Beauty Sales: Week of May 30th

Gilt:

• NuFace: Facial Toning Device (Sale begins Noon ET 6/1)

Hautelook:

• MOR, Neil George (Sale begins 8am PT 5/30)
• Crown Brush (Sale begins 8am PT 5/31)
• Alison Raffaele, Whitening Lightning (Sale begins 8am PT 6/1)
• Chaacoca, Immoral Tanning (Sale begins 8am PT 6/2)
• Baby Quasar, bellapierre (Sale begins 8am PT 6/3)

Ideeli:

• e.v.a. haircare (Sale begins 11am ET 5/31)
• lava flo, tweezerman (Sale begins 11am ET 6/3)
• beauty- must haves (Sale begins 11am ET 6/4)

All Things Pretty: The Skinny on Maxi's

Maxi dresses are a great staple for your summer wardrobe. Whether you accessorize with a chunky belt, a statement necklace, or embellished sandals, you're bound to find a maxi style that works for you.

1. Topshop Orange Rose Smocked Maxi Dress $76

2. T-Bags Studded Slub-Jersey Maxi Dress $210

3. Tibi Meranda beaded cotton-voile maxi dress $495

4. dELiAs Ethnic Print Maxi Dress $39.50

5. Splendid Strapless cotton and modal-blend maxi dress $105

6. Juicy Couture Printed silk-georgette maxi dress $380

7. ZIMMERMANN Labyrith cutout printed silk-chiffon maxi dress $450

8. Topshop Embroidered swirl maxi dress $510

Review: Formula 10.0.6

Formula 10.0.6 is a skincare line by Bonne Bell Co. that I had never heard of prior to an Ulta adventure where I was on a mission to try out an all new skincare routine. Here are my thoughts on a few products from their line.

BEST

Deep Down Detox Ultra-Cleansing Mud Mask I love this mask! It smells like sweet citrus and is perfect for a mid-week treat for your skin.

Keep Me Clean Purifying Facial Wipes These wipes not only smell great, and remove your makeup without drying your skin, but they really do remove all of your makeup without much effort.

One Smooth Operator Pore Clearing Face Scrub The exfoliator gets down...in your pores of course! It not only exfoliates your skin, leaving your skin smooth, but clears up impurities.

WORST

Best Face Forward Daily Foaming Cleanser This was helping clear up my acne scarring, so I thought things were going good, until I started breaking out- at this point I had only been using this in my routine, so I knew this was what broke me out.

Seriously Shine Free Mattifying Oil-Free moisturizer My skin is combination, a little oily and a little dry in places. I figured this should keep my skin in balance, and it did- but all too well. My skin began peeling off and cracking. Nothing not even my heaviest moisturizer would prevent it even a week after I stopped using this.

Beauty Sales: Week of May 23rd

Gilt:

• Beauty & the beach: Clarins, Ojon, MALIN+GOETZ & more (Sale begins Noon ET 5/25)

Hautelook:

• Freeze 24-7 (Sale begins 8am PT 5/23)
• Macadamia Hair Oil (Sale begins 8am PT 5/24)
• QuickTrim (Sale begins 8am PT 5/25)
• Bremenn Research Labs, Hairdo by Jessica Simpson, Three Custom Color Hair Specialists (Sale begins 8am PT 5/26)
• Beauty Gadget Day, skyn ICELAND (Sale begins 8am PT 5/27)

Ideeli:

• Pangea Organics (Sale begins 11am ET 5/23)

All Things Pretty: Pirates of the Caribbean Inspired

In honor of yesterday's movie premiere of "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" (which was great), here are a few of my favorite pirate inspired pieces.

1. Topshop Black Sheer Lace Up Blouse $75

2. Rag & bone Zip-detailed stretch-cotton skinny pants $200

3. Alexander McQueen Skull-print silk-chiffon scarf $295

4. OPI Stranger Ties Nail polish $8.50

5. 3.1 Phillip Lim Sash-collar silk-chiffon blouse $375

6. Topshop Black Fringe Leggings $40

7. Forever 21 Beaded Leatherette Sandals $22.80

8. OPI Steady as she Rose Nail polish $8.50

All Things Pretty: Short on Prints

With warm weather comes fun prints and patterns on the market. Sure, you can buy the conventional floral skirt, tank or dress, but what about shorts? This versatile style can be worn with anything from a breezy tunic, to a chunky knit sweater, or a plain tank.

