Lipgloss Break: June 2012
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An NYC 'Blowout' at the Robert Stuart Salon

I’ve been in New York City for about 2 weeks now and I’m slowly learning how to live like a real New Yorker. I’ve taken the subway every day to work, I’ve met up with friends on a week night (gasp!) for a drink, and spent time in Central Park over the weekend.

On the beauty front, I found a neighborhood nail salon that has a manicure and pedicure package for super cheap (cheaper than in Michigan!). I got a mani/pedi on Sunday and it was well deserved based on all of the walking I have been doing!

Another thing that is very big city-esque is a hair ‘blow dry’ or ‘blow out.’ Women go to salons here just to get their hair blown dry by a professional hair stylist. And yes, it does make a difference! Before a big event or work travel, ladies will make an appointment for a blow out so the don’t have to wash and style their hair.


I had the privilege of getting a blow dry at the Robert Stuart Salon on the Upper West side (82nd and Columbus). The salon was celebrating their 29th birthday and had quite the crew out. Several clients and employees were chatting over food, desserts and champagne when I arrived. I was quickly greeted and taken around the salon by Brandon, who is an assistant at the salon.

Robert Stuart and me
After putting on my Robert Stuart royal purple cape to protect my clothing, Brandon got me situated at the shampoo bowl. This was hands down, the best-shampoo-EVER. He must have spent about 10 minutes massaging my scalp with Shu Eumero shampoo and conditioner. I almost fell asleep I was so relaxed. Brandon told me that everyone who gets a haircut or blow out gets this type of shampoo. He explained that since the shampoo is the customer’s first interaction with the salon, it’s important to make it relaxing. Well, job well done.

After my shampoo I sat down in Tran’s chair. Tran is newer to the salon, coming from Atlanta. She didn’t add too much product to my hair before starting to blow dry. She tackled my hair piece by piece, with a huge round brush. The result, a sleek, but full of body, blow dry.

After sleeping on my hair I only had a small touch up to make before I left to catch my plane at LGA. I can see why ladies on the go in NYC get blow outs. It’s relaxing, saves you time in the morning, and looks great. I would recommend The Robert Stuart salon. Friendly staff and atmosphere, and the shampoos are something to write home about.

Note: This review includes products and/or services that I received as a sample or for free, provided by the brand company or a PR rep. Please click here for more information regarding my disclaimer.





Get the Look: Waterfall Braid

For those of you with long hair, I'm jealous you can try this out!



WATERFALL BRAID: HOW TO
1.       Strengthen, protect and repair hair prior to braiding by applying Joico Color Therapy Restorative Oil on wet hair.
2.       Dry hair as usual.
3.       Separate a section behind your left ear and start by dividing hair into an ordinary 3-strand braid.
4.       After 4 weaves, drop one strand and gather a new strand of hair that pulls the braid in the desired direction. Repeat until you achieve desired length.
5.       Secure with a clear hair elastic.
6.       Finish with Joico K-PAK Split End Mender for ends that look lush and hydrated.


TRESemme Split Remedy Review


For the last week and a half I’ve been faithfully using the TRESemmé new Split Remedy line. The full line is made up of a Shampoo, Conditioner, Serum, Conditioning Spray and a Conditioning Treatment, and are all meant to be used together to help repair split ends.

Here is a breakdown of the products:

TRESemmé Split Remedy Shampoo & Conditioner
These both have a clean smell to them, maybe with a bit of apple and vanilla, and the scent from them lasted in my hair all day. Because I usually like to have volume in my roots, I only used the conditioner on the ends of my hair. This also ultimately helps me to go longer in between hair washes. I left it on for about 2 minute and then rinsed.

TRESemmé Split Remedy  Conditioning Spray
This reminded me of a detangler hair product my mom use to use on my hair when it was really long, back in elementary school. It’s a light spray that I combed through my hair after applying. A few sprays of this goes a long way. After blowing my hair dry it felt really silky and soft. Watch out for your walls and mirrors while spraying this!

TRESemmé Split Remedy Conditioning Treatment
I use a leave in conditioning treatment 5 out of 6 hair washes a week to help keep my hair soft and healthy. I applied this light cream from the middle to ends of my hair. A little goes a long way with this product. I was able to dry my hair super smooth with this treatment, and I noticed less ‘frizzies’ than normal. When I used this product, I did not use the Conditioning Spray with it.  

