Beauty of a Site Blog

OPI Euro Centrale Collection - Inspired by Europe's trendiest regions 

With Spring peeking it's head around the corner, we can't help but think about warmer temps and sunnier days! We noticed that glitter and bronze were two big trends in this past Winter's nail collections.  With the OPI Euro Collection, we are seeing the colors getting a facelift and making their way into the Spring series as well,  with colors like Oy Another Polish Joke and Polka.com.

The bronzed look is popular every Spring because who doesn't want that perfect sun kissed tan? We all do! Bronze and Golds are a great way to spice up   our nails, and look great on most any skin tone?

Shades like yellow have a variety of shades and hues, but we like yellow tones because they are bright, fun and they remind us of the sun! It doesn't matter if you are a blond or a brunette, yellow is a great accent piece for clothing, nails and accessories.  Very bold!

Colors like Oy Another Polish Joke and A Woman's Praguative are great everyday shades, that are very neutral and versatile.  Two of our favorite shades from the collection are the beautiful pale blue of Can't find my Czeck book, and the lovely lavender color of You're Such a Budahpest.  Even if Winter hangs around a little longer, these shades are sure to inspire happy thoughts!

This collection was inspired by Europe's trendiest regions, but what are the trends in places like the Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary and Poland?

We noticed that a lot of the colors in these areas are found in the Euro Collection. It's just easier to understand the comparison when you have an image to compare it to! We love these shades!

Shop the collection now | Click Here

If there is one thing I don't like, it's tacky, sticky lip gloss. This is the main reason why I adore Naked Princess. Their gloss goes on smooth and clean, no stickiness and they come in a wide variety of natural shades. So we're going to show you a HOW TO apply gloss so that it looks natural and stays on!

I understand it's hard near impossible to shop for a lipstick (especially when you can't always try it on in the store) and find a perfect match. Naked Princess combats this issue by giving you subtle but noticeable color, without being too opaque and thick. All of their colors are sheer and help compliment the color your lips already are.

First, I like to use Bella II Fiore's lip scrub. Every now and then, it's a good idea to exfoliate your lips, just as you would exfoliate your skin in the shower. Are you worried about swallowing or getting this product in your mouth, don't...it has an all natural, safe, sugar base. After y ou exfoliate, you need to do what - that's right, moisturize!

When applying a lip gloss, I like to first, put on a little chap-stick, especially after exfoliation.  I feel like this helps moisturize my lips, so they don't feel dry and cracked when applying my other make up.

I use Crazy Rumors chap stick, it's vegan, cruelty free, and they come in a variety of cool flavors! My flavor of choice is the  Raspberry Sherbet (it really does smell like the scent!)

Next, I like to apply Duwop's revolutionary reverse lip liner. I use this around the outside lining of my lips, so that the color I apply stays on the inside line of my lips. We have seen the ladies with lipstick all over their mouth and teeth, and it makes you look like a hot mess. You can watch the video on how to apply and utilize this nifty make up trick!

Now, we can apply the lip gloss! This formula glides on effortlessly, throw it in your purse and take it wherever you go, it will be your new purse companion!

Last but not least, apply your lip liner. Your liner color should be 1-2 shades darker than the color of the outside lining of your lip. If you look closely, you will see that the edges of your lips are darker than the meat of your lips. You may ask "why apply this after rather than before the lip gloss"...When you have gloss on, wearing liner is much more noticeable because lip gloss is lighter and more sheer than lipstick. This way, when you apply your liner, you can contrast it with the gloss that is already on your lips, so blending will be easier and shading will be much more natural.

We want to highlight and accent all of your fabulous god given features. Sometimes it's hard to have a natural appearance when you're not using make up that lends itself to natural hues. We hope this how to guide helps you achieve a perfect pout!

Shop lip glosses now!

