Bobbi Brown 20% Sale Starts Today!

Don't forget the Bobbi Brown Friends and Family 20% off sale starts today and runs thru December 2.  My picks? The Earth Metal palette, the Chrome Palette, and the single chrome eyeshadows, especially pewter! All are Limited Edition so don't wait! As an added bonus, your purchase will help Bobbi to support the Dress for Success Program.

MYTHBUSTER MONDAY

MYTH: Cold cucumbers are the best way to beat under-eye puff.

FALSE: Busted!  Uggg, those dreaded puffy eyes are a sure sign of age. Puffy eyes can also be caused by too much salty food or alcohol-laced fun the night before. The ingredient in cucumbers, known as cucumis sativus, can help, but it's not your best bet


Actually it's really the coldness that constricts the blood vessels and pulls excess fluid out of the tissues to reduce puffiness.

Caffeine is also a vasoconstrictor, which is why so many eye creams contain it. A puffy-eye twofer-- cold plus caffeine. Try chilled tea bags or better yet, keep a caffeinated eye cream or gel in the fridge for a quick morning fix.

Beauty Gift Guide: For the Twilight Fan

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that the Twilight Saga is all the rage right now. Friday's release of the newest installment, New Moon grossed 75.7 million dollars on it's opening day. Nordstrom even has "Team Edward" and "Team Jacob" t-shirts and jewelry. Nordstrom also exclusively launched the Luna Twilight Cosmetics Collection in their stores and online. If you have a teen in your family or will be buying for a teen or any Twilight fan, you've got to check this collection out!

With the focus on dark dramatic eyes, pale glowing skin and blood red lips, the Luna Twilight collection is sure to please any Twilight fan. Don't forget to include a set of fangs too :)

The collection includes:

Luna Twilight Color Palette ($28)

Four kits with coordinating eye, cheek and lip shades named after the four iconic female characters from the Twilight Saga--Bella, Alice, Rosalie and Victoria.

 Luna Twilight Mortal Glow Blushing Cream in Adreneline and Swoon ($22) A mixture of cream and mousse that glides on for a satiny-smooth finish

 

Luna Twilight DuWop Lip Venom® ($16)

Venom tinged conditioning oil on top and a rich red lip stain on the bottom--shake it up!

Luna Twilight 'Femme Fatale' Lip Gloss ($20)

A long-wearing, hydrating lip gloss that gives the highest shine without being sticky or heavy. In 8 shades.

Luna Twilight 'Moonshadow' Eyeshadow ($20)

A unique and revolutionary pairing of highly pigmented glitter dust, and a rich, yet light, cream shadow. In four shades.

Luna Twilight 'Gleam' Metallic Mascara ($22) in Lapis, Panther and Mist

Luna Twilight 'Just Bitten' Staining Balm ($18) in four shades from candy pink to blood red.

Luna Twilight 'First Light' Face Glow ($24)

Luna Twilight Body Glow ($34)

Discounts, Coupons and Sales, Oh My! & Sneak Peek at Black Friday deals!

Sorry these aren't in alphabetical order, try to enjoy anyway!

Lancome Friends and Family sale--20% plus free shipping--online only. Enter code HOLIDAYJOY2 at checkout online. I love the Oscillation Powerbooster for lashes and the new Hypnose Drama mascara.

Bliss has two discounts running--hand- picked gift sets 30% off enter code SETS30 ends 12/1/09  AND Make your own gift of two items or more and get 30% off and a gift box. enter code GIFT30, ends 12/2/09   

Check out The Youth as We Know It line, great anti-aging stuff.

Shu Uemura is offering 20% off November 27 – December 1 with code WISH09  the holiday collection is so cute and excellent quality too click here to see it

Neiman Marcus is having a beauty event online and in stores through November 29 when you spend $85 on beauty products you will receive your choice of a red or gold sequined metallic clutch (you choose the color at checkout) with these several samples. Shipping is free when you enter code NMNOV through November 30.

Bobbi Brown Friends and Family 20% off online  Nov. 30 thru Dec. 2  no code needed. My suggestion? The Chrome Palette!!

