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Don’t be snooty! Everyone loves a good dollar store buy. With the economy in the tank and all our pockets slowly disintegrating, it’s no doubt that more of us have headed to our local Dollar Tree or 99 cents store within the last few months. Dollar stores aren’t for typical household goodies like Ziploc bags and toilet paper, either. Believe it or not, there are some beauty products that are perfect to purchase there and the quality differs no less than if you were to pay 4X for it at a  common drugstore. Here is a list of what to stock up on the next time you’re in the neighborhood AND what dollar store beauty loot you shouldn’t even bother trying.

Dollar Store “Yes! Buy Me for a buck!”

Cosmetic sponges, q-tips, and cotton balls: Just as good and does the job.

Sugar: Cheap sugar = A great scrub. Get a cutesy jar to leave/use in your shower for seriously smooth skin.

Drugstore brand lipsticks: The only real cosmetic I’ve purchased from a dollar store, and have had happy results with, is lipstick. I’ve found Revlon, Almay, and Maybelline lipsticks and they were just fine. When drugstores pull product off the shelf, dollar stores and bargain stores like Ross and TJMaxx usually purchase the left overs… I think lipstick has a longer shelf life than most but be sure to check for an expiration date, any discolorations, or odors. If it has it, or if it’s expired, don’t even thing twice -> chuck it.

Baby wipes: These bad boys are perfect to place anywhere! In your gym bag, car, by the bed. Perfect for any kind of cleaning, wiping, and freshening up.

More goodies that don’t need explaining that you might want to try if you’re not too picky:

So-so Eyelash curlers, sealed loofah sponges, nail cutters, nail files, and plastic bins for beauty product organization.

Dollar Store “Hell to the No! Don’t even think twice!”

Generic Beauty Brands: This goes for all eye shadows, nail polishes, foundations, etc. The rule of thumb is, if you haven’t used it before don’t buy it.

Makeup brushes: They suck. From the bristles to the handle. I don’t even know why they bother.

Lotion/Creams/Oils: Unless you see a familiar name, (I’ve found some salon brands before) most dollar store lotion/body creams/body oils have really terrible quality ingredients. I’ve experienced the most gnarly feeling lotions via the $1 land and I am not about to let you not learn from my mistake. Sticky, chalky,grimey…you name it. Not nice.

Imitation perfumes: Not that I really had to mention this but just thought I’d put it out there for those that were curious. Not only do they smell nothing like the perfume it’s trying to imitate but they all smell the same…Like an old lady. Love the old ladies, hate the old lady smell.

Hair color: Sweet universe, no. I’ve never tried it nor will I ever want to and I suggest that you shouldn’t either.

Shampoo and Conditioners: They’re cheap, drying, and stripping. Steer clear.

There should be no shame in a dollar store purchase.  For the most part, you’re buying smart not cheap…Because it does add up. (Hello! I have never been to a dollar store and spent just a$1. That ringer adds up!)  It takes one dollar to make a million, so be sure you don’t waste it buying crappy, wasteful, and useless stuff.

There’s “events” and then there’s “beauty events” and I especially love exclusive beauty blogger events. Professional beauty junkies get the opportunity to get together, giggle, and glam up like girl’s in a candy store.  And when you add cocktails and cupcakes to the mix…Who can resist?

Benefit’s “Girls Gone Glam” Beauty Blogger event went down at their boutique on Chestnut St. and I couldn’t think of a better way to begin the week. The ladies at Benefit, including Annie Ford Danielson, the daughter and niece of the Benefit founders, showed us their delectable upcoming Fall goodies which are multi-tasking, brilliant, and effortless beauty makers. Read my upcoming article “Five things I learned at the Benefit Girls Gone Glam Beauty Event” on the Examiner.com to get the fun details and specifics of the products and party.

One of my favorite things about these events is running into some of my favorite people of the web-osphere. So many familiar faces and new ones, too! Take a look at the beautiful blogging ladies I was able to get a quick photo op with.

Andrea Ragni and Meghan Donovan of Wit and Whimsy

Sonja Shin Hodgkins of Hello Beauty!

and Siv Lam of Jcrewaholics

Let’s not forget the delicious champagne, “Girl Meets Pearl” cocktails, french fries, and perrrfect cupcakes from local bakery American Cupcake!

We went home with a bag of fabulous Benefit beauty goodies!!

And as another keepsake, the ladies at Polyvore were there to recreate our outfits for the night. 

 

Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE my job?!

Because I do.

That’s it for now, boho babes! Enjoy your weekend.

