Get the Look: CFDA Awards

 

As always, butter LONDON was there to help celebs get red carpet ready with sleek, sexy looks for last night's CFDA Awards. butter LONDON Global Colour Ambassador Katie Jane Hughes, helped prep Emmy Rossum & Whitney Port for the big event.  Check out the looks and how to recreate them on your own:

 

 

Whitney Port: 

 

Whitney’s neutral nails and bold lip served as eye-catching accessories to her sequin Dennis Basso gown.

 

 

 

 

Get the Look: Makeup 

 

Whitney knew she wanted an orange lip to be the centerpiece of her beauty look so Katie Jane Hughes, butter LONDON Global Colour Ambassador, applied butter LONDON Moisture Matte Lipstick in Ladybird (available in Fall 2014). To accompany this bold lip, Katie used minimal foundation and subtly shaded Whitney’s face using butter LONDON’s CHEEKY Cream Bronzer around the hairline and under the cheekbones. For the eyes, Katie used the butter LONDON WINK Eye Pencil in Twigged to shade and intensify Whitney’s natural contours. She followed this with butter LONDON’s WINK Cream Eye Shadow in Treacle which brightened the eyes. Katie also applied the multi-use formula on the high points of Whitney’s face (down the nose, on the cupid’s bow) to add a highlighted effect.

 

 

Get the Look: Nails

 

Whitney wanted to try press on nails to create an elongated, elegant nail look. Katie used butter LONDON Nail Lacquer in Yummy Mummy for a slightly beige hint on the nails.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMMY ROSSUM CFDA MANICURE:

 

Emmy’s floating nail art manicure was the perfect complement to her olive J Mendel dress. To create this look, Katie Jane Hughes, butter LONDON’s Global Colour Ambassador, used the butter LONDON Patent Gel Flawless Base Coat followed by the butter LONDON Nail Lacquer in Union Jack Black , which she applied at the base of the nail to create a half moon effect and at the tips to create a floating French tip. Katie sealed the look using butter LONDON Patent Gel Flawless Top Coat – which added high-shine and protected Emmy’s nails from chipping.

 

 

  

 

Review: My Amazing Blow Dry Secret

 

Long, thick curls may be what most consider "good hair" but what's often not considered is what a challenge they are to maintain.  That being said, blow drying my hair is something I rarely ever do and definitely not something I look forward to.  Any stylist whose ever had to work this head of hair will tell you their arms have felt the burn afterwards.  

 

 

 

    

So naturally I was curious when I came across My Amazing Blow Dry Secret  at the last beautypress event here in NYC.  A product designed to cut the time your hair's blow dry time down by 50%.    

 

But before I go any further, I'd like to note that this is the sexiest shampoo trio I've ever owned.  Their packaging theme is adorable and I actually get excited seeing them... just sitting there all pretty and pink <sigh>   Ok, now back to business!

 

 

The Trio Includes:

 

My Amazing Blow Dry Secret Shampoo and Conditioner 

$22.00 for 10.1-fl oz.- Shampoo 

$24.00 for 10.1-fl oz. Conditioner

 

My Amazing Blow Dry Secret Quick Dry Shake’n Spray®  

 $25.00 for 6.78-oz.

 

 

 

How They Work:

 

 

The Shampoo and Conditioner contain a specialized coconut oil-based water-wicking system which disperses the water throughout your hair, so it can evaporate faster.  Here's how:

• Natural, fractionated, cold processed virgin coconut oil hydrosol, a special form of coconut oil with super-fine molecules, disperses quickly through the hair, taking the water with it and helping it evaporate much faster.
• When the water evaporates, the ultra fine coconut oil clings to the hair, carrying the moisturizers, heat protectants, frizz fighters and shine enhancers, so they remain on the hair even after rinsing.

The Quick Dry Shake’n Spray® contains a two-part formula with quick-dry agents in the top clear half, and conditioners, moisturizers, thermal protectors and frizz fighters in the bottom pink half.  Shake the bottle to blend them together, then spritz onto wet hair.  The quick-dry agents evaporate rapidly, taking the water with them, drying hair up to 50% faster. At the same time, the conditioners, moisturizers, protectors and frizz fighters remain on the hair to leave it healthy and shiny

 

 

 

 

Do They Work?

 

So basically, the amazing secret revealed is this coconut oil.   The verdict???

 

 

Yes, this stuff works and it's pretty cool.  Typically when I blow dry my hair, I just want to get it dry.  I am not sitting there doing it in sections and trying to get it straight and/or style it.  I am simply trying to remove the moisture completely out of it which usually takes me about 25 solid minutes to do.  After using the shampoo, conditioner and spray I was able to get it totally dry in about 15 minutes flat, which to me is pretty impressive.  It isn't quite the 50% time reduction mentioned on the bottle, but it is certainly faster.  My hair felt soft afterwards and was really easy to brush out because the spray also helped detangle the knots.   

