To be honest, I asked them to do it. It’s supposed to wash out in 4 washes, so I took the chance. I haven’t even thought of dying my hair other than brown or bronde for years and when Bleach London opened up their pop up shop at Milk Studios, I wanted to give it a go.

Bleach London specializes in the ombre on acid. You can get any kind of wild color there and they have a way of making it look good. My stylist Alisha, suggested with my crazy hair texture to get strands of multiple colors, pink, purple, green… kind of like a My Little Pony. I have to say, I like the results, it’s fun and if I want to put the pink away, all I have to do is put my hair in a bun, and that is that. Oddly enough, after I got my hair done, I ran into of all people Terry Richardson, who said, “cute hair” in a really nice and a surprisingly not creepy way. I’ll have to take that as a compliment.

Oh! And while we’re on the My Little Pony topic, have you heard of Bronies? They’re dudes who sincerely like My Little Pony. Woah.

Photos by Nando Alvarez

Every now and then I get the lipstick itch. You know, when every color bores you and it’s time to shake things up. I’ve gone through that every now and again, then falling back on a trusted shade. Usually I wear red or nude, so it was time to shake it up. Lately, I’ve seen a lot of great colors. Fuchsia, orange, even black. Last night I went to go pick up a new lipstick and was thinking more along the lines of coral, but walked out with MAC’s Up The Amp in PURPLE. It just seemed right. Thinking back to how much I love orange or fuchsia in place of red, going to purple in place of pink is a nice way to mix things up. Thinking back, I remember the first time I wore fuchsia lipstick in 2002, people thought it was crazy, now it’s everywhere. I think we’ll be seeing a lot more shades of purple again. From lilac to deep violet it’s just the right twist to make a statement.

Over the weekend I also picked up Make Up Forever: Rouge Artist Intense #40. It’s a bit orangier than So Chaud, but it still looks like red on me. Maybe one day I’ll find that brilliant orange, but for now, this is just fine.

Photos by Nando Alvarez

Years ago I was burned by the self tanner. Metaphorically burned, physically I was orange, streaky and splotchy. Nubia had mentioned she had a similar experience and felt like a ‘walking cheeto.’

Hence my reluctance to indulge in self tanners. However, after years of avoiding the sun (you should see my beech pics, large straw hat, sunglasses, blanket… ) I am super white. It didn’t matter when I lived in a town where sweaters could be worn all year round, but in New York, where it’s hotter than hell… times call for baring skin.

Last week, I asked on Twitter, “What self tanners do you use?” I got a great response, and a lot of people were  saying they used the Jergens line. Since they sell Jergens at my local drug store, Duane Reade, and it costs just under $10, I gave the Jergens Natrual Glow Express a whirl.

Jergens Natural Glow Express:

This small bottle boasts that it works fast. Since my previous experience of applying every day and getting slight results I wanted to be able to tell right away if it worked. I applied it at night. The lotion is rich and does not smell of chemicals. I asked around the office if they thought it smelled bad, and they all agreed it just smelled like lotion.

Application:

The application process was a bit more intense than slapping on lotion but not much more. I was careful not to put much on my knees and feet, as well as washing hands afterwards. Let the product set in for a few minutes before wearing clothes. And that was it.

Results:

Results were apparent overnight. My thighs which have always been super white were the same color as my arms… something that has never happened before. While I thought I looked orange, it was only slightly warmer than my natural skin tone. The over all effects were good. My husband even said, “Wow, this is a miracle bottle.” I don’t know about miracles… but it certainly worked, and hey, for $10… totally worth not going to a tanning salon and frying my epidermis.

What self tanner do you use? Any success/horror stories?

Top photos by Nando Alvarez

Hi readers, I’m Debie!  I work with Jennine over at Coveted Media.  I’m usually more behind-the-scenes but am making the foray into contributing to the site.  Hope you enjoy my debut post!  And feel free to reach out to me at debie@covetedmedia.com!

