Web Snob April 30th, 2010

A roundup of the coolest picks on the web:

Stiletto Jungle thinks that Rick Owens Wedge Clogs are the only clogs worth wearing.

All Lacquered Up attempts a water marble manicure and shares her frustrations with the technique.

Allie is Wired discusses Jessica Simpson's questionable personal hygiene.

Frugal Snob options for a very popular IT Bag on Bag Snob!

If you have previously been opposed to waterproof mascara, try this Beauty Snob option to see if you change your mind.

Coquette can't decide which stylish pair of espadrille wedges to get, so she may have to get them all!

Fashion Pulse Daily is quite taken this week with the marvelous jewelry of Winifred Grace.

The Jet Set Girls reveal Chanel's Paris Shanghai collection.

Manolo says, on the other of the hands, small children and drunken men would point and laugh at you, which you may, or may not enjoy.

Second City Style powdered, glossed, slathered and scrubbed in the name of beauty...presenting the winners of our 4th Annual Beauty Olympics!

Shopping and Info loves the simplicity of the Enza Costa Rogue tank top worn by Katie Holmes recently.

StyleBakery asked their favorite fashion bloggers to share their must-buys for spring

Stylehive Says Ruffled Handbags Are Cute & Feminine Without Being Prissy

The Beauty Stop test drives Kryolan Paint Stick foundation.

The Shoe Goddess loves how Heidi Klum strikes a pose in her Christian Louboutin "Zigounette" T-Strap Sandals!

On Our Radar: The First Armani Hotel

The first Armani Hotel opened his first hotel in Dubai this week. Situated in the world's tallest building, Giorgio Armani designed everything from the furnishings to the menus to the amenities.

“It has long been my dream to have a hotel in which I myself would like to stay and entertain family and friends, where the Armani aesthetic is combined with Italian-style warmth and hospitality. I am thrilled to open the doors of the Armani Hotel Dubai and invite my guests in to experience my world," said Armani. He also told WWD about the hotel's design, "This is a place where you have to find your way. It's an adventure."

When guests check in they're assigned a Lifestyle Manager --a supercharged concierge -- who makes sure every aspect of their stay within the hotel and in Dubai is fulfilling including: business arrangements, shopping, restaurants and entertainment.

Book your stay at http://www.armanihotels.com/.

See where else Mr. Armani is planning on opening hotels.

Carlos Falchi Henna Tiger-Snake Collection

We have Carlos Falchi's daughter, Kate to thank for the sexy new Henna Tiger-Snake collection. According to WWD, Kate studied the art of wedding henna for this Indian-inspired line of handbags. It's easy to see the henna motifs and curry colors in this clutch. "It has an air of funkiness without it being too over the top," she said.

The Carlos Falchi Henna Tiger-Snake Collection is available at Bergdorf Goodman and Saks.

New June Jacobs Vanda Orchid Collection

We love products that remind us of a luxury spa and this new line by June Jacobs does just that. The Vanda Orchid shower gel is rich and moisturizing. The dry oil body spray is perfect for the dry skin on our legs, especially since we're showing them off more in the spring. These products are paraben, preservative, petrochemical, and sulfate free meaning you can free spoiled and eco-friendly at the same time. Also included in the collection are a body balm and a mist.

Available at http://www.junejacobs.com/ and http://www.skinstore.com/.

This review was based on a sample.

Nars Summer 2010 Collection

Francois Nars created the Summer 2010 collection as an homage to Catherine Deneuve's character, Severine, in Belle de Jour. "Severine's look was not complicated-this wasn't a woman who wanted to do her makeup all day- but that doesn't mean she wasn't polished," said Nars. "Effortless looking makeup can often be the most elegant, allowing a woman's natural beauty (and personality) to shine through- especially during the summertime."

Here is Nars' friend and muse Amber Valleta in the Summer 2010 colors. We love how fresh the turquoise is on her eyes:

Some of our favorites are highlighted here:

Burn It Blue Duo Cream Eyeshadow, $32
This iridescent ocean-blue paired with turquoise cream can be worn sheer or heavy for drama at night.

Love Devotion Lipstick, $24
A nourishing, long-lasting sheer guava lipstick that looks daring to apply; but flatters everyone.
Coup de Coeur Lip Gloss, $24
Shiny, sheer apple-brandy tinted lip gloss that all of us wore in South Beach in March.