My friend Karla at The Next Best Thing to Going Shopping Yourself, has partnered with Beaute Cosmetics to offer 20% off with code KARLASUGAR  ends Nov. 30

Giorgio Armani Beauty coupon: 20% off all cosmetics and skincare plus free shipping. Enter code FAMILY at checkout. Expires November 30. Love the lip products and the foundation gets rave reviews!

Crabtree and Evelyn offer: 20% off any purchase. Prices on site reflect the discount, so no code is needed. Ends December 1 at 10 AM EST. Everything smells divine!

SkinCareRx coupon: 25% off any purchase. Enter code HOLIDAY09 at checkout. Expires December 1. Some brand exclusions apply. Your go -to place for the best selection of skincare.

Kate Somerville 30% off your purchase online from November 27-30
Use promo code KATE2009 at checkout. Celebrities love her skincare!

Bath and Body Works Black Friday--online and in stores on Black Friday, Nov. 27th, a VIP bag with 10 products is $15 with a $40 purchase. Tons to love at BBW!

Kiehls  Black Friday  20% off, free ship with $30+ Nov. 27th-Dec. 1, 2009 code FAMILY   Great hair stuff, lip balm, tinted moisturizer are all among my favs from this line.

Laura Geller  10% off and free shipping with a $65 order thru Nov. 30
One word--blush  use code FAVE

Korres 30% off and free shipping with a $35 order. Good until 12/31/09  use code TEMPTALIA  I'm dying to try the lip gloss--it's made with cherry oil.

CherryCulture   20% off everything and free shipping with a $40 order. use code TKS20  good Nov. 24-30

Zoya Green Friday--Spend $20 or more at zoya.com and receive six of Zoya's favorite green nail polishes FREE!

That's right, Zoya Tangy - Zoya Envy - Zoya Midori - Zoya Irene- Zoya Suvi - Zoya Veruschka all 6 for FREE on Zoya Green Friday Only with any purchase of $20 or more at http://www.zoya.com/.

Code will activate on Thanksgiving (11/26/09) at 5 PM (EST). So you will have plenty of time to gobble your turkey and then gobble up our great greens too (who needs football anyway). Code will expire on Friday (11/27/09) at 5 PM (EST).  CODE: GREENFRIDAY

Clinique Black Tie Violets Holiday 2009

Clinique's Limited Edition Black Tie Violets collection is so soft and pretty. It looks very sugar plum fairy to me. Clinique consistently has high quality, on-trend products at reasonable prices. I like everything from this collection!

This collection includes:

Shimmering Stripes Powder Blusher ($29.50) in Tuxedo Plums. Long-wearing multitoned powder blends together to create a sheer, subtle radiance. Sweep over face for an allover, luminous glow or brush on cheekbones to highlight.


Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad ($25) in Black Tie Violets. A gorgeous limited edition grouping of four shimmery eye shadows contained in a sleek, mirrored compact.

Brush-On Cream Liner ($14.50) in Violet Luxe. Creamy eyeliner brushes on deep, smoky, eye-defining colour. Long-wearing, waterproof formula comes complete with a mini Eye Liner Brush. Ophthalmologist tested.


Different Lipstick ($14) in A Different Grape. Different because of its smooth, comfortable feel. One of the best, from our wide range of shades. Sheer, glossy, smile-rewarding lipstick.


Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine ($17.50) in Bloomberry (limited edition), Double Plum (limited edition) and Luscious Lilac. Triple-action plumping lip gloss instantly and gently creates a fuller, lusher look. The plush effect lingers up to 6 hours. With continued use, peptides prompt skin's natural collagen production to foster a smoother, more defined look. Builds moisture cushion and comforts lips, too.


High Impact Lip Colour SPF 15 ($14) in Extreme Pink. High on colour, long on comfort. Dressed-up colour wears beautifully for 8 hours. And lips enjoy every minute. In highly moisturizing shades that continually smooth, soften, comfort. Protects from UVA/UVB, too.


Clinique Holiday 2009 Black Tie Violets is currently available at Clinique.com.

Click here to see a tutorial on Black Tie Violets from Karen @ Makeupand beautyblog.

Lancôme Holiday 2009 Color Collection L'Absolu Rouge Soirée.

