Bring It All Back
We’ve known for a while that if you bring FIVE empty cosmetic cases to any MAC counter, you can get a free lipstick. If you bring the containers to a MAC store you can get a free lipstick, eyeshadow or lipgloss. We recently found out that anything that’s not MAC can still be recycled. Origins will find a way to recycle your used cosmetic containers – even if they don’t have numbers 1 and 2 on them. Just bring the used containers to any origins store – they’ve got bins set up, ready for collection.
Courtesy of NBC10
NBC10’s Lilliana Vazquez leads the way to cute chandeliers, lavender oil to help you get some shut eye,wellies for puddle jumping, as well as slippers for freezing floors. Our tootsies have been pretty cold as of late – these slippers just might be what we’re looking for.
Glamour has a write up on beauty products that boys love. We think some of this list looks great for the cold air – Burt’s Bees lip balm, and Kiehl’s lotion? Whoever these boys are, they picked nice stuff.
Meet Jaime
This is Jaime, former PW staffer, current makeup maven. She’s got the goods when it comes to beauty tips and is going to share her knowledge with us once a week. I’m psyched and you should be to.
Basics from Jaime Weinberg on Vimeo.
For more info on the products used in this video:
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish/Natural
Le Crayon Yeux Precision Eye Definer
CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Blasting Mascara
Baubles, Bangles and Beads
Want some accessories and sparkle without breaking the bank? Glamour and Cosmo have some ideas for you. Glamour also has some ideas on what toenail polish you should get to go with these sandals. Since Easter was eight degrees colder than Christmas, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that the piggy toes can make their seasonal debut soon.
Since it’s April and there may be some more showers on the way, the New York Times did a feature on umbrellas. They’re a welcome dash of color on a dreary day. Just watch out for the Cartier ad on the side of the page, it likes to pop open.
It’s amazing what a difference the right makeup can make. Allure has put together a slideshow on how wearing makeup incorrectly can age you up to a couple of years. This brings me to my new fave, Bare Escentuals. I’d watched the infomercial and thought whatever, that stuff isn’t real. However, when my sister started wearing it, I started thinking differently. It provides coverage and might actually improve your skin. Nice.
NY Times photographer Bill Cunningham got some great pictures of Easter in NYC. Cunningham, who has been taking shots since World War II, gives commentary to his pictures. Definitely worth watching.
Esquire’s list of Best Dressed Real Men has some Philly Flavor.
And while not exactly local, the show Britain’s Got Talent has had some amazing contestants as of late. I don’t want to give it away, so just watch this singer and these dancers.
Free Stuff Friday: MAC Love Rock
Because they’re freaking generous, the folks at MAC sent us a big shipment of free goodies this week. And because we freaking love our readers, we’re giving every single product away—one a week, every Friday till we run out or get more.
This week’s product is from MAC’s new Grand Duos Mineralize Blush Duo Collection. (Pictured here.) The makeup originally costs $22.50. Half of every jar houses a Mineralize Blush while the other half has a frosty solid color in a complementary shade. The collection includes seven blushes in various shades of pink, plum, rose and brown. The one we’ve got is called “Love Rock.” It’s dark pinkish shade with a more iridescent tone on the other side.
So how do you get it? Send an email to epalan@philadelphiaweekly.com with the subject line “FREE STUFF FRIDAY!” In the body of the email include a link to the funniest cat video you can find on the internet. We’ll post the video before we head out for the weekend and contact you about where to send your free stuff.
FREE Designer Cosmetics Next Week
Screw the inauguration coverage (as if it won’t be immediately available on YouTube). Instead go shopping. And before you start belly-achin’ about the economy, take a moment to peruse this story on 6ABC.com. Amy Buckman reports that on Tues., Jan. 20, 14 department stores—including Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Neiman-Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks 5th Avenue—will be giving away $175-million worth of cosmetics as legal settlement from a 2003 class-action lawsuit. Shoppers are allowed to choose one item from a list of 19. For a full list of products (as well as details about the legal proceedings), click here.
Happy Thursday! The Weekend Prep Edition.
Nowadays, it’s like God forbid if a dude who has been calling/texting/communicating with you in various forms of impersonal technology asks to see you and actually calls it a date. I mean, really, that would be just insane, because anymore every young single knows that caring is creepy. In light of this philosophy, and the awkward yet anticipated “hangout,” I am left wondering just what the hell am I supposed to wear? I mean, I don’t want to appear as though I actually thought about it, right? Some fashion bloggers attempted to come to the rescue by posting photos of their top picks for first date—I mean “hangout”—attire, and I have to admit that some of these ladies have the right idea.
If you are going to a DJ night this weekend and think that somehow that adorable mini dress is going to make up for how weird you look convulsing in the hypothermic winter air, think again. Dress sassy but smart with these helpful tips.
