Archive for the ‘Chic Appeal’ Category
Sure, true beauty may come from within, but we can all use a little help every now and then. Chic Appeal will help you find beauty bargains that will keep you looking fly without breaking the bank.
Neighborhood inspiration.
August 31st, 2010 by RuthThe refreshed me.
August 24th, 2010 by RuthI was in DESPERATE need of a haircut for quite some time and had the opportunity to visit the Angelo David Salon in Midtown East. With a slew of fashion influencer clients including Caridee English, Elisa Benitez and Irina Shayk, I knew I was in for a customized experience.
While at the hands of Creative Director Meaghan Frayne, I observed the art of hand-made couture hair extensions. I watched a stylist go through the painstaking task of removing each hair extension in preparation of dying the client’s hair, to only reapply new custome extensions. As Meaghan trimmed my long, lifeless locks into a shaped, angled cut that I could continue to wear in my boho chic fashion, I felt a sense of relief and empowerment. Finally, my look was updated, reflective of the refreshed, newer me.
Full Disclosure: David Angelo Salon provided services for feature/review.
VIP Treatment Room
Color Bar
Angelo David products
Tools
The final look!
Pretty shades of green.
April 22nd, 2010 by Ruth
Happy Earth Day! Interestingly, forty years ago, 20 million Americans joined together for the first time to demonstrate for a healthy sustainable environment. And now, with a broad spectrum of companies and eco-friendly news outlets targeting every type of consumer, there is absolutely no reason for you to not make a conscious effort to reduce your eco-footprint. If you’ve been following us on Twitter (@chic_thrills), you will see that we’ve shared a number of every day green tips. Now, I’d like to share a few of my favorite pretty green products.
The Body Shop Spa Wisdom™ Morocco Black Olive & Argan Oil Scrub, $28
I’ve been using this smooth, luxurious exfoliant scrub for about 3 weeks now. Every time I open the jar, a burst of luscious, deep, intoxicating scents reminiscent of days spent on the Bosphorus and at the Dead Sea take over my senses. I find it leaves my skin smooth, silky, and refreshed after each use. Plain and simple – I’m obsessed! And then when I found out that The Body Shop partnered with Earth Aid, I was even more infatuated.
For those of you who don’t know, find out. This D.C.-based energy start-up is the first and only service that enables households to track all utility usage and savings in one place and online. Yes chicskates, the service is not only free but for using it, you accumulate Earth Aid Rewards points that can be utilized at The Body Shop! For every 75 Earth Aid Rewards points earned, The Body Shop offers $10 off any purchase of $50 or more! Sign up here.
L'Oréal Professionel The Serie Nature Collection Abondance de Cacao
When I first saw the L’Oréal Professionel Abondance de Cacao shampoo I was a little hesitant to use it. I mean, who wants a brown shampoo that smells like chocolate in their shower? Well, I pushed my apprehensions aside and used it and fell in love – again. Silicone free and 100% natural color, this revitalizing shampoo releases a bouquet of cacao, not chocolate, and fresh mint straight off the sprig during each use. I mean, the second you squeeze the shampoo into your hand, there is this waft of deliciousness that fills the air. It leaves my baby fine hair manageable, full of body and light.
Demeter Dirt, $10
Believe it or not, I’m an “outdoorsey” person. I frequent parks, botanical gardens, and flower shows often. To me, there is nothing that smells more natural and fresh than the great out doors and this Demeter Naturals Dirt embodies this. Made with 100% all natural essential oils, Demeter Dirt consists of 95% natural ingredients and are earth friendly. Available at a price that any chicskate can afford, Dirt and other Demeter scents are a no-brainer.
Sweet dreams.
March 29th, 2010 by Catherine
Since first smelling Love’s Baby Soft in the sixth grade, I haven’t encountered a more darling, delicate fragrance. Don’t get me wrong – I’m hooked on my signature scents that tend to be a mish-mash of spicy florals, but I remain a sucker for childhood-invoking perfumes. Johnsons’ Baby Bedtime Wash smells so lovely, I wish I could spritz it around my house instead of just using it in the shower. It doesn’t smell too babyish, just lightly sweet and ever so delicious.
