New Year, New You (a Skintervention)

As discussed often on this blog (almost ad nauseum, if we’re being honest), taking care of your skin is one of the most important commitments you can make in your beauty regimen.

And beyond the basics – eating well, staying well hydrated, getting enough sleep, eschewing the sun and cigarettes – there’s also the magic that is great skincare. Below, three easy peasy (yet highly impactful) resolutions you can make now (it’s not too late!) to improve the condition of your skin in 2014.

• Always cleanse. No excuses. No exceptions. Your skin is a living, breathing part of you and falling asleep in your makeup is an absolute skin sin. I start first with a makeup wipe to remove foundation and then cleanse with Pur Minerals Simplicity Soothing Gentle Cleanser – I have truly sensitive skin that needs to be babied, and this relaxed formula is the perfect, never-irritating solution.
• Mask like a Parisian.  The French do it better, y’all – that’s an adage I really believe, particularly when it comes to beauty and style decisions. So, mask like a Parisian – read, generously. A cult favorite like Borghese Fango Active Face and Body Mud Mask twice a week works wonders to unclog pores and remove lingering impurities from skin.
• SPF is your best friend.  No, really, repeat after me – SPF is your best friend. Now, don’t get me wrong, I LOOOOOOVE a tan. I’m Italian. I find a tan impossibly glamorous. But the reality is that there’s absolutely nothing worse you can do for your skin than lie in the sun. Apply SPF every day – perhaps H20 Plus Face Oasis Hydrating Lotion with SPF 30, even in the winter, yes, even when it’s cloudy.

Lastly, this year, don’t forget to treat your neck and décolleté as you treat your face – cleanse, apply serum and massage in moisturizer to ensure that these fragile areas don’t wind up giving away your age before your face does!

Shop the products recommended above (and more) in the Beauty Departments now found in over 250 Kohl’s stores nationwide or online, here.

While all opinions expressed are my own, this post was produced in partnership with SheKnows Experts Among Us and Kohl’s Beauty.

Stocking Up: Stocking Stuffers from Kohl's Beauty

Though we're still early in December, I'm pleased, nay THRILLED to share that I'm already very close to wrapping up my holiday shopping entirely. Last on my last, but definitely not least, are stocking stuffers - a favorite of mine to shop for, thanks to the many fond memories I have of digging into my stocking first thing every Christmas morning as a child. Below, a few faves I picked up during a recent visit to the Kohl's Beauty Department:

• As the temps continue to drop, hand cream moves from the "nice to have" list to "essentials." I'm loving this gift set of four be Delectable Hand Creams (set of 4, $14)  because you can keep one for yourself and parse out the other three. Each 2.0-oz tube is perfectly portable, and chock full of hydrating shea butter. As a bonus, these babies smell positively EDIBLE (spoiler, they're not!) - Lemon & Cream is my favorite. 
• Sweet treats are clearly a theme for me, but I'm going to run with it ('tis the season!) Stocking perfect is this adorable set of five Macaron Bath Fizzers from Simple Pleasures ($12).  The holidays can be hectic, after all, and a hot bath will be the perfect way to unwind from seasonal stresses.
• Nail art junkies on your list will dig essie's Sleek Stick Nail Stickers ($10.25 each). Available in a myriad of patterns, these are virtually mistake proof, even for uncoordinated types like me. Each package includes everything you need - 18 stickers in varying sizes, a nail file and cuticle stick - for salon-perfect tips.
• A little known fact about me? I harbor an unabashed affection for…slipper socks! I'd love to find a fuzzy pair from Earth Therapeutics (Set of 2, $12), infused with aloe, tucked inside my stocking this year (now you know!) 

Shop these stocking stuffers and more within the newly revamped Beauty Departments at more than 250 Kohl's stores nationwide and Kohls.com!

While all opinions expressed are my own, this post was produced in partnership with SheKnows Experts Among Us and Kohl's.

