Bobbi Brown's Orchid Palette

Bobbi Brown's Orchid Palette was too tempting to pass up at the Neiman's beauty event this week.  We love that the first two eye colors can be worn everyday, we can wear the bright middle shade when we want our eyes to pop, the darker purple on the right is perfect to intensify our look for nighttime, and the Caviar on the far right is a great liner.

The Pot Rouge is one of our favorite Bobbi Brown products because it's so versatile- they can be used on your cheeks and lips.  This palette comes with three colors. 

The palette is convenient to carry in your purse, take on a trip or just keep on the counter to streamline your beauty routine.  We'll pack this for Miami next week! 

There are two other palettes with different color combinations and as with many of Bobbi's collections they are only around for a limited time.

Here are the color specifics for the Orchid Palette:
Included Eye Shadow Shades: White, Dusty Plum Metallic, Orchid Sparkle, Mulberry, and Caviar
Included Pot Rouge shades: Powder Pink, Pale Pink, and Sand Pink

Korres Lip Butter Trio

When the winter drags on like this year's, there's no surprise we have chapped lips.  Korres lip butter to the rescue.  This lip saver goes on smooth and creamy because of Shea butter and rice wax.  The Korres Lip Butter Trio is a limited edition set and a great deal at $19.50 for three (a $30 value).  I've got one by the sink, one in my purse and one in the car.  My favorite is the Quince because of the great sheer pink tint it leaves on my lips.  You can even use it on your cheeks to brighten up your face.

The review was based on a complimentary sample.

USA Networks Character Approved Awards

 

A special thanks to our friend Ashley for encouraging us to brave the snow on Thursday night to hit the Vanity Fair-USA Networks Character Approved Awards party. Among the things we would have missed: Seeing every actor on the USA Networks, Jeff Goldblum, Tiffany Theisen, and Mark Feuerstein, included; a special performance of the cast of American Idiot, the Green Day musical that opens on Broadway next month; free flowing Veuve and an inspiring video with each of the winners, including, Kathryn Bigelow, Nora Ephron and Narciso Rodriguez. Watch Narciso's clip above!

Web Snob February 26th, 2010

Stiletto Jungle covers "Kimmie," the first 7 For All Mankind curvy fit jeans.

Allie is Wired peeks at preview photos from Lady Gaga's Telephone music video.

Bag Bliss is obsessing over the rad new Alexander McQueen Long Skull whipsnake Clutch!

Coquette loves the look of modern pleats in fashion for spring.

Fashion Pulse Daily gives the scoop on the Tory Burch Fall/Winter 2010 Collection - you will be surprised

The Jet Set Girlspeek inside Lauren Conrad's carry on.

KRISTOPHER is wanting, wearing, and hating Giuseppe Zanotti riding boots.

Second City Style reviews New York Fashion Week Fall '10 trends and tells you what to buy now to be a style-maker come fall.

SheFinds shares 5 design suggestions with Ivanka Trump for her upcoming new shoe collection, and talks to Andre Leon Talley about which stars need makeovers.

Shopping and Info loves the nude Sergio Rossi platform pumps worn by Megan Fox.

StyleBakery wants you to wake up your winter wardrobe with styling tricks straight from the Fall 2010 runways

Stylehive has found a cheapy pair of sunnies that look just like the coveted Alexander Wang/Linda Farrow frames!

Stop has the details of the Illamasqua Create Your Own Lacquer contest.

The Fashion Bomb takes a look at Vogue Italia's new site, Vogue Black.

Visit The Shoe Goddess for a chance to win an OPI "Alice in Wonderland" Mini Nail Polish Set!

Park City Guest Post

Our friends, Meghan Tidwell and Joy Plemmons, just returned from a girls' trip on Sunday and we were fortunate to get a fresh account of their trip:

Park City is a skiers paradise. We recently went there to celebrate a friend’s birthday , and found that it is pretty darn good for a girl’s getaway as well!

