The BB Cream reviews continue with a focus on how it's applicable to brown skin. I started this with looking at a series of BB Creams that I wanted to include and last week I covered The Body Shop and Palmer's. Today my focus on achieveing great looking skin continues with Avon and Jane Iredale. Check out what my thoughts are on both of these creams and see the range of hues that are available.
May 09, 2013
Trendy Thursdays ~ Kitten Lounge Studies BB Creams
Over the next few weeks, I will be focusing on BB Creams - we've seen them in a number of ads, hearing our friends rave about them and more! I have requested a number of BB Creams and will be trying these out for you guys so that you know what works best and more importantly, for those that are in darker skin tones - what works for our skin? I will be sharing my findings on the following BB Creams - Jane Iredale, Avon, Palmer's, The Body Shop, Aveeno and Maybelline. BB Creams (which stands for Blemish Balm, Blemish Base or Beauty Balm) are still new into the Western market but have flourished in East and Southeast Asia. Those who use it do so as they are an all in one facial product that is meant to replace serums, moisturizers, primers, foundation and sunblock! You can wear it alone as a tinted moisturizer, you can opt to wear it over moisturizer and serums as if it is foundation and it can be worn under your powder. The opportunities are endless and of course, I'll share my thoughts and alternate uses.
November 13, 2012
Treasure Tuesdays: Events ~ Style Tweetup Fall Holiday Style
Monday night, a fab group of came together as I hosted yet another Style Tweetup with the theme of Fall Holiday Style. Huge thanks to our generous host, Cocktail Bodega whose team was super sweet to have us there to enjoy our event and to sample their food as well! Cocktail Bodega is on the LES and is from the fab team who created the uber popular Sons of Essex! If you're in NYC, you know your Bodega is essential to your day to day! It's where you pick up your necessities, grab a bite a drink and more. Cocktail Bodega takes the fruit smoothies and juices that we love and adds alcohol to them with a fabulous menu from Bravo's Chef Roble - my Cuban Quesadilla sandwich was phenomenal. Perfect bites to enjoy while hanging out with friends on a fall day! With a number of large screen TV's (we loved having the football game on), I can imagine that during the Super Bowl or any game day must be a lot of fun. In addition, they have a club downstairs as well!
As the host of Style Tweetup, I invited a group of friends including Casey Kettleson from Styled On, Samantha Lim and McArthur Joseph of Fashion Indie, Shoshi from Lifestyle Provocateur, Kitty Bradshaw of THE Kitty Bradshaw and my sister Dorian of Big Apple Style. With our theme, I wanted to share goodies that were essential to enjoying the festive holidays starting with Thanksgiving. We will continue to update this post to add in the posts of attendees. I want to thank the following brands that participated and definitely excited those that attended!
I was so pleased to introduce LVX, a nail polish line that is vegan, 5 Free and is not tested on animals! What I love even more about this line that was included in LA Fashion Week recently, is that their nail colors are not only on trend but you can trace them back to hues that rocked runways! I wore Prussian which you can see above which is a fabulous hue (huge thanks to Kitty for snapping a pic of one of the nail polishes she received which is a great neutral tone). Because I'm always out and about or taping segments, makeup is an essential to my routine. Whether it's applying it or keeping my face clean, I loved gifting Swisspers to everyone! We enjoyed the round exfoliates, the square ones which can also work well when removing polish and of course the sponges which are perfect for applying foundation! These are such an essential and you can never have too many. In addition, I loved including Jane Iredale Smooth Affair which is a primer and a brightener which will give you the perfect glow!
When traveling or when at home, candles are an essential! Black Forest soy candles were provided which has a rich scent and is one that is perfect for crisp nights by Archipelago and finally, we were also gifted by Jopen a luxury personal massager line which is made for women with products for men as well. We will continue to infuse these products within future posts over the holiday season as well as including them within our Holiday Gift Guide (Nov 15th) as well as our Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide (Dec 1st).
August 23, 2012
Trendy Thursdays ~ Soho Sanctuary & Jane Iredale
Roll over images for more information and to shop
Just before I left for HSN I had the opportunity to spend some time at Soho Sanctuary which is in a fabulous building on Mercer St that has a number of floors. On the main floor is a nice sitting area as well as the coziest chairs that one can have when getting a mani and pedi (if you loved the shade that I rocked on air, then you saw Deborah Lippmann's Billionaire. The other floors have a spa as well as an area where you can do yoga! When I arrived, I was there to check out the new collection for fall for Jane Iredale. With an eco focused line with nothing but the good stuff, I was excited to learn about items that were new to me! I'm such a fan of keeping my face clean and this Magic Mitt was amazing to use when I want to not only ensure that my face is makeup free but that it is being taken care of in a very gentle way. In addition, the primer and brightener not only allows for moisture on the face but right before I went on air, I applied it to my hands for an even dewier look! Finally, when you want to have fun with your eyes and play with color, these eyeliners are perfect!
