Eau de beauty of Perfume

I am stuck indoors waiting for the monster hurricane in Florida. We are all trying to keep our minds busy and may be in the dark with no lights,air conditioner and not able to leave beyond our front door. As a Northerner I am not used weathering a hurricane. VERY STRESSFUL. However,  I am keeping  busy organizing and cleaning and my beautiful  fragrance tray is getting my attention. wiping down and shining each bottle and the spritzer with a dash of alcohol to freshen them up.

I realized I have not given much love to some of the fragrances  as they look barely used. A word to the wise. GIVE YOUR FRAGRANCES some LOVE and USE THEM.

They lose their potency and formulas if you let them just sit there. Wether you made a fragrance from scratch or store bought. They must be rotated and used up.

Here are a few tips I have learned working in Bloomingdales and Macy’s in Manhattan as one of fragrance spritzer girls!

• Shop for fragrance when you are in the MOOD to buy a new one..
• Hit the fragrance counters when it is midday. Your sense of smell is the sharpest. DON’T put on fragrance before you go.
• I like to use those little paper blotters to check out a fragrance first.
• If coffee beans are available at the counter (or ask the sales associate) SNIFF them inbetween testing and sniffing to clear your nose of the previous scent.
• TEST only three fragrances …no more! Or you will be confused and your nose tricked. Apply one on one wrist and spritz on theother. Next try the third on the inner part of your arm.
• IF you don’t like a fragrance and find it smells not so pretty on your skin…remove it as fast as you can with soap and water OR a cotton ball blotted with rubbing alcohol.
• Ask for free samples…and try them out for a tleast a few days. Not just one time. your mood may change and you may not like the fragrance afterall once day three comes. You don’t want to waste money $$$ on a fragrance purchase you’ll regret.
• I find ther best time to apply fragrance is after a bath or shower.
• Spritz on your pulse points,inner wrists,ankles,throat area and a dash at the decolette.
• Bottom line…fragrance doesn’t last forever so enjoy it and finsih up all those beautiful bottles.
• To see my personal collection of fragrances from Russia,Poland,China,Japan and the US.  See my fragrant tray on Instagram @noreenkissyoung 
• FYI I love spraying a love note card to my husband with my fragrance spritzed on it and place it in his luggage when he travels out of town.
• Every day we are alive is a special day! Don’t wait to use your expensive perfume,best Chinaware,silverware or bedding. Enjoy them every day. You’ll be glad you did.

 

 

 

Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

I LOVE NEW YORK…let me share the ways!

I went to New York City last week on a quick business trip shortened by the recent Nor’Easter…but when I go back home I always want to see what’s NEW! So, since my time was short I grabbed a limo and enjoyed the city…quickly before my meetings and a beauty event that night.

The view out my hotel room window was stunning. I never get tired of looking at the Empire State Building. I love the Empire State Bar and Grill.

I had breakfast at Tiffanys with an awesome Danish and gourmet coffee uptown.Next was so ready to visit my Dim Sum Brunch spot in Chinatown NYC. This street is where many movies are shot and fashionable photo shoots for magazines too. Some of the cast from Saturday Night Live eat here. This is is a historic and unique place.

Nom Wah Tea Parlor.

Do you see the glitter and sparkles? Those are the celebration remains of the  Chinese New Year Parade.

I have a sweet tooth so I had to go to  the newest sensation Eggloo…a hot bubble waffle with your choice of exotic and familiar fav’ ice creams. Toppings to make your lips sing and in the above I got fresh strawberries and Asian cookie sticks. It will set you back $$$ so I’ve warned you. The entire experience was delicious fun and I loved watching them make the bubble waffles from scratch. I only wish I owned the waffle maker.

Next stop to a few new boutiques and then Macy’s in Herald Square. If you have never been this store is HUGE and a shopping mecca. Macy’s has had a makeover the past few years and keeps on getting better.

The only traces of it’s old school decor that is left are these iconic wooden escalator stairs. I hope they never change these. I remember when I worked in Macy’s where I started my NEW YORK beauty career…how MANY TIMES I went up and down these stairs to powder my nose and use the rest room or grab a bite at lunch. I was always afraid my high heels would get caught in those wooden slots…but they never did.

I shopped FAST and had to run on to my next beauty business event!

