Brooklyn Dolls

Spellbound by CoverGirl Lip Perfection in ... Spellbound

2012-01-26T11:29:00.000-08:00

Why helloSo recently C has been board the pink train--one that loyal readers will recall I have been on for pretty much ever. Thank you, thank you. Fine, so it's really only the super bright shades that she--and more and more celebs--have been hoarding, but I have to say that, as someone who usually goes for more subdued forms of the color, I have been dipping a toe in the hot pink waters as well

The Hots for Hot Pink

2012-01-23T12:36:00.000-08:00

Three different lip colors (believe it or not) It's hard to deny the appeal of pink lipstick these days. I've always been a red girl myself, paying homage to some of my faves - Gwen Stefani, Dita von Teese - known for their red pouts. I save pink only for when I'm tan, which usually means Miami, Disney, Jersey, Coney. But after seeing MAC's new collection of lip colors designed by Iris Apfel, I

I Pink I Can (But I Can't): L'Oreal Colour Riche Le Gloss

2012-01-17T17:52:00.000-08:00

So sheer... so sadAfter seeing how ridiculously awesome L'Oreal's Colour Riche Le Gloss in Watermelon Crush looked in the ads for the new lip product, I started checking everywhere for the bright, shocking pink of a shade, only to find it sold out time after time. I once almost got the sole remaining Raspberry Splash color, a deeper pink, at one Walgreens in Buswick, until I noticed that it had

Thanks Santa! A Review of Clinique's Turnaround Moisturizer

2012-01-06T08:04:00.000-08:00

Gifts for me!As I'm sure you read in J's previous post, we are no stranger to the holiday gift exchange. It's become tradition to get each other beauty products to test and review. I know, our work is never done. You're welcome! On my list this year were some of my favorite brands' new releases; Clinique and Maybelline both introduced new products that we were hoping would knock our socks off -

The Gift of Color: New York Color Blushable Cream Stick

2012-01-02T05:57:00.000-08:00

Friends C and I did our annual holiday gift exchange dinner and, unsurprisingly, we gave each other very similar things: sparkly clutches and makeup. Great minds, I tell you. Anyway, C had asked me for Clinique's Turnaround Overnight Radiance Moisturizer, which has been receiving rave reviews everywhere, and I'm super excited to hear her post about it on this very site. And while I didn't ask her

Second Chances: Neutrogena Foundation

2011-12-29T05:15:00.000-08:00

Try this at homeC has long been a huge fan (proof here) of Neutrogena's Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup, which-- on my skin atleast-- has always looks thick and has refused to blend well. And don't think we haven't argued over my not liking it for years now. But recently, C and I were shopping in Boston (yes, in Walgreens, but sometimes it's nice to see what other cities have to offer in drugstore

Holiday Gift Guide 2011

2011-12-14T06:23:00.001-08:00

BD Holiday Party 2011: Oh so sparklyIt's Brooklyn Dolls' favorite time of year. We just had an awesome holiday party (see above), despite some technical difficulty and a brigade of drunk Santas greeting our guests upon arrival. The desserts, dance party and photos with (our own) Santa made for a pretty memorable evening. And now we get to share with you our top 3 holiday gift picks - in no

B.B. Queen

2011-11-30T18:26:00.000-08:00

The lady of the hour, posing with tea. This past week I was introduced to a few must-have products. On a lunchtime shopping excursion to Bloomingdales my intentions were pretty simple starting out: walk through the Rachel Zoe collection for the millionth time, see what new sequin dresses Alice+Olivia have to offer, spritz on Estee Lauder's Sensuous Nude perfume, and pretend I don't have to be

High-Brow Brilliant

2011-11-16T17:47:00.001-08:00

Using the image from the ybf site because the quotes IS TRUE.Found: Miracle product. No seriously. When ybf sent over their Eyebrow Pencil and promised it would be fabulous, I was admittedly skeptical. I originally fell for a Lancome brow pencil I bought in Sephora that looked amazing in the store, but never did quite make it back to that point when I tried to do it myself at home. So I was

Olay Olay, Olay Olay

2011-11-15T18:06:00.000-08:00

It even LOOKS like it'd be a light moisturizerImagine my delight after finally spotted the Olay Pro-X Clear line a few weeks ago in Rite Aid. I'd seen the ads all over and they sounded promising-- get rid of acne and improve your skin tone. Ok, sure I'd like to do all of those things. And, being Olay, I felt I could trust them. The brand's wrinkle-fighting lines get rave reviews, so it only made

Hit Me Baby (Lips) One More Time

2011-10-29T10:58:00.000-07:00

(See what I mean about the packaging?) So not that I will ever be one to complain about cold weather, but it's October 29th and there is a veritable ice/snow/rain thing going on outside. In the words of C: wowza. But you know what? I'll take this over the other extreme seasonal alternative: 80 degree days in the fall. No thanks. And anyway, it gives me the perfect chance to break out a lovely

Face-ing the Truth

2011-10-27T08:56:00.000-07:00

Don't risk itHi BD readers!! Ok, I’ll just lay it out there. I recently moved to Astoria (covers face), which is why I’ve been absent from BD the past month. I’ve been thinking about how to break the news. I know, I know. The name of this blog is Brooklyn Dolls. But rest assured, you can take the girl out of Brooklyn, but can’t take Brooklyn out of the girl. Nor do I ever have any desire to. Who

