Super Orgasm is the Name of the Product, Hence No Title is Necessary

                                      

Nars has a new spin their best-selling Orgasm blush.....and it's aptly named Super Orgasm. An amped up version of the original peachy-pink with gold overtone shade of Orgasm, it delivers more of the "afterglow" and is perfect for all skin tones! Run, don't walk, to pick up this new gem. It's available at Sephora.com for $25!

Tip: if you feel like you need more color then this on your cheeks then use Super Orgasm as a highlighter over your favorite blush color!

Bridal Tales

                                                         

This weekend Nicciknows did makeup for another fabulous wedding. This was a wonderful story of an accomplished Relationship Expert and author, who after quite a bit of dating and relationship experience, found her Mr. Right. They seem like a wonderfully happy and healthy couple with a lifetime of happiness ahead. There is something really amazing about being able to be a part of these celebration of a happy union.

This brides' unique vision was somewhat unconventional. She wore a stunning red dress and wanted the makeup to be goddess-like and glowy. I perfected her skin with my favorite bridal foundation, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($58 at Giorgio Armani). Then to cover any remaining skin imperfections, I used Laura Mercier's Secret Eye Concealer ($22 at Sephora) and set the foundation with Cover FX Setting FX Loose Mineral Powder in Transluscent ($32 at Nordstrom).  The bride had a bit of green in her eyes so we played that up with a bronze eyeshadow and of course some glamorous false lashes rounded out the look (something that I recommend for EVERY bride whether a strip of lashes or individual falsies. Cheeks were colored with MAC Powder Blush in Pinch O' Peach ($18 at MAC Cosmetics) and that for that runway glow, we used Bobbi Brown Shimmerbrick in Beige ($38 at Nordstrom). Since wedding days are a long day, I wanted to make sure that the lip color would last. So we pulled out the "big guns." The big guns is MAC Pro Longwear Lustre ($20 at MAC Cosmetics) in Lishious. The end result was absolutely stunning and lasted all evening long! Next time, I promise to post pictures!

Also, we at Nicciknows wanted to wish all of our Jewish readers a Happy and Healthy New Year on this Rosh Hashanah.  :)

More then Moisturizer

                                            

Dr. Zein Obagi is a renowned dermatologist in Beverly Hills and he is known in the medical community to be an innovator and crusader in skin care. This product from his line ZO Skin Health is positively revolutionary. Oclipse Suncreen and Primer SPF 30 is a daytime moisturizer that protects from UVA/UVB damage, stimulates collagan production, hydrates skin and smoothes and primes for flawless makeup application. I apply this before I run to Pilates and love it because not only does it protect my skin, it also helps to balance out the natural redness in my skin, giving me a slightly more polished look, without makeup!

This is truly an amazing product and one that your dermatologist would stand behind, as many dermatologists employ the methods of Dr. Obagi. You can pick this product up for $85 at ZOSkinHealth.com.

Weekly Beauty Bargains and Deals

                                  

                                                      

Clinique and Bloomingdales and Allure magazine are offering this adorable gift for a limited time this week.

Get a sampler of Clinique skin care and colour featuring Allure Best of Beauty Award Winners — FREE with any $25 Clinique purchase.
Tuesday, September 23 through Thursday, September 25—only at Bloomingdale’s.

Set includes:
- Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser Deluxe Mini
- Long Last Soft Shine Deluxe Mini Lipstick in Sugared Maple
- Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion Deluxe Mini
- High Definition Lashes Brush Then Comb Mascara Deluxe Mini
- Mini Hairbrush
- Allure subscription offer card

One to a client, please. While supplies last.

Nicciknows recommends picking up the Clinique Supermoisture Makeup ($22.50) and the Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss ($13.50) to qualify for the gift. All items available at Bloomingdales.

                                                   

Lancome and Nordstrom are offering a play gift with adorable clutch this week.

Receive a Lancôme Play Gift™ with any $39.50 Lancôme purchase.

Includes Hypnôse Custom Volume Mascara in Black (0.07 oz.); Eye Shadow Quartet featuring Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow in Crème Lustre, Exhibition and Statuesque, plus limited-edition shade of Colour Focus Exceptional Wear EyeColour in Imagination (0.05 oz.); Color Fever Lipstick in Fashion Crave Frambroise (full-size, 0.14 oz.); High Résolution Collaser-5X™ Intense Collagen Anti-Wrinkle Serum (0.5 oz.); Maquicomplet Complete Coverage Concealer (0.09 oz.); and Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover (1.7 oz.). Available online and in store, one per customer, while supplies last.

