2010 Holiday Shopping Gift Guide-Beauty Products for the Beauty Obsessed

Here are my top picks on holiday gift ideas for the beauty obsessed sister, wife, girlfriend, daughter, girl.  Some of these products are universally loved by beauty editors while others are secret cult favorites. All are linked by an important commonality: they will make you look and feel fab!

For the pore-obsessed beauty junkie:

YonKa Gommage 202 Soft Peel Gel $39.00
This gel is so gentle it can even be used on the eyelids!  It contains no abrasive grains and is a 4-1 gel that exfoliates, hydrates, tones and brightens while working to eliminate flaws and dull, lifeless cells.  Helps to refine enlarged pores to reveal drop-dead gorgeous skin that feels smooth and supple.


Olay Regenerist Microdermabrasion Treatment $29.99
The power of two treatments to regenerate your skin's appearance - at home. The system has two steps that actively work together to give you a combination of a microdermabrasion and mini-peel treatment, but it's gentle enough to use up to two times a week for continuous results. Gently resurfaces skin’s texture. Activates surface cell renewal. Conditions skin to leave it feeling soft and smooth. Visibly improves skin tone. Diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.


For the makeup obsessed beauty junkie:

Koji liquid eyeliner $10-16
This eyeliner has a ultra fine yet flexible point tip, which allow greater precision with a easy to handle eyelining experience. The deep dazzling black can accentuate the glamorous eyes of yours, giving you a more defined look. This eyeliner is waterproof, sweat proof and with the quick dry formula, the eyeliner can stay on for hours without a smudge. Your look will be long wearing and gorgeous even without touch-up. 


An assortment of false eyelashes from Korean brand "Darkness" and Japanese brand "Red Cherry" $3-6
Ever since I stopped getting eyelash extensions last year, falsies have become a staple in my makeup regimen. They make your eyes pop and add that extra touch of glamour to your makeup ensemble.  My favorite brands are Darkness and Red Cherry, as the lashes look natural, feel soft and come in a wide array of styles and length.


Sephora Collection Endless Color Blockbuster $48
I got this kit last month and absolutely love it!  The shadows are long-lasting and the colors range from the basics to the vibrantly colorful.  Plus, it's compact enough to take on a trip (I brought this with me to Hong Kong). 

For the coverage obsessed beauty junkie:

Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer $70
This concealer is a perennial makeup-artist favorite, Clé de Peau Beauté concealer is highly editorialized and continues to win major awards year after year. Key benefits and ingredients include:
-Enhanced with Revitalizing Moisture Complex to lock in moisture and smooth out texture.
-Blends sublimely to expertly conceal dark circles, spots and imperfections.
-High-performance powders ensure flawless skin in any light, providing maximum coverage with a smooth, even finish that does not crease.

T. LeClerc Loose Powder $50
T. LeClerc's illuminating loose powder provides an unbelievably fine veil of softness and color for every skintone. Available in a gorgeous array of shades.

Blake Lively 2010 Weight Loss Before/After

Is it me or is Blake Lively starting to look like a thinned out bobble head?  I loved her pre-2010, pre Anna Wintour bff aka VOGUE fashion "it" girl body!  She's tall and can afford to have some meat on her body.  Plus, vivacious curves and mermaid wavy hair make up 90% of the Serena Van Der Woodsen character Gossip Girl!

What do you think?  Is Blake Lively looking not so lively these days?

 Golden Globes, 2009


Jewelry launch party, Nov 2010

|shop Blake Lively style|




Follow me on Instagram! @goodbadandfab

Lily.B Skincare Red Tea Defense Booster Hydrating Serum-Beauty Product Review

My combination skin is very much the bane of my existence. Not only is my T-zone hypersensitive to pimples and blackheads, it also creates (without fail) a daily 2pm shine.  In fact, you'd probably be able to see your reflection just by looking at my forehead!  However, the non oily parts of my face can get super dry, especially during the cold winter months.  That's why I'm always looking for products that can walk the fine balance between hydrating without clogging.  

During the winter months, I like to up the ante when it comes to moisturize level so I usually use a serum under my Creme de la Mer. However, most serums I've tried left an oily slick finish on my face, clogging up my pores. I think most serums on the market today try to do too much-hence they come with long lists of pore-clogging, chemically enriched ingredients. So, I became determined with finding an all-natural and gentle serum.  I recently found it!  I've been using Lily.B Skincare's Hydrating Serum for over a week and am thoroughly impressed with the results.  The oil-free formula leaves my skin feeling and looking soft and supple and has even reduced my forehead shine! I love that the product is 100% natural and contains hyaluronic acid, which works as a proven wrinkle diminisher.  This serum is staying front and center this winter!

