the right makeup for Asian skin can be tricky. And when it comes to choosing a natural makeup the options can be very limited. Whether the complexion is fair, medium, or dark, Asian skin tones can look somewhat sallow. Some women try color-correct sallow skin by lightening the complexion using a lighter foundation shade than their skin tone. Others try to balance the yellow by selecting a pinker shade of foundation. Both of these methods tend to create an unnatural mask-like look and are considered outdated solutions.

For a fresh, new all-natural solution, try Vapour’s Stratus Instant Skin Perfector in shade 904. (Choose from Vapour’s ‘Luminous’ formula for dryer skin or the ‘Soft Focus’ formula for combination/oily skin.) Stratus in 904 is especially formulated to lighten, brighten and color balance sallow, yellow skin with Vapour’s Light Reflective Technology. Stratus will immediately blur the look of lines and wrinkles, perfect skin tone and skin texture leaving your face smooth and perfectly primed for foundation application!

Embrace your unique skin tone! When you are choosing your foundation shade it is important to test the shade on your jaw line, where the skin of your face and throat meet, rather than the back of your hand. Keep in mind that your skin's shade and tone can differ from hand to face. If you need a little extra help, you can get a free custom shade consultation from Vapour’s Beauty Experts by e-mailing a snap shot of your complexion to beautyexpert@vapourbeauty.com.

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September Beauty Blog Reading

Below is some great reading this week from members of the Beauty Blog Network. Enjoy!

Phyrra ushers you into Fall the new collection from Silk Naturals.

Thu from Painted Ladies reviews Benefit’s They’re Real! mascara.

Is it a keeper? The Pink Sith has finally found a full cover foundation that doesn’t look or feel like a mask with DEX New York Mineral Retouch!

A Touch of Blusher reviews Burberry Light Glow in Peony Blush.

Beauty and Fashion Tech has updated its buyer’s guide on Home Microdermabrasion.

Girl Gloss has MAC Art of Powders Swatches.

Elke shares every single nail look from New York Fashion Week. Thanks to CND.

Cinnamon Kitten falls for Annabelle’s Smudge Paint.

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Blinc Kiss Me Mascara Review

Blinc Kiss Me Mascara is a popular tubing mascara. Tubing mascara really is rather interesting. The best tubing mascaras, and Kiss Me is one of them, forms “tubes” of product around your lashes when applied. Those tubes tend not to run, clump, smudge, or otherwise budge, even with a fair amount of rubbing. However, the mascara will also remove just fine with a warm water and some light pressure. Many contact lens wearers find tubing mascaras to be ideal because they tend to not flake the way some regular mascaras do.

Blinc Tubing Mascara

I tried Blinc Kiss Me over a period of a month.The wand is of average size and the mascara was easy to apply. the mascara did not smudge or flake, and it removed quite easily, although I found the wetter the cloth, the easier it was to remove. When tubing mascara comes off, it does so in tiny strings of product—these are the   “tubes” that had formed around the lashes. I wear contacts, so I definitely liked having a product that did not flake, but I do recommend that you removing contact lenses before removing any tubing mascara, as one of those tubes on your contact lens would not be a pleasant experience!

I did have some minor issues with clumping when I got careless with the mascara. It is always advisable to carefully wipe your mascara brush before application, and I admit to getting lazy with that at times. This is one mascara where that laziness will come back to haunt you,or rather, clump on you! But when I wiped the brush first all was fine.  Overall, I do really like Kiss Me mascara and consider it to be one of the best tubing mascaras around. You really can’t go wring with it.

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Disclosures: Girl Gloss at times reviews products provided by a representative of the company. When we do so, we specifically state so. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page

About the Author: Carleen Coulter

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Revlon Fabulash Review

Today brings a quickie Revlon Fabulash review!

Revlon Fabulash is an old standby in the mascara world. As a perennial favorite, it is a good choice for those looking for a good cheap drugstore mascara that will give decent length and won’t clump. I also like it for good general volume.

Fabulash Is A Good All Around Mascara

Fabulash has a large brush with fairly large gaps between the bristles. this allows the mascara to apply well, while avoiding that which we all dread most—clumpage. It provides a fair amount of length and volume as well, and it stays put all day. As a contact lens wearer, I appreciate the lack of flakes.

So, consider Fabulash to be a good basic beauty buy.

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Beauty Sleep Is Not A Myth!

