Coquette

Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm

For the onset of spring/summer, there's always a lipstick that will inspire me and take me through the warm (and also foggy) days in San Francisco. This season, it's the new Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm ($24.50). This limited edition beauty comes in 4 shades: Crystal Coral, Crystal Violet, Crystal Red, and Crystal Pink. I received all four shades from Clarins to test out and I was surprised at how amazingly all four shades looked good on my lips! (The violet shade looks like mauve on the lips.) Each lipstick color lies encircled around a transparent lip balm and when blended together, it creates a sheer, glossy color on your lips. Today I wore Crystal Coral (pictured above) out to lunch with my two girlfriends, Angela and Susan. Both of them remarked at how they loved my lip color. It's perfect color without going too dark with a matte lipstick. It feels light and summery and I love that my lips are perfectly moisturized. Each shade is perfect to compliment your outfit and mood. I tend to alternate the coral shade with pink which is a very perfect everyday color.

Note: Review products were provided by Clarins.

Winner of Julep Maven Box Giveaway

Congrats to Natalie from Ardmore, PA for winning the Julep Maven box in my recent giveaway. Thanks to everyone who entered. More giveaways to come soon! xoxo

Aura by Swarovski - New Fragrance + Crystal Gloss Jewel Pendant

I love jewelry but it's even better when it's multi-purpose. The Swarovski Crystal Gloss Jewels ($75-$85) is something that is both beautiful to wear on a night out. I love that you can wear it around your neck and give yourself little touch ups throughout the night. If you don't want to wear it around your neck, you can also place this beautiful little gloss in your clutch or evening bag. There are three styles to choose from: Crystal Touch Pink, Crystal Gloss Transparent, and the Crystal Touch which features a larger crystal in the pendant's circle peak.

I received the Crystal Touch necklace to review and I love how the pendant top easily slides to reveal the lip gloss. I love the shine which is thanks to the powdered, micronized Swarovski crystal iridescent pearls in its formula! The necklace can also work well in the day as a statement piece over a dress or long top.

The lip gloss pendant launches in conjunction of Swarovski's first new signature fragrance called Aura by Swarovski which is an incandescent, fruity, floral creation.

Aura by Swarovski
1.0 fl oz. Eau de Parfum, $65
1.7 fl oz Eau de Parfum, $80
2.5 fl oz. Eau de Parfum, $100

Note: Review product provided by Swarovski.

Julep Maven Review + Giveaway

(Photo: Rosemary Wagner Photography via Julep blog)

Julep makes some of the coolest nail colors and if you are a nail polish addict, you will love the new Julep Maven program. Each month a new Julep Maven box comes out with at least 2 seasonal nail colors plus some beauty favorites personalized for you. It's only $19.99 per box and you have the chance to skip a month if you aren't into what's coming for you. Take the Julep Maven style quiz to find out your personality and helps to pick out the colors and styles just for you each month. You can find out more in the Julep Maven section and watch the video.

I received a Julep Maven box to review that included 2 nail colors (Jennifer - a soft blush pink color and Brooke - a sparkly purple), a nail file, and the Julep Facial for Hands Glycolic Scrub. My dry hands from winter needed help and now my hands are so soft as I have been using this scrub each day. I've also been wearing the subtle blush color of Jennifer all week and can attest that this nail polish lasts! Unlike many traditional brands, Julep polishes are free of DBP, toluene, formaldehyde and formaldehyde resin. That's something that's important to me so I love supporting a brand like Julep.

Giveaway
Here's your chance to try out a Julep Maven box with your chance to win one in this giveaway! Just leave a note in the comments to this post telling me what your favorite nail polish color is. This giveaway is only available to U.S. and Canada residents only. All entries must be received by Friday, May 27 at Noon PST. Good luck!

This giveaway is now closed. Here's the winner's post.

Note: Review product provided by Julep.