After cocktails,chocolates,cupcakes,gourmet Truffle Chips from Italia,photo opps, seeing my beauty executive friends again and making new ones. I then played in makeup,fragrance and skin care and more.

I craved one thing more before the night was over!!! A NYC style thin crust ooozing with cheese PIZZA. I soon discovered my fav’ place had changed names. I took a chance to see in the pouring rain (I might add) and see if the pizza recipe was the same. It was. This photo of my slice on a paper plate does not do it justice. It was AMAZZZZING! The place is called Bravo Pizza on Seventh Ave. minutes from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station.

I hoped you enjoyed the sneak peek into my day BEFORE the Nor’Easter snow and cold.

Unfortunately, it snowed like cotton balls were flying from the sky and got even colder. I hate March (Jan. and Feb too) in NYC the WEATHER is so unpredictable! Flew back to the palm trees of FLORIDA WISHING I could have done so much more.

#foodie #travel #workandplay  #noreenyoung  #MUA  #skinexpert #nyc #blogger #iloveny #speaker

Beauty,Beauty and more beauty in the Big Apple!

A week ago I escaped the blizzard and traveled to NYC for work and play. I was bound and determined not to let the cold weather get in my way.I arrived safe by Delta Airlines and landed almost an hour sooner than scheduled. The sun was shining gloriously and the weather was awesome in the 60’s. I checked in to my first hotel and quickly had attend to refresh and go to two planned beauty events. I  discovered new beauty products to show on my beauty and lifestyle segment on NBC12- TV. I also love to see what I would like to enjoy and add to my own beauty routine. My first stop was at a loft terrace in a sun-drenched  huge room. I sipped champagne,noshed on yummy treats and explored what’s hot a new.The best part besides the awesome products I saw. They served up COTTON CANDY fresh from an old time machine! How cool was that! I love cotton candy in its soft rainbow fluffy hues of sweetness.More to come in another post on the products I enjoyed and fell in love with.

Next stop I hustled in a cab to the event of the year. It happens once a year. NYC beauty editors,cosmetics executives and anyone who is anyone in beauty attend the Cosmetic Exec Women event. We sniff,touch,smell,play and test drive NEW beauty launches from the past 12 months.After we do this we vote after testing some more brands at home.There are many categories. Makeup,Hair,Skin,Nails,Fragrance,Male Grooming,Beauty Tools nail polish and so much more.It is a exciting packed party of wall to wall women.Each year is different. This year QVC was offering makeup applications and even gave us a cosmetic bag.Hair was being styled and more.And did I mention they had cupcakes and cocktails?

After the tabulations are all in brands receive an Academy award of beauty no not a gold statue but winning  is the most coveted accolade you want by a beauty brand. My swag weighed in at 12 lbs.Two fast and furious hours of a really packed pavilion.

The next day while the weather was still in the 60’s I had a few business meetings but made time to go downtown for Chinese Brunch called DIM SUM at one of my fav’ places in Chinatown section of NYC. The Joy Luck Palace. I was seated with two women and two of their nurses who took them o the city for an outing. They were from Hong Kong and 95 and 99 years young.So fun to watch the friendship between the two ladies. The older one was a fashionista dripping in jade jewelry.The two ladies did not speak English but I understood the language of their smiles,facial expressions,laughter and appearance.Women push carts filled with hot Chinese food from soup to dumplings to chicken feet.

My fave’ Dim Sum was 3  little piggies sitting in the bamboo steamer looking at me! They were meant for the end of the meal. A warm fluffy dough filled with a creme brulle kind of cream and it also reminded me of the yummiest vanilla pudding.The Chef’s  here make the best tiny bites of love.If you have never tried or enjoyed dim sum you must find a place to dine in your travels.

Did I mention I got caught in the first flurry of snow and slush and had not packed any boots? MY husband told me I wouldn’t need them.Note to self…never not pack your boots with all your other needed winter gear.

Window shopping is the best shopping! I window shopped all the hot stores like Bloomingdales,Macy’s and Bendel’s and more. I used to live here and really miss having this city at my feet on a daily basis.But I also shopped the fashion district too and discovered some amazing fabrics. So inspiring.Even stopping by candy stores and food stands gives me yummy inspiration since I so love candy and beauty too.