The High(light) Life

2011-10-17T17:09:00.000-07:00

(Starbucks did not sponsor this post.) So Smashbox recently released the Halo Highlighting Wand, its answer to YSL's ever-popular Touche Eclat. Much like Touche Eclat, Smashbox's highlighting stick comes in a click-up pen and can be dabbed on cheekbones, cupid's bow, browbones--anywhere you want to reflect some light and bring out bone structure (and, sure, who doesn't?). But unlike Touche Eclat,

I Fall for Fall (even when it parades as summer)

2011-09-23T17:13:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin alert!Fall is here. Sort of. It's a lovely temperature in the 60s as I write this, but the weekend forecast shows 80 degrees. In October. Reader, my heart is heavy. But despite this terrible news, I have to say I am still excited to see pumpkins in supermarkets (and yards) and candy corn on shelves. Atleast we can pretend it's fall in spirit. Along these lines, Bath and Body Works has a

Doll-ywood

2011-09-21T17:24:00.000-07:00

Check out the lashes...This week brings us the official first day of fall. Thank the heavens. It's been hot for what feels like 7 months, and I can't wait for this terrible season to be over. And by terrible, I mean I actually had what felt like a real summer for the first time in years- weekends at the shore, trips to Boston, nights in Coney Island, etc. So it wasn't TOO bad. But I still hate

In the Line of Battle

2011-08-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

Make Up For Ever Strikes Again: Smoky Couleur CollectionHope all of our east coast readers were unscathed by Hurricane Irene. Irene didn't mess with Bensonhurst, except for some fallen tree branches. She knows better. J was not so lucky having to evacuate the Sheepshead Bay area. The nerve, Irene, the nerve. Staying at home I took all necessary hurricane precautions: buying a week's worth or

In the Tropics

2011-08-09T05:36:00.000-07:00

J-Lo in a bottle.Seeing as how summer still will not end-- despite my best efforts to mentally convince the earth to make itself cold-- I have been (begrudgingly) trying to make the best of it. And this includes going to the beach a lot more often than I have previous summers: Belmar, the Rockaways, AC, and, of course, Brighton and Coney Island. It's kind of ironic, actually, because I am

Blush Stroke

2011-07-29T14:01:00.000-07:00

Not the best shot in the world, but you get the picture Keeping with the theme of late (i.e. products that won't melt away), let me tell you about one of my newest obsessions: N.Y.C. Color Blushable Creme Stick in Big Apple Blush. Blush is probably one of my favorite things, in the same category with Golden Girls, fur, boots, sequins, glazed donuts. This is pretty good company. So it needs to be

Prime(r) Time

2011-07-27T05:13:00.000-07:00

The final product.Last Saturday, it was--let's face it-- too hot to go outside. I believe the heat index was around 100 degrees in NYC, and it was humid as hell (or, atleast New Orleans in summer). So after maxing out my TV-watching and magazine-reading abilities, I turned to the next obvious mode of entertainment: playing with makeup. Last time I had ordered Sephora, I received a lovely-sized

Cannon-Baaalll

2011-07-18T15:11:00.000-07:00

The perfect spot to test Cannonball/perfect spot to live: Florida retirement village This review comes in the nick of time. You're welcome, NY. As we're approaching a heat wave, we are prepping ourselves for the gross days ahead. Sure, we can carry water with us or stay in AC and hide. But, what about our lashes? How will they endure this heat? Well, well, well, I know!Picture it: July 2011,

Raising a Brow

2011-07-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

Please ignore the under-eye circles. this was taken post-work. But note the BROWS.In the past, I must say I never really paid much attention to my sparse eyebrows. Sure, I would tweeze a few strays, but I didn't agonize over them and try to shape them, mostly because there was not much to shape. But in the past year or so, I have fallen in love with the strong eyebrow look (a la Hilary Rhoda, or

Plump Up the Jam

2011-07-08T07:37:00.000-07:00

so many pink glosses, so little time.First off, I want to throw a bit of praise out to Cat Marnell, who covers beauty over at xojane.com in a very one-of-a-kind way that makes me want to sort of buy everything she recommends. For example, this is her on Sally Hansen’s Lip Shimmer Plumping Balm:This one I am loving. Again, I applied it messily and lazily (always my stee) and it's a little wild

Canada Beaut-aye

2011-07-01T06:19:00.000-07:00

Hot off the presses: Glow MagazineOn a recent jaunt to Canada (yes, I am quite the world traveler), I familiarized myself with the country’s most important media outlet: the beauty/fashion magazines. When in Canada, I suppose. In case you are planning a trip to Canada, here is what you NEED to read while you're away.I’m loving Canada’s Glow Magazine, their leading beauty and health title. Dare I

Makeup.com Love

2011-06-29T12:03:00.001-07:00

The Dolls are super-excited to share this post that we took part in over at the re-launched, new-and-improved Makeup.com on how to get the perfect lashes. Our tidbit:“When you don’t have many lashes (like us), each one counts! Swipe two coats of mascara onto lashes by holding the wand horizontally, moving up and down the lashes. For the third coat, hold the wand vertically and wiggle it up and

