Viva La Curl

All of my bunkmates from my days at Camp Shalom know that curly-haired girls never have good hair days. We have a good few hours before our tresses absorb whatever epoxy we grease our curls with.


Not anymore.


I got my haircut at Rudy's on Sunset last week and my stylist let me try the new Bumble and bumble Defining Creme that is part of the new Curl Conscious line. I'm not going to lie; this product is amazing. My curls were so soft and moisturized I wanted to put them in my mouth and chew them. Most importantly, my hair felt shiny and didn't frizz up after two and a half hours. The product dries soft and this is great news for any curly girl who wants frizz-less locks without looking like overly gelled Bon Jovi enthusiasts.


The most important product, i believe, in the Curl Conscious line is the Reactivating Mist. This product is especially important for curly girls who enjoy taking midday naps and need to revitalize the locks before re-entering the outside world. Again, this product dries soft and you don't need to add any additional gels or creams.


Finally, I was able to try the Holding Foam. This mousse dispenses as a thick liquid so you don't need to use half are bottle every time you style.


Head over to the paisley-designed curlconscious.com. This is a new site, but the coolest part is that you can click on a picture of a model and see how to get their style. If you're curious about this look...






(because I know all of you are because I'm so important)


I applied the Holding Foam generously from root to end.

The 80's With a Bow on Top

(Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD)

So far we've seen neon, leggings, Billy Idol jackets, paint splats, ripped jeans, oxfords with socks and even suspenders make a comeback this year in an unquestionable surge of 1980's style worship. So what's left?

Sunday at the Topshop Unique fashion show (it's London Fashion Week, y'all) they showed a great one we've totally missed: Half-crimped Madonna hair tied up in a big ragged scarf (although back in the day Madonna actually used ripped stockings... she used to be SO punk rock...sigh.)

What you need to get the look:
1.) A triple barrel waving iron (try this one from Hot Tools, $36.95)

2.) A can of aerosol hairspray, flexible hold (like this one)
3.) A scarf, an old pair of tights or a long strip of fabric

Too Faced Makeup 20% Off

If you like Too Faced cosmetics (I love their now-discontinued-but-I-still-have-some After Glow shimmer powder, and the eyeshadow duos) you need to get on this.
'Till Wednesday get 20% off your entire purchase with code MSBEAUTY - via their site only.
How cute is Katy Perry as their main babe? I want to know where she gets these retro booty suits...

The Sound of Fashion

Below is a list of whose models strutted to what at New York Fashion Week
(via Women's Wear Daily)

• “Just a Friend” by Biz Markie (Trovata)
• “L.E.S. Artistes” by Santogold (Erin Wasson + RVCA)
• “Breaking It Up” by Lykke Li (Lela Rose)
• “Shut Up and Let Me Go” by The Ting Tings (Rag & Bone, Preen, Missy Sixty)
• “Gobbledigook” by Sigur Rós (Zero + Maria Cornejo)
• “Let the Music Play” by Shannon (Proenza Schouler)
• “Rhapsody in Blue” composed by George Gershwin, performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Marc Jacobs)
• “Wild Thing” by Tone-Loc (Betsey Johnson)
• “Repetition Kills You” by The Black Ghosts (MaxAzria)
• “Gone Daddy Gone” by Gnarls Barkley mixed into the original by The Violent Femmes (MaxAzria)
• “Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys (Michael Kors)
• “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears (Richard Chai)
• “Electric Feel” by MGMT (3.1 Phillip Lim)
• “I Want Candy” by White Williams (Vera Wang)
• “That’s Not My Name” by The Ting Tings (G-Star)
• “Jungle Drum” by Emilíana Torrini (Zac Posen)
• “You Run Run Run Me Ragged” by Mick Jagger (L’Wren Scott; see Eye Scoop)

- Playing MGMT wins Lim the hipster award; trying to be fresh by using The Ting Tings was totally obvious and unimpressive because of that stupid iTunes commercial.
- Now, I want you to try something at home. Put on "Good Vibrations" and just TRY to do a Miss J. sashay down the hallway. Impossible! Those poor Kors models, without a beat to guide them.
- Betsey Johnson's pick was as always, adorable and cute. So suited for her looks.
- L'Wren Scott got the dude she was banging to write her two songs specifically for her collection. Fortunately that dude is Mick Jagger, and word is he won't even be recording those songs. She wins the rarity award (but I hope someone snuck in a tape recorder and bootlegs that shit - people at the show LOVED the jams.)

Back That Ass Up!

Hi I'm Liz, a new contributor to this sweet blog. So, I've been wondering...where are all of my tall girls with big asses? Shut up, it can't just be me. There's got to be some more of you out there. Oh, there you are! Hey, what's up?

I recently stumbled upon the most amazing thing in my life: Baby Phat jeans. Don't look at me like that; I'm serious. I know it's hard for most women to find jeans. We've all got our own body issues and for whatever reason no one makes jeans for any of us. Instead we put on jeans that don't compliment us exactly how we wish they would. Well, my search for the perfect pair of jeans may have just ended.

