MALIN+GOETZ and Strip: Ministry of Waxing bring you Ingrown Hair Cream
Posted 02/03/2012 by Lara
I’ve been a long time fan of NY based skincare brand, MALIN+GOETZ; far before meeting the two namesakes behind the brand many years ago. Their Detox Face Mask. and Lip Moisturizer. are staples in my bathroom–and don’t even get me started on their candles… Recently, the brand has collaborated with hair removal experts, Strip: Ministry of Waxing to create their new collaborative Ingrown Hair Cream.
Strip: Ministry of Waxing, which began in Singapore in 2002 is now is a global enterprise and expert in hair removal, has carried MALIN+GOETZ products since 2005 and now spans in 22 Strip locations internationally. They also received the Best of New York award in 2011 by New York Magazine.
And speaking of New York, if you haven’t been to the Strip location in Nolita, I highly recommend it! I recently went there to get my eyebrows threaded and test out their new Ingrown Hair Serum and it’s outstanding. Formulated with fatty acids of natural Vitamins B5 and E to promote skin repair; alongside Continue Reading…
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Fresh Start Beauty Products on a Budget
Posted 01/30/2012 by Lara
As we say goodbye to January and have completed our first month of 2012; I’ve been thinking a lot about many of the “new year, fresh start” type resolutions we make for ourselves: to look better, feel better, travel more, save money… Taking some of these goals into consideration, I’ve put together some of my favorite travel-friendly on-a-budget products all under $15 to help you on your way.
1. TRESemme FRESH START Dry Shampoo – Dry shampoo has been all the rage for the past year and with good reason! It’s an easy way to revive your hair in between washes or when you’re leaving the gym and don’t have time to shower. And TRESemme has created an entire line of FRESH START aerosol dry Shampoos based on hair type and need! There is a Volumizing, Strengthening, Smoothing, and even a Moisturizing Waterless Foam version designed to absorb excess oil and remove odor without needing a drop of water. And best part is they are priced under $6 and come in two sizes, 5.7oz and 2oz; which is perfect for travel, and compact enough to fit in your make-up case or gym bag.
2. John Frieda Full Repair Touch-Up Flyaway Tamer (0.5 fl oz/$9.99) – This product is genius! Packaged within a mascara bottle, it contains a crystal clear polish formulated with Inca Inchi Oil that weightlessly takes down flyaways without being sticky. It’s great for on-the-go touch-ups and is safe for color-treated and chemically-treated hair. Just brush the mascara wand against those flyaways and watch them settle.
3. Aveeno Smart Essentials Daily Nourishing Moisturizer with SPF30 (2.5 fl oz/$14.99) – Just because it’s winter does not mean you can stop wearing an SPF! This moisturizer is lightweight, hydrating and protects against sun exposure, free-radicals and environmental toxins (which NYC is full of!). It goes on smoothly, absorbs quickly and is very hydrating. Plus it can be worn under your makeup without making it flake.
4. Clean & Clear Limited Edition Hello Kitty Oil Absorbing Sheets ($4.99/50 sheets) – launching in February, Clean & Clear is teaming up with Hello Kitty to bring you this oh-so-adorable limited edition version Continue Reading…
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2012 SAG Awards Hairstyles: Create the look of Emma Stone, Zoe Saldana, Michelle Williams, Kyra Sedgwick and Busy Phillips
Posted 01/30/2012 by Lara
Last night at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Wella Professionals rocked the red carpet; styling (and in some cases coloring) the locks of some of our favorite “it” girls including Emma Stone, Zoe Saldana, Michelle Williams, Kyra Sedgwick and Busy Phillips.
Looking to recreate these looks at home? Here’s how:
Emma Stone
Styled by Mara Roszak for Wella Professionals
“Emma’s dress was my inspiration. I wanted to create a smooth, polished up-do with a bit of a modern 50′s feel.” – Says Mara Roszak of the hairstyle she created for Emma Stone at tonight’s Screen Actors Guild Awards®.
