DivaDebbi's Best of Beauty 2011- Skincare

Are you ready to get your gorgeous on for 2012???  Here are my star skincare beautifiers this year.  You may recall I'm in the midst of a trial of  La Peau's potent, but simple Swiss anti-aging skincare regime...so far, so great but since I have not yet hit my 28 day mark, you will hear more about my results in January...

In the meanwhile, here's are my faves from 2011:

DivaDebbi's Best of Beauty 2011- Face

I recognize the irony that my fervent hope, with every new product I try, is that it will look natural.  I try dozens of products each year.  The standouts usually have a few of the same features in common; they are lightweight, water infused, gel like, produce a glow, contain some SPF and on occasion, taste good.

Of all the products I tried this year, these stood out for me:

DivaDebbi's Best of Beauty 2011-Eyes

I seem to be a on a very good roll with my Benefit Cosmetics picks this year.  I have no relationship with them corporately or through P.R. contacts, (sadly), but I'm just as happy when the products that I'm doling out for don't disappoint either.  Three of them made by DivaDebbi Best of Beauty 2011- Eyes list.  I hope it's not like the Academy Awards; all the great movies you saw in the beginning of the year get displaced by the ones you see in December, but after mentally and physically going through my beauty pantry, they still hold up after reviewing earlier purchases:

DivaDebbi's Best of Beauty 2011- Hair

I promised to review my best beauty finds of the year this week, head to toe.  Most of them were so good they earned individual blog posts.  Here they are in summary, starting with the head:

'Tis the Season

Wishing all my family, friends and readers a joyous Holiday, good food, cheer and safe travel!

Tune in next week when I recap DivaDebbi's Best of 2011 Beauty, head to toe!

xox,
DD

Let's Hear it for the Girls...

Of all the beautifully packaged Holiday Gifts Sets this season, I thought this  Benefit promotion "I'm Glam Therefore I Am", was nearly perfectly executed and wonderfully priced.  Adorably packaged, it includes almost everything you need for day or night.  If they had included a black liner pencil, they would have completely knocked it out of the park, but for $36, one can't do too much grumbling.

The eyeshadow colors are subtle, apply like silk and it even comes with instructions on how to create a perfect look for daytime or evening.  It also suggested a fabulous tip.  If you want to achieve perfect placement of your crease shadow, tip your head back while applying.  It works like a charm!  I also adore they youthful flush the, "Glamming Face Powder" provides and it lasts all day.

When the opportunity presented itself to "steal" this and snag the additional bonus of my new Holy Grail mascara--Benefit's"They're Real", I leaped at it...but up until then, I feigned only vague interest. Was I committing petty larceny???  Nope, just having some fun at my annual Book Club Holiday Dinner, at what I now know is called a, "Yankee Swap", (thanks to the power of Google). What on earth is a Yankee Swap?  Read on...

These (Really) Are a Few of My Favorite Things...

Ah....the Holiday's at Richards!!!  In my role as their Personal Shopper, I especially love the Holidays. I have known many of my clients since our children were toddlers. The years have fostered some lovely friendships, and in turn nice relationships with their spouses, many of whom rely on me for year round gift counsel.  Whether or not we've done a little pre-scouting before my email with picture attachment is sent, I'll never tell.

"Aren't you tempted every single day "???  I'm frequently asked.  In a nutshell, YES!!! I have been fortunate to enjoy a lot of the things that I'm convinced I "couldn't live without"..  Are there things I still covet?  Naturally, but I'm also happy when my clients receive there hearts desires or fantastic surprises too.

After all these years, I'm still, "like a kid in a candy store".  Take a peek below and you will understand why:

L'Oreal's Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Mascara: Buy or Bag?

I promised you an update on my experience with  L'Oreal's Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Mascara.
Though I swore I had found my Holy Grail with Benefits They're Real Mascara, I couldn't resist trying L'Oreal's version of YSL's Faux Cils, particularly tempting when it came in a penny shy of $10 bucks.

I mentioned reading the reviews at Makeup Alley and read a mixed bag from raves to rages with most settling in somewhere around the middle.  I tried it on clean lashes, with an open mind.  One thing I have learned a long the way is first impressions are just that---you can't really judge a product until you see how it wears...

A Perfect Pairing: Irene Neuwirth and Yigal Azrouel

                                                                             

A few weeks ago at Richards in Greenwich Ct, we decided to doubly delight our clients by hosting a Spring 2012 trunk show that paired two uber talents, Irene Neuwirth, the L.A. based jewelry designer and Yigal Azrouel, the handsome Israeli born designer of French Moroccan descent, and let the sparks fly.  Stylists; take note. It was a perfect storm.

Quickly, it became evident that Irene's intensely colored, powerful gems, with their bold, modern appeal (frequently featured on the Red Carpet by superstars like Iman, Reese Witherspoon, Sheryl Crow, Sharon Stone, Zoe Saldana, Marisa Tomei and Lea Michele),  would be the perfect accompaniment to Yigal's ultra feminine, clean modern silhouettes. 

