New Year's Eve Hairstyles + More: Destination Procrastination

Happy New, everyone! I hope all my BBJ readers had a wonderful holiday. I'll be back in full swing sharing the beauty news and reviews come the 2nd, but in the meantime, check out what I'm reading on the web. 

NARS Launches Travel Skin Care Sets

For the uninitiated, NARS skin care is worth the investment and now, the brand's bringing travel-sized delights for the winter scason and holiday travel. Nars announces two travel sets filled with five conveniently sized NARSskin products each, the perfect item to toss in your bag when jetting off to whatever weekend getaway you have planned--or as a gift for your host/hostess. Here, the deets. 

Official Mascara Correspondent: Bella Pierre Lash Building Mascara

This week, Official Mascara Correspondent Ashleigh Ciucci is back with another review, this time of Bella Pierre Lash Building Mascara. How does she fare? Read on and find out.

Lalicious Sugar Kiss Lip Butter Review

By Julia Casella

Last week my lips were cracked and chapped and I wanted to cry. Seriously, it was that bad. And just when I thought I had exhausted all my options ($75 lip balm, anyone?) relief came from a random trip I had made to the drug store months ago. You know those times when you last minute feel compelled to buy something (usually this happens to people with the gum or candy they have at the register but I guess for me it happens with chap stick) so then you just throw it in your cart, never to be seen again?

Video: Glytone Skin Care Review + Facebook Giveaway

Glytone has impressed me with their simple but effective glycolic-acid infused skin care line that doesn't break me out, but still provides enough moisture for the bitter winter months. Check out my video review of the line, and how to enter to win some products yourself, below.

Gifts For Your Co-worker

Sparkle, Neely, sparkle: This is the 2012 BBJ Holiday Gift Guide. For more gift ideas, click here. 

She covers for you when you walk in with an egg and cheese sandwich and sunglasses in rainy weather 23 minutes late. You IM in-office about your hilarious head of department. She knows all about your romantical endeavors first AND you have your own code through which you discuss them. Here's what to get your coworker.

Meaningful Beauty #Giveaway

Meaningful Beauty GIVEAWAY extended: Here's how you can enter to be one of three winners of the 30-Day Anti-Aging product set from Meaningful Beauty. 

Courtney Akai Lash Boutique Offers Simultaneous Beauty Services

Best news ever for my busy, busy beauty bees--Courtney Akai Lash Boutique (my go-to for lash extensions every six weeks like clockwork) is now offering simultaneous massages, manicures and pedicures you can enjoy WHILE getting your lashes done. You can be the very PORTRAIT of efficiency! 

Ted Gibson Raises Price Of Haircut To $1,200

Ted Gibson and I in 2009. 

My mane man Ted Gibson is bringing his major haircut from $950 to $1200, effective January 1, 2013. I can tell you as someone who's been on the receiving end of that cut, it grows out incredibly and the experience truly is above and beyond. 

Fictitious Fragrance Fan: Claudia Kishi Of "The Baby-Sitters Club"

Claudia Kishi in all her '80s glory. 

Welcome to a new BBJ feature, Fictitious Fragrance Fans. Fragrance is one of the most difficult areas of beauty to discuss and I find myself trying to convey a scent to you, more often than not, by the pop culture character it embodies to me. So why not make it a thing? 

The late '80s/early'90s for me was all about learning how to manage my curly hair--and once I finally mastered that after my mother never advised me not to brush my curls, I wondered WHAT ELSE I DIDN'T KNOW, figuring out if I was more into rap or alternative/headbanger music (rap won, in the end) and reading the ENTIRE series of Baby-sitters Club books. I can still tell you in Dickens detail about Dawn's long blonde mane, Kristy's mansion, Mary Anne's lameness, Stacey's diabetes and, most importantly, Claudia Kishi's impressive wardrobe. Remember how devastating it was when her grandmother died? #RIPMIMI. Claudia's art bent, Japanese culture and appreciation for designer fashion made me realize that she is clearly the Fictitious Fragrance Fan of Issey Miyake's latest scent, Pleats Please.

Holiday Gift Guide: Mother-in-law Gifts

Sparkle, Neely, sparkle: This is the 2012 BBJ Holiday Gift Guide. For more gift ideas, click here. 

Perhaps the most difficult gift of all: Three gifts for your mother-in-law or significant other's mother. Here, three items that are sure to please. 

Scents & Feel Fouta Guest Towel in Gray and Silver are great for stocking guest bathrooms or even her bathroom. $18.50 or 3 for $16 at stylevisa.com. 

