P2 Beauty: IT Cosmetics New Products Spring 2014 & Why this is the Best Beauty Brand On The Market

This is my everyday face which takes less than 2 minutes.
If you can't find 2 minutes for yourself, we need to talk!
1. Tightline Full Lash Length Mascara Primer
2. Eyelift in a Tube
3. Airbrush blush stain, Sweet Cheeks
4. Feel The Moment anti-aging primer serum

I've been refereed to as "the human potpourri". If a beauty item comes to the office, I'll try and likely use it until the product runs out. I've enjoyed some products more than others, but mostly I didn't have any loyalty in the cosmetics category (or facial care, for that matter). But, that all changed this past June when I was introduced to IT Cosmetics. 

IT (Innovative Technology) Cosmetics, rocks my world because it actually delivers everything that is promised on the packaging.  The proof was when, in typical "use whatever makeup you have" style, I grabbed the IT cosmetics items I received the previous day at a press preview, put on my face, and flew to London for a romantic weekend getaway. After not reapplying makeup for about 14+ hours, I woke up looking fresh, not flaky. For the next four days I marveled at the quality of the Buy Buy under eye concealer, the lip/cheek stain (which saves so much time) and the Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream in light.

The beauty of IT Cosmetics is that the owner, Jamie Kern Lima, works with plastic surgeons to create products that have anti-aging components, so you're looking beautiful today while thinking about tomorrow. Also, unlike most beauty brands, IT doesn't churn out dozens of new products. If it's not right, it's not coming out. 

Speaking of NEW products, they just launched two new products which are already part of my everyday routine: Feel the Moment serum and Eyelift in a Tube. 

1. Naturally Pretty Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette
2. Airbrush blush stain, Sweet Cheeks
3. Heavenly Luxe Flat Top Buffing Foundation Brush
4. Celebration Foundation Illumination, light
5. Feel The Moment anti-aging primer serum
6. Maybelline Great Waterproof Mascara (affordable classic I can't give up yet)
7. Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream
8. Tightline Full Lash Length Mascara Primer
9. Eyelift in a Tube
10. No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner, brown

Feel The Moment is an anti-aging, hydrating serum that's like a spa in a box.  Using just a mini drop -  a VERY small amount - I put this on in a circular motion (which stimulates the skin) over my Naturapathica Calendula Essnetial Hydrating Cream every morning which locks in the moisturizer and creates o poreless, airbrushed skin effect. The smell of the jojoba is soothing and a great way for me to have a "meaningful me moment" before I go on to take care of everyone else in my world! A minute or two after application, I apply my at-home/casual face or my TV face (see above). $38 

IT Cosmetics, Feel The Moment anti-aging primer serum

Eyelife in a Tube is the updated version of my beloved Buy Buy Under Eye Concealer because it also has a Hello Light Liquid Brightener. Hello fabulous! This is also one of my everyday must-use items because it's a fast way to fix the face even if you just have a minute to yourself, in the morning. Yes, you should wear this around the house even if it's just you and the baby! I enjoy feeling pretty and knowing I'm doing something nourishing for the delicate skin under my eyes thanks to the hydrolyzed collagen, peptides, antioxidants and drops of light technology (the latter only found in IT Cosmetics). I use the Neutral/Medium. $29

IT Cosmetics, Eyelift in a Tube

Check out the companies co-founder, ultimate IT Girl and former TV anchor Jamie Kern Lima in her next QVC appearance, today, March 25, 2014 at  9PM EST. A full hour show follows on March 26th at 2AM. 

Tightline Full Lash Length Mascara Primer is now waterproof (doubles as
eyeliner when in a time crunch!) ;
Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream just a smidgen for the whole face
and you'll be transformed, transported and transfixed by your beauty

P2 Beauty: Affordable Red Carpet Smile Style & Importance of Daily Glow

3D White Luxe FlexFit Whitestrips give me bright start every day

The +Oscars  are just hours away, which got me thinking about my daily Red Carpet mindset. I like to treat every day like it’s my personal, Red Carpet moment because every day is my opportunity to shine and be a bright star in my world. The same goes for all of you. I really want you to embrace and live with an Always Be Your Best You mindset.

With my husband’s help with the baby, Sundays, in particular, are a bonus chance for me to squeeze in extra me time to feel fabulous. Translation: I take a long, luxurious bath on top of my usual beauty rituals. I savor this precious hour and usually play classical music to enhance the relaxation.

