NOTD Sally Hansen Insta-Dri

PhotobucketKeeping up with the nail challenge y’all. For day two I’ve got a drugstore friendly polish. I got this one at a BOGO deal at CVS, and frankly, there is always a deal on these babies. Good, too – because they’re grrrreat!

You can probably see from the pictures that the polish I’m raving about is Sally Hansen Insta-Dri. These buggers have a different shape for the bottles than any I’ve seen before (but totally great for swatch shots for the blog!). The brush is also a little wide and flat, a characteristic not too many people are happy with, but honestly that is among my favorites. The brush usually lets me finish one nail in a single swipe, rarely needing a second.

I usually snatch up the clear polish bottles in Insta-Dri for on the go applications. I carry them in nearly every bag, because I like to have at least clear polish on my nails if there is no color. Between how fast they dry and the size of the brush, clear application is done in under a single subway stop (y’all know I’m always doing my nails on the train in NYC!).

This color, Teal Takeoff is a new addition to the line for Fall 2009. I love that roughly 90% of the Insta-Dri collection is so thick that one coat can be enough to complete your mani. That also means they are great for using with Konad!

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left: flash, right: no flash

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pretty true to color too

Like the color? The challenge? Let me know!


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Hautelook Vincent Longo Sale!

I miss when Vincent’s brand was available at Sephora, but if you too don’t get a chance to come across the brand much, now is your chance to snatch it up for at least 60% off!

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Come join HauteLook for your sample sales and cheap designer duds.

Click here for your special invite!

Don’t forget that when you when you sign up through this link, you get a $10 credit to spend on whatever you please!

If the link is not working, copy and paste the following link in your browser: http://www.hautelook.com/invite/missyaya


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Bare Escentuals Sale at RueLaLa!

Rue LaLa is having a Bare Escentuals sale! The items are all mostly kits and start at $25! Check it out and let me know if you get something!

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Click here for your invite!

If the image/link isn’t working, copy and paste this into your browser:
http://www.ruelala.com/invite/missyaya


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Sephora Makeup Brushes

PhotobucketI recently posted about makeup brushes, and how to find good ones. To recap, check out the post here! That post was a long time coming thanks to my neverending search, but it was also because I needed an intro to my current Sephora obsession.

Over a week ago, I went to the HBA Global Expo in New York. Admittedly, being that the show is for product development, there was only so much a blogger can find out. What I did find was a plethora of innovation, and my favorite was my last stop.

A lot of the companies at the Expo were manufacturers and co-packers. What does that mean to the average consumer? These are the companies that make someone’s ideas come to fruition. If you want to sell cosmetics and need someone to make the cases, packaging, etc. these are the people you call.

The whole show was full of products that I can’t wait to see companies pick up. The benefits of going to an Expo like this is too have the aha! moment when you see a product on a shelf that you knew was coming.
http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=myowju-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=B002FOAX2Y
Enough of the chit chat though, which one was my fave? Magnetic brushes. These are brushes that have one base and interchangeable brush heads. There were sets from a couple to plenty. I begged one woman to sell me a sample set but she wouldn’t budge. 🙂 Hey… I tried! She did give me some scoop though. She showed me that Sephora jumped on the bandwagon and I could get it from them.

The set includes three face brushes that has a metal look to it. I’m not sure what the casing is made of, but I’ll let y’all know soon (as I have already ordered mine – don’t judge!). The brushes are super soft and are interchangeable into the main case with magnets. It comes with a case and is size friendly & saves space, being that it is halves of brushes.

Non HBA related, are other brushes that Sephora came out with. These are the double ended makeup brushes that are for face and eyes (or whatever else use you can find for it). Disclaimer: I am not a big fan of always defining a brush by a title. I feel that a lot of brushes can serve multiple or different purposes than the original intention, and don’t like to pigeon hole them with a title. Again – this is because I am My Own Judge & I strongly urge you to be your own as well! 🙂 They kind of remind me of seesaws, with a big brush and a flip to a small brush.

The brushes come in some fab bright colors and given that they are basically two for one are not overpriced for a Sephora brush. That hopefully explains that this does not mean that they are cheap, but expected. Just like you wouldn’t expect a Prada bag to magically cost $20.

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This is a picture of the brushes on display at the store. The names and prices are exactly as they are in store. Thankfully this pic came out quite clear!

These brushes are very cute and I adore the bright colors. The fact that they are double ended serves as a blessing and as a curse in my eyes. It’s nice that they are double the duty for the money and the space, but unless storage is horizontal, I imagine ruining the shape of the brush at one point in time. Also – at first try, these brushes were too brittle for me. I’m not much of a one time judge though, so I visited these brushes over a period of time and came to a conclusion that though they are not the softest, the feel is actually not so bad. My verdict for these is that if you had the extra funds, they’d be a great addition b/c the colors have plenty attitude. But if you need a good super soft brush that you can tote anywhere, I wouldn’t recommend these.

http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=myowju-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=B002EHCZ00 http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=myowju-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=B002EHF0PW http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=myowju-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=B002EHH59G http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=myowju-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=B002EH9EIQ http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=myowju-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=B002EHCYVU

Have you tried them? What do you think?