Halle-lujah

2011-06-21T13:18:00.000-07:00

Oh hello, Halle.There are many things about summer I cannot stand. The heat, for starters, and the humidity, and the tons of tourists that meander down Broadway when you're trying to just get to the subway and go home. And I miss wearing boots, because, let's face it, sandals are never as comfortable, and never look quite as good. Sorry if you thought so. But aside from all this, I do enjoy

Spa-bration

2011-06-20T05:59:00.000-07:00

Scene of the birthday bash: Venelle Salon and Spa Happy Birthday to me! Ok, it was a week ago, but when I was little, I considered the whole month of June my birthday. Doesn't make sense why that stopped, it was pretty nice. But anyways, as I am now 27, I have faced the realization that I get one day (or possibly a weekend) to celebrate my birthday. So it should be fabulous. This year, I'd be

Must-Read of the Week

2011-06-16T06:24:00.000-07:00

I remember sitting with a friend in college, telling him why I wanted to go into beauty (as opposed to fashion), and explained that makeup never made anyone feel fat. It's true, right? That being said, I just wanted to make sure everyone had seen this Into the Gloss post (yes, I know I salivate over this blog, deal with it), by Lucky mag Beauty Director Jean Godfrey-June. I have been such a fan

Don't Sweat It

2011-06-13T10:59:00.000-07:00

Ah yes, the inside of my desk. (Also, how good are TLC bars?)For better or worse, I am going to share my tale of almost-embarrassment, as it might be the only way to pay proper respects to the product that saved the day (or, ok, night). Picture it: 1am(ish), a balmy Saturday night in June. I'd been in Central Park all day, and then out for most the evening with O, a good friend of BD, and had

Keeping it in Cheek

2011-06-09T10:29:00.000-07:00

so pink!While I'm pretty particular about pink lipsticks, I have to say I'm less picky with blushes- as long as I look less pale/pasty, it'll do. But recently, and now that I have somewhat (stress on "some") of a tan, I've been searching for a great pink flush of a color to brighten my cheeks, and was intrigued in Sephora when I came across Stila's Custom Color Blush, which I had never seen

In the Line of Fire

2011-06-06T07:36:00.000-07:00

Make Up For Ever's crayon box I must second J’s apology for not writing all that often lately. We were caught up in the whirlwind of traveling, vacation-drinking and awkward-people-watching. Guilty. But, we’re back and ready to share all the beauty tips/gems we’ve discovered over the past few weeks.Prior to vacation, the generous folks at Make Up For Ever reached out to THE beauty influencers (us

Ulta-matim

2011-05-31T18:15:00.000-07:00

Organized by product? Kudos to you, Ulta.Please excuse the Brooklyn Dolls for not having written in awhile...we were in full-on vacation mode, starting with the Makeup Show in NYC (more on that soon), which led into a margarita-filled week in Miami and Disney World. It was marvelous. We met Teresa from BD-favorite Real Housewives of New Jersey, we read lots of magazines, we ordered room service

DJ Tanner: The Results Show

2011-05-09T06:57:00.000-07:00

Step away from the Jergens Natural GlowThe review is in, as promised. Two weeks ago you may recall I purchased Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer in hopes of emulating the bronze and fabulous first ladies of the Real Housewives of NJ. My goal was to get at least two shades darker without looking orange or streaky. Well, part of the mission was accomplished. I do not look orange or streaky. I

La Moss

2011-05-04T06:45:00.001-07:00

(shot by David Sims)I know I've already raved about Dior Addict lipstick, but can I just point out that even though I'd seen some of the Kate Moss ads before, these new shots makes me want to buy like 15 more shades. Amazing. ~J

All (Un) Dressed Up With Nowhere to Go

2011-05-01T16:14:00.000-07:00

My hair is pretty good at looking dirty on its own, especially the top half of it, so when I first heard about Bumble and Bumble's Bb. Texture Hair (Un) Dressing Creme, I was skeptical: why would you want your hair to look like second day hair? Sure, I hate the too-clean look as much as the next girl, especially when I'm trying to do a pompadour-ish up-do, but give me a half a day and my roots

This Boots Was Made for Shopping

2011-04-29T12:12:00.000-07:00

Perhaps just in time for royal wedding, and everyone's obsession with all things British, the Duane Reade of the UK, Boots, has launched its online store for the US. Featuring its popular No7 line and all-natural Botanics brand, now it's possible for us messy Americans to get our hands on this popular British beauty. I am currently feeling the No 7 Extravagant Lash Mascara ($7.99) and the

DJ Tanner

2011-04-26T06:29:00.000-07:00

Jergens, help me get my tan on. OK?As I watched my favorite TV shows this weekend, including but not limited to the Real Housewives franchise on Bravo, I grew increasingly jealous of these ladies of leisure, particularly the NJ clan. Usually it's their diamonds and daytime trips to AC that have me green, but this time it was their bronzed skin. I've gotten to a point where the sun scares me. I no

Lip Potion No. 9

2011-04-16T11:59:00.000-07:00

so sheer! so pink!Despite my love for pink lipstick, I can honestly say I have never really fully finished an entire tube, to the point where I find myself scraping the bottom of it. But that is precisely what happened with my Dior Addict Lip Glow. It was easy to put on without a mirror (perfect for pre-date subway rides), moisturizing (perfect for the crap weather), and gave my lips the