After much deliberation, our group chose to ski at Deer Valley, site of many of the 2002 Winter Olympic freestyle skiing events and one of the few resorts in the US that is for skiers only (no boarders allowed). It was the perfect mountain for our varying range of abilities. The 3 ft. of powder we got over the three days made for some AMAZING conditions…. and, thanks to the Sundance Film Festival, lift lines were non-existent. While resting our VERY TIRED legs at lunch, we ate at the Silver Lake Lodge (mid-mountain). The food was delicious, but their Vegetable Pizza was a stand out!! Whole wheat crust with fresh grilled veggies provided us with the much needed energy without all the cheese to slow you down. Also, not to be missed, is the hot cocoa KIOSK at Silver Lake Lodge. It was the BEST cocoa we have ever tasted….served with marshmallows and whip cream.

On Thursday night we went to The Spur Bar and Grille. A great spot for listening to talented musicians and meeting the people that Sundance was created for instead of the celebs that show up for the photo ops. Our group met 3 directors, 1 producer and 1 agent - and that’s without leaving our barstools. With an energy provided by the Melvin Taylor Band and the filming of his documentary film, efficient bartenders, a coat check AND heaters to keep you warm while you wait in line…..not much more is needed on a Thursday night In Park City.

Friday night, we had a reservation at Wahso. Red balls of light adorn the outside balcony of this beautifully unusual Asian grill. Inside the ambiance is elegant and refined and the cuisine follows suit with a fusion of exotic yet intricate flavors. Our waiter, Peter, was extremely helpful as we navigated our way through the 3 course, fixed, Sundance menu, and was delightfully entertaining the entire evening….not to mention the round or two of champagne he “secretly” slid our way. One detail that people often underestimate, but Wahso gets right, is the round table. Most of the large tables were round and , for a group that likes to celebrate as a group, it is an imperative. On the flip side, Wahso also offers, for more intimate dinners, banquets with velvet curtains for privacy. So whether it’s an intimate dinner for two or a celeb in hiding, you’ll enjoy the privacy.

Brazilian Blowout vs. Keratin Treatment

Last May, I had a Keratin treatment which smooths out your curls and eliminates frizz by depositing Keratin on your hair. It did work well, though it took hours in the salon, my hair smelled terrible for days (think perm circa 1989) and cost a lot- between $250 and $400. On my recent trip to New York for fashion week, I visited the Salon AKS on Fifth Avenue where Zhen gave me a Brazilian Blowout. Here I am before with Zhen:

The Brazilian Blowout is less expensive than the Keratin treatment- starting at $150, takes less time (an hour and a half versus three hours), and doesn't use any formaldehyde or other carcinogenic ingredients. While I couldn't confirm what was in the Keratin treatment (I suspect formaldehyde), the fumes alone were enough to tell me it wasn't good.  The Brazilian Blowout had almost no smell at all and claims to have no carcinogens.  Lastly, I could wash my hair the following day with the Brazilian Blowout where I had to wait three long days with Keratin treatment.

Zhen started by washing my hair and then applying the solution (pictured below).  Then he dried my hair completely and straightened it with a flat iron, which seals in the product.  The next step was another cycle: this time washing, drying and finishing again with the flat iron.

You can see from the picture below (this time with Anne who had her hair blown out at AKS while I was there) that my hair is much smoother and thinner looking.  Rest assured it fluffed up after a couple of washings and is now smooth, shiny and straight.  Results are supposed to last upwards of three months, especially if I use gentle sulfate-free shampoo.

Read more about the keratin treatment.
Read FAQs about the keratin treatment.
See before and after photos of the Brazilian Blowout.

On Our Radar: W Miami

Seeing as we're in the middle of snow-icane 2010, all we can think about is our trip to Miami next week, when we'll be staying at the new W South Beach. Believe us when we say that with all the new hotels in Miami, making our decision of where to stay was harder than ever!

We most recently spoke about the W back in January during our Beach Week. What attracted us to the hotel, which opened back in July, is its prime beachfront location on Collins Ave., the sexy infinity edge pool and that it's home to Mr. Chow's restaurant--always a party scene in NYC--and our favorite Bliss Spa. And the fact that it has 6 different bars sure didn't hurt either!

