Holiday Gift Giving Ideas - Candles

I have candles burning in my office and around my home all the time, so I adore receiving, and giving them at any time of the year.
Here are some lovely gift ideas...

h.wood.beauty has amazing tea infused candles that actually double up as lotion! These beautiful all natural candles have a 70 hour burn time, come in a variety of flavors (I love Pom -Rose)
Check here for locations: hwood.beauty lotion candles $44

From Jo Malone this Tea Box Collection is a decadent keepsake, luxurious and innovative it contains three uniquely scented 400g deluxe candles with its own candle lid and silver plated Jo Malone candle trimmer and snuffer.

The candles come in Parma Violets, Eau de Cologne and Sweet Almond Macaroon. $425 JoMalone.com

How fun is this? From Tommy Bahama bring the beach to you with the flickering tropical fragrance of the islands in 7 shots labled Cheers, Fiesta, Happy Hour, Salute, Celebration, Party and Toast.

I also love the Tommy Bahama Pineapple Cilantro candles for a slice of beach time when I'm everywhere but at the beach. TommyBahama.com

Summer by the sea in Greece surrounded by the fragrance of figs warmed by the sun - and time stands still. The new large diptyque Figuier candle has the same effect. Designed to burn for 110 intoxicating hours, indoor and out. Its embossed porcelain-over-earthenware casing created by the famous French porcelain house, Virebent, makes a lasting impression, too.

The notes: Fig wood, freshness of its leaves and the milky sap dyptich.com

Anthropologie Capri Blue candles are a refreshing take on candlelight,formulated to burn for hours with an enduring fragrance. Now in a deep red jar made from recycled glass exclusively for Anthropologie.

• 100 hour burn time
• Paraffin-soy wax blend, fragrance
• 5"H, 4" diameter  
• Volcano carries the alluring fragrance of tropical fruits, sugared oranges, lemons and limes, redolent with lightly exotic mountain greens

Bath and Bodyworks Kitchen Spice candle smells like the holidays. And that never gets old! A faster burn, these candles only last 25 - 40 hours, but are so inexpensive - who cares?

Julie Hewett Holiday Gift Ideas

Who hasn't wanted to unleash her inner feline on the world at large? Julie Hewett has put together some truly fabulous Holiday Gift sets for the glamour girl who wants a cat eye and a luscious red mouth this season.

Glamour Cat Eyes In A Bag in black $26

Cat eyes don't have to be black - here is the Glamour Cat Eye In A Bag in brown (Tessa) $26

Femme Noir Lipstick and Liner $26. Vibrant, gorgeous red!

Ruby/Goldie - soft ruby lip balm/gloss paired with Goldie Shimmie together as a set for $30

You can find locations or purchase all Julie Hewett products at JulieHewett.net

6 Gift Ideas For The Beauty Junkie

I found these oh so fabulous gift ideas on FashionMagazine.com
All images by Carlo Mendoza for Fashion Magazine.com

Check them out:

Love and Tears. They always seem to go together.... $250

This is fun! Stila's MP3 Player and makeup case $65 ebeauty.ca

Dior Minaudier. I've shown this one before, but its worth while checking out again. $68 at Sephora

Tarte, The Jewelry Box, Limited Edition Palette $68 at Sephora

Sephora by OPI Blockbuster. 18 shades, $62, at of course, Sephora

This one is truly decadent! Guerlain Or Imperial Face & Body Powder $100 guerlain.com

Rock For Ever Holiday 2010

Check out the fabulous Rock For Ever Holiday Collection from Makeup Forever, available exclusively at the makeup mecca also known as Sephora.

Makeup Forever has introduced a collection of four rock 'n' roll inspired gift sets to achieve the ultimate in rock star style. Each limited edition set is packaged in a reuseable metal container adorned with gold and silver grommets, and contains an assortment of best selling products and festive holiday coleurs.

Rock For Ever Eyeshadow Palette

This super star palette boasts 4 full size eye shadows to create show stopping "sweet rock" and "smoky rock" inspired makeup looks.
Expert application instructions are included to help you create music video worthy eyes.

Colors include:
* Diamond Shadow #306 beige shimmer
* Diamond Shadow #307 black shimmer
                  * Eye Shadow #7 white shimmer
                  * Eye Shadow #82 silver iridescent

Rock For Ever Aqua Eyes

This new collection of cult-favorite Aqua Eyes waterproof pencils boast 5 mini eyeliners that are perfect to take on the road.

Check out this amazing offer!
Rock For Ever Danny's Essentials

An amped up makeup case filled with 29 of Makeup Forever's Creator and Artistic Director, Danny Sanz' favorite products including:
HD Elixir, HD Primer, HD Powder, HD Kabuki Brush, Mist & Fix,
Smoky Lash, Aqua Smoky Lash, Aqua Eyes #0L, #2L, #3L, #11L, Aqua Black, Aqua Creme #13, #15, Eye Shadow #126, #139, Diamond Shadow #309, Star Powder #922, #940, Faux Lash #21, #115
Travel SensEyes, Double Pencil Sharpener,
Lips: Rouge Artiste #1, #36, #43, Aqua Creme #5, Aqua Lip #1C, #8C

This is a $US597 value available at Sephora for $299
Smokin deal!!