Now you may be wondering, "Liz, haven't you heard of Apple Bottoms? I mean, c'mon, countless hip hop stars including Nelly and T-Pain have sung about them. And correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought they were made for big booty girls." Hey there dear reader, I appreciate the thought, but Apple Bottoms just don't do it for me. I've tried them on time and time again and they are never long enough for me. While I was perusing Apple Bottoms at Macy's is actually how I came across Baby Phat jeans. I noticed that lot of Baby Phat jeans are too flashy for me, but I tried on a low key pair and I was instantly in love.

So, my ladies with junk in the trunk - I'd suggest trying your luck with some Baby Phats. And for the rest of you, I wish you the best of luck in your quest for the perfect jeans. Keep me updated if you find some that fit your body just right!

Topshop Taking Its Sweet Arse Time

According to Women's Wear Daily, the SoHo NYC Topshop flagship store will be opening its doors later than expected (boo! And I was already planning an excursion!) They had planned for mid-October, and now it's looking more like November.

But to tide us Yanks over, a US version of the Topshop website launched yesterday. Now you can see how much stuff costs in dollars (exchange rate=still a huge bummer). But it's still shipping from across the pond for at least a $15 charge, so all they really did was assist those Americans who can't multiply a figure by two. Which sadly, is probably a lot of us...

As soon as they nail down a real date for the shop opening, I'll let you know.

End Of Summer = Bummer. And Cheap Sandals!

Nordstrom is having a kick-ass shoe clearance right now. The deepest cuts are on summer styles, so score yourself some sandals and pack them away for next year. They've got tons from Dolce Vita, Jeffrey Campbell and BCBGirls.
The above are on sale too, but totally rockable for the cooler months ahead.
Steve Madden Maxii - Was $100, now $58. This is a wearable iteration of the super-domme style pumps you've seen on the red carpet as of late.
L.A.M.B. "Devin" flat - went from $225 to $134.90

Origins Lipstick Has Flower Power

I'm usually not a lipstick girl- or not a vivid lipstick girl, anyway. But I kept seeing these hot magenta shades showing up on models all over the place this year, and it inspired me.
After a few misses, I found a shade I really love - Origins Flower Fusion Lipstick in Peony. Dab it on with a finger over lip balm to get a subdued shade like above.
Why it's great: It's super-moisturizing. Unlike others that claim the same, it's not goopy or sticky. Straight from the tube its gorgeous and rich, and as I said, dabbed on it's wonderfully subtle. No gross lipstick taste. (Plus I'm a sucker for pretty packaging- the pink metallic tube won me over.)
Cost: $16. A splurge, but rich jewel tones are going to be "in" beyond the new year, so it's a worthy one.

Big Hair? Yes, Please.

As I've mentioned about a million times, I have the wispiest, most annoying fine hair on earth. All the volumizing shampoos, thickening lotions, and upside down hair-drying in the world just doesn't seem to fatten it within remote range of the Bardot bouffant of my dreams. But I can't stop trying.
That said, I recently made a great advance in the right direction. I discovered PureVolume Thickening Mist by Pureology, a color-safe non-aerosol spray which packs a powerful dose of "oomph" for limp locks.

How: Spritzed on almost dry hair, I blasted it with the blow-dryer (head upside-down of course) and then wrapped it in a high, loose bun for an hour or so.

Verdict: All-day, non-sticky, BIG hair. Scent is light, pretty negligible.

Bonus: It's alcohol free, so your hair stays soft and conditioned by the organic extracts (papaya, lemongrass, etc.) And it contains sunscreens to protect colored hair. It's also vegan and animal friendly.

Price: $21...but you can fall in love with a travel size first for just $5!

Because Who Reads the Newspaper Anymore?

LA is filled with "eco-friendly" fashion. A part of me feels that this is because we get hit with global warming the worst. Last time I was at the beach, half the bathers looked like chicken nuggets.

Last weekend was the Sunset Junction Street Festival. Since Silver Lake is the epoch of green consumerism, it made sense Green With Envy had an enormous booth.

What caught my eye was the Newspaper Clutch. It's totally adorable and had to be inspired by a Project Runway challenge.

It's easily make-able and easily breakable, so I learned, $45 later.

The Most Expensive F21 Item Ever: $150

Totally cute, real leather jacket for $150. Pair this cropped number with a cute, floral dress -maybe like this?- and you'll look cuter than Agyness Deyn! (I mean, it's not hard...)

Earnest is the New Ironic

Just when I thought stuff written on t-shirts was so 6 years ago, Urban Outfitters busts out this one. It can be yours for $28.

CVS is Having a Beauty Baby

CVS is planning to open a new line of specialty stores called Beauty 360, which reportedly will carry 32 different lines of upscale cosmetics and skin care products. They won't spill the dirt on which brands, but 100 stores are planned to open this year. The first will be in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, Calif.