Kohl's Beauty Trade In Event: Recapped

This past weekend, I paid a VERY hospitable visit to one of my favorite (almost?) Southern cities - Nashville! There, I stopped by the Kohl's Beauty Trade In event, which invited local shoppers to swap two of their used and unloved beauty products for one very snazzy and very tempting $10 gift card valid in store. 

The new Beauty Departments at Kohl's boast a staff of well-versed Beauty Advisors (who took every beauty request to heart!) as well as a bounty of prestige brands that are otherwise impossible to find in many cities across the US. Included in the mix are LORAC, Cargo Cosmetics (a couple of my holiday picks from those brands can be seen in the Insta snap above!), Borghese and my new fave, Be Delectable, a sweetly-scented collection of bath and body delights, shoppable here. 

The event served as a fun introduction to Kohl's brand-spankin'new Beauty Departments in over 250 stores nationwide. Find your local Kohl's via the store locator on site!

While all opinions expressed are my own, this post was produced in partnership with She Knows Experts Among Us and Kohl's.

On My Radar: Holiday Party Beauty

With snowflakes falling this week in New York, it’s clear that the holiday season is almost upon us –woot! I loooove the holidays for approximately a million reasons, but most of all, I love holiday food, holiday décor and of course, festive celebrations – of which there will be many on the docket. While I look forward to celebrating the season, prepping for holiday parties can definitely add some fashion and beauty stress, to say the least.

SO, to get ahead of the curve (or more aptly, party season), I thought I’d share a few simple tips to elevate your look from everyday to holiday.

Go for the gold: A gilded manicure (to try: essie Good as Gold) or shimmering liner like this one from budget-friendly Jane Cosmetics is an easy way to add holiday sparkle without being overtly, hit ‘em over the head obvious. Subtlety…it’s a beautiful thing!

Embrace the classics: A glamorous red lip – classic for a reason - is an easy way to add panache (a word long due for a resurgence, yes?) when you’re hopping from the office to holiday cocktails in the blink of an eye. Try a lip gloss stick for ease of application on the go – I dig Dare Devil from Pur Minerals. 

Get dramatic: Try elevating just an element or two of your daily beauty ritual to feel party-ready. For me, that often means a smokier eye and a headier fragrance like Michael Kors Rose Gold Eau de Parfum, which I keep tucked in my desk drawer for spontaneous evening occasions.

How do you prep for holiday party season? Tell all in the comments below, and shop the goodness of Kohl’s newly revamped Beauty Department at over 250 Kohl’s stores nationwide or online, here.

While all opinions expressed are my own, this post was produced in partnership with SheKnows Experts Among Us and Kohl’s Beauty.

You're Invited! Kohl's Beauty Trade-In Event

As you may have noticed, I've partnered with the fine folks at Kohl's to support the launch of their glorious new Beauty Departments. And this Saturday, I'll be paying a visit to Kohl's in Nashville to celebrate their Beauty Trade-In Event, held in 49 stores nationwide simultaneously!

At the event, you'll have the opp to say "Howdy" to me, explore the killer new brands debuting in store, enjoy free samples AND snag beauty tips and tricks from Kohl's roster of Beauty Advisors. Deets:

Who: Kohl's & eye4style!
What: Beauty Trade-In Event
When: Saturday! November 16, 2013, from 9am-1pm
Where: 2330 Jackson Downs Blvd, Nashville, TN 37214
Why: Explore the newly launched Kohl's Beauty Department + Be one of the first 100 customers to trade in two of your used beauty products and receive a $10 Kohl's gift card!

 

See you there!

1, 2, 3, Pretty: LORAC’s Little Black Palette

I'm on a quest these days to simplify. I want fewer things, and better things, and ideally, things that serve more than one purpose. Take, for example, LORAC's Little Black Palette, available at Kohl's newly revamped Beauty Department in over 250 stores nationwide (along with brands like Cargo, The Balm, essie and so many more...but I digress). This chic, well, little black palette, includes four flawless, mineral infused baked eye shadows and a mini Behind the Scenes Eye Primer designed to set the stage for pretty - and pretty that lasts.