Naked Princess | Booty Parlor | Duwop

Scents like Vanilla, Jasmine, Rose, and Lavender are thought to be Aphrodisiacs.  All three products listed below contain one or more of the above fragrances. Whether you are buying for Valentines, a birthday, anniversary or just for yourself, a key "go to" fragrance is great to have on hand, especially one that promotes romance and sensuality! According to many scientist, scent is one of the key factors of attraction. It is thought that the connection between our sense of smell and how we feel, our emotions - is founded on the evolution of our brain with the two being intrinsically linked. With that said, picking the perfect scent is important! We have 3 great options! Aphrodisiac perfume smells beautiful and anyone who tries it, is an instant fan. This brand has a loyal and growing following for a very distinct reason... Aphrodisiac includes notes of  Rose, which encourages intimacy, Tuberose which encourages seduction and Amber which encourages sensuality. I love this perfume! It has everything women want. It's light and not too strong and most importantly, it doesn't smell like hair spray (those perfumes are the worst). Aphrodisiac is the perfume pretty women wear... do you know what I mean? Sometimes when I smell musk, I think of my grandmother, or when I smell baby scented products, I think of baby powder or infants hair. Aphrodisiac smells lovely. If I had to describe it, it's a rose meeting an ocean, meeting a Summer Breeze. The scent is almost nostalgic. Men love this scent on women and women love this scent on themselves. Have you heard of CAKE? Cake Beauty started a number of years ago in the best place for making a cake -- a kitchen. The vision behind it? To create a line of products that was the true marriage of style, innovation and supreme quality. Cake products are 90-95% all natural and 100%  Paraben Free. Each product is kissed with delectable fragrances and unique textures that are sure to delight the senses. Cake Beauty Indulge Eau de Parfum contains top notes of citrus sparkle, fresh and juicy orchard fruits, caramel syrup, island sugar cane and star anise. It has a heart of rich florals of jasmine, rose, lily of the valley and water lily. Base notes are warm vanilla met with sweet powdery notes. Now that's sweet. Now for a little something different - A candle that turns into massage oil! Naked Princess Love.Lust.Light Body & Boudoir Candle is a decadent hand-poured candle designed to transform any room into a luxurious boudoir that delights the senses with the irresistible scent of Moroccan Vanilla, Sweet Almond & exotic Tonquin Bean. Infused with a rich blend of Vitamin E, plus Organic Shea, Jojoba and Soy Butters, the candle’s natural clean-burning “wax” melts to a perfectly soothing temperature. Warm wax may be poured onto the body where it transforms into a light moisturizing or massage oil on contact with skin. Shop the entire brand line here.  Aphrodisiac | Cake | Naked Princess

The monochromatic look was very "in" during this years SAG Awards. Actresses like Ann Hathaway, Claire Danes, and Jennifer Lawrence stole the night with classic black dresses.

The best outfits are the ones that are simple. I remember that Oprah once said, if you're going to spend more money on clothes, spend it on black and whites, because they never go out of style.  A black dress is crucial in any woman's wardrobe, it's the GO TO dress, when all else fails. A great item to pair with fabulous turquoise jewelry, or any color of your choice, for countless color options.

We can carry this concept into many avenues of our "wardrobe" life. DuWop offers a variety of bold options that pair up nicely! Think of this: A dark blue dress and nude lips, or a yellow sweater and white jeans with pink lips!

You may think "lipstick doesn't look good on me, I've tried before", but.....you have never tried DuWop.

This brand offers solid color, but the neat thing is, you can chose whether you want it to be darker and more bold, or lighter and more sheer.   I don't like to wear lipstick when the color is saturated. I like translucent color, so you can still see my lips underneath it. With Duwop My Private Lipstick, the first layer is thin, with a little color, and the second layer is solid. It's your choice.  It's also the perfect shade for any skin tone because it blends well and has a magical way of looking good on anyone!!

If you're going for that bold lip, natural eye and cheek, we have some suggestions!

Cheeks | Click Here

Eyes | Click Here

With the SAG Awards over, it's on the the next fantastic Red Carpet, The Oscars!  BOAS will be on the lookout for all the hits and misses, as well as the report on latest in fashion and beauty!!!

It's the trick that every woman tries to master "how can I apply makeup and make it look natural?" We have all seen the girls who cake the make up on and we can all agree it doesn't look good.

The romantic shades are trending this Spring, you will see clothes, nail polish and make up in rose, peach and pink  hues.

Let us show you some tricks and tips for that natural, born this way appearance.

For a list of the brands seen in this blog, please see below:

Duwop|TIGI|Naked Princess

Valentines Day is here again, but this year, we're not going to make the mistakes of last year. No more getting your wife a humidifier, long under wear, or socks. Surprise her with a gift you  know she will love. People love being pampered!  So what does that mean for you? It means taking the time to stop, and really think "what does this person enjoy, how can I make them feel special?"