I've always been a huge Lancome fan, it was the only brand I used for a long, long time. This collection appeals to me because of it's versatility. The eye and cheek palettes are available in three colorways along with several shades in lip colors. I think, however the standout product is the cherub powder, but then I'm a sucker for cherubs :)

The collection includes:

Sparkling Cherub Illuminating Powder - $40.00
■Sparkling Cherub

Color Design Cream Eye Shadow - $22.00 these look beautiful!
■Pink Lace
■Garter Belt
■Haute Smoke

Ink Artliner- $23.50
 ■Plum Tease
■Brun Mystere

Holiday Eye and Cheek Palette - $39.50
■Evening Splendor
■Nude Seduction--beautiful neutrals
■Plum Irresistible--gorgeous!

La Laque Fever Lipshine - $26.00
■Captivating
■Untamed Plum
■Seductively
■Evening Splendor
■Feverish

L'Absolu Rouge - $29.00
■Luxe
■Crushed Rose
■Coquette
■Rouge Seduction

Le Lipstique - $23.00
■Rougelle

Ôscillation Mascara -$34.00--these look fun!
■Sparkle Silver Top Coat
■Sparkle Gold Top Coat
■Black

La Vernis - $18.00
■Untamed Plum
■In All Her Splendor

L'Absolu Rouge Soirée Holiday Collection is available now at Lancôme counters as well as online.

REVIEW: Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder

A common problem we older women face is redness of the skin. I know I have a bit of redness around my nose and chin. My redness is caused from past sun damage. When I was a teen, my friends and I slathered on baby oil and literally fried in the sun. We thought we had to get a sunburn in order to tan and I had some killer sunburns—ouch! Of course the truly stupid thing about it was that I never did get what would be considered a 'good tan'. Stupid, stupid girl!!

Anywho, a common side effect of sun damaged skin are the tiny, burst capillaries that crop up on and around the nose. These ‘spider veins’ are harmless, but visible enough to bother many women who have them, including vain 'ol me.  Laser treatments are available in a dermatologist's office and usually take 2 or 3 treatments to correct. I don’t know for sure, but I imagine they are pricy.

It bears mention that if your nose turns red frequently or the redness persists, you may have rosacea—a common skin disorder which usually becomes noticeable around age 30-40 and affects approximately five percent of the population. In this condition, the blood vessels leak, causing a low-grade inflammation that makes the nose, chin, cheeks and forehead look like you spent too much time in the sun.

The good news is I’ve a found an easy and affordable solution! Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder. I recieved a sample of this with a Sephora order and I liked it enough to try the full size. The finely milled yellow powder is loose, comes in a sifter jar and includes a retractable fluffy brush. When trying the sample I put my makeup on as usual and then brushed on the powder over my foundation which gave me very sheer coverage. After purchasing the full size, I asked the Clinique sales associate the best way to apply it. She said to press the powder into the red areas of yur face with your fingers and then use the brush to brush off the excess and to apply under foundation. This application technique worked much better and made the powder a great deal more effective.

I really like this powder; this is a product that truly delivers on its promise! It totally eliminates the redness around my nose and chin and lasts all day. The consistency is very, very fine, kinda like powdered sugar but yellow. I can see how this would be a lifesaver for those with rosacea and acne. My only complaint is that the jar is so large—there is so much product it will probably take me a couple of years to use it up, but that’s just being picky. Clinique’s Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder retails for $32.50, is oil-free, talc-free, non-irritating and non-acnegenic. Available at Clinique counters nationwide and Clinique.com

Overall: Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder gets high marks for doing what it claims—“visible redness and broken capillaries virtually disappear—instantly and for hours under the care and cover of this unique mineral treatment”.  I say---an affordable and effective treatment for redness.

Grade: A-Recommended

Best For: Anyone who has slight to moderate redness from rosacea or reactive redness.

Check out more of Clinique's Redness Solutions online at Clinique.com

Get The Look: Estee Lauder Holiday

You can achieve this classic holiday look--warm shimmering cheeks, gold eyes and red lips with Estee Lauder's Ultimate Red collection. Perfect for holiday parties or a night on the town.  Here's how:

Face: Start with a long lasting creamy foundation such as Double Wear Stay- in- Place Makeup. Next brush on the new Opulent Shimmer Powder starting in the center of face, sweeping outward and onto forehead and chin to create a soft luminous glow. Apply to tops of cheekbones for even more glow.