{Johnson’s Bedtime Bath, $8.29}
Daily Diamond: Fresh Sugar Pin-Up Lip Gloss
March 24th, 2010 by Catherine
I’ve become quite the picky consumer when it comes to choosing a new lip gloss. It must provide adequate shine, without looking like I’ve coated my lips in glass. It shouldn’t be too tacky, so in the event I’m caught in a windstorm, my hair won’t end up shellacked to my face. And as a bonus, it should taste good, although it’s not a high-priority requirement. I tried Fresh’s Sugar Pin-Up Lip Gloss over the weekend after honing in on the gorgeous crimson hue. I rarely wear bold lips, but have gradually begun to incorporate them into everyday life. This gloss is the perfect starter for the timid, because it gives just enough color to look polished, without the worry of looking too bold. And yes, it just so happens to taste like a lemon dipped in sugar. Yum!
Soft as a…
March 24th, 2010 by Catherine
Throughout the winter, I tend to complain about how dry my skin gets with the lack of humidity in the air. Given that my skin is dry to begin with, barometric fluxes tend to wreak havoc, generally making my skin feel tight and itchy. In addition to moisturizing daily, I also keep Neutrogena’s Body Oil close at hand. After my nightly shower, I massage this onto my back, legs, arms, and chest, slip into my PJs, and am guaranteed to wake up silky-soft come morning. I adore its delicate scent, but for all you perfume haters, the formula comes fragrance-free, too.
{Body Oil, Neutrogena, $10.49}
Rub a dub scrub.
March 23rd, 2010 by Ruth
There’s nothing more luxurious than a luscious bar of lathering soap. And after taking a soap making class with Sarah from Goldie’s at The Brooklyn Kitchen, my boyfriend and I have a new found respect for the art. However, until I can learn how to muster the courage to make it myself, I’m sticking with other homemade soaps.
That said, I got my hands on a bar of VMV Hypoalergenics Glykeros Lift Off Scrubbing Body Bar. After one shower, I was hooked! This little bar of heaven transforms into a creamy, fluffy lather that scrubbed and cleansed my skin with mild bamboo crystals and little spheres of cirebelle beads. I got out of my shower feeling clean, refreshed, and lightly scented. I HIGHLY recommend giving this little guy a shot.
PS – Follow The Brooklyn Kitchen on Twitter @thebklynkitchen. They have AMAZING classes and provide interesting insightful Tweets.
Citrus warfare.
March 22nd, 2010 by Catherine
I’ve been under a little more stress than usual, and its nasty side effects have cropped up all over my face. Well, not all over, but still – the three pimples I’m sporting are not welcome to stay through the week, especially with a big business meeting looming ahead. I was out of my usual face wash, so on Friday, I picked up Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Pink Grapefruit Acne Wash Facial Cleanser. The lengthy name does a great job of summing up exactly what it does, which is scare these blemishes into submission, all while smelling faintly of sweet citrus. I’ve washed my face with it all through the weekend, and already I’ve noticed a whole lot of shrinkage.
{Oil-Free Pink Grapefruit Acne Wash Facial Cleanser, Neutrogena, $7.99}
Daily Diamond: Fresh Sugar Lychee Candle
March 18th, 2010 by Catherine
As the weather warms up, so too does my appeal for fragrance, fragrance everywhere. I tend to keep a supply of candles on hand for burning when I’m home, switching them up depending on the season (woodsy and spicy ones for the winter, light florals for spring and summer) but always gravitate towards this one from Fresh. Its scent is such a delicate blend of florals and citrus, it makes me want to do nothing more than kick back in a hammock with a good book and some lemonade.
{Sugar Lychee Candle, Fresh, $48.00}
Oui, oui, Paris.
March 17th, 2010 by Ruth
Balenciaga Paris {Coty is a client}
As spring is finally in the air, there is nothing more important for soul and being than feeling beautiful, strong and fresh. That said, I’m ushering the season in with the new scent, Balenciaga Paris. Talented perfumer Olivier Polge has expertly created a fragrance with a delicate mystery that strikes a chord with any fragrance lover.
Simple and pure with no embellishments, the fragrance is housed in a gorgeous blown glass bottle. The demure violet note is pleasant as today’s springy sunshine. And while I’m typically drawn to muskier scents, the floral notes aren’t overwhelming with added pepper and calm, mossy wood.
Charlotte Gainsbourg, the face of Balenciaga Paris, embodies French elegance, as Nicolas Ghesquiere explains. An alchemy between chic and impertinence, “This fragrance is just like her.” Click here to watch a video with Nicolas Ghesquiere and Charlotte Gainsbourg surrounding the making of the fragrance.
