I just discovered this much more affordable Burberry snood at Bloomingdales and I can’t wait to try it on.  The functional snood can be worn as a a hood or a scarf, which provides warmth for the head and the neck and solves the problem of removing your hat everytime you go indoors.  It is such a chic look and would be a great gift!

Image: Bloomingdales

Burberry Giant Check Fringe Snood $195

This cashmere snood comes in camel or charcoal check with fringe detailing and the classic Burberry check pattern in an oversized scale.

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Affordable Burberry Snood

Every Man Jack Beginner’s Luck Starter Kit

Q:  Tell me how the shave gel was different from the shave gel or cream that you were using before.

A:  I really appreciated that this shave gel was fragrance free.  I don’t wear cologne so I find the strong scent associated with most shave gels to be really overpowering.  I only have to use a tiny bit to create a good lather, so the [7 oz] can lasts a long time.  I actually love the design of the can!  It has a specially designed cap that keeps the top clean and prevents any gel from oozing out.  I can throw it in my dop kit without worrying about it spilling!

Q:  Describe the hydrating formula shave cream and your experience with it.

A:  I’ve heard of this type of non-lathering shave cream before, but this is the first time I had an opportunity to try it.  It comes in a tube and is more like a lotion than a shaving cream, which doesn’t dry out your skin.  It has a super light fragrance, which again I really appreciated in contrast with the heavy fragrances in most men’s shaving creams.

Q:  Would you continue using the face wash?

A:  I don’t use the face wash everyday, but I do think it’s a great product to have.  It smells minty and feels really soothing and refreshing on my skin.  It’s a gentle cleanser so I use it as a contrast when my regular soap or exfoliant is drying my skin out.

The Every Man Jack products come in sleek modern packaging and are extremely affordable!  The Every Man Jack Starter Kit is only $25 and comes with all of their signature products and a toiletry kit.  I also love the Travel Kit for $8 that comes with mini sizes of their essential products, SPF 15 lotion, and a clear travel pouch for carry-on.  These are such great gifts for men for the holidays!

Every Man Jack products are available online at EveryManJack.com or at stores like Target and Walgreens.

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Every Man Jack Skin Care Gift for Men

Here are some new Wolford styles that are sexy and unique…and available online at Bare Necessities since we don’t all have the luxury of living near a store.  These new designs are all full tights, but have the appearance of either thigh-high stockings or footless tights…very creative and functional for cold climates!

Image: Wolford

Wolford Hot Dots Tights $65

These faux thigh highs are so adorable!  The opaque vertical strip goes all the way up the side of the outside of the leg and a graphic bow sits at the top of the dotted tights.  Very sexy!

Image: Bare Necessities

Wolford Tabea Tights $58

Here’s another design that simulates thigh-highs…these even have a garter belt in the pattern!  These also appear to be fishnets, but are actually sheer tights with opaque criss-crossing lines on them.  Creative!

Image: Wolford

Wolford Luna Tights $65

I definitely thought that these were footless tights, but they are actually full-length nude stockings with an opaque black design that stops at the ankle.  The unique faux footless design allows for an incredibly lacy and detailed design.  Gorgeous!

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Sexy New Wolford Faux Styles

If you haven’t seen the advertisements, the Colgate Wisp is a new on-the-go toothbrushing product that is disposable and requires no water or rinsing.  The Wisp is about half the size of a regular toothbrush and has a much smaller head.  Each Wisp is individually wrapped in a package of four, so you use the product once and then toss it.

Sometimes I try new products and I think, eh I don’t really have a use for that, but I am so excited about the Wisp!  I think I am going to be hooked on it forever.  It seems strange that a dry toothbrush could give you a just-brushed feeling, but somehow it really does!  It has a “freshening bead” at the center of the brush that releases fresh taste when you brush it on your teeth.  It also has a pick at the opposite end to use for cleaning between your teeth.

Everyone is paranoid about fresh breath these days and chewing gum all the time is not very good for your jaw.  This new product is perfect for a quick clean-up right after a meal when you don’t time have time to run home to get your toothbrush.  I used to carry a spare toothbrush in my purse for brushing during my lunchbreak at work, but this provides a much more convenient replacement.  Oh yeah and I also heard that the Beckhams are obsessed with these little Wisps!

My only problem with the Wisp is that it does feel a little like you should rinse and spit when you’re done, but maybe that’s something you get used to.  It’s also not very environmentally friendly, but if you only use it in emergency situations and not a few times a day then it’s not a big worry.

The Colgate Wisp is available at most drugstores and online at drugstore.com for $2.39 for a 4-pack or $7.99 for a 16-pack.

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Product Review: Colgate Wisp

I just found the most gorgeous collection of affordable ribbon-tie bib necklaces at Ann Taylor.  These are exactly what I have been looking for and I would happily take home every piece in the holiday collection!  They are affordable and unique with chunky pearls and pave clusters.

Image: Ann Taylor

Smoky Pearl and Ribbon Torsade Necklace $65

I love this piece!  This smoky pearl twisted multi-chain necklace is exactly what I need right now.  I think I would wear it with everything in my closet.

Image: Ann Taylor

Pearl and Pave Cluster Necklace $80

Round pave clusters have such a holiday feel for me and they look great paired with pearls for a monochromatic look.  The pearls in varying sizes can come in Ivory or Oyster (pictured).

Image: Ann Taylor

Jet and Ribbon Two-Strand Necklace $50

If you are wearing a colorful dress for your holiday party, a black faceted bead necklace would be a great choice.  The two strands of beads catch the light slightly and can be worn with all of your colorful cashmere sweaters as well.