Step-by-Step Styling
1. Part the hair to the side then apply Wella Professionals Velvet Amplifier to wet hair and blow dry smooth
2. Add a pump of Wella Professionals Mirror Polish to hands and apply lightly to hair, starting at the ends, to smooth out any fly aways
3. Tease the crown of the hair to add a little height and pull into a mid-height ponytail
4. Twist the ponytail and then wrap into a bun and secure with bobby pins
5. Spray all over with Wella Professionals Stay Firm hairspray
Zoe Saldana
Styled by Mara Roszak for Wella Professionals
“Zoe’s dress was so inspiring. I wanted to create a “not too perfect” up-do by adding texture and movement to the hair, while keeping it modern and fresh.” – Says Mara Roszak of the hairstyle she created for Zoe Saldana at tonight’s Screen Actors Guild Awards®.
Step-by-Step Styling
1. Apply Wella Professionals Extra Volume Mousse to wet hair and rough dry
2. Then, using a 3/4″ barrel curling iron, add waves to the hair by rotating the direction of the curl
3. Once the whole head was waved, spray Wella Professionals Ocean Spritz on the hair to break up the wave and add texture
4. Loosely pull the hair back into a low pony and secured it with an elastic
5. Then split the pony into two sections and braid them both, then wrap the braids into a bun and secure with bobby pins
6. Once the hair is up, apply a dab of Wella Professionals Bold Move styling paste to fingertips and define a few pieces around the face
7. Spray all over with Wella Professionals Stay Firm finishing spray
Michelle Williams
Styled by Chris McMillan for Wella Professionals
1. Wash the hair using Wella Professionals Enrich Shampoo and Conditioner, which is super moisturizing without sacrificing volume, no matter your hair style or length
2. Finger-dry hair with Wella Professionals Extra Volume Mousse on fingertips, guiding the hair into a deep side part
3. Apply Chris’ favorite product, Wella Professionals Shimmer Delight shine serum, liberally to fingertips and brush through for maximum shine
Kyra Sedgwick
Haircolor by Aura Friedman for Wella Professionals
To add color and softness to Kyra’s cheeks and bone structure, Aura painted on her highlights for a soft look and brightening the ends all over. Then, she applied a gold-toned gloss for extra shine and warmth.
Styled by Chris McMillan for Wella Professionals
1. Liberally apply Wella Professionals Extra Volume Mousse to wet hair before blowing out for maximum volume
2. Spritz Wella Professionals Thermal Image to dried hair, especially focusing on the ends, to protect the hair from damage caused by heat styling
3. Separate the hair in different sized sections, curling the hair with a 1” barrel curling iron
4. Then, brush out the curls and blow dry the hair again using a round boar-bristle brush to keep the curls from looking too manufactured
Busy Phillips
Styled by Chris McMillan for Wella Professionals
1. To recreate Busy’s slightly imperfect bohemian braid, apply Wella Professionals Natural Volume Mousse before blowing out the hair
2. Brush the hair out once dry for extra fullness
3. Pull a 1 ½ inch section of hair from just above the arch of your brow, loosely braiding hair across the forehead while pulling small pieces into the braid, secure with an elastic
4. Liberally spray the hair with Wella Professionals Dynamic Fix 45 Second Crafting Spray to tame all flyaway’s, and to maintain a long lasting, natural looking hold
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Mane Boost Delivers with Serious Hair Volume
Posted 01/09/2012 by Lara
You might not be familiar with the company Mana Products or Xania Labs but they are a source of innovation for the beauty world and work with many top brands to help make quite a few of your favorite beauty products. Branching out from their behind the scenes station they have created a line of hair care products called Mane Boost that works to volumize your style and give your hair the perk it needs to look full – especially during these cold winter months.
The line is made up of 4 products: Amplifying Cream, Volumizing Foam, Root Lifting Spray, and Defining Paste. They are only available in salons and affordably priced at $12 each.
