Almost Pretty

Beauty Classic: Pantene Pro-V

We took a trip to Chicago this weekend. In order to avoid checking our bags we decided to forgo bringing most toiletries with us. Instead we went to a local Walgreens and picked up sample sizes of shampoo and conditioner. We ended up with Pantene-Pro-V and truth be told we had forgotten just how great it was.

Something about the scent evokes simpler times. It brings a smile to our face for reasons we can't just discern. We couldn't help but giggle and say "don't hate me because I'm beautiful" as we lathered up just like Kelly LeBrok. Though our hair certainly isn't nearly that big.

Coach Beauty Collection

Saint Augustine said “You aspire to great things? Begin with little ones.”

We are starting to believe that Coach is bent on world domination. They started with simple logo bags and now they are a full fledge multinational lifestyle company. But why stop with bags, clothing and tchotkes when you can literally corner the market on aspirational products?



Coach Beauty has products ranging from shimmering powders to embossed lipsticks. What can they possible sell next? Thanks to I Love Makeup for turning us on to this new development.

Sheisido and The Importance of Plump Lips

Having plump lips seems to be something of an obsession these days. And according to this Japanese Sheisido commercial for their soft color lipsticks it is the best way to capture a man.

Aside from the curious trampoline metaphor (your lips must be springy now too?) we find ourselves wondering about the implications of this capturing technique.

If a man just has to fall into your big plump soft lips we imagine he probably doesn't want to accidentally drown in a stinging vat of DuWop Lip Venom.

Unless of course you are doing your best Venus Fly Trap impression. Actually these flowers do look a little bit like made-up lips. And the Japanese have always been fond of that very unsettling dentata thing in their anime.

 

Finding The Perfect Shade of Red Lipstick With Coty

Finding the perfect shade of red lipstick has clearly been an obsession for a long time if this Coty Red Lipstick commercial from the 1950 is any indication. We literally cannot tell the difference between the 12 or so shades they show us. But they all look equally alluring.

We aren't quite sure how to recover the lost art of truly red lipstick but we do think that this Guerlain KissKiss Lipstick in Folie De Grenat is as close to classic as they come. The gold casing makes it something any girl would feel good about pulling out of her best clutch. 

Tarte FRXtion Sugar Lip Exfoliant and Balm

We just got our hands on Tarte's FRXtion Sugar Lip Exfoliant and Balm and we are addicted. With its dual sided action it moisturizes and exfoliates all at once. Plus it has teeny tiny little mirror! Nothing like a touch up mirror when you are applying what is essentially chapstick. Not to mention it tastes FANTASTIC.



Whatever your oral affliction, Tarte has got just the Rx for you! One side of this stick contains brown sugar grains to scrub your pout smooth, and the other side, a vitamin E balm to help soothe dryness.

ColorOn Instant Eye Shadow Applicator

We just discovered the oddest beauty product on earth. Apparently if applying eyeshadow is too challenging you can just buy something to take care of it for you! The ColorOn Instant Eye Shadow Applicators are a little sticky covered in eyeshadow that you can just plop on your eyelid for apparently perfect eyeshadow treatments. We have no idea if it works but it is just so crazy we simply had to post it!

Beauty Classic: Epsom Salt

We like fancy bath salts as much as the next girl but when it comes down to it they all contain pretty simple ingredients. And while it may not look very glamorous you can get the basics for a couple of bucks. Epsom Salts form the foundation of any good soak.

Mix 3 cups of epsom salt, 2 cups of baking soda and 1 cup of table salt and viola instant relaxation. Buy some essential oils and you have spa grade products for next to nothing. Maybe it takes some of the glamour out of things but we think its important to remember that beauty isn't just about dumping a lot of money on the table for miracle products and novel new potions. Not that we dislike those of course!

How Is Lipgloss is Made? Stacy London of TLC's What Not To Wear Visits Lancome's Lipgloss Factory

Japonesque Handy Bottle Pack For Beauty Travel

Must drugstores carry mini-bottles into which one can theoretically pour your expensive beauty routines when traveling. But most of the varieties we have found don't take into account the need for differing types of bottles or applicators. We just discovered Japonesque Handy Bottle Pack and we think they may be the solution.

Carry exactly what you need in a convenient go-anywhere size. This assortment of compact Japonesque bottles organizes your creams, gels, sprays and lotions in a zippered vinyl pouch. The caps screw on tight to prevent leaks and the pliable bottles wont crack or break. Assortment includes two bottles with wider openings for faster dispensing, a flip-top bottle with small opening for precision applications, a pump-top and a dropper bottle.

Thursday Think Piece: Beauty Guilt?

We are feeling a bit conflicted about beauty. Marie Claire, normally a magazine we enjoy has been sending out a few mixed messages. Their new piece about living Biblically and giving up makeup sent us for a loop.

Generally beauty and fashion magazines tend to err on the side of women not doing enough to perfect their looks. We feel guilty for not making enough effort after reading all their how to pieces. But now it seems we are supposed feel bad for making the very effort they encourage us to make if the above piece on giving up clothing, makeup and sample sales is any indication.

The messages seems to be that either a woman isn’t pretty enough because she doesn’t spend enough on clothing, dieting or makeup or she isn’t moral enough if she doesn’t give it up? Which side is she supposed to choose? Marie Claire we object! What do you think? Are we being made to feel guilty about beauty no matter what we do?