Year of the Tiger

As we're about to begin a new decade, the year of the Tiger in the Chinese zodiac awaits us. This year is all about inward, contracting motion, about self-reliance, and self-awareness. The year will bring associations with the west, autumn, old age, the planet Venus and the color white, and the tiger usually depicted is the White Tiger. A few other interesting attributes are:

1. Silver & Gold: 2010 is officially the year of the Metal Tiger, and these precious metals hold special significance. What better way to ring in New Year's than with a glittering eye look featuring these shades? Blush still has a few of the fabulous foiled eye colours from Laura Mercier's afterhours collection, which create an incredible metallic eye applied either wet or dry. Apply dry for a soft burnished metallic look, or wet for a high-shine, bright metal lid.

2. Green and Purple: These lush colours look great with every eye colour and can be easily experimented with by using DuWop's Green Eyes or Violet Eyes palettes. These little palettes pack the best of these colors and with a range of shades, you'll find an application that brings out the best in your eye colour. If you're still feeling unsure venturing into the world of colour - book an Eye Lesson with any of the Blush artists for $25 and we'll show you how and where to apply your new look!

3. Diamonds: The signature gemstone of the Year of the Tiger, the Diamond Radiance Line from B Kamins features this stone as its key ingredient in fighting the look of old age. Blush offers a fantastic Diamond Radiance Facial, that infuses the products deep into the skin to combat the look of fine lines and wrinkles and to create a marked increase in clarity and tone of the skin. Blush also carries both of the Diamond Radiance products, the Cellular Matrix Fortifier, and the super-charged Deep Wrinkle Concentrate. The concentrate dramatically lifts, plumps and tightens deep-set creases around the eyes, mouth and forehead. Its deep firming and pore-tightening actions instantly tighten areas and deliver immediate results you can see and feel without the use of needles. The products and the facial feature radiant light-reflecting diamond particles that diffuse the shadows caused by wrinkles, optically diminishing their appearance. The concentrate contains collagen boosting ingredients help restore firmness and plumpness to the skin and powerful anti-oxidants help to fight ongoing damage from chronological and environmental aggressors.

Enjoy this time for new beginnings, Blushies!

xoxo

Laurel

Diptyque is back in Blush!

A History: Diptyque was founded in Paris 1961 by three friends (painter Desmond Knox-Leet, set designer Yves Coueslant, and Christiane Gautrot, who was working in an architecture firm). Diptyque originally produced printed fabrics (this is made very obvious by their print work and design on the packaging!) but in 1963 they introduced a line of scented candles which eventually became the main focus of their business. There are now over 50 scented candles in the product line. In 1968 Diptyque produced their first scented water, L'Eau, which was later followed by a series of other scented waters, which are also available as home products such as soap.




The "famous nose" French Perfumer Olivia Giacobetti (Creator of Essence of John Galliano) created the Diptyque scents Philosykos (woody aromatic blend of fig tree leaves and white cedar) and Ofrésia (peppery white freesia on a woody note).


Try our Diptyque Scents at BLUSH:
L'Ombre dans L'Eau - Blend of blackcurrant leaf and Bulgarian rose ~ the scent of a green riverside garden.

Tam Dao - Oriental woody unisex scent made from the Oriental Goa sandalwood.

O'ye'do - (The ancient name for Tokyo) notes of Japanese yuzu fruit, grapefruit, lime, orange, mint, thyme and woods.

Tubereuse - Tuberose is the most expensive floral perfume ingredient in the world. It derives its sensuous, heady scent from a Mexican bulbous herb. The deep red frosted glass is the perfect color to exhibit this delicious scent.

Geranium Rosa - This scent evokes terraces along the Mediterranean where rose geraniums bloom. It is their leaves that give off a complex fragrance, both green and floral and slightly lemon-scented.

Roses - Smells like awakening Roses.

Santal - Sandalwood, a sultry blend of exotic woods and spices.

