Five Fun Gifts For The Traveler

You know that friend that you have that’s never in one place too long? The one who posts pictures from all over the world on her Facebook page? If you’re stumped as to what kind of gift to give her (if she’s rarely home a vase isn’t going to cut it, is it?), I have got some great ideas for you, clever gifts for the traveler in your life.

5 Gifts For Travelers

1. Cute Passport Cover- Going through immigration can be a drag, but a whimsical passport cover will bring a smile to her face even while she’s waiting in line. This is not only useful, it’s quirky, colorful and fun. The bonus is that she’ll think of you every time she pulls it out of her bag. Whether or not this will translate into her taking you with on the next trip, I can’t say. But it couldn’t hurt your chances.

2. Standout Luggage Tags – Everyone’s got a lime green or red luggage tag these days, but not everyone has smart-ass luggage tag. She’ll be able to find her hides-marks-really-well-when-you-travel-a-lot black suitcase in a crowd of them. And maybe it will even help her meet that cute guy in seat 12a.

3. Travel Makeup Brushes – The whole makeup thing may be the most irritating part of negotiating travel. What to bring, what to leave home. Hauling a set of expensive makeup brushes may not make the cut. Enter this kit. A great set of brushes in a neat travel pouch that will stand upright on it’s own on a crowded hotel vanity. A great, inexpensive gift that will get used again and again. At least it would if it were mine.

4. Scratch-Off Wall Map – This cool map will help her keep track of where she’s been, even if she can’t remember. This is also a great gift for kids or anyone who’s got a travel wish list. Just scratch the gold coating off the countries you’ve visited, revealing the blue underneath. When the whole map’s blue, you’re done!

5. Go Clean Bag – Dirty, wet, smelly clothes can really stink up a suitcase—and the clean stuff inside of it. Problem solved with one of these clever bags. They’re made of a heavyweight nylon that keeps dirt and odor inside. The drawstring laundry version comes in its own zippered bag, compact and ready to pack. It’s handy to haul to the laundromat when you’re on a long trip, too. Other versions include the wet suit bag, shoe bag and miscellaneous stuff bag. You can also get a set of their most popular bags packed in one kit; you’ll be giving the gift of a clean, fresh, organized suitcase, and nothing says love more than that. Does it?

Featured photo credit

bareMinerals – Flawless Coverage

All my adult life, I have been looking for a makeup that gave me real coverage for my uneven skin tone, but that wouldn’t clog my pores and make me break out. Having a built in SPF would be an added bonus.

A couple years ago, I was in Sephora and on a whim picked up the bareMinerals Starter Kit. It was $60. I took it home and tried it immediately. And I was instantly in love with the coverage. It was exactly how I wanted my skin to look. I didn’t have any trouble mastering the “swirl, tap and buff” method of application. Best of all, it didn’t make my skin break out.

I had one complaint—all the powders. Between the foundation, the blush and/or bronzer, and the Mineral Veil finisher, it was a mess. And if I traveled, which I was doing a bunch of at the time, all the powders would end up spilling into the lids and making an even bigger mess until I was able to use up all that had spilled in the lids. I got so frustrated that I gave up and gave it all to a friend.

I tried several expensive brands of makeup after that, all with disappointing results. Then I found myself at the mall one day with time to kill and went into the bare Essentuals store and talked with one of the sales associates about my concerns. She agreed that the mess had in fact been a big problem for people, and they were starting to roll out containers that have a rotating cap so you can close it and not spill the powder everywhere. For the products that didn’t have it yet, she gave me an easy fix. Instead of tearing off the whole sticker (that covers the holes in the lid) upon purchasing the item, take a safety pin and poke only a few holes out. That way when you travel, it can’t make such a huge mess. DUH. What a simple solution. I bought ANOTHER Starter Kit then and there and haven’t looked back.

