Coming Soon: OPI Nice Stems and Glam Slam! England! Collections

 3 Responses »
May 282011
 

Stop and see the flowers with summer’s Nice Stems! by OPI, a limited edition collection featuring four new nail lacquers in stunning shades of pink. With whimsical names based on their floral inspirations, these vibrant, flirty colors range from pale, frosty pink to rich fuchsia. Nice Stems! offers fingers and toes a perfectly pink shade for all of summer’s looks.

“These vibrant, feminine hues complement 60’s ladylike fashions, 70’s glam looks, and bold color-blocking, which are the season’s staples,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “The Nice Stems! collection also offers an interesting contrast and feminine accent to the punk and biker looks on the runways.”

Nice Stems! by OPI shades include:

Play the Peonies
We’d put our money on this lovely soft-pink.

Come to Poppy
Surrender to shine with this shimmering coral-pink.

Be a Dahlia Won’t You?
Give the gift of fabulous fuchsia—to yourself!

I Lily Love You
Fall head over heels with this light pink sparkle.

“Using different micas and glitters can give lacquer a 3-dimensional look,” adds Weiss-Fischmann. “I Lily Love You is a glitter coat that can be layered over any of the other three shades to add a bright sparkle; or, it can be worn on its own for a subtle tint of pink with strands of glitter.”

The Nice Stems! Nail Lacquers by OPI contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application.

This limited edition Nice Stems! collection will be available beginning June 2011 at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $8.50 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer.

For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

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OPI joins tennis superstar Serena Williams in announcing the latest three lacquers in the Glam Slam! collection. To celebrate the world’s oldest, most prestigious tennis tournament, Glam Slam! England features two duo-packs filled with sparkle.

The first Lacquer set includes Your Royal Shine-ness, a metallic silver shade, paired with Servin’ Up Sparkle, a shimmer-packed silver glitter. The second Lacquer set also features Servin’ Up Sparkle, along with Grape…Set…Match, a metallic purple.

“England’s premier tennis tournament warrants colors with extra glitz and glamour,” said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “The next big trend in nails is making lacquer look 3-dimensional by adding different micas and glitters, turning fingertips into jewelry. With two bold metallics and a sparkling glitter, these colors are fit for royalty.”

“For stand-out nails, I love experimenting with different glitter shades,” explains Serena Williams. “The new Glam Slam! England lacquers can be worn alone for a bright pop of color, or layered with Servin’ Up Sparkle to create a textured effect.”

Serena Williams has received the World Number One in singles ranking by the Women’s Tennis Association on five separate occasions, along with being listed as sixth on the all-time greatest champions list. Additionally, she has won two Olympic gold medals in women’s doubles and has earned 27 Grand Slam titles to date. Serena is the most recent player to have held all four Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously and only the fifth woman in history to do so.

New shades in the Glam Slam! collection will be introduced to coincide with each of the four major tournaments, beginning with the Australian Open in January 2011, followed by launches in May 2011 for the French Open, June 2011 for Wimbledon and August 2011 for the US Open. As with all OPI Nail Lacquers, the Glam Slam! collection contains no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and each includes OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application.

Glam Slam! England will be available beginning June 2011 at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $14.95 ($20.95 CAN) suggested retail for each duo-pack.

For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

Servin Up Sparkle

Grape… Set… Match

Your Royal Shine-Ness

40 Beauty Questions

 4 Responses »
May 192011
 

I saw this on The Hunt For Beauty, and figured I’d do it myself. It originated as a YouTube tag, but I never seem to have the prime conditions for making a video, so you get this as a blog post :)

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Skin Care Questions

How many times do you wash your face each day? Morning and night – But, my AM wash is only a water wash.

What type of skin do you have? Normal-to-combo with a very oily T-zone.

What is your current face wash? I’ve really been liking Olay Foaming Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin.

Do you exfoliate? Yes with AHAs.

What do you use to exfoliate? Nightly I use Alpha Hydrox 10% Glycolic AHA Face Lotion, but I also use Freeman’s Pineapple Enzyme Mask and Avon Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel Pads from time to time.

Do you have freckles? Yep! I have a few under my eyes and on my nose… Funniest thing!

Do you use eye cream? Yes – Nivea Beauty Eye Cream in the mornings and Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream at night.

Do you/did you have acne prone skin? Only since I hit my 30s when hormonal acne decided to make it’s debut in my life.

Did you ever use Proactiv? No, but I tried the Acne Free kit, and my face HATES benzoyl peroxide!

