lip service verdict + a giveaway!

As you know I've been trying out different Estée Lauder color glosses the entire week - it was challenging, but good to step out of my comfort zone. Well readers, the verdict is in on my favorites . . .

The three above I loved, but these glosses went on quite sheer and had a hint of sparkle. They would be my basic go-to's for a light shimmer.

These next two I didn't love on me - not sure if it was the outfit I paired them with or if they just didn't suit my skin tone. I wanted to like them on me, but they just didn't strike my fancy.

Let's talk about my winning colors! The Cranberry Shine was completely out of the ordinary for me, but it totally grew on me as the day wore on. I began to realize that a pop of color on the lips adds a little pizzaz to the day. The Nude Rose was delightful - perfect for an everyday gloss for the office or weekend. I kept finding myself wanting to re-apply every few hours. And lastly Rose Emotion, all I have to say is "hello lovely!" - it's utterly divine! A little hint of pink can do no wrong in my book and I'm now obsessed with this gloss. I've told all of my coworkers about it.

Now get down to this lovely giveaway that Estée Lauder has partnered with me on. Estée Lauder is offering a bundle of lip glosses to a lucky Sacramento Street reader!! Here's how to enter:

1. Be sure to follow both @caitlinflemming and @EstéeLauder on twitter.

2. Then comment below on which of the eight colors above you would love to start wearing.

A winner will be selected and announced on Monday!

I know that the winner will busting out some luscious lips this coming holiday season. Good luck everyone!

ps. If you prefer lipstick, pop on over to Erin's giveaway!

*Photos by Caitlin Flemming

Disclaimer: All lipsticks were provided as a courtesy by Estée Lauder. I did not receive compensation for this feature.

lip service . . .

This week I'm adding a little beauty into the mix. When Estée Lauder came to me asking if I'd test out a rainbow of lip glosses I immediately jumped at the opportunity - who can resist a little beauty glamour.

I'm going to be honest with all of you - I'm the girl that wears a pale pink or nude lip. I never go outside my boundaries when it comes to lips. So, it's time to step outside my box and challenge myself.

On Friday, I'll be showing you the colors I've worn (from above) this week and telling you what I thought. And of course we'll be adding something extra to this post - a giveaway! Who doesn't need a few more glosses for their handbag?

Be sure to pop back in on Friday!

*Photos by Caitlin Flemming

Disclaimer: All lipsticks were provided as a courtesy by Estée Lauder. I did not receive compensation for this feature.

a brand new week . . .

I hope all of you had a wonderful weekend. Mine was quite busy traveling to Sacramento for a bridal shower weekend. It was nice to spend quality time with girlfriends, which doesn't happen as often as I would like since we all have hectic schedules. But I'm happy to be home - the fog welcomed me with open arms as I drove back into the city, and I realized how much I love the cool fog. The 100 degree heat this weekend was a little too much for me.

Putting together my inspiration board together this week was so much fun because I was inspired by interiors, fashion and even beauty. First, I came across the Design*Sponge summer newspaper at Birch in Hayes Valley (try to find it in your hood – it’s a fabulous read!). A few more items that gave my brain a burst of inspiration - my vintage Pierre Hardy clutch that I found in a small consignment shop in Napa, one of my favorite jewelry finds from the Alameda Flea market, a few new Estée Lauder products that are making my skin glow (the night repair is unbelievable), the verbena smell engulfing my apartment because of this candle (from Birch) and lastly, my Astier elephant sits on my nightstand and is filled with my most prized treasures (a gift from my mom that I wake up to every morning).

What has been inspiring you lately? Something in your house? Around your neighborhood? I'd love to know!

Cheers to having a fabulous week!

Photo: Caitlin Flemming

vanity: which one do you adore?

Vanity's are kind of known as being a thing of the past, but recently they seem to be more and more popular - popping up in magazines and all over blogs. If I had space in my tiny apartment for one, I would. It would be filled with my treasured jewelry, makeup and of course a few beautiful perfume bottles. I'm definitely all about simplicity when it comes to vanities’. What would you look for if you had one? Is there one above that strikes your fancy?

Photos: 1. Lonny Magazine 2. Mary McDonald 3. Photography by Chris Everard via this is glamorous 4. House Beautiful June 2010 by John Granen 5. Jan Showers via this is glamorous

hairstyle obsession

Alright, I'm always trying to find new ways to wear my hair in an up-do. The boring old ponytail isn't quite doing it for me anymore. Well, problem solved - I came across this SUPER cute and chic messy side ponytail on A Cup of Jo this morning. I'll definitely be sporting this look at work tomorrow!

To get the step by step instructions and to see the photos pop over to A Cup of Jo. She worked with the fabulous Jamie Beck on this project.

*Photo: Jamie Beck

I heart Rodin!

My love for all things by Rodin is widely known by my friends and family - they all blame me for getting them hooked. I'm telling you, once you get this face oil you won't want to go a day without it. The hint of Jasmine wakes me up in the morning – it’s truly divine.

To get a glimpse inside founder Linda Rodin's home is a true treat. But to find out the whole story about how this wondrous company started, (it's a GREAT one) head over to Into the Gloss.

Update: A lot of readers have been interested in purchasing a bottle. I recommend buying it here!

*Photos: Into the Gloss

why not try . . .

Every single day I leave the house with my hair down. Within an hour I've pulled it back into a ponytail - I don't know why, but it happens everyday. I've been searching for a few new up do's and this is definitely one I'll be trying in the near feature. Hopefully I can figure out how!