The system begins with a primer. The bareMinerals brand is called Prime Time and comes in a few formulas depending on your skin type. The second step is the foundation. I use Matte SPF 15 Foundation. To apply, you use a technique they call Swirl Tap Buff, which simply means you swirl the brush in the powder, tap the brush to remove excess powder, and then buff it on your face. Then you add your blush and/or bronzer, using the same technique. The last step is the Mineral Veil which sort of locks your makeup in place. I really love the look and the feel of the whole regimen.

I also have to confess to not being exactly um…. shall we say, consistent in my evening skin care routine. I’ve slept in this stuff far more times than I care to admit. Even then, it doesn’t make my skin break out.

The other thing I’d like to point out is that the brushes that come with the Starter Kit, as well as any additional brushes you may buy later, are of excellent quality. They require little care. Every couple months (or let’s be honest, when I remember) I just wash them with my shampoo and let them air dry. They don’t shed too much and they are soft but keep their shape.

I can’t recommend this stuff highly enough. If you are unsure, go to a Bare Essentuals store if you have one and have them put it on you. I think you’ll be a convert too.

Oh, O-Gloss!

It was a rare impulse purchase for me. I was at the online checkout at Sephora and there was a box on the page featuring Smashbox O-Gloss lip gloss for the bargain price of $10 (it’s normally $22). I love to wear a simple lip gloss that just kisses my mouth with color on weekend days, so I thought why not? Into my cart it went.

The minute the box was dropped at my doorstep I swooped down, picked it up and brought my prizes inside. The O-Gloss was the first thing I grabbed because I was dying to try it. You see, O-Gloss is intuitive lip gloss. It knows exactly the right color for you (in spite of the fact that it’s never met you). I wanted to see what color was right for me. I swiped the at-first clear gloss on and suddenly it turned pink. Way-too-bright-for-my-taste pink.

Crap.

Sephora allows you to return slightly used products, but honestly, the reason I buy online is that I don’t have time to trot to the mall often. And I usually get “lost” in Sephora whenever I go anyway, so my wallet stood to lose more than the $10 I paid for the gloss. Plus, even though the color didn’t rock my socks, I loved the feel of the stuff.

Call it busy-ness, laziness or some combination of the two, but I decided I was going to make this stuff work. I wiped it off and tried apply a much smaller amount.

Ah ha.

There’s the trick (at least for me): Use it sparingly. It’s highly emollient and feels amazing on. Applied with a light hand, the color is just what I wanted from a gloss. It’s become my go-to on the weekend.

So, would I recommend O-Gloss? I would certainly recommend you try it. It’s good stuff. Would I buy it again at the full price of $22? Probably not. It will last me a long time, but there are other glosses that make me just as happy for a lot less cash.

Smashbox O-Gloss is available at Sephora, Drugstore.com/Beauty.com , Amazon.com  and other retailers that sell Smashbox products.

Gifts For Her: I Feel Pretty Edition

Sometimes a girl woman just needs to feel pretty. That means something different for everyone, but here are a few things that just might make perfect gifts for her.

Five Gifts That Will Make Her Feel Pretty

1. Lush Bath Bombs – Did you know it actually gets cold in South Florida? Well, at least I get cold, and there’s nothing I like better than soaking in a lovely, warm, fragrant tub. One of my biggest complaints in this area has always been that even the priciest bath additives can leave me feeling dry. Not these little beauties – they are packed with moisturizers. And they fizz when you put them in the tub. And they smell yummy. And? Not expensive. Great stocking stuffer. My picks: Butterball and Geo-Fizz.

2. Swarovski Harley Crystal Earrings - I’ve always wanted diamond studs, but whenever I shop for them the price makes me throw up a little in my mouth. Seriously. I could buy airline tickets to New York AND hotel for those prices. No thank you. And that’s where these little beauties come in. I have the smaller pair; I just need the larger pair (I have multiple ear piercings) for the perfect set. Did I mention these are only $59?

