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March 31, 2006
Seven days of Lily Lambert: Day 3
Just to mix things up, I choose Lily Lambert No. 22 randomly without smelling or peeking at the descriptions, and it is my favorite so far. Lush, tropical, sexy - it's a scent that I would normally think would be too strong for me, but after I put it on, I just love it. I can smell coconut very distinctly, as well as strawberry and jasmine (the description says "pikaki", which is a Hawaiian flower in scent similar to jasmine). This is one I would choose again.
- Heather
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Posted by heather at 9:15 AM
March 30, 2006
Seven days of Lily Lambert: Day 2
This morning when it was time to decide which scent to try from the new line of perfume from Lily Lambert, I did not have the list of scents and their descriptions with me, only the perfumes. I selected based only on smelling, and decided on No. 55. It ended up being much subtler on me than No. 44, which at first was nice - just a hint of berry and a light floral note - but after a few hours it faded on me. I think it was just my body chemistry. I also applied a little to quite a few spots (decolletage, inside wrists, inside elbows, back of neck) rather than concentrating it on one or two spots. I reviewed the description and discovered that the floral note is water lily, rounded out with "warm rains" and "summer berries." This is a nice scent if you like subtle perfume.
Check back tomorrow to see what I choose next,
Heather
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Posted by heather at 7:24 PM
Kristen taps into palette-mania
Ok, I finally did it. I've been eyeing the Chantecaille La Palette de Olivia palette ($130) since it came out at least a year and a half ago, but cringed at the price tag. I figured if I still wanted it after this long, I should get it. The palette comes with 8 eye shadows and one blush. It is housed in the super chic signature Chantecaille silver mirrored case, and what really surprised me is the size of this thing. Most palettes I own are much smaller, but with smaller quantities of the products. There is plenty of product here and the colors are magnetized and can be replaced, so that makes me feel much better!
From left to right, top to bottom, the palette holds Mood Cheek Shade, Quartz Shine Eye Shade (soft dusty rose shimmer), Patchouli Lasting Eye Shade (taupe), Granite Shine Eye Shade (silvery shimmer), Crystal Shine Eye Shade (silver shimmer with a hint of blue), Perle Shine Eye Shade (pearl white shimmer), Peony Lasting Eye Shade (soft pink), and Graphite Lasting Eye Shade (charcoal black). Mood Cheek Shade is a pretty creamy rosy pink shade that goes with any look I am trying to achieve. The Shine eye shades have subtle shimmer in them, while the Lasting ones are more matte. There are soooo many looks I can do with this palette! If I want drama for the evening, I pile on Graphite on the lid, use Granite in the crease, highlight the corners of my eyes with Peony, and finish with a sweep of Perle on the brow. For extra glam, I love to smudge Crystal on my lower lids in the corners and fade it as I go along the black line of my lower lash line. It really makes my hazel green eyes pop and stand out. This is just one look - I could go on and on. All I can say is all the colors are incredibly complimentary with my eye color and skin tone and they last all day long. You can check out Chantecaille at neimanmarcus.com and bergdorfgoodman.com.
On to the next! The Urban Decay Face Case ($34) is the cutest chic little thing. You can always count on Urban Decay to put together some fun, hip stuff and this palette is no exception. It's in a slim white palette with designs of makeup products and women on it. So CUTE!
It has four eyeshadows in Midnight Cowboy (beige glitter, their best selling shade), Shotgun (warm rose with silver glitter), Polyester Bride (white with glitter), and Smog (coppery bronze shimmer); three XXX Shine Lip Glosses in Carney (a quintessential pink shade), Guys Love Betsey (a true sheer red), and Wicked (sheer lavender); one Lip Gunk in Biker (pale taupe shimmer); and, Afterglow Blush in Score (sheer peach). I've always loved UD for their innovative ideas and creativity, and I am always surprised with their eye shadows longevity and quality. They glide on easily despite the fact that they are loaded with glitter, and they stay put. The XXX Shine Lip Glosses have long wear and very high shine. Carney has always been a staple of mine. The color is timeless and I love the minty scent. Score Afterglow blush is new to me as I usually don't wear peach shades on my cheeks, but I find that if I am a bit more tan or use it as a highlighter to bronzing powder on my cheeks, it works fine. Even at 30, I still love this stuff! You can check out this palette at Sephora.com
Posted by heather at 8:50 AM
March 29, 2006
Seven days of Lily Lambert: Day 1
This week I am on a scent adventure with a new line of perfume from Lily Lambert. I got some lovely samples from my friend Lisa over at b-glowing.com (the exclusive online location for this line) and decided to start with No. 44.
