Pink Rock Candy – Top fashion trends, news and shopping of 2010

When I was little I was playing around in an aisle with my younger brother when accosted by a lady of a certain age who commented on hope cute the two brothers were. From then on I vowed never to resemble a boy and my bangs were born. They’ve covered my forehead for most of my life and are sort of the fame whores of the body— but I think Spring 2011 will be season I truly let my forehead come back out to play.

The bare forehead trend started with Tyra (doesn’t it always?). She went through the entire TK season of America’s Next Top Model while sporting a chic chignon, showing off her self proclaimed “five-head.”

Then, after watching the Cynthia Rowley Spring 2011 runway show and being utterly uplifted by the Garden of Eden-themed Spring 2011 Monique L’Huillier runway show, I realized how inspired I’d become by the sporting slicked back buns showing off all of the models’ beautiful faces.

Later, while looking at Spring 2011 shows ranging from Diane von Furstenberg to Alexander Wang to Wayne, I started to see more of a trend than just personal inspiration. Even Erin Fetherston whose models usually sport the designer’s signature blunt bangs had a slicked back, forehead-exposing look/.

I can’t wait to feel the sun warming my entire face, though I’ll surely be apply my fair share of sunscreen— safety first!

So braid, clip or brush those stray hairs back, and let your forehead shine— er, use a mattyifier, but definitely show it off.

As those who have followed Pink Rock Candy for a while have seen, I’ve recently been including beauty in my repertoire. Let’s just say, I’m very much a subject to my surroundings— having interned in the beauty and fashion departments of a women’s magazine all summer.

Yes, I get to see new beauty releases months before they hit stores, but I also have realized how little I cared about makeup until now. I’m a changed beauty.

When I read the article “What Beauty Products Would You Splurge On,” on the Allure Beauty Reporter Blog, I started to think about how my beauty budget has changed in the past few months.

No longer do I simply shop the drugstore aisles with indifference, I’ve expanded my makeup cache to products that actually work no matter where they’re sold. I’m still religious to my cheapo eyeliner pencil and MAC has had my blush business for as long as I can remember, but when it comes to the rest of my face, let’s just say, my taste has greatly improved.

So, what would I splurge on, now? Mascara, fragrance, and lipstick.

Right now, my mascara is a Josie Maran GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara ($22), which doesn’t come out until the fall. It volumizes wonderfully, but still looks natural and clump-free. For extra drama I use, Bourjois Volume Glamour Ultra Care Mascara ($15).

My fragrance is Marc Jacobs Lola, but I want to get Christian Dior Hypnotic Poison Eau de Toilette. I love fragrances with a little musk and vanilla. Do you know any scents I should try?

Last, but certainly not least, is everything that has to do with lips. When I want a bit of shine, I sport Dior Addict High Shine Lipstick ($26), while my go to red is Rimmel London Lasting Finish Intense Wear Lipstick in Temptation (under $5). My daily lip routine usually consists of applying a sheer layer of Tarte LipSurgence Natural Matte Lip Stain in Lively ($24) and swipe Jane Be Pure Mineral Lip Balm (under $5) on top.

Talk Back: What are your favorite beauty/makeup splurges?

At 21, I’ve become quite adept at ignoring the demands of my parents, but when my mom commanded me to start using the bottle of MoroccanOil treatment she purchased, I had little trouble obliging. MoroccanOil, for those of you living under a rock or in a town full of bald people, is a trendy hair oil made from the kernels of the Argan tree, endemic to Morocco. Argan oil has been used in Morocco and surrounding nations for hundreds of years, but we Westerns have just become hip to its super nourishing abilities. Now products with Argan oil are popping up all over the place, but the first in my mind was MoroccanOil. At $37 per 3.4 oz bottle, the Oil Treatment is a tad pricey, but the results are magnificent. My hair is not only naturally dry, but also chemically straightened and, most likely, slightly heat-damaged. So, after I wash my hair I apply a quarter-size puddle of the oil treatment to my hair, and even after blow drying it feels soft and looks shiny. The oil absorbs into the hair instead of settling on top as not to weigh down your strands, leaving me with healthy locking locks. MoroccanOil has a full line of products, including the Intense Curl Cream ($28) for your tendrils.

Here are other Argan Oil-rich products to try out: (more…)

At 21, I have an irrational fear of under eye bags. I know it’s strange, but a girl has to be afraid of something. Not to mention, I rarely get the proper eight hours of sleep each night. A while ago, I tried a couple of great Bliss products, but they were sort of time consuming. So, this weekend while rushing around like a mad woman, I decided to try Elizabeth Grant’s The Socializer pens. The two, night and day pens are jam packed with de-bagging, anti-dark circle, eye-illuminating ingredients, most of which I won’t even attempt to describe. Just know they work. On Friday, I went to the beach then the pool, had a barbecue, and watched the Yankees game well into the wee hours of the morning with my guy. Needless to say, the next morning my eyes felt beyond heavy. After dabbing a couple of clicks of The Socializer Bright Lights (AM) formula under my eyes, I looked as rested as a babe. To keep the facade up all day, I decided to put The Socializer Late Nights (PM) formula on after 12 or so hours and my eyes were as bright and bagless as they were that morning. These pens are my new savior! I’m terrible a keeping a regimen, so these on-the-run, results-in-no-time magic pens are just peachy. Editor’s Note: This product was obtained and tested as a sample at no cost or profit to Pink Rock Candy/Chelsea Rae Simmons.

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Some people, I won’t mention any names, desperately need sunscreen else they turn as red as steamed lobsters. Others don’t because they “never burn”, and others still may not “need” sunscreen, but still apply SPF for safety’s sake. I fall under the last category. My only problem with most sunscreens isn’t the viscosity or the potential to clog pores, it’s the smell.

I’m very driven by smell when it comes to many body products. I generally like smelling like foods: vanilla, cinnamon, citrus fruits, etc. Floral scents are much too frilly, so I steer clear. Much to my chagrin, most sunscreens come in one scent called Gross.

Check out these four great sunscreens to remedy this scent catastrophe:

• Sonya Dakar Daily Body Shield SPF 30, $59
• Kinesys Spray Sunscreen, Girl, SPF 30, Vanilla-Green Tea Scent, $19
• Alba Botanicals Aloe Vanilla SUNBLOCK Mineral SPF 30, $10
• Hawaiian Tropic Sunblock Ozone Oil Free Stick SPF 50+, $6

When I know I’m going to spend hours in the easy East Coast sun whether at the beach or watching my guy play baseball, I grab the Sonya Dakar Daily Body Shield. It’s lemony scent is fresh and not too over baring, while the lotion itself leaves no greasy residue.

On the other spectrum, if I was to lounge around in the searing tropical sun, I’d grab the Hawaiian Tropic sunblock stick. Not only is it SPF 50, because I promise all skin tones can burn, but it has a soft piña colada scent.

Talk Back: What are your favorite sunblocks, scented or otherwise?