With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, its time to consider giving ourselves a little bit of love.

Starting February 9th (that’s soon, people!), and through February 11th, those who shop $200 worth of beauty at Barneys, be it online or in store, will receive a sweet little swag bag filled to bursting with all of our favorite brands.

The LOVE YOURSELF gift bag includes the likes of Deborah Lippman, NARS, Radical Skincare, 3Lab, Cle de Peau, Kai, Frederic Malle, Lipstick Queen…and so much more!

Forget prince charming. This Valentine’s day, LOVE YOURSELF at Barneys New York.

Love Yourself This Valentine’s Day at Barneys NY is a post from: Krasey Beauty

Our first introduction to the Kevyn Aucoin led us down the path of eye makeup essentials. Now, allow me to delve deeper.

Further fueling the flames of obsession in my beauty loving heart is this recent addition to my palette assemblage, Kevyn Aucoin’s Essential Eyeshadow Palette in Number 6. Housed in this sleek red compact are five rich, silky shades of eye shadow love.

Shade 1 is a soft, shimmering, seafoam green.

Shade 2 is a multi-dimensional, shimmery white.

Shade 3 is a sparkling silvery green.

Shade 4, my favorite of the bunch, is a rich, shimmering purple.

Shade 5, the darkest shade in the palette, is a satiny black, to line and contour.

Kevyn Aucoin Essential Eye Palette 6 Swatched

Kevyn Aucoin’s The Essential Eye Palette is an eye palette worthy of your attention. Look for it both online, and at your local Barneys.

Kevyn Aucoin Essential Eye Shadow Palette in 6 is a post from: Krasey Beauty

In the world of beauty, there are certain names in the business that precede themselves. The late Kevyn Aucoin (and his beloved brand) is one such name. An innovator and artist in every sense of the world, his was an aesthetic that changed the world of beauty and beauty education as you and I know it. In life, he was an educator and innovator. During his life and beyond, his is a brand that personifies luxury and quality. Let’s discuss that brand some more now, shall we?

The eyes have it, in my first introduction to Kevyn Aucoin’s line of beauty products. Here are the eye all stars.

Meet the beauty tool that has me saying Shu, who? This wonderfully crafted eyelash curler leaves my lashes curled up, fanned out, and fabulous with just the lightest of squeezes. This lash curler is so wonderfully crafted, it’s a work of art in and of itself.

Kevyn Aucoin Cosmetics Basic White Liner

Eye Liner Pencils in Black, White

Kevyn Aucoin Cosmetics Basic Black Eye Pencil

Always and forever my objects of obsession, creamy, longwearing eye liner pencils are the instruments that a well-defined eye make. Playing up the contrasts between light and dark rather nicely are these Kevyn Aucoin Eye Pencils in Basic White, and Basic Black. When used together, these luscious pencils make magic.

Kevyn Aucoin The Prime Color Creme Eye Shadow Decadent

Prime Color Crème Shadow

Acting as both base and color, the Prime Color Crème Eyeshadow is a clickable cream/gel formula that glides on with the most beautiful of shimmering shades. Happily, these crèmes go the distance too, lasting all day and all night long.

Swatches:

Kevyn Aucoin Swatches White and Black Essential Pencils, Brunette Eyebrow Pencil, and Cream Shadow in Decadent

Transcending the concept of basic beauty and everyday beauty products, Kevyn Aucoin is a name to know. Look for these products both online, and at a Barney’s counter near you.

Kevyn Aucoin Beauty, An Introduction Complete with Swatches is a post from: Krasey Beauty

Say hello to the new tool in the war against unsightly blackheads on your nose, Boscia’s Pore Purifying Black Strips. With all of the clarifying power of Boscia’s Luminizing Black Mask, these easy to use strips kick blackheads and pore clogging residue to the curb with a blend of Charcoal Powder to detox, Silica to control oil, Witch Hazel Extract to tighten pores, Jojoba Leaf to nourish, and Willowherb to reduce redness and irritation.  Gone are those boring, ineffective strips you became so familiar with in the 90’s. Yes, those strips.

