Author Archives: bhapner

So Fresh and So Clean Clean

    I’ll reiterate something I’ve said before, cleansers need not be harsh to work. And today’s product will prove me right once again.

OK, I’m not really that cocky, but you get my drift. I received a sample of Perricone MD Nutritive Cleanser (Age Correct) just a few weeks ago and have been trying it out for my amazing readers ever since. I will say, it is one of the best cleansers I’ve ever sampled. I have consistently noticed firmer, softer skin after each consecutive face wash. 

P MD has a clean scent that, I admit, had to grow on me, but now I love it.

The product reduces enlarged pores, hydrates, is nutrient-enriched, helps to firm and tone skin, and provides anti-aging benefits. You actually feel it working when you wash. Pretty groovy cleanser, huh?

I give this one my Girl on Top stamp of approval.

Girl on Top Shows You Here!

*Perricone MD can be found at Sephora and Beauty Collection.

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Everybody Loves a Ginger

      Isn’t it funny that getting a “natural” look can often take longer than putting on a smokey eye for a night on the town? OK, it’s not funny. It’s frustrating to be honest. 

 And what’s even more frustrating is not being able to find that perfect shade. I’ve tried a lot of “natural” eye shadows and have used everything from beige to soft browns by Stila, Clinique, MAC, you name it. Don’t get me wrong, these lines made great shadows, but nothing seemed to do exactly what I wanted. Until I Laura Mercier Matte Eye Colour in Ginger. LM Ginger is the best natural eye shadow I have found to this day.

It’s velvety and a nice, simple tint for your lids. Don’t worry about overdosing on color with this one. It won’t happen. For a softer, barely there look, don’t prime your lids before adding shadow.

This color looks especially nice on red heads (myself being one for the last few months). Like I said…everybody loves a ginger.

Go get ’em girls!

Girl on Top Shows You Here!

*LM can be found at Nordstrom and Sephora.

So Great, but Just a Little Sticky

      I don’t know about you, but every time  I hear the name Bobby Brown, I think of Whitney Houston’s ex-husband…and that’s not a pretty sight. Especially after their reality show. Ugh, I just gave myself chills.

Today I won’t be telling you about one of “Bobby’s” crazy charades around Atlanta, but rather about the revered makeup queen Bobbi Brown and her Shimmer Lip Tint with SPF 15.

Now this BB lip gloss has a lot of things going for it:

A). There are a lot of shades — I particularly love the Nude.

B). It has SPF 15.

C). It gives a great shine.

D). Easy application.

E). Long lasting. 

However, no holds barred, this lip gloss can feel a bit sticky. Regardless, I’ve used this stuff for years and still enjoy its pros (I just deal with its con). If you’re looking for a good nude gloss, this is a good option, though I’ll keep hunting for the perfect product because I love my Girl on Top readers that much 😉

Girl on Top Shows You Here!

Bobbi Brown can be found at Nordstrom.

Love at First Touch

    You think you’ve felt smooth. I’ve even told you about smooth. But I can’t even begin to describe to you the heaven that Dior HydrAction Visible Defense Eye Creme is.

OK, well I’m going to try…

This eye cream is like none other I’ve ever used. It literally feels like butter. It is so silky and so smooth that you won’t know what to do with yourself. You’ll be dying for the next time you get to put it under your eyes.

When I was eighteen years old, I was in the Saks Fifth Avenue on none other than…you guessed it…Fifth Avenue. I was speaking with a makeup rep from Prada (cue G-d like music here), she was in her forties and let me tell you, she looked great! Her secret? Eye cream. Everyday. She told me she started using an eye cream at the ripe age of only sixteen. And what did I think to myself? Shoot, I was already two years behind…

After that makeup session, I set out to find the best eye cream. And I found some pretty great stuff — Ahava, L’Occitane, the goods — but nothing, and I mean nothing compared to the day that I tried Dior Visible Defense for the first time. I can remember it now…

It was a cold day (OK, that could be a lie, but just imagine it), and I was at Sephora. I saw the bottle, experienced the wonder, and it was practically love at first sight.

And are you ready to turn your back on love? I didn’t think so…

Dior HydrAction Visible Defense defies wrinkles and black circles, feels amazing and has SPF. What more do you need? At the very least, go to Sephora and try it out if you’re not ready to commit. How scary can a sample be?

Girl on Top Shows You Here!

You Don’t Know Jack

No really. You Don’t. But you can meet “him” with O-P-I’s You Don’t Know Jacques, a great neutral gray.

