Katy Perry and her amazing pink lips!

Can I just say how much I loved, loved, loved all of the pink lips seen at the Grammys? I was totally inspired by Katy Perry’s look. I am a huge fan of retro, pin-up inspired beauty (I collect Vargas girls) so it is no surprise that I loved Katy Perry’s Betty Page bangs & ultra glam makeup. The pink lip, gold shadow & black liner were amazing. I woke up the next day & created my own version. Turns out, Armour Beauty “Cat Club” is the perfect gloss! It is truly the perfect pink. While Katy’s lips were more of a stain, I opted for a gloss.

So here is what I went with:

Becca Shadow in Venise & Damask

Susan Posnick Jet/Moonstone Eyeliner (this is the deepest black & it’s ultra pigmented)

Becca Duende Bronzer: I used this to sculpt cheeks rather than use blush

Armour Beauty Cat Club Lip gloss

If you live in town, swing by Luxe Apothecary to try this out!

XO,

Fiquet

As most of you know, I have been writing for Midtown Magazine. This past week, as I hurried around finishing up my next article I found myself at Target looking for inexpensive products to plug. While scanning the aisles for the perfect red lip gloss (which, as it turns out is still Becca “Cherry Bomb” which they don’t sell at Target) & lavender shadow I noticed this woman who was also walking back & forth- looking rather confused. Finally, our eyes met & she said with a laugh, “I just keep staring at all of this stuff wondering if any of it even works”.

Being the beauty geek that I am, I immediately suspended what I was doing & offered my assistance. I helped her find mascara & blush. I told her not to feel bad, that this is what I do for a living and half of the products there didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me either. The swatches on the packages are horrible representations of the actual colors & without feeling the actual product how is anyone supposed to know if they really like it?

After helping the confused lady make her selection (and explaining to her why the original Loreal Voluminous Mascara is far superior to some of their newer formulas…I told you am a geek) I grabbed my products & checked out.

Sure, I found a few decent items but as always, half of what I brought home didn’t make the cut. So, as it turns out, the one shadow (that’s really just okay) and lip gloss (that I do actually love)  ended up costing me over $40…roughly what I would have paid for lip gloss & shadow at a counter…or better yet, a beauty boutique.

Not to sound self promoting or overly pleased with myself but the whole experience served as a reminder of why I like my job. I like helping women find the perfect product & knowing that they will love it. I still get excited when someone walks into Luxe with a cream blush that looks as if it has been licked clean. I NEVER used an entire product pre-Luxe.

This gloss is not this pink. In reality, it looks nothing like this

Anyway, you get what you pay for & there is nothing like expert advice. I will admit, once in a while you stumble upon a treasure at the drugstore but it is always a gamble.

My treasure from my last Target trip is my new “Shiny-Licious” lip gloss by Maybelline. “Strawberry Tart” is a really amazing peachy-pink (note that it in no way resembles a strawberry tart…case in point). I was looking for a gloss that was neither too glittery or overly shiny & this fits the bill….despite the fact that it’s called “Shiny-Licious”.

So moral of the story is that you are not alone. I pride myself on having a keen sense of color & I find mass marketed drugstore products totally confusing….or rather, misleading. So happy hunting…let me know if you stumble upon any drugstore finds worth knowing about…a true beauty addict will shop for products anywhere she finds herself from Walgreens to Bergdorfs; however the experience will be vastly different.

XO,

Fiquet

Trying out a look from the Oscars at last years Red Carpet Review

Like many of you, the new year has me feeling a need to reinvent myself…again. I have been hitting the gym more than usual & trying to keep my house a little cleaner. I recently downloaded a Nike + Original Run by De La Sol which has helped motivate me to drag myself to the gym- now if I could find music that would inspire me to clean I’d be all set. After all of the holiday craziness (thanks to all of you that helped make our holidays at Luxe so amazing!) it feels a little strange to have free time. I have decided to fill some of that time with extra makeup training & volunteering around my community.

