Champagne Life

Christmas has come and gone and I survived quite nicely. My Christmas morning was filled with an enormous ornately carved Balinese screen, an amazing designer handbag, beautiful handcrafted jewelry, A little blue bag of Tiffany for Tiffany and so many other amazing unexpected gifts. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful family and boyfriend. Remember my last post when I was was telling y'all some of my Christmas list? Well Santa decided to pay me a visit and make one of my holiday wishes come true!

The one item I was certain that I wouldn't be getting was the ultra exclusive, completely dreamy Tom Ford Champacha Absolute fragrance that my mother and I were introduced to right before Christmas. Sneaky mom decided that there would be nothing stopping her from having that fragrance for her own and told my father. He in turn had me (his online shopping guru) order a bottle for her for Christmas. BUT WAIT!!! In an unforeseen turn of events my father in a moment of sheer Christmas spirit told me to order one for myself too! Words cant even convey my joy. It was even more fab when it arrived!!! I will be wearing this one very sparingly and guarding it with my life.
I also bought myself a Christmas present. Well, its really for my hair. I finally broke down and sprung for the Moroccan Oil Treatment I was talking about, but before I could get out of the door I was hipped to their Restorative Hair Mask. My hair was just about ready to jump ship with the way the weather has been. Everything from the drying heat in the house, to the 20 degree weather outside, to scarves and hats and the normal wear and tear of flat irons and hair dryers. My hair has been seriously unhappy with me. If it were possible, my hair would have already called the authorities on me for assault with intent to maim as it was just about at the pine needle stage where it was just falling all over my shoulders in protest.
I have to say that this has been one of the best purchases I have made for my hair since Wen. Its also super easy. Shampoo and towel dry hair, apply a generous amount of Restorative Hair Mask and go relax for 10 min. No heat necessary (that's the part I think I like the most) just rinse and add Moroccan Oil Treatment to damp hair and style as usual. My hair hasn't been this soft in ages and the oil treatment is made for all types of hair. It absorbs completely, cuts drying time in half, wont weigh your hair down, protects from heat styling and leaves your hair shiny and oh so pretty. The Restorative Hair Mask is $40 and Moroccan Oil Treatment is $39 on Follica.com. Don't skimp either ladies. Get the real stuff. Not all Argan oil products are created equal.

I also went to my favorite nail technician to get my Christmas mani/pedi. Somehow, I managed to forget all the work I would be doing in the kitchen on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and of course my poor little nails were chipped almost immediately. Since I have chosen to spend a quiet New Years Eve night in with my wonderful boyfriend, I will not be going back to get a fancy new manicure to make up for the ruined one. This is probably a good idea considering I got a sneak peek at the new OPI Katy Perry line coming out in January. I will just stack my pennies and get my New Year's manicure with some fab new shades.

Speaking of which, there is only one week before the end of 2010 and busy working and social ladies everywhere have their calendars booked. Even if you don't have somewhere to go looking stunning for NYE you should still be fab as you strut into 2011. You want to shine and sparkle like a diamond? Become instantly golden and bubbly for all the world to see? The answer is Cham Pale!!

MAC has a new collection just in time for NYE! Cham Pale is full of golden sparkling tones and shades. 4 new beautiful Lipgelee's ranging from Luxure in pink pearl to Straight to the Head a sparkly bronze. My all time favorite paint pots in Let Me Pop, a Frosted light copper and Dangerous Cuvee, a frosted cool grey.

The line also includes MAC skincare products such as their Complete Comfort Creme that is super hydrating while reducing redness and soothing stressed out skin. There is also an amazing Lip Conditioner with SPF 15 and French Lavender which is tres magnifique!

Even though this line just hit the counters on December 26th, you know that it wont be around very long and trust me this is not a product line you want to miss. Let's toast it up!

I'm Going In for 2010

Okay folks I am starting this thing back sort of slow so just bare with me here while I knock off the cobwebs. First I would like to say Happy 2010 and sorry I have been MIA for better than a year. My work life is crazy and I make no promises about continuing to update, but there are some products I feel like I just must address. I have broken the short reviews into two categories. Stuff that works and Stuff that sucks. Sorry but I have limited time and you know I hate BS reviews so here we go.