It’s my first post on The Coveted and the first thing I’m saying is this: my skin doesn’t like me.  As long as I can remember, it’s been one battle after another—me versus uneven tones, oily t-zones and rough and dry patches.  As I’ve reached my mid-20’s, thankfully the war zone known as my skin has calmed down a bit– but that’s not to say it’s anywhere near perfect.  While I have a few products I always keep handy in my stash, I’m the type that’s usually on the hunt for something new and better.  So when Kiehl’s sent us off with a lovely gift bag full of their premiere products after their 160^th Anniversary Party, I was incredibly excited to see what effect they’d have on my problem skin.

First up was the Ultra Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15. ($19 for 2.5 oz) The lotion is lightly scented and for a product with SPF, isn’t too watery or thin.  It went on smooth and absorbed quickly.  It left a bit of a shine but for a lotion with SPF, that’s a small trade off for the benefit!  Sunscreen is an absolute must for everyone and this is a fine choice.  After a week of use I didn’t notice any problems with my skin—no clogged pores or issues one might experience when trying a new facial lotion.  This definitely made its way into my daily regime!

Next was Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1. ($7 for 0.5 oz) With petroleum as its key ingredient and the added benefit of SPF 4, I knew as a self-professed Vaseline addict, I would love this product.  I found the balm to be nice and creamy without being thick and sticky.  It went on smooth and set a great base for lipstick.  This is the perfect solution for those looking to repair their post-winter, dry, chapped lips– after a week of use I definitely noticed my lips were healthier and less flaky.

The Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado (pictured below) ($27 for 0.5 oz) was a product I had heard tons about.  The cream is a soft green color and has a nearly undetectable scent.  When applying the cream I found it to be an interesting texture—at first touch it’s thick and luxurious but it quickly turns slick and smooth!  It moisturized incredibly well and after 7 days I felt like my eyes were a bit less puffy than usual.  This is a great option for those who love the luxe feeling of heavier eye creams (like me!)

Lastly, I was most excited to try out the Midnight Recovery Concentrate. ($43 for 1.0 oz) With its pretty blue bottle and glass dropper form, it makes promises to “visibly restore” skin by the next morning.  I loved the process of placing a few drops (2 or 3 is enough for your whole face) onto my palm and applying the silky oil onto my skin.  It felt great going on and it sank in fairly quickly, although I wouldn’t recommend plopping down on your pillow right after application.  It has a gentle lavender scent and after a 7 day trial my skin feels more plump and moisturized.  I can’t say I’ve noticed a remarkable difference but I am totally in love with the luxurious application experience.  Now that summer has finally made its way to NYC, I’m not sure if this is the perfect product for the season, but come fall and winter time, I know exactly what I’ll be reaching for before I go to bed.  (Note: Jennine just told me about her experience with the serum and apparently it made her break out!  Eek.  So those with sensitive skin, use with caution!)

With this addition of Kiehl’s products to army of products, I feel much better about my skin care treatment.  I know no relationship is perfect, but with the help of Kiehl’s, my skin and I may very well be on our way to finally reaching a peace treaty.

I’d love to hear – what were your experiences with any of these Kiehl’s products?  Are there any Kiehl’s products that are must-try’s?

No matter what I do, I cannot escape wearing liquid black liner. I’ll stray every now and then, but the liquid black liner will continue to be a staple for the foreseeable future. However, not all liners are created equal. Recently, I had started using Makeup Forever liners, starting with the pencil liner which is fantastic, they’ve relaunched a color collection for their Aqua Liner, where I was given this sample. The colors are indeed substantial, my heart will always belong to basic black.

Does it really last forever?

Well, nothing actually lasts for ever… but Makeup Forever Aqua Liner ($23) does not smudge, or rub off. I’ve been wearing it for a week, and have never had to reapply half way through the day. I’ve yet to experience smudging, flaking, sliding or anything like that with this. The downside to this is that you really have to use a good eye makeup remover to get it off, because normal cleanser will still require a bit of scrubbing.

How’s the Liner Brush?

I can apply liquid liner with a toothbrush if the occasion arises (it hasn’t), however one thing I’ve noticed is with liquid liners brushes are finicky. Gels you have to be diligent about keeping a clean brush, some are too stiff, while others not enough. The makeup forever brush has been really good to me while applying a steady flow of black liner. A+.

