I love perfume…I love it so much that I have a whole collection to choose from and it’s a struggle not to add to it.  I think my biggest problem is that I can’t pick just one signature scent.  Take my mother for instance.  When I think of her, I think of Lancome’s Tresor.  She’s worn the fragrance, kept in a golden pyramid shaped bottle, since I was a little girl.  I really can’t imagine her wearing anything else.

But, I’m totally different.  I have white florals, vanilla based fragrances, violet scents and bolder more womanly fragrances.  Some days I tell myself I’m going to use all my bottles up and settle for just one, but that all ends as soon as I sniff a brand new bottle in the department store. 

Right now I have two fragrances on my mind…Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Elixir and Jessica Simpson’s new fragrance, Fancy.  Cashmere Mist is a very simple, yet intoxicating fragrance that really doesn’t smell like anything else I have and Fancy is a sweet, bakery-like fragrance that can’t get any more sappy or sweet.

Everything in my body is telling me to forget about Fancy, but there is something so irresistible about the fragrance, kind of like that dessert eyeing you in the pastry case.  It’s bad enough for me that it’s a celebrity fragrance, but it’s doubly bad that it’s Jessica Simpson’s fragrance (I already sold out and have several pairs of her shoes).  Everything about the fragrance screams Jessica, even the name Fancy.  If I were to develop a fragrance for Ms. Simpson, this would be it.  So, it’s kind of hard for me to admit that I like it…and that I can’t quit thinking about it.

About 10 minutes ago I discovered a fragrance strip of the sweet fragrance in my new issue of Lucky.  I probably don’t have to go into detail of what happened next, but I will say that the fragrance has mysteriously been transferred to both my wrists and halfway up my arms.  In the last 10 minutes
(including just now) I have paused to breath in my wrists.  I can’t help myself, this fragrance smells delicious!

The fragrance includes notes of pear, apricot nectar, red fruit (no clue what category red fruit falls into), gardenia, jasmine, almond carmel and vanilla cream.  That’s a lot of sweet stuff…a lot.  So, if you like to wear pink and consider yourself a girly girl then you might have met your new signature fragrance.  Or if you’re like me and have a whole collection to continue, then this fragrance will be perfect for you when you’re feeling girly, pretty and oh so sweet.

Sarah Michelle Gellar stepped out at the Juicy Couture NYC opening with a brand new set of bangs.  I think they look great on her, but there are a few pieces that I want to snip just a bit.  All in all she looked stunning and I think the bangs really work for her.

Thoughts??

When it comes down to it, we ladies can’t really complain.  If we have a pimple, we can conceal it.  If our complexion looks sallow, we can luminate it.  If our skin is a bit pale, we can bronze it.  But, what about our friends from the opposite sex?  When they have a pimple, the whole world gets to see it.  If their complexion looks sallow, they have to deal with it.  And if they’re looking a bit pale, well, they have to hope the sun works its magic…which is bad, because this can lead to wrinkles and skin cancer and really we should all be wearing sunscreen everyday.  But, that’s a whole other story.

Thanks to Jean Paul Gaultier men can cover up their flaws with his Monsieur line dedicated to the brawn.  The line includes such products as a energizing face balm and eye cream, but my favorite product has to be the fragrance-free concealer (and according to my husband, fragrance-free products are a must for guys).  Now lets be honest here; in all reality guys can wear any old concealer, but what are the odds that your boyfriend who hits the gym everyday will want to be caught dead with your concealing compact?  Not likely.  But, thanks to Gaultier’s clever packaging, your man can feel safe knowing that his manhood will be intact while his pimple and dark circles are kept under wraps.

The concealer comes in three natural looking shades to keep any man looking handsome and at his best without all the fluff.  Done and done!

When it comes down to it most of us wear the same palette of makeup everyday.  Not to say that you reach for the same eyeshadow day after day, but most of us tend to gravitate towards a particular color palette when we’re out shopping for makeup.

I happened to run across the photo above of Blake Lively (notice the braids, they’re still hot!) and I couldn’t help noticing how pretty, yet natural her makeup was and she managed to look this fabulous on the red carpet.  I think I can speak for most women when I say that the main goal of applying makeup is to look enhanced, not ‘done up’.  I decided to use this photo of Blake and find makeup that matched her look.  The great thing about her makeup is that you can add to it to make it a little more dramatic (remember the picture about was at a red carpet event) or you can take away a few steps when you’re running out in your jeans and t-shirt.  I also loved how the colors are neutral, but still pop…anyone can wear this look, just tweak the colors here and there to match your skin tone.

