28 February 2011

Nicole by OPI | Introduces Something About Spring, Exclusively for Target

Color Springs into Target!

Nicole by OPI Introduces Something About Spring, Exclusively for Target

Nicole by OPI welcomes warmer weather with twelve new vibrant shades from the Something About Spring Collection, available exclusively at Target. From bold purples to fierce yellow metallics and iridescent shimmers, Something About Spring has a hue to accentuate every style. “We are thrilled to exclusively provide Target with some of Nicole by OPI’s hottest shades for 2011,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Target is filled with affordable, chic wardrobe staples and Something About Spring includes a variety of colorful, fun lacquers to accessorize every fashion-savvy consumer.” With playful names reminiscent of blossoming flowers, picnics in the park and seaside vacations, Something About Spring adds a fresh touch to every sunny spring adventure.

Nicole by OPI’s Something About Spring Collection includes:

Brilliant Idea
Glittery lime never looked so good…genius!


Daffy Dill
We picked this lime-green shade just for you.



Dandy Lion
An un-caged and totally fierce metallic yellow.


I’m a Pool for Love
Jump right into this deep, dark grape.


Iceberg Lotus
Refreshing bright green, packed with shine.


Make a Comet-ment
A once-in-a-lifetime, sliver-glitter sighting!


Nicole’s Nickel
Bling out your nails with this deep silver glitter!


Pink. Seriously
This classic hot pink means business.


Pink-nic in the Park
A sunset-worthy shade of pink


Sea How Far You Go
A limit-pushing gold.


Shell Me the Truth
A glowing peach, fresh off the shore.


You’re S-teal the One
U gotta stay true to this amazing green-blue.


Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquers and Nail Treatments contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. The new Something About Spring Nail Lacquers will be available March 2011 for $7.04 each at select Target locations nationwide and Target.com. For more information, visit nicolebyopi.com. Follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter @NicoleByOPI and become a Facebook fan!

CONTINUE READING »

24 February 2011

Mel B. Introduces a " Heel That Heals " for ShoeDazzle


Former Spice Girl and " Dancing With The Stars " contestant, Mel B. has partnered with ShoeDazzle's Celebrity Design Program for Charity. Mel B. was inspired by the patients of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles who attended her ShoeDazzle design session.
“I was thrilled when ShoeDazzle approached me to participate! Designing a shoe has been my life-long dream, and being able to do that for charity is truly rewarding. I am very excited about this dazzling pump!” -Mel B.

The children wanted the shoe to be “soft and comfortable” on the inside and “daring” on the outside. The finished product, available on March 14, 2011 at ShoeDazzle.com, is a nude pump with a stunningly bejeweled high-heel and a leopard print inside.

This nude faux patent-leather platform pump flashes with a dazzling rhinestone-encrusted heel. Hot glam! A  seductive shoe, that will look simply stunning when worn with a fiery red one-shoulder dress, loose curls and a touch of gold jewelry! The high heel showcases and lengthens your legs, and who doesn't love to sparkle?

The Mel B. Celebrity Shoe will be available March 14, 2011 EXCLUSIVELY on www.shoedazzle.com for $40 . 100% of all profits benefit Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, LA’s first and largest hospital dedicated to treating children. For more information, visit www.chla.org.


CONTINUE READING »

True You Cosmetics | Lux Lipgloss in " Marilyn & Josephine " | Review


A few months ago, I introduced you to True You Cosmetics; which is a fresh and emerging cosmetic line that offers a unique Iconic Lip Collection.  Each shade of hydrating lipstick and weightless lipgloss are uniquely named after and inspired by the beauty & style of old Hollywood favorites such as Josephine Baker & Marilyn Monroe. True You Cosmetics, high shine pigment lip glosses are enriched with antioxidants A, C, and E, leaving lips soft and luscious. With its non-sticky, moisture-rich, glossy, and weightless formula, it stays shiny and fresh on your lips!



Josephine
This deep plum is named and influenced by actress, dancer, and singer Josephine Baker, and her trademark lip color. A top seller for Fall/Winter, and is flattering on all skin tones. Josephine is definitely my favorite color out of the two, it's very sultry and glamorous. I think this shade has a subtly perfect amount of sexy.


Marilyn
Pucker up! This perfect shade of red is inspired by Marilyn Monroe's signature red hot lips! It's daring, sexy,  vivacious and reminiscent of everything Marilyn embodied in her lifetime. This shade of red definitely reads " flirty & playful " truly making a bold and confident statement.



Glow: I love that the formula of both lipglosses is very consistent. It's highly pigmented and you don't need to use a lot to see maximum results! I also like that the gloss isn't streaky at all and goes on smooth with an even coverage!