July 19, 2012
Trendy Thursdays ~ From Lip to Nails
A perfect lip and a fabulous manicured hand is an essential no matter where you are off to! When it comes to lips, you want to ensure that your lips look soft and supple! This is achieved with Jane Iredale which has a Suggar and Butter dual lip care! I love the brown sugar which serves as an exfoliant to your lips. On days where you want a subtle pout, you can use the color that is on the other end of this tool. On days where I want a pop use LAQA & Co which has these Fat Lip Pencils that cover your entire lip - this hue is perfect alone or can be paired with Butter London's Lippy which are lip glosses that have a nail twin! By layering them together you have the mix of a matte versus gloss. On the days that you decide to be twinsies with yourself, Butter London has the nail polish to match with Lippy!
When it's time to talk nails, I love nail pads and suggest Essie as it will assist you in removing your polish. Apply a fun hue such as Black Night by Butter London and then ensure that your hands are super soft by using shea lotion from L'Occitane
July 05, 2012
Trendy Thursdays ~ NOLA Bound!
As you read this, I'm running around with last minute duties before I hop on a flight to head to New Orleans! I will be at the Essence Music Festival as I am a Brand Ambassador for Crest 3D White - which means I will be sharing accessories tips to everyone, styling and showing what's the best way to accessorize in the summer as well as transitioning into fall! Of course a white smile is essential; however, I do have my faves. In addition, I am obsessed with a number of my beauty needs as well!
I love fun scents so I have been trying our Flirt! Cosmetics - Kittenesque which is always a great item to have on hand. I'm all about items that restore my skin as well as making it look amazing so I love that I can use Jane Iredale to scrub my lips with brown sugar to keep them soft and then to put on the fabulous lipstick if needed. You can also add another layer of lipgloss such as this fab shade by Elizabeth Grant. My skin stays amazing with Ole Henriksen's sugar flow face scrub which is soft against the skin. When I catch a little nap, I love these DuWop IGels. I love that I can relax with these on and listen to music while breathing in Mor candle in Sugar Rose Tiger Lily! When you're traveling to do appearances or other work related items, this is a nice way to use special beauty items to help you settle in!
April 28, 2011
Trendy Thursdays: Spring Break 2011 ~ Read Blue
First Lady Bag - MCM
Even though we're almost done with our Spring Break series, it's also time to start thinking about Mother's Day! You know that we're a fan of coffee table books and no one does it better then Assouline Publishing who has a number of topics that you're going to love! They think about mom just like we're thinking about her and this lifestyle publishing brand has partnered with my favorite accessory brand - MCM Accessories with the First Lady Bag in this fab royal blue color. After launching their Mother's Day Guide, they partnered with MCM and your mom has the opportunity to win this fabulous bag (don't be stingy and keep it for yourself although it's luxe and super cute)!
To enter, visit Assouline's Facebook page and answer the question: What is your most cherished travel memory of you with your mother? Assouline will choose one lucky winner based on creativity and originality of the answer as they kicked it off today (runs through Tuesday, May 3rd)! On May 4th at 12pm, one lucky winner will be announced and you can see all the entries on the Assouline Facebook Page. Feel free to submit your answers on their side.
Of course as much as we love hearing about this, it's always amazing to add additional gifts to mom as she is phenomenal! So we continued the blue story with some of our favorite brands that are not shy about rocking this royal hue! You'll find Laura Geller which I have been rocking their baked line for awhile, Yves Saint Laurent's Mascara in blue as well as Jane Iredale's eyeliner! Of course, this could be super cute for you as well.
April 28, 2011
Trendy Thursdays: Spring Break 2011 ~ Indah Tachi
Sometimes when people are thinking colors they over look the power of beige! I got inspired the second I saw Indah Tachi's bikini in this fab shade. It's a fab color that looks fab on brown and tanned skin! In fact it's translucence is also quite illuminating. As we are in the last days of Spring Break 2011, it's important to also take into account the impact that this color has on beauty as well! Above are some fab items that you should keep thinking about to add to your beauty bounty including Jane Iredale, Bare Escentuals as well as Palladio! They're fab finds and they allow your skin to have that fabulously natural look with just a hint of something!
Missed our Spring Break 2011 by Etro?
April 21, 2011
Trendy Thursdays: Spring Break 2011 ~ Swoonfest Beauty
Nothing is better then having your faves at your fingertips. I have a number of products that I love or those that I would want to gift. One of the items I love gifting and can't wait to gift to a few of our fab readers is Stivectin's Beauty Pack! To be honest, I don't use a lot of the Strivectin porducts with the exception of Instant Retexturizing Scrub - I love little beads moisturizing your face and when you're on camera, constantly traveling, etc this is a nice way to baby your skin! But I know that many people are concerned about preventing and attacking wrinkles and so I think that the beauty pack is an essential to those who are ready to fight remaining beauty! In addition, let us know what your fave revitalizing product is and we will give you a beauty pack from Strivectin! This is a week long giveaway.
