Histoires de Parfums Ambre 114

Looking at my fragrance wardrobe, it's pretty clear I'm a fan of amber accord in almost any form. After all, what's not to love? It's rich, warm, often sweet and paired with vanilla and spice. Histoires de Parfums Amber 114 is no different in this regard, and despite all the other ambers I wear, it still has a place in my perfume cabinet as it's different enough.

Ambre 114 feels more restrained and pulled together than the exuberant powerhouse of Ambre Sultan. It shares the pairing of herbs and spice in the top and middle notes, but it's not as chewy and vegetal. Actually, while the 114 in the name stands for the number of ingredients in the perfume (how very Le Labo), the blending is so smooth and seamless it doesn't really invite you to play "spot the note". There's more of a feeling- a spicy phase, a floral streak and all that powdery vanilla-tonka-benzoin of a spicy oriental that makes one glue her nose to her wrist and roll her eyes with pleasure.

The entire Histoires de Parfums line is beautifully made and worth exploring, but right now Ambre 114 is my favorite (well, together with the sexy 1740 Marquis de Sade and 1969 which feels like an elegant and improved Angel), probably because it allows me to indulge in amber even in hot weather. I like to wear it at night as it's a bit dressy, but unlike many other ambers it doesn't feel dense. The herbal element keeps it clean (and unisex), and the very moderate sillage makes it appropriate almost everywhere, though my personal taste finds it on the romantic side.

Histoires de Parfums scents ($185 for 120 ml) are available in the US from Takashimaya in NYC and online through beautycafe.com, where you can also order samples of the entire line. In Europe, it's available directly from the company's website (130 €). I received the samples and a mini of Ambre 114 as a PR freebie.

Art: Shooting Star by Sabzi

Histoires de Parfums Ambre 114

Looking at my fragrance wardrobe, it's pretty clear I'm a fan of amber accord in almost any form. After all, what's not to love? It's rich, warm, often sweet and paired with vanilla and spice. Histoires de Parfums Amber 114 is no different in this regard, and despite all the other ambers I wear, it still has a place in my perfume cabinet as it's different enough.

Ambre 114 feels more restrained and pulled together than the exuberant powerhouse of Ambre Sultan. It shares the pairing of herbs and spice in the top and middle notes, but it's not as chewy and vegetal. Actually, while the 114 in the name stands for the number of ingredients in the perfume (how very Le Labo), the blending is so smooth and seamless it doesn't really invite you to play "spot the note". There's more of a feeling- a spicy phase, a floral streak and all that powdery vanilla-tonka-benzoin of a spicy oriental that makes one glue her nose to her wrist and roll her eyes with pleasure.

The entire Histoires de Parfums line is beautifully made and worth exploring, but right now Ambre 114 is my favorite (well, together with the sexy 1740 Marquis de Sade and 1969 which feels like an elegant and improved Angel), probably because it allows me to indulge in amber even in hot weather. I like to wear it at night as it's a bit dressy, but unlike many other ambers it doesn't feel dense. The herbal element keeps it clean (and unisex), and the very moderate sillage makes it appropriate almost everywhere, though my personal taste finds it on the romantic side.

Histoires de Parfums scents ($185 for 120 ml) are available in the US from Takashimaya in NYC and online through beautycafe.com, where you can also order samples of the entire line. In Europe, it's available directly from the company's website (130 €). I received the samples and a mini of Ambre 114 as a PR freebie.

Art: Shooting Star by Sabzi

Histoires de Parfums Ambre 114

Looking at my fragrance wardrobe, it's pretty clear I'm a fan of amber accord in almost any form. After all, what's not to love? It's rich, warm, often sweet and paired with vanilla and spice. Histoires de Parfums Amber 114 is no different in this regard, and despite all the other ambers I wear, it still has a place in my perfume cabinet as it's different enough.

Ambre 114 feels more restrained and pulled together than the exuberant powerhouse of Ambre Sultan. It shares the pairing of herbs and spice in the top and middle notes, but it's not as chewy and vegetal. Actually, while the 114 in the name stands for the number of ingredients in the perfume (how very Le Labo), the blending is so smooth and seamless it doesn't really invite you to play "spot the note". There's more of a feeling- a spicy phase, a floral streak and all that powdery vanilla-tonka-benzoin of a spicy oriental that makes one glue her nose to her wrist and roll her eyes with pleasure.

The entire Histoires de Parfums line is beautifully made and worth exploring, but right now Ambre 114 is my favorite (well, together with the sexy 1740 Marquis de Sade and 1969 which feels like an elegant and improved Angel), probably because it allows me to indulge in amber even in hot weather. I like to wear it at night as it's a bit dressy, but unlike many other ambers it doesn't feel dense. The herbal element keeps it clean (and unisex), and the very moderate sillage makes it appropriate almost everywhere, though my personal taste finds it on the romantic side.

Histoires de Parfums scents ($185 for 120 ml) are available in the US from Takashimaya in NYC and online through beautycafe.com, where you can also order samples of the entire line. In Europe, it's available directly from the company's website (130 €). I received the samples and a mini of Ambre 114 as a PR freebie.

Art: Shooting Star by Sabzi

Get Positively Beautiful by Carmindy- Book Review

Carmindy's second book, Get Positively Beautiful, has been sitting in my pile of books for months now. I couldn't decide what to do with it. Obviously, it's a beauty book that was sent to me for review, so I was simply supposed to read it and let the world know what I think of it. But it wasn't that easy.