Eyes: Using the EL Signature Signature Quad in Gold Opulence, apply upper right shade from inner corner to middle of lid. With black gel liner, line upper and lower lashes and smudge with brush. Using the eyeshadow quad again, put the lower right shade over liner. Apply lower left shade from middle of lid to outer corner, from lash to crease. Buff to soften. Highlight inner corner and browbone with upper left shade. Add TurboLash mascara in Gold Effects to upper lashes only.

Lips: Apply Estee Lauder Signature Lipstick in Simply Red and top with Opulent Shimmer gloss in either Cranberry or Gold.

Click here to see the collection.

MYTHBUSTER MONDAY

MYTH: A natural scrub is more effective than a synthetic scrub.

BUSTED! False--We tend to think all things natural are better. Not so in this case. Natural scrubs are usually made from ground plant seeds or fruit pits, such as almonds or peach pits. Ground seed and pits have jagged and uneven edges that can cause microscpoic tears in the skins surface and cause irritation. I've used a few body scrubs that actually hurt! Synthetic scrubs that contain uniform, spherical beads exfoliate without scratching. Many of these beads dissolve or burst so as not to cause irritation.

Urban Decay on Sale TODAY at Hautelook!

Urban Decay will be on sale at Hautelook Today! Don't miss it!  Need an invite? Click here.

Benefit Holiday Glam 2009

I have to apoligize dear readers for being woefully behind in my presentation of holiday collections. The "sickness" has hit home and hit me particuliary hard. So I will do my best in catching up.

Benefit was one of the first brands to use some very creative packaging and the Holiday sets are no exception.

Limited Edition Celebutante Set ($34)
The Personal Stylist Makeup Kit by Benefit Cosmetics is a limited edition Makeup Kit to give you the celeb look. This portable kit is packed with everything you need to look like a Hollywood celebutante...eyes, lips, cheeks, you name it! It's a must-have for A-list glamour!

Set includes:
High beam luminescent complexion enhancer
Benetint, rose-tinted lip and cheek stain
Dallas, the outdoor glow for the indoor gal face powder
Lip gloss in I'm with the band
Full-finish lipstick in lady's choice
Full-finish lipstick in no competition
Velvet eyeshadow in leggy
Velvet eyeshadow in dandy brandy
Fluff shadow/talent brush
Step-by-step lesson

 Glitz Glam and Gloss ($26)
Wham! Bam! You're totally glam! We've wrapped up 6 shimmering new lip glosses in 1 fabulous kit. So much gorgeous gloss at such a value...you'll be ready to kiss and tell! Shimmering glosses glide on smooth with a specially designed soft cushion paddle.

Set Includes 3 double-ended wands in 6 glam new shades:

Friends in high places (sparkling raspberry)
Kiss you (clear fuchsia)
Almost famous (copper penny)
Zone out (golden nude)
I'm with the band (golden pink shimmer)
Fresh-squeezed (pink grapefruit)

Sexy Starlet -The Best of Benefit ($58)
Look like the sexiest starlet with this set of Benefit's Hollywood faves...CORALista, some kind-a gorgeous and the award-winning BADgal lash, all stashed in a stylish clutch.

Set Includes:
CORALista, warm coral-pink cheek powder
Some kind-a gorgeous, oil-free foundation faker
BADgal lash mascara
Stylish clutch

Glam Idol Best of Benefit set ($60)
Who doesn't want more glam in her life? Give the gift of "instant celebrity status" with this set of Benefit faves. "That gal", california kissin' & posietint come stashed in a stylish clutch, all wrapped and ready to give...red carpet optional!

Set Includes:
"That gal," brightening face primer
California kissin', smile-brightening lip shine
Posietint, poppy-pink tinted lip and cheek stain
A stylish clutch

NARS 15th Anniversary

NARS is honoring their 15 year anniversary with two special limited edition palettes to celebrate. Everlasting Love for a bold eye/nude lip look and Wild at Heart for a subdued eye/bold lip look. Both palettes are packaged in the usual black rubber but with red NARS 15 lettering. Santa, I'll take one of each!!