Now more items that I love, Jane Iredale is amazing to keep my lips scrubbed and who wouldn't love the brown sugar that is left behind? Now last week we included Amala's Handbag Essentials within Kimmie's Gimmies and I have to say that I am a super fan without a doubt! Amala is something that is always on me when I'm running around the city as well as traveling. So having this super cute pack that includes a Hydrating Hand Cream, Rejuvenating Hand Cream and Soothing Lip Salve. All are meant to beautify! Finally, my day CAN'T start without my Clarisonic. You can use the facial cleanser that comes within the box or your favorite but after charging you can put a drop on this mechanism and rub your skin without fearing that you're being too rough on your skin and it's always clean when complete! It's super light and I can't remember how I ensured that my face was squeaky clean without it!
October 02, 2010
Sippin Saturdays ~ Detoxing, Purifying & Giving Back
Tea Time at Rebecca Minkoff's Studio with fab bloggers right before Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Week
Yes I just got back from Mexico late last night and anytime I travel, I have to spend a few days getting back into my mode. Now throughout this month, we're going to be featuring products for Breast Cancer Awareness. Today I'm keeping it chill and zen (this pic at an event this summer reminds of this state of mind) by enjoying a fab crisp Saturday and what better way to do it then to sit at home and enjoy a fabulous fragrance from Antica Farmacista with notes from peonia, gardenia and rose that can be infused within your home. In addition, the first thing I love to do when I'm home is that I love that I can do at home spa treatments. I think that looking fresh and feeling refreshed is essential and as your face is the first thing that people see when you're out and about, I love the lip scrub by Jane Iredale. On one end you can get the perfect pout with a plumper and on other end you have a brown sugar scrub that keeps your lips as soft as silk. This is essential as many scrubs come in pots or if it is in a tube, it is something you have to carry separate from your lip brand of choice - but being together is everything! Enjoy the fall and think about great products that you can enjoy that provide support, research and assistance to a breast cancer fighter and survivor!
July 27, 2010
Treasure Tuesdays ~ Miami Bound Tomorrow
Oh when I pack, I pack! Here is it that I will be away for about a week where I will be on a press trip in Miami for Schick, on to Mickey's House in Disney and then continuing on to Ft Lauderdale for some R&R! But before that, it takes me about a day to think about everything that I will be bringing with me. Today is a peek into my carry on bag! The bag is obviously familiar as it was used in my photoshoot for the Coach MYNY Fall campaign that is currently on their site for Fall! I'm loving that this bag will head to the airport with me! Now I had to show you some of the items that will be in my bag as they are my essentials!
In addition to my guilty pleasure of Life & Style, I will have Alphabet City by one of my new friends John Paul Buchmeyer which I am so excited to begin reading and is perfect when you're hanging out in the cabanas poolside! Because this trip is all about R&R I know that I will enjoy some bevvies so just in case I get a bit of a headache, I have some Migralex which is an organic headache medicine! When it get's too hot out there I love having my Dickinson's which keeps me cool and refreshed whether I'm getting out of a plane or turning over in my chair at the Delano! I get super thirsty on the way to the airport so I'm happy to have Drink Neuro with me which I will have Sleep with me as I have definitely been missing that over the past few weeks. I plan to be refreshed when I wake up from my slumber to hit the ground running when I head to Miami as there is much to do! With all the sun that I'll be soaking in, I need to have it in a safe way so Jane Iredale is coming strong with the SPF Translucent puff as well as the Lip Drink that has SPF in it as well! What else is in my bag? Well I'll let you know when I finish packing but I can't wait to finish. It'll have to wait as I'm on my way to Suffren, NY to Avon's R&D plant to learn about #LotusShine which is a new haircare product that will be available soon!
July 22, 2010
Trendy Thursdays ~ Beauty Bag Hits the Beach
OMG it's been some serious weeks I have to say and after completing the amazing Social Diva (thanks Peg!) event from last night and co-hosting it with stylist Dale Sudakoff, I loved how the fabulous ladies of the event all decided that it was a beach day. We all ran off to the beaches of our choice to detox, get back into our groove and more. When I hit the beach, I have some goodies that I love to take with me as I love the beach air but always feel the need to continue to spritz a nice scent, a towelette refreshes me when it gets super toasty, of course going out without sunscreen is a HUGE no-no and of course my lips have to stay hydrated and I like a touch of color every now and then! Enjoy these fab brands and whichever way you take a little breather, enjoy the day!
