Frugal Friday - L'oreal HiP Color Chrome Eyeliner

I've been curious about L'oreal HiP Color Chrome eyeliners for awhile. My girls on MUA (makeupalley.com) rave about them so I felt they deserved a try and at $9.99 each but on sale for Buy One Get One Free I charged into Walgreen's expecting to find an assortment of glittery overkill. Surprisingly these soft creamy liners are very un-teenybopperish, (that's a PB technical term, haha). Soft and creamy = ultra smudgable = smooth, not harsh on older eyes. They are available in four shades:

Black Shock--I can't detect any shimmer in this one at all, but it's a very very dark black without being too harsh if that makes sense!
Gold Charge--a bright deep gold almost a bronze
Silver Lightening--a bright shiny silver--a bit too shiny for my taste and age
Violet Volt--a jewel tone purple with a bit of shimmer

Chrome eyeliners take a minute to set up and then there's no budgin', they last as long as the Energizer Bunny! I have to say, I really think these rival Urban Decay 24/7 liners which I love, but are $17 vs. $10 and $5 on sale!

The only con I can to see the Hip Chrome eyeliner is that they are only available in 4 colors. C'mon L'oreal, I'm begging "Please Sir, some more?"

Bobbi Brown Chrome Collection - Holiday 2009

Ugg, is she not gorgeous? Bobbi Brown's Chrome collection is full of shiny metallics just in time for the holidays.

Here's the lineup:

Limited Edition Chrome Palette - $75

Bobbi's cool, contemporary take on holiday beauty. Icy, shimmering accents on eyes and lips cast an iridescent glow on the face. Inside this chrome-accented fold-out palette, you'll find everything you need to deck yourself out for the season: 10 eye shadow shades, 4 lip shades, a Mini Eye Shadow Brush, and Mini Lip Brush.

Eye Shades: White Eye Shadow, Polar Ice Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow, Storm Cloud Sparkle Eye Shadow, Iron Eye Shadow, Thunder Metallic Eye Shadow, Moonlight Sparkle Eye Shadow, Cyber Grey Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow, Foil Metallic Eye Shadow, Chrome Metallic Eye Shadow, Charcoal Haze Eye Shadow

Lip Shades: Pink Mist Shimmer Lip Gloss, Winter Bronze Glitter Lip Gloss,
Berry Glitter Lip Gloss, Chrome Pink Shimmer Lip Gloss

New Limited Edition Chrome Lips - $22

Port Lip Color, Chrome Metallic Lip Color and  Plum Pearl Metallic Lip Color

Chrome Mini Brush Set - $55

Mini Face Blender, our new Mini Angle Eye Shadow, and Mini Eye Liner - in palm-of-your-hand sizes. A chrome faux-leather zip-around case protects brushes for years of use.

Makeup Tip: Metallic Eyes

This fall eyes shine with shades of silver, gold, copper and bronze. I couldn't be happier. Bronze is my very very favorite eye shadow color and I have-- oh I don't know, like, 4,987,204,630 of them. Does that stop me from buying more? Hell-to-the no! Everyone can wear metallics, the trick is to find a hue that suits your skintone. Silver works with cool undertones, copper and bronze with warmer undertones and gold is universally flattering. Here are some tips for sparkling metallic eyes:

• Brush shadow under the eyes as well on the lid
• Apply the lightest shade on the inner corner of the eye
• Downplay lips and cheeks by staying neutral, but don't forget a bit of bronzer
• Use metallics in pairs--silver and pewter, copper and gold, bronze and dark grey
• Use a light hand, a sheer wash lets your eyes shine without looking like a disco ball
• Use a neutral matte shade for the brow bone to avoid too much shine
• Avoid colored liners, opting instead for black, charcoal or deep brown

Shades to try:

Laura Mercier Metallic Cream Eye Colour

Bobbi Brown new Chrome Eyeshadows, available in gold, bronze and pewter
Stila eye shadow trio in Gold Glow (gold, bronze, ivory)
Dior Beige 1-Colour Ultra-Smoothing High Impact Eyeshadow in
Argentic-gunmetal gray shimmer, Gold Touch-golden bronze shimmer


Less expensive alternatives:

Revlon ColorStay 12 Hour Eye Shadow in Copper Spice and Priceless Metals (see my Frugal Friday post here)
L'oreal HiP Metallic Duo in Platinum and Gilded

Try some sparkle and shine this Holiday season!!