Versailles Nail Polish, $16
This champagne-gold nail hue made a gorgeous pedicure on our (spray-tanned) toes.

Also included but not pictured individually:
Enchanted Cream Blush, $26
A soft-peach cream blush that delivers a hint of shimmer and smooth, silky color

Lamu Multiple, $38
A fresh, glazed-apricot shade with gold sparkles to create shimmering accents

Cayenne Cream Eyeshadow, $22
A spicy, deep brown cream eyeshadow that is intensely rich yet carries a weightless texture

Available at http://www.narscosmetics.com/.
This review was based on a sample.

New Biolage Hair Care for Multi-Processed Hair

Biolage's new Delicate Care shampoo and conditioner are its first paraben, sulfate, and silicone free products. They're ideal for multi-processed hair, which is perfect for us, seeing as we color, highlight, and Brazilian blowout our hair and are constantly looking for ways to extend the effects of our costly processes.

The shampoo has the same great smell that reminds us of the salon; and even though it's sulfate-free, you can still work up a great lather. The conditioner has special UV filters which help color fading. It also left our hair as silky as our old favorite Biolage conditioner. Both the shampoo and conditioner have organic and fair trade Acai berry and Argan oil that offer anti-oxidant protection and conditioning.

Visit http://www.matrix.com/ for salon locations.

This review was based on a sample.

Dior Addicted to Gloss Luggage Tag

This embossed Dior luggage tag is too cute to stow in our carry on. It's stamped with Dior's Paris address and accented with rhinestones. Inside you'll find a bronze and juicy pink lip gloss.

Available at Nordstrom.

The Conde Nast Traveler Hot List

Every year, we watch our mailbox with anticipation for the arrival of the Condé Nast Traveler Hot List issue. It features the must-see hotels, spas and nightlife venues across the world. Much of it is fantasy travel, like the Raas in Jodphur, India, (shown) or the Alila Villas in Bali.

Some like the Mandarin Oriental in Barcelona (shown) or the Seagate Hotel and Spa in Delray, Florida, make us want to plan a trip

And a few make us happy that we've already been, like the Gansevoort in Turks and Caicos, the W in South Beach and D.C. and the Ace Hotel in NYC.

Waterproof Makeup

We don't generally wear too much makeup when we hit the beach--usually it's just SPF and tinted lip balm for us. But this summer, the Sephora Waterproof Bronzing kit may tempt us to take our beach beauty routine to a different level.

The kit is filled with beach ready hues in handy travel sizes that won't melt, fade or separate, even after hours at the beach.

The kit comes with a black waterproof eyeliner; black waterproof mascara, a Harmony trio bronzer in Rose 02; Super Shimmer Lip Gloss in Pink-o-Lada, and a mini nail polish in Curacoa, all in a handy, airport security friendly makeup bag.

The Waterproof Makeup Bronzing Kit is available at Sephora.

Tatcha Blotting Paper

Blotting paper isn't a new invention, they've been used for centuries to help reduce oil and shine on the spot. Aburatorigami papers were originally created for Japanese gold leaf artisans to protect the metal as they hammerered it into paper-thin pieces. The crafty geisha realized that these papers were ideal for keeping her skin oil-free without stripping it of moisture. No one's sure how she figured out this nifty trick, but we would guess it involved a jewelry-making lover.

Tatcha Blotting Paper is made in Japan using 100% Abaca leaf and real gold flakes. There's nothing synthetic, no powders and no fragrance. The packaging is simply elegant and speaks for itself.

If your skin is dry, you can use blotting paper in place of powder. If your skin is oily, use these to reduce shine throughout the day. They're also perfect to dab up any oil or shine at the end of a long plane flight. These are a must come summer!

Available at Tatcha.com.

This review was based on a free sample.

A Peek Inside Elite Travel Gal's Carry On

Stacy Small, travel agent extraordinaire and owner of Elite Travel and Travel Editor of Haute Living magazine travels so much she makes our head spin. Between jaunts to Fiji, exploring the new Amangiri resort in Utah and Bali, Stacy's always on the go. Here's what she travels with:


My usual carry on bag is chocolate brown wheeled Bric's laptop case. Bought it a few years ago in Rome and it pretty much goes with me on every trip!