NARS Everlasting Love Palette LE ($75)
Includes:
Eyes: Edie, Underworld I, Underworld II and Night Breed
Cheeks: The Iconic Orgasm blush and South Beach Multiple
Lips: Belle de Jour, Chelsea Girls, Promiscuous, and Dolce Vita (NARS best selling lipstick)

NARS Wild at Heart Palette LE ($75)
Includes:
Eyes: Abyssinia, Alhambra, Ashes to Ashes, Pandora
Cheeks: Orgasm and South Beach Multiple
Lips: Baby Doll, Red Lizard, Manhunt, Fire Down Below

These are both great all round palettes and are a real value for 4 eye shadows, a blush, highlighter and 4 lip colors.

Ashley Greene at the New Moon LA Premiere

I don't normally post on celebrity makeup looks, but this one is an exception for two reasons.

1.  I think Ashley looks so beautiful and classy but still modern and fresh. Love those 60's eyes!
2. Makeup artist Vanessa Scali actually shares what she used! I love that-- we can mimic the look.

Face:
Lancome Effacernes concealer in Light Bisque under the eyes
Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick (shade unknown)
Lancome Blush Subtil in Shimmer Pink Pool on the apples of the cheeks ( a best seller and favorite of mine)

Eyes:
YSL Fard Lumiere Aquaresistant Cream Shadow in Pink Sands over the entire lid
Lancome Artliner in Black to define and elongate the lash line
Shu Uemura Painting Liner in White on the inner rims
Lancome Oscillation Mascara in Black
She's got to be wearing false eyelashes too don't you think?

Brows:
Lancome Le Crayon Poudre in Brunet

Lips:
Lancome Chris and Tell (this is the limited edition Pout-a-Porter shade created for designer Chris Benz's spring show). This lipstick goes on sale in February, and if you want to be on the waitlist, you'll have to call Saks in NYC at 212-940-2033.  I wannit!

Lancome is giving away all the products used in Ashley's look if you comment on their blog by Sunday night! Go....now!

Frugal Friday - Great Gloss! The Best Lip Gloss Value Sets

Today I'm highlighting my top picks for lip gloss sets under $25. A Frugal Friday double whammy--while every woman loves lip gloss, these sets also make fantastic holiday gifts for a teacher, secret santa, co-workers or your favorite person. And they make great stocking stuffers-- if you can keep your paws off and not stash them away for yourself!

Clinique Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine Set ($25)
A limited edition set of five mini dual-ended glosses destined to plump lips for a fuller pout. (available online only @ sephora.com)

This set contains:

- Glamourful / Mimosa Blossom
- Peach Plump / Ripest Apricot
- Cherry Bomb / Play-full Plump
- Pink Aplenty / Soo Pink
- Luscious Lilac / Double Plum

Stila Lip Glaze Collection $80 value -($25)
Stila features a new limited edition lip glaze collection every year at holiday time. This year's set includes four best selling shades along with four new shades.

This set contains four bestsellers:

- Starfruit (neutral pink with subtle white pearl)
- Kitten (caramel with golden pearl)
- Cranberry (deep red)
- Blackberry (deep warm red brown)

New Shades:
- Marmalade (sheer peach with pink and white pearl )
- Pinkle Twinkle (sheer pink with pink and multicolor sparkle)
- Plum Fairy (sheer plum with pink pearl)
- Candy (sheer pinky coral with subtle rainbow sparkle)



LORAC Couture Shine Gloss Collection $65 value - ($22.50)
A set of five high-gloss formulas that feature light-reflecting Mother of Pearl and Hyaluronic Acid for optimum hydration. Limited edition

The set contains:


- Haute (bright pale pink)
- Couture (deep dusty rose)
- Sheer Luxe (burgundy wine)
- Glam (neutral rose shimmer)
- Lavish- limited edition (shimmering watermelon pink)  

 
Sephora Mini Super Shimmer Gift Set $40 value - ($20)
A set of 8 ultra shiny, super shimmering, moisturizing tube glosses in all the best selling colors!