As a beauty book, Get Positively Beautiful is mediocre at best. The chapters focusing on makeup application and technique resemble the generic advice you find in magazines. Here's an example:

"For an eye that's ready for day or evening, lightly line the upper lash line with a pencil. Next, sweep a midtone shadow on the lid, and with an angled brush, smudge it under the lower lash line. Then brush a contour shadow in the crease and a highlight shade under the brow. Finish with mascara, and you're gorgeously good to go." (page 46)

Seriously?

The very few illustrations are of little help. The "custom eye looks" try to explain how to apply eye makeup for different eye shapes, but the drawings show almost the exact same eye for every category, so the point is lost.

What you do get in the book is lots of great photos of Carmindy herself, in action and just showing her very pretty face. She's gorgeous and likable, but I'm not sure how that serves the purpose.

So why can't I just come out and say "this book sucks"?

As a beauty/makeup manual it does, indeed, suck. But Get Positively Beautiful is trying to be more than that, and there's some merit to this approach. If you're familiar with Carmindy's work on the American version of What Not To Wear, you know she starts her makeup consultations by asking the woman in front of her "what do you see in the mirror?". She then works on showing her makeoveree just how naturally pretty are some of her features and encourages her to plat them up. Carmindy doesn't talk about hiding, fixing or camouflaging your flaws. Instead, she focuses on the pretty and the positive, making sure the women can still recognize themselves in the mirror.

Similarly, large parts of the book are dedicated to make one change the way she looks at herself in the mirror. It's sort of a "chicken soup for the soul" thing, full of positive affirmations and mantras. I admire the good intentions and the loving spirit and think we all could use some of this attitude for looking at ourselves and at the world. But is it effective? Would reading such a book 25 years ago had saved me some of the teen angst? Had I been able to look at myself and see more than a nose only a plastic surgeon could love? Maybe, but I have a hunch it takes more than statements in a book by a picture-perfect blonde makeup artist.

Get Positively Beautiful by Carmindy (list price is $21.99, available on Amazon for $14.29) can be found in any bookstore, online and offline. I got my copy as a PR freebie.

Get Positively Beautiful by Carmindy- Book Review

Carmindy's second book, Get Positively Beautiful, has been sitting in my pile of books for months now. I couldn't decide what to do with it. Obviously, it's a beauty book that was sent to me for review, so I was simply supposed to read it and let the world know what I think of it. But it wasn't that easy.

As a beauty book, Get Positively Beautiful is mediocre at best. The chapters focusing on makeup application and technique resemble the generic advice you find in magazines. Here's an example:

"For an eye that's ready for day or evening, lightly line the upper lash line with a pencil. Next, sweep a midtone shadow on the lid, and with an angled brush, smudge it under the lower lash line. Then brush a contour shadow in the crease and a highlight shade under the brow. Finish with mascara, and you're gorgeously good to go." (page 46)

Seriously?

The very few illustrations are of little help. The "custom eye looks" try to explain how to apply eye makeup for different eye shapes, but the drawings show almost the exact same eye for every category, so the point is lost.

What you do get in the book is lots of great photos of Carmindy herself, in action and just showing her very pretty face. She's gorgeous and likable, but I'm not sure how that serves the purpose.

So why can't I just come out and say "this book sucks"?

As a beauty/makeup manual it does, indeed, suck. But Get Positively Beautiful is trying to be more than that, and there's some merit to this approach. If you're familiar with Carmindy's work on the American version of What Not To Wear, you know she starts her makeup consultations by asking the woman in front of her "what do you see in the mirror?". She then works on showing her makeoveree just how naturally pretty are some of her features and encourages her to plat them up. Carmindy doesn't talk about hiding, fixing or camouflaging your flaws. Instead, she focuses on the pretty and the positive, making sure the women can still recognize themselves in the mirror.

Similarly, large parts of the book are dedicated to make one change the way she looks at herself in the mirror. It's sort of a "chicken soup for the soul" thing, full of positive affirmations and mantras. I admire the good intentions and the loving spirit and think we all could use some of this attitude for looking at ourselves and at the world. But is it effective? Would reading such a book 25 years ago had saved me some of the teen angst? Had I been able to look at myself and see more than a nose only a plastic surgeon could love? Maybe, but I have a hunch it takes more than statements in a book by a picture-perfect blonde makeup artist.

Get Positively Beautiful by Carmindy (list price is $21.99, available on Amazon for $14.29) can be found in any bookstore, online and offline. I got my copy as a PR freebie.

Get Positively Beautiful by Carmindy- Book Review

Carmindy's second book, Get Positively Beautiful, has been sitting in my pile of books for months now. I couldn't decide what to do with it. Obviously, it's a beauty book that was sent to me for review, so I was simply supposed to read it and let the world know what I think of it. But it wasn't that easy.

As a beauty book, Get Positively Beautiful is mediocre at best. The chapters focusing on makeup application and technique resemble the generic advice you find in magazines. Here's an example:

"For an eye that's ready for day or evening, lightly line the upper lash line with a pencil. Next, sweep a midtone shadow on the lid, and with an angled brush, smudge it under the lower lash line. Then brush a contour shadow in the crease and a highlight shade under the brow. Finish with mascara, and you're gorgeously good to go." (page 46)

Seriously?

The very few illustrations are of little help. The "custom eye looks" try to explain how to apply eye makeup for different eye shapes, but the drawings show almost the exact same eye for every category, so the point is lost.

