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.

Estee Lauder Holiday 2009

The Holiday collections are starting to show up online and will be on counters soon. We saw the Holiday collections of Chanel and Dior, featuring soft pastels and tropical shades. Estee Lauder has gone a decidedly different direction showcasing the traditonal red and gold of the season with their Ultimate Red collection. The collection includes:

Opulent Shimmer Powder (LE $32)   "Radiant shimmer powder illuminates skin with a hint of golden opulence. Sweep it across cheekbones, décolletage, anywhere you want a holiday glow."

Estee Lauder Signature Eyeshadow Quad in Lavish Plum and Gold Opulence.
(LE $35)

New gel eyeliner in black (LE $19.50 comes w/brush)

TurboLash Motion Mascara in Gold, black with sparkling gold effects (LE $32)

Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick in four limited edition shades with elegantly fluted tip: Gold, Blackberry, Cranberry and Simply Red. ($19.50)

Opulent Shimmer Gloss, high shine shimmer in Gold and Cranberry (LE $18)

Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Gold and Burgundy (LE $18)

The Estee Lauder Ultimate Red Collection is available online now and at counter soon.

A word & then...Pink Beauty - Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This blog is my hobby. I love talking about makeup, skincare, haircare and all that stuff. But let's face it, that's superficial stuff, I'm deeper than that and so are you. So I'd like to take a few minutes to remind everyone that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Did you know that The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) organization is 25 years old this year? Proceeds from the sales of eveything from coffee pots to makeup to yogurt are donated by hundreds of companies big and small. But it's the stories of real people that truly bring home the message. Please indulge me while I tell you about some women I know and a woman I knew.

Karen was like us; she worked, was a busy mom, drove her kids to all their sports practices and attended every game. In addition, she volunteered at her church and she and I had a Camp Fire Girls troop. Karen was the one you called on to get something done and when no one else would volunteer, she would. She left behind 3 children, the youngest 8 years old. Karen lived for 2 years after her diagnosis but went through hell. A mastectomy, radiation, chemotherapy, stem cell replacement, she did anything it took to stay with her family as long as she could. To say it was hard on her is a colossal understatement-- it was horrid and debilitating and humiliating and every other horrible adjective you can think of.  I miss her.

I have two co-workers currently struggling with breast cancer. They both have been through surgery and chemo, infusions and have completed their treatment.  D is the most amazing person you will ever meet. She is smart, beautiful and witty, but perhaps the most striking thing about D is her positive attitude--you cannot help but be happy in her presence. She is grateful for the experience of having cancer, not that she would have asked for it or wanted it, but she's learned about herself and others and as usual she has tried to make the best of of a bad situation. When I was going through my divorce, D would send me cards with notes of encouragement--the woman has cancer and she's concerned about me? That's who she is, like I said---amazing.

I can only think of one word to describe V and that is GOOD. She is just a good, good, kind person. I will never reach that level of goodness. She never has a bad word to say about anyone, is always willing to help and is sympathic and understanding. I swear there are days when I catch a glimpse of something shiny hanging just above her head.

Both women are blessed with wonderful husbands, friends and supporters from their churches. Both women are of great faith which I'm sure helps to sustain them through these difficult times.

I'm only telling you this in the hope that you will make your health a priority. Karen's doctor told her to slow down and take care of herself, he said that chronic illness and disease is more common in women who have busy schedules and are givers. Hey doc, that describes all women! Did you know that one in every 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer? Now that's scary! We 'mature' women have taken care of our spouses, children, friends, parents, grandchildren, etc. and put everyone before ourselves. Now it's time to take care of yourself. Your family needs you to stay healthy and active! We mature women also know that the world is a sweeter, calmer, more compassionate place because of US.

On a lighter note, let's take a look at some of the beauty products that have offerings for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You can help just by buying products that donate in some way and thanks for indugling me.