I took some time for at my fav’ places for a mani,pedi and facial too.And I discovered some more places to shop and play for K beauty too.

Oh and I went to the International Beauty Show and guest spoke at the International Esthetics,Cosmetics and Spa show. The show floor was filled with the latest and greatest in the world of beauty. Then came the SNOW.Thank goodness I was already booked on a flight the day before the storm.

Off on another beauty trip soon.Gotta unpack to pack.Stay tuned for more on my beauty adventures.

 

 

 

 

 

Kissing Spring a BIG Hello!

I know it’s not quite spring everywhere by the weather I heard on TV today but you can still celebrate it in your heart and on your face and body with happy glee!

Here are my top tips to make you look and FEEL Gorgeous this Spring.

1. A cheap and chic NEW lipstick or lip gloss can update your look and face in seconds.
Find a color that brightens your complexion. Choose a light to medium bold color.Say “Bye Bye” to the dark shades.Lighten Up!Brighten Up!

2. Blush on! Choose a blush that accents your cheeks like a pretty coral or pink.Select one with shimmer for a soft luminous look.This gives you a dewy youthful look.

3. Eyeshadow doesn’t have to be complicated.Select one shade and go with it. You don’t have to use two or five shades to make your eyes stand out and look gorgeous.A soft champagne,a soft pink,a gold beige or touch of silver to highlight your eyes. You can mix and match matte and shimmer together for a natural glow look.

4. As a professional I highly recommend you own a rice powder to set your makeup,make your makeup last longer and to tone down shine.It is an Ancient Chinese secret.

5. Nail polish is taking over the world. It has a new look,shades,feel and texture.Pick up a few shades and paint your fingeres and toes creamsicle,sunny yellow or an aqua blue hue.Or better yet have a PRO give you a fresh manicure and pedicure and try a new hue.

6. Accessorize! Your face can look more alive with some new accessories.A little bling goes a long way I LOVE to make my face,neck and eyes glow with a dash of color and sparkle from an earring,necklace and more.

7. Buy a a new scent and spice up make your life with something floral,sweet,sexy or sultry.

8. Go window shopping. It not only will get you out of the house or workplace it will give you ideas to look better and fashionable. This was a happy spring window display I took at Macy’s last week in New York City.

9. You are what you eat…add more spring fruits ripe,ready and in season. Add a healthy rainbow of foods to your diet.

10. Pretty skin and a healthy body needs water.Whip up some water by infusing fresh fruits or veggies in a tall pitcher.Yummy and low cal way to get in your water intake and the light flavor of the fruit tastes awesome.

I hope you have a HAPPY SPRING! Paint the town with the new shade for this Spring…Radiant orchid.

Fall in NYC and New Jersey

Fall in New York and New Jersey …there’s nothing like it. There’s the hustle and bustle of people everywhere.The scent of sugared nuts from pushcart vendors and the crisp cool air.
I went to guest speak and worked lots but I also love to add some pleasure after business!
I shopped till I dropped for some new fall/winter fashions.I love to window shop first and enjoy the view.I also like to see what’s IN and NEW.This helps me stay focused on what I want to ADD to my fashion wardrobe.I also am not a snob to street vendors. I love the fashionable finds I may find for $5.00 beautiful bucks to $25.00 it is so much fun! From perfume,to handbags,sunglasses and scarves they’ve got a rainbow of exciting products to make you happy and look good.Chasing that bargain.

I also love to eat and the Mac & Cheese Food truck was music to my ears or LIPS! I first heard the people chatting outside in front of the cart and how delicious the food was. Next,I had to try the creamy and dreamy looking food.So, I did and it was lip smacking good.

Macy’s Department store 34th Street the home of the MACY’S DAY THANKSGVING PARADE is the absolute best and largest dept.store in the world.Floors and floors to adore. They even had a makeover on the first floor since I visited a few months ago. The makeup,fragrance,jewelry and accessories departments have an awesome bright city lights new look.I had a great shopping trip.

Bloomingdale’s department store where I also got my start in beauty had expanded their beauty and fragrance departments and the entire first floor had a makeover too. I have many marvelous memories from my days working there and at Macy’s where I waited on countless celebrities and New York socialites.