Stuff that works

WEN by Chaz Dean Fig Cleansing Conditioner

Yeah I know I am tardy for the party on this one, but I love my WEN Fig Conditioning Cleanser. It only took me like 6 months to love it though and I will tell you why. Getting used to the idea of washing my hair with something that would not lather was beyond difficult. I couldn’t imagine it was cleaning anything and in all honesty I just kept using my old shampoo and used the WEN as a conditioner. Well you don’t get results like that and my hair was officially giving me the finger for mixing products. My hair was lifeless, limp, brittle and just downright unruly. So I didn’t start using the stuff in earnest until I ran out of my shampoo. Then I cut my hair and colored it and suddenly WEN became my new best friend. It didn’t strip the color, my hair wasn’t brittle and crazy looking, the frizz completely died down and it honest to god started to shine on its own. I think it was a combination of cutting off all the damage and really using it the way it was intended. My friend Erica was telling me how she likes it as a conditioner but won’t stop using her regular shampoo, and I told her my story. She has the gigantic pump bottle of WEN tea tree and I told her to stop fooling around and use it full time. She promised that she would, so we will see what happens in the near future. I haven’t tried anything else from the styling line yet, but I hope to, oh and you get the best deals on the big bottles on QVC. I have short hair now so it lasts a long time for me, but I can see how if you are rocking a head full of long hair it might not go as far. I highly recommend it and if you do the math you will see that you are probably paying more in shampoo and conditioner than you would for the one bottle of WEN. 32 oz for $44.82 over at QVC.

LOLA by Marc Jacobs

You already know how difficult it is to find a scent that works with your body chemistry right? Some of the fragrances I like seem to disappear the minute I put them on, and other seem so overpowering I just can’t stand myself. I love Lola by Marc Jacobs. Light, floral, complex, wears all day and isn’t the type to make me want to wash my wrists in the bathroom sink at the office. I don’t think perfume should punch anyone in the face should they encounter it, so I always air on the side of less is more. Well, especially since that coworker incident years ago where she was applying 15 sprays every hour. Will this work for you? Maybe, I say go take a sniff and test it out. It’s worth looking into

Sally Hanson Insta-Dri Nail Color

I was highly skeptical of this stuff to start but it works like a charm. Actually if you have someplace to be and you need your nails to look cute in a flash then keep this stuff handy. They have some pretty decent colors (not enough variety though IMO) so I am sure you can find something you like. I actually put it to the test going to work (Job 2) the other day. I managed to put on two coats and roll out in 10 minutes without so much as a chip or a smudge. It held up to the rigors of retail furniture sales and still looked great when I got home 8 hours later. I think of course you could really seal the deal with a great top coat, but you already know that is going to add to the drying time. If you aren’t pressed for time a half hour wait on a top coat isn’t that big a deal and I think it’s a pretty fair trade for not having to wait at all on the polish to dry. This stuff does require you to be pretty quick and neat with it. No fussing and touching up the same nail over and over okay? It just wont work and you will wind up with weird coverage and little globules on your nails. Just paint and move on. You can clean up mistakes on the second swipe I promise. My favorite color is Wine. It would be wouldn’t it? I love all things wine and I guess this is no exception. Its $4.99 at Walgreens and other drugstores. Not too shabby. Next on my list...