In order to qualify for this gift, Nicciknows recommends the Lancome must haves in the form of mascara. Pick up a Cils Booster XL Super Enhancing Mascara Base ($21.50) and the Hypnose Custom Volume Mascara ($24). All items available at Nordstrom.

                                                

Another great gift from Nordstrom and Shiseido! Choose your Shiseido Skincare Bonus: Receive three deluxe samples of a cleanser, softener and moisturizer, plus a targeted serum sample, all in a complimentary cosmetics bag with your purchase of two or more Shiseido treatment products. Choose from White Lucent, The Skincare or Benefiance. Promotional Code required.

Available online and in store September 15-29, or while supply lasts. *Promotional code required. Choose WHTLUCENT, SKINCARE or BENEFIANCE.

To qualify for this gift of amazing Shiseido skincare, which Nicciknows asserts is amongst the best around; pick up the Benefiance Concentrated Neck Contour Treatment ($49). This treatment is an anti-aging neck and decolletage cream that is truly amazing. Also, the Skincare Cleansing Massage Brush ($22) which you can use with any cleanser is revolutionary! The Bio Perfomance Super-Eye Contour Cream ($54) is one of the best eye creams that I have ever experience. The choice is yours!

All items available at Nordstrom.

Sorority Style Makeup Mission

                                                      

Today Nicciknows travels south to San Diego to work with a sorority on skin care, makeup, trend and looking great for recruitment. There will be demonstrations, beauty tips, Q&A's.... veritable makeup mayhem! I, for one, will be loving it!

Often I learn from these young ladies as much as I teach them. I always find out what the hottest drugstore must-haves on a college student budget are, as well as the products that can be used for multiple purposes. Because college students often live in large groups, they tend to try each others products and invariably there is a lot of comparison shopping that occurs. I will be sure and share with you what I learn as well as anything else anecdotal that I discover! For instance, at my last makeup workshop, one of the girls told me that her favorite beauty "secret weapon" are the Neutrogena Shine-Control Blotting Sheets ($6.29 at Drugstore.com). She was absolutely right and they are a staple in my kit now.

And the Emmy Award for Glamour Goes to...

             

...the gorgeous and talented Kyra Sedgwick! The 43-year old star of hit show "The Closer" and the wife of Kevin Bacon has NEVER looked better and took the cake at this year's Emmys as far as Nicciknows Beauty is concerned. Close runner-ups included America Ferrera, Debra Messing and Christina Applegate.

Kyra's L'Wren Scott dress was perfectly suited to her petite figure and her earrings the perfect accent. Her soft sculpted curls were amazing and of course the fabulous makeup pulled the entire thing together!

Since we know that we are going to recreate this look at home, we thought you might also enjoy some tips on how to create a similar beauty look on yourself at home! Here goes:

1) Start with a moisturizing foundation such as Chanel's liquid foundation in Vita-Lumiere Satin Smoothing Liquid ($52 at Nordstrom.com) This will even out the tone of your skin, cover any imperfections and give a moisturizing radiance to the skin. Use concealer to brighten the eye area and where needed. Yves St. Laurent Touche Eclait is a staple brightening concealer for every woman ($40 at Sephora.com). Use a very fine loose powder to set the foundation like Make Up For Ever Microfinish HD Powder ($30 at Sephora.com). This will ensure that your face doesn't ever look powdery but that your makeup wears well for a long day or evening.

2) Use a light, subtle bronzer to warm up the skin. The goal is not to look tan but instead to have a touch of warmth. Try Bobbi Brown Matte Bronzer in Light or Medium ($33 at Nordstrom.com) to keep it light. Cheeks are defined yet natural. Try MAC Powder blush in Buff ($17.50 at Nordstrom.com)to achieve this look.

3) Eyes are prepared using an eyeshadow primer like Urban Decay Primer Potion ($16 at Sephora.com). Then take a soft black pencil like Benefit's Bad Gal ($20 at Sephora.com). Apply a thick line above the top lashes and then use an eyeshadow brush to gently blend out the pencil, giving a soft, smoky finish. Next apply some false lashes and follow with a hearty coat of mascara like Diorshow Blackout mascara ($24 at Sephora.com).