Henri Bendel…a store to behold! One day I’d love to brave it and see if my products could be sold there.
It has always held a place in my heart.Mini boutiques inside a department store it is chic, class and charm all in one. You can always find the UNIQUE and fabulous finds.

A walk in Central Park and visiting my dear friend Joel Teron makeup artist at the Mac Store uptown across from ABC TV Studios was a fun highlight to my visit. I am so sad I missed Bette Midler, Whoopie Goldberg and Regis Philbin’s wife JOY who are frequent shopppers at the store.Joel showed me the new Rhianna collection and painted me pretty. Afterwards we had the best most unusual PIZZA.I must go back.

Dim Sum in Chinatown a Chinese brunch with mini plates was a MUST DO. I ate my way from the carts to the streets with tiny delights.The carts of vendors have Asian fruits and veggies…I bought fruit that looked like they were on stroids.Delicious bodacious delights.I missed the Dumpling Festival but there’s always next year.I found a uniqe Korean spa that was a place of peace I must go back to.

Short Hills Mall next stop on New Jersey…an elegant ala Rodeo Drive type Mall. I had not been there in awhile. Was it delightful!

The farm stands,pumpkins,apple orchards and gorgeous fall plants were so beautiful.Natures’s eye candy!

Dining and shopping with my sisters and family time was the best time…and the icing on my fall in New York cake.There’s no place like home and being with your family.Especially sisters!

I grew up here and although I live in Florida too I call this HOME.
I NEVER get tired of going up North.I love NEW YORK and NEW JERSEY. There’s so much to explore.If you haven’t been to visit up NORTH and the big city. Don’t even think about it. Hop on a plane and do it!
Life is too short to MISS out on the magic of this beautiful city.

I’m back from NYC and on WordPress!

I’m sorry I have been up to my lips in beauty and FUN. Not in the sun but in the one and only Manhattan.My home, my playground,my work and time with my family.
It’s been on a whirlwind of beauty and fashion. one of the reasons I went to attend a beauty event for women and men in the cosmetics industry. I sniffed,sprayed,lathered and played in beauty.The cocktails,cosmetics and edible beauty cookies all tickled my tongue and made me swoon.There are so many new beauties out there!

I also was on a buying trip for my candy shoppe of fashion,beauty and unique gifts! Not an easy task! Especially since the snow came down,turned to slush and I got soaking wet and it was freezing.

I shopped until I dropped in the one and only Macy’s 34th Street Herald Square where I once worked I fell in love with the Marilyn Monroe fashions and tribute to all things Marilyn! See the windows I peeked at? TOO sexy! LOVE window shopping too.

Bloomingdales,Henri Bendel,Barney’s, Saks Fifth Avenue,the Container Store and more…New York City is far from a bore. I have so much more to share with you. Stay tuned.

Tomorrow I am a guest chef at the Salvation Army Celebrity Chef Tasting Luncheon here in Jacksonville Florida. Can’t wait to serve my chosen side dish to hundreds of people coming out for a beautiful cause.I love to cook and make-up! If you live in Jacksonville tickets are available at the door.

I’ll continue the above and so much more. Bear with me…I’m kinda exhausted~

Just back from …NEW YORK CITY

Just back from working and playing in NYC…what a wonderful week!

When I travel back home or anywhere I always keep my mind and heart open. The Universe is sacred and I welcome whatever new that comes my way.The streets lit up with sunshine and instead of the temperature being in the 20’s or 30’s and FREEZING or snowing,it was close to 70 and mild most of my stay. Unseasonably fabulous~

There was fashion at every corner and the department store windows and boutiques showed off their SUNNY ARRIVALS!  I shopped till I dropped in Bloomingdales, Macys,Henri Bendels, Bergdorfs, Lord & Taylor and Barneys and Saks. Always time for sister fun after shopping…we dined in our fave places from Chinese, Italian, to Amercian and Polish food.  

The colors of the season…a bodacious bold pink, seafoam and the shimmering colors a mermaid would wear, any shade of peaceful blue, tanergine tango coral and nude too. I love color!

The street vendors had the most beautiful shades of pretty pashminas and the handbags were a mixed bag of gorgeous tricks! I don’t snub them I adore them and the prices of the accessories they carry….are simply irresistible!

