Stila gets personal with holiday beauty

I've been a fan of Stila cosmetics since I first laid eyes on their whimsical packaging. Since then, I've come to covet their lip color and glazes, along with a slew of who's-who Hollywood starlets. And this weekend my Stila-love multiplied! I had the pleasure of attending a Stila event at Smooch Beauty Boutique and put my very bare face in the capable hands of Dominique for a beauty transformation. And what a transformation it was ... In little under an hour he took me from feeling schlumpy-Saturday to flirty-chic all with the help of one little palette and some some fabulous beauty tools. Amazing how a little colour can put a skip in your step isn't it! 

Anyway, I left love, love, loving their surprise & shine holiday palette. Not only does it include shimmering neutral shades that would compliment any skin tone, you can record a personalized message. Genius! What a perfect holiday gift for every makeup maven on your list. Not only will you be adding a to their holiday cheer, you can record a sassy little bit about how beautiful they are. While you're gifting, don't forget to throw in a palette for yourself. My personal palette says something like, "Damn you look good," which makes my signature side-smirk smile appear instantly! Now if they'd just add a mirror.

Shop on!

t

American Beauty

Hey Beauties, 

Four years has flown by (or maybe not...) and it's time to exercise your right to vote! With record turnouts and long lines, you may want to slip on your ballet flats before heading to the polls. If you find yourself feeling impatient, just pretend that you're waiting in line for a sample sale of historic proportions.

And if coffee is your lifeline, a little Starbucks incentive awaits! Proudly wear your "I Voted Today" adornment and Starbucks will reward you with a FREE cup of coffee. Viola! Most important, make your views known. You're far to fabulous to not take part in this VIP event, so gloss up and get going. Maybe I'll see you there!

Beauty is your right too! ;)

t

Is it possible...

That a month has passed without any tipsy. I'm so sorry! It's all been a blur and so much has been going on, including relaunching my jewelry line and launching a new line of designer aprons. Yeah, aprons, but they're like hot little dresses, not Betty Crocker. And to answer all the questions I've been getting about where it's appropriate to sport an apron - ummmm, pretty much anywhere, especially these. For holiday I have plaid, polka dots, and chiffon. LOVE! Here's one pic of a cute halter-style apron and I'll post more soon. 

Missed you,

t

Last chance to win Vanessa Hudgens Concert Tickets

It's the last day that you can enter to win VIP tickets to the Neutrogena Fresh Faces 2008 Concert starring Vanessa Hudgens! Sign up at neutrogenaconcert.com and you just might be hangin in Cali on September 7th with Ms. Hudgens. What a beautiful way to start the school year.

Thanks Neutrogena!

t

Tonage - a totally new way to color!

So, a few years back I was reading a People Style Watch and they said that Gisele has her hair colored with a technique called Balliage. I'll say straight away that I'm not a  hair stylist, so technically speaking, I don't really know what work goes into coloring with Balliage. What I do know is that I loved the idea of not having to start my "color enhancement" right a the roots. My amazing stylist, Con Sing, happily created my color with a Balliage technique that had the whole salon talking. I LOVED it, until I came to grips with the fact that my skin is just not suited for blonde hair because I go brassy ASAP. 

Regardless, I asked every time if we could do Balliage, for the root effect, not the technique. And every time Con Sing would say, "No, that just doesn't really work on you." If we were in the south this totally would been classified as one of those, "Bless her heart" conversations. You know, "Bless her heart, she keeps asking for Balliage (but has absolutely no clue what she's talking about)." That last bit would have been left off of course. Honestly, I'm sure I'm a lunatic client, the "Balliage Girl".

Well, Balliage no more!!! And might I add that persistence pays off in this story ... I did ask again with the same response. And when I explained that I just didn't want the color starting at my root, Con Sing worked her magic. Yep, a totally new coloring technique that used foils to create a similar effect to Balliage - Tonage! The great thing per Con Sing, is that you can use more than one color. I've asked her to write in about the technical aspect of this technique since all I really know is that the color looks sizzling hot! So, fall is just around the corner, and I recommend giving those roots a bit of rest for the season. Ask your stylist for Tonage the next time you're in the salon. And if they have no idea what you're talking about, send them to beauty tipsy for instructions from a professional hair hottie - Con Sing.

