Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Dimplants?

I am amazed by the number of things women do to their faces.  Not that it's necessarily always a bad thing, but the latest trend, dimple "implants", has me baffled.

MSNBC found a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who claims to have placed a couple hundred dimples in the last two years.  

My younger sister has dimples, and she certainly has the personality for them.  She's a fun-loving cutie and her dimples serve her well. But that's probably because she was born with them.

Dimples are cute, don't get me wrong.  But having a doctor add dimples to your face (I'm still not even sure how they would do that), just seems frivolous and ridiculous.  It makes less sense to me than facelifts, breast implants or any other type of plastic surgery.

The procedure typically costs between $2,000 and $5,000, and takes about 10 minutes under local anesthesia. It can look artificial while it heals, which takes from one week to one month, but then it will look like a natural dimple whenever the patient smiles.

I don't know. That's pretty pricey for attempting to make yourself look more "cutesy".

My thoughts? If you want an extra hole in your face, get a piercing.

[tip: Daily Beauty]
[image: getty images]

Monday, March 8, 2010

Smellin' Pretty: Chloé Eau de Toilette

I know it's only March (sigh), but judging from my most recent posts, I'm really hankerin' for Springtime delights.

There's nothing that gets me in a Spring-esque mood like a lovely light, feminine fragrance.

Chloé Eau de Toilette is exactly that.
 
The scent is fresh and light, yet has a bold statement-making feel to it. The scent is a blend of feminine aromas including hints of mandarin orange zest in the head notes and freesia and watermelon.  There is a touch of sandalwood and fresh iris in its base. 
 
The fragrance comes across as smelling classy and elegant, but fresh and young at the same time.  Because it's light, it's the perfect scent for any occasion. 
 
I tested the scent out with my boyfriend per usual (he's my best critic!) and he said that I smelled "pretty", which is not a word in his usual vocabulary. So I'm taking that as a good sign.

The cutest part? The bottle itself.  Adorned with an ivory-colored ribbon, an extra dash of class and sofistication is added.
 
You can purchase your own bottle of Chloé Eau de Toilette for $65 for 1.7 oz or $85 for 2.5 oz. Then, you too can smell "pretty".
 

Disclosure: This post contains a sample product sent for consideration by a PR firm. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Fashion Faux Pas: Rompers


I do not understand this trend at all.  It irritates me to no end.

First and foremost, they're simply ugly.  It's like wearing an unflattering sack dress that nips in at the bottom to reveal some sort of ridiculous pantaloon-esque shorts.  Basically, this is taking the sack dress and making it even uglier and less flattering (which I had no idea was even possible).

Let's take a look at the above image, shall we?  The model is gorgeous.  But even she, with her awesome figure, appears to have a huge bum and, what I like to call, thunder thighs.  The front also makes her look larger than I'm sure she is.

Another problem I have is the sizing.  One-piece outfits (other than dresses) are difficult to wear.  Since each body is different, there is no way that a piece of clothing like this is going to fit everyone.  People who are short-waisted, like me, end up with a much too long garment, where are as women with the opposite problem find themselves with a constant wedgie.  Neither outcome is good.

A major rule I live by is that if even a model looks horrible in something, then normal people like us will look like hideous monsters.

Let's start wearing adult clothing and leave the rompers for babies.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

The Beauty Beat with Eb: Getting the Most out of Makeup Brushes

Makeup brushes are essential to applying makeup the best way. Costs vary from $10 to $25 per brush. However, no matter how deep your pockets are, you will want to get the most out of the makeup brushes you do buy. Here are some tips to make you brushes last:
  • Get a case to keep your brushes in when you’re not using them
  • Keep the brushes in a dry area
  • Clean your brushes after each use. This will help in keeping bacteria from growing in your brushes. Besides you don’t want to use “dirty brushes” on a clean face.

Ok, that was the easy part. Cleaning is even easier, but how you clean your brushes will determine how long they will remain useful.

