Another round of blog tag rings ‘round again. Erika of GlamNest asked me to divulge “Ten Things I Can’t Live Without”…

My video iPod. I’ve got everything on there from sacred Gregorian chants sang by monks to Jay-Z to Linkin Park to Bach to Beyoncé to KT Tunstall.

Jersey dresses. Getting dressed has NEVER been this easy. All I do in the morning is grab one of my many breezy cotton dresses, a fabulous pair of flats (see below), and as many mismatched accessories as I can get my hands on, and I hit the streets of NYC. Easy as that!

Flats. FYI, high heels are not my natural-born forte. While I do own tons of them, I’d rather live my life without corns and bunions. Therefore, flats are my most viable option. Plus, I embrace my height – 5’1” works for me.

My feel good meal. Honey popcorn, french fries, and ice cream (for dinner). It’s truly the diet of champions. Lauren thinks it’s sad that I have no problem eating this for dinner, but I think it’s totally kick ass that I’ve survived this long on “junk” food. Oh well, like they say, one woman’s junk is another woman’s treasure…

Lip balm. Hands down, if I were to be dropped off on a deserted island and could only take one luxury with me, it would be lip balm. Having chapped lips is THE worst feeling I’ve ever experienced. Applying lip balm 74 times a day is a sick, sick addiction. And I love it. No lip balm rehab for me.

Lotion. Second sick addiction. I don’t care where it comes from, who makes it, what it smells like – I HAVE to HAVE lotion. I lube my hands up about 74 times a day as well. As a matter fact, I’ll do double duty. I’ll hydrate my hands and lips at the same time.

Keyboard cleaner. I love it. My keyboard is NEVER dusty. ‘Nuff said.

Forever21 shopping sprees. I’m so over H&M, Urban Outfitters, and dare I say it… Top Shop! Forget Disney World, Forever21 is the happiest place on earth in my book. Where else can you find FIVE totally chic dresses under $100? They don’t last very long, but as much as I like to shop there, I guess it really doesn’t matter. Below are the dresses I’ll be picking up on my next shopping excursion this weekend!

A quarterly vacation. I don’t care if I spend the weekend in Weehawken (New Jersey). Sometimes, I just need a break from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. Yeah it’s fun to live here, but it’s also mentally AND physically taxing. Plus, it’s nice to get out of the city. EVERY chance I get.

Magazines. Lucky, French Elle, Teen Vogue, Allure, Tatler – I adore them all. True story – when I moved to London for graduate school, my friends helped me downsize. I actually held a funeral for my magazines. There was a eulogy and a burial. One of the saddest days of my life. Anyway, next time I pick up and move overseas, I know to spring for storage.

So there. GLAMChic – you’re turn. Tag, you’re It Darling! Check her blog next Friday to learn ten things Glam’s Fashion Editor can’t live without.

I-J, a.k.a. The Beauty GLAMonista

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Be sure to cast your vote for your favorite mascara, lip plumper, shampoo/conditioner, exfoliator, nail polish, and much more. Click HERE to get started!

I-J, The Beauty GLAMonista™

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Beauty, Beauty Awards, India-Jewel Jackson, India-Jewel

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The lovely Luciana Gimenez, Brazilian supermodel, hostess of the Brazilian TV show SuperPop, and mother of Mick Jagger’s son Lucas, chats with Glam about her favorite vacation destination, who’s on her iPod, and the beauty products she’ll NEVER leave home without.

What’s your favorite fragrance?
My fragrance (named after me: Luciana Gimenez)! It’s wonderful to be able to have your own fragrance and customize your own scent!

What are your favorite beauty brands?
Pierre Alexander, Napoleon Perdis, Too Faced, Vincent Longo, and Tarte

What is your favorite vacation destination?
Hotel Pitrizia in Sardinia, Italy

Who are your favorite designers?
Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, and Alaia

What makeup products do you use on a daily basis?
Eyelash curler, mascara, blush, & lip gloss

Lip gloss, lipstick, or lip balm?
Lipstick- red for kill, Make-up Forever has the sexiest red shades.
Gloss- Is great for the day, for a natural look
Balm- Is great to use during winter, at the beach and before going to bed

What do you do when you want to pamper yourself?
Nothing makes me as happy as a foot and body massage

What type of sunscreen do you use?
I will only use oil-free sunscreen. I use a lot on my face and hands!

What beauty rules do you live by?
Take off all your make-up at night, apply moisturizer to keep skin healthy and hydrated, and wear sunscreen so you do not burn your face in the sun.

What products will you never leave home without?
Blush to give my face a nice glow!

What’s your hair care routine?
As I work on TV I air-dry my hair 2 or 3 times a day, so I use plenty of leave-in products to make sure it looks great and stays healthy.

