Case Of The Mondays - 7 Products To Start Your Week Off Right

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Hello Monday. 

I'm always shocked at how fast the weekend goes. How was your weekend? I spent Saturday organizing my ever exploding beauty closets and Sunday at the most lovely New York Botanical Garden. I hadn't been in years, but I needed to see the Orchid Show. It's only open till April 19th, so definitely head over if you can! The orchids are stunning and the Botanical Garden is the perfect weekend activity.

Back to the normal Monday woes.. here are the products getting me through today.

L'OCCITANE en Provence Almond Velvet Balm, $60

A deliciously decant body cream that helps fight the signs of body aging. I didn't think I needed a youthful body balm yet, but it's never too early. The packaging on this beauty is my favorite - Rose Gold. Plus, the cream is a soft pink shade. Already displayed on my vanity ready for it's close-up.  

Cover FX Illuminating Primer, $38

On Mondays, I need to look alive and this primer helps me do just that. I apply after my moisturizer and radiant, illuminated skin is revealed. It also helps my makeup wear for hours. Killing two birds with one stone? Check.

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue, $29

I normally switch to a lighter foundation when the weather heats up, but lately I'm loving bareMinerals' new Complexion Rescue. Just enough foundation to use daily and just enough coverage to satisfy me. A little setting powder to follow and you're out the door. 

Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark Tones, $26

Does anyone really have extra time to wash their hair? In the past, I've always needed to wash my hair every two days, but with the launch of Moroccanoil's Dry Shampoo for Dark Tones I can skip a day or two. Normally dry shampoos leave way too much white residue on my scalp, but this one is my dream come true. The formula contains ultra-fine rich starches that break down immediately once massaged into hair. The new dry shampoo is available for dark and light hair color tones. Also, they're enriched with Moroccanoil's signature ingredient - argan oil.

Bella Vince Camuto Fragrance, $78

A beautiful blend of orange & yellow flowers appeared at my door a few weeks ago to celebrate the new fragrance by Vince Camuto, Bella. Nectarine blossoms, italian bergamot and jasmine water blend with white amber come together to create this lovely, floral fruity fragrance. I'm happy to smell like this all spring. 

Real Techniques Bold Metals Collection, $15.99 - $25.99

When I saw this brushes, I immediately knew I needed all of them. The girls of Pixiwoo have done it again. Their successful brush collection, Real Techniques, just launched these new beauties. The brushes are ultra smooth and available in gold, rose gold and silver.

Smith & Cult Nail Lacquer, $18

My new favorite nail brand is easily Smith & Cult. Created by beauty veteran Dineh Mohajer (founder of Hard Candy), the nail lacquers deliver flawless coverage and brilliant shine. These 5-Free formula polishes are just what you need to kickstart your Monday. Shade above is Ghost Edit, a semi-sheer pale nude pink.

What products are getting you through this Monday?

Get Kate Upon's Bombshell Hair From The MTV Movie Awards

Kate Upon is everywhere lately. From supermodel to actress, you can't open a magazine without seeing her face. To promote her latest film, The Other Woman, she recently attended the 2014 MTV Movie Awards. Her bombshell hairstyle and sultry makeup look stunned on the red carpet. Here's how to get her hair look by celebrity hairstylist, Peter Butler for Moroccanoil.

Overall Inspiration: "When envisioning the hair look that I wanted to create to compliment Kate’s Versace mini-dress, I was inspired by the works of Helmut Newton and Guy Bourdin as well as the strong and powerful 80’s woman a la Cindy Crawford and Jerry Hall— I wanted big, polished hair.” - Peter Butler, Morroccanoil

Hair Prep/Style:

• To create lots of volume, hold and lift, I began by applying Moroccanoil Root Boost to the roots of Kate’s damp hair and then blanketed her locks with Moroccanoil Volumizing Mousse. Using the Moroccanoil Paddle Brush, I blow dried the hair in large sections.
• Next, I divided the hair into 2” sections, misted with Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray, and wrapped each section around a 2” barrel curling iron to create a rough wave.
• To create a tighter curl and additional bounce, I divide the hair at the top of the head into 3 sections and curled each with a 1” barrel iron from front-to-back (bang-to-crown).
• Once the curls cooled, I brushed out all of the hair using the Moroccanoil Boar Bristle  Classic Brush and created a deep side part with a comb.

Finishing Touches:

• Using a dime-sized amount of Moroccanoil Treatment Light, I massaged the products between my hands and then began applying it directly to the hair from the ends up to smooth the entire look. For added shine, I sprayed two pumps of Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine into the air and wafted it over Kate’s hair.
• Last, I ran a wide-tooth comb through the waves to separate them into a natural look and in true 80’s fashion I blasted the style with Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray.

What do you think of Kate's look?

Luxe Beauty Gift Guide {For Her} + A Naked3 Giveaway!

Christmas is right around the corner and many are flocking to stores to pick up last minute gifts. Most online boutiques are offering rush shipping, so don't worry! Consider these luxe gifts for the women on your list. What woman doesn't love a little luxury?

1. Limited Edition Minnie Mouse Makeup Kit - Romantic Serenade 02 by Anna Sui, $50
2. Bobbi Brown Old Hollywood Eye Palette, $75
3. Ciate Mini Mani Month, $41
4. Frends Taylor/Rebecca Minkoff Headphones, $250
5. NARS One Night Stand Palette, $65 (Sold out online but still available in many Sephora boutiques!)
6. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar All-Star Mini x 12 Set, $58
7. Lush Cosmetics Christmas Candy Box, $48
8. Urban Decay Naked3 Palette, $52 (Sold out online but still available in many Sephora boutiques!)
9. Moroccanoil Repair Essentials Collection, $69
10. Limited Edition Tom Ford Beauty 12-Piece Lipstick Set, $588

One of my favorite luxe gifts on this list is Urban Decays new Naked3 Palette. It's a stunning palette with rose gold eyeshadow tones & sleek packaging. I knew I needed to have it and didn't want you to miss out as well, so I picked up a second for a giveaway. See more details on how to enter below. Best of luck & happy shopping!

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Backstage at Alice + Olivia's Fall 2013 Presentation | New York Fashion Week

Alice + Olivia's Fall 2013 collection is best defined as Fantasy Street Style. The collection can be described as sophistication mixed with whimsical. You'll see a lot of laying and mixing of textures and prints. Fall 2013 features lace, floral, patterned knits, simple suiting, embellished separates and even burn-out velvet, metallic distressed denim, plaids and chunky fur. Backstage beauty featured Stila Cosmetics, Moroccanoil, NCLA, and beautyblender. Keep reading after the jump for the breakout of each look.

$25 & Under Gift Guide

See my list of the best gifts under $25 - Whether you have to fill a stocking or grab a late Christmas gift, these products work well at making a statement without breaking the bank.

Hair Gift Guide

New York Fashion Week - The Blonds Spring/Summer 2013 Collection

Photo Credit:  David Webber for Moroccanoil