Urban Decay Friends and Family Sale is On!

You heard right, folks. Urban Decay is hosting a fabulous friends and family sale. From now through August 20th, score all of your favorite Urban Decay Goodies at 30% off. Simply enter code FNFF1 and you are good to go!

I have been eying the fall collection for quite some time, and now there is no reason not to indulge. I feel a haul coming on.

Go shopping!, then come back to tell me what you haul. ;)

The Arrojo Salon Experience

Clearly, the original hair expert from the hit show What Not To Wear knows a thing or two about hair, right? Mane master Nick Arrojo brings New Yorkers cutting edge (get it?) haircare in his state of the art Arrojo Studio. With a space that is both modern and appealing, the Arrojo Studio is a house that holds the best and brightest in the world of hair.

Desperate to update my disastrous 'do, making an appointment with the skilled hands over at Arrojo was a virtual no-brainer. As soon as I walked into the space, I knew the experience would be something special. The salon itself is pristine and inviting; it was buzzing with activity, and full of beautiful people. With a training area, cut station, color station, cafe, and makeup area (complete with artist on the premesis); Arrojo Studio is a true lifestyle salon and one-stop beauty shop.

As I put on the Arrojo robes, I knew the fun was about to begin. I sat down with stylist Topher, discussing the steps we would take toward getting my hair picture perfect. Having decided that I wanted to keep the long length of my hair, Topher happily suggested we just trim the dead ends and go with lots of face-framing layers and a subtle side bang. The overall look would be chic and sleek, but versatile enough to go curly. After I voiced my approval of his vision (an enthusiastic heck yeah did the trick), I was led to the other side of the salon for a color consultation and color.

This is what we were working with, clearly my hair team had their work cut out for them (and there I go with the puns again).

Unfortunately, my previous dye job was so long ago that my haircolor was both muddy and dull. My colorist, Ashley is both talented and knowledgable; she answered all of my haircolor questions while she simultaneously lead me down the path to haircolor nirvana. After taking a look at both my current color and my complexion, she decided that a warm red would suit me the best. We opted for a deep auburn brown that will ultimately shine bright red in the sun. The end result would be a color that both brightens my face and warms up my skintone.

Sitting in that chair, I couldn't help but feel that Ashley was lovingly coating my hair in what looked like butterscotch pudding. YUM.

Post hairdye, it was time to shiny up my colorful new 'do with a semi-permanent red gloss to kick the color up a couple of notches (BAM). Essentially, the gloss set the tone of the hair and added lots of shine and depth. After an hour of color-filled fun, I was all ready for the nice man with the scissors and comb.Already feeling pretty fierce, I was led back to my awaiting stylist, Topher. As soon as I sat down in his chair and started chatting with him, I knew that I had made a talented new friend. A native Brooklynite with a passion for hair, Topher is both genuine and funny. Oh, and did I mention that any stylist who knows what a jew-fro is automatically goes up 1000 levels on the awesome scale?As he reverently choreographed the dance of the shears across my head, we each regaled the other with tales of growing up as native New Yorkers with quirky parents.

Before I knew it, I had a head full of face hugging layers, and four inches off the bottom. Topher then walked me through the products I would need to get the look I want, while offering up his advice on how to style my hair depending on the look I was going for. Post blowout, I was runway ready and absolutely loving it. The end result was both modern, and stylish.

With my new hair dream team, Topher and Ashley. How insanely green do my eyes look now?!

I am so thrilled with my hair, you can't even imagine. I cannot stop running my fingers through my locks while making 'mirror face'.

Arrojo Studio is conveniently located downtown by Houston St. To schedule an appointment with Topher or Ashley, give Arrojo Studio a call at 212.242.7786

Illamasqua Week- The Recap

Well beauties, it has been a long and informative journey into the world of Illamasqua this week here on Krasey Beauty. For those of you just tuning in, shame on you. I will make it easier for you all and sum up the brand in one word: LOVE.

Here is a handy dandy Illamasqua reference guide to help you navigate this past week's posts.

My interview with Daniel, Head trainer at Illamasqua

An afternoon with the Illamasqua Team

My Illamasqua makeover, courtesy of Daniel

Illamasqua Swatch Project Part 1- Eyes

Illamasqua Swatch Project Part 2- Lips

Illamasqua Swatch Project Part 3- Cheeks

List of Sephora stores in the US to carry Illamasqua products

And there you have it, Illamasqua week. I hope you all enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing it. If any of you hauled, I would love to know what you purchased! :)

Shu Uemura Tokyo Kamon Girls Cleansing Oils by Moyoko Anno

I have blogged before on the magical Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils, now feast your eyes on the hi-res images and full collection story from Shu's limited edition collaboration with Moyoco Anno, a Tokyo-born manga artist.

Each bottle was designed by Moyoco Anno herself, and takes on its own distinctive personality with a different Tokyo Kamon girl on each one. Capturing the essence of emotion and femininity, each bottle is a work of art.

CLASSIC CLEANSING OIL

• Excellent for all skin conditions, the formula’s Camellia and Ginger Root Oils help to
maintain skin’s moisture, leaving it feeling comfortable and as soft as a petal.
• Leaves and vines playfully intertwine in the design, which also features heartshaped
flower petal icons.
• Wanting to communicate the idea of “brilliance”, Moyoco depicts a serene girl who
embodies the essence of happiness and true fulfillment.

CLEANSING OIL FRESH

• A light oil that refreshes and refines oily to combination skin.
• Formulated with Cherry Extract to remove excess skin cells and tighten pores.
• A cherry blossom and chrysanthemum, Japan’s most symbolic bloom, kamon adorn
the bottle.
• The pink motif and image of a very cute, charming girl complements the pink
colored formula and represents the pure and innocent qualities in a woman.

