Everyone's talking about this one, especially since Corey Hart is in her video, which makes it both kind of sad and weird at the same time. Those two crazy kids. It's a catchy song, though.
Grab it at 
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Pink's New So What Video Is Funny and Kind of Sad
Beauty Bytes: Stars Go for Super Short Hairstyles
 See cuts | Celebrities' Super Short Hairstyles
It's no surprise that so many stars opt for super short bobs and pixie cuts. Aside from being low-maintenance, a short style puts more focus on the face and adds more attitude to their overall look. Check out which celebrities make cropped hair look gorgeous ... and tempting. (If you feel the urge to reach for the scissors after viewing their photos, we highly recommend you get a professional to do the cutting.) ...More |
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You Know You Need This Top. I'm Sure You Can Find Somewhere to Wear It
Really. For only $249.12 American dollars, you can be the proud owner of this top. I know I'm already saving my pennies. Check it out here.
More Dark Lip Trends: YSL's Pur Black Gloss Available for Pre-Order
So, do you all think I'll be rocking the dark lips this fall? I think so. I am somewhat obsessed with this trend, which isn't surprising after all the corals, bronzes, and pinks that I've stockpiled over the past year or so. Not that I don't love them, but I am ready for a change.
YSL to the rescue. Pur Black Gloss is ready for pre-order only and is a limited edition. Get your wallets ready, ladies, because I guarantee that this won't last long. From the description:
From plum to ebony, it dresses lips in an infinite range of shades, depending on how it is applied – feather light or rich and bold. Transparent yet intense, it plays on the depths of black and the pure shine of a sparkle-free formula.
It is expected to ship on September 19, and you will be notified via email when it's ready to go. I expect to see pictures.
Featured on Beyond Beauty Basics!
I'm a featured contributor over at Beyond Beauty Basics! You all head on over there and read my article Dark Lipstick is the New Trend, But Is it Wearable? and tell me what you think! A Stumble is always appreciated as well!
Beauty Bytes: Best Lip Liners
 See reviews | Best Liners for Your Lips
Not too hard or soft, these lip liners appealed to TotalBeauty.com editors and members for a variety of really good reasons. Find out if you should upgrade the pencil you have at home or add another color to your collection. (Did we miss your favorite? Write a review to bump up its status!) ...More |
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No, I Don't Think I Want to Smell Like That, Thanks.
I picked up a bottle of Burt's Bees Naturally Nourishing Milk & Shea Butter Body Wash
Honestly, every time I use this, the smell reminds me of the scent they use at the Rest Area on I-95 heading towards Washington DC. And while it's not an unpleasant smell in a public restroom, it's not what I want my body to smell like. It's a very strong, artificial smell, and somewhat difficult to describe. Obviously, I was very disappointed, since I never hear anything but good things about Burts Bees, but it makes me hesitant to try anything else. Perhaps I just have a sensitive nose.
Have you tried this? Is it just me?
More MAC Starflash
Not too long ago, I bought up all the liners in MAC's Starflash collection and promptly fell in love with them. Because I was so hooked, I stopped by the counter on Tuesday to take a closer look at the shadows, and here is what I ended up walking away with:
- Smoke and Diamonds. This one is sold out online, and I can understand why. Very on trend gray will make an excellent smoky eye, but can still be worn on it's own.
- Top Hat. I just loved this vibrant purple, especially blended with some of the other colors.
- Glamour Check!. Another one that will pair wonderfully with the others and looks fantastic with the Raven eye pencil.
- Mink and Sable. This is another base color that blends well with more vibrant colors. It looks really great with the Orpheus liner.
- Star by Night. Another vibrant blue that I hesitated briefly with. I have so many great blue MAC shadows (Blue Storm is a favorite), but it works well with the other shadows in the collection.
You Need Another Reality Show in Your Life
VH-1 is premiering their new show Glam God tonight and I can't wait! Here is what they have to say about the new program:
Twelve stylists from all walks of life move into an L.A. loft to compete for the coveted title of GLAM GOD. At stake: representation by a major styling agency, a celebrity spread in US MAGAZINE, and $100,000. In this first episode, they meet their host, actress Vivica A. Fox, along with her glam panel of judges, US WEEKLY Bureau Chief Melanie Bromley, and celebrity stylist Phillip Bloch. After viewing highlights from their portfolios, Vivica and her glam panel select four team leaders for their first challenge: "Who wore it best?" Each team must create a red carpet moment using identical designer dresses. By the end of the night, two stylists will be eliminated from the competition and sent home.I imagine Vivica will be wonderfully snarky, and will probably make a few people cry. Also featured on tonight's show is Charles Worthington tylist Tim Rogers. I mention it because I recently reviewed a few Charles Worthington products and think that they have some great potential.
