Add a touch of blush!

 

By: Kim Solimini

I always use bronzer and alternate between different shades depending on the season and the time of the year. Color is always a plus; it gives facial makeup some dimension and adds a fresh look!

If you are looking to switch it up from your typical bronzer, I highly suggest a blush. Instead of piling on brown tones, why not add some soft, pretty, pinks? I was never a fan of blush, until I found the right one: NARS blush in Orgasm. 

It works well with all skin tones and do not be afraid of the color when you open it; the color come out much lighter on your face!

NARS offers several other shades, but Orgasm to me seems to be the best all around cover for day or night wear!

Check out NARS Blush in Orgasm!

Buy it here!

Or if you want to add some shimmer check out NARS Blush in Super Orgasm!

Buy it here!

the real gretchen rossi

By Shasta Moczulski, Contributing Writer 

We were all captivated  when Gretchen Rossi became a cast member of Bravo's  The Real Housewives of Orange County in season 4.  Her positive attitude, sense of humor and brilliant smile quickly won the hearts of so many.   Gretchen,  has created  an incredible life outside of reality TV.  A quote from Gretchen's  blog, sums up who this amazing woman is, "I believe in encouraging and lifting people up."   Two of her current and might I add, very successful projects include,  Gretchen Christine Beaute  and  her new new handbag line for shopnbc.com that launched July 30, 2010.   

We here at cupcakeMAG were thrilled that Gretchen took  the time to talk to us about her latest projects, her favorite beauty products and share so much more.  Her openness and gracious heart won us over! 

Your line debuts on July 30, 2010 on www.shopnbc.com.  What is your favorite item that will be presented that day?

The debut of the Gretchen Christine Collection on July 30^th was a huge success! We sold out of many of the handbags right away! It really is so hard to pick a favorite because I use all of them and they all have such unique and different looks, but if I had to pick a favorite it would be the “Newport Satchel” in Coral!  

When you were creating the "Gretchen Christine Collection", what did you draw upon for inspiration?  Does your Southern California lifestyle influence the design process? 

Yes my Southern California lifestyle definitely influenced the design process! I love being a California gal and all the beauty and glamour that goes along with that.  My inspiration was two- fold, my own personal style combined with my travels and influence around the world. My passion for design and fashion have always been a part of my life but it was even more ignited when my fans wanted to know more about my personal style and the handbags in particular I was carrying on the show!  Once I told them that most of the bags were designer bags that cost thousands of dollars they would get disappointed and say “I could never afford one of those bags”.   It made me realize that every woman deserves to look like a million bucks without having to spend it. I knew that I could bring high fashion and quality to my handbags without it leaving your bank account empty.

I believe every woman wants to have access to high fashion and good quality handbags, clothes and accessories, but not all of us can afford the designer names especially in today’s economy, thus the creation of the “Gretchen Christine Collection”.

You seem to be a positive, happy person.  How do you stay so upbeat?  

Thank you for that compliment! I would have to say is my upbringing (my family) and my faith that keeps me going strong no matter what life throws at me. I struggle with things just as much as the next person but to soak in sadness does nothing but make me feel worse, so I CHOOSE, and it is a choice, to be happy and upbeat much more often than not.


Life is way too short and I have learned that lesson many times over. I have one life to live here and I am going to live it to its fullest!  Even when I am in my darkest hour I believe God will never give me more than I can handle and he will always be faithful. He hasn’t let me down yet and that makes me HAPPY!

Your makeup line, that was actually featured on Real Housewives of Orange County, "Gretchen Christine Beaute", seems to be really taking off!  What is your favorite product in your line that you can't live without? 

I absolutely cannot choose a favorite in the line! I use all of it every single day to do my make-up!  I made it with the “everyday” woman in mind. I wanted a woman to look and feel her best everyday! So everything from the foundations to the powders, blushes and bronzers, to the eye shadows and eye products to the lip liners, lip glosses, and Pout Poppers,  to the eye and lip primer I have not missed a thing that a woman would want in her make-up bag, and at very affordable prices to boot! What girl could want anything more! High quality make-up that makes you look and feel like a million bucks without the high price tag!

Music is also one of your many talents, do you plan to release an entire album now that your song "Nothing Without You" had such success?  

Wow thank you again for such a nice compliment! I love, love, love music it has always been a part of my soul. My family is very musically inclined and I have been fortunate to be surrounded by that my whole life. I have been writing since a little girl and that was the most nerve racking yet exhilarating thing in my life to be able to take my very private lyrics and get behind a mic and sing them. I am so blessed to be able to have a support system around me that encourages me to express myself through these different avenues. I do plan to release another song here hopefully soon, but a much different type of song, one that you would hear in the clubs! I hope everyone loves it as much as I do!

Have you started filming the new Season of RHOC?  If so, are there are any hints that you can give viewers about what to expect in the upcoming season?   