We will start with gifts for HER first... Sometimes it's hard to find time for yourself with work and other daily responsibilities so  we think it would be a wonderful thing to offer your Valentine the gift of  "me time". By giving her bath salts or bubble bath you're telling her, relax and don't you dare feel guilty! All women have those days they just feel "blah" and not put together.  We can all admit that when we get a hair cut, a manicure or new clothes, we feel renewed. Pamper your Valentine and gift her any one of Zoya's many beautiful nail polish collections. What a fun way to give a gift of luxury. Let your gal paint her fingers and her toes and give her an array of colors to chose from! Have you heard of Kai? You may recognize Kai from the many magazines it has been featured in, Kai has also been on Opra's favorite list! All Kai products are lightly scented with the signature scent, white gardenia. Kai sells an array of products for woman ranging from body wash, shampoo & conditioner, perfume, linen spray, etc... Check out Kai | Click Here. Women love a man who can cook, or in this instance, offer up a delicious home made sundae!  Have you heard of Serendipity3? This is a famous and most delicious restaurant in New York City, and they serve a to die for hot fudge sundae! They have packaged their recipe for the perfect at home frozen hot chocolate sundae! Now all you need is the movie!

For your guy! A major misconception about this holiday is, that it is just for woman, and that is simply not true! Men deserve to feel special too! A great gift for the man in your life is the LUXO Oporto Soap Gift set. He can use them at the gym, at home, on trips, they will make him smell exceptionally good! With 3 great scents to chose from, he can mix it up any way he wants! Generally, and this is not always the case, but most men need help when shopping for hygiene items. They need us ladies to tell them what looks good on them and what smells good on them! Need more ideas for him?| Click Here Let's get adventurous ladies! Kama Sutra products offer a wide variety of items that can enhance the intimacy between loving couples. The Kama Sutra Lovers Edible Body Paint is a fun way to explore your playful side! This item comes in Dark Chocolate Raspberry, Milk Chocolate and Rich Caramel. View the entire Kama Sutra Line | Click Here We don't think that Valentines day should break the bank, we offer a wide variety of price ranges for any budget!

Zoya wins us over with yet another fantastic collection fresh for Spring 2013.

Textured nail polishes have been very popular this season, with newly released collections such as the  OPI Sand Collection, inspired by Mariah Carey. It's no wonder that Zoya followed suit with their new fun and flirty textured, glittery matte polish!

We noticed that this collection has 3 light shades and 3 darker bolder colors, and we love this! It allows for evening and day transitions. We think Dhalia would be a great toe shade, and Godiva would make for a great classy wear, to lets say work or an evening out with the girls! This polish applies thick and evenly for smooth application.

This collection dries to look like a nail wrap, which is neat. Our employees and employees kids have tried this polish, and it wears exceptionally well. These shades stay on the nail and don't have a tenancy to chip, which is ideal for someone with an active life style.

Shop our collection now. We are taking pre-orders, packages will ship beginning of February.

Have you heard about OPI Sand, inspired by Mariah Carey? We didn't know what to think, but we knew this limited time collection was going to be very cool and very different!

This collection offers 8 new colors, 4 of which have a sand like texture and appearance, for a fun and textured 3D nail design. Included in this collection is a shade called "Pink Yet Lavender" a sparkly fabulous mix of pink and silver sequins! This polish would pair great with a new years dress and some sparkly heels!

Included in this bold and fun new collection is a neutral shade "A Butterfly Moment" that is a great every day wear. A lot of the cable knit sweaters that are out now for Winter would pair nicely with this shade for a warm, adult and shimmery pretty appeal.

Whatever color rocks you, there is a shade for everyone! Shop this collection now! 

Who's on your gift list this year? We all have that tough person we put off shopping for, but don't delay too long or they might not receive their gift in time! Visit our holiday store for some great gift ideas! Idea generator: Hostess gifts that wont break the bank! See Below!  Serendipity3 Frozen Hot Chocolate - Made famous by New York Restaurant Serendipty3 Aspen Bay Candles: Juniper Twig - The fragrance of cedar and grapefruit - Burn time 85+ hours! Get Fresh Memories of diffuser: Create a warm ambiance in any room, with a lasting fragrance

Guest Blogger - Ada Polla: CEO of popular skin care company Alchimie Forever

Maybe it’s a Swiss thing, but I love the late fall and early winter, which bring with them the holidays, the cold, snow, and cashmere sweaters. My skin, however, suffers during this time of year. Colder temperatures, the drier air, and heated interiors leave my skin feeling dry and flaky, sometimes even uncomfortable, rough, and red. Here are some tips I follow year after year to help my complexion remain calm, hydrated, and radiant throughout the winter.