Beauty Bytes: Best of the Infomercials
 See reviews | Top 23 "As Seen on TV" Skin Products
Admit it: On nights you can't sleep you may stay up watching infomercials or checking out what Suzanne Somers is hawking on the Home Shopping Network. After an hour or so, those products all start to sound pretty great. But which ones are really worth picking up the phone for? TotalBeauty.com readers bravely ordered and found out. Check out their favorite "as seen on TV" skin care products. ...More |
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I Think My Eyes Must Be Deceiving Me: 75% off at Hard Candy?
I've been a fan of Hard Candy for a long time, so it was with complete shock that I found this on their website today! These are just amazing prices, and you are crazy if you don't take advantage of it! If you're new to Hard Candy, I'll give you a list of my favorites to get you started.
- Take Out Makeup Kit: This is great for travel. Mascara, six lip glosses, eight eye shadows, one black eye pencil, two shades of concealer, a bronzer and a blush. $6.95
- Eye Shadow Quartet: Has a base color, crease color, highlighter, and liner all in one kit with a sponge applicator and a little mini angle brush. I own this in Drama Queen, Suede, and Techno. $7
- Vintage Nail Polish: Cute, light, and shimmery. I have Frigid, Trailer Trash, and Jailbait. $1.75.
- Hard Candy Fragrance: Fragrance is one of those things that you either like or you don't. Notes are white tea, pink peppercorn, essence of rose, essence of jasmine, and caramel. $10.50
I Have a Fairy Godmother!
Not too long ago, I reviewed Aussie's Opposites Attract line and I mentioned that I remembered Three Minute Miracle quite well.
Well, look what showed up in my mailbox today! I am so excited to see if it is as fantastic as I remember. You'll be seeing a review from me tomorrow, I bet. It will be soaked in 80's nostalgia. I might listen to Prince when I let it sit in my hair.
Thank you, Fairy Godmother! Thank you!
Go Get Your Gash Lipstick for 30% Off Now!
Hurry, I'm sure things will be selling out quickly. Especially after I go surf over there.
Urban Decay is having their Friends and Family sale this week only. Enter Code: FFL30 and checkout, and as a bonus, you'll get free shipping if you spend over $75.
Allure and Givenchy Team Up For a Fun Contest
Allure Magazine has teamed up with Givenchy to celebrate the launch of an unique product that is creating a lot of buzz. That product, of course, is Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes Mascara
So, what's the contest? Glad you asked. Allure and Givenchy are asking their readers to "Show Us Their Look." Grab a friend, head to Sephora, and try out all the new Givenchy products. Take photos of these looks and then head over to Allure Access and upload those photos and tell them your favorite products. Each month Allure will choose five winners to be featured in a slideshow, and then in December one winner will be featured in Allure magazine.
Seriously, it doesn't take much for me to grab a friend and head to Sephora. I certainly don't mind messing around with products and even take a snap or two. This whole thing is right up my alley. Sounds fun!
Beauty Bytes: A Guest Review: Marco Pelusi Anti-Frizz Leave In Conditioner
  | Guest Review: Marco Pelusi Anti-Frizz Leave-In Conditioner
It's easy to see why Marco Color Anti-Frizz Leave-In Conditioner with Collagen Color Guard is hairstylist Marco Pelusi's signature product. Just one or two pumps miraculously detangle knots and tame frizz on all hair types. ...More |
Of Course I Can Help You Pick a Mascara
Lately I've been asked in various different ways what my tips are on choosing mascara. I love it when people ask me these things, because truly, I can wax poetic about mascara for at least an hour. The problem is that it's like asking a beer lover what kind of beer to drink. There are thousands out there, what do you like?
When it comes to choosing mascara, there are several things I usually ask: how much do you want to spend, do you prefer a natural or more made up look, and do you want volume or length?
There are great mascaras in every single price point, so I don't want to waste my time recommending a $40 mascara to someone who wouldn't dream of spending more than $10. And I can't say I blame them. I probably have about 20 tubes of mascara priced over $20 that I used precisely once and never used again. That's a couple of hundred dollars that I could put towards the purchase of a new pair of shoes.
Next is your daily makeup usage. Do you go for a natural look? Do you put on a full face of makeup every day? Are you the type to spend no more than 5 minutes on your makeup, or is it your time to experiment with usage of color? Is the mascara for daily use or a special occasion or both?
To make it easy, I've broken the whole issue down into four parts: dramatic look, lower budget; natural look, lower budget; dramatic look, higher budget and natural look, higher budget.
Dramatic Look, Lower Budget
It's getting really, really easy to find excellent drugstore mascaras for a dramatic look. The newer formulas mean that you have far more options than just Maybelline Great Lash Mascara, which was the standard for ages (and for the record, I'm not a fan - I know "beauty editors" everywhere just love it, but I don't). Here are a few I've tried and definitely recommend:
- Cover Girl Volume Exact Mascara. New plastic brush will give you plenty of volume without lots of clumps. Lasts all day, no flaking and works with sensitive eyes. Three coats will give you a dramatic look, and I recommend the waterproof formula. $6.99 at major retailers.