Unfortunately I am not at liberty to confirm season six yet, but I can tell everyone that I personally have a lot going on in my life and I am excited about the possibility to share all those things with our viewers and my wonderful and loyal fans if we return!




What items can always be found in your makeup bag?  

Well obviously my Gretchen Christine Beaute” products, but I love to have a little brozner, mascara, and lip gloss on hand at all times!





What is the most valuable lesson that you have learned about yourself while being on hugely popular reality show?  

Wow, I have learned so many things! First, not to take myself too seriously or the show for that matter, and second not to be affected by what people say about you. When you sign up for a show like this people want to tear you apart in the press and blogs. I have learned to stay away from reading those sites and stay focused on my goal with this show…which is building a lasting brand that stands for something that I can be proud of.  “Gretchen Christine” stands for empowering people. GCC and GCB ‘s foundation was built from the philosophy “How to look and feel like a million bucks without having to spend it” My goal is to empower people to live with their best foot forward, whether it be through fashion, beauty or internally. 

Whether or not there is a Season 6 of The Real Housewives of Orange County, we are confident that Gretchen will continue to pursue her dreams and do so with a grateful heart. Stay-up-to date with Gretchen at her website  , on Twitter , Facebook  and of course, get your shop on at shopnbc! 

get your lips ready for LOVE day: PAUL & JOE BEAUTY Lip Lacquer

Bid Adieu to thin, dull lips and kiss hello to a Magnifique pout! Paul & Joe’s new Lip Lacquer sweetens your smooch with its dazzling hues and glossy gleam. This petite lip gloss is the perfect addition to your ensemble.

With the vibrant colors of lipstick and the vivacious shimmer of lip gloss, Lip Lacquer provides asheer texture that applies easy for a perfect pucker. Formulated to keep lips hydrated and add fuller dimension, applying Lip Lacquer ensures a fresh look and sheer finish that lasts all night.

Visit Paul & Joe Beaute to check out all the great products & unique packaging.

New Year… Where’s the New You?

Bobbi Brown Makeup Face Lift Collection

Give Bobbi Brown 5 minutes. She'll make you look your best.

“I designed this collection to give women all the tools they need to look well-rested and bright-eyed in five minutes flat.” – Bobbi Brown

This January, Bobbi makes it easy to keep all of your New Year resolutions with her Makeup Face Lift Collection, which allows you to instantly brighten your face and play up your eyes with just a few simple tweaks.

New Extra Eye Repair Cream ($65)

PROBLEM: Do your eyes need something extra?

SOLUTION: Packed with peptides, natural plant oils and humectants that target wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness, this rich concentrated cream visibly revives eyes. Use morning and night- warm between fingers, then pat gently around eye area. Once cream is absorbed, follow with Tinted Eye Brightener or Concealer.

Tinted Eye Brightener ($38)

Bobbi's Tinted Eye Brightener, now in a NEW portable pen! Back-of-cab makeup artists (you know who you are)- with just a quick twist and a click, this lightweight Concealer instantly brightens under-eye circles and refreshes your makeup. Available in eight shades.

New Brow Pencils ($20)

Instantly give your eyes a “lift” with defined eyebrows. These creamy, blendable pencils give you the natural look of eyebrow powder with the precision of a pencil and come with their own sharpener. Available in five shades.

Brightening Lip Gloss ($20)

Introducing two new shades of Brightening Lip Gloss. This sheer, reflective formula wakes up your face and helps create the illusion of fuller lips. Wear alone or on top of your favorite BobbiBrown lipstick.

Get all the Bobbi Brown products you need by visiting the website.

The Beauty of Giving

With the Holiday season just around the corner and only a few shopping weeks left we have a few suggestions to give and receive which will be sure to please everyone on your list.

GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK:

· L’ORÉAL PARIS COLOR OF HOPE COSMETICS BAG

When you give the Color of Hope Cosmetics Bag ($29.95) this holiday season, L’Oréal Paris will donate $5 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, L’Oréal Paris’ 12-year charitable partner in the fight against ovarian cancer. The silver cosmetics pouch includes an assortment of universally flattering shades of mauve, vibrant teal – the color symbolizing ovarian cancer awareness – and the on-trend accent shade of rich plum. Products include: Infallible Lip Gloss in Color of Hope, Colour Rich Lip Colour in Color of Hope and two Wear Infinité Eye Shadow Quads in Bouquet of Strength and Petals of Promise.

· THE BODY SHOP

The Body Shop, one of the pioneers of ecologically-sound practices and the use of Community Trade which benefits more than 25,000 people in 20 countries, presents a new range of holiday products which allow one to rejoice with family and friends while at the same time giving back to others. Here are a few things we just LOVE!

BATH & BODY: Each of the three bath and body holiday collections from The Body Shop, the NEW Nutmeg & Vanilla Collection, with its hint of home baked treats and deliciously accented with nutmeg, vanilla and sugar, the sweeter, fruitier scented NEW Black Velvet Apricot Collection and the Merry Cranberry Collection, contain products ranging from shimmering lotions to shower gels to lip balms that are sure to be all-around crowd pleasers.