Muah!

t

Project Runway has me tipsy!

After being away for a bit of summer fun, I'm totally tipsy about the season five premiere of Project Runway! I missed the first show but thankfully Bravo is so smart and they're replaying it. My initial reactions....

• Mr. "one-of-a-kind" designer - How about making yourself a shirt? Come on! You design clothes, try wearing them.
• Joe - Happy to see Detroit represent! I'm certain one day we'll all be watching my niece follow in your footsteps.
  
• Tanaliscious - I hope you like leather! No matter what clothes you design, you're going to be looking at leather in the mirror if you keep up your tanning obsession... I can recommend some great self-tanning products.
• Betsey Johnson meets Ms. Westwood - So far you're one of my faves.
• Little Italy and Portland are tied for my second.
• Rock Chick is just killer for how totally honest she is! She'll design for a hooker or rock star if they're edgy enough to wear her clothes.

OK, first show outfits, I love what was done with the mop to top transition. And the candy girl dress - LOVE. Anytime you can add chocolate deliciousness to clothes, why not! And my favorite was the bleach and dye vacuum bags with corset closure on the back. MEOW!!! Can't wait to see who wins this challenge.

Muah - so happy!

t

Cocktails, Sex, and a Leather Punch?

It's really not what you're thinking. While enjoying some seriously amazing fondue, strong cocktails, and the company of friends pre-Sex in the City the conversation turned to shoes. I know it's hard to believe! Actually, it turned to the benefits of owning my tipsy must-have #3 - a leather punch!

My dear friend Jess is currently living through the "wedding-circuit phase" of her life. That's the period that starts right after college and goes on for roughly three to four years. It's something like this:

1. The majority of your friends get engaged and married.
2. You spend most weekends either planning or attending a shower or wedding-related event.
3. You know you went to college for "X" but question whether you should start a party-planning business.
4. You wonder how it is that you're working but don't have any more money than you did in college and realize it's the "wedding-circuit phase" of life.
   

The silver-lining is that you have total justification for buying several pairs of fabulous shoes! 

When one of those pairs is a buckled slingback that keeps falling off , you can either play Cinderella and hope that Prince Charming saves the day or buy a leather punch. I typically recommend the later. It may not be glamorous but it's totally addictive! In this case I let Jess borrow mine and as soon as I get it back I'll post a picture.  

So there you have it, over cocktails and fondue I shared the secret to keeping all of your buckled shoes secure and belts looking perfectly cinched. Now head directly to the hardware store and pick up a leather punch of your own. Who knows, Prince Charming may be waiting there too! 

Cheers,

t (aka 60% Carrie and 40% Samantha)      

Father's Day Fun in the Sun!

Happy Father's Day to all you amazing dads out there! Thank you for being our super heros, teachers, coaches, and faithful protectors from things that go bump in the night. Life wouldn't be the same without you. Hopefully in honor of your big day you were able to kick back a bit and enjoy. You certainly deserve it. 

For me, Father's Day signals the official start of summer. Not only do I get to hang with some of the coolest dads ever (missed you this year Buzzy), but it's also the first time the fam gets to enjoy boating, sunning, and all the warm-weather festivities we love. With that fun in the sun also comes the seasonal shock of squeezing into swim wear and exposing my seriously pale skin to the sun, which leads to my next must-have.

tipsy must-have #2 - sunscreen!

I want to clarify something from my last post too. Just because I was insanely excited about my FitFlops and made them my first must-have item of summer, absolutely nothing ranks higher on my list than sunscreen. If you want to keep looking like a hot young thing, this lifesaver should top your list too!

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 90% of the aging on your face is from damaging UV rays. Bottomline, you need to protect your skin daily. So ... get your shot glass, fill it with sunscreen (that's about the amout needed to cover an average adult), and then slather it on. An upside is that you now have a perfectly acceptable reason to carry a shot glass with you all summer long! ;) 

Strut your way through summer!

While the calendar may not say that summer has arrived, the temps outside are on the rise and unfortunately the humidity is too. That means it's the perfect time to share my must-have items of the season. Let's start with some fabulous footwear!

tipsy must-have #1 FitFlops

Typically a strappy sandal or sky-high wedge would top my list but not this year. Probably the BEST shoe of summer is the FitFlop. Those innovative Brits brought their genius product across the pond and now everyone can enjoy the flip flop that actually helps slim you simply by wearing it! The look is sporty, not chic but the payoff is worth it. And they did come out with black patent, bronze, and silver versions that are more stylish.