I always bring my Bose noise-cancelling headphones, my iPhone which doubles as my iPod, my blackberry (yes I now have both), a stack of magazines (always the latest tabloids plus either Vanity Fair, Yoga Magazine, Health, and any of the travel magazines I haven't yet read!), the NY Post if the airport shop sells it, and at least two books as I am really fast reader. I haven't yet bought a Kindle but I will soon...in the meantime, I'm still toting old-fashioned chick lit books like Jackie Collins Poor Little Bitch Girl (read on last trip) and sometimes deeper stuff (currently reading about basic Buddhism), either spiritual or business related.

Always have my Sony Vaio 2.5 pound laptop (which I haven't yet traded in for an iPad!) and my flip video with me. When I remember, I throw a wrap in my bag and I always make sure to bring an extra pair of socks as I'm always cold on the plane!

My favorite beauty products are Neutrogena moisturizer, Burts Bees eye jelly, Almay lip gloss and Purel. Plus, I always bring a few gluten-free snacks like Luna Bars and/or popcorn and/or dried fruit/nuts.

Edun for Sephora

Anyone who is a fan of Edun's organic style will want to hurry to Sephora this month to pick up the Edun for Sephora Palette. The product is inline with Edun's "Trade not aid" philosophy and all the proceeds from the sale of the palette will be donated to the Wildlife Conservation Society, a global charity that helps African farmers develop organic cotton in a way that supports community and trade.

The Edun for Sephora palette is available in two shade combos Harmony (shown) and Contrast. Each kit has six eyeshadows and one blush and comes in a wood case and a organic cotton drawstring bag.

Available at Sephora while supplies last.

This review was based on a free sample.

Chanel's Noir et Or Paris Shanghai Collection

For last month's "Metier D'Art" fashion show in Shanghai, the makeup was all noir et or (black and gold). "The collection is a glamorous fantasy of Shanghai in the 30's and 40's as Coco Chanel herself may have imagined it," says Peter Philips, Global Creative Director for Chanel makeup.

The Chanel's Noir et Or Paris Shanghai Collection includes Illusion d'or Nail Polish, a sheer sparkling gold hue; Black Velvet Nail Polish, a matte black; Gold Lamé, a satiny gold, and the Jet Gold liner and shadow black and gold combo.

We tested out the Gold Lamé polish for our mani the other day. A couple people even asked us if they were Minx!



Available at Chanel.com.

See how our toes look with colors from the Chanel Summer 2010 Collection.

This review was based on a free sample.

Stars' Airport Style

People Stylewatch has a new version of our favorite slideshow: Stars' Airport Style. A few of our faves:

Getting stuck behind Lady Gaga trying to take off these shoes going through the security line would be worse than following a family with 3-year old twins. And wasn't she cold on the plane?

Victoria Beckham wins for stylish simplicity. Those Brian Atwood pumps are completely lust-worthy.

And Charlize Theron manages to look glamorous on the DL-well, save for that Dior bag that screams A-list.

Check out all the Stars' Airport Styles on PeopleStyleWatch.com.

Tokidoki at Sephora

The other night, we attended the party for the Tokidoki Criminally Cute makeup line for Sephora. For the uninitiated (that included us before Thursday), Tokidoki is a universe of Japanimation cartoons, created by Simone Legno.

The makeup line features intense, saturated colors. The Sephora makeup artists raved about the staying power of the Perfetto Eyeliner and the Fantastico Lip Stains. We tested each on our hand, and we can attest that we woke up the next morning with the swipe of liner still perfectly in place.

While the packaging of the shadow is cute and the color is indeed rich, this probably won't make it on our next girls' trip, because it's not very space efficient.

The Prisma lip gloss looks like a glow stick and the confetti filled tip is fun, the gloss is a little to sticky and sticky sweet for our taste.

The Tokidoki Criminally Cute makeup line is available at Sephora.

This review was based on a free sample.

Sex and the City Book: The Carrie Diaries

Last fall we told you about the Sex and the City Book: The Carrie Diaries, which are all about Carrie in high school. A big thanks to the New York Post for giving us an exclusive sneak peek in between the pages. The pages they shared are all about her early boyfriends with a mention of a cruise to Alaska with her dad and her sisters and reveal an introspective, young Carrie. Can't wait to read more!

The Carrie Diaries is available on Amazon.

Update: Read our review of The Carrie Diaries.