What you do get in the book is lots of great photos of Carmindy herself, in action and just showing her very pretty face. She's gorgeous and likable, but I'm not sure how that serves the purpose.

So why can't I just come out and say "this book sucks"?

As a beauty/makeup manual it does, indeed, suck. But Get Positively Beautiful is trying to be more than that, and there's some merit to this approach. If you're familiar with Carmindy's work on the American version of What Not To Wear, you know she starts her makeup consultations by asking the woman in front of her "what do you see in the mirror?". She then works on showing her makeoveree just how naturally pretty are some of her features and encourages her to plat them up. Carmindy doesn't talk about hiding, fixing or camouflaging your flaws. Instead, she focuses on the pretty and the positive, making sure the women can still recognize themselves in the mirror.

Similarly, large parts of the book are dedicated to make one change the way she looks at herself in the mirror. It's sort of a "chicken soup for the soul" thing, full of positive affirmations and mantras. I admire the good intentions and the loving spirit and think we all could use some of this attitude for looking at ourselves and at the world. But is it effective? Would reading such a book 25 years ago had saved me some of the teen angst? Had I been able to look at myself and see more than a nose only a plastic surgeon could love? Maybe, but I have a hunch it takes more than statements in a book by a picture-perfect blonde makeup artist.

Get Positively Beautiful by Carmindy (list price is $21.99, available on Amazon for $14.29) can be found in any bookstore, online and offline. I got my copy as a PR freebie.

Kevyn Aucoin - The Expert Lip Tint in Dantique

The name of this product, The Expert Lip Tint by Kevyn Aucoin, is somewhat misleading. It's more of a full-on lipstick than a tint, both in coverage and in pigment. It glides on nicely, and as long as you make sure to exfoliate beforehand, the rich texture sits well and looks very flattering. The finish is almost creamy though not shiny and makes the lips appear a little fuller.

My color of choice, Dantique, is described as sheer red, but it's not really sheer, at least not in the see-through sense. It's a warm red with a slight rust/brown base that isn't too obvious but works to keep the color more natural-neutral. It adds warmth and life to the face and is very wearable, day or night. Staying power isn't the best and I need to reapply after having a cup of tea, but it's quite moisturizing, so my lips are happy.

Model: Buffy
Photos and cat: Mine

Kevyn Aucoin The Expert Lip Tint ($23) is available from Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Sephora and beauty.com, which is where I bought mine.

Kevyn Aucoin - The Expert Lip Tint in Dantique

The name of this product, The Expert Lip Tint by Kevyn Aucoin, is somewhat misleading. It's more of a full-on lipstick than a tint, both in coverage and in pigment. It glides on nicely, and as long as you make sure to exfoliate beforehand, the rich texture sits well and looks very flattering. The finish is almost creamy though not shiny and makes the lips appear a little fuller.

My color of choice, Dantique, is described as sheer red, but it's not really sheer, at least not in the see-through sense. It's a warm red with a slight rust/brown base that isn't too obvious but works to keep the color more natural-neutral. It adds warmth and life to the face and is very wearable, day or night. Staying power isn't the best and I need to reapply after having a cup of tea, but it's quite moisturizing, so my lips are happy.

Model: Buffy
Photos and cat: Mine

Kevyn Aucoin The Expert Lip Tint ($23) is available from Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Sephora and beauty.com, which is where I bought mine.

Kevyn Aucoin - The Expert Lip Tint in Dantique

The name of this product, The Expert Lip Tint by Kevyn Aucoin, is somewhat misleading. It's more of a full-on lipstick than a tint, both in coverage and in pigment. It glides on nicely, and as long as you make sure to exfoliate beforehand, the rich texture sits well and looks very flattering. The finish is almost creamy though not shiny and makes the lips appear a little fuller.

My color of choice, Dantique, is described as sheer red, but it's not really sheer, at least not in the see-through sense. It's a warm red with a slight rust/brown base that isn't too obvious but works to keep the color more natural-neutral. It adds warmth and life to the face and is very wearable, day or night. Staying power isn't the best and I need to reapply after having a cup of tea, but it's quite moisturizing, so my lips are happy.

Model: Buffy
Photos and cat: Mine

Kevyn Aucoin The Expert Lip Tint ($23) is available from Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Sephora and beauty.com, which is where I bought mine.

Anise Nail Polish

Anise Cosmetics is another great company that produces non-toxic nail polish (meaning free of formaldehyde, toluene and DBP). They have been cruelty-free certified by both PETA and the Leaping Bunny Organization and conform to several green and eco-friendly standards.

The colors you see here are part of the Spring/Summer 2009 collection (they do not stock older colors, for better and for worse), which like other major lines this year, are all about bright colors from neon pink to sunny yellow. While my favorites are usually the more mellow shades (today I'm wearing the rosy bronze Fake'n Bake), I must admit falling in love with Thank Heavens, the creamy pale aqua. It's fabulous on one's toes and looks surprisingly flattering against my skin. Who would have thought?

The polish goes on easily and smoothly, and while I haven't tried all the colors yet, there was no streaking with those I applied. The texture is a bit thinner than I'm used to, but the coverage is good. You'll need two to three coats to achieve the color intensity you see in the bottle and the level of shimmer varies between the colors- while Fake'n Bake is almost glittery, the gorgeous tangerine of Club Tropicana is more mellow and office-friendly.

Anise Cosmetics nail polish is sold at Whole Foods Markets, DSW Shoes stores and Annie Sez stores. The colors I got were a PR freebie.

Model: Lizzy. All photos are mine.