Since we had so much fun with the mask, let’s give the strips the same step-by-step treatment. Individual routines may vary, but the end result is sure to be the same.

Step 1: Open the box, pull out a strip, marvel over how silly you will probably look while using it.

Step 2: Thoroughly wash your face, leaving your nose good and soggy.

Step3: Dry your hands thoroughly, then peel the strip from its clear backing, and proceed to place the unsightly thing over the problematic, blackhead-prone area of the bridge of your honker.

Step 4: Avoid all mirrors and cameras, because you look pretty darned kooky right about now. Consider sharing these strips with a friend or family member, because looking silly is more fun in numbers.

Step 5: Wait about fifteen minutes for the strip to dry. You know you’re having fun now.

Step 6: Proceed to gently pull off the strip, and marvel at all of the gunk, gook, junk, and other nastiness left on the strip, and not on your schnoz.

Step 7: Dance around in joy, for your nose is smooth, clean, and clear as can be!

Song and dance aside, I am absolutely loving these Pore Purifying Strips for all that they do for my complexion. If blackheads are your problem, these are the solution.

The nose strip of your teenage years gets an update, with Boscia’s awesome Pore Purifying Black Strips. Look for these gems today, online and at your local Sephora.

Boscia Pore Purifying Black Strips is a post from: Krasey Beauty

Make Up For Ever Neons Star Powder 951

Make Up For Ever Neons Rouge Artist Intense 36

Make Up For Ever Neons Lab Shine D2

Make Up For Ever Neons Aqua Eye Pencil 17L

Make Up For Ever Neons Aqua Cream 10

Rouge Artist 36, Diamond Gloss D2 , Aqua Liner 17L, Star Powder 951, Aqua Cream 10

All Make Up For Ever products are available both online, and at your local Sephora.

Random Acts of Make Up For Ever Swatching is a post from: Krasey Beauty

Keratin Perfect Haircare

For those of you who have been keeping up, I have put my hair through no small amount of body work. From blow-outs to dramatic chop-offs, I’ve sought relief from the normally lackluster appearance of this mane of mine. In fact, it was not too long ago that I experienced my first Keratin Straightening treatment at the Maria Bonita Salon. While I loved the immediate results of my sleeker (not straighter) hair, I quickly became frustrated at the lack of longevity of the admittedly short-term treatment fix. I was also a bit hesitant to fork over hundreds of dollars and several hours of my time to have the treatment done again, which brings me back to square one some 8 months later.

I cannot sugar-coat when discussing the natural state of my curly, frizzy mop. My hair is unmanageable at worst, and problematic at best. It could be worse, I know. But, not counting hair loss in women, frizz is probably one of the largest hair afflictions out there. Curly, frizzy, coarse, and color-treated pretty much sums it up, folks. It is for that very reason, that I am so grateful for a line that works to solve those problems, in an easy to attain and even easier to upkeep full haircare regimen. Folks, that regimen comes from brand new Keratin Perfect Haircare.

Keratin Perfect is a comprehensive line of haircare products designed to infuse hair with sleek-ifying keratin proteins, and other good-for-hair elements. The process begins with a special leave-in home grade keratin treatment, meant to deposit the good stuff into the hair via an activated gel and high heat (over 400 degrees, Fahrenheit) hair iron. The process then continues with keratin-depositing shampoo and conditioner, mists, leave-ins, and styling products, all designed to create a comprehensive regimen that keeps hair on its best behavior.

The end result is sleeker, shinier, less frizzled hair. While it took me 2 successive treatments and several weeks to really start seeing the results, I am happy to report that great results I did see. My hair is remarkably shinier, smoother, and significantly easier to manage. My curls are by no means out of commission, but they are looser. Plus, with the styling products and cleansers, my hair is staying beautiful. All in all, a huge thumbs up from me.

The full Keratin Perfect lineup is available exclusively at your local Sephora store.

Sleek and Chic with Keratin Perfect- A Haircare Review is a post from: Krasey Beauty

Here’s what I used:

Face: Usual Suspects, Make Up For Ever Primer and Foundation, Bronzer to contour, blush to highlight

Eyes: NARS Pro Prime Eye Primer, Make Up For Ever Number 0, 75, 160, Make Up For Ever Aqua Black, Urban Decay Liner in Deviant, YSL Volume Effets Faux Cils Mascara

Lips: Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense in Fuchsia.