Victoria’s Secret PINK NFL collection

The boys at the NFL draft the other day got a sneak peek at the new Victoria’s Secret PINK NFL collection. The line won't be available until fall, but it looks pretty darn cute, with fitted jerseys that flaunt rather than hide your figure. The Victoria's Secret PINK MLB collection is currently in stores. Guess we don't have to wait for Donna Karan to design a fan line, after all!

On Our Radar: Vacations for Women Whose Husbands Cheated

Here's a special from The Reef Resort in Grand Cayman that's tailor made for any woman who has suffered the same fate as Sandra Bullock, Elin Woods and Ginny Barber: The Cheat’en Husbands respite package. Included is a Men Are Pigs’cocktail (we hope that's a fancy name for bottomless tequila shots), a mani and pedi and  a T-shirt painting therapy workshop, where suggested slogans are “men are scum,” “cheat’en is for losers.”

The package includes a four-night stay for four in a two-bedroom beachfront suite and a jeep rental. Prices start at $445 per person during the summer season and $595 per person during the winter season.

Word of warning: The hotel also offers romance, honeymoon and wedding packages, so you may be better off sticking with Vegas!

Web Snob April 23rd, 2010

Stiletto Jungle can't help falling for Studded Converse Sneakers by What Goes Around Comes Around.

Allie is Wired dishes on Estee Lauder's history-making models.

Add some zing to your wardrobe with this electric blue tote at Bag Snob.

Beauty Snob was reminded of their old love of Armani lipstick this week!

Coquette Giveaway: Win tickets to the pre-screening of Sex and the City 2 in San Francisco courtesy of the fashionably tech HP!

The Jet Set Girls picked the best straw bags, the must-have accessory of the season.

Second City Style has had enough of these overplayed celebrity trends.

Shopping and Info found the perfect black blazer by Maison Martin Margiela for Spring.

StyleBakery is cleaning out their sample closet and giving everything away to 20 lucky winners! Find out how to enter.

Stylehive Wants You To Cure Your Disco Fever With Metal Mesh Jewelry.

The Beauty Stop conquers waterproof mascara removal.

The Fashion Bomb offers a Nude Nail Polish Guidefor every skin tone.

The Shoe Goddess talks to David Bell, creative director for Pretty Ballerinas!

V-Style
V-Style is giving away a Gift Card for Neiman Marcus.

Lead-Free Handbags

Until last night, we didn't even know there was a possibility our handbags could contain lead. We must have been on vacation when the report came out in January that a number of PVC bags, including those from Target, H&M, Macys and Kohl's, were found to contain lead. (We're wondering if our PVC shoes from these stores are at risk for lead, too?)

Now, thanks to the Robert Verdi eco-tweetup last night, we know there are safer options, including the K.C. Malhan line of bags. Designer Jessica Singh creates vegan bags made with lead-free beads (Does that mean our beaded tops could have lead too? We can't even think about that possibility.)

We love the leopard print clutch and the cosmo coin purse, both available at K.C. Malhan.

See our other favorite products that are good for the earth.

This review was based on a free sample.

A Peek Inside the Beauty BFF's Carry On

Congrats to our friend Jenn Falik, MSN's new Beauty BFF. Her recently launched online beauty show features webisodes on Makeup Artist Must-Haves, How to Get a Flawless Face and more. New episodes air every week--so check back frequently to learn something new. Here's what she has in her carry on.

The Kooba Lana Tote has everything I could want in a carry on- fits just snug enough over my shoulder, lightweight, and lots of pockets. And when it isn’t stuffed to the brim, it folds nice and flat against the body so you don’t look like you are lugging around, well…luggage.

I pride myself on a well packed in-flight beauty kit. Tucked inside a clear Hayden Harnett zipper pouch you will always find Darphin Aromatic Care Balm (I put it on before take off so I arrive with a nice glow- plus, the scent is so refreshing yet soot hing at the same time), an Essie Cuticle Oil Pen, Swabplus eyemakeup remover swabs, Stila Kitten Eyeshadow (for lids and all over highlighting- instant wake up- and heaven forbid my luggage is checked and gets lost, can’t leave a hotel room without it on) and 2 lip glosses- Clarks Botanicals Ultra Rich Tint in Rachel Red and Nars Ophelia and my beloved Lypsyl balm. And a handful of GOSMiLE Touch Ups to freshen up my smile throughout the flight- totally gets rid of that stale air feeling.

