April 23, 2013 Edgy and bold, the NARS summer 2013 makeup collection features bright flashes of sexy glam rock. You can expect attention-grabbing colors but there are a few gems that can be easily worn on a daily basis.
For those who dare to stand out, the dandelion and African violet shades from the Fashion Rebel Duo Eyeshadow will definitely turn heads.
April 18, 2013 The 56th San Francisco International Film Festival (April 25-May 9) is just around the corner. This year the festivities will kick off with What Maisie Knew and will close with the much-anticipated Before Midnight. I can't wait to see what happens to Jesse and Céline (Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy) in Richard Linklater's last installment to the Before Sunrise trilogy.
Richard Linklater's "Before Midnight" with Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke (Courtesy of the San Francisco Film Society).
Here are a couple of previews from the festival lineup:
Audrey Tautou fans will admire her work in Claude Miller's Thérèse (Therese Desqueyroux, France 2012). An adaptation of François Mauriac's famed novel, Tautou portrays a young wife suffering from a stifling bourgeois existence in southwestern France and her unhappiness culminates in extreme consequences. Her withered soul may be dulled from ennui and social conventions, yet it barely conceals her desire for intellectual stimulation and personal freedom. Breaking from her usual gamine style, Tautou delivers a smooth, nuanced performance that's definitely worth a look.
Audrey Tautou and Gilles Lellouche in "Therese" (Courtesy of the San Francisco Film Society).
April 16, 2013 Gwyneth Paltrow's lifestyle website Goop has teamed up with Butter London again to launch three sets of nail polish for spring. The formula doesn't contain any formaldehyde, toluene or DBP, but you do need 2-3 coats for an even finish.
The Candy Coated Trio features bright pastels of Fruit Machine (pink), Jasper (yellow) and Fiver (green).
April 11, 2013 The first unisex fragrance and body treatment from Clarins, Eau Dynamisante is literally springtime in a bottle. Suspended in a soothing aloe base, this revitalizing eau de toilette moisturizes, firms and tones with just a few spritzes.
April 8, 2013 A beauty essential for Hollywood celebrities, the Pure Oxygen Facial is quickly becoming a popular treatment at The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Seattle. Developed by Intraceuticals, it's the latest addition to their skincare repertoire and it's the only spa in town to get it.
I was recently invited to experience the signature treatment first hand. It started off with a thorough cleansing, followed by a gentle exfoliation and expert pore extractions. The fun part began when hyperbaric oxygen, low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, peptides and vitamins were applied to the skin, inch by inch, via a facial wand.
The cooling sensation of the oxygen mists were extremely calming and the results were instantaneous. Christine, my esthetician, showed my completed right side of the face so I could compare it with the left. My cheek plumped up with much-needed hydration. I looked more awake and the fine lines around the forehead and undereye area were vastly diminished. Thanks to the hyaluronic acid stimulating the muscle tissue, my facial tone was noticeably lifted, like a mini face lift. I've never seen my skin so radiant and dewy before and I could see why this is such a popular treatment with beauty mavens.
Depending on your skincare regimen, the results will last 4-7 days. A series of 6 facials ($1,500) is offered if you're serious about long-term maintenance. You'll also receive a complimentary home-care kit ($300+ value) if you purchase the package. To enhance the results between treatments you should use Intraceuticals' Rejuvenate Daily Serum, Rejuvenate Hydration Gel and Rejuvenate Moisture-Binding Lotion. They also launched the new Intraceuticals+ Boosters, a customizable serum collection that attacks fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage.
To book the Pure Oxygen Facial ($250), go to www.fourseasons.com.
The Intraceuticals line is available at The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Seattle and online at www.intraceuticals.com.
For editorial consideration, review samples and a media visit were provided by the brand's PR representative.
April 5, 2013 Sometimes we need a refresher on how to create a certain beauty look or hairstyle. Target teamed up with Pixi, NP Set, and Umberto to create a series of Expert Advice videos so you can achieve the perfect smoky eye, create a bold lip, or dress up a ponytail.
Credit: Target.com
April 4, 2013 Looking for a high performance matte foundation? The new Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Matte Liquid Foundation features the Matte Adapt Complex that corrects unwanted shine and imperfections all day long. The velvety matte finish is soft and smooth to the touch and easy to apply.
Scarlett Johansson as the face for the D&G ad campaign.
Available in 15 shades, this medium-high coverage formula is especially great for oily or combination skin. I'm on the dry side so I need to moisturize and exfoliate really well before application as it tends to highlight dry patches. I tried the Creamy 80 shade, which I thought might be too pale, but it worked quite well on me – it's just a tad lighter than usual. Like their Perfect Luminous Liquid Foundation, it's very lightweight and it does last all day. You don't need any major touch ups and I didn't need concealer at all. In fact, it's so concentrated that I only needed one pump of product to do the job.
Available at www.saksfifthavenue.com.
For editorial consideration, review samples were provided by the brand's PR representative.
April 3, 2013 Colorful and stylish, Mr. Boddington's Studio's Every Day Notebook Collection is the newest launch from the whimsical stationery company. Each of the three paperback notebooks have a different hand-drawn cover design and the slim 6" x 8.5" size makes it a portable and fashionable choice for your bag.
They also launched a new Every Day Eco-Notecards box. Made with recycled paper and soy inks, each box features four full-color illustration designs. You can use these cheerful cards for birthdays, thank you notes and holidays.
Available at www.chroniclebooks.com.
For editorial consideration, review samples were provided by the brand's PR representative.
