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Showing posts with label beauty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beauty. Show all posts

DESIGN INSPIRATION AT THE NAIL SALON


Happy Memorial Day Weekend to you all. Though I would love to be at a beautiful beach resort, I have to wait just one more month!  To tide me over for a while, I will settle for a mani/pedi in Essie's Resort Collection. With names like LAPIS OF LUXURY, PLAYA DEL PLATINUM, AND TURQUOISE AND CAICOS, I'm ready to pack my suitcase!!
For those like me who cannot escape to paradise, find decor inspiration in The Resort Collection's color palette.  This palette is the perfect jumping off point for a tranquil bedroom like the one below designed by Patricia Gray.


Need more proof that inspiration can be found at your nail salon? Consider Essie's The Wedding Collection...
...then take tour of Jill Stuart's apartment featured on Elle Decor.

photography / simon upton
 
Need a break from decor? Schedule a pamper session with the ladies using Essie's The Summer Collection...

...take a hint from the color names like HAUTE AS HELLO, KNOCKOUT POUT, and VERMILLIONAIRE and head to the movies to see Sex and the City 2.


What are your plans for the Memorial Day weekend? Whatever you do have a safe, enjoyable weekend and please thank our men and women in the armed forces for their contributions in keeping our country a safe one!

5 Elements of a Perfect Primping Station


Break the monotony of your morning routine by creating a dedicated space for primping and pampering. By incorporating the 5 Elements of a Perfect Primping Station you will be sitting pretty in no time!
Element 1 - Lots of Natural Light and Task Lighting
Try to position your dressing table near a window for the benefit of natural sunlight. If you don't have access to a window, purchase daylight bulbs which simulate the effect of natural white light. Positioning your table so that you receive lighting overhead and on either side of the mirror helps to eliminate shadows. Shadow-free lighting is best when grooming and applying makeup.

Element 2 - Uncluttered Counter Space
A few trinkets or photos are okay, but don't overwhelm your space with irrelevant items. Consider displaying additional photos or inspirational items on the surrounding wall.

Element 3 - Access to Electrical Outlets
If your morning routine consists of blow drying, flat irons, or curling irons having easy access to an electrical outlet is extremely convenient and prevents you from interrupting your beauty ritual to plug-in elsewhere.

Element 4 - Ample Storage
Styling tools, cosmetics, perfumes, lotions, and jewelry consume precious space and require proper storage in order to maintain a well-organized primping station. The custom vanity in the above image has more storage than most. If you don't have the luxury of drawer space, hide additional items underneath a skirted table.

Element 5 - Comfortable Seating
Choose a beautiful and comfortable chair that fits neatly underneath your table. Make sure your chair does not leave you sitting too low too or far from the mirror. Unfortunately, vanity chairs are not designed with ergonomics in mind. When shopping for a chair, choose one that sits like a dining room chair which generally has the ideal seat height and a chair back.

*As an added bonus, install a full-length mirror nearby so you can admire your complete look from head to toe.

Need more eye candy? See below images for additional primping station inspiration!
Dressing tables are available in all decor styles from Art-Deco to Ultra Modern.
You can create a primping station just about anywhere as long as you use daylight bulbs (quick substitute for natural daylight) found at your local home improvement store.

{images courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens,
commentary by Erika Ward for BluLabel Bungalow}

Scent and the City - Bond No. 9


"Another way to take up more space is with perfume. I really love wearing perfume." - Andy Warhol

Talk about blog-worthy...this weekend I was introduced to the Bond No. 9 Collection by one of my close friends and I instantly knew I had to tell all about it. This amazing line celebrates the spirit of New York City and consists of 39 women's, men's, and unisex fragrances that each represents a specific downtown, midtown, or uptown locale or a city-wide sensibility. The bottles alone are works of art and the fragrances are absolutely tantalizing.

My personal pick is the New Haarlem Scented Candle. It has all of my favorite fall fragrance notes, lavender, cedarwood, coffee, vanilla, and patchouli and the purple glass is quite handsome. Spotted at Saks Fifth Avenue here in Atlanta, they are also available in the four Bond No.9 New York Boutiques. Click here to see international locations.

Fashion Friday: The Runway Palette by Cargo Cosmetics


Today's Fashion Friday post is really geared more towards makeup and beauty. The jumping off point...The Runway Palette by Cargo Cosmetics. Talk about adorable! This limited edition palette, available exclusively at Sephora, takes the guesswork out of applying Fall 2009's hottest runway looks. How clever are the button-embossed eye shadows and the "cable knitted" bronzer and blushes? The center palette is what Cargo calls the "Essential Palette in Gray." What are the runway makeup trends for Fall 2009? Try smoky gray eyes (using the essential palette), bronzed cheeks, nude lips, and pops of jeweled toned colors on the eyes...exciting enough to make you find somewhere to go. And my favorite look for all seasons, a full well-manicured brow.

The smoky eye can be a bit tricky and requires a bit of practice. I'm planning an honest attempt at this for my event Saturday night! A wrong move and I could be donning the raccoon look or even worst look as if I lost a boxing match. I'm planning to follow the instructions below. The first is an easy-peasy tutorial straight from the Cargo Cosmetics website. The other is a video I found on the New York Magazine site. Wish me luck and HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND. Ciao!
Watch the video below to learn how to recreate the smoky eye look at home.

Brake for Beauty: Essie's New Fall Collection


With autumn creeping up on us, though you wouldn't know it here in HotLanta, there is still time to show off a mani/pedi in one of Essie's new fall collection colors. With names like Chinchilly, Pink Parka, and Mink Muffs, I feel the cool, crisp autumn breeze already.Looking at the new palette, I am instantly drawn to the color combination of Chinchilly, Midnight Cami, and Pink Parka. Not for my nails, but for a luxurious bedroom suite design...any takers?

Since now we're on the subject of decor (surprise, surprise) I must invite you to view the interior of my favorite nail salon, Polished Beauty Lounge in Smyrna where the decor brightens the dreariest of days. Flocked fuschia wallpaper covers the wall in the waiting/lounge area and the manicure stations have the most lovely lucite-legged chairs. The seats don a teal and fuschia botanical print that is soft, feminine, and sophisticated. The glossy white floors and pristine, white ceramic sinks shout modern elegance and of course cleanliness!

I should also mention you can reserve the space for spa parties (which they do quite frequently) so call ahead to schedule an appointment...I had to learn the hard way! Anyway, check them out and tell me about your experience!
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