Sonia Kashuk Plaid XL Duffle Perfect for weekend trips to come see you. $40 at target.com. 

Jennifer Behr Tiny Crystal Scallop Headwrap comes in three shades--crystal, crystal gunmetal and champagne and is subtle but sparkly. $168 at jenniferbehr.com.

Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Kim Kardashian's Bangs

What do we think of Kim Kardashian's new bangs? I think they give her a softer Jane Birkin effect and it's as refreshing as cilantro after years of standard-issue long waves and smokey eye/nude lip combos.

What say you? 


Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

The Eleventh-hour Gift Guide

Sparkle, Neely, sparkle: This is the 2012 BBJ Holiday Gift Guide. For more gift ideas, click here. 

Start freaking out--we're six days out. Need some last-minute gift ideas? I've got you covered.

Holiday Gift Ideas From Robert Verdi

I was lucky enough to attend Robert Verdi's fabulous holiday tweet-up this year, where bloggers and editors were privy to fabulous gift selections curated by Robert himself. Here, my favorites of the night, complete with Robert's suggested recipients and a quote from him at a range of prices. 

For The Furry Little Critter
“Any accessory can make your dog look good, these coats make sure your dog looks fabulous!”

The FabDog rain coat retails for $32 at fabdog.com.

Solo Indulgence: The Eve Currant Affairs Pedicure

Before you take off for a week+ of suburban delights like Red Lobster (confession: I'm an unironic subscriber of the captain's catch weekly email), malls, movie theaters and Target trips and are knee-deep in family members and gifts to wrap, take a little "me time" and indulge in the latest seasonal pedicure offering from Eve Salon--the Currant Affairs pedicure. 

Five Rules For Life: Jaime Maser

Jaime Maser is a VP of Global Communications at La Prairie, purveyor of my very favorite eye cream in the world (Anti-Aging Eye Cream SPF 15). Jaime is my go-to resource for spray tan info, navigating dating in Manhattan (she's recently engaged--MAZEL, MASER, but she entertains me with her tales of yore) and other things. So I wanted to know her Five Rules For Life. Here they are, in Jaime's words.

Beauty Tips From Transgendered Men For Biological Women + More: Destination Procrastination

This is just so genius. Beauty tips from transgendered men for biological women. I'd enjoy sex tips from them next. 
[The Luxury Spot]

Technology gifts for the geek on your list
[Betty Confidential]

Winter thrifting tips
[Already Pretty]

All I wanted for Christmas was a Letter of Truth from Britney
[Go Fug Yourself]

Get a free Sephora gift card. Find out how
[Fashion Pulse Daily]



Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Sabon Gifts

By Julia Casella

The perfect hostess gift, the Golden Infusions set includes a ceramic oil burner, two aromatic oils (ginger and musk), a lavender vanilla candle, and a decorative aroma reed diffuser in patchouli lavender vanilla.

Girls + Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish Set

 “I don’t even want a boyfriend. I just want someone who wants to hang out all the time, and thinks I’m the best person in the world, and wants to have sex with only me.” – Hannah Horvath 

Can't get enough of Girls? Just in time for the season two premiere in January is Deborah Lippmann's new nail polish collection inspired by the four girls, in hues inspired by the personality of each lady. 

Pre-order the Deborah Lippmann Girls nail polish set here.

Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Holiday Gift Guide: For The Nail Enthusiast

Sparkle, Neely, sparkle: This is the 2012 BBJ Holiday Gift Guide. For more gift ideas, click here. 

She knows ombre isn't just for hair. She regularly drops a C-note on nail art at Marie Nails and gleans inspiration from Anna Sui's 2013 spring prints. A French manicure makes her dry heave. Glittery digits make her feel that all is right with the world. She knows that Chanel regret is very expensive when it comes to lacquers. Here, a roundup of what to gift the gal with the nail avocation bordering on a vocation. 

Megan Fox's Hairstyle At The 'This Is 40' Premiere

"Sublime shine and voluminous waves" was celebrity hairstylist Giannandrea's inspiration for Megan Fox's beautiful 'do for the premiere of This is 40 on Wednesday, December 12th, 2012 in Los Angeles. Here's how to get the look, per Gianndrea.

Holiday Gift Guide: Avon Butler Bag

Sparkle, Neely, sparkle: This is the 2012 BBJ Holiday Gift Guide. For more gift ideas, click here. 

This Holiday Butler Bag from Avon is just so smart: It comes with an internal organizer for all your loose items to keep them "filed" and easily accessible. It's the purse equivalent of Geoffrey from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Check it.

