Category Archives: Beauty

Jose Eber Blow Dryer Giveaway

As you know, I’m a gal with lots and lots of hair. So when I heard about a blow dryer that could cut my dry time in half and not fry my hair in the process, you can imagine why I was skeptical. When Jose Eber contacted me and said they have that blow dryer I jumped at the chance to give it a shot especially since I’ve fallen so madly in love with their clipless curling iron (see my post/how-to here). I knew right away this blow dryer is going to be a new fav.

Mini How-To:
Since I have been growing my hair out for the wedding, I have little to no patience to curl my hair post blow dry every time. Then I stumbled across this post-blowout frizz fighter and decided to take it a step further. You can see my steps to help guide your hair away from your face, reduce frizz, and add a little curl in the third picture of this post (use these steps directly after you complete your overall blow dry).

Now it is your turn to play with this amazing Infrared Blow Dryer…

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GIVEAWAY CLOSED

xoxo
Lacey

PS
You can get the sweater I am wearing here (on sale)!

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Red Carpet Sparkle

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On a chilly NYC day in September, just before fashion week, I headed up to shoot a video to talk Red Carpet Trends with the fabulous Nola Weinstein, the Executive Editor of Glam.

I spent the entire day at the Rent the Runway HQ bonding with one of my new fav bloggers, Jessica of Bows and Sequins, white we got the star treatment from nails to hair to getting to rock a gorgeous Badgley Mischka sequin gown. I may have been fighting the flu, as you will definitely hear in my voice, but that didn’t take away from the fantastic time I had chatting about the trends I saw on the red carpet and how to translate that to everyday…

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Lacey’s Perspective: Skin Care

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I have been struggling with my skin for a good chunk of my teen and young adult life. Now that my wedding is around the corner there is no time for experiments I need something that works… and I think I have found it.

One important part of my routine is a monthly facial that includes some variety of a peel to help resurface my skin. This has actually made more of a difference then I ever thought. The more consistently I go the more I see less scaring, discoloration, etc.

Lucky for me, BlueMercury reached out and asked if I would like to try their “You Glow Girl Facial“. As one easily persuaded by marketing, I had to give this remarkably adorable named facial a try.

The facial was absolutely delicious. I actually walked out of the room glowing… no really. This is by far my new favorite facial. Also, lucky for my DC area readers, BlueMercury has opened a store in Alexandria, VA (600 King St. Alexandria, VA 23314) in addition to the two other DC locations.

After walking out of the room I knew I had to walk away with the m-61 Lip Scrub. It is fantastic on my dry winter lips. I highly recommend it.

Now let’s get to my daily routine. Before I share it, I want you to know that I found what works for me, but I am by no means an expert and each persons skin reacts differently to different routines/products. My skin is classified as combination, sensitive skin.

Clarisonic Mia | Kiehl’s Facial Cleanser | Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Masque | Kiehl’s Facial Cream | Kiehl’s Re-texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion

Daily: Clarisonic twice a day with the Facial Cleanser and moisturize with the Facial Cream at night.

Weekly: Once a week I use the Masque and Re-Texturizing Cream (not at the same time, of course).

The routine is actually very simple and I have started to realize that none of the really wacky, out-of-this-world face products work on my skin, my skin wants a simple, gentle routine.

I am still learning about my skin but am feeling more confident every day as I see changes. What is your routine and what works for you?

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BlueMercury provided a complimentary facial and did not compensate me for my review. All other products mentioned and opinions are my own.

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Magic Curling Wand

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When I tweeted that I found a tool that can give my board-straight, thick, can’t-hold-curl-for-more-then-ten-seconds hair a run for its money the questions were flying! So again, I am by no means a beauty expert (as I told you last beauty post I attempted) but I have found a tool that works and I can’t not share!

Step 1: Dry straight, boring hair.

Step 2: Take you curling wand and wrap your hair piece by piece around it. For full suggestions on technique I really like Julia’s How-To video here. Also, no Michael Jackson’s single glove is not back in style, that glove on my right hand comes with all the wands because these things get really hot fast. This was only my second time doing this so I am still not ready to ween myself off the glove just yet.

