Nail Art Contest!
FUN NEW NAIL ART CONTEST!!!! Check it out! I am amazed at how talented people are! So cool! Details here: http://www.momsthoughts.com/news/nail-art-contest-on-bloom-/
Bloom Featured in The New York Times!
Bloom featured in New York Times!
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/02/fashion/online-everyones-a-makeup-critic-skin-deep.html?_r=0
Skin Deep
Online, Everyone Can Be a Makeup Critic
Coco Masuda
By TATIANA BONCOMPAGNI
Published: May 1, 2013
Matin Maulawizada, a makeup artist based in New York, used to spend hours prowling department stores’ beauty floors to find out what was new and noteworthy. Now, Mr. Maulawizada, the global artistry director for Laura Mercier, likes to log on to Pampadour.com, a sleek new beauty-focused social network, to see what products colleagues are using — or, in the company’s parlance, “pamping.” “It really saves me time,” Mr. Maulawizada said.
Quietly introduced at the end of February, Pampadour says it has already signed up more than 3,000 users, many of them beauty professionals. The site has joined a small but growing number of social platforms that allow members to tag and review cosmetics with others in their network, potentially shifting power from traditional retailers.
Among them are Bloom.com, which has accrued about 250,000 members since it started in August 2011. Like Pampadour, Bloom allows users to upload pictures of hair, makeup and nail looks they’ve created, as well as tag the products they’ve used in those looks. But Bloom, which boasts a database of 50,000 products from 700 companies, is also able to direct members to Web retailers where some of those products may be sold.
“It is designed to connect the dots and make beauty simple,” said Julie Mahloch, a founder of Bloom, based in Omaha.
Two sites in Britain, SheSaidBeauty.com and Baobella.com, went live in July 2012 and March 2013, respectively. The chief executive of SheSaidBeauty.com, Ben Aronsten, said his company has several hundred thousand viewers a month, half of whom live in the United States. SheSaidBeauty features the popular Beauty Shelf, which allows users to tag their favorite products as well as the ones they want to buy. (Benefit High Beam Highlighter, a shimmering pink fluid that comes in a nail-polish-like bottle, has earned high marks.)
Sephora, the retail chain, runs BeautyTalk, a social network, on its Web site. Members of the network are awarded 1 of 36 rankings (among them, “newcomer” and “hall of famer”) based on how many answers they respond to on company-moderated message boards and how many other members “heart” those responses.
The company, which declined to say how many customers belong to its social platform, gives so-called super-users advance information on new products and Web site changes before others, but no other compensation for their efforts.
Some users spend more than 30 hours a week on the site, said Bridget Dolan, a vice president for digital marketing at Sephora. “It really is about social credibility,” Ms. Dolan said. It’s also about sales: she said BeautyTalk members tend to spend significantly more at the company than other online customers.
According to Kline and Company, a market research firm in Parsippany, N.J., sales of beauty products in the United States reached roughly $40 billion in 2012, 4 percent of which is estimated to come from online transactions, up from 2 percent of overall sales in 2010. Donna Barson, a senior associate with Kline, said part of that increase is because of manufacturers’ efforts to replicate the in-store experience, which includes live chats with experts, instructional videos and tools that let you upload photos to digitally experiment with a lipstick or eye-shadow color. “Originally when customers started shopping online, they were buying for replenishment,” Ms. Barson said. “Now they are trying things they’ve never tried before.”
Pampadour’s co-founder, Roy Hakimian, thinks peer-to-peer reviews, are more influential than television advertisements or even magazine articles touting a new product’s benefits. “People want to get recommendations from people they trust,” Mr. Hakimian said.
Indeed, friends’ posts on Pampadour.com inspired Vanessa Heshima Sims, a hairstylist who works on the television shows “Girls” and “Deception” in Los Angeles, to buy a Tom Ford blush and Tarte facial oil for herself and a Leonor Greyl hair mask to use on clients. Kendra Stanton, a makeup artist and blogger (citizensofbeauty.com) based in Portland, Ore., found a teardrop-shaped, spongelike makeup applicator called Beautyblender while combing through posts on Bloom .com. The product, Ms. Stanton said, has since become one of her favorite tools, one she’s touted on both television and the Internet.
Rea Ann Silva, Beautyblender’s founder, said the applicator’s popularity on social media sites had proved significant. “It opened doors to retailers,” she said. “It turned the skeptics into believers.”
Even when a product invites negative feedback, it can still be constructive, as Dr. Dennis Gross, a dermatologist in New York with an eponymous line of skin-care products, can attest. Some users posting on Bloom.com and other sites about his Alpha Beta Peel wanted it to deliver results more quickly, while others who hadn’t tried it feared it could irritate their skin. In response, the company introduced an extra-strength version.
“This new landscape is really a marketer’s paradise,” said Kendra Kolb Butler, a senior vice president for Dr. Gross’s company who oversees a team of employees that manages the company’s presence on social media platforms, adding: “You can listen to thousands of women without ever having to leave your desk.”
