Lipgloss Break: January 2013
aboutbeautystylehealthtravelgiveawaysfacebookRSSgoogle plustwitterbloglovinpinterestemailinstagramhomeImage Map

FlyWheel Indoor Cycling

My husband and I had to be in NYC a few weeks ago for work, so we flew out early to spend the weekend there. We opted into staying near our old stomping grounds, the Upper West Side. I highly recommend our hotel, you can read my review here.

I like to plan out my workout times in advance when I travel, so I can plan other stuff around it. The hotel only had a small workout room, and I couldn’t get a weekend Equinox pass, so I finally decided to splurge on a legit NYC cycling class.

My first choice was SoulCycle. I checked Friday afternoon and all of the early morning sessions for Saturday and Sunday were booked! I then checked FlyWheel, which I read about in a BlissTree article on my way to NYC. I logged onto FlyWheelSports.com and while creating my profile to sign up for a class, I realized that the first class is free = yes!

I arrived a few minutes early to the Upper West Side studio, just so I could get settled in. The check in process was easy, all I had to do was log into one of the computers and click a button. My cycling shoes were already pulled for me and put in a cubbyhole that corresponded with my bike number. Shoes, lockers, waters and towels are all included in a class price ($32/class, but again, first class is free).

A FlyWheel rep helped me adjust my bike once the studio was ready. At every bike there are weighted bars and a digital resistance/RPM reader. I’m use to just guessing what my resistance is at, but these bikes tell you your exact resistance or ‘torque.’

Instructor comes in, lights go off, and there is a dim spotlight on the instructor. She starts the music, David Guetta, and I knew I was going to like this class. The whole time I felt like I was at a club, and the instructor was the DJ. She was so energetic and into the music, I loved it.

Every couple of songs the instructor would change the screens in the front of the class to show our ‘scores.’ When signing up for the class online, you can ‘opt in’ to this feature, and see how you are doing compared to others in the class. While signing up, I thought ‘why not.’ And I’m glad I did, because it really pushes you to go farther! After class, you can check your performance online, finding how far you rode, approximate calories burned, etc.

The class was made up of sprints, hills and one song dedicated to an arm work with the weighted bars. According to my heart rate monitor, in a normal cycling class, I average 300 calories burned. After this class, I was at 480. AWESOME way to start a Sunday!

I wish I would have taken more pictures of the class, but I didn't want to be a total tourist :) When visiting a city that has FlyWheel locations, I will definitely take another class. It was an amazing workout. 45 minute and done for the day! 


Beauty Blogazon Weekly Roundup



Beauty Blog Coalition Weekly Round Up



  • Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom: Check out Destany's review of Nail Candy pens...one of the most inventive things to happen to Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom!
  • Blushing Noir: The Chanel Raffinement Quadra Eye Shadow is anything but boring! This palette will be your new Spring staple!
  • BeautyTidbits: Harshleen swatches and reviews the new Maybelline Color Whisper Lipsticks.
  • Portrait of Mai: Missed out on IMATS LA 2013? Check out this recap of all the booths and some of the brand new releases from Sigma Makeup and Sugarpill Cosmetics
  • Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: Lola's Secret Beauty Blog loves the entire vbeaute skincare line, and therefore wasn't surprised by how effective their Lite Up Intense Brightening Agent proved to be!
  • Emily Hudspeth, hair design and makeup artist: Quick and Easy 2 Ingredient DIY Sugar Scrub. Great for Dry Lips!
  • Beauty by Miss L: Miss L reviewed Lavera Basis Sensitive Organic hand cream.
  • TheFabZilla: Love coffee and tea? they're culprit to teeth stains. Remember, if you're not whitening you're yellowing. Will Crest 3D White Strips be the answer?
  • Beauty Info Zone: Beauty Info Zone puts Revlon Colorstay Suede Lipstick to the test. Was it a pass or fail?
  • Beauty Professor: Forever a foundation fiend, the Beauty Professor swatches and reviews Dolce & Gabbana's Perfect Finish Creamy Foundation!
  • Polarbelle: Sally Beauty has the Fingerpaints Candy Coated Collection nail polishes and caviar nail beads that is perfect for springtime!
  • Endless Summer: Elena reviews Estee Lauder Lash Primer Plus and mascaras, and shows how they look on her lashes.
  • Painted Ladies: Sheila from Painted Ladies works a bold, red lip with purple and silver eyes in 365 Days of Makeup.
  • Lipgloss Break: Angela reviews KISS Nail Dress nail stickers.
  • My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog: Laura from My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog shares her review on the Laura Mercier Creme Eye Liners in Indigo and Espresso.
  • Pammy Blogs Beauty: The MAC Matters "Build a Core Collection with $21 a Month" Continues! Check out what Pammy Blogs Beauty got in January for the challenge!