If you’re looking for a new color to rock, today’s post is for you! Take my advice, not only will you know Jacques, but you will love Jacques.

It’s still early enough in the year to wear dark colors…though it will be time to break out Essie’s Bermuda Shorts (a fabulous pinky-purple) soon enough. You Don’t Know Jacques is a great color for both nails and toes — I’m wearing it as we speak!

Girl on Top Shows You Here!

*You can find You Don’t Know Jacques anywhere O-P-I is sold (most beauty stores, including Beauty Collection).

Morning Madness

       These easy-to-use, ready-to-go eye makeup remover pads are the greatest thing to hit a working girl’s vanity. I, for one, relied on them just this very morning. I woke up late, didn’t have time to wash my face, had to throw on my clothes and get going! And I say I love staying busy…

So what did I do about the residue from my mascara of yesterday that made its way under my eye? I’ll tell you what I did. I grabbed my mini container of ALMAY Eye Makeup Remover Pads and my Too Faced makeup kit and made a mad dash for the door.

Almay EMRP is a no-mess, hassle-free product. And, for the most part, it does the trick. But I’m not going to throw my tried-and-true Clinique Take the Day Off under the bus here. Take the Day Off gets all of your makeup off and I will say that it is still the best product I have used to this day. HOWEVER, for an easier, quicker, less hassle-y way of taking off your makeup (like in the car, for instance), Almay is the way to go!

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You can buy the larger container for $4.99 or a sample size for $1 at Target.

Hey Gorgeous. Umm, I Mean Flawless…

     And that’s what you’ll be if you use Origins: A Perfect World! Because, once you try this serum, you will believe that paradise actually exists.

This serum is a protectant from all the harsh realities of your everyday. A Perfect World shields your face from all the things that make your skin age — dehydration, deterioration, the nastiness that is LA air. What’s its secret? APW is made with Silver Tip White Tea extract (better for you than Green Tea), which provides your skin with antioxidants and allows you to exude radiance. How FABULOUS!

Hard to believe, right?

Believe it, Baby. 

Use this serum BEFORE you put on your moisturizer (or use it alone, your choice). But you must, and I repeat, you must take the time to enjoy this product as well. It smells wonderful and makes your skin feel even better. I guarantee this product will make your face feel like nothing you’ve ever experienced. It’s absolutely divine.

Girl on Top Shows You Here!

Damn Girl, Get Ahold of Those Things

       Have you ever woken up to your brows looking like a hot mess? I just love when I look in the mirror and half of my brow is sticking up and the other half is pointing in G-d only knows what direction.

Well, Anastasia Brow Gel is here to save the day! Just glide the brush over your brows to straighten them out and teach them who’s the boss. Your brows will stay put (and be conditioned) the whole day through.

Tinted gels are also available in Blonde and Brunette to give you a little color if you so need it.

A word to the wise, be sure you don’t confuse this bottle with your mascara. Black mascara on your brows would not be pretty!

Girl on Top Shows You Here!

*Anastasia is available at Sephora.

The Fountain of Youth

       We all have those products we need to survive the day. Some of us need eyeliner in our purse, others perfume, but the product I won’t leave home without is my L’Occitane Hand Cream.

“They” say there are two ways to know a woman’s age: her hands and her neck. Well I say, defy expectations! You are as young as you feel (though you can help your skin to fake it a bit too). And what’s the key to soft, younger looking skin? Moisture!

L’Occitane Hand Cream works wonders on dry or cracked skin! This shea butter product is just thick enough to give you that moisturized feeling, though doesn’t leave you greasy. And better yet, it smells divine.

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L’Occitane makes several sizes of this cream — the smaller size is perfect for you purse or travel. Sephora as well as Beauty Collection sell L’Occitane.

Nice Stems

      I don’t know about you, but I absolutely HATE having to wait for my legs to absorb lotion. They feel wet, I can’t put my pants on, it wastes my time, the list goes on and on…

However, with Michael Kors Leg Shine, you’ll never have to wait again! This easy application bar glides on your skin leaving them smooth, scented and shimmery. And best of all, it only takes seconds! Can your lotion say that?

Now, I’m not saying always skip the moisturizer (your parched skin needs it), but for a quick and gorgeous glow when you’re on the run, Leg Shine will be your best friend!

Sephora sells both a large bar ($32) and a small bar ($10). Go for the small one first, it will last you awhile and you can decide if you really like it. I know I do!

 Girl on Top Shows You Here!