Welcome to the Jungle Part Deux

LOVING the Tropical and Animal Print Trends for Spring & Summer 2013... and instead of the usual leopard prints, here are some pieces that mix it up- a few different bright, fun leopard prints, sequin python skirt (dying over that), the Rebecca Minkoff crossbody bag (a great piece that would go with so many things- I am always looking for a good crossbody bag, especially living in New Orleans during festival season), those adorable harem pants...you get the point.  Check out these fun (and for the most part, affordable) pieces.

• Rebecca Minkoff Leopard Print "Kiss Kiss" Crossbody Bag (On Sale)
• Tropical Print Harem Pants (only $17.80...Tried these on and bought them in another print-didn't have my size in this print- they fit so cute!)
• National Geographic Muscle Tee (just sold out!)... it was from Nasty Gal... here's another cute tropical muscle tee- Paradise City Muscle Tee
    

• Topshop Back Cut Out Body-Con Dress (also comes in green)
• Topshop 'Crazy Croc' Scarf (love a fun Spring/Summer scarf... wear it around your neck, on your head, etc.)
• Topshop Bright Parrot Shorts
  
  

• Haute Hippie Python Sequin Miniskirt (expensive, yes... but WHAT a killer piece)
• Leopard Print Pencil Skirt ($15.80... love the detail on the back)

Perfect, Golden Legs (New Product Alert!)

ph: sallyhansen.com

As you know from this post, I love love love Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs.  However, the fact that you have to spray it on, then rub it in, then worry about the little droplets of color flying everywhere while you're spraying is a complete bitch.  And now that it's Spring (and soon to be Summer), I will definitely be needing a little help to not look like this (sorry Dakota Fanning).  But for real, I'm prettaayyyy pale when I have zero sun and/or spray tan.

Soooo, I was so incredibly excited to see that Sally Hansen has created a LOTION form of my favorite product.

ph: facebook.com/sallyhansen

As I mentioned in the other post, I use this stuff all over my body if I need an instant tan... not only my legs.  Also- I bruise very easily, so this stuff works wonders for covering up a bruise.  Please check out the original post for more details on why I love this stuff!

And what's even better.... you can find it at your local drugstore :)

Product Fail: Buxom Stay-There Eyeshadow

Buxom Stay-There Eye Shadow in "Pug"

My photo... to try and show you the texture.

Sephora photo

This product was a total fail.  I was SO disappointed.  I bought it to use to do a shimmery, smokey eye for the holidays... what it gave me was a glittery eye.  I guess it went ON okay, but as the name of it says... it did not "stay-there".... I have another Sephora brand silvery shadow (that was cheaper) that works WAY better (can't find that right now to tell you what it is, but I will do that as soon as I find it!)  As long as you use a shadow over an eyeshadow primer, it will stay.  This stuff has a weird texture... it is almost spongey.  I was kind of creamy I guess? But just a very odd texture.

Also, it did not give me a rich color like I thought it would... it was pretty sheer. I tried layering it... it looked a little better, but because it is a creamy-like texture, it wore off pretty quickly.  I thought that was the whole point of the cream shadows... to stay on?

Back to the point... I didn't like it... it did NOT give me the smokey eye I wanted.  Instead, the color wore off and left glitter all over my eye :(  

I cannot vouch for the other colors because I haven't tried them, but if you're looking for a rich color, do not buy this one!

Highlighting & Contouring Diagram

I came across this on Pinterest... which explains the weirdness at the bottom of the photo... and I'm not cropping it out because I don't want to get sued by some foreign website!

Had to share it with y'all because it is one of the best contouring diagrams I've seen yet.  So many people are still completely in the dark about the benefits of highlighting and contouring their face... Thank God for pinterest and youtube tutorials!    

For those of you who are not familiar with the concept,  the white areas are where you should put your highlighter and the brown is where your darker color (a bronzer w/o shimmer or a powder darker than your normal color) should go... I will get to a more detailed post about the subject later!