What was/is your favorite city to model in?
Paris, because it’s the most beautiful city I have ever been to and NYC because I simply LOVE the energy.

What does it feel like to host your own show?
It’s great knowing that I reach over 20 million people every night. I realize the responsibility of being impartial and I treasure the opportunity of bringing good and informative TV to the nation. I got into TV after winning a national competition to decide the new presenter of “SuperPop” and could not be happier with it!

What type of music do you like? Who’s on your iPod?
Oldies, crazy, “I will survive”, Bob Marley, Shakira, and Rolling Stones, - my son Lucas loves all of the same music as me!

What’s your fitness routine, and what do you do to keep fit?
I do cardio 3 times a week, and twice a week I practice yoga, which is great for my mind and body. I complement all of my workouts by eating lots of proteins to keep myself lean!

I-J, The Beauty GLAMonista™

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Beauty, Luciana Gimenez, Brazil, model, supermodel, Mick Jagger, India-Jewel Jackson, India-Jewel, Superpop

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I chatted briefly with the lovely Latina a couple of days ago… here is what she had to say:

From a college admission counselor to Cover Girl – how does it feel?
OMG it feels amazing, a dream come true. I am so happy, excited, amazing.

How has your life changed?
I’ve just been working a lot right now… making appearances… interviewing. I’ve really just been working, not relaxing.

What are you going to do with your $100,000 prize?
I’m definitely going to invest and save. Actually, my grandmother back home has had her own business for years. She already has a clientele, and I am going to help [expand] her own business… help turn it into a family business.

Where are you from originally?
Chicago.

Are you planning to relocate?
Yes! I’ll be moving to NYC by mid-June. My agency, Elite, is here.

So, for Cover Girl, which product are you promoting?
The trueshine lipcolor.

Which one is your favorite?
Blushberry. It gives your lips a little color, but it’s still a natural lip color. I love it.

So tell me – how hard was it to keep your success on ANTM a secret?
OMG it was so challenging! It’s so hard to keep a secret - you want to burst and tell everyone. Everyone was really happy for me, though my family said I was already a winner by just being on there!

What are you must-have beauty products?
Though less is more for me, I love Cover Girl cosmetics. Liquid wear, trueshine, long lasting wear, bronzer, mascara…

One more question - America saw you heartbroken when you weren’t chosen to compete in cycle 7. Now, they’ve seen you come back and actually win. That has to be an amazing experience. What would you say to young girls who haven’t always made the cut?
PERSEVERANCE is the key word. When you believe in something, never give up!

*****Isis, I also asked her about the sunglasses ad for you - she says it wasn’t her.*****

I-J, a.k.a. The Beauty GLAMonista

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Beauty, ANTM, Jaslene, Cover Girl, Glamonista, India-Jewel

Photo Courtesy of The CW 

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Guess who’s got a new favorite fragrance? Moi! I’ve fallen head over heels in love with Anna Sui’s latest scent, Dolly Girl Bonjour L’Amour Eau de Toilette. It’s a fruity floral, so it’s oh-so-perfect for summer. Notes include grapefruit, peach, cinnamon, and tuberose (which I L-O-V-E).

I have to be honest - I haven’t worn it yet. I’m afraid I’ll go overboard and use it all up in a week or two. It’s just been sitting on my desk, peering at me. I’ll pick it up from time to time to take whiff (okay, okay every five minutes). Head over to Victoria’s Secret to pick up a bottle before they’re ALL GONE. Hurry, hurry, hurry - it’s a limited edition release.

I-J, a.k.a. The Beauty GLAMonista

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, beauty, fragrance, scent, perfume, Glamonista, Anna Sui, obsession, Inida-Jewel

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Three cheers for L’Oréal - thank goodness someone is applauding the spirit of achievement and volunteerism (in today’s society that seems like a rarity). “The four simple words ‘Because I’m Worth It’ continue to serve as a galvanizing and unifying force for the L’Oréal Paris community,” said Carol J. Hamilton, President, L’Oréal Paris. “The Women of Worth program brings this message to life and honors real hometown heroes across the country. I applaud all our fabulous women who are inspiring volunteers and outstanding achievers who have an inspiring heart for making differences in their communities.”

This October, 13 dynamic women will make the cut. One of them could totally be the person you nominate! Go ahead and tell L’Oréal Paris who’s worth it… Is she selfless? A voracious volunteer? Committed to making a difference? An eternal giver? A fearless fighter? Do your part and head over to Women of Worth before Thursday to nominate her.

Here are the rules:

She has to…

1. Be a woman 18 years or older.
2. Have a record of exemplary service within her community and the community at large.
3. Be able to demonstrate the impact of her work within her community.
4. Be aspirational and inspirational to others.
5. Demonstrate commitment to her cause.
6. Exemplify leadership.
7. And be non-compensated (for her volunteer efforts).