Meaningful Beauty Meaningful Activity Week 4: The Eloise Tea

Eloise at The Palm Court

For my final Meaningful Beauty Meaningful Activity, I decided to do one of my favorite solo activities and take myself to tea on a quarterly basis, at least. Serious tea, clotted cream, earl grey and all at The Palm Court at The Plaza, for the hotel's famous Eloise offering. It's clearly designed for kids; it includes peanut butter and jelly tea sandwiches, but alas, it seems I'm their target demographic because I think it's THRILLING. I first discovered it a couple years ago enjoying tea with my gal Anne Fritz of The Jet Set Girls. 

Leslie Mann's Makeup Look At The 'This Is 40' Premiere

Leslie Mann looks STUNNING, right beauties? I scored the details on her look from celebrity makeup artist Georgie Eisdell. Here, the beauty breakdown, straight from Eisdell. 

Loeffler Randall Sample Sale Spoils

Amazingly, Dina keeps inviting me with her to the VIP Loeffler Randall sample sale, despite our being the same size. Here's what I scored.

Five Rules For Life: Kristin Booker

My dear friend Kristin Booker boasts an encyclopedic knowledge of fashion history, a love of '80s primetime soaps like "Dynasty" and an incredible talent for service pieces. This gal turned a 15-year recruiting career into a full-time freelancing gig, along with writing her blog, Fashion Style Beauty. She has knowledge to drop and you're gonna want to pick it up. Here, Five Rules For Life, in Kristin's words: 

Holiday Gift Guide: Hostess Gifts

Sparkle, Neely, sparkle: This is the 2012 BBJ Holiday Gift Guide. For more gift ideas, click here. 

You're being fed and housed--the least you can do is show up with a gift that'll pamper your hostess once you leave. Right? Here, a roundup of some of my favorites. 

Loeffler Randall Sample Sale

I know; I'm the peer who pressures. 


Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

What's On Cat Deeley's Vanity?

The What's On Your Vanity Series showcases a single beauty item a celebrity loves because it's effective, but also she feels she must keep out on top of her vanity because the gorgeous packaging must be displayed. 

I had the opportunity to hit up So You Think You Can Dance's Cat Deeley for answers to all my burning beauty questions, first and foremost, what's on her vanity? Check out her answers below. 

Rose Byrne's Makeup At The 'Portlandia' Premiere

CK one global makeup artist Hung Vanngo created a beautiful and effortless look for the beautiful Rose Byrne last night, as she attended the season premiere for Portlandia in NYC. Here's how to get the look. 

Fictitious Fragrance Fan: 'Center Stage''s Jody Sawyer

Welcome to a new BBJ feature, Fictitious Fragrance Fans. Fragrance is one of the most difficult areas of beauty to discuss and I find myself trying to convey a scent to you, more often than not, by the pop culture character it embodies to me. So why not make it a thing? 

Girl, just rock it and all kinds of made-up things like a devil-may-care
attitude about your weight and being at the center of two straight male ballerinas' affection will be part of your reality. 

Tom Ford Private Blend Jasmine Rouge Eau de Parfum is, as most things Tom Ford creates, beautiful, sexy and luxurious. The scent boasts a crisp freshness layered over voluptuous rich floral notes that contrasts with its sultry, grown-up pepper/vanilla notes. To me, the feminine innocence of jasmine/floral/pepper echoes the exact combination of innocence/ballerina style/inner sex kitten (in that order) of Center Stage's Jody Sawyer. The fragrance yields a pretty, sweet quality but tempered by a rogue torrid temperament that embodies the color red; an attitude that Jody manifests in life, but definitely in the final show with Cooper Nielson's faction ballet company. Let's revisit it, shall we? 

New: Kinara Weightless Infusion Antioxidant Primer

Other than for eyes, I'm typically of the mind that primers are an exercise in futility vis-a-vis my endless skin care regimen, but Kinara's changing my mind. Why? The LA-based skin care brand is launching in January an ultra-lightweight primer called Weightless Infusion with antioxidants, which help prevent environmental damage, build collagen, help skin heal, and produce healthier skin cells. So if your monogamous skin care scenario is lacking in the antiox realm and you're worried that will lead to a future of Botox, worry not. Free radicals were great at 1960s freedom protests; in the environment as it relates to your skin, not so much. 