What's Your Secret? ...Featuring: Candice

       How could we NOT be dying to know all the beauty secrets of this gorgeous girl?!  I couldn't be more excited to have Candice as the first of the new Blonde & Lippy feature, "What's Your Secret?" which will spotlight different pretty ladies and their beauty secrets... (especially since she enlightened me on some new products I had never heard of- and can't wait to try).  However, my favorite thing Candice said was in regards to nurturing your skin from the inside... so true!

 What are 3 beauty products you couldn’t live without?

        "#1.  I absolutely love Bobbi Brown's Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks in the 'Powder Pink' shade- thats a mouthful!  It gives a gorgeous natural matte color to lips and stays for hours on cheeks. It looks great against sun kissed skin and is perfect for Summer. I've been using it for years and it has become one of my staple items!

        #2.  Because I almost always opt for the natural look and never wear liquid foundation, I swear by  Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup for a light finish. I use the pressed powder in the 'Latte' shade. I discovered the brand after my mother was recommended it by a doctor of hers. One use and I was hooked! It makes your complexion look flawless, even, and smooth without looking like you have anything on. I have been using it for about three years and have turned several friends into users as well. It is definitely a go-to and I highly recommend it!

       #3.  Darphin Paris is my choice for eye cream. I use their "Anti-Fatigue Smoothing Eye Gel" and the "Dark Circle Relief and De-Puffing Eye Serum." The Anti-Fatigue Gel creates a cooling effect that feels amazing and helps me to wake up in the morning before I apply my makeup or even have a cup of coffee. It works as a great prep for my concealer, as well. The Serum is mainly used before I go to sleep because of the oily base. When i'm tired I tend to look that way! And Darphin does an amazing job of keeping me looking as good as I feel!"

What is your every day makeup routine?

        "My daily routine is pretty sparse. But the three things you will almost always find me wearing are concealer, mascara, and bronzer. A common mistake I notice is that girls will use bronzer on the balls of their cheeks in the area that you would otherwise apply a blush. Bronzer is intended to contour the face, and has the opposite effect when not applied in the right area. I like to make the famous kiss fish face and apply the bronzer from the temple, down to right below the ear, and then blend inward toward my mouth in the indentation created under the cheekbone. If you stay within this guideline it can really thin out the face. If you prefer, you can add a light amount of blush to the balls of the cheeks as well." 

What is your go-to if you want to “glam it up” for the weekend?

        "My friends can all attest that I am a firm believer in the 'cat-eye.' I think it makes the shape of the eye look beautiful and can even be applied in different colors depending on the look you are going for. I always use a liquid liner. Either in black or my most recent favorite, Dolce & Gabbana liquid liner in the 'Dahlia' shade. Its plum and super fun to wear!

I also can't leave out the infamous red lip! I love love to play with different shades and it instantly makes you look glammed!"

In your opinion, what is the most important part of your skincare regimen?

        "I think the most important part of skincare is to eat right. There are so many gels and creams and serums for this and that, but if you're not nurturing your skin from the inside then you are probably wasting your money. Greasy foods are your skins worst enemy. Make sure to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and your complexion will be better equipped to take care of itself!"

What is your favorite feature about yourself?

         "My favorite feature of myself is probably my hair. When I was younger I hated the thickness and the waves. Before the days of hair straighteners, I would literally iron my hair down on my mothers ironing board trying to get it to lie straight! In adulthood I find that I love the thickness and the natural wave saves me countless hours of styling. I can simply wash and go. And I almost never straighten! I do have a slight addiction to my curling iron though. I swear by the relaxed curl look. It’s chic and easy and will stay for hours."

Shop Candice's Favorite Products:

• Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks in "Powder Pink"
• Jane Iredale PurePressed Base SPF20 Mineral Makeup
• Darphin Paris Anti-Fatigue Smoothing Eye Gel, or buy from Amazon.com: Darphin Anti-Fatigue Smoothing Eye Gel - 15ml/0.5oz
• Darphin Paris Dark Circles Relief and De-Puffing Eye Serum, Amazon.com: Darphin Dark Circles Relief & De-Puffing Eye Serum 0.5oz
• Dolce & Gabbana Glam Liner Intense Liquid Eyeliner in "Dahlia"

A huge thank you to Candice for being the first "What's Your Secret?" feature!  

