Dermalogica Launches Overnight Repair Serum
Posted 10/03/2011 by Lara
In the latest addition to their ever-so-popular, award-winning, Age Smart skincare collection, Dermalogica introduces their new Overnight Repair Serum. Similar in both packaging and texture as an essential oil, their new serum was created to hydrate, firm, and protect skin as you sleep.
As instructed I pressed 4-6 drops directly to skin (it can also be added to a moisturizer and then pressed in), and not only did it absorb quickly, it created this amazing barrier of hydration around my skin and the next morning my skin was noticeably smoother, softer and more plump.
Formulated with Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 and Alaria Extract to help increase collagen renewal, hydrating, firmness and dermal strength; Argan Oil, Vitamin E and essential fatty acids to help restore a weakened barrier layer, lock in moisture and increase elasticity and Rose Hip Seed Oil to help minimize discoloration while helping to boost cell renewal. So while some may by hesitant to apply an oil directly to their skin (no it will not cause you to break out), Continue Reading…
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Jackie Collins Launches Goddess of Vengeance
Posted 09/30/2011 by Lara
Earlier this month, Jackie Collins debut her 28th novel, Goddess of Vengeance ($26.99), bringing back our favorite leading lady, Lucky Santangelo. Which for any Collins fan is the ultimate. Lucky is the girl we all want to be –and ones who don’t are likely pretending. We’ve watched her character grow from young bride, rouge adolescent to powerhouse jet-set mother of three; with a movie star husband and thriving career with the popularity of her casino and hotel business. While fans may have thought her wild days we’re over, with a title like Goddess of Vengeance, I look forward to seeing her unleash her wrath; after all, you know that families famous motto — Never fuck with a Santangelo.
And if you follow me on twitter (@prettyconnected) you’re well aware that Jackie Collins novels are my not-so-secret guilty pleasure. In fact after a particularly exhausting fashion week, amidst starting my own company and keeping up with my blog; I decided my reward for getting through the 4-hour sleepless nights and never ending to-do list would be to curl up in bed, shut out the world and read her latest book.
Lara Eurdolian, Jackie Collins
I’m not entirely sure what I was thinking having a Jackie Collins book in my possession for almost 2-weeks and resisting dropping everything to read it. I just knew that once I opened it, I would not be able to stop until it was finished. And last night, with the unappealing weather and gray NYC skies it was the perfect excuse to pour a glass of wine and enter the world of Lucky and her famous family and friends, while Armoand, a misogynist prince (who I’m hoping is the subject of Lucky’s vengeance and takes down) tries to take over her hotel. Although the character I’m most excited about watching 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…
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Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus All-Smooth Makeup SPF 15
Posted 09/09/2011 by Lara
This month, Clinique introduced their new foundation, Repairwear Laser Focus All-Smooth Makeup SPF 15. Coupling their latest foundation formula with the technology of their existing anti-aging serum, Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector to create the ultimate de-aging foundation.
As the #1 prestige foundation brand in the world and innovator of integrating technology into their foundations to address skincare concerns, it’s no wonder Clinique has taken this 360 approach to anti-aging. Especially since anti-aging is currently the leading growth category in skincare. Repairwear Laser Focus All-Smooth Makeup SPF 15 helps improve skin’s texture both immediately and over time, and works to prevent future damage. The long-lasting, lightweight, moisturizing formula, which is oil-free and non-acnegenic, offers medium coverage with a smooth application yielding a picture perfect, flawless finish, which we put to the test!