Baies - Fruity and floral scents which combines black currant leaves and Bulgarian rose essences. Baies is understandably Diptyque's best-selling candle and is also the twin fragrance of the famous L'Eau eau de toilette.

Figuier - From the crushed leaves of the fig tree, nutty scent.

Feuil de Lavende - A classic in every French home, lavender has long been way in front of the pack in terms of popularity and desirability in the home fragrance category, and we must say that this particular treatment of lavender is unparalleled in our experience.

Come try our testers and fall in love with Diptyque Candles, parfumes, lotions and shower gels.
-Nicole

New Year Hottness ;)

New Year's Eve=Hottest night of the year. Period. Here are some tips to looking your best:

Eyes: This Holiday season DuWop came out with a gorgeous palette of frosty shades to mix and match. The kit includes a jet black, water-resistant cream liner to create a dramatic counterpoint to the ethereal pastels. The set also includes a professional double-ended brush and a full size mirror for on the go touch ups. This kit is a must-have for NYE....not only are cream eye shadows easy to apply, but these irridescent shades will go perfect with any ensamble (especially a little black dress!) $22

Lips: Laura's newest collection features classic shades with modern shine. Lip Shine adds a touch of polish to lips with a lightweight, pearlescent gloss finish. Shea Butter and Vitamin E moisturize lips without being too heavy or greasy. The delicate colour blends easily leaving a polished finish. $22

Skin: The perfect glow is a must-have for NYE...this week only Rebecca is offering 30-minute Brightening Facials for only $40! Includes signature cleanse, exfoliation, and masque ($15 savings!)

Have a beautiful New Year's, blushies!

--K

Holiday Gift Sets from Laura Mercier

Here's what we have in our store currently for the holidays from Laura Mercier! 20% Off Sale on all Laura gift sets before Christmas!

Laura Mercier Colour Wardrobe ($98.00)
Laura’s new Colour Wardrobe is the perfect accessory this holiday season. The two-tiered compact holds multiple Eye, Cheek and Lip Colours along with two finishing Lip Glazes and expert tools that will have you looking flawless in a flash.
Top Level Contents: Black Plum Eye Colour, Stellar Eye Colour, Café au lait Eye Colour, Sandstone Eye Colour, Celestial Eye Colour, Coffee Ground Eye Colour, Plum Cheek Colour, Rose Cheek Colour, Nude Cheek Colour, Eye Colour/Corner Eye Colour Double Ended Brush
Bottom Level Contents: Mocha Lip Colour, Scarlet Lip Colour, Melon Lip Colour, Mulberry Lip Colour, Nude Lip Colour, Rosette Lip Colour, Brown Lip Glaze, Pink Lip Glaze, Double Ended Lip Brush.





Black Ebony Eye Design Kit ($125.00)
Each collection contains:
*A three well compact containing a Black Ebony Eye Liner, Black Caviar Eye Liner and a Noir Matte Eye Colour.
*A full-size Black Thickening and Building Mascara.
*A Lash Curler.
*Four double-ended brushes - Flat Eye Liner Brush/Pointed Eye Liner Brush, Smoky Eye Liner Brush/Creme Eye Detail Brush, Eye Crease Brush/Smudge Brush and Eye Colour Brush/Corner Eye Colour Brush.

Laura Mercier Body and Bath Duos ($40.00)

* Includes a 6 oz. Honey Bath, with wooden honey dipper, and Soufflé Body Crème.

Honey Bath is a decadent foaming bath with natural ingredients to richly fragrance water leaving skin feeling fresh and clean. Soufflé Body Crème provides all-day moisture protection without being too heavy or greasy. Body Crème contains Vitamins A, C and E nourish the skin while shea butter moisturizes.

Laura Mercier Body and Bath Quads ($75.00)
*Includes an ultra decadent Soufflé Body Crème, Honey Bath (including honey dipper) Sugar Scrub and Candle.


Light the candle and slip into a foaming honey moisture bath. The lightly fragranced water leaves skin feeling clean, fresh and moisturized. Then, gently massage the Scrub over skin with its granules and exfoliating beads to gently slough dead skin cells leaving radiant, polished skin. Finally, massage the ultra-whipped scented Soufflé Body Crème on dried skin for luxurious all-day moisture protection.

