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May 29, 2007
Red + Hot and New!
Are you a product junkie who wants the scoop on the "Newest of the New" items available? Do you play detective to discover product launch dates, and then wait outside the store on the day they will show up?
I admit it, I LOVE being one of the first to try a brand-spanking new item! My friends laugh at me, but deep down, I think they have gotten used to having me as a resource to ask, "Is this item good?" or "Will I like it better than…?" New beauty booty is FUN, and at Cosmetic Connection, we try to nab the latest and greatest first, so you can get the scoop before your friends (or that slightly snooty co-worker or carpool mom who thinks she has all the answers). Here are a few new and wonderful goodies I have recently tried for hair, body, and face:
Aveda Smooth Infusion Shampoo and Conditoner (each approximately $20, at an Aveda Concept Salon, or Aveda.com)
This moisturizing duo is my new secret weapon for smooth, shiny hair! When used together, Aveda promises this shampoo and conditioner will reduce frizz by about 60%. Being mathematically challenged myself, I'm not sure how to test the credentials of that claim, but I do know that my hair feels very silky and is resisting the oppressive Ohio humidity beautifully!
Formulated with extracts of maize, guar gum, and aloe, this shampoo and conditioner really does smooth the hair cuticle without making it feel heavy or oily, and leaves behind a weightless layer of protection for heat styling. I was worried how well it would work without blow drying (I usually wash my hair at night, and let it dry naturally, then the next morning I smooth it with a straightening iron or large barrel curling iron, depending on the look I'm going for) but honestly, it doesn't seem to matter that I am not blow-drying. While using this shampoo and conditioner, my hair dries naturally with much less frizz and "weird little waves." If you have thick, wavy, or just plain "unruly" hair, you should give this cleansing and conditioning duo a try!
Jonathan Product Silky Dirt ($28, at Sephora.com)
When my hair was shorter, I used the original Dirt Texturizing Paste® all the time. I loved the way it tamed my hair, and the completely delicious smell always gave me a little lift! However, as my hair got longer, I found that it didn't work as well for me. Even though the original formula is oil free, it is still pretty heavy, and even a slight miscalculation in the amount applied would leave my hair a little limp. So, I passed the jar on to my husband (he loves it!) but I was a little sad to not have a product to fill that gap...
Enter Silky Dirt Shine & Define Creme! This new cream is considerably more lightweight, so it works really well to give longer hair like mine that sexy, messy, day-after "bedhead" look. And, it still has that fabulous lemon-y-vanilla scent I crave! Even more great news: it is still also 100% vegan!
Cake Beauty Satin Sugar All-Purpose Treatment Balm ($24, at cakebeauty.com)
Everyone needs a great, all-in-one product that they can use for a host of beauty woes This sweet-smelling, little jar of 86% shea butter and a "dash of beeswax" certainly fits the bill. It works beautifully to moisturize lips, cuticles, elbows, knees. It even works as a hair smoother for little fly-aways (just know that a little goes along way).
Don't be put off if this balm feels a bit firm and "pebbly" in the jar, because as soon as you warm it a bit between your fingers, it becomes smooth and creamy. I leave my jar on my bedside stand, and it has taken the place of numerous lotions, lip balms, and creams. It is also perfect for travel. A very effective little multi-tasker!
Bliss The Youth As We Know It Age-Fighting Moisture Cream (1.7 oz for $79 at Sephora.com
)
Although I love their Soapy Sap Body Wash and Plum Plum Super Softening Body Oil Spray, I have not really tried anything recently that Bliss makes "for face." So, when I scored a few samples of this cream from Sephora, I was really curious, and excited to give it a try!
Bliss says about their Youth As We Know It Cream:
"An extraordinary age-fighting moisture cream that has it all, including MMP Inhibitors, Wrinkle Reduction Peptides, Visual Facial Fillers, Cellular Respiration Boosters, Hyperdermal Destressors, 7-Day Hydrators, Barrier Repairing Ceramides, Wrinkle Relaxers, Multifruit Complex, and Vitazyme A. The Youth As We Know It is a one-stop shop for wrinkle renovation, exfoliation, oxygenation, binding hydration, surface line relaxation, cellular respiration, and collagen and elastin regeneration."
Whew! That is quite a mouthful of beauty babble! I wasn't sure what to make of this cream, but I was so intrigued that I couldn't wait to try it. I've been using this lightweight, non-greasy cream, morning and night, for about a week now, and I am really, really pleased with the results. My skin looks incredibly smooth, my pores look TINY, and I have a nice glow, despite the fact I am so pregnant I am about to pop, and sleep is just not something I get much of these days! This cream has also caused zero breakout problems for me, which is nice considering that with the "pregnancy glow" comes the "pregnancy sensitivity." While this is certainly not a bargain-priced item, you don't need to use much, so I expect 1.7 ozs will last quite a while.