Use a makeup brush cleanser, gentle hair shampoo or facial cleanser. You can get an inexpensive brush cleanser at Sally Beauty Supply, or Sephora.
  • Fill a cup (that you don’t drink out of) with water and a teaspoon of cleanser (follow the directions of the cleanser). Place the brushes in the cup and swish around.
  • Swish the brush in the palm of your hand under running water, until the water is clear coming from the brush.
  • Pat the brush dry with a towel, then lay flat to air dry. Do not stand the brush with the brush up because you don’t want water to drain down into the brush handle. This will weaken the handle.
  • Repeat this for all your brushes until you are done.
Following these simple steps will help you get the most out of your makeup brushes.

Personally, I like to use these Mary Kay Brushes.




Ebony Looney is the founder of Make Me Over Eb. For more fabulous insight, check out her site at www.makemeovereb.com.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Spring-ify Your Nails: Nicole By OPI's New Spring Collection!

Okay, ladies.  Spring is just around the corner.  Really. So it's time to bust out our bright nail polishes and say a heartfelt "see you next time" to our darker shades.

Nicole by OPI's latest and (I think) greatest collection is fab for this.  The colors all remind me of popsicles, and what could be more warm-weather inspiring than wearing popsicle-colored hues on your nails?

Here's the run down:













I Stop For Nicole: It's a glitzy warm-toned red (almost fire engine-hued) that I found to be very sheer. After two coats, I did get a fairly opaque look, though the overall look is more on the sheer side rather than just a plain opaque red.














Fresh Squeezed: I love this shade.  As far as I can tell, orange is going to be hot this season--every collection I come across seems to have some orange in it! And it's surprisingly flattering on nearly all skintones.  This shade in particular is much like the shade above in the sheer and glitzy department.  It's the perfect shade for someone who's a bit skeptical to try orange, but wants in on the trend.














You're an Angel: This is one instance in which the color does not match the picture well at all.  This is a pretty, shimmery sheer light and bright pink.  It's basically a lighter version of I Stop For Nicole, but is a bit cooler-toned. This is my fave out of the whole collection (since I'm overly obsessed with pink).  Because it's sheer, this is a color that is actually okay for work, or any other occasion.














Yellow it's Me: Bright yellow. That's all I can say really! I'm personally not a fan of yellow polishes, but this one is so sheer and sparkly that I don't mind it.  Those of you who are into the yellow nail trend will absolutely love this shade.
















Make Mine Lime: This is such a unique shade.  It reminds me of a mojito.  Yum! As expected, green is still very in this season, so this is a good crossover hue from the dark forest greens we're used to seeing.  Again, this is another sheer and sparkly polish, which I think is perfect for the shade.


I love the entire collection. I mainly like the fact that instead of simply going with neon opaque colors like many lines, Nicole chose to go sheer and glitzy.  Not only does that make the polishes more unique, it also makes them less intimidating to use!

Plus, who doesn't love glitter?!

You can grab a bottle (or all five) at Target or Ulta for about $8 a bottle.

Disclosure: This post contains a sample product sent for consideration by a PR firm. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Sassy Fashionista has a Facebook Group!







Just a quick FYI: We're on facebook now! Click here to join the group!

Look at Those Melons!!

Watermelon earrings.  Is there any better way to prep ourselves for warm weather than to sport these baubles?

I don't know about you ladies, but when I think of warm sunny days, watermelon slices are definitely in the mix. And there's just something about these earrings that make me crave those delightful days.

Okay, yeah.  The earrings are a bit overboard on the bling.  But as long as you tone down all other accessories, wearing these little slices of heaven will not make you look overdone. I promise.

That said, save 'em for going out.

You can grab yourself a pair at Girl Props for about $15.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

I've Got a Golden Ticket (And It's Actually a Purse!!!)

Mmmm, there's nothing like a gold-hued bag to brighten up my day. Especially when it's on sale. For $12. Yes, really.

Old Navy is often forgotten in my "where-I-buy-purses-club", but everytime I frequent the store, I always find something fab that's both utterly chic and cheaper than ever expected.