Follow me on twitter @miratorres

Not every celebrity designer gets their feet off the ground in the fashion biz, but for those paparazzi faves that can get the star-quality and fashion-quality combination correct, they’ve defnitely nailed it again come this fashion season of Fall 2010. We’ve got three fabulous A-lister whose lines deliver:

 

Jessica Simpson

According to Fabsugar, “For Fall ‘10, look forward to dark rinse denim skinnies paired with slick wool coats, cargo pants contrasted with faux fur vests, and dressy jumpsuits. Furthermore, suede wraparound sandals and tough lace-up booties instantly add a modern, tough touch.” Check out the whole line by clicking here.

 

Twenty8Twelve by S. Miller (Sienna and Savannah)

Sienna and Savannah’s Fall Campaign delivers the ultimate coveted British-Hollywood chic that every fashionista will be wearing the end of this year and onward. Effortless, urban, and perfectly executed. See the rest at Style.com by clicking here.

 

Dereon by Beyonce

Beyonce (and her mom) definitely brought out the rockstar for Fall. This video alone gets me in the mood to sport a faux-hawk and those studded tights. Hope they don’t scratch.

How effing fall fashion-tastic.

OK. I’m excited. I’m more than excited. Yes. I am one of those girls that went absolutey ape-shit over Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, “Eat, Pray, Love.” I laughed and cried over that whole true-story like a typical chic-lit sucker and I loved every minute of it. Which is why I had to show you these:

When I heard about who was going to play Gilbert and the name Julia Roberts came up, I could not think of a more perfect actress for the part. She looks absolutely stunning at the Ziegfeld Theatre last night in New York City. Tailored shorts, a stunning blazer  tuxedo jacket, structured strappy heels, and the bangles – oh! the bangles! On top of that mega-watt smile, this mommy of three looks jaw-dropping amazing. 

Can’t wait to see the flick. For now I’ll just be watching the trailer:

And OH MY GOSH! I love that song: “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + The Machine. The soundtrack is already kick-ass… OK. I’ll contain myself now.

Budget-friendly and cruelty-free beauty line, E.L.F. or Eyes Lips Face, really outdid themselves for this upcoming back-to-school shopping season. Behold, the clever new line of Beauty Books: Neutral Eyes, Smokey Eyes, Bright Eyes, and Lips. It’s going to be no surprise to see one of these four palettes in every fashionista’s makeup bag on campus. Small enough to stash in any messenger bag, and flat enough to tuck in between textbooks, the Beauty Book line was created to look like a notebook but with the benefits of cosmetic variety, so you can become your own personal makeup artist come break time. Every “book” also come with instructions on the inside cover (on how-to apply the product) making it the perfect purchase for the newbie. Available at your local Bay Area Target store. Find yours by clicking here.

E.L.F. Beauty Book – Lip Edition Perfect for the lip product lover, E.L.F.’s Lip Edition Beauty Book comes with 12 shades, a neutral liner (Mauve Luxe), a built in mirror, and a lip brush for precision application. E.L.F. ’s gloss and lipsticks are never too sticky and are always generously pigmented.  (Beauty Editor’s Note: This one is my personal favorite of the group)

 

 

E.L.F. Beauty Book – Neutral Eye Edition A great combination of colors perfect for defining the eye with natural tones. The entire palette is filled with subtle, warm colors, great for lining the entire water line or defining the crease, for a natural-look. Comes with a built-in mirror, 12 eyeshadow shades, an eyeliner and an eyeshadow brush. 

E.L.F. Beauty Book - Smokey Eyes Edition The ultimate fashionista accessory, E.L.F. has created the go-to daily color palette for the smokey eye mavens. E.L.F. ’s eye shadows are always soft and highly-pigmented so you don’t have to worry about your look going stale. A trending favorite, this is the palette/book to buy of you want smoldering, sexy eyes as a staple look this semester.

E.L.F. Beauty Book – Bright Eyes Edition The Bright Eyes Edition is for the playful, girly-girl crew. Lots of shine, glitter, and glimmer. Ladies can have fun with this palette and create darling looks with the 12 eye shadows, eyeliner, eyeshadow brush, and built-in mirror.

For $5, these Beauty Books are a real bang for your buck. Perfect for daily-use and to change your look as often as you change your mood! 

Don’t forget to follow me on twitter, @miratorres, for more back-to-school beauty finds coming soon!

Just finished watching Coco Before Chanel. Decided to go surfing online and found this photo. Two people that changed the course of history through their own works art. How awesome is that?

Coco Before Chanel was a really good watch. I enjoyed it thoroughly and found it mighty interesting. It’s a very personal venture into the life of the legendary designer and all the love, lack of love, and opportunities that she encountered which led to the decisions that led her to who she one day became.

