Get Gorgeous: ELLE's 'Make Better' Challenge

ELLE magazine has given the traditional "makeover" a makeover and recently launched it's 'Make Better' program, a multiplatform initiative surrounding fitness, fashion and beauty. the Make Better program is a fabulous new outlook on how to approach fashion, beauty and fitness.

through small, simple, yet strategic adjustments to everyday life, big changes can be made. no more spending unnecessary time, money and energy on a new wardrobe, overhauling your closet or engaging in expensive beauty and fitness regimes.



you'll find info throughout the magazine this year and 3 exercise dvds have also been produced, starring model Brooklyn Decker. they can be purchased separately-- Elle Beauty Sculpt (interval-based, full-body workout), Cardio Body (improve your fitness level and tone up), and Workout Yoga (features two dynamic, progressive yoga routines)-- or in a set of three.

sounds fashionably healthy, don't you think? visit elle.com to start your 21 day Make Better challenge-- trust me, it's fun! through it you'll get organized and learn tips from the pros in all areas of fashion, beauty and fitness.


tell me: will you participating in the ELLE Make Better challenge?

xo
info and images courtesy of ELLE

bareMinerals Liner Shadow in Black Emerald

i was in Macy's with my mom earlier this week and saw the most gorgeous eyeshadow shade. it was bareMinerals Liner Shadow in Black Emerald (as the name implies, it can be used as an eyeliner or worn as an eyeshadow), and wowza! i loved it.

but i didn't buy it.

at least not that day...

since i'm trying not to be such an impulse shopper, i held off on the purchase. but i thought about it all week, so that was my sign that would use it. i have done the same thing in the past and forgotten about a product, so this doesn't always happen.

in any case, you guessed it, i bought it. so here are some pics of me wearing it (well, at least my one eye, LOL). :)


as a liner (applied with a wet liner brush)



with a bit of shadow over the liner (applied with a different, dry brush)



the dramatic eye (i also added black liner to inner rim of my eye)

so pretty, right? i think the results look better in person, but hopefully these are good enough to pique your interest. there are over 45 shades of this versitile product, so i know i'll be adding more of these to my stash.

while we're on the subject of bareMinerals, the brand will be on QVC to debut their "I love BE" set. it's on right now as i type this (sorry, i know i'm late!), but also will be featured at 11am, 3pm and 9pm (eastern) on 1/30/10. this is a huge collection that includes full size products, some exclusive to QVC, so be sure to check it out!

if you have a BE retailer near you, i recommend checking out the Liner Shadows in person, but if you can't, visit sephora.com and bareescentuals.com for more info.

xo

body beautiful: Green Smoothies!

for the past 3 weeks i have been drinking (and loving!) green smoothies. what is a green smoothie, you ask? basically it's green veggies blended with some fruits and water to make an amazing, good-for-you smoothie.

it all started with the fabulous Kitiya starting up her Healthy Sexy Beautiful 2010 program. with that i started walking more, drinking more water, and really trying to be even better to myself in the health department.

one of K's tips for getting on the HSB2010 bandwagon was to read Kimberly Snyder's blog. there i found not only valuable tips on being healthy, but the recipe for what would become my favorite way to start the day!




the recipe is super simple:

•1 1/2 cup of water
•1 head of organic romaine lettuce, chopped
•3-4 stalks of organic celery
•2 organic apples, cored and chopped
•1 organic banana
•1/3 bunch of organic cilantro
•1/3 bunch of organic parsley
•Juice of 1/2 fresh organic lemon

add the water and chopped head of romaine to a blender. starting the blender on a low speed, mix until smooth. gradually moving to higher speeds add the herbs celery and apples. add the banana and lemon juice last.*

this makes a whole blender full and keeps in the fridge for 2-3 days. i drink half the pitcher one day and the rest the next day.


it tastes better than it looks!

the first day, i thought i wouldn't be able to drink these everyday (the smoothie was good, but you know, not something i was used to drinking). then my energy and focus were so amazing throughout the day, i had to drink another the next day. and it tasted better!

now i am adding a bit of agave nectar (for sweetness) and other greens like kale and spinach to it. the fruits pretty much stay the same, but peaches are really good to add as well. now, thanks to my blogger pal and fellow green smoothie lover, Brittany, i add cinnamon-- yum!!!

so, that's how i have been starting my days. i don't even think about it anymore. i look forward to drinking my smoothies ("ewww, green smoothie", as my kids say it) everyday. i'm getting in so many more veggies and fruit and i feel fabulously energized. love it!

