Archive for the ‘Beauty’ Category

From the luxurious smell, to the salon-worthy shine, and the effortless style: Rusk’s latest shine products is worth every penny for  it’s $15 a tube. Formulated with moisturizing marine extracts, RUSK Deepshine Lustre Shine Enhancing Lusterizer is lightweight, creamy, and instantly transforms dull or damaged hair into a smooth and soft coveted mane. With Rusk’s unique Marine Nutrient Complex, it also protects hair from from UBV inhibitors while strengthening it with protein and natural lipids.

Beauty Editor’s Note: For me, shine products are too greasy, too sticky, or too oily to use all the time. Though every now and then I’ll use an occassional gloss to amp up the shine to my black hair, nothing - absolutely nothing - beats an excellent leave-in cream like Rusk’s DeepShine, an instant favorite. This shine cream helps my hair feel healthier, stronger, on top of being shinier. I have been looking for a hair product that could nurse my hair back to health after summer’s harsh rays and the frequent curling and flat ironing that I’ve been doing since Fashion Week and this was exactly the product I was looking for. If you have dry or damaged hair, you need to add this product to your daily routine. You will notice the difference the first time you use it.

Available at Stylesource.com and your nearest Bay Area Ulta. Click here to find the one nearest you.

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Kiss My Face Peace Soap is like the ultimate superhero of soaps. It has the ability to transform into any  type of cleaning agent AND bring peace to the planet. I kid you not, this liquid lather kills germs and fights crime. 

Though, at first pour this product doesn’t seem sudsy enough, and perhaps a bit too watery, with a couple more rubs it’s capable of getting out any stain or stench. My favorite is the Lavender Mandarin, which has the most calming and clean smell I’ve ever sniffed. I use it as a laundry detergent, shampoo, you name it. According to Kiss My Face, it has 101 uses. And it’s great for babies, too, as it is entirely derived from natural materials and won’t harm even the most sensitive of skin. Be sure to buy the big one because, if you love the aroma of delicious cleanliness, you’ll be using it on everything.

Here are five (out of 101) of my favorite uses for Kiss My Face’s  Peace Soap:

1. Great for cleaning makeup brushes. It’s the first use to pop up on the website and, boy, are they right. Cheaper, better smelling, and more efficient than regular makeup brush cleanser.

2. Bath time. I’m actually insanely allergic to regular bubble bath. This is so gentle and leaves the most adorable fragrance on skin.

3.Clarifying Shampoo. This removes a lot of gunk with out leaving hair feel like it was stripped of all the good oils and for much less than salon brands.

4. Washing delicates/Hand washing. It works great as a clothing detergent. Clothes smell absolutely divine. I use it for small loads, like delicates and hand washables.

5. Shower. It’s a great body wash.

Kiss My Face is partnering with Seeds of Peace and has created “The Pledge for Peace.” Get ready to get your gab on because it’s simple and FREE! Log onto the Kiss My Face Facebook page or Thepledgeforpeace.com and click on the “like” button. For every 10,000 pledges that are made, Kiss My Face will send one camper to the Seeds of Peace summer camp, a nonprofit, nonpolitical organization dedicated to empowering young people from regions of conflict with the leadership skills and interpersonal networks necessary to advance reconciliation and coexistence, during the 2011 season (a value of $6,000). The campaign runs from June 21st through September 15th, 2010 and there will be no limit to how many kids Kiss My Face will send so be sure to spread the word and let everyone know. The more pledges, the more kids, the more, the merrier!

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Lolavie, is the new “nonfragrance fragrance” that Falic Fashion Group and mega-star Jennifer Aniston has created to debut in Britain this month. A year and a half in the making, Aniston and Falic Fashion Group President, Leon, concocted a scent that truly encapsulated the simple,elegant, and “California-girl” fashion icon. With a modern architectural bottle design, also inspired by waves of the beach, this floral, sexy, and clean scent is said to be Aniston’s “extension” of herself.

Need a visual? Preview the ad for Jennifer Aniston’s fragrance by clicking here from Popsugar.

Whatever she named it, I think I’m buying it. I was so delighted to find this tidbit of info in my inbox this morning. I’ve always admired Jennifer Aniston for her class and elegant nature. Was there anyone out there that didn’t love her in friends? Ross and Rachel was really the only reason I watched that show and to see her blossom into this Hollywood mega-star while still staying grounded and down-to-earth…She is, hands-down, one of my all-time favorite stars.

Lolavie will be coming to the US at an undisclosed date after it’s release, today,  in Britain.

Thank you to SleekStyle.com and WWD for the information.

E-mail me your question at torresmira@yahoo.com and follow me on twitter @miratorres

That little extra “oomph!” for your hair has never been so much fun and so eco-friendly! 