On the Luxe front, I am busy planning new workshops & am excited about all of the increddible makeup artists that have signed on to teach some really cool classes. Mark your calendar…our 3rd annual Oscar “Red Carpet Review” is scheduled for Thursday, March 11th! Guest artist, Lynn Furge will be back & this year is going to be better than ever. Stay tuned to www.luxeapothecary.com for details & be sure to sign up for our email list so that we can keep you in the loop!

Another REALLY exciting project for 2010 is my new column in Midtown Magazine. I will be bringing you beauty tips in each issue of Midtown & will be highlighting products from all different price points (drugstore to Luxe). Be sure to pick up a copy around town or swing by Luxe Apothecary for a copy!

If beauty is on your list of resolutions for 2010 come see us, give us a call, drop us a line…..you get the point. January is a great time to pull yourself together after the holidays & to spend a little time focusing on yourself again!

Here’s to a fabulous 2010!

xo,

Fiquet

Had an amazing weekend in NY with my mom & sisters. Flew home early for an interview with Good Morning America….CRAZEEE but true! GMA was doing a piece on our friend Blaire of Pristine Beauty (now available online!) & yours truly was a part of the action.

As it turns out, Sunday mornings are not the time to find yourself in need of pampering- well, at least not by others. I struck out at the nail salon around the corner & after driving around I realized that not a single hair salon (ok, not a single salon that I wanted to go to) was open Sunday morning. NOT that I blame them, trust me, I love my Sundays off. Anyway, faced with the harsh reality that I was going to be on National TV & forced to do my own hair, I headed to Luxe. After all, I do have access to the finest hair products around…now was the time to put them to the test.

OMG. I have to say it again….OMG. The magic of Philip B. has never been more apparent…or more appreciated. Katira Hair mask is a gift from God… or at least the hair God, Philip B.

I am never one to follow directions but this was a desperate situation so I actually read the back of the tube. I washed my hair & then applied (as directed, thank you very much) to my towel dried hair. I left the mask on for about 20 minutes & took Philip’s suggestion of hitting it with a warm dryer allowing this magical potion to penetrate deeper.

Upon rinsing, I could tell that this was going to be good. I have coarse, thick hair that desperately wants to form dreadlocks. I can’t remember the last time brushing my hair after a shower was this easy. The brush just glided through my hair….sign #1 of the miracle to come.

I grabbed Philip B. Anti Frizz Formula 57 & applied a few drops to my damp hair & began to blow dry. Hoping for the best, I sectioned my hair off, continued drying and prayed for a miracle. About 5 minutes later, I was left with super silky, perfectly smooth hair that seemed too good to be true. My hair was voluminous but definitely not in that “poofy” way that those of us with naturally curly, thick hair dread. I added one more drop of Anti Frizz Formula 57 to my now dry hair for good measure.

The only downside….if this is a downside… was that my hair was so silky I had to work a little harder to get my hair to take curl. I was pulling my hair back into a ponytail & wanted to curl the ends. I found my hair so incredibly silky that the hot rollers slipped out of my hair. Nothing that Philip B. Jet Set Hairspray couldn’t cure.

Perfection. I love this man.

Add Philip B. hair products to your list of things you can’t (or rather, shouldn’t) live without.

XO.

Fiquet

Fall is all I can think about. I am telling you now, stock up on purples. Don’t have a fortune to spend on new clothes? Stay current with a purple shadow, liner or gloss.

Yes, I said gloss. I am not asking you to walk around looking like you just downed a pitcher of grape Kool-Aid. I am talking a grape tinged gloss like Paula Dorf “Smitten”. Becca lotus cream blush works great when patted into lips as a stain.

The key to the trend? Try purple out on one are of the face- don’t over do it. Too conservative to feel ok rockin a purple lid? If purple is too much of a departure from your usual bone or beige shadow try a purple based gray or taupe or stick with your neutral shadow & opt for an eggplant eye liner instead.