 

 

The formulas for both the shampoo and conditioner were pretty light and rinsed out well.  I didn't experience any build up.  I love the spray the most.  Even though it is for thermal protection, I still use it on days when I'm not applying any heat.  It's great for adding some extra moisture and shine and even provides UV protection, which you can never have enough of.  All three have the same light, sweet scent.  It doesn't linger very long (although personally I wish it did because I like it) but for the time you're using it, it's pleasant.   

 

Overall, this is definitely the trio to take home if you're an avid blow dry junkie and want to save yourself some primp time. 

 

The Violet Files: Julie Delpy

 

 

 

Exclusively from  VIOLET GREY , the latest addition to The Violet Files, features an inside look at actress and writer Julie Delpy's own personal beauty routine.

 

 

STORY PREVIEW:

 

For some women, getting ready for a night out is less of a routine than a sacred ritual. (A specific playlist must be queued up. Fragrance always has to be applied last.) This is not the case for Julie Delpy. “I’m more joking and playing around,” confesses the Paris-born, Los Angeles-based actress/writer. “After all, it is putting on a dress and makeup, you know? It’s good to do it well but it’s also good to not obsess over it.”

 

 

JULIE DELPY ON GETTING READY:

 

“I’ve been faster [at getting ready] than any of my boyfriends. Even the least vain ones.” – Julie Delpy

 

“[When] I started in France, things were much more low-key. You could call Dior or anyone and they would lend you a dress. Now if a dress has been worn you can’t wear it again. I personally don’t care if I wear the dress that 10 people have worn already. I’d be happy to.” – Julie Delpy

 

 

Read the rest of Julie's secrets here!

 

Algenist Giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

Hello dolls! I just learned about an awesome giveaway opportunity too good to keep to myself! In celebration of QVC’s Today’s Special Value, Algenist is giving away FIVE Wrinkle Fighter Supersize Duos – a $370 value. The duo includes Algenist’s best-selling Concentrated Reconstructing Serum and Regenerative Anti Aging Moisturizer .

 

To enter is easy: share your favorite Algenist product on Facebook and Twitter tagging Algenist and #lovealgenist for a chance to win. And don't dawdle!  Because the contest ends tomorrow, May 28^th at 12pm PDT, at which point the winners will be announced on Algenist’s social channels.  Good luck dolls!! 

 

 

If any of you are among the lucky winners, come back and dish about your prizes!

Review: ARTDECO

 

It's always fun when you come across a new brand to love.  I started using ARTDECO  after discovering it at the last beautypress Spotlight Day event here in NYC and have been hooked ever since.

 

ARTDECO is Germany's number one makeup brand in perfumeries, beauty salons and select department stores, is present in Europe and all over the world.  It's is known for its focus on what women truly want and turn that into amazing quality products at affordable prices.   

 

Usually when I hear a brand reference their products to "affordable luxury" I get a little skeptical.  But I have to admit that every ARTDECO product I tried, genuinely impressed me.    

 

Eyeshadow Base  

 

First up: The Eyeshadow Base (or primer).  The texture of this base is like to no other I've tried.  Its very creamy and goes on like silk.  The nice part is that it is so smooth and luxe that it just glides right on.  I've found other primers go on a little thick or are hard to spread over my lid until the heat from my finger warms them up.  This one is already soft and easy to apply.  Its lightweight and does a good job of keeping the shadow from creasing and wearing off.  It also contains vitamin E which is a great bonus.     

 

 

Their eyeshdows may be some of the most unique I've seen.  The colours are sold individually to let you create your own palette.  Many of us (myself included) will by a quad and end up using only two or three out of the four colurs, while the last shade just sits there wasting space. After you pick the colours you want, each fit snugly into the compact and are held in place by a magnet.  This got me curious so I tossed the little guy in my purse and took it for a spin.  After several hours of tumbling around in my purse, I am happy to report they all made it home safely.  No chipping, crumbling etc.- trauma free!    

 

 

 

The color payoff on these was amazing, with virtually no fall out.  Blending was easy because they  had a velvet like feel to them and went on pretty smoothly.  They're long lasting, even coverage- overall perfection.            

 

 

 

 

 

 

The final product I tried was the Hot Chili Lip Booster .  This is to plump up those lips for a real juicy pucker! 

 

Description: The red pepper extract makes them rosy and voluminous. Small glitter particles reflect the light and make the lips appear even more voluminous. The gloss supplies intensive shine and prevents the lips from adhering or dehydrating.

 

Personally, I've never been one to go nuts over plumpers, but I like this one.  The scent is super yummy (if you like cinnamon) and it isn't sticky.  I advise being careful if applying over dry or sensitive lips.  Mine lips are ultra sensitive so its tingling sensation stung a little at first, but it subsided after a few minutes.  Its colorless so all it adds it a subtle shimmer and glossy sheen.  Its ideal for pairing with intense or dramatic eye makeup.  Perfect for when you want to down play your lips, but still make them stand out.   

 

 

Overall, I've become a fan and am looking forward to checking out their latest Jungle Fever Collection.  The bronzed themed collection is bursting with exotic colurs and shimmers that I totally intend to rock this summer.

 

 

 

Have you ever tried ARTDECO?  Are you interested? 

 

 

 

 

*Please note I could not find any price listings but will post once I do*