Which liquid liner do you use? Any stellar favorites?

I’m in the air en route to Los Angeles for Retail Camp and Coachella as I type this… don’t you just love technology these days?

Over the past few years, I’ve done a fair amount of traveling, and I have to say.. one of the tough parts about flying is the dry cabin air and dehydration. Never fly without your own water supply…the flight attendants can’t possibly bring enough! I always get a huge bottle before boarding. It’s always worth it. Another thing that’s an absolute must is to be stocked with moisturizers for long flights. While TSA won’t let you bring in anything more than 100ml, here are a few must haves for air travel:

Lip moisturizer: One easy and effective lip balm  Smith’s Rosebud Salve in a tube ($6). I used to wear lipstick on the plane, but one thing that’s hard to get is mirror access, particularly if you’re on the aisle. One easy and effective lip balm It’s got a softer texture and you don’t need to stick your fingers in any pots (like it’s predecessor). It gives you instant relief, and easy to throw in your bag.

Face moisturizer: I’m a total Kiehl’s addict when it comes to skincare, and one of the things I love about shopping with them is they’re always generous with samples. I try to always ask for the Ultra Facial Cream sample not only because it’s a great all around moisturizer, but it comes in a re-usable TSA friendly small pot, so I can put the heavy duty stuff (Rosa Arctica) for the flight home if needed.

Hand creme: Hand creme has two purposes, to keep your hands moisturized, and if you get one that smells nice, it’s a good buffer for all the interesting smells on the plane.  Dude, I have stories. We should talk about that some time! I recently got the Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Milk Hand Crème ($15) that does the trick on both fronts, it has a heavenly scent and moisturizes so well…

What are some of your airplane survival tips?

For behind the scenes, outfit snippets and more…stop by The Coveted Tumblr!

I’ve been a fan of Benefit Cosmetics for almost (dare I say… 15 years?) So when I received their new Skin Care line from their PR team, I was really excited. However, what I failed to realize is that my skin has become very picky. While I know that the products are good, they haven’t come out with something for my freakishly dry skin, so I handed over the new system to Jessica Conatser who’s quite a bit younger (in her early 20′s) and has a different skin type. Here’s her review! ~Jennine

***

I’ve had issues with finding a daily facial moisturizer that isn’t too heavy for my skin type, especially if it also has spf. I have the type of skin that is combination (a bit oily around my t zone and dry elsewhere) but also very sensitive. I love skin care so I’ve tried various methods from various brands mostly all on recommendations from friends with beautiful, glowing and zit free faces. However, just because one method works for them, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for me too.

This is an important step in daily primping… I hate to skip moisturizing, we all know how bad that can be for wrinkles and such that the life long aging process inevitably brings about. Depending on the season, like say summer, I can get away with a moisturizing primer, but that’s just not cutting it lately. I’ve had my eyes and ears peeled for a solution. I ended up receiving some Benefit products from Jennine: Triple Performing oil-free Facial Emulsion with spf 15 pa ++ and It’s Potent! Eye Cream. The packaging is pretty cool and the product smelled nice, so I thought why not?

So, this morning after cleansing and toning, I took the plunge. Used the eye cream and at this moment in my 21 years of life I don’t have an issue with dark circles (just yet) so it seemed sufficient – not too heavy as is important due to the thin layer of skin. Next, I added the facial moisturizer with spf. My mother always told me that even if it’s cold or even if the clouds are out make sure to protect your facial skin with spf, adding something like you’ll thank me when you’re older… Amazingly enough, the moisturizer, after adding my primer and makeup, wasn’t too heavy for my skin type. I’m pleasantly pleased because not only did I protect my skin from UV rays, but I also moisturized with out clogging my pores! Hooray!

I’m glad I found this product with warmer weather and tons of sun swiftly approaching. Hopefully it will continue to make the cut (fingers crossed).

~Jessica

The older I get, the snobbier my skin becomes. I guess it’s just the benefits of aging? Priorities?

