Happy Holidays and Good Wishes for the New Year from Prime Beauty!

May the peace and joy of Christmas be with you today and throughout the New Year. I wish all women 40 and over the confidence to enjoy their age and the wisdom that age brings. Embrace and enjoy this time; the prime of your life. I will leave you with this quote which I think describes most women that have lived 4 decades or longer:

"The most beautiful stones

have been tossed by the wind

and washed by the waters

and polished to brilliance

by life’s strongest storms”

Happy Holidays from Prime Beauty!! I am taking some time off during the holidays but will return in the New Year with a brand new look and a week's worth of giveaways so stay tuned!!

Prime Beauty Holiday 2009 Gift Guide - Stocking Stuffers!

Beautyblender Hot Pink Holiday Kit ($25)  The famous beautyblender sponge has become the beauty addicts go-to tool for a flawless complexion. It's the difference between wearing makeup that looks like you're wearing makeup and wearing makeup that looks like your skin. The kit comes with the beautyblender and a 3 oz. cleanser in a cute organza bag for giving!

Bath & Body Works Shea Socks ($6) These super-soft, ultra-pampering socks are made twice as thick for extra warmth. Contains enough shea butter to last up to 25 washes. Imported.

Foot Petals ($12-24) Comfy cushion insoles for feet that make wearing heels bearable and actually comfortable! Available in 8 sizes for heels, arches, full soles.

Shu Uemura Compact Mirror ($15) This limited edition adorable compact mirror is embellished with a cute kitty.

L'Occitane Rosebud Hand Cream ($10) this sweet rose secented hand cream hydrates and nourishes dry hands.

Philosophy Recipe Box ($12-new price!) a set of of shower gels in Red Velvet Cake and Sweet Creamy Frosting in a keepsake box with real recipe cards to make the cake at home.

Essie 4 pc Mini Winter Collection ($17) This set is sure to please anyone. Includes: mint candy apple (creme de menthe), lollipop (candy cane red), rock candy (sweet treat pink) and 3 way glaze.

NEWS FLASH: GREAT SALES!!!!!!!!!!!

This sale was too good to not tell my faithful readers about! Tarte Friends & Family sale is 40% off online with code FFDEC. Sale  runs Dec. 7-13 and you get a free card case with a $25 purchase.

For all of you who missed the blockbuster gift we’re pleased to offer – FOR ONE DAY ONLY – a 10 piece Bonus free gift with purchase – over a $105 value! Shop now and receive this deluxe collection with any purchase of $45 or more plus free shipping!* Enter Code BONUS

Prime Beauty Holiday Gift Guide--Beauty Gifts Under $50

Welcome my prime beauties to the Prime Beauty Holiday Gift Guide 2009. Just because you may be cutting back on the amount you spend this year doesn't mean you can't give great gifts, especially for the beauty addicts on your list. Here are some of my favorite picks for beauty gifts under $50.

Make Up For Ever Best Of Set ($49) This limited edition features five of MUFE's best selling products and is a great value! The girls on Makeupalley rave about this brand so I succumbed and ordered this set at Sephora's Friends and Family sale--review to come soon! This set includes:

Aqua Eyes eyeliner in Mat Black
Smoky Lash mascara
HD Microfinish Powder
Travel HD Microperfecting Primer
Sens'Eyes Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser
Available at sephora.com

NARS I Want You Lip Gloss Set ($45)  A limited edition collection of five mini glosses in best selling shades Striptease, Greek Holiday, Turkish Delight, Orgasm, and Dolce Vita. Available at Sephora and sephora.com

Dior Little Luxuries Coffret ($45) Limited Edition Four classic mini fragrances from Dior are sure to please any woman! Set includes: 0.17 oz J'adore Eau de Parfum,  0.17 oz Miss Dior Cherie Eau de Parfum, 0.17 oz Hypnotic Poison Eau de Toilette and 0.17 oz Dior Addict 2 Eau de Toilette. I'm a bit partial to this set because for years J'adore was my signature scent and now I wear Miss Dior Cherie often. Available at sephora.com
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. II ($48)  Urban Decay expands the book of shadows collection with Volume II, a huge and unique selection of eye shadows. This set includes: 16 shadows (eight exclusive to this set), travel size 24/7 eyeliners in Zero and Bourbon (my fav eyeliner of all time) and a mini primer potion for eyes. Available at Sephora and urbandecay.com