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Blinc Kiss Me Mascara Review

Blinc Kiss Me Mascara is a popular tubing mascara. Tubing mascara really is rather interesting. The best tubing mascaras, and Kiss Me is one of them, forms “tubes” of product around your lashes when applied. Those tubes tend not to run, clump, smudge, or otherwise budge, even with a fair amount of rubbing. However, the mascara will also remove just fine with a warm water and some light pressure. Many contact lens wearers find tubing mascaras to be ideal because they tend to not flake the way some regular mascaras do.

Blinc Tubing Mascara

I tried Blinc Kiss Me over a period of a month.The wand is of average size and the mascara was easy to apply. the mascara did not smudge or flake, and it removed quite easily, although I found the wetter the cloth, the easier it was to remove. When tubing mascara comes off, it does so in tiny strings of product—these are the   “tubes” that had formed around the lashes. I wear contacts, so I definitely liked having a product that did not flake, but I do recommend that you removing contact lenses before removing any tubing mascara, as one of those tubes on your contact lens would not be a pleasant experience!

I did have some minor issues with clumping when I got careless with the mascara. It is always advisable to carefully wipe your mascara brush before application, and I admit to getting lazy with that at times. This is one mascara where that laziness will come back to haunt you,or rather, clump on you! But when I wiped the brush first all was fine.  Overall, I do really like Kiss Me mascara and consider it to be one of the best tubing mascaras around. You really can’t go wring with it.

Shop For Blinc Mascara

Disclosures: Girl Gloss at times reviews products provided by a representative of the company. When we do so, we specifically state so. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page

About the Author: Carleen Coulter

View the original article here

Late September Beauty Blog Reading

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Finding Quality Handbags

Many people have decided to use the internet as a way to get their shopping done. Shopping online provides a great deal of convenience, and the opportunity to compare prices and items quickly from the comfort of home. However, because shoppers aren’t physically seeing the product before they buy it, there are many ways that a person could end up making a purchase they regret. When shopping for quality handbags online, it’s very important to take certain steps to ensure a smart purchase is achieved.

Because many handbags are very expensive, there are many scams out there that claim to be designer, high quality handbags for extremely discounted prices. It’s a good idea to be extremely cautious anytime you see a handbag offered for an extremely low price; it is very likely that this is a scam in which the shopper will end up with a very poor quality knock off purse, or will end up not receiving anything at all for their money. Check with the company the handbag is made from, and compare prices. Wholesale stores can offer discounts, and sometimes department stores offer sales on certain products, but if there is any huge discrepancy between the price listed on a website and the price listed on the company that produces the handbag, it is probably a scam.

Because there are so many scams out there, it can be difficult to know whether or not to trust an online store or not. It’s a good idea to carefully research a company before making a purchase. There are many review sites available in which consumers can review companies and write about their experience with them. Do some investigating as to what types of experiences other customers have had, and whether they’ve been happy with the quality of their products. You should also do research on a company’s return policy. For example, if you are unhappy with your purchase, will you be able to return it or exchange it easily? A company that is extremely strict with their return policy might be a sign that it isn’t a reputable company.

Another great way to ensure you are purchasing from a good company is to talk to friends or coworkers. Find out firsthand from people that you trust what good online stores are, and whether they know of any special tricks to get discounts. There might be memberships or other options available that can help you save money. Additionally, being able to talk to someone you trust in person can help you get all your questions answered before making any decisions.

The convenience of online shopping makes it extremely appealing, though there are certainly drawbacks and many scams out there. Thankfully, there are many things that you can do to avoid these scams and limit your shopping to legitimate stores that offer legitimate products to their customers. By following these steps, you can make sure you avoid falling victims to these scams, and can make sure that your new handbag is of strong quality and will last for many years.

This is a guest post by Moose Mountain Trading Company, an online retailer for women’s clothing. Moose Mountain carries a variety of Baggallini Bags.

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Smashbox Softbox Lip Gloss Collection ($77 Value) Softbox Lip Gloss Collection

What it is: A set of six soft, stunning lip glosses.What it does:This collection features perfectly wearable shades of Smashbox's beautiful Lip Enhancing Gloss and Limitless Long Wear Lip Gloss SPF 15 in take-anywhere travel sizes perfect for your purse or a spontaneous getaway. What it is formulated WITHOUT:- Parabens This set contains:- 4 x 0.14 oz Lip Enhancing Gloss in Brown Sugar (bronze shimmer), Glam (rosy pink with gold shimmer), Illume (pale gold champagne shimmer), Afterglow (peachy pink sheen)- 2 x 0.05 oz Limitless Long Wear Lip Gloss SPF 15 in Infinite (soft pinkish nude) and 24/7 (berry plum)

Price:

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Sally Hansen Natural Butter Lip Shine Gloss, Bloom.

