Black & White Inspiration

Feeling so inspired by these gorgeous hand-painted photos by Geordie Wood for Susan Woo’s spring 2010 collection. Love the bold eyes, perfect brows, and poses full of attitude (not to mention the clothes).

Sweet Treats

With the holiday season fast approaching, many women are equally concerned with expanding waistlines and expanding wishlists. Cue the onslaught of diet season! Although many of us may be cutting calories until 2010, we can still indulge in a little fat-free sweet consumption. From across the web, here is my roundup of the sweetest-looking treats that won’t go straight to your belly or hips. Happy weekend!

Clockwise from top left: petit four lip balm set ($18); cake slice pouch ($14); gingerbread house charm ($58); cupcake bandages ($9); cupcake beanie ($30); cinnabalm ($6); porcelain cupcake container ($35); ice cream lamp ($48); Tiffany & Co. cupcake charm and chain ($200); The Complete Magnolia Bakery Cookbook ($13.59); ice cream kitchen timer ($10).

NARS Holiday 2009

NARS’ Holiday 2009 collection is full of rich colors, sumptuous textures, and high drama. Smoldering eyes in autumnal and wintry hues dominate this collection, which is infused with a hint of shimmer and shine.

The Soft Touch Shadow Pencil ($24) is new to NARS, and I have a feeling it’ll be sticking around for awhile. The soft pencil has a creamy consistency, and glides across lids to deliver pigmented sheen. I really like Aigel Noir, a smoky, foresty moss. Those who prefer to go au natural will like Goddess, a fleshy, shimmery light pink. Skorpios, a glittering copper-tinged gold, will light up eyes during the holidays.

My favorite pieces of the collection are the new Duo Eyeshadows ($32) – the colors are just stunning.  Eurydice, Brousse, and Taiga are all amazing — I can’t pick which I like best. Mousson Cream Shadow ($21) is also pretty.

SugarSocial Review: Anastasia Brow Studio at Nordstrom

I was faced with an eyebrow conundrum this week: my brows were unruly, and I had nowhere to get them cleaned up. My trusted aesthetician is on maternity leave, and I have no time this week to see the pro I found to shape my brows in her absence. All I needed was a clean-up, but I’m hesitant to go to just anybody because I’m growing out my brows, and I’ve finally gotten them to a point where they are a bit thicker.

I decided to book an appointment at the Anastasia Brow Studio at Nordstrom for a waxing. Anastasia Soare, Hollywood brow guru, has brought her luxe salon in a mini version to Nordstrom stores across the country. All technicians are trained by Anastasia herself, or by one of her top-level associates, and follow the Anastasia method of brow shaping.

It was difficult getting someone on the phone, but I left a voicemail, and my call was promptly returned. I was able to book an appointment for the same day.

When I arrived at the one-room studio, located near the cosmetics department, my tech greeted me. She asked me a few quick questions, like what I usually do to maintain my brow shape, what I was looking for with my brows, and then seated in me in one of 2 treatment chairs and tilted me back so that my face was directly under an arched lamp. Getting waxed where Nordstrom shoppers could peer in was a bit uncomfortable at first, but I got over that quickly. Although I was facing the opposite direction, I could see that behind me was a small station brimming with Anastasia products. And then we got down to business.

Get a Dose of Glitz and Glam with Sephora’s Golden Sparkle Oil

Sephora’s limited-edition Golden Sparkle Oil ($16) packs a serious punch for a minimal price. Jam-packed with glittering golden flecks, this oil glides over skin to hydrate, condition and smooth away winter dryness. The effect is subtle luminosity, turned up a notce in honor of the holidays. Kiss scaly skin goodbye and sparkle at the same time! Bonus: a little dab of oil goes a long way, meaning it will last an eternity; this product is Recession Beauty-certified!

Tarte Goes Green for the Holidays

Tarte isn’t exactly going green, since their products have always been eco-friendly, but they’re promoting a green Christmas this year. Their holiday collection is full of pretty presents that are absolutely perfect for giving. I adore the packaging and glamour infused in this collection. A note to all my friends: don’t be surprised if you unwrap one of these this holiday season! After the jump, I break down what I’ll be giving my girls this season.

Lips, Meet Your New Best Friend

If you’ve ever had chapped lips, I have great news for you.

MAC’s Lip Conditioner Stick ($13.50) is the best things to happen to lips! Pop this swivel-up stick in your purse and I promise you, you will never suffer from chapped lips again. It’s infused with good-for-your-lips ingredients (including a sunscreen to shield your lips from UVA/UVB rays), the most important being shea butter, which makes lips unbelievably soft.

More, more, more after the jump!

Bobbi Brown’s Holiday Gift Guide

What is the gift that keeps on giving?
What do you give the girl who has everything?
What is the one thing every glamour girl wants?

Easy: MAKEUP!

Up now on Bobbi Brown’s website: her Holiday Gift Guide, featuring gifts categorized by face (skincare, eyes, etc.) and a recession-special under $55 section.

Her skincare basics are grouped into holiday-exclusive sets, like the Beach Set (her iconic Beach body lotion, scrub, and shimmering oil) and Skincare Basics (Protective Face Lotion SPF15, Buffing Grains, and Lathering Tube Soap).

Check it out to find the perfect gift for the woman in your life.

Happy Birthday to Lilly Pulitzer

Lilly Pulitzer, the Queen of Pink and Green, turns 78 today. Her iconic whimsical take on Palm Beach style began in the 1960s and grew into a symbol of status and playfulness. Her prints remain instantly-recognizable today, and her brand continues to expand after 40-some years in the fashion world.

Here is a lovely example of her designs’ enduring power, as illustrated by the Kennedys:
In honor of her special day, it’s time to crack open my copy of Essentially Lilly Holidays tonight.

After the jump, a superspecial collaboration between Lilly and one of my favorite cosmetics brands. I’m bursting with excitement!

Joan Holloway in Real Life

Season 3 of the best show on television (AMC’s Mad Men) concluded on Sunday night. We’ll have to wait until next year to find out what will become of Don and Betty Draper, but Joan Holloway ended the season on an upswing: she was asked to be the office manager of new ad agency Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce.

What I love so much about Joan, played by actress Christina Hendricks, is how different she appears on the show, compared to real life. Period makeup dictates much of Joan’s professional/sexpot look, but off-camera, she is much more modern, much more flexible in her beauty routine.