Miss Popularity, an amazing highlighter by Benefit, does it all. With a line of it over each eye, you can achieve shimmery, icy eyes for a night out. And no matter how early your Friday obligations pull you out of bed, a simple brush of Miss Popularity under each eye will take away that, “I got home at 3 am and I have no idea how” look in a snap!
I don’t think this is actually news, because the fashion choices of contestants on American Idol have always made me cringe, but it seems even random news sites are taking note at just how lame these people can be. If the brunette spray-tanned attempt at Paris Hilton (because imitating her is cool?) isn’t enough for you, a photo gallery of the rest of these super-talents is posted as well.
A Final Treat: Save your skin from the sub-zero windchill with Alba’s Coconut Milk Body Cream. Not only does it have an amazing moisturizing effect, this lotion smells absolutely divine. Not to mention just $11.95 for an entire tub of it!
Navigating the Sephorian Labyrinth
The Other Jaime W. is back with us to share her opinions on makeup matters. Yep, it’s her perspective on deadly serious stuff like undereye concealer and warm versus cool skin tones, so people out there who get all in need of Cymbalta over such things, it’s OK. Those commercials depress the hell out of us, too. Besides, I think I love you.
Jaime’s back today with her 101 (it’s totally A.P. level for someone like me) of Sephora’s bounty. Conveniently, there’s a storefront right down the street from where she “works” so she can zip out and buy a shiny new thing the moment L-Dopa levels plummet mid-afternoon and carrot juice isn’t going to cut it.
The woman lives and breathes makeup. Believe:
Bare Escentuals
Buxom Lips. Not only are these lip glosses infused with antioxidants like Vitamin A and E, but they smell great, come in very wearable shades and even make your lips look bigger! I’m currently in love with Trixie.
Benefit
A few picks from this line.
I mentioned in my last post my love of Erase Paste.
Another recommendation is their Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner. Unlike some cream eye shadows, these last, although some are more pigmented than others. I personally love Skinny Jeans, a soft pewter shade perfect for a quick smoky eye.
Another great product from Benefit is Benetint. I love red lips but can’t stand re-applying all night long. Often, I apply Benetint at the beginning of the night and touch up with a sheer red lip gloss. No mirror needed!
It also now comes with a clear lip gloss attached.
Clarisonic
Want to spend a fortune on a product but save in the long run on facials? Check out the Clarisonic Skincare Brush. I haven’t tried it out myself but I am seeing a lot of buzz about it online. Let me know if you have tried it!
Dior
Every makeup artist’s must have is Diorshow Mascara. If you are looking for over-the-top volume and length, try this one out.
Fresh
Dry lips? Here is the solution. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment. It’s the gold standard for high-end lip balms.
Guerlain
Most likely, you haven’t brought a product from this brand in some time. Well, it’s time to take another look. With some of the best packaging and overall quality in the industry, I have a bunch of picks from Guerlain.
With undoubtedly the most beautiful packaging in the industry, KissKiss lipstick offers pigmented, vibrant shades for everyone.
If you are looking for luminous skin and have a gentle touch applying your makeup, try Meteorites Powder for Face. They impart a stunning glow that is never glittery or chalky. My personal favorite is Mythic.
Most likely the most popular bronzer on the planet is Terracotta Bronzing Powder. It comes in several shades.
Kevyn Aucoin
If you can find it in store, you must try the Sensual Skin Enhancer. It’s really a do-it-all for the face. Use it on it’s own as a luminizing concealer, or combine with moisturizer for a glowing foundation.
Lancome
When buying Lancome, it’s all about the lashes! But just remember to use your mascara within 6 months max!
My personal favorite is Hypnose, but in all honesty all their mascaras are great.
Another must are Juicy Tubes if you are looking for super sheer lip gloss with over the top shine.
Laura Mercier
The best tinted moisturizer on the market. Great pigmentation, very good shade range, plus it comes in regular and oil-free versions.
Make Up Forever
This is such a great line and is often missed by the general public. Everything from their foundations to concealers to lashes are highly reviewed on one of my favorite sites, makeupalley.com.
My current fave:
Aqua Eyes is a long lasting eye liner that comes in great shades. Currently I am loving their Bronze Collection!
The rest of my personal faves will be posted in part 2 of this week’s traipse through Sephora. I hope this helps.
Do you have additional suggestions for must-have products? Let us know! Post a comment with your necessities.
stay hungry: best break-up makeup
Months pass. Years, even. The endorphins that let you stay up til dawn doing it like mad monkeys recede. Charming and disarming sinks into same and lame. The harsh rays of the morning sun reveal pores and undereye bags and armpit dandruff.
