ALLERGY FACE™ Beauty Tips

Last month I joined Zyrtec and Celebrity Makeup Artist  Jamie Greenberg at the ALLERGY FACE™ Beauty Counter at the Macy's Flower Show for a one-on-one beauty makeover. Jamie took me through spring-inspired "looks" and tips and tricks to combat allergy-related beauty challenges like water eyes and a red nose. 

For my beauty makeover, I went with the "Nighttime Statement" look. A smoky eye helps when you are having a puffy eye day. Since I wear contact lenses, my eyes may sometime get watery during allergy season, causing my eyeliner to run. Jamie recommends using a waterproof eyeliner, applying it close to the lashes and setting it with eye shadow. Products used for my "Nighttime Statement" look include: 

Skin: Benefit Cosmetics fakeup medium #2

Brows: Benefit Cosmetics gimme brow medium/deep

Eyes: Benefit Cosmetics Big Beautiful Eyes Kit / 

BADgal liner waterproof - black

Cheeks: Benefit Cosmetics Hervana

Lips: Benefit Cosmetics hoola ultra plush

Click on these additional spring-inspired "looks" for step-by-step tips on how to create them. The "fresh-faced & fabulous" look will help with redness of the nose. 

The "red carpet ready" look is inspired by actress and long-time allergy sufferer, Debra Messing. This look is for those whose allergy-related beauty challenge is a red nose. This look will play down redness by enhancing your eyes and using a makeup highlighter on your skin. 

This "cat eye chic" look is a timeless classic that allows you to focus on making a statement with your eyes.

Try the "barest beauty" look for color correcting redness and contouring your face. 

If you suffer from watery eyes, the "hollywood siren" look allows for less makeup on the eyes and draws focus to a bold, red lip coupled with a contoured face. 

For more information about ALLERGY FACE™, visit zyrtec.com.

- Kim Weling

Fashion Police Red Carpet Poses

With the Golden Globes tonight and Oscars next month, I thought I'd share these Fashion Police red carpet poses. In September, I had attended a fashion week wrap party at the Benefit Cosmetics Soho boutique at 454 W Broadway, with Joan Rivers, Kimora Lee Simmons and George Kotsiopoulos.

- Kim Weling

Recap: Gilt City New York Warehouse Sale

On Friday night I attended the Gilt City New York Warehouse Sale VIP & Media Preview at the Metropolitan Pavilion. I wasn't sure what to expect since it was held in a smaller space this time. Shoppers were in a frenzy as soon as they walked through the door, grabbing at men's, women's and children's clothing, shoes and home accessories. 

The sale was jam-packed with shoppers, and my first thought was that since it was in a smaller venue, there was going to be less of a selection. Turns out I ended up spending more and buying more than any of the Gilt City Warehouse sales I have been to! Below are images of what I ended up getting, including a dress, blazer, skirt, black leather boots and two Kate Spade iPad sleeves. 

Guests shopped and drank the night away with cocktails by VeeV VitaFrute and Fantinel Prosecco and cookies by Sweetery NYC. Additional drinks and snacks were provided by Vita CoCo, FIJI Water, KIND Bars and Pop Chips. In between shopping, guests enjoyed makeup applications by Benefit Cosmetics, and shoe shines and mini-manicures by John Allan's. The check out line was long and crazy, but it helped being able to have a few cocktails with music by DJ Alex Chassin while waiting! I had a ton of fun shopping the sale and excited about my purchases! 