A Tale of Two Facials: Part II

2011-04-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

One of the many Jurlique goods: Intense Recovery Mask On my quest for perfect skin (ok, I'll settle for non-13 year old skin), I have made a lasting relationship with the all-mighty skin brand, Jurlique. J & I have been singing their praises for months now. It all started in January with a facial I loved, using all-natural Jurlique products, then a Jurlique press event in which J & I left with

Highlights for Not-Kids

2011-04-11T19:16:00.000-07:00

ta-daaa Yesterday C and I visited the Super Freak Weekend at Coney Island's Sideshows by the Seashore as part of the Congress of Curious Peoples, a 10-day festival including "performances by some of the world's most important natural-born freaks, individuals whose performance is their physicality itself." Obviously we had to go because if there's anything we love more than Coney Island, its

A Match Made in (Almost) Heaven

2011-04-07T18:49:00.000-07:00

Helpful shade-finder thingyI fear this blog is becoming a L'Oreal product review site, but in any case, a few weeks ago I was flipping through a magazine (don't ask me which one) and saw a little present for me. And I like presents. It was a L'Oreal True Match makeup color-finder: a clear sheet with small, sheer squares of each of the line's colors on it. It instructed me to hold the sheet over

True Colors

2011-04-06T05:40:00.000-07:00

Hi-Gloss QueenOver the past few months I've changed my hair quite a bit: choppy layers in October (mehh), V. Beckham signature cut in January (love), and the latest, chin-length bob dyed black (love even more). I know spring is coming and most people go lighter and softer, but that just doesn’t really work for me. So when I visited my aunt a few weeks ago, who happens to be a hairdresser/awesome

All That Glitters is Gold

2011-04-01T11:39:00.000-07:00

Blinded by the goldNow and again, Brooklyn Dolls will ask a loyal reader to share her/his beauty tips and any finds we think worth our (and your) time. So it was no shock that when long-time BD supporter D flaunted her gold sparkly nails, we had to find out how she did it! Two weekends ago I gave in to my impulsive shopping habits and bought a box of Sally Hansen Salon Effects – Real Nail Polish

A Tale of Two Facials: Part I

2011-03-27T17:32:00.000-07:00

My new dream team Loyal readers of this blog will recall that I have unfortunate skin which includes (but is not limited to): blemishes, fine lines, dry patches, and to top it off, sensitivity. So you can see why facials make me hesitant- there's always the chance of a skin freak-out from a new product, and also I've had a bad experience (at a spa that won't be named), but let's just say I

Oiled Up

2011-03-22T07:20:00.000-07:00

I recently arrived back stateside from a weeklong jaunt to Italy where I had a fabulous time but my did not. What with rainy weather, various bus and train rides, not washing as frequently, and not having my usual array of products at hand, my hair became a sea of knots in the back--one that by day 8 consisted of tiny dreads that no amount of travel-sized conditioner could help. Upon arriving

St. Patty's Day Beauty

2011-03-17T06:53:00.000-07:00

Hint of POP Happy St. Patrick's Day Brooklyn Dolls Readers!!!What are you doing to get in the spirit? Perhaps skipping work and making your way down to 5th Ave to view the parade? Or maybe you're eating a green bagel telling yourself you have to eat this bagel, it's St. Patrick's Day and it's green (as I did). Whatever you decide to do or don't, here's some simple ways to show your pride.For a

Ageless Schmageless

2011-03-16T07:12:00.000-07:00

The acne culprit Ever feel like your skin is trying to tell you something? Acne is your body’s way of saying you’re stressed and should probably quit your job. Wrinkles usually mean you’re overworked and should probably quit your job. But what about wrinkles and breakouts together? You should probably just retire. And by you, I mean me. Because let’s face it: a) I love the retirement villages

Catching Waves

2011-03-09T20:16:00.000-08:00

Discreet packagingSo if you ever wanted tousled, surfer-girl-like waves that Bumble and Bumble's Surf Spray gives you (and by you I mean, not me, because magazines swear by it, but it really just gave me knots), then you need to try Joico's Texture Spray. It's now a part of my nightly routine: wash my hair, pat it dry with a towel, put it up in a bun, and spray it a couple times with this

Nailed It

2011-03-08T07:24:00.000-08:00

America's Next Top Hand Model: didn't feel like taking my shoes off for the picEvery high-heel-wearing, commute-to-work-hating woman knows the importance of a good pedicure. For me personally, it's not so much about the pretty color on my toes, I can do that myself. But rather, the foot massage. I can flip through a magazine, read Kourtney Kardashian's blog and study Rite Aid's weekly circular

New Beauty Hotspot: Inglot Cosmetics

2011-03-03T08:45:00.000-08:00

"Play with meeeee"Inglot Cosmetics opened its second location in NYC a couple weeks ago and it is a dream come true. Imagine you really liked candy corn and you walked into a room where candy corn was just lined up everywhere: stacks all over tables, plates covered with them, candy corn chandeliers. You get the idea. Well that’s how Inglot feels to a makeup lover. Nails for daysLocated on the 5th