Lily.B Hydrating Serum. $45.50


Here's some information on the serum from the Lily.B website www.lilybskincare.com:

Lily.B's RED TEA DEFENSE BOOSTER, HYDRATING SERUM rescues dehydrated, depleted, fatigued skin. Pure red tea, known as a super antioxidant because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, delivers its antioxidant benefits deep in to the skin helping to protect, even repair skin from UV damage, reducing the signs of skin irritation, and helping to improve the skin's tone, texture, and clarity. The addition of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance in the skin has the unique ability to attract and retain moisture in the skin. This natural hydrator will help keep your skin healthy, moist, and balanced. After about age 20, HA levels begin to drop so it's very important to start protecting your skin's moisture level in order to slow down the signs of aging. HA helps maintain proper skin hydration resulting in younger-looking, healthy, soft skin.



Geren Ford, Vince and BCBG-LA Weekend Sample Sales Extravaganza


Vince Sample Sale: cashmere sweaters, tees, pants, skirts, jackets, and leather for 50-90 percent off retail. Thurs., 5-9 p.m.; Fri., 5-8 p.m. 5410/5420 Wilshire Blvd.  Get there early as lines will form.

Geren Ford Warehouse Sale:  prefall, fall, and samples and overstock going back to 2007 (including shoes and leather) marked $10-$125.  Fri., 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Smashbox Studios, 8549 Higuera St. Culver City.


EM Productions is having a sample sale featuring Seneca Rising,  Society for Rational Dress, Something Else, Scout Vintage, and Gar-de.  Everything will be marked between $30-$150. Thurs. & Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.  The Cooper Building, 860 S. Los Angeles St., at E. Ninth St., ste. 402, Los Angeles.


BCBG Maxazria Holiday Warehouse Sale: 11/20 (9am-3pm). Save 60%-85%on the latest trends in women’s dresses, tops, bottoms, outerwear and more. Prices start at $5. 2761 Fruitland Ave., Vernon, 90058. Cash/ CC. Expect long lines.


Sample Sale & Fashion Happy Hour: Thursday 11/18, (7pm-11pm).  Some of LA’s Best Indie Designers are showcasing their fresh talents with savings of 40%-50% off on clothing and accessories. Save, mingle and meet new artists in our community! 5318 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90036. $3 entry includes a complimentary beverage and raffle ticket.


The Splendid /Ella Moss Warehouse / Sample Sale: 11/19-11/20 (9am-4pm) Find find steep discounts on Splendid, Ella Moss, Ella Moss Black Label. Splendid Little’s, Splendid Mills, Splendid Girl and Ella Moss Girl for the whole family. Cooper Building, 860 S. Los Angeles St., 11th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90014. Cash/ CC only.


Junior Drake Holiday Warehouse sale: 11/19-11/20 (10am-7pm) and 11/21 (10am-5pm).  Save 60%-90% on their famous buttery soft handbags. These are factory overstock, discontinued samples, seconds and overproduction in handbags, wallets and accessories. There are literally thousands of handbags. The Amelia bag retails at $459, but is on sale here at $39! The Obama satchel is $39 instead of $459 and the Hobo Brown is $79 instead of $338. The Mitra bag is 75% off of $398 at $99! 740 East 60th St., Los Angeles, 90001, 800.813.1803. Cash/ CC only.


Kimberly Ovitz Sample Sale:  leather, under $500; coats, jackets, and sweaters, $100-$300; dresses, $100-$250; and tops and bottoms for under $100. Fri., 3-7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 2601 Colorado Ave., at 26th St., Santa Monica.

Los Angeles Gilt Warehouse Sale Coverage-Designer Brands at a Steal and Celeb Sightings

I woke up bright and early Saturday morning, excited to start yet another fun-filled weekend of shopping, grubbing and partying.  My first stop was the Gilt City Warehouse sale which I was quite curious about as I had no clue which brands would be featured and at what price points.  After all, 75% off of a $3,000 Gucci couture dress is still a big chunk of change.

The warehouse (I guess Gilt took "warehouse sale" very literally) was on the Siren Studios lot, on the outskirt of Hollywood.  There were no lines, which was a fabulous plus and the warehouse was not crowded at all.  The sale was organized by categories:  babies' clothes, home decor, jewelry, women's clothes, men's clothes, and shoes.  My friend and I made a beeline for women's clothes.  The brands were ah-mazing, the selections eclectic, and the prices were surprisingly reasonable.  Zac Posen, Michael Kors, Vera Wang Lavender Label, Moschino, Alexander Wang, and Stella McCartney were just some of the labels present.  As for prices, I didn't see anything over $300. In fact, a lot of the tops were under $100.  