Step 3: I flip my head upside down to let the curls fall a bit then shake the curls a bit with my fingers once I flip back up. We don’t want to look like Shirley Temple. Lastly, don’t forget a little mist of hair spray (not too much you don’t need it… promise).

Step 4: Have curled hair you NEVER though you could have that will last for days! No joke! I wore this look last night to an event and as I type this post the next morning the curls are still intact. For some of you, you are thinking “…big deal, Lacey.” To me this is a game-changer.

If you follow my blog regularly you know that when a trend comes around that I like I often go buy the cheaper version before I invest in the real deal. Well this was no different. I used the Remington T Studio Pearl Ceramic Large Styling Wand (less then $30) and the results are exactly like the more expensive wands. I will most likely stick with this wand for a bit but my next move will likely be to the T3… I have heard great things!

I hope this helps out all the non-believers and those who were curious about these wands. I am a believer and I can’t wait to really start to play with different ways to use this tool. Next up, will be to learn to make looser waves. We shall see.

XOXO,
Lacey

PS
Thank you so so much to Alison for snapping these pics, letting me use her bathroom while we got ready for the event last night and passing me a flute of Champagne (or two). Her blog, Chain Strap Purse, is fantastic! If she is not in your Google Reader already you should get on that.

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Remington, nor T3, have asked me to write on this topic. The opinions above are mine and mine alone.

Beauty Worth Blogging About

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When I first started blogging I told my friends, “…as long as my readers never ask for beauty advice I may be good at this.” Well, you have asked many times and I have been trying to pretend I did’t see it. Bad blogger, I know. So today I decided it is time to bite the bullet. Also, my beau (AKA my photographer) is in China all week so this week may be outfit post light …whatever it takes, right?!

After befriending some amazing beauty bloggers (Lara and Kara), pinning inspiration on my Pinterest Beauty Board and attending many beauty events (see here and here) in my almost two years of blogging I think I have now found some items, I will not be able to live without this spring/summer, worth blogging about…

First and foremost, the Clarisonic Mia Travel Kit (which I got in pink – shocker – but there are tons of color options). You have all heard about it but, for most of you, the price seemed a bit much for a little thing that just cleans your face. What makes it so special? That you never knew how much makeup and dirt was left behind on your face by other items/products that “clean” until you use your Clarisonic. As someone who has been in an epic fight with her skin since childhood (my skin has won many of the battles but I am determined to win the war), I can honestly say to you this has been one of the best purchases I have made in a long time. My skin is smoother, calmer and over all just clean-er. There are different brush heads for different skin types – I got the sensitive skin brush. Also, I use Cetaphil for sensitive skin with it (Clarisonic also have cleansers I have heard great things about) morning and night.

Second, the Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer. I have been using it for several weeks now but was already in love from the moment I put my first layer on. It just gives your face that dewey glow (note: not sparkle) we all hope we get naturally in the spring/summer (but need some help with) and I am sure I will love it for winter time when my face needs a pick-me-up. Also, my makeup lasts much longer (dare I say… all day).

Next up, the Laura Mercier (I am sure you are noticing a pattern of the makeup line I am drawn to) Mosaic Shimmer Bloc in Peach. To add a bit more shimmer and tan (hello built in bronzer) to my face, I use their fan brush to swipe this just above the cheek bone and brush a bit where the sun hits your face (forehead, tip of nose and chin). Seriously a game changer for me. Less of a matte look and more of a dewey glow.

Lastly, two lip colors I have fallen in love with for spring/summer: Revlon’s Lipstick in Orange Flip and NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage. You have seen me in both for several outfit posts now, but I think they deserved some recognition all their own.

I took pictures of all of these items so that you can see their true colors and look. Stock photos do no good to me when I am looking at lipsticks and other products. I hope all of these items in natural light, with no color/photo adjustment, help you.

So there you have it, beauty from a girl who does not claim to be an expert (and probably never will). I hope this helps some of you still looking to add to your spring/summer beauty bag and perhaps give some of you the inspiration to bite the bullet and try those items you have been wondering about.

XOXO,
Lacey

PS.
Since the camera was out I could not resist…

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Love ALP? Then you can’t miss it on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, Blog Lovin & Instagram!

Don’t forget you now can stalk my latest obsessions over on the newly launched: Currently Obsessed!