ICYDK–October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. In the spirit of every woman’s health and wellbeing (whether she’s battling this dreadful disease or not), for the next 31 days, we’ll feature a beauty product that is just as dedicated to the fight as we are. According to the American Cancer Society, “Excluding cancers of the skin, breast cancer is the most common among women, accounting for 1 in 4 cancers diagnosed in US women.” Let’s all get ‘pretty in pink’ and contribute to the fight against breast cancer. We CAN and WILL beat it.

xx, Ivana Cepeda

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Autumn is my favorite season by far. The weather is wonderful, I get to upgrade my wardrobe, and most importantly, I shelve the light and summery nail colors in lieu of deeper, richer hues. Thankfully Borghese has a beautiful new nail lacquer collection for fall called Wines of Tuscany, which includes six delectable shades, all of which inspired by Italian wines. My favorite shade in particular is Vino Nobile Berry; it’s a dark berry crème color that comes off very opaque, meaning one coat is good n’ plenty.

*Bonus: Borghese’s nail lacquers contain an exclusive Aqua di Vita complex, which deposits moisture into the nail. Plus, they’re are free from harmful agents, like DBP’s, Toluene, and added Formaldehyde.

Available for $8 at drugstores nationwide.

xx, Ivana Cepeda

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Glam Blush, GlamBlush, Beauty, blogs

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Every girl should have a day at the spa! After all of the running around and partying I did all Summer, my body deserved a little treat.   A trip to Glow Skin Spa, in NYC,  for the St. Ives Mineral Therapy Spa Polish was just what I needed.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Can I tell you a secret? I’ve never been to a spa before. Of course, I’ve gotten manicures and pedicures, but that’s about it. So, when I heard body polish I didn’t know what to expect. The masseuse explained that she would rub a sugar scrub over my body (back, arms, legs, stomach), I’d rinse off, and then we’d finish up with the lotion. I chose the Smoothing Mineral Body Polish. It smelled DIVINE.

I changed into the optional disposal underwear (Yay! I’m very modest. So getting undressed in front of a complete stranger is daunting) and got under the fresh white sheets as I prepared to be scrubbed. First, the masseuse exfoliated my back with a loofah. Then she massaged the mineral scrub into my by back, arms, and legs.  Soft music played in the background, and it was so soothing, I almost fell asleep. Then I turned over, and she did the same thing on the other side. Next it was time to rinse off.  I headed into the shower room and washed the sugar scrub off with the Mineral Therapy Body Wash.

Then it was back to the table where fresh sheets and a new set of disposable undies were waiting for me. This time, the masseuse massaged the Mineral Therapy Lotion onto my back, legs, arms, and stomach. When she was done, I felt refreshed! And to top it off, I got a jar of the body polish to take home.

After this I’m convinced. Of course you can use body scrubs at home, but every once in a while, treat yourself with a trip to the spa. You deserve it!

xx, Melissa Lockhart

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Glam Blush, GlamBlush, Beauty, blogs

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Having flawless skin is something that most girls fantasize about. One has to remember, skincare is SO important since we’ll have one face for the rest of our lives. (Unless you get a facelift!)

If you’re a woman of color (Asian, Black, Latina, African, Indian) with an uneven skin tone, try Dr. Susan Taylor’s Rx for Brown Skin Bright and Even Exfoliating Moisturizer.

It has a very light texture, therefore easily absorbed and perfect to use before bedtime, since your skin cells renew themselves overnight. Plus it contains glycolic acid, so you’ll wake up in the morning with brighter, glowing skin.

Gotta love a beauty product that works hard while you’re resting.

Available at sephora.com for $34.

xx, Ivana Cepeda

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Glam Blush, GlamBlush, Beauty, blogs

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

It was time to update my hair color. It had been awhile, probably a little too long, actually I know it had been too long. But you know, the whole time and money thing, before I knew it, it had been a few months.

The Question - What’s DIY-easy, doesn’t take a lot of time and leave a hole in your wallet and works great?!?

The Answer - Clairol Nice n’ Easy Perfect 10 Permanent Color

My choice – “A Blondie To Go” - Lightest Blonde (there’s 20 different shades to choose from!)

The (Horrendous) Before –

During – The applicator with the comb was so easy to use and got down to the roots and all in the hair. The dye itself smelled really great, with just a touch of a bleach smell, but it was fresh and in no time, my tiny NYC apartment actually smelled like a salon. After just around 10 minutes with the dye in my hair, (it took less than 5 minutes to actually apply the dye!) I rinsed and used the conditioning creme, (which by the way, also smells so so good!) dried, straightened and wa-lah!

The After – Loves it! I would definitely give this product an A+. My hair is now such a great color, so soft and shiny, it was just what my hair needed. The next day, everyone was asking me where I got my hair done and how great it looked! I will be using this product again and again, and this time, not waiting quite so long : )

xx, Erin Dustin

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Glam Blush, GlamBlush, Beauty, “A Blondie To Go” in Just 10 Minutes

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Hayden Panetierre, Neutrogena spokesmodel and all-around hottie, looked amazingly flawless last night at the Emmy’s. If you want to achieve Hayden’s look of perfection, you’re in luck–we’ve just scored a bit of beauty scoop from her makeup artist, Amy Oresman. Amy created Hayden’s look using all Neutrogena products.