"Sally Hansen Natural Butter Lip Shine Gloss, Bloom.." Case Pack 1

Price: $4.33

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Sally Hansen Natural Butter Lip Shine Gloss, Fresh.

Add shine anytime with Sally Hansen Natural Butter Lip Shine Gloss.
Delivers a hint of natural tint and shine.
Natural Based Lip Gloss derived from 94% natural ingredients.
Contains Natural Antioxidants helps keep lips looking healthy.
Environmental Friendly Packaging.

Price: $4.33

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Mirror Mirror On The Wall, Who Makes The Most Organic Eyeliner Of Them All?

Vapour Organic Beauty’s Mesmerize Eyeliner is the safest, purest eyeliner on the market.

Finally! Eye definition that is good for your eyes! The New York Times says, “Vapour has introduced the first eyeliner made with 70 percent organic ingredients. (The formula) contains beeswax, sunflower oil and other food grade certified organic ingredients…to replicate the gliding effect of chemical based eyeliners.”

Some brands make organic claims about their eyeliner but most fall short of a significant organic percentage. Most contain only a sparse 40% (or less) organic ingredients, but Vapour’s Mesmerize Eyeliner contains a whopping 70% certified organic ingredients.

And that’s not all. Many other eyeliners, including ones making natural or organic claims, include ingredients like bismuth oxychloride, an industrial adhesive and known eye irritant. Yes, you read that correctly–known eye irritants are commonly used in eyeliner! Mesmerize Eyeliner is safe. To women with sensitive eyes or women who like to use eyeliner on the waterline (the delicate area inside the lash line): This is your eyeliner!

For tips on how to apply Mesmerize Eyeliner for a softly defined eye or a smoky eye, check out the How To Wear tab on this page.

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Bonne Bell Smackers Bath and Body Skittles Collection

A moisturizing bath and body collection in yummy Skittles candy scents from Smackers. Pamper yourself with a selection of Smackers bath and body products including lime bubble bath, strawberry. Moisturizing lotion, orange 2 - in - 1 shampoo, a bath puff and Lip Smacker. Skittles candy scents make bath time fun while gently cleansing and moisturizing.

Price: $18.25

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E.L.F Super Glossy Lip Shine Passionately Plum 5pc Set

This five-piece set of lip gloss by E.L.F. provides multiple options for keeping your lips shiny and soft. These glosses come in different shades of plum and pink, so you can match your lip color to your clothes or other makeup.

Price: $5.00

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E.l.f. Shimmer Lip Gloss Collection, 6-Ounce

Hyper, glass-like shine infused with micro-mirror technology to reflect light. Smoothes lips on contact with a conditioning shine that lasts for hours. Create that natural lip stain of color that's sheer, subtle and beautiful. Five great colors in this lip gloss set.

Price: $5.00

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Avon Glazewear Liquid Lip Color Gloss

Moisturizing Formula Full Coverage Lip Gloss with Vitamins A, C, & E for the Glossiest Lips. Precision Applicator. .15 oz net wt.

Price: $6.00

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Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss, SPF 15, Coral Glow 095, 0.2 Fluid Ounce (5.9 ml)

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss, SPF 15, Coral Glow 095, 0.2 fl oz (5.9 ml)

Price: $6.99

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Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss, Life's A Peach 110 .2 fl oz (5.9 ml)

New Shade - Life's a Peach with SPF 15

Price: $6.99

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Alba Botanica Garnet Terra Gloss Tinted Lip Gloss, Garnet, .42-Ounce Tube (Pack of 2)

The product is not eligible for priority shipping

Price: $11.90

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Stila Plumping Lip Glaze, Vanilla Mint, 0.08 Ounce

Plump up the volume of your pout and add beautiful color and shine. Stila's world-famous lip glaze now has active ingredients to help promote beautiful, full, healthy lips. Camellia oil, high in oleic acid,is a fabulous moisturizer. Antioxidant-rich vitamin E helps protect cells against environmental damage. Naturally occurring peptides offer just the right amount of plump but without burning or stinging the lips. Available in six sheer, minty flavors that can be worn alone or used as a great top coat with your favorite stila lip color.

Price: $24.00

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