Anyway, it's the specially designed midsole that deserves the credit. It works your muscles, helping to tone your legs and improve your rear view. The benefits of an improved posture and reduced joint strain deserve a mention too. You're supposed to "ease" into wearing them, but if a shoe's going to help shape my bum and slim my thighs, I may never take them off much less am I going to start out slow. I'm going to measure my progress along the way but all you have to do is slip them on and strut your stuff!

cheers,
t

Lindsay in the Closet?

Ok, serious scandal on the celeb scene! Word is spreading that Lindsay Lohan may be coming out of the closet in order to wed her DJ girlfriend. What? I know she's had her share of ups and downs but this is a side I've never heard about. It's not confirmed, yet, so we'll have to wait and see if it's just a twist someone is spinning or the real deal. Honestly, it doesn't seem like she's been happy since her breakup with Fez. Come on Lindsay, you've got fashion sense to die for and a lot of talent, so I hope you can get through another media blitz. I mean, if you're in love with your DJ friend, good for you. But maybe you should try flying solo for a while...

Cheers,

t

Speaking of Stars...

The always fab MTV Movie Awards are just a few days away (June 1) and sure to attract some serious star power. Not only will Coldplay and The Pussycat Dolls rock the stage, the always entertaining Mike Myers is sure to keep the night rolling as the 2008 host. 

While I love a good show, I love a great gift bag even more! Here's the skinny on a few of my fave finds that will be gifted this year.  

Emilio Pucci is taking hot to a new level! The unmistakable Pucci print is a summer staple that's no longer bound by sheaths and scarves. 

Pucci eyewear will launch exclusively at the MTV 

Movie Awards. Love, love, love!

Dooney & Bourke is gifting their Everyday Tote and Patent Large Slim Wristlet and Cosmetic Bag. In my book this counts as a "gift bag" all on it's own...

Autumn Cashmere - scandalously soft, lightweight knits in gorgeous colors, need I say more?

Vans, the old-school kicks that never seem to go out of style, will include four pairs in each bag. Perfect for that casual Cali look. 

29 Cosmetics will help keep the stars beautiful and looking younger for years to come with their gorgeous Napa Valley Palettes. The anti-aging power in every product is a direct result of their signature ingredient, grape seed extract. 

Ugo Cacciatori is giving their multi-tasking masterpiece, the

sterling silver sword pendant. It's edgy and crafty at the

same time, converting from a pendant to an earring with one little clasp so everyone can look like a rock star.

The list goes on with notable brands like Habitual, Carol's Daughter, Rodial, and Lee Angel.  There's simply too much to covet and not enough time! 

Here's to gifting some serious style!

t

Gotta Love a Rock Star!

Yes, yes, I'm totally an American Idol junkie and happy that the rocker finally took the title of American Idol. I'm still a little bitter about Daughtery getting the boot early on in the show, so David Cook winning by 12M votes was a bit of a fairy tale ending. Contrary to popular belief all 12M votes were not submitted from my texting.

***BTW David, (I'm sure he's reading this!) if you need a makeup artist, I'd be happy to rearrange my schedule. And I know a great waterproof eyeliner so those misty moments won't leave you looking like a member of Kiss.***

Apologies for the personal note, just had to offer my support for hottie McCook. ;) What can I say, he leaves me tipsy... 

Sweet dreams all you rock stars,

t

The Motherload

Where does the time go! ?! I feel pretty terrible about letting beauty tipsy just sit out in the blogosphere for so long. Trust me, keeping quiet isn't one of my best talents, but it does seem that every year around this time life gets a bit topsy turvy. Over the past several weeks a lot of not so great things have happened to some pretty amazing women and each one has shown their strength and beauty in a different way. The one common thread between all of them, they're moms. Not just moms, they're absolutely fabulous, talented, amazing moms. They're the motherload! 