TRESemmé Split Remedy Serum
I love this serum – and it can be used both pre and post blow drying. When using the Conditioning Spray, I added the serum just to the ends of my hair before blow drying. When using the Treatment, I added the serum after blow drying. The serum helped not only with making my hair look shiny and sleeker, but also helped prevent frizz. We’ve had some very humid days in NYC and this protected me 100% from frizz, without weighing my hair down. Please note again, that a little goes a long way!

All the styling and treatment products smelled similar to the Shampoo and Conditioner. Layering these products helped my hair to smell really fresh all day. These are also very large size products, so you definitely get your money’s worth.  After a week of using these products I could definitely notice that my hair was softer and looked healthier.
NEW Split Remedy, from TRESemmé, repairs up to 80% of split ends in just three uses.  And with continued use, repairs further damage as it occurs.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by TRESemmé via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of TRESemmé.


Free Shipping on TooFaced.com




Too Faced is celebrating the 4th of July a little early! FREE SHIPPING from 6/28 - 7/4 on TooFaced.com with code: HAPPY4TH. 



Last 2 Days to Get Lancome Gift with Purchase

I LOVE gifts with purchases (aka GWPs). Lancome teamed up with award-winning designer Chris Benz to design their latest bag. Known for his use of color and patterns, he chose a floral print for the bag, straight off the runway from his Spring collection. Best part, the bag is reversable. Second best part, Chris Benz created two exclusive eyeshadow pallets for this gift! 


Available from June 12th to the 26th, this striking bag is complimentary with any $75 purchase (up to a $178 value), and includes the following:
- Color Design 5 Pan Palette color choice:
  • Emerald Silk + full size Color Fever Gloss in Paradise Peach (warm)
  • Flushed Satin + full size Color Fever Gloss in Intense Fuchsia (cool)
- Eye cream choice:
·        Absolue Eye Premium BX
·        Absolue Eye Precious Cells
- Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover
- Absolue UItimate Night BX Serum
- Hypnôse Drama Mascara

Be sure to stop by your local Saks Fifth Avenue to pick up your bag by tomorrow!



Beauty Blog Coalition Weekly Roundup




Yves Rocher Monoi de Tahiti Oil Review



I am a huge fan of cocoa butter, but Monoi de Tahiti (Traditional Gardenia Oil) by Yves Rocher, has made me rethink my daily moisturizing routine just a bit. Instead of my normal cocoa butter lotion, I’ve been using this oil. I get the same comfort knowing that my skin is being nourished and hydrated with coconut oil, as well as smelling sweet and delicate from the gardenia blossoms that are combined – all in one oil. I love the feeling of this luxurious oil on my skin.

I love the feel and smell of this luxurious oil on my skin. The scent is lovely and reminds me of vacations in tropical destinations. I was able to get dressed right after application without having my clothing stick to me and the scent and moisture has stayed with me all through the day. Not a drop gets wasted! Anything left on my fingertips (after application to my body), goes directly into my hair. It adds a brilliant shine and doesn't weigh my hair down. This oil gets HUGE love from me!

You can find Monoi de Tahiti oil by Yves Rocher on their website. It retails at $7.50.

By Lipgloss Break Guest Blogger, Tina

Note: This review includes products that I received as samples, provided by the brand company or a PR rep. Please click here for more information regarding my disclaimer.


30% off butter LONDON

butter LONDON's Family & Friends event is on! Now through June 27th take 30% off your entire order! Enter code FFSUMMER12 at checkout.

Check out my post on butter LONDON's new Lippy collection!





Giveaway Break - Borghese Splendore All Over Body Bronzer

Last year I wrote about one of my beach bag necessities from Borghese, the Splendore All Over Body Bronzer. This bronzer is great for creating a bronze glow without the sun damage. I dust it on my face, shoulder and legs to give me a nice sun-kissed look.


This year...we're giving it away! Borghese and I want to send one lucky reader their own Splendore All Over Body Bronzer to fake a glow, just in time for the beginning of Summer!





***Giveaway***


Enter to win a Borghese Splendore All Over Body Bronzer! 

Fill out the form below to win! For extra entries, you can sign up for my mailing list, post a link to this giveaway on your blog, follow my blog, follow me and retweet on Twitter , follow me on Pinterest or become a fan on Facebook; just make sure to list the entries in your comment. Enter up to once a day!