Anise Nail Polish

Anise Cosmetics is another great company that produces non-toxic nail polish (meaning free of formaldehyde, toluene and DBP). They have been cruelty-free certified by both PETA and the Leaping Bunny Organization and conform to several green and eco-friendly standards.

The colors you see here are part of the Spring/Summer 2009 collection (they do not stock older colors, for better and for worse), which like other major lines this year, are all about bright colors from neon pink to sunny yellow. While my favorites are usually the more mellow shades (today I'm wearing the rosy bronze Fake'n Bake), I must admit falling in love with Thank Heavens, the creamy pale aqua. It's fabulous on one's toes and looks surprisingly flattering against my skin. Who would have thought?

The polish goes on easily and smoothly, and while I haven't tried all the colors yet, there was no streaking with those I applied. The texture is a bit thinner than I'm used to, but the coverage is good. You'll need two to three coats to achieve the color intensity you see in the bottle and the level of shimmer varies between the colors- while Fake'n Bake is almost glittery, the gorgeous tangerine of Club Tropicana is more mellow and office-friendly.

Anise Cosmetics nail polish is sold at Whole Foods Markets, DSW Shoes stores and Annie Sez stores. The colors I got were a PR freebie.

Model: Lizzy. All photos are mine.

Anise Nail Polish

Anise Cosmetics is another great company that produces non-toxic nail polish (meaning free of formaldehyde, toluene and DBP). They have been cruelty-free certified by both PETA and the Leaping Bunny Organization and conform to several green and eco-friendly standards.

The colors you see here are part of the Spring/Summer 2009 collection (they do not stock older colors, for better and for worse), which like other major lines this year, are all about bright colors from neon pink to sunny yellow. While my favorites are usually the more mellow shades (today I'm wearing the rosy bronze Fake'n Bake), I must admit falling in love with Thank Heavens, the creamy pale aqua. It's fabulous on one's toes and looks surprisingly flattering against my skin. Who would have thought?

The polish goes on easily and smoothly, and while I haven't tried all the colors yet, there was no streaking with those I applied. The texture is a bit thinner than I'm used to, but the coverage is good. You'll need two to three coats to achieve the color intensity you see in the bottle and the level of shimmer varies between the colors- while Fake'n Bake is almost glittery, the gorgeous tangerine of Club Tropicana is more mellow and office-friendly.

Anise Cosmetics nail polish is sold at Whole Foods Markets, DSW Shoes stores and Annie Sez stores. The colors I got were a PR freebie.

Model: Lizzy. All photos are mine.

Top Ten Summer Perfumes

Can there be a list of summer perfume recommendation without boring myself silly and/or mentioning Eau d'Hadrien? I'm going to try. Some of these are new(ish), others are perennial favorites. In no particular order:

1. Reverie au Jardin- Tauer
Midsummer afternoon dream. Will transport you to a magical alpine garden.

2. Amethyst- Olivier Durbano
Slightly sweetened pencil shavings, clean incense and a touch of vanilla. Surprisingly refreshing in the heat.

3. Un Matin d'Orage- Annick Goutal
Green gardenias drenched in rain without an ounce of sweetness until the musky drydown.

4. Monyette Paris *
The other side of gardenia. Tropical, sweet with a touch of nag champa incense. Put a flower in your hair and go dancing on the beach.
*I think it's the first fragrance review I've written here. It's magnificently bad, but kind of nostalgic in a campy way.

5. Nuit de Cellophane- Serge Lutens
Osmanthus flowers with a hint of apricot. Like drinking iced peach tea on a beautiful Cape May porch.

6. Italian Cypress- Tom Ford
Is it an homage to Eau d'Hadrien (so I lied. It had to be mentioned)? Maybe. But the cypress is a darker green and the feeling is more pulled together.

7. Encre Noire- Lalique
Or any other vetiver, really. I've chosen this one because it's a bit softer while still dry and grassy.

8. (Vintage) Vivara-Pucci
I'm talking about the original 60s formula. A salty chypre that belongs with the jet set in San Tropez. White pants, a Pucci scarf and oversized sunglasses are essential.

9. Bois Blond- Parfumerie Generale
A roll in dry hay on a lazy Sunday afternoon. You can smell the earth and trees baking in the sun.

10. Figuier- Heeley
Like lying in the shade of a huge, old fig tree next to a running stream.

What are your summer favorites this year?

art: Embarkation by Dan Dahlke

Top Ten Summer Perfumes

Can there be a list of summer perfume recommendation without boring myself silly and/or mentioning Eau d'Hadrien? I'm going to try. Some of these are new(ish), others are perennial favorites. In no particular order:

1. Reverie au Jardin- Tauer
Midsummer afternoon dream. Will transport you to a magical alpine garden.

2. Amethyst- Olivier Durbano
Slightly sweetened pencil shavings, clean incense and a touch of vanilla. Surprisingly refreshing in the heat.

3. Un Matin d'Orage- Annick Goutal
Green gardenias drenched in rain without an ounce of sweetness until the musky drydown.

4. Monyette Paris *
The other side of gardenia. Tropical, sweet with a touch of nag champa incense. Put a flower in your hair and go dancing on the beach.
*I think it's the first fragrance review I've written here. It's magnificently bad, but kind of nostalgic in a campy way.

5. Nuit de Cellophane- Serge Lutens
Osmanthus flowers with a hint of apricot. Like drinking iced peach tea on a beautiful Cape May porch.