I'm obsessed with my master bathroom

Sunday = mommy bath time 

On the daily, however, my time isn’t always my own and multitasking is key for this busy mom. So, I love that I can whiten my teeth while feeding my daughter or prepping for a TV segment with use +Crest3DWhite Luxe Whitestrips Professional Effects.  She can’t tell me yet, but I know Ilana Rose loves mama’s pretty, smile style.

Always Be Your Best You essentials: 3D White Luxe FlexFit Whitestrips, 
lip gloss, mascara, blush &, of course, some diamonds in the ears

I’ve been using Crest whiting products for over three years. They are as essential – even when I’m just working from home – as my star diamond earnings, mascara, blush and lip gloss.  There are just certain things I can’t live without.

What are your beauty must-haves? How do you embrace my Always Be Your Best You mindset? I’d love to hear your comments. Tweet me tonight during the Oscars @PamelaPekrman.

This post is a paid collaboration with Crest. The opinions and copy belong to Pamela Pekerman and reflect her genuine love for the brand/product in question. You can’t buy her love, but she does need to buy a lot of diapers and diamonds.

P2 Beauty: Chipped Nails Are Intolerable, Love Yourself and Stick to Your Beauty Routine

I can't take it any more! Ladies, stop neglecting your nails. 

When you have chipped nail polish, uneven nail lengths and unkempt cuticles you're telling the world "I don't care about myself." "You don't need to look at me!" Is that what you want as your walking billboard? 

A woman with chipped nails is like a man with major body odor - intolerable! 

I know what you're thinking.  

Pamela, I don't always have time to get my nails done. Life is hectic and there are a million other things on my to-do list. 

Or, maybe you're saying: Manicure? I can't allocate money towards that, these days. 

Even worse, maybe you're saying: Why bother. Nobody looks at my hands or any part of me. Frankly, I don't want them to look my way. 

My recently shellaced nails. I missed the salon. 

I get it. No, I REALLY get it. For the past two months, I had no help mid-week with Ilana, a growing belly, restless legs, crazy/dangerous snow storms that kept us indoors, a desire to sleep at 7pm and backlogged work. I didn't go to the nail salon for seven weeks and had to make due on my own. 

I GET IT! Between the hellish hours we keep at work just to ensure we still have a job (What no family dinner tonight? You have to stay at work until 11pm, again?), house errands that never seem to end (Didn't I just do the white laundry? What do you mean we are out of milk?), trying to do right by our husbands/kids/parents (Yes, mom, I really want to come over this weekend, but we have to go grocery shopping, meet with contractors to discuss the new nursery and sleep) .... I'm going to stop because writing it makes me nauseatingly exhausted. 

Even though it's very important to allocate time to yourself and ensure you are looking, and therefore feeling, your best, going to the salon isn't a weekly or even biweekly option. There are several affordable home products and tips to ensure nifty nails. 

TIP 1 - Gelled nails last for 2-3 weeks and you can DIY at home with Red Carpet Manicure. Their Pro Kit ($79) will last for months, maybe even the whole year.

TIP 2 - If you don't want to deal with the gels, Duri nail polish is a personal favorite. Aside from great colors, their top coats make your nails stronger and your cuticles healthy between proper manicures. 

TIP 3 - Afraid your manicurist skills aren't that great? A clear or flesh color hue, like Duri's Linen and Lace ($6), is better than nothing at all. It also helps hide a poor filing job or bitten nails. (PS Try not to bite your nails.)

TIP 4 - In between home maintenance, pamper yourself every few weeks with a proper manicure. It's going to do more fore your self-esteem than your daily cup of coffee from the local deli. 

I'm wishing you a happy and blessed weekend. Take care of those nails and you really are taking care of YOU, YOUR SELF IMAGE and even YOUR LEADERSHIP ROLE FOR YOUR FAMILY. Your husband/partner wants a confident you. Your kids deserve a mommy that loves herself and shows them how to take care of themselves. Everything you do in your beauty/style routine is a direct reflection of how you feel about yourself and I REALLY WANT YOU TO LOVE YOURSELF, set a good example for your family and ALWAYS BE YOUR BEST YOU. 

As always, I welcome your thoughts on this blog. Tweet me #AlwaysBeYourBestYou. 

P2 Beauty: At Your Doorstep Salon with Glamsquad App

As a busy mom, it's not easy to squeeze in a hair appointment - even when you work mostly from home. I've had to SOS, beg stylists to come to my house at odd hours of the day! Now, my graveling days are over thanks to Glamsquad, a new app that will do for the beauty industry what Seamless Web has done for ordering takeout - make life convenient. 

