SPRING 2011 BEAUTY TRENDS:

With all the cold weather and snowstorms (at least here in the NorthEast) I know it's heard to think of spring but it will be here before you know it. Now is the perfect time to start planning your beauty shopping so I wanted to share with my "Karen's World of Beauty" Readers what the key beauty trends are for Spring 2011. 

 

"Glowing Perfect Skin" - (seen at Gucci and Versace)
Luminious and healthy, perfected skin was a look seen on many spring runways. Say "good-bye" dull, dead-looking winter skin and "hello" to glowing and radiant spring complexions!

 Products To Try:

NARS - Sheer Glow Foundation  ($42)

Giorgio Armani - Luminous Silk Foundation  ($52)

"Neon Matte" Lips -  (seen at Jill Sander and Diane von Furstenberg)
Strong dramatic lips but done in neon bright shades of pink, orange and red was a hot trend for spring 2011. This look is easy for any woman to pull off using matte lip liner and/or lipstick.

Products To Try:

Tarte - LipSurgence™ Natural Matte Lip Tint   ($24)
Try "Lively" (hot pink) and "Fiery" (matte red)

Lancôme - Color Design Sensational Effects Lipcolor  ($22)

Try "Wannabe"  (Bright Magenta)

"Nouveau Pastel" Eyes- (seen at Valentino and Christian Dior)
Strutting down the spring 2011 runways were bright pastel eye shadow colors but done with a modern twist.

Products To Try:

Make Up For Ever - Pure Pigment ($19)
Try No. 2 (Yellow), No. 12 (Fuchsia), No. 14 (Violet) and No. 16 (Blue)

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (O.C.C.) - Loose Colour Concentrates ($12)
Try "WASABI" (neon green sheen), "CAVU BLUE" (billiard chalk blue), and "OBERON" (ethereal pink white frost)

"Ballerina Buns" - (seen at Gucci and Nina Ricci)
A trend that's been made more popular due to the "Black Swan" movie...everyone wants to be a prima ballerina.

Products To Try:

Redken - Forceful 23 Super Strength Finishing Spray; Maximum Control  ($18)  11oz

Living Proof - Full Thickening Mousse ($24) 5oz 

"Shiny Metal" Nails - (seen at 3.1 Phillip Lim and Alexander McQueen)
A variety of metallic shades continue to rock the runway this spring. Most popular metallic colors were gray, pewter and gold.

 Products To Try:

Ginger & Liz Nail Polish  ($12)  - "Got My Groove Back"  (Gold)

O.P.I. Nail Polish ($8) - "Lucerne-talinly Look Marvelous" (metallic silver gray)

 ** All spring 2011 Runway Beauty Images: www.Style.com

VALENTINE DAY GIFT GUIDE

Not sure what to get the special women in your life for Valentine Day? Don't despair! I've put together a handy guide of my favorite Valentine Day picks for all the lovely ladies in your life. This collection of beauty goodies would make the perfect gift for your sister, Mom, best friend or even your favorite baby sitter. So spread some love and show her that you care!

Three Custom Color - "The Sweetest Thing" Refillable Trio  (a $67.50 value!) $50
A sleek, portable trio with filled with "Icing on the Cupcake" Eye Shadow (a kaleidoscope of light-reflecting shimmers in gold, pink, teal, violet and blue), "Candy Cloud 9" Gloss (sheer pink with gold and silver shimmer with subtle sweet Cotton Candy flavor & fragrance) and "Lollipop" Lip & Cheek Stain (hot rosy pink). Three Custom Color  partnered with rising Design Star, Miles Ehan, to create this tasty capsule collection entitled "The Sweetest Thing".  