6. Italian Cypress- Tom Ford
Is it an homage to Eau d'Hadrien (so I lied. It had to be mentioned)? Maybe. But the cypress is a darker green and the feeling is more pulled together.

7. Encre Noire- Lalique
Or any other vetiver, really. I've chosen this one because it's a bit softer while still dry and grassy.

8. (Vintage) Vivara-Pucci
I'm talking about the original 60s formula. A salty chypre that belongs with the jet set in San Tropez. White pants, a Pucci scarf and oversized sunglasses are essential.

9. Bois Blond- Parfumerie Generale
A roll in dry hay on a lazy Sunday afternoon. You can smell the earth and trees baking in the sun.

10. Figuier- Heeley
Like lying in the shade of a huge, old fig tree next to a running stream.

What are your summer favorites this year?

art: Embarkation by Dan Dahlke

Top Ten Summer Perfumes

Can there be a list of summer perfume recommendation without boring myself silly and/or mentioning Eau d'Hadrien? I'm going to try. Some of these are new(ish), others are perennial favorites. In no particular order:

1. Reverie au Jardin- Tauer
Midsummer afternoon dream. Will transport you to a magical alpine garden.

2. Amethyst- Olivier Durbano
Slightly sweetened pencil shavings, clean incense and a touch of vanilla. Surprisingly refreshing in the heat.

3. Un Matin d'Orage- Annick Goutal
Green gardenias drenched in rain without an ounce of sweetness until the musky drydown.

4. Monyette Paris *
The other side of gardenia. Tropical, sweet with a touch of nag champa incense. Put a flower in your hair and go dancing on the beach.
*I think it's the first fragrance review I've written here. It's magnificently bad, but kind of nostalgic in a campy way.

5. Nuit de Cellophane- Serge Lutens
Osmanthus flowers with a hint of apricot. Like drinking iced peach tea on a beautiful Cape May porch.

6. Italian Cypress- Tom Ford
Is it an homage to Eau d'Hadrien (so I lied. It had to be mentioned)? Maybe. But the cypress is a darker green and the feeling is more pulled together.

7. Encre Noire- Lalique
Or any other vetiver, really. I've chosen this one because it's a bit softer while still dry and grassy.

8. (Vintage) Vivara-Pucci
I'm talking about the original 60s formula. A salty chypre that belongs with the jet set in San Tropez. White pants, a Pucci scarf and oversized sunglasses are essential.

9. Bois Blond- Parfumerie Generale
A roll in dry hay on a lazy Sunday afternoon. You can smell the earth and trees baking in the sun.

10. Figuier- Heeley
Like lying in the shade of a huge, old fig tree next to a running stream.

What are your summer favorites this year?

art: Embarkation by Dan Dahlke

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual- Book Review

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual is the book I wish I had years ago. It would have saved me countless of makeup disasters, stupid purchases and the entire dark age known as the 80s. Of course, all these years of experimenting are also responsible for my beauty obsession and the thought process that started and created this blog, so maybe it was not all bad. In any case, this book is probably among the most useful makeup tools one can have.

Bobbi Brown's approach to beauty and makeup has always been about letting the woman shine, making her look like the best possible version of herself. Her makeup line makes sense- the colors are pretty, flattering, wearable, and will never make one look like Katie Price or Shauna Sands. The great news is Bobbi Brown's latest endeavour, the Bobbi Brown University, a new program that will encompass the in-house training for the company’s artists plus college-level classes she developed for Montclair State and her alma mater, Emerson College. It would be fabulous to see more and more makeup artists trained according to Bobbi Brown and less of the parrot school of color application.

I got to hear Bobbi speaking about her vision, her school and her book a couple of weeks ago at an industry event, organized by Makeup Artist Magazine. It was a fun cocktail party for makeup artists and industry professionals which let everyone a chance to mix and mingle, meet Bobbi Brown and ask her questions. I brought my copy of the book and got her to sign it, which excited me quite a bit (I'm a nerd and have a serious thing for autographed books).

The book itself covers everything one needs and wants to know, from color choices to application techniques. There are thorough explanations of the types of brushes, including tips on choosing the right ones. Different skin types and complexions get the proper attention and coverage (I especially feel validated about a couple of my observation regarding my own skin tone and what's right for it), and the focus is always on working with nature and not against it.

The detailed instructions for everything from the proper way for applying foundation, covering blemishes and doing a dramatic smoky eye are absolutely priceless. Some of the photographs are breath-taking (you'd recognize many of them from Bobbi's various collections. They look so much better in high quality print and you get to appreciate the artistry) and would make you head straight to your mirror and start playing. The wealth of information is wonderful and is interesting and useful enough to hold the attention of even a seasoned makeup user.

I liked that there's a section about lifestyle and nutrition as the base for every beauty routine. What you eat and how you live shows in your face. Just look at Kate Moss or Amy Winehouse and then compare them to 51 year old Bobbi Brown herself.

I admit I only skimmed the chapters about becoming a makeup artist, and since I'm not really in that game, I can't comment about its usefulness for an industry pro. The history of makeup and the who's who sections were fun, though.

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual ($36 retail price, listed on Amazon.com for $20.16) is available from bookstores online and offline. My copy was a PR freebie.

Image: bobbibrown.com

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual- Book Review

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual is the book I wish I had years ago. It would have saved me countless of makeup disasters, stupid purchases and the entire dark age known as the 80s. Of course, all these years of experimenting are also responsible for my beauty obsession and the thought process that started and created this blog, so maybe it was not all bad. In any case, this book is probably among the most useful makeup tools one can have.