*Photo: musing's from sacramento street via tinywhitedaisies

season's musings :: must-have beauty products

I was so excited and honored when Caitlin ask me to write a guest post. I'm a makeup artist here in the Bay Area and one of my occupational hazards is an obsession with all things beauty! Caitlin and I were at a photo shoot and started talking about what our "perfect" medicine chest would look like . . . I decided to create my perfect holiday medicine chest and allow you to peek inside it. I hope it helps you look all the more dazzling this season.

1) Komenuka Bijin foaming cleanser and Silver cream moisturizer. I have used both of these products for years. The foaming cleanser takes off all your makeup and foams WAY up. You feel like you are washing your face with whipped cream. To have any makeup look great your skin needs to be clean and balanced...this face wash offers both things. I always finish with the Silver cream. This is a rice kernel based line made in a sake factory in Japan. The Silver cream is hydrating without being at all heavy and it leaves your skin glowing with a dewy finish. Movie star skin, supermodel skin, the skin you always wanted...

2) Botot toothpaste. I just bought this at Gravel and Gold in San Francisco and I love brushing my teeth now. First of all it's bright pink which just makes me happy and it tastes yummy. A little licorice bite to it.

3) Skin and Bones luxurious face body hair oil. This product was just sent to me by its maker/inventor Heidi about a month ago and I can't get enough of it. It is packed with luxury oils from Jojoba to Cedar wood. Its a bit much for my face but it is my new favorite go to body oil. The smell of it is sooooooo good that I recently started using a little on the ends of my hair too. I also love the packaging, it's sort of old apothecary meets goth girl.

4) Patch NYC and Soap and Paper Factory candle in the Buck scent. The Soap and Paper Factory is this wonderful little company owned by two women who make solid perfumes, bath product and candles. As a rule they make pretty girly (but great) stuff. Enter Patch NYC a clothing company owned by two guys. Put these two forces together and voila you have the perfect "mandles". Woodsy, earthy, and very sophisticated all at the same time. I love to burn the Buck candle while I put on my lip color it just feels RIGHT!

5) White japanese bobby pins. I love bobby pins. They are my secret tool both personally and when I am doing hair on set but I hate cheap ones. My favorite are these tiny white ones that you can work into any hairdo. They last forever and they don't get all bent out of shape.

6) Serge Lutens Paris scent in Fluers D'Oranger. I bought this scent for myself about 8 months ago at Barneys and I have never before been told how good I smell quite as much! I have a really sensitive nose so when I find a perfume I love I kind of become obsessed with it. The thing about the Serge Lutens scents is that there are about fifty of them and each one is better than the next. I told Santa I wanted both my Fluers D'Oranger (a bright fresh orange blossom scent) and A La Nuit (a deep mysterious night blooming Jasmine). I hope Santa knows what's good for him and delivers the goods!

7) Tom Ford lipsticks in Pure Pink and Ginger Fawn. I tried to resist buying these lip colors because they are pricey but I lost the battle (as I often do when it comes to cosmetics) and I have never looked back. The texture and pigment in these colors is off the charts great. I love hot pink lips on almost everyone. Its sort of a beginners red. My new lip obsession for the holidays and into spring is all mutations of the orange lip. The Ginger Fawn is a beautiful persimmon orange that seems to look great on lots of gals. It is not to bright and not to coral. Basically if you never thought you could wear an orange you can wear this one. Go and get these two colors. With lots of black mascara and a swipe of either of these you are holiday party hotness!

8) Diorshow Extase mascara in black. I know, I know everyone is sick of makeup artists recommending this mascara but I have to. It's just that good. It gives you length and volume and a deep inky blackness that makes one feel like a movie star/beat poetess all at once. For evening I like to do at least two coats and use the end of the brush to just slightly hit the bottom lashes.

9) RGB nail polish in Too Red. This is the perfect orangey red. It has a little of a 1970s Virginia Slims ad feel to it. Picture long feathered hair, a three piece boy cut suit and these nails. I like three coats of this polish. It is a small line out of Los Angeles that is toluene and formaldehyde free and they are always coming up with amazing new colors. You will be come a collector.

10) Herringbone leather neccesaire bag. These makeup bags are so cool that you will probably start using it as your evening clutch. They come in two sizes and are locally made. The leather is so creamy soft and it comes in a shiny silver and gorgeous orange. I carry my own makeup in one every day and it only gets better the more you use it.

So if I was stocking your bathroom with the goods for holiday this is how I would start. Have fun and put a little lipstick on!

~ Shawn

Thank you SO much Shawn for this lovely beauty post - I definitely know what I'm introducing into my medicine cabnient this season! Hopefully some husbands are reading this post and running out to buy all of us a few of these amazing products.

Sacramento Street readers, Shawn is available for private consultations and holiday makeup application and can be contacted at shawnburkemakeup@gmail.com. I highly recommend getting a private consultation - it's worth every penny!

1. Komenuka Bijin foaming cleanser

2. Botot toothpaste from Gravel and Gold

3. Skin and Bones oil from Skin and Bones

4. Patch Candles from Home 101 in Berkeley

5. White bobby pins from Herringbone Shop

6. Serge Lutens Fleur D'Oranger Eau de Parfum from Barneys New York

7. Tom Ford lipsticks from Neiman Marcus

8. Diorshow Extase from Saks Fifth Avenue

9. RGB polish from RGB Cosmetics

10. Herringbone bag from Erica Tanov