CLEANSING OIL ENRICHED
• Bitter Orange Peel, Tomato Extract, Red Pepper Extract enrich, nourish and comfort
dry skin.
• The checkered pattern on the packaging is drawn from traditional kimono textiles.
• Inspired by the formula’s orange tone, the kamon symbol is formed of the leaves of
a mandarin fruit.
• Moved by the energetic and strong-willed female, Moyoco depicted a girl whose
long hair and bangs hark back to powerful traditional images of Japanese female
beauty.

CLEANSING OIL A/O
• Fatigued and aging skin is purified, moisturized and revitalized with Green Tea
Extract, which contains Catechin known for its anti-oxidant properties that restore
radiance.
• Decorated with a magnificent Japanese pine and a woman who lovingly manicures
her bonsai plant, the bottle’s images were inspired by the deep green of the
formula as well as the reserved, elegant and graceful disposition of a highly
revered Japanese woman.

BRIGHTENING CLEANSING OIL
• Sakura Leaf and Prune extract swiftly remove makeup and impurities to reveal
smoother, brighter, more clarified skin.
• The design’s green accents bring to mind the youth and vitality of fresh leaves,
while the purple wisteria is known for its longevity and fertility in ancient Japanese
poetry.
• A popular color combination in Japan, these hues brought to mind the coquettish,
mysterious and alluring aspect of women and can be seen in the Moyoco’s image
of the girl whose parted hair covers one eye in a flirtatious way.

No matter what your personality or skincare needs, you are bound to find the cleansing oil for you. Me? Well I am gravitating towards fresh, cause I am a sucker for pink. ;)

Origins Wants You To Win a Trip to Los Cabos!

Because we could all use a vacation in paradise-

Origins' new "Leave it all behind" sweepstakes will grant one lucky winner a FREE luxurious getaway for two to gorgeous Los Cabos, Mexico.

The Grand Prize includes two roundtrip tickets on Continental Airlines, a three-night stay at the Marquis Los Cabos beachfront resort, two rejuvenating spa treatments, and the entire collection of refreshing Origins Gloomaway products.

To enter, fill out the registration form here by August 31, 2009. For full contest rules, click here

Good luck beauties. If you win, you know who to take along ;)

Sephora Opens at Five Time Square

Better late than never, but you know I couldn't leave you all without coverage of one of the biggest launches of the year, right? ;) As everyone and their mom knows, Sephora has just opened a brand spanking new store at Five Times Square, and I was there to check it out and cover the whole shebang.


Returning are old favorites like Make Up For Ever, Nars, and Urban Decay. But, it is the addition of new lines that have us beauty connoisseurs chomping at the bit.

I am taking requests for any questions you might have about the store/new brands. Comment box is open, so fire away. :)

Nars Cosmetics' Norman Sands Talks Trends for Fall 2009

Nars trainer Norman Sands is no stranger to makeup trends and runway beauty. Having worked behind the scenes at Fashion week, and also having adorned the faces of Leighton Meester, Cyndi Lauper, Elaine Irwin, and E!s Cat Sadler, Sands knows a thing or two about keeping women glamorous with the latest and greatest that beauty has to offer.

I recently had the opportunity to chat with Norman a bit, as he gears up for 3 Sephora store appearances in Chicago this August. Norman was kind enough to give me his take on beauty trends for Fall 2009, fresh off the Fashion Week runways.

On Key Fall 2009 Makeup Trends from the Runway:

This season it’s all about putting the drama, color and play back into makeup. It’s all about re-visiting the 40’s and the 80’s with a modern twist. After creating your smoky eye, add a pop of bright color to the inner lid, outer corner or brow bone. This is the season for liner any way you like. From the smoldering eyes of smudged shadow to crisp timeless liquid winged eyes. Vintage vamp is back in shades of candy apple red to scarlet and crimson.

Here are some of this seasons biggest trends…

1. The Technicolor Eye- bold and brazen, 80’s inspired and fun It’s the modern smoky eye with a jolt of color (neon green, hues of purple and blue) pair with serious black eyeliner

Celebrity Influences: Think Boy George, Grace Jones and David Bowie with a modern twist

2. The Luxe and Lined Eye- Always timeless, always chic -this season it is paired with a nude or rosy eyelid and lush eyelashes Angela Jolie has made this her signature look

Celebrity Influences: Think Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Catherine Deneuve

3. The New Nude Lip- Moody and playful this seasons nude comes in shades of beige, carmel and pale plum. 4. Scarlet Fever- Intense, ultra rich and glamorous shades of red help create your own personal red carpet moment. The look is very old Hollywood and never too serious. Matte and velvety, or lacquered to a high shine in shades of vintage candy apple, crimson and deep merlot, scarlet lips are hot hot hot.

Celebrity Influences: Think Gwen Stefani, Drew Barrymore

Now listen up my Chicago chickadees- Nars Stylist Norman Sands will make 3 personal appearances in August at three different Sephora stores. This is not an event to be missed if you are in the area, as he will be sharing industry tips and tricks from the Fashion Week runways.

Here are the deets, so be sure to call to set up your personal consultation!

August 7 and 8 Sephora Water Tower Place (312) 335- 9391

August 14 and 15 Sephora Woodfield (847) 330-0203

August 21 and 22 Sephora Old Orchard (847) 568-0323

If you do go, I want to hear all about it! Who else is loving Nars lately? What do you all think of the trends for fall, of the fall collection?