June 24, 2016
by Julia DiNardo
Happy Friday everyone! And the countdown is on to my…birthday!

NARS is one of my go-to makeup brands ever since I was allowed to use my mom’s lipsticks (NARS lipsticks in the 1990s — you couldn’t really get much cooler than that!) and now, the cheek shades in particular hold a special significance for me, since I wore two of them on my wedding day. Perhaps that’s why I’m so excited about the arrival July 1st of the limited edition #NARSissist Dual-Intensity Cheek Palette ($59), an all-in-one palette that not only has four brand spanking new shades, but covers all of your cheekbone bases with a highlight, blush, and two contouring hues in NARS’ signature Dual-Intensity formula. and simply put, if you just merely look at it, you know that it’s just gorgeous, darling! You’ll find this palette exclusively on NARSCosmetics.com and NARS boutiques July 1st, then available August 1st at Sephora, department and specialty stores.

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June 22, 2016
by Julia DiNardo

It makes me feel very, very badly that I’ve never thought about reef safety when I’ve made my sunscreen choices; after all, if we all enjoy the bounty of the ocean, we should also do everything within out power to also protect it. Just in time for summer comes a fantastic duo from MyChelle, a leader in the natural beauty market, debuting its two mineral-based, broad-spectrum sunscreens, the Sun Shield Clear Spray SPF 30 ($18) and the Sun Shield Clear Stick SPF 50 ($12). Each provides UVA and UVB full-spectrum protection and are formulated without marine-toxic ingredients such as Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Butylparaben, Retinyl Palmitate and 4- methylbenzylidene camphor. Plus its products are packaged in 100% recyclable containers and 1% of its Sun Care proceeds in 2016 go to the Surfrider Foundation, a non-profit focused on protecting the world’s oceans, waves, and beaches. Now that you know the chemical ingredients that effect reef safety and that it’s a real thing, the choice is up to you!
These two new sun protection items are available at select Whole Foods Market stores and MyChelle.com.
June 21, 2016
by Julia DiNardo

Who knew that blackberries could hold the key to amazing, youthful skin? AVEENO‘s new blackberry complex is the key ingredient in its new Absolutely Ageless line of five products (pic here of the four others!): Restorative Night Cream, Daily Moisturizer with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30, a Nourishing Cleanser, Intensive Renewal Serum, and Eye Cream. It provides extreme nourishment thanks to its hydrating and antioxidant properties, and works to reduce elastin and collagen loss, two surefire signs of aging. Keeping the skin well-moisturized and dewy (aka anything but dry) is essential, and layering these products, such as the serum, eye cream and daily moisturizer (my favorite combination) ensure that you’re on the right path.
The AVEENO Absolutely Ageless line retails for $7.99-$19.99 at national food and drug retailers nationwide and online.
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June 20, 2016
by Julia DiNardo

I’m still getting over a cold, but that doesn’t mean I can’t make an attempt at looking my best (well, minus the red nose). I’ve recently been drawn to a lot of Japanese- style pieces, which means looser silhouettes and somewhat of a skill at tying and knotting belts is involved. Because these pieces aren’t so body-hugging, they are certainly comfortable, and a different form of body consciousness and confidence arises. It’s always a good exercise to try a new clothing silhouette, as its just a matter of time before it will happen in fashion anyways. Of course, it’s always crucial to work with your body type, but you’ll know (and feel) if it looks great; you’ll catch yourself smiling!
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