I am a huge fan of a messy bun.  Maybe it stems from my days of dance classes growing up or maybe it comes from not always taking the time to “do” my hair every morning.  Whatever it is, most days you can find me with my hair in a bun.  I have quite the assortment of bobby pins of all shapes, styles and colors….and now I don’t know what to do with them….

….Because I bought a Spin Pin.  I am not exaggerating when I say I bought this on Tuesday and I haven’t worn my hair down since.  And I had a dream last night that I couldn’t find my spin pin and I was frantic.  When I found it, my mom had somehow twisted it so it didn’t work anymore and I was pretty upset.  Don’t read too much into the dream, except that I’m clearly obsessing over this product.

The package comes with two spin pins but since my hair is so thin, I’ve only needed to use one to keep my bun in place.  One pin!  Normally I use five or 6 bobby pins and they fall out throughout the day and I have to constantly restyle.  But with the Spin Pin I take my hair, twirl it into a bun and then take my Spin Pin and twist it up into the bun from the bottom like it’s a corkscrew. And I’m done.  It is unbelievably simple and holds into place remarkably well.  Women with thicker hair – I’m looking at you, Melissa – will probably need to use both pins but, still, I’m pretty sure you’re going to love it.  Plus!  You aren’t limited to just creating a “messy bun” – you can do several different up-dos with ease.  I have several weddings to attend in the next few months…guess how I’m doing my hair….

Has anyone else tried the Spin Pin yet?  Are you loving it as much as me?  Or did it not work for you?  I’m curious! Let us know with a comment…

We do love Drew around Latest Beauty headquarters and one of the things that is most appealing about her is her ability to seem so down to earth, despite having been in the spotlight since, well, practically birth.  Case in point:  Here on the left is Drew this past Monday in LA for the red carpet premiere of Going The Distance.  And on the left is Drew in NY yesterday for a visit to David Letterman.  Notice anything similar?  Look down…

She is rocking the same grey suede pumps at both events.

And looking fabulous while doing it!

The style and color of the shoe are the perfect where-anywhere combination.  At more formal events or as business casual, the neutral suede is one of the ideal buys for the fall.  So, of course, I did a little shopping around for you (and me).

I like this wedge option from MaxStudio that I found over at DSW.  I am forever clumsy in heels, so a wedge helps me to be less of a klutz.   If you are more adept at handling heels like a grown up, a la the lovely Drew, then you can check out these pumps from Steve Madden.  Either way is a very cool and classy way to go!

UPDATE:

Spotted!  Drew wore her favorite shoes, yet again, when she stopped by The Daily Show on Wednesday, the day this was posted:

Girlfriend knows how to pack for a road trip!  And, by the by, ShoppingtheTrend.com has identified Drew’s shoes as YSL Tribtoo Platform Pumps.  If you’re in the market for a shoe splurge, this might be the one to sink your dollars into.  Drew is clearly getting her money’s worth!

The whole “stars without Photoshop” thing is really running rampant lately – but I think that just goes to show that magazines rely on digital airbrushing way, way too much. I understand that fashion mags want to create an air of “fantasy” for their readers, but there’s a difference between fantasy and complete fiction, and in many cases, that line has been crossed so many times that it can be downright jarring to see pictures of a celeb looking less than flawless. I submit, for your consideration, this unretouched picture of Jennifer Aniston, taken at a photo shoot several years ago, but just released today:

[Photo Removed]

Comments on these photos have ranged from “That’s where too much partying and not enough sunscreen will get ya!” to “She looks her age, but she’s also gorgeous.” In case you’re curious, here’s a Photoshopped pic from the same shoot:

Yes, she’s pretty either way, but the difference is really astounding. So what’s your take on these shots? Do you find Jen “au natural” surprisingly attractive, or just…surprising?

 Loading ...

Edit 8/20/10:  We received a cease and desist email from someone at Management + Artists + Organization, who we suppose own the untouched photos, and they “demand” that we take them down due to unauthorized use.  So there you have it.  They also used about 16 asterisks in their email, so we’re not sure if we should take them seriously.  In any case, we don’t want to be sued over a little blog post.

