Category: beauty

NYFW 411

On By Amy NebensIn beauty, fashion, styleLeave a comment

On the one hand, so bummed that summer is ending. On the other, so excited that New York Fashion Week is starting. NYFW Spring 2019 Day 1 was yesterday and it was a stylish entry into what we can expect the rest of the week and for the coming seasons.

Now, you might be thinking, realistically why do I care? Am i wearing Tom Ford’s printed crocodile bodice that Gigi Hadid strutted down the runway in with an ethereal cape trailing behind as I pick up from carpool, run from varsity game to dance practice pickup, run home from work just in time to get dinner started? Likely not. However, you are still entitled to, number one, know what’s happening in the fashion world around you and, two, get excited about what styles  we are going to be privy to come spring because lest we forget these runway looks translate into everyday pieces, whether pants, boots (yay it’s almost boot season!), accessories and even t-shirts.

Feel better? Yeah, well fashion has a way of doing that. So read on for how Tom Ford kicked of day 1 and a roundup of what to expect for the coming week:

Tom Ford’s runway sported the aforementioned crocodile bodice as well as embossed jackets in tons of muted tones, animal prints for days including the stunning Joan Smalls in a leopard print top and jacket, tons of feathery fringe, mixing of leather and lace. High spikey heels were de rigeur and headscarves used in place of over-the-top hairstyles.

Speaking of, these runways lend insight to the next season’s fashions as well as hint at the beauty trends we might see. So what’s the info there? Natural skin tones, individuality (think Meghan Markle’s freckles), possibly a pop of color on the lips. And don’t think glitter and rhinestones are for your teens Coachella getups only: texture will be in, and even if it’s a subtle swipe you should definitely partake.

 

Custom Hair Care

On By Amy NebensIn beauty, styleLeave a comment

Remedying bad hair days is an ongoing battle and one fought with multiple products in my arsenal, an especially hefty assortment with tween and teen girls in the house. Still, with all the styling sprays, anti-friz serums, pre-blowdry gels and more we’ve tested over the years, I have pretty much determined it’s best to start with the basics: good ole shampoo and conditioner. So when I found out the latest beauty trend is these customized shower companions, I was beyond giddy. Forget the fact that they are super cute to set out in the bathroom and you can choose your scent, the personalized formula to control my problem points is all about what works best for me.

The Function of Beauty was founded by world-class MIT engineers and data scientists who spent years building algorithm and machines, that pull from hundreds of ingredients to potentially create billions of completely unique shampoo and conditioner combinations. Yes, billions! And they put their know how to work after you tell them what you want and need from your hair. The quick hair quiz that you take online tells them about your hair type, structure, your hair goals, scent preference.

You also get to choose the custom message on the bottle, color of shampoo or conditioner (they don’t have to match!) and the scent. Me and my girls were having a hard time deciding between For (Shore) and Hibis (Kiss). What would you choose?

The products are also paraben free and use only vegan ingredients–plus for us girls who highlight, balayage, ombre, sombre, paint, gloss or just cover our grays, the sulfate-free formula rocks.

The bottles come in a variety of options and delivery options. Sign up for recurring deliveries and the shipping charge is free! What’s not to love?

 

The Coolest and Cleanest Product Launch Comes to Sephora from Down Under

On By Amy NebensIn beauty, body, styleLeave a comment

We are all about best skin practices and keeping our regimen as easy as 1-2-3, especially since we are typically taking care of someone else first. That’s why we fully intend to stock up on the latest product that just claimed shelf space at Sephora, Aussie-born Go-To brand. The packaging is as cute and clean looking as the vegan-free, gluten-free and other-free ingredients inside and covers us from head to almost toe with creams, oils and wipes to hydrate and exfoliate. And as the brainchild of beauty guru Zoë Foster Blake, author of Amazinger Face and the former beauty director of Cosmpolitan and Harper’s Bazaar, we plan to Go-For-It.

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Self-tanners to Make Summer Last Into Fall

On By Amy NebensIn beauty, celebrity, styleLeave a comment

Self-tanners to Make Summer Last into Fall

Summer skin is all about gentle exfoliation and hydrating masks, damage defense SPF and the perfect healthy glow. Since you and your tweens/teens have worked hard getting your sun-kissed look just so, or you just lucked out running after little ones at the beach or poolside, we’ve got the best ways to let it linger long after you’ve switched out your bikini for that statement denim jacket. Here, the top five must-have self-tanners that go beyond the drug store shelf and make summer last into fall that are super easy to apply and will take your bronzed self from lazy summer days to harvest moon nights.

The Fox Tan

100 percent Aussie and vegan friendly, this brand’s special formula is not a self-tanner per se but lets you tan faster (if you must) so there’s less time spent in the sun. They also pack their product (sets starting at $29.95) with skinfoody ingredients–those you could almost eat!–that nourish your skin while you tan like sweet almond oil, cacao butter, jojoba oil, carrot root extract, aloe vera leaf juice, caffeine, shea butter and rose flower water! So yum on your skin and the lingering tan it leaves.

The Bali Body Co.

Also from our fashion-forward friends down-under, there are two must-have products on this page that we absolutely can’t get enough of: The Bronzing Lotion ($25.95) for just a “hint of tint” and the Shimmering Body Oil ($29.95) that is super nourishing and dusts your skin with just a bit of bronze and gold shimmer. Seriously sun-kissed!

South Sea Skincare

This super fab company was started by a woman who survived skin cancer–still wanting that hot summer glow but wanting to get it safely, meaning minus harmful UVs. So she started her lines based on the “essence of island inspired bronzing” and we, and btw tons of celebrities, makeup artists and the world’s finests resorts, are glad she did. Our faves? Tahitian Glow Self Tanner ($24), Tahitian Tan Extender ($22) and Tahitian Tan Mist ($28)–all with copper and caffeine (among other amazing ingredients) to tighten and firm skin.

Whish Beauty

The Coconut Milk + Verbena Self Tanner ($30) gives an absolutely amazing glow and is so low-key you can use it daily to add just a subtle bit more as you go. Plus it’s formula, complete with goji berry, pomegranate extract, shea and mango butters, kigelia African Fruit, seaweed and coffee arabica extracts, is all-over good for your skin with moisturizing and firming agents too boot!

Tan Towel

This is essentially self-tanning for dummies–and we are all in! The BB Body Glow ($24) is a daily moisturizer with a tint that’s meant to build on itself to keep your glow steady and natural and can be fine tuned to the shade you are looking for depending on your application. There are also the Face Tan Towelettes ($30 for a pack of 15) that let exfoliate, moisturize and tan and the Body Tan Towelettes ($29 for 5) that come in full body or half (best for arms and legs) and three different formulas–Classic, Plus and Dark–depending on the tan you are looking to take on.