Fashion is fun! Don’t sit on the sidelines. Come on in or shoot us an email & we can walk you through fall trends.

Don’t forget tomorrow’s fashion show at Vivace! www.luxepothecary.comfeaturing makeup my Luxe Apothecary!

xo

Fiquet

Okay, so I am carrying a clutch...I still have hiking boots on.

I must admit that spending the weekend amidst Asheville’s natural beauty has me thinking greener than ever. The timing seems perfect. I was interviewed by WRAL last Wednesday, headed to the mountains Friday, spent the weekend soaking in nature & returned to a great story on WRAL news on organic/natural beauty.

There is so much talk about “Green Beauty” these days. Its hard to know how far to take it, what to believe, what to avoid, etc. I can’t remember the last time I made it through a day without someone asking me about “natural” products.  What is “natural” anyway? The definition of “natural” is constantly evolving. What passed for natural a few years ago no longer loves up to the savvy “green” consumer today.

So what’s a product junkie to do? Can a girl wear lipstick while doing her part to save the planet?

 Am I ready to toss my Diamond Extreme Face Cream into the trash…..oops, recycling bin…..simply because it has a few parabens in it? Ummmm, NO. Do I choose the organic, paraben free option when presented with two equally fabulous body washes? Absolutely! To what extent a person goes green is a personal decision. I am not in the business of telling people what to do. I do, however, feel a responsibility to educate our customers, to present them with options and allow them to make an educated, well informed purchase.

My personal goal is to reduce the number of synthetic ingredients that come into contact with my skin and to support ethical, eco-conscious companies. There are so many angles to the whole “green” movement. When shopping for natural beauty products there are personal health concerns & environmental considerations that play into the products one chooses.

It always blows my mind when I see people smoking cigarettes then refusing to use foundation that contains synthetic preservatives….or the other way around. At the end of the day, I doubt the foaming agent in my shampoo will be the thing that puts me in the ground- that being said, I do care about the environment & the impact that I have on it. I want to be a good Earth friendly citizen while I am here & thankfully their are now plenty of product lines that allow you to look good/smell good/feel good while doing just that.

Green meets Glam.Red Flower Lavender Wash.

We stock several organic, certified organic, wild crafted, handmade & paraben free product lines at Luxe Apothecary. (Confused yet? Told you it was overwhelming….come see us, email me, call me, etc. & we can talk more in depth) My favorite is Red Flower. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these products. We have stocked Red Flower from the very first day we opened our doors (almost 7 years go).  Why do I love Red Flower? Because they “walk the walk”. In a world of corporate “green washing”, Red Flower is the real deal. Owner, Yael, adheres to self imposed green standards that far exceed consumer demand. Every angle is thoroughly thought through- its not enough to create a natural product- one must consider the way in which that natural product was produced, the bottle it is put into, the energy used to transport the item, etc. Red Flower does all of these. From the wind driven mill that is used to produce any paper that leaves the Red Flower office to the  bio-dynamic honey based formulas, wild-crafted botanicals, 100% biodegradable packaging. Red Flower manages to create luxurious products that are free of dyes, parabens, sulfates (sls), petrochemicals, and synthetic preservatives. packaged in p.e.t plastic for easy recycling.

Stop by the store today  & mention this blog for a free sample of Red Flower Italian Blood Orange Body Wash.

Lately I have been somewhat of a moving target. Sorry to all who have tried to catch me. Let’s see….since last post I have been to the N.C. Coast for the 4th, South Beach with fellow Makeup Artist / photographer extraordinaire, Lynn Furge & now heading to Ashevillefor a weekend escape with the man. 