MakeUp Show is Coming...To Towwwn

2011-02-24T07:42:00.000-08:00

This could be you.The Brooklyn Dolls will be attending the MakeUp Show in NYC this coming May to share with you, our dear readers, awesome insider tips and a look at what's new and hot in the beauty industry. But, before we overexcite ourselves three months in advance, the Makeup Show hits LA in just TWO days, bringing West Coasters heavyweights the likes of Inglot, Make Up For Ever, Smashbox,

The Real Tooth Fairy

2011-02-23T18:42:00.000-08:00

The tooth fairy comethI'm going to use this space to discuss a not-so-glamourous beauty product that some of you may not even consider a "proper" beauty product: toothpaste. Yes, that's right. Everyone (I hope) uses it, some don't think twice about it. I'll admit, I used to just buy anything that said anti-cavity and also maybe threw in some promises about whitening. Seems pretty

One Failed Sweep

2011-02-23T10:57:00.000-08:00

One Sweep lying amidst my fave products: not for long This past Presidents' Day weekend, J and I performed our patriotic duty and paid homage to our nation's capital. We take our national holidays seriously. Just wait and see what we have in store for Flag Day. I'll give you a hint: sequin visors. As we do in preparation for all our trips, we stocked up on celeb weeklies and our fave monthlies.

Backstage at Z Spoke: Goth Glam Hair

2011-02-15T10:23:00.000-08:00

Loving the Morticia hair at Z SpokeThe Brooklyn Dolls, because we have day jobs (we know, we're sorry, too), couldn't attend the göt2b/Z Spoke by Zac Posen preview for Fall Fashion Week 2011 , but we were fortunate enough to get the scoop on how the awesome hair (see above) was done by göt2b head stylist Larry Sims. The look was sort of like what I want my hair to be: dramatic and long and

Cut It Like Beckham

2011-02-14T19:37:00.000-08:00

The new 'doThis past weekend I decided to trade in my signature poofy up do (ok, it's just a bun) for someone else's signature look: the one and only Victoria Beckham circa 2008. I was obsessed with this cut when it took America by storm, as any V. Beckham fan would be. I sometimes kid myself and say I'm going to chop my hair and dye it blonde (like V. Beckham after she got bored with this cut),

Green with Envy

2011-02-11T10:11:00.001-08:00

Bouquet of pencilsWe did it! We made it to Friday without killing anyone (hopefully). Congratulations! And if you're like me, you're looking to reward yourself for this great feat. So before you risk losing your money on a product not yet reviewed by BD, here's one I promise you will love. I'm addicted to Prestige's Kohl Eyeliner in Marble. Help me TLC, please!! I've always loved this brand's

Women are from NARS

2011-02-10T11:11:00.000-08:00

The NARS boutique on Bleecker opened today and The Cut took an inside look. All we can say is that we likey. See more pics HERE.

Skin Saver

2011-02-07T14:18:00.000-08:00

New friend!I don't want to jinx myself, so I'm almost wary of writing this product up. But, as a commited beauty blogger, I realize I am obligated to share this with my readers. People, I think I've found my perfect moisturizer. As I mentioned before, I don't want to speak too soon, as I've only been using this product for 4 days or so, but a lot of the redness on my face has cleared and my skin

Fit Me-hh

2011-02-04T06:48:00.000-08:00

Stay away: it doesn't fit Always one to try the latest and greatest in skin care, I was sitting on the edge of my seat for the Maybelline Fit Me foundation to hit shelves. I'd see the commercials, run to Duane Reade and nada. For days, this was my life. I happened to stumble upon this product last week at a Rite Aid before a night out in Bay Ridge. Big thanks is owed to J's eagle eye. I was too

Purchasing The Right Prods Made Easier

2011-02-03T09:06:00.000-08:00

Hi fans! Please make sure to check out our new sidebar feature "Go Get (Prods We Are Loving Right Now)." It has all the latest beauty items that the Brooklyn Dolls are, well, loving right now-- the ones that have won us over and somehow received positive reviews. Just click on the link and purchase! Almost as easy and getting into a fight on the subway (just ask C).~J

A New Sensation

2011-01-30T09:41:00.000-08:00

I want them alll...me me meThey say the third time's a charm. And so it is with lipstains. My foray into testing out drugstore versions of this product has continued (you're welcome), this time with Maybelline's Color Sensational Lipstain in Blushing, a raspberry shade. And I am in love. I have to say I like Maybelline's Color Sensational line in general, and have been working on my LipColor

Spa-ahhh Time Continues

2011-01-26T18:56:00.000-08:00

My next facial: the 24 karat gold facialSeems like it's Spa Time at Brooklyn Dolls. Both J and I've made recent trips to the spa, though in different boroughs. J's experience does seem more glamorous, being pampered in a castle wearing, what sounds like, my Dora the Explorer Halloween costume. Sold. I definitely plan to make a summertime visit.My experience with facials, on the other hand,

Spa-ahhh Castle

2011-01-23T15:46:00.000-08:00

Not me. But yes, I did this.This past Saturday, I had the great pleasure of hitting up Spa Castle in Queens, a place I had heard about numerous times and always wanted to check out. Well, Brooklyn Dolls friend G and I made the trek out to Flushing, hopping on the very efficient Spa Castle shuttle bus at the 7 train station and arriving at our destination about 20 minutes later. Upon paying the