Fall Beauty

I talk a lot about beauty on this site--duh, it's a beauty blog! As I was driving home from work today I noticed a different kind of beauty--nature. I am blessed to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth and I wanted to share a bit of it with you. There are a lot of fun activities to do here in the summer, but the fall is my favorite time. It is absolutely stunning. Things slow down a bit, the traffic lessens, the kids are back in school and there is nothing better than taking a walk on a crisp afternoon and breathing in the glory that is the  Pacific Northwest.

 I'm no photographer but even a lame-o like me can't help but snap a few good pics with the awesome raw beauty I have to work with.

One of the local marinas, you can see the leaves changing color.

Lonely baseball field

I had to take this one!

So put on a warm jacket, pull on your hat and gloves and get out there and rake those leaves!!

Bobbi Brown Chrome Collection

Limited Edition Chrome Eyeshadow - $22

Developed with highly reflective pearls, this opulent formula looks like liquid metal on lids and reflects light beautifully. Featured in our signature eye shadow compact, customized for the season with a luxe chrome finish.

Gold, Pewter and Silver

Limited Edition Chrome Beauty Kit - $115

Tje Chrome Beauty Kit is perfect for travel or home organizing. Faux leather chrome has beautiful metallized look. Structured, multi-tiered case is sized to hold full-sized make up brushes, makeup and skincare essentials.

My two cents:
I think the Chrome palette is really really pretty but the eye shadows are very small--true you would probably not ever use them all up but still for $75? My personal preference is to not buy lip palettes--I just don't think they're portable or practical. If I have to dig out a palette and a lip brush and liner, etc.--well I'm just too lazy! Give me an old fashioned lipstick tube and I'm good to go. However, if you use lip palettes and are in need of some shimmery neutral eye shadows, go for it!

I purchased the brush set for $22 on Macy.s com, apparently there was a mistake in pricing. For $22 it's a great set, for $55 not so much. The Face Blender brush is amazing; I really do love it for blush application, but the two other brushes are teeny tiny! I mean smaller than mini!

I haven't had a chance to try the chrome shadows yet, but with Bobbi Brown products I can rely on excellent quality. I'd like to try the gold and pewter, which by the way looks more taupe to me. Whadda you think?

Check out Karla's blog for swatches here...

MAC Magic, Mirth & Mischief and Holiday Part 2

These Mineralize kits complete the Magic, Mirth and Mischief collection. They retail for $59.50 and are exclusive to freestanding MAC stores and the MAC website. Each contains a mineralize skinfinish (MSF), a mineralize blush, a mineralize eyeshadow duo, and a 181 mini kabuki brush. The Brush sets are always popular and are a great value, especially if you are trying to build a collection of high quality brushes.

Pinkzapoppin! array of Light Flush Mineralize Skinfinish, Dainty Mineralize Blush, Love Connection Mineralize Eye Shadow (Duo), and the 181SE Mini Buffer. A series of circular perforations echoing our holiday dot pattern allow you a glimpse of the sparkling wonders within. A limited-edition M∙A∙C exclusive.

 Fun in the Sun selection of Shimpagne Mineralize Skinfinish, Nuance Mineralize Blush, Play on Plums Mineralize Eye Shadow (Duo), and the 181SE Mini Buffer. A series of circular perforations echoing our holiday dot pattern allow you a glimpse of the sparkling wonders within. A limited-edition M∙A∙C exclusive.

 
Morning, Noon and Knight Everything Eye Brush Set - $49.50
An exclusive kit of five key brushes: 194SE, 204SE, 224SE, 266SE and 275SE in a small, rectangular makeup bag of polished silvery-pewter vinyl, the zip adorned with a round bead and grosgrain ribbon detail. Limited edition.
 

Do the Trick Buff and Line Brushes - $49.50

An exclusive brush kit of five key buff-and-line brushes: 168SE, 187SE, 209SE, 219SE and 252SE in a small, rectangular makeup bag of polished silvery-pewter vinyl, the zip adorned with a round bead and grosgrain ribbon detail. Limited edition.

Wave of a Wand Sweep and Define Brushes - $49.50

An exclusive kit of five key brushes: 129SE, 190SE, 212SE, 227SE and 275SE in a small, rectangular makeup bag of polished silvery-pewter vinyl, the zip adorned with a round bead and grosgrain ribbon detail. Limited edition.

