It all begins...with a (new color) choice

(photo via style.mtv.com)

Again, I think I'm in the minority here....I have not read any of the Twilight books or seen any of the movies. And I have no desire to. There - I said it. However, I do love seeing the cute starlets out on the red carpet, glamming it up for the fans. This is their chance to show their personal style and shine outside of the supernatural characters they play on the big screen. Although, I think most of their fans can't see past the characters they love so much. Kristen will always be Bella to them. I mean, seriously, people camped out for days. Nuts, right? (Says the girl who runs to the beauty supply store each time a new product comes out.)

Regardless of my aversion to the Twilight madness, I am absolutely smitten with Kristen Stewart's new hair color! It is truly the perfect shade of coppery red and complements her complexion perfectly. And I was not surprised to hear superstar Marie Robinson had a hand in it. That woman is a color genius.

Apparently there is a do-it-yourself option that just might be able to fulfill my near obsession with this shade- Fekkai's Color in 6R Copper-Lucy. And after seeing the before and after photos on Bellasugar, I'll be taking the plunge very soon.

A few years ago my hairstylist (whom I've been going to forever) gave me the perfect shade of washed-out red. It was almost strand for strand the same color Kristen is sporting now. I have not been able to recreate it since moving outside what is a reasonable travel time from my Mane Man. But I think I may have found the answer to my red-hue prayers. Be sure to check back for my Fekkai color experience.

Eat, Pray, Love....Perfume

(image via stylelist.com)

I know I'm in the minority here and quite frankly I may be the only person on the planet who has yet to read Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. This wildly popular book is awaiting its day on the big screen with Julia Roberts as the lead. I have heard mostly great things about the book, however, people are really split down the middle on how they think it will translate to film.

But me, I'm excited to hear that Fresh has partnered with Sony to create three new, limited-edition fragrances based on the film and the exotic locales it visits. “Fragrance is a big part of my own spiritual journey," Lev Glazman, Fresh's co-founder and fragrance designer explains. "I have always been emotionally connected to scent. It is how I organize my own memories, the special moments in my life,"

Each scent will focus around a specific location (Italy, Indonesia, and India). "Eat" will smell of lemon, basil and vanilla, "Pray" will contain jasmine, amber, patchouli and juniper berry and "Love" will focus on bergamont, mango blossom and sandalwood. These storied fragrances will also be available in a trio of candles if you prefer.

You can read more about the Fresh collaboration set to hit stores on July 15th at Stylelist.

Summertime and the living's easy

(images via Shiseido, Benefit and Tarte)

Happy Summer! It's official, today is the summer solstice and the longest day of the year. While I definitely get in the summer mood long before June 21, there is something ceremonial about today. Even as I write this it's still a little light outside.

I don't know about everyone else but summer conjures up images of the ocean and sunsets for me. And this season you can find hot weather makeup in all of these hues from oceanic greens and blues to the fiery reds and corals that fade to purples of a sunset.

Everyone wants an easier to manage beauty routine during the sweltering summer months. It's all about apply-and-go and a look that will last. No one wants goopy makeup sliding off their face. You want to look fresh faced and glowing but not overly made up. And it goes without saying you don't want to have to spend tons of time getting ready when it's already 80 degrees at 8 am.

First, start out with sunscreen! We are all guilty of skimping on the protection that our faces so desperately need. Try Shiseido's Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion in SPF 60. It goes on smooth, sinks right into skin and doesn't leave you feeling greasy. For a flushed cheek that's gives you a glow equivalent to a day at the beach, try a quick swipe of Benefit's Coralista blush. Follow up with a lip stain in any I-just-ate-a-popsicle-shade you choose (Tarte has a variety, my favorite is Lust, a bright cherry) and finish off with a coat of inky black waterproof mascara and you're good to go. Of course you can substitute any of your favorites shades but follow this basic routine and you'll be ready to beat the heat in no time. And finally, always carry blotting papers. These little sheets come in handy when you're feeling a bit shiny and they won't ruin your makeup.

I'll Tell You A Secret

I had heard the hype about L'Oreal's Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base, and regardless of the fact that I thought about running to the nearest drugstore to purchase it, I was skeptical and held off. While at work the other day, a coworker exclaimed when she saw a write-up touting this as the new “it” product. Still, I was skeptical.

Leafing through a magazine, I came upon a sample, so I dotted a bit on my hand and quite literally watched my pores and little lines disappear. This little magic eraser is amazing! It’s much smaller than you would expect, but once you get over that fact and dig into the mini pot, you’ll be hooked. I was, and I stopped that day on my way home to purchase this little miracle worker at my local Rite Aid (cost: $12.99).

You unscrew the lid to a pretty pink whipped material that glides onto your skin, making pores and wrinkles less visible. It lasts a good amount of time and makes foundation application much easier. For anyone looking to minimize pores and fine lines, this is the product for you.

The pictures above are of the boyfriend's hand (it is really to tough to try and take an in-focus pic of your own hand). Image one of the hand is pre-primer and image two is after (I convinced him it was for the sake of beauty science). Noticeably smaller pores and fine lines. Yay, success! And of course I use this on my face but for pictures this was easier.