Smooth the way to finding a cure for breast cancer. Buy this limited-edition Dramatically Different™ Moisturizing Lotion and help the Breast Cancer Research Foundation with its mission to prevent and cure this disease. Comes with a Clinique bracelet with dangling charms: a Clinique “C” and Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Ribbon.  $10.00 from your purchase helps support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. $35

Limited-edition trio of Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 minis on a keychain. Comes with 2 charms: a Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Ribbon and a Clinique 'C." In Air Kiss, Kissyfit &Whisper. $10 from your purchase helps support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. $18.50

Bonus: For every Clinique.com order placed in October, receive 3 gifts, no code necessary. Pink ribbon pin, pink ribbon charm and a bookmark featuring "7 tips for a healthier lifestyle".

Imagine a world without breast cancer. Your purchase of any product from the Pink Ribbon Collection will help Estée Lauder donate $500,000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. BCRF is dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime by funding clinical and translational research worldwide. To learn more about BCRF, call toll-free 1-866-FIND.A.CURE or visit www.bcrfcure.org

Estee Lauder Pink Ribbon Collection: 

This twinkling collectible pin is a simple, elegant way to show your support of Breast Cancer Awareness. $12.50

Golden Ribbons Mirror Compact. This elegant mirror compact is a gleaming way to show your support of Breast Cancer Awareness. On the cover, a subtle golden ribbon design catches the eye. Open the compact to reveal a dual mirror (one side has 5X magnification). Compact is approximately 3' in diameter. $55

Give your lips a world of pinks and show your support of Breast Cancer Awareness with the Elizabeth Hurley Lip Design Collection. $22

Elizabeth Hurley hand-picked the shades for this exclusive set:


Pure Color Lipstick in Elizabeth Pink


High Gloss in Pink Lady


Artist's Lip Pencil in Pink Writer


Pink Case with Mirror

Give your lips a world of pinks and show your support of Breast Cancer Awareness with the Evelyn Lauder Lip Design Collection. $22

Evelyn H. Lauder hand-picked the shades for this exclusive set:

Pure Color Lipstick in Bois de Rose


High Gloss in Blush


Artist's Lip Pencil in Spice Writer


Pink Case with Mirror

Bobbi Brown's Limited Edition Pink Ribbon collection features a limited edition pink glitter lip balm and an exclusive new shade, Creamy Pink lipcolor.  $40

During the month of October, Tarte will donate 20% of the proceeds of the Think Pink natural collection to the Young Survival Coalition, a support network for women under 40 living with breast cancer. See the Think Pink natural collection here  Get a free pink clutch with a $40 purchase from the Think Pink natural collection, use code PinkOct9.

More Pink Beauty products will be featured throughout the week so make sure to check back . Be healthy and God Bless!

Estee Lauder Limited Edition Sumptuous Color Mascara

I seem to remember using blue mascara in 8th grade. I think it may have contributed to my first kiss, that or the Herbal Essence shampoo. I'm sure my blue eyes stood out with blue mascara! And the Herbal Essence shampoo was just green and smelled like grass, we didn't have different formulas to choose from like the young whippersnappers now days. Ernie said my eyes were pretty and my hair smelled good-- and he actually sniffed it, I thought that was so romantic back then. But I disgress.

Limited-Edition Sumptuous Color Mascara is currently available at Estée Lauder counters nationwide and online at EsteeLauder.com in these shades:

Emerald, Amethyst, Amber, Sapphire and Garnet.

Would you wear colored mascara? Only for a night out or on special occasions? I think the amber and the garnet could be very pretty. Maybe a color opposite your eye color? Amber for blue eyes, amethyst for brown eyes?  Let me know if you would try colored mascara in the comments.

Oh, and Ernie you don't know what you missed!

Say Goodbye to Prescriptives

The Estée Lauder Companies announced yesterday, September 17th that they are closing distribution of the Prescriptives line in January of next year. They issued this statement:

"We believe that the difficult decision relating to Prescriptives will allow us to redirect our resources to key strategic imperatives where we see the highest growth potential," said Fabrizio Freda, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Estée Lauder Companies. To read more click here.

Prescriptives will continue to sell online at Prescriptives.com until inventory is depleted.