Sunless Tan WITHOUT The Smell

I absolutely loathe the smell you get from a sunless tan.  Yes, sometimes it is a necessary evil-  but let's be honest, no one wants to be THAT GIRL who is stinking up the room with her sunless tanning stench.  And what if you want to get a little glow for a date?  I always think about that since they say your scent plays a big roll in attraction.  Sure, I may look better with a slight tan, but I don't want someone getting close to me and then thinking that is my normal smell.  It doesn't matter how good you look if you SMELL. BAD.

Ok, ok... I digress. Back to my point.  I recently discovered that Jergens has reformulated their "Natural Glow" sunless tanning collection to allow you to get the color WITHOUT the smell.  I don't know ALL the details on how it works, but Jergens has developed some new (patent pending) technology that blocks that sunless tan odor.... Hallelujah!

Jergens Natural Glow is a line of moisturizers that gradually delivers color as opposed to other formulas that deliver all of your sunless tan color in one application.... Natural Glow builds your tan gradually through each application over the course of a few days.  It does what it says... it gives you a natural looking tan.  I trust this stuff... which is rare for me because I am VERY fair skinned! I have to be careful.

I use the Jergens Natural Glow FIRMING Moisturizer because I figure the "firming" part can't hurt!  I usually buy the Medium/Tan color (even though I'm fair-skinned) due to the fact that if I'm using Jergens Natural Glow, it's because I'm trying to get a tan fairly quickly, but not enough to get a spray tan.

Check out Jergens.com for more details and to get familiar with their new products and packaging.  I am just seeing the Jergens Protect Daily Moisturizer, which has SPF 20 with the same "gradual color" concept.  LOVE that!

Now, can the rest of the sunless tanning world please get with the program?  I need a spray tan with the same ability to not stink!

Shop this post:
          (all on sale for $8.99 right now!)

• Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer
• Jergens Natural Glow Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer 
• Jergens Natural Glow & Protect Daily Moisturizer with SPF 20
• Jergens Natural Glow Healthy Complexion Facial Moisturizer SPF 20

gif: gurl.com

The Best of Beauty: The Best Facial Scrub (& tips on exfoliating your skin)

ph: viviteskincare.com

Why is exfoliating important?

• As we age, our skin's ability to generate and shed skin cells slows down, exfoliating sloughs off this dead skin and stimulates your dermal layer... which causes skin regeneration (which means you'll have fresher, healthier skin)
• It improves skin tone and texture (more vibrant skin!)
• It increases your skin's ability to absorb products (e.g. moisturizers, serums)
• If you don't exfoliate, your skin cells will build up... leading to clogged pores, dull/dry skin, excess oil, blemishes/acne/blackheads
• It helps you get rid of blackheads
• It helps with fine lines and wrinkles

Vivite Exfoliating Facial Cleanser is my favorite new product discovered ever in the past year.  I have been on the search for a great facial scrub for a long time.  My friend purchased it from her plastic surgeon's office and after trying hers, I had to buy it.  

Why is this Vivite scrub so great?  It combines manual AND chemical exfoliation.  It contains 15% glycolic acid compound and exfoliating microbeads (super tiny, so they won't damage skin) that work together to slough off all your dead skin.  You can actually feel it tingling... I LOVE IT when I can feel a little burn or something with a product... let's me know it's powerful and it works!

Note:  Due to it's strength, you should only use it 2-3 times a week.

This scrub is amazing.  It definitely makes my skin glow.  It also removes peeling skin well... which is useful to me if I use a stronger retinol on my skin and experience peeling.

TIP:

I use this scrub WITH my Clarisonic Face Brush to get the ultimate exfoliating experience.  My favorite  way to do this is to take a really hot bath- and at the end of the bath (once you've sweat a little and your pores are open) take a hot washcloth (don't burn your face!) and place it over my face to open those pores up a little bit more... then I take a little bit of the scrub and put it all over my face... let the glycolic compound work for a minute or so... then I put a little scrub on my Clarisonic- turn it on, and exfoliate my face... being VERY careful not to get the scrub IN my eyes and careful around the delicate skin AROUND my eyes!

