Short and Sweet NYC » Health and Beauty

Sam Edelman For American Eagle Has Us Yearning For Sandal Season!

Short and Sweet NYC — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:30:00 +0000

No matter how cold it still may be in these mid-winter weeks, the countless spring collections cropping up left and right are almost tempting enough to make us consider risking our health by wearing the fierce spring fashions while it’s still freezing out. Floral tanks, printed shorts, swingy skirts, sundresses and more have me beelining straight to my wallet… though luckily, so far I’ve had the strength to resist when it comes to apparel. Spring shoes, however, are a different story! Now that Sam Edelman’s collection for American Eagle has hit stores and online, I’m pretty sure my days of self-restraint are numbered. With plenty of sky-high wedges, chic clog-inspired sandals, fanciful flats, glorious beaded gladiators, and drool-worthy espadrilles, the designer’s irresistibly affordable collection for the brand boasts the perfect mix of comfortable classics and fashion-forward trends. In other words, there’s not only something for everyone – there are multiple pairs that just about every shoe-lover will have an extremely difficult time saying no to!

- Alexandra Gambardella

From our friends at thefind.com

Steal Celebrity-Style with the Celine Luggage Tote

Short and Sweet NYC — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:40:33 +0000

The latest celebrity it-bag seems to be the Celine Bag. Seen on the arms of starlet like Blake Lively, Nicole Richie, Leighton Meester, and Fashion Designer Rachel Roy, there’s no denying it’s an attractive and sophisticated purse silhouette which is always ready for work or play. Plus, the space and size gives you the luxury to carry as much as your heart could desire alongside its luxury name brand fashion label. Here are three of our favorite from the variety of color and size choice that Celine has to offer:

The Celine Nano Luggage Boston Tote

The Nano is the go-to Celine Luggage Tote with its practical size and shoulder strap. It’s available in almost every color of the spectrum but you can never go wrong with a classic black bag. You’ll be using it for years to come and it will be timelessly elegant and practical.

The Celine Luggage Phantom Tote

The Celine Luggage Phantom Tote is perfect for carrying on to the plane or as an amazing weekender bag. Roomy and big, it can fit everything from shoes to an entire extra outfit. Navy and Brown is a great color combination to take a break from the common basic black and white neutrals of office life yet versatile enough to go with any outfit choice.

Celine Medium Luggage Tote Bag

The perfect size for every day needs. It can fit a small laptop and a magazine. We’re love the cream and black combination which goes seamlessly with any look for day or night. Whether you’re rocking it with business slacks or denim skinnies, you are guaranteed to look elegant and business-ready with this color and bag choice.

- Mira Torres

From our friends at thefind.com

Your Best Friend Photo Finish Pressed Powders

Jessica Stein — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:30:50 +0000

Your Best Friend (“YBF”) is founded by Stacey Schieffelin, a former Ford Model who re-emerged as a QVC entrepreneur and, per Ladies’ Home Journal, one of America’s “Power Women.” It seems to be a no-brainer for a model 20-years over to launch a cosmetics company; perhaps less obvious is the personalized approach she brings despite relying primarily on television sales for her success.

I’ll never forget watching a girl sitting on the opposite side of the Hebrew school classroom carefully apply layer upon layer of eye shadow in diligent succession, much to the chagrin of our over-worked Sunday school teacher. That was just my first encounter in watching a peer diminish the size of her eyebrow-to-eyeball facial real estate. In years to come I turned to many a trendy peer for guidance on finding the best face glitter (urban outfitters, duh!), blue mascara (um, the same), and lip gloss (bonne belle, no?). Ms. Schiefflin seems to have experienced the same and strives to achieve that status of “best,” in titling her makeup line accordingly.

Though Photo Finish ($28.90) is marketed as a “face shape shifting trio,” meant to “accentuate, camouflage and blend,” it really is just a series of pressed powders of incrementally darker shading. Perhaps an expert might be knowledgeable in proper “shape-shifting” shading, but unfortunately I am not an experienced facial shape-shifter, and the results of my attempted application were quite shoddy (or actually, spotty).

That said, YBF emphasizes that its products, including Photo Finish Powders, are good for you (including “some of the most advanced ingredients and technology available,” and are paraben and cruelty-free). YBF deserves much acclaim for contributing to community and international organizations, including the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and the Special Olympics, among many other worthy causes. Expanding on the do-gooder-ness is the YBF “sparkle your spirit” campaign, for “girlfriends [to] connect, build friendships, and support one another!” There’s no doubting the good intentions of this brand.

In sum, for those seeking some virtual BFFs (particularly ones with more model experience and less back-of-the-hebrew-school-classroom experience), and also maybe some makeup, YBF is the brand for you.

