My Own List

Even though I don't wear much makeup, I'm a huge fan of blush. You can wake up exhausted and puffy-eyed, and if you put on a swipe of blush, you look like a fresh-faced beauty who just stepped in from the cold.

NARS Orgasm was my favorite for years (and one of the most award-winning blushes of all time), but NARS just launched a new color called G-Spot, and it looks amazing. Deeper, sexier, it apparently brings out a sultry plum color in your cheeks. Lucky Magazine calls it "wildly flattering." Aren't you psyched to try it? I'm secretly hoping to find it in my stocking. :)

Girls With Awesome Hair: Elaine Welteroth

Teen Vogue Beauty Director Elaine Welteroth has one of the sleekest cuts I've ever seen, one she's affectionately named the "curly hawk." When she's not overseeing the beauty and health coverage across Teen Vogue's print, digital, and social media properties, she's testing out the best products on the market. She's no stranger to the items that make curly hair easier to manage, so I asked her for the tried and true favorites that make her locks happy, healthy, and sophisticated. 

 

1. Purely Perfect Cleansing Crème: "This, my friends, is a straight up game changer. I was an early adopter of cleansing creams and “co-washing” (a term, originated in the curly community, that basically means rinsing with conditioner instead of starting from scratch with shampoos, which tend to leave dry hair even drier). It’s a completely new way of washing your hair—no suds, no harsh detergents, and no need to follow up with a conditioner because (bonus!) it doubles as both. The next-level genius of this Purely Perfect cleansing creme is that it leaves any texture noticeably silkier, shinier, tangle-free and, most importantly, clean. (I know this because I got our entire beauty department hooked.) My favorite part is this: you don’t have to wait until day two or three for bouncy, lived-in curls. For the first time ever I actually love my freshly washed hair on day one."

 

2. Shu Uemura Ultimate Remedy Extreme Restoration Treatment for Ultra Damaged Hair: "Curly hair is dry by nature. Curly, bleached hair? Double whammy. Still, one of my greatest joys (and guiltiest pleasures) is going to see master colorist Aura Friedman at Sally Hershberger Downtown for highlights. Like an Instagram filter for your hair, her highlights make you look tanner and taller with more defined-looking curls. (Ok, maybe not taller, but whatever.) But then comes the upkeep. To keep my curls from feeling totally fried, I swear by this deep conditioner. It’s creamy satiny deliciousness transforms rough, dry tangles into crazy-soft hair that’s like-new. I like to leave a little in as a pre-styling cream—partly because it’s just too decadent to watch it all go right down the drain."

 

3. Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream: "As a curly girl, I love a good styling cream. But, like dating in NYC, it’s difficult to find the perfect match—they can be too clingy or too smelly or too heavy or too lightweight or they just stop behaving the way they once did. So, I’ve always kept a few on heavy rotation. Until this. Leave it to Oribe to come up with the world's most perfect styling cream that passes every test. And if I may sneak in just one more Oribe mention, the Hair Plumping Mousse (travel size) is my number one can’t-board-a-plane-without product. I use it every single day to give my "curly hawk” just enough control and definition without feeling over-styled or crunchy. It's predictably good hair in a bottle. A short haired girl’s dream!" 

 

4. Devacurl No-Poo Quick Cleanser: "I was once convinced that dry shampoo was only for women with limp, straight hair. My experiments with it always left my dark curls tacky and white with residue (gross). Not for me! Then fatefully during beauty awards testing, I discovered this gem that was expertly designed for curly hair. I spray it along my crown at the root before diffusing and boom—more lift and volume, immediately. Without it, my curls look sad and deflated."  

 

5. Devacurl Devafuser: "Meet the ultimate diffuser for curly hair. This green, hand-shaped contraption is the number one most wanted item in my bag of beauty tricks. I bring it on set with me and even pro hairstylists go wild. It has 360 degree airflow, so it plumps up strands from every angle. And because it’s shaped like a hand, yours can relax while it does the scrunching for you. Best. Invention. Ever!"