Lets talk South Beach:

life is good

AMAZING! that about says it but I will give you a few details. First, Lynn’s place is sick. I had the best set up in town. Ocean front condo close enough to the action but far enough to actually maintain a little sanity. I spent a ton of time on the beach- I love nothing more than parking under an umbrella and losing myself in a good book. I can safely say I was the whitest person on the beach & the only one that was slathering myself in anything over an SPF 4. I am forever grateful for M.D. Skincare Powerful Sun Protection lotion & sunscreen packettes. I can happily report that I returned slightly bronzed (just enough to indicate that I may have been on vacation) but not burnt at all. This is a victory to say the least.

Must sees in Miami/ South Beach:

The Standard. I L-O-V-E this place. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. You have to go! I can’t even explain it. I will tell you that they offer fabulous Red Flower treatments (Red Flower available at Luxe Apothecary & soon at www.luxeapothecary.com) , have an on site Hammam & mud baths. The instant you walk through the door you feel at peace which is rare amidst the sea of chaos known as South Beach.

Lynn is soooo Zen in garden at The Standard

The new Mondrian South Beach. Larger than life. Excess at its finest. Check out the amazing poolside cabanas. Pool was a little crowded for my taste but have still added it too my list of must stays (for those of you who don’t know me I have a hotel addiction)

Poolside Mondrian

W Hotel. Typically not the biggest fan of this chain boutique hotel but was blown away. Great place to grab cocktails. Discovered the Eau de Mint…a twist on the Mojito. Mint, Lychee & champagne. YUM. Trying to recreate- must consult professional mixologist since I have not had any success yet.

On tap this weekend: Asheville NC.

I had the best time with Lynn. I cherish my girl time but I have to say that I missed my man. I am looking forward to a romantic weekend in Asheville. I think Asheville may be one of the coolest cities around. Its low key vibe will be the perfect setting for a relaxing escape. Packing has been a bit of a challenge as we are going hiking & “waterfalling” which is hard to do in a dress. I may be forced to wear shorts. UGH. I hate shorts. Who looks good in these?

I am super excited about staying at The Bohemian- from the looks of the website it beats the heck outta a tent. I need to look cute (afterall, this is a trip withthe BF) but not too overdone. Keeping with the artsy/earthy vibe of AshevilleI have opted for my new DVF wrap dress that I picked up at Gena Chandler and plan on wearing this to dinner tonight. The pattern, color palette & wide, belle sleeves give it an earthy feel without looking like I am going to a 70s themed costume party. I can actually wear this withlipstick thank God. Will keep eyes soft & sculpted, skin bronzed & a bright coral lip. Currently obsessed with Paula Dorf Mermaid lipstick.

the dress

Will fill you in on all of the fabulous details when I return. Stop by the store for this weekend’s featured look. (Jessica & Patrick will be recreating my Asheville makeup look all day Saturday. We’ve got lots of Sangria so pop in for a drink!)

Happy Weekend!

xoxo

Fiquet

The Outfit

Anyone who knows me knows that I can turn any occasion into a dress up party. As a child I had the most amazing “dress up box”. It all began with my great grandparents who traveled extensively & would bring my sisters & I clothing native to the area they visited as souvenirs. Over the years the pile grew as we added old clothes, hats and props…anything deemed worthy of the dress up box. To this day, I add things to it. When I sort through my closet I find myself saving a few things that I feel are too important to part with.

My Aunt Barbara’s version of this was a trunk labeled “clothes I had fun in”. Seriously. If she had a fantastic time in something she would save it. When she died she left behind a treasure trove full of memories via fashion. There were her embroidered belle bottoms from the early 70s, her favorite little black dress worn to numerous Manhattan cocktail parties (she was a die hard New Yorker) , a white tulle dress with red embroidered polka dots that she wore to a high school dance with Johnny Silvernail (the town “bad boy” who was the center of so many arguments between my wild at heart Aunt & more conservative Grandmother)….you get the picture.

I realize today, that I still play dress up only the main vehicle is beauty. Fashion simply can’t exist without beauty. No look is complete without the right hair and makeup. For instance, a pencil skirt must be paired with a red lip, a peasant top with a bronze gloss, etc. Imagine a fashion show without hair & makeup…what a mess!