I have wavy hair and I like to wear my hair curly but am challenged with my curls and roots turning flat by the end of the day. On the other hand my sister rocks a straight style, so on a recent family trip, I put this collection to the test — on us both.
I used a combo of the moose and the cream. I only needed 2 pumps of the moose and a quarter size dollop of the cream on my shoulder length hair. My sister Continue Reading…
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Last Minute Holiday Gifts
Posted 12/19/2011 by Lara
1. Two Faced Sweet Dreams Makeup Collection - $52 ($186 value). Exclusive to Sephora, this whimsical makeup set is a dream! Filled with 15 of their best-selling eye shadow shades, a full-size Prime Anytime eye primer, two shades of blush, bronzer and highlighter and their signature “How To’ Cards to learn how to apply gorgeous looks with step by step instructions. Every girl in my office bought this palette (it’s that good).
2. Rebecca Minkoff Collaboration Timepiece with Baby-G ($200) – Here’s your chance to own Rebecca Minkoff’s first watch and as of now there are only 500 of these Baby-G watches being made!
3. kai bubbles & light holiday set ($49) – The gift of relaxation is always a winner in my book. This limited edition set comes in a sheer gift bag and is filled with kai’s bubble bath and all-natural fragrance candle.
4. ALEX & CHLOE for FOREVER 21 -Alex and Chloe designed a full collection of jewelry for Forever 21 all under $20!! I’m all about mixing their Rhinestone Bangels (set of 3 – $14.48) with their thicker Rhinestone Hexegon Bracelet ($14.80), pictured above, and am very excited to welcome them into my jewelry collection.
5. Pantone Mug - offered in a variety of Pantone colors ($15.95 each or $90/set of 6), this mug is a full proof present for any creative-types or coffee addicts on your list.
6. Clinique Chubby Sticks Trio ($45) – I love these hydrating color balms! They offer a soft tint of color and shine with every application. This set includes shades Super Strawberry, Chunky Cherry and Whole Lotta Honey. They are also available individually (in a variety of shades).
7. Sock it to Me knee socks ($9) – offered in a variety of funky prints and colors, forget buying underwear this holiday and go straight for the socks!
8. CND The Plum Truffle Collection - This duo nail polish set includes CND shades Plum Truffle Colour and Plum Truffle Sparkle Effect. Designed to be worn together, apply two coats of Plum Truffle Colour, followed by one coat of Plum Truffle Sparkle Effect (don’t forget your base and top coat!). Makes a great stocking stuffer! This set is available on timetospa.com.
9. Parker Pens Ingenuity Collection ($190)- I was recently at an event for Parker Pens and fell in love with them. Pick a pen based on the way it writes, looks and feels, and Parker has a grand collection of pens. However if you need a guidance, check out their new Ingenuity Collection (my favorite is the Large Daring Black Rubber and Metal pen). Everyone can use a quality ink pen, especially right around the holidays — just think about all of those ‘Thank you’ cards you’ll have to fill out. Plus it makes you feel so fancy!
10. Martha Stewart Crafts Set Your Own Stamp Case ($20.59) – If you’re looking for a gift for any of your craft friends/family, check out Martha Stewart Crafts collection. I have my eye on her Set Your Own Stamp Case which lets you create your own message on cards, invitations, tags, scrapbook pages… and includes upper and lower-case letters, numbers, punctuation marks, icons, phrases, and circular border stamps. Includes 318 pieces to be used with any colored ink pads (sold separately).
11. Victoria’s Secret Party Perfect Makeup Kit ($18) – A medley of 20 must-have VS eyes and face shades, including 16 eye shadows, blush, bronzer, eye applicator and face brush. What more can you ask for from a beauty kit?
12. “Blowout in a Box” by Living Proof and T3- $200 ($258 value). Don’t you love it when two quality brands that compliment eachother partner together to bring you a value set? Exclusive to Sephora, this set has everything you need to create the ultimate salon quality blow-out from the comfort of your home. The “Blow Out in a Box” contains a T3 Featherweight Hair Dryer, Living Proof Straight Styling spray, and a Shine & Volume Application Kit which contains Neo-tortoise shell comb to detangle the hair when wet and Ceramic barrel brush for styling.
