Envy Me fragrances Blog

Attention Martin: Here’s What I Want For The Holidays

Patty — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:30:00 +0000

Dear Martin,

Hi honey! I know you read this blog (such a supportive guy!), so I thought this would be a nice spot for a relationship service announcement.

I’m flipping through my new Cosmo mag, and it says guys show love by fixing things; therefore I should expect my holiday gift to be something terribly practical like a remote or a new showerhead. Really…I’m trying to contain my joy at this thought.

Babycakes, let me first tell you that the holidays are not about finding me World’s Most Perfect Present ™.

But…you’re shopping for me anyway, right? This year, let’s make it something that won’t require fishing through your wallet for the receipt.

I know you like to wait until December 24th to tackle your gift list, but I thought you might like a subtle hint as to what I’d really like. Because loveyoumeanit, I do not want a remote.

HINT #1
Bliss You Look ‘Spa’-velous kit
Isn’t this cute? No? Anyway, I mostly want this for the Triple Oxygen Energy Mask, but you only have to peep in our bathroom cabinet to find out: I Love Bliss. Perfect gift!

STAY TUNED, honey! I’ll be bringing you plenty more ideas this month…

3 Must-Try Tips From Stila’s Sarah Lucero

NowSmellThis — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:58:00 +0000

Yesterday we gave everyone homework: Go home, flip on Bravo TV and watch Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style and see Stila’s Director of Eduction, Sarah Lucero, dolling up the dolls for the camera.

But then you had to work/that cute guy asked you out/your dog ate your makeup bag and you totally didn’t do your homework. No prob - we’ve got the crib notes:

Tip #1
Only put foundation on 10% of your face, then blend from there. That prevents you from overdoing your makeup.

Tip #2
Before applying powder eyeshadow, first mist your brush with water (Sarah used a travel-sized spray bottle to spritz her brush). This makes shadow creamier, intensifies the color, and makes it wear longer.

Tip #3
Ditch your mascara wand. Instead, use a flat liner brush to paint your lashes - literally. Dip the brush into your mascara, then paint your fringe starting from the base and working up. It’s the smokey eye effect trick for lashes.

Tried + Tested: LAVANILA Laboratories Vanilla Spice

Marcello — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:30:00 +0000

There was a time when vanilla was the scent of choice for the cool girls. They were hot too. And had an effortless appeal about them that enticed and enthralled all. Somehow they managed to get good grades, score high points with the cheerleading squad (while not being on the team), save the seals, be down with the underground garage bands, and still say hi to you in the high-school parking lot.

The new LAVANILA Laboratories Vanilla Spice fragrance ($56) is just as mysteriously and successfully, enticingly multitasking in its appeal. Carried exclusively by Sephora, the light formula is a spicy, yet subtle, mix of nutmeg, cardamom and, of course, that sexy vanilla.

It’s fashioned from organic oils, which helps the scent linger like the memories of those coolio chicas. And like those cool girls, this perfume has a sweet side—it is the first evs to be completely alcohol- and phthalates-free. And a natural blend of gogi berry, olive leaf and kakadu plum promise to hydrate and nourish skin. Plus, there’s pretty packaging that’s definitively grown-up. Sometimes, you can go back—only better.

–Jenna Mahoney

Ballet Russe: New red lippy alert

Kristen Seymour — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:00:00 +0000

3 Custom Color has created a new red lipstick, which has already won an Allure Best Of Beauty award. It’s called Ballet Russe, it’s creation inspired by the Russian Ballet as part of their Czarina Collection. Can’t wait to try it and add it to my ever-growing arsenal of red lipsticks (Red Saint, Red Sinner, MAC Ruby Woo, NARS Lip Crayon in Dragon Girl, Shiraz by Wallet…). You can get it here.

makeup brushes and more…

blaha — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:00:08 +0000

My friend Tamar (pictured), is a wonderful makeup artist. I pulled her aside to get some great advice on caring for and choosing makeup brushes…

1. How often should makeup brushes receive a cleaning? And how often should they be replaced?

If you use a foundation brush it should be cleaned daily, there is a lot of bacteria that stays on the brush that will cause skin breakouts. If used regularly, other brushes should be cleaned once a week. Brushes can be cleaned with water and shampoo.

As far as replacing brushes, I still have brushes from ten years ago. It all depends of how well you care for and the quality of your brushes. If they are shedding too much hair or have lost shape, that would be a good sign that they need replacing.

2. Is there any special steps you should take when cleaning makeup brushes?

I like to use baby shampoo and water. Always lay flat and air dry your brushes. Never blow dry, the glue will melt.

3. How should makeup brushes be cleaned if you want to save time?

I love to use a brush cleaner. I am a makeup artist, every time I work on a new face I need to have clean brushes and I don’t have time to wash and wait for them to dry so I use a brush cleaner. I have a few favorites, Mac Brush Cleaner, lightly scented, an excellent formula because it cleanses, disinfects, and conditions your brushes. I also like Shu Uemura, Brush-Off, and Bare Escentuals Well Cared For.

4.Which brushes do you think should be a part of every makeup bag? Do you have any favorite makers?