One honoree will receive a $25,000 donation for her favorite cause, and the other 12 honorees will receive $2,500 for a cherished charity + a $2,500 donation made in their name to The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, the ten year charitable partner of L’Oréal Paris. Wow!

The powerful panel of judges include: Carol Hamilton (President of L’Oréal Paris), Susan L. Taylor (Editorial Director of Essence Magazine), Denise Resnik (a 2006 Women of Worth Award winner and founder of the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center), Soledad O’Brien (Co-Anchor CNN’s American Morning and recent NAACP Image Award honoree), Louisa Terry (Co-Executive Director of The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund), Dayle Haddon (L’Oréal Paris spokesperson and Author of “The 5 Principles of Ageless Living” and “Ageless Beauty”).

Don’t forget — To learn more about the Women of Worth Program and to nominate a women you know, please visit www.womenofworth.com.

I-J, a.k.a. The Beauty GLAMonista

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Beauty, Women of Worth, L’Oreal

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Last week I was a bartender at a perfume bar. Yes - a perfume bar! For all of my NYC and LA GLAM girls, you can be a perfume bartender too. Head over to Henri Bendel or STUDIO at Fred Segal to experience  Memoire Liquide Bespoke Perfumery, a Parisian-themed fragrance haven where you and a custom-blending expert can mix your very own signature scent right at the kiosk!

Memoire Liquide, developed by siblings Robin Coe-Hutshing and Jennifer Coe-Bakewell in 1984, definitely has something to suit everyone’s olfactory taste. Are you a fan of amber? They’ve got it. Citrus? They’ve got it. Gardenia? Musk? Rose? Black Currant?  They’ve got it. With over 155 different oil-free fragrances (and counting) - it’s safe to assume you’ll be able to bottle “you.” Oh, and you can totally do a perfume spray or roll-on oil, body wash, lotion, bubble bath… the works!

Suprisingly, this experience isn’t at all overwhelming. It’s actually a lot of fun - you don’t realize how much time you’ve spent pondering over bottles and bottles of fragrances… Also, it’s neccessary to see how each scent works on your skin, so it’s best to try on your choices until you get it right. I tried on about ten - and I didn’t leave smelling like a stillery! 

Go ahead - be an individual! IMO, a signature scent is a total must-have. I blended Petite Peche and Champagne Bellini. Don’t copy me! ;) 

What fragrances would you mix to express your individuality?

I-J, The Beauty GLAMonista™

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Beauty, India-Jewel Jackson, India-Jewel, Memoire Liquide, perfume, fragrance, scent, Fred Segal, Henri Bendel

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If you’re on the lovely isle of Manhattan tomorrow (Saturday the 19th), head down to Greenwich Avenue between Christopher and 10th St between 2pm and 5pm for a chic block party with C.O. Bigelow. It’s a street benefit for Children’s Museum of the Arts, so you’ll have a loads of fun while doing something good for the community.

Whether you’re a family of five or a fabulous fashionista, you’re sure to have a blast. You can learn how to DJ, design ewelry, take a lie dectector test, work on an interactive street mural, participate in a raffle, eat sweets, and meet some amazing people (including me).

I hope to see you there!

I-J, The Beauty GLAMonista™

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Beauty, India-Jewel Jackson, India-Jewel, GenArt, C.O. Bigelow, block party, Children’s Museum of the Arts

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Who: Carmen Electra - model, actress, spokesperson, dancer, aerobics instructor, double divorcee, former MTV personality, and now author.

Why: Because this chick knows how to keep the $$$ coming in - she’s the ultimate hustler. Recently enter the world of publishing, Electra’s new guide book, How to Be Sexy, teaches women how to maximize their sexiness by sharing tons of tips and techniques on style, body language, hair, etc…What do you think - would you trust Carmen Electra to take you from homely to hot?

I-J, The Beauty GLAMonista™

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Beauty, India-Jewel Jackson, India-Jewel, Carmen Electra

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As you probably already know, Jaslene Gonzalez was crowned the winner of America’s Next Top Model last night.

I am so excited for her - this is the first time there’s been a Latina winner!!! Plus, she has a fabulously fierce face, walk, and personality. Gotta love Jaslene!

I sincerely hope her career does much better than some of the other ANTM winners. Other than Eva Pigford - I never see any of them working. Anyway, last night Jaslene pocketed $100,000 + a contract with Elite Model Management, and also a cover & six-page spread in Seventeen.

Did I mention - she’s also a Cover Girl! Yay for Jaslene!

I-J, The Beauty GLAMonista™

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Beauty, India-Jewel Jackson, India-Jewel, Jaslene, Jaslene Gonzalez, ANTM, America’s Next Top Model, Eva Pigford

Photo Courtesy of The CW

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