Review: NARS Pleasures of Paris eyeshadow palette

NARS Pleasure of Paris Limited Edition eye shadow palette (say THAT 3 times fast!) is a winner. I am definitely a neutrals girl but I'd say this palette is neutral with a kick! Since I have no NARS counter, I ordered mine online from Saks.com. The palette is neither overly warm nor cool which makes it universally flattering for every skintone. In my opinion, this a wonderful neutral palette for us older women; none of shadows are too shimmery or glittery; three of the six have what I consider slight sheen, which I also consider to be perfect for us women "of a certain age". Cordura which looks downright glittery in the pan is not on the lids. The shades are right to left:

Top Row:
Nepal- seashell pink with sheen
Violetta- a pale matte lavender, the least pigmented of the bunch
Demon Lover- matte true purple--not too gray or blue

Bottom Row:
Fez- NARS describes this as velvety cocoa, I think it leans more to bronze but regardless, it’s a gorgeous shade with sheen
Abyssinia- soft creamy pale beige with sheen; this is a beautiful shade as both a highlighter or an overall wash
Cordura- deep sooty brown with gold flecks, beautiful as a liner or for a dramatic nighttime smoky eye

Bottom to top: Nepal, Violetta, Demon Lover, Fez

Left to right: Fez, Abyssinia, and Cordura.

So often with palettes there will be one, if not a few, shades that don't work or won't get as much use as the others. Not true in the well thought out Pleasures of Paris. All of the shadows are pretty enough to stand on their own, but can also work together to create several different looks. Many palettes claim to take your look from day to night, but this one really delivers.

This palette is a smart purchase for two reasons:

1. It’s a good value—a single NARS shadow retails for $22 and the conatiner is so large you would probably never use it up—there are six in the palette for $55.

2. This is a very versatile palette and will not end up at the bottom of your makeup drawer or traincase.

I haven’t had a chance to experiment with this palette too much yet. I’ve done the obvious color combinations—Abyssinia to highlight the brow bone and inner corner of the eye, Nepal on the lid and Fez in the crease with Cordura as liner. This makes a very pretty polished work appropriate eye. Next I tried Nepal as a highlighter, Violetta on the lid and Demon Lover in the outer “V” of the eye with Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner in Gunmetal—a bit more dramatic look. What I haven’t tried yet but want to, is Abyssinia to highlight, Fez on the lid and Cordura blended into the crease and outer V with a deep black liner for a smoky eye. I really think this would be stunning.

The quality and blendability of the shadows is excellent as I’ve come to expect from NARS products. Pleasures of Paris is Limited Edition and is available at narscosmetics.com, Saks and retails for $55. Let me know if you purchase this what color combinations you come up with!

Packaging: 4/5
Quality: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Versatility: 5/5
Overall grade: A

I purchased this itme myself

Frugal Friday - Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush

I've been yapping on and on about the virtures of cream blush so while picking up a birthday card at Walgreen's I decided to try Maybelline's Dream Mousse Blush to see if it could be a candidate for Frugal Friday. The blushes were BOGOH and I chose Rose Petal and Cloud Wine. The texture of this blush is very light and it looks air whipped in the pot like a real mousse would be. Upon application it dries to a bit of a powdery finish but not in a bad way. Since the texture is so light, it blends beautifully--just dip a finger in the pot and tap on apples of the cheeks then blend toward the hairline with your fingers or a sponge--I prefer the sponge to blur edges.

Cloud Wine is a plum rose shade perfect for fall;  it looks as if you just came in from raking the leaves on a crisp fall day. I wasn't as impressed with Rose Petal, I needed to keep layering to get the color to show up on my skin. Both shades have a bit of shimmer that imparts a healthy glow. My only complaint is that this blush is not long lasting, however it will provide a nice base for powder blushes.

Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush is available in six shades and retails for around $7.   Grade: C

I purchased these products myself

MAC Holiday 2009 - Part 1

MAC has a huge selection of holiday sets this year. Even though I'm not completely smitten with MAC,  I do like to string them along in case I need a last minute makeup look for that fantasic Holiday party. The Holiday sets make great gifts and/or stocking stuffers. I usually end up with one for my daughter but this year maybe I'll treat myself too.

