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September 20, 2006
You Win Some/You Lose Some
I've had a very interesting summer trying new products. It certainly has been fun, but I must say my skin is thanking me for taking a break!
Have you read about Sublimage, Chanel's newest product? Touted as a one-stop wonder, this cream is supposed to do it all: daytime, nighttime, and everything in between. Well... after paying $350 (!) to try this extravaganza, I have this to say - save your money! First, it's too rich to wear during the day for my skin. It takes awhile to sink in, so it was better to use at night. But, after almost 3 weeks, I didn't see one tiny bit of difference in my skin. So, guess what? It went back to the store! Sublimage isn't a bad cream, just a lot of money for a nighttime moisturizer. Maybe in the winter months when skin gets super dry this will work for some as a daytime moisturizer, but I would rather take that money and buy something else. :(
On the other hand, I tried for the first time in my life ( I think) Orlane products. My buddy Christopher raves about their eye creams, Absolute Skin Recovery Care Eye Contour and Extreme Line-Reducing Care Eye Contour, and I had to give them a try. The Recovery is for puffiness and dark circles, and the Line Reducer is naturally for my fine lines and wrinkles. I normally don't like to use two different eye creams, but I really like both of these. I find my eyes don't itch when I put them on, I can still put my eye makeup on and not have it run, and I honestly don't look as tired when I use the Recovery. The Line Reducer helps hydrate my skin and blurs my fine, fine lines. If you have a Neiman Marcus near you, go and get samples of these eye products. Orlane is great about letting you try before you buy. And I bet most of you will buy after you try. :)
After my success with Orlane eye products, I promptly returned my Clarins Eye Revive Beauty Flash. Beauty experts rave about this product, but I never looked refreshed after using it, and it never helped to reduce my puffy eyes. I know people swear by it, but I didn't think the Eye Revive or the Beauty Flash Balm worked on my skin at all (I returned the Beauty Flash Balm, too). Beauty Flash Balm is a quick fix or refresher for the skin, an instant pick-me-up. When I put this on, waited a few minutes and then went to put on my tinted moisturizer or bronzing gel, it would ball up and rub off my face. It wasn't a pretty sight as you can imagine. It looked like an intense peeling was happening on my cheeks and forehead. Blah!
Here is one line to pay attention to: Giella Custom Blend Cosmetics. If you live in NYC, head down to Henri Bendel and catch Giella in action. Her custom-blended cosmetics range from eye shadows to foundations and powders to lipsticks and lip glosses. My foundation has a tinge of blue and it's the first time that my foundation hasn't looked to pinky or sallow. I've had a few lip glosses made, one is a beautiful red with grapefruit flavoring, one is an edgy purple/sparkly/vanilla/coconut, and one is from her "pre-made" line (a bright fuchsia) that she added vanilla to. I called Henri Bendel and asked her to customize a nude pink/shimmer/vanilla lipstick and it's now one of my favorites. My #1 favorite in her line is the Cranberry Lip Liner. I'm tempted to call her and ask for it in a lipstick because it is just the best color, hands down. For those of us that don't live in NYC, Giella is about to re-launch her website with a more customer-friendly interface that will allow you to customize online. I keep checking daily and it's not up yet, but when it is, I'll be one the first to order. You can read about Giella on her website, giella.com. :)
- Marissa
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Posted by heather at 10:58 AM
September 19, 2006
Hot new item over at b-glowing
I've been dying to tell you about these super-cool new solid perfumes by Crazylibellule & The Poppies over at b-glowing, and now I finally can! My sample and I have been getting better acquainted for a few months, and now you can enjoy these portable little perfumes, too. About the size of an oversized lipstick, Crazylibellule & The Poppies solid perfumes ($16 each) come in 7 mix and match scents to complement any mood, and thanks to their size they are easily portable, so you mix up new scents on the go. My personal favorite is Lilas Spiritual because I am smitten with lilac. I hope to branch out and mix it with another scent, but for now I am enjoying swiping it on during the day whenever I need a little lilac pick-me-up.
Go experiment at b-glowing!
- Heather
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Posted by heather at 10:09 AM
September 17, 2006
Fifteen for Fall, part one
Greetings fellow product enthusiasts! Can you believe that fall is already upon us? Those sultry summer days are firmly in the rearview mirror as we head into cooler weather. This year, I decided to take a different approach with my annual Cold Weather Product Report. I've picked fifteen new (or new to me) products that stand out as exceptional, revolutionary, and/or just downright fabulous, and will be presenting them in two parts! So, without further adieu, here is the first installment of my "Fifteen for Fall." Be on the look out for part two coming shortly! I suspect that you will find a few items that will carry you well through the blustery days to come. The following are in no particular order.
Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Serum (2oz $29 at Sephora.com)
I love using organic, natural skincare, but sometimes, the formulas can be a little daunting. The weird smells and strange textures of many organic/natural beauty products can be a turn off; you know they are good for you, but they don't exactly provide a luxurious experience. Thank goodness for Juice Beauty! Juice Beauty uses over 40 organic, raw ingredients including juices, aloe vera, honey, botanicals, plant oils, sugar, and essential fatty acids directly from USDA approved certified organic farms. All packed into sophisticated, easy to use formulas!
This serum is a new staple in my cosmetic closet. It provides a burst of exfoliating and healing power for grumpy, blemished skin. I used it once a day (before bed) and it did not over-dry or irritate my skin, yet provided significant improvement in a few days. You can "spot use" to attack a specific blemish, or apply a thin layer over your entire face when there is a lot going on "below the surface." I also use this on my back when it breaks out, and it works wonderfully!
Fresh Cannabis Santal Eau De Parfum (3.4oz for $75 at Sephora.com)
Fragrance is a very personal preference, so I can't say if you will be as enamored by this scent as I am, but I simply had to give it a spot in my Fall Fifteen. This is (officially) a men's fragrance, but I fully admit to snatching it from my husband's medicine cabinet at least once a week. Three words to describe this scent? Drop Dead Sexy. Don't be afraid by the name - you won't smell like a Grateful Dead show, I promise. There is a musky, hemp-y note, but it is a very subtle component to this sophisticated mix of ripe fruit, patchouli, vetiver, and vanilla musk. Delicious!
Smashbox Eyeliner Palette in Proof ($32 at Sephora.com)
Once you try these cream eyeliners, you might never go back to pencils! Easy to apply (with the included brush and mirrored compact) and remarkably long-lasting, cream eyeliner from Smashbox is a revelation! I tried Scout (a rich, apple green) a few years back, and liked it so much I decided to splurge on this credit-card sized palette. Shades include: Lava (deep slate-gray shimmer), Picasso (deep ink blue), Midnight Purple (deep regal violet), Midnight Brown (dark chocolate), Putty (medium brown), Caviar (true jet black), Thunder (mossy gray), Midnight Green (deepest chalkboard green), Deep Bronze (chocolate shimmer), and Cameo (russet brown). Once this liner "sets," you can even top it with a favorite shadow for the sultry, smoky eyes.
Ojon Hair Restoration Treatment (5oz for $55 at Sephora.com)
Considered to be the flagship product of the Ojon line, this conditioning treatment transforms my dry-ish, wavy/frizzy hair into silky, shiny strands. Made from a specific type of palm oil and other natural ingredients, this balm smells strongly of coffee and spice. I love the smell, but many people have commented in reviews that they find the scent to be too strong or unpleasant, so people who are scent-sitive should sample before they buy.
You can use this product two ways: apply to dry hair before shampooing for an intensive, restorative conditioning treatment (I give it at least 2 hours, but tend to use it overnight for a super-burst of moisture (just put a towel over your pillow to absorb the excess oil)) or apply just a dab (seriously, like the size of a rice grain) on damp, freshly washed hair before styling for moisture and manageability.
Lippman Collection Nail Polish in Stardust ($15 at Beautysak.com)
Speaking as an "aging hipster" from Generation X, I like to keep my look a little edgy while giving nod to the fact that I am not in my twenties anymore. Fingernails and toenails coated in this shade of shimmering steel are a perfect evolution if you wore Urban Decay Nail Polish when it first came out. Lippman polish lasts and lasts, and there are a wide array of great colors to choose from. Stardust is my must-have color for this fall's wardrobe of grey, plum, and wine. See? Growing up isn't so bad after all!
Simply Divine Botanicals Keeping Abreast of It Body Cream (4oz for $29.95 at simplydivinebotanicals.com)
Speaking as somebody who has struggled with assorted breast issues for years, I have to say that this cream is a wonderful find whether you want it for the treatment aspect, or simply as a luxury body cream. If you spend a little time reading about this product at the Simply Divine Botanicals website, you might find that it is a good option for some other health problems as well; the customer and health practitioner testimonials are pretty impressive!
Reviewing it strictly as a decolletage cream, though, it is fabulous. Packed full of botanical ingredients, it is moisturizing, comforting, and it smells great! It is pretty rich, which makes it nice to use before your monthly BSE (breast self exam) so that your fingers move around easily. After using this product regularly, my skin felt silky-smooth, and looked fresh and taut. I love this item, and use it religiously before bed. And, you certainly cannot beat the price for such high quality ingredients.