Prestige Cosmetics Lightshine Weightless Lip gloss in Elba
This is a preview item I received, and I just love it. The bad news is I am not sure when it is going to hit stores, so keep an eye peeled! This vanilla-scented gloss feels smooth and light on lips, and the "Elba" shade, despite the fact it looks a weird-ish color of pink in the tube, makes for a perfectly mod, pale pout. I have never had much luck with pale shades (they always look chalky or too white) but this color is PERFECT, especially with a faux tan! Although I'm not sure exactly what the price point will be, Prestige always delivers great value for a low cost. My suggestion? Make sure you snag a tube of this as soon as you see it!
Hopefully these reviews will give you a head start in picking up some of this spring and summer's hottest new items before anyone else :)
- Lisa
find out about this reviewer and more about the panel...
Posted by heather at 5:38 AM
May 28, 2007
Burt's Bees in the Rose City this weekend
This just in... If you are here in Portland, this sounds like a fun diversion from the usual Waterfront Village goings-on.
Burt's Bees Mobile Tour is stopping at the Portland Rose Festival this weekend! Here’s a sneak peek at what people will find at the tent:
Sampling Stations
Come touch, smell and see the wide range of Bur'’s Bees products including hair, body, lip and baby care. Plus, learn all about the benefits of specific Burt's Bees' ingredients from Royal Jelly to grapefruit to pomegranate. But perhaps best of all, you will receive FREE samples to take home, too!
FREE Massages
Trained professionals will be "on hand" to provide complimentary hand massages using Burt's Bees hand and body creams.
Posted by heather at 9:33 AM
May 10, 2007
Lisa's annual Warm Weather Color Report
Ah, the warm weather has finally arrived! After the crazy winter we had in the Midwest, I was more than ready for it! It seemed like that terrible, bitter cold, which arrived so LATE in the season, just would not quit hanging on! Thankfully, it looks like those blustery days are gone for good, and the sunshine and warm breezes are here to stay.
With spring and summer comes a host of new color cosmetics and beauty products in which to indulge - new textures, formulas, shades, and finishes to delight every cosmetic junkie! I have been testing so many great new goodies, I'm up to my chin in beauty booty! Not that I'm complaining - I love reviewing all of these great new products, and passing along my recommendations!
In a nutshell, the buzz this season is around "bronze." Bronzing powders and lotions, and colors that accentuate a healthy, glowing complexion (which can now easily be attained without damaging your skin by "real" tanning) are all the rage. I also like the fact that there are many more options for those of us who want to add some glow to our very pale complexions. The colors aren't too orange-y or dark, which can make skin look dirty instead of pretty.
So, without further ado, here it is - my warm weather color and product report for 2007!
We'll start with Tarte Cosmetics. I love this line, and was really enamored by their new spring products: Inside Out Vitamin Lip Gloss ($21 at Sephora.com
) and Sunburst Beaded Bronzing Lotion
($28 at Sephora.com
).
Inside Out Vitamin Lip Gloss comes in 3 great colors: Liquid Sunshine, a very sheer, iridescent nude; OM
, a very sheer, pink pearl; and, Apple-A-Day
(my favorite because it has a bit more color), an iridescent raspberry-rose shade. Each has the extra benefit of BORBA's nutraceutical blend of vitamins
. Considering you only get a trace of them if you lick your lips, I'm skeptical that they can actually make a big difference in your health, but this gloss is so nice, who cares? It applies smoothly, does not feel the least bit sticky, and has the most delicious pomegranate scent. If you love lip gloss, this is a nice one to add to your collection.
Sunburst Beaded Bronzing Lotion is a great, oil-free formula with vitamin E that contains small, rose-bronze beads that "burst" with color when applied to skin. The color is very pretty, but I personally need very little to add the right amount of color to my pale complexion; use a very light hand to begin, and build more color as needed for your skin tone. I would suggest a light layer of moisturizer (with SPF, as this formula does not contain sun protection) underneath to prep skin, and provide protection from damaging UV rays.
TheBalm is a brand new line I couldn't wait to try. I chose the brilliant, multi-use Hot Mama ($18 at Sephora.com
). This soft, shimmering pink-peach powder can be used as blush/face color, eye shadow, and even dabbed over lip balm as sheer lip color. The adorable, retro packaging is an added bonus. The sheer color is perfect for my pale skin, but I think it would work on a variety of complexions. The color is almost an exact match to NARS Orgasm blush, but the texture is actually much more sheer and finely-milled - more like eye shadow than blush, which makes it truly easy to multi-task. Warm weather color is all about ease of application, because anything even remotely complicated or "structured" will just melt away into a mess as the mercury rises! This item really keeps it simple and pretty.
Speaking of NARS, they have a wonderful new Artist Palette out for the season, available exclusively at Sephora for $60. It contains some tried-and-true favorites of eye shadow, lipstick, and their wonderfully versatile Multiple product which will work beautifully for a wide variety of skin tones.