Quittin’ time. But as we all learned in my favorite episode of Family Ties when Alex P. Keaton is standing bereft by the punch bowl as Billy Vera and the Beaters croon “At this Moment” (it’s OUR “Unchained Melody”) while his TV-girlfriend-later-real-life-wife Ellen walked away, it’s never easy.
If you aren’t moved by this song, y’all are C-O-L-D, even if there is a dangerously Kenny G-ish part.
Special guest make-up maniac Jaime W. (different Jaime W!) is here to guide us through those times when the strings swell and there’s no one around to take you on a break-up bender to hunt for a seXXXy new mistake. Nothing cures the break-up blues like some molly followed up with a game of Twister. True story.
Must. Look. Fierce.
JW’s recommendations:
Mascara
The best waterproof mascara is Blinc Kiss Me Mascara. Although not my top favorite for fake-lash volume and length, Kiss Me is better than waterproof mascara in times of crisis!
The website explains that Kiss Me ”form(s) tiny water-resistant “tubes” around your lashes rather than painting them like conventional mascaras. Once applied, the tubes bind to your lashes and cannot run, smudge, clump, or flake, even if you cry or rub your eyes.”
The best part? At the end of the day you can literally wipe them away with warm water. No need to scrub or use a heavy makeup remover. Hit Sephora.
Fuck-You Red Lips
Trust me, there is a red for everyone! If you have big or tiny lips, try a sheer red gloss or lipstick. If you are fair or cool toned go for a blue-based red. If you are warmer toned, so for something deeper.
My F.U. Red is available online but not in Philadelphia (that I know of): Julie Hewett Femme Noir.
First of all, the shade stays put. It’s a highly pigmented cool red that grabs attention: perfect for when you run into your ex and he’s with the chick you ALWAYS KNEW he’d hook up with the moment you broke up with him, thereby delaying the break-up.
Take the take the quiz on her website to find out which red is pefect for you.
Lastly, my most important weapon in the world of makeup:
Undereye Concealer
I have tried them all! My current favorite is without a doubt Benefit’s Erase Paste.
I have a firm belief that the old wives’ tale of going one shade lighter on your concealer is a disaster. My blue, baggy undereyes have told me that lighter concealers make undereyes look grey. Go for a peachy shade that matches your skin.
The negative? Erase Paste only comes in 3 shades, but I find the lightest shade to match my paper-white skin beautifully. If you feel limited at all by the shades, absolutely check out Bobbi Brown’s Correctors and Concealers.
It doesn’t matter if you’re self-medicating to get through the break-up, as long as you don’t LOOK like you are.
Bonus: Because somehow the break-up moment is not on youtube, defaulting to the episode when Alex pops pills and misses his exam. Love “very special episodes.”
“Drugs! These are drugs! And I have them illegally!”
Felicia’s in the Kiss Army
The unseasonable heat wave that rolled over Philadelphia early in June reminded us why we give up on glamour every summer.
Paring away all but the necessities of beauty requires that the remaining elements stand on their own. By now you’ve gotten a smidge of sun, nothing too Brooke Hogan, and all you need is a quick eyelash curl, a coat of mascara, and the perfect SPF-infused lip color.
Cosmetics superstore Sephora has rounded up a selection of lippies that won’t let you get torched. The best of the bunch have soothing botanicals like aloe vera and mango butter to keep your kisser soft, and SPFs of 15 or greater to shield you from aging UVA rays and burning UVBs. All-around covetable Vincent Longo Lip Stain Lipstick SPF 15 ($23) comes in twelve colors with intriguing names, like Americana (rose red) and Foolish Virgin (begonia pink) that light up bare summer skin. The sheer, stained texture is fresher than a shimmery or frosted finish.
Stila SPF 20 Shine Lip Color ($22) delivers eight prototypically wearable Stila sheer colors with loads of antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and E. Pick up a Keren or Talia nude shade for the pale lip look of the moment. Perfect for girls with naturally deeper skin tones.
If you’re more of a pot-head, dip into Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Lip Balm ($20) for a been-eating-local-strawberries stain. The moisturizing berry gloss is whipped up from Benefit’s secret rose petal formula and has a SPF of 15.
Korres Mango Butter Lipstick SPF 10 ($18) is advertised as being made from all-natural ingredients, but the unpronounceable ethylmethyls on the ingredient list reminds me that even a carcinogenic organic chemical compound like Benzene is technically “naturally occurring” (in crude oil!). Anyway, this “holistic” lipstick contains mango butter for moisture and comes in twelve summery shades, suitable for sunbathing on the sidewalk.
Also, Daryl Hall is our official collective boyfriend of the day, because he called John Oates a German Shepherd in Chuhuahua’s pants and that shit’s hilarious (he was referring to J.O. and the ladies).