Sir Alistair Rai scarves are my obsession- I just got a pastel tie-dye one for Spring (similar to the one below) to add to my collection and I never board a plane without one around my neck. When not serving as my most stylish accessory, it can be balled up into a pillow or spread out as a blanket. I also place it on top of my bag when going through security so nothing falls out.

My iPod Nano has a somewhat generic list of tunes- I must admit that my musical tastes are none too sophisticated. The usual suspects- Dave Matthews, Coldplay, Kings of Leon and of course, Jay Z and Alicia Keys “New York”- I play it every time I land back home. And showtunes. I am a closeted musical theater geek. 


Flights are my only time to catch up on magazines- and since I have yet to get on the eReader bandwagon that leaves little room for an actual book. You will usually find me toting Allure, Lucky, Elle, People Stylewatch, Inc and Entrepreneur. And of course, the weekly magazines. I consider it research,  as well as weight training. Especially in September.

I also always have a Smythson mini notebook (I have to write everything down- usually I email myself notes but while in-flight, gotta go back to good old fashion pen and paper), an Anya Hindmarch large zipper pouch that actually says Tearsheets on it where I collect the pages I rip out of magazines, and my most constant companion- my MacBook Air. Oh, the tales that computer could tell.

And last but not least- a Zico coconut water and a Kind bar. I always have the intention of being that healthy traveler- until I check into the hotel. That is when I order my room service cheeseburger- a treat that never ceases to make me smile.

Review: Rimmel London Lasting Finish Pro Nail Enamel

Liz's nails on day 2 of the mani

There are lots of things that last 10 days. A cold. A Macy’s sale. But nail polish? No, ma’am. So when Rimmel London promised ladies everywhere that their new Lasting Finish Pro Nail Enamel lasts up to 10 days, I’ll be honest – I laughed. But then accepted the challenge.

With naked nails and an open heart, I painted my freshly filed fingers with two coats of French Lingerie on Thursday night. The polish features a new formula that’s ultra flexible and chip resistant – but we’ve heard that before, haven’t we? There wasn’t anything special about the consistency or color, but the wide-angled Mistake-Free Pro brush was rave-worthy. Everyone needs to try this little miracle brush. I’ve used wider brushes before, but this one really did require less strokes and kept things looking smooth. Each tiny brush has 800 fine textured bristles, and while I didn’t sit there counting, I’m now convinced 800 is indeed the magic number for the perfect application.

I got two compliments on my nails the next day. A coworker wanted to know what top coat I had on over my polish (none!) because it looked so shiny. Turns out, this polish has an active time-released ingredient that enhances shine over time. The second compliment came from a fellow subway rider who asked me where I got my manicure. (That’s a first so I’m assuming it had something to do with the polish?)

Saturday afternoon I spotted my first nick. But if there was ever such a thing as a “good” kind of nick, this was it. The polish didn’t chip at the end; a tiny piece chipped off from middle of my nail – as if I had caught it on something. All it took was a single sweep of color and it was hidden.

By Sunday night I had my first major chipping at the end of my thumb nail – enough for my OCD-self to strip the polish since it was beyond fixing. I will admit though, it was the only finger with significant damage. My right hand was still pristine.

For someone who’s pretty tough on her nails – typing away all day and scrubbing dishes at night– I can honestly say Rimmel’s new polish impressed me. This $3.99 polish looked fresh longer than others triple the cost. Did it last 10 days? No. But did I immediately re-apply the same light pink shade with its magical wide brush after my first attempt chipped off? Most definitely.

Find out where to buy at Rimmel.

By Liz Regalia

This review was based on a free sample.

Straw Bags

We spent last summer on the hunt for the perfect straw bag, to no avail. We couldn't find any bags that fit the bill of being stylish and functional. This upcoming season, looks like the challenge will be to pick just one!

We're partial to the Tory Burch Slouchy Straw Tote--Gold trim will always get us!

The Prada Straw and Leather Shopper is no slouch either, with fringed trim and a stylish rosette.

For a dash of color, there's the Kate Spade Foley Beach Benedictia.

Leave it to Jimmy Choo to make raffia look naughty in the Bazli raffia and leather tote.

For a bargain, try the Croft and Barrow ZigZag bag, available at Kohl's.