Stuff that sucks

Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash with NutriumMoisture

I hate to have to do it, because I tell you that I wanted nothing more in this world than to love this stuff but that did not happen. Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash with NutriumMoisture is a no thanks. I will pass. Why? Well I picked it up in a trip to Target one day because I was running out of my Olay Body wash. Why lord didn’t I just grab the same stuff I have been using with success for almost a year? I guess being the product junkie I am I couldn’t resist the idea of trying out something new that professed to hold in my skins moisture. It is winter in DC people, so extraordinary measures must be taken to ensure that dry skin does not creep up on you. In its defense (or maybe because I am slow and so busy I don’t know which way is up) I didn’t realize there was a problem for 3 weeks. I guess I was just slightly itchy. I hadn’t changed my detergent, my lotions, my eating habits or used any new perfumes so I was confused. On week three, when I finally couldn’t take the scratching that was leaving raw, I connected the new body wash with my discomfort. I promptly chucked the half filled bottle into the trash and went out and repurchased my Olay. While I was in the store I was chatting with a friend on the phone and told her about the itchy body wash. She has SUPER sensitive skin, and she said that she couldn’t use that stuff at all. I didn’t think it was odd until I came to work and I relayed the itchy body wash story to a coworker, who said “hey, that stuff made me itch too!” okay granted we could have similar skin PH and tolerance but when my told my boyfriend about it he said “I thought it was just me”. Apparently, he hadn’t packed his soap for an overnight stay and had used my “plain looking” Dove in a pinch. I then told this story to my coworker (at the second job) Erin who proceeded to tell me about the rash she got from the same product. Okay so that’s five separate individuals who can’t tolerate this Nutrium stuff. I gotta wonder if they are getting complaints. So, for my purposes Dove with Nutrium is out. I can’t have itchy skin that I want to attack all day and night. I will go back to what I know. I just hope that Dove doesn’t begin to add it to all their body wash products. I really love their products and I know you've seen me write about them here again and again. I am a huge fan of their Go Fresh line and their antiperspirants as well as so many of their other products so I am not down on Dove, I am just down on Nutrium. Sorry Dove, but Nutrium and I are not friends.

Real Beauty At The Emmy's

Last night the Emmy's were on and as Award shows go, they were entertaining. Every year I tune in to catch the red carpet, and see what the stars are wearing. From the jewels to the gowns everyone is perfectly coiffed...well almost everyone, but that's not important. I am always interested in who's hair and makeup is flawless, but this year I was particularly interested in one person.

I got word about two weeks ago that the super talented and naturally gorgeous Ali Larter from Heroes had teamed up with Dove and their Campaign for Real Beauty and was going to do her own hair for the 59th Annual Primetime Emmy® Awards this year using Dove Hair Care products. I have to tell you that when I heard about it I was a little nervous for her, but seeing as how I know first hand that Dove has great hair products, I figured she couldn't go wrong. Not only did she want to take a stand for "real beauty" but she chose Dove to help her convey that message to the public.

In an interview with Dove about her upcoming appearance on the Emmy's, Ali said "There is a lot of work that goes into Hollywood hair and I want women to know that it is unrealistic for every day." "I am going to go out on a limb by doing my own hair for the Emmys without any stylists. I am going to use Dove Hair Care products for five days, get my hair in great shape and I am going to rock the red carpet. I am doing all of this to help women realize the potential of their own hair and feel more confident every day."

What a great positive message for women and girls everywhere, and what a glowing endorsement for Dove Hair Care. So, last night I tuned in to the red carpet to see just what would come of Ali's promise. Of course she looked amazing. Her hair was beautiful, healthy and shiny and wow that dress! She didn't try to make it difficult, or super intricate. She just went with a beautiful sleek look that accentuated her beauty. I looked this morning and she was listed on many of the Emmy's "Best Dressed" lists and I wasn't surprised, see for yourself.

This is a list of the Dove products that helped Ali produce her show stopping tresses for the red carpet.

Advanced Color Care Shampoo for Lightened or Highlighted Hair
Advanced Color Care Conditioner for Lightened or Highlighted Hair
Advanced Color Care Luminizing Mist for Lightened or Highlighted Hair
Body & Lift Volumizing Mousse
Smooth & Soft Anti-Frizz Finishing Cream
Flexible Hold Hairspray (Aerosol)

All of these Dove products are available to every woman whether you are creating a red carpet look of your own, or you just want beautiful shiny hair. I love that Dove is so affordable too so that I don't spend my entire paycheck trying to get cute. Of course I've said it before but I am a huge fan of Dove products because they are simple and effective, and of course you know I love anything that makes my life easier.

Also, check out http://www.doveloveyourhair.com.Dove is running an online ad contest. Just upload a photo of yourself and answer a few questions about hair. You'll create your own print ad that might be selected to run in Hearst magazines this fall. Just think, you could be the face of "real beauty" too. Enjoy!