• One has had to face a sudden battle with breast cancer while balancing a life blessed with a beautiful little girl and triplets! 
• One had to return to work after discovering the joys each new day can bring while on maternity leave. 
• And one had to spend days, which seemed likes weeks, at the bedside of  her son in the hospital. 

There are many more examples of the amazing things that moms do every single day, but these three are standing out today. Since Sunday is Mother's Day, I think it's time to pay a little tribute to mom. Of course there are beauty products out there that every mom would love, but I think the really amazing part is that most mom's don't need them. Their beauty really does come from within and the greatest gift you can give them is the thanks and gratitude they deserve. That's not to say throwing a lil lip gloss, mani, or pedi their way would hurt anything! ;) 

Love Ya Moms!

t

Green Goddess

In honor of Earth Day and eco-chic women everywhere, I've been trying out green skin care for the past several weeks. While my skin is rebelling a bit, I'm pleasantly surprised at how much I'm enjoying many of the products. And it's always fun to realize that the ingredients read like my grocery list! So, I think it's fair to say that I'm a bit tipsy about the whole thing, especially the coconut products. Honestly, nothing makes me happier than a hit of tropical goodness! 

Gotta run...

t 

Beauty and Taxes Aren't a Good Match!

I'd love to tell you I haven't posted because I've been on holiday lounging around in Hawaii somewhere. In reality, the closest I've come to the tropics is the Organix Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner I used today. Sadly I've been lost in a sea of numbers, forced to face my organization challenges for the good of my accountant and the government I suppose. The shame of the situation hit me when I realized I've been sporting glasses, lounge pants, a ponytail, and hoodie for more days than I'd like to admit. Bottomline - beauty and taxes just aren't a good mix. Although I can see how there might be a tie to boosting the anti-aging market! On an up-note, I should be in good standing with the IRS, so now I can get back to beauty.

Chat soon!

t

Chanel-quality Tan

I think most of us expect the Chanel brand to deliver on quality and their Beaute Initiale Healthy Glow is no exception. A gradual self-tanning product and facial moisturizer that stands above its competitors with the addition of SPF15 and amazingly none of that nasty self-tanning smell. This last point is HUGE for me! A lot of products make this claim, but until now I've never found one that was truly sans smell. 

It has a silky feel on the skin, provides enough hydration to be used as a facial moisturizer, and builds a gradually beautiful bronze color. Two beauty tipsy bits to keep in mind:

Tipsy 1 - Before it's time to strut your summer wardrobe, apply an all-over self-tanning product so it doesn't look like you sunned only your face on holiday.

Tipsy 2 - Check your foundation shade as the color of your tan develops. This is important and can sneak up on you. Trust me, I should know this and it still hit me like a bad April Fool's Day trick! I applied my fave Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, and headed out to meet a friend only to find that in the light of day my face look absolutely appalling. I guess my "healthy glow" had kicked in and I've been such a spaz rushing around that I didn't even notice. Oops!  No worries though, I was able to cover up my misstep with the help of a mineral powder and a long scarf (See April's In Style p. 270 for this accessory everyone should own).

And while we're on the topic of In Style,  I was thrilled to see that Chanel's Healthy Glow also made it on the Best in Beauty List.  It's not considered a new product but it's nice to see it getting the recognition it deserves! 

Cheers,

t

Still a California Girl

Overall, I still think that the convenience of Tan Towels and the exfoliating towelettes can't be beat for on-the-go color.  But after taking  a closer look at my results, I'm a little disappointed. The color isn't very dark (which in this case is a great thing) and I have some definite streakage going on my arms. Not pretty! 

Granted I did my application fairly quickly but I'm pretty conscious of application in the arm area. For one, it's easy to reach. And two, no one wants the line only self-tanning or a t-shirt can give you, going from the palest pale to sudden tan. Luckily it's still sweater season in the midwest. 

I guess when it comes to tanning I'm a paint-by-numbers kind of girl. I like to have some guide to help ensure I get an even application . So, when my goal is bronze goddess, I'll still be reaching for California Tan at this point. The color was deeper, I had a bit of instant grat. with the tinted mousse application, and I was sans streaking. Go Cali! Let's see if Xen-Tan is any type of competitor.