  • KISS Nail Dress Nail Stickers



    Nail stickers are all the rage right now, especially for girls on the go who don’t have time to paint their nails and let them dry. A smudged manicure is the worst! 

    Kiss Nails came out with a line of nail decals that are wild and fun. I was tried the Chemise stickers, which come with two different designs. One is a black background with gold and silver studs and the other is a gold and silver design. Since these contain a lot of ‘bling,’ I was hesitant to do an entire set on a workweek, so instead did just my right hand ring finger and paired it with a deep green (almost black) nail polish. 

    The stickers are extremely easy to put on. Just match up the sticker size to the right finger, peel back the backing, and apply (slowly!). You can then use the nail file included to file off the access sticker. Voila, instant manicure with no dry time!

    Each kit comes with 28 stickers, so I still have a full manicure left in my kit. I’m waiting for a girls night out to use a full bling set :)

    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.


    Clean Eating Blueberry-Banana Protein Crepes

    For the past few years I've called myself a 'clean eater,' but lately, I've been super serious about it. Making my own snacks, prepping meals for the week, down to making my own granola. The all natural, organic kind at the grocery store still contain processed junk!

    The past few weekends I've been making Clean Eating Blueberry-Banana Protein Crepes for our post workout meal and they have been phenomenal. I started with a recipe I found in Oxygen Magazine, but made a few moderations....

    Ingredients
    4 egg whites
    1 scoop of vanilla protein
    1 tsp of cocoa powder (optional...can also use cinnamon)
    3 tablespoons of almond butter
    1/2 cup blueberries
    1 banana

    Whisk together the egg whites and vanilla protein. Less lumps the better. I used my new Cuisinart hand blender and it worked it into a really smooth batter. If yours a little thick, add a tablespoon or two of water to it.

    Spray a non-stick pan with olive oil spray and pour a 1/3 of the batter into the pan over med-low heat. Once the sides start to cook (probably after 1-2 minutes) add 1 tablespoon almond butter to half of the crepe, along with some blueberries and banana slices. Fold over (like in the picture of above) and let cook a few more minutes. Repeat for the other 2 crepes.

    Serving size is one crepe. This recipe makes about 3. Enjoy!


    Bargain Boutique Hotel in NYC

    This past weekend my husband and I spent some time in our old NYC neighborhood, the Upper West Side. I miss the city life…a lot! The weather was unreal this past weekend. High 50s in mid-January? I’ll take it!

    We stayed at On the Avenue New York Hotel on the Upper West Side. This is hotel is a BARGAIN for NYC. It’s cute boutique hotel, located at W 77th & Broadway. It’s tucked away in a corner and doesn’t stand out. We paid an average of $80/night at this hotel for a Friday-Sunday stay...unreal for NYC!

    The rooms were clean, service was friendly, and they have all the standard amenities (shampoo, conditioner, soaps, lotions, hair dryer, coffee, etc.). They have wireless internet in the rooms but you have to pay for it. There is also a small workout room with a few treadmills, elliptical, weight bench and hand weights.

    If you want to do NYC on the cheap, I highly recommend this hotel. I know the Upper West Side isn’t in the center of the action, but at this hotel, you are only a few subway stops from being downtown.

    Some of our favorite spots on the Upper West Side:
    Edgar's Cafe, Amsterdam & W 92nd - Favorite spot for breakfast after a good weekend workout. Jerry Stiller is also a fan of this restaurant (love letter from him framed on the wall!)
    Mermaid Inn, Amsterdam & W 88th St. - Great brunch, steak & eggs recommended by my hubby
    Good Enough to Eat, Amsterdam & W 83rd St. - Long line, but worth the wait. Creative breakfasts you won't find anywhere else
    Pomodoro, Columbus & W 71st - Welcoming Italian restaurant. You feel like family when you're there!
    The Dead Poet, Amsterdam & W 82nd - Love this bar, owned by Michigan natives. Total mixed bag on any night, from college students to UWS locals. I recommend the whiskey flight...enough for 2 to share!


