Voluptuous Lashes from Rimmel The Max Volume Flash Mascara

It’s been awhile since I purchased a drugstore mascara. I used to swear by them a few years ago, but over the past few years, they haven’t really maximized my lashes. I returned to drugstore mascaras with new Rimmel The Max Volume Flash (approx. $7) when I saw its superfat brush. Plus, I read in Glamour that it gave the appearance of false lashes, which I love. I’d never tried Rimmel mascaras before, so I had no idea what to expect.

Fat brushes with densely-packed bristles are the only wands that work for me. The brush on The Max is extra fat, with lots of bristles placed closely together. The mascara is formulated with collagen to fatten lashes, and keratin to smooth and make lashes appear longer. Both ingredients condition, too. The package promised 14 times the volume of my normal lashes. Did the hot pink tube live up to its big promises?

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Compact

Sneaking a peek at summer 2010 cosmetics is giving me goosebumps from sheer excitement. I love summer, and seeing how it’s 18 degrees in Philadelphia today, a little sunny outlook can’t hurt. I couldn’t wait to share this first glimpse of summer beauty with you. Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess compact is bronzer laced with peppy pink blush in animal print. Summer’s looking sexy already.

It’s What’s Inside that Counts: Jones in Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s Jones is billed as a retro-inspired restaurant/lounge that serves diner-style comfort food classic like decadent mac & cheese and Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings. Upon visiting, you realize it is an upscale, cozy space filled with warm accents, including a glowing central fireplace. The Stephen Starr restaurant takes its cue from classic ’70s styling, including glossy tabletops, booths upholstered in nubby green fabric, red bucket-style chairs, and 70′s style lighting with exposed bulbs and sculptural limbs.

Stila Jewel Eyeshadow Palette Will Put a Twinkle in Your Eye

Sephora describes the texture of Stila’s Jewel Eyeshadow Palette ($32) as delivering “sequin-like reflection” to lids.  How bad can that be?

Eyes glimmer as sparkles dance across eyelids. The pigments, enhanced with crushed jewels, impart eyes with unparalleled shimmer and buildable color for elegant drama.  Pump up the volume on smoky eyes with the sparkling black  or eggplant shades. Enhance defined eyes with the light pink shade, laced with silver shimmer. The gold shade is subtle enough to use as a browbone highlighter, or as a base for smoky eyes.

It’s What’s Inside that Counts: Rob Roy in Seattle

Seattle’s Rob Roy (formerly Viceroy) is one of my favorite places in the world, simply because it’s so beautiful. The interior of this popular lounge expertly marries opulence with sleek, modern design. The neutral palette gives way to fancy flourishes like a mounted boar’s head, leather quilted walls, The library-esque bookcase is where a DJ sets up camp some nights.

Settle into the pillowy leather couches and cozy up with a retro cocktail. It’s a drinking experience not to be missed.
Keep reading for more photos.

Lancome Spring 2010: O My Rose!

Aaron De May, Lancome’s artistic director for makeup, has a rosy outlook for the brand’s spring 2010 collection. O My Rose! incorporates femininity, playfulness, and fun.

Highlights from the collection include:

Color Design Limited-Edition Eyeshadow Quad ($42) in Pop’n Green and Kissed by Copper. Depending on your coloring, you can create several different looks with either of these palettes, ranging from natural to smoky. The colors keep it light for spring, eschewing the dark hues of winter.

Pop’n Cheeks blush in Coral Flirt ($35), a mosaic blush that melds coral, pink, and gilded champagne shades. This blush can give a customized color, depending on how you swirl it all together, meaning it will look great on many different skintones. Experiment to find the color that flatters you.

Cute Storage Solutions for Brushes

Beakers
I use a Pyrex scientific-grade glass beaker to store my brushes. I love the clean lines, simple design, and aesthetitic of the stout cylindrical beakers. I also use them in the bathroom to store necessities like cottonballs and Q-tips. If you’ve ever visited a MAC store, you’ve probably seen that they store & display their brushes in the same vessels. They are the perfect size for holding all your brushes, allowing you to see exactly what you’ve got. Best of all, they’re ridiculously inexpensive – around $4 when purchased from a laboratory supplier online.