Benefit's Cabana Glama: The Perfect Portable Makeup Kit

For day-to-day makeup, I like the natural look. This is why I love Benefit's Cabana Glama makeup kit ($36). It has everything you need to have that sun-kissed glow anytime you want! Right now it's my go-to makeup each day. It's great because I just have to pull this cute little box out of my drawer and I have everything I need right there. Perfect for the morning rush out the door! Plus this little box is the perfect travel companion to pack.

The cigar-style box comes with all the makeup + brushes and even has a wonderful large mirror.

The kit contains:

• Hoola - bronzing powder
• Some Kind-a Gorgeous - the foundation faker for medium complexions
• Posietint - poppy-pink tinted lip & cheek stain (my fav!!)
• Double-ended sponge applicator
• Mini cheek brush

You can also download this PDF for step-by-step lessons and instructions on how to apply everything in this kit for best results.

Anna Sui Perfect Mascara is Just Perfect

My friend designer Diana Eng sent me a gift from NY fashion week last fall when she got to attend the Anna Sui fashion show. The gift she sent me was Anna Sui's Perfect Mascara. I actually saved it for a few months until I finished my old mascara. The packaging and tube are gorgeous. I loved the little illustrations on how this mascara could turn your lashes into "doll lashes". But I didn't realize how good this mascara really is until the first time I applied it.

One word is magic. The brush is unassuming. Not thick or curved, but rather a simple straight small brush. I apply it right after curling my lashes. Not only do my lashes will stay curled, it even extends my lashes longer. It also doesn't feel thick or clump which I have found Dior to do so. I've been using it for a month now and was starting to freak out because I wasn't sure where I could buy this outside of NY. Luckily I found it online. Phew! The mascara is a bit pricy but totally worth it if you are looking for the look of long lashes.

Buy Anna Sui's Perfect Mascara ($36) at YesStyle.com.

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics – Pretty Powerful 2.0

Bobbi Brown's Pretty Powerful goes 2.0 with thirty new women of all backgrounds, careers, and lifestyles to celebrate beauty in all it's unique incarnations.

What makes me feel Pretty Powerful? My focus this past year has been on de-stressing nd creating a more healthy lifestyle. I have focused more energy in trying to eat well, drink more water, and incorporate any amount of exercise into my busy daily routine. I can be pretty lazy by nature when it comes to exercise so I've been easing myself back into it. It's all about baby steps. On nice days, I try to take long dog walks with Lulu in the morning. On busy days, a five minute yoga stretch session before bed may be all I have time for. Regardless, I've come to realized after all these years of long hours on the computer, I just can't put myself and my health on the back burner anymore. Being healthy is a vital part of what keeps me feeling good in my skin and body.

Visit Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Bobbi Brown via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Bobbi Brown.

DIY Hair Tutorials: Lauren Conrad's Loose Side Braid and the No Heat Curl

I'm trying to figure out lately what to do with my long hair. Maybe it's the winter blahs but I've been quite bored with it. I'm looking to try some fun, new hairstyles that don't take too much effort. This loose side braid on Lauren Conrad featured on her site The Beauty Department, looks so effortless and beautiful. It's perfect for spring and feels very California to me.

Another look that I love and that I have actually tried is the no heat curl tutorial as featured by Chelsey of The Paper Mama. It adds soft waves and body to my long hair and it's soooo easy. All you need to do is place your hair in a headband (watch The Paper Mama's video) and sleep. I'm also excited that she just added her own video to show you how to place the segments of hair in the headband. You'll wake up with these great waves (skip to 7:37 to see her results). I have also gotten some smaller waves by twisting my hair into a bun and fastening it with a ponytail holder before I go to sleep. It's great to wake up with new hair with a lot of body!

Hope you enjoyed these little DIY hair tutes!