I find myself playing this game all of the time. When thinking of my weekend plans I am always faced with the question “what look goes with this”.

Dress up is fun! At the heart of this beauty obsessed woman is a little girl who is dying to escape to more exciting places by playing good ol’ fashion dress up. Try it this weekend & be on the look out for my new Friday series: The Weekender. 

This Weekend: Picnic Dinner & Outdoor Movie:

I love, love, love the summer outdoor film series at the North Carolina Art Museum . This weekend is the “Indian Movie” series. If you love makeup it just doesn’t get much better than Bollywood. My boyfriend doesn’t feel the same way so I am going to have to bribe him with some really amazing picnic food.

Dhoom 2 at the NCMA

When attended an outdoor event, the idea is to fool people into thinking that I am far lower maintance than I truly am. Makeup must be kept simple. Paula Dorf Face Tint in “ Jet Set Glo” is truly genius. Tinted moisturizer, bronzer, highlighter & sunscreen in one. It gives skin a dewy, the “I just happen to be this radiant” look that is perfect for any outdoor event.

Tinted Mositurizer, Bronzer & Highlighter in One

I simply cannot attend a Bollywood film without something gold. It would be criminal. I will wear by favorite gold bangles & a sheer wash (nothing too dramatic) of Becca Citrine Creme Eye Shadow.  I just bought the cutest dress by “Mint” from local boutique, Fleur (Raleigh girls take note, they are in the middle of an amazing sale right now). I think I will wear that but dress it down with some gold sandals I found at Target.

Cheeks & lips will remain simple. Becca Beach Tint will do the trick. Its sweat resistant (after all, this is North Carolina) making it a great alternative to traditional cream blush & doubles as a lip stain.

Last, hair. A ponytail will have to do. To keep my ponytail sleek & frizz free I will use a drop of Phytolisse serum.

Stop by this weekend! We will be serving White Sangria all day Saturday & would LOVE to show you how to create your own weekend look. Shop Saturday & register to win Becca Beach Tint.

I would love to hear about your weekend plans & how beauty/fashion fits in. Happy Weekend, go forth in style (and better yet, your own, unique style) !

xoxo

Fiquet

Great for body & safe for face! Oil free Spf 45

Always keep a few on hand

I am a sun lover, Terrible but true. Don’t worry, I don’t lay out or anything that bad but I do love to be outside. In fact, I am sitting out on my patio right now. I am always amazed at how quickly I burn…or at least get more sun (meaning any at all) than I want. I always, ALWAYS wear sunscreen on my face (I swear by Natura Bisse Sun Defense Fluid & Becca Luminous Skin) but I have to admit I often skip the rest of my body unless I know that I am heading straight into the sun. Honestly, I never I never quite know where the day is going to take me. For this reason, I have learned to keep a few M.D. Skincare Sunscreen Packettes handy at all times. These things are great. They are individually wrapped SPF 30 “wipes” for lack of a better term. You have no idea how convenient these are. (moms take note, they are perfect for squirmy kids)

If you do think ahead or choose to be responsible try Kiehl’s or M.D. Skincare for body.  I think both make fabulous, well priced sunscreens that feel like body lotion. That’s the key, learn to think of your sunscreen as just that….body lotion. Put it on every single morning…ESPECIALLY on your chest! This area burns easily & there is nothing pretty about a wrinkled chest full of brown spots.

Learn to work sunscreen into your daily routine….your skin will thank you. Remember that sunscreen is a skincare product & invest in the best one you can afford. It always kills me when I talk to a customer who uses amazing skincare, gets facials, etc. then heads to the pool or beach & slathers some sunscreen they picked up at the grocery store all over their face. She always end up coming to be wondering why her skin is misbehaving. Don’t cheap out…it will catch up with you one way or another!

Happy warm weather & long beach days. Go for a long walk or eat lunch outside today. Just remember your sun protection! 

xoxo

Fiquet