Privé Salon and Products have expanded their innovative eco-friendly Concept Vert hair care line with the launch of Concept Vert Volumizing Froth. Ideal for all hair types, add a little exotic rejuvenation and antioxidant rich ingredients to your routine with Concept Vert Volumizing Froth’s Amazon Acai and Babassu Oil. The styling concoction leaves hair nourished and protected, leaving your hairstyle soft to the touch and manageable and all while providing incredible body, volume and definition. Of course, it being oh-so eco fabulous, it’s also free of parabens, artificial ingredients, and has never been tested on animals. It comes in a non-aerosol mousse which reduces waste, protects the environment and packaged in a container designed to be recycled and hold more than other leading salon brands.

Not only is this product great for hair and great for the environement, it’s absolutely fun!!! You haven’t seen any mousse like this yet. It starts out in a liquid form but in five seconds, after rubbing a dime size amount between your palms, the product froths and fizzes into the mousse consistency that we are all familiar with. Like magic. My inner-child was beaming with giddy-amazement.

Privè’s Concept Vert Volumizing Froth retails for $24 and will be available at elite salons and spas nationwide July 2010. Visit www.priveproducts.com for where to find Prive’s Concept Vert products near you.

Coconut lovers rejoice! Nothing says “vacation” quite like a fresh coconut and I am a coconut fanatic! Often, beauty brands just don’t get that coconut scent right. It’s often too sweet, to funky, or to blended with all the wrong fruits and because of this our favorite summer seed (yes, a seed, not a fruit or a nut) gets a very bad reputation. How many times have I heard, “Oh! I hate coconut products!” but, please, don’t give up on the island necessity just yet. This week, for the sake of the season and the sake of the coconut, I’ve been trying and testing coconut products to feature galore.

 It’s the perfect time to get your coconut fix and, alas, give coconut beauty products a second chance.

First up, ONE Natural Body Butter in “You Wild Coconut, You! ”

 96.9% Natural 100% Safe for our Planet. ONE’s natural creamy body butter is made out of Shea. For that extra emollient and rich layer of moisture “You Wild Coconut, You!” does the job and envelopes you in that subtle and sweet aroma reminiscent of the atmosphere of a hot and humid oasis. The kind of weather that we, San Francisco ladies, crave. Due to our unpredictable and often windy August. One night is all it takes to get addicted to this decadent moisturizer. It instantly smooths dry, chapped, and tired skin. Plus, at under $10,it’s a STEAL! Find it at your nearest Bay Area Target. Don’t forget to follow me on twitter @miratorres!

With the hot and sweaty season coming up, the messy pony has been my go-to look because (1.) Due to the heat, I make it a habit to shower/wash my hair at night to avoid greasy hair galore (2.) Hitting the snooze button 2,500 times after the morning alarm goes off leaves me very, very little time to prep for well, anything, let alone shower and (3.) Washing hair the night before is my deepest, darkest secret to keeping my hair healthy, shiny, and moisturized.

Mastering the perfect messy ponytail can change any outfit from drab to fab in a possible .5 seconds. The real trick to creating a pony that screams “wash-and-wear” chic, like Cameron Diaz, rather than trailer park mess, like Britney Spears, is the proper products. No brush required. Here’s how I do this haircaring and style-friendly hairdo daily:

After I shower, and before bed, when my hair is damp dry I throw in an obsessive amount of leave-in treatment or conditioner. My hair then air-dries through the night, crimping, binding and falling wherever Mr.Sandman positions me to slumber. Choose a non-greasy treatment, free of any oils, to ensure you don’t wake up with a grease ball of a mane. My favorites? For the most bang for your buck, try John Frieda’s Frizz-Ease Creme Serum Overnight Repair Formula, which is a smooth, lightweight cream that repairs and mends damage without leaving any residue in your hair or pillow. For a worthy splurge, try Redken’s Real Control Overnight Treatment, an award winning overnight recovery treatment which helps renew and repair severely damaged hair using Redken’s exclusive Interbond Conditioning System and Care-Adjust Complex.

By morning my hair is dry, wavy, and a big mess. No need for a brush! Just finger comb as much as you can.

Grab an elastic and get it ready. Starting from lifting under the neck line and up, Spray your head with a light-holding, non-aerosol, flexible spray like, Brocato’s FreeFix, which is a luxurious hair spray that adds volume, texture and a light flexible hold without the crunchy unwanted feel and funky smell other hairsprays leave. (It smells oh-so divine and is also perfect for keeping bangs in place.)

When spray is dry and hair is set, gather and tie it up, pull the ends to get that desired snug fit. How high, low, or poofy is totally up  to you.

Spritz more hair spray on your hands to smooth any unwanted bumps or pieces.

A messy ponytail is a fast and easy hairstyle perfect for work or summertime fun. The added technique for an overnight treatment also adds an extra hair healthy benefit to your mane without adding the extra work of having to wear a shower cap and wait minutes for a deep conditioner to absorb in the shower…Yah! I never understood that either. *shrugs*

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Summer hair needs a lot of love, and discovering a great haircare product that protects, restores, and maintains hair despite summer season’s chlorine, sun, and seawater damage is no easy feat. Fight off style damage and dismay this coming crispy weather by trying these three excellent haircare products perfect for color-treated and normal hair.