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Makeup Questions

What foundation do you use? MAC Prolong Wear Foundation SPF10 (NC40) and Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation SPF42 PA+++ (SP70).

Do you use concealer? I wish I didn’t have to, but I do. I use either the Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette or the Clinique Airbrush Concealer in Medium.

Do you know your undertone color? Yellow – I think I can be considered neutral, but I definitely lean yellow.

What do you think of false lashes? I tried them once, and it was a fail! I never finished attempting to get them on. They look great on others though!

Did you know you’re supposed to replace your mascara every 3 months? Yes, but I don’t 100% listen to that rule even though I really should.

What mascara do you use? My favorite combo is Hard Candy 1000 Lashes Fiberized Mascara Primer with Prestige My Longest Lashes.

Sephora or MAC? Depends on what I want/need. Overall probably Sephora more so than MAC, but I do use some MAC products.

Do you have a MAC pro card? Nope!

What makeup tools do you use for makeup application? I apply foundation with my fingers, and everything else I use a brush.

Do you use base/primer for eyes or face? I use Too Faced Shadow Insurance for my eyes, and I have MAC Prep+Prime SPF55, but I don’t use it.

Favorite eyeshadow? Is this a trick question? If I have to pick one, Stila Bouquet.

Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner? Pencil – I recently bought a liquid liner, but I haven’t used it.

How often do you poke your eye w/ an eyeliner pencil? Never :)

What do you think of pigment eye shadows? They’re nice, but too much of a pain for someone like me who doesn’t want a lot of fuss.

Do you use mineral makeup? I used to use Urban Decay Surreal Skin Mineral Makeup and loved it, but I’m not a fan of mineral makeup anymore.

What is your favorite lipstick? MAC Sheen Supreme in Bare Again – hands down!

What is your favorite lipgloss? Smashbox True Color Lip Gloss in Smitten, which was sadly part of a limited edition set.

What is your favorite blush? Holy… Um… No idea! For now I’ll go with Physicians Formula Happy Booster Blush in Natural.

Do you buy makeup on eBay? I have in the past from trusted sellers, but I haven’t in a long time.

Do you like drugstore makeup? Sure, some things are really good! My fave eyeliner is Revlon ColorStay and I use drugstore mascaras a lot too.

Do you go to CCOs? I have, but the one I went to wasn’t that great. When my friend goes, I “shop” with her over the phone :)

Did you ever consider taking makeup classes? I have, but I’ve never looked into it or anything.

Are you clumsy w/ putting on makeup? Not for the most part, but I would flub liquid liner at first.

Name a makeup crime you hate. Foundation that looks too cakey and/or is the wrong color.

Do you like colors or neutrals? While I like colors, I gravitate more towards neutrals.

Which celeb always has great makeup? Well, if we’re talking red carpet, then Charlize Theron and Halle Berry.

If you could leave the house using just one makeup item, what would you use? A really good foundation that can also serve as a concealer!

Could you ever leave the house w/o any makeup? Considering I do it all the time, I sure can!

Do you think you look good w/o makeup? I don’t think so, but I’m always told I’m too hard on myself and look just fine without it… I don’t think I believe that though LOL!

What is the best makeup line? Well, I would say it depends on what product you’re talking about. I haven’t found a brand that best suits my all around needs yet.

What do you think of makeup? I love that it can completely change one’s look allowing for almost constant reinvention of one’s self.

Now, I’m going to tag these lovely bloggers:
Aprill of Glitter.Gloss.Garbage.
Dionela of Short And Sweet Nails
Marisol of a dirty martini kind of girl

Beauty Blogazon Roundup

 No Responses »
May 172011
 

Beauty Thesis is having a Spring Fling Giveaway

OCH Beauty has graced us with a review of Loreal’s Double Extend Illuminating Mascara

CreativelyYours reacts to Rihanna’s hair being called ‘nappy’

Gloss and Sticks is having a PromWar!

Bright Lights Big Color reviews Fashionista Nail Art Decals

Reve-Noir shows off her Winged Liner

Killer Lipgloss Reviews the Personal Microderm System

Glitter.Gloss.Garbage apologizes to Pantene

Addicted to All Things Pretty introduces us to Tabitha, Proof that you can have beautiful relaxed hair

Styleyes shares her Toronto Beauty Blogger’s Meetup Experience

Royal Beauty Designs shares her Sonia Kashuk Mascara Review

The World of Fragrance

 1 Response »
May 142011
 

Image Courtesy of Tocca.com

In no way am I a connoisseur of fragrances, but I have learned quite a bit from the ladies on the fragrance board at Makeup Alley. I’ve even become a regular lurker (and sometimes poster) at Fragrantica. Other good sites for learning about fragrances, or reading reviews, are Katie Puckrik Smells, Now Smell This and osMoz. From these sites, I’ve learned a lot about fragrances such as notes, groups, etc. And thank goodness for Sephora and sites like The Perfumed Court for samples, or else I’d be blacklisted from numerous stores for returns and exchanges!