This lovely little satchel is my fave right now. It comes in a lot of colors, actually. (I ended up buying the plum one after debating for hours). Now I wish that I got the gold one. I'll go back and forth on this forever. Lucky for me, I already own 543785973407 purses, so I need to get a grip.

Anyway, the bag is great in all colors. It's super roomy. That's not to say that it's huge, either. The bag is about 15 1/2"L x 6"W x 9 1/2"H. I actually use it to commute to work, and here's what I can fit in it:
  • three magazines
  • a paperback book
  • my Hello Kitty lunchbox with a few snacks in it
  • a small wallet/clutch
  • my emergency makeup bag
  • gum
  • cell phone
  • my digital camera
  • mittens
  • a bottle of water
  • sunglasses
  • my planner
  • a dead body (about 6ft tall)
...and the list goes on.

All in all, it's a fabulous purse that costs a mere $12 and comes in an array of amazing colors. If you do not buy one, you're practically committing a fashion crime.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Pimping Myself Out a Little...

Hey lovely ladies!

I know that I'm a fascinating gal (let's just pretend, 'kay?) So I just wanted to give you all a little heads up that there's an interview floating around about yours truly!

It's on the Manchester Publish Relations blog, which is actually a great place to read lots of other interviews with other fashionable peeps.

Check it out here! :)

I'm Giving You The Gift Of Frizzless Hair!!

Well, technically, I'm not giving you the gift per se. Avon is. But I do happen to have an amazing product to share with one lucky reader!

Avon's Advance Techniques Anti-Frizz Capsules pretty much rock my world. I basically have a closet full of de-frizzing products, and this is one of my faves, which is really saying a lot.

The capsules are highly concentrated with magical ingredients to give you luscious locks. All you do, is open up a capsule, rub the product into your hands, and apply it to your hair. Then style as usual, sans frizz. Sounds easy, right?

The results are pretty good. I don't find this product to be greasy or oily at all. It's just a little magic capsule that takes frizzed-out hair and makes it gorgeous.

Oh, and it's only $5. Really.

As for the giveaway: to enter, send me an email at sassyalana@gmail.com with the subject line "ANTI FRIZZ". All entries must be in by 3/10, and the winner will be alerted via email.

Good luck ladies!!

Disclosure: This post contains a sample product sent for consideration by a PR firm. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.


Monday, March 1, 2010

Read My Lip...stick

It's cheesy, it classic and I love it. "Read my lipstick" really says it all doesn't it? It says, "I'm classy enough that I own pretty lipstick, I'm sassy (probably even a fashionista) and I don't care who knows it".

I saw this shirt at Walmart. It almost embarrasses me to admit it, but I just think this shirt is so cute. I don't know what is going on with them lately, but honestly I've been finding some fab fashion finds there. They've got a line out now that is co-designed by Miley Cyrus & Max Azria (ummm hi, fashion guru) that I'm obsessed with. And this shirt is part of their collection.

I'm actually wearing it as I type this. It's a great going-out-to-breakfast-on-a-Sunday shirt. Or, you know, for anything else too.

Did I mention that it's $7?

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Ohh Fekkai, How I Love Thee!

I've always been a Frederic Fekkai junkie, ever since I tried a sample of their Brilliant Glossing Creme.  Everything I've ever tried from the line has been amazing.

This week, I received a lovely little package with some of the products from the Fekkai Coiff collection.  Of course, I immediately got to business and washed my hair to try out the new styling products, despite the fact that it was 11am on my day off and I had literally just finished my morning hair ritual.

The products I got to try were the Bouffant Lifting & Texturizing Spray Gel and the Perfecteur Anti-Frizz Silkening Crème.

The anti-frizz cream was perfect for me, as upon drying my hair, it eventually ends up in full-on afro mode, which as a tiny little white girl I cannot quite pull off.  After towel drying my locks, I used a couple pumps of this stuff and could definitely see a difference.  My hair felt a lot more silky and manageable.  It worked almost like a detangler, but with the added bonus of defrizzing.  And what's not to love about that?