xo
*read kimberly's entire green smoothie post here

Beyonce to 'Heat' Up NYC

if you're a fan of Beyonce and you're going to be in the nyc area, you need to pay attention to this!

the multi-talented artist herself will be in union square and herald square next week to promote her new fragrance, Beyonce Heat. described as a captivating scent that exudes passion and unleashes a spirited fire within; embodies the trendsetting vision and effortless chic of pop culture's most emulated icon.

so, if you can make it, be at union square tuesday february 2nd from 6pm till midnight or Macy's herald square on february 3rd to celebrate the launch of this debut fragrance.




as far as the scent itself, i think it sounds great, but it's always best to let your nose be the decision maker: feminine and irresistible, the floral, fruity, woody scent features rare, sensual flowers. Beyonce Heat opens with a radiant floral bouquet of magnolia, neroli and red vanilla orchid balanced with a kiss of luscious blush peach. at its heart, almond macaroon, sweet honeysuckle nectar and creme de musk combine to create an exquisitely sensual experience. finally, warm and sexy notes of giant sequoia milkwood, tonka bean and amber linger to seduce the senses.


if you attend this event, have fun! also, if you smell the fragrance before i post my review, leave a comment here and let me know what you think.

xo

Spring Beauty 2010: NARS

happy tuesday beauties! i made a trip to Sephora today to check out the new Nars spring 2010 collection, then discovered that they didn't have it (oh, the heartbreak!). it is online though, so i figure it won't be too long before i see it in my local store.

i will admit i already am loving the colors featured in this collection-- can you say gorgeous?? we are in for a beautiful spring season, i would say. the nail color, Purple Rain-- love! i hear it calling my name (ok, a bit dramatic, i know, but you beauty die-hards know what i'm talking about!), and of course, the glosses and shadows look amazing.

let's take a look at the NARS 2010 spring collection, shall we?




Cruising Lipstick described as a subtle, sexy pink lipstick; this shade is sheer and natural-looking. the hydrating formula can be worn alone, or over a NARS Lip Pencil for variations in color and depth; neutral enough to pair perfectly with dramatic eyes, yet alluring enough to attract attention when used on its own.




Easy Lover Lip Gloss amazing luster meets sexy color in this ultra-sheer hot pink lip gloss. an eyecatching and refreshing springtime hue, perfectly suited to deliver super shiny, sensual lips. add an extra dab of it in the center of the bottom lip to accentuate sheen and fullness.

Ophelia Lip Gloss high-shine strawberry nectar lip gloss is deliciously sweet and seductive. wear it alone, or over NARS lip products for a more intense effect and color variation. the glossy formula will capture both the light and the attention of admirers.





Purple Rain Nail Polish is, as the brand describes it, destined to become a modern classic and as intensely gothic as it is a bright and audacious shade of purple. the long-wearing formula vacillates between opposites: rocker or royalty, rebellious or refined. i know i already said this, but i love this shade already.




D. Gorgeous Single Eyeshadow described as a gorgeous, dusty lilac powder eyeshadow that yields a subtle hint of flirtiness; long-wearing, crease-resistant matte formula is translucent texture and can be applied sheer, or layered with other NARS products for a bolder result.





Camargue Duo Cream Eyeshadow is a pairing of golden moss and sienna, named for the deep, dancing, sun-cast hues found in the french river delta. with multi-colored reflections comes in a soft-blending, glistening cream eyeshadow formula. wear it alone or layered beneath NARS powder eyeshadows to create more color, depth and intensity.




Kuala Lumpur Duo Eyeshadow is influenced by contrasts of rich and subtle, traditional yet modern. this perfectly harmonized gold infused rose and boysenberry pairing can be worn separately or together, sheer or layered for a more dramatic effect. try swiping one shade over the entire eyelid and applying the other just beneath the brow bone to highlight.





Bains Douches Glitter Pencil is a silver glitter-infused sky blue hue that delivers powerful, vibrant color. slides on smooth and remains creamy for blending. can be used layered or alone to line, accent, highlight or illuminate the eyes. no matter how it's used, the look will be as ultra-chic as the legendary parisian nightclub for which it was named.

the NARS 2010 Spring Collection is available now at NARS beauty counters and online at narscosmetics.com.

xo

2010 SAG Awards Beauty: Katrina Bowden

30 Rock star Katrina Bowden looked nothing short of stunning at saturday's SAG awards. i loved her dress-- perfectly light feeling and age-appropriate-- and while her hair wasn't anything to get excited over, i really loved her makeup.