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MOJ at the Artist Summit in MIA!

I’m in Florida!!

Anyone been listening to LMFAO? They sing about being in Miami, and that’s definitely what is running through my head all day. I’m hanging out with my girl Brittany from Clumps of Mascara and would love to meet fellow readers and bloggers in the Miami and/or Orlando area.

Hit up the twitter or the e-mail to let me know if you have places for me to go or would like to meet up. Also – anyone want to go to the summit conmigo? Let me know too! I have just enough passes for a couple of folks to come and hobnob!
Check out the event details here. If you can’t make it this week, next week they are heading over to Chicago.
Read on to hear the song I keep hearing internally.

October is the month of Pink!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, in case y’all haven’t realized just yet. This is a subject very close to my heart. While I was in high school, a friend started a school group that raised funds and awareness for cancer, and when I took over as president, for other causes as well.

Apart from being a female and wanting for everyone to have a chance for good health and survival, I know that the women in our lives are super duper important. John Mayer wrote a song called Daughters, where he sings about fathers and mothers being good to their daughters, because one day, they’ll be mothers too. Don’t get me wrong, I love men as well, but in an almost all female family, you start to get a little dizzy with the female power.

Please take a chance this month to speak to your doctor about check-ups and tests, or in the least do a self check on yourself. Remember to look beyond just your chest to check for abnormalities. You may think that looking for something is a bad omen because it’s as though you are inviting bad things to happen, but really, this is to better empower you to know when change happens, and to fix it quickly. Take a look at these sites for some more info: BreastCancer.org & the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. An educated woman is a healthier woman! A healthy & happy woman contributes to a happy & healthy family! Men – remember that you are not exempt from this and take care of yourself as well!

If you care to do a little helpful shopping this month though, there are various companies banding together with charities for the cause, so your money will always be well spent. Take a looksee through some of these, and let me know if you come across others that I forget to cover!

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ChinaGlaze is out with a trio of pretty pinks called Care in Colour to help support the cause. Click over to Head2Toe Beauty for yours! I have ordered a set for myself, so stay tuned for swatches as well!

PhotobucketPhilosophy has Shower (gel) For The Cure (everybody has to shower… right?) benefiting the Women’s Cancer Research Fund

shower for the cure is philosophy’s pink ribbon shower gel – a creamy all-in-one formula that can be used as a shampoo, shower gel or bubble bath. this long-time philosophy favorite contains a touch of milk proteins and fruit essences to provide a delightful experience for your senses. shower for the cure represents the spirit of every woman and 100% of philosophy’s net proceeds from the sale of shower for the cure will be donated to the Women’s Cancer Research Fund. please note that this product is non-refundable. the memorable scent and poem on the pink ribbon shower gel was inspired by the unforgettable charity event, one of hollywood’s most beloved occasions which is held every spring and is chaired by Rita Wilson and Kate Capshaw.

Photobucket Purple Lab (famously of Huge Lips, Skinny Hips) has a lip gloss that is SWAC (Sealed With A Cure).

A delicious shimmering Pale Pink with Gold Flecks! PurpleLab has partnered with The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation to create a special lip gloss, SWAC (“Sealed With a Cure”), of which some of the proceeds will go to the charity. The gloss has been designed to boost “beauty, health, and confidence” while raising money for breast cancer research.

The gloss is: haraben-free, has health boosting and immune system enhancing ingredients including Mangosteens Echinacea, scented with uplifting Vanilla, has real gold flecks, and enriched with anti-aging peptides!

Keep checking back here for more details on the best ways to support causes & your beauty counter as well! 🙂 But if y’all know something I don’t? You know what to do!

Printed Material

Photobucket Lunch time at work for me is usually a lot more about venturing out into the world of retail. Apparel and cosmetics find no shelter from my wandering eyes as my stomach does (or does not… we really don’t always mind) rumble along the way. This is the time when I usually slap on my headphones and explore everything. Sometimes, like an addict, I slip up and come back to work with goodies, to a side eye and a headshake from coworkers. But really, what do they know!? 🙂

My last trip to the Gap had me excited about the beginning of fall. A lot of stores jump the gun too early and start bringing fall merchandise out, as I barely wipe the sweat off my brow and pull my sunglasses off my face. It’s always hard to ignore future fantasies at full price, because even if the weather outside is hot, you don’t want to let a cute outfit slip by you. Am I the only one with the epic internal shopper’s struggle here? Don’t hide behind your computer screens!

I came across some tees from Product(RED) that I was pretty impressed with. The designs were simple and not too exaggerated, but had a great message. This is after the fact that Product(RED) is a great campaign to begin with.