There are two lip bags. Each includes a lipstick, lipliner & gloss in a silver bag adorned with a large pink bead and ribbon for $36

Put a Spell on You Pink - Dream lipstick, Dervish lipliner (one my favs) and Baby Sparks Dazzleglass (pictured)

House of Mirth Deep - Fantastia lipstick, Get Rich Quick dazzleglass & Cedar Rose lipliner

There are two eye bags to choose from. Like the lip bags, the eye bags (wow I have a hard time saying that--what an unfortunate name!) come in a silver bag with a blue bead and ribbon for $36

Naughty Noir Eye Bag which includes Shimmertime pigment,  Blacktrack fluidline, Zoomblack zoomlash and the 209SE eyeliner brush. (pictured)

Alakazam! Chocolate Eye Bag this kit features Melon pigment, Rich Ground fluidline, Zoomblack zoomlash (promo sized) and the 209SE eyeliner brush.

8 Lip, Eye and Face Kits:

Heavenly Dish Neutral Lip Kit - $22.50

Floating Lightly Pale neutral pink beige (Lustre Lipstick)

Heavenly Dish Sheer mid-tone neutral pink (Satin Lipstick)

Barely Visible Glossy pale nude with pearl (Lipglass )


Possessed By Pink! Lip Kit - $22.50

Tickled Dark plum (Lustre Lipstick)

Laugh A Lot Creamy mid-tone blue pink (Lustre Lipstick)

Sweet Smile Glossy mid-tone pink with pearl (Lipglass )


6 Sorceress Eye Shadows - $36 I think this is the prettiest one

Magnetized Light frosted lavender (Veluxe Pearl)

Altered State Deep frosted blue purple (Veluxe Pearl)

White Rabbit Frosted soft white (Frost)

Edge of Dark Charcoal with silver pearl (Lustre)

Hold My Gaze Mid-tone cool green grey (Satin)

Hypnotizing Frosted grayed mauve (Frost)


6 Devil May Dare Warm Eye Shadows - $36

Dare Ya! Light frosty peachy pink (Veluxe Pearl)

Devilishly Dark Rich brown with gold pearl (Veluxe)

Oh My Darling Pale frosty cream (Satin)

Prankster Mid-tone frosted olive (Veluxe Pearl)

Sorcery Blackened burgundy (Satin)

Gold Tease Frosty mid-tone gold (Frost)


6 Mystic Cool Eye Shadows - $36

Cool Incantation Opalescent white gold (Frost)

Shhh, Don’t Tell Pale neutral pink (Frost)

Blue Enchantment Dark frosted turquoise (Satin)

Rose Potion Mid-tone frosted rose (Veluxe)

Deep Secret Deep frosted indigo (Frost)

Violet Vow Deep cool brown (Satin)


6 Smoke and Mirrors Eye Shadows - $36  great smoky eye kit

Fire in Her Eyes Frost neutral beige (Frost)

Black Magique Black with gold pearl (Veluxe)

Deception Frosty golden brown (Frost)

Spell No. 9 Soft muted pink beige

Wide-eyed Wonder Mid frosty grey taupe (Frost)

Smoke & Mirrors Dark chocolate brown (Satin)

For the Blush Lovers, two Face Kits--

Hocus Focus Colourful Face Kit -$38

Pretty Baby Soft baby pink (Beauty Powder)

Peachykeen Mid-tone peach with pearl (Sheertone Shimmer)

Sunsparked Pearl Frost warm beige with pearl (Beauty Powder)


Fab-racadabra Bronze Face Kit - 38

Golden Muted gold tan with gold pearl (Bronzing Powder)

Sunbasque Gilded peach with pearl (Sheertone Shimmer)

Buffed & Polished Frosty bronzed gold (Pressed Iridescent)

Stay tuned for Part 2! Once again, I can't begin to do justice to swatching when KarlaSugar's blog is around so click here to see swatches.