Anyway… while in Austin, I had completely run out of beauty products. Everything was gone, eye cream, moisturizer, lipstick. Grechen had told me that she really enjoys my beauty posts… so here goes! The developing beauty junkie. Now, I’m not a true beauty expert…but I have been experimenting around with different products. What works for me may not work for you…or vice versa. I know my skin is sensitive and dry, just like my personality!

Here are the recent finds that I’m really loving these days…

Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Milk Hand Crème ($15)

My good friend from college, Loretta, pulled this out of her handbag after dinner one night and as soon as she put it on, the smell of coconut and almond sold me on this magnificent hand creme right away. Within a week I bought my own tube. The moisturizing properties are good, not the best, but solid. The biggest bonus of this is the scent. As soon as I put it on, people start asking about it, flight attendants, strangers… my husband loves it, he says I smell like cookies. Which is probably my most favorite smell in the world. I can’t wear that many perfumes so usually hand lotions are the closest I can get. This one is well worth it!

Kiehl’s Line Reducing Eye Brightening Concentrate ($41)

I’ve been on the hunt for a great eye cream for ages. And ages. My eye get puffy at the earliest sign of fatigue and I have dark circles under my eyes as well. This seems to be the only thing that curbs this,  M•A•C Fast Response Eye Creme works well, but this works better (for me… Keihl’s Line Reducing got roasted in reviews on Makeup Alley). Of course, nothing really makes a massive difference, but I’ve been happy with the Keihl’s for three months now.

Kiehl’s Rosa Actica ($60)

This one, I got just last week… so it’s still new! So far so good, it’s dense, rich, but not oily. My skin feels very hydrated,  this new moisturizer has properties unlike other moisturizers…

Rosa Arctica Youth Regenerating Cream harnesses the power of the rare Resurrection Flower—the Haberlea rhodopensis—a plant that can dry out completely and survive for 31 days in inclement conditions, only to be restored with just a few drops of water within a day or two. ~ Via Racked

Hopefully the plant’s properties will rub off on my skin, because this winter was hard on my complexion!

M•A•C Pro Longwear Lip Color: Stuck On You  ($22)

My first experience with Pro Longwear was borrowing Wendy Brandes’s red lipstick (she also uses this line) with a warning that if I didn’t apply the gloss right away, it will have to be sandblasted off. After knowing Wendy for years, and knowing she always has perfect lipstick, I took a hint and got my very own tube in a more neutral color. I lick my lips so any lipstick has a life of about 45 minutes on my mouth. It’s terrible, so even the nicest colors don’t last. Pro Longwear really works, amazingly so. I put it on, eat lunch, take a nap and hours and hours later, it’s still on! Why didn’t I buy this before?

The holidays can be tough. Family, friends, parties, presents… trying to keep up at work. Lately, I’ve been having a “I hate my hair” phase, by lately, I meant this entire year I’ve hated my hair. Ever since I cut it back in January, I just don’t like my mop. Growing hair back is so hard, particularly the in between awkward stages when it just doesn’t look like anything. It’s hard not to chop it off (at least that’s what I did several times this year).

I’m committed to growing it back, but in the interim, hair products have become so important. Good hair products will help manage your hair so it’s possible to resist the urge to cut. Here are 4 products I’m loving right now.

DevaCurl No-Poo $18.00

Getting a Brazilian Blowout was probably the best thing I could have done for my hair. It is worth it, hopefully they get the formaldehyde sorted out or get some ventilation taken care of, because I’m addicted. They are supposed to last about three months, but my hair is still straight and glossy over three months later. I attribute a lot of this to the DevaCurl No-Poo. It’s a zero-lathering, sulfate-free hair cleanser. While it doesn’t clean my hair as well as shampoo, it does clean it enough to stretch shampoos out to about once a week. The bonus of this cleanser is that you won’t need conditioner with this so at $18 a bottle, it’s about the same price as any shampoo/conditioner you’d get at the drugstore.