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Winterize Your Hair Routine with Living Proof Restore
Posted 12/05/2011 by Lara
Living Proof is easily one of the most solid haircare lines on the market right now. In fact they have yet to develop an shampoo or conditioner I haven’t liked (I’m still working my way through their styling products) and their Frizz line is a staple in my bathroom. With winter around the corner, Living Proof is adding a new sulfate-free collection to their existing line of Frizz, Volume, and Straight products; Restore!
Formulated to restore your hair from the damages of heat styling, processing and seasonal dryness, Restore avoids using oils and silicones other brands use to combat dryness and damaged hair; which leave hair feeling greasy and dirty, leading to more washing, styling and processing (perpetuating a cycle of increased dryness and damages). “Restore really challenges the status-quo. It is a solution that addresses the causes of dryness and damage, offering Continue Reading…
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3 Days Birthday Extravaganza
Posted 11/01/2011 by Lara
A psychic once told me that come my 28th birthday I would have the first of seven great years ahead. As I get another year older… at least I have that.
Generally, my birthday is a one day festivity — I’m not one of those week long birthday people. Although ironically this year it turned into a 3-day affair.
Day 1: October 25th, or as I like to call it ‘happy last day of 27′
Dinner at Catch
My bestfriend couldn’t make it to my birthday since he was traveling, so he and some friends took me to dinner at CATCH. A frequenter told us that the main dishes had nothing on the appetizers so we ordered just about every starter on the menu (3 fold). The Crispy Fish and MRC roll are not to be missed!
Day 2: October 26th — my actual birthday
Serendipity's Frozen Hot Chocolate
For the first time in I don’t know how long I took the day completely off and besides getting my nails done, I spent a quiet day reading. It was kind of the best! Then at night the 8yr old girl in me from her first visit to NYC wanted the frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity’s, so my boyfriend took me. The food has gone down hill and yet still attracts a crowd. The 28yr old in me wasn’t nearly as impressed as the 8yr old version — apparently only one of us got better with age.
Day 2: October 27th — the birthday party
Birthday surprise! My mom
{Skirt: Nicole Miller, Top: Elizabeth and James, Glasses: Express}
This was the big day, I was expecting about 80-100 people which was slightly more stressful then anticipated. Although everything was coming together perfectly; My hair (which I have to thank Bumble and Bumble for, their new Straight line is divine!), the skirt borrowed from Nicole Miller’s showroom (which is incredible!), matched with a black Elizabeth and James halter top; and then to nerd things up a bit, I wore the faux-glasses Express gave me from a partnership we did earlier this year. And I had the festivities at my good friends table tennis club/bar, SPiN New York; which at 13,000 sq. feet is impossible to fill so at the very least worrying about space and fitting all of my guests wasn’t a concern.
Although the problem with parties that large is the ratio of friends trying to buy you drinks to what you can actually handle boils down to big trouble. Which I got in — somewhere around my 5th jack and ginger I turn around and there is my mother! If I wasn’t so excited, I’d be horrified — she flew up from Boston to surprise me, and surprise me she did! It was perfect.
Then came the 3-day Halloween festivities and I am officially partied out! Good night New York, I love you.
