What Diva Wore 2-27-15

DivaDebbi  wearing a Victoria Beckham skirt, Zara Top, Vince Camuto boots.
I reinvigorated and old fox collar by having my seamstress Sylvia attach a
grosgrain ribbon to it, so I could wear it tied around my neck, Chic and toasty!

Many of my readers know, that besides being beauty obsessed, professionally, I am a Personal Shopper.  I absolutely adore my job.  In the early years of my career, I was an executive who helped run the Personal Shopping divisions of some well known stores.  My love, however, was always the clothes and the clients; never the administration.  I'm so incredibly blessed to have so many loyal clients who of course are also now friends.  I have helped them through all the major occasions of theirs and their children's lives and hope to continue doing so for many more years.

Friends tell me they would also like to see more fashion in my blog, so some days I will share what I wore on a given day.  Like most American women, I am perfectly happy to mix special pieces (nee expensive), with cheap and cheerful finds.  I hope I can help you train your eye and familiarize you with brands that consistently deliver fashion and quality at affordable price points.

The fashion world interprets at the speed of light these days; there is no longer a 6 mos. lag between the runway and retail, and in some cases, retail is even a season ahead.  Take for the example the knit top with faux blouse I am wearing above.  I purchased this at Zara this January.  Below is a very similar knit from Paula Ka a small french brand, from their Fall 2015 collection.  It will arrive in stores in October:

IT Cosmetics Tightliner-10-in-1-dual-ended-brush

IT Cosmetics Tightliner-10-in-1-dual-ended-brush
$24 at Ulta Stores

I know good tools can truly make a difference in makeup application.  I'm always covetous of makeup artists tools and brushes; and the fact that they are fresh and fluffy, unlike my trove.

If I had to choose between eyeliner and mascara, I choose the liner every time. I've probably read a  few hundred tutorials on how to achieve the perfect "cat eye" with liner.  Obviously, success eludes.

DivaDebbi's Red Carpet Report Card-Oscars 2015

Well, the big night is behind us...and as always, a few trends prevailed--the Red Carpet was awash in blush pink, blinding white, statement necklaces and quite a bit of skin.  Of the major designers, Atelier Versace had a big night, dressing Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johanssen, and Zoe Saldana, beautifully.

Perhaps Red Carpet fatigue has set in for me...I found myself alternatively disappointed and flummoxed. And while some elements of certain looks were outstanding; Jessica Chastain's beautiful hair and makeup for example, were not enough to carry her awkward, unflattering Givenchy gown.  If I were grading, like I usually do, Jessica would be receiving a C+.

Flawless was few and far between;  I winnowed it down to three; Margot Robbie in Yves St. Laurent, with a fantastic sleek bob and bold lip and Zoe Saldana, (incredibly, just 3 mos. post delivering her twins), in Atelier Versace, and the lovely Anna Kendrick in Thakoon.

Everything worked exquisitely...Gowns, hair, makeup, accessories.  A+  Goddess Land:

Margot Robbie in YSL

Zoe Saldana in Atelier Versace

Anna Kendrick in Thakoon

A bit off, but still fabulous?  Cate the Great Blanchett, Jennifer Aniston (often maligned as boring and safe, I think Jen is true to herself and rarely flubs), Scarlett Johanssen, (minus the seaweed Swarovski choker), and Emma Stone in Eli Saab, (who almost made puce work), Sienna Miller in Peter Copping for Oscar de la Renta, (with heavy handed contouring) and a much improved Rosamund Pike, stunning in Givenchy.

Beating the Winter Beauty Blues on a Budget

It's been a chilly winter, wouldn't you say???  I feel like replacing lost moisture has become a part time job. I'm constantly slathering.  My hair is also looking a bit limp, between zero humidity and hat hair.  

What's a Girl to do?

Here are some great drugstore buys to help pump and plump your skin and hair up and none of them will break the bank:

·         Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Rapid Moisture Instant Cooling Spray Lotion – This Cocoa Butter and Aloe based spray lotion is the perfect moisturizer leaving skin feeling soft, smooth and instantly refreshed. ($5.99)

·         Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Heel Repair – The perfect problem-solution product specifically formulated to soften and smooth dry, cracked heels and feet. In a convenient no-mess stick applicator, this product is a must-have to repair dry skin patches caused by winter month activities. ($6.95)

·      

   Cocoa Butter Formula Swivel Stick

o   On the run moisturizer  with ease

o   Enriched with 100 percent Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E

o   Great aroma and protection against dry, chapped lips ($4.00)

Cranking up the heat on a cold night might feel great at first, but before long, you and your hair will both be feeling parched. Replenish moisture to dry, brittle strands withZero Frizz^® Triple Butter Overnight Repair Treatment (SRP: $5.99) formulated with hydrating Shea, Cupuacu and Mango butters.