    Beauty Blogazon Weekly Roundup




    Beauty Blogger Coalition Weekly Roundup



  • Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom: Destany swatches (and swoons over) two gorgeous Pure Ice polishes!
  • BeautyTidbits: Harshleen looks back on her favorite skincare products from 2012.
  • BlushingNoir: See why the Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette should be your (and everyones!) must have for 2013!
  • TheFabZilla: TheFabZilla shares the highs and lows of Buxom Big & Health Lipstick & Amplified Lash Mascara
  • Emily Hudspeth, hair design and makeup artist: Ask me anything! Post your questions on the Facebook page or Twitter about makeup/hair/working as a makeup artist and I will answer with a YouTube video or blog post (or both!)
  • Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: DermOrganic Argan Oil Infused Haircare Cleansing, Conditioning & Treatment products are so amazing that Lola's Secret Beauty Blog wants the world to know about this phenomenal line!
  • Fabulous Awesomeness: Mina Slater shares swatches and a review of CoverGirl Blast Flipstick shades Minx, Stunner and Vixen.
  • datyorkLOVES: datyorkLOVES Weekly is back! Catch up on mani's, reviews and a blog sale with FREE shipping!
  • Advice Sisters Web Site: Argan oil is a super-trendy ingredient. It has many benefits and uses in beauty products. Alison of the Advice Sisters reports on a bunch of hair care and beauty products featuing argan oil. Which one will be your favorite?
  • The Lacquered Lady: The Lacquered Lady shows of her favorite polish from the China Glaze Cirque du Soleil collection.
  • Lipgloss Break: Enter to win a Julep Maven box with nail polish to match your style!
  • Beauty Professor: Can titanium really make a difference in a hair straightener? The Beauty Professor tries the Blowout Beauty 1" Titanium Straightener and discovers the answer!
  • Beauty by Miss L: Miss L tried another natural, vegan & cruelty free eye makeup remover.
  • Mama Fashionista: Julep is starting the year of (b)right with their Resort Collection! Check out what Quinn received in her Julep Maven It Girl box this month.
  • Polarbelle: Polarbelle found the perfect all around palette in the Too Faced Return of Sexy palette set. 
  • The Beauty Delicacy: How to keep your peepers pretty + hydrated this season with Ahava
  • Peek & Ponder: Ashley from Peek & Ponder reflects on her most popular beauty posts of 2012
  • Pammy Blogs Beauty: Do you have any New Year's Beauty Resolutions? Pammy Blogs Beauty shares hers here!
  • Painted Ladies: Make Up For Ever's New Pro-Multi-Use Powder Foundation Has Entranced Sheila from Painted Ladies
  • Midnight Manicures: Midnight Manicures: Find out which Skin Care Treatment is one of Jeanie's must haves for 2013, Reviva Labs Non-Chemical Skin Peel to the rescue!


  • John Frieda Golden Globes Hair Styles

    Photo credit: Tractenberg & Co.
    Celebrity hairstylist Marcus Francis was inspired by Kerry Washington's sequined, structured gown. Here are the steps he took...

    Step 1 – Prep
    Spray Frizz-Ease 3-Day Straight Semi-Permanent Styling Spray ($9.99 at drugstores), throughout wet hair and comb through to distribute the product evenly

    Step 2 – Style
    Blowdry hair straight. Take a flat iron and straighten hair section by section--the heat of flat iron will activate 3-Day Straight, to ensure sleek style that lasts all night long.

    Step 3 – Perfect
    Smooth Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Crème ($5.99) throughout hair to give a smooth, shiny finish.




    Photo credit: abcnews.go.com
    Celebrity hairstylist Peter Butler created Claire Danes' look. Taking inspiration from the Homeland actress' red-hot Versace gown, Butler gave Claire loose waves, likening her to a modern-day Jessica Rabbit. 


    Step 1 – Prep
    Blowdry hair with a large, round, boar bristle brush. Take a curling iron with a 1 1/2 inch barrel and start curling hair section by section. Set the curls with Frizz-Ease Moisture Barrier Firm-Hold Hairspray ($5.99 at drugstores).