And since the economy is still in the can, I went to drugstore.com to find the looks; nothing is over $15.  So check out what I found:

Face:

 
Physicians Formula Mineral Wear foundation: I actually bought this mineral foundation powder myself for those days when I don’t want to wear my expensive foundation.  I was quite impressed with the coverage and the fact that it lasts pretty much all day.  Another bonus is that it’s great for acne-prone, sensitive skin and it’s talc-free.  $10.95

 
Physicians Forumla Retro Glow bronzer:  I bought this bronzer/highlighter the same day that I bought the mineral powder above.  I liked the fact that it was a mosaic and wears like a highlighter as well as a bronzer (and the vintage-looking packaging is really cute).  You should sweep this on your forehead, nose and chin for a glowing look like Blake’s.  $12.95

 
Jane Be Pure mineral blush:  This blush, shown in Rose Pink, is a great rosy color that will make your checks pop without being too bright.  $4.49, currently on sale.

Eyes:

 
Revlon Beyond Natural Cream to Powder eyeshadow:  I love this quad, in Buff, because it’s a cream to powder formula which means it’s easy to blend and create your own look.  The quad is a similar match to Blake’s shadows and it gives you a chance to play around and create a look that you want.  $7.99

 
CoverGirl Perfect Blend eyeliner:  Most of us already own black eyeliner, but if you don’t this version from Cover Girl is economical and easy to use.  I really like the fact that it has a smudge sponge attached so you can create a more natural look.  Or, keep the line dark and straight without the smudger.  In the photo of Blake (above) she’s wearing a dramatic line of black liner, so this method would look great for a more dramatic look.  But, if you’re wearing it during the day, give it a little smudge.  $3.40, currently on sale.

 
Maybelline Cool Effects shadow/liner:  One of the things that makes Blake’s look is her eyes and the thing that makes her eyes is the white highlighter that lines the corners and bottom rim of her lashes.  If you aren’t currently highlighting your eyes, then you are missing out!  Highlighting your eyes make you look awake and youthful and is a perfect pick-me-up after a late night.  This version from Maybelline is called Cool As Ice and is actually a shadow/liner so you can use it on your lids, brow bone (also a great place to highlight), the corners of your eyes and your lower lash line.  $3.28, currently on sale.

 
L’Oreal Double Extension Beauty Tubes mascara:  The only product that I’m not going to feature from drugstore.com is mascara.  I reviewed L’Oreal’s new mascara yesterday and I want to encourage everyone to go out and buy a tube.  Since I can’t find an store that’s currently selling it online, I can’t create a link, but I am linking you to my review.  I easily found it at Walgreens for $10.99.  Blake Lively is clearing wearing false lashes and this mascara will help you to achieve that look without all the money. 

Lips:

 
Neutrogena Moisture Shine gloss:  I like this gloss by Neutrogena because the color goes on rich and the gloss actually helps to keep your lips moisturized.  This particular color is called, Dizzy, and seems to match Blake’s color almost dead on.  This gloss is a great addition to keep in your purse.  $6.59, currently on sale.

So, if you’re looking for a look that works both day or night (and year around) or if you’re just trying to update your makeup bag without spending a fortune, I think that you’ll find all these products flattering as well as beautiful without breaking the bank.  And if you’re a first-time drugstore.com shopper you’ll receive free shipping when you spend $25 dollars and they constantly send out coupons, so it’s worth getting on their emailing list.  Deals and steals are always a good thing!

I’m not one who likes to admit when I’m wrong, but this is one instance that I am happy to share my mistake.

Since the economy has been down right awful lately, I’ve been taking a chance on drugstore makeup products.  Some have been hits and some have been complete misses, but there is one particular purchase I made over a week ago that might change where I buy my mascara forever. 

I’ll admit that I’m a bit of a beauty snob when it comes to where I purchase certain products and once such product that I always purchase at a department store or beauty store is mascara.  I’ve been spoiled by such brands as Chanel, Dior and Cargo and I felt that I could never look back…kinda like moving from a 2000 square foot house to a 500 square foot apartment.  But, now I can promptly remove my foot from my mouth because I have found a drugstore mascara that is worth loving.

Thanks to LOreal’s Double Extension Beauty Tubes mascara I might never spend $20+ on mascara again.  This mascara does everything a mascara should and more.  It makes lashes look bold and lengthened without flaking or clumping and not to mention the fact that it really makes you look like your wearing fake lashes.  The mascara has two sides; a primer that helps to condition and lengthen and then the mascara that attaches itself to the primer (which is how the tubes are created) to give you a “fake lash” look.

I have pretty long lashes to begin with and didn’t think I’d see too much of a change in length, but I did and I was really happy with the over all look because it didn’t look to vampy.  The mascara is also super easy to wash off; I can easily remove all traces of the mascara with my normal cleanser.  All of this is enough for me and more to purchase a tube of mascara, but the fact that I bought the mascara for $10.99 is icing on the cake.

I do want to note that while writing this post I wasn’t able to find the mascara online to attach a link, but don’t dispair, I easily found the mascara at Walgreens and I’m sure you’ll be able to find it at your local drugstore.  So, for all of you makeup snobs out there and for all you ladies on a budget who want an expensive look without all the money, please make sure you try this mascara out…you won’t be disappointed!