Silver Julep Cup
I am in love with Pottery Barn’s Silver Julep Cup ($24). It lends an air of elegance to any space, and will make you feel like a queen putting on makeup. You can have it monogrammed with your initials, or leave it plain for a simple effect.

Monogrammed Mugs
A monogrammed mug adds a personal touch to any vanity or bathroom counter. They are perfect for holding travel-sized brushes with short handles. I use mine to store all my lipglosses so they’re within arm’s reach and visible; no time is wasted sorting through a makeup bag, searching for a specific color. Anthropologie offers 2 inexpensive, adorable options – only $6!

French Juice Glasses
I love a set of 3 small French juice glasses, neatly lined up in a row. They’re a really unique way to make your brushes stand tall. I have the set on the left, “un verre d’amitie” (“a drink for a friend”), and I also love the “eau minerale” set on the right.

Unique Pint Glasses
There is something so special about using something meaningful as a display piece. A pint glass from your favorite neighborhood hangout is a great way to make getting ready in the morning a little less harried. Or opt for a cute design; I like the bicycle and mustache-printed ones above. They’re the perfect size, and their tall bodies cradle full-size brushes perfectly.

Anything Mercury Glass
So pretty, so shiny, so chic.

Square Glass Vase
Taking another cue from Pottery Barn, their square glasses vases ($12-44) are great brush storage options. The clean lines leave everything looking uncluttered, making brush selection a breeze. You see exactly what you’ve got.

Pro Tip: Prevent Ingrown Hairs

Ingrown hairs can be a painful, pesky problem, especially on the underarms and around the bikini line. Bacteria on your razor may be the culprit.

To prevent future ingrowns, my esthetician advised to moisten a cotton pad with rubbing alcohol prior to shaving. Carefully wipe the razorblades with the cotton pad; this kills any bacteria lingering on the blades, and can help prevent future ingrowns. For added defense, after showering, pat freshly-shaved skin dry with a towel (don’t rub; that can irritate skin) and apply an ingrown-fighting product like TendSkin. If ingrowns persist, your dermatologist may be able to provide a prescription cream that can help to reduce future occurrences.

Love Is In the Air With…MAC’s Have a Love Affair!

MAC’s Valentine-inspired collection, Have a Love Affair, rounds up the best pinks and reds for lips in 1 convenient place. For siren-worthy lips that are sure to launch a few of Cupid’s arrows, turn to these romantic, flattering shades. It’ll be love at first sight.

Dazzleglass Creme ($18), a creamy, smooth combination of Lipglass and Dazzleglass. In My Favorite Pink (milky pale pink), Totally Fab (vibrant cherry red), and Creme Allure (fuschia-tinged violet).

Lipstick ($14) in Violetta (vibrant violet), Lovelorn (pure pink), Snob (extra-pale nude-pink), Lickable (magenta-toned pink), and Lady Danger (orange-tinted red).

Lip pencil ($13) in Beet (brown-based mauve-purple), Redd (brown-orange red), and Dervish (nude, natural mauve-pink).

Kiss Unwanted Hair Goodbye: Anastasia Mini Wax Kit

Unruly brows that need a little grooming? Pesky upper-lip hairs need removing, pronto? Brow guru Anastasia Soare‘s got you covered with her Mini Wax Kit ($12). Used by Anastasia herself on celebrity clients while traveling, the kit will take care of all your facial hair removal needs in the privacy of your own home. Perfect for those times when you absolutely need a clean-up and your brow girl or guy is booked solid.

The small container of wax (0.5oz.) will last a surprisingly long time. It’s sugar-based, and is proven to be gentle on delicate facial skin, causing minimal irritation and redness. Use the included dual-tipped wooden sticks to apply wax to the skin. One end is slanted for application, the other pointed for areas where you need extra precision. The natural muslin strips remove wax and hair with ease, reducing pain and swelling. Just be sure to use a steady hand when going anywhere near your brows.

Best of all, you won’t have to bear your reddened skin to the world on your way home from the salon.