Color Showdown 2007

So I mentioned a week ago that I was trying out Sunsilk's new Shampoos and Conditioners with Color Boost. Well I've been using the combo for about 3 weeks now, and I really like my results. I am a brunette with blonde highlights, so the right combination for my hair color was Beyond Brunette Shampoo and Conditioner with Blonde Bombshell Color Boost.

I really like the subtle highlights and how gently it brightens my existing blonde. It isnt a brassy or bright yellow, its very golden but nothing over the top. Its a great look for spring, and since I always go lighter in the spring I am thrilled with my results.

The directions encourage you to skip your conditioner on the day's that you use the Color Boost, which I did for about a week. If you girls have dry hair like mine, I dont encourage skipping your conditioner in lieu of the Color Boost. My hair was way too dry and very brittle after that first week. I cant say whether or not using extra conditioner will change, alter, or otherwise dilute the highlights you are working towards, but I can say that it doesnt seem to have effected my results.

Sunsilk is also doing hillarious Blonde's VS. Brunette's experiments. This is one of my favorites, its the teaser for "Who pigs out on junk food more-Blondes or Brunettes?" They set up a hidden camera in the break room of one their TV shoots and loaded up tables with both shameful but oh so satisfying junk foods and some healthy snacks. Check it out here:



Check out this and other fun video's on YouTube and Colorshowdown.com

The Best Styling Iron EVER!!

I use a lot of things on my hair, and I gotta tell you most of it isn't good. I am always complaining that it wont grow fast enough or that it looks pretty dry or just lacks that oompfh that ever girl loves. Its my fault, and I know this. My hair is only as good as I treat it and frankly I treat it awful. Its already a curly monster that I beat into submission every day with various heated appliances.

I have issues with sleeping with my hair wrapped up or tied down in any way, which contributes to a ton of my hair woes. So every morning I have to get up and straighten out what looks like a jungle of curls and fly aways. Some mornings I just cant deal with the daily straightening and curling and I coat it with some curl product and run to the office. I don't mind it curly but I prefer it straight and days I think my hair cant handle my straightening addiction. Too much heat is the enemy ladies and bad heat is by far the worst.

After almost a year of reading personal accounts and reviews on Folica.com of different styling irons. When styling irons became popular a few years ago I rushed out and bought a mid-priced ceramic styler. It straightened as much as it burned but I just kept using it, thinking I just needed to be more careful. I got fed up after a particularly bad singeing and tossed it.

I was ready for something new, something that wouldn't leave me half bald and pissed off and then my prayers were answered. Sedu who I have realized to be one of the top names in straightening and styling rolled out their brand new Sedu Revolution Professional Nano Tourmaline Ionic Styling Iron and you know I had to have one.

I am truly in love with this iron. The plates are infused with Tourmaline which releases negative ions and seals moisture into the hair's cuticle. It gently glides through my hair leaving it both shiny and straight and not at all singed. In fact, I control the amount of heat my hair needs. There is no 1,2, or 3 setting here ladies. You get the real temperatures and everything in between.

Most of us don't have the same texture hair all over our heads anyway, so isn't is great to be able to switch the dial. Less heat for fragile bangs, or more heat for thicker wavier strands in the back. I just love the plates curved edges but I also love how versatile it is. Yeah, I bet you thought this thing only straightened right? Guess again.

I have been using it for two solid weeks now and I have yet to run out of new styles. I can go from curly to silky in less than 15 minutes. There is nothing this iron cant handle. You want curls? Sedu's got you. Just twirl small sections of hair around the iron for bouncy beautiful curls. You want it flippy? Go for it! Its super easy. You want big waves? Its all possible with the Sedu Revolution Professional Nano Tourmaline Ionic Styling Iron.

I know you are thinking all that heat cant be good for my hair and you are right, so I use Sedu's Moisturizing Protecting Boost. Its a leave in protectant that wont weigh your hair down and locks in moisture with just a few quick sprays.

So, now you want to know what it costs right? Well, I won't take you to Olive Garden and call it Italy okay, the iron isn't cheap and frankly you wouldn't want it to be. Didn't you read my account of the hair frying incident??? Mid priced is gonna get you medium results and possibly fried ends. The Sedu is a steal at $129.00 for a 1' styler at Folica.com and frankly it is worth every penny. Don't believe me? Check out some of the reviews of the iron posted at Folica.com I guarantee you wont be disappointed by this iron in any way shape or form.