What impressed me even more was when I added the spray gel into the mix.  I had just combed through my freshly-silkified hair and sprayed a bit of this in it, and scrunched it (as you would with any gel or mousse).  The results were great.  I had pretty ringlets that were neither frizzy nor overdone-looking.

To buy bottles of your own, check out the Fekkai site.  The creme is $25 and the gel is $23. A bit more than I'd spend on any other product, but as with all Fekkai products, the quality is amazing and the products last forever.

 Disclosure: This review contains a sample product sent for consideration by a PR firm. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

How to Look Pretty When the Entire World is Against You

This is more a blog about the horrific day I had yesterday, but I thought that maybe I could share with you guys some of the things I did to make it less awful.

Here are the main points of my morning:
  • I had no power
  • Could not see anything (apply makeup, do hair, etc)
  • I did not have hot water, so no shower
  • The bus I took to commute to my job in Boston broke down and I was late for work
  • I lost a mitten
Okay, so of course I overreacted.  My boyfriend took the opportunity to smirk at me and tell me to settle down, but as you guys know, I am a sassy fashionista, so "settling down" isn't really my thing.

My boyfriend and I were staying at his parent's house (dog-sitting) when we lost power on Thursday night.  When we got up Friday, and saw that there was still no power, I demanded to drive to our apartment which is in a larger city, assuming that there would be a better chance of power.  No, there wasn't.  Apparently the entirety of New Hampshire shut down due to a crazy storm.

I had picked out my outfit the night before, thank God. So I threw that on sans shower, piled on the perfume and deodorant.  There was the tiniest bit of sunlight, so I had just enough to halfway do my hair (I put it up in a bun and slicked it back with hairspray--not ideal).  But there was no way I could apply makeup without proper lighting.

And if you know me at all, then you know that I simply cannot go in public without makeup. So I had quite the dilemma. Here's what I did:  I applied the basics while parked at the bus station facing away from the sun.  I stuck with neutral colors and very simple techniques.  Basically, I only used concealer, a tiny bit of bronze eye shadow, mascara and a swipe of blush.  It still wasn't great, but at least I could walk around in public.

When I got on the overly shaky bus, I tried to fix my look even more. Luckily I have a couple of emergency products in my purse for weird occasions like this...unfortunately, my entire bathroom does not fit in my handbag.  I went into the bus "restroom" to work my magic.  I didn't end up having any sort of hair mousse or gel for my curly hair, so I opted for some hand lotion.  It actually tamed my curls, and ended up looking pretty good.  By this point, the slicked-back portion of my hair had dried, so I combed it out with my fingers and my bangs were straight and flyaway-free. So I did a cute side ponytail and moved on to makeup.

With me, I only had dark brown eyeliner, a shimmer powder and more mascara.  I applied the eyeliner to the top lids.  I made the lines fairly thick so that I could smudge them in with the bronze shadow I had previously used.On the bottom lashline, I applied only a fine line to the outer half of the eye.

The shimmer came in handy.  It was a very light pink shade--I used it on the inner corners of my eyes and also on my cheekbones for definition. As for the mascara, I added a second coat. 

I went back to my seat on the bus looking almost like my normal fabulous self, and feeling a whole lot better.

I meant to take a picture for you ladies, but by the time I got home, I was so exhausted that I could not function.

My main advice for all of you is to keep a tiny bag of essentials with you at all times; especially products that can do more than one thing, like the shimmer I have.  Another good product to have is a pink or coral lipstick.  You can always use lipstick as a cream blush, and blush is really one of the most important makeup items to have (lipstick is too).  A small eyeliner is good to have also, and perhaps a tiny tube of concealer.  Be creative and think of new uses for small trial products that you already own.

Take it from me:  You do not want to find yourself stranded without a way to beautify yourself.  Keep an emergency kit with you at all times!