For me, so much about choosing a scent is based on my mood at that moment. I smelled each of Lily's seven perfumes and selected No. 44 today because it smells sweet and summery, like a fresh, ripe strawberry, and I hope that it will mask the dreariness of another rainy Oregon day. There are also blackberry and sage notes, and ever so slightly the hint of musk. The strawberry stands out the most to me, with the sage and musk making it sultry and lush rather than light or crisp. I would absolutely choose this scent again.
Read again tomorrow when I choose another scent from the seven-scent collection...
- Heather
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Posted by heather at 10:12 AM
March 28, 2006
Judith loves palettes
I love to buy makeup palettes because it gives me the opportunity to try a number of products from a makeup brand at once with making a huge investment. Among my favorite are those from Bobbi Brown, who regularly has limited edition products and palettes listed under the "Limited Edition" section on her website and on her boutique pages on the websites of the major stores where her products are sold.
Face Touch-Up Palette ($35) has become a regular necessity which I carry in my purse all the time. This little 2-1/2" black compact contains Foundation Stick, Creamy Concealer, Corrector and Sheer Finish Pressed Powder. Coming in 9 different color combinations, there is a choice for everyone. I chose Sand Foundation Stick with Sand Creamy Concealer and Light Bisque Corrector.
Another must try is Bobbi Brown's Sandwash Eye Palette ($40). Containing 10 beautiful light, shimmery shades of eye shadow, they can each be worn separately or blended together.
From Fresh, I've been using a beautiful eye shadow palette for the past few months. The Carnivale Eye Shadow Palette ($48) contains five clear light shades of shadow with one dark brown shade that can be used as a liner.
For a purely decadent splurge, I treated myself to Napoleon Perdis Colour Disc Palette ($80) in Je t'adore. The colors are absolutely divine. Three blush shades that can also double as shadows, three eye shadows - a perfect pale buttery yellow, and muted blue shimmer and a cocoa brown shimmer that doubles as a shadow and a liner. The color are richly pigmented but subtle at the same time, a nice change from the beige and brown that I usually wear. Each color disk on the palette is a full size product which fills a compact that is 4-7/8" x 4". Napoleon Perdis is a popular Australian makeup artist.
Your favorite cosmetic line probably has a palette, too! Check them out, because they are a great way to sample colors you might not otherwise try, and aside from being perfect for travel, they are super to keep in your purse or desk for a quick makeup touch up during the day!
Happy Shopping!
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Posted by heather at 7:27 PM
March 27, 2006
Make the bad man stop
Can I tell you how frustrating hormonal acne is? What am I saying? I don't need to tell you because I bet you know exactly what I mean. The worst part is when I start to see some improvement, and then it goes right back to the way it was, or worse! During the worst of it this month, I had the opportunity to try Arbonne NutriMinC RE9 skin care. This was my second time trying the line with samples. I tried it last summer and found it to be too rich; my pores were seriously clogged and I was broken out all over my chin. Last week I got another set of samples from one of the many Arbonne consultants who often contact me, and something motivated me to try the line again. Why, I'm not sure. This time, I was surprisingly pleased and actually noticed results - my current breakouts started healing! Well, of course after the two or three days' worth of cleansing, toning, and treatment that I could squeeze out of those tiny foil packets, seeing improvement and getting all excited, everything ran out and my skin fell right back into breakout zone in record time. Naturally my thoughts start racing. Were the Arbonne products really the answer? Is it just a coincidence? I contacted my friend who sells Arbonne and I cooly mentioned that I was thinking about the products - don't want to encourage any unnecessary excitement, frankly for myself or her.
I still haven't decided what to do. For now I am using my Tracie Martyn amla cleanser, Avalon Organics vitamin C toner, Juice Beauty blemish serum, and Derma E pycnogenol moisturizing gel, and hoping for the best.
Heather
Posted by heather at 9:12 PM
March 26, 2006
Judith goes to Paris
Whenever I travel out of the country, one of the things I love to do is check out the local pharmacy or cosmetic stores to see if there is something I can try out that I've never seen before!