     Step 2 – Style
    To create the perfect wave, use a paddle brush to brush through curls. Apply Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Crème ($5.99 at drugstores) throughout the hair--it will soften hair and add shine while leaving the curls chunky and intact.

    Step 3 – Perfect
    Finish by adding a fine mist of Frizz-Ease Moisture Barrier Firm Hold Hairspray to lock in the style.




    Julep Maven Review & Giveaway


    Sampling programs are all the rage. Personally, I love them. I think it's a great way to try new products and discover new brands. I especially like the ones that are tailored to your style preferences, like the Julep Maven program.
     

    Before you can become a Julep Maven, you have take a style quiz to find your style profile, which are:
    American Beauty – A grown up version of the All-American girl-next-door

    Boho Glam – An eternal romantic with an appreciation of beauty on a deeper level.

    Bombshell – Sexy and confident, this style is abundant with playful prints and saturated hues.

    Classic with a Twist – This timeless, iconic look is marked by beautiful yet simple cuts and colors

    It Girl – Edgy and bold, your statement-making look exemplifies the modern rock ‘n’ roll chic

    With your monthly membership, you’ll receive 2-3 nail polishes and beauty products that compliment your style profile. Julep products are made up of highly curated fashion forward polishes so you don’t have to worry about polish being out of season.

    I recently received an It Girl box and it was filled with 3 nail polishes I can totally rock to work and out at night, and 2 different nail glitters. Daphne is a sea foam green, Delauney is a creme, striking red, and Otte, a camel creme neutral.  Both Daluney and Otte are part of the Trina Turk Fall line. I'm looking forward to rocking the sea foam green on my toes this summer.

    SPECIAL FOR LIPGLOSS READERS: If you sign up today, you can get your first box for a penny! Use code JULEPVIP at checkout! 

    Julep is also all about sharing the love. Enter to win a box that matches your style profile! 


    ***Giveaway***
    Enter to win a Julep Maven style box.

    Fill out the form below to win! There are also several different ways you can get extra entries: sign up for my mailing list, post a link to this giveaway on your blog, follow my blog, follow me & retweet on Twitter , follow me on Pinterest, follow me on Instagram or become a fan on Facebook; just make sure to list the number of extra entries in the form below. Enter up to once a day!

    This giveaway is open to US and Canada residents only. The contest will end on Friday, February 8th. I will randomly select one winner and announce them on Lipgloss Break, so keep checking to see if you're a winner - Good Luck!


    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.


    Blogazon Weekly Roundup



    Stay Motivated in the New Year

    Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a fun and healthy holiday.

    New Year Resolutions have been set and I'm sure like previous years, one of the top trending resolutions is to get in shape. One of the main challenges with this goal is staying motivated. It's easy to buy a gym membership, but staying motivated and actually using that membership is a whole other challenge. Here are some of my tips and strategies to staying motivated and dedicated to working out....

    Pump Up the Volume
    Music is very important. A solid playlist and up beat music can really affect your mood and workout. I use to struggle with ear buds that fit my small ears, but finally found a set that stay in while I bounce around with my workouts (Sol Republic Amp In-Ear Headphones, below). And you don't need a fancy iPod to get you through a workout. Download the Pandora app to your phone (it's free!) to get rocking tunes to get you through a workout. This is also a great way to discover new songs.

    Set Milestone Goals
    Whether it's the first 5lbs lost or mastering a pull up (this is one of my goals!), set goals and 'rewards' along the way. I like to treat myself to pedicures or a massage when I meet one of my goals. It also helps to stick to these goals when you write them down. Get a cute notebook (I like the mini Moleskin, below) that you can carry with you in your purse or workout bag so you can jot down your progress.

    Fit Fashionista
    Treat yourself to some new workout clothes! Since this is such a popular time for people to get active, Marshall's and TJMaxx has a TON of gym gear on display. Name brand pieces at great prices. Invest in coordinating tops, bottoms, sports bras and headbands. If you feel good going to the gym, you'll have an even better workout. 

    What's your New Year's Resolution? Please share how you plan on sticking to your goals!

    Stay Motivated in the New Year
    UnderArmour Shoes and Crop Pants / Sol Republic Amps HD In-Ear Headphones / Girls Gone Sporty "Sweat Sexy" Fitness Tank from ViewSport / Moleskin notebook