- Max Factor Volume Couture WaterProof Mascara. This is the same formula that they use with the Vivid Impact Highlighting mascara that I've been working with lately. Fantastic formulation with no clumping or flaking, and it will stay put all day. It's hard to find in my area, but I understand it's not so bad elsewhere. Figures. About $6.99 at major retailers.
- Cover Girl Lashblast Mascara. Everyone loves LashBlast. You can't even skim through a beauty blog without reading about it. Great new style brush, lots of volume, no clumping. An absolute steal for $6.99 at major retailers.
- Loreal Volume Shocking 2-Step Volume Construction Mascara
. I was a huge fan of this one for a long time. Includes a primer and a mascara with a tough-to-get-used-to lash comb. With practice, however, you can build up some amazing lashes. About $9.99 at most major retailers. I wonder if this isn't slowly disappearing, though. I haven't been seeing it around as much lately.
Of course it's easy to find great mascaras that cost a fortune, but not all of them are created equal, especially in regards to the dramatic look. Some of them are just impossible to work with and others simply aren't worth the price. Here are a few of my favorites.
- Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara
. My holy grail. I have not yet found a mascara that consistently delivers the results I want besides Diorshow. Plush brush with a formula that many think is a bit drying. I disagree - it goes on perfectly with no clumps and builds to be as dramatic as you'd like. $24 at department store counters and Sephora.
- Too Faced Lash Injection Extreme Volume Mascara
. This one seems to get mixed reviews, but I absolutely love it. It's one of the mascaras that actually forms "tubes" around your lashes (and will come off that way when you use your eye makeup remover later) which makes them full and inky, just the way I like them. $19.50 at specialty stores.
- Benefit Cosmetics BADgal Lash Mascara
. This was my go-to before I found DiorShow. Another super plush brush with a thick formula that volumizes and curls. Buildable, but some people claim that it gives them "raccoon eyes." Never had that problem personally, and the new blue shade is fab. $19 at department store counters and Sephora.
Lots and lots of options here. Here are my top three.
- L'Oreal Telescopic Clean Definition & Lengthening Mascara. This gives you a great coating of mascara without being overmuch. Lightweight and buildable, so you can use it daily without looking overly done up. About $7.99 at major retailers.
- e.l.f. Earth and Water Mascara Duo. This is actually a pretty handy product that gives you both regular mascara and a waterproof formula. Don't be fooled by the price - this is an excellent product that will give natural, lasting results. $1.
- Neutrogena Clean Lash Tint, Black 01, 0.09 Oz (2.5 g) (Pack of 2)
. I think this is an innovative product, and perfect for girls who want that natural look. No clumping, and Neutrogena always makes excellent quality products. $8.99, but it might be tricky to find. Try Ulta.
With the mineral makeup craze in full force, it's not hard to find natural mascaras at higher price points. Here are a few to consider.
- CARGO Better - Than - Waterproof Mascara
. I got this mascara as part of their Melt-Proof collection, and it is indeed extremely waterproof. It is also a very natural look with no flaking or smudging. $20.
- LORAC Lotsa Lash Fiber Mascara. I know some might argue with me for putting this in the "natural look" category, but I really think it belongs there. This is one of my favorite mascaras to use when I'm not going anywhere but still want to look presentable. What makes it different is that you can build it using three or four coats to make it look more dramatic. Great for special occasions. $19.50.
- Tarte 4 Day Stay Lash Stain
. This is a relative newcomer on the scene, and is getting some rave reviews. I can tell you that I got about two days out of it, and the natural formulation will make my green girls happy. This is about as natural looking as it gets, although you can't really build it up, it does exactly what it says: gives you great lashes that last. $18 at the usual places. $18.
Hurry and Get Your Bliss On - Only Until 8/21
Bliss is having a pretty huge sale, and there is nothing I love more than Bliss, except for a big sale. Combine the two, and my VISA card is crying for mercy.
And it's not just Bliss products, either. There are some fantastic Ella Moss pieces as well as some jewelry and much more. Here is what is currently in my shopping cart:
- Sleeping Peel Exfoliating Mask
- Minty Moisture Milk
- Freeze 24/7 Plump Pack (this brand is impossible to find here)
Back to School
In honor of Virginia Beach Public Schools starting on Sept. 2, I present to you the best. commercial. ever. If you happen to be at Target on First Colonial Road tomorrow afternoon, don't mind the woman doing that cart trick down the school supplies aisle, okay?
Beauty Bytes: 17 Hairstyles That Take Less Than 10 Minutes
  | 17 Hairstyles That Take Less Than 10 Minutes
With a few (and only a few) key products and styling tools, you can quickly give yourself a salon-worthy 'do. And hey, if you hate it, try a different one -- at least you haven't blown 60 bucks and a hour of precious time on it. ...More |
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