Bobbi Brown's approach to beauty and makeup has always been about letting the woman shine, making her look like the best possible version of herself. Her makeup line makes sense- the colors are pretty, flattering, wearable, and will never make one look like Katie Price or Shauna Sands. The great news is Bobbi Brown's latest endeavour, the Bobbi Brown University, a new program that will encompass the in-house training for the company’s artists plus college-level classes she developed for Montclair State and her alma mater, Emerson College. It would be fabulous to see more and more makeup artists trained according to Bobbi Brown and less of the parrot school of color application.

I got to hear Bobbi speaking about her vision, her school and her book a couple of weeks ago at an industry event, organized by Makeup Artist Magazine. It was a fun cocktail party for makeup artists and industry professionals which let everyone a chance to mix and mingle, meet Bobbi Brown and ask her questions. I brought my copy of the book and got her to sign it, which excited me quite a bit (I'm a nerd and have a serious thing for autographed books).

The book itself covers everything one needs and wants to know, from color choices to application techniques. There are thorough explanations of the types of brushes, including tips on choosing the right ones. Different skin types and complexions get the proper attention and coverage (I especially feel validated about a couple of my observation regarding my own skin tone and what's right for it), and the focus is always on working with nature and not against it.

The detailed instructions for everything from the proper way for applying foundation, covering blemishes and doing a dramatic smoky eye are absolutely priceless. Some of the photographs are breath-taking (you'd recognize many of them from Bobbi's various collections. They look so much better in high quality print and you get to appreciate the artistry) and would make you head straight to your mirror and start playing. The wealth of information is wonderful and is interesting and useful enough to hold the attention of even a seasoned makeup user.

I liked that there's a section about lifestyle and nutrition as the base for every beauty routine. What you eat and how you live shows in your face. Just look at Kate Moss or Amy Winehouse and then compare them to 51 year old Bobbi Brown herself.

I admit I only skimmed the chapters about becoming a makeup artist, and since I'm not really in that game, I can't comment about its usefulness for an industry pro. The history of makeup and the who's who sections were fun, though.

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual ($36 retail price, listed on Amazon.com for $20.16) is available from bookstores online and offline. My copy was a PR freebie.

Image: bobbibrown.com

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual- Book Review

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual is the book I wish I had years ago. It would have saved me countless of makeup disasters, stupid purchases and the entire dark age known as the 80s. Of course, all these years of experimenting are also responsible for my beauty obsession and the thought process that started and created this blog, so maybe it was not all bad. In any case, this book is probably among the most useful makeup tools one can have.

Bobbi Brown's approach to beauty and makeup has always been about letting the woman shine, making her look like the best possible version of herself. Her makeup line makes sense- the colors are pretty, flattering, wearable, and will never make one look like Katie Price or Shauna Sands. The great news is Bobbi Brown's latest endeavour, the Bobbi Brown University, a new program that will encompass the in-house training for the company’s artists plus college-level classes she developed for Montclair State and her alma mater, Emerson College. It would be fabulous to see more and more makeup artists trained according to Bobbi Brown and less of the parrot school of color application.

I got to hear Bobbi speaking about her vision, her school and her book a couple of weeks ago at an industry event, organized by Makeup Artist Magazine. It was a fun cocktail party for makeup artists and industry professionals which let everyone a chance to mix and mingle, meet Bobbi Brown and ask her questions. I brought my copy of the book and got her to sign it, which excited me quite a bit (I'm a nerd and have a serious thing for autographed books).

The book itself covers everything one needs and wants to know, from color choices to application techniques. There are thorough explanations of the types of brushes, including tips on choosing the right ones. Different skin types and complexions get the proper attention and coverage (I especially feel validated about a couple of my observation regarding my own skin tone and what's right for it), and the focus is always on working with nature and not against it.

The detailed instructions for everything from the proper way for applying foundation, covering blemishes and doing a dramatic smoky eye are absolutely priceless. Some of the photographs are breath-taking (you'd recognize many of them from Bobbi's various collections. They look so much better in high quality print and you get to appreciate the artistry) and would make you head straight to your mirror and start playing. The wealth of information is wonderful and is interesting and useful enough to hold the attention of even a seasoned makeup user.

I liked that there's a section about lifestyle and nutrition as the base for every beauty routine. What you eat and how you live shows in your face. Just look at Kate Moss or Amy Winehouse and then compare them to 51 year old Bobbi Brown herself.

I admit I only skimmed the chapters about becoming a makeup artist, and since I'm not really in that game, I can't comment about its usefulness for an industry pro. The history of makeup and the who's who sections were fun, though.

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual ($36 retail price, listed on Amazon.com for $20.16) is available from bookstores online and offline. My copy was a PR freebie.

Image: bobbibrown.com

Shiseido Eye Shadow Quad- Rose Tones

Even someone with a general pink aversion can use a little bit of the questionable color as both a pick-me-up and to add a little life to a makeup look. It's all about matching colors and blending. A fabulous texture doesn't hurt, either.

Shiseido Eye Shadow Quad in Rose Tones successfully pairs two pink shadows: a very light one and a bright azalea pink with mauve and a dark dusty eggplant. The light pink has fast become my favorite highlighter, as unlike 90% shadows in this category it actually does the work on my weird skin color and gives just the right amount of brightening. It doesn't shows as very pink when applied, which is a good thing, but it gives the coveted "alive and awake" look.