The first time I went to Paris in the mid-90's, I was surprised to see cosmetic and perfume stores in the shopping areas of almost every part of the city we visited. At every turn, I seem to spot a Marionnaud Perfumeries shop. There were two within walking distance of the hotel where we stayed! I had never seen so many brands of perfume and cosmetics in one place in my life! In addition, all of the pharmacies carried as their "drugstore" skincare and hair care brands, Caudalie, Lierac, Klorane and Nuxe and other European brands which we in the US would consider high end.
By our next visit to Paris, Sephora had already come to the US, so leaving Marionnaud in the dust, I was off in search of the mother lode: Sephora's flagship store, located at 70-72 avenue des Champs-Elysées. Open daily from 10 am until midnight, and on Sunday and holidays from 11 am to midnight, Sephora is not only the largest cosmetic store of its kind, but the most active, with swarms of teenagers on dates, couples strolling in after dinner, gawking tourists, impatient spouses and those intent on getting a perfect beauty fix! Carrying every conceivable brand you can think of (except Guerlain, which has its own store right next door!) , they carry ranges from high end to brands we would consider drugstore, such as Maybelline and L'Oreal, and that's just in cosmetics and skincare. The perfume selection is astounding!
On my first visit to Sephora in Paris, the currency was still in French francs at about $.75 to the dollar (as opposed to the $1.20 it is now). On that first trip, Sephora had one wall with a real-time currency rate chart! As the value of the dollar has fallen in the ensuing years, I can understand why that currency rate wall is now gone.
On subsequent trips to Paris, I still made Sephora on avenue des Champs-Elysées one of my regular stops, but as the dollar weakened I found I could find more interesting and less expensive things to try and write about at Monoprix, which can most closely be described as Paris' answer to Target! Monoprix carries the drugstore brands, but also my favorite Bourjois, as well as some of the higher end skincare and hair lines, such as Nuxe and Klorane.
Fast forward to February 2006. For a surprise Valentine's gift, my wonderful husband planned a five day trip to Paris - probably my very favorite city in the world! After dinner on Saturday night, we headed to avenue des Champs-Elysées, along with a throng of others. Was I ever shocked to find that the featured brands at Sephora that night were Clinique, Estee Lauder, Benefit and Mac! While I, myself, am always on the prowl for luxurious and interesting European brands, the French are now huge users of American brands. Sephora is a testament to the malling of the world. With the advent of the Internet, which was in its infancy when I made my first trip to Paris in the 90's, there is very little that can't be found on your own computer. With a click of a mouse and a credit card, your world can make its way to your cosmetic cabinet.
I wandered around Sephora for a little while. I noticed that all of the prices seemed to have been adjusted to be exactly the same as they are in the US. I bought a couple of lipsticks (is there a 12-step program for lipstick addiction?) and headed back down the street to Monoprix, which is just a block away.
At Monoprix, I headed straight to the Bourjois counter where folks were lined up to have makeovers by a Bourjois makeup artist. I didn’t want a makeover, just the makeup! I stocked up on my favorite Bourjois blush, Pastel Joues Rose de Jaspe 95 ($13.50 in the US at Sephora). As with most of Bourjois' color cosmetics, the packaging indicates the color of the product. This perfect little pot of color is small enough to carry in my purse for a touchup. The foundation I purchased, Fond de Teint Repulpant, is not yet available in the US. It contains collagen to smooth out lines on mature skin. Very lightweight, yet layerable, I find it very moisturizing without being greasy or shiny. I also bought a couple of Bourjois Lovely Rouge lipsticks. The cases are the actual color of the lipstick and the top of the case is mirrored, which is quite handy for quick touchups. I chose Rouge Allie 17
(Russet Red) and Peche Accro 09
(Apricot Peach). This creamy lipstick is highly pigmented and moisturizing as it contains Vitamin E and anti-oxidants. Reasonably priced at $14 each at Sephora. Also, not to be missed, is Sephora's feature on the history of Bourjois cosmetics.
The next day, while out sightseeing, we passed one of the larger Marionnaud Perfumeries shops. I couldn’t resist. It was a good choice, too, because being one of the larger shops in the chain, there were several knowledgeable sales assistants available.