This giveaway is open to US residents only. The contest will end on Friday, July 20th. I will randomly select one winner and announce them on Lipgloss Break, so keep checking to see if you're a winner - Good Luck!




Home on the Upper West Side

Well, I made it to the city with my 2 suitcases (one weighing 50+lbs) and a laptop bag. It also helped that Mike surprised me at the airport to help me out :).

I'm discovering quickly that the Upper West Side is just my style. The picture to the right is in front of our building. Walking distance from our studio on 89th and West End are 3 grocery stores, a nail salon at every corner, and great restaurants and bars. It's super family friendly, kids are running around everywhere!

As soon as I got in we tried Hi-Life Cafe for a late breakfast. Their omelets were delicious, and the starter bread basket was even better. They give each table mini muffins and cinnamon toast with strawberry butter - irresistible.

We were so busy exploring we totally forgot to eat lunch! For dinner we did NY style Perfecto Pizza. Mike can normally eat a large himself and the both of us didn't even put a dent into a large round pizza here.

5 things I've learned so far in NYC:
1 - The subway system. I'm still getting use to which trains are express trains, but for the most part, I can navigate them
2 - Iced coffee is the new black
3 - You have to be a creative thinker when it comes to utilizing space. I miss my bathroom counters!
4 - The rude NYC stereotype is not true. Someone came up to me and Mike yesterday while we were looking at our phones and asked us if needed help finding something (we must have really looked touristy!).
5 - Keep your eyes peeled at all times for celebrities. I crossed paths yesterday with Dr. MacNamara from Nip/Tuck *lovey sigh*




Beauty Blog Coalition Weekly Roundup



butter LONDON Lippy

butter LONDON has released a line of lip glosses that match their nail polishes. Lippy Lipgloss is lacquer-like gloss that is long lasting with great colors. Lippy launched in March at Ulta, in 5 different colors: Primrose Hill Picnic, Snog, Trout Pout, Yummy Mummy and Teddy Girl.


Dictionary Definition:  LIPPY – British slang for someone who makes impertinent or cheeky remarks.  (Glosses are $17 each)


Matchy matchy is in, match your toes and nails to your lips!




pictured: Trout Pout polish and lipgloss


And the Winners are...

Mally Beauty Giveaway - jslbrown_03
Eucerin Calm line - Jesskaufman


Stephanie Johnson cosmetic bags



Congrats to Marilyn! She won the Stephanie Johnson cosmetic bag giveaway. Her empowering moment was 'When I received my college degree after much hard work.' Congrats Marilyn - that's a huge accomplishment!!





China Glaze Summer Neons

Hot hot hot!

· Pink Plumeria: Light pink with gold shimmer

· Under the Boardwalk: Fluorescent raspberry

· Splish Splash: Bright sky blue shimmer

· Love’s A Beach: Sizzling hot pink

· Hang-Ten Toes: Bubblegum neon with iridescent purple shimmer

· Beach Cruise-r: Glimmering fuchsia grape

· Orange You Hot?: Bright orange with attention-grabbing gold glimmer

· Surfin’ For Boys: Glistening bright coral

· Flirty Tankini: Shimmery strawberry smoothie pink

· Ride the Waves: Dark ocean blue

· I’m With the Lifeguard: Glimmering lime green

· Sun-Kissed: Hot highlighter yellow




Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad

I'm a self tanning queen, especially in the summer. I don't like to bake in the sun (no wrinkles please!) so I like to use a self tanner to give myself some color in the summer.

I just tried Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Glow Pad and loved the color it gave me. It's a large towel that covers your whole body. The towel has little scrubbers in it so it acts like an exfoliator for a smooth application. Right after I applied the towel to my skin I followed up with an unscented lotion, to help ensure an even application (and for extra moisturizing!). 
I applied the towel at night, waited about 10 minutes before getting dressed, put on dark loose clothing, and then went to bed. I woke up the next morning looking like I just got back from the Caribbean! I saw my mom that day, who can appreciate a good self tan job, and she said 'oh my goodness, you are TAN!' I went over my legs and arms twice with the towel, which makes me think my tan came out even darker than normal. I did have one streak on my leg (my fault), which I fixed by scrubbing with a damp wash cloth. 
I love this type of packaging for traveling. They fit nicely in a makeup bag and you don't have to worry about these leaking in your luggage and the carry on liquid rule.

Glow Pads retail at $48 for a box of 8 pads. Definitely worth the splurge if you want a tan for a special event or vacation, or while you are traveling.