Too Faced - "Look of Love" Set   ($124 Value) $45
Embrace the look of love with this collection of best-sellers and exclusive products. Swoon over a seven-piece set filled with fresh and feminine shades in a chic, heart-stopping bag that speaks the language of amour! Set contains:
- "Look of Love" Eyeshadow and Blush Trio
- Glamour Gloss in "Barely Legal"
- Lash Injection Mascara
- Shadow Insurance
- Primed and Poreless (primer)
- Flatbuki Mini Brush
- Limited Edition "Look of Love" Cosmetic Bag

Stila - "Make Me Blush" Set ($41.50 Value) $20
A romantic trio that includes a multicolor blush inspired by Valentine's Day Conversation Hearts along with two juicy Lip Glazes. This set is a Sephora Exclusive!  Set contains:
- "Make Me Blush" Cheek Color
- Lip Glaze in "Hugs" (creamy rose) and "Kisses" (sparkling red)

Tarte -  LipSurgence™ Natural Lip Luster Power Couple  ($48 value) $38
This limited-edition pairing is a perfect match!  Tarte's best-selling natural lip tints are peppermint-infused and glide on smooth for a rich finish that will stay all day.  Includes:
- "Frisky" (bright pink)
- "Fever" (red)

Kiehl's - Saks Lipgloss Value Set   ($43.50)
Saks Fifth Avenue Exclusive containing four different colors of Kiehl's iconic lip gloss in a zippered logo case.  Set includes the following colors:
- "Lights On Broadway"
- "Berry 1851"
- "Pear Tree"
- "Pink Rider"

LUSH - "Be Mine" Gift Box   $45
This hatbox is a declaration of true and undying love for helpless romantics. It consists of a selection of six scrumptious treats for all you (bath) lovers. Set contains:
- "Sex Bomb" Bath Bomb
- "MMM Melting Marshmallow Moment" Bath Melt
- "Sugar Babe" Sugar Scrub
- "It's Raining Men" shower gel
- "Lust" Solid Perfume

Philosophy -  "Sweet On You" Set  $25
This delectably sweet, candy-heart scented trio of moisturizing formulas condition skin, hair and lips. It's the sweetest gift you can give to the sweetheart in your life. Set contains:
- Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath
- Body Lotion
- Lip Shine (sheer rose shimmer)

READER BEAUTY QUESTION - PURPLE LIPS

In this new installment of "Reader's Beauty Questions" my lovely friend and model muse, Shauna emailed me that she needed my professional guidance on purple lips.  She loved the look but wanted some direction on what colors to pick. Below are my "cream of the crop" choices when it comes to wearing purple on the lips - whether in gloss or lipstick.

(FYI: Purple lips "ruled the runway" at the Vena Cava spring 2010 show).

DEEP - use for dramaticly dark and seductive pout

Lipstick:

MAC "Cyber" - Intense blackish-purple (satin)

Victoria's Secret - Perfect Lipstick in "Vixen" - plum ($12)

Gloss:
Three Custom Color -  "Drifter" Lip Gloss for Rescue Beauty Lounge - a modern and sexy deep plum gloss. ($22.50)

Urban Decay - Pocket Rocket Gloss in "Jesse" -  blackberry with warm sparkle. ($19)

MEDIUM - bright/vibrant yet wearable level of color

Lipstick:
Tarte - Lipstick in "Zinfandel" - plummy wine ($16)

Givenchy - Rouge Interdit Satin Lipstick in "10 Paradise Pink" - pink mauve  ($28)

Gloss:

Kat Von D. - Lightning Sheer Lip Gloss in "Bam" - sheer grape with pink and gold glitter (sale - $9)

 Estee Lauder - (Limited Edition) Bronze Goddess Exotic Lip Gloss in "Wild Orchid" ($18)

LIGHT - soft dose of color that's perfect for daytime

Lipstick:

MAC - Amplified Creme Lipstick in "Up The Amp" - Lavender violet ($14)

Benefit - Silky-Finish Lipstick in "Swoonderful" - pearl/ silver mauve  ($18)

Gloss:

Victoria's Secret - Limited Edition Spring 2010 Lip Gloss ($10)

Benefit - Lip Goss in "Kiss You" - clear fuchsia  ($18)

BE A GREEN GODDESS!

In celebration of Earth Day, I've created a beauty blog post that shows you how to get your "green" on with great natural/organic cosmetics and skincare products. I truly believe you can be green and gorgeous at the same time my friends. Happy Earth Day!!!!