One of my first stops at Marionnaud was the Guerlain counter. One of my favorite new products, which I couldn't buy at Sephora, is Guerlain Divinora Liplift ($27 at guerlain.com or saks.com), the best lipstick base product I have ever found. Most lipstick bases I've tried are greasy, and don't necessarily make a good base for lipstick. This product is thick and matte and works just like a makeup base, while conditioning your lips and controlling feathering at the same time. Use it with your favorite lipstick or trip Guerlain's Kiss Kiss Gloss Max Shine Lipstick, ($26 at guerlain.com or saks.com), a creamy, glossy lipstick, with light reflecting golden flecks, in a beautifully sculptured silver-toned case. I like Mango Shine.
While Marionnaud carries all the major fragrance, cosmetic and skincare lines, they also carry pharmacy type products. I had read about a new range of products for mature skin by Nuxe Paris, so that was what I bought. Nuxe makes products combining Phytotherapy and Aromatherapy (the combined use of plants and essential oils). Using no animal substances, mineral oils or artificial coloring agents. and with subtle or no fragrance and light textures, the products are gentle enough for sensitive skin and very pleasant to use.
Nuxuriance is targeted to older women who are undergoing or have already undergone hormonal changes. I use Brightening Intense Re-Densifying Serum ($73 at fourseasonsproducts.com) under my moisturizer in the AM. Combined with Brightening Re-Densifying Radiance Cream ($63 at fourseasonsproducts.com) , my skin feels firmer and ready for makeup. I haven't tried the night cream yet, but plan to do so. While I don't have wrinkles yet, I do have laugh lines and lines around my mouth when my skin is too dry. Using the Nuxuriance products has made my face seem firmer and smoother. It's too early to report on reduction of brown spots and freckles, but I plan to continue using the products to see what further results may occur.
Another purchase I made was Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse ($44 for 3.4 oz spray bottle at fourseasonsproducts.com) , a dry oil spray that I use on damp skin as I get out of the shower. Containing a combination of oils of borage, camellia, St. John's Wort, almond and Vitamin E, it is not greasy and won't stain your clothing. It is really great at controlling my winter flakiness and can be used all over the body and, in addition, on your hair. I've been using Huile Prodigieuse for a couple of years now and am a big fan. Be sure to look for this version. If you're looking for a glow, this also comes in another version – Nuxe Hulie Prodigieuse OR ($39 for 1.7 oz. at fourseasonsproducts.com) which has a bronze/golden shimmer.
Happy Shopping!
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Posted by heather at 10:45 AM
March 5, 2006
Lisa's hodge-podge o'products
This week is a mish-mash of various reviews that run the gamut from luxury splurge to bargain basic. Read on, and get ready to find your new "crave" item!
Grassroots All Bright Moisture Cream ($23.50)
Since my skin is so pale, any little red mark looks like a neon sign. As a result, I am a big fan of effective "brightening" moisturizes that help to even skin tone, and fade those lovely little acne "leftovers." This cream is a new favorite of mine. It has a great, lightweight texture that leaves no trace of stickiness; just an immediate healthy glow. Over a few weeks, I noticed my skin definitely appeared more even-toned, those red marks subsided a bit, and my pores did appear smaller. Grassroots attributes this cream's effectiveness to glucosamine, and a host of other herbal extracts like mulberry, shea butter, chamomile, and caffeine. This one is a keeper, and definitely holds its own when compared with much more expensive products. You can find the Grassroots line at Kohl's stores or Kohls.com.
Sephora Indulgences - Coffee & Cream Body Wash ($8)
I'm sure fellow panelist Kristen will join me in my squeal of delight upon seeing this scent in a non-exfoliating, moisturizing body wash. For about twice the cost of an average Mocha from Starbuck's, you get 8 ounces of deliciously scented, skin softening bliss. Coffee and Cream body wash contains the same rich blend of Hawaiian Kona coffee bean, whipped milk, cocoa bean, cinnamon, and vanilla (and the reputed cellulite-busting caffeine) as the Morning Body Scrub, but without the grit. Perfect for those of us who can't get enough of the smell, but don't want to "scrub" every morning. Next on my list to try is the Ginger-Lime scent!
