The Two CCs to Better Skin-Beauty Product Review

I recently wrote a post about my mission to find my holy grail eye cream (click here).  Although the search is not yet over, I have found my next contender.  I've decided to purchase the Chanel Ultra Correction Line Repair Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream, which is a part of their new skincare line, Chanel Ultra Correction.  The new line's key ingredient is leaves of the Bay Cedar tree, which increases levels of FN3K, a natural enzyme located at the heart of the skin that has the ability to fight the uncontrolled binding of sugar to collagen fibers, which contributes to wrinkle formation. The products are moderately priced (for Chanel!) and are available at all Chanel beauty counters.


Chanel Ultra Correction Line Repair Eye Cream $85.

During my beauty product research, I also came across another fabulous product I'm dying to try:  Clarins Contouring Facial Lift Serum.  It claims to be the first beauty treatment to help refine and slim down facial features and restore radiant, youthful beauty.  I've always been conscious of my above average chubby cheeks, so I'm hoping this serum will slim it down!



Clarins Contouring Facial Lift $68.






LA Weekend Sales-Shopping Post

Alexander McQueen: up to 60% off Spring/Summer items, and the store just got a shipment of new items that have never been available before in the US. Limited availability.  8379 Melrose Ave.


Ooga Booga: their past season merch and spring/summer '10 lines are now up to 40% off—including Opening Ceremony, Slow and Steady Wins the Race, Patrik Ervell, Bless, and more. 943 North Broadway, #203, Los Angeles (near West College Street).

Moroccan Mirage-Jewelry Shopping Post

I just purchased these earrings from Eight1Six!  I love the colors and the subtle bling factor (quite the oxymoron!).  It'd be perfect for an exotic trip to Morocco.  I'd pair it with a flowy white Grecian dress and a bejeweled clutch.  My perfect desert outfit.






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No Woman is An Eye-Land-Beauty Product Review

I always forget to restock on beauty products until I'm completely out!  This morning, I had to spend a few extra seconds trying to scoop up the very last traces of my eye cream from the jar.  As a preventative measure, I've been ardently using eye cream since I was 18.  For the past 10 years, I've gone through many brands and price points but have yet to find my holy grail (HG) product.  I've never purchased the same eye cream twice as I am always testing and trying out new products.  So, I spent most of today's lunch break researching for what I hope would be my HG eye cream.  Although La Prairie Cellular Radiance Eye Cream and Chanel Sublimage are highly rated, both are outrageously expensive and I don't know if they're worth the investment.  

I just finished using Obagi Zo Health Intense Eye Repair, which works well but is a bit pricey.  At $130 a pop, I don't feel like its effectiveness is worth the price tag. Rating:  (B+)



In the past, I've used both Creme De La Mer Eye Concentrate and Creme De La Mer Eye Balm, both of which did not have enough hydration concentration.  Rating:  (B).  On a side note, Creme De La Mer the cream is amazing and a must-have for dry winter months!

  



I've also tried Dr. Brandt's Lineless Eye Cream, which had absolutely no positive effect on my skin whatsoever.  If anything, it gave me new fine lines under my eyes. Rating:  (B-)


Acting on a friend's recommendation, I purchased Lancome's Primordiale Yeux Skin Recharge Eye Cream.  The consistency was a bit too runny and the cream was a bit drying. Rating:  (B)



However, the most ineffective product I've tried has got to be Dermadoctor's Wrinkle Revenge. The cream was too oily and couldn't fully absorb into my skin, resting on its surface like a filmy mask.

Even though I've purchased some duds in the past, I'm an eternal optimistic and I am looking forward to the day I find my holy grail (eye cream)!

What is your favorite eye cream?

20/20 Covers Counterfeit Designer Shoes-Newsworthy Or Yesterday's News?