Giveaway Break - Anastasia Beverly Hills Hydrafull Gloss

When you hear the name 'Anastasia Beverly Hills' you may think of eyebrows, but she does it all! Along with her brow kits and shapers, her line also includes bronzers, shadows and my favorite, lip glosses!

Anastasia's Hydrafull Gloss is jam packed with shine. They are jammed pack with color and are super hydrating. I was a little surprised by the plastic paddle applicator but it helps the gloss to go on smooth. The fortifying formula includes jojoba oil, shea butter and Anastasia's exclusive Balkan Botanical Infusion.

They have a handful of colors ranging from 'Barely' there nudes, to pretty pinks and corals. The gloss on the right is Cameo, which is an iridescent sparkle with a hint of pink.










***Giveaway***

Enter to win Anastasia of Beverly Hills Hydrafull Gloss in Cameo! 


Fill out the form below to win! For extra entries, you can sign up for my 
mailing list, post a link to this giveaway on your blog, follow my blog, follow me and retweet on Twitter , follow me on Pinterest or become a fan on Facebook; just make sure to list the entries in your comment. Enter up to once a day!

This giveaway is open to US residents only. The contest will end on Wednesday, July 4th. I will randomly select one winner and announce them on Lipgloss Break, so keep checking to see if you're a winner - Good Luck!



Father's Need to Beautify Too!

Father's Day is coming up, why not pamper him?

For the 'clean shaving' Dad:
SheaMoisture Shea Butter & African & Black Soap Shave Butter – This age-old shaving preparation will help dad fight ingrown hairs and razor bumps with a vengeance.  Contains pure African Black Soap, unrefined organic African Shea Butter, healing oils of Coconut, Black Seed, Juniper and Willow Bark extract.  Lather up with SheaMoisture's 100 percent badger hair Ultimate Shave Brush (SRP: $7.99) or with fingers. Does not contain harsh soaps or synthetics, so don’t expect a lot of foam.  SRP: $6.99.  Available at Target and Walmart locations nationwide.




The world’s oldest and most prestigious apothecary, Santa Maria Novella, offers the ultimate in men’s grooming – pamper Dad with a exquisite Shave Set, Shaving Foam, Before and After Cream, Non-Alcoholic Emulsion and more! All ingredients are natural and organic, and all products (including distillation of fragrances) are made onsite in the Florence, Italy workrooms as much as possible.  Celebrity fan Dad’s include: David Beckham, Javier Bardem, Jason Bateman, Gavin Rossdale, Eric Dane, and more!   From $17 - $320 at www.santamarianovellausa.com.   

For the 'organic' Dad:
Give your Dad something that all men need this Father’s Day, after shave. Aubrey Men’s Stock Aftershave ($9.50 SRP) works instantly to tighten pores and cool skin. It is formulated with organic aloe vera to hydrate, witch hazel to soothe and menthol to cool. Leaves skin smooth and fresh, with a unique, natural scent.


If you want your Dad to look his best this Father’s Day, trying gifting him Aubrey Men’s Stock Daily Moisturizer ($13.85 SRP) is a lightweight, invisible formula for men. Made from 100% natural ingredients, the Daily Moisturizer absorbs into the skin quickly, leaving skin conditioned, soft and shine-free. Flaxseed extract is used to help balance oil in skin, leaving pores unclogged and your face smooth and healthy looking.

Aubrey Organics Men’s Stock is available at Whole Foods or at www.aubrey-organics.com.





For the 'grilling' Dad:
Gear up for sizzle-cranking, tailgating, hand-toting, fold-and-fling fun on the go! The Element Portable – the all-in-one, 13-pound, light-weight grilling machine, that will make your summer days that much more fun! This grill is so hot, it won’t stay put! Get it now at www.stockngo.com for $150.

For the 'forever young' Dad:
For those Dads wishing to stay Forever Young this Father’s Day, Christina Cosmeceuticals offers the perfect Men’s Kit to get you on the right track.  The Beginner’s Kit for Men ($120) is the perfect way to start the day looking and feeling great, with three easy steps that target men’s unique complexion challenges. The products within the kit include Extra-Action Scrub, Fortifying Aftershave Gel and Age-Fighter Cream SPF15 that protect skin from aging, photo-damage and shaving irritation with the most advanced clinical ingredients and botanicals available. Christina Cosmeceuticals can be purchased at skincarebyalana.com and at select salons and spas.