As far as I’m concerned, this palette leaves little to be desired. With a soft golden beige, copper, rich bronze and chocolate brown shadows included, I can use it to create a simple, office-appropriate eye, a flirty take or a deeper, sexier look for pending holiday occasions. What I like most about LORAC’s Little Black Palette is, quite simply, the versatility. To take your look easily from day to night:

• Incorporate lower lash mascara and eye liner - upper and lower lash line for a more finished look (you can even use the dark brown shadow included as a liner using a tapered eye liner brush)
• Try applying any of the shadows wet for a more dramatic, intense look
• Using a larger blush brush, apply the lightest, champagne shadow as an all over highlighter - it leaves a diffused glow that’s perfect for evening

You can pick up LORAC’s Little Black Palette for $34 at Kohl’s in over 250 stores nationwide, or shop the LORAC collection online here!

While all opinions expressed are my own, this post was produced in partnership with She Knows Experts Among Us and Kohl’s Beauty.

Win It: Diamond Stud Earrings from Kohl's

I'm what some might call a jewelry evangelist. And my jewelry PLATFORM (if you will) is built on the thinking that there's no such thing as a single jewelry must-have. Jewelry is about adoration and lust and it's unabashedly PERSONAL. But even I admit that there's one notable exception to my rule.

The classic diamond stud earring:

Now, no matter how you define your style - funky, boho or sophisticated or avant-garde - there's ALWAYS an occasion for a diamond stud earring. I personally like to rock mine (a platinum, 2 carat total weight pair by Tacori), with otherwise statement-making pieces. After all, I never want to be too TOO, if you see where I'm going there.

It goes without saying that studs are the perfect gift for yourself or someone special, so I've partnered with Kohl's for an exclusive giveaway of 1/2 carat total weight, 14k gold diamond studs, with a retail value of $1,750!

 

To enter to win, leave a comment on this post WITH your email enabled (I need to notify you if you win!)

Limit of one entry per blog commenter. One winner will be announced on Monday, May 10, 2010 at 12 PM EST.

And even if you don't win, keep in mind that you can find it all at Kohl’s jewelry department – certified diamond earrings and rings, gemstones, pearls and top name brand watches like Citizen and Bulova. All at incredible prices. And with Kohl’s discounts and savings passes, you can’t find a better value on jewelry anywhere.

Good Luck!

 

Celebrity Style Done Right: LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's

If you had told me just two weeks ago that I'd find ANYTHING with Lauren Conrad's name on it acceptable to wear ON MY BODY, I'd have called you a liar.

But LC Lauren Conrad, a Kohl's exclusive, is one of the few lower-end celebrity or designer diffusion lines that has pleasantly surprised me.

While there are some basic tanks, tees, sweater and jeans in the collection, LC Lauren Conrad really excels in the pretty and feminine printed tops and dresses. Two standouts are the gorge watercolor dress (below) and the brushstroke sheath dress. Each piece is staggeringly affordable (the dresses are both on sale for under $50 each) and of relatively good quality.

If you're in the neighborhood of a Kohl's, stop in and check out LC Lauren Conrad and of course, the Simply Vera Vera Wang collection (which boasts some very cute jewelry!)

It's Britney, Bitch...Behind the Scenes at Candie's

Comeback kid Britney Spears is set to appear in new ads for Candie’s, sold exclusively at Kohl’s. Shot in LA by photographer Mark Liddell, the ad campaign features a “Britney Spears for Candie’s Only at Kohl’s” logo in diamonds with a collage of color and black and white snapshots of Spears from the photo shoot.

Check out the gallery for some behind-the-scenes images of Britney on set at the shoot.  What do you think? Is this a fashion match made in heaven?