This line of British makeup has just made its way to America via Sephora stores. What a shame it's still not available here in Paris!! Known for the dramatic and professional quality of its products this line is akin to Make Up For Ever. What's especially unique about Illamasqua is it's message of acceptance for alternative beauty. This isn't just stuff to make you 'pretty' but to transform and as their tag line notes, bring out your "alter ego". Intense pigments and super high quality products that do what they say therefore there's little need to have 15 foundations (like MAC for example). My theory with beauty products has always been that the quality of the products will speak by the quantity in the line. I prefer the company reformulates and perfects something rather than create more products- but that is is a marketing choice that speaks volumes about the integrity of a makeup line and their reputation. What will earn more dollars- having a constant product turnaround so the market is inundated with products or word-of-mouth where your products speak for themselves and reach cult status? Perhaps a little too philosophical for this review post--but Illamasqua, so far, is headed in the right direction.
Friday, September 4, 2009
My newest beauty obsession, Illamasqua make-up
This line of British makeup has just made its way to America via Sephora stores. What a shame it's still not available here in Paris!! Known for the dramatic and professional quality of its products this line is akin to Make Up For Ever. What's especially unique about Illamasqua is it's message of acceptance for alternative beauty. This isn't just stuff to make you 'pretty' but to transform and as their tag line notes, bring out your "alter ego". Intense pigments and super high quality products that do what they say therefore there's little need to have 15 foundations (like MAC for example). My theory with beauty products has always been that the quality of the products will speak by the quantity in the line. I prefer the company reformulates and perfects something rather than create more products- but that is is a marketing choice that speaks volumes about the integrity of a makeup line and their reputation. What will earn more dollars- having a constant product turnaround so the market is inundated with products or word-of-mouth where your products speak for themselves and reach cult status? Perhaps a little too philosophical for this review post--but Illamasqua, so far, is headed in the right direction.
Rihanna Vogue Italia
Photographer Steven Klein did a photoshot with Rihanna for Vogue Italia's September issue. The shoot was entitled "Extreme Couture". These pics are INTENSE! Supposedly this shoot was the reason she did her newest haircut with the shaved sides. She even manages to make pointed nails work, which she's also been wearing regularly. These photos make me wanna get on my war paint and take the city (or more appropriately, "run this town"..ha)! For me, Rihanna has been a fashion inspiration and I would venture to say she's the most stylish celebrity today. Whether you love or hate her fashion sense, she steps out daily with 100% effort. Definitely a motivation for me to get out of the house and check out Parisian shopping...now if only I had an unlimited budget!!
רחל נעה אשתרי לרקי
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Power Plate my5
I just recently tried this machine even though it's been sitting in my house for almost a year. Obviously it's not pregnancy safe, so there goes 9 months, plus some recovery time and finally a messy room to work through.
Marc Jacobs 'Lola'
My new perfume of the moment. With notes of pink peppercorn, pear d'Anjou, ruby grapefruit, vanilla, tonka bean, musk and peony. Yumm. I'm obsessed with the PVC flower topper and the lingering scent. This pick won out over Nina Ricci's 'Ricci Ricci' and YSL's 'Parisienne'. However those are sure to follow.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
450€ orange juice
I just got my new wedding band. A spontaneous visit into Cartier in Place Vendome resulted in my husband buying me this ring. Love it. The tricolored intertwined bands are a cult item that has been newly revisited this year. The rose gold band now bears the Cartier stamp on the outside- the 2009 interpretation of a classic. The whole experience was unforgettable and surreal. The Rue de la Paix location is the original, oldest Cartier flagship store. The glass ceilings lent light to the mirrors echoing the cases filled with diamonds, sapphires, rubies and more. A grand central staircase led to the second level where salespeople pulled drawers of stock and once taken to the pending customers, was substituted for little tokens. An amusing system for security and customers alike. I suspect the process is itself historic. Once an assistant is beckoned, and the admired pieces are noted, you take your place on the couch and are offered a beverage. My heart was thumping. Were we in over our heads? Can you really call the bluff of being interested in buying Cartier jewelry? Can you back out if you feel queasy?
Sicis mosaics
Amazing Italian mosaic designs for walls, floors, pools, ceilings, mannequins and "carpets". True luxury in the home that creates the fantasy environment of dreams. View the creations and get inspired, www.sicis.com. This is some of the sickest design I've seen!
Balmain Fall/Winter 09-10
Balmain Spring/Summer 2009
this past season was the perfect melange of rips, sequins, and gauzy draping! The dresses and jackets of the S/S 09 collection were nothing short of a frothy rock n' roll fantasy! these creations reached cult status and where seen on many celebrities. the shoes in the Balmain window, were the frequent objects of my affection.
Gucci Fall/Winter 2009; Gucci does it again.
I am crazy about the new Gucci F/W 09 ready to wear line! In fact there isn't much I don't love about this futuristic bad-ass style, from the leather bombers to the leggings, the metallic python bags and chunky cuff bracelets, the dark glasses and platform boots. Velvets, leather, sequins and pvc, oh my! The colors are dark, black on black. The looks are full of contrasting textures punched with pops of neon, shine or oil-slick! Thankfully the bohemian styles are dead and gone-this is the epitome of my dream season!
By 30...
By 30, you should have:
1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.
2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
4. A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.
5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.
6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking to forward to retelling it in your old age.
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it.
8. An e-mail address, a voice mailbox and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you.
9. A résume that is not even the slightest bit padded.
10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra.
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.
13. The belief that you deserve it.
14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better.
By 30, you should know:
1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.
2. How you feel about having kids.
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
4. When to try harder and when to walk away.
5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.
6. The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best tailor in town.
7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.
8. How to take control of your own birthday.
9. That you can’t change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents.
10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.
11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.
12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long.
13. Who you can trust, who you can’t and why you shouldn’t take it personally.
14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.
15. Why they say life begins at 30.