GoSmile ADVANCED Formula B1 Tooth Whitening On The Go ($89 at Sephora.com)
Everyone knows that the best accessory to go with that new lipstick is a dazzling white smile. However, most of us are not patient enough to deal with those "strips" (too messy and inconvenient) or mere whitening toothpaste (I don't think they really make any difference). I rolled the dice and tried this product from GoSmile, and I'm so glad I did! The bleaching agent (which does not cause tooth sensitivity like other products) is housed in individual use ampoules that have a brush-like end. Gentle pressure to the ampoule gets the product flowing, and allows you to "paint" each tooth with the product. While this item is not cheap, it is very effective and easy to use. If you are considering laser bleaching, you might want to try this item first!
Look for the next 8 must-have products in part two of Fifteen for Fall!
- Lisa
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Posted by heather at 6:55 AM
September 10, 2006
Jemma Kidd Make Up School
Jemma Kidd, former model and British celebrity makeup artist, has recently introduced her new makeup collection, Jemma Kidd's Make Up School, in the US at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.
We may not be able to attend classes at her makeup school in London, but we now are able to purchase the same products in the US. Featuring easy to use cosmetics in subtle colorations, you can picture them used on Kidd's own porcelain English complexion. Each package contains an easy to follow instruction sheet, just as you might receive in Kidd's classes in London!
I tried Light-as-Air Liquid Foundation ($35). A sheer liquid foundation with a sheer natural finish, it is geared for normal-oily skin. After a bit of experimentation, I found that Fair (the lightest warm shade), while it looks very yellow right out of the tube, blends perfectly with my skin tone after application. The foundation contains salicylic acid and is targeted for oily skin. As with any foundation, I moisturize my skin well before application and find that this leaves a natural finish. I think that moisturizer is the trick in making this foundation work for all skin types. One tip: You have to shake the tube up, or the foundation comes out as a liquid (I told you it was sheer!).
Soft Touch Creme Foundation ($40) was a pleasant surprise. Usually, cream compact foundations do not work for me, as they often end up settling into lines or streaking as the day goes on. This one is different! While you can build the coverage to the level you like, I found it very easy to achieve a sheer finish and the added moisturizing ceramides helped keep it from dying out as the day went on. I chose Fair for this one, too.
Contour & Flush Creme Blush Duo ($32) is only available in one color (Flesh), with a bronzer and blush in one compact. The colors are rather harsh in the compact, but work beautifully on the skin. They are VERY sheer. I seldom wear bronzer, but I really liked this one - it was more blush than bronzer - and the pink toned blush was a perfect accent to make the bronzer pop. This one is a keeper!
I love Ultimate Lip Care Protect & Plump SPF 12 in nude ($15). I'm always looking for moisture balm for my lips. This has a hint of color and is extra creamy, which is what I like. The color is almost negligible, but it natural enough to pass as lip color when you only want a little bit of color.
Ultimate Lipstick Duo: Plumping Lip Balm & Long-Lasting Color ($20) is a lipstick combo. I loved the neutral colors, but found the lip balm made the lip color slide right off. Used separately, these are great, but I didn't like using them together. My favorite shades are Audrey, a mauvey pink, and Titania, a plummy brown. All of the colors are rather neutral. If you're into bright lipstick colors, this is not for you, but if you like natural, subtle colors, give these a try.
Shape & Shade: Liner & Lip Fill in Natural ($22) is one of the best lip liners I've found in a long time. It’s creamy enough to be used as lip color and works great when then topped with gloss or balm, plus the opposite end has a handy brush for blending.
Eye Wardrobe: Eyeshadow Quartet ($45) is one of my favorite items in this collection. The colors of the powder eye shadows are superb, and like the rest of Kidd's products, the colors are subtle and easy to wear. I splurged and chose two: Natural in pale, flattering pinks, beiges and lavender; and, Green with a pinkish beige, aqua, light green and a darker khaki brownish green, suitable for using as a liner. All of the colors are immensely wearable, are light and don't crease.
The piece de resistance of Jemma Kidd's collection, as far as I am concerned, is her Lasting Tint: Semi-Permanent, Waterproof Lash Color ($28). I figured semi-permanent meant waterproof, but it's not just waterproof. This is the longest lasting mascara I've ever used. Though I've never tried to do so, I could easily go two days without touching it up. The brush takes a little getting used to, as it has wider spiral than a lot of the new mascaras that have come out lately. Only available in black, if you are looking for waterproof mascara that really lasts, this is it! (Don't forget, though, that you will need waterproof or permanent eye makeup remover to take it off!)
Jemma Kidd also features a nice selection of brushes and accessories to be used with her cosmetics. I really like her Kabuki style brushes. The Essential Face Brush ($25) and Bronzer Brush ($20) are well made and definitely worth checking out.
Jemma Kidd's Make Up School is well priced and definitely worth checking out. You may not be able to take a trip to England this year, but it's fun to be able to create the look of a beautiful English complexion in your own home! You can find all of these products at bergdorfgoodman.com and neimanmarcus.com.
- Judith
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Posted by heather at 8:43 PM
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