Why Does Everyone Hate Anne Hathway + More: Destination Procrastination

Seriously, everyone hates Anne Hathaway. I don't, but so many do
[The Gloss]

Twelve fabulous reads for the book lovers in your life
[Betty Confidential]

Learning not to give a rat's
[The Luxury Spot]

Fall/Winter Trends to embrace
[Fashion Pulse Daily]

A sparkly necklace with which to gift your magpie-esque friend
[Fashion Binge]

Five must-have heat tools for your hair
[StyleUnited]

Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Five Rules For Life: Anna Goldfarb Of Shmitten Kitten

Anna Goldfarb pens the hilarious Shmitten Kitten. Its tagline? A dating blog for people who would never read a dating blog. With regular columns like "Things In His House That Make Me Sad" and "Things I'm Terrible At," it laughs at all of the regular ridiculosities a modern gal has to endure in this fakakta courtship landscape (or lackthereof). Fellow Michael J. Fox enthusiast Anna recently wrote a book, Clearly, I Didn't Think This Through, which features anecdotes about her quest for the perfect short dude. I pre-ordered it and read it within two days while I was on a biz trip; otherwise I'd have devoured it in one. I appreciate her love for my hometown of the City of Brotherly and so I hit her up to share her Five Rules For Life. Take notes--I learned a vital thing or two. In Anna's words: 

Q&A With Joico R&D Director Rushi Tasker

Joico's new line of hair care!

For their new styling-product line launching in January, Joico scientists worked with the Human Genome Project to develop their new Bio-Advanced Peptide Complex, which makes a cameo in each of the new stylers. The complex is made with bio-perfected peptides that mimic the natural hair chains. The match is so close that the complex stays in the hair for more than 20 shampoos. The Human Genome project made it possible to understand the DNA structure of every part of the human body, including hair and understanding the follicles’ DNA structure evolved the way Joico's scientists approached the reconstruction. I caught up with Joico R&D Director Rushi Tasker to find out more about the creation of the brand 's new line. It's science-heavy, I warn you, but worth it! Let's make like Bill Nye (the Science Guy). 

Eucerin Healthy Skin Challenge Concludes: Please Vote!

Great for slathering on your tootsies in the brisk winter weather. 

Ladies, I hope you've enjoyed my updates about my Eucerin Skin Care Challenge this year. Four other beauty bloggers and I have participated in the year-long project, where we've shared the importance of treating skincare like healthcare and pledged to put the health of our skin first. Through multiple consultations with the Eucerin Skin First Council, tailored skincare regimens courtesy of Dr. Ingleton and product giveaways, I've shared skin care stories with you and now it's time for you, all you fabulous readers (your hair looks excellent today, I might say) to decide the winner! Also, you'll have a chance to win a little something for yourself (because Eucerin's nice like that). 

Sephora Supermarket Sweep: BBJ Greatest Hits

Last week, in celebration of the revamp of Sephora in Times Square, bloggers were gifted $1000 to spend as we'd like at the store. Check out what I purchased in the video below. 

Pizza Hut Perfume.

Oh yes. It's a thing, friends. Now, you're talking to a MANY-TIME Book-it champion and even I cannot cosign this ridiculosity. What ridiculosity? Pizza Hut has come out with a fragrance. The notes? Dough and spices, according to The Huffington Post. It started as a joke on the Pizza Hut Canada Facebook page, but now it's real and it's spectacular. In the spectacle sense of the word, of course. My question is, which poor Firmenich (or competitor fragrance house) nose was tasked with this assignment? I know who this scent's Fictional Fragrance Fan is definitely NOT: The Noid.

What do you think? I grew up in a non-sugar household and all, but even I draw the line at savory perfume. 


Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Alice + Olivia Sample Sale

Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Fictionary: Mascary

Fictionary is a column showcasing beauty-related words that don't exist, but should.

I knew that Dior makeup artist Ricky Wilson is MENSA-levels of genius when it cosmetics, but I didn't know where he was "lyrically at," to use the parlance of celebrated philosopher Jay-Z. Dude came up with a fantastic Fictionary entry, if I've ever heard one. Check out his video produced with Elizabeth Holmes of The Wall Street Journal on all things lashes and how avoid ones that are Mascary. 



Also, what are you DOING this weekend? Share Horowitz in the comments and tell me what's going on with you.

Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Meaningful Beauty Meaningful Activity Week 3: Liquiteria Cleanse

Though many people have luck with healthy food plans like Weight Watchers, that counting calories, points, etc. thing just doesn't fly with me. I can't keep track of things numerically; as I've mentioned I don't speak number. But diets where you eliminate whole food groups (South Beach, Pritikin) or even... solid food entirely (juicing for a period of a couple days) work weirdly well for me.