Laura Mercier Signature Creme Lip Colour ($30.00)

* Cinnamon Creme Lip Colour in a special silver metal holiday tube with slip case.

Happy Shopping!

Nicole

HAVE YOU BEEN HITTING THE EGGNOG A LITTLE TOO HARD THIS YEAR??

You may feel not-so-fabulous the morning after a holiday party, but you certainly don't have to look it! Try these tips to achieve a bright complexion after any event ;)

1.) Eye Cream- As you all know, I am a huge advocate of B.Kamin's Eye Cream. However, B.Kamin's also makes another eye cream that is formulated to help repair tissue, capillaries and bruising due to aging and surgical procedures. It has a combination of active pharmaceutical grade ingredients which help to strengthen fragile capillaries, cosmetically neutralize color differences in the orbital eye area and decrease the period required for healing bruises. This product is also gentle enough to be used on the eye lid.

2.) Laura Mercier Secret Concealer-Laura Mercier Secret Concealer is a moisture-rich concealer designed specifically for under and around the eye area to conceal discolorations and dark circles. It provides more "slip" to prevent tugging and glides on skin to cover any dark areas. Always apply concealer after foundation. Make sure you use a small amount, and then build on that if you need more coverage. Its always easier to add then to remove! Apply concealer on the inner corners of your eyes and extend out past where you have any darkness. [8 hours of sleep...in a jar! =) ]

3.) Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder-This is what you will use to set the concealer. A transparent white colour lightens and brightens with micronized pigments that will not settle in fine lines or accentuate shadows. It instantly creates the appearance of the most naturally perfected skin and maximizes wear and coverage.

Obviously, nothing is better for your appearance than a good night's sleep, but these tricks will at least help you fake it ;)

Lip Product of the Week= A trio of DuWop Venom glosses that our freelancer Maggie created for me (what a sweetheart!<3):>

Lantana+Pink Champagne+Berry Chill=Super hott lips!

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

-K

The Naughty List

This week I'm keeping it simple - the holidays can inspire a LOT of mischief! And not just because of the elves! Here's a few of my favorite ways to be bad while still staying on Santa's good side!

1. You Dirty Thing: Diptyque is back at Blush just in time for the holidays, and if

you just wanna be under the mistletoe with that someone special all season long, you better buy him Tam Dao, created with sandalwood from Goa, Rosewood, Cypress, Myrtle and Ambergris. Dry, spicy, woody...simply sensual.

2. A Lump of Kohl: To perfect that perfect smudgy, smoky "i've been up all night...wrapping presents..." eye, you'll definitely need Laura Mercier's Kohl pencils

to add drama along the lashline. This time of year, I'm particularly fond of Black Gold, Black Turquoise, Black Navy, and Black Violet. They're all dark enough to create emphasis, but have

a hint of color that can make the eyes seem electric! Perfect for making eyes across the room at your office crush during this year's holiday party!

3. Santa's Favorite Sugarplum: Milwaukee's very own

MISS CUPCAKE will be at our Holiday Shopping Party this evening from 5-9 p.m.!! She's bringing some of her sweet treats, which taste too good to be bad, right?

Here's to another round of Spiked Cider! Blush's favorite comes from our Neighbors at Water Buffalo! (Xante Pear infused Cognac and Hot apple cider $6.25) See you there?

Cheers Blushies!

xoxo

Laurel

Secret Santa & Wishlists!

It's almost Christmas time, I'm so excited! I love Christmas, everything about it. We're doing our Secret Santa gift exchange here and I'm getting my wish list together for my fellow Blush ladies. (And to give to my family as well : ).