Be Fab in a Flash with Lightning Bolt Jewelry

Short and Sweet NYC — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:30:34 +0000

Feeling ho-hum about your winter wardrobe? Super-charge your look with lightning bolt jewelry! Symbolizing strength and supernatural power, lightning bolts have been flexing their fashion prowess in the form of pendants, earrings, cuffs, and more, and have been spotted worn by Kristen Stewart and Mila Kunis and other red carpet frequenters. From CC Skye to Marc by Marc Jacobs and more, plenty of our favorite jewelry designers are incorporating the lightning bolt into their trendy pieces for a cute yet electrifying effect. Show off your bling with an oversized ring like this Pave Super Woman Ring by CC Skye, or edge things up with a bold gold cuff like this Jennifer Fisher cut-out cuff. If you’re not afraid of some funky-fierce color, these Miu Miu crystal lightning bolt earrings make quite the statement, but if you’re into something a bit more subtle, I love this sweet and simple Dogeared “Whispers” charm necklace. While we’re so used to the cartoon-y lightning bolt symbol, for something a bit more literal, these Annette Ferdinandsen silver lightning earrings offer a more realistic portrayal of a lightning bolt for a unique take on the trend!

- Alex Gambardella

From our friends at thefind.com

mybody Skin Care: High Performance Skincare with a Purpose

Ashkan — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:30:21 +0000

What do you get when you bring together a founder of Philosophy skin care and a former Harrods’s buyer and a makeup artist? No, this isn’t the start of a bad retail joke, but rather the dynamic trio behind the newer mybody skin care line. According to the co-founder via their website, “the sole intention for the brand was to create safe, high performance products with a purpose.” The comprehensive skin care line caters to three primary skin concerns: aging, sensitivity, and acne. All products are paraben free and have not been tested on any animals. mybody’s products target three skin issues which are then treated in a multi-step regimen. The first step of any skin care routine is cleansing.

Clean Routine ($32, 5 oz.) is a traditional foaming cleaner with a silky texture. However, it does not contain any detergents like standard cleansers. You only need a small amount, about the size of a nickel to wash your face. I noticed when washing makeup off, Clean Routine left residue, which required additional cleansing, but it didn’t strip your face.

The second step was treatment. I used two products out of sequence of what was recommended based off my skin care needs. After shaving in the morning, I used Calm After the Storm ($94, 1oz). While the product is best used for post esthetic treatments like chemical peels or laser, it instantly soothes any irritation, firmed and tightened skin, and killed any acne causing bacteria. At night, I used the A Team ($105, 1oz) for my anti-aging treatment. This powerful product contains .3% retinol to improve skin tone and fight fine lines and wrinkles. Due to the concentration of retinol, it should be used sparingly as it can cause a tingling or warming sensation on the skin.

The final step in the regime is hydration. Safety Blanket ($60, 1.70z) is formulated for sensitive skin. It is a light weight moisturizer that quickly absorbs into skin without feeling greasy and maintaining hydration all day. mybody is a comprehensive, somewhat complicated line. I say “complicated” loosely as it takes some getting used to remembering which product into which step at what particular time of day. The greatest area of difference I noticed was with the anti-aging products.

After a couple of weeks, I saw changes in the appearance of fine lines and overall skin tone to be brighter. There are some incredible before and after photos on their site to show the efficacy of continued use of mybody. If you can commit to a skin care regime using products from one dedicated line, then mybody will be a perfect addition for you.

Is Bytox the Cure for a Hangover?

Ashkan — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:30:40 +0000

Bytox is an ominous title sounding a lot like a well-known cosmetic procedure. Rather than going into the skin, it goes on the skin. Bytox ($2.99) is a new dermal patch that helps prevent the effects of a hangover after excessive drinking. It was created by a New York City plastic surgeon and costs almost nothing. The patch arrived in my mailbox a few days before New Year’s Eve and since I was planning on being “festive,” the patch was like an insurance policy. The 2×2 inch patch can go anywhere on the body, but preferably somewhere discreet or out of sight. Bytox is essentially a high dose of vitamin B, which helps reduce the symptoms of a hangover. After a blurry New Year’s Eve, I woke up the next day simply tired from a lack of sleep and no hangover! I was a little skeptical at first, but I knew a mega dose of vitamin B would be my lifesaver. Bytox may or may not work for you, but at $3, isn’t it worth trying to avoid a potentially miserable morning after?

Elizabeth Grant: Can You Keep a Secret and Biocollasis Complex Night Wonder Concentrate

Ashkan — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:30:16 +0000

This isn’t the first time that I have reviewed Elizabeth Grant products, and again, I am not dissatisfied. Elizabeth Grant is the 50 year old, Canadian skincare line that uses the exclusive Torricelumn formulation, which boosts hydration, increases the skin’s elasticity, and improves the skin’s appearance. I tried two products: Can You Keep a Secret ($38) and Biocollasis Complex Night Wonder Concentrate ($69.99).