MAC Magic, Mirth & Mischief

You probably already know my feelings about MAC--some great products but definitely not geared toward the mature woman and they have bastardized the term "Limited Edition". Still, I look forward every year to the Holiday collections.  Magic, Mirth & Mischief seems to run high on sparkle; the mineralized eye shadows are heavy on the glitter. I'm intrigued by the blushes--they are getting a lot of buzz already and the nail polishes look good too. Here's a quick peek:

LIPSTICK - $14

Pervette -Soft bright pink with violet opalescent shimmer (Glaze)

Utter Fun- Fuchsia cherry pink (Lustre)

Surprise Me- Mid-tone peach (Lustre)

Total Wow!- Blue pink berry (Glaze)

DAZZLEGLASS - $18

She-Zam -Sheer silver with silver and red pearl

Jingle Jangle -Sheer yellow peach

Phiff! -Yellow pink with red and sapphire pearl

CREMESHEEN GLASS - $18

Ever So Rich- Sheer lilac

Partial to Pink- Light creamy yellow pink w/light gold pearl

Boy Bait -Light neutral beige with pearl

SOFTSPARKLE EYE PENCIL - $14.50

Iris Accents- Pale violet with silver pearl

Nightsky -True black with silver pearl

MINERALIZE EYE SHADOW DUO - $19.50

Devil-May-Care Rich light violet/Silver (Frost)

Under Your Spell -Light yellow peach pink/Rich copper (Frost)

Mayhem -Dirty brown gold/Silver (Frost)

Midnight Madness- Dirty grey brown/Gold (Frost)

It’s A Miracle -Deep blue burgundy/Gold (Frost)

Blue Sorcery -Bright Turquoise/Silver (Frost)

MINERALIZE BLUSH - $21

Superdupernatural- Mid-tone coral (Frost)

Conjure Up- Dirty, mid-tone plum (Frost)

NAIL LACQUER - $12

$$$$$ Yes- Metallic silver foil (Frost)

Lucky Number- Metallic blue pink (Frost)

See swatches by my friend and fellow blogger KarlaSugar here

Vanessas Paradis Named Face of Chanel

Vanessa Paradis, Wife, er partner of  Hottie Johnny Depp, Mother, Model and French beauty has been named the face of a new line of Chanel lipstick. This is so fitting considering Paradis appeared in Coco ads back in 1992,I loved that commerical with Vanessa as a bird in a birdcage--so artsy. She later worked with Karl Lagerfeld in handbag campaigns and now in 2010 will be the face of Rouge Coco de Chanel lipstick. Chanel Rouge Allure lipsticks are my all time favorite formula--so mositurizing, good pigmentation, unique shades and elegant packaging. I'm excited to see what the new line will look like. Stay tuned to find out!

FTC Regulations & My Makeover

I would like to announce that Prime Beauty will get a makeover soon! I have realized that my feeble attempts to make this blog look professional have failed miserably. So I have enlisted some help from a professional, purchased my own domain name and have some other surprises in store for you that will hopefully make the site more pleasant to the eye and easier to navigate.

Since things will be changing around here, it seems an opportune time to also mention the new Federal Trade Commission’s regulations for bloggers.  http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/endortest.shtm

The FTC has announced revised regulations concerning free products and paid reviews for testimonial advertisements, bloggers and celebrity endorsements. They have been working on this since June and it was just finalized. Violations may be charged up to $11,000, now that’s some serious cake folks!

Being a new blogger this doesn’t affect me much at the present time. I am not affiliated with any beauty company or PR firm. I currently do not have advertisers or sponsors, although this may change soon; I do need to cover my costs somehow. I do not accept pay for reviews. I strive to give you my honest opinion good or bad on the products I recommend or review. That is the only ethical way in my opinion and the only way I am of use to you, my readers.
As I previously stated, this doesn’t affect me very much presently, however I plan on being kind of a big deal someday so I am going to follow the lead of my more experienced bloggers friends and comply with the regulations by tagging all my posts in the following categories:

Purchase: Something I purchased myself because I wanted to try it. I used my own money.

Sample: Just as you do, I receive free samples from online purchases at Sephora, Drugstore.com. Skinstore.com, etc. I also request beg samples at my local cosmetics counters.

Press Sample: I currently do not receive press samples, but this may change.

Product tested at counter: self explanatory

Gift: Exactly that, a gift from one of my friends or family.

From what I understand the FTC ruling is retroactive, so I will be updating all my posts. This shouldn’t be a big deal since I’m so new, however those signed up for my feed may be getting a few posts clogging up your in box. Please just delete them and know I am not trying to drive you crazy intentionally—blame it on the government!