June 24, 2010
Trendy Thursdays ~ Meet Jane Iredale
Earlier this week I found myself heading to the Upper East Side to Serafina, almost feeling like one of the fab 4 from Sex and the City, I was on the way to a private dining room to hear from the creator of Jane Iredale, who just so happens to be the lady herself (love when the name of the brand is actually the person) and Dr Katz, a respected dermatologist. This line was the first one that was mineral based and had components that were good for your skin! As many of us celebrated the Summer Solstice (the official kick off to the summer), diners downstairs received full samples of her Jane Iredale Powder Me Up SPF. I love that it comes in a tan tone and a translucent so for those that you're not only protected from the sun but you can apply the tan version as a means to have a little bronze effect. In addition, we were walked through the entire collection such as the Lip Drink which is a lip balm with SPF that as mentioned by Jeannine Morris of Beauty Sweet Spot, it smelled like lemonade! With all the different eyeshadow hues that I finally saw up close, I was very impressed with the varying hues of the foundation! Being someone who is a medium shade, I find that there is a scarcity of hues but Jane Iredale has you covered and there is SPF in this as well!
What I really took away from Jane who is standing up talking with about 20 or so bloggers (loved chatting with Aly Walansky and Kristin Booker who I saw throughout the week and will be included in another post for today), is when I was able to have some one on one time with her! She used to work in entertainment as a casting director in theater and lived here in the city for a number of years. In the day she worked to put this fabulous line together as she came here from England not knowing anyone, having 40 pounds in her pocket and two watches that she wanted to sell when she got here! At night she did her job in the theaters. Here in NYC or anywhere really, we're all multitasking doing what we have to do to make things work while squeezing as much time as possible for our passion. She's definitely someone who finally got to focus on her passion and do that full time! With a passion for the line, as well as updating her blog (she has own blog that she updates as well as one that is about makeup in general), she was very down to earth and it's an amazing way to spend the day!
I also have to say that I have eaten at Serafina on the west side but love the one on the East just as much! Any lunch that is Prosecco filled, has a gorgeous walnut salad and is then followed by a chicken and mashed potato combo that was scrumptious and ends with a berry tart that was the best one I have ever had is definitely a meal worth repeating! I also have to say that I was super pleased to see a Eugenia Kim straw hat in my goodie bag! Beyond thrilled especially since I had planned on going to the sample sale they were running but have been unable due to the hectic schedule this week!
June 21, 2010
Mingling Mondays ~ Rock Summer Now
Today it's finally summer! Of course with great weather, it's essential that we look the par so start wearing as many of your dresses as possible as well as fabulous heels! I'm a huge fan of dresses that can also become skirts and of course it's always easy to put in some amazing accessories as well which add a little edge to your whimsical look! I love having weighty jewelry which definitely causes people to take an extra peek. Of course, you can't go wrong with Christian Louboutin and I have been aggravating over this pair for a few weeks now. Make summer count today by grabbing lunch outside, getting drinks after work or just doing anything in the sun. In honor of the Summer Solstice which is the longest day of the year, if you happen to be at Serafina today (which I will be for a lunch with Jane Iredale - beyond thrilled) and eating outside, between 11 - 3, you will be able to enjoy your lunch knowing that you will receive a full size Jane Iredale Powder Me SPF as we should always take care of our skin! Although they sent the product to me, I have to say that I am a huge fan of this and will definitely carry this with me when I'm out and about, in the Hamptons, Miami, etc - skin protection is an absolute beauty must! Can't wait to have lunch and to meet the lady herself and of course to enjoy tasty nibbles as well as to pick yet another fab dress out!
05.01.13; Click to see Kimmie on DC's ABC 7/Ch 8 ~ Let's Talk Live Talking Accessories & Celeb Mom Style right before Mother's Day!
For media requests and bookings for Kimmie, email MTatum@BeautifulPlanning.com
Photography by Philip Friedman/Studio D
Meet Kimmie
Accessories Expert, Founder & Editor in Chief of Kitten Lounge; Co-Founder & Creative Director of Shoe Week; Co-Founder of Style Tweetup, On Air Personality, Stylist and Designer.
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Kimmie's Companies
She's Kimmie is a virtual scrapbook and is the best way for fans of Kimmie to connect with her, see where she's heading next and of course to get fab insider info!
As an Accessories Expert, Kimmie appears on HSN, designs, is quoted/featured in various publications talking about style from an Accessories Forward perspective! To work with Kimmie or to see project portfolio, visit her site here.
Kimmie is the Co-Founder/Creative Director of Shoe Week which launched during NYFW Sept '12 and is styling a number of shows as well as having evening leading up to our second season of shows during NYFW Sept '13.
Co-Founder, Kimmie, connects brands with bloggers in intimate event settings via Style Tweetup.
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Kimmie's Editorial Portfolio
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This work by Kimmie Smith is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at Kitten Lounge.Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at Info@TheKittenLounge.com.
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