Three Haute Mamas

Dear Santa, I tried. All I want for Christmas is.... Love, Kate

Dear Santa, 

I put my best foot forward.  A high heeled foot forward no less.   I even scaled back on my list (fingers crossed behind back).  All I want for Christmas is....

I'd love a vacation!  A trip someplace warm, and down under?  Perhaps a nice suite at the Four Seasons I wonder? 

I'll need a new suitcase, and I know just the one, a little number by Louis Vuitton.  

Oh Santa, a girl needs a dress so she can shine under that tree.  No, make that a girl needs a dress, to out shine the whole darn par-ty.

all net-a-porter.com

I peeked in my (Wolford) stocking, and oh what a surprise!  All kind of electronics...and they all started with "i"!

 

You know I love my products, so load me up with all that you can- sedu, Armani, and Tweezerman

 

 

oooo..and Santa Baby.  I forgot to mention one little thing.  

A ring!

Pinkie promise...I'll try harder next year.  

 

Loves you Santa! Meet you under the mistetoe. xoxo Kate

 

 

 

My Philosophy on bulk buying gifts

It's December 24rd, the kids are stepping onto the school bus for the last time before holiday break and you suddenly break into a sweat.  Oops.  Teacher gifts.  School secretary gift.  School nurse gift (I cannot possibly be the only mother who's children are frequent fliers into the school nurse office? Right? Please tell me that's not silence.).  

Or how about the office co-workers? There are 8 of them.  The mail lady? Teenage babysitters? Gym day care workers? 

Gulp. What's a mama to do? Learn from the mama who's been there too many times to count pro. 

My Philosophy on this problem is bulk gift buying.  It's not creative, it's not an original idea, but it gets the job done, and it's a heck of a time saver.  Generally I purchase 10-12 of the same gifts, wrap them up identically, and when trouble beckens, I turn to my pile of bulk gifts.  And if you are one of the aforementioned, this year is different.  I hand selected each gift individually, and yours especially. 

Philosophy-Love, love LOVE their products.  Until 11/30, you can get FREE SHIPPING, with NO MINIMUMS.  Did I get my point across, because let it be known, that deal is just too good to be true. If you shop through Ebates right now, you can get 7% cash back too!   They'll smell good, and you'll look good with all that extra cash hanging out of your purse.  

Peppermint bark holiday ornament-mint candy shampoo, shower gel + bubble bath-At only $6 you get three products already wrapped up in an adorable ornament.   Bulk buy mamas..bulk buy.

Candy Cane foaming bubble bath, lip shine and shower gel-At $12 still proof that you don't need to spend a mint to show you care.

The Gingerbread Girl foaming bubble bath + shower gel-$16-Having consumed no less than 37 of my mothers molasses cookies over Thanksgiving weekend, I'm thinking this bubble bath might be the answer to my prayers.  Utilitarian and calorie free.  May I suggest adding a personal touch?  Perhaps a giant homemade gingerbread man cookie, decorated by the kiddos, attached to the package for bonus-cuteness points?  Oops.  Did someone mention cookies? 

With Gratitude-shampoo, shower gel+bubble bath-not everyone celebrates the holidays, but how are you to know? To avoid any uncomfortable oops! Keep this on hand to show your gratitude in ways that don't shout "We love Santa Claus around here!".  $25

 

Score at the grocery store! Mascara that's cheap and chic

Mamas! I am tres excited to share with you my score at the grocery store!  You know I love makeup, and as far as mascara goes, Cover Girl mascara is my go to.  Easily accessible, and as soon as I find a clump, I replace it with one of the four I keep on hand.   Can't really afford to that with the Christian DiorShow mascara I had been using previously.  Yesterday I read a makeup tutorial by Kim Kardashian's makeup artist, Joyce, where she swears by L'Oreal's Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black, and don't you know I was at my local Stop and Shop first thing this morning, mascara in cart on top of the four boxes of Cheerios.  

To spare you the agony of purchase (7.99 to be exact), and dissappointment, I decided to run my own test for you mamas.  The before.  No makeup.  Taking one for the team. :

After applying two coats per eye (on a night out...no holds barred, go big or go home is my rule):

Grocery store score!  L'oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black.  And note to self, Kim just walked in casually tossed in, Oh..I've been buying that mascara for at least twenty years.  