I joined Clinique’s newly appointed Global Colour Artist, Jenna Menard for a makeover. It’s obvious from her book of endless editorial covers and celebrity features, Menard has a divine talent and ability to create incredibly stunning Continue Reading…
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The NEW Bliss Fabulips DIY Treatment
Posted 09/05/2011 by Lara
For all of you obsessive lip balm appliers, lip plumper connoisseurs, compulsive scrubbers or general lip enthusiasts, I have some exciting new for you! Bliss’s NEW Fabulips in-spa treatment and at-home kit ($45). Designed to recreate the professional in-spa experience, this kit perfects your pout in just four easy steps:
1. Refresh: Lift impurities with our one-of-a-kind foaming lip cleanser
2. Retexturize: Exfoliate with our deliciously sweet and gentle sugar lip scrub to remove dead skin
3. Rejuvinate: Follow up with our visibly volumizing instant lip plumper
4. Replenish: Seal the deal with our luscious moisturizing softening lip balm
So whether you’re trying to wash away the kisses of a fizzled summer romance and refresh your pout for fall or give your lips some well deserved TLC, Fabulips Continue Reading…
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Dr. Martens Wants to Hear About YOUR First Time
Posted 09/01/2011 by Lara
Do you remember Dr. Martens? Of course you do. You rocked a pair in High School or maybe your favorite history teacher did and you thought they we’re super cool. Few brands have that “I remember my first [pair of Dr. Martens]…” appeal and in recognition of this unique positioning, Dr. Martens has launched their #FIRSTANDFORVER Campaign. Running from their fall 2011 campaign through fall 2012, the campaign broadens it’s scope to not just your first pair of Dr. Martens (although they’d love to hear that story) but rather your first _____. That’s right, you fill in the blank. Whether it’s your first love or heartbreak, job or otherwise the brand is turning to social media to connect with their consumers to learn more about their ‘first’s’ and offer an outlet to share an opening statement of self-expression and creativity.
As I sat in a room with my fellow bloggers –lead by renouned bloggers/photographer Scott Schuman (The Sartorialist) and Garance Dore we shared our first. It was something out of a fictional kids slumber party –all that was missing was us stripping down to our underwear and having a pillow fight. We heard about one girls first (and last) beauty pageant – which after the Continue Reading…
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Get Red? Try Dermalogica’s Redness Relief
Posted 08/21/2011 by Lara
A few months ago my good friend Laura came to me for a recommendation on how to fight redness. Having tried a series of disappointing products, I asked her to review Dermalogica’s new Calming Redness Relief SPF 20 form their UltraCalming collection on my behalf. Here’s what she had to say:
Having fair skin and light features, I’m no stranger to having a bit of underlying redness in my skin. Although it doesn’t quite qualify as roseaca, it’s enough to make me self-conscious at times and certainly not the way I want to present myself.
I have tried several products in the past to address this issue, DDF Redness Relief Gel and Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Primer (green) to name a few, but to be honest I wasn’t impressed with any of them. Now in the heart of summer I was really excited to sample something new and give Dermalogica’s Calming Redness Relief SPF 20 a try. Continue Reading…
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Can I Offer You Some Umbilical Cord Serum?
Posted 08/19/2011 by Lara
Yah you heard me, umbilical cord serum! I just wanted to get that out of the way so you can digest it before I introduce you to the breakthrough skincare line, Novo Solutions MD. Where…ah…you…guessed it, umbilical cord serum is one of the active ingredients to make your skin look younger and dramatically reduce the signs of aging.
I write a lot of skincare stories and sometimes it’s difficult to deciphers a major point of difference, so not the case when I met with Dr. Mark Endelman on his breakthrough skincare line. Following his venture as an Emergency Medicine physician, Dr. Engelman was asked to serve as a medical business consultant for a number of stem cell therapy companies. His studies made him fascinated with the practical application of stem cells, genomics and immunology and ultimately led him to the development of NOVO Solutions MD.