Friday, February 26, 2010

Adoring Dior Compact

Dior is notorious for have pretty powder compacts.  And for charging crazy amounts of cash for said compacts. The Dior Lace Poudrier Dentelle Illuminating Lace-Effect Powder is a steep $55.  That's more than my makeup budget will allow.  Sadly. 


But how gorgeous is this? The powder basically illuminates the entire face, giving you that "glow from within" look that we all strive for.  I love the "lace" detail too.  Everything about this compact is super chic.  If you've got the cash, run to Sephora and buy it.


Otherwise, try Revlon's ColorStay Mineral Finishing Powder in Brighten for a similar effect.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

The Wonder Bra For Hair? Flexi-8 Hair Doodads (and a GIVEAWAY!!!)

 I know that a lot of you ladies out there are looking for ways to make your hair look thicker.  Everyone wants to have the appearance of full, gorgeous hair.  I may have just found a product that can help you out.


Have you gals seen the horrible ads for Bumpits?  They're these ugly pieces of plastic that you insert under your hair to get more volume.  Here are the problems I have with them:  they're not pretty and are often visible, and the look fake.  Honestly.  Shoving a huge piece of plastic in your hair is not going to help you, or anyone who looks at you.


The Flexi-8 works differently.  Rather than being inserted under the hair, it works like a hair clip and stays on top. Since the clips are visible, they are all adorned with gorgeous stones, metals and all things lovely.  The clip is a flexible "8" shape that comes with an interlocking stick that holds everything together.  These are great for updos, or even to secure a ponytail.  


These clips come in about a gazillion different styles and in six different sizes. Surprisingly, the clips are very reasonably priced; they generally run for $10-20, depending on the size and design. 

  But for my fabulous readers, I have five Flexi-8 clips to give away!  They're all in different sizes (take a look here to find out what size you should go for).  To enter, email me at SassyAlana@gmail.com with the subject line "Flexi-8".  In the email, be sure to specify which size suits you best.

Good luck, ladies!!


Disclosure: This post contains a sample product sent for consideration by a PR firm. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Say "I Hate You"...With a Card

How cool are these note cards?!

BUST's Boobtique sells these delightfully sassy [read: bitchy] Go F*ck Yourself Note Cards for about $17.  And I'm pretty sure that I'll be needing to purchase them in the near future.

The set comes with 20 blank cards and envelopes.  The cross stitching is simply printed on--no need to bust out any fancy sewing skills here! There are five different malicious card designs (you'll get four of each):  Go F*ck Yourself, Irony Is Not Dead, Love Stinks, Bite Me, and Happy F*cking Birthday.

What's not to love? You can choose to send one of these to someone that you actually hate, or to someone who has a sense of humor.  Hopefully you know someone who has a sense of humor.  If not, find someone with a normal sense of humor and befriend them for the mere purpose of giving them one of these cards.

I can't think of anything better than receiving a  "Happy F*cking Birthday" card at a family birthday dinner.  

I'd really like to send the "Go F*ck Yourself" card to quite a few people.  They'll def come in handy.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Supernatural Blush

There's no guessing with JK Jemma Kidd's Cheek ID Colour Adapt Blush.  It's magical and literally works on every skintone.

I love this stuff!  It's a soft-gel-ish texture, which makes it super easy to blend.  Just use your fingers, dab a bit on the apples of your cheeks, and let the product do the rest of the work.

It adapts to your personal body chemistry to create the perfect, natural shade of pink for you.  It can be such a hassle to run around all over the place trying to find the right blush color and texture.  I probably own well over 20--no joke.  This product makes it a lot easier to achieve a natural flush while saving you the extra time and trouble.

When I tried this, I felt that the application was fairly fool-proof.  When I say that it's blendable, I mean really blendable.  If you apply to much, you can easily rub it off.  Apply too little?  Build up another layer from what you've already applied.

I'd recommend this to anyone who wants an easy way to brighten up their look.