The set contains:
-- Precious Pink
-- Feverish Fuchsia
-- Candy Apple
-- Apricot Soufflé
-- In the Buff
-- Desert Gold
-- Rosy Glow
--Bronze Beauty

Philosophy A Kiss and a Wish ($15)
A mini holiday lip shine set in sweet flavors. Limited edition

The set contains:

--Red Licorice
-- Raspberry Sorbet
-- Candy Cane
-- Pink Bubbly

Korres Cherry Lip Kisses $40 value-($19.50)
A limited edition trio of high-shine, long-lasting lip glosses in best-selling shades. Korres uses cherry oil to moisturize, prolong wear and keep these glosses from being sticky. Only available at sephora.com

This set contains:

Cherry Oil Lipgloss in Nude (sheer pinky beige)
Cherry Oil Lipgloss in Natural Purple (sheer plum brown)
Cherry Oil in Lipgloss Fushcia (shimmering muted fucshia)

 Rosebud Perfume Co. Three Lavish Layers of Lip Balm ($20 Value)- $16
For that person on your gift list who likes balms, Rosebud has their three best selling salves in darling vintage tins. Formulated to provide moisture, sheen and emollient protection while smelling delicious!
 
This set contains:
 
--Strawberry Lip Balm
--Rosebud Salve
--Minted Rose Lip Balm

Pumpkin Is Not Just for Pies Anymore- 5 Pumpkin Inspired Beauty Products

With Thanksgiving only a week away, I can already smell the pumpkin pies in the oven. Ah, the sweet smell of pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg, it's so comforting. But did you know that pumpkin can comfort and pamper your skin also?  It's high in vitamin A (retinol) and acts as a mild cleanser that also soothes and softens the skin. Thanks in large part to its natural soothing ability and antioxidant properties, pumpkin is also an excellent choice for all skin types, even sensitive skin. Here are a few beauty products that have pumpkin as an ingredient. And they smell delicious too!

Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Peel ($44)  A detoxifying peel for the face and neck.

 

Dessert Essense Hand Repair Cream ($10)  A proprietary blend of Organic Pumpkin Seed and Licorice Leaf extracts helps to even skin tone and fade the appearance of age spots on the hands.

Bath and Body Works Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin ($10)  A Signature Classics Collection, Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin is available in Body Lotion, Body Splash and Shower Gel. The scent is also available in several different room fragrance choices and candles, so even when you're not baking, your home can smell like you are!

 Philosophy Pumpkin Spice Muffin Flavored Lip Shine ($12)  High gloss, smooth and great tasting!  Mmmmm

 Demeter Pumpkin Pie Fragrance ($20 for 1oz. spray)  Notes of pumpkin, sugar, cinnamon, cloves and a touch of ginger.  According to a study at the Monell Institute in Philadelphia, the smell of pumpkin pie increases the arousal level in men by 40%. Hmmmm, interesting.

4 Tips for Glowing Skin

We all want youthful glowing skin, here are some easy tips to help you achieve the 'JLo Glow'.

1. Clarisonic Skin Brush – the equivalent of a sonic toothbrush for the face, the Clarisonic skin care brush moves more than 300 times per second cleansing 5 times better than a washcloth. This is great news for us over 40 women because when pores are filled with dirt, they expand and look larger. Cleaner pores mean your pores appear smaller which means smoother skin! I bought this as a birthday present to myself 2 years ago and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done for my skin. It’s so convenient to use—I keep it in the shower and recharge once a week. I use once a day (as opposed to the recommended twice a day) with the normal brush. A sensitive brush head is also available. If you’re looking for something to put on your list for Santa, this is a great choice! If a Clarisonic brush isn’t in the budget, purchase a soft bristle face brush; they are available at most drug stores and are very inexpensive.

2. Exfoliate religiously. In real estate the mantra is location, location, location. In skincare, it’s exfoliation, exfoliation, exfoliation. Every woman over 40 needs to exfoliate at least once a week, maybe more depending on your skin type. Exfoliating will get rid of dead skin cells that can clog pores and make your skin look dull. When you exfoliate, you are helping to bring new skin cells to the surface thereby making your skin look brighter and younger. Use of at home microdermabrasion treatment or a chemical peel once a week will make your skin glow.

3. Use a good moisturizer targeted to your skin type and make sure it has sunscreen in it—at least 15 SPF. Remember in these cold and dry winter months, you may need to switch a richer moisturizer.