-Here's my list -
1. The ever popular Beauty Blender sponges. (Which gives you an flawless airbrush look).
2. Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation. (My favorite fuller coverage foundation).
3. MOR cosmetics lip gloss in Violet. (I like it because it feels so soft on your lips, and the smell is just so fantastic).
4. Laura Mercier's Lip Glace in Bon Bon. (What girl can live without multiple shades of pink in their lip gloss drawer... yes I said drawer).
5. DuWop's Twilight (yeah like the teen sensation books and movies) Lip Venom! (I want it because I love the lip venom & I jumped on the band wagon of course).


You also should make it a point to come in and check out our Holiday decorations if you have not yet! Blush looks so cute and ready for the festivities. Tomorrow (December 15th) is also our Holiday Shopping Party at 5-9PM! We have Diptique back in the store now, and we will be raffling off lots of prizes. Also... I heard there are going to be cupcakes!
nicole

HOLIDAY PARTY

Mark your calenders, blushies! This Tuesday (Dec. 15) Blush will be hosting our annual Holiday Shopping Party! Stop in from 5-9pm and enjoy delicious catering by Tutto, wine tasting, and scrumptious holiday cupcakes! We will also be officially unveiling the NEW blush...including new treatments and new products just in time for the holiday season! Plus, it wouldn't be a Blush party if we didn't raffle off thousands of dollars worth of goodies. Call the store to RSVP, and receive a free gift!! (414)272-1718

We will also be helping The Cinderella Project MKE, a foundation that collects and distributes donated prom dresses to local area youth in need in Milwaukee and surrounding areas. Ways to help the foundation at our party include: Sponsor a "Cinderella Ornament" at Blush and ALL Proceeds are donated to the Cinderella Project. Donate $10 to the foundation and receive a $10 gift card for January. We hope the teens reached through this project will gain knowledge through workshops with leaders in our communities. The Cinderella Project MKE is brought to you by the Gadzuric Foundation. A portion of Asea Couture sales this evening will also be donated to the Gadzuric Foundation.

I loved how Laurel shared a favorite Christmas cookie receipe in her blog last week, so I've decided to do the same! I LOVE baking, and I never, ever cook with eggs! (I'm not neccesarily vegan, because I still use dairy products, just no eggs). My favorite Christmas cookies are

Peanut Butter Kisses.

Ingredients:
48 Hershey's Kisses
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg (I substitute 2 tbsp. flour, 1/2 tbsp. oil, 1/2 tsp. baking powder, and 2 tsp. water)
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Granulated sugar

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Remove wrappers from chocolates.

2. Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.

3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet.

4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. About 4 dozen cookies

Enjoy! =)

Please join us on Tuesday night....it will be an evening to remember!

Happy Shopping!

--K

What a Gift!

Yes, it is true, carols are playing everywhere you go and even though it is the sunniest day I've seen in months here in Milwaukee, do not be fooled. The temperature is 5 degrees and Christmas is sneaking up!
If you're anything like me you have gone Christmas shopping (or at least thought about it) and have not had much luck. With all of the holiday events and parties to attend, let's face it, you're running out of time! Not to worry, Lovlies, I would never evoke anxiety and not offer a solution!
Give the gift that keeps on giving! Here at Blush you can do it in more ways than one. Through the entire month of December, when you spend $150 on products you will receive a gift certificate for a Makeup Application & Lesson (a $75 value) to gift to someone else or keep for yourself! Whether you’re stocking up on gifts for others or replenishing your own products, this is a promotion not to miss!
Looking to give back to your local and international communities? So are we! Which is why Blush has partnered up with ASEA Couture to offer one-of-a-kind couture with a cause. With the intention of spreading the gift of giving back, Michele Berman & Florida Perry Smith got together and created a mission of fashionable giving. Their “Chari-tees” are designed in-house by the women and their kids (ASEA stands for the first letter of their kids names) and a portion of all profits go to benefit a different charity every month. This month, every time you buy any ASEA couture or one of their imported (to die for) accessories, profits go to benefit the MACC fund; Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer. Not only can you feel good stuffing your loved one’s stockings with unique goodies that you cannot find anywhere else, you will feel even better knowing that you are contributing to a cause that is greater than oneself.
Happy Giving!
xxo Rebecca

The Little Things

It really is the little things that make all the difference, whether a thoughtful gesture from a loved one, or the special touches that make a moment (or season!) memorable. So this installation of my blog features items that make perfect stocking-stuffers or just small tokens of appreciation!