L’Oréal Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold $12.49

Hairspray is one of those hair products I had a hard time with. The hold wouldn’t last, it’s goop on. But in reality, it’s a necessity. I tried living without it, and my hair just does some funky shit. I ended up getting L’Oréal Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold and it’s amazing. It doesn’t ‘look like hairspray’ as it’s super fine, and the hold is great, and the price is right. It’s probably one of the best hairsprays I’ve tried for the price.  Many good hairsprays are $20 up, and I just can’t bring myself to pay that much for hairspray. The only thing about this product, is it smells as old-school as the packaging, I like the packaging… but the smell? It’s like a trip to the 70′s.

Bumble and bumble Thickening Conditioner $12.95

I’ve been a huge Bumble and bumble fan for a decade. I just love their shampoos and conditioners, and this one is no exception. For the days I shampoo (always with sulfate free shampoo) I need a conditioner, and this does the trick. Lightweight and detangling, this conditioner has silk fibers in it to plumpen the strands to create thicker hair. I have very fine hair, so I’ll take anything I can get! The only thing is the price, most places it’s about $25 a bottle but I found it on Amazon for $12.95… Amazon has everything! Oh yes, and the smell, is heavenly.

Pssssst! $6.99

I’m a dry shampoo addict. My bangs gets oily quickly,  so I’ve tried all kinds of dry shampoos including the Bumble and bumble hair powder in brown…what a mess! Baptiste is favorite but they were out at Ricky’s NYC and I just bought this one because I was desperate, and didn’t want to buy a tiny bottle for $25…Psssst! is $6.99 and well, it works just as well, so I’m on this until they restock at Ricky’s then I’ll be able to tell you which one is better. Regardless…. dry shampoos are so handy to stretch out the washes particularly if you color your hair, or have a Brazilian blowout.

Perfume is one of those things that mystify me. A vanity with pretty perfume bottles sprayed onto a woman who just smells nice, and of course has perfect hair. My mother always wears Chanel No. 5, so she just has that one bottle. I on the other hand get a headache whenever I wear perfume. I love it, but it makes my eyes itch, and causes a dull squeezing of my noggin’. And I need as much brain as I can get, so no nice smells for me! I’ll just have to be generally clean. Generally.

Last Friday (yes, I’m behind on my posts) the lovely Deanne from Dream Sequins invited me to the Six Scents Series Three Party. I didn’t really know how to cover something you can only really smell. Six Scents is an unusual project linking art, fashion, film and perfume, the third series Making Scents of Memories: From Innocence to Experience based on childhood memories. What a way to articulate smell, a powerful sense with a small vocabulary. Each of the six designers collaborated with perfumers to create a unique fragrance based on their own notions. My favorite was by No. 4 Ascent by Rad Hourani and Christophe Raynaud, which at the time I thought smelled like clean laundry, but upon reading the description, it was based on the cycle of life.. in the video the perfumer describes getting the scent of sperm. Dude, I never….

The party was filled with all kinds of lovely people, here Ann and I are testing out the products, I’m trying to resist trying the perfume on myself, something I always do and learn to regret later after spraying 5 different perfumes on my clothes, when I can’t even wear one at a time.

I did run into Tavi, but she was sitting in a dark room, and I’m still learning how to handle my new lense, and how to work a flash… she edited a story for a film by Alia Raza called ‘Le Viol de la Méduse’ It’s about Medusa growing up. Alia was really nice herself, wearing the dress from the film, a long black silk dress that gathered on the floor. I want a long black dress!

Oh, the flash decided to work… on the DJ, he’s giving me the stink eye. Here’s the Medusa video.

‘Le Viol de la Méduse’ by Alia Raza (Six Scents: Series Three) from Six Scents Parfums on Vimeo.

Finally, I got to meet one of my favorite designers, and she was so delightfully friendly, Mary Katrantzou, whom I remember from the IQONs days before she graduated from Central St. Martins. She just won the Swiss Textile Award, a huge deal for new designers, and her fragrance, also delightful. A nice citrus tones like neroli, one of my favorite scents as it was made for an Italian princess who loved the smell of orange blossoms. Who doesn’t love that?