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ghd and Katy Perry Partner for the New Scarlet Collection Campaign
Posted 10/26/2011 by Lara
Katy Perry for ghd campaign, photographed by David La Chapelle
Hair Straightener, extraordinaire brand, ghd is partnering with Kate Perry again this season for their new Scarlet Collection Limited Edition. The Art-Deco inspired collection was photographed by the infamous, David La Chapelle (he also shot the previous Perry/ghd campaign), in a twisted, vampy fairytale scene, of which Perry portrays Continue Reading…
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Last Night’s Parties, Places and Pictures: Nicole Miller, Bulgari, Ideeli, Carol’s Daughter
Posted 10/19/2011 by Lara
Getting in the Holiday spirit with Ideeli
Last night was one of those, I’m back in the game! nights, that remind you just why NY is so fabulous. The fashion, the crowd and all around entertainment of it all. I do love me my events, but I have been a hermit these past few weeks, living in my office and just trying to get organized with launching my company (sigh that sounds so adult) so at the chance of celebrating all my hard work and taking advantage of a full nights itinerary, I stepped back onto the scene at onto…
Sneak peek at Ideeli's sale
A holiday preview at discount designer sale website, Ideeli where I got a sneak peek at some exciting sales the site will be featuring between now and the holidays. Some of the many brands they are featuring at 40-80% off retail that we have to look forward to include: nOir (I’m obsessed with them), HeartBeats Headphones by Lady GaGa, ALEX & ANI, Betseyville, Juicy Couture, Laundry by Shelli Segal, John Varvatos Star, Ike Behar, Valentino scarves, KitchenAid and an assortment of fashionable must-have coffee table books. So if you haven’t signed up on Ideeli.com to be apart of their community yet, get too it!
Joanne King Herring book signing at Bulgari
Then off to Bulgari 5th Avenue location for a private event to celebrate the release of the infamous Texas socialite, Joanne King Herring (you know, the character Julia Roberts played in the movie Charlie Wilson’s War) new book, DIPLOMACY & DIAMONDS. While Joanne was doing a book signing, I was perusing the store drooling over just about everything I can’t afford, champagne glass in hand, with fellow blogger (and stellar date for the evening, Jonathan Valdaz of OJ&B). Everyone at the party was buzzing about the Studio 54 party that was going down later that night. Continue Reading…
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Patrick Melville for AVEENO: Win Nourish+ Shampoo & Conditioner
Posted 09/28/2011 by Lara
Quality hair time with Patrick Melville!
I’ve been a huge fan of the Patrick Melville Salon for some time now. I used to frequent the salon when I worked in Rockefeller Center and exercised at The Sports Club LA (where the salon is located in NYC). Although in all my visits (and they are literally responsible for some of my best blow-outs and manicures), I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting Patrick himself until Fashion Week.
Aside from running his successful salon and being one of the most sought after celebrity hair stylists, Patrick is also a consultant for AVEENO’s hair care lines. And as a major perk of being an AVEENO Ambassador (yay for me!), I was offered some one on one time with the hair guru and a blow-out. We talked about AVEENO and his role with the new NOURISH+ collection which has been receiving so much praise in what feels like a never expanding line of shampoos and conditioners with the recent addition of NOURISH+ Volumize and NOURISH+ Revitalize. Patrick consults on everything from the formulation to the smell and considering they are all clinically proven help repair damaged hair within 3 washes (and add strength, softness and shine!) and carry a price tag of $6.99, I’d say that’s pretty incredible.
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And I can vouch for it! After one use and Patrick’s generous offer of cleaning up my ends, my hair looked amazing! I walked in with a frizzy, unkempt disaster and walked out with beautiful, shiny and healthy hair. If I could bottle Patrick I would, until then I’m content with the Aveeno Nourish+ collection. Patrick is so lovely, talented and incredibly knowledgeable and approachable, it was truly an honor.
WIN IT! I’m giving away NOURISH+ Revitalize or NOURISH+ Volumize Shampoo and Conditioner (winners choice) to TWO lucky winners on my blog.
To enter leave a comment! Tell me anything about your hair to enter… like why you’d like to win, or your favorite hair trick is. Any (non-spam, happy) comment automatically enters you into the drawing.
An extra entry will be given if you are a fan of Pretty Connected on Facebook as well as if you follow me on twitter and tweet the giveaway using @PrettyConnected. For instance tweeting: “RT & Follow @prettyconnected to win AVEENO Nourish Shampoo & Conditioner. Additional chances to win & details @ http://bit.ly/oDWeZo #win”
Official Rules: Continue Reading…