Holiday Gift Guide 2014 - Under $25

1. Love this mug for hot chocolate. ($22)

2. The chicest hair clip. ($16.50)

3. Festive drink stirrers. ($22)

4. RMS lip shine. ($19.99)

5. The best coffee table decoration. ($24)

6. Cute cupcake kit. ($13)

7. Throwback Rodin lip balm ring. ($14)

8. Cozy scent for cold weather. ($18)

9. "Call me" card case. ($20)

10. Cocktail hour gummies. ($25)

11. A new take on pearl studs. ($17.90)

12. The coolest "broken" iPhone case. ($24)

13. Striped soap for a guest bathroom. ($15)

14. Unique bud vase. ($17.50)

Have A Great Weekend

 My friend just told me about hot buttered apple cider, which I'm now curious to try. Hope you have a good one, and here are a few fun links from around the web...

Daylight savings is officially the worst.

Every mom in Brooklyn seems to be wearing these shoes.

These password security questions made me laugh.

Now THIS is a tiny apartment.

WOW! An incredible list of grammar tips.

Women having a terrible time at parties in western art history, and women refusing marriage proposals.

Behind-the-scenes of Girls Season 4.

Abbey has such fun ideas for her new apartment.

The truth about Ebola.

Logos with hidden messages.

"I am fat, my fiancé is thin, we are getting married, that is radical."

This old dog acclimates kittens to dogs to increase their chances of adoption.

Amazing house tours.

Even sign language has accents.

Links I Love

1. A lasting relationship comes down to two basic traits. (bussinessinsider.com)

2. Dark green decor inspiration. (witanddelight.com)

3. A polished pregnancy wardrobe. (theline.com)

4. Things you should always pick up at the flea market for your kitchen. (thekitchn.com)

5. The ultimate Thanksgiving etiquette guide. (bonappetit.com)

6. Faux deckled edge paper DIY. (oncewed.com)

7. Chocolate and vanilla swirl crumb cake. (topwithcinnamon.com)

8. A peek inside a legendary cookbook editor's kitchen. (wsj.com) 

9. Which teas help with what. (pinterest.com)

How Joan McNamara From Joan's On Third Entertains

Joan's on Third is a Los Angeles institution and one of many peoples favorite places to grab a bite to eat, whether it's for a casual meeting or just when they need a pick-me-up. Joan McNamara started her restaurant out of a booming catering business, and now manages two locations - her original 3rd St.store and a brand-new shop in Studio City. Joan's livelihood revolves around making her guests happy (she still spends the majority of her time in the kitchen), so she knows a thing or two about entertaining. I'd do anything to score an invite to one of her parties, but the next best thing is to have the entertaining master share her tips and tricks on how to make hosting a breeze. 

1. How do you figure out what you’re going to serve and if it will all taste good together?

"I usually begin by selecting my favorite seasonal dish and then I design the party to center around the dish that I'm in the mood to make. It is always a creative process. One thing that doesn't change is that I always love to have an abundance of food." 

2. What parts of the entertaining process do you try to do ahead of time?

I like to put out the serving platters, set the table, arrange all the beautiful fresh flowers, shop and prep some menu items, select the music, and decide which candles I plan to light…And, of course, get excited to host a beautiful party!

3. What are your signature touches that you always have when you entertain? 

"A couple of things: I always have Santa Maria Novella potpourri in the entryway of my loft, keep an abundance of fresh flowers, light plenty of unscented candles, and always Prosecco with dessert (usually something amazing and chocolate of course)! I also like to have a specialty cocktail…right now I have been enjoying serving chocolate martinis, and Aperol with Prosecco and a touch of fresh squeezed juice."

4. Your #1 tip for easy holiday entertaining, especially when everyone is so stressed.

"Call Joan’s on Third. And if aren't Los Angeles-based, hire a server or two to help so you can enjoy the party."

5. What’s your philosophy on entertaining for kids – do you cater a separate meal around them, or keep the actual meal simple enough for everyone?

With a larger group, I'll seat the kids together, and make a special meal for them. The children will enjoy a fun table all together. 