Jessica Alba Elle Magazine December 2011 Cover Shoot

How totally gorgeous is this shoot???
Jessica Alba modelled spring confections by Louis Vuitton, Dior Zac Posen and Yves Saint Laurent for the Elle December 2010 Cover shoot at a private home in Beverly Hills.
Shot by Carter Smith, hair by Didier Malige, Makeup by Jeanine Lobell.
Love it.

I can't stop looking at these images, so exquisite and so beautifully shot!

The Beauty That Is H.Wood

Every once in a while something truly special comes along in makeup-land. Something luscious and spectacular, something that stops you in your tracks and takes your breath away.
And such is the pure magic that is h.wood.beauty.

Using only the purest of ingredients combined with healing essential oils, this holistic tea inspired line is an extension of the uber-chic h.wood Tea Room in Hollywood, the home of the world famous "Prohibition Teas".
The beauty line was designed to meet pro makeup artist wants, needs and desires, culminating in high performance products with a texture, color quality, and longevity that not only make them the ideal choice for pro artists, but translates to perfection for a glamour girl on the go.

For the past few weeks I have been using h.wood.beauty products non stop both on shoots and wearing them myself.

The first thing you notice about the h.wood.beauty eye shadows is the velvety cashmere texture and finish. They are super easy to apply, blend beautifully and literally last all day and night. They are also highly pigmented, so the color stays true all day.
You can purchase the shadows individually to make up your own beauty palette. Not sure where to start? Every day at the moment I'm wearing the beautiful soft golden hue of Beverly (pictured above) with Olympic over the lid and crease (a soft mulled berry hue, extremely flattering to all skin tones - I've also been using it in everyone) and then I use Mulholland shadow (deep velvet mocha) to buff out and line the eye. The combination of the three is really moody, soft and beautiful.

The h.wood powder blush are sheer blendable colors perfect for a fresh, natural look, but build out to a full   cheek color when you want more intensity.
You can also layer it over their cream blush.

h.wood .beauty believes that the perfect look starts with the perfect pout, and so their lip collection is extensive. From lip tea scrubs to balms, to lipsticks and glosses, all are designed to keep the lips hydrated and nourished, while giving luxurious even color.

The h.wood.beauty lipstick color choices are exquisite. I used Clara on a shoot this past weekend and everyone was oohing and aahing over how gorgeous it looked on our model. Every day with the eye shadows I mentioned above, I've been wearing Sadie, with Cabo gloss over top.

From left to right the h.wood.beauty lipglosses are Cabo, Vegas, Maui and Napa.
The color intensity of these glosses doesn't break down as the wand travels the lip. It is spectacularly even and full, yet sheer at the same time. They are ultra moisturizing and vanilla-caramel flavored. The shine is long lasting too.





There is a huge underground buzz happening about the h.wood.beauty line. Fashion editors from all the major magazines are in love with it, models ask for it by name, and makeup artists swoon at the mere sight of it (especially me!)
Check out their website: http://www.hwoodbeauty.com/ for more products and store locations. All products are available for purchase online and make fabulous gift ideas!

Thanksgiving Travel Makeup Bag

With the busiest travel days of the year ahead of us this week, I thought it might be fun to look at the key items you need to have in your makeup bag to get you through airport drama-rama, so you can arrive at your destination looking fresh faced and gorgeous!

1.) skyn ICELAND Antioxidant Calming Serum

This one of a kind, light as air serum is a powerful new weapon in the fight against stress induced aging. And lets face it - Thanksgiving air travel is about as stressful as it gets!! I use this product in my professional makeup kit when I need a supersonic rescue remedy for stressed skin. When traveling it does the double duty of protecting your skin with it's potent antioxidants, and restoring vitality and moisture so you look luminously gorgeous!

2.) skyn ICELAND Hydro Cooling Firming Eye Gels

Also a key item in my pro makeup kit, these  mini eye masks are a girl's best friend when traveling, getting ready for a big night out, or recovering from one! When you're feeling run down, exhausted or frazzled the skin under your eyes is the first place to show it. These cooling gel patches instantly soothe, intensively moisturize, firm and tone the under eye area, increasing blood flow and reducing puffiness. A 10 minute love connection with Hydro Cooling Firming Eye Gels will leave you looking vibrant and fabulous.