At one time I owned well over 30 perfumes, which isn’t really THAT many, right? I was a lover of all things sweet and girly, and I’d have to say I think a lot of the scents I liked were probably geared more towards younger women. I absolutely HATED anything that was remotely spicy or Oriental! I would get a splitting headache at the slightest hint of musks too. And now, here I sit, a lover of Orientals and musks, and I totally cannot tolerate fruity-florals for fear of a migraine!

I would have to say my two favorite perfumes for colder weather are Versace Crystal Noir and Jessica Simpson Fancy, and Body by Victoria is great year-round. I just fell head over heels for Tocca Colette (my husband actually told me I smell “hot” when I wear this!) and Chanel No. 5 Eau Première, both of which to me seem expensive and very French. I don’t think any of these scents, with the exception of the Victoria’s Secret, are scents I would have worn even six years ago. Either my tastes have significantly changed, or my nose has matured… Maybe both.

Like I said, I’m not a connoisseur, but I can give you descriptions and such as per Fragrantica:

Versace Crystal Noir (2004) – Oriental Floral
Top Notes: Ginger, Cardamom, Pepper
Middle Notes: African Orange Flower, Gardenia, Peony
Base Notes: Musk, Sandalwood, Amber

Jessica Simpson Fancy (2008) – Oriental Vanilla
Top Notes: Pear, Apricot, Red Berries
Middle Notes: Gardenia, Jasmine, Almond, Caramel
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Vanille, Amber

Body by Victoria (2002) – Floral Woody Musk
Top Notes: Mimose, Mandarin Orange, Freesia
Middle Notes: Peony, Lily, Cucumber, Hiacynth
Base Notes: Sandalwood, White Musk

Tocca Colette (2010) – Oriental Floral
Top Notes: Bergamot, Amalfi Lemon, Mandarin Orange, Juniper Berries
Middle Notes: Jasmine, Pink Pepper, Violet, Cyclamen
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Virginia Cedar, Amber, Incense, Vanille

Chanel No. 5 Eau Première (2007) – Floral Aldehyde
Top Notes: Neroli, Ylang-Ylang, Aldehydes
Middle Notes: Jasmine, Tincture of Rose
Top Notes: Vetyver, Sandalwood, Vanille

Do any of these smells jump at you? What are your all-time faves, and what scents are you currently lemming?

Recipe of the Day: Penne alla Vodka

 3 Responses »
May 122011
 

Image & Recipe Courtesy of Food.com

Lately I’ve been on a big cooking trip, and have been searching for new things to make. I even purchased four new cookbooks during a recent book sale at work.

I know I already have a recipe posted for Penne a la Vodka, but who said you can’t have a few versions of a recipe handy?

Ingredients:
3 TBSP butter
3-4 cloves garlic, chopped finely
1 cup thinly sliced prosciutto
1 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, drained
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup vodka
Salt and pepper
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1 lb penne pasta
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Directions:
1.   In a wide pot big enough to hold all the pasta and sauce, melt the butter.

2.   Add the garlic and cook until golden brown.

3.   Stir in the prosciutto and cook for a minute or two.

4.   Add the tomatoes, crushed pepper, salt and pepper.

5.   Simmer for 5 minutes.

6.   Stir in the cream and cook for 2 minutes stirring a lot.

7.   Add the vodka and cook until it no longer smells strongly of vodka (about 3-5 minutes).

8.    Cook the pasta as directed on box but al dente.

9.    Add the pasta to the pot with the sauce and mix until it is all coated over the pasta.

10.    Toss with the cheese and serve immediately.

***SIDE NOTE***
I added some sweet peas to give it a small “oomph” and it definitely wasn’t an idea that backfired on me! I think next time I’ll use a 14.5 oz. can of petite diced tomatoes and a 14.5 oz. can of tomato sauce, or a 28 oz. can of crushed tomatoes.

I happened to have some leftover prosciutto and peas, so I’ll be making another new recipe tonight that luckily calls for both: Prosciutto Pasta Toss.