This is probably a good time to post a general disclaimer too so here’s goes…

This blog is my hobby and my passion. I do not receive compensation for reviews or recommendations on products. All products reviewed by Prime Beauty have been purchased with my own money. If/when I do accept press samples from companies, there will not be an expectation or guarantee from the company of a good review. I will always give you my honest opinion; I feel that is a service I provide to you as a reader of Prime Beauty. But please note, my opinion is based on solely on my experience. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa--your results may vary. You should consult a professional if you have questions or concerns about a skincare product. I will not be held liable if you have a bad reaction to any product discussed on this blog. Some images found on the internet are considered to be public domain and are used on this site. If you are the owner of an image you see on Prime Beauty and want it removed, please email me and I will do so.

New Bobbi Brown Fall Palettes

Earth Metal Lip & Eye Palette
Limited Edition. Natural, shimmering elements come together in this beautiful new palette. Inside the chrome-accented, sleek compact you'll find a flip-top mirror with exclusive Eye Shadows and Creamy Lip Colors, and mini Eye Shadow and Lip Brushes $60  Although these are very beautiful eye shadow shades, I think the palette is deceptively small so I a bit on the fence about this one.

                                        Limited Edition Glitter Lip Balm Palette  
Pretty and pampering. This sleek, chrome-accented palette is filled with four beautiful shades of glitter balm.  Unique balm formula is infused with a mix of pearls and glitter so it moisturizes, comforts, and gives lips a glowy sheen. Includes a Lip Brush  $40 Again, this palette is on the small side, in my opinion.



Limited Edition Goldstone Long-Wear Eye Palette

Made to last from dusk til dawn. Bobbi's new palette has everything you need to create a complete and long-lasting glamorous eye look: two shades of Long-Wear Cream Shadow, one shade of Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, and a dual-ended Mini Cream Shadow/ Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush. Perfect for travel, measures 3.23"L x 1.58"W closed $40. I'm waiting for this in mail, I purchased it when it was marked $22 on Macys.com they caught on though and it is no longer available for that price. I will review it when I receive it.

Bobbi's Greatest Hits Velvet Plum Eye Palette

Back by popular demand. The perfect day-to-night eye palette includes an allover base shade, a lower lid shade, a crease shade, liner and a dual-ended Mini Eye Shadow/Eye Liner Brush $40 I bought this palette last year when it was a limited edition and ended up returning it because I just didn't think it worked for me, I may have to look at it again.

Added Bonus: With any $65 purchase receive a free full size Metallic Eye Shadow in shade Penny ($20 value). Enter code PENNY at checkout. Expires December 15.

10 Cold Weather Beauty Tips

Frigid temperatures, indoor heating, and low humidity can strip skin and hair of their moisture. As the temperatures drop, some of us may need to modify our makeup and skincare routines. I know my face has been feeling like the Sahara desert already and my hands are like sandpaper. Here are a few tips to help you adjust to the cold weather:

1.   Consider a tinted lip balm instead of lipstick. Lipstick can be drying, by using a tinted balm your lips will stay moisturized and still pretty with a bit of color.

2.   Switch to a lighter shade of foundation. With less sun your skin will naturally lose some color and your foundation should too. There’s nothing worse than foundation that doesn’t match your skin--it should always look natural with no line of demarcation.

3.   Use bronzer but sparingly. Apply on the forehead, across the bridge of the nose, cheeks and chin where the sun would naturally kiss your face. It will warm up your face and give it a nice glow. Hint: bronzer is also available in cream and gel formulas but powder is pretty much fool proof as long as you use a light hand and a big fluffy brush.

4.   Change your powder blush to cream. Powder can look cakey, cream blushes look fresher and therefore makes you look younger in my opinion. Dab on bit on apples of the cheeks and blend upward into temples with fingers or a cosmetic sponge. Choose a shade that matches your cheeks after a walk in brisk weather.

5.   Don’t over-powder. For those with drier skin, I suggest skipping the powder altogether. Powder can settle into fine lines and highlight wrinkles making you look older. I never powder under my eyes.

6.   Exfoliate, exfoliate exfoliate. Slough off dull, dry, dead skin cells and reveal younger fresher looking skin by using a facial scrub or at home microdermabrasion at least once a week.

7.   Switch to a heavier moisturizer. Cold temperatures can suck the moisture right out of your skin. "Now is the time to switch to a richer moisturizer that's powerful enough to not only replenish moisture loss but also to seal in the moisture that's already there," says Doris J. Day, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. Look for a moisturizer that has hyaluronic acid to help bind moisture to the skin.