Kate Somerville's 24 Hour Pimple Punisher

In early November after days and days of gorging on Halloween candy, I noticed pimples appearing on my usually clear face. (I just couldn't resist those Butterfingers!) Horrified I realized that duh, whatever I eat affects my skin. Literally a magic wand appeared in the form of Kate Somerville's new 24 Hour Pimple Punisher ($28). The long tube has two on the spot treatments – a clear gel for the AM and a strong acne treatment clay for the PM so it works clock to get rid of pesky pimples. For best results, start applying the formula when you start to feel that little bump in your skin, just as the pimple is starting to form. Once I started targeting the area, using it consistently day and night, it took about two days for the pimple to completely go away! (I didn't wear makeup in that area to keep it really clean.) I actually now sometimes dab on the clear AM gel in certain little areas around my nose before I put on concealer so I don't get breakouts. So with the upcoming holidays and Christmas treats galore, make sure you have this magic wand in your makeup bag for any pimple emergency!

Related:
Kate Somerville Skin Care
Q&A: Skin Care Expert Kate Somerville

Note: Review product provided by Kate Somerville.

Eco-Friendly Beauty: New Cetana Salon Spa in San Francisco

Cetana Salon Spa
155 Brannan Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 371-1335
Facebook page and List of Services
Yelp

Cetana Salon Spa in San Francisco's South Beach neighborhood brings the modern sustainable lifestyle to the world of beauty. The word cetana means "acute awareness, concern and interest of one's own existence, sensations, thoughts and surroundings". The salon was a long-time dream of Alain Gervais (my hairdresser for many years) and his partner Daniel Lopez. The duo came up with the unique design of Cetana that gives a nod to nature with it's light and relaxing atmosphere. With so much chemicals conjured up in the beauty biz, Cetana is focused on sustainable and eco-friendly practices.

As an Aveda salon, Cetana features a large store front area (hello holiday shopping!), where you can buy many of Aveda's skin, body and hair care products. If you aren't familiar with Aveda products, they are world renowned for creating a line that supports the environment and focuses on naturally-derived ingredients that are not harmful to your body.

Every inch of the space has been designed to bring you a bit of serenity once you step in the door. The salon and spa features haircuts, treatments and styling as well as skin care, waxing and threading. Alain spent almost six months remodeling the salon space and I think I grew my hair way too long just waiting for this place to open. Alain's passion for the salon and for it's focus doesn't just stop at being eco-friendly. He also is adament about education both for his stylists as well as for you. The salon has three in-training talents and has regular training sessions for all the hairstylists to keep abreast of new hair developments. The good news? They bring it all back to you with special DIY soirée nights where you can learn step-by-step how make a messy bun to a stylishly sleek ponytail. (Psst! You can even create your own custom soirée night by getting a group of your girlfriends together. It's a fun idea for a pre-bachelorette or girls' night out.)

The mani and pedis by Nina are given in their zero gravity chairs. It is so relaxing that I almost fell asleep while getting a pedicure. The nail polishes are organic too! A very relaxed gentleman was getting a pedi so as not to disturb him, I refrained from snapping a photo. :)

Here are more of my photos of Cetana Salon Spa:

Relax in serenity before your appointment in the discreet waiting room. I love having a cup of their soothing Aveda herbal tea. You really feel like you are blocked off away from the world!

The hair salon area with the beautiful dangling lights which remind me of lighted jellyfish.

Here's Rose one of the talents in-training working on a project to create a historical hair design. She decided to go a little more sci-fi and was bringing in elements inspired by Queen Amadala from Star Wars.

My favorite photo is this one of Cetana's Aveda hair color wall. Each color is custom created for a person's hair. It's like a entire wall palette of paint!

One of the seven hairstylists at the salon, Nicole is here mixing some colors for a client.

With the dry cold weather comes dry scalp. Alain recommends Aveda's scalp benefits to help balance out your scalp and hair. And if I may add, the Aveda Hand Relief lotion is a must! It's not greasy and makes your hands so soft. There are lots of trial sized products you can buy to test out!

The salon also sells Aveda's line of makeup and will soon have a makeup artist on hand.

I've known owner Alain Gervais for many years and he's one of the best hairstylists and people around. Cetana Salon Spa really is what it is because of his wonderful giving personality and his impeccable eye for design.

See Cetana's list of services and book your appointment today!