Glare: There's honestly nothing that I did not like about these glosses. The vibrancy in the colors are amazing. What you see is what you get!

Would I Recommend It? Of course! I've truly fallen in love with " Josephine ", it's captivating and definitely worth a try!

Overall Glam: These lipglosses definitely have a winning formula. I think the idea behind True You Cosmetics is very unique and admirable. I love that it celebrates and pays tribute to some great women who've paved the way for so many! True You Cosmetics Lux Lipgloss is currently retailed at $20 each.

* To purchase or to learn more, please visit www.trueyoucosmetics.net

Product(s) in this post were provided for post consideration. Read our disclosure policy here

CONTINUE READING »

23 February 2011

Nubar | Introduces " The Spring Garden " Collection

The Spring Garden Collection


Take a leisurely stroll down the Earthen path through The Spring Garden, the scent of Pink Lily in the air. The fresh colors of early Spring abound, with the soft green of the Baby Sprout, gentle shade of Blue Hydrangea, delicate Yellow Primrose, silky Purple Aster, fresh White Peony, and the lively Honeysuckle, each enhanced with the elegant sparkle of Dewdrop.

The nail lacquers in nubar's The Spring Garden Collection are:

1. Pink Lily – vibrant pink creme
2. Earthen – subdued earthen grey creme
3. Baby Sprout – soft pastel green
4. Blue Hydrangea – muted pastel blue
5. White Peony – ivory creme
6. Yellow Primrose – delicate pale yellow
7. Purple Aster – dusty pastel purple
8. Honeysuckle – cheerful honeysuckle
9. Dewdrop – fine glitter top coat

Nubar nail lacquers feature an ergonomically designed cap and a 299 bristle brush built for comfort and performance. Always free of formaldehyde, phthalate and toluene.

CONTINUE READING »

18 February 2011

L’Oréal Paris | Names Aimée Mullins as New Global Ambassador


Extraordinary and stunning: Aimée Mullins is a woman who demands admiration. Gifted athlete, fascinating model, talented actress, Aimee is characterized by her unique achievements, her charisma and radiant beauty.

Today, she joins the family of L’Oréal Paris Ambassadors.

“The L’Oréal Paris icons are among the most beautiful women in the world. I am very honored to be joining this family. The “Because I’m Worth It” tagline means a lot to me. Beauty is not skin-deep; it can be a means of self-affirmation, a true indicator of personality and confidence," says Aimee Mullins.

“Aimée embodies perfectly the L’Oréal Paris woman. Sublime, charismatic, strong. Her life is extraordinary in all meanings possible," says Cyril Chapuy, Global Brand President of L'Oréal Paris.

“Aimée Mullins is a truly remarkable woman. An accomplished athlete, muse, fashion model and talented actress, yet she is so much more: a smart, confident, curious woman who will wholly represent our philosophy, ‘Because You’re Worth It.’ We are proud to welcome her to the L’Oréal Paris family,” says Karen T. Fondu, President, L’Oréal Paris.

While attending Georgetown University on a full academic scholarship, Aimée embarked upon a stellar athletic career: she was the first woman with prosthetic legs to compete in top-level NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) competitions. She competed in the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, as well as the long jump, and set world records in all three events. In 2007, she became the president of the Women's Sports Foundation, being an honored symbol for all women athletes in the USA.

However, she did not stop there: she turned her focus to the world of fashion. In 1999, she became a muse to British fashion designer Alexander McQueen, and walked the runway in his London show using intricately carved wooden prosthetics. This cultural milestone was recognized by many, and People magazine included her in their list of the “World’s 50 Most Beautiful People.”

She credits her unique body for her ability to develop a sense of personal beauty and glamour. Her strength and determination were supported by an active imagination, one in which she claimed autonomy over her own identity, and indeed changed how the world would come to view her—as an entirely capable woman.

Aimée has also seen the film world open up to her. She was recognized for her performance in the film Cremaster 3 by acclaimed contemporary artist Matthew Barney in 2003, and she continues her film work with him in their current collaboration Ancient Evenings, an adaptation of the Norman Mailer novel, in which she stars as “Isis.”

Aimée has been featured in numerous prestigious magazines all over the world such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, W, Sports Illustrated, Life, Glamour and Elle, and appears regularly on TV programs and at conferences to share her experience with innovation, design and her vision of beauty.

She joins the L’Oréal Paris family of spokespeople which includes Milla Jovovich, Beyoncé Knowles, Diane Keaton, Diane Kruger, Evangline Lilly, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Lopez, Andie MacDowell, Julianna Margulies, Freida Pinto, Gwen Stefani and Kerry Washington.