NEW WINTER TREND MAKE-UP: These party-ready products for eyes, lips and cheeks features highly effective moisturizing and skin conditioning Community Trade Marula Oil from Namibia’s Eudafang Women’s Co-Operative.

SOFT HANDS KIND HEART HAND CREAM: This cream features soothing angelica extract to soften the skin and protect hands available for $10 and $6 from every purchase will be donated to ECPAT (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes) to combat child exploitation.

LOVE ETC… FRAGRANCE & BODY LOTIONS: Complements the Holiday Collection with its unique blend of jasmine, vanilla and sandalwood, and is the world’s first perfume to feature alcohol that is fairly traded and organically sourced from sugar cane farmers in Ecuador.

HOME FRAGRANCES: The Body Shop has an array of scintillating fragrances for the home, certain to convey a holiday feeling. The Home Fragrance collection features new scents of Mulled Berries, Mandarin Ginger, Vanilla Spice, Merry Cranberry, Black Velvet Apricot, and Nutmeg & Vanilla, as well as a range of diffuser options. BAG FOR LIFE: Funds raised from the sale of the Bag for Life and Create Your Own Gift Bags go to Somaly Mam Foundation to aid rehabilitation and support services in Cambodia. To top it all off, The Body Shop products are packaged in 80% post-consumer recycled and wrapped in Eco-Chic Gift Bags, packages that are certain to become reusable keepsakes throughout the year.

ULTIMATE STOCKING STUFFERS:

· DEMETER FRAGRANCES

The Demeter Fragrance Library consists of over 250 fragrances inspired by everyday objects and experiences – the scents you know and love from Baby Powder to Lavender to Cherry Blossom to Laundromat to Martini to Play Doh! Demeter is the olfactory version of “stopping to smell the roses.” Demeter fragrance is a personal choice that is all about the wearer, not an expression of the designer (so there is a scent that is perfect for everyone!) Better yet, the scents can now be purchased at your local drugstore (i.e. Rite Aid stores Nationwide) which makes buying gifts this season that much easier! 95% NATURAL INGREDIENTS: Alcohol naturally fermented, no artificial colors, no phthalates, no extra packaging. Scents ideal for the holiday season: all-NEW “Cinnamon Bark” fragrance matches the undeniably wonderful scent of cinnamon, in its purest and most natural state without any added sweeteners. Other scents that are reminiscent for this time of year include “Apple Pie”, “Egg Nog,” “Snow.” “Gingerbread,” “Mulled Cider” and the idyllic scent of “Christmas Tree.”

The ½ oz. Purse Spray and the ½ oz. Humungous Miniature Splashes make for terrific stocking stuffers and the gifts sets offer a larger selection of your favorite scents if having trouble picking just one. If you are searching for a housewarming gift, look no further than the Demeter Atmosphere Sprays which allow you to create an individually scented environment, perfectly and precisely suited to one's own tastes.

GIFTS FOR YOUR GIRLFRIENDS:

· JUICY COUTURE FRAGRANCES

Fragrance is a year-round must-have gift for women. During the holidays, it is especially desirable because you can usually get very nice gifts sets for the cost of a single bottle of fragrance, and the sets from Juicy Couture are no exception -- with prices ranging from $35 to $100 and including combinations of the Eau De Parfum Spray to Body Crème to Shower Gel you are able to choose from a wide assortment of sets that allow you to do your holiday shopping in one swoop! Couture Couture Spray is our fave! It was also seen in Harper’s Bazaar magazine just this November!

POP this Holiday Season!

As we gear up for the Holiday season we are ready to party hop with Pop Beauty. The UK based brand is one we have come to know and love. Not only are they perfect gifts for the beauty addicts in your life (or yourself) but they are great to POP in your bag and go.

Smokey Eye Goddess Clutch $32

Twelve smoky lid finishers are all together in this chic sequin clutch this is a must for a girl on the go. You can create endless POP looks with a wide variety of vibrant colors to get the perfect smoky lids.

Beauty Cabinet Cassie $38

Obsessed with anything and everything PINK this is the best of the best. Make a fresh start with up-to-date pinks that are take you from pale to pretty in just a few easy sweeps. With 2 lips creams, 4 lip glosses, 3 silky cheek colors, 1 face glow, 1 black liner, 1 brow & line color and ten fresh eye shadows all organized in super cute drawers to keep it nice and neat.

Day to Play Goddess Clutch $36

From day to night you will look stunning with this essential POP color kit. From the lightest to the darkest of hues the uber fun zebra pattern clutch is a knockout item for every girl who likes to transform their look.

Visit Pop Beauty for more FAB beauty products and the kits mentioned above. All perfect gifts for under $40!