and while we're on nails

Here's a blog from The Fairest with a Q&A from celebrity manicurist. Tips for picking the correct nail color, application, etc...all HERE.

OPI fall stuff

Ok. So I'm so stupidly obsessed with OPI's fall line. Grey's, khaki's, purples, greens, so fun! Sephora's website is having problems so I can't find any good pics at the moment (two words: Film Noir. It's their fall line. It's FAB). But I found this color--Under my Trench Coat--on another blogger's site: Stephanie's Closet. I think I will shell out my $9 for this. Pricy? Yes. Worth it? YES. And the way I see it--they don't go bad. I do recommend going into your polish bags and shaking all of them every once in awhile. They do tend to separate. And with a pedi costing at least $25, $9 for MANY pedicures and manicures is a good thing!

As for the regular OPI, their Spain and France collections are so great. SO GREAT. Some of my favs from the France selection are above (pic from OPI site).

Also, you can buy OPI at Amazon.com. Strange, but they do have quite the selection. They have some retired colors as well. Prices seem to be the same as Sephora and OPI online, but at any rate...lots to choose from!

So treat yourself to a mani/pedi at home. Happy fall pampering, gals!

Speaking of sales

So I also am a clothes addict. I have been doing pretty good at keeping myself in check since returning to grad school, but I still love to shop...so I have gotten very good at scouring for sales. The majority of my closet comes from Ann Taylor LOFT and Banana Republic, to be honest. Lately both have been having some good sales...I got a long black cardigan from BR online for $10.91. That's right. $10. It was originally $60, but after the store sale, online shipping coupon, AND some rewards cards I got it down to $10. Here's the secret with BR online...you can use all your reward cards at once...they won't let you do this in store. So if you see something in the store that you love but would like even more savings get it online.

As for Ann Taylor LOFT they are practically GIVING away clothes. Don't buy stuff there unless it's on sale (or if you MUST MUST have it and are scared they won't have your size) because likely it will be on sale very shortly after you purchase. My friend and I got sweaters there for $15 (originally $39.50) and I got two long sleeve shirts for $15 each. They rotate their sales fairly quickly, but you can always check online or call the store before going to see what is going on that week.

And the fall colors? SO UP MY ALLEY. Rosy pinks, purples, jade green, greys, nudes...If I had the cash I would probably buy everything in BR and LOFT right now. But alas, I have to hold off on most (like we all do!)...but check for sales for sure, there are plenty out there while the recession is still on.

The Fairest

So my friend LG (check her awesome blog HERE if you don't already...and with my small following you probably do...but I digress!) sent me this link to a site called The Fairest. It has sales on a couple of different brands--some of my favs are Korres, Tarte, and Stila. They also give you the time on when the sale is ending, which is useful if you are trying to decide if now is the time to buy or not! It's free to sign up. They'll send you email updates. They also have a good beauty blog on the site "Who's the Fairest?" with various contributors.

Anyway I LOVE me a sale (especially on makeup!) So check it out!

Good free stuff right now!

Just a quick post to report some good free stuff at Sephora right now and some samples are deluxe size (doesn't happen often). So if you need something, make sure you check out what is available for free HERE.

I've been a slacker

Sorry folks. I've been out of pocket lately. I got my new Allure though and I'm SICK in love with these new fall nail polish colors and makeup colors...more to come on that later.

In other news...So big news on the shampoo front...I have bought the same brand twice in a row. Now, for some of you this is no big thing. But for me this is HUGE. I switch shampoos all.the.time. (Remember?) Loreal EverPure. Love it. LOVE it. Makes my hair so nice and smooth without being flat and greasy. AND it's sulfate free/vegan/etc so it's much better for my hair (sulfates dry hair out and fade hair color...and this girl needs to save some $$ and not color as often!). Now, I don't know if everyone has hair like me (wavy, kinky, untamed) but if you do I recommend this brand!

Another brand I'm enjoying these days: Neutrogena Triple Moisture. I have their Pure Strength conditioning treatment and the Silk Touch leave in cream. The conditioner I use about once a week, and it really helps my hair with the constant drying, flat ironing, etc that I do. Smells great too! The smoothing cream both my sister and I have tried, with good results. You put a small amount on dry hair to help tame flyaways. It has UV protection as well, and works well on the ends too that get the worst of the abuse. The best part is the price! Only $6.99 for the conditioner and $6.99 for the cream at Walgreens. A great buy in my opinion!

I heart my hairdresser

I just have to give a shout out to hairdressers out there. I had mine done today, and as usual he made me look fab. So to all the good hairdressers out there and the girls that are wholly devoted fans (like me)...thanks! It's the one thing I haven't been able to bear cutting from my budget. I just gotta pay for the good hair. I tried to just let my hair alone and (gasp) dye it myself like I did back in college when I first started grad school. Annnnnd I felt like crap and self esteem went crashing down--so regular for real hair care was re-instated. Call me shallow, but that's just how it is!!

Speaking of, I've been seeing this Moroccan Oil in every and I mean EVERY mag and website these days. Thinking about buying some here soon--maybe September (I've spent my August beauty and clothing budget already with high school reunion coming up). Anyone tried it? I've tried it in the salon but never for an extended period of time. It's supposed to make hair really silky and shiny. It smells really nice too!