Well I guess the Kim's secret is out....evil laugh...Kim Haute Mama and Kim Kardashian!

Mamas, remember, celebrities get volume and length by using falsies-both extensions and false eyelashes.  That's  they only way to get that wide eyed volume WOW look.  But I've found that wearing falsies to through the carpool lane gets me the wrong kind of WOW look I'm looking for.  For day to day eyelashes, I give the L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara a:

 

The root of the matter

Happy Monday, Kate here, and I am looking for feedback on a hairy situation.  

Friday night, girls night out, we were discussing hair (go figure) and my friends were astonished to hear that I am in the salon re-touching my roots every three weeks to the day.  When it comes to my hair mamas, I don't mess around.  I have standing 8:15 am appointments every 3rd Wednesday, and it's non-negotiable.  With dark hair, one simply has no other option.  Or do I?? 

My girlfriends swore up and down about Clairol Root Touch up-tell me more I pleaded.  

Root Touch-Up gives your hair color a boost, covering roots and grays anytime between regular colorings. The targeted Root Crème works in just 10 minutes and matches any brand—even salon color.

and the best part-available at Target! Hmm..intrigued I sat around the table eyeing the women all free of roots and grays.  Were these mamas on to something? Do I dare break the standing 3 week appointment, and color....myself? Let's get to the root of the matter-I'd love to hear if anyone's had experience with Clairol Root Touch Up, and maybe just maybe, I'll stretch that appointment out to...four weeks? 

 

Shine from within, not from the forehead

Some people are powder people, I am a blotting paper person.  What is blotting paper you ask? Highly absobent paper used to absorb that shine/oil from the face without adding powder that gets lodged into all those little pores and, eek, fine lines.  A little powder applied pre party is fine, but you don't want to walk around applying powder all night, you'll end up looking like a pizza pie.  Try to blot.  It's haute. 

Shiseido Pureness Blot Away Set

Sephora Collection Matte Blotting Papers

Sonia Kashuk Blotting Papers

And if you're in a pinch....you know those paper toilet paper seat covers you (hopefully) find in every rest room? 

oh yes..our little secret;)

Look haute without spending a laute, Part 3 Makeup and hair!

Girly girl post here! I could spend hours and hoursssss at Sephora, the beauty counter at Saks, and yes, even the cosmetics aisle at Target! I am a sucker for a product, however, I am also a minimilist and hate having stuff laying around that doesn't produce.  Give me the goods, or you don't deserve space in my makeup drawer, period.  Some of our favorites

Just discovered this line and it's fabulous beyond fabulous.  Also a tad pricey for Target but I wanted to share it. My rule is I won't spend the dough if there isn't someone there to explain it, apply it and package it up all pretty.   Sorry, but that's how I roll.   However, there are some key pieces here that are worth the penny-meet  NP Set by Napoleon Pardis.  Products Galore, sample them out and you be the judge.  My faves:

liquid veil highlighter-imagine rubbing in a little sparkle into your skin.  Well..that's this product, and it's amazing.  I sat in the aisle rubbing...and rubbing..mouth on floor.  I'm still staring at my hand.  Ladies with "laugh lines" beware-this will set into those lines.  This is a highlighter-try the shoulders, decollette, cheekbones, under the brow, etc....Sparkly amazing...

NP Set Pore Perfecting Pre-Foundation Primer  Do you use foundation? Mineral powder? Then you need pre-foundation primer.  This goes on like butter.   Minus the shine.  Or the oily residue.  Or just the whole gross-ness factor.  Oh, and it'll set that makeup for the whole day at the office and a night out. 

Sonia Kashuk Essential Eye Kit with Case-Ladies..IF you purchase eye makeup that comes with those little foam eye applicators please discard it immediately, and either use your fingers (honestly! you'll be amazed!) OR purchase a good brush kit.  This is a good brush kit for the money, and all the basics for the eyes.  