Purchase #1: Kimberly Ovitz dress for $99, originally $450

Purchase #2: Pleasure Doing Business skirt for $39, originally $143

Purchase #3: lifetime blazer for $39, originally $144.99

Purchase #4: Casadei over-the-knee black leather boots for $299, originally $1200

Purchase #5: kate spade iPad sleeves for $19, originally $50-$70

- Kim Weling

New at Sephora - Benefit Lip & Cheek Kit and How to Look the Best at Everything Kit

Last month I attended the Benefit Instant Beauty 101 and "Kicking Some Class!" session at Sephora. The beauty crash course featured an introduction to the new Complexion and Lip & Cheek Kits ($28) - Sugarlicious, Go TropiCORAL & Feelin' Dandy and How To Look the Best at Everything ($30) flawless complexion kits in Light, Medium and Deep, exclusively at Sephora. The Lip & Cheek Kit comes with a lip & cheek stain, luminescent complexion enhancer, face powder and lip gloss. How to Look Best at Everything comes with a PRO balm to minimize the appearance of pores, brightening liquid foundation, industrial-strength concealer and custom powder cover-up.

Professor Maggie Ford Danielson (AKA Benefit Global Beauty Authority) and Sephora Pro Lead, Gilbert Soliz provided tips and tricks on how to utilize the all-in-one kits and look good on the go.

These kits combine instant beauty with Sephora PRO's expertise!

The Benefit Lip & Cheek Kit and How to Look the Best at Everything Kit both have simple, step-by-step tips and tricks attached, for quick application. These kits are easy to throw in your tote bag or perfect for leaving in your office drawer for afternoon/evening touch-ups. I love how the kits are so compact and include all the beauty essentials you need!

These new Benefit kits are now available at sephora stores and online at sephora.com.

Gilbert Soliz and Maggie Ford Danielson

Photos courtesy of Benefit Cosmetics

- Kim Weling

Gilt Groupe Warehouse Sale Spring 2012

This weekend was the anticipated Gilt Groupe Warehouse Sale at the Altman Building, where shoppers had a chance to rack up on Gilt Groupe's coveted men's and women's fashion, home, footwear and accessory brands. I make sure I never miss the VIP sale, which was on May 18th from 7-9pm. This time the public sale opened up from 10pm-12AM and continued with 2-hour ticketed timeslots on May 19th. There was also a lot more men's merchandise at this sale, as menswear from Park & Bond, Gilt Groupe's brother site, was also included.

Shoes, kids merchandise, home items and furniture was located downstairs. Shoes were organized by size this season, which made it much easier to shop.

Drinks included The Glenlivet, Atlantico Rum cocktails, Vita Coco Water and FIJI Water

Spiff provided shoe shines and male manicures

Hair styling was provided by Pipino salon. Guests were able to purchase discount packages at the Pipino salon, redeemable for a future visit.

Benefit Cosmetics provided makeup touch-ups and brow styling

I am very happy with my shopping finds and the complimentary KIND Bars at checkout! All jewelry was $10, so I did score one necklace and 3 pairs of Adrienne Landau ear muffs for $19, originally $70(I'm known to lose my ear muffs so this seemed like the perfect time to stock up!).

I also scored a BCBG lace top for $39, originally $174, a David Lerner dress for $49, originally $220, and a Kimberly Ovitz skirt with back exposed zipper for $59.

If you missed this sale, keep your eyes open for it in the fall, around the first week in October. Make sure you get your tickets as soon as they are available. Tickets to this sale sell out in a heartbeat!

- Kim Weling

Nintendo 3DS Lounge During Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2011

I visited the Nintendo 3DS Lounge during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Empire Hotel for some makeup, hair and nail prepping and gaming fun.

The Nintendo 3DS system launches on March 27th for $249.99, available in Aqua Blue and Cosmo Black, featuring real 3D graphics and exciting new applications.


Benefit Cosmetics showcased their newest products and provided fabulous makeovers! It felt like a very customized experience, since I was given products that specific to my makeover. It's always exciting to be given products I will know I will use, including Bella Bamba 3D brightening pink face powder, Smokin' Eyes sexy eye & brow makover kit, You Rebel SPF 15tinted moisturizer, BADgal lash mascara and Ultra-Shines lip shine in nudie-tude. I love Benefit Cosmetics!


Marie Robinson Salon provided hair styling (I was ready to go with some relaxed curls!) and Spa Chicks On-The-Go offered massages and manicures. I went with Essie's Mink Muffs, a smoky plush taupe for my manicure. I love that color!

- Kim Weling