1. Need a little light in your life? Dani's itty-bitty travel candles pack a punch of scent in a small tin. Perfect for travel this holiday season to make any room feel a little more like home - my favorite is the Sweet Osmanthus, which has a delicate apricot blossom scent. Dani's candles are made with pure, non-toxic, food grade wax that is free of paraffin, petroleum, pesticides and herbicides. The 2 oz. travel tins last up to 13 hours!

2. As Blush's resident lash expert (did you know we did lash extensions? I'll be offering a kickass special in January!) I spend as much time on my lashes as any
other part of my makeup, and I'd be lost without a metal-tooth lash comb. Those flimsy plastic ones will not do, they get gunked up with mascara with only a couple uses! A good metal lash comb will pick out even the most painstaking of clumps, and give you great length and separation for your luscious lashes. Fast Lash, a brand beloved by professional makeup artists for years, makes a great one that we carry at Blush!

3. Do you have a favorite holiday cookie? Mine are Butter Muerbes, a basic butter cookie that can be extruded in many fun holiday shapes.
My favorites are the wreaths, decorated with a half of a maraschino cherry! These little cookies bring back years of happy holiday memories baking with my mother, preparing plates full of love to share with those near and dear. I can't share her recipe with you, but I can share a great alternative to make some of your own!

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl.

Beat together butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes in a standing mixer (preferably fitted with paddle attachment) or 6 with a handheld. Beat in egg and vanilla. Reduce speed to low, then add flour mixture and mix until just combined.

Form dough into a 12-inch log (2 inches in diameter) on a sheet of plastic wrap and roll up dough in plastic wrap. Chill dough on a baking sheet until firm, at least 4 hours.

Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 375°F.

Cut enough 1/8- to 1/4-inch-thick slices from log with a heavy knife to fill 2 ungreased large baking sheets, arranging slices about 1 inch apart (chill remainder of log, wrapped in plastic wrap). If garnishing with coarse sugar, sprinkle slices with it.

Bake cookies, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until edges are golden, 12 to 15 minutes total. Cool on sheets 3 minutes, then transfer with a metal spatula to racks to cool completely. Make more cookies with remaining dough on cooled baking sheets.

Happy Holidays Blushies!

xoxo
Laurel

Transformations

Make-up consultations at blush are always fun, today I had a very enjoyable and sweet client. She's a strong woman who knows what she wants, I always like it when someone has an idea of what they want to achieve. It's an enjoyable process for me as an artist to watch the transformation of someone's look to the next. Whether it's natural to dramatic, or just helping them with their concerns and making them happy for the final outcome.

One thing that I have realized is how great the Laura Mercier brush kit is! I've been in the industry for a little over 6 years and have worked with several different makeup lines... I have to say these totally take the cake. It's never been easier for me to create a dark-dark-dark smokey eye before effortlessly.

Angled Eye Colour Brush
This brush does a fantastic job of storing up lots of pigment in it on the flat end. It enables you to place the dark shadows in the crease of the eye very easily with little fall-out. This step can be repeated until the darkness you want is achieved. Then use the smaller pointed tip to blend the colors in with previously layered base shadows.

Fine Point Eye Liner
With my fine point eye liner brush, I will create a tight eye liner look just above the lash line. And in the corners I will create the line a little thicker to wing it just a bit.




Smudge Brush
This brush is very important to my over all look. I use it towards the end after I've applied dark shadow on with the angled colour brush and eye liner across and under the lash line. I load up the smudge brush with a dark shadow color that compliments the look. I tap my brush first and then smudge the colored shadow over the eye liner. It gives a nice smokey look in the corners of the eye and makes the blending look great.

Those are a few of my favorite brushes. There are more that I can't live without. But for now that's just a highlight.