1. Topshop Rust Tribal Print Contrast Waistband Lace Trim Shorts $70

2. Forever 21 Pleated Floral Shorts $17.80

3. Tibi Marble Print Shorts $198

4. Free People Printed Woven Shorts $39.99

5. ASOS Bird Oriental Jersey Cullotes $27.70

6. Parker Blackwave Shorts $165

7. Nom De Plume by YaYa Trip Short $54

8. J.Crew Batik saunter short $79.50

Gossip Girl "The Wrong Goodbye" Fashion Round-Up

Jenny Packham's Cruise 2011

Amirita Singh Beatrice earrings

Diane von Furstenberg clutch

M.C.L Snowflake cuff

Blair:

Alexis Mabille Fall 2010 Couture dress

Alberta Ferretti coat

Sequin earrings

Chuck:

Thomas Pink shirt

Hugo Boss coat

Drake for Barney's tie

Dior shoes

M&S Schmalberg pin

Marchesa 2007

Sequin earrings

Kara Ross cuff

Lia Sophia and Swarovski rings

Carlos Falchi clutch

Pamela Dennis Couture dress

Alexis Bittar bracelet

Double Happiness earrings

Nancy Gonzalez clutch

Matthew Williamson dress

Mara Hoffman bathing suit

Rag and Bone denim jacket

Bottega Veneta handbag

Stephen Dweck necklace

Sigerson Morrison stone ornament thong sandals

Beauty Sales: Week of May 16th

Gilt:

• H2Pro Hair Tools (Sale begins Noon ET 5/18)
• By Terry Cosmetics (Sale begins Noon ET 5/19)

Hautelook:

• kaplanMD, Rock & Republic Beauty (Sale begins 8am PT 5/16)
• Barielle, RapidLash (Sale begins 8am PT 5/17)
• Skinn Cosmetics (Sale begins 8am PT 5/18)
• Lotus Cosmetics (Sale begins 8am PT 5/19)
• Beauty Problem Solvers, Lash Advance, Sprayology (Sale begins 8am PT 5/20)

Ideeli:

• Deep Sea Cosmetics (Sale begins 11am ET 5/16)

Quote du Jour: Sarah Jessica-Parker as Carrie Bradshaw

Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City.

I don't believe in email. I'm an old-fashioned girl. I prefer calling and hanging up.

As we drive along this road called life, occasionally a gal will find herself a little lost. And when that happens, I guess she has to let go of the coulda, shoulda, woulda, buckle up and just keep going.

When it comes to life and love, why do we believe our worst reviews?

p.s. check out this funny article about Carrie Bradshaw's living expenses on the-frenemy.com that I found via nyc.popsugar.com

Gossip Girl "Shattered Bass" Fashion Round-Up

Good afternoon Upper East Siders, get the lo-down on what Serena, and all the Gossip Girls wore on Monday's episode.

You know you love me...

xoxo Gossip Girl

Dior F/W 2009 dress

Sequin necklace

Stephen Dweck necklace

Sorrelli necklace

Swarovski ring

Alexis Mabille Fall 2010 Couture dress

Sequin earrings

Pheobe Marais by Milly coat

Fendi dress

Oscar de la Renta scarf

Vince Camuto 'Kain' pumps

Hue tights

Lous Vuitton Les Extraordinaires Monogram Guipure

Who Wore it better?

Pamela Dennis Couture

Serena- season 1

OR

Charlie- season 4

Next Week's season finale preview:

Georgina is back...

Marchesa 2007

Serena fights back...

Jenny Packham's Cruise 2011

Sweet Sale: Beauty.com Friends & Family Sale

The Beauty.com Friends and Family sale begins today and lasts through Friday, May 15th.