Did you ever want to experiment with different shades of makeup without the hassle of cleanup?  Or you simply didn’t have time to explore the endless options?  Well, now you can explore endless makeup and hair looks right from your computer!  Yes, that’s right, your computer.  Ladies, now, you can see how you look with a makeover, without actually getting a makeover.  You can prevent a beauty fiasco before it happens.

I stumbled upon the Virtual Makeover Studio by Daily Makeover via Sarah at Hair Thursday.  Please post links to your virtual makeover over at Latest Beauty’s Facebook Page or right in the comments section of this post.

I’ve written about my love for ModCloth.com before – basically, it’s a great site for a little “online window shopping,” with tons of cute, vintage-inspired dresses, coats, shoes and home decor. But today, I found myself particularly enamored of a couple of rather unusual pieces of jewelry:

So cute, right!? The Leave It to Cleaver necklace is a fun way to add a bit of edge to any outfit (and, as the box says, it offers “serious cleavage”), while Ring Arthur gives you the unique thrill of wearing a bit of Camelot right there on your finger. I love the whimsy of both of these pieces, and since they’re so reasonably priced, there’s no reason you couldn’t spring for both…

For some reason, I have been obsessed with finding Revlon’s Lilac Pastelle, a creamy purple lip gloss. Unlike most glosses, which have at least a hint of shimmer, this one is absolutely shimmer-free – and, having seen pictures of it on the lips, it’s way more flattering than you might expect. (There’s also a Lilac Pastelle nail polish, if you’re into that matchy-matchy kind of thing.)

Another drugstore obsession: Sally Hansen’s Xtreme Wear polishes. I already own quite a few of these (in fact, I’m wearing Blue Me away, a vibrant blue creme, right now!) but the new shades that I’ve seen on a handful of blogs look pretty hard to resist – and, since they’re only $1.99 apiece, why fight it? There’s a glass-flecked deep crimson called Fireberry Red, a smoky purple/gray with delicate green shimmer called Mystic Lilac, and a glittery purple/silver combo called Purple Gala…sigh. Why haven’t I been able to find these yet?!

There they are…my current drugstore obsessions! Which affordable makeup or beauty products are you dying to get your hands on?

What’s your skincare routine? I’m genuinely curious! Even though I can’t usually use specific tips from women with skin types different from my own, I still love to find out about everyone’s unorthodox maintenance methods and how they get their skin clear, smooth and healthy. Personally, I’m all about fighting breakouts, improving skin tone and keeping my pores as clean as possible – and I think I finally have an effective routine in place. Here are my top five skincare tips:

1. Wash your face only once a day. Even if you think your skin is oily and in no danger of drying out, believe me when I say stripping your skin of too much of its natural oil will only lead to breakouts down the line. I use my Bliss cleanser at night, and in the morning I splash my face with water. NOTE: This will only work if you remember to remove all of your makeup at night! As an added bonus, your cleanser will last longer, so you’ll save some cash.
2. Use microfiber cloths daily for gentle yet highly effective exfoliation. Yes, I tried it, and yes, it works! You can find them in the automotive aisle at Target; the ones I bought were bright green and were on sale, 4 for $3.99. Just use it as you would a regular washcloth and enjoy the smooth, glowing skin it produces.
3. Once or twice a week, I exfoliate my face in the shower with sea salt. (Another awesome blogger tip!) I like to keep a small plastic container filled with sea salt in the shower so I always have some on hand. Make sure it has a lid, of course, or your salt will get all wet and clumpy!
4. When I do breakout, I forgo OTC spot treatments in favor of 100% pure tea tree oil. You should be able to find a bottle of this in the vitamin section at virtually any drugstore for less than $10. Just put a little on a cotton ball and apply to the affected area. Tea tree has awesome natural antiseptic qualities that really heal blemishes fast.
5. Finally – and, perhaps, most importantly – DON’T touch your face! And I’m not just talking about picking, poking and prodding. You should also avoid seemingly innocuous activities like resting your hand on your chin while reading. In fact, the only time your hands should be on your face at all is right after they’ve been washed…if even then.

There it is: My guide to great skin. What tips have worked for you? Leave your top 5 skincare must haves in a comment!