Sephora Complete Starter Brush Set ($45) 10 of Sephora's most popular brushes packed in a travel friendly brush roll. An excellent value!
Laura Mercier Soufflé Body Crème Sampler Set ($50) A trio of Laura's favorite ultra-rich whipped Soufflé Body Crèmes in Almond Coconut Milk, Crème Brûlée and Crème de Pistache. Available at Nordstrom, lauramercier.com, sephora.com

Sephora Limited Edition Scent Sampler Best Sellers For Her and Him ($50) Perfect when you're not sure what scent to give. This set includes ten samples of top-selling women's fragrances to try, a gift voucher of equal value that can be redeemed at any Sephora store for a full-size bottle of any one of the samples included, and a fragrance guide. Also available at sephora.com. I have given this to several different friends and family and everyone loves it plus it's great for those hard-to-buy-for guys on your list!

Chanel Les Deux Scintillantes Glossimer Duo Set ($50)  Spark and Praline glossimers with a mini nude lipliner. Praline was formally not available in the United States so here's your chance to snag it--it has quite a following.

Prime Beauty Holiday Gift Guide--Beauty Gifts Under $25

Welcome my prime beauties to the Prime Beauty Holiday Gift Guide 2009. Just because you may be cutting back on the amount you spend this year doesn't mean you can't give great gifts, especially for the beauty addicts on your list. Here are some of my favorite picks for beauty gift under $25.

For the Jet Set Travel Girl: Sephora Beauty To Go Limited Edition Palette ($15) Eye shadows, blush and lip gloss--everything a travellin' girl needs in one easy convenient palette! Available at Sephora

For the Beauty Addict 'In Training'--Sonia Kashuk Twist of Fate 6pc Brush Set ($20)   A six piece nice quality brush set with glam silver twisted handles housed in a lovely clutch. Sonia Kashuk is known within the beauty community for making some great brushes. Her bent eyeliner brush is a 'must have for anyone that uses gel eyeliner. Available at Target and target.com

For the Girl Who Likes to Get Cozy with Cocoa: Philosophy Winter Escape ($25) Peppermint Hot Cocoa shower gel, Marshmallow Body Souffle and Marshmallow Lip Shine in a cute ski shack box. Available at Nordstrom and Sephora

For the Fragrance Lover: Rollerballs ($15-20) if you have a fragrance lover on your list but can't afford a full bottle of her favorite juice, consider a rollerball to carry in her purse for quick touch-ups. Rollerballs are available in nearly every scent from Aquolina Pink Sugar, to Hanae Mori, to Ralph Lauren to Nanette Lapore. Seriously, Sephora.com has almost any scent you could want.

For the Nail Addict: Burt's Bees Perfect Mani/Pedi Kit ($20) this darling kit in a red and white polka dot bag will delight any girly girl.
For the Girl Who Likes the Whole Kit and Caboodle: LORAC VIP Jet Setter Collection ($25)  The set includes: Special Effects Conditioning Primer and Lengthening Mascara, Showstopper Eye/Cheek Palette, Mini TANtalizer Baked Bronzer, aquaPRIME Face Primer, Cream Lipstick in Premiere, Matte Lipstick in Imagine, Front Of The Line Liquid Eyeliner in black and a Travel Roll Up Bag.  Available @ loraccosmetics.com

For the Girl Who's Hard to Please--Tweeze! Tweezerman Mini Tweezer and Mirror Set ($20) Tweezerman makes the BEST tweezers ever! They grab the smallest hairs and never need sharpening. This set comes with a mini slanted tweezer in pink with a cute snowflake design, a round mirror and case. Available wherever Tweezerman is sold and at Sephora.com

For the Natural Organic Girl: Josie Maran Moroccan Holiday Collection ($25) A must-have collection of Josie Maran's best-selling beauties—all infused with pure, organic Argan Oil. Set includes: 0.14 oz Argan Oil, Lip Gloss in Compassion (nude shimmer), Lip Gloss in Happiness (rose shimmer) and Mascara in Black (full size). Available at Sephora and sephora.com

For the Girl Who Loves Soft Sweet Smelling Skin(who doesn't?): Soap and Glory Soaper Heroes Gift Set ($10) This bath and body line from the UK smells divine, is high quality, value packed and is in a word Fabulous! This set includes mini sizes of : Clean on Me Body Wash, Flakeaway Body Scrub, Hair Supply, The Righteous Body Butter and Girligo Body Spray. Available at Target stores and target.com

For the Girl Who Like to Be Spoiled Head to Toe: L'Occitane All Shea All Day Set ($24)  A Limited Edition set of shea infused softening goodies. This set includes: Shea Verbena Shower Cream, Shea Body Lotion, Shea Hand Cream, Shea Foot Cream, - 1.0 oz Shea Milk Soap. Available at Nordstrom, Sephora and sephora.com

REVIEW: Dior Smoky Crystal Eyeshadow Quint--I DIE!!!

