5 New Year's Eve essentials (2013)

There's still time to shop for an eye-popping product that'll make you stand out among all the glitz and glam that is New Year's Eve.  I recommend these essentials - try one or try them all....

SPARKLE:  A touch of shimmery highlighter on the cheek bones and brow bones is a subtle way to go, but for a special night out turn it up a notch and add some glitter to the equation.  Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eyeshadows are gorgeous sparkly eye shadows that embody both sass and class.  I can barely begin to describe how pretty these are.

SPRAY:  You're going to want your fancy do to last all night, so I suggest going with the hair spray that all the beauty editors rave about - L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold. This stuff locks things into place without creating a helmet head.  It's cheap, it's easy to find at any drug store, it is a must have.

SEDUCTIVE: You've got to use false eyelashes.  Even if you have to go to Sephora, buy a pair there and have the sales assistant apply them for you, it'll add a certain something that nothing else can match.  Of course lashes are available anywhere and they are all pretty good as long as you use DUO eyelash glue, but Make Up Forever makes the most dramatic party-girl lashes out there.

SULTRY:  Nothing else will do but a sultry fragrance: deep, smoky, oriental and musk perfumes reminiscent of a Great Gatsby style New Years bash.  They will ensure you stand out and have people following your trail of scent.  Some of my faves in this category are:
Gucci Rush, Juliette Has A Gun Midnight Oud, Jean Desprez Bal A Versailles, or Dior Pure Poison.

STAIN:  You'll definitely need a lip color that lasts through canapés and champagne.  There are many fantastic lip stains out there but for NYE I prefer something with shine.  Bite Beauty Honey Lip Lacquer is a glossy lacquer that endures.  Not only that but it is made with all natural ingredients which are actually edible, and fortified with super antioxidants like resveratrol.  What could be better than totally natural AND totally glam?

So gear up, go out there, and buy yourself a little something to celebrate the new year with style.



And for loads of tutorials and pretty things check out my NEW beauty-vixen youtube channel.

all products reviewed were either bought, researched, or sampled by me. And product pictures were stolen from the link's websites. I am not financially compensated for my reviews

perfect Winter perfumes

As light catches the snow, sparkling on the bough, and spiced eggnog lures everyone round the fire, it is time to break out my Dior and Chanel.  Not clothes but perfumes.  Winter fragrances need to be lavish, luxuriant. They compliment brocades, furs, and ball gowns. With an abundance of such fragrances out there,  a few of my seasonal favorites are:

Tom Ford Black Orchid - you either love it or hate it.  At my work the camps are pretty much split down the middle, but I myself am firmly in the "love it" group.  This is an opulent oriental that actually contains the strange and rare black orchid note.  With additional notes of black current, black truffle, dark chocolate, and incense, it is completely unique.  A spritz of citrus and a whiff of white floral keep this perfume from being too dark.  Whether you end up loving it or hating it, you owe it to yourself to at least give it a try.

Chanel Cuir de Russie is definitely one I turn to when the weather gets cold.  The name means "Russian Leather" and the tang of fur pelts in a horse drawn sleigh is an image that immediately springs to mind.  Significant jasmine and rose add to the romance of it all, and like many Chanel perfumes it contains some powdery notes too.  Cuir was created in 1924 to celebrate the emancipation of women, allowing them to smoke in public with class.  And this is certainly one classy perfume!

Oud Ispahan from the Dior Collection Privee is a unisex fragrance reminiscent of the lands of Arabia.  In fact it smells very much like a few obscure perfumes I ordered directly from Kuwait.  Sexy.  Exotic.  Erotic.  Like many Middle Eastern perfumes it uses rose as a base note, along with sandalwood of course.  However the oud is the superstar here and if you aren't sure what oud is; think incense, think resin, think woods of the Far East.  But most of all with this perfume, think out side the box.  Projection and longevity are well above average so use sparingly.

Versace Bright Crystal is the wild card.  Neither heavy nor rich, it embodies the effervescence of the season.  Most people probably think of this as a Summer fragrance but it reminds me of the holidays. To me it is tinkling silver bells, tinsel on the tree, and champagne flutes clinking in a toast.  Bright Crystal is a citrusy floral, even with some aquatic notes, but amber extracted from redwood anchors the fragrance preventing it from being too flighty.