CONTINUE READING »

Arbonne | Aromassentials " Unwind " Sea Salt Scrub | Review


Imagine stepping into a hot shower after a long & tiring day. The only thing on your mind is escaping your racing thoughts and letting your surroundings transform into an atmosphere of sole relaxation. The water from the shower poetically streams against your bare skin, reminiscent of a tropical waterfall and you have now entered into an exotic realm right inside your bathroom. Destination, unknown. Then you realize there's just one thing missing...

Arbonne's Aromassentials Sea Salt Scrub is the perfect remedy towards rejuvenation. Formulated with essential oils and blended with seas salts that slough away dead surface cells revealing brighter, healthier-looking skin.




Glow: I've gotta start by saying that I've always been a fan of aromatheraputic products and scents. Arbonne's sea salt scrub in " Unwind " has a very calming scent. It's serene and between the combination of the scent and the oils it stimulates your senses leaving you feeling refreshed. I love that this scrub is sort of a two in one. While the sea salts scrubbed away dead skin the oils worked as a penetrating moisturizer. After stepping out of the shower there was no need for me to put on an additional moisturizer because my skin felt incredibly soft and hydrated.

Glare: The only thing I noticed is that it can get a little messy if you're not careful. And you definitely have to take precautions if you're using this in the shower because the oils could cause surfaces to become slippery.

Would I Recommend It? Yes, I really like it. I know there are a lot of scrubs out there but this one combined with aromatherapy REALLY stands out to me.

Overall Glam: It's relaxing and also plays a vital part in renewing your skin. Arbonne's Aromassentials Collection has various products to choose from including; Body Lotion, Body Mist and a Shower Gel. It also comes in a variety of scents. The Sea Salt Scrub currently retails for $28.

* To purchase or to learn more about Arbonne please visit www.theexperience.myarbonne.com

Product(s) in this post were provided for post consideration. Read our disclosure policy here

CONTINUE READING »

L’Oréal | EverSleek Intense Smoothing System | Review


The desire for straight, smooth hair and the increasing popularity of professional straightening treatments has resulted in women clamoring for products that protect, smooth, maintain results…and really work. Offering an advanced yet gentle way to achieve smooth results without spending salon prices, L’Oréal Paris introduces EverSleek Sulfate-Free Smoothing System, a breakthrough hair care collection specifically designed to smooth frizzy, unruly or processed hair. Free of harsh sulfates, unnatural silicones and parabens, EverSleek technology contains Argan Oil, Olive Oil and Sunflower Oil to penetrate hair fibers and smooth the cuticle for natural, long-lasting frizz control. With seven products including the first-to-mass silicone-free serum, EverSleek offers a complete hair care system for 48 hours of weightless frizz control.



Glow: Aside from the fact that the Shampoo, Conditioner AND the serum smells absolutely divine; it also fights the battle of the frizz !! Or, should I say it conquers ? One of the things that I love most about this set is that I could tell an immediate difference in the way my hair behaved before, during and after styling. I have curly hair and from the wash & conditioning process alone, I could notice a difference in the way my curls behaved. They were more manageable and the coils were looser verses tangly frizzy curls. My results didn't stop just there, once I blow dried my hair it was much smoother than normal and there was very minimal puffiness. And it got even better after flat ironing it! There were no flyaway's, my hair felt light, bouncy and full of life! I received compliments galore when I went out!

Glare: There's truly nothing I can think of that I did not LOVE about these products. The shampoo lathers well, the conditioner helped smooth things out and the styling serum wasn't oily at all and still kept my tresses shiny! Best of all I didn't have to retouch my hair or anything in the morning. I wrapped my hair at night and slept with a bonnet on, my hair was smooth and bouncy and didn't require any heat. No, seriously, it's like it got better and better by the day :o)

Would I Recommend It? Yes and I already have! My mom & my sister have both tried mine and now they want their own! [ They might as well b/c I'm not sharing anymore ;o) ]

Overall Glam: It's a keeper! Dare I say it ? I think I might actually like it better than my Pantene Relaxed & Natural Shampoo/Conditioner, which has been my go-to product for quite some time now * gasp * There's  just nothing like feeling confident about your hair and L’Oréal's EverSleek system definitely hits a high note with me. It works and it's also affordable. The shampoo/conditioner retail for $6.99 each and the Frizz Taming Creme Serum is $8.99.

* There are a total of seven products in the line, which also includes: EverSleek Reparative Smoothing Shampoo/Conditioner, Humidity Defying Leave-In Crème and a Smoothing Deep Conditioner.  (all available at www.lorealparis.com and drugstores/mass market retailers nationwide) .