Summer may be winding down but that doesn’t mean that sunscreen is no longer on our radar.  I’m a firm believer in wearing SPF everyday, whether I’m spending the day at the beach or not, so I’m always on the lookout for sunscreens that protect well and can live happily in the world of everyday and in the world of vacation.  I actually just got back from a vacation in the Florida Keys and, lawd, let me tell you – it is HOT down there.   The sun is a whole ‘nother level of intense and I was quite nervous that I was going to get scorched.  Before I left mild LA, I picked up a new sunscreen to try out:  Coppertone Sensitive Skin SPF 50.  One of my biggest sunscreen-gripes is when you get wet or start to sweat and the sunscreen burns your eyes.  The fact that it said on the bottle that it “Won’t sting eyes & skin” didn’t give me much comfort because I have tried others that promised the same thing – but still stung.  I was planning on spending a lot of time lounging in the pool – I did not need anything to complicate that!  Another sunscreen-gripe is if it is too greasy.  I don’t need anything that is going to make me break out like I’m a teenager again.  And it is hard to find a sunscreen that doesn’t fall into at least one of my gripes.

Well let me tell you:  I  LOVE THIS SUNSCREEN.

There were no oh-my-gosh-my-eyes! moments – totally did not sting.  A little of this sunscreen goes a long way, so you get more bang for your buck.  It does take a little while to fully rub it in but you know you are being well protected.  Once you learn the right amount to apply for your face, then it isn’t greasy and totally wearable underneath makeup.  It is my new go-to daily sunscreen.  We ended up needing to buy a larger bottle so that my entire family could use it while we were on vacation – everyone agreed that it was pretty great.  I’m keeping the small bottle in my purse in case I ever need to touch up throughout the day.

I am definitely of the philosophy that if we take good care of our skin now, we’ll have less problems to take care of down the line.  And not just in terms of aging:   I had to have a pre-cancerous spot on my nose removed last year and I’m still in my twenties.  That was a wake up call!   Needless to say, while I love the sun, I’m a little more cautious now – hats and sunscreen for everyone!

Fall fashions are in full swing at the stores right now, and just in time for the back to school season, Forever 21 has unveiled their “I LOVE NERDS” collection. Although the styling for the website really drives home the nerdiness of the colleciton, most of the individual pieces are actually schoolgirl-sexy, from button-front miniskirts to knee highs to a more body-conscious take on the classic letterman jacket. All in all, this collection skews a little young for me, but I think the whole nerd chic thing is a pretty cute idea – albeit one that can probably be achieved for even less money than you would spend at Forever21 if you’re willing to spend a weekend combing the thrift stores. What do you think – are you a nerd lover or do you prefer fashion that’s a little less…awkward?

It’s not easy being a shoe lover on a budget. Designer shoes are well out of your reach, and cheap shoes look…well, cheap. Given these circumstances, it can be extremely challenging to keep up with the latest trends, or even revamp your shoe wardrobe for the coming season. But with fall on the horizon, I’m sure my fellow footwear fetishists are on the hunt for some way to grab a new pair of boots without breaking the bank. I recommend checking out the Dolce Vita for Target collection, which hits stores this month. All of the styles, which include flats, oxfords and boots, are under $40. I’m particularly fond of the buckle ankle boots – part Michael Jackson circa Bad, part Alison Mosshart (of the Kills and the Dead Weather) – and the lace-up boots. What do you think of this collection? And if you’re not down with Target, what stores do you visit for affordable footwear?

You’ve probably heard of Groupon, LivingSocial, Woot! and all of those a-deal-a-day sites in their respective niches.  BloomSpot, is another one of those group deal websites.  BloomSpot, however, caters to customers with an affinity for the finer things in life.  According to their website, “BloomSpot is about enjoying a short lived special opportunity to enjoy yourself close to home.”  They work with luxury brands, ranging from hoteliers and spas, to four star restaurants, to trendy fitness classes – all targeting the discerning recessionista.

If you’re in the Los Angeles area, you can purchase these services:

Combo Lash  for $85 (a $175 value)

or

the Signature Eyelash Extensions for $175 (a $375 value)

At D’Lashes by Dionne Phillips

Do you ever envy your friends that have naturally long, dark and perfectly curled lashes?  Well, envy no more!  Now, you can have long, think and luscious lashes yourself!  Lashes are applied one by one on top of your real eyelashes – for a look that looks and feels completely natural.  The process takes anywhere from 1-2 hours depending on where you get it done, and can last 6-8 weeks.  6-8 weeks!!!