Sunny days,

t

Tan Towel

Sorry for the delay in posting. I have to say that I'm still pretty pleased with my first self-tanning product, but Tan Towels may make me a believer too. I tried both the X-foliator and the Tan Towel, and I'm patiently awaiting my results! I really like the convenience of both products. The single-use packets are perf for traveling and very easy to use. 

The X-foliator offers up 3-in-1 benefits that I would recommend to anyone. One side of the towelette has a rough texture to exfoliate the skin. You can tell it's working but it's not too harsh, which is fabulous! Then you flip the towelette over and use the other side to both buff and moisturize the skin. Voila! You're skin is perfectly prepped for a tanning product. 

Tan Towel was equally easy to use, but I did like the fact that California Tan goes on with a little color so you know you've got every inch covered. I'm hoping that three hours from now I'll be beautifully bronzed for a night on the town with friends!

Cheers,

t

Cali Continued

I kind of feel like California Tan and I are so tight that I can call it Cali! I was a little concerned how the final tan would turn out but it looks great. All the spots I thought might be uneven somehow balanced out and I don't have ANY lines or streaks. It's pretty amazing. My only complaint (I'm pretty sure this applies to all self-tanning products) is that the color does come off on your clothes when you workout or while the product is drying. Hopefully it will come out of my clothes. All-in-all, I'm thrilled with the results. Next up - the tanning towelettes. 

Happy tanning,

t

First Up is California Tan

After collecting a plethora of tanning products, I decided to take the plunge. Yes, fear of orange streaked skin was holding me back a bit but it's done. And rather than taking the easy way out with Jergens, which I know will give a very gradual tan, I decided to go full-throttle with the California Tanning Foam. 

I took all the precautions I could, applying Vaseline to my nails and toes and thoroughly moisturizing my elbows, knees, and all the dry skin areas that can quickly turn to self-tanning tragedy. My first impression is pretty good! The mousse application is tinted so it's easy to see where color has been applied but it does dry rather quickly. I'm hoping that my diligent attempt to blend, blend, blend will pay off. I'll let you know later today! On the upside, the weather is still a bit cool so covering up won't look out of the ordinary but wearing a face mask might...

Cheers,

t

Think Spring!

As much as I love all four seasons, I'm ready for winter to pack it's bags and head out. Slipping on the ice and fraying my rotator cuff hasn't helped the situation either. Plus, when you're in constant pain, beauty isn't an easy thing to conquer. My hair has looked more like I'm a bed-headed lunatic in the past week than someone who actually takes pride in their appearance. The plus, I have a new found appreciation for just how much I use my left arm. Life without out it makes blow drying, brushing, basically everything much, much harder. But life goes on and with a new season of beauty in full bloom, I've got to get back to focusing on everything fabulous!

Throughout March you can look forward to my tipsy talk on:

• Spring beauty collections from Chanel, Nars, Artistry, and Hourglass (a great new line I just discovered). There may be others as well...

• Self-tanning products. I'll shamelessly try to transform myself from pasty to bronze goddess. And I don't care that they're saying pale skin is in because whoever came up with that trend obviously doesn't have a ghostly complexion.

• no! no! is a product I CANNOT wait to try. It's a new hair removal marvel that is getting great reviews and supposedly doesn't hurt. 

I think that's a pretty beauty-packed month, but we'll see if I come across anything else of interest.

Cheers,

t

Happy Birthday Beautiful

Since February 29 isn't an annual affair, I think it's appropriate to pay tribute to those divas that actually age slower than the rest of us (based on calendar years of course). For me this day is exceptional because I can celebrate my amazingly fashionable grandma. She had style, beauty, brains, and all the confidence in the world, which is pretty evident from this picture of my parent's wedding. And while there's no proof that a passion for all things beautiful has any genetic ties, I'm quite certain that it does and I'm very thankful for that. How else do you explain the parallels that run between us? I only had the pleasure of experiencing her grace and beauty for seven short years after-all.

She was a nurse, an amazing seamstress, a loving mother, grandmother, friend, and a Beauty Counselor. Little did I know back then that I would end up following in her footsteps. She loved sharing beauty and helping women realize that it was ok to spend time on themselves. She knew the powers of perfectly tailored clothing and owning your look. While so many people thought that fashion and beauty were superficial, she knew they had the power to transform - to instantly take you from feeling so-so to unstoppable. I believe we all deserve to feel unstoppable!  Happy birthday grandma. Thank you for sharing your fierce sense of style with the world. I'll do what I can to pass it along! 