Entertaining with children makes for a lovely party – their energy, so full of life, just adds such a special feel. A great party usually ends with children in their pajamas heading off to bed while the adults enjoy conversation, coffee and dessert.

6. What’s the best way to coordinate a potluck holiday meal? Do you have a fail-safe dish that’s always a hit?

A potluck is best when you invite your chef friends… or if you have a creative group with good, eclectic tastes. Abundance is key. Be sure to plan the menu carefully and consider assigning dishes to each person. But, truthfully, I do not really love to host potlucks…they are not usually my party type of choice.

7. How do you differentiate your table decor from a normal dinner party and a holiday dinner party?

For holidays, I love to use more fresh flowers, accented with many candles, and finished off with some seasonal accents. Of course, holiday music, specialty cookies and cocktails really set the mood!

8. What is your entertaining philosophy: do you try to have everything done beforehand or are you in-and-out of the kitchen while your guests are having drinks?

Ideally, I would love to get as much done ahead of time, it is wonderful to be a guest at your own party and enjoy your company. Guests relax more when the host is participating and having fun.

9. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

I always love waking up early to stuff the Thanksgiving turkey with my grandchildren, Henry and Molly. One of my favorite holiday dishes to make is Coquille St. Jacques on Christmas Eve.

10. I imagine that things don’t go terribly wrong in your kitchen, but do you have any tips on bouncing back from a dish gone awry? 

Put the dish aside, move on and serve the rest - I always have so much food that there is inevitably enough food for everyone, even if I'm minus a dish.  At a later date – I may re-make the item if it’s worth it and adjust it so it’s right for the next time. 

Holiday Serveware

You’d think that with the holiday season right around the bend, there would be an influx of really great server ware out there, but when I went this weekend to shop, I couldn't find anything that matched my vision of style and function. I want pieces that are basic enough to be a kitchen staple, but with enough personality to make it a bit more special for entertaining. I did a pretty deep-dive and found some gems that I’d love to place on our holiday table.

1. Bowl with lid // $134

2. Pretty trivet // $90

3. Rustic table runner // $38

4. Simple, non-fussy napkins // $6.36

5. One-hand salad tongs // $34

6. Chic salt and pepper shakers // $70

7. Metallic leather coasters // $50

8. A beautiful gravy boat // $80

9. Festive candle holders // $48

10. Unique serving tray // $58

11. Modern napkin rings // $16

*Top image via Andrew Thomas Lee.

Have A Fun Weekend

Hope you have a good one (stay warm!), and here are a few fun links from around the web...

Cacio e pepe with a twist.

How babies used to fly on airplanes.

A bike path inspired by Van Gogh.

How to draw a perfect circle. It really works!

Disney Princesses have ridiculously tiny waists.

"A really bad month."

 obsessed with using this beauty tool. 

20 baby names that are getting popular.

Made me laugh.

WOW. Hugely inspired by ballet students on Instagram.

Italian chefs rate grocery-store pasta. (Go, Trader Joe's!)

11 idioms only Brits understand.

Have a good one. xoxo

(Photo by Mark Kaarremaa. Bad month via Miss Moss)

Allure Magazine Editor Kelly Atterton's Secrets To Great Skin

 The first thing you'll notice about Kelly is her skin. In short: it's flawless. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of all things skincare (she's been working at ALLURE the beauty-focused magazine for years and has tried nearly every product under the sun), and I was desperate to know more about her beauty regimen. But, I wanted to know more than just her current routine: I wanted to know the ins-and-outs of what she's done for the past two decades that made the payoff so worthwhile. Here, the products and routines Kelly has relied on to keep her skin looking like it's glowing-from-the-inside-out.

 

"After years and years of really looking after my skin, it’s so nice to see results and to be complimented on it. My skin is far from perfect, but it’s so much better than it would have been had I not started consciously caring for it around the time I turned 30. My skin ritual is pretty simple: wash, nourish (serums and oils), moisturize, and protect. I’m religious about following these steps morning and night.

