http://www.latestbeauty.com The Web's Premiere Social Beauty Betwork en-us http://www.latestbeauty.com/blog/view/6376/a_love_letter_to_sally_beauty_supply I don't know about you, but I've always felt like I had two choices when it came to buying makeup: I could go low-end (i.e., drugstore) or I could go high-end (i.e., department stores/Sephora). Drugstore makeup is super affordable and easy to come by, but higher-end products are usually better quality and better for my skin - not to mention the invariably sexy packaging. Unfortunately, I've more or less resigned myself to buying drugstore makeup lately, with the occasional Sephora splurge here and there...and then I started thinking about beauty supple stores. Of course, I've always been aware of beauty supply stores, and I've ducked in once or twice, but I had pretty much written them off as being primarily hair care. (Why did I think this? I have no idea.) But Sally, in particular, kept popping up on the blogs I read, from Nouveau Cheap's guest post on an intriguing mint shampoo to RFC's comparison of the Palladio Dual Wet&Dry Foundation to MAC StudioFix - in which she concluded that they were very close, but she liked the Palladio better! So I ducked into my nearest Sally's, and whoa! So much cheaper than a trip to Sephora, and everything I bought is awesome! Here's what I hauled: Palladio Dual Wet and Dry Foundation in Laurel Nude ($8.99) Queen Helene Mint Julep Shampoo ($3.99) Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque ($3.29) Beyond Belief ABH Intensive Repair Serum ($7.99) Orly Polish Thinner ($3.49) Orly "Galaxy Girl" polish from the Cosmic FX collection ($7.99) ...plus the $5 I paid for a 1-year membership to the "Beauty Club" I decided to take the plunge and get a club card because there are tons of discounts exclusive to club members listed on the website; plus, they gave me a $5 coupon good on any purchase during the month of October, so it's like my membership was free! As for the awesomeness of my purchases, I'm thinking of doing a series of individual reviews, because seriously, they're all great. The Palladio powder foundation, in particular, is so much better than the Neutrogena Mineral Sheers I've been using - and it was about $5 cheaper! In conclusion, if you haven't ventured into a beauty supply store in years, I recommend you take the plunge. They have cosmetics, skincare and hair products far better than what you'll find at most drugstores, but at a fraction of the price you can expect to pay at the mall. Love you, Sally! XOXO. 2010-09-03 16:00:36 http://www.latestbeauty.com/blog/view/6372/latest_inspiration%3a__natalie_portman Just a quick post about how gorgeous Natalie Portman looked on the opening day of the Venice Film Festival.  Her bold red dress by Rodarte was perfectly offset with her neutral makeup choices.  I love the detail of the shoulders and the neckline on this dress.  And this shade of red is what I'm going to be looking for when I start populating my fall wardrobe. The one thing I'm not so crazy about is the clutch that is paired with the dress.  Does it look like a makeup bag to anyone else?  Now, don't get me wrong, I've had a few makeup bags in my time that I thought could double as purses....but now I see how that doesn't really work.  I'm sure this is some gorgeous designer bag but it stands out to me as something that should have been left at the vanity. Back to the gorgeousness though:  the lightly lined eyes, with what looks like brown eyeliner to keep the look as natural as possible, is perfection.  The application really makes her brown eyes look otherworldly.  I am a big fan of MAC's Stubborn Brown Powerpoint Eye Pencil to help achieve this defined yet delicate look.  It looks like a touch of white shadow was dabbed underneath on the inside corner of her eye to really make her eyes pop. I'm feeling inspired to shop for beautiful red shirts and dresses and bags. And I'm feeling inspired to play up my eyes and neutralize my lip color. There were plenty of red carpet looks this week, between the Emmys and the Venice Film Festival: What looks inspired you? 2010-09-03 10:56:18 http://www.latestbeauty.com/blog/view/6366/recommended%3a__goody_spin_pin 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... 2010-08-27 12:21:52 http://www.latestbeauty.com/blog/view/6341/drew_loves_her... 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! 2010-08-25 11:18:09 http://www.latestbeauty.com/blog/view/6330/jennifer_aniston%27s_unretouched_photos_-_what%27s_your_take%3f 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? [poll id="432"] 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. 2010-08-19 17:26:49 http://www.latestbeauty.com/blog/view/6322/virtual_makeover 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. 2010-08-18 18:00:21 http://www.latestbeauty.com/blog/view/6318/unusual_jewelry_love 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... 2010-08-17 16:26:41 http://www.latestbeauty.com/blog/view/6312/current_drugstore_obsessions%3a_what%27s_yours%3f_ 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? 2010-08-13 14:31:50 http://www.latestbeauty.com/blog/view/6303/my_top_5_skincare_tips 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: 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. 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. 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! 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. 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! 2010-08-10 17:22:58 http://www.latestbeauty.com/blog/view/6298/review%3a__coppertone_sensitive_skin_spf_50 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! 2010-08-10 11:50:10 http://www.latestbeauty.com/blog/view/6292/revenge_of_the_nerds_at_forever_21 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? 2010-08-09 15:18:29 http://www.latestbeauty.com/blog/view/6285/shoe_news%3a_dolce_vita_for_target 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? 2010-08-06 15:13:12 http://www.latestbeauty.com/blog/view/6258/bloomspot%3a_live_life_better 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! 2010-08-06 10:31:00