Lately I’ve found myself on the road just a bit. A beauty press trip here, a family wedding there…let’s just say I’m racking up my fair share of frequent flyer mileage. And while I’m a girl who’s naturally attracted to scent, when traveling I heavily rely on scent to elevate my mood and calm my surroundings. I thought I’d share a few of my favorites with you:

NEST Travel Candle

I am nothing without this little travel friend. While I’m an all-day sucker for the fragrant floral arrangement of Peony Blanche, less girly types will appreciate Bamboo or Grapefruit, two incredibly soothing scents.

bliss Lemon + Sage Soapy Suds Body Wash + Bubbling Bath

When traveling, the best part of waking up (aside from room service) is bliss Lemon + Sage Soapy Suds Body Wash + Bubbling Bath. Nothing energizes my soul like this citrus-scented body wash. The lush, whipped lather makes turning off the shower impossible!

fresh Citron de Vigne Shower Gel

I like to call this my “wind down” wash. Though slightly effervescent, the earthy, sensual qualities of dark almond, musk, and white sandalwood make this the perfect end-of-day simmer down scent.

Lavanila Healthy Roller Ball Fragrance

It’s pretty, portable, and plane friendly. For tranquil travels, I highly recommend Vanilla Lavender, a blend of Spanish Lavender, rose absolute, violet leaves, and Madagascar vanilla.

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Travel well!

If you follow my 140 character beauty outbursts via Twitter (@ThisThatBeauty), you are well aware of the fact that I am having a hot and heavy, rich and inky, love affair with Guerlain Terracotta Khôl Kajal. Why just this Friday, I tweeted this pic…

….while looking over my shoulder and keeping a watchful eye out for the Khôl Police – I mean, is having this much fun with Khôl during the daytime even legal? Can’t be!

Well before I’m carted away by the Khôl Coppers, I thought I’d share the deets on the dramatic daytime look I’m currently coveting.

Guerlain Terracotta Khôl Kajal in shade Black Frida has earned permanent residency in my purse. It’s another one of those products (like my classic red lip) that gets the look “done” in an instant. The richly pigmented (yet non tear-inducing) Khôl is perfect for us beauty girls about town who go from the office, to events, to cocktails…with little time to spare in between.

A quick rimming of Guerlain Terracotta Khôl Kajal is all it takes to amp up your eyes….in a flash!

While I generally pair Guerlain Terracotta Khôl Kajal with a nude lip, last week (at Thierry Mugler Angel launch party for Eva Mendes) I went hog-wild and partnered Guerlain Terracotta Khôl Kajal with red lips…surprisingly, it works!

Are you crazy for Khôl? Share your thoughts on my new found love!

The stars may have spent hours in hair and makeup before hitting the red carpet, but we have the scoop from the Wella Professionals hairstylists, who created some of the evening’s most glamorous hairstyles, on how to get these looks at home without breaking a sweat.

Want red carpet hair? We’re giving away 10 packs that retail for $100 of Wella Professionals hairstyling products that were used to create these glamorous looks. Just tell us in the comments area below which red carpet hairstyle you like best to be entered to win!

Michelle Williams
“Michelle looks incredible with this short, modern Mia Farrow inspired style,” says LA stylist Chris McMillian, who created her look. “It’s a retro ’60s combined with Flapper flair type of look that shows there’s still a lot of glamour and versatility with short hair.”

To Get The Look: First, apply Wella Professionals Natural Volume Styling Mousse to wet hair, then use your hands to shape your hair while it air dries. Once dry, lift up your roots and blow dry upward to create extra lift at the crown. Then, apply Wella Professionals Mirror Polish for a glossy finish and to help smooth hair into shape. Add a simple black headband with a jeweled brooch to give this retro look a modern spin. Push bangs to the side where the jewel is positioned for a heavy fringe effect.

Try on these hairstyles in the Makeover Studio!

Claire Danes
Claire Danes looked every bit the belle of the ball in a gorgeous black and white J. Mendel gown and a soft, swept-back chignon. Hairstylist, Peter Butler, created Danes’ look by envisioning a modern-day Grace Kelly.

To Get The Look: The trick to creating a soft, flattering updo to is to first create a lot of volume. Butler used Wella Professionals Extra Volume Mousse on damp hair, then blow dryed it. Next, curl hair with a large barrel curling iron for extra volume, then pull hair back into a high pony and wrap it into a tight knot. (Danes’ look was only secured with TWO hair pins!) Lastly, comb back hair with fingers, coated with Wella Professionals Mirror Polish Shine Serum for a soft sheen. Spritz with Wella Professionals Stay Essential hairspray for a hold that will last all night.