The mauve is my go-to color for an easy daytime makeup, and with a touch of the eggplant as a liner, the look is soft and pretty. Mauves and purples can be tricky on certain complexions and create a bruise effect, so beware, especially if you're very fair. But most olive skin tones can pull it off, and then carefully add a little of the brighter pink (and blend well! the pigment is rich and strong) to bring more life into the mix. The shadows have the most delicate sheen/shimmer. They're not shiny or metallic, just very bright.

The texture of these shadows is superfine and silky. It lends to easy blending and application, just be sure to use a very soft brush, as it tends to somewhat crumble in the pan. A primer is non-negotiable. It will make the eye shadows stay on all day (including in humid NYC) and look better. I tested with and without a primer and the difference was significance, so it's worth the extra 30 seconds to get it right. I use the Sephora Brand Professional Platinum brushes, but any good, soft brush would do.

Shiseido 'The Makeup' Eye Shadow Quad ($36.50) is available at the better department stores as well as from Sephora. Mine was a gift from a friend.

Shiseido Eye Shadow Quad- Rose Tones

Even someone with a general pink aversion can use a little bit of the questionable color as both a pick-me-up and to add a little life to a makeup look. It's all about matching colors and blending. A fabulous texture doesn't hurt, either.

Shiseido Eye Shadow Quad in Rose Tones successfully pairs two pink shadows: a very light one and a bright azalea pink with mauve and a dark dusty eggplant. The light pink has fast become my favorite highlighter, as unlike 90% shadows in this category it actually does the work on my weird skin color and gives just the right amount of brightening. It doesn't shows as very pink when applied, which is a good thing, but it gives the coveted "alive and awake" look.

The mauve is my go-to color for an easy daytime makeup, and with a touch of the eggplant as a liner, the look is soft and pretty. Mauves and purples can be tricky on certain complexions and create a bruise effect, so beware, especially if you're very fair. But most olive skin tones can pull it off, and then carefully add a little of the brighter pink (and blend well! the pigment is rich and strong) to bring more life into the mix. The shadows have the most delicate sheen/shimmer. They're not shiny or metallic, just very bright.

The texture of these shadows is superfine and silky. It lends to easy blending and application, just be sure to use a very soft brush, as it tends to somewhat crumble in the pan. A primer is non-negotiable. It will make the eye shadows stay on all day (including in humid NYC) and look better. I tested with and without a primer and the difference was significance, so it's worth the extra 30 seconds to get it right. I use the Sephora Brand Professional Platinum brushes, but any good, soft brush would do.

Shiseido 'The Makeup' Eye Shadow Quad ($36.50) is available at the better department stores as well as from Sephora. Mine was a gift from a friend.

Shiseido Eye Shadow Quad- Rose Tones

Even someone with a general pink aversion can use a little bit of the questionable color as both a pick-me-up and to add a little life to a makeup look. It's all about matching colors and blending. A fabulous texture doesn't hurt, either.

Shiseido Eye Shadow Quad in Rose Tones successfully pairs two pink shadows: a very light one and a bright azalea pink with mauve and a dark dusty eggplant. The light pink has fast become my favorite highlighter, as unlike 90% shadows in this category it actually does the work on my weird skin color and gives just the right amount of brightening. It doesn't shows as very pink when applied, which is a good thing, but it gives the coveted "alive and awake" look.

The mauve is my go-to color for an easy daytime makeup, and with a touch of the eggplant as a liner, the look is soft and pretty. Mauves and purples can be tricky on certain complexions and create a bruise effect, so beware, especially if you're very fair. But most olive skin tones can pull it off, and then carefully add a little of the brighter pink (and blend well! the pigment is rich and strong) to bring more life into the mix. The shadows have the most delicate sheen/shimmer. They're not shiny or metallic, just very bright.

The texture of these shadows is superfine and silky. It lends to easy blending and application, just be sure to use a very soft brush, as it tends to somewhat crumble in the pan. A primer is non-negotiable. It will make the eye shadows stay on all day (including in humid NYC) and look better. I tested with and without a primer and the difference was significance, so it's worth the extra 30 seconds to get it right. I use the Sephora Brand Professional Platinum brushes, but any good, soft brush would do.

Shiseido 'The Makeup' Eye Shadow Quad ($36.50) is available at the better department stores as well as from Sephora. Mine was a gift from a friend.

Frederic Malle Geranium Pour Monsieur- First Impression

The Blond and I dropped by Barneys yesterday, hoping to get a first sniff of the new Frederic Malle, Géranium Pour Monsieur (a Dominique Ropion creation). The perfume hasn't launched yet and will not be available until the second week of June, but the SA (you'll need to go downstairs to the Beauty floor. It's not at the Men's department yet) had a tester in the back room.

She has warned us that Géranium Pour Monsieur needs time to develop, because the story here is the drydown. She was right. The opening is uncomfortably minty. More chewing gum than what you'd expect from a fine fragrance. For a few dreadful moments I thought it was going to be like the stomach-turning Cartier Roadster, especially on the husband's skin. I generally don't like mint in perfume and this was no exception, though it's not really bad, just too fresh for my taste. It's cool and airy, but thankfully not aquatic or ozonic, and the mint morphs into other herbal notes within 10-15 minutes.

The geranium note was more abstract than anticipated. I thought it would be similar to Miller Harris Geranium Bourbon, which is sunny and rosy. But Géranium Pour Monsieur stays cool and somewhat aloof. It gives the impression of a pale mint-colored space, if that makes any sense. This is the most masculine part of the scent, with a clean, slightly spicy (clove? it's a bit medicinal and continues the dental hygiene theme from the opening) herbal cleanliness. I was nearly ready to write it off when it made a turn for the better, on my skin more than on the Blond's.