• Visit the Vivite Skincare website to learn more about their products and this scrub.

BUT, buy it here at Amazon where it is much cheaper... and yes, I ordered mine from the same place and it is legit, which shocked me because I paid a little over $20 instead of the regular $39 price!

P.S. This is just part of my skincare regimen... I have another great product discovery which I will post about soon!

                                                                       

$25 Off Any Purchase Over $75 at Folica

offer ends 4/26/13

I always wait around for this offer and then email it to my friends when I get it- it's an amazing deal at Folica.com: $25 off a purchase of $75 (not to mention free shipping).

It is the best place to order hair tools or products- period.  They always have the BEST prices (and I would know... I will scour the web looking for the best price on anything and everything I'm looking to buy!).  I also love that they have "Top Ten" lists on flat irons, hair dryers, etc.

Here are some items I've posted about available at Folica:

• The Wet Brush
• Frederic Fekkai Full Blown Volume Shampoo & Conditioner
• Solia Tourmaline Flat Iron
• Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo
• Haven't posted about it yet, but I also bought my hair dryer from Folica.com- I currently have an Elchim Classic Professional Hair Dryer... yes, it's a lot for a hair dryer, but a good hair dryer most definitely makes a HUGE difference on your hair!  

Click the following link or above image to use the coupon:  (starts today... ends 4/26/13)

• Get $25 Off your order of $75 or more plus Free Shipping at Folica.com. 

Welcome to the Jungle

• Leopard Print Ballet Flats with hot pink cap toe (only $19.80!!)
• Rebecca Taylor Demi Peplum Shell 

• Mint Leopard Print Mirror Compact (other colors available...price- $2.80...yes, $2.80!)
• Leighelena Gold Stingray Cuff
• Rebecca Minkoff 'Made Up' Cosmetics Bag  (On Sale)

• Diane Von Furstenberg Leopard Print Pony Hair Dene Wedges (major sale)
• DVF Zebra Print Pony Hair Dene Wedges (these too!)
• Topshop 'Nina' Leopard Print Tank

My Top 4 Lip Glosses

Excuse Me, What Lip Gloss Are You Wearing?

I am definitely one of those people that will ask others, "Who makes your bag?"... "Where did you get those shoes?" etc... I love complimenting others when I think they look great, and I definitely do not mind when other people do the same to me.

So this post is dedicated to the lip glosses that cause people to come up to me and ask "What lip gloss are you wearing?"  Here are the ones I get the most compliments on:

Sadly, one of my favs in this category has apparently been discontinued.  It was made by Tarina Tarintino and I cannot find it anywhere (besides eBay... and ordering lip gloss from a random just freaks me out).  Currently trying to find one similar to test and then share with y'all!

From Top Left Clockwise:

1. Stila Liquid Lipstick in "Fiore" (bright, hot pink!)
   
2. Bobbi Brown High Shimmer Lip Gloss in "Soft Pink with Pink Pearl"
3. Lancome Juicy Tubes SMOOTHIE in "Spring Fling" (make sure you select a SMOOTHIE Juicy Tube and not a JELLY)
4. NARS Lip Lacquer in "Baby Doll" (looks dark in pic... I promise it is a sheer color!)

Beauty Secret: Tweezing

So going back to this post, let's discuss tweezing.  My secret to tweezing is... drumroll please....

TWEEZING IN MY CAR!!!

I keep a spare pair of tweezers in my car because there are so many tiny hairs (especially blonde ones) you can miss with indoor light... It never fails- if it's daylight and I check myself out in my mirror, I can see a couple eyebrow hairs I seem to have missed.  NOTHING annoys me more! My magnifying mirror has betrayed me again!!

Moral of the story- by all means, try and tweeze inside to keep up with your eyebrows... but also make sure to sit in your car in the daylight (not while driving...ha) and check yourself out to make sure your bathroom mirror didn't betray you and tell you that your brows were perfect!

Sephora Sale!!! (Now til Sunday)

Click above logo to get discount.

If there's something you've been meaning to buy... time to do it!! I'm about to buy a few things from my Products I Want To Try post.  Just have to decide which ones...