You can pick this delightful product up at Target for about $18.  Kinda steep, I know, but well worth it when you think of all the money and time you'll save.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Fabbity-Fabulous Gift With Purchase at Macy's!

Spring is right around the corner and you know what that means:  oodles of GWPs from our fave makeup brands!  And I don't hate it.

The latest one out there is Lancome's gift from Macy's.  Spend $32.50 and here's what you'll get:
  • DÉFINICILS Mascara
  • BI-FACIL Eye Makeup Remover
  • 2 JUICY TUBES in Fifth Ave Frosting & Tickled Pink
  • and a LANCÔME Signature Cosmetics Bag

Spend $55 and also receive:
  • your choice of COLOR DESIGN Eyeshadow quad
  • 2 COLOR DESIGN Lipcolors

The retail value of these freebies is over $160. You also get free shipping on your order of $50 or more (no coupon code needed for either deal).

Personally I love the makeup bag--like with most GWPs I come across.  I don't like the fact that you have to spend $55 in order to get the full set though.  The 7-piece kit is great on it's own, don't get me wrong, but I certainly don't see myself shelling out $50 on anything just to get the extra "freebies".  Seeing the upgraded version is so tempting to me, though.

If you're looking for ideas on products to buy in order to get this cute little set, I highly recommend buying their Sun Kissed Bronzing Powder (it's around $37), since Summer's on it's way.  It comes in three fab colors and, let's be honest here, everyone looks better with a little bit of bronzer on their face.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Fashion Faux Pas: Disembodied Barbie Jewelry

Pretty necklace, huh? Well, SURPRISE!!! It's a boob pendant. A Barbie boob pendant.

Maragaux Lange sells tons of jewelry pieces like this...and I find it all a little disturbing.

I used to love Barbies when I was younger...actually I still do now, judging from how many random Barbie accessories I own (this, of course, not being one of them). The thing about Barbies are that they remind us of our childhood. Though they are not anatomically correct, we love them just the same.

But that doesn't mean I want to wear a necklace festooned in severed, plastic breasts.

Oh and for you dark-skinned chicas out there, don't worry--there's a necklace for you in a lovely chocolate shade:










This gal is constantly coming out with creepier pieces; and they aren't just limited to plastic-breast-baubles.

Check out her Etsy site to see more. Oh, and by the way, if for some ungodly reason you'd like to buy yourself one of these gems, they run for about $200.

Really.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

The Beauty Beat: with Eb: Everyday Glamour


Recipe for Everyday Glamour
Guest Post by Ebony Looney

Everyday glamour doesn’t have to be complicated. Use colors that work with your natural skin tone. Greens and bronzes look great on most skin tones, and add color to your face, without making you look overdone. I decided to use lipstick for this look, but if you prefer gloss, then choose a natural color to top off your look. Try colors on online to see what they might look like on you.

Ingredients
Tools
  • Foundation Brush
  • Cheek
  • Eye applicators
  • Compact that can hold 3 eye colors, cheek color, lipstick and lipstick
  • Makeup bag that can hold all the above and fit in your purse





Step 1
Use the foundation brush to apply the foundation of your choice to even your skin tone and hide any blemishes.






Step 2
Usea powder brush to sweep the Golden Copper Mineral Cheek Color on cheeksand all over face for glistening glow. Be careful to not go crazy withthe bronzer.








Step 3
Use eye applicators to apply the eye colors. Apply the Amber Blaze Mineral Eye color right under your eyebrow, the Golden Olive Mineral Eye Color in the crease of your eye, and then the Lemongrass Mineral Eye Color right below that, but right above your eyelash. Blend the Amber Blaze and the Golden Olive with your finger or your eye applicator brush. The goal is to have the colors look seemless.





Step 4
Apply the mascara to the top and bottom lash. Be careful to not overcoat with the mascara.







Step 5
Finish off with the Downtown Brown Crème lipstick.









The completed look!











Ebony Looney is the founder of Make Me Over Eb. For more fabulous insight,
check out her site at www.makemeovereb.com.

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