The drydown was very pleasant. A musky, clean skin scent (that's what I wanted from Dans tes Bras) mixed with a note that made me think of a white-washed wood. It was a bit like smelling Bois d'Orage/French Lover from afar. It got better and better with time, and lasted for hours on my skin, but faded relatively quickly on my husband. I think the base of Géranium Pour Monsieur is quite unisex, in a clean, friendly way. It feels like an ideal summer scent, and while at first I didn't think it's all that great and definitely not a must-have, it has grown on me the longer it stayed on, and one day later I find myself still thinking of it.

Image: Mint Spring I by Elena Filatov from allposterscom

Frederic Malle Geranium Pour Monsieur- First Impression

The Blond and I dropped by Barneys yesterday, hoping to get a first sniff of the new Frederic Malle, Géranium Pour Monsieur (a Dominique Ropion creation). The perfume hasn't launched yet and will not be available until the second week of June, but the SA (you'll need to go downstairs to the Beauty floor. It's not at the Men's department yet) had a tester in the back room.

She has warned us that Géranium Pour Monsieur needs time to develop, because the story here is the drydown. She was right. The opening is uncomfortably minty. More chewing gum than what you'd expect from a fine fragrance. For a few dreadful moments I thought it was going to be like the stomach-turning Cartier Roadster, especially on the husband's skin. I generally don't like mint in perfume and this was no exception, though it's not really bad, just too fresh for my taste. It's cool and airy, but thankfully not aquatic or ozonic, and the mint morphs into other herbal notes within 10-15 minutes.

The geranium note was more abstract than anticipated. I thought it would be similar to Miller Harris Geranium Bourbon, which is sunny and rosy. But Géranium Pour Monsieur stays cool and somewhat aloof. It gives the impression of a pale mint-colored space, if that makes any sense. This is the most masculine part of the scent, with a clean, slightly spicy (clove? it's a bit medicinal and continues the dental hygiene theme from the opening) herbal cleanliness. I was nearly ready to write it off when it made a turn for the better, on my skin more than on the Blond's.

The drydown was very pleasant. A musky, clean skin scent (that's what I wanted from Dans tes Bras) mixed with a note that made me think of a white-washed wood. It was a bit like smelling Bois d'Orage/French Lover from afar. It got better and better with time, and lasted for hours on my skin, but faded relatively quickly on my husband. I think the base of Géranium Pour Monsieur is quite unisex, in a clean, friendly way. It feels like an ideal summer scent, and while at first I didn't think it's all that great and definitely not a must-have, it has grown on me the longer it stayed on, and one day later I find myself still thinking of it.

Image: Mint Spring I by Elena Filatov from allposterscom

Frederic Malle Geranium Pour Monsieur- First Impression

The Blond and I dropped by Barneys yesterday, hoping to get a first sniff of the new Frederic Malle, Géranium Pour Monsieur (a Dominique Ropion creation). The perfume hasn't launched yet and will not be available until the second week of June, but the SA (you'll need to go downstairs to the Beauty floor. It's not at the Men's department yet) had a tester in the back room.

She has warned us that Géranium Pour Monsieur needs time to develop, because the story here is the drydown. She was right. The opening is uncomfortably minty. More chewing gum than what you'd expect from a fine fragrance. For a few dreadful moments I thought it was going to be like the stomach-turning Cartier Roadster, especially on the husband's skin. I generally don't like mint in perfume and this was no exception, though it's not really bad, just too fresh for my taste. It's cool and airy, but thankfully not aquatic or ozonic, and the mint morphs into other herbal notes within 10-15 minutes.

The geranium note was more abstract than anticipated. I thought it would be similar to Miller Harris Geranium Bourbon, which is sunny and rosy. But Géranium Pour Monsieur stays cool and somewhat aloof. It gives the impression of a pale mint-colored space, if that makes any sense. This is the most masculine part of the scent, with a clean, slightly spicy (clove? it's a bit medicinal and continues the dental hygiene theme from the opening) herbal cleanliness. I was nearly ready to write it off when it made a turn for the better, on my skin more than on the Blond's.

The drydown was very pleasant. A musky, clean skin scent (that's what I wanted from Dans tes Bras) mixed with a note that made me think of a white-washed wood. It was a bit like smelling Bois d'Orage/French Lover from afar. It got better and better with time, and lasted for hours on my skin, but faded relatively quickly on my husband. I think the base of Géranium Pour Monsieur is quite unisex, in a clean, friendly way. It feels like an ideal summer scent, and while at first I didn't think it's all that great and definitely not a must-have, it has grown on me the longer it stayed on, and one day later I find myself still thinking of it.

Image: Mint Spring I by Elena Filatov from allposterscom

The It Shoe

I have to give props to whoever does the PR for Christian Louboutin. They managed to get these peep-toe platforms on just about every foot these last couple of weeks. They seem to be a mandatory item for celebs from Cannes to Hollywood, though most opted to wear theirs on the red carpet and not for prancing around like Hayden Panetierre. In any case, as much as the idea of celeb uniform is amusing (I have a few ideas for more items, inspired by Lady Gaga's wardrobe), I find it a bit ridiculous that everyone is wearing the very same pair of shoes, Louboutin or not. It's also kind of boring.

Photos: Just Jared and Faded Youth Blog