The palette includes eye shadows in "India Song" (soft butter yellow with a hint of shimmer), "Night Star" (sheer peach with gold pearls), "Night Clubbing" (green-black with gold pearls), "Ondine" (plum with gold shimmer); The Multiple in "Copacabana" (glistening pearl) and "Malibu" (pinkish brown); and lipstick in "Honolulu Honey" (satin flesh toned beige), "Dolce Vita" (sheer dusty rose), "Gipsy" (sheer warm berry), and "Trans Siberian" (semi matte ruby rose). Having so many great shades in one palette is super-convenient, and an absolute life saver if you travel, and need to keep your overnight bag light!
Estee Lauder has to be one of my favorite collections this season! The shades have just the right amount of shimmer and neutral color to accent a tawny collection! A real standout is the Bronze Goddess Soft Duo Bronzer (in the amber bronze medium shade, $29.50). When I first looked at this item, I was afraid it would be too dark for me. But it is amazingly sheer, and warms my complexion so naturally; a few people asked me if I managed to get away for a pre-baby vacation! The brush is ingenious, and makes it easy to sweep the formula on your face, neck, and decolletage.
For lips, my daily, go-to color is now "Tiramisu" from their Pure Color Crystal collection ($22), a pinky-beige shade with a pretty shine. Perfect for neutral, easy lips. The formula is very moisturizing, and feels great!
When it is warm, pedicures become essential again. While I like to keep my nails pretty neutral (OPI in "Passion" or "Tijuana Dance," or Essie in "Mademoiselle" are my favorites) my toenails are always lacquered in something bright or dark. EL has two beautiful shades of Nail Polish ($18) I keep going back to: "Coral Reef" (very bright coral) and "Pink Clouds" (pink gold). The formula lasts really well, and the colors are perfect with my "tanned" skin (thanks to Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer).
For the ultimate in luxury, Chanel Cosmetics is second to none! The formulas are so refined and gorgeous, and there's something about that signature black packaging that makes me feel so glamorous! When I was young, Chanel always represented the epitome of grown-up.
Their powder eye shadow is beautifully pigmented, and so finely-milled, it completely spoils you for other brands! Of course the price point is pretty high, but it is definitely worth it for the quality. I love the Quadra Eye Shadow ($55) in Shimmering Dunes, a collection of 4 neutral shades of peach, linen, taupe, and raisin-brown. Beautiful! I have been wearing these colors everyday.
Chanel gets an A+ for innovation this season because of their Fluid Iridescent Eyeshadow ($30). This light, liquid formula creates a long-lasting, subtle veil of iridescent color. The two new shades, Source (a rose beige) and Coast (a light gold) are simple and beautiful. If you like to try the newest formulas, definitely snag this item!
Glossimer Lip Gloss ($25) is smooth and shiny, never tacky or sticky, and comes in a variety of pretty, wearable shades for the season. I'm personally partial to Sundress (soft rose) and Sarong (a beautiful mauve). Who doesn't love luxury lip gloss?
Their Powder Blush ($39.50) also bears mentioning, not only for the pretty seasonal colors (Horizon, a wearable coral, and Nude, a beige-rose) and soft, sheer formula, but for the amazing rose fragrance. Again, luxury is the watchword here!
If your seasonal splurge is on a tight budget, don't despair! The drugstore ALWAYS provides some great, reasonably-priced options. Honestly, I almost always like to try a trendy new color or formula from the drugstore first. If it doesn't work for me, I have not wasted a bundle of money, and I can just pass it along to a friend instead of going through the hassle of returning the item.
Maybelline Shine Seduction Glossy Lip Color (about $9 at drugstores) is a wonderful formula that definitely rivals more expensive brands. Colors range from sheer pink (I love "Pink Whisper") to candy-apple red ("Ruby Spell" is a killer, sexy shade for evening) and everything in-between - 20 shades in all!
What sets this color apart, aside from well-pigmented, non-sticky formula, is the applicator. The tip is not flocked or soft, it is smooth plastic "sculpted" to a tip that allows the color to be delivered through it (via small holes) by turning a dial at the base. It is quite innovative, and very goof-proof. I find myself reaching for this lip color daily!
Need a simple solution for a polished, natural face? Neutrogena does it again with the Healthy Defense Trio (this item is a bit harder to find right now, but I think it retails for about $12-$13). This little compact is perfect for work, or when you want just a bit of "finishing" with minimal effort. Each little kit contains a tinted, minty lip balm, sheer bronzer, and a pressed powder (with a little brush for application). The kit comes in 3 shades, and all items contain SPF 30 for a bit of extra sun protection. The bronzer can be a bit hard to blend, but if you start with just a little warmed between you fingers, and apply over moisturizer, it performs pretty well. For me, the convenience of this little set makes it worth the effort.
Like I said, there's a bounty of beauty booty this season! With all the great colors and formulas available, I'm sure you'll find a few that you like at every price point!
- Lisa
find out about this reviewer and more about the panel...
Posted by heather at 8:57 AM
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