A-list celebs get this done all the time (don’t think they’re all naturally gorgeous!).  Beauty is an investment

Nadine Jolie wrote about her experience with Daniel Dinh’s lash extensions a few weeks ago.

If you’re considering lash extensions, grab this deal ASAP, because you only have about a day and a half left!

Hermione, what have you done to your hair?!

So shooting recently wrapped on the final Harry Potter film, and it’s not surprising that the young stars of the series might want to do something a little “out there” to celebrate their newfound freedom. Yet I was still a little startled by this shot of Emma Watson sporting her brand new pixie cut instead of her longer Hermione locks. I love it though! It looks great. A little Mia Farrow, a little Jean Seberg; a great summertime cut, and one that is very flattering on women with delicate, feminine features. What do you think of Emma’s new ‘do? Are you a fan, or do you miss the length?

 Loading ...

Don’t you hate it when you have this gorgeous pair of heels that make you feel sexy and confident, but you can hardly ever wear them because they kill your feet? And don’t you hate how every time an actual doctor is quoted in a magazine about this problem, all they ever have to say is, “Don’t wear high heels?” I mean, really! I think we can come up with a solution that’s a little more constructive, considering the fact that heels don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. Behold, shoe lovers, I bring you tidings of great joy: The Heeluxe Talus Heelbeds, designed to make even your most punishing stilettoes as comfortable and supportive as sneakers.

Confession: These were designed by Dr. Geoffrey Alan Gray, a Santa Barbara-based doctor…and a friend of mine from back in the day. So, yes, I was given a free pair of these; however, I would not be recommending them if they didn’t work. But the thing is, they do! I slipped them into a pair of high-heeled boots that I frequently wear while playing shows with my band. They usually start out feeling decent, but in a few hours my feet start to get sore, and by the end of the night I’m ready to cast off my boots and run barefoot down the street just for a little relief. After sticking the Heeluxe Talus Heelbeds in my boots, I was surprised. At first, they felt a little weird and foreign. (They really DO make heels feel like sneakers – it’s kind of bizarre.) I almost felt like I was wearing lifts in my shoes. But I couldn’t deny that they were comfortable, and by the end of the night I wasn’t begging for mercy the way I normally am. Mission accomplished!

The thing is, there is actual science behind these sophisticated inserts: Check out this interview with Dr. Gray for more information on why they work as well as they do, and then head over to the Heeluxe store to buy a pair for yourself. While these heelbeds are mainly intended for use in high heels, the company has a product lined up for launch in the spring that, according to Dr. Gray, “is going to make ballet flats feel incredibly comfortable.” As a ballet flat lover who is constantly perturbed by their utter lack of arch support, I’m thrilled at the prospect! Dr. Scholl’s, watch your back.

This post was written by Latest Beauty contributor, Eli K.

Colgate-Palmolive just introduced a new Speed Stick deodorant that features the revolutionary Stainguard with Stain Defense Technology. This innovative line of antiperspirants and deodorants is formulated specifically to help eliminate yellow stains and residue build-up on clothing that deodorant use tends to cause. It’s also clinically proven to provide odor and wetness protection for 24 hours, which is a nice added bonus for those who sweat heavily throughout the day.

Yellow armpit stains have a number of causes, including sweat, stress, diet, detergents, and antiperspirant ingredients. When these factors combine, there might seem to be no stopping the yellow stains from forming. No matter how many times you wash your clothing, the yellow armpit stains will remain, and you’ll end up going through white T’s like toilet paper. By using its patent pending Stain Defense Technology formula, Staignguard improves adhesion and is designed to make sure these stains never occur in the first place

First off, let me say that I have been waiting for a product like this to come out for years. I’m the type of guy that loves to wear jeans and a white t-shirt. Call me simple, but I feel it’s classic American-man attire, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Obviously, nobody can pull off any manly appearance if they have embarrassing yellow stains under their armpits; yet that’s what most men like myself have to deal with. Every man wants to smell good; it’s undeniable that a fresh scented man will win over Mr. BO. But why should I have to sacrifice my favorite shirts for the sake of smelling good? Thanks to Speed Stick and the new Stainguard deodorant line, I don’t have to anymore.