Zumba Fever

2011-01-18T05:54:00.000-08:00

I don't own this. Yet.Because being beautiful (sometimes) involves working from the inside out, your faithful bloggers decided to attend a local Zumba class this past weekend in Bay Ridge at the interestingly named Exotic Curves Pole Fitness Studio. Now, C and I don't really do the whole exercise thing. Typically, I feel bad for people who go to the gym every day. But when we saw the Zumba

Jersey Dolls

2011-01-12T08:06:00.000-08:00

Move over Kimora: there's a new queen of fabulosity on the block Anyone who reads BD on the regular knows J & I have a deep love for the Real Housewives, particularly the "ladies" of New Jersey. We're very intrigued by them: their collections of fur and jewelry, the castles they call home, and their ability to afford the aforementioned without ever having to work a day job. Fine, maybe I'm a tad

Steal This Stila

2011-01-05T05:29:00.000-08:00

So much pink! (Note: not intentional) Ladies (and gents), it has been a crazy few weeks. Weeks that have involved many evenings of quickly changing from work clothes into something a bit more attractive, and redoing my hair and makeup in 5 minutes or less. Sometimes at my desk. Sometimes in the office ladies' room. Pretty glamorous. And sometimes it really wasn't worth the effort, let's be

Beauty-ful Gifts

2011-01-02T13:10:00.000-08:00

Gifts, for me!Happy New Year, Brooklyn Dolls readers! Hope Santa brought you everything you wanted this season. My Christmas was filled with family, good friends and many pieces of cheesecake. Perhaps even more special than those heartfelt family moments were all the gifts I received. Yes, I said it. We all love gifts. I’m not going to list all my presents because that would sound shallow, which

We Did It Again

2010-12-14T15:09:00.000-08:00

Gift basket resting upon the fireplaceThanks to everyone who came out on Saturday to celebrate the Brooklyn Dolls Holiday Party! This year might have been the best one yet. Yes, we say that after every BD holiday party, but really, this was pretty special. We stuffed our faces with candy and baked goods. Ok, no change there. BUT one lucky winner left with a beauty basket filled with some of the

Brooklyn Dolls Holiday Party: Saturday, December 11th

2010-12-07T13:40:00.000-08:00

Brooklyn Dolls in younger timesPeople, it's that time of the year again. Forced work gatherings, family visiting, and long lines in stores buying things that are not even for you. But despite all those not-so-fun things, here's something guaranteed to be a good time. We're hosting our holiday party for the third year in a row! Most of you probably attended our last two holiday parties and

Loco For This Barocco

2010-12-02T18:27:00.001-08:00

I really nailed this photo, obviously.First of all, let me say how excited I am for Brooklyn Dolls' 3rd Annual Holiday Party on December 11th. If you were lucky enough to be invited, congratulations. I can't wait to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what I want this year. Oh wait, C and I already did that at Kings Plaza a couple weeks ago. Well, I will do it again at the party. And here's a hint

UPDATE: Make Up For Ever

2010-11-28T10:27:00.000-08:00

Zee winner!In the spirit of the holidays, a big thank you goes out to Make Up For Ever (MUFE) for responding to a recent complaint made by us here at Brooklyn Dolls. You probably remember when I said MUFE HD Foundation made my skin look rather oily after a couple hours of wear. I was not a fan at first. But, imagine being a kid and receiving a notification that your Christmas wish list was indeed

Koh Gen Do is a Wedding Day Do

2010-11-21T15:45:00.000-08:00

Scary.. yet effective. And in wedding-day white! The spread.Last week, C and I hit up the very-crowded Wedding Salon in NYC. No, neither one of us had a giant rock on our fingers (well, not the engagement kind anyway), but instead we were off to see what's big in the bridal beauty world this year And sure, we may have sampled some cakes. Oh, and C found a feathered dress she loved. But those are

Make Up For Ever: Highly Disappointing

2010-11-14T08:06:00.000-08:00

The shine culpritThis is probably going to come as a shock to BD readers. I found a flaw in the almost-always-adored foundation that guarantees flawless-looking skin. Anyone I’ve ever spoken to about my skin recommends Make Up For Ever. Dina Manzo, Real Housewives of New Jersey starlet, says Make Up For Ever HD Foundation is the one product she can’t live without. I know this because I read her

Millionize Me (Or, Ok, Don't)_

2010-11-14T05:42:00.000-08:00

But it's so shiny!Because I cannot resist any new drug store mascara, or anything packaged in shiny gold, or anything with the word "million" attached to it, I picked up L'Oreal's Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara. As the name suggests, the mascara promises 7x the volume with no clumping, making it look like you have, well, millions of lashes. But you know what? It's clumpy. My lashes did

Kim France Does Slate

2010-11-09T10:08:00.000-08:00

Loving this Slate post from former Lucky EIC Kim France. There's a slideshow on what beauty products are worth splurging on, but I also love the intro, which includes this swoon-worthy excerpt:"There was no more perfect way to slide into the weekend than sprawling out on the closet floor late on a Friday afternoon sampling sugar scrubs and cheek stains. Once I'd fallen in love with a product—or