4. Start using an antioxidant serum. Once your skin is cleansed and exfoliated, any treatment products will be able to absorb better and thereby be more effective. There are many types of serums for each skin type and issue. A general all round good serum for all skin types in a vitamin C serum—better yet, see if you can get a vitamin A & C serum; there are many to choose from.*

*If you need specific recommendations for your skin type—email me! I love to give advice!

Review: Cargo Best of Cargo Collection

Returning something to Sephora can be dangerous to your wallet--well for me at least. Especially since I just got a Sephora in my town and even though it is a downscaled version in a Penney's store I am verklempt. So, while wandering around the store knowing I had a $32 credit....I found this really great Best of Cargo Collection. The set is housed in a nice re-usable tin and features an eye shadow palette in shade Shanghai, Suede Blush in Montebello, High Pigment pencil in black and Classic Lip Gloss in Sig Sur. All full sized products and all only for $34.

The Best of Cargo Collection is ideal for an everyday neutral look. Shanghai eye shadow palette contains a nice white shimmery shade for highlighting, a pale shimmery pink that can also be used as a highlighter or as a nice lid shade, a peachy nudish shade also nice on the lid and a taupe shade with a lot of grey in it. The palette is neutral, maybe leaning toward cool.

I especially like the Montebello SuedeBlush. It is a pretty pink that imparts a nice glow but is not shimmery or glittery, which is a bit strange because when I swatched it on my hand at Sephora it was very, very shimmery on my hand. I would have skipped this set for that reason alone had the sales associate not told me she was wearing Montebello and it looked very nice on her. I think because the blush has pale pink, a deeper rose and beige swirled together, it appears more subtle on the skin. The pigment is very good though, which allows you to build the color--the more you apply the deeper the color you get. I find one swirl gives a very natural look to my light-medium skin. For deeper skintones, just go a bit heavier.

Cargo's Classic Lip Gloss is Big Sur is a mauvy rose shade--very very pretty. The texture is fairly thin and not sticky at all. This gloss comes with a time-strip that you insert into the tube and it turns red when you need to replace the gloss. A silly gimmick and pretty much useless in my opinion. I can tell when it's time to replace my gloss; not that I ever fully use one up . I love this shade but I wish it was longer lasting.

The High Pigment black eyeliner is fine; not the best, certainly not the worst. It's just fine.

Overall: The Cargo Best of Cargo Collection is a real beauty bargain. At $34 each product works out to only $8.50. The eye shadow palette alone retails for $28.

Best For: Any skintone and anyone who likes a neutral daytime look. I really don't think this set can be 'smoked up' for a dramatic night look.

Do You Need It?  If don't have many neutrals in your makeup arsnel, this would be a good addition at a great price. It would also make a nice gift for someone who loves makeup. If however, you do have a lot of neutrals in your 'stash' you can certainly pass it up. But.....it is a great bargin even if your favorite things are only the blush and the gloss.....and the eye shadow :)

I purchased this collection myself at my local Sephora.

Mythbuster Monday

MYTH: Hypoallergenic products are safe for all skin types.


BUSTED-False      
Since there is no legal standard for the word "hypoallergenic," any cosmetic company can get away with using the word on their label, no matter what ingredients it contains. The term is commonly used to point out that the product is less likely to cause an allergic reaction than other products, but even this non-definition leaves room for ingredients like perfume or other chemicals that can irritate skin, warn dermatoligists. The same goes for 'non-allergenic,' another non-regulated word. This means 'no tendency' to cause allergic reaction, a fairly nebulous description. Most dermatologists recommend avoiding common irritants like fragrances, alcohols, high-strength acids and lanolin for sensitive skin types.

Put Your Sale Goggles On! Urban Decay Friends & Family Sale

Urban Decay Friends & Family sale started yesterday, 30% off Nov. 9 through Nov. 20th and free shipping with a $50 order. Don't disregard this brand girls, just because it looks too young and trendy. I've talked about these so much and forced my friends buy them that Urban Decay should pay me a commission. Oh well, I guess I'll have to settle for the love and adoration of my friends instead. Anywho,  24/7 eyeliners are the best on the market (with Makeup Forever close behind). They are creamy, super long lasting, glide on without tugging and are waterproof. The shades are quite unique, some with slight glimmer. My pick for a great buy? The Super Stash Set - nine mini 24/7 eyeliner pencils, with 4 new shades. $36 -30%  = $25.20

 
Here's what you get:
Exclusive shades: Corrupt (brown sparkle), Binge (navy), Eldorado (gold) Oil Slick (black sparkle).
Also includes Zero, Graffiti, Ransom, Rockstar, Stash.