It was not a unanimous decision, however.  Our one friend ruled out the W at the get-go because she feared the rooms would be small (as they admittedly are at some branches);  but even the smallest rooms at the W in Miami ring at 500+ square feet. Then we had drinks in L.A. with our favorite travel agent who told us that her clients have been raving about the property, especially the phenom service.

Once we were finally able to pull some strings and get ourselves a deal on an Oasis Suite, we were sold! Now the only questions left: Where to go for dinner? What clubs to go to? And most important of all, what to pack?

Check back next week to follow us on our trip! We leave Thursday!

4 Easy Steps to Shiny, Healthy Hair

The key to creating any gorgeous hairstyle is to start with healthy, shiny hair. Guest editor and NYC salon owner Sam Brocato shares his best beauty tips on how to score healthy hair even after months of winter abuse. Sam and his team have worked with countless celebrities including Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, and Claire Danes.

Photo: © Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Step 1: Lather Up Gently

Basic winter hair care starts with a gentle shampoo that won't strip hair of moisture. Try to shampoo less than 3 times a week and use a dry shampoo in between washings. If you simply can't part with a favorite shampoo or daily wash, blend two parts shampoo with one part conditioner for added moisture. If you're ready for something new, try a conditioning treatment that has a mild foaming agent like my Brocato Constructor.

Step 2: Sleep On It

Put the beauty back into beauty sleep by using an overnight hair treatment. Place a hair mask from the mid shaft of wet or dry hair down to protect against moisture loss during the night. Repeat this process as often as like since there is no such thing as over-conditioning hair.

Step 3: Give Your Scalp Some TLC

Just like the skin on your face and body, your scalp gets drier in the winter. If it seems tight and flaky, treat it to a massage. Knead your head for two minutes every evening to boost healthy blood circulation and slough off dead skin cells.

Step 4: Feed Your Hair

You are what you eat. Consuming foods rich in essential fatty acids can do wonders for making your hair look shiny and thick. I suggest adding more avocados, walnuts, and almonds to your daily diet during the winter. Here's a great avocado hair mask recipe--it's so natural, you can even drink it! In a blender, combine one very ripe avocado with one tablespoon each of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Blend until the texture is creamy, then massage onto damp hair and put on a shower cap. Step into a hot shower to steam your hair for ten minutes before rinsing. The apple cider vinegar really adds to hair shine!

Related articles:
How to Straighten Hair Without Sacrificing Volume
Hair Heist: Amanda Seyfried
Does Heidi Montag's New Face Make Her Look Older?

Contributed by Daily Makeover's Rachel Hayes

Lauren Conrad's Carry On Bag

Lauren Conrad has had many jobs. After finishing up a long stink as reality TV star on shows such as Laguna Beach and The Hills, she currently splits her time between writing books (That's her on Feb. 18 signing Sweet Little Lies), designing for her namesake label and as spokesperson for mark cosmetics. Needless to say, all the above requires a lot of travel and she is undoubtedly a stylish jet setter. I got a chance to ask her about her must have beauty items and essential wardrobe pieces while traveling when she was in NYC last month raising awareness about m.powerment by mark.

Lauren Conrad's travel style by 20somethingirl featuring Elizabeth and James jackets

When traveling, LC always packs a couple of blazers, skinny jeans and heels. For beauty, she's a big fan of mark cosmetics' hookups since they are the best way to take multiple shades and save space. To get her signature perfect cat-eye on the road, she packs mark On the Edge eyeliner in Cleo. To camouflage any tiredness and puffiness from lack of sleep and rest while traveling, LC uses mark Get Bright Hook Up Highlighter. She finishes off her travel beauty look with m.powerment gold lip gloss which she likes to layer on top of her lipstick for extra shine or wear it alone for a nude look.

By the Stylester.