I‘M ALWAYS ON THE HUNT for beauty. So lucky me it was that time of year for me to meet with my CEW beauty business friends. I found an array of beauties at this event. It’s a time when cosmetic companies get together and offer us a night of sampling,sniffing,playing and kissing in makeup! My skin fell in love with a decadent delight named Prai. I could not stop looking at my left hand all EVENING. My skin love the way it felt too. Soft and supple with a gorgeous glow. The glow that wouldn’t go until I took it off when I showered that night.

Now, back in sunny Florida I am inspired, back to my sweet husband and my own beauty business… ready for my photo shoot for our Spring beauty Collection this week.

I can’t imagine my life without NEW YORK, my sisters and MAKEUP!

Are you addicted to makeup too?

Fashion Passion!

So many fashions so little time. Now back I am simply exhausted. Sorry for delay in posting this for you as I so needed my beauty sleep and catch up with you.

Fashion’s Night Out in New York was amazing last week. The city was ALIVE and the shopping was too! The weather early in the day was rainy and then the dark skies would rise to the most breathtaking sunny and warm day I have ever seen in September. Hundreds of hundreds of hundreds of New Yorkers, LA and Jersey Girls too shopped the city and Celebrities too. 

FNO is a love to shop kinda girls dream come true! This is the third year for this fashionable celebration. It was started in NYC to help the economy and bring some fun and shopping back into our lives. The beautiful twist is the discount you receive at the end of your shopping visit at each shop.

 Deals, steals and free samples are doled out for you to enjoy! WHAT’S HOT NOW is featured too!

Big box stores, boutiques and designer showrooms all had something to offer and share with us. FREE makeovers, eye-makeup lessons, hair dry- styled, manicures with Swarovski crystals and so much more. 

Champagne flowed and so did signature cocktails, cupcakes, cotton candy, chocolates and hordervs. My fav’, was mini Kobe beef sliders Asian style at the Meat packing District that is the it spot and the palce for designers Stella Macartney,Matthew Williamson and many more!

 I started my fashion journey at Macy’s Herald Square on 34th street. The world’s largest department store and so much more. Food TV’s Sandra Lee from Semi-Home-made tv cooking show guest appeared along with many many more!

Across the street at Sephora’s Joey Rache Zoe’s makeup artist and the co-founder of Clarisonic DR. Robb (luv him) made and appearances and were ready to answer beauty and skin care questions.

There was a beauty and fashion buzz all around at Henri Bendel’s, Bergdorf’s and I ate a bagel as I window shopped at Tiffany’s & Company’s famous jewelry store.

Next, uptown at Bloomingdale’s where I used to work. Next, unto NY and Company for more shopping and to see the Real Housewives of New York City Bravo’s hit show cast of housewives (minus that unforgettable and always fabulous Sonja T. Morgan-who was appearing in SF California stores) across the street the red velvet ropes were all up for designer Christian Siriano and an appearance by him and a premiere of his FALL collection of shoes all priced to please. I fell in love with a bootie that felt like a lambs wool and so sexy yet cozy. His shoes priced in the $20’s. 30. and under $50.00. 

This all takes place minutes aways from Fashion week in NYC! Model’s,designers and celebrities are all over. You never know who you’ll bump into! 

In the neighborhood if you went you got to get your photograph taken with a Victoria Secret angel if you went across the street to Victoria’s Secret. I passed and headed downtown next to meet my Bff. Our first stop was the DVF studio. I used to work for this delightful designer and woman business owner. She is famous for her wrap dress. She featured fall fashions and launched her fragrance called Diane. Cold champagne flowed music and handsome men with silver trays served horderves that were delicious and exotic.I LOVE her new mantra “Be the woman you want to be”. We shopped til we dropped and headed to dine at Chelsea Market where the home of Food TV. Cupcakes of course~

 Guys come out too! 

Stores all over the country including Europe and China all host a FNO now….wish you good go? There’s always next year.

My words of wisdom to you. WEAR comfortable shoes! While you may want to be a fashionista and look your best and you should. You really need to be comfortable and bring a pashmina, umbrella and bottle of water. Just in case. 

Book your ticket for lights, cameras, fashion and so much fun! See you next year?

Who knows I might spend FNO in Las Vegas and my fav’ hotel in all of LAS VEGAS the one and only Cosmopolitan Hotel.