Beauty and Interior Inspirations

I really could not wait for this weekend to begin. I don't know what it is about the time before Christmas, but it is both magical and super stressful. Particularly in places like New York, you just sense that walking down the streets. It is dazzling out there with glittery shop windows of the Fifth Avenue. However, at the same time there is so much tension and pressure in the air; the Christmas rush, the urge to meet the deadlines at work before the holidays, to buy all the right gifts, to not over-spend before the end of the year, finally to have a few days of peace and family bliss during the holidays. 

Before all that Christmas mayhem overpowers this blog, I want to share my own "meditation" routine, which places me in the right state of mind pretty successfully.  (Of course, it is one of many). First, when things get out of my control, I love browsing through interior decoration books to dream about the "perfect house" I will have one day, or I am doing it for no particular reason, just for pure visual pleasure, and in the process the thoughts get calmer and the mind focuses just on beautiful architecture and design. Secondly, what seems to be helpful is the fact that I like researching beauty products and finding better ways to look radiant and keep my skin healthy and happy. 

For the month of December, I have picked some products that are absolute staples of my beauty arsenal as well as some new additions that I am willing to test and share the results with you. If you are more interested in decorating ideas, I have some amazing books that will help you make your design ideas come to life.

Fekkai Brilliant Gloss

For all those with short hair, this glossing cream, or to be precise just a tiny bit of it, adds a finishing touch to all of those who suffer from unruly hair after the morning blow drying routine, and it lasts forever.

 "Houses" a book by Michael Smith will guide you through all the stages of redesigning your living place from getting inspiration from your favorite books and movies, to getting right fabrics with interiors from Malibu to New England.

Touche Eclat Radiant Touch, Yves Saint Laurent

This luminizing pen from Yves Saint Laurent has been mentioned on this blog many times, as from Spring to Winter it is a Holy Grail of my beauty survival kit, always present in my bag to cover all the mini imperfections of last night lack of sleep.

I have been on the mission to discover the right brow darkening beauty product for a long time. The one from SmartBrow is designed with blondes in mind. It is not an easy product to apply. However, the results are so worth the effort.

SmartBrow, Blonde

"Rooms" by Joseph Holtzman is not your typical interior design coffee table book. It is the book for those who like grandiosity and would like to have a peek into lives of such brilliant and fascinating personalities as Pauline de Rothschild, Elsie de Wolf (godmother of modern interior design) and many others. Do not judge this book by the cover, as it is a fascinating collage of bohemian glamor at its best. 

But Daddy, Trust Fund Nail Polish

I love so many things about this nail polish. First, it is free of 5 toxic chemicals that are found in so many other nail polishes. The color's name is: Put the Ring on It! It is made in USA and Canada. And finally, who would not like to have a trust fund in their beauty purse?

1000 Roses Beautiful Cream, Andalou

Roses have become a very powerful ingredient in many beauty products from face oils, serums, and creams. How could I resist a bouquet of 1000 roses on my face, which is super light and very delicate for the skin? 

Vinosource Serum, Caudalie

When the air gets cold outside and dry inside, I love using serums, and Caudalie is a master in skin hydration department with its unique formula based on vine and grape extracts from the French wine regions of Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Champagne. 

Peggy Paint Nail Polish Remover

After reading all the terrifying facts about toxins in nail polish removers, this is my attempt to find a healthy alternative. It does not take the nail polish off your nails in a matter of seconds, but at least you rest assure that none of the harmful chemicals will stay in your body for a very long time.

Finally, the interior decor book with one of my very favorite covers, Artists' Houses, the intimate journey through the rooms and studios of various American and European artists with the information on their work and lives. (Alphonse Mucha, Rene Magritte, Rosa Bonheur and
many others.)