3. Bliss Eau De Toilette – I got a sample of this in my last Sephora order and it IS Bliss. At least for me. I am forever trying to find a “t-shirt and jeans” kind of fragrance, one that’s clean, light and “weekendy.” This is absolutely it. If you’re unsure of her fragrance preference, try Sephora’s sampler, which I reviewed last year. This year it includes the Bliss fragrance.

4. Origins Ginger Burst Body Wash – One of my favorite winter scents is Origins’ Ginger Essence. A woman once remarked that I smelled like a cookie whilst I was wearing it and a man chimed in with a wholehearted, “Yes, it’s wonderful, isn’t it?” In other words, guys dig it. I would love to layer that smell by washing with this yummy body wash and then following up with the body cream.

5. A Spanx Turtleneck Top (or two) – Nothing makes me feel sexier than a black turtleneck. It’s true. I own a long sleeve version and a sleeveless version. The only thing that would make me feel hotter is if those tops actually made me look a little more lithe – that’s where Spanx comes in. OK, they’re a bit pricey, but remember all the money I saved you on those earrings?

Featured photo by: LYDIA and her SALAD DAYS’/Flickr

7 Must-Haves For The Holiday Season

Can you smell it?  Mm mm.  I CAN!  The holidays are upon us!  Who needs some gift giving ideas? (Paging my husband…)

7 Holiday Must-Haves

Dance Central for XBOX 360 Kinect.  Because WHO does not love to dance, while losing some extra weight in your own living room, while Also being able to upload your super hot dance moves to All of the internet.

‘Wish for The Perfect Pout’ set of 6 Smashbox lip glosses (from Sephora).  If you didn’t know already, I am in LOVE with lip glosses.  The addiction started with a multitude of chap sticks as a kid, and then I moved onto the gloss.  I just can’t. help. myself.

‘Skinny Italian,’ Teresa Guidice’s cookbook.  Love love love her!  My inner table flipping Jersey girl (who happened to actually be born & bred in Rhode Island) needs. these. recipes.  Who couldn’t use some Healthier Italian recipes to boot?

‘Cold Beverage Jar with Stand’ from Crate and Barrel.  OK, that one doesn’t sound so fantastic, but go on – LOOK at it.  Can you not just see your homemade sangria in that?  Can you hear the ooohs and aaahs from your guests?  (Red wine, I like Red Wine!)

And then there’s what I like to call the big guns.  Shoes and pocketbooks…  oh my.

Uggs! ‘Women’s Ultimate Short’ in sand or chocolate (did I mention my size would be an 8?  Yes, their sizes run a bit different – just in case you were wondering – or wanted to send me some).  Oprah may have just given away the glittery ones as a favorite thing, but I am still partial to these.

‘Madison Dotted Op Art Swingpack’ by Coach in silver/khaki/mahogany…  OR in brass/mahogany…  you know, depending on what color my Uggs are.  I like my colors coordinating, what can I say.  Then again, the all black one would pair nicely with:

Jessica Simpson’s ‘Tessie’ Boot in black new bomber.  And did I mention while they may retail at $210, boots are currently $50 off through 11/30 with coupon code ’50BOOT’ -AND- they happen to have Free standard shipping!  Woo hoo!  Merry Christmas!

Those are My 7 must haves for this holiday season.  (And if still in doubt, you can never go wrong with a gift certificate to your favorite girls hair salon or wherever she gets manicures and pedicures!)  Happy shopping!

Photo by: Nicole
Feature photo by: Kevin Dooley

10 Fabulous Gifts For A Fashionista

Whether it’s a wife, girlfriend, mother, daughter, niece, or yourself (there’s nothing wrong with a little self-gifting!) most of us will be gifts for a fashionista this holiday season. Below are ten gifts (chosen by moi) that are sure to please any style-conscious friend or family member (and me).