“Hayden’s skin is gorgeous and she knows how to take care of it. I enhance that by using Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin Glow Sheers. It glides on creamy and smooth and gives a dewy, sheer coverage. It is packed with Vitamins A, C and E and SPF 30 so it continues to revitalize your skin even after you take your makeup off.”

“Everyone wants skin with a healthy glow. Bronzer is Hayden’s favorite product I use Neutrogena’s Mineral Sheer Powder to give Hayden a sun-kissed look that always seems natural. I lightly dust it around the perimeter of her face where the hairline meets the skin, continuing with her cheekbones and gently down the bridge of her nose, giving her an even, golden tone. But I don’t stop there: I dust her neck and shoulders to complete the effect. To finish the look, a light sweep over the apples of her cheeks with the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blends in Fresh, gives her face the perfect glow.

“I start by using Neutrogena Nourishing Eye Duo in Iced Coffee to wash over her lids, giving a nude finish. Then I take the darker shade and sweep it in a windshield-wiping motion in the crease of her eye to create the contour. Next I use the darker shade of the Neutrogena Nourishing Eye Duo in Crème Caramel to smudge around the perimeter of her eye where the lash line meets the skin. Using eye shadow as eyeliner gives a better blend-ability and a softer smoke.

 “I adore Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara in black, which adds a thick, glossy lash that is the perfect complement to any look. It goes on flawlessly whether you use one coat — for a natural finish, or three — for a super-glam look. For Hayden’s Emmy makeup, I layer it on generously in the corners of her eyelashes to give a little more edge.”

To keep Hayden’s lips dewy and moist, I always start with Neutrogena Lip Moisturizer. I love the fresh clean scent and so does Hayden. To keep Hayden’s look sophisticated, I opted to use a low-shine lip stick, such as Neutrogena Soothing LipSheers SPF 20 in Sparkling Nude. The sheers give a hint of color with touch a touch of shine.”

More information on all products used available at Neutrogena.com

xx, Ivana Cepeda

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Glam Blush, GlamBlush, Beauty, blogs

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Oh, how I love thee Bumble & bumble! You’ve touched my heart with the tireless effort you’ve made to reach out to curly girls everywhere.

ICYDK, they’ve decided to re-launch their Curl Conscious collection, complete with new packaging + two new products! The paisley-print packaging is fashionably chic, printed on easy to grip bottles. After using the Smoothing Shampoo (which was very gentle), my hair felt incredibly clean and really soft. My favorite product in the lineup is the Reactivating Mist. This spray is perfect for re-vamping curls that have frizzed up or fall flat, and it doesn’t leave the hair sticky at all. Since I can’t wash my hair every single day, this product will become my mane’s lifeline. It is like a magic potion in a bottle.

Bonus! Bumble & bumble have also created an online community for people with curly hair to express themselves, trade hair tips, and just be their fabulous curly selves. Visit CurlConscious.com for more information. You’ll see that no two curls are alike!

Smoothing Shampoo, $20 and Reactivating Mist, $20 available at CurlConscious.com

xx, Ivana Cepeda

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Glam Blush, GlamBlush, Beauty, blogs

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Nude is the new black. Not just for your lips either, thanks to makeup maestro Bobbi Brown. She’s created a limited edition palette called Shimmering Nudes Palette that comes with seven warm and cool complementing shades of nude eye shadow, which works with all skin tones and complexions. It even comes with a dual ended eye shadow/ liner brush, so that you can apply with artist precision.

With so many different nude shades, the endless possibilities are subtly gorgeous. And what better to complement a nude eye than a soft, creamy lip color. Right now we’re loving Bobbi Brown’s Creamy Lip Color in Baby. The texture is smooth and buttery like a gloss, but it leaves a strong, beautiful wash of color behind. Sorry Justin, but I think Bobbi just brought Sexy Back. 

Compact, $50 and Lip Color, $22 available at Bobbibrowncosmetics.com

xx, Ivana Cepeda

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Glam Blush, GlamBlush, Beauty, blogs

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Vera Wang, best known for designing dreamy wedding gowns, has really tapped into the dynamic of making women’s fantasies come true. Beyond the glitz and glamour of a fabulous fairytale lifestyle, there’s a little girl who played dress up and had tea parties and dreamed of being a princess. Enter Vera Wang Princess Sparkling Crème Parfum, the perfect scent for a young woman who’s ready to make her dreams come true. It’s a solid version of the ever popular Princess fragrance that will be available in October at Macy’s, Lord &Taylor, Nordstrom and Sephora. Perfect for travel and very pretty to look at, this delectable scent is exotic, fruity, and floral, with notes like pink guava, pink frosting, vanilla chiffon, and dark chocolate. Can you say yummy!?!?!

Available for $38 at verawangprincess.com

xx, Ivana Cepeda

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, Glam Blush, GlamBlush, Beauty, blogs