First, decide on a hair style from their curated menu, created by Glamsquad Creative Director and former former Senior Stylist at Frederic Fekkai Giovanni Vaccaro, Then, plug in your location (currently only offered in NYC and part of Brooklyn), desired time of appointment and credit card information. A 20% gratuity will automatically be added, so there is no need for cash. You can set up an appointment ten days in advance, or as short notice as one hour. Considering the at-your-door, VIP service, pricing is very reasonable by New York standards - blowouts $50, braids $75, up-dos $85-$125.

Selection of hair style options from Glamsquad

Selection of hair style options from Glamsquad

More cities will be added in the near future, as well as additional glam services. 


PS At last week's launch party, I had my favorite sidekick, Ms. Ilana Rose. She was amazing, clapping during the presentation and smiling as mommy got her hair braided. Then, she was all too excited to snatch my swag bag. Fortunately, I don't mid sharing with my princess. 

Ilana watches mommy get glam at Glamsquad launch event

Ilana likes her gift bag

P2 Beauty: Stay at Home Mom Glow & Smile Style

As a newly crowned stay-at-home mom, – we let go of our nanny for reasons I will not share because my mother taught me not to promote negativity – I can truly speak to simple ways to live an Always Be Your Best You lifestyle because I get how precious time is and what we women need to do in order to carve out moments for ourselves.

In the morning, my daughter wakes up and claps or plays with her fingers for about 10-15 minutes. I firmly believe this is because a) my husband and I set a calm atmosphere around her and 2) we taught her that time alone isn't a bad thing. Those 10-15 minutes** give me time to do a good one-minute stretch, brush my teeth with my beloved Crest 3D White toothpaste (a bright smile is an essential accessory for a stylish, happy day) while practicing side and back leg lifts (I know you have to see this in video to understand), and put on my diamond, star-stud earrings.  Then, when Ilana goes down for her 9:00-10:30am nap, I quickly shower, rub some Mama Mio Tummy Rub Oil (baby #2 !!) and put on my home makeup look. Yes, I wear makeup at home even though nobody is around. It makes me feel wonderful and ready for the day. By 9:30am I’m at my desk, with the baby monitor by my side, and a laundry load already set and spinning.  

What do you do to feel beautiful at home?  Share your #SmileStyle solutions on Twitter, and tell me and @3DWhite how you steal the spotlight in your world.

** PS If you don’t have that 10-15 minute window of clap time, follow the sage advice of the fabulous June Ambrose – “wake before the quake”. I live for this rockstar mom and her witty tidbits. You must follow her on Instagram for stylish, parenting tips, as she most definitely embodies my Always Be Your Best You philosophy. 

P2 Beauty: Lolita Lempicka’s Elle L’aime Fragrance

All great women have signature scents, like Nancy Regan with James Galann’s Galanos and Audrey Hepburn with Givenchy's L'Interdit. I, too, have a commitment to Terry Mugler’s Angel. I began wearing it in my teens, though I know it’s more suitable for the mature, sophisticated set; then again, I’ve always had an old soul. As I actually got older, I’ve found myself wavering a bit, especially during the summers when the nose craves something softer. Well, now, I’ve found my signature summer scent in Lolita Lempicka’s Elle L’aime fragrance.

I’ll get to what the official top/bottom notes are, in a second. To me, it smells: captivating, luxurious and playful/soft sexy. (Soft sexy is Sophia Loren vs. Marilyn Monroe, or Eva Longoria vs. Kim Kardashian – no offense to the iconic Marilyn or fabulous Kim, but they put sexy in your face). Back to the perfume …

I would NEVER leave the house, or even my bedroom!, without a little spray, and of course mascara and lip gloss. If you want to be treated like a lady (think Nancy Regan, Audrey Hepburn, again) you need to take care of yourself like a lady.
For those with a nose for scent, here’s the 411: top notes of Bergamot, Neroli and Lime with a sparkling of Coco Essence, Jasmine and Ylang-Ylang, leading to a warm base of Vanilla, Myrrh and Sandalwood.

Begging this month and thru, at least, the holiday season, Neiman Marcus will have the exclusive on Lolita Lempicka’s Elle L’aime. (888.888.4757)

P2 Beauty: Lolita Lempicka’s Elle L’Aime