For Prescriptives consumer support, toll free numbers have been set up in North America (1.877.819.2968, English, Spanish and French speaking), the United Kingdom (0800 088 4168) and the Republic of Ireland (1800

Prevention Magazine 2009 Defy Your Age Beauty Awards

Prevention magazine tested 35 anti-aging products to see if they live up to their claims. First, each product was used by five women over age 40 for up to 8 weeks, and the testers shared their opinion about the effectiveness of each product. A top dermatologist then analyzed their skin, and the facial products were evaluated with state-of-the-art equipment like the Visia Complexion Analysis machine, which takes and compares before-and-after photos to detect improvement. The results: 7 facial products that live up to their claims to reduce fine lines, brown spots, dark circles, and more. And each winner costs less than $50!


Here are the winners!
 

 
 
Olay ProX Age Repair Lotion SPF 30--See my review here

RoC Multi-Correxion Night Treatment

Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge La Base Revitalizing Lip Treatment SPF 10

Estée Lauder Idealist Dual-Action Refinishing Treatment

Avon Clearskin Professional Acne Treatment System

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Shield Hand Cream SPF 30

Skin Effects by Dr. Jeffrey Dover Cell 2 Cell Anti-Aging Eye Treatment

Enter Preventions's Beauty Awards Sweepstakes to win all 7 products! here

Contest ends October 1st. Good Luck!!

Introducing Ashley--She's kind of a big deal

Readers, I am thrilled to bring you an interview with my dear friend Ashley. She is an experienced freelance makeup artist who has worked with Prescriptives and Laura Mercier among others. Ashley is smart, funny, skilled and knows a helleva lot about makeup, not to mention that she is downright adorable! I could go on forever talking about Ashley’s talents, but let’s get to it, shall we?

PB: Should your makeup technique change with age? How?

Ashley: I don't know that your technique as far as application should change, but as a mature woman you don't want to walk around wearing 'dated' make-up, such as bright blue eyeliner and coral lipstick... although those are just generalizations.

PB: What are your top three makeup tips for middle aged women?

Ashley: Wear bronzer, choose an eyeshadow that can be worn as a wash everyday and a good plum lipstick for an everyday look. Also, a nice and emoliant moisturizer plumps the skin and makes you look healthy.

PB: What is the biggest makeup mistake women make?

Ashley: Trying to be too trendy. Editorial photo shoot makeup is not intended for everyday use. Find a look that compliments you, not 14 yr. old models in overpriced clothes.

PB: What are 3-5 products a woman should have in her makeup bag at all times?

Ashley: -A good mascara, I prefer Prescriptives Beyond Long in Black (always black!!) it is water and sweat resistant.

-Bronzer--Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess is a great one, that won't go orange on you

-A good under eye concealer

-Blush-- Laura Mercier Wild Bouquet looks great on both warm and cool skin tones


PB: How do you decide what colors or shades to use on a particular person?

Ashley: I tend to ask a lot of questions. I don't want the person to go too far out of their comfort zone. I like to take time and find looks that the person can use for everyday use and then add on a couple of items that will take them into an evening look. If a woman always wears browns and golds, I will try to incorporate some plum or green.

PB: What is your favorite “look” to do?

Ashley: My favorite thing to do with a client is to look thru her makeup bag. I need to know what I am working with, and go from there. Everyday looks are my favorite. I do enjoy doing evening makeup, but have to be honest that smokey eyes and over-bronzed looks are not my fav and scream sorority girl! I like a classy look.

Me too, Ashley! Thank you so much!!

Estee Lauder Sensous Gold Fall 2009

Wowza! the model looks amazing! Estee Lauder's Fall 2009 Collection is called Sensuous Gold--warm tones of sun baked nudes and rose, lit with glimmers of gold, flattering on every skintone. I'm sold!

The collection features Senusous Gold Signature Lipstick in Cinnamon, Rose Amethyst, Plum Amethyst and Terracotta, Pure Color Senusous Gold Multi Gloss in Rose Gold and Amethyst, two eyeshadow quads in Rose Gold and Rose Amethyst, two Limited Edition Nail Colors in
Black Amethyst and Rose Gold.

Here's a sneak peak of the collection:

I checked with two of my local EL counters and neither had the collection in so I don't have swatches for you yet, hopefully soon though, I think the eyeshadow quads especially look promising. What do you think of the collection? Let me know in the comments!