Beaver Creek: The Westin Riverfront

We spent three nights at the Westin Riverfront Resort, in Avon, Colorado at the end of January.  This beautiful new property lies at the base of the Beaver Creek ski area and has its own gondola to shuttle you up the mountain, which was one of the best features of our stay.  The ski valet located at the base of the elevators and just steps from the gondola made getting on and off the mountain that much easier.

Our spacious suite had floor to ceiling windows,

a wrap around deck, and sweeping views of the mountain range.  We had a full sized and fully stocked kitchen.  The bathrooms have the Heavenly dual shower head with the option to use only one of the heads to save water.  The Westin's commitment to the environment went further:  there are recycle bins, energy saving appliances and lighting, an opt out for new sheets and towels, and a $5 resort credit each day you choose to not use housekeeping.

The uber-comfy beds have Heavenly sheets, down comforters and pillows and iPod docking stations.   The only thing that interrupted our sleep was the heat in the room which crept up during the night, prompting us to crack the patio door.

There were three outdoor infinity hot tubs looking over the mountains and a lap pool.  There's also a huge gym with yoga and spin studios.  The staff at the gym specialize in triathlon training, not that we had any energy after a long day on the mountain.  The fabulous Spa Anjali is adjacent to the pool.    Here's the unforgettable view from our room:

 

We ski Vail and Beaver Creek each year; but normally stay with friends.  This was one of the best trips we've had and one that we'd readily recommend to all of our friends.  The Westin is currently offering a "buy three nights/get the fourth night free" package as well as a winter ski getaway package that includes lift tickets, breakfast for two and valet parking.

The Jet Set Girls were given a special rate during our stay.

Stella McCartney Solid Perfume Necklace

Stella McCartney released a limited edition solid perfume necklace. It looks very chic worn with a blazer or a loose top, over skinny jeans or leggings. The locket is attached to a long silver chain and hangs low, past the chest. The lid is stamped with the Stella McCartney logo and swivels out to reveal the solid version of Stella Eau de Parfum. Just dab it with your fingertips and apply to your wrists and behind your ears for this feminine, rose and peony flower infused fragrance on the go! Need we say this is going in our carry on for our next girls' getaway?

It is only available till it sells out so grab one from Sephora while they last for $49.

By the Stylester.

What to Do if Your Flight Is Canceled

With all the snow this past month, we're sure you know someone who had a flight canceled. At one point in February, 49 of the 50 states reportedly had snow! Wendy Perrin of Condé Nast Traveler had it happen to her and her family on flights to Hawaii and shares her experience of rebooking her canceled flights.

We have a few tips of our own to add from our own experience:
1. If your flight gets canceled while you're at the airport, don't join the line of 50+ angry passengers all getting help from the one tired gate agent. Well, do, but simultaneously, break out your phone and call the airline's 800 number. Chances are, you'll ge through faster on the phone.

2. Be nice. Our friend Heidi had her United flight from L.A. to  D.C. canceled on our recent girls' getaway the day before her flight. Heidi called United and spent an hour plus on hold. When she finally got patched through, the customer service agent rebooked her to get home on a red eye and gave her a $400 credit for not yelling like every other customer apparently had that day. Heidi credits the laid back L.A. vibe for her good humor.

Cocktail RIngs

We've been on a cocktail ring kick these days. They add bling and color in a way that no other type of jewelry can.  A few of our recent lust-worthy pieces:

Cocktail Rings by Jet Set Girls featuring kate spade accessories

Items in this set:
Swarovski Jewellery - Rings - Opaline Navy Ring, $125
Rachel Leigh GUMBALL RING GRAPE
Swarovski Jewellery - Rings - Limelight Ring, $300
: : T A R I N A T A R A N T I N O : :
Trina Turk, $66
Coral reef pearl and star ring, $75

Pocket Jackets

Don't you hate when you go on vacation and it unexpectedly rains? It's bad enough to have cloudy days on your trip, but then you have to deal with how to stay dry. That's why we're loving these genius Jackets in a Packet from Old Navy. The jackets fold up into a color coordinating bag, similar to one of those eco-friendly bags we know you're carrying with you at all times. The jackets are $15 - $19.50.

