I just came across the handbag brand, Mulberry, which I admit, I wasn’t familiar with. I particularly love their “Bayswater” handbag design for its stylish, yet uber classic design. London’s Guardian newspaper has listed this bag as one of the 25 top trends from 2009’s London Fashion Week, and I agree — this bag is spot on a classic in the making.

It comes any many different colors and retails for just under U.S.$1,000. Its clean lines and signature printed vegetable tanned leather with a suede lining give it a timeless appeal that will add a certain level of sophistication to any outfit.
Mulberrry Handbag

Like every savvy, sun-smart girl, I know it is of the utmost importance to protect your skin, especially the skin on your face, from the harmful rays of the sun. We’re talking about doing our darndest to avoid the effects of photoaging — which will show up on your face as fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation — even skin cancer.

Even the best broad spectrum sunscreens can only block about half of the damaging free radicals from UV exposure, so it is essential to use an effective topical antioxidant daily to combat the remaining 50% of these UV-induced free radicals.

I’ve long been a fan of skin care lines like MD Formulations and SkinCeuticals, but recently came across a new line, which I’m loving, called Dermalounge Products. So far, I’ve only tried their AM Serum, which is full of those important ingredients such as: 20% L-Ascorbic acid, ferulic and kojic acids, along with something called Matrixyl 3000, which the website conveniently describes in its product glossary.

I’m planning to try something else from their line soon — and, as an added bonus, they even offer free shipping! Can’t beat that.
Dermalounge AM Serum
Dermalounge Products Glossary

Summer is the perfect time to lighten up your make-up. A great way to look fresh and polished, without a heavy made-up look, is to go for that sexy bee stung lip.

This look is easy to accomplish — just avoid lipstick and go for a lip stain instead. Prepare your lips first with a great lip balm that also has some spf in it and then apply your lip tint. BeneFit’s “Benetint” has obtained cult favorite status and is a perfect product to try. It’s won numerous awards, including Marie Claire’s “Top 25 Products that Changed Our Lives” for “the fave for rosy cheeks and lips.” It’s pretty price friendly too at about $28.00 and even comes in a new pink stain color called “Posietint” which is a pretty poppy-pink color. Plus, it’s a product that multi-tasks and can be used on your cheeks too.
Benefit Benetint

I’m really not one of those girls who buy a lot of different perfumes. I like to choose one, and stick with it until it runs out. But, the other day I was walking through the cosmetic department and was immediately drawn to the new perfume by Marc Jacobs.

It’s called “Lola” and smells absolutely devine. It’s purported to be the older, more worldy sister, to Marc Jacob’s sweet-smelling “Daisy” which has done exceedingly well. The bottle is equally as gorgeous too. “Daisy” had that playful large white vinyl flower on its lid and “Lola” has an equally large and lush blossom on her cap as well. “Lola” is a much more mature scent with a heavy opening of pink pepper, lots of pear and some tart grapefruit. Then things settle down and become more warm and musky, with a sweet almost vanillia undertone. It is a more worldly scent than “Daisy” and may not have the same mass-market appeal. “Lola” is a bolder scent and one worth giving a try. Plus, it’s a real joy to look at every time you glance at that lovely bottle.
Lola

Have you ever wondered how to create that super cool winged eyeliner look? I definitely have, and I’ve found the answer. Check out this how-to site, complete with video. It actually doesn’t look that hard to do.
Primped’s How-to

You’ll need sticky tape and liquid eyeliner, and a brush to get it right. MAC has a great liquid liner, that comes with its own brush, or Stila’s Smude Pot gel goes on really well too. The most important tip that I took away from the video was how important it is to create the right diagonal line — using your nose and corner of the eye as your guides. Check it out!

MAC Liquid Liner

If you haven’t tried this concealer yet, you must. It is amazing stuff! It conceals dark circles, while also nourishing the delicate under eye skin, reduces puffiness with vitamin K and gives you a natural, bright illuminating effect.

It comes in 6 different shades, and it is recommended that you go a shade or two lighter than your regular foundation. Have the beauty therapist help you though, because you don’t want to go too light — that is a common problem some girls make with their concealer.

This product also helps camoflage fine lines and adds a certain ‘wow’ sparkle factor to the face. There are also white tea and cucumber extracts that help soothe tired eyes.
Active Light Concealer

In my opinion, I have “hazel” colored eyes — you know, that browny-green color. I’m perfectly happy with my eye color, but do realize they lack that certain umpf that gorgeous blue or green eyes can deliver.

From time to time I do dabble in wearing purple eyeliner, eyeshadow or even mascara. Because as every fashion-conscious girl knows, adding purple to your browny-green eyes can help make them look even greener and more gorgeous. However, I’ve always kind of struggled with purple make-up on my face. It is such a vibrant color, and often I feel as though my purple make-up kind of clashes with the rest of my outfit.

Well, I just came across these “Lovely Lilac Eyes” by MAC and can’t wait to give this look a try. It gives that burst of purple, or as they call it “lilac” without overpowering the face with too much color. I also love the nude mouth, MAC’s “Creme d’Nude” that is recommended to finish the look off.

Lilac Eyes at Beauty Heaven

http://www.ssasychic.com/fashion/fall-2009-fashion-trend-the-plaid-flannel/

I follow the fashion trends like every girl who strives to stay current in the “look” of the season, but yikes, I don’t know about this lumberjack plaid shirt trend. It does give a nod to Kurt Cobain’s look of the ’90’s — but why would anyone really want to try and emulate this look? It beats me….I’m going to pass.

Everyone knows this — there are a ton of different mascaras out there on the market! And, they just keep getting even more advanced — I’ve just read about Lancome’s newest “Hypnose Drama” which has a specially designed S-shaped curved brush, touted to fan-out even the tiniest of lashes to an eye-popping splendour.
Lancome Hypnose Drama
Then there are the new ‘vibrating’ mascaras — Lancome has one of these as well, called Oscillation Lancome Oscillation
and Maybelline at the lower, drugstore end of the market has one called “Pulse Perfection.”

This is all very mind boggling — who knows where to start? What is worth it, etc? I sure don’t! To be honest, I’ve got really long lashes, but they are also really straight. I have an eyelash curler and some BeneFit “Bad Gal” black mascara that I do just fine with.

I don’t wear mascara daily — it seems to always want to stick to my bottom lashes and it just kind of bugs me all day. I did find this great site though “How to Apply Mascara: 15 Tips and Tricks” which gave a lot of helpful advice. I kind of think the success in wearing mascara is in the application, not so much in the actual brand — I will study this link and see how it goes. Maybe it is time to recommit to wearing mascara daily.
How to Apply Mascara

I had a couple of hours to myself yesterday afternoon and decided to get a manicure /pedicure- I regard my hands as a key fashion accessory, its important to me to have them looking great. Its also a really relaxing treat.

I went with Malaga Wine this time because I am a fan of classic red nail polishes. This is definitely a deep burgundy red.

OPI had the best names in the business, as well as being a long-lasting, chip resistant polish.

My nails are now ready for my busy weekend, and I’ll have a good feeling every time I glance at my hands and toes.
OPI Nails