1. I switch to our gentle cream cleanser. While I love a foaming cleanser during the warmer months, and the feel of “squeaky clean” skin, this does not work for me in colder, drier weather.
2. Even though a hot bath or shower is oh-so tempting in cooler temperatures, I try to resist. Hot water will break down the skin’s natural moisturizing lipids and leave it feeling even drier.
3. I switch to our Kantic+ intensely nourishing cream. Year-round, this is my go-to cream when I travel by plane, which is so dehydrating to my skin. In the winter, I love this nourishing cream every day. I keep one at home and one in the office, as I like to reapply throughout the day, in particular before going outside.
4. I also switch to a more hydrating body cream. I love the thickness and scent of Aveda’s Caribbean Therapy cream to ensure no “crocodile-like” legs.
5. As a hydrating-booster treatment, I like to use our Kantic brightening moisture mask at least twice weekly. I apply it first thing in the morning upon entering the bathroom, and remove it at the end of my shower. It doesn’t add any time to my routine, and gives me instant hydration and radiance.
6. I like a good humidifier to help combat the air’s dryness. A low-cost alternative is to simply place bowls of water in the rooms you spend most of your time in. As the water evaporates, it will add moisture to the air.
7. I protect my hands with gloves when going outside, and use hand cream religiously, at least after every time I wash my hands. Of course, I love our antioxidant relief for hands and feet.
8. I also protect my lips, which are always dryer in the winter. I carry Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour cream in my purse at all times. It is super hydrating, and doubles as lip gloss.
9. On the ski slopes in particular, I remember to use a high SPF sunscreen (I love Anthelios), as the snow reflects UV rays and makes them even more damaging.
10. Finally, I try to remember to hydrate from the inside out by drinking a lot of water – either with my favorite Super Orange Emergen-C, or as a cup of hot, freshly-brewed green tea.

We at Beauty of a Site are seeing new fall trends with bright lace. When worn correctly, lace shows off your feminine side while highlighting your fierce side! Instead of always going with your little black dress for evenings and holiday parties, try these! Kristen Stewart, also known as Bella Swan, dressed in a bright blue lace dress with matching heels and a matching ribbon belt. Also notice that the dress has nude-colored layer underneath to make this blue really pop!

Taylor Swift wore a red lace dress with a black slip. Notice that the black does not reach her neck nor her shoulders. This keeps the dress classy yet edgy, and gives a more form-fitting appearance to the dress. She also wore nude heels which helps keep the focus on the fierce red!

We love the cap sleeves on this dress worn by Jennifer Lawrence, of The Hunger Games. Our only suggestion would be to switch the white slip underneath for a black or nude one. The white softens the look, while nude of black would help it stand out! She also wore red shoes that are not the same red-orange shade as the dress, and so they draw their own attention which takes away from the creativity and edginess of the dress itself. Try some lace on this fall be sure to wear the appropriate slip color under and shoes that compliment your look too!

The newest James Bond movie, Skyfall, which debuted in the U.S. this past weekend, grossed $87.8 million, bringing the movie's overall gross to over $500 million so far (Boston Herald). This revenue for a James Bond movie debut sets the new record above the $67 million brought in during the first weekend of Quantum of Solace in 2008 (Boston Herald). This collection features 6 new dangerous shades, all of which can be layered underneath the previously anticipated 18K gold leaf top coat, Man With The Golden Gun! Bold styles and colors are hitting the red carpet this Winter and this gold leaf polish is right on trend...and we don't know about you, but we love a little bling!

Naomie Harris is one of two leading ladies in Skyfall. Known for her roles in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, this British actress portrays Eve, a field agent with James Bond. At Skyfall's red carpet premiere, the actress wore a dress by Marios Schwab. She wore a deep, rich, burgundy color nail polish, which you can match with the OPI Skyfall shade! The second female star is French actress Berenice Marlohe, who's first major movie appearance is in Skyfall. She plays Severine alongside James Bond.  At the film's red carpet premiere, Bernice wore a dress by Vivienne Westwood. She also dazzled the crowd with her signature smokey eye and messy yet poised up-do. Try our ModelCo Eyeshadow Trio in Smokey Eye to get your own smokey-eyed look! The OPI Skyfall Collection celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Bond 007!  It is filled with eye-pleasing darks that are perfect for this winter season! Popular shades to note are OPI The Living Daylights, which is an elegant multi-color glitter sparkle. We also really love the OPI Live and Let Die because of it's mysterious and rich blue-black shade, which is perfect for winter.  Check them out here and get yours before they are gone.....it is a limited edition, which means when they are sold out, they are gone for good!! $8.50 per bottle | Shop now! OPI has also created an 18K gold topcoat called The Man with the Golden Gun. This polish contains real gold flecks and is released in very limited quantities.  Most stores are already sold out....but we have a few left!!   Real gold nail polish is a trend right now among celebrities, so it's the perfect time to grab your gold for that Bond Girl manicure! $40 per bottle | Shop now!