Evan Rachel Wood: New Face of Gucci Fragrance

It appears that young hollywood is making the rounds with the fashion houses fragrance lines. Evan Rachel Wood has been tapped to front Gucci's women's fragrance. Mere days after Natalie Portman was named to be Dior's new face.

Evan Rachel Wood fits right in with Gucci's edgy style. As told to WWD- “Evan Rachel Wood is such a talented and beautiful actress,” said Giannini. “I have always admired her confidence and her ability to transform herself in front of the camera. Even though she can appear shy at times, when the camera starts rolling, she becomes animated and vivacious. She is incredible, very sexy, and her eyes and face really attract the people of her generation.”

(photo via justjared.com)

I mean seriously, is she not a great choice for Gucci? Evan has really showed her versatility portraying a troubled young adult to a sexy vamp queen. Who doesn't love Queen Sophie Anne on True Blood? I'm sure ad campaign will showcase her ability to transform. And no doubt this collaboration will follow in traditional provocative nature that Gucci is known for.

Natalie Portman: The new face of Dior Parfums

The always stunning Natalie Portman has recently inked a deal with Parfums Christian Dior. She is the perfect choice, no?

On the heels of other stunning ladies such as Charlize Theron and Eva Green; she seems like the perfect embodiment of Dior's essence.

"She will symbolize with grace the values of luxury and the glamour of Dior," said Claude Martinez, President and Chief Executive Officer of Parfums Christian Dior, in an interview with WWD.

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what the ad campaign will look like.

(photo via hollywood.com)

UO Beauty

(all images via urbanoutfitters.com)

Urban Outfitters will be my downfall. I LOVE that store. I seriously can't walk by without going inside and I can't go inside and not leave without at least one purchase. And while they have always had a few random cosmetic items, and in the last couple of years have carried quite a few fragrances, they have recently added a plethora of beauty items (website only- at least for now).

They have started carrying a range of brands like Anna Sui, Paul and Joe, Stila, Blow Hair Care and Lulu Organics. You can find a wide variety of cosmetics, hair care products and nail polishes plus an expanded selection of fragrances from favorites like Costume National, Comptoir Sud Pacifique and the always popular Demeter line. And of course they also have the long time favorite Rosebud Salve (this item they carry in stores as well).

It does make it a bit more difficult not being able to play with all the items, a la Sephora, however, if you know what you like and you're shopping online (which I often do at urbanoutfitters.com) you can easily add your fave beauty items along with that new top or shoes.

I suggest checking out the new beauty section. And hopefully this is just a precursor to UO having a better beauty selection in stores. Then I really won't be able to leave without making a purchase!

Lush

all images via lush.com

I had been in and out of Lush stores many times over the past few years. I almost never spent much time in there due to overwhelming crowds and the occasional overly-aggressive salesperson who wanted to tell me the entire history of each product.

I have found my rhythm with them. I frequent one of their outposts that never gets too crowded and most of the salespeople now know I am on a mission when I walk in and leave me to it. Lush has AMAZING products. I have become obsessed with all things Karma. The Karma soap is one of the absolute best soaps I've come across. It has a fantastic patchouli scent that is not cloying at all and will linger on your skin for hours after you've showered. Another obsession is the Karma bubble bar, which has the same incredible scent, but you drop it in a bath and it bubbles up and makes the bath water a sweet orange tint. So relaxing! You get multiple uses out of the bath bars by breaking them into pieces. Trust me, you don't need an entire one. And finally, the Karma fragrance (solid and liquid form) is perfect if you want the scent with you for longer than just a shower or bath. I'm guessing you probably will.

Another of my favorites at Lush is their "Emotibombs." I refer to them as shower bombs. For those of you without a tub or who just prefer showers, these are perfect. "Sex in the Shower" is my favorite of the scents. It's a heady jasmine mixed with rose and other florals. It's perfect for relaxing after a long day. "Up You Gets" is citrusy and has a wake-me-up-feeling. Their "Double Fast Luck" is only out during the holidays and has the signature Karma scent. I suggest stocking up on these because once you use one, you won't want to shower without them.

Visit Lush for more info and to scope out their other products. http://www.lush.com/

Shampure

I have read countless reviews, mostly raving, about Aveda's Shampure shampoo. It's constantly being talked about in the beauty and fashion communities. A long standing "editor's choice," Shampure has been given Allure's Editor's Choice Award; it's also among editor's picks at Marie Claire and Elle. So why haven't I tried this?

Well, while out the other weekend, I stopped into the Aveda store. After perusing a bit - and being stalked by an overly-aggressive salesperson - I decided I would finally try this hyped shampoo. I am glad I did. I love it. I'm a marketer's dream; I mean really, I will buy a variation of a product that I've used for years simply because it comes in a new color, flavor, scent, etc. But I'm a little picky about shampoos, which is probably why I haven't fallen under the spell until now.

Despite my own proclamations of having thick hair, I've been told by several hairstylists that while I have a ton of hair, each individual strand is very fine. This shampoo does not weigh it down, rinses away easily and makes my hair shiny and manageable. And, of course, let's talk about the scent, which is so wildly popular that Aveda makes a candle as well. I find it very reminiscent of baby shampoo, which I love. It's nostalgic with a bit of earthy floral mixed in.

Aveda lists this as being for all hair types. I have to agree as mine is colored, fine and can be frizzy at times - a little bit of everything, I suppose. I love the results so far.