 

Aside from following my daily skin ritual, I’m pretty laid-back about everything else skin-related.  I don’t overdo it with high-impact skin care, like lasers or peels. Sure, I’ve tried various treatments, but I’ve got sensitive skin and am always worried that something could set off a bad reaction. I’ve also held off on injectables—I'll never say never, but for now it’s not something that I’m considering.

 

Another thing I swear by is being conscious of the company I keep. I try to spend time with people who don’t obsess over looks or gossip about who’s getting what done. Too much focus on anything can breed unhealthy fixations. No one’s perfect, especially me, and I accept this whole-heartedly."

 

 

"In my 20s I wasn't really bothered to take great care of my skin. I never suffered from acne, although I would definitely get the occasional and often ill-timed pimple that I would work like crazy to make go away.  

 

Of course, I washed my face (most likely with a Kiehl’s cleanser), and if I remembered I might put on a bit of moisturizer. If it was hot out and I knew I was going to be in the sun, I might, yes, might apply sunscreen. However, I dread saying that I most likely opted to "get a little color" rather than protect my skin. I cringe at the thought now.

 

All in all, my idea of skin care was that I didn't have to worry about it much past making sure I went to bed with a clean face. Anti-aging wasn't a part of my vocabulary then, but boy did things change in my 30s!

 

In my early 30s, right around the time I was getting married, I started seeing Sonya Dakar, an L.A. aesthetician. She put me on her multistep skin-care regimen, which included serums, face oils, moisturizers, and sunscreen. I dutifully followed the program and saw major positive changes in my complexion. My skin felt supple and hydrated, and it glowed! I started getting compliments left and right. It felt great to be rewarded for taking care of myself.

 

Once I was on the skin-care path, I began trying anything and everything I could get my hands on. A huge revelation for me was when I incorporated active products into my ritual. Whether it was a vitamin C serum or a retinol cream, I was all over it.

 

Water intake also became a focus for me in my 30s. I started consciously drinking as much I could get down. This wasn’t easy for me back then, and I still have to force myself to drink more than I think I need.  

 

My approach to skin care in my 40s hasn’t changed much in the last few years. I’m still following my ritual day and night, and I’m still curious about every new product out there. However, I’ve become more educated about the ingredients used to make skin-care products, and I try to stay away from the more toxic stuff. If I can find what I’m looking for in an all-natural or organic product, then I’ll definitely go that route. When it comes to really effective anti-aging products, I just try to get the one that works best and is paraben-free.

 

I’m also really into getting microcurrent facials. They are noninvasive and the results are fantastic! I go to this amazing lady in Beverly Hills, and she does a full hourlong session of just microcurrent massage. It’s incredibly relaxing and effective.

 

I’m still really good about wearing sunscreen every day, rain or shine. Lately, I’ve also been using this really cool new product by Tina K., an L.A. aesthetician that’s an antioxidant shield.  It actually creates a clear barrier (think: banana peel) that nourishes the skin and protects it from the sun. It’s my new obsession!

 

The one new thing that I consider part of my routine is daily exercise. I wasn’t very good about exercising in my 20s or 30s, but now I can’t live without it. Sweating every day has changed my life in so many ways: I sleep better, I feel better, and I definitely look better. A relaxed face is always a prettier face." 

 "There are three products that I've been using for more years than I can remember and will probably do so for many more years to come are as follows: 

 

Face serums: I love them loaded with vitamins and peptides.

 

Face oils: I can’t live without them! I love how my skin just slurps them up, and I adore how they smell. I truly feel more connected to the earth when I have them on.  (Above: Kypris Beauty Elixir, Shiva Rose Oil)

 

Sunscreen: Honestly, I will never leave home without it on."

 

 Some of the products she swears by:

1. Odacité An Autumn on the World Oil // 2. Lacrème Beautè Rose Face Cream // 3. Kate Somerville Mask // 4. Tata Harper Replenishing Nutrient Complex // 5. Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Oil // 6. Radical Skincare Serum // 7. Restorsea Rejuvenating Day Cream // 8. Kypris Moonlight Catalyst // 9. Kat Rudu Cooling Cucumber Eye Gel

 

You can see some more of Kelly's favorite products on Allure’s 2014 Best of Beauty Awards list.