I was very skeptical when I first starting using my Stainguard antiperspirant/deodorant stick. I got the “fresh” scent, and thought it smelled great, and that at least the deodorant aspect would be taken care of. It’s a solid stick, which I was on the fence about at first because I’m used to a gel stick, but the stick went on smoothly, without the reside that other solids leave behind. The antiperspirant worked great, but it was nothing new for Speed Stick. So at that point it was just another deodorant from a trusted brand – nothing new, nothing special.

After I started using it for a couple weeks was when I started thanking the Speed Stick team for making the Stainguard product line. I’m a pretty active guy, and I can honestly say this stick does what it claims to do. My white shirts would come out of the wash without the yellow stains and when I wear it there’s no residue left on my shirts. Bottom line: great scent, great protection, no compromise.

Disclosure: Samples of Lady Speed Stick with Stainguard and Men’s Speed Stick with Stainguard were provided to us by Colgate-Palolive’s public relations team. However, all views and opinions stated in this review belong to the author of the post and not influenced in any way. No other compensation was received.

Additional Note: Stainguard Technology is also avaialble on Lady Speed Stick antiperspirant, as well, for those of you ladies that worry about sweating while wearing white shirts!

When it comes to skincare – specifically acne prevention – you probably know by now that I’m willing to try pretty much anything, from tea tree oil to sea salt. I usually have good results at first, but then after a while, my skin is up to its old tricks; so it was with both of the aforementioned blemish battling methods. Needless to say, I’ve been on the prowl for a new approach, and I definitely found something worth exploring on the RFC Makeup blog: Microfiber cloths as facial cleansing aids! Apparently you can head to Target – or wherever you buy these little cloths, intended for use on cars, electronics and so forth – and buy a pack for just a few bucks. What happens when you wash your face with these babies? I’ll let Ms. Russian Fortune Cookie explain:

MICROFIBER CLOTHS: THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL. This one product is probably the biggest factor in keeping my skin in good condition. They feel deceptively soft, but have little abrasive fibers woven in that suck up oil and dirt off your face. (They were originally designed for polishing cars, but hey, it works!) I rarely use scrubs anymore, even microdermabrasion ones, since this does the job so throughly already. That being said, since it is so effective at sucking up dirt and oil, it’s also imperative that you replace these often – I keep a rotation of 3-4 cloths, and toss them into my laundry basket every week.

Okay, I’m sold! I’ll be looking for these over the next couple of days, and will report back if I have equally stellar results…

Has anyone ever used microfiber cloths on their face before? If not, what’s your favorite unorthodox skincare tip?

I confess: I’m something of an eyeshadow novice. In fact, after eschewing the product for years in favor of my trusty old (and, admittedly, boring) black eyeliner/black mascara combo, I only started branching out into the world of shadows earlier this year. Sure, I’d swiped a wash of color on my lids from time to time, but I’m just now learning how to use multiple colors at once, accent the crease, blend up to the brow bone, and so on. I’ve actually never used a mineral eyeshadow before, so forgive me if any part of this review is marred by user error or plain old ignorance.

Lily Lolo is a UK-based brand of mineral makeup, and LB recently received a few adorable little pots of their loose powder eyeshadow for review. The shades I tried, both part of the new Summer Essential line, were Vanilla Shimmer (described as “a softly shimmering pinky-beige”) and Moonlight (“a rich, luxurious and glistening chocolate brown”). Vanilla Shimmer is recommended as a base color or for highlights, while Moonlight is intended to add depth or function as an eyeliner. I wouldn’t have chosen either of these colors for myself, as I tend to prefer shades that are dark and/or bold, but they both looked perfectly lovely in their pots and swatched on the back of my hand. These shadows are smooth and light as silk, and the shimmer is soft yet noticeable – sounds great, right?

Unfortunately, I’m going to have to give them a thumbs down overall because they had virtually no staying power whatsoever! Now the website claims that these shadows have “strong colour pigment to give long lasting wear,” but my experience was exactly the opposite. The colors looked nice when I first brushed them on, but when I attempted to blend at all, they simply faded away. (I tried this on my hand as well, and they really do seem to vanish on me after just one or two swipes!) I was unable to create any sort of look with these shadows, which is too bad, because they really did look pretty in the pot. However, I didn’t use a primer or base, so I suppose that could make all the difference, or this could just be the nature of mineral shadows.