In-Stain in the Membrane

2010-11-05T13:20:00.000-07:00

The ol' lipstick on the notepad demo.First of all, let me just say that today I bought a Mega Millions ticket. So if I win, I am going to retire. I'll still write on BD (when I'm not having Mallomars fed to me), but if you don't hear from me for a few weeks, C and I flew to Disney World to celebrate my victory. Consider yourselves on alert.Anyway, another product that I am always hearing about

Best in Class

2010-11-01T16:54:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn Dolls' own, J, post-makeoverLast weekend I did something I’ve always wanted to do. No, I didn’t take skydiving lessons. That would be dumb. No, I didn't run a marathon. Though, my back did hurt after this two day-long activity. Ok, enough suspense. I took a makeup course! Introduction to makeup fundamentals, if you must know. After searching the web for courses offered on a weekend (

A Match Made in Make Up Heaven

2010-10-26T17:36:00.000-07:00

Even the packaging matches!The other night, after surviving long days at our (for now) respective offices, C and I checked out the new Make Up For Ever store within the Sephora on Broadway in Soho. It was warm out and, being October, this made us sad. So, there we were, sad and tired, but expectations high. And let me just say, expectations were met, Sephora and Make Up For Ever really went all

Like a ROC

2010-10-18T16:53:00.000-07:00

There's a new sheriff in town...Not to continue the recent love fest going on here at Brooklyn Dolls (I promise we'll find some crappy lipstick or foundation to write about soon), but I have another product to add to the yes pile. And I realized it after reading a recent Glamour piece that cited anti-aging creams as one of the unlikely causes of adult acne (along with sugar and cell phones...not

Defying the Skin Care Odds

2010-10-15T07:57:00.000-07:00

More gravity defying cream, pleaseIt’s been an exciting past couple of weeks for Brooklyn Dolls. Yes, the Chilean miners were rescued! And we like that. Though, what I'm referring to is a little bit closer to home for those here at BD. We've found and spread the good word on some amazing products recently. You may recall this face-saving foundation, and this chunky Wet N’ Wild eye pencil. And

The Things Dreams Are Made Of

2010-10-14T07:50:00.000-07:00

Coco Rocha's make-up counter, from Vogue's look inside her apt. I think it speaks for itself.~J

An Ode to South Brooklyn Nail Salons

2010-10-11T13:08:00.001-07:00

There she is!Today I got an amazing manicure. It was $7. Yes, that's right-- at Jung's Nail Salon on Ave X in Gravesend you can get pretty, long-lasting manicures for $7 and pedicures for $15. I normally ask for Joanne, but as she's usually booked by the time I realize I want to go, I also have to praise Amy or Andrea. My mom and I have been going there for years, and since my mom has back

Idolize Idol Eyes

2010-10-06T05:21:00.000-07:00

The squiggle on a notepad: always a reliable testing methodLike any makeup fan worth their weight in lipstick would be, I was thrilled with the arrival of the annual Allure "Best of Beauty" issue. It's like Christmas (or Chanukah) coming in the mail, minus the getting of gifts and instead having to go buy a new slew of products after narrowing down the "best of" products I obviously need. But

Daily Candy's Ode to Drugstore Beauty

2010-10-05T09:58:00.001-07:00

As you know, C and I love and fully endorse beauty products from our local drugstores. Revlon sale at CVS? Color us there. Duane Reade is having a buy-one-get-one sale for Maybelline products? I'm already in line. So, we were thrilled to see Daily Candy's round-up of 15 cheap beauty products to stock up on. I'm a little bummed the list didn't feature more products of the foundation/liner/blush

Skin Fix

2010-09-29T17:13:00.001-07:00

Sacred beauty vault: skin care drawer If you read J’s last post (which I’m confident you have), you know we’re fans of Sephora. It’s a playhouse filled with makeup. Enough said. Yes, sometimes Sephora is hot and crowded and the lines are too long. But still, we rely on their expertise to select foundations that work well with our skin tone, shadows to bring out our eyes, and occasionally, make

You Gotta Tarte Me Up

2010-09-24T09:57:00.000-07:00

warning: object appears pinker than comes outFor my birthday, I got a Sephora gift card and immediately ran off to the store to peruse the aisles. Bad idea. The Soho location was overrun, crowded, and hot. So I left and retreated to the comforts of Sephora.com. Ahhh mucho better.I had heard a lot about Tarte's Natural Lip Stain with LipSurgence Technology in magazines, and the product got (

Beauty Event of the Week

2010-09-20T12:54:00.000-07:00

This may look scary, but it probably works awesomely.So, each week, C and I are going to spotlight an awesome beauty event around town to check out and we figured this Koh Gen Do event at Barneys was a good place to start the feature.The luxury skincare and makeup line (derived from Japanese and Chinese botanicals) is now available at select Barneys locations and is celebrating at Barneys New

Walk of Shame No More

2010-09-16T11:55:00.001-07:00

Don't hide your face: your makeup still looks good!If you've ever wished your makeup (or face) could look as lovely in the morning as it did the night before, well, consider your wish granted. Not a new product, but one still worth applauding, Ramy developed a foundation appropriately-named, Sleep in Beauty. This foundation, like no other, contains active peptides and salicylic acid to fight both

BD Takes You To Europe. You're Welcome.