Some of who what wears of Product(RED):

(RED) is a business model created to raise awareness and money for the Global Fund by teaming up with the world’s most iconic brands to produce (PRODUCT) RED branded products. A portion of profits from each (PRODUCT) RED product sold goes directly to the Global Fund to invest in African AIDS programs, with a focus on women and children.

(RED) is not a charity. It’s a business model designed to create awareness and a sustainable flow of money from the private sector into the Global Fund, to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. Consumers buy (PRODUCT) RED, and at no cost to them, money is sent directly to the Global Fund.

Bono and Bobby Shriver created (RED) to engage the private sector in the fight against AIDS in Africa. Our partners include: American Express (UK only), Apple, Bugaboo, Converse, Dell, Emporio Armani, Gap, Hallmark, Starbucks, and Windows. Discussions are ongoing with other potential partners.

For its (RED) line, Gap has drawn design inspiration directly from Africa – its vibrant culture, architecture and people. So the clothes you wear can make a statement about who you are. Wear (RED) and save lives.

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The tees that I liked were both saying the following message:

What we collectively choose to buy or not to buy can change the course of this planet.”

The tees are no longer available on the Gap website, but are still on sale on the Product(RED) site here.

After tees with printed sayings burst onto the market, I grabbed up a couple obnoxious ones. Clearly, I just had to get one that said Kiss Me, I’m Jewish, and a few other silly and similar ones. Almost all of them have passed on to the Salvation Army, but graphic tees that incorporate sayings still have a get out of jail free card from me.

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I really appreciate these tees because they didn’t just rely on the message, or branding to sell themselves. There was evident graphic thought put into this, and they even added a variety of designs. The message translates into more than just buying the tee – it can allude to buying and being green as much as it does to supporting companies that in return give back to the planet and its inhabitants.

What do you think? Do you like these tees? How do you feel about clothing with sayings on them?


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Zoya Does It Again! & NOTD

PhotobucketZoya did it again! Always the consumer friendly and coupon conscious nail polish brand, they are offering a buy one get one free offer (for up to 6 polishes – I wanted to buy them all out too). Click here to check out the full details about the promotion (Good through 9/30/2009 11:59 PM ET) so move quick!

Check out the rest of the post to see my Zoya sale dedication polish!

This lovely lady rockin’ my nails is: Lael
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Left w/flash, Right no flash
The color is a bit plum-ish but late at night it looks burgundy. I really love it and think it’s perfectly appropriate (great description eh?) for fall.

Are you getting any for yourself?


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Hautelook Fusion Beauty Sale!

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Come join HauteLook for your sample sales and cheap designer duds.

Click here for your special invite!

Don’t forget that when you when you sign up through this link, you get a $10 credit to spend on whatever you please!

If the link is not working, copy and paste the following link in your browser: http://www.hautelook.com/invite/missyaya

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NYFW: Vera Wang S/S 2010

PhotobucketForgive me as I continue my fashion week coverage postweek. There was so much to cover and ooh and ahh at, that you can’t just cram it into one week. Plus – being that I’m a birthday girl this month, I figure I have all the right.

I have some juicy tidbits of what was behind the beauty inspiration and process for the Vera Wang show. The esteemed bridal designer has been everywhere from bridal salons to Simply Vera at Kohl’s, to an extension of her own label a la Marc by Marc Jacobs with her Lavender Label. The woman is also a great momma bear (or so it seems) and she is equally as great with her other baby – the namesake label.

No surprise then, that I loved it and want to share, eh?

There was a handful of chiffons and light fabrics with plenty an embellishment & on point accessorizing.

Once again, simple was the way to go for the makeup. After following Vera’s inspiration in French designer Paul Poiret, Lucia Pieroni, the color creator for ClĂ© de Peau BeautĂ©, decided a simple “boyish” face was the way to go. Also, making sure to have the face compliment and not contradict the look of the clothing & jewels at hand.

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“I wanted the models to appear cool and very natural, so I created a super sheer base on the face with eye accents only, of taupe and silver.” Lucia says. “I wanted them to look healthy, but a bit supernatural.”

PhotobucketProducts used:

Face:
Luminizing Enhancer Base ($42,)
Refining Fluid Foundation ($118)

Eyes:
Eyebrow Pencil in #104/Grey ($55)
Satin Eye Color in #11/silver ($45,)
Shade #111/taupe
Satin Eye Color #104/golden (browbone)

Lips:
Extra Rich Lipstick in T4 ($65,)

As with many other collections, the makeup used mimicked the clothing, in that it was a season ahead. The runway has transcended the “preview” and has becoming the testing groud.

The Clé de Peau Beauté Spring 2010 collection will premier in March 2010 at Bergdorf Goodman and select Barney’s, Neiman Marcus and Saks locations nationwide.


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