While you're there, you should also pick up one of these pull on, ruffled tube dresses. You won't find a cuter bikini cover up for $24.50 anywhere!

Orlane 25+: Skincare Aimed at 25 to 35 Year Olds

It was curious timing that one day a friend celebrating her 29th birthday asked me about eye cream and the next I'd be learning about one from Orlane that is specifically targeted for women 25 to 35.  Most skin care is aimed at women around 35 to 40, when the first signs of aging appear.  All of us are different; but usually you see small lines around your eyes first, then your forehead, then around your mouth.  Unfortunately, our skin stops producing the collagen that plumps up our faces around 25 and it's then that we should begin a quality skin care regimen.  With Orlane you can prevent or delay the onset of aging with their new Anagenese 25+.

Note: the biggest evil when it comes to premature aging is the sun so always wear a good SPF!

Orlane's Anagenese 25+ works with pro-cellular growth factors- their's are botanical and PETA approved-
which are designed to jumpstart collagen production and cellular renewal.  They also contain Vitamins A and C and other minerals to smooth and protect the skin.

Orlane's Anagenese 25+ program has three easy to follow steps: serum, eye cream, and face cream.  The products spread and absorb quickly, have a soft scent, and leave your skin smooth and ready for makeup.  I tested them myself for a week and haven't experienced any redness, breakouts or flaking.  My skin is noticably smoother now.  The serum (or Morning Recovery Complex) can also be used as a pick me up during the day.

Orlane Anagenese 25+ is available at Neimans and Bloomies.

Andaz West Hollywood

On our recent trip to L.A., we had the chance to tour the Andaz West Hollywood. It was formerly the Hyatt, aka the Riot House which many legendary rockers called home for a night or two. Among the many classic tales of rockers misbehaving: Keith Richards hurled a large TV from his tenth-floor room; Jim Morrison dangled from a window by his fingertips and Axl Rose tossed seared steaks to his many fans below. The hotel even made its way into film--scenes from Almost Famous and This Is Spinal Tap were filmed on property.
 
Today, it's a chic, modern, affordable hotel, but the rock n' roll vibe lives on. That's the stunning view from pool deck, above. (It's the highest hotel pool deck in all of L.A.) The rooms are sparsely decorated, but not lacking in amenities. Non-alcoholic items from the minibar are free, including cult favorite Pop Chips.

 

We had to take a photo of the stenciled globe. It fits right in with our map fetish.

 

Every rooms gets an orange, stuffed pooch.

The RH restaurant was named after the Riot House nickname. It's manned by chef Sebastien Archambault who has worked with Alain Ducasse.

 

We loved the pool deck so much, we're throwing in another photo of it at night.

A few other things we found charming about the Andaz West Hollywood: The staff gets to pick their own "uniforms" off the rack from local brands like Velvet and Vince and the price--rooms start at under $200!

A Peek Inside Johnica's Carry On

Our friend Johnica travels well over 100,000 miles each year, so who better to feature than someone who's in the air three weeks each month?
A lifestyle and travel communications guru, Johnica globe-trots to countless international and domestic spots each year. From South Africa to France, to Jordan and back, she has racked up her share of frequent flyer miles and the jetsetter knowledge they come with. You can find her as the weekly Excursions Contributor at UptownSocial - the exclusive e-dossier of UPTOWN magazine, contributing to American Airlines Black Atlas, and sharing food & wine adventures from around the globe as the Travel Editor of Cuisine Noir Magazine.

My carry on tote of choice is the Louis Vuitton Neverfull GM in Damier canvas.

It's chic and roomy, and folds flat for easy packing.

If I'm traveling for ten days or less, I opt out of checking a bag and pack all of my clothes, shoes and beauty products in either the black 21" Samsonite xSpace Spinner or the orange 21" Longchamp Surf Trolley. For quick weekend and beach jaunts I carry Longchamp's Veau Foulonne in a great salmon leather.

What beauty products do you travel with (skin care, hand moisturizer, lip balm, hair products, etc.)?