Guests munched on brioches stuffed with lobster and sipped champagne, while Yigal and Irene collaborated on accessorizing the models that strolled through the store, meeting and greeting guests and helping with selections.

Yigal Azrouel assisting a client

Naki Halepas, Irene Neuwirth, Linda Huston

Yigal Azrouel and CeCe Thomas

Clearly, everyone had a fabulous time and Irene and Yigal enjoyed it so much, we will be repeating the magic on the West Coast at our Wilkes Bashford locations in the future.

My friend Stacey, who writes the spectacular, oft quoted and tweeted  Quintessence Blog, also attended the event.  In addition to her amazing photographs of Irene's work, she spent time with Irene and writes a fabulous piece about her inspiration, technique and booming success. It's a lovely read, and I encourage you to click the link above to see for yourself.

One of the websites I couldn't go a day without visiting is Catherine Kallon aka Fashion Critic's, Red Carpet Fashion Awards. One of Time Magazine's top Bloggers of 2011, FC brings us a prolific amount of International coverage of the Red Carpet, plus her own informed opinions on the success of the total image; dress, shoes, accessories, hair and makeup. One of these days, maybe soon, Reese, Halle, Lea or another lovely will appear confidently chic, dressed in Yigal with some gorgeous bling designed by Irene...

Here's hoping.

xox,
DD









Swept Away

Of all the drugstore beauty brands, L'Oreal is probably my fave.  They are technologically innovative and the colors are always on trend. Dollar for dollar they deliver consistent, quality makeup that rarely disappoints...until now.

Luminous Lumene Giveaway Contest Winners!!!

Thank you to all who entered the Luminous Lumene Giveaway, both on my blog and on Facebook. Three winners will enjoy new products that deliver on their promises.  Congrats!

I asked contestants to specifiy if they had a preference for receiving Time Freeze Eye Perfecting Treatment, Premium Beauty Rejuvenating Serum, or 5 Minute S.O.S. Cream.

We have three winners, one who had a specific request: Susan Gosman, wish granted, you will be receiving my favorite, Premium Beauty Rejuvenating Serum.  Please let me know if you love it as much as I do!

Peniam: Please enjoy your Time Freeze Eye Perfect Treatment.  I always carry this in my makeup bag to refresh tired under eyes and especially before concealer touch ups, when I'm on the run.

Alyssa Bubble Tea:  You have won 5 Minute S.O.S. Cream,  ideal for sensitive skin.

Ladies, please contact me a.s.a.p. at DivaDebbi@gmail.com  with your sending address, so we can arrange for you to receive them.

Many thanks to my friends at Kaplow P.R. and Lumene for facilitating these products for my readers and Facebook fans. 

It's all good!

xox,
DD

Holiday Hair:101

While I would like to believe that mastery is always possible, my limitations in the school of spatial perception is perhaps a hair higher than the pre-school level.  Case in point?  Remember those illusion drawings?  Did you see a Young Lady or an Old Crone?  I could always only see the Young Lady...no matter how it was explained, I never saw the Crone, (e tu)?

Recently, at a private party in N.Y.C., I took a trip to the Ladies room. The doors were festooned with a W and an M...seemingly.  I'm not sure if it was better or worse that this was a party amongst friends, because I ended up you know where, and it wasn't their hats that were in their hands--  I'm still cringing at the memory of it, (even worse, much like the Lady and the Crone, I still couldn't see how that M wasn't a W).

Where is all of this leading? To a reasonably good solution, for those of you, who, like me cannot master how to use a curling iron, if their high school equivalency diploma depended on it.

I get a pit in my stomach every time I see big, soft, barrel waves, not just on the Red Carpet like Lea's gorgeous glossy tresses, but effortlessly created by anyone who can twirl, in the right direction.  Ditto those who can achieve adorable little flips with their flat irons.

Sooo...what is my find? 

Michelle Our Bell

Michelle Obama looked incredibly wonderful as she stepped out with the President to enjoy the Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday night.  Mrs. Obama's  elegant, strapless sapphire Vera Wang tulle and chiffon dress was a knock out, gently accentuating her curves and highlighting her assets. I think she looks especially good in jewel tones, this being no exception.

My preference with strapless dresses is almost always an important earring and a bare neckline, (and I will never object to a gorgeous cuff on the arm or a President for that matter).  Mrs. Obama's radiant skin is the only other adornment this dress needed.  Her hair and makeup are pitch perfect as well.

I was in total swoon mode until I caught this photo which displayed her sparkling silver flats:

DivaDebbi's Rules of Beauty Civility: Salon Etiquette

This blog is going to sound a wee cranky, because I am a wee cranky.  I'm also writing this with an ice pack on my head as I nurse the after effects of the full blown migraine I woke up with yesterday. If you wish to skip this blog, I get it!   Read on at your own risk and  if you think I'm off base...let me have it!

Luminous Lumene Giveaway!

Good news!!!   Lumene is delighted to participate in a special giveaway, exclusively for DivaDebbi readers.  We chose three products from five of their skincare lines.  There will be three winners!  Below is a description of each category and product.  If you have a preference,  let me know. If the stars align, you may just get your wish...either way, you can't lose.