Follow Beauty.com on twitter @beautydotcom

Review: May 2011 Birchbox

This month's box includes:

Jouer Mini Tinted Lip Enhancer- A satiny moisturizer loaded with healing vitamin E and shea butter, plus plumping peptides Extra: Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint

BVLGARI Mon Jasmin Noir- The Italian fragrance house's latest winner has waves of ripe fruit with a base of heady jasmine.

Erno Laszlo TranspHuse Night Serum- A wrinkle-fighting wonder from the cult skincare brand. Apply to clean skin at night for noticeably smoother, firmer skin.

Archipelago Pomegranate Soap- A triple-milled (read: ultra-smooth) soap loaded antioxidant-rich white tea and pomegranate to gently cleans hands and body.

Birchbox Treat: Tiny Prints Card- We're hooked on Tiny Prints, which lets you customize all their adorable greeting cards, from birthday wishes to thank you notes.

Check out Birchbox:

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Beauty Sales: Week of May 9th

Gilt:

• Dr. Hauschka (Sale begins Noon ET 5/12)

Hautelook:

• BriteSmile, LORAC (Sale begins 8am PT 5/9)
• Being True (Sale begins 8am PT 5/10)
• Creative Hair Tools, VIOlight (Sale begins 8am PT 5/11)
• Divaderme, ME! bath (Sale begins 8am PT 5/12)
• Alterna, Amal Oils, Supergoop!, TanTowel, Twist & Pout (Sale begins 8am PT 5/13)

Ideeli:

• Colorescience (Sale begins 11am ET 5/9)

Tip du Jour: Sweat Stains Fast Fix

Unsightly sweat stains on your favorite white tee or tank? Try this to get rid of stains in one wash!

Ingredients:

• 2 to 3 non-coated baby aspirin
• 2 to 3 tablespoons of water

Directions:

1. Crush 2 to 3 baby aspirin in a plastic bag
2. Mix the crushed aspirin with approx 2 tbsp. of warm water with a toothbrush
3. Put some of the mixture onto the toothbrush and brush it into the desired area, both the inside and out
4. Wash the shirt as usual
5. Repeat as needed

Gift Guide: Mother's Day 2011

Happy Mother's Day to all, here are 4 of my top picks for your mother! (plus a bonus!)

1. Dogeared 'Healing Gems' Cherry Quartz Long Pendant Necklace $38 This beautiful quartz stone is available in four different colors on a gold chain, and it's a perfect way to incorporate a little color into a drab outfit.
2. Banana Republic Heritage Dawn feather scarf $39.99 This shimmery scarf is beautiful and is perfect for any casual or dressy outfit. It can even double as a shawl or coverup on the beach!
3. Philosophy With Gratitude $22 Show some gratitude for your mom with this Philosophy 16 fl oz. triple-use body wash, bubble bath, and shampoo.
4. L'Occitane Sparkling Verbena Mother's Day Kit $55 This verbena scented gift set includes some of L'Occitane's most popular products, and it's nearly 30% off right now and ships free if you order online. This set includes; Verbena Shower Gel 8.4 fl oz, Verbena Body Lotion 8.4 fl oz, Shea Hand Cream 1 oz, Two Verbena Shea Soaps 3.5 oz each, Verbena Perfumed Sachet, and a Mother's Day card.

BONUS: Shop at Tory Burch from May 5-8, and get this adorable mirror as a gift with a $250 purchase.

Beauty Sales: Week of May 2nd

Gilt:

• Beauty Secret Weapons: Tweezerman, Miss Oops & More (Sale begins Noon ET 5/4)
• Mario Badescu (Sale begins Noon ET 5/5)

Hautelook:

• Red Ginger Cosmetics (Sale begins 8am PT 5/2)
• Lava Flo (Sale begins 8am PT 5/3)
• Oscar Blandi (Sale begins 8am PT 5/4)
• La Fresh, Paula Dorf (Sale begins 8am PT 5/5)
• Colorevolution (Sale begins 8am PT 5/6)