Shiseido The Makeup Perfecting Lipstick ($22)
Normally, I don't indulge in expensive lipsticks, as I find that they are about as addictive as a nicotine-laced cosmopolitan. But, as I was browsing at my local Sephora store the other day, I noticed a gaggle of pretty women fixated on this brand. One was saying that she "loved how well it lasted, while keeping her lips soft and moisturized." While it isn't a "long-wearing" lipstick, it does indeed last beautifully, and my lips felt wonderful after wearing it for a few hours. I chose shade P14 (Crushed Velvet), a rich reddish-burgundy that I like to wear as a light stain during the day (blot, blot, and blot some more) and full on, drop-dead sexy for evening. This luxury lipstick was worth the splurge.
Comodynes Energy Mask, Anti-Fatigue Effect ($14)
If I had to pick my top 3 favorite brands for skincare, Comodynes would definitely be in that exclusive group, as I find I am repeatedly impressed by their innovation, and consistent quality and value. This product contains 2 ampoules that contain 2 applications each (they say to use a whole one for dry skin, but half an ampoule worked just fine for my winter-weary face). Described as a treatment for asphyxiated skin due to season changes, lack of sleep or stress, this mask smells delicious, feels wonderful, and leaves skin moisturized, firm and glowing. This is a bargain item that performs well above its modest price point!
Comodynes Hydra Stick, Fresh Effect ($14)
With 70% water, and a host of anti-oxidant, anti-pollution plant extracts, this portable moisturizing stick feels terrific, and provides, according to its package description, up to 12 hours of continuous moisture. When applied, it feels cool and wet, but quickly melts into skin with zero stickiness or shine. Keep one in your purse for when your skin feels parched. Diva hint: if you travel by air, this stick is a must have - glide it over lips, under eyes, and everywhere else!
You can find Comodynes at drugstore.com.
Like I said, this is quite a mix of items - hopefully you found one that will work for you.
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Posted by heather at 6:39 PM
March 3, 2006
Marissa has The "Ulta"mate Experience
Where I live, there are no Ultas, just Sephoras. I know... just Sephora :) I have to say that I was surprised at the lines now available at Ulta; they've really come a long way since the last time I was in. Lola, Vincent Longo, Amazing Cosmetics are now in their stores, as well as the standard L'Oreal, Revlon and Elizabeth Arden. I like that you can purchase high-end as well as drugstore brands all in one place. And, the Ulta brand is serious contender in the cosmetics market, but at a much lower price than the higher end brands.
Which leads me into my deal of the day: a BOGO (buy one get one) on the Ulta brand of cosmetics. Such a bargain! Their lipsticks, and quality lipsticks at that, are normally $8.00. The selection of their lippy is vast, ranging from sheers to creams and reds to browns to berry to pink, etc. I picked up Golden Berry Shimmer which is a stunning shimmery deep berry color, and Vintage Pink in the Silky Wear line, a creamy but shiny pink. The Golden Berry Shimmer lasted quite awhile on my lips and wore off to a soft stain. After looking at all the lipsticks, I switched to eye shadows - cream eye shadows, in fact, which was a surprise because I'm not a cream shadow person (I feel they crease too fast). But I picked up two anyway, Champagne and Ocean, because they looked so beautiful on my hand - really sheer and sparkly. I found that if I start with Champagne and then add a powder shadow on top the color stays put all day. Ocean is a great blue that is sheer enough not to look dated on your eye. I'd say the quality is about as good as Fresh cream shadows, but for a lot less!
From the cosmetics section, I roamed the hair care aisles. My goodness, you could spend a fortune in this section alone! All the great brands that you can find in your hair salons are at Ulta, and all under one roof! I love the Redken Full Frame 07 Protective Volumizing Mousse and the Water Wax 03 Shine Defining Pomade. These two products make my hair really full and shiny. The wax is just enough to give definition to your style without making your hair look greasy and is just as good as the Bumble and Bumble wax I used to use.
Finally, I went over to the appliance section looking for an ionic hair dryer. It was rather overwhelming... there's a lot of appliance stuff for your hair that I'm not too sure I would even know how to use. I guess that's what happens when you have short hair. I didn't want a really expensive dryer as my hair is pretty short and honestly, I'm cheap! I just can't see spending a fortune on a hair dryer. In the end, I didn't buy one because I couldn't decide between two of them. I think subconsciously I couldn't decide so I could go back to Ulta again!
If you don't have an Ulta near you, and you're not up to a road trip to find one, just shop online at www.ulta.com. (FYI: not all the appliances are online; you'll have to go to an Ulta store to buy.)
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Posted by heather at 2:19 PM
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