April 8, 2016
by Julia DiNardo
[Some favorite hues from the L’Oreal Colour Riche Eye Shadow Collection]
L’Oreal has come out with a bevy of incredible cosmetics recently, but for me, my love of the Colour Riche Eye Shadow is about as intense as the shades are magnificently gorgeous. The shade Pain au Chocolat (#207) came with me on my trip to Japan, and ended up being the perfect compliment to both my day and night attire, smoothly gliding on over the lids with my fingertip, or thinning it out along the lash line with an eyeliner brush applicator. The well-edited assortment of just 15 colors come in compact, beautiful packaging, and the matte and/or shimmery options stay in the range of ‘adult-friendly’ hues; none of them skew too “young” or too “costumey.” Last but not least, the best part could possibly be that Colour Riche Eye Shadow retails for just $5.99 each, at mass food and drug retailers nationwide and online at Ulta.com.
[Colors from the two new Morgan Taylor lines include Wish Upon a Starboard and Street Cred-ible]
Oh, the things I do in the name of research, like test out new shades from one of my favorite nail polish brands… I know, I know; my job can be VERY difficult sometimes! I’ve gradually been trying out new shades from the Morgan Taylor A Very Nauti-cal Girl Collection and the Street Beat Collection (both available starting May 2016), which both provide a vibrant, upbeat assortment of colors that are certain to enhance and enrich your boho infused summer wardrobe. Pictured above are a favorite of mine from each of the collections, but you can expect some great hue variety, such as Catch My Drift, a cobalt crème, and Give Me a Break-dance, a teal pearl. As always, each bottle retails for $9, available at MorganTaylorLacquer.com starting next month.
April 5, 2016
by Julia DiNardo
“I don’t care if you make fun of me,” I said to my husband somewhere around the mid-marker of our 14 hour flight to Japan, “but by the time we step off of the plane, my skin is going to look amazing!” Indeed, I had no choice but to use the BioRepublic Lost Baggage Under Eye Emergency Repair Mask ($5) while in the air, since we would have been up for 30 hours by the time we arrived at our hotel, and when I see how tired I look, it always makes me feel WAY worse.
Sitting on a plane for an extensive period of time can certainly dehydrate the body, and the skin is no exception; I wash my hands and lotion them frequently, spritz mists onto my face, and “mask up” as much as possible to avoid dryness.
BioRepublic offers individually sold and sets of masks that are easy to pack and easy to wear as the ideal in-flight companion, drenched with creams and serums and formulated without parabens, sulfates, pthalates, or triclosan. Also being dermatologist tested means that they’ve been vetted and are safe for use for a variety of skin types, and since I skew on the sensitive side, it’s something I always keep on the look out for. Besides the brand’s eye mask option, you can shop plenty of all-over face sheet masks that range from the Green Tea Detox Purifying Mask and Pomegranate Crush Brightening Mask (both pictured) to the Cucumber Breeze Soothing Mask and No More Years Eternal Radiance Biocellulose Mask.
At a price range of $5-$10 per mask, it’s easy to get the hydration you need at a price that won’t cause you to balk. Shop at BioRepublic.com and see here for a list of retailers.
April 1, 2016
by Julia DiNardo
It’s no longer good enough to allow style products to just…style. In an increasingly busy world, and a conscious eye turned toward products with multiple benefits (BB and CC Creams, as an example), premium products most certainly have to deliver on an array of results. The Style + Care Infusions from Pureology all feature protection from heat damage and strengthens hair while enhancing what is most needed for three different dominant hair needs.
The Pure Volume Style + Care Infusion is best for fine to medium and even thick colour-treated hair with the star ingredient being wheat protein to help enhance hair fibers and also reduce tangling and breakage issues. Smooth Perfection Style + Care Infusion is best for medium to thick/course hair and features smoothing oils such as camellia, sesame, and Shea butter along with the brand’s Thermal Anti-Fade complex. Curl Complete Style + Care Infusion is designated for colour-treated curls and waves and highlights its ingredients of coconut oil and Vitamin E for softness and curl definition. Like Pureology says about these products, “Your hair, only better,” and of course I wouldn’t share this, unless I completely agreed about the results!
All products should be applied to damp hair, after its been washed and conditioned, and retail for $34 each at Pureology.com, Ulta, and salons nationwide.
Full Disclosure: Pureology gave Fashion Pulse Daily samples for editorial consideration.
March 31, 2016
by Julia DiNardo
[The greeting party at Sheva Royal Thai Spa]
I’ve never been to Thailand before, but if pampering along the lines of what I experienced at the Sheva Royal Thai Spa is the norm there…I should start looking at flights immediately. Luckily, I can instead venture to Midtown East, where Sheva’s founder Naomi Hurvitz has created an urban oasis, the perfect respite from a busy work week where I can return to an ideal mind/body balance thanks to the range of Thai massage, facials, foot treatments, and nail services offered. Being conscious of relaxation and time, services come in both abbreviated and extended duration, so that if all you can do is escape for 30 minutes at lunch, it’s better to indulge for some time than no time at all!
Services are easy to book online or through the Sheva app, and if you’d like to visit the spa as a steady part of your routine, monthly memberships are available for manicures and foot treatments. I had a foot treatment, which included a warm foot soak with sea salt and essential oils, combined with foot reflexology and massage, which, reclining in a massage chair for the service, was like two treatments in one. With nail services starting at $20, and accommodating hours (Thursdays and Fridays are 8am-8pm), this is one holistic-oriented, welcoming place that you’ll want to keep on your radar for a visit in the near future.
Sheva Royal Thai Spa is located at 500 Lexington Avenue in New York City, with a second location found in the Hilton Hotel, Tel Aviv.