Thoughts?

Krasey FOTD, Turning on the Brights with make Up For Ever is a post from: Krasey Beauty

Everyone has heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder. This condition makes people depressive and alters sleep rhythms in the winter. When the sun goes down early and you are stuck inside all day, it can seem like the sun doesn’t exist at all. Not getting exposure can decrease the levels of Vitamin D in your body and wreak havoc on your mood and make your skin pale and clammy.

In order to remedy the problem of people not getting enough sunlight, Phillips has created a device that emits special goLite BLU energy rays that act as a replacement for the sun. Offices around the world are buying these in order to increase worker satisfaction and make office workers a little less pale and grumpy.

If you are going to step outside to get some natural sunlight, you should always take precautions. We know that lathering on a bunch of sunscreen is the most important part of skin care in the summer. But when the temperature drops we usually forget about the dangers of the sun. An article of Stylist interviews Doctor Alex Kahdavi who says that reflection from things like snow and water can increase the radiation levels in the sun’s rays and cause worse damage than direct light.

If you don’t want to go out, but want to beat the blues, you can always visit the local mall and immerse yourself in some retail therapy. Every store from the grocer to the jewelry store with the black diamond ring employs a specialized lighting scheme that is designed to sell you more stuff. While businesses are trying to make a profit off of you, you can still reap the benefits of their psychological marketing efforts.

If you are feeling nervous, anxious, or depressed it could be because you are working too much or stuck on the couch watching reruns of Coach. In order to stay healthy you are going to need a good level of light. Don’t become a shut in and cut yourself off from the natural world.

Let There Be Light! is a post from: Krasey Beauty

Borghese’s Splendore All Over Body Bronzer is available both online, and in stores now.

Beauty Bite- Borghese Splendore Bronzer is a post from: Krasey Beauty

Mally's Beans High Shine Lip Gloss Collection

When it comes to innovation, function, and beautiful packaging, Mally Beauty always brings it. Bringing everywoman from the basic babe to the full out glamazon products that not only work, but work hard. There’s always something new and amazing being thrown into the mix, so let’s just go ahead and have a look at some semi-recent additions to her line, shall we?

Mally Evercolor Cream Shadows Brown and Plum

Waterproof Brightening Cream Shadow is a brand new formulation for Mally, a cream shadow that not only packs longwearing pigment, but also multi-dimensional, eye-opening shine. Each pot comes with a brush for application, but I prefer to use my own clean fingers!

Swatched:

L-R Plum, Bronze

Inspired by her very own little jellybeans, her adorable children, Mally created the Mally’s Beans High Shine Lip Gloss Collection, which comes with four delightfully miniature shades of her high-impact, long-wearing, high shine liquid lipstick, and a mini bag of Jelly Belly Jelly Beans in Cotton Candy, Bubble Gum, and Coconut. The shades are all gorgeously buildable, and done up in various degrees of pink.

Mama Bean, a shimmering pink shade

Mally's Beans High Shine Lip Gloss Collection Mama Bean

Pilar Bean, a sparkling hot pink shade

Mally's Beans High Shine Lip Gloss Collection Pilar Bean

Sophie Bean, a strawberry pink shade

Mally's Beans High Shine Lip Gloss Collection Sophie Bean

Vivienne Bean, a soft nude shade

Mally's Beans High Shine Lip Gloss Collection Vivienne Bean

Mally Ultimate Performance Professional Foundation in Fair

Not to be ignored, Mally’s Ultimate Performance Foundation is another solid hit, bringing me complexion perfection in one easy and adorably pink compact.

Webcam gif

Always bringing the wonderful in abundance, Mally Beauty’s newest cosmetic additions have this beauty-savant pealing with joy. Look for all of these beauty goodies on QVC, and online. For a special treat, be sure to keep an eye out for her QVC appearances, too.

More Mally Beauty Goodness, With Swatches! is a post from: Krasey Beauty