Manolo for the Beauty

The Telegraph had an interesting little article on the “coolest” brands in Britain, which were anointed to be hair products company ghd and skin care line Dermalogica.  They also labeled them as iconic, but I’m not sure I agree.  Then again, I don’t live in Britain.

It got me to thinking about the way I feel about certain brands that I like. I mean, I adore Guerlain lipsticks, but I’m guessing the company is not considered to be “cool.” Doesn’t mean I won’t stop buying them, though. I think I’ve moved past the stage where I’m worried if people will think I’m cool by association of what products I use. Case in point, I drive a minivan.

The definition of cool is so nebulous, and so very dependent upon the person you ask.

If you had to choose the “coolest” beauty brand, what would it be?

In so many ways…

Nusja Jone-Our Bride from Kosovo 2.0 on Vimeo.

It’s that time again! The time where I give some sage advice on things you can buy for those with an appreciation for the specialty of this blog.  And all under fifty bucks!

Beautyblender Makeup Sponge Applicator (2)

For those that prefer liquid foundation/concealer, I have heard nothing but fantabulous things about these applicators.  A bit pricey, but supposedly worth every penny.  Definitely something to give someone who probably wouldn’t spring for it themselves.

Gal Pal The Original Retro Ice Bag

Ladies such as myself will remember that this type of ice bag was pretty much the only game in town when we were kids.  And you know, I kind of miss them because they really did have a nice shape to them that made it easy just to plop it where it was needed.  Comes in lots of cute designs, too!

THE NEW BLACK ‘Graffiti – Ombré Nail Shades’ 5-Piece Set

For the more adventurous nail enthusiast, everything they will need to create the perfect ombre look.  Or not.  That’s the beauty of this gift, because the colors still rock even if they don’t use them as originally intended.

Makeup Studio Blockbuster Palette

Not sure what colors they might like? This palette is guaranteed to have at least a dozen or so, seeing as it contains a whopping 197 products.

M.A.C Iced Delights Lip Bag

Three full sized M.A.C. products for a great price. And a bag to boot!

L’Occitane Verbena Harvest Perfumed Sachet

Nice, natural sachets are hard to come by any more.  This is one of the best.  And who says you have to buy just one?  Makes a perfect hostess gift.

Fekkai Chez Moi Gift Set

I’m a big fan of pretty packaging, and the box for this collection of Fekkai hair products is touted as a collectible.  Inspired by  Aix-en-Provence, France, this is the first year of a new series of gift sets from the company that brings you nice hair.

Stila Lip Glaze Holiday Set

I’m of the opinion that you just can’t go wrong with this set.  You can quote me on that.

Me! Bath Mini Bath Ice Cream Gift Set

Get a bunch or get just one!  These bath fizzies are a fun, unique gift.

Sephora Deluxe Fragrance Sampler For Her

Another almost can’t-go-wrong gift.  And a teensy secret is that if the receiver doesn’t like any of the sample fragrances, they can pick out any one in the store that has the approximate value.  Or, you could do aLash Sampler, or a Sampler for Him.

To all of the beauteous readers of Manolo Beauty!

While I must say not all of these looks are exactly practical, I find myself loving the vinyl-black eyeliner from Shiseido and the Tom Ford lip gloss used as eyeshadow.  I also covet almost all of those nail polishes, even though I don’t really do nail polish.

No, not snow.

It’s what’s coming off my dry winter skin.

It’s finally cold enough here that the thermostat is set to heat all the time. My daughter is a petite two year old who has pretty much no body fat, and so is prone to getting very cold, especially at night. She refuses to sleep under the covers, so heavy fleece pj’s and a high temp is what gets her through the night.

However, it’s wreaking havoc on my skin, of course. That and the fact that I often have to throw the covers off me in the middle of the night have me highly annoyed.

I’ve got my Bare Escentuals Skin Rev-er Upper, but it’s got salicylic acid in it, which isn’t exactly moisturizing. I love what it does for my skin in normal weather, but my skin is dying right now.

Should I supplement? Change lotions altogether? What is your favorite winter skin moisturizer? Do share!

33% of you love getting beauty products for the holidays, and 33% of you would rather have a gift certificate to get them yourself. 20% like it only if they know exactly what they are getting, while 11% say no way.

Sad to say I like picking out my own stuff, but sometimes I will tell my husband what perfume I want and he can get that.   Unless it’s something like lotion or soap, I am more than happy with a gift card.  However, I’ve never been known to turn a beauty product away.

The past four days have found me busy, busy, busy and needing to put product in my hair, which I normally go without unless I’m going somewhere.  The bad thing is that when I go to bed with stuff still in my hair, I break out.   Sometimes my face will break out if I even apply the product, which happens with almost all Paul Mitchell products. It isn’t so bad if I can get it out beforehand, but did I mention the busy and the toddler?

Have you been feeling a little evil lately?  How about judgemental?  Or maybe your ego is getting to be the size of a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon.

Then have I got the makeup for you.

Introducing Karl Lagerfeld for Sephora.

Because everybody wants to take a swipe at Karl, right?

The perfect gift for your non-sleeping toddler, a Kuddly Karl doll!  That’ll teach the little squirt to stop making a fuss at bedtime. “Go to sleep, or I will bring out Uncle Karl!”

And the snowglobe is simply the product of a very deranged mind.

Just the thing I want to see right before I put my makeup on. “YOU. NOT PRETTY ENOUGH. TRY AGAIN. AND AGAIN… FAIL.”

Only Europe is lucky enough to have access to these.

Chanel’s Lumiere Sculptee, which is priced almost as much as something you would put on your walls.

Inspired by the mid-to-late 18th Century (but without the boats, birdcages, and such) hairstyles worn by women of fashion.   For a quick overview of the history of this period in hair, go here.

Love it.

I think I would like to have my hair done to look like this at least once in my life.  I don’t know where the hell I would go with it, but I would look great doing whatever it was I was doing.  Fellow soccer moms, taste the bitterness that comes with a wash and go!

Pictures may be NSFW, so I’ll include them after the jump.  Because I love you and I don’t want you to get fired.

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