1. Miss Oops Block Your Locks – An SPF 15 finishing spray for color treated hair that provides moderate protection that helps resist fading in the sun. With a super easy, spray-on application. Available at these Bay Area boutiques:

Moms the Word 3385 Sacramento St., San Francisco, CA 94118

Bella Pelle, Inc. 9 Maiden Lane, San Francisco, CA 94108

Romi Boutique 2512 Sacramento St., San Francisco, CA 94115

2. Davines’ SU Protective Moisturizing Sun Creme - With SPF 30, this extremely light and all-natural product is full of fantastic ingredients like fatty acids, wheat proteins, and Vitamin E that keeps hair protected and moisturized.

3. Redken’s Color Extend Sun Sparkling Shield Leave-In Smoother -  Provides water-resistant protection while simultaneaously protecting against UVA/UVB rays. Has a smooth sleek finish. Perfect for daily swims and trips to the beach. Available at your nearest Bay Area Ulta.

Enjoy the sunshine, lovely readers!

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The sun, sun rays, and their lack of understanding for the human desire of eternal youth, are the biggest culprit of skin damage and external aging caused by environmental factors…and guess where the first sign of aging begins to show? Your neck.

Women have made careers from it and legendary paintings have been inspired by these particular parts of the female figure.The delicate neck and decolletage are the most neglected, and yet the most vital, part of our bodies that effortlessly exudes sex appeal and femininity to onlookers.  Which is why we need to take extra precaution to protect them from the sun. After all, it really wouldn’t hurt to do all that is possible to avoid inevitable sagging and the dreaded elder turkey-lurkey goblet syndrome. 

Unless you have a trusted plastic surgeon, and a gajillion dollar face and neck lift savings already put aside, try Miss Oops Goblet Goop Firming Neck and Chest Cream. Goblet Goop, ($24.00) with SPF 30, protects the neck from sun damage with the help of a kick-butt formula that moisturizes and firms the delicate skin around the neck area. Algae, yeast, rosemary, and Echinacea extract helps skin retain moisture and promotes collagen production.

Check out Miss Oops other Beauty Blunder Fix-Its. This innovativefeatures creations that other leading beauty labels seem to miss! 

Editor’s review: I am addicted to this stuff. As a long time San Francisco commuter I am constantly exposed to sun on a daily basis. Despite my religious sun block application, a few months ago I noticed a brown spot on the right side of my chest beginning to develop. Since using Goblet Goop, the spot is visibly lighter and I feel a lot more sound knowing that I am giving my neck area the extra attention it needs in order to avoid damage and -honestly, even scarier – unflattering sagging!  Hopefully, by the time I’m 60, Miss Oops will invent a product that will completely eliminate turkey neck altogether. Hardcore emollient but in a creamy, non-sticky, way, I recommend using this jar everyday, twice day. Place the product on your bathroom sink so that after brushing, you can guarantee adding this extra protection to your daily routine.

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and check out my new website at  www.thebeautybohemian.com

Have an awesome weekend and protect that neck!

And just like that it’s freakin’ summer, full-force, on my fingertips. Not for the meek, OPI’s Cajun Shrimp is more like a screaming  Jalapeno red to me than any other color. Reminiscent of the Chili’s sign but with a little hint of tangerine. Perfect for summer barbecues and picnic parties. Chipped after the first two days but applying a quick coat cover up helps get nails back to sizzling perfection. Insanely bright, fun, and even more excellent on my toes! Brings out /compliments sunbaked (or faux-baked) tans fabulously, too. Color: 5 stars Quality: 3 stars

It started out to be a typical week after Memorial Day weekend. Past due articles, John’s back to school, semi-cleaning the house, and the occassional ”what’s-for-dinner?” mode. Or so I thought…Mid-week I got a reminder from the lovely people of John Frieda PR about their mobile salon being in town this Thursday/Friday…

My heart started to palpitate. What do I love more than fabulous hair products? Fabulous stylists! It’s been awhile since I actually set foot in a salon and my hair was in dire need of some TLC…So, I booked my appointment for Thursday, dropped the bub at school, kissed my hubby off to his new job, and towed my behind to Justin Herman Plaza by the Embarcadero where the gutted 18-wheeler awaited to fix this hot mess…

Okay. I’ll admit. My hair isn’t terrible. It’s extremely easy to manage. Just a bit dry, a tad stringy, and honestly, with the fact that I hardly ever EVER give it attention, it doesn’t look too bad. But, oh boy, if only I did. If only I had the mad styling skills of John Frieda stylist Miss Chris Megia I could look this fabulous everyday…

 I felt AMAZING…and so much so that as I was walking on my cloud of fab hair, I forgot to check out the BCBG kiosk for goodies to shoot with my handy dandy camera.

Maybe I’ll stop by tomorrow – the last day before they head off to beautify another lovely city – and hopefully, hopefully the John Frieda Style on Site Salon Tour will be coming back very,very soon. My hair eagerly awaits to be pampered once more.

Be sure to check out my article on the Examiner.com  to see an exclusive slideshow of inside and out the John Frieda and BCBG Mobile Salon.