Bumble and Bumble arrives at Sephora!

What a coincidence that when I went for my haircut last Friday, they used Bumble and Bumble and just when I was going to research places nearby that I can purchase their products, Sephora announces their arrival to their stores and website!  When I went for my overdue haircut, I left with Bumble and Bumble's styling creme and Rockaholic dry shampoo (look out for this post).  Typical me, I told myself I'll buy their shampoo later when I finish my current shampoo.  I should've just bought it right there in the salon, because I noticed my bottle was running low when I got home!

Ok, so I have pretty fine straight hair, so my hair was washed with Bumble and Bumble's seaweed line.  I can't wait to buy it and use it on a regular basis.

Bumble and Bumble Styling Creme
Retail price: $24.00
Where to find: PR@Partners salons, Sephora, Sephora.com, Bumble and Bumble website

I am mostly a wash-n-go kind of person.  I like easy (and lazy!).  So, I rarely dabble in the complexity of using the right styling products.  Hairspray vs. mousse? Cream vs. gel?  Yea, I'm not good at that (yet).  But in the spirit of becoming a better me, which includes my appearance, I decided with this haircut, I'm going to give my hair the TLC it needs.  So, the hairstylist at PR@Partners in DC, Josh, (whom I totally recommend!) suggested that I try Bumble and Bumble's Styling Creme.  It works well on people with fine hair; it doesn't leave your hair greasy at all.  Now of course, people's hair looks and smells amazing right after a salon visit.  The real test is when you have to do it all by yourself!

It's been a few days, and I love the styling creme!  I have pretty long days, and I hate it when my hair feels greasy or oily at the end of the day because of product.  But, so far, I've gone home feeling like I could even skip a day of hair washing.  I only use a dime size of the creme and run my hands through my hair and blowdry.  I could work on my blowdrying skills, but for what I need my hair to be to brave the long days, it works pretty well!  Bumble and Bumble have been around since the 1970s.  I can't believe I've only heard of them now.

I also bought Rockaholic dry shampoo which is to be used for the in-between-hair-washing days, hangover mornings, or post-gym-no-time-to-shower-yet days.  My hair is still relatively fresh from a salon, so maintenance has been quite low (wink).  When I start getting super lazy with my hair, you'll see a post about this product! haha.



Photo credits:
Bumble and Bumble styling creme at Sephora http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P280533&categoryId=C24070

Favorite look of Oscar Night 2011: Mila Kunis

Credit: Frazer Harrison; Photos: Getty, http://justjared.buzznet.com/2011/02/27/mila-kunis-oscars-2011-red-carpet/

I still can't get over how beautiful Mila Kunis was at the Oscars.  Her dress, an Elie Saab dress, was unique and elegant, both in color and style.  I loved the intertwined lace portions of the dress; it added a hint of sexiness, without being overly revealing or too bedrooom-y.  And the color!  I'm not even a huge fan of lavender (I'm more of a dark purple fan), but the lavender on her skin tone was a perfect match.  And it made me fall in love with lavender!

To complete her look, Kunis' hair and makeup was amazing!  The 30's updo hairstyle and subtle smoldering eyes really complements the dress.  Read up on how to get her look here!  

And I found a video on how to do the hairstyle.  I'm definitely trying this one of these days!

Thanks, Burlesque :)

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
Retail price: $21.00
Where to find: Bobbi Brown online, Bobbi Brown Nordstrom counter, Sephora

Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush
Retail price: $25.00
Where to find: Bobbi Brown online, Bobbi Brown Nordstrom counter, Sephora

I bought Bobbi Brown's long-wear gel eyeliner a while ago.  I went for a complimentary makeover at the Nordstrom counter one lazy Saturday.  This eyeliner was perfection!  And, as advertised, the liner didn't smudge or wear until I removed my makeup.  So, of course, I bought it along with the brush.

I used the eyeliner for a few weeks, but I found it difficult to apply especially in the morning.  My lines weren't straight; the lines were too thick (from too much product and try to correct over bad lines); and frankly, I just wasn't used to using a brush to line my eyes.  So, I went back to using eyeliner pencils and liquid pens (read my older posts on some of my favorites!).  I love the eyeliner pencils and pens I've used/still sue; I usually bring one with me in my purse to touch up.  And they are still the easiest products to apply on the eyes.

Then...I saw the movie Burlesque (Sidenote: As formulaic as this movie is, it was quite entertaining!).  You know that scene where Christina Aguilera's character tries to apply some eyeliner with a brush, and Cher enters the room and shows her how it's done.  It was quite a tender moment, actually.  Anyway, when Cher finished, Aguilera's eyes looked awesome!  It was then I decided to give Bobbi Brown's Gel Eyeliner another chance. (note:  I don't know what brand they were using in the movie)

So, again, on a lazy Saturday, where I opted not to hit the malls (a.k.a. not spend money), I took out my gel eyeliner pot and brush and started practicing.  A few tries and a new brush, I'm actually getting used to the application.  As I'm applying it, I can barely feel I have anything on my eyelids.  The gel part of this product adds to the rich color.  I still have my eyeliner pencils/pens, but this one totally lives up to its name!

Things I learned the second time around (and after watching the video on Bobbi Brown's website):

1. You don't need a lot of eyeliner on the brush.  Just a smudge on either side of the tip.
2. Start from the inner eyelids and work your way out.  When I first started, I would hold the outer end taut and then apply.  I can actually apply while looking straight ahead now.  Whatever works for you, do it :)
3. If you mess up, use your finger to smudge it off or use a Q-tip with a tiny bit of eye makeup remover and take off any mistakes.  You have time to fix it before it actually settles in (it lives up to the name of long-wear, so once it's there, it's there)
4.  Practice with some patience :) 
4a. One way to practice (and also a way to make a bolder look) is to use an eyeliner pencil and line your eyes as you usually do.  Then, trace your line with the gel eyeliner!

This product is quite expensive, but if your eyes are what you love to accent when you use makeup, I say it's worth it.





Photo credit:
http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/templates/products/spp/index.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY22753&PRODUCT_ID=PROD1109&cm_vc=XCATEGORY22753

Maybelline Volum Express Falsies

Maybelline Volum Express Falsies Mascara
Retail Price:  ~$8.00-9.00
Where To Find:  Local drugstores, such as CVS or Walgreens; Target; Ulta

Happy New Year!  Hope everyone had a wonderful time ringing in 2011!

I don't know wear mascara on a regular basis, but one thing I love about mascara is how much it can open up your eyes and intensify your look almost instantly.  I tried false eyelashes for New Year's (upcoming post), but because it took me a little while to get the hang of it (a couple re-dos :)).  It was fun to wear, and I do plan on perfecting the process.  In the meantime, while shopping at Ulta for the false lashes, I thought it would be wise to have a backup plan.  That's where Maybelline Volum Express Falsies comes in.  Luckily, on New Year's Eve, the false lashes application worked out, so I didn't use it then.

I've been the Falsies for almost a week now on a daily basis, since I don't have the time in the morning to spend putting on the false lashes.  For an everyday intensity of false lashes, I love Falsies!  I really does add volume to my very thin lashes.  Also, it doesn't clump!  It's spoon brush and flexible wand allows you to start the application closer to the root without poking your eye out.  And it's the keratin fiber formula that adds the volume/more lashes to your own lashes.  There you go, instant false lashes.  I've always loved Maybelline's great lash line, but their falsies line is becoming another favorite.  You can't beat the price either!

I think one or two coats is great for an everyday look.  An extra coat or two you'll get a more intensified look.

Don't forget to use a good eyelash curler!

I'll post some before and after pics later :)