8.   Get a good body moisturizer. A good drug store brand is Eucerin. Eucerin Plus Smoothing Essentials in their Intensive line has alpha hydroxy to exfoliate dry scaly skin coupled with extra enriched moisturizers and is clinically proven to moisturize for 24 hours. Philosophy’s Firming Body Emulsion is an award winning thick and rich body cream available in several scents. Amazing Grace is my favorite. Hint:  Moisturizers work by trapping water in your skin's outer layers, so use body creams after showering while your skin is still damp.

9.   Tame flyaways by using a smoothing serum. Use only a pea sized amount on damp hair and then blow dry. Jonathan Create Smooth and Fedrick Fekkai Glossing Crème will tame the frizz and add shine too.

10. If you are going out in the wind and extreme cold, you might want to wear waterproof mascara. My eyes always water in the cold and wind--bleh.

Keep cozy ladies!!!

Halloween Makeup kits from Sephora

Halloween is probably my favorite holiday. I gotta say, I miss making costumes (even though my daughter refused to be Raggedy Ann) and taking the kids trick or treating. And I still love giving out candy and seeing all the kids in their costumes; I have to ask ask each one what they are and pretend to be scared when I encounter a lion or some scary creature. This year I will be going to a little get together with The Boyfriend's family. Are you attending any Halloween parties? Or maybe dressing up to take the little ones trick or treating? These cute makeup kits from Sephora are just what you need to create a boo-tiful look and you can re-use it all later too! Just add a few accessories and your good to go or fly whatever the case my be! And with 20% off how can you resist? Don't forget the FF2009 code at checkout.

Halloween Kit - Vampire, Rock Star, Witch ($65 Value) $19

This set contains:

- False Eyelashes

- Mono Eyeshadow in Gray

- Glitter Lash in Silver

- Glitter Liner in Silver

- Slim Eyeliner in Black

- Mini Nail Polish in Black
 

Halloween Kit - Doll, Fairy, Angel ($65 Value) $19 3 looks in one kit.

This set contains:

- False Eyelashes

- Round a Pot in Bronze Beauty

- Glitter Spray in Gold

- Glitter Eyeliner in Teal

- Jumbo Eye Pencil in Purple

- Slim Eyeliner in Black

Halloween Kit - Greek Goddess, Peacock, Cleopatra ($65 Value) $19

This set contains:

- False Eyelashes

- Round a Pot in Beach Ball

- Glitter Spray in Silver

- Slim Eyeliner in Black

- Slim Eyeliner in White

- Luminous Glow

"Rock" On!!!

The most beautiful stones

have been tossed by the wind

and washed by the waters

and polished to brilliance

by life’s strongest storms


When I hear this poem, I don't think of stones, but of mature women who have lived through some of life's strongest storms and are now polished and brilliant.  All of these actresses are over 40 and looking brilliant!

Who are your favorite over 40 actresses? let me know in the comments!

NEWS FLASH! Sephora's Friends & Family Sale is HERE!!

Sephora's once a year Friends and Family sale starts today! Get 20% off at Sephora.com from October 19 through November 2. I look forward to this sale every year. Ideas for taking advantage of the sale are:

• buy Christmas gifts (or any gift for that matter)
• stock up on items you use everyday, especially pricy sknicare products
• try a new fragrance--when can you ever get a discount on designer fragrances? 
• have something expensive you've dying to try but it's just too expensive?Now it's on sale! 

As always you can choose 3 free samples with every order and there is free shipping on orders over $50. You must use the code FF2009 at checkout. Get thee to Sephora.com now. Beauty addicts wait all year for this sale and things sell out fast. Happy shopping! Let me know what's on your list in the comments.