Although the shoes selection contained a number of formidable labels (Delman, Giuseppe Zanotti, McQueen),  I didn't see anything to my liking as I'm currently going through a sky high platform booties phase. However, it seemed like other shoppers loved the selection as I saw lots of people carrying multiple boxes.

I was surprised to see a few celebrities shopping at the sale.  Tori Spelling of Beverly Hills 90210 and Kyle Richards of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fame were a few that I spotted and chit-chatted with.  Tori was very nice but shy and came with her hubby for some couple retail therapy.  Kyle had luxurious shiny hair and said she simply uses Pantene Pro-V and Biosilk.  How low maintenance and so un-Beverly Hills of her!

After trying on my finds in a comfortable and uncrowded communal dressing room, I decide on a Vera Wang Lavender Wang floral maxi dress.  I had to get it after Tori complemented me on it. Oh, and it was only $50.  It's also the perfect dress to wear to my friend's springtime Malibu wedding! I also got a drapey Cynthia Vincent top in orange sherbet. Again, it was only $50.  Last but definitely not least, I got a Michael Kors RTW gingham print dress ($250 but originally retailed for $1300) that's vintage sexy at its best.  

The sale definitely jump started my fabulous weekend!    If you are interested in future gilt group events, visit www.giltcity.com 

it's so LA to hold a warehouse sale inside a studio lot

The truck was parked outside the warehouse. But it was too early and the cupcakes weren't ready yet. 

This is what I  mean by no lines

no frenzied mobbing of the clothes either

shoes, my Achilles Heel



The sale was generously staffed.  In fact, the ratio of staff to customers was probably 1:2

Tori Spelling.  I asked her to strike a shopping pose for me.

Even from this picture, you can see the fabulousness that is Kyle Richards' hair!

Ombre and Gradient-Fall Nail Polish Trend

I know nail art is huge right now. With the post-recession economy still suffering, more and more people are looking to fill their time and keep their wallet full by expressing their fashion senses through the tips of their fingers.  In fact, there are blogs wholly dedicated to the art of nail painting!

Although I lack both the skills and time to foray into nail art, that doesn't mean I can't admire from afar (and print out the images for my talented manicurist to mimic).

Here are some of my favorite nail art.  Particularly, I am fascinated with ombre and gradient designs.  They're simple but the dichotomy in balancing the two perfect colors just nails it!







LF Stores Fall Fashion Look Book

Since college, I've been shopping at the LF store on Robertson Blvd.  Over the years, the selection of bohemian chic apparel and accessories offered at the store has grown exponentially, though in a thoughtfully edited and refined manner.  Although I haven't visited the store in quite some time, after browsing through their fabulously curated fall look book, I'm going to take it as a sign that a weekend visit must be paid.

Here are some of my favorites from the LF Stores' Fall 2010 Look Book.  The looks are so on-trend but maintains the Socal boho spirit!












For more information and locations, visit www.lfstores.com 

Kate Moss For Topshop-The Adieu Collection

Here are some of my favorite looks from Kate Moss's latest and final Topshop Collection:







Cape, Bib and Grey-ASOS Fall Shopping Haul

Can you believe that up until quite recently, I was an ASOS virgin??? The UK-based online retailer has been on my shopping radar for quite some time, but I was always reluctant to deal with the high international shipping rates.  Well, they now offer FREE shipping to the US, which means I have no excuse to hold out. Here are the goodies from my first ASOS e-shopping experience:

Cornelli Trim High Neck Blouse: The color is trendy but the style incorporates a few pinches of timeless Victorian romance

Over the Knee Grey Rib Socks: Okay, I know socks are not that exciting, but it's quite difficult to find good quality otk socks for $6!

Olive Hooded Cape:  this is probably one of the most sought after capes of the season! It was sold out for like ever.  Luckily, I was able to snag one up during the five minutes it was back in stock.




Meet Los Angeles Designer Yotam Solomon-LA Fashion

Last Thursday, I attended the Meet the Public Fashion Los Angeles event which took place in a modern loft space in downtown LA.  The selection of designers and collections were modern, dramatic and clean-lined.  It almost felt like I was at a museum viewing a curated exhibit as each piece perfected complemented one another, with the transitions between the collections both seamless and fluid.

One of the showcased collections was by celeb favorite Yotam Solomon. His designs are unobtrusively edgy and cool and intricately put together.  He also has a shoe collection that's paycheck dropping worthy!  Here are some pictures from his spring 2011 lookbook: