Month: March 2016

Lisa Michelle Beauty & Hair, Fashion, Lifestyle & Health, Uncategorized

Yes, You Should Buy That Knockoff Brand, Here’s Why:

 

 

The allure of the iconic brands like Ugg, Victoria’s Secret, and The North Face can be tempting for even the most fervent bargain shopper, but for those of you are interested in quality products at a third of the price, keep reading.

When one usually wants to buy a sexy piece of lingerie, Hanes isn’t the first brand they think of. Sure, its cheap and most of their products don’t look half bad; but what about a nice pair of pantyhose from Victoria’s Secret, right? They’re the made by the same factory. Specifically the pantyhose, which can cost almost half the price if purchased under the Hanes brand.

I used to be hooked on high end salon brand hair products, eventually I got tired of shelling out upwards of thirty dollars on serums and shampoos when I’d  eventually just end up drowning in empty bottles of Redken and Paul Mitchell anyways. To get that mirror shine on a dime I started doing something so brilliantly simple I seriously regret not starting sooner-I started reading the ingredients on the back of the bottle. Every. Single. One. After reading the various hydroxypropyltrimonium’s and hexylene glycol’s I started to notice how identical most shampoos actually are. I found out that one of my go to brands, Paul Mitchell, uses the identical formula as the Harmon discount “Awapuhi Botanical shampoo”, the only difference being that the latter costs roughly half of the former…

There are some product brands that are virtually identical, like Emu and Ugg. Both are made in Australia and have virtually the same designs made out of the same materials. I did a blind try (basically mixed up the shoes and put them on without looking at the brand) at Nordstrom’s and ended up finding the Emus more comfortable, so I got those and saved my forty dollars. Basically the same situation with North Face and Columbia, when it’s below freezing outside I love the Columbia Women’s Varaluck™ III Long Down Jacket, right now on their website its about $130. A North Face coat of this ilk costs roughly between $270 and $340, and to be honest feels exactly the same.

In reality you wear clothes for you, if it makes you feel fabulous having a logo that comes with a price tag, go for it. However, if you just want to find quality products that are almost identical and won’t break your bank there are plenty of great options out there that should definitely be explored.

Happy Shopping!

 

 

 

Lisa Michelle Beauty & Hair

Four Most Underrated Eye Products

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Here are some unsung, gentle and long lasting products that won’t break your bank:

  1. Almay Crayon Eyeliner- This is my number one choice for covering my waterline, its light and smudge- resistant. Get it here for less than ten dollars.
  2. Mac Espresso Eyeshadow- Its the second most expensive item on this list, but it lasts forever and offers natural pigments that blend well to make any smoky eye pop. Get it here for sixteen dollars
  3. Makeup Revolution London Essential Matte Palette- Yes, there is some overlap in terms of color between this and the Mac Espresso eyeshadow but this is on the list for its price and its ability to cover up dark circles naturally. I managed to get it for seven dollars at Ulta.
  4. Kat Von D Tattoo Liquid liner- We’ve all at some point rubbed our eyes with makeup on and ended up looking like a sad raccoon, with Kat Von D’s liquid liner that just doesn’t happen. The brush is very fine so you can show off your cat eye skills, just remember to use makeup remover to take it off at night instead of just water which won’t do the trick without tugging at the delicate skin around your eyes. You can pick up a tube here.

 

Lisa Michelle Fashion

How To Dress Chic Under Five Feet-vol 1

 

IMG_4245

The photo above is a picture of me on one of the hottest days of the year, my summer wardrobe is basically various versions of the above photo. I love earth tone colors in the summer, even though they are typical around autumn and winter times. I like layering colors and experimenting with subtle gradient hues, for example starting out light on the top and slowly fading into a rich dark color. As you can see I’m way below the five foot mark up there so I try to accentuate legs by either wearing short shorts (like those) or flats similar to my skin tone. Wearing sleeveless tops also tends to add height by providing vertical reference points in proportion with ones body.

Lisa Michelle Travel

The Bellagio- Las Vegas, Nevada

 

Las Vegas is one of the best cities in the world; towering resorts, gourmet dining and world-class shows and we haven’t even gotten to the Blackjack tables. The Bellagio is located in the heart of the strip right across from The Paris and next to Caesars Palace. My family and I got to LAS at around five o’clock in the afternoon, and when we arrived at the Bellagio our room wasn’t quite ready yet but the staff were very courteous and treated us to $100 gift card for our troubles. We ended up using it at one of their featured restaurants, Jasmine, which is home to some seriously good Chinese fare, the fried rice was off the charts good. Soon after, we were told our room was ready and we could go up. We booked a fountain view room with two queen beds. If you end up going here, splurge for the fountain view room as it truly is spectacular and the view of the strip is second to none. Their breakfast options were quite nice, they put out a great buffet but eating there every day proved to be an expensive endeavor, especially when all I ever had were rice krispies, so we purchased a couple of boxes of cereal until our last morning. Even if gambling isn’t exactly your scene this destination is still a must-go, the three things that really left an impression on me were the shows, the shopping, and of all things the mob museum. We ended up seeing Jersey Boys and three Cirque-Du- Soleil shows: O, Ka, and Criss Angel’s Believe. They were all knockout performances but if you’re pressed for time, see ‘O’. It was definitely the most impressive display I have ever seen, combining diving, acrobatics and dance. Next, If you go one place while in Vegas go across to Caesars Palace and get lost in the Rodeo Drive type collection of shops stretching down a winding cobblestone street…all inside the hotel. The ceilings are painted to appear as if you are outside and there are cafe’s that jut into the “street” adding to the effect. The most enjoyable (for me at least) component of our trip was the visit to the Mob Museum. It’s a little bit of a hike( ten minutes by car) but it is worth it, 100%. This museum is a collection of artifacts documenting the development of organized crime in the U.S. and in Las Vegas. Stand in the court room where the actual Kefauver hearings were held and witness the brick wall from the infamous St. Valentines Day Massacre. This was the highlight of my trip and is a must-see for anyone planning a getaway to Vegas. After four days we were exhausted, it should be known this trip will involve a lot of walking from hotel to hotel in some serious heat (if you go in the summer),  but to really see everything you could probably stay a week and still only get a taste of the strip. Here are some photo’s from the vacation, Enjoy!:

IMG_0078
The Airport
IMG_0082
Arriving in Vegas!

 

IMG_0083
Waiting for the rental car…

 

 

IMG_0090
The ceiling in the Bellagio

 

IMG_0012
The View From the Room

 

IMG_4467
The Aria Hotel

 

IMG_0097
Across the Street..

 

IMG_0023
Front of the Bellagio
IMG_0025
Across from Caesars Palace
IMG_0101
Panorama from inside the lobby of Caesars Palace
IMG_0027
Inside Caesars Palace..
IMG_0033
Still inside Caesars Palace…

 

IMG_0035
From the Mob Museum

Happy Travels!

 

 

Lisa Michelle Books

You Are A Badass- Jen Sincero

I usually tend to avoid self help books like the plague, but in this case I was pleasantly surprised. Jen Sincero is to the point and real, there’s some seriously helpful chapters about building confidence that sincerely makes you feel like, well, a badass.  Her practical advice is realistic and usable, in this New York Times Bestseller she exposes how to transform from a “loser” into a confident, capable person with a simple shift of perspective. I sincerely suggest you pick up a copy, I got mine at Barnes and Noble but it’s also available for Kindle and E-book.

Here is the link to Ms. Sincero’s website

Lisa Michelle Movies

Spectre

Warning-Spoilers

               Spectre, the twenty-fourth installment in the ever enduring James Bond franchise did not disappoint; though despite matching Skyfall in artistic integrity it continuously relied on  plots from Daniel Craig’s previous three films to support its own fragile storyline. In the realm of character development Ralph Feinnes seamlessly slid into Judi Dench’s role as M, and both Ben Whishaw and Naiome Harris reprised their roles as Q and Eve Moneypenny  with natural comfort. Perhaps the true stars of the film were the breathtaking, almost panoramic wide shots of the diverse landscapes across Europe, similarly to Skyfall scenery was second to none and gracefully rode the thin line between extraordinary and absurd. In grand tradition the film opened with a staggering display of special effects and miraculous stunts set in Mexico City on El Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead);shot in the familiar khaki filter used in both Quantum of Solace and Skyfall, it served as a shallow attempt to convey the story’s exposition and pandered to meet the expectations set by previous films. This display was followed by the trademark opening sequence and overture featuring the song “Writings on the Wall” by Sam Smith and an abrupt entrance to the main plot, basically an extension to that of Skyfall. MI6 is again under the threat of cyberwarfare and “George Orwell-esque” invasions of privacy by newcomer Max Denbigh, played by Sherlock’s Andrew Scott, seeking to establish total surveillance under the pretense of national security. Perhaps one of the film’s greatest blunders was its overt failure to utilize Scott’s immense talent (as seen in his masterful portrayal of Moriarty) as a dramatic actor in favor of the established character actor, Christoph Waltz. Waltz’s portrayal of “Oberhouser” was refreshingly subdued compared to his previous roles as Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds and Walter Keane in Big Eyes, but still lacked the quintessential Bond villain qualities exhibited by Mads Mikkelsen and Javier Bardem . His reveal as Ernst Stavro Blofeld compensated for this but yet again proved to be another instance of leaning on franchise legacy for story support. Daniel Craig delivered with an entertaining approach, portraying a more nuanced, multifaceted version of his Bond while consistently maintaining the integrity of his character.The ladies of Spectre, Monica Bellucci and Lea Seydoux (who previously worked with both Ralph Feinnes in The Grand Budapest Hotel and Christoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds) possessed a unique presence and exhibited a natural dynamic alongside Craig adding depth to otherwise bland scenes. Bellucci brought a modern, realistic tone to her short role as an endangered widow and combatted   the persistent tradition of uncomfortable age gaps often seen in Bond films (there is only a four year age difference between Craig,47 and Bellucci,51). While Seydoux portrayed yet another modern rendition of the “Bond Girl” caricature, bringing a subtle dominance and believable quality to her character, Madeliene Swann. Overall, the  film served its purpose as the final segment in Daniel Craig’s suave portrayal of Bond and satisfied the series’s need for closure, tying storyline’s with apt felicity and laying the foundation for the twenty fifth film and the new James Bond.

Overall Rating-★★★★✩

 

As seen first here

Lisa Michelle Music

New York Playlist

Here are a few songs to listen to on the subway, Enjoy.

1. Theme from New York, New York- Frank Sinatra

2. If I Didn’t Care- The Ink Spots

3. Empire State of Mind- Jay Z (ft. Alicia Keys)

4. Nagasaki- Django Reinhardt

5. Autumn in New York- Charlie Parker

6. Subway Train- New York Dolls

7. Luckiest Guy On the Lower East Side- The Magnetic Fields

8. Blue In Green- Miles Davis

9. Stranger Across the Street- Smile Smile

10. Warm in December- Seth Macfarlane

11. Let’s Do It- Louis Armstrong

12. Cackle Bladder- Nathan Johnson & The Cinematic Underground

13. Drive Time- Chris Botti

14. Address Unknown- The Ink Spots

15. Silhouettes- Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

Link to this playlist:

As seen first here

Lisa Michelle Fashion

Three Easy Petite Style Tips

Here are some tips to flatter your frame-

  1. Wear Small Prints- This tried and true style method can add the illusion of height and won’t overpower a small frame. I would recommend wearing vibrant prints toward the upper midsection unless you’re wearing high waisted pants to add  inches.
  2. Avoid Over The Knee Boots- These can make legs seem much shorter, for fun, fall footwear I’d recommend ankle boots, try thick socks if you need some extra warmth
  3. Use Layers- In addition to dressing up any outfit, layering a blazer or cropped denim   jacket can make legs seem longer and draw attention to the upper portion of the body
Lisa Michelle Beauty & Hair

The Best Lotion For Acne Prone Skin

If you’re prone to breakouts moisturizing can be a dangerous pastime, between balancing oily skin and treating acne, finding the right lotion can be difficult. As any dermatologist has probably told you: sun protection +moisturizing = healthy skin. As someone in a constant struggle with breakouts I’ve searched far and wide for the least oily moisturizer and last month I finally found it. Scouring the halls of Ulta Beauty, I came across Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock Lotion SPF 110 with Helioplex for less than $15. Yes, it’s branded as a sunblock but it does a knockout job revitalizing and protecting delicate and oily skin. Coupled with a daily face wash of gentle, unscented face soap and water my acne actually started to fade and my skin felt much softer. This great moisturizer leaves little residue,  feels light and can be incorporated into any morning beauty routine for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin.

300 (1)