4) Lips are sophisticated chic. Start with a natural red pencil like Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on lip pencil in Gash ($16 at Sephora.com). Lipstick is the perfect shade....Nars lipstick in Success ($24 at Sephora.com )

 

Pretty Makeup as Haute Couture?

                                                

There are some fashionistas out there that may disagree, but I believe that makeup can make the overall look, even when the clothes aren't making much of a statement. Case in point; on Saturday night I was totally stumped about what to wear to dinner. Add the that, the fact that I didn't really want to think too much about my outfit and you have what normally IS NOT a receipe for fashion success.

So what I did, which, come to think of it is a fairly regular occurence for me; is to wear a fairly uncreative outfit (jeans and a black tank), a fun accessory or two (in this case it was a fun clutch and a a sexy pair of earrings) and spend a bit more time on my makeup. It is my experience that if the outfit is flattering and more on the simple side, but the makeup is gorgeous and glam, the result is equally stylish! Plus people get to better appreciate your beautiful, smiling face!

The goal here is not to convince you that great makeup takes the place of great fashion but merely to make the point that there is another viable option if you've tried on everything in your closet and nothing is working. You can always do as I did this weekend and slip into your favorite "standby" outfit, add a great accessory and give yourself an extra bit of time on your makeup, spending time to blend everything, add that highlighter to the top of your cheekbone and the seasons latest lipgloss. When the latest fashions feel like a bit of a stretch, be kind to yourself and wear what feels good, spicing it up with your tried and true beauty products. Oh by the way, my tried and true include Nars Powder Blush in Luster ($25 at Sephora.com) , Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil in Tanzania ($22 at Beauty.com) and Chanel Glossimer in Amberlight ($26 at Nordstrom.com).

Healthy, Glowing Skin

                                  

When I met with the owner of Girlactik recently, she described the newest Girlactik product, Skin Glow, as the perfect highlight for all skin types. When I tried it for myself, I found that not only did she create a flawless formula and texture, but the soft scent of Jasmine Green tea; which is infused with vitamin E and white and green tea delivers an added punch of well-being.

As a makeup artist, I use cream highlighters on my clients all the time and love the way that they give skin that youthful brilliance. However, as an oily-skinned person myself, I'm always a bit wary of certain formulas because I never want to look overly shiny or make my pores look more visible. This soft, velvety cream that can be applied with the enclosed sponge, fingers or a foundation brush; is PERFECT for oily skin because of its velvety, silky finish.

As a matter of fact, as I write this article, I keep stopping to add more of it to my face. I may even take it with me to Happy Hour! Whoa, I better slow down, I could get easily carried away with this amazing stuff. The only question now, is whether this one goes in my personal stash or my makeup kit...I think I'm going to have to get one more, you can't have too many of these. Available for $26 at Girlactik Beauty.com. 

Beauty Bargains for the Week

                                     

                                                            

Clinique and Dillards are offering this cute cosmetic gift. Receive a flirty red and pink lip-print cosmetics bag filled with Clinique favorites as your gift with any Clinique purchase of $21.50 or more. This gift features:

• Liquid Facial Soap Mild
• Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent
• Fresh Bloom Allover Colour with Blush Brush in Peony
• Lash Doubling Mascara in Black
• Long Last Lipstick in Chianti
• Different Lipstick in Raspberry Glace

To receive this gift, please order it along with your qualifying Clinique purchase. One gift per person, please, while supplies last.

Nicciknows recommends picking up a Clinique All About Eyes Rich ($27.50). All items available at Dillards.com.

                                                             

Dillards and Prescriptives also have this great must-have gift available this week.

Receive a collection of must-have products as your gift with any Prescriptives foundation or moisturizer purchase of $32.50 or more. As an added bonus, choose between warm and cool color combinations

Warm Gift includes: Colorscope Lipstick in Posh Ginger, travel-size Colorscope Lip Gloss in Sporty, travel-size False Lashes Mascara in Black, travel-size Super Line Preventor Xtreme and zip-top cosmetics bag

Cool Gift includes: Colorscope Lipstick in Rose Glow, travel-size Colorscope Lip Gloss in Sassy, travel-size False Lashes Mascara in Black, travel-size Super Line Preventor Xtreme and zip-top cosmetics bag.

To order your gift, please select one color option (Warm or Cool) from the Item menu along with your qualifying purchase. One gift per person, please, while supplies last.

