Makeup Mondays: Neon!!!

It’s no secret that I LOVE the 80s. The 2010 summer trend definitely brings it back with bold neon colors that make me squeal with excitement! Hot pinks, vivid tangerines and shocking yellows will blind you with such ferocious fierceness, you’ll want to get out your metallic leggings and rubber bracelets.

Available Now:

M.A.C. of course has a variety of neon colors. I plan to get the following on my next visit:

Eyeshadows ($14.50) in Rule (vivid orange) and Bitter (vivid green)

lipsticks ($14) in So Chaud (intense reddish orange), and Morange (loudmouth orange)

Then I went on a mini neon splurge at Sephora yesterday and looky what I got (From Left to right):

Make Up For Ever Eyeshadows ($19) in #75 Neon Pink, #18 Tangerine, and #2 yellow 2;

Sephora by O.P.I. nail color ($9) in Hi Def

Kat Von D. Painted Love lipstick ($18) in A Go Go

Brands to look out for:

Chanel has a stunning 2010 summer collection coming soon. I’ve seen it, but don’t have a picture (boo!) due to the super special agents making sure online pictures don’t leak before it is released. You can, however, pre-order the nail polishes here. Keep checking Chanel.com for updates.

Also available soon: China Glaze's Poolside collection.

Marissa's Pick of the Week! - Tea Tree & Honey Scrub

My New favorite facial scrub is Ayelet's Tea Tree and Honey Gentle Clarifying Exfoliating Facial Scrub ($10). It's an all natural, handmade (!) scrub formulated for people with problematic skin. Using this scrub is such a pampering experience. I felt my skin being stimulated, cleansed, and soothed.

Having normal to oily skin, I don't ever show shine, but I do always have at least one breakout. This scrub is perfect for me because the tea tree oil naturally kills any bacteria, while honey heals and adds essential moisture to my skin. To top it off I was left with a great cooling sensation and the antioxidant protection of grape seed oil.

At first the oily consistency of this scrub scared me, but I knew the ingredients would help me, not clog my pores and make it worse. The Multani Mitti clay absorbs excess oils (and stimulates blood circulation) while pure cane sugar scrubs all the dirt and oil out of my pores . If your skin is sensitive to scrubs, the aloe vera will calm any redness and irritation.

This scrub is so gentle I could use it everyday. However, I would recommend starting at 3 times a week, adding a day every other week.

This product is paraben and formaldehyde free.

Marissa's Pick of the Week- Dry Shampoo?

I am in love with Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo by Rockaholic! Created by TIGI (Bed Head, Catwalk), this product is perfect for people who don't shampoo everyday. Sometimes I'll go 2 to 3 days without washing my hair for 2 reasons: hair color preservation and I like my texture better when it's dirty. The cons to not washing is the yucky greasy look closer to my scalp. Not only does Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo mattify by absorbing excess oil, it also adds volume. I just spray, tousle with my fingers, then walk out the door. You can find Rockaholic Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo at a salon for about $18.95.

Beauty on a Budget Tip #3 -Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree is a natural antiseptic, anti-fungal, and antibacterial essential oil. You can find pure tea tree oil at your local flea market, apothecary, natural food store, and even the dollar store. Instead of spending a bunch of money on zit creams, foot powders and anti-dandruff hair products, try applying some of this natural alternative. A little goes a long way, so here are some ways to use it:

For body irritations such as rashes, stings, bites, burns and soreness:
add about 5 drops to your bath and soak for about 15 mins.

athletes foot or nail fungus:
rub a small amount on the target area

dandruff:
add a drop to your shampoo or
mix with water (1 tbs tea tree oil/1 cup water), spritz on scalp and wash the next morning

acne:

add a tiny amount to the target area after moisturizer

Last Minute Shoppers

For those of you who still have presents to buy, or have husbands that still don't know what to get for you, here are my Top 10 (in random order) women's fragrance picks this year:

1. Chance Eau Fraiche (Chanel, $50-$90)

2. Daisy (Marc Jacobs, $20-$72)
3. Love (Harajuku Lovers, $18-$15)
4. Music (Harajuku Lovers, $18-$50)
5. Envy Me (Gucci, $38-$85)
6. Pleasures Exotic (Estee Lauder,$49.50-$72)
7. Beyond Paradise (Estee Lauder, $39.50-$69.50)
8. Miracle (Lancome, $41.50-$74.50)
9. Cashmere Mist (Donna Karan, $10-$98)
10. Japanese Cherry Blossom (Bath & Body Works, $5-$29.50)

Marissa Pick of the Week! - No More Dark Circles!

I love my concealer! It covers those pesky dark circles that my family has so graciously passed down to me. I've tried dozens of eye brightening creams that didn't work, and until this day haven't found one. Thanks to the geniuses at Lancome, I now have a remedy.

Genefique Youth Activating Eye Concentrate ($59) is a serum that you apply before your eye cream. This amazing little jar holds a magic potion that transforms dark, baggy, tired eyes into radiant, smooth and youthful windows to the world! I know that sounded completely corny, but I really do love this product. After three weeks of using Genefique Eye twice a day, I went to work without wearing concealer for the first time, and I wasn't self-conscious about it. I actually noticed that my dark circles were getting lighter.

Genefique is a scientific breakthrough different than any other eye serum in the market because it attacks genetic aging. Every other anti-aging formula targets environmental and/or chronological aging. Lancome's Bio-Lysat cocktail supports the skin's barrier while Phytosphingosine-SLC promotes rapid cell renewal, and buckwheat extract reduces bags and brightens dark circles. There's nothing in the world comparable to this product because it works with your genes from the inside out.

Genefique Eye serum is worth the $59 for the results you get. This is by far my favorite eye product Lancome has ever released. It's a universal serum that is compatible with any skin type, any age, and any skin care regimen. So, if you love your Estee Lauder eye cream, you can still use Genefique Eye serum underneath. Visit your Lancome counter and ask about the "7 Day Challenge" for a free 7 day supple of Genefique Youth Activating Eye Concentrate.

Marissa's Pick of the Week - Ocillation Powerbooster

I'm not a "mascara everyday" kind of girl, but when I do wear it, I go all the way. If I'm going to be suffocating my precious lashes, I want to make sure they have the best protection and nourishment. Oscillation Powerbooster (Lancome, $39) protects and enhances your lashes using the best ingredients and technology at a reasonable price. This first vibrating mascara primer separates and coats like no other primer on the market. With just one coat, your lashes are visibly longer and thicker. Another coat boosts the effects of your mascara dramatically. Other comparable products on the market average at $100 per tube, but they can't boost the effects of your mascara like Ocillation Powerbooster.

Benefits:

vibrating wand - 7,000 oscillations per minute give better separation, wiggles out clumps, and coats lashes 360 degrees so you don't have to apply a layer on top of your lashes.

Cresentia Complex - Lancome's exclusive cocktail with ingredients like jojoba oil and Vitamin B5 strengthen and condition lashes. Fragile or damaged lashes are nurtured and protected, and less hair falls out during mascara removal.

How to use:

Holding the button down, start at the base of your lash line and slowly comb upward. Don't wiggle the wand from side to side (as most women do out of habit) or you won't achieve the best results. Apply 1-3 coats, then immediately follow with your favorite mascara.

You can also follow this video tutorial on how to apply the Ocillation mascara: http://www.lancome-usa.com/beautyschool/videos/oscillation.aspx