You can get the iron, the Protecting Boost and your money's worth right there at Folica.com

Hurry, stop burning out your hair already!

A Beauty Diva's Guide to 2007

Starting the New Year off right is important whether you make resolutions or not. I decided that this year is the year to get more serious about my health and beauty rituals. I know you are thinking "how could this girl get any more serious about beauty" but every beauty diva could stand to step up her game now and then.

First on my list is my hair. I have blogged about my "instant afro" before, but I didn't go into much detail. This year I vow to see my local stylist on a much more regular basis. I visit a very busy super affordable Dominican Salon in my hometown. I love how soft and beautiful my hair looks after a visit, but I have been pretty lazy about going. This will change in the 07 as I have decided to visit every two weeks as my stylist has suggested for so that my hair may reach its full growth, health and beauty potential. In addition I have found a few really great products to keep my hair moist and beautiful between visits.

Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment

I love this product for so may reasons, its the one thing I can count on to make my hair beautiful, whether its just after a wash or just to add moisture before I flat iron it. I love that I can use it as an overnight treatment or a quick moisturizer anytime. I stumbled upon it a few years ago and started telling everyone about it. I also found out its the only product that keeps my sons dry scalp in check all winter long.

Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter

I was hipped to this by a friend who swears by it for her curly locks. Its the perfect moisturizer for wet and dry hair and wont get sticky if you reapply mid day. Its conditioning formula utilizes Shea and almond oil and it actually holds my curls without making them limp or heavy. I really love it for my edges and ends especially on a windy winter day.

Miss Jessie's Curly Buttercream

Yes this is one of my all time favorites and no I cant believe I pay $60 for it either. Honestly, its worth every penny. When I want my hair super straight and soft without frizzies I use this to blow my hair out. Its got a tingly slightly peppermint feel to it and it combats moisture and heat while locking in moisture. I once found myself without this and had to express order some...it was tragic.

Start your New Year off right with beautiful healthy hair!

Tame That Tree

We ladies have always had a love/hate relationship with our hair, just ask anyone. That woman you saw at the corner this morning with the long flowing tresses who you think couldn’t have a bad hair day if she were being attacked by birds is probably cursing the very hair you covet. I myself have been blessed/cursed with what at times can only be described as a Chia Pet. Some days its shiny and bouncy and my curls are full and healthy looking. Other days it looks like someone just rescued me from the Potomac River.

After years of fighting with it, pleading, begging and brushing to exhaustion I have finally found a few products that make it a bit more manageable. The first of which is Salerm 21, which is a protein rich leave in conditioner that I found at my salon. Salerm 21 is not terribly expensive, however it is difficult to locate as its a product made in the Dominican Republic. My hairdresser imports it and sells it in her shop, but if you don’t go to her, it can be a tricky find.

I've had a little luck on line, but its no where near as affordable especially once you factor in Shipping and Handling. Salerm 21 is a lightweight cream that I put in right after a fresh wash. It detangles, and strengthens without drying or making my hair frizzy. It dries clear and without flaking whether blow-drying or air drying. It also protects your hair from the damage that can occur from heat styling.

I also use Miss Jessie's Curly Buttercream as both a curl enhancer and moisturizer. Its fab for blow-drying, and really gets you that straight look without making your hair look and feel like straw. It also dries to perfection as a curl aid, giving you that bouncy healthy shine us curly girls want so desperately. Miss Jessie's also offers a Curly Pudding that I use on occasion to help lock in my curls, and a Curly Meringue that imparts both shine and hold. You can find all of her products on line at missjessies.com, however these products are NOT cheap. A jar of Curly Buttercream will set you back $58 large. The jar is big enough to last me about 6 months which if you do the math only works out to about $10 a month if you need to justify the price.

I personally couldnt live without Salerm 21 or the Buttercream now that I know they can tame this tree and if you have an unruly tree of your own, give them a try, or one of those Lace Front Wig's Tyra Banks seems so fond of... but I would advise against it.