Product(s) in this post were provided for post consideration. Read our disclosure policy here

CONTINUE READING »

17 February 2011

CND Nails | Introduces Latest Nail Looks for Fashion Week Straight Off The Catwalk!

CND's Co-Founder Jan Arnold and Nail Professionals Angi Wingle, Wanda Ruiz, Kristina Estabrooks, and Roxanne Valinoti are celebrating 15 years of CND at Fashion Week by collaborating with 21 designers this season for runway manicure expertise.

2.16.11
Kristina Estabrooks introduced 22 handmade, theatrical manicures inspired by Eastern culture meets ultra glam - in the form of fortune cookies ("You don't have to be blonde to be a Blond"), red sparkly Chinese characters (translated to "Blonds Love Diamonds"), "HIYA" and googly-eyed nails, and absolutely fabulous "Tranny-cures" comprised of Swarovski crystals and crushed glass with ombre undertones to color coordinate with outfits on the runway. Thai nails shaped with blinged-out hair clips, and dragons curled from thumb to pinkie were just some of the surprises to be seen. Matched with technicolor eyes and glittery hair pieces in afro and cleopatra bob shapes, this collection put the Delightful in DRAMA.


At 3.1 Phillip Lim, Angi Wingle created half-circle inky manicures deemed "Yazuka's flesh and ink" by the designer, using warm opaque Desert Suede and arcs in Midnight Sapphire (out in September 2011). Pedis were coated in two coats of Midnight Sapphire, nicknamed "Shogun's metal" by Lim. Half-pulled back, crimped hair and aquamarine shimmery eye shadow completed the beauty look inspired by sporty, on-the-go women.


2.15.11

The Rainforest called...they want their nails back. Today at Jen Kao, CND nails by Kristina Estabrooks were inspired by organic, living things in the swampy depths of nature. Long, almond shape nails were based with Gold Chrome and Midnight Sapphire, and accented with drops of Gold Pearl, Iced Blue Shimmer, and Midnight Sapphire for a psychedelic stained glass effect. An almost aquatic quality took hold to match mind-bogglingly twisted hair, green metallic eye shadow and glittery bronze brows.

2.14.11
At Carolina Herrera, Wanda Ruiz created a regal Crown Jewel Manicure using two coats of Dark Ruby topped with glossy Super Shiney Top Coat to complete a beauty look with fresh faced makeup and elegant chignons. Nails were short and square, and high shine color contrasted luxurious fabrics in silk, velvet and suede.

2.13.11
At Behnaz Sarafpour, Wanda Ruiz created Manolo Manicures inspired by two styles of namesake custom-designed shoes by Manolo Blahnik for the show using clear French tips and Blackjack; and other tips with Blackjack smile lines and Putty on the base of the nail. These modern twists on a classic 40's French manicure accentuated romantic, messy buns and shiny nude lips. Nails popped in a presentation with gorgeous black leather and lace, and timeless tweed.


2.12.11
At Binetti, Kristina Estabrooks created the ultimate in nail art - the ManiCUBE, a Cubism-inspired style with a Blackjack base on natural nails and "slim-lined" with tips coated in Bloodline over Raisin in the Sun. After the initial color was applied, manicures were embellished with 18 individual custom made adornments comprised of broken glass, fragmented mirrors, hardware nails, and dramatic noir feathers. The black swan to last season's innocent and sweet Cocktail Ring Nail, this look was elegant, edgy and breathtaking. I will let the pictures speak for themselves:

 2.11.11
At Ruffian, Kristina Estabrooks made luxurious tuxedo manicures fit for a black tie runway using Asphalt as a base, topped with Ice Blue Shimmer, Violet Shimmer, detailed with Blackjack, and finished with Super Shiney Top Coat for polished perfection. This masculine/feminine contrast accessorized a menswear-influenced collection.


Jason Wu's majestic, baroque nails were out in full force - Roxanne Valinoti created gilded burgundy manicures using Dark Ruby layered with Bloodline, and gilded with Gold Chrome smile lines. These manicures matched slicked back ponytails with a flash of gold leaf. Even Versailles could not contain this beauty look!


At Costello Tagliapietra, Angi Wingle crafted muted mint green manicures with custom blended Brilliant White, Bicycle Yellow, Green Scene, and Silver Chrome completed with Super Matte Top Coat for a satin finish. Paired with retro blown back hair, fiery red lips and offbeat red, green and yellow outfits on the runway.




CONTINUE READING »

On Instagram

© Awkwardly April. Made with love by The Dutch Lady Designs.