For short getaways I love SAMPAR's Bon Weekend Kit. For extended trips I always pack 3Lab's M Cream and recharge my skin after long haul flights with their Perfect Mask. To keep my hair sleek on the go, I pack the ghd IV mini styler, which has auto adjusting voltage that works in almost any country you visit.

Do you have a favorite wrap or sweater for chilly planes?

I've been collecting Nordstrom Tissue-Weight Cashmere Wraps for six years, so I have quite of collection and range of colors. They are perfect for the plane and double as a fashion accessory, great for adding color to "travel black" outfits. If I'm headed to a colder climate I use the medium-weight style.

Are you currently reading any books or have a guilty pleasure magazine for the plane?

I'm currently reading Down the Nile: Alone in a Fisherman's Skiff, travel writer Rosemary Mahoney's tale of her solo rowing trip down the Nile.

What music do you listen to on your iPod when traveling?

I'm currently listening to Sade's Soldier of Love on repeat. I tune out any noise or chatter on the plane with Bose QuietComfort 15 Noise Canceling Headphones.

Anything else you always travel with?

I'm all about documenting my travels so I never leave home without my Flip MinoHD camcorder, Nikon d500 SLR and MacBook Pro.

To charge all of my gadgets on the go, I travel with Tumi's Charger Kit, which includes an electronic adapter with 4 different international plugs that work in over 150 countries.

Sponsored Post: philosophy miracle worker miraculous anti-aging moisturizer

philosophy miracle worker miraculous anti-aging moisturizer is a new skin care savior that boasts the highest level of antioxidants of any philosophy moisturizer. The satiny formula leaves skin feeling soft, while it helps strengthen skin’s natural rejuvenation potential to guard against signs of aging. All this while it helps protect against free radical attack.

Want to try it? philosophy is providing a free deluxe sample of the new eye hope advanced anti-aging eye cream (2 ml) with any purchase of the philosophy miracle worker miraculous anti-aging moisturizer. The offer will be valid through March 1st. Use code ageless to take advantage.

Review: Nivea Tinted Lip Balms

Our love affair (or is that complete and total addiction?) with lip balm continues with the Nivea Tinted Balms. The balms come in three colors/flavors cherry, passion fruit and pearly shimmer. The cherry is a dead ringer for the Fresh Tinted Balm at a fraction of the price--the Nivea version rings in at $2.99. We're also fans of the passion fruit, but not so much the shimmer one. It's a little too 1970s go-go girl for us.

 

We also tested out the Nivea Kiss of Shine Glossy Lip Care and we're equally impressed. The natural shades are gorge, smell great and last as long as department store glosses. They're $3.29 each.

This review was based on a free sample.

Hair and Makeup at Thuy

Along with a great collection, one of the most prominent beauty trends of the season, the red lip, was seen at Thuy. We got a chance to peek behind the backstage doors to get a sneak peek on the beauty and hair styles seen at the Thuy show. To create the red lip, the lead makeup artist for the show, Lottie, used Make Up Forever's Flash Color #1 and Flash Color #17 to stain the lips. An insider tip from Lottie is to blot the color with your fingertips to get the soft matte blended look seen on the runway. Finish the look off with Make Up Forever's Smoky Lash Mascara.

For the ethereal gold sheeny look on the eyes, Lottie used Make Up Forever's Star Powder #920 from lid till the brow bone. To achieve this look at home, she recommends to "pick your favorite shade, apply it lightly over the lid and layer Make Up Forever's Gold Star Powder over the entire lid and all the way up into the brows". As can be seen from the photo below, to nail the runway look, take the Star Powder past your brows, extending all the way to the temples.


Rodney Cutler created a voluminous straight look on the models' hair for the show. His inspiration came from a blend of the hard hair look of rock & roll and Thuy's collection which was soft and jewel toned. Cutler used Redken Guts to create volume and Cutler Volumizing spray on the roots for support. He showed me his own stylist's trick he used for the show to create hard volume at the roots while keeping the tips movable - just backcomb the roots with a soft bristled brush and flat iron the backcombed portion to lock in the volume.