3.) h.wood.beauty lip balm

h.wood.beauty Lip Teas are an all natural, all organic line of tea infused lip balms. The ingredient list is super short, super luxe, super lovely just all good ingredients that leave your lips super soft and super moisturized. (can you tell how much I love them??) They come in six delicious flavors. I wear them every day and every night and never travel without at least a couple of flavors. They make a great stocking stuffer too!
www.hwoodbeauty.com

4.) Makeup Forever Rock Forever Aqua Eyes Limited Edition

Another perfect stocking stuffer, this little set is also an ideal travel companion. Dazzling shades of gold, copper, silver, dark gray and matte black go waterproof right after you smudge and smoke them into the lash line, so no matter how long the airport delays are you can still arrive with dramatically sensational eyes.

5.) Nars The Multiple in Malibu

The greatest multi-tasker ever, this one product is cheek color, eye color and lip color all in one. Malibu is a universally flattering shade that brings even the most travel-worn complexion to life.

6.) DiorShow Iconic Mascara

This extra hold formula is ideal for the traveler as it holds its curl up to 24 hours. Inspired by the tailoring technique of cutting fabric on the bias to create maximum curve, the brush is an oblique cut with soft silicone bristles that spiral out from the stem to lift, curl and separate each lash.
A favorite backstage at runway shows Iconic lets you flaunt your inner diva with massive lashes, while you wait at the lost luggage counter.

7.) Marc Jacobs Perfume To Go

A girl's gotta smell divine, even after an extended day of airport fun. Avoid hassles over packing fluids by slipping a slim perfume roller into your makeup bag.

And speaking of makeup bags, my absolute favorite cosmetic bags of all time are from the beautiful
Stephanie Johnson line. These bags are both beautiful and functional, and are loved by celebrities and fashion editors alike. They have the added benefit of being really well built and well structured, so they can withstand the rigors of extreme travel as well as extreme handbag workouts!
How fabulous is the new Bollywood Collection??

The slightly showier twin sister of their best-selling Mumbai collection , brilliant gold stars twinkle against a backdrop of ornate silver and gold metallic faux suede, highlighted by circular bursts of flirtatious hot pink. Dazzling gold crackle trim, gold tab zipper pulls and lush chocolate nylon liner add to a look that is equal parts exotic and chic. 

Stephanie Johnson travel bags and cosmetic bags make perfect holiday gifts! See website for store locations.

Could Scarlett Johansson Possibly Be Hotter??

Last week GQ magazine announced that ScarJo is their Babe of The Year 2010.

Check out these pictures shot by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin.

Could she possibly be any hotter??
The issue hits newsstands November 23

10 Fabulous Pink Gift Ideas

Today my lovely friend Nascar Camping World Truck Series and Nascar Nationwide Series driver, Jennifer Jo Cobb is making history at the final race of the season at Homestead Speedway in Miami.

image by Jeff Robinson, Daytona 2010

Jennifer is the only full time female driver in any of the top three Nascar series, and today becomes the highest ranked female driver of all time in Nascar. On top of that she is the first driver in Nascar to bring a makeup sponsor to the sport.
Jennifer's primary sponsor today is LillysCosmetics.com. She will be driving a pink Lillys Cosmetics Ford F150, and wearing a pink Lillys cosmetics firesuit.

All week I've been posting the Jennifer Jo Cobb makeup looks that you can duplicate with products from LillysCosmetics.com.
Today I'm celebrating Jennifer's huge achievement with 10 pink gift giving ideas for the holiday season. (Jennifer's truck is the #10)

1.) Limited Edition Clarisonic Mia Hope

I swear by my Clarisonic! 

With every purchase of the Limited Edition  Clarisonic Mia Hope Clarisonic will make a donation to help women with cancer to look and feel like themselves again.

2.) A girl needs to smell fabulous too! Enjoy the naughtiness of Agent Provocateur on your wrists, throat, and all your other kissable places.

3.) Celebrate your gorgeous derriere with fun pink undies from Kiki de Montparnasse.
A bow here, a wiggle there - what more could a girl ask for?

4.) Pink diamond earrings. Fabulous!

5.) A pink ceramic watch from Michael Kors. Completely lovely.

6.) The Pink Room Candles. I found these on one of my favorite blogs, Flat Out Fabulous

7.) A cerise or rose pink pashmina. A beautiful accessory as well as the perfect throw to take with you when traveling. Real pashmina is both lightweight and warm, and ideal for air travel.

8.) Pink Frette Sheets.
I don't actually know anyone with pink Frette sheets, but the thought of them is just delicious!

9.) Juicy Couture Bath Caviar. A Juicy Girl needs a little luxury, so why not add some coral extracts of youth and vitality to your bath of glory?

10.) What better celebration of the pure pinkness of it all than a Pink CD? Every girl needs her Funhouse!

Prior work commitments meant I couldn't be in Miami with Jen and the crew to celebrate today, but I will make it home in time to watch her race tonight, so I will be there in spirit! And keeping with today's pink theme I'll be drinking one of these:

 

The perfect (pink) Cosmopolitan!

Good luck Jen!