BOSCIA:
Created in Japan, this preservative, fragrance, and color-free line combines new technology with time-tested botanical healers to get skin glowing.

Clear Complexion Kit ($48)
This kit contains everything you need to get on the road to a clearer complexion. Each product works in tandem with the others to sterilize the bacteria that causes acne, unclog pores, and reduce oil production. And since it's Boscia, all products are 100 % preservative free, dermatologist tested, and alcohol free, with 100% natural fragrance and color.


CARGO PLANTLOVE™
Embodying the mantra, "Red Lips. Green Conscience," CARGO introduces a new revolution in eco-friendly beauty. 

PlantLove™ Lipstick ($20)
100% Natural lipstick!  Celebrity designs!  A lipstick tube made entirely from corn!  PlantLove lipsticks are certified by ECOCERT for being environmentally friendly in Product, Packaging, and Process. Just when you think it doesn't get better than that, $2 from every celeb-designed lipstick goes to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

JUICE BEAUTY:
Using certified organic ingredients in their paraben-, fragrance-, and petroleum-free formulas, Juice Beauty's USDA-approved skincare line is a trailblazer in a category that's gaining serious momentum—organic beauty.

Juice Beauty - Organics To Go Kit ($29)
This is a complete organic skincare routine for day and night. It cleanses, brightens, helps to smooth and firm, and provides essential vitamins and antioxidants for healthy, radiant skin. This starter set is the perfect organic gift for a friend and is also ideal for your purse, gym bag, or while traveling.

JOSIE MARAN COSMETICS:
Talk about a natural beauty-supermodel Josie Maran has gone back to her roots to create her own organic beauty line, Josie Maran Cosmetics.  A homegrown organic beauty expert, Maran has designed a collection that features pure, natural cosmetics in a luxurious array of colors and textures.

Natural Wonder Powder Palette ($35)
This palette includes Eye Shadow: Daydream (shimmery apricot), Hope (bright iridescent blue- purple), Desire (iridescent teal), Trance (shimmery gold), Think (shimmery copper brown), Blush: Illusion (deep rose), Fiction (peachy pink), Bronzing Powder: Beach No. 1 (bronze).

Earth Day Essentials Kit  ($48)
Featuring Josie's Best Sellers this eco-chic kit has universally flattering shades and is housed in a box made from recycled materials and printed with fun green tips from Josie herself. The kit includes: Mascara in black (full size) Cream Blush in sunrise (full size) Plumping Lip Gloss in daring (full size) Eye Liner in black (full size) 100% organic Argan Oil (deluxe sample).

KORRES NATURAL PRODUCTS:
Made from plant extracts and essential oils to enchant the senses while treating the skin, the Korres line was created at the oldest homeopathic pharmacy in Athens, Greece. 

Color Value Set – Natural Beauty ($39.50)
A collection of Korres best-selling color formulas, this beauty kit contains all the essentials to achieve a natural glow. The set contains 6 full size products including: Provitamin B5 & Rice Bran Mascara in Black, Zea Mays Blush (Pink 16), Soft eyeliner pencil (Black 1S), Long-lasting eyeliner pencil (Brown 2) and Cherry Lipgloss (Nude 33 & Light Purple 23).

 

Best of Korres - Natural Wonders Gift Set ($29.50)
This travel-size gift collection contains all our best-selling, favorite products. Kit includes Wild Rose Cream, Sugar Crystal, Evening Primrose Eye Cream, Guava Body Butter, Yogurt Cooling Gel, and 2 Guava Showergel sample sachets.


TARTE:
Tarte products are chock-full of skinvigorating™ ingredients that nourish and protect your skin and are 100% free of mineral oils, synthetic fragrances, sulfates, and phthalates. Think of it as "health couture"—a beauty-full mix of fashion and nature.

Be Good To Your Mother (Earth) Tote Set - ($35)
Celebrate your Mother Earth every day with tarte’s reusable, eco-friendly tote and (3) 24/7 lip sheers. [Shades: Reduce-shimmery coral, Reuse-pink & Recycle-nude]