10 Great Gift Ideas For A Fashionista

1. Magazine Subscriptions – Give the gift that keeps on giving – 12 months of fashion, style, and inspiration in the pages of Harper’s Bazaar, British Vogue, Lucky and other fashion & style magazines.

Bonus: Super affordable and no wrapping!

2. Nina Garcia’s Look Book $13.97 – Advice on what to wear for every occasion from the fashion director of Marie Claire and Project Runway judge, Nina Garcia. She’s smart, chic, and sharp tongued. Who wouldn’t take fashion advice from Nina?

3. Charm Bracelets - Charm bracelets are back in a big way. There are lots of fashionable variations (like this Juicy Couture braclet/necklace combo) and personalization shows that you put time and effort into your gift selection.

Bonus: Years of gift giving are in the bag! Mark memorable occasions with new charms!

4. Sephora by OPI $48 – Nail polish is an accessory just like a fabulous bracelet or necklace. The Sephora by OPI gift set includes 18 mini nail colors, from the lady-like to the daring, that compliment any outfit.

5. Gift cards – Fashionistas are one of the few people I recommend buying gift cards for. Style can be really personal, and you don’t want to buy the wrong size or color. If you ‘re going to give gift cards, make sure it’s for somewhere with a wide selection (like Sephora, Simon Malls, or a department store) and that the dollar amount covers the cost of whatever you had in mind for the person (say a new purse or pair of boots).

6. Echo ‘Driver Touch’ Gloves $35 – Gloves make a fantastic gift because you can buy a high-end name brand for a reasonable price (check TJ Maxx for brands like Coach and Michael Kors). I love the classic driving style and bold colors of these Echo wool gloves. So chic.

Bonus: Textured pads on the thumb and index finger allows you to use your iPhone and other touch devices!

7. TOMS shoes $54 – TOMS have a cult following, and these Glitter TOMS are so versatile and sparkly that anyone can see why.

Bonus: For every pair you purchase, TOMS gives a pair to a child in need!

8. Vintage Purse Camera Strap $30 – Photography and fashion seems to go hand-in-hand thanks to the boom in fashion blogging. What better way to make your camera fashionable than with a strap that looks like it’s straight from a vintage purse (namely one that rhymes with FoFo Fanel)!

9. Gem Headphones $29.50 – Not only are these Orbit Gem Hearphones from Delight.com slim and functional, they look gorgeous and demure.

10. Miniemergency Kit $11.95 – Every fashionista need to be prepared for the worst – unraveling hems, broken nails, runs in tights. The Miniemergency Kit from Kitson is adorable and contains all the necessities: hairspray, clear nail polish, nail polish remover, emery board, lip balm, earring backs, clear elastics, sewing kit, double-sided tape, stain remover, deodorant, pain reliever, tampon, breath freshener, dental floss, and bandages.

A Month of StriVectin-SD Instant Retexturizing Scrub

Is your bathroom cupboard anything like mine?  Overflowing with unused beauty products?  Things I bought, was given, inherited, bought cause I had a coupon and picked up who knows where else.  And mixed in there was a brand new tube of StriVectin-SD Instant Retexturizing Scrub.

In that I was out of room, I decided it was time to start using them.  I grabbed the one closest to the front, gave it a read, and began using it.

It was StriVectin-SD Instant Retexturizing Scrub.  Mine is 150mL/5 fl. oz and comes in a very clinical-looking tube.  My husband actually asked if it was some new prescription.  I think I may have received it from BlogHer, but I can’t honestly say for sure.

But I decided to give it a whirl.

You are supposed to use this 2-3 times per week.  It’s easy to use, you simply use a small amount and massage it on to your face and neck.  (Note: Watch out for the eyes.  It really burns if you screw up and get it in them.)

I can be a real skeptic about these kinds of things, especially when they are price-y.  But I am not kidding, the first time I used it, my skin really did feel smoother and looked more even.  And I have noticed a definite decrease in those “really, come on, I am 36-years-old!” breakouts.

I have now continued using it a couple times a week for a month.  I have felt like the results were definitely worth keeping up with it.  My skin continues to feel more even and soft.  But the best part?  In a blog post I wrote recently, I included this photo of myself.

One of the comments I received read:

This has nothing to do with the maze, but I just had to tell you that your skin looks amazing! As in perfect and flawless. I’m jealous. Not that you ever looked anything but great in high school. Got any secrets or is it just good genes?

Now I certainly am not going to say that a month of using a new product made all the difference.  My skin is still my skin.  But I do think that it was interesting to have someone comment on something as specific as my skin a month after I started using StriVectin.

StriVectin products are available online at Amazon, StriVectin and Sephora.

Shades of Greige – Fall Nail Polish Colors

My mom tried everything to get me to stop biting my nails as a kid. Neither manicures to show me how pretty my nails could be (if only I’d take my damn fingers out of my mouth!) nor foul tasting nail polish (which wasn’t so foul tasting after you got used to it) could break my habit. I was hardcore.

It wasn’t until recently, when I discovered Nail Tek, that my nails became presentable. Long and strong and perfect for polishing!

Since then, I’ve learned to embrace nail polish. It compliments your outfit, reflect you personal style, and can pull together a look in a snap. This fall’s coolest nail polish colors aren’t as harsh as last year (no red-blacks or royal blues) but they are just as brooding and moody in shades of greige (gray + beige).

Here are some of my favorite nail polish colors (at a variety of price points) for fall.

Paradoxal by Chanel is this season’s “it manicure” and is sure to sell out. It’s an iridescent, gray-violet hue that makes for a surprising neutral and was spotted on several celebrities during Fashion Week (Jessica Simpson occasionally gets something right).

If dropping $25 on a bottle of nail polish isn’t in your budget, you can find similar shades at your corner drugstore and look just as chic.

Merino Cool by Essie has that same gray-violet hue without the sparkle and is universally flattering, no matter your skin-tone. The whole Essie Fall 2010 Collection is perfect for fall, and even includes Limited Addiction red for the holidays.

OPI makes an entire line of fabulous polishes for Sephora, but Metro Chic is this season’s standout color. It’s a smokey gray with a hint of purple that looks gorgeous with olive complexions.

Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen has a great color out called Wet Clay that’s flying off the shelves – so keep your eyes peeled! Mudslide by Sally Hansen is another great creamy option if Tracy Reese is nowhere to be found.

If you prefer more neutral colors, You Don’t Know Jacques! by OPI and e.l.f. nail polish in nude are two colors from last spring that are still going strong.

Will you be sporting greige polish this fall?

Tinted Moisturizer… as Goldilocks would say… “Just Right.”

Susannah here.  Known in very limited circles of the Internetwebs as PaintingChef.  I’m one of the newbies on this website and I’m quite excited to be involved.  Mostly I’ll be writing (long-winded and somewhat rambling) beauty product reviews, I’m a cosmetic junkie so I’m always trying something new, even if I’ve found my one true love and BFF of a product, I’ll still keep shopping… it’s a disease.  Let the healing begin!!

I have recently had a birthday, and as my mirror (and perhaps my mother) ever so gently informed me, maybe it is time to move beyond the Clinique Oil-Control Pressed Powder that I’ve been using since I was about 13.

Now, I won’t lie… in the skin department, I’m fairly lucky, even though I’m just now, at 33, realizing this.  My skin is pretty darn oily but apparently, according to all the internet gurus (i.e. Sephora, Mario Badescu and Facebook) this makes me lucky.  Because while it stains my pillows and makes me fight the teenage boys for elbow room in the Clearsil aisle at Walgreens, it also apparently keeps my skin from getting those fine lines and wrinkles that Diane Lane and Jennifer Garner keep hassling me about in the Neutrogena ads.