It's here! It's here! My long-awaited Dior Smoky Crystal eye shadow quint!! Smoky Crystal is part of the Dior Holiday 2009 collection and I swear when I opened the Sephora box, the sun came out and I heard angels sing. It's stunning, spectacular, stupendous and all those other 'S' words. I can't wait to try it but I'm afraid to touch it so I've been gazing lovingly at it for the last 24 hours. Sigh, I will have to try it soon but first I will take pictures so I can remember it in all its splendor-- yes that's it!

Hmmm, I'm still a bit on the fence. Oh don't get me wrong--it's gorgeous and the shadows are silky soft, very easily blendable and the superb (there's another S word) quality we've become accustomed to with all Dior quints. Another plus--I don't even need a primer or base with this eyeshadow; the staying power is unbelievable. The problem is upon first application the shadows seemed too frosty. I used the silver shade on the lid, the charcoal shade in the crease and a light dab of the purple in the center of the lid. I had pretty much decided it was just too much when....I got a compliment at work on my eyes. Crap! Now I was going to have to try again! So....this past weekend I did try again and I used the pinky purple on the lid, and the charcoal in the crease with the silver applied very lightly on the brow bone and the inner corner of my eye. Guess what? Yep, more compliments AND one of them was from my 21 yr. old daughter--uh, now that's worth something! I said "but it's too frosty and sparkly" and she said "that's what I like about it"! To which I said "but aren't I too old for shimmery, sparkley eye shadow"? to which she replied "yeah, but I still like it". SOLD!!

The Dior Smoky Crystal Quint is comprised of (left to right) a sparkly silver, a charcoal grey, a pinky purple--maybe orchid (?), a light taupe and a pale sheer goldish taupe. These are all in the cool region but since there a few taupe shades so they seem to work for me. The name is a little misleading because you can't really do a traditional dark smoky eye with this quint, however I prefer a more subdued look anyway. I like the pinky purple for a nice pop or to soften the grey a bit. This quint is more shimmery than I would normally wear but since the shadows are so sheer, they impart a nice a sheen that makes my eyes glow rather than glitter. Me likey!

Packaging: The typical elegant blue compact with the Dior logo

Quality: Excellent--the shadows are soft and creamy, blend like a dream, shimmery

Value: $56 for a Dior eye shadow quint is not cheap. However, you are getting five eye shadows of very high quality.

Overall: This is an iridescent formula quint, therefore shimmery. However, it is sheer so it makes your eyes glow not glitter. Smoky Crystal creates a lovely silver or grey eye but has extra punch with the pinky purple shade.

Best For: Anyone that likes high end, high quality eye shadow palettes, cool toned beauties, or if you're like me, you enjoy silver sparkly things.

The Dior Smoky Crystal Quint is part of the Holiday 2009 collection and available at Dior cosmetics counters, dior.com and sephora.com

I purchased this item myself

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.

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.

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

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

Shu Uemura Holiday 2009 - Wish Upon a Star

I haven't talked about Shu Uemura cosmetics on this blog yet, but I'd like to introduce you to the brand.

"Renowned for his masterful makeup artistry since 1958, Mr. Shu Uemura helped pioneer the concept of the makeup artist, merging makeup and art through his bi-annual mode makeup collections and on-stage makeup performances. each of shu uemura's products embraces elements of art, nature and science through original packaging, unique textures, key ingredients and ground-breaking product formulas."

This high quality and original brand is most famous for their covet worthy eyelash curler and cleansing oil, however their blushes and eye shadows have a loyal following as well.

Japanese fashion designer Tsumori Chisato created the limited edition "wish upon a star" Holiday collection. Tsumori’s favorite Japanese icons "twinkle star" and "lucky cat" are featured in the collection and sybolize good luck. Two of my favorite things, kitties and makeup!

The collection is comprised of two limited edition palettes, Planet Cat Couture and Radiant Ribbon Couture. ($65 each)

Limited Edition Duo Color Highlighter Golden Snow ($45), who can resist a palette with a kitty imprint?


Limited Edition Gloss Unlimited Mini Trio set + pouch ($45) and Limited Edition Rouge Unlimited Lipstick in Jupiter Brown ($25)