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Gorgeous Bib Necklaces at Ann Taylor

I’ve never even thought of my heels as a part of my body that needed special attention, but I received a sample of HeelTastic Intensive Heel Therapy and decided to try to heal one of the under-appreciated parts of my feet.  HeelTastic comes in a cylindrical stick similar to deodorant and has a strong fragrance with hints of lemon and ginger.  The stick is really soft like butter, so I applied it with the stick and then massaged it into the heel until it is absorbed completely.  HeelTastic is made from Indian Neem and Karanja oils, which have been used in ancient medicines for their restorative properties.

I like to pamper my feet once in awhile, so I like the new idea of using a special product designed just to treat my heels.  The heels definitely get a ton of damage from rubbing against the back of your shoes, so it’s a good idea to use an intense moisturizer that has special oils for healing this type of skin.  I have definitely tried regular body lotion on my heels for years and never had any results, so I was excited to find a product that was actually strong enough to treat this rough and calloused area.

HeelTastic is available at most drugstores or online at www.heeltastic.com.

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Review: HeelTastic Intensive Heel Therapy

Image: Nordstrom

Gucci Oversized Sunglasses $220

Lilly Cole is modelling these amazing classic Gucci frames.  The oversized square frames have the classic red and green Gucci stripe and logo along the temple.  I love the vintage feel!  These are very sophisticated and would look amazing with a classic cashmere coat.

Image: Nordstrom

Gucci Flora Oversized Square Sunglasses $295

For a little bit more of a statement, these sunglasses have a beautiful black and white floral print along the wide temple.  These would look great with skinny jeans and a leather jacket.

Image: Nordstrom

Gucci Bamboo Logo Sunglasses $275

I’m usually not a fan of big logos, but these gold bamboo linked G logos are tastefully done.  The oversized rectangular frames have thicker acetate along the outside of the temple which creates a connection to the Gucci logo.  These are a very glamorous style that would look great with your faux fur coat!

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New Gucci Sunglasses Designs for Winter

I just read an interesting article on WebMD by Colette Bouchez called The Lowdown on Mineral Makeup.  Mineral makeup is supposedly made from finely ground minerals and does not contain chemicals, dyes, and preservatives that could irritate your skin.  Skincare professionals greatly differ on their ideas about the legitimacy of mineral makeup, but it is good to be an educated consumer to find out about the possible controversies behind the product.

• The “active” ingredients are not exclusive to mineral makeup…they are important ingredients that are already contained in most makeup products.

• You shouldn’t use it exclusively as a sunscreen.  Mineral makeup contains zinc oxide, which is an important ingredient in sunscreen but it is suggested that you use sunscreen lotions in tandem with the topical powder.

• There are no regulations for the title “mineral makeup” so don’t assume that all products with this title are actually  natural.  Check the ingredients to see what is really contained in the product.

• Bismuth oxychloride is a byproduct of lead and copper processing that could be contained in mineral makeups.  I just checked bareMinerals and their regular foundation does indeed contain this ingredient.  This chemical can be a skin irritant.

• Minerals act differently at nanoscales.  Pulverizing the minerals into makeup can possibly cause the minerals to have different and potentially toxic properties.

If you have been wearing mineral makeup for years, don’t immediately throw out all of your expensive powders!  Do a little research into the brand that you are purchasing to make sure that you are getting what you are intending when you purchase a product marked as “mineral makeup.”

Image: sxc.hu

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Is Mineral Makeup Really Better For Skin?

Half gloves are a funny little accessory because they are purely fashion and no function.  I think of half gloves as the functionless other half of the very useful fingerless gloves!  The tiny gloves stop right at the bottom of the fingers, which leaves the palm and back of the hand completely open. They come in 4-finger or 5-finger styles so if you want extremely short gloves, you can choose the 4-finger style which doesn’t include the thumb.

Image: Kirna Zabete

Kirna Zabete Short Studded Glove $270

This Kirna Zabete design is the favorite style that I have found.  Metal studs look great as embellishments on all types of accessories this Winter, so the look fits perfectly with the style.

Image: Patricia Field

Patricia Field 5-Finger Half Glove $48

Patricia Field is a friend of Sarah Jessica Parker and is the head costume designer for Sex and the City.  Field designs specific pieces for Carrie to wear, so I am assuming that these are the exact style that she wore in the movie.

Image: Patricia Field

Patricia Field Patent 4-Finger Half Gloves $28

While I appreciate impracticality in fashion, I do think that the 4-finger gloves are pushing it a little too far.  I don’t think they are as interesting as the 5-finger…

I think this the half glove is a great looking style that furthers the idea of the short motorcycle gloves that have been fashionable this season.  If you want to try this look, I would definitely wear them with a feminine and sophisticated dress or separates to avoid looking too costumey.  Leather gloves always look dressy so, similar to Jenny Humphrey’s idea, I think they would look great as evening wear.  It does seem like a fashion risk, but it would definitely look great with the right styling.

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Would You Wear Half-Gloves?

Each special pair of sunglasses in the Stone project is handcrafted with the highest quality of materials and craftsmanship.  A metal strip inside the acetate temples gives the lenses special shock-resistant qualities.  The beautiful artistic creation on each temple is created with 120 colorful Swarovski crystals that are hand-selected and carefully placed one-by-one onto the castone, which is invisibly bonded to the temple.  Are you impressed yet??

The pricetag on this ultimate luxury item is $1200.  If you have been saving your money for designer jewel-covered sunglasses, then you better run to your nearest ILORI boutique as soon as possible because there is a very tiny number of sunglasses being produced for this collection.

The “stone” sunglasses are available in purple, green, or black with matching colored Swarovski crystals.  To find an ILORI boutique in your area, visit iloristyle.com.

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Dolce & Gabbana Ultimate Luxury Sunglasses