2010-09-14T06:18:00.000-07:00

My new friend.So a little trip recap- I have to start off by saying I've failed you and didn't end up using the La Mer moisturizer (or any makeup for that matter) during the entire trip. And yet- I definitely noticed that my skin had less blemishes. Maybe it was the fresh Alpine air or perhaps the lack of foundation, but I have to say that even despite plane air, my acne miraculously kept at bay.

Natural Solutions

2010-09-06T19:51:00.000-07:00

Look at me - going organic!I must agree with J in one of her previous posts. I too have been feeling the harsh summer reign on my hair. Anyone who has seen me this summer knows I haven’t worn my hair down probably since the Spring, when the weather was still cool enough to let your hair fall on your neck without feeling instant discomfort. Nowadays, it’s so much easier to sweep my hair up in a

Crème de la Crop?

2010-08-30T11:01:00.000-07:00

Worth the price tag? LET US SEE.Freshly back from a weekend in AC and about to leave for a week in Zurich and Munich, my skin is definitely not at its best. The sun certainly didn't do it any favors- as sunblock (even when its good) makes me breakout- and the plane air I'm about to deal with will surely make it dry. Yayyy. And let's not even get started on the random hotel towels and foreign

Eye-Opening Success

2010-08-26T09:34:00.000-07:00

Massive lashes (ignore the eye redness: it's early/pre-work)Words never complemented each other better than EXTRA VOLUME COLLAGEN. Volume is great in referring to lashes, but extra volume is well, even better. As consumers, we like extra things. For instance, chocolate chip cookies are delicious, but cookies made with extra chocolate chips are even more delicious. Shamelessly, many products

Mousse Trap

2010-08-23T08:59:00.000-07:00

Airbrushed perfection? Or just a dream? HMMM.As a devoted fan of Maybelline's Dream Liquid Mousse foundation (though you'll recall C is not a fan of the original Dream Matte Mousse), I had to try the line's newest foundation, Dream Smooth Mousse. It promised to “blend seamlessly” and the model in the commercial said it gave her "airbrushed skin," so why not me, too? I like airbrushed skin as

Beauty Arsenal: Olga

2010-08-16T10:28:00.000-07:00

What Retin-A can do. In this, Brooklyn Dolls’ second installment of Beauty Arsenal (you’ll remember our first BA starring Kendall), we’d like you to meet Olga. This Queens Doll, who hails from Ukraine and has lived in both Brooklyn and Staten Island, has perfect skin and a model-worthy smile, yet claims to accentuate said features (and really do all of her make-up) on the subway. Impressive!

A Hair-Raising Issue

2010-08-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

A pain-free way to get your collagen fixOver the past month or so, I have to admit to neglecting my hair. No, not in the sense that I don't wash it, but in the sense that I have been putting it up pretty much every day in a high bun (though now I guess it's stylish to call it a "top knot." But it's a bun, people). Anyway it's been a terribly humid, sticky, hot summer in NYC, the kind that makes

Pimple Pleaser

2010-08-10T14:31:00.000-07:00

As I write this post, I am frightened by the fact that it hit 90 plus-degrees here in NYC, once again. I can’t feel it from my office, but I know it’s out there. Waiting for me. Summer really needs to end. I won’t stand for it anymore. J feels my pain and is too ready for the fall, perhaps even winter, judging by the fur coats we picked out this morning. Unless your job is a lifeguard or

Lady in Rouge

2010-08-04T06:53:00.000-07:00

Ooh la la Let me start off by saying that in no way, shape or form is Brooklyn Dolls endorsed by consumer goods powerhouse, Procter & Gamble (better known as P&G). Would we like to be? Sure. Call us P&G Beauty. Admittedly, this post might seem like we’re playing favorites, but rest assured, we are not.Last week as I was sorting mail, I noticed my grandma (yes, my grandma) had received a

Smooth Operator

2010-08-03T12:18:00.001-07:00

not a secret anymore...This past weekend it was time for yet another beach wedding, although this go-around, no plane was involved--only an 3 hour-plus car ride. Fortunately, I had a lot of Lay's potato chips and Sprite to pass the time. My cousin got married on Jersey Shore's Long Beach Island and, much to everyone's pleasant surprise, it was actually somewhat breezy and cool outside during her

A Lip Shtick

2010-07-26T11:25:00.001-07:00

So many lipsticks, so little time.Nymag.com's Shop-A-Matic is currently featuring 105 of the season's best lipsticks, stains, and glosses. I'm kind of obsessing over the coral-ish Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain and Balm in Flame while C is eyeing the NYX Cosmetics Black Label Lipstick on Hot Pink-- both under $10. The benefit here is that Shop-A-Matic actually show you how the color comes out on

A Mane Event

2010-07-22T07:22:00.000-07:00

I don't have a weird blonde spot in my hair, despite what this pic suggests.I have a new man in my life. It's a love of affair of a different sort, though. His name is Michael and he works at Allure Salon on Sheepshead Bay Road (right next to Brighton Beauty Supply- how convenient!). The other day I was looking for a quick trim and the woman who usually cuts my hair was out. Panicking, I called