Hair &amp; Make-up by Valerie Noble

My new obsession… Succulents

May 202013

Growing succulent plants has turned me into a gardener, of sorts! In my college days I had a pretty good green thumb and had lots of indoor plants for decor around the house. Then suddenly, I couldn’t keep a plant alive no matter what I tried. So I gave up on growing plants.

But, then a friend gave me a piece of her jade plant succulent and I found that the drought tolerant plant was easy to grow. Succulents are low maintenance, eye-catching colorful plants that are easy to grow. Their drought tolerance makes them a perfect choice for the high desert that is Los Angeles and for folks who lack a green thumb like me.

So, now everywhere I go, I like to take pictures of succulents. Each plant looks like a sculpture to me and there are so many varieties, and amazing shapes and colors they are fun to collect.

Jovibarba heuffelii, Crassulaceae

Sedeveria Hummellii

My 5 Beauty Must-Haves for Spring

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May 152013

Spring is here and summer closing is coming fast and as the weather gets warmer, it is a perfect time to pair down our beauty routines. So, here are my 5 beauty must-haves to take you from spring through summer…. Actually, they are great favorites for all-year round use.

1 Facial Cleansing Cloths/Makeup Removers are a must. They are perfect for removing make-up, or just giving your face a freshening up on a hot day. The Equate brand from Wal-Mart is my favorite for the value (2 packs of 30 for half the price of other brands). These alcohol-free, hypoallergenic makeup removing facial towelettes contain chamomile, vitamin E, and triple tea, which rejuvenate your skin. And they don’t leave your face feeling dry and tight.

2 Brighten and protect your skin with a BB Cream. I like the Maybelline brand because It not only blurs imperfections, but it also brightens and evens your skin tone with sheer coverage like a tinted moisturizer. With SPF 30 protection, the Maybelline BB Cream also hydrates, enhances and protects your skin from the harsh rays of the sun. BB cream is skincare and makeup all in one step, which is ideal for those on the go.

3 I think eye cream is a must and one of my favorites is Murad’s Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture for eyes. This super-hydrating cream infuses the delicate eye area with moisture for immediate and long term relief from dryness and Maintains optimal moisture levels for about 8 hours and is gentle enough for sensitive skin.

4 Tinted lip stain is my new mainstay. It gives a nice and long lasting color without being sticky.There are lots of brands to choose from, I like the Maybelline Super Stay 10.

5 My last must have are oil blotting papers.These sheets instantly absorb oil and transforms shiny skin into matte perfection. I love the Elf brand sheets for their value and soothing green tea extract.

Let me know what you think….. Cheers, Val

Cool Eyewear and Cooler Models

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Feb 172013

I am a real big fan of the Advanced Style website and the stylish ladies they feature so I was really thrilled to discover that a few of the stylish ladies were used as models for designer Karen Walker’s new Eye wear collection. The ladies did a fabulous job and you can see more on Karen’s eye wear website.

Ilona Rodkin for Karen Walker Eyewear

Linda Rodin for Karen Walker Eyewear

Joyce Carparti for Karen Walker Eyewear

Lynn Dell for Karen Walker Eyewear

My favorite website…..Live from Daryl’s House @LFDHcom

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Oct 292012

Here one of my favorite sites that I love to check out for musical inspiration….

Anybody who knows me knows that I love music…. R&B and Jazz being my old school favorites. So, I was thrilled when I came across the website of famed singer/songwriter, Daryl Hall, “Live from Daryl’s House!” He started this site in 2007 as a free monthly web show where he could collaborate live with other musicians and show it on the internet. The show is now featured in syndication on a few cable channels ( which is how I found out about it.) The cool thing is all the past shows are on his site and I love to check them out.

Here is the latest show he did featuring the fabulous vocalist Sharon Jones and my new favorite singer Allen Stone! Thanks, Daryl, for bringing back the live studio session feel on your show!! I really love it and love discovering new and old talent!! To keep up with Daryl and find out who will jam with him next, be sure to follow him on Twitter: @LFDHcom

Live from Daryl’s House

Here are a few teasers from the latest episode of Live From Daryl’s House Live at the Borgata

Cheers, Valerie

My Glorious Facial…… @Murad Spa

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Sep 172012

I have been wanting and needing a good facial for a long time but was not really sure where to go. And as it turns out, I have been using the Murad skin care line for about 8 months and love the results. So, I finally decided to check out the Murad Inclusive Health Spa in El Segundo and had a fabulous experience. Tracee was my facialist and she was amazing. I had the AHA Rapid Exfoliator Anti-Aging Facial and she did the extraction part (which usually is quite irritating) so fast that it didn’t hurt one bit. Plus, the facial includes a paraffin arm and hand treatment (which softens the skin). The best part was that my skin looked and felt great afterward.

I highly recommend the Murad Spa for all your skin care, massage, waxing, acupuncture and body treatment needs. You can make an appointment online.…. If you can’t get the the Murad Spa location, you can find their products online and use their Personalized Skincare Evaluation to find the best products for you. Plus, they currently have a 20% off for Friend and Family Event going on now through Sept. 19th. with free shipping!! Use promo code save20

Thanks, Murad for a fabulous experience and service!!