It’s in french so, if you don’t like subtitles, it isn’t for you. Otherwise, if you’re fascinated with Miss Coco then watch it ON DEMAND or add it to your Netflix que.

Don’t know who the actor that plays “Boy” is but he’s kinda cute in a boyishly handsome and mysterious way.  Kinda like a cross between Adam Levine and Ryan Reynolds. Googling…

Burberry Beauty has taken inspiration from the timeless features of the iconic Burberry trench coat and morphed it into an entire color line capturing the trench’s functionality, versatility, and comfort – All available in an arsenal of various beauty product forms.(Burberry Beauty contains four cosmetic categories: Burberry Skin, Burberry Glow, Burberry Lips and Burberry Eyes)

Luscious textures, luxurious ingredients, and colors that flatter every skin tone and every style, the creators of Burberry Beauty have executed an entirely chic cosmetic line that is as timeless and attractive as it is functional. (To read more about the line read my Examiner.com article here)

Last Tuesday, I was exclusively invited to the Burberry Beauty launch at Nordstrom at the Westfield San Francisco Centre. It was an all out extravagant and exciting affair that mixed and mingled the exact amount of work and play for an avid beauty junkie and blogger like myself.

First stop was the beauty counter, where I was dolled up by Brad and Stephanie, two darlings of the fabulous Nordstrom Burberry makeup crew. Then  headed to my first interview and first on-camera interview with the amazing man behind the brand, Christopher Bailey. As the Chief Creative Officer of the Burberry brand, this man deserves mad props for taking the traditional multi-million dollar design house and turning it into a billion dollar powerhouse and completing the label with an array of specific lifestyle lines. Needless to say, I was quite nervous. Nonetheless, he was an honor and a pleasure to interview. Watch the video below as we discuss the inspiration behind the Burberry Beauty products and campaign:

And of course, play time came! It was a chic cocktail party where local Burberry fans and San Francisco socialites gathered at an exclusive VIP area on the second floor of the Westfield Nordstrom. Complete with music, appetizers, champagne, and  cocktails, the event was the perfect way to introduce the new addition to such an iconic fashion brand.

Burberry Beauty is available at Nordstrom Union Square, Nordstrom.com and Burberry.com

Also, I ran into two lovely ladies during the Burberry event:

Karen of Makeup and Beauty Blog and Kasey of Bay Area Style File.

I love it when I run into fellow bloggers,  especially when they are as sweet and  awesome as these two!

So, of course, I went for shirts. T-shirts OWN all of the requirements I had in terms of versatility, comfort, and durability. Wash, wear, accessorize.

I am a pretty practical, no-fuss, person, so I went with basic staples. It was only natural that I gravitated towards my three most-adored vintage tee shirts.

I love a nice, soft, worn in tee. My t-shirt’s are all  a’ la Goodwill which is, I believe the BEST place to find awesome and eye-catching previously loved tees. Below are my three chosen ones for this divine challenge: Klein Delicatessen’s The Kahlo, a Tribeca Film Festival tee, and a comedy tee with the most holy bull on it.

Random thought: The Kahlo (on my shirt) has curry in it. Don’t you think they should have expanded a little more towards the Latin American sector of ingredients considering Frida was a senorita? I have never tried the Kahlo chicken salad and did some research to find that the last Klein’s is at the SFO. Maybe one day I’ll take a trip up there to document and review this Kahlo ensalada and see if this curry salad is worthy of such a legendary artist’s name.

To read what the GBD-SLC  is all about check out www.gbd-slc.com and to read why YOU should join CLICK HERE!

When deciding my 10 pieces, for Green By Design’s Summer Light Challenge, I thought of three main things. Versatility, durability, comfortability and …machine washableness. I wanted to pick items that I somewhat already knew I loved and would not regret. Though, in this challenge, we have the luxury to trade things around every now and then (so long as we stick to a 10 piece wardrobe throughout summer) I wanted to make sure that it were things that I wouldn’t have to feel pressured to wear, opposite of that in my olden days of private school uniforms. (I wore a  uniform of white polos and pleated plaid skirts until I reached college.) This project is supposed to be fun. Not like pulling teeth. Soo…

I am a pretty practical, no-fuss, person, so I went with basic staples. Alongside my three most-adored vintage tee shirts, I added 2 pairs of jeans, 1 pair of shorts, 2 blazers, and a bright cardigan.

I do see myself running into a few dilemmas. Particularly on days when I feel like I want to wear something floral, girly or romantic. But…hopefully accessories can guard me from my cravings. It has been a whole week gone by and I’ve been pretty good, minus a day where I didn’t feel like getting out of my nightgown, otherwise…Things are looking peachy.

This pic made my night.

I’m told, apparently, Africa has a huge feral cat problem.