Madonna
The perfect look for Madge to compliment her flowing Reem Acra dress? Effortless, soft waves, of course. Wella Professionals celebrity stylist, Andy LeCompte created this stunning ‘do for the diva and winner of this year’s Golden Globes’ Best Original Song for a Motion Picture.

To Get The Look: Rough dry hair to manipulate and emphasize natural texture. Then, mist hair with Wella Professionals Thermal Image Heat Protection Spray to protect it from thermal heat while also adding texture. Use a 1-inch flat iron on hair to create soft S formations and add a natural wave texture. Finish with a mist of Wella Professionals Ocean Spritz Beach Texture Spray.

Busy Philipps
Busy Philipps looked radiant with a voluminous bouffant, thanks to McMillian’s expert hairstyling.

To Get The Look: Prep wet hair with Wella Professionals Natural Volume Styling Mousse and loosely dry for a textured finish. Then, spray Wella Professionals Stay Essential Finishing Spray while hair is nearly dry so it’s slightly piece-y and pull into an imperfect, textured French twist. Add a headband at the top of the head to complete the look for an added touch of elegance.

Shailene Woodley
Shailene Woodley is only 20 years old, but the talented actress looked poised beyond her years in a Marchesa gown and sophisticated updo, created by Wella Professionals stylist, Campbell McAuley.

To Get The Look: First, prep wet hair using Wella Professionals Velvet Amplifier and then let dry naturally with a diffuser. Once nearly dry, lightly mist hair with Wella Professionals Thermal Image Heat Protection Spray before using a 1 3/4 inch curling iron to enhance natural waves. Once hair is prepped, then take a section from crown to ears to divide hair into a front and back split section. At the back section, pull hair back into a ponytail, not pulling it too tight so that there is still a natural hair movement. Spray Wella Professionals Shimmer Delight Shine Spray in the front section to give the best glossy finish for the red carpet. Then, sculpt hair into a side parted wavy style with hands moving into a beautiful twisted bun. Finish off with Wella Professionals Stay Essential Hairspray.

Don’t forget! You have to tell us in the comments below which hairstyle you like best to be entered to win $100 worth of the Wella Professionals products that were used to create these looks! See full rules and regulations.

For the last few weeks for my day job, Bergdorfs, I’ve been testing out a mascara that claims to extend lash length in a little as two weeks. A lofty claim? Yes! Not one to back down from a lofty beauty claim, particularly one that promises enviable fringe, I put Chantecaille Faux Cils Longest Lash Mascara to the test. Want to know how it went? C’mon, you know the drill…follow my beauty babble over at the Bergdorf Goodman blog, 5th/ 58th. xo

ThisThatBeauty Contributor Jennifer L. investigates Lancome Eau Fraiche Douceur Micellar Cleansing Water. Read on for Jen’s two cents …and follow her beauty babble via @plushpinkallure

As the season’s festivities begin, we’re sure to see a flurry of red lips, smoky eyes, and shimmering cheeks. Protect your sensitive skin from the whirlwind weeks ahead with Lancome Eau Fraiche Douceur Micellar Cleansing Water. Designed to easily remove face, lip, and eye makeup, along with gently cleansing the skin, this deliciously floral scented water is the ultimate calm-after-the-storm treatment for exhausted holiday skin. To use, saturate a cotton ball, and run it all over face…no rinsing necessary.  Lancome Eau Fraiche Douceur Micellar Cleansing Water even stands up to waterproof mascara! The end result is skin that’s smooth, calm and refreshed.  Ah, serenity. ‘Tis the season!

ThisThatBeauty Contributor Jennifer L. investigates Smashbox Limitless Long Wear Lip Gloss. Read on for Jen’s two cents …and follow her beauty babble via @plushpinkallure

A trusty pink lip gloss is timeless and classic, but one in particular may actually be extraordinary… Smashbox Limitless Long Wear Lip Gloss SPF 15 in “Infinite” is eternal perfection. Upon application, my lips felt transformed. For those who admire that Jennifer Lopez look (you know,  that innate superstar glow)…well Smashbox shares that admiration and delivers. “Infinite” is a plush pink shade with gold undertones. The gloss glides on with ease…I attribute this to the uniquely slanted wand. It lasts long after application, and doesn’t wear off easily.  It comes in a range of 10 playful but delicate shades that illuminate a variety of skin tones.  You will look stunning, yet feel effortlessly put together.  Composed of vitamins A, C, and E, sea kale, and SPF 15, Smashbox Limitless Long Wear Lip Gloss SPF 15   leaves lips soft and supple without residual stickiness.  Priced at $22.00, it is wearable for any girl, anytime, anywhere… for all eternity.