Nicciknows recommends picking up a Flawless Skin Makeup ($39.50) or the Good in Bed Restoring Night Moisturizer ($65). All items available at Dillards.com.

                                                

Lancome and Nordstrom have a gift this week as well. Receive a Lancôme Play Gift™ with any $39.50 Lancôme purchase. Includes Hypnôse Custom Volume Mascara in Black (0.07 oz.); Eye Shadow Quartet featuring Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow in Crème Lustre, Exhibition and Statuesque, plus limited-edition shade of Colour Focus Exceptional Wear EyeColour in Imagination (0.05 oz.); Color Fever Lipstick in Fashion Crave Frambroise
(full-size, 0.14 oz.); High Résolution Collaser-5X™ Intense Collagen Anti-Wrinkle Serum (0.5 oz.); Maquicomplet Complete Coverage Concealer (0.09 oz.); and Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover (1.7 oz.). Online and in store.

Nicciknows recommends hitting that $39.50 mark by picking up a Virtuous Black Carat Mascara ($23.50) and a Juicy Tubes Mahrahni Ultra Shiny Lipgloss in Mango Mystere ($18) from the new Fall Collection. All items available at Nordstrom.com.

Wedding Beauty Questions Answered... 2nd Installment

                            

This is the second installment of the Nicciknows Beauty Tips for Wedding Bee. We, at Nicciknows thought all of you could benefit from these questions and answers whether you are getting ready to walk down the aisle or you just want to spruce up your look. Having done makeup for dozens of weddings (Nicci's online makeup portfolio), it is a particular passion of mine to make women look and feel stunning on their wedding day! Enjoy!

6) Do you recommend eyelash extensions versus false eyelashes on the day of my wedding? I need something to lengthen my “micro-lashes” but don’t want to damage them. And, of course, I’d like them to look natural and beautiful.

I would recommend using false lashes on your wedding day. They are gentle on your natural lashes when you use Duo Adhesive ($5.99 at Drugstore.com) to stick them on. I would definitely recommend trying them out once before your wedding day. You can go to your local MAC counter, purchase some lashes from them and ask them to apply them for you. You definitely want your eyes to get used to them and not have your wedding day be the first time you’ve ever worn them.

7) I love my current eyeliner by Lancome, but am a crier. What eyeliner would you recommend that won’t stream down as I’m crying while going down the aisle? I cried watching a friend go down the aisle yesterday at her rehearsal. Yes I’m a sap.

Well I can definitely relate to the “sap” thing. You definitely want to use a water-proof eyeliner on your wedding day. I recommend Jet Set Cream Eyeliner ($22 at Sephora.com). You’ll need a brush to apply it and I recommend picking up Trish McEvoy’s #50 Angled Eyeliner brush ($25 at Nordstrom.com). Good luck!

8) My make-up tends to wear off over the course of the day and I am worried by the time I get to my wedding reception my make-up will be a wreck. What can I do to make my make-up last all day?

Two words for you….PRIME and SET. Priming, also known as preparing your skin for makeup helps it to hold the makeup longer and make it look better overall. Lucky for you, there are primers for just about everything these days…..face, eyes, and lips! Try Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation Primer ($30 at Sephora.com) under your foundation and MAC Eyeshadow Paint in Bare Canvas ($16.50) and for lips try Benefit Lip Plump ($20 at Sephora.com).

9) What are the best colors for very fair skin and very dark hair?

It's a bit difficult to answer that without knowing what your undertones are. In general, you want to brighten the complexion so it doesn't look washed out. If you are more yellow, I would select shades that are more peachy like the Makeup For Ever Sculpting Blush in Shade #16 ($24 at Sephora.com) and if you are more pink under-toned, try a soft plum shade like Desire from ck Calvin Klein beauty ($20 at Sephora.com)

10) How do I get that beautiful glow that stars like Kate Hudson always have on the red carpet on MY wedding day? Thanks!

Ah yes, the ever elusive red carpet glow. There are two products that will help you out here. The first one is the Caudalie Beauty Elixir ($49 at Sephora.com). This is a part-toner, part-serum spray that sets your makeup, takes away the powdery look and give the skin a moist, supple look.  The finishing touch for that red carpet look is a cream luminzer  like Stila All Over Shimmer in Luminous Gold ($22 at Sephora.com)