In conclusion, Lily Lolo seems like an intriguing new brand, and I would be interested in trying some of their other products, but these shadows were not my bag, baby. What do you think of mineral eyeshadows? Do you have any brands that you swear by?

Such a pretty hair color…such an unpalatable name. That pretty much sums up my feelings about the latest hair color craze, a brown/blonde hybrid that has been inelegantly dubbed “bronde” by professional colorist/Shear Genius judge Kim Vo, who enthusiastically declared, “If blonde and brown were to have a love child, it would be bronde!” when asked about the new trend. Natalie Portman, Jennifer Lopez, Sarah Jessica Parker, Miley Cyrus, Gisele Bundchen and Jennifer Aniston are just a few of the celebs who have been making waves with this new color lately. The look is achieved by painting two different shades of blonde highlights onto the upper layer of brown hair. (You’ll probably want to visit your stylist for this one, unless you’re really, really good at coloring your own hair at home.) So do brondes have more fun? Let’s settle this once and for all!

 Loading ...

The necklace Jessica is wearing is on sale today!

Wendy Culpepper Jewelry is having a one-day-only sale today and it is kind of epic:  

All of their gold vermeil pieces are on sale today for 50% off – no code needed!  

I own the ring pictured here and it is one of my favorite pieces that I wear all the time. It is usually $115 but today you can snatch it up for $57.50.  There are rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets all for really good prices and I am totally going to take advantage of the deals.  I’ve had my eye on a few of the pieces from the Alligator Collection for awhile now – no better day than today to finally make some wishes come true.  There is one ring that I love that is only $20 today – that is a steal!!  If you love jewelry, then you have to check out the artistry of Wendy’s designs.  These are truly unique pieces that you’ll get tons of compliments on – Wendy Culpepper has a major celebrity following and has been featured in some of your favorite magazines and tv shows and movies.  Truly designer, truly special, truly worth it.

Speaking of inventive beauty tie-ins and Halloween-appropriate nail polish, here’s a fun little set that combines both! In case you’re not aware, there is currently an Addams Family musical that is doing very well on Broadway, starring Bebe Neuwirth as Morticia and Nathan Lane as Gomez. Morbid though she may be, Morticia has always been quite the style icon; from Carolyn Jones on the ’60s-era TV show to Anjelica Huston in the ’90s films, no one works a little black dress and severe makeup quite like Morticia – and the current Broadway iteration of the character is no exception. Even if the Addams matriarch leans a little too far toward the dark side for you, you’re probably up for a vampy manicure every now and then, especially once fall rolls around. Enter Morticia’s Nails, a trio of morbid shades created by Essie with creative input from Neuwirth and her husband.

Inside the adorably goth packaging, you’ll find three colors: Midnight Tango (a deep navy blue), Bone Chilling White (a stark white creme) and Blood Curdling Red (a bloody crimson). The entire set is $30, with all proceeds benefiting the Actor’s Fund, a non-profit group that raises money for the performing arts.

So which set would you rather have on hand this Halloween?  Morticia’s Nails, China Glaze Awakening…or something else entirely?

Fans of Elizabeth Gilbert’s bestselling memoir Eat, Pray, Love – which has been adapted into a movie starring Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem, in theaters August 13th – should be pleased to hear about the latest fragrance offering from Fresh: A trio of scents inspired by the three countries that give the book (and film) its name. 

• “Eat” was inspired by the delicious wines and desserts of Italy, with notes including lemon, basil, cannoli (!) and caramel, balanced by Italian liqueurs like Prosecco and Limoncello.
• “Pray” calls to mind the heady spiritualism of India in a scent that is reminiscent of incense and spices with its notes of amber, patchouli, jasmine, cardamom and more.
• “Love” evokes the romantic tropical landscape of Indonesia with notes like bergamot, mango blossom, sandalwood and red currant.

Each scent will sell for $32 individually, or you can purchase a trio of travel-sized candles for  $45. What do you think of this inventive tie-in? I haven’t read the book, but I’m definitely interested in sniffing these out; they both look and sound divine!