Burts Bees Lip Shimmer- I first read about this here, and good golly Miss Molly, my lips haven't been the same.  A hint of color, shine and also hydrates the lips.  I can't be the only mom who's kids invade their lipgloss stash?.  I can relax a little when it's Burt's Bees, and available right down the street at Target! 

Frizz Ease Heat Defeat Spray-Straightening Iron? Curling Iron? Hot Rollers? Guilty...You're hair needs protection from all that heat, and this bargain spray is just the answer.  Spray it on before you heat, and you'll save yourself the horrors of breakage, split ends and dull color. 

 I have to interject here Kate.....  One of my favorite beauty items I can't live without and when I run out and have no back up.... Panic sets in....  Everyone should own these... 

Almay Hypo- Allergenic eye makeup remover pads! I must warn you though, buy the oil-free ones. I tried the moisturizing ones once and I was blind for a good 20 minutes!! Lol!!  xo Kimberly

Phew..had the moisturing ones IN THE CART..and got home and poof! gone! By the magic vested in small hands (aka my 4 year old), they were tossed.. I will go pack and purchase the proper ones! Thanks for the PSA Kim! 

So there you have it, all dolled up and ready for the final touch, the icing on the cake..shoes! Stay tunes for part four of looking haute without spending a laute-SHOES! 

 

Fact: 50% of all pimples occur on weekends

The other 50% on weddings, proms and first dates.  

I am not here to help you with the day of acne, but the during..the during I can offer you solace. Meet Mario

Overnight, show that acne who's boss by simply applying a drop of Mario Badescu Drying Lotion.  Works like magic and you'll wake up with the face of a baby ready to face that weekend, prom, wedding, first date or..nature hike?!  Oh yes, the bonus-The lotion takes the itch out of mosquito bites fast as well! 

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion-

 

Be a fan of the Tweezerman

Mamas, no matter what your friends and family tell you, your eye brows need to be waxed/plucked or threaded.  Please..don't let people tell you that they don't notice that fuzz between the brows.. It's there.  Like a neon sign..it's there. Rule of thumb, if you see it, the whole world sees it.   The brows frame your face.  Think of a simple photo, then think of a photo professionally matted in a gorgeous gilded frame.  Which one says Look at me? Spend a little time on the brows, and you're whole face will pop!  Mamas, you don't need to visit the salon, although by all means, if you've the time and money, support those local businesses! But please, if you choose not to...Be a fan of the Tweezerman!

Kate I have never plucked or tweezed my eyebrows!! Seriously!! hahaaha!! Mamas remember this... fuller eyebrows (not messy) fuller is a sign of youth!! Don't go too crazy tweezing!! Lol!!! XO Kimbelry

Kimberly just spelled her name wrong, so clearly she's been hitting the vino again! But she does bring up a great point-Yes, fuller eyebrows are wonderful-think Hilary Rhoda, and Kimberly!-however, when we get into say Frida Kahlo or Bert terrirtory..time to reach for the tweezers! And everyone can use a little highlighting, especially when being photographed! 

This is an exceptional YouTube tutorial on not only tweezing and shaping the brows, but also highlighting with make up.  A MUST SEE!!   

and mamas, I have seen Tweezerman tweezers at TJ Maxx! Imagine if you won, oh say..a $100 gift card?  You could..go here to enter to win our fabulous giveaway!

Wicked makeup kits for the costume challenged

Are you one of those mamas who won't don a Halloween costume? Too cool for school? Then how about some makeup?? I loveeee makeup, and I think these were created just for moi! Oh the creepy fun I could have creating wicked looks!

smashbox beauty in a box kit.  the devil.  depending on the time of the month, this one could be really appropriate. 

smashbox get sexy halloween kit.  more like get haute!

makeup forever beauty in a box: make up tricks + treats: combination sets makeup forever is one of the queens of makeup lines, so i'm sure this kit is to die for haute! 

All these kits are available at Sephora where the lovely makeup artists are always available to help you apply, and answer questions.  I will attest to that Kate! I was at Sephora and had a really great sales girl show me a great powder, blush and eye shadow.... I must have looked pretty and refreshed because a guy chased me to my car and gave me his number! hahahahaha!! XO Kimberly

However, if you're stuck at home, why not try YouTube for makeup tutorials? For reals!