20/20 aired an investigative piece last week on the widespread problem of counterfeit designer shoes being sold all over the internet.  They uncover that there are thousands of sites selling "authentic" Christian Louboutins, Manolo Blahniks and other designer shoes for a fraction of the original retail price.  I'm not sure if this issue is worthy of an investigative news story as common sense should prevail here.  Sure, it would be great to get a pair of authentic Loubs for less than $200, but is really possible?  Due to the highly covetable nature of designer shoes, distribution is limited and heavily controlled and prices rarely drop below the 50% mark. Furthermore, even if a couple of authentic pairs slip through the distribution crack and end up on the grey market, it's wholly unrealistic to think that thousands of sites have boundless and ready to ship merchandise at their disposal.

I believe the people who are buying from these site are not idiots.  They know what they're buying and are okay with the "Made in China" price and quality.  What are your thoughts?

fake from left to right, head to bottom


stark difference between the real Christian Louboutin Rolando Roccia on the left and the fake on the right

All Business-Personal Style Picture Post

I was invited to speak and share my work experiences as a fashion lawyer at a networking mixer a few days ago.  Since I work at a fashion company, I get to fully express my fashion senses at work. No dress code whatsoever!  This is a pretty huge deal as most lawyers are decked out in stifling suits or at the very least...business casual attire.

Since this was an event for young professionals, I decided to suit up for the occasion.








Dress:  Black Halo "Jackie O" 
Handbag:  Givenchy "Eclipse" Hobo
Shoes:  Christian Louboutin 

Forever

Spotted this mint green house when I was heading out to dinner.  Its color coupled with the sun's rays made it the perfect backdrop for a quick outfit shoot.  










Top:  Forever 21
Trousers:  lulus.com
Shoes:  Cynthia Vincent
Sunnies:  Forever 21
Bracelets:  Vintage
Necklace:  Gara Danielle

Figlicious!

While perusing the produce aisle at Trader Joe's today, I was delighted to see that figs are in season!  I eat a lot of fruit and easily get bored of the same staple (berries, oranges, apples) so I'm always on the lookout for the in-season fruit to snack on.  I love the sweet taste and unique texture of figs.  Plus, they're high in fiber and easy to digest.  Here's one of my favorite recipes:


Prosciutto wrapped figs and blue cheese:

Ingredients

  • 8 Black Mission figs
  • 1/2 cup blue cheese, cut into cubes
  • 8 prosciutto (thinly sliced, cut in half lengthwise)
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat grill. You will need medium to high heat for grilling. The key is to crisp the prosciutto quickly and leave the blue cheese just melted with the inner part of the fig cool in temperature.
Cut the figs in half and place a piece of blue cheese on each fig half. Wrap the prosciutto around each fig half, covering the cheese. The ends of the prosciutto should overlap.
Grill each piece until the prosciutto begins to color and crisp, about 2 minutes on each side. Remove from grill, lightly drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and season with sea salt and pepper. Serve warm.

Not Your Mother's Hippie Food


I try to eat healthy and incorporate a lot of whole grains into my diet which is why granola is one of my favorite snack foods.  It's chewy, crunchy and sweet and does not taste like "health food" at all.  I stumbled across this fabulous new recipe and would like to share it with everyone.  It's pastry chef Robert Truitt's revamp of this classic staple.

GUSSIED-UP GRANOLA


From Robert Truitt and Alina Martell at Corton

4 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups pumpkin seeds, toasted
1 cup sunflower seeds, toasted
1/8 to 1/4 cup cooked grains, such as buckwheat or quinoa, puffed in hot oil
2 teaspoons kosher salt
3/4 cup honey
1/2 cup brown butter.

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Combine the oats, seeds, grains and salt in a large bowl. Heat the brown butter and honey and pour into the bowl. Mix well and spread evenly on two parchment-lined sheet pans. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes and toss. Repeat until the granola is a deep golden color, about 45 minutes. Allow to cool, break into pieces and store in an airtight container, preferably in a cool, dark place. Makes 2 to 3 quarts.