HELP!
I need your votes! Can you go to my page and vote on my #SummerBlonde entries?
http://www.bloom.com/beautybio/customer/view/id/25066#lookbook-14272
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
All you have to do is click on “LOOKS GOOD” under each photo! (see example in photo)
Inspiration….Interpretation
I was inspired by Heidi Klum’s eyes in the top photo. My interpretation is below. For full details of Heidi’s look and my interpretation please visit http://www.bloom.com/beautybio/customer/view/id/25066/#photo-43159
Heidi Klum’s photo found here: http://www.glamour.com/beauty/blogs/girls-in-the-beauty-department/2010/07/lets-all-copy-heidi-klums-gorg.html
Bloom Box Review!
So many good products to review this month from Bloom! This is box 1 with more to follow!
Let’s start with my hair! I tried the Glo-Essentials Firm Hold Hairspray and the Boost Root Volumizer. I used the volumizer on just slightly damp hair, applied to the sections at the root, set each section with my big velcro rollers and then hit each section with the blowdryer. After hair was set and styled, I used the firm hold aerosol spray and it is FIRM hold! But it isn’t sticky or tacky or “helmet head” looking (at least I didn’t think so.) It was very “touchable”. Because it is FIRM hold, you really don’t need a lot which is great too. My hair held up great all night with good volume and still looks pretty good the next morning. It still doesn’t look dirty or flat which is always a problem with fine hair like mine.
EYE BROWS! The years of over tweezing has taken its toll on my eyebrows, that and the few grey hairs that seem to be randomly popping up leave my eyebrows lacking in some areas! My eyebrow routine has consisted of using a toothbrush with some hairspray to shape and an eye brow pencil and powder to fill in the gaps. I don’t like the overly “fake” looking brow, I much prefer a more natural look. Therefore, my goal is to just fill in some thin areas and help get a good shape. I LOVED both of these products. The mousse is more of gel with a wand similar to a mascara wand. Great to shape the brow and hold it in shape. The Stila brow pen is perfect! Its a very very fine pen that allows you to make the gentlest, whispiest strokes to fill in. The light color worked great for me. I am so happy with the result of these two product. Stila never disappoints me.
I tried the Jemma Kidd Firming I-Silk in Pearl Rose. This is a creamy eye shadow that comes in a tube with a wand to apply. The color was a lovely shimmery pink that I used over my entire lid. I went back with some Stila shadows to contour and highlight. I like the consistency and color a lot. When given a choice, I will always choose anything that says “firming”! It did get a little lumpy when first applied but I think that had more to do with the primer (I think I used too much) The shadow brightened my eyes, had a nice shimmer but not overwhelming and lasted all evening. The Jemma Kidd finishing power is finely milled, very soft and worked well. I used the Fair color. It does not offer a lot of coverage, which is fine since I really wanted this as a finishing powder to keep everything in place and to keep a matte finish without looking like I’m wearing “granny’s face powder”. I did find it slightly difficult to actually shake the powder out in order to use it though. That would be my only complaint.
Oh Peter Thomas Roth how I love thee, let me count the ways! I am a true fan. I love his resurfacing and retexurizer products which I use religiously. I also love his FirmX line. I am using the face and eye FirmX here and for the first time, I used the FirmX Contouring Color Stick! It is full of great ingredients like Hyluranic acid that help plump and firm your skin. It has a sheer pinkish bronzing color. You can use this to contour cheeks and jaw line, to color and firm eyes, to color and soften lips, it does it all. The color is buildable so add more or use lightly. I think the results are subtle so you might need extra color if you want real dramatic contouring, but if you are looking for a fresh, sheer, firming, youthful glow, this can not be beat. On most days, when I am home doing my Mommy thing, I don’t wear much makeup. Maybe a quick brush of mineral powder, some concealer and bronzer. I could definitely see this easily added to my every day routine as my go-to product! I can honestly tell you I have been very impressed with all Peter Thomas Roth’s products.
Physician Formula Lip Plumping Potion in clear is a nice gloss! Again, if it says “plumping”, I am in! This is a high shine gloss which I loved. I used a lip pencil first in a color very close to my own natural color and then added the gloss. I really don’t know how plump my lips became but I loved the shine. It does feel a little tacky after a couple hours - but it didn’t look tacky or sticky, it still looked shiny. I did have to reapply a couple times over the course of the evening but that is to be expected especially since I was eating, drinking, talking, etc. Definitely worth it for the affordable price.
L’oreal Color Correcting Primer in Green…no, I am not auditioning for Wicked! Using a green primer helps correct the redness in my skin. At first, it looked pretty strange, but once I applied my foundation over the green primer, the results were great in terms of color correcting. My skin tone had a nice even appearance. My only complaint would be that I wish it did more to conceal pores. A little goes a long way and you can’t beat the results for the price.