mark celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg created Katrina's breathtaking look and shares how she did it. keep reading...


face
Greenberg started by prepping Katrina's face with mark For Goodness Face Antioxidant Skin Moisturizing Lotion and mark Kiss Dry Goodbye Lip Smoother onto her lips. she then evened out the actress's complexion with mark Face Xpert Flawless Touch Makeup in Golden then buffed Champagne onto her cheek bones "for emphasis". using mark Just Pinched Instant Blush Tint in Peachy just on the apples of her cheeks gave Katrina a more natural-looking rosy glow. this was followed by a dash of mark Bronze Pro Bronzing Powder and finished with a final brush of mark Matte-nificent Oil-Absorbing Powder to eliminate any excess shine. mark Jewel Body Cream was applied on any exposed skin "to give her body a gorgeous glow."



eyes
for Katrina's eyes, mark It Kit (available in february) in Latte was used and blended into her crease. I-mark Custom Pick Eyeshadow in Corset was brushed onto the lid, and blended slightly upwards into the crease, then dashed below her bottom lash line. mark Eyemarker Color On Line in Jet was carefully rimmed the top and bottom of her eyes and mark On The Edge Hook Up Liquid Eyeliner in Cleo created the perfect line on the top lid strictly for definition. the eyes were finished with two coats of mark Scanda-Lash Hook Up Mascara in Blacklash "focusing on the corner of her lashes to really draw them out."


lips
for a more subtle and natural look on Katrina's lips, Greenberg used mark Dew Drenched Moisturlicious Lip Color in Mist.

for more info on the products featured, visit meetmark.com

xo
images: Getty Images

nail color of the week: OPI DS Extravagance

from the fabulous Designer Series, OPI's DS Extravagance was my choice of nail color to wear this week. it really helped cheer me up in this gloomy weather. this pretty and sparkly magenta would put any beauty girl in a better mood, don't you think?

i bought my bottle at Cosmoprof (for industry pros only), but you can visit opi.com to find a retailer near you.

xo

Bobbi Brown Makeup Face Lift Collection

hello beauties! hope you've been enjoying your week. it has been pouring all week. the line "it never rains in southern california" can be thrown out right now, ha! with the rain also came wind and hail-- so crazy! thankfully, my kids are taking it well. they love using their umbrellas-- it's the little things, after all. :) i admit, i enjoyed the storm-- it's been interesting and fun-- but i'm glad that it's almost over. i'm also glad that i can share that Bobbi Brown has a new collection available now. the new Makeup Face Lift Collection is sure to keep any Bobbi makeup fan looking her best.

this limited-edition collection promises to instantly brighten your face and play up your eyes with just a few simple tweaks.

here's your sneak peek...



Extra Eye Repair Cream

if your eyes need a little something extra, you just might want to try this peptide-packed cream to target wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness. according to reviews, it's a must-have. this rich, concentrated cream revives eyes, and can be used morning and night.




Tinted Eye Brightener

now in a fabulous, portable pen Bobbi's Tinted Eye Brightener is an on-the-go makeup maven's dream. with just a quick twist and a click, this lightweight concealer helps brighten under-eye circles and refreshes your makeup.




new Brow Pencils

eyes look more lifted with defined eyebrows. these creamy, blendable pencils give you the natural look of eyebrow powder with the precision of a pencil and come with their own sharpener.




Brightening Lip Gloss

two new shades of Brightening Lip Gloss offer sheer, reflective glossiness while waking up your face and helping to create the illusion of fuller lips. as always, wear alone or on top of your favorite lipstick.


visit your local Bobbi Brown counter or bobbibrown.com for more info.

i don't know about you, but this collection, though simple, is a great one. the products look like they really will enhance your naturally beautiful selves! what do you think?

xo
info and images courtesy of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

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2010 Golden Globes Beauty: Sofia Vergara

Modern Family star Sofia Vergara was gorgeous at the Golden Globes, dressed in a gown by Carolina Herrera. her hairstyle (created to evoke a Greek goddess with natural ethereal waves ) was created by the one and only celebrity stylist, Oscar Blandi, and i have the scoop on how it was done.



Oscar primed Sofia's wet hair with Oscar Blandi Volumizing Spray then blow-dried it, pinning pieces around the crown of her head and the nape of her neck. using a medium barrel curling iron, Oscar created soft waves and finished the look with Oscar Blandi Lacca Hairspray.

simple, huh? i love it! you can find Oscar Blandi products at sephora.com

xo
images: Getty Images