A Little Story About Soap & Glory

While shopping for my weekly Target haul, I noticed the Soap & Glory line in the cosmetic aisle. The kitschy packaging caught my eye first, especially the darling makeup bags with black and white photos of 50’s & 60’s women. The clever names of the products caught my eye next; “The Righteous Butter” for when “you’ve lost that rubbing feeling”, “The Wizard of Flaws” concealor, “Hair Supply” hair mask—you get the picture. It seemed strangely familiar to me and later I remembered I had read that Marcia Kilgore, the founder of Bliss had created this line too--no wonder I like it so much! Since my BFITWWW (best friend in the whole wide world) had a birthday coming up I decided to investigate further. After picking up virtually every item in the product line, testing, sniffing and laughing out loud for about an hour, I chose the All Stars set which includes:

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   A tube of Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Plumper (in clear) (7ml)
  
  
  
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   A Tub of The Righteous Butter (50ml)
  
  
  
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   Travel-sized bottle of Clean On Me Creamy Skin Clarifying Shower Gel (75ml)
  
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•  A mini tube of Great Shakes Super Softening Hand Cream (50ml)
  

All this and the cute bag for only $25.99! Okay I may be a cheap friend but I would never give a good friend something I had not tried and tested on myself (ya know, kinda like the King’s taste tester in Medieval times) so I was forced to buy a few things for myself. I know, I know it was a sacrifice scrubbing myself in the shower with the Scrub of Your Life body scrub with it’s micro beads smoothing away my chicken arms, drenching myself in the Clean On Me body wash which has built in lotion so it doesn’t leave your skin feeling dry or tight, but quite the opposite—moisturized. And the worst part was after the shower--slathering myself with the thick rich The Righteous Butter body butter leaving my skin velvety soft but not greasy. Yes it was a chore spending that relaxing 40 minutes in the shower, but I smelled delish with the Soap and Glory signature scent of “leafy greens, bergamot and mandarin with a floral and fruity middle note that makes your nose tingle a little, followed by soft musk, oak moss, amber and woody notes”. This is a true girly girl scent; sweet and feminine but not cloying-- I personally adore it, to my nose it smells very similiar to Dior Miss Cherie.  All that suffering was worth it though when my friend was thrilled with her gift and told me I always get the best, most unique gifts. I have to agree.

Soap and Glory is sold at Target, target.com, in Canada at Shopper’s Drug Mart, and will soon be available at soapandglorycosmetics.com

Check out some the cute sets for your BFITWWW --and don’t forget to buy a few things for yourself uh, I mean to test of course.

all products were purchsed by me

Philosophy's Sweet Not Spooky Treats

I am interrupting the preview of Holiday collections to give you a peek at these cute and clever Halloween treats from Philosophy. I love to give Philosophy sets as gifts, they always present well and are frequently gushed over. Here is the Halloween line up:

The Haunted House high foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath trio:

Philosophy's haunted house is packed full of delicious treats! The haunted house includes 6 oz. bottles of black licorice, caramel apple and pumpkin spice muffin high foaming shampoo, shower gel and bubble baths. Celebrate bath time with these delicious seasonal scents. These high foaming formulas gently cleanse skin to leave it feeling soft, and they smell positively scrumptious. $30

I Love Candy Corn high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath
Calling all candy corn lovers! This oh-so-sweet candy corn scented shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath is sure to be a fall favorite for the whole family. The high-foaming formula provides an ultra-rich, moisturizing lather from head to toe to gently cleanse and condition skin and hair. $16






















Trick or Treat high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath duo

No tricks, just treats. Philosophy's trick-or-treat set includes pumpkin spice muffin and caramel apple scented shampoo, shower gel & bubble baths for a surprisingly spirited treat for your senses! Enjoy an ultra-rich lather with these high-foaming formulas created to gently cleanse and condition skin and hair. $20

Black Licorice high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath
For all you black licorice fans, here is a bath and shower treat you don't want to pass up! Philosophy infused the unmistakable scent of black licorice in a high foaming shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath. Lather it up from your hair down to your toes or immerse yourself into a bath full of black licorice scented suds. Not only is this shower gel ideal for black licorice lovers, scientific research has shown that the scent of black licorice can increase arousal in men and women. Even those who aren't crazy about black licorice might want to give this shower gel a try. $20
 
 

Caramel Apple high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath

Dip into the delectable scent of caramel apple with philosophy's high foaming shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath. The unique formula provides a rich, foaming lather and a delicious bubble bath experience. Our caramel apple scent is the perfect fusion of a juicy apple and rich, creamy caramel. you won't be able to resist bath time! $16
Caramel Apple Flavored Lip Shine - A flavorful fall fusion. philosophy blends a juicy apple and rich, creamy caramel in this high-gloss lip shine. Caramel apple lip shine goes on smooth to help soften and sweeten lips, while enhancing natural tint and providing a glossy finish. $12