Cheers,

t

 

Be Buxom

Since I'm on a pout-pleasing mission this week I decided to try Buxom Lips. Created by Leslie Blodgett, the mastermind behind Bare Escentuals, this high-shine gloss promises lips that look fuller and more voluptuous. I honestly wasn't expecting much but was pleasantly surprised to experience yet another lip plumping victory! 

True to its claims, the gloss is neither sticky or tacky. For me that's a HUGE plus. I adore Bobbi Brown and MAC gloss but there's nothing worse than stepping out the door feeling fabulous only to end up spending the day trying to discreetly remove the hair stuck to your lips - yuck! But back to Buxom - it delivers a definite tingle and loads of shine. Another positive is that each glossing delivers the lip-loving benefits to vitamins A & E. 

Bianca is a great option for achieving the nude lip gracing us again this spring. Kanani is their new pink, but it's a bit frosty for me. A bit embarrassing, but it made me flashback to my long-lived devotion to Estee Lauder All-Day Cinema Pink. I can't go back, so if I'm rockin' a pink pout it's either going to tease with a barely there shimmer or shout with some serious color.  This one doesn't do either for me but it does leave my lips looking a bit more buxom. 

Give 'em some lip!

t

Pucker Up!

Valentine's Day has come and gone but a perfectly plumped pucker is a seasonless accessory in my book. If you agree, I've got a  fab product to try. Prior to beauty tipsy on blogspot, I had touted the powers of Colorfill's lip-plumping gloss. With this beauty staple no longer available at Bath & Body Works I was overjoyed to find that Miss. Bliss herself, Marcia Kilgore, launched a new line at Target including a trio of glosses with the same pout appeal. 

Sexy Motherpucker promises to deliver plumping technology that expands up to 10x in volume on the lips. I was thrilled to experience the same fizzing sensation I've come to adore from Colorfill Gloss and my lips were proof positive that Sexy Motherpucker works! This threesome is a sure bet for sexy, polished, and alluring lips - a la Angelina. And the shades are sheer enough to compliment any pout in Nude, What a Melon, and Super Starry. Meow! The chocolate fragrance is the only thing I could live without. But as any good beauty maven would, I've come up with a deliciously simple solution. Double your bliss by indulging in a lil chocolate treat at the time of glossing. Choose dark chocolate and you've got the bonus of antioxidant protection. Then hold your head high knowing your lips are looking luscious. You Sexy Motherpucker you! 

Forget Super Bowl XLII. We've got Fraxel!

For those new to beauty tipsy - welcome! And for those who originally visited on Quixtar's Opportunity Zone, welcome back. I know it's Super Bowl Sunday and most of us are focused on football festivities, but my sights are set on something beautifully monumental - the Fraxel re:pair laser system. Approved by the FDA in 2007, this modern day miracle debuted on the Today Show last Friday and at the big American Academy of Dermatology  meeting this weekend. 

So what's the big breakthrough? The Fraxel re:pair laser is promised to save face and recovery time for millions of beauty mavens. By using the laser to repair and tighten skin while in your 40s or 50s, you may never have to deal with the sagging, spots, wrinkles, or roughness that often drive people to the knife. That's right, the Fraxel re:pair is offering an alternative to the highly invasive facelift. Using advanced ablative technology the re:pair laser not only resurfaces the skin, it actually targets "trouble spots" while avoiding healthy tissue. 

That targeted technology is what makes all the difference! Sure, there are resurfacing treatments right now, but the entire surface of the skin is treated, whether it needs it or not. Using only targeted repair, the typical redness and swelling associated with laser resurfacing is significantly reduced. And let's not forget that one appointment with the re:pair laser also alleviates the future urge for a costly and invasive facelift.

The skinny: re:pair promises resurfacing in a totally new package - a targeted, preventive alternative to the facelift. Of course recovery time is dependent on a variety of factors but in general it's about five days. The only cost estimate I've heard is somewhere between $3000 - $5000. Considering the benefits, I'd say it's well worth the cost. Watch for the Fraxel re:pair (Fraxel Facelift) to show up on every A-list in every beauty arena. 

Go Giants!

t