My other Urban Decay staple is the Primer Potion--you've heard me recommend it before. The best eyeshadow primer on the market--Too Faced Shadow Insurance runs a close second, but I like the doe foot applicator in Primer Potion's packaging. Your eye shadow will NOT budge or crease and the primer intensifies the pigment in any eye shadow. It is now available in the shade Sin also which is a champagne color that can be worn alone. Every woman needs this! $17 - 30% = $11.90

Check out the eye shadows and lip products too!

Philosophy Holiday 2009

Philosophy never disappoints with their darling value packed gift sets.  Inevitably someone (or multiple someone’s) on my list will be receiving something from Philosophy. Philosophy has so many wonderful products, but if I had to pick just one of my favorites, it would be hands-down Amazing Grace. It is the most perfect scent for every woman: from my 21-yr old daughter, to my 50-something self, to my 89 yr old mother; it smells wonderful. Philosophy founder Chrisitna Carlotta speaks the truth when she says people will say "umm, you smell so good" instead of "what perfume are you wearing"? The scent is light, romantic and utterly feminine. I have given Amazing Grace to all my relatives and most of my friends and no one has ever been disappointed. Now, the hard part who is left to gift it to this year? I may choose some of the cute gift sets instead--the Bake Shoppe is sweet and the recipe box actually comes with recipes! Decisions, decisions. Oh and Santa if you're reading this, I'll take anything!

First Snow ($25.00)

• snow body lotion 2 oz., snow shower exfoliating gel 4 oz., snow kiss lip shine .5 oz. gift set

Angel Cakes ($20.00)
• high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath 8 oz., lip shine .5 oz. duo

Snow Shoes + Mittens ($20.00)
• snow shoes miraculous foot cream 4 oz., snow mittens miraculous hand cream 4 oz. duo

The Cookbook ($35.00)
• 6 recipe-inspired shampoo, shower gel & bubble baths 2 oz. gift set (pumpkin spice, red velvet, hot cocoa, warm pear cobber, gingerbread and cinnamon buns)

The Cookie Exchange ($30.00)
• 4 delectable, cookie scented high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble baths 4 oz. gift set (lemon cookie, coconut macaroon, chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin)


Gingerbread Man Hot Salt Scrub ($25.00)
• gingerly hot salt scrub for tub & shower 23 oz.

Holiday Spice & Everything Nice ($16.00)
• high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath 8 oz., lip shine .5oz

The Bake Shoppe ($30.00)
• pink frosted layer cake and raspberry mousse high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath 4 oz., raspberry mousse lip shine .5 oz., sweet creamy frosting lotion 2 oz. gift set 

The Winter Escape ($25.00)
• peppermint hot cocoa high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath 4 oz., melting marshmallow cream body soufflé 2 oz., lip shine .5 oz. gift set

‘Twas the Night Before ($20.00)
• milk and cookies high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath 8 oz. duo

Party Girl ($35.00)
• pomegranate bubbly exfoliating shower gel 4 oz., shimmer body lotion 4 oz., lip shine .5 oz.

Holiday Hostess ($20.00)
• cinnamon buns award winning, ultra rich shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath, body lotion 8 oz. duo with pumps

The Recipe Box Shower Gel Duo ($18.00)
red velvet cake and sweet creamy frosting ultra rich shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath in a keepsake box with real recipe cards

Amazing Grace ($50.00)
• amazing grace perfumed shampoo, bath & shower gel 8 oz.,, perfumed body butter 2 oz., spray fragrance 2 oz.

Shower Gels ($16.00)
• Silent Night

• The Gingerbread Man

• Peppermint Hot Cocoa

• Have a Cherry Christmas

• Candy Cane

• Pumpkin Spice Muffin

• Caramel Apple

• Eggnog

Availability: Sephora.com , Philosophy.com