	Flat hair is most likely a direct effect of the awesome new beanie you bought this winter. Don’t ditch your favorite new accessory – instead, pump up your hair’s volume from the roots before you leave home with Thicker Fuller Hair® Instantly Thick Serum (SRP: $7.49).
	When it’s time to take off your hat, flip your hair upside down, give it a quick tousle and spray with Thicker Fuller Hair® Weightless Volumizing Hairspray (SRP: $4.99) for flexible hold that won’t weigh hair down.

Cheer up!  Just 27 more days till Spring.  It may not feel like it, but we already over the hump...Hope these products can help.

xox,
DD

Pur Minerals Chateau Kisses Lip-Plumping Lip Gloss

Pur Minerals Chateau Kisses Lip-Plumping Lip Gloss
$18 Ulta Stores

Oh, this is lovely lip gloss! Pur Minerals Chateau Kisses Lip-Plumping Lip Gloss  is really more of a hybrid between a lip gloss and and a lipstick.  It's a seemingly simple concept, but in reality, I have not found many products that provide both a glossy lip and one that has the staying power of a lipstick, once the shine loses its, well, shine.

Best of all, it is not the least bit sticky, has no gag inducing perfume taste and really did make lips looks smooth and full. Added bonus? Like most PurMinerals products, it's reasonably priced and includes anti-aging products. I am always excited, when I am asked by my friends at Tractenberg PR to sample them, because I am usually so pleased with their offerings.

Fashion Flash

This week my dear friend Jackie Silver, author, blogger and radio personality is hosting Fashion Flash. Jackie's well regarded beauty blog Aging Backwards is a favorite source of mine for anti-aging tips.  I can tell you that she truly is an ageless beauty and to know her is to immediately think, "Ill have what she's having".

As always, our sharp group of lifestyle bloggers share theit insights on how you can look and feel your best, at any age.  Click here to read them all and ICYMI, my contribution was on whether or not you need or can skip and eyeshadow/liner primer every day.

Enjoy!

xox,
DD

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Wishing all my precious readers a Happy Valentines Day!  I love and appreciate, each and everyone of you!!!

xox,

DD

Milani Eye Shadow Primer

Milani Eyeshadow Primer
$5.99 Drugstores Nationwide

Ugggh!!! Do I really need to add one more step to my already overburdened daily maquillage? I wanted the answer to be no, but I reasoned that if an eye shadow primer could truly make my eye makeup budge proof, I would save time on clean ups and touch ups.

Turned out I was right! I purchased Milani's Eyeshadow Primer on a whim, while on a CVS run.  The primer that stood in my mind as the must have, is made by Urban Decay, costs nearly 4x as much and would have required a trip to Sephora.

Fashion Flash Monday

This week Mirabai Holland, who writes the health and fitness blog Moving Free with Mirabai and produces and stars in her own exercise videos, is our host.

Besides Valentines Day, February is also Healthy Heart Month. Heart Disease is  the number one killer of women, though if polled, I would have guessed lung or breast cancer, and I suggest I am not alone.

Awareness should be raised.

To her great credit, Mirabai has established a world class cardiac rehabilitation program in NYC, which has now become the model for other centers.  While exercise is her passion, exercise that focus on a healthy heart on her personal passion.

You can read about her suggestions and other heart healthy posts by our blogger group this week by clicking here.

Enjoy!

xox,

DD

The Beauty Magazine's 50 Best Products of 2015

Well, that certainly didn't take long!  Usually I wait until the end of the year to come up with my "best of's" list. Nonetheless, I couldn't resist seeing what products the editors of this online beauty magazine, (with a strong leaning towards all things luscious and luxurious),  thought were the 50 Best...already.

It's somewhat telling that prices are not included, but when the winners include La Mer, SK II, Chantecaille, La Prairie, Eve Lom, Tom Ford and Elias Fass, if you have to ask...well, you know what they say.

Flash Back Friday: Pur Wine Exfoliating Mask

Pur Wine Exfoliating Mask
$29

Snow days do come in handy...I definitely have the tendency to procrastinate about tackling time consuming, boring chores, but once in mode, I'm a woman possessed.  Monday was the perfect day to tackle purging, cleaning and organizing both my linen closet/beauty goodie closet and vanity top and bottom.

Two letters sum it up...OY.

I always look for a silver lining, and I found it when I rediscovered Pur's Amazing Wine Exfoliating Mask.  As long as I was going to be down the beauty rabbit hole for a few hours, I figured I might as well multi task.

I applied this delicious mask and got busy... Just like the first time, I couldn't resist taking a tiny taste, yup, yummy.  I was sitting on my bathroom floor, sorting and scrubbing, so the image of me as Lucy Ricardo stomping grapes in a wine vat in Italy, was only in my head instead of the mirror.

Fashion Flash

Deb from No Nonsense Beauty Blog, ace facilitator and fearless leader, hosted Fashion Flash this week.

She asked that we put our thinking caps on, and submit posts related to Valentine's Day.  ICYMI, my post is about a great drugstore find; firmer skin in just two weeks...Yes, joyfully that includes knees and upper arms!

Click here to see this and all our groups fabulous posts.

Enjoy!

xox,
DD