50% OFF AT BLOOM!
Its time to start shopping!!! USE CODE HOLIDAY50 http://www.bloom.com/invite/25066
Megan Miller Collection Nail Polish!
Megan Miller nail polish is a nail polish collection with an eye for detail. Every aspect of this line is thoughtfully executed from the hand-tied raffia to the natural cork top and the individually formulated colors. For me, the most important aspect of the collection is the “3 Free”. According to the Megan Miller website their polish collection is free of
- 1) Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)
2) Toluene
3) Formaldehyde
These chemicals have been associated with cancer, kidney disease and birth defects.
Ok, so this collection has a beautiful presentation and thoughtful formulation, but is it any good?
Since I have gel polish on my nails right now, I was unable to try this polish in time for this review. I offered it to my daughter who is currently a college student. SHE LOVED IT. I was just going to let her try it…but she loved it so much she wouldn’t return it!
The color I received as a Bloom ambassador from Bloom.com is Framboise! The Framboise polish is described on the Meagan Miller website as follows:
Like a wine glass in Venice the Framboise oozes a rich elegant coat which feels like a fine wine with a sweet finish.
I think it is a lovely, rich and flattering shade of red, perfect for the holiday season!
Eyes By Cargo!
As a Bloom Ambassador I was given Cargo Color Eye Palette to review! And this palette is VERY colorful!
I love color!
Color is exciting and fun! I love looking at all the colorful eyes created in Magazines. BUT!! Generally speaking, bright bold colors are a young woman’s game. So I have to remind myself that I am a 51 year old woman and I don’t want to run the risk of looking like a starlet who can’t come to grips with her aging appearance. We all remember What Happened To Baby Jane, right?
How-to
I had had to use this color responsibly! I took the time to read some other notes on the product and visit the Cargo website. The eye shadow is “buildable” - you can layer it! So I started light! I first applied the light bone color in the palette to my eye lid (including inner corner!!) I then added a neutral cinnamon color along my brow bone. Now it was time for COLOR! I first applied the deep royal blue just along the crease and the outer corner of my eye. Then I added the bright teal green along bottom of lid and over the blue to blend it. It was color, but subtle. I then wanted to try using a wet brush and use the teal as liner. I have to say, I have had better success with other products for this trick. But, it still worked. I started at very inner corner and went all along lash to outer corner and just slightly bottom corner with the wet teal shadow. To finish the job I applied by brow powder, a little dark brown eye liner to top and mascara to top lashes.
Finishing touches!
I was pleased with this. However, I continued to play and added a little gold shimmer to center of lower lid and along brow bone just for fun. It added a nice dimension to look with the greens and gold. I would definitely add more of both if I were going out at night. But as a suburban mom, I can’t get too carried away during the day! As it was, when my son returned from school he asked where I was going, why was I so fancy? The one problem I did have was photographing the color. These pictures do not give the colors justice. The are much richer and more vibrant. I don’t know if its my camera or the way the color itself photographs… You will just have to take my word on it!
As you may know, I am a Bloom Ambassador which means I have the fun opportunity to review cool products from www.Bloom.com. This month I was given Blow Pro “Heat is On” Primer and coincidentally I also purchased Blow Pro Body By Blow No Crunch Body Builder (its a mousse! :)
The Primer sprays on to damp hair. It definitely help untangle my fine, dry, highlighted hair! I then ran a golf ball sized amount of the Mousse through my hair. I dried my hair using mostly my fingers until the end when I finished with a paddle brush. Once my hair was dry, I ran through it a few quick times with a straightener and I have to say, the results were impressive!
I had A LOT less frizz and plenty of volume and control. My hair was soft, silky and I loved running my fingers through it - you know, like you do when you have your hair dried at the salon! It feels so good!
Blow Pro is a winner in my book!
Sothys Pore Refiner System Complexion Perfector
Product Review: This is a nice silky feeling , pore refining, primer. It has a great feeling and make up glides on easily and stays put! This product delivers! I love it! It is very similar to Benefit POREfessional. Both are great products and personally, which ever has the better price point is the one I would use. The point is, get one of these products, they work and your skin/make up looks so much better when you use this!
Sothys Paris Hydradvance Comfort Cream
Product Review: This is indicated for use for normal to dry skin and I love it! (I do consider my skin combination) It is a rich, thick moisturizer that leaves my skin feeling super hydrated. I like a rich base before applying makeup, so that my make up isn’t instantly absorbed by dry skin. This is my favorite of the Sothys products I have tried.
Sothys Paris Hydradvance Light Cream
Product Review: This is a lovely, light, fresh feeling moisturizer. My skin felt soft and refreshed! Although this is indicated for my skin type (normal to combination), I preferred their richer, thicker Hydradvance cream!
Sothys Normalizing Beauty Milk Cleanser
Cleanser Review: This is a creamy hydrating cleanser for normal to combination skin. It was easy to use and left my face clean and soft!