Foundations brush- I love Mac 190, and also Prescriptives.

Blush brush- Bobby Brown.

Powder brush- Mac.

Slanted eyeliner brush- Mac.

Eyebrow brush and lash curler- Shu Uemura or Tarte.

Above are all the basics that every woman and/or drag queen should have in their makeup bag! I think it’s important to spend a little money and get great quality brushes because they last a long time and also blend makeup better. I really love Mac, Shu Uemura, and Kevin Aucoin brushes. On a budget? I LOVE Sonia Kashuk and Sephora brand.

5. You’ve worked in the beauty industry for fifteen years on a variety of faces and bodies. Have you picked up any beauty tips or secrets that you would be willing to share with Flawless Beauty readers?

I love using a lash curler, it makes such a big difference.
I like to put a highlight eyeshadow color in the inner corner of the eye. It instantly brightens things up.
Buy foundation that is your skin tone. I LOVE Awake and Armani foundation.
YSL Le Touche Eclat.
Always wash your face. It doesn’t matter how late you get home. Buy some cleansing face wipes and put them next to your bed.
Preparation H wipes. I like to use these on my face sometimes, especially if I’ve had a late night. It brightens and de-puffs everything!

Contact Tamar for makeup or spray tanning services:

www.gothamglow.com

Museo del Perfume and old perfume bottles

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:00:00 +0000

Researching antique perfume bottles, I came across the Museo del Perfume in Barcelona. What a gem! It’s gutting to know that this has been open since the 1960s and that not one of my visits to Barcelona ever included a visit to the Museo del Perfume. I’m such a sucker for pretty decorative things. I spend hours in the Musée d’Orsay in Paris every chance I get. Shame. Next time. It looks absolutely packed with thousands of perfume bottles… ungent urns from thousands of years ago right up to the great bottle design by Coty and that ilk at the turn of the last century. My favourite is this little contraption:

Here’s a sampling of some of the other items on display. The site’s not entirely user friendly but it’s still worth a browse. If you’re in Barcelona soon, head to 39, Paseo de Gracia for a 30 minute break from child pickpockets and Gaudi:

Bottles from the early 1900s

Bottles from the 1800s

D’orsay bottles from the early 1900s

Coty bottles from 1910

Elizabeth Arden bottles from the 1930s

(All images from Museu del Perfum)

TUNE IN: Stila’s Sarah Lucero on Tim Gunn’s Guide to Syle TONIGHT!

March — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:00:00 +0000

We interrupt your daily grind to give you something to look forward to tonight…

As if we weren’t already addicted to all things Bravo TV, there’s now an extra important reason to watch tonight’s Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style: Stila’s Director of Eduction and makeup artist extraordinaire Sarah Lucero will be on tonight’s ep (the season finale) doling out advice and dolling up the woman in need. Sarah is well-known around these parts as a talented, approachable, and inventive beauty guru–and now’s your chance to see her in action!

As a sneak peak, I’ve unarchived a makeover Sarah did earlier this year for Sephora’s Beauty Central. You’re sure to see this kind of makeup magic (and more) tonight, so tune in!

Carry on!

One Palette, 30 Looks: Rhoda Bagorio

Nava — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:12:00 +0000

It’s possible to create over 30,000 looks with Sephora’s new Ultimate Blockbuster Palette . We wanted in on all that pretty, so this month, 30 Sephora staffers are giving themselves makeovers using the palette. How whoa! will they go?

Model: Rhoda Bagorio, Sephora.com

Rhoda dressed up her lids with plummy purples, swirling together three of the lilac shadows to get a delicate shade of lavender. Using the black eyeliner pencil, she next added some spunk to the sweet with a fierce cateye across her top lid.

She puckered up and painted on bubblegum pink lips, layering a mauve gloss over that for extra depth. She swiped the illuminating powder across her face, and ta-da! Gorgeous.

It’s 30 looks in 30 days with Sephora’s Ultimate Blockbuster Palette! Stick around: There’s a new look tomorrow!

Science Stats: Interestingly Icky

Kevin — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:19:00 +0000

Here’s another reason to stop picking/touching your face: Your hands are filled—and we mean pack-ola-ed—with more than 150 types of bacteria.

That’s according to a new study out from the University of Colorado at Boulder, which examined bacterial population and diversity on more than 102 people. Another icky, yet interesting finding from this research is that we ladies harbor more of the little microbes than men. Researchers aren’t exactly sure why, but consider cosmetics like moisturizers to be the culprits. So what’s a girl to do? The answer is pretty simple—wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water.

–Jenna Mahoney

All microbes should be cute like these plush versions spotted on lifelounge.

Emilia Fox and Cowshed for a good cause

NowSmellThis — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Emilia Fox, David Furnish, Louise Roe, Sam Taylor-Wood, Emily Eavis, Nick Jones and their cohorts got together for a good cause at Soho House last night. Lovely British beauty brand Cowshed Spa and Hope & Home teamed up to create the ‘Udderly Loved’ bath and shower gel for charity. named ‘Udderly Loved’ to raise money and awareness for the charity, with 10% of the retail place going to Hope & Homes for orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children across Africa and Central and Eastern Europe.