So excited. I love online shopping... it feels like Christmas when your packages come in!

Clarisonic Deal Alert!

From THIS POST you know how I feel about the Clarisonic being pretty much the best thing to ever happen to my face.

Just got an email about a limited time deal from QVC... FIRST, it comes with BLISS products, which are amazing.  Normally, the Clarisonic Plus set come with the Clarisonic products, and I really don't like them at all.  I gave mine away, and my mom tried to give hers to me when she ordered her set!

SECOND, this is a great deal because you can do it in 4 payments of $56.25 instead of $225 all at once.

Buy it. You won't regret it.

• Since it's a limited offer, click HERE then search "Clarisonic Bliss"

SORRY! That promotion has ended.  However, enjoy a new offer- QVC is now offering a set for 5 payments of $39... It comes with Philosophy products, which I love.  I always have Philosophy bath & shower wash in my bathtub.  PLUS it comes with the back extender for exfoliating your back.  Awesome!

• Clarisonic PLUS Sonic Cleansing System with Philosophy

Boho Baby, Louisiana Lady

 

Although I cannot wait for the Summer, it is about to get pretty hot here in the South!

Which is why I love all of these pieces... they are light, flowy, and free- and made with materials that breathe!  They are simple whites & creams- but have such exquisite detailing.  (#6 is my personal favorite.)

Shop the Looks:

    1.  Fondly St. Tropez Tunic         2.  Lolita Syndrome Dress

    3.  Open Shoulder Maxi Dress   4.  Dear Brigitte Top

    5.  Strong Embrace Tube Top    6.  Crazy For Love Dress

P.S.  If you purchase any of the items featured in this post (or anywhere else on Blonde & Lippy), send a photo of yourself (to blondeandlippy@gmail.com) wearing it, and you just might be selected to be featured on Blonde & Lippy!

ph: freepeople.com

Healthy Grilling: Spinach & Feta Turkey Burgers

ph: greenlitebites.com

There are few things I love more than a good summer grilling party.  However, all those burgers, hot-dogs, and sausages are full of fat.  Here is a great (and delicious) option to keep things low-fat from www.greenlitebites.com.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean ground turkey
• 1 cup Old Fashioned Oats
• 2 large egg whites
• 10 oz frozen chopped spinach
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta

1. Defrost spinach; squeeze as much liquid as you can out of it by using your hands and a strainer.

2. Combine all ingredients in large bowl using your hands (don't overwork).

3. Form patties.

4. Grill.

How easy is that?!  I like to eat mine sans bun to lower my carb intake.  Another turkey burger option I want to try is adding sundried tomatoes- yum!

Visit http://greenlitebites.com for the full recipe with more details and photos.

Note: When making mine, I like to add some minced garlic or garlic powder.- can't get enough of garlic- and a little salt and pepper.

Trend: Ombre Lips

IN LOVE with this look.  Since I love experimenting with makeup, I can think of a million different ways to do "ombre" with my lips.  The looks featured were done using Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar.

The look on the LEFT is created using Lip Tar in Interlace & Black Dahlia.

1. Use a lip brush to define the UPPER lip with Black Dahlia.
2. Blend downward to your inner pout... just a little on the inside of your bottom lip.
3. Use Interlace (with a clean lip brush- there is one included with each Lip Tar) to blend from the bottom edge of your lower lip to the area where you applied the Black Dahlia on the inner pout.

The look on the RIGHT is created using Lip Tar in Narcissus, Feather, & Trollop.

1. Use Narcissus as a base shade all over the lips.
2. Blend Feathered on the lip line-all the way around the lips.
3. Dab Trollop on your inner pout.

• Purchase Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar individually or purchase one of the Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar Value Sets

However, there is another fool-proof easier way to create this look if the thought of  Lip Tar  and lip brushes scares you away!

Bold

Neutral

(Just try to ignore the ugly teeth and weird vampire-ish looking packaging... is that what they were going for??)

• Purchase Bite Lip Layersin Neutral or Bold

ph: theglossy.sephora.com & sephora.com