Caron Bellodgia Eau de Parfum is a mostly floral (with my fave carnation) slightly oriental perfume, grounded with base notes of musk, clove, vanilla, and sandalwood.  Created in 1927 it carries the vibe of flappers and philosophers.  Despite being a formal fragrance, I still think it is girlishly pretty.   As always Caron is meant to be worn with elan, just like Dita Von Teese does.

all products reviewed were either bought, researched, or sampled by me. And product pictures were stolen from the link's websites. I am not financially compensated for my reviews

hot holiday gifts for men 2013

In one of the Sex and the City episodes Miranda says "I know how to please a man.  Just give away all of your power."  I love it!  But whether or whether not that is true I have a few ideas for holiday gifts that will definitely please the men in your life without you having to sacrifice anything.

Jack Black First Class Five Gift Set has their famous Beard Lube, All Over Wash, Lip Balm, Eye Balm, and Double Duty Face Moisturizer spf 20:  everything the man-in-the-know needs. The brand is a cult classic - he can't help but be pleased with these travel-size grooming products.

Outlaw Soaps claim to be Exciting Soaps for Adventurous People.  Their bacon soap would be a prime example - and I ask you, what guy doesn't love bacon?  Ok maybe a vegetarian.  But there are other manly scented soaps such as Hair of the Dog (whiskey), Blazing Saddles, or Fire In The Hole (campfire). 

Malin + Goetz Apothecary And Lab Candles come in minimalist, no-nonsense jars and testosterone-driven fragrances.  There is their ever popular dark rum.  But tobacco, cannabis, or vetiver would go over well too.  You might be surprised to know how many guys like candles - especially ones like these.

Kiehl's Energizing Men's Kit is another perfect way to go.  Men. Love. Kiehl's.  Maybe it's the spare packaging, simple ingredients, or effectiveness of their products but men always go for Kiehl's.  This kit of best-sellers includes:  facial scrub,  body scrub soap, eye cream, shave cream, and face moisturizer.

Atlantic Farms Hops Shampoo is so cool!  Everyone knows beer is made from hops, but along with coconut oil and essential oils, so it this hydrating shampoo.  It smells totally masculine and provides a little volume as well.

CREED Irish Tweed  is the quintessential masculine fragrance.  Made by a French perfume house that has been family owned for hundreds of years, this would appeal to the more discerning gentleman.  It is pricey, but even the after-shave moisturizer or deodorant would make a very special gift.

I think with any of these gifts the man in your life will be suitably impressed.


all products reviewed were either bought, researched, or sampled by me. And product pictures were stolen from the link's websites. I am not financially compensated for my reviews

super star stocking stuffers (2013)

This year my family doesn't have a whole lot of money for presents so we decided to just do stockings.  Still, we didn't want for it to be all chocolate oranges and Crest Whitening Strips.  I think those are fine but there should be one special item that pulls it all together.  So I have compiled a list of stocking stuffers that will wow them.  If you are looking to put together a fabulous stocking that shines bright as the North star, read on.....

Bobbi Brown Every Day Pretty Lip & Eye Pallet is the perfect all-in-one purse size pallet.  With three eye shadows, two lip colors, and one super shiny lip gloss there are neutral colors that flatter most every one.

The Beauty Blender foundation blending sponge is magic.  The impostors can't even touch it - everyone should try it at least once in their life.  The Beauty Blender Travel Kit is a great way to introduce the blender, and their special cleanser is important because the reusable sponge really needs the specific cleanser to get it perfectly clean.

Origins Ginger Burst Savory Shower Gel is a magnificent morning pick-me-up.  The invigorating and uplifting gel smells like real ginger.  With all the natural ingredients you can't go wrong.

Dyptique Mini Pine Bark Candle will certainly set the holiday mood.  If you are not familiar, Dytique is a French luxury brand that makes candles to die for.  This mini smells exactly like pine - a winter scent I miss out here in California.

e.l.f. Essential 9 Piece Glossy Lip Gloss Cube is an adorable set of super pretty lip glosses. Despite being incredibly cheap it is abundantly abundant!  Divide it up and put two or three in each stocking.  Buy it ASAP,  it is limited edition and I suspect it will sell out fast.

Conair Flirty Girl Bling Cushion Brush is also a great bargain. There are plenty of rhinestones because everyone needs a little bling on the holidays.  Gentle on the hair, it comes in three different colors:  black, pink, and purple.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Lacquer is opulence all the way.  The large, uber stylish packaging makes a one-of-a-kind gift, and the colors are exquisite. 

LUSH Solid Perfume  is insanely popular with its unique scents.  The ideal pocket-size treat, you don't have to spend a whole lot of money on a perfume that will last.  My faves are:  Lust, The Breath of God, and Imogen Rose.

So stock up, be merry, and happy shopping!

all products reviewed were either bought, researched, or sampled by me. And product pictures were stolen from the link's websites. I am not financially compensated for my reviews