Oh, hair!

At times we experience much joy…other times, occasional pain. As a girl who literally takes her hair into her own hands (I mainly do it myself at home…go on, judge me!) I often experience the highs and lows of managing rather thick, coarse, non-chemically straightened hair. So when I stumble upon a product, tool or technique that works, I am inclined to share.

The share:

• Towel dry
• Part into sections of 6-10
• Using a light leave-in conditioner, twist two sections of hair into two-stranded braids
• Coil each section
• Secure each section with a hair pin
• Allow to air dry (which is what I do) or sit under a hooded dryer (I have NO time for this!)
• Undo and style
• VOILA!

Now, do you have a hair tip to share with me? PLEASE?!

Oh how I tire of hearing women complain, “makeup is too much work”. True, the application of makeup requires effort, but we need not turn it into a monumental task.

Start by deciding on your “focus feature”. This is the one area that makes you feel polished. Despite the fact that I’ve gained lots of attention for my bold crimson lips, “lips” are the last thing that I tend to focus on in my makeup routine. Actually, I can take or leave “lips”. ..I’m fairly comfortable with the natural tone and look of my lips so it’s not an area of focus when doing my makeup. Instead, I focus on eyes.

In my opinion, I have slightly hooded lids that have the tendency to bring down the shape of my face. So this is the one area that I pay attention to before leaving the house…and, as you’ll see in the pictures below, it makes a world of difference!

Here’s how I do my eyes in jiffy…a brief picture narration:

Start with what I call a “benign” shade. A neutral tone on the lid that cancels out any darkness and gives your liner something to adhere to. I like the above palette from Guerlain.

Quickly apply to lid.

My go-to liner: Guerlain Terracotta Khol Kajal

Apply top.

Apply bottom.

Coat with mascara.

VOILA!

BEFORE/ AFTER

What’s your “focus feature?…perhaps brows?…perhaps under eye concealer? What’s the minimum that you can do to pull it together for a polished appearance? Makeup is fun…and really need not be a burden

Share!

ThisThatBeauty Contributor Jennifer L. sheds her good girl image and takes a walk on the wild side. Read on for Jen’s review of Urban Decay “The Dangerous Palette” …and follow her beauty babble via @plushpinkallure.

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Warning! Put up the caution tape. Urban Decay’s “The Dangerous Palette” is just that – dangerous!

It contains the necessary components to evoke one’s inner bad girl. The sleek, black and gold compact includes Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide on eye pencil in “Rockstar”, eye shadow primer potion, and six alluring colors that will melt your “girl next door” image. The cult following primer potion helps shadow to glide over lids effortlessly, while filling in creases and fine lines. Most importantly, the primer holds shadow in place, keeping the color strong and vibrant all day long.

A palette of smoky gray, dark as night black, electric teal, velvety green, rich cream, and sultry purple unleash a power house of seduction and mystery. Complete the look with the ultra easy glide-on eye pencil, which not only has lasting ability, but also contains a moisturizing bonus -  Jojoba seed oil. Give your “good girl” persona the night off… and let your alter ego emerge.

]]> http://www.thisthatbeauty.com/2011/11/thisthatbeauty-reviews-urban-decay-the-dangerous-palette/feed/ 1 http://www.thisthatbeauty.com/2011/10/new-shop-i-make-you-beautiful/ http://www.thisthatbeauty.com/2011/10/new-shop-i-make-you-beautiful/#comments Sat, 29 Oct 2011 17:04:49 +0000 Felicia http://www.thisthatbeauty.com/?p=9750

Step-by-step, Danessa shows you how to create her iconic Bionic Lip, covetable lashes, and so much more!

In celebration of the launch, Danessa is offering 20% off, using code IMYBLAUNCH11

Become a subscriber and receive special beauty deals, new product announcements, and pro beauty tips from Danessa.

Please visit the site and share with every beauty lover you know.

www.ShopIMYB.com

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