But… I’m a former smoker and I’m unable to leave my monthly chin-zit (oh yes… you know what I’m talking about) alone so I do have a couple of little lines, some dark spots that are scar-like because they never fully heal AND one large wrinkle on my forehead that is screaming for Botox.  (Lucky for my husband, my feet scream even louder for Italian shoes and I am, so far, un-botulism-ed).

So through a fortunate happenstance, a deluxe-sized sample of Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer came into my life.  I was already somewhat on the lookout for something more than a powder but less than a foundation.  I’m opposed to foundation for reasons too numerous to list here but they start with oily skin and end with me liking my summer tan and not wanting to hide its light under a layer of pancake makeup, thank you very much.

One evening as my husband and I were getting ready to meet some friends for dinner, I decided to give this tinted moisturizer a whirl.  My skin was looking less than glowing and those dark circles under my eyes were doing too good a job of tattling on me for the copious amount of rum I’d had the night before.  The instant that perfectly light moisturizer hit my skin, I was in love.  It was sheer coverage, blended in perfectly and easily with just my fingertips and was completely weightless.  I didn’t feel like I was wearing a thing on my skin.  (And did I mention the SPF 20!?!?  BONUS!)

After a quick coat of powder, I was floored by how flawless my skin looked.  But the real test (for me at least) was going to be how it wore over the course of an evening.  Have I mentioned that I’m a forehead sweater?  As soon as any kind of sunscreen hits my face, I break out into a sweat.  I also can’t wear any of those “luminizing creams” or facial highlighters.  Dewey?  Please.  I end up looking like I just ran a marathon.  (From the neck up… the rest of me still screams couch-potato.)

But I was AMAZED.  The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer never made me feel oily, my pores never felt clogged.  The coverage stayed all evening.  And as a daytime trial the next day proved, it stayed all day as well.  My skin felt softer and smoother and looked FLAWLESS.  I even felt less oily and shiny hours after putting it on so I think it helped my powder stay in place as well!

After only using my deluxe sample (in Nude) three times, I went to Sephora’s website to get a full-sized tube.  I was a little shocked at the $42 dollar price tag but I still placed my order.  I ended up purchasing a shade darker in Bisque.  A little of this moisturizer goes a long way so I think this tube will last me a good 4 months at least.  Plus I further rationalize it by telling myself that it REALLY is two products in one.  I no longer use my regular moisturizer during the day before putting on my makeup.

A more inclusive look through Sephora, Drugstore.com and my local Walgreens taught me that tinted moisturizers are all over the place and I’m just late to the game.  There is also a good chance that if I took the time to look around, I could find a product comparable to the Laura Mercier one that is a little easier on my wallet.  But I’m too in love with this product to even consider something else.  I’ve also since learned that there IS an oil-free formula, something I missed the first time around.  While I have NO complaints about the oil levels in the product I’ve been using, I will probably, when what I have runs out, switch to the oil-free option as I try to make a habit of only using oil-free products on my skin.

So if you are looking for something more than a powder but lighter than foundation or maybe you just don’t like the feel of heavy makeup but need a little extra coverage, I would HIGHLY recommend that you look into this product.  Happy shopping!

While I did receive this product as a deluxe sample from Sephora, it was only because I already spend so much money on their website, it was NOT sent to me for the purpose of being reviewed.  That part was all me…

Sunless Tanners – and another reason to hate Lindsay Lohan

If you purchase a product “made” and/or endorsed by Lindsay Lohan, you deserve whatever happens to you.

I know this.  Anyone with common sense knows this.  And yet, I allowed the saleman with spiky hair at a Sephora in West Palm Beach convince me that Sevin Nyne Tanning Mist was a smart investment.  In my defense, Sephorais supposed to be more infallible than the pope, and he showed me how it works in the store. (The spiky haired salesman, not the pope.)  Plus, Sephora has the best return policy you can ask for, so I figured – what the hell?

Hell.  That’s a good word for the Sevin Nyne Tanning Mist experience.

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