Can You Keep a Secret is a two in one portable lip product that exfoliates as a pre-treatment and soothes lips with a conditioning balm. The product looks a lot like a marker and the exfoliating end gently vibrates on your lips to clear away dead skin. Then, you turn the wand over to use a small applicator for the lip balm. The ingredients include Torricelumn, vitamins B and E, cucumber, rice, shea butter, and collagen. Admittedly, this is a quirky product because we don’t think to exfoliate our lips. After a few days, my lips looked smoother and hydrated with an understated shine.

The name itself is a mouthful, but Biocollasis Complex Night Wonder Concentrate is an effective, at home cosmetic treatment. The oil free serum is a made up of torricelumn and glycolic acid from sugar cane. The quick absorbing serum works to soften skin and restore a healthy complexion. I used it nightly, or on days when I had a long night, and it worked instantly to make me look more rested with a luminious glow. It is fragrance free with no tingling or stinging sensation.

Elizabeth Grant may not be a household name yet, but the products are just as effective, if not more, than other major skincare lines. If anti-aging is a concern for you, then I highly suggest Elizabeth Grant skincare.

Look For Less: Liz Taylor’s Heart-Shaped Pendant

Short and Sweet NYC — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 13:30:29 +0000

Channeling a young Elizabeth Taylor is a lot harder than it looks. In fact, even modern-day glamazon Kim Kardashian has spent over $65,000 on Taylor’s jade bracelets just in the attempt to “harness” her energy. After all, although her jewelry collection is proving to have quite the sky-high price, as demonstrated by Christie’s online auction, the late movie star had a priceless effect on her fans; she had that dramatic gorgeousness that still managed to be warm, friendly and approachable. In other words, she had that whole trying-without-looking-like-you’re-trying-at-all effortlessness down to a science – and beauty and fashion mavens everywhere will continue to look up to her legacy for years and years to come. But just because Taylor’s jewelry has been auctioned off at a price you can barely believe, that doesn’t mean you can’t harness a little Liz energy of your own with lookalike pieces that still manage to capture her youthful spirit and timeless beauty. This Pave Diamond Heart Necklace by Zoe Chicco is a favorite of modern-day “It girls” like Dakota Fanning and Vanessa Hudgens, but looks like something like Liz Taylor might have worn if she had the chance to out-glam the modern fashion icons in this day and age. And for only $185, this necklace is the perfect addition to start your own statement-making jewelry collection, with just the right amount of glitz without breaking the bank!

- Alex Gambardella

From our friends at thefind.com

YBF Brighten, Hide and Sculpt Concealer

Ashkan — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:30:27 +0000

For a company with such a great product, there is little information about who they are and what they have to offer. I recently discovered YBF Brighten, Hide and Sculpt Concealer ($28.50) and it beats any other concealer I have tried previously. The product comes in a sturdy, portable three shade container with light, medium and dark shades. It is a cream-based concealer that goes on so smoothly that it feels like a second skin. The shades blend well together for contouring or for different season’s depending on your skin’s exposure level to the sun. The YBF concealer made my skin look fresh, matte and smooth without appearing like product. When I didn’t have time to put on foundation, I used YBF as an all-over treatment and it provided maximum coverage. YBF is an inexpensive line with a solid product. However, they are limited in their product range and their website seems more like a blog than an informative, shopping experience.

Put Your Sparkliest Foot Forward With a Pair of Glitter Pumps

Short and Sweet NYC — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:30:47 +0000

With all the stress of Christmas shopping, you probably totally forgot that New Year’s Eve is also fast-approaching, believe it or not. And while NYE doesn’t typically involve the added headache of buying more presents, it does come with the undeniable pressure of out-shining your fellow party-goers… literally! I feel like every New Year’s Eve party comes with the challenge of one-upping your friends’ ensembles and your own previous year’s wardrobe with an arsenal of sequins, metallics, and glitter finishes. But this year, it’s time to leave your sequined sheaths at home and let your feet steal the sparkle spotlight! Glitter pumps are the holiday seasons’ must-have accessory – they can transform a simple “recycled” go-to dress into a show-stopping party-ready outfit in no time, and instantly amp up any skirt-and-blouse combo for some serious 2012 countdown appeal. Swap your classic black pumps for a black glitter pair courtesy of Stuart Weitzman, or go the silver disco ball route with these Vera Wang Lavender Label Selima pumps. Match your champagne toast impeccably with these Rachel Roy Carmelle Pumps, or rock a killer pop of color like these teal Kate Spade Licorice Too pumps. Either way, your shoes are bound to be the glitziest part of any party!

- Alex Gambardella