With a beauty megastore like Sephora around, I'm not sure what they're aiming to do. With 32 lines they wont be a competitor, so will they offer lower prices? Brands not sold at Sephora (like M.A.C.)?
I'm curious.

What the Fekkai?

For those of you who hit the shelves instead of the salon when you're looking for a dye-job, there's a fancier (and seemingly more pain-in-the-ass) way to do it starting this month.
High-end hair guru Frederick Fekkai has released his own line of at-home coloring kits called "Fekkai Salon Color" available at Bloomingdales for $30 a pop.
So how's it different? Well, you don't apply it with one of those handy ketchup bottles other box colors give you. You mix it up in a bowl and apply with a brush, like a hairdresser does.
Anyone else see potential disaster in this concept? I'm sure the color itself is great, but yikes. How do you brush at the back of your head and not glob the stuff all down your back?
Comment if you've tried it.

Two Cheeks, Two Blushes

Yesterday I hit Sephora with my good friend Liz, and as always, left with several things on my face I didn't arrive wearing.
Two of those things were cheek colors Benefit PosieTint and Smashbox O-Glow.
Bottom line: similar shades of sweet baby pink, totally flattering on fair-skin.

PosieTint ($28) is like its predecessor cheek stain BeneTint, only it looks less like food coloring and more like the consistency of nail polish. On the finger, it looks like a Barbie disaster, but on cheeks it looks natural (yet still noticeable.) It was the stronger pigment of the two I put on.

O-Glow ($26) is actually a clear non-sticky gel that magically turns the color you naturally blush. Okay, that's total B.S. But the color it did turn looked very natural, whatever chemical "magic" took place to change it.
I'm planning to go back and get some of this one for those minimalist days when fresh-faced actually means leaving the house with almost-bare skin. It's the kind of product I'd market to those hippie ladies who don't wear a stitch of makeup. (Most people, I don't care who you are, need a touch of color to look good.)
I haven't tried it yet (I'm leery of using any lip product tester, even with a disposable brush ...eww) but there's a matching O-Glow lip gloss ($22)that works the same way.

Fall Looks Fun

Check out the MAC Cosmetics website now for some great makeup inspiration. During the summer its easy to get into a utilitarian rut with makeup, dodging great colors to avoid looking like a Bomb-Pop melted on your face. When the cool breezes start to roll in, it's high time to work a little bit of character back into the old routine. I had a lot of fun clicking through the new looks they created for the fall runways.

There are 5 portfolios:
Artsy
De-Vine
Glamodrama
Honed
Seventease (which is of course, my favorite)

What Would Tim Gunn Say?

Word has it she designed this herself? Looks like she did!
What I wouldn't give to see Michael, Heidi and Nina weigh in.

Designer Mega-Sales: By Invitation Only

Two new invite-only websites slashing designer prices by about 60-70% have popped up on the web recently: Gilt.com and RueLaLa.com. (My fave is still Hautelook.com.)
How it works: They open up "boutiques" at a certain date and time filled with stuff from a particular brand (so far Gucci and Dior sunglasses, and Juicy Couture purses, pet fashions and sunglasses) and it's first-come first serve.
My advice: Stuff starts selling out in the first hour so you need to be on the ball if you like something.And how do you know if you like something? They give you a preview for days in advance.
Coming up next on RueLaLa is kitchenwares from Caphalon and fashion by Muse.
If you want in on this site, send me your email and I'll fire off an invite.

Small Bites

* Michael Kors is going to make a guest appearance on Gossip Girl this fall. He'll play himself, but who do you think he'll be interacting with? (My bet is Blair.)

* You can finally buy Bumble and Bumble products on their (totally revamped) site.

*Rumor has it that Jovovich-Hawk is just about over.

*Did they lighten Beyonce's skin in this L'Oreal ad? Uhm...

Review: NEW from Origins!

Back in the day, I used to save my masks for slumber parties. They were something to do, since we couldn't leave the house yet, but we didn't care what was in them or why.
Nowadays slathering a mask on is a less frequent and more solitary ritual, but one far more necessary-- if for no other reason than it forces you to take a few "me" minutes and hide out because your face is a mess. I got a chance to try out the new Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins™ Plantidote™ Mega-Mushroom Skin-Calming Face Mask (Coming in September 2008!) tonight, officially kicking off a mask comeback in my skincare ritual.

What: This mask does double duty on the relaxation front, cooling and softening the skin with just a dash of aromatherapy thanks to natural ingredients like ginger. (It smells just like the other Plantidote products.)

Verdict: On contact the light green cream cools the skin. When it was close to dry I rinsed... and rinsed... and felt like the mask wasn't coming off. I finally realized it was just my skin, which had become unrecognizably smooth. My usually massive pores even looked smaller! When the drier weather kicks in, this stuff is going to be a lifesaver.

Price: $35