I have to say the formulation is intriguing –NOVO Solutions MD rebuilds vital cellular skin components with the patent-pending NovoSerum, relaxing the face with the latest neuro-peptides to create a similar result as botox (although with skincare, not an injection) and eliminating environmental skin-aging elements with bioactive antioxidants. And when you think about it, it somewhat makes sense the fountain of youth would come from the fountain of life (cord of life?). The proprietary Continue Reading…
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6 Self-Tanner Products To Have On Your Radar
Posted 08/15/2011 by Lara
The key to a natural looking fake tan is technique and great products. I’ve been playing the “I was at the beach” card for the past few months, although I confess my tan is pretty much always fake. And you know what? I’m proud of it! I took what Dermalogica’s Director of Global Education, Annet King said at her Skincare Boot Camp about the damages of UV rays to heart. Although the fact that the sun causes skincare damage and premature aging is nothing new to most of us. And yet it’s still so easy to neglect wearing sunblock because we love being tan.
Tanning beds aren’t any better for you, and many don’t want the expense or inconvenience of relying on a salon for a spray tan–although if you do, I recommend B.Bronz professional spray tanning services (I got an amazing non-streaky, instant golden tan from them). The best alternative if you want the color are self-tanners. After many, many, many months of trying over 20 different products (no joke this story has been a long time coming –I’ve been very tan recently); here are my must-haves and tips for a healthy, natural looking tan.
Beautisol Face Self-Tanner
1. Use a good well-tested face specific self-tanner – As in avoid body tanners on your face! Beautisol is the first brand to create a skin type specific self tanner. There’s a ‘Normal-Dry-Sensitive’ and ‘Normal-Oily-Problematic’ ($26) version. It’s safe for sensitive skin while addressing and preventing breakouts and uneven skintone. It’s dynamite, as is every product I’ve used from this brand. Not to mention that website is an amazing resource for all things tan and filled with great tips and techniques to make you an application expert.
Fake Bake Flawless Self-tan + Mitt
2. A great all over tan product and professional mitt– I’m all about the Fake Bake Flawless Self-tan Liquid and Professional Mitt set ($24). You spray the product onto the mitt then apply it all over your body for an even, lightweight, golden tan that quickly absorbs and dries onto skin. It’s low maintenance, easy to apply and the mitt is AMAZING. I actually need to contact the brand to try to buy a pack of 20 (I need a lifetime supply). Whenever any of my other tan products are uneven (especially the sprays), I use the mitt to even it out. It works better then any towel I’ve used –and don’t even entertain using your hand to smooth out an uneven application (can we say streakfest?).
Spray Tan: DEX, B.Bronz, Sally Hansen
3. Have a good spray tan on hand – I use DEX Body Glow Sunless Tanner ($34) for a dark ‘I’ve been at the beach all day’ tan although you have to really shake this product and apply in a shower tub or over plastic or it can get messy since it’s such a large aerosol bottle! It’s especially amazing on my legs to get that deep bronze I love. I also use B.Bronze Tanning Mist ($24) for a more lightweight, even tan that comes in two shades light/medium and medium/dark. The nozzle is smaller then the Dex one, so it’s easier to apply on the fly if I just want a healthy glow– especially on my arms. And while I’d categorize Sally Hansen’s Airbrush Legs ($14) closer to a leg concealer or foundation, this product is amazing for covering spider veins, beauty marks or any other imperfections we’d prefer to keep hidden when Continue Reading…
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Let Me Express My Love for Wacoal Lingerie
Posted 08/11/2011 by Lara
No, this is not me, but it is my new Wacoal bra!
I recently attended an event for Wacoal, which included a bra fitting and I can’t express my love and gratitude enough for this brand! First off I’ll start by confessing that I’m a 32DD –although if you’ve ever met me you’d probably swear I wasn’t above a B cup (unless you’ve seen me in a bathing suit). And I strive to keep it that way!
I know it’s a tough sell as a complaint and I’m a disgrace to women everywhere who want implants. I’m reminded regularly, but frankly I didn’t ask for this size, or the challenges of finding a button down shirt that doesn’t involve gaping at the chest or a dress that doesn’t require being taken in to accommodate my disproportion. And if that’s not enough of an excuse, two words: Back Pain.
And my least favorite part of it all, bra shopping! Especially with brands that believe in vanity sizing or that include padding their larger cup sizes (I mean seriously?). And don’t even get me started on Continue Reading…