Christmas is coming really soon! :) Buy a brush set. They're awesome.

<3Nicole

PERFECT STOCKING STUFFERS

For the Domestic Goddess: DANI Grapefruit and Ginger Hand Wash-Dani's all natural hand wash protects and moisturizes while gently cleansing your skin. The grapefruit and ginger scent is refreshing and clean. I like to follow it with Dani's organic hand lotion in Lemongrass Lavender. Great for dry, cracked skin, the natural botanicals provide deep, long lasting hydration. I love putting this lotion on right before bed as lavender is a very calming scent, perfect for balancing mind, body, and spirit.

For the 'Stache Aficionado: Every facial hair sporting gentleman deserves a fantastic shave set. Truefitt & Hill has been the shaving source for over 200 years. Their classic style is eminent in each product, created to provide distinguished men with the best shave ever. Blush carries a variety of Truefitt & Hill brushes, shave creams, razors, and stands. My dad loves the 1805 shave cream, a rich, glycerin-based shaving cream that produces a rich, creamy lather, preparing the skin for a truly close shave. 1805 has a fresh, oceanic fragrance, with top notes of Bergamot, Mandarin and Cardamom combined with Lavender, Geranium and Clary Sage resting on a Sandalwood, Cedarwood and Musk base. All Truefitt & Hill shave creams do not contain alcohol, menthol, benzocaine or peppermint oil which can irritate and numb the skin. Guys have to shave every day...why not make it enjoyable for them?

For the Zen Guru: MOR candles! These beautiful candles are exquisitely wrapped and reminiscent of 17th Century ornamental decadence. We carry cucumber + casaba, Hibiscus Bloom, Indian Pomelo, and my personal favorite, Belladonna. Also perfect for this relaxation lover would be the MOR Gift Set. Inside, it contains a Marshmallow Hand and Nail Cream, Lychee Flower Lip Delight, and a Cucumber+Casaba Soap Bar. I can't get enough of MOR's super cute packaging and delictable scents! Che bello!

P.S. My lips have been super dry this week, so I've been using Laura Mercier's Lip Silk. I love it because it's a gentle way to exfoliate my lips without irritating them. It also immediatley hydrates, leaving soft and smooth lips. Lip Silk also protects your lips from further environmental damage by creating a barrier over your lips. This is a definate must-have for winter!

Happy St. Nick!

--K

The Luxe Life

Happy December!

I welcome December with an excitement for traditions! I love advent calendars, stockings, festive firesides, delicious warm seasonal beverages, the first snowfall, the joy of surprising loved ones and strangers alike with acts of kindness and compassion. What inspires you this season?

1. Blush just got in a sweet little order from MOR, the divine Australian cosmetics company, that you might have seen all over the latest magazines? Oprah is loving a fantastic holiday set ($44) that packages a bunch of MOR favorites, like the Marshmallow body creme, their gorgeous big milled soaps in scents like Cucumber Casava, and my personal favorite (and featured in Lucky this month!) the Lip Delight. I have to have a good lip balm this time of year, and this perfect pot pulls together a smooth balm in a pretty package! Sized well, Lip Delight will last you through the new year if someone special slips it in your stocking!

2. Enthralled by the idea of finding perfect scent for your honey?
Try Truefitt & Hill's colognes & shaving products. Treat him to a collection of a spicy classic like 1805 (their signature scent!) or clean, crisp, Tragalgar. My personal favorite (which my boyfriend already owns!) is Clubman: a slightly spicy, slightly woodsy, slight powdery mix that just inspires me to want to cuddle close!

3. Tis' the season for giving!
I already have my plan for charitable giving for this holiday season, but if you're still looking for ideas, I highly recommend visiting www.radiomilwaukee.org and checking out their current campaign, "Meet the Need". This campaign features 50 deserving organizations in 50 days, highlighting their efforts to assist and enrich the community we all share. Every bit helps, I find the act of giving helps me truly appreciate the good fortune I enjoy.

Cheers!
Laurel